December 27, 2010
                                                         A More Organized New Year!

So I hope everyone had as wonderful of a christmas as we did! The boys were thrilled and it was equally as exciting for Steve and I. I'll go more into that later this week or next, after I dump my camera. For now, I thought I would share a new project. I made this for my grandma for christmas. I LOVED it and wanted to keep it for myself! If any of you knitters are anything like me, your needles are all over your bag, a big mess. One of my resolutions, well, goals really, for the new year, is to organize my life a little more. This is one little step to get there, a knitting needle case!

It wasn't too challenging or anything, just sewing straights lines, and took maybe 3 hours. Although, that was with 3 toddlers running all over the place and intermittent pauses to break up quarrels and such. So 1-2 hours is all it would be really.

I used fat quarters that I had, and it took 3 of those. I actually used pieces of 4, since I used the same fabric for one of the pockets as the back. I am not great at mixing patterns, but I think these 3 look so cute together! My favorite part is in the upper right corner (see 2nd pic below). See the mama birdie feeding her baby?? SO adorable! I thought it was fitting for my grandma.

Besides the 4 fat quarters, all you need is thread and a piece of ribbon for the ties. I also thought it might be nice to use a bit of quilting batting in between the 2 main pieces of fabric to stiffen it up a bit. I think it might make it easier to fold. So when I make mine this week, that is what I'll try.

Here is the blog I found the tutorial for, CLICK HERE. She has some good photos and easy directions. Mine won't be AS cute as this one since that cute Japanese fabric was all I had. But that's ok, at least I'll have a nice spot for my supplies!

                         Notice the taller pocket has skinny slots, and the shorter pocket has wider ones.
          
                             See the top flap, it stops the needles from slipping out when it's rolled up.
                          
                                                                          All rolled up!
                                              
                                             
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                                                               December 23, 2010
                                               MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

Ahhh, christmas is upon us! Already! I have no idea where the last year went, but I am certain it was filled with lots of love and fun. We were so incredibly blessed in 2010. I am very thankful that it went as well as it did, and surely look forward to 2011! A new baby to come, a possible (hopefully more than likely) move, and another year of good memories with my babies and husband. YAY!

                 Here's a cute photo from this summer I found. LOVE Noah's pout!
                    

Things are going very smoothly here in the Ekstrom household, and the kids are more than pumped for christmas. I can't wait to see their little precious faces on christmas morning when they see their little gifts under the tree. I was discussing this with Steve last year, being a parent makes christmas BETTER than when I was a kid. At least I think so!! It brings so much more joy and happiness being the GIVERS and seeing your children so excited. I can't wait for christmas day! Plus the fact that ALL of Steve's immediate family will be in town, makes it so much more fun. Both sisters, husbands, all 5 nieces and nephew, and his mom will be here (and of course his dad, but he lives here!). Having a house full of kids and lots of fun family activities to do are on the agenda! Hopefully there will be sledding, ice skating, and lots of fun. I love seeing the kids with their cousins, they have such a blast!

In baby news, this little man is doing great! Kicking like a maniac, practicing his moves and such. Steve has been able to feel him kick for a couple weeks, which is always cool. 23 weeks this week!

Photography stuff is going great. December was a SUPER busy month for me. I just finished wrapping up the last photo session on Tuesday, and have off until the day after Christmas. Lots and lots of sessions scheduled for 2011, which is exciting. I am so surprised things have taken off as fast as they have. I have found myself having to watch how many shoots I schedule in a week, because it just becomes too much! What a blessing. I love doing it, and more importantly, I really enjoy seeing how much my customers love their photos! I posted a couple more recent shoots on my SITE, so you'll have to take a peek. If you haven't already, head over to Facebook and find my page! If you are interested in scheduling a session, book soon. I have shoots scheduled into September already, and my pricing special ends January 1st.

Here are some snapshots of the last month here. We have all had a great month! Enjoy and have a WONDERFUL christmas and new year!!!

                      
                      
                      
                           Christmas tree chopping with Grandpa and the cousins!
       
            Sara & Caroline picking their tree, and Noah sledding with cousin Caroline.
       
                                           My handsome Steve with our tree!
       
                  Noah absolutely in LOOOOOVE with his first boy cousin, Zachary!
                     
               All of the 7 cousins in their christmas jammies! Ages 4 months-6 years.
                     
                          Decorating the tree with candy canes- their favorite part!
        
                     
                          Sledding with Dad one night, they didn't want to come in!
                                   
          Well, we attempted a gingerbread house, but it broke, so we just did panels.
       
                                 Oliver clearly did more eating than decorating.
       
                                        So proud of his gingerbread "house"!
       

  Come back soon, my next post will be a new project that I did for a christmas gift!

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