sewing update

I've been able to check some things off my sewing duties list: mended son's torn t-shirt, hemmed a pair of jeans, and made hubby a new wrist rest for his laptop. Now I'm happy to be working on the Indian (Native American) costume that son needs for BSA Order of the Arrow ceremonies. This is my sewing room set up. The sewing machine was a Mother's Day gift a few years ago. All I needed was a sewing table to work on, which I found about a year ago at a garage sale across the street. It's a 1975 Singer Fashion Mate zig zag machine and cabinet, which I got for $30.00! The cabinet is in beautiful shape and gives me just the right surface to work on.

Of course, curious kitties like to visit now and then to see what's going on.

Pictures from December

Since I didn't have a blog in December, I didn't have anywhere to post pictures. So here's what I found floating around in the camera.

In December, great-nephew baby Teagen turned one (!) and for his birthday, I made him a pillow with a big "T" on it. It's got a football design going on there and some denim fringe on the border. The blue fabric is leftover from the gifts I made for his baby shower and the fleece is recycled from a Halloween cape I made for my son a few years ago. I've just recently started sewing, and it's been a lot of fun making things for gifts.

At the Hanging of the Greens at church, we were all entertained by the Irregardless Gnomes. They were really great! Had the house rocking. Oh, and that's my son, lead singer on keyboard. So, yeah. They were really great! Just ask anyone who was there. They'll tell you. Honest.

So continuing with the gift making, I needed help choosing the fabric for an apron I planned to include in a "Dirty Santa" gift. Fortunately, I have a very classy kitty living at my house, and she quickly identified the right mix of fabrics for my gift apron. Thanks, Callie.

Here's the finished apron. I made it from a set of old sheets (they were never used for some reason) and a tutorial off the web. It's reversible, too. SIL Gloria got it first, then Steph stole it (which made me feel really good that someone actually wanted it!).

And here's our traditional holiday breakfast - cinnamon rolls and sparkling juice. We started this tradition when the kids were young and it stuck. Can't have a holiday without it. Hubby made these cinnamon rolls based on a Ranch Biscuit recipe he dug out of the recipe box, and they were delicious!

Next on my list of sewing duties is to finish an Indian costume for my son, which I started a year ago. For some reason, I found the courage today to pull it out of the fabric box, so hopefully the next step is to finish it. Wish me luck!

the weekend

How can it not be a great weekend when you get to go to a birthday party? My sister Deb's partner Judy celebrated her 60th birthday! And what's a birthday party without chocolate cake and Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream? Not to mention the fabulous brisket dinner with all the trimmings. Yummy! We had a great time at the party and got to meet and get to know some of Judy's family. Happy Birthday, Judy, and many more!

Then hubby and I had the rare treat of going to the movies (just the two of us!). We saw Gran Torino and loved it! Clint Eastwood at his finest. Looking forward to seeing it again.

Sunday morning at church we had special musical guests, the Lon Morris College Choir from Jacksonville, Texas. They sang beautifully and brought tears to my eyes. Great way to start a new week. May yours be blessed!

God Bless America

GOD BLESS AMERICA
Author: Irving Berlin, 1918

Spoken Introduction:
While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with the light from above
From the mountains To the prairies,
To the ocean white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.

weekend rating = A

It was a very nice weekend. Since my boys were Boy Scout camping at Enchanted Rock, I had my lovely daughter to myself, which was especially nice since she leaves today to go back to school for the spring. We visited our sweet Aunt Shirley, shopped at our favorite make-up store (Bare Escentuals), watched Mamma Mia!, and were treated to lunch by Deb and Judy (Friday's fried green beans and sweet potato fries - yum!). Lots of good family time!

Now I'll set up my sewing area again (which is in E's room while she's off at college). I've got a long list of things I need to do on my sewing machine (hemming pants and mending shirts) and things I need to make (gifts and maybe something for me!).

Have a great week!

blog challenge

So how did I get here? Last Thanksgiving Day, my dear friend Jabel and I got into a conversation about blogging. Next thing I know, we’re in a blog challenge. She actually left a note at my house that day that read,
"You & me. Blog battle!!!!! It is on!!!!!"

This week she started her blog and won the blog battle. Not to be outdone by Jabel, I had to meet the challenge and start a blog. A new year, a new challenge. Love you, Jabel! Hope 2009 brings wonderful things to you. xoxo