Spools of Thread Make Wonderful Toys

Just a short update.  I'm still busy trying to finish the family t-shirts needed for Amanda's body building competition on Saturday.

I'm happy to say I just finished the 8th out of 9 t-shirts needed.  All I have to make now is my own.

We tried something new.  I brought Ava Jean into my current sewing space and she played happily for over an hour with my spools of embroidery thread.  She is at that stage where she will move things one by one and place them in rows, etc.  

Hopefully I'll complete my t-shirt tomorrow then I can rest easy.

Take care everyone!  Enjoy the little things with your family...like spools of colorful thread. :) :)

My Daughter the Body Builder and Weight Lifter

One of my daughters, Amanda, has been lifting weights off and on for the past couple of years but decided a year ago that she wanted to get serious about it to the point of getting her body ready for competition.

She will be competing in Woman's Physique on March 24th in Syracuse, NY.  I'm in awe of her dedication and hard work.  I could never do what she has done over the past year.  Needless to say we are all proud of her and plan to go to the competition to support her and this dream.

She will be totally shocked when the ENTIRE immediate family walks in wearing matching t-shirts.  The t-shirts were her twin sisters idea and I used my embroidery software and designed them.  Her sisters, nieces and nephews all call her Manda.  I just finished the second of nine t-shirts.

It's hard to tell in the pictures, but the words are embroidered using a gold metallic thread (very much a pain to use by the way).  She originally planned to wear a black bathing suit during the competition so I ordered us all black t-shirts.  Then at the last minute she decided to wear a gold suit.  Although I've not seen it yet, I understand the competition swim suits have a lot of bling using rhinestones and crystals, etc. 

During her training, she was allowed "cheat meals" occasionally.  She would always go to IHOP for their red velvet pancakes and other specialty pancakes.  She and her gym friends came up with a phrase "Pressing Plates for Pancakes".  I couldn't resist but surprise her with a fleece zip-up hoodie designed especially for her.

She LOVED IT!

Hope you all are staying happy and warm (snowed here again today).  Until next time!

Snow, Busy Days and Squeezing In Time At The Machine

Woke up this morning to find 5 inches of snow on the ground!  My first tendency on mornings like this is to pull the quilts up higher and sleep a little while longer.  Couldn't do that today.  7 year old Liam came home from school early yesterday with a stomach bug...a really yukky one at that!  Fearing that the crude germs would infect little Ava, a last minute decision was made for me to go babysit at her house instead of her coming here.

We had a ton of fun together.  I was brought home this afternoon just in time to start cooking dinner, a quick pot of chili for me and Ray and hamburgers for the rest of the gang that refuse to eat chili.  Food put away and kitchen cleaned by 7:30pm...then it was time to grab some "me" time.

Tonight I was able to make two in-the-hoop Easter bunnies with pockets to hold miniature candy bars.

With candy....

Just like the flower coasters shared in yesterday's blog, would you believe that this bunny is another FREE design from Kreativekiwi.  In order to see them and download the design, you must create an account.  Once you are logged in you can find TONS of  "members freebies".

A few weeks ago I made this sweet little baby doll for my Ava Jean.  It's another in-the-hoop project offered by Sweetpea called Modern Doll.

It warmed my heart to see how much this little girl loved her new doll baby.

Now I'm tired and must go to bed. :) :)  Tomorrow is a brand new day!!!!

I'm Back!

All I can say is life has me coming and going like a chicken with it's head chopped off!  Having our oldest daughter and three grandchildren living with us has COMPLETELY CHANGED EVERYTHING!  :) :)

Watching my youngest grandchild during the days means no longer am I able to spend my time sewing or quilting non-stop.  My days are no longer my own.  I'm not complaining, simply stating a fact.  Early in the new year I was suffering severe withdrawal from sewing and knew I had to come up with SOMETHING to keep me from going completely insane.  After our youngest daughter headed back to college in January, I begged my dear hubby to bring my embroidery machine upstairs and help me set up a little space in her bedroom.  It's just too cold to be sewing or quilting in my "new" downstairs quilting space at this time of year.

My brilliant idea is to embroidery in the evenings once dinner dishes are cleared away.  If springtime ever arrives with warmer temperatures I can switch it up and catch up on quilting downstairs.

Machine embroidery projects are quick and fun and it satisfies the need to "get away and use a sewing machine".  So let me start sharing the projects I've completed.

The Celtic mats/coasters below were made from felt.  I found this embroidery design at Embroidery Library.

The St. Patrick's round potholder is an Anitagoodesign

I used felt again to make these cute little Easter bottle aprons.  This "in-the-hoop" project can be found at Embroidery Library.

 I used a piece of fabric to back each apron so that once Easter has passed, if the recipients of my little projects choose to do so, they can flip it over and use it throughout the year.

Believe it or not, the embroidery design for these adorable flower coasters can be downloaded FREE at kreativekiwi.  In order to see them and download the design, you must create an account. Once you are logged in you can find MANY adorable free designs under "members freebies".

The daisy runner below is another "in-the-hoop" project.  I made a mug rug out of one unit.  The daisy design can be found at Sweetpea.

The two coordinating scalloped rectangle mats are another "in-the-hoop" project.  They can be found at kreativekiwi.

I used the scalloped rectangle design to make my mom three of these purple mats (using the 8"x10" size) for her end tables.

I made these adorable dog coasters for one of my veterinarians using kreativekiwi's "blank coasters" and used her dog designs in the middle of each coaster.

My last share for this post is the adorable kitty chapstick holder (it's also the perfect size for a usb stick").  This quick project can be found at Embroidery Garden.

I guess that's enough for this post.  It feels good to blog again and say HELLO to all of you!

Sharing the Love of Sewing

The grandchildren had a three day weekend from school due to Veteran's Day.  My 15 year old granddaughter surprised me by asking if I'd teach her to sew.  Of course I said "YES!"  She specifically was interested in learning how to make things she could gift to her family and friends for Christmas.  I debated whether to start her off "quilting" or "sewing".  Sewing won this time but I hope to introduce her to quilting soon as well.

A quick search through my stash produced a pattern for pajama pants (children and adult sizes) and a piece of juvenile flannel.  The flannel was just enough yardage to accommodate the pattern pieces to make her 7 year old brother a pair of pants.

I handed her a roll of pattern tracing paper and she traced the correct size pattern pieces needed.  Then she learned to pin the pieces on the fabric to "fit" the pieces and be frugal with the fabric.

Pinning and cutting begins...

Next she learned the basics to start sewing with my Pfaff.

She would have gladly started and continued until she was completely finished in one day but my body doesn't work that way. :) :)  We did the tracing, pinning and cutting Friday evening.

Saturday we learned to use the sewing machine and sewed up the outside and inside seams of each leg, attached the two pieces together and sewed the straddle.

Sunday afternoon we sewed the waistband and added the elastic.

Ta Da!!!!!!

I may have created a sewing monster.  She talked her mother into taking to her JoAnn Fabrics and buying another piece of flannel fabric on sale this week for 40% off to make her best friend a pair for Christmas next.  This coming Sunday JoAnn's will have a "door buster" sale and all their fleece, flannel, etc. will be 60% off.  She hopes to go buy more at that time.

Last night she traced out the correct size pattern for the next pair, pinned it, had me look to make sure it was correctly placed and pinned...then she cut it out.  Depending on the amount of homework she may come home with today, she might sew up some of the leg seams tonight.  I plan to just make sure she is on the right path but intend to let her do all she can on her own.  She really seemed to catch on rather quickly. 

I hope her excitement continues....time will tell!

Until next time!

Can't Seem to Catch Up

I'm truly hoping that none of you or your families have been hit with the sickness "crud" that keeps attacking our family.  I'm being reminded that having a house full of people (especially children that bring home every sickness they possibly can find) means that when a bug strikes one....its more than likely going to strike the entire family ONE PERSON AT A TIME.  Once it's gone around once, it will often make another round....just because it can!  UGG

We've been passing things around for a couple of weeks now.  Just days after returning home from the Bonnie Hunter quilt workshops the "crud" started.  Several of us are still hacking and coughing and not 100% better yet.

Since I think of this blog as my diary of life experiences as well as quilting projects, please bear with me as I attempt a few "catch-ups" today.

I sent my dear hubby off one Saturday not too long ago to an advertised local yard sale.  Specifically, he went to look at a motorized scooter/wheelchair.  We both have been thinking it would be wise to invest in one of these when the time is right just to allow me to participate on more family outings.  He didn't come home with a scooter, but instead came home with this....

This Bernina B 215 sewing machine is practically brand new, to the point that the lady selling it had not ever removed the clear protective plastic over the computer screen, etc.  She told my husband that she THOUGHT she wanted to learn to sew, bought the machine, made one pair of curtains for her kitchen and decided sewing wasn't for her after all.  Nothing was missing, came with all original extra pressure feet, etc. cover, sewing base attachment, owners manual and even the receipt from when it was purchased in 2012 (from a local Bernina dealer).  The receipt showed that this machine was purchased for $899.00.....would you like to guess how much my dear hubby gave for it?

$35.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  THAT'S ALL....only $35.00 for a machine......a 5 year old sewing machine that cost $899.00!!!!!! 

This is a very basic model, light-weight, etc.  I'm thinking it will be a really nice machine to take to classes if needed or to pass along to a family member who may need it.

Because of our family "crud" I never found the time or energy (until today) to share my other Bonnie Hunter workshop.  This workshop was for making her Smith Mountain Morning quilt.

In the picture below, Bonnie is standing in front of her own Smith Mountain Morning design.

Me and Marianne with Bonnie.....

Since I'm trying to continue shopping from my stash rather than buying new fabrics, I decided to go with reds and browns instead of Bonnie's blues.  Below are a few blocks I pieced at the workshop.

It's really fun to see all the different color variations the other participants had chosen.  We combined all of our blocks at the end of the day.....

I was out of town for her workshops from Monday afternoon through Thursday afternoon.  Marianne and I had such a blast being together.  I hope we can do it again soon.

After resting Thursday evening, I had another two day workshop (locally) for machine embroidery.  All day Friday and Saturday was spent at an Anitagoodesign retreat.  Officially it was called "Anita's University".  I TRULY enjoyed this opportunity and learned so much.  Plus I met and made some new friends.  (Sharon...if you are reading my blog, I've not forgotten about getting with you one Sunday to sew the day away!)  It felt like Christmas because I came home with a TON of freebies....won a bunch and was given even more just for attending.  My goodness, I'll never have time to make everything I want to make!!!!  

Well, I feel better having got this post ready to share.  Fingers crossed our lives can get back on track so I can not only keep you up-to-date, but I REALLY need to finish up some quilt projects before Christmas!!!!!

Until next time....

Tons of Fun with Bonnie Hunter -Texas Tumbleweeds

Last week was a blast....hectic, fast paced, wonderful fun!  My dear friend Marianne was able to get us both spots in not one, but two of Bonnie Hunter's quilt workshops.  The events were held near Utica, New York (about 2 1/2 hours drive for me).

Dear hubby drove me there Monday afternoon. Marianne was already at the hotel waiting on me.  She took me to a quilt shop she had found earlier and we both did a little stash enhancement shopping.

The next morning we headed off for the first workshop. The quilt we worked on was Bonnie's design called Texas Tumbleweeds.

Me with Bonnie Hunter in front of her Texas Tumbleweeds quilt.

Of course we had to get a photo of Marianne with Bonnie as well!

We had so much fun!  We met and made new friends and I even ran into old friends from the quilt guild locally.

Me and my old friend Sandi.

Progress....

Me and Marianne with our Texas Tumbleweeds blocks....

Letting my true personality shine through....

At the end of the day it was fun for everyone participating to put our blocks all together to see all the color choices others made....

Can't wait to share photos tomorrow from our second day of workshops!