Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Colors


The last quilt I finished was definately not my normal choice for colors, but aparently you liked it.  Now I'm curious, what is your favorite color, or combination of colors?  I tried to add a "gadget" on the side with a color poll, but it doesn't seem to show the options for selection.  I know there are also combinations of colors that I like, not necessarily just a color by itself; so this way you can leave a combo.  I've got a lot of scraps to use up, but am having trouble deciding on which color to try next.  Thanks for your help!  =)

As you might have noticed from the scrap-bin photo, I like color.  Not so much into the browns and earth-tones.  But..... I do like this kind of brown!
Fresh-tilled garden!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Cottage Roses

I've had some fabrics for awhile that I really like, but haven't been able to come up with a plan for.  I finally got it as good as it's going to get, and I love the results.
There were bunch of prairie points that I thought I'd use as border on a baby quilt.  But instead, I realized I could open them up, iron them, and have some descent sized squares.
They were leftovers from this baby quilt.
I went through my scraps and found some more pieces that I cut into smaller squares to go along, and layed out a table runner.  I really didn't like it much, though, so tried again.
I decided maybe to make a set of 4 coordinating placemats?  Nope.

I played for awhile and kept coming back to this.
And then.... something I liked!  Arranged and re-arranged, then sewed the blocks together.
And last night I finished hand-sewing the binding on.
I had fun taking some pictures outside.
The boys had fun tagging along also.
I'm usually not much into taking pictures, but this was fun!


As far as my etsy site, I will give you the link when it's ready.  It's a bit time-consuming, so I decided to get a pile of things ready and then post them all at once.  Then I'm going to ask for your advise on what to make for the new projects!  =)


Sunday, April 24, 2011

Motivation

We've found a farm that we'd really like to buy, and have been trying to think of everything we can get rid of to come up with enough for the downpayment.  It may be a big stretch to convince the bank we can do it, but one thing I realized I could do- was finish up all these little projects I have laying around, and sell them on Etsy.com.  Boy has it been a good motivator to finish things!

I'm still not sure I'm going to let go of this, it would be fun to hang in the sewing room.







Breanna wanted in the photo since her PJ's were pink too.  =)





Sure is fun getting all these little projects finished up!


Awhile back I squared up my 1/2-square triangles, and am still working on getting a small quilt top together.


My points actually matched up pretty well on the pinwheels, they are fun little blocks.


The shirt quilt has taken back-burner till I get some major motivation, I was having trouble getting the triangles sewn together with accurate points.



It will be about twin size or double once the borders are added.  Levi is already claiming it.  =)


The previous gap is because I decided this fabric just didn't go.  It's close, but with the other it kindof looked greyish.


I also have been working on another project, but no photos- hopefully more this week.  All I need to do is the binding to be finished.  With all this nice weather, I haven't spent as much time sewing the past few days!

Busy Summer Days

Now that irrigation season has begun, Daddy is puting in very long hours, including switching irrigation in the early morning and late evening- seven days a week.  The kids love going along with him some evenings, and it gives Mommy a little break too.



Picking dandelions.  They were soooo pleased to find that they grow here too, not just in Alaska.







There's a pond in the backyard that needed the cat-tails burned out of it.  It was quite a thing to watch, and Daddy was on the tractor with a hose in case things got out of hand.  Since irrigation water came last week, the pond is now full!  There are quite a few ducks, geese, and birds that we enjoy watching there every day.



The garden isn't tilled or planted yet, so it's a perfect place to dig holes.




And both are loving the fact that she can now read him so many stories.



And this guy was also very pleased when aunt Lindsey got them yet another set of tractors.  There's even a 4-wheeler in there like Daddy uses for irrigation.

Breanna overheard us talking about our new diet plan, and when we got home this is what she came up with.  A list to remind her what to eat, what not to eat, and what was ok for both.  I love how she spelled things how they sound.
Speaking of diets, I've gained another 13 pounds in the last 6weeks!  Guess that whole ordeal was harder on me than I realized, but in any case- I have to get drastic now.  It's been warmer (though windy) lately, so I have enjoyed going on long walks almost every day.  Like 3 miles or longer, walks.  The kids are loving it too; Breanna riding her bike, and the boys in the jogging stroller.  Many days Marcella & Brooks come with us too, so Brooks rides a bike with Breanna, and Marcella and I visit.  It's been nice!

I've realized that I now weight 51 pounds more than I did when I was working out at the gym 5 days a week and felt really good, wow..... that's a LOT!  It's also the amount I weighed when fully pregnant with Breanna.  I've seen too many photos of myself lately and been very disappointed, but it's motivating me to get moving and eat better.  And it's so nice to get out and enjoy the sunshine!  =)