I knew it had been awhile since I updated my blog but I've been off doing who knows what for two weeks?? No wonder I got a concerned email from a friend yesterday who thought perhaps I was having a hard time with the holiday season approaching. She may be partially correct as this is the year of firsts without DJ at my side. So far I am hanging in there, with a few exceptions, but then we are about a week away from Thanksgiving yet.
I have gotten little sewing done. We had some really frigid (for us) weather lately and when it did warm up with had a ton of rain. Like 4 inches in a 12 hour period kind of rain. Those overnight temps in the high teens and low 20's and daytime highs about 20-30 degrees below normal. And cut right through you winds. Like Illinois! Anyway, Oscar has been in more then out lately. Of course he loves that! It just means that I cannot go to the sewing room and get anything done as he whines if I don't come back right away and I have to keep an eye on him. He WILL pee in the house and not necessarily in the kitchen. I try to circumvent that by taking him out to walk about every two hrs or making him go out in the backyard for a bit. I'm told dachshunds are notorious for peeing anyway and he is 10 years old too. I send him out at night and I see him do is bark, bark, bark at who knows what? Right now he is curled up in my spot on the couch and on my bathrobe. Skyler is on the back of the couch curled up on that Friendship quilt that my friend V assembled and quilted for me. They take turns curling up next to me, most evenings with that quilt on my lap. I enjoy them but it means reading, knitting--anything but work in my sewing room.
I DID drag one machine out to the kitchen and did some cutting from the sub-cut sections of fabric for those chair pads. I had done that at the last Belles meeting. I started sewing on the over sized one for Robert's kitchen chair and it looked horrid! I told Glynda she might want to see how it was looking before I went any further with it. I had only cut two of the 6 out at that point. We left it that I would try another idea on one of the smaller pads and then decide if it would be okay. I had done some streamlining and the 2nd one doesn't look too bad but I need to put some Velcro on it for closure and possibly take a little tighter seam in a few spots. Those chair pads are on my weekend list. The serger is also set up as this fabric ravels like crazy. There are green threads all over the house but there is no point in cleaning any of it up till that task is completed. I have a feeling that they are going to be like Christmas tree needles and keep showing up for months and months after, LOL.
I had also done a few lines on Donna's 2nd quilt. Well, I said lines but was trying a serpentine stitch with some purple variegated thread. Every time I tried to get near the machine Skyler was stuck like glue to me. I get Oscar squared away either outside or after he goes in his crate for the night, and then Skyler wants my attention. It is NOT my quilt so I don't want him sitting on it. I try to get him to move or set him down and he hops right back up. And then he gets upset and bites and/or batts at me with his paw. I finally put him out, closed the door and did those few rows of stitching. Will probably have to that again next time. He and Oscar both seem to jockey for attention, though dogs are more needy than cats, I find.
Last week was busy because I had outside meetings and such; this week started a bit like that too. I finally got to the Social Security office to see about drawing my own SS or his. I made it through the interview without crying until I thanked the woman who had helped me. I got up to the Revenue Commissioner's office too. DJ being over 65 we were eligible for tax exemption on the house but we had to take our income tax forms in from 2013, for example, plus complete a few questions on their mailing and sign it in their presence. His being gone left me wondering just how to check off "are you or spouse over 65?" At least this time I did not draw that horrid public servant we got last year that I was ready to write to the commissioner about. Needlessly rude and unhelpful. This time I drew a woman who I used to see on the walking trail or park all the time so we did a bit of chatting about that. Turns out, I needed to provide them with a copy of the death certificate and since I was going to be back downtown the next day for my appointment, they allowed me bring it then rather than about 20 miles round trip to go home and get it. I should have thought of all that. I had all that pulled, and more, for SSA. So a few concerns are clearer now.
On the 15th the quilting pals who had done the Block of the Month at Ashville House this past year had a little quilt show with their completed tops. They spread them out on tables at the Baptist Church near their shop for several hours. This was in conjunction with the shop's 5th year anniversary as well. The girls all needed to sign up for next years BOM and pay the 10 bucks. I think this next is a more conventional format while I liked how they did things this year. They gave the fabric but they all picked whatever pattern they wanted to do which made for all kinds of different tops. I've got some pictures but will post them later. I don't want to turn on the desktop to upload them to the computer etc.
I have been invited down to then neighbors for Thanksgiving dinner. Plans have changed a bit in that I am to make pies now. I'm thinking my classic no bake pumpkin pie that I have made for years and Dutch Apple Pie that DJ really liked. Robert was telling me about his mom always making chocolate pies--one for his dad and one or his youngest sister and one to pass. I said I wouldn't do pecan pie as I really don't like that--too cloyingly sweet. It might be that I didn't like my previous attempts at making them, maybe with a different recipe it would be better. Another guest can bring theirs, LOL.
(I shared some of this on Facebook today so if you follow me there it will be a bit of a repeat. Read if you want some more background).
What I don't do is normally make crust as the store does a better job than me, generally. Today, I thought I might try to remedy my fear of making crusts and try one of those chocolate meringue pies and take it down to the neighbors. I spotted a couple recipes in a cookbook but it is amazing to me what is assumed that one knows about cooking/baking when you look at how sketchy the instructions are! I read up in three of my "expert" books last night---Schmidt's Master Recipes, Bittman's How to Cook Everything and Anderson's The Perfect Recipe. Very detailed instructions in Schmidt's book--like 10 pages covering every aspect of pastry making. I used Bittman's recipe for the filling and meringue though as it was less fussy. The crust had a lot of steps, chilling times, following the instructions for a fully baked shell etc. I followed the recipes and each step meticulously. All day long deal almost.
So how did it turn out? The filling tastes good but I wonder if is ever going to set up. The unbaked leftovers are in a custard cup in the fridge and it still looks pudding like, not cut with a knife-able. I took the pie down to them just before it got dark as it could cool there. Don't know if the crust recipe was a keeper or not. Knowing what I just said about the pie you might wonder how I could take them something that may not have turned out so well. When I was talking with Glynda about the chair cushions, I told her I was going to make them a chocolate pie and practice up for next week, so to speak, with scratch pie crust. About time I learned to do this better.
Unfortunately, just as Oscar and I were climbing the few steps up the stairs I must have shifted the pie plate, the meringue cracked and I had a sweater dripping with chocolate filling!! Worse yet, when Glynda turned on the porch light I saw that it was also running down my jeans leg. Amazingly, Oscar did not start licking my clothes with his great sense of smell. I caught him licking my shoe but removed that temptation-- pronto. I was pulling off my outer clothes as soon as I got us back in the house and right into the washer! Glynda did say tonight that she was getting her MIL's recipe for her pie this weekend (and maybe that chocolate cake she told me about the other day) so I may be able to try it again but with store bought crusts!! I won't have time to practice, come the big day.
This was actually day two of major cooking as I was in the kitchen a big chunk of the day cooking several different entrees and sides. The dishwasher has gotten quite a workout, let me tell you. When I wasn't cooking the last two days, I was off to the store replenishing the pantry. Between what is in the freezer and stocking up on what I consider staples I can make just about anything (minus some meat). Well providing I feel like cooking in the first place. I've already said how much easier it is to just throw a sandwich together. Not exactly a balanced diet with any variety to it---- and I am trying to do better. Hopefully, I am good until mid week when I need to get the apples for the pie. We are having a low key potluck at Belles next week and I could go in a couple different directions for my dessert type dish and won't have to decide till Monday.
I'm tired and can't think if anything else is going on around here. I just know that I keep busy doing something most of the time. The next thing I know, it is time or about time to go to bed. One day whizzes by and then another. Next thing you know, 2 weeks have passed. How my life is going these days--------
Nov 21, 2014
Nov 6, 2014
Checking In
I honestly do not know just where the last two weeks have gone. It sure was not doing anything much of a creative bent though I did finally get Donna's lap quilt for one of her nieces quilted once I did a bit of marking.
I've been knitting a bit--more dish cloths. It is a good project for when you have to sit and wait which I had to do on Tuesday while they changed my oil, and then the brake pads too. One, maybe two rear tires I was mentally prepared for as one has had a slow leak for several months now but that just turned out to be a small nail embedded in the tire and they patched it. (I am still waiting for the GMC people to call back about the recall on the G6. Apparently there about 300 people on the list, waiting for the parts to come in, the staff said.) Half a dish cloth was done by the time I left. I got a few more skeins as I have a lab appointment coming up as well as the 6 month checkup a week later. Unless they have done something to streamline the lab process better than they have in the past, you can count on a couple hours right there. I can wait a little more patiently if I have something to occupy myself.
I have read a good bit on the kindle app. Nothing world shaking, just light reading, mysteries mostly. I read the books I cared to read on Jane's Kindle finally and returned hers so I am back to using the kindle app on my tablet.
I have played entirely too much free cell on netsolitaire. I admit it. But I also spent one full day recently in the office clearing up the paper stuff on my desk, lining up the to-do things, organizing receipts, balancing the checking account and so forth.
I finally gave in and called the plumber to fix the toilet shortly after I most in late October. Been a pricey two weeks what with the brakes on the car too. But necessary. If anything else breaks or quits running, I am apt to be in tears. How in the world did he keep things running around here? Why didn't I pay closer attention to how to fix them?
I binged cooked yesterday and again this morning because the weather had finally cooled enough to not object to having the oven turned on. It is so hard for me to want to cook without DJ here to enjoy a meal with me. Mostly it is "why bother" when a sandwich or some convenience meal in the toaster oven is done quickly, with little fuss? Well here is why I should bother--- I am getting tired of sandwiches and I hate most convenience food . Maybe I had better make my own version of it. This way I can clear out a bit of stuff in the freezer just to add more back into it, LOL.
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Since it has turned colder at night, Skyler has been my bed mate. I turn over and he often will go to the other side where I am facing. Now if I can just get him to quit licking and scratching..........here he is in the laundry basket last week. I wish I had had the camera when he was crawling around on the entertainment center the other night in that sort of open spot where DJ's model car replica of a Crown Vic sits. You can see what I am talking about from a previous post HERE just scroll down to the last pictures.
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My mom has been quite busy the past two years and more making full sized quilts for each of the grandkids. We have 11 and there is a foster daughter too. The 4 oldest grands got their quilts as wedding presents. This is the last one and it is going to one of my twin nieces, my youngest brother's youngest kids. Well, they just turned 15 so "kids" doesn't really fit so much anymore but you know what I mean. The pattern is "Country Cousins" from Judy Martin's Scrap Quilts book. Mom and I had made this block for the Hands All Around Quilt Guild (central Illinois) monthly block raffle back in 92 or 3. I won a stack of them and made more. SO last year when Mom was looking at doing a red quilt for Elizabeth the pattern and blocks came up. I said she could HAVE the blocks and jump start the project a bit. Obviously I was going to do anything with them and I mailed them to her once I returned home from my visit.
She liked the more scrappy look as shown in the book and pulled the blocks apart so each of the 4 sections of the block would be different fabrics. The block might not be what you think it is as when the blocks are joined you see stars or even a version of square in a square but there is a light and dark side. I drew one up in EQ so you could see it up closer. It is like a variation of a block called Four Knaves Brackman #1197 Nancy Cabot 1938 except for the coloration of light and darks. Martin likened it to a traditional Fox and Geese block (but no center sashing) but said the quilt setting and coloring more strongly resemble Birds in the Air (but less small half square triangles)
And just because she is so darned cute and just about 4 months old now, here is one of the recent pictures her Nana sent me. Diane keeps me well supplied with Lily pictures and I love it!
Well enough of this pecking at the keys. It is a decent day weather-wise. Oscar and I need to go walk, a little "Mama" face time. Not sure that I will get any cutting done on those chair pads today or not and there is a bit of paperwork I need to tend to anyway.
I've been knitting a bit--more dish cloths. It is a good project for when you have to sit and wait which I had to do on Tuesday while they changed my oil, and then the brake pads too. One, maybe two rear tires I was mentally prepared for as one has had a slow leak for several months now but that just turned out to be a small nail embedded in the tire and they patched it. (I am still waiting for the GMC people to call back about the recall on the G6. Apparently there about 300 people on the list, waiting for the parts to come in, the staff said.) Half a dish cloth was done by the time I left. I got a few more skeins as I have a lab appointment coming up as well as the 6 month checkup a week later. Unless they have done something to streamline the lab process better than they have in the past, you can count on a couple hours right there. I can wait a little more patiently if I have something to occupy myself.
I have read a good bit on the kindle app. Nothing world shaking, just light reading, mysteries mostly. I read the books I cared to read on Jane's Kindle finally and returned hers so I am back to using the kindle app on my tablet.
I have played entirely too much free cell on netsolitaire. I admit it. But I also spent one full day recently in the office clearing up the paper stuff on my desk, lining up the to-do things, organizing receipts, balancing the checking account and so forth.
I finally gave in and called the plumber to fix the toilet shortly after I most in late October. Been a pricey two weeks what with the brakes on the car too. But necessary. If anything else breaks or quits running, I am apt to be in tears. How in the world did he keep things running around here? Why didn't I pay closer attention to how to fix them?
I binged cooked yesterday and again this morning because the weather had finally cooled enough to not object to having the oven turned on. It is so hard for me to want to cook without DJ here to enjoy a meal with me. Mostly it is "why bother" when a sandwich or some convenience meal in the toaster oven is done quickly, with little fuss? Well here is why I should bother--- I am getting tired of sandwiches and I hate most convenience food . Maybe I had better make my own version of it. This way I can clear out a bit of stuff in the freezer just to add more back into it, LOL.
- Shrimp Creole and Mama's Cornbread along with two batches of rice in the steamer as I took half the recipe down to the neighbor's.
- Then I made a version of Shepherd's Pie with some leftovers from the freezer and set those up in three serving portions with half the ground beef. The other half I turned into Maid Rite loose meat for a few sandwiches down the line. That is not the version of the recipe I use. Actually I don't use a recipe really.
- I roasted a couple of sweet potatoes and then made a whipped up casserole version, not sure what it is called really along with Pilgrim's Pride Turkey Loaf from one of those "365 Ways to Cook Hamburger and Other Ground Meats". It was a good thing I was not trying to serve this to anybody else as the loaf fell all apart when I tried to get it out of the pan. Some remained in chunks and part of it looks more like loose meat! I already have some homemade cranberry relish up in the freezer so just need to add a veggie.
- I also tried a new to me recipe from Taste of Home for Butterscotch Pumpkin Mousse submitted by a cook from my area as it turns out. It would make a nice parfait.
- I've got a ham steak slice to grill later in the week so I made some hashbrown casserole supposedly like Cracker Barrel's. I don't think so as there is wayyyyy too much sour cream in there. I think theirs taste more like chicken broth than sour cream. But there are three serving size dishes for me to use up now and the bag of hash browns has been used up.
This morning---
- my version of Pimento Cheese spread but wayyyyyy less cream cheese and mayo, etc. Hot sauce instead of jalapenos and a few other minor tweaks.
- Pumpkin Muffins for the freezer with some of the leftover pumpkin from that dessert plus another can for the muffins with some added walnuts and dried cranberries though.
- Then finally breakfast/brunch sausage and potato frittata--no recipe there either. Like Maid Rites, I make this often enough that I don't need one.
Now I am running the dishwasher for the like the 4th time in 3 days. I think you can see why, LOL.
Glynda asked me yesterday if I would consider helping her with a chair pad cover project. She has a sewing machine but does not really like to sew and thought maybe I would be interested. We consulted to a bit . She has the foam padding to use and in fact, I have a couple of the ones she cut here on the sewing room table. I offered the dog hammock fabric since I gave up on that thing and have the rest of the bolt the gal gave me for free. The green will go with her kitchen and I need to do 6 of them. I don't have to do piping or ties which is a bonus but they do have to be curved a bit at the corners. I think I know how to proceed with this though I really didn't find a tutorial for what I was considering exactly. I may make a mock up one first just to see if it is possible before getting too carried away cutting.
I have other stuff I could be doing but what's another week or so? When it was so cold and blustery for about 4 days recently Oscar was spending more time inside and that translates to me not getting anything done in the back of the house--sewing room or office. So we toss his toy whatever animal it is around "Pinkie" and he cuddles up next to me on the couch. Not a bad thing, right?
I had accidentally dropped the Quaker Oats container as I emptied that last little bit into the new container. Oscar ran off with it--first to his bed and then to the couch. Silly pupper!
Since it has turned colder at night, Skyler has been my bed mate. I turn over and he often will go to the other side where I am facing. Now if I can just get him to quit licking and scratching..........here he is in the laundry basket last week. I wish I had had the camera when he was crawling around on the entertainment center the other night in that sort of open spot where DJ's model car replica of a Crown Vic sits. You can see what I am talking about from a previous post HERE just scroll down to the last pictures.
If you want to see some quilt pictures I do have a few, just none that I have made. Well scratch that---one project I did participate in! Tell you more about that one in a minute.
First these are ones that Lois turned in and one that we were preparing to pin at Belles recently.
Double 4 patch
Scrappy Diagonal Strips
4 Patch ZigZag
that may not be the correct name--from past Quilter's World
From a Bargello class at JOY Quilters Guild. Looks like a Billie Lauder version
And just because she is so darned cute and just about 4 months old now, here is one of the recent pictures her Nana sent me. Diane keeps me well supplied with Lily pictures and I love it!Well enough of this pecking at the keys. It is a decent day weather-wise. Oscar and I need to go walk, a little "Mama" face time. Not sure that I will get any cutting done on those chair pads today or not and there is a bit of paperwork I need to tend to anyway.
Oct 24, 2014
Wicked 4 Blog Hop Schedule
The 4th Annual Wicked Blog Hop is going on right now (on Day 5) and will continue all next week. I am not participating this round but will try to get caught up hopping this weekend.
I got the schedule from "Wicked Wendy's" blog and she has hosted it 3 out of the 4 years. This gal knows what she is doing, LOL. Maybe you would like to see what the group has been creating as much as I do? I recognize many of the blog names so I know we are both in for a treat!
I got the schedule from "Wicked Wendy's" blog and she has hosted it 3 out of the 4 years. This gal knows what she is doing, LOL. Maybe you would like to see what the group has been creating as much as I do? I recognize many of the blog names so I know we are both in for a treat!
Monday, October 20
Tuesday, October 21
Wednesday, October 22
Thursday, October 23
Friday, October 24
Monday, October 27
Tuesday, October 28
Wednesday, October 29
Thursday, October 30
Friday, October 31
Seams To Be Sew
Oct 19, 2014
critters and other stuff
Yesterday I did not feel much like sewing or quilting, which is what I really should have been doing. I DID want to put away the container that I had been working out of for the last month though. The Zip Zip bags kit was still in there so I went ahead and cut that stuff out. Looks like I got a little carried away and sliced into the instructions pamphlet, LOL. I didn't spot that till I headed into the sewing room to take this picture!
I do not get much done in the sewing room with Oscar in the house but he was in the house for the afternoon feeding and waiting patiently me to get my shoes changed so we could go walk. Read that as alternating between jumping against the gate twanging the metal and laying down, giving me the sad brown eyes and whimpering. Bad Doggie Mama! So I closed off the bedroom doors and let him roam in the hall and sewing room AKA Skyler's Space.
Then they swapped places. Oscar can and does get up on the coffee table occasionally but normally it is not covered with a quilted piece!
They can be the entertainment or exasperate me as much as unruly children might. Skyler is so aggressive towards Oscar that when he and I are playing "fetch" with his Pinkie toy, Skyler jumps down from the love seat to chase Oscar as he runs back to the couch (and me) with his toy. Oscar just takes it. He will chase Skyler but only if he is running first. Just wants to sniff his butt and Skyler's not having any of it. Anyway, I end up telling Oscar to just leave the cat alone and "Skyler, no"-- a lot.
And yet, they can both be a comfort to me too, in their own way. I was listening to some music yesterday, the lyrics kind of got to me (drawing my own parallels) and I was crying. One of those missing DJ moments/days/hours again. Oscar came running from the kitchen, hopped up on the couch, snuggled in and gave me some doggie kisses. THX for that. Critter version of a hug, I guess. Skyler, on the other hand, loves to snuggle up against me when I flop down on the bed with him. Yeah, I know it is mostly about him-- he wants petted or knows he has my undivided attention-- but I still love those moments together.
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I finally got around to making pizza last night, after being hungry for it for weeks. I made my own sauce using a super simple no cook sauce from All Recipes Exquisite Pizza Sauce (left out the hot pepper flakes as I do not like them or have any on hand). Pretty good sauce actually and would be good on spaghetti too. My crust recipe is one that I like after trying a bunch of them and practicing on DJ from Prepared Pantry in this Vegetable and Sausage Supreme recipe. I made a thinner crust this time and did two small individual pizzas and took one down to Miss Kathryn as I know she prefers that from a conversation we had in the past. I also shared several slices with Glynda and Robert. They had already eaten, early like me so I guess lunch is covered. I had not told any of them what I was up to so that should have been expected. My leftovers went to the freezer. One of these days I am going to try my hand at cinnamon rolls again. Always hungry for those and now that it has cooled down a bit I don't mind the oven being on near as much, LOL.
My across the lane neighbor has moved out. Robert said he thought that Willie was moving but I saw him the other day when I was walking Oscar and he confirmed it. Moving into a smaller house, with less yard but still in the area. He had lived there about as long as DJ and I have been in Alabama, 17 yrs. Divorced a year ago so he reached decision time, stay or go. House will be going on the market.
Other than that: my Cardinals did not manage to advance past the NLCS and the Giants did. Bama won big yesterday. Auburn had a bye week. Talladega race weekend but I hardly left the house except to walk the dog and run a few errands and Oscar went with me for most of that. Quick dash in and out. And sew it goes-----
I do not get much done in the sewing room with Oscar in the house but he was in the house for the afternoon feeding and waiting patiently me to get my shoes changed so we could go walk. Read that as alternating between jumping against the gate twanging the metal and laying down, giving me the sad brown eyes and whimpering. Bad Doggie Mama! So I closed off the bedroom doors and let him roam in the hall and sewing room AKA Skyler's Space.
Mind you, I thought the door was closed! I don't know which one of them knows how to push the door open. Maybe both of them can. Look what I spotted when I followed the cat yowling noises. Under the bed, I might expect as I have caught him under there before! On top?? How did my leg challenged dogger get up there when my feet don't touch the floor when seated on the bed. Either crawled up on the night stand or the blanket chest but that is still a bit high up or him.
These were taken on my phone camera the night before and in this sequence. Both of them were napping and enjoying the afternoon sun.
Oscar was the first to circulate
Then Skyler had to see what/where Oscar was headed but still was enjoying the last of the afternoon light
Then they swapped places. Oscar can and does get up on the coffee table occasionally but normally it is not covered with a quilted piece!
And yet, they can both be a comfort to me too, in their own way. I was listening to some music yesterday, the lyrics kind of got to me (drawing my own parallels) and I was crying. One of those missing DJ moments/days/hours again. Oscar came running from the kitchen, hopped up on the couch, snuggled in and gave me some doggie kisses. THX for that. Critter version of a hug, I guess. Skyler, on the other hand, loves to snuggle up against me when I flop down on the bed with him. Yeah, I know it is mostly about him-- he wants petted or knows he has my undivided attention-- but I still love those moments together.
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I finally got around to making pizza last night, after being hungry for it for weeks. I made my own sauce using a super simple no cook sauce from All Recipes Exquisite Pizza Sauce (left out the hot pepper flakes as I do not like them or have any on hand). Pretty good sauce actually and would be good on spaghetti too. My crust recipe is one that I like after trying a bunch of them and practicing on DJ from Prepared Pantry in this Vegetable and Sausage Supreme recipe. I made a thinner crust this time and did two small individual pizzas and took one down to Miss Kathryn as I know she prefers that from a conversation we had in the past. I also shared several slices with Glynda and Robert. They had already eaten, early like me so I guess lunch is covered. I had not told any of them what I was up to so that should have been expected. My leftovers went to the freezer. One of these days I am going to try my hand at cinnamon rolls again. Always hungry for those and now that it has cooled down a bit I don't mind the oven being on near as much, LOL.
My across the lane neighbor has moved out. Robert said he thought that Willie was moving but I saw him the other day when I was walking Oscar and he confirmed it. Moving into a smaller house, with less yard but still in the area. He had lived there about as long as DJ and I have been in Alabama, 17 yrs. Divorced a year ago so he reached decision time, stay or go. House will be going on the market.
Other than that: my Cardinals did not manage to advance past the NLCS and the Giants did. Bama won big yesterday. Auburn had a bye week. Talladega race weekend but I hardly left the house except to walk the dog and run a few errands and Oscar went with me for most of that. Quick dash in and out. And sew it goes-----
Oct 17, 2014
checking in (edited)
Almost a week since I posted. It has been a different kind of week with some rainy mornings and increased critter detail with Oscar indoors more. There was a threat of severe weather on Monday and Tuesday, to the point that I cancelled Tuesday's Bama Belle meeting ahead of time, based on the available data at the time. (I did not want to be on the phone cancelling in the middle of a thunderstorm, hail or high winds Just stay home and hope it doesn't happen.)
Home details have taken the forefront. My poor neighbor has been over twice to help with those troublesome toilet innards. It started with a broken chain and then the flapper and maybe the valve needs replaced or it is beyond hope and the whole tank might need replaced. If you are going to have to replace half of it, should you just do the whole thing?? Now I know first hand what it took for DJ to try to keep the plumbing up and running as first one and then other would be balking. For right now the water is completely shut off to mine and I am using his. I can't have it flushing itself every 20 minutes or spraying water all over the place when the water is on. Glynda and Robert's son is more the plumbing expert, Robert said but he is gone on vacation till late next week. I'll try to hold off--and hold on to the fill valve I bought, just in case.
I've done a little baking but then opted not to go to the guild retreat after all. See above--I may need to replace the toilet and the gas/food money/my part of the room rental fee may have to go to better use. That and it is Talladega race weekend so there is more traffic to get over to Pell City. ( I shoved all the brownies in the freezer.) Other than that, the usual parts of homemaking have taken up my time minus a bit of sewing time. Just a bit.
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Nothing wrong with this cover really, just the wrong colored red. I can finally have things that match in here which was my goal. (Pattern from Cotton Ginny). My friend Pam helped me with putting in the piping but I severely messed up in making this and it has never really fit right either. The cat part is cute! I only use it to cover the Singer as the others have hard cases or I've already made them a fitted one. Looking at this, picture I think I need to move that button back another inch or so to get that thread catcher to hang a bit straighter!!! Add that to the to-do list.
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I used a pattern that someone had pinned on pinterest which led me to a wonderful tutorial at Ellyn's Place. I did not want another one that was fitted to the machine as I do use that cover over some of the others in my sewing arsenal when they are in use. However, I did measure them just to be sure and basically, they all came out to about 16 1/2 x 27 for measurements. Occasionally I need this to cover the machine while it is countersunk into the table so I don't care that it is a bit short when the machine is set on the table.
Mine looks so "blah" compared to Ellyn's!! Honestly, I wish I had been able to use the gingham fabric for this but there was not enough yardage left after skirting the computer desk. We all know that Riley Blake is only going to be making the medium sized check now. The Save the Riley Blake Gingham/See you in September Hop did accomplish that much! Since it is from an older 2010 line, I doubt I will find what I am looking for online unless it would be in a the secondary market.
SO I varied my version by making, as Ellyn said in her tute, a small quilt. Since my lining is the same as the front of the piece I just quilted the whole thing rather than sew and flip strips of fabric. I almost started to mark it for cross hatching when I noticed how much of a directional piece the floral pattern was. You could almost see the lines across the fabric when viewed from that angle. Woohoo! No marking necessary, just follow the flower stems.
A few other minor variances or design choices:
Am I really done?? Well, I still have a bit more of that floral yardage. Not enough gingham or brown dot to do much with. I have a feeling those will be turning up in scrap quilts, bowties, etc for some time to come. My friend Kitty will get some of the really scrappy pieces in the basket at some point, probably.
I was thinking of replacing the pre-quilted fabric on my portable sewing cutting/pressing mat to freshen it up. It is a good thing to have along on "sewing away from home outings" especially if they involve foundation piecing. Years ago Fons and Porter sold kits for these with small "sheet of paper" sized mats along with the "boards", not sure what this stuff is really called but I think it is the same stuff that my dad used to cut me a table insert for the Singer. The back was padded so you could open up the "book" and press on that side of the thing. Inside it had a small cutting mat and I had added a piece of sandpaper on the other side of mine for hand piecing, marking lines for flippy triangles and the like. I've got the directions around here somewhere but I don't know that they still sell the kits. I checked and either don't know the the proper name to enter for a search or they just don't do it anymore. The magazine it came in probably dates back to 1999 so long ago sold out. They sent reprints for the directions if I remember correctly. Anyway, I know that the sandpaper side board can be saved as it tore that off already. The mat side is really gooey underneath from whatever fixative stuff I had used. I know that I still have double stick carpet tape around here and that was one of the products used. Sound like a today project to me.
The room is set up to quilt as I figured I would start on that soon but you know me---like a dog with a bone until the job is done once I get an idea in my head. Keeps my mind off tires loosing air and toilets acting up when I sew. (Can you say "ka-ching"? or OUCH!)
Once that is done or I decide not to do it, I think I can finally say, I am done with that fabric unless there is enough left to make an apron or something, LOL, I'm thinking not though as I want a twill like chef's apron. ( I left my fav apron in Colorado when I was helping with the wedding food and my busy sister has not mailed it back! It may have been stained beyond all reason and missing half of one tie but it had seen us through a lot of meals.)
Off to find the directions for that sewing mat, I guess and move that button!! Oh, and I need to put up the Halloween quilts and wall hangings or I will not get to enjoy them this year. Thought of that a few days ago and still have not done it. THX for stopping by and reading through the rambling. That is how my mind works---------
edit.
Just finished this up after a run to the hardware store for the sandpaper, 2 sheets, thank you very much. I was supposed to glue it down but with what? Wood glue, Elmer's, hot glue sticks, more double stick carpet tape?? I remembered that I had gotten some spray adhesive stuff so used that but the wind gusted and I got it all over my left hand in particular and even some on my right arm. We'll see how this works out.
.JPG)
I WAS calling it the wrong thing in my search on site. It is called a "Take-Along Work Surface" and first appeared in "Sew Many Quilts" back in July/August 98. Then they reprinted it in "Fons and Porter Love of Quilting" in Sept/October 2005. THX Google. They DO sell it on their shopping site as a digital pattern. I re-used the hardwood boards anyway. Everything on hand except the sandpaper and it is possible there is some out in the shed but I can't find anything in there. One of these days I am going to down size that space too but there is no electric source or lights out there and it is still too warm to want to be out in it long.
Home details have taken the forefront. My poor neighbor has been over twice to help with those troublesome toilet innards. It started with a broken chain and then the flapper and maybe the valve needs replaced or it is beyond hope and the whole tank might need replaced. If you are going to have to replace half of it, should you just do the whole thing?? Now I know first hand what it took for DJ to try to keep the plumbing up and running as first one and then other would be balking. For right now the water is completely shut off to mine and I am using his. I can't have it flushing itself every 20 minutes or spraying water all over the place when the water is on. Glynda and Robert's son is more the plumbing expert, Robert said but he is gone on vacation till late next week. I'll try to hold off--and hold on to the fill valve I bought, just in case.
I've done a little baking but then opted not to go to the guild retreat after all. See above--I may need to replace the toilet and the gas/food money/my part of the room rental fee may have to go to better use. That and it is Talladega race weekend so there is more traffic to get over to Pell City. ( I shoved all the brownies in the freezer.) Other than that, the usual parts of homemaking have taken up my time minus a bit of sewing time. Just a bit.
BEFORE
Nothing wrong with this cover really, just the wrong colored red. I can finally have things that match in here which was my goal. (Pattern from Cotton Ginny). My friend Pam helped me with putting in the piping but I severely messed up in making this and it has never really fit right either. The cat part is cute! I only use it to cover the Singer as the others have hard cases or I've already made them a fitted one. Looking at this, picture I think I need to move that button back another inch or so to get that thread catcher to hang a bit straighter!!! Add that to the to-do list.
AFTER
I used a pattern that someone had pinned on pinterest which led me to a wonderful tutorial at Ellyn's Place. I did not want another one that was fitted to the machine as I do use that cover over some of the others in my sewing arsenal when they are in use. However, I did measure them just to be sure and basically, they all came out to about 16 1/2 x 27 for measurements. Occasionally I need this to cover the machine while it is countersunk into the table so I don't care that it is a bit short when the machine is set on the table.
Mine looks so "blah" compared to Ellyn's!! Honestly, I wish I had been able to use the gingham fabric for this but there was not enough yardage left after skirting the computer desk. We all know that Riley Blake is only going to be making the medium sized check now. The Save the Riley Blake Gingham/See you in September Hop did accomplish that much! Since it is from an older 2010 line, I doubt I will find what I am looking for online unless it would be in a the secondary market.
SO I varied my version by making, as Ellyn said in her tute, a small quilt. Since my lining is the same as the front of the piece I just quilted the whole thing rather than sew and flip strips of fabric. I almost started to mark it for cross hatching when I noticed how much of a directional piece the floral pattern was. You could almost see the lines across the fabric when viewed from that angle. Woohoo! No marking necessary, just follow the flower stems.
A few other minor variances or design choices:
- I rounded the edges just a bit to echo the shape in the machine mat corners and used bias binding. Gingham, plaid, stripes all look great on the bias so that was partly a design decision and partly because of the rounded corners.
- I did have some red buttons I could have used but again, I chose covered buttons as that is what I used to suspend the little thread catcher on the sewing mat.
- I don't know that this pictures shows you how cute the little side scrunchies are. Take a better look at Ellyn's as hers had a good picture and far more contrast!
- I used cording as I seemed to have cut my self made fabric loops a little too wide and I was using 3/4 inch elastic, not the one inch Ellyn recommended. I cut my scrunchie strip just a hair less in width because of that.
- She had a great tip for hanging the scissors off her cover--using a small button behind the larger one to create a bit of separation. I did not need to do that as I put my scissors in the sewing mat I just made. Still, a clever idea!!
Am I really done?? Well, I still have a bit more of that floral yardage. Not enough gingham or brown dot to do much with. I have a feeling those will be turning up in scrap quilts, bowties, etc for some time to come. My friend Kitty will get some of the really scrappy pieces in the basket at some point, probably.
I was thinking of replacing the pre-quilted fabric on my portable sewing cutting/pressing mat to freshen it up. It is a good thing to have along on "sewing away from home outings" especially if they involve foundation piecing. Years ago Fons and Porter sold kits for these with small "sheet of paper" sized mats along with the "boards", not sure what this stuff is really called but I think it is the same stuff that my dad used to cut me a table insert for the Singer. The back was padded so you could open up the "book" and press on that side of the thing. Inside it had a small cutting mat and I had added a piece of sandpaper on the other side of mine for hand piecing, marking lines for flippy triangles and the like. I've got the directions around here somewhere but I don't know that they still sell the kits. I checked and either don't know the the proper name to enter for a search or they just don't do it anymore. The magazine it came in probably dates back to 1999 so long ago sold out. They sent reprints for the directions if I remember correctly. Anyway, I know that the sandpaper side board can be saved as it tore that off already. The mat side is really gooey underneath from whatever fixative stuff I had used. I know that I still have double stick carpet tape around here and that was one of the products used. Sound like a today project to me.
The room is set up to quilt as I figured I would start on that soon but you know me---like a dog with a bone until the job is done once I get an idea in my head. Keeps my mind off tires loosing air and toilets acting up when I sew. (Can you say "ka-ching"? or OUCH!)
Once that is done or I decide not to do it, I think I can finally say, I am done with that fabric unless there is enough left to make an apron or something, LOL, I'm thinking not though as I want a twill like chef's apron. ( I left my fav apron in Colorado when I was helping with the wedding food and my busy sister has not mailed it back! It may have been stained beyond all reason and missing half of one tie but it had seen us through a lot of meals.)
Off to find the directions for that sewing mat, I guess and move that button!! Oh, and I need to put up the Halloween quilts and wall hangings or I will not get to enjoy them this year. Thought of that a few days ago and still have not done it. THX for stopping by and reading through the rambling. That is how my mind works---------
edit.
Just finished this up after a run to the hardware store for the sandpaper, 2 sheets, thank you very much. I was supposed to glue it down but with what? Wood glue, Elmer's, hot glue sticks, more double stick carpet tape?? I remembered that I had gotten some spray adhesive stuff so used that but the wind gusted and I got it all over my left hand in particular and even some on my right arm. We'll see how this works out.
I WAS calling it the wrong thing in my search on site. It is called a "Take-Along Work Surface" and first appeared in "Sew Many Quilts" back in July/August 98. Then they reprinted it in "Fons and Porter Love of Quilting" in Sept/October 2005. THX Google. They DO sell it on their shopping site as a digital pattern. I re-used the hardwood boards anyway. Everything on hand except the sandpaper and it is possible there is some out in the shed but I can't find anything in there. One of these days I am going to down size that space too but there is no electric source or lights out there and it is still too warm to want to be out in it long.
Oct 11, 2014
Finished or not??
This morning I took the last few stitches in what could possibly be my last sewing re-do item. There is just some binding left, about 16 inches worth. I told myself I would only work on it till 9 p.m. last night regardless of how much or how little was let to go.
So Thursday I went the no sew route and skirted the table as I am mightily tired of this old mess of wires. Actually it was WORSE at one point but I was able to sort it all out a bit better but it still annoys me.
I had a set of gold cafe rings and a white tension rod to match the desk but NOT with that brushed nickel look of the hardware. I already had a brushed nickel cafe rod on hand so just got another back of rings. About 3 buck of happiness there. Not perfect but better! Wanna guess which critter goes exploring under there first?
Friday was sewing mat day. I already have the two accessories in the mug organizer and big chicken pin cushion in place. The Singer is really getting a workout lately!
The pattern is from Sunday Girl Designs on etsy Sewing Mat Organizer Thread Catcher but I took some liberties. LOL can't help myself sometimes! My palette was a bit limited and I had to use more floral than anything else. Though the pattern did not call or it, I quilted the base of the mat with a wide cross hatch and cut the whole thing about 2 inches wider and longer to suit my needs. I lost a hair of that in trimming it up after quilting but like the looks of it better. ( I am not convinced I like fusible batting.) I did not bind it as she suggested, preferring to miter the corners. Nor did I use store bought binding---not when I have fabric and can make my own bias binding that coordinates better and is better quality fabric.
I was not quite understanding what I was supposed to do with what would be the top pocket so I just left the top one bigger and all across rather than two divisions. I also made a scissors loop and attached it to the pocket so they will always be handy. I may have to shorten the the ribbon a bit more but will see how it works out.
I changed out the thread catcher bag in the pattern for one that matches the other one in the room in the same colors. Dreamy Dresden Thread Catcher like I made for the September hop, I like that square shaped bag. It is still detachable but no velcro. The change up was that I suspended it from a covered button and tab. I had to pull out one of my Button Up patterns to refresh my memory on just how wide a strip to cut as that has worked out well with a fairly large button. Answer: 1 3/4 and I used a 1 1/8 inch button. That idea was from another pattern I keep coming back to on sew mama sew Elizabeth Hartman from Oh, Fransson in a guest tutorial but she attached the loop to the pincushion and put the button on the bag. I did it the other way around, LOL.
Basically I worked with three fabrics for all my sewing room items. The brown dot is almost gone and after using the red gingham for the desk skirting, I'm down to small bits there too. I have maybe three yards of the floral left and small pieces. I won't be able to find any more of any of this line it being a Riley Blake from 2010 Farm Fresh October Afternoon. I've done my best to use it all up! Am I done??
Well, now the red dot of my cat multi machine cover does not go! Too bright, not the same shade of red though the sides of do blend well with the gingham, oddly. Since I have the floral print left, I may just make one o those simple tie on covers. I have enough gingham binding cut to take care of the edges off it. Wouldn't take too long to do it either. This one on Ellyn's Place is pretty cute though I have a couple others marked on Pinterest. Wouldn't have to be pieced and I like the side scrunchies. You know I am probably going to head into the sewing room and whip one up, don't you? You may be right--if not today, then tomorrow. Pacie clips yet too. That was the last item on the list.
~~~~~~~~~
It has been sort of a strange day. Pouring down rain this morning messing up Oscar's schedule a bit and consequently he has been in the house a good bit today. Let him out untended in the backyard then deal with red muddy paw prints repeatedly. I passed in going to Friendship Quilters as I was just not feeling well and wondering if I had an intestinal bug even. So no walking in the park, just the lane. Oscar was conked out napping in his crate and Skyler, on "his" chair in the kitchen, me writing this post. Oscar was not running away from Skyler, Skyler was not chasing and hissing, I was not hollering at one or both of them. Peaceful. Haven't done much but maybe that part does not matter.
Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends. Enjoy your holiday weekend with family and friends! I may just call this my day off and read, knit or embroider a bit. And sew it goes------
So Thursday I went the no sew route and skirted the table as I am mightily tired of this old mess of wires. Actually it was WORSE at one point but I was able to sort it all out a bit better but it still annoys me.
BEFORE
AFTER
I had a set of gold cafe rings and a white tension rod to match the desk but NOT with that brushed nickel look of the hardware. I already had a brushed nickel cafe rod on hand so just got another back of rings. About 3 buck of happiness there. Not perfect but better! Wanna guess which critter goes exploring under there first?
Friday was sewing mat day. I already have the two accessories in the mug organizer and big chicken pin cushion in place. The Singer is really getting a workout lately!
BEFORE
AFTER
The pattern is from Sunday Girl Designs on etsy Sewing Mat Organizer Thread Catcher but I took some liberties. LOL can't help myself sometimes! My palette was a bit limited and I had to use more floral than anything else. Though the pattern did not call or it, I quilted the base of the mat with a wide cross hatch and cut the whole thing about 2 inches wider and longer to suit my needs. I lost a hair of that in trimming it up after quilting but like the looks of it better. ( I am not convinced I like fusible batting.) I did not bind it as she suggested, preferring to miter the corners. Nor did I use store bought binding---not when I have fabric and can make my own bias binding that coordinates better and is better quality fabric.
I was not quite understanding what I was supposed to do with what would be the top pocket so I just left the top one bigger and all across rather than two divisions. I also made a scissors loop and attached it to the pocket so they will always be handy. I may have to shorten the the ribbon a bit more but will see how it works out.
I changed out the thread catcher bag in the pattern for one that matches the other one in the room in the same colors. Dreamy Dresden Thread Catcher like I made for the September hop, I like that square shaped bag. It is still detachable but no velcro. The change up was that I suspended it from a covered button and tab. I had to pull out one of my Button Up patterns to refresh my memory on just how wide a strip to cut as that has worked out well with a fairly large button. Answer: 1 3/4 and I used a 1 1/8 inch button. That idea was from another pattern I keep coming back to on sew mama sew Elizabeth Hartman from Oh, Fransson in a guest tutorial but she attached the loop to the pincushion and put the button on the bag. I did it the other way around, LOL.
Basically I worked with three fabrics for all my sewing room items. The brown dot is almost gone and after using the red gingham for the desk skirting, I'm down to small bits there too. I have maybe three yards of the floral left and small pieces. I won't be able to find any more of any of this line it being a Riley Blake from 2010 Farm Fresh October Afternoon. I've done my best to use it all up! Am I done??
Well, now the red dot of my cat multi machine cover does not go! Too bright, not the same shade of red though the sides of do blend well with the gingham, oddly. Since I have the floral print left, I may just make one o those simple tie on covers. I have enough gingham binding cut to take care of the edges off it. Wouldn't take too long to do it either. This one on Ellyn's Place is pretty cute though I have a couple others marked on Pinterest. Wouldn't have to be pieced and I like the side scrunchies. You know I am probably going to head into the sewing room and whip one up, don't you? You may be right--if not today, then tomorrow. Pacie clips yet too. That was the last item on the list.
~~~~~~~~~
It has been sort of a strange day. Pouring down rain this morning messing up Oscar's schedule a bit and consequently he has been in the house a good bit today. Let him out untended in the backyard then deal with red muddy paw prints repeatedly. I passed in going to Friendship Quilters as I was just not feeling well and wondering if I had an intestinal bug even. So no walking in the park, just the lane. Oscar was conked out napping in his crate and Skyler, on "his" chair in the kitchen, me writing this post. Oscar was not running away from Skyler, Skyler was not chasing and hissing, I was not hollering at one or both of them. Peaceful. Haven't done much but maybe that part does not matter.
Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends. Enjoy your holiday weekend with family and friends! I may just call this my day off and read, knit or embroider a bit. And sew it goes------
Oct 8, 2014
a bit more
Yesterday and today's little finishes
First up the Longaberger sewing basket liner. Just a little dated in the fabric department thought I have a bit more of this same yardage somewhere, LOL. I'm going for "matchy-matchy" on the sewing room re-do and still have fabric to use that matches my new curtain, etc.. I took the old one apart to make a pattern from it.
.JPG)
I drew it up on freezer paper though I should have found the compass and drew up a new center. The radius of the circle is 5 inches. That meant the circumference was 31.5 almost (I had to google it as I obviously would not remember the mathematical formula c=2pi(r) ) but this piece measures 34.5 when the long piece is sewn together at the short end. It would have to be eased in.
.JPG)
So I busied myself attaching the leftover jumbo red rick rack from a previous project ("Rise and Shine" chicken Button Up wall hanging actually around the chickens wings and the sun rays) and a bit of edge stitching. None of the red ribbon I had on hand "went" with the rick rack so I got a small roll of ivory 3/8 grosgrain ribbon to tie the little sections together. TADA! Gingham goodness.
.JPG)
Then this was today: mug organizer
Mind you there is absolutely nothing wrong with this liner. It was a birthday gift to me a few years back from my friend Norma in my beloved 30's prints. I will still use it but it is going with my "sewing away from home bag" that I'm packing up and with a few less goodies in it.
.JPG)
And here we go with the completed new one. I had planned to use a pattern I own from Buckets Gone Wild but changed my mind after reading through both patterns. Norma mailed me the original pattern along with the mug organizer that came from A Great Notion Quiltworks near her in BC. Maybe a shop hop giveaway even?? I could see how the original went together so any head scratching I had could be figured out by looking at it.
So there we go! Two more strikeouts
.JPG)
That leaves skirting the computer desk (tension rod and cafe curtain rings) and a sewing mat for my sewing table. A tomorrow job probably though.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Skyler woke me up early today and it was a little after 5. I knew that the lunar eclipse was supposed to be happening about that time in the central time zone so I pulled on my clothes from yesterday and headed out to watch. I was a bit hampered by the nearby trees and houses in the subdivision and of course, the closer it got to sunrise, the lower the moon got. I had to give it up about 6:20. I figured I would be waving at the paper carrier if I sat out in my yard with my little foldable arm chair much longer. Kit Kit was the only thing stirring other than Skyler meowing at me from the house. He had, after all, gotten me up to feed him and had not counted on my taking a detour for outside let alone, entertaining another cat! Oscar did not appear to care what I was doing.
I've been feeling a little punky today and did go back to bed once the critters were fed and watered for about two hours. Headache and a little woozy headed. I was hoping it was just from lack of sleep as I get that way when I am overly tired. Mainly, I am hoping it is NOT the starts of one of those transient vertigo episodes I sometimes get. I took some Meclizine and then didn't think I should be driving or trucking up and down the lane with the dog. Poor Oscar is getting the short end of the stick though I have let him come back in for awhile a couple times instead. Toss his toys around and let him run and play in the house. I don't know that I feel much different now than I did this morning. That is why I will just ponder my next sewing steps rather than proceed this evening though I might get some measurements for cafe curtains before I call it quits in the sewing room. I see some kindle reading or washcloth knitting on tap for this evening.
My St. Louis Cardinals are going on to the NCLS. I'm afraid without DJ here that I have not been following the team near as closely this year. Between not sharing that interest with him and ditching the sports package on the satellite programming we have, I have not watched that many games or turned into MLB gameday all that much. I checked the score at the 6th innning, once I even remembered that the game started at 4, and the Cards were 2 runs down. Then they scored 3 on a homer by Matt Adams and the relievers held it up! Woohoo there then! Good to see that the American League is being represented by someone other Boston, Detroit and the Yankees for a change. Got to wonder if 1985 when KC played the Cards (and won the series, dang it!) was the last time they were in it? How long has it been for Baltimore? Of course, the Cards and Giants have met up several times recently in divisional play. We'll see what happens, I guess.
And sew it goes---or doesn't go in some cases, LOL.
First up the Longaberger sewing basket liner. Just a little dated in the fabric department thought I have a bit more of this same yardage somewhere, LOL. I'm going for "matchy-matchy" on the sewing room re-do and still have fabric to use that matches my new curtain, etc.. I took the old one apart to make a pattern from it.
I drew it up on freezer paper though I should have found the compass and drew up a new center. The radius of the circle is 5 inches. That meant the circumference was 31.5 almost (I had to google it as I obviously would not remember the mathematical formula c=2pi(r) ) but this piece measures 34.5 when the long piece is sewn together at the short end. It would have to be eased in.
So I busied myself attaching the leftover jumbo red rick rack from a previous project ("Rise and Shine" chicken Button Up wall hanging actually around the chickens wings and the sun rays) and a bit of edge stitching. None of the red ribbon I had on hand "went" with the rick rack so I got a small roll of ivory 3/8 grosgrain ribbon to tie the little sections together. TADA! Gingham goodness.
Then this was today: mug organizer
Mind you there is absolutely nothing wrong with this liner. It was a birthday gift to me a few years back from my friend Norma in my beloved 30's prints. I will still use it but it is going with my "sewing away from home bag" that I'm packing up and with a few less goodies in it.
And here we go with the completed new one. I had planned to use a pattern I own from Buckets Gone Wild but changed my mind after reading through both patterns. Norma mailed me the original pattern along with the mug organizer that came from A Great Notion Quiltworks near her in BC. Maybe a shop hop giveaway even?? I could see how the original went together so any head scratching I had could be figured out by looking at it.
So there we go! Two more strikeouts
That leaves skirting the computer desk (tension rod and cafe curtain rings) and a sewing mat for my sewing table. A tomorrow job probably though.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Skyler woke me up early today and it was a little after 5. I knew that the lunar eclipse was supposed to be happening about that time in the central time zone so I pulled on my clothes from yesterday and headed out to watch. I was a bit hampered by the nearby trees and houses in the subdivision and of course, the closer it got to sunrise, the lower the moon got. I had to give it up about 6:20. I figured I would be waving at the paper carrier if I sat out in my yard with my little foldable arm chair much longer. Kit Kit was the only thing stirring other than Skyler meowing at me from the house. He had, after all, gotten me up to feed him and had not counted on my taking a detour for outside let alone, entertaining another cat! Oscar did not appear to care what I was doing.
I've been feeling a little punky today and did go back to bed once the critters were fed and watered for about two hours. Headache and a little woozy headed. I was hoping it was just from lack of sleep as I get that way when I am overly tired. Mainly, I am hoping it is NOT the starts of one of those transient vertigo episodes I sometimes get. I took some Meclizine and then didn't think I should be driving or trucking up and down the lane with the dog. Poor Oscar is getting the short end of the stick though I have let him come back in for awhile a couple times instead. Toss his toys around and let him run and play in the house. I don't know that I feel much different now than I did this morning. That is why I will just ponder my next sewing steps rather than proceed this evening though I might get some measurements for cafe curtains before I call it quits in the sewing room. I see some kindle reading or washcloth knitting on tap for this evening.
My St. Louis Cardinals are going on to the NCLS. I'm afraid without DJ here that I have not been following the team near as closely this year. Between not sharing that interest with him and ditching the sports package on the satellite programming we have, I have not watched that many games or turned into MLB gameday all that much. I checked the score at the 6th innning, once I even remembered that the game started at 4, and the Cards were 2 runs down. Then they scored 3 on a homer by Matt Adams and the relievers held it up! Woohoo there then! Good to see that the American League is being represented by someone other Boston, Detroit and the Yankees for a change. Got to wonder if 1985 when KC played the Cards (and won the series, dang it!) was the last time they were in it? How long has it been for Baltimore? Of course, the Cards and Giants have met up several times recently in divisional play. We'll see what happens, I guess.
And sew it goes---or doesn't go in some cases, LOL.
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