I guess posting my goals online really helped with my motivation!



I've already finished the circle quilt top, trimmed the Red Barn quilt and cut the binding, and I have the Feeling Stitchy swap buttons planned and on the hoop.



It's a good thing I have this strong start - we are going on a ski trip at the end of the month and it is amazing to me how quickly that will be here. Planning and packing seems to be a lot more complicated when you throw a 3-month-old into the mix!

Labels: quilting, sewing, swaps, wip

I feel like I have a new appreciation for the expression "time flies" now that I am watching my baby grow. It is hard to believe my little boy is already two months old! The days go by so quickly, and I never do everything I think I can accomplish looking ahead each morning.



For example, I only have a few seams left on the circle quilt but these strips have been sitting here for over a week waiting to get sewn together.



I also got the Red Barn quilt back from the quilters and it is waiting to be trimmed and bound. Of course, everything that was stored in the nursery is now stored in the guest room where this quilt will live, so I have a little work to do to make the bed ready for its new covering!

To give me a little more crafting motivation - to get back on the horse, so to speak - I joined the button swap at Feeling Stitchy. I can't wait to get to work!

In the spirit of looking ahead, I think I will post some March goals. I am keeping them quite simple, because my to do list often gets filled with baby snuggles - and laundry! - instead of sewing time.

March Goals:
1. Buttons for swap - finished and mailed on time!
2. Finish circle quilt top.
3. Bind Red Barn quilt.
4. Pick up guest room enough to make the bed!

Administrative Note: I've upgraded to threaded comments! From now on I will be replying in the comments, and it will show up tied to the original comment on that post. If you include your email when you comment I believe you should be notified that I've replied. Hopefully it works smoothly!

Labels: monthly goals, quilting, sewing, swaps, wip

This is a project from December... I made this big kid hooded towel for my nephew for Christmas using these instructions.



There are lots of tutorials out there but this resulted in my favorite hood. The towel is just from Target, and I added a monogram on the back.





My sister was kind enough to send along these action shots. I think he likes it!

Labels: sewing

Ben is taking naps pretty well in his crib now, so I find myself with my hands free and able to spend some time in my craft room!



After some much needed straightening up, I got back to work on the circle quilt for Ben's room. I can't wait to get this quilt done! Of course, this is never far from my side:



(We love our monitor, by the way, if you happen to be in the market...)

Labels: quilting, sewing, wip

I made sugar cookies yesterday, and felt such a sense of accomplishment. It just felt so frivolous! It wasn't laundry, or baby-related, or necessary for nourishing me and my husband (i.e. dinner). I'm also working on repairing a bag for a friend - the magnetic snap on the exterior pocket started to rip out! I have to say this is definitely the most well-used bag I've made, a true test to my construction integrity! And I just got word my Red Barn quilt is ready at the quilter's, so I can't wait to pick that up and get the binding on. Big plans, with a small start...

Labels: cooking

Today is Benjamin's due date, and his 3 week birthday. I feel so lucky to have had these three weeks with him. Today was a really good day. For the first time I was able to see that I will be able to get things done in the days to come, that there will be a time that I can care for Ben and still take care of things around the house - maybe even have time to do a little sewing.

Thank you for all your wonderful comments on our baby boy. We are over the moon. The blog will still be quiet for a little longer but I do plan to return. I have many projects in the works and am looking forward to getting back in front of my sewing machine!

Labels: family

Benjamin Arthur
Born December 30th, 2009 at 9:59pm
7lb 6.1oz 21.5"

Three weeks early but doing wonderfully. We are so happy to be home with our little boy. As you can imagine, posting will be light as we settle in. I hope everyone had as wonderful an end to 2009 as we did.

Labels: family