Smile, Summer, Warmth, Cheer, Joy, Sunshine, Laugh

                         "Be of good cheer, You're future is as bright as your faith" -Thomas Monson

These are all words that came to mind when I was making this quilt. If you couldn't tell my favorite color is yellow. This one was a string quilt, foundation pieced. It is now hanging in my living room. I find myself looking into that room all the time now just to get a peak at this quilt.

Summer Inspiration

You know those little purple wildflowers that grow in the mountains?? Those were my inspiration for this quilt.

I love this quilt! I'm usually not a purple girl but the colors in this one are so fun. The colors are so much more vibrant in person! This quilt was exciting to make it went together really fast. It is another free Amy Butler pattern. It is on her website if you would like it. This one is a biggie, seven and a half feet square. I used scraps, fat quarters, and yardage picked up from my various travels this summer in Oroville, Wenatchee, Chelan, Visalia...., Hanford....., and Okanogan. : )

Zoey couldn't help herself! She was being nosy and got in the picture.

The back, left over yardage just pieced together

Long Time Waiting...

Long time waiting for this one to get finished! I started this quilt back in February of 2009. It is queen size which is why it took so long to finish. I was waiting to get a new machine and a walking foot to quilt this one. The top is really simple it's one of Amy Butler's free patterns on her website.

Quilting this one was an experience. I stippled the quilt. On a side note, this is my first time ever free motion quilting. Now, I know why people love to free motion quilt-- it's fast!! I won't show you a close up of my quilting. Let's just say it's not "state fair blue ribbon prize" good yet. 

This quilt is going to go in the guest bedroom.

Sewing Room

Here is my sewing room... I'm still working on decorating it and adding the finishing touches, but at least for now it is functional!!

I plan on adding a little flat screen TV in here so I can watch my movies while I craft. (I usually always have Harry Potter playing in the background...)

I also need to put up the shelves, pictures, and finish up the counter top area. The wall behind the cabinets and counter needs some TLC but I haven't been able to come up with any ideas that I like enough to carry out. I was thinking about putting up a white board, cork board, or some shelves?? Any good ideas?

Catching up...

Here are some quick photos of unfinished projects that are now..... FINISHED! Wa HoO!!

A picture I painted when I was into water colors (that lasted for about a day... not my forte)

And a sneak peak of another project I'm working on!

We're parents!!

Terry and I got a dog on Friday! I think she is a Pomeranian Yorkie mix. We got her from the pound, they originally said that she was a brussels griffon mix, but since those are so rare, I doubt that is what she really is. She is eight months old and fully grown. She weighs about 3-4 pounds.

We decided to name her Zoey. At first I wanted to name her "Snookie" from the show Jersey Shore... Notice the resemblance?? However, ever time I call "Snookie!!" I don't want to think of this chick.
So far Zoey has been a great dog. We are crate and clicker training her. She loves to cuddle and will sit on my lap for hours while I do homework. She has only barked once and that was at grandma's house because she saw old grumpy Leon. (The Cat) Zoey is a good little friend, but not a great watch dog. We got her because Terry is going to Washington this summer and I wanted to have a dog to keep my company at the house so I'm not all by myself.

A Special Trip

Crystal and I got to make a special trip to southern CA in September. We had a lot of fun hanging out together and bonding. We got to hang out with Ayden for a little while. He has a ton of energy and is a really spontaneous boy. Ayden has so many people that love him.


While we were there, Ayden wanted to sit by Crystal at dinner, but he had to sit in his high chair. Being a two year old, he threw a little fit. He was pretty upset. His mom said, "Ayden, if you say the prayer you will feel better." At first, Ayden didn't want to say the prayer but he changed his mind and said the cutest blessing on the food. About half way through dinner, at the top of his lungs, Ayden shouted, "MOM! It worked!" The rest of us had no clue what he was talking about. Ayden explained, "You said I'd feel better if I said the prayer, and now I feel better!" What a cute but sincere testimony that prayers really do work!