Great giveaway at p.s. i quilt!!

Rachel from p.s. i quilt is giving away a $50 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop!! Hurry - run! Go check it out!!

So much to do!

In preparation for my daughter's graduation party next weekend I have made a long list of things I'd like to get done around the house in the next week. I took the week off from work so with a little luck at least a few things may be done in time!

Here's my "must do" list:

1. Pressure wash both the front and back decks and patio - DONE

2. Paint the Adirondack chair and lounge - DONE

3. Make new pillows for both chairs

4. Clean out the spare bedroom

5. Re-paint the dining room and hallway "rugs"

6. Fix the huge hole in the wall created by the dogs on the 4th of July while we were at the fireworks (the dogs are not fans of fireworks!)

Now on to the the "I'd like to have it done but doubt it's going to happen" list:

1. Stain both the front and back decks

2. Repaint the upstairs bathroom

3. Hire someone to do all of the above!

And, now just because he's so cute - here's a picture of my Seester's dog, Teddy

Testing, Testing...

I am setting up mobile blogging on my phone - not sure why, it seemed like the thing to do while sitting in the waiting area at the mechanic.

Graduation Day!!

I can't believe it - both of my little girls are out of high school. Where does the time go? Here are a few of my favorite photos of the day.

The happy graduate and proud parents


Sisterly love!
That's more like it!
BFFs!
I love the expression on her face! This is towards the end of the ceremony - she looks like she's thinking "Is this almost over?"

In the fall she is headed to the local community college for 2 years and then hopes to transfer to Oswego into the zoology program.

Some new bags

I have been working on some new bags. The first was a request from DD#1. I finally found a fabric I thought she would like. The pattern is McCalls 4118. I am terrible at adding bias tape over the seams, so I'm glad that is all on the inside! If I make another one of these I will make a few changes. There is a zipper in the back seam that seems unnecessary to me, so I will leave that out. I will also quilt the outer fabric and line it separately rather than quilting it all and having to fight with the bias binding.

Front pocket - I'm not happy with the drawstring cording I used and will have to find something different.
Here you can see the zipper in the back. It opens up into the main bag, it isn't a separate pocket. I just don't understand the point?


This bag is a fantastic pattern from artsy-crafty babe. She creates the most fabulous patterns! I will be making another of these for myself! The next one I will use a stiffer interfacing and possibly some batting to make it stiffer. This is what the pattern calls for but I was lazy and didn't do it.



Close up of the patchwork inset. The pattern can be done either with the patchwork or with a solid piece. Really, the possibilities are endless with this pattern.

Curious George

I finally finished the Curious George diaper bag. It turend out really cute - even though I'm not a fan of Curious George. Why do people insit that their diaper bags have to match the nursery? Or that they have to be made out of baby fabrics for that matter? They will most likely not be used in the nursery - and it's not the BABY who has to carry the thing around! *sigh* Maybe someday I'll get an order for a "cool" diaper bag.

Side pocket - once again I forgot to sew the velcro on before assembling the bag - once again had to hand sew it.

Side bottle pocket

Inside in all it's Curious George glory! I only broke 3 needles and only burned myself with the iron once - not too bad! :)

Frustration!

I have been trying (with no success) to find a new presser foot for my sewing machine. If anyone has a good source for Elna feet let me know! Apparantly the older machines that were made in Switzerland require a different type of foot than the newer, Japanese made models. I have purchased 4 feet (2 of them specifiaclly for Elna machines from Elna dealers) and the needle hits every one of them!