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.