PATTERN MUST HAVE ALERT

I follow Creative Little Daisy the blog by Autum Hall. She makes the neatest things and has wonderful decorating ideas. I was visiting her in blogland and saw where Simplicity has printed one of her handbag/tote patterns.

I have been to JoAnn's and Hancock's in my town and adjoining towns and no luck whatever all four stores I visited were sold out. So I went to Simplicity.com and ordered it from them.

Can't wait for it to arrive!

Father-in-law, new pattern and my ramblings

The above is an article my brother-in-law emailed me on my father-in-law which appeared in local newsletter on retired firefighters in our town.

Yesterday, I went and had my second pedicure. I used gift certificate I received for Mother's Day as part of my gift from one of my step-daughters. I also treated myself to a manicure. Something I have not had professionally done since my great-aunt used to treat me to one occasionally at the beauty salon in our county when I was a little girl. Echie always did things like that to make me feel special. I had forgotten how wonderful it was to have someone do your nails. And brought back so many precious memories of Echie.

After my pedicure and manicure treat I went a couple doors down to visit the ladies at my favorite hangout Nancy's Calico Patch in the Hidenwood Shopping Center. I have always shopped at the stores in that storefront. As a teenager it was Junior World a boutique that carried the best clothes. Didn't know it at the time but 10-15 years later I dated the manager's son for a few years. We went our separate ways. The worse part was I didn't get get to see her as often but she and I remained close until her death at a much to early age. Then when I moved to this area that storefront housed Trends and Traditions an interior decorating store which I loved. I had them make cushions for my great-grandmother's rattan rocking chair I had inherited and matching floor cushions. Also purchased some dust collectors there. All three of the stores have the same wide plank wood floors which are stained a dark shade in the very front portion. I love the way they creak and moan when people walk across them. Those floors have always given those three shops so much character.

While in Nancy's Calico Patch I purchased two reusable plastic tote-bags (on the order of the Scout bags) that could be for pool, picnics, shopping, etc. One was blue with flowers and the other had black-eyed susan's on it with green background. Daughter took the blue one. I also bought a pattern for a clothespin apron. She's gone green and uses my clothesline. She leaves my clothespin bag out there so the other day I bought some new heavy duty wooden clothespins. I plan to make her the apron and load the deep pockets with clothespins and reclaim my bag of clothespins. I just may make me one of those aprons too. Her birthday is coming up in July so I may save it for part of her birthday present.

Fabric, Patterns, Baseball, Halloween

Well, we don't have a game to attend tonight. Grandson and another player collided during game Saturday evening. Have not heard who had called for the ball. Or whose ball it was to catch according to where was hit and what position they were playing. At first they afraid grandson had broken his ankle but ER said it was sprained. They put his ankle in an air-cast. Sees an orthopedist this week. His dad took him to dad's sister's pool and worked on it Sunday. Afterwards his mom said he was walking better and looked better too. She said he would wear uniform jersey and sit on bench supporting the team tonight but he called and said he wasn't going. At any rate with the EXTREME HEAT we're not attending. Going to stay home in the AC and ceiling fan and keep as cool as possible.

Over the weekend I ordered on-line some fabrics and patterns. One arrived today from the Fat Quarter Shop. I ordered Sunshine & Sunflowers Quilt of the Month Book Design Originals, and Ho Ho Ho Pattern by Pearl Louise Designs. The Ho Ho Ho pattern I thought would be cute to make up for Christmas either for myself or one of the daughters. I love sunflowers and so does youngest daughter. I'm sure I'll find plenty in it to do up for either of us.

Fabric wise I bought a variety of pieces that tugged on my heartstrings. Daydreams Peony Paisley, Fanciful Felines Blue All Over Cats, Fanciful Felines Purple Cute Cats, Fanciful Felines Aqua All Over Cats, Fanciful Felines Pastel Panel, Fanciful Felines Pink Cute Cats, Marcus Brothers Blue Christmas Magic, and Farmers Market Pineapples.

Some of the fabric I have no idea what I'll do with it but I KNEW I must have them for my stash.
The Fanciful Felines line I have an idea I'll use them to make something for my cousin's daughter. She'll be the big 40 this August. Since her mom died she and I exchange birthday gifts. She loves cats and Halloween. I've been wanting to do something either quilted or a tote or purse for her. I'm thinking a cat purse/tote-bag for her birthday day. And maybe something Halloween theme in October. Maybe a table runner or wall hanging. She like her mom goes all out for Halloween. Her mom, my first cousin died three years ago. When her mom was alive she would dress up and go to this daughter's home and help her with giving out candy and treats. Now, this isn't answering the door and a candy bar, etc. This is a yard all decorated, front porch decorated. They dress up. Inside decorated too. She serves punch, homemade treats (cakes, cookies, cupcakes, fudge, deviled eggs, sandwiches), purchased candies, cookies, etc. It's a big Fall Festival for their friends, friend, relatives, and neighbors. I sure wish I lived close enough to attend.

I ordered some baseball fabric from Fabric.com. I've been collecting baseball theme fabric to do a quilt at least throw size for my husband.

Hope all had a great Memorial Day Weekend. Daughter and son-in-law who live next door hosted a cookout on Sunday for both sides of their families and a group of their friends. There was around thirty -thirty-five people there ranging from one week to ninety years. Most of us brought a covered dish, they furnished several salads, beverages, hamburgers, hot dogs and all the trimmings. The others brought side dishes and desserts.

I ordered three apron patterns --Scalloped Apron, Sensational Smocks, Summerset Apron & Potholder Set---and a pattern for Basket Liners over the weekend from Clotilda's web-store. I use a lot of baskets and never seem to have enough liners to go with the holiday or season. For years it seemed I seldom wore an apron but now seem to live in them. Can't wait to sew up a few new ones. I haven't made one in about twenty years.

Yesterday I embroidered the first name for one of the grandsons on his swim team beach towel and for four of his friends who swim on the same team. I didn't think to get a picture of them before we dropped them by daughter's house yesterday. They turned out really cute. A green sea turtle. Above it the name of the pool/club they swim for and under the turtle the team's name 'Sea Turtles'. Between the front leg and Turtles I did their names in the same shade of blue as the lettering was. The towels background were white and the turtle in green. Maybe I can get daughter to take a picture of his and I can post it.

Today the two granddaughters have been here ages 1 & 2. They are both whirlwinds of activity---rides in wagon around the neighborhood, playing with the dogs and cats, wrapping Papa and Nana around their little finger, eating more than any adult and inhaling milk, playing with bouncy ball, playing side, having Papa turn on CD player and dancing to the music. Everyone is wondering how they will do when baby sister arrives in September. The one year old loves friend's week old baby. The two year old isn't too sure about her. She seems to think back going to hospital, seeing another baby and it moving in with her. Sunday, when Memaw held the baby she made sure she sat right by her side shooting daggers with her eyes. Nana didn't hold baby. Mommy did but it was only when two year old was busy in the wading pool with her cousins and not paying attention. She was glad to see baby as long as baby's mommy and daddy was holding her or she was in her carrier.