As Promised...

Here I am, as promised, to show you what a lazy butt I've been I've finished since the holidays.  If attempts to get something done counted, I'd have a lot more to show you.  Just sayin'.

I made these two kleenex cozies...just for the heck of it.  For kids...or very young-at-heart...

Last year, I made two quilts with Vintage Happy fabrics by Lori Holt (see here and here).  I have enough of the fabrics left to make at least one more quilt.  But, before I do that, I wanted to ensure that I would always have some of the Vintage Happy fabrics around to make me happy.  So, I made this 24" square 16-patch mini quilt... 

And, that is all I have to show you.

Course, now that my interest in reading has resurfaced (if you have no idea what that means, click here and check out Random thought #2), there is time spent doing that.  I even added a widget on my sidebar so that you could track what I have read...should you be interested.  It seems that I am back to my old reading self...I am currently reading my 6th book of this year.  It's not like I'm reading every single minute of the day, either.  Lots of time is spent doing other things...or nothing at all.   

Onward and upward!



"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

Fiona...Revisited...

Cathy and I redid Fiona.

Here she is in her sweater,

scarf, booties, top

and corduroy pants.

She is ready to go to her new home.

Gosh, she sure makes me smile.

 

If you have any questions, 

or are interested in purchasing

Fiona, click here to email me

OR

click here to see Cathy's Facebook post.

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I haven't gotten much else done, lately.

I'll share the few things I finished

with you in another post.

Have a good 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

Random Thoughts Revisited...Again

ohyeah...I have more random thoughts.  Never at a loss there, for sure.

Random thought #1:
I hate winter.  I hate being cold.  I hate the snow.  Actually, that's three separate thoughts.  But, definitely linked to this season.  Perhaps hate is too harsh of a word.  I harbor a very strong dislike of this time of the year.  Slippery sidewalks...being so careful, cuz if I were to fall...well, let's just say it would not be pretty.  Drivers not knowing how to drive in winter.  Five minutes of bundling up to go outside for two seconds.  Gray, dreary days.  Where is the sun?  I can deal with the cold and snow so much better when the sun shines.  

Random thought #2:
I started reading again.  What a good feeling!  I have been a voracious reader my entire life...always, always making time to read.  In fact, I read 84 books in 2010 and 90 in 2011...all while working and making lots of quilts and other things.  (I know this because I started tracking books I have read on goodreads.)  Then, something happened and reading a book was the last thing I wanted to do.  In 2012, I read 23 books and last year, in 2013, I read 8.  What?  It bothered me a great deal that I had no desire to read, yet not enough to make me do something about it.  You know, like pick up a book and read it.  But wait...I am very happy to say that I have read 2 books already this year and have 5 books checked out from the library that I am very much looking forward to reading...my book bag is being put to good use.

Random thought #3:
In random thought #3 of my second post of random thoughts, I wrote about using words...that my fave word is perspicacity.  Recently, I ran across a word I had never seen before (yes, while reading!).  So, of course, I have now added this to my list of fave words.  Percipience.  (Please note that it also begins with the letter P.)  ~grin~   

Random thought #4:
White Collar, a popular show on the USA network, has ended.  I enjoyed it very much and feel that they could have gone on much longer.  I will miss Neal and Peter and Mozzie.  Oh, but guess who showed up on one of my other fave shows?  Yeah, Mozzie was on Hawaii 5-O last night!  I was so excited to see him.

Random thought #5:
There are way too many food commercials on television.  Interestingly, even food I would never eat somehow looks delicious at the end of the day.  

Random thought #6:
Big dogs (especially those 70# brown ones) can fit into very small spaces.  If they want to badly enough.  Case in point...Tag decided that he wanted to curl up in the big easy chair with me last night.  Not the usual 'butt on chair, front end on ottoman'...but all curled up in a space that measures no more than 12 x 20 inches.  He must have been comfortable enough, as he stayed there for over an hour.  I love that boy.

That's my left arm behind his head...he is between my left side and the arm of the chair.

Random thought #7:
One of the very best things about American Idol is Harry Connick, Jr. 


That's all I have for today.  Hope you enjoyed those random thoughts of mine!
    


"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

What's Next?

WOW!  The year of 2014 went by so fast!  My first full year of retirement and I am still loving it.  I was afraid that, once I became quite settled into it, I would find the days endlessly long...but that is definitely not the case.  All in all, 2014 was a good year for me...very productive, too.  Check out the tab '2014 Finishes' above...kleenex cozies, pincushions, doll clothes & quilts, zipper pouches, totes, pillow covers, pillowcases, and an entire bed ensemble.  Just to name a few.

I have given much thought to what I hope to accomplish this year.  The list includes:  production of doll clothes ensembles/mix & match outfits, quilting of the flimsies, and finishing of Snow Days.  And, let us not forget the linens...I have lovely plans for linens!

2015 looks to be a good year for me...challenging and busy.  How about you?  Any plans or goals?  Whatever you have in mind, I wish for you a year full of peace, love and blessings.

"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

Pillow Covers and more Linens...

I meant to show these yesterday when I shared photos of my boys on Christmas Day.  These are the gifts I made and gave to them.

red and purple pillow cover for Rachel

au.then.tic pillow cover for Paul (to match a quilt that is a long time in coming)

black and white linen napkins for Matthew and Tiffany

The grandkids got money from me...they all want to buy their own things and that is fine with me.  By giving them money - or gift cards - I know they'll get something they really want.  

Today is Saturday, but it sure feels like a Sunday to me.  Next week, the days will be all screwed up for me, too.  I won't know from one day to the next what day of the week it is.  That is one problem with being retired...but I'll deal with it.  ~grin~  But, this time is going to be put to good use.  As I said in yesterday's post, I need to clean up and put my sewing space and fabrics into order.  It could be worse than it is, but it's bad enough.

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

Christmas Day and Linens...

Have I mentioned that I love linen?  Yes, I believe I have...here and here and here...and a few more places, but I don't want to bore you.  ~grin~ 

I gifted my friend, Kim, with a few linen items.  She's my guinea pig...trying things out for me to see how they work out.  For her, I made a washcloth and hand towel for the bathroom, two bread bags (one for normal bakery bread and the other for longer loaves such as baquettes or french bread) and I decided to give her the chocolate linen napkins I talked about in a previous post.

natural linen bread bag

transparent yellow linen washcloth and hand towel

loop on hand towel for hanging

chocolate linen napkins I decided to give to Kim and not keep for myself

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I had a wonderful Christmas Day with my boys and their families.

Matthew Glenn

Matthew's fiance, Tiffany, and her daughter, Sam

Grandson Conlan

Paul Gary and wife, Rachel

Devin was sick and Kaylynn was unable to be there...otherwise, it was a perfect day.

Tag opens his own gifts, you know.  Here is a small part of his video...

I need to take a few days to clean up my mess and get organized in my sewing area.  Not looking forward to it, but a clean workspace is good.

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

The Greatest Story Ever Told...

While they were there,

the time came for the baby to be born,
and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

She wrapped him in cloths

and placed him in a manger,

because there was no room

for them in the inn.

Luke 2: 6-7

Finishing Up...

I am finished with my Christmas and birthday gift sewing...woohoo!!!  I have one more thing to make that will not get done on time to give for Christmas, but what a good feeling to have all the rest of the gifts done.   

There are a few things that I am unable to show because the soon-to-be recipients are on Facebook and read my blog, but here are a few that I am able to show you. 

Love making these...so easy and fun!

A few more cloth napkins.

Chocolate brown linen napkins...I may keep these for myself!

I also made these to put in my Etsy shop...

Soft brown corduroy pants for an 18" Waldorf-inspired doll.

While reading blogs yesterday afternoon, I ran across this tutorial by Kelly of KelbySews...and decided to make a few.  Yeah, just for the heck of it.  

4x4x8 inches

4x3x7 inches

super cute & super easy

see the bright pink zipper & lining?

I think I will quit now.  Because I can.  (But, don't be surprised if I make one more smaller boxy bag today.  ~grin~)

I will be spending Christmas Day with my boys and their families.  I hope that you all have a lovely holiday with those you love.  

Merry Christmas!

"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

She Loves Her Some Purple!

This week went by really fast and I didn't get too much accomplished.  Two things that I started were non-finishes, as they were not turning out as I wanted.  That is always a disappointment for me.  ~sigh~

But, I did get a 24" pillow cover done for sister Joyce.  I wrote a post a bit ago talking about how we chose the fabrics via FaceTime...Joyce in Maryland with me here in Wisconsin.  Click here to see that post.

It's bright, so put your sunglasses on!  

front

back

I finished the backing with a zipper closure...it's there hiding under the little flap where the purple butterflies join the lime green.  Very easy to do that type of closure...will do it more often.

I had a little bit of leftover fabric, so made some Kleenex cozies for Joyce.  I am sure there are some in Maryland who do not yet have one.  ~grin~

The package arrived at Joyce's house today...she is very pleased with her new pillow cover and excited to have more Kleenex cozies, too!  

I have been trying to develop something new, but am having a bit of difficulty with it right now.  I really want it to work out, so I'll keep working at it.  In the meantime, there are more projects waiting to be completed.

edited to add:  photo of cover on pillow insert...

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For those of you in need of a Tag fix...

Tag and I spent a lovely morning in bed one day this week.  For no particular reason.  Tag snoozed while I read.  (oh look!  Four quilts on the bed.)   

Have a great Sunday!




"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

Going to the Library?

When I have books to return to the library, I usually just grab them and throw them in the car.  Once in awhile, if I have several books, I will put them in a used plastic bag (the grocery store type of plastic bag)...pretty fancy, hey?  When I return books to the library, I usually have a few waiting to be picked up.   

After I made the library book bag for my sister (see it here), I have been thinking how nice it would be to have one for myself.  Ya know?  So, I took a few hours out of my day yesterday and made one!  Course, I didn't have enough of the same fabric I used for the first one (darn! but it's okay, cuz that makes Joyce's all the more special), so I hunted around in my stash and came up with these two prints by Judie  Rothermel.  And, I used Kona Cotton Solid in Amber for the lining and Coal for the bottom piece.  The bag measures 10.5 x 10.5 x 3 inches.

 

 

and yes, a pocket for the library card.

That is all I have to show you today...and laundry is waiting.

Have a great Monday!!


 "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

Lazy Day???

I am taking a day off.  Well, not really taking a day off.  Not by choice, anyway.  I haven't gotten started on anything.  Yet.  And, it is almost noon!  But, you know, it seems everything that I pick up to work on needs one additional part.  So, you say, drive to Hobby Lobby!  Well, yeah, except that I cannot get into my car.  

ohyeah.  Cuz I wanted another car repair!  My car door will not open - not from the inside, either.  In fact, I was in the car when the door would not open.  Crawling over the center console and getting out the passenger door was not only not pretty, but it definitely was not good for my knees.  Once was enough!  I will not be getting in again unless it's through the door.   

It is not frozen.  I think the latch is stuck.  Not sure when it will get fixed, but it should be within the next few days.  Hopefully, it will be an easy fix.  In the meantime, I am unable to go over to spend time with Curly Sue...and there are no quick trips to Hobby Lobby!  

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I have one thing - and only one - that I am able to show you today.  

Last year I made a gazillion cloth napkins to give as Christmas gifts.  This year, I have already made most of the Christmas gifts.  For the few people left to make for, I want to give linen napkins.  Before ordering the linen, I thought it best to see how I would make the napkins.  You know, to be sure that it would all work out the way I wanted.  I decided that I would like to have wide hems, instead of the small hems I made on the cotton napkins.  Here is the sample one I made... 

It has a 1.5" hem with mitered corners and measures 15.5 inches square.  This sample is a pale yellow. 

I am pleased with it!  It was putzy, but simple.  Putzy because of the measuring and pinning and pressing.  But, like I said, simple to do.  So, it looks like I'll be making a few more of these.

Hopefully, I will soon have some sewing done that I am able to show you.  

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