Sewstylish’s Weblog

It finally is starting to feel like spring again. After sitting and watching a make-up softball game which I hate to do on a Sunday morning Hubby and I were able to sneak away for awhile. Yup we went for an hour and fifteen minute bike ride just him and me. It was actually nice and although I couldn’t really enjoy all the scenery since I had to concentrate on getting up those damn hills that seem to come out of know where it was a fun time. I can also honestly say there was no whining or puking involved. Yes big brother S you read correctly. I did have a close call on one hill and almost didn’t make it up but I did. Thankfully my bike doesn’t weigh very much not the same can be said for the rider but anyway if the bike weighed anymore I’m not sure the outcome would have been the same. SO here’s how I looked after the ride. Ignore the fat rolls bike shorts and jersey’s aren’t very forgiving.

My legs felt a little like jello for awhile after but I’m hoping to get back out tomorrow. First though we need to watch the girls march in the annual Memorial Day parade. I may even be able to sneak in some sewing time too.

WELL FINALLY!!!! I have been successful in making a top to fit. I love how it fits. It’s from one of the sheets I got in the swap. Thanks Lisa it was made using the simplicity pattern 3835. I did make a change and not use the elastic around the arm since it was annoying me. Other than that there was no problems. The sizing was a little weird and at first I was afraid that maybe I should have gone up one more size but now in wearing it all day I think it is fine. If I wanted to make the dress or longer top I would go bigger and of course I didn’t realize until I got home the sizing was Junior sizing. Oh well it still worked out or I probably would never have attempted a fourth time at making a top. Now I must decide if I want to make another top or skirt from the rest of  the sheets. I really wish we had better thrift shops around. Does it still count if I buy new at Target? Maybe if it’s on sale?lol. I guess if thrift shopping is a bust that’s aloud. While out in the yard today I found some of these beauties. They’re a type of Iris and they look so cool in my old milk bottles.(forgot to take a pic) These are in the background of most of my pictures they will bloom soon and than the bush will go all green again. These are growing in my backyard aren’t they pretty?! Pie anyone? This is the second year with this plant and it’s gotten much bigger than when I planted it last spring. I may even be able to make a pie with it and some strawberries.yumm. My one and only bleeding heart. Every year I try to transplant this baby from our back woods and it NEVER works. I’ve been trying for eight years and I give up so I will just have to be happy trudging through the doggy land mines to get my one bleeding heart in the back woods so I can enjoy it inside for a short time each year. Aunt S do you recognize the vase? It was my Gram’s and it sits on an antique table that was also hers. I guess I was a little symbolic in the flower and vase while not even realizing it until just now. Funny how those things work. Well I think I’m in need of some hot tea and  a book. I also really need to make a pair of lounge pants with some sheets are we sensing an addiction here?lol Happy Memorial weekend everyone.

Wow have I gotten more done than I thought. First the teachers bags are done and already given. They were a big hit.Phew. The quilt was also met with much praise and the colors will compliment her living room who new? See I really am good.hehehe. So if that’s not enough to make you feel good for the day I was also sporting my new wrap skirt that I got in the swap from Claudia and was complimented on that as well. Bet you would like to see what these all look like so here goes.Oldest daughters best friend was eager to be the model.I really need to figure a better way to take pictures of handbags and suggestions?Photographer was being grumpy and didn’t want to work today. I had bought black twill tape to put around the edging which you can’t see since it’s in the back on the wrap side and I wanted to put it a long the hem as well but do you think I can find the second package just purchased yesterday? Nope a ghost has taking it and if I find it I will add it at a later time. I also am wearing my new black flip flops which by the way are surprisingly hard to find. They have already been fixed since a certain boy ran over one with his four wheeler and popped out the stone. Luckily hubby is good at fixing things. Yesterday I also managed to do a little shopping and came home with these.T-shirt book for the daughters to hopefully get the creative juices flowing over the summer. The other books are for me and have such great projects in them.Of course you can’t go to Barnes and Nobles and not buy a magazine or four. Sew Simple is so worth getting the ideas just have me excited.Had to get these too. lisa was sporting the top made from a sheet and it looks so comfy. I did make one up last night and think I like it.  Next time it should go quicker since I know what to do. Hopefully tomorrow I can wear that blouse and let you see. Oh my it’s already that time of day to go get my girls. Yikes I might be a little late. I’m sure they will be ok with sorry girls Mommy was blogging. Yea Right. Relax I do have a few minutes to spare and will leave you with this pic of my sweet boy “graduating” preschool.

A little boring on the title but that’s ok. I finished the teachers quilt for this Friday. WOW I’m actually ahead of schedule. I still however have two handbags to make. No problem.yikes. Little man has been home all day with me and we have gotten a lot done. Quilting, Sewing, Shopping, and Playing. We might even get to Laundry.ugh. I even have a cornbeef in the crock-pot with carrots and potatoes, cabbage to be added later.yum. It’s the oldest favorite dinner and usually her birthday meal request so she will be happy to see that I’m making it for no special reason. Little man was supposed to have a field trip today but it was quite chilly in the low 50’s and he has a nasty cough so we opted to stay home where it’s warm. The field trip was the end of the year picnic for his preschool so it’s basically a free for all for 2 1/2 hrs at a local playground with about 100 kids. Yea, I didn’t really mind passing it up. Especially since last night both girls had softball games and it was 48 outbut felt like 28. I had my winter coat on and a sweater and was still cold. It’s not supposed to be that cold this time of year. It was an interesting site on the ball field since most people had coats, hats, and blankets around them. Not fun. Hubby got stay home with cough boy and put him to bed. I think I got the raw end of the deal. Next time I will be the one staying in and he can go. The girls both did really well and had fun so it wasn’t a total bust. On a different not a few months ago I won a give away over at Beki\’s and it came the other day.Just love this zippered pouch and Isn’t the button cute too. Thanks again Beki.The girls are already trying to scam it. I guess you probably would like to see the teacher quilt to huh? Well Ok. I really wish I could keep it. At first I wasn’t liking it but now that it’s all done I want it.I hope she likes it. It is the snap shot pattern from the Happy Hour book in case you”re wondering. I think I see another one of these being made soon.

I have to say the Wienie Lady Was a true sport. She had even dressed for the occasion in true mustard and ketchup colors with even her pearls.Wienie’s anyone? The hot dogs on the hat even made squeaky noises. Apparently after we left she was taking the microphone and making squeaky noises. It was certainly a big hit and now my friend Erin and I are wondering what’s in store for us.Yikes. We both had cryptic messages on our answering machines. The teacher quilt is moving right a long and I’m hoping to get it loaded on the frame today or tomorrow. Now that I have the top done I’m really loving it and wish I could keep it for myself so hopefully Andrew’s teacher will love it too.I did pick a lot of these today. Lily’s of the Valley have such a sweet smell I love having them in the house. I even have Lilacs still too. Off to do some sewing before I’m to tired.

Yes I am in fact thinking some of my friends may be a little twisted. For our little league commitment you have to agree to do some work at the field or pay out. Working can consist of field maintenance, or working the concession stand. A few of us payed out only to find that there were not enough concession helpers and some were needed or we would have to forfeit our game. Well with three kids plus putting names on all the hats I said sorry not it. Well my friend Marney wasn’t so lucky. So with much grumbling she is required to work tomorrow night. WELL another friend has gotten the bright idea that a hat and some good humor teasing is needed. So this is where I got sucked into the scheme and now will have to watch my back. Good thing I have many sharp objects, Erin on the other hand doesn’t.The hat will be topped of with a rubber hot dog in a bun that Erin found. Our game has been canceled so there is really no need for me to be at the field but I think I might need to take a ride over just to check out the lady working in concession.hehehe. I heard that a certain someone is playing on having a picnic there just to rub salt into the wound some more. It sure is good to friends with a sense of humor. I also managed to get some blocks sewn up for the teacher quilt so look for a pic soon.

Having three kids and two who play softball sure keep you very busy. Not to mention preschool is wrapping up and they have had a lot of field trips. Today was supposed to be Library day but they canceled it at the last minute. That would have been nice to know before we planned our morning around it. So since I’ve already showered and dressed there won’t be a morning workout today. So I guess I will fill the time with some sewing. First here’s what we’ve been up too.Hubby retrieving a frisbe that was thrown up on the roof by mistake, he’s also not fond of heights.Some Lilacs from our tree. They smell sooo good.Our first outing on the new boat for Mothers Day. Since there’s no more Lake House my parents bought a new boat for us all to enjoy. While it’s not nearly the same it still lets us use this wonderful Adirondack Lake that my siblings and I have grown up on.It doesn’t get much better than that.The girls of course cranked up the music and had to dance.
My girls not quite sure of the facilities.Oops we kind of forgot we needed the “paper”. This was the princess’s first time using an outhouse. They should consider themselves lucky since it is the start of the season it was not only clean/empty it was a brand new one. Even Gramma ventured in but I missed that pic. The girls of course were like eeewww, gross. I told them to chill it was part of the experience and that when I was kid out with my friends we had to use them too. Of course I left out the part that we used to tip over the outhouse’s when there were parties on the Islands. Now that’s gross. That little guy came to visit while we were having our picnic.AHHH the wind thru my hair. Of course the one behind me likes to go a wee bit slower. She is getting better though.These arrived in the mail the other day. I just love when I see a special package awaiting to be opened. My sheet skirt swap. Now I just have to find time to make another skirt. I’m thinking of a wrap maybe using the beige and black print. Decisions, decisions.Yesterday was my day to myself so while running into Jo-Anns for some muslin to use as a pattern template I saw these had hit the news stand.How great. So I figured since I was craving sushi I would pick some up for lunch go home and enjoy my new magazines. I sat outside in the sun and it was great. They both have some great projects in them. Now I just need to find the time. I also managed to make a strawberry/blueberry pie and used the Kangaroo cookie cutter that Karen gave me in our scrap swap. The kids loved how it looked but of course wished I had made a choc pie. Next time.Now if I can keep from eating it all we will be all set. Luckily Hubby likes really big pieces. Off to get some sewing done I have a little more than a week to make a quilt, and two handbags. Yikes. Plus softball for the kids and hubby working a lot.ugh. How do I get myself into these things. Oh yea and sign ups for the four seasons summer swap have started so if you want to try it go sign up even if you haven’t done it before. Four Season Summer Swap

Wow has this week flown. Between softball games for two busy girls, softball pics, softball practice,Birthday parties, Kindergarten round-up, band/chorus concert,girl-scouts, AND a Mothers Tea I’m lucky to be in one piece. Thankfully I haven’t lost anyone or anything all though not sure how. With a close call at pictures my middle one was playing, little guy was with Dad and big Sis was getting photographed. Well after she was done we started to go back to the car and she said hey Mom where’s Lyssey? Oops did I seriously almost forget one of my kids. SO I quick ran back and she had no clue.PHEW. Than upon returning home it hit me that little man was due to be picked up my a friend in 20min. Well he was off with Dad and I totally forgot.We jumped back in the car and tracked them down and got home in time for the play-date. So while I haven’t lost anyone it’s been close. I really don’t know how people do it with 4and 5 kids. I can’t believe this little cutie is going to kindergarten. He did great at round-up.Doesn’t he look handsome. I of course had to make a new skirt for the occasion and yup it was with one of my vintage sheets.Hard to tell but I had embellished it with navy rick rack along the bottom. I was privy to many compliments and of course had a silent chuckle each time that if only they knew what it was made out of. My girls are already trying to scam some of the sheets that will be coming in the mail so after I take my pick we just might be able to arrange a skirt for them. I want to try a wrap skirt but just haven’t had the patience YET. Hopefully soon. It’s finally spring here and yesterday I couldn’t help but buying some flowers.Passion flower,supposedly this will give us fruit.Hubby says don’t hold your breath. I will consider myself lucky if I keep it alive. Each year I get better and better plus I have little water helpers now so it should be good.My perennials are starting to bloom too. I should have Lilacs soon, and Lilly’s of the Valley which I love the smell of. Next week I’m hoping to get some more perennials for the back yard so once that looks a little better we will have more pics and I have to do my Vegetable garden. First comes the manure part which really is my least favorite part. I usually sport the Knee high rubber boots (hubbys hunting ones). SHHH. because after all, mine are more for rain and fashion.hehehe and than some gloves. It’s quite a site but it gets the job done. Also in all of this chaos I finished the commissioned baby quilt.I tried to hang these on the fence for photo purposes but the wind didn’t want to cooperate. Now I have to get sewing some teacher gifts. I for see less sleep and some stress in the future.

This book has so many great patterns in it. If you haven’t already looked at it you must. Doesn’t that quilt on the cover look familiar? How about now?Hmmmm Still not sure.Yup this is the one I made and it’s on flickr. The judge at our local quilt show last year complimented me on the quilting and I also won a vendors choice award. It was a real bugger to make but totally worth it. No blog Deb and I had started this pattern a few years ago but I’m not sure hers is going to be done anytime soon. Deb correct me if I’m wrong. Lunch with some friends was great today and I saw some fellow quilters as well. Tonight we’re off to the oldest girls softball game and I have a feeling it’s going to be a cold one. What happened to the warm weather we were having? What we do to support our kids. Tonight it will involve being a little frozen but that’s ok since I love to watch her play. Hopefully the other two little monkeys will be good. There’s dirt there so I don’t think little man will have a problem finding something to do. Of course it will now mean my tub is going to be filthy. Oh yea and for those of you wondering Skyler is doing fine and already trying to escape outside again. He gets his staples out next Tuesday and I can’t wait to get rid of that lampshade thing.