Where in the White Rabbit?

There is a great saying from Confucious which says "It does not matter how slowly you go as long and you don't stop". That has become my inspiration for my project. I have spent evening hours after work and weekends working on my cross stitch project. When it is done I will have a beautiful, White Rabbit to hang on my daughters wall. The finished project is VERY LARGE. We're talking more than 2 feet big!
After about two weeks of work this is where I am. Slowly things are starting to fill in and take shape. I really enjoy doing it and it is exciting to see things coming together slowly, but surely.

Can you see where I am in the picture? I am not giving up and will continue to update the blog as things progress. Wish me luck!

Kicking the Kids Out

I am working from home today and I have decided the girls are no longer lounging around this summer playing PlayStation, reading and trapped in their rooms. I am officially kicking the girls out of the house for at least an hour. When I told Lydia this she gave me this look like "you are the meanest mom ever". Perhaps I am, but I think my children need a good dose of fresh air. While getting her shoes on Lydia asked if she could take a book out with her. I advised her absolutely not, which of course just befuddled her more. Adelle seems more open to the idea especially since I advised her that Lydia has an unused jump rope in her room. I threw them out the door with the jump rope, sidewalk chalk, and a yo yo. I also advised them to try using their imaginations to come up with something to do. We'll see how this goes.

Violet is a Night Owl

I have been staying up later than usual these past few days thanks to my projects. I have noticed that my girl is very active late at night. For the past three nights in fact she has woken me up with her kicking and party behaviour. I usually just roll over and go back to sleep, but I really hope her sleep patterns change before December. I know that I will be up at odd hours with a newborn, but I don't want the witching hours to be her daytime!

Let the Projects Begin

So the projects have officially begun. Friday night Wes and I printed off prints on nice ivory paper and sat around for a few hours to hand color them. This I am sure is the easiest project we will have for Violet's room. We decided on these four prints. The great thing about these John Tenniel pictures is that they are now in the public domain since they are more than 100 years old and that we can use these pictures free of guilt that we are violating some copyright. Wes used more subtle colors with various shades and complex colorings. Wes used to paint and do all sorts of art before law school sapped most of his creative energy.

I of course have never taken art classes and was at first afraid to color something that would be on my daughter's wall for years, but I went for it anyway. Not to bad, even if they are different from Wes' pictures above.

Now I just need to find some frames.

Then Saturday my mother-in-law and myself set out for HOURS to get supplies for the cross stitching and the bedding set. I left the house at 9:30 AM and didn't make it back until 6:00 PM. I was exhausted after going to a specialty cross stitch store, three Joann stores (including one in Orem), South Towne Mall and Ross. The last two stops were for a baby shower present. By the time we got back home I could hardly stand anymore. My mother-in-law really was sweet and I appreciated her help. Wes, Ellen and I even sat around for a few hours after dinner to prepare my stitching floss for the project. I had to buy 100 different colors for this massive thing! Thank heavens for people who love me despite my insanity.

Ellen has decided to cross stitch the Alice and the Cheshire cat picture and I am going to cross stitch the White Rabbit picture. After really looking at the size of these projects I have realized that it is very likely that they will not be on the wall for some time to come. It may be years, but I'm not giving up. I calculated the costs of the project and honestly I could have bought a really nice print for the amount of money that has already been sunk into the project. That is another reason I shouldn't quit. Besides, I am finding that I am enjoying it most of the time. I hate it though when I make a mistake and have to unstitch work that I have already done, but I am learning. Right now it looks like a few small color blobs on a very large piece of fabric. I know it will look amazing when I am finished, and readers...I will finish.

Wes has began work on the bedding set for Violet. We were able to find a beautiful print fabric. I think it will go great with the theme. Wes is planning on making the baby quilt, bumpers, a crib bed skirt and two fitted sheets. I know he will get these projects done on time because he is a master when it comes to sewing. I guess at least my girl will have a cute bed set and some Alice pictures on the wall. Hopefully we will be able to at least make the tea cup lamp as well.

Of course these are not the only projects we need to undertake. I have not forgotten about my beautiful girls that I already have and their big move to the family room in the basement. There is painting to be done and some furniture that needs sanding and re-painting. There is also organizing and trips to the DI to plan. I can't do most of these things like the painting and furniture. I can't move heavy things, but I can organize. One of these days we'll get a jump on everything.

At least the projects keep us busy. I usually have a hard time just sitting around not doing anything. I like to feel useful, even if I'm really just running around in circles sometimes. I am hoping that my girls' spaces will look amazing when we are all done!

It's Official! I've gone Crazy!

It's official! I have absolutely lost my mind. In my quest for items for the Alice in Wonderland nursery for Violet I found a wonderful lady on etsy.com who can make cross stitching patterns. I thought "Wouldn't it be amazing to cross stitch some of my favorite pictures from Alice". You can find the cross stitching store here http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6938511 . Genevieve is having a sale where you can get 4 patterns for the price of 3 so I decided to choose 4 of my favorite pictures and as I type this she is making the patterns for me. I am giddy with delight. Here are the pictures I've chosen.

This pattern doesn't look complex at all does it? He he he he!

This experienced women stated she is stitching one of her patterns and is almost done. It has taken her 5 months! Now boys and girls, we can all count. I have 4 patters and only 5 months until my girl joins the family. Perhaps I will be able to perform a miracle, or perhaps I will have to be content choosing one picture to put on the wall and eventually get around to making the other ones. No matter how you cut it, I can't wait to begin :)

20 Weeks -Half Way There

So I am 20 weeks today! Yeah!!!

I am feeling more energetic this trimester which has been wonderful. I rarely ever get sick to my stomach anymore. I also have been exercising less. I am hoping to jump back on the wagon soon, because I want to be healthy and keep weight gain to a minimum. I keep reminding myself, especially when I see myself in pictures that I well get my body back after the baby is born and I am happy to loan it to help my little girl grow.

Baby Violet is moving more and more all the time. Wes really hasn't been able to feel her yet. He thinks he might have felt her last night, but he's unsure. I can't wait until he can start bonding with my little girl.

The girls are excited that we are having another girl. I hope they get along with her because it seems they can barely get along with each other anymore. I am looking forward to school starting.

I have loved planning Violet's room and have some big projects ahead, but it excites me.

I really feel a bond to my little girl and am so glad I am pregnant with her. Only 5 more months to go! I'm going to need that time to prepare.

Devin and Lexie's Wedding

Saturday was Devin (Wes' brother) and Lexie's Wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception. They really are such a cute couple and look so happy together. We are so excited for both of them. Here are some pictures from the event.

Adelle and Lydia were flower girls with Lexie's sisters.

Someone requested that I put more pictures of myself on the blog. Heaven knows I should probably be skipping this one. Perhaps it is the dress that is making me look so HUGE. That's it. I'll blame it on the dress. Wes says I'm just pregnant.

The happy groom!

The flower girls sprinkling yellow, rose petals down the walkway.

The father of the bride and the bride

The maid of honor, bride and groom, best man and flower girls.

Lexie and her dad.

Lexie and her mom.

Wes, Adelle and Devin being silly!

Jeff (Devin's brother), myself, and Lydia decorated Devin's car with the leftover cake frosting!

Lexie pulled out this fun tie for Devin to wear and Ellen pulled out this purple rock necklace for Lexie to wear at the reception.

Another picture of me. Really people...there was a reason I wasn't posting pictures of myself.

After the reception we stopped off at Wendy's for a quick bite, even though it was 10:00 PM. Lydia decided to wear cucumbers instead of eating them.

We arrived home LATE, but really enjoyed being with family and seeing the joyous event. Congratulations Devin and Lexie!!!