Mine

I finally found some time to make the cape for myself.

I am so excited!

I just loved this fabric when I saw it and immediately knew I wanted to do this with it.

But it is not a real common shade of blue-green.  

My first thought was what could I wear it with of course.

So I continued through the fabric isles and found the perfect gaberdine!

Now to make the pants!

Gate Guard

I need a name for this fellow.

I first ran into him Saturday as I was transplanting some flowers I bought.

He was on the flat and did not want to leave.

But I finally coaxed him off onto another pot on the bench.  

Since then I have found him hanging out in the sun by the gate catching bugs.

He does not seem to be the least bit afraid of me.

And is gaining a bit of weight so it must be a good spot.

Obviously something had a go at him as you can see by the holes in his back.

He was quite thin on Saturday and I did not think he would live.

But the spots no longer look oozy so maybe he will.

They do seem to be tough little critters.

Since I am not fond of bugs he is quite welcome to stay!

Sheer poncho

Here is my lovely daughter modeling the 'poncho' I made for her.

I am not sure if poncho is the right term.

It is a sheer black fabric with the white letters.

It just seems so appropriate for a kindergarten teacher.

The fun thing is it can be worn in a variety of ways.

Here it is turned 90˚.

This was another quick and easy project.

I used the serger to do the finishing and for the first time a water soluble stabilizer.

That was a big help and I will be using more of this.

Dove cards

These cards were fast and easy.

I die cut the doves using a Sizzix

and some bank envelopes I had saved.

I intentionally cut them in different directions but the overall effect remained the same.

Have you ever noticed the variety of patterns

inside security envelopes?

Ones that catch my eye get saved to use as backgrounds.

But when I saw these I immediately thought they would be interesting with this die cut.

I know the current fashion is to use numerous inks and stamps and embellishments.

But I tend to favor simple.

The only glitz besides the glittery background paper is the jewel eyes.

And these are adhesive backed.  

Peel and stick.  It doesn't get any easier than that!

So next time you open your bills or statements 

take a peek at the inside of those envelopes.

You might find something interesting to spark your imagination.

Finished Matts

Finished place mats... check.

Better late than never.

Or am I just ahead for 2014?

Finished these and started playing with an idea I had for something else with the looms.

We'll see where that takes me.

It is something I have been tinkering on for a couple of years now,

so don't hold your breath.

But I always seem to come back to things I start

so don't give up either.

Table mats

I decided, somewhat belatedly 

that I needed mats to go with my tea cozies.

Leftover matching yarn... check.

Love and Money Looms... check.

Frame for looms... check.

Empty toilet paper rolls... check.

I have used the looms before and enjoyed them.

The frame to hold the looms is new however,

and I really am liking it as well.

Although it works great for wrapping I am finding it a bit awkward

when tying and have decided to try taking the loom off the frame to do the tying and see how I like that.

Luckily, that is very easy to do.

I first spent hours  and I do mean hours 

unraveling the mess of yarn so I could use my yarn winder

to make it into a nice neat ball to fit on the yarn holder at the top of the frame.

Winding the yarn onto a toilet paper roll makes that a breeze.

And fortunately the toilet paper rolls fit perfectly onto the winder!!!

Fun.  Fun.  Fun.

Another Apron

Another apron finished!  

Can you tell I like this pattern?

And I am stash busting!  

That counts as cleaning doesn't it?

Cookies for Valentine's Day

I like to bake cookies.  

Even more I like to bake cookies for particular people knowing it is their favorite.

My oldest granddaughter recently requested "those cookies with the mint candy in them and the pink stripes".  

The official name is Peppermint Rounds.

They are oatmeal cookies with crushed candy canes so I usually make them in January with leftover candy canes. 

But because I was out of town a good part of January I did not get them made.  Therefore I decided to change them up a bit and use them for Valentine's Day Cookies. 

I know it is a little bit early, but hey once in a great while a person can be early!

She was tired tonight so will stop by after class tomorrow.  That's OK.  The great thing about these cookies is they tend to get softer the next day!

Think she will like them?

She did say the cards I made for her were a hit and they made their goal.  

Wooo Hooo!  That means I don't need to make any more!!

Cards for the hospital patients

My granddaughter is involved with a project where the goal is to make 300 cards to be given to hospital patients.  They will display the cards in the gift shop hoping people will be interested in donating to this cause.  The money raised will go towards grief carts but whether they sell or not all the cards will be given to patients.

So I offered to make some cards as so far they only have 60.  

I made 30.  Doesn't seem like a very big contribution but it is 10% of the goal so if each person gives 10% it won't take too many people.

I had intended to host a card making party on Sunday but we ended up spending the weekend helping my daughter set up her classroom as she took over a kindergarten class on Friday. Another worthy project that included the family and friends as they were available.

There is still one more weekend before Valentine's Day

 so maybe I can induce some friends this weekend and get more cards finished.

They are simple cards but I hope they will bring a smile to a face and a buck to the coffer.

What are you doing for someone this year for Valentine's Day?

Have you considered doing something for someone you don't even know?

Early Riser

I have a confession to make.  

I am not and never have been a morning person.

In fact most if not all the women in my family like to sleep late.

But last year this 'habit' got to be later and later and later 

until I was going to bed after the sun came up.

Not good.

I simply could not get enough done.

So while the rest of the world was planning diets for their New Years Resolution,

I was plotting ways to turn my sleep pattern around.

So far, so good.  

I am going to sleep between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.  (earlier than I was thinking but OK).

And getting up at 3:30.  

That's 3:30 A.M.!

NEVER SAW THAT COMING!

But it gets better.

This is what I found when I got up this morning...

Nothing leaking/dripping...

And it defies gravity!

Can the world not handle the fact that I am getting up early?

Did I somehow change a timeline or something?

Or is this normal in the land of early risers?

Maybe it is and that is why they are all coffee drinkers.  

They see weird stuff and just blame it on needing coffee.

Maybe I will become a coffee drinker too.

Somehow I think 2013 is going to be a new and exciting year!

And next year...

I will just resolve to lose weight like the rest of the world.