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Monday, October 31, 2011

New wood floors and Halloween

So I realize I've been off blog-land for awhile now.  I have a good reason, I promise.  We've been preparing for Halloween and for our Halloween Kids Party (which was Saturday).  The boys had two of their friends stay the nite after the party so that was a long (and fun!) nite.  The kids all had a blast playing games and watching Halloween movies and eating candy.  Surprisingly they did not eat much candy or sweets at all that nite.  The next morning I got up early and made everyone scrambled eggs and my famous (at least in this household they are) Pumpkin Pancakes.  The kids washed it all down with eggnog.  I stuck with good ol' coffee. 

That very morning Jake decided to get a jump-start on the wood floors.  Yes, I did say wood floors! After being in our rental for a few years the landlord (aka: my father-in-law) finally said we could put wood floors in! Jake is spending pretty much all of his two weeks home from work putting in the floors and helping me move furniture, clothes, huge Rubbermaid bins full of books and so much fabric he was about sick!

We, (by "we" I mean Jake and his dad) are working on the floors today while me and his mom make coffee and food runs and I entertain the children.  The little guys have been surprisingly good through all the chaos and noise and have been a great help to me.  "Let's move all this stuff over here", "Can you carry this", etc.  I've also made a surprising amount of goodwill drop-off's too.  Is it just me or can you cram an amazing amount of stuff into a small room too? I had a few "That's where that is!" and "Oh wow! I've been looking for this since we moved in here 2 years ago!" moments.

So, the living room/entry and hallway wood floors are finished and they just have the bedrooms and my sewing room left now.  I'm so excited! The floors are beautiful and clean and shiny and perfect and wood and, well... NOT CARPET!!! We are carpet-haters in this house. 

The kids favorite part: They can wear socks and slide up and down the hallway. 

My favorite part: I just found a cheap new broom and mop.

I will hopefully post pics over the next few days of the new floors.  I was going to post them today but surprise! my camera USB cord is in a bin somewhere.  So... unless I manage to get a few good pics from my iphone, the floor pics will unfortunately have to wait.

How are you all doing? Crafting and creating? I have to say I miss my sewing machine.  She's back from the cleaners and tucked away in a corner until we get the house put back together.  I will post some pics as soon as she is unpacked and back in her proper place. 



Saturday, October 22, 2011

Child Labor & Dentists

So I'm mowing the lawn a few days ago and my oldest boy, age 5, asks if he can try mowing.  I said sure, figured it would be a quick try, but nope, turns out he loves to mow the lawn.  And you know what? I'm not complaining a bit!



He did such a great job! And I got to sit in the lawn chair, read a book, and sip water.  It was a wonderful treat.  Even better was his attitude about it.  He was so pleased to be helping me.  

He ran over at one point to where I was sitting and hugged me.  "I'm sure working up a thirst!" he says.  I gave him some water.  Just before he runs off to continue mowing he looks back and says, "Hey Mom? Am I doing a good job? Or even a great one?" I of course told him he was doing the most awesome job ever!  He smiled and said, "Oh good.  Then you can sit down and relax today while I work cause you always do everything for me and Odin and Daddy."

Seriously?!? How can you not love this little guy to pieces! I definately felt my eyes well up at that conversation.  What a sweet boy he is.  He really does have such a kind and sensitive heart.  He is so delighted to know he's helped you in even the smallest way.  And he's all mine!

And here's his little cheerleader.  He was so cute.  "Aiden you're doing good work! Good job Aiden, you got all the grasses!"



And speaking of this little guy, here's some pics of his first Dental visit.  He was so excited to go see Dr. Andy like Big Brother.  

Isn't he just so stinkin' cute?

His hygienist, Starla, putting on his "rain coat". 

Don't you just want to pick him up and squeeze him? I love him to death!

He had a couple cavities "sugar bugs" to fix.  The whole office was in love with him and he did such a great job! He was a great little helper.  Walking around the office smiling and chatting everyone up. 

How has everyone else's week been? I've managed to get a little bit of sewing and quilting done this week.  Hoping to post some pics of the Wonky Log Cabin blocks later today.  I have finished quite a few.  Stay tuned!


Saturday, October 15, 2011

A Day for being Thankful

Here's a sampling of things I am thankful for today. 

A child's chalk drawing.  So sweet and innocent.  I just love the little belly button.

The smells of yet more apple butter simmering away on the stove and waiting to be canned.


A finished batch of pumpkin bread batter.  Oh yum! We had a hard time getting it into the loaf pans and baking it.  The batter was so yummy!

My sweet little kitty snuggled into the blankets purring away.

 The boys Halloween placemats finished! I love how much they love them.  :)

They have been using these at every meal now and love them.  They sit in their chairs while I'm fixing their plates and look at all the different animals and pictures.  They each picked out their own backing fabric and I pulled together a selection of Halloween fabrics I had on hand for the fronts.  Working on finishing up me and Daddy's placemats hopefully this evening after two little boys are in bed. 



My first few Wonky Log Cabin blocks finished! I am crazy about these blocks! I collected all of my scrap fabric and some other pieces that I had purchased from an etsy seller and some my MIL had given me.  I am really, really loving how these blocks are coming together.  What do you guys think? It's a secret right now as to what they will all become, but hopefully I'll be able to show you all in the next few months.  I'll keep giving some sneak-peeks as I finish more of these.

What are you thankful for right now? In this moment.  Today.


Thursday, October 6, 2011

Huge Shop Sale & Destash!

Just to let everyone know what I've been up to the last few days.  I am having a sale in the shop starting today and have been busy getting ready. I've got fabric yardage reduced and pre-cuts and even a few quilts and kitchen decor on sale.  Stop by and take a look before it's all gone.  Sale starts today and I will be listing new items daily in the Sale/Destash section of the shop.  Be sure to read the rest of this post for Blog Only shop deals.

* Almost all the holiday themed fabric is discounted by several $$ per yard.
* Pre-cuts are on sale.  Both seasonal ones and some of the newer fabric lines also.
* Patterns on sale. 
* Some quilts & mug rugs on sale.
* I will also be listing more Scrap bundles of fabric for sale over the next week.

BLOG ONLY DEAL:

*Make a purchase of $25 or more and receive a free pattern.  Make a purchase of $50 or more and receive either a quilt book or 3 patterns free.

To be eligible for a free pattern and/or quilt book you must:

1). Be a follower of my blog (leave me a note in message to seller).
2). Leave a note in message to seller at checkout with the name of the pattern you would like free.
3). Choose any pattern in the shop, regardless of whether it's on sale or not.
4). Get a friend to become a blog follower and receive an additional pattern for you as well as one for your friend.  (Your friend will need to leave a comment on this blog post or send an email through the shop in order to qualify).

Use this coupon code at checkout to save an additional 15% off the sale prices: QWSALE15. 
(Please note: This coupon code will apply to anything in your shopping cart, regardless of whether it's on sale or regular price).

This sale will be going for an undetermined amount of time.  I am trying to reduce my stock of fabric yardage and make way for new items.  Please take advantage of these great deals while they last! This would be an awesome way to stock up on fabric for Holiday projects or just to increase your stash at a great price!

I hope to *see* you all in the shop!
Stephanie

Saturday, October 1, 2011

New in the Shop

So I've been a busy little bee the last few days.  I finished the binding on this cutie this morning.  I love all the bright colors and fun prints in it.  I did a meandering loop quilting design on it with crayon brights thread.  I'm not sure that's the real name of the thread but it's King Tut.  I thought it fit perfectly with all the other bright colors in this quilt.  It would be perfect for a little boy but is also gender neutral.  It was a fun quilt to piece together and I'm so glad to have it finished! 





And here's a view with the backing fabric in it as well as (as promised in yesterdays post) the binding.  I love the backing fabric on this.  It reminds me of the early 90's muscle pants that boys were so fond of wearing.  My brother wore muscle pants all the time so there's a bit of nostalgia to this quilt for me.  :)


Does anyone else remember muscle pants? How about scrunchies and side ponytails? Lol! I hope I'm not dating myself too much. 

This super fun quilt is also for sale now in my shop

 I also finished this table topper this morning.  I LOVE this topper! The fabrics are out of print now and hard to find so I'm glad I had enough of the fabric lying around to finish this runner. 


 Isn't it great? You can purchase this in my shop now also.  


Okay... a few more pics just cause I love it so much!

Isn't the backing fabric great? I was so glad I still had a few yards of that left.  I love the spooky trees.  I have several more Halloween runners and mug rugs to finish binding but I ran out of solid black fabric.  Booo! (uhhh, no pun intended there.  Seriously! I did that completely unintentionally).

Maybe I'll post some pics later of the unbound runner and mug rugs... just cause I can't wait to share them!