A Worthy Cause...

Yesterday, Amanda Jean (over at Crazy Mom Quilts) wrote about Margaret's Hope Chest.  The program is collecting log cabin blocks that will be made into quilts for women who are battling post-partum depression.  You can read all about it here.  

I made up a few blocks...

 

Fun and easy to make, it takes longer (for me) to cut the strips than to sew/press them. 

Having a lazy day, just hangin' out with the brown boy.

How about 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

Strawberries...

I need to get my strawberry stuffs done!  October 4th - official 'mail by' day - is coming up fast.  And, I still have no clue what I'm going to send my partner in the Strawberry Pincushion swap!!

Okay, so I'm working on this...

 

and I have more little strawberries finished (like those I showed in my last post)...and I have another thing to make yet.  So, I guess I'm not doing too badly. 

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

Sunday Sundries...

On sewing...As I've mentioned before, I joined the Strawberry Pincushion Swap.  On Friday, partner assignments were received...and I am quite excited!  Whilst stalking her checking her out, I noticed that we seem to have a few things in common.  How fun is that...especially when partners were randomly assigned!  I have several ideas floating around in my head...which one to do?  No clue, and we have only two weeks to get our pincushions in the mail.  What to do?  I think I'll make each of my ideas and then decide which one to send.  Or...perhaps I will send all of them.  ~grin~  

In the meantime, I thought I would spend some time making strawberries.  I gathered up fabric, ribbon, lace and buttons and have been happily putting them together.  Here's what I have thus far...

 

Some with lace, some with buttons, some with both, some with leaves...all of them different.  I have everything I need in a basket here at my side table, so whenever I have a few minutes, I can put one together.  Fun and easy to make...delightful to look at!!

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On fun things...I found the best app for my mobile device...one that helps me to take my medications on time.  I take one med twice daily and the other one once daily.  I never remember, so this is very helpful to me!  It's called MediSafe Virtual Pillbox.  With it, I can name the medication, choose what it looks like, select how many milligrams each pill is, indicate how many to take and when, mark that it was taken, as well as tell me when to call for a refill.  Now, how fun is that!  When it's time to take the medication(s), my mobile device pings, even if it is asleep.  Then, every 10 minutes - until I go into the app and mark the med(s) as taken - I get a reminder.  That reminder is the sound of a pill bottle being shaken.  Cracks me up!  When one is in the app, it shows a round pillbox divided into morning, noon, evening and night...with the pills that you take in the appropriate compartment.  It's so nice to have this!  To date, this is the best app!!

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On health...I was not feeling well yesterday morning, so cancelled Kaylynn's overnight visit.  I was very disappointed.  I took a nap in the afternoon, and then I seemed to feel better.  Hope it was nothing more than a little bug.

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On tv watching...I am on episode 13 (of 16) of White Collar, Season 4.  The new season will begin in October, but alas, I do not have the USA channel.  I'm hoping it will be available somewhere so I don't need to wait until next year to watch it.  Love that show!  And, I have just 3 episodes left of the final season of Burn Notice.  As each episode becomes available on Hulu, I watch it here on my laptop.  I am going to miss that show...it was a good one.  Looking forward to seeing how it ends...no spoilers, please!  The new season of fall shows starts this week.  I have my dvr all set to record several series.  I sure don't want to miss anything!

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On Snow Days...still planning on working on that in the near future.  It's my 'sit in front of the tv and stitch' project.  Now that I have all the pieced blocks made for the borders, I need to sew the stitched blocks to the pieced blocks and add the extensions of stitching lines to the pieced blocks.  And...stitch them.  Then, I need to make all the blocks for the center portion of the quilt.  ~sigh~  So much to do and so little time.  Course, if I would push myself a bit, I could get everything done that I want to.

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On that's all there is...that is all I have!  

Hope you are having 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

Check That Off My List...

YAY!  Another project completed!  I am on a roll!

A former coworker asked me to sew trick or treat bags for her baby daughter and baby nephew.  They will be 6 months old at Halloween time.  I had previously made these bags for Nicole's son and another cousin.  Since these are for babies, I decided to make mini-bags for them to 'carry' this year. 

The first bag I made is for the baby boy (sorry, I don't know his name).  Two years ago, I belonged to Sweetwater's Label Crew Club and received some fun small projects...this was the October pattern.  This little bag was just too easy and quick to make.  It measures 5 x 5 x 2.5 inches.  

The one for Cassie is just a simple little basket with a ruffle.  ~grin~  I added fusible batting to this one, but I am not sure I like it.   This bag measures 5.5 x 5 x 2.5 inches.

The Strawberry Pincushion Swap signups close today.  I am really looking forward to working on that little project...but I have so many ideas floating around.  Which one shall I use?  I guess I will just have to grab one and run with it.   

It's Friday!  Funny, cuz when I worked, Fridays were a big deal.  Last day to work for that week.  Two days off.  The weekend is here!  Now, Fridays are not such a big deal.  Because every day is like a weekend.  Have I said lately how much I love being retired?  

Have a great 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

Getting It Done...

After losing last week to headaches, I was really looking forward to getting some things done this week.  Luckily, no headaches have descended upon me, so I have been fairly productive yesterday and today.   

  I finished this little quilt...

and listed it in my Etsy shop here.  I rather enjoy making little quilts...they are quick to make and  it's (almost) instant gratification.  Also because, ya know, they're so dang cute.

I started working with the new doll dress pattern that I purchased from Bonnie at mybonbonboutique.  I made a dress for Aubrey (my 14" Waldorf doll).  I thought blue would go well with her hair...

Isn't that just too cute?  The dress is a medium, and just a tad big for Aubrey, but she's so happy to finally have a dress that she has not noticed.   (I've got the dress snugged up quite a bit in back, so it looks as if it fits her better than it actually does.)

(Please excuse her hair...Kaylynn was playing with her and got a bit rough, methinks.  Aubrey definitely needs a new hairdo.)



And, I made this for sister Joyce to gift someone...

Do you know that, with all the Kleenex cozies I've made, I don't have one for myself?  Isn't that funny?  I have made over 100 of these things (I'll bet the number is closer to 200)!   And still, not one for me!  ~grin~ 

I'm not sure what I'll be working on for the next few days, but I have my list in plain sight, so I will keep focused.  

Kaylynn is coming for an overnight this weekend.   That makes me very happy.   

What are you up to this 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

Best Laid Plans and All of That...

This past week was the one where I was going to start - in earnest - working on making some doll clothes.  Yet, here it is, Saturday evening...and I have not made a single step in that direction.  Well, I guess that is not exactly correct.  I found a lovely pattern that I am excited about using.   I am in the process of tracing the pattern pieces onto pattern paper, and will start cutting and sewing as soon as I finish that process.  

(Pattern paper...the paper that patterns are printed on.  You know, like the patterns you buy at the store...Simplicity, Vogue, McCall's, Butterick, etc.  Only this is white paper and comes on a roll.  I had some years ago when I had another business and also used it when I had my rug hooking hobby/business.  I thought I had some left, but couldn't find it, so bought a roll a month ago.  What's nice about it is this...when a pattern comes in several sizes, I can trace the pieces I want in the size(s) I want and don't have to worry about cutting off a size I may need later.  OR, now that there are so many patterns available by instant download, it's nicer to have the pieces on pattern paper rather than on copy paper.  That's probably more information than you wanted to know, but there it is.)   

I procrastinate.  Big Time!  However, this week was more about laying low because I was bothered with headaches.  Not migraines, thankfully, but bad headaches nonetheless.  Every day this past week.  ugh.  First time since my retirement.  Not sure what is/was going on, but I didn't have one today, so perhaps the cycle is broken.

So, needing to do something, but not wanting to work on something new (ya know, where I'd have to think), I finished putting together some double hourglass blocks.  

I have a total of 76 of these blocks...they are so easy to put together.  The fabric collection is Fig & Plum by Fig Tree & Co. for Moda.  I received the fabric from Cathy a few years ago (you know, that supply of fabric from her that will never run out).  She had started this quilt...and I am finishing it.  It will make a very nice lap quilt for someone.  I just need to decide how to arrange the blocks and I will get the top put together.  But, oh dear, who knows when I will get around to quilting it!!?!!  

And, from the leftover pieces, I cut some 2" blocks.  Here's a sneak peek at the little quilt top I put together.  I think it's going to be the perfect size for someone's doll...

    
Those 2 quilt tops were easy for me to work on...as in, they required no (well, almost no) thought.  

Besides working on the doll clothes in earnest, I have a list of side projects to complete within the next month:
*1 Kleenex cozy done
*2 Halloween trick or treat bags for five month old babies (one boy and one girl...wait til you see what I am going to do with them!) done
*2 skirt linings
*1 custom carrycot
*strawberries (I just joined a strawberry pincushion swap that Erin started...go here if you'd like to join in)

It's nice to have side projects.  As long as they do not become distractions/diversions.     

And, in addition to all of this sewing stuff going on, I am editing 3 volumes of poems for a friend.   I am almost done and hope to get everything sent off this week.   

I have yet to think about Christmas...and I absolutely refuse to think about it for another month or so.  I may be sorry, but I need to set some priorities.

So.  If all works out, I should have some fun things to show you by next weekend.  

In the meantime, have a great Sunday and 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

Random Photos...

 I went to Eau Claire last

Thursday and came home Friday...

a quick vacation.

I spent time with me Mum, 

all 3 of my sisters

(Joyce was there from Maryland

and Jill was there from Colorado),

my Aunt Bev and Uncle Babe,

and my BFF Janer.

Here are some random

photos from the visit.

Strawberry Margarita

 

 

Julie

Joyce

Jill is picking up

her new dog tomorrow.

Jaxen is a tricolor smooth Collie.

I had this fabric from

several years ago.

Perfect!

Jill with Jaxen's crate pad.

Zippered utility pouch.

The time went by too quickly,

as always.

It was good to go, though.

ONE of my current projects.

I will have a few fun things

to show you later this 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

Coming and Going...

I sent out two packages last week.  They were delivered, so I get to show you what I sent.  ~grin~

I sent one package out to Jody, who lives in New Mexico.  She is my godchild and niece...her birthday was July 30.  I actually had these done the day before her birthday.  Why, then, weren't they mailed until August 29?  Oh, who knows...I'm just slow, I guess.  Two face cloths.  This is a new yarn I'm working with (I may have mentioned it before)...a blend of cotton and linen.  Perfect for face/wash cloths.  Color is Clementine.   

The other package went to Maine.  To Julie of Dog Trot Farm.  I adore her...and she adores her one year old grandson, Travis Lloyd.  He, in turn, adores tractors!  Whilst going through my fabric in this most recent destashing, I came across some tractor fabric.  Not sure what I had originally planned for it, but as soon as I saw it, I thought of Travis and knew what I wanted to do with it.

I made this bag for him to keep little stuff in.  Tractors, perhaps.

I love drawstring bags.  I made them for my sons when they were toddlers.  They carried toys to and from Gram and Grandpa's house in them.  Course, they weren't quite as fancy as this one (or the one I made Riley shown here), but they were completely wonderful and served their purpose(s) well. 

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I love sending surprise packages in the mail.  And, almost as much even more, I love receiving packages!  One came in the mail today...from Sharon, my 'snow days' compatriot.  Just look!!

Want a closer look?  Okie dokie.  First up...scarlet pumpkin hand soap.  ohmy...the smell is soooo yummy!!

 

And, this candle...I could eat it up, it smells so delish! 

Embroidery needles...one each of sizes 7 through 11.  

I am always misplacing my scissors...seem to never have them on my side table when I need them.   Now, I have a pair that I will keep right there!  And, look at how cute they are, too!

This.  I cannot believe this!  It's a divided container for small things.  Every time I have gone to the temecula quilt co website, I have almost ordered this.  Not kidding.  Since back when Kelley Girl first introduced me to this website, probably at least 4 years ago.  So.  Thank you, Sharon!!!

WOW!  What a fun package to open! 

Thank you, Sharon...everything is perfect!  And, thanks for making today a fun mail 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