Halloween 2009

Halloween always seems to catch me off guard. I try to plan for it, I try to think about it beforehand- but then WHAM! The month of October finds me with no costumes in mind, no idea of any sort what six kids can dress up as for Halloween. This year was no exception. Two weeks before Halloween Savannah decided to be Dorothy, Caitlin decided to be a cat, Sophie a fairy, and Abby a witch. Devin said he wanted to be a vampire, and after much begging, he decided to dress up as Edward, instead of Count Dracula. I practically killed myself sewing Savannah's costume....but it did end up looking precious. These pictures are not so great, because by the time to go trick or treating- I was exhausted. And I must say- I painted Caitlin's face- and it looked really great. I am trying to convince the kids to go as animals next year!

What's happening in our world....

Once upon a beautiful autumn day, four women set off in search of wool roving and knowledge about latch hooking. Up through the mountains they traveled, searching for the fount of wisdom on the animal fiber arts.
As they made their way to Asheville they happened upon the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair at the North Carolina Agricultural Center. Behold the sight that we laid eyes upon when we walked into the first exhibition center.

I am not going to lie and say that all that animal hair lying there didn't freak me out a little. It did. But it was pretty neat, also.

Speaking of founts of wisdom, Carmie got to meet her hero there. Now this photo is a little blurred, and I will make all sorts of excuses- like that the lighting wasn't really that great, or that we were giddy with newfound knowledge- but Carmie says that she prefers it blurry. So I will post it anyway. The woman on the left, Joan Berner, hand-dyes her own wool roving and makes her own yarn. It is absolutely gorgeous. You can find out more about Joan and her operation at www.cloverleaffarms.com. (If you are in the market for any roving or yarn- she is located in Hendersonville, NC- I love buying local!)

There were classes teaching how to spin your own yarn. You can't help but feel, when you walk around, that you are seeing something that is a lost art. We stood and just watched the rhythmic spinning of the wheel and these women making their own yarn- it was fascinating.

On a side note, this is my mom (in the denim jacket) and her friend Carol. They wanted to learn more about latch hooking (which really is a lost art). But they told all their friends they were going to a HOOKING convention- which of course, made my sister and I think of HOOKERS. So Carmie and I giggled like schoolgirls anytime we mentioned the "Hooking Convention".

Silent Sunday.....Hiking @ Table Rock State Park

I'm Sew Excited....And I Just Can't Hide It!

First off, you are probably looking at the title and wondering if I misspelled the word so.....and I didn't! I just wanted to share some good news with you! I placed my order today for a new sewing machine! While I am thankful for the hand-me -down machine that I had- I am extremely excited about getting a brand new machine. My new machine is going to be a Husqvarna Emerald 183. I know you probably don't care, but I am going to share a picture with you.....

I'm in love. But, it is pretty expensive. So, I traded the machine that I have (that was needing repairs) and am making payments to get my new machine. I am using my mom's Singer Sewing School machine until I get this one. So, if anyone wonders on what to get me for Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentine's, Labor Day....etc, you can now go by the Viking Store on Woodruff Rd. in Greenville and put some bucks down for me! HAHA!
I made these pants today for Sophie. My poor other children. I try out the patterns first for Sophie because tracing the smaller patterns seems easier to me....Like I said- poor things...Hope your rainy Saturday was as productive as mine!

It makes me happy....

Today saw Sophie and I staying at home because we were both feeling under the weather. Well, I hate to stay home and NOT do anything- so I decided to work on Logan's blanket that his mom requested for his first birthday. And, I have to say- it makes me smile. I used different types of fabric and put them randomly (although when you spend that much time on something saying the word "random" is a little insulting) together in strips of varying sizes. Instead of mitering (mitre?) the corners, I decided to just stitch the fabric together to give it a more homemade look. I love how it turned out! What do you think?

I totally wish I could own a craft store/ whatever else kind of store .....something that sold beautiful fabric and had wonderful sewing machines.....with all kinds of craft stuff available. Boy....talk about living the life........

Looking back...

Wow- I know it has been forever since I have posted photos, but as promised in my last post, I wanted to share with you a little of our summer!

At the end of July we took an afternoon trip to Boone, NC. Not knowing that it took two hours to get there, we basically went to just eat supper- but it was beautiful. I will say that I now understand why Sophie and Carmie are so close- I pretty much saw my three year old have a near anxiety attack about the steep drop on the side of the mountain. I will say that it was a special day for Carmie- the day that Sophie decided that she was her best friend. Who can't love that? Now Sophie calls Carmie her "little b.f.f." and usually tries to call her once a day. Pretty hilarious.....

The girls had some money from a yard sale that was burning a hole in their pockets. We went to the Mast General Store and let them purchase some candy. Sophie spent all 14 bucks that she had (yes- she was the child who, until recently, was on restrictions from caffeine and sugar). I think Abby spent about 12 and Savannah was the most frugal!

My great-nephew Logan is just biding his time until he can run around with the other children. These pictures were taken at the lake when my cousin, Lauren, came to visit us from Virginia. It had been over 15 years since I had seen her- it was so much fun to catch up!

We spent a good many afternoons at the lake- and we usually were accompanied by friends! =) Amy and her crew were with us this day- and the kids were waiting on the rain to stop so that they could jump in to the cool water!

Who doesn't love a cute picture of a baby? And Harper is always so well behaved on the water!

So lots has been going on with this crew. With the beginning of school Alex started 7th grade, Savannah started 5th grade, Devin started 4th grade, Caitlin began 3rd grade, Abby- 1st grade, and Sophie started 4K. Yep, Sophie trotted off to 4k. We finally got Sophie's hair chopped off. Literally. It is now just below her ears and it looks quite precious. She loves it, and it also doesn't look as if it is going to leap off her head and attack her at any moment.

We returned to the cardiologist on July 1 so that Sophie could have a check-up. Everything looked beautiful and Dr. Lucas let us know that if not for her Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome she would be released from his care! I always love a good report!

Savannah had a check up with the audiologist the first week of school. We are concerned with the results of her testing for Auditory Processing Disorder- we already knew that she had this but what we were hoping for was to see some improvement. Instead the results were dismally poor- something that confused the audiologist. So we are retesting in October with hopes of better results. This will better relay to us what services she needs. Please keep her in your thoughts-school is tough enough in 5th grade, but to be a smart child and not be able to show that in your work (she takes such pride in everything she does) can be devastating to her confidence.

All the girls are playing soccer now. And I have to say- it is so much fun. This past weekend- Sophie scored her first goal! Savannah and Caitlin are playing on the same team and boy- it is getting really competitive as they get older.

Devin is playing football for BSYAA while Alex is playing for the junior high. We have had a scare with Devin, he took a cleat to the eye during one practice. Thankfully we had just gotten sports goggles and they took a good deal of the blow. He still looked like he had lost a very ugly fight...

See- we have had so much going on! And I haven't even shown you some of my crafts! I guess I must save something for later............

We're ba-ack!!!

I know that you have wondering where I have been- my three loyal readers....Well, since two of you are family and 1 of you is my close friend....you know where I have been. HA! I just want to fess up.
I got lazy.
I know, I know- I should be ashamed. But the truth is- I have had lots of fun over the summer.

I crafted (truly- between scrapbooks and sewing projects- I created lots of stuff!).

I spent time with the kids- we went to the lake and traveled to Boone, NC....we went swimming....we crafted together.....

I read books....okay, so that may not be much different than the rest of the time- but I read the whole Sookie Stackhouse series (which I love) and many others that I can't remember right now....

I spent time with friends- we had so much fun with friends!

So- I have kept busy- but I just decided to take some time off. Sorry I didn't let you know about it! We have started school and soccer is in full swing- so I am going to post some pictures very soon!