Sping Embroidery

It's spring time in Alaska.  Which is very different than spring time in the Lower 48.  Here in Fairbanks it means that the snow is melting, the sun is out more than 12 hours/day, and it's warm out --above 25 degrees F during the day.  This week it's supposed to be nearly 50 degrees F  all week.  Soon we'll be seeing the ground!  yahoo!

This weekend I switched out my winter parka for my spring jackets.  Since we have very little wind here, most of my spring jackets are polar fleece.  I have several polar fleece jacket and vests to layer depending on the weather.  I decided to embroider some of them this weekend.

I started with a set of 6 fairies embroideries that I love.  Then I choose the jackets and started in.  I got two done this weekend.  Check it out!

Full-Time Mom & the Futility of Housework

I have to admit, I never thought I'd be a "stay at home Mom" or as I call it, a Full-time Mom.  Yet, this is my fourth year home with my girls.  I am busier than I've ever been, yet I seldom have much to show for it.  Often, my work goes unnoticed and under-appreciated.  Yet, it is still vital the functioning of our home.  So then, am I inspired to do my chores?  No!

I have a friend that has 3 boys.  She also stays home.  Her house is so clean, it's like a museum.  She is also skilled in home decorating.  She watches shows like Martha Stewart, and then actually does the things suggested!  (Ha, how amazing is that?!)  Her husband expects dinner on the table when he gets home, and she actually does it.  Do I?  Not usually... although, I am generally thinking about dinner when he gets home. LOL.  

So, I salute this amazing Super-Mom.  I held her up as the gold-standard of Stay-at-Home-Moms, thinking that I would be the same way.  How hard could it be?

However, that is not me.  Before I had kids, my house was always tidy.  I'd spend 2 hours once a week with my husband and we'd clean it together. Then it'd stay clean ALL WEEK.  I had some crazy delusion that this would also happen post-baby.  Not the case.  Now, I spend 2 hours simply picking up stuff, and I haven't even begun the cleaning.  It stays clean about 4 hours or so.  Then it's messy again.

So, I have decided this week that cleaning is futile.  The laws of physics are in full-force in a home with toddlers.  Entropy is always increasing.  (Entropy is a sort of chaos.)  So, do I battle this universal law of physics?  Well, not today!  Ha, ha!

Today I surrender to entropy.  Instead of housework, I am focusing on something I can control.  Embroidery!  I have embroidered 4 towels, 1 apron, and two centerpieces for art quilts.  Yahooo!  I feel so productive! {Until I walk out of my sewing room that is ;)}  Yet, in here I am queen, it is neat and orderly and I can see what I have done.  It will last forever.  Ahhhh... What a glorious feeling!  

Quilting Gifts: Baby Shower and Wedding

Quilting Gifts
I love to make gifts for presents.  I think that it shows how much you care to create something specifically for an individual.  A gift that is designed with the recipient in mind demonstrates how well you know the person and that you are willing to spend time on him/her when time is the most precious commodity in our society.  Of course, there isn't always time for a full-size quilt.  But, there are so many options for a quilter and knitter (such as myself) that I have plenty of things to choose from.

So, this week I have a baby shower to attend and a wedding that has surprised me by it's date.  I was planning on making a baby quilt and a lap quilt for gifts.  Now I'm not sure I have the time.  Ah... time... it rears it's head again!

Baby Shower Gift

    I texted my friend to see what color schemes has in mind for her baby, but she didn't respond.  So, I decided to make something I've been looking at for a couple of years but didn't have anyone to make it for.   It's bright green frogs--very cute--but she prefers blues.  So... now what?



I quickly switched to knitting for the baby shower gift.   I have been knitting gifts for the baby, a cute hat and booties.  I've completed the hat, but the booties are going slowly.  The size 2 knitting needles are soooo slow.  I prefer size 7 or 8 needles for speed; but, hopefully, I'll be able to get them done by Saturday.  :)  I'm sure she'll love them.

Wedding Gift

An embroidered wall hanging with the date and their names?

A friendship wall hanging?

Saturday is also a wedding for a childhood friend.  I wanted to make her a lap quilt, but I don't' think I have the time.  I'd have to finish the top (which I haven't begun) and get it to the quilter by Wednesday.  Then she could quilt it by Friday, then I could bind it by Saturday?  Probably not...  So, I think I may embroider her a wall hanging quilt.  I'm looking at two different patterns... not sure which to do.  Or, maybe both?  Hard to decide.  I've known her for so long, it's like we're sisters.  She is a very good friend, so I want a really special gift.




So many choices for gifts!  I need to get started!

Do you make your gifts?  If so, what is your preferred gift for a baby shower?  for a wedding?