4 Tops and a Good Time

Daniel really knows how to show the ladies a good time.

4 quilt top and back pairs, waiting to be basted.

I've been trying to be more consistent about sewing everyday if I can. I'm finding that the more I do it, the more I like it. And the bigger mess I make. And the more projects I have not quite finished.

Etsy has been calling my name lately as well. I have 3 quilts ready to be listed, and the 3 on the right above will be for sale as well. Anyone have name suggestions for an Etsy shop?

Travel Anticipation

Last week Tommy and I finished buying our last ticket for our upcoming trip to Central Asia this fall. We will be gone for about 12 days and I.cannot.wait. In anticipation of our trip, I've been keeping my eye out for luggage. We needed luggage for checked bags, and would love some new carry-ons.

I went to Costco this weekend with a friend and scored two of these awesome bags! The duffel style caught my eye because the store smaller, and at $40 each, I could not pass them up! Many of the other bags I'd been looking at were upwards of $100, some well upwards of that. I am so excited to have new luggage that it's killing me to think I won't get to use it for almost 5 months. And so, I've been reminiscing some past travels.

In no real order:

2005- our honeymoon,

in Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico

2008- Yosemite National Park

by the roots of a fallen Sequoia

2008- Grand Canyon

we only had a few hours here,

but I could have spend several more days

2007- Chiang Mai, Thailand

in a tuk-tuk

2005- Big Bend National Park

Burro Mesa Pour-off

Hopefully our luggage will many destinations near and far over the years to come!

Barren

Some days I really struggle with God's will. There are things I want so badly, that in his good and sovereign plan, he is withholding from me.

Abraham's wife Sarah laughed at the Lord when told she would bear a son after countless years of infertility. But the Lord was gracious to Sarah and did what He promised.

Isaac prayed for his wife Rebekah because she also was barren. And God answered his prayers.

Jacob's wife Rachel was barren. She watched three other women whom she likely saw everyday bear many children. Rachel was jealous; she was disgraced. But then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb.

Several other such stories occur throughout the scriptures. I can rest in peace knowing it is the Lord alone who opens and closes the womb. And only because He is good, never because one is deserving.

A few days ago Tommy and I were remembering what our plans were. Wait to finish school before having kids.

I praise God that was not his plan! I cannot imagine life without my sweet, soon to be three, son. Had we waited, we would still be childless.

Craft Nite and a Wreath

Lindsey crocheted a little critter,

Tiffani worked on a family fun jar for a friend.

Trinity helped me make rosettes,

Ashley whipped up a few burp cloths.

And I made this wreath!

I was inspired by another blog.

All the fabric came from my scraps, and I didn't even know I had the burlap!

I am so pleased with how much I got accomplished yesterday!

Burp Cloths

It's always nice to find fun fabrics for boys.

Burp cloths are such simple gifts to whip up for new babies, and easy to personalize too. I made these four in an hour or so. It's always so hard to gauge how long I spend on a given project because I rarely work on it from start to finish in one sitting, without interruptions.

I used a cardboard template to iron the edges straight and get a uniform size.

I seriously need a new ironing board cover!

I won this starch alternative at the Quilt Sitter's meeting at my LQS. If you show a quilt you made, you are entered for a door prize. The first time I showed anything, I won; great incentive to keep showing off. I usually never starch anything, and was pleasantly surprised how much cleaner it made my sewing.

Batty

I realize this is completely random, but yesterday I spotted this in our crepe myrtle from across the yard.

I snapped a few shots then ran to get my other lens.

Have you ever seen a bat yawn?

When we got home last night a 10pm, I went to check on them, and there were four babies, not just two like I originally thought. But this morning they were gone.

Rainbow

Sadly I can't find the tutorial I used to make this.

Some of the oranges used in Daniel's quilt.

Green and pink fabric used in Sami's quilt.

Some purples from Auntie's quilt.

Fuzzy zebra fabric I'm slowly chipping away at.

The End.

10 Minute Block

Probably closer to a 15-20 minute block for me

While blog-hopping a few weeks ago I came across the "10-Minute Block." I was amazed. I even showed Tommy who was possibly more amazed. He made me pause the video, and back up trying to figure out exactly how it worked. I'm not sure I'd want to make a whole quilt out of this block, but if I had a layer cake I sure would be tempted.

Even if you couldn't care less about quilting, just watch the video!

I was skeptical, but the edges really did roll up nicely.

Simple pocket to squeeze the pillow into.

I love this fabric, and I still have tons of it left!