While on vacation..

After Grace's bunny birthday extravaganza, we escaped to Wisconsin.

Although, we didn't stay here.

This sweet little play cabin, which was made by my dad, belongs to Grace and her two cousins.  Daily tea parties were enjoyed here.

Part of what I love about going to Wisconsin is that I have access to the Queen of Quilts, who helps me figure out projects like how to make a child's apron, which I will happily show you how to make (tutorial to follow...eventually).

The Queen of Quilts also taught me the basics of crochet and I began a crocheted baby blanket using a tutorial from Modern Grace.

It must have looked like fun because Grace insisted on crocheting her own blanket.  Of course, her attention span only allowed her to make a tiny scarf for her Barbie.

And, I was able to visit my embroidered USA quilt, which is next on The Queen of Quilts' long arm, waiting to be quilted.

Some other projects from the weekend included, a simple, no sew(!) kite shaped hair bow holder I had pinned from Ruffles and Stuff over a year ago.

I finished another ABC sampler.  Though, to be fair, I only had 7 letters that needed to be completed.  

AND, I finally drew up another Matryoshka doll.  I've only just begun to embroider her, since we return from Wisconsin.

Of course the week was filled with more than just craft projects. 

We took daily boat rides, enjoying feeling the wind in our hair...er, I mean ears.

Proud moments were experienced as I happily watched my sweet little girl catching fish (8 in total), with her grandpa, using hot dogs as bait because she didn't want to hurt any worms.

And, I was reminded, that life truly is made of the little moments.

I'm back.

I'm back.

This past week, I felt very pensive.

Not only did I have the blogging blues...

I also had the first day of preschool blues. 

I took a much needed break from blogging...

 I enjoyed being quiet... 

 I enjoyed being present in the firsts of last week.

 Like Grace's first hair cut. 

And her first day of preschool.  Which she confidentially approached and immediately loved. 

Which I, on the other hand, did not feel as confident about.  I instead felt sad, watching the first in many milestones Grace would be experiencing without me.

So, I made myself some chocolate chip cookies.  The best chocolate chips cookies I have ever made.  And I, shamelessly, ate them for lunch 2 days in a row.

And, I made a few more trips to Goodwill, for some retail therapy.

I finally got around to planting a few succulents.

I also finished another Daisychain ABC Crewelwork Sampler.  If anyone is counting, this is the third one I have made. 

And, I contemplated the direction of my blog.

I had received my first unproductive comment on my facebook page, two weeks ago.  As a result, I questioned whether or not to continue blogging.

Where I wavered about what I would do, contemplating calling it quits, I received supportive and sweet emails encouraging me to continue. 

So, as my week off concluded, I realized...

I will continue to blog, while wearing heels...because it makes me happy.

V is for Veronica

Perhaps a cure for CADD {Crafter Attention Deficit Disorder} is a looming deadline on the horizon.

This weekend, we'll be meeting the newest member of our family, Veronica. So the pressure was on to finish the ABC Sampler I started in January.

Guess what, I did it!

I focused my attention, ignoring all the other crafts calling my name, trying to tempt me to stray from the craft at hand, and I finished.

To thwart off any temptation to keep this sweet sampler for myself, I personalized the V with the baby's name.

I guess this just gives me an excuse to make another one. After all, I actually completed a project so there is a craft void to fill!

Crafter A.D.D.

I have recently been {self} diagnosed with a very serious case of Crafter Attention Deficit Disorder (CADD). CADD is the inability to focus all of one's attention on the craft at hand. People who suffer from CADD will have several half finished projects going at any given time. These people may also find themselves distracted thinking of new projects to introduce into the mix EVEN THOUGH they certainly have enough to concentrate on with the incomplete projects needing their attention.

A typical weekend, for someone suffering from CADD would go something like this...

In efforts to progress on my United Scraps of America project, I began to sew down each state. The key word being began. I was able to applique Minnesota, Michigan and Lake Michigan on BUT in the process, we got news that, on my husband's side of the family, a new niece arrived in the family SO...

Instead of running out to buy a sweet baby gift, I decided to work on finishing the ABC Sampler {from Rosie Little Things} I started back in January to give to our newest niece. But with all that close up embroidery work, I needed a break SO...

Then I made one curtain. ONE. How many do I need, you might be asking yourself? Well, I actually need 2. TWO. But I ran out of black material, so I went to Jo-Ann Fabric to buy some additional material.

While at Jo-Ann Fabric, I checked out the red lined merchandise, which was an additional 50% off thanks to their Presidents Day Sale. For under $4 I got a yard and 4 inches {all that was left on the bolt} of fabric I knew would look amazing in my living room. I am now positive this fabric needs to cover one, maybe two, pillows. *Mental note, must find time to make new pillows.

If your weekend sounds something like this, you too may be suffering from CADD.

It's now becoming quite obvious, why at the end of the night, I find myself unable to quiet my mind and sleep...darn you CADD.

Let there be light

I have already been inspired by not one but two of my Christmas gifts.

This...

A compact 10 x 12 Porta Trace light box. Seriously, the possibilities for this beauty are endless.

And this...

{image via Rosie Little Things}

A sweet and detailed Daisychain ABC Sampler Pattern sold by Rosie Little Things.

I admired and pinned this sampler months ago on Pinterest. So, I wasted NO time getting started.

Of course, someone else was inspired by my Christmas gifts as well.

Light box by day, stage for Littlest Pet Shop guys by night. Who's to question how or where inspiration will strike.