There are some days where living here is just like living anywhere else (for the most part).
And then there are days where you have to pinch yourself and think.....Is this really my life?
Yesterday was one of those days:
Waimea Bay - absolutely gorgeous!
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I have three quilts I'm finishing up the binding on right now! Yay!!
Two are very overdue baby shower gifts for a friend who had twins back in May - eep! I love how they turned out though so guess it was worth the wait :-)
We are counting down the days til everyone comes home...
Hubby has texted us a few pictures:
I took a few pics outside the other night of these two....
I should do it more often!
I'm having TONS of fun playing with this new app on my phone - Rhonna Designs. Have you guys seen it?! It's only for Apple products right now but hopefully she will be releasing an Android version soon!
OK we are headed off to the beach since it has been HOT here! Guess summer finally arrived!
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To all my fellow Americans (and anyone else celebrating today):
Happy 4th of July!
This is where we will be spending our day :-)
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I read the best post over on Jennifer's blog and then clicked on the link to the article she referenced and thought....this would be a fun post to do.
So here I am.
38 - that's a big number to me. It's that much closer to 40 and that much further away from 30. I certainly don't feel old but I know the term "young adult" has not applied to me for a while.
38 is realizing I am more like my parents than I ever thought. I hear things come out of my mouth and I think, my mother (or father) has said that exact same thing. And not that it's a bad thing (sometimes - ha ha). Just eye-opening.
38 is feeling comfortable in my own skin, for the most part. Yes, it would be nice to lose those 10-15 extra pounds that I've carried around since I had kids. But hey, my husband thinks I'm hot and what else really matters. Maybe it would be nice to have that back fat gone and fit into those jeans I keep in my closet "just in case" but really, it's not one of the more important things in life.
38 is being so happy I don't have to change diapers, chase around after toddlers or wake up for middle-of-the-night feedings. It means having great, meaningful conversations with a child that is now taller than me. Cracking up at how witty and hilarious some of their jokes are. And enjoying my kids and having fun with them without worrying about getting home for naps.
38 is being a bit more sensitive to things. A bit more wisdom (ok who am I kidding, a lot more). A bit more compassion. At 38 I've been around a while. Stuff has happened. I've grown as a human being. And that's a wonderful thing.
38 is being married for 17 years to the most wonderful man I know. I had no idea this is what we would become 17 years ago but I am so, so thankful. He is my best friend and I cannot imagine my life without him. 38 is living through some hard times and coming out on the other side wiser and stronger.
38 is enjoying my kids while they are still at home and looking forward to that time when it will just be the two of us. We have some plans :-)
38 is realizing how amazing God's grace is in our lives. How un-deserving we are. And how loving and gracious He is. Grace - it's all about grace these days. His grace for us and our grace for others.
38 is still trying to navigate my way through friendships, old and new. But boy am I loving all the new ones I've formed through this blog and on the internet. My life is so, so full. And I love it. And am looking forward to many years ahead.
Bring on 39 (I think).....
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June has flown by, hasn't it?!
We've been busy:
Lots of beach days..
sewing days..
(Ringo Pie block for Marit)
(Ringo Pie block for Penny)
more beach days...
(this was a pool day actually - met up with Cynthia from Fabricworm and like a bozo, I didn't get a pic with her!! We had fun though!)
more sewing days...
(these are for Monica's Traveling Quilt - you can read about Mrs. Bjornbar here)
(I got this awesome luggage tag fabric from Spoonflower)
I've also done some destashing (on Instagram - it's where I hang out these days it seems)
The biggest reason for the destashing was to help Hubby and my two eldest go to Mexico on a mission trip with a group from a few local churches. And it's been miracle after miracle and they are all going!! They leave on Monday!
I'm so excited for them and am just praying my kids get to see how blessed they are in the US and that they have SO much compared to most of the world.
I'm hoping it's life-changing and a real eye-opener for them. And Hubby gets to share a lot while they are there since he won't need an interpreter :-) He's a little nervous.
I did some sewing for him too.
A new passport wallet for their 3 passports
(I am LOVING those new Birch fabrics - so pretty!)
and a travel pouch (complete with elastic so he can wear it under his shirt and just pull it down when needed - per his specifications).
I'm planning on making a tutorial for this soon.
I have a fun giveaway on Monday so be sure to check back for that!
Oh - one more thing!
Fabricworm is having a huge sale - 15% off with coupon code 5years (til Monday, July 1st).
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New passport wallets for the shop:
An iPad mini cover for a fun swap:
a custom iPad cover:
and this sweet smile.
Hope you are having some favorites of your own lately too!
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Lately it seems like life has been about choices.
Do I choose to sew or go to the beach with my family (I know, hard choice)?
Do I spend time reading my Bible or do I blog and browse the internet?
So as you can see, I have been choosing my family and Bible over sewing and blogging.
Not that I'm done with blogging....and I also thought - as soon as I write this, I'll probably have a ton of things to blog about - lol!
Boy how I wish there were more hours in the day! But there aren't and it's all about balance. And right now my family is taking up the majority of time and I'm totally fine with that.
As soon as I finish this post though, I plan on spending some quality time with my sewing machine. I have a design idea that's been brewing in my head for a while and I'm itching to get it on fabric.
All the family time hasn't stopped me from accumulating fabric.
How beautiful are these bundles from Westwood Acres?
Love those feathers!
And aren't these fun? - Riley Blake blenders.
I also got some pretty bundles from Fresh Squeezed Fabrics.
That yellow Essex linen is so pretty!
And I have bought a few things on Instagram.
Who can pass up a great bundle of Chocolate Lollipop? Not me!
And some oop AH charms and fat quarters from Katie!
I'm slowly working on my stars - most of the fabrics are from Indian Summer by Sarah Watson.
Fabricworm, Westwood Acres and Sew Fresh Fabrics all have it in stock - go get some! It's really cute!
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My cousin was just here for a visit and I thought I'd show some of the fun pictures of her trip.
yep - they slid down this...
(I couldn't go on the hike cause I had soccer sign-ups for AYSO)
and one of our toothless girl :-)
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We had a great Sew Day for the Oahu Modern Quilt Guild on Saturday.
If any of you are local and are interested, please send me an email or check out the FB page here.
I didn't take any pictures of us actually sewing but I did snap one of Melanie, Mai, Sarah and I at the very end of the day.
I've finished a few bee blocks.
These two Paris themed blocks are for Charise for the Ringo Pie Bee.
And this guitar is for Melinda (also for Ringo Pie).
I'm slowly crossing off that big bee block to-do list!
I sewed this simple patchwork top up (as soon as these fabrics came I had to cut them out and play with them).
Now it needs a backing and then I'll throw it in the to-quilt pile.
I'm working on some more knife cases for my dad for his knife show this weekend. Can't wait to show them to you!
I whipped up some key fobs today too.
These are so fun to make and great for using up scraps.
I ordered a fun new toy which came today - a new lens!
I'm pretty excited to learn how to use my camera more too!
I also made a laptop case for a custom order - it has an adjustable/removable strap too.
Think that's about it for things on this side of the world right now...hoping to get a bit more sewing in this week but my cousin is visiting from TN so I may be forced to take her to the beach instead - life is so hard :-)
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These last three weeks have been SO busy! But I have gotten in a little sewing time - yay!
I just updated the shop with a few camera straps:
and passport wallets:
I have a bunch of bee blocks to work on too so I need to get those done before I work on "fun" stuff!
Tomorrow is a Sew Day for the Oahu Modern Quilt Guild! Can't wait! And Sarah just moved here so she'll be joining us too!
I already met her this week as she and her husband came to Hubby's soccer game in town and then we all went out for Thai food. So excited she's here!
I'll be spending today at a home school conference (and spending money on books instead of fabric - bummer!).
I did see this great sale in my email - Michelle Patterns has all her sewing patterns for only $5 this weekend!
I love her patterns and this is such a good deal!! Go get a few!
Hope you all have a great weekend!!
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