A Visit to the Grands'

Once again it has been way too long since I've visited my little blog...  I'm sure it is feeling neglected.  I went to Utah to watch the grands so their mommy and daddy could have a much-needed weekend away.  We had a blast.  Of course, there was our traditional breakfast at McDonald's.  (Britton is getting so that he actually plays on the equipment - which is really fun until he gets "stuck" and I have to send Abby after him.  Still, it's very fun to watch them!)

There were several trips to the park, which is only about 4 houses away, so it's super convenient!

It's really fun to watch them grow up!

One of my favorite parts of visiting is that Abby comes in every morning to wake me up and keep me company.  This little game usually involves Netflix or some other wake-up game on Grandma's Iphone.  Here, she's taking a selfie (how do they know about these things at such a young age?)

Grandma had the opportunity to make Abby an Elsa dress (from the Disney movie, Frozen.)

Which caused a huge mess - there were sparkles everywhere!

And the cape was perhaps the biggest hit of all...

But it was really fun to see how much Abby liked her dress - in fact, her mommy says she's worn it every day since it was finished.  Guess Grandma needs to get busy and make a couple more dresses and give this one a rest.

A bag of pom poms an a couple of embroidery hoops provided an entire morning's entertainment while Grandma was sewing (although I'm not entirely sure Britton was thrilled with the selection of "manly" colors allotted to him by his sister.)

It really doesn't take much to make these two happy.  I love that they just play with whatever's handy.  A cardboard box makes a great toy, doesn't it?  It was always one of my own kids' favorites.

And then there's just the way their little personalities are developing! 

He has so many words now - so many more than when I was there in November!!  (Can you tell we're having quite the conversation?)

This little guy is so fun!  And he's all boy!

Oh yes!  Grandma had a very fun time!

Home Again, Home Again, Fiddle-de-dee

After 9 days away and a  16-hour travel day, I'm finally home.  I had a wonderful visit with the grandbabies.  This is Abby, trying on the hats at Gymboree during our shopping expedition.   She is an absolute hoot.  Such a smart little cutie, with a definite mind of her own.  We had a great time together.

Britton is a happy little guy, always smiling, usually laughing, and great fun to be around.  His laugh could melt the hardest of hearts, I think.

And we had some great quality time together as their mama got ready for and attended Sewing Summit.  I had the occasional pang that I didn't go this year, but frankly, I only get 4 weeks vacation and I can spend them with the kids, or with the grown ups...  It's hardly even a choice.

And BD#1 took great care of me, sharing some of her goodies from Sewing Summit, which was very kind of her.  I have lots to show, but haven't had a chance to take pictures of anything yet, except for a couple with my phone.

Here's what I worked on while I was away...

(Sorry for the weird shadows, but it gets dark here early now and I haven't been home during daylight yet.)

I'm running a little behind for the DS Quilts Doll Quilt swap.  I thought this project would go much faster than it did.  Or perhaps I spent too much sewing time playing with the bebes.  If so, it was time well spent!

This hexie star was a great portable project.  Perfect for airports, airplanes, and days when the sewing machine was gone or in use.  In fact, I was warned ahead of time that daughter's {very cool} sewing machine was off limits.  And as I say, this project was perfect, except that it took much longer than I thought.  Luckily the star is finished now, and attached to the background fabric.  I need to drop by JoAnn's tomorrow and pick up some backing fabric.  It is just enough larger than anything I have on hand that I need to shop {oh, darn!}

Hopefully by the weekend I'll be back in the groove and ready to show some of my cool loot and maybe a finished doll quilt. Plus, I got a ton of fun mail while I was gone!  Stay tuned...

M is for MollyJolly Part II - The Reveal

If you read this post, you know that I played along in the Mini QT Swap where we were to make a quilt using items that used our partner's first initial.  I really struggled to get a theme for my little quilt.  In fact, I drew 4 or 5 sketches between the concept, and the finished quilt.  I think the only item that was in the original sketch that ended up on the final product is the moon.

Now that Maria has received her quilt, I can tell you about it.

Since my letter was "M", these are the elements of the quilt...

The moon, of course, and some mountains...

Some marigolds...

A little mushroom house, a mail box, and MollyJolly, written on the mailbox...

A monkey...

A mouse in a meadow...

A magnolia tree, a mockingbird, and a moth...

A mermaid, singing (music) in her little pool...

A melon...

And a macadam road.

If I've counted correctly, that's 16 "M" words. 

I actually thought up a little story about how MollyJolly invited her friends Mouse, Monkey, and Mermaid over for an early Morning waterMelon picnic... (or should that be Meal?)  Mouse tiptoed through the Meadow on his way to MollyJolly's Mushroom house, while Monkey came down from his home in the Mountains.  Mermaid provided the entertainment, singing Music for the event, while the Mockingbird in the Magnolia tree echoed her Mournful song.

Anyway, you get the idea. 

Meanwhile, I'm off tomorrow to see the kids and the grands.  I'm not taking the computer, so it may be awhile before I post again.  I'm so excited to see these little people!

Can't wait.

Lots of Excitement Around Here

We have had some wonderful things happen in our family today!  Here is newborn Britton who almost came before his mommy (or his daddy) was ready.  Welcome, Britton!  I can't wait to meet you.  Grandma will be there on Saturday.  So excited!  So blessed!  So thankful for a healthy daughter and a healthy grandson!  Thank you, Heavenly Father!

Then, I received this totally amazing swap package from Karin in Sweden.  The market bag is so big and sturdy and beautiful!

And check out the cute piggy mug rug she sent!

But I was truly blown away by the artwork on this mini quilt!

Check out Greta's hair!  Oh my!  I am so amazed!  How do  you do thread art that delicate? 

Thank you, Karin, for a wonderful swap package!

And, as if that wasn't enough yummy goodness for one day, I also received this awesome parcel from Linda in Ireland in the Scrappy Mug Rug Swap.  When you've been married as long as I have, new kitchen towels are a real treat.  But check out the mug rug...

The paper pieced leaf is gorgeous, and the hand quilting makes it truly special.

And then there's the back.  Gorgeous flowers.  Hand embroidery.  Oh my!  I'm really not sure which side I like best.

And now that Karin has also received her movie mini, I can share what I made for her.  She said she liked old classic movies, and what is more classic than the Wizard of Oz?  I had lots of ideas...  and then I ran across this poster from the movie....

 and an idea was born.

Here is my version of the Wizard of Oz...

I really had fun with this one.  The covered  button flowers were way fun.  (Sorry for the cockeyed picture - I didn't realize it until I already had the parcel in the envelope ready to mail.)

And the embroidered phrase is my favorite one from the movie, and one that I wouldn't mind having hang on my wall. 

And I really loved making Dorothy's shoes.  They were way fun.  Can you believe I drew them myself?  (I'm not an artist at all, but these actually look like shoes!)

I'm not sure if the back might not be my favorite part of this little quiltie.  These kitties at the movies are just too fun.  Myra at my LQS suggested this fabric.  Ruthie wondered what movie they were watching and someone suggested "All Dogs Go to Heaven".  Cracked me up!

And then, as if I don't have enough to do, in the last 24 hours I have signed up for four more swaps - three Flickr swaps and a private swap.  Oh boy.  They are so fun - and so stressful - at the same time.  But I know in the end, I'll be glad I did them. 

So all in all, it has been an amazing day!  Truly LOTS of excitement around here!