Days 552 and 553

Thankfully no termites again, 

But they are coming over to spray for them and put some stuff in the walls to prevent them from coming back. So I was cleaning and organizing the house, and I always put the comforter on when people are coming over (No, Mom, I do not make my bed completely every day... Sorry to disappoint you)

So When I got the comforter out , I saw this! Mr must have been on here while we were away :( Bad cat

after talking to my sister about it, she gave me an idea of how to fix it and I did

it doesn't look perfect, but it looks much better than a string hanging out!

Day 465

Mr spent some time outside hunting birds today

Then in the evening I went with my friends to the spa to celebrate one of their birthdays. We had facials, manis, pedis, and a massage, it was fun. We also had some snacks and wine.

And for the last two birthdays I made my friends key chains.

I got the idea off of Pinterest, but I couldn't find the exact stuff they had, so I improvised, but I think they turned out cute.

Homeward Bound

I flew home and spent 5 hours in the Atlanta airport.

I went to my oldest Niece's confirmation and afterwards we went out to lunch.

I took my MAT test, and after waiting a week I got my results, I was in the 87th percentile over all, And 78th in my intended major. I hope that means I can get in.

My Mom set up a meeting with my Great Uncle and we worked on some Ancestry, they shared some pictures they had.

Two of my nieces turn 13 this spring/summer, and since I don't plan on going back to Michigan until Christmas I took them out for their day with a

aunt Lisa. They both wanted to go shopping, one was looking for summer clothes and the other a dress for her spring formal.

I went ice skating

And bike riding

It really is a fun day to spend with them, I let them choose everything, from what we do to where we eat.  And we talk, and it's nice to spend some one on one time with them as they are becoming teenagers.

My family got together for Easter, it turned out to be a beautiful day, so after lunch we played frisbee and tag outside. My grandma even stopped by.

I also had to squeeze in a ton of shopping. Since I needed to get everyone birthday presents before I left, and I also needed to freshen up my wardrobe :)

And while I was out one day I met up with two girls who used to work for me in India, but they have now moved to Michigan! It was really nice to see them.

One of the girls brought some Indian deserts, they were pretty good!

The day before I left I accidentally broke a bracelet I had bought in China :( but luckily I know a girl in Mexico who was headed to China and she said she would pick me a new one up.

It was also my Dad's birthday, we went to Big Boy to celebrate 

And at night I finished up a gift for Josh, for our 9th anniversary present, some Willow coasters... Now to hold on to them until September.

Days 421 & 422

I think I'm all packed... That's right I am headed home to Michigan for 2 weeks for Easter.

So Mr and I have been hanging out.

I helped one of my friends make a spring costume for her daughter's spring parade at school.

The house next door is getting worked on and now there are construction workers looking in my yard..

They could step right over the electric fence and get in!

I finished the Dresden September quilt block for my calendar quilt.

And I went to pick Josh up from work after his trip and saw a beautiful sunset.

Day 284

Today I had my friends over to do a craft day.

I made scones for the first time, and even though I added too much milk and the. Had to add more flour, sugar and baking powder, they turned out good.

Then I also made baked pickles, AMAZING, they tasted just like fried pickles, I was so happy,

And we made leather bracelets, the. We went to the leather store and they put snaps on for us. 

Day 238

I woke up early this morning, and got ready for the lady that wants the quilt to be made to come over. Thankfully she chose an easy design, the same as first quilt I had made. Then we discussed colors, and she wants red,orange and yellow, all colors I don't use much, and she wants a white back ground. 

I looked up some fabric and we put in an order... The fabric will be at my parents house when I arrive!

Mr's sleeping place of the day

And I worked on my ancestry, I have over 1500 people in my family tree now, and I know there are more that I don't have, Josh's side is all a bit sketchy. I really don't have many of them at all.

And there were two more born this week that I added to my family tree, two of my cousins had babies...

But I'm really to a point for the most part I need a subscription to ancestry, I think I will ask my mother in law for one for Christmas :)

And I made this leather braclet, thank you Pinterest, now to get the snaps put on and teach my friends how to make one :)

Day 175

So for some reason today, I couldn't stop thinking how ridiculous it was that we had 5 doors outside! Every other house I've lived in has only had 3! 5 does seem excessive doesn't it?

Also I tried out a pintrest craft, 

Although the craft called for doilies, I couldn't find any, so I used some lace that I found at the new fabric store!!! So I was supposed to use wallpaper glue, all I found was boarder glue, close enough, then put the lace over a balloon and let it dry!

Once dry pop the balloon, and you will have a lace candle holder...

Fail, I couldn't even get the lace off the balloon!!!

Day 125

So again I've been slacking on my posting duties,

But I had a couple friends over on Thursday to force them to craft, they both claim they are not crafty.

So I made a couple of appetizers.

Buffalo chicken cups, these called for wanton wrappers, but, I could not find them, so I used rice papers. It worked ok, but they were a hair mushy on the bottom still. But the contents of the cups were pretty good, Josh didn't really like it.

I also made pizza dip, it smelled just like pizza, and it was awesome! Josh loved it too.

We each made a sharpie mug, I made the one with mountains, but I think they all turned out really nice!

Then one of the girls brought this mexican fruit, yes fruit. You peel the shell off, and inside you have to pull some strings, and there are some seeds, but it tastes like a sour gummy bear, it was really good.

Day 124

So one of my friends kids got sick, so we postponed our craft day till tomorrow.

Instead my friend picked me up and we headed out to do a little scouting for the next craft day, we are going to make those leather "magic braid" bracelets.

Also my friend and I were both looking for wanton wrappers, but had no luck finding them.

We did find some leather though

About a yard and a half an inch wide for 98 pesos, so at the current exchange rate, $6.

Which I thought was a great deal!

So the guy in the leather shop spoke great english which was awesome! He went to cut our leather and pulled out a whole cow hide!!!! It was crazy! They also had 3 old singer treadle sewing machines, next time I'll have to take a picture of them.

Also they said they would put snaps on for $6 pesos! Which is less than 40 cents a piece! Not too bad.

Also I made enchilada soup, Josh loved it.

I had to sauté onions and garlic, followed by browning ground beef! All on my own! And I cooked with jalapeños!

Day 115

Laundry, of course because it's Monday!

And I cleaned the office and its bathroom.

Josh got home late from work, after he went in at 4am, so we did some grocery shopping and then hung out a bit.

We bought a Mexican potatoe at the grocery store

Called a jicama

You cut it up and eat it raw

Sometimes with a salty, citrus stuff

I think they were better plain, 

They taste a little like fresh raw green beans and a potatoe at the Same time, but jucier...

Also I made this mug for a friend here who's birthday is this week. I hope the sharpie mug lasts!

Getting crafty

So at work we have been doing a Romeo and Juliet themed set of programs.

I did two teen programs and 1 adult program.

Where else can you get paid to craft for hours on end?

No where I can think of

And I also got to play dance dance revolution :) it was great 

First non-quilt project

So I finished the first non-quilt project um... ever.

;D

(mending doesn't count)

what do you think?

Vintage

sooo... I have been looking for a sewing machine that is similar to my mom's,
you might ask why? When I have a great general sewing machine.
Well...
1. Her's sews so much cleaner than mine (meaning precision of stitches and fine-ness)
2. Has better stitches for the binding of quilts (cause we all know I can not sew straight)
3. It can be fixed because its not all plastic :D


so... I began to search ebay for these over 40 year old Singer sewing machines... and what did I find... the good ones, in good shape with the attachments and etc. were selling for over $200! wow I thought way to hold your value!
however I thought over $200 is over my budget for a sewing machine so I started watching them,
and low and behold I won one!!!

this is what showed up at my door on tuesday

Check out the button-holer that came with it... and all the different options for  types of button holes I can now make... 

and a ridiculous number of feet/attachments I will never use

and in addition to the 20 something built in stitches pop one of these bad boys in and you get a different  stitch.

and I found this sweet vintage sewing book at a library book sale for 10 cents :D... I thought... hm... vintage book for vintage machine

now to make Josh a curtain for his office... using my other vintage  Reader's Digest complete guide to sewing... $1.00 goodwill.

Go Vintage!

Mending Month

So I decided that January is mending month.
So I can not feel bad about the pile sitting there while I make new quilts instead...

Also the quilting bug bit my mom :D she is planning her first quilt.

and I have to add another quilt in to new years resolution! so 5 quilts and a 5K.

I also started volunteering at the local library and am looking for a job, and I plan on registering to substitute teach.

let the mending begin.

Branching out

So yesterday I got home from vacation and in my mail was the new Joann's Ad, I didn't have anything in particular that I needed, so I thought, well perhaps I can pick up some remnants with the 10% off your entire purchase.
So I went to town today to run some errands and I stopped by Joann fabrics.
and well... they were having a 50% off red tag fabric sale and 99 cent patterns.
so I decided what time is better than now to branch out and try to sew some clothes for super cheap. (cause i've only sewn one dress before,without a pattern, and well it fit ok, but I messed up the darts, thankfully it was just for halloween, so it was ok)
so I bought this pattern for 99 cents... usually $15!!!!  (I think I will make two dresses)

and I bought this fabric and buttons to make them with...

I got this fabric for 1.35 a yard!

I got this fabric for .90 cents a yard!!!

and of course I will finish the 5 remaining quilts first...