AHHHH all the things yummy and sweet can always be found in the summertime. So of course why not make up some of these to compliment those yummy edibles.Napkins of course made using my trusty new and fun serger. But wait don’t forget to whip up one of these too. Hopefully it will help catch some of those sweet summertime splatters. Cherries get me every time. This was my first attempt at pleats and a ruffle. I love how it turned out and hopefully it will be welcomed at it’s new home as well. More on that in a few days. While taking the kids out for breakfast the other morning we returned home to find this girl making herself comfy she’s very good at getting under quilts and making herself “appear” human. But isn’t she cute even if she got booted of the couch soon after the photo was taking. I’m plugging away at the signature quilt due Saturday and will have pics soon. It’s a little slower than I wanted since I managed to pull out the left side of my neck,shoulder,and back don’t know how I did it but thankfully Motrin is helping a little. Speaking of which I think it’s time for some more. I guess hubby is going to get to mow the lawn since there’s know way I can manage that task today, which honestly was first on my list. I just love how a lawn looks when freshly cut and I look at it as my work-out for the day since we have a decent size yard and the back lawn is on a little hill. I’m a little picky when it comes to mowing which must come from my parents ALWAYS having beautiful lawns and gardens. They still do and my flowers are taking shape slowly but with three kids and crazy schedules I like the more wild flower look which is a little easier to maintain and of course container flowers rock too.  I guess I must get back to the last pieced border and than it’s off to softball practice for the oldest good thing I love my suv since I feel like I live in it sometimes. But hey just think of all the fabric I can put in it when out for a day of shopping with the girls ooohh and we even have the carrier for the top.hehehe. I think my Sunday Stitchers and I could get into some trouble.

School is finally out and while we are settling into our summer routine it’s a little sad that my oldest will no longer go to the same school. She will be joining a new group of kids as they all enter the world of Middle School. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish when you don’t have a time schedule. We have had softball practice a few nights a week for two hours each so that screws up dinner time a little but that’s ok since the nights are a little less structured. In the last week we made aprons for one teacher and she also got a set of yellow napkins. One male teacher got a tie My first attempt at making one of these and I love how it came out. He also got a beach towel with his name embroidered on it as did the other male teacher. Forgot to take a pic of those since they were done the night before they were given. We have gone for many bike rides, enjoyed the local farmer market where we got these yummy’s and these we also had to buy some of these because they smelled so good. these came from my own garden and went nicely with the ones we bought. I had to make this yummy appetizer for the annual teachers luncheon that’s done on the last week of school. I kept a few for myself. SOOO GOOOD. I’ve made a few of these napkins while using my serger. I even enjoyed an night out with some quilting friends, no blog Deb and Lisa where I modeled my new blouse made on my serger. I even made this new beach bag. finished this ufo that I started back in the spring. Before/after felting I’m thinking summer is off to a good start. I just read the book Twenty Wishes By Debbie Macomber which I enjoyed. Next on my list is another apron, some more napkins, a wall-hanging that needs to be done by next Saturday for a 90th birthday party and my summer swap. Happy Summer it’s a rainy evening which is a good time for sewing and the kids are all tired from swimming in the pool all afternoon. Not a bad combination. Evening rain storm to water everything which saves me some time so thanks mother nature I now have more time for some sewing.

Serge attack=very similar to a panic attack. Who would have thought that this could bring on so much anxiety. I mean it ONLY has four different areas to thread and two needles and special tweezers to be used when threading to get thru those trouble spots.YIKES. Well I finally got the nerve up to try it last night, and you know what it really wasn’t that bad. UNTIL  I noticed that the thread on the far right had broken. Oh no, after some butterflies in my stomach I got out the trusty manual and followed the directions with shaky hands to re thread that bugger and it worked.WHEW. So I made some “test” napkins to see which way I liked better. These were done with a regular serger stitch. These last two were done using the rolled hem stitch. I used the thread that came with it until I noticed one was almost out and had to tie on a beige thread, it worked and I have successfully threaded two different locations on this baby. So I want to know what everyone thinks and which stitch if any would be nice on a napkin? I can’t wait to try out my serger on some clothing items. I also had another bag order yesterday afternoon and since school is coming to an end fast I stayed up until the wee hours to get it done so the little girl can have it in time to give to her teacher. Can you see the crystals they look so neat in the light. I hope she likes it. I know who the teacher is since she has subbed in my daughters classes before she filled the maternity position she is in now. I have made three of this style in the last week all for gifts so I will be on the look out while out and about to see if I can spot my bags. It always makes my day when this happens and the other night I spotted one with someone in target. Look out world sewstylish is up and coming.(at least I hope so)hehehe. Now I have to make my kids gifts for there teachers I think I feel a panic attack coming. Time for some Iced coffee and a sewing plan.

I’ve been bombarded with bag orders which I’m not complaining about one bit. However I get stressed a little when they are large orders of multiple bags. I recently had an order to make these.I love how they turned out and hopefully she will too. I unfortunately bought the store out of the fabric and have used it all so I can’t make one similar for myself. Each bag has a matching tissue holder and key chain and I even thru in an extra one for the bride. The flower girl even gets something similar with her name on it. The white bag is for the bride and all the bags are packaged inside it for when she comes to pick everything up. Now I’m buckling down to work on some teacher gifts. Hope to be back soon.

With the end of year field trips and chaos it feels like such a zoo. So here’s what we have been up to. Weather that hit 100 last week which was extremely hot for these parts and today the high is supposed to be in the 60’s which is a little cool for this time of year, so it appears mother nature is a little confused. We’ve had softball games which are now over except for our oldest which has made all-stars. For those who don’t know what that is, it’s basically the best of the best in an age group play on a special team schools all around our area. It’s quite intense. So we will be spending LOTS of time at the ball field and hopefully we won’t have 100 degree weather to deal with. This is an extreme honor for her so we are very excited to cheer her on. Thankfully only one of the three made this.whew.

She made it on base with the next hit but it’s hard to get those action shots. I’ve also gotten some sewing done. We had to do a challenge for one of my guilds using this peacock fabric. Well I wasn’t very inspired and here’s what I came up with.There are some crystals on there but it’s hard to tell in the photo. Speaking of Peacocks my oldest and I went on her class field trip on Monday to the Bronx Zoo. We left at 6am and got back at 8:45pm. It was a LONG day but a GREAT day. We had some great Mother Daughter bonding time. I had never been to the zoo before and enjoyed it just as much as she did. Her favorite were these.My Favorite were the monkeys. You couldn’t help wonder what they were thinking.The swinging monkey didn’t want his picture taken and kept giving us these dirty looks and trying to hide in the trees.This was close enough for me to this big Cat. Look at the size of those paws. Yikes.Partners in crime mines on the left. It was also good that they all had to wear there graduation shirts so it was very easy to spot our groups.Aren’t these two adorable? Sharing a snack. Here’s another Mom and her baby.I can’t believe my baby is going into the Middle School. I’m a little a sad and have a feeling next week at 5th grade graduation there might be some tears. So here’s some more on the sewing front. Mr postman brought me these.My monthly fat quarters so bright and festive.This book I ordered off of Amazon because I want to make this quilt.It’s called a bulls-eye quilt and it’s done with raw edges. Very neat looking. Awhile back I was also asked if I would be interested in previewing a magazine from overseas so of course I said yes and here’s what I was sent.They both have some neat things in them and I was able to enjoy them while sitting on the bus for 3 1/2hrs on the way to the zoo. They are put out by Traplet Publications and I believe can be seen here Traplet. They are a British Magazine so very cool for us Americans. I have been cranking out purses for a wedding order, photos to come on that and of course the teachers gifts STILL need to be made.Yikes. I haven’t started my napkin swap yet but do know some of the fabrics I want to use so at least that’s a start and my four seasons quilt I have picked a pattern so once the school stuff settles down I will be good to go. I can’t believe a week from today will be the last day. I’m sad to think another year has gone by and next fall will be some big transitions for us. The oldest will go to middle school and the youngest will start Kindergarten. This will mean two in one school and one across town. I can already feel the morning stress of getting them there on time. We don’t have busing so it all falls on me. A bit long winded so I will try to post more often now that I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

SWAPPERS NEEDED. I know there are a lot of you out there and I do have a few swappers already but am still looking for some more so why not give it a try I think it will be fun and what a great way to add to your napkin stash. Hope to see some more sign ups you still have time.

Have I really been blabbing for a 100 posts now? Hope I haven’t bored anyone and maybe I’ve even inspired a few. Instead of doing a give away I though it might be fun to host a swap. So since I’m new to this hopefully I haven’t forgotten anything. The swap is going to be a napkin swap using good quality cotton fabric. Here are the guidelines/rules.

Napkin Swap:

Make 10 Cloth napkins using good quality cotton fabric. I think the size 14inches x 14 inches is a great size.

Napkins can be reversible if you want.

Napkins MUST be hemmed using one of these methods.

1.Serging the hem.

2. Doing a reg hem no raw edges please.

3. Making them reversible using the pillow case method.

If you are not sure what any of these methods are or how to do them just let me know and I can explain better.

So here goes Leave me an email by Friday June 6th 2008 and I will match you up with a partner.

You MUST give the following info. Your email address, your mailing address, and a blog address if you have one. I will try and match up partners by Monday June 9th 2008 and it will be up to you to contact your partner and figure out fabric likes and dislikes and if you want the napkins to all match or be a variety. You may also add extra goodies if you want when sending out your package. While this is not a must it is sometimes nice to get something “extra”.

Packages must be mailed by July 1st 2008. Pass the word if you know anyone who may be interested I hope I get some takers or it may become a little humiliating. I have made these before and they wash great and you don’t need to iron them. Hope I didn’t forget anything.Oh Yea I’m also going to set up a flickr group as well called Sewstylish napkin swap. So please join in for the fun and thanks for making blogging so much fun for me I’ve been inspired so many times by others and hope I have and can continue doing that for you as well.

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.