It is Harry Potter's Fault!

Because last weekend was unofficially declared National "Read Harry-Potter-Until-Your-Eyes-Can't-Take-It-Anymore" weekend, I figured I need to honor the holiday and participate. HOLY MOLY. I'm not done yet, but MAN has Miss (Mrs?) Rowling done well for herself. I love it so far, and probably will continue loving it until the end. How sad that it is over. Mike and I are sharing the book, so I have to be patient for my turn. I fully expected him to take it on the bus with him this morning, but he left it. I had to physically make myself (I wish I had a wand) clean the house before I started reading. Luckily there was a SpongeBob marathon on TV today. **I can't believe I just admitted that** Anyway, I read myself to a -sort of- stopping point and vowed to finish binding Baby Mae's quilt before I picked it up again. (read: yeah right!)

Cohen's party was fun and he successfully turned 3. With the friends party, and 2 sets of grandparents and good neighbors, we've been celebrating for 4 days. He thinks he is pretty darned special.
I have accomplished one thing today (besides 100 pages of Potter), and successfully removed some toys from his room to make room for the new ones. I had no idea we've been to McDonald's that much. Sheesh. I threw away so many dumb Happy Meal toys. NO MORE! We sat on the floor in his room and he got to decide what to "give away" or "keep". I caught him once sneaking through the donation bag to pull out a Shrek toy.
We've had a great weekend. I can't believe my baby is already 3. Sheesh. Time flies. Now, back to my regularly scheduled crafting (read: Harry Potter reading).

Unexplainable Slump

I am not sure why I've had trouble doing the things I love lately. Perhaps it is because I've been busy doing everything else. It has been a busy few weeks. I am grateful for busy weeks, but I just need a good day of crafting.

I've got a few swaps going on. I am again part of the Sweat Shoppe Swap 10. Sheesh! 10 - I'll tell you this swap is like a drug. You make 10 little things and get 10 even better things in return. It is wonderful. I'm offering pillows again. But, I'm making the recipients choose between Halloween and Christmas themes because I've got a major stash of these fabrics.

I am also doing a Pringles can swap. You shove as much as you can in a Pringles can, and that is all. Both of my partners are from Utah. One is Suzie whom I've known for 10 years now. She's a real, tangible friend. Not just someone I met on the Internet, so I feel like the pressure is on. I met Suzie's sister Aimee on the bus while going to do weekend work in Grand Teton National Park (Near Jackson Hole, WY) as housekeepers. The bus would pick us up on campus and take us to Jackson where we'd work Friday night, Saturday and Sunday doing whatever the resort was short staffed on. The job stunk but the pay was okay for poor college kids AND... best of all, we escaped the Ricks College Honor Code for the weekend. Anyway, Aimee and I were friends at first sight and were pretty much inseparable (except when she sneaked away with Bill-Greg-Dave for a smoke - haha). Anyway, Suzie is fabulous and she makes great clothes. She makes great cookies and she may have kissed my brother, too. :)

I've got 2 dates to the Craftster Homecoming dance and I've only just started their gifts. But, after I finish a baby blanket for Hayley's new little one, I'm on it full-time. Well, as full time as the little man will let me be anyway. Speaking of, he turns 3 on Friday. He wanted a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse party with lots of cake and presents. Silly kid. I'll try to post about the party.


I did just finish this great blanket for Ryan and Emily. At the stage in the photo, I was laying it out to see how the strips fit together. I didn't get a finished photo because I was finishing it on the way to the party. It was well received. It turned out really cute. The piecing was all random. I just sewed a whole lot of 3" wide strips of various lengths together and then turned that into a 40" square blanket. I really enjoyed making it because I loved the color pattern.

I need to get my projects finished before Friday because I've got dumb ol' Harry Potter on reserve for pick-up at Borders. After Saturday, I'll be no good for a few days until I find out what is up with Snape. Haha. Maybe I should get a book on tape so I can work while I listen. Hmmm.... I'll explore that possibility. The movie premiere last week was fun. It was crowded and their was a lot of anticipation. The movie itself was just okay.

Cohen just found a squirt gun and is shooting my back over and over. I am soaked. I better go.

Old Toys, New Tricks

Whew. Our apartment is sooooo hot! Our air conditioner just blows the hot air around so I feel like I am back in Carson City playing in our sagebrush backyard. My family moved to Carson City in 1983, right after I turned 5. We lived in a rental on Agate Drive for most of my time there, until my parents sold their house in McCall, Idaho (where we moved from). They built a new home up by the college and we moved in during December of 1987. Before my father could even finish the basement, we packed up and moved again to St. Anthony, Idaho. My poor mother...living in a junky ol' 1200 square foot rental with 5 kids while they tried to sell that house. Then, to finally move into a dream home that was more than twice the size of the rental house, only to be told that she could only live in it for eight months before she would move again. (Whew...what a sentence)

Anyway, the reason I brought up Carson City is that in 1986 my older sister received a Fisher Price weaving loom for Christmas. My mother, who is the queen of sewing, had made her own fabric in a textile class in college and is very fond of weaving. So, she bought my sister a weaving loom and a few rolls of Red Heart and off we went knitting loads of hour-glass shaped pot holders and blankets for Barbie. After a few months, and no more acrylic goodness, the weaving loom found it's way into the closet with the rest of the misfit toys.

Well, here it is 20 years later, and my mom still has the loom YAY! I don't even know what triggered the memory of it, but I think she was quite pleased when I asked about it. (Through all of our family moves, thanks for keeping the good stuff, Mom!) So, while having a nice visit with my favorite Gardiners, I figured out how to get the thing going. It has a few broken spots, but it works. YAY!

I had one skein of this great hand spun wool yarn that I didn't know what to do with. So, I threw it on the loom and got going. It was quite fun and took me about 3 hours to weave a long and skinny scarf.
Too bad it is hotter than Carson City today so my finished scarf just hangs with the others on my hook. I can't wait for fall.

I'm off to finish the organization nightmare that is my fabric. I bought some shelves today so I can be right up with Nicki when she returns from her trip.

Momsense

Thanks, KIM, for sending this along. While I watch this, I think I am listening to a recording (except of course, this is a WAY MORE cleaver version of what I would be saying to myself!


ENJOY!

Thrilled & Relieved

RELIEVED

So, I just got a call from Mike's cousins that they have just landed safely in Salt Lake and they'll be home withing an hour. That means... I GET TO SLEEP IN MY OWN BED TONIGHT!! WAHOOOOOOO!

THRILLED

1. Miss DottieAngel herself liked my story about my grandmother Lola so much that she named her door after her. Now I get a little prize. I look forward to reading several blogs each day, but I must say, I ALWAYS read what Tif has to say. Every photo she posts is amazing and she makes absolutely beautiful stuff. If you've never read what she calls "ramblings", you must take a peak.

2. Mike just got pre-screening tickets for Harry Potter for a few days before opening. OH MY. For years I refused to read these books thinking they were children's fantasy - which I normally despise. It is just SO NOT my thing. While I was on maternity leave and recovering from my C-Section, I started reading book one and read the first four within a week. As you know I've recently reread them and I now I am bursting to see the next moving and read the final book. I officially declare myself a "POT"ter HEAD (and a total nerd).

I just heard the garage door!

My Own Bed

Since Thursday morning, we've been staying at Mike's cousin's house with their children while they go to her brother's wedding in Washington, D.C. I'm jealous. I love D.C. and wish I could visit often. I just want to go to Eastern Market (is that what it is called?) on Capitol Hill every Saturday morning. Of course, last time it was pouring rain so I could only pause for short moments to look at all of the neat treasures. Anyway... we're on day 4 of the the 6 day stay in Casa del Carone and I am starting to miss my bed. Luckily, these kids are great and Cohen is getting along with them very well. It is just a little hard to be displaced for an entire week and the commute to downtown (for Mike) is LOOOONG!

While being away from my "stuff", I have started longing to make something. I can't believe I didn't bring something to work on. Not that having 3 kids under age 5 leaves much time for crafting, but they go to be early enough.

All of my pictures of what I have been working on are on my computer at home, but I have leave you with a few links:

Needle books for SSS9 on Craftster.org
Outside of Needle books
Inside of Needle books

I'll be back on Wednesday (after a restful sleep in my own bed)!

Big B, Little B, What Begins With B?

Baby Bailee Berg...B,B,B

My photos are BACK... I guess 'back' also begins with B. (I knew Mike could fix it...*waves*...Thanks Dear!) Did any of you read that Dr. Seuss book? I sure loved it. My other favorite it "Wocket in My Pocket." I'm so glad it is one of Cohen's favorites, too.

I made this blanket for my friend Steph. She is due to have little Bailee on Friday by scheduled C-Section. Her older son Aidan is a little older than Cohen, but we both had crashing emergency C-Sections with our 9+ pound sons three years ago. As baby Bailee is measuring big, she has decided not to risk it. I don't blame her.

This blanket measures 40x40 inches. It really turned out cute and I used the most amazing batting. I wish I saved the packaging, because I'd like to find it again. I bought it at the Hobby Lobby in town. I am thrilled with the way it turned out. The middle appliqué is a bit stiff, but I think after a few washing the fusible webbing will break down a bit (I hope).

I've only done one other hand binding on a quilt before. My edges are a little messy. I need to learn how to do that. And...yes, of course I picked the best edge to photograph. I know you do it, too!

The shower was fun. I hope I have another little one soon. I forget how little those little ones are. Anyway, it is family night and I have mint brownies (What Diet?) in the oven. Gotta run!

Bad Bad Blogger

I know I am not the only one that has started a blog with this title. I have excuses... I really do. I think they are valid, too!

1. I got a new camera and the software is not loading properly on my Mac or PC. ERGH! I need my computer whiz (read: husband Mike) to help me.

2. I'm working! Well, I'm doing a lot of part-time stuff and it is taking a lot of my time. I'm enjoying the work, however, it is almost 1:00 am and I am still not done with the editing that needs to be done tomorrow. I'm not enjoying that part.

3. I'm completing my goal of hanging out with friends AND sewing. Often I try to to kill two birds with one stone, but it doesn't always work. I've become acquainted with some nice new ladies in my apartment complex and they have kids about Cohen's age. YAY!

4. So, this gal Nicki that lives a few buildings over came over last week and said, "LET ME ORGANIZE YOUR HOUSE!" She loves it. At first I was slightly taken back by it, but it really will make us all happy if I let her. Last week, she took all of my fabric - YES ALL OF IT!! - and folded it so it is all the same size. She organized it by fat quarters, yardage, and stuff I need to hang because it wouldn't fold down. This is an entire post in itself, because you have got to see the color coordinated folded goodness. Yes... these pics are trapped in my camera, too!

5. Cohen loves the computer, especially Charlie and Lola's maze game. If I hop on the computer, he thinks it is an invitation to sit on my lap and play the game. Silly boy. So, I am saving most of my computer time for after his bed time or when Daddy is home to distract him.

I tell you, once I get that camera software up and running, I'll be posting like a MANIAC! Yahoo!

Like Christmas

First things first... I made a list of goals for myself. I categorized them into 3 sections; Physical, Emotional, & Spiritual. As I've blah..blah..blahed... about on here before, I am trying to figure out this new quest as a SAHM. I feel like I have so much time, yet I am getting nothing done. It is unreal. One of my 'Emotional' goals is to do complete one sewing item a week. Yahoo. I don't know. Maybe it should fit into 'Physical' but I am not sure. Anyway, the goals were made yesterday so I haven't completed anything this week.

I have, however, received some pretty fabulous packages in the last few weeks that showcase the works of some extremely talented crafters. **Disclaimer** Yes, I did get a new camera. No, I have not figured out how to use it. These pics aren't the best. I'm carrying it in this for the time being.

First, from the lovely miss catpants...

Look at this lovely yarn. I wish you could see the true colors. These are close, but not quite. She also knitted...yes, I said knitted... this amazing bracelet. It is just gorgeous. It was also a bugger to photograph.

I should have scanned it. It is the most brilliant color of sea greens. I love it. This is what I traded for the aqua & red needle roll.

Next is my embroidered bookmark from Dy that flew so quickly all the way from Australia.

Again, her pictures are better, so click on over to her blog for better details. I think I was even more excited about the fact that it matched the book I am reading (without the cover art on it). I am so nerdy. She also sent me some beautiful fabric and a neat postcard.

Aren't I lucky?!? I thought so. I've entered another Craftster sweat shoppe swap so I am sewing up those little items. I'll have something to show soon enough. Also, you know my goals, so please check up on me.

Adios!

What I am up to you ask?

I have a lot going on, and just wanted to do a quick update...

1. deciding how I want to change the look of this blog to reflect better who I am. I only used a black background to hide my crummy photographs.

2. Needlebooks! Needlebooks! Needlebooks! I've entered the Craftster.org Sweat Shoppe Swap #9... I KNOW AGAIN!... and I need to get my offerings finished. They are cute.

3. laundry, although Mike would argue that I am not working very hard on this lately.

4. taking pictures. I got a new camera for Mother's Day! Yahoo! I don't have a memory card in it yet, so I just keep taking 4 pictures and then erasing them. I'm lame and I need to get to the store. We will go tonight for Family Night... that will be a good outing.

5. reading craft blogs... not writing or crafting. ;-)

6. Rereading Harry Potter 5, and soon 6. Sheesh! I know what happens, I don't know why I am having such a hard time putting these books down... even at 2:00 AM.

7. Receiving WONDERFUL mail. Ooh I can't wait to show you.

That is about it. Mike started his new job today. I think that deserves some celebrations, so maybe we'll go out to dinner instead. It is raining and cold and I feel kind of lazy. I did go to the Children's Museum this morning and to the grocery store, so I was semi-busy. I should at least go clean the dishes to show a little more domestic effort. Haha!

Peace Out!

Midnight Oil

I think I had a romanticized vision of what being a SAHM meant. We would wake up at 7:30 am and make a delicious breakfast. Then we'd exercise and go on a long walk to the park. Then we could go to story time before lunch. After lunch we would read books and Cohen would take a long nap so I could craft while my house magically stayed clean. After he woke up, we'd go run the errands and be back in time to make dinner for Daddy. After dinner, we'd play with trains and blocks and then we'd kiss the boy good night before 8:00 PM so I could watch The Office or Lost or ER in peace while knitting. Then I could go to sleep at the reasonable hour of 10:00 PM so I would be refreshed and ready to do it again.

WHAT?!? I mean, isn't that how your days go? I'm sure that Cohen is the only one who throws fits about bath time, or what color of bowl his cereal is in. Or... is the only one that colors magic marker on the rental carpet and wants to watch TV all day??? It is amazing what real days entail.


I name this post "Midnight Oil" because that is when I really have time to craft. Not after 8:00 on the couch while watching my favorite shows. It is after 10:00 pm when I am supposed to restfully sawing logs. Last night I downed a few Diet Dr. Peppers so I could finish the apron for Hillary's shower today. I picked what I thought was a simple design, but of course it wasn't. When is sewing curvy lines simple? I also forgot to buy bias tape. Nothing like making 1/2 bias tape after midnight to boost your confidence on the sewing machine. EEEK! But I plugged through and made it happen.

I love this fabric. It was fun to sew with. I've just realized that sewing is more fun when you use your "special" stuff. So despite the curves and 3 yards of bias tape, I got the package all completed. It looks pretty cute all curled up in the bowl with everything else. I need to stop and get some cellophane on the way to the party.

Then, this morning I was feeling so refreshed (nothing like a 2:00 am bedtime and a potty training toddler and too much caffeine to make 7:30 feel like 5:00 am) and ready to go. So I made my bag.

IT IS PERFECT!!! YIPEEEE! I made up the pattern and sized all of the pockets according to what I needed to be carried in them... cellphone, planner, iPod, wallet, keys, extra change of clothing for potty boy (just in case), and my fabric store coupons and fabric swatches. :) PRIORITIES...am I right?


I also bought this owl fabric in pink. According to my computer monitor, it matched my bedroom color of pink perfectly and I was planning on making pillows. NOPE! Oh well, it can be another cute project.
I added a little patchwork to the strap for some added flair. You know, because I am all about flair. But I am so excited to carry this bag today. It is perfect and won't I just be so hip?? Off I go to my parties!

Happy Mother's Day!

The House That Lori Stitched

You've heard me talking of the freezer paper appliqué project that I've been working on. Well, here it is... just don't look too close. It was my first try and I must say I am quite addicted to paper appliqué and want to try another project. This piece is going to be a small quilted wall hanging, and my mother-in-law is going to get it as a gift for her winter birthday.

I am going to back it with a similar patterned fabric that the bigger part of the house is made from and the stripes will be the binding. I love the "Welcome to the North Pole" sign, so I wanted to bring it out more. I have a few things to add. I am going to going to add seed beads for lights at the top of the house. A few star beads will be added to the sky and I want to decorate the trees a bit, too.

I think it turned out pretty good... as long as you don't look too close. It isn't really my style, but it was a great project to start on because I learned a lot of different techniques. Man, those windows were a bugger. The small pieces made my fingers, and ego, hurt!

I just bought the fabric to start an apron for my friend Hillary's bridal shower that is on Saturday... I need to get busy. I bought some Chocolate Lollipop and it is just delightful. Of course I'll take a picture of the finished project.

I am off to see this with Lindsey tonight. Ahhhh - a night away from the potty. I swear my life is more exciting that potty training. I swear the kid has a bladder the size of a pin head. When I walk in a store, I cannot start shopping until I know where the bathrooms are. Funny how our perspectives change.

Good news...I actually won (well sort of) an internet contest. I've linked to Meshell's awesome blog before. Well this contest was to help her mother name their new spinning wheel. I suggested Gretta, and it was winning until the very end. Anyway, check out the great wheel and my awesome prize coming all the way from Australia. Yahoo... I can't wait. As a shout out, I LOVE these ladies' blogs. They are so entertaining and creative.

So until next time, I'll leave you with the fabric choices for my new bag. I need something that will carry a wallet, phone, keys, my planner, an extra pair of clothing for the potty training boy (no more mentions... I promise), some wipes and what ever stuffed animal he brings along. Right now I'm carrying two, and it isn't working. Anyway... Adios!

Lemony Fresh

Today has been a rather uneventful day. I decided early on that I would get out of bed and get some editing done for Mike's cousin before the boy woke up. Well, he heard me flush, so he was up and at em' bright and early. Oh well. It is nice to just sit and listen to him blabber about whatever he was thinking about before he went to bed. SO FUNNY! After a few hours of television, we went to Barnes & Noble for story time. The reader was a cute, funny man that was probably 7 feet tall. He wore nice shoes. The stories were all about mothers because they are having a Mother's Day tribute week with a two part story time and craft. Very cute. Today they planted flowers for us. I'm glad I am a mother at moments like this.

After a little lunch at Noodles and Company, we went to the park. Cohen pooped twice. YIKES! Good thing I randomly packed a lot of extra underwear. He just won't poo in the toilet and it is driving me a little mad. Nothing like hearing a 10 year-old yell, "That kid is pooping!" really loud to his buddies. Cohen got so embarrassed and didn't want to go down the slide (obviously) or walk. He just stood at the top of the playground frozen. These are moments that I wish dad was around to take care of.

He fell asleep in the car on the way home. He is now working on hour 4 of his nap. HOLY MOLY! I've enjoyed my afternoon of editing, emailing, and blogging, but maybe I should wake him up so I will still have some evening left after putting him to bed.

In other news, Mike was offered a great job today with Zions Bank. It is a graphic design position with bankers hours. You can't beat that! We are both pretty excited and I am officially declaring myself a SAHM (now that I know what SAHM stands for!). He starts in two weeks. Whew. It has been a long 6 unemployed weeks, but we've made it.

Only good things have been coming our way since my lay-off. I know that is was totally the right thing. I'm still figuring out how to be a productive mom, but rereading Harry Potter 5 & 6 sure is getting in the way of the productive part! Oh - guess who just woke up?

Oh, by the way, do you love the lemon fabric, or what? It is Alexander Henry purchased at JoAnn's. Right now the only thing I can find to do with it is put my old dusty flowers on it. I wish I had a little girl to make a jumper for. It is just so summery and cute. Maybe I'll make a quick skirt for me, because I bought enough, just in case. ;)

Aqua and Red

If I could paint the world any color today, it would be aqua and red. Not until recently have I found that I love this color combination almost as much as brown, pink, and blue. After reading several posts written my MissMeshell, I realized that aqua and red were indeed eye candy. (By the way... read her latest post about all of the hand spun yarn... YUMMY!)

I made this needle roll for catpants, aka Tracy. She is also a lover of all things red and aqua. She is also a knitter extraordinary! She makes sassy jewelry, too. And... just about everything else. I'm getting some hand spun yarn (YAY!) and jewelry in return.

The outside is made of a aqua pant weight canvass type fabric. I found this fabric years ago at an upholstery store and bought the rest of the bolt. I only have about a fat quarter left of it. But, of all the "I-love-this-so-much-I-MUST-have-the-rest-of-the-bolt" fabrics I've purchased over the years, this has definitely produced the best projects! I'm sad that it is almost gone forever. The sadder part is that I do not think I've saved any of the projects. I need to be better about saving something that I make. Do any of you ever feel like you never make anything for yourself?

The insides are some of the cutest quilting cottons I could find. The closure is just a silky red ribbon and a fabric yo-yo and a vintage button. I think it makes the dull outside a little more special.

I really loved the way this turned out. This is the perfect type of project to help me get out of crafting slumps. It is quick, easy and extremely gratifying. Anyway, I hope you like it miss catpants!

A Winner Has Been Chosen

Thank you all for posting and celebrating my 50th post! You are wonderful and I wish I could send a Jar of Whimsies to everyone who commented. Unfortunately, I could only choose one. Rather than going on and on about the process, I'll let you view it through photos.

Congrats! Send me your address to my email - lori (dot) vanwagoner (at) gmail (dot) com.
I'll assemble it and get it sent out by the end of the week.

I just cut out the fabric for a needle roll and the rest of the baby blanket pieces. I'll be back with more crafty posts later in the week!

My Golden Post

Well... I made it post 50. That is only 1/2 way to the 100th post contest that is now almost expected out in blogland. Well, I think 50 is monumental enough...

DO YA'LL WANT A FREEBIE??

The jars above were sent to me by the lovely Leah in our April Affair Swap a few weeks ago. Could a girl get any luckier?? I mean seriously! Look at all of those vintage matchbooks and vintage buttons. And, what about that "Jar of Whimsies?" EEP! Need a closer look?

Yes... I find it all quite amazing. Dear Leah is the sweetest thing EVER and is more generous than anyone I've ever met. She sent me the most amazing stuff. But...we'll talk about that later. Right now we're talking about what I want to send you now.

Would you like your own little "Jar of Whimsies"? You should...even if you can't do anything with them, they sure look cute sitting on your shelf. I'll send a mini version of what Leah sent me, but it will be packed with an equal amount of goodness.

So, here are the rules. Comment on this post, and you have until MAY DAY (May 1st) to do so. I know there are only, like, 10 of you out there, but that only increases your chances, right! I'll have Cohen draw your name out of the jar before I stuff it!

Craft on (because I sure don't have a lot going on in my craft room lately!).

Inspiration

I have a few projects going that I am not really into so they are sitting in the W.I.P. pile and probably will for awhile. The paper piecing project is getting monotonous. The pieces are small and I am bored making little windows. Only 3 more...sigh... I cut out a quilt that I am making for a friend's baby. I was really excited about it and now sewing strips together seems boring.

I started browsing Craftster, Etsy, and Flickr for ideas of a new project, but I am stumped! Don't get me wrong... I am OVERWHELMED with beautiful things, but I just don't know what to start.

Bummer. I hate being in this mode. Potty training is wearing me out! Maybe tomorrow I'll have a great EUREKA! moment. Till then, do any of you have any ideas?

April Showers

What a surprise it was to see snow today... I don't know why. I've been glued to the nightly news to watch the coverage of the Virginia Tech tragedy. It seems like it would have slipped in my conscience (is that spelled correctly?) somehow. So, out I go in my flip flops and no coat like always. Sheesh. I'll figure out how to dress weather appropriate eventually.

Of course, I planned today to be "run-around" day. Nice. I headed to my cousin Lauren's office to pick up the stuff for her invitations marble magnets. She has such a cute invitation for her wedding. I am making 400 marble magnets using the same paper that the invite is printed on. She is sending them along with the invitations. A very cute idea, I must say. Listening to her talk about wedding plans made me want to re-plan mine... but only for a few minutes.

Then I ran to JoAnn's to pick up Mod Podge and E6000 (the magnets are sooooo strong). I think everyone else in the valley thought they'd run over there, too. Cohen was a trooper waiting in the long fabric cutting line (of course I bought fabric even though it wasn't on my list) and in the check out line. I am SO GLAD I put a diaper on him. I am sure it would have been tragic.

Now we are in our nice warm home. Cohen is watching Monsters, Inc. and I am deciding whether or not to work or craft... or sit on the couch and watch it with him. Days like this I wish I had a fireplace to lay in front of. Oh well... someday.

Speaking of fire, I made these matchbook sets for dear Leah. She loves Halloween and has a themed dining room, so this is the set for that room.


She has a teal kitchen, so I made a red and teal set for that room, too. These little buggers are addicting.
I decided to package them in little drawstring gift bags. I got the tutorial from a link on Craftster. I wish so badly I'd saved the link... I'll have to dig back through the thread I found it on. I would love to package up everything I give away in cute little coordinating bags.















Anyway, I thought they were cute. I need to post what I got from Leah. She sent me the MOST AMAZING package. Have a good snowy day!

**EDIT** The tutorial for the bags is found on the HappyThings blog. Here is the link! Enjoy!

Crafty Potty Training

So, I have been forced to stay pretty close to home the last few days because we are potty training the boy. He's doing really well and I am proud of him. Hopefully I'll get brave enough to take him out some day! ;-)

Being home has led to him watching a lot of television and me doing a lot of couching. Couching can be defined as crafting while sitting on the couch. Yesterday morning during Little Einsteins, I found myself sitting in a nest of scraps, pincushions, thread, and different scissors. It was time to get up!

The last few weeks of crafting have been strictly for a swap. I had SO MUCH to do, that I couldn't be distracted until I was finished. Well... the giant box went in the mail yesterday morning and is on its way to South Hadley, Massachusetts as we speak (type? read?).

First, I'll start with the crafting apron. I love this apron and have already begun planning my own.

I don't know where I collected so many black, white, and pink fabrics. This is not my normal color palette, but I just have a huge stack of this stuff right now. If I can pat myself on the back, didn't it turn out just great?? There are several different sizes of pockets for all sorts of crafting goods.

This pincushion is not my idea. I saw it once on some show on HGTV and then I saw it again on Craftster. My partner is diabetic, so I thought of a way to send sweets without sending sugary goodness. Do they kind of look like truffles? Fabric and puffy paint are always a good team.

I also experimented with ruffles. I've never really added ruffles to anything. I don't think I did it correctly, but I did do it, and you can tell it is a ruffle.

Isn't that Popsicle fabric wonderful?? I love it. I got it from ReproDepot (read: best store on earth!) I really really wish I would have purchased more, but I only bought a yard. Anyway, this apron is a three paneled apron, with pockets that ties in the back. I bought the pink and light green for Easter crafts, but I never got around to them, so I cut it up. Maybe next year I can use the scraps.

(Well... that alignment is weird, but I am having issues fixing it...so, WHATEVER!)

This is an embroidered and quilted table runner. I took these panels on my trip to Disneyland last month and I almost completed the entire thing on the trip. This project has been through Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California. It was a lot of fun to do, and very very hard to package up and give away after all of those hours of crafting. It ended up being bigger than I had hoped, but the finished measurements are 16" wide and about 60" long. I'm always so off on my math when doing this kind of thing. My mother used to tell me, "Measure Twice, Cut once." Maybe I should have listened to her. Haha! Sorry mom!

Cohen just informed us he needs to go poo... off to the toilet to witness the first big boy poop. That sounds bizarre. I'll be back later.

HI FRIENDS

My home has become a workshop over the past few weeks. I have a lot of projects. I know I stated that last time, but it really is true. My friend's mother in law is teaching me how to do paper piecing appliqué and it is fascinating. I love it! I have to buy some basting glue before I can continue my project and I cannot wait for 9:00 am when Piper's (hello Nicole - I know you live over there somewhere) opens its cute little doors!

After my trip to Pipers, I am headed to meet my father in Ogden. He is buying me new tires. I love that I have a dad who still worries about me enough to pay for some new tires. Woohoo! After today, I'll have a lot of finished projects to share. The weather is gloomy and the light is not good, but I'll take photographs of what I've been working on before I have to send most of it off tomorrow. Of course it is for a swap! Haha!

So... the photos are coming! the photos are coming!

Love you all. Thanks for staying diligent for the last BORING month!