Indecision...

I've known for a month that

Sally's last day was today.

Sally is my coworker.

She's retiring.

She turned 55 today and

has 32 years in with the state.

It's time to go.

I will miss her.

I thought about making something for her.

And, thought about it some more.

I was quite undecided.

As a group, we were giving her a gift card.

So, really, that would have sufficed.

But, I kept thinking of all the nice things

she's done for me over the past 7 years.

Should I make something?

Or not?

Indecision...

let's just wait until the last possible moment.

Ya know?

So, I decided to make a tote.

Last night.
This one measures 12.5 x 12.5 x 3 inches.

Took 4 hours...finished sewing

the binding around the top at 9:20 p.m.  

Sally was very surprised...

almost cried, even.

Let's just say that she LOVED it...YAY!  

Happy Retirement to her!

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Hopelessly Devoted to You...

Julie & I spend the better 
part of most evenings
in the living room.
 

We're very comfortable...
each in our own chairs.



Where do the dogs spend their evenings?
They're not too far away...
you'll find them here.

(be sure to click on the photo to enlarge it)

Just Plain Lazy...

I haven't gotten very much done lately.  Not.  At.  All.  I'm hoping that I'm not being lazy...that what I am feeling is just plain overloaded/overwhelmed.  You know what I'm talking about...when there is so much to do that ya just cannot settle down to do any one thing?   

I did get a few things done since my last posting.  Really had to push myself to do them, though.  That's not like me...nothing I like better than to put the music on and sit and sew.  Perhaps that's it...with another person in the house, not only is the distraction level high (which is not all bad, ya know), but I'm just not as free to do whatever I want whenever I want.  You know.

But.  I did mange to make this cute little coin purse.  I made it for Julie to match her lime green purse.  She was having a bad day and I thought it might bring a smile to her face.  It did not.  So, since my baby sister (Jill, who just moved to Colorado) has been complaining (read whining) that her sisters receive more handmade items from me (which, by the way, is not true), she's going to get it.  She loves it.  This little coin purse was easy-peasy to make and the tutorial can be found here.

And, I made this 13x21 inch remote/phone/scissors/pen holder for me Mum.  To hang over the arm of her chair.  I made it up as I went along and am pretty happy with how it turned out.  Two of the pockets were specially made to  accommodate the thicknesses of the remote & phone.  I'm not sure how to explain it, and you sure cannot see it on the photo...but the pockets expand to accommodate the depth of the remote and the phone.  Pretty slick, methinks. 

Unfortunately, all of the arms on my chairs are too big and round to model this, so I'm hoping you can imagine it hanging rather than laying flat on my table.  {grin}

It's Friday, which means pizza night is finally here...YAY! 

I hope to work on several projects this weekend...perhaps I'll be very productive (don't hold your breath) so there will be something to show you.

Have a great weekend!

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Sunshine Stars Doll Quilt...

 Another finish.

I am very pleased with how this turned out.

I put together this sunshine star doll quilt with

scrap pieces from my large hexagon sunshine quilt

(that has yet to be finished!)

and Kona cotton solid in White.

Wonky stars are easy - and fun! - blocks to make...

you'll find the tutorial here.

I quilted in a very small meandering pattern

up to the edge of each point of the stars.

I did not 'stitch in the ditch' around the stars

to outline them as originally planned.

The stars themselves are very poofy.

After laundering, this measures ~20.5 inches square.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

A Few Things Finished...

Ya know how sometimes you have an idea...

and it just doesn't work out?

The end product looks nothing at all

like what you had pictured?

 I've had plenty of those.

But, I've also had the ones that turn out

better than what I had hoped for!

This is one of the good ones.

I've made drawstring bags before...

back when my boys were toddlers.

A very long time ago.

Joyce asked for a drawstring bag

to give her grandson, Riley.

I had some blocks left from the quilt

I made for him last year...see it here.

I used 9 of those blocks to make the front of the bag
and used Kona cotton solid in Avocado for the back.

I found one (and only one)

turtle that I could use as a patch.

I put that on the back.

It is lined with another Kona cotton solid
- a light green - 

(can't remember the name).

Measuring 11.5 x 14.5 inches,

it is a good size for him to use

for hauling his stuff around.

I think it is dang stinkin' cute!

{grin}

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

 In my Aqua and Red Bee Block Swap...

Bek asked for a 15.5 inch wonky star block.

I am really liking these red and aqua fabrics!

That's all I have to show for now.

Hopefully, this will be a productive weekend.

Have a great weekend!

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Artisan Recipes

Have you tasted these?  They are soooooo delicious!  Addicting, even!  A coworker brought them in the other day.  oh my...I had no idea when I tasted the first one that I would be raving about them, but truly...these are so YUMMY!!!  They're great alone, but would be even better with a thick salsa.  All that was there at work was guacamole and I don't eat that.  

Apparently, these have been out for several months, but this is my first encounter with them.  If you're looking for something different for a snack, you really should try these!  

Be sure to let me know what you think!

disclaimer:  I am not affiliated with FritoLay in any way...nor am I being compensated for raving about these chips.  I just love them and wanted to share that with you!  {grin}

Congrats Jeff Gordon!!

I cannot believe it...another exciting win for a fave of mine!  Continuing on with the sports theme that I started with the Dallas Mavericks in the previous post...I must tell you about something else exciting that happened!

Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. Three-time Daytona 500 winner. Four-time Brickyard 400 winner. And the list goes on.  Jeff Gordon wins at Pocono for the fifth time in his career!

Okay, I know you're wondering why in the heck I am happy about Jeff Gordon winning a race.  I don't watch races.  I've never been a fan of racing...no, not even when Dad took us to the stock car races...sorry.  However, I've always been a fan of Jeff's.  Let me list the reasons for you:

1.  He drives the number 24 Chevrolet car.  I was once 24.  And, I've had more Chevrolets in my life than any other car.

2.  DuPont is his sponsor.  They manufacture teflon.  I use teflon pans.  

3.  He has won the Daytona 500 3 times!  I have gotten 3 speeding tickets. 

4.  He now has 84 wins.  84 minus 24 (his car #) equals 60.  I'll be 60 in 8 months.    

5.  He's going to claim Denver, Colorado as his home base...I'll be moving to Colorado when I retire.

okay, enough of that.

Congratulations to Jeff and his team!

Unless something untoward happens elsewhere in the sports world in the near future, this is my last post pertaining to anything sporty.  I promise.

Congrats Dallas Mavs!!!

I've never been a basketball fan...heck, I've never been a sports fan...of any kind!  Back in high school, though, I did attend every football and basketball game.  However, I absorbed absolutely nothing, as I saw less than 1.5 minutes of each game.  Too busy chasing boys.  And, getting caught.  By the boys...well, one in particular.  

But, when me Mum was here for her visit, we had to watch the NBA Final game on Thursday night.  I moaned and groaned about it (quietly), but decided to be gracious and let her watch it.  She was, after all, the company.  

Being the quick study that I am, it didn't take long for me to become a huge basketball fan!  In fact, I must admit that I made some rather intelligent comments throughout the game!  Had my sis in hysterics, for sure!  And, me Mum thought I was pretty funny.  

I cheered for the Dallas Mavs.  All night.

Why the Dallas Mavericks?  

Well, there are several reasons.  Let me tell you...

1.  When I was forced to watch football games (back in my married days), I was a Roger Staubach/Dallas Cowboys fan.  So, Dallas Cowboys...Dallas Mavs...just made sense to me!  Ya know?

2.  Jason Kidd.  My dogs' vet for many years was Linda Kidd.  No relation.

3.  Dirk Nowitzki.  His name reminded me of a doctor I once had.  Novotny.  I know, not even close.  What can I say?

4.  Ass't Coach Robert Hackett attended UW at Madison.  I live in Madison.  Well, I did for almost 16 years and now I live in Stoughton, which is only 20 minutes away.

5.  Tyson Chandler.  I have a cousin named Vern Chandler.  Again, no relation.

6.  I do like men in uniform.

So.  YAY for the Mavs! 

Can't wait to see how they do next season!  I must go purchase my season tickets right now!

disclaimer:  this post written totally tongue-in-cheek.

Family...

Did I tell you that Mum was coming for a visit?  Yup, she was...she did...and she is now gone.  4 days...it was great to have time with her. Didn't get anything done at all.  Not even the sewing that she wanted me to do for her while she was here.  But, that's okay.  I was able to spend a lot of time with her...and to lose money playing cards with her.  {grin}

My sons (& their families) came to visit with Gramma on Saturday.  This is the first time that Kaylynn has met her Great Gramma...she stayed overnight here, so they had a lot of time to get to know each other. 

The 10 of us had a delicious meal of lasagna, fruit salad, garlic/cheese bread, apple pie and chocolate chip cookies.  So, so YUMMY!!!

Here are a few photos...

Kaylynn with the yellow crochetted cap from Great Gramma.

Kaylynn and Great Gramma setting the table.

Beautiful Jasmine and Conlan.

L-R:  Jasmine, Paul, Kaylynn, Rachel, Conlan, Matthew, Devin, Mom, Julie.

 

 

Mum left yesterday.  Julie and I were tired...we sat and read (most of ) the rest of the day.  I did manage to work on the doll quilt late last night, though.  Got it quilted...should be finished either today or tomorrow.

I have today off.  I'm hoping to get caught up on a few things.

Summer Sunshine...

ohboy...I discovered something new!!!

With Julie here, 
I have someone to hold my quilts

while I take the photo(s)!!!

You cannot imagine how excited I am about it.

{grin}

Here's the summer sunshine quilt...

the hexagon center is done.

Need to add a few borders.

Out of some leftover pieces

& Kona cotton solid in white,
I quickly put together this quilt top.

Summer sunshine for a sweet doll.

Happy Sunday!

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Ramblings...

It's a nice, quiet Saturday afternoon.  Time to sit down and relax.  I could do some sewing or stitching.  I will get to that in a bit.

Julie and I had a busy day straightening, moving things around, and doing laundry.  I bathed Tag.  Manley will get his bath tomorrow and we will vacuum and dust.  Then, we'll be ready for company.  Our mom is coming for a visit this next week.  All must be looking good.  Right?  She'll be here Thursday until Sunday.  We'll play lots of cards, for sure...it's her favorite thing to do.  Last time she was here was almost 4 years ago.  You can read about our fabulous time together here and here and here.  {grin}

Have I mentioned that we fenced part of the yard, again?  We did.  The fence was taken down when this house was on the market last year.  Now that the house is no longer on the market, and when Julie moved in with me, we asked if we could put up a fence again.  The one that was taken down was actually in good shape (read reusable), so we put it back up and the dogs are loving it.  

One of Manley's favorite pastimes is to chew sticks.  Perhaps he feels the need for more fiber?  

We have a new puppy!  She will stay outside, though.  Gray in color, she weighs at least 70 pounds...such a solid little thing...measures about 22 inches tall.  Isn't she darling?

A friend got her at an estate sale and gave her to me.  

I'm almost done with the main part of the sunshine quilt.  If all goes as planned, I'll be showing that pretty soon.  Well, perhaps a sneak peek sooner than that.  

In the meantime, I started a quick little project that makes me smile...

Wonky Star doll quilt.  Yellows and oranges with Kona solid in White.  What could be cuter than that?  

Hope your weekend is as good as mine!