Monday, June 23, 2014

Sewing for the girls

When my great-grandkids were here recently, we went by the fabric store.  Kaycee picked out a green zebra stripe seersucker.  Yesterday I made a sundress for her out of it.  Today I made a purse to match.








For baby sister Olivia,  I made a pinafore sundress.  I used to have a really cute pattern for one.

Today when I looked in the envelope, the instructions were there, but no pattern.


On Facebook, I asked if any of my friends had the original pattern.  Two ladies immediately recognized it but neither still had it.  So funny that all three of us had used it for our daughters.



 I looked online and found one on     StephChows.blogspot.com



It was free and very cute.

I gave it a little bit more flair and will add even more if I make it again.


I'm hoping that the sizes of the two dresses are at least close.



Sunday, June 8, 2014

Dear Jane Keeps On Slogging

I started the a version of the Jane Stickle quilt in 2007. 
I'm still working on it, off and on.
Mostly off.

 Thanks to Carolyn and the Dear Jane bee in the guild, I made three more blocks at a mini-retreat this month.  Since then I've even made a few more.

I bought a flannel sheet at the thrift store and put it up in my hallway.  All of my completed blocks are pinned to it in their proper position.  Now I get inspired more often. 

This quilt can be such a beautiful thing.  I hope I finish it.  Someday.


Monday, June 2, 2014

June Flowers

Here are the flowers I found in my yard this week.

The five petaled purple/pink one is about 3/4 inches across.  It's a volunteer weed, actually.

The five petaled pink one with the yellow 3D center is a Rock Rose.   Maybe two inches across?





This little yellow one will grow in pure granite chips and is very, very small.  And very, very persistant.






There's a rat-tail cactus blooming in a four-inch pot.  This one is a really striking red-orange.

By the west fence, a volunteer horsemint peeks out from the iris foliage.



And in the garden a squash plant blooms.











And way out back there are Indian Blankets hugging the gas meter and tall blue sage blooming away behind them.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Grandson Brady


 
Grandson Brady graduated from high school in May.


It was a very moving ceremony, with good speakers.  Not too long, either, which is a plus for this kind of event!


 Grandmothers from Iowa, Kansas, Arizona and Texas were there.


Bonus Mom and Mom wore similar outfits.


 

Proud Bonus-Dad

Proud dad
Thank you for being here for me!

After the ceremony, the family went to Red Robin for a celebration.   He was given a computer and lots of accessories from his combined four parents and a grandfather.

He opened a number of cards from grandparents, aunts and uncles with money for his college fund.

His brother Jack gave him a bacon-themed  t-shirt.
 
I gave him a handmade quilt for him to eventual use in his college dorm room.  His thank you note mentioned that it matched his eyes.  What a sweet thing to notice.
 
After present opening, he gave a short speech thanking everyone for their presence and support.   Well done, Brady.