Sewing Bits

So a few weeks ago, I had a VERY productive sewing weekend with Kristina.

I made this lovely in a day!

I can't get enough of Wonderland by MoMo!

And the pattern from Atkinson Designs, Picture This, out of the Happy Hour book.I've been holding on to some Heather Bailey fabric for some time and finally became courageous enough to use it. Not only that I just winged it to make this little tote!


And I took a class at my local quilt shop to make this fun little apron (finished it on our sewing retreat).

I also completed another project, but it's a secret for now!!

Whoa, too much energy!

There are so many things going on, so much I'd like to do, just not enough hours in the day!!

The ever creative Kristina is going to be teaching some lucky people how to make these cuties!

I SO wish I lived closer so I could attend!!

If anyone lives in near the Twin Cities check out this store and sign up for some classes!!

I would LOVE to create a boy version of this!! Plus the little monster are adorable!

Honestly, people who can whip out quilts are amazing! These are so beautiful! Can you tell I have a crafty itch that needs scratching!

Meanwhile, maybe you can get a giggle from these photos!

Why is it the 3 1/2 year old looks like this after eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?

And the almost 2 year old stays clean?

I also thought I was due to post some pics of Carver! He's growing quickly! This was the best shot I could get. Here's a couple of my other attempts...

He really wasn't interested in posing for photos.

Uh huh!

A few other things...

Little James will be moving on to a big boy next weekend when he turns 2!! We've been talking to him about it, which he is VERY excited about. So tonight when we rearranged Miles' room, he thought Miles' bed was his new bed. Oh boy, the tantrum was earth shattering! So I introduced him to his new quilt and that calmed him down enough to hear us explain his bed was coming soon. At least we don't have to worry about him not wanting the new bed!!

And finally Miles' nightmare!!

Last week he woke up a couple of times crying. The next morning Ben asked him if he remembered his dream.

Miles: "There was a giant camel and a giant cat."

Ben: "A giant camel and a giant cat?"

Miles: "Yes, and they were calling me cookie."

Ben "Did they want to eat you?"

Miles: "Yes, and I hid in the bathtub."

I think we would have woken up scared a few times too!

Diaper Cake!

My sweet friend Ana will be having her first baby soon, and this past weekend we had a little baby shower for her. I've seen photos of diaper cakes, but thought it'd be fun to attempt one!

So I did a little research. I used rubber bands to secure the rolled diapers.

A simple platter and a bottle of champagne (for mom and dad to toast to the new baby once he's arrived).

I used a giant rubber band to hold the diapers in place around the bottle.

The bottom and second layers were size 1 diapers, the top were newborn. I'm sure you can use all of one or the other though!

I found some 4 inch wide satin ribbon to wrap around each layer which I secured with pins.

I tried hiding the diapers completely with paper between the layers (you can see that didn't work too well). And my husband said, "it's a diaper cake... aren't you supposed to SEE the diapers??" Hmmm, yea, okay.

So I removed the paper, added the bright green polka dot ribbon, and topped it off with a baby teething toy.

Both boys were pretty excited. Miles thought it looked "yummy" until he found out it was made out of diapers. And James really wanted the toy on the top.

*Update~ James' ear surgery went well! The doctor came out and told us everything went well just 10 minutes after they took him back! So a VERY quick procedure! He had a quiet wake up, and by supper time was banging on pots and pans again! So no sound sensitivity! We got them done just in time for his doctor to go on maternity leave!! He'll have a follow up appointment in a couple of weeks to check the tubes. I'll also be scheduling an audiology consult to check his hearing again. I have a ton of questions about his speech... where he should be, what sounds he's missing, what exercises I can do with him to help...

Copy Cat!

I stole an idea, that was borrowed from another, and this it what I came up with for James' room. I did them during a scrapbooking weekend. It was nice to have something else to work on when I got in a rut.

This picture makes me smile everytime!
And the whale paper is so yummy! Not sure where I found it, just wish I had gotten more of it.

This is our only family photo. We are WAY overdue for another!!

What I've been up to...

It's been a little while, well, maybe not, but seems that way.

Besides having a mild dose of the plague, I have managed to get some things done, and have so much more planned!

We went back to Blue Earth this weekend and took some more things from the house. For those that don't know we have a house for sale there and are currently in a rental in Marshall. I wasn't going to do any decorating in the rental, but it was starting to drive me bonkers knowing I had these cute things I wasn't enjoying.

So on the wall they went. And I swear they are not all crooked like they look in this photo!

This sweet little thing makes me smile. Bringing this back was a special request from Miles. He LOVES making up songs while playing. Just hoping someday they sound a little better.

And on my night stand are my current reads. Yes, two books at the same time. And there's always a magazine if I need a lighter read.

On my dresser I have a couple second hand store finds.

On a completely different note, I decided to hit the deck and get a kids eye view. The boys spend so much time playing in the floor, especially Miles, he'll set up these farms over and over again.

I think he has to because James ends up sitting on them.

And plans!! I'm making turkey chili tonight, then after supper Miles has floor hockey.

I also baked a pie pumpkin which I'll use to make my first ever pumpkin pie later this week. I volunteered to make the pies for Thanksgiving so I better test out my recipe!

Wednesday I'm off to Sioux Falls for an appointment and finish up my Christmas shopping. Then Thursday evening I plan to work on a couple gifts for the boys at the fabric shop.

I have a TON of cookie recipes I'm dying to try out, some more photos to hang, and the usual never ending mountain of laundry and cleaning.

What are you all up to??

MAJOR Talent!

Okay, so I have a fellow scrapping friend, Kristina, that creates beautiful scrapbook pages.

And I just found out she also has an etsy shop and blog.

Both are quite noteworthy!!

First up Polka Dot Mama!

Kristina makes and sells these adorable infant/toddler blankets!

And these little burpies!
I LOVE these fall ones, makes me wish my guys were still spitting up.

Just a couple of other favorites!

I encourage everyone to check out the shop, the holidays are coming!!

And if you are up for a fun blog, check out Sew Domestic ~diary of a resourceful housewife.

I just got back from a scrap retreat, checked out Kristina's goodies, and am feeling to inspired to create! Hope you find your inspiration too!

Etsy Love!

So I am LOVING this website http://www.etsy.com/.

It's a website where you can buy or sell homemade items.

You can find everything!! Clothes, purses, quilts, jewelry, art, books, spices...EVERYTHING!

And unlike what I expected, things are priced very fair.

Here's just a few things I think are super cute...

Wouldn't the boys be cute in these? Or at least Miles, he at least likes hats!

And I just think these guys are adorable!

Yummy! A gal cannot get enough purses! Love this print!

So, check it out...

It Finally Rained!

We finally got some rain on Wednesday! So Miles put on his galoshes and splashed around a little. He was too hungry to stay outside for long, but Thursday morning when we went to the park there were still plenty of puddles. He was so very thoughtful of the other kids and dried off most of the slides with his shorts!

Oh! Another nice little bit of thoughtfulness to share...

Miles, like me, is not a big morning person. His diaper can be filled to the max and his pajammas soaked but he will get very crabby if we try to change him right away. So we usually have to let him play in his room a bit and wake up more. Well, this morning was different! When I went in to get him he had already taken care of the pajammas and diaper! My naked little guy was standing in his crib looking so proud, jammies and diaper on the floor! Made the morning that much easier!!