crumbs

I have wanted to make a crumb quilt forever.  I have been collecting crumbs, sorting crumbs, ironing crumbs.. ask any of my quilting friends and it's the one project I keep talking about month after month..
But now, after a baby, I thought maybe this isn't the time to start a sewing-room-intensive quilt.  I have more free time while he naps in the stroller after we walk George to school, or if he falls asleep on me as I chat with friends or family on the couch.. so hand piecing it is.
And my crumbs started to find  their way into this box:

and onto these templates:

and then into this pile:

They are 3/4" hexies and I only have a vague idea of what I'm going to do with them.  For now, I figure I might as well cover all the templates I have and get these crumbs lined up to become something, what ever that may be.

The added benefit is that having an EPP project in my diaper bag is that it is helping me stay happy and remember who I am.  Not always easy as we adjust to being a family of 4, and I get reacclimated with being a stay at home mom.  Sewing always helps though..

Taking Care, part 2

This past week my sister has been staying with us.  I don't get to see her often-- I try to make the trip home once a year, and she tries to come visit us once a year.  That's maybe a total of 14 days.  It's crazy to stop and think about how time has passed, how we "grew up".  In my mind, she's still about 14, maybe 17, but definitely not reaching 30.  (I'm in denial that Costas is nearly 40 too).

L-R: Dad, me, Theresa, Lori.  Circa 1998.

Lor's HS graduation, 2001.

It amazes me that in only two weeks a year, George has developed such a strong attachment to his only aunt.. probably helps that she spoils him, and that she became his primary caregiver for the entire time she was here.  Sure, I'm still Mom, but my hands were always full, my mind either groggy or focused on some other pressing need.  I haven't been very good at playing lately.  But Aunt Lori? Man!  I was impressed and touched at the amount of attention she could focus on him, the way she'd get him to cooperate, and encourage him to be creative, imaginative, and kind. 

George and I made Lori a pouch to say Thank you, but it's hardly enough.  Maybe just enough to remind her of the trip until she can come back again next year..

Taking Care

How lucky I am, to have so many friends who want to take care of me, to make me comfortable and to spoil me and my children.  In today's post I want to say THANK YOU to all of them (you) for the kind words, emails, fb messages, cards, presents and visits that have filled my recent weeks.

Jack is 6 weeks old today, and I wanted to share a few of the thoughful gifts we have received:
In my last post, I mentioned a new quilt, all the way from Hokkaido, here it is:

 Hand appliqued, embroidered, and hand quilted by the lovely Mrs. Kubota.  xoxo!

We also received a super soft and cuddly crocheted afghan from Merrill:
(need to add the photo later, he's currently sleeping with it!)

(Totally jealous of her crochet skills, I've wanted to make a ripple blanket for years)

and some wonderful stew from Bernadette!

There were also many many cute sleepers, onsies, outfits, and a new stuffed doggy.  Many friends also brought big brother presents for George which were definitely appreciated.

My sister has been here for the past couple days, and her help (round the clock) is a present far more valuable than any gift.  Thanks Lor.  Don't know what we'll do without you.

In other news, I have been quilting as much as possible.  Some by hand, some by machine.  If I can get some photos today, I might have something to show soon..

One Month

Here he is, my Prince Charming, at one month old:

We have been having the best time, and though things haven't returned to the "new normal" yet (MIL is still here and helping out A LOT), I'm sure they will fall into place as the weeks move on.

I finished Jack's baby quilt a couple weeks ago:

(Excuse the crappy postpartum mom-hair)

A take on Denyse Schmidt's "Any Way You Slice It" pattern, which I have never seen, but followed instructions for here at Blue Elephant Stitches.  It was fun and easy, and I realized I love it so much because most of the fabrics are ones I bought myself (as opposed to scraps or unwanted fabric I received from friends).  The palette is "me" but masculine, and I love that he's already been using it..

(You may have seen a similar photo on Helen's blog, she's a better blogger than I am, hehe)

We also received a gift quilt in the mail last week, all the way from Hokkaido~
(will edit to add a photo soon!)
Thank you Mrs. K!!  I miss you~~~

1/21

Guess who showed up at my place last week?

Day 6

 This is Jack.  He finally came on January 21.  9lbs, 6 oz.  He's a great eater and a great sleeper-- and I thought George was easy...

Everything went well-- labor and delivery couldn't have been better.  The timing was good (he came on C's day off), the hospital was like a spa.  And since we've been home the family has taken such good care of us. I hardly have to lift a finger.  If heaven isn't like this, I don't think I want to go..

First bath

Thank you everyone who has sent love and wishes through facebook or the NYC Mod guild blog.  We totally appreciate the kind words and feel very lucky to have so many friends that care.  I'm finding it hard to want to spend time on the internet now though, when my hands could be full of this little bundle instead.  So in case you don't hear back from me right away, or my posts aren't so regular, know that  I am reading comments and emails, and I'm thinking about you too.
xo

2nd finish of 2013-- Chaos Scraps

So I'm still pregnant, and my pile of mindless sewing is getting smaller and smaller.  I hadn't intended to finish this one before the baby came, but he's mighty comfortable in there and I had nothing to do last night so..

Here's the back.

These were orphan blocks, string pieced to phone book paper, inspired by Bonnie (same blocks are in her header, too cool!).  I threw on a dark border and 16patches to try to calm the chaos and give order, but that was almost a wasted effort-- this quilt is anything but orderly, and I love it.
On the back I wanted more fabric, more memories, more stories.. so I pulled out strings and strips from the backings of a bunch of quilts and tossed in some more string pieced orphan blocks.  Now there's so much in there that I could talk about this quilt for days. 

As I was quilting it, I'd count how many different quilts or different friends were represented in the scraps in the blocks down a single line of quilt-stitching.  The highest I got was 10-- fabrics representing 10 different projects all hit with one wavy line.  All in the same chaotic quilt.  It's sure not the prettiest quilt I've made, but I'm totally in love with it right now and can't wait to plop a new baby down on it to tell him the stories.  Cross your fingers that he makes an appearance soon, ok?

(Linking up with TGIFF and crazymomquilts!)

First finish of the new year: Satoru

This quilt is ancient.. well, it wasn't my oldest UFO, but it had been sitting, pin basted, in my closet for over a year, and the top was completed sometime in 2007, (the center came from a guild workshop).  The fabrics came from my hubby's trip to Japan in January 2002.  Yeah, for a newly finished quilt, it's got some history already.

You can see the quilting better on the back.

Around new years I tried to finish up a bunch of smallish quilts so I'd have hand sewing (binding) ready for after the baby came.. some mindless stitching to keep me connected to being a quilter.. but, the kid's still not here and I've had loads of time to sew.  So, whoops, finished it.  At least I can link up this week (TGIFF & Crazy Mom Quilts)
(old posts about this quilt can be found here, and here)