Day 212 of 2018

It seems I am a little behind on updating the chalkboard design. 

I don't think it's the Fourth of July anymore, Toto.

Day 211 of 2018

I've been trying to finish up some projects.  

Mostly these projects are for other people. 

This is a lesson in finding a way, solving a problem, being kinder to oneself 

and most of all being brave. 

Today while tackling a few minutes of organizing in The Big Room, 

I stumbled upon a framed print that M gave me a few years ago.  

It says "Be Brave" and I really need to practice this.  

Yes, I think it takes practice.  

I have come to the conclusion that most of my projects that are not finished, 

the ones on which I have hit a snag, are a result of fear.  

I fear that it won't be accepted, it won't be liked, it won't be good enough.  

Fear keeps me from beginning things.  Fear keeps me from finishing things.  

I need to practice more.  I need to listen to M.  I need to be brave.

Day 210 of 2018

Dress number two is done.

The pattern and size are the same as yesterday.

The fabric for this dress is also knit, this time called Bonbons Joyful 

from the Joyful Fusions line by Pat Bravo for Art Gallery Fabrics. 

It is also a couple years old but I found some at Fabric.com if anyone is interested.

Day 209 of 2018

The dress I was sewing yesterday was a hit today. 

Yes, it twirls.

Particulars below in case you are interested.

Fabric:  Flavor of the Day printed knit from the Boardwalk Delight line from a couple years ago designed by Dana Willard for Art Gallery Fabrics.  

I know it is older but I did see some for sale on Fabric.com.

Pattern:  Nora's Knit Dress by Children's Corner Patterns

Model:  GB#2

Day 208 of 2018

Yes.  I am working on a sleeve.

Day 207 of 2018

I'm deciding on borders for the quilt with the snowflakes. 

The red and white polka dots came out the clear winner.

Day 206 of 2018

I am about to send a card off into the world and 

found that the back is just as adorable as the front of the card.

Day 205 of 2018

Volunteers in my yard. 

I am not at all sure where these came from, but I am loving them.

Day 204 of 2018

Today I found the time to make and attach the binding 

to a quilt that Little E made.  

Now that I have completed one project and am nearly done with another, 

I am ready to hand stitch the binding and check another project off my list.

Day 203 of 2018

We finally got a much needed rainy weekend.

Day 202 of 2018

The sister dolls are getting their final touches.

Day 201 of 2018

Let the weekend begin.

Day 200 of 2018

The view inside my dryer reveals a large patch of peeled paint. 

It happened when the dryer was new.  

I still consider it new but the manufacturer may not.  

Do I try to contact them or just forget it?

Day 199 of 2018

Moon in the afternoon.

Waxing Crescent 42%

Day 198 of 2018

There are some interesting things going on next door 

with rope, trees and men wearing fluorescent clothing.

I believe it may have something to do with our lengthy power outage. 

Sure enough, an hour and a half later 

our five and a half hour power outage ended.

Day 197 of 2018

This reminds me of the cover of the Beatles' Abbey Road album. 

There is no marked sidewalk 

and they are walking the wrong direction, 

but they are trying.

Day 196 of 2018

At picture posting time, I realized I had not taken a picture 

so I thought I would share a portion 

of one of the fun fabrics 

in one of the nine-patch quilts I showed you the other day. 

This patch shows the Eiffel Tower and a Dutch windmill. 

Other portions of this fabric depict New York, London and Venice.

Day 195 of 2018

This is a very late Christmas gift which I am determined to get done. 

Today I sewed, turned and embellished. 

Let the stuffing begin.

Day 194 of 2018

I'm working on snowflake number three of three. 

I will be so glad to be done with these.

Day 193 of 2018

Here is one last squirrel photo for the week. 

Every day is a circus out my window. 

(I wish I had taken a video.)

When she figures out how to get to the new feeder, 

I change things around to make it harder to reach.  

Every time she figures out a new way to get what she wants.  

It's a battle of wit and will.

Day 192 of 2018

This is the tiniest grasshopper I have ever seen.  

Its body was less than one half inch long 

with antennae four times as long as its body. 

Up close you can see that it was almost translucent, 

but it really was much more of a bright lime green than it appears here. 

I was able to get it off my dashboard and out of the car unharmed.

Day 191 of 2018

Things did not go as planned today.

Day 190 of 2018

Oh, yes.  I can reach this new bird feeder you have put out.

Day 189 of 2018

I found a few treasures at the antique mall. 

The bear paw quilt top is probably the only way 

I will ever end up with a red and white quilt.  

It has just nine blocks but measures 76x78.  

It is both faded and stained in spots. 

The two 9-patch tops are made with many of the same fabrics and blocks,

 are similar in size at approximately 69x87, 

and I am sure were meant to be a pair by the maker.  

My favorite of these 9-patch tops is the one on the right.  

Unfortunately, someone has washed these two tops 

and the one in the middle has blocks that are falling apart as a result.

The vendor acknowledged this and sold it to me for half the asking price.  

I might consider taking it apart to use the good blocks 

to make the other one a bit larger. 

We'll see. Maybe I will be up for an attempt at the repairs. 

Day 188 of 2018

Driveway doodles.

Day 187 of 2018

Here's an easy one.

Where am I?

Day 186 of 2018

I was hoping to get to some sewing today 

but with the exception of a quick pants hemming and an elastic waist adjustment, 

this is as close as I could get to where I'd like to be.

Day 185 of 2018

Why go downtown when this is happening right outside your front door? 

As the display was set off by a couple of fire fighters, 

I feel pretty safe.

Happy Independence Day!

Day 184 of 2018

I must be spoiled.

I usually buy sweet corn that was picked just a few hours before I buy it 

from a vendor at the farmer's market. 

We plan to have corn tomorrow for our little 4th of July feast. 

I thought I would prep it tonight to save time. 

This corn was purchased at the grocery 

and four out of five ears look like they were picked well over a few hours ago.  

I certainly hope it plumps back up when I cook it 

and it has at least a little flavor. 

Then I will probably have to go to the farmer's market Saturday 

and get some really fresh ears. 

I know.  I'm spoiled.

Day 183 of 2018

As much as I love taking pictures of these guys, 

I do not love that they have destroyed my flower planters. 

That is mighty expensive rabbit food.

Day 182 of 2018

These are mine until I can walk with 

"minimal limping" 

according to the doctor.