Glasses for sewing

I had perfect vision until my late 30's, then only a mild correction. My 40's I needed bifocals. Now 50, I can't see without my glasses and struggle to see when I sew or am on the computer working. My optometrist explained that he could give me a prescription just for sewing, because that is most important, and if the computer screen was less than 2 feet away the glasses would be good for work too. I got them, I can see, I can see! And they're pretty too!

I spent a little extra to get the Tiffany frames. Pretty! But most important, I can see!!!

Sometimes, you have to spoil yourself.

Yesterday, I spoiled my family.

 

Chile Reyellenos, yum! I filled them with diced sweet potatoes and oinion sautéed before mixing with cheese. I made 3 this way and the rest I added shrimp to the mixture. It is time consuming and messy, I will own up to being a messy cook, but since I do the clean up afterwards I'm the one who suffers my mess.

Back to quilting. Happy sewing folks!

 

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Getting done, More Quilt fun

I'm making another quilt. I plan to donate it to the church craft sale. I've made chevron and what I call strip quilts so I thought I'd try simple blocks. I cut out 5.5" squares, finished 5" squares. Now remember, I'm a self taught sewer/quilter so I may be using incorrect terminology.

I used my Janome for the straight lines, Eliose is my main gal, we stitch everything together.

A tight work space but it worked.

I just bought this gal, but classic me. I bought this gorgeous machine and it sat for a couple of months before I could work up the confidence to use her. In the mean time, I've misplaced the bobbin case and part of the power cord for the bobbin winder. Lucky for me, I took a "fun" part time job with our local Viking store and will be able to order the right parts first time out. You never know when you're hunting on the internet if you've ordered the right part or if it's actually made by the company.

I did some decorative stitching on my Singer Futura Quintet.

Sandy, in action, LOL!

I'll post again after I have the quilt binding on. Wish me luck, usually I put on piping or gathered satin around the edges. This will be the first time I actually bind my quilt the traditional way.

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I'm Back!

After a brief hiatus, I've returned. I've not sew any dance costumes in a couple years, but I have request and do plan to get back at it. But I have been sewing.

A quilt for Ezra, my newest granddaughter.

I learned by making a quilt for Everest, my first granddaughter and older sister to Ezra.

Two years ago, we became grandparents. Five years ago, our oldest son moved to Texas, meant the woman of his dreams and married. They've had 2 blessings since.

My daughter ran for Fiesta Mexicana Queen, a large fund raising event for our church Our Lady of Guadalupe in Topeka. The campaign consumed our lives for five months.

She won! Here she is with Father Jerry at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Two more quilts I made for the girls. Sorry the lighting isn't the best. I promise to get better.

The lighting doesn't do this quilt justice, it is very pretty. Light pinks and cream colors.

A little bit of crocheting on the side.

Everest and daddy sitting on grandma's porch Fiesta time!

My Ezra Joelle. Precious.

Well, I'll be back with pictures of my latest quilt. I've misplaced part of my embroidery frame, so I took a break.

I just had the frame, I put it down and it walked away. Ho hum, I'll find it now that I've had a moment of calm.

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Crochet and Grandma Land

Since my last post, I haven't done much sewing. I did sew rank patches to my son's uniform.
But, I've been crocheting!  My first ever baby sweater! I've crocheted off on, completed a few blankets but I have more unfinished crochet projects sitting around that completed projects.  I think I just might have graduated to an "accomplished" or "intermediate" crocheter.  A proud moment. 

 For my granddaughter Everest. I used the 12 month pattern. She's 6 months and wearing 6-9 month perfect, so next week they'll be too small.   The pattern is free online from Caron yarn site, I think it's yarninspirations.com. A shared site for Caron, Patron and Bernat yarns. The patterned called for Caron International"s Simply Soft Brites weight 4.  I had Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable yarn on hand.

I really like this yarn. I have it in blue and plan to make a shawl for myself.

Then I made another sweater!

I added buttons but didn't take a picture. I finished it and went straight to the post office to mail to SA, TX.
This pattern was from RedHeart yarn website and was free too. I've bought patterns from Etsy.com but the yarn sites free patterns are hands down much easier. I used Bernat's baby warn weight 3 for this sweater.  The pattern called for Red Heart Anne Geddes Baby weight 3 (light). 
Next? A baby dress, I bought the pattern from Etsy.com seller.

I'm using YarnBee lace yarn weight 2. The pattern calls for baby fingering weight 1 yarn. I like this yarn, it's $5.99. It bought it on sale and am going back for more in different colors.

I always thought yarn was yarn.  I never understood the weight  catagory.  I understood that crochet hooks came in sizes and impacted stitch count or gauge.  I just never understood the same for yarn.  So, after purchasing some patterns from Etsy.com sellers, I went looking for yarn.  It isn't easy to find "Baby Fingering Yarn, weight 1".  In my area I have Joann's, Hobby Lobby and Michaels.  Joann's and Michael's carry mainly weight 4, Sport Weight Yarn with a handful of weight 3.  Hobby Lobby has a nice selection of yarns and they have a small selection of different weight's.  Walmart carries one isle of yarn and mainly weight 4 with perhaps 4-5 colors in weight 3. 

Right now I'm hanging in my kitchen watching TV before I leave for work.

Coffee please, and yes to the whip cream!

I love my outlet covers. I need a couple more. It took months of watching EBay to get the 4 I have and then, no mas. I can't find anymore. I'm hoping to find some in SA, TX when I go at the end of this month.

Still waiting to go to day shift. Still tired most of the time but overall I'm feeling better. I only work 4 hours at my second job in the last 2 weeks! Wow! But I had 16 hours OT. Life is good, time to go.

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Monday, Monday

Progress on Mirabelia's "Angel Proclamation"

Angel taking shape.

My granddaughter's name plotted for stitching.

Two baby blankets to give as gifts.

First time! I'm making a baby sweater.

Honey got a new truck!

Very pretty. He's scared to get it dirty. So he's still driving his old truck while this one sits. LOL!

That's what I've done this week.

Tamales? Maybe Friday. Have a great week everyone!

 

 

 

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TaDaaa!

Dinner tonight . . . TaDaaaa!

flautas or taquitos, depending on your Momma,

fideo or mexican spaghetti (I know, right? ;),

avacado and some pico. Yummy in my tummy.

 

Sewing for Everest, my granddaughter.

They live in SA,TX, so sun hat is appropriate. First time I've made one and it was super easy. After cutting, it was less than an hour of sewing. Fun!

Slippers, I wanted to try this pattern and it took a little bit. I didn't like the instructions on inserting the inner sole and I didn't want exposed seams. So I watched a video on YouTube and was able to have hidden seams. I love YouTube. You can learn to do almost anything.

This was made out of scraps! Pennies ;).

Making progress! Mirabilia's "Angel Proclamation".

One more angel, letters, beads, outline and ribbon. I'm going to add my granddaughter's name, date of birth and weight/length.

Wanda Whinner. Yup, my other self. Still waiting to go to days. Crazy co-workers, trying to stay drama free. It is so hard sometimes to ignore the stupid sh--t. I'm trying. You know those co-workers that say they are team players but in the background they're working every angle to pad their own nest. Yeah. Lord give me strength to walk in your peace.

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I fell off the face of the Earth. . . Again, LOL!!!

Yes, it's so true to form.  I fell off the face of the earth, again.  What happened, so you say, Or I pretend to hear. 

Well, same ol, same ol and yet, not.  Over the last year+ there have been many changes in my life.  I don't want to bore anyone, or make myself sad.  So lets just hit the highs. . .

Yes, I'm still married.  My marriage rolls along, the sea is clear and while waters in other lands may get choppy, we float along calm water.  thanks God!

My son turned 30!!!!  Oh my.  He proposed, got married and had a baby - all in less than a year!!!!  So you know what that means?  Yes, Call me Grandma!!!

My second son is taking time off from college while he grows and figures out where he wants life to take him.  He does have a JOB and he is still in the National Guard. Only sadness I will touch on. . . His beloved dog, Swarly, was poisoned.  I still tear up, I loved that guy.  

So when we went to Texas to see my grand-daughter, we brought home a new puppy.  Rex, aka, Rex-a-million, is a joy. 

My Daughter, BooPah got a major scholorship to college and this Mother is off the hook for tuition and books!!!!!  She was the Commander's Pick for the Air Force ROTC program at KU!  Rock Chalk, go AirForce!!!  She starts school in a few more weeks.

My Baby will be a senior in high school this year.  Now I panic, my heart is racing.  Empty nest, what will I do???? 

For 30 years I have devoted myself to others.  Now what???  (lamaze breathing here)

Yes, I've been a bit depressed with all the changes.  It's come on gradually, with mini panic attacks.  It started with the annoucement of my son's wedding, the birth of my granddaughter, major family illness, and then the loss of Swarly.  And even though there have been so many blessings, my life is changing fast.  The constant rush and feeling of "what next" even though most events where joyful.  One day it hit me, "I'm depressed". 

My mother-in-law is growing more dependent on my family and my parents have been in/out of the hospital.  Almost tag each other like wrestlers in/out of the ring.  My mother had open heart surgery and seeing her after in ICU hit me hard. 

I turned 49, this month.  And since so much is changing I think I will continue with the changes. 
Here we go. . . I should be going to day shift in a month. I'm cutting way back my hours from work. Gone are the 70-80 hour weeks. Now I'm doing 50-60. For me that's major and I will cut back even more, down to 50 or less.

This last year of my 40's, and before I turn 50, I want to focus on me a little more than I have in the last few years.  I need to loose 30 pounds, the doctor said 50 and if that happens, I'll take it!  I need to return to my spiritual life, no more slap dash praying on the fly.  But really devoting time daily in prayer and meditation.  Hit the gym 5 times a week - now if you know me, you know I do really well for a few weeks, and then I crawl into a bag of chips and hide from my workout clothes for a few weeks.  I'm hoping by getting off nights I won't be tired all the time and I can avoid the chip cave. 

For the next year I plan to blog at least weekly.  yes I have been sewing!  And crocheting & cross stitching.  Time to get my blog updated with all my projects on hand. 

Folks, be kind to everyone you meet.  And when someone not nice crosses your path, take a deep breath and pray for them.  Allow Forgiveness and Peace into your heart and Joy will surely follow. God Bless you!