Finley's Quilt

I was a little behind on the Grandkids quilts. I finished Caleb's and then I did a mad dash to get a quilt made for Finley. Jodi helped me pick the pattern and I had a roll of "Jelly Roll" fabric by Moda so it actually went pretty quick. I agonize way to much over fabric choice when I'm working on a quilt and then when I'm finished I feel fabric retarded, so this took all of the stress out fabric choice. A Jelly Roll is 40 - 2 1/2 inch wide strips x 42 inches long of coordinating fabric sold as a roll. Already cut and matched, the easy way out, and I took it.

Here is the finished quilt, it had 5 "Braids" of alternating fabric I really tried to be random when sewing another fabric to the braid. I finished it off with a small pink 1 inch border, and then added polished cotton pink stripe with a small white lace in-between. I like the look but I don't know why with all my weirdness the border seemed a little wavy. I don't like wavy! I like straight!!
This pic is actually before it was finished and I was pinning the "sandwich" together on the parlor floor so that i could machine quilt it.
Finley with her quilt.
I hope the it brings her happiness and warmth for many years to come.
Finley even seemed to like the color choice and appears to be looking and picking out her favorite fabric in the quilt. I love you forever Finley.

Caleb's Quilt

Caleb is already one year old, and it has taken me awhile (long) to finish his quilt that I started before he was born.

Just look at his face saying "Am'ma, what's taking so long, tears and all. I love the colors of this pic.

Here's my favorite man holding up the quilt for the pic. He also packaged it up and sent it off for me. I choose a vintage fire-truck material for the focus. Drawing from the colors of the fabric I added my accent fabrics. When I was trying to decide what to do in the corner pieces, the thought came to me Dalmatians, so that was the inspiration for the paw print and the dalmatian dots. I added a yellow fleece/soft fabric for the backing. I love the playfulness, but got a little speedy in machine sewing the whole thing together, and so my stitching isn't always "in the ditch" as I would like it to be. Slow down next time.

LOVE YOU!! Caleb

I hope it comforts you and snuggles you because I can't be there as often as I would like to comfort and snuggle you.

Here is close up of the quilt, Heidi showed me how to do paper piecing, and the results were fabulous, the points are all perfect. But I wouldn't to it again unless it is a very special project. It was so time consuming, glueing all the pieces to the paper, folding all the lines, sewing the lines, and then carefully removing all of the scrapes of paper. Perfect points, perfect matching of seams=lots of time.

Caleb--Enjoy!

Beach Days

Mark loves the beach! He has beginning skin cancers (and scoops as I call them where some have been removed) on his back to prove his reckless teen years. But his love for the beach is strong. The beach is always in our summer plans so we invited kids and grandkids to join us.

You know these cute faces, so I'll refrain.

We went to Corona Del Mar so that we could show Aidan the tide pools, but we didn't check the calendar and it was very high tide, Scott did manage to find some sea anenimees (I have no clue how to spell this and neither does spell check) to show him. Keep Laughing.
He found lots of sea weed to carry around and each time it kept getting bigger. He called the sea weed gorgeous!

Grandpa found lots of time to enjoy the ocean with Aidan.

What a pretty day. Couldn't have asked for better weather, warm with a slight breeze, and as you can tell, decent waves.

Utah with Grandkids.

My summer vacation is very short this year, so I started it off right where I wanted to. With Grandkids!! With Nicole's family now in Draper and Heidi's still is Payson, Utah I needed ten days (that's all I had) to soak in all the time I could with them.

This is in Nicole's back yard, it had been raining quite a bit since I've been here, the sunshine was a nice escape.

We (them really) ran around for hours enjoying everything and everyone.
I sure do LOVE all of these people.
These pictures should be switched, the kids got to paint/art first, then when things got quite in the evening the adults came out to play I mean paint.
Grandpa always brings art supplies when he comes to teach art concepts, and create with them.
One day we went for lunch and a hike in the mountains not far from Heidi's place.
I Love this pic. Adam is giving his all to the "smile for the camera", and Isabelle just makes me smile. We really had a great time hiking, and then playing in the stream for several hours. It was just beautiful.

I love this picture except for one thing, Nicole sacrificed herself for the good of a pic. Wish we were all in it.
This is what we always seem to do to Grandpa. I don't know if we bore him or wear him out. But after a few zzz's he is back up and rearing to go.

I am so Thankful!!

                      Thanksgiving, 2008.

This pic is from the night before.  Mark and I with Finley & Caleb, life couldn't be any better.
Thanksgiving Day, Cousins so happy to be together.
I'm at my post, the stove/oven.
My right hand man, ready and willing to carve.
Dad Fiet, visiting on the all man couch.
Mom Fiet, adding encouragement to get the food on.  Not really, just talking and keeping me company.
We had Pilgrims and Indians at our feast disguised as the Shelby's.   What a fun surprise to have them dress for the occasion.  Even the kids kept it a secret until the unveiling. 
The Bairds were there with food in tow, and in mouth.

                       Aidan

                                Hannah

                       Adam

                       Caleb

                       Finley

                                             See what turkey does to you.

I hope that your Thanksgiving was also filled with family, food, thanks, and Joy.   (Scott & Amanda were missed as they were crusin with her family) (Maloy's sure were missed, come home for christmas)

Christmas and Time with the Maloys

It's been awhile, i don't know if I should start from today or catch up, or start or catch up, start or catch up??

I guess I'll choose middle.  Nov. 7-12 we headed to Utah to be with our Utah family.  We knew that we wouldn't be there or see them for any of the upcoming holidays' so we rented a car and away we went.  Friday we left after my work stopping in Vegas at my cousin Shelley's home to visit and talk with her and Russ, then saturday morning we headed for Payson.

This is about 2 minutes after we arrived.  Grandpa popped the trunk and gifts were everywhere.  We love gifts and Grandkids!

Grandpa brought several art projects with him to teach and play with the girls.  Here he is getting ready with all of the beads that he brought with him so that the girls could make many necklaces and bracelets.  Because of my great blogging skills the picture of them doing an art project is at the bottom of this blog.

                                   Christmas has come early to the Maloy home.

With lots of smiles.

                                                                  and wonder

                                                        and new clothes and toys
                                                               and surprises

                                                            and growing kids.

These are the pictures that I took of them Sunday morning before we left for church.  All cleaned up and smiling for the camera.

We had many great times, and many great meals (and more great meals and many delicious  desserts), they will be missed the rest of this year.
                                    We LOVE you!