a new necklace

I've been seeing these around and was itching to make one. I WAS going to use Amy Butler's free pattern. I had the beads bought and everything, but I was torn on the fabric because she said to cut bias strips, which uses much more fabric, and I didn't want to part with anything that big. BUT, then I ran across this post and was so thrilled for the easier version! Bias strips? Why?? Leave it to you-know-who to make things more complicated than they need to be. Ahem. Just sayin'.

I really love the finished product. It's perfect for what was left of my Heather Bailey fabric and I think I'll wear it a lot and probably make another one. And some for gifts. (I took lots of pics of myself wearing this necklace and found it difficult to take a non-risque-looking one, so just know that wan't my intention :)

I've been playing...with my new camera!!! That's right, I bought a Nikon D50 from my friend Angela and I love it so much already! I knew there would be a big difference, but I was still surprised at how much better pictures it takes than my little point and shoot.

Trying Something New

I'm just playing with putting bigger pictures on Blogger. So far, so good!

mail call!

My girls have been very into the mail concept lately. Every hour, someone is asking for an envelope to put their latest coloring page in to mail to Gramma, or Hannah, or Granny (who is actually in the same house.) I thought a fabric mailbox would be fun and since I've seen a felt one at Anthrolpologie, I thought finding a tutorial online would be no problem. Not so. No tutorial. So, I went with my ambition and made one anyway! With no pattern! And it turned out sooo super cute and they really love it! They played with it all day, which makes me heart happy :)

retro!

My mom gave me these two old magazine clips the other day. She found them in an old cookbook of her mother's (my grandmother) and thought I might like to have them. These were a few of her dream kitchen ideas. Aren't they so fabulously retro??? Then, a few days later, I stumbled on this post on decor8 and thought it was funny how these concepts are coming back.

And here's a hat I knitted my sister. Because she's having a little guy in a few weeks! Yay! :)

water play

Casey's been asking for a video of the kiddos. So I took this yesterday when we went to Northfield to play in the fountains. Then I played with it in iMovie, which is AWESOME, as you can see :) Love you Casey. Enjoy!

Paper Dolls

I didn't keep a whole lot of things from my childhood, but I have always kept my little box of paper dolls. My sister and I used to love these and I had all kinds. The other night, I pulled them out for the girls to see. I couldn't believe how entertained they were!! This is Miss Piggy...obviously :)

And these are a few handmade paper dolls that I made when I was kiddo. I LOVED doing this. This bunny had a wardrobe bigger than mine, I think ;) This is his picnic outfit. He had a blanket and picnic basket to go with it.

Here is another guy I made, in his baseball outfit. I can't remember his name now, but I remember being really upset when he got left outside and sprinkled on one day. Hence the runny marker on his big nose.

Just thought I'd share, in case your little ones need some creative outlets this summer. I can't wait til mine are old enough to make their own paper dolls!

I survived!

That's right, I survived ten days of single parenting. Well, I guess I'm still single parenting, since Casey will be gone until October, but at least now my Mom is here until he gets back. AND, my sister and one of her four (almost 5!) children are visiting for the week! It's so great to have them all here and the kids are really having fun together. We walked over and fed the geese the other day. There were baby ducks and geese too! Sooo cute :)

And there's been lots and lots of playing outside, now that summer has officially become and the daily rainstorms have ebbed a little bit.
Love this one of my mom and Kelby.

I've also managed to stitch up a small pile of these double hourglass blocks. I have a ways to go. Here is what I'm going for with this, only bigger.
And, I finally got some pictures of the Amy Butler bag I made for my cousin. It went MUCH better this time, since I used regular interfacing instead of the heavy canvas she suggests. It was still hard work for my poor machine, though. I love the design, but this will be the last one of these I make with this machine, since I don't want to pay to get a timing adjustment after each bag ;)
She really loves it and it fits her new laptop perfectly.

Before I forget, I made this HILARIOUS video for my dad for Father's Day. That's him in the pants and me, my sister, my daughter Natalie and my niece Abby in the dresses. Check it out! and laugh your head off. because that's what I was doing :)

Busy, Busy

We had a big weekend! The kids' cousin Jillian came over with Gramma for a sleepover. Natalie LOVES sleepovers as a concept, but this was her first one :) They had a blast.
Then on Saturday we made our way down to Gramma and P-Pa's house. Great fun!

For the first time in a really long time, I find my sewing desk empty of projects! I made some more nine-patches, but have to wait for more scraps...again. I have 33, so I'm almost half-way there. I have a couple of gifty quilts in my brain waiting to get out, so hopefully I can get going on those soon. After I do the mending, of course! ;)

I'll leave you with a little playlist for you of some new songs I've bought on iTunes recently:

1. You and Me by the Dave Matthews Band
2. The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson
3. You and I by by Ingrid Michaelson
4. Crazier by Taylor Swift
5. If the Stars were Mine by Melody Gardot
6. Thinking, Drinking, Sinking Feeling by Slow Club
   

Amazazing

I promised I would share some more of these pictures Angela took of my kiddos. I could gush and gush and gush about how talented she is, but I think you can see for yourself by these amazing pictures :) Knowing Casey would be leaving for Officer school soon, I took some of his gear along for this shoot and surprised him with them the day before he left.