snow days.

Hello Monday. Heres to a new week. This weekend we had a snow storm come through that brought us lots of snow. I really can't complain since we have had such an great winter. I actually enjoyed staying at home snuggled up on the couch with the fire going, wearing my jammies, not having to get ready or put any make up on, drinking coffee and chai teas, making breakfast with my husband, and snuggling with Stella. It was perfect.

I spent many hours sewing, quilting and knitting. I worked on a few gifts and also finished quilting my quilt. I just have about half of the binding left to do. (I will post pictures soon) I love how it turned out after I quilted it. So great. This is one of the quilts I worked on while I was at quilt retreat. Soon it will have a new home where it will be loved :) Thats the beauty of quilting and being able to give it to someone. It warms my heart to see the joy that a person has when they receive it. Its the best feeling! Also I worked on knitting a cowl for myself. The pattern is great. I can't wait to see the outcome of it. My knitting skills have come a long way. I still find my self having to start over and over and over. Someday I will be able to start and not have to rip out any mistakes I did wrong. Some day :)

So here is to a great weekend. But I could do without any more snow! Have a great week :)

Welcome to the World!

Yesterday was a beautiful day. One of my closest friends had a baby boy. He is so precious and wonderful. I haven't even met him yet and he has already stole my heart. Welcome to the world Braxton.

Congrats to Des and Dave. They are going to be wonderful parents. I love you both and I couldn't be happier for you :)

 Braxton Troy

02.23.2012 @2:20 pm 7lbs 8oz 21.5 inches

Quilt Retreat :)

Hi all. I know I am sorry. I am having a really hard time getting back into the groove of things. I love to blog and read others but I just got so burnt out. I felt/feel like this is getting to be a job and I dont want that. I want to be able to enjoy and LOVE to blog!

To be honest since the beginning of the year I have had a hard time getting back into anything. Sewing, quilting, knitting, crafting and everyday life. I have totally hit a slump. But I am trying to get back on track so please have some patients and for those that rely on reading my blog I will try hard to be a little more reliable. I am also going to try some new ideas and hope to share those with you.

A few weeks ago I went to my first quilt retreat! WHAT A BLAST! It was so amazing. perfect location, great people, amazing food (way to much) and lots of ME time! It was so great to be able to hang out with such great women and do what I LOVE to do. Quilt. Sometimes staying up until after 3 a.m. and getting up the next day around 7:30 or 8:30 a.m. Very little sleep but so totally worth it. I busted out three quilts (two still need a border or two) but I consider them to be pretty much done. I cant wait to share them with you.

beautiful sunset the first night.

our beautiful view. so peaceful.

we woke up to frost. makes for a beautiful morning. 

Where we stayed had this amazing sitting area, quilts everywhere and many fireplaces. Very cozy and relaxing. I would have been happy to just sit around and take it all in. The lady that owned the lodge was a fabulous quilter. It was unbelievable to look at all the quilts she had hanging or laying around. The best part was everyone was different in their own way. Colors, patterns, themes.

one of the sitting areas. so lovely. love the quilts. 

AMAZING farmhouse kitchen. love.

where the magic happened :)

quilt on the beds in our room.

beautiful star quilt. looks scandinavian. 

love the effect this quilt gives. 

fun and funky. 

The last night we had show and tell. This was lots of fun because you can see what kind of quilts people make and all the talent there is. I really hope to be at the level of these ladies someday. But until then I will just be in awe and envy :)

unbelievable. paper piecing quilt. 

block of the month quilt.

funky and colorful.

fabulous. this quilt makes me speechless. someday.

I am so thankful for all the amazing women I met and became friends with and also for all the great ideas and tips that I learned while I was at retreat. Thanks to Mardi for putting on an amazing retreat. My first retreat was way more than I expected. The countdown is on until next year :)

much needed relaxation.

Hello all. Sorry I have been missing in action for awhile, but to be honest its felt GREAT! Good news I am back!

What you have missed while I have been away....well I have been pinning, knitting, and sitting around ALOT! I am loving the relaxation and ideas flowing through my mind with things I find out on the world of Pinterest. Seriously. I. Am. Addicted. Now I just need to work on putting those ideas to use instead of just on my board :)

A few weeks back we celebrated my aunt and uncles 50th Anniversary and spent time with my aunts, uncles and cousins and we crafted and talked and enjoyed each others company. My cousins/godparents came from Virginia...which I don't get to see nearly enough. I also came to realize that I now have a new found love for making cards. I am pretty excited about it. My mom, aunt, cousin and I have scheduled a card/craft day towards the end of February. Can't wait :) Also earlier this week we went out to eat with some more family and had a great time with them as well.

I am getting myself back into quilting again. I have started cutting out my fabric now I just have to get a few quilt tops made. Oh! have I mentioned next weekend I am going to my VERY first quilt retreat. I am pretty pumped about it. Not gonna lie, feeling super excited.

This weekend my family will be coming up. We are celebrating my cousins birthday, enjoying each others company and who knows probably some more knitting and Pinterest..haha. I have been working on some Valentine's projects and will be posting those very soon as well.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend and I promise I am back and will be posting more!

Day 25: Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Merry Christmas to you all! The anticipation and excitement is finally here. The 25 days of Christmas has been so much fun and its so great getting feedback from you all about different projects you are making or ones that you just really like. I am so thankful for all of your love and support. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!!!

I just love our tree this year and Christmas time is so kozy in our house. I love to just grab a good cup of tea or cocoa and snuggle up under a quilt and knit. 

Joy to the world!

This is Elfy. He was a gift from the Howe girls for Stella. We only let Stella look at Elfy and not play with him otherwise he would be destroyed.

I am spending Christmas at home with my family. They are the greatest!

Merry Christmas to you all! I hope you have a joyous holiday and spend time with the ones you love. You will be hearing from me shortly. I am taking this week off to enjoy time with my husband and relax :)

Day 24: Ornament Wreath

Wow!!! I love how this turned out. Its so shiny and blingy I love it so much :) This is definitely an eye stopper. 

Let me tell you this wreath takes alot of time and ornaments, like a couple hundred!!

Supplies:

• Ornaments (ALOT) - all sizes
• Styrofoam wreath - any size
• glue gun/glue (ALOT)
• ribbon

Check out the tutorial I found HERE on how to make this stunning wreath.

Merry Christmas Eve to you all! Hoping you all have a chance to spend time with family and friends. I am at home with my family and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I love coming home :)

Enjoy! See you tomorrow :)

Day 23: Rolo Cookies

These are my all time favorite cookie. I love this time of year because my mom always makes these for me. Oh the best part is when the middle is still gooey and they just melt in your mouth. Yum :)

Rolo Cookies

2 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter/margarine

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 eggs

1 cup chopped pecans

28 rolo candies

1 tablespoon sugar

4 ounces almond bark/white chocolate

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup and level off. In a small bowl, combine flour, cocoa and baking soda. Blend well. In a large bowl beat 1 cup sugar, brown sugar and margarine until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs, beat well. Add flour mixture. Stir in half the pecans. Shape 1 tablespoon dough around 1 rolo, covering completely. In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 pecans and 1 tablespoon sugar. Press one side of cookie in sugar mixture. Place on cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 7 to 8 minutes. Melt candy coating and drizzle over cookies.

Anyone traveling for the holidays travel safe and enjoy time with your family and friends.

Enjoy! See you tomorrow :)