Sewing Time

This past weekend I was able to spend some time and sew with a few friends. We took the "Scrappin Sampler" class our friends Terry, Louise and Barb were teaching down at Scrapbooks Etc. It was 2 1/2 fast paced hours working on 3 different projects. Here we are, Bobbi, Sue, Kathy and I.

Here are my finished projects...a cute pin cushion, a project bag and a needle case. Terry said they would make a perfect gift for someone but I think I need to keep these. They turned out really cute.

Here is a picture with with the needle case open. It was alot of fun to take a break with friends and come out with 3 finished projects.

Thanks Terry, Louise and Barb...great job, we had alot of fun!

New Yard Man

I have hired a new yard man...isn't he cute? After the several freezes we had here I had alot of dead leaves in the trees and bushes and then with the recent winds they have all ended up on the ground in my backyard. I can't believe I have 4 large trees in my small backyard, nice shade in the summer but the dropping leaves are out of control during the winter months. So this weekend when this cute guy showed up and offered to help me with the yardwork I decided to take him up on the offer. We ended up with 11 black bags of leaves. We trimmed a few bushes and got rid of alot of weeds that have sprung up now that the weather has gotten warm. I know ladies you all want to hire my new guy but sorry he is not available.

Of course little sister wanted to help to. We really needed some bubbles while we were working. Made for such a wonderful side affect to yardwork. She actually helped some to but was more into the break times.

Of course when you have hired help you always need to offer them some refreshments at break time. Juice boxes seemed to be the perfect thing. I wonder if I could get those "little" men on the table to help too?

Now big sister was another story. She wasn't really into helping so she stayed inside and watched the same movie twice before she came out and offered her help. We were just finishing up but I decided she needed her picture taken too.

I still have some leaves to bag up (we ran out of bags) and I need to spray so that the weeds won't decide to show up again before I am completely done. I will then be ready for the sprinkers to be turned back on after their winter break and the grass to green up again, maybe get some flowers planted and a small garden. I wonder how my new guy is with the lawnmover?

Thanks kids you were great help and remember they are not available to hire out.

Lunch out!

On Saturday a bunch of us decided to go and get some lunch and visit and catch up. Carrie had come into town from and wanted to see Grandma and Grandpa. She only got to see Grandma because Grandpa decided it was a great day for fishing. Here is part of the group that went...Aris, Carrie, Hunter, Connor and Beth. Our group also included my sister Amy, niece Jenn and my mom and myself. I didn't get a group picture. We went to Olive Garden and the food was great as always. You just can't beat their salad and breadsticks.
I got this one of Amy and Aris. Sorry about the glare from the window behind. Little Aris has the prettiest blue eyes.

It's alway fun for our family to get together and catch up.

New Arrival!

Remember a couple of post ago I showed you my niece's nursery that was complete except for the sweet little baby...well she arrived late Friday night. Here is tiny little Avery. She is absolutely darling. She arrived after a few minor complications weighing in at 6lbs 14oz. She has the cutest little round face.

Here she is with her Mom and Dad, Katie and Mark about 1/2 hour after she arrived. She is my sister, Kathy's first grandbaby but unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the new grandma with the baby. Kathy loves to shop so I am sure Avery will be a little bit spoiled as most 1st grandbabies are and should be.

You guys did a great job...congrats, she is precious.

Sewing Day!

Wow, I can't believe the weekend is almost here again. This is what I did last weekend. My granddaughter, Reagen called and asked if we could have a sewing day. How could I refuse. My daughters aren't really interested in learing to sew so I love finally have someone to teach. A couple years ago I gave her this cute little sewing machine. It actually sews pretty well but is very slow. Even Reagen, a fairly unexperienced seamstress asked why my machine went faster than hers. Here she is concentrating on her project. She is making a rag quilt.



At first I was marking the X that she was sewing across each block then after a while she said she wanted to try it without marking...always like her grandma and just eye balling it...much faster that way. She actually did really well that way and left me free to work on something myself.

Here are a couple of her blocks showing her fabrics. If you look really close you can see the straight X's she made. She still has quite a few left to do but she is getting faster every time she sews and she will have them done in no time.

After a bit she got tired of sewing and changed to scrapbooking. She was decorating her school notebook. She is such a talented girl.

After a bit of scrapbooking she was back to sewing. I will keep you up on her progress. Great job Reag, can't wait until we do it again.

Baby Stuff

My niece Katie is expecting her baby just any time now. I have been helping her out sewing a few things for her nursery. It has turned out so cute that I decided to take my finished items there to take pictures so you could see them in the darling setting where they will be. These are the pillow that I made for her. I put them in the crib but as soon as the sweet baby gets here they will have to be put in her rocker. The square one is still waiting for my daughter to make one of thoses cute fabric flower to clip on it.

The round pillow was not my "friend". I couldn't get the seams to stay flat and smooth. I revised it 3 times and then called it quits. It's cute just not as nice as I would like it to be. I also made these basket liners. She has filled them all with all little Avery's necessities.

Here is a closer look at them.

Here is a better look at the full view of the room. Isn't it cute? Now we just need to get that little baby here to finish off the look. It will be soon! I can't wait!

I still have a carseat tent and a crib sheet to make. Maybe this weekend.

Guess Who's Back?

I am happpy to have this great ole friend back at home. She has been in the shop for 3 weeks getting all serviced and ready to work. I ran and got her right after I received the call that she was ready.

I haven't gotten to use her yet but I hear her stitches are the best. Here is the little sample they sent home with her.

Welcome home my dear friend.

Welcome March!

I can't believe it is already March. Time has just flown by. Here is my little March quilt to celebrate the month. March usually means the beginning of our spring weather here in AZ and this year it seems to hold true. We experienced beautiful weather today, 76 degrees with a forecast of lower 80's by Thurs. Can't get any better than that.
With all this wonderful weather I just had to go buy a few flowers to give my yard a "spring" look. I want to try some vegetables again this year too. I tried last year and wasn't real sucessful but I am willing to give it another try. I've thought about it all year and have a few new ideas to try.

Today at work we all helped out with a de-junk day. A spring cleaning you might say...now it has me in the mood to get some here at home, especially with this perfect spring weather. Happy March!