Park City

We Spent last weekend in Park City, UT (think Sundance Film Festival). 

It's only an hour away, yet it feels like a whole new world. We invited our good friends, the Kartchner's and Alfie was in heaven. 

 Plus, I always love an adult to talk to. I mean let's be real here I talk to a toddler and a baby all day everyday and most husband's don't talk as much as we'd like them to, do they? (Love you, Honey!)

Before our friends arrived, we were sitting at the pool, and Alfie looked over at me from his lounge chair and said "Mom, Could you do this everyday?" 

It made me laugh, but also think.  I really don't want to do this everyday. I've been traveling so much this summer, and who could complain? but what I want right now is a good month in a row where I get to stay home, and be bored and complain to my husband about it, to which he won't respond enthusiastically enough (see paragraph above).

It seems I'm alway looking for greener grass, but once I get there, I'd like to go back. 

just a couple more months of craziness and then I can relax. Right?

Obsession

Have you seen this new technique? I'm officially OBSESSED! My Sister-in-law's Mother was describing to me how she made this sickeningly awesome bag. She has made huge baskets with this technique as well.  I want to marry this bag! 

I'm going to figure this out, and then I'll post a tutorial. 

Katy Perry Concert

WOW- doesn't really do it justice. I must admit, I like Katy's songs, but wondered if her live vocals would really stand up to her recordings.  I was blown away by her Mariah worthy runs. She was awesome live and as I expected gave a theatrical, colorful and of course, entertaining performance.

I would honestly travel to see her repeat on this tour.

Thanks to my great friend Leah, who just moved here from Austrailia for taking me!!

and look at the cute tote I picked up at the concert :)

Little Wallet

I've taught several of my Fabric Flowers class at Sew Obsessed and am going to continue because people are loving it, but I'm ready for something new, so here is a picture of my newest class.

Sewn from Valeri Well's "Little Wallet" Pattern and I couldn't just leave it plain, so I'll teach two flower techniques for those who want to embellish.

If you can't make the class, we have the pattern available here. (We Sold Out!! So Sorry!)

The best part, it's only $3 and is super easy to make, it's the perfect project to teach a beginning sewer. I don't need a new wallet, so I've been using it to tote around stork scissors and needles while traveling, they fit perfectly :)

Date Night: Foreigner and Journey Concert

My thoughtful husband knows that I love concerts and picked up some tickets to Journey and Foreigner.

Yes, He took out his headphones before we got there. He he he

It was a good thing too, because both bands were UNREAL live.

It's nice to hear some quality vocalists perform live.

There are too many singers that make me wonder how they got famous, you know?

Not these Guys,

Honestly, both bands had incredible lead singers (especially Journey) and musicians, none the less.

And If you love to people watch, this concert is like manna from heaven.

I'd definitely recommend it.

Passport Cover Tutorial

Cut two 6 in. by 12 in. pieces of fabric. 

with 1/4 in. seams, sew the rectangles right sides together leaving a small 3 in. opening in the bottom center.

Clip corners to eliminate bulk, careful not to cut stitching.

Turn cover right side out though the 3 inch opening.

Use a closed pair of scissors to push corners out from inside.

Press cover flat while tucking raw edges from the opening as you iron.

Top stitch 1/8 in. from edge around the entire rectangle.

Fold short ends in 2 in. on each side and press.

Top stitch around the outside of the entire cover again.

Leave insides of flaps open to insert your passport

Fold cover in half and press

Embellish as desired and insert passport

Now you have the cutest passport in the world, while you travel it :)

What I wore (and made) Wednesday: Perfectly Pleated Clutch

Do you all remember this clutch I was lusting after?

Well, I took Tanya's Class and made one of my own. I think it turned out pretty darn cute too. The pattern is from Amy Butler's Book. She's always got great looking bags, but calls for WAY TOO much fabric, so Tanya changed the requirements for this class. The main bag panel was made with only 1/2 yard of fabric, pleats and all!

I know, She's awesome. That's why I keep traveling down to Vegas for her classes!

if you live in the area, check out the class schedule here

Do you love these fabrics as much as I do? They are by Jay McCarrol, you may have seen him on Project Runway a few seasons back. He went on to apprentice under Kaffe Fassett and this is his new line. ME LOVE. 

You can find the fabrics I used here.

I absolutely love having a clutch to take on date night, I just throw my wallet and phone in it and voila, I'm off. No diapers or Wipes (though they'd easily fit)

I used this bag when we went to the NKOTBSB concert :) and also wore my new favorite article of clothing: knit pencil skirts! I bought one, but am planning on sewing a few.

They are so comfortable, cute and cool (as in not hot).

Top: J. Crew

Skirt: Target

Shades: Prada

Clutch: Made by me

Oh, and you're wondering who's GORGEOUS home I'm standing in?

 yeah, that's my sister's.

Here's a better shot. 

Belongs in a magazine, right? 

*sigh*

Linking Here and Here

Dangling Rope and Rainbow Bridge

On our most recent trip to Lake Powell we spent the week with my parents and most of my siblings families.   We haven't been down there together for 4 years and though some tried to resist, I made sure we kept our tradition of visiting Dangling Rope Marina and the amazing Rainbow Bridge.

We first stopped by the Marina to see the nasty fish :)

and eat some not-so-nasty ice cream compliments of my Dad

then, as tradition would have it we stopped on our way to Rainbow Bridge for a dip and found this awesome cave

Juju was pretty pooped by the time we actually made it to the arch, so Grandad kindly stayed back in the boat to watch her. After all, "he's seen it a million times" :)

Alfie and Steve got a head start on the little hike up 

Rainbow Bridge is the largest natural arch in the world, so it's kind of incredible

but not as incredible as spending  5 days making memories with family

(wish Juliette was in this one)

Passport Cover Tutorial

I've had a strong desire to travel the world lately.

In fact, I've convinced My mother to go to China with me. The Hubbie wasn't interested (what's wrong with him, right?). 

It's not until November, but I got a little over excited and made this passport cover.

I've created a tutorial you can follow over at Creating my Way to Success, where I was invited to guest post.  I'll also post the tutorial to my blog next week sometime, so watch for it.

Have a great weekend!

Happy Birthday Big Alfie

This is one of the only pictures I have of my Grandad, Probably due to the fact that he lives in Scotland.

This is Alfie , the original.

He had his 87th Birthday on Tuesday. If you met him you would NEVER believe it!

He really lives and I love that about him. He still goes out dancing once a week and the ladies line up and wait for their turn to dance with him (He's truly got skills). 

2 years ago when we went to visit he watched "Wee Alfie" for 4 hours and it didn't even phase him, though, his hair was a bit tossled when we arrived back from our adventures. 

My Grandad lived with us for 8 years when I was growing up. I am so grateful for that wonderful experience.  I am so glad he chose to leave his home in Scotland to come and let his grandchildren know him. It makes me feel special. I love him so much and should probably write something about how he's getting older and who knows how much time he has left, but I don't feel that way at all. With his energy, He could out live me :)

Happy Birthday Grandad!

30's Quilt Blocks

Remember my post about our annual quilt retreat?

This years quilt is 30's blocks. 

I make 6 for myself and 6 for my sisters and by next years retreat I will have a full quilt!  

 I'm finally getting started (4 months late)

and look at the amazingness I have to live up to...

If you have block ideas, do share.

Flash Back

Oh yes I did!

  My Sisters Lorna, Leah and I went to then New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys concert while I was in Vegas for the 4th.  

I'm not going to lie, It rocked my world.

When I was in Middle and High School I was a DIE HARD Backstreet fan, So I would have loved to have seen them alone, but I will admit that NKOTB still had moves and they proved it by doing the exact steps from their music videos in the 80's!  

I'm Serious, If you get the chance to see this concert, You must.

During the concert I kept wondering why I thought Joey McIntyre was so hot.  Then I found this picture of Steve from the summer we met!

Steve Hutchings 2002

Joey McIntyre 2002

That explains it :) he he he...

Pattern Review: Merry Go Round by Crazy Old Ladies

My Mother is back for another pattern review (she whips them out a lot faster than I do).

Here's the Pattern:

Here's her Finished Quilt:

I absolutely love it!  Don't you?  Here's what she had to say:

"This baby/throw size took 2 charm packs, and was a fun and easy method for the spiderweb pattern.  I think it would be darling in 30's inspired fabrics, too.  You'll have to give up the idea of perfect points on this quilt, as it is not really possible with this construction method.  I've never had a problem with that though :) and I like the slightly quirky look it gives the quilt.  I'd recommend it!"

Linking here

On the road

Today, the kiddos and I are traveling home from a business/pleasure trip to Vegas.  Do you hate traveling by car as much as I do? It's always fine on the way there, but the way back is nightmarish! You'd think my kids would sleep in the car  because of all they missed while away from their cozy beds, but no. That would be way too convenient.  Oh well, If they're not the happiest bunch, at least they're cute to look at :)

Distressed Coffee Table

I'm not sure if the Coffee Table or I was more distressed by the end of this ridiculous project.

  I started this table about 2 months ago and had a "fabulous idea" (ha!) about how to refinish it.  I thought I'd paint 3 different layers of different colors over the entire table, then (Here's where I get really smart) throw sand on top of each wet paint layer, so when I use my electric sander on the table it would pull up the sand particles and expose all the different colors. 

My first problem was that my last layer of paint was dark and for some reason REALLY thick. My sander was overheating and melting the paint into a big sticky mess! My head told me to Donate this hideous trash but my heart told me to figure something else out. This table was in my house all growing so there was some guilt associated with getting rid of it. 

I finally resorted to a paint remover.  After a couple hours of scraping and then sanding, but still leaving a little paint, it finally looked like this:

Hey, Not too bad, I actually kind of liked it.  The wood was just a little too "raw" for my taste. 

 So I added a stain by mixing 3 parts Floetrol to 1 part dark brown paint

 I brushed it on in small sections and used an old rag to wipe it off (always in the same direction)

then let it dry

I brushed on a satin polyurethane coating to the entire table for protection.  

The finished product was better then I expected, but looking back I would only have done the polyurethane and left out the stain.  The table is a little darker than I had wanted.  

 I then put it in my bedroom and felt a little spark of satisfaction, followed by Juliette falling backward and bashing her head on it.  

I'm starting to think this thing is cursed.

Linking Here

Happy Fourth!

Source: marthastewart.com

What are your plans today? 

BBQ with the family? Swimming at the pool? Watching the local fireworks? 

Not sure what the day has in store for us just yet, but I do have great news

In Celebration of Independence Day,  Shopsewobsessed.com is offering 15% off your entire purchase Today only! Just use coupon code "FIREWORK" at checkout.

Enjoy.

Celebrate

Alfie has started to understand the concept of age.

 He likes to check with me a few times a day "Mom, am I still 4?"  and "Are you turning 11?" 

It's really fun when your kids start to "get" birthday's. This was the first year for Alfie, and we couldn't let it pass with out a celebration.

We made cupcakes

 and opened tons of presents

and swam all day at the local pool

which has a Flowrider, that kept us thoroughly entertained

one of us had an afternoon snooze in the shade

and all of us had a really good time