(Un)Finished Projects

Does anyone else have bags of items bought for projects that you've never gotten around to? Piles of fabrics intended for greatness? Just me? Well this weekend was the time for finishing those unfinished projects!

And man does it feel good!

The girls were inspired by a super cute monkey quilt at my work and really wanted one. My answer was "no way, how about a pillow?" Celeste ran with that idea, changed it up to be a sock monkey, found a drawing to use as a pattern, chose fabric, and came up with this:

 Of course Sophie needed one too:

Anyone remember Celeste's  Minky monkey blanket and Pillow?

I have also made Alexa and all black Minky pillow, so of course Sophie needed one, too. She chose some remnant Minky from my work, and we made this:

 Another half finished project was a ruffled circle skirt Celeste chose the fabric for about 2 years ago. She said she did not want it anymore, so I finished it up for Sophie:

 I have finished all of my collected Sew-N-Go projects of travel items(8 so far, I think?) for Alexa to take to college with her. I will post those later when I get her quilt back from the quilter(made with fabric I got almost 2 years ago, sheesh!). That's right, I made a quilt all on my own, for the first time!

And because we were not busy enough, we did a Pinterest Sunday project, Moscato Cupcakes. My favorite wine in yummy cupcake form:

 I must say I am feeling quite accomplished, if not a little burned out! Now we are off to pick up Alexa's graduation thank you cards from the printer, another item checked off the list!

 

20 years

I can't believe it has been nearly a month since I've posted. It's been busy since Lexi's graduation now that the kids are all home from school. Earlier this month I traveled to Nebraska to meet up with my boys who were working in Iowa. It was a fast trip full of antique shops, visiting family, and meeting a precious new grand-niece. My intention was to drive home with Tony but we stayed too long, so I flew home with the boys. Due to a missed connection we were put up in a beautiful embassy suites for the night and bumped to first class for the return the next day. Michael says he wants to travel that way from now on as he can fit in the seats!

 Then, last Friday Tony and I celebrated our 20th anniversary! Hard to believe, I know. We went to one of my favorite places to eat for lunch, House of Tricks, in downtown Tempe. Then to a movie. Boring, we're old, whatever. 

But, that evening we went for a family bike ride on our new beach cruisers. I am happy to say that we have only missed one night of riding in more that a week. It has been so nice, and that has been with all 6 of us (plus friends most nights, too). I hope we can keep it up a while longer, however the boys are back to work this week, so we'll see. 

So here's to more family bike rides and another 20 years!

Alexa's Graduation

It seems like just yesterday we celebrated Michael's graduation and now Alexa is graduated! Time really flies!

I made a display for Alexa with all her school pictures preschool through Senior, her 3 awards from TPA for her senior year, a book of the senior photos we took, and her acceptance letter to Scripps College. 

My grad

 With her proud parents

 All six of us.

We celebrated with catered Mexican food and the best carrot cake in the world from Hollie's Hot Cakes before heading to the graduation.

 The commencement ceremony itself was really nice. The best part was, with only 52 graduates, it was over in 1 hour 7 minutes! So different from Michael's with over 300 graduates!

 Alexa receiving her diploma from Headmaster/Mayor Hugh Hallman.

 I did it!

 With her cute friend, and alphabetical neighbor, Annie Ortiz.

Proud parents again

 My joys, love these people!

 

 Big brother could not be prouder, such a good man!

 My sister Sandra, her gorgeous kiddos and hubby. So glad they could be there!

 Proud Grandparents!

 And here it is, in all it's glory, Alexa's high school diploma. Also, her cap and silver cord for graduating Magna Cum Laude.

And to think in 4 years Celeste will be graduating, the same year as Alexa will be graduating from College. Can we slow this down, pretty please?

 

Home Run

I know it has been all about Alexa lately, but I just had to share this. Alexa hit a home run, over the fence! They ended up winning this game 7 to 6, to the team ranked #3 in our division. You can't see the ball at all, but you can see Alexa raising her arms, fist pump style, as she rounds second and realizes it's over the fence and a cute little boy in white baseball pants run down the hill to get her ball.

PS, watch it with your volume down, someone was screaming like a crazy person...

Senior Photo Shoot

I've been spending my day off editing Alexa's senior photos. She was resistant to having a professional do them, so she and I trekked out to a park in Glendale (thanks Lindsey!) and took some shots. I am really pleased with them. A line from a country song keeps running through my mind as I look through these "she don't know she's beautiful". I wish she did 'cuz, man that hair, that skin, those eyes, stunning. And that booty, damn (hehe)! 

Here are a few of my favorites:

 Yes, she is intentionally out of focus!

 Beautiful!

 And a little fun with Photoshop and a fake sun flare...why not?

I still can't believe she will be a high school grad in just over a month!

Proudest Mama

Wow, it has been a while since I have posted! I was sick for about 2 weeks, and on top of that, very busy with the kids, as all 3 girls are playing softball. Here is just a sample, last week:

-Monday, Alexa's game {big win for them and Alexa hit a home-run, woohoo!}

-Tuesday, Alexa practice, Celeste practice

-Wednesday, Alexa Practice, Sophie practice

-Thursday, Alexa game {big win against a really good team whom they have never beat} and Celeste's first games, a double header, double wins {go Hornets!}

-Friday, Alexa game {another win} and Celeste school concert

-Saturday, Sophie practice

-Sunday, Celeste practice.

Add on top of that my two jobs. Whew, exhausting at times, but really fun, too!

But that is not what I really want to post about. We have big news! Really, REALLY big news! News that came in a really big envelope:

 I could not believe it when I saw it! And I had the hardest time not ripping it open before Alexa got home! It was the nicest news ever, and worth the wait. Alexa has been accepted to Scripps. Amazing!

 My favorite part, the handwritten note that says "I really enjoyed reading your essays, Alexa!". That must have been what did it. 

A year ago we all fell in love with Scripps when we went for a visit. It was a long shot. It was her dream school. It was a far off goal to reach.

She worked hard. She took SAT prep courses and raised her score by 250 points. She put a lot of time {I mean a TON of time} into her entrance essays. And it paid off. We go out in 2 weeks for admitted students day with info seminars, tours, and meetings with the financial aid department. And, I hate to see all her hard work possibly go to waste, but that meeting will be the determining factor. So, let's hope they offer her a hefty financial aid package. Fingers {and toes} crossed!

Monkeys

We did not accomplish a "Pinterest Sunday" project this week, but with Celeste home from school sick on Monday, my day off, we were able to get our craft on! I picked up some fabulous "Minky" fabric from the best place on earth, my workplace ETC. Celeste really likes Monkeys and has a little collection of them so we made two fun, and easy items for her room.

First we covered and body pillow Celeste already had in her room. It was very easy. These fabrics are 60" wide, so we just cute 2 strips 16"x60", hemmed the top of each, sewed ribbons from our stash to the inside, sewed the 2 pieces right side together, turned right side out, inserted the pillow and tied shut. It took less than an hour, start to finish!

 

Here is a close up of the pillow case and ties.

We cut our remaining fabrics into nine 16" squares. I sewed these squares into rows 3 across then sewed the 3 rows together to form a square. We used a solid piece for the back, sewed front to back right sides together leaving an 8" opening for turning. I turned it right side out, then top-stitched the entire perimeter, sewing opening shut.It was a super easy, cuddle or throw size "quilt" that took about 2 hours.

 If you haven't seen/felt these "Minky" fabrics in person, you are missing out! They are amazingly soft and cuddly! Celeste is in love with the Monkeys, and the colors go so well in her room.