Brynn's Exciting 4 Day Visit

This last week was full of excitement!  My niece Brynn was able to stay with us for a four day quilting marathon.  We finally finished this super cute quilt for Brynn's bed, which we had been working on for almost two years!  You can imagine just how elated both of us were to complete this fun yet massive task.  While packing and sorting through all of our things, I have also been working on finishing uncompleted projects.  It will feel good to leave Michigan knowing I have tied up random loose ends.  The timing was perfect, because Brynn is getting herself a new bedroom, with a new paint job and now with a new quilt to pull it all together!

As you can see, my nephew Brett is interested in sewing as well.  Don't worry Brett, we'll plan a little sewing date before we leave ;)  He is a details kind of kiddo!  Uncle Ryan also has dibs on the boys for a little kayaking trip as well.  

Rowan and Kierce took their turn sewing as well!  I'll let you all in on a secret, this is totally my dream come true!  I have always hoped that my children, nieces and nephews would enjoy sewing!  This is such a great and positive skill to possess.  Here is a quote from a waitress I once had. "I have so much appreciation for people who sew quilts, it takes such skill and patience.  I could never do it!"  It is definitely a healthy creative outlet for our younger generations.  I think anyone can do it, but obviously not everyone wants to.  I am so glad that these great kids do :)

***(Here is a video, if you are reading this blog through your email, you probably won't see the video.  Just double click on the title of this blog which will take you to the actual blog post to watch this funny video of Merrick dancing, its super cute!)***

We jammed to tunes most of Brynn's visit.  One of the nights the girls dressed Merrick up as Justin Bieber.  They thought it would be a blast if we had him dance and sing to Baby, one of Justin's songs.  We will be laughing about this one for years to come!  Its a good thing Merrick thinks its funny too.  Now ten years from now...?

Brynn also lost a tooth during her visit!  Kierce lost her other front tooth just days before this as well.  We are just the "tooth loosing house"!  Just come to our house and loose a tooth!  If you're a kid that is, we are not promoting dentures here :)

Here is a close up of Brynn's favorite quilt block.  We picked this quilt pattern for a couple different reasons.  Brynn was able to go through my fabric stash to pick her favorites.  Also, all of the girls could help cut each layer of the flower petals.  The edges of the flower petals are meant to unravel and create a more 3-D flower look.  Of course now Rowan and Kierce want one too ;)

 The girls were all excited when they found out I am planning to send this picture into American Patchwork and Quilting.  Every issue they publish quilters who have made a quilt pattern from their magazine with some improvisation.  The original quilt pattern was for a much smaller square quilt, using more pale colors.  We brightened it up and made the quilt twin size.

Brynn's visit was a special time to remember.  After going through all of my fabric and doing some letting go, while some of the fabric went to my Prayers and Squares quilt group, I packed two boxes full of fun fabrics for Brynn to experiment with.  She has a nearly new machine that my Mom gave to her Mom as a gift, that's just ready for her to explore!  Go Brynn!