Sew and Tell

Well, I just got back from LAST grocery store shopping for at least three weeks!  Actually quite happy about that… HATE grocery shopping!!  Don’t you?

Anyhoo, got a spice cake in the oven, and spiced apples in the crockpot.  I made two big pots of soup last week, which are frozen for later. 

I also made four tins of baked ziti, two tins of chicken pie, and two tins of chicken enchiladas last week, and all are also in the freezer, so my husband will just have to thaw, bake and add a salad, while I’m laid up with the new knee!

House is clean, laundry done, and all is ready for my total left knee replacement surgery on Monday!  But before I am incommunicado, I want to share some more things I’ve made lately!!

First off, before I had my right knee replaced on July 6th, I knew that putting my ten ton laptop on my lap/knees after the surgery was NOT going to happen,

I bought a cool Zagg keyboard for my ipad, which pretty much turned it into a tiny laptop!!  But I needed a case or cover for it, as the old one does not work with the new attached keyboard!

I had a stack of Mary Engelbreit squares leftover from a previous quit, so I used them to make a simple cover with a velcro tab.

It has worked really well as I recuperated from the surgery… very light weight and easy to use on a little padded lapboard I bought on Amazon!!

Our guild summer challenge was to do something “out of your box”…

so I DID!  Paper piecing is very out of my box!

I did make many mistakes…but learned as I went!

While the process does ensure accuracy, and wonderful points…

it’s still not my cup of tea! 

But I have LOTS of respect for those who do it!!

I also needed some modern looking placemats and table runner to put out in September with my “Back to School” decor.

I had some cool apple fabrics in my stash, so I added a few coordinating blenders…

and made big nine patch blocks which I cut into quarters and voila!!

The disappearing nine patch technique!!

I used the same brown word print for the center squares in all the nine patch blocks.  Really love how these turned out!!

And finally, going by how long it took me to get up the stairs to the second floor in my home after last knee surgery, and how long it took me to be able to sit in a regular chair and bend my knee at a 90 degree angle comfortably…

it was almost four weeks before I got into my sewing room to sit and sew!!

So, I have put together a big maple leaf lap quilt top

which is all sandwiched and ready to be quilted… HAND QUILTED !!  By ME!!! In the much easier Big Stitch style with pearl cotton thread!

So, I am ready for my knee surgery on Monday!!  YAY!

So, keep your fingers crossed for me, OK?  I probably won’t be fit to post for a few weeks!!

Yogi says hello and hopes you all are loving the cooler autumn temps!!  

Slacker!

Yep! I’m a slacker!  Been busy but not here on my blog!!  Sometimes life just keeps ya spinning, right?

Well, I can tell you that in less than two weeks, on October 5th, I’m having my left knee replaced, so have been doing all the pre-op testing and doctor appointments and such, while still going to PT twice a week for my right knee, which, by the way, is doing really well!!  Yay!!

So, for example, today I went to PT in the morning then came home and started cooking!  I made a huge pot of Beef and Mac soup, http://www.hoteatsandcoolreads.com/2013/11/beefy-tomato-macaroni-soup-recipe-with_11.html , which is in big containers in the freezer.  I then made four tins of yummy, gooey baked ziti, http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/baked-ziti/  , also now in the fridge.  Tomorrow, I have two chicken dishes,  http://www.pinkwhen.com/chicken-enchilada-casserole-recipe/#_a5y_p=3635074   and  http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2014/03/the-pioneer-womans-chicken-spaghetti-pin-of-the-week/   to make up and put in three serving tins, in the freezer.  All for us to have for dinner after my surgery, when I can’t be on my feet to cook!

But,  I’ve not been a slacker on my Farm Girl Vintage blocks!! 

In fact,  I have finished them all, plus two more not in the book!!

My problem is, however, that the fabric that I have for the backing is not big enough for the quilt as shown.

And I will use no other but this fabric, which is kinda vintagey, as it came out in 90’s, and it is very sentimental for me!!

I used to be a crafter back then, and had booths in many craft fairs each year. 

This fabric was very popular and I must have made and sold at least 50 dolls using this fabric for their dresses.

So, I’m having to adjust the rows and borders in the quilt, in order to use this special fabric for the backing.

I will use the blocks I’m taking out in a wall quilt or table runner, for sure!!

I worked hard to get all the blocks done, as I will be again stuck downstairs and away from my sewing room for at least three weeks after the surgery!

I’m going to finish the top and get it to a dear bee friend who is an exceptional long arm quilter!!

Then I can hand sew down the binding as I recover!!

I usually quilt my own stuff, but she has a wonderful chicken wire pattern that will be perfect for this quilt!!

The pig and apple blocks are sold separately by Lori and are not in the FGV book!

This was such a fun sewalong!!  Many dear friends are also doing these blocks and we have such fun comparing our blocks at bee!! 

I’ve done a few more things to share, but this will do for now!!  Yoginess says hello and wants to know what YOU are sewing on these early fall days???

Happy Almost Fall, Y’all!!

I have this Snoopy flag that I put out the night before I had to go back to work at school at the end of each August.  It’s faded over time, but still cherish it and use it every year!!

I’ll be putting it out today as well as putting my summer decor away and bringing out all my school decor!  After 34 years teaching, I have lots!!  

But I must admit, I am soooo very glad to be retired from teaching now! I think Yogi likes that I’m home all day with him, too!!