Kelly's Quilt

Estrella

Savannah, Estrella and Tracy

Melissa and Jesica

Miki, Carol, Amanda and Lori

Maddy

Lori and Miki

Aila and Jennifer

Laying the squares out and planning the pattern

Snipping the seams

Finished!

My dear friend Kelly has been diagnosed with a serious illness. I hate the feeling when someone you love is far away and there is nothing you can do to help them. I decided to gather some of her Portland friends together to put together a quilt for her. Friends decorated quilt squares and I put them together in this rag quilt. It felt really fulfilling to work on this project and think about our love being combined and sent to Kelly in this way. And it was beautiful to see how each square was different and amazing!

My daughter is having a baby!

And Grandma Kelli is the midwife!

Sewing Projects

Since taking a series of sewing classes last summer I've found more confidence to take on new projects.  Having two grandchildren coming has brought on a whole new level of fun!

  Cloth diaper wipes

 

 

 

 I am especially proud of making these baby shoes.

I found the pattern online and the tutorial that went with it was not very helpful.  

I ended up altering the pattern and figuring it all out myself.  

I love how they turned out!

 I found the cutest little stuffed owl in a baby store.

I came home and designed my own. 

He's not quite what I want him to be so I have plans to keep working on this project.

 Grocery bag.

I made several of these for Christmas presents.

Then I figured out how to make this one with a lining!

 Baby blanket.

Learning how to put the binding on with this one.

Love the colors and feel of the flannel and minky.

Since this one says "I love Grandma" it just might have to stay at Grandma's house.

Napkins.

I fell in love with this fabric and made a whole bunch napkins out of it.

Someone may get this as a gift.

Portland.
The land of Subaru and Prius.
Sunshine, rain and snow within 24 hours.
Two hours from mountain to coast.
Chai latte and triple mocha's. A coffee shop on every corner.
Powell's books. A purse with a bird on it.
Burgerville.
Portland.

Helping your grownup kids deal with grownup problems and grownup heartaches really sucks.

I mean....really. sucks.

It makes my heart ache.

Twin Birth

I've been excitedly awaiting my twin birth.  Mama went one week over due and each morning of those last couple of weeks I would wake up and think "Those babies are going to come today!"  But they took their time.

When mama finally went into labor it went so fast and furious that I missed it.  This mom had said all along that she thought we would miss the birth of the first baby. We did in fact miss the birth, of both babies!  I was so sad to have missed it, but happy for the mom who got the birth she had envisioned.  She wanted them to come fast and close together.  The boys were born two minutes apart. They are healthy and adorable!

My First Pinterest Project

It took me a while to figure out that Pinterest thing, but now that I've got the hang of it I'm addicted.  I have found so many recipes, tutorials, wedding ideas, and good quotes.  I do like having a space to save the pages that usually would have clogged up my bookmarks menu.

Here is my first Pinterest project. (And there have been many since this one....I'll share later). I'm very happy with the results and there is still plenty of room on the wall for the new family members coming soon!

Amos and Masyn

Practicing My Cupcake Skills

Chocolate with Peanut Butter filling

Chocolate with Chocolate mint ganache and mint frosting

One of my favorite blogs, Your Cup of Cake, has some of the best cupcake recipes I've ever tried.  One of the things I love is that many of her recipes begin with a store bought cake mix, which means I can easily convert the recipe to gluten free by using a gluten free cake mix. She adds things like sour cream and buttermilk to the mix to make the cake moist and flavorful.  Every recipe I've tried of hers has turned out delicious!

I was raised by
blonde hair, bright eyes
stay-at-home mom in Milwaukie
kind of mom.

Some ocassional "shit" swearing
"clean your room" yelling,
glass breaking
kind of housewife.

Some no sleeping,
trips to Haiti,
new babies
kind of midwife.

Some day and night fighting
"get the hell out of here"
third times the charm remarrying
kind of wife.

Some sunny days swimming
movie watching, random girl days
kind of friend.

Some Christmas traditions
and children's books
loving, caring, generous
unconditional love
"I love you to the moon and back"
kind of mama.

~Emilia Evans