It's a HOOT! Quilt

My second ever quilt is finally done! Only took me three and a half years, and that's ok.  What started out as a baby quilt is really more appropriately sized for a toddler anyway.  And she does love it so.  Several weeks ago I pulled it out in it's quilted but unbound state to show a friend that was visiting, and Lydia was so excited that it was for her and wanted to keep and use it right away. Now that I've actually done the binding, and see how easy it was, I feel a bit silly that this quilt has been sitting for over a year awaiting this final step.  

Getting the top put together was the easy part. In my pre-baby fabric purchasing frenzy I also selected a couple of charm packs from the It's a HOOT! collection by MoMo for Moda.  Hours were spent sitting on the nursery floor, arranging and rearranging each little square until I had just the right combination and balance of color.  All the while dreaming of the new baby, so long awaited, that would soon join our family.  What would she look like? What would sort of personality would she have? What fun it will be to raise a daughter! Just as this quilt has come together bit by bit, so too is my dear Lydia growing to be such a fine little lady.  

It melts my heart each time I hear her say "Mama, this is my special quilt that you made for me",  and to hear in her voice that she knows it was an act of love. That's what mama crafting is really all about, isn't it? A tangible, snuggly bit of love, crafted specially for those we hold most dear.

As good as Grandma's

There has been an awful lot of cookie baking going on around here lately, and none of it by me.  Since reading The Doorbell Rang with Lydia, she had been requesting to bake some chocolate chip cookies of our own. Knowing that he enjoys making them, I suggested that perhaps she might make some with her papa. Aprons on(or 'pockets' as they are called around here) and chocolate chips in hand they got to work, while mama got some much needed rest. The joy and laughter that wafted my way was as sweet as the cookies themselves, which were almost as good as grandma's. 

{this moment}

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{this moment} ~ Following along with Amanda's Friday ritual.  A single photo - no words -  capturing a simple, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. 

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Nursery Rhyme Quilt

My wonderful sister Laura recently completed the last finishing touches on a baby quilt she's been working on for Evangeline.  So much love went into the fine details of this sweet baby quilt.  The dresden plate and Sun Bonnet Sue are in memory of Robert's mother. Many of the quilts she was known for making, including our wedding quilt, were made up of many squares with dresden plates.  Among her massive collection of fabric (which, sadly, I was unable to take with us when we moved from Alaska) there were several different pieces featuring Sun Bonnet Sue.  

I feel like I notice something new each time I get the chance for a closer look, when it's not being snuggled by an equally sweet little girl.  Like the flower detail on the shoes,tight little quilting on the white spaces, sunburst quilting around the dresden, and even flowers stitched around the binding. All done freehand on her sewing machine! 

Not only is this quilt a delight to look at, Evangeline seems to think it's perfect for snuggling up in too. And why not share with a friend or two while she's at it?  I truly special gift that will be cherished for many years to come.  Thank you Auntie Laura!

Why?

I've been thinking a lot lately of my purpose for creating and writing in this space.  Why am I doing it?  Does it mater what I write about, or if anyone else ever finds and reads what I have to say.  Though I think the title does a fair job of telling what I endeavor to write about, I'd like to try and articulate, mostly for myself, the why behind it.  

As a homemaker, and mother of little ones, it can be very easy for days and even weeks to go by feeling as if nothing has been accomplished.  A lot of the same things happen every day, meal prep and clean up, diapers and laundry, bath and bed.  In between all of the  necessary tasks of raising a family and maintaining a home, I strive to make a little time to nurture my own creativity.

By documenting even the smallest amount of tangible creative efforts, I am able to look back and see that, yes I have indeed *done* something. This encourages me to continue on in spite of the everyday bits of living that often cause me to push many of the things that I enjoy to the back burner for some day. I choose for 'some day' to be *today*, and every day!

Of course there is the ever important and daily task of nurturing and guiding children as they learn and grow.  I am encouraged in my mothering as I capture moments of wonder along the way that show the fruits of my efforts beginning to blossom. I am in awe of each of my dear children, and honored to share with them the wonder of home.

It's a HOOT! Mei Tai

 With last week being International Babywearing Week, I was reminded that I've never shared the mei tai that my mom made while she was visiting me in anticipation of Lydia's birth. I am very lucky to have such a talented seamstress as a mother! I credit her with the crafty talent that my sisters and I all share.  

As soon as we found out that we were expecting a girl I spent hours and hours dreaming up cute outfits and the perfect nursery decor.  While shopping with a couple of my sisters I fell in love with the It's a HOOT! collection by MoMo for Moda Fabrics. Even though I didn't have any pattern's to go by at the time, I picked out a few print's in the amounts I guessed that I would need.  More is always better when fiber shopping, right? Needless to say I had plenty left over for other projects after the bedding was complete.  Ha! to this day I *still* have fabric left over from that collection.  

Robert and I had waited a long time to be blessed with our first child, so I had already had lots of time to research and think about the way I would someday mother and raise my children.  The idea of carrying my precious baby close to my heart has always resonated with me and the vision I have of parenting. Whilst researching all the options available I came across a very thorough tutorial for a hood to headrest mei tai.

As we waited for Lydia's arrival our time was spent either sewing or visiting the different fabric stores around town for more supplies.  She certainly took her sweet time deciding to come into the world, so we had plenty of time to squeeze in one more project.  I did help a little but my mom did most of the sewing since I was still gaining confidence in my sewing abilities at the time.  The instructions in the tutorial are so detailed that it came together beautifully.  

I have mostly used it for front carries with young babies and the headrest is so handy for that. Recently I've discovered that I love it even more for back carries.  The construction is so sturdy that it even holds Lydia all these years later!  With each new baby that we welcome into our family, the memories in this carrier build and it becomes that much dearer to me.  I'm already dreaming of snuggling our new baby boy in it!

A new look!

After nearly three years in this space, we finally have a new look!  I've been wanting to make a change for some time now, but just haven't gotten around to it. This weekend I decided it was time to really start looking for something that might be the right fit.  There were so many lovely options available that I was beginning to think it would be a tough choice to narrow the contenders down to just one winner; until I saw this look, and knew it was just perfect for right now. If you can't tell, I really am *over the moon* pleased with the change!

~What do you think of the new look?