... X-Ray Vision

Here's what you'd see if you had x-ray vision into my tummy.

Here's what you'd see if you didn't.


One version is decidedly much cuter in my opinion.
One version is becoming fairly difficult to cover in a modest fashion.

One version I stare at all day.
One version I touch all day.

Both versions make me exceedingly happy.
Hey, it's the south. Everyone's kinder to pregnant women. ;-)

... Flat Stanley's Big Adventures

Megan, my niece, read the book Flat Stanley this year in school. Stanley is a little boy who gets flattened. He's a bit sad about it at first, but then realizes he can be sent through the mail for some exciting times. So what do you know, Stanley got sent to us for a visit!

We had a ball taking him around town to see the sites. Day one: Colonial Williamsburg followed by The College of William and Mary.


Turns out the Stanley is a pretty popular dude. People were stopping me asking if Stanley was available for photos with them.

Day Two: Virginia Beach Oceanfront where we saw the Shamrock Marathon & King Neptune Statue.



Rounding it up: Downtown Norfolk for a visit to the Pagoda and USS Wisconsin.


We had such a great time with his visit and are hoping that next time Megan, Ashlynn, and their parents are flattened so they can visit too!

... Coming Home Dress

I though baby girl should have something special to wear for her arrival home. Not that she'll care at the time, but still.


I'm so pleased with how this turned out. I've never attempted to sew clothes before so I feel quite a sense of accomplishment.

The very next day I made another dress/top for a friends baby.


I think I'm going to like having a girl. :)

... McDonalds turns Smurf

At some point in time, the attic in our house was converted into a loft. It's a really neat space with lots of angles, window seats, benches, and exposed brick (the fireplace chimney juts up through the center of the room).

We've had a few roommates live up here, making one half their bedroom, and the other half their living area. It's really rather large as it extends the entire length of the house.


One of the roommates painted it yellow. As in sunshine yellow. Golden arches yellow. It was really bright. We weren't so into it.

Since I'll be moving my office up here to make room for the nursery downstairs, we figured a now was the time to paint it.


5 gallons of paint and 1 month later, we're done. I had no idea how much work it would be. It's a good thing I like it 'cause we're not painting it again. Ever. :)

We'll slowly be making additional repairs and adjustments to the room. Like new carpeting. I envision one day having all the furniture and accessories be black and white. But for now, I'm happy with the fresh coat of paint.

... The Halfway Point

While working in my office today (soon to be the nursery), I took a break to shoot some photobooth pics of my growing midsection.

Does it seem like I'm on the large side for 19.5 weeks? Man! :)

... A Blanket for Me and Mine

Once in a while, when a very special baby comes into this world, they will receive a baby blanket knitted by yours truly.

I use the softest yarn and double up so it's quite plush.

Here are a few that I've made:
Killian's
Avery and Tre's

This time, I made one for myself.

I hope (s)he likes it!

... Snow

Snow, snow, snow, snow!!

{You have to read that the way it's sung on White Christmas. Which, by the way, I happen to go to church with the son of one of The Clooney Sisters. You know... the gals that actually sang that song with Bing and Danny. But that's a story for another time.}


Yes folks, here in Norfolk, VA we actually experienced snow. These shots were taken one week ago from today. The local papers told tale of this being the biggest snow storm in 20 years. To be honest, it's the only REAL snow I've seen here in the 13 years I've lived here.


The funny thing is, today it's snowing again. Part of what weather men across the nation are calling "The Storm of the Century".

What's the world coming to I wonder?

But back to the snow.


Since we have no children, most of our entertainment centered around our dog, Sidney.

She faithfully allowed us to throw snowballs at her. {She tried to either eat them in the air, or fetch them depending on how far we threw.}


She also let us chase her.


But mainly, we just sat inside peering out the windows at this amazing sight.


What a novelty.

Snow.

... Mr. Owl

Shortly after I found out I was expecting, my minds eye started scrolling through all the cute baby & children's crafts I've seen over the years. I was eager to make something, yet frustrated that I didn't know the gender of our child so I could start stitching immediately.

I ended up settling on a little stuffed owl to satisfy my itchy stichy finger. I copied the idea from a picture I saw online, using various textured fabrics making it fun to feel... and drool on too I suppose. I think he turned out kinda cute!

... the not-so-new-anymore glasses

Remember this debacle? The one that forced me to get new prescription sunglasses. Well, it turns out that you have to get your prescription updated every 12 months. And your eyes don't like it when they have sunglasses in one prescription and glasses in another. So that whole dang dolphin incident.... it made me have to get TWO new pair of glasses. Ouch!


But here they are. A little subdued compared to my last ones.

... The Reason for My Absence

... Farmers Market, Hawaiian Style

Morning of day #1 and what do we do? We immediately ferret out a local farmers market. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't this! The place was packed out with all types of people, a large variety of inviting fragrances, and colorful & exotic fruits & plants.



Acting like kids in a candy store, we scooped up as many fresh goods as our little arms could hold. Creamy Avocado, Juicy Tomato, Hot Bread, Sweet Papaya...

One of our more adventurous eats was some coconut juice. When you cut open a coconut, there is a watery fluid in there (it's not the milk -- that's made by scraping and pressing the pulp). It was interesting, not coconut-y or sweet, just a fruity flavored water. We went back afterward to have it cracked open and scraped so we could eat the meats. What a versatile nut.

Ahhh.... a well stocked farmers market, the perfect way to start our vacation in paradise!

... Sew Many Projects

What does a group of modern-day crafty gals do when their handmade project list has grown to monstrous proportions? Why, they schedule a sewing get-a-way of course.

And when the lack of funds and shortage of free weekends threaten to squelch the thread and needle... they shorten it to a day and keep host it at one of their homes.

Or at least that's what Amy, Rebekah and I did.

Work hard we did, accomplish much we did not. I was amazed that given an entire day, working solidly from morning 'till night, I was only able to get 1 project done. One. But hey... I had loads of fun doing it. And at least I was able to get Elka's nursing cover mailed in enough time for her baby shower!

She chose the fabric... isn't it beautiful!


Not to be discouraged, I spent the rest of the week completing Joanna's bridal shower gift. It may look familiar since you've seen the other place mats I've made here, here and here. The good news is, I'm getting really good at making these. :)


I was super excited about this fabric. The dishes she registered for are cobalt blue which I think will contrast with the persimmon quite nicely.


And since Jo lives in Hawaii, the flowers add a nice touch too. Well, at least I think they do. If they don't, just don't tell me, ok?! :)


But wait, there's more!

I still had to create the perfect vacation bag. The bag that I'll wear all day, every day while touring Hawaii.

It had to be cute (No shortage of fab fabric to choose from! I chose these two by Anna Maria Horner.)


It had to be comfortable (it slings around my shoulder and hangs right at the perfect part of my hip.)
It had to be reinforced (since the camera is heavy and I'll be carrying it all day, I made wide shoulder straps and doubled up at the top where it sits on my shoulders.)


It had to be the right size for the vacation essentials.


It had to keep the camera safe (Amy suggested flannel interfacing for extra padding and it worked out perfectly. I also boxed the bottom of the bag so it's exactly the same size as the back of the camera.)


It must have a place for everything (I created the pocket sizes and locations based on exactly what I plan on having in each one. The iphone in the front for ease of reach. The wallet in the middle below the magnetic snap so it'd be handy for me, but not for an unwelcome hand.)


Jeff said this bag wasn't a necessity, but I think it was. It's the perfect vacation bag. I'm now officially ready to go! :)

... Kiptopeke

Just one 18 miles bridge away, the Eastern Shore's bekon could be ignored no longer. Jeff and I finally packed our camping gear and kayaks and headed up.


The sun decided to set while we were on the bridge. We came upon the pull off with just enough time to snap a self-portrait or two.


Despite my reservations about getting in the water with a tropical storm having just passed, we kayaked out to the concrete ships.


They were built during WWII and then sunk as breakwaters in the bay. Viewed up close, the atrophy and decay offered an alluring type of beauty.


Though the trip was cut short due yet another East Coast rain storm, we weren't disappointed at all. We'd managed to pack in lots of relaxation and fun and plan to head out there again soon.

... Sleeping Angels

This bundle of preciousness is welcome to slumber on my couch whenever she wants.

... Housewarming Gift

Somebody's getting something special in the mail.....

Have you guys been checking out Libby's adventures in the Alaskan Wilderness?

I thought this housewarming gift appropriate.

When I saw the fabric, I knew it was the one.


It's discovery channel meets Anthropologie.


I was considering making a video tutorial -- how to make Libby's Housewarming Gift in 85 simple 5 minute snatches of time. hehe.


But I finally got them done and they turned out so lovely. Much better than my first attempt at this project.

Can't wait to see pics of your new home girl. You have such exquisite taste. I know it's going to rock.