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

April is Autism Month...

Please go and check out Mels Own Place. She is doing a fund-raiser for Autism and there are some great items for sale to benefit this great cause....

I have donated a key fob....I will make it in any color you like...

Nancy

In the mail....

Lorraine has probably thought I forgot about her. I promised to get these made last week and in the mail, but that didn't happen. I could give you lots of excuses reasons....but none of them would be true. I just plain didn't get my butt to the sewing room and make them.

Well, as of this morning, they are in the hands of the post office. Watch the mailbox Lorraine!!

I really like this pattern, very quick to make up and can be used for so many things... Great for those of us with zipperphobia...

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

In my hoop.....

At a quilt show last fall I saw a snowman embroidery displayed by one of the local shops. It was cute as far as snowmen go, but what really caught my eye was that the stitching was done on polka dots. When we made the rounds of the shops I found some great polka dot fabric and got about 3 yards thinking I would do some stitching. Of course I had no pattern in mind, and I was still stitching those redwork baskets, but that polka dot fabric sat patiently on my cutting table just waiting for it's moment. I finally started a new pattern last week and grabbed that polka dot fabric for the background. What do you think?? The pattern is called Love and Laughter by Kathy Schmitz. Clicking on THIS link will take you to her patterns at Colonial Crafts. Be aware of one thing. She does her patterns a bit diffferently than other designers. Her pattern pieces are printed in reverse. Her instructions say to scan the pattern pieces into your computer, print them onto freezer paper and iron that to the back of the fabric. I took mine to the local UPS store and had them mirror image print it, and just used my light box. Just so you know... The photo is clickable to make it larger... Sorry it's so wrinkled. I use water soluable markers so I can't press it....



And last weekend we had a set of grandkids. O and A had a great time with the lego's. A always wants her photo taken with her "tall towders". We won't see them at Easter so I sent them home with big Easter bags full of SUGAR!! And coloring books, sparkle crayons, cotton candy, bubble gum eggs etc....oh and for some balance I added some yogurt raisins..LOL




Only 3 weeks until Paducah!!

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

I'll be sleeping with Superman....

I am really looking forward to Paducah this year. My sister-in-law was the person responsible for getting me interested in this wonderful hobby. She invited me to Paducah one year and I haven't looked back since. We normally take a bus from the LQS and let Greyhound do the driving.

The Hotel was put up for sale last year and there was some talk about the show being cancelled. Which would be a shame as this is the 25th Anniversary. I am happy to say that the show will go on and you can see some of the renovations to the convention center here...
Check it out. It sounds like it will be less walking this year and I'm all for that!!

And this year, we decided to stay over one night and maybe see the whole show...

So I will be sleeping in Metropolis with Superman....

Will you be in Paducah??

Happy Shopping!!
Nancy