Cleaning...Ahhhh it feels good

I have been tackling several projects around my house that I want to get done before school starts again. Going through the closet, cleaning out under the sinks, weeding the fruit beds, going through school papers, cleaning the fridge, organizing the pantry, etc. is what is occupies my days right now. It is almost like I have trouble focusing on the sewing side because my "big" cleaning projects aren't done. I did manage to get my two little elastic wasit skirts finished yesterday. Will borrow my daughter's camera to get a few pics. My son has mine. He is missed, but he is having a great time at GSP! Happy cleaning or sewing or crafting-whatever your day holds.

Amy Butler Lotus fabric

I have listed in The Cutting Edge that I am cutting out lacework flowers from beautiful Amy Butler Lotus fabric. I want to eventually put together a tile quilt like the one on the front of my Tile Quilt Revival book. The pattern is called "Lotus", what do you know. Tomorrow we leave to take my son to Governor's Scholar, so I have spent most of the last 2 days getting him ready to go. FIVE WEEKS IS A LONG TIME! I am sure he will have a blast. I plan on sewing once we get back. I am currently working on 2 matching elastic waist skirts for the 2 sweet little girls at church. Will post pics later this weekend. Travelling tomorrow, so will post again soon.

Bread Machine

One of the goodies I found while thrifting in South Carolina was a Williams Sonoma Bread machine that makes large loaves (12 cup). I tried it out with a white bread in Hilton Head and I made a whole wheat yesterday. It didn't come with a manual, so if anyone has a tried and true bread recipe for this machine I would love for you to share it. I keep downloading new ones to try. Did I mention I only paid $4.99 for this? I think people don't like the bulkiness or they just don't make bread anymore. Not sure the reasons, but I was glad to get this for cheap!

Back from Sunny Hilton Head Island

Our family goes to Hilton Head Island, SC every year for vacation and this time we had 12 days-woohoo! We enjoy the safety of the island for our kids and their are plenty of activities. Horseback riding, golfing, dolphin cruises, new friends from live concerts, biking, beaching... you name it-they got it! We are back now and I was surprised and elated by the number of thrift stores the island had. I managed to come away with quite a few goodies. I will post about them soon. Did get a tiny bit of sewing in, but mostly relaxed and read a few books.

Campbell's Board Complete

Here is the finished product. I still am not sure about the ribbon, but I think it works okay. I am going to make her some flowers for her hair out of the scraps I have left.

Looking for the Staple Gun

Once I lay my hands on our trusty staple gun, this project will be complete. I LOVE the covered buttons in the coordinating fabrics. They are so easy to make. I definitely want to use some on a garment. I still am not totally happy with the ribbon choice, but I couldn't find anything better at Hancocks or Micheals. I think it is a little bright but it blends okay. Hope to finish today. Haircuts all around for the fam today and SAT at 7:45 am for my son tomorrow. New batch of poison ivy cropping up on my arm and neck from my massive weedeating 2 days ago. Ah-you must love nature! Had a pretty bad sewing day yesterday, so not sure if I will get to any today or not. Maybe I will make another Sorbetto tank by Colette before my beach trip next week.

Satin Singed Flowers

Yesterday I went to a friend's house who hosts our monthly ladies gathering for church. I went to show her how to make organza flowers because that is what they are making Thursday night. I won't be able to attend most likely because I am part of a Tapestry of Grace Tea that night. We made several flowers and I tried to use some silver satin, but it just burned. This morning I was up early with hubby and decided to give it one more shot. It worked today and I paired the first one with black tulle and the second is just satin. The center is a cheap brad and I may use another in the strictly satin one. Not sure yet. These are cheap, easy and pretty cute. I hope the ladies all have fun creating gorgeous flowers tomorrow night!

Memory Board-repurposed

I found a really cheap ($1.75) memory board on clearance at Staples about a year or so ago. It is only a 12 inch square, but I found a perfect new owner-to-be for it. My sis-in-law is due in June and I made the baby the little quilt. She also has a daughter that I wanted to make a little something for as well. I talked to her recently and she has redone her little girl's room in Gypsy Spring by P Kaufmann. I found 3 different materials from that line and have put together a patchwork top to recover the board. Pretty cute. I was trying to decide whether or not to use big gem brads or make covered buttons from the fabrics to hold the ribbons in place. I think I will do the buttons. I think the gems are a bit too gaudy for me. It will be my first time using a covered button kit. I should have it done by this weekend.