Love: Easy Blanket and Pillow

During the month of February, I've decided to create a series of posts based on the different real life love stories that inspire me. I'll be featuring friends and family, and their different types of love.

In keeping with my February theme if love, my month has been filled to the brim with loved ones. Here's my post from this week, LAST week's is coming soon.

Jeremy has two sisters. When we first started dating, they both lived far. Now Michelle's family lives near, by Jeremy's parents. Liz's family lives far, in Houston. Since we went to see Liz's family over the (long) weekend, this week, I want to write about my love for my "other" family (Jeremy's side) and especially Liz's cute little family's love for each other.

We got into Houston on Thursday night. Liz came to get us, and besides a sleepy, beaming Ava who woke when we got to the house, we had to wait to see everyone else until Friday.

Geoff had to go into work, and Jacob had school, so we were left to hang out with the ladies of the family. Ava is four years old, and she led the way. We did a lot of walking/bike riding, swinging, picking flowers, painting nails, and looking for turtles and, as Ava puts it, crocodiles (alligators). Ava gave us a tour of their house, looked at our shoes and bathing suits, and tried on most of my jewelry. It was a very enjoyable day.

When Jacob and Geoff returned, we went to a Mexican restaurant nearby and began Jacob's 7th birthday celebration with a bang! (Actually a huge brownie volcano with a huge sparkler.)

Liz is reading Harry Potter to Jacob, which I LOVE. Jeremy and Ava also enjoyed being read to. 

On Saturday morning, we took off for San Antonio. There was lots of backseat fun and hotel room cuddles.

We also snuck in sometime at the Riverwalk.

  
And the Alamo.

Sunday was Jacob's actual birthday. We let him decide between exploring caverns or going on an "Africian Safari". He chose the safari, and we were off!

We were headed through Texas hill country, and the adults decided that we should stop at a wine tasting or two (the kids weren't as thrilled about this idea, but were good sports).

Liz and Geoff know Jeremy and I well, so our last stop of the day was The Salt Lick, an awesome (and famous) BBQ joint right outside of Austin. We had fun sampling wine and playing on the playground while waiting for our table.

We ate and celebrated Jacob's birthday. It was delicious and the company couldn't have been better.

Geoff got us home safe and sound. We spent Monday opening Jacob's gifts, taking Jacob shopping for our gift (a mini shopping spree at Target), and enjoying each other's company.

Jeremy and I headed home yesterday. We had such a wonderful time and enjoyed watching the love of this cute little family.

And now, the craft that goes with the trip.

At Christmas, I made Ava and Jacob blankets and pillows. It was fun to see that Jacob uses his on his bed, and they both brought them to San Antonio with them. You can see glimpses of them on the hotel bed and in the car.

These were seriously easy and fun to make. They make a great gift and a good beginning sewer project.

You will need:
1 1/2 yards colorful fleece fabric
2 yards plain fleece fabric
stuffing

Start by lining up the two fabrics. Mosby REALLY loves Ava, and wanted to help.

Cut off the extra half yard of fabric.

   
Sew the "wrong sides" of the two fabric together using a sewing machine. Sew each side individually. Snip off the extra in each corner.

Stop when you have just enough of an opening on one side to pull the fabric through to make right sides be facing out. Hand stitch the opening.

  
The pillow is just as easy. Cut the remaining 1/2 yard in half.

Then follow all the same steps as the blanket. Before you hand stitch closed, just stuff the pillow.

And, there's your finished project.

I'll be back in a couple days with another craft!

Until next time, keep crafting!

SB   

Love: Conversations and Hearts

During the month of February, I've decided to create a series of posts based on the different real life love stories that inspire me. I'll be featuring friends and family, and their different types of love.

My whole life. I've been exceptionally lucky in finding wonderful friends. When I moved to Chicago, I found these women.

Lindsay, Lizzy,  Casey, and I

Last night, we celebrated Casey's 30th birthday. While we were all excited to dress up and celebrate with Casey's closest friends and family, the real anticipation came from knowing we would be meeting someone very special to Casey.

This summer, Casey was set up on a blind date by a co-worker and her husband. The mystery man was the husband's work friend.

Casey and Eric hit it off. They began spending time together nearly every day. When they couldn't be together, they spoke on the phone for hours each evening.

Casey spoke to us about Eric. Lizzy, Lindsay, and I couldn't believe how happy she sounded. Casey  seemed so at ease with him and he sounded so wonderful.

As the months progressed, they have continued to spend more time discussing everything from their days, to their families, to their future.

Lindsay, Lizzy, and I continued to be amazed and thrilled with how happy Casey was and how great Eric was.

Through the past six months, we have seen Casey be as happy as we had ever seen her. And all this has happened because of Casey and Eric's inspiring commitment to each other.

The commitment is even more inspiring because Eric lives right outside of Paris. As in France.

Casey and Eric met this summer when Eric was in Chicago on business for a few weeks. They dated for about two weeks while on the same continent.

Since then, they have spoken almost daily, via phone or Skype. They wake up early or stay up late to speak to one another.

Casey travelled to see Eric over New Year's and they had a wonderful time being together and exploring Paris.

Last night, we all met Eric. He was charming and sweet. He made a slideshow celebrating Casey. He made a scrapbook of the slideshow so we could all sign it, so Casey would have a memory of her birthday.

As great as Eric is, the best part of the evening was watching them interact.

Cheers to you, Casey and Eric. Enjoy this month together.

Inspired by Casey and Eric, I made a wreath with conversation hearts. (Get it?!? Conversations, ha)

Here's what I did.

Start with a 12 inch wreath, 3 bags of conversation hearts, and hot glue.

Mosby REALLY wanted those candy hearts.

Glue the hearts on in a row.

Flipping the hearts every other row helped to decrease the amount of styrofoam showing through.

Keeping going until the whole wreath is full. This will take about two hours.

Pin a ribbon to the wreath.

Hang and enjoy!

Until next time, keep crafting!

SB