The One In-Between ...

I am taking a break and playing with my new-to-me laptop.  Son Paul sent it to me in April and I haven't taken much time to get to know it...or to move everything over from my other laptop.  The keyboard is different, so I am getting used to the new spacing.  Lots of corrections in the meantime.  

So.  What's new around here?  Well, I have been sewing.  Big surprise, hey?  

A friend of sister Joyce saw her black and white tote bag (that I made), and asked if I would make one for her.  Okay.  I like these easy requests.  

I am very happy with the way it turned out...

And, I made a few matching Kleenex cozies to send along with it...

I'm not sure how easily you can see...there are 5 quilt pallets here (1 large one for a dog and 4 smaller ones for cats)...all set to be donated to the animal shelter.

Here's a better photo of 3 of those shown above...the top two and the bottom one.  

Last week, I finished what I had planned to do for the month of July, so I looked for an in-between project.  In-between then and August 1st, which is when I am going to begin making Christmas presents. (I am going to Wisconsin on vacation - more on that later - and want to take what I get done with me.)  So.  I didn't have to look very far to find something to do.

I am going to make a lap quilt with pineapple blocks.  You know, real pineapples.  Like this one I made for Jill last year...

 

So far, I have 12 done...only 6 more to go!  I have had all of the fabric here since shortly after I made the pineapple block for Jill...so all I needed to do was get started.  It is easy and fun and I am enjoying working on it.

Yes.  Vacation.  I will be in Wisconsin from August 30-September 9.  I am so looking forward to spending time with family and friends.  It has been almost 2 years since I have seen any of them!  I am planning on having a great time!


And...just want to say.  I love my other pineapple quilt...the one I last posted about.  Makes me smile...and sleep!

Okay.  Back to sewing...need to get that in-between project done.

Have a great week!



"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

Another Year...

Yesterday was my birthday...which means I am now on Medicare.  How is that possible?  I for sure do not feel any older than, say...50.  Yeah, that's it.  50.  ~grin~  I honestly do not know where the time goes.  Seems like only yesterday...

Anyway.  It was a good day and I received many greetings and birthday wishes via phone, mail and on social medias.  Thank you, everyone!

And, I received a few fun packages in the mail...not necessarily birthday gifts...but who doesn't love getting boxes in the mail?  

Cathy - who you all must know by now - sent another box full of fabric...and yards and yards of mini Pom-poms (they're sort of hiding in the photo, but believe me...there are a ton of them)!  Plus, this time, I also received several purse and quilt patterns.  She is so generous and I truly appreciate her!

I haven't been sewing too much, lately.  Mostly getting things started and then not having the time/energy to finish.  I had a really bad cold (and I don't normally get colds!) for an entire week...knocked me for a loop, for sure (oh-oh, there's a sign of aging!!).  I am looking forward to things settling down in the next few weeks.  

I did make time to whip out some Kleenex cozies.  Yup, seems sister Joyce was down to her last one! Heaven forbid.  She doesn't want to run into someone new and not have a Kleenex cozy to give!  I sent 22 of them...

You may remember hearing (reading) about Lindy, who is my almost birthday twin.  Her birthday is the day before mine and she was born a few years after.  We met on the Wool Snippets (rug hooking) message board several years ago.  This birthday, Lindy sent a gift card from Missouri Star Quilt Company.  I love doing business with them, don't you?  I ordered a jelly roll of Aubade:  a song to the dawn by Moda for Janet Clare.  I am normally not very much in love with blue, but this collection sings to me!  (oh...sings...song to the dawn...haha)

Thank you so much, Lindy!  I sent her a Kleenex cozy and a grocery bag...I think it's the prettiest one I've made thus far (and I have enough fabric to make one for myself!!  If, ever.)  

I have several projects going on...cat/dog quilt pads for the animal shelter, baby quilts to be donated, blocks of the week quilt.  Just to name a few...and then there are a few finishes that I am not yet able to show.

See ya soon!  




"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

That Long List of Projects? FINISHED!!

In this long overdue post, I have photos of family members who visited us this summer.  And, there are photos of the rest of the summer projects I was able to complete.  Most of the projects on my list were for others.  But.  First thing I am going to show you is a pillow I finished for myself.  

Sister Julie did the stitchery work and I simply made a pillow insert and put borders, a zipper and backing together to finish it off.  I love this!! 

                     

Sister Joyce wanted a case for her notary stamp.  So, I made this little pouch, using fabrics from the Lilac Hill line (seen first here).  

Joyce came for a 5 day visit with her granddaughter, Ashley (center of photo).  Michelle (my godchild/niece and lives here now) is the smiling face on the right.  

Because Joyce was coming for a visit, I thought I should have kleenex cozies to send home with her.  So, I made some.  11 of them.

Joyce's daughter, Jody - also my godchild/niece - lives about 4.5 hours from here and came for a 2 day visit while her Mom was here.  I was able to - finally - finish Jody's t-shirt quilt.  

My nephew, Tony - with Sabrina - came to visit.  That's me Mum and Michelle (same smiling face shown above/sister to Tony) with them.

So, moving on more projects completed...

I made a pencil case for my granddaughter, aka Princess Kaylynn. Just because.

I made this backing for my HST string quilt (seen here).  I do love pieced backings!

I will give more detail on this later...I have several quilts that will be quilted and ready to bind within the next little while.  Here are the bindings...ready to go.  

I stumbled across a gorgeous pineapple quilt that I absolutely love! But, you know, I have no need for another quilt.  What I did to satisfy the urge to make one was to make one block and make it into a very mini quilt.  (Who am I kidding!  I still want to make that as at least a lap quilt!!!)

Here's the second pillow cover I made for sister Julie's stitchery piece.  It goes with the one I showed in the previous post.

And, I made a small pouch with a pocket on the outside of it for Joyce's friend.

Well, I think that's about it for what I have made this summer.  

New adventures are to begin soon.  

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Tattoos.  I never ever thought I would want to get a tattoo.  I mean, truly.  It never even entered my head.  Not for one small moment! Until 4 months ago.  I saw a tattoo that really spoke to me...involving sisters.  I thought it would be a great idea for the 4 of us, the 4 J's as we were once (and sometimes still) called, would have matching tattoos.  With Joyce coming for a visit this summer, Jill and I thought it would be perfect timing.  So, we booked an appointment at the local tattoo parlor.  The Dungeon, Inc.  However, Joyce and Julie chickened out.  Jill and I went ahead and kept the appointment...and while there, asked if there was time for one more tattoo for each of us...and there was! 

The first...there's no better friend than a sister.   

sideways on inside of lower right arm

The second...Just Breathe....  

inside of lower left arm near wrist

I am actually wanting a third one...we shall see.  ~grin~

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One more thing...me Mum has not been well, but is recovering nicely.  For the present time, she is in a rehab care center, working on regaining some strength.  She is looking good and we are happy with her progress.  I am so very thankful that she is here where I can spend time with her.  

Next time you hear from me, I should have some gorgeous quilts to show you.  Keep your fingers crossed.




"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

A Few Things...

It has been 3 weeks since I last posted.  Wow.  I remember when I used to write a post almost every single day!  Time changes things, I guess.  

I am enjoying the winter here in Colorado...it is very different than in Wisconsin.  Very little snow and cold here in Canon City (because we're in a banana belt), which is a welcome change.  I am happy with that.

I have not said anything about Tag...mostly because I cannot speak or write about him without crying.  I miss my brown boy so very much.  And, that's all I have to say about that right now.  

I have been reading a lot lately.  I have always been a voracious reader, but I had a few years when I barely even looked at books, let alone concentrated long enough to read one. Not sure what that was all about, but I am happy to report that I have finished 13 books thus far this year.  They are, in fact, all by the same author.  I received a book - won in a giveaway I didn't remember entering - by Robert Crais (rhymes with grace) and enjoyed it so much that I went back and started at the beginning.  I am working my way through the list and have read almost all of his books.

If I'm not reading, I am usually sewing or playing cards with sister Jill.  

So, what have I made lately that I have not shown you?  

Kleenex Cozies

More Kleenex Cozies

Still More Kleenex Cozies

Fabric Tray - bottom measures 3" square

The tutorial for this fabric tray can be found here.  

  
And, one more pillow cover with black.  I love this canvas duck text fabric...HAD to make a pillow cover with it.  

I have placed an order for a custom item (no, not a pillow cover) and when that arrives, I will have color in the living room...I might have to make more pillow covers.  ~grin~

There are a few other items I finished, but they have not yet been received.  I will show them to you once the recipients have them in hand.

In the meantime, stay warm and have a good month.  




"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

Linen Love...and More...

The majority of my sewing life has been spent sewing articles of clothing.  Yet, I still receive a huge amount of satisfaction when something I've made turns out to be exactly how I envisioned it on the person it was made for.  Ya know?

I saw a pattern for a tunic top over at Purl Soho and knew it would be a perfect top for my friend, Kim.  She agreed.  It was quick and easy, and I love top-stitching, so it was a fun sewing experience for me.

Details:
One yard of handkerchief linen in the color driftwood (purchased here).  
Free pattern at Purl Soho found here.
Cording.
Ivory cotton thread.

I have only worked with the medium weight linens, so working with this lighter weight linen was a new experience for me.  A very pleasant one, as it was a dream to work with!

The tunic top fits Kim perfectly!

photobombed by Tahoe!

I have a few ideas for some modifications...we shall see how they work out when next I make one of these. Though the measurements are given for only 5 sizes, it would be super easy to adjust them to make any size needed.

This is one of the two projects I mentioned in my previous post that needed to be done.  The other project is finished, but I am waiting for it to be delivered before I show it.  

I actually made a few small things this week.  Sometimes, simple straight sewing is just what I need to be doing.  A lot of that going on around here, lately.  But, that's okay.

Here are a few more zippy pouches and kleenex cozies (I know...not too exciting!)

I made these ~5x6, so a cell phone could easily fit into them.

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Tag continues to hold his own.  Nothing new.

Have a good day!


"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

Thank You All!!!

Thank you so very much for your outpouring of well-wishes for the brown boy.  Tag may not understand every word of your comments (though he does have a huge vocabulary), but he hears and responds to the emotion in my voice.  I appreciate every single word you took the time to write.

At this point, nothing has changed with Tag...so there is nothing new to report.  I will update as necessary to keep you abreast of this situation.

I started a journal to track this time with Tag.  Just a place to write random thoughts I have each day.  Not sure what I will ever do with it, but...

I also started a one-a-day photo journal.  That is over on Instagram...#TagEButt.

Just ways to help me get through this, I guess.

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Needless to say, my focus and concentration are at an all time low. More precisely, I guess, is that I have almost none.  The ability to concentrate on any one thing for more than a millisecond has flown out the window.  But, I tell myself that this is okay...that it is temporary.  The result, though, is that I made some changes to the projects I had lined up.  Some of them are put off and some of them are scrapped altogether.  There are some that will be completed, of course...going along with no sewing would be another kind of ordeal, methinks.  Pillow covers, tissue kleenex cozies, hand sewing...things like that which take little thought will be what will keep my hands busy.

On that note, I have a few things to show...

5x6 inch zippy pouches

kleenex cozies for me to give away

another pillow cover with zipper to match Paul and Rachel's quilt

Donna, from over at Brynwood Needleworks organized a charitable project to create and donate dresses to Dress A Girl Around the World .  Here are the two I made...

They are both size 1/2 and were very simple to make.  I had planned to make more, but these two are all I am doing for now.  

I think that's all I have for this morning.  Hope this day is good for you.

   


"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

And Then There Were Ten...

Today is National Sewing Machine Day!  In honor of this, Naomi Janome and I did some sewing. Big surprise, I know.  ~grin~

More Kleenex tissue cozies.  Ten of them.  I've been going through my fabric stash and finding bits and pieces that aren't suitable for much more than cutting into pieces for my scrap bins.  But, some were definitely large enough to make tissue cozies.  

And, I made two more earbud cases.  I like the little square ones better than the round ones.  I made one back in April (see it here), but this time I didn't square up the corners.  Probably because I used fusible fleece, so the little case is thicker.  It finished at 3" square.  Too cute, in my opinion.  

I have a couple of big projects to start this next week.  I'm hoping to finish one and make good progress on the other one.  I'll keep you informed.  

Until next time...



"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

Finishes...

I made a few things last week but wasn't able to show them before now.  They were received today...gifts to my sisters. 

First up...I made a double-zipper bag (it's actually the LOVE Zipper Bag by Sweetwater) for my sister, Joyce.  Gave it to her as a thank you gift.  She flew to Colorado (from Maryland) to play nurse to Jill, my baby sister, who had a total knee replacement.  Nurse Joyce will be there for two weeks.  Purple is Joyce's favorite color, so I made it in purple...though I think it shows here as more blue.  The little patch is also from Sweetwater and reads, 'Life is good'... 

Next...more kleenex cozies!  I thought they might make nice little gifts for Jill's PT gal and the visiting nurse.  And, anyone else Joyce and Jill might want to give one to.

It looks like we are going to have some sunshine and warmer temps here this next week.  Hallelujah!  I am so tired of cold and gray days...am so looking forward to Spring.

It is Daylight Saving Time tonight (technically, tomorrow a.m. at 2:00...like I'm gonna get up then and change my clocks?)! 

I hope to work on doll clothes this next week...need to fill up my Etsy shop.  With Spring right around the corner, visions of spring/summer dresses and outfits are running around in my head.  Poor Cassidy Jane...she has been whining about having only one outfit.  Not like the ones I sew will be for her , but at least she'll be able to try them on and model them for me.  ~grin~

Enjoy the 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