Happy Birthday Natalie

That beautiful woman there is my "baby" sister Natalie, and her sweet little girl Juliana. Today is Natalie's 30th birthday. I thought of all the cool posts I could do (like the the one she did for my 30th bday) but I knew I would come up short....so I just copied her! (not the actual list, just the idea)

Here is my list of 30 things I love about Natalie:

1- She is my very best friend and has been since they brought her home 30 years ago
2- She is an amazing artist
3- Hands down the best person to play in the ocean with (hee hee hee I consider posting those pics, but um....no)
4- She talks to me pretty much EVERY day
5- Even though we talk every day, we never get tired of it
6- She works out 5 days a week. AWESOME!
7- She can make me laugh....even without trying
8- We love the same things...really, she has introduced me to some of my favorite things, and if I find something I love, I know that even if everyone else thinks I am crazy, Nat will like it too!
9- She is gorgeous
10- She was a really fun roomie
11- She has always been there to pick me up when I am down
12- We are so much alike. It is nice to have someone who understands all the crazy in this head of mine!
13- She is my biggest fan. If I am down, Natalie is right there to perk me up. Best personal cheerleader ever!
14- Dedicated mommy (Juliana is one lucky little girl)
15- If I haven't told Natalie about something it is like it hasn't happened. Sometimes I think we should have been twins :)
16- She is a very loyal friend.
17- My inspiration! Really, when I grow up, I'd like to be like Natalie
18- She will watch movie trailers, movies, etc, with me over the phone....Yes, we get our computers all synced up even if it takes a hilariously long time. I love it!
19- She loves my kids!
20- She is the best counselor I could ask for....and she is free!
21- She keeps my secrets. (and really, I have been confiding in her for 30 years so there are lots!)
22- She can finish my sentences.
23- She is easy to make laugh....really look at #22 and it applies to jokes too. If I am laughing she is too!
24- I joke that she stole my thunder since I was supposed to be the youngest....but really I would be lost without her!
25- She is a thoughtful friend and helps out whenever she can
26- She moved FAR away, but is still part of my everyday life
27- She is a very supportive wife
28- She is one of the few people I know I can always count on
29- She keeps me motivated (really this is a full time job seriously if last months cell phone bill is to be believed we talked for over 800 minutes last month!)
30- She is the best little sister a girl could ask for!

I love you so much Natalie!! I hope you have a really great day.

(and BTW I was just made aware of a very cool giveaway over at p.s. i quilt. It ends today though, so run on over now!)

Tomorrow.......or in a few days

I should never say I will show something tomorrow. Ignore me if I do. IT.NEVER.HAPPENS. Excuses?? Um....I have been busy the last few days.....I am not sure what I was busy with, I have very little to show for it, but I am tired and really swollen. (What is with that?) My bed is calling, but first I got another set of blocks from my swap so I thought I'd pop in and show them off today. Today is a promise that is easier to keep. I should write that down somewhere. Anyway, thank you so much Leisel and Jan (Thanks for setting me straight Jeanette! I look forward to getting yours, they look adorable!)

The Swap also needed to put together another group, so I volunteered. I had already wanted to make some additional ones for my Christmas quilt, and getting things in the mail is fun, so I started these today:

I am excited to put a quilt together. One question though, should I just piece them together as is or add sashing? Decisions, decisions......but first, I am behind on a few gifts for my sweet sis. Priorities! Natalie has a (BIG!) birthday tomorrow, and her gift(s) are still in progress. Love you Nat....and a package is coming (eventually) I swear! I would say that I will say a bit more about Natalie tomorrow, but you all know how that goes.......


Oh, and one last thing *eyes drooping* Heather over at Trends and Traditions is having a giveaway. You should check it out! Capri's quilt is a smaller version of one of her patterns (the Sunday Picnic quilt). She is giving away TWO (one mini and one regular size) of HER quilts and some charm packs with a pattern. I know! So go check it out!

Back so soon??

Two posts in less than a week?!? I know, right? Don't get used to it, but somehow order has had an effect on me. I am getting WAY more done. A clean house opens up the time to do things you never get around to. Who knew??

Over the last few months (and years really) all the crafty peeps on the internet have been showing off their gorgeous studios. I have poured over these pictures, turning a little more green with every click. I love to sew, A LOT. Having my own space to create would be a dream come true. For now, I am stuck in the reality of a 1100 square foot home (that I really do love most days) that doesn't even have room for my clothes, let alone my "studio". What is a girl to do?? I took over the dining room. This was not ideal for so many reasons, but mainly because the dining room is the room you walk into when you enter my home. You walk in, and see the table covered with 4 days worth of mail and stacks of fabric. You can't step without getting thread and fabric scraps stuck to your foot, and there are cords EVERYWHERE! My poor, sweet husband said very little and just lived with it. I know. Well, recently we did some rearranging (which prompted the cleaning I mentioned last time) and I finally got everything organized. I don't have a dedicated space, but I have one that works. Maybe someday I will have that gorgeous light filled studio, but for now, my dining room nook, works.

Here we are when everything is nicely tucked away:













And here is my "studio" in use:













Having a workable space has been great. I have been so productive. Yesterday, I finished up the second set of blocks for my Christmas swap:













They needed to add one more group, so I will do 6 more blocks. I love how they look together so much, that I think I will end up making a quilt for myself. The blocks I get in the swap will be used for a few pillows and a table runner......or maybe I will love the randomness of the whole thing and just go for a really scrappy Christmas quilt. We'll see. I did receive one set in the mail last week, and they are amazing. Perhaps I will share them tomorrow.....

Hello Internet

Long time no see eh? I had totally intended to post pics of my adventures (crafty and otherwise) while Janelle was here to visit, but in the middle of it all (on my birthday!) my camera was lost/stolen.......and stolen with it was my blogging mojo. But, I have a new camera and stuff to share. We will start small. Ok?? First up, recent cute pics of my adorable children taken with my fabulous new camera:

























While blog hopping recently, I came across a quilt block exchange. I have ALWAYS wanted to join a block exchange. Sounds great right?? Well, this was for scrappy Christmas blocks. I have strong feelings about Christmas quilts.....They seem so silly, why go to all the work for a quilt that is only out for 6 weeks a year max?? Right??? Wrong! I have been loving the Christmas stuff I have seen, and I like that many are more winter than Christmas. So I signed myself up. I am making 12 blocks for the exchange, and and additional four, two for me, two for a charity quilt. I tackled 1/2 the blocks last night. When I finished (at 4:30 am) I was unsure how I felt about them. Today I adore them. So you will too! :)


























One last thing, I think I should mention that during my absence, I have cleaned my house. Really cleaned it. It looks amazing. Yeah, yeah yeah, your house always looks nice, but mine??? A mess. Always. All the time. EXCEPT NOW!!! So if you want to come visit me now is the time. Really, come on over. I won't even pretend not to be home. :) But hurry, we are going on week 2 of cleanliness and order, and I am not sure I can keep it up much longer. ;)