Baby Quilt #5

I've finished another baby quilt! This quilt is for my husband's cousin and his wife. I recently found out that another cousin and his wife are expecting as well, so I ordered fabric today for baby quilt #6. Their shower is in a couple of weeks so they're getting a whole cloth quilt. I might embroider something in the front right hand quarter, or I might not, I'll keep you posted.

I've also got ordered some cool fabric for an idea that's been brewing in my brain. At the moment I've got a million cool ideas in my brain though. I guess the trick now is to get those ideas out into the physical world.

Alaska!

Last month was crazy busy. I mentioned that in my last post though, I'm sure.

The project I thought would be complete by the end of the month wasn't completed - though I lay most of the blame for that at the feet of the person or people that were responsible for relaying to me that Development would not have a completed project until the 15th of June. So, tell me, how effectively was I using my time trying to document software that was, and still is, in limbo? OK - so I've got it 98% complete and am waiting for the final product to be rolled out so that I may update the work I've already done. Have I mentioned that I don't like wasting time? Oh, I have no problem sitting around taking my time, but I have a huge problem doing double work. I'm off my soapbox now.

We did close the old office at the end of the month and Bran and I are now both working from home. It's been a little bit of an adjustment. Though we both worked at home occasionally before we moved, being in the house everyday and having to physically move in our work computers, monitors, and files was a job. Not to mention the logistics of VPN, VOIP, having another phone line installed, and then having to deal with our phone and internet going down yesterday at the house.

So, here's the fun stuff. We loved Alaska. I would definitely recommend visiting Alaska if you have a chance. It was really beautiful. Bran and I took the trip with my parents and my brother. Bran, Brian, and I basically covered the trip for my parents...kind of an early Christmas gift for the next 5 years, a 40th anniversary present, and a thank you for everything you did for us growing up. I think the best part was how excited my mom was. Often, though I don't think intentionally, she just doesn't seem that excited about gifts - almost a "I wanted something better" feeling. Again, I don't think it's intentional, but a little deflating at times. But she was so excited about this trip - it made it all worth while. So, back to the trip. If you ever take a trip to Alaska and find yourself in Skagway be sure to take the White Pass Rail Road trip. It is so worth every dime. If you're interested, my photos of the trip are posted here.

Good Day!

Despite the fact that I couldn't sleep last night and got only 2 hours of sleep before the alarm woke me up in the morning for work, today was a really good day! I blame the lack of sleep on an over busy mind. I have a documentation project due, our office is moving, most of us are going to start working from home (my husband and me included), and we're going on a cruise to Alaska all within the next 4 weeks - so I have alot on my mind. Last night was one of those nights when you just lay there and the mind just keeps running. I even got up and did a couple of the things that were occupying my mind, doing that usually lets me relax and sleep, but not last night.

I finished a quilt that's been in the works for the last 10 years last night. That was a really good feeling. The quilt started as a gift for a friend. One of those friends that you feel compelled to do things for. I usually stay away from those kind of friends, but she was a friend that I made back when we were like 5. Anyways, I started the quilt and actually had it pieced and sandwiched 10 years ago. I wanted to free motion quilt it, but just never could get the hang of it, and it is a HUGE quilt. I was really frustrated because I'd buy quilting books or check quilting books out from the library and they'd all just complete a quilt by saying "now quilt it by machine or hand". Lots of instructions on blocks and binding but nothing on quilting. I was frustrated about it for 10 years. Finally I did some research on the internet, bought a darning foot, practiced a little, then took on the giant quilt from hell. It's now done but I'm no longer in touch with the original recipient. So this afternoon I called my mom and asked her if she wanted it. My lucky mom.

Today was also a good mail day! I got a copy of Antique Doll Collector, accessories for my new phone, and some fabric I ordered from A La Mode on Etsy. Check out this mail box booty!

And here's a little lagniappe...a peak at what I'm currently working on. My Mod Sampler Quilt, which is pieced and needs to be quilted and bound, a zig-zag baby quilt, and a diamond baby quilt. :)

Another Give Away!

Check out this fabulous artist's blog for another adorable giveaway! :D

As for me...I'm finishing the binding on a nine patch quilt that I pieced about 10 years ago. It's overly cutesy country and was originally pieced for a friend that whined that "no one has ever made me anything". lol. So I kinda don't like the quilt, but Bran does. I thought about giving it to his mom or my mom when it's finished - which should be tomorrow. But I shouldn't neglect my sweet husband's wishes to keep it for himself, however I just don't like the quilt. But, on the plus side, I'm finally finishing this quilt after all these years. That's part of my plan - finish some UFOs while finishing the new projects I'm starting as well. So far it's working. :)

Documentation

In case you didn't already know, my paying job is Software Documentation. Yes, I write those training manuals, user manuals, and help files for software. You know those amazingly boring things you should read when using new software? I once read that Amy Tan, one of my favorite authors, had written documentation for IBM. Based on that I think I'm in pretty good company, now I just have to write an amazing novel and have it made into a movie.

A co-worker of mine found this quote:
"Documentation is like sex; when it's good, it's very good, and when it's bad, it's better than nothing." -Dick Brandon, Author

I'm not sure if he's telling me my documentation is good or bad.

Check This Out!

About 6 months ago I purchased this great rag quilt from A La Mode Fabric on Etsy. I love it, Doxie loves it, my mother loves it, my mother-in-law loves it, and it looks great in my living room! Heather makes some fabulous quilts so check out her store. Or, check out her blog! She's having a fabric giveaway of some great hard to find Heather Ross fabrics. I must be crazy sending more people her way to sign up for this giveaway - because I SO want these for myself! lol.

I Took the Plunge!

So, I decided just to go ahead and put three of my baby quilts up for sale in my Etsy shop. If you're interested you can find them here. I'm excited - they've all been favorited at least once so far and I just finished putting one of them up half an hour ago! :D