Dusting off the Sewing Machine!

It was really hot this weekend! I still got in a few super-slow runs (sorry, Aron!), but they were done by 9:00 a.m.

On Saturday, Jeff and I had a date night and went to Tap That Topeka. It was a lot of fun, and since we were already in the neighborhood, we finished the evening with dinner at Celtic Fox. I love events that get us out and about. It's so easy to stay home, but I'm always happy when we push ourselves to get out!

On Sunday afternoon, I went looking for a quick project. I had a dress set aside to take to the seamstress for hemming. I had thrifted it because I loved the colors, but it was way too long. I took a hard look at the fabric and construction of the dress. I don't usually alter clothes, but I decided I'd give it a try!

Two hours later (there was a lining that needed to be hemmed too!), I had fixed my dress. It was a win because I get to wear it sooner, and I probably saved about $25! I did have to knock the dust off my sewing machine, but it still works. I need to spend more time in my sewing room, sewing days are just hard to come by!

Before! Too much dress, not enough Candis. 

During 

What was not needed 

After! 

A Long Relaxing Weekend

I've been back in the real world for one day, and I'm already ready to be back at the lake! This last weekend was so peaceful and productive! I got to catch up with my friends, drink coffee, work on my llama quilt, read and run. It was such a great vacation! 

We also drove across one scary bridge --- Thanks Karen! 

The Bergmans went to visit Lucas at School and they had a pretty great weekend too! And it is cool outside, and the leaves are pretty and I am not dying on my long runs. Yay Fall!!! 

The view we had drinking our coffee and watching the birds!

Also in the backyard, a cliff.

Lunch in Eureka Springs, it was the witch festival...total coincidence! LOL 

Riding a trolley! 

The scary bridge we drove over. One car at a time! 

All the sewing I got done on Saturday. Yay!

My running buddy!

Siblings reunited! 

Lucas is now a full MMA cadet! 

Projects Day!

Sometimes you just need a day at home. Today was that day! Jeff got a screen mounted on the wall, finally hung all of our wall decor, I finished a shirt resize I got mad at two months ago, did a long run and finally got two trash-trees out of our landscape. Those trash-trees pop out of nowhere, and then in a week they are three feet tall. Nice trees don't do that, sadly. 

Yesterday, Jeff and I got to be volunteer bartenders for my Johnson County Extension Foundation friends. Tara promised it would be simple, and it was! It was nice to be able to help, because sometimes I feel like all I do is ask for help. So if you need free bartenders, that is something Jeff and I will consider. Just remember, you get what you pay for! LOL!

Next up on the sewing machine will be starting the Alpaca quilt. I would love to get that done in 2025!  

This may not look like a lot, but we hung stuff in many areas today!

From months ago, the before of my OKC half marathon finisher shirt!

The after! No close ups, this has more puckers than a lemon eating contest. The fabric was very slippery and since it is a running shirt, I did not go for perfection! 

Playing with my Christmas Present

 Christmas 2021 Santa brought me a new sewing machine. My old sewing machine was given to me when I was in High School, over TWENTY years ago. Time for a new one. But that means learning how to use new machine, so it has been sitting in its box. 

Alex has his Diamond Painting set up in the basement by where I sew. I figured out he will work on his project if I am down there sewing. So, to learn how to use this machinge I have been making Purl scarves from fabric scraps. I have pretty much figured out the machine, except for winding a bobbin. It came with a wound bobbin so once that is out, I'll pull out the book for that last thing. Purl's first set of scarves were too small, so tonight I made them bigger for her. 

I have a couple of half done sewing projects around. So it's time to get back at it while I visit with Alex as he works. Sounds like a plan! 

I like it mom, but make it bigger....please.

Yes! Better!

The Quilts Are Done!

I was very happy to learn this week that Mom and I's quilts were done being quilted. Yesterday, we made a "quick" roadtrip to Jetmore to pick them up! The boys came too because if we are in a car all day, that means eating out. LOL 

I was even happier to find out my sister, nephews and niece were going to meet us for lunch. It was so great to see them all and visit about how their summer is going. We were half way home when I realized the ONLY picture I took was of my Tostada at Judy's restraunt. It was very worthy of a picture but I wish I would have gotten one of all the cousins. Ugh

Daryl also found a fishing spot withing biking distance of the house this week. So he was there two days this week. He only caught a frog (that was gross). Daryl said it was ok because he likes fishing not catching fish. That was a little deep for me! 

It was a great weekend and I'm ready for another week, we are doing virtual 4-H  camp this week, so wish me luck! 

My 4-H T-Shirt Quilt! 

Still love my corners!

My Fairy Godmother Quilt

My mom's scrappy quilt. 
She has WAY more patience than me! 

It was the only picture I took Saturday, so I 
might as well post it!
 

Alex came with Daryl to check out the
spot. He didn't really want to fish. 

He is a determined angler. 
He asked if I wanted to fry frog legs.
I said no. 

Happy Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a peaceful mother's day. Mine did not start too great. I decided to get a morning run in so I could relax the rest of the day. I was a mile away from the house when I rolled my ankle. I do this frequently, and normally don't fall. That was not the case this morning. I fell so good I slid into a chain link fence. I knew it was worse than normal because even when I do fall I pop right up and make sure no one saw me. I still looked around to make sure no one saw me, but there was no pop up.

I found my phone that flew out of my hand and guess what? I called my mom! Happy Mother's day, come get me. We got a good chuckle out of the whole thing. I'm a little sore, but very disappointed how small my injuries are. They hurt really bad for a skinned knee and hands!

I made lunch for Mom and the boys for Mother's day. It was a proper ham dinner with a lemon curd tart for dessert. I made the lemon curd myself! I used frozen phyllo dough because why would you ever try and make that. Mom and I really liked it, the boys just wanted the raspberries. Oh well.

This afternoon I finished another quilt. This one was just missing borders, I think I made the main part of it in 2005 or 2006. I was going through all of my sewing stuff last week and I found two unfinished baby quilts. This "fairy godmother" quilt has a home it can go to this summer. So I finished it. I don't know who it was originally for, but that's ok!

It was a pretty great day even if it did start with a spill. I know I'm not old because my mom laughed at me. It you fall and people look real worried you are old. If they laugh at you, you are a-ok!

My Mother's Day tart! 

The boys made me and Grandma Rosie a cake for the occasion! 

My Fairy Godmother quilt

I added two borders, I wish I had enough rainbow
fabric to go all the way around. But I was a
little short.

My skinned knee, it hurts worse than it looks. 

Sometimes Your Border needs a Border

I finished quilt #1! Well I finished as much as I do. I will send it off for the actual "quilting". I put on the first border that had the corner pieces, then I realized I needed another border. I wanted to protect my corners that I had worked so hard on. Can you believe that, I start cutting out T-Shirts in December and have been cutting and sewing for two months. My favorite part of the blanket is the four little corner pieces. LOL

I didn't have a lot of plans when I started my 4-H T-Shirt quilt. I think it turned out great for no plans. The only downside, is it might be a touch big for a Queen bed. Also, I only have 2 4-H T-Shirts left. No worries, I'm going to be getting another one in a month for virtual camp! Let the 4-H shirt collecting begin again.

My corner piece that is a part of the first border. Then the
blue fabric is the second border. 

So big I can't really take a picture of the whole thing. 

All the thread I had left. I was playing chicken on the last border. 

April Goal Update

Before I go over my yearly goal progress I have great news! Grandma Rosie is here! She put off her move toTopeka until they started getting Covid cases in SW Kansas. Once the Virus was there as well, she thought she could hide out here just as well as hiding out down there. The boys and I are so happy to have her here. She has already been busy in the yard. My yard has lots of project for anyone that likes projects. That was a bright spot to our days that all seemed to blend together. 

2020 Goals 

Read 12 Books: 4/12 

This month the boys and I read "The One and Only Ivan" by K.A. Applegate. We read the first half of the book taking turns reading but I ended it by reading to them. It was a great youth chapter book. Very heartfelt and all three of us couldn't wait to see how it ended. 

Many thanks to Ms. Foster for putting the copies into a ziplock and letting us pick them up. It was a great read! 

Knit 4 Things (and no new yarn!): 2.5/4 

Still working on my Mielie vest. It has been a good project for my multiple zoom meetings. I'm getting ready to start my third ball of yarn. I may need to cast on something in the middle of this. I'm getting tired of the blue!  


Make 2 Quilts : I have started Quilt #1

So much progress on Quilt #1 this month. All of the T-Shirts have been cut and bordered. (I have TWO 4-H t-shirts left to wear.) I have all of the rows of T-Shirts sewn together. I've also made the four corner pieces that will be a part of the border. I'm using the fronts of shirts that had a little chest logo. 

This project has been the best distraction! All I have left to do is put on the borders. This two quilt goal was a stretch goal but thanks to our Stay at Home order I may get it done! 

Run 600 Miles: 197

I got 35 miles this month. That is not 50, the amount I need every month to get to 600 for the year. The good news is I have been getting more than 50 the last couple of months so I didn't blow my yearly goal with this month. Why did I fall off of running so hard? Change of daily routine, losing the gym, my half being turned into a virtual race. These all played a little part of my head losing the stay motivated game. None of these things are changing for May, so I will just have to get mentally tougher or chuck this goal. I'm not ready to do that yet. We will circle  back in a month! 

I didn't run my virtual half, thank goodness the race people let me switch to the virtual 5K. At least I will get my shirt from the inaugural Top City 5K/Half Marathon race. :-) 

Save 2,000 Dollars: $2465

I saved 1500 this month. Not going to lie that was stimulus money. However, I'm lucky enough to still be working and getting a paycheck. So that money went directly to savings. It is more important than ever to have a savings account and I hope I don't have to dip into it. 

5 House Projects: Nothing off the list in April. But I have the tree removal in the budget for May. So hopefully that will be done soon! I have been putting my new stove and four of it's burners to good use this month! So happy to have it! 

Put in a ceiling light in living room
Put in a ceiling light in my bedroom office
Get a new stove: Done Feb
Remove a scraggly tree
Get my Garage door working

One of the four corner pieces I made for the border!

Quilt top just minus the border! 

Four corners

I lowered my goal from 60 to 35 when I realized I was having head struggles.
I'm glad I did because just finished this morning! 

I'm Pretty Sure It's Sunday

This last week of stay at home work/school/everything was probably my least productive. The weather was icky, the boys had their moments and my knees were achy. The boys and I stayed home, took Purl for reluctant walks and got our work done. I did get some knitting done, that doesn't hurt my knees! I also made three quilt blocks today, and that means I only have three left. I'm playing chicken with my interfacing right now so I'm hoping that it lasts for three more shirts!  

We finally had some excitement yesterday when our robin eggs hatched! Daryl and I were home at the time so we sent a picture to Alex right away. He was so excited! So the last thing I am waiting for is Alex's front tooth to fall out. That might be the only blog worthy news coming from Meerpohl Manor during quarantine! 

Next week I will try to be more motivated. 

Our eggs hatched! We have enjoyed sitting outside this weekend
and watching them get fed. 

Only three blocks bordered in green left! 

Level Face Mask: Achieved

After watching many many Youtube videos I finally decided to make the face mask featured in this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FB--BOyTiU by Erica Arndt. It is a pleated pattern with three layers of fabric. The tutorial was easy to follow and it only took me about 10 minutes to make one. I have one made for me and one for a smaller child than Alex. I cut the child's size but I forgot how big his head is. So, I will try again to make his tomorrow. Then one for Daryl! 

I have read up on how to wear them. Don't touch the front of your mask and once you take it off it has to be washed and dried. I am now ready for Dillons and the wine store! 

Going to wear my bug dress when I wear my bug mask! 

Alex picked his own fabric, look at his poor ear! His next one will be bigger.

Quilt #1 Progress

When I had the idea for this quilt I didn't have a plan. I just knew after 7.5 years working as the Shawnee County 4-H Agent I had a LOT of 4-H T-Shirts. I cut them out, without a plan. I put a 2 inch border on them, without a plan. And I started laying them out on the floor until I was happy.

When I layed out the blocks I had I realized two things. First, I don't know how big a queen size quilt should  be. Quick Google search told me 92 inches by 96 inches! Second, I'm going to need more T-Shirts. Last week I did 3 blocks most days, there were a couple of days I didn't do any.

By the weekend I realized my original 18 shirts was not enough. So I went thru the shirts I am currently wearing and cleared them out! I only have one 4-H t-shirt left and I have 24 T-shirt blocks to work with!

This week I have to start sewing together the rows and do the border.  In the middle of that I'm going to try and sew my first face mask. I don't have any elastic the right size, so I guess  I will be doing ties.

I have been putting that off because sewing on my quilt makes me so happy. I remember all the camps and conferences I have been able to go to with my 4-H'ers. Thinking of sewing for my new reality doesn't elicit joy. But, I have these skills and I can take care of my own family with masks. The CDC changed their recommendation about wearing masks in public places. So, I will get it done.

But first look at my quilt, isn't she pretty?!

It's long enough....the borders will be on the Wide side. 

The Many ears of Purl! 

My last four that I had to dig out of my dresser.