The first thought in my head as my feet hit the floor, pretty much every day of my life, is "Do I have any kids today? And if so; which ones and at what time?" Please know that I am not complaining. Not many people could have three sweeter grandkids, nor be lucky enough to have them all live right here in town. I'm just sayin', as dependant as they all seem to be on me, it gets kinda hard to make plans of my own. Honestly; at this point I can't tell you what I would be doing with my life right now if I didn't have these kids. I'm just trying to explain why I have long bouts of being away from the computer. Today I had one til 4:30, and had every intention of going to get groceries after, but at the last minute the other two needed me from 5 til 6 and by then I was just DONE. Luckily for John there were still a couple of microwaveable pot pies in the freezer. Usually once I get time alone I just want to veg out at the sewing machine or in front of the tv. Making yo-yo's.
Yeah, you'd have thought that putting together all those yo-yo kits recently I'd get burned out on them, but I kinda got hooked on them! It's a rather mindless yet fun way to still be productive while sitting at the end of the day. I've always been drawn to the charm of crocheted granny square blankets. I rarely go to the thrift shop without seeing one for 99 cents. So sad!! Being left-handed and unable to maintain a loose stitch I have given up on learning to crochet (or knit). Another old-time favorite blanket is a flower garden quilt...made up of thousands of little hexagons, which I imagine must need to be sewn by hand. Yipes! Not gonna happen in my lifetime! So in thinking on what kind of yo-yo quilt I might like to make I'm kind of combining the two patterns/looks. A granny squares/flower garden yo yo quilt. It will fit a twin bed, and it is astounding how much fabric I've calculated that it will take.
The above two pictures isn't even all what's needed for the "flower" squares. And I also need 7 yards of greens for the connecting borders. Hopefully this time next year I'll be able to share the finished results!
Here's a picture I took this weekend. My current idea of a perfect day;
Caleb came out to visit me in the studio and sat there with a coloring project for a couple of hours while I sewed and we watched a movie. See the dog sleeping underneath the tv cabinet? Cute little thing. See the fabric dog on my sewing table? That's the Fido pattern from Melly and Me. I adore their work, and ordered several patterns. I think the instructions may be better suited for someone who hasn't done a lot of sewing. In other words; someone who will read and reread the directions. I ended up getting so frustrated about some pieces having seam allowances and some you had to add seam allowances, bleck. I finally just threw the damn thing in the trash. Well, apparently Sophie felt it still had plenty of use (it's a short trash can).
Yep, it's a dog-eat-dog world! Speaking of; I think I'm going to replay tonight's debate, just to count how many times John McCain said "My friend{s}". Oh My God! I'm thinking the number is at least in the 60's. I'll let you know. ;-)
I have been loving having my little packet of circles to sew on at odd moments!
That Sophie is a DARLING girl!
Posted by: Kathi D | October 15, 2008 at 01:30 AM
I love making my yo-yo's! It's quite relaxing!
Posted by: Kim V | October 13, 2008 at 04:48 PM
I think it's funny that you threw that dog away... I do that all the time... i have more fabric than I have time... so if it's screwed up, I usually don't fix it.
And you know I'm republican (kind of... sometimes... lol!) and I was CRINGING evertime ole Johnny boy said my friends... that alone could do him in! LOL!
Posted by: missy ballance | October 08, 2008 at 09:49 PM
All that yummy fabrics on the counter. Love it! I might have to visit superbuzzy after I'm done here. I would lovelovelove to see what you'll end up combining the two patterns. Can't wait!
Posted by: Doe | October 08, 2008 at 05:10 PM
I have been thinking of buying some melly and me patterns and I am so sad to hear that! fido is one of the ones I was looking at! I so do not read patterns. they are more of a "guide" I just cut them out and sew away...so they may not be too good for me either! he looks very cute though! and he makes a good dog toy!
Posted by: jenn | October 08, 2008 at 04:28 PM
That stack of circles is so so cute! I love those fabrics.
Posted by: Nanette | October 08, 2008 at 01:45 PM
OMG... I've been tempted to rewind my tivo'd debate to see how many times JMc said "my friend". I figured Jon Stewart or Jimmy Kimmel would do it for me (that's code for I'm too lazy). Can you imagine doing a shot every time he said my friend??? Talk about alcohol poisoning.
Have you met Margaret and Helen yet? OMG! They are on my blogroll... go check em out. You will love them (it's mostly Helen... 82 and she's packed with a punch).
Lovin' your projects! I'm almost done with my kit from you - can't wait to show you.
Posted by: happy zombie | October 08, 2008 at 12:48 PM
what lucky children to spend time with you! that looks like an awful lot of fun- crafting and watching a movie.
your quilt is going to be amazing, i can't wait to see it!
and while that dog softie looks cute, i also get so annoyed by sewing patterns that don't explicitly set out the seam allowance at the beginning and then make a BIG DEAL when an exception comes up so I don't miss it!
Posted by: nancy | October 08, 2008 at 11:19 AM
I look forward to seeing the progress on your quilt. I just know it will be beautiful. Can't believe you trashed the stuffed pup. I bet you can think of a way to salvage it. Miss Sophie looks mighty adorable with it in her mouth!!
Posted by: Barbara | October 08, 2008 at 06:49 AM