Thank you!
Copyright 2007-2015
I got a start on my kitty quit since we had a snow day. Staying inside, drinking coffee and sewing...works for me!
Here are some pins I have found that I think would be perfect for handmade Christmas gifts:
***A super simple tote bag.
***Pretty ribbon bracelets.
***Beaded barrettes.
***One pretty kitchen apron.
***A book turned journal (I LOVE this one!).
***2 in 1 pouch. Bought it. Gonna make it.
***Wood pallet signs.
Happy crafting!
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Oh my! Please excuse this terrible picture! Camera phone pics are not my speciality!
I was down a the sewing store yesterday and I got to sew. all. day.
Nice!
We are going to have a Pillow Pop class and I wanted to get a head start on the some of the projects we have planned. This one was quite fun to make.
And can you believe it?
I was accused of being a really messy person 3 times. 3 times, I tell ya!
Maybe that never happens because I generally sew by myself, with no one to inspect me. I guess all of the scraps covering 3 tables was a tip off that I don't sew neatly.
What can I say?
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***I need to remember this. Every day!
***Seeing this makes me want to learn to crochet.
***These posters are pretty cool. Click on the link to the website to see more.
***I am crazy about the look of this quilt!
**Simple little design boards.
***Melody Miller's latest--Ruby Star Shining. What do you think?
Have a great weekend!
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There is quite a pile of books on my nightstand right now and a few more that have been read recently, and I just wanted to share them with you---just in case you are looking for a good read.
Grace for the Good Girl--Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life--This is one of those "this is so me" books! It's all about those of us who spend so much time trying to appear put-together, when really we need to take a deep breath, let go, and admit that we have some problems. It's a very freeing read and I am underlining things like crazy!
The Postmistress--I just started this one, so I can't really tell you what I think. At this point there are a lot of characters being introduced and it's a little confusing, but I expect it to take off here pretty soon. Will let you know....
Half-Broke Horses--This was a great book, a true-life novel based on the author's grandmother. She was quite the interesting and spunky lady who lived through the Great Depression. Great read!
Fresh-Quilting--Do I really need to say why I am reading this one? Just looking for some fresh inspiration and direction in my quilting. The color usage in the projects is great!
A Field Guide to Fabric Design--Do I want to design fabric? No! My artistic talents are minimal in the drawing department, but I do want to learn more about the process. So far this book is informative and enjoyable to read. Highgly recommended for anyone wanted to learn more about designing fabric.
Also read recently and happy to recommend: Little Bee, The Help, and The Glass Castle.
What about you? What's on your nightstand?
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Last week I got together with some friends to make a messenger bags. We had a great time and accomplished a whole bunch. Of course, we were sewing until 11 o' clock at night, but at the end we all sported a brand new bag.
I used Joel Dewberry's Modern Meadow in the pink colorway to make mine. Normally I don't use pink in projects that I make for myself, but I felt like doing something different. Girly-ness isn't gonna kill me, right?
I made up the pattern based on one that I found in the book Sew What! Bags, which includes 18 pattern-free projects. The pattern-free part of this book is what I love the most, second only to the wonderful projects that can be customized to your own needs and tastes. Really, it's a good one!
Happy sewing!
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First up, Beverly Cleary's Ramona is coming to the big screen on July 23rd.
Aubry is just about over the moon on this one. She went through a Ramona stage a while ago where the library's books on CD lived at our house, and I am pretty sure she got those stories memorized.
Ms. Cleary has such a way of bringing a kid to life on a books pages. All I can say is that this movie needs to stay true to the feel of these classic stories. I will be crossing my fingers on that!
Also, a Jack-in-the-Box is coming to our little town. My hubs and I have lived for too many years without those wonderful deep-fried tacos. I am serious when I say that we are really excited about this. We will be there on opening day, I am sure of it. :)
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Admittedly, I don't have a ton of reading time, but I do manage to squeeze some in each night before bedtime. Next to fabric, books are my favorite addiction. If I could I would start a fabric/book shop with an ice cream counter, just for fun. I expect that a lot of you would frequent my store? :)
I recently read Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler. It is about a man who wakes up one morning to find he has no memory of recent events--very important events. And he also finds that he has no one close enough to tell him those events or even to take care of him. He has a choice to stay in a life that is less than fulfilling, or to to step forward into a life of purpose.
All of Anne's book are wonderful, exploring the inner selves of ordinary people. You will always find a character to identify with in one of her books.
For me, I find in the world of books a refuge. A place where people like me wrestle through their lives and find out who they are, what their place in life is, and what life has to offer them. Isn't this much like what we all do every day?
I also read Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger, the author of The Time Traveler's Wife. The first half of the book was interesting and compelling, largely because the story was so unique, but the second half of the book was just plain weird. This one I was glad to finish.
Now I am reading The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold. I am only a chapter into it, but I can't decide if I am going to continue with it. A couple more chapters will tell.
What about you? What are you reading?
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...even if he is showing off his car.
Josiah and I came up with a fun project for our co-op class tomorrow (from this excellent book) and I am crossing my fingers that this one will be a hit. Our last two classes have been OK, but I don't think I have captured their scientific-attention as of yet. With 15 rowdy boys to keep busy, I get a little nervous.
We will be building our cars and souping them up (Josiah said it is not called "decorating" a car) for the car race at the next co-op. We will be learning about potential and kinetic energy, as well as friction and motion. Since I know NOTHING about those topics, I am glad for the book's overview. Maybe I will appear to know what I am talking about!
Personally, I think these cars are rather cool:
The fact that they actually move will be a plus with the boys! ;)
Here is my other boy trying to duck away from my camera:
I caught him just before he turned away! Please excuse his messy look, but he just got home from work with dad.
Wish me luck at co-op tomorrow. I need it!
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I love fabric, books and the library, so a book bag for my library trips made out of awesome fabric was necessary. Sure, I can carry my backpack, but why not look well-read AND fashionable at the same time. Any one who sees me on a regular basis is probably laughing right now because my typical fashion consists of jeans and a gray hoodie sweatshirt. I am a creature of comfort, all the way!
Lately my book choices have been disappointing and I keep getting halfway through a book only to put it down and start over with another one. I like to read thoughtful books, but I wish that more authors didn't feel the need to add so much garbage to their books. I can be an open-minded, intelligent reader, but I still don't understand how adding a bunch of sex to a book makes it better. Some things should be left to the imagination, if you ask me.
Yes, I am rather old-fashioned about those things.
Are you reading any good books lately? I would love some recommendations!
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Today you can find me at The Heart of the Matter talking about kids and books.
Hope to see you there!
***Don't forget about The Recipe Box Swap tomorrow!
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