Another project complete!

This skirt was started at craftin' weekend. Since then, I took it apart and added a new ruffle hem and appliqued the tee. The hand stitching too a little longer than I projected, but turned quite nice, if I do say so myself! And the best part - Hailey likes it!

Here is my sweet darling daughter....


and a more accurate photo of my silly daughter!

Speaking of daughters, here is Jenna. She has started to become an escape artist. If you cannot find her, she has more than likely crawled upstairs and is tucked away in the book room. I will wish for the same activity when she is 13!

Early Spring

This quilt, Early Spring, was inspired by Amanda Jean. I really like the style of this quilt and colors of this one, so a combo was created.

The top


The bottom....pieced of course! And flipped....why does Blogger rotate my photos???

A close up of the binding. I love the polka dots!

It turned out!

Today I placed "Popsicle" in the washing machine, crossed my fingers, and walked away. It washed up perfectly! And got that wonderful quilt like softness.

Here are some photos of it in use!

The recipient of this fine piece of quality craftsmanship.

Hailey, Lily, Rosey, and Tulip enjoying the quilt as well.

At my Craftin' weekend I was able to create a few other items as well. Here is Jenna sporting her new butterfly bloomers and matching tee. With an appliqued a butterfly in the tee.

More project photos to come!

Popsicle

All the "real" quilters name their quilts! So here it is, my first quilt with a name -- Popsicle. It was the first thing that popped into my head.

This is a toddler quilt (36" x 44") and was crafted just for Jenna. I had it laying on the office floor and she toddled in and layed down on it. I think she likes it!

Here is a photo of the quilt top. A binding fabric is selected, but I need to find the backing. Guess I need to make a trip to the fabric store, shucks! Now don't peek too close, I don't need you checking my points. Just take my word for it, most of them match up! I am looking forward to quilting this, but that will have to wait till this weekend at the Crafter's retreat! YAHHHH!!!!

The Big FIVE!

And a happy, happy birthday for Hailey!

Hailey had a blast on her big day.

This morning she had preschool and was thrilled to bring home 3 friends with her. Then two neighbors came over. She had an Under the Sea birthday with Turtles and Dolphins galore! We played games, did some art projects, a scavenger hunt to find the cake, and played outside so we could enjoy our beautiful sunny day. And some yummy sea lunch of course!

After the friends party, we had a family party. Hailey picked Panera, her favorite restaurant, for dinner and Cold Stone for dessert. Then we returned home to open presents. Here is Hailey wearing her Fancy Nancy crown and butterfly fan from a book she adores (Thanks Eric, Irene, Emma and Jane!) She is also sporting her new gardening apron, and lets just add some M&M toe stocks to complete the outfit!

It's coming along...

Slow but steady wins the race - right?

Actually I feel as though I have made excellent process on my office -- seeing as though Stuart took a last minute trip to Cleveland to visit his Pop (who is feeling much better) and Jenna is teething and a cold. But what would life be if it was all smooth sailing?

Sometimes I send my children to clean their playroom, and three hours later, it still looks the same. They get distracted by neat toys and cool stuff. Well, the same things happens when I clean my office!

Jackson picked a quilt out of a absolutely fantastic book that had a rocket ship in the center. So of course I started searching for applique techniques and then found some really cool rocket designs and then could not resist starting.......I am still practicing with the feed dogs down, but all in all, I think it turned out quite well. Yes, the green and yellow stars are not finished -- that would require me changing thread two more times!

Also while cleaning, I came upon boxes of items from my Grandma. Magazines and more magazines. This magazine cover, it rocks. Come on Susie, look at this!

Here take a closer look at the best part!

This magazine cover plus a few other ads will be framed on hung on the office wall.

That's all for today folks!

One huge mess...

will be gone by the end of the weekend. There it is written down. It will get done. My office/craft room is what I am talking about. This room has been a mess since we moved in. Really, it has. I have a terrible habit of staring a project, then setting it down to start another. The paperwork piles up. I did take photos, but I am way to embarrassed to show them. Maybe once the "after" photos are taken I might. Maybe.

Today I assembled a few cabinet fronts and a drawer for my Ikea bookshelf thing. That explains exactly what I am talkin' about, doesn't it! Anyway, my ribbon is organized. And I am sorting though my yarn. There two garbage bags full that will be taken to the Senior center so someone can make good use of them. I will keep some yarn, but left over yarn is not like left over fabric. Misc. yarn is just hard to use, and I rarely knit these days. And no, I will not donate of any of my Grandma's handed down yarn - that is mine! It will feel so nice to be all organized!!

Otherwise, I am just busy tending to Ms. Crabby Pants. Jenna that is. She has one crazy stuffy nose and is teething, I think.

Off to find dust bunnies -- wish me luck!