Baby Baby Baby...

I feel like I haven't talked much about the pregnancy... There's not really much to say, yet. But I am getting into the swing of things and revived another abandoned project. I'm currently trying to finish (I have until July) this baby quilt:

It's been so fun to find all these old projects and actually have time to work on them. Especially since we've had a couple snow days!

Keeping the Heat In.

Brandon suggested curtains to keep the heat in. I suggested he cough up some cash so we could go shopping. Brandon suggested we go to the Goodwill, find some sheets and I get working on my sewing machine. Hey... I'm not one to argue. Here are Finn's curtains. Made from an embroidered duvet cover ($3.99) and part of a striped flat sheet ($2.99). Not bad for a couple days work. I'll post the curtains for our room once I get them done. Which, as of right now, may have to wait until after Christmas gift sewing is done.

Finger Painting!

Yep. More ornaments. Only these are Christmas gifts, so I'll show you the end result after the holiday! Sorry!

Snow Ball Fight!

Ok, not the most enthusiastic display of snow-ball violence, but he got the hang of it, and tried his best. We went out RIGHT after breakfast and enjoyed the snow with our friends Skye and Conor.


Luckily Brandon and Finn got outside BEFORE the snow and put the snow tires on the car. This is what Brandon's been waiting for. A kiddo that can help him with boy stuff.

From the Depths of the Hall Closet...

Come old projects that I've decided to try and finish. Here's the first, which we may be needing sooner than later with snow in the forecast. I started this quilt for our bed about a year or more ago and haven't had the chance to really get some serious work done on it. I decided with the huge off white expanse, I'd hand quilt it together with colored floss. It looks pretty good so far. I'll definitely update as things progress. Luckily we only have a full sized bed.

Seattle Snow!

I'm always amazed when it snows IN Seattle. Why? Well...

1. It always seems to snow around Seattle. Not actually in the city.
2. When it does snow it happens at night. Which means it is almost always gone by morning and Finn misses it entirely.

However, we have a couple inches, and it's still coming down. So hopefully Finn will be able to get out there in the morning and quickly request to come back inside!

Cookies!

Yep. We made Christmas cookies in our pajamas. That's really the best way to do it, isn't it?

More Ornament Making

I've realized in getting a Christmas tree, that we'd probably need some ornaments for it. So our house has been a little ornament factory the past week. Finn and I made about 6 or 7 felt wreaths the other day, but on a 7 foot tree they don't take up much space. So I got on the google machine and looked for some ideas and found this Salt Dough Recipe. Pretty simple, and a fun painting activity for the kiddo (and the Mom and Dad!). Here's what we came up with:

Christmas Tree "Shopping"

There was a lot of controversy this year over our Christmas tree. Live tree (which we've done the past couple years so we can plant them when the holiday is over), No tree at all, Re-using our tree from last year that still hasn't been planted. The discussions and disagreements ended with my pregnancy neurosis taking over and demanding a cut tree. So we went to the tree lot, and then another and found our tree.

"Shopping"...HA!!! I was actually looking for a tree... Finn and Brandon were looking for the best ways to run through them. It was more like a fun maze for the boys than a search for the perfect tree. But it was a good time!

Going a Little Holiday Craft Crazy

I saw a photo from a magazine of some little felt square wreaths on Belladia, and decided that Finn and I could make some (or something similar) as holiday decorations. Which, I've realized, are sorely lacking in our house. Well... truthfully, I made them, Finnegan took them apart. But it was still fun to spend some crafty time together. So Here's a little tutorial so you can make your own.



Materials:

Pipe cleaners
A Bunch of random colors of craft felt
Scissors
A smaller than usual hole punch
Ribbon if you like it

1. Pick out a bunch of different colors of craft felt. You can also use felted sweaters like the one on Belladia, or fancy expensive wool felt, or probably any other type of fabric you like... you'll just get a different, and probably just as fun result.

2. Cut a bunch of every color into a bunch of little squares (mine were approx. 1/2 - 3/4 inch square.

3. I have a really small hole punch that I used, but I'm sure you can use a needle or some other way to punch holes in each of the squares.

4. Start threading the pipecleaner through the holes of all the little squares of felt. Squish them on there snug!

5. Keep going until the wreath is the size you prefer. It takes a LOT of little squares!

6. Twist the ends together and clip the extra pipecleaner off. Add ribbon if you like. Make a ton and decorate your whole house. I'm planning on putting them on my tree.... when we get our tree.

What Now?

Well, first off, a little catch up with everything that's gone on in the past month.

Brandon returned from his trip to Colorado and took a BUNCH of pics. Here's one of the bridge (in progress) and my fave of B.


We went up to Snoqualmie Pass with the Mc-Inlaws and Mc-Cousins and The Family Scott for a fun filled weekend of playing in the rain and sharing a 400 square foot studio between 11 people. Crowded? Yes. But fun all the same. Here's the kids warming up and calming down after a walk:


Thanksgiving was great. We got a chance to see everyone in the family within the 4 day weekend and were welcomed to everyone's home with wonderful fooooood! A few days before however, we all headed to see my nephew Eddie's elementary school holiday performance. We even got a shot of the whole family after...(which doesn't happen often enough)


And here's a preview of what I'm working on now that I'm not making hats (whew.) Stay tuned for more details!

One Last HAT Hurrah...

Before I completely give up, I've gotta get rid of the rest of my hat stock. Come check out Urban Craft Uprising this weekend if you're in Seattle. Click on the poster for more info...

I've Done it Now...

This morning I officially closed my Etsy shop. After a long evaluation over the past few months, I've decided it's for the best. My priorities had changed in a way I really didn't like... customers came first when I knew that Finnegan and the Belly McG needed to be in that place. Rushing around trying to get orders completed when we could have been at the zoo. Heading to the post office, when we could have been coloring. Answering emails instead of going to the park. There's too much unnecessary worry that comes along with running a happenin' hat biz on the internet, and right now the extra weight is something I really don't need in my life.

Now I have time to create and sew things for all the kiddos in our life.

I may reopen someday. But for today and tomorrow, it's Finn and Me, Me and Finn and a bunch of fun times ahead.