Rain, Rain.....

Go Away. Come again at nighttime only!
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the rain at all. Especially this time of year when the flowers need it. I just wish it would rain at night & be sunny during the day. After weeks of nice weather & playing outside every day, the kids are now forced to be cooped up inside. Maybe I'll let them splash in the puddles later today, like before bathtime. Maybe. If they're lucky. Or if I go crazy enough. Yep, I'm pretty sure it will happen.

Sheri's Tote

I did my first ZIPPER! Woohoo! It really wasn't that hard. Deni helped me figure out how to do it with the lining in the bag and I think it turned out pretty well. Sheri seemed to be ok with it. I made her this huge tote bag as a bridal shower gift.


I hope you really like it and are able to use it, Sheri!



Well, we're finally expecting some rain this week, so looks like we'll be inside a lot more. I have a lot of cleaning to do & a lot more sewing. I guess I'll be busy getting back to the normal routine. Boy, I can't wait for summer!

She's Two-Wheelin'!

After 2 years on training wheels, we took them off Emma's bike this past Sunday and she started riding instantly. It took a couple days for her to perfect the art of taking off, but she's got it now and there's no stopping her! Jake will probably be without his training wheels in a few months, if we can just get him off the tricycle and on his bike more often. (Yes, that's gum across his face in this picture!)

It has been such a gorgeous week here that we've been outside every day, nearly all day long. We've had barbecues with the neighbors and the kids have been to the playground twice. But alas, all good things must come to an end. It's cooling off as I write this & we're expecting rain showers by Monday. Hopefully the sun will last through the weekend so the azaleas will bloom. Spring has definitely arrived & summer is just around the corner. Now if I can just figure out how to make myself some new shorts.....

A Little Home Decor

Yesterday was an absloutely picture-perfect day. We headed outside around 9:30 & didn't come in til bathtime. Of course, being outside means that I don't get much done in the way of housework, or sewing, or scrapping. But..... I did find a great project that required me to be outside.

I've had these oak wood picture frames for some time, but I just don't like the wood anymore. I also have a nice blank wall along the stairs and outside our bedroom door. So... I decided to paint the frames some funky colors & put something funky in each of them. I've been saving an old calendar of Paris, so 2 of my favorite pics went into the matted frames. Then I put some of my favorite fabric in the other 3 frames & arranged them on the wall (a little wonky, but I like it). As I find more frames to paint I'll be adding them to the collection.

Hmmm...... what can I do today?

Poor Jakey...

He's just not feeling himself today. I think he may have a touch of what I had last weekend. Yuck! Poor little man. It's not often that he heads for his own bed at 12:30 in the afternoon & falls asleep. He's so cute when he's sleeping though. And he needs it.

Of course, little Miss Model had to have her picture taken too.

Oh, and behind Jake's head you may be able to see the quick little pillow case I whipped up this morning. He has a flannel travel-size pillow that's just plaid. So I finally got to use some "Lightning McQueen" fabric I've had for a while. So cute!

I Scrapped!

For the first time in weeks (months, maybe) I pulled out the old scrapping supplies yesterday. Since neither of my printers are working I couldn't print recent pics, so I went through some old ones & found these great black & whites from my trip to Fort Collins, Colorado back in 2000.



I went there in November that year to visit Pam & her now husband, Rob. I was there for 4 days & had a great time. We tried to go sledding in the foothills. We hung out in Denver for a day. My favorite day was when Pam & I went shopping in Boulder. What a fabulous little city! I know I'm missing several pictures of this trip (all in color). Maybe I never developed them, I don't know. But at least I have these pics of that great trip. The next time I visit Pam & Rob (and now Mom Brann too!), I'll be sure to go when it's warm!

Warm Weather, Yardwork, New Skirts

Yesterday was the first truly gorgeous day we've had so far this Spring. We headed outside at 9am & barely came in at all until about 4:30pm. We did some yardwork: mostly raking leaves. Ok, so Bobby did most of it. And Cary helped!

By mid-afternoon the sun was so warm I was able to try out my new skirt, finally! Emma put hers on too & we all walked to Cumby's for Slurpees. So here are the pics of my new wrap skirt (fabric by Tracy Porter at JoAnn's) and Emma's not-so-ruffly skirt.

Here are the links to the patterns, courtesy of Sparkle Power Sew Along:

Wrap Skirt

Emma's Skirt

What am I going to do with this girl?

Oh, and I need to give credit to my personal photographer, Jake. Didn't he do a great job?

Pretty Red Bird

When sitting in my bed & looking out the window I have a perfect view........ of Route 1. And Cumberland Farms.

So it may not be beautiful right now, but once the leaves are back on the trees most of it is hidden. My one saving grace is that between our complex & Cumby's we have a lovely little marshy/field area. The kids played there last summer & fall when it was dry, and again this winter when it was snow-covered. Right now it's a little wet, but we can now see many birds out there on a daily basis (chickadees, blue jays, robins, sparrows, some crows-eeewww). But my favorite thing to see is the cardinal that hangs out in the maple tree right in front of my window. Here he is, just a little while ago. The picture is blurry because of the screen in my window, but I think you get the idea. He's quite red!

Feeling a Little Better

Well, I haven't been doing much in the realm of craftiness lately (or in any realm for that matter). After being sick with a nasty stomach bug for the past 4 days, I finally feel like I have some energy back today. The nice weather helps a little too. I hate being sick & lying in bed all day, but that's how it was. I did manage to whip up a wrap skirt yesterday as I began feeling a tad better. Unfortunately it's a little big, so I have few adjustments to make before I post a pic. (I think I must have a lost a little weight over the weekend. yay!). So that's all for today.

Much Better

After deliberating with my design consultant (Bobby) last night, I decided that the yellow straps just didn't work on this purse. So I took them off & made them to match the rest of the fabric. I had some cording left over from Christmas gifts & attempted to use the "piping" method. It isn't perfect, but it certainly looks a lot better from a design perspective. At least my design team & I think so!

Spring Purse

Just foolin' around today with some new ideas that have been in my head for a while. Since starting this whole purse endeavor, I have realized that I am more creative than I ever thought possible.

It started with one simple fold-over purse pattern (I would give credit where credit is due, but unfortunately I have no idea where the pattern is now), but now I can look at a picture in a catalog or online & come up with my own variation. I'm actually quite proud of myself for this.

So this purse started as a fat quarter & some scraps this morning, and now it's a really cute handbag with gussets. The flap for closing it buttons on the front where the pocket is. I made it so I can button the pocket and the purse together. I'm just not crazy about the handles, but I'll figure those out better on the next one.

Oh, and just a little clarification for those who are seeing my stars for the first time. I use 18" or 28" tin barn stars, and I Mod-Podge various scrapbook papers on them. Then I embellish them with ribbons & little knick-knacks on the center. Emma & Jake each have a small one in their rooms, and I have my first large one in our entry way, as well as a small one on the wall over the computer. The snowman star that I made for my mom is already hanging over her dining room table! I think it's actually my favorite star so far.