Sunday, December 27, 2009

Projects Finished in 2009

Irish Chain for DRH
Baby G Disappearing 9-Patch
Flamingo/Plaid whole cloth practice quilt
Ducky Baby Quilt, quilted
Char's Photo Quilt and pillows, quilted
Colorful Wonky Stars and Log Cabins
My blocks for J&L Wedding Quilt
Waterfall wallhanging, quilted
Hannah's Parasol Quilt, quilted
Cowboy Quilt and bag
9-Patch Cranberry/Blue Table Topper
June S.T.U.D. mini - Anything Goes
Noah's Star Quilt, quilted
J&S Wedding Table Runner
July S.T.U.D. mini - Summer Lovin'
Bee Pieceful block for Quiltlady50
Mod Sampler
August S.T.U.D. mini - Buildings
Fun Find church doll bed quilt, mattress & pillow
August S.T.U.D. mini - Anything Goes
Sewing shop Patty Young fabric challenge - baby outfit
September Bee Pieceful block
Patchwork zip bag
Sept. S.T.U.D. mini - Anything Goes
Black and white dress for Baby G
Placemats for sister birthday swap
Church bazaar items
Halloween B'day table runner
October Bee Pieceful blocks
October S.T.U.D. mini - Woodland World
Teeny Tiny quilt swap
November S.T.U.D. mini - Anything Goes
November Bee Pieceful blocks
J&L quilt - done
Teeny Tiny mini angel quilt
Zip bags for Christmas gifts
Corduroy pants and jumper for baby
Placemats and runner for guild project

We Had a Nice Christmas

S-i-l Matt, daughter Anne, Grace, daughter Laura, f-i-l Harold, and s-i-l Brett.

We had a great time at Christmas, especially being entertained by a darling 8-month-old who is so cute, smart, happy and friendly, we can't think of a better baby! The only thing I would've changed is having had to cut short our day by wanting to get everyone on the road early due to lots of snow and iffy roads. Thanks to my great family for a wonderful day!


Monday, December 21, 2009

One Last Look

... at the quilt my younger sister and I made for our second brother and his wife for their wedding, which was about 1 1/2 years ago. But they didn't tell anyone about it right away! We finally got together with them on Sunday, and with our other brother and his lady, too. We missed the 5th sibling and her husband - they live too far away! Only one of the kids made it - he's the youngest cousin, still in college. All the others are grown and gone from home except the far away family's youngest daughter. Anyway, we had a great meal (potato soup, oven turkey sandwiches, apple coleslaw, pie, cobbler, poteca, coffee and wine) and a fun afternoon together.

Me (#1), Dave, Kathy, Greg (#2), Jim, Melanie (#5), Jerry (#4), Lucy

Saturday, December 19, 2009

A Little More Sewing


Made these coasters for stocking stuffers from charm squares sent by mini swap partner in the Netherlands. Aren't they cute?




AND I made this darling red and green zip bag to attach to a camera case for Christmas. It has two sides, green for new batteries and red for used batteries. Pretty clever, if I do say so myself! It holds about 4-6 batteries in each side. Don't you think this will solve the eternal problem of wondering which batteries are still good? YAY.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Small Sewing Projects

I made these three placemats and table runner to send for my sister's quilt guild charity project. She put the binding on the lower right placemat since I had to box them up and mail them off before it was finished. I used a few scraps from a flickr bee partner, but most of the scraps were from a quilt my daughter L made for 4H about 9 years ago.

This little mini was sent to me by a flickr swap partner in the Netherlands. Isn't it cute? I haven't had enough time with working and getting ready for Christmas to finish up my return swap, the other swap or my bee blocks yet this month! But I can't wait to work on them again soon! Have a great weekend!

Fun with Baby


Last Saturday we got to spend the evening and babysit for G. She is pulling up now so giving her mommy and daddy a challenge every day. Hard to believe I once had enough energy to raise babies - just one evening was quite an event!
Getting ready for company on this Sunday and next weekend - cleaning, cooking, wrapping, and hopefully sewing on several ongoing projects if I have time. Hope your holiday celebrations are fun and happy!

Monday, December 14, 2009

ABC

Not that it's very interesting, but in the interest of putting up a new post:

ABC's of Me

Accent: midwest, but NOT Chicago
Breakfast or no breakfast: every day: cereal, o.j., coffee w/ sugar and lots of Coffeemate
Chore I don’t care for: vacuumingDog or Cat: neither. too much trouble
Essential Electronics: computer, sewing machines, cell phoneFavorite Cologne: noneGold or Silver: either one is fine
Handbag I carry most often: rather large, dark green with brown handles
Insomnia: neverJob Title: Asst. Exec. DirectorKids: two daughters, 29 and 27; two sons-in-law, one granddaughter, 6 mo.Living Arrangements: small town bi-level; don't know how we used to fit two kids and their junk in here with us and our hobbies
Most Admirable Trait: loyal to a fault
Naughtiest Childhood Behavior: threw grass clippings on elderly neighbor's porch because we thought she was too crabby
Overnight hospital stays: just for having my two babies
Phobias: flying, touching pictures of bugs
Quote: To thine own self be true; thou canst not then be false to any man. Shakespeare
Reason to smile: astounding beauty of the world
Siblings: two brothers, two sisters, all younger
Time I wake up: 5:15 weekdays, 6 or 7 weekends
Unusual Talent or Skill: sewing, which is unfortunately becoming a more unusual skill in this world
Vegetable I Refuse to Eat: hominy
Worst Habit: postponing vacuuming
X-rays: just dental
Yummy Stuff: squash, potatoes, noodles, bread of almost any kind, Bridge Mix, crab salad, tuna salad, peanut butterZoo Animal I Like Most: giraffe

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Good Weekend, Short Report


We had a good weekend. L&B came Friday evening and stayed til Sunday morning. Had a great time with L in the sewing room. A&M&G came Saturday around lunch time and we all went to the game in the late afternoon. Sorry I didn't take a picture of L&B at the game. Came home to fully done lasagna because I used the time bake feature on the oven. MMMM.
Baby G met Penny for the first time (see top photo.) Penny was pretty rowdy and G was really on her way to a nap, so it was a short meeting, but entertaining.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

The Whole Week in One Post


The week has gone pretty well, all things considering. Last Sunday we had supper with friends that we haven't seen in too long. They had a new baggo game and we played until it got dark, then cooked on the grill.

Wednesday I was off work for Veteran's Day. Started out getting up too early to pack drh's lunch, which he then said he didn't need. But I got a good start on other projects that way, I guess. First I made a teeny tiny mini as an "angel" quilt for a swap (see above.) It was quick and fun, and I just quilted it on my regular machine. The recipient likes Civil War repro fabric, so that's what I based my design on. The block is called Shoofly. Then I cut out and sewed two pairs of flannel pj pants for myself which have been on the project list for WAY too long, maybe 2-3 years? But they are perfect and cozy (see bad photo of purple pair below.) I finished up two more paper foundation string blocks for the Bee Pieceful November lady. Went running in the afternoon as the weather was gorgeous. Then I cleaned out the dead flowers from the pots on the deck. Still need to take care of the ones on the porch. That night was the first basketball game of the season, so that was fun.


Thursday I ran after work and went to a pub with friends. After leaving, I must have lost the $10 I got in change, because the next couple days it was nowhere to be found. Ugh.

Friday night after work I finished up the binding on the big quilt and now have to arrange to get together with the recipients to present the gift.

Saturday we had to go out of town for a funeral, but came home by mid afternoon. I did some laundry, ran, cleaned the bathroom, a few other chores. Since we had a good lunch after the funeral, I fixed grilled cheese for supper. The most eventful part of the day was the run - a dog bit me! It was totally my fault. I was paying attention to a guy mowing his lawn and oncoming cars, and ran right across the path of a small leashed dog with big sharp teeth. I am sure I startled him into biting. The owner scolded it severely. But it wasn't as bad a wound as the time I tripped on a branch which then jabbed my leg, or the time I fell of the trail and landed on my elbow. And I put lots of antibiotic lotion on right away (as soon as I got done running 2.5 more miles - ha.)

Today was rainy and chilly, so I did some errands after church. Had to get paper and a new calendar, some buttons for corduroy jumper project, and a Redbird tshirt for Baby G to wear when they go to the game with us next week. She will be a cutie in it, I am sure. A told me they have given her a new hairdo - Pebbles-style ponytail - because she was pulling out and chewing on her barrettes, and doesn't like the hair in her face. Last time we saw her, drh noticed that and asked for scissors... he was teasing, of course.
This week should be productive. Tuesday I am off but have some dr. appointments and other errands. Hopefully I can get to the gym, run, sew and do the bill paying and other paperwork with energy and efficiency! Have a good week!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

November Warmth

Detail of mini (below) finished for November swap, going to Pennsylvania



I can't believe how nice it's been this week. Thinking back on October, one might believe the seasons have been totally rearranged! I ran Tuesday, Thursday and yesterday, and it was great to be back in a routine, as well as outside in good weather.
Friday after work I went to the grocery store and stocked up. Lots of dollars later, I have canned tomatoes and beans to last all winter, other pantry items, boxed foods such as jambalaya rice and instant hot cereal, steaks and fish for the freezer, and tons of fresh fruit and squash which will not last as long. But I should be able to cook up a storm for awhile.
Saturday I quilted a mini, did laundry, made a roast in the crock pot, ran, sewed binding on the mini and continued sewing the binding on the big J&L quilt. Today I finished up the mini with a label and packed it for mailing on Monday. I organized fabric, did more laundry, and enjoyed the warm weather - I could probably open more windows except the bugs are trying to get in. Tonight we're going to some friends to cook out. Not very eventful, but a great weekend in all respects.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Friday Fix-up Etc. Saturday Report

I felt like I had been stagnating without running much lately, getting grumpier and lumpier. So Thursday we had enough of a break in the rain that I forced myself to go out to the lake. It was also the last lake run for the fall, since the time changes tonight. Starting next week we run in town from the running shoe store. The rain held off for the first couple miles, then sprinkled, then poured for the fourth mile. But what can you do? You have to get back to the car, and since you're hot, the rain feels good by then. And my mood was noticably better, so I was glad I went.

I also learned that Race the Dead was going to be Friday night instead of on Halloween, so since the objective is to have fun and run slow, I decided to leave work an hour early on Friday and go to the race. I won a "trophy". HA. It was pretty nice out, relatively. After almost 4 inches of rain Thursday night and Friday all day, the sun came out about 10 minutes before sunset, creating a beautiful sky and reflecting gold and pink on the remaining clouds. The race course was dark, bumpy, wet and passed a cemetery. Very fun, had hamburgers at the nice little host tavern afterwards and chatted with running friends I haven't seen for a few weeks. A motivating evening, and I'm not sore today like I thought after running two days in a row.


Finished up my October S.T.U.D. mini for Suzee and have it packaged up and ready to mail. I concentrated on the quilting this time - used a tinier stitch length and traced around the designs in the various print fabrics. I am please with the way it turned out and I hope she likes it. The theme was Woodland World.


Here is Grace wearing the outfit I made for the Patty Young fabric challenge in September. The sleeves are a bit long, but otherwise she really loved it. She and A spent last Saturday with us since M went to a men's retreat near here. We get to babysit for her tonight while A&M go to a church Halloween party. I wonder if she learned to crawl yet? Last week she had three good methods in mind but didn't achieve any forward motion. 1) get on hands and knees and rock away, 2) lie on tummy and thrash arms and legs as fast as possible, and 3) put head and shoulders on floor and creep toes forward until bottom is sticking up in the air. Fun to watch, I will say.
Today I made some monkey bread for our breakfast, cleaned up the pile of papers by the phone, sorted out all my running clothes and put away the sleeveless things, put aside some race shirts to possibly make a t-shirt quilt, changed the sheets, switched out drh's short sleeve and long sleeve shirts for the cold weather seasons, cleaned out my coupon pocket of my purse, found my keys (didn't take long), bagged up some things for trip to Goodwill later this week.
and... Hooray! Finally done with the shoe closet reorg.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Recent Projects

Two minis made for the My Favorite Quilters Teeny Tiny Mini Swap - I made the Civil War repro Bear Paw and sent to Lish, who made the 30's repro string quilt and sent it to me. Aren't they both just ... teeny? and cute.

This is a table runner made for my friend JG whose birthday is Halloween. She has always been a pumpkin fan - go figure. I got the amazing pumpkin fabric from Kimmie as a swap extra. I decided to make the back so JG could flip it and extend the use clear to Thanksgiving. Fortunately the front and back matched up and didn't shift while I was quilting it. I used black thread on the top and brown on the bottom. The quilting design is made in alternating lines across the width of the quilt - one is simple scallops and the other is more elaborate. Definitely a technique I will use again.

I'm working on a mini for the S.T.U.D. swap Woodland World, and it's about ready to go. It should be, because tomorrow is the last day of October, and that's the deadline! Just a bit of binding to finish sewing, then packing and mailing in the morning.
And for my friend Aimee who has the Friday Fix Ups http://adventuresandpursuits.blogspot.com/2009/09/join-me-for-fridays-fix-up.html - I have finished my shoe closet clean-up and will take a photo tonight! FINALLY.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Friday Fill-ins

From Friday Fill-Ins http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/:

1. It was a dark and stormy night, and the rain hasn't quit yet!

2. ?? so I offered to take the books myself. (Can't think of an answer)

3. Rushing out, I thought I could get in my run before it rained again.

4. More rain!!! ...I think I heard a howl!

5. Shhhh... I'm trying to take a nap.

6. I haven't cooked a decent meal all week, so give me something good to eat!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to running the Race the Dead race, tomorrow my plans include house chores, sewing and babysitting Grace, and Sunday, I want to take a nap!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Questions and Answers

1. Where is your mobile phone? in my purse

2. Your hair? brown, short and scraggly

3. Your mother? artistic, smart, deceased

4. Your father? smart, talkative, deceased

5. Your favourite food? chicken

6. Your dream last night? rain (or was that real?)

7. Your favourite drink? water

8. Your dream/goal? staying organized

9. What room are you in? office

10. Your hobby? running, quilting

11. Your fear? losing people

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? home doing favorite stuff: running, quilting, or with my family

13. Where were you last night? running in the rain

14. Something that you aren’t? mean

15. Muffins? banana nut

16. Wish list item? time to sew and think

17. Where did you grow up? Peoria

18. Last thing you did? ate lunch

19. What are you wearing? tan slacks, black/tan/turquoise print knit top, lt. khaki jacket, black earrings

20. Your TV? not used much

21. Your pet? none

22. Friends? fun, but not enough time to see them enough

23. Your life? busy and happy

24. Your mood? a little on edge due to the rain, long to-do list

25. Missing someone? my daughters - always

26. Vehicle? dirty

27. Something you’re not wearing? long sleeves

28. Your favorite store? TJMaxx

29. Your favorite color? green

30. When was the last time you laughed? this morning

31. Last time you cried? Sunday

32. Your best friend? funny and caring

33. One place that I go to over and over? post office

34. One person who emails me regularly? either one of my sisters

35. Favorite place to eat? home
In addition: old local tavern with the best pizza

36. Best Vacation? hiking in Rocky Mt. National Park

37. Dessert? chocolate cake with chocolate icing

38. Why do you blog? journaling

39. Skill you wish you had? swimming

40. Favorite trait in others? intelligence

Monday, October 19, 2009

Monday Calm

Kate at http://chroniclesofacountrygirl.blogspot.com/ asked some questions today:

What was the last thing you baked? 2 cherry pies for the church bazaar.


What was the last thing you tried on for size? some tops and jackets when I went shopping with my daughter - nothing looked good, though.


What was the last thing you purchased on credit? fabric. surprised? Just used my credit card and will pay when the bill comes. Not like I bought $1000's worth.


What was the last thing you purchased with cash? lunch at the church bazaar (bbq, chips, lemonade and raisin pie)


What was the last thing you took a photo of? mini quilt that I'm mailing to my swap partner this afternoon. Can't show you that yet, but here's a good one:

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Quilt Festival Choice



This is a quilt top that my younger sister and I made for our middle sister. She got married in January 2009. We started this early in the fall of 2007. We each made half the 9-patch blocks, with tan or cream prints as the 4-parts and colorful prints as the 5-parts. We had a piece of drapery fabric with a large floral print to guide us in color selection, since we live in two different states.


She picked out the creamy rose and blue setting block fabrics and made the half-square triangle blocks because I was totally against making triangles! She came to my house and we laid them out, lining up the cool colored 9-patches on the rosy halves, and the warm 9-patches on the blue halves. Then we went fabric shopping for the borders. At the end of the weekend, it was all put together. Thanks to our husbands for entertaining each other with computering, golf, and nature hikes. Thanks that they get along, because that is usually what happens!


She took it home and had it professionally quilted, and then put on the binding. I don't have a picture right now of the finished quilt, but our middle sister and her husband love it and have it on their bed.


Thanks to Amy for again sponsoring a Blogger's Quilt Festival! Go click on a few!


Tuesday, October 13, 2009

New Acquisition


Scored! A giant outdated map on foamcore was being thrown away at work. I used clips to attach an ugly flannel-backed tablecloth - it's pink with blue butterflies, can you tell? Now it's a design board!! YAY. I'm so excited. Some leftovers from my most recent mini were on as a demonstration of how nicely the pieces stick. I'm so happy! I might hang it on the wall behind the quilt frame which you can see in this picture. Now I have some more things on there for current flickr bee blocks and a b'day gift project.

Friday, October 9, 2009

A Few Thoughts

I was doing some blog surfing (I call it chaining - following links in blogs found by links) and found these questions here at Chronicles of a Country Girl.

1. What is your absolute best asset? Not sure if it's my best asset, but I automatically jumped to overanalyze this question: my best physical asset? my best intellectual asset? my best asset in the talent department? my best possession? my best relationship? Whew. I think I have best assets in all those areas and can't really determine what is THE best. My smile, my ability to see the big picture and overanalyze everything, my sewing skills, my house, my sweet husband, my whole family...

2. What is the best thing that has happened to you in the past week? Well, I must here tell you that my short term memory is certainly not my best asset because I can't really remember much that has happened in the past week, but going out to dinner with friends is at the top of the short list.

3. What do you usually use to mark a place in a book you’re reading? I cut the fronts of birthday and other greeting cards we receive into strips about 1.5-2 inches wide and use them for bookmarks. Some of the really pretty ones are laminated on my Xyron. That way I feel I continue to enjoy the cards people are so nice to send.

4. How many times do you hit the snooze button in the morning? Zero.

5. What was the last thing you put a postage stamp on? A package to my sister including secret placemat swap, and some jewelry and a scarf I am loaning her to take on a trip.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Big Quilt on Frame


Last night and today I finally put a pretty big quilt on the frame. It's 84x84. My sister and I made it for a late wedding present for our brother and his wife. I'm using cotton batting for the first time. So we'll see how I like it. I hope to have it quilted in a few days, but my evenings will be busy this week, so it may not be finished until next weekend.
I really like the colorfulness of this quilt. As most quilts do, it kind of designed itself as we worked on it.
Off to run - perfect weather!



Saturday, October 3, 2009

Scrap Pile Fun


Started looking through my scraps to make some little zip bags for my church bazaar. I also pulled out some vintage zippers probably intended for some projects years ago. Here is what I ended up with - a green/brown combo, brown/gold/rust combo, green/turquoise combo, and a bit wider one of pinks and greens. Unfortunately, the scrap box seems to be still just as full. But all I used are scraps except for the stiffening.

Now, since so many of the scraps were just too small to use in these projects, any ideas for using the tiny ones? I have a notion to cut them into 1.5 inch squares and make little charm quilts or something tiny. Doesn't that sound like a lot of work, though?


Sunday, September 27, 2009

Sunday Visiting

Baby G and friend Baby L


Grandpa let her sit on the motorcycle, even though he doesn't like her outfit


Nice hairdo - but that's how it looks after napping, I guess

Well, instead of doing anything productive, we spent the day visiting. First we stayed late at church for the monthly lunch to visit with church friends, and then we took a motorcycle ride to see Baby G (and her mommy - but daddy was playing golf.) It was a great day for a ride - sunny, warm and breezy. We had fun seeing one of Baby G's friends, too, and seeing how excited and happy she was to have another baby there. While it doesn't show in the picture, she waved her arms, babbled and laughed, and tried to hug and kiss Baby L.


We took along the first dress I've made for a baby in probably 25 years. It turned out fine, even though I had to patch together the ribbon trim, since there was only 4 ft. on each spool. That was not enough to go around the hem once. In the back, there are pieces of the same one that's around the waistline to span the gaps. I love the sailor collar.
Finished dress - possibly will fit for Easter

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Friday Fix Up


Here is my first Friday Fix Up. As you can see, the shoe pile is in desperate need of help. So here is how I fixed it:
BUT unfortunately, the pile is still the same behind the door. I plan to get to it later this weekend. Really. Now I'm sewing and doing laundry. More later...

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Weekend Adventures


This weekend's happenings seemingly call for a less mundane title - there are a couple of less common events to report on. Friday I went home early because we had to give an appreciation dinner to election judges on Wednesday evening. So I got to spend the afternoon sewing! Drh was painting the laundry room, the current house updating project.
Saturday was a good day. I slept a little late, changed the bed, cleaned the bedroom and bathroom, washed out all the silverware dividers and the silverware drawer (not something anyone would notice, but good to have it cleaned), and gathered up laundry. I couldn't start on washing because the laundry room flooring was going to be put in next. Which happened, too, and it's great that the concrete floor is finally covered.
I went running a little after 10:30 - it was beautiful, perfect weather - sunny, 68 degrees. My town was having a garage sale day, so lots of people were out enjoying the day. About 1.5 miles before the end of my 5-mile run, I was joined by two female golden labs. They took off from someone's garage sale area where a little boy was playing with them. I stopped and tried to chase them off, but they wouldn't leave me. I called out to the people that they better get their dogs back, but they said the dogs weren't theirs. So I kept running, and the dogs did, too. A couple of times, I had to slow down and call them back because they were running down the streets and there was a bit of traffic from the garage sales. They obeyed me just like they belonged to me. A few people asked me if those were my dogs, and one elderly neighbor told me I should have them on a leash. On the last portion of my run, I ran past my own house to the end of the block, turned and walked back to cool down. The dogs ran ahead of me, and actually turned into MY driveway and ran up on MY porch before they even knew I was going to that house! It was really weird.
Then I noticed one of them had a bloody foot. They sat down on the porch and said, Hi, we're Blondie and Goldie. Can you give us a drink of water, tie us up in the yard in the shade, and try to call our owner? So I did. One had a collar with a tag with a phone number on it. HA. Drh found some rope for me to use. He kept his eye on them while I took a shower.
Later in the day we had to go eat with friends, so a young couple we know offered to take them to their fenced-in yard. But Drh had time and decided to hunt the dogs' owner, so after doing a reverse look-up on the phone number, he rode off to the next town to notify them. We'd left messages, but thought perhaps some neighbors could help us find them. He found a bunch of information, including that they moved and live about 5-6 miles from us, and the owners' invalid mother's caregiver's husband was visiting his grandma in our town and would be able to take them home. So that is what happened. Isn't it exciting?
On Sunday I got to teach my friend J how to use the quilting machine. She liked the results after she spent the afternoon quilting. That was fun. While she quilted, I fixed two pairs of pants of mine so they wouldn't gap in the back of the waist, started a little dress for Baby G, and helped fix a zipper on J's daughter's jacket. Lots of things to check off my to-do list!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Lost for a Title

Can't think of a clever title for this post... ohwell.


It was a good week. On Monday we took a motorcycle ride to Arthur, which was having a Cheese Festival. The weather was perfect, and we had pork sandwiches, ribbon fries, homemade ice cream, pie, and the free cheese and crackers. There is a nice and interesting fabric shop there, with great quilting fabrics and lots of other choices because the large Amish community makes many of their own clothes. I bought a few fat quarters - who can resist? It was a relaxing afternoon.

I managed to run on Tuesday, go to the gym on Wednesday to lift, and run on Thursday, and we ate fairly well - I made Pork Pad Thai and Turkey Taco Bake this week, and we had leftover pizza, too. So a healthy week, also.

Thursday night was the sewing shop open house where Patty Young was the guest of honor. My little baby outfit won the child's garment sewing challenge, and I was given a nice prize of more Patty Young fabrics and her little girl's apron and chef's hat pattern. She gave an interesting talk on her background and how she came to be a fabric designer, as well as her design process.


Last night and today I worked on and finished this little zip bag. I used some of the pieces in the charm pack sent to me by Julie in the August S.T.U.D. mini swap. It turned out cute, but I should've trimmed and squared up the hourglass blocks before I sewed them into rows. Actually I wanted to practice making this type of bag for possible church bazaar items, and I think I can whip out a few with simpler patchwork or just plain. I probably have hundreds of zippers I've not used in things over the years.


Off to the rest of the day!

Monday, September 7, 2009

Weekend Report


Since we have today off, it's still considered the weekend, but so much has been checked off my list, I thought I'd report the "so far" stuff.


Saturday I ran in a 5K and drh ran, too. He is a biker and does elliptical, so not totally conditioned for running (which affected him yesterday.) But we had fun, and it was a beautiful day, and I got another medal! Third in age group. A&M&Baby G walked the course with the stroller. After the race, we went to their house and played with the baby and fixed lunch. M's parents and grandma joined us for lunch and the afternoon. We all had a nice visit. We got home later than we'd planned, and the evening consisted of a long nap and early bed time.
Have you ever seen a Bumbo seat? That's what the baby is sitting in above. They're new since I had babies (so is practically everything else - HA), and it is a fun seat for babies. They are securely held, but can stretch and turn and kind of bounce in it. She likes it.


Sunday after church we cleaned the house. It probably helped that it was kind of gloomy and threatening to drizzle most of the day. We dusted, vacuumed, tidied up, polished mirrors, changed sheets, washed linens and other laundry, washed the kitchen and front hall floors, put away things, and sorted out paperwork piles. Then I caught up on writing some notes to friends, and some volunteer paperwork I'd been putting off too long, and updated the church website - it took me most of the evening, but all is caught up now! Drh worked on some computer jobs, practiced the guitar, and then went to town and got a pizza for our supper.


Today I already got the checkbook reconciled, the bed made, the dishwasher going. Now for folding laundry and some closet straightening. Later we're going to take a motorcycle ride for lunch. I'm still reserving time for sewing later today!

Friday, September 4, 2009

August Mini Arrived


I finally got the second August S.T.U.D. swap - it may have been lingering in the post office awhile. It's darling! The theme was Buildings and Julie chose to make log cabins into bird houses. Isn't it nice? And she sent a charm pack - wow! I am excited because I've never had one before.


Weekend plans (3 whole days!):

Saturday - run in 5K, visit and eat lunch with A&M&Baby G, and her other g'parents, too
possibly go to last dirt track race of summer (at local track)
Sunday - church; laundry, clean house, catch up on paperwork
Monday - long motorcycle ride - unless the weather on Sunday is just too nice to resist being outside all day, so it might be Sunday instead - or both!


Have a great weekend!!!


Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Sewing Challenge Done


I just finished the sewing challenge for my machine shop open house. Patty Young for Michael Miller fabrics were required - Patty herself will be at the open house on September 10.

I must say, the biggest challenge was remembering how to sew garments, and how to make buttonholes. But it was fun, the fabric is beautiful and lovely to work with, and I hope my baby granddaughter looks just as cute in it as I imagine.
So besides this cute little project, I have also made two mini quilts, a Bee Pieceful block, quilted a doll bed quilt and my Mod Sampler, helped my sister cut setting blocks and lay out a bed quilt, and taught my daughter how to use the longarm quilter, all in the month of August! It is amazing that I got so much done. I don't have quite so much planned for September... yet.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Doll Bed Finished


Brown Bear trying out the bed at home

I finally sat down and made a little mattress and pillow for the church nursery doll bed. It didn't take long - I guess I'd put it off because the stuffing process is always a pain. But for the mattress, I just cut two layers of fairly puffing batting, slipped it in, and did a bar tack stitch in six places to make it tufted. The pillow was easier - I just robbed some stuffing from my daughter's huge pregnancy pillow (which had a big hole ripped in the side anyway). I could probably make 50,000 doll pillows from that giant thing.