bling

because a girl can never have to much bling.

Ipad Sleeve 

tuesday tidbits

** it is very hard to type with one finger wrapped in a huge wad of gauze and tape.

** i was very stupid and tried to put a new rotary blade on my rotary cutter without it being in the off position.

** fingers bleed alot.

** i only have one more pre-natal appointment before the bean is born. i cant tell you how happy this makes me.

** i did not gain any weight from last week's appointment to this week's appointment.

** this too makes me very happy.

** last week i did, however, hit the 30 pound mark.

** i started a new quilt yesterday. this one is for my brother.

** he requested a queen size quilt in black and white.

** i am trying a new technique. i think it will be really hip and modern, but it is going to be labor intensive.

** the new floors are in and they look great.

** precious husband worked very hard.

** i wanted the colts to win the superbowl, but i loved the picture of drew brees and his son. priceless.

** i thought the ads were very sexist this year. this bothered me.

tuesday tidbits

**it was 50 degrees here yesterday. today it is back to winter.

**my feeling is that if it is going to be grey and cold, there should be snow on the ground.

**i am still sad that the vikings lost. i will be routing for the colts in the super bowl.

**precious husband and i started cleaning and reorganizing the basement yesterday.

**i have been wanting to do this for a while, he suddenly got the urge.

**i think we need to pack a suitcase, just in case the bean comes early.

**we did not do this with cooper, and trying to pack in the middle of the night, after your water breaks is not so fun.

**i need a new sewing project, but don't know what i want to make. maybe a another quilt?

**still waiting for the rocking chair i ordered to arrive, as well as the new flooring that is going in the tv room.

**i have eaten way to many rolo cookies this week. they may be the best cookie i have ever tasted.

practice, practice, practice

practice makes perfect, the saying goes. and after all the practice, i think i finally got it. got what you ask? well, a quilted kindle cover.

my mom has a kindle, she loves her kindle, and i thought it be fantastic if she had a stylish travel cover for her kindle. instead of the boring black one she has. little did i know, what a creative journey i would travel down on my quest for the perfect kindle cover. the above picture is all my different attempts, envelope style, clutch, velcro closures, button hole closures, and zipper installation.

i finally settled on a quilted cover with a zipper closure. its perfect for the kindle, but also for ipods, cameras or anything else that needs a whimsical bag to call home. i loved this creative exercise because it forced me to try new things and become more comfortable with my sewing machine. it has also allowed me to experiment with color, fabric, and machine quilting. i have become quite proficient at quilting wavy lines, next up swirls. and i have been able to work through some of my fabric stash and use scraps, which allows me to buy more fabric, guilt free. you see the pattern here, right?

now, on to more sewing......

**i love this little frog

dreaming of a national championship

my parents great pyrenees bella with her longhorn stuffed animal

so, tonight is a big night. in case you don't follow college football, its the bcs national championship game between the texas longhorns and the alabama crimson tide. while i am excited about the big game, i am also sad, because this game signals the end of the college football season.

my family is nervous about the game. texas is the underdog. a number of people in the college football world feel texas doesn't have a chance and some don't think they should be in the big dance at all. and there is the report that oklahoma coach bob stoops was a "special guest" at an alabama practice. whats that all about? there will be alot of pacing and nail biting in my family tonight, spanning from the south all the way to alaska.

my brothers and dad were at the game 5 years ago when texas beat usc, and they are all wearing the same outfit they wore then, for good luck. and me, well i am watching the game with the same friends i did in 2005, although we will be at our house, instead of a bar. they have a newborn and the thought of being 8 months pregnant in a bar, is well exhausting. hopefully, the stars will align one more time for the horns.

the only one who doesn't seem to be nervous is bella.

hook em horns!

tuesday tidbits

** we have alot of snow. i think that a lake effect snow band is sitting over our house.

** when we got home last tuesday, there was no snow on the ground, today there is probably about 30 inches.

** i am not joking.

** it is starting to make me feel a little claustrophobic.

** i am having a bout of creative ADD. there is so much in my head and i cant get it all out.

**so i started the bean a sweater, not a little cute baby sweater, but one that is more like a cute 6 month old sweater.

** our cord blood collection kit arrived today.

** this makes me feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel.

** we are putting the finishing touches on the bean's room. pictures to come.

** the bcs national championship game is thursday.

** i hope i can stay up for the entire game.

** only two weeks until the new season of 24 starts.

**if jack bauer shows up on your doorstep, don't open the door.

** waiting for precious husband to bring me a tea from starbucks.

tuesday tidbits

*we survived the holiday weekend, but today my sadness is weighing heavy. i miss cooper so much.

* we bought a xmas tree today, but i am not much in the holiday mood. the holidays just aren't the same after last year.

* i did just wrap all my xmas presents. now to get them in the mail.

* we have our second echo cardiogram next monday. i am looking forward to seeing a close up of the bean.

*i still feel like i swallowed a basketball.

* i am LOVING my new sewing machine.

* we woke up to a light dusting of snow this morning. it made b very happy. it also made him sad when it all melted.

*we saw blind side over the weekend. great movie.

* currently working our way through season 4 of the wire, highly recommend this series.

*i made quite a few things for the bean over the weekend, burp cloths, swaddle blankets, curtains, angora booties and a pillow.

* tonight is pizza night.

hope you all had a great holiday weekend!

second storie

this past saturday i went to the second storie indie market, not that i needed to buy anything, but i wanted to check it out and support handmade.

i was really impressed with the quality of work. i did buy a few items, but resisted the urge to purchase anything for myself. it was tempting since all of my holiday gifts are finished.

i bought this darling poster for the bean's room. and bought a few gifts for loved ones. my mom just had back surgery so i am her elf this holiday season.

i collected a large stack of cards. here are some of my favorite finds.

**letter press cards by pearlmarmalade. i am particularly fond of this one.

**letter press posters by inkandwit.

** vintage fabric buttons by secret pocket.

** quilted ring by smallbird.

i heart handmade!

dont you just .....

love this jig onesie?

tuesday tidbits

* today i received 5 sweet little cooper birds in the mail. what a wonderful surprise. and yes i will take members of coopers flock as long as people want to make them.

* i put some notecards up in the etsy shop yesterday. they would make perfect stocking stuffers.

* i think that i am going to have an outy belly button by the time the bean arrives.

*wishing it would snow.

*not to brag, ok i am bragging, i have finished all my holiday gift crafting.

* i am in the midst of making the bean's quilt. i love it and cant wait to show you.

*my body constantly craves orange juice. hmmm... whats that about?

* i am having really really strange pregnancy dreams.

* pregnancy is making me tired. i was out of breathe walking up the stairs. the exhaustion seems to be kicking in earlier this time around. and it is getting difficult to bend over.

* loving the new season of friday night lights.

* am on a bit of emotional roller coaster lately. i know its because next week would have been cooper's 1st birthday.

* my new sewing machine should arrive this week.

introducing

paper and cake. i recently discovered this genius design concept, printable partyware that doesnt look like you printed it off of your computer or break the bank. and let me tell you, they think of everything you need to throw a fabulous party. i am particularly in love with their holiday designs.

makes me wants to throw a holiday party.....

tuesday tidbits

* today i met baby riley, who was born early this morning. he is perfection.

* my heart ached for cooper and soared with joy at the thought of meeting the bean.

* the bean got some cute clothes in the mail from zutano.

* i made some more holiday patchwork napkins today. i do love them so.

*last night, i got really mad that cooper died.

* my c-section date was scheduled today. february 22, 2010. it seems so far away.

* the doctor who delivered cooper will do the c-section, as well as my obgyn, who is coming in on her day off! i am happy to be part of such an amazing practice.

* still loving my iphone, although it is a bit like crack.

* have one more gift to make and then i am done with my holiday shopping.

* then comes my favorite part, picking out wrapping paper at target!

* the bean is still very active. i think he has his days and nights mixed up.

* in 17 days cooper would have been a year old. i don't really know what to expect in terms of my emotions.

* all in all life is good.

tidbits

some random tidbits for you today....

* my mom and one of her oldest friends left today after a week long visit. we had a great time.

* the bean got lots of goodies this week.

* i made a huge technology leap... a new macbook pro AND an iphone.... i think i am in technology overload.

* my mom taught me how to sew on binding.

* i ordered a new sewing machine which will be here in a week. cant wait!

* we went to niagara falls.

* there are holiday placemats in the etsy shop. they are sure to bring holiday cheer.

* the bean is kicking like crazy these days.

* i got the swine flu shot today and feel like i am now protected from the pig germs.

* we attempted to take a holiday card pic this weekend. this one is NOT the one we will be using.

* there is way too much halloween candy left in the house, maybe that is why the bean in wild. sugar overload.

* and finally, i hope you are having a good day!

far far away

this should comes as no surprise to many of you, but i was not the type of little girl who wanted to be a princess or dreamt of fairy tales. but there was just something about heather ross' far far away fabric collection that i couldnt resist. maybe the harsh reality of the past year, makes me yearn for fairy tales, make believe and princesses. whatever the reason, i was smitten with the collection and made this bag over the weekend. and i love it!

its even reversible!

the pattern was a little frustrating at times( i feel a post coming about pattern writing) and after ripping out the handles at least 3 times, i tossed the pattern aside and trusted my gut! i will be packing this bag with knitting, a good book and my ipod when we leave for greece in a few weeks. i think it will be the perfect travel companion. a bag filled with a princess and the pea, frogs who turn into princes, unicorns, fields of flowers and dreams of far away lands, whats not to love?

coveting

i know i learned in catholic schools, that " thou shall not covet", but i cant help myself. i want this bed. i think it would be just perfect for the whimsy quilt. i guess i better start saving my pennies.

head over heals

i am head over heals in love with this fabric, so smitten that i enrolled myself in a sewing class on saturday. i thought it might be good a good way to occupy my mind for the next few weeks, while we await the results of the clomid. focus on sewing, rather than peeing on sticks. and besides with fabrics like these, its easy to get distracted. although i think my precious husband is afraid i will start collecting fabric the way i collect yarn which could be problematic. stay tuned for updates on my new adventure in sewing.......

for more fabulous fabric, go here.

at last

dear tulip bag.

at last, you arrived at my front door.
i coveted you for so many months before making the commitment.
looking everyday.
trying to find the perfect color.
when at last you appeared, pistachio.

i knew when i saw you, we were destined to be friends.
you are far more luxurious than i imagined.
perfectly soft leather.
small detailed stitching.
and a pocket for my old but beloved cell phone.

you are the perfect summer bag.
named for one of my favorite flowers.
and you are all mine.

welcome to your new home!

we have a winner

winner winner chicken dinner........hannah is the winner of the first ever lucends giveaway....

here is what our winner had to say "big hugs to all (doggies too) and be gentle with yourself. vase is beautiful-your momma, like you, is very talented."

so hannah, please be a dear and email me your mailing info and i will get the vase in the mail to you, straight away.

oh how i hope it will become one of your favorite things too.

i heart this

this brought a much needed smile to my day! i think this is the most fantastic pillow ever. and that it would look so lovely on my red leather sofa.

you can find it here along with other great pillows!