Hello Sunday

Hello Saturday

One Moment

Quilting

My mom showed me an article on vacation about how the popularity of quilting is on the rise. Knitting, quilting, sewing clothes are all things younger women are rediscovering. It always rolls back around..the cycle of our generations. I think it's great that sewing in general has become more of a "cool thing" to do. All those closet sewers can come out & be proud that their grandmothers taught them to sew!!

I wish I was better at sewing. I never had much of an interest until my 20s. It's just a craft that requires so much prep time. I get discouraged & the amount of space needed is hard to find without getting overwhelmed. Also, my brain isn't very crafty at some of the geometry/math involved. Knitting feels more comfortable for me, but I like little sewing projects here & there. Sew to Speak in Clintonville inspires me every time I visit & need a reason to dust off the sewing machine. This year I hope to make another purse/bag..it's called a victory bag. You can see it here.
http://sewchic.blogspot.com/2011/03/purse-pattern-giveaway-ends-soon.html

Yaya is quite an experienced quilter, seamstress extraordinaire!! I hope she can pass along here knowledge to my kids & me! Quilting in general baffles me. How can you put all those pieces together & make them so beautiful. It must feel so satisfying to spread a handmade quilt across your bed & plop down:) I keep thinking...ONE day, right! She was so generous this year in making Jack & Maddie both their own quilts for the new year!! Maddie requested a Harry Potter theme & Jack wanted old cartoons/comics. Here they are!! The kids love snuggling under them & they are keeping us warm on these cold nights of January.

Knits from 2011

Knitting has changed the way I see things. I see ribbed lines, cabled rows, lace that forms patterns & even on my walks, I think about patterns I see in the sky or on tree lines & wonder how they were made. It has opened up a pathway in my mind that I am thankful to have.

I am looking back at what my needles made in 2011. Each project, sometimes even with the same pattern created different knits. I like that my hands were able to create wearable things. Hoping that my rows & lines are floating around out there for the world to see keeping my friends and family warm.

I will start with my first completed project on 2011. It's Tiny Tea Leaves Pattern by Melissa LeBarre. Found here at www.ravelry.com http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tea-leaves-cardigan. The first sweater I ever knitted & never tired of making. This one started as a sweater intended for a relative's baby, but the gauge was off & it ended up fitting Maddie. I'd like to say she has worn it alot, but she hasn't. Thankfully it still fits her, she's just not much of a sweater girl. I am still hopeful she'll discover it & put it on this year. I later made the same sweater for the baby:) The hat Maddie is wearing was a quick hat for a friend's brithday.

A Look Back

I'm proud that I have maintained this blog for 4+ years now. Never thought of myself as a blogger, more like a part-timer. It's actually become a creative outlet for me & one day I hope my kids will be able to look back & see how much fun we had...in pictures & words. I really do this for them as much as for me.

Welcoming a new year always brings a lot of reflection. Where we've been on this last trip around the sun & where this new one will take us. 2011 we spent our 6th year in Ohio. I survived another winter & discovered how little & sometimes long walks can help clear my mind. John & I celebrated 14 years of marriage & we now have a 4th & 1st grader. Harry Potter entered our lives & gave us lots of long nights reading & imagining a place called Hogwarts. I got a new bathroom remodel. We took our first family trip to Washington DC & spent another summer week at the beach in NC. Maddie learned how to ride her bike. Jack went on his first overnight camp trip. I learned to love cooking more & became a better knitter. I got a new sewing machine & made a bird bag! John became a better bass player & now has a fishing partner. Jack found a new love, golf. Maddie danced as a Jester in a Nutcracker production. We discovered new music & our love for a lot of old vinyls. Jack said goodbye to a great violin teacher & hello to a new. Maddie's fingers found new melodies to make. We all got new haircuts & grew new dos. Some of us even got new teeth.

Here's a look back..

Monday Music

After traveling over 1,000 miles this Christmas break, it's hard to pick a favorite song from the road trip. But this one wins:)
Happy New Year 2012~!