Who doesn't love a cute baby?

Prepare to be bombarded by cuteness! I am sharing some great photos of my niece that I took just yesterday. These are for Grandma and Grandpa in Arizona!!!!








Don't you just feel better now?

...a little late

Well, Christmas has come and gone but I have a few holiday projects that I never finished. I haven't started the sewing machine for over a month and I am out of practice. I finished this yesterday and I'm glad it is staying in this house! So many mistakes! Use it or lose it I guess.

This is a table runner made out of Figgy Pudding fabric by Basic Grey for Moda. I don't remember the details on the binding but the backing is a plain white sheet from IKEA. I know a lot of people have been using these with success but I didn't have the same luck. I'll try it again, it very well could be operator error!

::Paradise::

A few days ago I was enjoying this...
It was a dream to travel to St. John, in the Virgin Islands. We spent 6 days away thanks to some wonderful babysitters! St. John is a quiet, friendly, laid back paradise full of sun, sand, green and blue. It is the perfect place to relax and tune out the world. Really, the photos describe it better so I'll stop typing and start uploading.

Some women adore shoes, some like jewelry...

I'll take bags...handbags, duffles,briefcases, clutches, you name it...i love it.

So when I saw this

I let out a little yelp...i love the birds!...then said goodbye to the rest of my garage sale earnings.
I probably should have bought the kids some spring clothes...it could be my birthday gift in a few months...I need a carry-on bag for a trip coming up...what other excuse can I use? Regardless, i love it! You can find it here. Very addicting; I warned you.

Elusive...and Plump

This winter I want to get a clear, close up picture of this guy. Today I took these through my screen and window, too fuzzy. Of course when I opened the door...he flew away. Next time!

Quick fix, two years later

Two years ago I did a minor update to my master bathroom. New paint, new hardware, towel rings, etc. My intent was to also update the flooring. That didn't get done until last weekend. Someday we will do a full remodel of this bathroom but it is not at the top of the list right now. So...what can you do with about 80.00 at Home Depot?


Self-adhesive vinyl tiles. I cringed too, but I couldn't handle the old flooring anymore. It had paint all over it (from the previous owners...not me!) and 15 years of hairspray that would not come off.
So, I pulled off the trim boards, painted on adhesive primer, cut out some templates to work around and tiled the floor. This is a project you can easily do in a day with this size room. I had to call in backup (thanks Dad!) to help put the trim back up with a nail gun.

Is it HGTV worthy? No. Is it better? Yes. I am happy with it and it will do for the next few years.

Off to get more Advil...

Thanks to all the generous people who gave my son gift cards and money for his birthday and Christmas we have this exciting new toy! I'll check in next week to let you know if I am still excited...coffee and Advil may not take away this headache!

New Year...New Camera!

I have been very lazy in posting to my blog as of late. That was on purpose. I was on Christmas vacation with my kids and wanted to embrace every inch of their almost-5 and just-turned-6 world.

This Christmas was so precious to me. I enjoyed having kids who were eager to jump into all the preparations and planning. I enjoyed all the school programs, dance recitals, birthday parties, baking, Christmas parties, cooking, outdoor parades, shopping and family gatherings that we packed into 14 or so days. The kids were so excited for everything. We had so much fun.

Many blogs have been creating great collages of 2009 projects, writing out lists of goals for the upcoming months and showcasing best of photos. I have had so much fun checking them out and I feel like I should put together something to mark the new year but I am going to stay on my stress free binge and pass.
Instead I will show you a few photos. I haven't worked on a quilt project for two weeks so I don't have much to share in that arena. I have been spending some time behind the lens of my new camera (Thanks to Mom, Dad and Husband). Sooooooooo excited!! I have always enjoyed basic photography but this is my first DSLR camera and I am determined to learn how to use everything. Thanks to my in-laws I also have Photoshop Elements to play around with too!I hope this fresh new year brings hope and joy to you. I have to close with a quilt I photographed at my Grandma's house. A friend of hers made it; I think she is over 90 years old. It feels good to have a hobby that I might do the rest of my life!