At least I have a good excuse this time...

It seems that I'm always starting my posts with "Well, it's been a while since I've written anything..." and I'm beginning to accept the fact that I just may not be the best blogger. Not to worry, I'm not shutting it down or anything, I'm just learning to have a little more grace with myself when I don't turn into Super Woman and get everything done.

So, let me explain my title for this post...we found out right before Labor Day that we are expecting a little miracle. It is such a blessing to finally see our prayers being answered for a family of our own. I'm definitely having to tamper my excitement a bit, just so I don't go out and start "investing" in cute outfits and toys for the little one. Our little Snap Bean (long story for the nickname) is due May 8, 2011, which just happens to be Mother's Day...how appropriate! :-)

Since I've been tired and not feeling too great during the first trimester, I haven't sat down at my sewing machine to work on anything in quite a few weeks. I'm hoping that since we're almost to the second trimester I'll get my motivation for those projects back very soon. Yes Megan, I know I still owe you a bedskirt! ;-) In the meantime, I've been enjoying some knitting and crocheting, trying to be as productive as possible during my couch time. I'm going to try and post some pictures of my works in progress soon, but in the meantime, enjoy this fun tidbit. :-)

My first car seat cover for a boy!

Not too long ago (okay, I'm adding in my head and it's actually been six months...I can't believe how the time has flown!!!) I was asked to make a car seat cover and canopy for a boy. How fun! I love the way the coordinating baseball fabrics turned out, and I was a little nervous about how the canopy would turn out without the frilly ruffle, but I think it looks great!

Since my creative juices tend to flow towards all things girly, and I can find any excuse to put a bow or ruffle or flower on things, this was a refreshing change.

Custom Bedding

I still can't believe my baby sister got married! Probably the moment it really hit me, strangely enough, was when I had to change her name in my phone to her new married name. So strange!!!

I'll post more pics of the wedding as soon as they are ready from the photographer, but in the meantime, here are some pictures of the wedding present I've been working on. Megan and Michael supplied the materials, but my gift to them was making some custom bedding. The set includes a duvet cover, bed skirt, 3 euro shams, and 6 decorative pillows. Aside from worrying that everything looks good and has professional quality, I really have enjoyed working on the projects! I've learned tons of new things, including how to sew in a zipper, how to "southern engineer" flat trim to be sew-in trim (more on that later), and how to sew with cording. I'm sure to many of you those are simple techniques that you've been doing for a long time, but considering that last March was the first time I'd sewn anything since 9th grade, I think I'm learning pretty quickly. :-) I promise to post more pics when I'm close to finishing all of the projects.

(Do you think she likes it??)

Cute Pics

I haven't posted any cute pictures in a while, so here are some of my sweet nephews and my adorable puppy. Enjoy! :-)

Today's Adventures

Well, it's always an adventure when my mom and I keep my nephews. Today was the carwash with my youngest nephew, Lincoln. After I took the video and sent it to our family members so they could see, my brother called and very helpfully told us that Lincoln doesn't like the carwash. Gee, you think?

What's Your Motivation?

Lately I've been pondering what drives me to start new projects when I have other projects that are still in the works. I've got about four total knitting projects on the needles, and am already contemplating starting other projects that have caught my fancy. Also, I've got about a dozen sewing projects in mind, and I find it difficult to finish one project before I start a new project. Do you have this problem?

My conclusion is that I think I like to learn new skills and techniques, so when I feel like I've got the hang of something, I'm ready to move on. Case in point, I'm currently working on a duvet cover (amidst a few other things) for my sister and soon-to-be-brother in law. Already I have learned how to sew with piping, match up patterns on a big project, and how to do buttonholes. Now, these probably seem very basic to anyone who has sewn for a long time, but seeing as how I only picked sewing back up about a year ago, this has been quite a big project for me. Now that all I have to do to finish the project is sew the top and bottom pieces together, I feel my motivation beginning to wane.

The same is true for my knitting projects. I get excited to start a project that has new techniques in it (cabling, yarn overs, color work, etc.) but then once I master the new skill, I'm ready to move on to the next new thing.

So, what's your motivation? What gets you excited about new projects?

How Big is Lincoln??

Merry Christmas! card

This was the picture on our Christmas card this year. I made the tutu skirt for Ruthie Jo, and Aaron helped me take pictures of her. What do you think? :-)


And here are some funny blooper pics... I love the way she looks like she's giving us the stink-eye in the first one! :-)

Cute Kiddos

A friend of ours recently asked me to make some fun stuff for his sweet niece and nephews. Here are the results!

Superman Cape

Bib, Burp cloth, & Receiving blanket set

Chalk board applique shirt...complete with pocket for chalk! :-)

Applique onesie

Applique Initial Shirts...

Crayon Roll