Thankful Thursday

This is possibly my last full week of sewing and blogging for a while.

!!!!

It was a long spring and summer of trusting God.  School has already been in session for over 2 weeks and I hadn't gotten a full time teaching job yet, so I figured my options were down to substituting and getting my foot in the door that way.

Surprise - I got called late Thursday afternoon to schedule an interview.  Interviewed Friday morning and got the call back within 45 minutes.  It is the position and the school I had wanted all along.  Close to home, transportation for Little S from her school to this school after school, and the schedule allows me to keep my tutorees.  God is good.

So while I wait for the paperwork to work its way through the system I will sew my last "free" days away.  The school hours will not be much different than my previous job, but the pay and benefits are better.  But it won't be like summer vacation for sure.

I am so thankful for this opportunity.  I can't wait to get started.

Design Wall Monday

I finished another hexagon.  This one is from the pastel/baby grouping.  Four down, 4 4/6ths to go.

My designs are taking over my inspiration or is it the other way around!

I was thinking maybe I would aim for a different color for each hexie for this quilt.  Not an unreasonable challenge to myself.

Linking up to Small Quilts and Doll Quilts to show what we are working on.

Cloth Napkins, Burp Clothes & More

Last week I reported that a lot of fabric had come in, but I was missing some of the numbers - and some of the fabric.

Fabric In: Filling in the gaps this week.
White 100% cotton fabric still on the bolt.  I finally took it off the bolt to wash and it was 5 yard 16 inches.  For $2.  It had a musty stored smell, but once it came out of the washer it was nice and fresh again.

White cotton - very practical!

Aqua and gray chevron 100% cotton flannel  0.75 yards.  I had already used it so I had forgotten all about it.

Great color combination!

FQ scraps from the thrift store.  0.33 yds

Gray & Yellow/gold

Fabric Out:
4 burp cloths - chevron flannel backing w/ gray fronts 1.5 yds

Might make a chevron quilt to go with these.

2 burp cloths - John Deere w/ green and yellow flannel backings 0.75 yds

Fall cloth napkin set of 10 (14" square) - 1.56 yds

These came out as well as I imagined!

Black & White cloth napkin set of 6 (11.5" square) - 0.6 yds

July fabric giveaway - 0.8 yds

Already being made into something by the July winner!

Backing for the Cowboy Quilt got made and the quilt is sandwiched and ready to quilt, but I'll hold off reporting until the quilting is finished.

Dark brown backing

Fabric Purchased since last report: 6.58 yards
Fabric Purchased YTD: 80.92 yards

Fabric Acquired since last report: 0 yards

Fabric Acquired YTD: 22.65 yards

Fabric Used since last report: 5.21 yards
Fabric Used YTD: 126.47 yards

Total: 12.18 yards destashed

Nearly broke even this week.  I'll take it!

Don't forget to check out the August Giveaway.  Help me get more fabric out of the stash.

Kate over at Life In Pieces has challenged us to try to stitch 15 minutes each day.  This week was a bit more normal so I had a more progress overall.  Most days well over 15 minutes!!

Days stitched since last report: 7/7
Days stitched this year: 224/244
Success Rate: 92%

Linking up to QuiltPaintCreate and Life in Pieces to keep accountable.

Tasty Tuesday - Scalloped Potatoes with Cheese

Today's Tasty Tuesday is brought to you by Little S.  She loves potatoes - anything with potatoes!  So when she requested scalloped potatoes I suggested that she make them and post about them.  So without further ado -

Scalloped Potatoes - With CHEESE ! made by Little S

I, Little S, am typing this on Monday which just so happens to be National Bacon Lovers day. So happy belated bacon lovers day readers!

The source

So for the actual scalloped potatoes recipe we got it from The Good Housekeeping Cookbook 125th Anniversary edition. The full and original recipe requires:

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 small onion, chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milked, warmed
1 tablespoon salt
1/8 teaspoons black pepper
2 pounds all-purpose potatoes (how can potatoes be all-purpose?) (6 medium), peeled and thinly sliced

Peeling

Prep: 30 minutes          Bake: 1 hour 30 minutes

We added cheese because I love cheesy anything. We didn't get the exact measurement and you don't have to add cheese. I just think it tastes better that way. If you are going to add cheese use however much you please.

 Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. (Because the butter and onions took so long to cook we went ahead arranged the first layer of potatoes while we waited.)

Butter & Onions

Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. With wire whisk, gradually whisk in warm milk. Cover over medium heat, stirring constantly with wooden spoon, until sauce has thickened and boils. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, 1 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper; remove from heat.

Step 2 (go here if your butter and onions are taking a long time): Grease 9-inch square baking dish or a shallow 2-quart casserole. Arrange half of potatoes in single layer (it was more like a double layer but it's fine who cares it's food) in prepared dish; pour half of sauce on top. (We put the cheese on before the sauce.)

Potatoes & Cheese waiting for sauce

Repeat layers.

Last bit of sauce on top.

Cover and bake 1 hour. Remove cover and bake until potatoes are tender and top is golden, about 30 minutes longer. Makes 6 accompaniment servings.

Needs to go back in for another 30 minutes!

The original recipe gives these nutritional facts: Each serving has about 199 calories, 5g protein, 28g carbohydrate, 8g total far, 24mg cholesterol, 484mg sodium. We added a whole lot of cheese so it probably wasn't this exactly but it's cheese.

Served with ham steak!!

We normally only make this if we have a family dinner with our cousins or something so its kinda cool that we are having it on a normal Monday night.

I hope you guys enjoyed that.

I don't know what you guys were expecting. I might be back for like book reviews (my mom and I were just talking about that) or if I happen to make food on a Monday night that my mom wants on her blog. I honestly don't know if I'll write something on this blog again.  I had fun but you guys get to choose if you liked this.

                                           Sincerely, Me (Little S)

Cowboy Quilt is Getting a Backing

A Design Table today.  I am trying to decide what backing for this quilt.

Cowboy Quilt 

There is not enough of the aqua with dots.  My next best choices are dark brown from the inner border or beige.

Dark brown or beige?

The beige is a lot darker than the cream, so I don't think it looks quite right.  Also,  this is likely to be a quilt for baby to play on the floor, so light isn't as practical.

So dark brown it will be.

Now - is there enough?  I will work on that today.

Linking up to Small Quilts & Doll Quilts to show what we are working on.

Fall Fabric and More

Last week I missed a report.  Pretty much just missed the week altogether with everything that was going on.  I did do the Thankful Thursday posts, but it turned out both of them were on Fridays.  I don't know how I was that far off!! But now I think I am getting back to normal.

Fabric In: I cannot tell a lie.  Fabric came in.  Lots of it.  I was out thrifting on my first day in 20 years that the girls went back to school and I didn't.  That was strange.  I was looking for something specific, so I took the opportunity to make the big loop of thrift stores.  I didn't find what I was looking for but I did find some great deals on fabric - and I have a purpose for all of it.

White 100% cotton still on the bolt $2.  I haven't measured it yet so will carry this over to next week.  I can always use white, especially with another hexagon quilt finish fast approaching.

Dark green with brown details: 2 1/3 yards $1.50

This just says "fall" to me!

Lilac flannel: 1/2 yard $0.50  It has already been made into burp cloths and reusable makeup wipes.

And the lilac said "baby burp cloth!"

I had been telling myself I could just use what I have to make items for the craft fair in October, but at these prices I can't not buy it. 

Fabric Out:

These are pretty addicting for a car ride.

Flannel blanket with crochet edges.  Ladybug blanket was finished a while back, but not reported.  Pink rosebuds was finished a week or so ago.  Farm blanket got finished on the trip to get College E back to school.  4.02 yards

More burp cloths. 

Made some more burp cloths.  I love making these.  Sure hope they sell at the craft fair.  3 yards

Love the polka dots.

Bright hexagons got a binding.  0.34 yards

Pillowcase set.

Second pillowcase was completed.  Little S made one at the library class a while back and there was just enough fabric to make a matching case, so I finally did.  It sure would have been easier if they had been cut at the same time so I didn't have to remeasure to make sure they were identical.  2.2 yards for both.  I don't think I reported the first pillowcase back in June, but if so I'll readjust my numbers later.

Fabric Purchased since last report: 2.83 yards
Fabric Purchased YTD: 74.34 yards

Fabric Acquired since last report: 0 yards

Fabric Acquired YTD: 22.65 yards

Fabric Used since last report: 9.56 yards
Fabric Used YTD: 121.26 yards

Total: 10.81 yards destashed

Don't forget to check out the August Giveaway.  Help me get more fabric out of the stash.

Kate over at Life In Pieces has challenged us to try to stitch 15 minutes each day.  This was definitely an odd last few weeks.  Considering everything that was going on I am happy with my progress.  I love that 15 minutes can make a difference in productivity and attitude.

Days stitched since last report: 12/14
Days stitched this year: 217/237
Success Rate: 92%

Linking up to QuiltPaintCreate and Life in Pieces to keep accountable.

Thankful Thursday

When I started my summer sewing class at the library it was an experiment of sorts with a lot of unknowns.  First of all - would anyone come?  Then - would I enjoy teaching sewing?   Could I come up with appropriate projects?  Lastly - where do I go from here?

Would anyone come?  Yes, they came!! I had the young girl who started it all because she wants to become a designer and needs to learn to sew.  Her mother came along for the ride.  My Little S was a captive participant, but with a good attitude. Then we got a library volunteer who saw us sewing and dropped everything to join us.  After the pajama pants party we got another young girl.  Plus, the library ladies stopped by as they were able to see what we were doing and ask questions.  Then the library asked me to teach a monthly class that they would promote.

Pillowcases

Did I enjoy teaching sewing?  Without a doubt!!  I am a teacher.  I come from a long, long line of teachers on both sides and I love teaching.  This was different than teaching academics and there were no discipline problems since everyone wanted to be there.  But teaching is breaking things down into understandable manageable steps and I can do that with any subject you throw at me.

Could I come up with appropriate projects?  With a bit of research and creativity, yes!!  We made a travel tissue cover, a pillowcase, a reversible fabric bin, and a tote bag with pockets and handles.  All straight lines.  All finished in 2 hours or less.

Reversible Fabric Bins

Where do I go from here?  Teach sewing as a business.  Grown Up R is putting her natural skills and her college degree to use helping me set up a sewing business.  Since I am in the middle of a job search this makes sense for me. This time next week everything should be ready to go.  I am excited with a little nervous thrown in there for good measure.

Tote Bag with Pockets

So today I am thankful for my daughter for her unwavering support, my students who were willing to be my guinea pigs at the library, and my friend who only sees the possibilities.

Thankful Thursday

What a week this has been!  In the midst of getting College E ready to head back today and Little S starting tomorrow I held a sewing class at the library yesterday.  Way back when I picked the date I had no idea what the week would be like.  But sewing is my therapy, so all is well!

Learning to use her mother's machine!

We had 5 brand new sewists come to the class.  Little Miss A had sewn with her grandma and had her own machine, but that was a quite a while ago, so she was really starting from scratch along with everyone else.  They were all so excited.  I love the enthusiasm when they first press the pedal and see it go!! First they practiced sewing straight lines on gingham and pivoting at the corners.

Slow & Steady

We talked about different kinds of fabrics and sewing projects.  Also demonstrated the different parts of the machine and dos and don'ts.  I love teaching about using a "spider".  Did anyone else learn about "spiders" way back from Eleanor Burns on TV?

Separating the project from the spider.

Now I use Bonnie Hunter's leaders & enders method, but by starting with the spider the students learn why it is so helpful.  After we get the straight lines down, we will move on to leaders & enders.  They were duly impressed by my X Marks the Spot Quilt which is the result of consistent leadering & ending!

Lots of Leaders & Enders

Then they were pedal to the metal making travel tissue covers.  That is such a fun first project.  Guaranteed success and practical too.  Perfect for Back to School!

Unsewing.  It happens to all of us.

By the end of the class my stress of getting all my girls to the right place at the right time with the right stuff was gone.  I know that if I had stayed home I would not have taken the time to sew, but teaching the class was just what I needed.

Careful straight line stitching

I am so thankful to these ladies of all ages for giving up one of the last afternoons of their summer vacation to learn to sew.

Cowboy Quilt and More

Fabric In:  Nothing at all was added to the stash this week.  Yippee!

Fabric Out:
Cowboy Quilt top is finished.  2.7 yards

Cowboy Quilt

Bright Hexagons got quilted so the backing can get counted out.  2.33 yards

flannel bear backing for bright hexagons

4 more burp cloths for the craft fair.  1.4 yards

Mickey Mouse Burp Cloths

Jungle Animals & Checks

Fabric Purchased since last report: 0 yards
Fabric Purchased YTD: 71.51 yards

Fabric Acquired since last report: 0 yards

Fabric Acquired YTD: 22.65 yards

Fabric Used since last report: 6.43 yards
Fabric Used YTD: 111.7 yards

Total: 17.54 yards destashed

A better week for fabric getting used.  The Cowboy Quilt progress was a bit of a surprise, but sometimes things are just ready to get done.

Don't forget to check out the August Giveaway.  Help me get more fabric out of the stash.

Kate over at Life In Pieces has challenged us to try to stitch 15 minutes each day.  I had another good week.  I think the end of summer vacation is motivating.

Days stitched since last report: 7/7
Days stitched this year: 200/216
Success Rate: 93%

Linking up to QuiltPaintCreate and Life in Pieces to keep accountable.

August Giveaway

I am nearing the end of my hexagon block journey.  This was an idea that Little S saw and liked.  I have worked away at it as Leaders & Enders for about a year now and am winding down.

Brights pinned and ready to quilt.

The bright hexagon quilt just needs a binding.

Tropicals on the design wall.

The tropical hexagon blocks are done.

Pastels waiting for some friends.

The pastel hexagon block layout is in need of a few more, but there are no more in the precut bag that will work with this color scheme.

So I have decided to give away the remaining precut hexagons.  Many are fussy cut for an I Spy quilt.  Some are from the same fabric.  There are approximately 75 hexagons in total.

Variety of Hexagons

Warning: there were cut with scissors about 15-20 years ago and are not uniform.  The winner may want to trim them down to be smaller uniform hexagons or cut them into squares or take your chances like it did!

Approximate size

Just leave a comment telling what is most unusual block shape or tricky combination you have sewn.

As always thank you for participating.  A winner will be chosen at the end of August.

Giveaway Winner for July

And the winner is ....

Moira!

Moira said:
"Love the panel! Favorite state - Arizona would have to be at the top of that list after spending 30+ yrs there. However, I'm currently in TX where the job and my new house is. I do like TX, and also like to visit Massachusetts (love, love, love Boston!). But really anywhere God decides to place me is where I'm happy being."

I am so glad these cute bears are finding a new home.

Bye Bye Bears!

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Check back soon to see the August Giveaway!

BOM Challenge - Month 8

Good thing I was ahead of things, because this week has been a bit hectic.

But because I had gotten ahead I had also gotten confused about which block was which month.

In July I reported that I had made an extra month 6 to make up the the lack of a month 7.  That wasn't the case at all.  I had month 7 and it was this block.

BOM Month 7

Which made month 8 be the duplicate of month 6.

Bottom line is that I am current and no longer confused.  I have a Month 9 and have it set out to work on next so maybe I will keep it straight for the next month.

Linking up to Jo's Country Junction to show out BOM progress.