Projects of late

Halloween activity at Hee-Haw Farm

So, I've been quite busy for the past month. First, we had Halloween. It was quite anti-climatic for Aspen, because it was raining that night... so all we did was go to our ward Trunk-Or-Treat, which basically consisted of everyone setting their candy bowls out on the tables in the middle of the gym floor (due to rain, it was moved inside. bleah.) and on the count of 3, telling all the kids to go get it. It was a mad zoo for about 5 minutes, then it was all over. Oh well, less candy to rot our teeth with.

So, the next weekend, mu Quilt Guild came up to Aspen Grove for the annual Retreat. Jim was such a sweet heart, and he came home as often as possible to watch the kids so that I could go over and sew with my quilting friends. It was so fun for me!! I completed several little projects, and finished part of a Christmas project (more to come on that later) for the kids. I loved being there with all that creative juice flowing! At the end of the week, Jim's family came up to Aspen Grove for a mini Family Reunion. We had our main reunion in July when Susan got married, so this was more of a retreat for those who live close. It was actually just the right amount of people to be in a Family Lodge, if you ask me. There were Brett & Angie and their 5 kids, Mom & Dad Dodds, Debbie, Kent (for part of the time), Carrie and Jacob & Elizabeth, and Craig & Emily & Hyrum. We had a great time together, and as always, the time went by way too quickly.

The next week, I left to go to Houston for 4 days with my sisters. Again, Jim earned major sweet heart points by taking ALL 3 KIDS for those 4 days, so that I could go and just have a good time with my sisters. We went to lend some moral support to my sister Kristy, who is having some struggles right now. As it turned out, all of my sisters are having struggles, and I sort of felt like the odd man out for a little while... although we have certainly had our share of repeated illnesses in our house. Poor little Madi, as you know from my previous post, just keeps getting ear infections over and over again, and the cold bug seems to never be able to leave our house. Knock on wood, we are all healthy for the time being and hope to remain so.

In addition to quilting, I have started a new hobby... Jewelry Making! Thanks to my wonderful Sis-in-law Angie. I find it to be very relaxing and therapeutic, similar to quilting but much easier to transport with me. So I've decided to include a few photos of my recent projects:



Block #2 in a Block-Of-The-Month Quilt-along that my friend is doing

Block #1 in th Quilt-Along. We get a new block to sew every 2 weeks, and at the end we have enough for a twin-size quilt (or larger, depending on how many borders we do. So fun!!)

An antique quilt top I tied for my Great Aunt. I didn't like it so much, until it was finished- now I think it is quite pretty!

An adorable quilt for my cousin Carla (the 2nd I have made of this kind, because they are super easy and SUPER cute!)

Jewelry set I made while in Houston. I made it by making the chain links between the beads. It was so much fun!! 2 of my sisters made matching bracelets in brown.

Close-up shot of a black necklace I made- and wear ALL the time!

Here's the black necklace with some matching earrings I made. Love it!

Close-up of the bracelet (and one earring...) I may just have to open an Etsy store!