Shopping

I went to Joann's today, I had to go to Target and since Joann's was nearby I went inside to have a look around. A few small purchases:

I'm working on a autumn wallhanging and I picked out these two fabrics. I'll post more photos later about my current project.

And then I came across these two lovelies,

actually there was a whole collection and I just had to buy some, but I have no idea what I'm going to make. It's from Heidi Grace Designs. First time I heard of her, but I fell in love. I'll probably go back for more once I figure out what to make and how much I need.

I have to run to work, but I'll post a little more later. Have a great afternoon or evening.

Fabric shopping

Yesterday I didn't want to stick around this house, so I went shopping.

More Fabric Goodness

My mom sent us Easter wishes last week. She knows about my sewing efforts and is always giving me ideas, inspiration, and encouragement. Anyway in the parcel we received cookies in a basket and fabric for my daughter, a dvd for my husband, and more fabric for me! Woohoo!

Thanks Mom!

Oh, and this is my recent etsy purchase from the black apple. I love the sweetness of this print that I had to have it.

Although we love coffee, tea is also a favorite around here. My husband is from England, need I say more?

Back Home

We had a very nice Thanksgiving Day with family, we left this morning just before 5:30am and arrived home around 2:00pm. Here's the beautiful sunrise as we drove south on I-5, the weather was perfect all the way home.

As for Thanksgiving Day, my Mom and I spent the most of day cooking and preparing dinner, but it was all worth it. My Mom tried out a new recipe, Amaretto Yams, and it was a hit with everybody! Plus she made an awesome cornbread-sausage stuffing. I meant to take a picture of the turkey before my husband started carving it, but I was a little busy and forgot all about that most important photo. But here's everybody digging in.

Yesterday we ventured out to the mall, and fortunately it wasn't too crowded. I think most of the crowds had come and gone. Afterwards we went to a local craft shop and I bought this cute fabric and the latest issue of Home Companion. I have no idea what I will make out of this fabric, but I got a kick out of it!

Early tomorrow morning I'm off to Long Beach to meet my cousin at the arts and crafts fair where we'll be selling our crafts, collectibles and antiques. We are very excited about being there every Sunday. Hopefully we will do well.

October

Wow, I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since my last post and October is already here! Life has been busy! I had to work split shifts last week and then again next week. Besides that a little crazy at work, then we ended up in ER Saturday night with my daughter over a cut finger, but it was a deep cut and a trash can was involved. So we thought it was best to take her to the hospital so she can also get a tetanus shot. We didn't get home until 2am! Anyway, all is well. I have been sewing here and there during the week, no major projects. Finished my Cabo Halter Top weeks ago, just never got around to taking a pic. I'm currently working on another storage case for my daughter. She made another diaper bag with changing pad for a friend and needs the changing pad storage case to go with it. I only have to sew the drawstrings and I'm done.


We went to Sowing Sisters in Carlsbad last week and I bought this beautiful Asian panel. I think it's basically for quilts, but I want to make a purse out of it. On the subject of quilts, I have been quietly reading quilting magazines and visiting quilting websites, so you'll never know what I'll be stitching up next! I use to make lap quilts and wall-hangings and thought I was finished with that phase, but maybe not.

Weekend Sewing

I didn't do much this weekend but play around in my sewing room, which is unusual. My weekends are usually filled with shopping, running errands or going to some kind of function and nothing crafty gets done. I use to love cooking and usually dreaming up some kind of menu for Saturday and Sunday, but lately I haven't been interested in cooking or grocery shopping -- eating, yes! I just don't want to be the one to deal with it, attending Weight Watcher meetings is partly to blame.

Anyway a few projects done and out of the way. A basket purse, directions from U-handblog. Her directions are very easy -- I love my new purse!

Next up is a pocket apron, this one is a little different from the others I've made. I usually like to be covered when cooking or at work (fear I might get child's paint all over me). I thought this one might be handy when I'm sewing or doing odd jobs around the house, or even at work to carry pen & notepad, stickers, cell phone, etc. I usually see the Kindergarten teachers wear these type of aprons. I've been going through my scrap mountain and found Autumn left over fabrics. I love the colors and happy to use what I already have. Oh, I also whipped up a tea cosy, which we needed to replace the old one in a bad way! Yep, it was a pretty productive weekend.

Time to Sew

Well, not really. I was able to sew a little bit on my totebag today. I want to finish it and use it as my "new purse". Well, there was a small detail that I thought I had in my stash of goodies, that I really wanted to include. I could have omitted it, but I wanted that little ribbon tie to finish it off. So I can wait until tomorrow and run to the fabric store and buy ribbon, or pick up some ribbon at work, where we have alot of craft supplies that I can use. Instead I have a pattern traced for Amy Butler's Cabo halter top, which I would like to wear before summer is over. I have three yards of blue and white Hawaiian fabric that I think would be perfect. So today I have been busy cutting pattern pieces instead. I haven't sewed garments in a long time, mostly crafts and home dec stuff. This is a great pattern to ease back into sewing for myself, plus this looks like a fun project, and very easy.

Moving continues ....

Yes, we're still moving my daughter back home. I never realized how much "stuff" she has! Oh wow, what have I created? Anyway, it's okay, it's made me think about what we have and what we don't need and should be tossed. So I've been throwing out alot of garbage, or what looks like garbage to me and also donating boxes of clothing and household goods to the AmVets. I guess I should have done this years ago when she was in high school, but life can be busy and the last thing I think about is "spring cleaning". We still have boxes and piles of bags stacked around the house, but not as bad as last week. Yes, eventually it will be nice and neat around here again.

This morning I managed to work on those curtains I mentioned a week ago. I thought about them all week and all I wanted to do was get going on them, but between going to work and then heading to the gym every day, there is not much time left in the day to sew. Oh, lets not forget the decluttering I'm currently doing. Here is a picture of the ruffles I sewed, which is laid across the curtain fabric. It's a start, anyway. Excuse the poor quality of the photo, I used my cell phone and then text it too my daughter at work. She liked them, she wants curtains made for her next. This afternoon we have company coming over for a bbq, so I doubt I will get much done today. I need to organize the kitchen, the kitchen table is a disaster. I feel like such a slob lately, very frustrating. I'm glad I have Monday off, I have an extra day this weekend to clean house!

Another Monday

Today is my day off and time to rest from a very busy weekend. Friday I was at an inservice on physical education and we spent most of the time outside playing group games, which it was getting pretty warm. I was exhausted by the time it was all over, but I went to the gym anyway because I knew I wouldn't be able to go on Saturday or Sunday.

Our daughter is in the process of moving back home this month, so we moved most of her furniture and stuff on Saturday. Her roommate was home and she wanted to make some kitchen curtains, eventually, but is busy like everyone else. I saw the fabrics and trims and I, for some reason, volunteered to make them for her. My dh is like "why?" Just because, no reason, because the fabric is different and I want to see how it will turn out. Anyway, her roommate is off to Michigan for the week and we'll surprise her with finished curtains when she returns. I already have the tab tops sewn.

In the meantime, our house looks like it exploded! I don't know where she got all this stuff, but we have some serious donating to do. We have boxes everywhere, except in the master bedroom and sewing room, thank goodness. I have so many summer projects to do around the house, it's just as well I won't be subbing this summer.