Long Arm

Riley has to be the 1st one under the quilt(not bound yet)
backing

There's a Quilt shop that rents long arm machines. Before Christmas I scheduled a 2 hour time to go and quilt my Christmas star quilt(I made the blocks a couple years ago, but had never quilted it)
Using the Long Arm Machine was harder than I thought. I had seen it used on quilting TV shows. I really liked it though. It was completely on... or off. There was no speed setting and there was no stitch regulator so the faster I moved the arm the larger the stitches were. Once I made the bobbin thread break by doing it too tightly in one spot. (The lady said it was like making a knot going over one spot) I had to keep the machine moving and that was the most challenging but by the end of the quilt I think I was doing fairly well. I did mostly loops and cursive Ls and curly Q's, it was all free form.
The best part was that in 2 hours my quilt was completely quilted. It would have taken hours/days/months if I had hand quilted it.
the night before I had 3 stars yet to make, some sashing and cornerstones and boarder

Rachels Christmas Present

Finished this in time for Christmas. I'm happy w/ the way it's turned out. I like the colors I used. Contrary to what my mom thinks, it's not completely origional. I used an image from a copyright-free design book. I had to edit it so it would work for what I was doing(I even showed my mom the image when I first had this idea...she must have forgot because she said to everyone at Christmas "It's origional" -oh well)

Merry Christmas to my sister Rachel. I hope you love it.

(click here to see the project in the beginning stages)

Christmas Morning

Our tree
Rachels Christmas tree
10 cousins
Cousins
Cutest baby
de-christmased

Christmas Cards

One thing I've enjoyed this month...I've been making Christmas cards w/ my mom. She has a plethora of Stamps. I have other crafty tools (punches, glue, glitter, decorative scissors, any-color-cardstock, etc..). So together we've made cards together but separately.

It actually takes a long time to make cards... like 20-30 minutes each(if you are very decorative). That's probably why I've only done 4-5 so far. I don't think I'm going to be done(just guessing).

I don't think I'm a very good Christmas card giver anyway. I procrastinate too much. I've given to 5 people so far, and they were all hand delivered. I think I might try being a New-Years-Card giver. It might'ov helped if my vacation was before xmas week... but maybe not. I'm a big procrastinator. If anyone hasn't gotten a Christmas card from me yet then maybe you'll be getting a New Years Card. Cheers.

Santa

We've been shopping. We've been shopping and shopping. And we saw Santa. We only have a few things left to buy...And only a couple of days... Stress...

I only have one more work day (tomorrow 12pm-9pm) and I'm on VACCATION!!! Very happy!! Not stressed about that!

Santa was fun today. Liam asked for cards and Legos. Riley asked for a Teddy bear. Can you believe she's only 5? She looks so much older in the picture.

Long Arm

I signed up to use a Long Arm Machine. December 27th. I'm very excited...this is a new experience for me. I have some squares that I made a couple years ago and never made into a quilt. In a matter of 2 hours it will be a completed quilt. HOW CRAZY IS THAT?
I made this picture on Paint. This is what the quilt will look like when it's done.

Weekend

We took the kids to the parade yesterday. They loved it. It was cold though. We then got to babysit 2 nephews in the evening. ---Just happy to be off from work for the weekend. I'm really looking forward to my 10 days off durring Christmas week.

New Project

Ok. I am working on something new. It's a xmas present thing so I'm not going to talk too much. But since christmas is soon approching it won't be long before I can post some photos.
Here is a sneak peak of the fabric i'm using.


I went to the Quilt shop in Turlock last week and found this beautiful (Moda) fabric. I love batik fabric. The pattern I'm using is not an origional. I have a book of designs(all permission-free) that I traced a pattern from. It is a beautiful design and looks like it could be a Quilt, or tapestry or tile design or stone path or wood carving. I think it will totally work for the place I'm invisioning it to go.

Fall Pillow w/ beads

Click on the image for a larger view. All of the lettering is done w/ beads. The celtic heart is from 1 long bias strip, appliqued into place.
(The saying is from a Veggie Tales song. Last year Riley loved this video and sang the song all the time)

In a funk

Its always weird when I've finished a project. The costumes that I worked 2 weeks on are done and now I'm bored. Do I go back to an older project that's not done yet? or do I start a new exciting project? I have 2 ideas swimming in my head.
Nothing stands out more at the moment. Usually I have an idea that I can't not do or start. Maybe that's why I feel this way.

I need to be inspired. Blaaaaaaaaaaaa
I like having a project to do. I don't think I ever do things to finish, I just do for the doing part. It's sad when something is finished. If I'm working on a quilt everyday for months...I think about it at work, It keeps my hands busy, It's something to do when I'm sitting at gymnastics class for the kids. It's fun to think about what the finished project will be. Then, if it's done...It's just done. No more thinking or planning or doing. I like lots of different projects and I learn from everyone. I think I get better w/ every one. I try to keep my stitches even and smaller than the last and more accurate.

I took apart the quilt of the us states when the quilt show was over. I took all the binding off, the sleeve, and the little bid of machine quilting there was (because I ran out of time I did a few of the states w/ machine) I think I might put it back on a hoop and do a bit of hand quilting. Or read a book.
hmmm

Weekend Home

Liam with cousins Kaden & Carson
I can not believe we had a whole weekend at home. Aside from going to the grocery store and the kids going to Sunday School, we were at home and didn't have any events or partys or anything to go to.
The kids played in the front yard. We played ball with Sara. We washed and vacuumed both cars. I sorted out all of Riley's too-small-clothes. I caught up on the laundry pile. I watched all of my saved TV shows that I've missed this week, and re-watched my favorite ones, and checked to make sure this weeks shows will record.
One thing sad happened...Will called and canceled all of the movie channels. It was costing too much. I'll have to download Weeds onto my ipod now. I'm not sure if I'll be able to do that with Tudors... It was an extra 50 per month, so I understand needing to cut back. Neither of us are making as much this year. William cut back his hours at work to be home more for the kids. I would rather him be here more than have lots of movies to watch.
Sara waits for a ball to be thrown

Costumes

Trick Or Treat

All the gouls came out for Halloween Night! And a few Cinderellas, Butterflys Witches, Spider men...
We met up with All the cousins, Aunts (minus 1 Rachel,who had to be at her school carnival), & Uncles.
We had:
1 Tiger (in a stroller)
1 Wizard
1 Witch
1 Flapper Girl
1 Mickey Mouse
1 Minney Mouse
1 Schrek
1 Davey Jones Pirate
1 BatGirl
1 Boba Fett
We walked around the neighborhood for atleast an hour. When Riley complained about the candybag being too heavy it was time to be done...well..
..Not to her- her solution was to go home to empty the bag and go out for more.
I think Halloween was made for 5 year olds.

Costume Creation

Boba Fetts helmet:

We went to the Halloween store and found an Army guy helmet that was the right shape (for the top of the head). I altered it by adding poster board (the thickest I could find) extensions with the glue gun. I had to cut out and bend the cardboard into the right shape for the cheek area.


I did a layer of paper mache for more stability (I used modge podge glue)


Next, I coated everything with spackle (the kind you would patch a hole on the wall). The kind I bought goes on pink and turns white when it's dry.



Sanded and painted and dabbed on silver paint here and there for the scuffed/battled look. And lastly, I sprayed the inside and outside with a matte clear coat.

And... Waa Laa! Boba Fett!

Pumpkin

Pumpkin Patch today!
Rileys 1st fieldtrip. I was lucky enough to have the day off so I could go and be a helping mom.

Costumes

Started making costumes today! Happiness is creating.

I had so many of my costumes made by my mom. I don't recall ever going to a store and purchasing a costume. The only costumes that I remember being available to purchase (when I was little) was a plastic (garbage bag plastic) suit w/ a plastic mask.

I rememeber being a majorette (Grandma had one of Aunt Melindas costumes in the upstairs closet), I was a dr. (with dads scrubs), an indian girl, a holly hobby, ballerina (the year I was in ballet-since I had the tutu).

I am making Liam and Rileys costumes this year. Liam is going to be Boba Fette and Riley is going to be Bat Girl.

I don't have patterns... I went to the fabric store and found fabric to use but no patterns. I don't think that will be a problem. I did find a website on how to make the boba fette helmet, jet pack, and armor. It looks like alot of work but I think it will look really awesome when it's done.

I started while Liam was at school - just sewing together the basic suit. When Liam got home I had him try it on to see how it fit ( I had all but the sleves and 2 seams sewed). It looks like it will fit perfectly but Liam told me durring the whole fittig that he really wanted a "store bought" costume, not a home-made costume. I was sad when he told me that. He thinks a store bought costume is better. He has the craftiest mom (in my opinion) - Williams comment is that he doesnt want to see a mess or project stuff all over...
I'm kinda discouraged now... but I'm not giving up. I'm more determined now to make the best Boba Fette costume --Sorry George Lucas.
Riley is happy that I'm making her costume. Her costume is just a dress shape with a ragged, zig zag hem and a cape with arm bands and a bat logo on the chest and some kind of eye/ robin-like-band.

I know why Liam says that he'd prefer a bought costume... We've always purchased nicer costumes. I always figured that if we were paying for one, I wanted something that will last and could be used as play-clothes after Halloween was over. I still have past costumes that are still good and the kids play dress up.
It's not too much to pay 40-50 on a costume if it's going to last. Now, with 2 kids a 40-50 costume turns into 80-100 and that isnt a possiblity now. We have to watch our spending more this year.

The Boba Fette costume I found online was 60 +more for the accessories. Rileys costume wasnt too bad - 30 I think.

I'll post photos as I'm working on these.
Peace Out

Journal Page

Trick-Or-Treat bags

Halloween 2005
Rileys Trick-or-Treat bag

Today we are decorating for Halloween. These are bags I made for the kids 2 years ago. I'm adding new pictures every year. The witch pattern was from the Fons & Porter magazine (2005). I didnt have an idea for Liams bag, and when I asked what he wanted he said, "a ghost flying over the pumpkin patch". I used white tulle (many layers) to make the ghost. The pieces were raw-edge appliqued with a zig-zag stitch on the edges. For the photos I turned under the edges. I purchased photo-transfer fabric from the fabric store. It comes the size of a sheet of paper. I printed photos from my computer onto the fabric, then heat-set the image with a dry iron and it was ready to sew on. There are other ways to transfer images onto fabric but this was very easy and fast.
Liams Trick-Or-Treat Bag

One VERY busy weekend

I need a vaccation from my weekend off! It was very full. I worked a 40 hr. week, and on tuesday I volunteered at the afterschool program (I work in the 3-4 yr. old room) This is my 3rd year doing this program. My daughter started in my group and now she's moved up to the older kids class. This year I have 2 nephews and 1 niece in my group.Anyways... Friday after work I took my 2 kids to their school carnival/halloween party.
Saturday morning Liam and I woke up very early to go to the heart walk. We walked 4 miles with my a group from my work. After that I did have an hour nap at home before going to the guilds Quilt show.


I worked at the show from 2-5pm. Saturday night I went to bed very early. Sunday morning... woke up took kids to sunday school and went to the early church survice (I lucked out and scored 2 dozen Hmong egg rolls--they sell them every so often, but they go fast and I usually miss out). After church went home and did a bit of house work. Then the shopping began: 1st to gottschalks for bday presents. 2nd to Best Buy for a new ink cartridge. 3rd to Lowes to pick up sisters Blind order. 4th to Petsmart for Parrot food and 2 new fishes. (Liam picked out a speckled Molly that he's named Spot. It looks like a dalmation fish. Riley picked out a Starburst Mickey looks like a fancy gold fish w/ a black tail)
Went home to pick up tools/ladder/and settle the fish into their new tank. Drove out to my Sisters new house and helped to install the rest of the blinds and the valances from the last 4 blinds. I've been doing it in stages and hubby helped with most(1 more for the future and it's done). Today hubby installed the ceiling fan while I worked on the blinds and valances.
Then we all sped to moms & dad's house for a double birthday party. Mom made the most awesome chicken/artichoke/olive thing, Homemade lasagna, salad, garlic bread, eggrolls from the hmong sale, and 3 deserts: brownies, lemon cake, pumpkin pie.
I was not on my diet today. The only thing I didnt try was the egg rolls because I have some in the freezer(I'm not kidding when I say they're good.. )

Quilt Show Entries

These are the 2 quilts I will have at my Guild's quilt show in 2 weeks(October 6-7 at the fairgrounds). The show happens every other year. This is my first year as a member. I'm signed up to help on Saturday. I've been working every night to finish the map quilt. It goes slowly because I'm hand quilting. (you can click on the picture to see a close-up view)

Birthday Party

Thankyou to everyone who came to the kids bday party! Even though it was warm it was fun, fun, fun.
I hope everyone had a great time.

Making pinatas and invitations

OK...we have 10 kids in the family now (counting all of the cousins)+ 3 friends are invited. My goal is to create a pinata that is strong enough to withstand 13-kid-turn-worths of hitting. Layers and layers of paper mache will be added (old school newspaper & flour/water paste style)
And since we are going with the Alice in Wonderland theme ... our victom will be the Cheshire Cat.
I'm using the Large cardboard Easter egg and enclosed the candy before starting (that way there will be no weak points).

I made the invitations by altering the image a bit (the Rabbits sign was shorter). I traced over a light box, colored in a bit and added some blue ultra-fine glitter. The little red dots are actually brads (scrapbooking supplies) and they hold the white paper to the blue cardstock.

My bright idea of the day:
I got the idea to adhere magnets to the back of each invite so they could easily hang on the fridge.

Birthday Celebrations Galore!

Yes, we are indeed in the midst of birthday season! It's birthday, after birthday, after birthday. Liam turned 9 on Saturday (2 days ago). I did have to work (even though I had put in a request to have the day off). After work I picked up the kids and Liam's friend, Zach, and spent the afternoon at the Nickle Arcade. We were game playing fools for 2 1/2 hours. Then off to Baskin Robins for single scoop of Chocolate (in a bowl) for Liam, single scoop chocolate/peanut butter (in a bowl) for Zach, childs scoop of rainbow sherbert (on a cone) for Riley, and Vanilla milkshake blended with cherries for me. We enjoyed these ice cream delights, especially since the temp. rose to 103! Dropped Zach off, drove to Turlock, got take out from Red Robin, drove to Williams work and had a Family dinner together in the breakroom.

Today was my birthday celebration at the lake. It was lots of fun, the kids swam a bit, had good food and yummy "birthday" pie. It was so windy that no one could light any candles so my birthday wish is hanging in limbo. Hopefully it will wait and I'll blow a candle out on Thursday (my actual birthday).

Riley's day is coming up too.

I've been busy planning the kids party. 5 days and counting! I have lots of ideas for activities. I'm hoping to have enough time to prepare as many as possible.

I've usually had one party for both Liam and Riley. Their birthdays are in the same month(19 days apart). I just think it is easier since we have family and friends that drive a couple hours to come. This may be the last year for this though, Liam hasn't been happy with our theme of Wonderland. He thinks it's all Alice...So, what I told him is that the Alice part of the party will just be for Riley and his part will be just "party". He said he wants race cars.
..what to do, what to do...
I'll probably make a race car cake for him.

Riley wanted Alice in wonderland from months ago when we were first brainstorming. Actually, she wanted a party with a rabbit hole and everyone will have to go through the rabbit hole to come to the party. (This idea happened while watching Alice) I just thought that it would be /could be a good boy/girl party. There's the Mad Hatters Tea Party ... that's universal, Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum, The Doo doo, The smoking catapiller, the singing flowers , The cat... It's not like Alice is a princess that needs a prince to find and rescue her from what ever life she's subjected to... That would totally be a girl party! Just because the main character is female...

Anyways, I just want my two kids to have a wonderful time surrounded by the people who love them the most. Spending time with family is most important. Having fun, having lots of party games.. I'm telling you, it is alot of work on the parent!!!! Days upon days of preparation for a few hours of party fun... I hope they remember this(if not we'll probably have enough photos).

My babies (when they were babies)