Disclaimer

I've had lots of time to think, especially over the last few days while I was lying on the couch, about this new adventure in parenting that is just a few months away.  I know a variety of parents of all ages and styles who have given me wonderful advice and suggestions, and while I've taken many, I also have a few of my own ideas and am curious how my take on parenting will work out, or what I'll be forced to do based on practicality to save my family's sanity.  So, over the next few weeks, as I work on some of my finished baby projects, you will see a little glimpse into how I imagine things are going to work.  Please don't be under the impression that I will stick with any of these ideas, or that I will be heartbroken at the change of my plans.  I fully realize that babies are all different, and that what seems like a good idea now may turn into a very bad one in the not-so-very distant future.

The biggest rule I plan to stick to is: be flexible.  So, I invite you to join me on this next adventure and see what pans out and what is thrown out.  Your advice and suggestions are welcome {but, I will end up doing whatever works best for my family}.

On a final note, I've also added an EtsyMini of some of my favorite baby items, check the sidebar!

A Party Kind of Weekend

We are the kind of people who don't really go out.  While we eat dinner at a restaurant every couple weeks or so, we usually finish the evening off with a movie on the couch and falling asleep at 9:30p.  This weekend, however, was far from the usual, thanks, for the most part, to the Army.

Thursday brought a night out with a couple of Josiah's co-workers, Friday a Hail and Farewell for all the people coming to and leaving the unit in the next couple of months, and Saturday an Army Ball {maybe not quite what you're picturing though, more of a formal dinner and speeches with some dancing after too much alcohol afterward, but we left before the dancing commenced}.

The result: I'm exhausted and the cold I've been trying to fight off won.  So today will be one of those days that is monopolized by sitting on the couch, watching TV, and drinking decaf earl gray tea with honey {the only decaf black tea I could find in the area...who knew pregnant women weren't supposed to drink herbal tea?}.  I'm just hoping I'll be all better by Thanksgiving, I don't want to miss out on all the fun!

Reality

I stayed up too late last night {11pm is way past my bedtime} watching TV.  I don't even usually watch TV, I never really have.  But then came Top Chef.  I know, a reality show of all things {I don't usually like them}.  I'm not sure what it is about that show that keeps me watching, but I have to say, it is a favorite.  I've seen all the seasons {at least once} and actually stay up to watch the new episodes.

So there I was, munching on Honey Nut Cheerios, and watching Top Chef, even after Josiah went to bed.  They're down to the final four now, but I'm not sure who I want to win yet.  At least I only have a couple more weeks of late Wednesday nights before it's over.  Then it will be back to bed much earlier, and no more suspenseful reality shows.

Now you have a clearer idea how truly uneventful my life may seem to others, but I have to say, I'm enjoying it thoroughly!

Baby Project: Flights of Fancy Quilt

Baby has his first quilt {and yes, it's a he as far as they can tell}!  Naturally, when we found out I was pregnant, my mom and I immediately started looking for fabrics for the baby's room.  The girl options were rather easy, considering there is an abundance of feminine fabric in all shapes and sizes.  However, finding a boy fabric proved to be much more difficult.  The main problem: most boyish fabrics were designed for little boys, with cars, animals, and other cute objects.  While I like those styles just fine, I was really looking for something a little less babyish.  That is when I found Flights of Fancy by Paula Prass.

I loved the large whimsical prints and the colors were just fabulous too.  So, my mom and I worked together to design a simple quilt that would showcase the fabrics well, since the prints are very large.  And then, she made it for Baby!  I got to help out by doing the machine quilting, which was a lot of fun and a great way for us to have made it together.  She just sent me the photos {from her phone, which is why they are small} of it all finished this afternoon.  We are going to have one spoiled loved little boy on our hands...

Authentic

I often have those days where the projects I should be working on just stay on the back burner because I've got to work on something different.  Such was the case this afternoon.  While cleaning the little piles of fabric that ended up on my ironing board, I couldn't resist starting this charming little quilt out of Authentic by Sweetwater for Moda.  As much as I love to collect precuts, I somehow haven't ever sewn anything with charm squares.

In order to keep things simple {so maybe I'll finish this one before moving on to something else}, I am just sewing the charm squares together and then adding a couple borders.  And maybe a little applique too.

{Oh, and see that Bunny Hill fabric in the back of the first photo, it's a work-in-progress too, I've completed the quilt top, I just need to finish the back and quilt!}

What a week!

My mom is here this week and we've been having the most wonderful time.  We've been doing some sewing, visited a couple quilt shops, and done a lot little baby shopping too.  So, you may not hear much from me this week, but hopefully I'll have some cute finished projects to show next week.  In the mean time, take a peek at some of the things that came out of her suitcase with my name on them:

Maybe I've said this before, but I think I'm a lucky girl!

Falling

Nature's Geometry by ViaMoi 

Snowflakes were floating around this morning.  None stuck where we live, but Josiah said there was a dusting in places at work.  Soon we will be shoveling our driveway. Time is moving forward so rapidly.  The holidays will soon be upon us.  It never ceases to amaze me how quickly winter arrives in full force, only to dawdle here for so long.  I need to stock up on caffeine-free warm drinks...usually I drink a lot of coffee and tea in the winter, to keep warm and awake, I guess I'll be making a switch this time around.  At least it is a good time of year to knit baby things!

The Original Jane

Sometimes {er, more than sometimes}, I get sidetracked when I'm working on projects.  If you saw my sewing room, you might be surprised by the piles and piles of half-finished projects.  My overactive mind gets tired of one project long before I actually complete it.  But then, every once-in-a-while a spurt of motivation comes back and I finish a thing or two that has been sitting around for months.  Here is a photo {sorry it's a little blurry...} I took back in May of some bags I was working on - five to be exact.  Three of these bags got finished up and are {hopefully} being well loved by the ladies who bought them.  The remaining two {middle and fourth} have stayed in this condition since then...

However, this weekend I finished up the fourth one {just need to get enough light to photograph it} and am hoping to finish the other one soon.  Although I had grown a little bored of creating the same bag over again when I was originally working on them, my excitement is renewed after sitting dormant all these months.  I had thought maybe I was tired of the Hartfield fabric {because that is what my own bag is made out of}, but finishing this one reminded me how romantic it feels.  I have enough to make two more bags two, I just haven't decided when I'll actually start those.  For now I'll just enjoy the satisfaction of completing one.  It should be listed in the shop soon {feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions}.