Finished projects!

I have quite a few WIP so I am fighting the temptation to start anything new until I get a few things finished. This week -- two items finished!!!


For Hailey's preschool graduation her gift was some lemon fabric that she had picked out a few weeks prior. See I told you I was behind! I originally started the dress with a store purchased pattern. MISTAKE. Store patterns, well, that can be left for a whole different post. On a visit to the local quilt shop I spotted a pattern I had my eyes on for quite some time. It is a $$$$ one, but I managed to justify it because it is size 6 months to 8 years, so I "should" be able to use it many times over! Anyway, the combo of lemon fabric and new pattern lead to this:

My model was quite her charming self so there are lots of photos to show!

My second completed project is for Jenna. She will be starting daycare after Labor Day. They take naps on a nap mat, so I made a Oh Cherry Zig zag Quilt for her to nap on. Moda also sells the Oh Cherry print on a bag. Perfect. Now, lets just hope she uses it :)

What a Beautiful Day....

Yesterday was a the perfect weather day. Sunny, 75 and beautiful. My kind of weather! Today will be another day just like that. Hopefully I can get some photographs taken of recent projects. And the weeding....oh, I think there are some weeds in my backyard taller then me. Really. I am hoping the kiddos will think they are super-kids and get using those muscles! We shall see.

We took full advantage of the weather yesterday and attended a Bluegrass Festival put on by our local community radio station. It was really fun. The festival was at a local park on the lake. The area of the festival was fenced in, so the kiddos could play on the playground, dig in the sand, hula hoop, dance, make art projects (more on that below) and the big boys played Kubb. Jackson knocked the king down, winning the game for the boys. He was VERY proud!

Back to those art projects. Jackson created a rain stick out of, get this, a fabric tube! They had cut the fabric tube into pieces and he hammered thin nails in to it. Taped the bottom closed and added rice. Taped the other end closed and decorated. Fantastic toy. Hailey made a drum out of another wide fabric tube. They cut the top off a balloon and stretched it around the form. Decorated it with colored duct tape there you have it, a drum.

Soon we headed back home and enjoyed some grilled dinner and homemade ice cream. Excellent day. Here are some photos.....

I would also like to take a moment to ask you a favor. The Guestbook Store has always donated to kids in need around the holidays. But this year we expanded that - and will be continue to do more things soon (I will tell you about that later). Please take a moment to read my sister-in-laws story on her blog.... School Supplies The start of school is right around the corner and the thought of kids not having supplies breaks my heart. So if you are out school shopping, pick up a few extra things and drop them off to the local school. The front desk will gladly take them and see they go to children in need of them. Or pick up a supply list by the school supplies and fill a backpack. After school starts, these items go on clearance....feel free to do it then as well!

Cheers!

To a new camera! Of course I cheers with a cup of coffee....it is 8:30 in the morning. :)

The good news is the new camera and that I am back to blogging.

The bad news, the old camera is missing. Simply missing. I have looked high and low, and again, and again. Right now, I think Jenna did it. Why? Cause she takes everything! Really. I am sure someday it will show up in the bottom of the pantry, or in some random cupboard....but until then. I enjoy my new little point and shoot (someday I will upgrade to a big girl camera) and try not to think about my boy boy turning 7 and all the photos from his special day -- poof.

Going back in time....

Have you been wondering if I left the blog world? Nope. Just trying to keep up with summer and life!

Lets go back to the beginning to of July and show you what we have been up to....

A litte water fun on the 4th. We went to a friends cabin (thanks Bob and Colleen!) and had a great day.

Summer is not complete without a fair. Jackson and Hailey had a blast riding the rides this year. Jenna enjoyed chillin' with her cashews!

Jenna makes sure her new best friend Elmo is fed.

Stuart left for Typecon mid July. He was presenting his new Filmtype book. So, while he was away, we kept ourselves busy.

Family Camping. We headed up to my brother's cabin for a weekend of R&R. And that is was :) It was so nice to have cousins that love to keep busy and let the parents relax. Here I am relaxing with my folks and cuddling with the girls.

Summer is not complete without good old Wisconsin corn on the cob.

We took a drive to visit Vino in the Valley. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner and took a stroll around the yards.

To be continued....