one shabby chick

isn't it the same thing

We all went and played tennis for a while this afternoon until it got way too hot and Baby Girl had a major meltdown decided it was time to go....sorry to all you snowed-in folks for the too hot reference....

 

I came home and practiced some more of my stitches..now I just need to work at getting them tighter and more consistent.

I was watching these videos and Hubby asked me, "Are you practicing your knitting?"

I replied, "It's crocheting, not knitting." Of course it was said in the sweetest voice....

To which he replies, "Isn't it the same thing?"

quilting

  

with circles....

 

and some stippling...

Can't wait to show you guys the back - I really like it. 

Dogs in School

My brother-in-law is in Portland right now - at the opening for this art show. His friend Patrick is the mind behind it all - read this amazing story where he talks about his inspiration.

 

If you live in the Portland area, go check it out - it runs through Feb. 25th...my brother-in-law has a piece in the show...** Edited to add - here's a link to his blog with a picture of his piece - it already sold too!

You guys rock

All those crochet links are amazing - thank you SO much. I spent some time yesterday in front of the computer practicing...I just need more practice time.

Hubby is working a little further away now (so he gets home later) which means I'm in charge of soccer practice for the first hour or so - I love that we get out and run around at the park but I'll be happy when soccer is over and I can spend my afternoons sewing instead.

Baby Girl has a birthday to go to next weekend (totally thought it was this Sat. and would have shown up too - luckily Bela read the invite and informed me it's next week) so I was trying out a different type of skirt for her little friend. And Baby Girl gets the prototype..

  

Not sure I'm really loving it - the tulle is fun but I might like it better plain (it's super soft though, not the scratchy kind you get at Walmart)....

I also made her friend a little Black Apple doll - I'll take a picture later.

Made this for dinner last night - only I just used breaded chicken tenders and baked them in the oven and then threw them in the sauce after - had to be quick since it was after we got home from soccer - everyone loved it. Her recipes are so yummy!

Finally got my thread order from Joann's - now to finish this quilt!

New ventures

* Trying to see if I can teach myself how to crochet...Wed. afternoons will be spent at ballet so I need something to occupy myself for 2 hours.

Do any of you have any websites on crocheting you'd like to share? Please?? I have my book and know the chain stitch and think I'm on the right track for single crochet but am not positive...

* Ballet - she's been waiting forever for it to be her turn (you have to be 4) and yesterday the day finally arrived...and of course I had to take pictures (she is the baby...that's my excuse)....

(yeah - I have dirty windows...)

and a dancing queen....

* I'm going to actually try and make things for my Etsy shop - {gasp} - what a novel idea right? Mostly for people here who are always asking me where I have things for sale and I tell them...well, I have an Etsy shop, but there's nothing in it...

* Living beyond yourself - which I really need to do...

Hopefully I will actually get some sewing in this weekend - I cannot believe it (and none of the girls at sewing last night did either) but I didn't take my sewing machine out of the case all week - so it was all packed and ready to go last night...but it's coming out either today or tomorrow - I have a couple birthday presents to make!

away we go

I love that movie - and soundtrack....

Been in a bit of a funk - worrying about finances (in case you haven't noticed from reading my blog, I tend to be a bit of a major spender - am trying going to remedy that this year), worrying my children are not getting a great education from me, health stuff (not me)...

 

I know I am extremely blessed and am so lucky to live in America, and Hawaii for that matter. I think it's just God getting my attention and wanting me to focus on what's important and not on all the little things that don't matter. And wanting me to focus on Him, period.

I did do a bit of cleaning of the craft area this weekend - how can I manage to sort and fold all my fabrics but have the hardest time folding the piles of laundry - I think it's because the fabric is so much prettier.

  

I love the new layout and finally have sorted my fabric scraps - now I'm slowly cutting them down into various sizes so they'll be ready to use for quilts.

 

I found these on the camera while I was uploading the craft room pictures - a lego wave..

 

oh no, wipeout!

paddling out...

 

Ok off to get dinner out of the oven - the kids are outside all playing together which just makes me smile...I am blessed!

Fun Music

Ok, so in addition to my talented sister-in-law, I also have a friend in Portland, Becca, who just made an album with her boyfriend, Nathan (who is also in M. Ward's band).

Here's a link to their album - Duover...I just downloaded mine (and you get to decide how much you want to pay for it too!)

Auctions to Aid Haiti

I participated in a Scrappy Holiday block swap back in August and Beth had us all make a charity block.

  

She has made two gorgeous quilts and two beautiful tree skirts out of the charity blocks and is auctioning them off on her blog - go check it out!

Quilt 1

 

Quilt 2

Tree Skirt 1

Tree Skirt 2 

The auctions end Friday and all proceeds will be going to either Partners in Health or Doctors without Borders.

Pillow swap round 2

I signed up for round 2 of the Pillow Swap on Flikr and put together a little mosaic of some of my favorites on Flikr right now.

1. Ingrid Press Festival Of Quilts 2009, NEC Birmingham, 2. Modern Crazy Quilt, 3. Work Quilt, 4. animal sherbet squares quilt, 5. Finished Jewel Squares top!, 6. All finished with the quilting, almost finished with the binding, 7. Element's #19, 8. Squares quilt, 9. fraction quilt -- two rows to go Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Not sure if they translate well into pillows but I think they would work.

Craft Hope is still going strong on Etsy - just got this in my inbox...such a cute pattern - can't wait to try it!

 

 There's more listed on Craft Hope - go get one!

A gang

Hubby is coaching our older son's soccer team for a select season - ughh...12 year-old boys...a whole gang of them. They are really fun and are a great group of kids - when you can get them to control themselves focus...which isn't often.

I've been helping at practice the past few weeks since it's really not a one-man job....so the sewing has been hit and miss. But I am getting some exercise in (and schooling some pre-teen boys in soccer) which is good.

I did squeak in a little sewing in between school and soccer today...finished sashing my Common Threads quilt (from round 2)..

Round One is still having border trouble (I really need to get it out and finish it).

I sewed up a back too...

 

I've had that grey linen/cotton print in my stash for a while - it's gorgeous and I never knew which project to use it in. But I think it fits in nicely on the quilt back, and once it's done, I'm planning on using it on the couch since my oldest daughter has stolen this one for her bed.

 

Now I have to figure out how I want to quilt it and get it basted. Not sure about thread though - I ordered a bunch from Joann's and am just waiting now - it sometimes takes a while.