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. :)

Sent two more packages

So I sent off the package to mark 90 days left for my sis-in-laws pregnancy and she recieved it exactly on time! I timed it perfectly! Woohoo! For 90 days I gave her a box with trial/travel sized items in it i.e. vaseline, baby shampoo, disinfectant spray and wipes, baby powder. Did you know that baby powder is good for getting sand off of your legs. It is truly a must have in the beach bag. It's amazing!

80 days should arrive by Tuesday. The theme was Around the World in 80 days. For 70 I am thinking the theme should be items to help her relax or rest... Because on the 7th day even God rested. I may do the same theme for 60 days because we are human and need more rest.

Suggestions on items for these themes and for some themes to go with 50-10 would be wonderful!
Thanks!

Wow! check out the Old Red Barn giveaway!

So I am coveting this quilt and since it doesn't really belong to anyone at the moment, that's o.k., right? Click on the photo to learn more, or don't and give me a chance to win it. :) You can still check out her store and blog and not sign up. :) Oh and family of mine if you want to enter on my behalf I won't discourage it- as long as you send ME the quilt. :)

Sorry I'm a slacker

I just haven't had much time for posting or crafting lately. We're surviving well, adjusting well to 2 kids. I can often get them to nap at the same time so I can take a nap too. Asher is a long napper not a cat napper which gives me much needed one on one time with Kaden too. I have been working on one big ongoing project. My sister-in-law is pregnant and has been terribly sick the whole time. She has toddler boy/girl twins to take care of too so it has been a really hard pregnancy for her. She hit her 100 days left until due date 10 days ago. So I decided to send her a little package every ten days to help her count it down. So for 100 days I sent her 100 alcohol wipes. I've sent her her 90 day package (today is 90 days left). But I don't want to write about it until I'm sure she has gotten it. I would love your suggestions for what to get her. She is having a boy. What themes can I do to go with the packages and the numbers? Thanks!

I learned how to make a sock monkey- well I made a sock monster to start with. :) I used this tutorial.

I took the photo for my announcement

Now I just have to decide if it is too late to send any out. It's been 5 and a half weeks... That's not too bad is it? I will probably only send it to select people that I know would appreciate the announcement i.e. great-grandparents. Everyone else already got an e-mail. Great-grandparents got a phone call already. :) Anyway- isn't it a cool photo!

Check out My Wooden Spoon!

She is having a give-away! A Kitchen Aid stand mixer. Giveaway ends on June 17th. Gotta love a giveaway! Check out My Wooden Spoon.
Be sure to check out her recipes and such too while you are there.