MAkiNg Of A QuIlT, from start to finish...

Whooo-Hooo! I finished making my first queen-sized quilt! It's actually a wedding gift for my younger Bro Brandon and his new bride (of 4 months!), Shelly! I just hope they like it!

So, The quilt took me a little longer than planned... 5 months, give or take a day or a week... it really only would have taken 3 or 4 months without the pregnancy sickness and migraines... but nevertheless... it's done and it's perfect!

I will now be pleased to show you the steps it took to create this fun quilt.

Hope you like green... because you'll be seeing a lot of it! :)

Step 1:

Pick your fabric. This was fun. Shelly's favorite color is green (or was, haha, which is totally cool, because so is mine!). So, I just picked what I liked-hoping that she likes it too-oh, and that Brandon likes it too, of course.

Step 2:

Select a pattern, cut pieces, make sure you label everything to keep you organized. The pattern I went with is called Hop, Skip and a Jump by Denyse Schmidt and can be found in THIS book (it's actually a crib size blanket, but I was able to convert the pattern for a queen size).

I highly recommend any of her patterns, and most definitely her book... she takes you step by step and WOW, I've learned SO much just by reading and applying it all to my projects, it's like taking private lessons directly from her.

Good stuff. Moving on...

Oh yeah, FYI: there were 240 strips used in this quilt.

Step 3:

Sew strips together to make 'blocks.' (another FYI: 240 strips= 30 blocks!)

Step 4:

Iron blocks.

Step 5:

Square blocks with rotary cutter. This was fun!

Step 6:

NOW, once you have your blocks all squared you can lay them out, turn them every which way, and find a groove that works for your quilt top...

Just make sure you keep all pets and kids out of the way... or it could get a little crazy...

Step 7:

SEW BLOCKS from left to right to make rows! This is where it gets exciting because you can finally see everything coming together!! :)

Step 8:

Sew rows from top to bottom! Caitlin was my little helper!

Step 9:

Add border (if you want). The pattern in the book actually didn't say to do this, but I needed more inches to make a queen size quilt, and thought this gave it a nice uniform look. (I also thought it needed a little more green! don't you think?)

Step 10:

Prepare Quilt back

Step 11:

Square quilt top and quilt back. (Important: If you are having your quilt 'sandwiched' and professionally machine quilted, make sure your back fabric is at least 4 inches longer and wider than your top quilt, or call and talk to them and see what they prefer.)

Step 12:

Put quilt together!! :) I debated back and forth for like 2 weeks whether to (1) take my quilt and have it professionally machine quilted-easy, and looks AMAZING!-or (2) tie the quilt myself, or (3) even try to HAND QUILT it myself. I decided that hand quilting a queen size quilt would be crazy... and my brother would NEVER get his quilt. I've spent SO much time on the quilt already, I wanted to really finished it right. So, Justin's Aunt Kathy recommended a lady to me, WENDY... who was FAST (one week turn around! Awesome!), very good, and super affordable! I was really happy with her and will use her in the future!

This is what the quilt looked like when I opened the bag:

the quilt fresh out of the bag, folded in half...

Step 13:

Trim batting, square quilt, again.

Step 14:

While my quilt was at the quilters, I prepared my binding. Here is a picture of me finishing the last 3 inches, Ahh a proud moment in quilting history!

Caitlin and Will loved hanging out under the quilt while I worked on it... I thought this picture was so cute...

Voila... The finished product.

OH YEAH! Check out that stellar quilting job....

Oooooooo! Ahhhhhh!

Funky and modern with an old fashioned 'swirllie' flare...

Back of quilt, Sweet huh?

I couldn't help it... I had to see what it looked like on a bed.

What fun!

The finishing touch: I've got to leave my mark...

"love, Panda Head"

I actually think it looks like a cross-eyed Teddy Ruxpin but oh well... I'll have to practice more.

Now it's time to say good bye and box it up and send to PA...

Happy wedding gift, Brandon and Shelly!! I Love you two! Enjoy!

A Quilting History...

Quilting has been a fun passion of mine over the years and it's fun to see how far I have progressed in my abilities. I thought it would be fun to post "A" history before the unveiling

(Thursday!YIPPY Thursday!)

of the latest quilt I've made. It's currently in transit to PA... and I don't want to post before B and Shelly see it in person.

The first quilt:

I made it when I was about 12 years old! My Mom helped me make this for a 'New Beginnings' program at church... We also painted and decorated my room to match the quilt. It was a real fun project to do together.

When I was visiting in January, I found my quilt in the basement and asked if I could take it home. Caitlin LOVES it and sort-of adopted it as her own. She can be found snuggled underneath it every night. (Will also has taken a liking to it... I thought this was so cute of him to jump right on the quilt when I was taking a picture of it!)
"Cheese!"

Second Quilt:

This was a quilt I had been wanting to make the minute I graduated High School. I'd saved all the t-shirts from the plays and musicals I was in (that offered them, I was also in Little Women... and for some reason they were being cheap and didn't print shirts for that play...gur.)

ANyWay!
SO, (in late 2004 or) 2005 sometime, Lindsey (my cute sister-in-law) and I got together to use Mama T's sewing machine... and we made t-shirt quilts!

Lindsey used the shirts and sweatshirts from her cheerleading days!! It turned out SO cute! (Go Red and White, East High!)

I was really glad we were able to do this project together... Fun memories, Linds!

(Note to self: I still need to tie this quilt! It's still being held together by safety pins. Humm. maybe I should get on that...)

I'm sure that as soon as I do, Will is going to want to put it on his bed! :)

FOR THE RECORD: I resist all temptation to take the binding out and re-do the whole quilt because of what I know now... BUT I keep reminding myself... there is nothing like seeing this quilt and all the quirky kinks and remembering all the fun memories that went into making it. Love it forever!

Third set of quilts:

When I was pregnant with Will (Dec. 2005), I had been saving my money for my own sewing machine. My mom was visiting from PA and we went shopping and found one. THEN she taught me how to use it! Little did I know this would be the beginning to a fun and addicting, not to mention expensive, hobby.

I started small with some unused fabric I had laying around the house: old sheets actually. Our stake was doing a huge humanitarian project and was asking people to make baby quilts. I thought this would be a lot of fun to test out my unsurfaced skills... (haha. on other people. In all seriousness, by serving others I always strive to do better... and I feel that I'm a better seamstress because I took time to do this and other sewing services.)

I'm laughing because I remember that Caitlin was only 9 or 10 months at this point... I remember how she would cry every time I'd use the sewing machine. I guess the sound scared her... So, I had to work on projects when she was napping. haha.

Pretty simple quilts. I LOVED the orange/yellow fabric/sheet ... it was hard to part with, but I knew it would make some baby out there happy with it's bright colors! They later 'tied' the quilts at a super Saturday thingy...


Fourth Quilt:

Also another service project. The boy scouts last year had a goal to tie 100 quilts and they needed people to donate what they had. I had these left over fabrics (sheets mostly) and jumped at the opportunity to make a full size quilt for them to tie! I was thrilled it only took me 5 days to make this baby... and that is when i think the REAL obsession started...



Fifth Quilt:
Wall-e!
Will would not stop screaming "WALL-E" at the quilt store till he had these fabrics cut and in his possession... I thought, sure what the heck, I'll make him a quilt for his bed.


That's a happy boy!
Quilt... What number am I on? Oi...
Sixth Quilt :
I made this for my new little neighbor Jacob!! A lot of squares equals a lot of fun. I'd love to make a queen-sized quilt like this with millions of 2 inch squares... perhaps, I'll save that one for when the kids move out... cause I'm sure it will take me forever.

AND...

Quilt Seven... tune in tomorrow!

"Sweet Genevieve"

Celebrating the life of Justin's great-grandma:

Genevieve Sweeten Williams

Our dear Genevieve, 101, passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2009. Born in American Falls, Idaho, February, 15, 1908 to Mary Eliza Howard (Lila) and Warren Hugh Sweeten. She married her sweetheart, Lynn L. Williams, Sr. on November 24, 1926. They enjoyed 71 years together until his passing in 1997. She spent her life in dedicated service, supporting her bishop husband, her church, and the well being of others. She loved arts and crafts and together with her husband owned and operated World Treasures in Sugarhouse. She was devoted to her family and delighted in being with them, sharing love and laughter. She is survived by her son, Lynn L. Jr. (Carole) Williams; daughters, Donna (Ralph) Strong of Salt Lake City, UT; Lila Neilson of La Jolla, CA; and Claudia (Kenny) Ingleby of Surprise, AZ; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and her Quaker Parakeet, Sage; brothers Robert L. and Lyle H. (Carole) Sweeten; sisters, Bonnie (Gean) Snow and Cherry Warrington. Preceded in death by her husband and grandson, Steven Williams. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 S., SLC, with visitation from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. one hour prior to service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund or charity of your choice. A special Thanks to The Wellington staff where Genevieve lived, to Haven Hospice, and the many others who assisted her so lovingly.

This is a favorite picture of ours... "5 generations" taken on the day Caitlin was blessed in 2005!

Grandma, you will be truly missed by us all, but we are cheering for your reunion in Paradise with Grandpa and all of the many who, by living to 101, you happened to outlast here on Earth. We will forever love you and will cherish the memories we made with you!

Love,

Justin, Amanda, Caitlin & Will

Ahhh. 2 days late...

Happy Birthday Brandon!

My Cute little Bro turned 23 (2 days ago)!!!

Hope your day was happy and full of Fun and Adventure!

Love you!

HAPPY SPRING!!

My neighbor has these beautiful flowers in their yard... they come up every spring, and when they die, they just mow over them... What a fun idea!! I just LOVE them! I believe they are called Croakis? (spelling might be off... um, way off. Maybe Heather or Lauren could help me out on that one??)

Spring time is one of my favorites... not only the flowers and awesome Easter candy... but it's fun to take Pepper to get groomed... it's like getting a whole new dog. HA. i get the biggest kick out of these pictures... i mean, WHAT IS THAT in the first picture???

BEFORE:

AFTER: she is SO happy... a little cold this week because of the light snow we've been getting... but we've got sweaters for that. They did a GREAT job with her this time... she's not running into walls anymore.

Celebrate Spring by making these delicious cookies!!!

I got this recipe off my Friends blog... check it out... she does a cookie of the month as well as other recipes... and she's really funny! Thanks A for sharing! (these are REALLY rich, I suggest making them small... with a teaspoon size drop... that way you can just pop them in your mouth.

Enjoy! (Mmm. they also freeze well... so make a whole bunch and freeze them for later!)

Mint Oreo Cookies
a. murdock

Cookie
1 chocolate cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 c. oil

mix well (batter will be thick) scoop onto greased cookie sheet and bake for 7 minutes at 350. For the bigger size I used a Tablespoon and the mini cookies was a teaspoon (which only baked for 5 minutes). My kids loved the little size. Let cool completely and then frost the back of one cookie with mint frosting and stick two together to make a sandwich. enjoy!!

Mint Frosting
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
¼ t salt
1/4 t mint flavoring
1/3 – ½ c milk
green food coloring

Birthday Highlights (continued...)

Who likes to party? We do!

Caitlin's Birthday came and went, but we continued to party and celebrate...

it's just our nature.

Birthday Surprise:

After an hour or so at the zoo, we headed home. Later that evening, we ran some errands together, one place we stopped was Petco... Justin ran in to get a battery for Pepper's shock collar... and Caitlin's Birthday surprise... A GOLD FISH! It was SO CUTE, you should have seen her face light up when Justin held up the fish bag... pure joy

Meet the newest member of our family: NEMO

(original, huh?)

The next day, Sunday, we celebrated with Justin's family.

Here's a picture of Caitlin is being a T-rex just like the balloon... and the decorated table, where we ate a fabulous birthday dinner in honor of our little C-Bug... however she did not eat, she was holding out for... yes, you guessed it...

... the Birthday Cake!
we don't only eat cake... we play with it too!

Birthday Dress from Nans and Pops!

Aww.

Sweetest Book from Nana and Papa Great! A bed time favorite.

Party with the little people:

The next Saturday, we decided we'd invite some of Caitlin's neighborhood buddies over for some cake and ice cream... We found a $2.00 spider pinyata at Wal-Mart... and thought it would be the perfect activity for 4 year olds... ha.

Caitlin woke up at 7 am on Saturday... saying "My party is TODAY!! Where are my friends?"

she was REALLY excited to have them come over.

Next time we'll have the party early... like 11 or 12 because 2pm is WAY too long for a 4 year old to wait.

While waitling for her friends to show up, Caitlin and I were in the back yard... I turned around and found her sitting on the ground like this!

TOTALLY caught me off gaurd... I asked her what she was doing.

She said she was "being the monkey..." (my guess is, Rafiki from The Lion King!) Justin just said... "Or the monkey from Kung Fu Panda." We'll have to ask her later. We'll get back to you on that.

Diego Birthday Cake!! (and now you are thinking... Gee this family eats a lot of cake.)

ha. so?

Here are all of Caitlin's buddies! We had a fun time together!

Hours after the party ended, Caitlin was still playing with that spider pinyata... this girl is gonna be a ball player!! It was a lot of fun to watch!

I'm BACK! I think...

Whooooo-What can I say?

....other than HALLELUJAH!!!!

It's been a rough couple of weeks for me. I will not go into much detail, just because it would take too long to explain... but basically I've been getting migraines for the last 4 weeks or so, every day, all day...I know, blah.

That would explain while I haven't really been blogging, or emailing, or anything. Even the paparazzi would have a hard time finding me, I've been that low on the radar...So, if you've wondered, that's what's been up with me. BUT, the way things have been going last week and this weekend... I think it's safe to say that I'M BACK...I've been feeling SO much better, each day less and less pain. What a relief and blessing it is, to be migraine free!

This past month has been extremely hard for me... the pain yes, but esp. not being my happy-peppy-self for my little ones and honey... However, I've learned a lot during this small trial in my life. I've always had a hard time sharing sensitive and personal things publicly, mostly because what I feel is so strongly burning inside of me but what I lack are the right words to express how I feel... but I need to take this time to express my gratitude and appreciation.

To my sweet children,

Thank you for playing so well together and being good kids. I am amazed, even at your young ages, your ability to understand when mommy is not feeling well. Thank you Will, for your many kisses that have not only helped my head feel better but have brought a smile to my face during some of the most painful moments. Caitlin, you are such a light in my life, your smile and sweetness warm my heart and melt away my worries and troubles. And to baby girl, you are worth all the migraines in the world, I would experience them ten times over, knowing that I would get to hold and care for you and watch you grow in the end... I love you and cannot wait for you to join our family in a mere 7 weeks!

To my loving husband Justin,

There is only one thing worse than having a migraine, and that is watching someone else suffer through them... (over and over again.) I am so sorry you've had to see me go through this...but I am so grateful it's you by my side... you are the perfect little nurse! Thank you for stepping up to the plate when needed... You are the rock of our family and your dedication and love keep us growing closer together. Thank you for taking the time to teach our children... they adore you and your bedtime stories of skunks and dump trucks... :)

The prayers and blessings you have given on my behalf have lifted me far more than you'll ever realize. And if it's possible, I love you more today than I ever have, I am a better woman because I have married you...

To my 3 Angels,

Mother Terese, Sister Lindsey and Nana Carole, your willingness to serve me has left me with a greater love for each of you...esp. since your days are already full of things that acquire your attention...your constant prayers and even special trips to the temple, for doing my laundry and bringing me dinners, taking Caitlin to preschool and entertaining her for the WHOLE day... I'm humbled by your love for me. Your service will never be forgotten. I love you all so, SO much!

To Family and Friends,

Far away or those living next door and in the neighborhood... I have felt your love and

constant prayers. Thank you for your words of encouragement, emails, phone calls, and unexpected dinner drop off or plate of cookies... There are tears in my eyes and love in my heart for you all! I even feel the strength and blessings from the service of my brother-in-law Parker, who is on a mission right now! My life is richly blessed because of all of you. Thank you, Thank you!

My Grandma Adams said it best, "Serve the best you can, any moment you can! Someday you will be the recipient of that service you've given, and it will be 10 fold!" and it has!

I'm humbled and enlightened by this new perpective that has allowed me to view life in a whole new light with hope and happiness, esp. in times of trial. And extremely grateful that the migraines have eased the past few days, allowing me to enjoy my children and the beautiful spring weather.

Flash Back Photo Friday!

I'm Joining my sister Amy in Flash Back Photo Friday...

Here are a few pics she posted today, I thought the first one was really sweet.

This is my Grandpa Bassi and me in 1990... WHOA-NELLY was that really 18 (umm, 19) years ago?

I did a report on my Grandpa in the 4th grade (he was in the Korean War) and this is a picture we took for my report! I have sweet memories listening to him tell me stories and showing me pictures of His days in the service...

And here's another picure from Christmas in 1990.

I got these Holiday Barbies a few years in a row (think i have about 5)... all still freshly packed away "Mint" in the original boxes! (except one, probably the first one i ever got... that barbie is now Caitlin's).

In the jungle...

... the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight!

How cute is this kid? :) He surrounded himself with his little friends and zonked out tonight.

Happy Birthday Caitles!

4 Years ago we welcomed our sweet Caitlin into our family!

Justin and I are amazed at how the time has flown by. It's been a joy to watch her grow from this:

To this:

On my last trip back to PA, I inherited this fine homemade Birthday flag

that my Mother made for me and my sisters to hang on our birthdays. How fun

to hang it for my daughter's birthday!

Birthday Girl and Little Bro

Caitlin sporting new outfit from Grammy and Papa, and

enjoying her new octopus from Nans and Pops Birthday activities for March 7th:

-Daddy made Birthday Waffles and Eggs!

-We all admired the Birthday flag.

-What's more fun than watching your brother get a hair cut on your birthday? (he really needed it!)

-Caitlin then wanted to do the dishes for her birthday! (as well as, sweep up the hair, wash the windows and vacuum the whole house! Justin was awesome and very patient to help her complete this birthday wish!)

-Lunch at Wendy's

-Cold, but fun Birthday visit to the Zoo! (we can never get enough!)

Another Birthday outfit from Grammy and Papa!

On our way to the Zoo!

Will's new do

Zoo Train Happiness

... and some day...

Caitlin you'll be able to "measure up" to this gorilla... but for now,

we like you just the way you are!

Happy 4th Birthday!