Jan quilt block of the month

I'm so excited to be a part of this & while I've had them sewn for a couple of weeks I was waiting on the 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 cutting mat that I ordered. While these blocks are not perfect I'm thrilled with how they turned out. I've decided to make 2 quilts, one will be given to Levi and the other I will either keep or donate it.

Levi's car

We have always made the boys put their birthday money & Christmas money in the bank to save for a vechicle. Some family members thought we were terrible for doing that but Levi was so glad we did when he started looking for his first truck. He was so disappointed when he wrecked & totalled his truck that he bought with his own money.

He looked for 6 months to find something that he really liked without spending all the money he got from the insurance company. Until one of Michael's customer's ask him to work on their car & as they were talking Michael found out they really wanted to sale it. Levi was most excited when they told him how much because that meant he didn't have to use all the money he had lol He's such a little saver and even though he got more from the insurance that he had paid for his truck he still wanted to hold on to as much as he could. He bought it Sunday so Michael found time today to go get insurance & the tags transferred so Levi is excited to be able to drive it to school tomorrow :) I'm so happy to know that he's already learning how to use his money wisely and to always make sure that he keeps some in savings :)

Donation items ready

I've finally gotten a few items completed and got the pics took lol I certainly hope they are able to raise lots of money for this family because they really have had a hard time. I can't imagine losing a family member at such a young age.

Black & white afghan using the 5 1/2 hour pattern with 2 strands

Tutu Valentine wreath

Scarf

Crafty week

This has been one big bunch of craftiness week! I've managed to get the quilt block of the month sewn, all 4 of them, now I'm just waiting on the clear cutting mats to come in so I can cut them to size. I've gotten a tutu wreath made using red & white tulle trying to find something Valentiney to put in the center & I've started an afghan that is a pretty simple pattern. I've managed to put supper in the crockpot again this morning so that will be done when I get home, tonights menu is Taco Soup. Super good & super easy peasy :) I'm certainly hoping I'm able to stay productive this weekend so I can drop these things off early next week since they are being donated to a benefit. Hoping to add pics this weekend of all the projects.

Taco Soup
1 14.5 oz can of corn
1 reg can of corn & peppers
3 cans of pinto beans
1 can of kidney beans
1 can of rotel
1 taco seasoning pack
1 ranch dressing seasoning pack

Throw it all in the crockpot & serve with tortilla or fritos. I don't add meat to mine since I don't eat the meat but it will be served on the side since my family eats it. :)

Using the crockpot

I'm so excited that I don't have to cook supper tonight :) I was able to put this recipe in the crockpot this morning before I left to go to work. Tonight is just one of those nights that Levi will be going to church, Michael has a fire meeting so it's just Triston & me home tonight. They can all eat before walking out the door because no one will be home at the same time except for T & I. I won't be eating the chicken casserole but I can always find something to eat as long as everyone else is happy lol

Chicken Casserole
5-6 Chicken breast
10-12 pieces of Swiss cheese
1 pkg of Chicken stuffing mix
1 stick of butter
2 cans of cream of chicken

Place the chicken breast in the crockpot, place 2 slices of swiss cheese per chicken, add 2 cans of cream of chicken undialuted  (I used cream of mushroom because it's the first thing I found in the cabinet) melt stick of butter & mix the stuffing mix with it and pour on top. When I get home it will all be done :) I went ahead & sprayed the pot with a little Pam to keep anything from sticking. This can also be cooked in the oven for about an hour but the crockpot is much easier & quicker for our family.

Camoflouge car seat

I've had this car seat done for about 8 weeks now but finally putting the pics on here. Dominique & Bubby wanted a camo car seat for Bentley so, of course, I took on the task :) It really wasn't that hard to recover the Winnie the Pooh that Lizzie had and thankfully the inside of the top was green so I didn't have to do anything with it. It's something I would definitely do again if ask :)

They have had so many people ask them where they got this cover and Nikki always says my aunt :) makes me feel good to know that anytime she needs anything handmade or sewn she always calls me :) Her & Bubby both are constantly telling me how much they appreciate everything I do but honestly I don't feel like I help them out as much as they say "thank you"

Quilt block of the month

I've joined a great website this month which will give us instructions on creating a "quilt block of the month" this will give us enough blocks to make a lap quilt. This definitely isn't my first quilt by any means because both my grandmother's taught me how to sew & make quilts when I was around 8 although we always did everything by hand :) As an adult I've still always pieced them by hand and quilted them by hand but with this quilt I'm using the machine :)

Here is the site & it's free to sign up http://www.craftsy.com/class/The-Craftsy-Block-of-the-Month/50 I think I've actually talked a friend into working on it with me so we can be accountable for each other but surely to goodness we can find time to do a little sewing each month.

I'm a little excited to get started on them, I have everything cut out that I need & actually sewed one last weekend but then cut it incorrectly because I didn't have a clear 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 cutting mat. I plan on going this weekend to use one of my gc's from Christmas to get me one so I do plan on making the squares this weekend :)

Goals for the new year

I've never really created a New Year's resolutions because I've never known anyone to follow through with them for the entire year. I have this year decided that I'd like to spend more time crafting and less time on the computer. I spent the entire day yesterday sewing curtains for Bentley's room and mending some pants for the boys & a girl at work. Today I'm going to work on the quilt block of the month, I've decided instead of doing one block per month I'm going to make 3 blocks this way I will have enough to give each one of the boys one and possible one for us.
                                        Love making these so I made one for a special little girl :)

She loved it too!

This fabric & this netting turned into

These curtains for Bentley's room :) His mom & dad were thrilled how they turned out, I think he now has everything he needs for his camo room :)

Highlights of 2011

We had many blessings given to us in 2011 and are looking forward to what 2012 will hold. Michael's business has really taken a huge leap in 2011 & I will admit when he first started it I was really scared. I knew that he has what it takes to run a business but it was more of the stable paycheck I think that bothered me more than anything. He went to St. Louis, MO for a week for training on selling Schaffer Oil which was hard on us being apart for an entire week but oh how excited I was to see him :)

Levi was a Jr in high school & he got his driver's license the day he turned 16. It's so scary to see your child pull out of the driveway with his brother & no other adult in the vechicle. He's done well although he did have an accident & totalled his truck, thankfully no one was hurt. He's still looking for a vechicle but we were blessed for Michael to have an extra truck for him to drive. He also was on the cross country team and was the captain of the team which doesn't surprise us at all because he's always been a wonderful leader. He got his class ring and he loves it, so far he hasn't given it to Ali yet, but we figure that's coming.

Triston was a Freshman and did really well with the change going from jr high to high school. He was a quarterback on the football team and got to play in several games when we jumped ahead several points. He was also the quarterback on the JV game & they didn't loose a game. He loves to ride 4 wheelers with his buddies. He's always been a great about helping Michael at the shop & just has that knack for cars at 14 that most people never have. Michael says he trusts him doing anything with anyone's vechicle and as picky as Michael is that's really saying something.

Well I turned 40 and Michael has the most wonderful surprise trip planned for us. It was just the sweetest but I don't expect anything different from him because he's truly my soul mate. He & I took several motorbike trips some staying overnight & some just day rides. We certainly enjoyed taking a ride to the mountains, over into North Carolina where we spent the night and back to Pigeon Forge the following day. I hate to see our kids grow up but at the same time it's nice for just the two of us to be able to get out & enjoy each other without having to worry about a babysitter.

Michael & I celebrated our 20th anniversary :) While we have our ups & downs it's definitely been the best experience I could ever imagine. God truly gave me the best husband ever, he certainly knew what he was doing when he put us together. We say all the time that he's the peanut butter & I'm the jelly lol it makes the boys sick but hey I certainly pray that one day they are as in love with their wife's as Michael & I. I just can't imagine my life any different than it is right now & I'm very thankful to have Michael in my life :)

We recieved a wonderful great nephew Bentley Cash Andre, we loved him from the minute we saw him. We've certainly enjoyed having Lizzie every other weekend and now we will have Bentley to enjoy too. We are so blessed to have a wonderful relationship with Dominique & Bubby & we love the fact they are willing to share their kids with us.

There are many things that happened during 2011 but these are the ones that come to mind right now. There will be pics to follow, hopefully I will take the time this weekend to get them on here.