artsy-crafty babe

monday

Monday morning, you're here too quickly!  It's only 7 am, but you've already been a doozie - too many snoozes, running late, grumpy kids - it can only get better from here, right? 

Well, my weekend was pretty good, despite all the sogginess.  It rained all. weekend. long.  It was a wet, muddy, dreary weekend.  I made the most of it by resting and sewing.  It was nice to have some big chunks of time to sit at my sewing machine.

You'll have to wait on photos (too dark & gray), but the girls now have new curtains in their room and new pillows for their bed.  Due to a mischievous 3 yr old, one section of their newly painted walls needs to be re-painted, but I wasn't up for that.  I also got around to finishing up my scrap quilt.  It will get a post of its own once I get it washed.  I think it is my favorite quilt yet!

I hope you Monday is off to a better start than mine, have a great one!

thursday already?

Wow, how did that happen?  It seems like I was just lamenting over Monday, and now the week is practically over.  I wouldn't mind this so much if I could actually remember where the time went.  My goodness! 

On my agenda all week has been to make curtains and new pillows (butterflies!) for the girls room.  This past weekend we got rid of the pepto.  Oh boy, what a major undertaking that was, much more than I imagined.  That pink wasn't so easy to get rid of.  Yes, two coats.  I only bought 1 gallon.  So, I sent Matt to the store to get another gallon, with the lid of the first gallon in hand with all the specifics.  He came home with a different looking can.  Turns out, the lady who mixed the first gallon used the wrong base.  They assured Matt that it didn't matter so long as they mixed the same formula, but this was the proper base.  So what if it was mixed wrong in the first place, mix the second one wrong too so that they'll match!!  Um, I can see a difference, but I'm so over painting that room.  I can live with it.

I had hoped to get to my sewing machine last night, but as soon as I finished cooking supper and got Ava in the tub the electricity went out.  We spent the evening by candle light.  Thankfully I had the ac cranked down, so the house wasn't too hot (yes, we've been hitting the 90's during the day with unbearable humidity - fall, where are you??).  It was kind of nice with no TV or computer.  The kids told stories with Matt while I listened and knit a few rows of my current project.  Just as we were ready for bed, the lights came back on.  As tempted as I was to jump on a project, I didn't.  I was in bed before 10 pm.  I can't tell you the last time I did that.  Sleep is good.  This was a good reminder to slow down and unplug.  I doubt I'll be back in this space before next week.  Maybe I'll have new curtains to show, maybe I won't. What I do know is that I'll be slowing down and enjoying the ride.  Have a great weekend!

drunk strings and a spiderweb

I finally got around to playing catch up on my Pieced Together quilting bee blocks this weekend.  Whew!  I already had all my templates prepped, so all I had to do was sew. 

First up is a drunk love block Jody.  I must admit, when I opened the enveloppe and saw the template and the diagram, I nearly croaked!  I was so worried about messing it up.  I cut out each piece and kept it all pinned together until I was ready to assemble it.  Much to my surprise, it went together pretty easily.  I LOVE how this block came out.  I think I want a quilt like this.  This quilt will be wonderful when put toghether.

Next is the components of a string quilt for Sandy.  She requested that we didn't sew the 4 pieces together, which was fine with me.  These blocks are so pretty and fallish.  They remind me of a pumpkin.

And lastly, I made another spiderweb block, this time for Sam.  You'd think by now I'd have it down, but I have to look up the paper piecing instructions for this kind of blocks every time.  I think I've finally got it.  Maybe.

Now, the next challenge comes in getting these in the mail, which I WILL, along with the other set I finished a few several weeks ago (so sorry about that!).  This month is my month for sending out fabrics, so that's also on the agenda this week.  If you're in the bee and recieve my fabrics, no hurry on these blocks at all, okay? 

I haven't forgotten about my 12 square peeps - your blocks are next, promise. 

gratitude friday

Hello there, October!  I'm so happy you're here!  Yes, I do love October.  It's one of my favorite months.  This is the time of year when we finally have pleasant weather down here.  This past week was no disappointment - temps in the low 80's, low humidity, just perfect!  Of course, as I'm typing this the rain is pouring down, which is nice too.

Thank you for your responses on my last post.  Really, thank you.  Who needs therapy when you have blog friends?  Since writing that I've done a lot more thinking, talking with Matt, and made a shift in my attitude about the whole situation.  A change in attitude can do wonders.  So here it is, a new month, a new attitude, and lots of good things to be grateful for:

• Ava's new favorite hair-do - finally, after 7 months of growth!  Shall I refresh your memory?  She now loves wearing little front piggies, so cute!
• friends
• beautiful weather
• the scale moving in the right direction (yes, I'm back on the weight-loss wagon)
• casting on a new project (I haven't completed any of my wip's, but I'm so tired of sleeves!)
• being amazed by the creativity of Lily - I'm so proud of that girl!
• the support of Matt
• the sound of pouring rain this morning
• early mornings when I'm the only one awake - this happened by accident once this week, but I think I'll make it a habit
• Alex's new found love of soccer
• feeling inspired again

This little life of mine, it's pretty darned good!  Have a great weekend, friends.