Hooray! It is finished!

I started this baby quilt for Nat's cousin while Rachel was still pregnant.
She didn't know what she was having, so I got material for both a girl and a boy.
I chose to start the "girlie" quilt, and I was hoping that she would have a girl.

Thankfully, she did. So, baby Anna will have a soft and comfy, very girlie blanket.
I used flannel material for the nine patch blocks, then I used some lavender softness that I found on sale at our
local quilt shop. Man, I want a blanket made out of that stuff!
I used Heather Bailey's tutorial for the binding, which was soooo helpful.
The back of Anna's blanket is leftover pink flannel.


I really enjoy quilting, but I must admit that I struggle with the actual "quilting" step. I just did a basic "in the ditch"
quilting style with my machine. However, I really, really want to learn some other steps and processes for machine quilting.
I would welcome any suggestions that you have!

In the meantime, I will finish some other small projects that I have on my To Sew list, while I continue saving up for a new machine.
Happy sewing and blogging!

Belated Birthday Blog, Part 2

Well, here are pics from Jack's cake.

It was a cross between Speed Racer, NASCAR, and
just plain cars.

I love the cheesy grin in the picture below.
He was sooo ready to get on with the presents.

Belated Birthday Blog

In my feverish state, I had time to go through some older
pictures. Here are some belated pictures of Andrew's birthday.
He LOVES Lightning McQueen!

A friend from church has been helping me with the basics of cake decorating.
Thanks, Jennifer!

And the birthday boy from Septemeber 20!

The Flu Is Flying Around . . .

And the Kealens are beginning to drop like flies!

Andrew got it first (of course) on Friday night.

I didn't feel well on Saturday, but had no symptoms.

Jack woke up with a fever on Sunday, but no other symptoms. The boys and I stayed home from church on Sunday, just to be safe (and no, we didn't watch the Superbowl either).

By Monday I thought we were all better, I even made another ten cards and almost completed the baby quilt I have been working on.

Then, it hit me last night. . . and it hit HARD!

I will spare you the gross details, but let's just say that I now have a can of Lysol and a container of Lysol disinfecting wipes on each toilet in our house!

So, Andrew and I are hanging out with Diego and Thomas the Tank Engine this evening, and I am hoping that Husband and Jack are spared from this little bug!

Oh, and as soon as I have the strength and energy, I will post the picture of the baby quilt I am making for Nat's cousin's little one. It is sooo soft and cuddly; I want one for myself!

Weighing In on the Issue

In case you have not heard of the CPS issues, check out the latest info, and

Save Handmade!