Sewing News

Despite my complaining about the weather...I have been sewing. (And last I looked, it has stopped snowing!)

In January, at our quilt guild meeting, the guest speaker was Elinor Peace Baily. She is fabulous, outrageous and a super funny, friendly lady. It was a pleasure to meet her. I couldn't wait to start making dolls again. I had never used her patterns so I bought a kit with 3 patterns and some face fabric and a couple of books. I decided I would make my daughters dolls again. It's been a long time.


This doll is Penelope, Pretty in Purple and now lives at Jenny's house. I had fun making her and I hope she is happy at her new home.

I'm just a beginner again and this whole new world of creating faces and using color crayons on fabric is quite an adventure.

I have Dee's lady almost finished. She doesn't have a name yet but I am sure when the time comes, a name will come to her.

I have been using my quilting machine again. I'm taking it slow and easy. I quilted a baby quilt--a UFO from March 2007. It is finished and in the box of charity quilts. I also finished piecing and quilted a flannel baby quilt that is ready to be snuggled with but I'm not ready to put it into the charity box. So I'm taking it easy with the quilting machine--I am not going to push myself. But the next quilt just needs to be loaded on. The thread is ready and the top is pressed and laying over the rail patiently waiting to go on. Maybe it will get on there tonight.

In the mean time, I'm working on some blocks for a birthday block exchange. That is what the drunkard's path block is for. The quilt top is based on Quiltville's Scrappy Sister's Choice. Bonnie used 9-patch blocks for her centers but I had these blocks made and decided to use them instead. I need to make a few more and use up more of my 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" bricks from my scrap drawer.

I always have to have something going. Lord knows my UFO box won't starve as long as I keep finding quilt tops to make.

What Gives With the Weather?!?

Today is March 31, it is snowing outside. It started snowing the other day. I didn't think anything of it, it has snowed in March before. But not like this. It started snowing and forgot that it is spring and just kept on.

I'm done now. I want it to stop and to leave. I want my flowers to bloom! The snow can come back in the winter.

Monday the garden area was rototilled. The camillia bush is loaded with buds ready to pop open. I couldn't wait to see them. I don't know what is going to happen now. I'm glad I picked all the daffodils that were budded out. At least I enjoyed them on my window sill.

I want spring and I want some sunshine. I will wait until tomorrow. The weatherman said the sun will come out tomorrow. Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow, you're only a day away!

Happy Birthday DeeDee

My baby's birthday is today. I was feeling a bit sorry for myself and then after talking to her this morning I am laughing at myself. She has a way of putting things right in your face.

I told her about telling my day how old I was feeling and and dad always answers with "how old do you think I feel". He just turned 77, his mother is about to turn 102. Dee says next time Grampa says that I should say "really old!".

So I guess when my Gramma feels old, she is entitled to feel old. And so is my dad. I am not. Even when my oldest and youngest have birthdays a week apart and I have always had moments like this morning, I will think next time I complain about feeling old.

Happy Birthday DeeDee. I hope all your dreams come true!

I cropped this picture trying to get just her face but when I saw the dimples on both cheeks, how could I not share. What a great picture.

Happy Birthday Jen

Today is Jenny's 35th birthday! WOW! Just yesterday we brought her home in her tiny pink blanket.

We are quite proud of the woman she has grown up to be.

I need to go cry now! We love you.

Photo taken by 7 1/2 year old Ian--I think he may take after his mom with the camera.

Day ??? I Lost Track

These are the reasons I am using for not getting things put away in the kitchen. They aren't the real reason though! I think I am coming down with something. Yuk! I don't want to be sick. I have a touch of a sore throat and just feel like crap. So today I worked on my newest socks.

Crystal, Mike and the kiddos came out yesterday. Mike did some touch ups and installed a soap dispenser on my utility sink. Little Big Man was supposed to be taking a nap but he proved to his parents that he is a big boy now and climbed out of the crib! I swear I tried not to laugh. Miss Clella is growing too fast. She responds when you talk to her with that precious smile. Then Dee, Vern and Taylor came out for dinner--thanks again Mike & Crys for the pizza. It was great to have a house full of happy people.


The new sink came in this box and I knew it would be a great new toy. I was right, nothing better than a big box to climb in, on and under. We thought maybe the dogs would leave Clella alone if we layed her down in the box but it wasn't the dogs we needed to worry about! She didn't like it for long so I HAD to hold her for a while.

Here are my new socks. I got the yarn quite a while ago and started them before my surgery. I hate doing the ribbing and the first one isn't as nice as the second one but they are mine and I'm not going to let that bother me. I am working on both socks so I don't get too lost with my yarn pattern. And the fact that I will have them both done instead of just one sock. (Not naming names but there is this one lady I met with a monster stack of single socks. She doesn't like to get bored working on one pair at a time. If I did that, I'd have a huge stack of single socks and no pair to wear!)

The last picture is for Sissy Sue. She had surgery on Monday and now she is home recouping and surfing the web and needed an update. Update for today is a couple more boxes empty, a few more to go.

I haven't comeplety made up my mind about the backsplash. I thought it was made up, I bought the tile and the grout, then Crys came up with another idea. She thinks painted bead board will make a nice backsplash. We even picked out the colors. Now I don't know what I want so I am going to live with it for a few more days. If you click on the picture, you can see the tile on the left of the stove. What do you think???

Gotta go, I'm hoping to get the the toe section tonight.

Days 9, 10, 11

Day 9 brought more dust and noise. Those are good right? It seems the closer we get to being done, the less progress I see. One more trip to town to get the right plumbing stuff. The sink is in, the dishwasher is hooked up. I can get cold water and ice out of the fridge door. I can also lock it because it is quite a fun toy.

Day 10--Can this get any cuter??? Mr. Elliot is trying to put a screw in the screw driver and fix that darn drawer slider thing. Crystal and the kiddos came out to spend the day (yes Mike, we missed you!). Elliot is quite the helper. When you think something is safe, think again cuz he either has it or has had it. It's a good thing he has a short attention span.

Day 11--I spent a good deal of the day in the sewing room. I finished a little towel project for my sister, Karen and then started making more blocks to finish the quilt that is on my design wall. After a couple hours, I came out and almost started bawling! I can't believe this is my kitchen. It's been a long time dream, I never thought it would come true. I really am blessed and I am really spoiled and I like it!

Tomorrow I am going to get the tile for the backsplash and about 10 other little things on my list. I just realized I need to get a new garbage can.

I can't wait to get in there and get things put away. I still don't know where things go and will probably be searching for what I need. But I would rather be searching in drawers and cupboards that searching in boxes.

Thank Goodness Day 1 was only 11 days ago. If it had been longer, I would have lost it! Good thing I haven't been counting since the plan was drawn up. ;-)

Day 8--WOW!

What a difference! I am just a tad bit excited. I was hiding again today in my sewing room. The sheetrock dust was horrible. I heard alot of banging around, tools noisy, nail gun zinging but I was busy sewing and didn't come out for a while. When I did, the upper corner cabinet was in and the one on the right of it was going in! A couple hours later, this is what I saw. Only the counter tops were covered with tools.

Tonight the guys were talking about how much more needs to be done and they figure they should be done on Sunday! (I didn't ask which Sunday--you know, contractor time and all!) Hubby thinks we need a new sink and I'm not going to argue with him about that. If he wants a new sink, a new sink he shall get! (I kinda already have it picked out.) So we are going to the depot in just a few minutes to get it. I'm taking my floormica sample to look at tiles and pick up some paint samples.

Think we'll stop and grab a burger or taco for dinner. I don't want to mess up my kitchen. ;-)

Day 7--Sneaking In Some Sewing :-)

Shhhhh, don't tell! Yesterday I snuck into my sewing room on several occasions and made some quilt blocks. I am still unable to use the rotary cutter for more that a minute or 2. It's a good thing I didn't need to cut much. I had made a quilt a while back called Pinwheels on Parade (this is not my picture but one from the book) from the More Nickel Quilts book by Pat Speth and had 8 completed blocks and 3/4 of the 9th block done. So I sat down and finished block 9, sewed them together and measured my quilt at 24" x24". Not big enough. Then I figured how many light blocks and dark blocks I needed. I pulled out some nickels (5" x 5" squares), some 2 1/2" squares and some bricks (2 1/2" x 4 1/2") and made 11 more blocks. So the top is not quite finished but at least I got some blocks out of my orphan block bin.

Kitchen is coming along--some days seem slower that others. Like Thursday. Alot of stuff happening but not much to see. The new soffet (?) has been made and needs mudded and taped. Then rest of the upper cabinets can be put in. The old window has been covered with sheet rock and that was mudded.

I was the errand and hold this girl. I had to miss Quilt Party :-( but I think I had a pretty darn good reason. And instead of coming home with more projects, I worked on getting one out. One down 847 to go! Or so it seems. I even finished knitting a hat for the preemie babies at the hospital. I now have 7 in my bag and I think I will take those in next time I am in town.

Ok, time to get started with Day 8. Wonder what today brings?????????????

Day 6--Surprise

Wednesday was my sewing day with friends so I was gone all day. (That's why my progress report on Thursday!!) I spent time with my friends, went to Crystal's and got snuggly time with the Clella and Elliot. Then we met Hubby for dinner and Crystal, Mike and kiddos came out to see what was happening. I miss spending time with them.

When I finally got home, I got to see my counter top. I had picked out 3 different colors way back in October. I didn't know which one I wanted and kept looking at them but couldn't decide on one. So when it came crunch time, I held each sample against my "big red mixer" to see which one the mixer liked the best. I couldn't remember the color name so I couldn't go get another sample to use to pick out the backsplash tile. I know, I am a bit on the dorky side! But I'm fun!! So now I will take a big hunk of the "floormica" with me when I go get the tile. I'm leaning toward a nice creamy yellow color with a touch of the green in it and I want off white grout (I think). I'd love to get glass tiles but the $$$ may have me changing my mind. It's always an adventure with me.

Today I don't know what's happening. See, another adventure! I'll wait until Joe gets here and find out. I'm hoping to get the sink in and the dishwasher plumbed in but I don't know what the plan is. You know if he doesn't have one, I do.

Think I'll go vacuum some sawdust out of my cabinets or something.........

Day 5--A Bit More Progress

No picture today but I do have underlayment down almost ready for "flormica". That's what Joe calls formica and it makes me giggle whenever he says it.

I guess I should be thankful that each day brings us a little bit closer to the end of this project. I have waited patiently for my kitchen to be done. (I have too been patient!) I am thankful that this is only going to take a couple weeks and not over a year like my friend Jean's took.

Today I asked to have my washer and utility sink hooked back up. I had a growing pile of laundry and I couldn't do dishes in the bathroom one more time! So Joe got to work on finishing up the plumbing and got everything working again. I never thought I would be happy to do laundry but I am. I would rather be shot in the foot that go to the laundry mat!

After dinner, I headed out to the utility sink and got my dishes washed and dried then brought them back into the kitchen and put them away in the portable dishwasher! Joe says I should be able to put dishes in cabinets in a couple more days but I'm waiting until everything is done. I need time to think about where things are going.

So tonight is being spent folding clothes and putting them away. I know! That is so unlike me!
Now I am going to get ready to watch 2 of my favorite shows. Rob & Big (or Big & Rob) and The Biggest Loser. Yip, another exciting night at Gramma's house!

Day 4 Progress

Today brings progress and frustration. Progress is good. The lower cabinets are in place and a couple of the uppers. There is still adjusting to do. It is taking longer than I thought it would. Joe has to deal with his mother's medical stuff and this week he has stuff to do almost every morning before he gets here. So today's work didn't start until 11:30. Tomorrow will be even later. I'm not complaining--reallly, I'm not. I guess I didn't think about how long it takes to do things.

I really miss my water! I miss my washer! I miss my sink! Tonight I cooked dinner and missed my utensils. But mostly I missed my countertop! I kept trying to set things down and there is nothing to set things down on.

I have to do the few dishes we dirty in the bathroom. Really and truely, that grosses me out! One pot meals are good. It's paper plates, throw away glasses but we need silverware and pans. So it's quick, wash, dry and get them out of there!

Tomorrow the remainder of the uppers go in and then the sheeting goes down. Wednesday the laminate countertop gets glued down while I go to my Wednesday sewing day. Boy do I need that!

What I really miss most is queit. There seems to be noise all the time. Even my breathing is bothering me but I think I'll deal with that and keep on breathing. Maybe I'll think about paint color. What color should I paint The walls and ceiling are looking quite blah!

Day3---Excitement

Work started early this morning--I really wanted to sleep in! I was awake several times in the night with a sore throat and cough. I do not want to get sick. I don't know if it is a cold or if it is from all the dust. I just know that most of the day today I felt like crap!

The day was spent getting the plumbing and electrical work complete. Of course this involved another trip to the Home Depot for errand boy, Hubby. But we gotta have the stuff.

Lunch today was Papa Murphies pizza picked up on the way home from the Depot. Tonight's dinner was mircowaved leftovers. We had to push the range across the kitchen to where the plugger thing is so we could cook the pizza. For some strange reason, the pizza cutter was in the first box I looked in. It really is my lucky day. (Until I opened the oven to put in the pizza and found some of my pans inside! )

Late this afternoon, the cabinets started coming in. And look, hubby is using a level! The base cabinets are set in place but not attatched yet. It sure is looking purty!

As you can see in the last picture, my helper crapped out on me this afternoon. She took a two hour nap and I was extremely jealous of her. When she wore up, a couple of the cabinets were in and she was very excited. I kept teasing her about all the fun she is going to have washing dishes in Gramma's new kitchen!

Day 2--Fun Discoveries

We found newspaper underneath the old flooring. That had to be removed so the floor could be checked for level and can you believe it actually was!!! Anyhow, the paper is dated March 19, 1941. That's almost 67 years it's been under the floor.

There were some great sales happening. When I saw this shoe add, I knew I had to share it with my girls. They all love shoes and to get great Carlisle shoes like these for only $8.95, they would have been waiting for the doors to open at Meier & Frank! Well maybe not all my girls but I know 1 would have been there. The top picture is "New open toe spectator, with medium heel. Tan or black with white doeskin." Or maybe the "summer suede sling pum, open toe and back. Chili red, Brazilian beige, black". Or maybe the "new low heel black pump with the interesting scroll tongue".

Personally, I would have been waiting at the store (no name for this store--that part is missing) for the "New ELDREDGE Electric Sewing Machine". Special at only $44.85 plus your old machine. There is something about a walnut cabinet, latest attachments, free sewing lessons, handy sew-lite and of course there are easy terms.

I googled Eldredge sewing machines but didn't see anything for around the 1940s. I might have to hunt for one of these babies.

Progress today: Plumbing is being replaced, new light above the sink--only have a hanging lamp before, light switch, new outlets and wiring. floor is ready for cabinets and hopefully they start going in tomorrow.

I am feeling pretty special right now.
What's for dinner? We already had deep fried from Fargher Lake Store and I don't want that again for quite a while.

Gremlins!

I think there are blogger gremlins in my computer. So I am going to wait until my patience is a little stronger before I try to edit my last post for the 3rd time. (Breathing in deep as my arms slowly go up in the air, bringing the arms down slow as I exhale!)

I just wanted a little diary of our big job but the blog powers are thinking otherwise.

Good Night, sleep tight.........oh the bed bugs, it's time to vacuum the mattress again!

Day 1--Demo

Today was the big day, demo was complete in less than 3 hours. I'm going to miss my pretty tile countertops. I did them about 8 years ago and I still liked them alot. This morning I gently hugged them goodbye.

After the first set out cabinets went out the door, I ran over to get neighbor Travis to come over and help. I'm certainly not much help and I would hate for Joe to injure himself. (He still has alot of work to do!)

There were many layers underneath and they held a more than afew surprises. In addition to the new quilt pattern, I found a piece of wall paper that I don't remember ever seeing. Joe found a dime dated 1943 behind the old blue tar board that was probably the backsplash.

We saw where the old window had been replaced with a shorter one so the sink could go underneath. I love the view out my window. I remember my Gramma telling me that was the window to the world.

This old house was my grandparents house and we have made many changes to it but there are still vivid memories for me. Like that fan you see up high on the wall.Not too long after we moved in, we took a huge section of wall out to open up between the kitchen and living room. The old oil stove sat in the living room and you pulled the string on the fan to send heat into the kitchen.

Right now the kitchen is naked.......but tomorrow the work starts early. They will install plumbing for my dishwasher and add a few more outlets.

I cannot wait to get in there and get cookin!

Unexpected Surprise

I wasn't looking for a new project but one sort of looked up at me. After the cabinet was taken out, I went over to see what was underneath. Imagine my surprise when I spotted a new quilt pattern!

I had to clean off a spot of the old linoleum so I could take a picture. I would love to have this in the same colors. It would even look great as a scrappy pattern.

This will go into my projects note book and we'll see how long it takes to get started.

Contactor Time Has Begun

Will there ever be a time when contractor time is the same as real people time? I seriously doubt it. I have never ever heard of the start date being the start date.

We were supposed to start taking out the old kitchen cabinets today but our contractor, let's call him Joe cuz that's his name, had a one day delay on his other job. That's ok, because one of these days, I will get to be the "other" job. So I lined up some help for him for Friday since I am still in gimp mode and cannot help too much. So think good thought for Joe today so he can be mine tomorrow. (Oh, that doesn't sound good!)

So, how did I start my day? I made this scrumptious loaf of bread. I have discovered home made Artisan Bread! This is what I created this morning. You can create your own by going to this website and using this 5-Minute Artisan Bread recipe. Really it only takes a few minutes to mix up. Then you have to wait and wait and wait and then you get to bake.

My advice to anyone that tries this: Just go ahead and bake the whole batch (I made 2 loaves out of mine) because it is so darn good that it will be gone in no time. Then make up another batch right away so you can have some on hand and ready to use when you want it. It really is amazing what flour, salt, yeast and water can make. Yummers.

How am I going to bake bread when my kitchen is a mess? I guess the oven will have to stay plugged in! So far, I have resisted cutting into this loaf. I would like it to remain pretty for dinner tonight. Think that's gonna happen????????

I better go find something to do...........ohhhhhhh the butter is already soft.............no, keep it pretty........but the butter..........


edited at 10:45 am
My dear ole dad was just here and spied the fresh bread. He sampled and approved. I resisted. But I am wavering!

Kitchen Setup

Here are my cabinets all set up in the shop like they will be set up in the house. Expect for that one cabinet that is on its side! That one goes above the range for the mirco/exhaust hood. Ohhhhhhh, I'm going to be so fancy. Wonder if it will help my cookin'!

I didn't get as much done today as I wanted to. I felt a bit puney and just lazied around for a while. I did get my fridge cleaned out and the cabinet under the sink is done. In the morning I will tackle the spices and such. Work starts on Thursday.

But I need to go to my Wednesday Gathering of Friends. I like having one day a week when I get to meet up with my friends. Last week I worked on my redwork and I am going to work on it again tomorrow. I am making a Christmas wall hanging that needs 4 blocks and I am on block 2. I hope to have it done in a few more Wednesdays. It's fun to have a special project that I don't think I would work on at home as much. After all, I started it in August! and in 6 months I just started the second block............and they aren't that difficult. I just need to be a doer.

This photo shows our motor home. It is a school bus that we converted several years ago. We haven't been on a trip for a while and I have the itch to go. But first things first......the kitchen need us. I just noticed the window blind. I think someone has something leaning against it. I hope so anyhow cuz what if there is a peeper in there!!!!!!!!!!!

Good night.

It's About To Get Crazy Around Here

Saturday we went to Home Depot!

I love The Depot! We went to get new kitchen cabinets--finally. I have had my plan drawn up since October. Then my plan was put on hold.

Now we are moving forward. This is what 14 pre-made oak cabinets look like. Aren't they pretty???

When we got home, the guys decided to set them up in the shop according to my plan. Good idea boys! I would hate to have to scream and yell at you because you failed to use the proper lay out. They were pretty funny doing this. But I knew exactly where each box went. Of course, I knew. I've been looking at the picture for almost 5 months! But I'm not complaining. It is going to be so fabulous when it is finished. (Somehow I deleted the picture of the cabinets set up in the shop. I will have to post it next time.)

I have all my current cabinets to empty and sort through. It hasn't been too bad, I had already been through most of them and had gotten rid of a lot of stuff. But there is still more to get rid of. I'm having a bit of separation anxiety with my stuff! There are a few things I know I should part with but I'm not going to right now. I will wait until I unpack the boxes and then make that decision. I have time to think about it.

Then there are the pretties that I forgot about. The cute little milk glass fruit plates. And the pretty little green vase that I bought because my Gramma had one that color and I wanted one just for pansies like hers was used for. (Make a note to buy some pansies and plant them!)

But the thing that really has me nervous is how long will I be without my kitchen. Are they going to make me wash dishes in the bathroom or will I have to cook in the motor home??? Lordie, I don't think I thought about that until today. Oh well, it will be an adventure and when it is finished, it really will be fabulous!

Happy Birthday Amanda

Didn't I tell you not to be 11??? I remember writing that to you in an email! I said you couldn't have a birthday this year. I can't believe you are 11. After I got off the phone with you yesterday, I just sat on the couch and cried a bit. It hasn't been that long since we drove to Eugene to wait for your arrival. It was worth the wait!!!

Have a fun year being 11. You may as well start thinking now about 13, because you know I will fight you on that one. But I have a couple years to get my battle plan worked out. How am I going to sabatoge you turning 12? I have to work on that one first.

We love you!