Big Project is FINISHED!!!!!

YIPPEE. I have my computer back so now I can tell you all about my big project I have been involved with. There is a first time for everything right???????? Well I decided to take on a big project that I had never done before. Since Alyssa was a captain this year it's the duty of the captain mom's to come up with the end of the year coaches gifts that are presented at the banquet.

So don't ask where this came from, but I decided I wanted to do something very unique, but very personal for the coaches which have done so much for my girls over the years. So out of the clear blue I decided to make them each a quilt. Not only make a quilt but it has to be a SWIMMING QUILT!!!!! WAIT I don't quilt. Well I love a challenge and I love to learn new things so I decided I was going to do this. I do have a wonderful embroidery machine so I decided to do some embroidery work on the blocks (that was the easy part for me).

I set off to the store to find myself some fabric and a pattern. The biggest challenge was that I only had two weeks to get two quilts done. So as I was at the store feeling very overwhelmed and wondering where I should start I hear this voice from clear across the store. "OHHH my gosh is that Lynette Kankamp in a fabric store". I turned around and it was my good friend and neighbor Juli that I had completely forgot is a wonderful quilter. So Juli reassured me that I can get this done. She said to call her when I have my fabric. Honestly without Juli I don't think I could have done this. When I had problems or questions I turned to Juli for guidance. I am sure she was so sick of me by the end. HAAHAHA

Well, anyway I found out that the banquet was postponed by a week so I had an extra week to get this project done. I was very proud of the way it turned out. My son Brandon kept saying to me "Mom, I hope you don't mess this up" Thanks Brandon but "why would I mess this up" and he just kept saying to me "well you are not really a quilter" HAHAH well I got the last laugh because he loved the finished product. In fact he said to me "Mom, do you think you would be willing to make me one like that only with a football theme" OHHH my gosh that was a priceless moment.

Well in addition to that my girls both said they want a swimming one just like the coaches quilt and then Lauren said to me that since I was making one for everyone else in the family she wants a quilt to. WOW didn't know I was going to be opening up a can of worms.

Well, anyway this is the back of the quilt. It looks just like water don't you think?

Here is Alyssa presenting the quilts to the Coaches. I hope they love them, but most of all it was made from my heart and I appreciate the countless hours they have dedicated to both my girls over the many years. Andee you are our HERO and I hope you know that you are a second mom to Rachael and Alyssa.

Here are just a few details of the quilt. This block I had to put on the quilt because it's a little cheer Alyssa does behind the block before she swims. B.H.S. Yes

Thanks so much for taking a peek.

Ohh What a Weekend

I hope everyone had a great weekend. It was a typical weekend for us. Typical in the fact that our Saturday's are filled with kids sports. We started off the day with Brandon's game. He plays wide receiver this year. Very different from his usual defence corner position. I have to say it's been a frustrating year. He is used to being on the winning team. It's been a challenge and he has had to learn to take the good with the bad.

Well they lost this game 12-14. Mom will for sure be glad when the season's over. OHHH well that is just life with lot's of good days and plenty of bad days.

I actually left dad at the game in the 4th quarter to run to the water polo game where Alyssa was playing. This was a much different game with Alyssa's team winning 12-2. I know you really can't tell by the angle of the camera but Alyssa is driving the ball in and made a perfect shot right in the corner pocket of the net.

For those of you that have never watched a water polo game first of all it's completely exhausting. My girls always say it's 3 times harder than a swim meet. It's pretty much 4 quarters of pure sprinting. It's kind of like playing soccer, wrestling, basketball and swimming all in one sport. Anyway, I captured this perfect shot of Alyssa playing defense and actually stealing the ball. The other girl is under water you can kind of see her. I think Alyssa is trying to drown her. Believe me there is plenty of "try to drown your opponent" that goes on.

Good news is that my oldest daughter Rachael was asked by the coach to run the clock and scoreboard during the season. So she comes up from college on Saturday and works the games. She makes really good money doing it and I get to see her for a brief moment. However, the season is over next week. Not a great photo but you can see that she is taking a break during a time out.

I seriously should be a sports photographer. It's pretty sad but 90% of the photos I take are sports related. I love it. Someday when my kids and no longer is sports I am really going to miss this.

"Stardust" Expo Create and Take

Click on image to enlarge I love using this paper pack for sports layouts, but at the same time it can be used for just about any layout and cards. The colors are very bold and happy.

X7109B Stardust Level 2 paper pack

D1333 Wishing Star stamp set

D1330 Connections stamp set

E1004 Cobblestone Alphabet stamp set

Moonstruck Ink

Honey Ink

White brads and ribbon