FNSI:October version

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 do a thing about it until the show is over. So I sit. So I will sew. I have been bringing the hexies with me for the last few shows and I've started putting a few rows together; even though I'm still not sure where I'm going with them. I might work on those or I might sew the binding onto Kal's quilt, which I quilted yesterday.

Before quilting- Kal's top, pilliowcase and a throw pillow case:



If I do that, it might be a quilt first around here-- I started Kal's top at the beginning of summer--if it's done before his birthday (December) I think that'll be a record for me!

Join in the Friday Night Sew In here: http://www.craftyvegasmom.blogspot.com/

October Update

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, 2011!

With her big brother, Kal-El (22 mos.)



I am a blessed woman~

And,oh yeah, happy 27th anniversary to my beloved B. I'd do it again. In a heartbeat.

September sewing~

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!)

Quilt top, pillowcase, and throw pillow sham:



The start of the doll quilt: nine patch blocks cut and rearranged:

















<--- The top before quilting. Yes. I forgot to photograph the finished quilt. *hangs head*



Oh, and here's something I've been wanting to do for a long time. My sewing chair digs into the back of my legs and my side shelf that holds my serger just looks bad---see?












But now---- :)







What have you been doing this past month?

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

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-

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 multitude of flaws in the ancient plaster walls got torn and stained. The border of duckies by the ceiling started pulling away and falling. The chic black and white vinyl tile dulled, scratched and tore. Etcetera. It's time for a face lift. I no sooner suggested to B it was time to lose the ducks when he had paper in his hand was ripping it off the wall like a madman. I had no idea the loathing the man held for those poor lil' critters. A trip to Lowe's for paint and paper, spackle and trim and I have been a busy woman. First I had to resurface every wall--there was a reason we had put textured wallpaper up! Because B had so readily torn the wallpaper down I don't have any 'before' pictures. Here are a few 'during' the makeover shots:




Probably the worst wall-- over the sink & toilet, it was cracked, patched, stained---such a mess. Here I have the first layer of resurfacing-




The window wall





Over the tub/shower

More on this later... I'm having picture issues tonight-

So they're not on the list...

...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. Instead I have a zippered pouch sewn into the sides, maybe for cash or coupons or something! LOL--we learn from our mistakes! And, in true Murray's law fashion, the camera died after the first pic so I only have outsides to show. Next batch'll be better!

Not much sewing this week, I fear: I started pulling wallpaper and patching the walls in the bathroom for a quick makeover. Just paint and paper. Right. Is any home improvement project ever that simple?

Another item off the list...

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 the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", by Tim Rice and Andrew Webber, is tied for favorite in my heart(with Into the Woods). I have always wanted to make the coat. It's only worn for a short time but it is pivotal to the show and, well, it's so gosh darn pretty! I have been unable to find any kind of commercial pattern for the coat so I had to draft one myself. I call this my prototype since it is far from perfect and there are several changes I would make if I were to ever make another. I used Kona cottons for the solids and a Laurel Burch print for the bands. I think the bodice is from Timeless Treasures but I'm not sure. I hid (read *misplaced*) my notes somewhere. The gold is a satin I had in my stash. I have hopes of getting more pictures from the production, particularly one where the coat is 'open' and all the colored gores are circling Joseph but for now I only have this one. Thanks to Chris for taking/sending the picture and Marshall--a most excellent Joseph!