I took some time this week to help out at the local fabric store. They needed help with the inventory. This way I get to peruse the fabric and see all the new (and the old) fabric! I have no problems with older fabric... mostly cause I figure that since it is older, they mark it down to get it out of the store.... in walks me! Yep, what can I say... it's a deal just waiting for me and my $. And besides, they pay me to do this too! What's not to like? So, after seeing #'s in my sleep... I'm happy to say that I only bought two remnant decorator pieces. We need new pillows for the couch. Then I got them home and I set the remnants on the couch.... oops.... it's just not going to do! Guess I will use them for making bags or the like. I dug thru my stash and found a floral piece that will be perfect for a couple of throw pillows and ahem, now I need to go and see if I can find a pretty purple or deep shade of dark pink that will go with the floral. Gee, going to the fabric store again? So sad! What? I'm working 3 more days this week? $$$ yes, I'm starting to see a few dollar signs... my biggest problem is to try not to spend it all on fabric! I'm trying to just use stuff in my stash. Well, trying is the operative word here. That reminds me, when I worked at the Fabric store years ago, we came across a few; Reasons To Buy Fabric. And I will try to find them and post them soon.

So I was reading Calicodaisy ...... http://calicodaisy.blogspot.com/

and she has started to make and sell quilt binding (you could use it for other projects besides quilts .... The sewing police will not show up to drag you off!!! Don't quote me... but I'm pretty sure!) on her esty site. So, go check her out if you don't make your own and are in need of some to finish a project.

Sewing gets into my blood sometimes. Especially in the Fall! Must have something to do with back to school or such. Or maybe knowing that Christmas is just around the corner! Anyway, I get so excited to look at the pattern catalogs and the new fashion magazines.... now I'm hooked on some of the sewing blogs..... like http://townmouse.typepad.com/townmouse/ and http://sewingfantaticdiary.blogspot.com/ and http://www.dressaday.com/dressaday.html
So, I'm trying to clear off the projects that are taking up time/space and thought process (does that sound like I don't like them anymore???) so I can move on... I really like the projects that I've been doing... it's just I have a tendency to be distracted by (as I call them) bright, shiny objects!
In other words, new projects... I start thinking about how this project would look so great in these colors or this fabric that before I know it I've practically made it in my head! And sitting behind a lady at Church today, I was reminded that since last August when our youngest DD got married (sniff, sniff..... the baby!) this lady and her DH helped out by loaning us their tripod's (these huge, things that you can set up decorations on) for the reception. And they didn't charge us anything at all! Mind you, people rent this stuff for around $1000 or more. So, I talked to her about making a baptism dress for their little girl (I really ought to say all 3 little girls.... but she didn't push it, so I probably won't either! Besides, I did make her a new pad for her baby's high chair and didn't charge her anything.... besides the cost of materials ) she was thrilled. So, that means I need to dig out patterns to have her go thru so I can get that done before the first week in October. Seems the list of things to be made is always more than the time available!
DH is home, time to see what we have to eat!

One Thing At A Time

Last night I was able to finish up a baby ragg quilt that I've been tying to get together. One of the ladies that I teach with at Church just had a baby boy. She has a little girl, and now has a boy too. So, since we will miss her not being in our class for a while, we decided to make her a quilt. The kids in our class are 7-8 years old and well sometimes there are 3 and then again, at others times there are 6 kids there. It was cute, I had tons of flannel 5 inch squares all cut out, red, greens, lots of prints w/white and yellow and also some light blue w/white. I had the kids decide how it should be laid out and took it home to put together. Last Sunday I was grilled by the kids to see if I had finished it yet! Talk about pressure! I figured I had better hurry it up and get it done. Hopefully sometime tomorrow I can get all the kids together and we will go give it to Jamie. Nice to have one more thing checked off the list of things to do.
Update... Sunday 8-24-08: Today, Jamie dropped by our Primary class at Church and we were able to give her the quilt we had made for her.... big hit! The kids were excited to see it and to give it to her. Yeah.... it's out of my sewing room... that means more room for the next couple projects!
Onward, the next thing is to get some alterations done for DD#2 done. Funny how quickly projects jump out at you when you get a few of them done.
My grandson has been at my house for a few hours yesterday and today, so needless to say besides laundry I didn't get a whole lot of other things done. It was fun though, we played in the dirt (yep, I play in the dirt too... nice to have an excuse that's for sure!) with the cars and trucks. Played with the dog, ate watermelon watched a little T.V. and pretty much entertained ourselves for several hours yesterday and today! (mom forgot that the appointment was supposed to be today.... Oops!)
Hope all is well with everyone out there. Getting close to Back to School Time for the neighbor kids. It always gets sooo quiet when the kids go back to school. Even the dog seems to miss them. They peek thru the fence at her and pat her and talk to her sometimes when she is outside.

Keep your pins up off the floor!

Just Waving Hello

Yesterday while I was running a few errands I happened to notice that there seem to be a lot more motorcycles on the road. Probably because of the gas prices. So for the longest time this one motorcycle rider was in front on me. Every time another rider would come the other way and pass us, he would stick out his hand down low to the ground and wave two fingers at the rider. You know, like a kind of salute to the other rider. Now, the riders that were older (I say older, but I mean older than in their 20's) returned the greeting. But the younger ones or maybe just newer to riding didn't. It's cool to think that just because someone has something like the love of riding motorcycles in common they take the time (and how much time can it take... a few seconds?) to signal a hello! I really do think this is pretty neat. It just goes to show that people still care about others. So, the more I thought about this neat little ritual, the more I thought... wouldn't it be cool if there was some way as seamstresses, (whatever your sewing aim) we could identify ourselves maybe on our person, in our cars etc... so we could wave and acknowledge the fact that we have shared interest. Well, sorry, I'm not into tattoo's. So, that isn't going to happen. But until someone comes up with a neat way to let us each know this info I guess I need to find a way to just wave at you all out there! Whether you are a machine sewer or a hand sewer, a quilter, an embroiderer, or what have you.... just know that I'm waving at you all! Just do the best you can at encouraging others and it will come back to you full measure!
HERE'S MY WAVE AT YOU!
Remember to keep your needles sharp!