A Baggy Weekend

 It was chilly this weekend.  ( But sunny, and I  really should have been in the garden!)  So I stayed inside and did some sewing.

I was given this great bag, by Maruca, as a gift quite a few years ago.  I love it (except for the very skinny strap) and wanted to replicate it. 

I've used this as a pattern before, but couldn't find the tissue paper tracing I had made. So I started over, using that pellon stuff with the (in theory only!) one inch grid printed on it. It's sturdier than tissue anyway.

Some of the members of my online quilting group may recognize this fabric as a gift we got at our retreat in Seattle ( I think)

I cut out the pieces from the outer fabric, pinned them to batting and quilted them.  The lining pieces are muslin.









And here's the bag. It has two roomy outer pockets and one small pocket inside.

The bag fabrics were just samples or remnants, so there wasn't enough for the strap.  I found a stripe in my stash that looked pretty good- and made the strap 1 inch wide for comfort!

I had some pieces left over, so I made this little key chain wallet, using this pattern, by Susie Shore designs.  I made one to test the pattern before our vacation, and made some changes to this one.  I'll do the next one different again.




It opens up to reveal a credit card pocket and a larger pocket at the bottom.  In the pattern, it is a zippered change pocket.  I almost never have change, so I left the zipper off which gives me a place for secure credit card storage, or my headphones!








So, then, I made this quilt



(Based on this work by Victor Vasarely)















Into a duffel (Is it duffel, or duffle???)  bag to use as a carry on next time I fly.

I made the only "Leftover" piece into a pocket!

 I used instructions I found here- which fit the size of my quilt almost perfectly!

I used the quilt label for an inner pocket.

It's nice and roomy, so will also be big enough to use for day trips, or overnights!  The best part is, I know no one is going to steal it- whether because it would be too easy to spot, or simply because it's weird.  (You can say ugly, if you want to.)


I'm still nagging about carrying your empty drink bottles home for recycling. I read recently that the average American creates 4.3 pounds of waste a day, but recycles or composts only 1.8 pounds of that- even though much more is recyclable!  Check out some other recycling facts.
 We are such a throw away society, accustomed to just leaving garbage everywhere.  That mindset has to change!  If you carry it in, carry it out and recycle it!!!


I am grateful for:
The gift of regular visits with Jonathan.
Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.
A play day with my BFF
Some sewing time
I already had a couple of Prince's best albums, and listening to them made me less sad.

Spring gardening enthusiasm!!!

The first warm and wonderful days of spring came over the weekend.  So I spent two wonderful days doing the backbreaking and sometimes impossible job of cleaning the gardens in preparation for the glorious season to come.  (I have the damaged fingers and sunburn to prove it!)

   I have LOTS of bulbs planted all over, so I get early color in almost every corner of the "grounds".






Sadly, we had a late snow/ freeze, so any that tried to come out early look like this

 

 My pink Helebore is getting so big I will have to divide it soon.   The flowers are so beautiful, I'm sure I'll enjoy them anywhere I can find a spot for them.

 These are called scilla. I love the bright blue; I wish I could find some summer flowers in the same shade!

 I've forgotten the name of these at the moment. 

 The snow glories and early daffodils look like a bouquet in the "lawn"

 This bed is the next excavation project, obviously.  Grass roots are evil and insidious and impossible to remove.  (so when I hear of a grassroots organization, I am not going to support them!)

So this is my Earth Day post.  Get out and enjoy nature.  Learn to appreciate the gifts we have been given to enjoy on this planet.  And remember- there will be NO jobs when there is no air to breathe!!!

I am grateful for:
Any time I can spend with the kids.
I have two sweet kittens in my nursery to play with.
A friend who wanted me to come keep her company at work.
An excuse to make cheesecake brownies.
Sunshine and having the house windows open.

Just Passing Through

So over a year ago, I promised Cait a new canopy for her swing.  It's one of these.

 I never saw the original one, so I had to wing it.  I put the frame together the best I could without the hardware- using crochet hooks and masking tape.  You know, like girls do.  

 

It fits pretty good!  I can't wait to see it on the swing.  I'll get a picture when they put it together.  (Because I know everyone who reads my blog won't be able to sleep until they see the finished project.)  

 

Sewing through that heavy fabric did not make my sewing machine happy.  It was due for a tune up, so I took it right in the next day.  Good thing I have an extra, so I can sew if I find some time. 

Otherwise, the only accomplishment I can share is finishing this knitted bear.  He's about 8 inches tall.  The pattern was designed by Megan Kreiner, published in "Love of Knitting" last fall.  Cute pattern, but the instructions were a bit vague.   Good thing it wasn't my first stuffy.











 I've read a few articles lately about coal companies going bankrupt.  I know there are people whose livelihoods are dependent on the coal industry- and I feel bad for those families.  (Not the rich bastards who won't actually lose a penny!)  However, closing down every coal power plant, and ending the destruction of formerly beautiful mountainous areas is wonderful news for our planet.  By comparison to strip mining and blowing off mountain tops, miles of wind turbines to generate electricity in Texas seem quite scenic!!
Hopefully, cleaner technology will move into those areas and help those families- and our climate- recover. 

I am grateful for:
Being able to surprise my kids with something wonderful!
Sitting in the sun on the front porch, reading the paper.
Time spent with my quilting friends.
Being excited, when I used to be scared.
A fine spring day in the forecast!

Running fast, but getting nowhere

Since we got back from our vacation, I haven't had much free time.  I went back to work the next day, and didn't feel like I was back in my own time/ dimension/ life until the following weekend- which was Easter. 
It was gorgeous- near 70 degrees!- on Easter Sunday and I spent several wonderful hours in the gardens; cleaning up and even transplanted a couple of errant Hollyhocks.  I'm guessing they did not enjoy the snow we got this weekend.

Then softball season started.  I have to go to as many of the games as I can, since this is Amy's last season.  









Which brings me to the weekend just past.  I spent Saturday having a "girls' day" out shopping with Kiara.  We went to the mall food court for lunch. ("junk food" and "grandmother" goes together, you know!)  Her other favorite part of the mall is the little playground.

 On Sunday, I spent the day with Jonathan.  Yup, he's starting to walk!  And he is awesome!  I can't imagine a better way to spend the day than watching him explore and playing with him- and especially singing him to sleep at nap time!






All of this is not to say I have had no creative time.  I colored a page from my brand new Jane Sassaman coloring book!

And I finished the first of what could become many "Opulent Ornaments." Paula Nadelstern shared these with us last October.  I used one of the fabrics I didn't use in class for this.  The motifs are a bit small for the ball.  It looks nice, but I'm working on another one with a smaller ball.  Stay tuned.

I thought daylight would make them sparkle, but it washed the beads out.  
Below is the same ball on the candle holder where it will live- for now.

This one will be after the smaller blue one.  This is an older Amy Butler fabric design called Lotus.
The beads I plan to use are soft yellow and gold.  I'm finding sequins in interesting colors harder to locate. 

 Earth Day is quickly approaching. This year, we should plant trees.  I saved some pine cones last fall, and the seeds are now ready to plant.  I'll start them in pots so I can keep an eye on them.  Last year, I potted baby trees I found in the yard and gardens, with the hope of planting more trees along the side of the road out front. (hoping the roadside destruction crew will leave them be, of course).   Don't want to plant a tree?  Find other ways to get involved!  There are a LOT of events scheduled!

I am grateful for:
The fairy frost along the sides of the road this morning.  (which I'd never have enjoyed without the very cold weather last night)
Being so close to the grands!
America for writing my "magic" song.
At least we have "Fear the Walking Dead" to help us with the withdrawal.
The girls who came by at lunchtime and gave me M&M's.

While on vacation....

So, we went to the southwest on vacation, and the grand Canyon is indeed a wonderful sight to behold.  I think the word "awesome" must have been uttered first by someone standing near it, as it is really the only word to describe it.  

However, there was inspiration in the more simple things along the way as well. 

 This bench is in "Standin' on the Corner Park" in Winslow, AZ.  I just loved the design the sun made below!

 The noise barrier fence along the freeway somewhere near Phoenix has these little squares all along the edge. 






It looks like a series of modern quilts!

The colors in Petrified Forest National Park are pretty cool!

From the colors in the petrified wood--

 -to the beauty of the "blue mesa"! (which looked more purple to me)












I had seen this picture before we visited the VLA in New Mexico, in fact it inspired me to turn this little mosaic into a galaxy.















I also did some knitting along the road- when my face wasn't pressed up against the window.
 I finished knitting this "wingspan" shawl, using a silk sock yarn. It's lightweight and very soft!
I made one of these before, using a  yarn with more gradual color changes, so each wedge was almost a different color.  I may add beads along the edge of this, or maybe just at the points. 





I take my water bottle with me everywhere and refill it.  There were many "Hydration stations" as we traveled- even in some of the airports!  I was also very gratified to see so many recycling bins available as we traveled.  Still, many people tossed recyclables into the trash.  And the amount of garbage I created due to the fact that most hotels only offer disposable dishes in their rooms and breakfast bars made me very sad.  Sad.
We have to find a way to change the mindsets of the people on this planet!  Those of us who give a damn must make our voices heard and demand sustainable options.  (That being said, I did not make an issue of it at the hotels.  The desk clerk and breakfast chef have no say in the matter, after all.  I'll have to write a letter to the corporate office to be heard.)

I am grateful for:
The beauty of our world.
My hubby, who puts up with traveling with me.
Time visiting friends along the way.
Getting over my airplane anxiety!
Coming home again. (there's no place like it)

A few days of Heaven!!!

 I spent last weekend at Camp Asbury, on beautiful Silver Lake- at the Guild's annual retreat. 

 My sewing space started out nice and neat- for the first few minutes!

The first project I worked on was a scrap quilt, which will be donated  later this year at a different retreat.    It was a leaders and enders project- I pieced the four patches and half square triangles over the last year- or two??? 

I made a LOT of them, and have a small bag of them left over.    It still needs borders.

Our friend Kathi retired, so Tracy had the great idea to have us all make Kathi a block for a quilt to celebrate. 
  This one was inspired by Amy Butler's "He said she said" pattern.



But someone had suggested we make curse words for her.  So I took leftover strip sets and made a word I hear her use fairly often.   It was fun, and she loved it.  (she only got one or two others.)

I finished a couple of small pieces to donate to the silent auction later this year.

 This was the teaching sample from a class I taught several years ago.

 I don't remember why I bought this kit, but I finally put it together. 

 Julie brought stuff for us to make these fun dolls!

Another leadersand enders project trying to use up some of the millions of scrap therapy squares I have cut.  Also needs borders.  I'm not sure what it's for yet. 

It was a great time, and I can't wait for next year!!!!

Have you heard about the decline in honeybees?  There are simple things we can all do to help bring them back!

I am grateful for:
Four days away from the world.
Sewing to my heart's content!
Laughing until tears run down your leg. 
My cough is much better.
Hubby understands why I need to get away.

Good timing?

So, winter arrived for real this week.  Above is what it looked like around the time I should have left for work.  The plows had not been by my house, so I stayed home.

This is what it looked like around the time I would have come home from work.











It took hubby over 2 hours to clear the driveway.  I think the snowblower is 24 inches high.

I think I made the right choice to stay home!










Crossing something off my UFO list, I finished this project last  weekend.  I started in in January of 2015, and forgot all about it until I couldn't find it to hang last month.    The pattern is called "Out on a Limb" - by Wendy Butler Berns.

I had to swap out on section, which is probably why it didn't get finished last year. 
The fabric in the center, with the trees, had the glitter on it already.  I added a layer of sparkle netting to the next section, then added crystals and glitter to the border, so the whole thing sparkles like fresh snow on a sunny day.

I also thread painted frost on the tree branches using a wonderful silk metallic thread by YLI.

 So, I got it done just in time for the arrival of winter, but just a bit late to hang in January- or VERY early?  It's all in the timing.

Here is a small ray of hope in the movement to restore the monarch butterfly's habitat.  Personally, I think not mowing and/ or spraying every inch of the side of the road would make a huge difference.  But the  roadside destruction committees continue to destroy anything in their "right of way"- you know that section of YOUR land that you have no say in how it is maintained???

I am grateful for:
Meditation giving me a little clarity- even if I cannot find a solution.
Getting to go to half of the Guild meeting.
The support of co-workers.
Spending some time with the extended family.
Having the sense to stay home when the storm hit Tuesday.


(Finally!- It has taken me three tries over four days to finish this post!)