Pine Trees and Baby Gifts

We're here! But only at a temporary site at the moment. The site we chose to make our "home" didn't have water service yet when we arrived. Hopes are that the water issues will be resolved before the end of the week. The water and many, many other issues are continuing ghosts of the monstrous ice storm that ravished this area earlier this year. The damage is widespread and shocking. Literally everywhere you look.

Yesterday I took a walk to snap some photos. It's a challenge to stay out of the way of the work crews, so I walked up to the archery range. Right now attention is being focused on roads and campsites so this area is not a priority.

For whatever reason, it seems this hillside took a particular beating. There are standing trees in the background, however the trees you see in the foreground are not only downed but uprooted. Lots and lots of them, like a swath was taken right across that hillside.

But most shocking is that this kind of damage is not isolated. It's around every corner. The crews here are working ever so hard and making great progress but obviously it can't all be addressed. I can't imagine how many years it will take for nature to restore herself to previous splendor. Probably not in my lifetime!

Here's a typical roadside scene. This beautiful old cedar got a good pruning in order to clear the roadway. Behind is lots more that will lie, at least for the time being.

Nevertheless, the woods are coming to life with spring beauty and here are a couple of uplifting glimpses.

The thrilling beauty of rebirth . . .

So - enough camp talk! On to sewing . . .

Here are a couple more baby gift items from Lyndsay's shower that I promised I would show.

Diaper bag made for my mom to give (Daddy is a trucker, can you tell?!).

And here is a photo album that was my dad's gift.

Are you photo over-loaded?!

Hope your day is a good one!

Welcome Baby!

The baby shower was a huge affair - gifts like you can't imagine! It was fun to see friends and relatives and to get to meet more of Anthony's family as well. But on to the goodies --

Here's what was in our welcome package.

















A Baby Quilt - going for the boyish look in chocolate and sea foam green.



I think the hand embroidery really added something, don't you?

Most of the design images are from a Nancy Halverson book, Whimsical Baby, I believe. I added the monkey and some of the words myself. :)


















I love the back almost as much as the front -- let me tell you, it was really hard to part with that fabric. Those classic images of puppies, kittens and bunnies are so adorable. It's a good thing I love you so much Lynz!

And a few useful items to round out the package.

Aunt Linda reminded Lyndsay that those burp cloths and wet wipes actually serve a purpose - babies aren't all coos and sweet smells! If you know Lynz, you will understand that she may not have realized that! Tee-hee.

I made some other goodies for my parents to gift. I'll show you those in another post, I don't want to overload you in one day!

Have a great one!

Sweet Baby Lullabye

I've been anxious to post this one as I think it is just so darn cute. Meagan is the forever girlfriend of one my son's constant companions and very best since-childhood friends. Meagan asked me to do this set for her sister-in-law who is having a boy. You know, it's a special challenge to come up with something that is cute and fun but still boyish. When we talked I suggested the loopy-ribbon look and Meg loved that. She made a trip to Jackman's and came back with this stripe (by Timeless Treasures if anyone is interested) and a whole bag full of the most scrumptious ribbons. Those ribbons made the challenge much less daunting!

Here's the bag - XL to carry momma and sibling items as well.
This is my favorite part - what a touching sentiment, and most especially considering this is her sister-in-law. Isn't that sweet?! (Click in to get a better look.)


We also have a matching changing pad




. . . and a blankee.
It was fun to do these but I'm weary of bags. This may be the last bag I do for a long time. However there are still a few in the wings that I haven't shown yet, just waiting until the gifting dates are past. I've been doing some different projects lately and it's been a refreshing change. Quilting (my obsession of the moment) - oh, and yesterday I finally made a kitchen curtain for myself, I'll get pics of that soon.

And of course, I'm keeping an eye on the calendar as we continue to make arrangements to head off to Kentucky. Yesterday I officially became a cell phone owner. Yes, I know I am SO behind times. I should add here that my husband did provide me with one for emergencies but it was a pay-by-the-minute one and not something I actually used. Now I have a real one so will have to learn all the stuff that goes with it. I hope everyone has patience with me as I cut them off and don't know how to retrieve their messages!

On the subject of Kentucky, our friend Kathy with whom we will work this summer, sent me some photos this weekend of the cleanup progress at the campground. They have made a couple trips down there and here are photos from last week -

I don't think they went down this road, do you think?!

My heart goes out to those who are working so hard, I can't imagine how disheartening it would be to look at so much destruction and then think - where should we start?!

Have a good day, I'll be back soon.

So many things to share . . .

it's too much for one post! There's been a lot going on around here (as usual!).

My birthday comes on the heels of Christmas and that's such an inconvenient time. I use that as an excuse to kind of ignore the whole thing. I believe it's less about the whole age thing than it is about my discomfort at being the center of attention. Then there's the fact that it falls in that dead space of time between Christmas and New Year's when everyone is too busy for birthdays. Busy trying to recover from the wild and hectic pace of the previous several weeks and frantically attempting take down Christmas decor and make preparations for New Year's celebrations. Another party?! Groan and roll of the eyes. That's the essence of my birthday.

So . . . you can imagine what a SURPRISE it was when my friend Tammy and my dear future DIL Ashley organized a belated surprise dinner party for me on Friday evening! I remember Tammy saying at one point "You thought you got by that one, didn't you?". Indeed I did. It was a special evening and I was overwhelmed with their thoughtfulness and efforts to make it so nice. Ashley is a warm and intuitive person, always in tune to what is important to you. Believe me, she has brought a whole new level of sentimentality to my son! And Tammy - if you know Tammy, you know she is all about hospitality. Whatever the occasion, her inspiring decor sets a mood and wraps you up in the moment. When you're in her environment she'll have you feeling welcome, happy, warm & fuzzy all at the same time. So when those two put their heads together, it was magical. A beautiful and touching evening. Since it was a surprise I didn't have my camera to catch the balloons, gifts and fun but here at home I took this photo.




This is the beautiful centerpiece they sent home with me. (Eek -- I should have straightened the placemats before taking the pic!)




It's been a long time since I posted any sewing photos too, hasn't it? Well here is that diaper bag I told you I'd been working on, along with a few other baby gift items. This seems to be the season for babies around here.

His daddy operates a septic service.
By now I'm sure you realize the bib is reversible and following photo is the back.


I fell in love with that retro print without knowing how I would ever use it -- this worked perfectly, don't you think? I believe it's a Michael Miller print, I should look to be sure.

I love those frogs, don't you? The embroidery designs were all purchased from Designs by Juju in case anyone is interested. I have a whole library from her, she does great work.

And speaking of babies, it appears that dear Lyndsay Kay (my niece) will be having a little boy, due in May. They have chosen a name; I'll ask for permission to share it sometime soon.

I'll try to get back later in the week with more posts. I have lots more to share including my participation in Project Improv , a tag game with my blogger friend Amy of Park City Girl and a photo I can't believe I took! Like I said, things are rolling around here.

May God's peace and blessings be with you today!

Yes, I'm still here!

As of late I've been slacking in my blogging -- but not so in the sewing room. I've been busy busy, trying to make my way through a long list of projects. I am making progress but not enough in my judgment to be where I need to be as the holidays quickly approach. (EEK!) I also find myself with fewer pictures I can post for now, since so many of the projects I'm creating are gifts. But there are a couple of things I can show you . . .
Last time I posted bibs I mentioned how much I like to do them. They do take quite a lot of time (virtually all day for these 3) but I think they are just so darn cute! Oh, how I wish I'd had this machine and the time to do these things when our kids were small (deep sigh).

Fronts and Backs (they're reversible). Look closely to see the sparkle snowflakes!

These are fun because I love doing free motion quilting and using the bias binder. One of these days in the not too distant future, I'm going to start a quilt or two. I have a stack of Amy Butler Midwest Modern and a Moda Posh jelly roll waiting for that day.

Here are more Vandal bags . . .


and some velveteen drawstrings for Our Sorrowful Mother's Ministry.



In the wings -- I have a cute diaper bag completed for a shower this weekend, so I'll be able to post it soon. Also a couple other completed bags that are Christmas gifts. Oh won't we be picture saturated after Christmas?!

And finally, I was inspired by a post last month by Amy at Park City Girl as she began giving thought to what she is thankful for. Those thoughts have rambled around in my head as I tried to come up with a perfect list and finally decided a comprehensive list is too much pressure. So instead I'm just going to mention two or three random things with each post this month. Here are today's thoughts:

~ God's Grace that gives me strength for all things
~ His gift of life and good health to enjoy it
~ Our many blessings of comfort and security

Those are my profound thanks, next time I'll do more light-hearted. Have a great day and enjoy the blessings in your life!

In my sewing room this week

So far this week I've completed a couple of bags. They are totally different but I love them both.

I have to say it, this one was a challenge. If she wasn't so pretty, she might not have survived!! The chocolate is a home dec with the most wonderful texture and a very sturdy weight. I was thrilled with the way it was handling, zippers (yes two!) were looking great, then I got to the straps only to find out that four layers of fabric plus interfacing were impenetrable - even with a 110 needle! I spent one whole afternoon and no less than five (I think it was actually six) trials before I came up with a handle technique for this one. Whew! Nevertheless, I am thrilled with this bag -- I love it so much, I wanna change my name and carry it!

And I just love this zoo themed diaper bag! Sorry, I had to edit the name from the photo as it's a secret. But it's a cute name and the monogramming is done in a fun, contemporary serif font in lime green. It's cute but you'll just have to take my word for it. :)


And here's a coordinating reversible bib. I like these more with each one I do. You probably can't see from the photo but it's quilted with stippling around the design. (You can see the stippling some if you double-click to enlarge the photo.) These bibs are a learning tool for me - I'm perfecting my free motion quilting skills and getting more adept at using my bias binder attachment.

I've got a couple of other sewing projects underway but nothing worth showing. I'm working on supply lists and sewing patterns for my classes. Tammy and I did grape jam last night - I won't bore you with photos but will tell you her kitchen smelled divine! Our weather is spectacular, I hope you all are equally blessed and having some time to enjoy it. Have a great weekend!

Canning, baking and sewing baby stuff

I've begun my annual slide into late-summer depression, feeling sorry for myself that summer is almost gone. Where we live, the cottonwoods are always the first to turn and their leaves are picking up a yellow cast. Ah, where did the summer go?!

This week I did more pickles and worked with apples - making pies and applesauce. I have more apples in the garage and I think I may can some apple pie filling. Tammy's grapes aren't quite ready but getting close - we're thinking grape jelly.

Along the lines of 'where did our summer go', I got the delightful task of picking up my charming little friend Maddi from her first day of pre-school. (Let's clarify that's this year's pre-school, she'd be offended if y'all thought she was a first-timer.) Maddi is one of Rusty's biggest fans and couldn't wait to get home to see him.

These are gifts for a baby shower this weekend. I've been sitting on that onsie phrase for some time now and this new momma has the perfect sense of humor for it! I picked up her colors from a registry page and found the perfect combination of brown and dusty turquoise - at Jackman's of course. Did I mention I have a teacher's discount card? (Yippee!) Reminder - you can double-click photos to zoom in.

Matching reversible bibs.

Another shower also this weekend:

This denim/bandana bag was a custom order. Can you guess the new parents are horse people!? The appliqued ponies are fleece so they are touchable-soft. I was pleased with how it turned out. Then I got the SWEETEST note ever from the grandma-to-be. (An adorable handmade note, I must add!) That is why I do this -- I am hopelessly addicted to the feeling you get from making someone happy. I hope that doesn't sound nearly as self-serving as it feels to say it!

What a week!

Busy and fun! Summer produce is in full swing here in Illinois and it doesn't wait for an "appropriate" time. Tammy and I canned spaghetti sauce this past week with her lovely fresh tomatoes and some of my overabundance of cucumbers became dill pickle sandwich slices. I had never made pickles before - I am so excited about these! Now I'm hoping the cukes keep producing because I'd love to do more of these. This week we'll be working on apples and grapes . . .

On Thursday Jamie & Preston arrived! They flew into St. Louis, spent that night with Amy at her apartment, then we picked them up on Friday morning and brought them to our home for the weekend. It was our first time to meet Preston and it was a fun and magical time.

Isn't he a cutie? We had so much fun!

Having an expanded household was certainly different though - when everyone was gone on Sunday evening Randy & I said whew! and we headed to the country for a camping night!

It was quite a hectic week - every free moment between canning and preparing for company I spent sewing for Preston. I almost made it! I finished the book gift after they arrived, while he was here sleeping. These are reversible baby bibs -

Doesn't every kid lug around a special pillow? (I'm thinking of you GG and your floppy!) Bright kid colors are so much fun. A one candle cupcake to celebrate Preston's first birthday on December 30th.

Every page on this "quiet book" has respositionable pieces. For instance, the bear's bow can be a bow tie or be moved to between the ears for a girly, momma bear look. The bird and cloud can be moved on the house page, as can the bumble bee and the worms. The front pocket can store the pieces - or something else.

Okay, this one was for Jamie -

I was pleased and relieved when she seemed to like it. (I struggle when I try to guess someone else's taste.) She did say this was her favorite picture of Preston, so that was a good guess!

So -- don't you agree, it was quite a week?! Catch you soon - J