Sophia's Bed Quilt: Crazy About You

I try to make each of the kids a bed size quilt either at their 3rd or 4th birthday.  Sophia's quilt was a long time coming!  The quilt top was assembled from blocks made by a quilting bee I was involved with while I was pregnant with and just after Sophia was born.  At the time, I put the top together, then put it away.  As her fourth birthday approached, I pulled this top out as it seemed to fit her crazy personality.
My favorite part of the front of the quilt is the piano key border.

I had big hopes and plans for the back, but because I was sick and tired with this pregnancy, they didn't happen.  Fortunately, I love the way the back looks!  The pink and the gray strips represent what Sophia calls herself sometimes: Mingo Elephant.
 

This is a closer view of Sophia's name.  I have put the kids names on the back of each of their quilts, and often it is my favorite part!

I have named the quilt, Crazy About You because the quilt top is crazy and Sophia is crazy, and I love this crazy girl that God has given to me!  Maybe soon I'll get a label on it!

First Building Project

We have been wanting a bench for our table for a while.  It would allow the kids to sit closer together at the table and keep us from needing to get a new table for a while longer.  Adrian sent some time a the beginning of his Christmas break, researching bench design, and talking with a friend who works with wood about what he would need to make a bench. (He uses any leftover vacation days around Christmas, so this year, he took about 2 weeks off from before Christmas until just after New Year's.)  After all the researching, he and Kyle bought all the supplies, cut, sanded, stained, and assembled the bench.  It took much more time than Adrian expected, but the end result is wonderful!

Inside a Sewing Machine

Have you ever seen the inside of a sewing machine?  It is really interesting!  Adrian took mine apart a couple of times in an attempt to fix it.  After two tries, he got it!  I am so thankful that he tried to fix it so I didn't have to replace it.

I love seeing all the components and trying to figure out how they work together in the machine!

The Start of Project 365

With a new camera, comes a new challenge!  I'm going to try a 365 project.  I hope to learn more about using all of my camera's settings, how to take better pictures of my children, and experimenting with perspective and composition.  I wouldn't mind learning editing tips, but I don't want to spend hours editing a lot of pictures.
To start, I am trying to follow a 30 Day Photo Challenge posted on Click it Up a Notch.

Day 1: Self Portrait

Day 2: Something you wear

Day 3: Clouds, but since it is rainy and overcast, there aren't really any clouds to be seen.  I took a couple pictures of Adrian and Kyle putting together a bench that they have been building while Adrian has been on an extended break.