Six Pack for Babies

Here is the six pack of bibs I made for my coworker and his wife who are expecting twin girls.  This was so much fun.  Almost makes me want another girl... almost.

PROJECT: Tea Quilt

The domain of quilting is territory somewhat unexplored for me. I made two crib size quilts for my daughter when I found out that I was having a girl. I mean the DAY I found out I was having a girl. The sheer glee of sewing with pink inspired me to whip off a rag quilt and a minky backed quilt in a what seemed like no time. I just remember being so happy sewing those together knowing that my daughter would someday use them.

Okay - so what does that have to do with today? I have begun to piece a long queen size quilt. After a LOT of thought about design and color and pattern, which is ongoing, I chose Tina Givens' Tea Quilt pattern and a mix of some of my most favorite fabrics ever. Kaffe Fassett's Suzani in Red (below) is simply stunning - cannot imagine a prettier fabric - so I had to include it here. I also love Tina Givens' Heaven in the Oberon Red colorway and all of Anna Maria Horner's prints, but the Social Climber in gold (above) is to die for. Oh, and I almost forgot Amy Butler's Acanthus in Teal (not pictured here) - divine! I love it even more in olive, but that didn't work with the other prints I have chosen.

Yesteday I pieced and sewed three blocks and snapped pics this morning. I also realized that there is no way I will be able to machine quilt this baby - it's HUGE. Then again, maybe there is a way... I have to look into it more. The thought of hand quilting anything makes me want to run for the hills. I get antsy just thinking about sitting still that long!

P.S. A coworker and his wife are expecting twin girls - how adorable, right? I have been trying to figure out what to make for a shower gift. I think I have decided on a pile of bibs because I never really wanted to buy bibs myself, but babies definitely need them. Plus, I could make really pretty, girly bibs. I was going to use my pattern when I started thinking about quilted bibs I had seen on Etsy... I modified my pattern and gave machine quilting a shot with this bib. Let's just say I have a LOT to learn!!! Here is my first one.

Sprinkler Love

If you have little ones and are looking for a way to entertain them in the sweltering heat, get this sprinkler.  It is from Little Tikes, and it is really, really cool.  My kids absolutely loved it and it was $10.  Love that!

Crimson King Maple & Mulch

Daddy & Maddox were hard at work this week!  We've been wanting to get a Crimson King Maple for about 5 years, and now we have one.

He's ONE!!!

As I was walking down the stairs today leaving work, I was thinking how thankful I am to not feel the way that I did one year ago.  At that time I was in labor.  In fact, I had been in labor pretty much all day at work.  My classes were reading To Kill a Mockingbird, and I remember planting myself in a chair and reading Atticus's closing argument aloud to them while feeling increasingly regular twinges.  The kids were on to me and were worried I was going to have the baby right there!  I assured them this was not the case.

I headed to the doctor's office as soon as I got out of school and found out I was 6 cm dilated.  Great, I thought... less work for me to do in active labor.  This was no easy delivery, however.  (It would turn out to be only the second most challenging one for me, actually.)   Long story short, Ryan Matthew (over 22" long and nearly 9 lb.s) joined us hours later and has changed our lives for the better with his charming personality, sweet smile and bright blue eyes.  We cannot get enough of this little guy!

Happy Mother's Day (Lots of Flowers)

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

Jonathan's Birthday!

I really cannot believe that my first born has turned 11.  If I close my eyes I can smell the hospital and feel the warmth of holding his little swaddled body shortly after he was born.  It had been one hell of a delivery.  (I didn't know it at the time, but it would take three subsequent v-bacs before I would fully understand why I needed this c-section... that is another story.)

After he was born his eyes were wide open - very alert and ready to take in the world around him.  He still has those wide eyes, but my little boy is growing up fast.  Here are some sweet memories from today.