to tell you the honest truth

collecting {and a giveaway}

Recently we took a quick trip downtown to the antique stores where I know I can find a few pyrex dishes.  I started collecting several months ago, typically just picking up one thing at a time.  This last time, I noticed the pyrex options very scarce so I snagged up these last couple pink and aqua cuties.  My friend, Jeni, is a queen pyrex collector, and has definitely inspired me to not forget about collecting.  I do that.  I start something, but then get so busy that I forget!  How silly.  I met Jeni in the 3 x 6 Sampler Mini Bee on flickr.  She is just darling!  (Hi Jeni!)

I had my eye on both of these the last time I was there, so I was happy to see them still there.  A couple times I have passed up buying the pink ones because I have just been focused on the aqua.  Then I regret not getting one!  Even though they don't match my red and aqua color scheme, I figure they will be great for Easter and for girly parties for Ava.  Plus, pink is just plain cute. 

I love the daisy pattern and the divider is so handy!

These are the aqua ones I have so far. 

I've had one mishap with a lovely large mixing bowl, so now I am a little protective of my pyrex!  They sit on the counter top until we get some child proof locks on the cabinets.

Pink and Aqua....so cute!

 

Last night my hubby came home with some chocolate for me.  I love any reason to use my tiny dish!

I hide it near my sewing mess.  :)

 

The other thing I have been collecting up.....slowly.....is the Martha Stewart kitchen items.  So far, this is what I have.

I love them because they aren't breakable!  They are melamine....kind of like hard plastic.  I also love them mainly because they are red and aqua.  Of course!

I also like to think of any reason to use these!

 

mmmmmmm!

 

Okay, one last thing I am starting to collect. 

These.

I love putting things in this too, but they are also so beautiful empty sitting in the window because of the perfect aqua coloring.  There are plenty in the antique stores downtown, so I know I can get several pretty easily.  Isn't the lid just cool?

Perfect. 

 

What are you collecting?

Tell me in the comments what you are collecting and I'll draw a name late tomorrow night for free embroidery patterns!  Whatever ones you want up to $20.  The sets are fine too!!  

Have a wonderful day!

Tasha

 

i'm totally excited to have finished this quilt.  like i said before, i started it FOREVER ago and then pregnancy and newborn life took over.  so, here it is, in all it's red and aqua glory!  i really do love it and had a great time making it.  weirdly enough, i did enjoy the stippling process and for some reason, like the binding process.  and i might add, that nothing is better than pulling a freshly laundered quilt from the dryer to see the new crinkly look the quilt has taken on.  oh, and finding a place to display the quilt is pure happiness!

 

This quilt was inspired by one I saw on Etsy in THIS SHOP.  I contacted Nettie and asked her if she would put a red and aqua scrap pack together for me and I told her I trusted her judgment of fabrics to include.  She did not disappoint, as I received a wonderful collection of popular designer fabrics and super cutie Japanese imports.  I also had several red and aqua's of my own to add to the mix.  Even though that was a LONG time ago, I still like to follow what Nettie is doing on her blog, A QUILT IS NICE.  It's always inspiring.  Thank you Nettie!  :)

 

The wind blew the quilt just perfectly so you can see the backing.  Because I work within a (small) budget, I usually have smaller amounts of fabric in my stash.  Even though I would have loved to go purchase the new fabric that I had envisioned being the "perfect backing" or what I wanted for the binding, I used what I had on hand.  The pro to this "being on a budget", is that it forces a little more creative thinking on my part, which has always led to, in my opinion, a more interesting outcome.  The rest of the white, the aqua polka dots and the cherries were cut into different widths, for a striped, pieced backing.  The binding was also pieced and I love it! 

 

 

Now, I need to make another to keep the house extra cozy for the winter months ahead!

Tasha

little tote

I'll be teaching a little sewing class for a mid-week activity at church.  It was suggested to me that a tote bag might be an item of interest.  I guess I'll find out!  The class isn't until October, but hopefully it won't be a total flop!  Either way, I love my new little tote!  If you do want to know about how to make the tote, it's just a tutorial I followed on The Purl Bee.  Totally easy.  I was excited to find that Pacific Fabrics is now carrying a selection of Japanese Import fabrics and had this cute Red Riding Hood one I have seen online before.  It was fun working with some new colors, not that I don't still love my pink, red and aqua friends. 

The tote is magazine sized.  The tutorial would be EASILY altered for bigger or smaller. 

 

ttfn!

sweet things

New Lollies for Ava's room!

Remember this:

 

Now, it's also an embroidery pattern!

 

Not exactly what this will turn in to, but I like it.  Pete said her shoes look like they are floating, so I probably need a better skin color thread next time. (I was using what I had on hand).  This is also my first attempt at doing a log cabin quilt block, and I like it too.  If you notice any un-even-ness, that is because it is suppose to be "wonky"....that's what the quilting world calls it....the wonky log cabin.  My wonky-ness is very slight compared to some.  I was able to use some fabrics I swapped for too, so that was a highlight for me.  Anyway, that's what I've been up to lately.

Have a great day!

the nursery...

....or should I just say it?!  AVA's ROOM!!!  It's so totally cute that I go sit in there daily.  I've had some good excuses though, like putting away all my wonderful baby shower gifts and hanging up a few things, moving things around and just staring and more staring.  We all just LOVE IT!  We have a few odds and ends to still take care of, like the baseboard trim and another coat of paint on one wall, hemming the curtains and sewing the ends of the crib bumper together.  I'm sure it will be a work in progress too as I add new little things and move things around.  It will be essentially, Ava's Room and my PLAYroom.  The girly-ness will now be pouring out of me folks!  But what do you expect?  So, on with the pic's! 

First off, the view from the doorway. (above)

Crib bumper made by me and crib quilt made by my sister-in-law, Kerri.  She knew what colors I was doing for the room and also knew which fabrics I loved because of my Etsy Favorites, that is how she was able to coordinate it so well.  Not to mention the fact that she can't keep a secret so I knew she was making it.  A couple times she asked me about different fabrics for the quilt.  It got me off the hook for making one myself for Ava at the moment.  I still plan to make one too, but at least I can take my time.  I have a lot of the same fabrics that Kerri used so everything will coordinate, but still be different.  I am also so happy to finally have a place to hang the peg rack from our old house in Tacoma.

AVA letters painted, distressed and glittered by me!  Letters from Joann's for cheap.

I had a berry garland that wasn't being used so I bought a super cheap grapevine wreath at Joann's and added some pretty glittery butterfly's that were actually sold at Target in the Christmas tree decorations.  I didn't know what I would do with them at the time, but I think they found a perfect home!

Closer view of the bumper and quilt!  I LOVE this beautiful quilt!  As you can see, I am still waiting on my crib skirt I bought off e bay.

I am so happy I decided to paint the dresser a light aqua instead of pink.  We still have the little nightstand to paint as well.  And I need to find some cute pink "glass" knobs for the middle drawer. 

A little closer view of the dresser.  Remember this was a $40 Craig's List find!  I sanded it first to rough it up, then Pete did the first couple coats of painting.  I did the final touch ups and then sanded the edges.  It's so cute!  I am happy that one of my drawings matches perfectly and I love the little doll that Kerri made. 

I love this adorable lamp the Kerri found at an antique store...it's perfect!  I made the round box from a paper mache box from Joann's and some vintage wallpaper I bought off e bay.  The trim is vintage from my mom's old stash.  Kerri also made the sweet little booties in some of my favorite fabrics. 

How sweet are THEY?!! 

I am thrilled to finally have a chair for one of my baby's rooms!  I found another Ikea Ektorp chair on Craig's List for just $90.  (I did put in a wanted add and got several replies!)  The chair we bought was in MUCH nicer condition than the chair we already had so we ended putting the old chair in the baby's room and the Craig's List chair in the living room.  The CL chair had a very nice sagey green slipcover, but of course I am using my white one here.  Kerri made the doll quilt on the back of the chair and I made the small quilt on the arm of the chair.  Sorry I didn't straighten out the wrinkles before I took the picture!  oops.  :)

Here is a closer view of the doll quilt from Kerri.  I may end up hanging it on the wall, but for now I think it looks cute here!  Each center square is a "forest friend".  Austin likes finding the different animals. 

Little dishes I saw at Target....they were an instant must have item!  Some of the silverware has been misplaced by Austin.  I love my little shelf that runs around the room so I can set things on it.  Something I have always loved when looking at magazines.

Kerri mentioned that she saw some curtains in Pottery Barn that had a bunch of colorful ribbons at the top, so that's where I got the idea to do this.  I loved how it made the project fast to do instead of making ties from fabric.  I think I have mentioned before that I am not always the most patient sewer/crafter.....so the faster, the better.  I actually did use some skinny fabric strips and didn't worry about the unfinished edges.  I love the shabby look it gives.  Oh, I also painted the rod.

And of course, this darling banner was made by Kerri also.  She called me one night because she couldn't decide what fabrics to use since there is just a limited amount of triangles.  Since we are both a little obsessed with fabrics right now, we actually know them by designer and name so she went through her fabrics over the phone and I chose the ones for the banner.  I think there were a couple extras that she was able to fit and so they were surprises!  These are very popular on Etsy right now and on Flickr!

So, here's a good beginning and ending comparison:

I would also like to add that Pete is amazing and this would never look so stinkin cute if it wasn't for him and all his hard work.  We both did the painting of the beadboard, mostly me, but he installed everything to absolute perfection!  Even when I would say, "Oh, don't worry, that's no big deal, no one will notice...", he insisted on getting it all perfect!  He also has not once peeped about how much I was spending or fussing over the room or if I came home with another little outfit.  I think he has understood and I couldn't be more appreciative. 

Also, thanks to Ben, Pete's brother who helped out when he was visiting during Christmas break.  Can you believe it actually got finished?

And to Kerri, who's "cuter than ever", handmade items, have added so much to the room! 

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!  It's the cutest room ever!  Come see for yourself!  :)

this and that...

I made some cute pillows!  I have been wanting to do this for ages so I am pretty happy with myself that I finally did it.  Partly because I am having my shower here at the house this weekend and my couch pillows are getting pretty shabby...and not the chic kind.  Plus, I am pretty sure I am "nesting" lately, wanting to get things organized and cleaned up.  I cleaned out my pantry this week and the hall closet...everyone helped with that along with getting Christmas things put away.  Mostly, Pete and I have been working on the baby's room, so the house is in a bit of disarray.  But, some cute things are happening, so it's all good!  :)

Of course, Austin wanted to get in on some picture taking action.

IN OTHER NEWS:

We are so excited that Taylor is in a school play!  Every year the Missoula Children's Theatre comes to the school for just a week.  It is a professionally trained group that actually travels all around.  They audition the kids and have a week of long after school practices.  Like today we don't see Taylor until 8pm, but so far he is having so much fun and wants to do it next year.  He got the part of one of six silly goats.  He is taking his part seriously and reading his lines on his own at night.  Performance is on Saturday at 6pm and I can't wait!  Some of you know that I did theatre classes in junior high and LOVED it.  I know...it's shocking since I can hardly stand to say the prayer at church now, but anyway...I love seeing one of my kids enjoy the stage action like I once did.  YAY Taylor!  :)

BABY UPDATE:

So apparently I am measuring small........K....that has never happened in the history of my pregnancies.   I am measuring 32 and I should be at 35, so my doctor is having me do weekly ultrasounds until delivery to ensure the baby is healthy and all.  I had my an ultrasound yesterday and she (yes, it is STILL a she) was being a good baby and doing her "practice breathing" and that was pretty cool.  So, all is well, but that is what is going on.

That's all.  Have a great day!

new baby date!

So looks like I'm in luck because my doctor is going out of town!  He knows I am always early and most likely wouldn't make it till he gets back.  He gave me a February 5th option to be induced.  I'll gladly take that!  That leaves us with about 4 and a 1/2 weeks till baby arrives!  He was suggesting an amniocentisis before hand to ensure baby's lung development, but not sure if he meant I HAD to have one for him to induce or that it was my choice.....still have to ask some questions there.  Maybe she will just come even earlier and I won't have to worry about that.  Anyway, meanwhile......we have some work to get done!  Here's a couple hints.  ;)

C-ya! 

done!

I am loving my new Christmas quilt!  I took longer to get it done than I hoped, but mostly because of busy-ness, not procrastination.  (Usually it would be procrastination, but really...not this time!)  The quilting was pretty time consuming...probably took 6 hours (guessing).  The whole thing was about a 15 hour project.  Give or take a few.  (guessing again).  The backing is a super soft white striped minky, which I am so glad I used especially for this time of year when you really want to be cozy.  Size is approx.  45"x50".  Got the instructions here on Crazy Mom Quilts blog.  She is very inspiring and makes quilts like crazy!

Last weekend we also enjoyed having Pete's sister, Katrina, stay with us for a couple days.  She was in town from Arizona for Maria's wedding.  Little Adin is so cute and my boys absolutely adored him!  Although we stayed home, after all the "wedding rushing about", we had fun chatting, lounging around, making soaps, decorating gingerbread houses, more chatting, watching snow fall, and Katrina, being the cool Aunt that she is, made us all hot chocolate when I didn't feel like moving!   Pete worked  ALL weekend so I was extra happy to have the company.  

We miss you both already!  :)

sweetie things

I just love this....I think I will try to make one though, kinda pricey.  I found it on a cute little website called The Baby Gardner.  (I did a link!)  It has cute vintage-y things.  I could just stare at this all day!

....goes with my paint swatches too! 

Saturday we picked up a sweetie little dresser and nightstand found on Craig's List for super cheap, that will soon be wearing one of these lovely shades of pink.   Can't wait!

C-ya!

thanksgiving

This year we stayed home and hosted dinner at our house with some of Pete's side of the family as guests.  Paul and Kerri came with their six kids and then Pete's mom and his youngest brother, Ben, were able to come from California for the weekend.  Pete did an amazing job cooking the turkey, as usual.  I know it is terrible that I have never made a turkey, but the raw animal meat just gets to me and Pete is so willing.  He makes the best mashed potatoes and gravy too!  I think my family would starve without him.  He even made pumpkin pie this year, that Isaac pretty much claimed as his own and snarfed most of it down himself. 

Don't worry, I wasn't completely useless.  I always help Pete with prep work and am an excellent assistant. :)  I made a veggie tray and made our family favorite Beau Monde dip.   I also made some artichoke dip that is another favorite recipe ever since my friend, Rachael, made it for a church function, like what, 6 or 7 years ago?!  (Time flies!)  Of course, I also did my duty by getting the house ready and cleaned up for guests and had fun providing an activity for the kids.  We bought some inexpensive fabric for the kids to use for dressing up as Indians.  (No, I didn't sew, just cut things up!).  They earned feathers by telling me something about Thanksgiving and then telling me things they were thankful for.  I hope they had fun dressing up...I think they did. 

It was a busy day, but we enjoyed having Pete's family around.  We hadn't celebrated any holidays with his side for several years because of moves out of state, but now we have some who have moved back to Washington, so it's a lot of fun.  And of course, it is so fun for the kids to have relatives around more often.

Pete and Taylor playing Jenga!

Caleb and Uncle Ben playing Yahtzee!  (Caleb is a complete addict!)

We appreciate Ben so much because even though he is a senior in high school, he still hangs out with all our boys, playing games, playing the nintendo and jumping on the trampoline.  They think he is the coolest!  Thanks Ben.  :)

Here's Isaac chatting it up with Grandma Suzy!  I think he is telling her about someone at school who isn't very nice.  :)

Unfortunately, for the rest the weekend Pete had to work like a mad dog.  It isn't normal for a deadline to be the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend, but this year that was the case, so he didn't get too much of a break.  Thankfully he works at home so it doesn't seem quite as bad.  However, he did get up early to play basketball at the church on Friday and he took Ben along.  When he got home, even though he had lots of work to do, he let me go shopping for a few hours by myself.  (Not that he minded vegging out on the Nintendo).  I only lasted for a few stores anyway before I was worn out, so it was plenty of time to hit Gymboree, Pacific Fabrics and JoAnne's...remember I have that Christmas quilt to finish up! 

The remainder of the weekend was pretty much spent watching some good Christmas rental movies and Kung Fu Panda and also playing more video games and board games.  Not to mention a few of us taking a turn with the flu villain. 

I also started the Christmas decorating so the house is now looking more like this:

What about yours?!  I hope to see how you decorate your house at Christmas time!  :) 

Happy Holidays!