roller coaster and projects!

So not long after I wrote my last post I got terrible news. My cousin, David "Jeff" Smith, died in a work accident. We grew up together in Michigan and I will miss him terribly. He knew how to live. He was a hard worker; he actively volunteered himself to help out with anything that needed to be done; he smiled constantly and made others smile; and most importantly he loved unconditionally. He was amazing and I know that he continues to be amazing. I look forward to the eventual day when we will be reunited. I was able to go out to Michigan for his funeral. It was beautiful, and painful, and emotionally draining. On a positive note Asher was a bright spot for everyone and got to meet many important family members. Above is Asher with his second cousin Jonathan.


Since I've gotten home I have completed two projects! My house is a mess! And my Mom-in-law gets here on Thursday! I am happy to have finished my projects though. :) First I finished this messenger bag for Kaden to take his toys to church with him. I am hoping it will work as a scripture bag when he is older too. He always wants a purse and a ht when he goes out so I thought this would be the more manly way to accomodate that. Plus it frees up space in my diaper bag and makes him more responsible right? :) I found the tutorial through Thirty Handmade Days. The tutorial is under July, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Kiddie Messenger bag from jeans.

I sent my 50 day package home with my bro-in-law to give to our Sis-in-law. I made a large (41x41) flannel receiving blanket from the two fabrics pictured above. I have never done top stitching before and I quickly discovered that straight lines are not for me...so I decided to go even more decorative and made it curvy. Too bad I decided that after I finished one side. Well it looked pretty curvy too just not on purpose. When Kaden first saw me get out this fabric he said,"Kaden want it. Oh, thanks , Mama. Kaden want it." Silly boy... Besides the cutting and the topstitching it is a very easy project- all straight lines. Too bad I am not so good at those. These big blankets are super useful and wonderful though so hopefully she will still get some nice use out of it even with its "character."

I am so excited!

What a good weekend this has been! Breaking Dawn came out and So You Think You Can Dance Live tour 2008 tickets went on sale! I haven't gotten my hands on a copy of Breaking Dawn yet but I will soon. I bought my christmas present today and got two tickets to SYTYCD (see above for translation). My DH is excited to go on a nice date with me at the end of September. :) He's not a huge dance fan but he enjoys it and more than that enjoys how much I enjoy it. He even let me get the most expensive good seats. :) I am soooo excited! I am disappointed with the top 4 this season- well half of it anyway- but I love the top 11!

So in the 80 day package to my sis-in-law I sent a handmade sock monkey and cards with info about animals of the world. My dh didn't really get how the monkey was part of around the world in 80 day but to me since we don't have them here naturally they are world animals...so anyway it doesn't really make sense but it works right? I forgot to take photos. My sis-in-law says her twins liked the monkey and the cards. I hope so... Kaden and Asher like their sock monster and Kaden likes the US animal cards I got him (He's learned to identify an Orca) sooo... it's possible.

For 70 days I made her a nursing necklace. I used nylon coated stainless steel for the circle of beads. All of the beads are stone or metal so they shouldn't break. The cord is leather and the circle of beads can slide along it. Sorry for the poor picture - my camera was running out of batteries and I couldn't find the charger. So this necklace is not meant to be a teething toy or to be played with by itself. It is meant to be played with while Mom is wearing it and baby is nursing. It gives baby something to play with besides Mom's hair or clothing so that hopefully Mom can nurse in peace. :) I got the idea from this site which has a link to a tutorial on how to make your own. I did mine a little differently but the idea is the same. I thought it turned out pretty cool... but I'm a little biased. :)