Time to take a break...

Well, Blogland friends, I am taking a break from the blogging world.  School has taken over my life and I've come to the conclusion (with some help...) that some things need to be set aside while I work my way through.  Unfortunately, blogging happens to be one of them. :o(

I want to thank you all for stopping by, commenting, and giving me forever inspiration!  I will still be checking out the other blogs that I have often read.  I'm not sure when I'll be back, we'll just have to see where life takes me.  I have a feeling there may be a post or two while I'm on winter break between semesters, but not going to make any promises.

"I see my path, but I don't know where it leads.  Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it."

-- Rosalia de Castro --

Until next time, my dear friends!

Where has the time gone??

Hello all of my bloggy friends!  It has been a while, I know...I think of you often.  I just can't seem to keep up with everything.  I feel like I come on here often apologizing that I haven't posted much, but life has taken over.  And things have been very busy!  No worries, I do take time to stop and smell the roses tho!

So in life, wow, crazy busy!  And many changes going on, priorities, dreams, goals, all taking a bit of a turn (for the better I might add!).  I will say tho, there have been days that I'm wasn't so sure why I rushed to grow-up!

Okay, I'll try not to make this a text-heavy post, some pictures will be included :o)

First off, we've been taking care of our little kitty and had to put her down. :o(  She was a wonderful little kitty, but got very sick, and nothing we tried seemed to help.  We did all we could, but I still feel like I didn't do enough.  I guess that's the motherly instincts kicking in...  We miss her like crazy and will love her always, but I know she is in a much happier place with no meds and no more seizures!  We love you, Abbi!!

Second off, what a wonderful summer it has been {besides the factor above :o( }!  A bit warm, lots of storms, but also some great days by the pool, spending time with family and friends, and relaxing!

Now, I know some of you may be reading this thinking, "Hey now, summer isn't over just yet!  Don't wish it away!"  Well, I have two days of summer left, then another big adventure in life will be beginning!

School....that dreaded word...but I'm excited for it!  Going back, who knew...  Mom always reminds me that I swore up and down when I graduated college the first time that I would never go back.  Well, I'm eating my words, and learning once again: "Never say Never."

It seems like just yesterday the decision was made that I'm going back!  Then school didn't start for a couple months, then a few weeks, now here we are...two days!  What??  Where did the time go?  I have recently caught myself thinking, "what am I going to wear on my first day of school?"  Wait!  How old am I again??  I was even excited to buy my textbooks, what?!?

Oh well, I'm ready for this next part of my journey and am going to make the best of it!!

And don't you worry, friends, I still have time for sewing in amongst everything else.  My girls and I still get together every Tuesday at Mom's to sew!  That's right, the 3 Young Chicks & the Hot Hen are still at it!

Dani currently has two quilts she's working between {Mom and I say she's now a true quilter because she has more than one project going!}.

Katie has been working on a couple smaller projects (a bag, coasters, hot pads, etc.).

And I am finally working on Mom's retirement quilt!  I know, it was supposed to be a surprise...but I'm just not very good with surprises.  I get way too excited!

So there you have it in a nutshell {or a quick post}!  I will still be posting, but I can't make any promises as to how often.  Just know I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth, promise!

Have a fabulous day!

Always,

Life has taken over

Well, I know I haven't blogged in a couple weeks (don't worry Mom, I have a post today!!), but not much craftyness has gone on.  I mean, we are still getting together every Tuesday, but we're not quite done yet with our quilts, they have kind of been at the same point for the last few weeks, until this week!

Dani and Katie are both quilting their quilts, and I just about have my top all put together.  Mine is taking a bit longer, because {of course}, I decided to do a Disappearing 9-Patch/My own design.  I know they are all going to look great and can't wait until they are finished!

{Going to appologize for the photos...sometimes we just have way too much fun and forget to take them until the last minute!}

 Dani's Quilt all ready to have the quilting done. (Katie's is very similar, but without the border and a pink back rather than blue.)

My quilt all laid out, ready to sew the top together.

Besides these beautiful quilts, I haven't done much sewing at home.  I have been in the scrapbook mood and have been powerhousing on our scrapbooks lately!  Almost done with our wedding & 1st year scrapbooks, and started on our 2nd year one.  I can't believe how far behind I got.

Life other than quilting has been crazy!  Summer is finally here, I've been working out again like a mad-woman, I've been working to figure out what I want to do with my like now that I'm finally working thru losing my job, and Mom is retiring!  So there have been a few parties to go to for her so far with a couple more on the way.  I am soooooo incredibly happy for her!  And she absolutely deserves some time to do what she wants!!  She has by far earned it!

Phew!  So I'm back, can't guarantee I'll be posting every day {but at least once a week, hopefully more!}

I hope all of you out there in Blogland have a wonderful day!! {And remember, in all bad situations, there is always a silver-lining!!}


Always,

Before & After

Over at Alyssa's blog, she posted a photo before & after a little editing done by her Man.  Then she challenged us to go ahead and do the same with a photo of our own, so here it is!

Before

After

I love this photo!!   I took it on Mother's day of the gorgeous flowers that my brother sent to Mom!  They were so fragrant, and so big!

So let's see you do a little editing with one of your photos!

Always,

My day...

.....today has consisted of:

Studying for my big test tomorrow!!  (some of you may remember back in October when I took a big professional exam...well I only passed half of it  :o(  so I go back and take the other half, .....again....., tomorrow)

Business calls and chats with other consultants...  {I really don't know how I would ever survive without that phone...}

And a bit of sewing in between all of the other craziness!!

Ahh, my stress-reliever!

How has your day been??

Always,

Such a great night!!

What a great night it was last night!!  It totally made up for work, which I could have easily walked out and never come back {yes, it was that bad...}. 

I had my last snowboarding lesson and finally connected my turns!  No more going straight down the hill for this girl.  And good news, no big falls - no concussions - no doctor visits today!  It was quite a success!!  So many people were surprised I was heading back out only a week after my big fall, but why let it get me down, right?  Snowboarding is something I've always wanted to do, so one little concussion isn't going to stop me!  Oh, how happy and giddy I was when we left.

But then it was time to race home to watch some Olympics.  First, I must say....Way to go Lindsey Vonn!!  She got her start out at Buck Hill in MN, where I go snowboarding and had my lessons....maybe someday I'll be a big star :o)  Umm....doubt that, but I will be in my own mind!  It was absolutely crazy last night.  They had a showing of the Olympics, and the place was packed.  2 different news channels were there, and they even had to have parking attendants out in the lot because so many people came.  Crazy I tell ya!

Anywho...we got home just in time to see the Men's Halfpipe, and the awesome win by Shaun White!  Wow, that kid is amazing!  Not so sure I'll ever really get to the point of doing tricks in the Halfpipe and all, but if I do, he's one I would aspire to be like.  Haha, and Dani (Tuesday Night Sewing Date) and I were talking about him when we saw one of his interviews Tuesday night, we're both jealous that he has better hair than we do!  What?!?  A guy should never have better hair than a girl, it's just not right.  That said and done, he was still awesome in the Halfpipe.  It was the perfect end to a great night!

And now I'm ready to head out to the slopes again...I'm trying to get Hubby to go with me Saturday.  Knowing him, he wouldn't turn it down. 

Okay, sorry this didn't really have anything to do with sewing, but I'll be back at it tonight!

Have a wonderfully awesome day!

Always,
Katy

Day One of Break:

Been quite a productive day so far!  {I think this may be a post of mostly pictures}

Of course, I had to sleep in a bit, especially with a warm bed and cuddly kitty laying next to me.

Then I got up, had breakfast, and headed to the sewing studio to work on a few projects:

Flannel baby quilts

My Christmas quilt

And looked through a wonderful book that Mom gave me for Christmas, and made quite a list of all I want to make out of this book!

Then Hubby and I went out to the slopes for a bit!

Had some dinner, worked on my Christmas wreath.

And am now on my way upstairs to work on some batik hexies for a bit.

Hope you all had a wonderfully productive day as well!!

Always,

 

The Mother of All Updates!

So, my last big update was back in mid-October... let's start from there...

Well, the Hubby and I celebrated our first anniversary on Oct. 17th! We spent the night away, did some hiking and sightseeing with all of the beautiful fall colors, and had a delicious dinner! I can't believe we've already been married a year, but then again, we have really been together 8 years.



Speaking of wedding, Mom and I continue to work away on our wedding signature quilt. We didn't get it finished by the first anniversary (our goal), but we're getting there! We are in the process of sewing groups of 4 together with sashing, then will go ahead and sew all of the groups together. Here is everything all laid out before the sewing-fest began!



I have also been working away on my Christmas quilt!! I am so excited about this quilt, I just can't contain it! I found the adorable Christmas line "Hallmark Christmas" from Free Spirit at one of my favorite quilt shops around here. It's nothing traditional, and very whimsical- exactly what I was looking for! I'm doing the "4-Patch Flip" pattern again, and paired the holiday patterns with different subtle patterns/solids of all different colors. I have my blocks all made, and am now ready to lay it out and sew it all together!



And there have been a few Christmas presents that have begun. One is almost finished, can't show the other tho...they may be reading!



Let's see, what else...

Oh yes, our little kitty is keeping us very busy! I can't believe that we've already had her a month! There are days that she gives us quite a run for our money! But with just one look at her precious face, no matter what she's done, I just melt all over again!



And her coloring, I just can't get over how gorgeous she is! I know I'm a little biased ;o)

Work has been going alright, we've been a bit busy, things will be slowing down here though I have a feeling. And we've had a few more lay-offs, nobody in my department, thank god! So thankfully I have my quilting and crafting to go to!

I have soooo many projects to finish before the holidays also, but who doesn't, right?
* Christmas Quilt
* Stockings
* A few more Christmas gifts
* Advent calendar
* A couple wall hangings

Oh, and I am going to have a ton of baby quilts to make in the next few months!! It must be that time of year, or I'm just at the age now (weddings checked off the list, babies next on the list), but within the past two weeks one friend gave birth, I found out that 8 friends are pregnant, and a couple more are now "trying" (or at least not "not trying" as they put it). I just hope that doesn't mean more people are going to be asking when we're going to get pregnant. I can say, it won't be for a while! As my husband says, "we have too much traveling left to do before having a baby." Agreed, I like your thinking Sweetheart!

Well, I think that's a pretty good update of my life both in the crafting world and in the "real" world! I just have to leave you with one little thing. While I was typing this little update I heard this noise behind me. What do I turn around to see?? Someone found a new place to hang out! Oh Abbi, how cute are you?!?



Hugs & Giggles!

A Day of Lessons Learned

Today was full of learning and filling my head with more knowledge!

First off, I slept in, which I knew I would need with the weekend I have ahead of me. Got up, ate breakfast, then mom came over to teach me how to hem! I figure it's about time that I learn so I don't have to keep sending things to her house to have them done. I also sewed on a couple buttons, man am I getting all domestic! Needless to say, I was always the non-functional sewer, shall we call it. It was nice to do a little project today that was useful! (Not that quilting isn't useful! Who doesn't need to let a little creativity out and have another beautiful piece of work??)


Sewing the lace on before hand-sewing a hem.


And the first of many buttons.

We finished 2 skirts, a jacket, and a few buttons on a couple jackets.

After working on some hems, it was back to the books for the rest of the day. The big test is next weekend and I've been studying my tush off lately. That is what today and tomorrow consist of... Learning all about fabric types/uses, contract documents, mechanical/electrical/structural systems, sustainable design, codes (building, ADA), professional practices, and the list goes on! Also did some of my timed hand drafting practice tests. You know, drawing floor plans, furniture plans, making sure you have correct egress, lighting plans, power/data plans, millwork details, all that fun stuff.


My life as of late...and the reason I haven't had any fun quilty/crafty pictures or stories to share! But no worries, it will all be back to normal by this time next week!

And now back to it...

Hugs & Giggles

Hello Fall!

And welcome to all of your fall-ish goodness! I love your cool days, your stunning colors, and all the fun that is to come in the next few months! You are my favorite of the four seasons (just don't tell the others)!

There are always gorgeous colors when you are near!


We may not have a fireplace, but there is always warmth in our home!


And I don't get laughed at for having pumpkin pie, like I do all the rest of the times of the year (what can I say...I just love pumpkin pie)!!

Yep, even made some tonight :o)

Hugs & giggles,