New Love, Elsie LO's

These were fun to make. Thanks for looking.

Minibook for Katy.

KT, you might read this before you get your present so be warned that if you keep scrolling down, you'll ruin your surprise. But, if you can't wait, you can peek.
I'm the worst at forgetting birthdays, as documented here. So, I decided to at least make it a point to try to get something in the mail on time.
Didn't happen! But, it did get started. And it'll be there very soon after your birthday. I'm just proud that I was able to finish it before the 12th.
So, Katy, I hope you feel celebrated on Sunday and have sweet moments with your bearded hubby, and that your doggies are extra nice. Happy 27th! Here's your present!



More pics here.

Getting Started

I'm into chapter three.
I'm sure our neighbors are laughing from their windows while I wrestle with the baby swing and stool on one side and baby and book on the other, through the front door and onto the lawn. I'm trying to make the most of swing time. Usually S will stay out there for about 20 minutes before he's ready to explore again so I speed read.

A new challenge up on the Red Velvet Kit Club blog. Look for new LO's here today or tomorrow.


If you've finished the book, proudly leave your comment! (Don't tell me what happens.)

Self-Portrait Thursday

Two days ago I decided I wanted to dress up. I put on the new gold heels, a black and blue skirt from Target, a cream cardigan from a store in OK., and my new favorite necklace and earrings. Everyone that came home from work saw me and asked me what the occasion was.
I said, "Its pretty Momma day."
"Oh."

Send a link of your self-portrait today. We want to see.

Everyone's Invited!

If you haven't already been on Elsie's blog all day long, head over and meet the Love, Elsie DT, see some new LO's and try the new challenge. You may just win yourself a complimentary kit from the Red Velvet Kit Club. And don't forget to leave a comment or two! There are prizes to be won! I love being on this DT because the product is so unique and the girls are so talented. Its a great mix of styles and personalities and we've just added two more fabulous ladies! Check out the links on the side and introduce yourself.

Here's a sneak peek at a baby quilt I've been working on from the scraps of the last large quilt I finished. Its for my good friend, Danielle, who is having her second baby in Nov. Brett and I lived with Danielle and Wade and helped care for their son, Josh, pretty much from birth until 18 months when we both moved away to different states. It was such a fantastic experience for us now that I look back. We got to learn what being parents looks like behind the scenes. We found out we were pregnant with Sebastian at the end of our stay together and felt so relieved to have close friends to share our joy and anxieties. We love them dearly and are so excited to help welcome baby Addison into the world. Danielle and Josh were back in Oklahoma at the same time as us so we were able to spend some time together on vacation. She's one of the loveliest pregnant women I've ever seen.
So, congratulations Danielle and Wade and Josh!!! We love you.

New LO's

I used the August Paper Kit for these two LO's. You can get your own here.

The hair has always been wild.

I was rummaging through old pics tonight and just had to set a few aside to scrap with. Someday, right?
We totally had a scooter. Until somebody we knew crashed it. This is with my Uncle Steve and little brother.

Backseat of my favorite childhood stationwagon.

I think I had my baby tied around my waist while I was swinging.

I got my brother in the bathtub for Mom.

I didn't have hair until I was two years old. Little did I know, I'd never need curlers.

I've always had a thing for Pirates.

This was my junior year of high school. My hair has never been this long or tame since.

I think my next project is going to be a mini book full of polaroids. I can't let all of these fabulous pics sit in a grocery bag in the upstairs hall closet.

Pics from Vacation

Learning to sew with Great-Grandma

Swimming with Dad and Aunt Jamie

He was napping inside but apparently heard how much fun we were having outside and wanted to join us.

The dog was confused as to why the baby voluntarily crawled into the cage.

Riding the carousel with Grandma Mary.

Elsie and Emma came to see us!!! We went to the bookstore and later did a photo shoot. Of course.

Aunt Brittany is hot. She's got the LOCKS!

Sebastian with 'Aunt' Katy. We've adopted her. She brings Sebastian fun books to read and he likes to play with her camera.

Swinging is his favorite.

The Winners!

I read every one of your comments and I'm proud of you de-lurkers. The four winners are:

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jodie m said...
Love these albums! I have been reading your blog for about 4 months now and I love it. Always gives me such great ideas. Thanks heaps for the give away!!

Jodie
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stephanie southwick said...

I am one of those lurkers! I have been reading for probably 2 or 3 months. I also love your account on sistv.
-Stephanie
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linda in sweden said...
I have been reading your blog since you started it. I really like your style and you make wonderful things.
Thanks for being such an inspiration.

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rachael said...
i have been reading your blog for sometime-i'm not sure how long-but it's one of those on and off things. i'm not like stalking your blog but i do check in!
-Rachael
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So, once you girls read this, e-mail me @ Redvelvetart@hotmail.com with your home address and list these albums in order of your favorite with #1 being your most fav.

That was fun. If you haven't stopped by the RED VELVET blog in awhile, we're doing a SwapJack. Check out the details and send me your info. before Aug. 17th to play with us.

Also, check out those fun shoes I got while I was in OKlahoma. I'm using this pic in a LO for the August Paper Kit. Should be posted on the Red Velvet Kit Club blog sometime on Monday.

Thanks for the comments about this blog and the others. It makes me happy.

Oh, and a blogger that makes life feel 'so worth it'.

Sharing the Love.

WHO WANTS ONE?


I'm giving away four chipboard albums from the Lola and Riley collections. All you have to do is leave your name and how long you've been reading this blog. Its kind of a delurking opportunity for those who wish to remain anonymous or feel a little shy about leaving comments. I'll pick four winners at random on Sunday night and post your names to let you know you've won.

A big thanks to Elsie and KI Memories for designing such beautiful things to work with!

I'm back!

Not quite to California but back to internet access. I finally got the kit info. posted last night and a nice typepad fairy fixed the picture size for me.(thanks E)

I've got a lot of pics from our trip that I'd like to share but they'll have to wait until I can work on them in Cali. I did want to show you the fun box I got in the mail last week! I've done two LO's for the *Love,Elsie* DT with them and I'll be doing a give away later this weekend with the extra product! A girl can only use so much, right!




I used the Lola and Riley lines at Hobby Lobby for these two LO's. Love them!!! If you don't have a Hobby Lobby near you, check out this site.



Thanks for looking! More soon.

And she became a little sad that it was over.

Jessica's quilt is finally finished. BIG THANKS to my mother who watched Sebastian all afternoon yesterday while I sewed the three layers together! Its such a good feeling to know that I made this with my little blingy machine and that I can do another one for myself someday! These fabrics are so beautiful together and with the chenille backing and coordinating binding, its truly a special piece. Jessica, you're going to stay toasty warm this winter!
Thank you for the comments along the way. I enjoyed this big project and especially enjoyed meeting someone online that turned out to be someone I would have gotten along with really well if we had gone to college together.

We're flying away tomorrow at noon for three weeks of family get togethers in the Midwest. The machine stays here. I've been thinking of projects I could bring with me to work on while S naps in MO and OK but I know I'm kidding myself. I think it'll be a sweet time to let the crafting rest and give some time to the people I don't see often enough. I'll still be connected to the internet so I'm not disappearing, just relocating for awhile. Sebastian gets to see Brett's family for the first time since October '06 and I think we'll get a fun visit from high school friends and Elsie and Emma!

So, here's to safe travels and smooth transitions. If you're the praying kind, I'd love to be on your list tomorrow.

July Project Kit! Display Board

This kit contains everything you need to create a personalized display board to hang your latest 6" x 12' LO or magazine clipping inspiration with your perfectly coordinated fabric-covered pushpins. Embroidery kit comes with instructions and is designed for beginners. Cork tile hangs easily to your wall with the foam tape provided. This personalized display board is the perfect way to add a punch of color to your creative space!

Go get your kit before they sell out!

July Project Kit Sneak Peek!

Ooh, I can't wait to show you the full kit!

This month we're using these FABULOUS embroidery patterns from SUBLIME STITCHING as the focus of our Project Kit. I've been wanting to work these into a kit ever since we started the club so I'm really excited to see how this comes together in our examples and your own finished projects!

The kit also includes fabrics from Heather Bailey and Amy Butler, two of my favorite designers! And if you've always wanted a way to display inspiration or your latest 6" x 12" LO or cards, this is the kit to do it! Can we say, 'Make your own fabric covered buttons'?

Check the RVKC blog on the 15th for full details!

WIP Quilt

So, the whole quilt top is sewn together! Thats the hard part, right? Right? I went to JoAnne's for more chenille and left an hour later without chenille but with a copy of the 100th CK issue that you all told me about. (My mom's copy)
I spent some time working with a very helpful Susie who didn't know how to find the SKU # for the Cream Chenille that they were out of. I was hoping to place a special order but finally we both decided that it would be faster for me to just come back tomorrow when they get their new shipment in to see if its back in stock. Otherwise, a 6-8 week waiting game. Well, thats time I don't have.

Sebastian flirted with the ladies in line behind us. I almost flipped to the back of the issue to show him off but I resisted. I didn't think they'd be as excited as my mom. Speaking of the fabulous Elsie...if you haven't seen her new blog and heard about the latest exciting news, you'd better get moving! Its in stores already because I've seen it posted on SisTv.

Happy Wednesday.