The Aftermath of the dress

*** HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA!!!***

Last night I finished this dress for a friend's baby shower.  The color doesn't come up well, but it's green and light pink.  I like the fabric because it is either pink diamonds on a green background, or green circles on a pink background depending on how your eye sees it.

And this is what happens when you are a "single wife" and don't feel the need to clean up after your projects when you finish at 1am, or put away your clean laundry or groceries.  Yikes!

This is a close up of my "sewing space"  

Someday we'll have a room just for creativity where I can sew and 

Caleb can paint or draw or make music, etc.  I can't wait to get off the floor

Living the "single wife" life, was introduced to me by my friend Mari in this post and I've done it before when Caleb went on tour for 6 weeks last fall.  

But this time, I'm going to make a plan and try to get some stuff done and not be so lazy.

This is what I want to accomplish in the remaining 9 days before he gets back:

1.  Clean up above mess and put away those clean clothes- alas already wrinkled.

2.  Make a few more dresses like above dress using all the great fabrics I got shopping with my friends Tanya and Michelle

3. Finish Harmony's Mei Tai!!!  I'm going to do that this afternoon- I promise!

4.  Learn this dance and if it's good enough, maybe I'll post it!  haha we'll see...

5. I also have plans for a skirt for me from a pattern out of this book I recently got and love. 

6.  Watch the first season of GG on DVD- I've had it for 2 weeks and haven't watch a single episode yet.  I'm having my friend Brittany over to watch with me next week, so if anyone would like to join us, let me know.

6 things.  That's doable I think.  

Oh. And a final flossing update- 

It has been a full month and is now officially a part of my routine. 

yay! for resolutions that actually work out!

Do these people live under a rock?!

I am so bewildered by the show Wife Swap.

I turned it on while I was posting those last pics.   I just can't believe how upset these people get at the rule change ceremony.  Don't they see it coming?  Can't they see it coming a mile away?  Before they sign up even?  I mean- if you are a family that exercises, eats only organic and has a clean house- won't you be placed with a family that thing riding on 4 wheelers is cardio?!?

Geez.  

I really should just turn it off, but I am now sucked in and want to see if they learn anything.

Christmas Sewing

Here is the last of my Christmas crafty presents. 

This is an apron I made for my cousin Lisa.  

She's due in March and so I added a little bib for the new babe.  

I didn't have a pattern, just kind of winged it.

Here is a close-up of the bib.  

The other side of the bib is the same green cupcake fabric as the apron 

so I guess it is kind of reversible.

And cutie Stella with her skirt with a kangaroo pocket 

(thanks Sarah for letting me borrow yours for sizing!)

Christmas Quilts

With the upcoming arrival of Harper, this year I planned ahead and actually finished a quilt BEFORE the baby was born and gave it to Harmony for Christmas.

Here is Harper modeling his quilt

And a close up of the name

And Harmony said that when Harper uses his quilt, Mason and Oliver go get theirs and here is a great pic of all of them.  I feel like I get better and more creative with each baby... 

so by the time I have one- I'll be pro!

And in honor of my quilts, and since I never posted one of Thomas with his-

 here's a cute butt in the air sleep pose.  

I really am surprised and touched when I come visit and they are actually in use.

If you are interested in seeing more "auntie claire quilts" 

you can see Levi's here, Jasper's here, and Stella's here

Christmas Hats

Better late than never I always say. Without further ado...

Stella's hat-

My first felting project ever. Originally knit for Rachel but accidentally felted to Stella's size. I added the cute cluster of poppies (I did not make the flowers).

I totally took this picture off Harmony's blog- I love it though! Such sweet brotherly love, and it shows Mason and Oliver's hats so well.

I made Mason's hat with one stripe and Oliver's hat with two because that is their order.

I have plans for a third hat for #3 with obviously three stripes. haha.

I love the snow covered hat in this pic!

Definitely some snow angels or something going on.

Thomas got green and blue and just 1 stripe.

And here the hat in use on a cold winter's day...

And finally my sister in law Annie's hat. I did hers different than the others.

There will be some revisions to the pattern and redo it for next year-

maybe with a pom pom! ;)

I Just Ruined a Batch of White Chocolate Blondies-- BOO

My melted white chocolate chips, butter and sugar was overheated into a lump of thick chocolate in a pool of butter-- instead of "creamy and smooth".  

 I have now abandoned the baking for tonight and instead decided to post on my blog.

This year has started off with a bang.  I'll try to give a quick run through as to what's been going on with us and around us.

Starting with the most recent:

Caleb left today with his band to go on a 2 week tour.  They play in Vegas tonight and tomorrow night.  He just called and said they are staying at Circus Circus for $39 a night.  I think that's amazingly good deal, but mostly I'm just glad they're safe and warm.

I met with my learner tonight for the first time in over a month.  We had completely opposite vacation schedules this winter, but it was good to meet again and hopefully we'll buckle down and get through the program quickly.

My newborn twins (not mine actually) worked today on this show and I'm relieved that it worked out!

This part is especially for Sarah:

Here are the up close encounters I had with celebs in the last month- either at set or in meetings:

Her:

These two:

Him:

Him:

Him:

Him:

Who is best known from this role:

I actually introduced these two to the newborns that will play their baby on the above show.

All these encounters signify that a Huge amount of time was spent on set and working, which explains the 125 hours I put in during the last two weeks! yikes! that's a lot of work.  How long until retirement? ;)

Speaking of retirement... Caleb and I started this financial program late last year and recommend it to anyone who's wanting to pay off the past and begin saving for the future- Sounds cheesy, but makes total sense.  

And yes... I am still flossing.

I can't remember now if there is anything else I was going to mention, but it's late and I have a meeting in the morning, so I'll call it a night and post more later if I think of it.

Also- I have a huge sewing/knitting/crafting post coming up- just waiting for 1 picture and to finish one project.

The Lunch Date Blouse GIVEAWAY!!!!

The Lunch Date Blouse GIVEAWAY!!!!

Happy Happy Birthday Rachel!

I can't believe you are 21!

Part of me still thinks of you as the 10 year old cutie I first met so long ago.
You are still so cute and I'm glad you are my little sis.
Hope you have a great birthday! Wish we were there to party!

Update on Resolution...

I know you're all on the edge of your seat waiting to hear how I'm doing with my flossing.

The answer is Great!

Welcome to the World

To our brand-new nephew, Harper.

Can't wait to meet you and those chubby cheeks.

Happy New Year!

Caleb and I rang in  2009 with some good friends last night playing games and laughing a lot.  I wish we had remembered to take a picture or two.

Typically, I get a little misty-eyed and anxious around the new year, thinking of changes and the past and pretty much feeling like the passage of time isn't something I have any control of.

Maybe that's why people make resolutions, to try to gain control of something having to do with the new year.  Not that I feel I'm perfect or anything, but I'm only going to make one resolution.  I'm not good at remembering to floss everyday.  That's it.  Daily flossing.  Well, and maybe to take more pictures. :)

2008 was a good year for us.

Bring it on, '09!