tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62058748640876744792024-02-19T21:49:17.542-08:00WillowBeanWillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-77081106990882346902012-06-14T07:59:00.002-07:002012-06-14T07:59:28.712-07:00Reacquainted.<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, hello there.<br />
It's been a while.<br />
In fact, it's been so long that my flickr pro account expired,<br />
picnik no longer exists and the user interface of blogger has completely changed.<br />
True story.<br />
It took me a minute to navigate my way around you, old friend.<br />
Oh, how I've missed you.<br />
I've written countless posts in my head, none of them making it anywhere near paper or keyboard, so I really have no proof of them.<br />
Or can even remember them, for that matter.<br />
Whatever, they sounded fantastic in my head.<br />
<br />
As always, I've been making things.<br />
I love making things.<br />
Here's the latest of the things that got made:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7371768508/" title="DSC_0144_2 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0144_2" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/7371768508_ab27b1cf91_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(And I just love quilt rolls. They are so fun. Like a little swirl of cozy, no?)<br />
<br />
This is a custom crib bedding set with crib teethers. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7371770378/" title="DSC_0127 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0127" height="496" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7091/7371770378_1bc617f1ed_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
This is probably one of my favorite color combos. It's so bright and fun, but not babyish.<br />
Well, a little babyish, but not in a regular 'baby' kind of way-<br />
more like an 'I'm an awesome baby' kind of way.<br />
Or something like that. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7186540379/" title="DSC_0126 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0126" height="456" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5119/7186540379_cd8464b64d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
These crib teethers were super fun to make.<br />
I used all the fabrics that were present in the bedding set,<br />
then added some other coordinating fabrics from my stash so it wasn't too matchy-matchy.<br />
And I also used mismatched buttons with elastic closures.<br />
I love the end result and should probably make some for Ellie.<br />
She has two whole teeth. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7186539753/" title="DSC_0130 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0130" height="424" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7240/7186539753_59616f86eb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I also took a horrible picture of the crib quilt,<br />
and it just so happens to be the only one of the quilt itself.<br />
So please, enjoy this awkward and slightly confusing picture: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7371769166/" title="DSC_0137 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0137" height="373" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7229/7371769166_6e7ab0bed6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Here's a shot of the back of the quilt. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7371769406/" title="DSC_0134 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0134" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5200/7371769406_7de27df521_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
And the hand-stitched label.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7186539151/" title="DSC_0133 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0133" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7225/7186539151_08493b518a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Here's a birdie mobile.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7371768396/" title="DSC_0147 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0147" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8151/7371768396_2cbe2a046e_z.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="403" /></a><br />
<br />
I LOVE!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7371767986/" title="DSC_0152 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0152" height="474" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7371767986_ec55c05739_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And a standard pillow sham for later when crib turns into toddler bed.<br />
(Talk about thinking ahead!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7371768854/" title="DSC_0140_3 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0140_3" height="453" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7100/7371768854_a4e7157a7b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
That's it for now.<br />
I'm going to ease back in to this old comfort.<br />
I enjoyed my little hiatus, however I'm so glad to get back to this.<br />
It's a nice place for my to empty my head.<br />
<br />
And in case anyone was curious, which I'm sure you're not really but I'm going to tell you anyway because I can...<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7371874652/" title="DSC_0129 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0129" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7371874652_0a5d0e82ed_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Willow has hair long enough for a ponytail.<br />
This is a big deal in our house (for her).<br />
However, she will <s>rarely</s> never let me <i>actually</i> put it in a ponytail.<br />
She's a strange child.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7186644637/" title="DSC_0167 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0167" height="426" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5199/7186644637_950d92e7c4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Willow also broke her leg and is in a cast over her knee.<br />
She jumped from 5 stairs up. And missed the pillows.<br />
She's about 1/4" to short for the crutches, therefore cannot walk.<br />
The knee of her cast has been worn flat, as well as the top of her foot from scoot-crawling all over the place.<br />
She's a trooper.<br />
There's about 1 week left of this cast business and then we're free as two birds with no cast! Yay!<br />
<br />
Ellie is getting big too:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7371858126/" title="DSC_0178 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0178" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7081/7371858126_32038cf26c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
She started walking the day before her first birthday.<br />
It may or may not have had something to do with me threatening her to walk before she turned one.<br />
She's a smart kid.<br />
And she still only has two teeth.<br />
<br />
She loves clickers, phones, and food.<br />
Emphasis on the food.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7186628707/" title="DSC_0146 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0146" height="426" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5347/7186628707_05ed9b3bc7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Life is good.<br />
What's going on in yours?<br />
Let's get reacquainted. </div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-89586981530533832892012-03-23T11:26:00.006-07:002012-03-23T12:48:21.926-07:00High on Spring.<div style="text-align: center;">We have been seriously enjoying some nice weather over here. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Spring is in the air and I've been inhaling deeply... one might even say I'm high on life. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't help myself. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love nice weather so much. It makes me all happy. And probably nicer. </div><div style="text-align: center;">If my hubby were smart he'd move us to someplace where it's nice and warm all year long... </div><div style="text-align: center;">Right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7008990897/" title="Picnik collage by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7218/7008990897_29d79697be_z.jpg" width="640" height="382" alt="Picnik collage" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Willow laughs hysterically every. single. time. I push her on the swings. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Like, loud belly laughs. </div><div style="text-align: center;">People turn to look and I catch them all chuckling sooner or later. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I mean, you can't help it, her laughter is contagious. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And the Squish also enjoys the swings!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7008997325/" title="DSC_0062 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/7008997325_ec461c111d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0062" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But she's more of a <i>kick-your-legs-and-squeal</i> sort of swinger. </div><div style="text-align: center;">As you can imagine, when my kids are on the swings, it's a very loud area of the park. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love my loud and happy kids.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's another nursery set to share: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7008995909/" title="DSC_0076 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7109/7008995909_77247c0dfa_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0076" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Super fun, right? </div><div style="text-align: center;">This was actually my first "theme" bedding set. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(See that jungle print?)</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be honest, it was a little tricky finding a jungle print that was girly</div><div style="text-align: center;">and that <i>also</i> </div><div style="text-align: center;">matched green walls.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(These are not the green walls I'm talking about, these are my grey walls <i>that I love dearly.</i>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6862880234/" title="DSC_0071 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/6862880234_9585a226db_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0071" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it all came together really well. </div><div style="text-align: center;">My fave parts of this set would have to be the crib skirt (too long for <i>my</i> crib...)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the quilt. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6862880528/" title="DSC_0074 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6862880528_e8b687accd_z.jpg" width="487" height="640" alt="DSC_0074" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a string quilt... which I love so much!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7008996853/" title="DSC_0086 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/7008996853_57221d16c8_z.jpg" width="509" height="640" alt="DSC_0086" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And the back: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6862881726/" title="DSC_0083 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/6862881726_fe2c64fbde_z.jpg" width="526" height="640" alt="DSC_0083" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And a hand-stitched label to finish it off :) </div><div style="text-align: center;">I think that little quote is Irish for "my darling"(?)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7008996249/" title="DSC_0087 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/7008996249_68a46f8eee_z.jpg" width="640" height="484" alt="DSC_0087" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For the string quilt, I used the paper-piecing method to make my blocks... </div><div style="text-align: center;">I think I started with 9" squares of freezer paper</div><div style="text-align: center;">and my middle strips of fabric were 2" wide. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I just love a quilt roll...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/7008996509/" title="DSC_0089 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7265/7008996509_ab374c5563_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0089" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wouldn't a whole bookshelf full of rolled quilts be amazing?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hmmm....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Spring!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-64905574646763869502012-03-06T08:44:00.007-08:002012-03-06T11:08:59.725-08:00Shortcuts Make Me Happy.<div style="text-align: center;">Quilting shortcuts make me very, very happy. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The only problem is, there's not that many of them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Except</i> for when I make quilts for myself. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, there's lots and lots and lots of shortcuts.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I never take shortcuts when making quilts for others... I want to make sure I put my best work into what I send out into the world. </div><div style="text-align: center;">My quilts are a reflection of myself in some ways... and I don't want to look cheap and thrown together, if you know what I mean.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6959320543/" title="DSC_0095 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/6959320543_7cc4ac572b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0095" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But, oh man, when I make a quilt for myself I like to push the limits in the way of shortcuts. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I will cut corners like there's no tomorrow. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know why this is.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe my need for instant gratification?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe because I sometimes feel guilty when making something for myself when I could be making something for somebody else so I try to make whatever it is as fast as possible?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe because I'm usually trying to squeeze in the making of an entire quilt between several nap times? </div><div style="text-align: center;">(And who knows how long those last, right?) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6813209110/" title="DSC_0098 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6813209110_602f2a285f_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0098" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Whatever the reasons for my shortcut taking... this quilt was FULL of them. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And guess what?</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was one of the most <b>problem free</b> quilts I've ever made!</div><div style="text-align: center;">It came together like a dream!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Weird, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know. It shouldn't make sense.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But that's the true story and it makes me <b><i>ohsohappy</i></b>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6813209550/" title="DSC_0097 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/6813209550_434b6997aa_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0097" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, here's my shortcut-laden zig-zag quilt that I love dearly!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6959404551/" title="DSC_0006 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6959404551_de79b3bd9b_z.jpg" width="572" height="640" alt="DSC_0006" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was originally inspired by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35939871@N05/6110399272/in/faves-39099239@N04/">this</a> quilt.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I loved how big it was- so I asked her what her dimensions were and she kindly answered. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(HST method, 8x8" squares, and 10 x 12 rows...I love it when people share!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">My plan was to follow her dimensions exactly, but when I started cutting my fabric,</div><div style="text-align: center;">(that I've been saving for this quilt for quite some time!) </div><div style="text-align: center;">I realized I was only going to be able to make my quilt 8 x 9 rows. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Kind of a bummer, because I like the hugeness of the original quilt, but not a deal breaker for me. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Finished measurements are 56"x 64"... so it's still a nice sized quilt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6813430560/" title="DSC_0007 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/6813430560_9c192dd6e9_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0007" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Other shortcuts:</div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't draw lines on the diagonals of my squares for making the HSTs</div><div style="text-align: center;">(I'm sure other quilters are cringing right now- sorry!) </div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't iron <i>or</i> trim my HSTs once finished.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(another cringe!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't pin a single thing. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(but I never do when quilting...)</div><div style="text-align: center;">And, I didn't iron the completed quilt top before layering everything for basting. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, and I didn't use a walking foot to do my quilting either! </div><div style="text-align: center;">That one was kind of an accidental shortcut because I forgot to switch feet (foots? whatever.) </div><div style="text-align: center;">But the zig-zag quilting was just easy peasy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6813431000/" title="DSC_0006_2 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6813431000_339faf440b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0006_2" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pieced back:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6813430802/" title="DSC_0004 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6813430802_c44b0213b8_z.jpg" width="640" height="454" alt="DSC_0004" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All those shortcuts allowed me to take my time while basting...</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I actually taped every layer down <i>and</i> pin basted (<---- my fave method!) </div><div style="text-align: center;">All of my points lined up perfectly... <i>magically</i> even!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't have any bunches or uneven/mismatched corners.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Unfortunately common in quilts I make for myself.) </div><div style="text-align: center;">And, I saved so much time I was able to hand-stitch the binding! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yippee!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A fairly amazing trade off if you ask me! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also, I've decided that this year I am going to make at least 10 quilts for myself. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I just decided this like a month ago. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Of all the quilting and sewing I do, it's a shame how few quilts I actually have in our home. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, I made a list: </div><div style="text-align: center;">(I just typed this exactly how I wrote my list- so it may not make total sense to everybody!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><ol><li style="text-align: left;">Asterisk quilt</li><li style="text-align: left;">Herringbone quilt (red, yellow, aqua)</li><li style="text-align: left;">Houndstooth </li><li style="text-align: left;">Swoon blocks (yellow/pink/orange/brown with linen)</li><li style="text-align: left;">Granny squares (scrappy)</li><li style="text-align: left;">HUGE patchwork (scrappy)</li><li style="text-align: left;">Loulouthi whole cloth quilt (handquilted) </li><li style="text-align: left;">Willow/Ellie quilts (room colors)</li><li style="text-align: left;">HUGE lonestar quilt (brights)</li><li style="text-align: left;">Plus quilt (yellow and purple)</li><li style="text-align: left;">Log Cabin quilt</li><li style="text-align: left;">HUGE(er) zig-zag quilt (10 x12 rows)</li><li style="text-align: left;">Subway tiles</li><li style="text-align: left;">Mod Bento Box (aqua, orange, yellow, grey)</li><li style="text-align: left;">Big zig-zag quilt </li><li style="text-align: left;">Finish my king size string quilt and get it quilted</li></ol></div><div style="text-align: center;">My goal is to make at least 12 quilt <i>tops</i> and of those tops, complete 10 quilts.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I get a lot of my inspiration from other quilts/quilters... I have a flickr group of my favorites <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/favorites/">here</a> if you'd like to check it out. </div><div style="text-align: center;">There's lots of amazing stuff out there!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sneak peek of the next quilt I get to cross off the list:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6813449424/" title="DSC_0004 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/6813449424_8accc6f87d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0004" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Creating everyone!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And a big thanks to everyone who welcomed me back... you're the best!</div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-37427968641948913792012-03-03T18:31:00.004-08:002012-03-03T19:08:38.998-08:00Lame.<div style="text-align: center;">Where have I been?</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's really lame... </div><div style="text-align: center;">Like really <i>really</i> lame.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Are you ready?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok, so... around the 12th of December or so somebody may or may not have </div><div style="text-align: center;">spilled coffee</div><div style="text-align: center;">on the computer keyboard. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(And lied about it...) </div><div style="text-align: center;">The bottom row of keys may have stopped working.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(It's basically impossible to do anything without the spacebar, FYI)</div><div style="text-align: center;">We may have put off buying another keyboard for no particular reason. </div><div style="text-align: center;">at. </div><div style="text-align: center;">all. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Other than having to actually go to the store to purchase one... I guess. Lazy, I know.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6653982045/" title="Having fun... by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6653982045_f4a3f519ca_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Having fun..." /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And that's about it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yup. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Super lame. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I was absent for 3 months because I spilled coffee on my keyboard and didn't buy another one. </div><div style="text-align: center;">My bad. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6653982497/" title="Pile of possibilities... by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6653982497_1254b30863_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Pile of possibilities..." /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The good news is that I have been sewing like crazy since the coffee mishap! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I've got lots of projects to share!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I really want to give everything its rightful post... and I made a promise to myself that I won't try to cram the last 3 months into just a few posts. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Which I could totally do because I am SO PUMPED that my hubby brought home a keyboard today!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I could sit here for hours and just write the longest post known to man.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I will spare you. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And it's kinda more fun to write lots of posts anyway. </div><div style="text-align: center;">More pictures...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6804732474/" title="nap time progress... by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6804732474_9d59041670_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="nap time progress..." /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I'm just going to go ahead and claim this post as the </div><div style="text-align: center;">breaking-in-the-new-keyboard-and-getting-back-into-the-blogging-groove post. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Does that work for you?</div><div style="text-align: center;">It works for me...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for being patient! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope I didn't lose any readers because I appreciate every single one of you!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Stay tuned...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-33433435422296754232011-12-08T10:02:00.000-08:002011-12-08T10:59:51.143-08:00A few finishes, a snowblob, and a crawler...<div style="text-align: center;">Oh my word. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I thought I was getting a good start on Christmas gifts this year... </div><div style="text-align: center;">I was proud of myself. </div><div style="text-align: center;">By the 1st of the month </div><div style="text-align: center;">I had all necessary supplies purchased, everything cut and prepped, </div><div style="text-align: center;">tutorials tagged, pages of sewing books marked, and pins on <a href="http://pinterest.com/madisong/">Pinterest</a> up the yin-yang.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Everything got stacked neatly in a laundry basket, just waiting to be picked up and </div><div style="text-align: center;">sewn together with love. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But, I think I got a little cocky. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Because now...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am in <i>complete</i> panic mode. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The <b>good</b> news is that the first Christmas party is 9 days away. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The <b>bad</b> news is that the first Christmas party is 9 days away. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Am I excited?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Heck yeah. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Am I totally stressed? </div><div style="text-align: center;">You know it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Should I even be blogging right now?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not a chance. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I just <b>love</b> giving the <i>perfect</i> handmade presents</div><div style="text-align: center;">- maybe a little too much- </div><div style="text-align: center;">because I've actually overflowed into a second basket. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh goodness. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I would love to show </div><div style="text-align: center;">all the Christmas presents </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm working on, but I can't, because that would ruin the surprise for those getting the presents.</div><div style="text-align: center;">DUH!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So instead, I will show other things I made that <i>aren't</i> Christmas presents, like this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6477785425/" title="DSC_0116_2 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6477785425_eea9fc21d9_z.jpg" width="640" height="587" alt="DSC_0116_2" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's my latest finished quilt. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It felt good to finish up a quilt. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I haven't done a quilt in a while, and this one was, well, it was just nice. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I made it for a woman my hubby works with. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it's perfectly girly and sweet.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was sick of patchwork, but I had already cut all the squares, </div><div style="text-align: center;">so I turned them all on point. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was my first time trying that out, </div><div style="text-align: center;">even though I've wanted to for quite some time, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and I dig it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I love the stripy binding. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But, I mean, who doesn't love a stripy binding?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6477785813/" title="DSC_0118 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6477785813_81351e6079_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0118" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hand-stitched the sweet little name in one of the </div><div style="text-align: center;">less-busy squares </div><div style="text-align: center;">to add an extra little touch of 'special' to the quilt. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's my November contribution to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/dogoodstitches/">do.Good stitches'</a> Grace circle. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6477786381/" title="DSC_0111 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6477786381_5154567989_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0111" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I took this picture at night, </div><div style="text-align: center;">so the colors are WAY off- </div><div style="text-align: center;">but that's a coral square and a navy square.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We all used <a href="http://warmthinthenorth.typepad.com/warmth_in_the_north/2011/10/hole-in-the-barn-door-tutorial.html">this tutorial</a> for the 'hole in the barn door' squares from Mary Catharine's blog. She's really sweet. And talented. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I'm also using another one of her tutorials for a Christmas present. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But I'm not going to spoil it, so that's all for now. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;">And Willow got invited to her first birthday party </div><div style="text-align: center;">(that wasn't a family member).</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, of course, I decided her friend needed to have a handmade, hand-stitched dolly. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I made this decision the night before. </div><div style="text-align: center;">At about midnight.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6477786079/" title="DSC_0106 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6477786079_3b424d7c4e_z.jpg" width="392" height="640" alt="DSC_0106" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hence the bad picture taken at said party... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;">We also made a 'snowman' who is actually more like a snow<i>blob</i>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You need a certain kind of snow for the making of snowpeople, and we just didn't have it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Note to self: check snow before promising snowman to small child. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, with that preface, I introduce to you, Carl:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6477790199/" title="DSC_0011 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6477790199_439f1ce15a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0011" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He's basically a pile of snow with a hat, scarf, celery nose, tomato eyes and stick arms. </div><div style="text-align: center;">He's actually quite adorable. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Or, <i>was</i> quite adorable. Carl has since vanished.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Note to self: Warn small child what happens to beloved snowblob when temperature rises.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had fun in the snow while it lasted...</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6477790873/" title="DSC_0007 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6477790873_52b9c1bacc_z.jpg" width="640" height="625" alt="DSC_0007" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;">And this little one is getting SO big.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6477790423/" title="DSC_0072 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6477790423_7f2ba6ba6e_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0072" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look who's crawling!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6477790701/" title="DSC_0029 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6477790701_bd4bf1d0e3_z.jpg" width="463" height="640" alt="DSC_0029" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's all for now because the doctor's office just called to remind me of Ellie's well-visit today, which I completely forgot about, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and now I must go bathe, dress, and get 3 people ready for the public eye in a very short amount of time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wish me luck. </div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-51204555270482871352011-11-30T13:21:00.000-08:002011-11-30T19:27:57.092-08:00Crunchy Fuzzy Loopy Tag Blankie Tutorial - Handmade Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">Ellie is completely enamored with anything that makes</div><div style="text-align: center;"> loud crunchy noises. </div><div style="text-align: center;">She also likes to suck on blankets and put her fingers through anything that loops. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I'm pretty sure fuzzy things make her really happy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She hasn't exactly <i>told</i> me, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but I think I'm picking up what she's laying down, if you know what I mean...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I magically fused all of her baby loves together into something I like to call, </div><div style="text-align: center;">"The Crunchy Fuzzy Loopy Tag Blankie". </div><div style="text-align: center;">In case you didn't pull it from the name, the blankie is crunchy, fuzzy, and loopy. </div><div style="text-align: center;">In other words, it's an auditory/tactile playground for babies. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was also extremely easy to make with minimal materials.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2 pieces of scrap fabric</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1 empty cereal or chip bag</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ribbon scraps</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> pins</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> sewing machine</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">So easy, in fact, that I decided to write a tutorial for it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432871453/" title="DSC_0038 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6432871453_77af0b9825_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0038" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, as Willow would say, let's get this party started. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You need:</div><div style="text-align: center;"> *2 pieces of fabric (quilting weight or flannel) that are the same size- go search your scraps.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cut to any size you want.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432714001/" title="DSC_0014 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6432714001_9a01718829_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0014" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I used quilting weight for one side, flannel for the other to get some different textures in there. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">*1 empty bag of chips or cereal- go search your pantry.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You need any kind of bag that makes a crunchy sound and can get wet. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432712345/" title="DSC_0010 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6432712345_9c7f53d5e5_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0010" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Clean the bags and let them dry. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, cut them up the back seam so they're easier to work with and lay flat like so: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432713135/" title="DSC_0011 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6432713135_be2241bc03_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0011" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cut the bag to be the same size as your 2 fabric pieces. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*Scraps of any non-wired ribbon or ric-rac - pieces should be at least 2" long to work well</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432713503/" title="DSC_0013 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6432713503_9a15cd8a33_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0013" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cut longer pieces into 2"-4" strips to make the loops. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432714405/" title="DSC_0015 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6432714405_431aaa0b61_z.jpg" width="640" height="593" alt="DSC_0015" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Take one of your two pieces of fabric and place it <b>right side up. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">You will pin all your 'loops' to the<b> right side of this fabric.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, take your 2"-4" pieces of ribbon and, one at a time, fold them in half, making a loop.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Line up the cut edges of the ribbon with the <b>outside edge of the fabric</b>, </div><div style="text-align: center;">with the looped end pointing towards the<b> inside</b> of your fabric rectangle and pin in place. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Continue along all 4 edges of fabric. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You should end up with something that looks like this: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432714921/" title="DSC_0017 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6432714921_1e9ae965fc_z.jpg" width="640" height="513" alt="DSC_0017" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Make as many or as few tag loops as you want. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When you've finished pinning all your loops, </div><div style="text-align: center;">take your other piece of fabric and place it on top of the fabric you just pinned the loops to, <b>right sides together.</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;">(So the wrong side is facing up)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pin in place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432715953/" title="DSC_0020 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/6432715953_656bb2545d_z.jpg" width="640" height="508" alt="DSC_0020" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next, take your piece of crunchy bag and place it on top of the fabric you just pinned. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Pin in place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432716505/" title="DSC_0021 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6432716505_6ab4e135b3_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0021" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You should have a 'sandwich' of those 3 layers: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432671501/" title="taggie blankie by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6432671501_6ddf973d56_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="taggie blankie" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Take your 'sandwich' to your sewing machine, making sure the crunchy bag is on top. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sew together with 1/4" seam allowance around 3 edges. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432716913/" title="DSC_0027 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6432716913_afa7fd6ddc_z.jpg" width="640" height="362" alt="DSC_0027" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the 4th edge, make sure to <b>leave a gap </b>about 3 inches wide. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432717319/" title="DSC_0029 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6432717319_ba9e67b794_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0029" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, carefully turn your blankie sandwich completely right-side out through that gap. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Use a pen or the wrong end of a paintbrush to push the corners out from the inside so they're nice and pointy. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Smooth everything out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">To close the gap, turn under the open edges of fabrics 1/4" and pin.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432717605/" title="DSC_0031 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6432717605_65e99ce574_z.jpg" width="640" height="486" alt="DSC_0031" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you had any loops located in the gap, you will need to re-pin those.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432718125/" title="DSC_0033 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6432718125_a0db647cdb_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0033" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432718125/" title="DSC_0033 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"></a>Make sure you place the loops <b>in between</b> the two fabric pieces and 1/2" inside (deep), with the looped end pointing out this time. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Pin in place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432718771/" title="DSC_0036 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6432718771_68b9538a36_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0036" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, stitch just inside the edge of the blanket (about 1/8") around all 4 edges. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Backstitch at beginning and end. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Congratulations... you're done!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now you have a super-fun Crunchy Fuzzy Loopy Tag Blankie to give to a tiny human! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432719359/" title="DSC_0038 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6432719359_0ee9507206_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0038" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And, if they're anything like Ellie, </div><div style="text-align: center;">they will love it so much that they squeal with delight and whip it around faster than the speed of light to blur the colors and hear it crunch. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6432703157/" title="Picnik collage by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6432703157_2fbef1e97a_z.jpg" width="640" height="259" alt="Picnik collage" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let me know if you have any questions or if anything is unclear...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll leave you be so you can get to work on your new projects. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-48138158753813438352011-11-21T11:29:00.000-08:002011-11-21T11:52:40.926-08:00The Hunchback of Two Really Cute Girlies...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This may just be my favorite thing of all time:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6378318911/" title="My Girlies by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6119/6378318911_c7308ee781_z.jpg" width="640" height="456" alt="My Girlies" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My girls. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Aaah. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I just love them. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But I <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">love</span></b> that they love each<i> other</i> even more.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6378323679/" title="DSC_0119 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6222/6378323679_0b95dc100a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0119" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They're perfect. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Big Sister loves Little Sister and Little Sister loves her right back. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6378337313/" title="DSC_0059 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6235/6378337313_c70e184397_z.jpg" width="640" height="458" alt="DSC_0059" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It helps that they are the happiest kids in the entire world. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The happiest. </div><div style="text-align: center;">In. the. entire. world. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6378322871/" title="DSC_0092 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6041/6378322871_104a85101d_z.jpg" width="640" height="404" alt="DSC_0092" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And funniest. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They crack me up. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Especially the big one. </div><div style="text-align: center;">She's a gas. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6378335865/" title="triptic by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6042/6378335865_96b20d0a28_z.jpg" width="640" height="183" alt="triptic" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just in case you thought all I was going to do was gush about my beautiful children...psssh. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I thought I had a pillow form for this new little thing, but alas, I do not. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6378361111/" title="DSC_0150 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6111/6378361111_568f295386_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So you will get a 'work in progress' pic instead of a 'finished product' pic.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Willow has one coming, too. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But I think it's got about 2 stitches in it... so it wouldn't be that fun to look at. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe I'll finish it by her 4th birthday... haha. </div><div style="text-align: center;">*Hopefully*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All my laundry was finished last week. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Now- NONE of it is. </div><div style="text-align: center;">None. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I hate laundry. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I want a shirt that says 'I hate doing laundry' so I can wear it when I have no clean clothes. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So, I guess I would wear it for </div><div style="text-align: center;">10 days straight, </div><div style="text-align: center;">then I would have clean clothes for approximately 47 seconds, </div><div style="text-align: center;">then I could wear it again. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But it would have to wash itself or forget it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also... my back is out. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't move, really. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it has something to do with Ellie going from</div><div style="text-align: center;">sleeping through the night</div><div style="text-align: center;"> to </div><div style="text-align: center;">not sleeping at ALL through the night</div><div style="text-align: center;">which meant I fell asleep in a sitting position while holding her because she wouldn't let me put her down. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So now I'm stuck in a sitting position while attempting to stand.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That, and the fact that I'm getting old. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't even get me started... please. This upcoming birthday has got me all messed up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just call me Quasimodo... it's more fitting. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-76846384577006846012011-11-17T12:40:00.000-08:002011-11-17T13:38:20.544-08:00Sneak peek because I can't wait any longer...<div style="text-align: center;">So, remember when I was all excited about showing </div><div style="text-align: center;">you guys my new </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://willowbeancreations.blogspot.com/2011/04/im-better.html">Nursery/Big Girl Room</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">on a <a href="http://willowbeancreations.blogspot.com/2011/04/quilts-and-mob-connections-and-budget.html">budget</a> which was completely underway and actually </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>almost</i> complete </div><div style="text-align: center;">but then we moved, so I had to </div><div style="text-align: center;">start all over </div><div style="text-align: center;">in a new room in a new house? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Before it was finished?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember?</div><div style="text-align: center;">No?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, I'm almost done with the <i>new</i> Big Girl Room.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Which no longer has '/Nursery' attached to it</div><div style="text-align: center;">because Ellie's crib is in <i>our</i> room. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I couldn't imagine Ellie sleeping in a room that we were <i>not</i> sleeping in. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's just too weird. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Willow slept in our room forever. </div><div style="text-align: center;">She even had her own room and then we just ended up putting her big girl bed in the corner in our room. </div><div style="text-align: center;">She ended up in there at some point every night anyway...</div><div style="text-align: center;">But she's getting bigger, and therefore needs her own room. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sniff. Sniff. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, since I'm not completely done with her room,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but can't stay away from the blog any longer, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but am super-swamped with holiday sewing and 'our' projects that need finishing up, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and can't contain my excitement for that much longer, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I wanted to give a little sneak peek into Willow's Big Girl Room:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6354886305/" title="DSC_0138_2 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6119/6354886305_9661d42b2d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0138_2" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's almost all handmade/DIY, free, thrifted, repurposed, or <a href="http://willowbeancreations.blogspot.com/2011/10/upcycling-even-though-i-totally-hate.html">upcycled</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6354886629/" title="DSC_0140_2 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6221/6354886629_f2e193b709_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0140_2" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And most definitely within a new (even lower) budget- just to see if I could do it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6354887013/" title="DSC_0144 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6051/6354887013_1a8521770c_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0144" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's turning out pretty sweet. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6354887365/" title="DSC_0146 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6094/6354887365_d4da21ef96_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0146" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm pulling inspiration from <a href="http://pinterest.com/madisong/willow-s-room-3/">lots of places</a>...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6354887533/" title="DSC_0147 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6218/6354887533_de44f1d817_z.jpg" width="501" height="640" alt="DSC_0147" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And Willow has even been creating some art for her room.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Awesome. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love that <i>she</i> loves making stuff as much as I do...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6354887687/" title="DSC_0148 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6097/6354887687_65df927b65_z.jpg" width="431" height="640" alt="DSC_0148" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I just have a few things to finish up and then I can't wait to post the finished result!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6354888075/" title="DSC_0145 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6354888075_18e0d3611f_z.jpg" width="451" height="640" alt="DSC_0145" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aaaand</div><div style="text-align: center;">- once I get the new room finished up and posted- </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be posting some tutorials for everything that we made. </div><div style="text-align: center;">That way you can have a s<b>uper-cute room</b> too without spending a <i><b>wholelotta</b></i><b> moola</b>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yippee for everybody. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I'm still working on making a PDF sleeve pattern for that <a href="http://willowbeancreations.blogspot.com/2011/10/upcycling-even-though-i-totally-hate.html">upcycled dress</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't worry. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't forget. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's just a busy time of year. I'm sure you all can relate. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Thursday!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-48333555976327463482011-11-06T20:51:00.009-08:002011-11-06T22:19:39.832-08:00All Hallows' Eve<div style="text-align: center;">Halloween 2011. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a blast, I must say. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Willow was an 'Owl Princess'. </div><div style="text-align: center;">In case you're wondering... the pink pumpkin jack-o'-lantern candy thingy was a <b>must</b>-have.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6309565190/" title="DSC_0018 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6107/6309565190_b805f395a2_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0018" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not orange.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pink.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That's what made the 'princess' part of the costume. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Duh.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6309057491/" title="Picnik collage by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6230/6309057491_74c12c2359_z.jpg" width="640" height="393" alt="Picnik collage" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And Ellie was our little Screech Owl. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6309043683/" title="DSC_0030 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6218/6309043683_cee5414ca6_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0030" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Believe me, she definitely earned the 'screech' part of that title. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Girl's got some lungs. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was cold, </div><div style="text-align: center;">so there's not so many pictures of Ellie in her full costume... </div><div style="text-align: center;">which is a total bummer, </div><div style="text-align: center;">because she looked stinking adorable. </div><div style="text-align: center;">One of these years I <i>will</i> get <b>all</b> the pictures I want before the trick-or-treating begins. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You just watch...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At first Willow was going to be Elvis. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Hilarious, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;">But then I saw some owl costumes, </div><div style="text-align: center;">particularly <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/275750666/">this one</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/275648084/">this one</a>, </div><div style="text-align: center;"> and <i>persuaded</i> her to change her mind.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Aaaand</i> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I thought it would be a LOT easier to make an owl than it would be to make an Elvis, </div><div style="text-align: center;">not gonna lie.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was super easy. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And <b>way</b> cheap. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The only thing I bought was the felt for the wings. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I used <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/275643397/">this</a> pattern for wingy inspiration. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I used the general wing shapes the website provided,</div><div style="text-align: center;">-but I thought the directions were very Martha Stewartish-</div><div style="text-align: center;">which makes sense, considering it's her website...</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I just kinda winged it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Get it? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Wing</i>ed it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I know. I'm hilarious. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I chose the colors based on those leggings, which I thought looked very Owl-y. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Cut all the 'feathers' from scraps. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sewed them all onto an old t-shirt of mine that I cut the sleeves off of.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I used safety pins to make it a bit smaller,</div><div style="text-align: center;">as well as attach the wings. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's all about using what you have...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think she liked it :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6309564976/" title="DSC_0043 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6044/6309564976_479fd28768_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0043" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She flapped away from almost every house. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6309065749/" title="DSC_0031 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6236/6309065749_cf02ec4909_z.jpg" width="424" height="640" alt="DSC_0031" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the houses were on a slight incline, and she ran down their yards</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>so fast </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">after each house that we had to kind of </div><div style="text-align: center;">block her from the road and act like buffers </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>just</i> in case </div><div style="text-align: center;">she gained too much momentum and couldn't stop. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Or if she took a digger. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Which she did. </div><div style="text-align: center;">A few times. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's all good though... CANDY!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Favorite</b> shot of the night:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6309566884/" title="DSC_0039 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/6309566884_abc9678b39_z.jpg" width="640" height="473" alt="DSC_0039" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure she's thinking, "Al<i>right</i>... I <i>got</i> this!". </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope everybody had a Bewitching Halloween!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And just for fun, here's a picture of Ty and my hubby, </div><div style="text-align: center;">-aka Dumb and Dumber-</div><div style="text-align: center;">all dressed up in their Halloween costumes:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6321498086/" title="Picnik collage by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6107/6321498086_0712ee428d_z.jpg" width="640" height="453" alt="Picnik collage" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Orange and blue tuxedos (made from a men's suit pattern)</div><div style="text-align: center;">complete with </div><div style="text-align: center;">matching orange and blue shoes (old shoes and spray paint), </div><div style="text-align: center;"> orange and blue canes (dowels and a railing piece from Home Depot), </div><div style="text-align: center;">orange and blue tuxedo shirts(old button-down shirts dyed and ruffled up with cut up t-shirts), </div><div style="text-align: center;">and matching orange and blue bow-ties and top hats (pattern). </div><div style="text-align: center;">Just add a blonde wig for Harry and a blacked out tooth for Lloyd and you're ready to party...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Do we know how to Halloween or what?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Good times... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-54672865128326619042011-10-20T11:35:00.012-07:002011-10-20T14:07:42.259-07:00Upcycling- even though I totally hate that word.<div style="text-align: center;">I've never liked the word 'upcycle'. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Not sure why. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It just bugs me. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But I actually like to upcycle things quite a bit. </div><div style="text-align: center;">As many things as I can, actually. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's kind of addicting. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I need to get used to the fact that I might start using that dumb word more often. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Welcome it to my vocabulary, if you will. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll only <i>half</i>-welcome it for now. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Invite it in, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but make it sit in the cramped corner with all the really catty words... </div><div style="text-align: center;">Make it earn its keep. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My usual 'upcycling' includes:</div><div style="text-align: left;">*covering stains on Willow's shirts with fabric appliques to give them a new life. </div><div style="text-align: left;">*adding ruffles to dresses that are too short to make them longer. </div><div style="text-align: left;">*hemming clothes that are too long to make them shorter until she grows into them.</div><div style="text-align: left;">*adding fun trims and things to basic secondhand clothes to make them more 'Willow'. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am very interested in expanding my upcycling endeavors, however. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I have a few reasons for this: </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's fun. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It saves money. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It makes me use what I have. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It makes me get creative. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It makes me think out of the box. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It sharpens my <i>skillz</i>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(I think everyone should say skills like <i>skillz- </i>really <i>feel</i> the word; it's way more fun)</div><div style="text-align: center;">It reduces our footprint on the environment (to a degree). </div><div style="text-align: center;">And it makes me feel all cool and stuff. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is my latest: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6263863959/" title="Button down to Dress by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6238/6263863959_7483775a97_z.jpg" width="640" height="364" alt="Button down to Dress" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I took one of Drew's old button down shirts</div><div style="text-align: center;">- I don't think he ever wore it- </div><div style="text-align: center;">and mish-mashed a few tutorials together to get a general idea of what I was doing. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The best part is: it was REALLY EASY.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can do this!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6263916885/" title="DSC_0097 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/6263916885_ce75f5e773_z.jpg" width="396" height="640" alt="DSC_0097" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I really love the way it turned out- <i>exactly</i> what I was going for...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6264406428/" title="DSC_0096 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6036/6264406428_cb683efed8_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0096" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm digging the sleeves. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I <b>really</b> loved the inside cuffs of the old shirt and knew I wanted to use them somehow. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So I made the sleeves kind of puffed - and cuffed. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's call it puff-cuffed. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Just because it's fun to say. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6263880147/" title="DSC_0102 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6108/6263880147_b03de58c2c_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0102" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I took off the ugly/boring grey buttons and </div><div style="text-align: center;">replaced them </div><div style="text-align: center;">with mismatched buttons from my Button Jar. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6264406828/" title="DSC_0099 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6232/6264406828_554618383c_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0099" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6264406828/" title="DSC_0099 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"></a>The Button Jar is sweet. </div><div style="text-align: center; ">It never disappoints. </div><div style="text-align: center; ">It used to hold Northern Beans, now it holds a <b><i>wholelotta</i></b><i> </i>awesome. </div><div style="text-align: center; ">Upcycling? I think so...</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The collar was boring.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Most tutorials called for an elastic collar. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Honestly, I hate making finished hems, and I really don't care for making elastic casings. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Insert the ruffled collar. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I think it's WAY cuter. </div><div style="text-align: center;">If there's a choice between elastic or ruffles- you <i>always</i> choose ruffles. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Always. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6263878945/" title="DSC_0100 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6099/6263878945_854d8b6cde_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0100" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the old shirt waving goodbye...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6264405944/" title="DSC_0133 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6118/6264405944_5b8103799d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0133" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a really quick look at how I did it:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I laid the old shirt out on the floor and made sure it was completely flat,</div><div style="text-align: center;">with no wrinkles- front <i>and</i> back. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I took one of Willow's dresses (that fits) and centered it on top of old shirt.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Once I had good placement of dress- I cut off sleeves and collar.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6264405142/" title="DSC_0136 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/6264405142_741bf52a3f_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0136" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I just used Willow's dress as a pattern. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I traced the dress onto the front of the shirt with a Sharpie marker. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I traced about 1/2" from the edge of dress to account for seam allowances. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6263880979/" title="DSC_0137 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6214/6263880979_e014e3a82e_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0137" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After it was all traced, I cut out the dress from <b>both</b> layers of the shirt <i>at the same time</i>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm telling you, this is <i>easy</i>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6263878143/" title="DSC_0139 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6161/6263878143_005a8b9e21_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0139" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>*when you place dress on top of shirt, make sure the buttons are in a 'good' spot for you. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's what it looks like all cut out: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6263881333/" title="DSC_0142 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6211/6263881333_6076756d82_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0142" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sleeves were probably the trickiest part. </div><div style="text-align: center;">On the next dress I'm probably going to tinker with them a bit to get them just right...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyways, I knew I wanted to use the </div><div style="text-align: center;">sweet inside cuff of the shirt... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6263878293/" title="DSC_0143 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6162/6263878293_df2dd286b1_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0143" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I cut the sleeves in half and kept the bottom half for my project.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6263878445/" title="DSC_0144 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6238/6263878445_d8ea8abc41_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0144" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, I cut the bottom sleeves down the seam to make them lay flat- or to 'open' them up. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I must have been excited about my project, </div><div style="text-align: center;">because I seem to lack many pics from this point forward...</div><div style="text-align: center;">oops.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, I know this is going to scare a few people, but you have to make a pattern for the sleeves. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Don't give up!</b> <i>Please</i>!</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's <i>so</i> easy, you just need to know the basics of a sleeve. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, I was just going to seam rip one of Willow's dresses that had the same kind of sleeve I wanted, but I couldn't find any. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Bummer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">SO...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I used <a href="http://presserfoot.blogspot.com/2009/05/shirt-dress-pattern.html">this</a> general pattern instead that I found when I googled 'sleeve pattern'.</div><div style="text-align: center;">For real. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's for a short sleeve, but it gave me all the general info for making a sleeve pattern of my own.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I got to work on tweaking a pattern that fit my opened up sleeve fabric. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Once you've got your pattern figured out, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Cut 2 of them from your old shirt sleeves. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now all you have to do is sew the pieces together!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Go in this order (with right sides together):</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sew one sleeve onto shirt front.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sew other sleeve onto shirt front. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sew first sleeve to shirt back.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sew other sleeve to shirt back. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, with right sides still facing each other, </div><div style="text-align: center;">sew the side seams of the dress together, starting at the sleeves and moving down the side of the dress.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sew both sides of the dress. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Turn inside out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You have a dress!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you used the old shirt cuffs when making your sleeves, </div><div style="text-align: center;">all that's left to do is finish the collar and hem the bottom. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I realize the above directions would be much more helpful with pictures... </div><div style="text-align: center;">If there are people who are actually interested in one, I will put together a WAY better tutorial. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Just email me or leave a comment and I will put it together ASAP.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But this is what I have for now... sorry. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll also show you how to make these really cute headbands: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6264698446/" title="DSC_0084 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6229/6264698446_293c63eb7d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0084" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These are also super easy, and there's NO sewing involved. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6264171275/" title="DSC_0107 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6234/6264171275_6304b2cef7_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0107" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just some hot glue, felt, fabric flowers, and buttons. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6264698866/" title="DSC_0105 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6118/6264698866_7dd65c78a5_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0105" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So you'll be able to make matching headbands for all the cute little upcycled outfits you make. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously, let me know if you're interested in a tutorial. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Raid your hubby's old shirts to see if you've got any potentials- then email me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">willowbeanmama@gmail.com</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-73711713255135928772011-10-06T08:13:00.008-07:002011-10-06T13:20:00.161-07:00Chasing Charlotte and do.Good<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Way</i> back in February </div><div style="text-align: center;">I got an email from a woman named Kelly who was interested in ordering some</div><div style="text-align: center;">WillowBean Creations for her little one. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I get these kind of inquiring emails all the time, but this one was different. </div><div style="text-align: center;">She told me she was in the midst of adopting her soon-to-be daughter from a foreign country. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It sounds funny, but I could almost hear the nervous excitement in her voice </div><div style="text-align: center;">through the words on the screen.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was instantly hooked, because my family has gone through adoption, too. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm from one of those big, intricate, crazy families that's had the fair share of </div><div style="text-align: center;">divorces, re-marriages, and adoptions which results in plenty of siblings, </div><div style="text-align: center;">not unlike many other families, I'm sure. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Step-siblings, half-siblings, adopted siblings...</div><div style="text-align: center;">There's a lot of us.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's hard to explain to others, really. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And those words- step, half, adopted- I never really liked them, to be quite honest. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We're all just brothers and sisters. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You have no idea how many times I've wished for a <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=venn+diagram&hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&sa=X&rls=en&biw=1363&bih=730&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=BrK4EkIVx-E6VM:&imgrefurl=http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/graphic/venn3/&docid=4P6fYPpojmQKkM&w=470&h=480&ei=AQ2OTt7RCcXJsQKJhPTGAQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=473&page=1&tbnh=143&tbnw=140&start=0&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0&tx=91&ty=75">Venn diagram</a> when asked how many brothers and sisters I have... for real. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't really know where I'm going with this. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Like I said, it's hard to explain. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But what I'm trying to get to is that 3 of my 4 little brothers are adopted. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Which is probably why I felt an instant connection when Kelly emailed me. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Especially when I knew she was adopting her little girl from the same country my brothers are from. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Weird, right? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">But wait- it gets better. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So... </div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh yes. </div><div style="text-align: center;">There was an email, and then a couple more emails, and then Kelly told me her daughter's name:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Charlotte. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And then she told me that Charlotte had Down Syndrome.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I'm sure some of you have heard of my husband's cousin, Kelle, and her blog, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kellehampton.com/">Enjoying the Small Things.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you haven't, go <a href="http://www.kellehampton.com/">check it out</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, And get out from under your rock. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Long story short, Kelle's blog is great and fun to read and inspirational and all that good stuff. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Her daughter, Nella, also happens to have Down Syndrome. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I mentioned the blog to the <i>other</i> Kelly </div><div style="text-align: center;">(I know, it's a bit confusing with the same name... stay with me.) </div><div style="text-align: center;">as something she might enjoy taking a look at. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Then <i>she</i> told <i>me</i> that Kelle, and the words on her blog, were partly what inspired her to adopt a special needs child. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">CRAZY, right? </div><div style="text-align: center;">I mean, out of all the <i>millions</i> of blogs on the internet, </div><div style="text-align: center;">what are the chances </div><div style="text-align: center;">that she would find <i>both of ours</i> that were connected in so many tiny little ways? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, I'm a sucker for small world coincidences like that-</div><div style="text-align: center;"> so I was super excited to get to make sweet Charlotte a special present that will wrap her up at night and keep her warm and snuggled. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Over 6 months and 60+ emails later deliberating over the perfect present... </div><div style="text-align: center;">this is Charlotte's quilt: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6213138345/" title="Chasing Charlotte Quilt by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6119/6213138345_bcfa666690_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Chasing Charlotte Quilt" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's one of the softest quilts I've ever made. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's big (80x88") and warm and soft and everything you need in a quilt, really. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And it's bright. And fun. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And soft. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish you could reach through the screen and touch this. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's <i>so</i> soft I decided to hand-stitch the binding on this whole thing so I could have it longer. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Not. even. kidding. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a shot of the back:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6213653220/" title="Chasing Charlotte Quilt Back by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6230/6213653220_b9f58f74e5_z.jpg" width="514" height="640" alt="Chasing Charlotte Quilt Back" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a pieced back with random prints from the front and that solid aqua color. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The quilt is bound in a solid pink, which I think works really well to frame the front of the quilt as well as the back. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And you can see from the back that I machine-quilted 1/4" from each side of the seams. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a special label I made for Charlotte's new quilt: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6213653400/" title="Chasing Charlotte Quilt label by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6229/6213653400_d75d5d503b_z.jpg" width="640" height="524" alt="Chasing Charlotte Quilt label" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Congratulations </div><div style="text-align: center;">to Kelly and her husband, </div><div style="text-align: center;">who are still in the process of bringing their little girl home. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You can read more about their story on her blog, <a href="http://chasingcharlotte.blogspot.com/">Chasing Charlotte</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And thank you for letting me take part in making something so special for your daughter...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are my October blocks for the Grace circle of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/dogoodstitches/">do.Good stitches</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">2 Wonky Log Cabin blocks... </div><div style="text-align: center;">I haven't made these kind of blocks in a <i>long</i> time, they were super fun and a good way to use scraps. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6213137939/" title="Grace do. Good Stitches October by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6211/6213137939_f08a808ee6_z.jpg" width="640" height="321" alt="Grace do. Good Stitches October" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe there's a new quilt to add to my list!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Thursday... the weekend is coming, the weekend is coming!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-58090489540708633932011-09-28T09:04:00.012-07:002011-09-28T10:23:39.006-07:00Time-sucking black hole...<div style="text-align: center;">The internet literally <i>sucks</i> time out of my life.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I don't really have enough extra time to share it with the good ol' internet. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a giant hour-devouring <b>black hole.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure I can hear time's rapid exodus from my day</div><div style="text-align: center;"> - like a big whoooosh- </div><div style="text-align: center;">and sometimes it's even a creepy screeching sound. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">During the day, it's not so bad. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I usually get on for just a 'quick second' to check a recipe or something. </div><div style="text-align: center;">No biggie. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But nights are the worst. </div><div style="text-align: center;">My viable sleeping minutes just tick, tick, tick - gone. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's terrible. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I really need to do something about it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't even get me <i>started</i> on Pinterest... </div><div style="text-align: center;">I have a love/hate relationship with that pretty little time-sucker. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It really is <i>so. pretty</i>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Despite the internet, I have gotten some sewing accomplished. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Like I <a href="http://willowbeancreations.blogspot.com/2011/09/exhale.html">said a few days ago</a>, all my commission pieces are done and gone, and it really does make relaxing a possibility.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, if you call it relaxing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I</i> call it relaxing, so I'll stick with it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> I get to sit and think about what I want to make next. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(I know, I know- living in the moment- but I'm a work in progress, what can I say?) </div><div style="text-align: center;">My creativity part gets all buzzy and jumpy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I even twitch a bit. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a good time.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've even made a list of what I've been thinking about. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I will share said list with you later- because I just thought of a few things to add. </div><div style="text-align: center;">There's nothing worse than an incomplete list, no?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the meantime, </div><div style="text-align: center;">how about I share a BOY nursery set with you?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; ">It was all designed around some fave fabrics, a <a href="http://www.shopwee.com/large-jungle-mobile.html">mobile</a> and a <a href="http://www.madebygirl.com/product.php?sku=PR-11">print </a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="http://www.madebygirl.com/product.php?sku=PR-11"></a>the customer planned on using in the nursery. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6180006732/" title="DSC_0010 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/6180006732_f9671e58fe_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0010" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm loving the zig-zag thing happening with this one. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Really. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6180007036/" title="DSC_0013 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6153/6180007036_828bbf080e_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0013" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the colors, so bright and cheery.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And boy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6179480467/" title="DSC_0014 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/6179480467_a3b8acb987_z.jpg" width="473" height="640" alt="DSC_0014" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And the way the chocolate brown is used to accent all the pieces and bring them together is great, too:</div><div style="text-align: center;">chocolate brown bumper ties, binding and accents in quilt, and bottom border on crib skirt. </div><div style="text-align: center;">LOVE. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I made the zig-zag quilt using the HST method, which is <i>by far</i> my favorite for making perfect zigs and zags. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I machine quilted, </div><div style="text-align: center;">on either side of the zig-zag seams to add emphasis, </div><div style="text-align: center;">using a light grey thread,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> and then added lots of extra quilting lines in the</div><div style="text-align: center;"> solid brown zig (or zag). </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the effect it made and it might be my favorite part of the set. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6179480873/" title="DSC_0011 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6179480873_b3c1053112_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0011" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The quilting looks snazzy on the back, too!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6179481355/" title="DSC_0007 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6172/6179481355_348e529027_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0007" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And here's the handsome quilt in all it's zig-zagged glory. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(That's a tiny helper, not a huge quilt!) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6180007482/" title="DSC_0004 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6171/6180007482_166a5f8cce_z.jpg" width="452" height="640" alt="DSC_0004" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Working on this set really got me wanting to make a few more zig-zag quilts... we'll see. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But I <i>did</i> manage to eek out a fall-inspired HUGE pillow cover out of some scraps:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6180008076/" title="DSC_0030 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6180008076_d704fb1713_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0030" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Extremely teeny tiny scraps that I can never ever just throw away!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I got to do some </div><div style="text-align: center;">organic line quilting in bright green</div><div style="text-align: center;">for this one, </div><div style="text-align: center;">which I also love. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yay!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6179482101/" title="DSC_0026 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6179482101_bca4ca1ea3_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0026" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I added a little strip of trees (Majestic Oak by Joel Dewberry) into the pieced envelope back. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6180008346/" title="DSC_0031 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6155/6180008346_7f4200993e_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0031" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just for fun!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love how this turned out, but unfortunately it doesn't match my home decor <i>at all</i>, </div><div style="text-align: center;">so I've decided to try and sell this cutie. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you're interested in purchasing this 20x20" pillow cover ($28), you can using the button below: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick"><input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="CYWW878YDLV96"><input type="image" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_buynowCC_LG.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1" /></form></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And for those of you interested in buying a custom nursery set,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> you can do that using the drop down menu at the right, towards the top. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's about all the time I'm going to let this darn internet suck from me...</div><div style="text-align: center;">for now. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Wednesday!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-70735735314412152842011-09-24T22:11:00.003-07:002011-09-24T22:26:00.616-07:00Exhale.<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I forget to breathe. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I know some people can turn that into a dumb blonde joke.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whatever. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I just exhaled, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
like really, actually, literally, physically exhaled... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and it was amazing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like, stars-in-a-jar amazing.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/204410873/" target="_blank"><img 500'="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/204410873_MAtT1in5_c.jpg" width="500 height =" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Source: <a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/3322697" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">weheartit.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/madisong/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Madison</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Take a big breath. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And let it ALLLLL out. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Doesn't it feel nice? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mine was more refreshing than a long hot shower, and we all know <a href="http://willowbeancreations.blogspot.com/2010/10/i-shower.html">how much I love those</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Weird thing, that breathing. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/204365030/" target="_blank"><img 700'="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/204365030_dh4Efu7w_c.jpg" width="466 height =" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://keraleda.tumblr.com/post/5614374644/sam-jinks-sculpture" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">keraleda.tumblr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/madisong/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Madison</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>breathtaking, right?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All commission sewing projects are done and gone</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pictures uploaded to computer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
New sewing area (finally) created in new house </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(the hubby was not a fan of me using the kitchen table- so, my plan worked- ha!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Computer/office nook set up </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(no more computer on chair, mouse on scrap of fabric on table, keyboard on lap)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last of the boxes unpacked</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
40 envelopes addressed, stuffed, stamped and sent</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Garage sale OVER</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dishes done</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Babies sleeping</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Laundry going</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hubby out with long-time-no-see best friend</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lights down low</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
TV OFF</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pandora ON</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(<i>sing</i> it, Adele)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
writing now...<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
... and EXHALE.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
it just feels. so. <i>good</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 0.px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/199550167/" target="_blank"><img 500'="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/199550167_eDvWBpc8_c.jpg" width="421 height =" /></a></div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/apartment_34/6150417899/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">flickr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/madisong/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Madison</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes, I just get way too caught up in <b>what's happening next</b> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I forget </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to focus on </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>what's happening now</b>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/159683538/" target="_blank"><img 500'="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/159683538_uLcL0YB4_c.jpg" width="500 height =" /></a></div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpdkr7KvbO1qz4d4bo1_500.jpg" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">25.media.tumblr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/madisong/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Madison</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
It's a constant struggle for me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have to realize that </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there will always be deadlines, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will always have laundry, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
some <i>thing</i>- whatever that 'thing' may be- will always need to be done,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there will always be DIY projects on <a href="http://pinterest.com/madisong/">Pinterest</a> that beckon my name, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my inbox will always have emails that need replies,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will never run out of family members to call, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
someone will always be expecting something of me, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and my house will never be completely clean. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And that's ok.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because there will <i>also</i> always be a 'now'. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lots of things happen 'now'. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I need to stop thinking about what <i>needs</i> to be done and worry about what <i>is</i> being done, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because there's nothing like the present</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or something like that, right? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/204401542/" target="_blank"><img 692'="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/204401542_MG3tEZhb_c.jpg" width="553 height =" /></a></div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73033946/i-just-want-to-make-beautiful-things" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">etsy.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/madisong/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Madison</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think a lot of women have this problem. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We try to <i>be</i> everything by <i>doing</i> everything. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Guess what?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's stupid. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we are a smart bunch, I like to think.<br />
Oh, we can get shit done, if you know what I mean.<br />
But nobody can do everything, let's get real. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/214867684/" target="_blank"><img 375'="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/214867684_lC0PVnPv_c.jpg" width="500 height =" /></a></div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/14969411" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">weheartit.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kaitlynthomas/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">kait</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, to all of you </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
stay-at-home-moms, working moms, single moms, new moms, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
single ladies busting your butts, married ladies busting your butts, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wives, daughters, sisters, girlfriends, college goers, law school students, waitresses...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sit down, relax, and <i>exhale.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And know- even if it's just for this moment- that you. are. everything. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You are doing exactly what you need to be doing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You are <i>be</i>ing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And that is a beautiful thing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And so are you. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/214413460/" target="_blank"><img 240'="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/214413460_nbYeSlxx_c.jpg" width="320 height =" /></a></div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://www.singingthroughtherain.com/2011/08/control.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">singingthroughtherain.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/tysilzer/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">ty</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was going to post all latest quilts/finishes/sewing projects tonight, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but then I figured I couldn't post those until I posted Willow's birthday pics from August</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(yeah, <i>August</i>), </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and then I started thinking about my Grandpa Paul and how I really need to call him to let him know that I got his letter, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which got me thinking about all the letters that I sent out (wait-did they all go out?), </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which got me thinking about the new big quilt that's in the works, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which got me thinking about my blocks I need to finish for my charity circle, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which made me think about the best way to organize my scraps in my new studio<i>ish</i> area, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which made me think about where in the world I'm going to actually plug in my sewing machine down there, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which made me think that I never found a bobbin cover for my friend's sewing machine like I said I would forever ago, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which made me think of her birthday presents, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which made me think about Willow's party and the lack of post and/or uploaded pictures for the rest of my family to see. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See what I mean?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
EXHALE. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm working on it...<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I needed a little boost tonight, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so I figured somebody else out there might need one, too. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I tried to be as non-girl-powerish as possible while still keepin' it real. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/170815702/" target="_blank"><img 360'="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/170815702_4HcIYXmi_c.jpg" width="360 height =" /></a></div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://www.live-inspired.com/She-discovered-her-real-measurements-had-nothing-to-do-with-numbers-or-statistics-She-Journal-P780" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">live-inspired.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/rmccar/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Rachel</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-76795359794190568902011-09-06T20:14:00.000-07:002011-09-06T20:14:22.542-07:00One for you, one for me.<div style="text-align: center;">
Have you heard of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/dogoodstitches/">do. Good stitches</a>?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, it's a really cool. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's a charity quilting bee.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Basically, a bunch of quilty peeps sew a couple assigned blocks a month and then send them across the country to another quilty peep who sews them all </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
together into a pretty sweet finished quilt. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And, since it's a charity bee, the sweet quilt gets donated. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's the do. Good part... but it also feels good. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's also a good way for me to learn new techniques and try out new designs </div>
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I wouldn't normally choose, </div>
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a few blocks at a time. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So, here are my Postage Stamp blocks for August: </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6121129120/" title="Grace Circle August Postage Stamp Blocks by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="Grace Circle August Postage Stamp Blocks" height="426" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6121129120_69f4c067da_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Even though I've done patchwork before, I've never worked with </div>
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such small squares </div>
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(2.5" unfinished, 2" finished).<br />
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Turns out, I loved it so much I made myself a pillow cover! </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6122517036/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="DSC_0474 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0474" height="426" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6122517036_8968c3e14f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The charity bee blocks were only 6x6, </div>
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so I extended the pillow cover with more squares to make it 8x8, </div>
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which used 64 2.5" squares. </div>
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It's a <i>great</i> way to use up your scraps!</div>
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I pieced the back as well, and I thought I took a picture, but I guess not...</div>
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oops. </div>
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It's made from my stash and super-cute. </div>
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You can take my word for it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Anyway, the new cover looks nice paired with my</div>
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<a href="http://willowbeancreations.blogspot.com/2011/03/i-did-something-kinda-cool-i-think.html">Happy Pillow</a> </div>
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and placed on my </div>
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newly painted chairs </div>
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against my newly painted walls </div>
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in my newly inhabited home. </div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6122517182/" title="DSC_0473 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0473" height="640" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6079/6122517182_2cc2a02dfc_z.jpg" width="578" /></a></div>
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<i>Love</i>. </div>
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<br />
It's just another step forward in trying to live a more handmade life.<br />
Next project for keeps are some handmade place mats for my new kitchen table...<br />
I'll just add it to the list, right? </div>
WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-18665016309048317182011-08-31T07:20:00.017-07:002011-08-31T10:59:46.677-07:00I can't find the USB cord...<div style="text-align: center;">I've got so many new projects and fun stuff I want to share! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>buuuut </i></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't find my little cord that's kind of important for getting the pictures </div><div style="text-align: center;">from the camera to the computer.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(It's in a box somewhere- oh, and WE MOVED! <---- fun new thing!) </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I really don't think you'd want to hear about my new stuff, </div><div style="text-align: center;">which probably isn't all that interesting to you, </div><div style="text-align: center;">without a few explanatory pictures. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Am I right? </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, instead of uploading and editing new pictures, I've been going through all the </div><div style="text-align: center;">pictures from the summer.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a LOT of fun this summer, and since it's almost over (sniff) I'm feeling the need to document...</div><div style="text-align: center;">And it just so happens that BOTH girls are sleeping right now which means I get to <i>write</i>!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I seriously don't even know where to begin... so I guess I'll start with these:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6099610523/" title="DSC_0360 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6099610523_74e850cd71_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6100156624/" title="DSC_0359 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6100156624_640cf035f6_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0359" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Why not, right? </div><div style="text-align: center;">We've had some amazing sunset cruises on the lake this summer.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ah. mazing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks Captain Dave! (aka Duffman) and Roxy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6100320492/" title="Duffy and Roxy by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6100320492_db8a92d510_z.jpg" width="640" height="313" alt="Duffy and Roxy" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Roxy has her own life jacket.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She does. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Not even kidding. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6100474460/" title="DSC_0310 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6100474460_55783fd65b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0310" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">See?</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And this is how Roxy measures fun:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6099939717/" title="fun and lots of fun by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6099939717_1d45f8505e_z.jpg" width="640" height="323" alt="fun and lots of fun" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">She's always down for a good time...</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lake Fun, of course, serves as a prequel to the sunset cruises.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6099609979/" title="DSC_0303 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6099609979_4243d8daae_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0303" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Willow's first tube ride with LaLa. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">And so does good food and family.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6100157272/" title="DSC_0357 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6079/6100157272_dc992d0bd8_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0357" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Willow's version of good food.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6099610851/" title="DSC_0283 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6099610851_90bf60641d_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0283" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Papa Frank, or as Willow likes to call him, "Frankie!"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then of course, there was 4th of July:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6100135620/" title="DSC_0194 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6100135620_1c9a54b47a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0194" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have I ever mentioned before that I <i>LOVE</i> fireworks?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Like, LOVE them. So much. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I wanted them at our wedding. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They cost a lot. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We didn't have them...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I could watch fireworks every day of the year.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Especially the really big ones that you feel in your chest.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The 'Big Boomers'.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Those are the best. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And, if you happen to live in Michigan, </div><div style="text-align: center;">the only- and I mean <i>only</i>- way </div><div style="text-align: center;">to see fireworks is </div><div style="text-align: center;">from a boat.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Preferably a really big boat so that if it's too far out into the river and the </div><div style="text-align: center;">Coast Guard makes you move it </div><div style="text-align: center;">and then it doesn't get anchored properly and starts swinging every which way compromising <i>all</i> the other boats </div><div style="text-align: center;">in the immediate vicinity, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>they</i> have to move out of <i>your</i> way, not the other way around.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6100139170/" title="DSC_0166 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6100139170_230446da5b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0166" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You know, if that sort of thing were to ever happen. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6099958377/" title="Party Boat! by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6074/6099958377_a97d0547b4_z.jpg" width="640" height="306" alt="Party Boat!" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This boat had a live band on the back rockin' out a dance party. It's what some people like to call 'awesome'. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I look around and say, "Really?"</div><div style="text-align: center;">We are some lucky, lucky people...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6100138874/" title="DSC_0170 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6100138874_94af847c53_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0170" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And if you have friends that are more like family </div><div style="text-align: center;">and invite you to their shindig year after year, where they all fight each other to hold your babies, </div><div style="text-align: center;">you pretty much have it made.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6100136788/" title="DSC_0146 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6100136788_a43fbebc3b_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0146" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I would know. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Especially when they love your kids and treat them to a mani-pedi complete with snacks and a drink as soon as we arrive. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6100136562/" title="DSC_0123 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6100136562_a38992772a_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0123" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And what 4th of July is complete without sparklers?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6100137096/" title="DSC_0233 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/6100137096_1bed50b19e_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0233" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or grown men doing stupid things involving sparklers in front of small children?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6099813305/" title="4th of July sparklers by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6099813305_84943b19c6_z.jpg" width="640" height="343" alt="4th of July sparklers" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6099589745/" title="DSC_0252 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6099589745_6dcec8066e_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0252" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I mean, that's what really makes it a holiday, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6100080605/" title="firework by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6074/6100080605_d49e7a8cdd_z.jpg" width="640" height="448" alt="firework" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Basically, I don't want summer to end. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They're just not long enough in Michigan.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe all the gorgeous lakes and pretty sunsets and boat rides are a trade-off for the </div><div style="text-align: center;">few months of warm weather. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or maybe the trade-off is capturing this face on camera. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6099591791/" title="DSC_0275 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6099591791_7cc6b0f8ac_z.jpg" width="383" height="640" alt="DSC_0275" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Either way, I'm going to be so sad to see Summer go. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Really, very sad.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now for some sewing news, I've been busy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My two latest nursery sets:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6100113383/" title="can you spot the differences? by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6100113383_088581d511_z.jpg" width="640" height="238" alt="can you spot the differences?" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Can you spot the differences?</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am <i>very</i> serious about making my things one-of-a-kind. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But I'm learning that the </div><div style="text-align: center;">more and more the word gets out and the more people I make things for, </div><div style="text-align: center;">the whole 'one-of-a-kind' thing </div><div style="text-align: center;">gets harder and harder. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember <a href="http://willowbeancreations.blogspot.com/2011/04/newest-completion.html">this</a> nursery set?</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, ever since then I've had lots of mommas wanting one</div><div style="text-align: center;">(which is awesome!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">To keep to my promise of only making one-of-a-kind bedding,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I've been making little changes here and there on each set.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6100705510/" title="diff quilts by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6100705510_7208671708_z.jpg" width="640" height="434" alt="diff quilts" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I want the overall look that people are </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>originally</i> drawn to </div><div style="text-align: center;">to be the same, while still making sure everything is </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>original</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So far, so good.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6100129045/" title="quilt! by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6100129045_33bdc58882_z.jpg" width="640" height="401" alt="quilt!" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Patchwork is almost always one-of-a-kind, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but I still like to </div><div style="text-align: center;">switch up the quilt backs and bindings </div><div style="text-align: center;">to set them apart from each other just that much more.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6100162787/" title="Picnik collage by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6100162787_36c69c94ab_z.jpg" width="640" height="222" alt="Picnik collage" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So thanks to everybody out there who keeps my little tiny business going...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love what I do!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think that's all I have for today... </div><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-61592812512411662082011-08-18T07:12:00.004-07:002011-08-18T10:07:35.652-07:00Four score and seven years ago...<div style="text-align: center;">I'm just kidding. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was <i>four</i> years ago. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Not <i>four score and seven years</i> ago...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Four years ago I married my hunky husband. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sure did. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6055620807/" title="champion128 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6055620807_1794e9ddb1_z.jpg" width="450" height="640" alt="champion128" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I would have never guessed on that day that 4 years later I would be </div><div style="text-align: center;">a momma</div><div style="text-align: center;">to two beautiful little girls...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>amazing</i>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6056166500/" title="sr20 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/6056166500_eb309c0c8b_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="sr20" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks to this guy: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6055619803/" title="sr1 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6074/6055619803_b16a8786f7_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="sr1" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love him. Sure do. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes, it honestly feels like we've been </div><div style="text-align: center;">together </div><div style="text-align: center;">as far back as I can remember. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And then other times I can't believe that </div><div style="text-align: center;">4 years </div><div style="text-align: center;">managed to fly by so quickly. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It makes me want to savor every single little moment we share together...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6056165676/" title="sr2 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/6056165676_b7426c9de4_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="sr2" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Life is a <b>crazy thing</b>, I tell ya...</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I always smile whenever I look back through our wedding pictures. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was such a good day. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Not just a good day, but a <i><b>goood</b></i> day. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The kind of good that requires extra 'o's and italics and bold print. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6055619279/" title="sr14 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6055619279_23dd0005e0_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="sr14" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I will never say it was the best day. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Why?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Because that would be sad. </div><div style="text-align: center;">If the 'best' day of your life is the day you get married, you're totally missing the point.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6055619007/" title="Wedding-88 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6070/6055619007_997c6c373c_z.jpg" width="640" height="431" alt="Wedding-88" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Because if you do it right, every single day</div><div style="text-align: center;">-from that point forward- </div><div style="text-align: center;">is better than the last. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I should know. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I've have <b>4 whole years</b> of <i>better-than-yesterday</i>s. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6055961697/" title="Copy (3) of PICT0527 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6055961697_52c59d4f44_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Copy (3) of PICT0527" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Expecting Baby #1</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6056048019/" title="PICT0640 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6056048019_84fff407f4_z.jpg" width="640" height="441" alt="PICT0640" /></a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hello Baby #1!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">And if I said we didn't have some </div><div style="text-align: center;">ups and downs and twists and turns, </div><div style="text-align: center;">you would call me a liar because it would be a line of BS.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I won't say it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Because you'd be right. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'd be a liar and it would be a total line of BS.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6055961781/" title="n183200467_30364482_7210 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6055961781_4f1e112437.jpg" width="399" height="499" alt="n183200467_30364482_7210" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But I wouldn't change a thing. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Because it's the ups and downs- and how you handle them- that make you stronger.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6056539000/" title="DSC_1104 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6056539000_d010373058_z.jpg" width="356" height="640" alt="DSC_1104" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And it's good to know that I'll always have my best friend right there with me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">No matter what. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6056595688/" title="Drew and Madi by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6056595688_6ed2014a73_z.jpg" width="432" height="640" alt="Drew and Madi" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Expecting Baby #2</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5790647282/" title="DSC_1178 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3655/5790647282_1c7d886cc0_z.jpg" width="640" height="522" alt="DSC_1178" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hello Baby #2!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6056620488/" title="Picnik collage by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6056620488_78ac7860eb_z.jpg" width="640" height="309" alt="Picnik collage" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't wait to see what the next 4 years has to offer.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And then the 4 after that, and the four after that....</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Anniversary to US!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-47762936181075526832011-08-16T11:00:00.006-07:002011-08-16T12:55:42.710-07:00I had too many fitting titles for this post... so this is what you get. Sorry.<div style="text-align: center;">I have been working on some pretty fantastic things over here. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You know, other than raising two strong, independent, talented, intelligent, and kind girls. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Or, at least, trying. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I just crack myself up. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know why. That's not even funny. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe I need some adult interaction or something. </div><div style="text-align: center;">My brain's doing weird things. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">I love this quilt. </div><div style="text-align: center; ">I didn't really want to send it away to its owner. </div><div style="text-align: center; ">That's how much I liked it. </div><div style="text-align: center; ">ALOT. </div><div style="text-align: center; ">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I used the </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/pdfs/Sexy_Hexy_Love_Quilt.pdf">Sexy Hexy "Love" Quilt</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">pattern from Amy Butler and then modified it a bit. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I obviously didn't use any of the "Love" prints, although</div><div style="text-align: center;"> they <i>are</i> all Amy Butler. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Lots of her older stuff, which I like. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And many of the prints were super hard to find because lots are </div><div style="text-align: center;">discontinued and whatnot. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6049695846/" title="DSC_0438 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6049695846_d9ae3b3cbc_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0438" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Sexy Hexy pattern is for a full/lap<i>ish</i> size quilt, but I needed a Queen. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So, instead of just making more hexagons to make a bigger quilt, </div><div style="text-align: center;">(which was my <i>first</i> plan)</div><div style="text-align: center;">I thought that framing in the 'original' quilt pattern would showcase it better. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I really like it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So there's the hexagon part, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and then a grey border, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and then a pieced border of all the pretty prints, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and then another grey border. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pieced together the back, too. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I wasn't a fan of the quilt back from the pattern. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was kind of boring. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So, pieced backing it is. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I added a blank label in one of the corners so they could </div><div style="text-align: center;">fill it in </div><div style="text-align: center;">with something perfect. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6049696392/" title="DSC_0440 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6049696392_4bc9c07f24_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0440" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It looks nice on a bed, right? </div><div style="text-align: center;">(It's the wrong size bed... but whatever.)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, and the matching shams. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I also happen to love those shams. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I think I'm going to make similar shams for my own room. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Shams. Shams. Shams. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6049758498/" title="Picnik collage by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6049758498_ca57f44496_z.jpg" width="640" height="355" alt="Picnik collage" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And there was some hand-quilting involved in this puppy. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yup, sure was. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I loved it so much, I added some stitches. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I think the yellow added some extra sunshine to the grey border. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And then I also hand-quilted inside the center of each hexagon. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(I machine-quilted the rest...)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6049693894/" title="DSC_0442 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6049693894_e52af29e6d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0442" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bye quilt!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have fun in your new home :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6049703902/" title="picnikfile_bi7FJd by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6074/6049703902_85739be416_z.jpg" width="640" height="381" alt="picnikfile_bi7FJd" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Funny story about this quilt. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I actually made it for an old friend that I knew pretty well when I was little. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We went to summer camp together and <i>every</i>thing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We grew up/moved apart/lost touch for years and then found each other again on facebook. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Good ol' facebook.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She and her hubby needed some bedding for their new house</div><div style="text-align: center;">(which is supercute, by the way, I know because I facebook stalked...duh.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> and thought of <i>me</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We talked fabrics and ideas and then <i>several*</i> weeks later they got a quilt.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*I say <i>several</i> because I was on schedule until </div><div style="text-align: center;">I completely quilted the whole thing, </div><div style="text-align: center;">went to bind it, </div><div style="text-align: center;">hated the quilting, </div><div style="text-align: center;">ripped it all out, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and</div><div style="text-align: center;">re-quilted it (much better), </div><div style="text-align: center;">which pushed my deadline back quite a bit. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you Heidi and Brian for being so patient.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It looks way better :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And just <i>look</i> at these two:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6049814319/" title="DSC_0133 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/6049814319_cdb3fcd23f_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0133" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Willow is so sweet to her little sister </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>when I'm in her immediate vicinity threatening everything that she holds dear. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>So</b></i> sweet<i>.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sidenote: Willow just came in and told me she really doesn't like brains.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I mean, what's not to love about this little critter? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6050365642/" title="DSC_0142 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6050365642_fd5e771397_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0142" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She's the happiest baby on the planet. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Really. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm convinced of it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">If there was a contest for "Happiest Baby on Earth", Ellie would win. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Hands down. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And now I'm going to tell all of you to go buy Chalkboard spray paint. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They have it at Home Depot.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(every single time I say 'Home Depot' I think of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiPb50D9G1w">Old School</a>, anybody else?)</div><div style="text-align: center;">So anyway, this stuff is amazing. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I turned my 'stupid glass cabinet full of stuff nobody wants or needs to see' </div><div style="text-align: center;">into a fun little chalkboard. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6049744372/" title="Picnik collage by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6049744372_89ffa55aa4_z.jpg" width="640" height="394" alt="Picnik collage" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">See?</div><div style="text-align: center;">But be careful. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's addicting. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Because now I have a whole list of things that I want to paint that really have </div><div style="text-align: center;">no business </div><div style="text-align: center;">being a chalkboard. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Adios! </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-4538050645978712312011-08-04T10:14:00.008-07:002011-08-04T11:15:58.702-07:00Peace and Mustaches.<div style="text-align: center;">I'd like to introduce you to our newest obsession: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b>The Mustache on a Stick</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6008515975/" title="Baby 'stache by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/6008515975_5b12f6d80b_z.jpg" width="640" height="589" alt="Baby 'stache" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As you can see, they are quite hilarious. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They are also ridiculously easy to make and supersuper <i>cheap</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Like I-made-fifty-for-three-bucks cheap. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yeah, I told you. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Why would one ever need to make 50 mustaches on sticks, you say?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, because when this little almost-three year old was asked what she would like to give out as favors for her birthday party, </div><div style="text-align: center;">she answered quite confidently with </div><div style="text-align: center;">"Mustaches."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6005848914/" title="DSC_0075 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/6005848914_bfc35be296_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC_0075" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I mean, obviously. </div><div style="text-align: center;">What was I thinking?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Every little girl I know of wants to give people mustaches as party favors. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Duh. </div><div style="text-align: center;">As weird of a request as it was, my only option as a good momma was to oblige this sweet girl. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6009226788/" title="Willow 'staches by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/6009226788_b4308da48a_z.jpg" width="640" height="504" alt="Willow 'staches" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yes, Willow gave herself an atrocious haircut. All her beautiful curls are gone. My husband has been calling her Travis...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I'm SO glad I did. </div><div style="text-align: center;">She knows what she's talking about. </div><div style="text-align: center;">These things are <b><i>awesome.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6009067136/" title="Momma Mustache by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6126/6009067136_2e6808fafe_z.jpg" width="640" height="589" alt="Momma Mustache" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>It makes the perfect accessory, no?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I highly suggest you make some.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tonight.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They are fun for the whole family. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And when you do make them, I want pictures. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Send me mustache pictures. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's what you need:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Black felt</div><div style="text-align: center;">(I bought 1/4 yd of 72" wide felt at JoAnn's for $1.40 </div><div style="text-align: center;">and I could probably make 50 more from my leftover felt)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Scissors</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hot glue gun</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wooden sticks</div><div style="text-align: center;">(I found these in the wooden craft section at JoAnn's for .99 a package) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's what you do:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Start cutting out some 'staches!</div><div style="text-align: center;">To make sure mine were even, I cut out a rectangle of felt, folded it in half, and cut one 'side' of the mustache. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Then just unfold to see the real deal. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Make a bunch of different kinds if you feel so inclined. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6008765919/" title="Pick a 'stache, any 'stache by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6011/6008765919_ff3f819e5b_z.jpg" width="640" height="429" alt="Pick a 'stache, any 'stache" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After all the mustaches are cut out and your glue gun is warmed up, </div><div style="text-align: center;">place a little dab of hot glue halfway between the middle and the edge of the mustache.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(So the stick is not right in front of your mouth when you hold up the 'stache)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Plop down your wooden stick. </div><div style="text-align: center;">There you go. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You now have a mustache on a stick. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Get crazy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you're doing it right, chances are your baby will look at you like this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6005845518/" title="DSC_0140 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6137/6005845518_f0e751b03b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0140" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In other birthday party preparation news, here's Willow's party crown. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I have to say, I am in love with it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I</i> want one.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6009139258/" title="birthday crown by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6145/6009139258_4636c06f84_z.jpg" width="640" height="458" alt="birthday crown" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And that says 'Sassy', not 'Assy'... that wouldn't be very appropriate for a 3 year-old. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was also super easy to make. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I was inspired by <a href="http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/2008/08/bell-is-ringing-again.html">these crowns</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Believe it or not, I just dug into my stash of scrapbook paper and doodads. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And then I stuck a few fake flowers, buttons and some pretty sweet butterflies I found at Target on it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This girl deserves a crown:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6005302831/" title="DSC_0220 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6141/6005302831_afed8f82bb_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0220" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok, that's about all. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll show you how to make the Happy Birthday banner next. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I have to go wrap presents and stuff. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And clean. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yeah, I should probably clean or do the laundry or something. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the meantime, Peace and Mustaches. </div><div style="text-align: center;">:{)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/6008667921/" title="Peace and Mustaches by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6124/6008667921_c5efff4535_z.jpg" width="640" height="486" alt="Peace and Mustaches" /></a></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-53650823010742161442011-07-28T20:40:00.004-07:002011-07-28T21:18:23.625-07:00Jumping Jacks.<div style="text-align: center;">I miss my blog. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I miss writing about anything. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And also writing about nothing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And when it came to writing, I was in a groove there for a minute. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But now I'm in a rut. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kinda like working out, you know?</div><div style="text-align: center;">You're just killing it for a while, got your exercise schedule down pat, endorphins flowing. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Then something happens and you miss a day. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And then another. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And then another. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And then you eat a brownie or three.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Endorphins are gone. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So is your motivation. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And you say <b>screw it</b>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm so far out of my groove I don't even know where to start.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I don't know where my sports bra is. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And there's no clean socks.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And all my workout pants are in the laundry.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And it is a little too hot out today. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And the iPod headphones are MIA. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And the list just goes on and on and on until you really start running out of 'reasonable' excuses and start saying things like </div><div style="text-align: center;">"I've gone up and down the stairs more than usual today, so that <i>totally</i> counts as exercise". </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And you realize you are being a ridiculous <b>freak</b> and that all you really have to do is get off your butt and just run or something. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Anything</i>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Hell, do a couple jumping jacks in the kitchen to get the blood pumping again. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, that's how I feel. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been through a whole list of excuses of why I haven't been 'able' to blog.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Which is total crap because I have been perfectly able. I just haven't. For no reason.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">First it was that I had a lot of pictures to upload. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(what that has to do with writing I don't know, but pictures <i>are</i> fun to look at)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I couldn't find my little USB cord thingy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I didn't have anything to say. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Lie.)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then too much time had passed and I didn't know where to start...</div><div style="text-align: center;">4th of July? Mini family vacation? Visit to the Splash Pad? Sewing Projects? Home improvements? </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Like it matters.)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I found the USB cord but had a 489 pictures to sift through and edit. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I had to have a clean house. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I had to blah, blah,<b> <i>BLAH</i></b>...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, consider this post my literary attempt at jumping jacks. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I did it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">My foot is back in the door.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I no longer have any excuses to keep me from writing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And here's a picture of cute little Ellie toes because, </div><div style="text-align: center;">even though it has nothing to do with this post, </div><div style="text-align: center;">pictures really <i>are</i> fun to look at, </div><div style="text-align: center;">especially when the subject of said picture are the toes of an infant. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5986160799/" title="Ellie toes by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6005/5986160799_7bc60988f1_z.jpg" width="640" height="376" alt="Ellie toes" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-51182105004546861022011-06-24T08:44:00.004-07:002011-06-24T09:27:08.526-07:00I Don't Know Jack.<div style="text-align: center;">It's true. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Neither do you.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Nobody does.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And that's because he isn't due until August :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's right... I get <i>another</i> nephew in August! </div><div style="text-align: center;">And his name will be Jack.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know, I know, you're jealous of all the sweet little babies I get to hold, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;">You should be. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm lucky.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And babies are cute.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been pumping out some custom crib sets over here in my neck of the woods...</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the latest one just happened to be for my sister-in-law Emily and her hubby John.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yay!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, Em decided on her </div><div style="text-align: center;">beachy/nautical </div><div style="text-align: center;">color scheme and sent me some pics of fabrics she liked and I went to work:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5856633789/" title="DSC_0022 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/5856633789_3194bf0f16_z.jpg" width="640" height="440" alt="DSC_0022" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it turned out great! </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I think Jack will be nice and cozy... don't you?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5857183774/" title="DSC_0023 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/5857183774_5418b918e3_z.jpg" width="640" height="422" alt="DSC_0023" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are the fabrics used:</div><div style="text-align: center;">bumper: <i>Anna Maria Horner Woodcut in DayDream (home decor weight)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Amy Butler Sunspots in Midnight (home decor weight)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">bumper ties: <i>Joel Dewberry Nap Sack in Sunset</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">crib skirt: <i>Amy Butler Sunspots in Tangerine with a border of Nap Sack in Lake</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">crib sheet: <i>Leaves in Blue </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5857184526/" title="DSC_0021 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/5857184526_dce8086a75_z.jpg" width="521" height="640" alt="DSC_0021" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And for the quilt (40x60") I used all the above fabric </div><div style="text-align: center;">(except for the Leaves in Blue)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and added in a little Amy Butler fabric from my stash.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The binding is a grey/aqua stripe Lacoste flat sheet that I found at TJ Maxx</div><div style="text-align: center;"> that matched <i>perfectly.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is machine quilted, machine stitched binding, and made with LOTS of love :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5866382481/" title="jack quilt front and back by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/5866382481_6210b1bf84_z.jpg" width="640" height="405" alt="jack quilt front and back" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">front and back of quilt</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And here's Emily opening her new bedding (while Willow and Peyton help) at the shower:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5857183406/" title="DSC_0029 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/5857183406_e0e0d7f6b9_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_0029" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Congrats to Emily and John!</div><div style="text-align: center;">They will be <i>amazing</i> parents and I can't wait to meet (read: <i>hold</i>) Baby Jack. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And for those of you who are curious, Jack makes the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">fourth</span></b> new nephew in the last 11 months. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's Babypalooza. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">P.S. You can score your own custom bedding set over on the top right-hand side drop down menu!</div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-35598555468155153182011-06-09T10:14:00.007-07:002011-06-09T11:24:22.862-07:00Back into it.<div style="text-align: center;">We're finally back into our groove. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, at least I am, anyway. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was feeling pretty topsy-turvy there for a bit. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Not really comfortably seated in my <i>new-but-still-my-old</i> life.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It wasn't sad. Or bad. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But it just wasn't working for me. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't really <i>fit</i> the right way.</div><div style="text-align: center;">For the past two weeks I've been trying to find my comfy little spot that means <i>I'm good</i>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I think I finally found it again. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's see...</div><div style="text-align: center;">This morning I found about $60 worth of beauty products in the toilet. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We're going on Day 10 of no (good) food in the house. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I ran out of Gain the <i>exact</i> moment I felt gutsy enough to tackle the laundry.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And yesterday, I got my first taste of projectile spit-up.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, I guess it would be my <i>second</i> first taste. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you, Ellie. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I don't mean <i>literal</i> first taste, because that would be gross. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But I'm sure it's bound to happen at some point.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's be real.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5790076007/" title="DSC_1470 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3332/5790076007_96264e0a5c_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_1470" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And, strangely, those events make me very, very happy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Well, except for the food thing. I like options...)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes. That's right. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Why?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Because, according to me, that means we're back to real life. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We've got an extra little puddle of baby to love on everyday now, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but life as we know it has resumed. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5790647282/" title="DSC_1178 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3655/5790647282_1c7d886cc0_z.jpg" width="640" height="522" alt="DSC_1178" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Willow was a serious booger for a good chunk of those last two weeks. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Like, to the point where I wanted to crawl under the table and just tell her to </div><div style="text-align: center;">leave. me. alone. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And cry.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bad attitude, misbehaving, massive fits, driving my insane...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yeah, <b>serious</b> boogerishness. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5790622058/" title="DSC_1317 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5228/5790622058_c4ed74923d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_1317" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Willow taking a much-needed nap at the hospital. Being a big sister is hard work!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But now?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now we're back to her fiesty-but-likeable attitude, </div><div style="text-align: center;">her funny little mischief that makes me laugh, </div><div style="text-align: center;">(but where she can't see me, of course) </div><div style="text-align: center;">her little spats that end with either a hug or big fat smooch on the lips, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and </div><div style="text-align: center;">she has made me fall in love with her all over again. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5815306897/" title="DSC_1360 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/5815306897_47d0855e88_z.jpg" width="640" height="491" alt="DSC_1360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm glad to have her back. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I was starting to worry. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5815315775/" title="DSC_0026 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/5815315775_c0fbc359f4_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0026" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All the hospital craziness is over with. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We got to bring Ellie home.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We've accomplished the New Baby doctor appointments.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We remembered how to change diapers and work as a team.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5815915994/" title="DSC_1109 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2569/5815915994_7e932d2c20_z.jpg" width="640" height="438" alt="DSC_1109" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ok, pretend Willow is smiling and that the quality of the picture is a thousand times better...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The idea of our little family of four has turned into reality </div><div style="text-align: center;">and </div><div style="text-align: center;">I think we're <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;">rockin' </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">it</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.</span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5815375477/" title="Ellie's Little Blanket by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5038/5815375477_b6de74d451_z.jpg" width="640" height="381" alt="Ellie's Little Blanket" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wanna hear something super cute about the blanket Ellie's got?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Willow made it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">She sure did. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I had a small stack of little squares that I couldn't do much with, </div><div style="text-align: center;">so I asked Willow if she wanted to make a present for her little sister. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I gave her the stack of fabric </div><div style="text-align: center;">and told her to make a square without having any matching ones touching each other. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I sewed it all together, quilted, and bound it while she was taking a nap (it's very small)...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; ">And there you go. </div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Awesome blanket for Ellie. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Willow is super-duper proud of it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I discovered that a stack of fabric squares keeps Willow busy for about an hour. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Everybody wins!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-43449795127516154392011-06-08T09:35:00.005-07:002011-06-08T09:59:49.280-07:00Here She Is...<div style="text-align: center;">I'd like all of you to meet the newest member of our family:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5812420440/" title="DSC_0014 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/5812420440_a93181f24a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0014" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Ellie Drew.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">We got to meet her little 8 lb, 21.5 inch body at 7:57 am on Friday, May 27th. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our second daughter...</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was amazing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; ">When they held her over that little curtain and I got to see her for the first time, </div><div style="text-align: center; ">the first thing that popped into my head was, </div><div style="text-align: center; ">"She's so pretty!" </div><div style="text-align: center; ">And she really is. </div><div style="text-align: center; ">She's so petite and girly and... pretty.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5812420180/" title="DSC_0034 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2651/5812420180_6b9eddba49_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0034" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, if you've been wondering why it's been so quiet around the blog lately, </div><div style="text-align: center;">it's because we're quite smitten with this little lovey at the moment:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5790672548/" title="ellie blanket by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5790672548_19ba33a571_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="ellie blanket" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I must say, </div><div style="text-align: center;">it's much more fun snuggling your new baby than it is uploading pictures of her....</div><div style="text-align: center;">obviously.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5811853439/" title="Ellie fingers by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2152/5811853439_06866f9e79_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Ellie fingers" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mom and Dad and Willow and Ellie are all doing great! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm finally able to get up and around; recovery has been good!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks to <i>everyone</i> for all the sweet emails and texts and posts and </div><div style="text-align: center;">whatever else technology has to offer... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5812420788/" title="DSC_0041 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2301/5812420788_2a8b401b64_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0041" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm back to sewing and will be sharing what I've been working on soon...</div><div style="text-align: center;">along with more baby pics, I'm sure!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've just started catching up on emails, as well, so please have patience and I will get back with you as soon as possible!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-2404014126898406092011-05-25T21:28:00.005-07:002011-05-25T22:45:19.044-07:00In the Middle.<div style="text-align: center;">I'm in the middle of a lot of things over here. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm in the middle of changes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5760353303/" title="20 weeks to 37 weeks by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2417/5760353303_5ec2967669_z.jpg" width="640" height="295" alt="20 weeks to 37 weeks" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">my dad will probably be freaked out by this pic... he's absolutely certain that I am actually shrinking.)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not just physical ones, but every kind you can imagine. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm going from 1 daughter to 2 daughters.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pregnant to delivering.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sure to unsure.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Unsure to sure.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And then sure to unsure again...</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I cry about everything.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I shouldn't say <i>every</i>thing. I cry about <i>unimportant</i> things.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Like commercials.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And Disney movies.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And any little anything that makes no sense to cry about.</div><div style="text-align: center;">FYI: I am so <b>not</b> a crier... so I find this whole crying thing very ridiculous.</div><div style="text-align: center;">At least <a href="http://www.nbc.com/parenthood/">Parenthood</a> is over for the season... that would've been bad.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then there's this little girl:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5760389381/" title="tutus and boots by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/5760389381_6b1040d4d5_z.jpg" width="640" height="391" alt="tutus and boots" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; ">She likes to dress herself in tutus, furry boots, and winter vests to play soccer in the front yard.</div><div style="text-align: center; ">In Summer.</div><div style="text-align: center; ">And I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">love</span> it.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">I keep finding myself wondering about what she thinks of this whole thing. </div><div style="text-align: center;">She's going through changes, too, you know. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Only child to Big Sister.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our baby to our first born.</div><div style="text-align: center;">How much does she understand?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm glad I don't know everything... that would be <i>way</i> too much to handle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5760845440/" title="Willow Wall by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5760845440_61805b1f4e_z.jpg" width="640" height="386" alt="Willow Wall" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As much as this new chapter amazes me, it's got to be pretty big for her too... </div><div style="text-align: center;">Right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't wait to see her face when she meets her sister for the first time. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish I could record what my eyes see.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That would be cool.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Somebody should get on inventing that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm in the middle of moments.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5760845906/" title="DSC_1038 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2694/5760845906_5be282bb74_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_1038" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>She was mesmerized by this water...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm trying to sear every possible little detail I can into my brain lately. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't want to leave anything out.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I want to remember what it was like with her. </div><div style="text-align: center;">With just one.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My first little girl who had me <i>all</i> to herself for 2 1/2 years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5760301773/" title="Willow black and white by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/5760301773_8f9e85ec8c_z.jpg" width="640" height="449" alt="Willow black and white" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've had my camera attached to my side these last few days, </div><div style="text-align: center;">trying to capture every last snippet of time, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but even then, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I find myself just watching instead.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I just snap a few </div><div style="text-align: center;">here and there, </div><div style="text-align: center;">hoping the rest will stick with me...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5760301893/" title="sweet dreams, my love. by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/5760301893_7b45897300_z.jpg" width="640" height="441" alt="sweet dreams, my love." /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think I like it better that way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm in the middle of making memories: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5760845572/" title="DSC_1036 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/5760845572_ed5dbf3541_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_1036" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5760845114/" title="DSC_0916 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/5760845114_5c40fbd659_z.jpg" width="374" height="640" alt="DSC_0916" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5760977348/" title="DSC_0959 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5760977348_f83ed2ea4b_z.jpg" width="407" height="640" alt="DSC_0959" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm in the middle of projects.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A gaZILLion projects.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But good ones. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Ones that I'm glad I'm in the middle of.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There's the Big Girl Room/Nursery, of course. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Al</i>most done.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Really.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> And then I will share.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm so proud of the patience I've showed by waiting until it's <b>all</b> done... </div><div style="text-align: center;">so you have to be patient, too.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Deal?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok then.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5760304201/" title="DSC_1059 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/5760304201_9972ec838a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_1059" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hint: these are for the above-mentioned room.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then there's these beautiful fabrics that have already been </div><div style="text-align: center;">cut and semi-assembled into a </div><div style="text-align: center;">quilt like <a href="http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/pdfs/Sexy_Hexy_Love_Quilt.pdf">this one</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5760847724/" title="DSC_1060 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/5760847724_18c4bb7463_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_1060" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It will be fabulous, don't you think?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love making quilts for other people and seeing what they pick and choose to reflect themselves.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's just as much fun as the actual making of the quilt...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And of course there's a couple custom nursery sets in the making... </div><div style="text-align: center;">for friends, family, and strangers alike!</div><div style="text-align: center;">The fabric shows up in the mail every day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>SO</i> much fun I get to have over here.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The UPS man says things like, </div><div style="text-align: center;">"Just a small one today." </div><div style="text-align: center;">or </div><div style="text-align: center;">"Wow, this one's the biggest so far." </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*** </div><div style="text-align: center;">Changes.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Moments.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Memories.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Projects.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Basically,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I'm in the </div><div style="text-align: center;">middle </div><div style="text-align: center;">of Life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And that's right where I think I'm supposed to be. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-10734081334636541782011-05-23T06:59:00.007-07:002011-05-24T11:09:53.622-07:00My Sister is a Momma :)<div style="text-align: center;">My little sister became a Momma </div><div style="text-align: center;">on May 17th at 4:42 am.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5751018696/" title="223291_224081057604903_100000090306828_974158_7940236_n by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/5751018696_a6a0b8d584_z.jpg" width="590" height="338" alt="223291_224081057604903_100000090306828_974158_7940236_n" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">May 17th also marks the 1 year anniversary her hubby returned home from Afghanistan</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5750475871/" title="230356_224081834271492_100000090306828_974182_470242_n by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5750475871_190c2dc1d8_z.jpg" width="543" height="381" alt="230356_224081834271492_100000090306828_974182_470242_n" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Baby Cash was 9 days overdue! </div><div style="text-align: center;">He weighed in at 8 lbs, 12 oz and measured 20.5 inches long</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm so glad he's here and healthy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5750475993/" title="243217_553551203573_178200746_31540208_5262120_o by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2274/5750475993_5434498e2c_z.jpg" width="530" height="640" alt="243217_553551203573_178200746_31540208_5262120_o" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't he so cute?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wasn't able to be there since our due dates are <i>so</i> close together and she's all the way in Texas...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5750475677/" title="240250_553608428893_178200746_31540557_7082159_o by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3663/5750475677_3be58c4925_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="240250_553608428893_178200746_31540557_7082159_o" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">... but she was surrounded by family and people who love her, so that makes me happy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mom, Dad and Cash are doing great!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It took so long to post because getting people to actually <i>send</i> photos is like pulling teeth in my family!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And we just happen to be getting ready for a little one of our own..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you CJ and I'm so proud of you! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205874864087674479.post-7337114466399810622011-05-16T15:29:00.006-07:002011-05-16T16:08:12.471-07:00Surprises and Skirts.<div style="text-align: center;">I love my job(s). </div><div style="text-align: center;">I get to be a mom. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I get to make things.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And many times I get to make things for other moms. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yeah, it's pretty cool.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My latest project was for a couple who aren't finding out their baby's gender until THE day!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, how I wish I had that kind of patience/self-control...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I HAD to know. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Both times :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They went with bright greens and yellows with a little bit of navy and aqua thrown in for fun. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it's perfect to snuggle up either a little boy <i>or</i> girl, don't you think?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5728272808/" title="Citron Surprise Custom Crib Bedding Set by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2743/5728272808_47da2686bc_z.jpg" width="640" height="498" alt="Citron Surprise Custom Crib Bedding Set" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They really liked the style of the quilt in <a href="http://willowbeancreations.blogspot.com/2011/01/loving-it.html">this nursery set</a>, so that's what we did!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5728274420/" title="Citron Surprise Custom Crib Bedding Set by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5728274420_921d5a9399_z.jpg" width="640" height="411" alt="Citron Surprise Custom Crib Bedding Set" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the fabrics used throughout:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bumper: Dandelion in Lime and Glass Tiles in Lemon</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bumper ties: Quarter Dot in Navy and Leaves in Blue</div><div style="text-align: center;">Crib sheet: Painter's Canvas in Lime</div><div style="text-align: center;">Crib skirt: Ta Dot in Apple w/ Quarter Dot in Navy border</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5727716913/" title="Citron Surprise Crib Quilt by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/5727716913_6d95956678_z.jpg" width="603" height="640" alt="Citron Surprise Crib Quilt" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The quilt used all the above fabrics and then we added in: </div><div style="text-align: center;">Honeycomb in Green</div><div style="text-align: center;">and</div><div style="text-align: center;">Large Leafy Stripe in Lime</div><div style="text-align: center;">Measures 45x55" ish, machine quilted, machine stitched binding. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The quilt back was pieced, and binding was Glass Tiles in Lemon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5727717223/" title="Citron Surprise Crib Quilt by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5727717223_789d712db2_z.jpg" width="588" height="640" alt="Citron Surprise Crib Quilt" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Heather (and Hubby)- I hope you love your new crib bedding! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I, of course, would <i><b>LOVE</b></i> to know if you ended up with a boy or girl when the time comes :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">(because I'm nosy like that.) </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I would obviously also <b><i>LOVE</i></b> some pictures of your little lovey all wrapped up...</div><div style="text-align: center;">when you have time.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've also been busy making clothes for my girlies...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm trying to do a lot more handmade this year than I did last year. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I realized</div><div style="text-align: center;">(while uncovering, sorting, washing, organizing, folding, and kissing, and putting away all of Willow's old clothes for Baby #2)</div><div style="text-align: center;">that Big Sister has absolutely NO clothes. </div><div style="text-align: center;">None. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, none that are acceptable for public viewing, anyway.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I went to work:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5728252576/" title="DSC_0945 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3392/5728252576_e26fe8f12a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0945" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had lots of fun. </div><div style="text-align: center;">No patterns, no plans really, just started sewing and embellishing :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">I used a mix of fabrics: some from stash, some from the scrap bins, some from Hobby Lobby...</div><div style="text-align: center;">(which had some surprisingly good quality fabrics, I might add).</div><div style="text-align: center;">And my favorite part was adding all the little details.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Vintage trims, funky trims, ribbons, jumbo ric-rac, decorative stitching, you name it!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I got a little carried away.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But that's ok, because they're for my little love-bucket :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think this one's my favorite:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39099239@N04/5727698839/" title="DSC_0947_3 by willowbeancreations, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5727698839_2e9c09a4bf_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0947_3" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I've also been sewing like crazy for the nursery and the baby... </div><div style="text-align: center;">but it's been quite rainy/gloomy these last few days and I haven't been able to take any good pictures so far. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stay tuned...</div>WillowBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499444945207592681noreply@blogger.com3