I am so happy that it is Friday. This weekend I plan to:
- finish quilting Liz's gift and add the binding too.
- eat food from our garden.
- visit the farmers market.
- go for a run, maybe two.
- take a drive in the country.
- sew by hand.
- finish a book and then start another one.
- take a nap.
- enjoy my family.
What's on your agenda for the next few days?
Don't get all excited. It's not time for the shop update, but I am slowly working my way there.
This camera strap is one of a kind - you won't be seeing this version for sale. I made it for Caroline and it was long, long overdue. You see, she's the type of friend who goes and buys two camera straps from my store to give as gifts even though I had given her strict orders that behavior of that manner was not to happen. Well, she didn't listen. So I made swift promises that her very own strap would be made lickety-split and now, months later, here it is. I'm a bit embarrassed that it took me so long because, really, she's the friend that feeds my cat and takes in my mail and waters the jungle of a garden when we go out of town. Besides that, she listens to me gripe when I have had it up-to-here (imagine me holding my hand way above my head) and she makes me laugh, too. She deserves way more than a silly camera strap or a sample pack of kick butt olive oils. But until I figure out what exactly will fit the bill, a camera strap and olive oils will have to do.
So, I guess what I am saying, besides that I have a fantastic, one of a kind pal, is that the sewing machine and I were reunited this weekend. And that, my friends, is a great thing.
I put together this little outfit for a friend who turned 8 last week. The skirt is 1/2 yard of fabric, selvedges sewn together, hemmed and shirred with elastic thread. So fast and super easy - really, the whole outfit took about 45 minutes. Crazy, huh? I sewed the waist in a subtle spiral with a regular stitch length (3.0 on my Bernina) and then used the steam iron to make the elastic pull in even more. The fabric is My Secret Garden by Alexander Henry that I ordered from Purl Patchwork a few months ago. The t-shirt is from Old Navy, out of the stash, with a flower just like the one I made for Sarah's quilt square. And, yes, I will do a tutorial since enough of you asked. I took the photos while I made this one so as soon as I have time, I'll get it together for you all. Probably next week.
OK - gotta run. Fatty and I are on vacation. There's a beer calling my name and a patient husband waiting. Oh! And a fabric store to visit, too. Back here soon.
Yesterday I never got to my want-to list.
It was a bad parenting afternoon. The kind where they aren't cooperating with me and I am letting them know it and it does none of us any good. I was in a pitiful state by the end of the day and most of it was my own doing. I feel like I am failing my daughters, that they need more from me, but I don't know how to give it, or more precisely, what exactly to give.
Sometimes I worry that I give the impression that it's all bright and shiny here, that there are always pretty things to look at and that I have no worries. I admit that I put my best face on when I am in this space. I try to keep a positive outlook here because negative thinking really gets me nowhere. Well, nowhere good, that is. Life is life, however - there are ups and downs, good days and bad. And I am not exempt. I have my struggles, too.
Today is my good thing is that it is a new day. I get to start fresh. I can focus on my children and try to parent them in a way that works for all of us. It's a have-to and a want-to - top of the list in both categories. If I can end the day on a good note, with everyone cared for and happy, I'll call it a success. If not, I'll try again tomorrow. And again the day after that.
Here are your random numbers:
125
Timestamp: 2009-03-18 18:43:53 UTC
I wish I had 220 books to give away, but I don't. I only have one. If my counting is correct (and I hope it is!), the winner of Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross is:
Posted by:Katherine |March 17, 2009 at 05:12 PM
Katherine, email me your address and we will get the book on it's way to you.
So, I was thinking about dishing a bit more about each of the individual projects I made - the fabrics, the details, the modifications, etc. Would you all be interested in that? Or should I move on? Let me know your thoughts and I'll go from there.
Enjoy your day! Spring has really sprung around here.
for Emily's green week
Have a great day.
I'm in a quiet mood so I'm going to start off slow. Pencils already sharpened, ready to do homework, write lists, doodle and draw. There is a lot of potential in that jar.
Here's the list of yellow week links. If I missed you, let me know and I will add you to the participants. I also started a flickr group - feel free to join. Have fun finding the bright spots in your day.
We have power! Woot! It's amazing how much we take electricity for granted. And I am so thankful that we were spared from losing it the other night. I'd like to think all your well wishes helped so I will. Thank you.
I know that I have been going on and on about the auction quilts. What I haven't mentioned is that I was in charge of coming up with art projects for all the classes at our school. My children attend a Catholic school, grades K - 8, so with the help of a friend, we came up with 9 different child art projects. I was personally responsible for completing 3 sets (Kindergarten, first grade and third grade) and helped out on all of the others. These play tents that the kindergarten classes painted are one of my favorites.
One class painted a meadow scene on yellow duck cloth and the other painted an underwater scene on blue duck cloth. I bought the duck cloth at Jo-Ann's (I used 50% off coupons, making it very affordable, about $12 per tent) and the bamboo garden stakes at Lowe's (about $15 per tent). I made the tents using this tutorial as a guide. I should mention that it is almost a no-sew project. There is a bit of hand sewing involved, but no machine necessary. So with the help of my handy assistant and good friend, Caroline,(whose children don't even attend the same school as mine!), we got them assembled and ready to go yesterday.
We added lots of ribbons and ric rack as streamers and strung some plastic beads on them for good measure. They are really cheerful and very cute so I hope they will be big sellers tomorrow night.
I should have saved this photo for yellow week....remember, it starts Monday!
Off I go....the car needs servicing, some bean bags need stuffing and sewing and I am going to treat myself to a pedicure and then a nap. I hope you have something to look forward to this Friday.
This post really made me want this book! I hate sewing clothes for myself, I'd like to get better at it.