The Stitching Surgeon

Welcome 2011, Goodbye to The Stitching Surgeon

2011-01-01T22:15:00.000-05:00

This space has been wonderful but it just isn't me anymore...so I have a new home.

I do hope you join me!

http://www.mysewblessedlife.blogspot.com/

ONE

2010-03-17T23:00:00.000-04:00

A year ago today my life forever changed.

(For the better!)

I became a mother.

I met the most precious and amazing little angels at 12:30 and 12:31pm.

They fill my life with happiness.

It is the hardest job I have ever known.

It is the most amazing thing I have ever done in my life.

Before the twins were born I could not imagine loving them as much as I do.

I can't even describe how awesome it is to have

double fun

double trouble

double kisses

double messes

double love

double excitement

double blessings

I am so blessed to have my amazing ONE year old twins!

A little bit of crafting

2009-10-24T20:47:00.001-04:00

These days projects must be short and sweet.

These earrings fit the bill nicely.

I love instant gratification projects.

I kept the first pair for myself and my sister looks pretty snazzy wearing the other pair.

[All pieces were purchased at Hobby Lobby and are brushed bronze.]

Fat Quarters and Insul-Bright

2009-08-31T10:17:00.000-04:00

My sister and I discussed a new set of potholders for her kitchen. She wanted something bright, simple and functional. No grommets, no hoops to hang from, no frills. Just hardworking square potholders that could double as a trivet.

2 fat quarters and some Insul~Bright later...success.

A perfect pair of potholders.

Bye-Bye Stinky Room

2009-08-30T09:53:00.000-04:00

See those cute little sachets in the middle of this picture: I saw these little sachets while strolling through the baby section at Target picking up diapers, wipes and those handy, oh so handy little bags at the top of the picture. I immediately picked up the package and almost threw it into my cart thinking 'This is great! A cute little lavender scented sachet with baking soda to absorb the odors! Perfect for the twins stinky room!' (Despite the Diaper Champ it still just isn't as fresh as I think it should be.) Then I stopped. Why spend $5 on 2 of these sachets??? I could make these!

So, yesterday during the twins nap (which is hardly never longer than 30 minutes...my children think sleep is for the weak...especially sleeping at the same time...I think they have a pact for one to keep watch while the other sleeps!) I made these:

Scraps of fabric from stash were used and all I had to purchase was the baking soda.

I placed one in the bottom of the diaper champ and one in a Longaberger basket hanging from a peg above the changing table.

The result: A breath of fresh air in the twins room. All for the low price of 57 cents.

Finally

2009-08-29T01:24:00.001-04:00

I'm crafty again!

Times are a-changin'. Routines are becoming more routine and mama is finding sometime for herself. I've been working on a few knitty projects since they are more portable and easy to pick up and do a few rows while the babies play.

Can you believe it? I found time tonight to sew! Oh, how I missed my Bernina! Our reunion was blissful. Two (yes! two!) completed projects to share once I can take some decent pictures in the daylight.

Spent some time tonight giving the blog a facelift. What do ya think?

Can't get enough...

2009-07-24T13:25:00.000-04:00

...of my baby loves!

The babies have discovered the sunlight and will stare in amazement every time I sit their seats in the floor of our living room in the afternoon when we get home. They move their toes in and out of the sunlight as they smile and coo. It is so precious. I had to capture the moment.

On the crafting front...I am still working on a knitting project...though I think I am going ot have to rip out half of it! ARGH! Still working on getting our sewing studio/office cleaned up so I can have a little mama time in the evenings after bedtime.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Wonderful Weekend.

2009-07-19T22:06:00.000-04:00

[So & I dipping our feet in the pool]

This weekend was great.

It was the best.

Friday
I was able to come home a little early so I got to spend some extra time with the babies. Leap and So came over Friday evening for a visit and we had a great time playing with the babies and then sitting outside by the pool eating cheese and drinking cran-grape juice and getting caught up on girl talk. Mom stopped by too and we all had dinner together from a local Japanese restaruant. To top it all off, once the babes were tucked in, DH and I turned in early and ended up getting 9 hours of sleep!

Saturday
Lazy Saturday morning in the bed playing with the twins. Then Mom came to visit and we went to the mall and out to dinner at Cracker Barrel with the babies so DH could get some work done for work. Good day indeed.

Sunday
We were early risers today with Baby Boy waking at 5am to nurse. I decided to stay up once he was back to sleep and enjoyed a little alone time before getting ready for church. We attended the early service and the babies fell asleep on the way home. DH & I enjoyed coffee and breakfast on the back porch while they napped. Afterward, the babies happily played in their bouncers and watched mama clean up her office (it's still a work in progress). Auntie Leap, So and Mom stopped by for a visit this afternoon and all of us gals sat around the pool enjoying the 70 degree weather. After the afternoon nap, our little family headed to the grocery store to gather supplies for the upcoming week. After bath & bed time for the babies, DH & I sat down to a yummy dinner (DH made it!) of crab stuffed salmon, green beans and rice.

Now I think I'll go work on my knitting WIP.

I feel refreshed, relaxed and ready for the week ahead.

Playtime!

2009-07-13T21:31:00.000-04:00

Grasping...

Swatting...

Kicking...

Loving all of this playtime with my not-so-tiny-anymore babes!

Wonderful Weekend

2009-07-12T21:59:00.000-04:00

My birthday was this past week...the last one in my 20s! Yikes! So to celebrate the family gathered at my sister's house for a little celebration on the farm. It was a beautiful day (until the very end!) and we all had a wonderful time! My multitalented sister, Leap, (you've seen her photography work here) made my birthday cake complete with fresh picked berries - de-lish-ous!

My sister is all about homesteading. I am very impressed by all of this. It makes me wanna buy a farm. Fresh eggs, fresh picked berries, fresh produce, fresh air - I want it all!

Leap made steak, fresh green beans, potatoes, corn and fresh zucchini and basil bread for dinner. Mmmm.

After dinner, while we were eating cake, it began to rain. I mean it was a DOWNPOUR! The runoff from the hill behind her house flooded the road in front of her house - and I forgot to grab my camera to take a picture of it! It was crazy.

I got the cutest berry colander for my birthday...I'll have to photograph it and share it with you here. I love it.

This weekend was also super productive and relaxing at the same time. Since the babies have started sleeping better and going to bed easier, I have reclaimed some time for myself. Last night, DH and I cleaned up my sewing room so that I can get back in there and tinker around once the babes are asleep at night. We also have cleared out a lot of clutter and we are planning a huge yard sale for the beginning of August. We still have more clutter to clear from the office so that is on our list for the coming week. Tonight, after putting the babes to bed, DH and I had dinner outside by the pool and now I am sitting on the porch catching up on my blogs and blogging. Ahh...life is good.

Hands.

2009-07-10T13:48:00.000-04:00

Today is my grandfather's 82nd birthday. Amazing. Such a full life he has lived and I hope he is around for many more happy years. My sister (the talented photographer) snapped this picture of my grandfather's hand holding my baby girl's hand. I love it...the gentleness of such an experienced hand lovingly holding a hand of such youth. Breathtaking.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Turn the Page Tuesday

2009-07-07T08:38:00.003-04:00

I am finally getting back into the bloggy swing of things. As I was trying to get caught up on one of my favorite blogs Some of a Kind during a break this morning I realized Adrienne is up to something new (at least new to me in my recent live under a rock state, but hey she started this on the day I delivered the twins!)...Turn the Page Tuesdays. Her challenge - read a good book and tell a bit about it the first Tuesday of the month. Well, I'm in luck. Reading is one thing I do have time to do during all of those nursing sessions and I recently read a good one.

Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks is a beautifully written story. I read it in 4 days flat only picking it up while I was nursing or pumping. It was all the better because I had no idea what the book was about when I started it (again, I live under a rock). This book fell into my hands because last weekend when I was on call I started talking to the nurses about movies while doing a c-section. I told them up next on my Netfix queue was Nights in Rodanthe (DH fills our queue with movies for me interspersed with movies for him). Of course, all the ladies were telling me how much I was going to love the movie. "But the book is so much better," one of the girls said. THE BOOK??? This movie was made based on a book?!? (see, told you...live under a rock lately). So the next day, one of the nurses brought me the book and I of course have had the DVD sitting on the coffee table still. It is one of my rules...if there is a movie based on a book I must read the book first. So I did. And it was fantastic.

The book is centered around a woman named Adrienne and her story of a weekend spent in Rodanthe, NC watching a bed and breakfast owned by a friend. 3 years divorced it is here that she meets the true love of her life Paul who is also recently divorced. The story tells of their getting to know one another over the course of days and then continuing their romance through letters over a year. The book is somewhat predictable and very Nicholas Sparks-y but still a good read.

I'll let you know what I think about the movie once I get a chance to watch it.

I'm still here.

2009-07-06T23:01:00.000-04:00

[a summer favorite - eating fresh cherries and sitting by the pool]

I know I have been absent a lot lately.

I hope you can understand.

Of course, you might want to consider yourselves blessed since if I had been posting about my daily happenings they would be pretty coma-inducing. Up until the last week or so my posts would have gone a little something like this:

I wake. Get ready for work. #1 Wakes. Diaper #1. Feed #1. #2 Wakes. Diaper #2. Feed #2. Diaper #1, again. Dress both #1&2. Wake husband. Huband gets ready for work while #1&2 watch Baby Einstein. Wrangle #1&2 into car seats for drive to Omi & Opi's for the day. Go to work. Work. Work. Work. Pick up #1&2 from grandparents. Drive home. Diaper & feed #1&2. Playtime. Diaper #2. Diaper #1. Diaper #2, again. More playtime. Bathtime. Massage time. Diaper & feed #1&2. Put #1&2 in cribs. Sigh. Chores time. Collapse into bed time. #2 wakes for 3am feeding. #1 wakes for 4:30am feeding. Repeat.

Since I have returned to work our house is a bustle of activity from the time we wake up until our heads hit the pillow. Little Mister and Little Miss are growing so fast and I am trying not to miss a minute more than I have to (work takes away so much of my precious time!). Both have found their voice and use it often (cooing and babbles are so darn cute!), both love their hands/thumbs, both love to give Mama lots of smiles, both love it when Mama comes home from work (constant nursing!) and both are sleeping through the night like champs for the past couple of days which makes Mama very happy indeed. It is amazing what I can do with a little sleep! I have had a lot of work-related work to get caught up on lately so my hope is once that is behind me I can start using this new-found after-the-twins-bedtime-time to sneak in some sewing and blogging.

We'll see, I guess. Maybe by telling you all that I will feel pressured to actually deliver.

Have a great one everyone! I've missed you!!!

update

2009-05-12T22:47:00.000-04:00

Thank you all so much for your comments on my last post. I have given it much thought and I'm just not ready to share my little ones here...I may never be ready...we will see.

Things in my life are CRAZY right now. I went back to work last week and already have a big presentation pending (will give it tomorrow) and TONS of cases in the OR. I am exhausted when I come home only to work an even harder job (being a mom) than my profession. One of the medical students said "Oh, well at least you are used to being up all night from all those years of taking call." I thought about that a lot and this is my reply: It is TOTALLY different. At least with call after a terrible-up-all-night kind of night you know that you can come home and forget about it and sleep all day (or at least I used to). With my babies there is never a time when I am not on call.

I now have an even deeper appreciation for my mother and ALL mothers out there...Happy Belated Mother's Day to all of you!

Crazy cat

2009-04-14T22:47:00.001-04:00

I know this is probably not the picture you are wanting to see here. I'm sure everyone is checking in to see if I have posted pictures of the twins! Quite honestly, I don't know how I feel about that yet. Seeing as how I don't feel comfortable posting pictures of myself or even associating my real name with this space (for some reason I feel I can speak/post more freely without "fear" of my colleagues/friends reading...silly as it may be I like the anonymity) I cannot see how I will get to the point where I will feel comfortable to post pictures of my adorable children's faces or use their names here. Don't get me wrong...I would love to share them with all of you who visit my space often, those I consider my bloggy friends...it's the weirdos out there I worry about. I would love to hear your thoughts and comments about this! Do you post pictures of your kids???

Anyway...an explanation of the photo...Chloe is obsessed with the bird feeder. She sits on the back of the loveseat stalking the birds morning, noon and night. She is sitting there first thing in the morning waiting for me to open the blinds and is often still sitting there at night when I close them. She leaves only for food or a bathroom break...and the occasional dash out of the room when one of the twins screams out :) Quite comical.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T21:13:00.001-04:00

Our first Easter with the twins was quite nice. Lots of food, lots of family, lots of rest...divine.

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter and took a little time to remember our Lord and how much he has blessed us all today.

Tiny fingers and tiny toes...

2009-04-08T13:21:00.001-04:00

We are finally settling in to things.

Sleepless nights.

Seemingly constant feeding sessions.

Endless joy.

I'm taking a little time to just enjoy these things before the hustle and bustle of life returns to normal when I have to go back to work.
We will be around soon :)

March 17, 2009

2009-03-17T09:00:00.002-04:00

Today is my favorite non-major holiday.

Well...it will soon become a major holiday for our family.

...and what a perfect present for mama on St. Patrick's Day...

Two little leprechauns will meet us today!!!

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers and follow my twitter-ings if you wanna know up-to-date info from the hospital!

Will it be this week?

2009-03-08T22:16:00.002-04:00

[Photography by my amazingly talented sister!]

36 weeks today!

Who would have guessed we would make it this far?

All the praise and glory of these two little miracles staying put goes to God above. Thank you all for your prayers and support through this pregnancy (with all of its ups and downs) as well as during this difficult time of loosing the first man I ever loved.

1 month

2009-03-05T20:00:00.006-05:00

It has been 1 month without my Dad.

My father met his Heavenly Father on February 5, 2009 at 8:00PM and every day since has been hard. Very hard. I miss him so much. Dad was so young, appeared so healthy. It is hard to believe in a matter of a few short weeks one can become so sick. I have so many questions. I replay so many of the events in my mind. What could have been done differently? However, I know my father is in a glorious place and I have started to find a peace in knowing that it was just time. God has a purpose for Dad...a new task...not an earthly one but a heavenly one...I have to focus on that.

Dad was an amazing man. A wonderful provider for his family and a strong Christian. There was nothing on this earth he loved more than "his girls" (my mother, sister, niece, & me). As a child I can remember he would stay home on Saturday mornings to watch The Smurfs with us and spend hours playing with Matchbox cars. I have so many precious memories of Dad: laughing so hard while telling a joke that he couldn't make it to the punch line, twirling and dancing (something I never thought he would do) with my at my wedding, bringing me "treats" (ice cream, dinner, anything!) to the hospital when I was on call, his mantra "If I can't fix it, it isn't broken" (he really could fix ANYTHING) - all of these memories and so many others dance through my head daily.

There wasn't anything my Dad did not do for me or our family. We used to always laugh when he had his "moments" - times when for no reason he would just start crying at dinner, during a movie or driving down the road. It was during these "moments" he would say he just felt so blessed with all that the Lord had given him - mostly meaning us girls. One cannot even watch my high school valedictorian speech...the camera was too shaky and all you can hear was my Dad...my Dad the videographer boo-hooing through the entire thing because he was so proud. He loved being proud of his girls and I loved to make him proud. He would swell with pride each time he saw me wearing my white coat. He loved that and I did too.

I miss him deeply. It hurts everyday.

I am still pregnant...will be 36 weeks this Sunday. I'm back to work and taking it day by day. Amazing, huh? As my due date approaches I find myself with a mix of happiness and extreme sadness. There is nothing in this world that my father wanted more than to hold my babies. He was so proud. My son was to be his first grandson...the first boy in our family. He had such big plans for the two of them. My heart aches that my two children will not physically know this amazing man. However, I plan to make sure they know as much as possible about their Poppy so that his amazing spirit can live on in them. And on that joyous day when Baby A and Baby B make their entrance to this world, I know my father will be there in spirit. He will hold those babies. Dad always was persistent in saying he would be there to hear their first cries as he was for my sisters daughter (the way the delivery room there was set up was perfect...family could see the baby without having to see the delivery) despite my persistent nagging that there was no way that could happen in our hospital with the set up we have...I didn't want him seeing that stuff!

Well, Dad...there is nothing to keep you out now. And I really hope you will be there to meet my babies & hear their first cries. Nothing would make me happier.

[Thank you to all who have noticed my absence and emailed to check on me. It is so touching to know that you care.]

At my fingertips

2009-01-31T13:30:00.000-05:00

One of the daunting tasks on my to-do while on bed rest list is finally complete. I had a folder full of recipes that had been printed from websites, ripped from magazines, cut from labels and even some handwritten ones from my momma. I could never find the recipe I wanted when I needed it. I needed organization. A couple of months ago, I attended a Longaberger party hosted by a very dear friend and purchased a recipe basket (at an unbelievable sale price!) with the thought of someday organizing my recipes.

Well someday finally came (thanks to bed rest)...

...and I now have all my recipes at my fingertips. Plus the basket looks so darn cute sitting on the little shelf in my kitchen.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

2009-01-30T11:59:00.005-05:00

[The dogwood in our yard...the snow has a little ice mixed in with it and it sounds lovely as it hits the tree branches]
[A fishbowl of coral and shells from our honeymoon in Anguilla that sits on our back porch...love the combination of snow and shells]

So our meteorologist was waaaayyy off the mark. Figures. The one time I listen to a forecast (cause I typically don't) it is wrong. We were supposed to wake up to a "dusting" and some "light snow." What did I wake up to? Heavy snow and lets just say a dusting plus 4 inches! It is still coming down like crazy out there. I don't mind. I actually love the snow as long as I don't have anywhere to go...and today I don't. However, a heat wave needs to come through our area tomorrow because I have my first baby shower on Sunday and I don't want to miss it!

Perfect Playmats

2009-01-29T11:35:00.008-05:00

These little boxes delivered by Mr. Mailman always make even the dreariest of days (like the one we are having today) a bit brighter.

Remember this post by Jennifer? I was floored when I found out I won the giveaway and flabbergasted when I found out Jennifer was going to make TWO of them for me since I am having twins! Don't you just love that packaging? The day keeps getting brighter and brighter.

This one is for little miss Baby A. It is so perfect. And yes, that is a sneak peak of her crib!

And this one is for little mister Baby B. Again, it can be summed up in one word - perfect!

I just love the design, the fabrics, the quilting (freehand!!!), the snugglieness...

...the detail! The backing is beautiful and both quilts have this adorable little square in the middle - one girl, one boy!

Each playmat has it's own personality while mixing some of the same elements...just like my two little ones. I love that!

How many more times can I say perfect in one post? Let me get by with one more time...they are so me, so what I have in mind for their rooms and just so perfect!

Thank you so much Jennifer! You really did an amazing job - I admire your skill and creativity! My day is bright as can be now!!!

Grapelicious

2009-01-28T15:33:00.003-05:00

A little fruity grape hat for my little girly...

This is the first knitted project that I finished that required me to really follow the pattern. I was so proud of myself when I finished it. This little hat is well...quite little...yet it took forever (it seemed) to complete. Perhaps it was the very fine yarn and itsy needles. However, I did learn quite a few new skills while making this hat...knitting with both circular needles and then double point needles at the end, increasing and decreasing! I can't wait to see it on her little head.

Also, nursery furniture arrived late Monday night. Actually, I should say early Tuesday morning because they carried it in around 12:30am. The delivery man of the furniture store where we purchased it wanted to come down a day in advance because of a snow storm predicted in his area on the original date of delivery. He asked if we would mind a late delivery. Of course not! It was odd to have furniture delivered in the middle of the night but honestly we didn't mind! DH and my father-in-law put the furniture together last night and DH washed some of the bedding. We plan to put things together tonight! I will have pictures soon. I do have to say though...I love this furniture even more than I remembered and I am so glad we bought it regardless of the price!

Now, off to start a veggie hat for my little boy...

Don't you love it when...

2009-01-24T20:52:00.004-05:00

...you have had a really long day taking an exam (yes, I had to sit for 8 hours and take a standardized test in all my pregnant glory - hence my absence this week due to studying - ANYWAY...) and you come home to a big Priority Mail box stuffed with goodies like this????

Needless to say, I was more than excited. It was like Christmas in January at my house this evening!

Fellow pregnant blogger Stefanie of Artsy Momma sent me this care package full of goodies. She is 38 weeks this week yet found the time to put together this package for me! She is just too sweet! I cannot wait to get started with all of this stuff. I already have lots of projects lined out in my mind.

Wanna hear more about the goodies in my box from Stefanie???

ADORABLE his and her matching hat and booties sets and some super cute iron ons...I can't wait to put this on some little onesies. It will make an adorable complete outfit for each of them!

Yarn! Yarn! Yarn! All super soft! Can't wait to use it all! Also included in the box but not pictured are a couple skeins of Cotton Ease in a lovely taupe and blue...those are already being wound on the yarn winder...I didn't even wait long enough to take a picture of them before I started using them!

All supplies necessary for hand embroidery! 72 colors of embroidery thread, oh my! I'm in heaven. DH is going to have to wash some onesies because this super cute pattern will make some adorable baby clothes!

Also, I have been meaning to photograph and share my other bed rest gift from bloggy friend Jennifer of JCasa Handmade (if you haven't seen her blog...you must go check out her handy work. Bee-u-tee-ful!). She sent me this skein of lovely 100% merino wool vesper sock yarn and a pattern for footies she has recently made/posted on her blog.

Since seeing her footies I have been obsessed with wanting to knit socks. I have purchased 2 books on knitting socks as well as 2 general knitting books. I have been practicing and practicing with my ultimate goal being to gain the skills necessary to knit these socks! I cannot wait to use this yarn...I'm getting a lot closer to feeling confident enough to give it a try!

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Since my announcement about my bed rest (which was posted while I was actually an inpatient at the hospital- thank goodness for wireless patient internet!) I have received nothing but well wishes and support from all of you, my blog-y friends. I never realized how much starting this blog would enrich my life...I know it sounds corny...but you all are awesome. You have become my "friends" though we have never met...your comments make my day and I have appreciated all of your kind thoughts and prayers throughout all of this. I cannot say thank you enough!

For my Dad...

2009-01-23T09:55:00.002-05:00

I am so proud of this project for many reasons. I made it for my Dad. When I was visiting them last weekend he watched me working on another scarf and was quite interested. With the recent cold snap we have been having here we decided he needed a nice woolly warm scarf. So, a couple of nights later when I cast off the other scarf I had some free needles and a desire for a new project for Dad. This scarf actually was completed in one sitting. Two movies later and Dad had a brand new scarf made of some handsome burnt red and brown woolly yarn. I still can't believe I can actually knit.

This is actually completed knitting project #4 - where is #3? Well, that one is a scarf similar to this one but is mega long...so I need to model it for a good picture. Maybe DH will be available to help with that over the weekend.

Some exciting news: The nursery furniture will be delivered on Tuesday!!! Also, you have to sneak a peek at this. I am soooo excited!

Have a great weekend everyone!

So pleased.

2009-01-16T09:18:00.000-05:00

(photo from JCPenny)

The bedding for the nursery arrived! I was so incredibly pleased with the quality of this bedding set. Plus, it is even more beautiful in person! I have been struggling with the baby bedding situation for quite some time. I didn't know if I wanted to have their cribs outfitted in coordinating but not exactly the same sets (like chocolate and brown polka dots for him and chocolate and pink for her) or if I wanted something neutral. Ultimately, I decided I wanted to use the colors chocolate, khaki and sage - nice and neutral for both. I searched high and low and could not find a set I liked.

Then, I found this one at Pottery Barn. I loved it. I wanted it. However, I could not justify spending $592 (not counting shipping) for 2 sets of the bedding. I just couldn't spend that much.

Then, thanks to some help from my sister I found the above set at JCPenny.com. It is very similar and I ended up getting 2 sets of the bedding and 2 valences for half the price! ($300 with a coupon) It is a super soft, 100% cotton and the stitching detail is excellent.

Very pleased indeed.

I can't wait until our nursery furniture arrives. I think this will look beautiful against the fruitwood stained oak. Plus, there are so many possibilities to add the colors I want (in additional quilts as wall hangings, art, different crib sheets, etc). I love it.

Knitting Project #2 Complete

2009-01-15T10:33:00.001-05:00

Yeah! I finished my 2nd ever "real needles" knitting project! I used this pattern to make this dish/wash cloth and 100% cotton yarn Lily Sugar'n Cream yarn. The photo really does not do this one justice! The colors are so much prettier in person! This was so easy to work up (and I read a pattern!!!) and really quick. I will definitely be making more of these with this pattern.

So, with all my new found pattern reading wisdom, I have already cast on my next project. I am attempting circular knitting (all of my projects have a purpose - I need to learn circular knitting so I can ultimately make these socks!) using a pattern kit from my local yarn shop. It is the most adorable hat for baby girl. Don't worry...I have an equally adorable one for baby boy that will be knit as soon as the one for baby girl is completed. I'll keep the details of the hats a secret for now but they will be posted here as soon as they are off the needles!

All wound up and ready to go...

2009-01-13T18:32:00.002-05:00

In an attempt to practice my knitting pattern reading skills while not wasting/ruining expensive beautiful yarn, I have decided my next little knitting project will be to use up more of my cute 100% cotton yarn from my stash. I'm going to attempt this pattern. Yeah, another dish/wash cloth... Wish me luck...off to cast on tonight!

Happy, Happy 28 weeks!

2009-01-12T11:52:00.002-05:00

28 weeks!!!

Yesterday was a huge milestone! Babies born after 28 weeks do much better than those born before 28 weeks (95% intact survival rate at our hospital over the last 7 years). The perinatologist at our hospital always says the month of 24 weeks - 28 weeks is the biggest month in a babies life. My babies made that mark! Now, we have our eyes set on the next prize milestone - 34 weeks here we come!

Both babies are doing very well. We had a growth ultrasound this morning and both babies are measuring appropriately. Baby Girl is now weighing in at 2 lbs. 8 oz. and Baby Boy is 2 lbs. 11 oz! They are so beautiful (we have some nice 4D images of their cute little faces!) and we are so excited about them.

I finished my first ever knitted project - a washcloth! This one will be added to the stack for the babies since it is kinda small. I used only knit stitches in this project for practice...now I'm ready to purl! I have plenty more 100% cotton yarn for more washcloths but mama really wants a scarf for herself. I need to practice reading a knitting pattern because I am dying to make some of these socks with the beautiful yarn that JCasa (she has posted some beautiful socks lately!)sent to me...I must take a picture of that yarn to share with you all (add to the to-do list)!

Address Book? Check!

2009-01-10T11:59:00.001-05:00

The beautiful leather bound address book was one of my stocking gifts from my DH. It was an item I had requested back when I was desperately gathering addresses to send out our Christmas cards.

I've always wanted a beautiful address book and this one is just perfect. There is plenty of space and the inside of the cover is just beautiful, isn't it?

So, this was added to my list of "Things to Do while on Bed Rest." Now that all of our addresses are neatly filled in our new address book I can mark this project off the to do list and next time I need an address I will know just where to find it.

Happiness is...

2009-01-09T10:01:00.000-05:00

Waking up to a snow you did not expect.

Have a happy day everyone!

Multiple Bles8ings: A Review

2009-01-08T11:45:00.002-05:00

A very sweet friend dropped off dinner & dessert on Tuesday night to give my poor DH a night off from kitchen duty. She also dropped off this book - Multiple Blessings: Surviving to Thriving with Twins and Sextuplets by Jon & Kate Gosselin (you know...of the TLC show Jon & Kate plus 8...which I must admit I have never seen a single episode). She said she had read it in just 3 days and loved it and knew that I would love it too. It seems I am always reading; however, it is not so common that I read books for pleasure. After devouring her delicious dinner that evening, I sat down in the recliner and thought I would just read a few pages. Well...a couple hours later and I was half way through the book. Last night, I repeated the routine. We finished up the left overs of her delicious meal and then I settled in and finished the book.

The verdict: It was great. The book of course tells the Gosselin's story...but she also adds in her spiritual thoughts that helped to get her through having 8 children in 4 years time. She talks about how God blessed her with all of her children after struggling with infertility and then describes the faith it took to get through the struggling times after their birth. Overall, the book really made me think about how God has blessed my life - I have the most amazing husband, a wonderful and loving family, a cozy home, two little blessings on the way, a stable job. God has always provided for me...He has lead me through tough times...He gives me the strength sometimes just to get through the day...He is the rock that I lean on. There are so many things to be thankful for.

The back jacket of the book sums it up perfectly: "This amazing story of faith provides a heartening lesson in what it means to trust the faithful hand of God to provide the strength and courage to make it through life's seemingly impossible situations."

Definitely worth your time to read (it is a fast read).

Now...off to add season 1 of Jon & Kate plus 8 to my Netflix Queue!

Goodness gracious great balls of yarn...

2009-01-07T11:03:00.002-05:00

I'm smitten.

One of my Christmas gifts from DH was this yarn ball winder. It can all be summed up in 2 words. It rocks! No more frustration of winding balls of yarn by hand and no more tangles. Just neat, easy to work with little yarn balls made on this nifty little gadget in mere minutes.

I just love it. I took this leftover skein of yarn...

...and turned it into this in 2 minutes flat.

And...it is so fun to use. Now, I want to buy more yarn. :)

Last official day of the Christmas holiday

2009-01-06T18:00:00.000-05:00

I took this photo during one of our snows before Christmas and before bed rest. I thought it would be appropriate to share today and say Merry Christmas for one last time. :)

First big item for babies!

2009-01-05T12:07:00.000-05:00

Our baby furniture has been ordered (about 4 weeks ago) and at that time they told us it would probably take 8-12 weeks to arrive. We ordered these beautiful oak handmade sleigh cribs from an Amish family-owned furniture store while visiting the Amish Country. We have had the babies room painted (thanks mom!) in a very neutral color (Dusty Trail - a khaki color) and had new crown molding and baseboards put up in the room. The room has been very empty since then...containing only the rocker that my mom rocked me in when I was a babe and our hibiscus tree which was brought it for the winter season. Well now, thanks to my sister, we have something new for the babies to add to the room!

My sister and brother-in-law got us a pack-n-play with the changing station for Christmas!!! I was so super excited!

My sister picked it out...doesn't she have great taste??? I think the pattern is so cute and very boy/girl appropriate!

And the mobile that came with it is super adorable.

Slowly but surely we are getting ready for these babies...next step...I need to pick crib bedding (so hard! do I get 2 matching sets for their cribs or coordinating sets...there are so many to choose from!!!) and complete a registry!!! So much to do!

A little crochet practice

2009-01-04T21:46:00.000-05:00

A set of 2 100% cotton handmade washcloths for my little babes...

Sure the edges are a little wonky...I always seem to have that problem with my crochet projects. But hey, my babes won't care! :)

(Knifty) Knitted Christmas Gift Set

2009-01-02T23:01:00.000-05:00

Continuing with the parade of knitted Christmas gifts we come to one of my favorites... A super soft charcoal cowl and hat I made for my sister.

She really looked fabulous in it too!

I can't stop (knifty) knitting! However, on the real needle knitting front I am making great strides. With the help of a book I received from DH for Christmas and youtube videos I am now casting on, knitting and purling with ease. I need more practice before I can attempt a pattern though...I have a gift a fellow blogger sent to me that I am soooo excited to try and I must show you all!

Welcome 2009!

2009-01-01T16:59:00.001-05:00

There is no doubt about it...2009 is going to be a BIG year for us.

I finished a project for my babies! Knitted stroller blankets...his and hers.

I always said I would never be a pink for girls and blue for boys kind of mom. Pink and blue are probably my least favorite colors. But somehow, I was sucked into this yarn. I couldn't resist it. Now I find myself loving chocolate and pink and chocolate and blue crib sets... Do the hormones brainwash you into pink and blue???

I also made them hats to match their blankets. I have plans for some booties too!

Best wishes to all in 2009! May your year be filled with many blessings!

Also, just wanted to thank all of you for continuing to pray for me, my babies and everything!

Have a great last day of the year!

2008-12-31T13:05:00.000-05:00

Mine will be spent here at home...likely with a cup of yummy hot chocolate like this one.

Have a safe New Year's Eve everyone.

Hats, Hats, Hats!

2008-12-30T22:01:00.002-05:00

I have been knitting on my Knifty Knitter loom like a mad woman since before Christmas. Now that Christmas is over the ones that were gifts have already been given so I can feel free to show them here.

Fun, fuzzy, colorful hat for my niece, So. She looked so darn cute in it too!

Simple, classic black for my grandfather.

This cute little number (it is newborn size) was knitted on the Knifty Knitter by one of my friends. This was her first knitting project ever! (And how super sweet of her to make her first project one for my babies!) She did a fantastic job!

It is neutral so they can take turns wearing it! :)

My presence on this blog may be spotty for the next few weeks. I'm going to try to post here as much as I can because I have LOTS of stuff to show you and posting here really is cathartic for me. However, there are some things going on in my family (in addition my issues and the bed rest) that come first. Please continue to pray for my entire family during this tough time. God is amazing and I know he can do wonderful things for us!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T17:52:00.006-05:00

Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday!

If you have some crafting time this snowflake project is quick, easy and produces great results. The snowflakes made following the instructions turn out much larger than I expected (the one pictured above hanging over our dining room table), but can easily be modified to make smaller snowflakes (like those below that I made into Christmas ornaments). I'm thinking of trying to make these with felt to use as more durable, reusable Christmas ornaments!

Enjoy!

A favorite project.

2008-12-23T17:48:00.003-05:00

I was going through some of the pictures on my Blackberry today and realized that I had taken these pictures of a zip pouch I made for my Thankful Things Swap partner with intentions of blogging about it after I knew she had received it...but then I guess I forgot about it!

I made this little zip pouch out of some linen and red hounds tooth decor weight fabric I already had in my stash. The best thing about it...the monogram! I love ANYTHING that is monogrammed.

I had plans of making up a bunch of these to give as gifts this Christmas but didn't get to it...oh well...there is always next year!

My first full day of bed rest at home

2008-12-22T01:11:00.003-05:00

Well, it is officially over...my first full day at home on bed rest. I have the best husband in the world (REALLY!) and an awesome family and I wouldn't be able to do this without them.

My day was spent in my bed (of course) with a couple hours here and there in the recliner in the living room (for change of scenery and to interact with others). DH brought down a little set of plastic organizer bins from our office to sit near my bed so I could neatly arrange my projects and to-do's. My sister Leap and niece So came to visit and brought some plastic bed table / lap trays they picked up at Michaels along with stickers and rub-ons to decorate them. We spent a couple hours this afternoon decorating our bed tables and Leap took them home to put a clear coating on top to protect our sticker work. I can't wait to get my table back now :) So also brought a calendar for me to mark off the days (to prove to myself I am making progress daily and working toward the best goal of all - healthy babies!) which they picked up at Michaels. It has a space where every month you can draw your own picture for the month and she made an awesome little picture with some stickers for January. Every time I look at it it makes me smile. I loved being able to spend time with the both of them this afternoon.

My parents stopped by for a visit too...that has been the best part so far of all this bed rest stuff...I love seeing my family and normally with my work schedule it is hard to do that.

I'm so in the Christmas movie mode. Watched Home Alone (a favorite) this afternoon while loom knitting and then watched Fred Claus this evening (it was so-so). Saving the best movie of all time (National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, of course!) for Christmas Day!

DH is still trying to find the software for my camera so I can install it on the laptop to be able to add some pictures to posts. Maybe tomorrow.

Best of all...I'm 25 weeks! Whoo-hoo!!!

More bed rest...

2008-12-19T18:13:00.005-05:00

First of all...thank you all for your well wishes, thoughts, prayers and encouraging comments in my last post. You all are truly awesome!!! I can't express what your comments mean to me.

Unfortunately though I'm back in the bed. This past week I did take it easy but I was still working my 14 hour night shifts. The first half of the week went very well...slow and steady. However, the past two nights it all broke loose. We were slammed. So after I finished my third c-section in a row last night (one of which was an emergency) I noticed my back was hurting more than the typical being on my feet all night aches. Then there was the pelvic pressure. I can honestly say I did contemplate going back to the call room and lying down and assuring myself it would all be okay (doctors truly are the WORST patients). However, I knew something was wrong and I knew I had two little babes to look after. So, I marched myself over to triage and told the nurses they had a new patient - me. The outcome - I was contracting every 2 minutes. So now it's back to bed for me with tocolytics to stop contractions and steroids for my babes to help mature their lungs. Needless to say, 24 1/2 weeks is still way to early...so we need your prayers more than ever. We want to buy as much time as possible before their birth!

Since I will be in bed (thank goodness for wireless internet) a lot in the future, I will be able to blog more (keep on the sunny side, right?). However, unless DH will help (as I am sure he will) most of my posts may be kinda pictureless. Sorry. This little blog may take a little turn also during this time. Since I, The Stitching Surgeon, will temorarily just be a baby incubator there will be no stitching and no surgery unless something drastic changes. Since I can't climb the stairs to my sewing studio my sewing projects will be on hold (unless they can be sewn by hand). I do have some knitting up my sleeve, plan to read some books and perhaps I will even search the web for some other kind of new craft I can teach myself while I am in bed (true knitting with knitting needles and not a loom like I do or something like that...) Anyone have any ideas???

This is what bed rest will do to ya...

2008-12-16T11:28:00.003-05:00

Sorry for the absence. My doctor had me stay on bed rest this past weekend after a test which can help predict preterm labor came back positive. All is well now though...except my husband says I didn't get a "Get out of jail free" card with the recent good news that I in fact do not have to remain on bed rest. So, I am heeding the advice I often (daily) give patients and I am learning how to take it easy. No more trips to the mall before my 14 hour night shift or cleaning the entire house top to bottom during the weekend for me. Nope. Now, I am confined to the couch or bed on my hours/days off work. And let me tell ya...after only having to be on bed rest for a weekend (3 days) it is no easy job. It is serious hard work. I now have an enormous amount of respect for those patients that I have seen spend 6 - 8 or more weeks on bed rest! Again, this is why I am taking it easy now...so I don't have to do that!

So what is a girl to do during all that time on the couch/bed...knit. Knifty Knit to be exact. I've made this cowl you see above, baby hats, a baby blanket for baby boy (I'm working on baby girl's), washcloths and I still have plans for many other things to make. I will take more pictures soon and show you all those projects. I have big plans to make a hat to match this cowl. I can't wait. I love this Knifty Knitting stuff.

This past Sunday we celebrated "Happy Viability Day!" with some ice cream cake. 24 weeks! Whoo-hoo! Sorry about the bad picture...taken with the BlackBerry...I was at work when DH brought the cake so we could celebrate and I never have a good camera there!

Please remember to keep me and my babes in your prayers and thoughts! We always need 'em!
Have a great day everyone!

Holiday happiness

2008-12-08T08:12:00.000-05:00

Don't you love it when you can take something like this...

and turn it into this...

Our tree has been up for a little over a week now and I am lovin' every minute of it.

I have some advent wreath pictures/advent blogging to catch up...perhaps later today or tomorrow...also still need to blog the cute little trio of trees. :)

Enjoy the season everyone!

Baby, it's cold outside...

2008-12-07T01:42:00.001-05:00

Snow...icicles...18 degree weather...
I love it!

Lot's of "making" going on over here...it's a shame I can't post 99% of it because some of those who view my blog would then know what they are getting for Christmas. However, I took some time today to make a cute trio of trees that I must photograph in better light tomorrow morning to share with you.

Hope you are all having a very merry weekend!

It's like a mini-factory over here

2008-12-02T08:43:00.001-05:00

I set up my embroidery machine and while it is working I am hard at work on my Bernina.

I'm just "sew" efficient.

Holiday Pillow

2008-12-01T09:42:00.003-05:00

One button tufted holiday pillow complete. I love the neutral-ness of this pillow. The ivory background and gold snowflake design (found in my stash) will easily allow me to use it all the way through January. Now...to find time to make another...

Creepy...

2008-11-30T13:00:00.000-05:00

While working to winterize our back yard on Friday DH discovered this lurking under one of our fountains...

Of course, then he called for me and the camera!

Take a closer look...

See that red hourglass on the underbelly of this HUGH black spider. Take a look at this picture I found on the internet...

It is a Black Widow Spider!!!
I was freaking out...I hate spiders. Especially dangerous ones like this one that can cause painful and medically serious bites! But of course...that didn't stop me from snapping away with the camera. Don't worry...I kept my distance...I used the mega telephoto zoom lens. :)

Post-turkey frenzy

2008-11-29T11:45:00.003-05:00

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with lots of good food and time with family and/or friends. We had a wonderful holiday. It is hard to believe but this is the first Thanksgiving I have been able to celebrate with my family in 3 years! I am usually always the one on call on Thanksgiving Day...so this year being surrounded by those I love was an extra special treat. Plus, we had a huge Wii-fest after the turkey...it was great fun.

Since then, it has been a flurry of activity here at my house. I did venture out for a while on Black Friday (though I did not go to the mall...that place was a zoo!) to visit the sales at Jo-Ann's, Michaels and A.C. Moore to pick up some supplies for the many projects that I must finish before Christmas. Then, yesterday afternoon we went to pick out our Christmas tree - our annual day-after-Thanksgiving tradition. Gosh, does it make our house smell fantastic! We are letting the branches settle out and then we will decorate the tree this afternoon/evening.

All the while, between running errands all day yesterday we managed to clean more of our upstairs office and my studio, hang all the Christmas lights outside and start winterizing the back yard (more on that later...what we found during that adventure deserves a post of it's own). DH even made delicious pasta for dinner!

Well, I'm off to start working on a new advent calendar for us. I only have 2 days to finish it!

I'm thankful...

2008-11-27T09:47:00.011-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Before rushing off to all the dinners with family and friends today I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect on this past year. I have been so blessed and I am so thankful for many, many things...health, family, a loving husband. I am especially thankful for my two little babies on the way! I decided to look back at some of my photos of this past year and put together a little post on some of the things that I am very thankful for this past year. Here goes...

2008 in review

I am thankful for the places I have been and the things I have seen...

Peruvian Countryside

Machu Picchu, Peru

Aguas Calientes, Peru

Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Camden, Maine

I am thankful for time spent with family...which also usually involved great food...

My grandmas "30-day" cake...mmm

Shepherd's Pie...one of my husband's favorites

Making brownies with So-so

I am thankful for my new camera and the way it (and this bloggy world) has made me look at documenting my life in an entire new way...

Egg delivery truck in Lima, Peru (non-refrigerated!)

This photo by my amazingly talented sister.

I am thankful for my kitty Chloe...she always is so loving and silly...

Bird watcher

Trying to sneak up on the camera

She is so funny when she lays on her back!

I am thankful for my sewing machine and all the crazy projects we share...

Teaching my nephew to sew

A softie...yes...it is a uterus with ovaries :)

I am thankful for the biggest blessing of the year...

We presented this picture to our in-laws as our way of announcing our surprise!

How cute are they??? This was taken last week and it is a picture of their two little heads resting side-by-side. A and B are labelled.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday...and take time to be thankful.

So, what are you thankful for???

Thankful Things Swap

2008-11-24T12:52:00.000-05:00

Who doesn't love pulling in their driveway and seeing a package sitting by the front door???

I recently participated in the Thankful Things Swap (my very first ever swap...and my swap partner was a newbie too!) hosted by Adrienne. It was so fun! My swap partner, Curiouser & Curiouser, sent me the most amazing package of stuff she is thankful for...just take a look at all this awesome stuff!

A pack of assorted stationary, cute little stickers, handmade pushpins made of buttons (so sweet!), cookies, lotion, lip balm, grossgrain ribbon, a "green" shopping tote...

a mixed CD of really great songs, cute glittery little box (that now houses my paper clips on my desk), a handmade little pouch for my purse... It really was such a great experience. The swap made me really think of creative ways to express things I am thankful for...and reading my swap partners little cards attached to each token was really cool. It was like an early Christmas. I loved every little thing in my package.

It was all over the top. I'm loving this swappin' stuff.

Next up on my to-sew list

2008-11-23T12:31:00.001-05:00

A diaper bag. This will be my first Amy Butler pattern...I have to admit...I'm kinda nervous about it! I wanna have a super hip and cute diaper bag but for some reason her patterns seem kinda intimidating.

The fabric for Baby Quilt #2. I am so excited to start this quilt. I am planning to do the same pattern as the other baby quilt (Yellow Brick Road) because it works up easy and looks beautiful no matter which fabric you use. I can't wait to show you all the finished product!

Crossing things off the to do list

2008-11-22T17:30:00.001-05:00

This cake plate was one of my favorite bridal shower gifts. A couple of months ago when I pulled it out of the cupboard to use it the top came completely off of the pedestal. I was crushed. I sat it aside hoping I could salvage it later and piece it back together. Well, I finally found the time. Thanks to some E6000 my cake plate is like new again.

I also have had "try freehand quilting" on my to-do list for awhile. I decided to make a little thank you for my mother-in-law for having us at their house during the remodel. I whipped up these cute little hot pads/trivets and gave the freehand quilting a whirl. It was fun...must do this again. Though I couldn't imagine doing this on an entire quilt...I guess I'm a small projects kind of girl at heart.

I also made a set of 4 quilted coasters for my sister as a thank you for taking my belly pictures over this past weekend. They all have pieced tops and linen backings. Love how they turned out. Plus, I got to use my walking foot! I tied them up with a little antique lace in a lime-y green, attached a thank you and they were all ready to go! Hope they like their gifts cause I really appreciate them both so much!!!

Congratuations! It's A....

2008-11-21T13:00:00.000-05:00

First off...Baby A wanted to just say hello to everyone out there in blog land!

Now for the big news I'm sure you have all been waiting for...

Cute little profile of Baby A at 18 weeks.

Baby A is a GIRL!!!

Cute little profile of Baby B at 18 weeks.

Baby B is a BOY!!!

We feel so blessed to have two special little babies on the way. We are so excited to be having one of each...the blessings just keep getting better and better.

3D image of Baby A hiding her face.

Please continue to keep my babies and me in your thoughts and prayers though.

We really do need and appreciate them!

Quilt #2 Finished (this one is not for either of the babes)

2008-11-20T16:27:00.003-05:00

I actually sewed this quilt top at about this time last year...then I got the bright idea that I would hand tie the quilt. So I did. And I didn't like the result. So then I ripped it all out and decided I could try to machine quilt it myself. So I did (part of it). And I didn't like the result. So a couple of weeks ago I sat down on a Friday night and ripped all of that out. Then the next day I took it to my long arm quilter. Love the result. While we were out of the house for the great bathroom remodel (staying at the in-laws) I hand-sewed the binding on. After pulling it out of the wash/dryer I was smitten. I love it.

So simple. But the medium stipple stitching with the rows of multiple different moda fabrics (from a jelly roll) with a simple cream/tan damask border is quite striking in person. The photos really do not do this quilt justice.

There is something so satisfying about completing a quilt.

Happy Anniversary Sis! Hope you had a great one!

Tomorrow is the big day...check back here for the gender announcement of my twins!

Meet me halfway...

2008-11-16T21:25:00.005-05:00

20 weeks today!

Sweet Award

2008-11-10T09:49:00.001-05:00

Adrienne from Some of a Kind awarded me with the One Sweet Blog Award. Now, all I have to do is give you guys some answers. Here goes...

7 things I plan to do before I die
1. Have my beautiful, healthy children and enjoy their lives and watch them grow and one day have families of their own.
2. Spend more time with my husband and my family.
3. Be published (either book or article).
4. Build my dream home.
5. Go back to Anguilla where we honeymooned.
6. Find someway to show my parents how much I love and appreciate all that they have done for me in my life.
7. Go shopping at least once and buy whatever I want and NOT look at a price tag.

7 things I do now
1. Work, work, work
2. Sew
3. Shop
4. Spend time with my husband and family
5. Clean the house
6. Surf the internet/blogs/etsy
7. Did I mention work???

7 things I can't do
1. Play sports (very unathletic)
2. Only take the stairs at work (my 19 week twin belly is getting the best of me...no longer can I take the stairs from ground to the 5th floor...)
3. Eat blue cheese (bummer...I've been craving it too)
4. Fit in most of my clothes (hence the need to shop for maternity clothes!)
5. Sleep in my own bed right now (remodeling will take about another week)
6. Get up in the morning without setting 2 separate alarms
7. Cannot stop thinking about my babies

7 things that attract me to the opposite sex (my husband)
1. His sense of humor
2. His laugh
3. His eyes
4. The fact that he loves me so much
5. The fact that he is an awesome housekeeper
6. His loyalty
7. The way he always makes me laugh
(there are way more than 7 things!)

7 things I say most often
1. Congratulations! (daily in my job)
2. Lovie (my husbands pet name)
3. I love you.
4. Awesome.
5. What do you think?
6. (to DH) Will you rub my feet?
7. Oh my gosh.

7 celebrities I admire
I don't have any...really. I admire real people. I really admire my mom who was an awesome mother and friend and I hope I can be just like her. I also admire my sister who is a fantastic mother and has become a beautiful woman.

7 favorite foods
1. Pinto beans and corn bread
2. Spaghetti
3. Biscuits and gravy
4. Wiener schnitzel
5. Alfajor
6. Air Heads
7. Peas

Sweet Weekend.

2008-11-09T09:31:00.003-05:00

Despite being on a 24 hour call shift yesterday, it has been a pretty sweet weekend. Work is progressing on our bathroom remodel. Plus, much more has been happening over at our house other than the bathroom while we have been living with the in-laws. Since I'm pregnant and all I am banned from my house (by my mom & DH due to possible asbestos in things they are tearing out, possible black mold in the old bathroom, lead paint, new paint fumes, dust, overworking, etc. etc). However, my mom (who has been like the foreman of the job) filled me in on all the progress. So far, the nursery has been painted and all the new crown molding and baseboards for that room have been painted and will likely be put up today. The closet door in my bedroom (which never closed before) has been fixed and now closes! Plus, they installed a closet organizer - sweet! The bathroom (which was completely stripped down to the studs) now has a new tub, new drywall and a sort of new arrangement. Plans for this week are to paint, install tile, new toilet, vanity, sink and cabinets! Yippie. Can't wait to see the finished product.

I also picked out some fabrics for baby quilt #2 after several HOURS literally of internal debate. Order was placed on etsy today so can't wait to get these!

Looked around online for baby bedding and ultimately became very frustrated. Found NOTHING that I like. Decided to instead now focus my attention to finding perfect fabrics and make my own baby bedding. We will see how that goes...

We had our anatomy ultrasound on Friday and we now know what we are having! We are VERY excited...I've got special plans for that announcement but will probably have to wait until we are back in our house to be able to do that. Please continue to keep our babies in your prayers!

Also, Adrienne of Some of A Kind gave me an award! Thanks!! Now I have to give answers to some questions but since this post has already been kinda long I will post about all of that tomorrow!

Have a happy Sunday everyone!

Fall Friday

2008-11-07T14:00:00.000-05:00

Have a great weekend everyone!

Brunch with a View

2008-11-06T13:00:00.001-05:00

I wish I could have this view with all my meals!

As a side note, I have been finishing my second quilt. I made the topper for this quilt quite some time ago but finally got around to finishing it up and taking it to the long arm quilter last week! I plan on giving this quilt to my grandma for Christmas. I feel pretty okay with posting about it here because I don't think she reads my blog (and if any of the fam does - don't tell her about the present!) I plan to take some pictures as soon as I can get back into our house after the great bathroom remodel is over! How could I forget my camera???

More Greenbrier Grandeur...Wordless Wednesday

2008-11-05T14:58:00.000-05:00

Our Weekend Getaway

2008-11-04T15:00:00.000-05:00

Every fall, DH & I spend a weekend at The Greenbrier. It is one of my favorite times of the year. Everything about this resort (and the little town it is in) is charming and unique.

We had a wonderful weekend and I already cannot wait to go back next year. I'll share more photos tomorrow!<>

If feet gross you out...don't read this post.

2008-11-03T23:27:00.002-05:00

So my husband has a obsession.

If he has a pen/highlighter/any writing utensil he immediately reverts to a 5 year old school boy and has a sudden urge to make his mark. His favorite "thing" to mark with his graffiti - me! It is insane. Marks to the face, arm, whatever he can get before I shriek and struggle away. Tonight, while I was trying to read my favorite blogs this is what happened to my poor big toe.

(sorry for the grainy picture - taken with my blackberry [i heart you blackberry!] as we are staying at the in-laws for the week while our big bathroom remodel is taking place!)

Even though I hate it...it does make me laugh. Love you husband!

Falling leaves

2008-11-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

While I love the sound of leaves crunching beneath my feet, I sometimes wish they could remain on the trees in all their vivid glory forever. However, part of what makes fall so special is the fleeting cycle of the changing of colors and then falling of the leaves. Fall can slip past us in a flash. Take time to enjoy the season.

Happy Sunday!

My current (breakfast) obsession

2008-11-01T09:53:00.000-04:00

Whole wheat blueberry Eggo waffles. Granted they are frozen (sometimes you just have to eat frozen food in my situation) but add some pure maple syrup and a little unsalted (the only way to go) butter and mmmm! The perfect quick breakfast.

However, when time allows (like this weekend...DH and I are enjoying a special weekend that I will share more about later this week...don't want to spoil it yet because I can't upload my pictures onto my laptop to share with you) a good homemade Belgian waffle with pure maple syrup, whipped cream and warm peach compote is mighty nice. That's what is for breakfast this morning :) As I said, can't wait to share pictures with you when we return to the home computer where I can upload pictures.

Have a great Saturday!

Another great giveaway

2008-10-31T17:20:00.000-04:00

***Happy Halloween Everyone!!!***

For all you fabric lovers...you gotta head over here and enter this giveaway! Katie of See Katie Sew is hosting a giveaway of a flat rate box stuffed full of yummy fabrics to celebrate her 2 year blogiversary. Just look at the sampling of what you get...So what are you still doing here???...get over there!!! (and mention I sent you!)

2008-10-30T00:30:00.000-04:00

[photo from JCasa Handmade]

One of my favorite blogs that I stalk is JCasa Handmade. If you haven't checked it out yet, now is a good time to do so because she is hosting a giveaway! How lovely is this baby quilt? I could certainly get some use out of one of these come April when the twins arrive :) All you have to do to enter is post about her giveaway on your blog and pick 3 main colors for the quilt. That's it!

Since we don't know if we are having boys/girls/one of each, my color choices are in the air. Maybe something neutral like khaki, chocolate and sage? If I win I would be so thrilled I really wouldn't mind which colors were in it. All of the stuff she makes and posts on her blog is so beautiful! So head on over there and enter!

A few of my favorite things...

2008-10-29T01:00:00.001-04:00

1. Yummy brownies.

2. Longaberger pottery (makes the brownies taste better...I swear).

3. My cute snuggly Chloe.

I'm handy with a knife

2008-10-28T01:30:00.001-04:00

This is the first time DH & I have ever followed a pattern to carve a pumpkin. It was fun and I think it looks super cool at night. :) I am also now a big fan of the little pumpkin carving sets (previously I just thought they were a waste of money...I figured everyone had a knife at home). But now, I realize this pattern would have been impossible to do with my steak knife. However, don't plan on keeping one of these sets to use year after year...one of the little carving knives snapped in half before I even finished carving. The pumpkin guts scoop that comes with the set got a thumbs up from the hubby. Overall...very much fun indeed.

My Bernina and I are friends again

2008-10-27T01:31:00.004-04:00

I'm sure my Bernina was wondering what happened to me. Over the summer, my sewing mojo was...well...non-existent. Cooler weather thankfully has brought it back. I spent most of the weekend working on sewing projects so I should have plenty to share this week.

First off is my FIRST EVER completed quilt. I've made quilt tops in the past but they never made it to the long arm quilter, much less to the binding stage. So, I was thrilled that I finally finished this Yellow Brick Road pattern baby quilt. I am so proud of the binding. This is something I never thought I could do. But thankfully, one of the nurses at work showed me how to hand sew on the binding in just a couple of minutes between patients and it turned out better than I could have ever imagined (mitered corners!). I owe her one! I picked out this awesome varigated brown-pink thread for the quilting work...love it.

Everyone who has seen it has asked if it is for one of my babes. Well, if "A" or "B" ends up being a girl this quilt is all ready for her! We still don't know what we are having yet though. I purchased the fabric long for this very project long before I found out I was pregnant. Could that be a sign? If I end up having 2 boys...well, the next lucky friend to have a girl will probably get it.

[Front view]

[Back view - chocolate brown with pink polka dots]

Isn't my DH just the best model???

The verdict on the pattern: LOVE IT! Easy to understand, easy to come together. Will definately make this quilt again (especially if we are having one - or two - boys).

It's all about the shoe

2008-10-20T22:44:00.008-04:00

Soon, DH & I will be packing our bags for our annual fall weekend retreat at a posh resort across the state. It really is one of my favorite times of the year. We get all dressed up, have fancy-shmancy dinners, get to sleep in a soft-as-can-be feather bed and I get to spend all day at the spa on Saturday. DH's favorite part is that the cottages we stay in have honest-to-goodness fireplaces that he can build an honest-to-goodness fire in. It is a nice and relaxing weekend. Every year, one of my favorite indulgences before we go on this little trip is that I get to purchase a new pair of wild/fancy shoes. My dress choices are kinda limited this year due to my pregnancy. I'm just a little to big to look good in my formal dresses I have on hand and a little too small for maternity dresses to look cute. So this year...it was all about the shoes to make my sorta simple black dress look fantastic. So, I picked these Carlos Santana shoes...affordable, super cute and can go with many dresses/outfits in the future. Very sensible...well except for that heel. :)To keep these little beauties safe in my luggage, I decided I needed a proper shoe bag. Perfect pattern found in Simple Sewing with a French Twist. I love this pattern...super easy to understand and super fast to come together.

Plus side to this little project...it could be so adaptable...make it a little smaller for a great cosmetics pouch or coin pouch. Line it with iron on vinyl and it would be perfect for toting that wet swimsuit around during the summer. Make it a little bigger and it would be the perfect bag to put your dirty laundry in while on vacation so when your re-pack your bag to come home all of that laundry is in one place...okay...now I know what my next sewing project is for this week!
After visiting that Carlos site to find a picture of the shoes I purchased at macys, I found these lovelies. I have a chocolate brown dress that these would look fab with. DH, can I have these too...pretty please???

Edit: Well...after searching the internet high and low the lovely Roulette Brown Leopard Carlos shoes are not available ANYWHERE in my size. Bummer. If anyone happens upon this shoe in a size 7 please let me know! Now, I feel like a crazy woman and want it that much more! :)

Cooler weather means...

2008-10-16T01:30:00.000-04:00

Talking and laughing with DH beside a cozy fire in our firebowl in our back yard. I just love the smell of the fire and sound of the crackling wood.

Hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream. Mmmm.

Yippie, I love fall!

Cooler weather means...

2008-10-15T01:00:00.000-04:00

Paula Deen CrockPot Taco Soup...mmm. A favorite in our house...so easy to make and so tasty!

Again, I must say it...I love fall

2008-10-14T02:35:00.000-04:00

What is not to love about a season that produces beauty like this???

Mark another off the to-sew list...or not...

2008-10-12T16:19:00.005-04:00

I've been wanting to make a camera strap for my sister (the awesome photographer) for quite some time like those of Adrienne and Jade. For whatever reason though, I just couldn't imagine cutting up the strap that came with the camera. Plus, I wanted this to be a surprise so I couldn't exactly steal her camera strap...I mean she uses it every day. So, after studying my own camera strap I figured there must be some way I could make it all on my own. After a trip to JoAnn's, I figured I had all the supplies to give it a try. Now, like I said, I've been wanting to do this for a while. My trip to JoAnn's was back in July. So, it was quite comical last night when I decided to actually sit down and figure this out. I couldn't find the pleather (fake leather - vinyl stuff) I had purchased. After much whining and searching ("DH have you seen my pleather?" - ask your husband that...it gets quite a reaction), I found it and settled in. The result...

Not to shabby. I used buckle fasteners so that the straps that attach to the camera are fixed in place and the strap itself can be removed and exchanged. It is much easier to remove the camera from the strap with this setup than the strap that came with my camera. Now...I'm addicted. I feel like I need to make 2 -3 more different straps so she can interchange them based on mood. Or maybe holiday ones. Ooo, the possibilities. Now, I gotta make one for myself too...so I can't exactly mark it off my to-sew list just yet.

Productive Saturday

2008-10-11T21:29:00.004-04:00

I have recently lost my sewing mojo but I am determined to get it back now that cooler weather is around the corner. I woke up this morning determined to mark something off of my to-sew list. So, I finally made the backing to this Yellow Brick Road baby quilt I made a while back. The above is a sneak peak of the quilt top. The backing is solid and in the brown with pink polka dots fabric. I finished up the backing and sewed the binding into a long strip. Plus, I was extra productive today...I already took it to the long arm quilter! She told me it should be ready in about a week. When I get it back the binding is already ready to go...I'll get it all wrapped up and then hopefully post it sometime next week.

Also, equally productive...sorting wedding pictures! DH & I have been married for 2 1/2 years and all of our wedding pictures (aside from the professional magazine-style album our photographer had printed for us) have been sitting in a tote since we ordered them! Shame! I had big plans to scrapbook all of the photos and incorporate the invites, cards, ribbons and the like but with the babies coming I knew that would never happen. Plus, I'm not much of a scrapbooker (hehe that sounds funny). So, I purchased these nice leather-bound albums from Target (where else!?! - love that store!) and spent the evening organizing and filing the photos away. Now DH can stop asking me when I am going to finish our wedding albums!

Hope you all had a productive (and relaxing) Saturday!

Little hats for little heads.

2008-10-10T00:27:00.003-04:00

I purchased a very nice natural colored baby alpaca yarn over a year ago with no particular project in mind at the time. For some reason I thought of this yarn today while drying my hair getting ready for work. I thought it would make the perfect little warm, snuggly, gender neutral hats for my little ones. I threw it in my bag along with my Knifty Knitter hat loom (yeah, I can't knit with needles...too hard). I was able to whip up both of these soft little cuties in no time flat. I even had yarn left over so I made a 3rd hat for one of the nurses who is expecting soon. I will put it with some burpies and maybe a appliqued onesie and call it a day. :)

I am also very excited about my new BlackBerry Curve. I must say...what did I do before you??? I was able to snap this photo, send it to my computer and make this post happen...all from my phone! Love it!

Photo op.

2008-10-08T02:00:00.003-04:00

We went to the lake this past Sunday to have a picnic lunch with my family. The weather was so nice. I love fall. My sister (who is an awesome photographer) snapped this picture of DH & I while we were there. She has such an artsy eye...I just love it. Once the little ones come along I must have her take a shadow photo of them once there are big enough to toddle around.

Mmmm...good.

2008-10-07T02:32:00.003-04:00

Dear Husband,

Stop reading my blog now. You don't want to read this post. Trust me.

Love,
Your Wife

Everyone else,

This is what pregnancy can do to you.

You are hungry (ravenous) and working the night shift. Any other night shift (non-pregnant) when you get hungry you pop a lean cuisine or smart ones meal in the microwave, grab a turkey sandwich and some baked lays or eat an apple. But when you are PREGNANT on a night shift you decide a nice, hot cafeteria meal would be a good idea at 12:30am (blame it on the hormones). So you wonder downstairs and hit the jackpot. Breakfast food at midnight.

Yeah...not my normal meal AT ALL. But, gosh, it was sooooo gooooood. Apples, potatoes, biscuits and gravy. I know this picture looks pretty gross (blame it on the blackberry - not the best quality photo, right???) but our cafeteria is actually pretty good. DH says that it is just because I am used to all of this cafeteria food...but hey, they make a mean midnight breakfast.

Oh, and husband (because I know you are still reading)...I promise I don't eat like this every night. :)

So Fall.

2008-10-04T11:00:00.000-04:00

One of my friends sent the sweetest gift when she heard our exciting news...a lovely note of congrats and two beautiful sunflowers (one for each babe who will be the sunshine of our lives). They are so fall and I so love them.

I recently had a chance to do some baking (well, my form of baking - out of a box). I tried the Archer Farms (Target brand) scones in Vanilla. The verdict...well...they are just that...kinda vanilla. They are very moist but not much flavor. Don't think I will try these again. Anyone have any good and quick and easy scones recipes???

New Gadgets.

2008-10-03T09:30:00.001-04:00

So...I'm vamping up my blog.

Thanks to a recent post by Jessica at How About Orange, I have been inspired to do a little work to make my blog a little more fun.

Take a look over there on my sidebar --->
1. Added a search box. Now you can easily find that post that lists my recipe for that yummy Lemon-y Tuna Salad.
2. Followers. Come on. Sign up. I would love to know who follows my blog!
3. My Blog List. In case you ever wondered what I am reading an who I tend to follow.
4. And my new fave...
This is so cool. Now I can add little snippets that don't necessarily warrant a full post. I can update via the web or on the go via my cell. You can even follow my twitter-ings!

What do ya think?

New Etsy Shop! Giveaway!

2008-10-03T00:01:00.000-04:00

(photo above from BettyNinja)
BettyNinja has done it again! Another cute etsy shop! Go see her new shop Lost in the Woods and while you are at it you must stop by her blog to be entered in a giveaway!

Getting prepared.

2008-10-02T20:07:00.001-04:00

Finally got a little sewing done. I completed a trio of burpies to stash back for future use. I love these...so quick and easy to make, so darn cute and it is the perfect project to use up some of my fabric scraps. I see making at least a dozen of these in my future.

While you are here...check out the new gadget blogger has added as a option for our blogs. It's over there on the sidebar called "Followers" - sign up - follow my blog! :)

Exposing myself.

2008-10-02T01:26:00.000-04:00

Remember that post by Jade about exposing yourself?

Well...I signed up for the challenge and procrastinated (story of my life?). Finally, I just took the plunge and started with my hall closet. I almost can't believe I am showing this picture (embarrassing!).

Entry Hall Closet Before

I sorted and sorted. In the end I got rid of a garbage bag full of shoes (gasp!...but remember I have to make room for these babies!) and 10+ coats. I added a new mesh shoe organizer to the door (the old plastic one had several pockets ripping) to help organize scarves, hats, gloves, umbrellas and flip flops.

I purchased a revolving shoe stand for DH's shoes (which are always too big to fit on a shoe organizer or in the shoe pockets) and arranged our coats.

Now we are all ready for cooler weather with jackets and gloves/scarves/hats easy to find.

My next "expose yourself" project should be my office but I am just too embarrassed to post those before pictures!

Big News in the New Header

2008-09-27T17:01:00.010-04:00

...that's right! I'm pregnant! And I'm having Twins!!!

[Twins A & B at 6 weeks]

I have been bursting to tell you all! DH & I (and all the family) are so excited! We were also shocked...when the grainy ultrasound image first appeared on the screen my heart was beating so hard in my chest because I knew from the first glimpse that there were two (it is my job after all). I was in complete shock. What a blessing and what a suprise!

[Twin A at 12 weeks]

[Twin B at 12 weeks]

Hence, my recent absence. But now that the first trimester is under my belt and the nausea and constant fatigue is starting to subside...I'm back...plus two.

Where have I been???

2008-09-21T21:53:00.004-04:00

(photo from http://www.innathoneyrun.com/amish_attractions.htm)

Ok...geez...last post Aug. 30. Really? I'm ashamed.

So, my life has been crazy busy and I have something really, I mean REALLY, exciting to share with you all. However, it requires some scanning of some photos that just hasn't been done yet. Soon, promise. I am dying to tell. I need to talk about it.

It is my goal to get back into the swing of my normal life. Soon. Now.

As for what I have been doing...my family and I went to Amish Country this past weekend. It was fantastically relaxing. Ugh...too bad I have to go back to work this week, be on call this weekend and then start a month of night shifts next month (yes, the whole month). Ugh. Can't think about that now.

Lots to do this week...I'm going to make a public list here. Then each day (hold me to it you guys!) I must post about how I have completed one item on this list. If I don't, leave a comment and call me out on it! I have until next Sunday to complete this list.

The List

1. Fall decorating around the house.

2. Make curtains for my cousin Jo.

3. Embroider something with my new machine.

4. Clean my upstairs office and sewing room - get rid of stuff!!! (hmm...de-stash sale???)

5. Complete backing for 2 separate quilts and take them to quilter.

Ok...that seems ambitious enough. More tomorrow...

I love my Dyson.

2008-08-30T11:01:00.002-04:00

Since I was a little girl I have loved vacuuming. When DH & I got married we purchased a Dyson and I have loved vacuuming even more. I love my Dyson. It is the best vacuum I have ever used. Period. Now, I am anxiously awaiting this new attachment for my Dyson. It is the low reach floor tool that allows me to use my Dyson under the bed, the couch, everywhere! I am so pumped. I'll let ya know how it works as soon as I get it!

Amy Butler goodness

2008-08-28T17:28:00.001-04:00

I have been wanting these Amy Butler Lotus line fabrics for a good while now. I've been meaning to buy them to make a strap for my camera like the ones made by Adrienne and Jade. So I finally order the fabric from etsy, get the fabric in the mail, carve out time to make it tonight and NOW I can't find my original stinkin' camera strap to use to make the new strap!

Argh! Eventually, all of the pieces will fall together so I can have a cool camera strap too.

I WANT THIS!!!

2008-08-25T19:08:00.002-04:00

(Photo by Etsy seller sudlow)

So...I have decided to make Monday's Etsy Monday. Each Monday I will list one of my new Etsy favorites. There are so many talented artists on Etsy and I thought this would be a great way to showcase some of their work. Gosh...there are so many things I really want on Etsy but this one I REALLY, REALLY WANT. Each time a new listing for this necklace becomes available it sells super quick. It is handmade and sterling silver and freshwater pearls...just beautiful. Had to share this beauty by sudlow. Check out her Etsy shop...lots of pretty goodies!

Gotta Love a Giveaway

2008-08-23T15:25:00.003-04:00

(photo property of Some of a Kind)

Love this apron? Want a Some of a Kind apron of your own???

Hop over to Adrienne's blog where she is celebrating her (almost) 200th post with an apron giveaway. You even get to pick fabric from her stash!

Have a great weekend everyone! Mine is being spent working (of course!).

Onesie #2

2008-08-14T21:59:00.001-04:00

I'm addicted.

I just finished freehand embroidery onesie #2 with another "vital organs" theme. I love these. I couldn't even wait to wash out the soluble top stabilizer before I took the picture!

I was thinking of doing a freehand embroidery tutorial (the way I do it anyway)...would anyone be interested?

Mi corazón.

2008-08-13T14:52:00.002-04:00

I have been dreaming of doing this for a loooong time. It all started with this ThreadBanger video on freehand embroidery by GirlPopcorn (she makes awesome stuff! although, I didn't follow all of her steps for the freehand emboroidery - I thought my own way seemed a little easier). I knew I had to try it but couldn't exactly decided on what to stitch until I saw these at Sublime Stitching. Once all things were in place (pattern, onesie, thread and time) it only took about 45 minutes from start to finish.

And I couldn't be happier with the result.

100th Post Giveaway Winner!!!

2008-08-09T18:34:00.001-04:00

All comments were printed (extras were added for those who blogged about my giveaway and added a button to their sidebar - thanks!!!), cut out, folded and placed in a bowl...

DH mixed 'em all up! And drew one lucky winner...

Congratulations Claudia of Infinita Diversidade!!! I've sent an email requesting any specifics for your zip pouch and will put it all together and ship it out later this week! I'll post Claudia's zip pouch here after I confirm she has received it.

Thanks for all of you for participating! I love all of my bloggy friends!

Sale in the Shop and Another Giveaway (from another blogger)

2008-08-06T18:22:00.003-04:00

Head over to my shop! Lots of items have been reduced (SALE!!!) because the listings expire on August 11th and I would really, really rather get some sales than have to re-list or keep all this great stuff in my already-bursting-at-the-seams house. Take a look! If you like something convo me on etsy and be sure to mention the word CHLOE and I will take an additional 10.1% off your order (to celebrate this my 101th post)! Just convo me AFTER making your purchase but PRIOR to paying for your purchase so I can adjust your invoice.

Do you like this??? Wanna win it??? Just pop over to Creative Writings 101 and enter her 50th post celebration giveaway! I sooooo hope I win!!!

100!!!

2008-08-05T18:16:00.012-04:00

Warning: Picture heavy post...but stick with me...the big news is at the end of the post!!!

Wow! I can't believe it has been soooo long since my last post! So much has happened since then! I guess that is what summer time weather and working 70+ hours a week will do to ya...

So, since I last posted the family we had in our backyard has all grown up and left their nest. As promised, here is their last picture taken before they flew the coop.

We also made the trip to Indy to attend a friends wedding and in doing so got to catch up with a lot of very dear friends (two of which are pregnant!!!). The wedding was beautiful and we had a great time just getting out of town for a weekend.

Also, I haven't had the opportunity yet to share my birthday present from DH with all of you. It was a really good one so be prepared...

An sewing/embroidery machine! Though this little contraption will strictly be used for embroidery (no detaching that monster embroidery unit and I couldn't neglect my first love - my Bernina!). I've already put it to good use making a gift for a friend.

Now, for the big news.
In celebration of my 100th post and my new embroidery machine I will be hosting a giveaway! The lucky winner will receive a custom made zip pouch by yours truly! I will customize fabric color/ribbon and embroidery to suit your style (limited to what is in my stash). How do you win??? Simply leave a message on this post! For an extra chance at winning blog about my giveaway and for another extra chance just post my little button on your sidebar.

Simple as that. In your comment be sure to list your favorite color and a link to your page if you blogged/used my button. The giveaway will officially end on Saturday, August 9, 2008. The winner will be announced here Saturday afternoon. I will contact the winner once selected to work out details of their custom zip pouch (complete name vs. monogram vs. graphic etc).

Spread the word and good luck! It's great to be back to blogging!

edited to include, email me if you want the html for the button - i can't get it to post on blogger right now! stitchingsurgeon@gmail.com

My next post is #100

2008-07-10T08:30:00.000-04:00

"Every problem has a gift for you in its hands." ~Richard Bach

The past 4 days have been extremely hard for me...but things are looking better. When things get tough one of my favorite things to remind myself is that God will not give me more than I can handle. But yesterday (while brushing my teeth - go figure!) it was like I was hit with a ton of bricks and I found major relief in the fact that the bad experiences I have had really are making me a better person. We all face our own "problems" and it is usually very difficult to look at these things at the time and be thankful for them...but today I am finally at that stage. I am thankful for my recent experience. Yes, it was an extremely tough day...and I'm sure that there will be tough (or tougher) days in my life...but next time hopefully it won't take me so long to get to the point where I am now.

That said...on to more fun things.

My birthday was this week. We celebrated early over last weekend. My sister made my birthday cake and it was de-lish!

Today is my sweet Grandpa's birthday! I can't wait to celebrate with him over this coming weekend!

DH & I finally used our fire bowl for the first time this summer! Whoo-hoo! I love that thing. Looking forward to using it again this weekend since we finally found a place where we can get firewood that is cut small enough to fit in it!

Still working on exposing myself. It seems I can't follow deadlines well but mine is to hopefully have it all exposed by the end of this weekend.

Just had to let you all know about these...

2008-07-05T12:01:00.001-04:00

I am a BIG fan of The Black Apple blog (who isn't after her spot on Martha...she's a celebrity now!). Emily's designs are always so cute. I fell in love with this little ghost a while back but missed out on getting one of my own from her shop (things sell FAST there). So, when I found out Miss Emily had teamed up with Sublime Stitching on a pattern set and it included this little ghost I just had to have one. So while I was browsing about to purchase this:

photo from www.sublimestitching.com

I came across this:

photo from www.sublimestitching.com

I just had to have this one too!

How awesome and perfect is this for me???

I can't wait to get these.