Summer's Approach

As a kid I could always feel summer approaching as I looked forward to the last day of school and the first day of summer. As an adult, who's been out of school for a few years, it's been a lot harder, except for one thing .... the "Summer Reading Challenge". Every year around May I start to feel a desire for a Summer Reading Challenge, and not just with myself. I always seem to try bringing my siblings into it. I believe my youngest sister, 'Bubba" is usually the victim. I beg, bribe, harass her every year to join me in a reading challenge. To my recollection I was only successful once. Don't get me wrong, she's an avid reader, just not into my "challenges" as much as I am. (Bubba is a nickname I came up with her, that's another story)

The one year I was successful with getting "Bubba" to join me, I came up with a good incentive, a trip to a local amusement/water park. Loser pays for the winner. Not sure who actually won because the true success was we both actually did a lot of reading that summer (as well as enjoyed a sister's day at the amusement park.) I do remember there being 3 ways you could win: 1) Most number of books read; 2) Most number of pages read; 3) Most number of "new" reads. I bought notebooks for us to keep track of our reading. That notebook as become quite special to me. With each book I read that summer, I would create a page with the title, author and a quote from the book. I added stickers that related to the book and at the bottom I wrote the date finished, and the number of pages and whether it was a new read or a re-read. I can tell which books were really enjoyed cause there's 3-4 pages of quotes.

As I look through the book, I remember so much. Shall I share?:

"The sad thing about women is that they believe so much that a man tells them with his lips, and will not listen to what is told by his actions" pg. 77 "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" Josephine Leslie

"Our return journey occupied two days and was as filled with adventure as usual. We are all becoming accustomed to adventure" pg 100 "The Land that Time Forgot" Edgar Rice Burroughs

"Let in the Jungle, Hathi" The Jungle Books - Rudyard Kipling

Those were just a few of the shorter ones. It's amazing how much my reading influences and teaches me. I even have a page for one book that I really didn't like. There's no quote and even now I wish I could erase the memory of that read. I'll not tell you which book it was cause I know others have liked it.

One page lists two years summer reading, I only kept track of the date, title, author, total pages & whether it was new or a re-read. It's got the facts but no real feeling so I'll not track that way if I can help it.

So what do I do about this year. I have a couple of ideas. One came to me while browsing my parent's bookcase. I started pulling out all the books I remember reading when I was younger. I thought it would be fun to revisit and see if I still enjoy the stories.

The 2nd idea has already begun. It's a result from reading "The Pilgrim's Progress". I remembered how much that book was a part of "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. Having finally read it, I decided to read "Little Women" again and see if I uncover more to the story. And I DID, for instance this sentence makes so much more sense now. "Mr. Brooke looked so strong and sensible and kind that the girls christened him "Mr. Greatheart" on the spot."
I was so excited when I came to that point, because I knew who Greatheart was and the title fit so well. So the 2nd idea is to see if I can't connect books from each other. That will be a little harder but I've already got two jumping off places. Off the top of my head I have five "connections" already.

Maybe I do a little of both this summer. So what reading do you have planned this summer and how do you or do you track your reading. Also are you as big a sucker for "Summer Reading Challenges" as I am?

A Fabric Envelope

As if that wasn't enough posting for one day, I have still have one project left.

I was asked to come up with some "creative" way of handling quite a number of thank you notes for our church chorister. All the kids wrote a note telling how much they appreciated all she had done for them. I thought a box would be nice but a few days ago when I was on my way to ... where else ... the fabric store, I had a brain storm. Since fabric is my medium of choice why don't I make a fabric "envelope" to hold all the thank you notes. And I had the perfect pattern idea in my files. I was even more excited to do this when I found this fabric. Isn't it perfect?

The inspiration came from www.replayground.com and was for a cardboard wallet using cereal boxes. I measured the notes and then designed the envelope to fit them. This was so much fun. I see additional "envelope" projects in the future.

Designing & Finishing

One Sunday in April, I was wondering what I should sew next. I started doodling on some paper and came up with four different ideas. Now this isn't too unusual because my files are full of scratch paper ideas. As I finished sewing a project this afternoon, I realized the uniqueness of this design brainstorm session. Over the past few weeks, I have completed 3 of the 4 ideas. I believe that is a first, at least that I can remember. What's really great is I found an item I needed to complete the 4th item, so that could very well get done this next week. (We'll see)

So #1 is my own design - A Necessity Pouch to carry in my purse(s)
I have a number of small items that I like to keep in my purse. They don't often get used but sure are helpful when I do need them, such as Kleenex, aspirin, lip balm, ... etc. I don't like them rolling around and most pouches would take some but not all. I figured they needed to be all together yet required different "holding" capacities.

So I came up with a pouch that holds the Kleenex on one side for easy access A pocket on the other side.With a zippered section in between that holds the lip balm, aspirin, and other small items.It's a little rough and the pattern needs some more tweaks
but the finished pouch works rather nicely for my needs.
I'm also really pleased that I finally worked and finished one of my own designs.

#2: Tote bag - for bigger books ;)
This pattern primarily came from Lexie Barnes "sew what! Bags" book. It's a great resource to get designing and making one's own bags. (I used the "Tool Tote" instructions)Brown and Lime green fabric. I just fell in love with this home dec fabric from Jo-Anns. I found some lime green with brown polka dots for the lining. I love how the handles look but wish I had chosen a stronger material. It's too soft to handle with two or three books in there.
(no pun intended ... ok maybe a little pun was intended)

InsidePockets along one side.

And a cute little pocket on the other. It's perfect for lip balm and cough drops.
(Is it obvious that I live in a dry state?)
Now for the down side, I made this to carry a binder and a couple of books but this makes it too heavy. I blame the handles, along with being too lightweight, they are long enough to sling over the shoulder but cut in to the shoulder if the bag is heavy. I'll use it for now but will probably move it over to a knitting/crochet bag. (Yarn is bulky but not heavy)

#3: Billfold - aka Checkbook Cover
My checkbook cover has finally given out after 11 years.

In my idea files I had a couple of instructions on how to make a checkbook cover, one from about.com and another from sewingmamas.com . Both pretty simple, but if I was going to make one, I had a couple of design changes to make.
Most importantly, I wanted a place for a pen and pencil!

Outside Recognize the fabric?
The Brown ribbon tie was a last minute addition. I'm liking how it closes everything up nice and snug but am not sure how annoying it may be getting in and out. So we shall see if it stays or gets cut later.
With all the layers, binding the edge was the best chose to finishing the raw edges.

InsideRibbons to hold the check register pages, now I can get rid of the paperclip I've been using all these years. I wasn't sure which side I would have the register on so I put ribbon on them both just to be safe.
You have no idea how happy those pen and pencil pockets make me.

Looking over this post, I realized something ... I really hate digging for pens. ;)
Oh, and fabric makes me happy!

A Bag for Blue & Brown days

In February I came across some pretty brown and blue fabric that I thought would make a nice purse. I chose another wonderful pattern from Lazy Girl Designs.

The "Towne Purse"
What made this color/fabric choice even better was I found these buttons at Jo-Ann's.
They are a blue background with brown flowers.
(sorry for the picture quality- Think it's time to take a photography class?)

The straps are short so the purse tucks under my arm. I love the size, which holds all my usual purse stuff, but also has room for a book (very important to me).
It also has about 9 pockets along the inside, which is really nice cause I hate digging for pens, and all the other small items I can't leave home without.

Opps!!! SORRY

Ya, I owe you an apology ... at least those who leave comments. I still haven't figured out this whole blog business and it seems I chose an option to "moderate comments", fully expecting to get emails letting me know of comments I needed to look at. Ya well .... guess I don't get any email alerts cause I just found all the comments made on the last post. My apology is because when I saw there were no comments on what I thought was a cool post, I mentally grumbled and ... might have called you some names along the lines of if no one cares why should I, which almost caused me to delete said blog.

So my apologies for thinking so ill of you and for spending more time in self-pity rather then actual posting. ... Oh and my apologies for the "Catch-up post" which will be long, cause I've been sewing and thought you might like to see what I've been up to.

Table Settings & Talents

Friday, I attended a dinner and program for the women in our church. I volunteered to decorate and set one of the tables. I spent all week planning how I wanted it to look.

My objectives were to:
Show off my Mother's collection of heirloom china
Make sure there was COLOR
Personalize it - show Distinct Amy touches

Here are some pictures of the end result.

Theme: A Tea Party with Strawberry Shortcake and her friends
Strawberry Shortcake's side of the Table
Raspberry Tart's side
Huckleberry Pie's side

What do you say, Think I met my objectives? Let's review shall we:

• Show off my Mother's collection of heirloom china: the center piece is a great grandma's pitcher and tea cups she used to serve hot chocolate in. The table setting was my grandmother's china.
  
• Make sure there was COLOR: Pink with splashes of green. The plates and cups have sprigs with pink blossoms. I just loved how four distinct components were all brought together by the use of color.
• Personalize it - show Distinct Amy touch: After Mom vetoed my usual table setting technique, (my mom as a number of china sets and I like to set each place using a different collection) I had to come up with something that was more subtle. So besides the color and the dolls, I threw in two odd napkins and placed different silverware on them. Hehehe, what can I say, it's how I rebel. Mom, just be happy I placed the silverware correctly.
  

Those in charge of the dinner asked us to bring something that represented one of our talents. Here are pictures showing what my mom and I brought.

Taking Pictures is not one of my talents

Mom's display of the Easter Dresses she made for all of us back in 1987.
The 1987 "baby" 's baby is now going to wear the same dress her mother wore in 1987.
(Being grammatically correct isn't one of my talents either)

I chose to show a sock I'm currently making to wear for the upcoming spring and summer months.

All in all it was a fun evening.
I must say Strawberry and her friends did a fantastic job hosting our table.

Will I ever learn?

Twice in one month!!! Yikes will I ever learn.

The first Saturday in February the girls of the family went out to lunch. When we were leaving I volunteered to carry my niece and ended up pulling my back out. Of course I didn't know this until Sunday morning when I woke up with a stiff back and could barely move. (If you know what a stiff neck feels like, magnify that in the shoulder area and you know how I felt). I spent the day unsuccessfully trying to relax.

Well I had a sewing fever come over me on Friday so Saturday I put up tables and carried sewing machines and a serger into the family room. Something I've done numerous times before and not had a problem. Guess how I feel this morning?

Same pain; Same area; Boy is my chiropractor going to read me the riot act.

Do you think he could write me a doctors note to the "powers that be" that I must have a sewing room in whatever house I live in? For the sake of my back!!!!! Because let's face it: Not sewing is NOT an option.