If only I had the RIGHT color of ribbon!

So I got a bit of sewing done last week.  And I was on track to finish the projects by Saturday, but then came the part where I stitched the casing and threaded the ribbon.  I had made a couple of drawstring bags to carry my yarn in, as well as a couple for wrapping Christmas gifts and one for my best friend.  They were the perfect size to hold the yarn and crochet hook when waiting at the doctor's office or for the kids to finish their activities.   I had ribbon to finish ONE!

 
The other four need ribbon that matches so I can finish. I'm pretty sure that doesn't count as grocery, though.  I am planning on finishing them this week.  I also finished another dishcloth, and I think there are more around here somewhere. However, after school shopping, I can't find much else besides packs of paper and pens and markers!

This week, aside from the bags, I am planning on doing some quilted boxes, and more dishcloths.  I have a big bin of blue/yellow/green fabrics I am working my through, almost all bought for projects for my best friend. So now she will be getting an assortment of handmade household things that all match! I'll probably do two of each project since I probably want one to, just in different colors.

Exciting things going on around here!!

The most important is my patio.  I never really wanted a patio, and if I was picking a spot for a patio, it would be somewhere near the kitchen.  But my husband likes split levels.  So there is absolutely "near the kitchen".  But what we did have were 2 two-car garages and 1 two-car carport.  No one needs that many vehicles.  And DH is *NOT* a car guy.  So they were filled with *stuff*.  You know, the *stuff* that needs to go to the dump or the Goodwill.  So you put it in the garage until you have time to get it all loaded and dropped off.  So the carport is coming down.  And I'll have a patio whether I want one or not!   I don't have a 'before' picture handy, but since Friday, that is what we have been working on!

After stripping the lights and electrical.

 So we learned about turning off and disconnecting electrical.  And had a grand time getting the lights out!  That mostly S1 and me, with the others upset because they couldn't reach the lights to help get them out.

The pile of shingles.

 Stripping the shingles and felt paper went pretty fast.  The kids were very proud of the pile that resulted!  It was somewhat like jumping in leaves.  I was pretty sure jumping in it like leaves would have been a bad idea!

 

 

It'll be a nice, sunny patio!

I am already planning what I want to do with the patio.  It'll be a nice size, with good sun.  And DH hasn't had to do anything in this project!  Which is good since it's his busy time of year!

I also got some projects done! 

 I finished the garland for D2.  She got really good at weaving in ends when we assembled it!  It did come out longer than I had anticipated, which is good, since she ended up wanting long enough to go around the room!

 I made a dishcloth in MY favorite color.  I'm sure it'll get lost as soon as it goes through the wash, LOL!

And I made myself a dress.  DH really likes it, and D2 wants when I grow out of it.  So it's a winner all around!

This week I want to finish taking down the carport.  Aside from that, I don't know!

Big plans, little time!

I finished nothing last week.  Came close a couple of times, but either ran out of time or ran out of supplies.  We got most of the carport painted, and then we got rain.  Which is a good thing, we needed it. But....it messed up my plans.  So we sort of started getting the house ready for canning, but didn't get around to actually canning until yesterday.  A whole three jars done.  And for the first time, I had jars not seal.  So I haven't decided whether to let the kids eat it all up, or if I want to re-process them.  It was a shame, as I only had enough goodies for 1 batch of strawberry-kiwi jam.  I guess we'll see how much the kids like it, and go from there. Today was cherry-raspberry jam, and again, we only ended up with enough produce for one batch.  I am really hoping the blackberries are good this year. 

I have a dress to finish this week, as well as some Christmas presents to get started on.  And D2's flower garland! Must not forget that!  But I have no idea what will actually happen.  I had plans last week too! :)

No, August isn't almost here!

I really do not care what the calender says!!!  I can say that I really don't remember last week.  Every time I THOUGHT I had a day at home, I didn't.  And somethings you have to leave the house, like grocery shopping.  I did get one project done.  Last year's Christmas present for my bestest friend ever.  I lost it after cutting out all the pieces, and for some reason kids thought it would be helpful to "put away."  Under D2's bed.  Not sure of the logic there, but we found it!  In July.  So after the chaos of camps, and getting S1 home from West Virginia, I got time with my sewing machine.  She hasn't seen it yet, and she may check today so she can.   But anyways, here it is.

I made it fully reversible, so the inside is yellow with a blue ruffle.  Her favorite color since we were 16 is cobalt blue, a rather difficult color to find in fabric.  The apron is all wrapped up and ready to give, we just need to work out a day for a visit.  She's only a 3 hours away, but catching the ferry in tourist season is, well, there are no polite words for it. (And that's just the ferry, it's worse when they start driving!!!GRRR!) (Can we tell I have an issue?)

I also started a new crochet project for D2's room.  A flower garland.  Right now I am still making the flowers.

It's one of those great little time fillers.  Waiting to leave? Make up a flower.  Waiting for someone to get home?  Make up a flower.  We have 11 out of 20 done, and then I'll crochet the ribbon they will hang from.

We also got a huge portion on our carport cleaned out, so I could finally get to the demolition work that needed to get done.  DH wasn't impressed.  He isn't ready for the thing to come down, and I've been waiting for YEARS!!! So the kids and I started with all the bits and pieces that had no purpose,  like the wood nailed to the frame, 6 inches thick,  to do what?  Be there?  5 HOURS later, we called it quits for the day.  The next day, I primed all the parts of the attached wall (for a different building!) I could get to.  Then came the cloudy weather.  But that's okay because I have tons of inside work to do as well. 

After yet another discussion about the carport, I think he has agreed I can take it down, however he wants nothing to do with it. Which I am really ok with, because the man has a tone of his own house projects to work on.  Which is what I've been telling him, but he thought I wanted *him* to take the stupid thing down.  Now, to learn about disconnecting electrical.

Who knows what this week will bring.  I am hoping dome more good weather, as well as a really short errand list!! 

Cubbie Camp is over!!!

Well, we barely made it through last week.  The boys all did amazing, learning new things, and meeting new people.  Our cub scout got his first bull's eye in BB guns, as well as improving his sewing skills during leather crafts.  We are losing our program director as his boys move into boy scouts, and he will be irreplaceable! But now it is time to get our house in order.  And MAYBE find my sewing machine!!!!!

An almost empty house

So I accomplished nothing over the last few weeks.  However, I did have some kids who accomplished quite a bit.  D1 went back to her mom's, and managed to pack everything she was supposed to (which can be quite a challenge with teenagers, LOL), S1 finished raising the last of his money for National Jamboree, and out of $4000, only $500 was birthday money from his Grandpa.  S1 didn't know about that (and neither did I) until after he held a last minute, 4th of July weekend yard sale AND he spent all day working the yard sale.  And Grandpa was here to see that he did it.  D2 had a bunch of summer things to take care of before she went to her dad's, and S2 decided to take take dance lessons.  So while part of me is a little frustrated that *I* didn't get anything done, I am pretty happy with what the kids have accomplished.  Now, I just need to get everything back in order after the series of whirlwinds that are yard sales and packing have passed. 

I'd like to spend some time at the sewing machine this week, but with cubbie camp, I may have to wait until next week.  Or September. 

a long project finished!

I have one very exciting finish from last week, as well as another not quite as exciting.  The smaller project was a mixer cover for my MIL.  She had redone her kitchen, and had room for mixer to be out.  And available.  But that leads to dust.   After she saw my sewing machine cover, she commented that she love something like that for her mixer.  So, she's getting one!

And my big finish for the week!  This has been 3 (or more) years in the making.  A charm quilt for my best friend.  And no, I didn't use charm packs.  These are real scraps from real projects. 

 The grand total for fabric, incuding backing and binding, is 206!  E  loves it!   I loved how the edges looked after binding the sides.

So now I need to finish mine.  Which has smaller patches, so will take a bit more everything.  Maybe  I will work on that this week.