My sister would be so proud....

So let's give some background information first...

I am not a shopper.
I don't shop for clothes, bathroom accessories or new knick knacks.
I don't enjoy spending all weekend at the mall.
I own one pair of jeans. Well, I OWN two but one pair has some holes in a very unfortunate place so I can't wear them out anywhere...
I wear the same clothes over and over until I get them so stained with food drippings that they are unwearable (even by me).
I own 3 pairs of jogging pants and one pair is over 8 years old.
I own about 12 t shirts and all of them are solid.

So as you can see I am not a clothes horse...

Today I went here -



I walked in, tried on 9 different items and bought 4 of them. DONE...
Went to the post office, drove through MacDonald's for a Big Mac and came home.

Not bad for a Wednesday morning. Oh, and I got the senior citizen discount that I am not even entitled to (for another 5 years or so). Kohl's gives 15% off every Wednesday to senior citizens (age 62). I noticed that the price went down and as I looked up at the sales clerk, I said "What age is the senior discount?" He said "62" and as I started to open my mouth to say I wasn't old enough he piped in with "Oh, I know you aren't 62 yet, but I just give it to anyone I want to on Wednesdays". "You aren't offended are you?" "Heck no", I said. I'll take a discount any day!! LOL

My sister the shopper would be proud. I not only went shopping, but I went to her favorite store AND got a discount.

So that's done for another year or so. Wonder what else I can cross off my list today...

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

Jackpot...

Today was a wonderful mail day...DH was home unexpectedly. Emergency business run to New Mexico tonight for him so he came home to quickly pick up his packed bag. While he was leaving he saw the the mail lady coming and decided to wait...WOW I won the mail jackpot... Oh, bye honey....see ya tomorrow .....
Now to the box....\

HUGE BOX -



With lots of goodies -



First is a really pretty basket that exactly matches my bedroom. See the lovely green fern print?



These hang over my bed. Perfect match huh...



Then a beautiful piece of linen for Abbie... Of course Abbie is only a year old, so her mom will keep it for her.. She is gonna love it...



Next up are these lovely clothespins. She must have peeked into the sewing room and saw the little clothesline I have hanging above the ironing board! They will look so cute hanging up there....



This pillow is gorgeous. All machine appliqued and with some hand embroidery. I already have it stuffed and sitting on the couch in the living room. Beautiful work. The fabric reminds me of heavy burlap and it has a zipper and everything..



Look at the cute pencil topper! Some grandchild is going to love writing homework with this..



And then this purse. With hand made flowers. Out of white linen. With a red handle.



And the cutest little red fabric bird. He loves hanging out with my other birds...



Now why did I get this wonderful package? Because I joined Linda's Spring Swap! My secret partner was Noemia of Portugal. Click on her name to see her blog. (there is a translator button on the right side bar) Such wonderful goodies. Thank you so much Noemia...

I am sewing at Miss Nancy's today. We are making a new bag for Paducah...Just big enough for cash and a cell phone...

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

This foot was made for walking....

I love my sewing machine and all it's different feet. I like my 1/4 inch foot and my 1/4 inch foot with the bar on the right side to keep me within my 1/4 inch seam. I like my open toe foot for machine applique and my zipper foot that I am no longer afraid to use.

Mostly though, I like my walking foot...



Because it allows me to do this....



To this...



I finished this quilt Saturday. It is for my nieces new baby due in June. Her shower is the Sunday after Paducah, so I knew it HAD to be done before I left on the 22nd...

I love the way it got all wrinkled and old looking after washing and drying. Hee Hee, it will look just like the baby...all wrinkled and old looking...hee hee...

Then my sister said "I think she wants a diaper bag to match". UGH!! I don't think I have enough fabric left to make it to match, so guess that means I go back to the store? Or maybe just make her a diaper carry case? Will think about it...

Cause tomorrow's another day....

And today I am too tired to think.....

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

Mo to Hungary....

My swap partner emailed me Friday afternoon (my time, no way do I know what time it is in Hungary although she was off to bed). She has received my Spring Swap package so I can finally reveal what I sent her....



You can click the photo to make it larger. I made her the purple bag on the left. It was a pattern I found in an Australian magazine. I added a stack of purple
fat 1/8's, covered a journal and made her a zipper bag. Do you see a purple theme? A little birdie said she requested purple.

I am glad the package made it across the pond from Missouri to Hungary... Now I am patiently waiting for mine to arrive. The mail lady must think I am stalking her as I stand at the window and watch her arrive each day...

Hey, do I hear her now??
Bye!
Nancy

Nimble Thimble...

I am always in awe of stitchers that can use a thimble. When I started quilting I didn't finish many quilts so didn't have a lot of binding to hand sew. When I started doing redwork, I realized (after having some bloody fingers) that I needed something to pad my right middle finger. That's the one I use to push the needle through the fabric. I started using band aids, but that got kind of expensive and nasty... Then I found some clear plastic sticky dots that I could cut in half and use. They worked great, but I found that I wasted a lot of them. I would put one on and do a couple of stitches and then have to start dinner, or unload the dishes. When the plastic got wet, it was finished. They were fairly cheap, so I didn't worry about it too much until I started having a hard time finding them. I was at a quilt shop a couple of weeks ago and saw the rubber thimbles. I had bought one before and tried to use it, but at $2.95 it was worth a second try. I can't do it. I can't seem to keep it on my finger and I am all goofy with it on. I can't pick up the needle, I can't separate the thread. It's awful...

Then this week I was at Hobby Lobby buying some warm and white for a baby quilt and saw this hanging on the wall of notions...


I must have stood there for 5 minutes trying to decide if I wanted to spend the money and give it a try. My mind went back and forth. Do I buy it even though I can't try it on? If so, what size do I get? Small is out, so do I get Medium or Large? I settled on medium... and I love it. It is leather, so it kind of molded to my finger after a couple of hours wearing it. I can take it off and thread my needle, it wasn't expensive (less than $5) and it is thin so it doesn't feel like I have a hunky thing on my finger.

I sat down yesterday afternoon and stitched the name on the journal cover. Isn't it cute.


I made up her Easter basket bucket and added a pretty pink pen, some bubbles, cotton candy, jump rope and of course some great sugary candy. Buckets were made up for her brother and sister also. They are sitting on the mantle waiting for Sunday and their visit...

Have a wonderful Easter. Hope the bunny is good to you.... (I am asking for James Taylors new CD (Other Covers) and the Rock Star has volunteered to help him)

Nancy

An Easter gift....

My little granddaughter loves to write stories, so for her Easter basket I decided she needed a journal. I found a really cute one, but it was covered in hearts and I don't do hearts. (long story for another day)
Yesterday I decided to make a cover for it. Found some denim and some pink rick rack and some polka dot ribbon and here it is!! There is velcro hiding under that ribbon bow to keep it closed...




I think it needs something...maybe her name in pink embroidery thread? Yea, I can totally do that before Sunday...

Are you making any Easter gifts...??

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

Have you planned your Easter dinner yet??

Here is my menu for Easter Dinner and I need some help.

Jamie Oliver's Chicken in Milk (with changes per MotherLoad)

Crash Hot Potatoes

roasted green beans (again ala Mother Load)

Applesauce

Hot rolls

Oldest daughter will bring Apple Cake (sorry no recipe)

Sister will bring cupcakes...

I need a red meat dish. DH isn't a fan of chicken. Any good recipes for a red meat? And I think I need to buy another chicken as I just found out there will be two more for dinner...YEA!!

Nancy