New favorite website for mothers of newborns...

www.babywisemom.com

I can read it for hours...

I DID IT!!!

Several months + 1 trip to IKEA + countless trips to Joann's + reading and trying to understand a pattern for the first time + cutting + sewing for hours on end + taking out stitches + cursing + fixing those stitches + 2 broken sewing machine needles + ironing + trimming stray thread =

a custom bumper for Baby

This was a MAJOR project for me...probably the most challenging craft to date. Here is my conclusion: I'm happy I did it, but if I ever have the desire for a new crib bumper, I'll just buy one.

Baby now has permission to arrive.

This was my last project. I'm taking a break.

Curtains

Because this little stinker has gotten up before 5:30 a.m. every day this week,

I decided to do something about it.

I fixed his windows so the light doesn't come in as much.

He already had two layers of curtains - one shear black and a thicker green.

Since I wanted instant results without paying any money, I just added another layer of shear.

I also tacked the outside ends to the wall so the light doesn't leak through.

What do you think? Will it work?????

Time Out For Women

I went to Time Out for Women tonight. It is one of my favorite things to do for myself each year. Jenny Oaks Baker performed. She is an amazing violinist. She is one of those musicians that speaks to your soul. Tonight she spoke to mine. The second to last song she performed was a hymn that I played at my father's funeral. All of a sudden I was taken back to that day. I'll never forget that experience, because I feel like it was the best I've ever played in my life. My Oma and Papa sang the hymn and it was just beautiful. So, of course, during Jenny's performance I started bawling like a baby and couldn't stop. I had to pull out a handkerchief from my purse and was once again reminded of Dad, because he was NEVER without a handkerchief. Just when you needed one, he would hand it over. I don't ever remember him being without one. At that moment I missed my family so much I felt like I could touch my emotions. I don't feel like that very often, but I did tonight and it was a little embarrassing considering the fact that I was in a room with hundreds of other people. The last song Jenny performed was a hymn that always reminds me of Catholic church. It is probably one of my favorite songs that we sang at mass and every time we sing it in Sacrament meeting, I get a little nostalgic. I think about the way Dad and Mom supported each other 100% even though they faithfully attended two different churches and, of course, Dad's conversion to the LDS church . By the end of the performance, I was just starting to pull myself together. The woman sitting next to me said, "Isn't she just great? Have you heard her before? She is such an excellent performer..." I tried to respond half way decently while tears and snot were pouring down my face. I just let her keep thinking that it was "just the music" that brought me to tears.

New Onesie Applique Crafts

Cohen's Christmas Present

My mom is so creative.

I have a lot to learn from her.

The unopened present.

(A wrapped up paper towel roll.)

Complete with a pull-tab.

Whaa-laa!

I'm totally stealing her idea.

Pillow Cases

I've been working on these throw-pillow cases for several months.

Today I finished the last one!

I love this fabric! Mark brought it home from work.

They were just going to get rid of it!!

This case is made from the top layer of an old skirt which I put over a muslin backing.

I took this leftover brown fabric and sewed different stitches all over it to give it some life.

On all of the cases, I overlapped fabric in the back so I wouldn't have to attempt to sew on zippers.

Ta da!

I'm really happy with the way they turned out!!