The Works of Our Hands

D'oh! DaGMT 7-11

2012-02-12T10:13:00.003-05:00

I should have realized the most difficult part of committing twenty (or more) minutes a day to sewing wouldn't be the sewing; it's the blogging! I am one of the few people in my demographic, I think, that can go for days without the computer. Some days I am seriously too busy to deal with the thing. Like days 7-11 of February. I'll admit to checking the mail once or twice but no real 'playing'.

DaGMT Day 6~ Some dolly quilt fun

2012-02-06T17:11:00.000-05:00

Yay! Today I am semi-functional! I am still stuffy but life goes on. I started in on the squares I cut for my doll quilt swap at about 5:30 this morning. (This was a charm pack from Riley Blake "Hoo's in the Forest?") I played around with a couple of different layouts and finally settled on this one. Once I had them together I discovered that I had mistakenly cut two pure white squares and

DaGMT days 4 & 5

2012-02-05T18:32:00.002-05:00

Saturday (Day 4 of the Drop and Give Me Twenty Pledge) started with a massive dose of DayQuil to get me through callbacks for a show I auditioned for. I should mention that this was my first callback in a few years and I was thrilled to get that far. I got wonderful feedback and comments but no part. I really wasn't expecting to; the oldest character might be pushing 30-35 and I am... well... a

DaGMT Day 3 Recap

2012-02-04T14:00:00.000-05:00

Third day of pledge, zoned on cold meds, must clean costumes before tonight's show, must work on costume loft re-org., need a nap, need some food, go to show~I'm done. I leave early. I get home and throw on jammies, down the NyQuil ----- and still must do my twenty minutes. So I cut out hexies. Itty bitty little hexies. I start to sketch out a doll size quilt for my Sewing Mamas swap partner

Achoo! DaGMT Day 2

2012-02-03T07:03:00.000-05:00

When real life intervenes it seriously cuts into sewing time. Today was filled with school lessons, the monthly luncheon with "mah girls" and a read-through for the spring play at TCC. I did squeeze in two pillow cases for the stash game. It was during the read through that my head split open, my nose runneth over and the sneezing commenced. Homeschoolers don't bring as many colds and bugs home

DaGMT Day 1

2012-02-01T17:03:00.001-05:00

So far so good-- I spent most of the morning in the cave ( about 2 1/2 hours) and emerged with a long overdue quilt top for a sweet little gal from church. I'll count it as a DUFUS when it's complete. For today it's my Drop and Give Me Twenty pledge results! WooHoo! One day down; 28 to go! I used a Moda candy bar (City Weekend) with strips cut from either a Kona cotton or muslin. I don't

A Busy February!

2012-02-01T08:19:00.000-05:00

I cannot remember ever being so eager for February, except for the year Jacie was born. (She was due the 20th, arrived by induction/emergency C-section on the 19th.) That will always be the best February. But this year-man! I may have to chain myself to the machine! One site I frequent is a blog for Moms who sew called---wait for it--- "Sewing Mamas". The Mamas are a great group of gals who

2012-01-30T09:29:00.000-05:00

Project DUFUS 02/2012-- Finished a UFO! Here is a quilt I started last July for my then not-here-yet granddaughter. Leia Elise arrived in October; she gets her quilt in February. A new record for NannieMeg! She did get to take it on a "test run" before the binding was sewn down: And the finished quilt: "A Flea in Her Ear" opened to a standing ovation~ yay to the cast & crew

Another goal~

2012-01-24T11:32:00.001-05:00

If Project Dufus isn't enough to get me (or you) motivated to finish or just DO stuff, here's Beth from eva paige quilt designs with a February challenge: http://evapaigequiltdesigns.blogspot.com/ Make a pledge to devote XX amount of time to quilting every day in February. You'll amaze yourself at what you can get done! TeeHee! With tongue firmly planted in cheek but serious nonetheless,

FNSI results~

2012-01-21T19:32:00.002-05:00

I managed two more blocks for the eva paige swap but I am still not happy. I just can't get the size right! Well, I DID want to use up scraps... I only did two, though, because the rest of my FNSI went to costuming and watching "Wipeout" with 3/4 of my children. I don't often have them at one time and I love to hear them laugh together. I'll be showing costumes later this week!

Learning Lessons...a DUFUS Fail

2012-01-20T12:35:00.000-05:00

Project DUFUS has found me stumped this week. While I made great progress on Leia's quilt (a UFO), I found this project to use up some scraps; maybe a FQ or two. http://evapaigequiltdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/01/scrappy-new-year-new-group-quilt-needs.html Beth's 12 1/2" block project seemed like a fun way to play and use scraps so I contacted her Sunday morning. By Sunday afternoon I had the

It's FNSI time!

2012-01-19T11:30:00.001-05:00

One of my joys last year was finding the Friday Night Sew-Ins; sponsored by Bobbi and Heidi. I wasn't able to participate in each one but I sure enjoyed the ones I did. And even if I couldn't play I loved visiting the Flickr pool to see what everyone else had done. This Friday it starts all over again for 2012. Want to play? Sign up over at: http://craftyvegasmom.blogspot.com/2012/01/

Project DUFUS 01/2012

2012-01-13T17:10:00.000-05:00

When I first mentioned my goal to de-stash (oh, so long ago~ was it yesterday?) I think I mentioned my first project was going to be something from the bin of pre-cuts. I found this jelly roll at AC Moore. It was out of it's original packaging although it was still rolled 'jelly' style. All it had on it was a discount sticker with a reduced price for damage, I guess. If you recognize this line of

Project DUFUS!

2012-01-13T10:14:00.000-05:00

So my not-really-a-resolution-it's-a-goal project has been dubbed "Project DUFUS". Yup. De-stash, Un-clutter, Finish, Use, Share. De-stash by only using what I already have; un-clutter by keeping projects organized; finish UFOs already begun and not leaving new projects until they are done; use patterns, buttons, zippers and trims I already have, and share stuff I won't use with people who will.

It's NOT a resolution, okay?

2012-01-12T19:45:00.000-05:00

I don't make New Year's resolutions but I have decided to set a goal for myself this year. I casually mentioned to #1 that I hoped to give everyone a quilt for Christmas in 2012. It made me think about all the quilts I had set aside fabrics for, bought fabrics for and all the magazines and patterns I've collected to do it. Then I looked at the fabric that was bought for a specific garment that

FNSI success!

2011-12-17T08:48:00.002-05:00

Finally managed to get something done and it wasn't felt food~ I finished some Christmas I Spy bags! Two will go to Kal-El for his birthday this coming Wednesday; might save the third to see how these two hold up!

FNSI~ take two!

2011-12-14T09:46:00.008-05:00

Okay, so signing up for a FNSI when I knew I'd be running a rehearsal and I still had a set to finish wasn't the best plan. Fortunately, there are two sew-ins this month so let's try again! I'm in the middle of a felt food frenzy that began last month when I started making felt food for Kal-El's Christmas gift. He's getting a play kitchen and his mommy wanted some felties for him to play with.

FNSI December

2011-12-08T07:44:00.003-05:00

If ever there was a month that needed a Friday Night Sew-In it's December! Who's done with all their gift-sewing? Oh, you are. You ARE? Well, ppthhhht. Then you can take some time for yourself (hmmmf!, make yourself some cocoa, and sew some holiday stress away at a Friday Night Sew-In tomorrow, December 9 OR December 16! Yes, Heidi and Bobbi, the super hosts of the Friday Night Sew-In, are

'tis the season to be jolly. And busy.

2011-12-08T06:54:00.011-05:00

Even when I'm not working on a show; I'm trying to catch up on all the stuff I wanted to do when I was working on a show. And then I run out of time and it's time for a new show! In the midst of Christmas crafting and gift-making, cleaning and decorating, not to mention putting together the Christmas program for church, it's time to start working on "A Flea in her Ear", a wacky farce set in the

Snowmen that won't melt away~

2011-11-16T13:43:00.008-05:00

When life gives you white fleece, make snowballs~ ~give them a face~~and a polymer clay nose~~and don't forget to dress 'em warmly! It's cold outside!Snowmen ornaments made for an ornament swap over SewingMamas.com.

FNSI:October version

2011-10-20T15:44:00.005-04:00

Been missing the Friday Night Sew-In of late and I thought I would this month too. TCC's fall show, Spoon River Anthology, opens tonight so I'll be at the theatre each night this weekend. However, since the show runs without an intermission AND since the actors never leave stage once the show starts, I have nothing to do while I'm there. Doesn't matter if a seam rips or a button pops--- I can't

October Update

2011-10-16T14:28:00.004-04:00

Yes, I've been sewing some. Mostly hexies for that 'someday-I'll-use-'em' quilt. Put together a few more pincushions for the Etsy shop's re-opening.Been costuming, too. The fall show is an odd kind of play that really isn't a play; it's a collection of monologues and the costuming is sparse. Really, the October news is simply this beautiful little girl:Leia Elise, grandchild #2, born October 10,

September sewing~

2011-09-21T18:02:00.009-04:00

Finishing the bathroom, visiting family, a hurricane, back-to-school--yes, it has been a busy several weeks. Blogging was not a priority. I'm looking forward to catching up on what y'all have been doing!I have managed some small things I didn't photograph, a doll quilt for a swap, and this set for Kal-El--(can you believe he is almost 2?? And his sister will arrive in just a couple of weeks!)

FNSI-- the F is for finally...right?

2011-08-15T20:35:00.004-04:00

This Friday hosts the August Friday Night Sew In. I am SO ready! I am over the bathroom facelift and I just want to finish out the summer sewing! Is that too much to ask? Join in by signing up here and devote a pleasant evening to doing what you want to do! http://handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com/2011/08/august-friday-night-sew-in-signup.html

A 'new' bath is coming along-

2011-08-14T18:09:00.014-04:00

I have had no time to sew because I have been busy destroying my house. Okay, maybe not destroying the whole house but it sure feels like it. For years I dreamed of a rubber duck themed bathroom and about ten years ago I finally did it. It was adorable; bright and airy and so cute! Well, time tends to deteriorate, doesn't it? (What is that--entropy?)The blue and white striped paper that hid the

So they're not on the list...

2011-08-01T14:07:00.003-04:00

...but I've had fabric pulled for grocery bags since I started Bottled Rainbows. I needed a quick gift AND Sewing Mamas had a bag challenge this month so I threw these together. I tried to make a zippered pouch on the inside; you know so you could fold the bag into and store in a purse. Dummy me forgot it would require turning the bag inside out to enfold the bag so I messed up the closure.

Another item off the list...

2011-07-27T19:44:00.004-04:00

Although I haven't updated the actual list, Dana's dress is done and so is Joseph's Techno Coat. If you're not familiar with this story, 'Joseph' is the Biblical one and his multicolored coat is the straw that breaks the camel's back and drives his brothers into a jealous rage that sets Joseph's amazing journey from slavery to prince in motion. The Broadway show based on his story, "Joseph and

There's no place like home--

2011-07-23T09:59:00.004-04:00

<-- Jacie at camp-- with hat, of course!Camp is always the best/worst, longest/shortest, most trying/most fulfilling week of the year. It didn't help that it was the hottest week so far this year; it was good that we had many new little faces ready to learn about Jesus. Some of the returning campers I'll never see again as they have reached the age limit this year. Did I make a difference? We had

So close-

2011-07-16T10:05:00.004-04:00

We'll be leaving for camp duty tomorrow and my hope of bringing my Bottled Rainbows quilt for my bunk is waning. I ran out of the Kona bone I used for sashing and borders and I think I want just one more strip to finish the outer edge. *sigh* Off to my LQS with the hopes they have some!Anyway, congratulations to my lovely bride and her lucky husband. Theirs was one the nicest, most simple

Happy 4th!

2011-07-04T18:10:00.002-04:00

Happy Independence Day to the USA! Happy day to everyone else! Just have a great Monday!I took a break from the wedding gown to poke around for a bit and was suddenly seeing the 'new' trend of "unpaper towels" on a lot of the blogs. Seriously? I have no problem with trying to use less paper, yadda, yadda... I've been doing it myself for years. I don't buy paper towels except for rare applications

16/16

2011-06-30T16:33:00.004-04:00

Pumpkin, Cerise & Tangerine. Yes. Blocks done. Betcha you can figure out which color I had the fewest scraps of! Now to find a backing.Also today--- man, I love the Missouri Star Quilt Company! I bought their daily deal jelly roll (Flurry) and a Moda candy bar pack on Tuesday and here it is Thursday and ---here it is! Fantastic service from this company. I can't wait to get into that jelly roll!

Finally some Bottled Rainbow time-

2011-06-29T16:17:00.004-04:00

This week is still not totally my own; I've been cleaning costumes for the indoor run of Shakespeare (two nights; really, is it worth it?) and trying to get the kids to do their summer school work ("Hey, you guys mess around during the year--- don't blame me if you're behind. I can only warn you so much...") But I did get to play. The results through Wednesday: Plum, Raspberry and Ruby. Added to

Graduates, Shrews and Sweet Hugs!

2011-06-27T15:18:00.013-04:00

No sewing this weekend but we did celebrate a new chef, another successful run of Shakespeare in the Grove and two wonderful days with Kal_El and his mommy & daddy. Wonderful weekend... now can I please sew for me?!Chef Corey and his proud and happy parents-"Shrew" cast Becca and Rachel with Jacie- John as the gunslinger Petruchio-Andrew as the manic sidekick Grumio...Rachel and Madison-- the

Almost there...

2011-06-23T09:54:00.005-04:00

... to sewing freedom that is! 'Shrew' opened last night under a beautiful clear sky, no bugs, hot and humid as hell but the crowd was good and the performers are excited to finally present their hard work to an audience. Before I can sew my summer away I have to finish up the wedding gown and then my sewing time is my own! Oh, there's still the week of camp I have to do crafts for and family

FNSI Accomplishments-

2011-06-18T10:57:00.020-04:00

Okay, so the plan really was to work on costumes. I went up to the cave to get my shoes so I could go out to the car to get the pieces I needed to work on. I kept them in the car because some are rentals and they're quite stinky. Then I saw some piles of fabric I had pulled earlier this week for a few after-the-show summer projects and, well, I never made it out to the car. I grabbed rulers,

Swamped with the 'Shrew'...

2011-06-17T18:40:00.002-04:00

... but it's a FNSI andI have some costume work to do. So do alterations count? I say yes! I'm extremely late in signing up because with a show opening in less than a week I didn't think I'd have time to play but the kids and DH are off to a party and I'm alone with a pile of costumes that need altering, pressing and trimming so Friday Night Sew In here I come!

Killin' Time Between Scenes-

2011-05-30T19:32:00.006-04:00

I did a bunch of cleaning/ re-organizing last week (the usual routine when I finish a show and get ready to start another)and this time I bagged fabrics with the quilting magazine that has the project they will go to. I wound up with a pile of scraps that didn't go into a Bottled Rainbows block but were still fun so I decided to use 'em to finally try English paper piecing. I don't know why the

Saturday-

2011-05-21T10:56:00.002-04:00

Used to be Saturdays were work in the yard/ housecleaning days. Today it's sew what I can, clean what I can and work a show tonight! No FNSI for me this month; I knew I'd be at the theatre all night. The show is going well but there has been an incedent among the leadership of the theatre that has caused great dissention and stress. The past two evenings have been like walking tightropes and

Finally Open!

2011-05-17T10:38:00.009-04:00

"Into the Woods" has finally opened and , except for a few stray pieces like stockings and gloves that want to rip, it's going well. Onto Shakespeare! Well, after I take a day or two to make a John Hancock outfit for my dear nephew!

Monday on Tuesday

2011-05-03T09:57:00.002-04:00

This idea of posting my annoyances on Monday will only work if:a. I remember I said Monday would be my crabby day and b. I actually get online on Monday. Which I didn't yesterday. I had a costume parade for Into the Woods, which went well, but I have several little things to finish and one big one. It opens the 13th; were in good shape. This is the 'bad' time of show costuming for me and it

A Jacie Project-

2011-04-29T13:55:00.004-04:00

Hey bloggers! This is Jacie. (See http://theworksofourhands.blogspot.com/2011/04/introducing-jacie.html) So I've been busy with making clay "INTO THE WOODS" people for the cast of my mom's show. I know opening night will be amazing. The clay I use is Sculpy. Right now I have most of them but not quite finished yet. We have the Bakers Wife, the Witch, Jack, Jack's Mother, Little Red Riding Hood,

I'm in an "I Don't Care" Mood-

2011-04-25T21:11:00.004-04:00

I need to be working on "Into the Woods". The deadline for major pieces is (my own imposed) Thursday. So why am I here instead? Because I quit sewing mid-afternoon and began reading a book I have to return to the library. It's about scandals that have occurred in the British monarchy since the time of the Tudors. And now I'm disappointed in myself for wasting the afternoon. (I am proud, however,

FNSI and a reunion!

2011-04-17T05:47:00.004-04:00

When I started 'playing' with Friday Night Sew Ins last January it sounded like as easy thing. One Friday, lock myself away, and sew, sew, sew. Oy vey! When did I get so busy! Not only is this month's FNSI smack in the middle of sewing for 'Into the Woods', a bunch of us from my former theatre group (The Encore Players) decided it was time for a reunion. No problem! I didn't get to do any 'for me

Introducing Jacie!

2011-04-12T14:28:00.004-04:00

Jacie is my 12 year old daughter. She's a tomboy through and through! She has her daddy's beautiful brown eyes and my big ol' teeth in the most adorable smile. Jacie would like to start a blog of her own (and I would like her to write more!) but the powers that be have age restrictions. So, from time to time, I am going to allow Jacie to "take over" for a post. She'll share her crafts and glory

FNSI April 18!

2011-04-12T14:08:00.003-04:00

Have I showed you Kal-El, lately? ;) Fifteen months old!Still merrily tripping through the 'Woods'. I'm not really surprised that I'm remaking a lot more than I originally thought I would but it's looking good! I guess I know what this month's Friday Night Sew In will be dedicated to! Or maybe I'll take the night off from costuming to stitch up a couple of Bottled Rainbow blocks? We shall see...

One show down-

2011-04-04T09:14:00.002-04:00

"Leaving Iowa" is officially over; except for the laundering and storage, and "Into the Wodds" is in full production mode. Actually, we'll be taking some publicity photos tomorrow so I have had to get selected characters done up quickly. I thought I was in very good shape since I had done the show and was planning on re-using a lot of my stock but, of course, I'm going to be remaking quite a bit

I'm an undisciplined sewist---

2011-03-25T16:59:00.004-04:00

Yes, I know I have two shows coming up; one I have to sew more for and one I have to design and sew for. Yes, I know I have a fitting for the wedding gown on Saturday. Yes, yes, YES---the house is a wreck. But my Bottled Rainbow stacks are sooooo pretty... and they call to me at night --"pssst--if you get up early , you can work on us before you wake the kids... just a couple more pieces, then

Sneakin' in a FNSI-

2011-03-19T16:56:00.003-04:00

This month's Friday Night Sew In really snuck up on me--- I never really forgot about it; I just knew I had to work at the theatre last night and wondered if I could do both. As it turned out, I took off some time from school and house and made that my FNSI. I made one more Bottled Rainbow block. There won't be a whole lot of free sewing or blogging time for a couple of weeks so I really wanted

Pssst...

2011-03-16T14:17:00.002-04:00

No new 'Bottled' blocks because I am busy finishing "Leaving Iowa"; which opens next week.No sewing at all because I am designing new pieces for "Into the Woods" to replace the ones that won't work this time. Just sneaking in a post because I can finally say out loud I am going to be a Grandma again, Kal-El is getting a sibling, and I am tickled to pieces. And I really, really want to sew some

BR update & showin' off the boy-

2011-03-13T12:02:00.005-04:00

Lots to do this past week with a painful head cold slowing me down but, hey, life goes on. I just wanted to show you blocks "grass" and "mustard" from the Bottled Rainbows project:Also, can't say enough about how proud I am of this guy, #2, Corey Joseph. Corey treated himself to a vacation this week to celebrate finishing his internships and studies at the Culinary Institute of Virginia. When I

Projects begun-

2011-03-08T10:10:00.006-05:00

Costumes for "Leaving Iowa" are past the halfway point. I'd say we're down to mostly adjustments and picky pieces. After this week's break the director will ask me "How we doing? Good? Really good? Great?" and I'll be able to say "Super good!" And he will be happy.Did a muslin fitting for my bride and was almost spot-on. Few adjustments. Yay! She loves the silhouette. She chose ivory satin and

Bottled Rainbow Progress

2011-02-28T12:08:00.002-05:00

While I was sorting some scraps for the upcoming Bottled Rainbows project, I was wondering how I would keep this project organized in my tiny cave space. I will have a wedding gown and a big show going on at the same time but I wanted to make sure I didn't put it out of sight. In the cave, out of sight is definitely out of mind. So I re-arranged and put up some of the projects in the UFO door bag

Reagan's quilt-

2011-02-28T11:51:00.005-05:00

I was able to make good progress on a new little friend's quilt because she decided to show up-- little Reagan Olivia arrived last week to our friends Amy & Jeff's house and she is beautiful. I made a psuedo I-Spy quilt top for her but had to wait 'til she got here to add her birth info. I got the info on the quilt top, sandwiched, basted and stitched in the ditch. When I went to meet Miss

Rainbows and weddings

2011-02-22T07:34:00.005-05:00

I posted a couple of days ago about "Bottled Rainbows", a new quilt project by Rachel Hauser I'm excited to try. She has posted the first supply list over at her blog, http://www.stitchedincolor.com/ , if you want to play! My own stash is light on solids so I'm going to start collecting now. I won't be able to get all the Kona FQs at one time but a few here and there are doable! Are you going to

FNSI Results

2011-02-19T16:26:00.003-05:00

Well, the day didn't turn out to be the powerhour of sewing I experienced the first time around. I was a bit distracted throughout the day and had trouble settling on which project I wanted to work on. Then, since I slept poorly the night before, I was super sleepy as the night wore on. The best reason was I had spent the day with special visitors, Ashley and Kal-El! And really--- who wants to be

Because...yes.

2011-02-17T06:26:00.004-05:00

Spring means two things around here. First is Jacie's birthday-- my youngest baby will be 12 this year and I have no idea how on God's green earth it happened so quickly. Then it's Philip's and how is it possible he's 15? But since Ashley is now a wife and mother, Corey is graduating with his culinary degree-- time has truly passed and they are all no longer babies. *sigh* B's birthday sneaks in

Hibernation Day 2011 #1

2011-02-14T07:40:00.005-05:00

Today is not an actual day I get to hibernate--- it's one of two days of the year when I wish I could hibernate. I am anti-Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and my birthday. I know, I said two and that's three but since I get my way on my birthday I don't count it. Thus I can hibernate on my birthday if I so choose. But enough. I won't drag the world (or both of you reading this) down with my

Time for FNSI!

2011-02-09T13:09:00.003-05:00

Not much blogging, too much doing... stuff. School, house, sew, show. Busy time. I am looking forward to the next Friday Night Sew In! I had such a fun (and productive!) time last month and it was really neat to see all the projects folks are working on. The next Sew In is February 18th, which might be tricky for me since the 19th is the bug's b-day but we'll see what happens! Join in here, 'get

The Day the 'puter Died

2011-02-03T09:32:00.003-05:00

No, it's not as dramatic as all that and Don McLean isn't going to sing about it. But we were cut off for awhile while we first waited on repairs and then the death certification for the old machine. It's been around a long time; it was time. So now we have a nice new CPU and keyboard and I've been playing catch up. Had some good sewing time where I worked on older stuff, started new stuff and

FNSI January 2011

2011-01-22T10:17:00.003-05:00

I took part in my first Friday Night Sew-In last night and I had a ball. When B got home from work I told him my plan and he immediately banished me to the cave! He and Jacie made dinner while I got an early start on the evening. My pieces were already cut out; I had done that last week. B took Jacie out after dinner and left me alone. I worked until almost midnight--- usually I get too tired to

"Italian Tablecloth" tote

2011-01-20T11:58:00.006-05:00

Let's just say that if there is something for sale that is rolled like a fabric; I'm gonna use it like a fabric. At one of our local malls there is a store called "Italian Tablecloths". And that's pretty much what they have. They carry roll after roll of laminated, uh, stuff that you buy by the foot, most likely to use as a table cover. I say 'stuff' because I'm not real sure what it's made from

Tryin' a FNSI!

2011-01-17T16:47:00.002-05:00

One goal for this year (notice that's 'goal'; not 'resolution'. I don't do resolutions.) was to try to do more blogging stuff online. One reason was to learn new skills and techniques, another was to connect with more people. I read lots of blogs on an irregular basis, several on a regular basis and I really love seeing people share what they've made. I "follow" almost 50 blogs-- someone posts

Help for Queensland

2011-01-17T11:35:00.003-05:00

When a natural disaster hits the USA, we are inundated for days or weeks with the horrifying images. Even some tragedies outside the US, such as the Haitian earthquake only a year ago, stay with us through media for months. One thing not getting too much press around here is the awful flooding now plaguing Queensland, Australia. Whether it is geographical or just because we've had a horrible

Needle cases!

2011-01-07T09:28:00.005-05:00

Well, the needle cases I intended to list before Christmas are finally in the shop! I also made a Facebook page for the shop, though I'm not sure why! All I can say is, all this technology which is supposed to save us time sure does suck a lot of it away from my sewing time!There's quite a bit of chat going on in sewing circles about sewing space organizing these days. That makes sense--- new

Home. Sort of.

2011-01-02T16:47:00.004-05:00

"You know how when you've been away and then you come home but you don't feel like you're home yet because you don't know how to pick up where you left off... yeah. Like that."Trying to write a Facebook status--that was the best I could come up with. I was with Mom & Dad for about a week and a half. I wasn't home for Kal-El's first birthday or Christmas. I was loved and spoiled and cared for

Merry Christmas-

2010-12-17T18:16:00.002-05:00

Heading out to help take care of my mom. No blogging for awhile, so Merry Christmas to all and a blessed new year!Only one comment left since I posted last so congrats to my friend Donna over at Comin' Home! My snowmen ornies will be joining your homestead shortly!

Thank you and a Give-a-way!

2010-12-14T06:36:00.003-05:00

Hugs and many thanks to Donna and everyone who offered prayers for my Mom. She is doing well and we are looking forward to her release from the hospital later this week! She's a spunky gal! I still am not sure of my own travel plans, what kind of home care she'll need and for how long, so we're just 'playing it by ear' to see what happens next.I've noticed, too, that my lil' blog is approaching

Just asking for prayer-

2010-12-09T15:38:00.002-05:00

Satan apparently doesn't like busy and happy holiday seasons. My mom, Ann, (81) was rushed into emergency surgery last night for a blockage. She's stable, in ICU. I'm 700 miles away. Please pray as she heals and we make decisions concerning travel and such. Thank y'all-

Gotta love homeschooling...

2010-12-08T09:28:00.003-05:00

One of those mornings I enjoy-- while other moms are rushing to get kids on the bus, I'm watching one son give a guitar tuning lesson to his youngers while his cannoli shells are bubbling in oil. Love it. (Unfortunately, camera batteries are dead. No pic. :( )Our church's Christmas program is coming up this weekend, which accounts for little time to sew, craft, clean house, do laundry, eat--the

Newly listed-

2010-11-29T16:40:00.002-05:00

I (finally) finished several sets of snowmen ornies and got them listed today. I'm pleased with how they turned out!Had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Company (in the form of daughter Ashley, son-in-law Patrick and now-11 months old Kal-El) arrived on Wednesday and from the moment they got here it was non-stop baking, cooking, movies and Wii playing! Chef-son Corey worked until after 8:00 and started

"I Spy" bags?

2010-11-17T09:50:00.004-05:00

I have heard of I Spy quilts, ( made a half-baked I Spy quilt top last week for a shower gift) but yesterday I found I Spy bags for the first time. It's a really cool idea and goodness knows I have more than enough stored crafting supplies around here to make a few. I even have the poly pellets from my porcelain doll making days. I wonder about the safety though. I fear fabric or stitches

Starting on Christmas?

2010-11-12T15:59:00.003-05:00

So with Bell, Book and Candle almost over and all this time I can do what I want, it's time to start on Christmas, right? Nope. I remembered I have another new baby arriving soon so I started work on her quilt. (Jude's is still slogging along at performances.) I did some mass cutting for a few Etsy shop items and then-- IT happens. IT often happens. I'm working at a good clip when suddenly the

What to do, what to do...

2010-11-04T10:11:00.002-04:00

Today "what to do" takes on two meanings:First, a quandary-- Got a message at the Etsy shop to trade one of my items for something from their shop. Okay, I guess. I'm always happy that someone likes my item(s). But I don't need/want anything from their shop. I sell my items to pay for my fabric habit; I need cash. But I feel that if I say no, thank you, I'm being unkind or insulting. Is that

New spaces

2010-10-26T11:20:00.004-04:00

When you live in a small house (3 BR, 1 Bath) and have four kids, there's not a whole lot of choices. Mom & Dad have a room, boys share a room and girls share a room. After our eldest married, that left Jacie with a room of her own. We painted and decorated it to suit 'her' style, but after a little while it became clear to me that maybe it was C, #2, who really needed to go solo. At that time he

Pinning away-

2010-10-20T09:35:00.007-04:00

I closed my Etsy shop for the summer, thinking it needed some updated and new items; plus all the camp/travel/VBS commitments just made it difficult to check on everyday. I figured I had all summer (yeah, right) to make lots of stuff to add (yeah, right). I especially wanted to tackle the mountain of knick-knacks I have been collecting to make into pincushions. Every time I hit a thrift store I

Hurting-

2010-10-06T21:41:00.002-04:00

Not a sewing post---just had a heavy heart. My family has close ties to Mid-Atlantic Christian University (MACU), formerly Roanoke Bible College. It's my daughter & son-in-law's alma mater and we've known so many who attended or are attending this fine school. This past weekend a student was killed in a shooting in the dorm that is still under investigation. There is a person of interest, also

2010-09-28T10:55:00.007-04:00

I could get a lot more done 'round here if life would stop getting in the way! Tried to upload pics for new Etsy stuff but can't find the cord I need. Can't work in the cave because children left unattended stop doing schoolwork and start tormenting each other. Must work on Jude's blanket but need to do laundry. So here's some more "Forbidden Broadway"! Because THAT I have managed to finish!

Just an update...

2010-09-24T12:33:00.002-04:00

(sing along if you know "Spamalot"...)I am not dead yetI can dance and I can singI am not dead yetI can do the Highland Fling!I am not dead yetNo need to go to bedNo need to call the doctorCause I'm not yet dead!Not that anyone in the blog-world missed me but I've had a busy few weeks. Here's an update: Jude is here! He arrived August 31st; gave his momma a hard time and had lots of prayers sent

Waiting--

2010-08-23T22:05:00.003-04:00

No new pictures because The Jude blanket is waiting for, well , JUDE! I can't put his name and date on it until we know his stats so we're just waiting for him to arrive. He's late. His poor mommy.In the meantime, the fall season for my community theatre will open Septmber 10 so I'm immersed in costuming for "Forbidden Broadway". Lots of costume changes and some really weird stuff but I have a

Jude's Blanket Part 2

2010-08-09T16:51:00.010-04:00

Jude's sleepy bear is appliqued on and his features are embroidered. His nose is a scrap of black velour; heat fused on and then tacked down all around with a whip stitch.

Jude's blanket

2010-08-06T19:05:00.006-04:00

I'll begin by introducing the pattern: I bought it at a fabric store in California back in the early eighties. I was in the Navy, had recently moved out of the barracks to share a house with a bunch of other squids, and was seriously missing my sewing machine. I had it; I just rarely used it. When one of the gals I worked with was expecting I thought it was a great excuse to sew something besides

Stop the World...

2010-08-06T18:26:00.004-04:00

Summer is supposed to be a time of relaxation and lazy days, isn't it? Can't prove it by me! Jacie and I made it through another week of camp, came home, slept for 5 hours, re-packed and headed off to Ohio for a lovely wedding. I thought maybe I could really get some stuff made for the Etsy shop but there was cleaning and laundry and yard work and a visit to Kal-El and relatives visiting and

2010-07-14T09:09:00.004-04:00

Kal-El at six months! It's amazing to me because I remember having both a 3 month and a six month cake to celebrate his mama's first year milestone dates; simply because I still couldn't believe she was here. Now she's the mother to this beautiful creation. Every new picture I see I want to drop what I'm doing and go play with him. Or just hold him. It goes by so fast!Another thing going by fast

2010-07-10T10:14:00.003-04:00

It's funny-- the show is over but it's still here. All over my front hallway, sorted into piles for whites, colors, bleeders to wash separately, and a really huge Dryel pile. I did take the suits to the dry cleaners. The going is slow because the washer has developed a habit of not shutting off the water after it fills so my back room becomes a river if I don't catch it!. Fortunately, the water

Pssstt...

2010-06-30T08:21:00.004-04:00

Hello, cave? Remember me? I'm sorry you're piled with laundry instead of the quilt squares and pincushions and smocks I promised we would do this summer. Shakespeare is almost over and so is VBS since they're both running this week--- which means I am running wild too! The little one we have been caring for for two years (supposed to be a few months, remember?) is moving far away tonight so we

Picture night

2010-06-10T07:09:00.007-04:00

Last night was picture night for "As You Like It". That's when the director grabs a couple of pictures to send to the newspaper for publicity purposes. I hate picture night. For some reason, no matter how much I try to prepare for it, it never works right. Because of the shorter turnover time between the start of rehearsal (when I meet and measure the actors) and opening night, there is no way I

Home again!

2010-05-27T16:47:00.004-04:00

Had about a week away to attend my sister's wedding and visit with family. Nice time! Our only issue was what Jacie would wear since she prefers boys' suits and I prefer she look at least a little feminine. We settled on a jacket and capri set, she chose a lavender linen-type and we bought a lace trimmed tank to wear under. Her jacket does have the 'peek-a-boo' lace strip down the back as in the

Working on Designs-

2010-05-14T08:56:00.003-04:00

"As You Like It", Shakespeare in the Grove 2010, is officially underway with the introductions and script reading last night. I got my sketches done. They're never exactly what walks out on the stage but they're in the ball park. I have a terrific helper this year-- she is already working on one of the designs and she's raiding her own stash for fabrics! So cool! I have had people express

An outside project

2010-05-06T18:57:00.009-04:00

One of the things I really wanted to complete this spring was this display. It sits to the right of our front door to welcome folks and give 'em an idea of what we're about. It started with an old sewing machine my sister gave me. It had been in her garage for years. It was in it's original table but, sadly, the wood was so badly warped and mildewed it was not salvageable. Since I couldn't save

No time-

2010-05-06T18:26:00.000-04:00

How do you know it's showtime around here? No blog posts! "Smoke on the Mountain-The Homecoming" opens tomorrow. It's a fun show with good music and funny bits. Not a real challenge costume-wise. It's set in the late 40's, very country-ish and the loft had plenty of clothes to choose from, plus the cast chipped in their own stuff so all I had to do was co-ordinate. I wouldn't have even spent a

"Treasures"

2010-04-20T20:59:00.007-04:00

Remember when I mentioned finding "treasure bags" of sewing notions at the thrift store? Here is one of the cool things in the last batch-- a crown shaped pincushion! The fabric is a gold velvet; trimmed with a metallic gold braid. The metal base contains a retractable tape measure and there is a clip on the top that holds a thimble as the crowning 'jewel'. All the pins and needles on it came on

A bug took over my machines today-

2010-04-10T18:46:00.007-04:00

My Jaciebug, that is. It's not the first time she has sewn but it may be her first project that she shopped for the fabric, had it cut on her own, measured, cut, and sewed herself. I was there to instruct but she did it. I have no idea why she chose those fabrics/colors. But she's happy and I'm proud! She's faking.

What NOT to do with buttons-

2010-04-09T17:39:00.003-04:00

A two foot tall, umm, sculpture(?), currently for sale on Etsy. I dunno-- I guess the idea is okay. It's just--all those beautiful buttons that could have been on a cute shirt or lovely dress or just looked at and imagined into wonderful creations. Or this. *sigh*

Some women like diamonds, some like pearls--

2010-04-02T15:51:00.003-04:00

What do I like? Thrift store goody bags from the sewing department! Whenever I find a plastic bag filled with the most random notions I consider it a successful mission, no matter what I was looking for! I hit thrifts a lot for my costuming and I always check for these bags. Often, they are the result of someone emptying a box, basket or drawer that held supplies for an older sewer and it was

Well...hi!

2010-03-24T15:47:00.002-04:00

I can't believe it's been over two weeks since I sat down to write something! Must be showtime! "Curious Savage" opens tonight and I'm overall pleased with the look of the show. The actors are a terrific group. I finally got my nerves together and auditioned last week for this summer's Shakespeare. Although selections haven't been finalized yet I'm pretty sure I didn't make it. C'est la vie. I

Photo Day

2010-03-08T19:02:00.002-05:00

One of the most stressful days for me as the costumer is the pre-production photo day. We have to have publicity photos as soon as possible but often my final designs aren't ready to go so I have to scramble to make sure I have something for all the actors, even if it's not the final look that we use in the show. Today we did pictures for "The Curious Savage". I don't have to do much sewing for

Still treading...

2010-03-03T10:34:00.003-05:00

We are still behind in schoolwork, mostly because #3, Philip, did not do the work he was supposed to while his sisters and I were away. Not only behind in school, I haven't been able to 'play' here because the 'puter was on the brink of a crash (numerous viruses) and we lost it to a shop for a few days. I guess I'll be doing my February 'Christmas in...' update a little late!As usual, my break

Fabric choices

2010-02-25T13:31:00.006-05:00

Not much done this week as we are playing catch up with school and I'm working on a couple of baby gifts as well as more diapers for Kal-El. I also cleaned up the living room bookcase, clearing out stuff we don't need in our homeschool anymore. I've started picking up stuff for next year and I need space! But I did get a yearning to make stuff for me and I really want to use these vintage

It's good to get away...

2010-02-21T07:23:00.004-05:00

...but it's always wonderful to come home! We were treated like royalty at the in-laws and my parents homes; so great to see family and old friends. Too bad the guest of honor won't remember a minute of it! Kal-El traveled like a champ and charmed everyone with his gurgles and lopsided grins! The real winner, though, was probably Jacie, who turned 11 on Friday. She had one cake Thursday at Auntie

It's going to be another no-sew week-

2010-02-14T17:35:00.003-05:00

...but for a very good reason. My #1, Ashley, has been eager to bring (my new grandson) Kal -El up to the Northeast so he can meet his great-grandparents. The timing stinks, what with all the bad weather, but I'm available and my nephew is on vacay this week so off we go! Ash's husband isn't able to go and most of the family can't travel either so it will just be me, Ash, Jacie and Kal hittin'