Getting back into it.

Sometimes that’s easier said than done.  Since I’ve been home from the beach I haven't been able to get much done even though all of my sewing accoutrements are back in their assigned places in my sewing room.  There's a new little baby Grandson in my life, and the two older Grandson's came and stayed last weekend with Nan and Pop, and we went to the Air and Space Museum.  (was that just last weekend?)

Commissary Shopping

But before we went to pick up the boy's there was grocery shopping to do.  I got a kick out of these little Army, Navy sugar pumpkins.  Thanksgiving cooking is quickly approaching, but these weren't coming home with me this trip.

The weather was beautiful last weekend, and after a long day down in DC with lots of walking, eating lunch on the lawn in front of the Washington Monument, Ice Cream, and a ride on the Carousel.  We headed home on the subway, and ate Hot Dogs and Mac n Cheese out on the patio with a few games of Uno after dinner.  And let me just tell you, it was big time fun around here!

The Washington Monument I didn't take this picture, but that's pretty much how last weekend looked.  Blue sky's and 80 degree's!

Wine and Fire

But after all that fun and those adorable boy's were safely dropped home with their daddy (mommy works the night shift) a little sewing and embroidery happened.   

Onesie Embroidery

Someone forgot his travel pillow, ta da! Name added.

Sand and Waves is coming along

20 blocks from one jelly roll or 4 rows by 5 rows.  I want this to be 6 rows by 7 rows or 42 blocks.  This second jelly roll will make another 20 blocks, I'll need two more blocks when all is said and done.  I decided the next 20 blocks will be my new leader/ender project. Because I bought a really pretty panel on the way home from the beach (at Serendipity Quilt Shop) that I want to make for my Mother in Law who is currently living at a Rehab center.  I'll post a picture of the panel in the next post.  Until then,

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

One is a lonely number

I never really thought about that statement until I lived it for four days on vacation by myself.  Don't get me wrong, anytime at the beach for me is a good thing.  But when my man can't come, normally one of my adult children can join me for at least the weekend. Life seems to have gotten in the way this year.  And so I was the one.

Dinner at Captain Mac's Fish House Friday night was the third or fourth restaurant I stopped at.  The Cruiser's were also in town this week 40 in Ocean City, (which is NOT a problem for me) but every restaurant was packed.  This place is just over the Delaware line on route 54 just outside Ocean City.  I was starving by the time I got there, and they served me the best crab cake sandwich and "golden french fries" I have eaten in a long time.

Captain Mac's Fish House

While driving up and down Coastal Highway (with the top down, of course) it was 71 degrees after all.  People were lined up and down along the street,  sitting in their lawn chairs watching the "parade" of beautiful cars drive by.  Normally I take pictures of the cruises, but normally I'm not the one driving either. Ha! "One is a lonely number" after all.  "Hey Miata", "I like your car", are a couple of the compliments I received during my drive up and down Costal Highway.  This Miata has been my "Cruiser" since 2006, and since I was driving alone to Ocean City this week,  I was driving my Miata.  She is after all, my cruiser.

Hey Miata!

Moon Shine on the ocean "Hon"

Beautiful weather, and lots of walks on the beach.  

People were swimming!

But then there was sewing too.

First finished block

I even got some sewing done.

Before mitered corners.

I tried to take a picture of this wall hanging on the beach, but can you say "wind"?  Not such an easy task.  Another example of  "One is a lonely number"?

Wall hanging for my bedroom.

Lunch at Fin's in Berlin, MD

I followed my friend for lunch to  Fins in Berlin, MD.  And another delicious meal was had.  Roasted Beet Salad was my choice, and it was a good choice.  Need I say more?  Yum.  (Yes, I needed to say more).

Joyce and I

We talked, and talked, and caught up.  https://www.facebook.com/japiatti Joyce is an Avon dealer, and she and I have known each other for over 10 years,  Our husbands worked together in the US Army.

Sticks and Stones

My version of Sticks and Stones https://www.missouriquiltco.com I should call it  Sand and Waves.

Coffee before I go.

All this in there?

My Bernina was first inside.

Good by

Always have to stop here on the way home

Serendipity

Driver needs nourishment

Good food, good service

I'm not going to lie, there were three dinner rolls in that basket when the waitress put it down on my table.

Liver and Onions

And at the end, have to go pick up our Remy girl!  That's one happy dog in that truck.

I missed this girl

Lets go home!

And that's week 40 2017 over and in the memory book.

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

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Sewing it's what I do.

After this past summer of helping DD#1 taking care of Grandson's one and two (baby sitting is a a lost art).  Mother's today have it hard, finding good daycare providers for their little one's shouldn't be this hard. Back in the day, I had the luxury of staying home with my babies until they were in school, and my husband was in the Army, and we lived in Military Housing which was a big relief for us, and afforded me the luxury of having options.  Staying home and taking care of my children until they were all in school was a (luxury).  And I am thankful for my man and all we have accomplished.
Today's families do not have many choices, and I'm thankful that I  am a younger Nan, aka Grandma to some.  Helping my children raise their little one's is something I cherish, and am forever thankful for.
So now I can step down from my soap box...And look what this Nan can do?

Tonight I started a romper for Grandson #3

All cut out, and ready to start sewing.  I need to apply snaps to the shoulder straps, and this little cutie will be ready to wear.  The retro lions are so cute!  And who couldn't fall in love with a pre printed baby book?  Sewing does the heart good.

Romper and fabric book

A very productive evening.  Here's to sewing after a long day.  

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

It's small but it's a finish

Just a little handy organizer to help keep baby things at Mommy's fingertips.  Pockets to Go pattern by Atkinson Designs.  http://www.atkinsondesigns.com I made this with left over fabric from the glider cover I talked about in my last post.  The below picture was taken here right after I finished it, the footstool was already at DD#2's house.

Covered Glider with Pillow

Pattern Directions

I've had this pattern for a couple years, and this is the first one I've made.  Surprisingly easier than I thought it would be, but DD#2 wanted to use up some of the left over fabric.  She is my moral support, and encourages me along the way to completion.  She's amazed, and trusts that I can do anything.  Hahaha! It finishes at 6" X 6" X 5 1/2' high.  I will probably make the long one too, but not sure I will use the upholstery fabric which was a little thick for such a small project.

Finished and ready to be filled

It's small but it's a finish, and I'm happy about that.

Happy piecing, happy sewing,
Sheila

What happened to summer?

Well I am happy to report that we survived the summer of 2017, and baby sitting our adorable grandson's was never a dull moment.  We had loads of fun, a tooth fell out and the tooth fairy found it under the pillow.  We had our family vacation, and the whole family was able to make it down to the shore with us.  An 8 year old boy cousin came to join in on the fun last week for 3 nights, and four days, and the finally to summer was Grandson #3 came into our lives!  He is perfect in every way, and in between summer fun I was able to finish some of the to do list.

Covered the Glider

The glider footstool was pretty easy.  The chair on the other hand?  I really wanted it to have a skirt just like the footstool, but neither had pattern pieces, and the directions had you make your own out of muslin, and the super procrastinator in me was coming down to the wire so this is what I did.  DD#2 is happy with what her mama did, and that makes me happy.

Cozy Canopy

This cozy canopy cover fits over the carrier/car seat.  I finished this weeks ago, and it's been sitting down in the dungeon for weeks just waiting for the handles to be sewn on.  It fits...(happy dance!)

So I know what happened to summer, I'm just never ready for it to come to an end.  But now on to Autumn sewing!  

Until next time.
Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

After the baby shower

So the baby shower was so nice for "Mommy to be", and all the friends and family who gathered together on July 15th.  I found this adorable free elephant guest sign in pictur from Pinterest and Aspen Jay Little Bit of Living. Here's a link to her website, she has some free games and this elephant in Pink, blue, or yellow.  So adorable! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/23784704265195179/ 

Sign a Balloon Guest Picture

Above is the before, below this an after with the addition of the signed balloon's. 

Guest signed Balloons

And then today my daughter came over and I added the baby's name with card stock and cut out letters from my Scan n Cut. I Whited out the name in the photo below, but trust me when I say it turned out so cute.  

All signed and behind glass ready for baby's room

My weeks are flying by.  I can't believe July is more than half way gone.  The last thing my daughter and I have to do before the baby arrives is make a new cover for this.

Glider needs a little facelift. 

We made some progress on it today, hope to have more pictures soon.

Until then, happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

July

How did July just slip in without a peep?  Tomorrow, July 9th starts my official "Nan duty" mode.  I will have my boy's (Grandson's) Sunday - Friday for the rest of the summer.  I took time off at work just for the summer of fun and hanging out with the two little boy's who stole my heart a loooong time ago...We are looking forward to Six Flags season tickets thanks to Biddle Biddle Heating & AC ,  NanNan's Pool, and any and all summertime fun we can find.

But before that happen's I have been planning a baby shower for the "New baby boy in our family" to our  baby girl and her man due in August.  Another Grandson for this Nan to spoil.  We have food planned, games planned, drinks planned, and lots of friends, and loved one's coming to celebrate with us next Saturday, July 15th.  I made a banner...  

Baby Shower.  Each letter is 4 inches tall

I got the appliqué designs from Pickle Pie Designs $5 Friday's each letter in the alphabet takes about 2 minutes in the hoop.  Very easy to make.  I'm very happy with the outcome. 

Hopefully I'll get some time to blog this summer, if I don't please understand "I'm having fun with what makes me "Quilting Nan", two and soon to be three little boy's, and family fun, good times, and  Happy Days...

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Happy to report

5/16/17: Getting the job done isn't always so easy for this super procrastinator. I tell myself "I work best under pressure", but the older I get the more I don't believe my own story.  How pitiful am I?  Don't worry, I don't expect an answer.  I have some shirts I have to get finished, no more shenanigans...
Well I'm happy to report that I did indeed finish the shirts, but can't promise there weren't  any shenanigans involved.
My birthday came and went, and I did spend a weekend with our Grandson's, and this happened.

Blue Angels in Annapolis, MD

I took off a couple days in May, and one of them was the Wednesday that the Blue Angels come to the Navel Academy to preform during commissioning week.  I am normally working, but somehow was off this year.  One of my daughter's and her man have a boat, and invited me to tag a long, and let me tell you, I love this great big beautiful country I live in.  Seeing those jets, man...Brings tears to my eyes.

So after all the fun, it was time to settle down, and get 43 shirts embroidered.  43 left chest's, and an additional 21 with a logo on the back.  64 total stitch outs, not too shabby for a one woman team.  

Sew, I happ to report that I did indeed finish all the jobs in the allotted amount of time.  

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Embroidery, and Rehabilitation

A beautiful quilt deserves a beautiful label.  The label turned out beautiful for fellow quilt guild member Susie.  She asked me to make this label for her award winning quilt.  The Blue Jay details are so realistic.

Embroidered Label

4 weeks post TPOL surgery

My baby is recovering slowly, and that's just what the doctor ordered.  Mostly very little activity for my girl.  Leash walks out to the backyard for potty breaks, and then in her doggie play pen for the rest of the day.  Once we reach week 6 she will be able to walk two fifteen minutes walks.  Once in the am and once in the pm.  It's hard thinking that my dog ever thinks like a human (me, human) .  I have to watch her every waking moment.  She will revert to her old dog habits in the blink of an eye if I let her.  She only wants to take care of her pack, but for now her human MUST take care of her.  

Until next time, happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

A quilt show and some good old fashioned inspiration

A quilt show and some beautiful quilts equal some good old fashioned inspiration.  This past Friday me and my friend Rosa headed out early to Columbia, Md for Milltown Quilters of Columbia's quilt show.  https://milltownquilters.com/quilt-show/  The quilts were amazing, the vendors were great, and "fellow guild member" Barbara Dahlberg's lecture, and trunk show "My Journey to Art Quilting" was full of inspiration.  Here is a link to Barbara's website. http://www.barbarasartquilts.com

Quilt Ikebana

Barbara's "King" 

Quilt Ikebana is a class Barbara is offering in June that I want to take.  Her "King" quilt, and "Dinner Conversation" were two of my favorites.  Barbara had a lot of beautiful art quilts, and lots of quilting tips.  I loved how she put a flange on most of her quilts.  

Dinner Conversation

T-Shirt Quilt #!

This T-Shirt quilt isn't like any t-shirt quilt I have ever seen, and I like it.  (A Lot!)  And the next t-shirt quilt is nice too.  I really like the rounded corners.

T-Shirt Quilt #2

These were just two of my favorites that really stood out in my mind for future reference.  Idea's are bubbling in my brain, hopefully I'll have a finish to show next time I blog.  

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Sunday Fun

A typical Sunday started this morning with CBS Sunday Morning.  A Sunday morning "thing" my man and I have enjoyed for many years, and during the program one of us fixes breakfast.  Today after the program we went for a bike ride.

Check out my Sugar Skull bike!

After our ride, off to DD#2's house for a baby gender reveal party.  (todays generation can not be surprised)  A Grand Baby of either sex is very exciting, and we are looking forward to another baby in the family no mater what the sex is.

Another Baby Boy!

Congratulations to my baby girl and her man.  She's having his baby.

Happy sewing, happy piecing,

Sheila

That time of year

The Southern Comforters Quilt Guild of Bowie is having their annual quilt show this weekend.

So if you're local stop by and check us out.

The Guilds Lovely Raffle Quilt is "Friends In My Garden"
by Jane McKinley and Guild members

Dates:
Saturday, March 25th - 10am - 5pm & Sunday, March 26th - 11am - 4pm
Location:
Samuel Ogle Middle School
4111 Chelmont Lane - Bowie, MD 20715

Admission: $10, $1 off with canned good donation

Appraiser: Phyllis Hatcher - AQS certified quilt appraiser. Phyllis appraises new, vintage, antique and art quilts; and offers lectures and workshops.

Vendors: - AtMyOwnPaceCreations - Hoppin Bobbin - Aberdeen, MD - Lavender Lane Farm of Maryland - Mad Mud Studio - Bowie, MD - Monarch Scents - Crofton, MD - National Junior Honor Society at Samuel Ogle Middle School - Bowie, MD - Quilting Affection Designs - Waldorf, MD - Say it With Applique - Westminster, MD - SESART and Design - Aberdeen, MD - SpringWater Designs - Columbia, MD - Superb Sharpening - Huntingtown, MD - Sweet Pea & Roses - The Cloth Peddler, Stephens City, VA - The Fabric Peddler, Upper Marlboro, MD - Undiscovered Treasures - Burke, VA

Demonstrations: Saturday: - 11:00 Misty Cole - Innovative Applique - 12:00 Debbi Carter - T-Shirt Quilt - 1:00 Barbara Dahlberg - Art Quilting 101 - 2:00 Charlotte Kielszek - 10 Things Your Longarm Quilter Wants You to Know - 3:00 Pat Scully - Leaders and Enders: Never Break the Chain Sunday: - 12:00 Margy Hill - Correcting Paper Pieced Mistakes - 1:00 Karen Todd - How School Glue Can Help with Your Quilting - 2:00 Trish Rader - Thread Painting

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila