Peek-A-Boo!

I LOVE the pattens that are created by Amy Bradley (www.amybradleydesigns.com). I think that every time she's created something, I've wanted to make it. The first thing I ever made of hers was her "Kitty City" block of the month series.

The "Peek-A-Boo" pattern book came out before I got pregnant with #2. I had the fabrics picked out Christmas 2006, and knew I'd make it for a new baby someday. It doesn't go with his nursery decor, so I decided it would go on a wall above his bassinet in our room (he'll sleep in our room for about 4-5 months). Coolest part is that I get to look at the cool quilt all the time too.

So, in November 2007, I had the appliques all cut out, fused and ready to be stitched. I wanted to do the blanket/buttonhole machine stitch, but my amazingly sturdy little Bernina 1040 didn't have this stitch. Usually I've used my mom's machine or borrowed one from work. Doing the applique just got put on that long "quilting to-do" list.

On Christmas day, my mom and dad came to join us for present opening. We'd opened all the gifts and I was informed there was one more gift for me. As soon as I opened the box and saw the words "Switzerland" I about peed my pants. (Bernina machines are made in Switzerland). My mom and dad had bought me the mac-daddy of the sewing machine - a Bernina 440 QE (quilter's edition). I could write buckets about this machine, but suffice it to say, it has the buttonhole stitch I'd always longed for (along with a million other features I'd drooled over numerous times).

I set up the machine that night and within two days, I'd finished the appliques for the quilt. In about 2 weeks, this quilt was assembled and quilted - I was hopelessly in love with my new machine and the first quilt it created!

Back again!

Well, #2 has arrived, and turned 9 weeks old on Thursday. It's going SO fast and it's like being a new mom all over again. He's so different than #1 was, and although I *think* I know what to expect, he always throws me for a loop. I fall more and more in love with him every day and am totally enjoying being a mom of 2. I've even started to bug hubby about #3, but hubby says "not until we know how we'll pay for college for 3 or 4 kids". (I told him, they'll get scholarships b/c they'll be smart...but he knows better ;))

So today my Etsy shop turned ONE year old. I've made 98 sales in one year and am SO proud of all that I've done. I started to realize that I've done a lot of other quilting and sewing that isn't posted on Etsy, so I think I'm going to start posting some of my miscellaneous projects on here. I'm gradually learning all the cool things that a blog can be.

Enjoy, as I keep saying, I'm going to be better about blogging, but it's just one of my 8 million hobbies - which reminds me, I've got a scramble game going on Facebook, I need to finish knitting that blanket for #2 and plan the meals for the week. It's good I've got natural energy and live on loads of caffeine, otherwise I'd never make it through the day!

Wow! It's been a while!

So, last year about this time, I thought I'd start a blog because I was bored being cooped up inside during the massive blizzards...

...that was a great idea, as with most things though, I ended up slacking in keeping up with it all!

Well, I'm back.

Mostly because I'm going to be using this blog to post about the joys (and not-so-joys) of the new baby. Baby Boy #2 is due ANY.DAY.NOW. (Can you tell I'm getting impatient????) Hubby and I are super excited to bring a new little one into our house, we're preparing the little monkey as best we can, but I doubt he understands the gravity of it all, until the screaming bundle of spit-up comes into the house.

So, I'm here, twiddling my thumbs, ready as i can be, over analyzing every twinge and symptom and driving everyone else crazy too!

I plan to have the computer at the hospital with me (it is, after all, my right hand...don't know what I'd do being disconnected from the wireless world for 24 hours!), so as soon as Baby #2 (name will be announced) makes his arrival, someone will make a post - complete with pictures - as in this day of instant gratification, it's always nice to be able to see pictures ASAP.

I'll be back, and hopefully next time it'll be with a fourth family member (and lots less grouchiness and stress).

Well, I guess I got ahead of myself...

I was so excited to start my Etsy shop, and I have literally been buried in my sewing room from the time I get home until the wee hours of the morning...and I'm so proud of my stuff...but no luck :(

Okay, okay, I've only been live for 8 days, but still, I was so sure it would be a great place to showcase what I think is really great stuff. I get discouraged when I am doing searches and stuff on the site and see so many other vendors that have adorable baby stuff. And, they have lots of sales.

I guess I was just expecting it to happen fast. I feel like I've learned a lot, even in only 8 days. I've learned to write better descriptions, better titles, taking better pictures, etc., so I guess I shouldn't get so down. I'm just seriously neglecting other important tasks to go make baby stuff. I'm having so much fun making all the stuff though...so I guess that's another good thing.

I have said though, and putting it in writing will help, that I will finish painting the hallway on Saturday. It's 90% painted, but we've been living with a taped-off area for waay too long. And I want to hang up pictures again and get the paint cans out of the hallway.

I guess the next task is to tackle the organization of the loft. The 5 boxes of papers have got to be organized. I've been putting that off for way too long (waaay before Etsy came into play!)

And now it's 1am, and I need to go watch Lost before bed (I turn off all the lights and fast forward through the commercials, it's such a treat!) I guess I have a lot to say tonight (even though I'm not even sure if anyone is reading, lol!), I just keep thinking of more topics, like avoiding paying my bills, little man not walking yet (but sooo close), and other things.

Guess I'll save those topics for another night! :)

Time to start selling!

Well, I've been making baby things for as long as I can remember (I think it started when my first nephew was born). Since I've been quilting and sewing for almost 20 years, I'm just naturally hooked on any type of sewing project.

So, with the little man in my life, it's just natural for me to want to make baby stuff. When he was born, I made burp cloths, bibs, blankets, and all other kinds of toys. He's growing out of a lot of it now, so I just decided to keep making all the fun stuff and sell it.

That's where the Etsy shop comes in. Etsy.com is an online site that hosts merchants who are selling anything and everything handmade. Eventually, I'll get everything up on my own site, but I figure in the meantime, this is a great place to showcase the things I'm making.

I'll keep adding more, especially now that I have a great place to get my creations seen. Check it out - buy stuff, let me know what you think!

Where the heck am I?

Oh my gosh, I just realized today that I've been MIA for a while! It's been a crazy few months, serious highs and serious lows, and I think I'm looking forward to the spring being a little more mellow and even.

Well, I should run, hubby wants to play poker, and with one computer, I guess I have to go do something else for a while!

Now that I'm back, I'll be sure to keep everyone updated more often :)

I'm very lucky.

I take a lot for granted. Every once in a while, I need a swift smack upside the head to remind me how incredibly lucky I am. Stupid chick hormones are running high, and I'm watching 20/20 on tv tonight. It's an episode about Camden, NJ, apparently the poorest city in the country.

I think I cried for the whole hour. Granted, I'm so much more sensitive when it comes to stories about kids since my little guy was born, but these stories were just so heart-breaking. This little 4-year old boy was so excited to go to school so he could learn how to read. So simple, and something that I take for granted every day. I can read, write, and often like to correct how others write (it's an annoying habit).

These are the stories I need to remember on a daily basis so that I can become a better person, a person who will make a difference in the world. It makes me very incredibly proud of my dad, who is making a difference in kids' lives every day. He is a great example for me to live by, and I realize that I need to find something in my life that gives me some ability to affect change in others.

I'm young, I don't necessarily have a set career...I do have a college degree and a good job (not in my major, but how many people really do anyway?). I learned from both of my parents that the way to define success in your career is to be passionate about your job, and I need to find that passion. Kind of a tangent, but I guess the fact that I can search for a career that I'm passionate about is just another thing that makes me lucky.

I guess all I'm trying to say is that I'm so appreciative of everything and everyone that makes up my life and makes it what it is...