Magnolia Designs

A Twist on the Advent Calendar

2011-12-01T11:28:00.000-06:00

So little time to craft lately, but i wanted to do a special little advent calendar for Jason's kids...something that kind of matched the one that my kids use...

This is not reusable...but it's different and i wanted to try it out... I made 24 little "sour cream" containers and crimped the ends with my crimping tool. I used the Stampin' Up digital files for the 25 Days of Christmas stamp set, and set them on some smaller scalloped squares I cut with my NEW Silhouette Cameo...freakin' love it, BTW!

I used the same papers from October Afternoon that I did when I made my kids' advent calendar and taught this class.

Today is the day!!! I know they will have fun opening them up to see the treats inside!

All Smiles

2011-11-06T07:21:00.000-06:00

The last year has not seen too many blog posts, as my life has been upside down, and finding a new normal has been a challenge at times. I miss blogging, more than that, I miss crafting and creating and having fun things to blog about.

Although it isn't crafty in nature, I certainly have something...or someone...to blog about. I wear a big smile around these days, largely due to how happy I am when I'm around Jason. An amazing guy, with an amazing set of beliefs about life and how to live it with integrity and character.

Everyone that knows me knows how much I love to have fun. There is no shortage of fun and laughter with Jason! Paddle boating in November in Canada with a hat and mits...FUN!

Thinking back over the events of the last year and a half make me shake my head sometimes. To think that life can go from one extreme to the other in such a short period of time is kinda crazy. Then I look at the direction that my life is going with the kids now, and it gives me such a sense of accomplishment. Great things happen when we put our energy into making them happen!

Gone So Long...

2011-09-01T17:30:00.001-05:00

I know it has been forever since I blogged...it will likely be some time until I do again. I have so many things to share, I have done the occasional crafting here and there in the last 8 months since I have been a single mom...but NOT MUCH! I still have birthday photos from Lawson's first birthday that I never shared, and now I have his second birthday and Nalley's fourth...and the Christmas quilt I finished last year and the list goes on...but I don't have the time to sit and go through the photos, much less edit them or blog about them...so...I guess I can leave it till "one day".

Life is VERY HARD as a single, now working, yes I went back to work...Mom of two very little ones. My day starts at 5 a.m. to get up and tiptoe around while I make myself a cup or three of coffee and get dressed, make up on, breakfast (maybe) and lunches packed, before I wake up the little ones who are inevitably cranky and un-cooperative. Then we're off to drop them at daycare and endure a few tears before I rush off to work... Then while at work, I have a great, and very rewarding job that I really enjoy, but it too is busy and full-paced. Then off to pick up the kids and hopefully (but not too often) feed them a healthy meal before doing baths, play time, cuddles, snacks, stories, and then bed. By then, I too am ready to climb into bed, but alas, I have to do the dishes, laundry, vacuum (maybe), get clothes ready for the next day...and start all over again...

My sweethearts make it all worth while, and my amazing in-laws and friends have made it a lot easier...but at the end of the day, I'm flying solo...and it sucks! It is hard. There, I said it! I am notorious for saying, "I'm okay, doing good!" when asked by my friends...I just hate to complain, and I HATE to ask for help. Thankfully, most people know that about me and don't wait for me to help, they just pitch in and DO IT!

The reason I'm telling you all this is not to make you feel sorry for me, or get any sympathy...I don't want it...but I want to be REAL and not pretend like everything is good or fine in the life of a single, working mom...cause it's not. It is tough, day-in and day-out. It does get easier as you find a routine, but when your kids are sad or sick or hurting it is a hard row to hoe!!!

These are the reasons I get up every day and put on my make up and a smile...they are the reason I still believe in the power of love. I am learning that our suffering will consume us, and in the same way LOVE and forgiveness will consume us if we let it. It is not easy. It is not fun. Many days I wish I could wake up to my old life...I wish I could give my kids a home that wasn't broken...I wish I could give them things I cannot. But I am quickly reminded of all that we DO have...and I am thankful for it.

We have a home, with clean water, a car to drive, plenty of food and clothes, and toys...and I have a good job. We have our health, and the LOVE of family and friends...and God! We are truly blessed...it just takes a little perspective...doesn't it?

New Look, New Beginning

2011-02-18T12:45:00.001-06:00

It has been so long since I last posted, not because there is any shortage of news in my life...in fact there has been an ABUNDANCE of drama. But I have a new look on my blog today...and it is a new beginning in our lives.

The main purpose of this blog as it began was to keep all of my friends and family back home up to date of the goings on in our busy life here in Canada. It has progressed to include a great deal more of my creative side and the goings on of my business, Magnolia Designs and my quilting and scrapbooking hobbies. As such, I have tried to keep the details of our personal affairs to a minimum, since it is a public forum and lots of the people that visit I do not know at all.

However, since I do still try and keep my peeps up to date, I do share some of our personal story. So I should update the blog to include that on New Years Day, my husband Shayne decided to leave our marriage. That desicion as well as some of the other details of the story came as quite a shock to our family. We have been trying to deal with these circumstances with dignity and honor, so I will not share any other information. The kids and I are doing very well, all things considered. We have an AMAZING group of friends and family here and back home that have held us up in our weakest moments. Were it not for this wonderful group of people and the love and strength of our MIGHTY GOD, I don't know where we would be right now.

We carry on...the blog will continue, although likely at irregular intervals...life as a single parent is B-U-S-Y to say the least.

No Tricks…Just Treats

2010-10-26T20:33:00.001-05:00

There hasn’t been a dull moment around our house in months. I’m not one to sit idle, else I start to go crazy, but I think I might enjoy an idle moment or two at this point…

Lately I’ve been busy getting ready for Halloween. It is one of my favorite holidays…not for the scariness of it, although I do enjoy a good scary movie now and then. But it has long been a favorite, for one simple reason…CANDY! My parents nicknamed me “candy Kathy” when I was a kid, because I am SERIOUSLY addicted!!! I do love seeing all the little kids dressed up and having so much fun trick-or-treating too!

Nalley and I decorated our house this week, and we made treat bags for her preschool class and her teachers and babysitters. I used my Cricut and Make-the-Cut software to cut and print the cute little ghosts from Boo to You by Mindy Terasawa. (Yes that is the digital kit that was used for the Riley Blake Boo to You fabric I used for the kids Treat bags found here.) I used clear thread to hang them from the tops of the bags.

The other cute little treat holders were inspired by these made by Kim at Stampin’ by the Sea. She used the Stampin’ Up dies to cut out the shapes and tape them together to make the holder…but I just made a custom shape in Photoshop and created a cut file in Make the Cut to make it lots simpler and cheaper for me because I didn’t have to buy the die. It is a super cute treat holder and I was pleased with how they turned out.

I used some yummy Swiss chocolates I got from Costco to cover and put inside. I used digital papers and printed them out…most are Shabby Princess.

Speaking of Shabby Princess…I am VERY sad to say that I resigned from the team this week as a result of all of the stressful stuff going on in our lives right now. I didn’t have enough time to commit to doing the kind of job i wanted to, or to meet all of the requirements for the team. I have shed many tears over it, but I know in the end, it will take a little pressure off of me during this time in our lives..and SP made it easier by being so understanding and supportive…but that is just the kind of wonderful person she is! Girls, I will miss you and miss being a part of the wonderful team! Love you!

I have made both girls’ Halloween costumes this year, the first time I’ve ever made a costume! Nalley is going as Little Miss Muffett, so I made her a peasant style dress with a mop hat, apron, and ruffle cuff bloomer pants…it is adorable, if I do say so myself! Maybel wanted to go as Dorothy Gale, from the Wizard of Oz. After checking the local party store for a costume, and realizing I wasn’t paying $40 for a cheap looking dress that would fall apart before we got home from Trick or Treating, I went and bought some fabric. Now…I didn’t buy a pattern…no, I am winging this one…how brilliant.

She isn’t here this week for me to fit it to her, so I’m just crossing my fingers, but so far it is looking pretty good for someone who has no idea what they are doing…LOL! I guess we’ll see!

Soli Deo Gloria

2010-09-29T19:03:00.001-05:00

To God be the Glory.

After reading an e-mail signed “Soli Deo Gloria”…I immediately googled for a translation. I melted into a puddle and wept.

I received a comment on my blog this week from the mother of a baby that had received a Quilting for Babes quilt and sleeper from the IMCN. She asked for my address so that she could send a proper thank you and picture. I eagerly obliged, and also got the following e-mail from her. I know all who have participated and followed this project will be equally as touched as I was…

“Hi Kathy,
M***** is our second living preemie. She was born on June 18th via an emergency c-section because the Drs. found that my uterus was rupturing. She is a miracle...a few hours more inutero or Drs. that weren't really on top of things medically and she would not be here with us. We are blessed. I am so thankful to God for allowing her to stay here with us.
M***** is our 3 1/2 year old who was a 30 week preemie...he is excited to see his sister wear the cupcake sleeper that we received from you! (No dull moments with him!)
We have two daughters waiting for us in heaven. M***** was 28 weeks gestation when she had the world's first inutero open-heart surgery at Stanford University...she did not survive the surgery. A***** died at 35 weeks when my uterus ruptured without warning. There were years of tears... So thankful that we are blessed with two living children :)
Thanks for your time and energy in making the quilts. They are beautiful!
Soli Deo Gloria, T***** and A****”

I see a family with amazing perspective, gratitude to a loving God who is surely getting all the Glory from their situation. My heart breaks for their years of tears, and rejoices for their 2 little miracles.

Soli Deo Gloria.

My inspiration.

Jocelyne’s Quilt

2010-09-26T21:08:00.001-05:00

I have blogged about Joce numerous times. She is one of those gems of a friend, the kind that everyone wants to have. Our story starts almost 6 years ago. She is one of the very first people I met after moving here to Winnipeg. She and her husband Travis (love him too) were neighbors of Shayne’s before I moved here. We invited them over for dinner a couple of weeks after I moved in, and I hit it off with them immediately. Joce and I are so much alike, interested in so many of the same things, etc… In fact, we have an “imaginary business” together. One that likely won’t be realized for a few years yet, but it is in the works.

I am only a few weeks older than Jocelyne, and we always celebrate our birthdays together. She has talked about me making her a quilt for a couple of years, and I have always said I would, but never have…what a friend, right?

I recently made her 2 year old a small quilt, but couldn’t spill the beans that I also had one in the works for her 35th. I bought this fabric a loooong time ago, and loved it. It is was a layer cake in Moda’s Arcadia by Sanae. I also bought some yardage for binding and such. I picked these fabrics for her because her birthday is in the fall…and I just liked them. I kinda made up the pattern as I went…because it didn’t go as I originally planned…LOL!

I pieced the back with a few of the leftover blocks and some of the additional prints I bought, and I think I like the back equally as much as I like the top. I just love white in a quilt. I quilted it with simple vertical lines following quarter inch away from either side of the seams. The quilting is soooo not perfect, but neither am I, and Joce loves me for me…so I’m sure the imperfections will just add to its character for her as well.

Over all I was quite pleased and mostly, just happy I got it finished before her actual birthday on the 27th…yay me! I hope she and her family will get lots of good cuddle time in with this quilt. It couldn’t go to a sweeter girl!

Thanks to my hubby for patiently being my quilt holder!

Whew….

2010-09-25T16:10:00.003-05:00

First let me say that this is a PICTURE HEAVY post. I have been absent for quite some time now, and a LOT has happened. We have been enduring a rather large personal “storm”…one that has shaken us down. I don’t talk about my faith much on this blog, not because I am ashamed of it, quite the opposite, I prefer that my life be the example. I prefer not to be “preached” to by my peers, I go to church to hear that from our pastor…so in turn, I try to keep my “preachy-ness” to a minimum. However, I also feel that it is my obligation to give credit where credit is due…and our family would likely not have made it through this time in our lives with out a very real and personal relationship with God.

Our family has been under attack. I believe with all my heart that Satan has been on a war path to destroy us, but he has not been successful…and we are stronger than ever because of the strength that God has given us. We are imperfect and don’t always make the right decisions, but we are seeking to do the right things, to live our lives with dignity and respect, with integrity and honor…and it is my sincere hope that all who know us (either in our “real” lives or through our blogs and businesses) would see that lived out. Enough about that.

So…during the “height” of our personal crisis…I ended up in the hospital with a bout of “female” pain.

While I was in the hospital, I sent Shayne home to be with the kids because our week of personal drama had affected them. About an hour later, I heard Shayne and Nalley walking down the hall…so I thought to visit me. Instead, Nalley was my brave neighbor in the room across the hall…she fell and split her chin wide open and needed to have it closed up. They gave us the option of stitches or glue, knowing that if the glue didn't work, they would HAVE to give her stitches. We opted for glue and thankfully it worked. She was SOOO brave, and such a trooper. That was 3 weeks ago today, and it is healing nicely. She will have a scar there, but not bad.

Nalley started preschool on the 16th…so we made cupcakes to take to “Meet the Teacher” night. I also made cupcake boxes and decorated them in an apple/school theme. They were cute and Nalley had fun baking and decorating with me.

Bun Bun (Nalley’s lovie) has been more comfort to Nalley recently than ever. There have been lots of changes (mostly all of them positive), but new things require some extra love and attention. If you notice, she is in the pack-n-play, or as we call it “baby jail”…our place for Lawson when we have to get something done. She loves being in there with him and they surprisingly will play together in it for an hour or so at a time…go figure!

Now really…have you EVER seen a cuter face??? He is so busy, and so rotten, and INTO EVERYTHING lately, but when he flashes that toothy grin, all of that doesn’t matter…in fact…nothing else in the world matters other than attempting to get a baby kiss… If you are successful, it is usually promptly followed by a slap in the face…don’t ask me where he got that from, we’re thinking it’s just being a 14 month old little BOY!

Nalley on her FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL…*hack…choke…tear*…I cannot believe it, it makes my stomach hurt. But no, I haven’t missed her yet, I’m just happy to have a break from all of the incessant “WHY” questions…I am having a really hard time answering some of them…and hearing them all the time too. Besides, she’s having so much FUN, hardly looks back to see me or wave.

Baby Lawson had to get in on the first day pics…athough he was off and at it soon after.

His first few steps, since then, he’s become an official walker…such a big boy!

Mommy and Daddy each got their pics in with Nalley at her school on the first day.

Standing in line against the wall waiting for her teachers.

And now, for some crafty fun! An apron I made for our next door neighbor who is the sweetest person. She just found out that her brain tumor has returned…for the 4th time. She is only 30, and quite devastated…we love her so much and I wanted to do something to let her know we were thinking of her. She loves to bake and I thought a cute apron would be just the ticket to cheer her up.

Some trick-or-treating bags I made for the little kids with some ADORABLE Riley Blake “Boo to You” fabric. Mindy Terasawa is one of my FAV digital designers and I was so happy that they made this fabric out of her kit. Yes, I do have the kit and I am (and already have) used it for some other halloween treat stuff…I will post that stuff soon…

I hand embroidered their names (only my second attempt at that). I found a really cute font that looked kid-ish and modified it a bit.

Over all I was quite pleased and can’t wait for them to use them.

I used the same Keyka Lou pattern to make the Halloween bags, as I had used to make this bag a couple of months ago. If you haven’t used any of her patterns, they are GREAT! I have bought several of them, and love them. With the one below, I modified the handles and made them a little longer. I used a dish cloth from a pack I bought at Costco a while back to make some market bags…I still haven’t made anymore with all that has been going on, but I am planning on it. These bags are roomy and sturdy and soo cute! Someone stopped me in the grocery store recently to ask about it, I was so pleased!

I have been on a quilting streak lately. 3 baby quilts complete (only 2 pictured here) and another lap quilt for one of my best friend’s 35th birthday…happy birthday on Monday Jocelyne (I’ll show the others soon)!

Love this Riley Blake Wheels line…made another top for a drag around for Lawson, but others have taken priority, so it’s still just a top. Don’t you love the label…matches so perfectly (used some Shabby Princess stuff…Smarshmallows and Things That Go). I used my favorite iron on transfer from Dharma Trading on some white Kona cotton to make the label.

Another one for Brooke…Terine’s (another of my dear friends) daughter just turned ONE and had to have a cute quilt. Terine is Jocelyne’s sister-in-law, and they have adopted my Southern self. Great friends make the best “family”, especially when yours is so far away!

There is lots more to catch up on…I still haven’t posted Lawson’s birthday party pictures…from TWO months ago. I am terrible…but busy. If you’ve made it to the end of this post after all that rambling…and actually want to come back…I’ll post some of the other pics this week…I hope!

Class Schedule

2010-08-31T16:45:00.000-05:00

Due to some major unforseen circumstances, I am going to have to cancel my fall class schedule all together. I will likely teach some classes in the future, however, I am unsure of when that might be. I will be issuing a refund to everyone who has registered already. Thanks to you all for your understanding, and again,my regrets.

All about my Cricut…

2010-07-18T21:06:00.000-05:00

I am NO expert on the subject, by any means. I am really just learning about all that it can do…and what it can be made to do via other software programs. I will welcome any comments on the subject, as I am writing this post by request from some of the readers of the Shabby Shoppe blog who saw that I had cut out the Strawberry boxes for Nalley’s birthday invitations on my Cricut.

I bought the Cricut Expression in January, and got the Sure Cuts a Lot (SCAL2) software to go with it at the same time. SCAL is a software program that overwrites the Cricut’s need to cut with the cartridges that are made for it. You must have a cartridge, any cartridge in the machine in order for it to work, but SCAL reads .svg files (scalable vector graphics) as well as .scut (SCAL’s file designation) files and any true type font that you have installed in your computer. I should add here, that using the SCAL software with the Cricut, WILL void the manufacturer’s warranty, so if you are worried about that at all, you should wait until your warranty has expired to use the SCAL software.

You can download any number of .svg or .scut files on the internet at many different blogs and cut file websites. Many digital scrapbooking sites also have “d-cut” files or “digital cutting” files available for purchase too. However, if you are clever and somewhat proficient with photoshop, illustrator, or inkscape (and even if you’re not, there are MANY tutorials out there to catch you up to speed), you can create your own cut files and let your Cricut do all your detailed cutting for you.

For the strawberry boxes I used for Nalley’s invitation, I simply isolated the box shape in Photoshop, filled the “shape” with black and saved it as a .jpeg file. From there, I used the Trace Image option in SCAL2 and scaled the cut file to fit on my 8.5 x 11 page that I had printed my red and white damask paper on. I enlarged it to be as big as I could fit on the page.

I did the same thing with the strawberry cap for the box and just printed them on the green polka dot paper. I saved the scraps and used them for the other parts of the invitation.

There are so many tutorials available for Photoshop as well as Inkscape and Illustrator (they are both vector graphics programs, Illustrator is Adobe’s version, and is quite costly, but Inkscape is a free program and you can download it here). There are also lots of tutorials for SCAL, as I mentioned before. I am not a great help when it comes to this stuff, I do LOTS of trial and error…and usually have a lot of error in my quest for success…but it has been lots of fun and a good investment for me.

i hope you’ve found this somewhat helpful, and if you have questions, I’ll do my best to help. But please, if you are knowledgeable in this stuff…there are lots who want to know about it, so leave some comments for us!

Happy FIRST Birthday, Little Dude!!!

2010-07-16T07:58:00.001-05:00

I seriously CANNOT believe that my little baby is ONE today! This picture was taken yesterday by a staff photographer from the Winnipeg Free Press. A follow up article will be printed in today’s newspaper, covering the presentation and donation of the quilts we are taking down today. What better way to celebrate Lawson’s birthday???

After a few more quilts trickled in through out the day, I counted them all as I was sorting them last night, and I have 173 in my house, and another 31 that have been made, but not delivered yet. Our grand total is 204 baby quilts, and 80+ sleepers.

Now, here are two pictures that reminded me about exactly why I began this journey…my heart still hurts when I see it. I remember so profoundly how my heart felt like it would break just looking at him, and feeling so desperate to have him home with me.

To think that he fought so hard to get well, and today he is a VERY BUSY, healthy and happy little boy…I am so thankful and so blessed!

Thank you to all who have contributed to Quilting for Babes, in each and every way, it could not have been done with out you!!!! And Happy Birthday Lawson, I love you more than you will EVER know!!!

Strawberry Shortcake Party

2010-07-16T07:41:00.001-05:00

When Nalley started playing with Strawberry Shortcake stuff this year, I was in my glory. I still have all of my Strawberry Shortcake dolls...and they STILL smell. I played with them for HOURS at a time when I was little, and so does she. So, I just HAD to throw her a Strawberry Shortcake party. I promised myself I wouldn't go over board, I would keep it simple...all 3 of our kids have birthdays within 6 weeks of each other, and this year is Lawson's big FIRST birthday party. It was the least stressful party I have EVER planned. The food was simple, there were NO planned activities, and I was happy...and when Momma's happy, everybody's happy!

When I started planning the party, I just KNEW that I had to use these A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E strawberry boxes from the Shabby Princess's XOXO Confection Collection. Now I did alter them slightly, in that I enlarged them to be as big as I could. I cut them on my Cricut Expression...what a DREAM! It was soooo simple, and they were just perfect!

I filled them with strawberry and cream flavored jelly beans in a cello bag, then tied them up with a length of white grosgrain ribbon. With the leftover scraps from the strawberry box, I punched some scalloped circles. I layered the scalloped circles with some green cardstock and added a cute strawberry on top of that. I attached them to a simple folded 2x2 invitation that I printed off on the computer, and VOILA...you have a really cute invitation.

I hand delivered these invitations, as I couldn't (and wouldn't have wanted to) send them through the mail. I opted to make these the invitations instead of the favors because it wouldn't require as many, and I wanted a really unique invitation...mission accomplished!

Of course Nalley had to have a cute strawberry outfit to wear on her special day, so I used the same digital papers from the strawberry box, from the Shabby Princess Sweetie Pie collection, to create an iron on transfer for a plain white shirt. I made a REALLY simple twirl skirt and matching headband in a cute red and white polka dot (have I told you how much I L-O-V-E polka dots?) fabric. It really couldn't get much simpler than that. Oh, and there isn't a picture of it, but the white shirt was too long, and detracted from the skirt, so the morning of the party, I came up with a really easy solution. I covered a button in the red/white polka dot fabric, and attached it to a white pony tail elastic and tied up the shirt in the back. It gave the shirt a kind of gathered look to the front and was really cute in back. I LIKE EASY!

I like the old strawberry shortcake better, this is the new one...but it's all they had in the way of plates at the party store...so, that's what we had.

Again, I went simple on the loot bags, a coloring book, crayons, some strawberry candies, a party blower, and that was it!

The table needed something more, so the morning of the party, I used some of the leftover papers I'd printed for the strawberry box invitations, and punched some large scalloped circles. I cut out a "3" on the cricut in pink and a shadow in red cardstock and attached them to the circles. I then adhered them onto bamboo skewers that I cut to size, stuck them in a champagne glass filled with leftover jelly beans and tied some ribbons on. I put one on either side of the veggie tray and it added a cute little decoration. Again, simple!

I covered some strawberries in white and milk chocolate the day before, made some mini strawberry muffins the morning of and the rest was hot dogs, chips, veggies, and then of course cake and ice cream.

I found this cute panel at the fabric store for $4. I saw it a while before and didn't buy it, then the week of it was still there, so I took it as a sign that I was supposed to do something with it. I cut a piece of pink Kona cotton for the back, and hand tied it (I've never tied a quilt before...it was fun) with red crochet cotton and machine bound it with the same pink Kona. It was easy and cute. Nalley sat on it while she opened her presents. And she loves it!

She had fun opening her gifts, but was a little overwhelmed I think. The sweetest thing though, was that she said her favorite part of the whole day was the cake! Mine too...the apple (or strawberry, if you will) doesn't fall far from the vine.

Here she is enjoying her favorite part of the day...the cake! Life is sweet!

Head on over and see a similar post today one the Shabby Shoppe blog…

1st Haircut LO

2010-07-11T08:35:00.003-05:00

This was my layout for the Shabby Princess’s new kit Hopscotch that was released this week…I’m a little behind on posting it, with all the birthday stuff going on.

The journaling reads:
“you cried because you hated getting your haircut. i cried because i hate seeing you grow up so fast.”

A Bib for Georgia…

2010-07-10T06:10:00.000-05:00

I am really embarrassed to say that I have had this bib made for my friend Heidi’s baby, Miss Georgia Jane, for quite a while. I have been needing to make a card to go with it, and haven’t. I bought a little outfit for her too, thank goodness I bought 12 months, because Georgia was born in April…I am terrible!

Anyway, the bib turned out pretty cute. I made the patchwork strip from my scrap bag and I paired it with some linen…so classic and sweet.

It was my first time installing a snap, and really, it was a breeze. I had purchased some snaps and the setter from the Snap Source a while back and was happy to finally use it.

It was so easy to use and I’ve used it again on another bib that I made for baby Lawson’s birthday party…but I can’t show you that one yet! I am going to mail this package to Heidi a.s.a.p. Nothing like posting it on my blog to motivate me! But I still haven’t made a card, I think I’ll just buy one!

Food Friday

2010-07-09T07:05:00.002-05:00

Hey y'all...it's been a while, hasn't it? I have been in full throttle with birthday parties lately, and trying to get things finished up for for our first and SO EXCITING delivery to the IMCU for Quilting for Babes. Today's post is something that I've been wanting to share for a while...some of our favorite recipes. We have been incorporating some recipes in what has been dubbed Food Fridays over at the Shabby Princess blog. Today is my first FF post, so i had to share here too!

These are some yummy recipes that we eat all the time...my original (not much too it...lol) roasted carrots, and our buddy Tim's mom's chicken coating that we put on boneless skinless chicken thighs and then throw them on the barbie! Try them, you'll be hooked, they are the PERFECT simple summer meal.

Rough cut your carrots, by cutting them on a 45 degree angle, then turn a quarter turn, and cut again. This way of chopping them allows for more surface area to roast...and they look so pretty.

Toss the boneless, skinless chicken thighs with olive oil and the chicken coating, then throw the on the BBQ and cook till done. They turn out so flavorful, moist and delicious! Yum-O!

Click on the recipe cards below to download these them.

If you give these recipes a try, let me know what you think of them...I would love to hear!

Bon Appétit!

Class Schedule!!!

2010-07-08T14:44:00.013-05:00

Yay! I have finally sat still long enough to plan out a fall class schedule for Magnolia Designs. Things have been completely hectic in my life for the last year since Baby Lawson showed up, but since he is turning ONE soon, and is no longer an infant...I'M BACK AT IT!

The LOOOOOOONG awaited Digi-Scrapping 101 class is on the calendar! Classes will start Septemer 23rd and run for 3 consecutive Thursdays nights from 7-9 p.m. Space is limited as with all of my classes, and they tend to fill up quickly, so e-mail me a.s.a.p. to reserve you spot. It it going to be a great class, chocked full of info and some awesome digitial scrapbooking goodies to boot!

The following itenerary is tentative and could change, but as for now, this is what I have planned...

October 14th (Thursday night): Halloween Treat Toppers and Candy Wrappers

November 4th (Thursday night): Crocheted Flowers & Leaves ~ I will be teaching how to make several different styles of crocheted flowers and leaves that are so popular right now as embellishments for card making and scrapbooking.

November 11th (Thursday night): Distressing Techniques and Plastic Paper ~ continuing the embellishment classes, I will teach several different distressing techniques as well as how to make some really cool plastic "paper" for creating unique embellishments.

November 18th (Thursday night): Paper and Fabric Flowers ~ another embellishment class where we will make a variety of paper and fabric flowers and how to make them look "shabby chic".

November 27th (Saturday morning): Advent Calendar class: back by popular demand, we will be making a similar Advent Calendar to this...sign up quickly for this one!

December 2nd (Thursday night): Christmas Tags ~ we will be making several styles of Christmas gift tags.

December 4th (Saturday morning): Recipe Box ~ I will be teaching how to alter this TOTALLY fun recipe box, and you can embellish it using the techniques learned during the previous embellishment classes. This makes a wonderful Christmas, wedding or birthday gift!

If you are interested in any of these classes, please e-mail me to register. I will send you class costs and supply lists. I will also try to update my Google calendar found on the sidebar to show class dates and costs.

Happy Birthday Lu Lu Belle

2010-06-28T08:24:00.002-05:00

I am a couple of days late...her birthday was Saturday, and we had her party that afternoon. A Strawberry Shortcake party, which she LOVED! I really can not believe that my little girl is THREE already. Where does the time go?

She said that her favorite part of the whole party was the cake. She gets it honest, that's my favorite part too. There is nothing that I like better about birthdays than a yellow/white cake with vanilla buttercream icing. It makes me smile. Seeing my baby girl enjoying it so much makes me smile too.

There wasn't too much to her birthday outfit, I just made a simple twirl skirt in red/white polka dots with a white ruffle on the bottom and a strawberry shirt with an iron-on transfer from Dharma Trading...my absolute favorite transfer paper. I have used a couple of different ones for various projects, and the "blue back" soft transfer from Dharma is by far the best I've come across.

I'll share more about the t-shirt and other aspects of the party in a post later this week that will correspond to the Hybrid Project post I'm doing for the Shabby Princess team blog on Friday.

So, to my sweet LuLu Belle (Nalley), so glad you had the happiest of birthdays!!!

New Do for my LIttle Dude

2010-06-21T14:34:00.002-05:00

He's no longer "the Donald", he doesn't look like a little old man with a bad toupee anymore. He's all grown up with a big boy haircut. I CAN NOT believe how much it changed his appearance, and how he doesn't look like a baby anymore. Maybe it's not that drastic to anyone else, but it has just shocked me! I'm SO not ready for him to grow up.

This picture really doesn't show it, but with his new haircut, he's the SPITTING IMAGE of his twin cousins, my brother's kids.

We took him to the "Hair Do Zoo" a place for kids to get their hair cut. I really didn't want to be the one cutting his hair, so that I could take some pictures, but after we coughed up $21, I will most certainly be cutting the kids hair from now on...can I just get up on a soap box for a minute and say how INSANE that is....$21 for an 11 month old's haircut. I mean, he hardly had anything of substance to cut...just some unruly toupee-ish baby hair. Anyway, check it out...he's pretty cute!

Spring Tea and "The Donald"

2010-06-11T09:27:00.008-05:00

Last Thursday our family had the real honor of attending a Spring Tea at the Country Villas in East St. Paul. One of the ladies in the community, Mel (who was actually the winner of my giveaway), brought me a gorgeous full-size hand stitched baby quilt, just a few days after the article ran in the Free Press. She told me that she belonged to the quilting group at the Country Villas and she would see if they were interested in making some quilts for my Quilting for Babes project.
They were a little more than willing to help, in fact they made a goal for themselves to see if they could make 30 quilts in 30 days...turns out, they made 60 quilts in 30 days. There were a few honorary quilters, who are in fact, not quilters at all, but hand-stitched the bindings on as fast as the other ladies could put the quilts together. Two of them were over 80 years old, one of those being Mel's mom. Another of the ladies, who says she is not a quilter, made over a dozen of the quilts, all on her own...I'd say she's now officially a quilter, huh?

This wonderful group of ladies asked our family to be their guests of honor at their Spring Tea. As we entered the doors of the clubhouse, we were greeted by a gorgeous display of the 60 quilts along with a copy of the article from the paper. They treated us like royalty, doting over the kids, making us all feel so special.

In addition to the 60 quilts, as if that weren't enough...the ladies raised over $400 to purchase sleepers and supplies. One of the ladies collected donations in lieu of gifts at her husband's 70th birthday party recently. Another of the ladies, made a sold tea towels for the fridge and oven to raise money. Several of these ladies also pooled their fabric so that the others would have plenty to work with. Needless to say, the generosity that was shown just astounded me. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that something that was born in my heart, something that I feel such a strong connection to, has been embrassed by so many others.

The kids were so excited to eat the little tea sandwiches and dainties, and girls were both given some beautiful handmade jewelry. It was such a fun day!

Edited to add: Mel and Pat just dropped off the quilts and there are 64, not 60...lol! They really rock! Also, not all of the ladies of the quilting group are in the pictures above. I have some pics of their whole group that I will add soon.

Now, we'd like to introduce "the Donald"...doesn't it look like he's wearing a really bad toupee?
He looks just like Donald Trump...Shayne often sings "Money, money, money, money"...from the Apprentice. If only baby Lawson had a fraction of "the Donald's" fortune, we'd be set for college funds...LOL! Maybe we should enter him into a celebrity look alike contest, then he could start earning some of that college tuition...just kidding!

He's wearing Shayne's medals from his Taekwondoe competition on Saturday. He won silver in the patterns portion, and gold in the sparring portion. We were lucky enough to see him win his fights, and be able to cheer him on. Maybel also competed in the pattern portion of the competition and won silver as well. We're proud of them both!

Seriously, he is not old enough to be drinking a smoothie from a straw cup...is he? Wasn't he just born last month... No, I am really struggling with the fact that my sweet baby boy is growing up, FAST! He crawls, and climbs, he eats what we eat, drinks what we drink, including smoothies, and milk. Really, how does this happen. It isn't fair that I can't hang on to all of the sweet baby stages, for just a moment longer. I am so torn between looking forward to the freedom and independance that age brings, and the desire to keep rocking my baby, kissing his sweet cheeks and hair, and tickling his little toes and tummy. Why does it have to disappear so quickly, all the while having those "rough" days that seem to drag.

For today, and as long as I can, I will just choose to cherish those rough days, knowing that all too soon, I'll be wishing for just a few more days at this age to kiss them both!

Sweet, sweet baby boy!

She's a DECADE Old!

2010-06-04T07:21:00.003-05:00

Wow...my goodness, how time flies (well somedays drag by...). Ten years ago today, my beautiful Maybel was born. She came into my life when she was four, but really somedays I have to remind myself that I didn't give birth to her myself. She is one AMAZING little girl.

I really meant to get this posted yesterday, on her actual birthday, but as usual, life with 2 little ones through me a couple of curve balls. I also had Maybel's party to prepare for, a post to complete at the Shabby Princess's blog...etc...

About the party...can you believe that I did not take one picture. I pulled the camera out, but with all of the activity and a clingy baby in my arms, I didn't get the lens cap off. Regardless, it was so much fun for all of the girls.

Maybel had a "World Vision" party where she asked her friends to bring donations to World Vision in lieu of gifts. Seriously, there aren't many 10 year olds out there that have a heart like this. I don't mean to brag, maybe there are lots of 10 year olds like that...but my girl really does have a HUGE heart for others. She is so compassionate and thoughtful, and really enjoyed raising money for WV. It was also really great to see her friends at the party get excited to find out how much money they collectively donated, and at the end were trying to figure out how many chickens and bunnies, and goats...etc, could be bought with the money. In total, Maybel raised $205 before her Dad's and my donation. We are going to sit down with her to figure out exactly what she wants to put it towards and then help her meet her goals.

My heart is full knowing that my step-daughter thinks beyond herself, wanting to make life better for people in developing countries who have so little. I hope that she will remain comitted to these kinds of charitable acts.
These pictures are about 6 months overdue. I made this quilt for Maybel for Christmas last year and can you believe have never posted any pics of them. This was supposed to be her Christmas present in 2008, and I didn't get it done. Then it was supposed to be her birthday present in 2009, and I was so miserable and pregnant that I again didn't get it done. So...only a year later...I got it finished up. And now 6 months after that, I took a picture of it and blogged it...nothing like being timely!

I used a Lila Tueller Soiree layer cake for this quilt and tried my hand at the disappearing nine patch. It was easy and fun, I have had another quilt in the works for a L-O-N-G time and have planned to do it in the same pattern. My Heather Bailey Freshcut fat quarters have been cut for almost 2 years...not to mention all of the Pop Garden and Bijoux I bought for our king sized bed quilt...and the Nicey Jane that Shayne bought me that I don't even have p lans for...man I'm bad. After QFB, our bed quilt is top priority!

Hack, Hack, Sneeze

2010-05-28T11:38:00.002-05:00

We are sick. Again. Lawson just got over a snotty nose that lasted for a month. Nalley now has a hacking cough, sore throat, fever and a BAD case of the grumps.

That makes 2 of us, I also have a bad case of the grumps, due to a RAW and very red throat, a massive headache and the fact that I can't just pull the covers up over my head and sleep all day. Two resident grumps need my attention, and if they don't get it THIS SECOND, they cry and whine. So I thought I'd cry and whine for a second too.

That's okay. I don't think there will ever come a time that I don't want my Mom to comfort me and take care of me while I'm sick. I'm sure my kids feel the same way.

If only I could get Nalley to cover her mouth every time she coughs, it's hit or miss. I so hope that Lawson doesn't get sick again.

And I really need to feel better, tomorrow is my LONG AWAITED free motion at Carellan Sewing Centre...I am so looking forward to it, but don't think it will be the same if my head feels like it is going to explode!

I heart those Schmooshie Lips

2010-05-25T08:58:00.003-05:00

This LO has long been on my list of "to-do's"...honestly, schmooshie baby lips are one of my favorite things. I LOVE kissing my babies little lips and feeling them schmoosh. It's one of those precious things about motherhood, I think. I even love just looking at the schmoosh-able little lips of babies that aren't mine, they are just too cute!

I really don't think that I could have captured Lawson's schmooshes better, and the quilt pictures pair perfectly with the Giggle Box Collection that I featured today on the The Shabby Princess's blog in the Product Spotlight.

As with every product featured on the Product Spotlight, Giggle Box is on sale this week only at the Shabby Shoppe. Go on over and pick it up, then post your LO in the Blog Inspired gallery.

Bloggers Quilt Festival

2010-05-21T08:52:00.011-05:00

I am so excited to participate in Amy's Quilt Festival again. I am probably the least skilled quilter that participates, but I think it is so much fun join along with such a FABULOUS community of quilters. I have seen first hand how amazingly generous and kind-hearted all of you blogging quilters (and quilters in general) are with all of the participants who have and continue to freely and generously donate to my Quilting for Babes Project.

My quilt entry is not anything new, in fact, you're probably sick of seeing it...LOL! However, it is special to me because it has sort of come to personify the QFB project in my heart. While it was still just a quilt top, it was photographed for the write up in the Winnipeg Free Press. It was also my first attempt at pinwheels, which are so much fun by the way.

It isn't a technical quilt, but none of mine are. It isn't a large quilt, it didn't take me much time, the quilting is just straight lines, following the seams. So, really, it would never "win" anything in a quilt show, but it has won a large place in my heart. I hope that it will find it's home with a very special baby that will love it and cherish it, and someday read this post and know how special it has become to me.

I am so looking forward to spending some time this long weekend to look at all the beautiful entries, and read the stories of what makes them special to their creator. There are always so many, it takes forever, but it is SO worth it. So, if you've never participated in Amy's Quilt Festival, go on over there and check it out. It is so much fun!

ETA: Please don't think I am knocking my quilts, my quilting, or myself...I don't quilt for other people...I quilt for myself, and try hard not to compare myself to others. In fact, I love simple. I think that simple doesn't mean easy, it doesn't mean plain. Simple is beautiful and I think this quilt is beautiful, for lots of reasons. In the 10 years since I made my very first quilt, I have never done elaborate, or fancy, it's just not my style...that's all.

Hybrid/Altered Recipe Box

2010-05-21T06:30:00.006-05:00

YAY! It has been all I could do NOT to share these pics with you for about 2 WEEKS now! I am just over the top excited about how this hybrid project worked out. It is my feature project today on the Shabby Princess's blog. Can I just tell you how much fun it is to be on her Creative Team?

Anyway, a friend of the family is getting married next month, and she loves to cook. I knew I wanted to do something special for her shower, which the girls' and I attended last weekend. I couldn't be more thrilled with how it all turned out, I just love when that happens...don't y'all?

It was a labor of love in that it took me quite a while to make all of the embellishments (and move them around 1000 times before I got the placement just right, and finally committed to gluing them down...lol), but there was nothing hard about it at all.

I am giving away this super cute recipe card for my Apple Muffins as a free download on SP's blog. Head on over here to check out the post and download the card...

Me and the kiddos are heading over to a friends to splash in the pool this morning. The weather has been FABULOUS this week, I don't want to be inside!

BUT, I need some help...as you all probably well know...I love to sew, but clothes scare the bejesus out of me! I can do cute and simple little dresses and ruffle pants for Nalley, no problem. But I need to alter a PATTERN size...and I have NO CLUE how to do that. The pattern is a vintage pattern, on that flimsy tissue paper...I HATE THOSE PATTERNS! But, it's vintage, I didn't have a choice if I wanted to make this cute little toddler outfit. It is a size 2, but I would like to make it in a size 3 for Nalley, for now, and size it up further for next year. I would also like to make it in a baby size, for a a friend who just had a sweet baby girl.

I KNOW that somebody out there will know just what to do...so PLEASE...can you help me? I was thinking of scanning it in to the computer and resizing it in photoshop. Would that work, would I just enlarge the whole thing in a percentage, or do you have to size the length up seperately from the width....just thinkin' out loud hopin' somebody's going to have an answer. Thanks!!!! Enjoy the weekend

Happiness for My Head

2010-05-19T20:50:00.005-05:00

Oh my goodness...these pillowcases make me happy! They were so quick and easy to make and that is something I need a little more of in my life! I followed this tutorial over at Little Birdie Secrets. She has a ton of cute projects and they are all right up my alley! I haven't had a ton of time on my hands lately to catch up on my blog reading, etc...but when I have a spare moment, I'll be going back!

I knew I had to make these pillowcases JUST so that I could put this EXTRA CUTE little crocheted edging on them! They are to die for. Mmmm. I have seen these pillowcases on several sites, and gathered a couple of useful tidbits for execution. Actually, the only thing I really took from any tutorial was the length of yarn to cut for my blanket stitch foundation. I did my own thing after that, and created a "Kathy-style wing it" picot edge, cause I'm like that, and all! If you're NOT looking to wing it, You Go Girl has a whole series of tutorials from pillowcase construction to finishing edge...

I wish I had taken some pictures so that I could have done a tutorial on my method, but if you want the details, here they are. I followed this tutorial for construction of the pillowcases (I would make them a tad smaller in both length and width next time, but that's just personal preference). Next I put my wing needle in my sewing maching unthreaded, and set the machine to the longest stitch length (which on my machine is approximately 1/4") with a 1/4" allowance. The wing needle punches small holes all the way around the perimeter of the pillowcase, to make your blanket stitch even and neat. Then, I cut about 10 times the circumference of the pillowcase (multiply the width x2) of a lightweight mercerized cotton yarn (I used Grace by Patons). Thread a doll makers or darning needle with yarn and work a blanket stitch all the way around. Since these stitches are going to be a foundation for a crocheted edge, you do not want them to be loose at all. Lastly, work the crochet edge around. This was the pattern I created for these pillowcases. Insert hook in blanket stitch at seam, attach with a slip stitch (sl) , single crochet (sc) in each blanket stitch around. Row 2: Join with slip stitch (sl), chain 2 (ch 2), double crochet (dc) in each (sc) around, join with slip stitch (sl). Row 3: *Slip stitch (sl) in first (dc), chain four (ch 4), slip stitch (sl) in same stitch {this makes the picot}, single crochet (sc) in next two (dc)**, repeat from * around, join with slip stitch (sl) and tie off.

The most time consuming part of it all was the blanket stitch around the edge, after that, I cranked out the edging in 1/2 hour.

Make some pillowcases, they'll make your head happy!

Oh and BTW...I made these to match the quilt I am making for our bed. It is a KING size bed, so I have been putting it off, but these were to kick my butt into gear. It's not like I have anything else to do.........................

Up to Date

2010-05-12T12:43:00.007-05:00

I have been criticized lately for taking on too many projects. It is in my nature to have LOTS going on in my life. I am a TRUE TYPE A personality, I thrive on the challenge of teaching myself a new skill or hobby. I get completely jazzed when I actually figure it out and perfect it. It is what keeps me sane....honestly. I am sure that MANY of you reading this can totally relate.

Yes, sometimes I do TOO much. Sometimes I am completely worn out and really do need to slow down. But telling me not to have some sort of crafty sewing/paper/digital project or party to plan, or cake to bake is like telling the sun not to shine. In fact, my projects are the sun in my life. PLEASE don't get me wrong. My kids and my husband are my life. They are the greatest gifts that God could ever have given me. Period. But I also believe that God gave me a talent in my creative expression, a way to make things that are of value to others. A way for me to contribute financially to our family, and I believe He is pleased with my work, my art.

I am always seeking to find a balance in my life. It is a very hard job to be a stay at home, let alone a work at home MOM. I am a MOM first, and my outlet for all the long hours and whiny little ones, are my projects. End of story.

Funny thing about it all, is that the project that I was criticized about is Quilting for Babes. Funny how some people can take a good thing that people are doing, NOT FOR THEMSELVES, but for others, and be nasty about it. Good thing is folks, I have never really cared what other people think about me. It just doesn't matter to me. So all you crafty people of the world, craft on...helping other people, and don't give the criticism another thought.

And here are some of the things I've been doing this week. A lovey blankie for my cousin's new baby girl.

My first taste of embroidery. Not perfect, but nice, and I feel like it will be something to work on in the future.

Me and my kiddos on Mother's Day. The girls spent Saturday night with my in-laws and Maybel had to go on to her mom's that morning, so I didn't get any pics with her. My first Mother's Day with Lawson, he has made it all complete for me.

A dress I made for Nalley on Saturday...my own version of the knot front dress. I got such satisfaction from this dress. Completely winging it and it came out great. That doesn't often happen when I wing it. First time was a charm, no stitch ripping...life is good.

I finished up the quilting and binding on my two baby quilts. With everything else that I have been working on for QFB, I hadn't had a chance to finish my own quilts. Glad they are done. Now I've got to work on some other WIPS and start whiddling down the list of unfinished projects...so I can start some new ones...LOL!

We Have a Winner...

2010-05-11T08:12:00.003-05:00

well actually, we have TWO! Amber was so sweet to calculate all of the entries for the Quilting for Babes giveaways and use a random number generator to select the winners. So...here goes!

The first was #73, Jeanette and the second #232, Mel. You both should have gotten an e-mail already, Amber and I are both excited to get busy on the winnings!

I'm sure that all of you that read my blog know how grateful I am to everyone that has participated in this project. I have said it over and over again. But I'll say it again, THANK YOU so much for your generosity, the kind words you have said and written, the prayers and well wishes you have extended on our behalf. Amber and I both could not be more appreciative to you all.

My family and a few friends and participants are going to be going to the hospital to deliver the quilts, sleepers and some goodies for the staff on Lawson's birthday, July 16. However, this project will not be ending. It will be an ongoing project here in Winnipeg, and I have also decided to "pass the torch" along to another person, in another city who would like to get something similar started. If this interest you, please leave me a comment or send me an e-mail. I would love to chat with you about how to go about it!

Congrats to our winners...

Fun at the Shabby Shoppe

2010-05-08T21:58:00.004-05:00

There is lots of new activity at the Shabby Shoppe. The Shabby Princess just launched her new blog this week, and we have been busy on the team, in preparation for all the festivities.

This was my LO for Nicole's first Template Challenge. I had to scrap about QFB, of course!

Yesterday was MY very first post for SP's new blog. I featured a Hybrid Hairbow Holder, made with the Blossom Collection. It was a fun project and doubled as a birthday gift for one of my best friend's little girls.

Go on over and check it out...there are lots of fun things going on at the new blog, I still can't believe I am on her Creative Team...me...really.

Giveaway Deadline

2010-05-05T22:22:00.003-05:00

The official deadline for the Quilting for Babes giveaways was May 1, but since Canada Post doesn't run on Saturday, I left it open until today (I know, I'm generous...lol). Amber has posted her list and here is mine:

Christina: 6 blocks
Debbie: 2 completed quilts
Jocey: 3 completed quilts + 4 blocks
Mel: 1 completed quilt
Laura: 1 completed quilt
Carly: 3 quilt tops + 2 blocks
Janet: 1 completed quilt
K.W. (from Emo, ON???): 12 blocks
Fran: 3 completed quilts
Gail: 2 completed quilts
Monika: 4 blocks

Amber and I are working out the details of assigning #'s for entries...we will post the winners soon!

Additionally, here are a few heartwarming stories that I have to share about the outpouring of love and generosity that has come forth in response to this project.

I have received countless e-mails from women from all over Manitoba who belong to small quilting groups that are working on multiple quilts for the babies. At least 4 of those groups have half a dozen to a dozen quilts each that they will be donating. I got an e-mail from one lady last night to tell me about how excited her group is about QFB. One of the members of her group has started making towels to hang on the fridge to sell to the residence of their 55+ community so that she can collect money for sleepers in addition to all of the quilts they are making. They have invited me to their Spring Tea where they will display the quilts and donate them to QFB...I was a puddle of tears after reading that e-mail...

I got an e-mail last week from 2 girls from the Grade 11 & 12 Sewing Class at Churchill H.S. (Churchill, Manitoba is where all the polar bears are). The girls said that their teacher read the article from the paper to them in class and they are all going to be making quilts for this project. The e-mail said some of them already know how to quilt, and others are excited to learn. I got a follow up e-mail from their teacher telling me how excited they are to participate.

A sweet woman named Margaret, who is turning 90 next week, sent her son to deliver some fabric to me today. A friend of hers e-mailed me last week to tell me about Margaret, and to let me know that she was touched by the QFB project. Margaret has been quilting for most of her life, and made around 100 quilts a year for the babies at the Children's Hospital here in Winnipeg. Her eye sight is failing and can no longer quilt, so when she read about my project, she wanted me to have her fabric...to carry on in her place. Ms. Margaret, I am honored to follow in your footsteps, those are some mighty big shoes to fill...

Like Margaret, several sweet, sweet ladies have given me fabric that they can no longer use. I am so grateful to have it, and I promise to put it to good use, there are lots of babies that need a quilt.

I got another e-mail this week from a lady who had purchased a few sleepers herself, and had some gently used ones she was going to donate. She e-mailed me back tonight to tell me that she had collected quite a few more from "some of the fabulous people" she works with.

There are countless more stories to share, each person that has given, no doubt has their own reasons of doing so. I am thankful that this project resonates with so many.

It is not too late, if you would like to contribute, send me an e-mail or comment on this post...

Blown Away

2010-04-27T21:24:00.005-05:00

Oh my goodnes...I am exhausted. Really. I have been going non-stop since the article ran in the Winnipeg Free Press last week. I have gotten about 30-40 e-mails from people wanting to help with the Quilting for Babes project.

Last fall, my sweet husband bought me a brand new Pfaff Expression 2.0 from Carellan Sewing Centre, on Academy Road, here in the Peg. Barb is the owner and it has been a real treat to get to know her better. She has been wonderful to take time with me to get to know my new machine (which is a dream btw...but is, as of now, still un-named). I had spoken with her a few weeks ago about QFB, and she was very supportive. When I called her on Friday to tell her about the article, she had already read it, and graciously invited me down to tell the ladies of her "Sew We Care" sewing group a little more about the project.

Barb has offered her store to us to meet and combine efforts to cut, piece, quilt, finish, etc...what ever needs to be done. When there is a date set, I will post it and any locals are invited to help out. Thank you Barb, in addition to loving my new machine, I love the care that you've taken with me...and the generous spirit in which you have extended your hospitality.

There have been several ladies who have so generously given me loads of fabric for these quilts. In fact, Maybel learned to sew over Spring Break and has been anxiously waiting for me to help her make her own quilt for QFB...so tonight she did. She used some of the fabric that had been donated to make her very first quilt top. She had so much fun, and in fact looked at me sincerely and said, "Mom, you are the best mom in the whole wide world." Seeing as she is my step-daughter, and her mom and I get along really well, I'll take that to mean that I am the SECOND best mom in the whole wide world...LOL! At any rate, it was some quality time spent and I am so proud of the giving spirit that she has.

A couple of people have given me a cash donation to offset the costs of finishing all of these quilts myself, and I would like to say thank you. With that, I went to Fabricland today and picked up some batting...the manager there has given me a discount for this project, that really helps. So thank you Joann, I appreciate that very much.

I finished up the quilt to be sent to my friend's wife and kids tonight, but I am too tired to take a picture. I will tomorrow before I pack it up and ship it. Shane's wife, DeAnn has told me that they have already picked out a little boy to whom they want to donate the quilt to. I would like to get his story and share it eventually.

For now, I. am. tired. And I am going to bed.

In The Press

2010-04-23T10:46:00.003-05:00

Quilting for Babes is getting some local attention today. As I mentioned in my post yesterday, Lindor Reynolds, columnist at the Winnipeg Free Press wrote this piece to bring more attention to our not-so-little project. I am honored, but at the same time humbled.

I have learned so much in this process. I have learned new techniques for quilting (never done a tumbler or a pinwheel before). More importantly, I have learned that there is more good in the world than bad. We often hear of all the terrible things and people, but not nearly often enough do we here of everyday people, giving of themselves to help out with another's passionate projects.

Not only have sooo many of you quilting blogger pitched in and donated not just blocks, but whole quilted baby quilts. And yes, I know that a giveaway adds some spice, but when it comes down to it, I'm sure that wasn't a primary motivation for many of you. I bet if there were no hope of winning something, you would have done it anyway.

It isn't too late...if you would still like to donate, please do. If you don't have time to sew, we have a need for fabric for backs and binding (my stash is not nearly as big as most of yours...LOL...but I'm working of that to the shagrin of my husband!) or for batting. If you don't want to mail that, you could send a small monitary donation and I can pick some stuff up. Also we are collecting sleepers in 0-3 month sizes...whatever you feel led to do is a great help.

I can't speak highly enough of the wonderful women (and men) who have put their love into this project. Thank you. So very much.

Extra, Extra

2010-04-22T12:57:00.011-05:00

You can read all about it in the Winnipeg Free Press soon. Lindor Reynolds, a lovely columnist from the Winnipeg Free Press, came to our home today, along with a staff photographer, to interview me in regards to the Quilting for Babes Project. It was a wonderful feeling to know that the interest and enthusiasm that I have for this project will be shared with many alike. This is not a self-serving project. Don't get me wrong, I have gained a great deal from this project through the blessings I have received...that is inherent in the whole process of giving, I believe. But as I was reminded this morning, it has taken countless hours of my time. From blogging about it, to looking at the blogs of the women who have pledged and donated, to commenting to make sure I properly thank everyone, to the actual sewing (and that part has only yet begun)... It is a labor of love, to be certain. But apart from being with my family, it has been the most rewarding endeavor I have undertaken.

Thank you very much Lindor, it was delightful to meet you and share this journey with you. And while I am thanking people, let me again thank you, Amber, for taking this project on and loving it as much as I do. It wouldn't be nearly as successful if you hadn't! Thank you for all the hours you have put in as well!

My sweet little man was so happy this morning. He was all ready and spiffy for his 5 minutes of fame!

And of course Nalley had to be in on the action, in all her cuteness and curls...man those things are wild (but gorgeous...)!

A HUGE shout out to Carly of Citric Sugar, for these THREE beautiful quilt tops (+ 2 blocks) that she sent us for QFB. She just went all out...these pics are from her blog, I didn't take any pictures of the tops all sewn up as she sent them to me. Thanks so much Carly!

And last, but not least, this is a bag I made last night with a super cute (but really CRAZY) pattern. It is made by the same person that made the pattern for the clutches that Amber made here. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE how it came out...BUT I have several things to say about the pattern... First, it is a computer generated pattern but doesn't include seam allowances! WHAT? How can you draw a pattern on the computer, but not include seam allowances? It isn't that hard to throw in a 1/4" SA after you've done all the hard work of drawing the pattern. She tells you to tape 2 pencils together and trace around the pattern with one, and the other pencil will give you a 1/4" allowance... OKAY, maybe so, if you are drafting your own pattern at home. Maybe. But really...? Secondly, the wording of the pattern and it's clarity, are muddy, at best. I bought it as a pattern for "experienced sewers". Okay, I get it, pay less for a pattern if you are experienced and don't need all the explainations of common procedures...but some continuity and clarity are just fundamental.

And lastly, which was VERY frustrating to me, was that the PDF pattern, printed as specified with "no margins" did not fit together. I had to e-mail the pattern maker to ask her to send me the original "whole" pattern, which I had my hubby print at work. In the end, I couldn't be happier with the final result. I made the bag with some fabric that I liked, but not my Amy Butler cherry full moon polka dots and slate morning glory that I purchased for it. I wanted to make it first to see how complicated it was. Not complicated at all, just frustrating that I couldn't just print it out, and do it...there was a LOT of unneccesary work involved. So, I am seeing an Amy Butler version coming in the near future!

PreTTy, PreTTy Pinwheels

2010-04-20T10:01:00.009-05:00

I have had so much fun getting packages in the mail for the Quilting for Babes Project...it's like Christmas! Michelle from Periwinkle Quilting and Beyond, in Saskatoon, SK sent these great fabrics for the quilt backs and binding...thanks Michelle, that was so generous!

My friend Christina, of The Sometimes Crafter, some how got some time in the midst of creating her beautiful new quilt pattern (and quilts) to make these blocks...so cute! Thanks Christina! You should all go check out her pattern and get a copy, it is gorgeous, especially in the Nicey Jane fabric!

Thanks Monika, of Miss Monny Quilts, for sending these adorable blocks all the way from Australia, it was really fun to open your package! I would love to get down to the land of Oz someday, that would be fantastic!

These are my quilt tops, I had lots of fun with them, a first time for pinwheels and also a first for tumblers, both were so much fun...and a good learning experience...LOL!!!

I have more pictures to post of some other contributions, just don't have any more computer time right now...kids are wrangy and need my attention!

Traveling by Car

2010-04-07T16:20:00.001-05:00

IMG_5475, originally uploaded by magnolia designs.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am going to donate a quilt for the Quilting for Babes project on behalf of my friend's children, to honor their daddy.

Shane's dad was my driver's ed teacher, and in fact probably taught half of my hometown how to drive. I thought it fitting to make this quilt with an appliqued car theme. I made Lawson's baby quilt out of Katie Jump Rope, and I intentionally made the last quilt that he and I donated out of the scraps from that project. I having been saving the rest for something special, and I thought this quilt was very special indeed...

I Loves Me Some Mushrooms

2010-04-07T13:57:00.005-05:00

Seriously, how stinkin' cute is this quilt? Who's day wouldn't be brighter and happier looking at this? It is was made by Debbie of One Stitch Off for the Quilting for Babes project. She has got some mad skillz and the quilting on it is so fun!

There are so many talented women (over 50 who have pledged, I believe) that are making either whole quilts, or quilt blocks for this project. I have tried to get to everyone's blog to check them out, but with little ones under foot and trying to get my own sewing done, I haven't made it to them all just yet. Thank you again to all who are participating...I just can't say enough how much it is appreciated!

Heartbroken...

2010-04-04T22:29:00.002-05:00

I am truly heartbroken as I sit and write this post. We had a fantastic Easter with our family...the kids had a blast. But I found out this afternoon that a friend from HS lost his battle with cancer yesterday. My hometown in Calhoun, Georgia is small. His mother was my kindergarten teacher at First Baptist Church, his father was my driving instructor at Calhoun HS. Although I did not know him as the godly man he had become, his family holds a very dear place in my heart.

I have never met his precious wife, or his 3 sweet children. I have no pictures to post. I just have a broken heart for 3 little ones who didn't get to wake up on Easter Sunday with their daddy.

He was 38. They found out he had lung cancer in October, after a cough just wouldn't go away. After several chemo treatments, they found out in March that the tumor had not gone away, it had in fact gotten larger and the cancer had spread to the small intestines. They were told that it was now only a matter of time and their focus should be on quality of life. Since I found out last week that Shane's time on earth would be short, I have spent hours thinking of his family, and what things need to change in my life.

I need to spend more of that QUALITY time with my kids and my husband. I need to let go of the things that are not important...like the clutter of toys and the crumbs and laundry that plague my existence. They will not go away...if I focus on those things, I am not focused on what matters. I am sure that Shane never once wished he'd cleaned up the crumbs more frequently. I'm sure he spent plenty of time in his last days, making sure he was doing things with his kids that they would remember forever. Teaching them all of the things in life that carry weight and are of eternal importance.

I will be donating one of the baby quilts from the Quilting for Babes project on behalf of Shane's children, to honor their father. I hope it will in some way help to lessen their pain.

Progess

2010-03-31T11:00:00.002-05:00

I am making progress...really. There is always a list of projects on the go, need to start/finish, etc...that it feels good to check a few things off the list. First up, these custom order wristlet key fobs. I finished them up last night. Key Fobs...check.

Next up, cutting and beginning to piece some blocks for my Quilts for Babes project. I bought some layer cakes a while back and thought I could put them to good use in these quilts. Now, I'm hoping to finish up all the tops this weekend...on second thought, I'll probably be spending Easter weekend dying and hunting eggs, etc...so it might be next week.

And he is just too darn cute not to throw in this random picture! He melts my heart with those big blue eyes and that sweet, sweet smile. I loooove you Baby Lawson, I hope you'll always be a momma's boy...my little Mav!

Like a Chicken

2010-03-29T22:19:00.004-05:00

with my HEAD cut off...that's how I feel! It is Spring Break here and I have all three kiddos here to entertain! Today was gorgeous and we all went to the park to play and burn off some steam! It was Baby Lawson's first real trip to the park, that he wasn't stuck in the stroller, sleeping while the girls played. He LOVED the swings and the fresh air was wonderful for us all.

I have been sewing up a storm for some custom order wristlet key fobs, working out the kinks for some handmade sew-in labels for my stuff, planning and sewing for the babies quilts, and teaching Maybel how to sew. That of course is in addition to all the other regular, laundry, vacuuming (which is pointless...but necessary around here) and other general mom-of-three duties. Oh yeah, and I have a new design team layout for the Shabby Princess's new GORGEOUS spring kit, Sprout...here it is.

The title, Pinkalicous, came from a cute book that Nalley was given for her birthday, called...Pinkalicous. Anything that's pink, she calls pinkalicious...pretty cute! I really needed to scrap some LO's of Lawson, he has totally gotten gypped in that department, but I really don't have time right now, and didn't figure he'd want a layout of pink and yellow. I figure this summer, I won't be able to be downstairs to sew much, so I'll take the laptop outside while the kids play and get caught up.

As previously mentioned, vacuuming is necessary around here not just because I really LOVE a clean house...and NEVER have one with 3 kids...but because Baby Lawson is MOBILE now...eeeks...my baby is on the go. I knew boys were different, but I did not know just how very different he would be. Nalley is happy to sit and play in one spot, but not Lawson, he wants to be down and into everything! So, my vacuum cleaner stays out most of the time, ready and waiting for all of the messes that the two little ones make, sucking it all up before the little dude can get to it and eat it straight off the floor. Because that's what 8 month old little boys do...

Our dinner club was a ton of fun, the girls were at Shayne's parents house for a sleepover, and the little man stayed at home...can't farm him out just yet. I got him to sleep just before everyone arrived, and he woke up screaming just as we were sitting down for dinner. I served these wonderful cannucks a garden salad with hot bacon and honey mustard dressing and cheese toast (like they serve at Houstons) some fall-off-the-bone BBQ ribs, broccoli cheese rice casserole, fried okra, baked beans, sweet potato casserole, and Pirate's House cornbread. It was not a meal for the faint of heart or the cholesterol conscious. We DO NOT eat like this often, but MAN was it good, and such a throwback to my home in GA. On that note, I'm going to go scrounge up a piece of that left over cornbread...

Happy Dance...

2010-03-25T13:16:00.005-05:00

is what I'm doing right now. My kids are BOTH napping....at the same time...right now and I'm frantically getting ready for dinner club at our house tomorrow night. (I'm serving my Canadian friends some good 'ole traditional Southern home cookin'). But what to my wondering eyes should appear...the UPS man, what a sweet dear! He brought me some Nicey Jane...yay! Thanks Fabric.com for the great deal on it, but really, why must you send it all squished up and poorly folded? It really is a shame to see it that way, with it being so naturally beautiful and all! But maybe I've just become accustomed to my nicely folded fabric, thanks so much to the Happy Zombie for her great tutorial on it, all of my fabric sits beautifully in my fabric cupboards waiting to be chosen for my next project. Nicey Jane, you'll just have to go sit patiently for me to get to you...don't worry, it won't be long, I'll need to use you in a baby quilt soon!

Speaking of baby quilts, I am over the top excited about the response that we've gotten about my baby quilt project for the hospital. Although, I would love to see a little love here on my blog...Amber has gotten many comments of people wanting to contribute. Also, Jacquie of Tallgrass Prairie Studio and Rebekah of Don't Call me Becky have both offered to blog about it, so check their blogs soon!

I guess I should have also told you the rest of my plan for these quilts...our family is planning to go deliver as many of the quilts as I have time to put together (while still being mom to 3 and running this household and my business) to the nursery along with some cupcakes and treats for the staff of the IMCU on Lawson's First birthday. It will make a special day even more special for us all. I am really hoping to get them all done, but any that are not completed will go a.s.a.p. afterward. So, come on, join the fun...and you'll be entered to win in both Amber's and my giveaways...

Quilting for Babes and a Giveaway!!!

2010-03-16T15:44:00.010-05:00

Amber of One Shabby Chick has joined forces with me and graciously offered to blog about and make some quilt squares for me for the IMCU babies here at Women's Hospital in Winnipeg. You can read about my son Lawson's (we STILL call him Baby Lawson) rough start here and here and you can read about the quilt that I made for the IMCU here. When I wrote that post, Amber immediately offered to help, and I can't thank her enough...there isn't anyone better to get some attention to this project and her quilts are AMAZING, so I'm sure her contributions will be stunning! Thanks to all you amazing women who have already offered to donate on Amber's blog! I am so blessed!

Here are the details if you want to contribute: we are collecting pinwheel blocks in any color way in a 8.5 inch block. (I'm excited about that because it will challenge me to do something I've never done before...a pinwheel!) If you are so inclined (and I hope you are), you can also make a whole quilt in a small (and do-able) size, 24x36 inches in ANY pattern and colorway. And now for the fun part...the giveaways...(mine aren't nearly as great as Amber's, but nonetheless) 1 block will enter you 1 time, 2 blocks 2 times, etc...and a whole quilt will get you 10 entries. These are the giveaways: (1st) a cute little clutch like this made from a Keyka Lou pattern with the winners choice of colors, (2nd) a fun ruffle apron (which I designed the pattern for last year) to be sewn for the winner with their preferrence of colors, (3rd) I will make a custom mini badge album scrapbook with the winners pictures using a Shabby Princess badge album.

Who IS that cheesy chick modeling my well-worn apron?

Don't look at that unsightly baby-belly pudge...

(This picture is from the Shabby Princess site, I did not scrap this one...but it will be similar!)

As Amber said, it is tough to put a deadline on such a great project, but it is necessary to do so for the sake of the giveaways. So, all the blocks need to be in by May 1st. If you would like to donate to our quilts for the babies in the IMCU, please leave a comment here and I'll send you my address via e-mail (I am in Canda) or if you would rather send them to Amber in the US, e-mail her and she will forward them all on to me. Thanks again for your enthusiasm for this project, your generosity and time, it means so very much to us!

Good Time to Catch Up

2010-03-10T03:52:00.004-06:00

Nothing like the flu to keep you up all night, sick and miserable. Now that Lawson is finally sleeping through the night, thanks to the girls at Mom's on Call...(and they are from my hometown, Marietta, Georgia) being up and sick while the whole family is sleeping, really stinks!
I had the flu shot, just like every year, and have not had the flu in about 6 years...but it hit me like a freight train Monday at about 2 in the afternoon. My skin hurts, my joints ache, my head feels like someone hit me with a frying pan or rolling pin (insert cartoon visual here) and I flip-flop between being ice cold and sweating bullets...nice, eh?

So, since I am awake and miserable, I thought I'd take this time to update my sadly neglected little blog. I'm sure no one reads it anymore, but on the off chance someone does...this is what we've been up to lately.

Nalley loves being outdoors, summer or winter, but since her Mommy is a HUGE weany for the cold and snow, she is not outside much in the winter, unless it is with Maybel or Daddy. So, when Shayne goes out to shovel, she takes advantage of it. She was having a blast throwing snowballs at anything and everything. She is a very funny little girl.

Baby Lawson, yes, we all call him Baby Lawson, and probably will untill he's 15...is such a joy. As I mentioned, we used the Mom's on Call method for getting him to sleep through the night. Nalley started sleeping through the night at 9 weeks and we only had to use the Ferber method for her at 9 months because we had disrupted her schedule severly with 2 week visit to my parents in Georgia and a 12 day trip to Maui that landed back to back. It only took about 3 nights to get her back to her regular sleep habits. Not so much with this little man.

He too, started sleeping through the night at 8 weeks, but then at around 4 months, he got all out of joint and would wake up anywhere from 2 to 7 times a night wanting to be nursed back to sleep. Stupidly, I would give in and go do it, fearing that his crys would wake up Nalley. It almost cost me my sanity. The Mom's on Call method is the best thing that happened to us. We are big advocates of it, although it was not easy. I guess that you just get to a place that you just can't do what you're doing anymore...and that was that.

These are some funny pics of Nalley and Lawson at about the same age. The kids pile into our bed on the weekends and goof off for a while before we're ready to get up. One of those mornings, Maybel put a wig for her Build-a-Bear on Nalley, so we took a picture, we got a good chuckle from it. We were piled in our bed on another such morning not too long ago and that picture got mentioned, so Maybel went to get the wig and we put it on Baby Lawson for another chuckle and another picture. Funny, huh?

I have been sewing up a storm lately. Making cute little outfits for Nalley, little purses and wallets, market bags, window treatments, you name it. I would post some pics now, but I haven't downloaded them yet and the camera is in the bedroom where Shayne is sleeping....so I will get them posted soon. Until then, stay well.

Murray Christmas to All...

2010-01-06T22:21:00.006-06:00

Our Christmas adventures begin with a building our gingerbread house. This is not the kind of activity a perfectionists' kids enjoy...well, they did have fun, but I'm sure not as much fun as if I'd just have let them have free reign over where all the candies landed...nonetheless, look at that CUTE house!

All 3 kids were invited to their babysitter, Kristyn's house to watch the Grinch and make their own mini gingerbread houses...well, Lawson didn't actually participate...but these houses are more like it, soooo cute and they got to do it all themselves, w/o perfectionist mom to hinder their creativity and the fun factor!

Me sporting my beautiful Christmas sweater...don't you LOVE it? We hosted Christmas Eve at our house and in true Murray style, we had an ugly Christmas sweater contest...I designed mine and Shayne created them both, great job honey!

Lawson wearing the Christmas outfit that my brother Hamilton wore 37 Christmases ago...so cute and retro!!! Gotta love my little chunky man!

I buy the kids a new pair of Christmas PJ's every year, last year the girls' matched perfectly, this year I couldn't get them the same in the different sizes, so we just sort of blended...then adding a little man into the mix, there probably won't be anymore perfect matches on the PJ front! Aren't the adorable?!?

My man crashed out on the new Elephant pillow that his sisters gave him for Christmas...precious, I know...

Have you ever seen anything better...my hubby and my little dude rockin' out in matching outfits for Christmas dinner!!! I LOVE IT! My MIL bought Lawson this outfit from Shayne's favorite clothes store, MEXX...one of my favorite pics, ever!

Well, that wraps up our Christmas season, hope yours was as memorable and fun as ours was!

Magic Reindeer Food

2009-12-21T14:14:00.003-06:00

I have seen this idea on several blogs...for the Reindeer Food that is. When I got the Gift Card Holders for the Shabby Princess's CT, I immediately knew I would use them to house my Magic Reindeer Food.

This is the first year that Nalley has really gotten excited about Christmas and knows what is going on. We will add this to our Christmas traditions, and leave food outside for the reindeer. The "food" is just oats with cookie sprinkles mixed in. I used small reclosable bags that I got at the dollar store in the craft isle to put a small amount of the oats in. I used these gift card holders (both of them are using the NEW Sugarplum Dreams kit from the Shabby Shoppe) and enlarged them slightly to accomodate the bulk of the food. I think that they turned out sooo super cute!

New Stuff from the Shabby Princess

2009-12-20T21:22:00.004-06:00

SP has 2 new kits, Clementine and Sugarplum Dreams available now at the Shabby Shoppe. The first LO are some of my favorite pictures of my Lawson, he is pure sweetness.

The second LO are pictures of the girls with the mini gingerbread houses that they made at our babysitter, Kristyn's house last night. She invited all 3 kids over for a Grinch party...they watched the Grinch that Stole Christmas and decorated those ultra cute gingerbread houses. It was the first time that Maybel had been with Kristyn. She keeps the younger 2 on a really regular basis, but it has always been during the day while Maybel is at school, or at times when Maybel is at her moms. Nalley A-D-O-R-E-S Kristyn...soooooo much! I can usually bribe Nalley to do anything I need or want her to do, by reminding her that Kristyn is coming over to play with her "next Wednesday" (yes, I have done that). Lawson obviously didn't decorate the gingerbread houses, but Kristyn's mom and dad were quite happy to have a baby around to play with for the evening. The girls talked about how much fun they had all day today...and I got some cute pics of them in their PJ's holding up their houses...before they ate some of the candies off!

I LOOOOOVE both of these kits...for different reasons! I love the fabulous muted tones and sophisticated look of the Clementine kit...it is an awesome collection and it was really nice to work with! But my, oh my...Sugarplum Dreams really speaks to my ultry-girly, happy, PINK LOVING fun side! Not to mention that I re-themed our tree this year to glittery, sparkling cupcakes, ice cream cones, lollipops and all things confectionery and SUGARPLUM-ish. So, I just ADORE this new kit! I can't wait to play around with it more, although it might be after Christmas.

We are hosting Christmas Eve this year for the first time ever. There will be about 15 or 16 people here...lots of fun!

Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

2009-12-11T09:30:00.002-06:00

About 4 years ago, I created a recipe for a Turtle Cookies after getting hooked on the ones from the Pita Pit. On our recent girls trip to Fargo, I picked up a bag of mint M&M's and my family was hooked! I also bought a bag of Andes mint baking pieces, and was inspired to create a mint chocolate cookie that was reminiscent of the flavor of the M&M's. All I did was add the baking pieces and some milk chocolate chips to the Turtle Cookie dough, and voila! I have included the Turtle Cookie ingredients at the bottom of the recipe card, if you are so inclined to make them! Please let me know if you make these cookies, and if so, what you think!

Santa and My Sweeties...

2009-12-05T22:35:00.003-06:00

I have been absent for a while now. I am finding that being mom of 3 is a BIG job...especially being a crazy crafter and throw in the Christmas season...I'm in DEEP! But I LOVE every second of it and I am cherishing these fleeting baby moments, I can't believe my little man is already 4.5 months old! Would you just look at those chunky little cheeks and that happy grin...I could just EAT HIM WITH A SPOON! He laughs at us and brings us all such joy, but I must say he is partial to the ladies...watch out, he's gonna be a heartbreaker!

We went to the Children's Museum here in the Peg today to see Santa and show the kids the display that was in Eaton's for many years. Shayne's parents always took him there to see Santa, so it is important that we carry on this tradition with our kids. We let the girls go wild at the museum afterward and they both had a blast. Nalley had only been there one other time when she was about Lawson's age, so this was a totally fun new experience for her.

It is amazing to see the wonder and joy that the Christmas season brings to my kiddos. I love to watch them stare at the lights and ornaments of the Christmas tree and talk about all of the little things that are so exciting. Nalley watches Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer about 10 times a day...she knows all the songs and sings along with them. She talks a lot about Rudolph and how he lives in the North Pole. She asked Santa to see him today, but seemed to be okay with the answer that he was resting up for the big trip in a few weeks.

Speaking of resting up...I should go do that too...

Quilt for Bed 18

2009-11-13T11:38:00.005-06:00

There is so much that I want to blog about, and so little time to blog. This is something that I have been wanting to share because it was so special to me...

Last Monday, Lawson and I took this quilt down to the Intermediate Care Unit at Women's Hospital, where he spent the first week of his life. While he was there, the nurses placed small quilts over his isolet, to sheild the bright lights. Since I enjoy quilting so much, I told the nurses that I would make one and bring it down when life settled for us a little.

I wouldn't say that life has settled all that much, in fact it is probably even busier as the holiday season approaches. But the IMCU is so special to our family, that I really wanted to take Lawson back to see his nurses and take them a quilt. I made it specifically out of some of the leftover pieces of the Katie Jump Rope fabric that I made his quilt from.

When we got there, his nurses Sherri and Renee were there. They are so special and were so very appreciative of the quilt and a big bag of sleepers and stuff that we took as well. It was suggested that the quilt be donated to the baby who is currently in bed 18, the bed where Lawson stayed. It is a little girl who has been there for a while, so I couldn't be happier.

As I left that morning, with my son in my arms, I felt so blessed and overwhelmed with gratitude to be able to give back...just a little. I will make many more quilts for them, I feel compelled. I also plan to go cuddle the babies that are there who have no one to cuddle them or visit them...how very sad that makes me.

If any of you quilters out there would like to donate a block...let's say an 8 inch block...please let me know, I think that would be very cool to make a quilt that many people have contributed to and donate to the IMCU.

Shabby Artist

2009-10-07T07:08:00.004-05:00

I have officially been on the Shabby Princess Creative Team since June, however, it was just announced in the newsletter that accompanied several new products yesterday. As I have said before, it is a HUGE honor to be included amongst so many incredibly talented girls...I am blessed.

Nalley in her skunk costume on Halloween last year, I swear, I crack up laughing every time I see these pictures. She was so cute and would sit her bag on the steps on each new house she went to, say "trick-or-treat" and then when they came to the door, she would pull something out of her bag and try to hand it to the person at the door. Precious.

She has been talking about Halloween for weeks now. She is going as Minney Mouse (the pink one) during the day to Maybel's parade at school, to Shayne's work, etc...and she'll be a monkey

at night when it's cold. She keeps telling me she's going to say "trick-or-treat" and then she'll get chocolates and suckers. LO made using the new Boo kit at the Shabby Shoppe.

Nalley on a huge pile of pumpkins at the corn maze last year...using the Bountiful kit available now at the Shabby Shoppe.

I always dress Maybel and Nalley alike at Christmas, but we were surprised when we showed up for Christmas dinner last year and their cousin Emily was matching as well. We sat them down and had to get a picture. LO made using the new kit, Believe available now at the Shabby Shoppe.

I was in for a HUGE adjustment when I moved from Atlanta to Winnipeg almost 5 years ago. Within the first few days, we had a blizzard that dumped 2 feet of snow practically over night. Shayne made me learn how to drive in the snow during that blizzard...this LO is all about just HOW much snow we got and my first driving experience...made using the new kit Brrr...now at the Shabby Shoppe.

Some Love for Brice

2009-10-06T10:56:00.003-05:00

Christina, from The Sometimes Crafter, and I have become bloggie friends in past few months. She is an uber talented sewer, quilter, and crafter extraordinaire. She has helped me out and given me a few things of late and I wanted to thank her for her generosity...so I made this little mini accordion album (like the ones we will be making at my class on the 21st) of her little man, Brice. He is soooooo stinkin' cute and it was so much fun working with someone else's pics. I am using it as an example for my class and then it will be on its way to its new home with Christina and Brice. Thanks again Christina...you're a gem!

Accordian Mini Album Class

2009-09-27T14:03:00.004-05:00

Well, I've done it...despite my insanely busy life as mom to 3...I've managed to get back to work. My first class of the fall will be the Mini Accordian Album Class on October 21st at Neil Campbell School. Come out and join in our crafty fun...e-mail me to register.

Apple Muffin Recipe

2009-09-27T13:55:00.004-05:00

As promised...enjoy!

Sweet Cheeks & Muffins

2009-09-26T12:50:00.003-05:00

I have two super yummy things to blog about today...Lawson who is so sweet I could just "eat him with a spoon"...hope that isn't disturbing to any of you overseas readers...it is an expression used down south to describe a baby or child that is just too cute for words.

I mean look at those schmooshy lips...aren't they just so irresistable...kissing those little lips and cheeks is my favorite pass time these days.

At his 2 month check up on the 16th, he was 11.9 pounds...up 3 pounds since his 1 month which was 8.8 pounds. He's getting some chunk on him now. Still the best baby ever...sleeping through the night at 8 weeks...well anywhere from 6.5 to 8.5 hours uninterrupted, that is what I consider to be sleeping through the night.

He is soooo smiley and laughs at us all the time. He has great head control and loves to stand up on our laps and look around. The girls are completely in LOVE...they want to spend every minute talking to him and getting him to coo at them. Nalley's latest things to say about him are: "well I guess he's cooing at me mommy" or when he's hungry "we got a chirky (chirpy) birdie mommy" and when he's upset "mommy he's aaacking" (the "aaaaa" sound that a newborn makes when it crys). She keeps us in stitches wit the funny things she says.

These are my "famous" apple muffins. I took a recipe for apple bread off of the internet about 4 years ago and COMPLETELY changed it. I started making muffins instead of bread 3 years ago and they have been my families favorite since then. Each fall we get apples from friends (a huge bin from Shauna this year...thanks again Shauna) and I make applesauce and at least 12 dozen of these muffins to freeze. They are great for breakfast for the kids or as an afternoon snack with coffee. I'll post the recipe tomorrow...stay tuned!

Tub Time

2009-09-21T20:19:00.002-05:00

Lawson's Baby Quilt

2009-09-09T18:42:00.002-05:00

I am ashamed to say that I started cutting the fabric for Lawson's baby quilt on the same day that I finished the binding on baby Ashlee's quilt...waaaaaay back in April. Now that it is the second week of September and Lawson is almost 8 weeks old, it is now finished...whew!

I LOOOOOOVE the way it turned out, but what's not to love about this Katie Jump Rope fabric. However, I am questioning it's use in my little BOY's quilt now that it is done. KJR is one of the only lines with any great boy-ish fabric these days, but the problem is that it was already discontinued when I bought this fabric and these were the only ones left that I could find. I know that it is a bit girlish with the use of the flower fabrics, but (PLEASE be honest) do you think that it is too girly for a baby boy? The jury is still out for me. Shayne says it doesn't matter (which means a lot coming from his daddy) and Maybel said, "it is a little girly, but not too much girly"...so I'm not sure!

Maybel helped me take the full shot picture outside, she is such a good little helper. Today was her first day of 4th grade, she is getting so old...it just kills me! Love that little stinker.

I have TONS more pics to share, like Nalley's photo shoot at the english gardens, our UGA outfit debacle for game day on Saturday, some cute randoms of growing Lawson...etc...but I haven't had time to edit them yet...one day.

So Far Behind

2009-08-23T07:55:00.003-05:00

It has been a whirlwind sort of month since Lawson was born! I knew to expect craziness, and that is what we've had. I remember when Nalley was born feeling like days just whipped by and I could hardly get a shower. That has happened again but I am running ragged trying to keep up with a toddler and a newborn while trying to keep a bored 9 year old entertained to boot! It's not easy...

My parents left yesterday after a week-long visit with their grand-babies. They lapped up every minute of the kids, although I think they were a bit bored being confined to the house with nap schedules and such. All in all it was a wonderful time with them, I celebrated my birthday with them on the 16th for the first time in 5 years. Nalley is already missing Nana and Papa and asking when we can ride on the airplane to go see them.

Just before Lawson was born, Jocelyne came over to shoot some pregnancy pics...something I was not really excited about (who really wants to remember how fat they were) but was convinced that I would want them later. I hadn't done it with Nalley and did sort of regret not having them. I also had her take a few pictures of the girls by themselves.

The last picture is Lawson on his first photo shoot at 1 week old. I have to do better and start posting more recent pictures, I'm sure it will happen...don't know when though!

Also...I am starting to think of getting back to work...soon. I will be teaching a digital scrapbooking class, a mini accordian album class, a Halloween-themed class, and a Christmas-themed class this fall. I am still in the organizational and planning phase, but as soon as I get the projects and schedule nailed down, I will post. Any suggestions are welcomed!

Finally Here

2009-07-29T14:42:00.003-05:00

Another LO I did for Lawson's album using the AWESOME new Shabby Princess kit, Giggle Box, which was released today!!!

So Happy to Have You Home

2009-07-28T09:25:00.003-05:00

This is the Layout I did for my first official Shabby Princess Pre-Release. The new kit is called Giggle Box and the colors and feel were a perfect fit to celebrate our sweet Lawson coming home.

He continues to get stronger and as of our doctor's appointment yesterday, he had almost regained his birth weight.

There is a TON of journaling on this page to tell his story, if you are interested, keep reading!!!

"You were born on July 16, 2009 at 37 weeks. After the nurses gave you a bath, you were a bit cold, so they took you to put you under the warmers for a little while. When you came back to us, all bundled up for a snuggle, we noticed that you were making “kitty cat” noises. We soon found out that those noises are called “grunts” and are an indicator of a condition called Transient Tachypnea of a Newborn (TTN), which is fluid on the lungs. At 4 hours old, they took you off to observe you and you were soon admitted to the Intermediate Care Unit. You were a very sick little boy, hooked up to an IV, oxygen prongs and more wires and probes than any little newborn should be. Normal respiratory rates are between 20-30, yours were around 150, causing erratic breathing and making you struggle for every breath. In addition to TTN, the x-rays showed a small air pocket surrounding your heart and lungs.

You were on minimal handling orders because any stimulation you had would cause your respiratory rates to skyrocket. It was torture not being able to hold my precious new baby, watching you in your incubator, fighting so hard to get well. I was finally able to hold you and nurse you at 3 days old, it really was the best feeling in the world.

We had asked so many of our friends and family to pray with us for your speedy recovery so that we could bring you home. On Sunday, when many Sunday School classes and congregations had prayed for you, your most significant improvements happened. You were taken off of your IV as well as your oxygen prongs; your antibiotics were discontinued and you were moved from you incubator to a regular bassinet. You were on the mend. You just needed to prove that you could feed well and meet your minimum daily nutritional requirements.

I nursed you as much as I could, but it was exhausting to you with your respiratory problems. We had to bottle feed you with my milk as a way to supplement your intake. You continued to improve and get stronger and stronger and we were finally allowed to bring you home on Tuesday afternoon…you were 5 days old. I have never been as happy and relieved, yet I felt completely neurotic about having you at home with no nurses to help if something went wrong. Most of all I am thankful that you are getting stronger with every day that you are here at home with us. We love you so very much Baby Lawson, you are a fighter and a real trooper!"

Lawson's Birth Announcement

2009-07-26T14:16:00.002-05:00

Lawson was able to come home on Tuesday afternoon...and we have been so busy since then, holding him and cuddling him and giving some much needed attention to Nalley, that I haven't had a chance to update my blog. He is doing well, slowing getting the hang of feeding and sloooowly gaining a little weight. His breathing is getting better but I am still neurotic and find myself freaking out when it gets too fast...I am severely sleep deprived and completely unorganized. I forgot how much time and energy a newborn takes.

We went out for a "test run" to the outside world yesterday while I still had the help of Shayne, who will be going back to work on Monday. We tried at our first stop to go in the store without the double stroller..a.k.a. "The Bus", it was a gong show to say the least. Nalley was pulling feminine hygiene products off of the shelves and carrying them around with her. I was all hands with Lawson in the bucket seat, trying to wrangle Nalley back and do some shopping while balancing my purse on my shoulder. I didn't want any help from Shayne so that I could see what it would be like...let's just say I won't be doing that again!!!

Next, we used "The Bus" and it went much more smoothly, although I think I need a special class driver's license to operate that thing. At least I didn't feel like I was herding cats and both children were contained. I am so lucky and so thankful to have such a wonderful husband to do any and everything I ask, even when I change my mind 2 or 3 times as to what needs to be done first. Thank you Shayne for being the greatest strength and support during the absolute best and worst week of my life!!!

First Date

2009-07-24T18:18:00.003-05:00

LO I did of my first date with Shayne using the Wild Love kit from Shabby Princess. That date was magical...5 years, a wedding, and 2 kids later, I am more in love than I was then!

Welcome Baby Lawson!!!

2009-07-20T22:28:00.006-05:00

Lawson Shayne Murray arrived on the scene Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 9:19 p.m. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 2 oz. and 19.25 inches. Proud big sister Maybel was on hand during some of the labor and just outside the room for the delivery. She was so happy to be a part of her brother's birth.

One of the first pictures of me with my sweet new little man!

He still looking rather new at this point.

Nalley is the only thing that would have made the occasion more wonderful, but she's not quite old enough to have managed the whole thing. She came to meet him the next morning.

Unfortunately, she didn't get to hold him because he was admitted to the Intermediate Care Unit at 4 hours old because his breathing was unstable and erratic. He was diagnosed with a condition called TTN (Transient Tachypnea of a Newborn), which means that he was born with fluid on the lungs. He also had a small pocket of air surrounding his heart and lungs.

He was a very sick little boy for a few days, hooked up to an oxygen flow, an IV with antibiotic drip, and more wires, monitors and leads than should be allowed for a tiny little baby. He was on no touch orders inside his incubator with minimal handling because his respiratory rates would skyrocket when he was touched or stimulated. He initially nursed in our room just after he was born, but after he was admitted, he was only allowed to take fluid from his IV for fear of aspiration for the next 48 hours. He was finally allowed to start feeding on Sunday and did amazingly well.

We have asked so many people to pray with us for his speedy recovery so that he will be able to come home with us. Many responded to say that they would tell thier Sunday School classes and church congregations to pray with us. Friday and Saturday were very critical and he was not doing well over night that night. However, Sunday brought so much change and Lawson came
out of his incubator into a regular bassinet. He also was taken off of his oxygen prongs, his IV came out, and he was taken off of the antibiotics. Each day has brought about more good news...Monday he was taken off all of his monitors. His respiration has leveled out, but it is still high (normal levels are between 2o & 30...Lawson's were originally as high as the 150's but were erratic and unstable) in the 50's to 60's. Shayne and I have been traveling back and forth to the hospital every 3 hours to feed him and Nalley has been farmed out to where ever we can put her. We are now just waiting to see if he has figured out how to eat properly and if he can meet his daily minimum requirements for nutrition. So far so good...it is looking like he might be able to come home with us on Wednesday. Pray with us that he can come home as soon as possible!!!

Hybrid Welcome Banner

2009-07-13T22:10:00.002-05:00

I am prepared for our little man to come home now (if he would ever decide to make his appearance). I had made this hybrid banner using the Barefoot collection from the Shabby Princess and finished putting it together this weekend. I had a really hard time deciding where to hang it though. I wanted to put it in the front entry way for everyone to see when little Lawson has visitors...problem being, I needed to take some pictures of it to post on the SP website for the Creative Team and the front room and entry have not been painted yet...what's a girl to do. So, I hung it (with the help of my fab hubby) in little Lawson's room above his crib. It doesn't match his bedding or decor at all, but it does coordinate with the birth announcements that I designed for him. I will in all likelyhood make him another banner of sorts to keep in his room more permanently...I just really like it!

Giveaway and a Pic

2009-07-12T21:02:00.006-05:00

In baby news, still nothing...why, oh why, can't he just come already?!? But I am nesting like a maniac, that's for sure. I pulled out his half completed Pregnancy Mini Album, like the one that I made for Nalley a while back. I also had made a few others for some girlfriends who've recently had babies. I made an extra and I am going to give it away, fully completed (after the winner provides some info to me). Everybody loves a give away, right? Leave me a comment with your e-mail address and I'll pick a winner on Wednesday morning. ETA: Giveaway is limited only to Canada and the US...sorry to anyone else overseas...

I'm still playing around with Photoshop actions and Lightroom presets. Just another picture I was messing around with and I thought the effect was neat. This was at my friend Michelle's daughter's 1st birthday party that we went to on Canada Day.

Nalley's Woodland Birthday Party

2009-07-10T11:01:00.009-05:00

For Nalley's 2nd birthday, I decided to do a Woodland theme. I had never seen this done as a birthday party, but after falling in love with the Pottery Barn owl bedding that I bought for her new room as well as seeing all of the cute stamps and scrapbooking owl/deer/tree/mushroom stuff that is out right now...I just had to do it!

I said last year after her pig roast/Luau party was over that we weren't doing anything that big again, this year it was going to be hot dogs and cake...well, that just didn't happen! Although I haven't felt great during this pregnancy, it is her birthday after all, and she won't be 2 again...so it turned out to be 44 people with a bouncy slide, lots of food, and the kids made a container terrarium as part of their party favors.

For the cupcakes, I made my traditional yummy cupcake recipe with white liners and turned the tops into red mushrooms with white (yogurt covered raisins...thanks Sandra) spots. They really did turn out cute. I didn't get an artistic shot of the cupcakes by themselves, but you can see it in the picture where Nalley is blowing out the candles.

I had every intention of making Nalley a cute little dress that was red/white polka dots with brown trim, but there was just too much to do after moving in to our new house and trying to get ready for baby too. I also didn't get to make my famous iced sugar cookies that I make for every birthday for the kids...I was so bummed about that...I had even special ordered some mushroom, owl, and squirrel cookie cutters for the party. So instead, we did PB&J sandwiches cut them into shapes with the cutters.

I did a little funky photo editing and really like the way the pics turned out in a retro kind of look...

Next year, we really are doing hot dogs and cake on a weekday with 5 friends...I'll have another HUGE 1st birthday as well as a 10th birthday to plan all within the same month...so we'll be going small.

I'm 2

2009-07-09T15:51:00.002-05:00

This is the LO I have done of Nalley's 2nd birthday. These pics were taken on her actual birthday, but I have TONS of pics of her party a couple days later. More LO's to follow...this one is using the Shabby Princess's Twirl kit, such fresh colors and I love all the pink overtones!

MAJOR LEAGUE EXCITEMENT...

2009-07-02T12:47:00.001-05:00

no, no, I did not have the baby yet! But something almost as exciting has happened to me this week.... *drumroll*

I was asked to be on the exclusive Creative Team for none other than the MOST fabulous, amazingly talented, incredibly nice SHABBY PRINCESS....yes, I do have a permanent grin on my face! I am so beyond honored and still slightly in shock from this news, seeing as the Shabby Princess is only one of the top Digital Designers IN THE WORLD. SP does not do open calls, she simply peruses galleries to find talent for her CT. I recently bought the Barefoot kit and the Blossom kit and have been so completely inspired by them both, I have been scrapping non-stop. SP had left me some SUPER nice comments on my LO's, so I emailed her to thank her. I also mentioned that I would be interested in being on her CT if there were ever a spot available and she thought I would be a fit. TO MY UTTER SHOCK...she e-mailed me back to tell me that a spot had recently come open and she would love for me to fill it....can you believe it?!? God is good and I feel so very blessed for this opportunity!

This is the LO I had to scrap of myself to be on the SP website...

Down the Hill

2009-06-29T15:56:00.003-05:00

I was playing around with texture overlays in Photoshop and couldn't help scrapping this picture of Nalley playing and running down the hill at the park recently. I am obsessed with the Shabby Princess's kit, Blossom lately, so it was of course, the natural choice for this one!

Happy Birthday "Nalley Bo Balley"

2009-06-26T05:29:00.003-05:00

Sweet baby girl, you made your grand entrance today, 2 years ago and my life was forever changed! I had never known love so deep, worry so overwhelming, or joy so immense. I had also never known I could be so tired. Until then.

We love you with all of our hearts sweet Nalley!

2 Cool

2009-06-24T02:40:00.002-05:00

Lessons in Life

2009-06-17T06:47:00.006-05:00

Growing up, my parents both seemed to "torture" us with their broken-record repeats of important things to know that they would call "Lessons in Life". They would bring them up while {stuck} riding in the car with them, or nightly at dinner time when we sat down together and ALL ATE a home-cooked meal together. Looking back now, those times were invaluable parental teaching opportunities. As much as I would roll my eyes and wish they would quit it already, I really did learn some important values and morals during those times... things that I take with me to this day.

One of said "Lessons in Life" had to do with responding to how others treat you. My parents both believe in sticking up for one's self and not being pushed around, however they are also all about respect, living with grace and dignity, and know that exacting "revenge" is never the way to go. So the old cliche "what goes around, comes around" was used quite frequently in their "LIL".

In turn, since becoming a parent to Maybel, almost 5 years ago now, I too have used this old addage to help her deal with the "meanies" of the world who want to cause harm. It is far more difficult as a parent to sit back and take your own advice when people are unkind to your children. Wouldn't you parents agree?

At any rate, it is always so satisfying to me (maybe it shouldn't be QUITE so enjoyable) to see first hand the "come around" part fall in to place...and it is even sweeter to know that I have taken the higher road to follow an old "Lesson in Life".

Park Play

2009-06-12T20:01:00.003-05:00

Well...it was supposed to be. It seems like everytime we go to the park to play, it rains! I did manage to get a few cute pictures of Nalley wandering around. She was just happy to be outside playing at all...it has been a terrible spring and early summer. Today was the warmest day we've had here so far, and it was still a bit overcast and sprinkled.

It is nice to have a break from all the demos and renos in our new house. We are on a bit of a time crunch for Nalley's birthday party on June 28th.

Taking My Mind Off Things

2009-06-09T23:13:00.003-05:00

We have had a very stressful few weeks with moving, packing, un-packing and renovations. In the midst of it all we have had some very difficult personal and family issues that we have been dealing with too. It has been really emotionally draining, heartbreaking, and truthfully very hard to be diplomatic. If you think of me and my family, please just say a prayer that God's peace and love will shine on our family.

Because I am not allowed to do much in the way of lifting or moving, I am extremely limited to what I can contribute to settling our household. And I find that too many trips up and down the stairs, even without lifting or carrying anything, takes it's toll on my very pregnant body. 33 weeks and counting the minutes folks! So to occupy some time and take my mind off of things, I have been scrapping a bit more lately. I NEEDED to get baby Lawson's Birth Announcement done, so I did...I won't post it until he's here...but I was very pleased. So, at the same time, I re-did a couple of other things that I wasn't thrilled with.

I didn't even know what digital scrapbooking was really when Nalley was born and I did her Birth Announcement. I was only BEGINNING to self teach Photoshop and really went about it the long and hard way. I never really did get it exactly as I wanted it and have not adhered it to her baby book yet, because I just didn't love it. I know this doesn't really COUNT as being her birth announcement, as it is not the copy that I mailed out to everyone...however...it is the one I will paste into her book. I'm sure I'll throw the other one in too...but c'mon people...I'm a perfectionist and a proud mommy...so I wanted it to look GREAT!

This LO is a scrap-lift from the Shabby Princess using her kit Blossom. I just stinkin' love the dress that Nalley is wearing in her 1 week photos, I love the yawn, and I love the Blossom kit...it is perfect!

Lastly, I did another birthday LO of Nalley's 1st...as I am so painfully aware that she will be 2 soon. I love this kit so much, I'm planning on using it for all of her birthday LO's. I'll print them off for her 12x12 album, of course, but I'll also print out a 4x4 version too, and do a mini album of just her birthday LOs...something she can look through anytime she wants too...

Cupcakes

2009-06-08T10:33:00.004-05:00

This is my FAVORITE cupcake recipe. I wish there were an excuse to eat these cupcakes everyday...I'm sure I could find one, but I would be enormous! I just wouldn't be able to restrain myself. Maybel's birthday was this past Thursday and Nalley didn't get any of her cupcakes. That is all I have heard since Thursday from Nalley, "Mommy, I eat my Maybel's cupcake." SO, to save myself from hearing that again, and because it is dreary and cold outside today, we are going to bake cupcakes together for our activity.

Feel free to click on the image and save it. You can print it out as a 4x6 recipe card...I send them to Costco, it is inexpensive and easy. Tip: when you print out pictures like this digital "scrapbooking" style, that have already been edited, tell the photo lab to turn OFF the color enhancement option. They will then print with the "true" colors you originally worked with.

I Am Missing You Today

2009-06-05T22:25:00.001-05:00

Last fall, I wrote this letter to my Grandmother, "Grammy", who passed away suddenly from conjestive heart failure on June 9, 2000. She was full of life, healthy and could work circles around me most days. She had started to suffer from arthritis a few years before she passed away, and had had a pacemaker put in a couple years prior as well. Other than that, she was in perfect health. I had moved closer to her about a year before she died, to help take care of/keep an eye on she and my Paw Paw. He was in failing health, and we had had a few scares with him before. We always thought he would go first.

The day my Grammy passed away was a Friday. We had a tradition that the 3 of us would go out to dinner somewhere each Friday night, and my Grammy and I would come home and watch Providence...we loved that show! Then on Saturday morning, I would go back to their house and set her hair and do any little chores that she wasn't able to do or pick weeds...etc... That day, she had watered the garden and weeded, made homemade applesauce, and because I was out with my friends that night (very unusual), they had gone out with my uncle for dinner. Not the typical day for someone who won't be around the for the next one. I am sharing this letter as a tribute to Grammy, but also as a means of therapy in a way...

"I am missing you today. I think about you lots and always smile at the fond memories and wonderful times we shared. Today is different. I can’t seem to find a smile, only tears. You were my rock, my world, my stability, my comfort. You were home to me. Through so much turmoil in my life, you always seemed to have the right thing to say, always the truth, even if it wasn’t what I wanted to hear at the time. I have come to appreciate that so much, especially since you aren’t here to give me your sage advice anymore.

When I lost you, my world came crashing down around me. The suddenness of it all took me out at the knees. I had thought about it before, knowing that one day, you wouldn’t be here. I had even taken the opportunity a time or two to tell you and Paw Paw that each day of my life was better because you were in it. You would say “Oh stop”, not feeling very comfortable talking about emotions. I never knew why that was, but I kept telling you how much I loved you, giving you hugs and kisses, until you finally just accepted it, and started giving them back. I always knew that you loved me, more than anything. I just never understood why you didn’t say it. I realized later in life that you would rather show it by living it, because words can be so empty.

A big part of me died when you did. I will never fully heal, I’m just trying to honor you by living with a fraction of the grace and dignity that you did. You were a lady in every sense of the word. Charming and charismatic, a true friend to all you knew. You were fair, compassionate and generous, always doing for someone else.

I would like to have just one more Friday night with you and Paw Paw. I want to go out for dinner and then come back home to watch Providence. I want one more Saturday morning to fix your hair and then do some little chores around your house. I want one more Thanksgiving dinner around your table, I would watch closely from start to finish as you made your famous dressing. I wish you could meet my kids, they are great and I know you would be so proud. I want them to hunt Easter eggs in your yard and drive around it in the golf carts. I just want one more conversation with you, to talk about nothing and everything, just to hear your voice.

I am so proud to have your name, Kathleen, and I proudly passed it on to Nalley. I hope that the choices I am making now and the life that I am living would make you proud too. Thank you for all that you have given me, Grammy.

Some of my favorite memories are with you, I remember the shopping trips that you and I would go on. I loved spending the weekend with you, because you always bought me something that made me feel special. Those times were fun, but the most special and important thing you ever gave me was your time, your love and your wisdom. The lessons I learned from you I will treasure always and I will teach them to my children as well. I am richly blessed because of you."

Accident Prone Already

2009-06-05T21:03:00.003-05:00

I was standing in the back yard talking to Nalley's babysitter, Laura, on Wednesday when I went to pick her up. We were chatting while Nalley continued to play, as she is never ready to leave Laura's house. Suddenly I heard her screaming wildly and looked up to see that she had fallen in the rocks next to the house and her mouth had hit squarely on the corner of an electical meter box. I ran to pick her up and survey the damage when I saw a good bit of blood in her mouth. Now...let me clarify...I don't do well with blood of any kind, and I certainly don't do well with blood coming from the mouth of my sweet baby girl. I handed her to Laura and asked if she could make something of the damage. It was probably a good thing for Nalley and I both...I would have been panicky and she would have been screaming. Instead, she calmed down quickly with Laura's gentle voice and allowed Laura to open her mouth and see the cut.

It appears that one of her teeth just shredded the inside of her lip, but there doesn't seem to be any tooth damage or anything else. She just has a rather unsightly purple bruise and a small cut on the outside of her mouth. She has been a good sport though. She asked for another freezie when we got home that day (Laura had given her one to calm her down) and then had a bit of trouble eating that first night, but overall hasn't really given it a second though...except for when Shayne and I have said "poor baby, that must have hurt". Then she says her owie hurts...otherwise, nothing. So glad she's okay, but I must say, I hope the summer doesn't continue this way with a pretty decent accident happening 2 times in 2 weeks...

A Work in Progress

2009-06-02T16:17:00.002-05:00

This is the kitchen light fixture which was burnt to a crisp and was sparking like crazy...pretty scary isn't it? As you can see below, the connections were burnt completely apart from the connections.

This is my man...albeit quite scruffy these days...being all manly and installing our new granite top bathroom vanity. I love a rugged handy man!

My little punkin' playing with a blanket and her stuffed animals in the box that the vanity came in. She said she was going "nite nite"...so precious!

In But NOT Settled

2009-06-01T22:09:00.004-05:00

We have moved into our new house and as of yesterday at 6 a.m. we no longer own the other one. It has been a LONG couple of months to get to this place and although it feels good to only own one house, I can't see an end in sight. Our new place was FILTHY and gross when we took possession. I cannot understand how anyone could, in good conscience, leave their house in the kind of shape we found ours in. They obviously had not cleaned it since they showed it in mid March. We knew when we purchased it that it would need some updating and some good ole' sweat equity to make it our own and what we had imagined it to be. We don't regret that descision at all...however there were a few surprises for us!

Firstly, the electrical wiring is a mess and needs to be dealt with immediately...I got zing-ed twice in one day at two different light switches. Our kitchen light fixture was literally sparking out the top, popped a bulb and when Shayne took the fixture down to look into it, the wires had burned the connection in two and the ceiling was scorched and the insulation was melted and black. TALK ABOUT SCARY...I am afraid that would have eventually burned our house down!

Apart from that, Shayne spent the first three days after we got possession stripping wall paper and scrubbing the walls. He has worked like a MANIAC to get stuff done, painting, changing light fixtures, packing, and get this...helping the PAID movers to move us. They should have had a 3 man team to do our job, but only showed up with 2 men and were half an hour late, at that. Shayne is dog tired and just keeps going...I know he's not the energizer bunny, as he's dragging butt at some times, but he does just keep going, pushing through the pain and exhaustion. Talk about committed and loving his family...we are SOOO Blessed! Love you lots honey!

I have lots of pics to upload and edit, it is taking shape slowly...but there will be some dramatic before and after pics. I just really don't have the energy or the time to slow down and do that right now. Hope you'll all understand. I am feeling "nest-y" and pressed for time to get all this done and get settled before our little bambino (who is btw, making me crazy at how active he is) makes his debut appearance!

But before I wrap this up I must say a HUGE thank you to several people who have helped us out in this, our time of need, while I am so helpless to do much! In no particular order...a big shout out to Sandra, Sheri, Lisa, Kris, Jason, Brent, Wendy, Tracey and Ian, and Tim! We REALLY couldn't have done it without you all...you really feel loved when your friends come out and pitch in to help you do the most unpleasant dirty work of packing and moving...especially at our age with all the stuff we have...we're too old for that! Thanks again guys...you're the BEST!

One Nasty Goose Egg

2009-05-16T17:33:00.003-05:00

I think my heart stopped for longer than is physically safe yesterday when Nalley's cute little noggin' smashed into the glass shelf of our TV stand. She was kneeling on her {huge} fluffy stuffed puppy in front of the TV while watching one of her favorite afternoon shows...Yo Gabba Gabba....now that is one weird show!

She was dancing and rocking side to side to the music when one of her knees slipped off of "Ruffie Puppy" which caused her to lose her balance and abruptly go crashing into the glass shelf. I swear the sound of her head hitting that glass is forever etched into my brain...it was HORRIBLE! She immediately let out a blood curdling scream and literally in the 2 seconds it took me to get to her, this massive bump appeared with a large blue/black bruise where her head made contact. I seriously panicked, not knowing what to do really. I was thinking that she would have some sort of concussion or something. So, I called Shayne and told him to get home fast...he's only 7 minutes away. He agreed we should probably take her in to be seen right away. Luckily, he remembered to call our sweet, sweet neighbor who just happened to graduate from medical school yesterday! She came right over with her kit to check out the nasty noggin' knot...Nalley was her very first patient post-graduation! Dr. Jaimie has the sweetest personality and will be the best doctor I could ever think of having. She made Nalley laugh by telling her that she had seen rabbits in her ears...too cute!

So, once the initial scare was over and we learned that albeit a badly bruised little melon...there was no serious damage. For added precaution though, we were told to wake Nalley up through out the night to make sure she would become coherent. She is now back to her happy little self, running and playing and yes, bonking her already bruised coconut on the toy chest, etc...AND running around asking "what does Jaimie say?" and then answering herself by saying, "there's rabbits in your ear"...good for a few chuckles from Mommy and Daddy!

PS...I'm sure most of you have noticed the new look to my blog...that can be credited to my creative side that quickly tires of the same old thing...it would have happened sooner, but I just haven't felt up to par lately!

Nalley's Prayer

2009-05-13T18:51:00.007-05:00

When I was looking for a home daycare for Nalley for one day a week, one of my best girlfriends, Sandra, recommended her other friend Kathy's sister-in-law, Laura. Nalley has been going to "Miss Laura's" house for several months now and she LOVES it. She actually didn't want to leave today...which makes me feel good about where she is. She always comes home saying funny things that she picks up there...it makes me laugh to hear her say things or sing songs that I didn't teach her. One of those things is their lunchtime prayer. We always just say a normal "grown up" prayer, but at Laura's house, they sing a cute little kid's prayer.

The tune is to Frere Jacque (sorry about the spelling...I'm so not French) and the song goes like this:

Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus
For the food, For the Food
Bless it to our bodies, Bless it to our bodies
Amen. Amen.

This is the way Nalley came home singing it today:

Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus
For the spoon, For the spoon
Listen to the barbies, Listen to the barbies
Hairy men. Hairy men.

Needless to say: we have been cracking up all night asking her to sing it over and over again!

Catching Up

2009-05-12T05:47:00.007-05:00

But first, let me show you a fabulous Giveaway that Elizabeth (a fellow Canadian) is doing over at her blog, Pigtails and Snails. She is so talented and so incredibly nice too. Head on over to her blog for your chance to win this beautiful quilt!

Now to the catching up part...

So many things have been going on in our lives lately keeping us busy and me from doing some of the crafty things that I totally thrive on. I haven't been able to sew much at all lately, due to the lack of time factor, but also because I've been having some issues with my machine. Before this machine, I had a Singer that I had nothing but problems with. I wanted a Bernina, but just couldn't justify the expense to usage ratio at that time (I was not sewing nearly as much then). So one day, Shayne saw a computerized machine in Costco for around $300 that did almost everything that I wanted my Bernina to do, so I settled and said fine. It is a Euro Pro 9130C, and sewed fine for me for many projects, although it is a little tempermental. Recently it has started having tension issues galore, I have been trying for 6 months to get a ruffler foot attachment to work to no avail. So several of my projects have been postponed. I want my Bernina!!!

I have gotten all of the blocks finished for Baby Lawson's quilt, now I have to figure out if I want to use a sashing and if so, what color. I also have another Heather Bailey Fresh Cut quilt WIP (work in progress) that really needs to be finished. I haven't even cut into the HB Pop Garden/Bijoux fabrics for our king size bed quilt, or the Moda Soiree fabric for Maybel's quilt. I am also now in the planning stages for Nalley's 2nd birthday party on June 28th...yes, I know, it sounds waaaay too early for that, but do remember, I am pregnant, miserable and completely forgetful these days, so no, it is not too early for me!

We get possesion of our new house next Friday and must be out of our house for the new buyers on the 31st. There is lots to be done, but so much of it is last minute stuff, so I feel kind of like I'm sitting on my hands for a lot of it. And so much that does need to be done now, I'm not allowed to do for the state of my pregnancy...early contractions and cramps and I have been told to do as little as possible....no heavy lifting, no standing of my feet for long periods of time, etc...quite limiting to someone who is moving!

I also got my FABULOUS scrap fabric winnings in the mail from Amber at the end of last week. They are beautiful! It really opens my eyes to what is out there and also to what other people

work with. I can't wait to do something scrappy with them...but I'm afraid it's going to be a while...too much else on my plate at the moment to even think about starting another project.

Shayne and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary on May 7th. We actually have 2 anniversaries...Jan 25th and May 7th. Just after I moved here, we had a JP ceremony at his parent's house so that we could a) make it official in the eyes of God, etc... and b) start the immigration process...it was long and arduous. Then we had a real church ceremony and reception when my parents could come and it was warmer outside...hence our two anniversaries. We celebrate both, usually we just go out to dinner with the kids in January, and then we do something more special for our "real" one. This year we took a weekend trip down to Fargo, ND to do a little shopping. We had Nalley with us, so we stayed in a hotel that had some water slides that she could enjoy. She had a total blast with her daddy...and she is still talking about them...daily! I will post some recent pictures as soon as I can get a moment to get them out of my camera and edited a bit.

Just a quick mention of some dear friends who are going through some really rough moments... First, one of my best friends from HS (who I haven't kept in contact with recently), Kelly's father recently picked up 2 hitchhikers out of the kindness of his heart. They stabbed him twice and shot him in the stomach. They dumped him in the woods and left him to die. He layed there for about 5 hours until he could get the strength to make it to the highway to flag down a passing motorist. He was taken to the hospital and put into ICU, but has since made drastic improvements. There is still a long road of recovery for such injuries, but he's doing well.

Secondly, another friend from university, Valarie's father-in-law fell from a tree while trimming the top off, and was killed instantly. He was very young and healthy and actively involved with his church, his community and his family. They are having a very hard time dealing with this sudden loss. Please pray for them both if it crosses your mind.

I Won, I Won...

2009-04-23T14:09:00.001-05:00

Whoo hoo...I never win anything...but I seem to have a "Heidi vibe" going on right now. I coined that term years ago because my great friend Heidi just has this vibe about her...she wins things, a lot. She finds cool furniture or other "stuff" on the side of the road or for DIRT CHEAP at garage sales...etc...she just has that "VIBE".

This week it has been mine...let's hope it sticks around. I found a GREAT new blog, One Shabby Chick, and Amber seems to be my kind of girl...I know that we would be in big trouble together if we lived close...lol! Anyway, she had a giveaway on her blog of some of her fabric scraps, and little old me won some of them...yay!!!

Go check out her blog, she's super creative and makes some GORGEOUS stuff! Thanks Amber!

Our House

2009-04-22T15:35:00.001-05:00

So pleased to say that selling our house is a done deal. It has been so hard to keep quiet in the past 3 days, but the deal was subject to financing. Soooo, we got word today that it was all approved and the deal is done! YAY! What a relief...

We will take possession of the new house hopefully on the 15 of May and give possession of our house on May 31. We have lots to do on the new house and I won't be of much help...because I'm already feeling big and akward and exhausted. My goodness, that shouldn't be already, I'm only 26 weeks! Oh well...I'm off to do a *very brief* happy dance!

Twinkle, Twinkle

2009-04-20T21:33:00.001-05:00

Back at Home and a Baby Quilt Finished

2009-04-20T09:32:00.002-05:00

We are back home after a stint at Shayne's parents' house. We were graciously welcomed in to stay with them while our house was being shown. We moved back in to our house last night and I'm thrilled to report that we got 3 offers last night and our house is sold...conditional on financing, but they were all pre-approved, so it should be a non issue, but we'll know for sure on Wednesday.

Before we left, I started this baby quilt for my girlfriend Kellee's new little girl...if you're reading this Kellee, just act surprised when you open it! It is a stacked coin quilt using the Basic Grey "Sultry" line by Moda. I love it so much that I almost don't want to give it away.

I added some raggy flowers with botton centers to one corner...I got the inspiration from this site. Elizabeth had a "preview freebie" of her tutorial for these flowers posted on her blog for a few days. If you'd like to see how she did it you can purchase her tutorial from her blog. I used my Big Shot and a scalloped circle die to cut out my shapes and then added some buttons in the middle to make them look more like flowers...it was so easy!

I pieced the back and used a strip of the "coins" for the back...I love this look...not my original idea by any means, but certainly telling of my style (which is NOT the traditional quilting look AT ALL!!!)

I took these pictures first thing this morning before Nalley woke up and got into the mix so there was no natural lighting. The pictures aren't that great, but I was so antsy to get them posted.

I don't know if you'll be able to see any of the quilting detail, but I used a wonky, side-to-side, no particular fashion, kind of meandering pattern and I LOVE IT! It was so simple and you just can't mess it up. I am really wanting to learn to stipple, but I didn't have the heart to try it on this one. I think I'll make some little baby quilts for Nalley and try it out on them.

This was a trial for the larger quilt I am making in the same pattern (stacked coin) for Maybel to match her new bedding for the new house! I am also working on some other cute projects so stay tuned!

So VERY Blessed

2009-04-12T04:53:00.001-05:00

I have tons of pictures in my camera and on my computer that need to be posted, but I just haven't gotten around to editing them yet. This is just one of the cute pictures that I snapped when we took the girls to see Disney on Ice for their Valentine's gift. Nalley had a BLAST! Maybel said she enjoyed it, but not as much as Nalley did.

But the gist of my post tonight (actually really really early)is this: I am so very blessed in my life. I have one of the most caring and supportive husbands in the world. We have had our moments in marriage, just like any other healthy marriage, when things weren't sunshine and roses...that is reality. But life is really great with Shayne. He has given me two beautiful girls who are the sunshine in each day, and more love than I ever thought imaginable. He has also given me this sweet little baby in my tummy, who keeps me up with all sorts of pregnancy ailments. I can't wait to meet this little guy...really...I can't wait...but I'll have to for 3 more months or so.

This pregnancy, just like the last one with Nalley, has proven to be a test of my patience, my moods, and my physical endurance. Somedays, I don't know how I will make it through, and yet I am so very sick of complaining, it doesn't change anything, and I really don't like to be negative or have that negative energy around me...who does? I have been cranky, ill-mannered, and generally irritable some days, and Shayne just smiles and is so understanding.

So here it is...THANK YOU. I am grateful for your love Shayne. I appreciate your devotion, your hard work to make our marriage and our home run smoothly, and I adore your companionship.

Amazing Girlfriends

2009-04-10T05:48:00.002-05:00

I saw this cute painting of girlfriends holding hands on Etsy here. It really made me think about what wonderful girlfriends I have! I'm sure I've mentioned it on this blog before how hard it can be to live 1500 miles away from all of my family and my life-long friends. I also have a few really great girlfriends scattered around the country that I miss dearly as well. However, since moving here to Winnipeg, just over 4 years ago, I have made some of the dearest friends of my life!!!

I am sure that motherhood bonds girlfriends in a way that is hard to describe. I had so many preconceived notions about what kind of mother I would be and what I would and would not do. Now, not having had Nalley until age 31, I had plenty of time to mature and didn't think that my ideas of motherhood were too far off base. HA! It is an experience unlike any other and NOTHING could have prepared me for it. It has been the most challenging and rewarding task I have ever undertaken. I have experienced love like I never knew it possible and been more frustrated and overwhelmed than I care to think about.

My point in all of this rambling is this: true, dear girlfriends don't hide the uglies of life from you. They are secure enough in themselves to allow you to see the clutter and chaos in their homes and in their lives. They keep your kids when you have doctor's appointments or just need a break, they cook you a meal when you've been ill or had a baby, they do thoughtful things for you just because they love you, they scrub your toilet when you're sick, they share your passions and concerns in life, they don't keep score because they know they will need you too one day, they tell you when you have broccoli in your teeth or toilet paper on your shoe. Girlfriends are a most priceless gift from GOD! Thank you to all of my girlfriends just for being you.

Funny thing about having a blog and also having a "digital" hobby is that I have also made girlfriends that I consider to be somewhat "close" with, and I have never actually met them...but I know that we would have a blast if we ever to get to come face to face!

Now, I am going to try to get some sleep...this baby has kept me up for the past three hours being a little skwirmy worm. Funny thing is that at my doctor's appointment today, my doctor was reading my ultrasound report and said a word (don't remember what it was) and then said, that just means that your baby is very active! HA, you don't have to tell me!

Late Night Trip to the...

2009-04-03T09:41:00.000-05:00

ER! Shortly after my last post on Wednesday...well, the wee hours of Thursday morning, my breathing got so bad that I made a little trip to the ER for some breathing treatments for my asthma. I had planned on just going to the Dr. on Thursday morning to get a puffer and some meds, but the baby was going a bit crazy and we got a bit scared.

My oxygen saturation was a teeny bit low and my heart rate was crazy at 140 resting (due in part to the breathing treatments), so they kept me there for about 4 hours to monitor me and then sent me right home with a puffer. I was so lucky not to have waited at all in the waiting room. When I checked in at admitting, the nurse walked me straight back to my room and the Dr. came in about 2 minutes later. I was on my first treatment within 5 minutes and in the care of some AMAZING nurses! They were so great and so funny, it made being at the ER at 3 a.m. at least tollerable!

My breathing is certainly better. Thank the Lord for breathing treatments and puffers...I just feel like a sledgehammer has been smashed against my head now. I have to say that I am pretty lucky though...Nalley has had 3 colds and the whole family had strep throat (which I am extrememly suseptable to) and I managed to escape those unscathed...so I am counting my blessings!

A LOT going on

2009-04-01T22:51:00.000-05:00

Needless to say, we have been a bit more than busy lately. We have been non stop working to get our house ready to put on the market next week. It's going well, I'm just really slow and it takes a lot out of me to do much physical labor at all.

I have also been busy trying to pick out new stuff for the new house. I've chosen most of the paint colors, ordered both of the girls bedding, etc... I ordered the Brooke bedding from Pottery Barn kid for Nalley. I had originally thought that I wanted to do her room in cupcakes (just cause I LOVE them so much), but then when I saw this bedding, I had to get it. Partly just because of how STINKIN' cute it is, but also largely due to the fact that I didn't have to enlist any creativity and re-invent the wheel to come up with some sort of bedding that was cupcake-ish...I just don't have that in me right now.

I opted for something a little more transitional and funky for Maybel's room, as she is just in that in between phase of girl and teen...don't they call them tweens now? I REFUSE to have a singer/show theme like Hannah Montana or High School Musical room in my house...I just can't do it. It is a stretch for me to even tollerate it, although it's what she loves right now, they grate on my last nerve lately. Lots of thing have grated on that last nerve lately, I guess it's a hormonal pregnancy thing, but man is that last little nerve wearing thin...lol!!!

I have been promising to make Maybel a quilt since I made Nalley one last year, and I had ordered the fabric, cut out the squares and piece a few strips already, then the house thing and new room changed all that. So, that quilt will be a cuddle quilt for the sofa now, and her quilt will be done to match her new bedding. I have ordered the fabric for it from the Moda Soiree line and I plan on once again, not using any of my own creativity (I am hoping that it is still intact after this pregnancy is over) and making a replica of the baby quilt seen below only in a twin size. It is called a Stacked Coin quilt and really couldn't be any simpler...but it soo stinkin' cute! I love it.

Next on the list is to make a little baby quilt for the new baby. We plan on calling him Lawson Shayne, and he needs a boyish quilt of his own. I am planning on keeping it simple and using a disappearing 9 patch pattern and I have ordered this fabric from the Katie Jump Rope line (not necessarily the fabrics shown) in oranges, blues, greens and browns. I think that will be a fun little project too, quick and easy, but really cute!

Lastly, I am also planning on making a new quilt for our king sized bed. That should be interesting. Again, I am going for simple, but the size alone seems a bit daunting to me. I am going to use the Lotus quilt pattern from Amy Butler, but I am using these gorgeous fabrics from Heather Bailey (thank you Laura for introducing me to HB) called Pop Garden and Bijoux. I am planning on quilting the other two quilts myself, but this one, I will send out to be quilted, I am just not that ambitious.

I really should be and would love to be sleeping right now, but I am awake with the beginnings of bronchitis and "stress induced asthma"...the stress being the cold that brought about the bronchitis. It happens to me at least once a year and if I don't catch it early, it will linger around for weeks or months. I don't have regular asthma, THANK THE LORD, but have bouts with it a couple times a year with seasonal allergies or this bronchitis crap. I have a hard enough time laying down and getting comfortable with this large belly of mine, then add on the fact that I can't breathe laying down...doesn't bode well for the sleeping thing. Then the tickle-y throat, the hacking dry cough, stuffy nose....need I say, it sucks!

On a more positive note, I am happy to say that I am getting very excited to bring this baby BOY into the world, a little more testosterone around here would likely make us all more happy, bring a little more balance into this estrogen filled house!

New House

2009-03-25T09:28:00.001-05:00

Yay! We finally bought a new house! We realized that our tiny little house just wasn't adequate anymore, so we went on the arduous hunt to find a bigger house in our same area that wasn't out of our price range. Here in the 'Peg, the real estate market is so competitive that we lost the first house that we bid on. We made an offer $20,000 OVER the asking price and it sold for $31,000 OVER...go figure. However, we completely lucked out...no, God was watching out for us...on the house we bought. It was a tad over-priced to begin with, so not one other person bid on it. Soooo, we put in an offer $6,000 below their asking price and got it...YAY FOR US!!!

Now starts the process of putting our house on the market and packing to move. What joy for a pregnant lady...??? Luckily, I have a ton of really AMAZING friends here who have offered to help in any way they can...watch out girls, I just might take you up on it!

To do list:

-Pick out paint colors
-Get rid of junk that we don't need
-build a new garage
-pick out all new lighting
-get a mantle piece for our new fireplace (so excited to have a fireplace)
-about 1,000,000 other things
-oh yeah, have baby... oiy!

Hybrid Pregnancy Accordian Album

2009-03-19T13:05:00.001-05:00

I can't help it, maybe I am biased, but I think this little pregnancy mini album turned out so cute. But then again I LOVE mini albums and hybrid projects(part digital scrapbooking and part traditional paper scrapbooking) and i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE October Afternoon paper!

I ordered practically the entire line of October Afternoon papers to sell through my business, Magnolia Designs back in the fall. I did an Advent Calendar class using the Good Cheer Christmas line and it was so cute. After the finding out on Monday that we were going to be having a BOY, I didn't quite know how to reconcile that in my head, so I sat down and started to make a boy-themed pregnancy mini album for him. It really did help me to wrap my head around it, and I am actually really quite excited about it now. However, since he is not due to arive until July, I couldn't quite finish the album...his story is yet to be complete. Since I was having so much fun with his album, I started one that I knew I could finish...Nalley's! I am more than thrilled to have this little album for her to look at in years to come, a little snipet of what it was like bringing her into the world!

A Blue One...???

2009-03-18T12:59:00.000-05:00

We have had avery rough few weeks lately with the very sudden and untimely death of Shayne's Grandma. She was a healthy, vivacious lady with great sense of humor, personality and love of her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. We have mourned and grieved, attended her funeral and we are all still asking how it is possibly. She is greatly loved and greatly missed.

We do also have some happy news...we had our 21 week ultrasound on Monday and found out we are having a BOY!!! I was shocked, dismayed and confused when I heard the news because I was SURE it was a girl. I knew from day one that Nalley was a girl, and I had that same gut feeling about this one, so I was quite surprised to hear we are having a son. I wanted another girl so that we could re-use all of those gorgeous barely worn clothes of Nalley's, and also because I just feel a little more comfortable with girls, raising 2 already. With that being said, and having 2 days to sink in now, I am getting excited about having a sweet little boy around. As one of my friends mentioned, it will make me a more rounded mother, and we will also get to experience raising both genders. Shayne is over the moon now too, although we we BOTH hoping it would be a girl. I think that somewhere deep inside, having a son stirs men to the core...the legacy lives on.

Here are a couple of pictures from the ultrasound. I can't distinguish the little winky all that well...can any of you mothers of little boys see it any more clearly???

Kid Pleaser Recipes

2009-02-27T12:21:00.000-06:00

I am always more willing to try a new recipe if it has a picture to go along with it. In this case...there isn't anything spectacular about the way that either one of these recipes looks in its final form...so I guess it doesn't really matter all that much.

My baby who once would eat anything including PLAIN pumpkin puree (gross) is now super picky...she doesn't like eggs, potatoes (including french fries most days) or much of anything for that fact...with the unbelievable exception of chicken, rice and broccoli. I think she would eat that any day of the week all day long. In fact, anytime I ask her if she wants rice, she immediately adds broccoli to the equation. So, I have been looking for some easy and somewhat healthy things that she will eat. When I mean healthy, she loves fruit and veggies for the most part, but she doesn't really like spaghetti or casserole like most kids do...plain chicken and rice gets pretty boring all the time. I don't require it be tofu or tasteless sprouts, but something that does not have a zillion calories and 1000 grams of fat. Diedre gave us this recipe after Nalley had inhaled it for dinner at her house, and it has been a hit with the whole family. I don't make it often, but when I do, I know everyone will eat plenty.

{Kraft Dinner Taco Bake}

Brown 1 pound of lean ground beef, drain fat and add taco seasoning as if to make tacos.
Prepare 1 box of Kraft Dinner (KD for you Canadians or Kraft Mac and Cheese for you Americans) as per the directions....I always leave out the butter or margarine

Spread the mac and cheese in the bottom of a 9" baking dish, top with the taco meat. Spread some salsa on top of the taco meat (my family doesn't like chunky salsa so I blend it up first). Sprinkle shredded cheddar or mexican blend cheese on top and bake in the oven at 350 until bubbly.

That's it!

I made and canned homemade applesauce and apple butter this fall with the apples I was given from friends...gotta love those friends. I have always used applesauce when I bake to cut down on some of the excess fat. Growing up in the south, I LOVE apple butter spread on a nice hot biscuit, but I really don't make biscuits all that often...so I was looking for some other ways to use this lovely apple butter. I found this recipe for Oatmeal Apple Butter Cookies...I modified it and it was a HUGE hit with Nalley. She ate 4 of them this morning as they came out of the oven...don't worry...I made them small so that she could handle them better.

{Oatmeal Apple Butter Cookies}

1/2 cup softened butter (not margarine)
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup apple butter (email me if you would like my recipe)
3 cups quick oats
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon each of salt, baking powder, and baking soda

Cream together the butter and brown sugar (it may look dry-ish), then add the egg and apple butter, mixing well. In another bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda and blend together well. Add the flour mixture and the oats to the wet ingredience and mix well until all of the dry ingredience are well incorporated. Spoon cookies evenly onto greased cookie sheets (I use silicone baking mats so that I don't have to grease the pans and I use a very small ice cream scoop to get them all the same size and shape) and bake at 350 for 13-15 minutes.

Let me know if you try these recipes and if you like them or not...I always interested to see what other people think of the things that I like.

Spring Fling

2009-02-24T22:07:00.000-06:00

LO I did of Nalley's spring photo shoot with Jocelyne last year...how sad that I'm just getting around to scrapping this now. LO using Sunny Side Up collab by Pineapple Plantation Designs and Ziggle Designs at Scrap Orchard. Also using Shauna's style sets: In the News and Chipboard as well as Paper Curls.

Whale Watching

2009-02-24T13:18:00.001-06:00

Another LO of our trip to Maui using Seaside Dreams by Pineapple Plantation Designs and Irene Alexeeva at Scrap Orchard.

Maui

2009-02-22T20:25:00.001-06:00

LO I did for Pineapple Plantation Designs Creative Team using Shauna's Seaside Dreams collab kit with Irene Alexeeva at Scrap Orchard.

Daddy's Little Angel

2009-02-20T09:28:00.001-06:00

Going through those 1 month pictures of Nalley really inspired me! I also love this picture of Shayne and Nalley and played around with some actions to make the photo look a little more washed out and ethereal. She just looked like an angel to me...so I had to give her some wings!

Heart's Delight

2009-02-19T15:13:00.001-06:00

After posting this picture for Jessica Sprague's challenge...I was inspired to create a LO with it, something I hadn't done yet...go figure!!!

Favorite Picture

2009-02-19T11:27:00.000-06:00

Jessica Sprague has challenged her blog readers to pick one of their all time favorite pictures to post for a chance to win FREE registration for her Photo Editing Class. Since I am always wanting to get better using Photoshop and with photo taking and editing...I would love to win registration to her class. Even better is that it is a self paced course and I can go at my own speed...which is pretty darn slow these days!

This picture was taken when Nalley was 1 month old...and I love it because you can see the total love and admiration that she and her Daddy share for each other captured beautifully in this picture. She bonded instantly with Shayne and it made me so very happy! I love her sweet little curled-lip smile and the way she is looking into his eyes...so priceless!

New Look

2009-02-12T15:32:00.000-06:00

Well, it was about time for a new look for my blog...I have not changed it at all since I first customized it. I was sick of it and the picture was a year old already. Nalley has changed a lot since then. Hope you enjoy the new look while it lasts...I am growing sick of a lot of things very quickly these days, so you never know, it just might change again soon!

Snack Time

2009-02-11T13:38:00.000-06:00

A LO I did with some funny pictures of Nalley enjoying her snack time...her altime favorites are popcorn twists and fruit snacks!

Happy Day

2009-01-20T18:52:00.000-06:00

I watched the inauguration ceremony in real time today...and DVR'd it so that I could watch it again...I'm sure I will. I turned on the tv just as Pastor Rick Warren was giving the invocation and I thought it was so eloquent and touching. I watched almost in amazement, not really believing that this day was really happening.

I have so many friends who do not share my enthusiasm about Barak Obama. I grew up in a very small town in Northwest Georgia...probably 99 percent are Republican. I am also a registered Republican voter. But my views on politics have changed slightly since living in another country...one separated by a small border, but some very vast differences. I had visited Canada many times before moving here 4 years ago, and expected that there wouldn't be all that many differences in the life and culture...but oh, was I wrong. Growing up in the south, I now know, is an upbringing like no other...we share a very strong heritage, one that I am very proud of. We share a love for social graces, for all things courteous and genteel, a love for family, a slower way of life, and in many lives, a love for our churches and our God. For many years, my political views were guided almost solely on my religious and moral beliefs. Since living here in Canada, away from the "norm" of Republican/Christian/Southern views, I have come to see America and politics in general in a new light.

I no longer think that it is necessary to agree with a candidate's every view on every topic. I no longer think that it is necessary to vote solely based on the typical Republican stance on abortion, ect... I think it is more important that everyone vote for a candidate, regardless of party orientation, based on the ability to lead and defend our country...based on the greater good of ALL citizens. Don't get me wrong, I have not watered down my own beliefs, I do not agree with many of the views of the Democratic party. I also do not agree with some who have ignorantly bashed Obama, saying they are terrified of his Presidency, based on the color of his skin, his middle name, or any other unfounded party bias that keeps their minds closed. If the U.S. is to move beyond this economic crisis and into a time of peace with other nations, we must give this new President our confidence, our prayers and our committment to our personal service, whatever that may be.

I believe that Obama is an extremely intelligent, incredibly strong, yet humble man who will lead America with courage and determination to steer this country back to a stable future. I was filled with emotion as I sat today, in the quiet moments of Nalley's nap...listening to a brave black man pump hope back into a weakened nation.