Wednesday, July 30, 2014

I've Been Busy... And NOT Quilting!

I can't believe it has been months since I have blogged. That's because it's been months since I have really sewn/quilted. I have done a few quick things here and there, but nothing big or too fun! I knew that having a baby would slow down my sewing and quilting, but I don't think I realized it would bring it to a screeching halt.

Matias is already 6 months old and he is wonderful and has brought so much joy into our home. He seems a lot more advanced in his gross motor skills than my other two boys. He started crawling at 5 months and has just started pulling himself up at barely 6 months! He is so curious and into everything.

Over the past few months my "quick" projects have included a couple of aprons that I donated to a silent auction/fundraiser and I did make that Summer/Spring Wall Hanging out of Joel Dewberry Botanique that I mentioned in my previous post back in March.
 I found that working in 15 minute increments is not a good way for me to sew/quilt. I would forget what I was doing once I stopped, and getting started back was difficult and I made so many mistakes. It took me a couple of months to make something that should have taken a few hours!


Quilted Wall Hanging - Joel Dewberry Botanique Fabric


Child's Apron - Joel Dewberry Botanique Fabric

Mother Daughter Aprons - Joel Dewberry Botanique Fabric 


While I have not been able to sew as much as I might like, I have found a new/temporary "hobby" to satisfy my love for fabric.... Woven Wraps for babywearing! I am now completely obsessed with these gorgeous woven wraps used to wear babies. What began for me as a necessity to get things done around the house while taking care of the baby, has become oh so much  more.




Above - Kokadi Elephant Parade Turquoise (100% Cotton)





Above - Oscha Okinami Morgan (50% Hemp/50% Bamboo)


Above - Oscha Okinami Blue Ice (50% Egyptian Combed Cotton/50% Cotton)

I am in love with the patterns, the colors, the weaving, the blends... and wrapping my sweet baby boy close to my heart! He loves it to, as you can see from some of the pictures.


So while some days I wish I had time to sew, quilt, and craft my heart is so full and I am so thankful that I was blessed with this surprise baby boy that I had no idea how much I needed in my life! Time has already flown and before I know it I am sure I will be back to my sewing room, but for now I am treasuring my busy days with him... and his brothers too, of course!

Hug Around The Neck - Jessica


Sunday, March 2, 2014

January, February, New Baby, Quilting Hiatus

Wow! January and February are gone and as I look back I am thankful that we survived the whirlwind. I am thankful for friends and family that supported us with encouragement and kindness; by taking care of the older boys, doing laundry and cleaning, cooking and bringing meals, and emotionally supporting me through a very stressful two months.


By January my body was very tired of being pregnant, the nausea was back, I wasn't sleeping, and I just couldn't keep up with normal every day life. Thankfully my mom arrived January 3rd and helped with everything. I am so thankful for her. Dad arrived January 8th, and Nate's parents arrived January 11th. We were all very excited and ready for the eminent arrival of Baby Matias... but he had other plans!

41 Weeks and Counting...


January 12th was a very exciting day Nate preached and he baptized Mikko. It was wonderful to have both sets of grandparents in town to celebrate Mikko's baptism.

Lets just say that the next two weeks were stressful. We really had a great time with the grandparents here, but we were all holding our breaths with every contraction (and there were a lot of them, but they never really progressed), and that was stressful. Finally on Saturday January 25th after two weeks of what seemed like non-stop labor and almost 42 weeks pregnant Matias Eero Pyykkonen made his debut!

Matias Eero Pyykkonen
7lbs13oz
20inches




While labor went wonderfully, delivery did not. The beautiful water birth that I had been planning for 10 months ended in me having to be removed from the tub in an emergency situation, and the baby having to be turned with the vacuumed, unfortunately his head was sideways and he just couldn't descend properly. Thankfully I have an amazing doctor and baby was fine, and I didn't have a c-section. I had quite a few complications due to the delivery and recovery has been rather difficult.

Thankfully my mom was able to stay for 3 weeks after Matias' birth. During that time she waited on me hand and foot and took care of everything - homeschooling Mikko, playing with Kai, laundry, cooking and cleaning, etc. After mom left church friends began bringing us meals, and are still doing so! We are so blessed.




Needless to say, there has been no quilting since Matias was born. I am not sure when I will be able to get back into the sewing room again. Although, 3 weeks after he was born I put Matias in the Moby wrap and made a cute felt crown as birthday gift for a friends little girl.



I did make a couple of quilts while waiting for Matias to arrive. I have two friends due with babies March and April -





And while I know that it will be a while until I actually get back into sewing/quilting routinely I can dream can't I? I am including pics of 3 lines of Fabric that I would love to sew/quilt with...

Mercer by Dear Stella - Love the softness and femininity of this line.
Mercer Fat Quarter Bundle

Chic Flora by Art Gallery Fabrics - I can just imagine how silky this fabric feels, I love AGF fabrics.
Chic Flora Fat Quarter Bundle

Botanique by Joel Dewberry - Confession: I actually ordered some of this, not sure when I will have time to sew with it, but I really want a "Spring/Summer" wall hanging for my dining room with a matching table runner.
Botanique Fat Quarter Bundle in Fountain


What is favorite new line of fabric and what are your Spring (assuming it gets here) sewing plans?