Saturday, September 20, 2014

Some More Random Thoughts On a Saturday Afternoon...



I have more.  Thoughts, especially random.  It may become a permanent feature on this blog.  Perhaps.  It is nice to put those thoughts onto paper...well, I guess this isn't paper...rather, then...put them into type and share with you.  At least a little. 

So, here we go...

Random thought #1:
I like this time of year.  Fall.  I love that everything goes back on schedule.  Somehow, just the fact that school has started gives a sense of order to everything around me.  I enjoy the warm days and cool nights.  I love the color changes...fall colors really are what comprises my color palette.  What I don't like about it, though, is that the cold comes all too soon.  And, I really hate the cold...the snow.  Someday, I will no longer need to put up with it.

Random thought #2:
Every year at this time, I think of a book I read long ago.  It's called, "The Fall of Freddie the Leaf" by Leo Buscalgia...have you read it?  It's the story of Freddie the Leaf, who learns that death is a part of life.  A quote from the book, 'Every moment spent in unhappiness is a moment of happiness lost.'  True that. 

Random thought #3:
I have a fairly large vocabulary and I like to use big words.  Well, not necessarily big words, but I like to put into use words that not everyone and their brother uses.  Common enough words, just not in everyone's everyday language.  My favorite word EVER is perspicacity.      

Random thought #4:
When it comes to your own animals, being a vet tech has no meaning.  Emotions take over and everything else goes out the window. 

Random thought #5:
I will always have a dog.  I cannot imagine life without one.  

Random thought #6:
My life is different than I imagined it to be.  That's not saying it's worse...or, that it's better.  It's just different.

And, here is my final random thought for today.  
Random thought #7:
Be thankful
from Pinterest 
Have a great weekend!



"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Failing Brakes and Other Bits...

Did I mention that my brakes failed on my car?  It wasn't a huge deal when it happened, as I was on a street that isn't busy, I was close to home, and I was not going very fast (cuz there is often radar set up there).  My brake pedal went from normal to going all the way to the floor.  Oops!  I was able to stop, though, so I turned my car around and drove home.  I was without my car for 10 days, which was not fun at all.  Thank you to Kim and Maureen for helping me with necessary errands (grocery store and pharmacy).  Thankfully, that is now behind me and all is well with my car...and my world...once again.  Whew.   

  
I haven't been doing much since the weekend.  I want to, but the few things I have tried to do did not turn out the way I thought/wanted.  I hate when that happens!  I am going to give it a rest and do some knitting.  I am making a winter scarf for myself...simple and (hopefully) difficult to mess up. 


I made a linen napkin yesterday.  Just one.  For myself.  I am trying out an online linen fabric shop...linen to use for doll clothes, napkins and whatever else might strike my fancy.  It's been washed once and is very soft...so far, so good.  This color is 'ginger'...I like it a lot. 


The weather has been very cool this week.  I don't mind the cool temperatures, as long as the sun is out.  Great walking weather, for sure.  I do like Autumn..it's just that Winter follows it.

Tag has been doing his usual...laying around with his warthog.



This bottom photo makes my eyes fill with tears.  Classic Tag/warthog posture.  

My two sisters are coming to Wisconsin in 3 weeks...one from Maryland and the other from Colorado.  We will have time for a 'sister's night', which I am very much looking forward to.  Sitting around together is a time we all enjoy.  I am in the process of planning and making several gifts to take with me...for my sisters, and for a few others I will see.  I'll take photos, but won't be able to show the gifts until after I get home.  

Tomorrow is going to be a gorgeous day, weather-wise.  I have lots to do and it's always better when the sun is shining.  I hope you have a great day, too!



"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Vintage Happy Pillows and More Zippers...

Wow.  Can you believe that it's almost the middle of September?  Already?  

The one good thing about that is...the new season of television shows is just a few days away!   YAY!  With my DVR, I do not miss any of them, either.  I catch up during the week while knitting or doing some type of hand work.  

I had a few days this week when I did absolutely nothing.  Yup.  Nothing.  At.  All.  

But, I did manage to do a few things on the other days.  I made two 12" pillow covers...with scraps/leftovers from my Vintage Happy quilts (scrap jar star and large granny square).  The back is an envelope closure made with Kona Cotton Solid in White.



They bring a smile to my face.  

I put together two more little zippered pouches.

And, I did work on another project...but I want to wait until it is completed before I show you.  Hopefully, that will be very soon.  

It is in the high 30's this morning.  Nice walking weather...but that's about all I can say about it.  Not looking forward to colder weather. 

Not sure what I'll be doing this weekend.  Any sewing I do will involve linen, though.

Here's a blurry photo of Tag and his shadow out for a morning walk.  Taken at 5:22 this a.m....hence the darkness.


 Have a wonderful weekend!


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Friday, September 5, 2014

Friday Finishes...

Though it was a short week - haha...why do I say that?  I don't work, so this week was really no different than any other.  Yes, I know it was Labor Day on Monday, but I had no plans, so...

I have a couple of things to show off you.  

But, before I do that...take a look at Tag doing a stare down with his warthog!  I took this photo last night and it cracks me up as much this morning as it did when I took it!

When I am sitting in my big easy chair, Tag brings his warthog over for me to throw for him.  He puts it on the ottoman and then flips it with his nose and the warthog rolls toward me.  Well, last night, it rested in an upright position.  Tag backed up and there he sat...a stare down!!!  I hope you find this as humorous as I did (and do).


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, so on with the finishes.  First of all, let me say that I have not been putting Serger Sue to good use.  But, that is only because Naomi Janome pointed out to me that she, herself, has an overlocking stitch in her bag of tricks.  I've been trying that out on doll clothes and I like it very much.  It is much easier to change threads on Naomi Janome than on Serger Sue and I only need the bobbin and spool...not 4 separate spools.  Ya know?  Serger Sue has been left to lanquish...and she doesn't like it one little bit.  So, to keep her quiet, I made a cover for her.  ha!  

Because sergers are oddly shaped, I decided that a simple throw it over the top and tie the sides was the best way to go.  I had some leftover HSTs from my last quilt, so I used them for the front of the cover.  I used white cotton for the back, as well as for the underside of the cover.  I did a minimum of quilting and I actually had matching green and orange threads!  I stitched a line on each side of the zigzag edges and I stitched random lines on the back.  I used some leftover strips to make the ties and to bind it with.  Easy Peasy!

front

back
  
The other finish I have to show is an outfit I made for 16" dolls...for Emma to model.  I modified a dress pattern in a few ways for the top...well, for the bottoms, too.  On the linen/cotton blend pants, I added a strip of fabric to match the top.  Nothing fancy, but I thought it added a little more to the cuteness factor...don't you think?  ~grin~  This will be listed in my Etsy shop. 


 

I need to practice sewing with knit fabric, so I may work on that this weekend.  Otherwise, nothing much is going on. 

Have a great weekend!


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11