Friday, April 25, 2008

Gardening and Sewing

I don't have any pictures to post today but the spinach I planted last week is UP! That was quick. I guess my mini greenhouse did the trick. Now we wait and see how the lettuce fairs. I also planted two rows of peas two nights ago. We're supposed to get cold and icky weather next week. Peas love that. I wanted to get them in intime for it. Also I've got tons of flowers are in blossom, again no pictures. : (

Last night I started working on a Blouse. Its from the popular Built by Wendy pattern 3835. I got it cut, side and back seam sewn and part of one sleeve sewn in. My needle hit a pin and I went to change it and realized that my mom has currently has all my sewing supplies. I keep all my extra needles and tools in an old tin can. She needed some things to fix her machine with and I just lent her the whole can. It's been a while and I'd forgotten about. It will be at least a couple more days before I can finish that. I did try it on as it was and it does fit so far. I wasn't sure if I'd like the pattern on me so I did this version out of some very inexpensive quilting fabric. I think it was 4.99 yd and 40% off that. So even if I screw it up or don't like it I'm not out much.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Stash Update

Today I'm going to post about my new addition to my Spinning stash. I scored some beautiful fiber from Jessie. It's some of the last of her Addison Blend in the Pansies colorway. It's absolutely goegeous. I had to share it.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Meeting Relatives and the Bennington Monument

Today we traveled to Bennington Vt. It's about 2 1/2 hours away from my town in Chittenden County. We went to visit with my Aunt Marion who's up from Florida helping out her brother Pete. I haven't seen Aunt Marion in about 8 or 9 years.

We met them at a local Irish Pub Carmody's. The food was great the beer was cold and the service excellent. We even bought nice souvenir glasses at 3.00 a glass! We visited with Aunt Marion and her brother for a while then later we went to local Veterans Hospital Park for pictures. Later on we decided to check out the Bennington Monument. The day was beautiful and I got some pretty good pictures.
** ( of course as always click on the pictured to enlargen)

Here is my mom, Aunt Carol and Aunt Marion outside the pub.



At the Veterans Park there was a fenced section of some Fallow Deer. They were laying down and blended in quite well with the scearnary. It was hard to get a decent picture of them.



It was hard to get a full shot of the Bennington Monument its so tall. I'm not sure of the actual height but I was told it's approximately 30 stories high. There is an elevator inside that will take you up higher. We didn't do that today. It was built in memory of the Soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War.



These two are of Brigadaire General Stark. An important figure in our countries fight for independence.











Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Winter Vacation

I was looking through old posts and I realized that I never posted any
pictures from my Winter Vacation in January. I went Royal Oaks in
Dundee Florida. It's about halfway between Tampa and Orlando I believe.
I went to visit my Uncle and Grandfather. They lived in a Mobile Home
Park. I was lucky the week I was there, it was in the 80's everyday
except for the last two but still in the 60's and sunny. That was a
nice change considering I was leaving 30's and snow at home.

The park was really nice. Very clean and well kept. Paved paths throughout,
everybody biked and walked. They had an outdoor pool and a jacuzzi as
well. I spent most of the week lounging poolside. It was entirely
relaxing and exactly what I needed. It was good to see my Grandfather,
he passed away about two weeks after I came home. It was sudden and he
wasn't sick at all until just before he passed. He was 97. I was lucky
to have gone when I did.



One day we did manage to go to a theme park, The
Cyprus Gardens. It was pretty there even though they weren't a lot of
flower in blossom. I think it starts full swing in February. They still
had shows and things going on so it was still busy.

I love this Butterfly Fountain.





This giant tiled urn is pretty cool. I wonder where I'd put that in my garden.



I even spotted a Gnome. He was in the Butterfly
Conservatory. There were beautiful plants, flowers and waterfalls all
built inside.






I especially loved the Giant Topiaries everywhere!



My Uncle took Gram pa on a water ride. Of course someone had to stay back and take the pictures. Ah shucks.



They also had a bit of an animal sanctuary too.




I'm thinking these retirees have it pretty good. This was a picture of the
activity board on one of the days. My kind of day! Though other nights
there was Bingo, Golf, Ladies Shopping day and even a band/music night.




There was also plenty of time for biking and raiding the nearby Orange and Grapefruit trees!
Retirement? I think I can handle it!

Monday, April 21, 2008

New Supplies

Last week Joann's was having a pretty good sale on new Spring/Summer fabrics and McCalls patterns at 99 cents! I think I went three times. It was crazy. These fabrics I didn't purchase at Joann's. These came from a newish Quilting shop in Williston called Strawberry-Rhubarb. Its a tiny shop but they carry Amy Butler and lots of other amazingly cute and modern prints. They also offer classes and a "Sew Night" time. It will be nice to have somewhere local to go for help on various sewing techniques.
It was hard to choose some fabrics there so I only got 1/4 yds of these four prints for now. I'll be going back there soon though as there are a few other things I'd like to get! I don't have the names of the particular fabrics with me but if anyone really wants to know just leave a comment. I love the Bunny one so much I had to have it in two colors. I think these cuts will be made into checkbook and eyeglass covers.. misc. things.



Also I finally got this drawer setup that comes with caster rollers for my scrapbooking paper. I only had some thin plastic envelopes to keep my paper in. They worked when I had a small stash but I've accumulated quite a bit more paper and the envelopes are just not cutting it. This makes more sense. Also it fits perfectly under my desk height counter top in the craft room. I can roll it out when I need it and roll it back in when I don't! I love things that are hidden out of the way. Plus each drawer is really a locking case. This will be handy when I go to my mom's to work on pictures with her.



I've also signed up for Wardrobe Refashion. I commited to the two month. The idea is make or refashion from what you have in your closet and not to buy new clothes. ! Lord knows I don't need any new clothes. There a ton of things that I have that can worked into something better not to mention the pile of mending I've got. We'll see how this works out. I think it's going to workout because I'm on a mission not to buy anything new. I joined Planet Fitness back in December and I'm really making the effort to eat healthier. I'm finally starting to see some results from that! I also have been holding off on starting any new sweater projects as well for the same reason. Lately I've been knitting for other people instead. I'll save those pictures and details for another post.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Yes, I'm still alive!

Sorry for the lack of posting here in blogland. I know theres at least a few of you that check in here once in a while to see what I'm been up to. I have lots of projects to share but it's a little late tonight to get any decent pictures. But I will say theres some knitting, rug hooking, crochet and other things to post about. Though the last couple of weeks my knitting has definately taken a back seat. Suddenly I'm loving my sewing machine again. I've been buying patterns and fabric up left and right. I'm also intending on joining Wardrobe Refashion! So there will be lots of crafting to see in the upcoming future. Stay Tuned!