Staying Busy

Abby tells me that it pleases her that I am sewing. I like to please Abby. ツ

When I saw this log cabin quilt block at Dori's The Red Feedsack, I thought: I can do that! Not like Dori. Ohhhh no, but at my level and with my fabric scrap options. (By the way the very outer green-gold color is my ironing board.) 

I'm not making a quilt like Dori is. I am turning this into a pot holder for myself. Practice quilt blocks always turn into pot holders and always for myself. 

💛💛💛

Tuesday, I visited my daughter taking her lunch, though she did not eat much. Sometimes it is a challenge selecting food for other people. Laurel is a cat lady as you can tell.

Who else has a sign with their pets' names on it? Probably a few...

Laurel's new desk arrived and Charlie really loves it.

I don't know how she gets any work done. Note the kitty bed on the desk to the left.

What kind of grandmother would I be to leave out Charlotte? Hi, Charlotte! Charlotte likes nothing better than to burrow under the blankets. She's not much of a people person kitty.

Later in the afternoon, I took supper to my sister-in-law. She didn't eat much either. We had a lobster roll and the first ice cream of the season. She thought that coffee ice cream with hot fudge sauce sounded good. It was. She was going to eat her leftovers today. 

💛💛💛

Today's project is to finish decorating my sister Kim's dining room. Her new to her hutch has been placed and she wants to style it. I'm going to sit in a chair and nod and say, "that looks good." Perhaps next time I pop in, I'll have the finished room to share. 

Kim has her grandson for the weekend and I have one of mine for an overnight this weekend so more projects coming right up. Oh and my grandsons passed along all their Thomas the Trains with all the accouterments to her grandson who is just 16 months old. I'm delivering them this morning.

Oh he's going to love those trains!

April Fools Day 2017

Courage is not ignorance of bad weather but persistence in the face of it. 

~Harold E. Kohn 

Well this is a fine kettle of fish — A Nor'easter on April Fools Day. How funny — not. Still I plan to keep a stiff upper lip and be as cheery as is possible on such a day.  

Yesterday, my sister called in a bit of a panic as she had a doctor's appointment and my father's new care person had not shown up. The Veterans Administration is struggling to keep staff as they simply do not have enough. They're not the only ones as local hospitals are hiring traveling nurses and they come from all over at great costs to fill in the gaps. Something is very, horribly wrong with this picture. No wonder health costs are so exorbitant. It's crazy. 

Where was I? Oh, back to my sister. She had no one closer to call on so she called me. I had a few plans that I decided to set aside. There was nothing more pressing that could not wait. I did not want her to miss an appointment when she had waited so long and her schedule is so rigid. I ran some errands, filled the gas tank, and set off for her corner. It was a lovely drive, if I discount the miles and miles of potholes. I thought about taking photos of the things I saw that might interest you, but in the end I was just too lazy. Oh I did take one for the Instagram crowd. Are you jealous? 😉

I stopped at a market and picked up a box of doughnuts. One must not arrive empty-handed. I hadn't yet and didn't want to start. I found that everyone, except my father, is dieting so that wasn't the best choice. Dad and I enjoyed our doughnut all the same and reminisced about my paternal grandmother's delicious homemade doughnuts. No store bought doughnut holds a candle to our memories of them.

Nana would make doughnuts when the mood struck her, which was actually quite often. She would rise early to get much of the work done before we grandchildren awoke.  She would begin by setting the lard in a large heavy iron skillet upon the stove to heat while she mixed the dough. The recipe was in her head and perhaps in her heart as well because those doughnuts were amazing...the stuff of legend. She used an old soup can to cut her doughnuts and she formed the doughnut hole with her finger swinging the dough around and around her finger until it was perfectly shaped. She needed no fancy thermometer to know when the fat was ready. She would slip each doughnut into the fat with hardly a  ripple; she had no fancy tongs so she used a simple fork to first turn and eventually lift the doughnuts being careful not to poke them. A paper bag was used to line a rectangular cake pan that served as the receptacle for the browned doughnuts fresh from the fat.  If we wanted sugared doughnuts, we would put some sugar in a paper bag, pop a couple of warm doughnuts in and shake the bag. I have been known to eat a dozen doughnuts all by myself. *hiccup* These memories were the gist of our conversation. 

When my brother-in-law arrived home early from work, he fixed the broken mirror on my car. It was one of the things that had been on my docket for the day. And he did it for free! It was worth the trip! That and the sweet memories about homemade doughnuts. 

On my way home, I decided to use my Joann's coupons. I loved hearing the clerk say that I had saved $48 dollars. We shall not discuss how much I spent to save that. I bought a few more fabrics for making a few more bowl cozies. It's my plan for this day while the snow falls. A cozy day in my sewing room making cozies...how cozy!  Cozy, cozy, cozy...are you believing any of this? 😜

I certainly hope that it is not snowing in your corner, but if it is, feel free to tell me all about it...

ETA: The snow totals have changed in my corner from 8 to 18 inches to 3 to 5 inches. Ahhhh,,,much better. Edited to Add Again at 7:30 am: One can't trust those weather people. At. all. Our original snow totals  are going to prove correct by the time this event winds down at the end of the day. Heavy wet snow expected all day long.

No visible tree creature horse today!

That Promised Chat

I am feeling about as chatty as can be...a week of being mostly cooped up in the house can do that to a gal. That's why I'm glad that you're here!
This, if you are not used to my posts, is going to yarn you all over the place so brace yourself and please help yourself to the cookies and tea.

Awhile ago, Judy of Cranberry Morning told us about these cookies. She calls them White Crackle Cookies. When I tasted them, I realized that what I really had were my mother's Oatmeal Cookies. ツ Not exactly, but very, very similar. My mom rolled hers in oatmeal so I used Judy's method and added oatmeal to the tops of some cookies.

Added photo:

~oatmeal topped~

Here's my mom's recipe and you can find Judy's recipe HERE. 

Mom's Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

3/4 cup brown sugar

 1 1/2 cup flour

1 scant cup shortening

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Make balls and roll in oatmeal (rolled oats).

Bake at 375° for 10 to 12 minutes

The "excellent" may be wiped out, but they are a 

delicious, easy-to-make cookie.

Oh, wanted to mention that Gabby called out last Friday so my father didn't get the luxury of a goodbye after all. When my sister called me with the news Friday morning, they were feeling a little low. I decided to gather up some lunch and head for their place as a bit of a diversion for us all. I don't think that I've seen my sister since last fall.


Besides, I wanted to see the new sofa. Looks good, but I didn't get a photo. I visited for a couple of hours and then came home stopping by Hobby Lobby on my way. Those lemon slice placemats under the tea saucer were my score. I am eager for spring.

~fun fabric for a friend~

Made another bowl cozy and while selecting the Rt 66 fabric, I selected a few other fabrics as well. Who knows who may get a bowl cozy next. Ha!

 

Bowl cozies are something that I would never have thought I would use or like, but I really do. I enjoy being able to stick something in the microwave and being able to remove hot soup, chowder, oatmeal, whatever without burning my hands or getting a pot holder stuck in the food. I also use them when I am eating ice cream so my hands don't freeze...plenty cold enough without that. There are lots of tutorials out there. I use a combination of several.

~not a bowl cozy~

Then my Instagram and blogger friend Linda did an amazing tutorial on a sweet little draw bag called a "petal pouch." I have been wanting something easier for my makeup than a traditional makeup bag and had decided to make some sort of satchel that would open completely and allow me to grab my stuff because I am tired of pawing around. Anyway, this is how it turned out. I made it from vintage sheets because I didn't want to waste any fabric if it did not work out. No worries as Linda did a very thorough explanation of each step with pictures! Linda made hers with complementary fabric. You can find her tutorial HERE at MySewWhat blog. I think it would make a sweet handbag for little girls or as a way to present a gift. What do you think?

 ~second ribbon choice as first was too flimsy~

~my bodkin has seen better days~

 ~for my purposes a lot of ribbon was required~

 ~it works!~

Sheer Wisdom from butter London was one of my birthday gifts. I love this stuff. It is described as a "lush lip oil." 

That's a wrap...


I took a selfie wearing the lush lip oil, but decided against using it. Whiplash I don't mind giving you, but I am opposed to frightening you.


Thank you for the input you gave on my last post. I certainly don't want anything to happen to our happy little corner of Blogdom. If you have any ideas about ways to inject some enthusiasm or energy, please share.


A happy Monday and a good week. Hopefully, I'll find my way back soon.

Finally! Some Clothes!

Back when I used to play...prior to John's passing. This was first scheduled for May 23, 2016. 
***

~new "spring" outfits~
Tammy's skirt is similar to mine, though her top is made from an old handkerchief. We especially love the little embroidered flowers and the trim on the bottom of her skirt.

Vee found this broken baby ring in an old jewelry box. It  makes a pretty bracelet for Tammy.

I'm wearing a bracelet, too. Around my neck. Vee thinks it is the bracelet that her mama bought while on her senior class trip to the White Mountains way back in 1952. 
Guess that's all you'll see from Tammy and me until we get more outfits. My guess is that Vee is not in the mood for playing just now and we'd better resign ourselves to these dresses for some time.
Have a great day!

Wrapping Up the Wrap Around Blouse

Running just a titch late because I have been wrapping packages a little earlier than expected. Bad weather has changed weekend plans so John is off this morning to deliver his gifts.

Only one grandgirlie has a birthday this weekend, but we use the opportunity to gift the other birthdays we have already missed or will miss soon.

Now this is not a tutorial. I don't do those. They are terribly difficult. I have been reading several tutorials on this subject and I give them all a 

-C. A+ for effort, though. I did promise that I would share more today for those who have expressed interest. I am not sure how often I will be sewing children's clothes, but I would like to learn how to sew some of my own so this should have helped, even if I feel as if I have dragged myself over a mountain in low gear.

 This is the handy sewing gadget that helped me most because it provides a grid and curves, etc. I bought mine for about $10 at JoAnn's a few years ago and it is still good as new. Below you can see that it folds out. It takes the entire top of a double bed. I created my own pattern after looking at lots of patterns. 

My notes probably only make sense to me. I am spatially challenged...wish I were more like Elf cutting snowflakes, but not so much. Nevertheless, I did cut my own pattern using freezer paper wrap. I looked up children's sizing charts online and found a number of them.

Lined and ready for buttons and buttonholes!

I was hoping for lady bugs or something, but both John and I decided these would make a better choice. There are certainly many from which to choose. These red buttons were made in Italy. One of the things we did not like to see was that most buttons are made in Taiwan or China.

As regards buttonholes...practice, practice, practice. Though I prayed, The Lord allowed me to rip them out a number of times. Mercy me! I finally decided that good enough would have to do. Perfection is crippling. Nothing moves forward on perfection.

Poor Light for photos, but the finished product above and below. The grandgirlies are not twins; they are cousins.

Well, somebody had to try it on!

After, I finished the project, I found this vintage pattern. It was published in 1976. It does have that helpful pattern photo in the lower right of the pattern.

If anyone has further questions, get in touch. I'll send you more information behind the scenes, especially after I gave that grade. ;>

*Link to free pattern for wrap-around sizes 2 to 6 at Craftsy*

Would you like a sneak peek at John's project? He's in low gear, too.

Ending with some photos of the garden...

Finally, more color!

The stunning Boleros. I think they are a tomato red, but some read them as orange. They are vivid. This is the photo I used for the substitute banner just below my header. If I can't do a header in the traditional way, I'll use the new feature to add some change.

Don't forget, nothing can separate us from the Love of God. (I am feeling very sad this week because of the moral decay in my country.) The Supreme Court is not my God; The powers that be are not my God. I'm listening for the trump every day. Now go and create a beautiful weekend!

Another Ho-Hum

What a difference five days, warmer temps, and rain make. 
I left you in winter and today can prove that spring arrived in the interim. I can prove it like a Northern Gal does. No forsythia, no daffodils, no tulips nor such things. What I can show are dwindling snowbanks, robins, and thermometers.

 ~above 70°F~ I can also show that the town has been abuzz with activity. The sound of chainsaws and leaf blowers are in the land. Alas, this means that another well loved tree has been felled in the neighborhood. We will lose at least two more before the end of summer. It seems that the chickens have come home to roost and that the Ice Storm of '98 is having the final say nearly two decades later.

The side lawn has been loaded with rain-dancing robins. They do love to fake out the worms and have themselves a meal. This robin was closest to my window and, for a while, he seemed to enjoy posing, until he didn't.

~getting testy~
I have been happily puttering in the sewing room trying anything new that might teach me a better way of accomplishing something. These are some of my latest efforts.

A little who knows what on my wall made from gifted scraps and an embroidered dresser scarf that my mother made years and years ago. It's an odd and highly eclectic mess. I wish that I had had enough of the darker green fabric because it has an "oriental" vibe with butterflies, dragonflies and waterlilies. I learned two things: 1) fabrics need to be more cohesive 2) one can not use the best binding method with very small projects.

~wonky~

Then I saw a unique pattern on You Tube that I wanted to try. (Link to pattern at Missouri Quilt Company) Anyway, when I went to the scrap material, I found that my mother had already sewn four strips together. I love things like that. These are the colors she chose, the fabrics she selected, except for the border material.

Here it is on the table with forsythia branches being forced. They're stubborn! Oh, by the way, if you have forsythia, I found *the neatest article* on pruning it. Mine did not bloom last year so this means that I pruned the bushes incorrectly.

John and I are off for the morning. We don't get out much these days so I am looking forward to this errand-running time.

A fine spring (or fall) day to you!