A very Merry Christmas

At last the weather has stopped snowing, icing, fogging... We'll be packing up the truck on Friday and moving Saturday and Sunday.  Until we are all hooked up to Comcast again...Have a Very Merry Christmas!

Thought we might do a Christmas Greeting

While trying to find just the right thing to say, I found this.....we all need something amazing to think about sometimes!

http://www.ijreview.com/2013/12/102925-chuck-norris-just-put-van-dammes-epic-volvo-ad-completely-shame/

Moving Day..

Not too many weekends left in December to make this move. This morning we got up to 4 inches of ICE, the hard crunchy kind of stuff.

We'll be shopping and baking cookie's instead. Next weekend doesn't look so good either. It's already calling for a winter mix. 

I did buy my son a surprise that he won't be expecting this year and I bought myself a computer sewing machine. I'm still on the fence about the machine. It could still find it's way back to the mail. We'll see when I open it if I grow some love for it. Computer's are just not my thing. I've never taken any of my machine's to be serviced because I could take the entire machine apart and service it myself. I know I won't be able to do that with this one. 

This machine has 167 built in stitches, an attachment that allows you to sew in a circle and the full alphabet and numbers. And...it's trimmed in RED...which is what caught my eye in the first place. Sort of like buying a car, color usually gets my eye without knowing what the car is! 

Time to move out the front door and help with chopping and salting.  

Christmas Tree

Since we won't be having a tree this year I'll have to be satisfied looking at the picture of the State Tree at the Capital...paid for by Pennsylvania citizens so I guess I can call it my tree!

The weather is not being nice to us. It snowed 6 inches here, this weekend it's calling for ice on Saturday and more snow the following week and weekend.

We have an entire garage and potting shed to move to a storage and then the house. This isn't going to be an easy move but once moved, I'm going to enjoy the new kitchen with all the counters and counter space!

This may seem like a strange move for us. We'll be living in a fancy brand new condo on the very edge of Lancaster county. It has a gym and a pool. It's not so restricted though, seems like many like the birds and planting flowers since I've seen some feeders and trellis's. This may have been farmland because there is an old barn and silo right out our back door that doesn't seem to have a house to go with it. I'm guessing this developer owns it now. Our condo is in the rear. We picked it for privacy. It overlooks the mountains. This is the 3rd section that is finished and the building continues.

This was not a planned move. I am in trouble with stairs so it became an emergency to move. I'm sort of spoiled from living in Texas where everything was new and on one floor. Here in Lancaster there are way too many houses that are Victorian and should be taken down, not rented. When I was healthy I didn't see it that way. I thought all the old was beautiful. Now of course it will be nice to have gas heat in a well insulated building, new window's, granite kitchen...all the things that make my life much easier. 

If we ever get ourselves settled at where we want to be we will buy a nice one story home. Right now I feel like a carpet bagger, still looking for our slot in life. 

Today I made Christmas Candy. I want to start baking cookies but don't know if I should pack everything up in the kitchen and bake at the new place or if the weather will keep us from moving. I know when we ring in the New Year we'll be somewhat settled in and starting fresh will make sense.  

Another Fabric pick and moving

This move is getting hard. I'm trying to bake up a holiday and pack at the same time! Now we are having weather issues with ice. My son says we'll never move in winter again!

I picked another rose fabric for my bed quilt. Roses in bunches are not the easiest fabric's to find.

I'd sure like to find another 6 to 8 more that I like so I have choices when I start to cut. I'll most likely have to visit some fabric shops here in Lancaster to find some. Right now there is no time for sewing shopping.

Tomorrow we'll empty the last things in the attic sewing room. It's getting pretty crowded in the living room and garage but bringing everything possible to the first floor is a must. Moving day is exhausting enough without carrying things down two flights of steps. Besides, there are some delicate items I just don't want anyone to move. Those I'll move myself.

Hope everyone is getting their Holiday together and not suffering too much with the bad weather!

Holiday

Everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I'll leave all you quilters with this:

All sewing is on hold...

I'm really getting tired of this once a year move but this time it's for my own good. Steps are not my friend and old damp houses make me feel miserable.  We'll be moving January 1st to one floor living in a more modern house without 12 foot Victorian ceilings so the heat won't be over my head!

In the meantime I've begun to collect fabrics for my battenburg lace quilt for my bed. I've pretty much decided on floral hex's in square's...on point. I'm hoping I can find all rose fabric's. Although red is one of my favorite colors it just is not how I see my bedroom.  This is the first fabric I've chosen.

I don't usually like black in a floral quilt but in this case with all the white it needs some pop. My inspiration was this quilt. I have no idea where I got this photo so I can't give credit to anyone for it.

I don't think I'll be using any yellow in my quilt since that is the only block in this quilt that I don't like. Since I'll be using squares in my quilt I'll have to figure out what to do with the corners...the original quilt had colored squares to fill up the empty space. I'm thinking sage green like the stems of flowers.

Each of the hex's is embroidered around the edge. I figure that can be a work in progress..one block at a time. 

I also have a lot of doll clothes to finish up next year and that is just too much fun!  What I am doing right now in between packing up is repairing the lace pieces. Only a few need fixing but that takes pinning them to a wood frame to get the thread taught. Once I get started on the quilt it shouldn't take long to put together since half the quilt is finished because of the lace pieces. 

I've looked at so many "new" quilts with all the bright colors. I've come to the conclusion that I just don't like the brights for quilts. Sleeping is suppose to be a calm quiet time. I've seen some quilts that would make me want to jump up and dance a wild dance. 

But with that said, this new living space is modern so I intend to try out some wild colors for table runners and placemats. Also I have a granddaughter that will graduate in the spring and go off to college. I might make her a quilt with vivid colors to take with her. I've seen some I like with circles. I was thinking of calling one Tiny Bubbles, like the song. I can see it in my head. Tiny bubbles and hearts floating all over in colors coming from a Hawaiian lei with maybe a lime green background. Guess that song makes me pretty old!  

Hawaiian Ginger lei

Even with all the packing, Thanksgiving and Christmas will still be celebrated. I was just looking at tickets for the Nutcracker in Philly. They still have a few orchestra seats left for some of the shows. Maybe I'll get to see it again this year. 

I've never seen our Capital

My son started a new job out of the State Capital in Pennsylvania. I've never seen the Capital so he took a photo of it. It just happens that last month to support Breast Cancer they colored the fountain water Pink. Thought I'd share it with you.

Halloween Contest

PLEASE VOTE NOW.....THANKS  http://quiltinggallery.com/2013/11/01/halloween-fun-quilts/

I like a good race and this will be a fight to the end!  She's one vote ahead of me! (we still have all day tomorrow)

I never enter contests but this one I liked because the rules were easy. Do you remember this table runner?

This is what I entered so if you want to vote for my quilt just go to

http://quiltinggallery.com/  this weekend, voting starts Friday and you could win too! ....and Thanks!

Son's project fixed

Looks like Facebook doesn't allow you to share anything posted so my son had to load his video to youtube. I still can't believe this works!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmDiPl3Vwto&feature=youtu.be

Starting a new project

I should really be ashamed because I've never made myself a quilt. About 10 years ago I bought a quilt on sale on Home Shopping Net Work for $35.00. I loved the battenburg lace in the quilt. Many times I've priced the lace thinking I would make a new quilt but it's really expensive for the amount I would need.

Today I washed the quilt...well it's really showing how old it is. But, surprisingly the battenburg lace looks wonderful. I decided I would try and remove one of the circles of lace. It went really well. So that's my new project. I'll be removing all the blocks of lace and sewing them to Kona white.

Next I have to decide what block and what color I'll use for the other blocks. I think 10 years of pastels is enough so I might make this quilt red and white. For now I'll just be sitting quietly and ripping stitches!

I'M DONE!

Well here it is, the last outfit from the Royal collection! A Scottish plaid skirt and a navy wool jacket

 The Fascinater...what a crazy hat to make!

And then the pack up that will not take place until I come home from Pittsburgh. I intended to count the outfits and lay out those that I didn't show, but there is just too many to do that...so off they go along with the bed and suitcase I found. She has her own doll from her Nana so this one will stay here so I can finish the outfits.

Only one left to make...but here is what I've been doing

I hope to get the last outfit done tomorrow morning before I pack up to go to Pittsburgh. I have looked at hundreds of collections on line but have not seen any that I would consider a "Royal Collection". I am sad that I was only able to finish 2 of the cutout outfits from this collection...but they will come later.

First I finished the fur coat..and the earflap hat. The coat is reversible so I made a different hat to go with it.

 I also crocheted a metallic scarf out of a silky string.

I wanted to make a Christmas dress. After going through my stash I found that I no longer had any red and white striped fabric or any holiday fabric with small print. So this might be considered a winter dress..The blue skirt is actually an apron.

For the Royal collection I was inspired by these photo's

 

  

So this is what I came up with...the dress

The coat

And the "Fasinater"

Another finished!

Believe me, I am working on these last outfits everyday. There is just a lot of fussy stuff on the last 5 outfits...but they too are almost done.

This of course is the robe and towel that goes with the pj's I have already finished. This robe gave me a lot of trouble! It has an under collar that just would not sew in right to this stretchy fabric. Next time I'll use a cotton towel instead!  But I fought with it until it gave in! I hope the slippers will just lay down and do what I want them too!

Coming to the end...

Yesterday I finished up 4 outfits. Two I won't show you yet because they need me to finish the "accessories" that go with them. But I did get the garden outfit finished...Oh look, a butterfly sat on the spout of her watering can! These boots should have gone with a rain coat but I didn't find the right fabric for that so now they are garden boots. Of course the boots come in many colors...so I'll be looking for the fabric to go with another pair!

The next outfit was not in my plans until I saw these hiking boots. So for a fall hike you need to wear your hoodie too! Those boots are just too cool!

When I started out I intended to use buttons, hooks and snaps until a friend told me she had to sew all the button holes shut and sew on Velcro because her 10 yr. old granddaughter hated the little buttons she had to struggle with to dress her doll. After thinking about it I realized this doll will not be dressed and displayed but will be played with and the fun of that is changing her clothing a lot...so I've used the Velcro on everything except this jacket and a suit jacket that is just to dressy for Velcro. 

Today I am working on a fur jacket and finishing up the bath robe. I also have to hem the prom dress and I'm not looking forward to that. Many of the outfits are 2 & 3 pieces that can be mixed and matched. I also made extra leggins that I haven't shown that can be used with a lot of things. 

I was feeling a little sad that after making a few hats and shoes I'll be done but then I looked at the stack of outfits I still have cut out that won't be going this time.  When I am feeling better I'll be able to send off some of them from time to time as a special surprise. Reading this I just remembered I didn't get a Christmas dress made. I'll have to think about that!

Confused

Just wanted to drop in and let you all know I'm still kicking. I am confused and depressed. Did you ever hear of a specialist throwing in the towel on a patient? I went to the best Urology group in Lancaster for help. Eight weeks later and a little surgery to explore the problem and I'm worse...and the doctor told me he could only put me on an antibiotic for the rest of my life so I better find someone else.  What?  He gave up?

There are doctors who go through medical school, set up shop and collect, collect and collect, never up dating their knowledge because they don't have to as long as they have a hoard of patients who continue to knock on the door. These "doctor's" are no more doctor's then a hairdresser who wants to give you finger waves.

Then there are doctor's in University hospitals, professor's who are learning and teaching daily. They want to know why you have this and find the way to fix it...So, I'm headed to The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center on Oct. 8th.  I just can't except in 2013 someone telling me you'll have an infection inside your body somewhere for the rest of your life, doing nothing about it and saying come back in 6 weeks...for what?  And when questioned about cancer he said antibiotic's won't do anything to it...What?  Are you for real?

So that's where I am with my life for now.  Since I have that settled now I can finish up the last outfits and get this doll stuff mailed off.  Coming soon the finished outfits!

Not a clear picture

Slept all afternoon. Nothing to tell at this point. I have to see my Gastroenterologist now. Looks like the problem includes my intestines. Not a surprise with liver disease. I'm thinking maybe I don't want to know.

I did get to finish the pajama's last night. Tomorrow I'll finish up the robe. I have about 7 more outfits to sew and shoes and hats. Then I'll set all the outfits out and add the trims to them. After that,  this project can be packed up and shipped to the grandma who will keep it until the birthday in early November. I have a lot of outfits swimming around in my head that will be surprises in the mail from time to time. New outfits are always good.

September 18th

Tomorrow I will be having a biopsy for possible cancer. My thoughts can only go to my son who lost his life at age 27 on this day. Cancer seems so small when I got to see the sun, rain & life while his life was snuffed out so early. I miss you Mark, your funny jokes, your smile, your compassion for others. If it's God's will I know you will be waiting for me to lead me home. I love you....Ma

http://www.freewebs.com/mkgibson/index.html

The first year I went to the grave several times a week. There was no marker on the grave. I made a wooden white cross with his birthday and date of death. People visit the cemetery on Sunday's and walk around looking at the headstones. Three times that first year I was asked if he died from DRUGS...it outraged me to think his age would allow people to put him in the druggy category. When I ordered the stone I was angry and wanted it to yell out that his life was snuffed out and not by DRUGS. I'm still not sorry. When I'm gone and forever no one will use his age as a drug death. I still feel like screaming, "People do die for other reasons, even if they are young".

When you go skating.....

You need to wear your funky fur vest and take along your favorite Pal...

The Tutu

Of course this outfit needs shoes

More doll clothes from recycled kids clothes

Finally got the red top to the skirt done. It's made from a kids OP tank top.  The sequin dress is also made from a kids tank top.

Tomorrow I'm working on PJ's and a robe, a tutu and top, and a furry vest set.  It was 90 today and  will be again tomorrow. Since I'm trapped in the air conditioning maybe I'll get a lot more sewn!

End of Round Robin

I almost forgot to post this photo. My neutral monochromatic block is finally home. It's beautiful!  At the top of the photo are some gifts sent to me by one of the swappers.

Before & After

I bet Barbie is jealous! Maybe she can grow into an 18 inch doll.  Here is the new bed for Aidan's doll plus she also has the Butterfly quilt.

Before:

After:

Love the Satin mattress...

On to the weekend

Looking ahead to up coming surgery this month I decided I better get a move on with this doll project...just in case.  This girl needs a bed and I had a suitable one that would be "okay". While going through boxes for last weeks yard sale I came upon a bed I forgot I had and it fits this doll perfect. It's a great country bed but not good for a modern today's girl.

This weekend I'll be painting it and turning it into something with glitter. I've already made pillows and a blanket. The mattress will need to be recovered.

Every time I go to a store it sends me into a new outfit to make...of course I'm enjoying every bit of this! Here is yesterday's find...just too cute to walk away from!

Well here's the painted sparkles...can't see them to well in a photo but the bed has gold sparkle paint on it