Sewstylish’s Weblog

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.

Today this little sweetie turned 5.Plus he loves the shirt I made.I also was sporting a new skirt made by moi for a sheet.Pretty funny when I got compliments thru out the day I was able to chuckle to myself that I made it from a sheet and a matching headband.Ignore the roots since the sun is already lightening my hair.School snack was enjoyed choc covered strawberries and home-made cookies.3lbs of pasta casserole with fresh summer squash,zucchini,mushrooms,meat,broccoli, and cheese. Of course hubby thought we needed 5lbs and after all is said and done I probably could have gotten away with 2lbs. Oh well at least I have a nice big bowl of it in the freezer and that will come in handy one night for softball.what a climber.Getting ready to play laser tag”scary”Pure love. Should have wiped his face first.Ah well.The last cake of the day. That makes choc covered strawberries,choc chip m&m cookies,cake at friend party, and another cake at family party. It’s no wonder he didn’t want to go to bed until after 9pm and hour and half later than normal. Not to mention ALL of those great presents he got today. Happy Birthday my sweet boy we had a fantastic day and now Mama’s tired. Thank goodness tomorrow is my day of freedom and little man goes to his friends after school. Ahhh a nice lunch with two of my girl friends will be perfect. Now if I can get my girls room cleaned up from the winter clothes to the spring/summer clothes I will be happy not to mention be able to walk in there again. Than softball game tomorrow night. AHHH another crazy day. Maybe Friday will be quieter that is till little man gets his 5yr old shots in the afternoon.

It’s been somewhat crazy around here lately. Softball has started and with two girls playing in different leagues we are constantly on the run. Especially when they have practice at the same time and on opposite sides of town. A little stressful at times especially when people don’t turn right on red. I mean it’s legal and don’t people realize I have places to be. The mail man brought me the latest Better Homes and Gardens hardcover book which has the best quilts in it. I think it may be my favorite volume yet. I took a pic but for some reason my camera doesn’t want to download tonight so stay tuned for that pic. Also the quilt on the cover is the same pattern as my Earthy Mix quilt. The baby quilt is all quilted and I will show you once the binding is on. I have been busy putting names on theseAlyssa’s team visors and theseAbbey’s team visors. I also managed to sew up one of these skirtsThis is one of the sheets I’m using for the sheet swap that Lisa is putting on. It was rainy and to cold to wear today so once I’m able to wear it I will have a better pic. Hubby even liked it and got a kick out of it when I told him it was made from a sheet. Today the postman brought me a nice little treat all the way from the UK it was my long awaited Four Seasons Swap. I didn’t hear him knock so when I got the mail there was a slip saying we will re-deliver tomorrow. When I saw where it was from I thought there is NO way I was going to wait till tomorrow, so I jumped in the car and yup chased him down. After going around the block I found him three houses down and couldn’t wait to open it. With all my munchkins on the floor next to me I opened up this great package from Kate who happened to be who MY Four Seasons Swap went to.This great quilt which is already hanging, an awesome brick of Chocolate, Tea, and really cool note cards on a ring. What a talented person and I feel so lucky.Even her business card is cool. The kids and I also thought that the back of the Choc bar was neat since it says what the Nutritional Facts are and breaks it down for women,men,and child. Plus what we call calories they call energy.We have all sampled some and it is goooood. Thank you so much again Kate.

My oldest got these in the mail today and was very excited.

Aren’t they funky?! She’s also excited because they are from the “red” line which means a percentage of sales goes toward fighting aids,tb,and malaria. Well on the 30th a very special little boy will be turning 5 so tomorrow I will be in full birthday baking mode and getting ready for his party. Everything will be on his birthday so it will be a jam packed day. Starting with pre-school where he gets a party than an hour after that gets done he will have a friend party at an indoor play center and we will have gone to lunch per his request at a local restaurant. After the friend party we will go home for a little quite time before all the cousins and grandparents arrive. I will be making a pasta dish for dinner that night. So tomorrow I have four hair color’s to do including cuts, make cookies for school and choc covered strawberries, prepare pasta dish with veggies. Thank goodness I ordered his cake for birthday night. Plus one girl has softball practice and Oh yea I still need to wrap his presents I think Hubby will get that project and make him a new shirt with a  number 5 on it. Whew I’m worn out just thinking about it so I guess it’s rest time so tomorrow I can get it all done.

So I was tagged a while back from Kathleen about 7 random things you don’t know about me. Instead of tagging 7 people I will leave it open to who ever wants to do this just pass the word. So here goes I will warn you they may not be very exciting.

1. I have a tattoo on my ankle of a blue dolphin. I got this when visiting my brother in Hawaii when I was 18 and it’s probably the only wild thing I did in all of my teen years.

2. I almost failed Home Ec in High School and now look what my favorite thing to do is. Go figure.

3. I am fairly laid back but am also quite “high Strung” if that makes any sense.

4. I love Chocolate.

5. I was named after my Maternal Grandparents.

6. I don’t really care a whole lot about what people think and sometimes this can come across as bitchy although I’m really not. I just can’t stand the whole clicky high school non-sense  that some adults play into, I have a husband, kids, family, friends, career, and don’t really have time for any of that crap.

7. I used to Alpine Ski competitively.

So hope I didn’t bore you to badly.Here’s where I would like to be right now. Heading to our favorite family vacation spot.

Here’s the post I was going to do the other day. Have you ever thought about who inspired you or taught you how to knit or quilt or sew? Well lately I have been doing just that. It may partly be do to the fact that my  parents are down visiting my Nana or Nanny as we call her. (My dad’s mom) We didn’t really grow up seeing her a lot since we didn’t live close but I remember her always knitting or sewing/quilting. A few years ago she moved up  near us and I asked her during one of our weekly beauty days if she could teach me how to quilt. During these weekly visits she would tell me more about herself in younger years and quite a lot of info I didn’t know. So I took her to the fabric store and she helped me pick out the basics for starting a quilt. Well Nanny didn’t know about rotary cutters so eight years ago I learned how to quilt using a cardboard template. I was hooked even if this method seemed crazy. She told me what to do and this is my first ever quilt.I think I’ve come a long way. Well she ended up moving back to her home in Florida since the winters were just to harsh. But thankfully we had that winter together and I will always be great full that she taught me this fantastic craft. I also quickly looked in the yellow pages for a quilt shop that was teaching a class on beginning quilting because I new their had to be an easier way. Thank you inventor of rotary cutters and rulers. Once back in Florida she went thru a lot of her boxes and sent ME boxes of fabric. I still have some in my stash, as a matter of fact the backing fabric for my four seasons quilt is from Nana’s stash and it was perfect for this quilt. With some of the fabric I made this.This is our beach/softball/always in the car quilt, probably was my second or third quilt I did and yes it was done with a rotary cutter and ruler, but I didn’t know about strip piecing yet so each square was pieced individually. ugh. Here are a few of my Nana’s quilts the first one my  Dad remembers her piecing with  his grandmother  all by  hand.It hangs in my hallway and was to big to take down so here’s a small view. This next one was done about 50years ago by hand and I  will need to repair some of it since the binding is coming off. I remember this one being on my parents bed at one time. It is hard to see the quilting but you can kind of get the idea and boy is she accurate, it’s just amazing. She is also an amazing knitter/crocheter. However I learned how to knit from MY Mom and her Mom. So it is really neat to have learned my two favorite crafts from each Grandma. I will have to find an afghan that my Mom had made if she still has one since I don’t have any in my possession. I do remember one that was in warm earth tones and it was soo soft and I can picture laying under it in the winter with my brother Scott watching tv. Of course Mom doesn’t knit anymore I wish she should start again but my Aunt S sure does and her stuff is beautiful. I do have an afghan from her that she made for little man when he was a baby. Hmm and the little sewing knowledge I have learned is from my Mil who is incredible, she even used to make wedding dresses. So I think when she comes back from her winter in Florida I may have her help me with those pesky patterns I tried to make. Of course all of this reflection was done over a cup of tea in the morning sun in my pjs and reading a little of this.I have since finished it and am now onto the second in the series.Sweet girl setting up “Nap” time on our three season room which I’m so glad to be using again I think it’s my favorite room so cherry and bright. Check out all those webkinz she had to put down for naps. Sky Sky was even joining in.(pre tail bobo)