Pin cushion and thread catcher

I saw these made up at the Quilt Expo and wondered if I could make one. In fact, my Mom and her friend Judy were commenting on them and I said I would just pay the $14 that the shop was charging and get one.

Well, when I got home I checked the wonderful world wide web and wouldn't you know I found a pattern (of course I made my own modifications). I made one for my Mom, one for Judy, one for an exchange and 3 for the quilting weekend coming up.

Now, I'm off to eat something I probably shouldn't this late at night.

Note to self.....

Dear Self,
Next time you decide to pull weeds, take a look around, especially in the season of wasps, bees, flies or anything that stings. Do not keep pulling one more until the wasps have themselves worked up into a fury! Your hand will hurt when the wasps decide to defend his sacred space - it will hurt like you know what and the neighbors do not need to hear you swear at the top of your lungs.
Take care,
me

I was going to include a picture of the wasps' sacred space in the the flower garden BUT I'm not going out there again until dark and it will be with a can of spray.

On other fronts, I think I am working out of my funk. I am super busy and I'm dealing with it by doing nothing! I haven't worked on my paper, which I really need to do. I'm going to clean out my car so that I don't have any excuses not to work on the darn thing when I have a minute here or there during the day instead of knitting or reading a book.

I have cleaned the house (well the kitchen, living room and bathroom - the rooms that really count).Tried to weed. Took two boys to Kohl's and to get haircuts. They had to try their new shirts on today at Kohl's, they saw some bigger boys using the dressing room and also had to use it. It was the coolest feeling standing outside the dressing room, knocking on the door asking,"Does it fit? Can I see?" and the two of them modeling the new clothes for me. I didn't dare ask the older one to try on the new pants, that would have been pushing my luck.

Now I am going to put the binding on this blanket that got immediately put into service last week even though it was only quilted.
Do you think our house might be a little warm right now?

Take care, k

I've been good

We went to the sheep and wool festival on Saturday. The boys were so excited to see the baby lambs but very disappointed that they could not touch them. They did get to touch other sheep though.... Ian tried to touch a very handsome ram that promptly slammed his horns into the stanchion (what do you call the cage that sheep are in at a fair?), sending him into hysterics. He was so scared after that. I guess that ram had had enough of people trying to touch him.

I want you all to know that I did not buy a wheel. Oh there were many, beautiful wheels (like the birds eye maple one hmm) BUT I didn't do it. I know that I need to take a class or go to a shop that will let me try one out for a little bit. I know, I know, but the temptation... I bought two really cool bowls (if I could find the card I would post it. She has an etsy shop.... maybe it is still in my purse) and two skeins of yarn. Wow I was good!

Last night, we went to the soccer fields near our house to launch the rocket. I have to admit that it was a lot of fun. We sat on the grass talking about our day - the boys and I did, Kal was busy getting the rocket to fly - just having fun relaxing.

Kal had the hardest job! I got to goof around with the boys between launches.

Have a good night everyone.

A day of firsts

Simon went to daycare by himself today. He was not very happy about it. It's weird. In 3 1/2 years, Ian has always been there. He went to a new classroom and was happy by the time I left him.

Here is the kindergartner. He was soooo excited. He went to school for a partial day and was impressed with his classroom and the gym! Then he spent the rest of the day with his dad. They went shopping (for themselves - toys) and swimming.

People were asking me all day how I felt about Ian going to kindergarten - if I was sad or if I cried. All I could say was that I didn't cry and I wasn't sad like I was when he first went to daycare. I cried and cried then. Oh I was devastated that day. BUT today it was more like a melancholy feeling, a non-descript feeling sad. A knowing that he is moving on. He is growing and learning and I know that I will be a part of that. I am excited for him, his world is opening even bigger. I can't wait to hear his new stories, but he is growing up. Luckily for me, it will be a while before he leaves the house!

The board walk

We went to my Mom and Dad's for an overnight on Saturday. On Sunday (after sitting on the
back deck for a while), we went to the boardwalk near their house. It is a short circular path that includes a small lake, bog and marshy area. The entire path is a boardwalk.


We haven't gone in the summer or late summer before. We were afraid of mosquitoes. We were surprised -no nasty biting bugs - lots of butterflies, bees and spiders though. Lots of insects taking advantage of the warm summer day. We walked it twice exploring all of the seed pods and bugs. The last time we were there, it was really really wet. It was interesting to see it drying up and to see the plants with there seed pods. The little lake was low. I have never seen mud flats in it, then again I have never been there in late August. We saw a philodendron type plant that was beautiful. As we, walked it was really warm in some places and cool in others. Of course, Simon got hot and had to have his shirt off!