love grows here

I sewed this little mushroom house years ago.  I had thought I wanted to do more to it, but never ended up picking it back up again.  Then a couple weeks ago Ginny wrote a post about making their small house work for them... and a few days later she wrote another post.  As most of you know, we are also a semi large family living in a relatively small house.  I am constantly trying to figure out how to make this space work best for our unconventional life.  Sometimes I see it as an adventure, a puzzle to be solved, and other times I am sure the only way we can continue to live here is to add on some outrageous addition that will double the size of our home.  Anyway, Ginny's posts and the comments from her many readers were a good reminder to me to be content here in the space God has given us and love these days when we are all so close.  Among the comments was the quote "Love grows best in a small house."  As soon as I read it I new I needed to stitch myself a reminder of this little quote.  I started to sketch a picture in my journal, and while I was drawing I remembered this applique mushroom project I had never completed.  It took me about 2 hours to stitch the words.  I wrapped my hoop in some scraps of fabric and my little mushroom house is finally done!

briar rose quilt

I've been working on my quilt when ever I find a few moments. 

One strip at a time... I'm a little more than half way done!  I can't wait to see it all finished!  It is so bright and cheery, just what I need on these cold, gray winter days!

valentines

When I saw these printables I thought they were a perfect non- "be mine" valentines for the kids to pass out... I never considered that my 12 year old might be a bit embarrassed to give them to the kids (especially the boys) in her class.  I guess I can see that now...

I found the orange slices and these cellophane bags at Walmart.  These were the easiest "homemade" valentines I've ever done.  I will definitely go this route again.  There are so many great printable valentine ideas on the web!

In the end I was just a few bags short for all 6 classes so I let Regan pass out these instead.   She thanked me profusely :)

found this picture in iPhoto today

just had to share it :)

WIP

I've cut all the squares and started sewing rows together for a Briar Rose quilt for Addie's bed.  I LOVE this fabric!  The pattern is a modified version of the free rainbow quilt - smaller squares, a couple more fabrics, and more rows to make it twin size.  So far I am really loving how it is coming together!  I will try and post more pictures as I go along.

P.S. I just realized that somehow my last 3 posts (Friday, Saturday, and This one) didn't post as scheduled but were still marked as drafts!  Anyway, they are up now and backdated.  Guess I need to be sure to check in the mornings to make sure my posts are actually on the blog! 

more snow day fun :)