A Few Days Away

We just spent a couple of days in Yellowstone with my family and without DH, who had to work. I haven't been here for over ten years - it was fun to go back and see what I remembered from my youth. The kids really missed their Dad and I'm not sure I'll do this again unless he can come or until they're a little older, but we had fun anyway and it was nice to be out in nature.

A hot spring at Norris Geyser Basin.

Baby N showing off his appliqued shirt (I had to include a little craftiness in this post).

Little P refusing to show off his shirt - he was too tired to bother at this point.

Old Faithful Erupts.

Buffalo - I especially loved seeing the calves. I don't know that I've ever seen buffalo calves before. I probably have and just don't remember it.

And we leave again tomorrow to go spend time with family for the 4th of July. Where are you going for summer vacation?

What I really did last week.

Last week I worked on lots of projects that I couldn't show, but I got them finished and in the mail by the end of the week. Now they have been received (I am impressed with the US Postal System - very fast) and I can share them.

First, I put together some things for Natasha for the Favorite Things Swap. I made her a hostess apron and tote. I also included a subscription to Blueprint, my new favorite magazine and some chocolate. Chocolate is definitely right at the top of my list of favorite things, right behind air.


I also made a bag and diaper wallet for my good friend, Phoebe. I forgot to take pictures before I sent it away, but she blogged about it here if you want to take a look. I used an Amy Butler print and I really like how it turned out. I'll be doing more of these for the shop in the near future.

And, I also got some fantastic mail yesterday. Jenn and I swapped some items from our shops and mine arrived yesterday. Look how lovely! I put them right to use and then took a picture of my great sewing book and pin cushion. It looks like she's got another set in her shop, just in case you want one of your own.

Take a Look

Just in case you don't read Molly Chicken, take a look at these fab free patterns here. She lists two other sites, but I thought this one was by far the best - it had the most variety and had great pictures. They are all in Japanese, but look like they would be fairly easy to figure out as measurements are abundant. I printed one out and it looks great.

A Little Miracle

Here is my little plant. He has now been alive in my house for a few weeks. This is pretty much a miracle around here. You would think person who worked in a plant bio lab in college and has a biology degree would be able to keep her house plants alive, but that is not the case around these parts. The only way plants stay alive in our house is if DH takes care of them. But, DH, as far as I know, has not touched this little guy. I even had to transplant him this week because he was growing out of his first pot. I think he deserves a name. Feel free to make suggestions.

Trial and Error

Remember the wonky little embroidered bird on the bias tape last week? Were you curious what I was creating with that bias tape? Probably not, but I'll let you in on it anyway. I was working on a diaper and wipes wallet - the sort of thing that could turn any bag into a diaper bag.
As you can see, I've been through a few different versions in the last week and a half.

I finally came up with something I'm fairly happy with, but I still need to tweek it a bit (mostly the closure - how to make it a little more adjustable so it is not too loose when the wallet isn't full), so these two will be in the shop at a reduced price and hopefully I will come up with something I am totally happy with soon. Even though I've been working on this for a week and a half and am still not exactly where I want to be with it, the process has been enjoyable. I haven't done much pattern design until lately. I like it because I can make things exactly how I want to, but sometimes it takes a while to figure out exactly what it is that I want.

You've got Mail!

There was lots of swappy goodness yesterday. The goods from my first two swaps both arrived and I received my swap partner for the Sweet Goodness Swap. How exciting! And when you see what I got, I think you will agree that I got paired with the absolute best swapping partners! It was nice to come home to these treats after being at the dentist and finding out that I had four cavities - yikes!! After my first baby I had two cavities, so if I have another will it be six or eight? I'm going to try not to think about it!

So, first off the OHC Apron Swap. Stacey really outdid herself with this fab hostess apron! I love, love, love the paper doll print (she says it is called "kids at play 2" - I've never seen it before, but I love it) and the design of the apron (she came up with it herself). I especially love the buttons that hold the embroidered tea towel. What a great idea - I have never seen this before. And the music note embroidery is very fitting for me - I play piano and organ. I taught piano lessons for about two years, between my first and second baby. Also included in the package was a bag of dried peppermint from Stacey's garden and some great cookbooks - a thrifted potluck cookbook from the fifties and a Virginia cookbook. Can't wait to try some of the recipes! Thanks Stacey!

And next, the Favorite Things swap. This one isn't even due until next week (I'm hoping to get mine in the mail on Friday), so it was a great surprise to get this yesterday! Natasha sent some luxurious Ahava mineral hand cream, a set of Forever Stamps, and fleur de lis magnet (she is from Louisiana) all in a cute little polka dot bag. The wrapping was all so cute too - personalized stickers and bags tied pink grosgrain green polka dotted ribbon. The hand cream is divine! Smells great and instant relief for my dry hands (potty training is not going so well so I still have two in diapers which means lots of washing). The magnet will be a great addition to our collection - we collect magnets from places we have been. And who doesn't need stamps? Especially me who has lots of thank you notes to write for all of this great stuff! Thanks Natasha!

OHC Apron Swap

Stacey got her apron from me last week for the One Hour Craft Apron Swap, so now I get to share it! I made a ruffle apron from the tutorial at One More Moore. I made a couple of modifications to give the apron a more finished looked. First, I backed the apron with a piece of the same fabric that I attached the ruffles to (no picture of this). And second, I used iron-on seam tape to cover the unfinished edges (see picture below). This worked great! It was so easy and then I just sewed over it to make sure it wouldn't come off. I should be receiving my apron from Stacey any day now - can't wait to share it. In the meantime, enjoy all the OHC Apron Swap aprons here.