This time last year...

This time last year things were crazy.  Craig and the kids had already moved to Iowa and were trying to settle in our new house while I was Missouri getting things finalized there for the big move north.

A year ago today I left my job at Callaway Nuclear Power Plant.  I was horribly sad, and more than a few tears were shed.  I fully expected to be there next month to help with their outage, but circumstances with my families health and well being are keeping me away this year, again more tears being shed.   I truly miss my friends and the work that I did there.  They are amazing people and I they were a huge part of my life for more than 5 years.  I couldn't have asked for better co-workers and friends.

On a happier note... Today is my Mother In-Law's birthday!  

Last year our gift to DiAnn didn't go quite as planned.

As all of our family lives in Utah, I often send gifts from Amazon.com.  Seriously, I love Amazon, I could write and entire post on how much I love Amazon.com.  But I regress... I like to send gifts from Amazon because I am a prime member so I get two day shipping free, and since they gift wrap for a pretty reasonable rate I usually end up saving money.  So, it was to Amazon I turned once again to get DiAnn's gift.  That's when all the trouble began.

Well actually... not all the trouble.  First of all, DiAnn and Craig's brother Matt have birthdays that are just one day apart.  One on Sept. 30th, one on Oct. 1st.  I often forget who's birthday is when.  And did I mention things were a little crazy this time last year?

So, I got online and decided I would see if I could find DiAnn a lovely piece of jewelry with her birthstone.  So I did a quick search and found a lovely little ring.  Now, sometimes I have found that if I don't put something I like in my cart I won't find it again.  So I put the little ring in my cart.  I called Craig to let him know what I found and he was worried about the size.  AHHH good point, I have no idea if it will fit.  So I kept looking and found a beautiful bracelet that I thought she would love.  All was settled!  I chose gift wrapping and sent it on it's way.  Expected delivery date Sept. 29th. 

Sure enough, on Sept. 29th the package was delivered... right to MY front door.  WHAT?  Plus there were two lovely packages in the box.  TWO? WHAT?  The ring!  I had forgotten to take the ring off the cart.  See, Amazon has this one click ship button.  It uses all your default settings and one click and your done.  I was a little stressed out and distracted so I wasn't really thinking it through when I used the one click button.  OOOOPPPSSS!

I decided to keep the ring, maybe it could be a Christmas gift if I could find out if it was the right size and sent the bracelet.  It would be a little late but that's OK right.

Imagine my extreme embarrassment when I realized later that her birthday is September 30th not October 1st, which is what I was thinking when I bought Opals.  :)  It sure is a good thing we can laugh about it now, and I was right.  She loved the bracelet.

Happy Birthday DiAnn!  We love you!

I'm soooo excited!

I received my first "Goodies Swap" package today!  I am really, really excited, and totally in love!

Cathrine at Sew Wonderful Life was the amazing lady who made this wonderful gifts.


Aren't these lovely.  A mug rug, fabric box, and extra bits of fabric.  So beautiful. 

 

A close-up of the mug rug.  My camera isn't the best so it doesn't do this beautiful piece justice.  The little squares in the center are so tiny (one inch) and perfect.  She did lovely hand quilting.  Love it!

 

The back of the mug rug!  Yummy!

 

Fabric box!  This is so darn cute I just love it! 

Catherine sent me a wonderful little note.  She was a little worried she may have over done it with the green.  I assure you it is perfect.  I love green and I love batiks and I think these are gorgeous! 

As a bit of a side note:

Catherine lives in Tiptree, Essex, United Kingdom.  My kids were soooo excited to get a package in the mail all the way from the UK.  My family, especially my boys, are obsessed with all things British.  My oldest son is sure it doesn't get any better than British comedies and Dr. Who.  Our ancestors came to the United States in the 1860's.  They had been baptised into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons) and left their homes to live with other members in Utah.  I think these ties are part of the reason for the obsession.  And why they were all so impressed that my swap partner was from the UK.

I think CJ summed it up best when he said, "She made all of this stuff just for you?  That is really, really nice."

Thank you Catherine!  I love, these great gifts and truly appreciate the effort you put into making me such lovely things.

Goodie Swap Packages are on their way!

I am so excited.  I sent of both of my Goodie Swap packages this morning.  This has been so much fun.  A little intimidating and overwhelming at times but a ton of fun.  I tried somethings I've never done before.  I stepped out of my comfort zone and made my goodies from a picture I saw.  I think they turned out pretty good, not perfect, but I think they are cute.  Now I just hope my partners like them as well.

Here are pictures of the completed packages.  Each partner received a mug rug and goodie.  The goodie was a quilting totebag.  I also found this amazing idea for Molten Chocolate Cake in a cup and had to use it for this swap.  After all it is a mug rug swap, shouldn't you have a mug to use?

I am so excited!

Goodie Swap finished

I finished all the bits for my goodie swap and will be sending them off to their new homes first thing Monday morning.  I sure hope my partners like them.  I made each partner a mug rug and for the goodie a quilt class tote.  It is large enough to hold a small cutting mat, rulers, rotary cutter, scissors, etc.  There are two pockets on the front and one on the back. 

Now I just need to gather a few little nuggets to go with these and they are off.

Half Way Done

I am half way done with my Goodie Swap!  Both mug rugs are finished!  I got the quilting finished and the binding on last night!  Now I just need to finish up the goodies and get them in the mail this weekend!

Front of Mug Rug #1

Back of Mug Rug #1



Front of Mug Rug #2




Back of Mug Rug #2

CJ is half way done with his treatments!  We got the results of his bone scan yesterday and the infection is NOT in the bone.  So that means we only have to do two weeks of treatment and this morning marked the end of the first week.  Fourteen treatments done...Fourteen to go!

Paper Piecing class

I went to my paper piecing class yesterday.  I love the group of woman in my quilt group.  Most of them are closer to my grandparent's age than my parents.  They have children and grandchildren my age.  They are such a vast pool of knowledge and everyone of them are willing to give advice and help.  There are five of us in this class.  These ladies are a riot.  They have all known each other for years but include me in their little circle like I'm a long lost friend.  They are seriously so amazing and talented and gracious.  Here is the progress I made yesterday.

I'm loving the colors.  I think it is going to be so beautiful.

I took some pictures of CJ at the hospital.  He is such a sweetheart and he really is being pretty good about this whole thing.
 

 The laptop has become our portable DVD player. 

Mother's guilt

I often feel very guilty when I do something just for me.  Something that I enjoy and go and do by myself or with a friend but without my family.  I love being with my family and I miss them when we are all doing our own thing.  Besides, there are a gazillion things to do around here. 

But I also know that I have to take care of myself if I am going to be capable of taking care of the family.  So, I usually manage to push the guilt aside and enjoy myself.  I also tend to feel guilty all over again when I get home and see that my to-do list is still a mile long. 

Today I am taking a rare afternoon for myself.  It means leaving Craig home alone for a few hours but he has assured me that he will be OK.  I am taking the first of a series of classes on paper piecing.  I am SO excited.  My LQS is offering a once a month for six months paper piecing series. The first quilt is called "Mini Star Table Runner."

The fabric I choose is amazing.  The background is a beautiful flora batik that is mainly cream.  The star fabrics are very rich marbled, multi-tonal prints one each of purple, green, and fuchsia.  I am so in love!  (I'll post pictures later.)

We will be working on a different Judy Niemeyer pattern each month.  If you have ever seen one of Judy's patterns you know how amazing they are, and why I am so excited.

The October quilt is "Cappuccino".  I'll be honest this is probably my least favorite of Judy's patterns but I'm excited to learn the technique because it is used in some of my favorites.  I haven't picked my fabrics yet.  I'm thinking maybe fall colors?  Not sure yet.

I have been obsessed with Judy's quilt patterns for a long time but I am a bit of a coward, and have been too scared or intimidated or something to tackle one.  But here are some of my favorites.


Aren't they amazing.  Every time I see one of these quilts finished I fall head over heels in love.  So I plan on enjoying my afternoon.  I think it will be worth any guilt I may feel when I see the piles and piles of laundry waiting for me when I get home. 
I am ready and in great need of a me day!  I'll post my progress from the class later.