OMG! He’s so hot!

My knees are wobbly just looking at these!  ***swoon!***  After an amazing bottle of wine and a late dinner in Obernai, France

Sorry ladies, he’s MINE!

This trip was just what we needed to recharge and reinvigorate! 

Love you, babe! xoxoxox

They loved it!

Tobi and Maike loved this quilt!  The first thing Maike did when she saw it was rip it out of the bag and wrap herself gleefully in it.  It seriously brought tears to my eyes.  I was overwhelmed with how much they loved it.  Tobi couldn’t believe that I went through so much effort just for them! Maike spent the rest of the afternoon cuddling with the quilt – and said it’ll be a favorite forever.

I am so proud of myself for getting it done and for making two very special people in our lives so happy.  I can’t wait to see pictures of it in the new home they are building – and one day to see a baby playing on it!  ;-)

Finished: The Wedding Quilt

It’s done, tagged and washed.  Lots of crinkly goodness!  I love this quilt, and I am seriously having a hard time preparing myself to give it away.  At least I know they will love it and cherish it.  We fly out this week, and you can bet that this beauty will not be put into checked baggage, but will be my allotted carryon.  There is NO WAY I am risking this getting lost. 

Now, for the gratuitous quilt shots (prepare yourself, I couldn’t help but load lots!).Pre-crinkley washing: I tried to get all the pictures done while the munchkins were asleep.  As you can tell, that did not happen!  This little creature crawled right in under the foot of the bed and wiggled his way to the top and made himself right at home under Uncle Tobi’s Quilt.  He looked too cute, so I couldn’t make him go!   Post-crinkley washing:  Seriously, just look at those swirls and all those happy crinkles that hide my tiny little misalignments!  OMG I just love it! I whipped up this tag for the back on some scrap cotton I had around.  I just drew out a design free-hand with a pencil and used stem stitch and outline stitch to fill it in.  Its not perfect, but it’s my own handwriting and is meaningful! 

Super Heroes to the Rescue!

Today, I present to you Team Chaos! Super Heroes of the Galaxy! (that last bit was their words) 

They make a great team, no?I told you I’ve been manically crafting these past couple of weeks.

For some odd reason, SpacePirate came up to me one day and said that he needed a “Buzz Lightyear Super Hero Cape” while excitedly jumping up and down.  Who could say no to that, right?  I did try to explain to him that Buzz doesn’t wear capes, but he insisted.  Silly kid.  I took him to JoAnn’s and told him to pick out two fabrics for his cape and I’d make it for him.  He looked for about 30 seconds and pulled down cheap broadcloth in the perfect Buzz colors.  I didn’t point him to them or anything.  He carried one bolt up to the counter himself and said “BUZZ PLEASE” to the lady.   Of course, that means LittleMiss needed one too, so that she could be “Super Flower Power!” 

I found a FANTASTIC tutorial over at Puking Pastilles (how awesome is that name, btw?) and was able to whip up each cape, plus matching ones for RocketBear, BounceyBear and Lambie.

 

I am pretty sure my neighbors have me pegged as some sort of weirdo.  They always seem to catch me when I am outside in my jammies, laying on the lawn, posing toys or other random objects.   Heehee.  LittleMiss’ cape is made with some Heather Ross stripes I had on hand, as well as some stashed Michael Miller Carnival Bloom. 

Fairy Romper

I came across THIS tutorial over at Samster Mommy and I knew I had to make one for LittleMiss.  She’s all about Tinkerbell, fairies and flowers.  This is a project that I wish I had a serger, but I did okay without. 

I’ve never sewn with jersey knits, or elastic thread – and I was a little scared to do it with my old machine.  Edna proved to be quite the cooperative little machine, and sewed along like nothing else.  She didn’t mind the elastic in her bobbin, and fed it through quite well.  I have memories of my mom trying to sew jersey on the twin to this machine and my memory has lots of curse words and a frustrated mommy.I think my favorite part is how I did the straps.  I cut 2” wide strips, folded them in half and zig-zagged over the edges in one direction and then back again in the other.  It created this neat lettuce-y edge that looked just fabulous.I want to make another one for her, but I don’t think she likes it very much unfortunately.  This is the only time she’s worn it.  She’ll put it on, but it’s off again within a few minutes.  Oh well,  maybe it’ll grow on her. 

Fast Baby Gifts

We had some guests roll through Hotel FuzzySheep last week who had just had a baby and were headed back to their old stomping grounds for baby showers/baptisms.  I had little notice that they were coming, well… I knew they were coming, just not exactly WHEN…  so with one nights notice, I had to come up with a gift, and quick.   I love making nice burpies for new mommies.  They are fast, versatile and easy to whip up.  Xiris picked out the fabric, even.  It’s from Amy Butler’s Lotus line. 

While I was at the sewing machine, I whipped up a squishy, jingley ball.  My kids loved fabric balls when they were super little, and still play with the one I made them.  They are really easy, and with this one I did french seams to make it really strong and last a long time. 

Finally, I sewed up a little crinkle taggie.  6” square scraps of chenille and a minky, a few different ribbons and a couple squares of the plastic from a baby wipes package or the clear plastic gift basket wrap.

I need to change the subject…

So I am going to do a little Stream of Consciousness post.  I’ve been manically crafting the past couple of weeks.  Lots coming up to show you…  I’ve found that if I keep my mind as busy as possible, I can make it through the day without remembering the feeling of my sweet banana-smelling pup going limp in my arms.   I have her ashes back, and they are sitting next to Gibbs.  We are planning on planting a nice tree in the backyard, and letting the pups help nourish the tree.  I just want to pick the perfect tree, and I think I have it narrowed down.  I just want the tree to be special, not something from the bigOrange store that everyone in the neighborhood has.  Something unique, fun and grand.  I got a letter in the mail last night from an animal health charity that had received a donation in Joulie’s name from our vet. 

I took a short Pilates course today.  Every muscle in my body now hurts like never before, my legs and arms feel like rubber bands.  It’s really weird.  That machine they call “The Reformer” needs to be called “The Medieval Torture Device”  OMG!  OW OW OW!  Despite the pain, I actually want to do it more.  Something has definitely changed in me.  I used to hate hate hate the gym.  They made me uncomfortable, self-conscious, almost sick to my stomach.  Not anymore.  I want to go, EVERY DAY!   That is so weird.   My weightloss is slowing, which is disappointing, but I am sure that I am making muscle, as I feel better and feel slimmed a bit.  In fact, I just bought a dress for the wedding, and was able to buy a dress in a size I haven’t seen in years!  It was nice to be able to do that. 

LittleMiss is potty trained… so HOORAY!  SpacePirate is getting there.  We’ve decided to take on the battle of the paci first.  So far, he’s given all his paci’s to a new baby who came to visit – except ONE.  He had to keep one, but he understands that when he chews this one or loses it that it’s gone and there are no more.  He’s kept a tight grip on it ever since.  He speaks so well, but nobody can ever understand him because he has his paci in.  Next is only having it at sleepy times.

I am ready for my vacation.  The wedding, castles, German and French wine countries, and having the undivided attention of my love and best friend!  I am going to miss my kids terribly, and I am worried about  leaving them in someone else’s care.  I have a lists typed up, ready to go. Lists for everything.  “What we eat for breakfast/lunch/dinner”  “Where we like to go” “The Don’t You Dare!” list (which will probably remain with me because it’s just me being neurotic:  things like no fingernail polish on the fingers, no makeup, no haircuts, no ear piercing, no tweezing, no doctor visits).  I know they will be in good hands, but I have my ways– which never seem to be right.   I am trying to trust that they did well with DH and let them spoil the kids (within reason).  

Preschool starts after we get back from our trip, and I think I am more excited about it than the kids.  I am going to have a GLORIOUS hour and half to myself TWICE A WEEK in my own home.  I can shower in peace, poop without help, clean the house without it being unmade immediately, grocery shop during the day and actually get everything on my list!  WOOOO!

I really should mow the lawn today, but I’m afraid to use my rubber bandy legs!  Seriously… why do I want to do that kind of torture again?