John Deere Baby Quilt... Pieced

I have absolutely loved this project, up until this week.  I finished piecing the center last week, and this week I started my borders, I started with a thick green border, then a thin yellow, then a white, and was about to continue when I realized I hated it.

So!  I tore off the borders, rearranged colors, started with the thick green border again, wait... I hated that already.

So! I tore off the borders... again, then rearranged the colors, realized I hated the yellow I picked.

So! I went to the fabric store and picked a new yellow, rearranged the colors and put the borders on as you see them here, and I finally love it again.

I wasted about 3/4 of a yard of fabric on this project with all the borders I cut then realized I didn't like and threw out to start over, but it's finally pieced.

I have 4 weeks left to quilt this beauty before it's owner (hopefully) arrives!  I'll be going back to the fabric store this weekend to pick a flannel backing, probably a light solid pink, the binding will be an assortment of the pink fabrics used in the stars.

If I have time I'm going to quilt some little pink tractors inside the green border around the quilt, but that might take more time than I have.  Guess I better get moving, huh?

Curtains, Blankets, and a lil' Decorating

Is it seriously May already?  I cannot believe how fast time has flown.  Life has been so busy.  I finally finished my school work for the semester and the weather has been relatively nice.  The baby will be here in about 7 weeks!  I can't believe how little time I have left.  It's sparked a sort of motivation inside me to hurry and finish a few projects before she's born.

I just finished these receiving blankets for a friend's baby this morning, they've been on my table for about 3 1/2 months now.  Double-sided flannel with a simple blanket stitch around the edges.  My blanket stitch skills are in need of improvement. 

Two nights ago I had my husband help me finish this bookshelf I made last spring.  I painted the sides with a glossy white (it's washable now!) and he helped me drill the screws in so they don't poke out the sides anymore... that's always good right?  The last touch for this shelf will be to router some nice edges on it, but until I break down and buy a  router, I'm stuck.

Yesterday I finally got all the girls's toys moved into their own bedroom, so I could set up the nursery.  I at least have furniture set up so if she comes early (I can dream right?) she'll have a place to sleep and clothes to wear.  I need to get some decorations up on the walls, but honestly I don't have any yet!  Eek!  I have a few I plan on making, but haven't done it yet.  I don't even have the right color of vinyl for some wall art!

I did however, make some curtains for her room.  I've gone with a John Deere theme, so the curtains are pink, green, and brown.  They block out the light really well, which is nice, seems her window faces direct East and that morning sun is quite bright.

A couple weeks ago I painted my girls's bedroom, (white, boring I know.)  I spent a couple days after that putting up decorations and what-not to make it look cute.  It's my first room in my house that is officially FINISHED!

I hung their memory boards over their beds with a little bit of vinyl wall art underneath.  

We finally got them some nice beds, instead of just a frame and a mattress, and the beds look so cute with the quilts on them.  I love it.  (can't see it well, but the baby quilts their Grandmother made are hanging above their beds as well.)  Lemon bars:  and Pillow

Flower Garden:

I hung their hand print paintings above their closet, and their "watch me grow boards" are set against the wall to the right.   The small picture frames on the left.

I hung the "Walk Tall" board I made above the door and their temple pictures next to the door.
All their toys are under the beds in drawers or in the closet to keep the room uncluttered.

The baby quilt is almost pieced.  Hopefully I can finish the piecing this weekend.  Wish me Luck.

Chunky Chicken Rosemary Stew

I feel a bit like I've dropped off the face of the Earth the last couple weeks.  Trying to get through the semester and taking care of baby-preparation has about consumed my life.  I've also thoroughly enjoyed getting into the outdoors and beautiful weather with my family.  

Tonight though, I made a delicious stew for dinner, I mean it was G-O-O-D!

Chunky Chicken and Rosemary Stew

1 lb small gold potatoes
1 lg onion
2 carrots, peeled
4 oz. mushrooms
1 1/2 lb. chicken breasts
1 tsp. rosemary
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 1/2 C. chicken broth
1/2 C. tomato paste
2 Tbsp. cornstarch



Dice potatoes, onion, and carrots, mushrooms, and chicken into 1" chunks.  Combine in mixing bowl with rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper.  Whisk broth, paste, and cornstarch until cornstarch is dissolved.  Add to chicken mixture and mix well.  Pour into oven safe casserole dish.  Cover, and bake at 375° for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

*The only regret I had was forgetting to the bread to go with it.  It would pair very well with some fresh french bread, or even a slice of homemade white bread.*

*I must give credit where credit is due: The original recipe I followed was from Pampered Chef- Hearty Chicken and Rosemary Stew. I changed a few little things here and there, omitted the alcohol and changed measurements a bit.*

A Quick Shout Out

Guess what today is.....

It's Holli's Birthday.....she is old now!

Also, I didn't send her a birthday present due to the fact that my funds are currently limited. However I do know that Pace's Dairy Ann food is her favorite, so here is a picture of her eating it! Hope thats a good present! :) heehee

And sadly I don't have any embarassing pictures of Holli on this computer, so I guess she gets to have cute ones instead :) (I guess I am nice like that ;) haha!

Anyways, I just wanted to say "Happy Birthday!" or "Happy To-pay" as my little brother said it growing up! Holli is such a great Mom to her little ladies and is one of the best friends I could ask for! Thanks for being such a great friend and for all you have done for me! You're the best!

So be sure to leave her a comment and wish her a Happy Birthday today!

(Kristie and Holli)

John Deere Baby Quilt Progress

I've made quite a bit of progress on my baby's quilt.  I have all of the star blocks pieced.  As you'll notice below the edges of the quilt are not straight lines... yet.  I'm currently working on piecing the small corners to fit in each spot to make the edges even.  After I finish that I'll piece everything below and then it's on to the borders, quilting, and binding. :)

I'm trying to hurry, if you can't tell.  I'm almost 30 weeks, running out of time.

Child Reward System 2

Some of you may remember my first attempt at a child reward system, I made "stone jars;" each child got a stone every time she did something good, when their jars were full they got a "Daddy Ice Cream Date."  It worked great for several months and both Daddy and the Girls just loved it, but it eventually got old and stones weren't exciting anymore.

A couple weeks ago I implemented a new plan.  Money!  Who isn't motivated by money?  It took my two-year old a week or so to catch on, but she's finally figured out that money buys things!  And That's Exciting!

Here's what I did.

First I found a template for some play money online, I printed off a few sheets and wrote in the amounts each color of money was worth....I made copies of the smaller bills so I had more for little good things.

Then I made each child a simple paper wallet and let them cover them in stickers.  I hang the wallets on the fridge where it's safe from thieving.

Then I made a trip to the dollar store and found bunches of rewards. I have everything from a gift certificate for an ice cream date (the most expensive) to crafts, sunglasses, ice cups, squirt guns, glow sticks and candy. Lots of fun things, those little eyes just light up when I pull down the bucket.  

They are given money every time they do something nice or to help me.  How much they get depends on how well they did the job, how many times I had to ask, and the amount of whining and crying I had to endure.  

For example: $50 is rewarded if they clean the playroom, by themselves, without whining, and without me having to pester them. (it's only happened once with each child so far)

I'm also able to use it as a form of consequence. I make them pay each other anytime they are mean or abusive to their siblings.  

And... they can also pay me to get out of chores.  So last night when my daughter didn't want to clean up her toys, she paid me money to do it for her.

Each item in the basket costs a different amount of money, and it's all labeled so Daddy can participate too.  They work hard and save their money all week an each Friday I pull the bucket down and they are allowed to pick their rewards.

So far it's working quite well.  My two-year old likes the expensive items, but she also likes to help a lot more than my 4-year old who seems to be content with a dum-dum and a small toy.

New Dress

After seeing the darling dress Holli made for her daughter, I decided to buy the pattern and make one for my daughter. Here is the little cutie in her new Spring Dress.