A Zippered Pouch
Feb 28, 2007 Life
Several months ago, I found this tutorial for zippered pouches on Twelve22.org. Immediatley, I saw the potential to fill the world with pouches made by me. For Christmas, I made several for gift. No pictures. I gave them away too quickly. Yesterday, a friend celebrated her birthday. After dealing with the lost of my zipper foot (I still haven’t found it. I’m patiently looking for it.), I made this cute pouch. The fancy soap was provided by another friend.
I love the thought of my making a useful gift with stuff I’ve already purchased. As it is, I’m overwhelmed by my fabric stash. It need to be put to a good use.
Rebounding From the Weekend
Feb 26, 2007 Sewing
Wow! I can’t believe that it’s Monday. Saturday and Sunday flew buy. I spent Saturday grocery shopping and cleaning the house for Sunday. On Sunday, we went to church. Then we got ready for our own little Oscar Party. For the past several years, we’ve hosted an Oscar Party for my family. Last night was filled with good food, an excellent pie, and a close contest. In the end my mom and brother, won our little Oscar contest. I think they guessed correctly 15 out of 22 categories. Before I knew it the weekend was gone.
The reality of today hurt. I was tired at work and emotionally exhausted from a busy weekend. So how did I recover? So, so. I did manage to make it to yoga after work, which always helps put things in perspective. I made omelets for dinner. I like quick meals that don’t make a mess. Then I tried to make a quick birthday gift for a neighbor. I’m making a little zipper pouch. I made a few for Christmas presents.
It all started well. I cut the fabric, found the interfacing, and attached some ribbons to the front. It was time to attach the zipper. Then I began the search for my zipper foot. I wasn’t with the rest of my presser feet. Before I knew it I had looked through all my stuff. It is no where to be found. Ugh!!! I don’t think I’ve used it since Christmas. I don’t remember seeing it lying around. It could be anywhere. Before I really freak out, I’m going to sleep on it. Tomorrow I’ll search again. If I still can’t find it, then I’ll freak. I hate replacing items that really don’t need to be replaced. It feels like such a waste of money.
Finished Quilts!
Feb 22, 2007 Quilting
I finally took a few pictures of the quilts that I’ve finished since January. I’ve been waiting for sun. It never really worked out. I decided to settle for pictures taken at dusk. Luckily, I’m happy with the pictures of the quilts that are going to new homes. The puzzle quilt needs to rephotographed, a project for another day.
Baby Quilt #1: I spy
Baby Quilt #2: Let’s Play
Puzzle Quilt: Red, White, and Blue
Wow! I feel accomplished. I’m in the mist of preparing another post that documents the process of the Puzzle Quilt. That quilt taught me a lot. Offically, this quilt belongs to me. If I had dedicated sewing space, I hang it up. The good memories associated with this quilt inspire me to do more.
As for the other quilts, I delivered Baby Quilt #2 after work today. Baby Quilt #1 will be shipped this weekend. I need to find a good box to mail it in.
So what’s next? Of course I have another project waiting in the wings. For Christmas, I received a charm pack of Spring Fling from Moda. It will be transformed into a spring table runner. I’m loving the Spring colors. Even the scraps are pretty.
Wavy Borders
Feb 11, 2007 Quilting
Wavy quilt borders are easy produce. Nice straight borders not so easy. For the most part, my borders are nice and straight. What’s the secret to my success? Lots of measuring and taking my time. Just when I was starting to feel confident and perhaps a little prideful, life decide to humble me. The last couple of quilts that I made had wavy borders. While they weren’t really wavy, they still annoyed me. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. My method didn’t change.
Then one night I was fighting with my iron. While it was hot enough to burn me (I have the scar to prove it), it wasn’t ironing my fabric flat. What was up? Then I had a light bulb moment. I realized that I was so frustrated that I was ironing not pressing my fabric. My fabric was all stretched out. Ugh!
Solution? Buy a new iron. I’m now the proud owner of an Oslio iron. So far I’m happy.
I still have one quilt, Baby Quilt #2, that has a stretched out border. What could I do to fix it? Then it occurred to me that I could block it just like knitters do. Last night while watching lost I pinned the quilt to the carpet. Then I liberally sprayed starch on it and pressed it. Results?
One crisp and straight quilt. I think the starch will help with the quilting process. Before I give the quilt away, I’ll throw it in the wash. Now on to quilting. I pin basted it together. Hopefully by the end of the week it will be DONE.
By the way, I’m trying to get good photos of the two quilts that I finished in January. I thought that this weekend would be my opportunity. No such luck. It’s forecast with lots of rain. Maybe later today.
Weekend Get Away
Feb 5, 2007 Home Improvement, Life
A week ago, I decided that Ross and I need a weekend away. So I made plans to spend the weekend in Park City. Now Park City is only about 25 miles away from our home. Yet it feels like it’s much farther. I mean you drive 10 miles up the canyon and it is really dark, no light pollution.
Anyways despite ourdesire to go away, it was actually hard to leave. It was a long week for us. I just wanted to sleep. The thought of spending 15 minutes to throw a few things in a bag felt overwhelming. Some how I pushed those evil thoughts aside, got myself in the car, picked up Ross from work, and drove up the canyon. After all was said and done, I have no regrets.
What did we do? First I slept without interruption. In fact I didn’t wake up unitl 9:30 on Saturday. It felt good. I wanted to go exploring. Ross wanted to write. So I got ready and headed to a neighboring town called Midway to check out the antique stores. Now, I’m not sure why I went to look antiques when we don’t have any room for additional furniture. I guess I just wanted to see something unique. I did find something that I wanted to buy, but didn’t. Look at this beautiful treadle sewing machine.
I know nothing about the value of treadle sewing machines. This one was priced at $275, which seemed reasonable. Since I lack the space to store this fine piece of furniture, it stayed at the store. I only hope that one day I’ll have both space and money when I find another treadle sewing machine.
Don’t worry, I didn’t go home emtpy handed. After visiting the antique stores, I found this store, All That Stuff In The Barn. I think the store can be described as a gift and home decor store. I’ve been there before. I remember that had some decorative plates and such that I liked. I wasn’t disappointed. I bought 4 plates and 4 decorative coaster things. I’ll use the coaster sized plates as decor. The plates will be both decor and beautiful service dishes. I think they’d be great to used for Easter.
This weekend, I’m going to find some display hooks. The plates needs a plate rack. Now, I’m on the hunt for the perfect plate rack. I’m not sure what I want or how to display then. I have several dishes that should be displayed on a shelf. I need an inspiration picture.
After the shopping adventure, Ross and I pasted the afternoon eating and shopping. I love behaving like a tourist with a lot of other ski bums.
31 Days
At the beginning of the month, I set a goal to not eat refined sugar for a whole month. The first week was hard. There is always plenty of junk at work. At home we still have left over Christmas candy. (I really need to either give it way or throw it away.) After I got over my sugar withdrawal, I was ok. My mind and my body were able to communicate. Instead of eating because the clock said, “It is time to eat”, I ate because my stomach said I need more fuel. In fact, I’ve been ok without sugar. I think it bothered my family more than it bothered me.
So what is next? I don’t want to go back to eating anything at will. Yet I’m not going to give up sugar entirely. Instead, I’m going to eat sugar on special occasions. I did loose several pounds this month. I’d like to continue that trend. So I think, I’ll allow myself two treats in Februar, first a dessert for Ross’ birthday and second, a treat towards the end of the month.
How are my other goals coming along? Well, I’ve posted plenty on my quilts. This weekend, I’ll post a status picture. I finally started reading Les Misérables. In May we are seeing the musical at Pioneer Theatre Company. I feel like I need to read the book again before I see the musical. It has just been too long. Nor do I believe it is a waste of my time. I read the book when I was a Senior in high school. I’ve changed so much sense then. I’m sure the book will be a different experience this time around.
One thing I did over estimate, is my ability to read six classics in one year. That would mean I’d need to finish a book every two months. Since I already read one book a month for book club, reading a thick book in two months is probably a little too much. So I’m altering my goal to read four classics, knowing that I may need to reduce that to three classics. The competition for my reading time got a little stiffer with the announcement of the publishing date for Harry Potter Book 7.
