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September 15

So I finally had the house to myself yesterday. I go out into the studio for some Fun sewing, and this is facing me

 

See, I joined the Sock Monkeys giving project over at Craft Hope. I had really wanted to join the doll one so that it would kickstart my Raggedy Ann making, but I missed it. This is the first sock monkey I ever made. The legs and arms are too fat and way lumpy. I think his tail might be TOO high up his back.  So every time I walk in there and see him sitting there holding that fabric I hear him saying, "Chop chop! You better make me a matching sock monkey quilt here so I can at least have something to offer in exchange for me looking so lame!" I learn this lesson over and over: You never did that before because you aren't good at it! You know when I most learn that lesson? When I take classes. Either the class is SO out of my realm that I sit there like the lamest person in there. OR, on the other end of the spectrum, I sit there thinking "I could teach HER a thing or two!" Know what I mean? So WHY did I sign up for the Mary Engelbreit Home Companion Workshops to be held in St Louis next Spring? Um. Look at who's going to be there! I get to take not one but TWO classes with Charlotte Lyons.  YAY! And I promise, I will neither feel out of my league nor any other way than to just be happy to be there. Crafting in Companionship with Charlotte. :-) And touring Mary's studios. And all sorts of other groovy creative things! Anyone else going?

Okay, back to reality. Here's the other thing that's staring me down every time I walk out into the studio.

 

Love the fabric, liked figuring out how to use the yardage and precuts that I had on hand, but now I'm O.V.E.R. it. But I have to get it put together quick because it's for John's oldest daughter who's getting married in less than 4 weeks! yikes. I better figure out how to get that thing done today!

Here's a couple things I have worked on during the past weekend

 

a cute idea for a wedding (not ours)

 

This banner request thrilled me to no end! I'd like to make these all day every day because that would mean more and more of our Armed Forces are finally coming home!

I absolutely HAVE TO get this day started now. I'll close for fun with a random shot.

 

Spooning Cats! Gosh it's hard to get mad at 'em for being on my table when they look so stinkin' cute!

Sept 12

Do you remember six months ago when I *had to* eat 3 pounds of pastel candy corn just to collect 11 ounces of pink candy corn for Kadence's far off PINK princess party? Well, today was the day!

 

I can't believe I let that candy just sit and wait all this time. :-)

 

I had a lot of fun transforming the kids' play area into the party table. Can you tell?

 

We hired a *professional princess*, which I highly recommend! The girls oohed and aahed when she introduced herself and presented them all with wands.

 

First she gave each girl a special dose of magical face painting

 

 

 

Then she read a special princess story

 

Then she posed with each one, smile never wavering, for individual photos

 

Then I missed the pinata and the present opening because I was off in the other room getting their pictures printed off and framed for each girl :-(

 

I'd say "a good time was had by all". I would have completely forgot to hand out those gift baskets to the guests, but Kate remembered right before they left. Then after they all left we remembered she hadn't received her BIG gift, which was a big girl bike with training wheels! Gee whiz!

 

But she would've been happy either way. Kadence, the well-loved girl. I think memories are the biggest gift you can give someone and I hope she will keep this one for many years.