pillowcase tutorial

Love this: pillow case tutorial (and in general LOVE this website. It's full of inspiration!)

I made one of these for Ian today. Thought he would like the fabric since he's been mastering the use of the word helicopter these days: 'Ollicockter'. Three year olds can be so damn cute you just want to eat them!

35 and a half weeks

I'm 35 and a half weeks today. Have officially stopped working due to complications in my pregnancy. Being at home feels good. I have been catching up on my sleep.... and sewing! It took a lot more energy than I thought it would to convince myself to start up a sewing project. I've been more than just a little tired and my huge belly is making it difficult to move around these days. Lots of contractions if I move around too much. The good news is the baby seems to be doing really well. She is moving around quite a bit still (and is no longer breech - hoorah!). Some nights it feels like there's a full blown dance routine happening in there which makes it difficult to sleep. I am trying to be in the moment and appreciate each day. Also looking forward to meeting her though. Who is that little person moving around in there?

So as a way to combat my boredom and maybe revive my spirit through creativity I embarked on a new sewing project. Not the one I originally thought I would. I have started quilting a twin sized (largest quilt I've ever made - eek) for the baby's 'big girl bed'. It may seem a little early but I'm being realistic that there won't be much sewing in my future for a while after this baby comes. Plus I kind of like the idea of sewing her a quilt that will be around a while (as opposed to a baby quilt) while she is still in my belly.
I used fabrics I already had in my fabric-stash. The colors are pretty wild and modern. I totally love it. Am picturing it in her room with new hardwood floors and a pretty headboard and my great-grandmother's dresser newly painted white. Will have to make her a matching quilt for her dolls. Still have to figure out what I will put on the back. Maybe just a simple plain color since it is already quite busy. The pictures aren't the best quality but they are the best I can do for now. I'm looking forward to seeing what this will look like once it is binded and washed. Until then I'm enjoying the process and trying not to count the days.

33 weeks

I'm 33 weeks today. Only a few weeks left. I'm so looking forward to meeting my baby girl! I can't wait to hold her and introduce her to her big brother. It feels like it's been a long wait. Even the 4-7 weeks I have left feels like an eternity. I'm especially looking forward to no longer having to go to work!

In my last few weeks, I'm planning a simple quilt for the little one using these fabrics:
http://www.fabricworm.com/keihoredjaim.html
http://www.fabricworm.com/kotrlibllire.html

I couldn't resist the little red riding hood fabric and I'm really into red polka dots these days. This will be the first bit of sewing I've done in a long time. I've missed it but just haven't had any leftover energy at the end of the day to get any done.

Our backyard is almost done. It is slowly becoming the oasis we had imagined for lazy family summer days. Looking forward to hosting our first BBQ with family and friends!

Friends

Flowers from a friend make the world a nicer place.

Organized Momma

There's a baby coming. In 'exactly' 14 weeks. I'm feeling the pressure to get our lives and home organized in anticipation of the transition and change this little one will bring into our lives. In general it is our kitchen that vexes me the most. The way it is 'organized' (what's in the cupboards... probably more things than we actually need) but also what's on our meal plan (plan... that's funny). As a full time working mom I find the meals the hardest part of my days. Deciding what to make, making sure it's healthy, doing the groceries, cleaning up, making dinner at the end of a long day while trying to make sure Ian stays away from the knives etc.  I know that meal planning makes life much, much easier. I've had a few moments in the past where I've organized myself enough to plan our meals for a few weeks or so and I know how much of a difference it makes. Sooo in these next few weeks my sole mission (other than staying healthy and well rested) is Spring cleaning and de-cluttering our kitchen and creating a few weeks worth of meal plans of healthy and quick meals that I can make for my family over the next little while (assuming baby in the sling and Ian beside me on a chair 'helping mommy'). Any meal ideas you feel like sharing?

It's a...

We had our 20 week ultrasound last week. The baby looks to be happy and healthy. Which is wonderful news... and reassuring to this worry wart.

According to the technicien the baby is a girl. I can hardly believe it. I was really feeling the 'boy vibe'. I had been secretly (or not so secretly to some) hoping we would be blessed with a little girl. A little someone to sew dresses and skirts for and to dress in pink and purple and yellow and red. I feel very, very blessed to be given the opportunity to mother both a boy and girl. I imagine the experience is similar but somewhat different... or maybe it is totally different (I'll soon find out). What will be the same is the intense love and joy I'm sure.

Only 4 and a half months to go. It seems like a long way away. I can't wait to see her face and hold her in my arms. Introduce her to her big brother. Experience what it feels like to be a family of four. The idea is both scary and thrilling.

65 Roses

What an amazing project and a great cause:
http://ahappynest.typepad.com/a-happy-nest/2010/03/the-65-roses-project.html

Can't wait to get myself one and support this great cause.