A Day Outside, a Day Inside.

Yesterday Ingrid and I had the best day.  We went to the park and brought lots of snacks so we could stay for however long we wanted, we ate lunch outside, I even folded laundry outside while Ingrid was off in the trees in her own little world.  It was crisp and cool and sunny, totally fallish.

Then today we woke up to rain.  I'm not necessarily against going out in the rain, but it makes it way harder for me to get the motivation to do anything outside.  Luckily Brendan had it in his head that he was going to take the car in to get new brakes, and he was going to take Ingrid.  You can tell he doesn't have to run errands with her very often because he thinks of it as an adventure rather than a chore.  Bless him.

So, while they were out, I put on some music and started cutting up the new fat quarter bundle I got for half off at Joann's the other day.  I have always wanted to buy one but it was the first time I ever have.  I just love how they match up the colors and all the prints go together nicely.  I looked at the LOTUS BRICK PATH pattern on the Amy Butler site and made my own version.  It turned out really cute, and it's backed in pale green fleece so it's super comfy! 

I was going to make this for another pregnant friend but I got selfish.  I just couldn't stop looking at it, I loved it so much!!  So it's for Otis.  The first thing I have made for him.  I made Ingrid a quilt when I was pregnant for her, too, but I wasn't nearly as good at sewing as I am now, so it's kinda crappy.  Oh well, she's got other blankets I've made, and it's a nice keepsake for her.

I also watched the movie Babies today.  How cute!  It was really good, and Ingrid liked to watch it with me for awhile.  I'm very thankful I don't live in Nairobi, where they wipe their baby's poo on their bare knee and then rub it off with a corn cob...Anyway, both good days, one out and one in.

Retro Rockets Quilt

I had an order for a rocket blanket a couple weeks ago, so I bought extra fabric.  This fabric is so cute!  And I love that it has both girls and boys in space costumes so it can be for either gender.  Anyway, with some of the extra fabric I made this quilt over the past few days.

I just love how it turned out!  The corners all actually met up, which is something I struggle with.  I am no master quilter by any means!!  But each one comes out a little better than the last. 

Ingrid and I went to the fabric store yesterday armed with our 40% off coupons and an idea of getting something to back the quilt.  First thing I saw was chocolate brown minky dot fabric, which they never have in stock!  And it was on sale!  I died.  And then bought two yards of it.  However, I had ideas of a prequilted fabric for the back and was pleased to find a nice chocolate color in that.

So now I just have to send this off to the friend for whom it was intended, which is no easy task.  Even though I know I can whip one of these up for myself any old time I want to, I really love how this one turned out and it's going to be hard to pack it up and ship it away!  How selfish is that???  But I know my friend will love it, and her baby will get lots of use out of it.  And that's what's important, right?

Going for a Bike Ride

Once upon a time, a friend in Milwaukee gave us one of those bike carriers that go behind the bike.  Her mom had gotten it to carry her two Corgies around, haha!  But the dogs didn't like it and we were having a baby, so we got it.  Yay!  It sat in Brendan's parent's garage for two years, and we finally had them bring it when they came for Ingrid's birthday.  Brendan set it up and Ingrid was so excited to go for a ride!

We had to get her a helmet of course.  How cute is she?  She would wear this thing everywhere if we let her.  Which may not be such a bad idea, notice her cut lip?  She fell off the bed.  Twice.  And got a black eye to match the fat lip.  Sigh...that kid is so clumsy!

I foresee lots of daddy/daughter bike rides this summer, which leaves mama home alone enjoying time to herself.  Yay!

I finished my quilt yesterday!  It turned out so wonky but I'm choosing to see that as being unique and homemade.  If I wanted perfection I would've bought one from someone who knew what they were doing!

I used one of my new tags on it.  I love these!  I got them from this lady on etsy, if you ever think you need a nice sew on tag for any of your crafts, get some from her.  She'll help you design something if you don't see one you like, and they are super affordable. 

My Quilt

It's still not done.  I've been plucking away at it, and it's huge, so I should expect that it's going to take so long.  However, the whole point of making it was because it's hot and we have a down comforter.  Anyway, I got all the squares sewn together and have found it's still too small.  So I'm adding a border and then hopefully it will be big enough to cover both the man and I. 

And then hopefully I'll be able to just whip on the backing and be done with it!  Ingrid will enjoy it, as her favorite spot in the house lately is mama and daddy's bed.  Every morning (at 6am, no less) she runs from her bed into ours to read a big pile of books.  She demands we stack up at least ten books, and then will sit for ages, carefully paging through each one.  It's so funny to hear her read them to herself, I just love it!

Charlie and Lola Party!

We had Ingrid's party today.  It has been raining like mad and I was planning on being outside.  Luckily the rain let up and the sun came out, so we all got to enjoy the weather instead of cramming into our tiny living room.

Cupcakes were a huge hit.  The toppers are from this lady on etsy. 

The sandbox Gramma brought was a HUGE hit.

We got an awesome quilt from our friends Marti and Libby.

And we got to listen to the Picnic Pops that was going on across the street!  All day we got to listen to an orchestra playing.  It was a pretty good day.

My Singing Sensation

Ingrid is quite the singer. Here she is a couple weeks ago singing Happy Birthday to me, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I love how loud she is! So funny...


And yay to me, I got to 150 fans of Applesauce Crafts on Facebook overnight! I really appreciate all the support. I got an order for a custom felt book last night, so I will be busy all weekend getting that ready.

To those who are waiting on a pay it forward package from me, I am slowly but surely working on them and will ~hopefully~ be sending them out on Monday.

I'm also working on a quilt (because why only have one project going at one time, right??) that I'm pretty excited about. I had a basic idea and am kind of freehanding it, so we'll see how it turns out. One great thing is it used up a ton of my little scrappy pieces in my scrap box, the ones I'd been saving for just this occasion!

And on the potty front--yesterday had a couple misses and I ended up putting a diaper on Ingrid while we ran errands because she's not so good at going on public toilets quite yet. She will if no one else is around, but if someone is in the next stall, she is too curious!! But other than that, she's doing really well! I'm so happy it's going so easily. I suppose after all the sleep issues we've had with her, I deserve to have something go smoothly.

Still Sick.

Man, whatever cold Ingrid has just won't go away.  I thought she was getting better so we went last week to see our friends, and now they're sick.  Sorry, guys!  I didn't realize it was going to drag on this long!  Poor kid's nose is all red and raw from me trying to wipe it all the time. 

She was SO MUCH FUN today, if by fun you mean whiny and throwing temper tantrums.  All day long.  By the time Brendan came home I was exhuasted.  She just could not be happy with anything.  If she wanted a book and I tried to get it for her, she cried.  But then she'd ask for help.  But then when I'd help she'd throw herself down on the floor and scream.  I actually had to leave the room because I was laughing so hard at just how ridiculous she was being!  Such a drama queen!  My mom called today and said "Ha, paybacks are a bitch, aren't they?"  Whatever could she be talking about?  I'm sure I was never like that!

We have been keeping busy, though, even though we're at home and not feeling good.  Ingrid has been coloring and playing with her kitchen set, reading books and chasing the cats, and I have been posting lots of new items in my etsy shop.  I finished this quilt today, it turned out better than I'd expected.  I think the more I do the easier it gets, which is great since I have two more quilts cut out and fabric set aside for a couple more than that. 

Something that surprised me:  I actually enjoy not having the car!  Brendan is not driving his beat up old thing now that there is snow (and the battery is dead...) so we are sharing the Subaru.  He takes it to work most days, but if there's something I need it for, I take him to the bus station and then pick him up from work at 5pm.  It's been going really well, actually.  At first I couldn't imagine not having my car with me at all times but now I don't know what I ever needed it for all the time anyway. 

We had the car yesterday to run errands and I was realizing how much I hate having to drive everywhere with Ingrid, getting her in and out of the car and having to deal with her yelling for her dropped book or milk cup or whatever.  I love staying home and taking it easy.  We move slowly through our day, play and clean and bake and cook.  We saw a friend yesterday and she asked if I was feeling cooped up and I can honestly say no, I'm not.  Maybe it's because it's winter and I don't want to go out anywhere anyway, but I'm actually enjoying not having a car, not having the option of going anywhere.  It makes me focus on things to do around the house.  Like clean up crayon scribbles that appear on every wall, chair, dresser, and closet door.  Or doing the five loads of laundry that have piled up.  Or getting some sewing done.  It's nice.  It makes me happy. 

I will, however, enjoy it even more when Ingrid's nose stops snotting everywhere. 

Apple Quilt!

I just finished an apple quilt for my friend Katie.  She is due for her first, a little girly bean!, in April.  I am so excited and I really hope we are able to be back in Milwaukee around then so I can shower that kid with so much love and handmade goodies :)

Here it is:

I took so much care trying to match up seams and press them the right way and make everything look good.  I think the first few blocks I had to rip out EVERY single seam, as I'd made some stupid mistake.  And it was very unlike me to do that, usually I just say oh, well, and let it turn out wonky.  But I slowed myself down and it took me three whole days to finish, which again, is very unlike me.  I usually speed through.  It still is a bit wonky, but I think I've only made three baby quilts before, so I'm still learning.  Hopefully I'll get better...