I’m finally posting photos of the package Kim sent me forever ago. She sent me buttons, and oodles of fun new and vintage scraps,

beautiful Marimeko scraps (I’ve been eyeing the green and brown one for a long time),

and solids, of course!

Life has been eventful here, to say the least. We got back from our trip to Idaho in August and promptly rearranged all the bedrooms upstairs. We painted walls and furniture, put kids in new rooms, and moved my art room. Now I have the smallest room–but it has the best light all day long and we’ve solved all the furniture arrangement problems I had before. As soon as the upstairs was back together Barry’s parents came to visit.

Then, Lowes had a sale on carpet. I’ve had carpet in the dining area of my house and with kids and spilled juice, crusty yogurt, etc. etc. it’s been really getting to me. So, we put new wood floor in the dining area and new carpet in the other two rooms downstairs. And, of course, while the old carpet was torn up and furniture moved out of the way there had to be painting of walls, and painting of walls includes picking of colors and many, many, many trips to Lowes (luckily it is about a mile away). Anyway, we’ve had several weeks of absolute chaos, but I think we’re back in control. We’re still working on a computer desk, but I’ve decided on making the “hollow core door and Ikea tressle desk” from the latest issue of Blueprint magazine. The tressles are on their way, the door will just be another trip to Lowes. Then we’ll set it up in the dining area because I’m tired of having office mess in the front room.

Now, two more photos in parting. I had a chance to use a long arm quilting machine while in Boise. Is that cool or what?! Here’s a peak of what I did.

So, now the blog resurrection begins. I’ve missed you, internet. I’ve had a good breather. I’m still going to be cautious with my time, and after this I’m a little hesitant to post too much about my kids, but my artsy and crafty stuff needs somewhere to say hello!

I can’t remember how I stumbled on her awesome “bears and other silly things,” but I was totally smitten. I had just started making jointed bears and I spent A LOT of time studying the toys in her gallery.

Now she has revamped her website and it is a must see! Check out her studio and inspiration photos and ooh and awe over her crazy, charming, vintage, quirky asthetic.

Thanks, Jennifer, for the photos!

(This is a photo Brenna took at the local botanical garden earlier this summer.)

I have had a good break– a chance to step back and look at things, but life is so busy that it is just hard to have all your ducks in the right rows. I’ve missed blogging here and the wonderful community of artsy-crafty people it creates for me, so I’m not shutting down. I know that for sure.

There are so many things I need to catch up on! Kim and I had a great swap-a-roo. She sent me some fantabulous fabrics (will post photos this week). Marimeko and vintage stuff I only dream of finding because, well, I hate shopping– anywhere. I am so indecisive and ALWAYS have misgivings about spending money. I envy all you thrifters out there who find such beautiful things. I would be a stress case. Silly, I know.

And, another important catch up I need to play is with Blockswap. The first BIG charity quilt is TOTALLY done. Gina did a beautiful job quilting it and has even offered to give other blockswappers 20% off of quilting if you send your quilt to her. Just hop over to Quilter’s Buzz and check her out. Her little quilting business is called “The Quilted Pear.” Oops! It’s ‘The Threaded Pear.” Sorry Gina! It rained today and the light was horrible, but here’s a sneak peak.

Okay, and now a slide show from our very recent trip to Idaho where we went camping, did alot of swimming, went to the zoo, jumped on the trampoline, visited with family, and breathed in the fresh (not humid and sticky) Idaho air.

And one of these days I’ll remember how to center my photos. I’m a little rusty!

Not that I haven’t already started, but I’m going to take a break for who knows how long. Probably a few weels, maybe a month or so.

The break I need is mostly from looking at other blogs so I can focus on what I really need to do and make. I also need to recommit and get organized in my home and church responsibilities and re-find my balance.

So, have a fun summer!

xoxo,
Jess