Picking Back Up on these Patriotic Projects

This past weekend, life finally slowed down long enough for me to pull my chair up to the sewing machine for a little stress-relieving sewing. First I did a little organizing, my craft stuff is in a pile since we added a third workspace to our office/craft room once I started working from home for the magazine ... but the craft shelf was put on hold when our little guy had one too many tantrums about picking up his toys and Daddy boxed everything up and put it in the office. It didn't affect him at all. It's been three months and he hasn't missed the toys at all. {sigh}

 

So for now, everything craft-related is still in boxes until we can sort through and get rid of the toys and he earns the rest back with helping us around the house, but more on that later.

 

While I was looking through the boxes, trying to find something to work on (trust me there were quite a few half-finished to choose from). I found a small group of triangles made from strips. So I started sewing them together.

 

The stripes were going in various directions and I ended up with three different blocks in the end.

 

I made two of these ...

 

... Six of these ...

 

... And two of these ...

 





 

The way I cut them was random and not by any pattern, rather a passing thought that was apparently interesting enough for me to make a bunch of strips and sewed them together, then cut. Unfortunately, I cannot find the notes I'd made to allow me to make more, so that's why I was left with triangles in a pile. But not to waste them, I decided to sew them together and see what inspiration I would find. After staring at this random group of blocks, I think I've got an idea of what I'd like to with them now.

 

 

This small flag was made around the same time as the strips. I used a star from Quiltsmart, and I think I may make some more of these for a small table topper or something ...

 

Well, I'll keep you posted on the progress of these projects and more ...

 

Until our next cup of tea ...

 

 

Favorite Creative Time of the Year!!

My favorite creative time of the year is here!! Teacher Appreciation Week is such an exciting time for me because I get to spend some creative energy making thank you gifts for my son's teachers. This is the start of his third year in school and I've had fun making presents in the past. This year I have to be careful, because he has a teacher that he had the first year. This week I will post instructions for simple, budget-friendly projects, but here are some I've done in the past.

 

This was a pretty cost friendly project. I was able to get clipboards at the Dollar Tree and the 12x12 inch scrapbook paper was about $0.60 each (2 needed for each board.) The most expensive thing was Mod Podge Glue, which is $5-$10 a bottle. I had some from a previous project, as well as sponge brushes. The time on this project was a little longer than the other projects, because I had to let each layer of Mod Podge dry before applying the next. I think I applied 3 or 4 layers, since the teachers would be using them in the classroom.

 

 

This was a fun one. I just filled a little basket with Hershey's Kisses & Hugs candy and A&W Rootbeer with the note, "AW-some teachers deserve HUGS & KISSES". They loved it!!

 

This project was fun and easy and my then-3-year-old was able to help. We got the drink bottles at Dollar Tree (honestly, most of my thrift finds come from there as it is the closest to where we live). I also picked up berry-flavored drink mixes. My little guy was very excited to be able to help by filling the bottles with the drink mixes. Then we added a note that said "You are "berry" special to me!"

 

Lastly, one of my favorite gifts whith everything coming from the Dollar Tree, is this flower pot filled with pencils which we glued flowers to and added flower seed packets and decorative butterflies and dragonflies. It had a note that said "Thank you for helping me to bloom!" 

 

 

I hope you'll take the time to thank the teachers in your life, whether its with a creative gift like this or just a note.

 

A Little Easter Inspired Creativity? Or Just Tea Inspired?

Ah, a quiet Easter morning is heavenly. We woke to a little Monkey crawling into our bed at 5 a.m and convinced him to go back to sleep until nearly 7 a.m. The after we got up and shuffled to the livingroom to start our day with a little bit of Batman (the 4-year-old was in charge of the TV), I snuck out the back to play "Easter Bunny" and hide the dinosaur eggs and layout the Easter basket. Fun ensured as we searched the yard for the treats left for Monkey by the Bunny.

I made blueberry muffins for breakfast while Daddy and Monkey played with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys found in the basket, then off to a few hours of creative fun while the boys played and watched movies.

I'd purchased some boards earlier this week to cover with fabric. I wanted to use two of the antique end tables that we have from George's grandmother's collection and placing the under the covered boards. It turned out to be a quick and easy project. 

(Eventually I want to order a piece of glass for the top.) 

Then I rummaged around the house, finding things to help me organize the space and decorate it. That was fun. A decorative mirror, candleholder, frames, etc. I even "borrowed" a white from from the kitchen and framed this paper teacup my publisher had given me.  

 

 

 

 

It was such a quick and fun project. Eventually I'll add some shelves about the desk and maybe a bookshelf off to the side. I'm kind of excited, because until now the office has been filled with my husband's guidons, awards and such with a corner for my craft stuff. Now I am fully embracing my half of the room, so I am excited to see how it turns out with a "two-faced" his and hers office. I'll post pics when I get it all organized and complete.

Until our next cup of tea ...

 

 

A Tribute to a Battle Won!

Now, I normally post my crafts on a different blog, but somehow it just seemed fitting to cross-post this one ... I always say that there is no such thing as "too much pink", but I think there is one intance I'd love to see pink disappear and that is when we find a cure ... no prevention ... for breast cancer.

Last month I finally got to a project I'd been excited about for a while-a beautiful Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon provided by Artecy Cross Stitch.

This is a personal one for me because it is not just the pink that draws me to this ribbon, but the of the fight and determination that I saw in my grandmother and family when she waged war against it when I was in college. I watched as she quietly battled this war while our family rallied to offer love and support and in the end, she won - no, we won. I can't imagine what it would be like not to have her with us, to share with her the stories of our little boy and the promises we make to him to let him see "Ma & Pa's horses" next time we are home in Texas.

The great thing about this free ribbon is that designer Tereena Clarke has allowed stitchers to use her pattern to create pieces for donations for Breast Cancer Research. I am so happy with the way it turned out and know that whenever I use this dishtowel it will remind me of my grandmother, not because of the sickness, but because of her determination to overcome this obstacle and for all of the hugs I have had since she beat it ... those are a little more special.

designed by: Tereena Clarke, owner and designer, Artecy Cross Stitch
Pattern found at: Artecy's Cross Stitch Free Patterns

Stitched:
July 2011

Material:
Charles Craft cotton ShowCase Towels with a
rectangular 14-count Aida panel

Floss:
Pattern Reccomendations

P.S.: Check back soon, I have (with the permission of the designer) altered this pattern for something special!

Until our next cup of tea ...

Keeping Busy During Deployments

Now I've said it many times ... and those who have followed my blog for a time has seen the results of me keeping busy during deployments. Yes, I completed my masters, worked as a civilain journalist for the Army and was selected as one of 17 (paid) Battalion level Family representatives ... but I'm talking about "me" time.

Its different for everyone, but for me, it's a variety of crafts that keep me sane ... and blogging. Since the baby arrived I must say I have been more stressed because I have noticably less time for both ... things come up, plans change, life happens. During this pass deployment I had planned to make a small quilt ... not quite a "lap quilt", but something like it. I had some beautiful fabric I had gotten at JoAnn's a few years ago that I was going to decorate the formal dining room with, but when my father-in-law passed and we got my husband's grandmother's antique cherry wood sining table and hutch, those plans changed a little. Other than adding some wine-colored curtains, the room was complete, throw rug and all.

But I fell in love with the burgandy paisley fabric and a complementing striped one, so just before he left I decided to make a simple 9-inch square quilt ... and maybe pillow case with any extra. After doing the math, I realized I could make a nearly 5-foot square quilt ... with blocks on both sides ... if I was efficient. Well, I'm a military wife, I sleep efficiently!

So I went to JoAnn's (conviently located across the street from my gym- talk about incentive!). There I found 2 complementing fabrics, a brown and a green, that didn't compete with the busy paisley and striped ones.

I came home and cut down the fabric one night after the baby went to bed. The deployment (thankfully) was only a few weeks this time and there was a lot of unplanned things, like the baby getting sick, family coming to visit, mutant mosquitoes attacking the baby causing his face to swell ... well you get the idea. So I didn't get to start sewing on it until the week hubby returned. Luckily, the large blocks and easy "patterns" allowed me to finish it over 3 days- a total of 9 hours. Each side has the same blocks, but in a different pattern.

"Front"

"Back"

When I completed the front and back measured 54-inches ... and you know me, I need even numbers, so I decided to add 6-inches of border. True to my luck they only had the brown fabric left, the green was gone, so I decided to get a tan that I had originally looked at but felt that a brown and tan might make the quilt a little too "dark". My luck didn't return when I get to the register and realized I was one coupon short of the items I had. Not too bad since the price was good already, but I realized when I was working out before going to the store that so far all of the fabric had either been on sale, on clearance or with a coupon. Darn! So close!

Well, I still have to add the border and find someone to quilt it for a price that won't leave me short on diapers or milk, but I'm kind of excited! I'll post photos when I get it completed ... hopefully soon.

(BTW, I'm well aware of the irony of making a quilt in the middle of summer ... in South Florida!)

Well, off to work on another quilt!

Me and Mickey Update No. 1

I'm sure I'll feature a few more pages here and there, but I completely forgot to show you my FAVORITE page so far!

A fellow blogger and military spouse, Maria at Personalized Sketches & Sentiments created this Vintage Mickey Mouse from his bed set using his name, George.



This is the 3rd peice she's done for us, and before framing them, I photocopy them onto card stock and file it away with my other important Army paperwork, because ... well, I've heard horror stories.

Anyway, while we are waiting for it to be framed (the coloring of his convertible bed is a special order color), I reduced it to 66% and put one in his Mickey book so he can look at it without messing up the actual art piece.



He must've really liked it when I made the page and added it last night, because this is him on the way to drop some stuff off the Daddy this afternoon!



Until our next cup of tea ...

Keeping the Memories Within Arms Reach

So, I'd come up with this idea a few months ago to make a scrapbook small enough for our little guy to hold, durable for him to tote around and easy enough to make without me losing my mind if he messes it up ...Behold the Binder Books!

O.k. so some of those who know me IRL, know that this is just a variation of my Army Life organizational binder, but what can I say, I'm addicted to those little 8.5 x 5.5 inch binders!

So while I am (not-so-patiently) waiting for family members to send in pictures and a little note for Monkey's "My Family" binder, I decided to make him a "Me and Mickey" one ... mainly because I was early to meet my trainer at the gym and there is a JoAnn's next door who had Disney scrapbook stuff on sale and I already had the pictures printed ...

We decorated Monkey's room in Vintage Mickey Sports and from the start (o.k. maybe 6 mos) he's really loved The Mouse Clubhouse (I think its the bright colors and the voices ... anyway ...) Since we've been here in Miami we've been to Dinsey twice, he got a Mickey Mouse firetruck from his godparents for Christmas and his 1st birthday party was Mickey Mouse ... so as you can see, we've got some stuff to work with.

So here is what the binder looks like:



It's kind of hard to see, but it is a grey and red cover with Mickey and says "Me and". Jamie really liked the puffy stars I had on his 4th of July page in his big scrapbook, so I put a few on there for him.

The inside pages were easy. I just got some 8.5 x 5.5 inch page protectors from Staples (they carry the binders and accessories in the stores now so I don't have to order online!)

I cut 12 x 12 inch scrapbook paper down to (2) 8.5 x 5.5 inch pages for the background, then built pages like usual. Its hard to order pictures in odd or small sizes so I created a 8 x 10 collage on Walgreens.com and then put between 4 and 6 pictures in each depending on what I wanted larger or smaller, then I just cut them out!

So here are some of the pages ... these are all from our first Disney trip because I used leftover page protectors from another project and didn't have enough ...

(This was a map from Magic Kingdom.)



(This is a plastic zipper pouch I used to put his "first visit" button and pieces from his birthday cake in so he can see them, but not lose them.)



The rest of the pages are the same but some of the stuff I put in there was napkin with Mickey and extra invitation from his birthday party, stickers and confetti from when we went to the parks, parking stubs, etc.

For those of you who haven't seen my binder obsession collection, here is what I am talking about. So have changed looks, but from left to right ... teacup colelction organizer, daily planner, craft journal, cookbook, and Monkey's babysitting book. Slightly obsessed!



Well, I'm off to get some non-blogging stuff done ... like dishes ... (not nearly as much fun!)

Until our next cup of tea ...

By the numbers please!

Military life has a way of forcing you to look at life through a different pair of glasses. Time is measured in deployment cycles, friends are characterized by the military installation you met them, and a house is designed around what you were able to find when you moved. The important things are determined by what you take with you versus what you allow the movers to take ... in hopes that you'll see it again in less than 6 weeks!

Now this is what I've become accustomed to, but the other day I notice a similarity between military life and crafting. Now, I know you're probably thinking, "Where is she going with this?"

Well, as a military spouse, you often learn to cope with the stress, seperation and rollercoaster life ... for me, I participate in a variety of crafts ... cross stitching, quilting, scrapbooking and organizing.

Well, the other day, while hubby was finishing up a conference somewhere to the north of us (which being in S. Florida could be anywhere, I guess!), I went to Lowe's to finally get the pegs for the bookshelf that had gotten lost when we moved here 15 months ago. With a baby soon to arrive, it was not a priority at the time, and life since then has been a little hectic. So I finally got around to it because with hubby gone, I had planned to box up most of the books which were from when I was finishing my masters and the leftover "professional development books" he had from the Army but he isn't using at this assignment. My goal was to use it for books on the top and organizing crafts on the bottom.

So anyway, while I was there I was looking at paint samples which I use in the house book (another story) so that when we are buying furniture, moving, etc. I can make sure that everything is matching as close as possible. So the associate asked me if I was looking for a particular color.

"Oh, I'd been thinking about painting the kitchen," I said, though it wouldn't be until our next move.

"Well, what color are you looking for?," he asked.

"DMC 535, is what I want for the walls, but its accented with 3716," I replied, not even thinking about it.

After a moment of silence, I turned and looked at him and the confusion on his face was evident.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I said with a laugh, "I've been handstitching some kitchen towels. Its a medium grey and a light pink."

"Oh, he said with a laugh, "well, those are over here."

I thanked him and grabbed a sample or two of the grey. "I guess you think I'm a little crazy," I said, as I turned to go get the furniture pegs.

"No really," he replied. "My wife picks colors by shoes designers. At least you're makes sense."

I walked away laugh and thought to myslef, I'm sure it all seems to make sense in our heads, its once you say it out loud that you start to wonder ...

Until our next cup of tea ...

From the crafty mind of ... a crazed, sleep deprived mommy!

So lately I've been juggling a lot of things, life with a baby, job search, home maintainence, weight loss (attempt), unit families, leading Baby/Toddler Music group and well, my sanity. My sanity seems to be on the loosing end.

In an attempt to not end up curled up in a corner, crying for my mommy (or chocolate!) I have to spend some time, though not nearly as much as I'd like, on craft projects. My main priority is Jamie's Christmas stocking, but I also have two quilts that the tops are about halfway completed (one a little more, the other a little less).

When my mom and step-father came to visit in early August I had the chance to get a little more time in on projects while they took care of the baby. Granted they kept pushing me to relax more than I was, but its hard not to constantly feel like I needed to clean the house while they were here. For years I suffered under a "clean your room, clear your dished" regime.

I did take some time though and wanting to be a little more organized, decided to make a quick-stitch tote (no liner or anything fancy) so that I could keep whatever project (Jamie's stocking) all together and be able to "Grab and Go" if needed (like if Geo has to go to the base to check in or something before we do dinner.)

So mom and I made a quick trip to JoAnn's while my step-father watched Jamie (EEK!) and an hour after starting this is what I had:



My mom really liked it and rather than risk finding it missing after she returned home, I offered to make one for her too. SHe picked some fabric from my small collection and this is what she got a little over an hour later!



Now Jamie's stocking is another story, and I'll post progress pictures and details soon (hopefully!) I seriously have about 8 half-written posts just waiting to be completed. Life here is crazy and I am sorry to say my blog may be suffering, but I will try to be better ... (It took me 3 days to finish this one!)

Until our next cup of tea ...

Mommy Needs a Timeout!

I love my husband, I love my baby, I love my dog, I love my home and I love my military families, but sometimes, I just need a break! I've spent the last 5-plus married years going 90 miles-a-minute because I always thought, I'll take a break when I need one ... and many times though I juggled a full-time job, part-time masters program, maintaining a home and taking care of the families of my husband's Soldiers, I didn't really need one. An hour here and there working on some stitching project or reading a "non-homework-assigned" book and I was ready to hit the ground running, but now that Baby George is here and every minute of my time mst be accounted for, I feel like I am being pulled in a million directions like a rag-doll whose fate is left in the hands of a schoolyard bully.

I try to take an hour to stitch and relax after I put the baby to bed, but then hubby inadvertently makes me feel guilty by saying he was waiting for me, or bottles must be washed for the next day and then more often than not I find that the dog has taken my place in bed and I am resigned to sleeping on a sliver of bed until he gets tired of me pushing against him.

All day long the baby wants to be held or fed, the puppy wants attention to to go out, hubby wants dinner or ... well "other" things, the dishes have to be done, the floor mopped, laundry washed and folded and if I get a cup of coffee finished by noon I am freaking exstatic! I buy the instant cappicino so I can make a quick cup but still feel like I'm getting a "treat". I need Calgon to take me away!

I spent all day last Saturday cleaning out the office/craft room so I could have a place to get away and hopefully look into some freelance writing, but after it was all said and done, there are three huge (36-inches tall) boxes with hubby's stuff that sits in front of the closet that just irritate me and since his unit is moving buildings in two months or so, all of his "professional" gears (books and stuff) are taking up all the space on the bookshelf and my books (dear sweet treasures of escape) are piled on a side table one small nudge away from clammoring all over the floor. Sadly, it just irritates me to go in the room because all of my "working" craft projects are piled on a (smaller) side table on the other side of the desk, where they are being rotated around as I try to organize them into some sort of system. Oh, my poor projects, sadly neglected. If only I could clone myself so that I could spend more time nestled under the soft cotten fabrics of half sewn quilts, gaze upon the bright colors of partially embroidered linens, and sift through the glittery stickers and roughly textured paper of my scrapbook pages.

If I had a fairy godmother, I wouldn't ask for a beautiful gown and glass slippers so I could attend the ball, I'd only ask for time to stand still so I could parade about my in my pajamas and peruse my treasured books or lazily stitch something pretty and pink!

Until our next cup of tea ...

Pottery Update ...

Hey! Today I picked up the pottery pieces. To see what we did, visit my my craft and decor blog to see pictures and read the story.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Valentine Weekend, Family Fun

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day weekend. We had a visit from George's best friend, Gordon, and his fiance, Mindy. She and I get along great together. If you've been a frequent reader, you might recall stories of shared vacations and other activities. They are our closest friends, despite distance.

Anyway, they came to visit for the weekend and we had a blast. For dinner Valentine's Day George and I made steaks, marinated for 24-hours in an AMAZING marinide, sauted green beans with garlic and onions and a cucumber and tomato salad with parmasean cheese and a basil dressing. We drank Pomegranate wine, ate by candlelight with Sinatra playing in the background. It was great! For dessert we had strawberry cheesecake.

When they arrived Saturday, they'd brought presents/ None of us had exchanged Chistmas presents, though we'd seen each other a time or two since then. We'd gotten Gordon a bottle of some Cask 16 Crown Royal No.88 and I got Mindy a cheese and wine basket with candles and glass candleholders. For her birthday (in December) I got her a beautiful jeweled 'M' charm, a velvet elephant (she collects them) and a cute book of friendship quotes.

They'd gotten us a bottle of wine that they'd made and monogrammed wine glasses. George got an Astros jersey and hat. For my birthday, Mindy had gotten me these adorable teacup notepad and 4 creme brulee dishes that I'd been wanting.

After eating and unpacking we all headed our seperate ways. The boys were going to go to the shooting range, then back to the house for some beers and catching up. Mindy and I headed out to paint pottery! Yes, this is my ew favorite activity.

Last weekend, I went with a friend Misty, who is also my Rear Detachment Commander(unit commander that stay's behind when a unit is deployed.) We painted princess plates in the MP Battalion colors (I am the 'Viper' Princess ... the unit is called the Vipers.)



I also made a cute cappuccino cup and saucer. It had to be re-fired so I'll have to post picks later ...

Anyway, Mindy and I went to paint pottery. I painted this cute teapot and she made a cute post-it note holder with flowers for her desk at work. After about 3 hours we headed home to greet the boys who'd skipped the range and went straight to the beer! After much amusement of watching the boys "be drunk" we cleaned up the mixed alcohol mess and started dinner.

After dinner we just hung out talking and Mindy and I made some progress on the wedding planning.

The next day, the boys decided to go to the shooting range and Mindy and I headed back to paint pottery. This time I painted a planter for some plants I brought back from (George's) Dad's house when we cleaned it out and she painted a teapot to put her teabags in. Cute idea, huh!?!

Well, all in all it was a great weekend. Being in Houston taking care his father gave us the chance to spend nearly everyday with them. So coming back home made the seperation that you often feel when you leave your loved ones at the start of your military life, vivid once again.

When I pick up the pieces after they are fired, I'll be sure to post pictures.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Ornaments on Request ...

Someone, I think Alice or Mari-Nanci but not sure, asked to see pictures of some onf my Victorian-themed ornaments. Well, this year I didn't up the tree so most are still boxed up, but here are some I hung throughout the house for some holiday cheer.

This is one of my favorites, made with a lace doily and fabric stiffener. I want to try some angels but haven't figured out what I want then to look like yet.



This one was one of the first projects that I did in college. I had all this cord ribbon and got bored but didn't have any projects so I found some styrofoam balls and started gluing the cording to it. Turned out great for a boredome project and I think now I want to try it on the various "tree" forms and do a cluster on the coffee table or something.



This was something I tried Christmas 2005. I did swirls on the inside of glass Christmas ornaments. There are a variety of colors and I'll have to take some pictures of the different ones and post. My tree is only red, white and gold ornaments, but this one was too pretty to give away so I kept it.



This is not an ornament, but last year I painted these little door decorations. I'm not that talented. I'll share the secret. I copied a free coloring picture I found on the Internet with Carbon paper onto the bock of wood then painted. Voila!



Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and it looks like I'll be around more, so I'll stop by to visit soon.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Spoke too soon ...

Yesterday when George and I took the puppy to the mailbox there was a package waiting for me. Dee, an online cross stitching buddy (and enabler) had sent me a cross stitch book with tea samplers and other stuff. The LOVE sampler in the upper left corner (click on pic for larger view) is my favorite. I think I am going to redo the colors and make it for the kitchen (which is rose and burgandy).

So much going on ...

There has been so much going that my head is spinning. So please bear with me as I try to recap the past week or so.

Home and Family:
George came home from a month of training last Tuesday. We're still headed toward deployment preparations so after a few days of work, we headed to Houston to spend time with family. While there we celebrated George’s birthday with his best friend, Gordon, and Gordon’s girlfriend Mindy.

Saturday we spent the early afternoon hanging out and shopping, then that night we had dinner and drinks at a Japanese restaurant. There was even a magician. Sunday we spent a few hours with my family, because my uncle and his wife and children came into town. Unfortunately, a few hours after we left I got a call that my aunt had to take my grandmother to the ER. She had an infected appendix. The next morning they had to perform emergency surgery. I spent Monday at the hospital. She was fine, but it really was scary.

Work:
I got a new job! I start on Monday. Tomorrow is my last day and Tommy Gunn is feeling abandoned and a bit angry, so stop by for visit. Show the man some love … even though he only shows his mug every once and a while. He must have more important things to do …

Anyway, back to me … you can chat to TG later. The new job is working with families. Not quite a social worker, but a bit along the same lines. The Army has created Family Readiness Support Assistants that will assist families during deployments. They act as a liaison between the commanders and the families, making sure they get up-to-date information.

Crafts:
Haven’t done much and am really bummed about it. I am taking this online embroidery class through Crafty Daisies and love it. I am trying to get the “homework” done and will post pics when I can. Other than that, I hadn’t done anything. I didn’t even go to a craft store when we were in Houston.

School:
Ugh! There is so much to do … I couldn’t even begin to tell you.

Well until our next cup of tea …

Craft Corner: August Monthly Goals

Editor's note: We interrupt the daily ramblings of a crazy, over-worked and underpaid military spouse who needs a vacation to bring you my monthly craft goals and updates.

Each month I try in vain to finsih projects but succeed only in adding more to my lists, however, I do have a "near-finished" project that I am quite proud of and made some progress on another. here's the wrap-up ...

You may have seen the Freedom in Five Languages wall hanging I worked on at a sewing class last week (funny, but the pattern had 12 languages but when I stitched it YEARS ago I lost the magazine. A online stitching friend found it and sent it to me, so maybe I'll do the whole thing eventually.) On July 9, I decided to start posting my monthly goals and updates again because that seemed to be the only way that I was getting things done. So in the past month, this is the progress that I have made on the Recipe for Love sampler. Not bad considering I also had school this month.



Next month will be a packed month as well with George training all month, I have classes finishing and some other things in the works but here is what i hope to accomplish:
1. At least mat the embriodery pieces that I have
2. Frame or otherwise complete purple quilt block (I haven't decided what to do yet.)
3. Finish Humpty Dumpty Baby bib (don't get all excited people. I started this for a friend then found out another one had given pieces I'd done for her baby to the thrift store, so I quit making them for people. But I decided to finish this one 'cause ya never know.)



Here is the conplete list so far. Hopefully I will have more marked off next month.
To be "finished" (meaning framed, made into pillows, etc.):
1. Frame 4-Heart lace square Completed Feb. 2007
2. Complete Freedom in different languages wall hanging
3. Complete Christmas wreath pillow
4. Frame embroidery samples (2)
5. Frame purple quilt block

To be stitched, sewn or otherwise completed:
1. Sew and stuff childhood Lion (it is one of those "panels" you buy at the fabric store and sew together. My mom bought it and never did it, so I decided I would do it.)
2. Stitch "stained-glass" nameplate
3. Stitch roly poly Santas (these are really cute, but I lost the motivation when I came home from work and found that Sgt. Major had chewed it up. I was able to salvage most however.)
4. Stitch Victorian nativity
5. Stitch rose quilt blocks
6. Complete pink and blue lap quilt (this is actually on hold because I don't have a sewing machine. I started it when I was in college and would use one of my mom's three sewing machines.)
7. stitch Humpty Dumpty bib
8. Stitch large Red, White and Blue Ribbon
9. Stitch Love, Honor and Cherish centerpieces (these were actually centerpieces for my wedding, but the Army had other places and we never had the ceremony. Now I am tring to finish them as decorative placemats for the kitchen.)
10. Stitch SAL ornaments (I started these as a monthly stitch-along project with my online stitching group, but the deployment, work and school left me very little time.)
11.Stitch "God Bless Me" crib set (I was making these for my stepsister's second child, when I stopped by for a visit and saw that the set I made for her first child was now being used as a dog bed. Needless to say, she lost any future stitching presents.)
12. Stitch "Welcome to our Home" lace circle.
13. Stitch Easter Bunny and Egg (this is a project my mom bought for me to make her. I wasn't really excited about it, so I have been pushing it aside for nearly five years now.)
14. Stitch Army Seal
15. Stitch Daisy tabletopper
16. Stitch "Tea for Two" towel Completed Feb. 2007 – a few fellow stitchers suggested that I add some small flowers under the text, so if I find something I like, this piece may make another appearance later this year.
17. Stitch "Recipe for Love" sampler
18. Stitch Whismical Cup Tea Towel - Completed March 2007

I now return you to the regualrly scheduled ramblings ...