Sunday, November 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Well, here it is...only a few days before Thanksgiving and I've not posted much. The Princess has just gotten over a bad round of the piggie flu. No fever for three days, and no runny nose for at least that long.
It seems the more I get things ready for Thanksgiving, the behinder I get. Tomorrow is the big day where I actually start cooking, so hopefully I will stop feeling like everything is going backwards!
Yesterday I spent 2 hours polishing silver. Me. Polishing silver. I don't really care for the shiny side of silver. I prefer the more natural look. But.... my coasters needed to be polished up (due to non use) and once I started it was really hard to stop.
My list of things to do is now under 2 pages (barely...maybe I should start writing smaller...), with the biggest push coming tomorrow. I actually plan on having 99% done by Thursday morning. Then it is just a mater of getting the turkey on in time, and then getting everything on the table at approximately the same time reasonably hot.
The one thing that makes me feel like the holidays are here is the table. We have to bring in a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood to use as our table top. It has been brought in and is half way set. It NOW looks like the holidays are here!
Everyone remember what you have to be thankful for. And don't forget to be thankful for those who have gone on before us.
Nini
It seems the more I get things ready for Thanksgiving, the behinder I get. Tomorrow is the big day where I actually start cooking, so hopefully I will stop feeling like everything is going backwards!
Yesterday I spent 2 hours polishing silver. Me. Polishing silver. I don't really care for the shiny side of silver. I prefer the more natural look. But.... my coasters needed to be polished up (due to non use) and once I started it was really hard to stop.
My list of things to do is now under 2 pages (barely...maybe I should start writing smaller...), with the biggest push coming tomorrow. I actually plan on having 99% done by Thursday morning. Then it is just a mater of getting the turkey on in time, and then getting everything on the table at approximately the same time reasonably hot.
The one thing that makes me feel like the holidays are here is the table. We have to bring in a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood to use as our table top. It has been brought in and is half way set. It NOW looks like the holidays are here!
Everyone remember what you have to be thankful for. And don't forget to be thankful for those who have gone on before us.
Nini
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Autograph quilt
Well, Logan's autograph quilt is finished! It turned out pretty cute, even if I wasn't happy with the quilting. It is so hard to come up with little boy quilting patterns when you have so little talent!
I will give a brief recap of the process...who knows. With my terrible memory, I might read this someday and think it is a totally new idea!
First is Fabric Selection.
You need a light colored fabric for the signatures. A pure white would work (as would a beige or off white) but, in my opinion, would look boring! I chose a variety of white on white prints. Yes, I know. White on white fabric is terrible to sew with and quilt on, but I do like the look. I really wish they would come up with a manufacturing method to make white on white fabric that did not produce that rubbery substance!
Next, Fabric Preparation
You need to get the fabric cut into manageable squares and backed with freezer paper. I chose 7 inches by 7 inches. Now, there are two methods to do this. One is to iron on the freezer paper first and then cut out the squares; the other is to cut out the squares first and then iron on the freezer paper.
Since I wanted to tear the fabric (much faster!) I cut my fabric into squares first and then added the freezer paper.
A dry hot iron works best for adhering the freezer paper. Iron the wrong side of the fabric to the 'plasticy' side of the freezer paper. (I know it is actually a waxed paper and not plastic, but it does feel more like plastic.) The freezer paper will come off easily, so if in handling the paper seperates, just run a hot iron over it.
I found that the characters liked to sign into my seams, so adding a border of masking tape should help prevent that.
Next, transportation and how do you get the signatures on it!
Be sure to carry a small clipboard with you to make it easier for the characters to sign their blocks. I put the ready fabric squares, a fabric marker and clipboard into a plastic bag. The plastic bag kept the fabric squares clean and together. I added a second bag for the ones that had already been signed, and left them in the room each morning.
You can use either a fabric paint pen or a fabric marker. The marker gives a smoother line. Whichever you use, just make sure it is permanent.
If you will be getting multiples of each character, you might want to mark the signe squares with the date and place. I found it very difficult to remember which Mickey Mouse was from Garden Grill and which one was from Chef Mickeys!
Once you get back, throw the plastic bags into your sewing room and forget them....at least until you are ready to start the quilt.
At this point, it is entirely up to your imagination and creativity. You can make a very elaborate design using the blocks, or a simple square. I chose a simple square for this one...time was running out!
I used leftover fabric from the T shirts and dresses I made for the trip. On this first one it was for a little 18 month old boy, so I wanted to be careful and not make it too girly. I used primarily the fabrics from our Animal Kingdom outfits.It is just a simple alternating fabric and autograph block. I added a couple of blank blocks to add his name and date to. Before I sewed them together, I gave them a shot with the iron. The writing should have been permanent, but I didn't want to take a chance, so I heat set them.
From there it is just a simple straight stitch here and there to add the squares together and to complete the top. Quilt or tie it off, add the binding, and you have a one of a kind souvenier to last a lifetime!
Enjoy
Nini
I will give a brief recap of the process...who knows. With my terrible memory, I might read this someday and think it is a totally new idea!
First is Fabric Selection.
You need a light colored fabric for the signatures. A pure white would work (as would a beige or off white) but, in my opinion, would look boring! I chose a variety of white on white prints. Yes, I know. White on white fabric is terrible to sew with and quilt on, but I do like the look. I really wish they would come up with a manufacturing method to make white on white fabric that did not produce that rubbery substance!
Next, Fabric Preparation
You need to get the fabric cut into manageable squares and backed with freezer paper. I chose 7 inches by 7 inches. Now, there are two methods to do this. One is to iron on the freezer paper first and then cut out the squares; the other is to cut out the squares first and then iron on the freezer paper.
Since I wanted to tear the fabric (much faster!) I cut my fabric into squares first and then added the freezer paper.
A dry hot iron works best for adhering the freezer paper. Iron the wrong side of the fabric to the 'plasticy' side of the freezer paper. (I know it is actually a waxed paper and not plastic, but it does feel more like plastic.) The freezer paper will come off easily, so if in handling the paper seperates, just run a hot iron over it.
I found that the characters liked to sign into my seams, so adding a border of masking tape should help prevent that.
Next, transportation and how do you get the signatures on it!
Be sure to carry a small clipboard with you to make it easier for the characters to sign their blocks. I put the ready fabric squares, a fabric marker and clipboard into a plastic bag. The plastic bag kept the fabric squares clean and together. I added a second bag for the ones that had already been signed, and left them in the room each morning.
You can use either a fabric paint pen or a fabric marker. The marker gives a smoother line. Whichever you use, just make sure it is permanent.
If you will be getting multiples of each character, you might want to mark the signe squares with the date and place. I found it very difficult to remember which Mickey Mouse was from Garden Grill and which one was from Chef Mickeys!
Once you get back, throw the plastic bags into your sewing room and forget them....at least until you are ready to start the quilt.
At this point, it is entirely up to your imagination and creativity. You can make a very elaborate design using the blocks, or a simple square. I chose a simple square for this one...time was running out!
I used leftover fabric from the T shirts and dresses I made for the trip. On this first one it was for a little 18 month old boy, so I wanted to be careful and not make it too girly. I used primarily the fabrics from our Animal Kingdom outfits.It is just a simple alternating fabric and autograph block. I added a couple of blank blocks to add his name and date to. Before I sewed them together, I gave them a shot with the iron. The writing should have been permanent, but I didn't want to take a chance, so I heat set them.
From there it is just a simple straight stitch here and there to add the squares together and to complete the top. Quilt or tie it off, add the binding, and you have a one of a kind souvenier to last a lifetime!
Enjoy
Nini
Go Away Piggie!
Well, it looks like we are not going to be able to escape the piggie flu at our house this year. It seems that the Princess may have succumbed! Fever, vomiting, chills...doesn't look good. She tested negative for the flu, but pediatrician feels it may have been too early to test positive. She had only been sick for a few hours when we took her in.
She spent the night with me last night, neither of us got much sleep! My living room looks like a slumber party! Dad decided to sleep in the recliner last night...more room than sharing a bed with a sick 2 year old! Sometime in the middle of the night, Dami woke up and decided to sleep on the couch. Now, The Princess is sleeping on the couch. Only Miss B is up and ready for school. I am working on my second pot of coffee, and can't wait to get back into bed!
Nini
She spent the night with me last night, neither of us got much sleep! My living room looks like a slumber party! Dad decided to sleep in the recliner last night...more room than sharing a bed with a sick 2 year old! Sometime in the middle of the night, Dami woke up and decided to sleep on the couch. Now, The Princess is sleeping on the couch. Only Miss B is up and ready for school. I am working on my second pot of coffee, and can't wait to get back into bed!
Nini
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Uh...Mom?
ARGH!!!! I just scared myself! I am sitting at the desk on the computer when I turned around to see what the kids were doing. I just happened to catch a glance of myself in the dining room mirror...and saw MY MOM!
Yup...I'm turning into my Mom! Sorry, Amanda. But it looks like we are all doomed to look like our Moms!
Nini
Yup...I'm turning into my Mom! Sorry, Amanda. But it looks like we are all doomed to look like our Moms!
Nini
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Ties, Ties, Ties
I have made my first tie.
It took me all of 15 minutes. And that included piecing the pattern and cutting out the pattern! It actually took longer to cut out the fabric than it did to sew the tie! I am in love with this pattern. (well maybe not love, but a definite strong like) I have made Mr D a Christmas tie to match one of the fabrics in the girls' dresses. I am working on one for Dad, maybe Shawn, and maybe Korey.
Since hubby has a problem getting ties that are long enough for him...I can see how this could be even more than just fun. Not only can I have an excuse to purchase all sorts of nice silks, I can save money on the ties. I figure I can spend 20 on a yard of silk and still save money. (I can get 2 ties from each yard easily.)
So much fun!
Nini
It took me all of 15 minutes. And that included piecing the pattern and cutting out the pattern! It actually took longer to cut out the fabric than it did to sew the tie! I am in love with this pattern. (well maybe not love, but a definite strong like) I have made Mr D a Christmas tie to match one of the fabrics in the girls' dresses. I am working on one for Dad, maybe Shawn, and maybe Korey.
Since hubby has a problem getting ties that are long enough for him...I can see how this could be even more than just fun. Not only can I have an excuse to purchase all sorts of nice silks, I can save money on the ties. I figure I can spend 20 on a yard of silk and still save money. (I can get 2 ties from each yard easily.)
So much fun!
Nini
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
They Like Them!
I have never made anything for anyone that wasn't part of my family. Except for quilts...and only a few of them. I guess you can say I am just a bit paranoid that no one will like them. Your family has to be kind.
I made some dresses for the Dis Big Give. I think they turned out pretty good, but was concerned that a different family might not like them. I don't think the construction was as good as it should be. And I had to alter the pattern a bit to go with the measurements I had for them.
Last night I saw their report online. They got the dresses... AND THEY LOVED THEM!! It was such a relief! I am suddenly filled with so much pride...it is really kinda sweet and weird all at the same time. The mom posted pictures. I'm not going to post those pictures here, but I will post a link to them. So, if you want to see those lovely girls in their new Winnie the Pooh dresses, perfect for dinning at The Crystal Palace, please look here...http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34183215#post34183215
Enjoy!
Nini
I made some dresses for the Dis Big Give. I think they turned out pretty good, but was concerned that a different family might not like them. I don't think the construction was as good as it should be. And I had to alter the pattern a bit to go with the measurements I had for them.
Last night I saw their report online. They got the dresses... AND THEY LOVED THEM!! It was such a relief! I am suddenly filled with so much pride...it is really kinda sweet and weird all at the same time. The mom posted pictures. I'm not going to post those pictures here, but I will post a link to them. So, if you want to see those lovely girls in their new Winnie the Pooh dresses, perfect for dinning at The Crystal Palace, please look here...http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34183215#post34183215
Enjoy!
Nini
Monday, November 2, 2009
Halloween came and went
...and it was pretty uneventful. I really dislike Halloween. Not really sure why, but even as a kid I did not like it. This year Rex took the kids out Trick or Treating, while I stayed home and gave out the candy. Amanda and Korey came over to watch the GA game and supplied BBQ for dinner. The light rain kept a lot of kids home. We had so few come by, I have waaaaay too much candy left over!
Now the best part of the year starts! Thanksgiving and Christmas. I already have my Christmas gift...new dishes and new stainless steel pots and pans. I LOVE them! And my serger came in on Friday. The hardest part is usually learning how to thread them, and I've already had to learn how to do that, so now, I'm ready to start using it. I have so many ideas... just need to get to Joann's to get some fabric...
Nini
Now the best part of the year starts! Thanksgiving and Christmas. I already have my Christmas gift...new dishes and new stainless steel pots and pans. I LOVE them! And my serger came in on Friday. The hardest part is usually learning how to thread them, and I've already had to learn how to do that, so now, I'm ready to start using it. I have so many ideas... just need to get to Joann's to get some fabric...
Nini
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Brianna's Quilt
Brianna's First Quilt