Organizing and Crafting

Over Christmas break I have been being creative and trying to organize some things that have gotten out of control.  Instead of a million little papers on my bulletin board strips, I made some hanging folder pockets from manila folders that I scored from Marc's earlier this year.   I also decided to decorate them with some craft paper so they look prettier.  I can store all the kids school papers that I need to refer to from time to time in these pockets.  

I also made a to do list pocket and a pocket for seminary ideas.

Jacob moved his desk (well I kicked him out) and Maggie and I are making a sewing / craft area.  It is pretty basic but it will do.  It will be nice to have a place to do a quick project with everything in one spot instead of spread all over the house.

We are doing some decorating of the craft area and Maggie is already working a some little curtains to hide the cords.  

4-H Has Begun 2012

Well it is 4-H Season again.  The kids are busy at work sewing their projects.  Here are some pictures of Maggie making her top.  She is doing a good job so far.  I hope she does well this year at judging.  It is so stressful for a mom!  The boys will start working on their projects soon.  I have to help them get a pattern traced so we can reuse it.  They will LOVE that.  They grumble through most of the projects, but they do like it when it is over and they can see their accomplishment.

Style Review 2011

It has been crazy busy around here.  We just finished up our 4-H style review.  The kids finished sewing their projects and it was judging day.  Here are some pictures of the outfits.

Jacob made a pair of denim jeans and the polo. He also made the hoodie sweatshirt.  The jeans look really good on him.  He put it lots of effort this year...but for a few minor reasons...the judges didn't place him.  I was disappointed.  They picked on things like...they saw two different blues in the thread he used to sew the jeans.  They must have eagle eyes.

Maggie in her cute jumper.  She placed third in her class.  She can wear this in the summer with a tee and sandles or in the winter like shown.  She also worked very hard and learned alot about hand stitching.  The gal that placed 1st was 18 years old. They changed the requirements this year for the category... I don't think that is too fair...a 9 year old sewer up against an 18 year old.  Live and learn.

Doug did Sewing for Others.  His "other" is his Aunt Charlene.  He made her a pair of scrubs for her work.  He did very well...winning his category and he will be going to the State Fair next week to compete there.  I am so glad he won.  He has had something go wrong almost every year.  Finally his year to win. 

This was the first year they had a quilt category.  Maggie learned lots about quilting.  She made this beautiful pillow.  I am so proud of her. She got a third place ribbon for this...but there was only three in the running.  Once again...mom no likey the judges.



4-h projects done and complete is a nice thing to say.  Doug is going to the state fair next week.  Jacob to leadership 4-h camp the next week after that...one week of rest and then the county fair...after that...school starts. 

This summer is flying by fast.  We have had so much fun though.

Pillow Update

I made some adjustments to the pillows. Mainly added more yo yo's. Steve said the first ones looked like eyeballs staring at him...Whatever!!!! I am sure he will come up with something for this design...but they no longer look like eyeballs. Good grief.

New Pillows

I thought I would spruce up some old pillows that matched the loveseat.  They were pretty flat and stained.  I made new covers for them and wrapped them with some batting to puff them up a bit. 

Sewing...My first attempt.

I made Maggie this little skirt for school.  It came out pretty well.  She likes it.  I don't know if I will ever progress past simple skirts, but it was fun to make.    Here is some pictures of it completed.

Curt's First Sewing Project

Curtis is so proud of his bag he made.  He is going to enter it in the fair.

So cute!

4-H Style Review 2010

Here are some pictures of the 4-H Style Review.  Jacob won in his category and is going to the state fair to compete with his outfit.  Doug took 3rd and Maggie took 3rd.  Other family news...my niece Rachel won her category and Champion of Champions.  My other niece Caroline won her category, my nephews Jack and Garrett won their categories.  So they are all going to the State Fair too.  So exciting!

All the winners!

Close up of Jacob's outfit.

Jacob in the line up!

Doug modeling...needs to look up...

Maggie..so cute!

announcement of winners.  She took 3rd.

Garrett my nephew.  Took 1st.

Rachel my niece took 1st and Champion of Champions!

Caroline my niece is in the pokadot shirt and Jack my nephew is the one with the camo shirt.  Everyone did quite well. 

Time to start planning next year!!!

Sewing has begun.

Sorry I haven't posted much in the last month.  Summer is picking up steam and we have survived 3 camps, vacation to my mom's house, 4 doctors appointments, swimming every day for a week, beginning our 4 H projects, church activities, library reading programs,  piano lessons ( sometimes), boy scouts, activity girls, rearranging bedrooms so each can have "their own space"..... I'm tired...and the laundry has been neglected for too long,  so has family dinners, bed times, cleaning, and all around rules.  Yet to do...meet with our financial guy...who we don't know because the guy we liked left...YUUUUgggghhhh!  Class reunion, swimming with the cubs at pack meeting, more doctor appointments, 4 H judging (after we actually finish), more library programs...and I don't even know what is happening in Aug.  I do know that is when soccer starts :(  3 kids in 3 different levels...saturdays filled with games at different times.  Oh I don't look forward to any of that!  I can't even go there, it makes me want to cry.

Here are some pictures of sewing.  One day at a time...one day at a time...I keep telling myself.