The Top Room

eXcellence love!

2011-08-25T06:12:00.000-07:00

I did it. Bought THE machine. At least I hope it will be THE machine for a very long time. The Elna 740 eXcellence. Big decision...huge purchase...I"M IN LOVE...Not only with the machine, but also with my very supportive M.A.N. He asked to see my used car when he came home today (ha, ha, ha)!

I decided on this machine because of all the features it has and came with. LOTS of feet, big harp and throat for quilting and she hums. She is beautiful.

My first project is this little bag created by Anna over at thimbleanna.com. She has a couple of great tutorials and this one allowed me to use a few of the plethora of feet this beauty came with. Sadie started 6th grade today(middles school) and this will be for whatever useful purpose it can serve.

I love that I can personalize items now.

Oh boy, too many projects to make. Now if I could just lock myself in the house for a week!

Hot off the press

2010-12-17T19:43:00.000-08:00

This quilt has been 9 months in the making (not because it took me that long to make, but because I procrastinated). When I saw the mini quilts created by Kajsa, I knew I need to make one. So here it finally is, completed and put in the mail tonight! Hopefully it will travel fast to its recipient.

I really enjoyed this little project...I think I might have to make a few more. Tak so mycket Kajsa!

Jules...this ones for you.

2010-12-11T16:38:00.000-08:00

This quilt is on my list of top favorites. When Julia told me her colors for her nursery, I was a little skeptical, but as it came together, I became attached to this quilt and LOVE IT! The bright colors with the gray contrast so nicely.

Derek was my little photo helper
Congrats Jona and Julia!

Lost Camera

2010-02-04T08:28:00.000-08:00

So, we've lost our camera. Have you ever lost something, worth a lot of money, and feel really awful? I feel like sitting on the couch today and eating chocolate. The worst part is we can't remember exactly where it was left. We know we had it at our pinewood derby night for cub scouts but neither Chris nor I remember taking it out to the car so we are pretty sure it was left at the church. Yet, it is not showing up at the church, at least not yet. We have emailed each ward and continue to wait to see if someone is holding it to keep it safe for us, which we really hope is what is going on. It is kind of depressing and frustrating at the same time. Because of this, no pictures for what I hope to be only one posts worth. If you have our camera or know of its whereabouts, please let us know!

Quilt along

2010-01-22T11:25:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth of Oh Fransson is doing another quilt-along. YAY! This time I am going to finish the quilt!!! (The previous quilt-along quilt is all cut out, but not sewn together yet). The concept is a paint box quilt where all the quilt blocks would be a different color. My quilt, however, is only going to have 4 colors in the blocks. Here are my "gold" blocks. I'll also have red, black and white. I think it will turn out nicely.

What are you working on?

Gracious Giveaways

2010-01-22T10:28:00.000-08:00

Some of you may remember this post. Well, all of my packages were delivered or mailed by Dec. 31st(talk about procrastination) and yet here is what I found in my mailbox BEFORE Christmas from Krista Lou!

I love the little magnet clasp! What a fabulous invention.

The necklace is so beautiful, you can either dress it up or down.

Of course, I won't normally wear it with this outfit, but I thought you needed to see it on me.

Thank you Krista Lou, I LOVE IT!

And then...Heather over at Trends and Traditions offered a giveaway for her new Wildflower line of fabric and guess who won the giveaway?! Moi, yes that's right. I was ecstatic and then this is what I found on my doorstep:

Talk about a generous amount of fabric! The fabric is so beautiful...now what am I going to make with all this? Heather is a very talented designer and has a lot of great fabrics and ideas. Make sure you go check out her blog. Thank you so much Heather. I am very grateful and can't wait to show you some completed items!

Bookshelves

2010-01-05T12:18:00.000-08:00

I have enjoyed reading this blog recently. She has so many amazing ideas. One of which was a post about these bookshelves made out of rain gutters. I found a tutorial online on this other blog and then convinced my awesome husband to help me put them up in the boys room. I love them already!

Mason loves that he has a place for not only his books, but his new Didj too. I like that the books are facing forward and the kids can see the covers. So far, so good!

One little project

2009-12-31T20:33:00.000-08:00

Sadie has been asking for beds for her dolls. She has been using the boxes the dolls came in for beds which has been working quite well actually. Yet, I felt like she needed something more. So, Santa found this set of beds on craigslist and then I created some bedding to go along with them, mattresses, pillows, pillowcases and quilts. They turned out quite lovely, I'd say...Sadie is pretty happy with them too.

Be Merry!

2009-12-24T13:05:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

As Christmas day approaches I have been able to reflect and BE grateful for my many blessings this year, for my savior and my family. I am glad to BE with my family this season and have time to play, snuggle, laugh, eat and create. BE Merry!

Letters were inspired by Heather! Thank you for the great idea! She also has a great new line of fabric! Check her out.

Winter is here!

2009-12-21T06:39:00.000-08:00

Happy First Day of Winter!
We are celebrating by going here:

This is also our first day of Christmas break and the kids are looking forward to going swimming today! Too bad we aren't outside playing in some snow instead like all those people up in good ol' Maryland. Hope you guys are enjoying the snow! S is ready for Christmas:

Isn't she so cute?! She loves her Santa hats this time of year. This one was given to her by her primary teacher at church yesterday, as were the glasses. I think she probably slept with the hat on. Who knows. I have been busy creating little things for this girl. She wants everything American Girl and I have a few things in the works.

I am also going to make some letters like the ones shown here as gifts for a couple of friends. I am really excited and I hope they turn out good. Happy creating and Merry Christmas!

Baby, it's cold outside...

2009-12-18T11:36:00.000-08:00

There are many projects in the works in The Top Room. One of which required me to use a Sharpie to trace numbers. I accidentally left said marker on my ironing board the other day and the older kids took Derek up to watch TV. He busied himself with a little art...Velma received a makeover. Anyone know how to get permanent marker off of metal?

While I have been sewing and buying, it decided to snow today. Normally this is something to do the happy dance over, however, this weekend we were planning on traveling back to Maryland to see some friends. Now it looks like we will be hanging out at home. Plus, school got out early today because of the "chance" of snow. It has already stopped and the roads are wet. These southerners drive me batty sometimes. We may just have to take a trip to the mountains to find the snow if it doesn't stick. Can you see it in this picture?

Here is a little peak at another project I have been working on. I love handmade gifts, both giving and receiving. I hope little ones will like the sets I am making for them. You'll have to wait, obviously, to see the full project. I put them in the mail today!

Merry Christmas!

Giveaways!

2009-11-29T13:18:00.000-08:00

Annie, over at Regarding Annie, did such a fun thing...giveaways on HER birthday for others! I was lucky enough to be one of the three recipients of a benevolent gift, a junk tie! Now, this is my first experience with a junk tie and I hope that I am wearing it correctly.

Thank you Annie, not only for the gift, but for sharing your marvelous writing talent with all to enjoy!

Coming along...

2009-11-18T10:54:00.001-08:00

I have a new quilt under way. It is taking me a while to get it cut out as I keep procrastinating, but that stage is soon over and I will have something to share! Thanks to Camille, this video was inspiration for today...now I am going to figure out what I am going to make all my peeps for Christmas this year! Enjoy.

Hawthrone Threads Giveaway!

2009-11-13T16:58:00.000-08:00

It's a giveaway! I love giveaways. Charlie and Lindsay have moved from Etsy and opened a new website (which is fabulous by the way) and are hosting a giveaway! Click here to check out their new site and enter to win! They are quick with the orders and have a great selection of fabrics...and will chat with you! Oh, and check out the shop for fabric by color! That is a handy tool.

Fraternal twins

2009-11-10T13:00:00.000-08:00

Finally, they are born! These two quilts are from a pattern created by this talented gal. I wanted to have them finished when I went out to Oregon after the race, but didn't quite get them done.

However, they are now on their way to Oregon with my hubby who will be hand delivering them today to these two special ladies:

Love you Grandma and Ursula!

Foyer is finished!

2009-11-02T05:19:00.000-08:00

Finally, a color we like! Thank you Cynthia for helping me pick put the color and to Katie Rae for your awesome suggestions. It is a great feeling to have it done...and it is so warm and inviting now.

Foyer remodel and dining room colors

2009-10-27T05:43:00.000-07:00

We have been trying to paint our foyer for about a month now. We have gone through 4 different colors and still don't like it. This last time I bought a different brand of paint and realized THAT makes a huge difference! Needless to say, I won't be buying that brand again. Here is what our wall looks like now...

and this is what I "think" I want it to look like. I love the dark chocolate in this room, yet I am afraid it will be too dark, so in the meantime I have spent way too much time and $ on other colors!

Here is our foyer. It is not very big and the lighting is yellow. Maybe I should switch the light bulbs. That would be a novel idea.

What to do, what to do. I've already spent $60 in paint I will probably never use. Any suggestions?

In other news, I love how my dining room turned out. Here are the colors:

I am debating what type of fabric to use for the window treatment. What do you think of this? Maybe I should add more color somewhere? I am not good at these things. Help please?!

Marathon is completed!

2009-10-27T05:42:00.000-07:00

To read and see more about my marathon, click here. It was an amazing journey!

26.2 in San Francisco!

2009-10-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

Fundraising is completed! nice. Around $4200 is what I raised all together. Thank you to everyone who participated in making this a success for me. I am so excited to be on my way to San Fran in 9 days! Yes, 9! 26.2 here I come.

Ready. Set. Run! and run and run and run...

Here is what I have planned on this trip so far:

A night tour of this place...

And a slice of this cheesecake, dolloped with cream (fortunately the Cheesecake Factory is right across the street from our hotel!) This is my post race reward, maybe I'll take the whole cake...

A visit to Portland to see Grandma Hari

and Ursula (sorry Ur, I don't have a picture but am excited to come!) both of whom I am running in honor of.

Of course none of this would be possible with out the wonderful support of this person,

who has watched the kids every Saturday morning for more than 3 months now and helped me with fundraisers without complaining I might add! You are amazing and thanks honey (can I get a massage now please?).

What have I been up to?

2009-09-05T19:11:00.000-07:00

I must say, there hasn't been a whole lot of creative projects being accomplished at my house lately. In fact, this summer has been filled with all kinds of other events that there hasn't been time to sew. Fortunately I haven't been sitting on my butt all summer eating bon bons (although I did have Godiva Cheesecake from here last night...I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!) but have been very busy with running, fundraising and playing with my kids. So here's to my summer fav's:

1. Cynthia and I have been hard at work trying to figure out ways to raise money for our race. Here we are at a charity car wash and I am glad we were able to capture this moment. Cynthia is an amazing person who has overcome many obstacles. She is a caring person and goes the extra mile in all that she does.

2. We joined our pool this summer and man was that the best decision EVER! Won't miss another summer without that. The benefit of being members of the pool meant that Sadie could participate with the swim team. I was so proud of her for all that she accomplished. She was very proud of her trophy!

3. This young man is growing up to be such a polite and thoughtful kid. I have really enjoyed watching him help with Derek and be kind to those around him. I enjoy his energy and laughter. We enjoyed a trip to Grandma & Grandpa Johns' house this summer where we lived the high life.

3. This about sums up his summer! Always on the go, but also very patient and willing to go along with the flow. Derek is such a pleasure to have around and I love having him as my constant side kick.

So, here's to a summer well spent and fall just around the corner. I can't wait to start creating again, that is after my marathon is completed!

Running for Ursula, Gabe , Grandma Evelyn and Uncle Fay!

2009-09-01T06:56:00.001-07:00

Running for Ursula, Gabe , Grandma Evelyn and Uncle Fay!

Shared via AddThis

2009-06-18T11:08:00.000-07:00

My friend Cynthia and I have been out asking the business managers/owners to help out with our fund raising efforts. We have been fairly successful so far and feel like we are ready to do more! Thanks to all of the businesses who have donated and offered to have a day of fund raising for us! See the calendar to the left for more information and if you have any questions, please ask!

Today my letters went in the mail. Yay!

I have been training in this humidity...I know the weather is not as bad as it will get, but what's an Alaska girl supposed to do? I think I am going to melt away this summer, literally. In this heat, I run slower, I need more water when I run (lots of it) as it just turns to sweat and I have to get up really early, which isn't a bad thing. My ipod has been great, tracking the many miles I am running. I think I need to buy one of those cool water belts. However, I don't want to look too professional when I run! (like that can happen!)

Marathon Fund-Raising for Ursula

2009-06-01T18:25:00.000-07:00

I am going to run in the Nike Women's Marathon and I need your help and support. I am raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as a participant in their Team In Training program and I'm asking you to help by making a donation to my fund-raising campaign. I am running in honor of a wonderful woman and family member who's name is Ursula. Ursula is one of the sweetest people you will meet. She has such a giving heart and a perpetual positive attitude. Ursula has always enjoyed helping others and she has worked in many facilities in order to give care where it is needed. Ursula was recently diagnosed with a malignant myeloma- cancer of the plasma cells. Currently she is undergoing a chemo treatment for her illness. Each of you most likely knows someone who is selfless with their time, love and energy, well this is Ursula. Please help me in finding a cure for myeloma as well as other blood cancers. Here is how you can help:

The goal of TNT is to increase funding to support the Society’s mission while promoting fitness and healthy lifestyles. TNT uses the medium of endurance sports to raise funds for vital patient services and life-saving research.

Please click here to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about my progress. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation. You can also click on any of the links to the left to support my campaign.

Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. More than 823,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers. I am hoping that my participation in Team In Training will help bring them hope and support. Any size donation, great or small, makes a difference. I really appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

Katie Johns - soon to be marathon runner

IGP Quilts

2009-06-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

We accomplished great things last Thursday. With the quilt sets given from our day of service at church we were able to get all of them layered and the edges sewn. Next month we will learn how to machine quilt and tie them. Thank you to Shirley, Cynthia, Felicia and Heidi for coming and helping! Please join us in June.

IGP for March!

2009-04-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

Lyric came and taught us all about applique! We had a great time learning and sewing. Thank you Lyric. I'm sorry I am such a slacker in posting so late, but I had lost the pictures and finally found them again!

Sadie's quilt...at last!

2009-03-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

Here it is. I have been working, slowly but surely and it is finished. Thank you to AmandaJean for all of the great tutorials to help me finish this quilt. And to Randi for her great fabric shop where I purchased the fabrics. I love how it turned out. It still needs a washing and I'll post more pictures when it gets on her bed!

Quilt Along

2009-03-05T10:36:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth of Oh Fransson is hosting a quilt along. She is a self taught quilter and her work is amazing. I like her patterns too. For those of you who are interested in learning more about how to make a good quilt, this is a great opportunity to learn. I have bought my fabrics and am excited to quilt right along! Let me know if you join too.

IGP Aprons!

2009-02-27T12:31:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Cynthia, Melisa, Julie, Kristel and Katrina who showed up for our IGP night! We had a lot of fun. Cynthia brought scrumptious treats and we had all sorts of aprons being made. They turned out really cute. I hope you ladies all got a good nights sleep!

To the First 5 People that Read This Post........

2009-02-25T19:09:00.000-08:00

Thanks Krista Lou for a great idea! I love knowing when I am a winner! I don't even know if I have 5 people who read my blog, but here it goes. The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it's going to be.

The catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!!!

I don't actually care if you post this on your blog or not. I just thought it was a fun and cute idea. So leave a comment!

Fun giveaway...

2009-02-24T06:23:00.001-08:00

Randi of Fresh Squeezed Fabrics and Melanie of The Fabric Shopper are hosting a giveaway! Head on over to The Fabric Shopper to learn more!

Success!

2009-02-16T12:55:00.000-08:00

The first brownie batch I made I used unsweetened baking chocolate and they were good, but not that GOOD. Last night I made another batch using dark semi-sweet chips and was worried because I had melted the chips and then it hardened in the batter before I could get it into the pan. Again, the brownies are good. After school today, my kids ate 2 brownies each which I was surprised about because they are not super sweet. I am making strides getting spinach and carrots into little, growing bodies.

I also made this on Saturday. The kids (husband included) loved it. Spinach and tofu are the two ingredients no one in my house would even think about eating separately. I did end up adding some ice cream in the end, but hey, at least those little bodies are getting some greens. I'll do this again.

Would you eat this?

2009-02-12T07:18:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my friend Sierra I was reminded that I have a book to help me get veggies into little bodies. I bought this book about a year ago and didn't do anything with it because we were in an apartment at the time and I didn't have my food processor and a lot of other kitchen tools. So, I broke it out and did some pureeing yesterday. Here is what I started with:

I had to steam most of the veggies and then puree them in the food processor. This was really, really easy.

Derek sat like a little angel the whole time, eating "healthy" things like this:

Here is the end result.

What am I going to do with this you ask? Well, last night for dinner I made Mac & Cheese with white beans in it. Mason actually ate it. Today, I made brownies with spinach and carrots in them. They are still in the oven, so I'll have to leave you in suspense until later. I am eager to see how Mason likes the brownies after school today. Yeah for veggies!

This-n-That

2009-02-03T13:57:00.000-08:00

Sadie's quilt top has begun the quilting process. Here it is pinned and I already have it on Velma being quilted. Hopefully in the next couple of days I'll have it done. Since this is my first time quilting a quilt on the machine I am being a little cautious.

In my quest to eat healthier, I made some of our favorite muffins today. This is Bob's Red Mill recipe called Bran Flax muffins. My MIL gave me this recipe and I love it because it hides veggies really well. Mason, my older son, who is the pickiest eater I know, will eat them. Try them out. See what you think.

The power of the Holy Ghost

2009-02-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

Today I had a personal revelation. Eating healthier has been on my mind lately and as a Latter-Day Saint, following the Word of Wisdom more closely is becoming more important to me. I have been doing some research and came across a blog created specifically on this topic (see the Section 89 button on the left). After reading some of the articles on the blog I have been feeling overwhelmed in where to start and where to find recipes my kids will actually eat. It isn't like we don't eat healthy now, we do for the most part. I just know we can do better. So, this morning as I was driving to an appointment and thinking about this a thought came into my head; "Katie if you ask Heavenly Father for help, he will show you where to find these recipes and learn about foods". It was like I was clunked on the head with a hammer. That Holy Ghost is amazing. And just after that thought, I found myself singing one of our church primary songs. The amazing thing about this to me is that I didn't even think about singing this song and also didn't start singing this song from the beginning. All of a sudden I found myself humming the last part of the first verse and going right into the second verse which goes like this:

Pray, he is there;
Speak, he is listening.
You are his child;
His love now surrounds you.
He hears your prayer;
He loves the children.
Of such is the kingdom,
the kingdom of Heaven.

I know Heavenly Father is mindful and aware of each and every one of us. I am thankful for the gift of the Holy Ghost to help me in my times of finding understanding and I am thankful to be able to pray to my Heavenly Father.

In my quest for better food, I am going to plant my raised bed garden this spring. It will be very small since I don't have a lot of direct sunlight with all the trees around my house. My master gardener friend, Melisa, offered to help me do this. Now it doesn't feel quite so overwhelming.

Sour Cream Black Walnut Coffee Cake

2009-01-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

I should change the name of this recipe since we don't drink coffee. Maybe I should call it Sour Cream Walnut Anytime Cake. My mom made this for us on special occasions when I was growing up. My family now doesn't need a special occasion to make this yummy cake. We eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a fail proof recipe. We actually made it with the black walnuts once. However, we have found that regular walnuts are preferable to our taste so don't feel like you have to find the black walnuts. In fact, if you like other nuts better, try them out! I hope you enjoy!.

1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 and 1/2 cups sour cream
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/3 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Cream butter. Add eggs, sugar and vanilla. Beat until light. Add dry ingredients alternately with sour cream.

Topping:
1/3 cup sugar
1 T cinnamon
1/2 cup black walnuts.

Mix together. Put 1/2 batter in an ungreased angel cake pan. Cover with 1/2 of topping. Add rest of batter, then rest of topping. Run a knife through to marble. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.

Sadie's quilt top

2009-01-26T08:47:00.000-08:00

Here is Sadie's quilt top all put together. I am really happy with how it turned out. Now on to the backing. This pattern can be found here.

IGP Night! Thank you Lyric.

2009-01-23T06:27:00.000-08:00

Lyric taught us several things we need to do in order to have a great sewing experience with our machines.

1. Brush out your bobbin case each time you wind a new bobbin.
2. After every project, take apart your machine and clean it out and give it some oil on the moving parts. One drop will do it.
3. Use good thread.
4. Change your needle after each project.
I am sure I am forgetting something. We talked a little bit more about how to adjust your tensions, what kind of presser feet to use and different kinds of needles.

Here is Velma, all taken apart.

Heidi, Kristel and I were having a challenge to see who took out the most lint. It is amazing where this stuff can be found. Here is our pile. It was pretty gross.

Kristel, Heidi, Felicia, Lyric, me

Thanks again Lyric. We really enjoyed learning from you. Next month, we will be making aprons. Yippee!

Napkins

2009-01-23T06:20:00.000-08:00

I have been helping a friend with a few projects. This was my first time using mitered corners. I had a few frustrations, but in the end, they came out looking pretty good. Now I just need to make some for myself!

Quilt fabrics

2009-01-20T13:34:00.000-08:00

They arrived! Thank you Randi of Freshsqueezedfabrics. One of my goals for this year is to make quilts for each of my children. Sadie wants all things pink, but she also likes fairies. So she chose to have this quilt made in these fabrics with the fairy fabric on the back of the quilt. The green gingham will be the binding.

For Derek and Mason I will be making this quilt and this quilt with these fabrics.

I am really excited to get started. Mason's is supposed to be first as his birthday is coming up, but I really want to make Sadie's. Maybe I like all things pink too!

Snow Day!

2009-01-20T12:13:00.000-08:00

This is what we woke up to today! Hooray!

Since school was canceled today and Chris had the day off of work, we went out sledding and we did a little baking. I am making Blueberry Cake thanks to Randi at ihavetosay. Chris made pizza dough, both of which will be consumed a little later. I have learned a little about myself today. I already knew this, but I had another confirmation. Chris had asked for some new baking supplies for Christmas. I like these kinds of requests because I get to profit from these gifts too :) I had bought a few items from King Arthur Flour and today realized how much I like quality items and getting your money's worth. You know how it is, sometimes you pick something up at Walmart and it just isn't the quality you were hoping it would be, but you bought it anyway thinking, it will do the job just fine. Well, when it came to using the sifter to make my blueberry cake today, I was amazed. This thing measures your flour for you, the crank is smooth and doesn't make that ratchety sound the metal ones do. There is a duster that comes with it, wow, I am in love. I can't speak for Chris, but I think he is too. He is the one that broke it open today to use for his pizza dough and he was impressed.

The measuring cups and spoons are pretty fancy too. The spoons actually fit into your spice jars and the cups come in all sizes. We (or should I say I) went the extra mile and bought the odd size cups along with the regular sizes. Boy have they come in handy. Needless to say, I am not trying to do a commercial for King Arthur, I just like nice things!

More than you might want to know

2009-01-08T05:41:00.000-08:00

I love my family. My 3 children keep me active, laughing, learning and humble. I have the best husband: handsome, sweet, gentle, patient, smart, loving, athletic, handy, and supportive. My parents taught me with love and I hope that I can pass what I know on to my kids. I like my pillowcases on my pillows with the tags to the inside, not sticking out where they can get on my face when I am sleeping. I sleep with part of the covers over my head so that it covers my ears. Soda, especially Diet Pepsi, is my friend. Don't think about drinking, or "taking sips", of my soda especially when you didn't get your own to begin with. I love my savior and the gospel with the knowledge and comfort it gives to me. I have a hard time telling someone I am upset. I don't like confrontation (although I am getting better at it with experience. This isn't to say I have had a lot, just a few practice sessions). If I had been on this earth before c-sections, I wouldn't have lived through my first pregnancy. Alaska is one of my favorite places. My dad was born and raised there, as was I, and 2 of my children were born there too. Chris and I met there. I love the smell of the air in Alaska and the mountains. The moose walking through the snow and the northern lights dancing in the night sky. I miss the below zero temperatures where your breath freezes and your eyelashes get frozen and snow-machining on the lake. I love a bowl of honey nut cheerios, with bananas for breakfast or anytime of the day for that matter. Eating healthy is something I enjoy doing. I also enjoy M&M's, the peanut ones, way too often. Sweden is a fun place to live. I did so for a year. The people are nice, thoughtful and the climate is a lot like Alaska. Maybe that's why I like it. Learning new talents is something I like to do. Photography and knitting are my newest ambitions. You can usually find me sewing, knitting, reading or running on any given day. I've earned and driven a free Mary Kay car for 2 years. I love Magic Eraser sponges. Actually, I suppose I should say, my house loves them. They are amazing. I don't enjoy cleaning, but I enjoy the end result. I want to learn how to do some home remodeling. Maybe I'll even take great pictures of the process...someday. I like to go hiking and be outside. Driving motor coaches for Princess Tours was one of my all time best jobs. I have a teaching degree and have never used it to make money except to substitute for a semester after I graduated. I enjoy snow and cooler weather. Humidity is not my friend. I have six siblings, 3 sisters-in-law, 28+ nieces and nephews and we live all over the country. Volleyball is the game. The game I love and will play any day of the week, except Sunday. I've played in Alaska, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Sweden, Russia, Finland and North Carolina. My mom and mother-in-law are my examples. I call them for advice and just to talk. I can play the flute, although I haven't for a while. Listening to talk radio in the car outnumbers the times I listen to music in the car. I have a great life.

Knit dishcloth

2009-01-07T14:15:00.000-08:00

Here is my second knitting project-a dishcloth. I think my knitting became tighter as I went along, but not noticably so. I enjoyed a project with a pattern and know I will be making more. I bought some more cotton yarn and yarn to make a pair of socks! I might be in over my head on that one, we'll see.

In my life, I'd like to:

2009-01-07T11:48:00.000-08:00

My husband's cousins Darilyn and Krista have a great idea on their blogs and I thought I'd start the new year by making my list of 50 things I'd like to do in my life. This is similar to a goal list I suppose, not just for this year, for a lifetime. These are things I have had in my mind to do anyway, but now it will be in print. I will be adding to this list, so it is not complete...yet. Here it goes:

1. Take a trip to Europe with Chris
2. Raft the Colorado River
3. Go to Nauvoo and go through the temple
4. Take photography classes and get a great picture!
5. Travel to South Africa
6. Take my family to Disney World
7. Run another 1/2 marathon or maybe 3 or 4 (scheduled for March '09)
8. See the sacred grove in Palmyra, New York
10. Read the Book of Mormon in 90 days (started Jan '09)
11. Make nice quilts for each of my children
12. Learn how to play the piano well
13. Understand how to do geneology and submit some names
14. Run the Anchorage marathon
15. Learn how to knit (Started Dec. 2008)
16. Learn how to applique
17. Find and go berry picking near my home
18. Go on an overnight campout with my family
19. Have a Cook family reunion
20. Attend the temple at least once each month for a year
21. Take Sadie to Chincoteague to see the wild horses
22. Knit a pair of socks
23. Have a small raised bed garden
24. Learn how to tile (for my kitchen)
25. Buy a nice road bike and eventually take a biking trip with my husband
26. Make a quilt for each of my children
27. Donate hair to Locks of Love (my hair!)

Gifts

2009-01-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

I was a little late getting a package in the mail for Christmas, but since it finally arrived, I can post pictures of some of the things I had been working on. Here are 2 sock monkeys and doll blankets with pillows:

A purse for a great friend:

Apple Pie

2008-12-24T07:15:00.000-08:00

I am not a big pie fan. In fact, I didn't even attempt to make pies because I didn't care for them that much. When my husband started asking for pies, I put it off for, oh about 10 years!, and this year I decided I had better make some attempt at filling my husbands cravings.

Creamy blueberry pie. My first pie attempt and it was a winner. We have made this pie several times since. It is now award winning thanks to my sister-in-law Sara who made this pie after trying it at Thanksgiving.

The recipe can be found here. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Creamy-Blueberry-Pie/Detail.aspx

Grandma Ople's apple pie:

I wasn't going for beauty here, just taste. However when I realized I had added too much butter (I won't say how much) I thought the pie was done for. If you don't think about the calorie count in here, the pie turned out great! Since this pie had almost 2000 reviews, how could you go wrong?!

Here is the recipe link: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Apple-Pie-by-Grandma-Ople/Detail.aspx?prop31=3

New projects

2008-12-19T18:31:00.000-08:00

I have a few other projects completed, but I can't let the secret out until after the big day! Christmas is coming soon and I can't wait for everyone to get their gifts. I have tried to make as many as I can this year and have been very successful. Stay tuned!

IGP Night!

2008-12-19T18:30:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun at our first, monthly, IGP (instant gratification project) night! Thank you to all who attended. I hope you had as much fun as I did creating, talking, eating, and fixing our mistakes (mostly mine, but who's keeping track?!)

Tassi and Kristel with their completed projects. Thanks to Elizabeth of ohfransson for the pattern!

Quilted Bag

2008-12-19T18:02:00.000-08:00

I had my first custom order from the craft fair I did. I usually make these bags out of prequilted fabric, but this gal had some fabric she wanted me to use, so I quilted it on my own. For my first free motion quilting project, it turned out really great, if I say so myself! Thanks for the use of your machine Lyric!

First Knitting Project!

2008-12-19T17:58:00.000-08:00

My amazing mother-in-law taught me how to knit. I finished this project just in time to send it to my friend for Christmas. I was very impressed with my first project. I only had to undo rows 5 times. I am excited to start on the next step..purling (is that even a word?)

I've Moved!

2008-12-19T17:38:00.001-08:00

OK, so I thought I would try a new host for my craft blog, but wordpress is just too complicated for me. So, I've moved back to trusty Blogspot. I can upload my pictures easier here as I have picasa on the laptop and it is just handy dandy. So, welcome to my new home!