Domestic Bliss
Apr 29, 2007 Home Improvement, Sewing
As I mentioned before, I received Amy Butler’s In Stitches book for Christmas. Of course, I have big plans to make just about everything in the book. Yet for the past three months, I’ve just looked at the pretty pictures.
A couple of weeks ago, I was inspired by this beautiful fabric to actually make something.
Thus this cute apron.
I love it! I believe I only made one modification to the pattern. I shortened the length to match my short stature. In fact, I made a point of following the assembly instruction. Normally, I think my sewing skills exceed the pattern instructions. So what’s the point of following the pattern? Not this time.
I’m happy to report that I learned a few new tricks. I really like the instructions for adding the trim to the bottom of the apron and the pocket trim. The trim is more than a decorative thought. It really adds weight and sturdiness to the apron. Since a apron has potential to see lots of heavy use, I think this is important. I was also pleased that no raw edges show on the back. That’s a pet peeve of mine. The back is neat and tidy.
I use one of my new tricks to achieve a neat look. When it was time to topstitch the waistband over the raw edges on the back, I use Roxanne’s glue to hold everything in place. It worked like a charm. Since the fabric was bulky from the apron and the waist band material, pins would have create more bulk. By using the glue, I was able to secure all the raw edge inside the waistband and top stitch on top. This allowed me to watch what I was doing on the front. Of course it would look even better if I hand sewed the waist band down, but I was too anxious for the finished project.
Now I’m ready for another Amy Butler project. I’m leaning towards hot pads from the leftover apron fabric. They’d add some charm to the kitchen. Not to mention, I really could use them.
On a side note, I’d like to point out my chairs. They officially have three coats of paint. In my book that means that they are done.
Now they need seat cushions. I’ll probably tackle that project in July or August. May and June are already booked.
Spring Charm Pack
Apr 10, 2007 Dear Jane Quilt, Quilting
For Christmas, a quilter in my quilt group gave everybody in the group a Spring Fling charm pack. Since I received the bright colored fabric in the dead of winter, I was excited to work with it. First I had to decide what to make. My criteria? The finished object needed to have a purpose, I needed to try a new block/technique, and I needed to minimize buying additional fabric for the project.
The result is a new table runner for the desk in the entry way.
Additional picutres can be viewed in my Quilt Gallery on Flickr.
I met my criteria. I successfully made the table runner to fit the desk. It adds a touch of Spring decor to the house. Of course now I need to make additional table runners for the other season. The dresden plate block is from the Piece O’Cake book Quilts with a Spin. While I’ve done applique before, it was fun to the Dresdan Plate. A large quilt with this block would be a huge commitment. Finally, I only purchased the pink polk-a-dot fabric. Everything else came from my stash, including the batting and quilting thread.
Now it is time for a new project.
A Well Balanced Weekend
Apr 9, 2007 Home Improvement, Life
Under normal circumstances, I plan way too way weekend activities. I want to accomplish so much. Reading blogs doesn’t help. I see other creative people up to creative things. Before I’m inspired to make my own. Well I contained myself this weekend.
I started by NOT going to the store Friday night after work. Often I’ll go to the craft or home improvement store before I pick up Ross from his job. Instead I went home and straightened up the house. Then I went to get Ross. This means I didn’t start a new project. After fetching Ross and eating dinner, I got to work on my chairs. Last weekend I applied the second coat of primer. On Friday, I sanded and started the painting process.
Priming these chairs has taught me so much. First I really don’t like to paint. I kind of see it as an evil necessity. I want painted chairs. So I’m whiling to tolerate the painting process. I hate to sand. However, I did learn a valueable lesson. When I sanded the second coat of primer, I wore dishwashing gloves. Since I used steel wool to sand, the gloves made this process significatnly less painful. So remember to wear gloves while sanding. That was the second lesson. Third, it pays to take your time. On Friday might, I only painted the bottom half of one chair. I finished the top and the other chair on Saturday afternoon. While I still need to apply a second and probably a third, I can see the potential for nice chairs. So even I dislike the process, I’m embracing it.
Since the chairs aren’t providing my any sense of accomplish, I started a small project. I decided a while a go that I need a little box to attach to the fridge to hold odds and ends. I found this little wood thing and transformed it with some paint, ribbon, and a little fabric. While it didn’t turn out exactly how I envisioned it, I’ll take what I have.
Saturday was balanced with a few chores and a little fun. I completed the necessary grocery shopping, but not before heading to quilting store. I didn’t need to go to the quilt store. Rather, I wanted to be around fabric. The fabric is from American Jane’s Peas and Carrots fabric line. It will become an apron. I believe I will use the pattern in Amy Butler’s In Stitches book.
In preparation for Easter Sunday, I dipped strawberried in chocolate. I can’t believe I didn’t snap a picture. The strawberries were enjoy by the class that I teach at church and by my family. I think that chocolated dipped strawberries will be my new Easter tradition.
Two other things made Easter memorable. First Ross and I made had an Easter Brunch for two before we went to church. When we aren’t starving we really enjoy cooking together. Second, I went to church with the right frame of mind. So I was really able to enjoy the Easter celebration. I will apply these lessons to future Easter Celebrations.
What am I looking forward to? The next Whipup competition. I’m finally going to finish my iPod cozy. If all goes well, I make it into a tutorial.
I really need to post more often so my posts aren’t so long.
More Thoughts About Books
Since I posted on Monday, I’ve spent too much time tweaking the code on that post. After totally messing up the flow of the page, I’m back where I started. The phrase “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.” should be my motto. I guess I learn the hard way. (sigh)
Tweaking the code gave my ample time to read that list of books. I really like books. It is a form of escape to world outside my own. This is especially important when going back in time. I may be able to travel to distance places, but I haven’t figured out time travel, at least not yet. Anyways, books make me feel more intelligent. In reality the more I read, the less I know, because there is so much out there. None the less, I’m not discourage by everything that I have yet to read.
However, I do need a better list of books I want to read. So I’m starting a list. On the top of the blog, you can see the tab called, “Books to Read.” That’s is my official list. When I finished a book, I’ll add to the tab called “Books I’ve Read.” If I’m really ambitious, I’ll write about the book when I finish it. That will be a regular blog post. If I’m really, really ambitious, I’ll link the book title on the “Books I’ve Read” tab to the blog entry. (By the way, the list on “Books I’ve Read” is much longer than I thought it was. I can thank book club for pushing me long.)
I think this sounds like a good idea. Now it is time to get to work.
Books to read
Apr 2, 2007 Life
I actually spent the weekend busy making stuff. Yet I don’t have good pictures to show. They’ll come in a few days. So instead, I’ll going to use this meme that I saw on Make it Snappy. This year hasn’t been the best for reading. I started the year with ambitious reading goals. Yet I’ve accomplishing very little. I’ve even struggled reading my monthly book club book. In an attempt to make myself feel better, I’ll focus on this list. A list that reminds that I’ve read a lot, and a list that inspires me to get past my reading hump. As you can see there are plenty of books that I still want to read.
* Bold the ones you’ve read,
* Italicize the ones you want to read
* Leave blank the ones that you aren’t interested in
1. The DaVinci Code (Dan Brown)
2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery) — recently listened to as an audio book. It’s still as good as ever.
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10. A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)
12. Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
16. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees (Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien)
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)
25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
28. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch Albom)
31. Dune (Frank Herbert)
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (Orwell)
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True (Wally Lamb)
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom)
45. The Bible [Life long work-in-progress….]
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt)
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb)
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens)
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrew Niffenegger)
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
62.The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)
63. War and Peace (Tolstoy)
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice)
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery
71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding)
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According to Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier)
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down(Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)
93. The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100. Ulysses (James Joyce)
