MEET SILAS LIAM - OUR FIRST GRANDCHILD

Born Monday September 17, 2012, 6 lbs 4 oz and 21 inches long!

He was born one month early and spent 9 days in the hospital.  He is home now with his Mommy and Daddy.  Here are a few photos from his first week.

HE IS PERFECT!

BABY BIB AND QUILT

A new little bib I made for the coming grand child.  He should be born in about a month.  I found this cute fabric at SEW MAIN STREET in Woodstock along with the super soft backing.  I used a large plastic snap at the back and lined it with thin batting for an extra layer of cuddliness. 

This quilt pattern is called ROCKY ROAD TO KANSAS.  It is a Marti Michell pattern and was featured in American Quiltmaking magazine in 1997 I think.  I originally made this pattern for a quilt challenge and had saved the magazine because I really liked the pattern.  Now, 15 years later I'm making it again for my first grandson who is to be born in October.  

Here are the 9 finished blocks on my design board.  BTW, this cork board was made by my father for me when I went off to college in 1972!  Now, it's second life is in my art/sewing room.  I'm sure it feels at home since I was an art major in college!

I like the scrappy nature of the quilt.  I can use up a lot of scraps that I have in my stash plus it is fun to look at all of the different patterns.  You cut strips between 1/2" - 2" and sew them together.  Then you cut out a "kite" pattern and stitch those together like I have done below.

There is one background piece that you reverse and the 8" block is done.  Just sew 4 blocks together for one square.  I made 9 squares for this quilt.

The pattern pieces are very nicely drawn so you will be able to get those perfect tips!

Here is the quilt just waiting to be put together with batting and backing.  I will use the soft squishy backing like I used in the bib above.  The total size should be 32" - just the right size for a little boy to hug on to and drag around!

LIGHT IT UP

Check out my son's business OCTO LIGHTS.  You can find him on the web, Facebook and Pinterest.  They specialize in printing high quality photos onto specially formatted light lens covers that fit into 2' x 4' fluorescent lights.

Below are a few of my favorites from his collection:

Here is an actual installation from the Astronomy Collection in a Dallas, Texas classroom sent in by the teacher who purchased the lenses.

SEWING FOR BABY

Well, our first grand baby is supposed to be here in about 6 weeks.  I've been knitting a few things but baby's mommie has asked me to make a baby sling.  I remember my old Snugli that I had and loved.  I found a Butterick pattern (5798) that looked sturdy and comfortable.  It's a quick and easy pattern, reversible and included a baby neck roll pattern.  

Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, Georgia

Treat yourself to a lovely day at Gibbs Gardens.  It is filled with trails weaving through carefully planned gardens with plenty of shade and benches.  My favorite was the Monet's garden complete with a replica of the bridge and waterlillies.  If you are visiting Atlanta, take time to drive up to Ball Ground (about 45 minutes from Atlanta) and visit Gibbs Gardens.  This was 20 years in the making and just a lovely setting.

I took my mom for Mother's Day this year.

The hydrangeas were in bloom.

Another view of Monet's bridge.

Covered walkway leading up to the manor house.

This is the Gibbs' home with pool in the side yard.  You are welcome to wander around, sit and make yourself at home!

This little bench is located just behind the house in a small secret garden.

ZOO ATLANTA

When was the last time you went to the zoo?  I don't think I've been in about 10 years.  There is a Zoo Atlanta pass you can pick up at your local library and receive 4 free passes to the Zoo!  Last weekend we took advantage of that little deal!

I happened to be standing at the Flamingo pool when the caretakers arrived with food.  ALL of the flamingos turned and started toward the caretakers at once!


I love the graceful flamingo with those huge beaks!  I still don't understand how they can stand on one leg for so long!

There was one area of the zoo that I had never been to before.  It was the bird sanctuary.  It was filled with parakeets.

Love the giraffes!

I learned that each gorilla has a different shaped nose similar to our fingerprints.  That is how they are identified by their noses!

And of course, the Carousel.

On the way home we stopped at Atlanta's Food Truck Park at Howell Mill Road and I-75.

You HAVE to stop at the YumYum truck and get a cupcake!

This past spring a robin built a nest next to our dining room window.  I took photos every few days.  I love this photo of the little white feathers glowing in the sun with the mother bird watching over her babies.