Wanna Have Some Fun????

Just signed up for this swap.  APP always has such good swap ideas.  I'm ready to get started.  Here's where you can sign up if interested in a Halloween Tote Swap.  http://auntpittypats.blogspot.com/

Hurricane Irene

First an earthquake. Next came Hurricane Irene.  Luckily, my home hasn't sustained any damage. Tomorrow I begin my 3rd year of retirement. Having been an teacher for 26 years, it's still difficult not to not think the new year begins tomorrow.  Have a super school year, all you teachers out there.

Earthquake???????

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

EARTHQUAKE!!!!!!

A 5.8 earthquake rolled under my home (6 miles from the White House) at 1:51 p.m.today. It's epicenter was about 100 miles away, very near Richmond, Virginia. Now, I am getting ready for hurricane Irene. She's due here Sunday morning. What else will Mother Nature send my way?

Frustrated!

Frustrated!!!!!! why you ask?    I joined Aunt Pitty-Pat's Halloween block swap. (Thanks Aunt Pitty-Pat for organizing this swap.) The RULES" said- please have all blocks in by Aug. 20th.  Since I knew when I signed up that I was going on vacation from Aug. 13-20th, I started immediately; my blocks were completed and in the mail the first week of August;  and just as I expected, nearly half of the participants have NOT sent in their blocks.  I think we had at least 3 months to make 13
blocks.  On averaage that would be 1 block a week. I guess I must be "old fashioned". A due date is a due date, be it for bill paying, or handing in a research paper and/or a a report at work. Now that I have this off my chest... I think if you sign up for a swap, no matter what it is, and you do not adhere to the timeline, you should not be invited to be a participant in another swap being held by the same organizer. I now wonder if I will have enough time tocomplete a Halloween quilt.

THUNDERSTORM

Thunderstorm has knocked out power. So I'll not be participating in FRIDAY NIGHT SEW IN.  Thank goodness the laptop is fully charged.

I'm Back

Where have you been? you ask.  Working and vacationing.  Even though I've retired from teaching I've been doing a lot of ,and I mean a lot of substitute teaching.  For the last 7 weeks I have been teaching 1st graders.  In March, I spent 3 days in Ft. Lauderadale with  a dear friend. This year for Spring Break I headed back to Barbados. The first week I spent with my son, and the second week was spent with my daughter. Of the 2 weeks, 3 days were spent with both adult kids. Needless to say I had a FANTASTIC time.  This is my son, Steve, heading out into the world famous surf spot, known as the Soup Bowl, in Barbados.My daughter, Erica, and I went to an  orchid garden. Breath takingly beautiful. In May, my daughter and I flew up to Buffalo, N.Y. to attend my neice's bridal shower. Back to Buffalo the first week in July for the wedding.

 This was the mug rug I made for Aunt Pitty Pat's Easter mug rug and mug swap

Joined this swap . 5 blocks finished. My theme is Candy corn.  I just love this stuff. I can feel my sweet tooth aching.


Participating  in Kelly of Charming Chatter's quilt along.  I've never sewed 1 1/2 inch squares. Wish me luck.  So far it isn't going so well.  The white fabric I ordered, White Snow by MODA, isn't a bright white. Went to JoAnn's Fabric to pick up 2 more yards of white. Found it, but the 50% off coupon I took, wasn't valid until Sunday, and I was there on Saturday.

Just 6 more days of school!
Promise to be better at keeping up the blog.

Sewing Party- FINIS!

5p.m., the party is over and I just finished the heart mug rug!  Thanks for visiting. 'Til next time... the word is DECLUTTER!!!!!

Update-Word Up Sewing Party

The scraps from this heart placemat project made this:

a pouch for my sunglasses.

Here's my next project:

While going through the scrap drawer I came upon a 6 by 6 patch.  Thought I just saw this fabric in someones recent project. It was in Kelly's latest tutorial: Valentine hearts.  All I need to do is sew on the binding.  This will be done by hand.  A Valentine mug rug for someone! 

Word Up Sewing Party

Getting a late start.  Needed to pick up the Tutto case for my embroidery module.

My word is: DECLUTTER.

My plan is to  use scraps from a few projects and make afew small items.

First I'll make an eyeglass or maybe cell phone case, using scraaps from a valentine placemat I made for my husband.

No snacks or movies for me- a strong cup of coffee and some Michael Bublee. Hope everyone is having fun!

WORD UP

My word for the year is DECLUTTER!  Thanks Kelly, of Charming Chatter, for thinking of this wonderful motivator.  I LOVE to browse and shop at antique and thrift stores. Needless to say, I don't  come home empty handed.  My husband had an idea, more like a strong suggestion, one bag of stuff  needs to leave the house before one comes in.  I'm trying.  Filled a bag last night.

Last year at this time I was

on the beach, in Barbados. 

 My friend, Chris, is there right now.  Temperature here, outside Washington, D.C. is 18 degrees. My daughter emailed me to say 83 days to spring break.  She forgot I go a week before she does, so that means 76 days for me.  Just like last year at this time, a snowstorm is predicted for this area., on Wednesday into Thursday.

Christmas Swap Blocks

The 11 blocks arrived today.  I was surprised to see each block was appliqued.  I sent a block using a pinwheel pattern.  The theme for my blocks was holly. So the main fabric for the block was holly.  I had no idea that the block was to be appliqued.  I feel just awful.  I guess my block could be the center block!  Lesson learned: ask for specifics.  Don't assume!

Grethe's Secret Santa Package Finally Arrived!

A pair of mug rugs and

a pair of placemats.

The mug rugs and placemats were quilted with a snowflake pattern.

I'm glad I chose the snowman pattern vs.a Christmas  theme.

Maybe the third time...

This  is  my 3rd attempt to make this post.  Thanks to Kim for being my Secret Santa. Here is what she made for me.

Thanks Kim.

I also participated in the Crafty Goodness Swap. Want to shout out a THANKS to Kim R. The goodie box was excellent.

Now a public "I'm sorry", to Grethe in Oslo, Norway.  She is still waiting for her Secret Santa gift to arrive. I hope the US Post Office didn't loose it or Customs didn't allow it in! 

This is the mug rug and mug I sent to my swap partner.

Maybe she didn't like it, because she never sent me mine.

Happy New Year to all my followers.

Time to Catch Up

Where have October and November gone?  I'm supposed to be retired, but this month I have substitute taught  all but 2 days.  I'm booked  to sub until the end of the month.  There will be fewer subbing days in December because, I leave for Argentina on the 9th and return on the 18th.  My daughter, Erica, asked me to join her on a business trip.  Lucky me!   I love the summer, and that is the season it will be in Argentina. Imagine, 2 summers in one year. 

Tonight is FNS.  I need to get behind the sewing machine.  Planning on trying out a new embroidery pattern.  I would like to use this to top stitch a table runner I am making for a Christmas swap.

All Goals Completed.

Apple picking - done
Volunteering at the elementary school - done
All goals - DONE, DONE, DONE!

Pics from my Week-End of Leaf Peeping

Just the beginning of color in Connecticut.

OH! the computer isn't cooperating. More pictures later.

More Finishes

Back from a great long weekend in Connecticut.  Spent 3 days with a my childhood friend, Mary.  We were Leaf Peepers. The trees are just beginning to change color, so there weren't many leaves to peep at. We went to the Garlic Festival- yes, GARLIC Festival.  Ate chocolate chip cookies with a hint of garlic. So after volunteering one more day this month, and picking apples on Sat. I will have completed all the things on my list.  Took oodles of pictures. I'll try to post the best tomorrow.

Finishes

Volunteered twice this month at the neighborhood elementary school. My side of the garage has been cleaned up and out.  Now I have room for more "new junk".  Started helping my husband close up the pool.  Saturday will be the end of summer at my house.  Hope everyone is chipping away at their lists.

Charming Girls Goals for Sept/October

A little late with this post but, better late than never!
1. Volunteer at my neighborhood elementary school  2 x's a month.
2. Visit my friend , Mary, in Connecticut.
3.  Help hubby close the pool for the winter.
4.  Go apple picking with my daughter.
5. Clean out my side of the garage.
6. Do nothing one day per month, but relax!
.

What A NIGHT!

FNSI was nearly a disaster.  Didn't sit down to sew until 8:30 p.m.  The embroidery component on my machine was not cooperating- AGAIN.  I tried everything I could think of- even changed computers- 2 hours later, as I was removing all the cords I noticed I hadn't disabled the foot pedal. UGH !!!!!!!!  Unplugged it, and re-plugged the other cords.  Crossed my fingers, prayed and pressed the blue start button. IT WORKED.  FNSI ended Sat. morn at 1:30 a.m. 

Embroidered  spider webs here and there. See the upper left section of the tote in this picture.  The fabric already had webs on it.