Happy Sew Year!

It's only a week into 2012, but my friendly sewing maching has been humming away. I love to sew! And lucky me--I have many hours to do what I love.

My first project of the year is Pot Handle Sleeves. Since I participate in several big Chrismas Bazaars in November and December, my job is to continuously bulk up my inventory during the year. So I make items in multiples. And I've learned that the most efficient way is to work assembly line style.
Here's how I make my Pot Handle Sleeves: (I made my own pattern.)

First I cut lots of pretty main fabric.

Then I cut fabric for the linings.

I have a stack of batting and Insul-Brite.

And bright bias tape.

I sandwich the layers,

zig-zag the bias tape across the top,

fold right sides together, stitch,

turn right-side-out and Voila!

A sleeve that fits over a pot handle!

I'm off to a good start and plan to make at least a hundred--yes, 100!! I'll need to have plenty for the Christmas bazaars next winter.

Mocha Monday #5

Lovely fall days are here--so refreshing following the hot, dry summer. I am currently in solid "sewing/crafting mode" as the first holiday bazaar is less than three weeks away.

But first things first. I need to get a chicken stewing for homemade chicken noodle soup tomorrow. And on my way back from the post office, there just happens to be my favorite coffee shop--Moxie Java--so will be stopping in for a steamy skinny mocha. Yum!

I am thinking . . . that it's high time to pull out my scarecrows and pumpkins!

looking out the window . . . the leaves on our Autumn Blaze maple are turning a brilliant red.

from the kitchen . . . a mug of hot tea to warm up this chilly morning.

I am going . . . to be pricing all of the items I've been sewing, crocheting, creating in preparation for the Christmas bazaars.

I am reading . . . The Sun Road, by Hannah MacDonald. It's kind of depressing in places, but still very good--all about the effects of secrets within a family. I recently finished The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. What an excellent book! I want to see the movie.

around the house . . . little (and big) stacks of my projects waiting to be priced and packed into tubs.

one of my favorite things . . . watching a good college football game with my husband on our HD TV--especially when it's Boise State!!

from my pictures . . . I am so proud of my son Bobby. He has matured into a very considerate and compassionate young man. He recently completed his BS in media production and is now looking for work. Bobby is feeling a little discouraged because of the bad job situation. My prayer is that he does find the right job and launches into a much deserved life of contentment.

Blogging Blues

Man. Oh. Man. I have so neglected my poor blog. Sometimes life just gets in the way. Time to get with it and return to blogland!

Mocha Monday #4

"Monday, Monday . . . So good to me. Monday, Monday . . . It was all I hoped it would be . . ." Being a child of the 60's, one of my favorite singing groups was The Mamas & The Papas. Mama Cass had a soulful voice, and Monday Morning was one of my favorite songs.

looking out the window . . . the forsythia is in bloom!

from the kitchen . . . a biting, cold Diet Coke

I am thinking . . . about how much I'm enjoying my newly arranged sewing room. I feel so organized! (post and pictures coming soon)

I am creating . . . many towel toppers--a relaxing project to work on toward the end of the day

I am reading . . . (still) I Know This Much Is True. It's a long book, and a very good story.

I am hoping . . . for more sunshine--Rain, rain, go away!

one of my favorite things . . . seeing my daughter when she drops by on occasion--even if it's just for a minute

from my pictures . . . my youngest brother with his little grand-daughter.

Mocha Monday #3

You know what I think is great about retirement? I now love Mondays! Everybody else goes back to work or school, and the neighborhood, streets, stores, etc. are calmer and not busy. There's nothing like going to the grocery store on a Monday morning--easy parking, uncrowded aisles, no lines at the checkout. It's actually a rather pleasant experience instead of a hassle--not to mention the skinny mocha I treat myself to on the way home! (hehehe)

looking out the window . . . it's wet--and dark--boooo! (not a fan of daylight savings)

from the kitchen . . . good old Lipton black pekoe tea with a little squirt of honey

I am thinking . . . about our elusive spring. It seems to tease us with a warm, sunny day and timid, little sprouts peeking up through the soil--then turns blustery, cold, and even sends snow flurries--ugh!

I am creating . . . more fleecy projects--cute, little size 2 robes; and some fun-colored "Sneaky Snakes"! My fleece stash is thinning out--yay!

I am remembering . . . the catastrophic events in Japan and praying for the traumatized people

I am going . . . to be packing up my sewing room since my son is coming home for spring break. And this time when I put it back together, I will be much more deliberate and focused. A place for everything and everything in its place.

I am reading . . . I Know This Much Is True, by Wally Lamb. I missed it when it came out some years ago, and it was in Oprah's book club. So far, it's a little heavy, but really good.

I am hoping . . . my son has a safe, uneventful trip driving home on Tuesday. I can't wait to see him!

I am hearing . . . the neighbors' cars as they warm up to head off to work.

around the house . . . shiney table tops from yesterday's polishing

one of my favorite things . . . reading the morning paper with my little dog, Maggie, curled up at my side

from my picture journal . . . I am blessed to have a sister who is beautiful inside and out. She and I have become best friends, and have a connection that grows stronger as we get older. And not only is she beautiful, but also loving, funny, compassionate, and loyal. We get each other--and that's something to cherish.

Mocha Monday #2

I may not get my mocha today. My poor husband is quite sick with a cold, so neither one of us got much sleep. I'm not very motivated to leave the house--WAIT, maybe I need that mocha more than ever--even if it is in the afternoon. (I think I just talked myself into it!)

looking out the window . . . it's overcast, but the 40 degrees feels warm compared to the bone-chilling 11 degrees we had Saturday--Brrr!

I am thinking . . . about spring, can't wait for it! I'm tired of all the bleak, bare branches.

from the kitchen . . . orange spice herbal tea for my sweet, sick husband =(

I am hearing . . . lots of chatter from the TV about last night's Oscars (yawn)

around the house . . . where do those dust bunnies come from?? Time to attack!

I am creating . . . more kid-sized bathrobes--a great way to use up my ridiculous stash of fleece

a funny thing . . . is how my little dog, Maggie, likes to sleep in my tub of scraps while I'm sewing.









I am remembering . . . that Wednesday is Dr. Seuss's birthday. (remnants from teaching 1st grade)

one of my favorite things . . . a cold Diet Coke first thing in the morning--a habit I probably should break

I am reading . . . Me and Emma by Elizabeth Flock. Wow--hard to put down

I am looking forward to . . . seeing my son when he comes home for spring break. I miss him.

from my pictures . . . I love my husband! I hope you feel better soon, Honey.

Mocha Monday #1

I love mochas--and this is my favorite place to get a 16 oz skinny mocha. And they are reduced in price on Mondays!! It's a perfect way to start a new week and do a little reflecting:

looking out the window . . . it is 28 degrees, frosty gray, and some of the weekend's snow still remains

I am thinking . . . how lucky I am to be enjoying retirement (pure contentment!) And I'm also thinking about that mocha I'll be getting later--mmm!

from the kitchen . . . steelcut oatmeal is simmering, starting out with a healthy breakfast

I am hearing . . . the purring of the new furnace warming our home

around the house . . . are lots of pictures of my family--immediate and extended, past and present

I am creating . . . the 4th block of my sampler quilt

a funny thing . . . is when our big dog, Cooper, watches TV

I am remembering . . . the wonderful weekend having lunch with 2 friends, and fabric shopping with my mom and sister

one of my favorite things . . . getting up early--before my husband or the sun--when everything is really quiet and still

I am reading . . . White Oleander, by Janet Fitch--It's realistic fiction about a girl's unfortunate life through a series of foster homes.

for the upcoming week . . . I am finally getting the oil changed in my car. And I want to get started on my 5th block for my sampler quilt.

I am hoping . . . to finish sewing the stack of fleece bathrobes that I cut out (trying to reduce my stash of fleece!)

from my pictures . . . Cooper and Maggie are good buddies and share everything!