Blog Award

My blog friend Kristin gave me an award! The rules are to tell the world 5 things about myself. Things that I like to do. Then I have to give the Award on to 10 more people who have a great blog (unfortunately, I doubt that any of the people whose blogs I read would do this for me, but I'll still list them...)





OK, so 5 things about me:





1. I love to cook, but I hate eggs. Have you ever read "Bread & Jam for Frances"? When she sings the songs about how gross eggs are I TOTALLY agree with her. This makes it tough to read the book to my 3 picky eaters and say things like "she should try them- I'm sure she'd like them!"





2. My Daddy is my hero. He is probably the most awesome guy I'll ever meet. Even with his many flaws (he's human after all) the good things make him my hero. Like today, when I'm making my lunch and he's sitting at the kitchen table with my son, patiently explaining the parts of the 1955 Ford Thunderbird model (a gift from Kitty- THANKS Kitty!). "You see, that's called a bumperette, and it was for in case you had an accident and...." "what's that? That's the shift. The car has four gears plus reverse." I'm in awe of the way that he explains things to my son, and how they "build" things together. Everyone should have a Grandpa Bruce!





3. My biggest dream vacation is to take my family to Sicily, and see the town that my grandparents came from.





4. If given the option, I'd do nothing but crafts all day long. Right now I can't stop thinking about Christmas gifts and what I should be making.





5. I have an irrational fear of death. I'm paranoid that I'll get cancer, or in a car accident. Seriously irrational amounts of fear. Basically, being a single mom means that I'm always worried about what would happen to my kids if something bad happens to me, and I'm totally and completly irrational about the things that I worry about.



Here's a list of my "Top 10" reads: (see the sidebar for the links)
Everyday Creativeness
French Knots
Rainy Day Kisses
Crazy Mom Quilts
V&Co
Pleasant Home
Tallgrass Prairie Studio
Bunny Tales
Everyday Crochet
PS I quilt
Freda's Hive

Let me know if you have any favorite blogs I'm missing out on!

more sewing projects

There are few words to convey my excitement over this project....

MY FIRST REAL QUILT!!!!

It's a baby quilt that I made for a good friend's daughter. After I made it I found out that it's the only handmade quilt she has... my kids each have 2, plus afghans for each. (All made by friends/family- I was too busy having the kids!) Anyway, I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out and I'm so pleased to know that it is special to her as well. The fabric is several years old, from Joann's that I got on clearance because I'd just had my second daughter and knew that I could "use it". 5 yrs. later I'm finally making something and it's not for my own kid :)

Next up, Daddy's father's day gift-

That's a chaise lounge in my parent's room, and it couldn't be more perfect there. I used charm squares from Cotton Blossoms. I'm in L-O-V-E with that line. I wanted to do a sepia photo of Daddy's boat, and iron it on in the middle. After several attempts where the iron-on image looked like junk, I just traced it and embroidered it instead. Perfect. Dad thinks so too!

Hopefully more crafty goodness next weekend. I have 3 tops cut out but not yet sewn together, and that is the priority for the next sewing day.

Hope you have a great day-

C.

Nine year olds...

OK, I know that she's a "tween" and all that, but really do we need the attitude at NINE? Today was the VBS final prayer service/"show", where both of my daughters were singing and showing off their knowledge of the Saints. Should've been sweet and wonderful, right? So then why was my oldest giving me the stink-eye in CHURCH???? I'm so not getting the mother of the year award!

(For anyone wondering, my offense was two-fold- first, I was there, second, I was WATCHING her.... how that makes me so horrible I will never know!)

Happy Friday!

Lisa

This is my kitchen window....



Every morning when I'm making the lunches I appreciate this little African Violet which was a gift from Lisa. The "watering can" -slash- shotglass next to it was the favor at her wedding 20 years ago. Lisa has been one of my best friends for my entire life, and I doubt that she knows how much I think about her every single day. She's been my shoulder to cry on, my confidante and my reading buddy. I convinced her to give Harry Potter a try, she convinced me to read Twilight... and then we both gave up doing housework for about a year in favor of just reading like maniacs. Hmm.. maybe we aren't that good for each other? Our kids are close in age, and they are all friends too. I can only hope that when they are older they will be as close as Lisa and I are. In a lot of ways, we are very different, and I appreciate having her for a second opinion. Lisa is great at making friends, and she always makes sure to include me and make me feel welcome. This is especially wonderful for me, because I have a really hard time making friends... so this post is for Lisa. To say a big public THANKS (even though you're the only one who actually reads my blog) and also for any one else who might be reading, I hope that you have a Lisa in your life too.

My To Do List

1. Field trip at the zoo in torrential downpour - check
2. walk into a wall in the middle of the night - check

The fat lip is particularly attractive with the runny nose from walking around for 2 hrs. in the rain. Wow, can you see the line of eligible bachelors knocking on my door?

EVEN BETTER....
Today is our church festival. So everyone gets to enjoy the fat lip with me. Every kid in school AND their parents!

Hope the weekend is better than the end of the week, and hope you have a great weekend too!

some photos

First, my sundress that I made... I think I look a little chubby in it, but it's very comfy. Pretty much backless though, so I had to wear a jacket for work. The dress is a simplicity pattern for a halter top that I made longer into a dress.

Next, the dish towels that I embellished for Jane's Birthday- the fabric is from Moda, called "Fresh". I love the tulips- just so springtime!

Last, the tote that I made for mom. I wish that I would've boxed the corners, but other than that I love it. The interior is a remnant from Joann's, and the exterior is a pair of dish towels I got for $1.25 from Target. I really love Target...

The gifts were a success- mom & Jane both seemed happy, so I'm really happy that I finished them.

Now I'm looking forward to a fun weekend with my sister, b-i-l and neice and nephew. We've got lots of good things planned... food, sun, fun, sailing... I just have to remember to bring the camera. I'm really bad about taking photos!

Hope your long weekend is as fun as mine :)

Woo Hoo!

I finished a bag for mom last night! I took some horrible photos, which I'll be posting later tonight. Note to self: finish projects earlier! Lighting at night is not that good for pictures!

Hopefully tonight I can finish Jane's gift. It's more than 1/2 way finished now, so things are looking good.

We've been reading a lot of "Magic Tree House" books lately, so I'm ending my post with a quote from one of my favorite characters, Teddy....

ONWARD!

Hope you have a great day!