Oh what a busy life we lead

I started back to work full time this Monday. Boy did the whole family feel it. By today, Wednesday, everyone has been a little cranky.  Just a little.

I have been mia for a couple of weeks so here are some things we have done.

 Starting cutting these babies for a manly quilt. Going to be VERY cool!

Had a yummy dinner and some good wine with my in-laws. The girls had a blast too! I bet baby Clara can't wait till she can keep up with these three!

Worked hard in my classroom! I did a LOT of different things this year and made some new things too. I thought this sign was too cute to not use! Made it with the cricut and then laminated it.

Thoughts:

This was my Gradmother and Granddaddy Goodman. Grandmother's birthday was this month. She was a special education teacher for 45 years.  Goodness me!

Here is my Meme, mom's mom. People say I look a lot like her. Thought since I was posting one Grandmother I will post the other.

This week ahead:

so much to finish!  Parent information packets, info cards, names cut out for desk, papers put away, pencils to sharpen, first week copies to be made, lesson plans to write, and I am sure I am forgetting something.

;o)

See ya later!

Block 5

I finally was able to get block 5 knocked out.  Well one of them at least.

I must say that I am really enjoying this pattern and all the new sewing techniques I have learned.

Only 3 more blocks to make and then I can begin to assemble this quit top. This quilt is a Christmas gift and I am so excited to give it to them.  ;o)

 I am SO proud. I mean SO proud of that center point.  Looks easy, but matching up HST points can be tricky. Thankfully through classes I have learned a few tricks to help you.

Took this picture with my mistake. I fixed it later. This is block 5, one of two. The other is in blues.

Hopefully once school gets under way I can pick and night and get back to a good sewing schedule. I very much DISLIKE not being able to sew all day.

YIKES

NOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please say it isn't so!!  School isn't starting is it?

Sadly.......yes...... it.....is.... ;o(

But I am ready. My room is done. That is a HUGE step.

List of things to do:

1. Make first day copies for kids
2. Make my parent classroom information packet copies
3. Sharpen pencils  hehehehe
4. Cut laminating
5. Laminate game packets
6. Again cut laminating
7. Make info cards for parents to fill out
8. Write lesson plans
9. Cut out new classroom signs oh and laminate
10. Cut name tags out for desk
11. Oh CUT laminating.  HA

 
See a theme there?  Since this was the year of dong new things, I decided to step up and make more games.  Also since I will have different students than I have ever had, I am doing some different things with my math centers too!

Go me!  Year to be and do different!

Happy Sunday everyone!

Wish list

I am VERY, let me say that again....  VERY fortunate in the sewing machines and items that I own. I have a great Aunt that got me started and my mother-in-law that keeps challenging me in my sewing projects and techniques.

I decided to start a wish list of some sewing items I would like and will be working towards.

1.  I would like some triangle rulers to help me better measure my HST. Here are a few I have seen in action and read about. Not sure which one I will choose. Do you own one? suggestions welcomed (From left to right: 1. Perfect Half-Square and Quarter-Square Triangles Ruler. 2. Fons and Porter Half and Quarter Ruler by Omnigrid. 3. Perfect Corner Ruler. 4.

1. Easy Angle Ruler)

 





2.  Roller cutter. I have a good fiskars 45mm roller cutter, ok I admit I have 3. I kind of have a thing for scissors and cutters.  ;o) What I would like to add to my collection is this one it is a Olfa Quick Change 60 mm Rotary Cutter.

Now I would love to have one of these. I love a good ole seam ripper, BUT there are times when you have a long seam to rip and not enough tv time to go with it. Peggy's stitch erasure.  ;o)

You can never have enough of these

This is something I love. I need a 2nd one. I get tired of trying to remember to move my pin holder from one side of the room to the other side of the room.

 

Things to do still in my sewing room

1. Make my ironing board/storage thingy.

2. Hang my quilting design wall.

Ballet

Sniff...sniff... Evelyn is growing up!!  Sniff...sniff..  She started her Creative Dance class.  I can't believe she is already old enough for this!!

 Are you ready to go to dance class?  Oh YES Mommy!

 all lined up and ready to go into class.  They are just so cute!!!

 Stretching before they dance.

 Circle time.

She did well enough on her trial class that she will be going every week.  Such a big girl!

Baby shower

The girls and I had a great time at my cousins baby shower.  I can't wait for baby to come so we know what it is!!  Oh this anticipation is killing me!!!! Any who, Jodie is so cute pregnant!

 Out of focus... They wouldn't stop moving.  Evelyn and her cousin Serenity

 Nikki and Grace. Then all the little girls with Nikki. We wore pink in support of us thinking it is a girl!

 Can we help you open gifts?

 Yay she got her high chair. Nice color too.

Oh baby

My cousin is having a baby soon and tomorrow is her shower. Unlike the norm she isn't finding out what baby is till baby day.  ACK!!!  I have waited to make baby something cause well gender neutral fabric is hard to come by these days. Now for older kids and adults NO issue. But sweet, softy baby material. It has been difficult.  I finally found some I am ok with. I will just have to make something once i know what baby is. 

Any who I found this great video on a self binding baby quilt. It was so easy and I love the way they look. I will have to make baby another one, but in either pinks or blues. Hoping for pinks personally.  ;o) My cousin Jodie did love them and got on to me for being fussy.  Oh well I guess my age is getting the best of my fussiness. 

Here is how mine turned out.

I also used some of Red's fancy stitches. So that the back of the blankets would be cute too!

 Jodie and her receiving blankets.

Sewing time with Grace

Grace and I made a little hipster purse for her. She did all the straight seams on the bag. she has a good straight stitch too!  Her Grammy and I helped her with the hard parts. Like boxing corners and sewing the lining to the outer fabric. 

I am so proud!!!

 Look how she is holding those hands?  Perfect!!!!

All smiles as she is about to sew the outer fabric for her purse.

Finished!

Block 4 and 5....umm wheres 3?

I was able to get block 3 and 4 knocked out. I think they look great. 

This is block 4. I know I took a picture of block 4, but ummm.......  Oh well I will post it later

Today I got all the HST ready for block 5. I like how it is turning out. Tomorrow hopefully I will get it all pieced.

Creating a family heirloom

So for weeks now I have been working on a secret quilt for a very good friend of mine. This past fall her Grandfather passed away. Both her and her mother were very close to him. Emily spent some time in Alabama this summer and thought, I should make my mom a lap quilt with some of his shirts. He was a plaid man. And had a love for birds.

Now I have made quilts for others. Yes I should charge, but you know what? I have a skill that others don't and I ha love of giving handmade gifts. My payment for this quilt was an afternoon with Emily. I had her cut for me. I just had surgery and needed the help. I also got a new omnigrid square too! So I came out pretty good. I was talking to my Mother-in-law today as we quilted and I learned how to use the long arm, that sewing is relaxing.  When I have had a hard day at work, I enjoying coming home and sewing. Yes it puts strain on my back, but it puts me in a better mood.

Back to my point. I have wanted to share for weeks now this quilt and today I finally can!!!!

Today I was almost on my own. I am a learner by doing. So Marcia had me tell her how to run the long arm. The parts that I didn't know she lead the way. I found it very easy to use and not as intimidating as she looks. I am excited that I will get to spend more time learning. Oh I also made two sweet pillow cases and embroidered them.  Grace also made a purse today. Busy!?!?? Understatement, but a wonderful day. 

 Quilt all done. Just needs the binding put on.

 The back

 Up close of the pattern I chose.

Here are the pillow cases I made as gifts. The girls LOVED them.