Sewing

I've done a fair amount of sewing since I got to my parents' house Monday. Today I made some wedding gifts for my mom to give. I used Last Minute Fabric Gifts by Joelle Hoverson to make these travel bags. I've made dozens of these in varying sizes, colors, and fabrics (including felt), and they always turn out nicely. They look really cute in the white eyelet.

I also made (from the scraps) these checkbook covers from Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross. This is the same book from which that pajama pants pattern came.

Also from Weekend Sewing, I made the Lucy's Kimono pattern. This is a baby pattern, but can easily be enlarged for a child or adult. Blair and I have several friends who are expecting, and I thought this would make a sweet gift.

I've really enjoyed having the time to sit and sew (especially in the air conditioning), and, hopefully, I'll be able to turn out a few more items next week!

A Day Spent in Relaxation

Today, the dogs and I relaxed. We got up early and had breakfast with my mom, and then our day of nothing began. While I did this



the dogs did this.



Then, I did this



and they did this.



A little while later when I had finished this part



the dogs were busy with this.



I was concentrating hard on the next section,



and the boys were working hard at...



Once I had completed the top,



I checked on the dogs.







Then I took myself to a movie. All-in-all, we had a good day!

Headed Home

After getting Blair to the airport, I returned home to prepare for a trip of my own. Tomorrow morning at 6:30, I am headed home for two weeks. I've had a busy weekend of packing and a friend's wedding. I'm sure you've noticed I haven't posted any pictures on the other blog. I probably won't until Monday or Tuesday. I am taking my camera and cable with me, so there shall be new posts.

I've chatted with Blair a couple of times, and he's doing well. Murray misses him more than I do, I think. He's very mopey. However, once we get to MiMom's, he will be just fine.

Talk to you all in a few days!!

A Great Day

Blair and I had a busy day today, despite the fact that is was my first day off. We started the day by taking pretzels and covering them in yummy, unhealthy chocolate. Then we covered these with chocolate and orange sprinkles. Then we sat down to play a game of Risk, which we didn't finish because we decided to go to the beach. I also think our washing machine has rabies, but that's a completely different story.

Yesterday afternoon I was feeling particularly crafty and sat down at the sewing machine. Forty minutes later, I had five drawstring bags.

Those bags came out of the same book as the pattern for these shorts. Weekend Sewing, by Heather Ross, is a wonderful book. Go buy it. It has several very useful, cute patterns, and they are all easy to follow. These shorts actually come from a pajama pant pattern. Memorial Day weekend, I sat down and made a cropped pant version of these and they fit like a dream! I had enough of the blue-and-white pinstripe to make a pair of shorts. I can see myself getting a lot of mileage out of this pattern.

Wait!! What is that I see? Could it be a boogie board??? Mais, non!! TWO! I finally (after nearly four years) convinced Blair to overcome his fear of dirty ocean water and buy some boogie boards. He got out into the water and had a blast! It was truly the perfect day to go to the beach. Perfect weather, perfect water, and not many people.







Finally, these videos are really for my dear mother, but feel free to view them yourself anyway.

Time for a New Beginning

Yesterday was my last day at the pre-school. A day of relief and a little sadness. While my administration did not bless me, my parents did greatly. My kids walked in all morning long looking like the magi. I got bags and make-up and treats (a candy apple covered in caramel, white chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate chips), a candle, and several other goodies. Thanks to all who thought of me. Here's a little collage of my gifts.

The Wedding

It was lovely (although the trip there and back was not!!). There was many much confusion at both airports. The first flight was delayed for about an hour-and-a-half. They wound up sticking us on a different plane. The ride home was worse. We got on the plane early, which was great. We started driving to the runway, got there, and stopped. And sat, and sat, and sat. After a while, they took us back to the gate where we sat and sat some more. They handed out cold compresses due to the heat and lack of air conditioning. An hour-and-a-half later, we switched terminals and planes. This tiny tiny commuter plane went up so high at one point the wings were shaking, the sky was black (at four in the afternoon), and I could see the curvature of the earth. Not a pleasant flight. Both were filled with lots of turbulence, and I have decided that I do not enjoy flying.

The wedding, however, was perfect. So beautiful and simple. We had a great time and got to visit with my dad's family. I have pictures posted to Flickr.