Baby Quilt Take 1

I made a quilt for a friend that just had a baby.  I used a super soft minky for the back.  I just quilted in the ditch along each row.  I used 9 inch squares with 4 of the squares cut in half, so that the squares are staggered. I was happy with how it was turning out until I added the satin blanket binding.  I took it off several times then finally it seemed like it was going well, so I just finished.  Now I keep looking at it and I am really unhappy with the wonkiness of it. Ugh.  I will probably end up taking all of the binding off again.

I liked the idea of the soft cuddly back and satin trim to make it more appealing to a baby, but now I am thinking about using cotton fabric to bind it.   Hopefully I will have take 2 next week.  

At least there is some proof that I did get some sewing done this week.

Happy Crafty Tuesday everyone.

Sunday Snapshot-Greatest Show on Earth

We took the kids to the circus on Saturday night, so instead of one snapshot I have several.

 

 

 

It was a pretty incredible show.

Kitchen Update- Painting Cabinets

This weekend was spent priming and painting our cabinets.  Ick. I forget how much painting cabinets stinks!  Mitch spent Saturday morning sanding, filling holes, and doing more sanding.  I was able to help a little bit between shuttling the kids around.

 

Then we spent the rest of the afternoon priming.  It took us a good 3 hours to get everything primed.

 

 

On Sunday we were able to get our first coat of paint on.  It turns out that this is definitely a two person job so Mitch didn't get anything else accomplished this weekend.  It just seems like it should go so much faster than it does.   We will put a second coat on next weekend.  We are using an oil based paint, which takes forever to dry.  Then Mitch needs to build the drawers so that we can put a countertop down.  I am excited to have more space to spread out.  I might even start moving some things into those cabinets once everything is dry.

Two Zip Hipster Bag

I finally found time to finish my Two Zip Hipster bag. 
I saw How About Orange's review of the pattern and knew I had to make one for myself.
I have found that if I break it into small manageable steps, I am more successful finishing projects.  I cut out the pieces one night.  Then interfaced the pieces the next night.  Then I completed the front piece with the pocket.  Then put the bag together.  It took all week to finish, but didn't seem like I spent hours slaving over it. 

The pattern is very detailed and easy to follow.  I love the front zipper, plus the top zips close so I can keep all my belongings nice and secure.  It is even big enough to hold an iPad, but doesn't feel huge when you are carrying it.  It even has an adjustable strap.  I would highly recommed this pattern. 

Here's a link to the fabric I used in case anyone is interested.

Silent Cinema

This week I am hoping to put together a baby quilt.

If you get a chance check out Sewcanshe.com today, she is featuring my Snack Bag Tutorial.

 

 

 

Sunday Snapshot- Playing in the rain

I found these crazy kids playing outside in the rain.  I can't believe it is the middle of January and the kids are able to play in the rain without freezing to death.  

Kitchen Update- Cabinet Progress

 

 Mitch has been spending every free minute working on the cabinets.  He has the bottom cabinets and upper cabinets finished and installed.  Now he has to make the drawers and doors.  Then we need to paint everything.  We decided to wait until we have everything painted to get the countertop.  The garage is already overflowing with wood, so no need to add to the clutter. 

I am really looking forward to organizing everything in this space.  We should have plenty of storage space now.

 

It is so strange to see the whole wall full of cabinets.  I should be able to start priming and painting next weekend while Mitch works on the doors and drawers.  

Meal Planning Again

 

 I have successfully planned our meals for the last 2 weeks.  Woohoo.  I am on a roll.  It makes life so much easier when I don't have to think about what I need to cook for dinner.  I have been making some meals on Sunday so that we have food for lunch and good snacks to eat during the week.  I have also been making dinners ahead of time to cover the nights we have Tae Kwon Do.  It is definitely more work, but it is worth it to have healthy food to eat.

Here's what I planned for this week:
Snacks
Sunflower Oat Bars
Raisin Seed Balls
Ancient Grain Banana Breakfast Bread
Sunflower Seed and Cashew Cheese
I made all of the recipes above this weekend.  I can tell you they are all winners.  The kids love the raisin seed balls and the sunflower oat bars. I used peanut butter for the oat bars.  The breakfast bread is also very yummy and also almost gone.  The sunflower and cashew cheese is great on crackers or could work in a wrap with veggies for lunch too.

Lunch
Dilled Egg Salad
Sweet Potato Hummus
Avocado and Bean Burritos
Black Bean Soup
Black Bean Confetti Salad
I made all of these except the burritos this weekend too.  The sweet potato hummus might be my favorite.  It is really, really good. 


Dinners
Cashew Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
Wild Salmon with Rosemary Sweet Potatoes and Lemon Asparagus
Coconut Dal with Broccoli and Wild Rice
Sesame Crusted Sole, Kale Chips, and Quinoa
Kale Stuffed Portabello Mushrooms with Rice
I also have some chicken and tofu that will get thrown into the mix too for the kids.  Harper refuses to eat fish.  She was traumatized back in August when we went trout fishing. We ate the Lettuce Wraps Sunday night for dinner and the kids loved them. 

So needless to say there has been no sewing going on at my house.  I did manage to cut out and interface some fabric for a purse.  I also have a baby quilt to make.  So I promise there will be crafty things to show soon.

Orange Belt

 

Harper is still loving Tae Kwon Do.  She tested for her orange belt this weekend.  It is amazing to see the

dedication from all of the kids.  She was set to test in December, but she got strep throat the day before the testing.  She was so upset that she missed it.  She had to wait a whole month to test.  She was devastated at first, but eventually took it all in stride.  The extra month of practice made testing a breeze.

 

The testing took 3 hours, but she left with an orange belt. 

I am so proud of you Harper!!!!

Sunday Snapshot- First Snow of 2012

Carrie decided to start posting a Sunday snapshot of her favorite photo from the week, so I decided to join along.  We had our first snow of the year.  We didn't get much more than you see in the photo, but school was still out the next day. Crazy!!  

Surviving

I just wanted to pop in and let everyone know that we are still alive.  We have had a rough start to 2012 so far.  Nothing major or life altering just battling one thing after another, which has left little time for much of anything.  I will have a kitchen update next week.  Maybe I will even dig my sewing machine out.  We will see.

Here are a few random photos from the last couple of weeks. 

One morning Harper and Miller decided to dress up in each other's clothes.  They are even wearing each others shoes.  Harper is trying to attempt one of Miller's side smiles.  These two are quite the pair!!

Harper and I made it out of the house last week for some fresh air.  I even remembered to bring my camera.  She was home sick from school, but you can tell from the photo that she was feeling much better. 

 

I am so thankful that we have had some really nice weather for January.  Being able to get outside for awhile has saved my sanity on more than one occasion.

We have an oven!!

We have an oven!!!  I have successfully cooked a couple of dinners in it now, so I know it works.

 It was delivered on Friday.

 

 We painted the cabinet Friday night, but it took a couple of days for the paint to completely dry.  I promise the paint is not this yellow in real life.

Mitch got to spend New Year's with the oven because I had strep throat.  Great way to spend New Years, huh?

 

When we pulled out the oven, we realized there was a chicken nugget button.  What is up with that?  We all thought it was a bit strange.

On Monday the paint was finally dry enough for Mitch to install the oven.  He enlisted the help of his dad.  They were able to get it in the space with no problems.  Then Mitch hooked up all the electrical. The microwave is going to go in the space above the oven.  

While he was waiting for the paint to dry over the weekend, Mitch was able to make the cabinet above the fridge.  I love how built in the fridge looks.

He even found time to start working on the base for the bottom cabinets on the other side of the fridge. 

Mitch has planned out the cabinets and drawers for this side of the room.  He is hoping to start building them this weekend.  He also found a 8 foot piece of butcher block countertop that we might pick up this weekend.  

2011 Tutorials

 

I know that it is already a new year, but I thought I would do a round up of some of my tutorials from 2011.  Plus I have not had any time to sew with the holidays and kitchen remodel. : )

Easy Teacher Tote Tutorial

Fat Quarter Quilt Tutorial

Zentangle Bookmark Printable (not really a tutorial, but I am throwing it in too)

Wool Pocket Warmers

Super Easy Reusable Snack Bag Tutorial

18 Inch Doll T-Shirt Tutorial

Kindermat Cover Tutorial

Organic Striped Baby Quilt Tutorial

Wool Patchwork Stocking Tutorial

Happy 2012

Since I have made a collage of some of my favorite photos the last several years, I decided I would continue the tradition.  I really can't believe that this is the my 4th New Year's post on this blog.  My other New Year's Post are linked below.

2011

2010

2009

Overall 2011 was a really great year.   Miller started playing baseball.  I ran (and walked) the half marathon despite my pesky hip injury.  We took a family trip to Louisville for Spring Break.  We visited family in Minnesota this summer.  Miller started kindergarten, so both kids are in school this year.  Wahoo!! Harper started Taekwondo.  We went camping and made a trip to Atlanta to celebrate my niece's birthday.  We started a major kitchen remodel and much, much more.  I really could not ask for more to be packed into one year.

I do have some things that I would like to accomplish in 2012.  I want to get back into running.  I really want to run the half marathon again this year, but train for it properly.  I haven't signed up yet because I want to make sure my hip isn't going to flare up again. So we will see. 

Last year was a very busy year and I am sure 2012 is going to be the same.  I need to figure out a better way to get healthy, quick dinners on the table when we are running in all different directions.  I think meal planning is key for this to actually happen.

I sure hope our kitchen remodel is finished this year along with refinishing the floors and drywalling the living room.  I know we have a long way to go, but hopefully we can get it all done this year.

Happy New Year's everyone!!