Scraps and such.

Well look at that, it's already been over two weeks since last posting!  Anyway, here's what I've been up to in the sewing room.

I'm looking forward to a quilting retreat next month (imagine.... 4 days of sewing and fun, with no interruptions!!), so I've spent a bit of time preparing.  I'm cutting out various projects, to limit the amount to pack.  It's hard to know how many things will get done, so I'm stocking up.  Even if I don't get to them all, it's nice to have the cutting done so I can sew when I get a little chance at home.  And if know myself at all, it's nice to have options. =)

 These little bags are for sorting scraps or projects.  The handles in the pattern were supposed to be on the ends, but Mom said they looked silly, and I agreed.  They looked cute, but I couldn't seem to get a good picture- so on the two after the first, I put them on the sides.  Fun way to use up scraps!

 When I was looking for something fun to work on, I found these fun little strips in the scrap bin that were already cut.  So I found some more fabrics, and made a baby-size log-cabin quilt! The strips were about 1 1/2 inches, so it took awhile to get much for size.

 The leftovers were begging to be used also.  A matching bag!  I'm trying really hard to use things up.

 This was actually the result of using up the "leftovers" from one of the projects I cut out for retreat.  First came the disappearing-4-patch table-runner, then a pot-holder, and finally a mini-quilt and pillow for a small doll.  Those little squares are only one-inch finished.  I threw away the leftover bits and pieces.... and now the leftovers are used up before the intended project.  Seems kindof backwards, but it was nice to not add more to the overflowing scrap bins!

 These were fun scraps the boys always like to pull out.  Cute little frogs.  I made a doll-size from the 2-in-strips, and a mini-quilt from the 1 1/2-inch strips.

 After the success of the pink-and-yellow quilt, I decided to try some purple and yellow.  It's amazing how much I can find that looks good just from scraps!  I think I have too many.....  These were using 2-inch scraps, so went a little faster.

This is the new sewing room, it used to be the laundry room.  It's currently quite packed, but it's so nice to be able to sew a bit!  The huge quilting table is going to have to be set up in the garage, so it's waiting there patiently.  With all these quilt-tops getting done, I'm going to keep it busy when it's finally set up!

 The washing machine is hooked up in there because the plumbing has not yet been re-routed to the garage.  Makes things a bit crowded, but it sure beats the cost at the laundromat!

 And the dryer is in the garage, again quite silly-looking, but ever so functional.  =)

Andy and I did enjoy the laundromat one day.... when we got some doughnuts to share.  After all, you must have something to do while you're waiting, right?

Breanna and Levi got to spend a couple days with Kiera and aunt Kylee while Breanna had a couple days off of school, and Breanna came home with Beautiful hair!  I told her I was proud of her being good so long for Kylee to do it that way, she said it was because she got to sit down while waiting.  Aha.....

 I was impressed!

 This is what the corner of the garage looked like when we bought it..... 

 And though the kid is cute, the workbench had to go.

 Thanks to Larry B., we now have grouted tile where the laundry is going to be!
(ha ha, can you tell where the workbench was?)

 And down to the 3rd bathroom.

 It was definately a work-bathroom, but I see potential.

 It's always good to have an extra bath for company,

 And amazing what a little tile can do.  Don't worry, lots more improvements before we expect anyone to use it. =)

 The tile goes all the way to the door to the outside, which someone wasn't thinking when they installed..... it's got the wrong swing!  So now looking for a replacement door, but that works for now.  The door to the left goes to the sewing room (old laundry).

The tile is also grouted in the mast bathroom.... yahoo!!

 definately an improvement over what it was before.  And I painted the cabinet white, to brighten things up.

When Daddy was installing some of the tile, he had some excellent helpers.

 Mixing the thin-set.

 Levi even got to smooth some on, he was quite sure he was a very big boy.

 The boys enjoying a good tractor book from Grandma Jill.

 Having a good lunch-time chat with Daddy.  Nose-picking says it was serious. 

 Ever since we moved here, the kids have asked to go for a walk to the cemetery on the corner.  So when Marcella and Brooks came over for a walk, we went.  It was a beautiful evening!

 They'd never done such a thing, it was quite a learning experience.

 I liked this on the back of one tombstone.

And that's all for now folks, what have you been up to?  Any color suggestions for more scrap-busting quilts? I'm wanting to try purple and green, as Leah (was it you?) suggested a while back.

On a funny note, Levi keeps hearing me talk about "making a dent in the scrap bins", and he often mentions he wants to watch when I do it.  =)

Catching Up

Yes, I'm still here; and we are now completely moved into our new house!  Of course there is still some work to do, and lots of organizing/finishing up; but all our stuff is moved.  Yahoooo!

Two little sweeties, enjoying time together while Mom worked and Andy napped.

As you may have noticed, nothing's been posted here since mid-August.  Yup, and it's October now!  So..... there are a lot of pictures.  Not as many as some might have taken in that time period, but I was working hard!  And it's paying off, we all love our new home.

Painted the trim white; one coat of primer and two coats of high-gloss, made quite a difference!

Trying it out on a cabinet, too.

 little helper

The cabinet, looking better!

 Peeling wallpaper, they loved helping.

 Sweet, little, chubby, 2 year-old hand.

 Big-girl first grader!

 all gone... yay!

Making blackberry freezer jam, yum!

 Peeling wallpaper off pantry shelves..... yuck!

 Grandpa Jon came to put in tile, THANKS!

 We decided to put it clear thru to the other door.

 Breanna helped put the flooring in her bedroom!

 Big improvement over the linoleum...

And tile into the pantry off the kitchen.... (very convenient, the rental had the pantry in the garage!)

 Starting to get a little closer to live-able.

 Tile in the bathroom to replace the pink carpet, makes it feel bigger too.

 Loving all this color, and white trim!

Silly boy.

 Broccoli from the garden.  Levi was elated when he noticed it was growing!

 We got a lovely flu bug, I think we've had our fair share this year.

 Carrots from the garden.

 Levi learned to pump this summer, and could spend hours on the swing.

 These kids could read books most of the day.

 Helping Daddy cover some seed trailers, in case it rained.

 brothers

 friends

 sweet-hearts!

 We have been eating corn-on-the-cob like it's going out of style.

 This kid really liked it!

 And this one.

 And this one; he wanted it for all meals every day, plus snack!  =)

 Fixing up some $5 wal-mart shoes so they are cuter. (for Breanna)

 And in pink.

Cousin Kiera came to visit, it's nice living so much closer to them!

 More corn.

 It really was delicious!

 And we ate LOTS of it.  You can't grow it in Alaska, so we really enjoyed it.

 I made relish earlier this summer, but wanted to try making it with more peppers and onions for over meat; Tyler thought it sounded good.

 And of course, the boys LOVED helping.

 Andy was sure he had to keep up with Levi.

 More corn.... 

 All you need is a little butter and salt..... mmmmmm!

 Red potatoes from the garden, I can still hardly believe they grow from a cut-up potato!

 Fried zucchini with cheese.... mmmm, I could have lived on this all summer!  With or without the cheese.  It's also delicious with some fresh-sliced mushrooms.

 Seriously, we ate it at least once a day!

 Added some tomatoes (from Sue's garden) to the relish-stuff.

 Jalapeno's from the garden.

 Hawaiian day at school- Teresa gave her a leigh made of shells, she was impressed!

 She also gave her a hand-made flower for her hair.

After so much play, Levi falls asleep quite funny.

 While peeling/chipping up linoleum in the new house, I slipped with the chisel.  Went to the ER for stitches, so much for saving money by doing it myself!

 The kitchen is bright blue!

 With the wall removed, it all seems bigger.

 Another Jalapeno, we got lots of them for some reason.  Guess I'll need to grow tomatoes next year and make salsa!  We also got quite a few sweet peppers.

 One Sunday afternoon, I took a break and played with fabric.  This is for a trial-pillow, with smaller half-triangles from Tyler's shirts I cut up before.

 The previous idea didn't seem to sew up so well (I was having a terrible time with points), and I actually like this better.  Once finished it will be a throw-size, and I'm thinking quite soft since it's from well-loved shirts!

 Now to painting the floor trim white, what a chore!

 The primer took forever, high-gloss second coat went quickly.

 Picking flowers for Breanna when she came on the bus.

 She's very excited to have a shorter bus ride now, and Mommy is very excited to not drive to school twice every day!

 This was the dining room, now part of the living room.

 It all feels so open!

 The pantry.  (minus doors.)

 Looking towards the living room.

 Levi really liked the blue in the kitchen, he told me "I like it so much, that if you had shoes that color I'd make you wear them every time we go to town."  Ha!  So, I painted his room that color too.

 And added some goldfish "wallies".

 They both love their fish-bowl room.

 bathroom.

 hallway

 Breanna's green room.

 master bedroom

 Still working on the master bathroom, they used tile-like wallpaper and lots of glue.... what a mess!

 Took out the small vanity, replacing with large mirror.

 Sortof a robin-egg blue, I love it!

 Hall towards living room.

 living room.

 Craigslist dresser we got for the boys last winter. ($25)

 Decided it was a good time to paint it too!

 Daddy's brother Cody, and his friend Anthony, stopped by on their way to Alaska.

 Awesome help moving the big stuff, it was quite hillbilly-style looking!  =)

 The finished dresser; some lighter blue paint leftover from the boys' room at the rental.  I really don't like the nobs, buy they came on it and don't cost anything, so I guess they will have to stay for now.

 My quilt got quite disheveled while we were packing (I never actually got time to sew the triangles together), and the kids made make-shift beds on the floor.

 I gave this quilt to Andy for his new room, he was quite impressed.

 Very blue!  Grandma has another metal bed we are going to paint for Andy, any ideas on color?

Sacked-out on the way back from Bend.

 happy traveler

 and another

 Before I took the quilting frame down, I quilted a pretty scrap quilt for Brenda.  I love how she used so many different fabrics!

 Look at her pretty piecing.

 Tiny triangles!

 And this one for Tyler's sister, Bethaney.  I'm not sure when it will be set up again, so wanted to get them done for them quickly!

" Grandpa" Larry came to help us pick and get the rest of the corn ready to freeze.

 Levi loved helping him, and Banner the dog seemed to enjoy it also.

 harvesting sunflower seeds!

 Levi came in while Grandma was cleaning, and said he wanted her to make some relish!  Ha ha, I think that zucchini has been ignored way too long- it's huge!

 Andy sacked out in the corner while we finished cleaning.  I sure did appreciate all the help from aunt Kylee and Grandma Maryn!  Kylee worked hard in the mornings and then took the kids to the pool and other fun things.  It really was a fun time.

 Cousins.

 and Rosie, Grandma's dog.

Andy picking out John Deere tractors.

 Rosie was quite excited when Breanna came home from school.  Breanna seemed quite impressed how excited she was to see her too.

 Enjoying the new bathtub, it's nice to have shower-doors so they can splash and not get the floor all wet!

 And I finally figured out how to download pictures from my phone.  They aren't great resolution, and I don't take many on it, but these were sweet.

 We need to get a new kitten, they sure do miss him.

 Riding the combine with Daddy.

 Breanna and the wheel-line.

 Back in August I cut up some pink and yellow coordinating squares.

 Sewed them into strips, and made Breanna a skirt!

 I had enough to make one for Kiera too, so used the phone so I could text them to Kylee.

 Now I just need to finish Kiera's so they can match!

 The kids started swimming lessons, and loved it!

 We live not to far away now, so are planning to get a yearly pass.  And maybe Kylee and Kiera will come visit more since they love to swim!  =)

 Chopped up rattlesnake that was out where I asked the kids to get in the van...... yikes!  He was really hissing and rattling, quite intimidating!

And that's all for now folks.  Hopefully now I can keep up a little better, but I've still got a lot left to do- so current house pics will have to wait.  Harvest is done, the weather is turning cooler, and it just feels like time to keep warm inside.  I mowed our lawn and the grass on the second lot; so hopefully that's all till next spring.  One positive benefit of all this work, is that I've lost 24 pounds!!  At first it didn't sound like much, but then I realized that I gained 25 pounds on each of my full-term pregnancies, so I guess it was quite a bit!  And it feels soooo nice to have a little more clothing options.  Now if I can just keep it off all winter......