Recents >>

One of the things that I wanted to do for my Project Life this year is to actually have an opening page.  For my first album, I just sort of started.  The second album started with the birth of Berlin.  This is the first time that I'm starting the album with the beginning of the year, so I wanted to get some photos of the family.  Yesterday was the day!  No one was sick, there was plenty of sun, and we were all getting dressed up for church anyway.

Berlin was pretty good during the photo shoot.  I didn't get any photos of her smiling, but she wasn't crying or throwing a fit, so that's good enough!

These photos are printed up and I am super excited to get started on my opening pages of the album!

I have also completed the January installment of the Story Time Sampler!!  The frames and the title are coming along slowly, and I am in no rush to get it all done.  I just want to stay caught up month-by-month.

More recents >>
loving > double chocolate muffins
excited for > Studio Calico reveal tomorrow!
planning > the opening 2015 Project Life lay out
reading > Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
current temperature > 45°

Currently Listening to: Make Light by Passion Pit

Recents >>

I totally fell off of the blogging truck.  After finishing the Fireworks quilt and a couple of other things, I took a bit of a sewing (and blogging, apparently) break, but I think I'm ready to hop back on the truck!  The last couple weeks of November were pretty low key.  I quilted a quilt for a friend and spent the rest of the time trying to keep motivated.  I made the transition into the third trimester on Monday and I've been having a hard time finding energy to do things.



The weather certainly hasn't been helping me feel like getting off the couch... Temperatures plummeted this week and there's not a day above freezing in the forecast.  It only snowed once, but we're not expecting it to go anywhere with temperatures in the teens.



Although I have admittedly been on the couch a lot, I did start a cross stitch project for a Christmas gift.  I've been working pretty steadily on it and I'm hoping to finish it up this week.



I bought the pattern from Seemingly Stitched, but to be honest, I don't fully recommend it.  There's 29 colors in the pattern and I think it's more complex than it needs to be.  Sure, it looks cool when it's stitched, but it is quite a headache to get there... If you attempt it, I wouldn't set a harsh deadline, like Christmas, for yourself!

In other exciting news, we went to Jake's parent's house for Thanksgiving and we got to pick out a blanket for baby girl that was made by Jake's late grandmother Johnson!  She made a bunch of baby girl blankets, but Jake only has one sister and only nephews, so there were a lot to choose from.  We came home with this gorgeous blanket and I'm thrilled to have it!



Jake also put together this bike for baby girl!  He purchased it in Germany while he was there for his mission 8 years ago and shipped it home.  It was sitting in its box all these years and he was thrilled to assemble it, even though she won't be able to ride it for quite some time!



Well, that's all that's been happening recently.  I hope to be more exciting in the coming weeks!  I finally have plans to sew on Monday!

More recents>>
loving > the tiny mandarine oranges!
counting down to > having both my siblings in town!
craving > homemade won tons
wishing > I had more energy!
planning > baby girl's quilt... finally!
current temperature > 21°

Currently Listening to: Sister Winter by Sufjan Stevens

Recents >>

Happy Monday, Friends!

With the exception of the Holiday Frost quilt, I have really been trying to finish up things that I've started this year.  I'm hoping the Fireworks quilt will finally be finished this week and my next work in progress priority is the Pow Wow quilt.  I have purchased the thread to quilt it, but the backing that I had been planning on using isn't big enough and I'm not sure what to use...



I also started this damask giraffe in May and I just finished it.  I still need to give it a little soak to get the kinks out and frame it, but I'm checking it off my list anyway!  I really love the way this turned out and I wanted to start a new cross stitch project immediately after the last stitch!



I have also made some good progress on our Christmas decorations...!  The tree is up, decorated, and we enjoy it every night.  I still want to put garland on our railings and wreaths on our mannequins, but I'm glad I still have plenty of time to get to it!



Last, but not least, Jake has made some killer progress on the nursery this week.  Poor guy has been working on it every night!  The walls are painted, but still need to be touched up from where the paint leaked under the tape, and the crib is assembled!



More recents >>
loving > the way the nursery is coming together!
sewing > another Christmas gift!
deciding > what fabric to use for crib sheets!
savoring > the last of the fall weather
craving > Starbucks salted caramel hot chocolates!
current temperature > 61°

Currently Listening to: Hey Guys! It's Christmas Time by Sufjan Stevens

Recents >>

Happy Halloween!! Here's a new batch of what's been happening over here!

Ever since I learned English Paper Piecing, I have been wanting to make some hexagons.  After I purchased the 1" hexagon punch (on sale!), I didn't waste any time in punching out some templates and basting some hexagons out of a little pack of Kona solids!  I'm not sure on the layout or even what I'm going to do with them, but they are sure cute!!



While my sis has been in town, I wanted to take the opportunity to teach her how to sew a bit.  She claimed that she had never touched a sewing machine, so I wanted to change that.  She also wanted some pouches for pens and stickers.  We started with Anna's Open Wide Zippered Pouch and I think she did a great job!  Then we started on another little pouch for her stickers.  I adapted a pattern from something else to meet the specifications my sister had for her stickers.  I think she did a great job on both little pouches!



After finishing up her bags, we decided to do a bit of thrifting!  I picked up all of these adorable embroidery hoops and this irresistible tin!  I plan on hanging the pink hoops in baby girl's room and using the tin for my English paper piecing things!



We had a bit of an impromptu dinner party on Sunday and while my sister was making dinner, I knew I needed to make something easy for dessert... Enter: Pinterest.  I found this recipe I pinned on one of my boards for an Oreo icebox cake.  It was incredibly easy and way more delicious than I anticipated.  It was also way more rich than I thought it would be, too!



One of the very best things about this time of the year is the imminent arrival of the Starbucks holiday red cups.  To my sister and I, this signals the beginning of the holidays.  We were hoping that she would still be in town when the red cups were released so that we could enjoy our first cups together, but we didn't know when they'd come out!  So, I googled it just for fun and found the Countdown to Red Cups website.  Amazing!  We're so glad that we're not the only ones that look forward to this time of year!!

We have also purchased the paint and the crib for baby girl's room!! We're not setting the crib up until the room is all painted, but we had to open the box to see how adorable it was!



Also, baby girl is now 23 weeks along and when we had an ultrasound on Monday, they said that she weighs 1 lb. 3 oz!  She's getting big! (and so am I!)



More Recents >>
sewing > Holiday Frost!
loving > my new thrifted items!
excited about > the crib!
writing > endless lists
craving > Starbucks!
eating > Halloween candy!
current temperature > 49°

Currently Listening to: Do You Hear What I Hear? by Sufjan Stevens

Recents >>

One of my biggest goals currently is to organize and fix up the whole basement, which includes my sewing/crafting space and the laundry room.  It's been a big job because when we first moved into this house last November we stacked all our miscellaneous boxes in the basement and we only went down there to do laundry.  I think it's for the best that we get this cleaned up and organized before we've been in this house for a year!



I have been supremely enjoying stitching the October Woodland Sampler this month.  I am starting to get antsy for the announcement and presale for the 2014 sampler!!  I've read on Amanda's blog that the next sampler is going to be incredible!



My adventures have, of course, taken me to my LQS.  I am pleased about the modest amount of fabric I brought home...



I have been really focusing on my Halloween Plus quilt this week.  Halloween is just around the corner and I would really love to have this quilt finished before then!  I'm hoping to finish quilting today!



Also, my sister is in town!  We have been having a ton of fun shopping and annoying our mum.  I even plan on teaching her how to sew!

more recents >>
craving > Totino's Party Pizza (if you've never tried this über cheap pizza, it really is worth it!)
feeling > baby girl kick and roll around all the time!
wishing > I was going to quilt market!
loving > my basement sewing space
enjoying > hot cocoa!
current temperature > 46°

Currently Listening to: Buzzcut Season by Lorde

Recents >>

I feel like I've had this post in the works all week and I haven't really been able to think of a cohesive thread of recents, so today will be a bit more random than perhaps most of these posts are...

First of all, it's going to be an Instagram kinda day!  I have that great thing going on in my brain where I'm like, oh yeah... I have a real camera...

1.  While I was at Sewing Summit, Jake framed and insulated our basement as a surprise!  We had chatted about putting the sewing room in the basement so that the we could still have a guest room upstairs, along with the nursery, but I had told him that I really want to be able to hang shelves.  In order to hang shelves, we just needed the framing!



2.  This caused an almost immediate upheaval in my sewing room.  There became an undeniable urgency to get everything moved downstairs so that I could a) start working again, b) clear out the newly designated guest room, and c) clear out the nursery.  So, the old sewing room became a disaster real fast.



3. I crave cookie dough.  Obviously, in my pregnant state, regular cookie dough is out.  Pinterest to the rescue!  I found this recipe for eggless edible cookie dough!  It's not meant to be cooked, it's just meant to be eaten.  It does not have the same taste as regular cookie dough, but it really is close enough and it is delicious!



4.  Although Baby Girl's room isn't all cleared out, I cleaned up her closet pretty much the day I found out I was pregnant.  So, naturally, we've been working on her little wardrobe!



5.  Once the basement sewing room was in working order, I didn't waste time.  I'm still not finished organizing it and putting things away, but I can sit down and get to work.  The first thing I did was set my mind to finishing the quilting on the Fireworks quilt with the aid of the Night Circus audiobook!  I had heard great things about this book on Instagram, and I'm so glad I checked it out! It's a good book.  I recommend it!



6.  It's getting cold here!  I frequently whip up double batches of my favorite cocoa.  I'll make a point to share that recipe in the future!



7.  I also finished the September Woodland Sampler!  The last few stitches went into this block just a day before October!  I was cutting it close!



8.  Last but not least, the latest belly photo!



I became 19 weeks last Monday and everything is looking great!  We are certainly excited for our newest little girl!

More recents >>
feeling > a bit overwhelmed with all my works in progress
craving > wild rice chicken soup
wanting > to start a quilt for baby girl (I need to get a bunch of other things finished first!!)
sewing > the 13th and 14th blocks for the Virtual Quilting Bee
current temperature > 51°

Currently Listening to: Glory and Gore by Lorde

Recents >>

Life has been pretty crazy.  I have a to-do list a mile long and I know that there's no way I'm going to be able to accomplish everything... so, I know I really must decide what to cut out.

Anyways, here's a bit of an update of the goings on!



I have, of course, purchased more fabric!  The bottom two prints are from the Waterfront Park collection, then two Sunprint feathers, then two Lush Uptown prints (I was so excited when they reprinted this!!), and at the top is a to-die-for Koi print.  It's a cute little stack!



I have also been working on my Halloween quilt from Sweetwater's Boo Crew collection.  I changed directions from making a strip quilt and decided instead to make this Plus quilt from Jeni Baker's tutorial.  This quilt has been on my to-do list for a long time, so I thought why not now?!  I thought I had cut enough squares to lay out the quilt top last night, but I didn't!  So, today I'm going to cut my last three Boo Crew fat quarters and then lay out the top!



I have also been preparing for Sewing Summit!  There's almost two of everything here... that's because I cut my mom's fabric also - out of the kindness of my heart!  I'm trying really hard to keep everything organized and easy to get to.  It would be terrible to forget something!



We've also been doing a bit of shopping for baby girl!  This is my favorite outfit!  The bottoms are indeed a faux jean!



So, I spend all of fall and winter in moccasins.  So, baby girl needed a pair also!  Way before we found out that we're expecting a girl, I just knew that if we had a girl she would need moccasins like her mama.  My pair of moccasins that I photographed is actually a pair I haven't worn... I have a pair on feet right now, but they look dirty and gross!  I always keep a back up pair, and they are always the same moccasins that I buy from Target!

More recents >>
loving > the cooler weather!
stoked for > sewing summit next week!
craving > frosting!
grateful for > feeling like myself again!
planning > the nursery!
current temperature > a blissful 67°

Currently Listening to: Wake Up by The Last Royals

Recents >>

A few exciting things have been happening around here recently...

On Saturday, I finally received by Sewing Summit schedule!!  I have been wanting to go to Sewing Summit ever since their first year, but this has been the only year that we've planned for it.  I am also super stoked that my mum is going - and we got all the same classes!  In case you're going, here's my schedule!  I would love to meet you and say hi!!

Friday:
9:00 - 10:15  Fabric design with Pat Bravo
10:30 - 11:45  Zipper clutch with Alessandra Gutierrez
1:15 - 3:15   English Paper Piecing with Kaye Prince
3:30 - 5:30   HST quilt top with Amy Smart

Saturday:
9:00 - 10:15   Applique tea towel with Amy Redden
10:30 - 11:45  Metal frame pouch with Elena Roscoe
1:15 - 3:15  Embroidered pocket hoop with Amanda Woodruff
3:30 - 5:30  Photography with Melissa Esplin

In addition to gearing up for Sewing Summit, I've done a bit of fabric shopping...



This is Tule by Leah Duncan for Art Gallery Fabrics.  I must say, I am in love with this line.  I wouldn't be surprised if I bought another bundle of it.  I love each of these prints and I have no idea what I'm going to sew up with them!  Maybe a Swoon quilt?

I have also embarked on a new addiction...





I'm gearing up to start goal #4: Start a Project Life, and I am so excited!! I love all these little things!  Studio Calico did this awesome sale earlier this month that resulted in me signing up for Project Life kit subscription and I cannot wait for my next kit!

I'm also planning a couple of new quilts.  I've mentioned previously that I've been collecting autumn-y fabrics for a Modern Maples quilt (found in the book Pretty in Patchwork Holidays).  I am almost done collecting fabric, and I have a pretty good idea for what I want to use as the background.  I'm hoping that I can get the rest of the fabric I need before Sewing Summit!



I've also been staring at this stack of fabric:



This is Boo Crew by Sweetwater and it needs to be a Halloween quilt.  I'm not big on Halloween... It's sort of a passive holiday for me, but since I won this fabric... I might as well make a designated Halloween quilt!  I'm thinking of something simple and I'm feeling highly influenced by this quilt.

More recents >>
loving > leaving the windows open
craving > bacon!
quilting > the Fireworks quilt!
looking forward to > fall
current temperature > 70°

Currently Listening to: Cancel on Me by Bombay Bicycle Club

Recents >>

So, other than being sick, there have been a few things that have happened recently...

I mentioned another trip to Dallas for my sister's surgery.  As you can imagine, there weren't very many photo opportunities, but I caught a picture of my sis being silly the day before her surgery.



And... my mom caught a picture of Dad and I passed out in the waiting room, waiting for my sister to get out of her 12 hour long surgery.



While I was home, I spent some time with my niece, Cora.  She's a skittish little pup, but she is so adorable!



On the day I was to return back to Salt Lake, my flight was cancelled.  Not delayed for hours - totally cancelled.  The best Delta could give me was a flight that left at noon the next day... BUT, it was a first class ticket... hard to be mad about skipping lines, extra comfort, and a served lunch during the flight...



Before the flight, I found a Häagan Dazs in the terminal and a book by my favorite author. (I didn't even know this book had been released yet!)



A few days after finally making it home, I fulfilled one of my 99 in 999 goals: #21 Meet Breanna's baby boy... and he is adorable.





And, last but not least!  I finally got my Pebble watch.  Jake and I backed Pebble on Kickstarter early last year and we pledged enough for two watches.  Jake chose to get a red watch, so he got his some time in May.  I wanted a white one and had to wait even longer!  Worth the wait though, this watch is awesome.



It's an e-paper watch with multiple digital faces (or an analog face that is still digitally done...).  It is connected to my iPhone via bluetooth, so I can read texts, emails, and even see who is calling.  I can control the music on my phone with just the push of a button on my watch.  It's pretty cool.

More recents >>
loving > white peaches
wanting > Waterfront Park by Violet Craft!
sewing > Virtual Quilting Bee blocks (I'm so behind!)
finishing > my Fireworks quilt, finally!
de-cluttering > the sewing room
current temperature > 95°

Currently Listening to: Gold by Wake Owl

Recents >>

Holy cow - I've been absent!

Life has been insane, but in a mostly good way.  I was sick for a lot of last week, which was super random.  I feel better now, but I can tell that I'm not quite at 100% yet.  In addition to getting over being sick, we had a quick trip to Virginia this past weekend to attend a memorial service for Jake's grandmother.



It was super gorgeous in Warm Springs, VA.  I loved the warm, humid weather and being surrounded by all the gorgeous green!  The memorial was beautiful and it was wonderful to spend time with family.

Before we went to Virginia, I did manage to accomplish another one of my 99 goals - #22 Buy fruit/vegetables at a farmer's market!  I only ended up buying a case of raspberries, but I had a lot of fun!

My mom met Jake and I there and we came across a Henna tattoo booth... She turned to me and said, "I'll get one, if you get one."  I replied, "I'll get one if you pay for it!"

So here we are!





It was a lot of fun!  I'd do it again!

More recents >>
feeling > super tired from all the traveling!
loving > being home with my baby girls again!
hoping > to get some sewing done this week
wanting > to get back on track
needing > to organize my sewing room again
current temperature > 99°

Currently Listening to: What Sarah Said by Death Cab for Cutie