BACK AT HOME

I'm back from my trip and hope to be at home for at least a week.  There's a lot going on here for the next several days.  New countertops for the kitchen later in the week and some work on my little fish pond.  Hopefully I'll be able to fix the rungs on the ladder going up to the platform and the slide on the swing set.  And .... tomorrow I'm getting a massage .... woo hoo!  My back is definitely looking forward to that.  I'm really hoping to get back in the sewing room and get A LOT of sewing done -- we shall see.

I always love going back to Pennsylvania. It is always so pretty on the farm even though Spring has barely sprung:)

PA BOUND

 My sweet Auntie Lois passed  away this morning so I'm off to my mother's for the duration.  She had been in a wheelchair for a long time and was in a nursing home - before that she lived in an assisted living facility. Mom spent a lot of time with her over the past several years.  I know she will miss their time together.  Auntie Lois was a talented  equestrian.  She spent many hours riding and taught all of us kids how to ride.  Took us to the horseshows -- I have a few ribbons hidden away somewhere. She was a kind and loving lady and we will miss her.

CAN YOUR BRAIN TAKE A VACATION WITHOUT YOU?

I consider myself to be reasonably intelligent.  Then I do something that makes me wonder if my brain and I are in the same town.  Take my sock monkey applique -  here is what the pattern looked like

You trace it onto fusible interfacing.  Iron the interfacing onto the back of the fabric and cut it out.  Place all the different color parts together to make  the monkey and then use the stitch of your choice to attach it to the background.  The pattern was too big to fit on one sheet of 81/2 by 11 page hence the 2 sheets and the dotted lines that show overlap and so on.  I took the thing so literally that I traced the 2 halves of the body separately and peiced them together.  As I was tacking them down with a glue stick and getting ready to start the sewing process, I suddenly realized that I should have pieced the pattern pieces and cut the body out as one piece so I redid it -- except for the tail of course because a tail is supposed to be pieced -- just not the body  -- right?? So I guess the third time was the charm.  I got it all -- including the tail -- as one whole sock monkey body. I've got the scraps to prove it.

I used some of the scraps to try different stitches.  I tried the chicken foot stitch (my name -- kind of a modified blanket stitch.), a blanket stitch and then a zigzag/satin stitch.  You can see I chose the zigzag but once around didn't seem enough so I went over it a second time and I don't like it at all.  Since it will be fairly easy, I'm going to take it all out tomorrow and go back to the drawing board.  I'm going to do either the simple blanket stitch or the zigzag but just once around. I haven't had a whole lot of experience in applique.  Most of mine are done on the embroidery machine.  The ones I've done "free hand" (or whatever the term would be) have been pretty simple shapes for the most part.  I did applique the tree on my family tree quilt but it was a simple zig zag that blended in with the color of the tree trunk  not a true applique stitch.  I do know that the Bernina shop is going to have a class on applique and I'm going to take it  --  maybe twice:))

PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK

Its monkeys and nightys on tap for this week.  One of the blogs I keep up with, Sew Cindy showed a finished quilt last week that made me remember I have that same pattern hidden away somewhere while I was collecting fabric to make it.  Well, I've collected the fabric but still haven't started the quilt.  So, I dug the stuff out and I'm going to get the top done this week.

I worked on the monkey appliqué tonight but that is a whole other story for another day.  Here it is along with the other fabrics I got for the rest of it. I'll use the red for the first border and then use a combination of the others for the wide outer border.  Don't know if I'll do squares or something else yet.   I might throw in some red minky and white chenille squares or something too.

I also got out the nightgown pattern I had gotten to make some summer nightgowns for the girls and looked through my stash for something to to use with it.    I think I'll be making a trip to JoAnne's or HobLob. But I plan to get those done this week as well.  It's almost Wed. already so I'm going to bed.

ANOTHER FINISH

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Yesterday I decided to drive down toward Columbia to look for a new kitchen faucet at a "Discount" Plumber Supply store. I grabbed my camera on the way out because everything is starting to bud out and bloom and I thought I'd get some pretty pictures to share. So here they are ---




Oh wait -- I left my stinking memory card in my computer. So much for showing off TN in the Spring.

My trip to the "Discount" Plumbing Supply store was a bust too. It's discount for people building a $300,000 plus house. I'm going to Lowes today:)

I'm working on an old unfinished project. It's a Jellyroll tote. You use strips from a Jellyroll to make it. It's turning out really cute.

It's one of those things that as I started it I didn't think I was going to like it that much so I put it aside but I need to learn to get past that and keep working because I usually feel that way at some point with anything I start and I end up liking most everything I make after it's finished. I did use some iron on fleece between the outside and the lining and then quilted it.The fleece gives it a lot more body than the lightweight interfacing the pattern suggested. I've got to get some 1" buttons that I can cover -- I have some but they are not big enough. Then It's just add the straps and the buttons and it is finished.

SEWING LESSONS

I'm giving myself sewing lessons. I take simple things and make them difficult so that I can practice taking out stitches and redoing them.  I'll tell you I'm learning a lot!!:)  I really  am discovering new and better ways of doing things and using my 820 with its dual feed is  really making my sewing a lot more fun.  I just finished up this dress for Vail and Kates.

I used pockets from another pattern and placed them on the skirt according to the other pattern.  They were too high.  So, I took them off and replaced them but then they seemed to close to the middle.  I fixed one set and left the others because it wasn't worth taking the skirt off the bodice.  The moral of this story is if the bodice is longer and the skirt isn't as wide, don't use it to figure out where to put the pockets.  You are seeing the dress where I left the pockets closer together.  The color in the picture doesn't do the fabrics justice.  They look a lot cuter in person.  Fabric Glue has become my new best friend. It works great to tack down fabric like the band around the bottom.  Using the fabric glue holds the facing side down nice and neat with out pins so that I can catch the facing in the edge stitching and then I don't have to sew it by hand and the glue is just as quick or quicker than pins.  Worked the same way with the bodice lining around the bottom of the bodice. 

I went to a small granite/quartz/marble company in Franklin today and picked out some new quartz countertop to replace the formica in my kitchen. 

They are coming Wed. to do a template  and then by mid April I should have new countertops.  Then in May I'll get busy and paint my cabinets and my kitchen should be pretty much done except for a backsplash. 

I'm off to bed but I leave you with these for your viewing pleasure

GIVEAWAY AND OTHER STUFF

Abby Lane Quilts is having a fun giveaway in honor of National Quilt Day.  Check it out.  They are giving away some combo pincushion/threadcatchers and some patterns.

I've been away from my computer for two whole days.  I can't believe it:))  I think I mentioned that I was having some problems with my sewer line.  The city finally got a camera truck to come and check out the line and it ended up being something that I would not have to be responsible for.  They were actually very nice about it.  Since I'd already paid a plumber over a hundred dollars on two different occasions to clean out the line, I'm very glad not to have to put out any more money.

I've been practicing my free hand quilting.  I'm still not particularly confident in how I'm doing but will continue to work on it.  I'm having to order some different thread colors for the two quilts I have ready to work on so I've got more practice time ahead of me.

Made a crockpot of Taco Soup and took it to Jen's for supper tonight.  Brian came too and after supper Jen and I took Micah and went to the grocery to get a couple of things and the guys started putting together the swing set the girls got for their bdays.  I got home a little after 8 and have been reading emails and watching stupid Showtime movies.  They are having a free weekend.  I know now why I'll never pay for their movies -- they have two fairly decent ones for the whole weekend -- The Great Debaters and Twilight.  I've recorded those.   Right now I'm watching My Best Friend's Girl with Kate Hudson and Dane Cook -- She has yet to make an appearance and so far the movie is pretty dumb.

Hope to do a lot of sewing tomorrow and if it warms up , pot some plants I bought the other day.


Enjoy your weekend

WEEKEND CHANGES

This “sister smock” took longer to make than the other two did together.  But is sure is cute :)   I made a couple of changes – because the material frays pretty easily, I did french seams on any seams that would have been exposed.  I took one of the buttonholes out twice due to my error—not the machine and also redid the gathering stitches for the same reason.  Other than that it was a snap:)

My super nice son-in-law replaced the light in my faux foyer.  I forgot to take a pic of the old light – shiny brass, shape similar to this only very  ugly


and now I have this  -












it looks like oil rubbed bronze and the shades are not white but kind of glazed.

I really like it.
Other than that, some straightening of the sewing room, watching the politicians in Washington and listening to the rain outside.

WHO SAYS HOCKEY ISN’T FUN???

Last night I went to my first Hockey Game.  It was way more fun than I expected.  Although I didn’t jump up and down and scream and holler like some of the folks did, I really did enjoy it.  I got to see a little of everything – a real fight, some bad calls by the refs, three or four broken hockey sticks, several goals, overtime followed by a shootout – which the Predators won --of course, singing by Vince Gill and Billy Gillman and  lots of cool stuff on the Jumbotron.  I think one thing that impressed me the most was the fact that when they played the National Anthem (which was done by a volunteer fireman who played it on his bagpipes in honor of St. Patty’s day) you could hear a pin drop.  Very unusual these days.  I’m sayin Yea Nashville and Go Preds:)) 
In other news, I finished Vail and Katy’s sister smocks – they took them home today and I forgot to take a picture of both but you can see the first one here they are identical anyway.

Today I cut out this 
a third sister smocks for Avery.
and this –I bought the pattern and material 2 or 3 years ago.  It’s time if you know what I mean.
from this fabric
The white with blue dots will be the lining.
Tonight after church, I did this.
 

and now I’m going to bed.

HERE’S TO SPRING

Spring seems to be trying to make it’s way into Williamson County.  It will be welcomed by all I’m sure.  There are daffodils getting ready to bloom and pansies showing up around mailboxes and along front porches.  Even my cold blooded gold fish are moving around when the sun’s out.   

I made it back from my trip to OH and PA and settled into some sort of funk.  Haven’t felt like blogging at all.  Several things have been going on.  I’ve been having plumbing problems, supposedly where my line ties into the city – problem is, the city doesn’t know where the lines join and I’m sure not having someone dig a bunch of holes to try and find it.  Especially since the main line runs through all the yards on the other side of the street – yes, you read that right folks.  In my neighborhood, the city’s sewer line runs along the front edge of the yards across the street.  The manholes are in the people’s yards rather than in the street.  I’ve already paid a plumber twice to come and snake the line.  Today, I called the city’s emergency number and they came.  I’m glad I did because now I at least know (after talking to the guys who came) that they really are working on finding a way to fix the problem. Anyhoo, on to more pleasant subjects.  I’ve cut out and pieced two quilt tops since I got back .  This one is  ready to sandwich and quilt  --I think it’s about the biggest quilt I’ve made.  This quilt is made from the Turn Twenty pattern.  You use 20 fat quarters to make it.

and this one is not quilt completed – I need to add the borders which I’ll do tomorrow.

The blue is the binding and the paisley will be the border.  This quilt is a log cabin but won’t be my favorite – not enough truly dark prints to work out the way I wanted it too.  None the less, I really like the colors and it will be a pretty throw.

I  made two blankets and a bath towel and monogrammed them all for three different relatives that are having or recently had new babies.   I’m so loving using the deco for my embroidering. It works great and is so quiet. I finally  got around to making the play skirts for the girls to use for dress up with when they are over here to play which brings me to my most exciting news.  I have upgraded to the Bernina 820.  I think I’m going to love it.  I used the dual feed to stitch up the play skirts and it worked great.  No slipping and sliding around with the satiny material.  Can’t wait to try it on a minky blanket. I’ve taken three classes at the bernina shop.  Before my trip I took a class on free motion quilting fillers.  That was fun.  Now I just need to practice ^{3  .}  This past week I took a class on Stabilizers and another on Binding Basics.  I really enjoyed both and learned a lot.  I love the people at this Bernina shop.  They couldn’t be nicer and they are so helpful.

I’ve done some  cooking since I’ve been back too.  I enjoy cooking when I’m cooking for more than just me so I fixed supper for the folks at Michaels work Thursday before last and I’m taking supper again tomorrow.  Jen’s MIL is visiting from New Mex to play with her grands so I fixed supper for the fam tonight.  It was fun. 

Jed and Toby are snoring next to me on the bed so I think I’ll quit for now and join them.  Night.

HALFWAY HOME

I'm back in Ohio which puts me about half way to TN. Beth and I left PA this morning just ahead of even more snow.  It didn't snow Wed. but most of Thursday and Friday there were various degrees of snowfall and wind too.  We were a little worried at one point that we would get snowed in but that didn't happen.

 Here is a sampling of what  we left behind. 
Notice that the pond is totally covered in ice and snow.

As is the porch

 

  

  

  

This is a random house

 

LEAVING TOWN

Heading north for the next week.  If I don’t get snowed in I hope to be back in my sewing room by the first of March. Will be visiting my mom – my sister is going with me.  Have a great week.