Angel Goodies and Projects for Mr. E

I finished my Stitcher's Angel projects. They'll be sent to ***** in a day or two.

First up I made this sewing tote.
There are pockets on the outside and plenty of room on the inside.

I suppose you noticed something peeking out of the top.
Here's what tucked inside: a needle case, a pin cushion and a scissor case.
There will be other goodies in the package too.

I finished two projects for Mr. E this weekend. First up is the warm and toasty red hat.
Every little boy needs a red hat, don't you think so?

I also made him this bright yellow and purple scarf.
He'll be nice and warm this winter now.

I started two scarves this weekend with the stash of yarn I bought on Friday. I can't seem to stop crocheting right now. That's OK. I'm lovin' the yarn right now.

Sweet P

Around The House (A Life Examined)

Giraffe Dreams posted this on her blog today and I thought I would do it for me.

Around The House: October

Reading: Younger by the Day 365 Ways to Rejuvenate Your Body and Revitalize Your Spirit by Victoria Moran

Enjoying: Fall in New England. Colorful leaves and cool, crisp evenings. Perfect weather for snuggling under quilts.

Learning: That being a grandma is loads of fun and gives me plenty of reasons for staying healthy and young at heart. I call this pose: What's Up? I'm the Big, Bad, Mr. E!
Watching: I love watching football and crime and medical shows, including NCIS (both of them), The Mentalist, Criminal Minds, Trauma, Mercy, Three Rivers, The Forgotten, The Good Wife.

Anticipating: A reason to make Pumpkin Tiramasu from Baking Delights. Anyone want to come over for dessert and espresso?

Realizing: The Hotel Man will be home in 24 hours from his two-week trip traveling around the world. Yup, that's right. He flew from Boston to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to London, London to Venice and tomorrow he flies from Venice to Boston. Woohoo!

Pondering: What to make for Christmas gifts this years and who will get them.

Studying: Learn a Stitch, Create a Scarf from Leisure Arts. See that pile of yarn at the top? I've already chosen two scarves to make from the book.

Wondering: How do I to get used to a body that is going through peri-menopause? I'm open to any suggestions you want to share.

Remembering: My father as I was growing up. He taught me how to be a frugal shopper, yet enjoy what I bought.

Praying: I'm praying for my aging parents.

What you are doing this month?
Sweet P

Vacation - Days 3 and 4

Day 3 of my vacation was truly a Mr. E day. He decided it was a day to not sleep and to play and play and play. While I had a lot of fun playing with him, I didn't get into my studio. Not a big deal. I would never complain about spending time with Mr. E.

Mr. E went home with mommy last night. After a good night's sleep, a cup of coffee and breakfast I went into my studio. Eight hours later I emerged having pulled fabrics for my Stitcher's Angel projects and finished several other projects.

I made Mr. E two Trick or Treat bags from leftover Halloween fabric.
I used Lazy Girl's With Love Tote pattern.
Instead of using 1-yd of fabric I used FQs.
Little bags for little man.

A few weeks ago I bought a remnant of pre-quilted car and truck fabric.
Of course I had to get it. All it needed was a binding.
I paid $3.74 for a piece of fabric that cost over $15 regular price.
The binding came from my own binding bin.
Not bad for a quick and cheap quilt.

My last two projects of the day are for me. On vacation this past summer DH bought me three pieces of fabric with the understanding that I make something for me. Today I did that. I made a crochet project tote roll and a needle case.

I'm happy with how they turned out.
I still have enough fabric leftover to make another project case.
I'm trying to design a case I can use while doing embroidery.

That's all the vacation news for now. Tomorrow I go back to work. I wish I had a few more days off, but maybe next time I'll be able to take more time off.

Sweet P

Vacation - Day 2, Shopping Day

Today was our shopping field trip day to Center Harbor and Meredith, NH. The day was brisk, but my traveling companions (my DIL and Mr. E) were dressed for the occasion.

On the way to Keepsake Quilting we decided to stop for coffee at McDonald's. Mr. E has learned to sit up and enjoys a high chair. This is one of the many silly looks he shared with us today.

Keepsake Quilting/Needle Arts was our first store of the day. I enjoy walking around Keepsake. It's inspiring to see how they choose fabric for their Medleys and Charm Squares. They have a wide range of fabrics and you can find nearly anything you want. My only negative comment about the store is their staff. I've been there several times and I have yet to have an experience with a clerk who is as friendly as the staff I meet in any other quilt store. Anyway, I did find a few goodies. In the Needle Arts store I found a Needle Book Sewing Case pattern. In Keepsake, I dug through the scrap bin and found three bug pieces.

And several bright scraps.

We went into PatternWorks, their yarn store. The selection of yarn is wide and since I'm still learning about yarn I am overwhelmed by all the choices. I found The Little Box of Crocheted Bags for $2.99, a true bargain price. The red yarn has bits of blue and yellow in it and will become a hat for Mr. E with it. The other six skeins of yarn came in a package as a baby afghan challenge. It's very soft and the colors are yummy together.
Just up the street from Keepsake is Bella' Beads. I have some ideas for using beads and wanted to get a few special ones. I took a scoop of beads out of one container and a selection of NYMO thread.
We took a different way home and happened to drive by a quilt shop, The Quilted Frog. Of course, I had to turn around to check it out. The store is small, but had a good variety of fabric, kits, quilting tools and yarn. I don't know if the woman who working was one of the owners, but she was friendly. I found three transportation-themed fabrics. I'm feeling a quilt coming on for Mr. E from these fabrics.

Mr. E was a trooper today. He rode in his Snugli. Smiled at everyone. Made lots of new friends. And learned that butternut squash was yummy. He was rewarded with his own Ty bear from The Christmas Loft.

After dinner and a bath, we dressed him in his Halloween pj's and hat. He played for about 5 minutes, drank a little milk and then fell sound asleep.

Tomorrow is another day with Mr. E. I'm hoping to get into the studio to play with fabric. That will be after Mr. E starts his day since he sleeps in my studio.

Sweet P

Vacation - Day 1

My mini vacation started this morning. Mr. E has arrived for his three days with Dema. He kept mommy and daddy up last night and they only had three hours of sleep. They thought he would crash this morning. So far, he's only slept 30 minutes - his normal nap time in the morning. Maybe he'll get a good nap this afternoon.

I'm trying to convince myself to go into my studio and finish my Stitcher's Angel projects and my Christmas swap projects. I find the thought of cutting fabric and sitting at the sewing machine unsettling. Sewing is something I don't want to do right now. I'd much rather play with yarn or work on a stitchery. Do you ever feel like working in one medium rather than another? How do you convince yourself to do what needs to be done?

On a happier note, one of my online groups has a Birthday FQ club. Everyone who joins is put into a group and you agree to send a birthday FQ for everyone else. The groups generally have 20 -22 members and you can join more than one group. Last fall I signed up for two groups. I asked for Moda Marbles or solid colors.

Last week my Birthday FQ package arrived and on my birthday I opened my package to find these beautiful FQs. I joined two groups and was sent 42 gorgeous FQs. I love them! I've left them sitting out in studio hoping they inspire me.
Well, Mr. E has decided he needs some Dema time so I'm off to tend to him. I'll be back with more news of my vacation.

Sweet P

Has It Really Been Two Weeks?

I can't believe I haven't posted in two weeks! Bad girl! I'm also way behind in commenting on blogs. As soon as I finish this post I'm going to get caught up on those comments. It's amazing how work, play and a grandson can keep you occupied.

I've been busy finishing the stitcheries for my Stitcher's Angel projects. Now I need to make the gifts. I've been crocheting a lacy scarf with the yarn I bought a few weeks ago. I'm almost done with that and hope to have photos soon.

I received my Hugs Swap package from Sharon last week. She did a wonderful job on the cup hug and hug mat. The colors she chose are perfect for me.

The hug and mat

Mug hug close-up

Close-up of mat

Mr. E is growing by leaps and bounds. Tomorrow he will be 6 months old!
He loves his exersaucer. He's been teething for a few weeks, but still no teeth.

In my last post I mentioned my retreat for next week. I'm still having it, but instead of two days of isolated sewing, I'll only have one. I'll be babysitting Mr. E on Tuesday and Thursday and on Wednesday he and DIL are joining me on my field trip to Keepsake Quilting. Hooray! I love having Mr. E around.

How has your week been?

Sweet P