Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Keeping Track

It's that time of year when you look back at lists .. things you DID do .. like bring a baby home from the hospital!!

And things you DIDn't do .. like, ahem .. finish any projects.

Of course there are always those landmark events too .. like having a baby, celebrating his baptism, recording his first Thanksgiving, remembering his first Christmas ..

I'm also looking foward to new things this year. Finn's birthday is only just around the corner, followed by Easter and then a whole summer of Funn! as I anticipate him learning to walk. Oh boy!!

Axel will tell you I've been driving myself crazy trying to keep notes, records and photographing everything. I know I can't count on my memory. Thank goodness for digital and datestamps on photographs!!

With Finn growing like a weed, I've been looking at ways to record that too. And wow, there are a LOT of ideas out there. I thought I had pinned my favorite growthchart ideas, but alas it must have been done in my sleep because I can't find them. Except for this one that was clearly a frontrunner.

That is until I saw this project designed by Simone of Atelier Soed Idee Annelies featuring cross-stitch borders from Annelies' collection of antique samplers. The patterns are published every Saturday on a blog dedicated to the Randje per Week stitch-a-long. There is also a Facebook group.

I decided this would make the perfect growth chart and be something unique, because what does one DO with their children's growth charts?? I'm thinking this might end up on the back of his wedding quilt. Maybe? 

So I looked all around a fabric options and funnily it wasn't hard at all to choose the black. I ordered my fabric and finally got to start last night. This is how far I got. Eventually there will be 106 rows in the entire pattern. There were three borders this week but I chose to not include the first one. 

SI-RPW1a

Not bad consider that after the baby was in bed, dishes done and a *very* quick tidy up it was already 10pm. Thankfully hubby picked up after that, started the dishwasher and hung a load of laundry on the drying rack.

So the details. I am embroidering over 2 threads on 30 count pure linen using 2 strands of Weeks Dye Works embroidery floss in a variegated dark grey / black called "Kohl" (Coal) #3900. My second color, which I understand does not appear until week (or row?) seven will probably be bright red. I still have to decide how I am going to finish the edges. I have ideas (although they might change) for indicating the "measure" and incorporating his semi-annual height markings.

And NO I did not need another project, but I am quite happy about one that can be finished in an evening or two. Just for me .. and for Finn.

Speaking of Finn, he woke up all rosy posy this morning. A joy for sore eyes (phew, yes .. I am noticing my age after working on that late last night!). I swear his hair grew overnight. The red is sadly gone and the palest whitest blond is quickly filling in.

Rosy Posy Finn

Thankfully his rash / cradle cap is getting better. It's taken us a while to figure out but Finn is allergic to milk and probably wheat. So until we're done breastfeeding that's no cheese for momma .. and boy does she miss it!! I've been lactose intolerant for a few years so had cut back extremely enjoying only goat's milk (fresh, straight from the farm) and cheeses, but NO cheese is killing me. Did I mention I also got a filling without anaesthesia .. yes, that is how much I love this boy!!! 

TWO

We're getting close the the one year mark though 
*and* he sprung two teeth last week so it won't be much longer. 

Finn is a dream of a baby. 
A happy chappy. 

His laugh makes my heart smile.

And that DO / DID list, suddenly it doesn't matter nearly as much.

xox J
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Thursday, January 2, 2014

So Many Questions

Ooooooh, where to start?

I am so anxious to create, make, DO something. 
I want to sew, paint, cook and work in the garden, but not clean. 
Never clean.

JPA Jan 2014

So, I have a question for you ...

Considering I hardly posted in 2013, 
what do you want to hear, see and read about?

I'll be honest that quilting time is severely limited.

Are you interested in all the other stuff that goes on around here?

Sewing for Finn?
Decorating our new home?
Setting up our farm?

I do occasionally blog a recipe in the little grey cookbook but haven't as often as I'd like. 
Even though I have tons of great recipes I'd love to share. 
Are pictures critical? 
Or do you trust my salutations / salivations?

Did you enjoy WAW ?
I miss it, but don't want to bore you to death. 
Would you participate?? 
I sure would find that inspiring!

Or just stick to quilting??
Nothing else .. whenever I can ..

Should I change the name of my blog?

Jovita's Patchwork Life ?
Jovita's Patchwork Puzzle ??

So many questions ...


I sure would love your input ...



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Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Ta Da!

Wow, well ... it's another start to another year.
So I thought I better drop in to say hello ...

To be honest, I'm a little sad to see 2013 come to an end.
What an exceptional year it has been for us!!
Personally at least.

Professionally is a whole 'nother kettle of fish 
but honestly, I'm ok with that for now.
There's a new year coming!
And I hope you'll stay tuned.

This is what 2013 brought


January we waited on pins and needles after losing Finn's twin brothers in utero (mid-December) the main goal was to rest, rest and rest.

February started out smooth, hit a bumpy patch and ended ecstatic as we welcomed our little bundle of joy into this big wide world in the wee hours of the 28th day. We had planned to celebrate Saskia & Arne's birthday with cake, but this pretty much topped those plans.

March & April? Well they were tiring, sometimes worrying but wonderful as we watched Finn grow slowly towards his the required take-home weight of 2300grams / 4-1/4 lbs.

May was full. Nine-week-old Finn came home from the hospital, we celebrated part 2 of his christening, papa's birthday and mother's day all the same weekend then we watched the calendar count down to the day he was 'supposed' to arrive.

June, July and August whizzed by in a flurry of summer rain punctuated by an enormous growth spurt and a terrible case of chickenpox. Finn developed sepsis and Momma spent 5 days with him in hospital. 

On August 28th, the day Finn turned 6 months old, we woke up in our new home .. a beautiful little farm on 2-1/2 acres. The potential is immense. The work a little daunting. The peace and quiet breathtaking and inspiring. I promise to tell you more soon.

September was spent getting to know the farm a little better, unpacking and just letting down our hair for awhile.

October and November? Well, honestly, I'm not sure .. I've even checked my Facebook entries, there are *very* few. I do know Finn had his first cold, we took our first studio photos and celebrated his first Thanksgiving with friends. I will also admit I spend a lot of time just watching him grow, play and stretch. He amazes me. Daily. 

December .. wow, another month of celebration. Decorating, baking, visiting and enjoying Finn's first Christmas.


So what are our plans for 2014?

I wish I could tell you
I'm not really sure what they are 

... I'm open to suggestions 
and possibilities ...

I would love to sew, quilt, craft more.
I will put Finn and our family first.

I want to blog, share, converse and connect.

I will enjoy it. To the fullest.
Because this year only comes once.
As does tomorrow.
And I plan to start each new day like it's a new year!

How about you?

I'd love to hear what you have planned ...
Are you choosing one word?

I haven't
I can't
I won't

I am open to everything ...

and in the meantime

we wish you a very very 
Happy New Year



I can't wait to see what 2014 brings ...
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