The End of Football

Our Tigers football season has come to an end once again. I hate it when football season is over...but fortunately...there's still BOWL season! I love all college football, so another 2 months of games is just fine by me.

 

We got one last family picture as a family of 7. Next year there will be another little tiger with us too!

 

I love the time we get to spend together tailgating, enjoying the outdoors, and enjoying each other.

 

 

As it got colder, everyone bundled up a little bit more! We added lots of layers before the night was over.

 

 

Gray loves football time with her Papa. She's quite the little cheerleader.

 

 

And I know she looks forward to her long walks with Nana. They explore each and every week.

 

 

Of course, who can resist a little "Daddy Time"???

 

 

We only busted out the grill for this game. Hubby is our official grillmaster.

 

 

Steak sandwiches....yessssssir!!

 

 

Layers were added, gloves and scarves were worn, and giant bows were added to hats to keep ears warm during the game. You can never over-accessorize for a southern football game!

 

 

It's been a great season. 9-2. We loved every minute of it. Next year will bring new joys, fun, and family.

A Christmas Quilt

I am very lucky to have a husband who likes to decorate for the holidays. In fact, he encourages trips to Hobby Lobby "just in case" they have some new stuff! He asked me to make a tree skirt this year, but with all the baby things going on, time ran a little short.  I told him I would make a Christmas quilt instead, and save the tree skirt for next year.

 

I ordered a charm pack of Cherry Christmas for Moda from Southern Fabric. Charm  packs are your best friend if you need a quick, coordinating set of fabric for a quilt, pillow, small project. They are precut 5" squares of fabrics from a particular line.

 

When I saw the colors of Cherry Christmas, I knew I had to have it. The reds, lime greens, grays, and the pops of TEAL that now match my living room made me very happy.

 

I added a few fabrics from my stash, including this fun little red polka dot. I liked it so much I used it for the backing fabric as well.

 

Hubby picked out the binding fabric. I was hesitant at first to use these stripes, but the diagonal stripe made a perfect candy cane border!!

 

Great job Hubby!

 

 

I am most proud of this quilt because I finally broke down and did it the "right" way. I pinned, ironed, and quilted using my brand spanking new walking foot! More on my love affair with that later.

 

These extra steps resulted in crisp corners, and NO puckering at the seams like all of my other quilts.

 

 

I love my little lap-sized Christmas quilt. I've already curled up for a few not-so-long winter naps under it.

 

 

The bright colors and whimsical prints make my heart smile, and it looks super cute in my living room. I'll be sad when January comes!

 

A Thankful Thanksgiving

I was fortunate to get to spend Thanksgiving with those I love. I unfortunately had to work the night before, and the night of Thanksgiving, so I had to sneak some sleep in there somewhere.

 

We managed to sneak outside before supper to take a few pictures...

 

Gray is usually a ham for the camera...but she wouldn't look!

This is a trio of trouble. Yep.

 

Our due dates are getting closer and closer! Just one more month for my cousin.... 2 1/2 for me!

 

 

 

 

Group Shot! Sorry Hubby...someone has to take the picture. It's usually me, so it was nice to be in a picture!

 

 

I hope all of you had a wonderful start to this busy busy busy holiday season!

Cyber Monday SALE

Who did lots of Black Friday shopping?? Not me. I went to a couple of stores, at reasonable hours, and did some online shopping for Christmas, but those crowds are not for me!

 

I'll take a peek online to see if there are any good Cyber Monday deals too.

 

If you are doing online shopping Monday, make sure you head over to

 

Grits and Giggles the Shop

 

and use coupon code HOLIDAYS to get 30% of your order! It's good on premade goodies....and sewing patterns!!

 

There's still plenty of time to make your little one or yourself something super cute for Christmas.

 

There are lots of sweet dresses, skirts, and bags to choose from...

And of course, a few ready made items...

*Happy Shopping*

Thankful

*Happy Thanksgiving*

I hope you're able to spend today with the ones you love, laughing, eating, and loving.

I unfortunately had to work last night...and will work tonight too. Hospitals don't tend to observe holidays. I am, however, spending every waking moment enjoying those that I love.

I'm thankful for this crazy family of ours. Nana, Papa, Adam, Kaileigh, Hubby, Gray, and Myself. There are so many good times, good words, and good spirits when we're all together. All families should be so lucky to have what we do!!

I am blessed that my most distant cousin lives 20 minutes away. Having your siblings and cousins this close together makes for one seriously close family.

I am blessed, lucky, and thankful for these two. Everything I do is for them, to make them happy. I get nothing but happiness for myself in return. Every. Single. Day.

 

                  

The smile on this girl's face, her howling laugh, and her sweet kisses are by far the biggest joy in my life. I don't know what we did before she was here.

 

 

So completely gorgeous.

 

I can't forget my other little miracle!! I'm thankful to be feeling huge and pregnant, as uncomfortable as it may be some days.

 

 Feeling kicks, punches, and rolls are a sweet little reminder that I'm never alone.

 

 

 

 

 

Oh Christmas Things...

I've been working on a few new Christmas things around here lately, but none of them are out, or ready to show yet....so here's a little round up of some other projects to spice up your holiday season!!

Distressed Christmas Carol Art

Funky Christmas Wreath

Oh Christmas Tree Tee

Natural Goodness Ornaments

 

It's never too early to craft for the next holiday season!!

And how much do I want to cry over how much Gray has changed in a year?? Whahhhhhh!!!

 

All of my Christmas decor will be out on Friday! Can't wait!

Baby Things- a quilt top

The sewing machine has been whirring around our house lately! I'm counting down the months/weeks until baby boy gets here, and realizing that I'm quickly running out of time to complete projects!!

 

So last week I busted out the rotary cutter and my lovely stack of Fabric from Sarah Jane's "Out to Sea" line.

During one very sleepless night, I decided it was time to piece the quilt top together. Unlike my usual quilting, I pinned and ironed, every. single. piece while I was piecing. It was a lot of extra work, but the sharp corners are totally worth it.

Now I'm waiting patiently completely impatiently for my walking foot to come in the mail. I've decided that it's time to try to quilt something well. Hopefully this quilt will be free from the shifting and puckers of quilts past.

 

Until it comes, I have TONS more projects to work on, including sewing for Christmas, nursery decor, and sewing up a few cloth diapers. Every project off the list is a relief at this point!

Clemson vs Maryland

Another Clemson home game has come and gone...with a WIN! Only two more games left. I look forward to tailgating as much as the actual games some times. It's good family time!

Sometimes we sneak away for some pictures and a long walk....

The little one was not too thrilled about this particular photo spot.

Trying to run away....she didn't get very far. 

It took the whole season...but we finally got a good family shot. I love these two. 

BIG KISSES!!!!!

This little girl loves her Nana and Papa...

It went from 80 degrees to 50 during the game!!That southern sun puts off some heat.

 

Two silly girls....right there....

Gray loves her Aunt Kai-Kai. 

And popcorn...she loves popcorn too. 

Sometimes I wonder if I drive my family crazy having my camera out all the time. But I don't worry about it too much. Someone has to take the pictures!

"Becoming Mommy"....coming soon....

It's almost here!!

We have a great line-up of guest bloggers and projects to bring you

TWO full weeks 

of baby and maternity projects!

Here are my awesome Guest Posters:

Mira from SewTLC

Vanessa from See Vanessa Craft

Adrienne from Freetime Frolics

Eva from Tales of the Scotts

Sheree from Seaweed and Raine 

 I will also be sharing tutorials for LOTS of Mommy/Baby items....

Here's a little sneak peak...

 I can't wait to share all of these things with you and so much more.

"Becoming Mommy" 

starts December 3rd

Don't miss it!!