happy birthday to a special little girl!

It was one of my nieces' birthdays yesterday.  Numero Uno.  :)  I can't believe that a year ago yesterday she was soo little and brand new!  Such a special thing to watch these little guys grow up.  To watch them interact and love on each other.  To know that they're family, and they'll grow up together.  They'll pick on one another, tell secrets, annoy parents, spend vacations together...and so much more.  Growing up with no cousins and only two uncles has shaped me in ways that will make me cling to these moments, to cherish what we've been given as a family.

A fun and out of the way park.  Cupcakes from Wagners.  (so yummy--at least after one takes off the frosting characters)  A quilt.  A special candle and a lighter.  We searched everywhere for party hats and came up empty handed.  All that could be found were ones designed with boys in mind.  Are party hats a thing of the past now?  It would have added the perfect touch, but we had fun with the things we had on hand.  It was a fun little get together to celebrate such a special landmark for a baby.  :)  My kind of style-- just family, outside, laid back and enjoyable.

These kiddos are so beautiful.  My oldest niece came and stayed a couple of wonderful days with us.  I miss that girl so much sometimes!  She is a joy to play with and have around.  

When I see these younger two together it is amazing to me.  Being a part of S coming into this world, and then having my sister-in-law by my side for my little boy is something I'll never forget.  Lots of love and care went into bringing these beautiful babies here.  :)

Can you believe my boy is 4 months younger??!  What are we feeding him??

i like this idea--

I LOVE this idea...and even though I've been married for five years now, I think I'll start one for myself.  And really do it right...meaning hand-stitching initials, details, buying great linens (preferably tracking down some vintage pieces that i can transform into something that reflects my tastes...) and what have you.  A possible great project to jump into in the bleak winter months (after xmas of course)...

A collection of something that I can pass down my family lines.  I like that idea.  The worn softness of aged linen held up against some fresh, stark embroidery thread that dances in and around the material, claiming it, beautifying it...individualizing it.  Hum...

things to drool over--

While we were in Seattle I had to pop into one of my favorite stores...Anthropologie.  I don't even look at the clothes anymore due to my complete fascination with their house items and the dreamy and oh-so-creative way they decorate their store.  I do own some of their clothes which are super cute, don't get me wrong, but over time my love for houses and all things color and decorating have outweighed my interest in clothes.  

Here are some items that just jumped out at me, practically begging me to take them home.  Why didn't I purchase them?  I'm still asking myself that this morning.  I guess the actual "need" for them got lost in the practicality of new budgets, dreams of bikes and the thankfulness for gift cards.  

Maybe one day...

a sunny day in seattle...

a new project...

Being that it was our 5th anniversary last weekend, we've tossed around many ideas of what to do to celebrate that specific landmark.  We thought about purchasing tickets to Hawaii to visit some friends in February...going away to the ocean...staying in one of the places we stayed in on our honeymoon...and random things to buy for each other/the house.

What we'll most likely end up doing is quite different...and not very anniversary-ish, but exciting to us none the less.

We want to put the money towards getting bikes (yay!) and a burley trailer for the boy.  We've been wanting this for a long time, so we felt that using the money in this area was much more beneficial for our physical/mental/well being in the long run.  I'm always about what more can we get out of the set aside funds.  :)  A trip to Hawaii is great, don't get me wrong, but it wouldn't take place till February, and it would only last a week...whereas we can start riding our bikes immediately!

And, we developed all of our film.  All of it.  :)  Dating back 5 years.  How fitting, hum?  Thanks to a recommendation from K, I used and loved Snapfish.  We ordered what we wanted of our digital pictures, blew up some, bought some great random frames from Ross, and now we just have to figure out a fun project to display them.  So hopefully sometime this week I'll have figured out what to do with it all and will post some pics soon.

some new things around the house...

I love this photo.  It's of {B} and I a few years back, just sitting outside and enjoying the sun, her daughter and the rare moments we get to spend together.  :)  It makes me happy, so I had to frame it.

When they visited this summer we went to the ocean for a couple of days, and it was probably one of the best times we've had out with friends.  It's not everyday you can go stay somewhere kid-less!

The reason I love this wall is for the idea that I can change it at whim.  We finally took in our 8 rolls of film (haven't developed them since we got our digital sadly!), and it was so fun to change out some old photos and look through all the new ones.  Now we just need to get photos of the boy and what we've taken over the last year or so with our digital printed!!  Maybe in a few years...

For the mantle I just moved some things from different places in the living room to add some color to the fireplace area instead.  I found the fake flowers at Lynch Creek, and am really happy with them, being fake and all.  :)  They brightened the spot up a bit.

My sweet husband made me these wonderful shelves for our 5 year anniversary (crazy).  I think they turned out amazing!  We still need more though...not sure where they'll pop up next.  :)  

He purchased an amazing piece of wood (men and wood/grains--i don' t get it) from somewhere in town and rubbed a black stain on it (only one layer i think).  The shelves are cut up into 2' sections  and the brackets are from Ikea.  Despite the fact that they came from Ikea, they're metal and we're pleased with them.

Charity part dos

I have received an overwhelming response to this idea!  It is so exciting!  I can't wait to get started.  Thanks for all the emails/comments and for getting back to me so quickly. 

The next step:  get me your fabric as soon as possible. 

• I heard today from the people who are going to take the quilt to Africa, and they need it no later than the last day of September--so we need to get cracking!  :)
  
• Also, if you cannot get ahold of a "fat quarter" (some stores may not cut to that), just get 1/4 of a yard, or if it is from your own stash--then just something that looks approximately that size.
• An ideal time as far as getting me fabric would be--within the week (ex: by next wed)
• Email me if you need me to come and get it, or need my address or phone number.

supporting charity...

A random idea came to me at a very odd hour yesterday.  Or more accurately, early at some god-forsaken hour this morning.  :)

I had talked to my good friend Charity about a week ago.  In the knowledge of knowing people from town would be setting out soon to stay with her for some time I asked her what would she like me to send her way that would possibly encompass birthday/xmas/etc gifts all in one.

She wants a quilt!!  What a special request, or at least I think so.  Something handmade, something special for her to remember home by, and something to keep her warm on cold African nights.  So...last night (or this morning!) I started thinking about what I want the quilt to look like.  Here's the idea I came up with:

She wants it to be twin size and at a medium weight.  She loves bright colors, as does the culture she lives in.  I was thinking of making a random block pattern for the front consisting of bright and colorful patterns from all over the color wheel.  The back I am thinking would look fun with a solid thick border around a bunch of lighter colored muslim (or something like it) blocks/circles/whatever that had inscriptions on them.  Similar to a "friendship quilt"...yet with a different tone to it.  Perhaps a circle would have a signature that would follow an encouraging line to Charity, or a short reminiscent memory...get the idea??  Or one could even print a small photo onto their piece.  

Next---I think what got my thoughts rolling in this direction was a post from J.  Having people all help one another to finish a quilt, yet with a twist.  I would make the quilt, others would contribute their personal fabric swatches and signatures.  What do you think??

What I would need:

1. a donation (most likely small) of a piece or two of fabric for the front.  something you love, something that catches your eye and would look good meshed in with several other different patterns and colors.
2. once the fabric is chosen, it would need to be sent to me (preferably pre-washed so i don't have to guess on everything).  i will then in return send out to you a fabric swatch for you to inscribe upon and then again send back my way.  (the inscription could be written in a fabric marker, hand sewn, painted on with fabric paint, etc--be creative!)
3. then i will piece everything together, possibly send out finished photos/thank yous/small gifts/what have you to those who contributed.  depending on time (how long it takes to receive things from everyone) i may even quilt this by hand (it's only twin size, right!?) to add the finishing hand-made/sewn with love, touch.  :)

Respond to me either on here with your email address (if i don't have it already), or email me at frogirlcin@hotmail.com.  If you have questions, comment on this blog so that I may clear up any confusion and others may benefit from the clarification.  

Important detail:  the people leaving to visit Charity need this by the beginning of October.  A month and 1/2 to get working on it.  It's totally possible!!  :)  

Also--I am going to be doing a part of this too.  AND, one doesn't have to personally know Charity to contribute!!  I think it would be pretty cool if there were several people she might not know well (or at all) contributing to this.  How special to have people thinking of you that you don't even know!  Of all people this girl deserves something fun, thoughtful, and even just the feeling that people LOVE her and what she is committed to.

Thanks everyone!

~c

Links to find information about her are:  this, this, and hopefully those sites are accurate and updated.  

help!!!!

So, I need some help.  Two things: blogging help, and opinions.

1.  I added a book list to my side margin but would like to have the cover of the book displayed under the title (somewhat like soulemama's).  Does anyone know how to do this?  I would also still like it to be able to link to Amazon.

2.  I read all the time, and everything under the sun.  I would love to talk about what I read and give little reviews, but is this of interest to anyone?  I could just leave the titles on the side of my blog, then those who want to can click on them and read what people at Amazon have to say.  Ideas anyone? Input??

new to me...

a friend showed me some fun new blogs last night.  check them out.  the archives are fun to tumble through if you have some time to kill.  :) 

(the last two have an etsy shop that is worth checking out)

one

two

three

comfy slippers or too much hassle?

Check this cozy and creative idea out...

ideas...

Just some ideas or photos that I had stored away (most of them taken from soulemama) in hopes of making in the future.  I especially love the fall blanket that can be rolled up and tied for on the go.  

finished and moving on...

Well, I put my mind to it...around 7pm that is.  I probably could have done some staining on our fence yesterday, but the clouds looked luminous enough to daunt me indoors.  So instead the boy and I walked to my sister's.  

Later, while my husband spent quality time with some guys, I put on the Olympics and quilted S's quilt and stretched out my remaining white/black polka dot material to trim it out.  Quite pleased with it.  I do not think our television has been on at all this summer, and spring at that.  We got it last year for the football season and after that we stuck to the occasional movie, but now...it's on around the clock.  Not that we're watching it constantly, but they change events so frequently and also are including history on China that I find absorbing...it's been fun to wonder into the room when I hear something interesting on.  I worked on my niece's quilt last night in front of the television!  That was different, but kind of fun.  I just set up my machine on our trunk and did the rest of the work on the floor.  I find the Olympics fascinating, and China in general (duh) so intriguing.  We still may make it there as a family if our friends stay there.  I've been to Japan, but I'm sure China is a whole different experience.

On the To Do: list today--  finish living room pillows.  And maybe shop online for some more fabric for our quilt.  Hum...but, if the clouds burn off I may have to get my butt outdoors and get some stuff done.  I should be coming back into town around 2:30, hopefully by then the weather will have figured itself out!

it's raining...

Well, it is raining, and it bodes somewhat ironically with me.  Yesterday I took a little trip with my boys to check out some nurseries in search of the perfect tree for our back yard.  We found lots of great trees (even "the one"), but walked away with unplanned, yet exciting things to plant.  

Working on the yard in the few sunbursts we had yesterday was motivating and served as a little reminder to myself that I probably should put some of my indoor projects on the shelf for another month or so and really direct all my energy to getting the yard ready for grass.

So, I'm torn.  Sadly.  Especially coming off from a weekend of intense inspiration from the quilt expo (which as so fun and so amazing).  I found some material I've been drooling over for quite some time now and purchased it!  It is in the wash right now and hopefully I'll be able to keep my hands off of it for a little while longer in order to do our yard stuff (yuck).  I would love to have in done up by the fall (a quilt for our bed).  I am so happy with the material, and we'll see how the quilt turns out, but I just may splurge a bit more and buy some other great material I've had my eye on for the back--AND send it away to be professionally quilted!  I've never done that before and really really want to.  I've quilted several myself, but a king size would be really difficult on my machine, and I am really limited by the machine in regards to the designs I could pull of on it.  

I'm also torn because I'm still in the middle of some other projects.  Like living room throw pillows (dang zippers!).  Or my niece's quilt...which at least I finished the top of and have pieced together...so not much left there (thankgoodness because i just stumbled across the material for their bedroom curtains that i had completely forgotten about!).  Hum...maybe because it's raining I'll just tinker around indoors for awhile...is it wrong that I'm hoping the rain stays around for awhile today??  :)

shower shots

Some random shower photos. 

The cookie hearts were fun too make, and turned out so cute that it was hard for people to eat them!  :) 

 The decorations were simple, easy to put together, and was just the touch to jazz up the house enough to look "baby shower-y-ish."  :)  The reverse side of the triangle brown and white streamer says the baby's name on it in cut out bright green letters with some scattered polka dots. 

The hat is the knitted creation of my talented friend that I talked about in an earlier post.  It's a little blurry, but you get the idea.  I LOVE baby showers!

"gratitude wrap"

Last night was another fun craft night, AND I actually accomplished something.  Chatting with everyone was really great (so nice to be baby-less and talk with other women!), but I managed somewhat (tactfully i believe) to stay on task.  I found on Soulemama this great pattern for what she calls "Gratitude Wraps."  I think they're fabulous and very simple to throw together.  I made up two last night, finished the ties and the cards this morning, and ta-da! I have a birthday gift for a sister and one to send off to a great friend of mine.  I am going to make a HUGE stash of these to have on hand for gifts.  It's a great idea, and I'm totally going to use it up like mad.  :)  The "Gratitude Wrap" is a gathering of items that one would be able to just toss into a purse, beach bag, or leave out in the house to be able to throw together thank you notes easily.  One just may be coming your way...   :)

a quick little blurb--

1. 1.  the shower was a success.  darling and enjoyable.  funny conversations along with some yummy treats and the occasional ohh-ing and ahh-ing over adorable baby gifts.  
2. i have been very pleased with my output on projects this summer!  this blog has served for a great motivation, and at times accountability to keep at it.  but overall, it has been a lot of fun to post processes and final photos.  i'm excited to carry this on through the coming fall.
3. speaking of fall--this week i am going to try to make a trip over to joann's to stock up on some christmas fabric for a couple of projects i want to get started on: a christmas cross-stitch, an advent calendar, possibly knitting some stockings too.  not to mention keeping on top of my christmas gift list!  i will post about a book soon that i am pulling the ideas out of.  i'm hoping to make 90% of the gifts we give this year.
4. other projects i want to tackle in the fall are:  a winter quilt for the boy, finish knitting him his scarf and hat and hopefully move on to making adult sizes for the husband and myself.  i want to make another quilt for the house (for our room possibly), and am hoping to be inspired by the quilt expo i am going to this coming weekend (which i am very excited for!!).
5. i will post photos soon of the shower and some of the birthday gifts i have been working on for august.  here's a little something that showed up at the shower saturday that received lots of ohh's and ahh's.  :)  i also have this great friend who knits amazing things, (she actually taught me how to knit!) and i'll have to remember to post a photo of the cutest little pumpkin hat she made for my sister's october baby.  it was just darling.
6. the small photo at the top is of some fabric squares i cut up last week out of a really cheap line of fabric i found at walmart (gasp! yes, i purchase fabric from walmart occasionally! it's cheap! what can i say??).  one of my niece's birthdays is this month and i realized the other day that i hadn't made her a quilt yet.  so i think i'm going to lay it out simply like shown here and fill it in either with a bright green or pink (solid) and have the outside border be of the same material as the inside or of the opposite of what i choose...any ideas??  i got the fabric at 25 cents for a 1/4 yard each.  not too shabby!  :)

shower gift partly completed

Here are a set of swaddlers (there are 3, the other one is hiding and is trimmed out with the blue fabric) I made for my sister's baby shower tomorrow.  I also made a small quilt to go with.  I added a cute little stitch to the edge to touch it up a bit.  It is such soft fleece!  I was excited to find this great line at Joann's a couple months back.  Very happy with it.  I am also working on something else to go with this, just not sure if I am going to finish it in time.  I would post a photo of it, but I'm afraid she'll see.  She knows about these gifts, but I wanted to keep at least one thing secret.

Onto the BIAS finally!!!  There's a photo of the middle stage of this great process I found for making it on your own...it makes things SO incredibly easy, and possibly even fun.  The instructions are here.  For some reason the photos wouldn't print, but I was able to just do the project with my laptop close by.  After doing the three blankets I don't think I'll need to look at the instructions again, but just in case I'll file them away.  Enjoy!

Have a great weekend.  :)