::Behind the Camera and What I've Been Up To::

Hi. 

How are you?

What have you been up to?

In between Tball, softball, swim team and being outdoors during the long-awaited springtime, I've managed to squeeze in some quiet time which I've needed desperately.  I'm being a little selfish these days.  

Like most moms, I've given so much of myself to my children and it's been to my detriment.  The constant care and nurturing of my three girls over the last 12 years has left me depleted and lost.   Now that they're older and in school for longer periods of time, I've forced myself to take better care of me.  This includes actually showering every day, putting on make up, long walks, a nap here or there, reading during the day and all those good things that feed my soul.  These are all such minor and little things that add up to a huge change in my state of mind.

Surprisingly, I don't feel guilty.  I don't feel guilty and I can't believe that.  I had to work at not feeling guilty that the house was a mess or that gourmet dinners weren't on the table at 6pm sharp.

But I've noticed a huge difference; I feel calm and peaceful and happy.  And for that, I am grateful.  

Because when the first one gets off the bus at 3pm until 9:30 at night when the last one falls asleep, I'm much more patient with the girls (and the husband) and not so exhausted and cranky at dinner/homework/bed time.    

During my quiet time I've been working on blocks for the Virtual Quilting Bee with Amy Smart @Diary of a Quilter.  What do you think?  Do you like this one?

I think it goes well with these.

 


I've been reading about one women's journey to from panic to peace.  I could use a little more peace and a lot less anxiety in my life and she shares some great ways to do that in her book.

Cuddling with the kiddos has been at the top of the list.  My oldest just turned twelve and I feel the years just speeding by.   I cringe when I think about a few short years from now when she will be out of the house.  One day I'm going to look back and be so happy that I cuddled with my girls instead of putting laundry away in drawers and keeping my kitchen crumb-free.

I've been chain piecing blocks for Bloom Bloom Pow Quilt-a-Long with Lee @ Freshly Pieced while this one keeps me company.

I've signed up for Sewing Summit 2013.  Cannot wait!

I've been learning to use a 60* triangle ruler to cut Bloom Bloom Pow triangles.  Trying to keep the ruler from moving around while I cut has been so hard.  I'm hoping my mistakes don't mess up my quilt in the end.

And I've been getting in front of the camera with my pumpkins.   When I first had Colleen, my oldest, I called her my little peanut.  I call each of my girls 'peanut' and also 'pumpkin'.  I think I picked this up from our mom.  I use the words like you would use "honey."  I'll say, "Come here pumpkin and let me brush your hair."  The other day, one of Maeve's friends heard me call her 'pumpkin' and roared with laughter that I "...called her a pumpkin!"  I'm now wondering if they are funny or odd terms of endearment.  Is it strange?  I don't know but I've used them forever and I'm pretty sure our mom used those words too.  They are affectionate and special to me but now that I think about it, it might seem pretty funny if I heard a mom call her child a 'squash' or an 'olive' or some other food product.  But that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Hope you had a great weekend.  Have a great Monday!

 

::Fabric Shopping::

I went fabric shopping with my ONE and ONLY local quilting friend, Maura!  It's my favorite thing to do, EVA!  We were literally giddy with excitement on the one hour drive there.  And giddy with sewing and quilt talk too.  The store is enormous and we spent 2 hours roaming the isles and filing our carts.  Fabulous.  Heaven, I tell ya!

full cart

As soon as we pull into the parking lot, my mind starts racing with ideas and in my head I'm thinking, "omgomgomgomgomgomgomg."  When we get inside, I usually elbow Maura out of the way, grab a cart and start yanking bolts of fabric off the shelves.

tone on tone chevron from Riley Blake

My heart literally races and I zip around aisles trying to catch my breath.  The announcer from Supermarket Sweep is in my head urging me on.






I lose sight of Maura for a long while as we are both off in our own worlds.  Tackling the store in our unique ways.  I start right inside the front door on the left with the precuts and zig zag the entire left side of the store.  Then I head to the sale section in the back on the right hand side of the store and work my way back to the front.  Maura starts in the sale section and is usually waiting for me by the registers.

Noteworthy by Sweetheart

Sometimes we pass each other and peek to see what the other has gathered.  Some oohing and aaahhhing occurs and 'oh, where'd you find that?'

Lucky Penny by Allison Glass

She's much more thoughtfull and deliberate and sticks with her list of what she needs for a particular project.  Sometimes she'll show me a fabric she loves ( like the ninjas) and then SHE PUTS IT BACK ON THE SHELF!!

How does she have such control??  Ack! If I love it, I have to have it.  Even if it just sits on my shelf.  (I am still thinking about those cute ninjas and wishing I'd bought them.)

Ahoy Matey by Michael Miller

After two hours of adrenaline pumping, we sit in her car eating lunch and thanking the Quilting Gods that not one school nurse called us to come pick up a sick child.

Don't Be Crabby by Laurie Wisborn

miscellaneous stash builders

stash builders

more stash

On the long ride home, we talk all about the projects we want to work on and how we wish we had more time to sew.

novelty prints that I couldn't live without

florals

And when she drops me off at home, it's all I can do to drag myself up the front steps with my bag of goodies.  I'm exhausted, but the second half of my day is about to start as the kids are getting off the bus.

my loot

And then we text one more time.

Thanks, Maura!

 

::Fabric Selection::

Here's the stack of fabrics I've pulled for the Virtual Quilting Bee.  I'm happy with all the color choices but I may have too many polka dots in there.  I'll have to see as I go and make sure I space them around.

This stack was used for my first Block 1.  Love, love, love it and really happy with how the block turned out.  This block was designed by Sherri at A Quilting Life.

This stack I pulled was centered around the top fabric~ Marmalade Floral Pink by Bonnie and Camille.
I love how it looks but ended up changing it for Block 2.  I will try to use it again in another block.

Here's Block 2.  The tutorial is by Sukie of Sukie Don't Ya Know and it's fairly simple.

And because I'm loving this Bee, I made a second version of Block 1.  I hope to make two of each block but we'll see how that goes.  Doesn't hurt to try!

 

::BlogLovin::

Hey All,

Since Google Reader is closing up shop we are joining BlogLovin if you want to follow us there!

 

Lessons From My Sisters

I had the pleasure of watching Flannery & Courtenay as mothers before I became one myself.  In fact, Colleen, the oldest cousin, was born when I was a freshman in college!  Needless to say, I have learned SO much from them...and I'm so thankful that they paved the way for me.  Let's be honest, I'd be a hot mess (in more ways than one) if it weren't for them.  ;)  Here are the top 5 lessons that I have learned about being a mother from my older & wiser sisters...


1.  Have fun.

Court is known for making holidays, birthdays & just random days FUN and festive.  She's notorious for being the one who feeds the babies their first taste of ice cream.  She'll start a dance party in her kitchen - singing at the top of her lungs, making her best impression of Taylor Swift.  She will let the kids play in the tub for hours, just because it makes them happy (and wrinkly!).   She will go all out for their birthdays - decorate the house, make their favorite meal, let them have second AND third servings of cake & stay up waaaay too late. :)  Court has fun with her kids - and it shows.  It rubs off on them & it creates the BEST memories.

(source)

2.  Pick your battles.

A certain cousin (who will remain nameless...) refuses to wear anything but bathing suits.  Disney bathing suits.  Minnie Mouse if possible.  If she had it her way, she would go to the grocery store, to school, to the park, to church, etc. in a bathing suit.  No shoes, no coat - just a bathing suit (P.S. They live in Chicago).  Flannery, obviously, sets boundaries with Ginger (ie, school), but most of the time she allows her to wear the bathing suits.  It's not hurting anyone, right?  Happy baby=Happy Mommy.  And if you think about it, there ARE bigger battles to fight, don't you think?!

3.  Make time for you & your significant other.

It is waaaay too easy to become consumed with work, the house, the kids...all while forgetting your relationship.   I never realized how quickly you can become disconnected from your partner.  Court & Andy have Sushi Friday (date night at home...catching up on their shows...with a cocktail or two).  It's the perfect ending to the long week & something for them both to look forward to.  Flann & Gar are great about getting a babysitter (and making space in their budget!) at least once a week for them to go out together.  It's a great way for them to reconnect with each other AND with their friends.

4.  Make time for yourself.

Being a mom is the hardest job on earth.  Hands down.  I tell my patients that coming to work is MUCH easier than being at home with the boys.  No joke!   I consider it my "me time" because I get to eat without interruptions, go to the bathroom without anyone joining me AND hang out with my friends!  ;)  Flannery knows that she has to exercise...not so much for her physical health, but for her mental health.  She knows, she is at her best (as a mom & a wife) when she has gone for a run or to the gym.  For Court, she needs her quiet "downtime" to sew, create (or check the celebrity gossip sites - shhh!) & re-charge.

5.  Ask for help.

This is the biggest lesson for me.   Several years ago, Court's family was unfortunately struck by the dreaded Norovirus.  Court called and Pops & I went up to help out, do laundry, & clean.   Granted, Pops and I were on the floor of our own very bathrooms a week later...but that's beside the point!  Over the past couple years, Flann's eldest has had several surgeries, which required a lot of traveling.  Not only that, but her family has had to move about a bajillion times in the last several years.  Without asking friends & family for a place to stay or for someone to watch the kids, none of it would have happened!   I'm now convinced (and sometimes need to be reminded!) that nobody, NOBODY can do it alone.  It's not a sign of weakness, nor does it make you any less of a mom, to ask for help. :)

(source)

Alright, there you have it.  I have a lot of friends who are becoming mothers soon.  I wanted to share things that I have learned from my sisters, who are both amazing moms.  I hope these lessons are as helpful for you as they have been for me!