Just Chain Me to the Sink

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, we are having a wonderful time here but absolutely no sewing is being done. I have been cooking and washing dishes for the past 3 days. Four grandchildren ages 2 and under are running around and 10 adults (we nood that many to keep track of the kids). I am about ready to start the turkey but first I have to run to Wal Mart because I forgot to get a roasting pan and we are out of butter. I like Wal Mart at 7 am cause it isn't crowded but then when I was checking my email there was a notice about early morning specials today so I hope it is not too bad.

I hope you all have a great day, I know we will and I can't wait until tomorrow - no cooking, only leftovers!

Pillowcases, Pictures - Oh My

I know blogs are supposed to have pictures so today I am going to try and add one to my post.

As you know I have been working on a guest room. I decided to get new sheets for the bed to coordinate with the rest of the room, which is blue and brown. I have made my own pillowcases for years because I have always thought that the cases were way too expensive, especially when I can buy a twin flat sheet *which usually costs about half of the price of one set of 2 cases) and make 4 cases. I have always folded down the hem and sometimes I used my embroidery machine for a decorative touch but for the last year or so I have been wanting to try the cases with contrasting bands made in a tube. I already had fabric for the bands and I bought an extra twin sheet to match the sheets.

I started last night while we were watching Heroes on the DVR. It seems that every time I sit down to watch Heroes I fall asleep, so about halfway through I got up and started cutting everything out. Perfect - I know how the episode ends and I got something accomplished! Then I wanted to try out the technique so I sewed all of the bands on. This morning I had about 30 minutes before work and I completed one pillowcase and half of another. After dinner I finished the rest and as the clock struck 7:00 I was looking for the camera to take a picture.

This method is faster than my old folded in hem and looks much better. I had a yard of each fabric and since each band took ten inches I could not make them all the same but by alternating the band and the flange fabric I got the 4 cases that coordinate and I have leftover fabric for my scrap projects. I can't wait to make more pillowcase!

Redecorating

Okay the painting is done and I just whipped up some curtains (well actually I remade some purchased ones, but they will do)and the carpet is clean. This fall I got hooked on a couple of tv shows while staying with my daughter after she had a baby. We watched lots of Clean House and I got hooked on Top Design. I kept marveling at how fast they could paint a room - not me. Of course the biggest difference is that the rooms they do are totally empty. We had to work around the bed, bookcase, dresser and various other obstacles. First we did it while painting and then I had to do the same thing while cleaning the carpet.

The curtains look pretty good and they do make the room more homey, I did have to send the guys to Dragon Berry as a reward for putting up the rod. Now if Trent will jsut finish cleaning up his stuff I can be done in there and start worrying about the rest of the house.

End of the week report

Another week has flown by, in the news they were moaning about Christmas being less than 40 days away and the retailers are worried. I am not as stressed as I usually am, I just keep working on things and take them as they come. The thing I am getting worried about is Thanksgiving, it is just over a week away.

Yesterday I painted my son's room, I invited my daughter-in-law over to help and she was gracious enough to come. I had thought it would not be that big of deal but it turned out to be pretty major. I think I have been watching too many home improvement shows lately - they make it look so easy - then I realized that when they paint a room it is completely empty, that never seems to work for me. Kari and I spent the day maneuvering around furniture and moving it back and forth but the painting is done. Now I have to clean the carpets (moving the furniture back and forth as I go again) and get the room arranged.

Of course I have a vision for this room but I am pretty cheap so I am trying to use what I have already. I do have a quilt planned for the bed but that won't happen before company comes - oh well.

So this week I am planning to finish the guest room, clean the rest of the house and do some cooking for the next week. I hope to sneak some sewing in too, I have some Christmas gifts in the works.

Day by Day

Today was not quite as productive as I had hoped. Thanksgiving guests start to arrive in less that 2 weeks and I have a whole house to get clean. I plan to turn my son's room into a guest room and I want to paint it on Saturday but so far he has been pretty slow in cleaning up his stuff. I should point out that he is really a guest right now as he is just here while he is taking a break from college. He should be leaving in January so I think of him as a temporary resident. I did work on my room and the scrapbook/dining room.

I did get to sew today. I have been anxiously waiting to have fabric to try the Studio Tantrum pattern "Redondo". I cut it out and sewed it up this afternoon. Sizing is a little iffy so it will either be for Sprite or Princess - whoever it fits best. The other grandaughter will get one after I figure out the sizing. The skirt turned out very cute and I can't wait for the girls to try it on! I also got to work on some "Secret Stuff" - that's our code for some special occasion is coming and I can't talk about it in public. I realized that I can't post much of what I am working on right now because it qualifies as "Secret Stuff"

Never Say Never

When I was first introduced to blogging a few years ago I thought it was the weirdest thing a person could do - I mean how geeky and self centered could you be? And what about the people who read the crazy things? Don't they have a life? Then about a year ago I started to actually read blogs and I was amazed at how interesting it was to peek into someones life and see what they were doing. I was inspired by these people as they shared their talents and abilities.


So here I am ready to share a bit of my life but do I really have anything to say that would be of interest to anyone else? I hope so, if nothing else maybe I will have a record of what I have done. I have been following some blogs for awhile and have learned so much that I hope I can share some of what I know with others.

I am a mom, grandma, wife, daughter, sister, friend and woman who has lived on this earth for awhile. I am in love with my sewing machine. I go to church every week, I cook dinner most nights, I sew nearly every day, I read a lot of books, I research my family history, I scrapbook, I try many crafts, and I sometimes clean house. Did I mention I like to sew?


Sewing has long been a passion of mine, for the last 5 or so years my sewing has mainly focused on quilting but now that I have four adorable grandchildren I am getting back into clothing construction.


What do I plan to do with this blog? I hope to share my projects, my frustrations, my successes and maybe share some of the things I have learned about sewing along the way.


Feel free to join me on the journey.