name

So it's time to think of a baby name. If you haven't heard already, it's another boy name we are after. We thought we had it all figured out. After Roman was born we had a name picked for our next child, boy name and girl name. I won't get into the girl name, except to say that a good friend of mine is pregnant and naming her little girl Piper. Brad is quite annoyed! Doesn't matter right now, it's a boy name we are after. Finn was our boy name. Then Stephanie named her little girl Finley. And there is a boy and a girl Finley in her ward. And just last week Rachel Fairbanks (don't know her married name) named her little boy Finn. So do we use the name, knowing how popular it is becoming - so I have been told? Or do we think of something else? Seems like a silly dilemma I know. But Brad and I don't agree on names - AT ALL.
I know I know, it is very silly to think that no one would ever like or use the same names we like. And I have always been an advocate of use the name if you want to no matter what. Even if they have a cousin with that name, so what. But the reason we liked Finn, and Piper, is because they are a little different, more uncommon, without being so out in left field. So we will see. I know I sound so pregnant and hormonal with this post! Rambling on about a baby name. Crazy me. But I thought hey, lets get some input from other people out there. So let's give me some ideas of names you people out there like! Doesn't have to be the top one or two for you of course, but maybe some your husbands don't' like and you do. I just need to hear some other options right now.

And because no post is complete without a picture, here is Roman hugging his baby. Sorry for the not very attractive naked belly. Roman has to have bare belly to talk to the baby or hug or kiss him, which he loves to do. He also like to yell at the baby to come out, then gets a little annoyed that he won't. We have to remind him the baby has to grow bigger first, seems to placate him. But it is so funny to watch!
My cute little man.

yesterday and today

Guess what we did yesterday...


Went to the Wiggles concert! Yes we took a 2 year old to a concert. And yes Brad and I both went to a children's concert. But you have to understand, Wiggles have come right up to tie for first place with Blue's Clues. The kid just LOVES them. So when the Wiggles came to Lethbridge how could we not go. For about half the concert he just sat in awe - totally shocked that the Wiggles were there. He would just point and stare. So funny!

But we got lots of smiles too. Especailly when Wags or Dorothy or Captain came out. And I am too stupid to know how to put up a video - and too lazy to learn. So you will just have to take my word for it that there was some crazy dancing going on as well! Ended off with one of Ro's favs, Hot Potato! And man oh man did he dance his heart out!

Here is the cheese face with his feather sword. I know I know, but at least it's not a hat or t-shirt. It kept him very entertained until the concert started and all the way home. So worth it.
I was thinking to myself on the way home, how do you know you are a parent? You know you are a parent when you are more excited to take your kid to the Wiggles concert than you were to see Pearl Jam in Las Vegas! Lots of fun had by our little family.


Kitchen table + fitted sheet = best fort ever!
The fitted sheet works so much better than anything else, stays in place so good. A great lunch was had by all in our fort. Lots of crumbs on the ground and a smashed strawberry on the sheet were so worth it for all the smiles and laughing I got.

I need help.

Current pregnancy cravings:
Ice cold water, I drink 12-14 glasses a day at least. Peanut butter and pretzels. Cheese. Popcorn. And sewing. ???
I seriously need help. I have become the crazy pregnant craft lady. It may be worse than a crazy cat lady. I have no idea what has come over me - I crave crafting. Especially sewing.
I have a few projects on the go right now. But today I just felt like starting another one. Saw this in one of those crazy expensive baby boutiques. Thought how stupid it was that is cost like $50. So I made it myself. So here you go, the latest in my crazy craft kick. The diaper clutch. Don't worry, there will be many crafts to follow. I know because I have a list. Someone stop me before it gets out of control!
This is what else we did today. Played outside. I came up from putting a load of laundry in to find Roman waiting at the door with his "ruff ruff" boots (they have little dogs on them) on over the footed pajamas. I added the coat and we had a great time out in the yard even though we looked a little funny. I finally convinced him to put real clothes on and we played at the park too. By afternoon we went on a walk with no jackets.
Such a nice change in weather from the snow storm I was in in Calgary yesterday! Light snow in the morning, okay for me cause I only had to drive a few minutes from Rhonda's to the Children's Hospital (went to a very good nursing conference). Other people said the roads were awful. And a serious storm on the way home during rush hour traffic. Loads of wet globs of snow coming down faster than my wipers could work. And then when I got out of the city by the Okotoks turn off bright and sunny and dry. Crazy Alberta weather. Sunday is supposed to be something like 25!

what we are up to

I have been on a major sewing kick. Feeling so much better with way more motivation and energy in my second trimester. So glad, because I was so much sicker with this pregnancy. I finally bought the Amy Butler Nappy Bag pattern. I tired it out with scrap material I had sitting around. Made a few changes, and will make a few more when I buy some Amy Butler fabric to make another one. Gunna use this bag for a church bad in the meantime.
Had to make the cell phone pocket on the outside way bigger for my fat flip phone. I also changed the position of the bottle pocket, put it on top of another pocket so I could have two for the price of one. I love lots of pockets! I also added a pocket for my stuff - keys, chapstick, whatever. And I put snaps and buttons on lots of the pockets instead of leaving them all open. Here is the inside.

Roman is sleeping better now. The time change was a lifesaver! He usually sleeps to 7:45 or 8:00 now. So much better than the 6 or 6:30 we had going for a few months! (Love Brad so much for getting up with him every morning when he did that, major nausea and sleepiness part of pregnancy!) Anyway, he moves around so much when he sleeps so I don't like leaving toys in the crib for him to play with when he wakes up. He is pretty good about staying in the crib for a little while before he calls us to get him out. So I made these little toy bags that velcro to his crib. Now I can go in before I go to bed and add toys and books for him to find when he wakes up, and I get and extra 15-20 minutes of sleep! Got the idea here, but changed them a bit. Made them oval shaped instead of round - fits the books better.
Roman wanted in on the pictures.
While I have been on a sewing kick Romes has been on a building kick. Just getting in on all the house renos going on around here I guess. Wears the tool belt around all day. Pounds on everything with his hammer. Sticks his screwdriver in every hole he can find. And cuts everything with his saws. I love little boys! And yes, we stay in our pajamas as long as we possibly can everyday!
And finally, here is parenting at it's best! Portable DVD player and headphones. I wish I could say it was for something important like General Conference - which was great by the way! But no, it was for some stupid tv show - that I can't even remember - that Brad and I wanted to watch. In our defense he was crazy full of energy and mad we had the tv on for us and not him, and we were both sooo tiered from long crazy busy days at work. Oh well. We went to the park this weekend as a family if that makes up for it!

circle quilt tutorial

This post is for Steph. I don't know when we will ever get together with both our crazy lives - so instead of teaching you how to make it I made a step by step tutorial for you to follow.

WARNING - this is a very long post and will be very boring if you don't like to quilt!


This tutorial is for a quilt that I made for my sister in law Rhonda and baby Lucy, and my best friend Stephanie and baby Finley. I made the quilt for Rhonda almost three years ago and had enough material left over to make Steph one this last fall. Both of them get compliments on it all the time, which is funny to me because it is sooo easy to make. Here is a picture of Steph's quilt. (You can click on all the pics to get a huge look at them if you want!)

First a little disclaimer. This is my first attempt at writing a tutorial for anything, so sorry if I forgot something or ramble on too much.
I enjoy quilting, but I am more into get it done and enjoy it instead of do it perfect. Especially with this quilt. I like it when it puckers, or the circles don't match up just right. Also, I don't like to prewash cotton. I like it to pull a bit after it is done and washed. Makes the quilt look older. So with that said, here we go.

I haveo nly used cotton for this quilt. Use whatever you want, but I like the way cotton frays just a tiny bit. For the quilt I am going to show you I used scraps that someone had given me. Not sure how the all green and only 3 different fabrics will turn out, but at least you will be able to get the general idea. For Rhonda and Steph's quilts I used 6 different patterned materials for the circles, and a striped material for the sashing.
I 'm not sure how much material to tell you to buy, not good at figuring that out. Sorry. For this quilt I used six fat quarters for the circles (two of each of the three patterns). And I used nine 12x12 white or light colored squares. My squares are all the same fabric, but my mom has made this quilt with squares all the same tones but different patterns/fabrics. Do whatever you want. Then you will need fabric for the binding and sashing. You could also add three more sets of circles and three squares to make it rectangle instead of square. Wow I am talking A LOT already. Sorry.
Okay, so get a cereal box or card stock and draw 3 circles - a 10 inch, 7 inch, and 4 inch. I went back to junior high math days and used a protractor to draw my circles.
Then trace the circles onto your fabric with a washable sewing pencil or marker. Cut out 9 of each size circle. I like to cut my smallest circles from the the inside of my biggest ones, saves fabric. Also cut out nine 12x12 inch squares. I highly recommend a cutting mat and rotary cutter for this if you have it! Here are some of my circles.
Now the fun part. Put a big circle on the square and sew it on around he outer edge of the circle. I don't measure, just eye ball it. Again, I like it when each circle is off a bit and not all the same. But measure if you want to. I use about a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Gives it enough to flip up and fray a bit. I usually just follow around with my presser foot on the circle edge, but I'm not too exact.
Then do the same with a different color/pattern of the 7 inch circle on top of the 9 inch circle. Mix it up anyway you want. I pretty much just go random with this.
And then the 4 inch circle, again totally random color choice. (easier to be random on the other ones I made because I had more to choose from. Not to much option with only 3 material choices!)
When you have sew all the circles onto all the squares cut each square in to even quarters (will end up with 4 6x6 inch squares). I pile mine together in sets so I know what I have to pick from for the next step.
Go random or with a pattern and set it all out how the quilt will be. I like to leave mine near my sewing machine, usually on the floor beside it. Obviously Roman is no where near it, learned that the hard way. I like to then pick up each square and sew it together, then lay it back down. A bit more time consuming, going back and forth to the sewing machine, but it keeps me from messing up the pattern. Learned that the hard way too.
So pick up the 4 small squares that will make 1 big square. Sew two together and then the other two together. (1/4 inch seam allowance for everything from here on out) Then press the seams. I never use pins here. I am very anti pins. Too impatient.
Then sew those two rectangles together to make your big square and press the seams. Keep going until they are all done. I don't pin here either. I'm lazy. I just match up the center seams instead of the edges and then sew. My edges never seem to be even, but I really don't care! The quilt turns out just fine.
Then sew three of the big squares together to make a strip. You will have 3 strips of 3 squares. Again, I just match the seams instead of pinning.

Now it's time to sew the strip together. At this point I give in and break out the pins. I match all the seams, on the top and then the middle on each side. Then I pin to keep it in place and sew and press. Then do the same for the last strip.
And there you have it, the quilt top! Now you can add sashing to make it as big as you want. Then the binding, and then quilt it, and had sew on the binding, and you got yourself a quilt! I usually leave the circles alone and quilt in the white area or in the ditch over the entire quilt. I like to wash it too once I am done, gives a better effect of what it will look like, especially if you are giving it for a gift.

Here is my quilt top. I used a small white sashing, only 3 inches. It was a bit bigger on the other quilts - it's really just to get the quilt to the finished size you want. And then I sewed together different sizes of green strips at random to make my binding. I like a 3 inch binding. I think a lot of people sew their binding on after quilting, but I learned to do it first. So do it how you want to. Unfortunately I don't have any batting right now! So the quilt will have to stay as is until I find a use for it and get some batting. (finding out in a few weeks if this little belly has a boy or a girl in it - maybe that will be the motivation I need!)

I usually just lay out my binding around the sides of the quilt to see how much I need. But you can figure it out by measuring the quilt, adding length and the height, and multiplying by 2. So if I had a quilt that was 8 inches x 10 inches, that equals 18. 18 x 2 = 36. Then add 12 inches for mitering corners, seam allowance etc. So I need a binding strip that is 48 inches long.

And here are a few tutorials I have found about how to bind a quilt. This one has real pictures of each step. This one is great simply because it is Heather Baily! And this one is my favorite method for finishing off the binding - a bit different method that the other two.

And just in case you need it, here is a little tutorial on the quilt sandwich - basting front, batting, and back together so you can quilt. I like how she pins the backing to the carpet to keep it flat. I have also heard of using masking tape to do the same thing.

So happy circle quilting! I would love to see any pictures of any finished quilts!

lazy saturday

Last evening I got together with a bunch of friends from high school. Six of us and only one baby - not that you even noticed cute Lily was there, she is so perfect Jacklyn! We had so much fun. Too much fun actually, all the sudden we realized the time at 4:30 in the morning! I got home and into bed just after 5:00. I was surprised that I didn't feel nauseous at all. I stopped working nights because I just couldn't handle being up so late. And I didn't feel sick all day! I think I am finally to the point where I can enjoy being pregnant! Brad, being the perfect husband that he is, let me sleep in today. He questioned the 5:00 arrival home, but didn't say much else. I told my mom about the night and she acted like it was totally normal, saying that guys just don't understand. It's so true. They just don't get how we can talk and talk for 5 or 6 hours and literally not notice how much time has gone by. I love it. It was so much fun. And worth the late night - hope everyone else thinks so too! Lindsay has all the pictures on her camera, so maybe pictures will come when I get them from her.
So needless to say, I was a bit lazy today. "Bit" is actually an understatement. I really did a whole lot of nothing today. A bit of cleaning, playing with Roman, made lunch and dinner. That's it. This is what is waiting for me while I am being lazy on the computer while Brad is up working on the kitchen renos and watching the end of the basketball game.
I love that Brad will stop in the middle of working and play with Roman. Such a great daddy. Love these two boys so much. Love the "cheese" face too. And yes, the pajamas in the middle of the day is all part of my laziness.
And the final picture of the day... It's nice to know my nursing text books are good for something - helping glue down the counter top! Pictures of the new kitchen might not come for awhile, lots of little things to finish up and lots of other projects on the go. But it is so much nicer to wait for the "totally finished" pictures don't' you think? Not that you have a choice, it's my blog!

crazy zebras

My sewing machine is tired. 8 baby blankets in one day.
For Christmas my mom usually does something like a secret Santa, donating to the church education fund or something along those lines. This last year she gave us kids the money and we each had to come up with something to do. I was looking at the church humanitarian aid site and baby blankets were listed as a top need. So that is what Brad and I did with our money. It's only a few months late! But with the craziness of Christmas and the pregnancy nausea I figure better late than never. Besides, they probably get tons of donations at Christmas, so this is a good time to send them. (I can justify anything!) So they are packed in a box and off to the boarder with my dad on Friday. Then it is off to Salt Lake and then around the world for these crazy zebras.
Maybe next year I will pick something sooner and have it done sooner!

A lady at work and her extended family do something along those lines every Christmas. This last year they bought a goat. Yep, a goat. I think it is through unicef, or one of those types of organizatins. You can buy goats, cows, chickens, rabbits, fish farms, water purification systems, and a ton of other stuff for a family in a third world countrie. One thing that is cool about it is that you can buy a family something that will not only help them now, but provide a sort of sustained income. Like the fish farm or rabbits. Just funny to hear her say they bought a goat for Christmas!

fabulous friday fun

I tried to get these pictures up on Friday, but blogger would not have it. I was so proud of myself for actually remembering to take a picture of something. So here is our fabulous Friday from last week. The weather was so nice last weekend! We were even out on Saturday without coats for awhile.

So much fun to dig up the snow and then stomp on it as hard as you can. Seriously, it entertained him for quite some time.

Checking out the neighbors dogs. He's not too fond of them barking.

Loving the gigantic sidewalk chalk grandpa got him.


My man of few words. He is two now and "they" say he should have upwards of 100 words in his vocab, and be combining them into sentences. Yah, he maybe has 20, if you count animal sounds. But comprehension is totally there so whatever. I think stubbornness has a lot to do with it. Anyway, point of my story, a bunch of the words he actually does use are colors. Artist grandma is so proud! This chalk is geen and the other is boo. It's actually pretty funny to see how excited we get when our little 2 year old learns a new word, and parents of other 2 year olds are excited about funny stories their kids tell them!

2nd birthday

How does he go from this

to this


to this so fast?


Happy 2nd Birthday Roman. I am getting a little sentimental today. Looking back over old pictures. It's not the baby pictures that get me so much, it's the ones from around 12 months. From baby to big boy. But if you ask him he isn't a big boy, he is a baby big boy. We'll see what he wants to be when there actually is another baby!
So crazy how fast it all goes and you don't realize it until you stop to think about it. That's all I'll say. Before I start crying!
Roman had a great birthday. I think I could have gone with no presents and only the punching balloons and it would have been the best birthday ever. Isn't that always the way it is with little kiddos though.

tags

Tag #1 and #2

1. What was I doing 10 years ago:
In high school, grade 12. Spending way too much time thinking about and getting ready for grad. Slacking off in school with only 2 classes the whole semester.

2. 5 things on my to-do list today:
1. Lots of cleaning
2. Laundry
3. Go running
4. Grocery shopping
5. Bake a cake for Roman’s birthday – cake and presents tomorrow even though his birthday is on Monday.

3. What snacks do I enjoy:
Just depends what mood I am in. And now that I am preggo, who knows. We have been making home made ice cream lately – raspberry and peach. I do like my mini eggs and other chocolate on occasion. Lately I have been eating a lot of peanut butter on pretzels. Love lots of types of cheese. And strawberries and raspberries.

4. What would I do if I were suddenly a billionaire:
Probably the same thing as everyone else. Pay off student loans, mortgage, and build a new house. Save for kid’s missions and school. Take our families on a fun trip. New vehicles. Very practical I guess.

5. 3 bad habits:
1. Lately it has been letting the housework pile up as I work, play with Roman, and lay around complaining about how sick I feel.
2. Procrastinating.
3. I still bite my nails on occasion.

6. 5 places I've lived:
1. Raymond
2. Edmonton
3. Provo
4. St. George
5. Denver
I think I have lived in 9 different places.

5 jobs I've had:
1. RN – peds cardiology, general peds, maternity, and ortho surgery
2. Dental assistant – loved it, but not good pay in the states
3. Lots of things in a hospital – unit clerk, housekeeping, kitchen aid, mental health aid.
4. Telemarketing surveys – hilarious job with fun people to work with
5. Road crew sign girl - sooooo boring

8. 5 things people don't know about me:
1. I worry too much about the future. Working on that.
2. I love the Gilmore Girls and have seen every episode.
3. I hate the smell of HP Sauce. Just the smell of it makes me gag. Brad loves it.
4. My pet peeve is people who don’t watch where they are walking, especially in the mall.
5. I hate sea food.

Tag #3

8 Things about myself that you may not know...
Since I just had to think of 5 things for the last tag I’ll do these eight about pregnancy – because that is where I am right now.

1. I have been much sicker with this pregnancy than with my first. I don’t throw up; I just wish I could because I swear it would make me feel better. Luckily I am starting to feel better, only nauseous in the evenings now.
2. I crave ice cold water. So all I do all day is drink tons of water, then pee a ton, and the cycle just keeps going.
3. I show quickly and carry really low. Last time I could put a hand under my boobs before my belly even started.
4. My belly button doesn’t stick out, just goes flat.
5. Last time I got stretch marks that bled.
6. With this pregnancy I have been very antisocial.
7. I get bad zits when I am pregnant. Lucky me.
8. Last time, and this time too, I’m not concerned about delivery. It’s the post partum recovery that I don’t like.

it's snow fun

We still have quite a bit of snow hanging around, but at least it all melted of the roads this last week. We took advantage of the perfect snow and warmer weather go to sledding a few times over the past few weeks. Roman absolutely LOVES it! Of course he loves it, he gets pulled up the hill and never has to walk! He has the hugest smile on his face all the way down the hill and just laughs.
Here are me and Roman after grandpa gave us a big push. Like my red coat pink had combo?

He cries every time we make him leave the hill. He is a big fan of the GT. When I work and my parents babysit grandpa pulls him all over the fields on it. He also won't let anyone else rid it down the hill. Not so good at sharing yet.

What else have we been up too... We went to Okotoks and Calgary the weekend of my birthday. We stayed with Sean and Val at their new house, so nice! My favorite part is the kitchen, love the cupboards and tile they chose. Of course I forgot my camera and have no pictures of the house or the weekend. It was my birthday so Brad didn't complain about shopping and he kept Roman entertained so I could take my time. We also went to dinner with Sean and Val and kiddos to Julios Barrio. Brad and I used to eat there lots in Edmonton. Good food, but by far not the best Mexican I have ever had. I miss the Mexican restaurants in Utah. other than that we are just working and hanging out and being very slow at updating my blog, same as usual!

haircut

Cute curly hair if I get it wet and it can dry okay. But naps and toques and don't make for cute curls, they make lots of bed head. So it was time for a cut. Interesting experience. Took him up to the salon to get it done because when I tried to do it last time he moved in the middle of cutting his bangs. They ended up waaaaay too short! He did okay, but the girl took forrrrrreeeeever. So he was ready to be done before she was. I just took him and trimmed up what I could when I could at home. So here is the new short hair cut. Dirty clothes and all.

mommy tag

Typical time of wake-up:
Uggghhhhh - don't get me started! Roman used to get up at 8. Then he went to 7, totally manageable. Now he gets up at 6:00 in the morning! Most days Brad gets up with him and lets me sleep until seven. I really owe him for it. 6:00 makes me a monster mommy. Any tips on getting kids to sleep longer???

On a good night when you/kids go to sleep:
Around 8:00.


How long you have been a momma:
Almost two years.

How many times have you been a new mom:
Just the one.

How old were you when you became a mom (is this to personal?):
Turned 26 two weeks before he was born.

Favorite Kids show:
Is any kids show really a "favorite"? The ones on at our house are Blues Clues, Backyardigans, Handy Manny, the Doodlebops - funny I know, and yes, Wiggles and Telletubbies. What can you do when he loves them so much. And when telletubbies and Wiggles are on he is soooo into it , I don't have to watch at all.

Least Favorite Kids show:
Barney. And Roman has no interest in Dora or Diego. Fine with me.

Favorite chore:
Laundry. And cleaning up any mess with my Dirt Devil Broom Vac. My mom gave it to me for Christmas and I seriously LOVE that thing!


Least favorite chore:
Mopping. Also cleaning the front entrance. It used to be the bathroom, but a lady at work talked me into buying one of those magic rags with the silver in them, bathrooms are so quick now!

Meal you cook most often:
Italian sausage and pasta, burrito pie, salsa chicken, Brad bringing home pizza from work, and going to subway.

Kids favorite meal:
Macaroni and cheese - Kraft or homemade, hot dogs, apples, frozen veggies.


5 things that make you smile when you are being a mom:
1. good night kisses
2.how excited he is when I get home from work, or when Brad gets home from work.
3.he always comes to tell me when he did something he shouldn't have, even though he knows he will get in trouble.
4.constant snuggles
5. bed head and touque head - my kid is gooooood at it.

Favorite thing your husband does with your kids:
Wrestling and tickling. Lets Romes work with him all the time. Ro just eats it up, helping daddy.

Last time you went out with no kids:
Last week, to dinner with Jen and Jaime. We were at Moxies for over 4 hours and had no idea.

If you could take your kids anywhere where would it be:
I would love to go to Utah and Arizona, none of my aunts, uncles, or cousins have met Roman. And they have kiddos we have never met. I also can't wait until they are old enough to go to Disneyland. Happiest Place on earth. I remember loving it as a kid (and still do!)
Right now we are considering going to Hawaii with Sean and Val in April. A 2 year old on a 6 hour plane ride and in Hawaii, am I crazy?

Favorite pastime/activity with kids:
Just playing around. Love the park when it's nice weather.

1 thing you said you would never do when you were a mom:
Let him sleep in our bed. He did it, we all got more sleep, and he grew out of it.

If you had an afternoon to yourself what would you do?
nap

1 thing you do that your mom did & now you do:
I'll have to think on that...


Favorite quality of your own mom:
Her kids and family come first, always. She is really really good at balancing mom and friend.

Favorite kids book:
I like Sandra Boynton. I Like the My first Book of Mormon Stories board book. Peek A Moo.

Best advice for a new mom:
It's only a stage. Works for almost anything. Sometimes I need to listen to that advice myself!

Scariest or most heartbreaking moment as a mom:
Scariest, not sure. How about the time I didn't strap him in his stroller in the mall and I caught him half way to the cement floor. Or the time I was putting laundry away and he walked out of the kitchen with a huge knife - apparently not all child locks are child proof. Heartbreaking is when they are sick and you just can't make it better.

Most joyful moment as a mom:
Just like everyone else, when they first lay that baby on your chest after they are born. I also really really like the first time they choose you over anyone else, even daddy.

Last time your child told you they love you:
Bedtime tonight. Although my kid still refused to talk so he says yes when I ask him if he loves mommy.

Last time you said I love you to your kid:
Bedtime tonight.

quiltiing time

Mom, Dixie, and Rhonda this is mostly for you. But maybe I can pursued some more of you to get going on quilts. February is quilt month at sew mama sew. Go to there website here, and click on the link to the blog. Here is a great tutorial for a crazy nine patch quilt that they had links to. I haven't quilted in a long time, a have lots of fabric grouped together that I really want to get going on, so I'm hoping to get lots of good ideas this month. May sound strange, but I find quilting in small doses relaxing. Love all the colors. Love combining all different colors and fabrics. Love binding quilts too. Crazy I know, but I like to do it when I work nights.

And because no post is complete without a picture.... Here is the quilt I made for Stephanie a few months ago when Finley was born. Rhonda actually has the same one for Lucy. I had to teach a class in Relief Society on this type of quilting, only we did squares instead of circles. Very easy way to quilt. And the more you wash it the better it looks.