Just to say hello

First of all, this picture is for Jane Ann. My mom made this dress for Amy to wear to my husband's niece's christening next weekend. She wanted to make a coordinating outfit for Sam, but she ran out of time. My niece is having her first communion at the same time, and my mom was making a gorgeous dress for my niece for that occasion. So Sam will wear one of many hand-me-downs that we have. There are certain advantages to having the two youngest grandchildren, and hand-me-downs are not the least of these.

I finished this quilt to give as a first communion present.

I am still thinking on the christening present. I decided against a quilt because both the mom and grandma quilt. I don't want to accidentally step on anyone's toes. However, I am going to do a small wall hanging inspired by Deborah.

And it looks like I need to clean my camera lens. I'll have to ask my sister to take another picture of that quilt because it is on its way to her house already.

I am a Hokie

I graduated from Virgina Tech 15 years ago this month. I spent a lot of time in Norris. I am very sad. And I am very mad.

I will be wearing my orange and maroon tomorrow for worldwide Orange and Maroon Effect Day.

I Passed!

I passed the teacher certification exam. Now I need to find a job...

Fun Shopping Day

I finally got to Fiber on a Whim and Nicholas Kniel today. And yes, Nicholas's shop is to die for. Ribbons, ribbons, everywhere. I had a hard time choosing. I cannot wait to go back when I have no kids with me. (Does that ever happen? Yes, but not very often.) Anyway, I got 6 different ribbons. My two year old has absconded with one of them. She is very into rainbows, and this one qualifies. So I have enough ribbon to make ten flowers to put on the Nursing Mom piece.

At Fiber on a Whim, I picked up this gorgeous piece of fabric. I don't know what I will do with it. I bought all that was left on the bolt. I have a sneaky suspicion that I bought a yard before. I'll have to look. I also got this thread to do some thread painting in Nursing Mom's hair. And this gorgeous bug to put on the piece somewhere, too.

But for now, I will get to work on the Trip Around the World. I hear Walter Reed needs quilts. So I will get this one done for them. And then maybe start another one...

Last Night at Fiber Art Fusion

Last evening, Fiber Art Fusion met at Fiber on a Whim. It was a blast. Nicholas Kniel was there. He has the most wonderful ribbon shop on the continent, I am told. I will find out later today. Anyway, he taught us to make gorgeous ribbon roses. He brought a ton of ribbons from which to choose, and we all made two roses. The one on the right was made with a plaid ribbon, which I just thought was crazy cool. Today, I am going to get some smaller ribbon and make some roses to go on my nursing mom piece. That way she can be sitting in a flower garden. He has a book that I am going to order so I can make some different flowers, too. It is back ordered right now, but I'll let you know what I think when I get it. I am also going to go to Fiber on a Whim to figure out a better way to do her hair. I think it needs to be more 3-dimensional.

Sharon Serrano Ahmed brought some of her wonderful pieces for show and tell last night. Sharon does the neatest 3-D felting things. I love her faces that she has been doing. I just love that she creates all the time. I can almost see the creativity flowing out of her. And she is so willing to share her knowledge and time with people. I really admire her.

Now, do you quilt a piece before you embellish it? Or do you quilt after you embellish? Or both? I quilted the heart before I embellished it. I did not put a back on it. I just quilted the top to the batting, and I am planning to add a back when the whole thing is done. I just thought it would look messy otherwise. My grandma and mom both taught me to have nice backs on my needlepoint and cross stitch pieces. So I am kind of in that frame of mind.

In other news, I did the Couch to 5k again this morning. I ran inside the house again. I don't even want to know how many laps around my first floor I do. I think I will have to invest in a treadmill after we replace the carpet. Otherwise I will wear out the carpet. My two year old walks with me for a good portion of the time. Sometimes I carry the baby during the walking parts. He thinks it is funny. Then he gets deposited in different area each time. Sometimes in the bouncy seat. Sometimes on his quilt. Sometimes in the excersaucer. (Thanks Rebecca!)

Dave threw me for another supper loop tonight. He agreed to meet someone after soccer practice. So salmon is on hold for another night. I think we will go with the Curry Chicken Salad tonight. It is from the In the Kitchen with Rosie cookbook by Oprah's former chef.

Nothing Exciting

I just realized how long it has been since I posted. I have not done anything on the quilt below, but hopefully will get back to it tomorrow. We were in Florida on Spring Break for a week. That was a lot of fun. I got to see my parents and hang out at their house. I still feel weird about visiting them in Florida instead of Columbia, Maryland, where I grew up. But, they are happy down there. They are healthier. And they have made a ton of friends. Not to mention, they pretty much have a revolving door for their old friends coming to visit. And even some really old (not in age, but from high school and college) friends have come to stay with them. But, I want to visit home sometime, too. Maybe next year for my 20th high school reunion. (Has it really been that long?!) Just another weight loss motivator.

I walked this morning. And Sunday. This morning, I did the couch to 5k program for 30 minutes. It is the same idea as when I started running in December. I hope I will keep it up this time. I had to do it inside this morning. While I own a double jogger stroller, I don't think the baby is quite big enough for it, yet.

And yesterday, I planned out a menu for the week and went shopping. Unfortunately, I mixed up which kid has soccer practice which day. It wouldn't be a problem except I have my Fiber Art Fusion meeting this evening, which means I will not be here to cook after everyone gets home from soccer practice. So now I am in a quandary for tonight. I really don't think Dave will be up to cooking salmon and asparagus when he gets home from coaching soccer for two hours while keeping up with our little people, too. I just figured it out. I will make tomorrow's macaroni and cheese casserole tonight. I will cook it, and turn off the oven when I leave. That way, it will stay warm in the oven. Everyone loves mac 'n' cheese, so Dave won't have any fights about food when they get home, either.

For the rest of the week we have:

• salmon, broccolini, and rice
• curry chicken salad, jalapeño cheddar cornbread, and asparagus
• corn chowder, cheese and crackers, salad, and maple baked beans (these were to go with the mac and cheese, but they need all day in the crock pot)
• low country boil with shrimp, corn, and potatoes
• fiesta quesadillas from Wolfgang Puck's kid cookbook

Hopefully I can stick to it. Oh, I just remembered, Saturday we have a late soccer game at the Northwest Y. That means, dinner at Five Guys. So I have an extra meal planned. YAHOO!