Weekend Finished Projects

The weekend went by super fast, but somehow I managed to squeeze in some time for crafting. I think mostly it has to do with Sunday Football. I don't really enjoy football but I love all the time that I get to myself to do some crafting while Dustin is watching football.

I am having a hard time believing that it is already the end of September. Which means, Christmas is coming up way faster than I would like. So, when I saw this tutorial by Crazy Mom Quilts, I thought it would be an excellent present for the in-laws. Dustin wasn't so sure about it, so I told him that I'd make some for us and see how they worked out. If he liked them, then I would make them for his family. If not, at least we would have some more dishcloths. I guess I went a little crazy, because I made four dish cloths and one hand towel for us and nothing for his parents, even though he said that he liked them and I should make some for them. I guess I'll get to that later. Amanda Jean does warn you in her tutorial that this project is not ideal for those people who do not like binding. I guess, I didn't realize how much I hate binding. I think I need to learn how to stitch it down by hand, and then I'd be more happy about it. Maybe this would be a good idea for craft night.

I also had time to start and finish a new receiving blanket. I'm really trying to stock up on my baby stuff to give away since so many people I know are expecting. This one was super simple. I just stitched it together and did a decorative stitch around the edging. I used the leaf stitch that is on my new sewing machine and went around twice: once in purple and once in green. I'm actually really pleased with the way that it turned out. Hopefully, I will be able to part with this one. And, I also started a new embroidery project. I know, just what I need. I swear this new hobby might be the death of me. But I counted up all the projects that I have finished this year, have started but not finished, and have waiting to be started. My list of finished projects is ahead of the other two categories (although, not by much), so I figured it was okay to start a new project. I'll post more on it when it is done.

Craft Night

Now that my sister lives super close to me, we have started our own craft night. Wednesday is now craft night! Last night she taught me how to embroider. I don't know why I never learned this skill before, but it is fantastic! I love it! I know that a new hobby is not what I need, but I'm addicted and just after one night.

Look at this cute cupcake I made. It was just a practice design to learn all the stitches that I could. I learned five stitches: the outline stitch, satin stitch, chain stitch, french knots, and the one stitch that looks like an outline but curls (I can't remember the name). I had to undo the yellow outline because I was taking huge stitches at first and it looked really bad. So I ripped it out and did it again, and now I am super pleased with it. On to the next project!

5K Walk

This past Saturday, I did my first 5K. Granted, it was just a walk and not a run (although some did run, I did not) but I still did it. And I finished! It was for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF). My work participates every year. This year, the only me and Valerie (a co-worker) could go, so Gary (the boss and owner of the company) came down to show his support as well. I talked Chardell and Anna into walking with me. It was so much fun.

Here is everyone at the start of the race. Valerie on the left, with Matt her friend, then Gary, Chardell, Me, and Anna in the stroller. Gary didn't walk with us, he decided he wanted to run it. Valerie and Matt got separated from us somehow but they finished. When we finished, we took a picture. The guy who was taking it asked us if we were with a company. We said "yes". Then he said "that must be a small company." We just agreed with him and smiled for our photo. Anna looks really tired, and all she did was get pushed in the stroller.

After the walk they had games, those big blow up play things, and food. We took Anna to get some balloon animals, a necklace, and to the fishing pond. She was so excited when she got her toys from the fishing pond she wanted to keep going. Isn't my niece the cutest!?

Q is for Quilt

I think this is by far my favorite quilt I have made (so far). I just love it! I LOVE IT! After I finished it, I just sat on the couch staring at it smiling, telling Dustin how proud of my new project I was. I think I am mostly in love with the quilting I did on it. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I finally got rid of my Brother machine (it really was not working for me) and got a new singer sewing machine. Thanks Aunt Ellen for helping me get a good one. It works great for me and what I want to do, but I am still saving for a super nice one, like a Janome or Viking.

For the quilting I did a stitch in the ditch around the pinwheels just along the white parts. Then on the borders, I did some free motion. I am really loving free motion quilting and I am getting much better the more I practice. The thing I love the most, is that I doubled the batting (it was super slim) and so this blanket is super cozy and really heavy (not too heavy though). I used a "warm and white" batting that I got on the bolt at Joann's. I was a little nervous to start quilting this because the batting said that it should be hand washed and not put in the dryer. Well, who ever saw a baby quilt that couldn't go in the washer? So impractical, honestly. So, I took my chances, quilted the whole thing and then threw it in the washer and dryer. It came out like a champ! I love the crinkles from a newly washed quilt.

For the backing, I used the yellow fabric that I used on the corner pinwheels on the front. I did a scrappy binding, using up all of my scraps that I had used on the pinwheels. I barley had enough to do the binding. I really love the way this turned out. I wish I was better at photographing my quilts because these pictures really don't do this quilt justice.

Did I mention that I really love this quilt? On to more projects!

Baby Kittens

The baby kittens have grown (today they are six weeks old) and we finally got them all adopted to good homes. It was insane how fast they grew. One day they didn't even have their eyes open, the next they were escaping from their closet every day. It was a lot of work trying to keep up with kittens. They are just full of energy and want to explore everything. We did our best to take good care of them and hold them every day. They loved to be held! We'd take them out on the grass and let them run, unless the neighborhood kids were around and then they'd just get mauled. Dustin would walk away from them and they'd follow, jumping through the grass. It was so cute, I had to make a quick video of it.

The black kitten went to a girl that lives in the same complex as us. She had her eye on this one since he was born. Her dad is allergic to cats so her grandma took it in for her. At first he was all black but as he grew he started to get this white patch on his chest. So cute!The two tabbys went to a home with twins. One for each! They have a lot of land so the kittens will have lots of places to run and catch mice. I'm glad that were adopted together but I was surprisingly sad to see them go. I guess I was more attached to them then I thought I was. How can you not look at this face and get attached?

We still have Roxy that needs a home, a really good one. If you know of anyone (in Utah) that would like to adopt her, send them my way.

Now that the kittens are gone, I might have a bit more free time to spend crafting! Yay!

More Free Motion

I've been practicing my free motion quilting! I purchased this panel at a local quilt shop and just sandwiched it together to make a practice quilt. It worked out okay, but I really need a lot more practice. I have no idea what I'm going to do with it now, most likely save it for when I finally have kids.

"Add it to the pile" is what Dustin is thinking, even though he has never said it. My stitches are getting more even and more consistent. I just need to practice more. I'm sure I'll think of a new project to practice it on.

This is what it says on the top, although, I have no idea what it means. Does anyone know what "Bazoople Friends" are? Even spell checker thinks it is a mistake and has no suggestions. I just got it because I thought the animals were cute. Seriously, look at that smiling giraffe!

I've also been making tons of baby bibs and burp cloths. I made these for my sister, Ashley, that had a baby boy like forever ago. I'm a slacker. That is why I am stock piling them, so next time I'm prepared. I hope these colors were boy enough. I've had a hard time finding cute boy fabric that works well on baby bibs. Don't worry, I won't give up. I'll keep searching.

Stewart Falls

This past weekend we went to Stewart Falls which is, according to Dustin, one of Utah's best kept secrets. It is 4 mile hike up in Provo Canyon. There are tons of trees which makes for lots of shade. I'm not much of a hiker, but it was actually really pleasant. Some of the trees are already changing colors but I can imagine how beautiful it would be when they are all changing colors.

I think sometimes that I take it for granted how much natural beauty we do have here in Utah. I get hung up on the stuff that I don't like. So this was a great reminder of all the great things that we do have in Utah. The falls were so pretty and very M.O.S.S.Y!

* name that movie* I'm going to buy some eucalyptus cause it makes my apartment smell, Mossy!

The only thing I did not enjoy was ....GRASSHOPPERS! Boy is it ever grasshopper season. There were some kids that we passed on the trail, and they were so excited to show us all the great bugs they had caught. Most of them had containers that were see through. Lots of grasshoppers and caterpillars. Then one little girl had a box and wanted to show us. I nearly went white as a ghost. I was praying that she didn't have any grasshoppers or I would've screamed so loud. Thank goodness it was just caterpillars. Oh, kids can be so enthusiastic.

My friend Keith would have loved this. He loved the outdoors. He took me lots of times on 4-wheeler rides. One in particular that I really remember was during the Mormon Cricket season.

[For those of you outside of Utah, who may not know what Mormon crickets are, just know this... they are disgusting! I hate them. Even more than grasshoppers. My Aunt (you know who you are), wanted to go catch a bunch of them and make them into paper weights. Yuck! She couldn't get any of us to help her go catch them so it never turned into a reality. ]

I remember it was like a huge swarm of crickets. We just kept driving and tried not to stop otherwise they'd jump on the 4-wheeler. Keith loved to tease me and watch me scream as they jumped all over us. Then he'd just smile, and I couldn't help but smile too. Good times!

Baby Shower!

My cousin is going to have a baby in October so this past weekend we threw her a shower. It was so much fun to see all of my family. We sure do have a great time when we all get together. Carrie (mom to be) got tons of great stuff. It was just a reminder of how generous and talented my family truly is. This is Carrie, isn't she a doll!? Only three weeks left.

I carpooled with my mom and sister, and ANNA! I got to sit in the back with her. It was fun trying to entertain her because all of the toys were out of reach. So, what did we do? Took lots and lots of pictures of us. And then we listed to music (Disney in Spanish of course) on my Zune. She loved it. We had tons of food (Honestly, what kind of a shower would it be without it?) and tied a quilt for the new baby. This isn't all of us, but the other pictures didn't turn out so well. Just trust me, there are a lot of us.

And when I say my family is talented, I mean it. Look at all this great stuff people made. Lets start with the quilts!

This one my Aunt Ellen made. Look at all those tiny squares. I think they are like one inch squares. Too small for my taste. Plus, all that applique. Wow!

This one was made by my grandma. She made a Sun Bonnet Sue for my sister when Anna was born, so I'm hoping this is sorta a trend and I might end up with one too when we finally have kids.

This is a wall hanging that my Aunt Judy (grandma to be) made. Isn't it cute!? The little fairy even has jewelry. Love it!

She also got other great handmade stuff. Like this diaper case made by Aunt Ellen. It holds extra diapers and wipes. She even embroidered the baby's name on it. She also made her a burp cloth. And check out these tiny booties. This picture does not do them justice. They are so cute and so small. Another thing I don't think I will ever attempt to make. They are gorgeous.

My mom made her this cute doll. Yay, mom, you finished it! And it is adorable. I'm so proud of you.

I gave her some baby bibs and burp cloths that I made. I kind of spoiled it because I put it on the blog too early but I couldn't wait. I was so proud of them.

She also got tons of other great stuff like scrapbook stuff, frames, clothes, diapers, baby baths, bath stuff, towels, socks, etc. She got so much stuff and it was so much fun. Now, lets just pray that little Samantha gets here soon!

Not My Job Award

Life is slowly getting back to normal. Slowly. But it is getting easier. Thank you for your kind words and prayers. I appreciate it.

I was out on an inspection and saw this as I was driving. I guess when life throws you a blown out tire in your way, just paint over it and keep going. Apparently it is their job to paint the lines on the road and not move the items that may be in the way.

Keeping Memories Alive

I saw this quote from the book "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield and thought it was interesting.

"People disappear when they die. Their voice, their laughter, the warmth of their breath. Their flesh. Eventually their bones. All living memory of them ceases. This is both dreadful and natural. Yet for some there is an exception to this annihilation. For in the books they write they continue to exist. We can rediscover them. Their humor, their tone of voice, their moods. Through the written word they can anger you or make you happy. They can comfort you. They can perplex you. They can alter you. All this, even though they are dead. Life flies in amber, like corpses frozen in ice, that which according to the laws of nature should pass away is, by the miracle of ink on paper, preserved. It is a kind of magic."

I'm really sad about my friends passing. I don't want to ever forget him. He was such a great man and such a great friend to me. In his memory (and to help me), I'm going to post things about him, or memories I have of him to help me never to forget him. This will be mostly for me, but I hope that it will help keep him alive. At his memorial service, his family and friends talked about going through journals and scrapbooks. I am so grateful that they have those from him. It helps to keep him alive and to be remembered. I hope it is a comfort to his wife and family that they will always have a way to remember him.

I'll be back with crafty stuff when I'm ready. Please be patient.