Burlap lampshade for Day 14

This one is kind of embarrassing. I've put this project off for just over 3 years for no apparent reason. Shame on me.

My finish for day 14 is a burlap lampshade. It was a piece of cake to finish and now DH thinks I need to do the other  one in the room as well. We'll see.

Check the 31 days tab for more information

In other news, I mastered the miter saw. Not the little yellow box with a hand saw. No, the big honkin' thing that could take your hand off without missing a beat.

Mom asked me if DH could cut a rolling pin for her and I told her he would. But, DH pulled a disappearing act while I went to fetch the rolling pin so I thought I'd try it myself.

I'm not intimidated by too many power tools, but the table saw and the miter saw would be the two that do it for me. Honestly, it took me longer to figure out how to raise the blade (there's a little pin holding the arm down) than it did to make two cuts. Poor rolling pin. I love rolling pins of any kind, shape, and size and I have to admit it might have hurt a little bit to cut it.

Well, I'd better hit the tub and get ready for work tomorrow. I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Cleaning up on Day 11

I can't do any finishing-up until I get the mess on my kitchen island under control. It's been a long week and I've been lazy in the picking-up-after-myself department. It happens. That's all I'm saying.

For a hideous picture of my mess head over to the 31 days tab and here's hoping tomorrow I can doing some sewing.

Stitchery on the road

I don't sit well. I have to be doing something, preferably reading or working on a project. Me in a car with nothing to do for 5 hours is miserable, for everybody.

I dug around in my craft room and came up with a couple of projects and managed to get some stitching done during our travels.

I used the pattern out of a thrifted magazine to make this pillow top. I added the snowflakes because the snowman was looking a little lonely.Believe it or not I got it made into the pillow before Christmas. Fabric from my stash. It might need a few more snowflakes.This is another thrifted project. A 40 cent sweatshirt applique kit, a little muslin from my stash and I have the beginnings of a wall hanging.
I'm trying to decide what to do for borders. I found a big enough piece of fabric for the back. Quilted, this is going to be cute.

These were cheap to do and kept me entertained. I can't ask for more than that.

Happy June!

Wow! This year is flying.

I've recovered from the remodel and now I'm feeling crafty again.

Here's what I made out of recycled lath, craft paint, and a tin star.I thought it turned out cute. It nicely fills the space above the little bench.

I also got reacquainted with my sewing machine. It was touch and go for a bit, but we worked out our differences and made a good start on a project.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Happy March!

The Ole' Fishing Hole in fog. I love the reflection of the tree.

I can't believe it's March already. This year is flying right past me.

FIL is doing much better. In fact, it looks like maybe Tuesday or Wednesday he'll be discharged to the nursing home for rehab. I'm going down tomorrow to help get them settled and make sure they have everything they need.

I've got an interview set up for the 16th with a potential employer. I'm not going to say more lest I jinx it. I'm not really superstitious, but I'd hate to shoot myself in the foot at this point.

On the crafting front, there hasn't been anything accomplished. I went down to the sewing room the other day and just stood there. I think I was hoping for some type of inspiration to whap me on the head. I really need to work on something just to maintain my sanity.

As for weight, well we'll see tonight how good or bad I've been. I'm not terribly hopeful that I've lost any more. It's hard when I'm away from home and at the mercy of my husband.

I hope everyone has a good week.

Back in the land of the living

I feel so much better today. I'll never take boogers for granted again. I'm in the mood to do stuff.

But first, did you know buying Sudafed and spray paint on the same day in Wal-Mart causes certain people to raise their eyebrows? Just saying.

Lookie. I spray painted the back of my left hand. I must say almond does nothing for my complexion. I think a lot of lotion is called for. Would you look at that boot leather.
If the eyebrow-raising people at WM knew I'd bought glue at the Dollar Store they'd probably have locked me in a little room and called the cops. Everyone knows I'm a big old drug fiend.
These are dried mum petals glued to a thingamabob to be turned into a whatchamacallit at a later time.

I hope everyone is having a good Monday. Stay well and warm.

Where does the time go?

Let's see. This weekend was the city-wide garage sale. I have to admit it was disappointing. I didn't find much of anything at all. Well, at least nothing I was really looking for anyway.
Out of 40 sales, this is all I bought. How sad. I think I may pass next year.

Here's what I ended up doing with my dressed up sunflowers. The basket and leaves are thrift store finds. The cat-tails were cut from the local fishing hole a couple of years ago and dried. The rust flowers were $1 from the dollar store. For very little money I've got a new centerpiece for the dining table.

I'm working on some stuff for September. Does anybody know what September is?

Dressed up Sunflowers

The other day we were out and about and saw some really cute sunflower bunches with a not-so-cute price tag. I thought to myself, I can do that. I say that a lot and then never do it.

So, grab a handful or three of sunflowers from your local dollar store. I paid $1 per bunch and got three. These are kind of blah and don't do much for me. Yet. ;)For this project you need fabric, a sunflower head, needle and thread, and a bit of stuffing.Grab one of your sunflowers and pull it's little head off. Go ahead, it won't hurt. Now, separate the center from the petals.Make a fabric yo-yo. Personally, I'm yo-yo challenged have to use a yo-yo maker. This is an extra large size. It works perfectly.Put a wad of stuffing in the center of your flower middle for an added bit of dimension and stick it inside the partially drawn up yo-yo. Pull the threads to close and tie off. Be sure to clip the threads and be sure the little stem is sticking out.
Take your new flower center and reassemble the sunflower. Sometimes it takes a little maneuvering to get it back together, but it's not too bad.
Tada! A brand new, super cute, sunflower with some personality and a little zing.
You can do them all the same or all different. Either way these sunflowers are dressed up and ready to participate in your fall decor.
The great thing about this is you can use polka dots this year and next year use homespun or what ever tickles your fancy.

Cost:
Flowers - $3
Fabric, thread, etc. - on hand
Time: about 20 minutes for the four I did.

Have fun!

What a week!

Boy, this week has been busy. I finally changed my header. I need to try again I think. LOL.

DH started his new job and loves it. I was so glad to see him excited Monday morning instead of grumping around about going to work. We're on day five and he still loves it. He went from working in a 34 degree room to being outside, working with his hands, and using his brain. It was big change and so worth the cut in pay to do it.

I found a new place to play and make friends. Go check it out. I haven't had a chance to do much over there yet, but hope to soon.

My new glasses came. When I picked out these frames I didn't realize that the hump from a broken nose a hundred years ago made the frames sit crooked. If I put them on and balance them just right they're straight. Oh well. Nobody ever sees me in my glasses anyway.

There hasn't been any time to craft lately. I started going through my scrap bag last night, sorting and decided to make up a few yo-yo's.

I've been to the post office and Danetta should be getting her box-o-junk soon.

A swing by the thrift store netted me another old apron and two McCoy planters.

I have been out bonding with my dirt and I'm still amazed at how digging in dirt lifts my spirits and can banish a bad mood.

Mom took me anniversary shopping this afternoon and I came home with three crepe myrtle (pink, red, and white), two regular and a dwarf.

I also came home with this beauty.

Every year, Mom buys me a rose for either our anniversary or my birthday. Every year she thinks she's getting a yellow rose and it ends up being something else. This year by golly, she knows it's yellow. It's a climing rose and I have the perfect place for it.

In other garden news, the grape vines are putting out leaves, the lilac is beginning to bloom, tulips are blooming, and the red bud is in full bloom.

I sometimes wonder what I've done since we bought this house. All I really have to do is walk around the yard and my question in answered. Part of the appeal of this house was the yard, but it didn't have any flowers, ornamental trees, or charm. I'm slowly getting there.

I'm wishing a happy, safe, and blessed weekend to each and every one of my dear readers.

Latest acquisitions

The best bargain of the day. This Pyrex flask sells for anywhere between $145 and $160. We use them in chemistry lab and have a very real fear of breaking one and having to pay for it. I'm going to use it to root plants.

















Remember hankie babies? I had one when I was little.













6 yards of this fabric.













Dritz skirt marker. It looks brand new.


















A smock apron with huge pockets and buttons in the back.

Current projects and coming clean

I decided I'd better get serious about some of these unfinished projects I've got laying around and the best way to tackle a job like this is to come clean to your friends. Somebody needs to hold me accountable for my out-of-control crafting.

On the sidebar you'll see my current projects list has expanded dramatically. What kind of crafter am I to keep so many things going at once? A spastic one, that's what kind.

Truth be told, I get bored easily. Way too easily and I have to keep myself distracted by different types of handwork or else I'm tempted to rip into one of the rooms in the house that needs to be remodeled and make an unholy mess way before it's time. See, I'm really doing a good thing by crafting.

My current project list is:
*Hand-quilting the Courthouse Square quilt. Getting it in the frame would be a good place to start.
*Felted sheep pull-toy (a bit more felting, a face, and a base with wheels).
*Knitted sweater. I either need to finish it or frog it. This has been going on for about a year now.
*Knitted dishcloth. It's been on the needles since this summer. It might take 30 minutes to finish it up assumming I can find my place in the pattern again.
*Tatted edging. I'm just doing this for chuckles so I'm not stressed about it.
*Halloween decoration. I should have never opened it and started cutting it apart.
*Embroidery. It's really done. I just need to figure out what to do with it now.

I feel sure there's some cross-stitch laying around somewhere that needs finished too, but since I can't see it, I can't list it. I've probably missed a few hundred things and as I come across them I'll get them added to the list.

The good news in all of this is that I don't have a million aprons that need to be finished and all of my sewing is caught up at the moment. I've also managed to keep up pretty well with my picture project.

Okay, there it is. All of my deep dark crafting secrets are out for the world to see.

Blech!

School is about to do me in. I have 8 papers (just from one instructor) due on Friday before 5pm. He didn't assign them until yesterday during a temper tantrum in lab.

Friday is day after tomorrow and it's coming way too soon.

I skipped Chemistry today so I could stay home and work on this mess. I managed to get five written and sent in. Naturally, I left the hardest for last and hope I get a sudden inspiration tonight sometime.

In other news, I still don't have my tree up and the decorations are still in the attic. Honestly, it may have to wait until finals are over and done.

My dear husband is leaving tomorrow to go see his folks for Christmas. They're having the family get-together on Sunday and then on Monday my FIL is having a colonoscopy so DH wants to be there for that. The doctor fears he may have cancer. Prayers would be appreciated for J.E.

I squeaked out the ugliest apron in the world for the white elephant exchange. That would be the extent of my crafting this week. I had DH wear it so I could get a picture of it. I'll try to get it posted sometime soon.

Take care dear friends.

Where was I?

Oh yes, now I remember. I had made Eggs Benedict and eaten until I was nearly comatose.

Then, life got busy and my husband and I had to make a flying trip to check on his parents and straighten out a few 'issues'. Now I'm back and ready to get busy sewing.

I was working on an apron. I'm down to deciding on the pockets and then assembling the waistband and ties. I have no idea when I'll get it done. I hope this week. I hate to let things sit for too long because I find it difficult to pick it back up and finish. Hence, my many unfinished projects. I'm trying to break that habit.

While away I did pick up a bit of fabric, a couple of patterns, and a tatting shuttle. I need another hobby like I need a hole in my head. I'm not sure what possessed me except it was on sale.

The last visit to the thrift store found me dragging home two more craft patterns and three craft books.

I need to spend some time locked in the sewing room and finish up the Morsbags I have cut out. I might do that this afternoon if nothing blows up in the meantime.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day and that your blessings are many.

Left pocket syndrome

The attachments have arrived, but I can't play until possibly tomorrow.

Tuesday and Thursday are bad days for trying to squeeze in crafting time because I have class and labs all day.

I started my mom's apron last night and all was well until I discovered a screwed up right pocket. I wasn't paying attention when I pinned the piece and on one pocket the pattern was upside-down. Rather than have an obvious mistake I decided to cut another pocket.

Full of confidence I cut it, only to discover it was another left pocket. Huh? How'd I do that?

So I tried again...and ended up with yet another left pocket. Now I've got three left pockets and no right pocket.

I finally gave in to "left-pocket syndrome" and just turned everything off and shut the door.

I blame my sister for this sudden syndrome. She's left-handed and told me yesterday to be sure and put her pocket on the left side of her apron.

This morning I was determined to get a right pocket if it killed me. I took my left pocket and laid it on the fabric next to the pattern piece and cut out the correct pocket. Whew!

Now I'm back on track. Maybe I can get a little sewing done this evening.

A taste of things to come

I took my mother to Yukon today because she needed one more chair cushion for her dining room and the Wal-Mart here only had 5. Who only has 5 dining chairs? I guess I think they either come in fours or sixes. Anyway.

While in Wal-Mart I had a chance to see what the "new and improved" Sewing and Craft Department looks like.

Let me tell you, it's depressing. No fabric...at all. I saw one entire isle with sewing notions and yarn. That was it. If you want thread you'd better hope it's black or white because that's all they have.

On the other hand, stores like Hobby Lobby, Joanne's, and Hancock Fabrics might have a fighting chance now that Wal-Mart is getting out of the sewing and craft business.

The sweet lady at Hancock Fabrics told me they'd been covered up since Wal-Mart got rid of their sewing and fabric items. Enough that they've hired three new ladies to work during the week. Personally, I find that encouraging.

While I was there the cutting table had three ladies cutting and customers were four deep. I don't think I've ever seen so many people in the store.

I picked up a few things while I was visiting and now I need to get cracking. I bought a couple of yards of fabric (blue with white skeletons) for my mom an apron. She saw the fabric last week and fell in love with it. I picked up some rick-rack and bias tape in white as well.

I found a new bobbin belt for the Pfaff. The other one split yesterday while I was winding a bobbin.

I also got a magnetic seam guide. For the life of me, I can't seem to sew a straight seam. Let's hope this helps.

Patterns were on sale so naturally I had to have a few more. Now I need to figure out something for pattern storage. It never ends.

I'm nearly done with one of the aprons I'm working on. I'm down to the piddly stuff and it's hard to make myself keep going. Where's that cattle prod when I need it.

Welcome!

Welcome to Aunt Jo's corner of the internet. This is where I talk about the crafty things I make, do, and share. I'll be sharing my sewing, knitting, quilting, and hand needlework projects.