Her First Quilt

While at Bahmah's house recently, K started another sewing project. This time she cut up fabric to make a quilt for her bed. She came up with the pattern for the squares on her own. She did everything but the binding. She tried but had a hard time sewing through the thick material, so Bahmah did it for her.

Sewing squares together.

Tying off the blanket.

She did a great job, I was very impressed with how straight her lines were. Maybe I should have her teach me how to make a quilt. My mom has already asked her to make her a blanket for Christmas next year. 

While K was sewing, L helped Bahmah clean her house. She was a great helper. They also got to play with a cute little puppy named Gideon. They had a great time at Bahmah's as always. Can't wait to see what sewing project K will work on next.

ATA Tournament 2013

K has been taking Tae Kwon Do at a local school since October. She has really enjoyed it and is ready to test for an orange belt moving up from her current white belt. Her test will take place later in February. Today she had the opportunity to perform in a tournament competing with over 300 other students from all over the Northwest and Canada.

K has been doing really well and her instructor told us a few weeks ago that she was ready to compete in her first tournament. This week, however, she was getting stuck towards the end of her form. I was worried about how she would do at the tournament and didn't want a bad day to ruin her feelings for the sport. She gets nervous leading up to events where she has to perform in front of people but generally is able to push through and do great. Today was no different.

When we arrived she was really nervous but I told her to find a mat and practice while we were waiting for the opening ceremonies to begin. After a few minutes she seemed to feel at ease and was able to do her whole routine with no hesitation. The Opening Ceremonies started at 8:30 with the competitors lining up and doing warm up exercises. Then the twelve judges were introduced followed by the US and Canadian anthems being played.

Competitors warming up.

The Judges Table

At the conclusion of the opening ceremonies, four black belts and Master Cho did their forms for us in the center ring. Mr. Duer, K's instructor, is in the back right corner. It was amazing watching them do all 60 moves to perfection. K could one day be in that ring if she continues her training.

After the opening ceremonies, we moved over to mat number 5 where K about twelve others would do their forms and one steps in front of three judges. One judge scored on foot movements, one judge on hand movements and one judge on overall performance for a total of three scores. 

K did a really good job on her form. She received a 9.6, 9.5, and 9.5.

K did her one steps correctly but was too slow so she didn't move on to the next round. She still had a great time and was glad she went. She received a competitors metal and got the signature of Master Cho on her white belt before we left. We even got her picture with Mr. Duer as we were walking out the door. 

Later when I asked K what she thought of her first tournament she said "I LOVED it! I want to do it again! Right now!" I think we have a long road ahead of Tae Kwon Do and I am excited for her. M and I are very proud of her. She got out there and did her best while having a great time. When it comes down to it, this girl isn't afraid of a challenge.

Toasted Trinkets

While we were at Sunriver for Christmas we stopped by Santa's Workshop to make some porcelain and glass projects.  Most, if not all of us, have never worked with porcelain before so we weren't sure how to do it. When we started painting the figures I noticed that the paint was very muted in color but was told that once it was fired it would look much brighter. We were also told that the more coats of paint you used the richer the color would turn out. I must say I was very pleased with the results.

L made a rainbow pony.

K made Cinder, one of Bahmah's horses.

I like to collect ornaments when I travel to new places. There were no Suniver ornaments at the gift shop so I made my own. Other than the writing being a little ragged, I think this turned out very nice and I have the added memory of making it myself.

Karen's cool skiing snowman tile.

Nathan's camo cup.

Helena's fire breathing dragon tile.

Sean and Mika's awesome gnomes.

I really enjoyed making these and love how they turned out. They were pretty inexpensive and the shipping was free. We have a pottery place here in town I think I will have to take the girls to sometime to try out. I would love to make a Cookies for Santa plate. Maybe for their birthdays we could give it a whirl. The only thing better than painting the pottery would be making my own. I have always wanted to try that, it's on my bucket list.

Seamstress in the Making?

The last time the girls went up to see Bahmah she taught K how to sew. K had a great time and did a wonderful job. She made a bag to give to me for Christmas and says she wants a sewing machine of her own. Bahmah was very impressed with how well she did and is going to do some more projects with her over the coming year.

Cutting, pinning, and sewing by herself.

Isn't it a nice bag? Please excuse the model holding the bag, she had a late night and wasn't fully awake or prepped for this shot:) I love my new bag and am very proud of how well K did on it. I am not very good at sewing though I have tried to make many things over the years. K's first time and she makes something phenomenally better than anything I have made. She must get it from both her grandmas who are amazing sewers, um sowers spelled phonetically, not sewers which are stinky. Hmm, anyway, you get the idea. I foresee a lot well made sewn things in her future. Thanks, Mel, for teaching her this great talent.