Don't you just love Ebay?

This is a cheap find from ebay, free shipping and auction closed under $10!!

I got a big batch of misc aida fabric.

   This will be great for making Christmas ornaments, book marks and pin cushions!!!  I had no clue what would be in the box, I saw one picture and bid and won.  I am going to have fun with this stuff!!

Update. . .

I think the girl has picked her school.  She will go the first year to Hayden.  Hayden is a wonderful school, private with small student body in the neighborhood of 500-600, grades 9-12.  Her older brother is there and this is the best option for her for now.

Topeka High, my alma mater is also a wonderful school but the student body is > 1500 maybe around 2000 students. It is public and pulls from all over the city. Since she is coming out of an 8th grade class of 26, also private and her older brother is at Hayden, we chose Hayden. She will continue to play clarinet, acoustic & electric guitars on her own and in the Mariachi (Guitar,Vihuela & Guitarron).

Ol'man, I am gonna have a good cry come May when she graduates!

Wow, I think in my mind she will always be 3 and her sister 2 - life has been a whirlwind since then!!!

The sisters 3 years ago - I lost alot of pictures when my camera was stolen.  Always up load your photos!!!!

Cinco de Mayo skirts

I have the 3 gree skirts cut out and have sewn all the ruffles together.  (I need to get pictures of this process on line).  I was going to serge the edges and serge the skirt panels together tonight but I go called into work.  I usually work midnight to noon on Sundays but another staff member called in and they asked me to come in at 8pm on Saturday so there went my sewing time. 

I hope to get this done Monday or Tuesday.  If not for sure on Wednesday.  I will take pictures of what I am talking about then and post them on my web page.

I added a picture above of the skirt pieces in a pile.  You can't tell what is what but there are 3 skirts on the floor waiting for assembly.

I really need to learn how to use my camera. I have a cannon Rebel EOS 18-55IS with additional lense EF-S 18-200mm. I love my camera but I am no expert as you can tell from my pictures. But I am learning and having fun so that is the point ~ Right!

Time to get Serious

I hope really hope - no I am going to do this.

Let's face it the odds are against me but in order to feel better I really have to do this. I am going to be 45 in July. I wear a size 12 to 14 (more on the size 14 side) and am 5"6 1/2". I have given birth 4 times and work 60 to 70 hours per week. I am usually tired and a bit confused, except when working then just tired but focused.

Yes, those are all my excuses. In a nice little paragraph, take your pick any one will do.

So what is it I am want to get serious about?? My body. I really hate it. I hate the 30+ pounds I have gained over the last 5 years. I hate the way it has changed my body and how my once fairly firm body has gone soft. I hate seeling the cheese on my thighs and mid section and my droopy bottom. Oh, what a mental image.

My husband, bless his heart does not complain but I really hate looking at myself. I really need to get serious with the exercise. Nothing too major. Jazzercise 2-3x / week, walking 2-4 x / week and easy free weights only a 15 minute session.

If I want to get really crazy, my daughter wants to start running with me. Yes, I use to run and look damn good too. But alas, life has spiraled out of control. I use to meditate & pray daily.

But looking back there is a common thread in my life that I see, I have never been content. Content to just be in the moment. I have always longed for what was, what could have been or what I want to be. So, I am going to take out my 12 weeks back to me plan and live by it for the next 12 weeks. No matter what the excuse, it is time.

When I turn 45 I want to be happy with where I am at that moment. Yes, there will always be hopes and plans for the future, but I really want to once and for all be focused on the moment. To live in the here and now.

Sewing - well I have cut out the Cinco de Mayo skirts. I plan to sew for at least one hour today when I get home. That should at least get the bottom ruffles put together and maybe all the panels.

My Machines

This is my Janomi MO200 QC - I purchased this to replace "Edna" my beloved Kenmore. Edna and I spent many hours creating some beautiful costumes and garments. Unfortunately Edna was unable to be repaired. She still stitches a excellent straight stitch but nothing else. I still have Edna as a back up and travel machine (when I know that I am not going to need anything other than a straight stitch). I do love my knew Janomi and the buttong hole function is to die for!

This is my Huskylock 936. I purchased this machine 5 years ago and sadly I still have yet to learn how use this machine. Oh, I serge everything and use the same 1-2 stitches but nothing more. I am looking for a class or some kind soul in my area who is willing to spend time teaching me to fully use this wonderful machine.

My embroidery machine is also a Janomi - 350E to be exact. I am taking classes at the shop I purchased this machine. I really enjoy it.

Skirt's done!!!!

I did it, I finally finished BriAnna's skirt. Now this is just her practice skirt for dance and very easy to sew, but due to lack of MOJO I haven't been able to move on the darn thing.

I am really disappointment with my Janome 350E. I am taking it to the store tomorrow and am going to show the Gal what I am unhappy about. I get free life time lessons at the store I purchased it at so I plan to take full advantage. You don't spend that much on an embrodery machine and not be satisfied. I don't remember exactly what I paid but I know it was around $1000. Maybe 850??

Now that BriAnna's skirt is done I have to get moving on my other projects. Of course there are unlimited items for dance but I also want to get my camera out and take pictures of all my past projects and post them. I have pictures of many already but need to get my bottom in gear and post.

I read a post on budgeting and I too have to get a hold on my spending. Now, first let me say I have cut way back. But I want to really put myself on a budget and when it's gone, it's gone and I have to wait for my next payday. For someone like me who has 3 jobs I have a payday every Friday so it won't kill me to wait.

I also want to post pictures of all my cross stitch projects. I am averaging one every 6 -8 months. I have 4 Mirabilia set to start and mutliple kits. I am working on a very simple pattern right now "when life gives you lemons, ask for tequila and salt" it is really cute and I should be done in 2-3 weeks. I have a couple of other small kits that I could get done in 2-4 weeks and I may go ahead and knock them out. I'll just have to see. I know my next major project will be Mirabilia "Fairy Flora". I found a cool hand dyed linen in the right color range. Now, I hate to cross stitch on linen but this linen will really make a difference in the finished project. Because it is hand dyed the color varies through out. I definately will post pictures.

We kids that is all for now. Spark people, Spark people, spark people!! I did get my spark people shirt in the mail today!! WooHoo!!