Quilting Class

I have been taking a strip quilting class that my Relief Society has been having the last two weeks. I just finished my Around the World quilt top. I think it turned out okay. I was trying to make it more boyish than pink and girlie, so the fabric wasn't my favorite I've ever chosen but it turned out better than I thought. Next week we are going to tie the quilts. The only problem with doing this is now my mind is going crazy with different ways I want to try another one. Add some solids, more vibrant colors, different pattern going diagonally across the quilt and so on. I had a lot of fun quilting and chatting with the ladies in my ward.

Finished

I finally finished my quilt and it is up on my wall. Here is a close up picture so you can see how I machine quilted it. I enjoyed making this quilt, but I think I enjoy having it finished even more! Here is the finished product:

Spring Cleaning

I decided it's time to start my spring cleaning/organizing projects. This is actually something I look forward to doing. I'm starting in my craft/computer room. It is a mess since I've been crafting more than cleaning it lately. Today I organized all my ribbon. It use to be in a big tubby all bunched and tangled up together. Now it is all nice and organized and it makes a cute decorating statement. I wrapped the ribbon around clothes pins and put them in these cute see through painters cans. I also put my buttons in one of the cans. I like how it turned out and now I can find my ribbon fast and easy. I am contemplating tying some ribbon around the handles, but for now I love the clean look of the cans.

I also redid my wreath today. (No I have not got any laundry done:)) It use to have red berries that were very weathered all over it. I took off the red berries and wrapped some spring colored berries around the wreath. Pretty easy but it looks a lot better.

Spring

I am so ready for good weather. I'm not a fan of the weather trying to trick me into enjoying the sun and warmth one day just to send wind and rain the next day. I decided going to Mexico in January wasn't the smartest idea it makes you wish for weather we just don't get here until June. So I decided to lighten up my piano decor and add a little spring to it. Here's how it turned out.

I spray painted this basket blue, it was yellow, and I got it at the dollar store. I also wrapped Styrofoam glittery apples from the dollar store with moss, and hemp. And then I spray painted plastic Easter eggs blue and white and speckled them the opposite color. The blue candle stick in the background was my splurge, and my favorite thing.

I got this picture frame on clearance for $5, I just need to put a picture in it.

I mod podged scrapbook paper onto the letters spring which stick into a base with dowels so I can change the letters as the seasons change, or my mood.
I filled a vase with more of the eggs, and moss balls and hemp balls, which I spray painted one blue. I love spring colors.
Here's what the dollar store sparkly foam apple looked like before....
And here is the after. Much, much better. I found the idea for this on make it and love it. I sure hope spring comes fast, but if not I brought a little of it inside for me to enjoy.

The Help

I just finished reading this book and I really enjoyed it. I thought it was very well written, and it is her first novel, amazing. The book takes place in the 60's during the civil rights movement in Mississippi. It follows the lives of 2 black maids and 1 white woman who wants to write the maids stories about working for white women. The characters are so well written you feel like they are a part of your life while you are reading this book. I would recommend this book to anyone.

My favorite Dinner this Week

Homemade French Bread: This french bread was divine. You can find this yummy bread at My Kitchen Cafe . She has a search button so just search french bread and scroll down a little.

Spaghetti with tomatoes and artichokes

This recipe is from Pioneer Woman . You can find it under her cooking section, main dishes, pasta. It is fabulous, easy, and fast, but looks impressive. I wish these photos were mine but they are from the sites above that I listed. My dinner didn't look as pretty, but when you are serving seven kids (I had my sisters kids to) and a hungry husband they aren't in to looks so much.

What I've been up to lately

This: Pin Cushion out of scraps and a tuna can

And this:

Another bag, these are so fun to make! You can buy the pattern on make it and love it etsy shop.

Also this:

I just got called to be the beehive advisor, so dang excited! Ahhh to be a beehive again.

And this:

I have made quite a few of these headbands, I've tried out a lot of patterns and tutorials. My favorite is this one it is found at heatherbailey.com under tutorials on her blog. I heart Heather Bailey.

And most importantly this:

Is he the cutest thing you ever saw. I love being an aunt. I've had the opportunity to watch him over night a couple of times now and although I was exhausted I loved every minute of it. I could sit in a rocking chair all day with this cuddly bundle of cuteness. Who cares about meals, cleaning, or any other responsibilities when you're snuggling with a baby.