My first "real" sewing project

I finally did it! I used my new sewing machine to create my very own project. Yep, I did it all by myself. I only broke one machine needle and didn't have to use the seam ripper too many times. I consider that a roaring success.





I was definitely inspired by Sarah and by the really cool Vera Bradley bags that I've seen. I also got some helpful assembly instructions which I adapted a bit to my liking.


Many more to come! I already bought material to make Emily a bag of her own! I do have a tendency to get on kicks of the same project (I haven't been posting all of the perforated paper ornaments that I've been cranking out) ...

House Updates

We've been busy bees for the past two months ... here's our house with lots of projects behind us! Paint on all the walls, a few new light fixtures, lots of new furniture, a stained deck, pictures on the walls and more!

The kitchen (a bit fuzzy, but you get the idea) ... Another shot of the kitchen - Matt had the good idea to put my cross stitch "Welcome" up here ..

The hall to the front door with our china cabinets

The living room - note Matt's giant TV - a recent present to himself :) The breakfast room - I think I might make two more stained glass pieces to go with the one I made in my beginner class. I like the way it looks in the transom window. My craft room! It's messy -- just the way it should be! I have so many projects to work on!
Guest room #1

Guest bath #1
Matt's office (he's still shopping for that new desk ...)

Guest room #2
Guest bath #2
The laundry room!

The backyard (just after our housewarming party)

My latest project -- two container gardens! I love them! I have a third ready to go.

I still need to put up some photos of the dining room, the master bed and bath and maybe my awesome pantry, but they are all too messy at the moment!

My little sister got hitched!

Emily and Steve Prichard were married on April 12, 2008 -- Emily's 27th birthday! It was a great party and so fun to see my little sis so happy.

Artisan Cakes did the cake -- it was beautiful and yummy! White cake with fresh strawberries ...
Here's the Kennedy (and then some!) family ... so fun to have everyone together.

I feel quite glamorous in this photo, and thought I'd throw it in. Hey, it's my blog! :)

Cutest pup ever

I met the cutest pup ever at Bradley's Frame Shop when I was getting Emily's wedding present done. They did a marvelous job -- I'll put up photos when I get a chance.

Casey is a 9 year old soft-coated wheaten terrier mix ...

We Did It!

We finally sold our house! It's amazing, but true ...

Our new place is wonderful (and so big!) - and of course, we have a million projects that we are trying to get started on! From having the whole house painted, putting knobs on all the cabinets, putting up some "wainscoting" in the dining room, switching out light fixtures, sealing the new deck, etc., etc. .. it's so fun to have things to do again!

Here's a few photos of the place from the listing and our initial walk through - once we get some of the aforementioned projects done, I'll put up some new ones.

A collage ... for my someday craft room?

I was inspired by photos in a magazine to put together a collage of similar photos or art with coordinating frames ... I thought I would start a new wish list! (I love wish lists ...). I already have two of the pieces ("Played Out" and "The Inconsolable" from earlier posts). I would also like to include a black and white picture of Fergie. Here are a few potential additions ...

"Fitz"

"The Explorer's Club"

"Scruffy""Dog's Life III""Master Bedroom"

Post Script -- I have a wonderful collage in my room now -- a black and white of Fergie that Emily gave me, "The Inconsolable" and "Played Out". I guess I have a thing for scruffy looking terrier mixes. Wonder where that came from ...

More From the Factory ...

So I went a little crazy over the past couple months and started cranking out projects ...

I finally finished my amazing miniature Van Gogh Fourteen Sunflowers -- I just love it! It is so tiny (less than 2" tall)! It is now my second favorite thing I've made after the tiny pillows. Thank you artecy!

Here's a close up of the stitching:
And I finished Matt's stocking -- it was an adventure in cross stitch and machine stitching to complete it!

I made another "Nutcrack" stocking for Melissa Heselmeyer's baby, Evan.
And then I discovered a new obsession ... Mill Hill Bead Ornament Kits!!!! These are the four that are totally finished. I gave one to Aunt Linda and one to Julie Stober for Christmas this year.


I have so many more of them to do! It might be "Mill Hill Christmas" next year ...