Figgy Pudding

FINALLY - This quilt was started before Sam was born!  I finally have it completed.  I got the top completed in December and finally got around to quilting and binding this baby.  I quilted it using a snowflake pattern pantograph.  I haven't done many pantographs, so this was good practice for me.  I'm happy with how it turned out.

The backing fabric is my favorite print in the line with a toile feel to it.

Once Christmas is over I usually don't like working on anything with a winter/Christmasy feel to it, but I'm so excited to have this checked off my list and ready to go for next year.  I think it will look great in my family room next winter!

Through the Years

Ten years ago today I was waking up in Hawaii to my dreams coming true.  Mike and I have been married now 10 years.  Isn't that crazy?  This picture is from our trip to Hawaii 10 years ago - we eloped.  We decided on Monday to get married, flew to Hawaii on Saturday and got married the next Monday.  I had always dreamed of a wedding at sunset on the beach, but never thought it would actually happen.  Isn't that sunset amazing?

Ten years later we are still in love.  I am so grateful I married someone who makes me laugh.  Mike treats me well, loves me, is kind to me, is the best father.  He is very grounded and down to earth.  One thing many people may not know about Mike is that he is actually really funny.  He keeps me laughing and smiling all the time.

I have loved the last 10 years of life together.  We have traveled and had fun once in a life time experiences.  We have shared lots of laughter and a few tears.  We have built a house together, had children together, spent 3 years of sleepless nights together.  I am married to my best friend.  Cliche as that may sound it is true.  He is the first person I want to share my stories with and the last person I want to see each night.  We have a happy content life together and I couldn't ask for more.

Happy Anniversary!  Love you.

It Haunts Me

I'm in love. I can't stopped thinking about this quilt kit. It doesn't come out til May, and I'm counting down the days, saving my pennies. I have to make this quilt.

Have you ever had something call your name? Something you can't stop thinking about? I'm dreaming about it!  If you want this kit too, go here. 

Picture from Fatquartershop

Menu Monday

It's been a rough week in a half or so.  We've all been sick at home.  I haven't wanted to cook anything, which means we've been eating out.  Which means cokes and lemon cakes and cheeseburgers.  Throw Valentines on top of all of this and I've got 5 extra pounds to loose!  I swear - in my world woman won't have to worry about weight.  Its a new leaf, I'm turning a new corner.  I've got a sunny trip in sight and a pool to lay out at.  I've gotta drop a few!  So its on - working out, eating well - I'm on a mission!  My meals may not seem healthy - I'm not doing a diet, I'm just going to watch what I eat and how much...portion control is my best friend.

Monday - Tortillini and salad
Tuesday - Tacos
Wednesday - Salmon and salad
Thursday - Pot Roast with roasted carrots
Friday - Lobster ravioli - I have to find a good sauce, any suggestions?
Saturday - EAT OUT - 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!!

Conversations with Jake

Sam has learned a new trick.  He climbs up on the the kitchen table and plays on top of it.  When I try to take him off, he quickly scrambles to the opposite end.  I have to be very careful to move slowly I or fear he'll tumble off the table.  The other day he was up on the table with all of Jake's toys that have taken over this table.  Sam was throwing each toy, one by one, off HIS table....

Jake: "Mom, he needs a beating."

I guess I need to watch what I say in front of the children....

Blissful Wheels

I've been on a bliss kick...and a pinwheel kick.  To use up more scraps I threw together this quick table runner.  I like it a lot.... I used this tutorial.  I love her great runner ideas!

Happy Birthday

Can you believe this is my sister?  Its my one and only sister Whitney's birthday today.  TWENTY-NINE - you can only say that for 1 more year and mean it!  Whit is my only sister, best friend, BFF to my kids, kind, loving, helpful, always concerned about others, willing to help, beautiful, buff (look at her arms), and yoga expert.  She is many more things, but above all I am grateful everyday she is my sister and that I have someone I can talk to, laugh with, cry with, share concerns and fears with.  Someone who has my back and cleans my house!  Someone who we can laugh until we cry, share the same history and stories with.  I couldn't ask for a better sister or a better friend.  You are just as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside.  I want to be like you when I grow up.

I love you Whit and hope you have a wonderful day!

Questions

I've been quilting a lot the past few weeks and as I am alone with my thoughts, I keep thinking of some questions I have.  It amazes me the randomness that goes through ones head.  Here are a few things I wish I had the answers to....

1. Why do cartoon kids not have parents?  Where are they?  Who is raising these children?
2. How does a 1 year old blow through a house like a tornado?
3. Will my house ever be clean for a 24 hour period again?
4. Why can't people be content with what they have?
5. How I ended up as the mean parent?  I really thought going into parenthood Mike would have that role.
6. Why do other people's kids sleep through the night?
7. Where did Jake learn the terms "Calm down Mom", and "Don't worry about it?"  Seems a little old for him???
8. Does Brad from the Bachelor know all about Michelle's past?
9. Who else is watching the Housewives of Beverly Hill's?  How come I can't look away?
10. The sun will come out, tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, they'll be sun...(I think of this to the actual tune of the song)

Random I know.....

Stars and Dots

As I mentioned yesterday, I went on a binding rampage this last week.  Trying to get some old projects completed.  Background of this quilt...I bought this line of fabric to sale in my store in September of 2009.  I quickly put together this quilt to showcase the fabric and to sell some kits.  The top of this quilt has been completed since October of 2009!

I finally got around to quilting it in September of 2010 in hopes of having it done for our boutique.  Of course the binding didn't get done in time.  So finally in January of 2011 I decided it was time.  This quilt has been in the works in 3 different calendar years...it was time.  I needed it to be off my to do list!

I love stars and I love polka dots...I'm also a little partial to anything cute that could look good in a little boys room, so of course I loved this fabric line.  I think this quilt turned out pretty dang cute also.  Its a great size for a crib, toddler, or small throw.  Perfect to throw over the crib or at the end of a bed.

Thrilled that its done and off my list!

Surfs Up

I spent the last week getting some finished projects -- finished. Meaning BINDINGS! The final touch to a quilt seems to sometimes be the hardest for me to get to!

I got around to quilting my cute little nephews quilt the first of January, but I struggled to get the binding finished up. I'm happy to say its done and I've got a quilt checked off my to do list, and a cute little guy ready to be bundled in some snuggly minky!

Look at this little guy (and cute Aunt Whit)...Such a cutie!

Morning People

My sister-in-law Melanie and I (Happy Birthday Mel!) have been TRYING to be morning people.  We both are not -- AT ALL.  But with me carrying around my baby weight (can I still call it that 14 months after giving birth?) and Mel wanting to get back to her pre baby body (she's dang close) we have attempted to hit a 5:45 AM Jazzercise class.  Yes Jazzercise!  Let's just say its a struggle for both of us. 

What amazes me is all the people at the gym at this time - everyday!  I wonder how they do it?  I know I'm not the only mom with kids tha don't sleep through the night.  I'm not the only mom who has to sneak out of my own bed so I don't wake up the 1 year old sleeping next to me.  I know I'm not the only mom who stays up late working on projects. (Or am I?)  So how come I can't get my butt out of bed every morning?  How do these people do this daily? 

I have to say - I felt like a real mom since beginning my early morning adventure.  Went to workout, came home and jumped in bed with a sleeping Jake to wake him up for his first day of school.  We snuggled and talked for a bit, before making a warm breakfast of eggs and bacon.  We than took our time getting ready for school, watch a cartoon or two, and went off to school happy.  Isn't it odd that I didn't feel like a mom until I was up making breakfast for my kid to go to school?  I think I've been a mom all along, but something about sending my kid to school made it more official.  Odd I know. 

Jazzercise classes may come and go - but I do think starting my day off with a little workout and a happy kid off to school might be the way to go about this life I'm leading.  I can't guarantee that I'll wake up happy, or that I won't need a nap by noon, but I'm gonna try to keep this workout a live!  I may even one day become a morning person.....but probably not.

Winterfest Part 2

Saturday morning of Winterfest Ann and I took another class.  It was called the Schnibbles Mystery class.  We just knew to bring a couple charm packs (5 inch squares) and a yard of background fabric.  Miss Rosie has done over 50 Schnibbles patterns in the last 2 years or so.  They are very cute little quilts.  I have several patterns but have yet to make one.  People are loving these little quilts.  I was really excited to try my first.  We were given 2 patterns to choose from.  I think I will be making both of them over the next few months.  It was hard to choose which one I liked more.  I decided to go with a zig zag looking one.  In class I cut out these triangles and began sewing them back together.

Once I started sewing them back together I decided I was a) triangle impaired and b) didn't love the layout I had going.  So I spent the better part of the class unpicking my triangles!

With a little help from Carrie, I've decided to have the zig in the middle be the colored triangles and to use the zag in an all white back ground fabric.  There are rows that will look like this.

 

Above is a picture of 1 row.  I'll sew those together and than a piece of sashing goes between that and the next row of zig zags.  I think I'll be using the hot pink as my sashing.

I think this will be a fun spring quilt to throw on my table or over my chair for some color.  My goal is to have it completed before April 1st.  I have a busy February in store for projects to complete so I've got to get going on those before I can get back to this.

It really was a fun weekend.  I've been bitten with the bug to sew and want to spend all my free time finishing up my Miss Rosie quilts!  I'm so glad we went to this retreat.  Carrie is coming back to Utah in May to teach a few other classes - I may just have to find a way to get into one of them again!

Teeth

Is it crazy that I love this little guys teeth?  His two front ones are so big and straight.  His little cute little smile makes me laugh when I can see his cute little teeth!

Love this boy!

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

On my list of January projects was this little quilt.  I am happy to say I got it done.  Sewing, quilted, and bound!  I am happy with how it turned out.  Spending the extra time on the quilting was fun.  I was trying so hard to get my projects finished I almost did an all over design.  Going the more custom route took some time, but gave me some practice I needed.  I tried a few things I hadn't done before and I'm happy with the results!

I tried this heart border out, which I had to turn the quilt - something I hadn't done a lot of.  It worked very well.

A back view of the quilt shows some of the definition in the hearts.  My only regret with this quilt was not going for the larger size.  I should have it it wouldn't have taken that much more time.  I'm glad it got completed either way!  This was a fun quilt to sew and to quilt!

January Project Report

Being the first day in February - I thought I would report on my January progress.  Remember this post when I talked about my projects?  Let's review...

New Quilt - Crazy Little Thing Called Love in Bliss - COMPLETED!!!

UFO Quilt - Star Burst - I am happy to report I got the sewing all completed.  Didn't get to the quilting though.  The quilting of this one will be moved to my February to do list.

Quilting - Although I did not quilt either of the two big quilts I had listed - I did finish up my New quilt and 2 table runners, so I'm pleased I at least got something done!

Binding - 4 projects listed and 3 of the 4 were completed.  I also bound a throw that has been sitting in my room for a year, along with 2 additional table runners.  

Although I didn't complete all the goals I set out for myself, I can say I did a lot more sewing than I have been the past few months.  I'm thrilled I got so much done, and I have the bug to continue this path!  I'm getting together my list of February projects - I have a few gifts I'm trying to get done so hopefully that will help keep me motivated.

I'll share some pics soon.

Winterfest

This past weekend my friend Ann and I headed up for the quilt retreat called Winterfest.  It is 3 days of quilting classes, sewing, shopping, eating and fun.  We only caught the last day in half, but what a fun trip we had!

We spent (actually Ann got sick and spent most of Friday in bed), but I spent all day Friday working on this quilt.

It has been a very long time since I worked on a quilt with so many pieces!  This is a Miss Rosie pattern and the class was taught by none other than Carrie of Miss Rosies.  She is so nice, warm, and funny.  She is so knowledgeable about everything and gave me some great tips for sewing.  It was a lot of fun to talk with her and find out how she starts a pattern, how she picks fabrics etc.

Above is a great picture of Carrie and a not so woken up yet picture of me.  Ann and I stayed up until nearly 2am sewing the night before.  This is what I have to show for all my hard work....

50 of my 4 patches are completed.  I have another 50 to go -- for one of the blocks.  I still have another 100 to go for the other block.  Lots of pieces!  But I'm really enjoying the process.  I'm using French General lines by Moda.  The Maison De Garance and the La Petite Ecole.  I am LOVING these fabrics. This quilt is going to be beautiful if I can get it done.

I put a few full blocks together so I could get an idea of what the quilt would look like.

I think I'm gonna love it!  It was a fun weekend and a nice get away.