Made With Love

a little bit of this
and a little bit of that
a dash of color
a careful eye
a little planning
looking forward
taking the plunge
creating
imagining
living
and loving.

work in progress

organized and ready.

seeking inspriration

waiting for me in my craft-supply-filled closet.

inspiration

blogging has been drawing a blank for me lately
with life just at status quo
and everything out there just continuing to spin on by
me.


so i have been searching for inspiration
in new friends that paint
(and deciding to take out my "learn to paint" kit hiding in my closet)
i didn't know it would be a multi-day process...
(i am currently waiting for further inspiration...)

and in thoughts of things that i have always wanted to learn how to do
and maybe i'll be brave enough to try
now...
or maybe this summer.

and we are bracing ourselves for a glorious 10 day trip to visit family and new babies in Colorado.
ah,
spring break.

let me count the days...

welcome to the world, little girl

so here is the little peanut.
i can hardly get over those cheekers and that little tongue.
she looks so very serious.

and then there's her little gift from me.
her pooh blanket to keep her warm and cozy and safe.
i can't wait to meet this little one,
but we probably won't make it to colorado until march for my spring break.

she's got wonderful, loving parents
and a world wide open to her.
welcome, little girl.

what to do

what to do when your sister-in-law goes into labor a few weeks before expected?
get started on the quilt, of course.
iron.
pray.
cut.
pray.
drink homemade hot cocoa.
pray.
blog.
pray.


this quilt, for my dear friend R, was given as a wedding gift last week. i was thrilled to use the fabrics that she had given me as a gift- and i knew she would like them.


and this, this little crooked advent calender, is to remind you that we are already 18 days in.
only seven to go.


and then a few more positive thoughts and a bit more positive energy into the universe for J and K, and little baby Vanessa, on her way...

in the works

when willy went to visit my parents, he fell in love with a little bear that was mine when i was young. out of bear-preservation, we needed to make willy a replacement that could be all his own. so while he was here, i let him pick out some fabric and then in about an hour, i traced the old bear, sewed a new face, cut and sewed the body, and stuffed him up, halloween style.

he's a bit awkward and mangy, but you gotta love a personalized bear, made while you watch.
build a bear has nothing on me.


now i have begun willy and maggie's christams gift. its an advent calendar with a small gift each day, to make the holiday last. christmas has so much from santa that i figured this would be way more fun... and it already is.

creating the calendar, selecting and wrapping all of the little gifts, and being able to start christmas at thanksgiving.
now that it what its all about. :-)

in the mail

i have finally sent out the last of my fall postcards for the postcard swap.
i am eagerly checking my mailbox for the ones still on their way to me...

it was really a joy to create these,
mini quilts and all,
and to send happy messages
about the joys of fall.
apple picking, apple pie, apple cider.
pumpkin carving, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin pie,
beautiful foliage, raking leaves, jumping in piles,
candy corn, trick or treating, costumes,
cool air, evening walks, bon fires.

from the kitchen of...

mom is here
and it has been a week-end full of food.
my sister gave me a book of recipes for jarring
so this has been our project.

if you are lucky, you may be the recipient of these deliciously and caringly prepared treats.
it has been a lot of
chopping
measuring
pureeing
measuring
adding
stirring
boiling
jarring
and boiling again.


and then, of course, there are the yummy meals that we have to eat now.
fresh basil in all forms, salads, creamy pestos, roasted veggie lasagna.
feeding my belly,
feeding my soul.

busy

my school countdown is definitely on
and my new year school jitters are beginning to effect the length of my fingernails.
i am nervous an excited
and of course trying to cram in the rest of my to do list for summer in my last days.


i have accomplished many goals and finished projects
but many more are underway
and i would like to have them finished and tucked away as fall approaches.
while my mom is here next week, i am even hoping to two-person-assembly-line some christmas gifts.


so today will be full of:
dogs and walking
coffee and milk
elliptical trainers and weight machines
classroom storage and organization
shopping for last minute this and thats
reading and cleaning
phone calls and notes
projects and sewing
or whatever combination of above tasks i can squeeze in.

i'm back

a recap of my visit. my finest moments.
visiting with my parents, eating fresh summer foods, corn on the cob, dinners out with my dad, nudging him awake at the movies, bookstore visits, fabric for new crafts, adventuring to the blue ben with my mom (my most favorite diner) to have homemade donuts and coffee and yummy breakfast eggs, and antiques stores full of so much stuff it takes hours to meander all the way through.

visiting with k and j, preparing a delicious meal of marinated salmon, crispy potatoes, yummy garden squash, and catching the grill on fire. talking for hours, just catching up.



then came a wondrous visit to see nina (and family) and kevin and to enjoy friends... family.
the first night i was there, while john was off camping, nina was off to the hospital to help in the birth of a beautiful new boy--- which left kevin and i to play house with some of my most favorite little ones. this first day of fun and shopping and lunch out, was followed by days of tired, glorious, exhausted, wonderful fun.
there were meals on the grill, cup after cup of coffee, bead stores and crafting, hippies and smoky tattoo parlors.



there were shnuggles on the couch, musical alphabet videos, ponies and panties. there were cars and trucks and one dumped pile of toys on another. there were baths and rain-showers, repeated readings (rather, singings) of the wheels on the bus book.






there were naked nights and naked days and lots of times outside.
there was blueberry picking with A and her daughter R.
there were visits on the couch and and snacks and iced coffees... and then later of course, the blueberry treats.
don't forget the pesto and the bread and the salads from the garden, maple balsamic dressings and homemade pizzas by "papa gino".











there were fresh raspberries and glittery gold shoes, lots of vintage finds and junktiques to browse, picnics in the park watching bad adolescent rock bands, sharing berries and chips and celery stalks.
there were the moths that were stalking me, too... everywhere i went.






and then there were the cuddly moments, full of love and peace and pure friendship.



and meeting a beautiful new baby boy. congrats, E and A, on such a handsome new family member. so much love for this little one. and of course, i finally got to reveal my summer baby quilt project... may it bring sweet dreams.


thank you, friends and family, for a wonderful visit and stay.
i miss you already.
xxoo