Sewing, Sewing, and the Bag I Won

I've been a little under the weather lately, but I've found time to sneak a little sewing in here and there.  I whipped up a cute apron that came in my "Poor Mindy" box a while back.  It was an easy one where the pattern is printed right onto the material.  I think it turned out really cute.  It has a kind of vintage feel to it, and it is a full apron which I need 'cause this girl is a messy cook. 

I also made another diaper bag, and I love the lining in this one.  As a matter of fact I wish I had kept it to line a bag for myself.  It was one of my end of the bolt bargain buys from the shop hop last month.

And I finally took some pictures of the bag I won from Becky's Sew in Stitches Blog.  I love the fabric!  It's reversible which I also love so you can change it up when ever you want to.  

Here it is filled with my stuff.  It has the greatest hidden pocket right at the top by the handle so I can quickly get to my phone, debit card, or tissues without having to plunder through everything else.  As an added bonus, she sent this matching tissue holder, so wipe my not so dainty nose and be trendy doing it.  The bag is soft so you can fold it up and stick it in another purse to use for a market bag as well.  Thanks Becky I just love it!  If you haven't been there you should check out her blog.

Signs of Spring

Picnic Time

Spring usually doesn't last very long here.  We go from winter straight to summer in a matter of days, however last year we had a very nice spring.  I am hoping it will be the same this year.  Today is gorgeous!  Wouldn't you know it, I left my camera at my parent's house.  

Not only is the weather picture perfect, but the morning was one of those I wish I could hold on to and savor for more than just the fleeting time it took to pass.  My daughter called and asked if I would ride with her and the kids to get some strawberries from a local farm.  I said, "Of course!"  She and I kind of reminisced about when she and her brother were young and we would make an annual trek to a cheese farm and then to a strawberry farm and then to a park for a picnic.  She thought really quickly and said, "I have a loaf of homemade wheat bread.  Do you have a blanket?"  

"I sure do!"  I replied and off we went.  The cheese farm is so quaint, and the people that run it are very nice.  The kids loved it because when we pulled up there were guineas, chickens, and a big ole' Tom Turkey right there to greet us.

The store is very small, but full of wonderful delights, not only do they carry cheese, and local honey, but all sorts of delicious things like Turkish figs, imported chocolate, sesame candies, and tons of other yummy stuff.  We left with a basket full of goodies, and no big, bad wolves in sight.

The azaleas and bridal wreath are in full bloom, dogwoods are everywhere, and the scent of wisteria perfumes the air so much you can almost taste it. 

Then there are the strawberries, oh, don't even get me started on them!  They are the deepest red you can imagine, and so full of sweetness and juice that runs like a river down your chin at the first bite.

The kids played so sweetly at the park, and even had a nice attitude when it was time to go.

Days like this that I want to brand into my memory and never forget.  I hope they always remember tool

Diaper Bag

This is the forth diaper bag I've made by this pattern.  I line them with very heavy stabilizer which makes it really difficult to sew the bottom piece into place, but it makes the bag so sturdy.  I always say when I finish one that I'm not going to do another one like that again, but they stand up so well I just can't make myself try it any other way.  I love the fabric on this one.  It is some I purchased on the quilt shop hop.  I have another one cut out and ready to go.  Now I just have to get to feeling better so I can sew!

The one above goes to a really sweet friend who is expecting a little boy just anytime now.

Sweet Parts of Sunday

After changing from their Easter dresses the girls set up a tent in my parent's living room and began doctoring my brother's dog with a play veterinarian kit. Of course the kit came with stuffed animals which were the maker's intended patient, but this crew had other ideas.  Poor Attie, after traveling for six hours she had to endure  being poked and prodded by a harem of preschoolers.  She was a really good sport, even when they tied her to the refrigerator.  Thankfully for Attie, they didn't know that dogs don't get their temperatures taken orally.  Notice that Sweet Cheeks has even donned gloves, no medical gloves were at her disposal so being the innovative girl that she is, she uses the oven mitt.

After the vet's office closed Sweet Cheeks decided to give us a shoe fashion show.  You should have seen this two year old walk in her mom's spiked super high heels.  She maneuvered in them much better than I could have.

Angel Eyes and Scooter enjoyed as many stories as my dad could tell before dinner.  Angel Eyes hung on every word.  This girl loves a good story, and my dad is a great story teller.  Some of my fondest memories are of waking early and pattering barefooted down the hall and jumping into bed with my parents and Daddy  telling me story after story.  I'm so glad that my grandchildren are getting to share some of those same stories with him!

Springtime

The joys of finding Easter Eggs,

   ...being fascinated by the ants found working in a tree, full of awe at the wonder's of nature,



carefree days of youth, I wish I could feel that way again.  One good thing about being a grandmother is that I do get a glimpse into that from time to time through their eyes.

  

One drawback may be that tomorrow when I go to church and ladies around me have perfectly manicured hands with impeccable nails, I will be trying to hide my food color dyed fingers underneath the hymn book.  It's a small price to pay for the wonderfulness I enjoy.  

New Dress

This is the new dress I made by a pattern from Indygo Junction, and material bought on the Greater Atlanta Shop Hop.  I made it by a pattern a size too large actually a couple of sizes too large.  I tried to alter it by adding box pleats to the center back and front, and it is wearable, but it still needs adjusting.  I'm going to try it again using a smaller size, we'll see what happens.  I'm learning a little by reading some of the vintage books I've been buying on pattern altercation.  I just have to get brave and try it before sewing instead of trying to alter my mistakes after the fact.  I'm not giving up though, I'm going to keep trying until I learn to sew clothes that fit like they should.

Atlanta Quilt Shop Hop

It's been a week, and I don't think I am still fully recovered.  Oh, but I did have fun!

The shop hop was amazing.  I had a blast with my cohorts riding, laughing, eating, longing for so many fabrics and the sewing knowledge to use them, and buying more than I should have!

Isn't this quilted van amazing?  It was parked at the Red Hen Fabric Shop.  The pictures really don't do it justice.

I got so caught up in the fun I didn't take nearly enough pictures along the way.  I did however take plenty of pictures of this van because it fascinated me so.  

WhooHoo! I won

I won this awesome bag from Becky over at Sew in Stitches.  It's reversible too!  She had her blog anniversary last week, and gave away lots of cool stuff.  I love the bag, and I can't wait to fill it up and break it in.  

Tree House Fun

As promised here are some pictures of the clothespin doll treehouse we built this weekend.  Even Gran got into the action.  He found the foundation piece for us and drilled the holes for our trees to be mounted.  

This little activity was the highlight for the kids this weekend.  It has kept them occupied for hours.  It seems all of the dolls have lost their clothing except of course for the little acorn cap. 

Grandkid Weekend

So far it has been a really nice weekend.  I got to hold my newest little grandson again when his mom and dad dropped by today.  Isn't he a doll?

Earlier Angel Eyes sewed for the first time on her new sewing machine.  She made her baby sister, Sweet Cheeks, a pillowcase for her birthday.  She used some vintage Strawberry Shortcake material from my stash.  

Then she baked my favorite Weight Watcher's  recipe.  Chocolate/pumpkin cupcakes.  Easy and good no matter how gross this combination may sound it's really tasty!  

Sweet Cheeks played Mommy with her doll, and alternated chasing the dog and complaining that he was chasing her.  She loves to get little Rusty in trouble.  

A picnic outside was in order since the weather was so great.  We'd already eaten lunch so we took a snack and a blanket and some books and enjoyed the loveliness of the day.  

Today Scooter will join us, and our plans include building a miniature treehouse out of popsicle sticks and various found objects. 

If we finish I'll post a picture soon.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my darling daughter!

And to her darling daughter (aka Sweet Cheeks)  as well.  Yes, there was chocolate involved in between shots.