Happy Birthday, Kaleigh!

These birthdays just keep rolling on... Today Kaleigh is 14! My little girl is a big girl. We had such a nice day... Her request for the birthday meal was ham, cheese, and asparagas panninis with cole slaw and potatoe salad. Ohhh it was yummy. I also made an angel food cake (that used 12 egg whites - I'll bet the chickens weren't too happy about that) and filled two layers with chocolate fudge brownie ice cream and mint chocolate chip ice cream. Then I made whipped cream, frosted and froze it. I poured Friendly's hot fudge over the top at serving. Oh, it was goooood! Of course, I'll be walking this meal off all week and everytime I get on the scale I'll be well, not happy, but really, it was kinda worth it.
It warmed my heart to see the brothers all give her gifts that they thought she would like: a hair straightener, a time extension for an on-line game, and a book about NYC (the four older kids went there by train a couple months ago together and had an awesome time). And lots of hugs, too. The older guys sure love their little sisters! Time for us to gather for the rosary...

Japanese Knot Bag

I made this Japanese Knot Bag for Kaleigh's birthday. When the quilt store was closing shop, I picked up a few pieces of material and a few fat quarters at bargain prices. The outside fabric is one of the fat quarters. I first learned of the bag on Junie-Moon's blog (see side-bar) and followed her blog over to the designer of this bag over here: www.showyourworkings.wordpress.com/tutorials. This lady's blog is wonderful and her tutorial is great. Her directions are very clear and the bag is easy to make. I like it so much I'm going to make two more for myself and one more for Kaleigh. I want one to bring with me on vacation as it's a small hand-bag that won't weigh me down, and I'd also like one to use as a knitting sock bag. Kaleigh would like that too...

Two Bags and a Sun-hat, Too

My sewing machine has been humming, lately. I made two bags from the Sew Pretty Homestyle book. I've been using the orange one for the past week and like it alot. I didn't think I would like the handles, but they've worked out really good for me. I like the handle resting on my arm and it still allows me to hold a hand or two at the same time. At least it's not slipping off my shoulder!
The first bag went so good, I decided to make another. This one's handles are oblong. I'm not so sure I'll like it as much as the first one. We'll see.
I'm going to make one more using a brown/turquoise material for the outside, and turquoise/brown on the inside. I'll post a pic when I get that one done. I will put that one away for my sister-in-law for Christmas.
The sun-hat was a fun afternoon project using a See & Sew pattern #B4764 and the same material, inside and out as I used for the orange bag. I should have taken a pic of the insides as they are just as pretty as the outsides. Both are line with a pretty orange print. Caressa will be sportin' the hat at the beach in a few weeks when we go on vacation. I need to make one for Kierra, too, as her head tends to burn from her unbelievably fair complexion.
I'll post a pic of that in a day or two...

Pretty Cosmetic Bag

Kaleigh's Birthday is coming up and she'll be 14. I always said when she turns 14 she can wear a bit of make-up as long as it's done tastefully. When I was 'younger' and in my prime, I used to be a model, and to this day wouldn't think of not putting on my make-up and jewelry. Ah, old habits die hard!
So for this crossing-over I thought I would make Kaleigh her own cosmetics bag filled with some tasteful make-up. I thought the fabrics were young and fresh. I used a pattern from Sew Pretty Homestyle by Tilda. I love this book! The projects are so pretty, just like the title promises. I also made two bags from the book that I'll post tomorrow. I have to admit, though, her terminology stumps me at times, as I believe she's from the UK. So I have to really think and look at the pictures to understand what she's trying to get across.

Listen...

I've had a busy past few days. Lots of running around helping the older boys finalize things for college in the fall, and just the daily day-to-day grind. I'm tired... I decided that until tonight when Casey and Kaleigh are going to a party and the rest of us are going to my parents for dinner and wait for the kids to be done, I would not take the van out for a spin. I vowed to stay home, bake a dessert, tidy-up the house, and take twenty minutes off. And I did. I layed in the hammock and read to Cassidy, and then just stayed there. No reading, no needle-work, nothing. As I looked at the beautiful sky, my eyes grew heavy and I shut them. And listened. Have you ever done that? Here's what I heard:
an airplane off in the distance, birds chirping, my kids playing in the sandbox, the chickens clucking, the air blowing through the leaves of the trees, my daughter practicing the piano... Ah... God gives us gifts in small things, and today I found one of them and enjoyed it very much. For the small things in life, I'm truly grateful.

Tote Bags

Two tote bags that my daughter and I made. Mine is the light denim with yellow and blue floral inside and my daughter's is the darker denim with the pink and white floral inside. The pattern is from the book Simple Sewing. The directions are very clear and this bag was easy to make. My 13 yo daughter made hers by herself with no direction from me. They have a front, outside pocket for a newspaper or magazine, a side, outside pocket for a water bottle, and two inside pockets, one for your cell phone and the other for keys or sunglasses. It's a great tote!

Happy Father's Day & A Father's Day Project

Happy Father's Day to my Dad and my hubby! We had a wonderful day. My parents came for a BBQ and all the kids were home to enjoy it. Lots of testosterone flowing too, as the boys and Gary took down a dead tree in the front yard. Two chain saws humming and lots of branches and limbs falling. Yes, they were in their glory! Just want to say, my hubby is a sweetie of a daddy and my kids are blessed to have him (me too)! And my dad, well he's just the greatest. He's kind and gentle and has given me a sense of humor! He's always tickled my funny bone for as long as I can remember, and I've passed the same kind of humor to my own kids. For that, I will be forever grateful... Happy Father's Day to two men I love and admire...
Oh, and the project: I made my dad an acordian photo album that turned out really nice. Each of the kids pics are in there and a few shots of daily life, too. He loved it! If you'd like the directions, you can go here: www.tjbookarts.com

Happy Birthday, to You, Corey!

My baby is 24 today! How'd that happen? It seems like yesterday he came into the world and I fell head-over-heels in love with a 7-lb. little baby boy that I had no idea what to do with! We've both grown over the years, and I thank God every day for the gift he's given me in my son. Happy Birthday, honey...

Socks for Caressa

Caressa has nice warm socks for the fall and winter. I knitted these using a basic sock pattern by Yankee Knitter. The yarn was hand-dyed by my friend, Wendy, from CA. She gifted me with the yarn and I was just tickled as the colors were perfect for one of my girls. I still have a bit left over; maybe enough for a pair of baby booties.

The Lazy Days of Summer

It is so incredibly hot and humid today. The only thing to do was to go swimming and take a snooze on the hammock. I was in such good company, too!

Just Enjoyin' My Girlies

A tea party hit the spot the other day. Kaleigh made sun iced tea with the rims of the margarita glasses dipped in sugar. We had crackers and cheese, crackers and peanut butter and fresh cut up fruit. It was yummy.
Today we did pedicures. Everyone's toes weren't quite up to sandal-wear, so we had some work to do. The end results are be-u-tee-ful! Tootsies polished and sassy, ready for the world to see!