Making Progress!

The best part, is that Tate (age 4) is motivating me to continue working on this quilt. I let him run the sewing machine, and he thinks it is really fun. He steps on the pedal and I say "GO" or "STOP" and he follows accordingly. He has only almost gotten my finger once...

There is no deadline for this...we just create when we have those moments in the evening when we need a change in activity. For instance, tonight we made just one block, and that was enough.

Home Sweet Home Holiday

(That's apple juice in the glass, not wine!!)

I really like when Tate is home from school. Instead of feeling frustrated with what to do, we get into a nice rhythm that I don't want to come out of when school starts back up. Yep, I could totally homeschool my kid.

As we have been home, I find myself being freshly inspired by many websites. I am looking for ideas of fun things to do (there is an unending list once you start looking), and in doing so, I stumble across many things that make me feel inspired as a crafter.

A few sites:

www.soulemama.com

www.scrapinstyletv.com

www.kaboose.com

http://www.artfulparent.typepad.com/

www.marthastewart.com

How the Chins do Christmas Eve

Missing this...
(Chin is my maiden name.)

Every year, my parents make a ton of fun munchie food, and have a ton of people that stop in and eat...kind of like an open house. We also open the presents from the siblings and maybe get and E.C.P. (Early Chirstmas Present) from the parents that night. We eventually make our way across the street for Midnight Mass, for those of us who can stay up until midnight! (I usually require a nap and lots of caffeine.)

Tonight, since Tate was in bed by 7:30p very willingly, and Paul went to bed with a fever, I webcammed with Catie, Mom and Dad while they prepared for the night. It was almost just as much fun!!

I Scrapped! I Scrapped!

I started an album from our trip to EuroDisney and Paris from last year. This is the first time I have every used a kit throughout the entire book. (Of course, I still had to add a few additional items from my stash.)

PART1:

And maybe tomorrow I can turn this messy pile of fabric into something that is close to a quilt...

Kind of early to start...

but I am starting to look on etsy for baby things. (baby=june)

I found some really cool mobiles. I have been inspired to make my own, but if I run out of time, I know I have etsy as back up.

(you can find each of the items by the vendor name I have listed on etsy.com.)

[doghappygirl]

[puddlestomper]

Love the design of this one:

[stjarncraft]

[MyBabyMobiles]

[butterbeaninc]

And one day, in the distant future....if my brother, Mikey, ever has a kid:

[fishyfishy]

Scrapbooking

That's it... I have to get back to Scrapbooking.

I just spent the last half and hour, going through blogs for the first time in a bit, and I am INSPIRED.

I should have never stopped...it is so fun to craft with paper, and makes photos sooo much more interesting to look at.

Wanting Snow!

None here in Bath, UK (sorry to report), but it is chilly here....snuggle under blankies, in front of fire, too cold-to-play-outside CHILLY.

I pulled Tate out of school on Monday and we went into downtown for a little shopping and some cafe time:

So cozy this time of year.

Stuff that makes me smile while wandering on the internet

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Standby for Future Posts!

We just returned from the United States and have been having a lot of morning sickness. For this reason, I haven't posted much.

Also, I just switched from a PC to my beautiful MacBook and have yet to transfer photos to the new computer.

Every day, Tate and I have been doing a craft as

his advent calendar. I may have mentioned this before, but I got all ideas online, mostly from Kaboose.com, printed out the instructions, and put in a sealed envelope. He gets such a thrill from choosing an envelope each day! Since I put this together back in November, I don't remember what is in each one, which makes it fun for Mama as well.

Cute etsy shop

This is from www.jjandme.etsy.com.
I saw these adorable creations at a holiday bazaar here in England. The fabrics are really nice, and this is one of the better toddler clothes boutiques I have seen.

Have you started decorating your house for Christmas yet?
Since there is not Thanksgiving here, the decorations come out earlier than in the states. I'm excited to decorate this year.

Been Hibernating

The view from entryway. Or foyer if you are fancy.

Sorry for the lack of posts. I think Facebook is to blame. I get the immediate satisfaction of telling what I am doing and finding out what other people are doing, and well, I am Facebooked out!

Also, I have been sick, due to being pregnant, so the blog is the last thing on the to-do list. However, I missed it, so here you go.

MY RANDOM LIST (easiest to catch up that way)

TV: Found GLEE online--so entertaining, but couldn't tell you why.

Also, watching older episodes of America's Next Top Model.

Fashion: ANYTHING THAT FITS. Actually, digging the big chunky sweaters from Jigsaw.

Movies: Don't see "Two Lovers" with Gwyneth Paltrow. I love her, but the movie is a downer with no redeeming qualities at the end to make up for it.

Craft: Quilt in progress, Tate creating on his own--random stuff

Craft for Kiddo: Advent Box. Tate doesn't like sweets, so I took a bunch of large envelopes, went online and found a craft per day and put a print of it in the envelope. I added any items you need to complete the craft and sealed the envelope.
Food: I am grossed out by food at this point. Living off rice and grapefruit.

More than meets the eye

See this stone wall? This is on our walk from our home to the canal. It looks like any other stone wall in the area. But one night, Tate and I were walking slowly....And we saw this carved in the side: And this:

And this:

And about 6-7 other sweet little animals and gnomes. It's amazing what you discover when you just slow down a bit:)

Ed Emberley is a genius

This is how we spent a good hour today. It was really fun and perfect for a 4 year old. My sister and I used to draw things out of the Ed Emberley books that we got from the library.

Next we will try the Ed Emberly Halloween Drawing Book!

(Can be found on amazon.)

Half Term School Break Part 1

In Bath, there is the craziest thrift/vintage/everything store... It is like a crazy version of boot sale/yard sale . They opened it in the 1960s and it is a pretty cool sight. (I found the last piece of my Halloween costume there.)

Crafting with Stinky...

Started planning out meals...It actually made things easier, but we did deviate last night when I really, really had to have Thai foodStarted planning out meals...It actually made things easier, but we did deviate last night when I really, really had to have Thai food

Storytime at the Ely Apple Festival.

Anyone have any good ideas for kids' Christmas presents?? (All ages...)

Football Sunday?

The Uof M vs. Iowa game started at 11:30pm local time. For this reason, AFN (Armed Forces Network) aired the game today, starting at 11:30a.

Paul is from Iowa.

My dad is a die hard U of M fan.

They have a bet...

I have been programmed to make food on any day that you watch football, so I share with you my easiest football food recipe.

(There was only one left by the time I got to the plate to take a photo.)

HAM AND CHEESE TREATS

*warning: this is one of those annoying recipes without exact amounts.

1 package Crescent Rolls

2-3 slices of Ham

Big Scoop of Cream Cheese

TBS of Mayo

tsp of dijon mustard

Equal amount of cheese as ham (any kind will do, I used shredded mexican)

Chop ham and cheese up very small. Mix with cream cheese, mayo and mustard. Spread on inside of unbaked crescent rolls and roll up. Bake until done.

I also use this recipe as a last minute snack for playdates.

I really love AUTUMN.

There is nothing better than the October issue of Martha Stewart. I hope to get these out on time!

ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) in my window.Homemade Apple Jelly. (I youtubed the recipe...)Artwork by Tate.Making a few Christmas Presents. Oh, and we are expecting a baby in June. :)