long time...

It's been too long since I've posted. Life goes by so quickly, and I often think of things I want to post, and then another day goes by and it hasn't happened. I need to do better. So the next few posts will be of stuff that's helping the days go by...

Some fun cards to thank Isaac and Sadie's friends for coming to our Book Swap birthday party for the pair. We really had a great time, and everyone went home with "new" books to start reading!

The insdie of the card... a small space, just right for writing a thank you!

BTRSswap #2

The second of three swaps from the "Bend the Rules Sewing" book has just ended. I'm excited to share my wares...

This swap was placemats and napkins from the patterns/directions in the book. With each swap you're able to specify colors, patterns or fabrics that you like/dislike, but it's still a little nerve-racking, with a little excitement thrown in too, as you sew for someone you've never met. My partner specified that she liked geometric designs and that primary colors would look great in her kitchen, so I went with that, and this is what I came up with...


And the finished product...
And they're off to Florida. I think they turned out pretty cute. I hope she loves them. They were easy to make, although next time I'll make the napkins bigger, and probably more like the napkins that I received from Rebecka from Nebraska (the swapper who had me). Isn't it funny that we have the same name, wonder if they thought it would be fun to pair us up?

Mail call...
the anticipation is a killer...and here they are...
The napkins are double sided with a different but coordinating fabric on each side. Rebecka said that she actually patterned them after the napkins from her favorite restaurant. She said that at the restaurant, they do not have a napkin that matches, because they have two different fabrics for each napkin and none of the fabrics are the same. Sounds really fun, what a great idea! We really love the placemats and napkins and have used them countless times already.

As part of the swap we sent a favorite summer recipe. Rebecka sent a recipe for a corn casserole. I was planning on sharing it, but I have misplaced it somewhere... probably in my stack of recipes to try. Anyway, thanks so much Rebecka! We really love the placemats and napkins. You did a fabulous job! You can sew for me anytime!!!

rachel's apron...

It's been such a long time, so sorry. Now on to the goods...

I never did post about the other "mystery" project I was working on, so the time has come for the unveiling...


AN APRON!!! This cute reversable apron is for my youngest sister Rachel. She and her husband Paul just bought their first home, so I decided to make a little house warming gift for them. Rachel's favorite color is purple. She says she loves the apron, so it was a success!

The pattern is called "Emmeline Apron", you can take a gander at it here. It was a lot of fun to make, easy, and just SO cute. It's flattering for all body types too, so that's a plus. Now I just need to make one for myself.

5 unimportant things about me...

About a week ago Kris tagged me. Here's the rules: link back to the person who tagged you, post these rules on your blog, share five unimportant things about yourself and tag three people at the end of your entry. Here we go!

1. If I'm washing dishes by hand, ie. without a machine, I prefer to be the one washing the dishes. No drying and putting away for me. I think it's because everyone knows the person who's washing is really the one in charge. In charge of how quickly the process goes, in charge of how clean the dishes get, in charge of the conversation, you get the picture. And, they're also the first one done!

2. I love musicals! I like watching them, but I really like learning all the words to the songs, and occasionally getting into the dance that goes with the song, (there's so much more meaning and feeling when you do this.) I used pause the VCR at just the right spot, and then put a tape recorder up close to the tv, press play on both at the same time, just to record the songs. Then I'd listen to them over and over to learn all the words. I still wish that life were like a musical and that at just the right moment we'd all break into song, with coordinating dance steps of course.

3. We have no tv. I mean we own a tv, but we don't pay for cable, and can't pick up any stations... so we get a lot more done. And, if there's a show we're really into, we watch it on the internet the next night. Isn't the web amazing!

4. When I was young, my younger brother Arlo and I would sneak into the food storage room sit on the rolled up sleeping bags and eat packets of dry jello. When we would hear someone coming downstairs, we'd hurry and shut off the light, thinking that no one would know what we were up to. Of course my mom knew, I'm sure the dry powdered jello all over the floor, and on the sleeping bags was a dead give-away.

5. I own 3 sewing machines. I love to sew! I can't imagine parting with any of them. One day I want to have a little sewing class with my children and a few of their friends.

I'm going to tag Deb, Candice and Lynette. Have fun and let me know when you post!

happy birthday/mother's day deb!!!

So here's the first of the "mystery" pictures... napkins for Deb for her birthday and Mother's Day. I know, embarrassing how long it took us to get these off to her, seeing how her birthday was in April - but better late...

Along with the napkins, we also sent some cool black chargers to match the other two black chargers that she bought for herself when she and Darwin were here visiting last fall. Kind-a fun.


Wouldn't they look cute arranged in a nice glass or something? Pretty fancy!

I think they turned quite nicely. I had never made my own bias tape before, it was fun, and I can see so many possibilities with other projects... why have I never tried this before? We have no idea.

Anyway, HappyBirthday/Mother's Day Deb! Sorry it took so long!