Sorry - I'm having blog-o-phobia lately. (Well, not really phobia - I'm just INSANELY busy and haven't been able to sit down and post.)
Here's the quick run-down of what's been going on. Friday night was movie night. I ate with the kiddies, popped in a movie for Coley, and Carsie and I sewed up a cutie Spring Ruffle Top from the tutorial on Sew, Mama, Sew! from Made by Rae - I promise to take a picture at some point. It turned out pretty cute, if I do say so myself!!! Saturday morning we got up early, ate some oatmeal, and headed to the ball park for Cole's 10am ball game!!! He got a trophy and everything. Too too cute.
Mema (kids' grandmother) came from Alabama and took them to the mall for some lunch and playtime while I.....wait for it.... **I WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE....ALONE!!!** Fun, fun. I ran back and picked the kids up at the park - where they presented me with some lovely finds from the Mall for Mother's Day....too sweet.
We headed home and got ready for our friend Tricia's graduation party!!! The kids were definitely the hit of the party - pictures to follow. Our new babysitter friend, Miss Caroline (who is an Auburn student and home in Rome for the summer) came to play while Mommy went and watched the Hawks game with The Boyfriend.
Sunday was MOTHER'S DAY!!! And so fun...we went to Church - Kiddos wanted to sit in "big church" rather than go to Children's Church, and I was doing the scripture readings/lectoring - so I was nervous, but they were little angels, I have to say. Thank you, Jesus. Then we went to Panera Bread for Mother's Day late breakfast, the craft store for some little picture frames to color for the grandmas and Aunt Casey (and Cousin Jamie for her birthday!) and then to the Bookstore, where we each chose a new thing to read. Carsie got a "flip-the-flap" book and Cole got a "Step Into Reading" book about "Babe Ruth Saves Baseball" (awesome) and I got a strange novel about the Malazan Empire...which is turning out to be somewhat entertaining, but I am struggling - I think that has more to do with my own distractions than the book itself.
After that, we headed home, feverishly finished the Mother's Day presents (little note-holders!!!) and went to Walgreens to pick up the photos we had printed and headed to Grandmomma's (my mom's) for a lovely family evening where the kids played outside, we had banana pudding, HoneyBaked Ham and potato salad...and it was just all around a great day.
Carson's Spring Ballet Recital is Saturday! Then lunch with the folks and the kiddos are going with Daddy. It's only Wednesday, but I'm ready for the weekend! I will eventually get around to putting up pictures of some other things here - maybe tomorrow.
Have a great Hump Day folks.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Notemaker Tutorial
The much-anticipated tutorial is here... You will need the following materials -
1. Cut a 9.5 x 12 inch piece from each fat quarter, the fleece & the muslin.
Cut THREE (3) 2.5" x 10-12ish (length doesn't really matter as long as it's more than 9.5) strips from EACH fat quarter -
You will end up with SIX 2.5" strips:
Take the muslin piece (your "foundation" if you will...) and arrange the strips alternatingly on it to visualize what your front cover of the folio will look like:
Line up the first strip with the edge of the muslin and sew, not along the outer edge lined up with the muslin but along the inner edge as shown. Don't worry about the fact that you can see the seam - you are going to cover that seam up with the next step.
Take the next alternating strip, and place it right sides together down on top of the strip you just sewed down to the muslin. I like to place it at an angle, so that it turns out wonky in the end. No pinning is required. This is not precision piecing - pretty much whatever you do will end up looking great. Stitch with a scant 1/4 inch seam. Again, seam allowances in this type of piecing are really not that important - as long as it's STRAIGHT.
After you stich this down, flip the piece you just sewed down over and press along the seam. Keep adding alternate strips (at an angle of your pleasure) and flipping & pressing:
See how it's coming together?
After you sew on the last (6th) strip, flip & press, you'll have something that looks like this:
OK. Time to straighten up the cover piece. Flip it over so the muslin side is up, line up your straight edge to the edges of the muslin and trip so your piece is 9.5 x 12 inches again.
Take your 9.5 x 12 piece of fusible fleece and fuse it to the muslin side of the strip-pieced rectangle and you'll have this:
Now it's time for the quilting. This part is optional, but it's super fast, and I think it gives the folio a polished, finished look. I used (on this one) a tiny close zig-zag stitch and top-stitched through the cotton and the fleece down each seam where the fabrics met.
If you're feeling brave, or - like me, you have a 3 year old who just MUST sew like Mommy, and won't stay in her bed while Mommy is sewing, feel free to delegate this task to said 3-year old. (With supervision, of course ;) ) - Of course I had to press the pedal, but Carsie DID do the guiding, for the most part. And now she wants a kid-friendly sewing machine for her birthday. I've created a monster.
After it's quilted, it will look like this. Press well once more.
OK - the exterior is finished, so now it's time to make the inside, where your little pad will go in a pocket. Remember those 9.5 x 12 pieces you cut from the fat quarters? Take one of those and fold it in half lengthwise - (so the two 12" edges meet) and press the crease well.
Edge stitch the top (folded) edge - I forgot to change my stitch selector from the zig-zag I was using for the quilting - so I did a zig-zag edge, which I actually think looks nice - happy accident - but you can use a straight stitch, or a decorative stitch, or leave this step out all together. It's non-essential ;)
Now - line up the raw edge of the folded pocket piece with the right side of the 12" edge of the other 9.5 x 12 inch fat quarter piece. Stitch with a scant 1/4" seam.
After stitching the bottom edge of the pocket to the interior lining piece, fold the whole thing in half and find the center. Measure 1/2" from the center and mark a line from the top of the pocket to the bottom on each side of the center. This is your stitching line for the pen holder pocket. Stitch from the bottom of the interior to the top edge of the pocket with a straight stitch on those marked lines, back stitching at the top (edge of the pocket) for security. Your pen-pocket should be 1" wide.
This picture below is INACCURATE - so read these words and do as I say, not as I do ;) - pinch the ponytail holder about 1/3, and place it on the RIGHT edge of the INTERIOR LINING piece with the pocket attached. NOT the exterior (like shown in the picture.) Baste with machine stitches over the elastic. Again, you're going to want to put the ponytail elastic on the RIGHT side of the POCKET/INTERIOR piece, pointing INWARD (I show it pointing inward, but I put this one on the edge of the exterior piece, not the interior...)
Make a fabric sandwich. Put the exterior piece down, right side up, fleece side down. Place the pocket piece (with elastic basted on) on top of it, right sides together, lining up edges.
Pin around edges, leaving a 3-4" opening at the top for turning.
Stitch around all edges (leaving the 3-4" opening, pivoting 90 degrees with the needle down, and back-stitching at beginning and end) with a generous 1/4 inch seam.
Clip the corners, and turn right side out, using a turning tool, closed scissors, or fat knitting needles to turn out corners so they are sharp.
You should now have something that looks like this:
Here's the inside!
Add a button and VOILA! You will need a mini-legal pad (5x8 size) and pen to complete!
REQUIRED LEGALESE - DO NOT TAKE PERSONALLY!!! ;)
- 2 coordinating/contrasting fat quarters (Mine are Anna Maria Horner...yum yum)
- a scrap of fusible fleece (or plain old cotton batting will work, too) at least 9.5 x 12 inches
- a scrap of muslin the same size (for foundation piecing)
- a ponytail holder (for the button loop - optional closure)
- rotary cutter, quilting ruler & mat
1. Cut a 9.5 x 12 inch piece from each fat quarter, the fleece & the muslin.
Cut THREE (3) 2.5" x 10-12ish (length doesn't really matter as long as it's more than 9.5) strips from EACH fat quarter -
You will end up with SIX 2.5" strips:
Take the muslin piece (your "foundation" if you will...) and arrange the strips alternatingly on it to visualize what your front cover of the folio will look like:
Line up the first strip with the edge of the muslin and sew, not along the outer edge lined up with the muslin but along the inner edge as shown. Don't worry about the fact that you can see the seam - you are going to cover that seam up with the next step.
Take the next alternating strip, and place it right sides together down on top of the strip you just sewed down to the muslin. I like to place it at an angle, so that it turns out wonky in the end. No pinning is required. This is not precision piecing - pretty much whatever you do will end up looking great. Stitch with a scant 1/4 inch seam. Again, seam allowances in this type of piecing are really not that important - as long as it's STRAIGHT.
After you stich this down, flip the piece you just sewed down over and press along the seam. Keep adding alternate strips (at an angle of your pleasure) and flipping & pressing:
See how it's coming together?
After you sew on the last (6th) strip, flip & press, you'll have something that looks like this:
OK. Time to straighten up the cover piece. Flip it over so the muslin side is up, line up your straight edge to the edges of the muslin and trip so your piece is 9.5 x 12 inches again.
Take your 9.5 x 12 piece of fusible fleece and fuse it to the muslin side of the strip-pieced rectangle and you'll have this:
Now it's time for the quilting. This part is optional, but it's super fast, and I think it gives the folio a polished, finished look. I used (on this one) a tiny close zig-zag stitch and top-stitched through the cotton and the fleece down each seam where the fabrics met.
If you're feeling brave, or - like me, you have a 3 year old who just MUST sew like Mommy, and won't stay in her bed while Mommy is sewing, feel free to delegate this task to said 3-year old. (With supervision, of course ;) ) - Of course I had to press the pedal, but Carsie DID do the guiding, for the most part. And now she wants a kid-friendly sewing machine for her birthday. I've created a monster.
After it's quilted, it will look like this. Press well once more.
OK - the exterior is finished, so now it's time to make the inside, where your little pad will go in a pocket. Remember those 9.5 x 12 pieces you cut from the fat quarters? Take one of those and fold it in half lengthwise - (so the two 12" edges meet) and press the crease well.
Edge stitch the top (folded) edge - I forgot to change my stitch selector from the zig-zag I was using for the quilting - so I did a zig-zag edge, which I actually think looks nice - happy accident - but you can use a straight stitch, or a decorative stitch, or leave this step out all together. It's non-essential ;)
Now - line up the raw edge of the folded pocket piece with the right side of the 12" edge of the other 9.5 x 12 inch fat quarter piece. Stitch with a scant 1/4" seam.
After stitching the bottom edge of the pocket to the interior lining piece, fold the whole thing in half and find the center. Measure 1/2" from the center and mark a line from the top of the pocket to the bottom on each side of the center. This is your stitching line for the pen holder pocket. Stitch from the bottom of the interior to the top edge of the pocket with a straight stitch on those marked lines, back stitching at the top (edge of the pocket) for security. Your pen-pocket should be 1" wide.
This picture below is INACCURATE - so read these words and do as I say, not as I do ;) - pinch the ponytail holder about 1/3, and place it on the RIGHT edge of the INTERIOR LINING piece with the pocket attached. NOT the exterior (like shown in the picture.) Baste with machine stitches over the elastic. Again, you're going to want to put the ponytail elastic on the RIGHT side of the POCKET/INTERIOR piece, pointing INWARD (I show it pointing inward, but I put this one on the edge of the exterior piece, not the interior...)
Make a fabric sandwich. Put the exterior piece down, right side up, fleece side down. Place the pocket piece (with elastic basted on) on top of it, right sides together, lining up edges.
Pin around edges, leaving a 3-4" opening at the top for turning.
Stitch around all edges (leaving the 3-4" opening, pivoting 90 degrees with the needle down, and back-stitching at beginning and end) with a generous 1/4 inch seam.
Clip the corners, and turn right side out, using a turning tool, closed scissors, or fat knitting needles to turn out corners so they are sharp.
You should now have something that looks like this:
Press well, turning edges of opening under and pressing, using a pin or two to hold turning hole edges in place. Now, top-stitch very close to the edge all the way around all 4 edges.
Here's the inside!
Add a button and VOILA! You will need a mini-legal pad (5x8 size) and pen to complete!
REQUIRED LEGALESE - DO NOT TAKE PERSONALLY!!! ;)Please note - I am sharing this tutorial which I made up on my very own out of the goodness of my heart. No, this is not the very first most original idea in the world, and yes, people have made such things before. However, I figured out these steps on my very own and these words and photos are MINE...Please feel free to link to this post and share the information freely, but please, please, PLEASE, do not sell any creations you make from this tutorial for profit, and please do not use any of my photos without permission. Yes, I am a lawyer - but I did, in fact say "please". Thank you!!! :)
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Sunday Night - a Recap
It was picture day at school on Tuesday. Here's Carsie with "Ona" (one of the 4 most popular dollies at our house) - We have 2 "Claires", a "Honey Buns" and "Ona..." Ona is the only one with hair, and the largest of the 4-some, so she got to go to picture day in her pretty dress, too...
This was at the ballet studio, at the end of the day, so Carsie had been playing hard - but she still looks adorable!
And here she is in her ballet clothes. Tuesday, Cole also had a tee ball game at the same time as ballet - so that's why the gorgeous boy was not in these photos - but he had on a coordinating navy & white striped tee, courtesy grandmomma - more of Cole later this week!!! 
And then on Friday, I had a hair appointment. I try to knock off early from work at least once a month and pick up one child early for a little one-on-one time with Mom. Carsie came with me for her first "real" haircut. I've "trimmed" it twice before for her - but it needed a real shape. SO - I took her to Laura Beth - this is the "before" (and no LB is not putting color on her hair - that was for me ;)
And the "after" - complete with shampooing & styling - she felt like a pretty princess. Honestly, I think the thing she was MOST excited about, because she said it 50 times is "I don't have to take a nap today!!!" because I picked her up just at nap time...
I'm thinking of starting a new trend - whatcha think? I think foil is a good look, yes?
And then, Carson was SO worn out from getting beautiful, I looked over and this is what I found. So much for no nap, eh?
And then Saturday, the chillies were invited to go to Callaway Gardens with my grandmother, and I went to the 2009 Atlanta Steeplechase!!! Fun times. All high society and redneck country mixed together. It was WAY hot - you can see the red cheeks on all of us here! These are my newest girlfriends, Ashley & Shauna - lovin' the hats...but they kind of get in the way when you're squeezing together!!!
And this is my sweet friend Brooklyn. We had to have a photo op because we both broke out the black with tiny white pin dotos. Love it!!!
And...a gratuitous photo of my sweetheart. Cute, huh?
And here she is in her ballet clothes. Tuesday, Cole also had a tee ball game at the same time as ballet - so that's why the gorgeous boy was not in these photos - but he had on a coordinating navy & white striped tee, courtesy grandmomma - more of Cole later this week!!! And then on Friday, I had a hair appointment. I try to knock off early from work at least once a month and pick up one child early for a little one-on-one time with Mom. Carsie came with me for her first "real" haircut. I've "trimmed" it twice before for her - but it needed a real shape. SO - I took her to Laura Beth - this is the "before" (and no LB is not putting color on her hair - that was for me ;)
And the "after" - complete with shampooing & styling - she felt like a pretty princess. Honestly, I think the thing she was MOST excited about, because she said it 50 times is "I don't have to take a nap today!!!" because I picked her up just at nap time...I'm thinking of starting a new trend - whatcha think? I think foil is a good look, yes?
And then, Carson was SO worn out from getting beautiful, I looked over and this is what I found. So much for no nap, eh?And then Saturday, the chillies were invited to go to Callaway Gardens with my grandmother, and I went to the 2009 Atlanta Steeplechase!!! Fun times. All high society and redneck country mixed together. It was WAY hot - you can see the red cheeks on all of us here! These are my newest girlfriends, Ashley & Shauna - lovin' the hats...but they kind of get in the way when you're squeezing together!!!
And this is my sweet friend Brooklyn. We had to have a photo op because we both broke out the black with tiny white pin dotos. Love it!!!And...a gratuitous photo of my sweetheart. Cute, huh?
Phew. What a week!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
My to-do list
Just because I know you're dying to know (bwahahaha)
1. Put all the laundry away - and keep washing. (This is ONGOING at my house).
2. Be sure to wash and pack up tee ball stuff for 5:30 game tomorrow!
3. dishes (ick)
4. clean up all the clutter (This one thing should occupy most of my evening) for Yolanda to come clean the house tomorrow
5. Write check for Yolanda.
6. Remind self that I am ONLY one person, and if everything doesn't get done, life WILL go on.
7. Make Carsie's ballet bag... 6 months late.
8. Finish tutorial for note-list-folio thingie (no one suggested a better name!!!) and continue making boatload of folios for Mom's Day presents and at request of paying buyers!
9. finish hand-quilting (only like a tiny bit left) and binding quilt for best friend that has been hanging out 90% complete for, oh, 18 months...
10. Get Steeplechase outfit together for this weekend...
11. Figure out my life. (This will be on my everlasting To-Do list.)
12. Find crafty fun thing for kids to make for Mother's Day presents...ideas anyone? I'm thinking chocolate dipped/sprinkled pretzel sticks.
13. Have a beer (or 4)...
14. Try to figure out what the plan for the children is this weekend. (This is week 3 in a row of all-mommy-all-the-time - minus Saturday night...and I don't mind at all, but I need to figure out what we're doing!)
15. Call 401(k)/investment guru and set up appointment...re: you know, my life.
16. Get hair appointment ASAP.
17. pedicure (it's REALLY bad, folks...and sandal weather is upon us!) - and eyebrows (also in somewhat disgraceful disposition...)
18. Print photos - lots of them - of children for Moms/Grandmoms & Aunts...
Hmmm, 18 is probably enough to get me started.... (as I pass out in my office chair just thinking about these things...*sigh*)
1. Put all the laundry away - and keep washing. (This is ONGOING at my house).
2. Be sure to wash and pack up tee ball stuff for 5:30 game tomorrow!
3. dishes (ick)
4. clean up all the clutter (This one thing should occupy most of my evening) for Yolanda to come clean the house tomorrow
5. Write check for Yolanda.
6. Remind self that I am ONLY one person, and if everything doesn't get done, life WILL go on.
7. Make Carsie's ballet bag... 6 months late.
8. Finish tutorial for note-list-folio thingie (no one suggested a better name!!!) and continue making boatload of folios for Mom's Day presents and at request of paying buyers!
9. finish hand-quilting (only like a tiny bit left) and binding quilt for best friend that has been hanging out 90% complete for, oh, 18 months...
10. Get Steeplechase outfit together for this weekend...
11. Figure out my life. (This will be on my everlasting To-Do list.)
12. Find crafty fun thing for kids to make for Mother's Day presents...ideas anyone? I'm thinking chocolate dipped/sprinkled pretzel sticks.
13. Have a beer (or 4)...
14. Try to figure out what the plan for the children is this weekend. (This is week 3 in a row of all-mommy-all-the-time - minus Saturday night...and I don't mind at all, but I need to figure out what we're doing!)
15. Call 401(k)/investment guru and set up appointment...re: you know, my life.
16. Get hair appointment ASAP.
17. pedicure (it's REALLY bad, folks...and sandal weather is upon us!) - and eyebrows (also in somewhat disgraceful disposition...)
18. Print photos - lots of them - of children for Moms/Grandmoms & Aunts...
Hmmm, 18 is probably enough to get me started.... (as I pass out in my office chair just thinking about these things...*sigh*)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The Good, The Bad & The Gorgeous
The Good:
It's Tuesday. One day closer to Friday.
Saturday is STEEPLECHASE. Yay.
I only had 12 voice mails at 9 this morning, as opposed to the average of 17-20.
The Bad:
It's Tuesday. Picture day at school, ballet @ 5:30, tee ball also @ 5:30, Junior Service League meeting at 7. Something's got to give...and tonight, it's JSL.
8 of my 12 voicemails were mean-spirited, angry folks.
My house is a W-R-E-C-K...(but Yolanda comes Thursday - which is GOOD, but, I have to actually pick a lot up and put a lot a lot a lot of laundry away for her to be able to clean!)
I'm exhausted. This is week 3 straight of having the children to myself. Their grandmomma, Mema, did take them Saturday afternoon and I got them back on Sunday afternoon, but I helped a friend move Saturday and Sunday, so though I was glad to help, I didn't do too much at my own house!
The Gorgeous:
My kiddos!!! Today was picture day at school. Cole wore a navy tee with white horizontal stripes and some pants...totally cute. Carsie wore a pretty navy sailor dress and took "Ona" (one of the dollies) in a MATCHING dress. I'll have to get post-school pictures - oh, wait - they'll be in ballet & baseball gear...Alas.
Also gorgeous - I've been playing around on Flickr while waiting for laundry and stuff (I just upgraded to a "pro" account with unlimited storage!) - and finding SO many pretty things people have made! *sigh*
I promise to have more pictures later this week. Nothing fun right now - but I AM (Sarah - mexcitymom) working on the folio tutorial this week. No promises until next week - but I'm still working on it!!! If I post it early next week, it gives everyone almost 2 weeks to get it together for Mom's day presents ;)
It's Tuesday. One day closer to Friday.
Saturday is STEEPLECHASE. Yay.
I only had 12 voice mails at 9 this morning, as opposed to the average of 17-20.
The Bad:
It's Tuesday. Picture day at school, ballet @ 5:30, tee ball also @ 5:30, Junior Service League meeting at 7. Something's got to give...and tonight, it's JSL.
8 of my 12 voicemails were mean-spirited, angry folks.
My house is a W-R-E-C-K...(but Yolanda comes Thursday - which is GOOD, but, I have to actually pick a lot up and put a lot a lot a lot of laundry away for her to be able to clean!)
I'm exhausted. This is week 3 straight of having the children to myself. Their grandmomma, Mema, did take them Saturday afternoon and I got them back on Sunday afternoon, but I helped a friend move Saturday and Sunday, so though I was glad to help, I didn't do too much at my own house!
The Gorgeous:
My kiddos!!! Today was picture day at school. Cole wore a navy tee with white horizontal stripes and some pants...totally cute. Carsie wore a pretty navy sailor dress and took "Ona" (one of the dollies) in a MATCHING dress. I'll have to get post-school pictures - oh, wait - they'll be in ballet & baseball gear...Alas.
Also gorgeous - I've been playing around on Flickr while waiting for laundry and stuff (I just upgraded to a "pro" account with unlimited storage!) - and finding SO many pretty things people have made! *sigh*
I promise to have more pictures later this week. Nothing fun right now - but I AM (Sarah - mexcitymom) working on the folio tutorial this week. No promises until next week - but I'm still working on it!!! If I post it early next week, it gives everyone almost 2 weeks to get it together for Mom's day presents ;)
Friday, April 17, 2009
As promised...an update.
So much to share!!! I just spent 45 minutes trying to choose the best of the best pictures I've taken in the last week to let you all in blogland know what's been going on. First - SARAH in Texas...I love you. I am working on instructions and I PROMISE they will be up before Mother's Day because that's what I plan on doing for several presents...
Now - on to what's been occupying my life and keeping me from blogging:
My Lil' Viking baseball player!!! He played First Base in his game this week and did AWESOME!
Easter Egg Hunt - This is Carson with her haul. She's such a hoarder...
My beauties. Cole always looks so stoic in photos that are posed. Carson either goes whole hog posing with her hands on her hips or won't look at you at all...like here.
This is my dad - aka "Pop" - and that gorgeous lady on his arm is my sweet lovely niece, Sadie. (The sun was in Pop's eyes...obviously, but he's known to pull a face here and there anyway ;)
An afternoon visit to Swan Lake and letting my kids run wild with the ducks, geese & the one swan. I forget sometimes (since they argue, like, all the time) that they are almost completely inseparable. Here's "bubba" helping Carsie cross the little rock-water fall thingie. I love to see them whispering and giggling and they're just close and dependent on each other. Siblings are the best!
Holding Hands...and laughing together.
OK - so I'm in this Swap world now. God help me! I could go hog wild. So, I entered this Tea for Two swap - so you basically are supposed to send 2 teabags to your partners (we had 2 partners...) - and mine are in Australia (South Australia, not NSW, family...) and Norway. Fun, right? Well, I had seen this tutorial for a "tea wallet" and decided that would be a nice thing to include for tea lovers, right?
So I made two, right? And, they hold 4 tea bags each, so why just send 2???
And, finally, finally...this is what I did in about 2 hours of spare time between washing, drying, folding, sorting and putting away laundry this afternoon. It's Heather Ross's "Summer Blouse" pattern from Weekend Sewing. Um, I LOVE this pattern? It turned out bigger/roomier than I expected (I made a large because who wants a tight woven cotton "summer blouse" right? - and because I thought it might make a good swim coverup...) - Well, it WILL make a good swim coverup, but I will probably re-trace the medium for next time and add a few inches to the bottom. Oh, and PS, the sleeves were insanely long for me, but many other patterns I've made have the same problem, but I don't *think* I have oddly short arms? Oh, and it looks a little "That 70s Show" or "The Partridge Family" because the way the collar is folding out, but I don't think it looks like that in person...and if it does, I don't care.
Now - on to what's been occupying my life and keeping me from blogging:
My Lil' Viking baseball player!!! He played First Base in his game this week and did AWESOME!
Easter Egg Hunt - This is Carson with her haul. She's such a hoarder...
My beauties. Cole always looks so stoic in photos that are posed. Carson either goes whole hog posing with her hands on her hips or won't look at you at all...like here.
This is my dad - aka "Pop" - and that gorgeous lady on his arm is my sweet lovely niece, Sadie. (The sun was in Pop's eyes...obviously, but he's known to pull a face here and there anyway ;)
An afternoon visit to Swan Lake and letting my kids run wild with the ducks, geese & the one swan. I forget sometimes (since they argue, like, all the time) that they are almost completely inseparable. Here's "bubba" helping Carsie cross the little rock-water fall thingie. I love to see them whispering and giggling and they're just close and dependent on each other. Siblings are the best!
Holding Hands...and laughing together.
OK - so I'm in this Swap world now. God help me! I could go hog wild. So, I entered this Tea for Two swap - so you basically are supposed to send 2 teabags to your partners (we had 2 partners...) - and mine are in Australia (South Australia, not NSW, family...) and Norway. Fun, right? Well, I had seen this tutorial for a "tea wallet" and decided that would be a nice thing to include for tea lovers, right? 
So I made two, right? And, they hold 4 tea bags each, so why just send 2???
And, finally, finally...this is what I did in about 2 hours of spare time between washing, drying, folding, sorting and putting away laundry this afternoon. It's Heather Ross's "Summer Blouse" pattern from Weekend Sewing. Um, I LOVE this pattern? It turned out bigger/roomier than I expected (I made a large because who wants a tight woven cotton "summer blouse" right? - and because I thought it might make a good swim coverup...) - Well, it WILL make a good swim coverup, but I will probably re-trace the medium for next time and add a few inches to the bottom. Oh, and PS, the sleeves were insanely long for me, but many other patterns I've made have the same problem, but I don't *think* I have oddly short arms? Oh, and it looks a little "That 70s Show" or "The Partridge Family" because the way the collar is folding out, but I don't think it looks like that in person...and if it does, I don't care.You're lucky you're getting this HORRID photo of me posted here on the free internet for the world to see. I *just* took it with my self-timer on the camera. The light in the kitchen is terrible because, oh 5 of the 6 cannister lights are burned out and I don't have a ladder to be able to reach them to replace them (and I don't have any bulbs anyway...and they're like $3 a pop - so right there it's already $15...*sigh*) - I digress. It's also 11 pm at night and I've been all over town, cleaning out my garage, working in the yard, and to the Rome Braves game tonight. So there. I'm allowed to look like this. I'm ok with me ;) And i have a pretty new shirt (albeit wrinkled), too.
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