Amy Butler Quilt all done

I finally finished the Amy Butler quilt for my friend.  I'm so happy with the way it came together that I'm making myself one out of Soul Blossoms (not the same material as this one but similar).

I hope you love it as much as I do...I'm having a hard time giving this one away.  Oh, and thanks to my mom who helped finish it for me.


Kristen

Lookie at what I made last night

Again, FAR FAR FAR from perfect, in fact, I had to put the iron on patches on because I accidentally sewed the top to the dress and when I pulled the stitches out it left small holes in the top so I had to cover them up.

I was actually more careful with this dress than the last one...I tried to pin the seams together and pin it all the way across but....well, I'm still learning.

Tonight I will try Ava's.

Ambitious or nuts?

After I purchased my sewing machine back in January, I went a bit crazy, ok HOG WILD, searching for patterns and material, especially Amy Butler, from Ebay.

I purchased these patterns Amy Butler Tunic and this Amy Butler Halter Top

Well, since I can't sew my quilt at the moment because I've run out of cut material and I need to wait to see my mom to help me cut more material (pathetic, I know), I decided to go to Joann Fabrics today buy material to make these for me and the girls.  I bought enough material (maybe even more than enough) to make me both tops and one top for each of the girls.  I had to buy zippers and elastic.  I've never sewn with either!

Of course I still have the other dresses to make...with the material skirts and T-shirt tops.  But these tops are too cute to sit as patterns forever in the lonely, dark drawers of my sewing desk.

But, ya wanna hear the funny thing?  Ssshhhh, it's secret (sort of like how I failed accounting in grad. school and here I am working as a controller) but no, I digress.  My secret?  I've never sewn anything from a pattern before.  EVER!!!!!  YIKES!!!!!!

I'm nuts, I know.  I tried to pick the cheapest material possible so that if I messed up...well, it's just yardage.  But still, I'd really like to NOT mess up.  YKWIM???

So, am I ambitious or just plain ole' Nutso?

My house...Part I

I promised pictures and I've finally downloaded the ones that I've taken off my camera, along with everything else that was on it (pictures from Easter).

So, you've seen the front...how about the front entrance way and hallway?

I did all the stenciling shortly after we moved in.  I'm not sure I like it anymore but until I figure out what to do with it, it's staying.  When we finish the basement my hope chest is going to go downstairs and I'd like to find a more attractive storage piece for that area.

I will post more pictures later.  I'm just happy to have found the time to do these!
Hope you enjoy.

Funk

I've always gotten into funks and it appears I'm in one now.  I felt it starting yesterday.  I was so excited to go to the Outlet Mall on our way home from Newport...but once there.....it started.  In fact, I think I even cried on the way home....  I don't know why.

It's almost like I'm having an identity crisis.  A petty, stupid identity crisis.  Does that make sense?

I am not happy with my haircut at the moment but can't do anything about it (and even then, not sure WHAT do do about it) until next weekend.

My work clothes are fine but my casual clothes...are lacking.  I'm 40 but don't look it....what does a 40 year old mom of two dress like?  What am I supposed to wear?  I bought an outfit a few month ago at Old Navy and every time I put it on I think..."Lord Kristen, you are too old for this outfit".  I don't want to look like a 20 something bimbo with kids.  But what should I be wearing?

I spent, lord, I don't know how much money today on magazines to try to identify my style.  My book Simple Abundance recommends this strategy to try to find your style.  Then, I will have to try to figure out how to accomplish said style/look inexpensively.

This weekend in Newport I felt like I looked like a schlub or what Oprah has called in the past, a schlumpadink.  It was cold, in the 50's and we were walking.  How is it possible these woman/girls could look so put together?

Several years ago Redbook magazine had a question posed.....What is your greatest fashion question?  I took the bait and wrote in that I wanted to know how to look stylish and fashionable while on vacation, trekking around in the heat chasing after two kids.  I look back at pictures from the first time in Disney with the girls and my mom and I am MORTIFIED by what I see.  I was THIS close to being chosen......THIS close.  But I wasn't. 

I'm still asking that question.

I'd love hair that worked, clothes that looked age appropriate and stylish, makeup that didn't melt.

STACY AND CLINTON where are you???????

I wish I wasn't so hung up on these things.  I really do...but I am.

Anyone care to play Stacy and Clinton and clean out my closet for me?  Or give me the $5,000 I need for a new casual wardrobe?

Please?  Pretty please?

Bullets

• Had a great (expensive) weekend in Newport with Hubby for our anniversary.  Did LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of walking, napped, ate, walked some more!
• I missed the girls TERRIBLY but they had a great time with Grammy.  In fact, after we brought them home, G was hysterically sobbing that she missed Grammy so much.  That girl has such a HUGE heart.
• I'm not sure, actually, I am sure, I don't like my haircut.  I have an appointment in 2.5 weeks for a trim but we have to work on this.
• While shopping at an outlet mall yesterday, I suddenly got very...I don't know...sad, funky.  I'm back into my "I'm 40 and don't know how to dress casually" mood.  I looked like such a schlumpadink walking around Newport on Saturday. ...but seriously, how does one look nice and stay comfy?
• Won't someone nominate me for What Not to Wear?  PLEASE????????
• I'm so worried about John.  Work is stressing him out so badly.  He's not sleeping.....he's short with the girls.
• I picked up a Rx for an anti-depressant.  I'm not sure i'm going to take it.  It's a very low dose and my dr wants me to break it in half and see if it just takes the edge off.
• I'm still teetering on the edge about the baby thing......I'm fairly certain it won't happen and it makes me sad.  Am I nuts.
• Today is my 13th Wedding anniversary.  It has not been an easy 13 years for us...not at all....but I'm hoping what doesn't tear us apart will only make us stronger.
• I saw a HUGE spider in G's school today.  YUCK.
• I have so many pictures to download.
• I need/want to sew.
• I don't want to be at work today....or ever.  Oh well.
• I'm tired...tired, tired, tired.

Home pictures promised

I know I promised you home pictures and well, I've taken most of them, with the exception of the kitchen. I just have not had the time or energy to download them from my camera and post them.

We are going to Newport, RI for our anniversary this weekend. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. My mom is taking the girls to her house for the weekend so I have to pack stuff up for them.....and pack for myself and the weather isn't supposed to be all that great. The high on Saturday is supposed to be 57. 57? I was hoping for warmer. It is the middle of May. I don't have any long sleeved shirts in my drawers any more. I packed them all away. And 57 by the water is chilly. But, it will be good to get away.

If I get a chance tonight, I will try to download the pictures and post some.

Kristen

Simple Abundance and my home

What do the two have in common? Well, while reading my daily essays from Sarah Ban Breathnach's Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy I came across today's passage and well, if you see my last blog post about my home...you'll see why I find it ironic.

From the May 4 essay: "Today, no matter where or how you live, look upon your home through the eyes of Love. Walk around the rooms and offer thanks for the walls and the roof that safely enclose you and yours....Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that, at this moment, all you have is all you truly need."

And further: "Today we can use the Simple Abundance steps-acceptance, blessing our circumstances, and discovering our personal preference-to jump-start the expression of our authenticity through the way we care for and decorate our homes. When we do, the principals of gratitude, simplicity, and order will begin to transform the places where we live into hallowed havens of comfort and contentment-with or without new slipcovers."

I think this might sum up how I am beginning to see my home and those in it.

Kristen

I heart my house

It's taken me a long time to love my house....before, I used to think of all the things I would do to change it. I used to sit and look at house plans on the internet and dream of my "dream" house.

But I've finally come to love my house. It's not perfect but it's mine.

Here is the front. I will attempt to take a picture of every room this week and post them. Hope you don't mind.

Look what I made

this was made with Amy Butler material I bought off of Ebay a few months ago. Mom and I went to Pennington Quilt Works yesterday for the large border and the backing. She will take it home...add the backing and take it to be quilted. I'm so proud of myself for this one. It was fun!