We need a bug identification book...

Maddox is a bug boy. He finds bugs interesting. I do not. I try to encourage his interests, even the ones that sick me out. He has a bug kit, magnifying glass, etc. Lately he's wanted to know what kinds of bugs he has caught. I try to find them online, but it isn't easy because I know nothing about bugs, because I do not like them. We found a new one last night:

Polyphylla decemlineata

It it a 10-lined June Beetle, or Hissing Beetle. It does hiss, LOUD. Seemed like a nice tame beetle sitting on the house, but the thing was not happy in the bug kit. It lifts it LARGE antennae up in the air and hisses, LOUD. Add in that this beetle is seriously 2 inches long and it makes for a freaky bug.

This picture was not our beetle, our beetle was bigger, I'm sure. Where is the bug now, you ask? As Maddox likes to say, in nature. We try to release our bugs, but Maddox knows that spiders aren't held to the same standard.

Hats Done!

I said I'd let y'all know when I had some things done for Craft Hope.

Five Hats Finished!

Here is Maddox's baby Lucy trying one on for size.

Click HERE for a tutorial on how to make some of these hats.

You still have time to contribute to Craft Hope, deadline for items is July 25th.

More done...

Finished!

I got the 2nd block for Shannon done!

More Progress...

More nine patches done for the One A Day Quilt-A-Long...

And one of the blocks done for Shannon, and the Stash Busting Bee International. The fabric she sent is the center square. I have one more block that I need to make for her this month. The quilt she's making has a Hunting Lodge theme for her nephew, so I figured a Hunting Lodge quilt needed a Log Cabin block.

Craft Hope

Craft Hope has teamed up with the Miracle Foundation and just started Project 3. The Miracle Foundation is an organization dedicated to empowering children to reach their full potential, one orphan at a time. They will be traveling to the Bhawani, Rourkela and Sooch Village children's homes in August.They are desperately needing blankets, booties and beanies for these children to be kept warm. The blankets, booties and beanies can be knit, crocheted or sewn. Deadline for these items to be mailed is July 25th. Project 2 was a success, and delivered 405 handmade dolls to the children at Casa Bernabe Orphanage in Nicaragua. Having worked for a week (mission trip) at a Mexican orphanage, my senior year of high school, I briefly experienced how great the need really is. I plan on making a quilt, and trying out at least one beanie. I'll post pictures as I get them done. There are also plenty of opportunities to contribute locally to organizations that need help. In the Spokane area alone there is a huge need, especially for blankets. The Craft Hope website is working on getting more links up to tutorials for people interested in helping out. You can click here for a tutorial on making a simple knot newborn cap.

I'm behind again....

So I'm behind on my blocks for the Quilt-A-Long. Not a huge surprise.

However, I have gotten a lot of other things done.

What's this you ask? It's my newly finished sewing machine cover! I LOVE IT!!!!! It ties on either side with ribbon, so it's fast and easy to get on and off. The fabric I used was from Sorbet, by Moda. I got the idea over at Sew, Mama, Sew! Check out the tutorial from Jessie over at Tiny House.

I have also just finished my first two blocks for Stash Bustin' Bee International. Basically, every member is assigned a month. When it's your month, you send a “scrap” of fabric to each of the other 11 participants by the 1st of your assigned month. The quilters will use their own stash to complete your block, incorporating the fabric you send.Quilters will send back the completed block by the end of the month, along with a scrap from their own stash, just to spread the stash love!

This was my first block. Lish, who had this month, requested pinwheels, stars, or spinning things. The flower print was the fabric that was sent to me, the red and blue are from my stash. This block was 12.5", and I was pleased with it.
I had enough fabric left over to make this 6.5" pinwheel block. Again, I was pleased with my first effort. Until I saw Marilyn's block. Her block blew mine out of the water.

More Progress & a Giveaway!

I'm caught up...for today.

These are my latest blocks for the One a Day Quilt-Along. I've also joined an International Quilting Bee, can't wait to get started. It's a year long commitment, but by the end I'll have a quilt made up of different blocks from people all over.


And hey.....Check this out
Head over to The Fabric Shopper by this Sunday and enter to win 30 fat quarters of Denyse Schmidt's Katie Jump Rope fabric!!! Click on the picture above to shoot straight over to the giveaway.