Much ado about not that much

Busy, busy, busy... that's what I've been.  In the past 4 weeks I've been in New York, Arizona and several different parts of Florida.  I've been to Butterfly World, Flamingo Gardens, Animal Kingdom and Epcot Center.  I've cried more times than I can count over the bombing at the Boston Marathon --- as a mother, a runner and an American.  I've taken care of sick kids and a sick husband and now, I'm trying to take care of a sick self.  I've done very little sewing, but that's OK... I'm at home now, with the people I love the most, and counting my blessings every single day.  

Here are some photos of my recent adventures.

We fed the birds at Butterfly World.  Rachel may or may not have enjoyed this.

My younger daughter, Jessica, is in there somewhere under all that hair.

She was quite disappointed when I said it was time to pry the bird off her forehead.

I couldn't let them have ALL the fun :-).

Rachel, Jessica and Rachel's BFF, who I refer to as "Number 3."

Jessica got a monarch butterfly puppa at Butterfly World.

It "hatched" 3 days later and we set it free in our back yard.

If you're looking for a simple way to put your sewing skills to use to support Boston, check out To Boston With Love over at the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild.

I wouldn't call this a "craft project" but I used a Sharpie to make this shirt, which I wore on my run the day after the marathon bombings.  

With only 1 day notice, I made this tote bag for Jessica's BFF, Lotta.  She likes dogs so Jessica picked this fabric from my stash.  She told me Lotta's never had anything with her name on it because it's uncommon, so I got to put my embroidery machine to good use :-).

I was planning to take better photos (these are from my iPhone) but Jessica ran off to deliver it before I had a chance.  I "cheated" and used pre-quilted fabric for the lining, which allowed me to skip the fusible stabilizer step for the outer layer.

Change purse to match.

No trip to Phoenix is complete without a sewing request from my friend Phoenix.  (And I wouldn't want it any other way!)  This is one (of many that I'll get to) pillow cover for her couch.  She bought pillow forms a year ago but couldn't find covers that went with her decor, which has elements of brown, black and beige.  A few yards or corduroy and problem solved!  

~*~ May your day be full of Love and Ladybug Hugs ~*~

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Kat ~

Lots of Travel = Little Sewing Time

My daughters and I had a great visit to Upstate New York last week for their spring break.  We got to spend time with family and friends and threw my sister a beautiful baby shower.  (Photos below)

I've only been back 4 days and on Sunday, I leave for a business trip to Phoenix (again) for a week.  Unfortunately, my sewing machine doesn't travel with me so there probably won't be much to share here for a little bit longer.

I did, however, manage to put together (this week) some birthday gifts for my little nephews, who turned 4 and 6 in March.  Their party is this weekend.  They'll each be getting a little backpack with a personalized towel, plastic tumbler and bottle of bubbles (and a gift card, not shown).

Derek (aka: D-Man) just turned 6.

Aaron (aka: A-Bomb) just turned 4.

Here are the bags (which double as gift bags!) all filled up and ready for a trip to the pool.

They look a lot better in person but it's raining today so I had to take the photos inside.

Though it's not her birthday, I also made a towel for my little niece, Megan, who is 1.

Now I have to figure out a hand sewing project to take to Phoenix with me.  I think it'll be this hexagon project, which I started last year and intended to be a quilt.  When I found out my sister was having a boy I stopped working on it and honestly, I'm not sure I'll ever finish this to a full (even baby sized) quilt.  Any suggestions for what these 1" hexies should become?  Here's one layout I was playing with, but I have (literally) hundreds more fabric hexies cut out and ready to assemble.

And now, a few photos from my trip last week:

Sarah opening her monkey quilt at the shower (with help from my daughter, Rachel).

The precious little boy who will sleep under that quilt.  I'm in love!

So happy I got to be there in person when this ultrasound photo was taken!!

My sister and I.  At 5'6", I'm the "really tall" one, LOL.

I'm not sure why we're both leaning so much... I think I was afraid to bump her belly :-).

With my baby brother at his restaurant (he's the Executive Chef) after the shower.

Jessica and Rachel adore their Uncle Chris!!

And this is what I did after the shower and after dinner.  It was a good day :-).

~*~ May your day be full of Love and Ladybug Hugs ~*~

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Kat ~