tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61283144672535747182024-03-13T12:32:01.190-07:00Toot SweetA new Mom writing about the day to day moments so she can look back and remember when…Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-21882210812126131382011-10-01T18:16:00.000-07:002013-11-13T11:05:58.577-07:00Moving to a New Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/BlogMove.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="361" width="383" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/BlogMove.gif" /></a></div>Come join me over at my new blog <a href="http://seamesparkle.wordpress.com/">Sea Me Sparkle</a>. It was time for a fresh start and some new inspiration. I will continue to blog regularly at my new location. See you there.Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-25715914850245474852011-09-10T14:37:00.000-07:002011-09-10T14:37:46.985-07:00Taking a Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/postit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="270" width="311" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/postit.jpg" /></a></div>It is time for me to step away from the computer for a bit. I started this blog 3 years ago when I found out I was pregnant and wanted the space to document and journal my experience. I am going to take some time off for some new inspiration and possibly a new blog. I still will be keeping up with all of you. I will be back soon either revamping this blog or with a link to the next one.Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-64815399455632325372011-08-31T18:31:00.002-07:002011-08-31T18:35:33.730-07:00August Wrap Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/ZDSCN1647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="292" width="400" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/ZDSCN1647.jpg" /></a></div>August felt like a busy month and flew buy in a few blinks. I did not try many new recipes this month but I did manage to make a batch of Chocolate muffins. I took it up a notch and made the big ones. That is how I roll.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/ZDSCN1893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="396" width="400" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/ZDSCN1893.jpg" /></a></div>My front yard made it thru the hot summer. This little humming bird light my husband brought home for me from the hardware store. It is solar powered so you just stick it in the ground. It is watching over my favorite plant at the moment, my purple bougainvillea. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/ZDSCN1888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="287" width="400" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/ZDSCN1888.jpg" /></a></div>I am working away on my hexagon blanket. I am finally starting to attach all those circles into hexagons to form the blanket. I am on my fourth row. I decided that all the circles that have the yellow on the outside I am attaching them using the pink yarn. This way it gives a bigger contrast than with the cream. I am three months in on this project and looks like there is an end in sight.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/ZDSCN1907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="533" width="400" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/ZDSCN1907.jpg" /></a></div>My Pinwheels in the Park Quilt is coming along. I completed my quilt top. With no one around to hold it up for me, I taped it to a cabinet to get a photo. I am a bit behind the group schedule that has us done by today. Looks like I will need a bit longer to sandwich my quilt and do all the quilting before binding. I have my backing fabric and also my binding fabric and just picked up my batting today. I don’t have a big enough table to pin it all together so I will need to wait for some time that Chloe is not around and I can tape it to the kitchen floor and pin it all together, preferably after I clean the floor.<br />
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I am looking forward to September and hopefully some cooler temperatures. Chloe is doing great and is growing like a weed. In a week or two I am planning a potty training weekend boot camp. Not looking forward to that but we need to get it started; I can’t put it off any longer. She is definitely ready I am the one holding us back. Here are some photos of Chloe taken in August.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="502" width="400" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1693.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1770.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1765.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="527" width="400" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1811.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="533" width="400" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1816.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="440" width="400" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1834.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="438" width="400" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1854.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="303" width="400" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1843.jpg" /></a></div>Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-76970296745960713822011-08-23T17:22:00.005-07:002011-08-23T17:39:22.769-07:00Table Runner Anniversary Gift<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/Z1DSCN1663.jpg"/></center>It was my sister-n-law & her new hubby’s first anniversary on the 14th of August. It is hard to believe a year has passed since we were all in Las Vegas for their wedding. The moment I spotted the tutorial on <a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/">Cluck Cluck Sew’s blog</a> I knew it would be a perfect gift to make for them.
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<br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/Z2DSCN1388.jpg"/></center>I used one charm pack of Cherries Jubilee by American Jane. I have had this charm pack for awhile, waiting for the right project to use it in.
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<br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/Z3DSCN1594.jpg"/></center>The runner is composed of 40 snow ball blocks. I used the method in the tutorial for making the blocks by putting a piece of tape on my machine marking the line of sewing, instead of marking a line on each white square. This worked beautifully and saved me some time.
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<br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/Z4DSCN1661.jpg"/></center>For quilting I did an out line. It was more of an inline that I followed a ¼ inch inside the blocks across. I had to put some tape on one side while quilting to remind me not to cross over to that side accidentally. In this photo you can see on the right what fabric I used on the back. It was a white with little cherries all over it.
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<br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/Z5DSCN1658.jpg"/></center>Here is a close-up of the quilting. It left a nice pattern on the back side.
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<br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/Z6DSCN1666.jpg"/></center>Overall I like how it turned out. I had the most trouble with the binding. It came out a little messed up on the back side, I think because it was store bought and not wide enough. For future quilt projects I think I will make my own binding and also hand sew the binding on the back side. It adds a lot more time onto the project but I think worth the effort.
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<br />If you would like to make one the tutorial I used you can find at Cluck Cluck Sew <a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com//2011/06/summer-runner.html">HERE</a>!
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<br /><center><a href="http://quiltstory.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Fresh Poppy Design" src="http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad311/freshpoppydesign/fabrictuesdayfinalcopy.png" /></a></center>
<br />Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-88603997902234221262011-08-17T14:23:00.002-07:002011-08-17T14:26:40.334-07:00WIP Wednesday<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/First6Blocks.jpg"/></center>My work in progress at the moment is the Pinwheels in the Park quilt. I have completed my first 6 blocks and have 6 more to sew together. There are many imperfections in my blocks; luckily the pattern seems to be forgiving so far. I am making it for myself so that alleviates any stress there. I love how they are turning out. Here is a close up of each 6.
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<br /><center><a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/5159705972_49be14a673_m.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced" /></a></center>
<br />Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-90704155559222970132011-08-16T18:01:00.004-07:002011-08-16T18:49:44.068-07:00Sponge Bob Toddler Blanket<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1672.jpg"/></center>Chloe’s play pal Emily had her 2nd birthday this weekend. So I thought I would make her a little blanket featuring her favorite character Sponge Bob Square Pants.
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<br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1667.jpg"/></center>I used a cotton fabric print for the top and a bubble gum pink flannel for the back. I used <strong><a href="http://quiltingintherain.blogspot.com/2011/07/easy-baby-blankets.html">Quilting in the Rain’s easy tutorial</a></strong> to make the blanket.
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<br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1669.jpg"/></center>I added a little heart to the back with Emily’s name to personalize it. I added this before sandwiching the blanket together so the stitches would be on the inside.
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<br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1673.jpg"/></center>Here is how it looks around the edging. Overall it was a nice little project and I like how it turned out.
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<br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1733.jpg"/></center>Chloe was invited to celebrate at McDonalds with some nuggets and birthday cake. Emily’s Birthday cake was all about the Bob of course.
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<br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1732.jpg"/></center>In the photo Emily is on the left along with her Mom Sally and Chloe is on the far right with another friend Lily. This was Chloe’s first invite to a birthday party. We both left needing a nap.
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<br />Linking Up:
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<br /><center><a href="http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p461/stanmist/SewCuteTuesdayButton61111.png" alt="Creative Itch" border="0" alt="Photobucket"/></a></center>
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<br /><center><a href="http://quiltstory.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Fresh Poppy Design" src="http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad311/freshpoppydesign/fabrictuesdayfinalcopy.png" /></a></center>
<br />Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-90574742904345709912011-08-12T11:49:00.003-07:002011-08-12T11:54:23.536-07:00Chloe's San Antonio VideosI finally was able to download the videos of Chloe from our San Antonio trip. Thank you family for being patient with me, it seems to take forever to download those things for everyone to view them. For my readers that are here for the crafty stuff I just completed 2 gift projects and will be able to share the details shortly. I am just waiting for the recipients to receive them. One is in the mail and the other will be delivered at a birthday party tomorrow. This weekend I will be sewing my Pinwheel blocks together. I can’t wait to see how they come out.
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<br /><center><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c94ITXdUr_s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><center>Riding Carousel</center>
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<br /><center><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AgNY1yd3q7s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><center>Splash Zone</center>
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<br /><center><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kKudTgZS88Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><center>Eating Icecream</center>
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<br /><center><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zQgeObRdjRI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><center>Brushing a Goat</center>
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<br /><center><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TGYTLTO_Yks" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen> </iframe></center><center>Chloe on a Ride</center>
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<br /><center><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5Vk2h7C2S4c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><center>Playing with Balloon</center>
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<br /><center><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JOc56-fhw5E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><center>Wave Pool</center>
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<br /><center><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t6iIkgWo6l4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><center>Wave Pool</center>
<br />Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-36665733246125719352011-08-07T17:19:00.005-07:002011-08-07T18:26:31.990-07:00Pinwheels in the Park Quilt Along<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/Pinwheel1.jpg"/></center>I know, I know another project, like I don’t have enough already started. This quilt by <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/index.php">Sew, Mama, Sew</a> I had already spotted and printed out the tutorial and stuck it in my folder of quilts I would like to make. So then a little bit later I am reading <a href="http://lovelylittlehandmades.blogspot.com/">Lovely Little Handmades blog</a> and read that her and <a href="http://lovelylittlehandmades.blogspot.com/">Knitty Bitties</a> are starting a quilt along for August making this Pinwheels in the Park quilt. I could not resist joining them. Read all about it <a href="http://lovelylittlehandmades.blogspot.com/2011/07/pinwheels-in-park.html">HERE</a> & <a href="http://knittybitties.blogspot.com/2011/07/pinwheel-pinwheel-spinning-around.html">HERE</a>.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1602.jpg"/></center>I ordered up some fat quarters from Kerri’s etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewdeerlyloved">Sew deerly loved</a>. They are Japanese, Lecien Flower Sugar in colors red, blue and pink. The white fabric is Kona cotton white I got from the <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/">Fat Quarter shop</a>. I will use these for my Pinwheel in the Park quilt. Not sure yet what I will use for the back of the quilt.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1618.jpg"/></center>I thought I should make up a practice block just to make sure I could make this quilt. I did not want to slash into my beautiful new fabric without a little practice first. I am still kind of a Newbie in quilting. I made this one out of some leftover Halloween fabric from last year. I love it! Now I am really excited to get started. I can see doing this quilt in different fabrics themed for the holidays.<br /><br />The quilt tutorial is <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2011/06/summer-sewing-pinwheels-in-the-park-pattern-tutorial/">HERE</a>. <br /><br />The schedule for the quilt along:<br />August 1-7 Cut Fabric<br />August 8-14 Sew Blocks<br />August 15-21 Finish up Blocks & Sew quilt top<br />August 22-31 Quilt & Bind<br /><br />The quilt along leaders are <a href="http://lovelylittlehandmades.blogspot.com/">Lovely Little Hand Mades</a> & <a href="http://knittybitties.blogspot.com/">Knitty Bitties</a> so go on over and check out their progress. There was also a Flicker page just started for this quilt <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1747878@N21/">HERE</a>.<br /><br />I am planning to cut up my blocks tonight after Chloe goes to bed. I don’t think I will be able to keep on track with the quilt along schedule, just because I have a lot going on right now. I am going to try my best and should be able to catch up if I get behind and not be too far off the schedule.Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-3028068253637396502011-07-31T17:21:00.006-07:002011-07-31T17:58:27.122-07:00July Wrap Up<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1547.jpg"/></center>Wrapping up the end of July it is hard to believe we are half way thru the summer. This dog statue I found in the clearance area of a Crackle Barrel shop. I got it dirt cheap and thought it would look good out front near our front door. Turns out Chloe likes having the dog inside so she can talk and play with it. For now he will stay inside till she gets bored with him then I can sneak him out side to his permanent spot.<br /><br /><strong>I am a Winner</strong><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/LouLouThi_Bundle.jpg"/></center>I hardly ever enter to win anything on the blogs. I only try for things I really want. April over at <a href="http://www.sewtospeak.blogspot.com/">Sew to Speak</a> had a fabric giveaway for the full collection bundle, 30 fat quarters total of Anna Maria’s new collection, LouLouThi. I left a comment in hopes of winning. It was on my mind every day waiting for the day the winner would be announced. You know in your head where you think there is no way you could win but there is a small glimmer of wishful hope. When I saw my name listed as the random winner, I was shocked and so excited. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1384.jpg"/></center>The package came shortly after they received my info. I did the happy dance all day and kept saying I can’t believe I WON! <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1450.jpg"/></center>My favorite ones out of the stack are these three. I think I will pull these three out and use them for something else. The rest I am thinking to use in a half square triangle quilt and have a few large block areas to showcase some of the fabric. <br /><br /><strong>Other Projects & Progress</strong><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1389.jpg"/></center>My current project is a little hush, hush, because it is a gift I am making. I can say I am using a charm pack of Cherries Jubilee by American Jane and a ton of little squares. I will reveal all once it is done and gifted.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1338.jpg"/></center>My Hexagon blanket is coming along. I lay the center circles out in a pattern to kind of see what my plan would be. I decided to have rows of 10 and 9 across and do a total of 17 rows down. So it would be 9 rows of 10 & 8 rows of 9, figuring out to be a total of 162 center circles. I have about 10 more to make. I also decided I wanted to make the half hexagons for the gaps along the edges where I only have 9 circles across. So I will need to make 16 half hexagons for those. Steady as she goes with this one.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1274.jpg"/></center>This month we set up the blow up pool. It is a 10 ft circle, and came with a mini filter system. It is the perfect summer to have this thing since our backyard is not landscaped yet and we had plenty of space for it. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1320.jpg"/></center>We can sit in it comfortably and Chloe stands with the water level a little above her waist. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1322.jpg"/></center>One of us is with her at all times she is in the water. Chris and I both took a refresher CPR class a few months ago. Chloe can not swim yet and this pool is giving her lots of practice in the water. Personally, I love getting in this thing. I think we have as much fun as she does in it. Lots of fun in the sun and we can stay home to do it.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1063.jpg"/> <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1113.jpg"/></center>Some tasty things I made this month. I made the Country Dijon Beef Stew and served it over egg noodles. I got this recipe from February’s Family Circle magazine you can find the recipe <a href="http://www.familycircle-digital.com/familycircle/201102?pg=184#pg184">Here</a>. It turned out super tasty and I will make it again. I also made a wonderful cake topped with strawberries. For the cake I used the Vanilla Cake recipe from the book Apples for Jam by Tessa Kiros. I am normally a chocolate all the way girl but this simple vanilla cake was the bomb. It is so good. I will make this cake over and over again until the day I die. It is the perfect compliment to any fruit topping or ice-cream. <br /><br /><strong>Thrift Store Finds</strong><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1443.jpg"/></center>This month I went to the local thrift store. Every few months I plan a trip there to pick up some cheap play clothes for Chloe. On the few days that she goes to Daycare when I pick her up I am presented with a child that I dropped off clean and stain free but now is head to toe covered in spots and stains. I learned very quickly to not put her best clothes on her for Daycare. I found for Chloe pictured on the left side: 4 pairs of shorts, 2 T shirts, a seersucker dress and a toddler bed sheets set. For me on the right side of the photo I found 4 flat sheets & a beautiful vintage yellow top sheet. I use the sheets for quilting. It is a cheap way to find large amounts of fabric and some work perfectly for the back of quilts. In total for the whole loot I spent 20 bucks.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1436.jpg"/></center>Well thats a wrap for July. I am looking forward to August and all the summer goodness it brings. Our rain season finally started and brought with it this little guy. We have found him on our front porch in the evenings taking advantage of our porch light and slurping up all the bugs he can eat. He is a real fatso and has these little tiny legs. I will leave you with some photos of Chloe taken in July. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1009.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1075.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1119.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1122.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1129.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1150.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1188.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1211.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1258.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1366.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1405.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1417.jpg"/></center>Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-59034116313948013962011-07-24T22:03:00.005-07:002011-07-24T22:36:17.000-07:00San Antonio Texas Vacation<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0347.jpg"/></center>Warning a very long vacation post. I finally have a block of time to sit down and tell you all about our San Antonio TX vacation. It was a few weeks ago and already feels like forever ago. With Chloe being 2 years old and airline tickets being as expensive as they are we decided to find a place close enough to drive to with in one day for our summer vacation destination. We live in Southern New Mexico and the perfect destination was San Antonio. So we packed up the car and headed out around 5:30 am. Chloe was in good spirits for most of the drive.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0365.jpg"/></center>I believe it took us 11 and a half hours total to get to our destination. By the end of the journey we were all ready to get the heck out of the car. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0370.jpg"/></center>Our hotel had free breakfast included which was great to just go down to the lobby and grab some food before starting our day. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0383.jpg"/></center>Our first day we headed to Sea World. I have not been to a Sea World in awhile and I think they have greatly improved over the years.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0399.jpg"/></center>Chloe is obsessed with carrousels. Chris and I would take turns and ride them with her. This was the first time we allowed her to sit on it by her self with out one of us holding her on it. This allowed us to get on a horse our selves and enjoy the ride. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0406.jpg"/></center>Chloe is an animal lover so Sea World was right up her alley and she enjoyed seeing all the wonderful sea life.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0408.jpg"/></center>Over in the Sea Lion area there were several babies. Here is one that was just a week old. You are able to buy a handful of fish to feed them. I would call the Mom over and give her all the fish I bought. So adorable to see the babies.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0447.jpg"/></center>Chris being 6 ft 2in, Chloe loved to get up on his shoulders as we walked around. When we returned home after our vacation Chloe started putting her stuffed animals and dolls up on her shoulders and walks around the house just like she did with her Daddy. It is so sweet to watch.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0471.jpg"/></center>One of the cool things about this park is there was a kids wet area where there was water spraying out in all different places and the kids could get cooled off from the hot Texas temperatures. I was so glad I had brought Chloe’s hot pink sun swim shirt. She was so easy to spot amongst all the kids and made it great to keep an eye on her as she ran around getting wet.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0480.jpg"/></center>This is one of the coolest parts of Sea World. They have a tank with dolphins that you can buy fish and feed them right out of your hands. We spent 2 days at Sea World and spent a good amount of time just hanging with the dolphins.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0485.jpg"/></center>Look at that, I am still in aw of being so close to them. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0525.jpg"/></center>After a fun filled day at Sea World and a little nap back at the hotel. We went to one of our all time favorite restaurants called Pappadeaux. We do not have one of these restaurants any where near us at home. So we seek it out anytime we go on vacation. Chloe was flirting with an elderly couple at the next table over. She does pretty good eating out we just keep her busy and try to order her food right away. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0540.jpg"/></center>This is their dessert tray. We ended up getting a piece of key lime pie we took back to the hotel to enjoy later. I had a mango mojito while Chris had a Sam Adams. We shared an oyster appetizer. Chris ordered the large Alaskan king crab and I had the crawfish etouffee. Chloe got the mac-n-cheese with an ice-cream for dessert. This meal was unbelievably good as expected.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0549.jpg"/></center>The next day we set out for the San Antonio Zoo. Oh did I mention Chloe got a stuffed Shamoo while at Sea World. She calls it baby whale and they have spent a lot of time together ever since he joined our family. He even has top ranking and is part of the select few she sleeps with. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0554.jpg"/></center>I love a good zoo and this one is one of the largest in the US.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0563.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0578.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0584.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0604.jpg"/></center>I loved this little bird. This photo was taken thru glass. I was very tempted to go home and get a little bird of my own after watching this one. I am sure our cat Cosmo would love for me to do that.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0631.jpg"/></center>They had a little petting area that had a handful of goats. Chloe had a good time making friends with the goats.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0633.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0635.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0652.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0653.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0660.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0677.jpg"/></center>After the zoo we went to the Rain Forest Café restaurant for a late lunch. Here is Chloe munching on a kids pizza. She is keeping her eyes on the animatronic gorrillas that are right near our table. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0685.jpg"/></center>That night we went to La Margarita Mexican restaurant. This is where I had a fishbowl size margarita and everything was right in the world. Kids eat free here. It was a perfect ending to the day.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0745.jpg"/></center>The next day we went to 6 Flags. This is Chloe on one of the rides. She was not tall enough to ride most of the rides but the ones she could get on she loved. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0783.jpg"/></center>Of course they had a carrousel and we rode it several times. It was very hot at 6 Flags so we ended the day early.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0790.jpg"/></center>We headed back to the hotel for some much needed rest and some air conditioning. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0810.jpg"/></center>The next day we went to the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. I am a sucker for plants and beautiful flowers and am teaching Chloe a love for gardens. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0817.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0819.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0822.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0824.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0829.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center> <img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0835.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0846.jpg"/></center>We had a wonderful time exploring the property and seeing all the beautiful plants.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0861.jpg"/></center>Next we headed downtown to see the Alamo. I normally love to visit historic buildings and learn all the history there is to go along with it. The Alamo was a bit crowded and it was not the best experience over all. It was free so that is probably why it was so crowded. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0865.jpg"/></center>Next we headed to the downtown river walk area for some lunch. We found a brilliant little British Pub called Mad Dogs.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0876.jpg"/></center>The service here was excellent. One of the lovely ladies dressed in a mini kilt took a liking to Chloe and brought her a balloon. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0879.jpg"/></center>Chloe loved this balloon till it met its death several hours later. I took a mental note that if ever I needed a few hours of time to get something done to get Chloe a balloon and tie it to her pants. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0883.jpg"/></center>I ordered the fish and chips. Oh yummy, I wish I was there now.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0884.jpg"/></center>This photo you can kind of see the River Walk area. It meanders around and there are several restaurants and shops along the way. You can also take the little boat that goes up and down to different stops. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0889.jpg"/></center>Here is Chloe still hanging on to her balloon. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0966.jpg"/></center>The last day we went back to Sea World. This time we did a lot of the same things we did the first day but we also went into there water park area. There is a great wave pool along side a wade pool.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0984.jpg"/></center>Chloe had the best time splashing around and getting wet.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN10015.jpg"/></center>The San Antonio vacation was wonderful and we are so glad we went. It was a perfect destination and plenty for all of us including a toddler to enjoy.Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-89133976797538864652011-07-21T11:27:00.003-07:002011-07-21T11:28:49.781-07:00Seersucker Summer<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/Seersuckermosaic.jpg"/></center><center>1. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/13127335@N04/2960342115/">RLD0005P Ralph Lauren Girl Seersucker Dress</a>, 2. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/24597796@N00/5817133677/">Seersucker shorts 3</a>, 3. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/8346295@N07/2506503476/">Red Seersucker Flower Pillow</a>, 4. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/39714401@N03/5501088498/">IMG_0871</a>, 5. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/33636257@N06/5752877652/">Summer Time Seersucker Full Apron</a>, 6. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/36438521@N05/3607289351/">Seersucker Conductor Baby Booties</a>, 7. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/7872263@N08/4430513368/">seersucker & ticking</a>, 8. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/17245633@N03/3371322848/">Seersucker for Sammy</a>, 9. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/43294198@N05/5006703152/">seersucker</a>, 10. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/44514916@N00/48325915/">seersucker knickers</a>, 11. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/47143812@N04/5343724691/">Smocked silk seersucker yoke dress</a>, 12. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/23981023@N08/3596511114/">Seersucker Top</a></center><br />Chloe was sick all last week and as soon as she felt better I started feeling crappy. Oh, the joys of mother hood. These two weeks are a total bust and not much has been accomplished. As I sit here in a daze with my box of tissues, I felt like sharing a few flickr finds inspired by my new obsession with Seersucker fabric. I have been seeing it everywhere lately. It is such a perfect fabric for the summer. I will be back as soon as I feel better.Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-60302240138607166362011-07-13T12:26:00.005-07:002011-07-13T15:21:09.441-07:00Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Progress<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1050.jpg"/></center>I managed to complete 4 more quilt blocks for the Farmer’s Wife Quilt Along. Here are a few more fabrics I picked up while on vacation to add to my stash for the quilt. I am happy to be going at my own pace. Here are the four blocks.<br /><br /><center>#3 Basket Block</center><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/3Basket.jpg"/></center>This is probably my least favorite block to make so far. The handle kind of puckered a little. I think my tension was too tight, and I should have spaced my stitches more. <br /><br /><center>#4 Basket Weave</center><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/4BasketWeave.jpg"/></center>I like how this one turned out although it is probably my brightest block so far. I will need to make sure to incorporate a few more bright blocks to kind of even it out for the big picture.<br /><br /><center>#5 Bat Wing</center><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/5BatWing.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center>#6 Big Dipper</center><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/6BigDipper.jpg"/></center>I like this one a lot. After doing this block I can see making a pinwheel quilt in the future.<br /><br />Overall I am doing great with this sampler quilt and have not had any major problems or mishaps. Here are a few of the blocks #1-6 by other members of the group that caught my eye. There are currently 675 members in the group. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/mosaicFarmersWife.jpg"/></center><center>1. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/56328116@N07/5916329905/">100_2728</a>, 2. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/60661581@N07/5932669604/">FWQA</a>, 3. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/26200331@N04/5848437056/">FWQA Block 5 Bat Wing</a>, 4. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/26200331@N04/5848437130/">FWQA Block 6 Big Dipper</a>, 5. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/23994374@N03/5840080314/">FW5</a>, 6. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/54510738@N03/5828281169/">another Autumn Hints block!</a>, 7. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/44416760@N07/5819554818/">FW #2 Autumn tints</a>, 8. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/56876606@N00/5816054781/">Farmer's Wife Quilt-a-Long - Block 4</a>, 9. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/36043547@N00/5797642858/">Basket</a>, 10. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/70193059@N00/5825329424/">FarmersWifeBlock1</a>, 11. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/12573159@N07/5833717873/">1</a>, 12. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/48692281@N08/5860128510/">FW Block #2--Autumn Tints</a></center><br /><br /><br />Joining In<br /><br /><a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/5159705972_49be14a673_m.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced" /></a><br /><br /><strong><a href="http://ourcreativespaces.blogspot.com/">Our Creative Spaces</a></strong>Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-3904740111363266502011-07-09T10:45:00.004-07:002011-07-09T10:53:14.124-07:00Chloe's Character Friends<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0716.jpg"/></center>I thought I would post a quick note in between popsicles and running bare foot thru the grass. Here are some photos of Chloe with a few characters from our summer vacation in San Antonio. I am joining in with <a href="http://myopenroads.blogspot.com/">Open Roads Mama</a> and her Summer Photo blogging series where you start with some photos and end with a quote.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0717.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0765.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0788.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN1000.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><em>“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”</em></center><center>By Walter Winchell</center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://myopenroads.blogspot.com/2011/06/summer-photobl0gging.html"> <center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/photobl0gging.jpg" /></center></a></center>Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-18210965695414987762011-07-07T06:48:00.003-07:002011-07-07T06:50:55.225-07:00Our Anniversary<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/weddingday.jpg"/></center>Today is our wedding anniversary. 12 years ago today we were married at a resort in Jamaica. We have been together a total of 18 years. We started dating in our early 20’s. Our lives have been one adventure after another. I think the key to staying together all these years is that we grow together. We have the same vision for our lives and our future, and want the same things. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/HoneyMoon.jpg"/></center>This is one of my favorite photos taken on our honeymoon. We had an awesome time the week we spent in Jamaica. There are so many memories of that time. The night of our wedding Chris and I went swimming in the pool and his wedding ring slipped off in the water. We were married not even 24 hours and Chris had already lost his ring. Luckily the next day the pool guy found it in the filter.Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-13788156045038842022011-07-03T19:53:00.003-07:002011-07-03T19:56:02.799-07:00Happy 4th of July<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0376.jpg"/></center>We made it safely home from our summer vacation. It was a great trip. Give me a little time to do some laundry and sort thru my photos and I will tell you all about it. In the mean time I hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend. I put together a little flickr mosaic of some patriotic craftyness that has caught my eye and would like to share with you.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/Mosiacflickr4thofJuly.jpg"/></center>1. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/28125446@N06/2697622580/">Week 27: 4th of July</a>, 2. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/40437544@N03/3722405896/">IMG_2004</a>, 3. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/29281867@N02/4462692700/">American Hero Pinwheels</a>, 4. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/39348732@N05/3684115846/">Red, White and Blue Quilt</a>, 5. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/32220901@N02/5870726092/">IMG_9176-1</a>, 6. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/94578827@N00/654544220/">American Yo-yo's</a>, 7. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/24185563@N06/3450302655/">Nancy's Memory Quilt</a>, 8. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/96632114@N00/3070096524/">Family reunion quilt for auction</a>, 9. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/34754179@N02/3228884197/">Patriotic Patchwork</a>, 10. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/47473022@N03/4742913036/">Patriotic Quilt 2009</a>, 11. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/12558673@N05/4899389152/">Patriotic Flags Rag Quilt Pincushion</a>, 12. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/12163087@N04/4980724948/">Patriotic Quilt</a>Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-59955093055825776962011-06-25T09:53:00.005-07:002011-06-25T10:03:41.363-07:00Family Road Trip<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/Nationallampoonsvac.jpg"/></center>Our family is heading out on a road trip. Since airline prices are so high we decided to find a destination we could drive to within a day for our Summer vacation. This photo is of course from the movie National Lampoons Vacation. Let’s hope that our road trip goes smoother than theirs did.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/san-antonio-texas.jpg"/></center>We decided on San Antonio Texas for our Summer Vacation. I think we figured it to be a 10 hour drive to get there. It looks like a pretty cool city and has plenty of family stuff to do with a toddler. <br /><br /><strong>Bringing on the trip</strong><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/SnowFlower.jpg"/></center>I am bringing the book “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” by Lisa See. This is one of my favorite books and since the movie based on the book is due out July 15th, I thought I would re-read it. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0340.jpg"/></center>I am also bringing my Hexagon blanket to work on. I should be able to make a ton of the center flowers during the drive there and back. <br /><br />I will be back soon with photos and a sunburn with plenty to share of our vacation. In the mean time I thought I would leave you with a list of blogs that are all doing the Farmer’s Wife Quilt Along. I have found so many cool blogs since joining up with this group; here are a dozen of the member’s blogs.<br /> <br /><center><a href="http://www.tashahorsley.typepad.com/">A Little Sweetness</a></center><center><a href="http://alysonspetals.blogspot.com/">Alyson’s Petals</a></center><center><a href="http://www.aquiltinglife.com/">A Quilting Life</a></center><center><a href="http://charisecreates.blogspot.com/">Charise Creates</a></center><center><a href="http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/">Happy Zombie</a></center><center><a href="http://www.kdquilts.blogspot.com/">KD Quilts</a></center><center><a href="http://miss-print.blogspot.com/">Miss Print</a></center><center><a href="http://www.quiltdad.com/">Quilt Dad</a></center><center><a href="http://www.camilleroskelley.typepad.com/">Simplify</a></center><center><a href="http://www.twinfibers.blogspot.com/">Twin Fibers</a></center><center><a href="http://enchantedbobbin.blogspot.com/">The Enchanted Bobbin</a></center><center><a href="http://whynotsew.blogspot.com/">Why Not Sew</a></center>Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-82232042177956366682011-06-23T11:48:00.005-07:002011-06-23T14:08:19.938-07:00Farmer's Wife Quilt Along<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/fwqalbutton.jpg"/></center>A couple weeks ago I started seeing a bunch of my favorite sewing and quilting blogs mention the Farmer’s Wife Quilt Along. After a few days of obsessively watching everyone else, I took the plunge and joined in. I guess you could say the farmer takes another wife.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/FWbook.jpg"/></center>The quilt along is a large group of people on the internet all making the Farmers Wife Sampler quilt from the book. I bought my book from Amazon. I ordered it with free shipping so it took forever to make it to my front door. The quilt along was all started by <a href="http://www.fussycut.blogspot.com/">Angela at Fussy Cut</a> & <a href="http://msmcporkchopquilts.com/">Amanda at MsMcPorkshopQuilts</a>. You can find all of the members on The <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1678802@N20/">Farmer’s Wife Quilt-a-long Flickr page</a>. There you can see everyone’s latest blocks they made for their quilt.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0218.jpg"/></center>The quilt once finished is a Queen Size quilt and made up of 111 blocks. The quilt along is casual and work at your own pace. The majority are trying to make 2 blocks a week. Even with this pace it will take a year to make this quilt. I decided to make mine Scrappy. I have accumulated a bunch of whimsical and cutesy fabrics since I was pregnant. So over the last 3 years I have a good pile of stash that I can use to make my quilt. <br /><br />I am making the blocks in order and here are my first 2 blocks<br /><br /><center>#1 Attic Windows</center><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0242.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center>#2 Autumn Tints</center><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0245.jpg"/></center><br /><br />I am photographing the blocks on a diagonal because that is how they go in the quilt. I am still a beginner quilter and have not yet mastered getting my points exactly right. I am using this sampler quilt as a learning process to sharpen my skills and to learn new things. So far so good and I love how my first 2 blocks came out.<br /><br />Linking Up<br /><a href="http://ourcreativespaces.blogspot.com/">Our Creative Spaces</a>Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-3112083383631015752011-06-21T09:15:00.003-07:002011-06-21T09:20:26.467-07:00Feels Like Summer<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0209.jpg"/></center>When Chloe went with her Daddy to Lowes she picked out some flowers to plant at home. I believe they are a type of Zinnia.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0201.jpg"/></center>Chloe and I worked together as I showed her how to properly pot a plant. She even has her own little watering can to help water all the plants.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0203.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0206.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0207.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0239.jpg"/></center>Last weekend we went to the Cherry Festival and came home with a wonderful cherry crumble pie and 3 pounds of cherries. Yummy!Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-35439638310885968662011-06-15T15:00:00.002-07:002011-06-15T15:03:59.685-07:00My Creative Space<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0215.jpg"/></center>I have been working on this American Wave wall hanging. I had ordered the kit a few weeks ago from <a href="http://www.connectingthreads.com/Quilting.cfm">Connecting Threads</a>. Summer time always makes me feel patriotic. Right now I am cutting out the pieces. I am a little bit nervous about sewing all the curved edges together. Normally I would just modify the pattern and make the pieces rectangular to avoid sewing the curved edges. This time I felt the curved pieces were necessary to give the flag a wavy look. Plus this is the year for me to stretch my creative wings and to learn new skills. So bring on the curves baby, I am willing to give it a shot. <br /><br />Joining in with Thursdays <strong><a href="http://ourcreativespaces.blogspot.com/">Our Creative Spaces</a></strong>.Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-45170927988599658492011-06-08T13:40:00.004-07:002011-06-08T13:46:36.937-07:00Yarn Along<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0212.jpg"/></center>Ginny over at <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/">Small Things</a> does a <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/search/label/Yarn%20Along">yarn along post every Wednesday</a> where everyone can blog about their yarn projects and also the books they are reading. I thought I would join in the fun. I am reading Bob Greene’s book “20 Years Younger”. The book breaks down into 4 categories to work on; they are Skin, Diet, Exercise, & Sleep. It is a good read and is motivating me towards a healthier lifestyle. I am currently working on my Hexagon Blanket.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0110.jpg"/></center>I decided on 2 groups of 3 yarn colors for my hexagon center flowers. This is the first three colors and their 6 color combinations.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0112.jpg"/></center>Here is the second group of 3 yarn colors and their 6 color combinations.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0214.jpg"/></center>So far I have completed 60 center circles for my Hexagon Blanket. I am planning to use a cream color to join them all together into Hexagons. Now that the pattern is pretty much engraved into my brain after 60 circles, I can get a handful done a day working here and there when I get a chance.Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-26760468345185214312011-05-31T14:42:00.005-07:002011-05-31T15:02:11.250-07:00May Wrap Up<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0117.jpg"/></center>I can not believe May is over and Summer is here. This month I added 2 plants to my front yard. We lost 4 plants this winter that never recovered. The plant pictured above is a Bougainvillea “Bush Royal Purple”. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0119.jpg"/></center>I planted it next to our front porch hoping it will grow up the posts and cascade over with a ton of flowers some day. This plant demands my attention when I look out my front windows. I love it, and love to see a punch of color.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0120.jpg"/></center>This is a Pindo Palm I also planted this month. We usually vacation in tropical places. Palm Trees to me feel like I am on vacation. I have wanted to have one of my own for awhile now. I think it will do great in my climate for the majority of the year. I just might need to give it a little TLC in the winter if our temperatures drop to low, by maybe covering it up the first few years. <br /> <br /><strong>Hexagon Blanket</strong><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0102.jpg"/></center>I wasted no time starting a new project. I have been looking at all the Hexagon blankets online on Ravelry & Flickr and had wanted to start my own for some time now. I finally purchased some yarn on sale at WEBS hopefully enough to complete a blanket. It is Encore Plymouth Worsted Yarn in colors: #0180 rose, #0235 aquamarine, #0029 pastel pink, #0793 pastel blue, #0896 pastel yellow, #1606 purple.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/tinywhitedaisies.jpg"/></center>Here is one of the many inspiration blankets. This one is by Maxine over at <a href="http://tinywhitedaisies.blogspot.com/2010/12/hexagon-baby-blanket-done.html">Tiny White Daisies</a>. I plan to make mine similar to hers. I will be using a cream color yarn forming the outside of the hexagons joining all the center flowers together. The pattern I am using is free and you can find it on Ravelry <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hexagon-how-to">HERE</a> and also <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2008/11/hexagon-crochet.html">HERE</a>.<br /><br /><strong>The Summer of Sewing</strong><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0165.jpg"/></center>This summer I am planning to spend plenty of time with fabric and my sewing machine. My machine has been packed up since the move last October. Hopefully it will not hold any grudges. I have purchased the fabric above for a little Patriotic project to kick off my summer of sewing. More details to come.<br /><br /><strong>Movies</strong><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/Kung_Fu_Panda_2_Movie.jpg"/></center>Last weekend we took Chloe to see Kung Fu Panda II. We went to the 2D showing not wanting to deal with the glasses. We wanted to see how Chloe would do at the theater. There is a Winnie the Pooh movie coming out this summer I want to take her to so we thought we would practice with Kung Fu Panda. Chris and I had bets going as to how long we would be able to stay. I said 20 minutes. We were both wrong and she was able to sit thru the whole hour and a half and we even sat a little thru the credits while people were leaving. Some of the things that helped was we got there when the previews had already started so there was no wasted time sitting around. Also we sat near the front so the screan was literally in your face with little other distractions. Also there was booster seats available at the theater to use. The only thing she needs to work on is her whisper. Through out the movie she would say Mommy look or Mommy Panda, loud enough for many people to hear. Luckily there was lots of children in the theater and many kids talking. Overall a big thumbs up and all three of us had a good time enjoying a movie together. We are looking forward to the Winnie the pooh movie due out later this Summer.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0126.jpg"/></center>I will leave you with some photos of Chloe taken in May. She let me put her hair up this past weekend. It lasted about 15 minutes.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0022.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/IMG_6733.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/IMG_6735.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/IMG_6856.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/IMG_6902.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0160.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/DSCN0122.jpg"/></center>Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-4853826373393705442011-05-26T10:10:00.003-07:002011-05-26T10:16:53.855-07:00Little Patchwork Blanket<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/IMG_6898.jpg"/></center>I completed Chloe’s Little Patchwork Blanket. The inspiration behind this blanket is from Lucy at Attic 24, her <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2010/03/zigzag-baby-blanket-tadah.html">Zig-Zag Baby blanket</a>. I thought it was brilliant to put the little squares together on the diagonal. Here is how the project came together.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/ZIMG_5436.jpg"/></center>I used Baby bee Hushabye yarn in all solid colors. Top row across colors are Baby Sage #82, Sugar Plum #60, Meema’s Blue #39, Middle Row: Boo Pink #40, Naked #11, Pink a Boo #36. Bottom Row: Baby’s Blue #50, Chocolate #80, Mint Charm #26. I used one skein of each to complete the project.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/IMG_5729.jpg"/></center>I started with making little granny squares. I liked how easy and portable it was making the little squares. It was amazing how fast you can turn out a bunch of squares. I would make them in the evening while watching TV or if I had a moment during the day while Chloe took a nap. I think it came out to 150 squares and 35 half squares to complete the blanket.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/IMG_6625.jpg"/></center>Then I sewed the blocks together into zigzag strips. Then I added half triangles onto the ends and top border to make the blanket square.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/IMG_6797.jpg"/></center>Then I sewed all the strips together into a blanket. I used the cream colored yarn when sewing all the blocks together and also for the half blocks on the top and bottom border strips.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/IMG_6900.jpg"/></center>I added a single crochet border that I went around several times with varies colors from the blanket.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/IMG_6892.jpg"/></center>Tada! It fits perfectly on Chloe’s toddler bed. <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/IMG_6905.jpg"/></center>Chloe is admiring her new blanket. She is learning her colors and this blanket has lots to practice with.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/IMG_6988.jpg"/></center>The Little Patchwork blanket is a perfect size for Chloe to drag around the house and play with. I love how it turned out and am so glad I made it with yarn that I can throw into the washing machine when I need to. I love how this blanket turned out and am excited to start my next project.Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-73277065432185872332011-05-24T18:53:00.002-07:002011-05-24T18:54:10.826-07:00Last Oprah Show<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/OprahWinfrey.jpg"/></center>I have been watching The Oprah Show since I was 14 years old. I do not know where to begin to thank her for the knowledge I have learned from watching the show. I have laughed and cried. I have read a ton of books, and watched a bunch of movies all that I saw first on her show. I have loved all the celebrity appearances and that Oprah always asks them the questions we want to know the answers to. The list goes on and on for all the things we have shared together tuned into her show at 4:00. On Wednesday the 25th of May 2011 I will be in front of the television with a box of tissues and watching the last ever Oprah show. Can’t wait to see what she does next.Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-51735850688621334582011-05-21T21:53:00.006-07:002011-05-21T22:09:05.466-07:00Weekend in Southern Oregon<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/6975400.jpg"/></center>We spent last weekend in Southern Oregon. Chris’s Grandfather was having his 90th birthday party that Saturday. So we flu out on Friday and came back on Monday. The whole flying business to get to Southern Oregon and to get back home was a torturous experience with a 2 year old. The two days that we spent there were wonderful and well worth all the trouble. We stayed at the WeAskU Inn that is in Grants Pass, Oregon. This is our second time staying there and is a real treat. We stayed in one of the cabins that the back porch overlooks the Rogue River. This is a photo taken in our cabin. You can kind of see the sitting area with a lovely fireplace and plenty of room for Chloe’s pack-n-play and room for her to run around.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/6930400.jpg"/></center>The first morning we met up with Chris’s Dad and step Mom, Chloe's grandparents, at the Tap Rock Northwest grill. The restaurant was great and we had a beautiful view while enjoying a leisure breakfast. After eating we went outside and walked along the property that was against the river. We had a wonderful visit with them and Chloe was also able to meet one of her cousins close to her age.<br /><br />The birthday party was that afternoon and Chloe was able to meet her great grandpa for the first time. We had not seen him in several years so it was nice to get a chance to visit with him. It was great to hear stories of Chris’s grandpa from his friends and family.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/Shellwedance.jpg"/></center>The next morning we met up with Chloe’s Grandmas in Jacksonville Oregon. We walked over to the GoodBean Coffee Company and hung out for awhile while I drank a Chai Latte. I stopped in a quilt shop named Country Quilts. I came out with this quilt pattern titled “Shell We Dance?” by Java House Quilts. I love turtles so there was little chance of me seeing this and not bringing it home with me.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/6967400.jpg"/></center>We then went to the Jacksonville Inn for their Sunday brunch. The food was excellent and the service was even better. Overall we had a wonderful time and it was great to be able to spend time with Chris’s family. I will leave you with some more photos I took on the trip.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/6931400.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/6939400.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/6940400.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/6941400.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/6950400.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/6970400.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/6971400.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/6974400.jpg"/></center>Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128314467253574718.post-62300155858779329832011-05-17T18:53:00.001-07:002011-05-17T18:55:01.922-07:00Crab Sandbox<center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/IMG_6825.jpg"/></center>We set up a little sandbox for Chloe to play in on the back porch. It took me awhile to decide on which one to get. Overall the best reviews where of this crab sandbox. It is perfect size for her to play in with a bunch of digging tools and pails. It comes with a lid to help keep the weather and unwanted critters from getting into it. The best part is I am able to sit on the back porch with her and squeeze in reading a magazine while we both enjoy being outside. Digging in the sand is now one of her favorite activities and Chloe affectionately refers to the sand box as “Crabbie”.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/IMG_6740.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/catsaway/2011/IMG_6763.jpg"/></center>Tamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15178300944620315487noreply@blogger.com0