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

Just Shoot Me Now!

I am going on a short vacation this next week.  Just 3 days to visit me Mum and sisters, as well as a few friends and other relatives.  As mentioned in a post a few weeks ago, sisters Joyce and Jill are traveling to Wisconsin!  I am so looking forward to spending some time with them!  And, as I also mentioned in that post, I am busy making gifts to take with me.  That is the reason for my absence from this blog.  I have been taking photos, as promised, so you will eventually see everything that I made.  As of last night, I only had one more little quickie thing to make and then every single item on my list would be checked off. 

Except.  Me Mum decided that she wanted a small lap quilt.  Mind you, she has a lap quilt that I made for her.  See it here.  However, she wanted something smaller...like 3 x 4 feet.  So, this morning, I dug out the Saltbox Harvest fabrics (2009 collection by Deb Strain) I had in my 'someday going to make a quilt with this' container and started planning.   

I know, I know.  I did it to myself.  I could have told her (as sister Joyce pointed out) that I would buy her a fleece blanket for $5.00.  But, no.  I said, "hey Mum...how about if I make you one...and bring it with me when I come in 3 days"  or something like that.  I said what?  Nothing like putting myself under the gun.  So, just shoot me now!

Actually, it won't be so bad.  Except, then I decided to make a snowball quilt.  No just sewing charm squares together for me...nosirree!  Must make it more complicated than it needs to be.  Still and all.  It's a small quilt and I am going to tie it, not quilt it.  And, I am not going to bind it...just going to put right sides together, sew around the edges and turn it right side out.  Easy peasy.  Yes?  


Yup, this will work...

Lot of trimming goin' on...

One row done...

Me Mum's going to love it!  And, the best part?  I have all the necessary parts here!  woohoo!

I have something fun to tell you about, but it will need to wait until I get back.  

What are you up to this 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

Snow Days...Getting Done!

Woohoo!

I finished putting the

outside border block units together!

What a good feeling!

Here are the final four block units...

I will set it aside, but just for a little while.

I need to concentrate

on a few small projects.

(Mother's Day is coming up, you know.)

And, I am on vacation in 9 days.

Usually, I stay home and sew

and read and stuff like that.

This time, I will be visiting

me Mum and other family.

I am very much looking forward to it.

But, after that, I will

haul out my light box and

work on the stitchery

parts of 'snow days' again.

I am getting excited!

Perhaps it will be finished this year.

"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

How Do You Spell Relief?

V - A - C - A - T - I - O - N!

YAY!

I am on vacation!

And, I'm gonna have a good time!  

Not going anywhere, though...

just digging in and getting it done.  

Declutter & destash.

A little sewing.

My list is very long.

If I get half of it done,

I will be one happy girl!

 What will you be doing this next week?

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

So Far...

My vacation has been great! But, it's half over and that makes me sad. Sure is going by in a hurry. I'd never go to work again if I could stay home...as in, if I was independently wealthy. I sure have plenty to keep me busy, ya know?!



Yesterday, I worked on my online course assignments for the better part of the day. AND, then I hit a big snafu, but got that fixed today. Orientation is tomorrow...I think I'm ready.



I've been hooking...here's how far I am on Kim's rug. The flower is still not that pink. And, as you can see, I'm 'tweaking' it as I go along. I think the dog is beagle/beaver mix...get that tail! YIKES!





I finished sewing the backing to one (out of four) of the pillow tops I had hooked for the grandkids. I need to visit Wal-Mart and pick up a box of polyester fiberfil...I'll take photos when they are pillows.


The dogs think my being home all day is great! Not sure why...all they do is lay around, anyway!



I issued a challenge on Wool Snippets tonight...NEW LIFE challenge...hook anything that means 'new life' to you...a specific size rug, but no limit to one's imagination/creativity. Hope it goes over well and a bunch of people sign up for it. Time will tell. I have an idea for my rug...not telling, though. {grin}

Night!

I am on VACATION!

I'm on VACATION!!!! YIPPEEEEEEEE!!!! 10 days with no work!!!! I have lots & lots of stuff to do...my list is about a mile long, but I don't have to leave the house until Thursday! I am hoping to get LOTS done.

The most important thing on my list is to prepare for the online course that I teach for MATC (tech school). The course begins on Thursday with a mandatory meeting and I've got much to do before then. I taught it last spring and it went well, but I have some changes I need to make.




Here's one thing that I am really wanting to finish before I go back to work...this sampler rug for Kim. I'm making it as a 'thank you' for all that she does for me. This is a design by Kelley Belfast that I "tweaked"...I took out the cats that were on the original pattern and put in dogs (like that would surprise you?) and made a few other changes. So far, I think it's going okay. The big flower is not that pink...more orangey/red.


I got a new chair today! New to me, that is...YAY! A cast-off of Kim's, it goes with the sofa she gave me when I moved last summer. WOW...it's so BIG! and COMFY!!! Lovin' it!




Kim is re-doing her living room, dining room and 3rd bedroom...what fun! Hopefully, she'll get a little help from Nate Berkus...well, from his book, anyway!

That's it for now...gotta work on the list. It'll be interesting to see what I actually accomplish this week!