Epiphany

I was sitting at work, reviewing IEPs, and waiting for the clock to hit 4:15. All I could think about was picking up the kids and getting home to finish the scrapbook page I had laid out on my table. This wasn't the first time, nor the last time, I'd had those thoughts. And then it dawned on me- this must be what Moneik and Jennifer think of quilting.

I met both of them online back when I thought of myself as a quilter. I had found them through blogs and even had an online group for awhile.  But I never understood how they quilted so much- how they got so much done during the week.  It was like quilting was all they could think about.  I enjoyed it, but it was more the final product than the process I enjoyed.

I had dabbled in scrapbooking while I was quilting. Scrapbooking was frustrating, though. It didn't have a pattern like quilting and I wasn't happy with the composition of many of my pages. And then I got this, what I thought was a novel, idea, to take the pages I liked in magazines and create pages that looked like them. And it all took off from there. Quilting is still something I do, but more out of necessity and because I feel guilty for all my fabric, but what I really love, what I think about while at work and can't wait to for the kids to go to bed so I can, is sccrapbook.  

Club CK is part of the reason I love scrapping, too. The inspiration and support there inspires me to create more.  

Here's a few of my recent layouts:

Annaliese playing in Lake Michigan while vacationing at Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. The rocks around the pink are rocks I picked up while we were there.  Layout  was based on a sketch from Scrapbook Generation. Most of the papers and embellishments are Fancy Pants.  Created for a challenge to incorporate a unique border.

Last year for advent, we did an activity ever day. This layout documents all of them.  Can't believe I got 24 pictures to fit in an organized, cohesive manner on a layout.  Created for a challenge on traditions.

A page for our bike trip around Mackinac Island- an 8.2 miles ride. I scanned  the map from one of our brochures and blew it up.  Created for a challenge to use a number in your title.

Page for Annaliese's first Halloween. Such a cutie pie! Created for a challenge to incorporate vellum (bee's wings and journaling block.

One of our advent activities was a camp-out by the Christmas tree. Love the Christmas tree on this one, and how I used a grommet that I've had in my stash forever. Created for a challenge to do a layout based off an inspiration piece.  My inspiration piece had a large stitched heart.

I created this one for Thinking*Through*Design, to create a page with dimension.  The stitched leaves didn't turn out as I had hoped, but I love  the title area with leaves and buttons. Annaliese's first time playing in the leaves.

February Accomplishments

Growth chart for Walter... intended as a birth gift, given as a 18-month-ish gift

Tale of a Tree tells the story of going with my parents to pick out and tag a tree at Halloween, cutting it down and decorating it at Thanksgiving, and opening the presents that were under it at Christmas.  Created for an issue challenge on Club CK to incorporate a calendar on a layout. 

One for Annaliese's book!  Her first trip to the pumpkin patch. She had so much fun taking in everything, she fell asleep before we left.  Created for a challenge to alter stickers (I added stitching to mine to replicate a vine).  I got to use some brand new paper on this one from My Mind's Eye.  Layout inspired by a layout by Allison Davis.

More brand new paper usage, this time Echo Park.  Story of the first pumpkin carving party Marlena and Noah ever hosted. Just so happened to coincide with Ian's first Halloween.  Layout inspired by page 24 of the Jan/Feb 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine.

One of my own creation of the presents at Ian's first birthday (really trying to get his baby book done!).  The present opens up to reveal the journaling.

Another one for Ian's baby book of him and me.  The challenge for this one was to incorporate a digital element, which would be the motherhood subway art from here.  The image was based on this layout from the simple stories blog which I pinned. 

I had hoped to get more pages done for Ian's baby book, really lofty goals of actually finishing it, but I had some birthdays to celebrate.  This month brings spring break (Alleluia!), but instead of spending it scrapping or sewing (which I really need to start doing more of), I have a lot of home projects I'm going to try to get done while the kids are at day care.  Crazy to think there's only 10 weeks left of the school year.

January Goals

Self-reflecting, I think I did a terrible job of accomplishing  my goals.  I started off the month on a mission and accomplished much of this the first weekend, but then work took over, I got exhausted, and preferred to be lazy on the internet instead of make progress on my goals.  New goal for February- have less goals and achieve them, most likely by spending less time on the internet!

Here's some of what I actually did accomplish:

- Finish December and January month banners.  I did get both done, but only snapped a picture of the January one.  

- Make birthday party invites.  I took the lazy way out and only made a few for people who don't have access to the internet.  Otherwise emails or facebook invites were given... 

- Finish half the remaining layouts for Ian's baby book.  I didn't get half done, but I did get a few.  Some just needed to be reinforced/repaired, so I don't have pictures of those.  Here are a few I did finish:

I had this page in his baby book for years, but without a title or journaling.  Isn't he adorable!?! One of the issue challenges at Club CK caused me to finish it. The challenge was to make a layout based on a card. I found a card with just a stitched sentiment on it, done in the creator's handwriting, so I used my own handwriting to make the title (I see now I forgot to use the buttons I was intending to use to dot the I's...)

Photos of Ian from my sister's wedding.  Again it was an issue challenge that helped me finish this layout. The challenge- use pink on a page you normally wouldn't.  I don't normally use pink on any page for Ian.

- Keep up-to-date in project life.  I have done this, and have actually had the previous week done by Tuesday of the following week, I've just been really lax at getting them posted.  When the sun comes out, I'll get a picture of last weeks layout and post them.  You can see the pages here.


Things I didn't accomplish but had intended to when January started was to scan 100 pictures for mom and dad's album and sew Ian's pirate hat.  Maybe they'll happen in February...

Here are some additional things I did get done:

Pictures from the first month of Annaliese's life.  Created for the issue challenge to use brown, aqua, and purple together on a page.  Love all the pictures I could get on a page.

This page tells the story of Ian jumping off his slide and onto the couch while yelling, "To Infinity and Beyond!"  One of my favorite pages based on this page I saw on Club CK (and tagged on pinterest).  This challenge was to use letter stickers in your journaling, something I love to do. 

 I also found a way to patch Ian's jeans (he has holes in 9/10 pairs, not to mention some khakis and cords). I patched one pair, but on the to-do list for this weekend is to patch the rest.

 February will prove to be a busy month, so not sure how much crafting will get done- I have a joint birthday party to throw for my two kiddos. Can't believe they're both going to be a year older!

End-of-the-year Craftiness and New Year Plans

I forgot to post at the end of November, so here's what I was spending my free time doing in November and December (when I wasn't spending it on the computer).

My Hero Man.  The layout was one of the classes at CK Scrap and Play, so all I had to do was find pictures to go with it.  These of Ian and his 'sword' worked perfectly.  He called himself Hero Man.  I finished the layout for a challenge on Club CK that involved using at least 3 different fonts in the title.

Meeting You for Annaliese's book. I have pictures printed to make basically the same layout, but for Ian's book.  I so love looking back at these pictures and remembering how Ian was the first time he met Annaliese.  This was for a challenge on CK to use punctuation as an embellishment.  I used periods in the bottom left corner and around the journaling.

Maple Leaf block for Linda in the Friendship Block Exchange. It was only a month late...

There would be a total of 36 half-square triangles for Jen in the Friendship Block Exchange

That's me showing my calf Beatrice in the Kiddie Calf Show at the Clayton County Fair.  This was for a challenge to scrap pictures more than 10 years old.  It was fun to scrap some from my childhood; I need to do more of that.

The colors look terrible in this photo (I need to get my layouts done earlier to get photos in the sunlight).  These are photo attempts to get a good family picture shortly after Annaliese was born, but the three that should be were never all looking at the camera at the same time.  Challenge was to display pictures as if they were in a film strip.

My Mother-in-law opening the Kindle Fire cover I made her (made myself one, too).  Basically figured the design out completely on my own; pretty proud of how it turned out.

Baby Bliss was finished just shy of the new year. It tells the story of Darrin and I holding Annaliese for the first time.  This was for two challenges- use an emotion in the title and use three different inspirations from the magazine. I LOVE this layout!

You can add to the craft list the costumes I made for the dress-up box, but that was about it. And I'm sure you noticed if you read all the captions that most of my layouts are for challenges, but without those pushing me to finish a page, I know I wouldn't get as many layouts done.

Things may change a bit in the new year. Instead of making a New Year's resolution, I'm focused on monthly goals (off to the right on the blog).  If you talk to me often or see me online, help remind me to get them done. A lot of times during 2011 I was having an internal conflict between whether I should quilt or scrap.  I think I've made peace with myself, basically giving myself permission to focus more on scrapbooking than quilting, so be prepared to see more of that in the new year.  It's the first day of 2012, and I can't wait to share with you all the things we'll do this year!

September Craft Ceations

Moneik's Lover's Lane block for the friendship block exchange

Patti's Greek Cross block for the friendship block exchange

Cindy's Annie's Choice block for the friendship block exchange

Great Billie threw Ian a first birthday party when we visited March 08 when she couldn't make it to Omaha for his party.  Layout down for CK issue challenge in which  you had to use numbers in your title.

Four Generations with Annaliese.  Made for CK issue challenge to use multiple photos. 

After watching and discussing the events of 10 years ago, I had to get my story on paper. One thing I always wonder is where my parents/grandparents were when major events happened in their life, so now at least Ian and Annaliese will know if they're ever curious. Created for CK issue challenge to cluster.

Annaliese being so adorable in her adorable outfit.  Made just for fun :)

Ian's first birthday fell during the week, so we snapped pictures and so did day care.  Can't believe how much he's changed since then.  Still remember those days like they were yesterday. 

Productive Post

I got quite a few layouts done this past week, as well as a quilt block for our friendship exchange. 

Dutchman's Puzzle for Regina

Scrapped my favorite restaurant, Lazlo's, for a challenge on the Club CK boards. 

Layout for Ian's baby book of him with Great Billie at Christmas time. 

Finally started scrapping his first birthday party.  Love this page.

This one was for another challenge on Club CK where we had to scrap about ourselves and what we know for sure right now. 

Quilt Retreat 2011

Another great retreat has come to an end.  We had a great time at LouAnn's quilt garden quilting, chatting, playing BINGO, eating, and sharing.  My friend Sara is moving back to NE Iowa, so it was great to get some last days sewing in with her.  Oh how I will miss her input- she is my go-to person for color.  I gave her such a hard time about leaving, though, but I wish her only the best. Walter joined us for the retreat and he did such a great job entertaining himself so his mommy could get some sewing done.


I worked, finally, on a tree skirt pattern that I've had for 7 years.  As the previous post showed, I opted not to go with any green and red, as I was seeking input on, but an all neutral one.  When I left on Sunday, I had all three dark diamonds done and one light.  I can't wait to get back to Omaha and finish the others.  It better be under the tree this year! Here is half the tree skirt:


I also made myself another Lazy Girl Runaround Bag. I've made a new one every summer and use it as my purse for the whole year.


Before the retreat started, I got my two blocks for the June Friendship Block Exchange in the mail. This one is for Gaila and comes from quilter's cache:


The second is for Jen and she designed it herself.


This month it is my turn to get blocks. I can't wait to see them all!

Quilt Retreat Day One

About to head to bed, but I had to post three pictures:

Picture One: I finished the first diamond for the tree skirt. 

Yep, there would be no red or green in that.  After looking at the fabrics and a night when sleep would not be had, I decided all neutral was the way to go.  Two more identical blocks like this, and then three of the reverse.  I'm a slow quilter, so we'll see how much progress I'll make...


Picture Two: My little diva

Darrin sent this picture to me tonight "just to make me miss her more."  It worked.  She's so freaking adorable in there and looks so much older than the 16 months she is today.

Picture Three: My Tired Boy

My sister sent me this on my phone.  Ian came to Iowa with me and got to spend the day with Aunt Cara and cousin Oliver.  He made it all the way home without sleeping, so didn't get to bed until after 10 last night and was up at 6:15 to play.  A nap was necessary, and he chose to sleep on the floor behind the chair because he wanted to hide from Grandpa, or scare him when he got home.

Quilt Retreat Project

It's that time of year again when I have to figure out what I'm going to work on at quilt retreat. This year, I know it will be the tree skirt I've been meaning to make for seven years. Other things with a due date or intended for other people always took precedence. But I don't have anything pressing right now, so it's finally time for the tree skirt. It is essentially a log cabin diamond quilt-as-you-go. I hated the way they used the colors, though, in the pattern, where the outer half of every diamond is red, but the upper half is part green and part neutral.

Here is the fabric I pulled from my stash to use for this, followed by two mock-ups.

On this one, the red and green could switch so red was on the outside. 

So here's where I need blogland's opinion.  I know my mock-ups didn't include all possible ways of doing the tree skirt so I'm open to other ideas, and I'm also open to adding/reducing colors.  If you were going to make this skirt, how would you do it?  And to those that don't quilt, your opinion is welcome too. How would you like it to look?

Edited to add: I did some googling and found this one, which is different than my mock-ups.

While the kids were away...

the parents (especially me) did play. Darrin had to work most of the time the kids were back in Iowa visiting their grandparents, but I had time to do a little crafting and cooking.

I made some Fudge Island Bars (no recipe link, it's from an actual cookbook) shortly after the kids left. Why I made a jelly roll for just Darrin and me is beyond me. Needless to say, some of these ended up going in to the freezer for later.


As the week started, I was all set to make foods that normally send Ian in to a tizzy at supper time. One of them we tried was a chicken and veggie lasagna. I was even surprised Darrin said it was okay to make this past week as he doesn't eat most of the veggies in it. But he ate this dish, and had seconds. Even took the leftovers for lunch the next day. I just wish it would have been creamier. There wasn't a lot of cream to it.


The rest of the dishes I thought I would make didn't end up getting made. Turns out we're not as hungry or consistent about staying on schedule when the kids aren't around. The fruit in the fridge doesn't get eaten as fast, either. Doesn't help that we went out and had several "Date Night" dinners.

The best date night we had while they were gone was to see Wicked at the Orpheum. I HATE the Wizard of Oz, so I was a bit skeptical of the musical, even though everyone I talked to assured me they weren't much related. Well, they were right. I LOVED the whole thing: the story line, the songs, the costumes, and the lighting effects. Oh how I wish cameras had been allowed.


I spent some time the week they were gone quilting. I made the two blocks for the May friendship block quilt exchange. The first is a "Wonky Square-in-Square" for Jenn. It was totally outside the box of what I normally do, but I enjoyed this. It was so freeing not to worry about cutting everything evenly.


The second is an "Eight-Pointed Star" for Trish. Thankfully Jen shared paper piecing for this with all of us, which was a huge help, as the directions on quilter's cache didn't make much sense to me.


I also finished quilting and binding a blue monochromatic quilt. As with every other quilt I've made, it wasn't done by its deadline, but hopefully it will be loved by its eventual recipient nonetheless. Even though the pictures don't show the colors the best, from the lightest block to the darkest, they are some type of blue shade. I quilted it in an all-over meander with a Sulky Blendables in blue.



Then there was a bit of scrapboking, too. These first two pages I have had sitting nearly done for the longest time and finally I put some journaling and titles on them. The last one are some pictures and paper I've had for awhile and just finally got it put together. My goal this summer- a layout each week for both kids. We'll see if it happens...