A New Adventure

Andrew finally convinced me after months of debating and research to get an embroidery machine. 

So I bit the bullet and we did get one. I was very nervous and still am, but after a week of practice, I'm feeling better and enjoying trying new things. It is not a cheap hobby for sure, but I hope to one day make things that maybe people will want to purchase and make some money out of my hobby. 

Thanks to some great friends, youtube and practice I've learned some great tips and I'm making progress. Here's a look at some of what I've created. 

My first applique and ugh it was horrible. I found out some good tips through friends and trial and error. Ordered some other sized hoops and used different types of stabilizer and cut closer and bought some heat bond to help keep the applique material in place. figured out how to apply it CORRECTLY after a mishap or two, and keep trying! Finally, even though it's not perfect I feel like I am becoming more comfortable with it. Appliques are NO JOKE and HARD WORK and TIME CONSUMING. There is a reason people charge you so much, it's worth it! 

trying some monogramming and burp cloths 

Burp Cloth with Vera material, who knew?

Lucas bib monogram with applique

Lilly Grace's onesie that once was Lucas'

Lilly Grace's bib

These are a couple of simple pieces we got at the Once Upon a Child grab bag event, and made them a little cuter

by adding a monogram

to all of them 

One of my first pieces that turned out the way I wanted (mostly)

Lilly Grace Updates

How fast time flies when you're a parent, the TimeHop app is so cool and so bittersweet because it reminds me of where we've come and where we will soon be again when Lilly Grace is born. I can't believe my baby is TWO and that he's about to become a big brother. Lilly Grace is rolling around and moving as I type this. She's growing well and we had another appt right before New Years. The doctor wanted another ultrasound since he couldn't see the bottom part of her spine at the gender ultrasound. The ultrasound tech was having the same problem again, she seems to be stubborn like her brother, but we got some extra pics of our lil girl and the doctor was able to see what he couldn't at the last appt. That appt also included my glucose test, and thankfully, I passed that one on the first time!! (unlike with Lucas where I had to take the 3 hour, in my defense his appt was at 3:30 in the afternoon after school and I had eaten and sadly I ate carbs LOL which turned into glucose...duh Alex). Anyway, all is well and we go back at the end of January for another monthly appt. She definitely moves a lot and is a lot like Lucas in that she likes to push up into my rib cage making it hard to breathe or sit up straight at times, but I wouldn't change it, it's sweet and familiar.


Here is a look at the 26 week bump. She is about the size of an eggplant.


We also spent a lot of time over my Christmas break getting the nursery set up and ready for Lilly Grace. We got it painted, got the crib, dresser, rocker, and bookshelf put together and set up. We also got some pictures and decorations and the crib bedding to go along with it. It's been more challenging than making decisions for Lucas' room, but I am really loving how it's all coming together. We still have to settle on some curtains, trying to regulate the temperature in the room is the main concern with the curtains. It's a work in progress, but I am loving it.

Here's a look at her nursery

Bow holder made by me and bows made by me, too. 

I've discovered my crafty side. Who knew?

Here are some deals we've gotten on clothes!!! 

Here was Lilly Grace's first monogram outfit from Grandma for Christmas

And here was my favorite gift ...the blanket that my Grannie gave to my mama to bring me home in the hospital is now what I will use to bring home Lilly Grace from the hospital.