A crafty life?

Not as much as I would like. I would lloooooovveee to be prolific like so many of the bloggers that I read. I probably could and should manage my time better, but besides work, and mom-ing, and wife-ing, and all those other things, I really do spend a lot of free time creating, planning, or embellishing things. And reading. Can't forget that.

I'm putting together a package for my sister. She had her 2nd daughter last Monday (Chiara - 6lbs, 4oz), and hopefully I can get some things sent to her before the baby starts walking.

Since there is also a big sister (Iza), there has to be something for her too. I made some clothes peg dolls, and also a banner for Iza, to section off her little sleeping area of my sister's tiny apartment.

The dolls were a lot of fun to make. It was's J's suggestion to put the bindi (the red dot on the forehead of the doll in red), and I like it a lot.  Of course, making the little scrap dresses took a lot longer than it should have, but they had to be wearing something.

The banner was also a lot of fun to make as well. I found a font (sans serif), adjusted the size I wanted, and then printed off each letter on paper. I then cut the letters out and used them as a template to create them in fabric. Each letter had interfacing applied, and then they were attached just by a simple wide zig-zag stitch.

So what am I sending my sister?  Peeps, Tide, and some books. And, also the quilt that I finished for Chiara. I washed it on Monday, and it turned out beautifully. 

For me, quilting is just the right combination of planning, calculation, fabric fondling, and making. My next project is a couch-quilt. I've bought a pattern from this woman on her etsy page, and I have been reading and re-reading her quilting instructions. Her blog is a wealth of information, and her tutorials are amazing. The fabric for this quilt is mostly by Heather Ross, who is one of my quilting/design idols. There is such a difference between her fabric, and the stuff bought elsewhere. Softer, tighter weave, and just better all around.   Okay, do I sound excited? I am.

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Okay, so blogging hasn't been a priority. I should say that my own blogging hasn't been a priority. I've been reading other blogs as usual, but putting together a post takes up too much mental energy.

Let's see, what has happened since this last post.

1. We put a mudroom addition on the house. Not a huge project, but lots going on in a fairly small space. It did go over time and over budget, but not too bad. Of course it is still a WIP, so there is blue tape, and nail holes that need to be puttied, sanded, and painted.  Overall it functions as it should, and it's made a huge difference in this whole side of the house.

2. J turned 10. Dude, where did the time go?  We had his party yesterday; six other 10 year old boys came over, and we took them for pizza and a movie. Most the gifts were game (video or sports) oriented, and he was happy as a clam. Since his gifts from us are fewer in number (but higher in cost!), I made a treasure hunt for him when he woke up to make it more exciting. Rhyming hints, and everything.

3. I went to Sweden. I went in November, and it was the ultimate trip. I visited most everyone I wanted to see, got to spend time with my sister and her daughter, and basically got to go at my own pace. Lots of reflecting and very soul-nourishing (is that a word?).

4. Work is insanely busy. Much more work to do, less people to do it, and every day is a crisis. I am so incredibly thankful I have a job, and I work with some awesome people, but whew. A little less Crazy would be nice.

5. I'm putting more time into quilting. I'm so in love with non-traditional, wonky types of quilts. Maybe because I can't cut a straight line, or because of the uniqueness of each one...  This, this, this, and of course the quilts of Gees Bend.

6. I'm running. Well, not walking anyways. I'm slow and probably look silly, but I feel like I'm taking steps to not go down the same cardiovascular road that my dad did.  The weightloss has been nice too, but wasn't the main goal.

Some mudroom pics..

Blurry photo of Iza.

Detail of quilt. It's upside down, and none of the strings have been trimmed yet.

See How We Are

This was taken by J earlier this summer when we went for ice cream at the local soft serve.  Not planned at all, but the lighting was nice.   We look cranky, but we're really not.

TTYL.

Well, December got away from me, and we survived okay. January is tougher though because all the stuff that I ignored in December is still there, lurking around the corner, needing attention more urgently.

I already feel like the world is on my shoulders and in an effort to lighten the load, I am going to take a blogging break.  I realize not posting for more than a few weeks already indicates that, but it's been one of those things that has been on my very long to-do list, and I feel guilty.  My wishful thinking is that maybe if the piles aren't so high, the shadows won't seem so dark..  Anyways, I've got a good husband and kid, and I'm sure that with some time, I'll be back. TTYL.

Career Prospects.

I realize I'm doing another quote from the kid, but he's full of them these days..

 "Mom, when I grow up, I want to play college football, and then afterwards, get drafted by the NFL.  If I can't play for the NFL, then I'll just work at Subway instead."

Glad he's got it all figured out.