Today Viven  made 3 yo-yo's for the apron I made for her.  She also learned to load 2 stitches on the needle before pulling the thread thru and is now on her way to doing a running stitch.

Viven has learned to make yo-yo's

Modeling the finished apron I made

Sewing

I was sitting at my sewing machine table when suddenly the urge to re-arrange and clean drawers came over me!  Many times they remain open so that dust and lint settles on thread or becomes dust bunnies in the corners.  The tool drawer had accumulated too much non sewing items, so out they went.  I moved my threads to a drawer where they would sit up right, it's a bit harder to sort for colors so maybe a tray will help.  The drawer the thread was in I am keeping my pins, they will still be right beside my machine.  Also,  tools were spread out in multiple locations and now for instance all the hand sewing needles are in the same place, etc.  So far I am not too lost and may like the new arrangement!  I left the bottpm drawer and small cupboard for another time.  The drawer has patterns stored in it, all sitting on edge like files (it was built for this purpose).  The cupboard was probably for current projects but has a hodge podge of stuff now.  This was not on my 'to do list' but needs to be done once in a while!

My dad built 3 of these sewing tables when I was too young to remember.  One for my mom, my grandmother, the third don't know for whom.  I have had my grandmothers table since leaving home.  Mom's was loaned out and nobody knows where it is.  They actually look like a desk with drawers on either side.  He had cut a hole in the top to have the sewing machine sit in the table, the fabric would then be level between the machine and table.  The hole now has a wood piece cover, my machine sits on top of cover.  Mom and I both own Bernina's and the knee lever is a must for hands on sewing, so the modification is OK.  The table is a prized piece to me with generations of history of sewing in my family.

A couple weeks ago I bought 25 lbs of oatmeal and dry processed 12 quarts in the oven, this used approximately half the bag.  Nine quarts sealed, 3 did not.  I am looking to keep about 2 doz quarts rotating thru my pantry to cover a year.  The 3 unsealed quarts will be used right away to test the quality of the dryer grains in breakfast cereal.  The other half of the bag will be make into granola or cooked for breakfast.  Also not on my 'to do list' but may be a good thing to practice!

Keeping busy with

putting up the tent to air it out,  it's clean  and in good repair. Still.  Also looked over the tarps, then put it all away again. I will take it to my parents next week  and camp out in their yard.  My kids will come, grandgirls and my brother and family from Oklahoma.  I am excited.  Seeing my brother is an every 2 or 3 year event.

Last week I made some bike panniers for my son for the front.  They hang from the center of the bike on a front rack.  He modified a rear rack and had a buddy weld a bar on both side.  After constructing the bag, he put together a rigid insert for the pocket on the inside to hold it away from the tire, modified some metal supports that reinforce corners in construction into hooks.  He is pleased with them.  He also made 5 gallon bucket panniers for the back.  After the first caping trip, I had to modify them a bit and now he is off again.

Sewing . . . .

. . .   at the Midnight Sew!  Yeah!  Fun, always inspirational (mostly quilters) and productive.  I worked on a project for my daughter.  A request for a wall hanging out of denim and pockets for her sewing room ( I made one years ago).  The the panel is done with the backing and 3/4's of the pockets are sewn on.  A decorative piece across the top made from the back yoke of the jeans, a hanging sleeve and binding, it will be done.

I had a great time, as always!

Season of busy

I have been working in the basement again gathering another 100 things to get out of the house.  This is the 5th set I have done!  Yeah, progress!  Alas my basement looks like a hurricane swept thru.  A garbage run would be a good start for the next set and the back corner will be completely cleared.  The truck is not running right now or a trip would be scheduled immediately.  Unfortunately, my kitchen table is a mess. Again.  I must try to clear it and the dining room table (college study area, mess).

I have been sewing a LOT!  We had two more 24 hour sew at my daughters,giving support and getting a lot done.  A homemade Christmas this year and yes, a bare minimum spent in the (box) stores.  I am so thrilled to keep the commercialism out of the holidays this year.  After the holidays some pictures will get posted (in case the curious want to peek).

Getting Away

My husband and I went to Ocean Shores for 4 days.  Stormy weather, unstructured days, a soaking bathtub is my idea of heaven.  The coast was hit with a moderate storm that kept me glued to the windows all morning with my tea, the book I brought forgotten, unopened.  Waves crashing up over the rock wall, Pelicans in groups heading out to sea in the a.m. (drafting each other like the geese do).  Also, deer everywhere we went.  On the third day it was decent enough to walk the beaches.  The a.m. was windy with dampness trying but also failing to soak thru us, watching surfers and sea lions.  In the afternoon, on another beach, we had a slow and meandering walk, enjoying the ocean sounds and smells.

Oyhut Wildlife Recreation Area, Protection Island (a cape)  Ocean Shore on the horizon

Friday was spent with my daughter and a friend sewing for 24 hours.  Good company, very productive (Christmas gift making), and a movie till 2 in the morning.  Fun!  This week I have finished one of the projects to make way for the other that I cut out (baby doll carriers x 2 for the grandgirls).

Too soon for Christmas!

After deciding to make potholders from denim for christmas presents, I had a total of three! so far.  This weekend was  a wedding shower for my nephews intended and guess what?  I gave two potholders to them along with a plastic sack holder to match (a heart was apliqued for decoration.  I have given thses sets away in the past, she seemed pleased.  With a look and "I want one" from my sis-in-law, making one for her will go on my growing list of projects.  Maybe writing this list down is needed because it's getting long!  So I'll keep plugging away to accumulate enough by December (2 for each family).  They are a bit tedious but look great when done.

Midnight Sew

I went to midnight sew with my daughter and a friend, we enjoyed a great evening with a group of about 30 ladies.  Hours of talk, sharing and eating with a little sewing thrown in!  I worked on my denim rug and a crazy  quilt square, this one is a rose.  It turned out great and I did some spiral stitching to enhance to floral shape.  To fix a couple minor mistakes I appliqued 2 lady bugs over them.  With just 3 more to do, I can put it together and finish it.

This week I added to my pantry 4 extra cans of soup on sale with a coupon - .40 each and lemonade (1.59)  - free.
 I need to purchase tubs for storage in case of bug out and to store neatly, this house is not good for organizing.

I am getting a lot of sewing done lately!  Yeah!  The last two fridays I went to E's house to hang out and sew, her friend also comes.  And guess what?  yes, I am starting gifts for Christmas 2012.  This year will be quilted  demin hot pad holders (decision made), something I made about 5 years ago, but noticed my bother in laws are wearing out and he loves them (to the point of requesting some for his sons last year).  They are a little time consuming but worth it, I have finished 5 so far.  Ornaments are still on the thinking about what to make list.

I finished a third square for my crazy quilt and now have 16 squares.  After laying them out on my bed yesterday, it looks like 4 more are needed.  I don't want it to hang over the side, just to lay on the top.  It will be for decor, either folded at the foot of the bed or spread out.  I am not going to go to nuts and embroider every seam, but yo yo's might show up.

I had a great time with the girls and am glad they include this "old" lady!

The sewing continues . . . . . .

I finished two more squares on my crazy quilt (actually a throw).  They are 15 inches each and some have a theme to work around. I am not going to finish each seam with decorative stitches, but the idea came to me to use yo yo's to hide corners or add depth (I like to make them). Just finished the block "sewing day on the farm with the girls last year block", all the fabrics came from the other girl's projects (to remember the day).  A couple have centers from hawaiian shirts I made for my husband years ago.  Many of the fabrics come from clothes I made for my daughter and son.  Talk about procrastination, this project has been going on for 8 years and I wuld really like to finish it.  This year? can't promise! I would like to, though.

I also finished a hot pad made from jeans, this may be my project to work on for this next Christmas.  It's never to early to work on Christmas presents.  I made so much last year and felt really great about it.

Tea for Young Ladies!

J. dressed and ready for her guests to arrive

The adults tea is ready!

My daughter had a tea party for J (7 yrs) with 4 other little ones, all were dressed up for an afternoon garden affair indoors (since it's winter out there).The table was beautiful with a lace cloth and cloth napkins, the plates and tea cups, flowers and greenery, the plates of good food, when E saw it she said "it's so beautiful".  The adults sat in the living room with our tea and I couldn't stop smiling, the girls were so cute.  E put in a lot of effort and it was well worth it. J had a ball and the moms comments were 'best party ever'!

We went to the midnight sew that night also.  A great time!  I so love the companionship and feeling inspired for days to come.  I worked on a crazy quilt (started 10 years ago, procrastination .... hmmm).  E started a quilt for her husbands birthday.  OMG ....  the beautiful quilts that were in progress, my favorite was a black/grey/cream quilt and all the squares were different.  I am not a quilter but have constructed garments since the age of 10.  So my crazy quilt has pieces of scrap from clothing made for my husband, daughter, son and of course me ( also from my mom).  The construction part is my favorite, embellishing is a challenge since I am not accomplished in that area.  This is a good way to push myself into practicing though.  Two of E's friends also came and we talked of spring gardens, shooting practice and possible hunting trips for the fall.  A big storm blew thru with thunder and rain on the roof competing with the conversations, it stopped by midnight (thank goodnes).

Compost Day!

I saw on the calendar that today is compost day, who knew!  My compost bin is full so I pulled more out of the bottom to the top again, this will distribute tons of red wrigglers to the new stuff faster.  So guess I participated in Compost Day!   Otherwise, a beautiful day!    Worked on a small project for my daughter, a pincushion (it will look like stacked pillows).  The top pillow is pieced in a log cabin.  Don't know why, but I like to make pincushions.  Last Christmas, I made a pretty heart design that I found on the internet for my sister-in-laws.  Did a little free motion quilting but I did not like the way it sat so I poured acrylic beads into the point (the kind used in beanie babies) then the fiber fill and perfect!  It sat just right with the point down, showing off the top nicely.  I will be making more of this one.

Portable playhouse

I decided to sew a playhouse for my grandkids.  It's something I saw in an article years ago for a 'garage' for a boy and it slips over a card table. I am using scrap pieces and making each side a different color (various shades of green and yellow.  I don't  have the 4th side complete yet,  it a will have a back door of sheer material.  The girls tried it out, though and LOVED it.  J was an animal growling around and napping in the 'house' and V got very excited just going back and forth thru the front door.  I am adding laces and a mailbox and probably something hanging off the rod on the inside to stuff toys into.  This will go outside nicely, too.  Possibly with a floor blanket made of denim,  I've made a picnic blanket of denim that turned out well and was very washable .

Took a load of recyclables to the dump, a TRUCK FULL.  At least 2/3 of the 8 sacks of mixed paper were from basement cleanup.  Old school papers (my kids informed me of throwing them right in the trash and not even checking them out).  Old national geographic that became too musty to keep (they are great for school projects).  Old cardboard from tossing the contents and more!  I am jumping with joy!  So check off another on goal list.

Dreams of the future took another hit last week,  gets a little hard to think about, let alone write about.  I sometimes think that not everyone is on board for the future.  Having a future.  Saving is such an integral part of having dreams otherwise let's all just sit in the corner and vegetate.  Or just not dream.....
..... of land
........ of owning a house
............ of having animals
............... of having a very large garden

Sewing with friends

Went to the midnight sew at a craft store. You bring a project to work on and have a roomful of like minded enthusiasts to talk with and share stories and such. I go with my daughter and an old friend of hers (they are very sweet to incude this 'old lady' and I love them for it. The comraderie is absolutely great that comes together, it is energizing (keeps me enthused for days later). Sometimes I putter and don't get much done. Tonight I started and finished a project; a travel jewelry bag for my mom in her favorites colors. So here I am at 2 in the morning, oh boy, wide awake and have to get up at 7am. It's been a very long day. Hubby and I helped paint and clean for his sister today, they are opening a business very soon and much to be done! So goodnight sleep tight. A good day!

Puyallup Sewing Expo

My daughter and I went to the sewing expo.  What a overload of STUFF! Fun to look at though.  Did not find anything I could do without.  Drooled over a few sewing machines but I love my old workhorse (a Bernina).   Saw a couple TV personalities, I guess we rate here in pacific NW!  We had a great time looking at everything but the crowds became a bit much.