I've been up to...

I have actually been doing things, whether I blog about them or not. One thing that I was working on this summer/fall was jean quilts for a friend.

Britany is an awesome friend and asked me to help design and make some jean quilts for her that she can then turn around and make quilt kits of them. This has been on my list to make for some time so I was more than happy to help!

Britllen Creations

She has this one all ready to go in sizes from twin to queen! I think she did an awesome job on the picture! (I always struggle with pictures and what is the best angle and junk).

We also did 2 other patterns that she is working on getting the kits together. But isn't this a GREAT IDEA! I mean I ruined a fairly new mat cutting out the jean blocks for these quilts, and went through a rotary blade. Isn't it nice that you can get EVERYTHING you need in just one kit! All the jean squares, backing and pattern! I was happy and felt so honored to help her with this!

I also know that if ANYONE Is interested, she is having a sale of them on her etsy site!

Here are some other ones that I did for her too!

 Here is just SOME of the jeans that I started out with. Now keep in mind I made a baby sized, double and queen size jean quilts.

 

Here is the pile for I believe two jean quilts. The blocks already for me to start sewing together.

 Here is the scrap pile. Either the jeans were stained in the area, seams pockets or too small of a piece. Yeah I was tired after all of this.

 Here is the Baby quilt I made. The pattern will be using half jean blocks and half cotton blocks! I used Pure by Moda and just love how it compliments the jeans!

 Then here is the log cabin type block quilt. I had a pair of Travis's work jeans that were the khaki colored and so I decided to use them. Also if you look closely there is a blue stripped one. Those came from a pair of overalls that he had in college!

Make sure to check her store often to see if she has the new patterns up! (I will also try to keep track too) But I think this is great for us people that have ALWAYS wanted to make a jean quilt but haven't gotten that far yet!

Hockey Helper

Kimball was being a big helper with me awhile ago by separating my hockey blocks!

 I'm  making two different hockey quilt's for Trav's uncle's wife's nephews....does that make sense?

 So as I was doing my best to clear my living room Kimball was so kind to help me assemble my quilt top.

 We was so proud! I basically made the same two types of quilt tops.

We did a completely "random" pattern for both of them. I try to let my boys help with "helping" me even though it goes against the grain.

At the end of September we were able to go up to the Salt Lake City fairgrounds and attend an Autism Carnival! It was so much fun! They had tons of different carnival games for the boys to play, fun different characters, cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones! We also had some hot dogs for dinner!

The first thing we did was ride the little train!

 We saw some friends from Giant Steps, which was nice for Kimball but he was too "embarrassed" to play or say hi.

 They had this wall climbing thing, we waited for some time, but FINALLY we were able to climb and then the boys really didn't like it. It was "too hard" but the people running it were very kind and were very patient with the boys!

 Want to know what was more amazing, this carnival was for autistic children, so these people running it - they had AMAZING patience and that is saying A LOT since you are dealing with all degrees of autism all day long!

 For being fall, it was rather hot....Brandon wasn't the most thrilled with it, but he endured it so that he could play!

We were at a sensory table and Brandon started talking to two boys about his age about minecraft! It was so cute watching these little boys that are COMPLETELY socially awkward talk on and on about a computer game! Nathan eventually joined them too, but it was nice to see boys start up a conversation like " normal" kids do!

Brandon won this cool halloween cd, that he made me listen to all the time until Halloween!

While I was there I was able to meet a "blog hero" Topsy Turvy lady, Ashley! Her blog is "I'm Topsy Turvy". Love her! She has kids on the autism spectrum and so I feel like we have some things in common, as being crafty mom's trying to survive our "autism families". It made my day knowing that she knew who I was too! Talk about feeling special!

Vampire Marathon

Last week I was able to spend all day at the movie theater! It was SO FUN! Eating popcorn and drinking pop, spending time with my Sister in Laws and relaxing with no kids....AWESOME!!

We went and watched the Twilight series from start to finish! I was with my Sister in laws, Rose and Melissa and my Mother in law Cindy, with Rose's Mother in law and then there were some friends of Cindy's and Melissa's. We had a blast! Although I didn't take too many pictures....I have a bad habit of not charging my phone well....

 Here we are getting there at 11 in the morning. There is Rose (left to right), her Mother in Law, Cindy and Shannon (Cindy's friend)

 Melissa (funny that she looks like the vampires with the red eyes!) with her Team Emmett shirt....on the back it had a cool saying of his too....I forgot.

 Me and Rose...love my wonderful photography skills? I am thinking of going pro!

 Cindy and Shannon...this was about half way through. We brought pillows and blankets....but the theater was actually warm so we didn't need our blankets much.

 Melissa and I....I didn't have a flash so had to "edit" it a little. You can see us and that's the important part right?

Then we passed this spot all the time, it was leaving the theater rooms/bathroom area going into the main area. Isn't it a great combination of patterns?? I see quilt patterns everywhere!

It was so fun! I think I would do it again! Although the last movie, Breaking Dawn part two...AWESOME! It has put me in the mood to read the books again!

Baby Marmalade Quilt Finished

Well I have finished the Baby Marmalade Quilt! I have already sent it off to the family earlier this month! So hopefully when the new little bundle of joy is born, she will have her beautiful quilt!

 You can see our early November snow storm....but doesn't it look wonderful??

 I am very pleased with how it turned out! And the best part is that I saved all of my fabric from it so I will be able to create something else with the white and marmalade. I'm so excited!

 Here is me quilting it. I took this for instagram! Which if anyone wants to add me, just let me know and I will let ya!

 I am pleased with my quilting on the back! NO PUCKERS!! It has taken three years but I can finally quilt a quilt that doesn't have any puckers! I ended up using a sheet from Wal-Mart! (On sale too!)

I really love this design and will probably use it again! If you want to see what I used, see this post.

I also found (I went through my whole blog) and found the pictures of the quilt that I made for her before!! It was clear back in 2010! (You can find the link on my finished quilts page). It was Liam's Baby quilt!

Once again....

 Once again I am behind on my blog posts! You would think that I would stay on top of everything and stay ahead...but lets me honest I struggle to get out of my pajamas every day let alone keeping my blog running smoothly!

At the very end of September we were able to finally get our family pictures done! I think it's been about 2 or 3 years since we have had this done. A few years ago (I believe her son is now 2 or 3) I made a baby quilt for this girl in my ward (church). We were changing services, I would make her the quilt and then she would take our family pictures. Well life happened and we never go it done. She ended up moving back East and came back to Utah to visit family. While she was here we were able to squeeze in a family photo shoot!

Here are a few I shot before we started....

Of course they were SUPER happy in the beginning....but overall they did pretty good. We had little "theater candy" for them if they were good. They were pretty good overall and so they go their treats.

Here are some "sneak peak" pictures she posted on Facebook...

 Okay I'm just gonna say it.... "DANG I look good!".....okay I feel better now! I teased her by saying she must have a really good photo editing program!

 Notice my Pez-O-Rama quilt? I brought a few quilts to use and it turns out that this one matched us the best! It turned out really nice!

Here are the boys giving her their "frowning" faces! They turned out so good! Here is her site...Photos by Elsie McDonald if you wanted to check her out. She must be good if she can make all of us look good!

I can't wait to get the rest of our pictures back! But another good news is she asked me to make her another baby quilt! I will be using this pattern with this line....I can't wait!

 "My Song" by Anna Joy (yes I actually bought a pattern! I never made a block like this before so thought I would play it safe)

I will be using this line, Marmalade by Bonnie and Camille. I can't wait to make this! But I need to get going because she is having her baby next month! No worries, I'm up for the challenge!

- Which speaking of quilts....did everyone check out my new look? I changed it all so that I can make quilts and sell them! I have been working on making quilts too, so I will soon add a tab that has some finished quilts for sale too! So please pass on the news to anyone you know that might be interested!

Friends of Giant Steps 4th Annual Auction

Its another year for FOGS (Friends of Giant Steps) to host their annual auction! I was in on it from the very beginning, and even though I haven't ran the whole show I have done my part to help out in this event.

The auction is changing slightly this year from just being a live and silent auction to also adding a nice meal to enjoy while you enjoy the auction!

4TH ANNUAL CHARITY DINNER AND AUCTION

Friday, Nov 16, 2012

6-9pm

Tickets 10$ or $15 at the door
purchase online at WWW.FRIENDSOFGIANTSTEPS.ORG

Foothill Elementary School 921 N 1240 E Orem, Utah

FRIENDS OF GIANT STEPS

We would love for all to attend! This year we are working really hard to try and get a van for the 3 classrooms. We use this on field trips and helping pick up children. So our goal is to try to earn $25,000. One thing we have learned that every penny counts! So if you are able to attend and help bid on the items (which are amazing!) or just buy tickets to help support Giant Steps anything is welcomed! 

Another way that we can get help is by donations. If there is any type of donation that you can contribute, it would be greatly appreciated!  We have had donations range from homemade products to hotel stays to lunch with local famous people. Anything is welcome! 

If you have any questions or wish to help support us, please let me know! I have been very fortunate to have all 3 of my boys attend this wonderful school that has helped teach them to better function in their little worlds. They have not only helped my boys but have helped me and Travis become better parents to them! Only with help from everyone can we keep this wonderful school going. There is now 1 in 55 kids with autism, and with programs like Giant Steps we can help these children function better in the world around them! 

 Nathan in Giant Steps in 2007-2009

 Brandon in Giant Steps in 2007-2008

Kimball in Giant Steps from 2011-2013

Thank you all! 

Kimball's First Day of School

Kimball started his second year of preschool at Giant Steps Autism Preschool. I am loving his new class. He has the teacher that Nathan had his first year at Giant Steps.

 He was very excited but very nervous as well....I didn't realize how much until later that night.

He didn't want to give me a hug or a kiss which is just not like him. Later that night he told me he was "embarrassed" that I was there. What??!! Is this what a "normal" child is like? It's kinda funny to see his different emotions are coming out.

Nate is in 3rd Grade

I can't believe my baby is in 3rd grade already! Some days it feels like they are going to be "like this" forever but then other times like now, I can't believe how fast it has gone!

 So far I am loving the school and the new grade teacher that Nathan has this year! She is on top of Nathan and wants to help him improve! It's actually really hard to find teachers like that....believe it or not!

Here's to another school year!

Piano Quilt

Back in August...

I have this awesome deal with a friend.....she gives my boys piano lessons and I make her quilts! Her first order was a green/red/brown quilt for her nephew's wedding.

I created this quilt and actually have a variation to it for the Moda Bakeshop that I am working on! I consider myself really grateful for this arrangement! I can't afford to give my sons piano lessons but I can do trade! She already has lots of other ideas for quilts so yeah....piano lessons will and could go on for years!

 Like my figure in the picture? I thought it "needed" that little extra touch! I just picked random fabric colors of stuff that I had and what I found at the store. I think overall it turned out rather well. But I would rather work with sets like Moda has.

 I did a wandering stitch.....and I actually got my Juki to work too! (Been having issues)

For the back I finished using all of the scraps and left over pieces. The back took almost as long as the front took! I think it turned out rather well too! Very nice!

Springville Quilt Show

Back in August....

I went with my Mother in law and Sister in law to the Springville quilt show again this year. It was fun to attend it with my Sister in law, April. I have never been before with her and it was fun because she is a fellow quilter as well!

 Here are some quilts that I really liked. There were a lot more traditional type of quilts there and just weren't my "favorite". I guess I like more of a modern/traditional type of quilts.

I really like the triangles, and am planning on making one like this later. Then the around the world quilt, it was made out of i spy blocks!

 I really liked the border of this top right quilt, it was a nice twist! Then I really liked these other blocks.

 The America quilt was made up from little tiny hexagons! They were about 1" big! Then the bottom quilt won an award for using the most tiniest pieces and were the most precise! I think the smallest she said were 1/2"!

 Here are some more blocks and more cool quilts!

Then afterwards we went downstairs were they had an art station for kids! They really liked it and it helped "relieve" the boredom a little bit.

I was going to enter a quilt this year, but didn't get it done in time! The story of my life! Although my Mother in law made a good point, they are interested a lot in technique. So I will need to take that into consideration for next year.