Summer Sampler QAL

I have decided to join the Summer Sampler QAL over at Swim Bike Quilt, Freshly Pieced, and Fresh Lemons. All it took was a little encouragement from Marjorie at Marjorie's Busy Corner

I decided yesterday I was going to join (It started on Monday, you can click the link to find the full schedule), then when I got home the internet was down following a thunderstorm. So I wasn't able to work on the first square last night. I picked out the fabric- didn't really want to spend money, but I found some from my stash I had been hoping to use. But I did finish it tonight.

Disclaimer- I have only quilted squares before and a very small amount of applique, so this is my first time working with triangles. I was pleasantly pleased how fast and easy this was to do. I will hopefully get today's block done tomorrow after work or Friday.

Check out the flickr pool to see all the completed blocks. They are all soo pretty.

In other news- I have been actually using my craft room- it is not all pretty and set up like I want it to be eventually, but it is functional now. See the table my sewing machine is sitting on- I got it on Craigslist for $8. My husband doesn't like it but it has wings on both sides that flap up when I need to use it for sewing/cutting and there is storage room for my sewing machine and sewing box when we are having people stay in the room. I think it is a very useful piece of furniture.

Bibs (actually Baprons) for Baby Shower

There are so many awesome tutorials out there that I can not wait to try. The hard part is figuring out which ones to do first. Having a baby shower to go to can help bump some up to the top of the list. Craftiness is Not Optional has a great tutorial for Baprons- these cute bibs that baby's arms can go in.

I used oilcloth that I got from Oilcloth Addict on Etsy- I wasn't sure how much I would need so I bought four fat quarters- Aqua Cherries, Pink Strawberries, Pink Gingham and Red Dots. I have a bunch left over and I think I am going to make myself a new lunchbox with it.

The tutorial was wonderful- very specific and it was a VERY easy project. I did us premade bias tape so that was a little easier than making my own, but either way it would be easy.

Elephant Embroidery for Baby Shower

My friend from high school is having a baby girl this August. She is decorating her nursery with an elephant/vintage circus theme- the bedding they picked out is so gorgeous.

When I was thinking of what I would like to make her I knew it was going to be something with elephants, but when I stumbled upon this sweet free pattern at So September I knew that I had to do it. I love the details, the shape and the whimsy of the pattern and I love how it turned out.

I used a 28 count blush linen for this project- If I had been in less of a hurry while picking out the fabric I probably would have found something a little more pink and a tighter weave fabric. It would have made getting all of the shape of the curly details a little easier. But I am very happy with how it turned out- especially the buttons- too cute!

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Late 4th of July Post

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July holiday last weekend- we had a blast, but this week was very hard to get back to the daily grind!! Here are a few highlights of the weekend.

Marley was being a stinker and did NOT want to take pictures with the shorts and bow I made her, so here are a few of the best ones that I managed to get- sorry about the blur :).

Here is a view from the back to see how they fit her- they were pretty tight so next attempt will be a little bigger! And she loved the shorts so much that she had not one, but two accidents in them, oh the potty training days!

Went swimming with my nephew Eli- I happened to get a wasp sting at the pool this day which swelled up a whole lot- who knew I was allergic to wasp stings?

At my Aunt's house my sister, my cousin's daughter and I decided to make some hair clips- we got creative and made quite a few- it was fun to see all the variety of colors! We let the little cousins wear them the next day and take them home.

Me with my 4th of July hair clip.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend. I am excited for my next post- after the baby shower this weekend!

Thankful Thursday

Today has been rough- seems like it would be a good day to step back and reflect on a few things I am thankful for.

1. I am thankful for my loving husband. I know that without him my life would not be nearly as joyful as it is.

2. I am thankful for family. That is me with my two older sisters and my older brother. I am the baby in this picture!

3. Thankful for Nephews!

4. Thankful for my Neice.

5. Thankful for my puppies!!

6.Thankful for my job. Not only do I get to talk about food all day but I get to help people eat better and feed their children better. And I get to help support breastfeeding moms. Doesn't get much better than that!