Memory Monday 108 ~ Old Plans

Today is as good a day as any to make plans for the coming year.

One thing I'm doing is changing old plans.

Not putting as big of a demand on myself.

I'll be posted on a more casual basis and not every single day.

I still enjoy doing it,

but lately I have to fight my arthritis too much to get my dreams done.

Just life.

We'll keep making memories.

Sun Best ~ Florida Sunshine

Somewhere in Florida

Quilt Shot Block- More Summer Show & Tell 2

 Elkhorn Quilt Guild

Again, shots taken with poor quality phone camera.

Still, I think you get the picture

 Close up coloring work of quilt above.

 Quilt above and below by same person.

Great job Jeannie!

Fun or Funny Fri ~ Gifts of JOY

 Over the years, many family and friends have given me gifts of JOY!

I have a rather large collection now.

I've enJOYed every one of them.

Thoughtful Thinking Thursday #159 ~ Christmas 2018 Homemade Tags

I can't help it.

Each year I have to add a bit of homemade touch with tags all made the same.

I usually try to wrap all gifts the same as well.

Do you think homemade is cheap or from the heart?

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Think about it.

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Wordless Wednesday #279 ~ Tis the Season at My House

Merry Christmas

Memory Monday 107~ Christmas 2011

Sun Best ~ Joy to You

Quilt Shot Block - Some Show & Tell: Summer 2018

Elkhorn Quilt Guild from this past summer.

Shots taken with my measly phone.

Fun or Funny Fri ~ In a Hurry Gift Table Runner to Stitch

Here is an idea for a last minute Christmas gift.

A little fabric determines the season or reason.

It might take longer to thread your machine than to sew one of these up.

Here's HOW.

Plus, they are all over the Internet, Pinterest & You Tube.

 

Thoughtful Thinking Thursday #158 ~ Glad the Cardinal is Our State Bird

 While many of us cherish the siting of the first Red Breast Robin,

because they are a sign of spring being close, in the fall they aren't easy to notice,

because of their coloring that mixes with the gray tree branches.

 I'm cheered up by seeing a bright red Cardinal anytime of the year.

I can see why it was chosen as the Kentucky state bird.

 It lives here all year, and it's bright red contrasts with any seasonal background,

except maybe when he's in a red Maple tree in the fall?

 The mother carries more gray feathers than you see by this older male,

 because she doesn't need the extra bright colors to attract to her nest.

The guy gets to be the blinger of the couple.

I know these birds are territorial, as like my Dad,

I learn these characters and how their family behaves around my house.

Love the Cardinal family.

What's your state bird?

Do you get to enjoy and appreciate it?

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Think About It!

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Wordless Wednesday #278 ~ Dogs & Christmas

Finished Seam Draw String Gift Bags

        If you've read my blog very long, you know that I make my gift bags.  I make them with the intent they will be reused. Either they will be passed on holding another gift or used has a storage bag.
        My son-in-laws & grand son are avid hunters and fishermen and hard working guys.  I'm guessing they can always used a draw string pouch to store something.  I'm also guessing if they use them very much, the bag needs to be sturdy.  I found some feed sack fabric which ravels a bit and decided the seams needed to be finished so they would wear longer.  
        Here's how I finished those seams.

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Tuesday Tutorial

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 First to start the bag, cut 2 pieces.

 Channels for strings need to be made with finished ends.

 You might notice, I turned one more time to press a crease for marking.

 Yes, snip now before the next step, otherwise you don't know when to stop stitching.

 Stitch along folded edge.

 HERE is how I finished the seams.

It's a DOUBLE  ROLL.

It's not a French seam like I used HERE.

 Fold both layers toward same direction and stitch along fold.

I folded with fingers as I stitched.

I didn't pin. This pin was for holding the fabric while the picture was taken.

This Double Roll seam, I call it, only needs one stitch line, whereas

the French seam takes 2 runs.

 I started at the top on each side to make sure I started evenly at the band.

Consequently each side is folded in the opposite directions.

The bottom was stitched last.

 As usual I measure very little.

I just lay the string across the top and double fold the string and add about 4 inches and cut.

I tie one end together for the bodkin to have something to hold on to.

After that double strand was thread through all around, the original knot was cut away,

then all 4 ends were knotted together & trimmed.

 When I discovered about 6 years ago how a drawstring bag was threaded,

I was so excited!  

I can't believe I lived so long before the discovery.

We are always learning.

 The knots on each end are great for holding while pulling the strings.

I wished I'd had more sturdy string than this jute.

A string of leather would have been perfect.

I'll keep my eye out for leather shoe strings now.

 I was very pleased with the bag that turned out.

 I need to make a few more,

but I'll just make them with straight seams leaving an opening for the channels.

Should be a quick stitch.. 

Memory Monday 106~ Almost Time for More Memories to be Made

All shots by Mr. G

shots made last year

 

This time of the year, folks are excited about Christmas or other holidays.

Mr. G & I are probably more excited about our annual trip.

Well, he's excited about University of Kentucky going to the Citrus Bowl this year in Orlando!

It's so close but timing is a week too early. Sad.

A place to warm up my bones.