Around the Quilt Block

Sally's Prize!

2012-01-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

Wondering which book Sally picked as her prize from the giveaway? She selected this one:

Photo courtesy of Barnes & Noble website - click here for more info

A brand new copy of this book is on its way to her home.

I hope you enjoy it, Sally! It's full of great blocks from very talented designers. Thanks again to everyone who entered my giveaway!

And the Winner is....

2012-01-09T06:00:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway! You all have wonderful goals/resolutions/whatever you want to call them for the year...some I even copied for myself! Well, without any further delay, here is the winner:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2012-01-08 18:27:56 UTC

Comment 18 belongs to:

18. Sally said...: I have a goal for 2012 of trying to stress about things less, i suffer from anxiety and it really puts a hold on things i do, therefore this is the year to get it under control. I also have a goal to start my new job and enjoy it, as well as have a great year!!Hope your all have a great 2012; January 2, 2012 1:38 AM

Congratulations, Sally! I'll be contacting you via email to get your address...and to find out which fabulous book you'd like to receive!

Scrapbuster Block

2012-01-08T09:05:00.000-07:00

Hello! I hope you're having a great weekend so far!

I think one of my favorite kinds of quilts are scrap quilts. With the mixture of colors, tones, and fabric styles...it just feels warm and cozy. And, it's a great way to use up all those little pieces of fabric. Plus, I think scrap quilts make a great gift and they go with anything!

Last week, I was asked to make an angel block for the 3x6 Mini Sampler Quilt Bee on Flickr. The colors needed to be rainbow on a white background. This what I decided to make:

It is a scrapbuster block using Little Miss Shabby's Scrapbuster Block Tutorial. It was fun to make and went together quickly. All-in-all, there are 48 little colorful squares, each finishing at 1". I like the look of this block and am thinking of making an entire quilt out of this pattern. She also has a tutorial for a block that's the reverse of this (white fabric where the colors are and colors where the white fabric is...but she used gray in her block), so maybe a combination of the two in a quilt would be fun. Ready for the best part? I really wouldn't need to buy any fabric! I have TONS of scraps (enough for several quilts probably) and lots of white fabric...well, I may end up needing to buy a little of that, but white fabric is pretty inexpensive.

So, what is your favorite kind of quilt to make?

Last Day!

2012-01-07T11:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday!

Just a friendly PSA...today is the last day to enter my fabulous giveaway. I will announce the winner on Monday, January 9th. If you'd like to enter, please click HERE for all the details.

Have a great weekend!!! =)

Feeling Gray?

2012-01-03T21:04:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I hope you're enjoying 2012 so far! I've been signing up for more swaps, bees, and quilt alongs.

craftytammie.com is hosting a Shades of Gray swap. These are the gray's I'm planning to send:

I've also signed up to design a block in Kim's Home Sweet Home quilt along at Where Creativity Blossoms. I am so excited! The block needs to have a tree or a house (or both)...that's the only requirement. I've been spending the last couple of days designing possible blocks. Here is a sneak peak:

You don't think I'd show you the full blocks just yet, do you?! My tutorial will available on my blog on March 27th...but maybe I'll show sneak peaks of the block I decide to go with before then...we'll see. Feel free to quilt along with us. There is a full list of where you can find all the details, as well as who will host each block, on the Where Creativity Blossoms site. The fun starts on January 17th!

Have a great week!

Oh...there is still time to enter my New Year's giveaway! You can win a brand new copy of the book of your choice (there are 4 to choose from). Click here for all the info.

Happy New Year Giveaway!

2012-01-01T06:00:00.002-07:00

Happy New Year!!!

I thought I'd start the new year with a little giveaway...something fun to get all the projects/goals going for 2012. You can win a brand new copy of your choice of one of the following books:

(Photo from Barnes & Noble website...click on link for more about this book)

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment sharing one of your goals for 2012 (doesn't need to be quilting related). You don't need to do anything else...but, if you'd like to talk about this giveaway on your blog, I'm not going to stop you. =) You need to enter before midnight on Saturday, January 7, 2012. I'll announce the winner on Monday, January 9th! Good luck!!!

Wishing you a 2012 full of love, joy, health, and prosperity!

Trying to Choose...

2011-12-31T11:42:00.000-07:00

I am participating in the Oh My Stars! Quilt Along, hosted by Thought & Found. I've pulled a bunch of polka dot fabric (my fav!) from my stash for this quilt:

But I'm having a hard time deciding what kind of stars I'd like to make, so I made a few samples. Each of these blocks is 4.5", which will be a 4" finished block when the quilt top is sewn together...but the final layout of the quilt includes stars that are 8" and 12" (finished) too.

Left - scrappy star with white background
Middle - white star with scrappy background
Right - solid star with white background

Which style do you like best? Or, should I use all three? Hmmm...hard to decide..

Want to participate in the quilt along? Visit Thought and Found's blog...or check out the Flickr pool for more info.

Thanks for your help! =)

2011 Flickr Quilting Bees and Swaps

2011-12-31T01:03:00.001-07:00

I discovered Flickr this year! Oh, how I love Flickr! I am addicted to the quilting bees and swaps that people host there. It has been a fun year participating in the following bees/swaps:

3x6 Mini Sample Bee - Qtr 1, Qtr 2, and Qtr 3
4x5 Modern Quilt Block Bee - Qtr 3
Freedom Block Swap
Scrapbuster Swap
Blockwork Orange Swap
Teal We Meet Again Swap
Bowtie Block Swap
Embroider Bee
Tokyo Subway Map Swap
Oh My Stars! Quilt Along (just started at the end of 2011)

Here is a small sampling of some of the blocks I made (most of which have found happy homes across the world):

1. Freedom Block Swap - for Becky, 2. Feb Block #1 for Rene - Skyscraper, 3. 3x6 Bee 1st Qtr #6, 4. Tokyo Subway Map - Block 10, 5. Twice as Nice - March 2011 - Block 1, 6. Twice as Nice March 2011 - Block 3, 7. Twice as Nice Bee - April 2011, 8. Twice as Nice Bee - May 2011 - Block 1, 9. Twice as Nice Bee - June 2011, 10. 3x6 2nd Qtr Beehive 22, 11. Scrapbuster Swap - Round 3, 12. Modern Tree for Kreated by Kari, 13. Flying Geese Block 2 for h2ogirl76, 14. Scrappy Bow Tie Block Swap, 15. Twice as Nice Block 1 for CaKath - Courthouse Steps, 16. 3x6 Bee Angel Block for 2nd Qtr 2011 - for JenniRC, 17. 3x6 Bee - Hive 21 - 3rd Qtr - for mommaof4yoopers, 18. 3x6 Bee - 3rd Qtr - Hive 18 - for Mikibubb, 19. Teal We Meet Again Swap Blocks, 20. Embroider-Bee, Round 3, Hive 3, 21. Twice as Nice Bee - String X block for auntem1, 22. Alphabet Block - 'K' - for Lauren3385 - Twice as Nice Bee, 23. Twice as Nice Bee block for Butternutlake, 24. Scrappy Triangles for bittybirdquilts, 25. Oh My Stars! Quilt Along - Fabric Selection

I have many quilt blocks ready to be sewn into quilts now, thanks to the swaps and bees...and many quilt tops still awaiting completion from 2010. I pulled a bunch out today so I can get them finished up...one of my resolutions for next year. Perhaps I'll give them as Christmas gifts next year! =)

Dr. Seuss Block - Freedom Block Swap

2011-01-27T12:51:00.002-07:00

Finished my first block...for my first bee,

If you want...take a look-see

It was very fun

To finish number one

For my new friend Wendy and her boys

For reading books or playing with toys

To all my friends in blogland out there

Have a good day...everywhere!

Bees, Bees, and More Bees!

2011-01-23T21:37:00.006-07:00

I think my favorite thing about quilting is swapping quilt blocks with other people. I love the thought of making something for someone else...probably why most of my quilts end up as gifts for other people. :) It's also very exciting to see what kind of quilt block I'm going to get in return...I've never been disappointed. I've participated in several swaps through my local quilt group, and also swaps of fabric or projects across the country in the past, but I recently discovered online quilting bees...and I love them! I've signed up for several quilting bees and I've already started working on the blocks. I'll post them as I finish them. Here are the bees I'm participating in:

Freedom Block Swap - Round 3. Each participant sends fabric to the other participants and then each participant makes a 12.5" block and sends it back by March 15th...so you end up with a bunch of different blocks using fabrics you selected. I sent different combinations of these fabrics from the Sunkissed fabric line by Sweetwater for Moda to the other 16 people in my group:Twice as Nice Bee - each person makes two blocks per month for one year. We focus on one member each month. That person sends out fabric and instructions for the type of blocks they'd like to receive in return. The first month will be February and it will be all different types of houses...I haven't received my assignment, but I'm excited to get it because it will stretch me and my creativity...just what I want!

[3x6] Sampler Quilt Mini Bee - each person makes one 12.5" block for the others in the group, using fabrics from your own stash, and based on the other person's requested color choices. I was just assigned to a group as a fill-in for someone that couldn't participate. I chose pink, orange, brown, and white as my colors. All the blocks that I make for the others will be the same, but just with different fabrics...and they need to be done by March 15th.

Civil War Quilts 2011 - this is one to work on just for yourself. Every Saturday a new block is posted (actually a link to Barbara's site where she's discussing the 150th anniversary of the Civil War). I have completed the following 8.5" blocks:

This is Week 1 - Catch Me If You Can

This is Week 2 - North Star - I must not have followed the directions very good, because my points will be cut off if I sew this into a quilt top. I may try again.

This is Week 4 - Texas Tears - I loved making this block! It was fun and went together so quickly!

You probably notice that Week 3 is missing. It's applique and hasn't been finished yet. It's called 7 Sisters, I believe...7 stars on an 8.5" square.

If you're interested in bees...check out any of my links above...Quilting Bee Blocks lists upcoming quilting bees you can join...and they have a blog that's pretty cool, too.

Baby Quilt and Car Seat Cover

2010-12-10T21:56:00.006-07:00

Hello! I have been gone from blogging for a while, but I've been keeping myself busy. I finished several quilts...with several more in the works. I also participated in a couple of quilt exchanges. I can't find one of the memory cards for my camera, so I won't be able to post all of the pics now...hopefully, I will find that soon!

Here is a quilt that I made for my baby niece, Halle. I love how the binding turned out...and I really don't like the process of binding. I'm so glad I picked the plaid fabric! (Thanks to my husband for holding the quilt.) :)

Here is a car seat cover that I made for my new niece Sophia. She is so adorable and has the cutest puffy cheeks! I can't remember the pattern I used...it was so long ago...but I did some tweaking to personalize it and make it what I wanted.

I hope you have a great weekend!

Scriptures Like Cell Phones?

2010-03-21T21:33:00.003-06:00

This weekend I had the opportunity to attend my Stake's Relief Society Women's Conference. I'm so glad I went! It was the best women's conference I have been to. The format was very different than what you normally expect. There was the beautiful music and the delicious luncheon, as usual, but they did some really neat things in addition to all that.

They had a reader's theater where women read different parts about strong women from the scriptures and the latter days...how the gospel affected their lives, how their trials and afflictions affected their lives, how their knowledge of Christ affected their lives. It was truly an amazing experience to learn more about the strength of these women...the strength they obtained from the blessings of the knowledge of the gospel and of Christ...the same blessings that we can have today. Blessings of strength, comfort, peace, covenants, love...the list goes on and on.

They also held a Q&A (instead of speakers) about things that were of concern to the women in our Stake (they polled sisters in the various ward relief societies beforehand). We read through scriptures and anyone who wanted to share a thought, a feeling, an experience had the opportunity to do that with the microphones passed around. I really like meetings like that...I think the Spirit is there so strongly when people feel moved to share.

As a gift from the Stake Relief Society Presidency, we all received a bookmark for our scriptures and I have really been thinking a lot about what it reads. One side of the bookmark is as follows:

What if we treated our scriptures like cell phones?

What if we kept them in our purse or pocket?
We spent a half hour using them every day?
We used them for "text" messages?
We used them traveling and in emergencies?
We treated them like we couldn't live without them?

I have been thinking a lot about these questions since yesterday and I would have to say my life would be very different if I treated my scriptures like my cell phone. Sadly, I don't read my scriptures as often as I should or would like to, but the fault is my own. I always say that I don't have enough time but I sure have enough time to watch all my tv shows. However, I am happy to report that I do carry a small Book of Mormon with me in my purse for days that I take the train...which isn't as often as it should be.

The bookmark also shares "The Scripture Plan" which is:

Unlimited usage
No roaming charges, lack of reception, or weak signals
Never disconnected because our Savior already paid the bill!

I have made a resolve to be better at reading my scriptures and to truly feast on them and try to learn from them. I know that they can benefit me in my life...and I do enjoy reading them. The back of the bookmark lists an 'Emergency Scripture List' - 34 different subjects to read about and the scriptures to find them. This list is broad, from Anger to Finding Happiness to Other's Behavior to Courage to Worried About Money...there is even one on Motivation to Clean! Maybe I should start on that one first. I have decided that I'm going to read about at least two of the topics a week...in addition to finishing the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon has always been one of my favorites, ever since I took it during Seminary in the 9th grade. Who knows, maybe I'll even blog about my thoughts on the different subjects.

If you have a scripture you really enjoy...one that helps you in your life...please feel free to share! We can all use a little boost now and then. I'll leave you with one of my favorites: John 3:16.

Thanks! Have a great week! :)

New Babies

2010-03-20T18:18:00.003-06:00

I know. It's been a long time since I posted. I'm not going to make up excuses or anything like that...I don't have any. I just haven't posted. But I'm going to start again. I've really missed being in blogland. So...this is my return post.

Several babies have been born in my extended family during the past year. I made quilts for all of them. One for baby Hudson but I gave it away before I took a picture...and they live kind of far away for me to get one. It was a rag quilt in blue, red, and tan colors. I thought it turned out very nice.

This one is the quilt I made for baby Mason. It is a snowball pattern in different blue, yellow, and green fabrics. It has a soft flannel back. The binding is blue. I love the way it finished.

I'm almost finished with the one for baby Halle...hope to have it off to the quilter this week! Just need to add the side borders. I'll post a pic after I finish.

I also received a request from one of my friends who will be PTA president for the next school year to contribute a couple of baby quilts for a silent auction to raise money for that school. I already had some baby quilts in the works, not knowing who they would be for, so that works out perfectly. I'll post pics after they are completed too.

I've also been working on some exchanges with a quilt group I belong to...they have been fun. I'm especially looking forward to our next exchange. The fabrics are very modern and I tend to stay more traditional so I'm excited to try something new and I can't wait to see all of the blocks! If you have any suggestions for modern quilt block patterns, please let me know. Thanks!

Well, I'm off to visit all the blogs I've been missing! Good to be back! Enjoy your weekend! :)

Hello Again!

2009-07-01T19:47:00.002-06:00

Hello everyone! I'm still here...just really busy the last couple of months. Thanks to all of you that have sent me emails checking up on me...you're all so sweet and I appreciated the concern. Everything has been going very well in my life. During the end of May, I started a new job at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City that I really, really love! I'm so glad that I decided to take the job. I enjoy what I do and I'm lucky that I get to work with some really fun people. We all seem to get along really great. However, it's been a bit of an adjustment to my schedule with the additional drive time...still getting down a routine that works for me.

Another nice thing about my new job is that it allows me to take Trax to work, which has allowed me to read some books I've been wanting to read...I've even renewed my library card! One book that I read during the last couple of weeks was These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 by Nancy E. Turner. I loved, loved, loved this book! If you haven't read it, I would suggest you add it to your list of must-reads. All the while reading the book, I was in such awe that someone could have such an amazing, action-packed life...because, of course, I thought it was the ACTUAL diary of Sarah Agnes Prine. Only when I reached the end of the book and read through the little Q&A section with the author did I find out that although Sarah Agnes Prine did exist, as did a couple of the other characters in the book, the majority of characters and events in the book are purely fictional. So, be forewarned...it kind of made me a little sad to find that out...that this amazing woman didn't exist as portrayed in the book. Well, I'm sure she was an amazing woman in other ways! =)

I'm requesting a favor of you...If you have any suggestions of good books to read, please pass them my way.

As far as quilting goes, I've been working on a few baby blankets, but haven't been able to find the time to actually finish them. This is unfortunate, as one of the babies was just recently born. I guess I really need to get stitching!

Well, hopefully now that things are starting to settle down, I'll be posting on more of a regular basis again. I did notice that I've flown right past my one-year blogging anniversary, so I'll have to think up a fun giveaway...stay tuned! =)

Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple Open House

2009-05-04T14:16:00.002-06:00

Happy Monday!

If you're interested and you live nearby, or plan to be in Utah during the next couple of months, you can now make reservations to attend the Oquirrh Mountain Utah LDS Temple open house. To make a reservation to tour the temple during the open house, you can visit:

www.lds.org/reservations

Open house tours start on June 1st and go through August 1st, excluding Sundays, the 4th of July, and the 24th of July. We have our reservation for Wednesday, June 10th, and I am very excited to attend! We recently attended the Draper Utah LDS Temple open house a few months ago and it was an amazing experience...I would highly recommend you take the opportunity to attend the open house for the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple if you can.

If you want more information on temples of the LDS church, you can visit:

http://www.lds.org/temples/purpose/0,11298,1897-1,00.html

Thanks! Have a great day! =)

Two G's and One M

2009-04-24T13:00:00.004-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, I took a fun class at Just Sew in Highland to make monogrammed letters from scraps and a fat quarter for the background. I have lots of scraps so I thought this would be a great way to use some of them (I even cut a few little pieces from the scraps I received in the scrap swap...leaving plenty to still make my project with them, of course). I made an M...obviously for my last name. It was so fun and easy to make and it went together so quickly, that I decided to make a couple of G's...one for my parents and one for my brother and sister-in-law...all with my maiden last name. I bought a few inexpensive frames at Wal-Mart and viola....

Such a fun and creative way to use scraps! Now, on to make some for my husband's side of the family. =)

Mail Call...

2009-04-19T20:54:00.004-06:00

There was a week or so at the beginning of this month where we weren't home very much...we always seemed to be out and busy. In our neighborhood, we have community mailboxes, so it takes a little effort to go and get the mail...well, not so much effort as time...all of about 1 minute since it's just a walk about three houses down from us. Nonetheless, our mailbox went a little neglected for about a week or so. That is, until I came home one day to find this stuck in my door...

I immediately went and got the mail...writing a little note of apology to our mail carrier, too. What, you ask was causing my mailbox to be so full in only one week? Some great mail goodness...All of these wonderful scrap swap packages! These packages come from Anna K, Penny, Stacey, Emily, Lolly, and Jacquie. Anna K even included a cute little charm! Then, a few days later, I received a couple more scrap swap packages! These are from Sheree and Jenn.This was like Christmas for me...or so Rick said. I was so excited...oohing and aahing over all of the wonderful scraps everyone sent me. I'm so excited to start using them, but I need to find the right project first. I know it will be a scrappy quilt of some kind and I have a few in mind. One of the patterns I'm thinking of is the 'Oh My Gosh'. I saw the quilt made up at Broadbent's and it really is an oh my gosh...it's so amazing with all the scraps and the really tiny pieces. We'll have to see if I have the patience for that...I may go with something entirely different!

Chocolate vs. Lemon

2009-04-06T15:35:00.003-06:00

My husband loves lemon...lemon bars, lemonade, lemon candy, lemon turnovers...you name it. If it has lemon in it, he's sure to be a big fan. When I first met my husband I was going to school and working in a little bakery in Salt Lake City. He'd often come in to see me...or maybe it was for the lemon turnovers. =)

I've always known about my husband's love of lemon, but I didn't realize how much he really, really loves lemon. About a week or so ago, my husband informed me and some cousins/friends we were with at the time, that lemon is the new chocolate. Lemon replace chocolate!?!? I don't think so! I know lemons are good for you, but chcolate can be too. The way I see it, chocolate will always be chocolate and lemon can never replace it. Well, I guess I'll need to find some recipes that incorporate both lemon and chocolate...then we can both be happy. =)

got scrap?

2009-03-19T18:53:00.003-06:00

I'm participating in a scrap swap with some blogging friends and here are my scrap packages all ready to mail. Each little package contains at least 25 different scraps and each scrap is at least 25 sq in or bigger. I am excited to get a bunch of new scraps in return. Now, what to make with all those scraps? I've got a couple of projects I'm thinking about...

Enthusiasm

2009-03-10T21:34:00.002-06:00

While shopping a few weeks ago, I came across a block of the month at Mormon Handicraft inside Deseret Book at University Mall. There are two blocks each month and they include fabric and patterns. I'm excited to do the blocks because they use Civil War fabrics and the patterns are based on blocks about Civil War love letters. I love Civil War fabrics and I also love learning the history of blocks...the meaning behind them...how they came to be. I purchased the blocks for January, February, and March and this is the first one I've finished - it's called Enthusiasm. I've been trying to find information/history about this block on the Internet, but I haven't had any luck. Does anyone know where I can find quilt block history...if it exists? I found a book about Civil War Love Letters online and I may just have to buy the book...I've been considering it.

Thanks for any help you can provide! Hope you have a great day!

Siggy Swap

2009-02-24T14:18:00.002-07:00

Quite a while back, I signed up to do an international siggy swap on Cootie Bug 2's blog. I've been so busy, I completely forgot about it...until now. Good thing that we don't send in our blocks until April. I'm excited to do this swap...not only because I can use up some of my seemingly never-ending stash, but also because I'll end up with 60 blocks from all over the world - how fun is that! If you want to join in the fun, according to Cootie Bug 2's blog there is still room in Group 2 (I'm in group 1). Just head on over and sign up!

All Aboard!

2009-02-21T20:48:00.004-07:00

While watching the Super Bowl last month with my family, I finished binding a quilt. My little nephew, Logan, asked me if that was his blanket I was finishing. I said "no", and then he asked, "Where's my blanket?". So I told him that I could make him a blanket and asked him if he wanted trains or bugs on his blanket. He immediately said trains. So, for his 3rd birthday last Sunday, I made him this train quilt. All of the trains are appliqued, with rick rack for the train tracks and smoke, and buttons for the wheels. I used a pattern called "Precious Cargo" from a Fons & Porter Baby Quilts 2008 magazine that I bought a few months ago. The pattern called for 54 appliqued wheels - I chose to do buttons instead to save time and add a little dimension to the quilt. I even added some fun appliques that I purchased to put in the trains - balls, puppies, and a frog. I also spelled out his name in appliqued letters and added a couple # 3's since he turned three. (Thanks to my dad for holding up the quilt so I could take a picture of it!) I did all of the piecing, applique, backing, binding, and even the quilting by myself. Usually, I send my quilts to the quilter, but I've been wanting to quilt them myself. So, I rented time on my friend Kristin's long-arm machine. It was so fun! Even though it may not have turned out exactly perfect, I'm proud of the fact that I am the only person that worked on this quilt...I did everything myself...and I think it turned out pretty cute! =)
Happy Birthday Logan, with lots of love from your Aunt Anna!!! =)

Draper Utah Temple Open House

2009-02-13T14:15:00.004-07:00

A few weeks ago, Rick and I had the opportunity to go with my parents, my sister-in-law, Cheryl, and my little nephew, Logan, to the Draper Utah LDS Temple Open House. What an amazing experience! I'm so glad we went.

The temple is beautiful inside and out. We drove the back way from Utah County to Draper (not I-15) and it was so neat to come around a bend in the road and be able to look down to the valley and see the temple nestled in the mountains. The picture above is scanned in from the pamphlet that they give you to read while you're walking through the temple - it explains about the temple and gives descriptions of areas in the temple.

It was a really neat day. After you arrive at your assigned parking lot, you enter the church building for a few minutes to watch a short video about temples. Then you board a bus that drives you up to the temple. Then you get to go inside and you can't help but feel peaceful and calm. Even though the temple has not been dedicated, I felt the spirit so strong. When you are finished with the open house tour, you are led into the cultural hall of the church next to the temple for refreshments and the opportunity to ask any questions about temples and the LDS church. Then the bus takes you back to your parking lot.

While we were having our refreshments and looking at all of the beautiful pictures of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and reading different things about the temples, I was so overcome with emotion that I had to step out into the hall for a minute. I am just so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am grateful that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and knows me - knows my trials, my strengths, my weaknesses - everything about me. I'm grateful for my (our) Savior, Jesus Christ, and for his willingness to atone for my sins. I know that He lived on this earth and that He still lives. I'm grateful for temples and that families can be together forever, not just in this life, but for all eternity. I'm grateful to be sealed to my parents and to my husband. I know that there is nobody else I'd rather spend all eternity with. I am grateful for the gospel in my life...it helps me to be happy and to get through the rough times.

If you happen to live in Utah, or plan on visiting Utah within the next month, I would encourage you to visit the Draper Utah Temple Open House. Here is a link to the Church's website to get tickets:

http://www.lds.org/temples/openhouseinfo/0,12357,1921-1-590-2,00.html

If you have questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, temples, or what we believe, here is a link to a website that can help to answer your questions:

http://mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/

I hope that you have the opportunity to attend and feel the peaceful, calm, and loving spirit present there.

Hope you have a great weekend! =)

Another Finish

2009-02-08T17:27:00.006-07:00

I have been working on getting my list of quilts on the sidebar finished. Hooray...finally finished the binding on this one, so another one to check off as complete!
This quilt was a block exchange that my quilting group, the Loch Lomond Quilters, did a few years ago. The focus fabric was the dark brown print (from the Nell's Flower Shop line) in the borders. We all had to make a 12" block and pull the colors from that print. You could use the focus fabric if you wanted, but you didn't have to...and you didn't have to use fabrics from that line, but you'll notice that many of us did. If you remember back to our Quilt Show last fall, this is the quilt that has the back that won an award.

Well...time to get working on another finish! Hope you have a great day!

An Award!

2009-01-31T21:34:00.003-07:00

I'm so excited! I have received my very first award and Nancy was so kind to give it to me!

The rules for this award are:

1. The receiver is to copy the award button to his/her blog.

2. Link to who gave you this award.

3. Nominate at least 7 other bloggers.

4. Link to each nominee.

5. Leave message at the nominee's blog.

I follow so many blogs, and I think that you are all so creative, so it was really hard for me to choose just 7, so if you read my blog regularly consider yourself awarded! Here are the '7' that I am officially passing the award to:

1. My mom, Christina, at My Swede Life...she really is very creative making dolls, hats, quilts, etc.

2. Sherri at A Quilting Life...her projects and her blog are an inspiration to me

3. Rochelle at Three Turns to Home...she seems to have a talent for everything making quilts, stuffed animals, etc.

4. Kristin at Sadie Bird...she has such a great eye for color and creates some of the most beautiful and unique quilts I've seen

5. Penny at sewtakeahike...another inspiring gal that I think can create/make anything

6. Erica at Polka Dot Quilts...she makes amazing quilts too, among other things

7. Elizabeth at Silver Scissor Quilts...she is the fastest quilter I know and her projects always turn out beautifully

Thanks! Have a great weekend!

Finally Finished!

2009-01-27T08:39:00.004-07:00

Since it's taken me so long to finish this quilt, I'm embarrased to admit it, but this is the very first quilt I ever made, and now it has finally been bound (only took 8 years) and I can call it done! About 8-1/2 years or so ago when I first started quilting, my mother and I bought this pattern called Yellow Brick Road because we were each going to make a quilt...hers was going to be blue, yellow, and white. I bought all of the fabric at Wal-Mart...before I knew that not all fabrics are created equal...nothing against Wal-Mart fabrics, though...I think the quilt still turned out nicely (even though it's not my favorite and that's why it's taken me so long to finish). Shortly after starting this quilt I discovered quilt store fabric and prefer to use that now.

I'm almost done binding another quilt, so I'll post that one soon!

Hope you have a great day and Happy Sewing! =)

Here Comes the Sun....

2009-01-21T20:51:00.005-07:00

This last weekend, we went from this:

to this:

We took a trip down to St. George to cheer my dad on in the Half-Marathon he entered. It was such nice weather...so much warmer than we've had here...but still a little chilly in the morning. It was also nice to see the sun...we've had what seems like continual fog and smog here for quite some time now.

Here is my dad running in the race...Way to go, Dad!!!

I'll post more about recent projects soon. I have way too many things that I want to do...I almost don't know where to start. Hmmm, perhaps I should start by finishing my quilt list on the side bar.... =)

ZUMBA!

2009-01-08T21:55:00.002-07:00

I'm sure I'm the last one to discover zumba, but tonight I went to my first class and it was so much fun! I loved it...it was a really great workout...I haven't worked up a sweat like that in a long time. The best thing about the class is that even though you are moving all the time and really getting your heart rate up, you don't really feel tired. The class lasted an hour, so I'm still keeping my resolution to exercise 30+ minutes a day for at least 3 days a week...hooray! But, I think I'm going to be sore tomorrow...I can already feel it setting in.

Do you Zumba? If you want to go with me next Thursday night...let me know.

To keep up with another resolution, today I'm grateful that the tires on my husband's truck passed on the annual inspection to renew the registration. =)

Thanks for stopping by! Make it a great day!

My Resolutions

2009-01-06T20:37:00.004-07:00

Welcome to 2009! Can you believe it's 2009?!?! The years seem to keep flying by faster and faster and faster. I've decided that this year is going to be a great year...and this is the year that I KEEP my resolutions. Here are my resolutions for this year:

1. Pay off debt and save more money - be more frugal
2. Cut down on my sugar intake (I wish I could say that I wouldn't eat any sugar, but we all know that won't happen)
3. Exercise 30+ minutes a day - 3 days a week
4. Finish the quilts I've started
5. Sew more and use the fabric in my fabric stash (I really do have WAY TOO MUCH fabric)
6. Be more patient (I tend to have little patience sometimes...unfortunately)
7. Donate blood at least 4 times (I'm O- so they like my blood)
8. Watch less TV
9. Adopt a baby (Unfortunately, I don't have any control over this one...maybe a birth mom will pick us!)
10. Start a business that I've been thinking about (out of my house and on the internet)

What are your resolutions?

My mom, has decided that everyday she's going to write down one positive thing - one thing she's grateful for. I like that idea, so I plan on doing it too! Today, I'm grateful that I have a job...and a loving, understanding husband to talk to on days when things are a little stressful at work.

Well, I better get started on those resolutions! Thanks for stopping by...leave me a note with one of your resolutions! Make it a great day! =)

New Iron - Problem Solved! - And Other Stuff =)

2009-01-05T21:03:00.005-07:00

I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season! We had a lovely Christmas...our families make it a lot of fun! My husband is also super creative, and in honor of the two kittens that I got for my birthday back in August, he wrapped me up a present (it was a new calendar for 2009) from them...here is the wrapping:

Doesn't it look like a cat!? I loved it...it even says from Clover and Metroid, our two cats...strange names, I know! =)

As many of you know, I've been having ironing issues lately, so when my parents asked me what I'd like for Chistmas, I said a new iron...please! They are so sweet to me...they got me a new iron. It's a Rowenta, and I love it! It's a dream to iron with...glides so smooth and it has all these little holes for steam...soooooo much better than my old iron! It makes ironing so much more enjoyable. And...no more marks on my quilt blocks...hooray!

With some of my Christmas money, I visited IKEA and bought this great desk to use as my sewing table (the old one has now taken up residence in the laundry room as a folding station). The top of the desk can raise to different heights and it can tilt, so if I'm tracing a pattern or something it won't be as much of a strain. It also has a glass top, with what I'd describe as an open drawer, so I can store a picture of the pattern I'm working on, or I can put a light underneath and trace...no more taping to the windows or the sliding glass door! I love this desk...it looks very scandinavian to me. (Sorry about the striped paint...I've wanted to repain this room for some time, but haven't done it yet...I think I'm leaning toward a robin's egg blue color...what do you think?) Also, after 10+ years of marriage, our old, cheap mattress that we bought as newleyweds was really needing to be replaced, so we bought a new mattress! It's a ComforPedic and it is so comfortable...no more waking up feeling like my back was broken. Our old bed was a queen size, but they were having such a great sale on this mattress that we bought a king...it was even cheaper than the queen! Of course that means new sheets, blankets, quilts, bed frame...so I've got some more shopping to do, but it will be fun to redo our bedroom. Here is a picture of our old bed, which we moved into one of our extra bedrooms (we took the daybed from this room and put it in my sewing room...I bought a great red and white duvet cover from IKEA for the daybed in the sewing room...to go with the Scandinavian feel of the desk).Years ago, my husband made the nightstand out of old wood he found...it's held up really well, and I like the weathered look. There is a bookshelf and a dresser on the other side of the room. We still need to hang some things on the wall and I need to make some different cushion covers for the rocking chair.

Since I've been making over my sewing room, another thing I bought from IKEA were some baskets to organize my fabric in...8 baskets to be exact. I thought for sure that would hold all my fabric stash...not even close! So, one of my new year resolutions is to use up the fabric in my stash this year...that will make for some fun scrap quilts - my favorite.

Well, I have many other new year resolutions, but that's a post for another day! Hope you have a wonderful day! Sorry for the lengthy 'catch-up' post. Thanks for stopping by! =)

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T14:26:00.002-07:00

I love Christmas! I love the lights, the family parties, the food, the presents, but most importantly, I love what Christmas represents...the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. I also love this quote by Spencer W. Kimball...I have had this quote for several years...I think it's a condensed version of his 7-page book entitled The Wondrous Gift:

Like the wise men who opened their treasury and presented to Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, we present to our loved ones things to eat and wear and enjoy. Though we make an effort to follow the pattern of gift-giving, sometimes our program becomes an exchange – gift given for gift expected.

Never did the Savior give in expectation. I know of no case in His life in which there was an exchange. He was always the giver, seldom the recipient. His gifts were of such a nature that the recipient could hardly exchange or return the value.

His gifts were rare ones: eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, and legs to the lame; cleanliness to the unclean, wholeness to the infirm, and breath to the lifeless. His gifts were opportunity to the downtrodden, freedom to the oppressed, light in the darkness, forgiveness to the repentant, hope to the despairing.

His friends gave Him shelter, food, and love. He gave them of Himself, His love, His service, His life. The wise men brought Him gold and frankincense. He gave them and their fellow mortals resurrection, salvation, and eternal life.

We should strive to give as He gave. To give of oneself is a holy gift…the most wondrous gift of all is the selfless gift given to us by our Savior. We can do nothing more to show our love for Him than to give of ourselves in a silent, quiet, loving way. This, the gift of self, is the highest gift of all.

I hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas...don't forget to show everyone you love how much you care about them! =)

The Iron Dilemma Continues...

2008-12-17T20:20:00.002-07:00

Thank you to everyone that left a comment about the problem I've been having with my iron...I received a lot of really great suggestions...thanks so much!

I purchased some iron cleaner from Bed, Bath and Beyond. In case you're wondering...Wal-Mart doesn't carry iron cleaner...at least the one by my house doesn't. I used the entire bottle and really cleaned out the inside and the outside of the iron...it looked so great! While at Wal-Mart looking for cleaner, I noticed an ironing board cover on sale for super cheap, and since mine was looking pretty gross with all of the starch stuck on it, I decided to buy it...now my ironing board looked so great! I was sure my problems would be over....and they seemed to be. I decided to iron on a piece of scrap fabric...no marks, Hooray! Then I decided to iron on another scrap...no marks again, Hooray Hooray! So, thinking that all was well and my problems solved, I grabbed my triangle units to get them pressed. First triangle unit, so far so good. Second triangle unit...brown marks!!!! What! I grabbed my scraps again...no marks! What! Then I thought that maybe it was the fabric...that would be weird, so I grabbed a couple of pieces of the white fabric and green fabric that haven't been stitched yet...no marks! So, now I'm thinking it just got the last of whatever problem my iron was having out of it's system, so I start ironing my triangle units again, and what do I get...marks! Maybe this is a sign that I'm not supposed to finish this quilt, or maybe my iron is on the fritz and it just 'happens' to do it when I press the triangle units. I think I'll take a couple to my mom's house and try her iron...just to make sure it's not the fabric, but I don't know why it would be the fabric. I have also asked Santa to bring me a new iron for Christmas...that should solve the problem...if not, I may have to give up sewing and quilting all together! No, not really. =)

I also received some comments about using the all fabric bleach to remove the marks and I still need to try that. I only have bleach for whites and I keep forgetting to buy the all fabric kind when I'm at the store. I have placed a sticky note on my checkbook so that I don't forget the next time I'm out. I'll let you know how that goes.

Thanks for 'listening'! Have a super great day!

HELP!!!

2008-12-07T16:01:00.003-07:00

Hello to all my friends out in Blogland...hope you're having a great weekend, but I have a favor to ask...can you help me? Since last spring, I've been working on my green-and-white quilt in between other projects. I'm almost done with the triangle units, but within the past week when I went to press them I ran into a problem. I like to use starch...and normally use Best Press...but in an effort to save some money just bought the cheap stuff from the grocery store. It's been working fine, but then....

The squares on the top are what they are supposed to look like and the ones on the bottom are ruined with marks on the white, but no marks on the green. Has this ever happened to you? I stopped using the starch to see if that would get rid of the problem, but no such luck, so the starch must not be the problem. I tried turning the iron down from the cotton setting to the lowest setting, but that didn't work either, so I don't think it's a heat/burn issue. I also tried pressing on the opposite side than I normally do (thinking that maybe just one side of the iron had a problem)...still just the marks on the edges of the white fabric. I really like my iron and ironing board...well, up until now...and I don't really want to replace them, but I will if I have to. I just wish I new if it was the iron or the ironing board...I guess I could try pressing them on a mini board that I have...that would probably be a good idea. I've been afraid to iron any 'real' clothes for fear that this will ruin them, so they just go into the dryer on high heat to remove wrinkles...usually works okay.

Do you have any ideas or suggestions I can try? Any help or advice you can give me would be wonderful and I would love you forever!!! Thanks so much and have a wonderful day! =)

Catch Up

2008-11-29T17:46:00.004-07:00

Hello! Hope you had a wonderful, relaxing Thanksgiving! I've been out of blogworld for a bit, but I'm back now and hope to be posting on a regular basis again. Sometimes life gets a little busy and keeps me from doing all the things I'd really like to be doing...I'm sure you can all relate! Anyway, here is what I've been up to:

We had a great Thanksgiving! We are lucky enough to live close to both my parents and my husband's parents, so we get to have two Thanksgivings...sometimes it makes for a long day, but we feel really blessed to have family so close.

We also saw Twilight the weekend that it came out. I LOVE the books, so I was really excited when they announced that they'd be making a movie. I wasn't too sure about the casting of Edward, but as I watched the movie, he started to grow on me and now I do see him as Edward. However, all in all, I was a little disappointed in the movie. To me, it just seemed to be different from the book...and the way that I imagined it to be in reading the book....but, that's the way it always is...books are always better than the movie. My husband and I rate the movies we see on a 1-10 scale...I gave it a 6. My husband thought that the scenery in the movie was really beautiful, as did I...I think I'd like to visit Forks one day.
Back in October, I signed up to participate in the We The People Swap III. I sent my package (forgot to take a picture before I went to the post office) to ****** the beginning of last week and look what I found in the mailbox today: Carolyn sent me these for the swap. A great table runner pattern (I've been wanting to make some runners for my table that I can switch out for the seasons) and this fun Dinosaur Uproar charm pack by Moda. I can't wait to use them! Thanks again, Carolyn!

I also received my Spare Change fabric squares during the last couple of weeks. I love scrap quilts, so I'm excited to sew these squares into a fun quilt:

I have had a little time to do some shopping, especially fabric shopping:
I bought this blue fabric for a blue and cream quilt block exchange my quilting group is doing. We'll all be doing the same block pattern, but we can choose our own fabrics...they just need to be blue and cream.

Now, I just need to finish my Christmas shopping and getting everything else ready for the holidays. This Friday, we're having our older nieces and nephews over for a sleepover...they're really excited! It should be a lot of fun....and nice for their parents too! =)

Remember These?

2008-11-08T09:40:00.004-07:00

Remember these scraps that I received as part of JCasa :: Handmade's Spare a Square Scrap Challenge?

Well, I turned them into this fabric flower bowl using the tutorial at Poppy Lane. I originally saw this through Penny's blog at sewtakeahike...thanks for posting the link, Penny! When I saw the tutorial, I immediately knew I HAD to make one! This is the inside of the bowl:

This is the back of the bowl: It's the perfect place to store my bobbins!Thanks for the tutorial, Kali! I'll definitely be making more of these fabric flower bowls!

Hope you all have a great weekend!!! =)

VOTE!

2008-11-04T06:27:00.002-07:00

Election day has finally arrived...today we find out who the next President of the United States will be. Have you voted yet? If you have...hooray! If you haven't...go vote.....................now! =)

Well, I'm off to vote!

Have a great day!

Halloween Spooks

2008-11-01T13:30:00.006-06:00

Hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween!

We really get into Halloween at our house. My husband takes the day off from work...and I try to take it off or else leave early, too. We don't decorate our yard or anything until the day of Halloween so it's a surprise for all of the trick-or-treaters. Every year we make it a little different and add a few new things.

This year, we did a graveyard theme with lots of tombstones, bones, skeletons coming out of their graves, fog, bubbling cauldrons, rats, spiders, cobwebs, ghosts, pumpkins, bats, etc. Some of the things are motion-activated - that seems to be fun for the kids. Rick and I dress up in spooky costumes too.

Here are some pictures of our house before it got dark.Here is what it looked like at night.

You had to get the candy from Rick and I think he might have scared a few kids...some of them wanted to come to me to get their candy. We also had a table with all sorts of goodies - cupcakes, rice krispies treats, donut holes, cookies - and hot cider and wassail. The adults seemed to like that, and of course the kids did too. We went through about 100 cups of cider and wassail and about 150 treats...not to mention all of the candy that we gave away! We did have some repeat guests that came back for more treats on their way home. Some people even requested pictures with Rick. It was fun!

It was a great Halloween this year and we are already planning for next year. But, we are really looking forward to the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's holidays coming up!

Cookie Monster

2008-10-20T09:01:00.003-06:00

Do you ever just have one of those days where you get 'obsessed' (I don't know if that's the right word, but I couldn't think of another one) with doing something? Some days I just really need to clean the house...all day (my husband probably wishes that day came along more often), or work on sewing/quilting projects...all day (that's most days, but with work and life, time just doesn't allow)...you know what I mean? Well, on Saturday, I really, really felt like making cookies...a lot of cookies!

I made four, well really five because I changed one up a bit after it was made, different kinds of cookies.

Clockwise from left: Prudy's Spicy and Soft Ginger Cookies...these are so good...the little bit of pepper really adds a nice kick...and they are soft! Prudy's Pecan Praline Cookies...these were quite tasty, but I think I let my topping cool too long...it just doesn't look as beautiful as her's, but it tastes good! The next cookies are the same cookie as the pecan praline, but without the topping...I made a chocolate ganache and made cookie sandwiches out of them with the ganache as the filling. Finally, right in front are one of my ultimate favorite cookies - Peanut Butter Blossoms by Hershey's...chocolate and peanut butter - what more could you want!

I also saw this neat little gadget on Thimbleanna's blog and I instantly knew I had to have one! I ordered it from Ebay because the only other place I found it online was Amazon Germany and they wouldn't ship it to the US...I think that's what it said...it was in German, but I recognized a form of the word problem on the address page.

So, I also made these shortbread cookies to celebrate Halloween! Using my fun new tool, I stamped Halloween on them. I love shortbread...my grandmother always used to make it during the holidays and I have missed it during the years since she passed away. Now I can make my own! Using the leftover ganache I dipped the bottoms in the ganache and then some of them in some sugar I colored orange...I think it looks a little festive. I also made some that say Be Thankful, too.

Well, I think I have enough cookies to last for quite a while...I think I'll stick some in the freezer. If you happen to come across the Cookie Monster...send him my way! =)

Thanks!!! Have a great week!

What to do with my Scraps?

2008-10-15T17:56:00.005-06:00

A few days ago I received my scraps in the mail from JCHandmade's Spare a Square swap (sorry about the bad photo...it was hard to get them all in the picture).

I'm part of group 6 and I am excited to get started on my project. The rules are that I need to use all 10 of the scraps and I need to finish it within the next week or two. I'm having a hard time deciding what to do. I'm thinking of making a table runner, or maybe a mini doll quilt, or maybe a wall hanging with some stitchery mixed in. Some of the people participating are already done...and they have made some amazing items! If you want to check out their work, please click HERE to see the flickr group photos. The applique pillow that looks like a flower is particularly gorgeous and amazing! I wish I had that creativity and genius...well, I'll post my finished project when I'm done! =)

Body Worlds

2008-10-14T10:17:00.003-06:00

Can I just tell you how amazing the human body is!!! Last Saturday, my cute husband and I went to the Body Worlds exhibit at The Leonardo in Salt Lake City. If you live in the area, I would recomend that you go! For those of you that might be a little squimish, please know that it isn't gross at all...but rather educational, instructive, and inspiring. It was interesting to watch people moving their hands or other parts of their bodies while looking at the exhibit...learning about what makes their body such an awesome machine.

Even though I'm a nurse, and I also student-taught human anatomy (in the cadaver lab) for three years, I still learned a lot at the exhibit. It was really nice to put some things in perspective. For example, we know that the average human heart pumps about 18,000 gallons of blood A DAY, which sounds like a lot...and is a lot...but, when you see a room full of huge oil drums as representing a day's work of the heart, you really begin to see what an amazing organ that is. The lungs were another really neat thing to look at. Also, how migraines affect the brain...I get migraines so this was something I really wanted to see.

One of the areas that I was really touched by was the area on babies and human development. They had varying stages of embryonic and fetal growth. For those of you that have read my 'Little Baby Feet' post, you can probably understand why I was so touched by this. And, I think anyone that has experienced a miscarriage would feel the same way. When you experience a miscarriage it feels like a bad dream...you have no proof...nothing that you saw (besides the pregnancy test) or felt to prove that you were pregnant. I have lost babies at 6 weeks, 9 weeks, and 11-12 weeks. It was further proof to me that there really was a baby in there. The one at the exhibit that I was most interested in was the one at nine weeks. At nine weeks, the baby has arms, hands, and fingers...it has legs, feet, and toes...it looks like a very miniature person. Even though I never saw that or felt that when I was pregnant, it doesn't mean that it didn't exist. I was so touched, and surprisingly comforted, as I saw these babies and had to blink back the tears. I think it was nice for my husband to see too...as he squeezed my hand and gave me a hug as we walked through.

Another area I found touching was on organ donation...I am an organ donor, and I would be honored to know that in my death I gave someone another chance at life...althougth I hope I don't die for a really, really long time! =) They had a letter that someone had written after receiving a new heart...so heartfelt and moving.

I know that there is a lot of controversy over the Body Worlds in general throughout the country, as it is a traveling exhibit. But, all that aside, it was an amazing exhibit...very educational and inspiring. Both my husband and I left with a greater appreciation of our bodies and how to treat them...we want to be healthy and happy. How grateful I am for my body, even with its limitations, and for the amazing things that it does every day for me without my even thinking about it! Our bodies truly are an amazing gift!

I'm Addicted!

2008-10-12T16:31:00.004-06:00

Hello...my name is Anna...and I am addicted to making bags! =)

It all started with Linda's Bag/Bucket swap, and with all of the inspiration I see on other blogs...not to mention all of the really great tutorials out there...I just couldn't help myself! I really like making things and giving them away as gifts, so I've been giving away some bags lately as birthday presents. I used the tutorial at Pink Penguin as my starting point for all of the bags, but of course had to change things up a bit!

I posted about one of the bags that I made for Rick's youngest sister's brithday a few weeks ago...you can read about it HERE. A couple of weeks ago, another of Rick's sisters (he has six sisters) had a birthday, and I decided to make her a bag to hold her present. I chose more warm colors, not only because we are going into fall, but also because I think they fit her better. Here is the bag that I made her:

Last Friday, was my mom's birthday...you can read about her in my previous post. For her birthday gift, she requested that I make one of my bags for her in blue colors...she wants to wear it with jeans. She also requested it be a little bigger than the others I have made, and also that it have longer handles. I still used the Pink Penguin tutorial...just changed the dimensions to fit what I wanted. Here is the bag that I made for my mom:

I also put a pocket inside (and probably should have smoothed out the lining before taking the picture---oh well):

Now....I think I need to make a bag for myself! =)

Hope you have a great day!!!

It's Your Birthday - Shout Hooray!

2008-10-10T08:13:00.003-06:00

Today is my mom's birthday!!! Happy Birthday, Mom! So, in honor of her, I thought I'd tell you all what makes my mom so amazing and special:

First, a little about my mom. Her name is Christina and she was born and raised in Sweden.
After finishing schooling Sweden, she came to the USA to attend BYU for a couple of years and then returned to Europe. She joined the LDS church when she was 18. She speaks several languages, has traveled all over, served a mission for the LDS church, and has led a pretty interesting life, which she writes about on her blog, My Swede Life (go visit her blog and leave her birthday wishes!). She is the only one from her family that doesn't still live in Sweden...at times, I think she really misses them.

She met my dad, Gary, in Frankfurt, Germany...she was working for the LDS church and he was in the US Army stationed there. They were married August 21, 1975 civily and then sealed in the Bern, Switzerland LDS temple the next day. Here is their engagement picture:
In 1976, they moved to San Diego, California, where my dad was from, and on August 25, 1976, I was born. Here are some pictures of me and my mom...doesn't she look amazing for having just had a baby!!!!Three years later, my brother, Erik, was born October 2, 1979...and no, that's not him in the picture above - still me. But, I was a big sister! =) My parents only had two children so now it was on to raising us and enjoying life. Now, many, many years later, we all live in Utah, and my mom is a Farmor (grandmother in Swedish...means father's mother because it's my brother's child, Logan, so my mom would be his father's mother) and she is a wonderful grandmother! Here she is playing with Logan: Some of the things that I admire most about my mother:

* She is one of the most beautiful women I have ever known, both inside and out...she is sweet, kind, and loving.

* She is always happy...I remember growing up that she would bring us breakfast in bed during the school year and always wake us up with a cheerful greeting.

* She has a lot of patience and I don't think I've ever seen her really angry.

* She is SUPER smart and loves to learn. I remember many a long night in school when she would stay up with me helping me to memorize and learn things for school, even though she had to work the next day. Thinking back, I'm sure there were many nights where she got little sleep, but she was always willing to help me when I asked.

* She is my biggest cheerleader...she has always encouraged me to be the best that I can be...she and my dad have always led me to believe that I can do whatever I put my mind too...they have given me the drive to be the best that I can be.

* Several years before I was married, my mom injured her hip....and we still to this day have no idea how it started or how to fix it, even though she's seen just about every kind of doctor there is....I know that her hip causes her pain a lot of the time, but I never hear her complain...she is such a good example to me.

* She loves to play games...especially Sorry, Boggle, Chinese Checkers, Backgammon, and card games. We always have lots of fun playing games together. I call Boggle 'our game' because we are usually the only ones who want to play that one.

* She is fun and usually up for anything, even if it involves lots of walking or hiking (because of her hip) and she always seems to keep up and be having a good time!

* She is an amazing cook! She loves to try new recipes and we are the lucky recipients!

* Should I have kids someday, she is the kind of mother I hope to be.

Mom, I hope you have a wonderful, happy birthday...you deserve all of the beautiful things in life. Thank you for having me as your daughter...how lucky and blessed I am to be able to call you my mother. I love you! =)

Another Swap!

2008-10-07T10:07:00.003-06:00

Yes, I have entered another swap...

I really, really love scrappy quilts...especially scrappy quilts with lots of white, so this swap at Chickpea Sewing Studio is perfect for me! Want to get in on the scrappy fun? There is still time to sign up...the deadline to enter is October 15th, I think. I'm planning to send in my fabric this week and I'll be counting down the days until I receive my fabric back so I can start a new scrappy quilt! Did I ever tell you how much I love quilting!!! =)

Also, I just found out that my scraps from the Spare a Square Scrap Challenge swap are on their way to me. I'm so excited...I can't wait to see it waiting for me in my mailbox! =)

What Popsicle Are You?

2008-10-03T08:38:00.003-06:00

You Are a Blueberry Flavored Popsicle

You are a very unusual person. For you, summer is all about adventure and travel.
You are brilliant and bright. Your mind is always sharp and working at full capacity.

You seek out new and different experiences. You get bored very easily.
You are very creative. Of all of the types, you're the most likely to invent a new popsicle.

What Flavor of Popsicle are You?

Our Quilt Show

2008-09-28T23:41:00.001-06:00

2008-09-28T23:11:00.005-06:00

Loch Lomond Quilters:

I just realized that the group photo in the slideshow cuts off Amy on the right side, so here is shot of all of us...the Loch Lomond Quilters:

From left to right: Back row: Dana, Jackie, Kristin, Elisa, Miranda, me, Amy; Front Row: Meghan, Michelle, Erica, Elizabeth, Jennifer

Yesterday was the Loch Lomond Quilters' Quilt Show and it was such fun! It was so nice to get together with everyone surrounded by all of the beautiful quilts. Loch Lomond Quilters was started when we all lived in a subdivision named Loch Lomond in Saratoga Springs...all but two have since moved away to other parts of Utah and even out of state. It was nice to see people that I hadn't see for quite some time and catch up. The weather was beautiful, the treats delicious, and the quilts...amazing! Everyone does such beautiful work and we all have such individual styles...it's really neat to see. Every year since 2004 we have done a block exchange...this year will be our fifth exchange...and it always amazes me that everyone's quilts can look so unique and individualized, even though they contain the exact same blocks.

I even won an award! It was for the back that I pieced on my Nell's Flower Shop block exchange quilt from 2006. The award was 'The Most Top Worthy Back'. That was fun to win an award! If you look through the slideshow, you can see the award and the quilt that it was for.

I'm so grateful to have such wonderful, talented friends....they have each blessed my life in their own special way. Isn't it great that we get to have hobbies and friends and joy in life! I'm grateful for my love of quilting and for the friendships that it has allowed me to develop. Thanks again to everyone who came to support us at our quilt show...it was greatly appreciated! =)

I'm So Excited for Tomorrow!

2008-09-26T15:04:00.004-06:00

I'm so excited...I know, I know...I've been excited a lot this week...but, hey, it's been a good week! Tomorrow is our quilt show...and you are all invited to come. I'd love to see you there. We will have yummy food, prizes, and of course...quilts! =)

Kristin of Sadie Bird is hosting the show. She is one of my friends and recently started a long-arm quilting machine business. She is so talented at everything she does...not to mention an excellent mother to her three beautiful children and a wonderful wife for Paul. Her quilts are absolutely beautiful, and so is her shop! She is opening her machine up to the public, so if you want to learn to machine quilt using a long-arm machine, please contact her. This last Wednesday, I was able to go and get some instruction on the machine and it was so fun...I'm hooked! I wish I could say that I'm already very good and fast at it, but that would be a lie...it took me about 2.5 hours to quilt a 2-yd piece of muslin, but I had a lot of fun doing it and I can't wait to take in a 'real' quilt to machine quilt all by myself! I'm hoping to have one ready to go sometime next month. I left with new ideas running through my head of what kinds of quilts I'd like to make and what I'd like to quilt on them...I've been thinking about it ever since. I've even been looking at everyday objects in a new light...you never know where inspiration will strike! I think I'll be doing loops for my first quilt, though...I seemed to have the best success practicing those the other night, but I did pretty good with the stars and a couple of others too.

Thanks again, Kristin...I had a lot of fun, and I love your new machine. Thank you so much for your friendship over the years...I feel blessed to be able to call you my friend. And, I'll be a customer for life, too! =)

The Zoo

2008-09-25T13:59:00.003-06:00

Last Saturday, while Logan's parents were still out of town, we took him to Hogle Zoo. This was the first time he had been to the zoo and he had a lot of fun - he loves animals. His favorites were the monkeys, the giraffes, the bird show, the carousel, and the zoofari train ride. Of course, he loves his farfar and farmor (grandpa and grandma in Swedish)! Here he is posing for the camera with them:

When we were waiting in line for the carousel, he kept saying that he wanted to ride the 'yion' (lion), but someone ahead of him took it so he got his second choice...a big black bear.

My favorite thing at the zoo is the bird show...it's really neat and these big, beautiful birds fly right over your head. At the end, you can donate money for conservation efforts...you hold out your money and a bird takes it and drops it into the bin...Logan thought that was fun.

It was a fun day at the zoo! Thanks again, Erik and Cheryl, for sharing Logan with us! We love being able to spend time with him. =)

My Lucky Streak Continues.....

2008-09-24T08:58:00.002-06:00

I am a lucky girl two days in a row! Erik and Cheryl (Logan's parents and my brother and sister-in-law) just returned from a trip to Indonesia...and they brought us great gifts! We thought being able to take care of Logan was a treat in itself, so this is just the icing on the cake!

I received a beautiful orange bag...isn't it pretty? I can't wait to switch over the contents of my purse. I also got a bracelet (which I am wearing to work today) and some candy...it took all of my willpower not to eat it before I could take the picture, by the way. Rick got a cool hat from Bali, a bracelet (both are just his style), some candy (no willpower here...eaten almost immediately, so not pictured) and an aloe vera drink, since he loves different drinks (also consumed almost immediately, so not pictured). I tasted the drink too and it was very good...it had little lemon pieces in it. We also got that great hand-carved drum. It felt like Christmas!

They also showed us some really neat pictures that they took. I'm sure they'll be updating their blog with some photos in the next few days, so you'll have to check it out.

Thank you so much Erik and Cheryl for all of our awesome gifts - we love them! We are so glad that you had fun on your trip and that you arrived home safely. Thanks again for letting us help take care of Logan. We love you all! =)

Am I a Lucky Girl or What!!!

2008-09-22T19:13:00.004-06:00

Yes!! I AM a Lucky Girl!!! Look what I got in the mail today!!! I was so excited to find this little package waiting for me when I got home from work...I could hardly wait to open it!

It's my bag from Judith in the Netherlands from Linda's Bag/Bucket Swap and some lovely fabrics! Don't you just love it...it's perfect for me. I love the colors...it's so beautifully put together.

It's even been quilted...here's a close up of the lovely stitches.

And...surprise...it's different on the other side... I love that.

It's perfect to hold my projects...and I think it looks pretty cute on me. =)

I also love the fabrics that she gave me...what's not to love about fabric! These are beautiful fabrics. Judith, you read my mind...I've been on the lookout for some mottled fabrics...I'm so lucky!

Thank you so, so, so much Judith for making me such a wonderful bag! I love it and will put it to good use...in fact as I write this post the bag is already holding my yo-yo project that I will taking to my mom's house tonight to work on! Thanks again...I'm sending hugs and warm wishes your way! =)

Gifts

2008-09-21T10:38:00.003-06:00

One of my husband's many, many cousins is having a baby soon and yesterday was her baby shower. I wasn't able to go because we took my nephew Logan to the zoo while his parents are still out of town (that's a post for another day), but I did send my gift with another of my husband's cousins. She will be having a little girl, in November I think, so I gave her a package of diapers and this baby quilt that I made out of warm, snuggly flannel fabrics.

It has the raggy edges...here's a close up.

The back is completely smooth, though...no edges sticking out. I love making these quilts because they go together so quickly and you don't have to send them to the quilter, so when it's done, it's done. The only time consuming part is making the little cuts in all of the edges so that it will fray when it's washed. I think it turned out pretty cute though. My husband said I should keep it because it turned out so nice...isn't he sweet! =)

Yesterday was my husband's youngest sister's birthday...she turned 24. We'll all be getting together this evening to celebrate her birthday. Last night, as I was getting her gift together, I realized I didn't have a gift bag to put it in, so I made one using the tutorial at Pink Penguin.

I've been wanting to make one of these cute baskets for a while, so I thought that this was a great opportunity! It went together very quickly, and I just used fabric scraps and pieces that I had lying around. However, I did make some alterations to mine. My bag is a little larger than the instructions call for...I used 2.5" squares for the patchwork instead of 2". I also made the 'linen' piece (the white piece along the bottom) a little longer and wider (obviously to accomodate the larger patchwork pieces). I also made the handles longer and placed them in the front and back, instead of the sides, to make it easier to carry things in. So, this bag will hold her gift now, but it will hold whatever she wants later...what a fun gift bag! Thanks for the tutorial ayumills! =)

I'm a Winner!!!

2008-09-19T23:26:00.005-06:00

Guess what! I won a giveaway! I'm so excited...I never win anything! Debbie was holding a 100th post Mad Hatter Tea Party and I won...yahoo! I'm so excited to get my prize. Debbie is so creative and crafty...you should check out all of her great creations on her blog!

Also, my swap partner in Linda's Bag/Bucket Swap has received her package, so now I can show you the bag that I made for her, as well as everything else I sent her. I made this bag for Nancy in Norway...she said that her favorite colors are blue and red...I really hope that she likes the bag. She does lots of quilting and stitchery, so I made it a little bigger to be able to hold everything.

I also sent her some fat quarters, chocolate, a quilting magazine, and a body wash from Bath & Body Works.
This was such a fun swap. It was fun way to get to know people from all over the world. Thanks again, Linda!

I signed up for another swap/challenge...the Spare a Square Scrap Challenge on Jennifer's blog. We each send in a 12" x 12" piece of fabric and she organizes them into groups of ten...then cuts up each piece so that everyone in that group gets a piece of everyone's fabric, then sends the pieces in that group back to us. We then make something out of those pieces of fabric. I'm excited to see the fabric pieces that I get back. I haven't decided what I'm going to make with my pieces, but I'm leaning toward making a basket that I saw a tutorial for on Pink Penguin. The baskets are really cute and I have been seeing them pop up on a lot of blogs that I visit...really makes me want one! Besides, I need a place to store the million or so yo-yo's that I need to finish for my vintage yo-yo quilt.

Thanks to everyone for being so creative and for coming up with such fun giveaways, swaps, challenges, and tutorials...you all inspire me every day! =)

You're Invited!

2008-09-18T21:39:00.002-06:00

I'm so excited!

A quilting group that I belong to is having a quilt trunk show on the 27th! We will each be displaying some of the quilts we've finished and there will be raffles & prizes, yummy treats, and you can even try your hand at long arm machine quilting. So, if you happen to live in the area, or just want to come and join in the fun, please stop by. I'd love to see you! =)

A Day at the Farm

2008-09-14T15:59:00.006-06:00

While Erik & Cheryl are out of town, we are lucky enough to help my parents take care of my cute little nephew, Logan! Yesterday, we all went to the Farm at Thanksgiving Point to see the animals. As we walked in, Logan told Farfar (grandpa in Swedish - my mom is from Sweden) that he was going to be brave...and he was so brave. He fed the animals, rode on the pony ride, played around the Discovery Gardens, and pretty much had a great day, or as he put it "Me having fun!". (Erik and Cheryl...this post is for you.)

Here is a picture of him at the start of the day with Rick...he's so excited to be around the animals!
Here he is feeding the goats...at first he only threw the food into their pen, but he got braver and let them eat of his hand, but then went back to throwing the food to them. Logan riding the pony with Rick...he said that this pony's name was 'Donkey Horsey' and he kept yelling out that he was a cowboy! Logan behind bars in 'Jail'.

Logan climbing out of the bear den.
Logan, Rick, and I petting all of the pretty horses...they had such soft noses!

This next picture is my favorite from the day. We ate lunch at the Deli at Thanksgiving point and I ordered a piece of chocolate mousse cake with a chocolate-covered strawberry on top (soooooooo delicious, by the way). Well, I gave Logan a fork and told him he could have a bite (thinking he would use his fork), and he said 'okay', picked up the plate and put the whole thing to his face...trying to take a bite out of the strawberry on top while it was still attached to the cake...he had chocolate mousse frosting all over his face! He said it was yummy, though...and it made for a cute picture! =)

He is too cute! Hope you are having fun, Erik and Cheryl...before you know it, you'll be home...thanks for sharing your cute little boy with us - we're having so much fun! =)

Did You Know?

2008-09-12T09:38:00.002-06:00

One of my coworkers gave me this list of handy things (not sure where he got it from), but I thought I'd share them...some of them seem like really great ideas, but I haven't had a chance to try all of them yet.

* Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

* Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold.

* For a brownie treat, make browines as directed. Melt Andes mints in double boiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

* Expanding Frosting: When you buy a container of cake frosting from the story, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

* Newspaper Weeds Away: Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants, overlapping as you go, cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic, but they will not get through wet newspapers.

* No More Mosquitos: Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitos away. (This one I am definetely going to try - we live by the lake and have LOTS of mosquitos! I'll let you know how it works.)

* Reducing Static Cling: Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and...ta da...static is gone. (For me, personally, I rub lotion on my legs or even on my stockings, and that seems to get rid of the static too.)

* Measuring Cups: Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry the cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out. (I'm trying this the next time I make cookies)

* Foogy Windshield?: Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser. Supposed to work better than a cloth.

* Reopening Envelope: If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily. (If I'm giving money or a gift card, I always forget to put it in the envelope with the card before I seal it, so I'll have to try this the next time I do that and see if it works.)

* Get Rid of Ants: Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home', can't digest it so it kills them. It make take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed.

Like I said, I haven't tried these, but they sound like good ideas, so I think I'll give them a try. If you have tried some of them, please let me know how they worked, or if you have other great ideas I'd love to hear those too!

Thanks! Have a great day! =)

Bag Swap

2008-09-11T17:03:00.003-06:00

I am all finished with my bag for Linda's Bag/Bucket Swap, and it is in the mail on its way to.....................................someone in another country!

This is a sneek peak at the bag - I'll show the full bag after I know that she's received it. When I signed up for the swap, I had never made a bag before, but really wanted to try it. I made one bag, since I figured I should have a practice run, and Sherri won that bag in my birthday giveaway. So, this was only the second bag I've made and I had so much fun making it for my swap friend on the other side of the world! I really hope that she likes it. Thanks to Linda for putting together the swap - it was a blast! =)

Pay It Forward

2008-09-07T17:24:00.004-06:00

Hello...hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

In browsing all of the blogs from everyone that left me comments for my birthday giveaway, I came across Sonia's blog. She was doing a Pay It Forward, so I signed up and I will be receiving a handmade gift from her within the next 6 months...lucky me! So, in return I will be 'Paying it Forward'. The whole concept is based on the movie, Pay It Forward...you've probably all seen it, but if not, rent it - it's good. The movie is all about one person doing something good for three other people, with no expectation in return, but with the hope that those three people do something good for three other people...and so on...it just grows exponentially. Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if everyone lived by Pay It Forward?

So, the first three people to leave a comment on this post will receive a handmade gift from me, made especially for you, within the next 6 months! Not sure what it will be...I'll have to browse through your blog to see what kinds of things you like before I make something for you, but it'll be fun! Then, you post the Pay It Forward on your blog to make something handmade for three other people...I'm sure you get the idea. I think this will be a lot of fun...hope to be sending you something soon! =)

Presidential Cookies

2008-09-04T21:22:00.005-06:00

Last night was the Republican National Convention and we watched it. We also watched the Democratic National Convention last week. We'd like to be able to make an informed decision when election time comes in November. After all, the right to vote is a great gift we all have as citizens of the United States of America.

I always find that I listen better and pay better attention when I am busy doing something, so I made some more yo-yo's for my yo-yo quilt, and I made these cookies:
They are Peanut Butter Blossoms. I got the recipe from the bag of Hershey's kisses (but you can click on the link for the recipe on Hershey's site). I love the chocolate & peanut butter combo...it's one of my favorites!

I know that every presidential election, they do a bake off of cookies from the potential first ladies...does anyone know where I can find those recipes?

**EDIT: I did some searching on the Internet and found the recipes for Cindy McCain's Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies, Michelle Obama's Shortbread Cookies, and Bill Clinton's Oatmeal Cookies by clicking here. At the time they posted the recipes, and held the vote, Hillary was still in the running, so they included her 'First Man's' cookies...is that what he would be called? Judging by the votes, Cindy McCain's cookies won at 4,123 votes, with Michelle Obama's cookies in a close second at 3,440 votes, but poor Bill Clinton's cookies only got 164 votes. Either way, I love cookies, so I think I'd like to try them all! =)

Also, I found a good website with information on the candidates - where they stand on the issues and their voting record - it is On the Issues. If you want info, just click on the candidate name on the top header...so far it looks pretty interesting, but I'll be checking out other sites too.

Have a great day! =)

Yum, Yum, Good!

2008-09-04T07:35:00.004-06:00

Well, now that Rick is no longer doing the mountain bike races on Wednesday evenings, I found myself with some free time last night! I decided to take full advantage and make a couple of the yummy recipes I find on other blogs. For dinner, I made Prudy's Corn and Black Bean Salad with Cumin Lime Viniagrette, and boy, was it delicious!

I did the meal option by adding the brown rice and meat. We also added some yellow pear tomatoes from our garden because we have lots and are trying to get them eaten before they go bad. For the meat, I just bought a rotisserie chicken on the way home from work, shredded some, and threw it in. It was so quick and easy...only took a few minutes to make...the longest being cooking the rice (I used the quick 'minute' kind). My husband loved it too...having seconds and thirds! I loved it so much that I had it as a midnight snack last night, for breakfast this morning, and I'm taking it to work for lunch. =)

I also made Penny's Coconut Ice recipe that she got from Naomi.

As soon as I read her blog and saw this recipe, I was reminded of those Brach's candies that I loved as a little girl, but rarely see anymore (or maybe I'm looking in the wrong place). I knew instantly that these would be a favorite...and only 4 ingredients (plus some food coloring)...that's my kind of recipe!

I also wrapped up some in waxed paper like little candies...can't wait to add some to my lunch bag...if they last that long! I think the only thing I'd do different next time is either add more coconut or less sugar...I'd like them to be a little firmer, but either way they are still delicious!

Thanks to everyone out there for providing me with such yummy recipes! You're the best!

Have a wonderful day! =)

AND THE WINNER IS.......

2008-09-03T08:17:00.005-06:00

Before I tell you the winners, I want to thank you all for your sweet comments and your birthday wishes...I wish I had a prize for each of you! It was so fun visiting everyone's blogs...you are all so creative and talented...I look forward to visiting your blogs often to see all of your crafts and adventures. Thank you for making this giveaway so fun for me.

Okay...on to the winners. I decided to give away three prizes. Three prizes, you say, instead of just the one that was originally offered? It is true...everyone was so gracious and kind...so I decided to add two smaller prizes to the mix! I put everyone's entries (some of you got 4...thank's for posting about my giveaway on your blog) into a basket, mixed it up, closed my eyes, and pulled out three winners!

This was the first place prize:

And the winner is.........

Sherri at A Quilting Life. Sherri is an amazing quilter...I was blown away by the quilts she has on her blog. I hope to some day be as good as she is.

The second place prize is this pincushion I made (it will come with some chocolate too):

And the winner is...........

Sonia at {me} and my thoughts. Sonia does all sorts of wonderful things...quilting, stitchery, scrapbooking, etc. She is doing a pay it forward right now, so if you want to get a handmade gift (sure to be beautiful, judging from the items on her blog) from her then stop over and sign up.

The third place prize is this pack of charm squares (it will come with some chocolate too):

And the winner is............

Anna at Thimbleanna. I don't think there is anything that she can't do...if you can think of a craft, I'm sure she's done it. She has a fun blog...projects, a list of great books to read, links to other amazing sites, and yummy recipes. Of course, she has my same name...so that's always fun!

Congratulations to all the winners! I will be sending you an email to get your mailing address. Thank you to everyone who entered...this was so much fun and something I'll wan to do again! Hope you have a wonderful day! =)

Birthday Giveaway!

2008-08-26T08:28:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was my birthday...I turned 32...so I decided that I would give away a gift! And, since it's my birthday, I'm giving away some of my favorite things:
Some fat quarters of fun Christmas fabrics (because Christmas is just around the corner), a copy of the October 2008 American Patchwork & Quilting magazine, a bottle of Wild Honeysuckle body cream from Bath & Body Works, some chocolate (of course), and a bag that I made. I signed up for Linda's bag/bucket swap, but I'd never made a bag before so I thought I'd practice and make a few...this was my first attempt, and I think it turned out pretty cute. =) Here is a close up of the bag:

So, to enter the giveaway, please leave a comment (please include your blog address if you have one, so I can check out your blog if I haven't already)...that gets you ONE entry, but if you want THREE more entries, mention this giveaway on your blog...that's it! Make sure you enter before midnight (MST) on Tuesday, September 2nd...thanks for entering! =)

Hope you have a wonderful day!

End of the Season

2008-08-21T19:39:00.003-06:00

Well, the mountain bike race season is over for Rick. He competed in his last race last night...here he is finishing.

This race was at Soldier Hollow. Half of the races were held at Sundance and the other half at Soldier Hollow. I like Sundance for the atmosphere, grass, and shade, but I like Soldier Hollow because you are able to watch more of the race. I'm glad Rick enjoys his new-found hobby...he's wondering what he's going to do during the winter when he can't ride because of the snow. I think he'll find something else to keep him busy and active. The weekly race series starts again in May...and that will be here before we know it.

My garden, however, has not seen the end of the season...it is producing like mad! We call it our 'garden on steroids'. We have two squash plants and two zucchini plants, each of which is about 3.5 feet tall and 3.5 feet wide (the picture doesn't do justice to just how big they are):

We also have beets, carrots, swiss chard, peppers, cucumbers, leeks, herbs, and LOTS of tomatoes. This is the first year we've grown the yellow pear tomatoes and we love them. Our tomato plants are very tall and full...in fact the one in the far left corner has grown so big that is has pulled down the tomato cage...when you stand it up the plant is almost as tall as our six-foot fence. I think our trick is that we compost our soil all year long...and when we plant at the beginning of the season we do a dose of Miracle Grow. I'm proud of myself this year because, with the exception of the carrots, beets, and swiss chard (which I started from seed when the ground was ready), and with the exception of the zuchinni, squash, cucumbers, and some of the herbs (which I purchased as starts from Home Depot), everything else I grew from seed indoors before the ground was ready...and everything survived and is so beautiful! (This picture doesn't do justice for size or depth either.)

There is something very satisfying about working in the dirt and growing a garden...it's nice to feel even the tiniest bit self-reliant...even if it's only that I don't have to buy as many vegetables when I grocery shop. I guess I'll have to get started on my canning and freezing so that I don't miss out on all of this garden goodness. =)

Happy 10-Year Anniversary!

2008-08-17T10:13:00.006-06:00

Happy 10-year anniversary to my husband, Rick...the love of my life and the man of my dreams. Last Friday, August 15th, we celebrated 10 wonderful years together and I can't wait for 10 million, gazillion (all of eternity) more. We celebrated by staying up at Sundance in Provo Canyon. We had such a great cabin with our own private hot tub on the deck. We ate delicious food, had relaxing massages in the spa, and rode the chair lift in the moonlight. Such a wonderful weekend! In case you were wondering, here are some shots of us at our wedding 10 years ago (we look so young):
We were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. It was a beautiful, hot, summer day...if you can't tell by our faces...it was about 1:00 in the afternoon when this picture above was taken and it was hot outside, but still beautiful.
Rick spinning me around in front of the fountain by the Church office buildings.

When we got married Main Street was still Main Street and you could still drive on it...you can see it in the background in front of the temple. For several years now it has been a reflective pool, and walking area...no more driving on that street...strictly foot traffic now.

Later that day we had our reception at the Bungalow and it was such a beautiful night and a beautiful place...perfect weather. It cooled down a lot from the heat of the day. In fact, just as our reception was ending a light rain started...it was so nice.

This is a picture (above) of Rick's side of the family at our reception. We just had family pictures taken about a week ago and it's so neat to see how this family has grown over the years.

This picture above is of my family at our reception. My brother is now married to a wonderful girl...Cheryl, and they have a beautiful little boy...Logan. My side of the family has grown over the years too...it's so neat to see everyone's lives change and grow over the years.

To my wonderful husband...I love you more every day and I appreciate all that you do to make sure that we have a happy, beautiful life together. I'll never let go of your hand, either. I love you today, always, and forever! =)

Surprise Twinkie Cupcakes

2008-08-14T14:45:00.005-06:00

My friend and neighbor, Crystal, from Everyday Food Storage and Preparedness, entered her recipe for Twinkie Surpise Cupcakes in the Utah's Own Downhome Cooking Contest on Channel 2 KUTV. And, no surprise here, she was selected as one of six contestants to go on tv to make their recipe! Her cupcakes are delicious and they have a surpise ingredient...summer squash! Who doesn't have a ton of squash growing in their garden, so it's a great way to use it and get a yummy treat at the same time. She did such a great job on live TV...she didn't seem nervous at all...such a pro! Click on the link below to see Crystal in action on TV, and also for the recipe...you won't be disappointed!

http://www.kutv.com/content/lifestyle/recipes/story.aspx?content_id=c21a4bdf-d967-4f4a-a82c-149df6c220d7

Giveaways Galore!!!

2008-08-12T06:54:00.004-06:00

There are some really great giveaways going on right now out in blog land!

Polka Dots and Rick Rack is celebrating her blogiversary (congratulations!!!) and giving away a great little package that includes a cute little polka dot girl.

Inger Lise is also celebrating her blogiversary (congratulations to you too!!!) with a give away...it's a surprise, but sure to be wonderful, judging by everything else she posts on her blog.

Candace at Wraggedy Patches is having a giveway to celebrate her 100th post (congratulations, of course!!!).

Lila, over at Lila Tueller Designs, is holding a giveaway too. The prizes are some really great purses and some patterns. I would be happy with any of the items, but I really hope I win the Funked Out Peasant Blouse pattern...it looks soooooooo cute!

Click on over and check out all these fun blogs...good luck, but I hope I win! =)

Two Wolves, Free Rice, and the Olympics

2008-08-11T16:46:00.007-06:00

Last Friday, I left work a little early since my husband's family was having family pictures taken. On the way home I was tuning through the radio stations and stopped on Dr. Laura. I listen to her every now and then...sometimes I agree with her...sometimes I don't. She told a story about two wolves and the story really made me think about myself. I'm not sure what her source was, but I searched the internet and found out that the story is a Cherokee parable. I found it on Pearls of Wisdom through sapphyr.net. According to that site, the author is unknown, but here is the parable:

An old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life...

"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

"One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt, and ego.

"The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

"This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old chief simply replied, "The one you feed."

I want to feed the good wolf.

In searching the Internet, I also found a fun game to play! It's called Free Rice. It's a word guessing game and with every answer you get right, the sponsors donate 20 grains of rice to help feed thousands of hungry people around the world. So far, I've helped to provided 3,000 grains of rice (but I'll keep playing and get more), which doesn't sound like a lot, but if thousands of people play the game...then those grains of rice really start to add up! So, if you enjoy games, then play this one because not only are you having fun, but you're also helping to feed the world. So far the rice has helped people in places like Nepal, Myanmar, and many others. The game is free and if you want to play you can click here or on the link on the side bar.

Ok...so on to the Olympics! I love the Olympics! Since Friday night, I don't think my TV has left channel 5 (NBC)...it's pretty much all that I've done all weekend. I have worked on my yo-yo's though...that's a nice project to work on when you're sitting and watching TV. One of the coolest things I've seen so far in the Olympics was the men's 4x100 relay race last night....it was so incredible! Here is a link to the video in case you missed it, or just in case you want to be reminded of the awesomeness that is the men's relay team!

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=0811_hd_swb_hl_l0194&channelcode=sportsw

SEW Many Things to Make...SEW Little Time...

2008-08-08T10:38:00.003-06:00

In visiting different blogs, searching the internet, and during my shopping trips, I have found so many things that I want to make and try...and you all are so kind to post the tutorials! I love you all!

Things I Want to Try aka UPCOMING PROJECTS:

* Baby Butterfly Quilt - small wallhanging pattern I picked up on sale for $1.65 the other day
* American Jane Pretzel Quilt
* Pretty much anything on Penny's blog Sew Take a Hike, but specifically her Chrysanthemum Hot Pad and her Kitchen Scrubbie (click on the links for the tutorials)
* Butterflies on Lisa's blog Celebrate Creativity In All Its Forms
* Lynnette Anderson's Noah's Ark Block of the Month - I think this will go quickly, as I can take it with me and work on it anywhere =)

Of course, there are many, many, many more things that I've seen that I'd like to try, but if I posted about all of them then my post would be never-ending! So, once I finish this list, I'll post another and start on a whole new list! =)

Things I'm Currently Having Fun Working On:

* Bag for my secret partner in Linda's Bag/Bucket Swap - I need to finish it by the first week in September, so it's Priority #1 on my list right now!
* Fabric Labels - thanks to Penny's label tutorial
* Yo-Yo quilt - 112 made, only 1,800 to go - a nice project when I'm watching tv
* Cathedral Windows quilt - moving on from my practice piece from an earlier post to a larger version - thanks to Hyena in Petticoats tutorial
* Of Course...all of the quilts on my side bar...slow and steady wins the race! =)

Thank you to everyone for your impressive creative genius and imagination! I see your work and I am always so impressed!

I really love having a creative outlet...a place where I can contemplate things in my life...a place where I can let my imagination run wild, dream, hope... Of course, I do enjoy the company of others, but sometimes it's nice to just sit and sew or work on a project...a nice balance.

On a side note...I think I'm going to do a giveaway for my birthday later this month. Since it's for my birthday, it'll include all of my favorite things, of course...you'll have to check back later if you want to win! =)

Yummy Treats...

2008-08-04T18:01:00.003-06:00

Happy Monday! Hope you had a great weekend!

I had a very productive weekend! In addition to the three quilts that I finished and already posted about, I finished binding another quilt over the weekend. I call this one my pink & green retro quilt, because the fabrics look a little retro to me. It's just a block pattern...nothing too special. I love this quilt because the quilt top cost all of about $8 since I bought the fabric at a quilt show last year for super cheap...I love that!

We also went to our 5th Ward reunion and it was fun to see everyone again. It was potluck and I took these yummy treats:

I call them double chocolate brownie bites and they are so easy to make...you can have a little piece of heaven whenever you want! They are chewy from the brownie, silky from the ganache, and nice and chocolatey. They are just brownies baked in a mini-muffin cup, punched down in the middle (after baking), filled with chocolate ganache, and topped with raspberries. You could also top them with whipped cream, or a strawberry fan, or chopped nuts or cocconut, or anything else that sounds yummy!

I also made grape jelly and apricot jam over the weekend. I love homemade jams and jellies...in fact, I think I've consumed almost an entire loaf of bread over the past two days...I'm constantly eating it!

Hope you have a great week!

Great Finds & Finished Quilts - Hooray!

2008-08-02T11:29:00.006-06:00

I love yard/garage sales! This morning, as I was driving home from the store, I passed a yard sale and had to stop and see what they had. They had some pretty neat things! I purchased these:
A great white pitcher (doesn't it look great with the sunflowers I picked from the field by our house!), a white soup tureen, a rooster for my kitchen, an old yellow milk glass bottle, and an old butter cover shaped like a pig. My mom collects pigs, so I bought that for her (surprise, Mom!). I also bought an iron bucket with fake eggs in it, an iron basket to hang on my fence to hold some flowers, and a mini ironing board (which, ironically, has the cover identical to my regular-sized ironing board!)

I have also finished binding some of my quilts---hooray! This nine-patch was done in civil war reproduction fabrics. It was a block exchange with a quilting group that I'm in. Rick made the bench a few summers ago...it's timber-framed, so there is not a single nail in the construction holding it together...just wood. I love how the stain has weathered over the years.

I also finished this bullseye quilt - or as my mom calls it 'the circles'. This quilt is my mom's favorite, and it's finally finished! I left the edges of the circles raw so that it will fray with washings and add another level of dimension to the quilt.This one was the first group exchange quilt that I did (but not my first quilt in general), which was about 3 years ago...see how much I really don't like binding...I put binding off all the time! The pattern is shoo-fly and I love that it is scrappy. I think that scrappy quilts are my favorite kind of quilt. It has needed a binding for a LONG time now, but not anymore...it's done! This quilt is Rick's favorite...he says that with all of the colors it reminds him of the summer we went to Sweden to see my mom's side of the family. My mom is from Sweden and all of the rest of her family still lives there. My mom has had a pretty interesting life...she writes about it on her blog (My Swede Life)...you should check it out!Rick has been weeding the gardens this morning...such a hard worker. I would like to spend the rest of the day making grape jelly and maybe some apricot jam. A friend of mine let me come and pick some of their apricots, but a lot of them had been picked over by the birds, so I didn't get as many as I would have liked...hopefully I'll have enough for some jam. We also have a 5th Ward reunion tonight...that should be fun. I belonged to the 5th Ward during my teenage years, so it will be nice to see some of my friends that I haven't seen for years. Reading this and wondering what a Ward is? I'm LDS - Mormon - I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and a ward is a group of families that all live within the same boundaries that go to the same church at the same time. For more info on the LDS Church, or Mormons, you can click on the link on the sidebar. Oh, and I'd also like to get one more quilt bound this weekend...sounds like I'll have my hands full!

Fun Giveaway!

2008-07-28T07:15:00.002-06:00

Prudy over at Prudence Pennywise is holding a giveaway to celebrate her 100th post! She's giving away some books and a really great cake pan...that's the one I want to win. Go check out her blog...it's one of my favorites. I just started reading her blog about a week or two ago, and I can't wait to try out her creamy tomatillo dressing...supposed to taste like Cafe Rio's!!! I'm pretty sure all of her recipes would taste amazing, judging by the comments and the pictures...I need to print some off and get cooking!

Look What I Got!

2008-07-27T14:51:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was such a beautiful day! Rick and I spent the day boating and fishing with my parents on Strawberry. I got two things...a bad sunburn and two fish (so, I guess I really got three things). Here is a picture of me with one of the fish I caught...

You can't really see my sunburn in this picture, but just imagine lobster-red skin on my neck and arms with some pretty white skin everywhere else. It still hurts and burns today. It's amazing what a few hours in the sun can do to you...I guess I applied the sunscreen a little too late. I didn't get to keep either of the fish I caught, since they were over 15" but less than 22"...they have to be smaller than 15" or larger than 22". Maybe I'll have better luck next time. I was hoping that I could take some fish home so that I wouldn't have to think about what I was going to make for dinner. Speaking of dinner...what am I going to make today...?

Binding update: I am making progress...yeah!!!! I'm hoping to have four of my quilts finished by this Wednesday, as a bunch of us are getting together for a binding party Tuesday night. I'll post pictures of my completed quilts then! =)

Discoveries...

2008-07-25T23:45:00.003-06:00

I have been finding all sorts of wonderful things searching through everyone's blogs! It's like a whole new world has opened up to me...a world full of creativity and imagination. I am so impressed with all of the unique and beautiful creations that I see people posting about on their blogs. You all make me want to dive right in and try something new!

As I was jumping from blog to blog to blog the other night, I found a whole new style of quilt - cathedral windows!!! I don't know where I've been over the years, but I've never heard of this pattern before. I immediately fell in love with the design and knew I had to try it out. I grabbed some scraps and here's my first attempt...

I am somewhat of a perfectionist, so it's going to take some more practice to get it down, but I really love it and I am excited that it's a quilt as you go kind of project. So, when it's done it's done...no taking it to the quilter and no binding. The tutorial I used I found at Hyena in Petticoats....another neat blog.

I also came across a recipe for "Death by Chocolate Zuchinni Cake" on my friend Crystal's blog. Since I had the day off today, and I was feeling quite domestic (doing 6 loads of laundry, cleaning out the fridge, etc.), I decided to try it out. I even included some berries that I picked from my garden. The best part is the cake tastes even better than it looks!!!

Yesterday was Pioneer Day and I got to spend some time with one of my cute little nephews, Logan. We went to 'Taste of Utah Valley' yesterday and stuffed ourselves sick...the food was so delicious. A couple of weeks ago he broke his arm playing on a bunkbed...the kid has no fear! He picked a light blue cast, as you can see, and it stays on for about another month.

I Want to Win This!

2008-07-22T10:08:00.003-06:00

I just found out about a new giveaway! It is for a vintage apron, fabric, bag, and book, and I really want to win. I mean I REALLY, REALLY want to win! I stumbled across this blog, Sew Take a Hike, when I was visiting my friend Erica's blog Polka Dot Quilts - both of which are wonderful blogs - you should check them out. They are listed in My Favorite Blogs on the side bar, or just click the links in this post. But, if you want to enter and maybe even win the giveaway, you need to visit Sew Take a Hike. I hope I win, but if you win instead...well, I guess that's okay too. =)

Hugs to all my blogging friends!

Little Baby Feet

2008-07-21T06:48:00.004-06:00

I just love blogging...it not only gives me a creative outlet, but also a therapeutic outlet for thoughts and feelings that I have, even if I'm the only one that ever reads it. I just read an article in AJN American Journal of Nursing (Volume 108, Number 1, pg. 88) entitled "What Remains" by Susan Perry, MSN, RNC. In the article she writes about an experience she had with a woman who had to have an emergency D&C (dilation and curettage) because of a miscarriage and profuse bleeding. The woman was just over 12 weeks along when she lost her baby. Susan writes that the woman shared feelings that her body had 'let her down' again, and that she felt like 'she wasn't really pregnant'...'there wasn't really a baby in there'...'it was all just a bad joke'. In an effort to try and ease some of this woman's pain (as well as the woman's husband's pain), and also to prove to her and remind her that she really was pregnant, the nurse went to the lab and with the help of the pathology technician found the little tiny baby feet, each of which were only about 1/3 of an inch long, wiped them dry, and carefully made imprints of them with black ink on an index card. In the article, the nurse shares that as she presented the tiny footprints to the woman and her husband that the woman clutched the index card, holding it tightly to her chest and just cried. She was so grateful for this memory...proof forever that there really was a baby in there...she really was a mother...this really was her baby.

As I read this article, I was deeply touched. What a wonderful gift this nurse gave to that woman. It also hit me that even at 12 weeks a baby is formed enough to have litle feet and hands..it is a little baby, a litle person, a part of you and your husband....something that you made together. Through my miscarriages and D&Cs, I have felt the same emotions as that woman...you feel like your body let you down or wonder if it was something that you did, you really do start to question whether you were really pregnant...you don't feel any different, you don't look any different, you don't have any reminder except the empty, lonely feeling inside...you feel as if it was all just some bad dream.

I am so grateful for this article and the wonderful, happy feeling that it gave me. It proved to me that I really have been pregnant, I really have carried babies, babies with tiny little feet...little feet perfect enough to have made an impression on an index card...a little part of me and a little part of Rick. Even though I don't have any living children on this earth, I am a mother. I like to think that I have three little tiny pairs of baby feet waiting for me in heaven and I hope to live my life in such a way to be worthy of them when I leave this earth. How grateful I am for the plan of salvation and the fact that families can be together forever. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and that He is aware of my trials and struggles. I know that He would never purposely deny me a blessing and that even though I may not be able to be a mother in this life...I can in the next. I am also grateful for my loving husband and his patience and understanding. I know that he will make a great father and I look forward to the day when we can be parents, even if it's not in this lifetime.

To any of you that have experienced pregnancy loss...I'm so sorry. I hope it gives you comfort to know that you are not alone in your thoughts and feelings. It will hurt for a while, and it does get better over time, but it will never go away completely...and that's okay. Everyone deals with loss in their own way, and that's okay too. Just remember that you're not alone...your Heavenly Father loves you and feels your sadness and pain, and like that 'Footprints' poem (if you haven't read it, search for it online) when we feel at our lowest and most alone, those are the times that He carries us.

Well, I have many more feelings and thoughts on this subject, but that's all for today. Thanks for 'listening'. Go out and make it a great day! =)

Winner, Winner, Winner!!!

2008-07-18T10:07:00.002-06:00

Last Wednesday, Rick did another mountain bike race at Soldier Hollow. No, he didnt beat the '8-year old' yet, but he did come in right behind him...he's getting closer! But, he did win this great jersey...way to go Rick! Here he is in his new jersey getting ready to go for a morning ride on his awesome Fuji bike.

2008-07-17T08:42:00.001-06:00

Take the Quiz here!

I'm So Excited!

2008-07-16T08:56:00.000-06:00

Last night, as I was browsing other quilting blogs, I stumbled across All-Stitched-Up by Linda. What a fun site! She does all sorts of different types of sewing swaps with people from all different countries. I signed up for her latest swap...a bag/bucket swap and I can't wait to get started. She had such cute picture examples on her site, so I got lots of great ideas. But, before I start I'll need to find out the preferences of the person I'll be stitching for - Linda will send me that info when she gets everyone matched up. And, it's a secret - you don't know who is stitching for you, only who you are stitching for...I love that - kind of like a secret friend/sister!

To those of you who read my blog from a few days ago, I know I said no QUILTING allowed until I finish some binding, but I don't count this as quilting...this is sewing, so I'm off the hook!

This Week's Goal

2008-07-14T10:12:00.001-06:00

Well, I started on my two-color green & white quilt this last weekend - got all of the squares cut...boy, did that take some time...I ONLY needed about 600 squares! But, as I was getting ready to start sewing them I was reminded of my huge stack of quilts to bind, so I have decided that will be this week's goal. I am going to get as many of my quilts bound this week as possible. Hopefully, I can cut the list in half! Wow, wouldn't that be great. Some more things that I can check off the list! I don't mind binding but it's definitely not my favorite, which is why I always put it off....it's just so time-consuming, especially for a larger quilt. But, I am ABSOLUTELY NOT ALLOWED TO START SEWING ANY NEW QUILTS until I have finished binding...we'll see how that goes. Have a great week and happy quilting!!!

Two-Color Quilt

2008-07-12T11:49:00.000-06:00

Back in April, when it was supposed to be Spring but still felt very cold, I was in the mood to make a bright quilt - since it was so dreary outside. I went shopping for fabric and saw all of these really great green ones! I love how bright and cheery they seem, not to mention that they run the whole spectrum of light to dark. I especially love the green and blue paisley one on the right end, so I bought extra of that one.

They have been sitting in my sewing room for the past few months patiently waiting for me. I am now ready to get started...yeah!!! Better late than never, as they say. I think I'm going to do small half-square triangles in a scrappy look with three borders. The total size will be about 60" by 60", give or take a little as I haven't figured out all the measurements yet. I have a white-on-white fabric that I bought for it too, but it's not in the picture. So enough blogging for today...time to get sewing!!! =)

Itchin' to be Stitchin'

2008-07-11T08:36:00.000-06:00

With it being summertime and all, life tends to be a little busier than usual, which is good, but I'm really craving some sewing/quilting time. Every day that I walk by my sewing room and see my sewing machine sitting there all alone, I really want to leave everything else undone and just go sit and sew for hours. It's like my sewing machine calls out to me...it misses me too, I think. =) Most nights when I go to bed, no matter how tired I am or how late it is, there is always a part of me that says 'go sew; you can sew now!', but I know that I really need all the sleep I can get, so I reluctantly ignore that voice - no matter how badly I want to sew.

I really love to sew and quilt and I'm so glad I stumbled into this hobby about 7 years ago! I love that it gives me a creative outlet and lets me relax while sorting out the events of the day or just thinking about things that are going on in my life. It is also a great connection with people and keeps me in touch with old friends and neighbors. I love the satisfaction of knowing that I took some pieces of fabric and with a little creativity, stitching, and proper placement made a beautiful treasure.

I'm sure every quilter has their favorite quilts that they've done. Most of my quilts I've given away as gifts, but at my husband's request I'm starting to keep more and more of them. Probably my most favorite quilt that I've ever made was the one I made for my cute little niece, Mila (picture of quilt on left). The pattern is called Hugs 'n Kisses, for the X's and O's in the quilt blocks. The quilting on it is absolutely beautiful (I didn't do the quilting, only the piecing, backing, and binding - I sent it out to be quilted). I love the colors and the way it turned out, even without borders - it looks somewhat old-fashioned to me. I have mixed feelings about borders - I like them, but only when a quilt really needs it, and I don't think this quilt needed them.

Well, the weekend is coming up and I'm hoping to get in some well-deserved sewing/quilting time. I've got lots of quilts to finish! =)

I'm Surrounded by Athletes!

2008-07-10T09:29:00.000-06:00

It's official! Everyone is athletic but me! I am just not a runner...I've had people tell me that I can walk faster than I can run because when I run it's pretty much an up and down motion instead of forward - almost like when you run in place. But that's fine by me because I don't really enjoy running that much - I'd rather walk, or bike, or swim.

Last month on June 20th and 21st, my dad Gary, my brother Erik, and my sister-in-law Cheryl (Erik's wife) ran in the Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay, with 9 other people on their team. The relay consists of hundreds of teams of 12 who take turns completing legs of the relay. It starts in Logan, goes down to Midway, and doubles back to end in Park City, for a total of 180.5 miles. It really seems to be a fun event - people decorate their vans (you're allowed two support vehicles), wear funny costumes, and then they have a big party at the finish line.

Being there to watch everyone's great athletic feats really makes you want to do something like that - what a great personal accomplishment! This was the third year competing for both my brother and my dad. For some reason, I don't have a picture of all three of them together (that's my cute little nephew Logan with his parents, Erik and Cheryl, in this picture). Every time I attend an event like this it always makes me want to do something like that, but then I wake up the next day and convince myself I could never do it - I run in place, remember!

Also, Rick has been competing in the weekly mountain bike race series at Sundance and Soldier Hollow. They are held every Wednesday and usually alternate weeks between venues. In fact, he just competed again last night at Sundance. He is in the beginner category, since this is a fairly new hobby for him, but eventually he'll advance to Sport, then to Expert B, and finally to Expert A. Right now I think beginner is pretty good for him. He only had to do one lap last night (which took him about 50 minutes to complete), whereas the Expert A had to do 2.5 laps (takes considerably longer, but not much since they are better trained and have been doing it a LONG time). It's always funny though, because Rick will finish and say something like "That was the hardest route yet...I thought I was going to throw up! It was great!!! I love this sport!" Silly guy! I am grateful, thought, that he has found a hobby that he loves and contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

We joke that his main goal is to finish before the "8-year old", or that's what we call him. Im sure he's really not 8, but he can't be older than 12, and he beats Rick every race, but not by much. I don't think it'll be too much longer before Rick passes him by, though!

In these pictures, everyone is getting ready to start - they race up a huge hill right off the bat and then have to race up the huge hill again in order to finish (after they go through the trail on the mountain, of course). Rick is near the back in the picture on the left, white shirt with blue sleeves, yellow highlight circle around his head (if you can even see it in the picture). The picture on the right is a close-up of him - look for the yellow arrow - that's Rick! The "8-year-old" is in the yellow jersey next to him.

Here's Rick just after he came off the mountain trail and is racing up to the finish line with another racer hot on his heels - go, Rick, go! In the picture on the right, Rick is coming back down after finishing...this is what relief looks like!

Happy Birthday to Ricky!!!

2008-07-09T12:57:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, on June 28th to be exact, it was Rick's 34th birthday! We celebrated that day by attending Young Living Farm's Lavender Days in Mona, Utah. We had a lot of fun and it was relaxing to be out amongst the acres and acres of aromatic lavander. We ate lavender ice cream, enjoyed lavender lemonade and other yummy treats. We also attended a relaxing yoga class, which has inspired both Rick and myself to become regulars at a local yoga class in town.

We also saw a reptile show there, with some of the biggest amphibians and reptiles I have ever seen! One snake they had was 14 feet long and took 10 children sitting down next to each other to hold it. They also had a really huge turtle, as well as a very pretty, and very big, iguana, in addition to lots of others.

They also had professional jousting at the Lavender Days, which we thought was pretty cool and sometimes seemed a little scary...especially when one of their jousting sticks (not sure what they're really called) splintered into a million pieces when it struck the shield of the other jouster, and subsequently made that jouster practically fall of his horse - he was very slumped over when he got back to his end of the line and you could hear them asking if he was okay over and over again. Thankfully, he was okay and went on to joust again. They told the crowd that when the sticks hit each others' shields that it is equivalent to 2,800 pounds of pressure force. That's amazing...no wonder they worried if he was okay!!!

All in all, it was a pretty fun day!

Then, the next day, Sunday the 29th, we had a family birthday party for Rick. Everyone had a lot of fun playing basketball, ping pong, jumping on the trampoline, and just visiting around the campfire pit, as well as enjoying some delicious desserts. It was such a beautiful day and just the right temperature under the trees as Rick opened his presents. It's days like that when I'm reminded of how grateful that I am for families and for the fact that Rick is my husband, not just for this life, but for all of eternity - sometimes I feel like the luckiest girl in the world because he chose me to be his wife. He is a wonderful, amazing and talented person. He is so patient, calm, relaxed, easy-going -- pretty much my exact opposite in those regards, but even still we are also very much the same. I am grateful for those aspects in which we are different - that's what keeps me grounded and helps me to enjoy life. The years just keep getting better and better! Happy Birthday Rick!!! I love you always and forever!

Sparkle Toes

2008-06-19T09:26:00.001-06:00

In Lehi, a brand new Salon and Spa has opened up - I'm so excited! I am quite the girlie girl and love to be pampered. It's called Journey's End Salon and Spa and I love it! Last Saturday, my husband and I enjoyed the most relaxing couples massage! First they start off with a foot soak with creams and rose petals, followed by an hour-long relaxing massage. Aaaaaahhhhhh! It was such a special treat for us and a nice way to spend some time together.

Later that same day, I got to get my toes done there too. I got sparkle toes (that's really what they're called) and I love them! I usually go for the pinks or reds on my toes, but this time I chose a color called Punk Rock - a walk on the wild side for me. The picture doesn't show it very well, but they really sparkle and at times they look purple, or blue, or turquoise. I think they are very pretty.

Hmmmm, what can I get pampered with next...........................

Hello Again!

2008-06-19T09:15:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I posted about quilt blogs from a couple of my friends. Well, I have this amazing friend (also my visiting teaching companion - lucky me) who is a genius when it comes to food storage and cooking.

Everyday Food Storage is an awesome site about using your food storage every day. My friend Crystal teaches you easy ways to incorporate your food storage into every day cooking - she makes it look so simple! I can't wait to try out her recipes for Magic Mix and Fudgesicles (my husband's favorite). I have tasted several of her recipes and everything tastes delicious - you'd never know it contained wheat, powdered milk, dehydrated eggs, etc. Plus, she also lets you know about great food storage deals from various stores in the area. Check it out!

Hello!

2008-06-18T22:43:00.000-06:00

I've decided to copy some of my friends and create a blog. You know what they say...Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! I'm excited to learn how to do it all and hope to post at least every couple of days, even if it's only for my benefit. Some of the quilt blogs created by a couple of my friends are Polka Dot Quilts and Silver Scissor Quilts. You should check them out!