Fabulous!

Our trip was so fantastic! The kids had so much fun... E (2) was beaming the whole week and my little guy (6) was a serious daredevil! He is not normally so adventurous so it was fun to see a different side to him. He wanted to go on every rollercoaster and even tried the Tower of Terror! E met every character and raved the whole week about how nice they were to her and how they were her best friends!

It was fun to start our summer vacation with that trip but now we are back to real life!

M2 had soccer yesterday, so we went and E had a melt down because she wasn't playing too. So after soccer off we tread to Parks and Rec. now she too is in soccer. Hopefully, it will tire her out and she'll take longer naps! :)

I just noticed I am creeping up on my 100th post... I better get sewing!

M-I-C see you real soon K-E-Y why? because we love you!

We are on our way to the Happiest Place ON Earth! I can wait!!! I think I am almost more excited than the kids... I just hope we get there easily. We fly stand by and I am afraid the flights are quite full. I can't wait to tell you all about it!

E loves Goofy!

See you real soon!

Blog Break

Sorry for the blog break... I haven't been feeling very crafty... probably because I have a list of thing that HAVE to be done. I like to fly by the seat of my pants instead! There is only 4 more weeks of school and I have to make chair pockets for M2's teacher- before the year end. I have a crib bumper and crib skirt promised. And I want to make a picnic quilt.

Is it just me is summer creeping up way too fast? I am all about warmer weather but I am not too sure about the craziness of summer break. Almost every weekend is full already!

The exciting news is we have a robin's nest under our deck. It has a least 2 eggs in it and one that fell out or was stolen. I can't wait to see the little birdies!

Winners!!!!

Bloggy Giveaway winners!!!

Winner of the Starbuck's giftcard:

Eleisia said...
I would love to win a cookbook and coffee! Two of my favorites!

Winner of the Southern Living Cookbook:

Sarah said...
Please enter me, thanks!

Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by to enter! It was so much fun!!!!

It's time for Bloggy Giveaways!

*****THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! THANK YOU EVERYONE!

This time I am participating in the bloggy giveaways! I will be giving away two things-

1. A Starbuck's gift card -$10
2. A Southern Living cookbook

There will be 2 winners picked from the random generator on April 25th!

* sorry only open to US residents... Thanks!

*Also, please be sure I can get a hold of you if you win!!! ;)

Finished!

I finished E's quilt!!!! I love how the binding pulls it all together and without even realizing it - it matches her crib bedding! She is thrilled with it too... Can you tell?

Boo Bear's Spring Quilt

I started (and almost finished) a lap quilt for E yesterday. I absolutley LOVE it. And, AND I did free motion quilting for the first time... I love free motion quilting. Here are some pictures. I just have to do the binding (Pink check) If I can remember how....Front:
Back:Detail:I wouldn't say it is perfect but it's pretty good! :)

34

Here are 34 unusual things about me in honor of my birthday on March 31:


1. I am the youngest of 6.

2. My closest sibling, a brother, is 13 years older- my oldest sibling, a sister, 23 years older.

3. My Dad was 72 when my son was born.

4. I was a flight attendant for 10 years.

5. I loved it!

6. I said I'd never date a pilot- then I married one.

7. I have a niece 3 months younger than me.

8. I played percussion in Middle School and High School.

9. I was in the Drumline for Marching Band.

10. I was in 4-H.

11. I love to travel.

12. I use to Model at the local mall for Maurices, The Buckle, Express and Dayton's.

13. I am glad I decided modeling wasn't for me- I like food too much :)

14. I've always hated my toes- they curl...

15. I scooped ice cream in High School- yum!

16. I am a crier. Even for Hallmark commercials:)

17. I love Netflix- what a great invention.

18. I tend to procrastinate- or rather, I do better under pressure:)

19. I love summer in the midwest.

20. Alias and Veronica Mars are my all time favorite t.v. shows

21. I use to love red but now my favorite colors are pink and green.

22. Bright colors inspire me

24. This is harder than I thought :)

25. I always wanted to be a crafty mom.

26. I hope I am.

27. I hate to exercise but love my new exercise class (BOSU Boot Camp of all things!)

29. I miss my Southern friends.

30. I miss sweet tea

31. I am sick of the snow

32. and the cold

33. I believe in good manners...

34. I am glad my birthday isn't on April Fools day!

I can see why some of you don't like meme's. It is hard not to over think it! :)

Egg coloring

We all helped with the egg coloring this year. Even little E. She loved doing it "all by herself".

I personally like the bright colors. It screams "SPRING" to me.... And boy do we need spring- it is supoose to snow again tonight! :(

I found the basket at a thrift store for 25 cents- isn't it cute?

Amazing...

Dear sweet boy... it seems like just yesterday you were fighting for your life. So how is it that you are six years old already? You are strong and smart and full of life! This picture of you always makes me want to cry but it also reminds me how strong you are. In the face of adversity you pulled through. I hardly knew you and I loved you so much! Happy Birthday M2, you are growing so fast!

Donations for a Silent Auction

What I have learned from blogging....

I have learned that just because I find my life boring others may not....

I've learned that you can have friends even if you've never seen them before or them you...

I've learned that crafters and artists are some of the most generous people I have ever met....

I've learned you don't have to be perfect to be a crafter and that it's more fun if you aren't...

I've learned that even if I don't think I am talented- someone does (we all have our strengths and weaknesses)

I've learned we shouldn't ever compare ourselves with others....

I've learned that when you blog you take a chance, put yourself "out there" but the rewards are tenfold.....

I wanted to tell you about a charity that my team at Southern Living at HOME supports:

Childrens Hopechest in Colorado Springs.While they do mostly Russian (and some African) orphanages -we have specialized in working thru their ministry centers - where we contribute to working with orphanage graduate girls - ages 16 - 21 - to try to give them education, places to live and counseling - and hope - etc.

In June we have a Silent Auction at our Convention. The money goes to the work to help these girls - 80% of whom usually end up in prostitution without the help of the ministry centers.

I was wondering if anyone out there would be interested in contributing to this Silent Auction. My Director and her husband have gone on a few of these Missions are very passionate about this. I would need the contributions by the first week in May. Thank you...

O.R.B.Co Giveaway is on and what I've been up to...

http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/2008/03/giving-away-quilt.html

I made a new quilt for my son's teacher. She just had a baby boy on the 5th. It is batting sandwiched in between 2 pieces of flannel and then I added a fringe. I like how it turned out and it will be extra warm!



And I have been slowly working on my "Funky" Quilt. I figure slow and steady wins the race-- right?

As for my sibling weekend. Our drive down to Indianapolis was slow going. It took 12 hours rather than 9 and we saw 22 cars in the ditch (within 10 miles!).

Then, to add to that my sister (the oldest) left her purse at a McDonalds. We had left and driven 25 miles before she realized it and that added an hour! Luckily, her purse was still there with everything in it!

The weekend was relaxing. We didn't have to think about any meals. My sister-in-law graciously took care of all that for us. We had tacos and enchiladas, breakfast buffet, one meal out and steak and lobster our last night. Our first night there we all attempted to play "Guitar Hero". That was interesting to say the least! I happily could score as high as my brothers (it wasn't too high:) but my sisters struggled. There was one major disagreement which I think got blown out of proportion because it happened after we all went wine tasting. But all is forgiven now.

I think we plan on trying to do this every or every other year. I think it will keep us grounded and remind us how lucky we are to have all six of us!

(hint: I am the youngest)

I especially enjoyed this weekend because NEVER in my whole life have I gone on a trip with all my brothers and sisters. I was born 13 years after the youngest before me and they were all born within 10 years. My Dad was in the Navy when they were growing up so they moved around a lot. I lived in the same town during the majority of my childhood. I always say I was an only child with siblings :)

Old Red Barn Co. Quilt giveaway!

CHECK THIS OUT!!!!

Sick...

I know a lot of you are waiting patiently to hear about my siblings weekend. I'll tell you it was fantastic! The best uninterrupted time I have ever had. Though it was short.

I promise I will go into more details soon. Unfortunately, I have the stomach flu today. So my goal today is to not pass it on to M2 and E. I'll be back soon...

MP3 holder

I made a holder for my MP3 player today. Since I am going on a long car ride next week I decided I wanted a holder that was padded instead of the leather one my hubby gave me a couple years ago.

I also made my babies those hearts to remind them that I love them!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you all have a very HAPPY day. Live well, love much and laugh often!

I spent last evening with my son making valentine's for his class. We had so much fun... I cut out the hearts, gave him some paper scraps and cut out some shapes from my Cricut machine. Here is the finished product-

He also gave me the best present of all! He read a whole book to me, "Green Eggs and Ham." (he's 5) :)

"Sibling Weekend"

Ok... I need a few ideas. I am not normally a car riding girl. I have been flying around the country since I was 19 and a flight attendant. Yes, I'm spoiled-- I know. But in a few weekends 4 of my 5 siblings and I are packing up a van and heading south to my brother's house. A "Sibling Weekend". We have done this before but we all lived in the same vicinity then and that was about 10 years ago. Any suggestions on what 5 adults can do in the car for 18 hours? I know, I am probably putting way too much thought into this, but I guess I am so use to entertaining my kids-- I just want to have a few tricks up my sleeve. Did I mention that all of my brothers and sisters are 13-23 years older than me? That I am really the baby? That most of them are grandparents? Thanks for any ideas you can provide! :)

Fabric

Alright, back to the regularly scheduled program. I have been under the weather for a few days with a bladder infection. I am still not 100 % but I wanted to get these promised pictures out!

Sorry The pictures are sideways. That is how Blogger put them in...

Intentional....

I am striving to be more intentional in my business. I know some of you are aware, but not everyone, I am a Southern Living at HOME Consultant. I have been for 4 years. I have always bumbled along but I want to succeed. I want to be a great Consultant and I want to win a free trip, just once, because I was intentional.




And that brings me here. I know not all of you will be interested. But some of you might. I am currently working towards a trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (or a fancy resort in Orlando, FL) and I really want to acheive this goal. I need to sponsor 2 people to be consultants and have a bunch of sales.

I LOVE this company. They do so much for us! They are always giving, always surprising us with beautiful, versatile products! So, if you are the least bit interested in this company- products or career- please check out my website. I would deeply appreciate it... Thank you...

Anxiously waiting?

I know you are all sitting on the edge of your seats to hear about my loot!

But I have to tell you --I am a little disappointed. There was tons and tons of fabric but no cotton. None at all. A lot of polyester, some silk, and some other things I can't even describe. The one thing I am excited about is there was some vinyl. I think I can stiill make some bags out of the polyester and maybe a little dress for E. And some fabric looked good for lounge pants. Any other ideas for Polyester? I will try to get some pictures up later today or tomorrow!

My ship has finally come in....

A friend of a friend is giving little ol me bags and bags full of fabric! I have no idea what kind of fabric but he has had it stashed in closets and bookcases since his Mom died, not knowing what to do with it! My friend says she has 1 large black garbage bag full and at least 1 other garbage bag full (so full she can barely carry it!) I get the goods tomorrow and I can't wait to dig for treasures! I don't know how I am going to sleep tonight..... I'll let you know what I find soon!

warmer days...

It finally warmed up to above 0. It got up to 40 degrees today- it must be summer! E and I took the dog for a walk around the block (a big block) and she made it all the way!

The rest of the day, for me, has been spent at Bloggy Giveaways! I have no idea how many of these I have posted on but hopefully I'll win something... There are some great prizes! I feel a little guilty not doing a giveaway myself but I have yet to send my Pay it forward swap. So I guess I'll have to catch it next time. Plus, my 100th post should be coming up and my birthday is in 2 months!

The earrings are irrelevant except that I bought them on etsy at sulu's -- I can't wait to get them!

wish me luck...

I decided to try quilting my quilt. I may end up ripping it out and asking amandajean to do it but it doesn't hurt to try... I am going to go to Joann's tomorrow morning to get thread and binding and then start... Yikes!
I have to keep reminding myself "it won't be perfect but that's ok, it won't be perfect but that's ok......" wish me luck!

More sadness and moving on...

I don't want my blog to turn into gloom and doom but while in the process of researching my friend's death I found out about 2 more deaths. My old supervisor and friend lost her daughter on Monday. She had a brain aneurysm. Very sad... And another aquaintance from that job died at Christmas from the flu. And then Heath Ledger. Why is everyone dying at such young ages????



Anyway... I am taking one day at a time. Maynard, I found out, died from an infection that started in his throat and then moved to his brain. I think knowing this will help with the closure.



Thank you everyone who commented on my last post... it is nice to have friends like amandajean and mr.monkeysuit have blogged about... friends I have never met.



I am hoping to baste my quilt. Then I need to decide if I want to try to jump into it myself or elicit the help of a professional to quilt it...


Here's E's "teetee" (blankie)
It really isn't relevant except I just want to cuddle down until this week is over....

a dear friend...

I lost a dear friend this weekend. He died on friday. We had one of those friendships you kind of take for granted... you think he will always be there, we hadn't talked for months, almost a year, but now that he is gone he has taken a part of my heart with him. good-bye maynard... i miss you...

Finally Finished...

I started this quilt top in September-- and today I finally finished it! Hopefully I will get it basted by Tuesday! I LOVE IT!!!

It has been SO cold here. I ventured out early to go to my exercise class and was surprised to see the Y very busy. We have Church tomorrow and then the Packer game tomorrow night . Go Packers!

Snowy Day...

Today is a snowy day and although I would like nothing more than to cuddle in and watch movies all day. I have bundle up E and myself and veture out to the grocery store. As if that isn't hard enough without snow! But it is nice to look out the window and see fresh white snow instead of yucky brown snow.

I don't have anything craft wise to show you but I do hope to finish my funky quilt and E's quilt by the end of February. I am, hopefully, going down to Indianapolis the last weekend in February for a "sibling weekend"(no kids!). I have 2 sisters and 3 brothers and we haven't spent the weekend together forever. We are driving which is not my favorite thing- i'd rather fly-but it would nice to be able to cuddle with my blanket!

Funky Quilt....

E's Quilt....

**I got to go grocery shopping without E! Yay! Thanks amandajean! It sure is messy out there... Yuck!

middle of the week with E....

My son always hates the middle of the week. But the good thing about it is you still have 2 1/2 more days of routine. I like routines. Our is get up, get M2 to school, an hour or so of computer/movie (for E) time, playtime, lunch time, nap/craft time, M2 home from school, pre-dinner, dinner, downtime, bedtime. Not too bad. I have been trying to spend less time on the computer and more time actively playing with E. It has been fun finding out what she loves to do. Her absolute favorite thing is books, playing with her brothers toys while he gone is a close second, crafts and train. Hopefully, there will be doll playing soon. :)

Aren't these feeties so cute?!

She loves her puppy! Isn't puppy so patient?

Blah winter days

I really hate these kind of winter days where the weather is warmer but at a price- the snow is melting... it is slushy, wet, and messy... and I really dislike the smell of wet dog!

Catalog bag and sneak peek

Hi.... Well, I have started on my 2008 Project list. Here is the Catalog Bag I made today... some of you are wondering why do I need a catalog bag? I am a Southern Living at HOME Consultant and it is a good advertising tool! The workmanship isn't top notch....

But it serves it's purpose!

And here is a sneak peek at E's quilt for her "Big Girl" bed.... I am loving the colors!

Also, we started the potty training thing! Oh how I dislike Potty Training!