~Creating Family Heirlooms Baby Style~

Awhile back, I gave you a sneak peak of some projects I was working on for our newest grandbaby who was born about a month ago. They involved some cotton fabrics, yarn, decorator fabric, corduroy and denim.  With the upcoming birth of each of my youngest daughter's children, she has asked me to make curtains, bedding, diaper bags and carrier covers.

I wish I had some pictures to show you the adorable things I made for big sister, Tater Tot, but I couldn't find any and her things have been stored away.  But I do have pictures of what I made for Bubba.

 

Brittney decided to reuse the carrier cover and baby bedding that I had made.  The fabric is a cowboy print from Waverly and then I used a lightweight denim, corduroy and coordinating cotton fabrics.  By the way, their Daddy made the crib when Tater Tot was born.  He's quite the carpenter, isn't he?  I also made the bedroom curtains using the Waverly fabric but forgot to take pics of them.

This is the diaper bag I made for Bubba but it is getting rather ragged.  Brittney wanted Little Bubba to have some things he could call his own and asked me to make some new ones just for him.  How could I resist a daughter who is so big on handmade items that may become heirlooms for her babies?

Thankfully, I had plenty of leftover fabric stored away to make a new one.   It's taken me a while, with a few interruptions along the way, so I just got it finished yesterday!!  I know, I know.  Tsk, tsk.  But I can say that I had the other items completed in time for her shower.  More about those in a minute.

 

Here's the new and improved diaper bag for Little Bubba!  This time I quilted the fabric for better stability and sprayed all the pieces with fabric protector with hopes to keep it cleaner.  When she washed the first one...only once...it faded rather quickly.

A changing pad made of the denim and cotton fabric.  The back pocket of the diaper bag is made with the corduroy.

The inside lining made with a western print fabric and you couldn't ask for sturdier pockets with the denim.

I think it turned out so cute if I do say so myself.  I must say that it's a bit more of a challenge turning and sewing through several layers of the heavier decorator fabric but it is more durable. So we don't have to be so concerned about it tearing or fraying in the heavier use areas.

 

  One of the other baby projects involved this yarn in colors of denim and wheat.  For each of my grandbabies, I've crocheted a baby afghan in colors that coordinated with their room colors.  Wouldn't you know, I forgot to take pictures!  At least I think I did.  When I went to search for them to add to this post, I couldn't find any.  Huh.

 

And the biggest project involved all these beautiful western prints.  The Waverly print was way too heavy for a quilt and I was ecstatic when I found this dark red cowboy print that coordinated perfectly.

I made lots and lots of Granny Squares while trying to make sure that no two were alike.

 Isn't it amazing how the look of the pattern changes when rearranging the layout of light and dark fabrics?

Though machine quilting is so much quicker, I 've always preferred hand quilting.  It adds such character and knowing that each stitch was put in by hand just adds that something special.  Which do you prefer?

 

There was a finished quilt on display in a fabric store not too far from where I live but, unfortunately, she didn't have any more of the backing fabric available.  Lots of cowboys and bucking horses.  I wanted that fabric!!  I was able to find some online and ordered loads of it.  If you look above, you can see that I also used it to line the diaper bag.

Here's the finished quilt.  I love how it turned out.  Tomorrow I'll take the fnished diaper bag to Brittney and then she'll have ALL the new family heirlooms...baby style...in hand.  Though her babies may not know now of the work and love that Mammer (me) put into creating these things for them, I hope that they will cherish them when they are grown and start families of their own.  They may not have alot of monetary value, but handmade family heirlooms are the most special.  Don't you think?

 

I pray that your day is filled with all the joy, beauty and color that the Fall season brings~

 

~Wee Little Bubba~

Last Friday, my youngest daughter went in to the hospital to give birth to our newest grandchild.  Big sister and brother were staying with us and they were absolutely giddy knowing that baby brother would be joining their family very soon.  Late in the evening, we were able to take them to see Little Bubba.

 It was so fun to watch their expressions as they entered Mama's room and wondering what was going through their minds when seeing little brother for the first time.  Of course, he wasn't anything close to what they were expecting. :)  Probably more like shock and awe at such a tiny little bundle.

 Here he is!!  All 8 pounds and 2 ounces at 20 inches long.  Believe it or not, he is the smallest of their brood.  I'm sure Mama was glad!  Want to get a closer look?

 Isn't he beautiful?  He came out looking so perfect.  He looks alot like his big brother when he was born but there's alot more dark hair underneath that little cap.

 Big sister couldn't wait to touch his soft skin and I know she was SO anxious to hold him as we didn't have to ask her twice about that.

 Even though little brother wasn't quite what he was expecting, Bubba was ready to hold him and to love on him as well.  He is only three years old and is just as loving and doting as big sister...but maybe not for as long.

 This is Poppa, my Mr. Bill.  She can't take her eyes off of him, can she?  Little Bubba...not Poppa. :)

Big sister is the most loving and doting child I have ever seen.  She was that way with her first brother and she will be even more so with this one now that she is older.  The next day, when I brought the kids to the hospital, I had to go buy some groceries.  Mama said that big sister held him for the longest time.  She's only four years old!!  She is going to be such a big helper as Mama has her hands full.

I had taken pictures of them giving kisses to Little Bubba but they didn't turn out very well.  Darn!!  But I'm sure that I'll be able to get one or two taken in the days ahead.

My heart is overflowing with thankfulness at God's care and protection in the life of this little one.  Words cannot adequately express the joy I feel in my heart.  Little Bubba is a very good baby right now adjusting to his new surroundings and Mama is slowly regaining her strength.  I think I'll check with her to see if I need to bring over a meal tonight.  And I might even have to cuddle and snuggle with our newest grandchild...if sister and brother will let me. ;)

~I'm Going to be a Grandma Again!~

Yesterday, we had a family get-together to celebrate one of my sons-in-law birthday AND to watch the Super Bowl game.  While we were getting ready to chow down on our wonderful game day buffet, our youngest wasn't joining in and, very subtly, said that she wasn't feeling good because she has been having morning sickness.  The little bugger has a wonderful way of surprising us with this type of news. :)

Can you imagine my jaw dropping and squeals of delight??  Trust me..it was happening.  Even though we knew that they were wanting to have more children, we didn't know that they were actually 'trying' just yet.  We love each and every one of our five precious grandchildren so adding another one to our little brood brings us such great joy.

I couldn't wait to share the news with you.  I get rather nostalgic about my family and wanted to also share with you the happenings in my youngest's life over the last few years.  Wanna join me?

Her wedding day a little over five years ago.

Little Tater Tot came into the world in 1998  oops...2008!! duh!

 Learning how to multitask at an early age

My precious little Tater Tot.  This last one was used for her first birthday party invitation.

A few months later comes a little brother lovingly known as Bubba.

Oh goodness.,  How can you not love that cute little smile?  I just want to gobble him up!

 Oklahoma winds do not get in the way of family pics at Easter.

 Spending quality time with her little brother.

 This one-year-old LOVES tractors and trucks.  Can you tell?

Just one of many faces of this silly little girl.

Look at those cute dimples...I can't stand it!

 Move outta my way people, I'm comin' through!

 Taking it all in at the Ranch Rodeo in the big city.

And here we are just a few months ago.

I am so thankful that my daughter uploads all her photos in a family digest in Shutterfly as does my daughter-in-law. I highly recommend it as I can see all the pictures that are taken and allows us to see what goes on day to day.  I can pick and choose which ones I want to save to put in my digital scrapbook albums. I can also choose to have photos printed for traditional scrapbooking and to put in frames around the house.  This daughter is like me about taking pictures and has thousands in the her family album.  Yes, it was hard to choose which ones to share with you today.  I hope you don't mind me being sharing so many as I look back over the last few years.

Mr. Bill and I have been so blessed with our children.  We are thankful for who they have become, for the spouses they have chosen and for the beautiful children that God has blessed them with.  They bring us great joy and I am proud to share my family with you.

So, how did your weekend go?  Anything as exciting as mine?~