Summer Randomness in Photos

I am a self-proclaimed blog stalker.  After checking my usual blogs, I check in on people who I may not know as well or have never met at all to see what is happening in their lives.  My life is great, but I like to see what other challenges, happy times and everything else they are going through.  In my stalking today, I ran across someone who had a post about some random funny summer pics and thought that was such a cute idea.  I put the "good" photos on here but sometimes forget the "stuff" that just happens...Enjoy!

I see this face a lot...from all out tears to pure happiness in seconds.  Amazing.




Newest silly face - Kate does EVERYTHING Jack does.


Attempt at "studio photo" in the house.


My loves.


Recent beach trip


Our little swimmer at the beach.

Sewing - I Might Have a Problem

I might be a tad out of control.  I am addicted to sewing.  I have in my mind to make most of Kate's clothes for the winter and fall, but that probably won't happen.  I am just enjoying learning and growing in the craft.  Last week I was at Wal-Mart and all their pre-cut fabric was $1/yard for cute stuff, so I picked up 18 yards and am already using some for projects.  I have also made a few things for myself and another outfit for Jack.

Something I am really excited about is a Sewing Group at our church.  We are going to do a devotion, sew for fun and sew for others.  We will make stuff for places like homeless shelters, children in need and new mothers.  I am super excited about God using something I and several women in our church like to grow His kingdom!







Knotty-Apron Shirt


Dino Shorts and Applique Shirt


I finally got around to making pillows for our couch we have had about 4 months.  I made 4 of them and put zippers on all of them to be able to take them off and wash them.  They tend to get dirty with the kids.


Double Ruffle Pants - Mary Abreu's Little Girls, Big Style Book.  This outfit cost me about $8.  I would say that is pretty good deal for handmade clothes are cute!


Up next we have are keeping it pretty low-key except for a girls getaway/business trip with my mom to San Antonio in a few weeks and Jack and Kate's birthdays!  In the meantime, I will probably be sewing and taking pictures.

Sewing Night and the Tana Tutu Dress

Last Thursday night I hosted a sewing tutorial night.  People could bring whatever they wanted to do, but I  showed some how to even use their machine and others how to work on other projects.  We had lots of pillowcase dresses made, a pair of shorts and applique shirt for a little boy and a yoke dress.  It was a lot of fun and I loved sharing with the girls how to sew for their little ones or someone else.  We ate pie, laughed and ooohhhed and aaahhhhed over the finished products.  Next time, I think we will have it at the church so we can have more people and I don't make Craig stay up in our room until 11:45!  Great job ladies...

I also found this Tana Tutu Pattern and it can be made reversible!  Between the two pieces, you add the tulle and it makes it have a tutu feel.  The butterfly side she can wear for a while and the Happy Birthday side she is wearing to church on her birthday Sunday, August 28!  And, you will be happy to know I made something for Craig.  He got some flannel PJ shorts with golf balls and tees on them.  He was happy and now he will maybe get off my back and stop saying, "when are you going to make me something??"  

Finally, yesterday was our 8th anniversary.  These past 8 years we have grown up, grown together, become parents, established our careers and hopefully matured in our marriage and in Christ so we can have 50 more wonderful years.  We compliment each other and that makes us work.  He is calm and I am not.  He is more reserved and I am more outgoing.  He is a thinker and I am doer.  It works and I am glad God chose us to work together.  Happy Anniversary, Craig!

Summer Sewing Projects

Between all our June and July activities, I haven't blogged much about what I have been up to with my sewing.  I have more ideas and fabric than I do time, but I am managing to squeeze a few projects in here and there.  I am starting to branch out and work on more challenging projects.  I did my first zipper and have worked with piping.

Children's Corner - Hillary - I was disappointed I didn't make Kate a dress for Easter, so I put that behind me and whipped this out for a cute summer dress.


Sew Sweet Patterns - Saffron Romper - Loving this for summer!
    

Whale applique shirt and shorts - Loved this pattern and I like the way the whale applique came out.  Shorts are Sew Sweet Patterns - Lucy Shorts


Close up of side button detail


4th of July dress - McCalls Yoke Dress Pattern


First Zipper!


Sew Sweet Patterns - Reversable Harper Dress (Side 1) - Kind of disappointed here.  This is a size 2, but way to short to be a dress.  So, we will add some leggings and make it a long shirt for school.


Sew Sweet Patterns - Harper Reversable Dress (Side 2)


This was my biggest challenge - Made by Rae Toddler Backpack.  It took me some time, but I finished it and happy with the final product. This will be for Kate for preschool in the fall.  I am thinking I will get her name embroidered on it too.




Ready for school!


Yes, all of these are for Kate, but I have something in the works for Jack.  He has requested something dinosaurs, so I will be making him something soon.  Tomorrow night I am hosting a sewing night and teaching some girls how to sew or improve on their sewing.  Super excited!

Fourth of July

It is already the middle of July and I haven't blogged about July!  After our trip to KC, we chilled for a week and then had July 4th!  This is probably my second favorite holiday behind Easter.  I love being an American, red, white and blue and am so thankful I was born in a country where I have the freedom to worship my God.  We went to my parents and had a little cookout with the pool and stuff involved.  The Eikelands came over and made our grand total of 8 kids!  We swam, ate and chilled.  A very nice day...



All-American Baby!




B-Man Chilling in the Pool


Next post will be some sewing updates...I have been busy!

Reese's Build-A-Bear

After our big trip, we needed some girl time and boy time.  The boys went to see Cars 2 and the girls met at the mall to do a Build-A-Bear for Reese.  She grew SO much while I was gone and I couldn't believe how big she got in just a few weeks.  My mom has done one of these for all the grandkids, usually before they are born, but we got the older sisters, Claire and Paige involved this time.  Here is what each child has...Jack - Cow, Blake - Elephant, Paige - Bunny, Claire - Cat, Kate - Bear, Reese - Dalmation Dog.  My parents keep them at their house and they can play with them, but they represent all the kids.  It was a fun day and the girls enjoyed picking out the clothes and got a few princess outfits for their Bunny and Cat.

Getting the hearts ready to put in the doggie

 Paige washing the doggie

 The 4 girls - love these girls!

Kansas City - Part 3

Our final full day in Kansas City was actually spent in Topeka at the Topeka Zoo.  It was small enough to a half-day trip, but big enough to have some great animals to see close up.













Across the street from the Zoo is Gage Park and they have a miniature train that runs through the park.  We had to do that because Jack loves trains and it was fun to see everything.

We flew home on Thursday after a great week and enjoyed our time with family.  Here are some other random photos of the week...

And, finally, this little pole in the background is a tornado siren.  We don't have those here and they do in Kansas.  I was just glad none went off while we were there.

Thank you mom, Brian, Debby, Gramma and Pa for a great week!  We enjoyed it so much and we will come back.