Later{Ali}Gator
Posted on: July 14, 2011
- In: Uncategorized
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Check out my new blog at http://lateraligatorblog.blogspot.com/ since I won’t be blogging here anymore. Thanks!
Cool Pics By a Friend
Posted on: May 29, 2011
In a card I made for my Grandma.
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaM2rZozcMWLjg&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET
Spring Cleaning
Posted on: March 26, 2011
- In: Family | Home Decorating
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We’re doing a little Spring cleaning around our house, inspired by Simple Mom. Unfortunately I only found the blog a few days ago, so we’re getting into the project a little behind. We did manage to make some major headway on the playroom today though.
Before/During:
Sorry about how awful this pic is, I forgot to check the flash. But, you get the idea. 
And After:
Made a lot more room in there, by taking the slide outside for the summer (even though I had to the destroy the “club” to do it, and Owen will apparently be very mad at me). Threw out the makeshift coffee table. Bought a few boxes for those bottom shelves, and actually brought toys from the bedroom to put into them– SO SICK of the messy bedroom. Packed up toys for when Baby Arthur is ready to use them (lots of Little People) to make room for the “new” toys. Filled up the hotwheels organizer, then Lillian emptied them back out before I could take the pic.
Probably should’ve taken before and after pics of the bedroom too, but that would have required actually finishing the bedroom. With half a week for the whole project, and a 2-week-old, that was NOT happening.
I did find time to go through the kids clothes though. Packed up a whole box of L’s winter and outgrown stuff. B and Arthur only had a few things each, because I went through their stuff recently (and Arthur hasn’t been around long enough to grow out of too much stuff!). Didn’t make for very impressive before and afters though.
Looking forward to painting and redoing the floors in the playroom VERY SOON. Then we’ll have some more impressive after pics. 🙂
Welcome Baby Arthur!
Posted on: March 12, 2011
I’m very happy to announce the birth of my son, Arthur William, on March 9, 2011. He’s a beautiful, healthy, blond, 7 lb 11 oz and 20.2 in long baby. And we love him to pieces already. 🙂
Lillian’s Quilt
Posted on: March 8, 2011
- In: Crafts | Quilting
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Here’s Lillian enjoying her newly finished quilt in her crib daybed, which we’ll soon be replacing (since the baby needs the crib). 
I started this quilt long ago, but I had her in mind all along. When I discovered these fabrics I was not a big fan of quilting, because I thought quilts just weren’t my style. They’ve come a long way since then! And I’ve changed a little too. Here’s my original post.
So, I had the top pieced together, but I still had to make the back, machine quilt, and bind. The bad thing about finishing something you made a while ago, is that I know more now and would’ve done a better job putting the fabric together and piecing it more exactly. For one thing, I hate that I used the dark brown cheapo fabric on it in the upper right corner. I think that part looks horrible. BUT overall I’m happy with how it turned out. 
And I did make a way cooler back than I’d originally planned (plain brown). I just used materials I already had stocked up too. This back picture I took before I finished the quilt, so you can’t see the quilting.
I basically followed Amy’s instructions for machine quilting in straight lines and boxes, because I think it’s pretty cool. I didn’t follow her bad binding directions though. Decided on the super quick one-step machine-attached binding, and I’m happy with that.
I think L likes it pretty well too. 🙂
Pillow Monsters
Posted on: January 29, 2011
Simple Sewing for Baby has this really cute pattern for Pillow Monsters as I call them. I made up four of them for Christmas for my kids and their cousins. Got the idea for them from my friend Lori, who was making them for her kids after the went crazy for one she’d made as a baby gift. They were the perfect gift, since I already had all the supplies, and they went together fairly quickly.
I was also hoping that the monsters would stop all the talk about pillow pets from Brendan. That was shooting a little too high– the advertisers did their brainwashing job well. The kids do sleep with their new buddies though, and they make great backup pillows. 🙂
Meet Eva
Posted on: January 26, 2011
Named after Lillian watched Wall-E for the 20th time. It’s a good name though– one I actually considered for L herself. She’s from the Wee Wonderful book, which is SO adorable just like the blog.
She’s Little Miss Storybook in the book, which is a combo of Goldilocks and Little Red Ridinghood. Perfect for L, and well loved already. I did switch the face with another doll in the book though.
She’s made from two Alexander Henry fabrics, and the cape fabric is by Tanya Whelan (which I’d never heard of before). I found the fabrics at the newish store in Westport called Bon Bon Atelier (thanks to LivingSocial.com). 🙂
I’m looking forward to making more dolls now. Pretty satisfying work, even if it takes a while (especially when you hang stitch the hole thing). The only bad thing is that its kinda tempting to just sit her up on a shelf where she can’t get dirty and messed up. Maybe I’ll just have to make one for myself.
2010 in Review
Posted on: January 6, 2011
- In: Baking | Family | Friends
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Some things worth remembering/mentioning about 2010. In no particular order.
California– after wanting to go since I was probably 8 (when my Grandma started promising Disneyland), I finally went this summer. Even better: I met one of my best friends there for some girl time! First time west of Colorado!
I’ve tried out many new recipes this past year, but the one that stands out the most to me right now is the French Macaroons. Probably because it’s something you see pretty pictures of all the time, and I’ve wanted to make for a while. These were delicious! Too bad I didn’t get any pics of the actual ones I made. Borrowed this one from Martha. 🙂 As a side note– I’m now the proud owner of a signed copy of this year’s Holiday Cookie magazine thanks to my baby brother Taylor and his girlfriend Dana (who’s sister is Martha’s assistant!). These cookies are also a step forward in my quest to master the pastry (see my list of 100 things to do before I die).
Speaking of Baby Brother– he moved away to go to college in Macon, Georgia this past fall. It’s sad to have him so far away, and that he’s sort of an adult now! 🙂
In the sewing department I’ve feel like I’ve made some fairly good headway this year. Sewed many new things, including a few dresses for Lillian. One of which caused me to tackle (and conquer!) my fear of sewing with Satin. Now I’ll be all set for her prom dresses. lol. Hopefully I’ll have some better pics to share of this soon!
Find out that Toney baby #3 was on his way was definitely a big deal! We are eagerly awaiting his March 18 due date. I’m hoping I can make it that long. 🙂
We had a rather exciting Christmas present this year! My sweet new nephew, Jude!
Even though it didn’t change things much THIS year, it’s worth noting that my parents celebrated their 30th anniversary this year! Not many people married when they are 18 make it so long, and I know it hasn’t always been easy. What marriage is, really? Congrats to them, and thanks for all your hard work! 🙂
Our family has grown in more ways than one this year! In August we traveled to Wisconsin to see my brother, Nicholas, marry his beautiful wife, Staci. Glad to have another female (and sister) in the Campbell family. We need them. 🙂 She can also whip the guys butt in most games.
And on the Toney side we got a new brother when Chad’s sister Gretchen married her long-time boyfriend, Jeff. It’s nice to have another “kid” at all the family functions.
This year we’ve been getting used to having an actual Kindergartner among us. It was going a little better before we had to take a 3 week recess!
We started hard-core homeschooling this year, and I’m facing my fear of teaching Brendan how to read. It’s actually going fairly smoothly… especially compared to teaching him to write neatly!!
Well, that’s a very quick look at the last year, but now it’s time to start looking ahead! Next post, we’ll go for Goals for 2011!
Searching For Creativity 