Vintage Love

I love just about anything vintage - which includes advertisements.  A little “Madmen style” goes a long way with me.  But I have to question whether my skill at boiling an egg would qualify me to make AND embroider a blouse!

Dang, my Husqvarna didn’t come with this kind of guarantee…..

From one with some experience, she needs to be careful on the ladder ;o) 

I want her hat

Really?  Stout?  Call me stout now and see what happens. 

 

Leaving the painting to the professionals....

I used to think Home improvements were my “thing”….I’ve changed out a bathroom sink faucet, installed ceramic tile, wallpapered and painted more bedrooms than I care to think about.  All without incident – no hammer mishaps (still have all my fingers) but my streak of luck ended on July 5^th.  I was fortunate to have a 4-day weekend for the holiday and decided to paint the family room.  Since the room has 12 foot ceilings, I had to drag in the 8ft step ladder to reach the top of the wall.  I had just finished “cutting in” all the windows, doors and ceiling – not sure if I was excited to finally get to the “roller” part or too concerned about whacking the tv, but when I brought my right leg around to start my descent down the ladder I missed the rung and fell about 5ft to the floor.    Well, more like a body slam to the floor!  I landed on my left side – thought I’d dislocated my shoulder, since elbow and wrist went numb, but within a few minutes I was able to move my shoulder around.  After a trip to the emergency room, I had nothing broken but had traumatized the nerve and tendon from my elbow to my wrist.  Oh man, this is torture for me – I’ve got painting to finish, yard work to do, and 12 people coming over for a bbq the very next weekend…. now I’ve buggered up my arm and hauling it around in a sling.  Let me just say, when I dig a hole for myself, I dig it deep……….

All worked out just fine, but I’m still in pain and now my Doc has suggested I see a specialist for an MRI.  Not sure, but that doesn’t sound good. 

 

Each time this little guys shows up I run for my camera.  And for weeks I run back only to watch him fly off.  This particular day he hung around – I figured he felt sorry for the “old outta breath chick with her arm in a sling” as he hung out for a full photo shoot.

 

 

Baseball, Bindings and Bloomage

It’s happened.  That’s me in the stands whoopin’ and hollerin’ at my grandkids to ruuuu-nnn faster!  I’ve became one of those nutty grandparents yelling “dig in” and “choke up on the bat”….I tell ya, I never shut up…..whether they’re in or outfield, I’ve got something to say…. And I’m sure the coaches just love me. *wink!

 

Ms. B’s first year in Blastball, prequel to T-Ball

  Little Man’s first year in coach pitch. 

This is the last week of the season, I'm going to miss going to their games! 

I doubt the coaches will miss me!

 

A binding we will go….

2 down, about 4 more quilts to go….

 

New Blooms on the south lawn,  oh who am I kidding - the backyard.

My new shady area tucked between the trees

 

 

 

 

Oh sure, a squirrel did it.....

Like I’m suppose to believe that?  While out back checking the new grass seed, The Hubs found my leaf bird bath broken.  When asked how it happened, he said he thought a squirrel had broken it.  Really?  A squirrel?  Oh sure, a few nights prior he’d seen a squirrel skirting around it.  Just me, but I think it would have to be a pretty big squirrel (like maybe groundhog sized) to knock the bird bath off the stand….so I say, I’m guessing a squirrel was involved, but maybe the dog was chasing the squirrel and knocked over the bird bath.  Oh no, he was pretty sure it was a squirrel and not HIS dog.  Regardless, the birds will have to bath elsewhere.

I can’t remember how many leaf castings I made before

one would fit on the stand.  I'll weep softly.

What do you think?  She looks guilty to me.

Spring Fever

I’ve been bitten by the gardening bug. I’m trying desperately to get my flower beds in order.  They’re in sad shape due to the drought last summer. Thought I’d lost a couple of shady area ferny type plants, I babied them all summer long, watering, adding a little fertilizer, putting up little obstacles so the dog couldn’t trample only to have them dwindle away by late July. Surprisingly, they returned this spring, but I lost a few other perennials I thought were in good shape.  No green thumb under these garden gloves!

 

 

Lastly, my Yellow Brick Road Rose bush – a wonderful gift from my Beta Sigma Phi sisters, for being the out-going Prez this past year. 

Much appreciated!

How much time does that leave for quilting?  A big fat zero for me!  I can’t tell you the last time I’ve used my sewing machine.   A while back I decided to “finish-up” some projects gathering dust.  I’m ashamed to say I’ve got a stack of quilts without the binding on them.  Binding and I do not get alone.  I told myself to suck it up and get busy on some binding or I wouldn’t let myself start another project.  Without much... kicking and screaming, I’m on my second quilt binding.

2nd quilt without binding

 

 

 

Ahh, now where was I…..?

How long has it been since I’ve posted?  Far too long I’m afraid.  I know I’ve been busy, but for the life of me I can’t recall everything that’s kept me away…..oh wait, I can think of one thing….I went to Paducah!  Oh yeah, this chick finally made it to Quilt week in Paducah, Kentucky.  I’ve dreamed about it, talked about it and finally made the journey.  Was it all I thought it would be?  Absolutely and more!  Not only was the shopping top notch, but quilt “celebrities” were crawling all over the place.  We stayed in Grand Rivers which is about 35 minutes east of Paducah. Thinking we were way outta the “quilter’s” loop – only to see Lisa Bongean walk past our table at Patti’s 1880’s Restaurant.  Love that woolly woman!  The next morning our first stop was at the Quilt in a Day show to see Eleanor Burns - if you haven't already, it's a must see show - she has an insane amount of energy.  The following day, on over to the AQS to hob nob with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims.   By hob nob, I mean I passed by their booth and pointed with the o.m.g. face on. 

 

I lack in pics.....can you believe I forgot my camera?  I borrowed a camera, not being familiar with it, most of my pics were blurry.  Boo.

 

Miss El

A quilt fav from the show – wish I could find the pattern

My haul..

 

 

 

 

Calvin and who?

Hobbes! Apparently, I've been living in a cave.... I kind of remember who Calvin & Hobbes are, but I wasn't much of a comic’s reader, so I wasn't real familiar with these characters.  Wyatt (grandson) has recently became a huge fan and requested I make him a Hobbes plushy.  Not knowing much about Hobbes and had never made a plush before, this chick figured she’d pick one up on the internet!  Wrong, this toon was never merchandised so any Hobbes plushy you can find is “homemade”.  This is well beyond my comfort zone - I did not want to make this plushy.  Thinking I could bribe Wy into wanting something else, he informs me “but, grandma – you’re the best sewer I know”…..initially, I melted.  What a sweet thing for a little boy to say!  While standing in line purchasing the orange and black fleece, it occurred to me “hey, wait a minute, I’m the ONLY sewer he knows”………
 
The search was on, I was able to find a pattern for Hobbes, but I could never get the tutorial to open.  I fumbled my way through it and was able to whip a Hobbes together.

This would be the 2nd head I had to make - the first muzzle and nose was crooked.  Did you know it's nearly impossible to rip out a seam on fleece?

Tail, not complete

Arms without stripes

We're gettin' there.... I added the stipes to his body before adding the white tummy part - which I blanket stitched on.

 

One Hobbes, complete.

For fear of Miss Beezer wanting a plushy, I purchased a teddy bear and sweetened the deal with a My Little Pony (her fave at the moment) figure. I'd give anything for her NOT to ask me to make another plush!