28 years ago, on my 6th birthday – I got two of the most awesome presents a little girl like me could ever want. I got a two-story tree house with a deck that rivaled any other tree house in the city.. (or even the tri-state area!) and… I got a baby sister. I had begged and pleaded for a baby sister (not brother!) for about 2 years before my dreams came true. She was perfect.. and well – nearly still is …

Renee finally watched the new series of Dr. Who and is all caught up for the new episodes coming this summer. She had asked for a totebag and who am I to say no to her? So, here’s what she’s getting… a Doctor Who totebag (used an AWESOME drawing from Paul J Holden for the initial pattern.)

Complete with a flying tardis.

I know she’s going to absolutely love it! I made it out of navy twill, with gray ribbon as the handles. The embroidery floss is a silvery gray as well.

My sister – in – law’s birthday is in January. January 29th to be exact. Just like her Grandpa Young’s. And she has the most beautiful blue eyes (like my hubby and of course Grandpa Young’s ) as well. Last year I made her a totebag, and this year she requested another. Apparently she finds them pretty handy.

She likes Eeyore, so I stitched him up and attached him to a black denim totebag I made. I couldn’t post this earlier, because I wanted to make sure that she got it first – prior to posting.

The saying is a typical and cute Eeyore saying that says “One can’t complain.  I have my friends.  Someone spoke to me only yesterday.”  Too cute!

Current WIPS/Things coming up:

• Inchie Invasion – inchies I’ll receive from the swap.
• Quilt Kacie’s quilt top – FINALLY
• Make and Fill Purse Swap (due 3/1)
• Zig Zag Quilt for Someone Special (can’t tell who yet!)
• Mom’s BOM for February to stitch (for Christmas this coming year)
• And I’m queen bee this month at the MishMashStashBash Quilting Bee.
• I’ll be posting about Mikey’s Valentine’s present on Sunday and should have a post up from Renee for a family art project she did – and you can do too soon!

Take care and always Keep Kraftin’!
Kandra

I do hope that everyone of you had a great Valentine’s Day weekend.  We had a blast, as my sister and her family joined us to celebrate.  February 10th was our birthday (she was my 6th birthday present), so with that and Valentine’s day – it was great seeing and spending time with her.  While I was trying to finish her birthday present (that week without electricity totally ruined my schedule), she whipped up a batch of homemade yummy, doughy, soft pretzels for the loves our lives.  So without further ado – here are our loves..and the pretzels that lasted – oh let’s say a whole of 10 minutes out of the oven!

Our loves: Justin and Mike

Pretzels shaped and waiting to bake:

Pretzels baked and salted … and plated on the finest china:

 Renee received several gifts from Justin, one of which was a heart shaped rock he had found a long time ago.  He then took a dremel and etched Renee + Justin in it.  I wish I had a picture – it was awesome!  Mike gave me a new sewing machine.  I was so excited that I plugged her in and started finishing Renee’s quilt with it. 

It has a needle threader, it’s digital, it’s programmable – great for the geek in me – and its so much more quiet than my old one!

So with the new machine and time – I finished Renee’s Rag Quilt – at just about the time Justin fell asleep on the couch:)  Perfect time to put it to good use!

Doesn’t he look comfy!  The rag quilt turned out really soft.  It’s cotton on both sides, with flannel in the middle.  It would fit a twin sized bed too – so perfect for snuggling on the couch! 

On to the next project (or projects! LOL)

Children pick up our behavior so quickly, without us adults even really noticing until it’s pretty apparent that we have created our own little mini-me.  Sometimes it’s adorable and sometimes it’s annoying, at least in my opinion, but what amazing potential these children have!  I try my hardest to expose Katie to anything and everything she seems interested in, I don’t ever want to deprive her from expanding her mind or her creativity.  She came to me on Sunday about her dad’s birthday present and mentioned she wanted to make him something herself and mentioned something that he could take with him hunting.  I told her that if she wanted to make it then she would need to think of an idea and present that to me.  Katie decided the perfect gift would be a fleece camouflage neck pillow…and the sewing project began!

Katie drew out her own pattern and pinned the fabrics in place all by herself

Taking the time to smile for mom

All done with sewing and trimming, time to turn it right side out

As Katie calls it “filling the pillow with cotton candy”

Finally finished…must try it out!

Of course having a seven year old daughter you begin to expect lipstick on your truck windows when it’s your birthday =)

Justin  had a wonderful birthday – Katie and I were exhausted!

- Renee