Getting Closer...

I finished the 2nd coming home outfit for the girls.  It is the same patterned fabric, just in a different color scheme.

I have also made them headbands to go with each of their outfits.
I can't believe that I really have everything done that I wanted to get accomplished before they arrived.  I am feeling prepared...that is, until they get here.
On the other hand, there is someone else who is not so thrilled about the addition to the family:

Cricket is having a really hard time believing that this whole thing isn't about her.  Every time I open the door to the nursery, she jumps in the recliner.  Overall, I think the doggies will do just fine with the twins.  They will have plenty of time to get used to the strange new bundles causing all the noise before the girls are mobile and can start terrorizing our four-legged family members.

Errands to run today!

Happy Tuesday!

Two By Two

Two by two, the animals are showing up in the nursery - well, at least the giraffes are here!  These little creations were sewn by one of my aunts for the girls.  I can't imagine the time that it took to make these little critters.  I can hardly sew a flat piece of fabric to a sheet!

The appliqued circles are the same fabrics from the quilt that my mom made for the twins.

My aunt commented on how she thought the giraffes were a little cross-eyed because the eyes were put on before the head was stuffed - but I love them just the same.  They are adorable.

One has a blue/green tail and mane made from embroidery floss and the other has a pink tail and mane.

Lots of work went into these...now, when will the twins arrive?!?!?!?
Happy Saturday!

33+ weeks...I think I can, I think I can!

I'm counting down the days until I hit 35 weeks...and that date is 10.11.12.  By then, the girls should be
about five pounds and I'm crossing my fingers that their lungs will be developed enough so that they don't have to spend much time (if any) in the NICU.  All of this reminds me of when my brother was born...I was only 6, so I really don't remember much detail about that time, but he was also born at 35 weeks.  And, he's pretty normal - from what I can tell, anyway!
I know it's best for the girls if I can hold out as long as possible, so I have been busying myself with small projects that help the days to pass.  This morning, I packed the my hospital bag.  Although, it's tough to plan what to pack because there are still plenty of things that are "unknown".
Things that still need to get done include putting together the 2nd bouncey seat and installing the carseats.
I have also been obsessing over newborn photos and what the girls will wear in their hospital photos.  This morning, I tried my hand at creating a onesie gown for the "going home" outfit.  Early on, I thought the idea of a special outfit for the day we bring the girls home was absolutely ridiculous.  I mean, really...who will see what they are wearing under the swaddling of the blankets they will inevitably be wrapped in?  However, it seems I've succumbed to the new mommy sickness of not being able to resist every cute baby item I lay my eyes on.  Pinterest and Etsy are not helping this.
So, I followed this super easy tutorial on the Banana Bear Blog and in a little more than an hour, I had this:

The tutorial is easy to follow if you have some basic sewing skills.  You hardly need more than a half yard of fabric, so it's a pretty inexpensive project compared to what you would pay for it already done.  I made a few changes to the project...I decided to skip the ribbon on the waist because I wasn't sure how it would look after it went through the wash.  The instructions also say to cut the onesie off where you sew the fabric on, but I decided to keep it intact.
And, the Amy Butler fabric obsession also continues...

Happy Monday!

With Love, From Grandma (& Amy Butler)

Two weekends ago, I had another shower to celebrate the upcoming arrival of the girls.  There were about 30 people who attended the shower and I am still humbled by the generosity of all of our family and friends - especially in these hard economic times.
Of course, every new mom begins to realize that the necessities are just as important as the nice-ities.  Especially with two, if the buying guide says you will need 8-4oz bottles, that means 16 at the least (I'm factoring in that with two new babies, there will be little time to wash, so extras may be needed!)
But, then there are gifts that are given that have nothing to do with need, although they MAY serve a purpose.  They are a reflection of the love that is already waiting for the twins.  My mom spent many, many, many hours at the pedal of her sewing machine, working on this "project" - that's what she affectionately called it.

All the fabrics are designed by Amy Butler.  And, it was all hand cut, laid out, pieced, sew and even hand-quilted.

This is a closeup of one of the 9 squares that make the quilt.  Every single one is different.

We have pretty much everything that we need for the arrival of the twins.  And, I keep telling myself that the stores will be open after they get here - so if there's something we've missed, we can certainly go get it!
Yesterday, I did some final work on the nursery including putting up the monitors and making the pom-pom mobile - or what resembles a mobile.

The pom-poms are super easy to make and there are lots of tutorials online to follow.  I used the Command hooks by 3M for a removable way to affix them to the ceiling.  What you can't see is the mess of fishing line that is holding them all together.  Another thing to check off my list...which is a good thing, because I am pretty much immobile right now and have a feeling it won't be long until those little ones make their debut.
Happy weekend!

Bloom, Blossom, Become

Things have been blooming all over the place. One of my co-workers got a new position. So, I made her this little trinket wishing her well in her new journey:

And, because she is leaving PS, I received a promotion!

And, just a side note, I'll be going "under the knife" today...wish me a good recovery.

TGIF...

A Bouquet That Lasts

I'm making a trip to visit someone in the hospital today and can't make that visit without the quintessential bouquet of flowers. I crafted these by putting together one of Paper Source's magnolia kits.

Aren't they great? No water needed! I decorated an antique glass bottle that I had in my stash and covered the outside of it with a Paper Source fine paper.

The tag is from one of the letterpress tag collections, also from my new favorite paper vendor, Paper Source.

The colors are so rich! I love the scalloped edges. Hopefully, it will bring lots of cheer!

Have a great day!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

My last holiday craft for the season was finished yesterday.

I filled some antique bottles with paper shred, tinsel and mica flakes.

I bought the vintage Santa graphics on Etsy and I printed them out on cardstock. Then I embellished them with MS glitter and stickles.

I thought they would make the perfect holiday trinket for a windowsill or shelf.

Wishing you all a Merry Little Christmas!

2010 Ornament - DONE!

Today, I'm feeling Jovial:

—Synonyms
1. merry, jolly, convivial, gay, joyful, mirthful. Jovial, jocose,jocular, jocund agree in referring to someone who is in a goodhumor. Jovial suggests a hearty, joyous humor: a jovial person.Jocose refers to that which causes laughter; it suggests someonewho is playful and given to jesting: with jocose and comical airs.Jocular means humorous, facetious, mirthful, and waggish: jocularenough to keep up the spirits of all around him. Jocund, now aliterary word, suggests a cheerful, light-hearted, and sprightlygaiety: glad and jocund company.

The reason for this "light-hearted" mood is that my 2010 Christmas ornaments are officially DONE! But, let's not get ahead of ourselves here...

My first holiday card is also done, and I've used some paper from Basic Grey's "Jovial" collection. It's not Christmas-y in the "traditional" sense, but it makes me feel like winter...

I even decorated the inside:

And, lyrics from a Christmas carol is the icing on the cutout...

Without further ado, a close-up of this year's ornament:

Actually, it's big enough to use as a holiday decoration:

But, fits perfectly on the tree. I used a variety of different papers:

The basket shape is cut from the Tags, Bags, Boxes & More Cricut cartridge:

And I used Christmas carol sheet shred and old fashioned tinsel to fill the basket:

I can't wait to give these to all my friends and family!

Happy Thursday!