the basement and other creations

Things are moving right along in the basement now! We worked our tails off (with help from our awesome missionaries and friends) to get all the sheetrock up and the basement totally emptied. And then we did something we've never done before... we hired someone to do the rest! Ok, not really the rest, but they are in our basement at this very moment mudding, taping, and sanding. They should be done either today or tomorrow. And then we'll prime, paint, do the finish work, hang doors, put in cabinets and tile in the laundry area, carpet the rest, finish up Dax's under the stairs lair, and enjoy! We're quite digging having someone else work on our house for a change. We have been able to do less of this:



And more of this:

Next topic- crafts. I am in awe of my friends' creativity and craftiness. I wish that I was as talented as April, Chelsea, Kathy, Kim, Juliann (to name a few!!) Here are a few of my recent attempts:

Bunting banner (idea borrowed from April). This was so much fun and super easy. I am going to make a bunch more, so I can hang them up at my house for different occasions (baby showers, birthdays, holidays, etc.)

These zippered pouches (thanks again, April) were so much fun to make. I made a ton to sell them at Scandinavian Days, and the leftovers I will be giving all of you for Christmas. Maybe I'll do a give-away on the blog and talk up how cool these pouches are, so you'll be excited to open your present.

My first ever quilt. Ok, so I made this from a kit, but it was so fun, and turned out really cute. There are zero good fabric stores in our area, so #2 on my list of things to do in Utah is buy fabric. Then I just might dare to piece a quilt on my own.