FNSI success!

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!

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. She's a little swamped, having just had a baby and all, so I asked if I could make them. They are a blast! I started with a sandwich but quickly went to cookies because, well, yes. They're COOKIES!
A few so far:



Orange slices:


Two slices of bread:




Chocolate sandwich and chocolate chip cookies:




Since taking these pics, I have added apples, cheese, lettuce, bacon, two pastas and cinnamon rolls, which I may re-do because I put waaay to much icing on 'em. Today I have to put the food aside so I can work on pj's for him and Leia. Do you love Christmas sewing as much as I do?

FNSI December

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 having two FNSIs this month to help get those projects done!
Visit Heidi at http://handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com/ ( click on the title of this post) to sign up. And have a cup of cocoa for me!

'tis the season to be jolly. And busy.

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 20's. Should be fun!
I never showed the finished bathroom project, did I? I told you (somewhere, some post) I never remember what I say I'm going to post in the future. Let's all agree I have enough trouble keeping up with the present; I must stop saying what I think I will do with this blog and we'll just go with that. Rambling.

Anyway, the bath. Tore off paper- resurfaced walls. Didn't plan to deal with the floor but really had to.

Before: the worst wall:




After:


The window wall:

After:

(The curtain wasn't done yet but it is now!)

Behind the door:

After:


The floor-please forgive the stubby toes!
Before; with filler where tiles were damaged:

After:


Fresh paint and wallpaper scraps livened the vanity:



I din't take a picture of the tub area because I didn't do anything to the tub area, except some trim. The shower curtain is anchors and sailboats; it nicely matched the curtain and decorative towels we hung on the back of the door. And it faded it it's first wash so it has already lost it's fresh, clean, new look. C'est la vie. I like my new bath! But I kinda miss the rubber duckies.


Or maybe not.

Snowmen that won't melt away~

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

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!

There's no place like home--

<-- 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 five decisions for Christ this week; two of them asked me to perform their baptisms. It was an honor. Will they have their families support when they get home to continue in their Christian walk? I can only pray they do. It was wonderful that their parents not only gave permission, they came to camp to witness. Thank you God!

I'm also kind of glad Bottled Rainbows didn't make it onto my bunk. A year tends to dull some memories and I did forget what my quilt would go through at camp. I picked up an inexpensive dorm quilt at WallyWorld before we left and by the end of the week it had my suitcase dragged across it many times a day. The little one in the bunk above mine tossed her dirty clothes, shoes, wet swimsuit and towels on it and left them there until I found them at bedtime (everyday, despite repeated reminders to hang 'em outside). At devotion time before bed it was a game to see how many campers could cram in to sit with me. I didn't mind, even though it meant lots of sandy little feet climbing aboard. It caught a few tears from a few upset campers. It was where we sat for homesick hugs, hurt feeling hugs and goodmorning & goodnight hugs. (Nope, didn't mind that at all. I brought plenty of hugs.)It was the base under some good talks and lots of girly giggles. It did it's job. I'm afraid if I had brought BR I would have been so concerned about my quilt that I wouldn't let the things that happen at camp happen and that could ruin the girls experience. I don't want to be known as the dorm mom who was too concerned about her stuff than the girls who needed her. I will forget names and faces over the year but may I never forget that I go to camp for them and not to show off my latest creation on my bunk.

So close-

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 weddings! Since they met in the theatre, the whole theme was as though the wedding was a play in three acts and it was great fun. I'm so happy she asked me to be a part of it!


<- With her dad-
The happy couple->


Off to camp and then some family will be in for a visit. My "me time" was short but hopefully I'll get some more in August. Gah! AUGUST!! Already?

*sigh*

Happy 4th!

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; usually of a craft nature at camp where I don't have access to a washer. The problem I'm having with it is the name. UNPAPER towels? What happened to good 'ol dishcloths? Terry, birdseye, feedsack, linen-- they're not new! Someone fill me in on why this is so trendy, please? It's just for wiping/cleaning/drying---- right?

16/16

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-

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 last FNSI's Petal, and the Eggplant I snuck in right after FNSI, it means I have 13 done, three to go for the Bottled Rainbow quilt. I really, really want to finish it by next week-- July is camp month, when I go to work at a Christian camp for inner city kids for a week. The first year I went, my co-dorm mom made her bunk with a lovely Irish Chain quilt someone had made for her. I had a piece of fleece on mine. I decided then and there that 'next year I will make my bunk with my own made-by-me quilt'. Well, it's five years later, my piece of Mickey Mouse fleece has huge holes in it and I want my Bottled Rainbows quilt on my bunk this year!

Think good thoughts for me, would you? I have to finish the wedding gown, too.

Graduates, Shrews and Sweet Hugs!

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 Shrew that is as far from a shrew as you can be!

...and...

Kal-El is eighteen months old!

Just the best a weekend could be!