Sunday, June 27, 2010

Here a block, there a block

Phew, hot and humid lately. I don't know why, but I love to sew when it's hot. I finished the most recent Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along. Block 9 already!




I really like this block. Much better than the last block.

I'm working on a red, white and blue table runner. I don't think I will have it done by the Fourth of July, but that's OK, I leave red, white and blue stuff out all summer. Here's what one of the blocks looks like.



My first time doing a log cabin block. Fun! I am changing the pattern from what the directions state to do, putting my own spin on it. It's been a fun project so far.

I did get some more towels done. I really like how these two turned out!



So that's what I've been working on, mostly sewing. I do have a sock on the knitting needles, but I haven't worked on it much as I don't like to touch wool when it's hot outside. I did get my little red, white and blue dolly done, but have been unable to get a good pic of her. Maybe next post.

Gotta go check the sky. We have yet another severe thunderstorm watch today. Maybe it will cool it off a little bit. Or at least get rid of some of the humidity.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Summertime summertime sum sum summertime!

Summer Solstice. Happy First Day of Summer!


Before you know it, the Fourth of July holiday will be here. In preparation for that I'm making a little ragdoll. She's going to be all dressed up in red, white and blue. She started out in bits and pieces.



Had to stitch parts of her face, paint parts of her face, and paint the stripes on her legs. And sew her hair on. And then sew her all together.



And there she is! All ready for her new clothes. Making her dress will be my next project. I'm loving her so far!

Summer means fresh tomatoes from the garden! I do not have good luck with garden tomatoes at this house. Something always eats them. So I'm trying the Topsy Turvy thing this year. We'll see how that goes.



So far, so good. My son came by and planted and hung that for me. I can't lift heavy stuff yet.

Now if I could just get someone over here to clean out those damn little trees growing in the gutters . . .

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Simple Things

It's the simple things that make me smile these days. Such as a nice comfy pillowcase! I made a red, white and blue pillowcase for the pillow I've been keeping in the living room for naps. I seem to take more naps these days. Still recuperating. Need my rest. I have a red, white and blue quilt (bought from the store) on the couch in the summer and it needed a pillowcase to go with it. It doesn't match perfectly, but good enough, I'm not picky.




I like making simple things these days. Can't concentrate long. Maybe it's from the heart attack, I have no idea, but it's like I have ADD now. So I'm keeping it simple. I made a set of pillowcases for my bed. I love this fabric! There are little birds in that print. Very cute.



I found the cutest pattern on line for decorating towels. But I couldn't find plain muslin, cotton or tea towels. I'll have to look harder. I ended up buying some hucktoweling fabric and some waffled muslin and made my own little towels. Then I decorated them. Lots of fun. And for a mind that can't concentrate long they were the perfect project. I have a whole bunch of them lined up to sew. Maybe today.



Have a nice weekend! Go do some crafting or something fun, and keep cool. It's going to be steamy here.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Yes, I'd love a chocolate shake

I'm still here. The ticker is still ticking. I would love some fast food, some fat, some bacon. But not allowed. I guess the only fat I can have are fat quarters. May have to take a trip to a quilt shop for some, and satisfy my craving.


I did get the next Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along Block done. I hate it. I was so confused on the instructions, I was ready to give up on this quilt. I did not enjoy it. And quilting/crafting/sewing/knitting should not be like that. Maybe it was just me, maybe some brain cells died off during the heart attack and I couldn't understand the instructions. So I just did it my own way and moved on.



I hope the next block isn't so hard to follow along.

Maybe I should stick to making bags. The instructions for this bag were a charm. It's a Lazy Girls Design.



Very detailed steps, good instructions. And I love how it turned out! Here is a peek at the inside.



Nice size bag. Now if only I had somewhere to go so I could use it.

And last of all, I finally got the Picot Edge Socks done.



Love the colors! And now that it's hot and muggy socks and dishcloths are probably the only things I'll be knitting until the weather turns cool again.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

The Big Scare

Long time no blog. Sometimes bad stuff happens, we are never prepared for it. I have lived through some big scary words lately: Heart attack, myocardial infarct, stent, heart catheterization lab, ambulance, heparin, hypertension, blockage. And that's just a few. I lived through it and am healing now. I will go back to work soon, I don't want to but I have to, gotta keep my health insurance and pay my bills.


Now that I'm feeling better I've been able to do a few crafty things! I finished the block for the Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along.



Once I got that done and enjoyed sewing again, I started on a skirt for me. Lots of ruffles and gathers. Fun to make and very comfortable for summer.



And I got to use wonderful cotton fabrics for the skirt. I did line it. It can go to work or it can go out for fun. Very versatile summer skirt.

And I just couldn't pass up this fabric. I bought it to make my daughter a little summer dress, or a bathing suit cover up, or she can just use it as a nightie if she wants.



I'll get that in the mail to her soon so she can enjoy it. The weather has been hot lately. One minute it was cold, then suddenly it was summer. And technically it's still spring. I hope you're enjoying the weather where you are.