Parental Accomplishements...

1- walking
2-talking
3- potty training
4- 1st day of Kindergarten
5- RIDING A BIKE ON TWO WHEELS!!!

That's right- yesterday, Matt finally figured it out! After a few days of sore backs (me) and frustrations (Matt), we decided to try out a new method that Mommy found on Google. Lesson learned- Google is ALWAYS right!

After about 10 minutes of the new method ( http://www.ibike.org/education/teaching-kids.htm ) he took off and started pedaling on his own! By dusk yesterday evening, he was able to start off with me holding his shoulders - hasn't quite figured out the pushing off on his own yet. AND he is able to go up and down our street/cul-de-sac all the way alone!

Today we're going to try and master taking off on his own... and working on turning LOL! I'll try to get pictures, but that's hard to do since hubby's out of town and I'm trying this on my own haha

Christmas Project #2

I'm so surprised I managed to get this much farther with this today- I spend half the day figuring out how to change spark plugs and spark plug wires... Good news- I figured it out... Bad news- it seems that wasn't the only issue w/ the car and it still doesn't run- OOPS! Haha

However, this project was a bunch of 6" blocks this morning, and tonight it is a top! Well, a center at least... I'm thinking an easy cream border and then scrappy blue for binding... it's a little crazy, but that just makes things more fun sometime.

One down... some more to go

YAY! Christmas pressie #1 is ready to go... except for a quick washing to get cat hair off of it. Hard to see the gingerbread men's buttons and the buttons on the trees, but it's the general idea, and at least it's done!

Project #2 is almost a top, minus sewing rows together and adding a quick border.


A few random pics from our weekend:

(yes! I've trained the cat to go out and come in with the dogs- go me!)

Random Cub Scout fun... (at least by kiddo's definition!)

Still working on Christmas stuff

The tree skirt is coming along nicely... I have a few more buttons to add on, and then it's done! The binding is on, and it's nearly finished- almost have one gift down!





I started working on Christmas gift #2 last week also. It's going to be a simple split 9 patch lap quilt. The recipient stated that he wanted 'blue'.... so I'm trying to work with that! I think it's turning out fairly well so far. Here it is in the beginning stages:

This blog, http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/ , is providing lots of inspiration. Not only for me, but Matt as well... he is in love with that Jedi robe! I see more projects coming and the tin can pincushions seem like they would make cute easy presents for sewing friends for Christmas.

Tree Skirt Progress

Ahhh, I managed to get it totally quilted and off the frame last night. Nothing fancy, just a loopy meander around the applique shapes. The binding is ready for hand sewing to the back (hence all the clips- you can ignore those!) and then it needs some button embellishment, then all done!

Big plans tonight include binding and a movie, yay!

Tree Skirt.... Christmas Project #1

Ahh, I swear it's not really so wrinkly and mis-shapen... between me laying it down and getting the camera out, the animals rolled around on it a few times!

It's loaded on Nora (Nolting and frame) now, and I'm quilting - WOOHOO!

Finally doing stuff!

I'm working on quilty things- yay! Now when my Grandma calls and asks, I can actually tell her about new things LOL.

My mom requested a tree skirt last year to be done by Christmas this year, and even went so far as to buy fabrics and a pattern (not using the pattern, but it was a starting point!)... I've got parts of this cut, and the gingerbread down, and buttons picked out for them... I'm tea dying some white rick-rack right now, and have a Christmas tree shape ready to turn into a simple applique for 2 panels... go me!

Dad requested a lap quilt in blues, and I've got a group of blue repros that I'm thinking can go with some cream prints and work up i nto a quick split 9 patch. I haven't tried that pattern yet, but it looks fun and fast, so this is as good a reason as any!

My sister's wall quilt is almost a top, I think it needs just one more border. I bought fabric today for my MIL's present (an apron or tote bag, got enough clearance fabric for either one!)

Ahhh, feels good to be getting this Christmas stuff finally going!

More small stuff...

I haven't been too movitvated to work on large projects lately, but I'm going to HAVE to work myself out of that funk and get started on Christmas!!!!



Last night I did some simple embroidery while watching Transformers (again) with Matt, and dressed up a little canvas tote. I got the totes in the craft section at WalMart for 5$ / 3 and figured they'd be a good little start to using my own grocery sacs! But, plain canvas totes are pretty plain and ugly, so....

And this morning, I was in the mood for another small project, so decided to try out a checkbook cover (pattern from http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/ ). There may be some people out there who are past checks, but I still use them on a fairly regular basis since a good part of my bills go to departments who aren't neccassarly caught up with technology (blame being in Southern Alabama maybe?!?)

It turned out cute enough, but Ithink I'll just use a plain fabric for the lining next time... no point in wasting the pretty stuff when you can barely see it!




Now, I'm going to have to get myself motivated for Christmas projects... so far I have in mind

*wall quilt (top about half done)
*3 lap quilts (going to use swap blocks for these I think, so that should make it a lot easier)
*apron
*maybe a few tote bags? stockings? not sure yet...