Current and finished projects

Check this out! This is a paper artwork design that my son did this year in Art class. DD#2 did one several years ago. For some reason, I just love this abstract type of design. It is made using squares of paper.

I thought it might look nice as a wall-hanging in coordinating fabric so I bought some to recreate the same type of design. Here's the fabric (the two on the right):

The yellow/red daisies on the blue background will become some type of wall hanging for my bathroom with some type of embroidery. Those 4th of July wall hangings, well, here they are. No movement on them. My intention was to use my Janome clothsetter to join the vertical designs but I just didn't have the time to sit down and think about it. So I did them all separately and will join the pieces together with a horizontal seam. I'll use a background border and be done with it. Overall, I was pleased with the design. If only I could get these things done before the specific holiday and not after!

Now, for my finished projects, here are my purses. I created the pattern, "big enough, but not too big" was my idea. I think they're okay. Not the most attractive purses by any means, but functional enough. Can't be too dressy for all-day tournaments. The flaps could be a little longer and bigger so I'll adjust the pattern flap accordingly. Here's the first purse:

Yes, in one my more creative bursts, I tried to think of catchy phrases to embroider on the purses along with the design. The other purse I don't want to show the front because it's a searchable organization, but here's the phrase on that one below:

My daughter has a softball shirt that says, "Good Girls Steal", so I expanded on that to say, "Where Good Girls Hit and Steal" right below the team name on the purse. Both bags have an exterior pocket big enough for a cell phone and keys--two things I like right at my fingertips. I didn't feel like do any interior pockets because these are just functional sports purses specific for games and weekends. If they were everyday bags, I'd probably put more effort into interior/zippered pockets. Maybe even an exterior zippered welt pocket. But you know, I just don't have the time nor inclination these days.

Both the bags are lined in cotton quilting print fabric. You can kind of see the color because I wanted a tiny strip of lining fabric to "peek" outside the exterior pocket.

So there you have it. Two finished bags, and wall hangings in the making. Lovingly looked at some garment patterns this morning though. The time will come. Gotta remind myself of that.

Good news

Here's some good news. My purses need about 5 minutes of work and the first two are done. I had some issues on the flap on the first one, made a couple changes to it, and it's okay. The second one I removed and redesigned the sides for a better fit. Now I know what changes to make to the flap pattern to make it better. My problem was my strap was at least an inch wide. I did not account for this when creating the flap piece. The width of the flap is interfering with the straps. The flap was bunching up at the sides because it was butting into the straps. So the one on the first purse is adequate, the second one is fine because I resewed/slightly redesigned the flap.

I'll take pics later when they're totally finished. Just need to seal up the interior lining and do a few minutes of topstitching by hand.

June 29 already!

Here it is--June 29! Where have the last 2+ weeks gone???

I have two wall hangings that have been embroidered and need to be put together. (They're 4th of July themed!). My sports purses were SO close to being done and I was bummed I couldn't take the one to the Softball tournament yesterday. The tournament was 2 hours away in Princeton. We left at 7:15 a.m., got back at 11 p.m. The last game was supposed to be at 5:15 but storms came rolling in a 5 p.m. We drove a half hour away to another field and found out we weren't playing our last game until 8 p.m. under the lights. DD#2 was a little upset because she was tired and had to pitch that last game but it was the best game she's played in a month. She pitched a 1-hitter and got a double and a couple of RBI's. Her hitting was a little lackluster yesterday but she made up for everything in the last game and was also awarded the MVP in that game. She left at 7:30 this morning to continue the Tournament.

Might get my lawn mowed today!!! Two weeks ago DH took our 16-year old lawn tractor out for a mowing. Both the back tires went flat from the previous mowing and the darn thing wouldn't move in forward or reverse. So I went out and plunked down $1700 for a new lawn tractor (at least it was on sale) with a snow blade for winter and a lawn cart. DH just got a chance to use it on Friday. Then he was going to push the other one off to the side for a pickup and thought, "Well, let me see what happens if I try to start it again." That darn old tractor now moves! What gives with that? We just have to siphon the gas out and call to get a pickup on it. I'm tired of the tractor's "moods".

My other wall hanging fabric has been ironed and is on my ironing board. On Friday I looked longingly at some summer top patterns. Just no time yet unfortunately. Today I have to get in high gear and organize our LL tournament game for our girls. We're hosting tomorrow at our home field and I have to get the sound system, food, and everything together.

DH and I also took on coaching a summer ball baseball team that our two boys are on. They needed coaching volunteers for the summer. We have some talent on our team, and I gave them a pep talk on Friday, but everyone knew full well that we are the youngest and most inexperienced team. Anyway, they won yesterday. 16-12. I wasn't there but it was a very good game. Even DH was kind of surprised.

DS#1 couldn't go to his post-season baseball party last night. I was helping plan in it, but didn't know I would be at a softball tournament this past weekend. He missed it, but wasn't terribly upset about it. We've been running around all the time, and sometimes it is just nice to relax at home.

Today I hope DD#2's softball team wins their bracket. I hope to accomplish some lawn mowing, housecleaning, LL planning, and baseball practice. Later on I'm going to break out the popcorn, grab a wine cooler, kick back and try to get my purses done. It's really been a hectic two weeks. Another hectic two weeks and the worst busy part of the summer should be over.


ETA--this is exactly how I feel--EXHAUSTED! Only thing that's missing is the nice drink from my hand. Saving that for later.

Update

Still on hiatus.

My garden hasn't even been started. My kids' teams keep winning--isn't it terrible to think it's great when they're games can go either way? If the boys' teams would just lose, I'd have more free time at night. No movement on any painting. Problems in LL keep cropping up. One friend is having adoption issues. Another person I know is sorely overworked and stressed. My house is still in disarray. I have to go into town today and try to buy a new garden tractor 'cuz our just died. Didn't at least even get the summer season in. DD#1 is ticked off because I balk at placing an on-line order for tennis tanks that cost $25/each. $25 for a tank top! I get the, "But Mom! It's expensive material." Or something like that. No, the material is NOT expensive, the brand name is. She's mad because I told her anything over a $20 limit per top is her bill. I think that's fair. Gas prices just went over $4/gallon. Should I go on?

The good news. I'm ready and doing (what I call) a "Jolt" workout--adding 5 lbs more to most weight machines at the gym. The heat wave broke Tuesday night. A second opinion with an opthomologist--don't have glaucoma. At least not yet, and I'm a good candidate for LASIK. Found out our school district pays $80/day for sub teachers with a $500 bonus with every 30 days of work. That works for me.

I haven't been doing any sewing, but have been doing a little embroidery here and there for wall hangings. Embroidery works well with my current schedule.

School's not out just yet either! Lots of snow days this year. The kids don't officially get out until next Wednesday. And that's fine by me :) .