The sTate of Things

So I've recently jumped into quilting, and still trying to stay afloat. Awesome patterns are EVERYWHERE. Then come the challenge, finding those perfect fabrics. Sometimes I'm completely lucky. A friend introduced me to www.aboveallfabrics.com and there I found Popp'n Posies. Yes, Abby Sue will have a quilt for a big girl bed before she is out of a crib. The best thing, they have a fabric kit. True it doesn't come with everything I need, it comes with enough (and it was on sale right now too!) to get started. I found another pattern that is jelly charm friendly. For you, and for me I went ?. Apparently quilters not only have a love affair with fabric, but for sweets too. Jelly Rolls refer to lengths of fabric cut into 2.5 inch strips (all off one collection). Turnovers look just like turnovers, triangles. Honey buns are 1.5inch strips. Desert rolls are 5 inch strips. Then you have your charm and your flat quarter packs.

Boy, this gets confusing and hungry. So I munch on a cookie or two and try to search for something that is impossible to find, boy friendly fabric. And rejoice when I think I found two Jelly rolls to decide from, but atlas no matching charm pack. And it is hard to tell online if things match or even close enough.

So I'm no closer to finding my fabric and still want more cookies!

The past few days have been truly wonderful. In the high 50s, which considering it snow recently is saying something. So we have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather and playing outside as much as possible. Today, while outside, I investigated a bit. My bulbs are getting ready to bloom! And the dogwoods have buds. SPRING IS COMING! We can't wait. Tomorrow is suppose to be nice and warm, 63 degrees. So after church and naps, we are going to go out and enjoy God's creation at Duke Gardens.

Abby Sue has really been very leach like with me. No one, Joseph included, could take her from me. And all she wanted when she was awake was me. To say it simply, it was draining. But now she is all about Daddy! She LOVES being on Joseph's shoulders and running around with him. She loves him spinning her and being dizzy. She just wants Daddy! I'm happy for the break. Though it is hard for her to be patient for her turns with Daddy. And I know how to win her back, just pick up Teagan. There is a lot of competition between those two, but you can't have siblings without competition it won't be right.

Memo to self: I must remember to take photos are all those handmade presents. But here are a few of the rest things.

A baby present for a good friend who is due with a girl in about a month.


Teagan's turtle blanket, he is still learning to love it.


Abby Sue has a lady bug


Alex's dinosaur, and Teagan wants a green one
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I honestly could careless about the Super Bowl, but an exciting thing happened. Abby Sue sat up! Yes, I know she is very slow on the gross motor skills. Maybe she'll walk by the time she is 2. I'm hoping for crawling by 18 months. But she has the fine motor skills down faster than any other kid I've seen.

I just read a bunch of friend's blogs, and it made me miss them even more.... To all those out there. Hope you're well. Miss ya.

So I realize it has been a good long while, so I'm slowly going to update out photo gallery. At least up to the Christmas time. Abby Sue's folder is done! Now to get on with the rest (maybe another night it is getting late)...

Saturday was a snow day. Everyone had a blast shoveling and sledding. Even Abby Sue had a blast sledding and watching her brothers and dad sled.