Years Behind in Pictures

(This post contains affiliate links! When you click through, I get a small bonus. Thanks for helping me support my craft!)

 

Since I've started sewing, I've neglected an other crafty area--scrapbooking and photo albums!

I am seriously years behind in the kids' and our albums.

Ours ends at the birth of our 2nd child (we have 5 now!) and the kids' all end in 2011 sometime.

 

 

I went through all the photos on my computer and put all the ones I need/want printed off into a separate file on a USB stick so I could take them to Walmart.

 

But, then I received an email from one of my affilates-- Shutterfly!

 

They are offering 100 free 4x6 prints with the promo code 100FREEPRINTS at checkout, ending the 30th of June.

 

 

Something I've never tried, but think would be a really cool idea as well, is the photo books that you can get printed at Shutterfly!

 

They also have a deal on these--a free 20-standard finish page 8x8 hard photo cover photo book with promo code SUNNYBOOK at checkout!

 

 

Plus, on the website they have a 40% off everything sale as well!

 

Hop on over to Shutterfly and take advantage of these great offers!

 

 



Fabric Painted Flags

My sons (especially the oldest) are war buffs.

World War 1 and 2, the American Civil War, etc.

So even though we are Canadians, my oldest especially loves the American flag and wanted to make one to use as a 'war flag.'

 

We cut up an old sheet and used a mix of acrylic and fabric paints as I didn't want to use all fabric paint since it's much more expensive than the acrylic.

 

He used stencils for the stars and freehanded everything else.

Excuse the wrong number of stars and stripes--he was going for the look, not accuracy so much!

 

My second son's loyalties are divided...

 



 

Those are the same flag. One side is his version of the American, one is Canadian.

He got me to tie it onto the stick...I love how 'carefree' he is about a two-sided flag--he tells his brother when they play war, that their 'team' is the Americans and Canadians!

 

My older son on the other hand had a much larger flag and was insistent that it needed a good stick.

So, my husband picked up a dowel from the hardware store.

Then, it had to be attached with grommets and hooks.

 

He ran outside to do a battle charge so my husband quickly snapped some pictures.

My son is pretty proud of his flag!

 

 

Ha, and a funny story: they were done (the oldest, one side and the younger, both sides) and wanted to take pictures of it--just like Mom does when she makes something. I think they're learning a little something from my sewing and blogging!

 

So, to all my Canadian readers: 'Happy Canada Day on the 1st!'

And, to all my US readers: 'Happy Independence Day on the 4th!'

 

Something Sweet, Something Slimy, Something Sewn

 I no longer look like or feel like a hippo.

The culprit has emerged:

 

 

Our dear little daughter, our little blessing, our gift from God!

Leah Bethany was born last week weighing in at 7lb 13oz.

And, I have to say she is so sweet.

 

We are adjusting to a new routine and a tired Mama.

One of the refuel naps I was taking, my son caught this--a slimy frog:

 

Imagine my surprise when I'm looking through pictures on my camera of little Leah and suddenly there are pictures of grimy hands and slimy frogs. Yes, I was surprised.

When I asked where this picture came from, my oldest son told me he had caught it and had wanted to show me. But, I was asleep, so Daddy had taken a couple of pictures.

Love it.

 

Finally, I was able to get some sewing done, after a long absence of my sewing machine.

I had brought it to the shop to get serviced, hoping it'd be a week.

Three weeks...sigh.

But, it's back after my dear husband drove to the city and back to pick it up (1.5 hour round trip) and I'm back at it.

 

My youngest son is 2 1/2 and he needs to be potty trained.

But, he still wears size 12-18 month clothes.

Perfect time to whip up some undies out of old tank tops of my own!

 

I love adding fun tags to their clothes!

They're not perfect, but they'll hopefully do the trick of getting him potty trained.

He's already excited about them.

And, I'm excited to be back in 'business.'

 

 

 

November Finishes and Other News

My finishes this month are:

Tag Blankets

 

Rag Blanket

No, I've still not gotten to that Tinny Dress....

 

And, in other exciting news, I've joined the Amelie and Henri team!

My main task there is to edit the PDF patterns and any other documents that are sent out.

I used to do a lot of writing and I still love it--I just don't have as much time for it anymore!

But, this will keep my editing skills honed!

Yep, I'm quite excited!

 

Go have a look at their Etsy page--they have some beautiful patterns!

Even more exciting news, and one reason why I've been more quiet in the sewing world, we are expecting our 5th child!
I got to hear the heartbeat today after a trying week and we are so thankful!
Lord-willing we hope to meet this little one in the beginning of June, 2014.


September Goals and New Fabric!

I cannot believe that it is already September!

August was a very quiet sewing month--I only made one top for my little niece.

The rest of the time, I was too busy camping, canning, and life in general.

Now, September is rolling around and I'm not sure what I'll get done since school starts again and I'm homeschooling. But, I did start two button-up shirts for my oldest two boys for which they picked the fabric:

 

I need to finish those.
Both pieces of fabric were picked up on our camping trip when we stumbled upon a quilting shop in Stettler.

A friend of mine made a Fabric.com order recently and I joined in to save on shipping. Actually, I think I splurged a bit and just might have contributed to most of the order....sigh...

But, I have plans for most of the fabric--really I do!

 I *need* to make my two oldest boys each some pants.

I don't know how they wear through their pants so quickly!
But, the camo twill is for that.
I can probably make 2 pairs each...

My daughter needs a new Sunday outfit for the Fall/Winter, so the Premier Prints twill (aaah...it is hiding in the picture) is for a skirt while the Michael Miller print from the Madrona Road is for a top.
So, either the Maggie Mae tunic or the new Hanami top...anyone?

The two Essex Yarn-Dyed Linen pieces (here and the denim-blue doesn't seem to be available anymore) are intended for fancy button-ups for my boys. Although pants out of those would be good too. We'll see if I have enough for both.

The butterfly print (Aprils Garden--doesn't seem to be any left), the other Michael Miller print and the sparkly knit (was on for $2.99 when I bought it!) are for unknown projects.
Although the butterfly print would make a super cute dress for my daughter! Maybe the Tinny?

So, for September, I hope to finish the kid-picked button shirts, and the camo pants.
Those are my two goals for September!

And, I will leave you with this fun picture--this is what we did most of our camping trip:

 



August Goals

August is here.

Where, oh where did my summer go?!

The days are getting shorter again and cooler, and it feels like summer has hardly begun.

This month we'll be camping a couple of days (!) so I won't have quite as much time for sewing this month.

But, I have plans.

1) my youngest sister is expecting a baby--any day now, and that baby will *need* to have something sewn up for him/her

2) I have to retrace a pattern from Sew Serendipity for a tunic for myself (I had traced a medium a while back, but I think I shrunk a little...I need a small). I even have fabric picked out, and ready to go.

I'll keep it at that for this month.

I'm foreseeing a lot of canning and harvesting happening while we're home so that will take up a lot of time. I actually spent a couple of days this week and last making jam--saskatoon and raspberry. Mmmm.  

And, planning for the first 'official' year of homeschooling! I'm quite excited about that--I've already registered our oldest.

Anyway, I have no pictures to share right now, but hopefully later this month, I will!

 

A Winner! And a Dino Adventure

And, we have a winner!

 

  Mara said...

I love giveaways too! Wish I could sew for your pregnancy centers, but since I am in Europe I will just admire all of your creations.

 

Congratulations Mara! I will email you shortly for your info so I can get this off in the mail to you ASAP so you can receive a fun squishy package in the mail!

 

On another note, we took the kids on a fun day yesterday--to Jurassic Forest!

They had so much fun.



The first part they were terrified, actually--they seriously thought the dinosaurs were real.

We had barely entered the trails when we heard roars and had earlier heard some kids screaming. When the dinosaurs actually moved they were sticking quite close to us!



 

My one son was afraid to leave my side until I said that they were pretend.

"They're pretend!!!!" he shouted at his brother.

After that they were only a little leery of the 'meat-eaters' but enjoyed themselves thoroughly, running ahead on the trail to see if they could spot the next one.

 

 

And, of course, we had to bring home some toy dinosaurs which had to be 'meat-eaters' except for my daughter's which bulges it's eyes out if you squeeze it. She thought it was hilarious and it now has the name, 'googly eyes.'

 

It was a beautiful park--a nice boardwalk trail through an absolutely gorgeous forest and then a sand pit where the kids could run and dig and play.

 

 

The only thing we didn't like was the evolutionist propaganda--we actually skipped two short trails--the evolution of mammals and the evolution of birds and feathers.

The main trails also have signs and such but if you go prepared to answer questions and explain the errors then it'd still be a great learning experience.

And, what boy doesn't LOVE dinosaurs?

 

--The two pictures of 'nature' are entered into a contest on their Facebook page. The 15th of July is the deadline and then I'm assuming they'll be up so people can vote on their favourite by liking the pictures there!--

 

 



It's Spring.....or Not



No, seriously.....look at your calendar. It's Spring.

Sigh...these pictures are taken here in our area--I travel this road quite frequently and had planned on going to town today via this road. From what I gather, this is a bit further south on the Highway, but still, pretty crazy out there.

 

Photo via 102.3 Now Radio Edmonton



Photo via Sun News





Photo via GlobalTV Edmonton

 

Photo via Edmonton Journal

(Most of the pictures should be linked to the stories they are attached to--just click on the pictures)

 

RCMP are not recommending travel this afternoon.

Emergency crews have been busy responding to several motor vehicle collisions along the QE 2, including a 60 car pile up just south of the Millet overpass.

The Leduc Integrated Traffic Services Unit advising the highway is in poor condition, both north and southbound lanes.

Police say slippery roads, heavy snow fall and white out conditions are causing problems.

The RCMP are asking motorists to refrain from traveling at this time, and ask those who are to turn on their headlights, yield to emergency vehicles, use extreme caution and reduce your speed.

RCMP are also advising anyone who happens to go off the road or get stuck to please remain in your vehicle until they can safely get alternative transportation and not walk on or near the highway, as it is unsafe to do so.

93.1 The One

 

That's the recommendation out here. And, did I tell you, it's supposed to be Spring.

Yep, this is definitely Alberta!

Drive safe!

Cuba

 We went to Cuba for our 4th time and I thought I'd share some of the beauty of that country with you:

 

During our trip, we biked down to the beach with a friend and brother of Christ. 

The waves rolling in was just awesome and we spent a little bit of time, just drinking in that ocean air.

 

 

One of the many types of trees in Cuba. I'm not sure what the fruit on this tree is, but if I'm not mistaken, and remember correctly, it was some sort of nut.

 

 

We parked our bikes here--a 'tourist' spot for the locals.

 

On the way back, the landscape was breath-taking. The Sierra Maestra mountain range in the background with rolling fields and scattered palm trees and forests.

 

Flamingoes. We could not get any closer and neither could my camera but that is the first time I've ever seen flamingoes in the wild. Pretty cool!

 

This sweet little boy sitting on top of a bunch of bananas was his dad's idea. I was amazed the banana bunches were that strong!

 

 

And, a present for us from one of the families we stayed with. We had a good laugh, took some pictures without getting our toes snapped, and then released the fellow.

 

And, those are just a glimpse into the beautiful country of Cuba.

 

We could not post all our pictures for privacy reasons, but if you are interested, and you are in the local area, we'd love to share our pictures and how the Lord directs our path while there!

Another Raw Edge Raglan and Some Nests

And, I've made another Raw Edged Raglan from the book, 'Sewing for Boys.' This is such a fun, easy project! It is perfect for baby gifts except for the fact the smallest size is a 2/3. But, by a year you run out of gifted clothes usually anyway, so a shirt here or there that is bigger is often welcome. At least it was so with me!

 

The fabrics I used are a bluish grey interlock from the second hand store and an orange organic cotton jersey knit from Fabric.com. 

 

I added a neat applique--I found a cute whale picture that I just couldn't resist. Plus, add two buttons for the eye and it looks pretty neat. (I know, I have this thing with doubling up the buttons--if you see my last post you'll know what I mean!)

 

 

I really like the raw-edges on the outside. It adds a lot of character to the shirt--the extra top-stitching and texture!

 

 

And, another shot of my whale with his double-button eye!

 

 

The kids and I had some fun taking apart some bird's nests the other day. The birds have basically all left for warmer regions or they're working on it since fall is in the air. So, the nests are empty and they (we) had a lot of fun checking out how different these two nests were!

 

This top one came out of the bird house we were given this spring. It had a rotten egg in it (which one of the kids crushed inside the house because he wanted to see what was inside--smelly!) And, when we took it apart further, there was a dead dried out corpse of a bird in it.

 

This other nest was glued with mud to the side of the goat shed. It is definitely amazing how intricately they are put together and how God has made each bird build it's own type of nest that is just right for them! What an awesome God!



Still here...

I am still alive. Honestly!

I have just been super, super busy the last couple of weeks.

 

We first went camping for a couple of days followed by my sister's wedding.

 

The next week, I canned.

46 quarts of apple juice,

7 quarts of apple pie filling, and I'm not sure how many pint jars of pickles--there's 60 down there right now--a couple left from last year.

I believe there's around 30 some jars of beans.

 

 

And, I still have to do the beets--that is on my to-do list today.

And, maybe the carrots as well....(not today though--they're still in the ground)

 

We had to take the potatoes and beets out of the garden rather suddenly--we had a major hail storm that demolished the plants.

 

 

 

The kids enjoyed the aftermath!

Thankfully the potatoes and beets are underground. The carrots actually look pretty good yet--that's why they're still in the garden.

 

 

 

To top it all off, we have started home schooling last week and it takes some time to get a good routine. Especially since this is the first time ever for me for homeschooling. It is slightly overwhelming! But, already there is some progress.

 

 

We bought a new coffee table...

 

 

To store our homeschooling books.

 

 

 And, we had fun becoming Vikings!