Weekending

We found he is quiet cute on his early Halloween custom! He is { Super Lucky}!! One his left pouch is his treat and on his right pouch is his toy. He only has two shoes, since S running out of time. The mask is a little too big after the big haircut, so might need to shorten the back piece to make it stable.

Enjoy your weekend. S and I have been enjoy the cool weather and reading some books together~ I need to come up with a awesome ending for our night time story.  Made up stories are my favorite, since reading at night has gotten difficult for me to read.  I have bad vision since I was a little kid and seems getting worse as I get older. Sharp lights and bright lights hurt both eyes. Dim light at night for the room is perfect for me and read the story from my mind make it a bit open and fun... 

xxc

Random: In Progress

S decided to use small planting pots for her seeds. We rode on the scooter together in the rain to the store. It was a bit fun to ride in the rain, but we all got soaked wet when we got home. She loves the speed in the scooter, oh don't get me wrong. I am a slow rider after a scooter accident many years ago.  We jump right in the planting  project together. I am a little nervous these seeds might not grow as they were sat in the package for unknown time. S planted wheat, corn { in the pot?}, peas, and unknown seeds. She started a growth chart and did a little survey on which seed would grow out first. What is your guess? Mine were wheat and pea. I'd love to add some herbs in to our baloney garden; rosemary, basil, and chives.

After weeks of checking and shopping. We finally found a new piano for S. It is similar to the one we have had. When the delivery people came, S' face was just lighten up like a mini light bulb.  She was waiting nicely while they assemble the stand. She was quietly checking on the manual. She was really just smile when I saw her face;  putting the earphone on herself; adjusting the fits...   She played her music for the first time after a month since we moved { oh dear.. we have moved a month as of today in states}.  The fingers are finding their patterns and finding their memories. I knew, she was more than the word "happy" to describe having a piano again. The challenge is we still not able to find a fit teacher, but we will keep checking the possibilities.

As you see,  the quilted piano cover moved with us. It was made the first year we moved to ND. It is a little bit wear out, the lines were a bit off, but it has been part of S' music memories. I thought it would give S some home alike setting when we found a piano again.  It fits the new piano perfectly. We do need to find a small stool for her feet. The piano is placed in the room where we are staying. If you picture a studio home that's how the room we stay is alike, a place to sleep, a place to work, a place to read, a place to spend some fun time together... It has been an over the moon day for S, so does her mama.

The new sewing machine is being purchased and it will be ship sometime this or next week. It is a Brother machine. The features are rather simple and thought that's all I need for now.  It will allow to sew straight line, zippers, buttonholes, etc. I am really looking forward the machine to come and I could give it a drive. It is my time to wait quietly till the machine arrive! till then, I am playing fabric for next project.

xxc

Random: Rainy day

 { Bridal Bouquet}

The light is dim, the air is cool, and the sky is gray. We love rainy day..  This morning, the Bridal Bouquet is finally done and S is working her on planting project. Sorting the seeds is the first step then onto finding planting containers.

cheers to rainy day
xc

Random: my stars of learning

{coming soon}..

Weekending: December

 { Flannel}

 {continue to grow}

 { S, elfing}

 { Too cute?}

 { old embroidery project}

 { near 5 Christmas ago}

 { play with HR new book}

 { Tea time..}

{ ready to sew}

{Thank you. Thank you} for the kind, sweet, and encourage comments you left on { everything, but kitchen sink quilt}. Hope you will be able to make a { kitchen sink quilt} someday. I will get back to your comment  later today.

It has been a super busy weekend for us. S had two music programs yesterday and on top of that we have set a {date} way back beginning of  November to hang out. We dined out for the first time this semester and spent rest of day in the living for the first time as well. It was great to snuggled together with the {quilt} and watch Christmas movies. We ate too much sweets and didn't think about dinner till late at night.

Beginning of the week, I swing by our local Joann's and asked the lady if I can have some fabric cardboard. She sent 6 of them home with me { and I plan to ask for more}. It is great for the flannels that I got last year's Black Friday. They are great for making P.J. and baby burp cloth. The sewing room look so much organized now.

While I was knitting, S was busy elfing Lucky's Christmas gifts. She made her own stuffed animal pattern and traced them on the leftover fabric. The only part that she needed help was to close the openings. I used ladder stitches to close the closure. The fish is for Shoney, the cat that S sits while our friend is away from town.  S has many animal friends and sure she will be making more of these later. 

I haven't done any sewing this past week at all. My sewing mojo has gone somewhere. This week was cleaning the apartment storage room and threw out many boxes.  The room looks much light weigh and I found one of the box with some unfinished embroidery projects.  When I first start sewing/quilting I wasn't able to offer buying fabric. A friend suggested that I could learn to embroider, so from there I made many embroidery dish towels and sell them on etsy and local stores. Give them away as wedding gifts and Christmas gifts. I really enjoy embroidery, but haven't take my time to do any. The plan is use these unfinished blocks into new sewing projects and give them new life. 

Have you seen {Heather Ross' new book}? I pull out the CD and play with it today. It is a great CD and with lots great prints.  I think you can print it on fabric and use it for personal use. It is a good book for people who are interesting in design fabric and looking into more information on how. This book also included many great projects. I did a few printing on Stonehenge papers. It is an excellent paper for printmaking and drawing.

Guess who hop on top of kitchen sink?  It is tea time and S is looking for the tea. She has gotten taller from the photo and still in her p.j. She loves being cozy at home and not need to get in layers of clothes. 

A few projects are still ongoing and I try not to start any new/ big projects, but Christmas stockings need to be made and package up soon. Glad December is here and we are looking forward the new year to come!   The weather has been cold and no sunshine for the entire week. We try to leave our space for a short walk, so we could get some fresh air. Thank you for the hugs and warmth you sent.... We received them... we are sending our hugs back to you..

Hope your are having a great weekending, it has been another great weekending at {1/4" mark home}.

xxC

Random: in the sewing room

 

 

It has been a productive day in the sewing room. Made new placemats for the dinner table and learning new quilting pattern. The placemats have been in { to-do} list for long time and it is always fun to patch fabric together and bring new atmosphere to the dinning table.  When I made the first set of placemats, I washed them almost after every dinner meal, but later on food stain became part of the colors in the fabric. I had to be cool about it!  

S established a new clutter space in the living room.  From the view of the sewing room door I knew she is having good time building the { turkey family}. The house keeping job failed as the she has all her tools out.. ..

A new project that started last night. Each little squares finished at 1"x1".  Lots small hand stitches are happening and the {flying geese} is ready to show and tell after finishing binding. 

more to come 

xxC

Random: Quiet

{Thank You} for all your congratulating words! They are sweet and touched my heart! There were times thinking to give up and questioning the new life steps that we step in each day, but all it takes is commitment on my side.  Today is quiet here, just me, and some jazzy music! Pulled out the {flying geese mini quilt} top and working on the backing. The best part of this project is I will be able to take it with me when S in music lessons. Hand quilting is perfect for the minis!

While I was busy with the review, S set up a little writing center on her side of table. She has been writing stories and looking up words in dictionary as she found it is a better research resources. As you can picture..our home is looking pretty similar like her spot, clutter.

{Log cabin quilt} is almost done...  The hoop is out since it limited the quilting area as I was working.  I got the huge {wire basket} from IKEA and need more. They are perfect for storing 

ongoing projects.  I do feel relaxing at this moment.. 

Heading to S' lunchroom soon. The best celebration is spending time with the very kind and sweet S and have lunch with her friends. 

xxC

Random: Weekending

Weekend is almost gone! Somehow this weekend seems shorter than the others. It might be the cool weather and the late start of the day here!  Yesterday we spent our full mornings in the kitchen and made apple pies and canned apple sauce. Thanks to my little help, S. She did most of apple peeling and cutting.  My job was making the crust!  It is a really simple crust recipe that I found {2 sticks of real butter,  1/8 tsp. salt, 2 cups of flour, 4-6 tbps. icy cold water}. It takes time to make the crust by hand. I used the pastry knife rather than the machine. I promise you it is worth for all the time for handmade crust! 

 This is the apple pie I made!  I sent this apple pie home with our friends last night!

 This is the apple pie that S made! Extra design on the top of pie! We keep this pie, since it is extra special for us!

Our friends brought us some crab apples! Have you had these?? It only take 2 bites per an apple! The texture is very soft and has strong apple flavor.  I always like to take them with me when I go to school.  When I get hungry before lunch time I could have 2 or more.

The basil that I bough home is keeping healthy! Maybe we can have a basil plane before the winter arrives. Hope it gets some longer roots before replanted to the flower pot.

 Isn't this print cute? It is from JoAnn's. I see some little  Christmas gift bags that made by this print!

S is building an animal zoo!

 This is my favorite! The fish kingdom! Lots fish happily swim together!

Have you seen Ayumi's {SP Quilt-Along NO. 3 Pattern Cafe}? It is super cute! I needed to dive in my stash and look for some prints for these. It would be fun to see how this quilt is coming to the end. 

 I should have made this robe during this summer, so I can have it now! It is a goal to have a robe by tonight! Can I do it?

 Yes! We had nearly 10 cups of apple for each pie! It is very satisfy!

 ice cream makes it extra delicious!

Today we went apple picking again and here are the apples that we brought home! We'll make more apple pies and freeze them for the later Fall and winter!  It is likely { an Apple weekending}.

{ Log cabin} is almost there!! Could you come back tomorrow and help me decide??

Thank you for all the sweet comments on the {Patchwork zippered pouch}. They are simple and fun to make! Lately, I haven't have a completed project to show and tell! It will be a little while before the completion! Finally I am sitting for first time during this { Apple weekending}. I will start cutting the robe pattern and dive in the making process!

xxC

Random: Weekending

brr... Last night, we finally shut down few windows and pulled out our Fall sleepwear.  The sewing room keeps warm, but the floor is cool! This summer I gave away the area rug in the room, so I can see needles if I dropped any. We have many accidents due to "hidden" needles. I could go on more about it. We both are glad that we haven't had any needles into our feet ever since. .... This week, S was inspired by the book that she is reading and wanted to knit. We went to the yarn store in town and she picked out the yarn that she likes. She is committed herself on this project. I need to look up how to bind the scarf off soon! I am not good at knitting, but always admire people who do!! We love handmade scarves, mittens, and hats. We are so lucky that last year, our friend sent us many pairs of mittens. Soon, we'll need to put them.

This morning, I saw this {patchwork bucket} sat aside S' chair you can find {tutorial here}. She also has her new {zipper pouch} inside. {Patchwork bucket} is perfect for the small projects. She carries her bucket to her room or living room. She also puts KIKI inside for a ride.

Do you like to collect? I think we all do!!! S loves collecting stamps! Thank you, {Ayumi} for these cute animal stamps! You really know her well!! They are being cut down from the mail envelope and saved into the stamp collection bag.  There are also stamps from S' cousins from Taiwan. Stamps from other countries that I gave to her.  

Friday I took an hour break and ran to one of the quilt store here. I can't remember when was the last time I visited the quilt shop. The on-line stores surely have changed the why how I consume fabric and other materials. I was hoping to see Aneela Hoey's {sew stitchy} in charm packs and there are a few left, so I picked one up. I have been collecting Aneela Hoey's fabric in charm packs. It is hard for me to have all the fabric that I desire!  I am happy to have some in my collection!

For last few years, I have been collecting charm packs that are so cute and lovely! Many charm packs are gifts from friends to me.  So far, I don't have any plan for these charm packs. The charm pack box is officially full after I added the newest charm pack in. Maybe it is time to start thinking a project and use them.

 More scraps sewing!  Another patchwork tote??!

We swapped in two peach jams this week! Um... it is elegant taste.  We also got some fresh green beans for the week. Saturday coffee is the best! Super dark and we were able to enjoy a resting day at home!

More log cabin blocks in action! The attempt is have 100 blocks by this weekend then onto assembling next week?

S is knitting in her room quietly.  The scarf will be even longer when I go check on her later.  Lots pretty colors showing up already! Yeah! Green and blue are her colors now!! 

Thank you for sweet comments on the { patchwork pillows} 

Here are two suggestions for pillow binding . I am sharing with everyone now. If you have other suggestions I'd be happy to learn it from you as well! 

From Becky
I make both pillow front and back like mini quilts: first piece the front and sandwich it with batting to a muslin back and quilt it, then usually with plain fabric for the back and with an invisible zipper inserted at the halfway point, I make my quilt sandwich and quilt that. I put the two together (like Beth above) "wrong" (muslin) sides together. Since I have a serger, I serge the two togther first (nice, but not necessary) and then attach the binding as I would on a quilt. Hope this helps. --Becky C.

From Beth
I bind pillows the same way I bind a quilt - just sew the pillow top to the backing pieces wrong sides together and attach the binding. At least that is what works for me

xxC