There is no place like Fargo!!!!

Tears are rolling down my face. Sometimes words can not express how deeply a situation has touched you but with music and pictures you can get a glimpse. This is what I have been surrounded with the past week. I have been surrounded by people fighting with a smile on their face to save the community that they love. I have been surrounded with uncertainty and faith that things will turn out for the best. When I first walked into the Fargo Dome to help fill sandbags the site was overwhelming. When I first got a glimpse of the rising water next to homes that I wasn't familiar with tears came to my eyes. They came again as I watched an elderly couple walk up to the front doors ready to do all they could to help. This is why I live here. This is why I suffer through the long and awful winter. It is because of the people. It is because of the hope the faith and the optimism that surround me. I remember being floored the first time I pulled up to the fast food restaurant with how kind and helpful the girl was that passed the food through the window. There is something special about this town. Thank you for your prayers.

Friendship Quilt

Sorry I have been a absent lately but things have been a little crazy. For those that read my personal blog you know that we have been battling a flood for the past week. I have hardly been able to touch my sewing machine let alone calm my addiction. However, since we just received about 1+ feet of snow, I am sure I will be busy doing something since I have no desire to go out in it all.
A few months ago a couple of my quilting friends thought it would be fun to do a fall friendship quilt. They found a fantastic line of Moda fabric and 9 fantastic friends that wanted to be a part of it all. Each person gets 2 different prints and has to design a 12 inch square. We then make 9 of the same square and when we get back together in September we will exchange and end up with 9 different squares to put together in a quilt. I think it will be a lot of fun to see what people come up with and put something together with my Fargo family. I have some fantastic friends that make my life complete so to have something lovingly created my a lot of them will be something I treasure.
Since I am addicted to applique I had to use this cute little acorn that I found at Swak! I love this site and download a lot of my embroidery designs from them. They also have some fantastic sister sites that have a ton of great ideas. Anyway, here is my first ever real quilt block.

Thanks to Shay and Brooke who helped me pick out a design and helped me to pick out some coordinating prints. I wouldn't have been able to do it without them.

I Tried!

I really tried.  On Thursday I told the hubby that I was going to close up shop until Monday.  That's right.  I was going to close the door on my sewing room.  Well, Friday morning I just couldn't resist and opened it up just to finish off a few little items.  Then on Saturday I heard my machine calling my name again and decided to put together this little cutie.


 I found the pattern on one of my new favorite web-sites called Grand Revival Designs.  I am so amazed by the many talented women out there.  The blog world has really made it possible to us to start our own little businesses, share ideas, inspire each-other and create.  I am grateful for this.  Well, after I made up the cute little skirt I decided it was time to make a matching headband because an outfit just isn't complete without a little accessorizing.

 There are many different versions out on the web but I found my pattern here.  Anyway, today the door is staying shut and tomorrow we may just have to make a matching skirt for me.    

And The Winner Is . . .

Heather Swanson!!!!

Congrats.  Let's converse.  Thanks to everyone for entering my first give-away.  I love making things for people so stay in touch for the next one.  

Fun, Fun, Fun

I've been up to my no good addiction today, well, the past few days.  I'm sure there is a little person that lives inside my sewing machine that is constantly calling my name.  "Amber, Amber, I miss you.  I know it has only been a few hours but your fabric needs you."  I will have to find the mute button on the machine.  This is an order of one of my best clients.  
Paper Treats really has some adorable things and actually got me started in applique.

(Thanks my dear.)  I also dressed up this little cutie for a birthday party tomorrow.  

Can you tell I'm ready for summer?  A few days ago all the kids were out in boots and T-shirts, my hubby was grilling some pork-chops in his shorts, and the windows were open.  Did I forget to mention it was only like 45 degrees and we still have 2+ feet of snow on the ground?  However  just a week earlier we were experiencing -20 degrees and blizzards so 45 felt like a heat wave.  Here are a few more items I hope to have in the shop before tomorrow






and just a reminder, my Give-Away closes Friday at 8:00 pm.  Thanks for all of the support and new friends.  I love the relationships that form through the blogging world.  

Amber      

Give-Away!!!!

CLOSED

Whoo-Hoo. Today is the first of many give-aways to be sponsored by Simple Sayings. Today's however is from me. Yep, me.

This adorable little applique tee features a fun pair of timeless  paisley birds.  


It comes in a short sleeved white tee sizes 12m-12 girls are available.   

So, here are the rules.

Leave a comment on this blog promising you will visit again (he, he)

If you put a link to this post on your blog you will be entered again.  

It is that easy.  You have until Friday, March 20th to enter,  so let the comments begin.  

A Little Overwhelmed

Do you ever feel like this? I have all these hopes and dreams that I hope will one day become reality but how to get there can be tedious, frustrating, heartbreaking, wonderful and hard. It could be because we have Sadie (our almost dog that used to be ours but was given back because of my patience issues) and didn't sleep well at all. I think she was up more last night than a new born baby. Or maybe it is because of all the snow that has so graciously made it's permanent home here. Whatever it is I am so grateful for good friends, a wonderful husband, and happy (most of the time) kids. I do love to sew but haven't been able to get into my "studio" if you can even call it that, much this week. Once I started sewing everyday I kicked all the kids toys out of the lone room in the basement and set up permanently. I love having a room that is MINE and that it can be as messy as I want it to be. However, right now my limited supply of light is blocked from the new snowfall that covers up the windows and I can barely get around down there. Guess I should quit complaining and get busy. That is how a lot of my problems get solved. Love you!

First Sell!!!

I know this is totally cheesy but I just got my first sell on Etsy!!! I am so excited. Who knew that one little sell would totally make my week. I hope to have some more items in the shop this week along with a fun give-away so stay tuned.

Shout Out!!

I just want to give a little "Shout Out!" to my friend Summer over at Artfulife. I first met Summer about 8 1/2 years ago right after Ben and I got married. They grew up together and Summer introduced us to her little cutie Sloan. A lot has changed since then but I am so grateful for her constant support as I have taken on this new venture. Summer is an amazing artist whose prints will simply win you over.

Check out her Etsy shop here. She is also very good about updating all her followers on the day to days of motherhood. Thanks again Summer.