My kids seriously crack me up.
Crafty Reading Roundup
1 hour ago
Monday, December 28, 2009
I'm Still Here
No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. However, I only have time today for a few pictures to tide you over. I promise many more pictures and crafts and fun holiday stories soon.
My kids seriously crack me up.
My kids seriously crack me up.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Gift Ideas for the Girlies
All right Brendan's dad- this post is for you.
Brendan and I are easy- we just want money towards a new computer.
The girls are harder. Clothes are always good- they just keep growing! 5T for Anna and 18 months for Ellery. Warm jammies are always appreciated- no footie jammies, though. Ellery loves any and all toys. Really, she's not hard to please at all. She has some Little People toys and would probably love something along those lines. Anna has a love for Playmobile toys since her birthday. She has a catalog and shows me a picture of the Playmobile dollhouses daily. But those are pretty expensive- especially since you have to buy all the furniture seperately. Pixar movies are a current favorite- the only one she already owns is Monsters Inc. She also loves to play games- we have Candyland, Disney Princess Chutes and Ladders and Hi Ho Cherry-O- any other preschool game would be much loved. She loves any sort of Arts and Crafts sort of supply or activity as well.
That's all the ideas I have at the moment. Have fun shopping!
Brendan and I are easy- we just want money towards a new computer.
The girls are harder. Clothes are always good- they just keep growing! 5T for Anna and 18 months for Ellery. Warm jammies are always appreciated- no footie jammies, though. Ellery loves any and all toys. Really, she's not hard to please at all. She has some Little People toys and would probably love something along those lines. Anna has a love for Playmobile toys since her birthday. She has a catalog and shows me a picture of the Playmobile dollhouses daily. But those are pretty expensive- especially since you have to buy all the furniture seperately. Pixar movies are a current favorite- the only one she already owns is Monsters Inc. She also loves to play games- we have Candyland, Disney Princess Chutes and Ladders and Hi Ho Cherry-O- any other preschool game would be much loved. She loves any sort of Arts and Crafts sort of supply or activity as well.
That's all the ideas I have at the moment. Have fun shopping!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thanksgiving Weekend Report
It was a good Thanksgiving. Small, but good. Just our little family and Brendan's brother Mike. Who had just had his wisdom teeth out. Yea, it was pretty much Sunday dinner with a turkey and pumpkin pie.
Ellery started her Thanksgiving off a day early by breaking into the pumpkin pie. Brendan moved it off the kitchen counter and onto the kitchen table long enough to wipe down the kitchen counter. He turned around for a second, turns back around and there's Ellery, sitting on the kitchen table with a mouth and two hands full of pie. I wish he had taken a picture. It's her new favorite thing. She ate absolutely everything- turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, even more pumpkin pie. She even ate the leftover deviled eggs filling spread on bread.
It was probably her best day ever.
Anna, on the other hand, ate bread with butter.
That was pretty much it all day.
I spent most of the long weekend getting crafty. Instead of working on Christmas presents like I should have, I got a little wrapped up in Christmas decorations. It is the traditional weekend for Christmas decorating, after all.
I painted a peg people nativity- something that has been on my list since last Christmas. Anna painted a couple of extra pegs to add to the nativity.
According to her, they are her and baby Joseph.
I crossed Soft Trees off my list as well. Ellery loves them.
I also started a Santa wallhanging inspired mostly by this. The top is all done- I still have to quilt it and bind it.
And a close-up of my favorite Santa-
I'm not thrilled with the busy busy sashing fabric. But, since the goal was to use what I have- it's staying. Yes, all three of these projects were created completely using materials I already had. Little scary, isn't it?
Even with all this Christmas crafting goodness, I was just not feeling in the Christmas spirit. The whole thing was making me feel more than a little stressed and sad. Wishing for more money and more time. Just not feeling the Christmas love. Then Brendan snuck out on Saturday night and came back with this-
A real actual (plastic) six foot tall Christmas tree. Ever since we've been married, all we've had is a two foot tree- oh, the joys of student housing. This summer when we packed up everything we owned and put it in storage- I gave away the tree. I figured a two foot tree was not worth possibly moving cross country. The thought of making due without a tree or buying another two foot tree was part of why I was feeling so grinch-like. Brendan knew that and found this great tree on sale. It was sweet and adorable and has made me so much more excited for Christmas. A tree we can actually put some presents under!
Anna is thrilled, as well. She helped put the tree up and decorate it.
Ellery is fascinated by the lights. She was also thrilled to discover the candy canes we added since the pictures were taken. Out of necessity, the candy canes are now all on the top half of the tree.
I have decided that under the tree is looking pretty empty. I think a tree skirt is definately needed. A handmade quilted tree skirt perhaps. So many possiblities. I'm thinking something like the final tutorial but with replacing the log cabin blocks with foundation pieced blocks like the Santa's in my wallhanging. Santas, stars, trees, little Christmas cottages along the border of a white on white print tree skirt. Something resembling the inspiration for the the Santas. Am I crazy? Too cutsey? I've got a little while to think about it. I've committed myself to not starting on it (not even fabric shopping) until I get some serious work done on my crafty Christmas presents. There are not many of them but time is kind of slipping by quickly.
Ellery started her Thanksgiving off a day early by breaking into the pumpkin pie. Brendan moved it off the kitchen counter and onto the kitchen table long enough to wipe down the kitchen counter. He turned around for a second, turns back around and there's Ellery, sitting on the kitchen table with a mouth and two hands full of pie. I wish he had taken a picture. It's her new favorite thing. She ate absolutely everything- turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, even more pumpkin pie. She even ate the leftover deviled eggs filling spread on bread.
It was probably her best day ever.
Anna, on the other hand, ate bread with butter.
That was pretty much it all day.
I spent most of the long weekend getting crafty. Instead of working on Christmas presents like I should have, I got a little wrapped up in Christmas decorations. It is the traditional weekend for Christmas decorating, after all.
I painted a peg people nativity- something that has been on my list since last Christmas. Anna painted a couple of extra pegs to add to the nativity.
According to her, they are her and baby Joseph.
I crossed Soft Trees off my list as well. Ellery loves them.
I also started a Santa wallhanging inspired mostly by this. The top is all done- I still have to quilt it and bind it.
And a close-up of my favorite Santa-
I'm not thrilled with the busy busy sashing fabric. But, since the goal was to use what I have- it's staying. Yes, all three of these projects were created completely using materials I already had. Little scary, isn't it?
Even with all this Christmas crafting goodness, I was just not feeling in the Christmas spirit. The whole thing was making me feel more than a little stressed and sad. Wishing for more money and more time. Just not feeling the Christmas love. Then Brendan snuck out on Saturday night and came back with this-
A real actual (plastic) six foot tall Christmas tree. Ever since we've been married, all we've had is a two foot tree- oh, the joys of student housing. This summer when we packed up everything we owned and put it in storage- I gave away the tree. I figured a two foot tree was not worth possibly moving cross country. The thought of making due without a tree or buying another two foot tree was part of why I was feeling so grinch-like. Brendan knew that and found this great tree on sale. It was sweet and adorable and has made me so much more excited for Christmas. A tree we can actually put some presents under!
Anna is thrilled, as well. She helped put the tree up and decorate it.
Ellery is fascinated by the lights. She was also thrilled to discover the candy canes we added since the pictures were taken. Out of necessity, the candy canes are now all on the top half of the tree.
I have decided that under the tree is looking pretty empty. I think a tree skirt is definately needed. A handmade quilted tree skirt perhaps. So many possiblities. I'm thinking something like the final tutorial but with replacing the log cabin blocks with foundation pieced blocks like the Santa's in my wallhanging. Santas, stars, trees, little Christmas cottages along the border of a white on white print tree skirt. Something resembling the inspiration for the the Santas. Am I crazy? Too cutsey? I've got a little while to think about it. I've committed myself to not starting on it (not even fabric shopping) until I get some serious work done on my crafty Christmas presents. There are not many of them but time is kind of slipping by quickly.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Playing CatchUp
Blogging is proving to be a bit of a hurdle with no computer at home. I've written to Santa though and with his help and relatives help, that situation should be remedied next month. In the meantime, I'm just throwing together blog posts whenever I can go into work a few minutes earlier or work long enough to get a lunch break.
Here is what I have been working on lately-
The Birds and the trees quilt. Mentioned quickly a few days ago that I was posting this one for sale on Etsy. Hasn't sold yet. There are also fabric bundles for anyone who would like to make their own.
This quilt came about because of my obsession with bird and tree themed fabrics. It's pretty much the only kind of fabric I let myself impulse buy- I know I will always find a way to use it. Almost every quilt I have ever made has had a little bit of bird fabric in it somewhere.
And, I'm not done with these fabrics yet. I started throwing together some improvisational log cabin blocks with a baby quilt in mind.
Brendan commented that they just weren't very babyish. I've come to agree. Now, I picture them more in a little girl's room. Maybe for Anna's first big girl twin size bed sometime relatively soon. They've kind of moved to the backburner. Instead I started cutting out squares for a scrappy nine patch baby quilt. Something quite like the pink one I have for sale on Etsy right now- but with all the birds and trees fabric. I'm excited to see them start coming together. I think it will make for a beautiful baby blanket.
And the toys that the blog almost forgot-
I finished the bear and the bunny just a couple of days after finishing mini-Anna. They disappeared pretty much as soon as I sewed on the last limb. In fact, most of the time I was knitting them, Anna was right there watching and asking if they were done yet. I just re-found them as a part of a massive room clean-up and reorganization.
Here is what I have been working on lately-
The Birds and the trees quilt. Mentioned quickly a few days ago that I was posting this one for sale on Etsy. Hasn't sold yet. There are also fabric bundles for anyone who would like to make their own.
This quilt came about because of my obsession with bird and tree themed fabrics. It's pretty much the only kind of fabric I let myself impulse buy- I know I will always find a way to use it. Almost every quilt I have ever made has had a little bit of bird fabric in it somewhere.
And, I'm not done with these fabrics yet. I started throwing together some improvisational log cabin blocks with a baby quilt in mind.
Brendan commented that they just weren't very babyish. I've come to agree. Now, I picture them more in a little girl's room. Maybe for Anna's first big girl twin size bed sometime relatively soon. They've kind of moved to the backburner. Instead I started cutting out squares for a scrappy nine patch baby quilt. Something quite like the pink one I have for sale on Etsy right now- but with all the birds and trees fabric. I'm excited to see them start coming together. I think it will make for a beautiful baby blanket.
And the toys that the blog almost forgot-
I finished the bear and the bunny just a couple of days after finishing mini-Anna. They disappeared pretty much as soon as I sewed on the last limb. In fact, most of the time I was knitting them, Anna was right there watching and asking if they were done yet. I just re-found them as a part of a massive room clean-up and reorganization.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Ta Da
Finally managed to post my new quilt and new fabric bundles in my Etsy shop. I'll write more about them when I have time. For now, check them out. I'm pretty much thrilled with how they turned out.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Abundant Craftiness
First, I finally got Anna's birthday quilt washed. Here it is in all its wrinkled glory.
I started with this pattern- tweaked the sizes and added a third fabric. I've used this pattern a couple of times now and absolutely love it.
I did lots of free-motion quilted loops on this one. I branched away from my standard white thread and used pink. The overall girliness of the quilt seemed to call for it. Really, my dependence on white thread is pure laziness. I go and buy a ton of it when its on sale for half-price at JoAnn's. I always have it on hand and its just plain easy. I may have to try and break away from that and do some actual decision-making.
I really like it in action- with the matching pillowcase and doll quilt. Makes it look like a catalog image- especially when I shove all the toys on the floor to the other side of the room before taking the picture.
Second, I'm in one of those moods. Women will know what I mean. One of those moods where you just want to feel pretty. Most women would go shoe shopping or go get there hair done. Me, well- I obsessively make jewelry.
The bracelets are both five strands memory wire cuffs. I love how they look. I'm stopping by the craft store on the way home for more memory wire. I've got at least one other planned. This could be the start of a new bracelet obsession. I could post a tutorial if anyone else is interested in making one.
The other item in the second picture is a very long necklace. It's beads knotted on silk cord. It's meant to be worn wrapped around two or three times. Sorry no pictures of me wearing the jewelry. I tried but its pretty much impossible to do myself.
I also started a new pretty lace scarf.
Free pattern here. It's going to be a while before this one is making me feel pretty. It probably took three hours to get the six inches I have done. The goal is eighty inches or so. Yeah, going to be a long time.
I started with this pattern- tweaked the sizes and added a third fabric. I've used this pattern a couple of times now and absolutely love it.
I did lots of free-motion quilted loops on this one. I branched away from my standard white thread and used pink. The overall girliness of the quilt seemed to call for it. Really, my dependence on white thread is pure laziness. I go and buy a ton of it when its on sale for half-price at JoAnn's. I always have it on hand and its just plain easy. I may have to try and break away from that and do some actual decision-making.
I really like it in action- with the matching pillowcase and doll quilt. Makes it look like a catalog image- especially when I shove all the toys on the floor to the other side of the room before taking the picture.
Second, I'm in one of those moods. Women will know what I mean. One of those moods where you just want to feel pretty. Most women would go shoe shopping or go get there hair done. Me, well- I obsessively make jewelry.
The bracelets are both five strands memory wire cuffs. I love how they look. I'm stopping by the craft store on the way home for more memory wire. I've got at least one other planned. This could be the start of a new bracelet obsession. I could post a tutorial if anyone else is interested in making one.
The other item in the second picture is a very long necklace. It's beads knotted on silk cord. It's meant to be worn wrapped around two or three times. Sorry no pictures of me wearing the jewelry. I tried but its pretty much impossible to do myself.
I also started a new pretty lace scarf.
Free pattern here. It's going to be a while before this one is making me feel pretty. It probably took three hours to get the six inches I have done. The goal is eighty inches or so. Yeah, going to be a long time.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
The Girliest of Halloweens
Really, a princess and a ballerina. Does it get any girlier than that?
Unfortunately, these two pictures are pretty much it for the night. It was also a girlie Halloween in that it was without Daddy. His improv comedy troupe had a show. When I told him it was OK to sign up to be in it, I assumed it would be at the normal time- 8pm- plenty of time for Trick-or-Treating beforehand. Nope, he had to be there at 6. So we did just a little bit of trick-or-treating at the stores downtown before he had to head off for the show. But, the majority of the night, it was just the girls. So, what with keeping Ellery from eating the candy in her bucket- wrappers and all and trying to keep her from running into the street and being pulled along by Anna, there wasn't really time or spare hands for pictures.
We did have a lot of fun, though. Ellery was hilarious. She really got into it when she realised people were just handing her candy. First she tried her hardest to hold it all. Ten pieces of candy just stuffed in her little hands. I showed her the wonder of the bucket for storing her candy. Then every piece of candy got placed very carefully in the bucket, pulled back out for inspection, then put back in several times. Everytime we got close to someone's door, she would start squirming in my arms. I'd set her down and she's run to the front door. Then she'd stand there with her bucket out and the biggest grin. She made out like a bandit. We went to Great-Grandma's house. While we talking, Ellery kept sneaking back to GG's candy bucket. It was pretty much the best day ever for her.
Now, to make up for the lack of Halloween pictures- some bonus pictures of Anna opening one of her birthday boxes from Grandma this week.
(Yep, she's wielding a plastic knife to help open it.)
Unfortunately, these two pictures are pretty much it for the night. It was also a girlie Halloween in that it was without Daddy. His improv comedy troupe had a show. When I told him it was OK to sign up to be in it, I assumed it would be at the normal time- 8pm- plenty of time for Trick-or-Treating beforehand. Nope, he had to be there at 6. So we did just a little bit of trick-or-treating at the stores downtown before he had to head off for the show. But, the majority of the night, it was just the girls. So, what with keeping Ellery from eating the candy in her bucket- wrappers and all and trying to keep her from running into the street and being pulled along by Anna, there wasn't really time or spare hands for pictures.
We did have a lot of fun, though. Ellery was hilarious. She really got into it when she realised people were just handing her candy. First she tried her hardest to hold it all. Ten pieces of candy just stuffed in her little hands. I showed her the wonder of the bucket for storing her candy. Then every piece of candy got placed very carefully in the bucket, pulled back out for inspection, then put back in several times. Everytime we got close to someone's door, she would start squirming in my arms. I'd set her down and she's run to the front door. Then she'd stand there with her bucket out and the biggest grin. She made out like a bandit. We went to Great-Grandma's house. While we talking, Ellery kept sneaking back to GG's candy bucket. It was pretty much the best day ever for her.
Now, to make up for the lack of Halloween pictures- some bonus pictures of Anna opening one of her birthday boxes from Grandma this week.
(Yep, she's wielding a plastic knife to help open it.)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Please bear with me while I whine...
....I'm bored. Bored. Bored. Bored. I want to be home making something- anything! But, I'm not. I'm here. Thinking of all the things I could be at home making and am not. It's so hard for me to just sit without something to keep me busy. I've made a list of things I could be working on. I thought I would share it.
In Progress Projects-
1. Anna's Very Hungry Caterpillar Quilt (finished top- need funds for batting, backing and binding)
2. Scrappy Nine Patch Quilt (same deal- finished top- need funds)
3. Birds and Trees Fabric Bundles (all assembled, waiting for display quilt to be done before posting for sale on Etsy)
4. Birds and Trees Etsy Quilt (cut, about 1/3 pieced)
5. Birds and Trees Keeper Quilt (really just a vague idea and scraps of fabric at this point)
6. Hedera Socks (about 2/3rds of a sock to go)
7. Granny Square Baby Blanket (depressing number of rounds still to go)
8. Lace Shawl (wow, probably a year since I worked on this one- not sure I could actually locate the shawl, both needles and the pattern)
Christmas Gifts-
1. Teal Quilt for MIL (all cut, almost halfway pieced)
2. Something for the girls- right now I'm thinking dolls from this pattern.
That is it! I am determined to not add to this particular list. If you want someone handmade- put in your orders now for next Christmas.
Planned Projects-
1. Raven/Nevermore Wall hanging (so what if its Halloween today- its not too late!)
2. Tree Wall hanging (love this tutorial!)
3. Hungry Caterpillar Baby Quilt (might as well- I have plenty of fabric left)
4. A "Pretty Thing" cowl for me. (here)
5. A "Pretty Thing" in red for a gift for someone who will remain nameless for now.
6. Black, White and Pink baby quilt for Etsy (maybe quilt kits to sell as well. This pattern. Just need to start slowly collecting pinks and black and whites.
7. Some more fabric covered button barrettes for Anna- just because she loves them.
Vague Notions-
1. A Queen Sized Quilt for Brendan and I (the desire for a new quilt for our bed is as far as I've gotten with this one.
2. New dresses for the girls since they are outgrowing the last ones I made them.
3. A quilt made out of 4 and 20 of the crow blocks I used for the Halloween wall hanging.
4. A quilt using the last of my precious Heather Ross Happy Campers fabric.
Christmas Decorations and Such-
1. A Peg People Nativity Scene
2. Soft Trees
3. Stockings- sewn? knit? I don't know.
4. Christmas Fabric tiered skirts for the girls
5. Button tree
6. Some kind of advent calendar
And now you should have some sort of idea of the depths of my madness. Crafting is not really a hobby with me anymore. It's an addiction, an obsession, a compulsion. A list like this could keep me busy for quite a long time. If only I were at home with my crafty supplies. Sigh.
In Progress Projects-
1. Anna's Very Hungry Caterpillar Quilt (finished top- need funds for batting, backing and binding)
2. Scrappy Nine Patch Quilt (same deal- finished top- need funds)
3. Birds and Trees Fabric Bundles (all assembled, waiting for display quilt to be done before posting for sale on Etsy)
4. Birds and Trees Etsy Quilt (cut, about 1/3 pieced)
5. Birds and Trees Keeper Quilt (really just a vague idea and scraps of fabric at this point)
6. Hedera Socks (about 2/3rds of a sock to go)
7. Granny Square Baby Blanket (depressing number of rounds still to go)
8. Lace Shawl (wow, probably a year since I worked on this one- not sure I could actually locate the shawl, both needles and the pattern)
Christmas Gifts-
1. Teal Quilt for MIL (all cut, almost halfway pieced)
2. Something for the girls- right now I'm thinking dolls from this pattern.
That is it! I am determined to not add to this particular list. If you want someone handmade- put in your orders now for next Christmas.
Planned Projects-
1. Raven/Nevermore Wall hanging (so what if its Halloween today- its not too late!)
2. Tree Wall hanging (love this tutorial!)
3. Hungry Caterpillar Baby Quilt (might as well- I have plenty of fabric left)
4. A "Pretty Thing" cowl for me. (here)
5. A "Pretty Thing" in red for a gift for someone who will remain nameless for now.
6. Black, White and Pink baby quilt for Etsy (maybe quilt kits to sell as well. This pattern. Just need to start slowly collecting pinks and black and whites.
7. Some more fabric covered button barrettes for Anna- just because she loves them.
Vague Notions-
1. A Queen Sized Quilt for Brendan and I (the desire for a new quilt for our bed is as far as I've gotten with this one.
2. New dresses for the girls since they are outgrowing the last ones I made them.
3. A quilt made out of 4 and 20 of the crow blocks I used for the Halloween wall hanging.
4. A quilt using the last of my precious Heather Ross Happy Campers fabric.
Christmas Decorations and Such-
1. A Peg People Nativity Scene
2. Soft Trees
3. Stockings- sewn? knit? I don't know.
4. Christmas Fabric tiered skirts for the girls
5. Button tree
6. Some kind of advent calendar
And now you should have some sort of idea of the depths of my madness. Crafting is not really a hobby with me anymore. It's an addiction, an obsession, a compulsion. A list like this could keep me busy for quite a long time. If only I were at home with my crafty supplies. Sigh.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Happy Birthday Anna!
The day started with a walk (ride) to the park.
And was followed by some extreme girliness.
Anna thought it was the best day ever.
More on the princess blanket next post. I finished it in plenty of time. But, it hasn't been washed yet. And I want to do that before I do the official photo shoot and present it to you in all its wrinkly glory.
And was followed by some extreme girliness.
Anna thought it was the best day ever.
More on the princess blanket next post. I finished it in plenty of time. But, it hasn't been washed yet. And I want to do that before I do the official photo shoot and present it to you in all its wrinkly glory.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
My Little Girl
She looks lovely in a ponytail. She throws her diapers in the trash and her dirty clothes in the hamper (and occasionally vice versa). She doesn't talk yet but gets her point across very well with grunts and shrieks. She climbs everything that is climbable. She is at the same time a handful and an absolute joy.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
In the Mood for Finishing
I started the day with these:
An armless and legless kitty.
A basted doll quilt.
A Princess Quilt Top
I ended the day with these:
A kitty- complete with arms, legs and an admirer.
A quilted and bound doll quilt.
And not a finished princess quilt. That's going to have to wait for the funds for a trip to the crafty store for batting, backing and binding. I did, however, finish a matching pillowcase.
The quilt, pillowcase and doll quilt are all planned for Anna's birthday on Saturday.
It has been a productive day, if I do say so myself.
An armless and legless kitty.
A basted doll quilt.
A Princess Quilt Top
I ended the day with these:
A kitty- complete with arms, legs and an admirer.
A quilted and bound doll quilt.
And not a finished princess quilt. That's going to have to wait for the funds for a trip to the crafty store for batting, backing and binding. I did, however, finish a matching pillowcase.
The quilt, pillowcase and doll quilt are all planned for Anna's birthday on Saturday.
It has been a productive day, if I do say so myself.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Finished Pink Quilt
An effort to combat pink fabric build-up.
It's a rare occurrence- it turned out way better than I imagined it during the planning stages. There's usually just one of two things that are a little disappointed compared to an imagined quilt. Not so in this case. Way better. It's going up for sale in my Etsy shop just as soon as I post this.
In other Etsy news, I'm dropping the price on my Halloween wallhanging in the hopes of actually getting it sold before Halloween.
It's a rare occurrence- it turned out way better than I imagined it during the planning stages. There's usually just one of two things that are a little disappointed compared to an imagined quilt. Not so in this case. Way better. It's going up for sale in my Etsy shop just as soon as I post this.
In other Etsy news, I'm dropping the price on my Halloween wallhanging in the hopes of actually getting it sold before Halloween.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
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