artsy-crafty babe

another birthday, father's day, bubble shooters, and a hammock swing

We're in full on summer mode around here.  The kids have been out of school since the end of May, so we're deep in it. Personally, I'm enjoying the freedom - no baseball, no soccer, no dance!!!  Well, Lily has dance team practice, but that's during the day, so it doesn't interfere with our afternoons.

Despite our new found freedom, last weekend was busy! We had a 10th birthday and Father's Day. Whew!!! We celebrated both at home, which is fine by me.

When we're not celebrating, we're mostly just hanging out.

Bubbles are always a favorite, especially when they're battery powered.

And a special surprise arrived today - a hammock swing!!  I only ordered one, to make sure that we like it, which we do, so I'll be ordering another ASAP.

Backyard living...love.

pinwheel mini

Last fall I stumbled across a beautiful old handmade quilt at an antiques store.  I wanted to bring it home, but it wasn’t in my budget.  I did think to snap a quick photo. That quilt never left my mind.

Since then I’ve done some quick searches to try to figure out the pattern, but I never really found anything. Honestly, I didn’t look all that hard.  Do you know what it is?  I assume it is some sort of pinwheel variation.  I found something similar, but it wasn’t quite the same.

One day it dawned on me to reproduce it.  So I did, in mini version.  Have I mentioned I’m obsessed with mini quilts at the moment?

I didn’t hand piece my blocks like the original, but I did hand sew the rest.  The hand quilting is my favorite part. This is why I’m in love with mini quilts. Hand quilting a mini - yes. A full size quilt, uh, I’m not quite on board with that just yet, but I’ve jumped into crazier waters ;-)

 

13

Over Memorial Day weekend the oldest turned 13. We’re officially in the teenage years! It doesn’t seem possible to have been a parent long enough to have a teen, but there it is.  

She told me not to get too mushy because she didn’t want to cry, so I won’t. But I would like to say that her Dad and I couldn’t be more proud of her. We are beyond blessed to be her parents. She amazes us every day with her accomplishments.  

Achievements aside, we are more proud of the person she is turning out to be. When someone recently commented to me about how they could see the love she has for her younger siblings in how she looks after them, I thought my heart would burst out of my chest!  She’s that kind of girl. Funny, smart, caring, beautiful - she’s got it all.

Happy Birthday Lily! We love you more than you'll ever know!!

yes, my kids are nuts!! please excuse the heaping dose of cheese in the above photos ;-)