So it was a month after Valentine's Day by the time it was completely finished, but I think it was worth the wait!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Block Quilt
I actually finished this quilt about 2 weeks ago... For Valentine's Day, I gave BJ a card and a coupon for me to make or sew him whatever he wanted (within reason). He decided he wanted a lap blanket type quilt we could use while watching movies or whatever. We decided on a simple block quilt, with no patchwork or anything more time-intensive this time. BJ picked out the fabric (with a little input from me) and arranged the blocks in the pattern he wanted. He helped cut the blocks and also with tying the quilt at the end. (The idea was that it would be a fun project for us to work on together. I don't think he thought it was all that fun, but we both enjoyed the time we spent together working on it.) We had purchased some twin- sized batting that we were just going to cut down to the dimensions BJ wanted, but we discovered that by folding the batting in half, we got a size that was pretty close to what BJ had originally wanted (actually a little bigger) and a really fluffy, warm quilt.
So it was a month after Valentine's Day by the time it was completely finished, but I think it was worth the wait!
So it was a month after Valentine's Day by the time it was completely finished, but I think it was worth the wait!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Update
Well, we have been sick. And by we, I mean BJ. We think he got food poisoning, and he was pretty dang sick for about a day (Tuesday). We took him in to InstaCare and got some meds in him, which helped a ton, and he is so much better, although still tired. Gabe and I are pretty healthy, although I think Gabe must be perpetually teething. :(
We all went for a walk this evening and LOVED the blue sky and sunshine. Welcome Spring!!!
Also, I am so excited for my family to come visit next week for their spring vacation! I can't wait!
We all went for a walk this evening and LOVED the blue sky and sunshine. Welcome Spring!!!
Also, I am so excited for my family to come visit next week for their spring vacation! I can't wait!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Paper Silhouettes
Here is a fun, quick, and easy project to do if you need/ want some more art in your home, nursery, office, or wherever.
You need a side profile picture of your subject. Print out the picture (I just did mine on regular printer paper), and trace the outline of the profile onto tracing paper, or if you're like me, and don't keep tracing paper in stock, use tissue paper, or something similar. Tracing with the picture on the window may help you see the outline better because the light will shine through the paper a bit. Tape or staple the outsides of your tracing onto a sheet of black paper and cut both out with sharp scissors. Trim up a bit, and mount the silhouette on some fun paper before framing, and voila! Easy as pie!
You need a side profile picture of your subject. Print out the picture (I just did mine on regular printer paper), and trace the outline of the profile onto tracing paper, or if you're like me, and don't keep tracing paper in stock, use tissue paper, or something similar. Tracing with the picture on the window may help you see the outline better because the light will shine through the paper a bit. Tape or staple the outsides of your tracing onto a sheet of black paper and cut both out with sharp scissors. Trim up a bit, and mount the silhouette on some fun paper before framing, and voila! Easy as pie!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Bag of Bags!
I have had a request to post pictures of some of the bags I have made as my next crafty blog post. So here they are. I will just warn you- I have kind of an obsession with bags in general, and I like to make lots of them. So there may be many more bag pictures posted in the future.
Each of these bags really are a "bag of bags". This may sound like overkill, but I crocheted these bags out of "yarn" made of plastic shopping bags, which I cut into strips. They look a little uneven in areas because A) I didn't really know what I was doing, and B) when I switched between different colors of bags, the thickness of my "yarn" changed, and the tension changed too. If I do any more of these bags, I will have a better idea about the width to cut the strips, and the tension I should use to get a better, more even looking bag. On the front of the white bag you will notice that I attached a pom-pom, also made out of a grocery bag, to add decoration :).
Each of these bags really are a "bag of bags". This may sound like overkill, but I crocheted these bags out of "yarn" made of plastic shopping bags, which I cut into strips. They look a little uneven in areas because A) I didn't really know what I was doing, and B) when I switched between different colors of bags, the thickness of my "yarn" changed, and the tension changed too. If I do any more of these bags, I will have a better idea about the width to cut the strips, and the tension I should use to get a better, more even looking bag. On the front of the white bag you will notice that I attached a pom-pom, also made out of a grocery bag, to add decoration :).
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Burn out...
So, Rochelle has just completed her 10th blog post since I last posted. She told me today "it's your turn." (Very matter of factly too!) I was thinking that she might have given up on me. She used to make sure that I posted every other post. But I have been quite busy with work lately, and haven't had much of an opportunity to post. Actually, that's not quite correct. I have been feeling a bit of, what shall I call it... internet burnout. I spend my entire work day on the computer, and play the slave to the seemingly millions of little issues that need working on right away. Don't get me wrong. I am in no way asking for sympathy. I don't think there are many jobs out there that people just love going to. Everyone has their own personal battles that they have to fight daily at work. Some aren't so bad, others are. I honestly don't feel like I have a bad job. For the most part, I like it. But I find myself not wanting to spend my spare time on the computer as much, because even just surfing the internet can feel a lot like work at times. There are exceptions of course. I still love playing games. And I still try to keep up with tech news. I just haven't been getting as much enjoyment out of surfin' lately.
So I ask all of you readers out there... any of you feel this way? Now, I have noticed something. The blogging thing seems to have become fairly dominated by the women from what I've seen. I don't know if this is a trend that reaches outside our circle or not... I actually don't want to do the research to find out... but I wonder sometimes why the men that I know are, more than not, offline. So, to all of you women reading this, ask your husbands/fathers/friends/etc. why they aren't online more? Why don't more men post? Are they reading and just not writing? Or if they are not online at all, why? And tell me about it in your comments. I'm curious if they feel like I do. That blogging has just become another item on a seemingly infinite to-do list that has to do with the computer.
Now any of you who know me probably find all of this a little ironic. I really tried to get many of you to start blogging, and here I am talking about how I don't want to anymore. I just want you to know, I find it ironic too. :-D I still think the whole online community is great. It's a great way to connect. I'm just having a hard time with the medium right now.
So, while thinking about all of this, I found this other blog: 27-secrets-to-avoid-internet-burnout. I agree with much of what is said there. I also remembered somebody telling me that their seminary teacher had them all do a "music fast". I think I am going to start doing a "computer fast". Every Sunday, I hereby declare "computer fast Sunday". Please do not confuse this with "fast computer Sunday", they have very different meanings. ;-) And also, I plan on spending as little time as possible on the computer every Saturday. Only what's necessary to plan out the day, and get everything needful done. I do not feel like I need to ask anyone else to do the same, but it is my suggestion that anyone who is reading this and feels like they spend way too much time on the computer do a fast of your own choosing. Then tell me how it goes. I would like to hear about it.
I do plan on continuing blogging, and such. Just not on the weekends. :-D
Tell me your thoughts.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Baby Booties!
I saw a couple of templates online of different baby booties that were way too cute! I was sad that mine weren't as perfect as the pictures they had on the websites, but I thought they were still pretty cute.
The style for the pink booties came from the Martha Stewart website and the blue booties came from the Craft Magazine website
These were fun to make- they gave me warm fuzzies! But I will warn you, from looking at the picture I thought they were going to be really fast to make (maybe they would be, for someone really adept at doing this kind of thing), but they took me longer than I expected, especially the blue ones (I know, they look so simple, but they have all this reinforcement stitching that you can't really see well in the pictures). They were, however, easy, so if you want to try it, go ahead!
The style for the pink booties came from the Martha Stewart website and the blue booties came from the Craft Magazine website
These were fun to make- they gave me warm fuzzies! But I will warn you, from looking at the picture I thought they were going to be really fast to make (maybe they would be, for someone really adept at doing this kind of thing), but they took me longer than I expected, especially the blue ones (I know, they look so simple, but they have all this reinforcement stitching that you can't really see well in the pictures). They were, however, easy, so if you want to try it, go ahead!
Prayer Puppets
I made these puppets with the intent of using them for my 3-4 year-old Primary class at church. I am always looking for fun things to catch their interest and help them focus. The puppets were easy to make (just cutting out the felt, hand sewing the body pieces together, and hot gluing the other parts onto the body). Here's the poem that goes with the puppets:
The bunny hops up in the air.
Please tell him, “Shhh … it’s time for prayer.”
The small mouse squeaks behind the stair.
Please tell him, “Shhh … It’s time for prayer.”
The young duck quacks without a care.
Please tell him, “Shhh … it’s time for prayer.”
The template for the puppets as well as the poem is found on the following website: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=21bc9fbee98db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=4a5f48bf641ab010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
Paper boxes
So recently I mentioned that I had been doing all sorts of "crafts". I have really enjoyed working on and learning about different crafty things, including origami, sewing, hot gluing (:D), crocheting, etc. I am still trying new things. I will occasionally post pictures of what I have been doing, but I want to make a disclaimer: I am really just trying most of these things out, they are not professional looking or anything. It's for fun and personal enjoyment, as well as gift giving. That said, I will try to post links to where I found pictures or tutorials of how to do the different projects, for any who may be interested.
One afternoon I sat down and folded several paper boxes. You can do it the "real" origami way, by only folding, or you can "cheat" and make cuts on the paper with scissors, which is how I did it, because... I wanted to.
These boxes are relatively simple to make, I just made them again with my young nieces last night and they did a great job.
If you want to make some yourself, check out this great tutorial on the Etsy blog:
One afternoon I sat down and folded several paper boxes. You can do it the "real" origami way, by only folding, or you can "cheat" and make cuts on the paper with scissors, which is how I did it, because... I wanted to.
These boxes are relatively simple to make, I just made them again with my young nieces last night and they did a great job.
If you want to make some yourself, check out this great tutorial on the Etsy blog:
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Eight Months!
Ok, I know I promised a bunch of non-baby stuff, and it's coming, really! But I need to post this, if nothing else, as a journal entry.
Today Gabriel is 8 months old. The time has really flown by! It's amazing that he is only 4 months away from being 1 year old.
Gabe has had a few minor illnesses etc. the past month or so (cold/ cough, then an ear infection) and has been teething which has been no fun for any of us, but other than that, he has been a smiley, happy, cheerful, curious boy. (Also, his plugged tear duct seems to have finally cleared itself as of this week.) He sits and plays with toys without falling backwards, and he tries to army crawl- usually ending up going backwards or in a circle.
He is much more interested in "grown up" stuff- he wants to stand up (with help) and take steps, drink from a regular cup instead of a bottle or sippy cup, and eat table food. He loves vegetables, especially carrots, sweet potatoes, and peas, and if there is chicken or beef mixed in, he likes that too. He will eat other vegetables and fruits (although he's not too fond of many fruits- interesting, eh?) and rice cereal occasionally. He loves yogurt, and also Cheerios, bread, and cheese.
Gabe pretty reliably sleeps 8-10 hours at a time at night, but he is waking up earlier and earlier in the morning- as the sun rises earlier now that it is almost spring. Favorite times are still bath time, meal times, and going on walks outside. Also tickle time and peekaboo time! (On a side note, this week I dreamed that Gabe's first word was "peekaboo" and I was totally proud that he said such a difficult word! Then I woke up and realized that his first word was probably "dada"... :P ) Gabe does look at his daddy and say "dad" or "dada", but he says it other times too. He likes to say "ha" and "hiya", "dis" or "dith", "yayaya" and a variety of other syllables. He also loves to play a game where he growls back and forth with anyone who is interested! He enjoys being an "airplane" that his daddy zooms through the air, and he apparently thinks the things we do to entertain him are hilarious- a real confidence booster!
I weighed and measured him at the clinic where I work, and he is about 27 1/2 inches long and 19 pounds. He sure feels a lot heavier than that! He can technically stay in his infant carrier car seat until he reaches 20 pounds, but it's so hard to carry him in it that we are going to start using his regular car seat this week (still rear- facing of course, as all babies must do until 12 months of age).
Gabriel loves to play with his toys, but if none are readily available, he will grab your nose, ears, hands, necklace, hair, or anything that looks interesting to him. He often reaches down and pulls off one of his socks and chews on it- especially in the car.
I tried to take a little video of some of the funny stuff Gabe was doing the other day, but of course as soon as I got out the camera, he stopped. I did get some cute smiles, though, and a little bit of "talking".
We sure do love our "Gabey-Baby". He brings so much joy and laughter into our home. I'll be honest and say that it is not always easy, but being a mom is so rewarding, and those rewards are becoming a little more tangible all the time, as Gabe interacts with us and learns to express love. We couldn't be happier.
Today Gabriel is 8 months old. The time has really flown by! It's amazing that he is only 4 months away from being 1 year old.
Gabe has had a few minor illnesses etc. the past month or so (cold/ cough, then an ear infection) and has been teething which has been no fun for any of us, but other than that, he has been a smiley, happy, cheerful, curious boy. (Also, his plugged tear duct seems to have finally cleared itself as of this week.) He sits and plays with toys without falling backwards, and he tries to army crawl- usually ending up going backwards or in a circle.
He is much more interested in "grown up" stuff- he wants to stand up (with help) and take steps, drink from a regular cup instead of a bottle or sippy cup, and eat table food. He loves vegetables, especially carrots, sweet potatoes, and peas, and if there is chicken or beef mixed in, he likes that too. He will eat other vegetables and fruits (although he's not too fond of many fruits- interesting, eh?) and rice cereal occasionally. He loves yogurt, and also Cheerios, bread, and cheese.
Gabe pretty reliably sleeps 8-10 hours at a time at night, but he is waking up earlier and earlier in the morning- as the sun rises earlier now that it is almost spring. Favorite times are still bath time, meal times, and going on walks outside. Also tickle time and peekaboo time! (On a side note, this week I dreamed that Gabe's first word was "peekaboo" and I was totally proud that he said such a difficult word! Then I woke up and realized that his first word was probably "dada"... :P ) Gabe does look at his daddy and say "dad" or "dada", but he says it other times too. He likes to say "ha" and "hiya", "dis" or "dith", "yayaya" and a variety of other syllables. He also loves to play a game where he growls back and forth with anyone who is interested! He enjoys being an "airplane" that his daddy zooms through the air, and he apparently thinks the things we do to entertain him are hilarious- a real confidence booster!
I weighed and measured him at the clinic where I work, and he is about 27 1/2 inches long and 19 pounds. He sure feels a lot heavier than that! He can technically stay in his infant carrier car seat until he reaches 20 pounds, but it's so hard to carry him in it that we are going to start using his regular car seat this week (still rear- facing of course, as all babies must do until 12 months of age).
Gabriel loves to play with his toys, but if none are readily available, he will grab your nose, ears, hands, necklace, hair, or anything that looks interesting to him. He often reaches down and pulls off one of his socks and chews on it- especially in the car.
I tried to take a little video of some of the funny stuff Gabe was doing the other day, but of course as soon as I got out the camera, he stopped. I did get some cute smiles, though, and a little bit of "talking".
We sure do love our "Gabey-Baby". He brings so much joy and laughter into our home. I'll be honest and say that it is not always easy, but being a mom is so rewarding, and those rewards are becoming a little more tangible all the time, as Gabe interacts with us and learns to express love. We couldn't be happier.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Other Blog
I thought I would share a blog that my family created about a month or so ago to compile recipes. The blog was my mom's idea, and we started it especially with my brother Tayler in mind, to collect "...recipes suitable for missionaries, singles, and anyone looking for fast, easy, and cheap recipes, with non-strange ingredients." This actually describes me perfectly, as I rarely want to cook things that are time consuming, difficult, or expensive. :D
Feel free to peruse the recipes for ideas (go to the archives, or click on the labels- each post is labeled with the main ingredient etc.). If you are interested in contributing to the blog, let me know and I can send you an invite to be an author. The cool thing is that we can "slurp" the whole blog using free software from http://www.blurb.com/ and have it published (for a small fee of course) into a real cookbook! How cool is that?
Anyway, the blog address is http://missionrecipes.blogspot.com/
Feel free to peruse the recipes for ideas (go to the archives, or click on the labels- each post is labeled with the main ingredient etc.). If you are interested in contributing to the blog, let me know and I can send you an invite to be an author. The cool thing is that we can "slurp" the whole blog using free software from http://www.blurb.com/ and have it published (for a small fee of course) into a real cookbook! How cool is that?
Anyway, the blog address is http://missionrecipes.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Tayler
Here is a quick update on what's going on with Tayler:
Thanks all of you for your concern for my brother, Tayler. As you may know, the attempt yesterday to repair his atrial-septal heart defect with an occlusive device was unsuccessful, and he underwent open-heart surgery today. The surgery went great, he is recovering well, and as far as the doctors can tell, there is no leakage through the patch they put over the hole in his heart. He was awake and (somewhat) alert this evening and able to sit up in a chair for a while. The recovery time for the type of surgery he had can be 6-8 weeks.
The many prayers offered in his behalf (and our family's) have been much- appreciated. Tayler and my family truly consider it a blessing that his condition was discovered when it was. Tayler is still planning on serving a full- time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Thanks all of you for your concern for my brother, Tayler. As you may know, the attempt yesterday to repair his atrial-septal heart defect with an occlusive device was unsuccessful, and he underwent open-heart surgery today. The surgery went great, he is recovering well, and as far as the doctors can tell, there is no leakage through the patch they put over the hole in his heart. He was awake and (somewhat) alert this evening and able to sit up in a chair for a while. The recovery time for the type of surgery he had can be 6-8 weeks.
The many prayers offered in his behalf (and our family's) have been much- appreciated. Tayler and my family truly consider it a blessing that his condition was discovered when it was. Tayler is still planning on serving a full- time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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