the fame game

Last year, Beth & I started making this really awesome quilt called "sexy hexy". We finished our quilt tops last summer and they resided in a closet until now (I'm ashamed to say). But we have ambition in full force to cross that finish line. And honestly, the quilts are ADORABLE and we can't wait to use them out & about this summer at various activities.

Well, we are going to try to do the actual quilting ourselves, so the other day we started a google search to look for tips. Not long into browsing pictures, Beth said, "hey wait, go back!" And then we saw it - this total gem of a picture.

I know it's kind of hard to see, but if you go down to the second row, third image in from the left, you'll see us.

There we are: me, gram & Beth in all our glory.

We could not stop laughing!

Who knew that being google famous could be so fun.

merry christmas, gram

I finished my gram's Christmas presents and sent them off this weekend. Since starting chemo, she has been really tired and is spending more & more time in her room taking naps and resting. I wanted to make things that would bring cheer to her room and brighten it up.

I had so much fun cross stitching this pillow. So fun, in fact, I need to find another pattern quick because now I don't want to stop. I took this baby with me everywhere for a week and worked on it as I was out and about. I even brought it along to my mom's colonoscopy appointment (that was an adventure that deserves a post of its own!). I sat there in the waiting room with my embroidery hoop and cross stitched away. I've never had such a good time waiting for someone!

Pennant banners have been pretty popular and I wanted to give one a try. This picture is really quite dark and the patterns are much more vibrant in person. I made this to hang on my gram's wall so she can remember how much I love her. (We have a long standing joke that she loves me the most out of all the grandkids. I always sign my cards as love, the forever favorite).

My sister suggested to use a solid backing so the patterns wouldn't look all wonky when the sunlight shines through. (Brilliant!) I used this white polka dot backing on all the pennants and I love the subtle print.

Merry Christmas, gram! Next year we will celebrate Christmas together - I just know it!

monkey see, monkey do

I can't get enough of these little guys!

Beth and I wanted to work on a project today so we decided on sock monkeys. Finding good socks is no easy feat though, especially since we have now entered the winter season with blah colors. Luckily, Beth spotted these socks and they were perfect. We went for the classic sock monkey look.

It is so fun to watch as the socks transform and a cute monkey emerges.

This duo is so us. Similar, yet different & complementary. I love it. Thanks for a lovely afternoon, Beth! I can't wait for other fun projects (which includes bringing more sock monkeys into this world!)

new skirt

I have had my eye on paper bag skirts this week. They're all I could think about, and I couldn't wait to make one for myself.

Today was the day!

I originally saw the pattern here. Hers is WAY cuter than the one I made, but I thought I should just keep it simple so I could finish it today and not get frustrated since I am really just a sewing rookie.

I used the general idea from here, and sort of made it up as I went along. Next time I'll probably tweak the measurements and use a heavier material, but I still really like it.

I started out with these supplies,

then plopped myself at the dining room table & got to sewing with the Utah game on in the background. (see the hexagons on my sewing machine? love!)

Here's the finished project!

It looks a little naked without a tie, so I need to still add one. But I think it's pretty cute for a first go-around.

I am wearing it to the Temple tonight and to church tomorrow. This one's a keeper!

(Sorry for the dreadful picture quality, I was at home alone and couldn't wait to post any longer).

happy birthday, gram

You know what I'm over the moon about right now?

fun presents + something handmade + flying to vermont today to surprise my favorite person.

My gram is turning 85 on Sunday and I'm going to see her with my mom. She has no idea we're coming.

I really tried to think carefully about what I wanted to get her since it's a big year and I'm hardly ever with her on the actual day of her birth. (She lives with us half the year and in VT half the year - including August, her birthday month).

So let me show you:

1) a retro Fire King (similar to Pyrex) sunflower bowl (her favorite flower) to put all her sewing odds & ends in.

2) a vintage reproduction hexagon floral print fat quarter.

3) fresh saltwater taffy from the Taffy Station at Trolley Square.

Here's a closer look at the sunflowers. I was thrilled when I found this pattern.

And a project that started out as these yo yos...

and turned into this pillow!

My gram jump-started my interest in sewing and I wanted to make her something special. This pillow was made with a lot of love. I spent many hours choosing my gram's favorite yellow prints, making the yo yos, and piecing them all together.

I love, love, love how it turned out!

Sure love you, gram! I can't wait to see you later today!

I also have to thank my very nice uncle for giving me a Skymiles ticket. He flew my gram back to VT in June and stayed with us for a few days before taking her. I cried & cried before she left. She is honestly my little friend and such a HUGE part of my life. I always have a hard time when she has to go.

I kept telling my uncle that "one month would be terrible, but six months without seeing her was impossible". After letting me cry a few times over, he said that he would be happy to let me use one of his tickets and we (all my gram's kids plus me) could go surprise her in August.

It will truly be a happy birthday weekend, indeed!