I kicked the year off back in the hometown with my brother and was able to spend a wonderful week with my family.  The food is the best at home.  I was also lucky enough to visit with some high school friends, go to the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, see a Genghis Khan exhibit and visit the Tattered Cover (two locations!).  I also spent a few days when I got back with Tim before his new semester started up again today.  10 degrees and snow won’t stop us!

So while I did make a bunch of stuff in 2009, I didn’t make 52.  I did make a twin sized quilt for Middle Way house and several other baby quilts for donation.  I made a few gifts, and tried new things.  And that was the point really.  I can get stuck making quilts with tiny little squares and be in my comfort zone, but exploring other fiber/art/craft possibilities out there is what is important to me.  I did also knit a cable scarf for my mom, cuz she is the best.

is sadly over, but we had a great time!  I’ve never been to Canada before and was due for some time off.  Traveled with my family and part of the way with Tim.  Its always busy getting back home and back to work though.  I need to be making some stuff! Or at least finishing some stuff.

I have one month to finish a twin sized quilt, the infamous quilt made with over 1,200 pieces that is my current cross to bear.  I saw some of the other quilts last night at the quilt guild for the same project and they were made with huge blocks!  It was almost enough to make me want to cry.

Oh, though if you want a fabric basket and care about what color/pattern, let me know.  I love mine and they are fun to make!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes, texts, presents, messages and phone calls!  I had a great birthday (despite having to work) and I love hearing from all my friends, no matter how far away.  I don’t really feel any older, but I am a little sleepy.

Today is a quiet day, cleaning, laundry, sewing, and such.  I am sewing, despite the continued lack of finishing stuff.  I am also really looking forward to our upcoming French Canadian vacation!

This is my second year in a row going to St Louis for the weekend of the 4th.  I had just as much fun as last year, even more with the addition of Cynthia.  We watch fireworks, went swimming and picnicking at Johnson’s Shut-Ins, shopped, watched movies, drank beers and in general had a great time just being together.  Tim also spent most of the weekend with his childhood friends and made the trip to Holiday World!

Cynthia also received her apron (YOMS: Week 24), so the full picture:

P.S. It is really hard to take your own picture in an apron!

A quickie for a short week, but Week 23 is a little embellishment on this $3 dollar shirt I got at Old Navy.  I was considering doing some sort of red embroidery on the yoke or maybe collar, but it might be one of those things that is cooler in my head than in real life.  That sort of shit happens all the time. This shirt has been worn and washed, so I think it does hold up pretty well.

Chicago photos are up on flickr!

So it was a little rainy and chilly, but we had a fantastic weekend in Chicago in part for Tim’s birthday and in part for the hell of it.  Andrew flew in to meet us and we went to the aquarium, the lake front, Millennium Park, Blues Fest, Cubs game, shopped on Michigan Ave., architecture cruise and in general had a blast.  It was really nice to get away.

I had big plans to upload all my photos this morning, but our power was out for a little bit, so I am behind.

I also have my Week 23 finished item around here somewhere….and I am busy on Week 24, but that will have to be a surprise for a little bit (even though it is already late for a May birthday).  Pictures hopefully will follow tomorrow.

I skipped making anything last week due to work and leaving town, but will make up for it this week by making TWO things.  Item for Week 16 (last week) is finished, but will be in a surprise package that will be shipped at the end of this week.  Photos to follow early next week.  Item for Week 17 (this week) is in process and will also be done this week despite having to cut the main fabric part 4 TIMES.

Savannah is a beautiful city, and I was so happy to be there for Regina’s party.  A beautiful city, perfect weather, homemade southern cooking, good company and some sweet-ass sweet tea are the perfect ingredients for a long weekend get away.  I really needed it.

Schoko-Bananen is a banana flavored candy covered in dark chocolate that a co-worker brought back from Germany specially for me!  I adore it, AND its fun to say.  I think the world would be a better place if there was more banana candy and all beauty products smelled like grapefruit.

Tim is in the final stretch for his papers for the semester.  Send good thoughts.

For Christmas Tim and I made four of these calendars using photos from our summer Low Countries trip and iPhoto to give to our parents, my brother (who traveled with us) and one to keep for ourselves. Picking among thousands of photos was hard, but making the calendar using iPhoto was really easy.  And despite my sort of crappy photo, the calendar is beautiful and looks completely professional.  Its hanging in our kitchen and always brings a smile to my face.

Tim and I spent a glorious week in Southwest Florida visiting his parents for Christmas.  I missed being with my family a lot, but had to settle for amazing sunshine and beautiful beaches.  In addition to some beaches around Ft. Myers, we took a day cruise to Key West which is incredible.  I’d love to go back with more time.  We also checked out the Naples Zoo (with the monkey island boat tour highlight), ate great seafood and played some wii with Tim’s parents.

I am a firm believer in seasons.  But come February I am going to miss walking in the gulf waters.

Hope everyone had a great holiday and looking forward to 2009 as much as I am!

Back in May, I decided to make a quilt for my mom for Mother’s Day.  I wanted it to be just right, but couldn’t figure out colors and pattern.  But in the past few weeks, I’ve found a pattern and today with the help of Bonnie at Shiisa Quilts, picked out fabrics to compliment the large floral on the right that I knew I wanted to use.  Also to go with it is a very pretty cream colored not pictured.  I don’t want to show any more pics until it is done!  I am very excited and think that it will be beautiful.  I hope to have it done by early November, when I head out to Colorado for a vacation.

**Baby Isa couldn’t wait out Hurricane Ike and was born at home in Houston early this morning!  Hope everyone in the Meouw family are doing well.  Good thing there were two doctors there!    Can’t wait for pictures.