Back to Reality

Tomorrow we hit the ground running with reality. It's time to get back to school, the gym, weight watchers, and the sewing machine. Ah, how I love a routine!

Today's Gratitude: Ginger may have refused to sleep during church today, but she was happy and charming the entire time. That is something to be grateful for, indeed.

Sew and Tell

Last week I gave a sneak peak of the quilt loaded on my quilt frame. I made a baby quilt for my favorite brother and his wife for their brand new baby. (It's okay that I call him my favorite brother. He's everyone's favorite. Just ask my mom.) Their baby wasn't due until this next week, but she came the day before Thanksgiving. Her name is Julia and she is precious.

Here is Mini-me modeling the quilt. It was big. Like 44" square. Huge for a baby quilt.
I had two squares left, so I added them to the back. When I showed it to Curly, he said "Oh no! What happened?" It reminded me of when I would show my mom a finished cross stitch piece and she would tell me I spelled a word wrong. So silly. Don't you love Mini-me's face peaking over the top? She thought she needed to be in the picture.
I have this fabric and I think it would be cute with the same pattern. It's Blush by Basic Grey. Red, pink, and teal. Who knew they looked good together?
I have another craft show coming up on December 4th. If you're in the area, come on over to Flint Hill Elementary School in Vienna, VA. I'd love to see you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Top of my list? These 4 here!

Spaghetti Night

Spaghetti used to be my least favorite meal. Pictures like these elevate it to the absolute best dinner ever:

Spaghetti makes everyone happy!

Craft Show

Here is me and my booth at the Vienna Woman's Club Holiday Bazaar last week. I really didn't want my table to look cluttered, but it did a little. I had a lot to sell! I did very well, but still had some things leftover. So I'm doing another show, also in Vienna, on December 4th.
Here is my booth from the back. I brought my garment rack to hang the aprons, table toppers, and "Celebrate" sign. That's my sister-in-law, Becky (one of the Spinster Sisters), who helped me set up. She also came up the day before the show, took my kids so I could get things finished, and then took Mini-me and Flower to her place for a sleepover. Huge help.

Today's Gratitude: The nasty cold I contracted this past week is almost done. Yea!!

Sew and Tell

It feels good to be back to blogging. I mean, it's only two days and two posts so far, but I have a lot to say and don't always have a willing audience here at home. I realized how apt Mini-me's moniker was just a few days ago when I picked her up from school. We had to go get gas in the car, plus a little treat. She kept up a monologue from the time I met her at the school door until we got through our front door, roughly 20 minutes. It was epic.

This week my friend Lauren and I finished a baby quilt for Colleen. Remember Colleen? Back in this post I mentioned that when she gave me my baby quilt that she wished she was pregnant. She totally was and didn't know it yet. She now has 4 kids ages 5 and under, plus a 20 year old stepdaughter. Yikes. Colleen has a pretty stash of fabric (that all fits into one container. Hardly a stash, IMO), and wanted the quilt to be made with her own fabric. Lauren and I were happy to comply.

This is Colleen modeling the quilt. Lauren made up the design. She's good like that. She can apply geometry into everyday situations. I cannot, even though I won the math prize. Lauren did all the piecing, and I did the quilting on my MEGA QUILTER, and then did the binding. That's the kind of team work I enjoy.

And here is a sneak peak of what is on my quilting frame right now. I just need to get some batting and then we're in business. The fabric is Verna by Kate Spain. I just love everything Kate Spain comes up with, and I think it's appropriate to refer to her by her first and last name at all times.

So there you go. A sew and tell that does not include links to my etsy shop or info about an upcoming craft show! I'll tell you more about those later. Come back tomorrow ;)

I'm linking to Amy's sew and tell party today. Go check out some of the other fabulous finishes!

Did You Miss Me?

I've missed you! Regular posting to begin starting today. Well, maybe tomorrow. I have to go make sure Ginger isn't getting a tongue bath from Gracie.

Weight Loss Wednesday

It's another Wednesday, and another pound gone. It's also another week where I am sick. I have strep. Again. Needless to say, the timing is poor. I have just two more days after today to get ready for the craft show. I have decided that I will okay with what I have done. I can't go back in time. I can't get un-sick. I just have to move forward. I am hoping the antibiotics kick in by tomorrow morning and I can sew like gangbusters. Until then, I will be on the couch sewing bindings by hand.

Oh, and Patch has a black eye. It hasn't been the best day.

Manic Monday

My mom, modeling her apron.

It's just another manic Monday. However, I do not wish it were Sunday. I have far too much to do, so we must keep moving forward. Today I woke up with a sore throat. If you have a prayer to spare, I would appreciate it. Wouldn't it just stink to get sick the week of the Holiday Bazaar? I think it would.

I am taking a break from my sewing right now. I have a few supplies to still pick up (rick rack, zippers, etc), and Ginger is still asleep. Changing times is rough on my kids. Ginger and Patch were both up before 6 this morning. So was Mini-me, but sometimes she just likes to lie in bed with her blankie, contemplating the state of the world.

I have a new spotlight today. Go here to check it out. Then come Saturday to the Vienna Community Center and buy one!

Rainy Day and Coughing

Today is a rainy day. The sky is a pretty grey which makes the fall leaves seem all the more colorful. I have had good cuddles from Ginger today. She's not feeling so hot, but she's not so sick she's miserable. She has been content to just sit, which is nice every once and a while. Patch, on the other hand, has a nasty cough. I've been giving him some cough medicine I had in the cabinet. It works wonders and makes me a little mad that they don't sell it any more.

Last night I taught a Relief Society class on holiday gift giving. While I had a lot of ideas and resources to share, my main focus was on having a Mary Christmas, as opposed to a Martha Christmas. Martha, like me at times, got completely stressed and lost sight of the really important things in life. Mary took time to listen to the Savior, which Jesus referred to as "needful." I think about this passage every Christmas, trying to put into perspective what is "needful" so that I am not troubled, like Martha. Part of that process for me is simplifying what I give to others. One of my favorite sites that has loads of ideas is Our Best Bites. Go here if you want some great ideas and recipes.

Today's Gratitude: I have a warm home on this rainy day with a family to fill it. I am blessed.

Happy Birthday!

Today my mom turns 60. Happy Birthday, GrandPatty!!

Today's Gratitude: Ginger took a long nap this morning, which allowed me to get some good work done.

Happy Halloween!

Our Halloween celebration was full of scary spooks and tasty treats. We had an unexpected visitor -- our friend Bill the Photographer. He's taking a picture a day on Market Street, and wanted to use us as October 31. Go here to check it out! While you're there, take some time to peruse some of the other great photos. My favorite (other than my family)? October 16.