Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Photo Challenge - A Challenge for ME

I found this list on pinterest.com and I felt challenged to try something new.  So today is the day - well, actually tomorrow is the first day - August 1.  I am not a great photographer, and in fact use my phone instead of my camera most of the time, but I thought it might be interesting to see how I interpret the goals set out in this list.
If you are looking for something to do, do it with me.  Or just do one or two.  I would love it!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Oops! I totally forgot...

that my monthly card exchange met on Sunday.  When did I remember?  Well, while I was quilting early Saturday evening.  I decided not to fret about it, but just get up and design a card on Sunday morning, something simple of course.
Everything is cut and ready to go.  
 I straight stitched the outside edge of each panel.  
 Here you can see it gives a feeling of light dimension.
 Done!  Fifteen cards with two extras.
Yeah, I'm happy with it.  

Monday, July 29, 2013

Oh, so exciting!

While in Florida recently, we were going through some things at my parents' house.  My mother loved sewing and especially quilting.  My sister found 1 finished quilt and 3 quilt tops.  We divided them up and I came home with one of the quilt tops.  I wanted to get it quilted, so I bought fabric for the backing and went my friend, Diana's, house to start the process.  You see... Diana has a brand - new - quilting machine by Babylock.
I was so excited about getting into the process of quilting, that I completely forgot to take pictures of Diana setting up the machine and fabrics.  We first pinned on the top, the backing, and then the batting.
I think this pattern goes by several names - Farmer Boy, Farmer Joe, or ??  I had a hard time pinpointing the name of the pattern.  If you know, please let me know.  I want to call him Yosemite Sam, but I know that's not right.
Buster got so tired (he would follow us from room to room), that he had to lay down and nap.
 
Diana worked so hard at directing the machine over the pattern and keeping the stylus in the groove.
You can see the pattern, but not the thread.  It was Diana's BRILLIANT idea to use clear nylon thread and it worked so well!  It looks beautiful!
These are the design plates.  We chose a scallop design to give it some dimension but hoped that it wouldn't over power the design of the quilt.
The backing is the red bandana material.  Farmer Boy is wearing a bandana shirt and his hat and pocket are also red bandana.  
Here it is.  Ready to be squared up.  We were so happy with how it turned out.  It took us right about 3 hours to quilt it, so we were EXTREMELY pleased!  I am sure my mom would have liked it.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

I recently came across these...

... sewing plaques.
I thought they were so cute and with a little decorative paper, ribbon, embellishments, they would be even cuter!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

All I can say is...

Paralegal GONE MAD!
(To be clear, that is not my office.)

Monday, July 22, 2013

Another set of wedding invitations

Remember that weekend I spent with Diana and her sisters, nieces, etc.?  To recap, it was a craft weekend of cardmaking, quilting, cooking, and laughing - LOTS of laughing!  I met Diana's niece, Jenny, on that weekend and shortly after that, she announced she was getting married.... and would Jean consider making her wedding invitations?  Answer?  Absolutely!  So after emails and phone calls and sending samples back and forth between here and California, this last weekend was spent printing, cutting paper, and putting the invitations together.  
First I went and picked up white envelopes and cardstock.  I needed to make sure I had the right stuff.  I previously ordered the "Tiffany Blue" cardstock, so I had that ready to go.
Saturday I attended a crop at Grapevine Designs.  Adriana was kind enough to let me use her heavy duty cutter that cuts 50 pages at a time.  What a time saver that was!  I then set up an assembly line for  stamping.
I used rolls of tape instead of a runner because I think it is a firmer hold and definitely goes farther.
I worked a good part of Saturday and most of Sunday to get these invitations done.  This picture was taken at 2:29 p.m. and I was making measurable progress.  (I was also doing laundry.)
It's 10:00 and I AM DONE.  Whew Hoo!  Eighty invites and RSVP cards - finished!
Tomorrow?  Quilting - maybe.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

You are welcome, Miss Kylee!

Kylee had a shirt that was missing a tab - lost in the laundry or something - don't really know how that happened.  So she asked Aunt Jean to fix it.
You can see how the strap broke free.  Cute shirt, by the way, Miss Kylee.  Love the jewels!
New tab in place; all fixed.  Fee?  Oh yes, there is a fee:  one BIG hug from Miss Kylee!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Sunday Visitor

Myah's turn!  Here's my day with Miss Myah...
 The fabric she selected definitely have a lot of color and design.
 One was a purple batik and the other one a cartoon print.
 I worked on the straps.
 Myah loved on Jack...
 .... and sewed ...
 ... and modeled her bag!
Her bag is batik on one side and the cartoon on the other.  
Very unique but EXACTLY what she asked for!
Another fun day of sewing, lunch at Sweet Tomatoes, movies, and chocolate chip cookies!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Saturday Visitor

Nicole and Sam's daughters both wanted to come over and "sew with Aunt Jean."  So we set up a weekend where I would have one on Saturday (Kylee) and the other on  Sunday (Myah).  They went with their mom and picked out their fabric about a week ago and so their bags are definitely unique and special.  Let me show you my day with Kylee...
Kylee selected two different red fabrics and we decided to quilt them with black thread for some contrast.  I placed scotch tape on the fabric to keep my lines straight.
Kylee loved practicing and especially enjoyed the zig zag feature. 
She is definitely concentrating. 
 The bag is finished!

 We even had great moments with Sophie.
 Before heading home, we had dinner with Kimmy.
It was a really fun day (which included pizza, cookies, and swimming), and we hope to do it again soon.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

While going through the things in my parents' home, we found some photos

My dad loved photography and cameras - he always has - and he still does.  There were always photos of us growing up, Easter Sunday morning with our new bonnets, dresses, and shoes, family reunions, family dinners.  So there are a lot of photos to go through.  We found a small box that my mother had tucked away in her sewing room (??) and it had letters and baby cards for when each of us were born.
I had never seen my newborn picture or the specific information as to  how much I weighed, my height, time I was born, and footprints.
That's me.  

Monday, July 8, 2013

A little surprise ... just - for - me!

A friend of mine, Laurie, blogged about a bi-weekly delivery she gets, which intrigued me.  She subscribed to a mail order snack through Graze.com.  You go to their web site and select the types of items you like, don't like, etc.  Then every 2 weeks, you get a surprise delivery.  My first one came last week...
I was so excited to (1) receive this box... and then
(2) open the box!  It is a small thin box and contains four different snack size treats (and nutritional information is also provided).  I have it delivered to my work place.  There's dried fruit, dips, chocolate and nuts, and granola bars.  I believe there are over 80 selections.  It is just something a little fun - just for me.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

So inviting...

My oldest, Kate, went to a wedding in San Diego over the July 4th weekend.  She sent this picture of the beach where they are staying - this photo was taken from the roof top.
The beach is always so-o-o inviting, isn't it?  

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy July 4th!

I took this picture back on July 4, 2009 at a trip to Washington, D.C.  
We attended the fireworks display put on by the Capitol.  
It was an amazing sight with over 250,000 people in attendance.
We were sitting on the grass and this was behind us.
Quite a memorable year! 

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

ONE [completely] DONE!

Okay, so those of you that know me, know that I just recently started quilting.  I fell in love with jelly rolls and the first one I bought was called "Lucy's Crab Shack."  It is a beach theme.  Well...
 Here it is!  Finished!  I finished the trim tonight...
 ... and placed it on my bed.  
Not that we need quilts here in Phoenix when it hits 118 degrees!
This was the temperature on my friend, Geri's carport last Friday.
Crazy hot here in Phoenix.