June in Review

I can't believe the month is almost over.  I think it was a really an uneventful month for the most part....which is not a bad thing.   A few highlights and what I've learned this month:

• My niece's wedding and visiting with family.  We even had the opportunity to take a picture of my parents and all 8 siblings.  Not sure how it turned out yet...but I'm sure we are still a good-looking group!
• We've only been on 2 rides on the 4-wheelers.  Got to get more riding in this summer!
•  School is out.  Jaycee goes back as a Junior in high school in the fall.  Yay for only 2 years left in the public school system.  
• Sleepovers still make teenagers grumpy the next day.
• A pedicure is pure heaven! 
• A well planned day never goes as planned...not even close most of the time.
• Snakes in the grass still startle me....but they make Gary jump and swear!
• The mouse in the chicken coop can eat all the chicken food it wants as long as it stays out of my house.
• Max and Molly still hate fireworks.  Neighbors have been lighting them every night for the last few nights.  Nothing like having to peel a dog off you every couple of minutes.
• A cool shower and clean sheets are the best way to end a summer day.
• Things happen for a reason.

Last night Jaycee and I decided to walk to the gas station to get a snack.  We headed out and got as far as the next door neighbor's house and it started raining.  We turned around and went back home.  When we got to the front door it quit...so we headed off again. 

 Half way there it started raining with lightening and thunder.  We kept going.  It was fun...laughing and walking in the rain in our flip flops.

Duck, duck, chicken?  This is Comet with the ducks.  She keeps hopping the fence and going in the duck cage to eat their food.  I don't think the ducks like her.  They chase her but don't bite her.  We keep putting Comet back on her side of the fence, but it doesn't last long.  She is really the sweetest, friendliest chicken we've ever had.  She's the only one of our new chickens laying eggs...and this morning laid a normal sized egg.  Whenever we go outside she hops the fence and runs up to us to say "hi".  She loves to be picked up and talked to.  Gary said if we let her in the house she'd hop right into bed with us.  I'm sure he's right....but I'm not about to find out.

Patriotic Wreath and Porch

  I decided to make a wreath for the front door.  Thought it would be a fast, easy craft.  I bought this wreath from the dollar store and wrapped it with strips of white fabric.  It took about 7 sheets each of red, white, and blue felt.  I made lots and lots of flowers from this post.  Good luck on finding those colors now that the 4th is getting close.

  I made enough larger flowers to go around the wreath on the main surface.  Then I made smaller ones to go on the outside and inside of that row.  I wanted to to arrange them randomly, but it drives me nuts to not have them in some order....had to do it in red, white, and blue.  It took a few days to get enough flowers made, but I worked all weekend so had to do it around work.  I always think how much quilting and crafting I could get done if I didn't have to work....sigh!

 Gary got the porch all festive looking!  He got the fountain cleaned up and working and then put potted plants around it.  I love the 4th of July!!

Snap Bags

 I made these snap bags a month or so ago.  The pattern is from Stitchin' Sisters called Snap Happy bags.  I ordered it on line.  You use metal tape measure pieces in the top band.  I bought a construction tape measure at Home Depot for $3.00.  I'm sure it will make tons of bags.  It's a great way to use up some scraps.

 You just pull on the tabs on both sides and it pops open!  Then it snaps shut.  What a great idea.  I love these cute little bags!

I switched to a new purse and it doesn't have as many pockets or zippered compartments as my last purse.  Everything has been getting lost.  I decided to use a couple of these snap bags for my keys and other items.  

 Finally....I have to say that I kept telling myself if we could just have some warm, sunny days that I wouldn't complain about the heat.  Days where I didn't have to wear my hoodie and fuzzy socks to keep warm.  Yup.  I lied.  I'm really not enjoying the heat now.  It just drains me.  By the end of the day I'm worn out.  I'm thinking cold, snowy thoughts to keep my cool......

Cristin's Wedding

 My niece got married yesterday.  The reception was beautiful.  Her colors were yellow and gray.  I took my camera but I was so busy visiting I didn't get a picture of the bride and groom. I did take a picture of a picture.  I have to say that they are such a cute couple.  We really like her new husband, Brennen.  We're so glad to have him join our family.

 My mom made this beautiful quilt for them.  She machine pieces and then hand quilts one for each grandchild and then does a tied quilt also.  Something for them to always treasure.

 BrookLynn looked so grown up.  I can't believe she turns 2 in a few weeks.  She was having fun dancing to the music.  She got so jealous when Papa was holding Katelynn.  He had to hold her too.  It was so cute.  I think Papa was tickled!

  My sister, Dena, and her family came up from Las Vegas for the wedding.  It was sooo good to see all of them.  This is my niece's (Sandy) daughter, Parker, and Katelynn (my Jodi's daughter).  Guess that makes them second cousins.  We decided that they look a lot alike.  Such beautiful girls.  It seems like yesterday that our kids were this age.  Can't believe that we are the grandma's now.

 There was dancing at the end of the reception.  Brandon was so cute dancing with his cousin.  My camera wasn't cooperating....Argg!  Every picture of took of them dancing it was blurry.  You can tell that he's used to helping out with his sisters and is good with kids.  Just don't tease him about girlfriends.  I got "the look" when I did.   

 This is my oldest, Jared, and my youngest, Jaycee.   She wanted her picture taken with her cotton candy.  Of course her brother couldn't resist sneaking in behind her.  She laughed so hard when I showed her the picture.  

This is going to be a busy summer with family weddings, 50th anniversary celebrations, and reunions.  

Heading into a Wonderful Weekend

 The weather has been PERFECT the last week.  Not too hot or too cold.  Can it just stay this way all year round??  Actually I could take a little rain every afternoon with this weather.  Then it would be perfect for sure.  Mmmmm.....the smell of summer rain!

Egg-citing news today!  We got our first pullet egg from our new batch of chickens.  Gary saw one of the Golden Comets go in the nesting boxes this morning.  He thought she was just practicing.  When he went out a couple hours later he found the smallest egg we've ever seen.  It's just so darn cute!!  We've all been holding it and comparing it to full size eggs.  I hope they stay this dark brown when the hen is full-grown.

I know.....doesn't take much to make us happy.  Funny how the small pleasures in life add up and make it a great day.  Enjoy your weekend!

Dressing Up a Shirt with Fabric FLowers

 I got this idea when I saw this tutorial on how to make a purse with old T-shirts and rolled flowers.  I thought it would be a cute idea to try on a shirt.  This striped knit caught my eye when I was searching through my stash.

 I cut it in about 2-3 inch strips.

 For fabric rolled flowers you want the cut or torn edge of the fabric to show to add dimension.  For the knit I wanted the edges in and not showing as I rolled the fabric.  I folded each side of the fabric into the middle and then tied knot in the end to start the flower.

 Then you put a dab of hot glue on the knot and twist the fabric then place on the glue.  Keep putting a line of hot glue and then twist your fabric and lay it on the glue.  You want to remember to twist your fabric in the same direction each time.  I don't twist the fabric too tight or too loose.  Just play around with your twisting and see what you like for your flowers.

 The knot makes a nice little handle to hold onto as you make your flower.  Try to keep the flower as flat as possible as you make it.  Also, be careful to put your glue lower on the flower so it doesn't show when you attach the rolled fabric.   

 When the flower is the size you want it, cut the fabric leaving a little tail that you fold and glue to the underside of the flower.  Then glue the knot down to the underside of your flower.

 I have this brown knit shirt that I wanted to dress up.  Also, I wanted the flowers to help cover more skin....not a fan of low necklines.  I made different sizes of flowers and laid them out on the shirt  until I liked how it looked.  Then I hot glued them on being careful not to get glue on the back of the shirt.

 I'm hoping it washes okay.  I'll wash in cold and hang it up to dry.  Another option would be to use the Goop glue to glue the flowers to the shirt.  Anyway....I really love how it turned out. 

P.S.  I watched The Voice while I made the flowers.  So excited that Dia Frampton from St. George, Utah is advancing on.  My next favorite is Vicci Martinez.  I predict they will both be in the final round!

Dots, swirls, and flowers

 Well...I put my doodles to use and tried them out on some flannel.  Not bad for a first try. It makes me wish for a longer arm machine.  For now my Juki will do.  Just have to do smaller sections at a time.

 I was looking at one of the first quilts I quilted this morning when I made our bed.  It's a cream and blue Irish chain.  I thought I did such a good job on it, but now I laugh at it.  Thankfully machine quilting is like most things in life....gets better with time and practice.

 I can't stand using the stylettes and pantographs.  I have a hard time following the lines and it drives me nuts.  I did a baby quilt with one and I was sooooo glad when I took that one off the frames.  Never tried again.  I have to do it all freehand.  I don't think I would like a computerized quilting machine either.

 The weekend has gone by fast.  I'm not sure that we did anything that fun or great.  Did some much needed grocery shopping (which makes cleaning the fridge necessary...not my favorite job).  Have to say the worst thing I did was help Gary clean the duck pond.  It's not too hard just gross.  It grows so much green junk that we have to clean it every week or so.  We have our neighbor's horses in the back half of the yard today.  Gary asked if we could borrow them on and off over the summer so he doesn't have to mow the field so much.  (Also....it irritates our obnoxious back yard neighbor :-) ha ha).  I remember all our big plans for the backyard when we moved here 16 years ago.  Gazebo, grass, trees, cement pad for a BBQ with picnic tables, garden path leading up to an amazing garden...sigh!  Just never got around to it.  We've had horses on and off back there and now the chickens.  A couple of years ago we had a great garden, but this year we gave up on planting with the wet spring.  I think we'll just end up with grass back there someday.  Just don't have the energy anymore to do the big plans.  At least we have a good sized back yard with grass to enjoy and a fence separating it from the field.  I love spending time out there under the apple trees in the evenings.  

Tiered Dessert Tray

 This is a fun project I did a few months ago and finally got to use it for Katelynn's party last week.  I saw a couple different tutorials on line.  I didn't bookmark the sites to refer you to....but it's super easy so I can explain it.

 You need a big glass serving tray, a smaller glass plate, and a glass candlestick holder or glass cup.  I didn't have anything at home that would work so we took a trip to DI (local thrift store).  I couldn't find a candlestick holder but this sugar shaker caught my eye.  

 The top plate is from a set of reception dishes...the kind they used to use back when I got married.  I remember helping at wedding receptions and washing plates and cups for hours so they could keep serving refreshments.  Thank goodness for cute disposable plates from Sams!!  Wash them in your dishwasher.  Toss the sugar shaker metal lid in the trash.

 I used Goop glue.  You can also use Gorilla Glue.  Glue around the bottom of the sugar shaker and then put it on the large plate.  Then glue around the top of the sugar shaker and attach the small plate.  Let dry for 24 hours.  I have to admit that the next morning I was anxious to shake it and make sure it stayed together.  Amazing glue!  I think it would be fun to make a few to use at weddings or parties. 

I spent about $3 on this one.  Hmmmm....maybe I need to make another trip to DI and see if I can find some colored glass plates or cool candlestick holders.

Easy Felt Flowers (and paper ones too)

 I've been making some headbands with these easy felt flowers.  You can get quite a few flowers out of each sheet of felt from the craft store.....I think they run around 35 cents if I remember right.  I had to be the model for this post since Jaycee wasn't home.  I wish I could say it was an unusually spiky hair day but I'd be lying.  I always have the spiky hairdo.  Gotta have some attitude in life! 

I'm sitting in the backyard enjoying this weather in my Adirondack chair (just don't ask me to pronounce it!) with my netbook and Diet Dew.  I'm making sure the neighbors mean dogs don't jump the fence and eat the ducks....which they just decided look like dinner....so we haven't dared to let them roam the backyard like we used to.  A small section of fence on that side of our backyard is only about 4 feet...so easily jumped by a determined dog.  Taller fence is now on Gary's "To Do List."  (Not going to mention how much these $6 ducks and $2 chickens have cost us!)  Anyway, on the the tutorial.

 I'm going to show you how to make paper flowers first since you can see the method better.  You used double sided scrapbook paper.  I started with about a 5 inch square and cut the circle out freehand.  Don't trace a circle...believe me freehand is better.  

 Then cut a spiral to the middle.  Don't go smaller as you go into the circle.  The middle will be the outside of your flower.  Leave a little circle in the middle.  You will glue your flower to it.

 Then on the outside edge cut scallops for your petals.

 I inked the edges of this one.  You don't have to....just adds some dimension.

 Then start at the outside and roll to the middle on the inside of the circular cut you made.  Remember that the side of the paper you want to show should be face up when you roll.

 When it's all rolled up put a little hot glue on the little circle.  Let the flower unwind a bit and then glue it down on the circle.  

 Ta-da!!  Easy.  The next part was hard for me to do...thought it would ruin my perfect flower.  Turn it over so the petals are down and gently smash it with your fingers/hand.

 I couldn't get the ink off my fingers.....and I need a manicure.  Geez....everything shows up in pictures.

 The finished product.  Mashing the flowers really makes the flower look good....I promise!

 The felt flowers are made in a similar fashion.  You cut out your circle.  I cut off the end of the felt before I start rolling.  It makes a nice center to glue the bead in.  For the felt flower you don't cut the scallops.

 Start rolling.  Be sure to roll on the inside cut.  I put a little strip of glue and then roll.  You don't want to pull the felt tight when rolling it...just a loose roll.  

 Then put the hot glue on your rolled flower and fold the circle over on the glue.  If the circle is larger than your flower just trim with your scissors.

 Easy flower!

 Add a drop of glue in the center and add a bead.  I buy $2 bracelets at a little store in the mall and then cut them apart and use the beads.  I'm sure you can find them at the craft store too.   

 I buy headbands at the dollar store and cover them with ribbon using my glue gun.  It makes the headband more durable.  Then glue various shapes and colors of flowers on your headband.  I put a little strip of matching felt on the back of the headband/flowers for more stability.  You can glue a couple on an alligator clip too if headbands aren't your thing. 

 It's fun to play around with different colored beads and flowers.  

I glued 2 pieces of felt together and made this flower.  It was a little harder to roll but a fun look!

 A little addicting.....so many sizes and colors!