Dyeing experiment

Yesterday I had purchased some white jumbo ric rac for possible inclusion in my next hop project.  When I got home I promptly found out it was too bright and made the block element look a little "dingy".  Maybe I should have looked for a cream colored piece??  Did the dialed back sewing department at the big box store even have any?

I remembered that the February Button Up had suggested using bright yellow ric rac around the hearts.  See THIS POST  or the picture I culled from the post.  I went with white and dyed white slightly along with the striped fabric to tone it down.

Joined at The Hip suggested taking a 1/2 cup of water and adding a tablespoon of liquid dye to a dedicated to dyeing glass measuring cup.  Then cooking in the microwave at one minute intervals till you get the shade you want.  Rinse and then dry it.

I know I didn't do that before as I had yardage and probably went with the washing machine instead.  Who remembers after almost a year and half.  Then I just wanted to do with the tannish piece I was using at the center that read "February"

Okay, so here I am with white ric rac again----go back to the store or try microwave dyeing?  What do I have to lose as I have tan dye and plenty of white ric rac.  I could always go back if I don't care for the results.

Here are the results of the experimentation------and something for me to refer to in the future.

Top one, cooked for three minutes and it just looks sort of greeny-taupe.  It's okay but not the shade I was hoping for.

 I thought perhaps the contents had settled and gave the bottle a shake.  I dumped the top mixture but the measuring cup was already warmed up.  The second one was only in there for 30 seconds----nice but too dark.

3rd one down, just barely dipped and it looks about right.  

About this time my husband asks "what are you making?"  ever hopeful of a treat of some sort, I'm guessing. The cookies I left him after last week's sew-in are dwindling after all, LOL.  When I told him "a mess" and "dyeing ric rac" he said he was sorry he asked.

BUT how about a yellow shade??   I had things to drop off with Marilyn  and I could stop at Winn Dixie on the way over or back.  They had a limited selection of the liquid dyes but did have a yellow (goldenrod) in the powder form.  I used about a tsp and half to the half cup of water but heated the water first to dissolve the dye.

Top yellow---cooked for about 30 seconds.  I could have pulled it a bit sooner if I wanted it paler but how much dye will rinse out??

Tried it again and most of the dye DID wash out so I moved one.

Bottom yellow orange---double dipped but cooked for a minute.  Of course, it boiled over on the microwave table---hurriedly washed up that mess with plenty of soapy water.  I never stick anything straight down on the turntable anyway but sure did not want to inadverently consume any of this.

At this point I think I will go with the light yellow if I do indeed use it for this project.  What am I out but a package of ric rac and I gained some knowledge on how to do this in the future.  I like folk arty stuff so it is apt to come up!

I am all set to baste down the applique elements today.  Mr. Light Box and I have a date after lunch, LOL.  With all this playing I barely got started on the blog hop but the girls will understand.

Day 3 "It's For the Birds" Blog Hop

Another day of just a list for my posting.  My project is coming along but not much else going on but applique prepping.  "Move along, nothing to see here"---as they say.  And I have just the suggestions of where to send you!  LOL

Thursday, May 9

Englating

lauraluvsloons and Quilting too

Marjorie's Busy Corner

Life @ Ruff Haven

Pigtales and Quilts

Debby Kratovil Quilts

Why- Knot- Kwilt

Beaquilter

Get More Done...Today

Hanging On By A Thread

Pumpkin Patch Quilter

Blessings From Our Nest

Zellerwear

Crafting 365 Days

Charlotte's Creations

Jane's Quilting

Robin is posting on Mary's blog

Day 2 "It's For the Birds" Blog Hop

You were so kind and warmed my heart with your lovely comments about the projects I shared yesterday.  I appreciate it!

Won't you stop in and support today's participants?   You won't regret it as I know from past hops that there are some talented ladies at the ready and some new faces set to show off their eye candy! Meanwhile I will keep working on my entry for the hop at month's end.  Enjoy!

Sunshine Quilting

Feltfree Pa Asly

Busy As Can Be

Quilt Doodle Designs

Buzzing and Bumbling

Patchouli Moon Studio

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

My Whittle Adventures

Sew Much 2 Luv

Nati's Little Things

Just Let Me Quilt

A Stitch in Time

Selina Quilts

Sane, Crazy and Crumby Quilting

Scraps of Life

Rose Prairie Quilts and Farm

Marla's Crafts

Day 1 "It's For the Birds" Blog Hop

Woohoo!  Time for another blog hop, led by cheerleader Mary who blogs at I Piece 2-Mary and led by Mdm. Samm of Sew We Quilt fame.  She keeps coming up with fun, fun themes that are sure to bring out the creativity of the participants.  I do not think that Mdm. Samm named a sponsor for this round but if there is one, I will correct this assumption, post haste! edited:  I see that, Clothworks is our sponsor.

Today happens to be MY assigned day and I am likely your last stop for Day 1.  Here is the group of talented bloggers that are sharing the day.  I converted them from the list of links we were provided with as I think it is a little easier for the hoppers to see, perhaps, some of the familiar blog names.


Fiber Babble
Sew Incredibly Crazy
Squawk That
Life in the Scrapatch
Kwilty Pleasures
Sowing Stitches
Just Quilt It
Kris Loves Fabric
A Passion For Applique
Dancing Moon
Bumbleberry Stitches
Sew and Sow Farm
I Piece2-Mary
Dancing Thru-Threads
I Like to Quiltblog
Life, quilts and a cat too    >>>THAT'S ME<<<<<


Now  that we have the formailities out of the way:
What did I make for the hop?  I had long been wanting to make a project I had seen at Bird Brain Designs called a "make-do".  I got the pattern but they had no wool kits available at that time.  I have long resisted doing a wool project as I do not want to start stocking another item that I have no room for in the sewing room.   I did track down what I needed from an online vendor with a little bit leftover.  Can you see that there will probably be something wool in my future??  That is how it starts!!

Two view of the same bird.  I think you can see the vintage clamp that holds the pin cushion a little better from in the 2nd picture.  I used their pattern but I changed up the assembly directions, sewing and turning it conventionally and changing the beak construction as well.  The eye was supposed to be a french knot while I used two beads using a sewing technique similar to what you would do in doll making.

The picture above also gave you a hint of my other entry, the main one.  I have been making Joined at the Hip Button Ups since 2011.  I love the folk art look as well as having the ability to switch out quilts for the seasons, household events and/or holidays.  When the hop was announced, I knew that I wanted to put my own spin on their "Rise and Shine" button up.  I went with chickens for my member of the bird kingdom.

This is just the hanging itself.  I took it over to the neighbor's home (she is my hair dresser) and asked if I could borrow their newly painted fence and lovely red painted masonry blocks saying "anytime"  Good thing I brought those binder clips with me!  The best picture I took caught part of her husband Robert doing a little clean up work in the yard.  Since we have had "beaucoup" amounts of rain this spring, it is good thing I took the picture when I had the chance!

I have to tell you a funny story though.  When I held up the wall hanging, my husband said "oh yeah.  Chickens and chicken soup in those bowls!"  I had to tell him that I was sure those were supposed to be coffee cups as it was a "wake up, it is morning" thing, not "get out the crackers, it is time for soup and 1/2 sand".  LOL, what a goof ball!

Here is a view of it on the button up base-----you can see why I borrowed the neighbor's fence now, can't you!  The resultant pictures always look like it not a perfect rectangle, when it is.  I don't know how well you will be able to see on the standard view but there is jumbo red rick rack on the sun rays.  The rick rack on the wings is far more obvious!   Perhaps it will show up better on the large view when you click on it.  Trust me, it is there!  I used fabrics entirely from my stash though my mom mailed me some chicken fabrics when I was about done with the project.  One was a perfect choice for the backing.   Woohoo there!

Perhaps I captured the top a little better in this view?  The pattern jacket sure gave no clue to this little bit of zing on the sun rays either!

Another change I made was to up the font to my favorite Comic Sans 200 pt versus my usual 12 pt.  Part of that was aesthetic but the other part was the methods I had used to prep the sun rays and sun "rings".  I wanted to avoid fusing in this area (except for the lettering).  I may have over-calculated the seam allowance and then didn't have room for the letters provided in the pattern.  Maybe I shouldn't be telling how I messed up and just say it was a "design opportunity", a chance to make it more my own??  LOL.  I do like it better! With two more button ups in my plans I will keep this font substitution thing in mind, let me tell you.

Also even though the pattern was perfectly fine for traditional piecing, I chose to draw the chickens up in Electric Quilt and foundation piece them.  After I did the first one I realized I could eliminate a extra line near the head and tail sections. It also made it far easier to piece that itty bitty beak section and line it up.
                                                               ------------------
Birds are often a design element in many wall hangings I have made.  Joined at the Hip and Nancy Halvorsen are a couple of my favorite designers, among others.  The pieces with birds on them are on my blog somewhere if you are desperate enough to search or look for them, LOL.  I did want to share one other project, though not a fresh one.  I just thought it was pretty darned cute.  Actually I made two of these things---one as a fall challenge gift for my FAB pal Pat.  You know how that goes---if you like it that well, you have to make more than one!

Fabricraft pattern though I am not sure where I put it to verify that.  You basically are dressing up a soda bottle filled with cat litter or sand to weight it.  I just love these silly black birds though I could not get a decent picture that shows up their beady little eyes.  The legs are made with chenille stem wrapped with jute.  Just a fun, fun project and I think Pat liked it.  Using the same designers patterns, I also have made a gardening angel, a snowman, a Santa and an Easter bunny with planting paraphenelia.   I also have made the Noah and friends one as a baby gift for my sister who decorated her daughter's room in Noah's Ark way back when.  Not sure which niece now but one is a sophomore in college and the other is a senior in high school----that tell you how long ago that could have been?  LOL.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope, commenting.  I appreciate your visit today and hope you enjoy the rest of the hop!  I know I will.

Spring Sew-In---my 1111th post!

The Friendship Quilters Guild in St. Clair County (AL) had the three day spring sew-in at the Camp Chula Vista Christian Conference and Retreat Center.  We have used this venue before---back in the woods but off I-20 a mile or two,  about 4 miles north of Pell City.

Aline and I were the only ones from the north end of Calhoun County who had signed up to go.  Aline watches her great granddaughter a good bit of the time depending on the child's grandmother's work schedule. Her schedule to have the baby is not often known till a few days in advance.  She offered to drive on Friday since it was entirely possible I would be going by myself on Saturday.  This is also the Talladega NASCAR race weekend which effects a multi-county area but we were trying to avoid any extra time on I-20 and the Lincoln (AL) exits.  You can see the race track from the interstate and that weekend, spring and fall, the track becomes a metropolitan area.

We took a minor cut off road that she knew of and when we hit the other end I knew we only had about 2 or 3 miles to go on 1-20 if we just got on the ramp going west.  Aline thought she know of another possible cut off ---did we want to go for it?  You know where this heading, don't you?  It might have helped if we had one of two things---an Alabama road map or GPS but that unit was at home.  We both kept thinking we would see a road to the right that would cut back to I-20 or US 78.  It didn't happen.  When we were up on a high ridge doing hair pin curves and "Sammy Snake" curves climbing first up and then down, we should have known something was not quite right.  The other clue was we had crossed into first Shelby County and then Jefferson County.  The map below will show you how the three counties come together in that one little area.  (Had we taken the alternate route to Pell City would would have hit a small area of Talladega County on the way over, LOL). 

So what if we were in both Vandiver, AL which I had never heard of and then Leeds which we had---lovely old downtown area, actually that you would never see from the interstate.  At least we knew which direction to turn or head back a bit east.  Of course we were late getting to the hop and said we would have to sit down and get some production done!   "How did you manage to get that turned around?" the girls asked and my pronunciation of "Vandiver" was corrected as we related just where we had been.  Of course when we left they asked us if we planned to go straight home. Okay, we deserved that!

Mostly my project Friday and Saturday both was prepping applique for the flower hop in late May.  I am trying to avoid fusing anything unless I absolutely have to----needle turning is never an option in case you are wondering.    Shelia had led the girls with a green bag for holding used grocery bag on Thursday----she showed Aline and I how to make them and sent kits home with us.  She also did ORT jars---I have two of them so kept working on my prep work.  I missed the pillow case demo that Jackie did so I'll have a couple of the Belles show my how to do this, down the line.  They had some pretty ones made up though.  One other project was making a fat quarter or fat eighth lollipop.  Peggy showed us how to make one after she had gotten one at a quilt shop or quilt show.  I've got the stick and the cellophane wrapper so maybe one of these days, LOL.   I decided Friday evening that the machine was not needed but a light source was so I swapped out a few items for Saturday's return.

Dixye and I both made these Heirloom tomato pincushions with wool kits that Shelia had done up.  I had done one of these before along with a Victorian thumb cushion, 8 of them of both types, but had kind of forgotten just how.     

You should have seen us trying to free form cut those felt deals on the top.  I tend to freeze with the scissors when given THAT type of instruction.  Shelia said  "just cut out triangles"  from the square of felt.  Well, that led to a 2nd attempt mess that looked a little bit like a swastika.  Finally I cut another free form piece like the first ridiculous attempt at free form and we glued them both down.  The polka dot was from a little swap game we did.  I love it though not sure what I will do with it but it goes with some of my existing stash.

It rained a good bit of the day yesterday so I don't know if they got the race in or not.  There were some guests staying in the hotel area so they stopped up to see what we were doing as well as get some coffee and juice.  Two of the woman said they were working one of the souvenir booths.  They had been gone from their Florida homes since Tuesday and they work the Daytona, Talladega races and used to do Martinsville.  I believe that there was a third race as well.  Another guy came in for ice and said they had been coming in for the race for the last nine years.   Two young boys possibly his kids, came in before that and talked the hospitality gals out of some donuts on Friday too.   I am sure that Antoinette told them that it did not come with the hotel but she would let them, this time. The rooms are basic---no TV or phone, really a bed to rest on mainly unless they dramatically changed things when they remodeled them recently.  There is no continental breakfast offered as it is not that kind of facility. 

Sew-ins are good times with good people though a few of the gals that normally would have attended were not able to come.  Good eats too. The hospitality gals take good care of us and lunch is provided.  there is no restaurant right there at that exit so it is good thing.   I had made 6 1/2 dozen cookies and left DJ some but only came home with 1 1/2 cookies on the first day.  I know one girl was taking a couple home for her husband as she said he asks "did that girl that makes the cookies bring some today?"  She told me about Foster's sweet tooth, LOL. 

My sewing room looks like a cyclone blew through as it often does when something creative is going on.  I did attempt to put my things away from the sew-in but some of needs to stay out.  I am to the point of having about a 2 foot section of the desk available and every flat surface has something piled up on it.  I've been doing a bit of re-design on the flower project so I have been playing with graph paper and a compass drawing any number of circles to get the size I want.   I am making some progress but also having to stop and do some "research" too.

Tomorrow I have to go for fasting lab ahead of my 6 month check up and then mid morning I have a followup appointment with the eye doctor.  I'll go get breakfast between the two events, go to the library if I have to kill some time or just drag some knitting and wait at the office.  There goes the morning though!  I did the laundry this afternoon and the marketing is done as well.  I think I will go translate my flower idea to cloth.

I will probably not post again till I put my "It's For the Birds" blog hop post up.  We are required to have it up at 1201 a.m. Eastern the night before our scheduled day meaning a scheduled post will be written up.  I am due up on Tuesday the 7th.  I hope you will stop by so I can share what I made with you!   THX for stopping by----------

"It's For The Birds" blog hop coming up

While I am away at the sew-in, I know you all will be keeping busy with your own things!  DJ and Skyler will hold down the fort here.

I thought I would go ahead and post the full schedule for the next hop I am participating in.   I went from bringing up the tail end to heading out on the first day!  Good thing I didn't dawdle between projects!   "It's For the Birds" is scheduled to run from May 7th through May 15th, taking time out for the weekends as always.

Here is the full schedule along with some fun things that Mary, our cheerleader posted along with it----just to wet your appetite for all things bird related.  Mary who blogs at I piece 2 mentioned that she has been "seeing many things related to birds".  I assume she meant both inside and out----it is spring  AND she has seen a lot of patterns and projects that feature birds.  She also came up with some bird related phrases to cheer us on, LOL.

The early bird gets the worm

Fly like an eagle

Put a feather in your cap

I hope you have feathered your nest

Not everyone has been a night owl

We need to have our ducks in a row because we don't want to be sitting ducks

Nobody wants to take a swan dive, but want to sing like a canary

 Don't be a chicken about your project

I have taken all of you under my wing, so you don't wing it alone 

Birds of a feather, we have all flocked together 

Hopefully there is no cooked goose

We all have something to crow about

This is one big hen party

I know some of you have run around like  a chicken with its head cut off

It is time to strut like a rooster because everything will be just ducky

Tuesday, May 7

http://www.fiberbabble.com

http://Sewincrediblycrazy.blogspot.com

http://www.SquawkThat.com

http://Scrapatches.blogspot.com

http://Kwiltypleasures.blogspot.com

www.sowingstitches.blogspot.com

www.justquiltit.blogspot.com

http://krislovesfabric.blogspot.com

http://apassionforapplique.blogspot.com

http://dancingmoon-carla.blogspot.com

http://bumbleberrystitchn.wordpress.com

http://Sewandsowfarm.blogspot.com

http://Ipiece2-Mary.blogspot.com

http://sharon-dancingthruthreads.blogspot.com

http://www.iliketoquiltblog.blogspot.com/

http://catsnqlts2.blogspot.com      >>>THAT'S ME<<<<<

Wednesday, May 8

http://sunshinequilting.blogspot.com

http://feltfree-p.blogspot.no

http://busyascanbe.blogspot.com

http://quiltdoodledesigns.blogspot.com

http://buzzingandbumbling.blogspot.com

http://patchouli-moon-studio.blogspot.com

http://ecoughlindesigns.blogspot.com

http://mywhittleadventures.blogspot.com

http://SewMuch2Luv.blogspot.com

www.natilittlethings.blogspot.com

http://justletmequilt.blogspot.com

http://ncweekendquilter.blogspot.com

http://Selinaquilts.blogspot.com

http://saneandcrazy.blogspot.com

http://abis-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com

http://roseprairiequilts.blogspot.com

http://marlarockscrafts.blogspot.com

Thursday, May 9

http://englating.se/wp

http://lauraluvsloons.blogspot.com

http://marjoriesbusycorner.blogspot.ca

http://ruffhaven.blogspot.com

www.pigtalesandquilts.com

http://debbykratovilquilts.blogspot.com

http://why-knot-kwilt.blogspot.com

http://beaquilter.com

http://gwenbru.blogspot.com

http://pccrafty.blogspot.com

http://pumpkinpatchquilter.blogspot.com

http://sherry-blessingsfromournest.blogspot.com

http://zellerwear.blogspot.com

http://crafting365days.blogspot.com.au

http://charlottescreationsanew.blogspot.com

http://Janesquilting.blogspot.com

http://Ipiece2-Mary.blogspot.com   Robin is posting on Mary's blog

Friday, May 10

http://ssparrowinflight.blogspot.com

http://Hillvalleyquilter.blogspot.se

http://mcsqrd.blogspot.com

http://loveitsewit.blogspot.com

http://piecepeacenc.blogspot.com

http://grammieq.blogspot.com

http://meadowbrook-Kristen.blogspot.com

http://scrapbook-ChickADoodle.blogspot.com

www.craftyshenanigans.blogspot.co.uk

http://Stitchingbythebeach.blogspot.com

www.thebusybeequiltshop.blogspot.com

http://morestarsincomanche.blogspot.com

http://lesquilts.blogspot.ca

http://suebeesworld.blogspot.com

http://mtnmommy2.blogspot.com

www.thatlookslikeitneedsstitches.blogspot.com

http://www.freshcutquilts.com

Monday, May 13

http://www.quiltsmiles.blogspot.com

http://sewdarnquilt.blogspot.com

www.cindycraftycreations.blogspot.com

http://madebymeinred.blogspot.com

http://featheredneststudio.com

http://cmyprims.blogspot.com

http://ukcitycrafter.wordpress.com

www.gracieoliverarts.blogspot.com

http://cateslinens.blogspot.com

http://quilterinthecloset.blogspot.com

http://quilttotheedge.blogspot.com

http://aroundthehomestead.blogspot.com

http://sewpeacetopeace.blogspot.com

www.caliquilter.com/blog/

http://pamela-kieffer.blogspot.com

Tuesday, May 14

http://www.intheboondocks.blogspot.com

http://mychellem.blogspot.com

www.thimblemouseandspouse.blogspot.com

www.quiltingandsewingarts.com

http://Sewgratefulquilts.wordpress.com

www.aquiltingsheep.com

http://tricia-ramblingsofaquilter.blogspot.com

http://sewmanyyarns.blogspot.com

www.moosestashquilting.blogspot.com

http://bethstrand.wordpress.com

http://quiltoo.blogspot.com

http://teatimecreations.blogspot.ca/

http://secretlystitching.blogspot.gr/

Wednesday, May 15

http://cariboucrossingchronicles.blogspot.ca

www.notionnanny.blogspot.com

http://crookedgulleyartquilts.blogspot.com

http://Karamino.blogspot.com

http://celticthistlestitches.blogspot.com

www.sewmolliesue.com

http://devotedquilter.blogspot.com

http://mystitchin-n-stuff.blogspot.com

www.quiltscapesqs.com

http://kocanquilt.blogspot.com

http://createinthesticks.blogspot.com

http://terrysquiltingtime.blogspot.com/

http://Sewwequilt.com

What's happening this Wednesday?

It has been a fairly quiet day of it so far anyway.   New day and a new month.  The monthly themed wall hangings were switched out along with  flipping of the calendar pages.

So what have I been up today or what do I have planned for today's creative goals?  Yesterday I made a bit of headway with my hand project for the "Say It With Flowers" blog hop and will get back to it this evening under good, good light. When you see it later in the month you will see why that was important!

I had some fabric to press as well.  Washed it yesterday but ironed it today.  For the most part I do not feel compelled to pre-wash and iron as you are just going to have to press it again when you are ready to use it.  A few things I had recently ordered just felt like it was needed. I wanted to get the sizing off it as some of it will be used in an applique project, also for the "Say It With Flowers".  I would like to NOT use fusibles any more than I have to on this particular piece and the pattern could lend itself to freezer paper and/or Templar and starch methodology.   I pulled the background fabrics yesterday but will have to make a decision about parts of it down the line.  What do you supposed I am doing with all of this??

Some of those greens near the top of the stack on the right might be for the May row of the month.  I can tell you right now, mine is going to be late.  The choice is a flower themed row and I will do it but my main priority is the hop items.  IF it is done, I can include it as a 3rd featured item but I am not being overly optimistic.  Not with the applique project especially if parts are going to be hand stitched.

I also got a note from the newsletter gal at guild regarding the sew-in.  It starts on Thursday but I normally just go on Friday and Saturday.  Jackie says     "Bring a spring fat quarter for a fun project and bring a batik fat quarter for a fun game"   We were also asked at the meeting to bring a yard of kid friendly fabric to learn how to do pillowcases.   That wasn't too hard to come up with as I was digging around in the brights bin(s) for something else and putting some other yardage away.  I am guessing that we need a contrasting fabric as well for the cuff but maybe not.  Spring fat quarter??  One I liked is a directional print and the other rather pastel---best take them both as who knows what the program committee has planned for us!  The batik?  I don't have a whole lot of them so it became a matter of which one have I not cut a hunk of?   They do a fat quarter draw each month of a certain selected color of tone on tone or batik but I have never participated in that as selection is limited---"what doesn't have a hunk cut from it" applies here too.

Part of the fun of following along with the hops is that sometimes the blogger is offering a giveaway.  You comment because that is what a cheerleader/blog hopper does but you sure don't think that you could possibly win anything by giving someone a verbal pat on the back or a smile along the way.  Imagine my surprise then that I received not one but two emails that I had won something!

The first note was from Lisa at In the Boon Docks.  I am linking to her actual post so you can see what cool hats she had been knitting up and using her pom pom maker to top them off.  She had offered a knitting themed giveaway of 2 skeins of Lion Brand Jiffy yarn and a book entitled One More Skein:  30 Quick Projects to Knit by Leigh Radford.  I may have slowed down a bit on knitting lately but I do plan to keep at it.  I did those two red hats with the pom poms recently but have another rolled brim multicolored yarn started that I pick up occasionally.

Next I heard from Pat at Life in the Scrapatch.   Pat had made a wonderful chatelaine and got in the top two on her day for her 2nd item, a pom pom pincushion.  The link takes you to the chatelaine but she links to her 2nd post there.  Pat was offering 15 charm squares left from her chatelaine.  

I don't know whether I posted about this or not---I had won two patterns in earlier hops.  Kathy at Just Quilt It  had offered a Thimbleberries pattern called "Holiday Bouquet" in the Nancy Drew Hop while Rhonda at Ravelly1 shared a "Fantasy Flowers Sweatshirt" pattern from Dancing Needleworks.  I may have mentioned it but I don't remember.   Too lazy to go back and look too.   If so, forgive me for repeating myself, LOL.

So the afternoon is scooting away.  I already took care of supper by making a pasta crab salad shortly after we had lunch.  Tomorrow morning I'll be baking some cookies to take to the sew-in probably the Oatmeal Toffee version.  DJ likes that kind the best, more than the Pride of Iowa kind.  Not that he needs them necessarily as he is still eating birthday cake and would not hear of me putting any of it in the freezer.  His cake, not mine, so I did as he asked.  LOL.  We have plans to go out for lunch tomorrow and cash in a buy one, get one coupon.  Other than that I hope to get what I need to pack up for the sew-in narrowed down.  Too often you sort of feel like you are either taking half your house with you or the secondary thought passes through the mind  "I should just stay home and work."  That is a fleeting thought though as I really look forward to some time away with my pals.  

Hope you are having a good day in whatever you chose to do-----------