Just 3 Things | #48

I've had a week that is pretty typical for me lately. I've had fun stitching and playing and learning using my sewing and embroidery machine.

- What I've Been Working On -

I worked on birthday gifts this week. We have a trio of family birthdays this month. So, I've stitched out a few things for gifts. 

I used some fabric left over from different projects to make a reversible table runner. One side has a pumpkin stitched on it and the other has a monogram. I thought that would make it nice for a fall Halloween or Thanksgiving table or could be used most any time of the year.

Reversible Table Runner

I also made a couple of potholders/hot pads from the same fabrics and added a monogram to them. 

Monogrammed Pot Holder

I decorated a couple of cup towels with the fabrics. I noticed that these particular fabrics are probably a bit heavy for decorating cup towels. I'm sure they will launder up alright but something like that would probably be better done with a light weight fabric stitched onto the towel. I love that kind of towel and I want to give a practical gift that will be used. I'll just have to remember next time to use a lighter weight fabric for decorating.

Decorated Cup Towels

The towel on the left with the points was a fun new learning experience for me. I cut squares and folded them into triangles. Then, stitched the raw edge between the decorative check fabric strip and the edge of the cup towel. The towel on the right was made sort of like a burrito pillowcase so that there are no stiff seams or raw edges.

I spent a bit of time learning to make a different kind of card and coin purse this week as well. It turned out alright but I've got some practicing to do before I decide that I am accomplished at creating something like that. I like that the snap is at the top to hold the card(s) in the center. The zipper is nice for keeping coins corralled and not losing out all over the place. I like that it has a loop with a swivel that can snap onto a lanyard, tote, or bag. It would also be handy on a wristlet/key fob, too. The other side has a monogram.

Monogrammed Wristlets/Key Fobs

I also made a try of making some wristlets/key fobs. I had gotten these cute little clamp thingies and wanted to give them a try. I like them and how they work. However, they are only an inch wide and I like the inch and a half width. So, I've got to figure out how to make that concept work. 

One Inch Wristlet

Bridgette has suffered with a kidney stone this week. I thought she needed a little treat. So, I stitched up a one-inch wide wristlet with her monogram on it in her school colors. 

One Inch Wristlet and Basketball Bag Tag

Luci was in a play at her school last weekend and I stitched up a wristlet and bag tag to take to her instead of taking flowers. She is into the color purple right now. So, I knew how t start on her gift. Her school colors are black, navy, and orange. So, I trimmed it out by stitching her name and lining it with school colors. Because she recently made the middle school basketball, I also stitched up a bag tag for her. On the opposite side of the bag tag I put a pretty loopy L. Every time I monogram something for one of the granddaughters whose name begins with L, I think of the swoopy L used in Laverne and Shirley for Laverne's sweaters. 

 

Swoopy, Laverne-type L!

- What I've Been Reading -

I haven't made a lot of time for reading this week. After finishing my last book, I decided that I would dig into something that is engaging but not provoking deep thought. Only Lovers in the Building by Nadine Gonzalez fits the bill. It was promoted as a beach read and, while I am not lolling on the beach, I do have that sort of frame of mind when I make the time to read lately. So, it is perfect for short jags of reading without immersing myself into a story. 

- What I've Been Loving -

Every fall for years and years I found myself at a big box store or an office supply store browsing through items and gathering needs for back to school. Since I retired a couple of years ago, I didn't have that ritual and, frankly, it has been pretty nice. This week, however, my volunteer work required that I get a copy of an eighteen by twenty-four inch map. I also needed an enlarged copy of an eleven by fourteen map. So, off to a local Staples store I trekked. I was under a bit of a time crunch. I had exactly ninety minutes and I knew that my travel time was going to be at least twenty minutes both ways. Thankfully, everything worked out beautifully and I made it back home for a virtual meeting with fifteen minutes to spare!

I walked in the door of the Staples store, asked the associate at the front of the store to point me in the right direction, and only had to walk about twenty-five feet to the next counter for service. The young woman took a look at my maps and made quick work of enlarging what I requested. The other map looked pretty delicate to her - translation - It was old and a wee bit fragile. So, she suggested that I download a scanning app to my phone and send her a digital photo for reproducing it. She talked me through each step with patience and pleasantry. Soon, I was walking out the door with clear, easy to read copies that I needed. I cannot say how much I appreciate a friendly, efficient, and helpful associate when I have business to conduct. 

At the end of every summer, the Mister is tired and frazzled from mowing so much grass, harvesting hay, and generally maintaining our farm. He always talks about wanting to move during that time of year. So, earlier this week I suggested that we go looking for some place that would be better than here. He mentioned such an interest to an acquaintance one day and had an offer to show off a place the next day. Yesterday, we enjoyed a nice drive through the country and a tour around a place that we truly enjoyed and might even consider as a new perch. We are in the thinking and wondering phases. All that to say, again, efficient and helpful responses really made a difference and encouraged us. 

I guess you could say that I'm really loving the fact that there still are folks out there who listen when you talk, who are truly wanting to be helpful, who are kind and encouraging. Sometimes I hold on to a negative attitude about things because I listen to a newscaster or read an informative piece , or encounter a person who is not the most pleasant. This week, it seems, that I came in contact with folks who are a breath of sunshine and I am loving that!

I hope your week had some breaths of sunshine to hold onto and that this weekend is one that helps to embrace fall and coziness. Lest I make the mistake of not mentioning the weather, we have had cooler temperatures this week and rain is predicted for our weekend and I am really looking forward to it!

Today I noticed...The flutter of falling leaves.

Off and on today I sat at my desk, which is right in front of a double window. I couldn't help but notice that each time I looked out there was a steady stream of leaves fluttering down and twirling along. 

I know that the dry weather has caused some of the leaves to dry up and fall already but it is also a sure sign that fall is in the air. 

Just 3 Things | #47

I learned today that in our area we have had thirty-five consecutive days without measurable rainfall. That is creeping up close to a record that was set in 1963. That is a long time record that we have a pretty good chance of breaking! We also had temperatures creep back up into the sweltering level. The local meteorologists say we are looking at some cooler days ahead and maybe even some rain for the weekend. I'm hoping we don't break the dry weather record. When did I get to be the old person who always talks about the weather?! 

This week I worked on some quick projects and stitched up a little something for myself. I ordered some fabric to make pillowcases for the grandsons. I'd been seeing lots of frilly and lacey and girly pillowcases and the idea hit me that one doesn't see much like that in the way of masculine-looking styles. Guys probably don't think about that sort of thing like women do but I think they probably appreciate them when it is tailored specifically for them. So, I took a little time and personalized and stitched up some pillowcases this week using this tutorial to remind me how to do it. For a couple of them I used the same fabric for the cuff as the main part of the pillowcase. I just inserted a small strip of contrast fabric to perk things up. For the other, I used three different fabrics - one for the cuff, one for the accent strip, and one for the main part of the pillowcase.

The fabrics are soft and cheerful and I think they turned out cute. For one of them, I noticed that the fabric was printed on it a bit crooked. So, to make my pillowcase fabric sit nicely when completed, I ripped the edge to straighten it. When I di that, I was left with only about six inches for the cuff and that is just way to small. So, I went digging into my fabric stash and found something that would coordinate. That means that the baseball print is not on the cuff of that pillowcase but I think it turned out wonderfully just the same. When I do a quick project like that, I really am tempted to order more fabrics and make the same for lots more folks! The pillowcases feature fabrics with prints that show each guy's interest. One is a baseball player and the other two are on bowling teams. I think these will put a smile on the guys' faces and they will see them as a fun way to brighten up their room. I believe that even stinky, middle school boys will like them! 

My first placemats

When I first got my new sewing machine, I embroidered and stitched out some placemats for the Mister and me. We have used them daily and enjoyed them. Some spills have left a few stains on them. So, I decided to make some fresh ones. I dug out the left over kitchen window treatment fabric that I had and found another fabric in my stash that would coordinate with them. Then, I went back into my pin board and found the tutorial I used for self-binding placemats. I used the same monogram font to embroider one side that I had used for the previous placemats. It is bold and stands out well on a busy print. This time I stitched it out in two shades of blue.

I made this set reversible and I used a lighter loft batting for the filler. So, I think I'm going to like that better. I ran rows of quilting stitches from top to bottom at about two inch intervals. Then, added the monogram. For the back side, I used a bit of fabric that I had left from some classroom curtains when I was teaching back in the day. So, let this be a reminder: when one buys good quality fabric, it really lasts! I embroidered a simple O and a bit of greenery in the center of that side of the placemats.

I had purchased a bundle of designs that have greenery and berries and some have bows that will frame something like a monogram letter or could stand alone as decor. These placemats are nothing fancy and were truly made using just scraps of fabric that I had in my stash. However, I created something new and useful and it will not only protect our table but brighten up our kitchen. I feel like I have a kitchen update or a treat. Who doesn't like a treat?

For this project there were lots of steps - cutting the fabric, quilting, embroidering, measuring and mapping out the self-binding part and the mitered corners, and construction stitching. Because I hadn't made the self-binding and mitered corners in quite some time, it took me a bit of reading and thinking and measuring and planning to map it all out. When I make something like that, I really appreciate the cost of custom linens a lot more. Since I took my time and read the tutorials and gave it some thought, I have little to no mistakes or frustration. That is always rewarding when creating.

- What I've Been Reading -

I read John Grebble is Gone by Peter James this week. It was a very short read but it surely promoted thought on my part. Here is the brief summary Amazon gives: John Grebble wakes up to discover he’s been declared dead. His bank account is frozen, his car repossessed, and his entire existence erased.

While reading, I just had to pause and think about what that might be like - to have one's identity not just stolen, but dispensed with, wiped out, declared over. I had some fraudulent charges on my credit card recently and it really was a headache. The card policy is great because they will alert me when there is something odd like this situation where the fraudster had tried to purchase something from a tropical juice bar and hotel rooms in New Jersey. When alerted, I let the company know that I was not in New Jersey and had no plans to be there in the near future, they began investigating and denied the charge at no cost to me. They cancelled that card and sent me another. Then, I had to update the things that I have set up to autopay from that card and places where it is my default card when I order something. That was a little bit of a headache. I could keep operating and using my check card, however, since it wasn't tied to that card. So, I cannot imagine what it would be like to have all accounts frozen and begin losing possessions because of a fraudster.

I also did a bit of thinking and investigating to find out what I need to do to make certain that the Mister or my children would have no problems sorting out my accounts when I actually do pass away. Taking care of some of that business is on my upcoming agenda. So, beyond just being an interesting read, the story also nudged me a bit. I think knowing that it is fiction made me enjoy the ending but it also made me think about how I might react as well.

-What I've Been Loving -

Lately the Mister and I have been into simple, old fashioned fare for dinner. Our breakfast and lunch habits have been about the same - sandwiches, salads, or left overs - but our attitude about dinner has changed a little bit. Last week I leaned on some simple casseroles from my younger days and they were delicious. So, this week I decided to just step into that a bit more. One night this week I made meatloaf. I had put a pot of pinto beans on to slow cook and added mashed potatoes and we had a simple country meal that the Mister talked about for a couple of days afterward. The great thing about having the meatloaf is that there was leftovers and I had a meatloaf sandwich and the Mister had it with some veggies on the side and we enjoyed it almost as much the second time around as when it was fresh out of the oven. 

I mixed up some good old fashioned pimento cheese and we ate it stuffed into a tomato and on a sandwich and with crackers for a day or two. Again, an old favorite that we just don't mix up all that often. 

We've had low calorie fare some nights as well - shrimp tacos, a salad topped with chicken, fresh stir-fried veggies and chicken. So, we haven't reverted to that old-time, high-fat, high-carb sort of diet that the old folks once lived on. It's funny how one night meatloaf and beans and taters seems just the thing and a salad seems better the following night to sort of balance things out.

I don't know if we had gotten into a rut and just were eating the same old, same old there for a while or if I had gotten lazy and didn't want to think about meal prep or what the deal was. Sometimes, shaking things up by going back to the old fashioned tastes from days gone by really makes a difference in my attitude in the kitchen. I know the Mister likes it when I lean into old-time, country farm fare and lately I've been loving it sometimes, too.

It has been a pretty quiet and ordinary week around here and those are really the best kind! I'm off to watch one of the granddaughters perform in a play this weekend. She is a member of the cast of The Addams Family. Da-Da-Da-Dup, snap, snap!

Today I noticed...A long-time friend always makes for a comfortable chat.

I have a couple of friends who I have known since we were girls in elementary school. We shared similar interests and had somewhat similar backgrounds and have children who are near to the same age. 

We don't see one another nearly as frequently as we did as youngsters nor even as often as we did when we were raising our children. Yet, it seems like we can sort of pick up conversations where we left off and carry on when we do connect. 

I learned last month that one of those gal's husband had a health issue and was moving from hospital to a rehab facility. She traversed quite a trek back and forth to the hospital and then to the rehab facility each day to spend time with him. Then, she continued to work and keep their family farm running as well. So, I knew that she was exhausted and a phone conversation truly confirmed that. As a result, she has been on my mind a lot and I've been saying little prayers for her and her family. 

I touched base with my friend today and am so relieved that she sounded so much better and even optimistic. Her husband is home and starts out-patient rehab tomorrow. He is somewhat mobile and is progressing and getting better, she said. 

It was so good to talk to her and we almost seem to just pick up a thread of conversation and run with it as though we are still car-pooling our kindergarteners back and forth to school. I hope the few minutes we chatted were a good thing for her because those were some of the best moments of my day today. 

I hope everybody has a chance to catch up with a long-time friend this week and have a comfortable chat.

Happy Birthday, Harris!

Hope it is like a Home Run!

Just 3 Things - #46

Finally, finally we are experiencing a bit of fall. The temperatures have cooled and it is nice to be outside. I think I heard the weather girl on a local news channel say that Wednesday was the first day since late May that didn't have temperatures above the 80s. That is a HOT summer!

- What I've Been Working On -

I'm still stitching away on the 'sets' I'm creating for Christmas gifts. The eldest granddaughter gave me a little feedback on what she thought she would use in the way of totes, bags, or pouches and I tried to follow her suggestions. She's not one who wants her name or monogram on everything. So, I sometimes question her true southern roots. 

She said she didn't really need a big tote bag. So, I did her something a little bit different - a small modified duffle. She also didn't really want the traditional bandana print and asked if I could use a leopard print bandana. I do love her suggestion that she passed along in regard to bandana choices. 

The duffle is about 15" x 6' x 4" and would hold curling irons, or loads of cosmetics, or any variety of items. I added handles and a decorative black strip around the top. All of this set is lined with red bandanas.

Small Quilted Duffle with Handles

I did an open-wide box pouch. It is one of my favorite medium sized zip pouches. I had done one for another granddaughter and I love the triangular shape and I think it will hold loads of stuff. 

Open-Wide Box Pouch

I also did a foam-quilted simple zip pouch. It is a traditional simple size and shape at 7 1/2" x 10" and the quilted foam gives it plenty of structure. I probably should have added a D ring so that a wristlet could be clipped onto it but it will work for a storage pouch or a clutch purse like it is.

Quilted Zip Pouch

For the smalls, I did a zip coin purse that is 4" x 5" and a pouch that is just the size to hold an ID or bank card. For the two smallest ones I added a D ring so they can be added to a wristlet, a keychain, or clipped on a larger bag. 

Coin Purse (side 1)

Zip Coin Purse (side two)

Folding Card Pouch

I like the little card pouch and will probably try that again as a gift. I need to do a bit of adjusting to suit my idea but It really did turn out cute. Since I was adapting a tutorial that left the edges raw, I didn't monogram it.  I think it would be really cute with a monogram, though. I love how each item turned out! I hope she does.

- What I've Been Loving -

I made a couple of casseroles this week that I haven't stirred up in a while and both were quite satisfying. The first is one that my Mama made when I was a young girl. So, in a way it is comfort food. 

Cheesy Mixed Vegetable Casserole

Ingredients:

2 cans mixed vegetables

1 1/2 cups cubed processed cheese

2 tablespoons butter

Topping Ingredients:

1 sleeve of Ritz crackers

4-6 tablespoons butter

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and add cheese cubes. Stir till they are blended together.
• Fold together mixed vegetables and spread into a baking dish.
• Crush crackers.
• Melt 4-6 tablespoons of butter and pour over cracker crumbles. Stir to cat the cracker crumbles.
• Spread cracker mixture over vegetable mixture and bake until bubbling and heated through. Cracker topping will brown slightly and crisp.

This is tasty as a side dish or all alone! It was grocery day; so, we had fried chicken and this veggie casserole for a super easy dinner.

The other casserole is French Onion Beef Bake. It is really a tasty dish and one of the Mister's favorites. 

French Onion Beef Bake

I'm sure I have followed the recipe precisely at times but I've also done variations. For example, this time I didn't have bow tie pasta and I used simple egg noodles instead. I've also used a pouch of French Onion Soup Mix and a container of sour cream instead of the purchased dip. The dish is delicious no matter how you stir it up! I'm loving a change of pace and some delicious recipes to welcome in fall.

- What I've Been Reading -

I abandoned a book before finishing it this week. I cannot remember when I did this last. Such a rarity. However, I just wasn't keeping up with the characters and didn't see the story line going anywhere. So, I DNF (I think that is the current slang term for did not finish.) and moved on to something vastly different. I'm currently reading Pitch by Pitch by Bob Gibson. I think I selected this one because I recall Tim McCarver as a broadcast announcer and McCarver was Gibson's catcher. I think one has to be a baseball fan to enjoy this one. I also listened to an NPR author interview with Gibson that was interesting and entertaining. 

I'm probably going to work on some of my go-tos for a few days - wreath sashes and bag tags. I may stitch up a few more Christmas ornaments. They are just so fun and satisfying to complete because the embroidery looks so beautiful on that felt. The Mister laughed at me when a new packet of felt was delivered and I told him what I was planning to do with it. He seems to think some of my frivolous ideas are not worthy, I think. We shall be enjoying the cooler temperatures and hoping that your weekend is nice, too!

Happy Birthday, Stephen!

 

Hope your year is HAPPY!