Finished Project!

It is amazing what a little time at the machine will do for me. I do still need a nap but at least there's a bit of a smile with me now - sorry to be a downer earlier=) Look at the hem on this nightgown! I got this machine a few months ago, and I'm still fiddling with all the features. Previously I had been sewing on a little Jem with 9 stitch options, now I have hundreds. So with the nightgowns for the girls I have been sampling the decorative stitches - and I love this one =) The thing is the graphic for it is so unassuming - I never guessed that it would look so nice. So glad I ventured into new territory.
Have a great evening - Amy

What Have You Been Up To?

Really I would like to know! =) I keep thinking about projects I would like to start but have gotten little accomplished - hmmm. I'm working on it.
I did just empty our van of trash and laundry! It is amazing how much accumulates in a short time. It hasn't been around the house much for me to get my hands on it, so it had accumulated!
I made my older two girls each a nightgown yesterday. I had been to our one and only thrift shop in town last week and found some sheets - cool and comfy nighties. Emmalie choose the dainty flowers and Ella the white with eyelet at the hem. They turned out - but not my best work. I have another to make for Sophia - practice will help!
And I finished a novel this morning! It had been a while. . . Just Jane by Nancy Moser. I really enjoyed it, but of course I also love Pride & Prejudice and the rest. This was historical fiction of Jane Austen's life, written in first person.
Of course I have been to the post office, grocery store, the laundry is going and the dishes are waiting, but it never ends so I may as well enjoy a few moments here with you!
So what are you up to? Any big weekend plans? I have a few places online that I like right now, here and here - they keep sucking me in. . .

Sticky Situation

I ended up cutting this out of Emmalie's hair today - yuck! I had started with the ice and trying to pry each hair from the sticky gooey mess, with each moment Em was growing more and more upset. It was odd though - I was on the phone with my mom and she came up to me(ask me for a snack), and just hugged my leg (I have worked long and hard to not be interrupted while on the phone). I started to play with her hair, and got stuck, and she didn't think anything of it! She wasn't going to say a thing - just go find some more gum! Don't worry we waited on that for a while - and then with closer supervision =)
I was thinking about me trying to get the gum out - why didn't I just go the easy route and cut it to begin with? It was near the bottom and back of her hair - she was probably laying down. . . Oh well - I think sometimes I just have to try the preferred method instead of trying to just get by. No one will ever notice - she has lots of curls AND it was well hidden.
After that we had a great day! Some extended family have been in town and we went to the hotel they were at to swim in the pool. Maybe I should back that up, and say after we left the house it was great. Getting swimsuits on, sunscreen on, snacks, and baby paraphernalia together took an hour and Owen just wanted me - again yuck. Good thing I started early.
My sewing machine (Claire, maybe) has been tucked away since Owen's birthday - hopefully tomorrow I can get her out and post something beautiful! I have my two quilt tops finished but lack a few necessary items to finish - soon. . .

Have you ever wondered . . .

How some mom's seem to do it all? This is how Ella came home from a birthday party yesterday. Not only was there face painting, there was a clown who did magic and made balloon animals, a pinata, and a SpongeBob Birthday Cake! Needless to say Ella had a blast.

She did have one birthday party with friends when she was in Kindergarten, but since then I have just been too overwhelmed/poor to think about having a bunch of friends over, and have the family over later. It is enough making goodies for her to take to school for her classroom. Maybe when our kids are a bit older, it may be more possible - but I wouldn't want them to expect major parties every year!

My kids are loved and happy - and I am happy to be home with them. I think our kids will just have to enjoy those parties at other kids houses. I just don't see it happening here - and I am ok with that, I'm pretty sure they are too. =)

Do you throw elaborate parties for your kids? Just curious =)

I posted Owen's birthday pictures here.

Want to join me?

I found this contest in one of my magazines, and I was wondering if anyone would like to make a bag with me. There's some nice prizes - including fabric, and the pattern is free. Check it out and let me know what you think. Either leave a comment or email me at amy1399(at)gmail(dot)com.

I have about 50 other things I need to be doing right now - see you later!
Amy

Owen's First Year

1. BD, 2. bd2, 3. 2wk2, 4. 2wk4, 5. 2wk, 6. 2wk3, 7. 3mo, 8. 4mo3, 9. 4mo2, 10. 4mo, 11. 6mo, 12. 6mo2, 13. 6mo3, 14. 7mo, 15. 8mo, 16. 2mo2, 17. 2mo, 18. 10mo, 19. 10mo2, 20. 10mo3, 21. 11mo, 22. 11mo2, 23. 12mo, 24. 11mo3
My intentions were to find 12 pictures of Owen, but as I looked through all my files I could not pare it down anymore than this! I love the progression of the pics - you can see him turning from a baby to a boy. =)

Owen is our sweet boy, little man, always looking for trouble and loved by all. I remember telling Joe as we drove home from the hospital last year, as a family, "Now I feel like our family is complete." And this year has made it more true. I am so thankful to be Owen's mom, God has blessed our entire family with his addition to our lives. Happy Birthday Owen!

Loose Ends

Well - I managed to sit and have a little sewing time last night. Just me and my machine. =) I squared up my diamond quilt and add the borders. I will have to post pictures when time is more available - it has been such a busy week, and I was sewing in the dark. Not the best time for photos. I have read that a few people have named their sewing machine. At first, I kinda laughed, but then I thought about how much I enjoy spending time with my machine. So, why not? I need help though - any ideas? I think feminine would suite my machine best.

We went to the final ceremony of VBS today. I have to say that if it weren't for the invitation of a true friend, Ella would not have been there. She had a blast hanging out with Olivia all week - here's a picture of the two of them today.
That's it for today. Owen's Birthday is tomorrow - I will be back then with pictures, but for now I have a birthday cake to make!
Blessings - Amy

How Are You?

I was on my way to pick Ella up at VBS today, and started to panic. Just a little. I was on my way to a different church in the area and realized that I could run into people from our church that had caused it's demise. Yes it is a small town, and even smaller churched group.

I was thinking how would I respond to that question now? How are you? Back in January, I remember thinking, "please don't ask me." I didn't want to respond to them harshly, or bawl my eyes out on a Sunday morning. I also remember, "please ask me," I wanted to know that they actually cared about me the way that I did them. I would like to think that God has brought us through the worst of times, but only He knows. Today I would have to say "I am well." I have 4 healthy, beautiful children, a man that loves me, and the sun is shining.

There's still tears when I consider how life now is not what we expected it would be, and the friendships that are gone. Next month marks 6 years in Utah, 6 years of trials, 6 years of growth, 6 years of being a stay at home mom, 6 years of sorrow, 6 years of leaning fully on God, 6 years of God's grace in our lives. We expect to "know fully" how God is using this time in our lives, but for now, being patient in Him is where we stand.

I am so thankful for the community that I have found here - with you. Some of you I know better than others, but yet I know that I have a friend in you. Thank You. It seems so minor, my blog, posting what I've been sewing, and pictures of my kids, but being creative has been so therapeutic for me. And finding friends where I am, has been so necessary. (I have been home without a car for the most part, Joe had been working from home and sharing a vehicle was the more financially responsible thing to do.) And I have been on Facebook reconnecting with friends from college and high school that I never would have imagined connecting with again. Remember how I said "I started my blog to connect with others and promote my etsy shop?" Well I still haven't sold a ton on esty, but I have totally connected with others, and I am a blog believer! We do have friends here, it is just different when we see them on occasion instead of weekly at church, everyone has spread out to other churches.

I pray that you are blessed - whenever you read this.
Blessings,
Amy

Changes

Hi friends - I spent the day yesterday backing up and changing computers! It feels really nice to have a fully functioning computer.

Thanks for your help with the borders - I haven't had a chance to actually do anything yet with them but it is on my mental list. I gave up writing out to-do lists a while back - too many kid interruptions - I would get frustrated instead of satisfied, because I couldn't get anything taken off. So, I do my best to get things done when I can. Right now I need to get off the computer (feeling a bit addicted) and get the kids out the door!

I came across a new site today that I think is really neat conversantlife - go check it out!

Later Tater -
Amy

If Only They Were Precious Stones . . .

I have so many diamonds on this quilt top - that would be a stack of cash if they were stones! =) I have been busy at work since my last post, and I have managed to get all the piece work complete - whew! Next will be trimming and adding a border.I think that is the plan - would anyone suggest adding the border then trimming? I'm still learning =)

My original thought had been brown strips for borders, because I thought it might help ground it, but there's lots of brown and it feels dark. So my current plan is to use one from each of the color groups and add to the scrappiness. Which one do you like?

This is the back side of the top - I think it is really cool looking and wanted to share =)I need to run - Owen tries to steal my mouse anytime I am on the computer and he is up. . .

Withdrawls

I haven't been able to get online at all today! rrrrrr - my computer decided it was done having fun with me yesterday and has been very stubborn ever since. So I have been removing stuff and trying to clean it up a little, and now I am defrag'ing it. I have two hard drives on that computer so it could well be running overnight. . .
Obviously this is not the only computer in the house, but mine is the one in the living room where I can keep track of kiddos while "working". I use to do a bunch of work for the church, but have since found other ways to entertain myself and the computer. Doesn't it know it is for it's own good! Anyway, Joe has a laptop with a ton of passwords that I can never keep track of, so I am now on the desktop in the office downstairs - and this thing is sooo dusty! I am going to have to take medicine soon - or be a mess. I am beginning to think that this computer might need to make it's home upstairs. We'll see.
I should have been sewing as I haven't been online, but it didn't work out that way, so far at least =) Joe took Ella and Emmalie camping overnight so it is me and the little ones - who just went to bed. A quiet house is really a treat. I am moving on to Bloglines to see what you all have been up to today.
Amy

So Far - So Good

I was able to spend a bit of time sewing off and on today - I take what I can get. =) This is the current layout that I have worked out. What do you think? I tried a couple of different ideas, even took pictures for a different perspective, but this was my favorite. I really like, really I do. I feel that I have been a bit hesitant, not knowing what the end result will be. And I haven't had a lot of time to work on it this week. Being able to lay it out today helped, a good idea of what is to come. I have a few diamonds that did not get matched very well, so I am saving those to fill in the gaps at the top, bottom, and sides. It won't matter that they aren't matched when I cut them in half.
Have a great weekend!
Amy

The Saga

At least that is how it feels! Thanks to all my bloggy friends for your encouragement and support! I wasn't home yesterday so I am a bit behind, in housework and blogland. . . oh well. I just keep going =)

I have been able to slowly iron every stitch and then pin them again. My plan is to keep going and see what comes. I have sketched a few different sashing options with my remaining strips, but I will make those decisions when I get there.

I hope you are doing well! I have a trip to the park and picnic promised that I must make preparations for. . .
Amy

I Think I'm in Over My Head

I have seen a few different diamond patterns around the internet, money being tight - I opted not to buy any. . . now I'm thinking - I'm a fool! I have loved the look of the diamonds and have spent a few hours playing with paper diamonds, a few fabric scraps. I just had to do something with diamonds! So I took my tools to a jelly roll and started cutting - yeah probably 2/3's of the set is now diamonds. 336 diamonds per my calculations! I still consider myself a bit of a novice in quilting - I haven't done much with triangles, mostly squares and rectangles. Mostly because time is not abundant around here!
I thought that I would just figure out how to put the whole thing together as I went . . . not all too sure of myself now. I may end up with a top full of diamonds and nice borders around. I have to play with it some.
Do you have any suggestions? I was hoping to just use the jelly roll - I don't really have anything more to go with it. I could really use a pattern about now . . .

Quilt Top In a Day

I know, I surprise myself too! Sewing with 4 little ones running around can be challenging. I just have to plan ahead for naptime and I sew at the kitchen table. This is a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I can be in the midst of my kids while working on little bits. A curse because I have to pack everything up constantly. Oh well, it's what God has on my plate for now - so I make the best of it!This quilt will be for my shop - finally! Joe still needs a quilt, I am reminded often, that he is the only one in our house without a personal quilt. But he is a lot more particular on fabric choice, so it's a bit tricky. Any suggestions? He has mentioned GI Joe. . . I found some old sheets on ebay - but I don't think that will do!So this is a very simple block that I drafted after I purchased a Flutterby charm pack and a few fat quarters on ebay. The top is 45" square, I think it would be great for tummy time or as a stroller blanket. I love all the saturated colors - I think that is what sold me on the fabrics =)
I couldn't help but snap this not very good picture up. Remember how I said Sophia is a good mommy to her babies? Well for naptime today she fell asleep at the foot of her bed so that she could overlook her babies in their pack-n-play, also napping. Too cute!

New Listing

After my last post, I thought about cutting into some fabric and start working on a quilt. . . but I am a very sequential person. I cannot leave a project unfinished just because. Even if I am bored with something that unfinished item will eat at me until at last it is finished. That's what I learned about myself this afternoon. I thought by posting it I would give myself permission to move on - but no. So here is my finished bag -

It's a little different than previous bags but I love it! I hope you do too. =) Click on the picture for more details and pics.
Have a great afternoon!
Amy

Work in Progress

I had my next bag finished - but it did not look good =( I tore out two seams and now trying to figure out a different way to finish it. I had previously thought that working with cotton would be much simpler than the raw silk - wrong!I really love the fabric so I will finish, but I may need to work on a quilt that is in my head for a bit. . .

It is raining, really raining here. No kids outside, or walks today - bummer. Ella began quilting a dolly quilt this morning. She lost interest pretty quick, but will work on it soon again. I told her she is going to be a great quilter when she gets bigger, since she is learning all the stuff I am just figuring out now!
I had given her some scrap strips and she put them together for a simple dolly quilt - more on that as it is finished up.
I hope that you are having a great day - I need to go calm the crazy. . . =)
Amy

Birthday Girl

Our Sophia is 3! She has become such a big girl, in the last year she -
- became a big sister.
- had her first haircut.
- was potty trained!
- has loved being a mommy to her baby dolls.

Sophia is a sweetheart, she loves to snuggle and build forts with her sisters. Sophia means wisdom, and she has proven very smart this last year too! I love you Sophia! I am so thankful that God choose to make me your mommy, may He continue to bless you!