Saturday, August 31, 2013

Busy, Crafty Saturday

The time is 8:40 p.m.

The place - my lazyboy chair and tv....

The day....

VERY busy.

Project No. 1

I started my day working on a twin size quilt top for Newton.  Remember when I did the baby quilt about a month ago, well, I had enough blocks left over for a second baby quilt and a twin size top.


The twin top is finished :)  Now I just have to do the layers, quilt and bind it.  The second baby quilt is on the machine for a simple quilting, then it's ready for binding.


Project No. 2



My scarecrow is stitched.  I went through my fabric stash and came up with these.  Not sure what I'm going to do yet.  I did put some piping as a frame around the border, but am still pondering how and which borders I want.  I'm pretty sure the pumpkins in the foreground are going to be the backing and possibly the binding.


Project No. 3



When Jenny at Elefatz (http://www.elefantz.com/) did her Shabby Rose blocks, the photos looked like she used a white background with small red roses.  I thought it was absolutely perfect.  Unfortunately, I can't find anything like that.  I even tried ordering one that I thought would work, but when it arrived it had a cream colored background.  Honey Do informed me that my computer may have interpreted the image that way, but it may not have been.  So I've finally given up looking for the red roses/white ground and last night found a red tonal and a red/white swirl.  Love them both.  The swirl ended up looking too busy next to the gingham, so I've opted for the red tonal.  I may be able to use the swirls when it comes time for assembly to complete the project. The last block gets published this week.  Can't wait.



Project No. 4

Long Time Ago in Bethlehem


Here it is...all ready to go....


Picked up my floss today.  I haven't decided on fabrics yet, but going through my stash I found a couple of options.  This green with yellow stars - the wording says "Jesus is the reason for the season"...


Then there's the dark blue with stars and dots.  I have some "gem stones" to play with and found this jewelry finding on clearance.  I'm going to be using embellishments.....


iridescent ribbon, pearl beading, tiny black beads.  I want this to be a wall hanging, so I'm going to do up the dimension and embellishments.  Those will be on-going searches.


This, I've decided after talking to BFF today, was my favorite block.  I love the whole Christmas story, but as far as this quilt goes, this is the one.


This sweet thing was waiting at the top of the stairs when I finally emerged from all my productivity.  Her name is Missy.  She's about 11 or 12 years old.  We've had her and her brother since they were about 6 weeks old.  She is an absolute angel.

After being in the "studio" for a good portion of my day, it was time to spend a little time outside.


These are my "rogue" tomatoes.  The ones that self-plant and come up on their own from the compost of the previous year.  Yes, they produce fruit, just takes a little longer since they are growing from seed.


My zucchini has decided it's not done yet.  A bud, a bloom, a baby zuke :)



Today's harvest:  broccoli, jalapenos, banana peppers,  and much to my surprise, another zucchini...


Roma tomatoes and a yellow tomato.  Yellow tomatoes are supposed to be low in acidity and sweeter than reds.

The platter was inherited from my mother-in-law.  The "white" bowl, is vintage red Pyrex that my mom gave me a few months ago.  I don't know the value of the platter (priceless to me since it was gifted), but I've checked on the Pyrex and am horrified how much people are trying to sell these vintage bowls for.


I have collected enough broccoli in the past week to blanch and put up another batch for the winter.




Trimming the rose bushes back was worth it.  Round two of these beauties.....


Have you seen a more perfect bloom ? 

And then there's the red......



Newton is spending the weekend with his aunt and uncle, so Honey Do and I decided on take out for dinner.


I had a calzone....


He had a gyro 


with home-made garlic Parmesan potato chips.
It was a fantastic meal and clean up was a breeze :)

And finally something very special from Honey Do because he loves me this much.


He made me another pen.  I have quite the collection and each one is a favorite.  After all, how can one choose?

He designs them for work and eventually or initially (depends) I'll get a new pen.  He does take good care of me and spoils me well.

It's been a really good day.  We've enjoyed the quiet since Newton is away.  The break is good for all of us.  But I'm glad when he comes home.  I feel good because I've accomplished so much.  Honey Do is getting some much needed rest since he'll have a week off by the time the holiday weekend is over.  Come Tuesday, we'll be ready to start the week fresh.

Thank you for stopping by


Wishing you a restful Sunday.



All photographs are the property of Edi's Crafting Life.  Please ask permission before you copy and post them.  Or, please give me credit for them.  Thank you.












Friday, August 30, 2013

Weekend Plans

We have a holiday this weekend - Labor Day - is Monday.  If you are fortunate to have the weekend off, please enjoy and stay safe.  For the most part, society deems this weekend as the official end of summer even though the calendar says another few weeks.  Rain is forecast beginning overnight.  This does not offend me or put me out too much.  Honestly, I like the rain because it's an excuse to stay indoors and do what I love.

This morning started out working on Newton's quilt.


Remember the baby quilt I finished a few weeks ago, well.....

there's enough blocks left for a second baby quilt (which is pinned and ready to be quilted) and a twin size for Newton.


My day started out sewing two more rows of blocks together and one of the rows was added to what is already done.

My goal is to have the top done today.  I had to leave for a bit.  I brought lunch back for Honey Do and myself.  Not the most healthy meal, but one of my absolute favorites:  he had a Reuben and fresh squeezed lemonade and I had a chicken cordon bleu and diet cola.  I'd show you the sandwiches, but we scarfed them down :)



I managed to get a load of clothes out on the line, before the rains come in and Newton is going to spend the weekend with his aunt.

So off to the dungeon - oh, I mean my "studio" and get busy on the rest of that quilt if I want to get the top done today.

Thanks for stopping by


Wishing you a creative, restful weekend.




WOO HOO - Productive Thursday

Long, busy day... but in the end it was worth it.  I spent my day working on my "scarecrow" and the stitching is finished.  Thanks for all your positive comments and encouragement.


I showed these lovelies the other day.  I'm still very pleased with how they turned out.



I love birds, so am please that not only are they included (I know they are crows, it's the thought that counts), but they turned out well too.


Isn't this a pretty stack of pumpkins.  They could stand alone in a picture.


What an adorable face.  I just have pen marks on his straps because I want to include a couple of teeny, mismatched buttons to add some more dimension.


His patches were stitched.  I added fabric for some additional texture.

Overall, I am very please with the end result.



I'm going to spend the weekend working on turning this lovely into a wall hanging.



Thanks for stopping by....

Wishing you a productive Friday.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Seimi-productive day.....

My day started out with a job interview.  I haven't worked in a year and a half.  Now I have to decide after doing some research if I'm going to take the job.  It's only temporary, and that's ok with me.  Just not sure if it's the right thing for me to be doing.  I like my freedom and time to pick and choose what I want to do and when.

(Image taken from internet)

Today was Honey Do's birthday.  After my interview, I went and picked up his favorite food:  Sushi.   Then I got him an oreo cake.

(Image taken from internet)

We had a nice quiet dinner together.  Later in the evening we made fresh coffee and had cake.

(Image taken from internet)

He enjoyed his gifts too.  Chose a couple of things from personalcreations.com.
Got my order yesterday and got it ready.  This company is fast and very professional.  Both of us were very please with his gifts.

I spent the afternoon working on some mending - one of my least favorite past times.  That pile never seems to go do.  I spent the evening working on my scarecrow stitchery.  No, it's still not done, but I'm in the home-stretch.

               

These are just two of the sections that are already finished.  I left the scarecrow for last and he's about 1/2 done.  So I'm working to get the stitchery done by tomorrow and then finish the wall hanging over the weekend.  Here's hoping.

Thanks for stopping by....




(Image taken from internet)



Wishing you a creative Friday.




Tuesday, August 27, 2013

All this quiet......

It's the first day of school.......


what do I do with all this quiet??

Newton decorated and came up with the "0".  He put happy and sad faces for the decoration.  Very creative and definitely shows his sense of humor.

I spent the first part of my morning completing my usual daily chores.....


which includes my to-do list and reading in my current book.  This one by Fern Michaels is the most recent in the Godmother series.

Trying something new for dinner:  venison roast.  Honey Do got a new marinade from Pops for his birthday, so it went in the fridge last night and in the crockpot this morning.


I've never done a roast before.  I'm must more comfortable with ground venison and making chilli.



As bright and sunny as yesterday was, today is overcast with rain forecast.




There are still blessings to be found


even among the weeds


Have you ever seen an orange rose?  This one really needs to be moved, maybe this autumn.  I chose it because it was so different from anything I've seen before.  This was among the first we purchased for my gardens - that are sorely in need of my attention.  It's been a busy summer and we all know how quickly the weeds take over.  No excuse.

And next to my roses, my next favorite is the geranium.  Salmon colored have always been a favorite and this one managed to survive the past winter for a second year of blooms.


The overcast, rainy day makes it really hard to get motivated, but there are projects waiting to be made and finished.  I better get busy even though all I want to do is nap.

Thanks for stopping by


(This is my "mother's day" rose.  I trimmed it back about a month ago after the first blooms.  I'm being greatly rewarded for the effort with a second round of blooms.  I never thought I would have anything this beautiful and perfect growing in my garden.  God is SO good.)

Wishing you a creative Tuesday.



Monday, August 26, 2013

Dog Days of Summer

 It's the last week of August.  This year has absolutely flown by.  


Newton is as ready as he'll ever be for the first day of school.

I will have to find something else to countdown now. :)


Along with numerous errands and Monday cleaning, this was how I spent my day.  I absolutely love putting my laundry out to dry.  I sorely miss these days when we're into winter and the cooler days, even though my favorite times of the year are autumn and spring.  I try to do as much laundry as I have on these warm, sunny days.  Honey Do helped put up two sections of line so that I have plenty of room to get it done as quickly as possible.  It doesn't take long when it's almost 90 degrees out.  There was a VERY warm breeze to accompany the sunshine today.


Other than the humidity, we had an absolutely gorgeous day!!!


Temperatures were in the upper 80s, almost 90.  We've had to resort to turning the air conditioner back on or we won't sleep at night.  Rain is forecast for mid-week.


My zucchini still has a few flowers on the vine, but appears for the most part to be done for the year.  I still have two very large ones sitting on the kitchen counter, waiting for some divine inspiration :)

To take their place, the tomatoes are starting to appear in abundance.  


And today's harvest of broccoli.  So much to be grateful for - counting those blessings.



After dinner play.  
My little buddy does it every night and then takes a good long nap.

I'm off to work on my stitchery and watch Mr. Selfridge.  I have a goal to get a UFO done this week.  Making great progress and very excited about the prospect.  This project is over a year old.

Thanks for stopping by.....


Wishing you a creative Monday.