All in a Day's Work

I know this is late but you'll appreciate why in just a moment...

Hello! Good weekend to you. I hope you're having a fabulous one! Well, so far. I've been very busy craftwise, and the house hasn't suffered too bad because of it! Little A has been very sweet the last week or so. We went to the pumpkin patch on Tuesday and of course the few pictures I snapped are still on my camera. This morning, Little A was entertaining herself while E and I made breakfast and this is what I found.

She drug her quilt pillow (my first ever project on my sewing machine), her blanket, and Denny up there to lay down. She stayed there until breakfast too. She even yelled at me when I asked her if she was done.

Her obsession with hats is back too! I'm glad, it'll make Halloween easier. I'm going a different way with her costume but it'll still give the same desired effect... I need to do that before Friday. Wednesday my friend Meg, her little girl, Little A, an I went shopping. I bought Little A some much needed bigger jammies, something for the new baby, and she bought something for the baby too.

This is what I bought the baby. Right now we call the baby Peanut so there was no way I could pass this up. First piece of clothing I've bought the baby.

And she bought this! She loves Cars and I joked with E that she wanted to name the baby Lightning. In reality, it's probably not far from the truth.

Remember this? It's been abandoned for the time being. The lady down the street had her baby last week, or was it the week before?, anyway they're KU fans. KU's colors are blue and red. The colors of this blanket, though not intended, resemble that of KSU, purple and white, who is KU's bitter rival. You can imagine the enormous facepalm that happened one afternoon on our walk as we passed their house and the KU flag flapped loudly on the front of their house. You cannot give KSU colors to a KU fan, even if unintentional. The blanket might have even been thrown out had I given it to them. No joke. But anyway, instead of forming a new plan I drug my feet and played with other projects. Then the day came when the were home from the hospital, pink balloons on porch banister. That's when the the idea for a new blanket hit me.

I played with colors and idea, but I had a direction. I think it always had to be granny squares though.

Had to have blue and red in it after my realization of the fan bases.

And of course, had to be pink.

The squares alone were almost obnoxious, but together!, they are wonderful. It took me three days for this little blankie, but it's just now downstairs drying in a blocked formation. We saw the new family drive by yesterday on our walk and I kicked myself for not having it "done". I wanted to run back to the house, stuff it in a bag and give it to them right away. But tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll force E (my shy man) to go over with me a make friendly with our neighbors we have never met but always wave to. Plus, the pumpkin hat I made as my sample is going to them as well. I love gifting my goodies! It makes so happy! But here comes the reason for my tardy post...

Ta-da! My nephew's quilt all finishes. 100%! It was looking grim for awhile because this is my first project I used my Big Foot free motion foot on and still not having it figured out all the way, there were many thread, machine, quilt, etc., battles. I had given up three different times because my frustration broke into angry sobs that clouded my vision and made me sick to my stomach. I'm an "all in" emotional person, I can't have any emotion without crying and anger normally makes my stomach hurt.

At one point I told my sister-in-law she wasn't getting the quilt because it was "the worst thing I've ever done." Just the quilting part, the piecing was great! She encouraged me and I carried on. It didn't turn out as bad as I thought. After all, it was my first really real quilt.

I love the binding and how it matches the boats. I love using unrelated binding most of the time because to me it creates a frame around the quilt. But this binding is so crisp with the rest of the blanket. LOVE it!

Little A did too! She thought it was very spin-worthy...

And lay-worthy. She's a big fan of blankets. I'd say she fits in with the rest of the family.

I love folding up finished projects. It just feels more complete that way.

On another note, I have been crocheting pumpkins like crazy! Sara, at tangledhappy.com, featured the pattern for this little guy on her blog. (The pattern is found at http://happyinred.blogspot.com/2011/09/patroon-gehaakte-pompoen.html?m=1)
Funny story about this. The woman who owns the blog is from another country and she is kind enough to write in her native tongue and in English. I was not aware of this as I was geared up to started the pumpkin and missed the sign saying the English version was down below. I was disappointed at first. But I read the foreign pattern anyway, and you know what? I could actually understand most of the pattern and was going to try it that way! But thankfully I scrolled down further and saw the English version before I got started. I need to make 5 more of these little guys to give out and finish one more pumpkin hat. I've made two child sized hats in the last two days. By the way, if you're using my pattern I'd love to see your progress or finished project!

Well, anyhow, that's about all I've got for today. Once the little pumpkins are done I'm starting on some hats and my Christmas present projects, plus I still have to finish my anniversary projects. Haha, poor E, before Christmas I promise sweetie!

Three more days until we find out what the Peanut is! Guesses anyone? I'll post just to tell you the results, come Tuesday. Have a great rest of the weekend!

Until next time!

Coming Back

(Mabel asleep on her bed for once!)
Good morning! I know it's been awhile, I've just been so worn out lately and can't explain why exactly, but I'm back! I'll try not to make this too much of a downer post but I have something weighing on me.
The other day, Little A and I went to wal-mart after nap and lunch time, just bobbing to the radio and kissing our baby doll named Baby. It wasn't an unusual drive until we got to the stoplight in Basehor (Ks).
A few blocks ahead of us there were flashing lights and an arrow pointed us into the right lane. Traffic slowed and we all looked to our lefts to see the terrible accident. An SUV had been in an awful accident (I'd rather not go into details). I crossed myself, being Catholic it comforts me, and we drove on.
I prayed for those people, whoever they are, and then thought of all the people I knew who might had a car like that. Fortunately for me, no one I knew did, but people I know knew the people. I was in a daze, it rocked me so hard and I didn't even see it happen. Not until almost three miles later when Little A shouted "mama!" at me did I come back. Even then it took me awhile to fully come around.
Seeing something like that or being in your own accident (I've had my unfair share) it makes you realize what really matters to you. To tell you the truth, it's not as much as you might think.
The rest of the day I wasn't thinking of the house, my dogs, dinner, anything that worries my mind daily, I was thinking of Little A, of my husband and how much they mean to me and exactly how much I love them. They're the only things that keep me "coming back." If the world fell down tomorrow it would be ok with me, as long as I had them by my side.
Phew, now I have that off my chest...

(Little A on her new tricycle!)
On a WAY lighter note! I hope everyone had a safe 4th! I know it's a little late. Little A had a great time! Her cousin was scared of the fireworks and wouldn't even come out of the house, but Little A needed a pair of legs to hold on to until the noise was over. She let me hold her while the big stuff at dark was going off, but then she got excited a wanted down. She would arch her back and point out at the lights, "talking" about them with little exclaimations of "neat!" and "cool!" She enjoyed herself for sure!

This morning we found her treasure chest! The vent. She stuffed some crochet stars and her little brown bunny in there and she got pretty pissed off that we took it all out. She loves to take the vent covers off! Lord only knows why!

I've also been very busy craftwise! I made this hat for my friend for her cousin's baby shower.

It didn't take long to make! I plan on making booties and mittens out of the gray and putting white toe nails on them to match the hat, so it'll be a whole little elephant costume! I can't wait to finish it all! I'll take pictures for you all!

This is the granny stripe I've been working on for our anniversary. It is what I call "the man blanket." it's colors are all man. As I've said before, I wish the colors were brighter. My birthday is coming up soon and hopefully I'll be getting some means to buy woman colors for a new blanket.

This is the quilt my friend Megan and I have been working on for the last two or so weeks. Not every day, but we hit it hard when we worked in it.

The floral fabric is stunning, it's so modern and girly.

The back isn't eye catching quilt pattern-wise, but the floral makes up for it.

Lately, at night after Little A goes to sleep, I've been working on this. All the pieces are finally finished so...

A pink praying mantis! Love it!

It's so cute! I don't like real praying manti, because they are so mysterious and creepy! Buy beautiful at the same time! I can't wait to give it to Little A tomorrow! What do you think we should name the mantis?

Well anyway, that's enough crafty goodness. It has been SOO hot out lately! We've been spending a lot of time in the basement where it's nice and cool. Little A actually sat down with daddy in his chair for a good twenty minutes. It's very unusual for her to sit still longer than a minute or two. Needless to say, daddy was quite happy! I was watching the weather an it doesn't look like we're going to get much relief from the heat anytime soon. Looks like we're gonna hit the pool!
I just wanted to tell you all, I recieved some big news Friday, but I can't tell you what it is yet, but it'll be soon! I hope you all have a great week!

Until next time!

P.s. I promise to always post on Wednesdays and this is my way of keeping accountable... Hopefully. :-)

New Friends and Old Friends

Good morning! Sorry to have taken an unscheduled, untold break from blogging last week. I forgot what the days were and when it dawned on me it was blogday Monday it was too late by Tuesday I didn't have enough energy to write out something I wasn't feeling. So instead of halving it, I wholly didn't do it! I hope you understand!

So much has happened this passed week! I saw a lot of people this week and a half, last Saturday Little A, grandma and I met our second cousin and her mom from Oregon, this Thursday was a playdate with my friend down the street, Friday was an old friend I haven't seen in over a year with her new little one, Saturday was a visit with Grandpa (Little A's), Sunday I went to visit a friend in the next town over, who I missed her baby shower and finally got to formally meet. Then Sunday evening was a family get together. *Deep breathe, sigh* What a busy time, no wonder as I write this (9am) Little A is busy sawing logs still! 7:30a is our normal wake up. But having seen those good friends, old and new, I can reveal to you what I've been waiting to show you! Wait for it...


Here it is! The other quilt I made!


Tonka likes quilts, what can I say?


And crochet blankies! Little A's sweet hand too. That's a pattern of my own making.


And just a recap, though you've seen this one. I unfortunately did not get a picture of the other crochet blanket. But that's ok.


The outside tells us that spring has left us behind for more winter (it snowed again last night!) we've been pretending it's spring. My allergies are running wild and there's a lingering pressure in my head, but if the sun is shining and little A is smiling, it's spring inside at least!


That's a photo I pulled off Google images.
As Easter draws ever closer, I have some big crafty plans! Oh yes! Maybe too big you might ask? Ha! Nah! I've decided to make Little A's Easter dress! I have the fabric and the excitement for it. Have my own pattern in mind and am ready to go for it. I just hope it turns out as good as it looks in my head. But the picture above is what I have in mind but with different fabrics and such. I'm also making something special for Easter baskets, I can't show you! So don't try to make me spill the beans! It has to be a complete surprise! But I'm making two additional ones for my niece and Little A's friend. You're gonna love it too!


Speaking of old friends, Mabel and Little A playing in the shower. So cute! But that tutorial I've been saying is coming, is coming today! It was much harder than I imagined it would be, I had a hard time finding the words to explain what was going on! That and little A kept running off with my yarn! But it's finally done! Next time I won't tell you anything is coming until it's almost done!


Little A and Virginia in the car.
But anyway, I have one more picture to snap for the tutorial and it is all yours!

Until next time!

Please Hurry!...

(Pictured above: Little A enjoying the spring like weather Kansas teased us with) This morning all I could think about was the phrase, "please hurry up spring!" Mostly because I woke up with a scratchy throat and stuffy ears and little A has had a snotty nose the passed three days and coughs every morning due to drainage. E, has had a rough winter too and is sick about every other week with some kind of cold. So, Spring, you're only 13 days away an your good buddy The Groundhog told us you were on your way, please don't be late!



Speaking of please hurry... Voilà! Here it is! One of the boxy pouches I'm making as a gift to you guys for following my blog! Let me tell you, they're cute but they're not perfect, I'm not a professional seamstress! But they are handmade! Just send me an email (tabbysorangemarbles@hotmail.com) or send me a message on FB and let me know where you want me to send your gifty! And also, thank you for following! :-)


Another Voilà! This is a baby quilt I made at the last minute before a baby shower. It took me 7 1/2- 8 hours to make! It is only 25"x25". We were planning to go to the shower at 2 but little A took her nap from 11:30-1:45 and woke up with a snotty nose, so we didn't want to risk going and giving whatever this might be to anyone else. But it is finished, laundered, and ready to be giving away!



March is national craft month! I do some kind of at least once a day anyway but now I have an extra excuse to give E when he asks me what I'm doing. It's for National Craft Month! Duh! Silly husband! But it also doesn't give me any excuse not to finish my brother's Christmas present. That's Christmas '10 not '11. So that's my goal for this month. Seeing as how there only 50 more rows until it's finished it's a very achievable goal.


I've been quilting a lot more than crocheting recently and I've been missing it. Another of my goals for this craft month is to do some cleaning of my yarn stash, the upstairs closet is full of half used and new skeins of yarn and it's a little embarassing because there is SO MUCH YARN! Everywhere! It's a yarn-catastrophe! You may think I'm joking or exaggerating, but I'm really not. So keep me accountable!


But anyway, I know, I really know!, I've been promising a tutorial for crochet so look for that in the next few days. Because it's really coming! Pinky swear! Until then, enjoy a photo of little A enjoying her first dum-dum sucker.

Until next time!