Family Visit

Our Austin, Texas family recently visited us for a week. Since there's plenty to do here, even with an 18 month-old and a five year-old, we filled our days with activities.  

At the swimming pool, Bapa is always good for giving "elevators." Those are the slow, "one, two, three" bounces in the water, ending with an airborne toss. Austin was scared at first, but quickly caught on that they were fun!

LJ liked elevators too, though his never ended with an airborne toss!

We visited a large city park in Lady Lake.

Of course, riding in the golf cart is an ever-present opportunity for fun. We rented a second golf cart (the red one in the background) so we could all go out together. 

Sometimes, quiet time meant watching Toy Story 3 on a notebook.

These are the best pictures I took of LJ.

He looks sweet and happy, doesn't he?

Such was not the case when I accompanied them to Epcot. 

We learned pretty quickly that he didn't like standing still. Like in a line. A given when visiting any Disney World attraction! So, there were tantrums and general unhappiness that left us wishing we knew what to do to keep him content. 

He displayed a little heat rash, but it didn't appear to bother him.

So while big brother happily posed with several Disney characters... 

... little brother wasn't one bit cooperative.

Mom did her best to convince him it was "okay," but he wasn't buying it. 

However, to our relief, lunch at an Epcot restaurant in Mexico was a good family experience.

The family spent two more days at Disney World with out me, visiting the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Star Wars Weekend. I don't know how it went. I do know it's awfully quiet around here! Linda

Private Sewing Lessons

A few weeks ago, I bought a lovely used Bernina Artista 230, the Patchwork Edition, for our daughter-in-law Lyn.

Lyn visited us for a whole week, so during that time, and while having two young children underfoot, I managed to show her the great features of her sewing machine, and get in a little sewing time. 

After suggesting she make the wildly-popular 1 Hour Basket pattern, free through Craftsy, and her agreement with that idea, she began with fabric shopping.

LJ helping Mommy fabric shop in Nana's stash

Later, after several visits to my stash cabinet, Lyn said that was the part of sewing she enjoyed the most! Yep. A real sew-ist in the making!

During nap time for 18 month-old LJ, and quiet time for five year-old Austin, we set up at the kitchen table (LJ napped in my sewing room) for one-on-one lessons, starting with rotary cutting.

Lyn caught on quickly.

She was a little anxious about using the sewing machine, admitting that the last time she sewed she was ten years old. Mmm, 24 years ago.

Lyn took it slowly at first, but toward the end of making her first basket, she had the machine humming along.

A first for me was using Bosal In R Form, a foam stabilizer. In April while at Missouri Star Quilt Company, I had purchased a package. The product comes as a single-sided or double-sided fusible. I had the latter, so to adhere fabric to one side only we used my appliqué pressing sheet. It's a great product and I need to buy more now!

Lyn and her first 1 hour basket

I'm glad I had the In R Form because Lyn enjoyed making the basket so much that during another nap time/quiet time, she made another! She followed the directions by herself and made basket number two with Lizzy House Mini Pearl Bracelets (outside) and a fat quarter of Serengeti Cloud 9 organic fabric (inside).  

Lyn says she's interested in making a tote, so perhaps that will be her next sewing machine adventure. But for now, she'll have to wait. They left our house to spend three days at Disney World before flying home to Austin. Sadly, the machine will remain with me until we drive there for a visit.

Still, I'm more than pleased by her interest in sewing, and that she's obviously a natural at it. With at least one sewist-quilter-friend at home, between us, she doesn't stand a chance of failing. Linda

Super Tote and Wristlet

The family has come and gone - May 27 to June 4 - and it was an action-packed time with a five year-old and 18 month-old to keep me on my toes. My next post will be about DIL Lyn's experience sewing for the first time, as we managed to snatched some nap time/quiet time from the kids to introduce her to her new sewing machine.

Now I can reveal the secret sewing I did last month since Lyn has received her gifts. I made her a Super Tote (pattern by Noodlehead).

I also made an Essential Wristlet (pattern by Dog Under My Desk). Actually, as you can see, I made several wristlets, including this black and white chevron one for my granddaughter.

At first I intended to make the Super Tote for myself, but one day when Lyn was able to attend QuiltCon with me, she commented that she liked that navy Viewmaster fabric, a Cotton and Steel print. It just so happened that I'd purchased a couple yards of the Viewmaster fabric the day before! So, I knew it was the right thing to make for her. She's practically worn out two other totes I've made for her, so I know this will be used. 

I can't say this is the easiest pattern to follow. If I'd been asked, I would have made a modification to instructions in the pattern cutting.

As it turns out, I made one section entirely incorrectly! That cream pin dot should not have been cut out to go with the orange bracelet print. This is honest sewing at it's finest.

Wrong!

It was supposed to look like this, with both pieces matching. I fixed my mistake after pretty much completely unmaking and remaking the bag! 

Right!

And the Super Tote is sort of an awkward thing to put together. Many handy-dandy Wonder Clips were put to use on this project.

Super Tote from the back... I added an outside zipper pocket that wasn't called for in the pattern. The sides are natural-colored linen.

On the inside I added that aqua zipper pocket on the left.

It's a nice place to keep something really secure. 

As for the wristlet, it has a couple extra pockets too - one on the outside...

...and another on the inside. The inside pocket, toward the bottom of the photo, is meant for a cell phone.

You can never have too many pockets in a bag! If you ever want to add one to any pattern, here's the VanillaJoy tutorial I followed.

I think Lyn's pretty pleased with what I made for her.

Now I'm looking forward to being an enabler, as she's expressed interest in making her own totes! Linda

Strawberry Fizz and Lime Pop

It was slow quilting the past couple weeks to finish 78" X 78" "Strawberry Fizz and Lime Pop." Actually, it isn't completely finished, as three sides of binding remain to be hand sewn down.

The problem with this quilt is that I lost the love I initially felt when I made the spontaneous decision to join the Blogger's BOM in September 2011. In the beginning, being uber-enthusiastic, I decided to make two of each month's 12-1/2" X 12-1/2" block!

When I chose fabrics, I was just beginning to explore modern quilting. Hence, my decision to use Kona Ash and Kona White as background. Important decisions arose when it came time to put the blocks together. My first thought was to join the blocks with sashing - the usual ho-hum. Then, trying to push the envelope toward modern, I thought to "float" the blocks with sashing fabric that matched the block background.

Thinking about modern being asymmetrical, I decided to arrange the blocks like this. Some are on point and some are not.

The quilt center languished until it was my turn to choose a block for the Mid-Century Modern Bee. In May 2013, I asked for this 9-1/2" X 12-1/2" block with Kona Ash, Kona white, and assorted strawberry and lime prints. Again, I was aiming for a more modern finish to the quilt.

Using my bee mates' blocks as borders, I completed the quilt top. Again, it languished.

I finally began quilting in May. Using my Pfaff Grand Quilter and the ruler work foot, I quilted straight lines with my Fine Line Ruler.

The rest of the quilting was entirely free-form. No marking whatsoever to make the job faster. I've been all about getting this finished!

I'm breathing a sigh of relief to have this off my UFO list. Though I don't have a purpose for the quilt, maybe after enjoying it for a while, I'll donate it... hoping that MCM friends who contributed to the quilt won't mind.

Quilt back, with signature blocks

In spite of my determination to finish this project, I still procrastinated about sitting at the machine to quilt. A couple evenings ago, because I had the strong urge to sew something, I made this pillowcase dress.

It's a size 2-4 following this tutorial. I intend to donate it, and a few more, to Dress a Girl Around the World. Making this was so satisfying, not only because I used stash fabrics and it will go to a child in need, but it was just plain fun to make something girly. I don't have a reason to do that. Ever.

Later today I'll be welcoming DIL Lyn, and two grandsons for a week-long visit! I bought this darling Bernina Artista 230 sewing machine from my friend, Lora, as a gift for Lyn, who has never sewn. I can't wait to give it to her. I only hope I can refrain myself from wanting to teach her everything at once!

Getting ready for their visit, I thought you'd like to see how flexible my sewing room can be.

Sewing room

I intentionally chose changeable pieces like this, rather than built-ins, so when needed this room becomes a nursery! Seventeen month-old LJ will sleep here. His changing table is my ironing table, raised higher on Ikea saw horses, and covered with a colorful quilt. I love it, and even the woman who delivered the rented furniture (crib, high chair, and a car seat), commented on how cute it is. 

Nursery

Oh! And if you haven't yet voted in the Blogger's Quilt Festival, please do so by May 29. You can vote for three quilts in each category, and I'd appreciate your votes for domestic machine quilted, Shapes; and small, Flower Ball; and modern, Ad Libbing quilt that Lora entered for us. Thanks! Linda