Saturday, September 29, 2012

Grandkids

I was thinking today about how nice it is that my grandkids are getting older.

Don't get me wrong, I did really love it when they were little.  They were so cute, so busy learning everything new to them.  I remember how, as toddlers, they would dance every time music came on, or how they loved to spend time just sitting and cuddling with me. One of my favorite memories is when Katie used to ask me to read her favorite book to her. She would sit in my lap so attentively while I read the book, then as the book appeared to be at the end, she would always call out, "epilog," because she knew that's what was on the next page.  Then I'd read her the actual real ending of the book!

It was all so much fun, and I really do miss those days.

However, I am also really enjoying this new phase of grandkids as they are growing and becoming so much more. It's so much fun having conversations with them now.  They tell me all about their days, and what they did in school with their friends, or how their ballet lessons went.  I've also come to expect Kayla's bedtime texts. She loves to tell me goodnight from her and Marissa before she goes to sleep.

What I like, is that I don't have to rely on their parents for communication with the grandkids.  They are old enough to get in touch with me themselves when they want.  I enjoy when I am busy working on my computer and I see that Tara and Katie are skyping me.  We have a nice long visit, sometimes without their parents even realizing.  They show me how they cleaned up their room, or their new clothes that they just got for school, or they tell me about what game they've been busy playing.  It's so much fun, and I remember when they were little and the only way I could be in touch with them was through their parents.

Now they are all growing up and becoming their own person, and yes, I do miss those little ones, but I also really enjoy who they are now.


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Starting Out

I started on my first Christmas project today.  I've had this purse in mind for the granddaughters.  I thought I would make one for each of them, then find some fun goodies to put in them.

Here is a picture of the one that I have made so far.


I think it turned out cute, but I'm not as happy with it as I would like to be.  It came out smaller than I thought it would, and the top opening doesn't open as well as I would like. I'm thinking that it will be for the youngest, Katie.  Her little hands should fit inside fine.

Or, I may just start over and make a whole new purse!  Now that I know how to make them I can just cut the pieces of material bigger, change the way the handles are attached, and have what I want in a purse.

Really the problem wasn't with the pattern, which you can find here, it was the choice I made.  There were two styles to the design and I chose the second style, which is fine if you like it.  I just discovered, after I put it all together, that I didn't really care for that design.

So whichever way I decide to go, I'm going to finish off the purses with a cute little design of some sort attached to the band that's sewn around the purse.  If you follow the link above you'll see the cute little flowers that were attached to the purses that are displayed.  They really add to them.

Will let you know what I decide when I figure it out myself!

Monday, September 24, 2012

Making My List

It's almost October so time to really start thinking about Christmas.  Yes really!  Weren't we just thinking about Christmas 2011 a few minutes ago?  Anyway, that's how it feels to me.

So I have been giving some thought to my gift list and I think I have everything pretty much figured out.  That's good for me.  I'm not really a "shopper" so I usually just keep putting my Christmas shopping off because I hate going into stores and wandering around trying to find something, especially when I don't have any ideas of what I want.  I'm just not good at it!

This year, for awhile now, I have been actively working on ideas for everyone on my list, and I have many things that I've already bought, and stashed away.  So for me, this year, I am way ahead of my usual game.

Now I'm getting ready to start working on the projects that I'm making for the grandkids.  I have a bunch of ideas and patterns ready to go, so I am getting ready to bring out my sewing machine and start working.  That's the fun part for me.

My goal for this Christmas is to have everything ready to go and to be able to spend the last few weeks before Christmas just enjoying the season, instead of still worrying about those Christmas gifts that are still waiting to be bought or made!  That's what will make it an enjoyable Christmas to me.

So that's my Christmas plan, and maybe this year, I'll even be able to get the Christmas cards sent out!

And on a slightly different subject, yet still speaking of sewing projects, I just received this picture of the quilt daughter-in-law Jesi is putting together.  This is the finished top.


Really colorful, isn't it?  And how about that cute little boy peeking out?

And here's the full view.  If you notice the colors you'll see that it's a holiday theme quilt, with Christmas colors, Easter colors, 4th of July colors, etc.  Pretty cute idea.


Very nice, isn't it?  And she has really just started sewing!  Good job, Jesi!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Shaggy Old Man

I can hardly believe it but Schultz just had a birthday on the 14th and he is now eleven years old!  Not sure how he got to be this age so fast.

It's easy to remember his birthday because he was born three days after 9/11. I always think that the time probably hasn't gone as fast for those who lost someone that day.

And why the shaggy part?  Well it's definitely time for a bath and a haircut!  Look at those eyebrows.  I don't know how he can see, but he does!




Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Finished Project

I finally finished the project I have been working on.  It's a bag that I found the pattern for here.  Isn't it so nice that you can find so many free patterns of all kinds on the internet?  I thought this was a really cute design, and would come in handy for carrying books, papers, whatever you need to carry around with you.  As I tell my granddaughters, "you can never have too many totebags." And it's even better when they are homemade!

I made this one for daughter Jennifer, as she had mentioned that she needed something for carrying her various needed supplies back and forth to her classroom.

I actually expected this totebag to be a little bigger, judging from the picture that was displayed, but it is still a fairly decent size.

Anyway, here is how it turned out.



I really like how the colors contrast so well.  You can't tell too much from the picture but the light fabric is a kinda mint green with pink roses on it.  It was a part of a collection of matching fat quarters that I had in my fabric stash.

And here is a picture of the inside of the bag.  It has some decent sized pockets on both sides.


I had a lot of fun making it, and it was fairly easy and didn't take very long to put together. Jennifer was very happy with it!

And just for a different ending, here is a picture of the clouds outside tonight at sunset.


Lots of color!