Baby Sewing To-Do List

Per a previous post, you should know that I have been craving sewing time more and more this pregnancy. Which I guess makes sense since I haven't had any weird food cravings so far. As I sewed happily along on Project Linus quilts for my "after the baby comes" stash, I began making plans for all the things I wanted to sew for Baby Billy Bob.

One afternoon I finally sat down to make a list ... and I was scared by the number of items on it. I quickly finished up the quilt I was working on so that I could dive right into my Baby Sewing To-Do List.

So far, I have accomplished the following with very cute (if I do say so myself) results:

Billy Bob's First Quilt

Crib dust ruffle

Chiefs outfit (to match Daddy on game days)

Sling

Two Hooter-Hiders (AKA nursing covers)

Two on-the-go diaper changing pads

Still left on the list:
An ACU diaper bag
Two window valences for the Nursery
A pair of Chiefs pants
Hand-made birth announcements
etc...

More Craftiness

I've remained busy these last few weeks trying to finish up all the half-started projects that have been cluttering our office/craft room/soon-to-be guest room. I've promised myself that before I get to start on anything fun and/or new, I needed to get everything else waiting in the wings done.

First up, I finished a couple quilts that had the tops done, but needed sandwiched and quilted:


I then attempted to finish quilting and binding a super cute baby blanket for a friend. She was moving to Austin and unloaded a bunch of unfinished projects on several ladies in our sewing group before she left. My goal was to free-motion (AKA "meander") quilt. I had practiced the technique before, but it never turned out well. So, I decided just to suck it up and try it on a real project, hoping against hope that I wouldn't ruin her beautiful work.

Finally, one morning I was up WAAAAY before I should have been (I had even beaten Cam up for PT) and decided that I needed some new jewelry to wear to that afternoon's Officer Spouses Association monthly luncheon. I had beads sitting in the craft closet, bought ... of course ... when they were on sale MONTHS ago. I fashioned a cute little pair of earrings, a necklace and two bracelets out of my stash.
I still have a few more projects to work on, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Plus, I have some ACU tops purchased at the Thrift Shop staring, taunting me to finish so that I can cut them to shreds and make a cute "Army Brat" diaper bag!

Sewing My Heart Out

While Cam was busy painting to his hearts content (...and then some!), I was tucked up in the Office/Craft/Guest Room sewing my little heart out. I've had several UFOs (Unfinished Objects) sitting around for months and decided I need to clear off my sewing table in order to get a birthday present done for my mother-in-law.

First up, a rescued quilt from the March Project Linus meeting. I've been helping sort and bag the donated quilts each month with a bunch of other ladies, all of whom only knit or crochet. We ran across one quilt that was poorly binded and it was sent home with me to be fixed. Once I had the binding off, I discovered that the whole thing was a mess. The top was not square, the backing was too small for the top and the binding was a disaster! Needless to say, I spent a few hours trimming the top, quilting the top to new backing material and then binding it with new binding material. I was so disgusted by the end of it, I didn't bother taking a picture.

But ... after all that ... it whetted my appetite for more quilt-sewing. I finished up a Heart Quilt that I started in January and intended to complete in time for the February Project Linus meeting. I also finished a not-so-"quick" strip quilt pattern that I had picked up fabric for and had cut out months ago.


After all those were complete, I started in on an apron and potholders for Dianne's birthday present. While there were some minor complications with the potholder manufacturing (i.e. I made them WAAAAAAY too big on the first go-around!), 1) I managed to finish in time for the mail, 2) they turned out super cute, I and 3) I think my mother-in-law liked them.


So, I'm onto more UFOs, but at least the pile is a little smaller now!

We've been busy ...

We've been SUPER busy these last few weeks ... so busy that we haven't had time to update the blog. The estimated time of arrival (or ETA, if you please) of new posts: Monday, May 3. Can you wait that long to hear all about our adventures in continued Home Improvements and sewing projects???

Too bad if you can't ... because you're just going to have to! Enjoy the weekend!!!

Watch Out! Guard Dog on Duty!

The Latest Craft Projects

Amidst all the attention to the puppy, Kristy has found time to be very active in the local Project Linus chapter in El Paso.

Starting in January, I became the official Pick-up Girl for our chapter. My job is to go to the 5 different drop-off locations around the city to collect any blankets donated before the monthly meetings. So far, it hasn't been too big of a job, despite one Saturday having to retrieve 100+ blankets from a local quilting shop!

I've also been involved in making additional kits for the meetings. One of my friends volunteered to be responsible for the donated fabric and kit making. A few times a month, she has invited a few ladies over to sort, match-up and cut out fabric for our various kit patterns. It has been fun to socialize as we decide what looks good with what and to trade cutting techniques and tips.

My final act of volunteerism has been helping to label, sort and bag all of the blankets we collect from the drop-off locations and at the meeting. At February's meeting, we collected over 300 blankets, which meant 5 ladies (myself included) spent an entire Saturday afternoon/evening prepping them all for delivery to the local hospitals' ERs and NICUs, the Child Crises Center, the Homeless shelter and police stations.

When I finally found time to sew this past month, I made 4 quilt squares from two Project Linus kits that, with the others donated, will be turned into several group quilts made by our chapter. I completed another kit quilt as well as two flannel blankets that were shipped off for the Haiti disaster relief.

Pink and Blue Quilt Squares

Scrap Quilt from a Project Linus kit

Pink Soccer Balls for Haiti

Blue Alligators for Haiti

I'm hoping to get at least two more quilts completely done for March's meeting. I have them cut out and one top is almost sewed together... If I really push myself in the next week, I might also get motivated enough to finish quilting and binding two more tops that have been done for a while and sitting, gathering dust! Wish me luck!

Long time, no post...

Wow! It's been a long time since I've looked at our blog! Good thing I decided to put fingers to keyboard to update you on what's been happening in the World o' Smith. Unfortunately, we have been leading a terribly unexciting life in El Paso for the last few weeks!

Cam has been staying VERY busy with BOLC III (Basic Officers Leadership Course) training. So far, the 2nd Lieutenants have been trained on basic leadership skills and various Army forms and paperwork. They have had several tests on the material and Cam has been averaging in the high 90%'s. If he maintains this average through the next 2 1/2 months, he may have a shot at an Honor Grad spot during his December graduation. Next week, the 2nd Lieutenants begin Patriot missiles training.

Part of the recent BOLC III training included a field trip to the Islamic Cultural Center of El Paso and El Paso Holocaust Museum. Spouses were invited along and so my friend, Charla, and I joined the class. While Cam and I didn't learn much about Islam at the Islamic Center (as we both have studied the religion a far amount), we did learn a few things about mosques. The most interesting tidbit: all mosques contain a large dome over the prayer room in order to enhance the acoustics of the room. It's a similar concept as the designs of many of the old cathedrals in Europe.

After a quick lunch, the group headed to the El Paso Holocaust Museum, one of only four stand alone museums dedicated to the subject in the US. The docent giving the tour herded us through the exhibits rather quickly and did not give us enough time to read all the information at each stop. Therefore, the four of us (Jason, Charla, Cam and I) decided to revisit the museum the following weekend. Again, we did not learn anything new at the museum, but it was an interesting place to visit. (FYI - Cam was a History major; emphasis on WWII and I learned many things via osmosis from him. Either that or it's due to the constant exposure to the Hitler ... I mean, History Channel!).

While Cam's been slaving away at school, I've been staying busy playing housewife. I've made several new quilts and other sewing projects and will post pictures in a new post soon! I've also joined the Ft. Bliss Officer Spouses' Club and have been making new friends and trying new activities. I'm also making time to reconnect with several old "new" Army wife friends, now that everyone is back in town.

Finally, this past week we celebrated our third wedding anniversary! Due to Cam's large quantity of homework that week, we were only able to celebrate with a very yummy home-cooked steak dinner and cheesecake. Never fear! We are headed to San Antonio to watch our beloved Cougs take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Alamodome at the end of the month to celebrate our anniversary and 30th birthdays! Not exactly the traditional leather/glass/crystal gift, but perfect for us!

We will have several new posts coming over the next few days. These will include the craft update I mentioned above as well as a post regarding Cam's latest road race! Stay tuned...

Update: Crazy Crafter Woman!!!

As mentioned before, I was truly inspired by the first El Paso Project Linus meeting I attended. Since that meeting, I have been a quilting fool! I have completed 3 additional Linus blankets (see the photos below) and have a good start on the 4th.

I have also increased my fabric supply by 400% and am starting to worry that I'm turning into my mother!!! I've been shopping at the fabric stores in El Paso and a new friend, Susan, also has introduced me to the lovely quilt and yarn shops in Las Cruces, NM (about 40 minutes north). I have managed to restrict myself to only buying fabric with a dedicated pattern in mind, but I now have a big enough supply to last me the rest of the year!

Knitting is also something I have started recently. Susan has introduced me to several groups that meet throughout the week to knit or crochet. I've started on a scarf, but have had to pull out my work and start over so many times that I've lost count. I'm beginning to think that perfectionism and knitting do not go hand in hand!

In addition to all of that, I've been commissioned to make 3 nursing covers for friends of my friend, Jen. She has given me free range on fabric choices and I just hope that I pick something that each of the 3 ladies will like! Thankfully, the pattern for the nursing covers is really easy and I should be able to whip them out in no time!

Whether it is a good thing or not, my sewing progress has begun to slide ever since Cam has been home. Beginning tomorrow, he will be in training for the next 4 months and I should have the time to focus on my crafts ... and, I suppose, find a job.

A new pattern for a boy Project Linus quilt

Detail of the boy quilt

The same simple pattern, but fabric for a girl

Detail of the girl quilt

Left over fabric was pieced together to make...

Another girl quilt for Project Linus

BEWARE! Crazy Quilter!

Just in the nick of time! I stayed up late last Friday hurrying to get a quilt done for my first Project Linus meeting the following morning. In Washington, I had donated one quilt to the group, but there was no formal gathering for the charity in the Puget Sound area. So when I saw online that the El Paso chapter met once a month at a local church, I was all excited! What a great place to go and meet fellow crafty people in the area!

The meeting was so much fun!!! There were several guest speakers from some of the local hospitals and charities that receive the blankets. Many people also entertained us all with a little "Show-and-Tell" of their MULTIPLE projects. Being a newbie, I was also "forced" to get up and show my lowly little quilt! There was even a luncheon provided in honor of the groups 7th anniversary.

While I was probably the only young adult there (there were 2 kids, but the rest were retired ladies), I made some new friends who helped me decipher one of the knitting patterns I printed off online AND invited me to some knitting groups they attend throughout the week. I also picked up a couple of new quilting patterns to use in the future. I'm already looking forward to next month's meeting!

Project Linus Quilt #1 - Finished in time for the meeting!

After the meeting, I was truly inspired! I headed to the local Walmart and fabric stores in search of yarn for my first knitting project. While at the fabric store, I found some cute fabric to use with one of the new quilt patterns I picked up ... and it was even on sale! I headed home with my creative juices flowing and a car full of supplies.

I got to work that afternoon. I cut out, pinned and sewed together my final flannel quilt using the same pattern I had used for my previous five quilts. I now think that I could make that pattern while half-asleep (which I was at 1AM on Sunday morning!) After some crazy hours on the sewing machine, I finished the last flannel quilt up this morning. (3 days total to complete it!!!) Now that it's done, I'm all set to start on my next set of fabrics and a new pattern. Stay tuned for my progress...

Project Linus Quilt #2 - FINISHED ... in 3 days!

Project Linus Quilt #2 - Fabric Detail

Stay Tuned!!! Fabric for the next quilt

Stay Tuned!!! Fabric for the next quilt

Long Time, No Blog...

Shame on me!!! It's been far TOO long since I've updated this blog and I have no real excuse for not doing so. It's not like I've been overly busy these last few weeks...

Cam has been away at Ft. Sill, OK for the last 2 1/2 weeks, participating in BOLC II (Basic Officers' Learning Course - AKA Officers' Basic Training). So far he's VERY unimpressed with Ft. Sill and Lawton, OK area and said, "I never thought I'd say this, but I miss Ft. Bliss and El Paso!" (Guess the grass isn't always greener, huh?)

Compounding this new-found "homesickness", he's rather frustrated with the BOLC II training as it's all a repeat of stuff he did in Basic Training and OCS. It's mainly geared toward those soldiers coming out of ROTC and the Academy programs (who don't have to attend Basic Training OR OCS). He's also frustrated that he is one of the last classes that must complete this training as the Army is doing away with the course next year.

On a happier note, I'm going to OK to visit Cam this upcoming weekend! We've got a full schedule of things to do and see while we visit Oklahoma City and I'll post pictures as soon as I'm back. I've never been to OK, so I'm also excited to get it crossed off my list of visited states!

As for me, I've been keeping myself busy in El Paso by searching for a new job (STILL!). However, I'm finding that I like the freedom and free time I have as a housewife! I've almost completed my next Project Linus quilt and am eager to start on the next! I've also found that there are several activities that I would like to participate in, including a weekly Army wives Bible study on base and a "Sit & Sew" group that meets at a local fabric store! Plus, if I continue my daily work-out routine, I just might find that I have NO TIME whatsoever to waste on a job! Ha!

My make-shift sewing table in the middle of the living room

Boy Project Linus Quilt - Stage#1

Craft Projects - UPDATE

If you remember a few posts ago I mentioned that I've been trying new hobbies and crafts while Cam's away. Well, here's an update on my not-so-stellar progress!

First, I finished a nursing cover (AKA "Hooter Hider") in record time before my friend's, Jen, baby shower. Several of my other friends with babies use these and (being like my mother) each time I saw one, I tired to figure out how they were made. Then when Jen registered for one, I decided that I would make my own instead of coughing up the $30+ to buy one. I found a really easy to follow pattern online and marched off to the fabric store. I was a bargain shopper and got everything I needed on SALE! (My mother taught me well!) All in all, the cover took me a total of 2 hours and $7 dollars. I think Jen was pleased with it!

On the sewing front, I'm also continuing on with my Project Linus quilt projects. So far, I just have the first "girl" one done and have started on the first "boy" quilt.

Finally, I've been a baking fool this week! On Monday night, I made a cake for a Mardi Gras party at work on Tuesday. I had signed up to make a traditional King Cake, but ended up just substituting a chocolate bundt cake. The King Cake traditionally features a metal baby hidden within the cake, so I used a malted-milk egg hidden in the cake instead. The lucky coworker that found the egg was awarded the prize of a chocolate Easter bunny. It was a very yummy treat!

I haven't been a very busy girl lately, but I think I need to crank up the crazy Suzy Homemaker switch just a little in order to tackle all the projects I have lined up...

Craft Projects GALORE!

In an effort to keep myself busy while Cam's away, I've been trying new hobbies and crafts.

First, I learned how to quilt this past fall and made three really cute "tv blanket-size" flannel quilts for my nieces and nephew for Christmas! (See the pictures below) Those were so much fun that I decided that I would use the same pattern as well as left over fabric to make 4 more flannel quilts for Project Linus. I have enough for 2 more boy quilts and 1 more girl quilt. The last quilt will be just a random mix of left over fabric squares I have. I also picked up a new pattern online as well as some additional cotton fabric for another Project Linus quilt.

Recently, I took a basic knitting skills class one evening after work. I learned how to cast on, knit and purl and I'm all excited to use my new skills for scarves (and possibly some baby quilts for Project Linus too!).

On top of all that, I have quite a few cross-stitching kits that I have picked up along the way that I need to finish. Thankfully, the girls at work and I spend our lunchtimes cross-stitching together, so that gives me the perfect excuse to work on these.

Whew! I'll be a busy girl, but I have at least 2 more months of alone time to accomplish it all. Pray that I'll make it and won't become some crazy hermit-Martha Stewart-wanna-be!

Andrew's Quilt

Serenity's Quilt