Frenchy Bag and More!

As I am able to find time, make time, or steal time, I allow myself the pleasure and treat of making something with fabric and my sewing machine. This past week I purchased the Amy Butler Frenchy Bag pattern. I couldn't wait to get started on it and I got it done in one afternoon and evening with lots of interruptions. I started it after mass on Superbowl Sunday and got it done before midnight. It was "SEW EASY" and it is roomy without being too large or bulky. Below is a picture of the inside and pockets. I forgot to buy a magnetic snap so I need to add that. I think velcro would work too.

Below is my very first baby quilt. I finished it a couple of weeks ago but took far too long to finally mail it. My first attempt at mailing it, I ran other errands came home and completely forgot to go to the post office. I planned to go again the next day, but it was so rainy and ugly out that I decided not to go out at all that day. The next day was Saturday and I missed the deadline for the Post Office. On Monday I got so caught up with cleaning and school and then got sucked into sewing, that I didn't go out at all again. Then finally today, Sara had a doctor appointment and I had to go to the post office to get stamps to mail some bills so, FINALLY, I mailed it out. Thank goodness my nephew isn't due for a few more weeks!! I hope you like it Steph!

I was looking to buy some fabric checkbook covers to got with my Frenchy Bag or future bags I will make, so I went on ebay and bid on a couple. I lost the bids because I was too cheap to bid higher than $5, so I decided to research how to make my own. I found a free pattern online for the checkbook cover and made one. I used my Chocolate Lollipop fabric (which doesn't match with my bag, but will match with the next bag I make). It turned out nice but I made a few changes to the pattern to make it work better with my checks. Here is what it looks like. The colors are nice, pink and chocolate! YUM!

I am thinking of making a few and selling them on ebay. But first I will start by making them for family and friends as gifts.

My next new project will be making another smaller bag also by Amy Butler called Stash and Dash Bags. These little bags are great when you don't feel like carrying a purse or tote but have more than a handful to carry. I am expecting my pattern in the mail any day now. I bought a stash of fabric at Walmart for $1 or $2 a yard. But I want to invest in a few yards of designer fabric too, which can run about $9-$14 a yard, but are very pretty and unique.

Peter is Nine Months Old!

Here is Anthony our early bird.


Peter is now 9 months old and growing so quickly. He is cuddly and chubby and oh so sweet. I look forward to his smile in the morning, and so does Anthony. Anthony comes to our bedroom every single morning to see if Peter is awake. It's so adorable when Peter is awake and sees Anthony come in. Peter gives his big brother and big smile and reaches out for him. If Peter is still asleep, Anthony just joins us in bed until we all get up for the morning. Anthony is an early riser and often is up at 6 a.m.

Court of Honor

Scout Oath (or Promise)
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
Luther was advanced to Second Class! He is working hard to reach Eagle by the end of his senior year.
Unfortunately Pop couldn't be there. He was watching baby Peter who was very sick with an ear infection. Peter is doing much better now.
Here we are congratulating him and clapping. Am I getting shorter or is my son getting taller?

Our Kitchen is Done!

We are excited about the kitchen being done so soon. It took a little less than 4 weeks. We are pleased with the results and are looking forward to adding some nice touches like curtains, wall hangings and some homemade hot pads and trivets. The kitchen feels twice as large now and is larger since we moved the sink out of the way.

Tom keeps asking "Do you think it really does look nice?" I keep saying "Yes, it's wonderful!"

I think he just wants to make sure I like it and I do like it alot. It's lovely!

We both look forward to entertaining and making lots of yummy meals for all who come to visit. So come on down your northerners!

I am looking at fabric for the kitchen valances. Any ideas? Please email me some fabric ideas and colors. I think I could throw some red in there with the curtains to give a pop of color, what do you think?
Yes, the countertops are granite!! Thankfully they were on sale and could fit our budget!

This is our tile backsplash with one inch glass tiles as accents. The colors of our kitchen are also the colors we had at our wedding which were sage green and ivory. I think of our wedding day often when I look at the tile work!

SNOW?!!!!!!!

We are supposed to get 2-4 inches of snow today starting at around 11a.m. PST. I will definitely post pictures of this unusual happening if it happens. The last time Montgomery had snow was Jan. 2, 2002, when 1.8 inches fell, NWS records show.

Right now it is raining and 36 degrees and the temperature is dropping.

Getting Crafty

Here are some of the latest projects I have worked on since Nov.07. I am currently working on a baby quilt for my newest nephew due in April.

18 inch quilt pillow made with beautiful Heather Bailey fabric.










Reversable baby blanket with ribbon edge. I made two of these. One for Peter and one for youngest nephew Giovanni.











Patchwork purse I made for Sara for Christmas.










Purl frogs I made for the boys.

Kitchen Renovation

Here is our kitchen before the remodel began. Notice that the sink area divides the kitchen almost in half and added no real usable counters or cabinets. (1st picture). It had a sort of bar area behind the sink that was useless to us. The tile in the backsplash was poorly installed and we had a strange cabinet that stuck out of the wall. (see second picture). Also, the vinyl tile floor was installed very poorly and would wiggle.

Our kitchen has been getting renovated for the last two weeks and all is going well. We have no kitchen use, no laundry use, but we are surviving. I plan on going to the laundromat tomorrow to catch up. Hence very little blogging lately.
The guys working on our kitchen are super friendly, hard workers, and they seem to be working fast. They don't bother me and I don't bother them :)

Here are some photos of our kitchen down to it's bare bones.












Here is a close up of the tiles that have been put in. They will be grouted later.










Below you can get an idea of what it will look like. They installed the cabinets yesterday and today and are reworking some of the outlets. Above the sink area there will be a tile design with one inch glass accents. The glass is green and will match the walls. Anthony is posing :)

Now we just can't wait to get the finished product in a few more weeks! We just hope it's done before Nanny and Aunt Lori come for a visit in Feb.