stitching.

Even with company this week, I have managed to get a couple of things done.  Perhaps "done" isn't exactly the right word.  Maybe, started or worked on, or progressed would be better choices.  Nevertheless they are moving in the right direction.  I showed you the needle case last weekend.  The pattern I followed called for a flap at the top, just over the scissors.  The purpose of said flap is to keep your scissors from falling out.  Because my scissors are only 3 1/2 inches long and not the 5 inches called for in the pattern this type of flap would do me no good.  The scissors still slid out.  I had thought that if I made the opening for the scissors tight enough that would keep them in.  Silly me, felt stretches and can be very slippery.  My scissors stayed in the case only until I picked up the case and turned it.  Okay, so now I needed a new plan. After playing wit my scrap felt this is what I came up with.

I added a strip of felt about 3/4 of an inch to the top just over the scissor sleeve.  Once I folded over the felt; I added a snap and Ta-Da!  no more scissors landing on the floor.  (I make no promises for pins)
Not the prettiest but, hey it works!

I also started the second project in my Handstitched Class.  This is the DogWood Blossom.

 I know you are thinking, I have seen that fabric before.  You'd be right.  I just love this Amy Butler print!  I topped my print off with this lovely Kona --Aloe.  I think it complements the colors in the print nicely.  I stitched my Dogwood blossom down with a pretty yellow.

What this, very blurry picture, is showing you is the blind stitch we used for this block.  I am no stranger to the blind stitch.  Since I hover at about 5 feet, and it appears all of my offspring will have short legs, I have become quite skilled at the blind hem.  What I am not skilled at is keeping my stitches the same distance apart.  When you hem pants no one looks to see if your stitches are even, besides isn't the entire point of the blind hem that you are NOT supposed to see it?  Stitching these evenly both in length and width was most certainly a challenge.

Of course I still have to remove the freezer paper and square it up.  The next big question, "Now what to pair it with? "

Quilting

This week we have had my niece here visiting. The kids always love seeing each other.    The first day is always easy, lots of catching up to do.  Then it gets harder. Even cousins get stir crazy when they are cooped up in the house to long.  During these times I always have to have backup ideas to keep everyone smiling.  This week was no exception.

 Wednesday we hit the water park.  Friday we took in a movie and some yummy frozen yogurt,  and Yesterday was Boating!

The kids, and adults had a blast.  This also, believe it or not provides me with extra time to get things done.  By planning activity breaks in between, I get a lot more done.

 I finished off this wedding quilt for a client and was able to get it shipped off just in time. (I was really sweating it)

I also finished up this little baby boy quilt.  I picked up the cute panel at Jo-Ann's in May for only 6$  I thought it would make a nice charity quilt.  The front has flannel and Minky, along with those cute transportation appliques.  The back is wonderfully soft flannel.  Love the stripes.

needle case

Okay, so I am behind.  3 weeks behind.  "On what?" Well, I am glad you asked.  I signed up for Rachel's Handstitched Class in May.  When I signed up I thought I would have lots of free time to do hand work.  What was I thinking?  My summer has become increasingly busy.  Everyday I seem to be adding to things to my calendar.  How is that possible?  I am not sure.

I have been carrying around my supplies for 3 weeks, they even traveled with me to Utah, Montana and Wyoming!  Still the projects remained untouched.  Well No more!  I present my needle case,  My first completed Handstitiched  project.  (And the Crowd goes Wild!)  Yes, that is a lounge chair in the picture above.  I finished this project while at a water park with the kids!

What a cute little project.  I'll admit at first I was skeptical, "Why would anyone need one?"  I thought.  They are actually quite handy, as I have found out.  I have been toting around this case and the next project, hoping, praying that I get time to work on it.  Well, maybe in 3 more weeks. :)

Yellowstone.

As I mentioned in the last post we took off to Yellowstone 3 weeks ago (can that be right?)  This had to be one of the most wonderful family trips we have taken.  We flew into Salt Lake City and then had to make the 5 hour drive to West Yellowstone.  As we pulled into our cabin on Tuesday night snow had just started to fall.  Yes, I said Snow!  June 5 and it was still snowing!  It was no surprise when we woke Wednesday morning to find just enough snow to make a little snowman.  The kids loved it.

 (Believe it or not this was the first snow we had encountered this year. HA!)

We took in every thermal feature, waterfall and geyser they had, and I have the 460 photos to prove it.  I believe some editing will be required prior to making a photo album of this trip.

 We were lucky enough to see a ton of wildlife.

Bison, Pronghorn, Elk, Coyote, Bear, Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Bald Eagle, Raven, Trout, and Osprey were among the animals we watched.

The only animal we did not see in the wild was the Wolf.  Emma had hoped to spot one out but we never did.  Emma and I did make it over to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center to see some of the captive wolves.  While the girls learned about Grizzlies and Wolves, the guys headed out to learn to fly fish.  They had a wonderful trip and learned a great deal.  If you are ever in West Yellowstone we highly recommend The West Yellowstone Fly Shop.

  Between the 3 guys they caught 20 plus fish, both rainbow and brown trout.  Just when we started to tire of Bison, if you can imagine that, we headed over to Grand Teton National Park.  It remained cool, snowy and a bit cloudy, throughout the trip.

 But at 8000 feet above sea level you take what you get.  We did several day hikes and saw some really beautiful scenery.

We also caught a glimpse of a Moose, Beaver and Marmot. Overall it was a wonderful trip and one we will remember for years to come.

flower quilt

Last week we were on a family vacation in Yellowstone National Park. (more about that later)  Before we left I managed to squeeze in a little quilting time.  A friend sent me this cute baby quilt for her niece.   Don't you just love the flowers? I think the yellow centers are the best idea.  They really bring unity to the ever changing flower petals.

 At first I had grand ideas of quilting the flowers in pink and then leaves around the flowers in green.  That idea died mighty quickly and I ended up making pink leaves.

 It turned out pretty.  I might just have to make this one.:)

A new case for my Nook.

After many modifications and about 10 hours in embroidery my Nook case if finished.  I started with a tutorial I found here at Clover and Violet.  (It is also pinned on my Sewing Board on Pinterest)  After I made my MONSTER size adjustment, I followed there basic pattern.

I changed up the interior to fit my needs by adding a pocket and pen sleeve in the center.

For my exterior closure I used 3 colors of embroidery floss braided together to make a loop.  

I sewed in onto the cover prior to adding the binding.  I used a 1 inch covered button on the front.

My Absolute Favorite with out a doubt is the embroidery!  I'd forgotten how enjoyable and relaxing it can be.  Sadly I also forgot how badly it tears up my nails. :(

Patchwork Paisley

Once I had whipped up all of the Teacher gifts for this year, driven everyone to their last practice, and attended the last recital I was finally able to stitch together my Patchwork Paisley Quilt.  Yeah!

The fruits of her labor.

Emma's garden is growing and growing.  She certainly has a green thumb.  This has turned to this...

She has harvested, green beans and  tomatoes so far.  

We often use her fresh rosemary, parsley and basil for our meals.

  Her garden has become more profitable than she imagined.  She has just begun to make plans for next years addition!  It looks like we will be eating well this summer!