Monday, August 29, 2005

just checking in

Wow, did this morning go by fast. A new schedule at work, but I think it's going to work out. At least the mornings will go by faster than before. I'm on a break right now (split shift again), so I'm going to sneak in a little bit of stitching time and then make some lunch to take back to work. The kindergarteners will be taking a nap when I arrive, so maybe . . . . nah, I better stick to work related. I hope to have my little bird completed by tonight or tomorrow and then I can post a photo. I want it to be an ornament, then I'll take it to work and let the children draw names to see who gets it. I think they all forgot about by now.

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Ants!

This morning, after coming home from the grocery store, as I open my pantry I was greeted with a bazillion ants running up and down the shelves! What a pain, I thought I was going to settle in and do at least one hour of stitching like I was able to yesterday morning, before it gets too hot. But no such luck, I cleaned and tossed out stuff. I am careful about sealing up everything but there was a box a Ritz crackers that I forgot about. On a positive note, at least the pantry is nice, clean and organized. I tossed out anything that look like it's been in there too long. I also took out a sliding basket that probably was taking up good storage space.

I received two more ebay auction items yesterday. One is a vintage apron pattern - I was inspired by a couple of the apron blogs to make a vintage apron. Okay, we'll see when that will happen. I'm not having much luck in anything crafty right now. The other item I received was vintage iron-on transfers, but I'm dissappointed. They are not the ones that was described and pictured. So maybe it's just an error, I've sent an email to the seller.

The party yesterday was fun, but still too hot. I was sort of wishing we were home in the pool. It's suppose to be warm again today, you can be sure I'll be swimming!

Friday, August 26, 2005

More Friday rambling ...

My dd left for college last night, so it's been very quiet here. It was strange, when I came home from work I expected her to be home as usual, but as I turned the corner I didn't see her car and I realized she was gone. I'm a little sad, but it's not like she's far away and she will be back home again next week for doctor appointments. It's just that we are use to her being here where, in our eyes, it's safe.

I thought I would get some stitching time in today, but fat chance. Maybe tomorrow morning. Dh and I are invited to two birthday parties tomorrow. One is my cousin's 50th and we have to go to that, so we'll be leaving early from the other party. Or I'll be leaving early, dh has to work half day tomorrow, but will meet me at my cousin's house. It's going to be fun. Her and her husband came over today to borrow our umbrellas for her backyard, there is no shade so they needed as much shade as possible. It's suppose to be a hot weekend. She also snagged three of our ice chests, that's for the ice (Margaritas, anyone?). Anyway, I spent the day shopping for gifts (last minute, of course) and something for me to wear. Plus a stop at the bank, Longs, and an Avon delivery. Yeah, a part-time Avon Lady here, a poor one, though.

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Children's Crafts

After reading numerous crafty blogs, I've noticed that most are young moms (or mums) with small children and since I work with school-age children, part of my job is to prepare fun and interesting craft projects for them. Sounds like a fun job -- well, it has it's moments. Anyway, I would like to share some of the projects that I have done, which have been very rewarding for me. I mean I like painting, dot art, cut and paste, board games, group games, but my favorites are cooking, sewing and quilting with children. It takes a lot of prep time and sometimes it takes me awhile to get it together, because I end up digging in my sewing room for stash, patterns, etc.


These "bean bags" are made from felt and filled with either beans or fiber-filling. If we fill them with beans, then I need to pre-sew them on the sewing machine (so the beans don't fall out) and it's more them gluing on the face and filling with beans. If we stuff them, then the children sew, decorate, stuff and then sew them closed. They love these sort of projects and I usually have a large group of children busy and content at the table.

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Just another day

Well, no stitching done again today. I really need to set my priorities! I couldn't sleep this morning so instead of getting up at my normal 5:30am, I was up at 4:30, but I couldn't focus my eyes or mind to work on any of my projects. Anyway, I was at work by 6:30am, and of course I already had children (and parents) waiting for me. It was a good morning, it went by quickly. I came home had a little something to eat, did some paperwork, and then off to work at another school to greet the children for childcare after school. The day went by quickly, but I was home at 6:30pm and now I'm too tired to do anything. I know it's late but I want to take a nap. DH will be home soon.

I'm looking forward to this weekend. Saturday my cousin is celebrating her 50th birthday. She's having a big party at her house, it should be fun. Her and I want to have another party next weekend. My neighbor (who we are very close to) came over last night and wanted to get some info on this "Labor Day" party I'm planning. Why did I commit to subbing extra hours next week?? Arrrgh! I have more important things to do!

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Bent Creek

I just received two patterns yesterday that I won on ebay. I'm looking forward to starting these soon, but I don't know if I want to do them separately or in a large sampler type with all the months.





Monday, August 22, 2005

Monday and I have to work!

Aw, shoots, here I am reading other blogs and now I want to sit and stitch! I'm do back at work in about 20 minutes, so that's not going to work. Oh well, this split shift schedule is only until Wednesday, so Thursday and Friday will be good days to relax a bit.

I have to run, hopefully I'll be able to post this evening.

Saturday, August 20, 2005

I'm pooped!

The birthday party/bbq is over and all went well. Everyone had a great time. Of course, I was running around at the last minute making sure everything was just right, but once our guests arrived I stopped my craziness and started in with the Margaritas! My husband looked pleased with all the attention. He cracked me up, he said he didn't realize that we would all start wanting Margaritas so early on! Sheesh, what did he think?? I expected my family from LA to come down, but I guess the freeway traffic must have scared them off. That's okay maybe Labor Day weekend (yikes!), we're planning another bbq to mark the end of the summer (sigh).

Ah, tomorrow is Sunday and I hope to get a little stitching and blog reading done.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Little bird update

Well, maybe I'm not almost done. There is alot of outlining to do on this little birdie.


It's sort of a long day

. . . and it's only a little after 3pm. I spent the morning in meetings and I'm already exhausted. I have lots to do today, we're having a bbq this Saturday and I'm nowhere prepared like I thought I would be. It's also a special day because we are celebrating my dh's birthday. So I need to get moving!

As far as stitching, I was able to get an hour in last night. Another project I'm working on, which is very small, is a cute little bird. I'll try to scan later. I'm almost finished. This is the project that started it all.

Two weeks ago, at work, I remembered the container full of cross-stitching goodies and fabric in the art cabinet. I was bored at work with the projects that I was putting out all summer for the children. So I thought, "Hey, maybe they would want to learn how to cross-stitch!" To my surprise I had a group of six children at the table, girls and boys, all trying to "sew". There must be about a dozen cross-stitch kits that were donated to us last year and I knew they were in the plastic tub, but I never thought I could get the children to learn how to cross-stitch. I remebered years ago I had a bad experience trying to teach Girl Scouts how to cross-stitch. They just couldn't do it! Half were in tears, half were frustrated! Well, with my boys and girls I let them do whatever on 14ct. Aida that was in the kit and I just showed them the basics. So some did the outline stitch, some did the back stitch and some cross-stitched. They didn't bother with the pattern that came with the kit, they just embroidered their own designs. I had a blast! So I'm doing the little bird kit so they can see how it's done.They've been watching as we sit and stitch. I told them as soon as I'm finished I'm going to have a drawing to see who gets the "little bird".

So that's how I got started cross-stitching again. I use to cross-stitch alot before I had my daughter and then off and on afterwards. Now I'm reading about others who do the same and it's been very inspiring.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Back to work

Yesterday I was dreading going back to work. It wasn't so bad, after all I work part-time and I'm home by 10:30am. What am I complaining about? I work with children and they are usually pretty good, but I just loved being off last week and doing whatever I felt like doing.

Anyway, here's a couple of pics of Angela's knitting needle case we made last week. She is pleased -- it only took me a year to make!

Sunday, August 14, 2005

The Sewing Room/Guest Room

I spent most of the day yesterday cleaning and decluttering the spare bedroom. I've been talking about it for so long that I fianally stopped talking about it and started doing it! Anyway, I'm not done, but I made a dent. At least there is a path to the sewing machine and I was able to finish sewing Angela's knitting needle case. I need to have the room ready by next weekend, I expect family members coming over on Saturday and I need somewhere for them to sleep!

Thursday, August 11, 2005

The Sampler

I started this sampler so many years ago. I found it recently stashed away with my other projects, so I've managed to work a couple hours on it this morning. I have a renewed interest in cross-stitching, so I'm busy again with my old hobby. It's been fun stitching, as well as getting inspired from other stitchers online. (sorry, this is not a great picture, but it will have to do for now)

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Okay, I think I like this layout .... now to upload photos ....
Just testing .....

I'm still trying to figure out how to use this thing. I guess life got busy and I forgot I started this blog over a year ago (sigh).

I'm back cross-stitching

  Well, not yet, but real soon because my daughter found a Halloween cross-stitch booklet that I thought I lost forever. So my plans are to ...