Slightly Embarassing

Oh my, has it really been since October that I wrote anything? That is shameful! Christmas was great. Due to hubby's work situation we had planned on a smaller Christmas, and I was very surprised to find a Nikon D40 under the Christmas tree Christmas Eve. Craig, my mom and Vern, and his parents, went together and purchased the camera which my big brother was able to get on a good deal from his store. I have been taking tons of pictures and hope to learn how to use it someday. Right now, it just seems like there is so much to pick up on, that I'm just kinda shooting from the hip.

Saturday we took the kids to mom's to go sledding. Between Craig and I we took over 400 pictures in just a few hours. Some were great, some not so hot. Here a few of my favorites.




I hope you all had a great Christmas and have a happy and safe New Years.

Janes Tears

Here is another Dear Jane block, C9 Janes Tears. This is my first ever attempt at any type of real applique. I'm not sure I like applique this way or not. I've always been spoiled and done it the easy way with the iron on stuff. I think I'd better at least resign myself to doing plenty of it for this quilt, as it seems many of the blocks are appliqued.

We took the kids trunk or treating at the church last night. It was a mad dash yesterday to get the costumes all ready. But everyone looked wonderful.

*Note: I found this post saved as a draft that was never published, so I decided to go ahead and publish it now.

The Journey

They say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Today I started my journey of what will probably feel like a thousand miles. I started my Dear Jane quilt. Now, I have had the book and softward for this quilt for a number of years, and keep telling myself that I will start it after I finish this project or that project. The day of procrastinating is over. I realize that this isn't a quilt you just sit down and make from start to finish in a day or two (although there may be some person insane enough to do it). Instead you do a block here and there.
A group of quilters at Dear Baby Jane started a blog and work on two blocks a week. They started back in March of this year, and so I will have a lot of catch up to do if I want to play along with them, but more than anything I just find them inspiring. And someone else picks out which block to work on and all I have to do is focus on that one block, not a whole quilt (that whole first step thing).
So, here is my first Dear Jane block. It is B-13 Four Corner Press. I am officially a "Dear Janer," or something.

I am using the "Posh" line by Moda. I had always imagined doing this with Civil War reproduction fabrics, but I love these colors. So this will be my upscale, "posh", Dear Jane.

I also got my Baby Pinwheels quilt all quilted today. One of my girls will receive it for Christmas. I have another one that is the same quilt, and it is next on my quilting list to be done for the other daughter. I will post a picture of it when the binding is on, which my mother has offered to do for me (yeah!).
So off to make another Jane block. Have fun!

Christmas Planning

Maybe I'm over thinking things, but Christmas is really around the corner. And, since I want to do mostly handmade gifts this year, that means that I need to get started yesterday. I made an excel spreadsheet with everyones names that we need to give gifts to this year. Everything in black is either made or store bought, everything in red means it is something I still have to make. If you are a friend or family, don't look too close or you'll spoil your surprise.


It looks like I'm gonna be busy. I think that most of the figuring out is done, now its down to the nitty gritty of making it.

I asked Drummerboy to help make the marshmallow guns, and at first glance he seems willing. I told him they have to be done by Thanksgiving and he acted like I was rushing things a bit. I just remember the year that Squeals was born, her birthday is Dec. 12 so I wanted everything to be ready by Dec. 1, and we actually did it. It was so nice for the month of Dec. not to have to stress over what we were getting who, and how we were going to pay for it. I honestly think that was one of the least stressful Christmas' we've ever had, and I had a brand new baby. So, I know it is possible to be ready by Dec. 1. Thats the goal.

I'm gonna keep a running tally of what we spend on Christmas this year. It will probably scare the socks off of me, but I don't want to spend a fortune. We have done that in the past, and then spend the next 6 months paying off the credit card. That is so dumb.

Here's to a budget friendly, thoughtfully handmade Christmas.

Playing Catch Up

I am always a step behind. Okay, really its usually 2 or 3 steps, why can't I ever feel like I'm on top of things? Last night I stayed up doing some scrapbooking and finally got 2007's year in review album done. This whole year, I have only actually scrapped about 20 pages. How lame is that? Ugh, so I'm making an effort to spend less time screwing around in Photoshop and more time actually making pages. So to kick that effort off, here is a page I did this morning. The sketh is from Pencil Lines, and I found the kit for free at Summertime Designs. Its her Halloween kit and I really like it. I love the candycorn and pumpkin elements. I also used some items available from Atomic Cupcake.



I think I might try to do one of those slideshow things on the side of the blog that show all my pages for the year. Heh, it won't take too long to upload them all since I'm such a slacker and have only done 20 pages this year. Ugh. Okay, enough procrastinating. Off to scrap.

Almost October

It's almost October, but I have a confession. My Halloween decorations are already up. I love Halloween. I think we should decorate for it year around. Skulls are so great, and I was able to find some for pretty cheap this year, yeah me!

And you see that candelabra? Isn't that the greatest ever? I couldn't resist it when I saw it. Okay really, I resisted it the first time I walked by it, but the second time it jumped into the cart. Its haunted.

I actually made it into the sewing room yesterday, and actually got something accomplished.

This is one of about 4 baby quilts I made a few years ago. This one has been sitting waiting for a binding to be put on it. Its been hand quilted in 2 inch diagonal lines and its so puckery and cute. Luckily some poor soul in my neighborhood was hauling a bag of fabric scraps to D.I. and I rescued them and there was a perfect pastel stripe for the binding. Unfortunately there wasn't enough to cut it on the bias, but hey the price was great.


I also finished piecing the top for my Orange Crush mystery quilt. This has to be in the top 2 ugliest quilts I've ever made, not because the pattern is ugly, but because if it was gonna be called Orange Crush, it was going to be orange, and lime, and pink, and black. Whoa. But Stinker likes it, so it goes to him. Someday I'll talk myself into quilting it and giving it to him.

And just for fun, here is a picture of one of the first quilts I ever made, and the first quilt I ever machine quilted. It lives on Squealys bed until I get hers done.

It's all cheapo Walmart fabric and my free motion quilting really stinks on it, but its done.

I went and bought batting and backing for 2 quilts that my mom and I made a few years ago. I got one sandwiched last night and its ready to be machine quilted. I think they are going to be presents for the girls for Christmas so I can only work on them when Girlfriend isn't around to pay attention to what I'm doing. Squealy is oblivious to anything I'm working on thank heavens, so I can work on them while the older kids are in school. Ugh, I just realized the kids are going to be home in 45 minutes, and I haven't even started on it today. I better go see if I can get anything accomplished.

Have fun.

Happy Birthday Dude!

Six years ago today at this moment I was sitting in my dr.s office being induced for labor. In 3 short hours, my third child was born. Can I just say I am so glad that I don't have to do that again? Here is a picture of Dude on his day of birth, September 25, 2002.

And here he is today...Enough said.

So, I'm preparing myself for a full day of birthday boy fun. Yeah. He was psyched because today he got to take snacks for his kindergarten class. You know, I think those rules about no homemade treats are great? It makes it so worthless moms like me don't have to feel so worthless because we didn't make the perfect cupcakes for the class on their birthdays. Donuts are wonderful. At least I'm cool enough to let him take donuts instead of carrots and celery. Nothing says happy birthday like gorging yourself on trans fat.

Now its downstairs to throw away toys. Yep, I'm purging the rooms before Christmas. All toys are going, hopefully I'm strong enough to do this. If I really want to scare you all I'll post pictures of it. Maybe I'll save those for Halloween.

Since you brought up Halloween, have I mentioned its my most favorite holiday evah? I could so be a witch (notice I said witch not the one that starts with a b, i'm already one of them). And the best part of being a witch, never dusting cobwebs again! Hmm...I might need to look into this a bit more.

Have fun, because I will be.

I knew there was something irresistable about me...

Your Personality Is Like Cocaine

You're dynamic, brilliant, and alluring to those who don't know you. Hyper and full of energy, you're usually the last one to leave a party. Sometimes your sharp mind gets the better of you... you're a bit paranoid! At your best: You're confident, euphoric, and feel like you're on top of the world. What people like about being around you: You're intense and overpowering. What people dislike about being around you: You can be arrogant... and a bit of a jerk. How addicted people get to you: Incredibly addictive. And hanging around with you isn't cheap!

http://www.blogthings.com/whatdrugisyourpersonalitylikequiz/">What Drug Is Your Personality Like?

Okay, so scary thing is, that is totally me.

I went over to a friends house today to walk her through a couple digital scrapbook pages. She has been wanting to get started on this for awhile, they bought the program and a printer, but she wanted to get all the photos she had printed scrapbooked first. She finally got that done, she is such a better woman than I am. I would have just given in and started on the digital stuff. Hopefully she'll keep playing with her program and soon have everything figured out. That is so important when you are scrapbooking the digital way. You really need to just sit down and play with the program to figure it out. People can show you how to do something and give you some ideas but until you start tearing into it, you won't get it. So, in spirit of her scrapbooking, I made a scrapbook page today. Its from our last camping trip. Basic, easy page, but sometimes those are so nice to just get some pictures scrapped.
Girlfriend has gymnastics tonight, and tomorrow is Dudes birthday. He'll be 6! Time goes by so fast. I have to find time tonight to go buy his birthday present. He is really hard to buy for this year. He doesn't have anything hes into right now. I'm gonna go start dinner, I just realized what time it is. I'm gonna give my friends German Pancakes a try tonight. She says her family loves them, I hope mine does to! Have fun.

I would like to thank everyone...

Yes! I got an award! How cool is that??

Thanks so much to Katie over at And Sometimes I quilt for giving me an award! So the rules are as follows...

Here are the rules of the Award:

1. The winner may put the logo on her blog.

2. Put a link to the person you got the award from.

3. Nominate 5 blogs

4. Put links to the blogs.

5. Leave a message for your nominees.My awards go to (in no particular order):

Purple and Paisley

Our Cozy Nest

My Zoe Bug

A Chelsea Morning

Freda's Hive

All of these blogs are in my favorites folder on my computer. Thanks again to Katie!

Small Update...

Family Life
I know I haven't posted anything in awhile. We went on vacation, and then school started, and then life just stays busy. Our vacation was great. We spent a few days at Bear Lake with my brother's family and my dad and his step-family. The kids thoroughly enjoyed living on the beach and in the lake for 2 days. Warning to everyone though...that new spray on sunscreen stuff is crap. My two oldest kids got soooo burned and I sprayed them down very well.

We then spent the rest of the week in the mountains in southeastern Idaho, near the border to Utah. We did a 50 mile 4-wheeler ride, yes you read that right. 50 miles. I couldn't walk, I couldn't use my arms. I was so tired by the time we made it back to camp. We were racing the sun home, trying to get off the trails before it went behind the mountains and we would be drenched in darkness. They were new trails to us, and we didn't want to get caught out there with the kids and not be able to find the right trails and sign posts to get us back home. But we made it safe and sound.

The next day we spent laying around trying to recuperate until my husband convinced us to go huckleberry picking. I have never been berry picking before, and although I didn't eat any, I did have a lot of fun.

We took the kids to the Oregon Trail museum in Montpelier. I really like that place. They take you back to 1850-something and start you on the trail to Oregon. They even talked a very small bit about quilts on the trail. They asked if anyone was a quilter and my son raised my hand for me. They told about how important quilts were on the trail, not just to keep you warm and to give you privacy, but usually that was all you had to lay your loved ones in the grave with.

I have three kids in school this year. StinkerBoy is in 5th grade, Girlfriend is in 3rd, and Dude is in kindergarten. Squeals is the only one home with me, and she'll start next year. So far they all love being back at school (although I know this is temporary).

Creative Life

I'm putting the last borders on my Orange Crush Mystery Quilt. I'll get a picture of it if I can ever figure out where DH put the camera. I'm not too crazy about my color choices (why oh why can't I ever take the easy road?) But my oldest son loves it, so he'll get it when its done.

Here are a few pictures of a baby quilt I quilted for a friend of mine. These are made with Minky, which I have never worked with before and was very scared to machine quilt on for my first time working with it. But they turned out very cute and my machine quilting turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.

Well, I'm trying out different things with this blog. Today I posted the pictures using html instead of uploading to blogger itself. We'll see how this works.

Happy Blogging!

Headbands and Messenger Bags

Creative Life
So I woke up this morning and decided to wear my new super cute pink A-line skirt my mom made me. Being the adventurous (not really) soul I am I needed a headband to wear with my skirt! After all, a white tshirt and light pink skirt just doesn't say much, but add a hip headband and theres a statement (or something). Don't mind my crazy eyed stare.

My 3 nieces came and stayed with me for a few days earlier this summer and they fell in love with the messenger bags I made for my boys, so they begged me to make them some, one in a girly color scheme, and one in a very not girly color scheme. The girly one is done. Whew, that was a chore. She wanted a pocket for her cell phone, and so that gave me fits, and then I decided to line it with Warm and Natural since it will be used as her school bag and I thought that might help it hold up a bit better, and for some reason (okay it was really late) I just couldn't get my mind around layering the flap and sewing around it and turning it so it would look right. It finally came to me as we were watching Star Wars III at 12:30 at night. So, after a few more hours this morning her bag is done, and I do like it. I couldn't decide on an embellishment for the front so I just made a small yo-yo. She can add more later if she wants to.

Family Life

In family life, I took the kids to the movie today. Horton Hears a Who was playing. They seemed to like it, I tried not to fall asleep.

Mom and her hubby brought over a recliner for us, they are getting new ones. Ours is old and falling apart so it will be nice to have a newer one for the family room.
Stinker (DS age 10) had scouts tonight. They went on a bike ride. When Drummer Boy (DH) went to drop him off there was only one leader there so he stayed and went on the bike ride with them.

I'm finishing up cooking dinner, then we're gonna go watch Last Comic Standing (DVR's are so great) with no commercials.

Happy Blogging!

WooHoo!

Check it out! I figured out how to change it to my image and header! I'm not a complete idiot, and thanks to the people over at The Cutest Blog on the Block, its cute! Okay, so a couple hundred more refreshes, re-uploads and I might end up with something I like!

So far, I'm using a digital scrapbooking kit by Shabby Princess. If you are at all interested in digital scrapbooking you really should check her out. Her work is beautiful! And she offers free kits too! How great is that? Okay, Okay, enough for now. Gonna go learn something new.

Ta-Da!

After several attempts at trying to figure out other templates, I decided to just stick with a blogger template for now. Who knew this could be so confusing? I consider myself fairly computer savvy, and yet somehow I don't get this. Frustrating.

This will be an attempt at blogging (try number 2 by the way). I'm trying to figure out ways to keep myself motivated and doing the things that need done, and at the same time to do something resembling journaling about my life and family.

I would show what I've been working on, but the Mr. has the camera with him to take pictures of his band performance tonight at his work. His band performed twice yesterday for a company party, and then they will be performing tonight.

This is a picture from a performance they did last year for the city Revive @ 5 in the downtown district.



Happy blogging!