Life on the Selvage Edge

18 September 2012

Journaling

Journaling is something I always have good intentions to do, but my follow through is less than stellar.

Then a couple of weeks ago a blog I follow (Lil Boo Blue) shared that she was going to be starting The Lil Journal Project. Each day she would share a different topic to journal about. And it wouldn't be just writing... there would be the option to draw and sketch. YAY! Colored pencils. Sharpies. Paint. FUN!

Topics of things like drawing a picture of your first classroom that you have a memory of. Listing the vehicles you've owned and the memories associated with each car. Today's topic is remembering books from your childhood. Topics I wouldn't think about writing about, but a great way to dig deep in my memory and record some of it.

(From www.lilblueboo.com)

This sounds right up my alley! I liked the idea of being prompted to write about different things. I liked the drawing idea. But my good intentions were as far as I got with this.

Until yesterday.

While picking up some stuff at Walmart yesterday I saw a sketch book on an end cap by the craft department. A small book, plain cover. Unlined pages (I hate lines!). $6. Perfect for the project! I threw it in the cart and realized my intentions were moving towards reality.

(from Walmart)

Last night I decided to dress up the outside and made a journal cover.

I googled for some ideas on how to make a journal cover and ended up using the directions from Artquiltmaker blog. Pretty simple and straightforward. I knew I wanted to use some of my black linen and to do leaf shaped applique on the front, plus there had to be perle cotton stitching.

While poking around on the internet for journal covers, I somehow came across the idea of putting different threads (like perle cotton) on your bobbin (while still using regular thread on top) when it comes to quilting a project. I was intrigued! With a bit more research, I followed the advice from www.threadsmagaine.com. The images on their site are really neat - So many cool things you can do with bobbin work!

I pulled out the Perle Cotton 8 I had, put it on a bobbin, increased the stitch length a bit, marked my lines on the interfacing on the back, and gave it a go... all I can say is AWESOME! Sort of that hand-stitched look, without having to commit the time (that I didn't have!) You can see a bit of the top thread, so make sure you pick something that either matches or coordinates with your bobbin thread.

When I got it done I couldn't wait to dive in and start writing and drawing in it. I loved the suggestion to just open the book and start writing wherever. Very freeing. That starting at the front can seem too daunting!

Kindergarten Memories

Journaling is going to become a part of my morning routine. The school start time changed quite a bit this year which now gives me almost 2 hours at home in the mornings after everyone else leaves for work and school before I have to leave. (I used to have 15 minutes!) A perfect time to enjoy a cup of tea and journal in my new snazzy covered book!

16 September 2012

Harvest Time

It was a perfect fall day today. My parents have some large gardens on some land that we call "The Farm". Originally the land was part of my grandparents dairy farm. Now my parents grow corn, potatoes, carrots, raspberries, strawberries, etc, etc. And then there's the pumpkins and gourds. Oh, man are there a lot of those. Today was the day to harvest all the beautiful and unique shaped pumpkins and gourds. It's become an annual tradition to invite friends out to bring in the harvest.

(Nice earring, honey!)

The deer got into the pumpkins and had themselves a gourmet buffet.

Here I am with my family...

My dad also raises honey bees so he gave the kids (and adults) a look at a demonstration hive.

And then there was fresh apple cider from the cider press...

There were cows to go "Moo" at...

And a little celebrating that I'm 3/7th of the way done with my Scrap Vomit quilt! WHOOP! WHOOP!

Since one should always celebrate when one reaches the 3/7th mile mark, I decided a photo shoot at the farm was in order.

Or, my husband told me I could just be done and we'd have a long, skinny quilt to attempt to snuggle under... That would be nice and cozy.

Oh, and after most people left, we went to pick some carrots...

Maybe we ought to check the radiation level of the soil.... that's one funky carrot.

Linking up...

07 September 2012

A day of firsts

A day of new beginnings in this household... First day of school for the kiddo.

And first day at a new job for the hubby.

Everyone came home with a smile. First days were a success!

05 September 2012

Scrap Vomit

Scrap Vomit, a photo by Life on the Selvage Edge on Flickr.

I think we're going big (or go home) on this bad boy... our king sized bed has a store bought quilt on it {quilter hanging head in shame}.

I'm thinking 7 blocks x 7 blocks. Which means 49 2.5" squares per block multiplied by 49 blocks for a grand totally of 2,401 2.5" squares. ( I always thought the name referred to the mishmash of squares colliding together, but maybe it's more appropriate for the reaction when you think of all those little tiny squares being cut and sewn together!)

But I'm up for the challenge!! I've got 11 blocks done already. BRING IT ON!!

It's perfect to use all the random fabric I have overfilling their storage bins, plus I can keep sewing in the midst of the self-imposed fabric diet I've put on myself. It's liberating to just put two random squares together and sew, without having to think about how it plays with the fabric next to it. We'll see how far I get, but I have a quilt retreat coming up in November... this may be the project I work on there too!

Linked up...

01 September 2012

A Mini Minnie

My precious little niece turns ONE on Wednesday! Where has the time gone?? She's taking her first steps and she is one silly, happy girl. September 5th is a big day in this family... it is my husband's birthday, my sister and brother-in-law's anniversary, as well the Cutie-patootie's birthday! Lots to celebrate!

She has taken a huge interest in Minnie Mouse (which is quite welcomed by her Disney-loving Aunt!) My sister is throwing her a Minnie Mouse themed birthday party tomorrow and the guest of honor has to have a Minnie dress! I bought the polka dots at Mill End back in May and it's been sitting there, waiting for me ever since (a little of it got "stolen" for the apron I made my friend). Since the party is tomorrow and I didn't have a clue what I was going to do, I decided last night it was time to get crackin'! I wanted to do a party dress, with lots of fluffy tulle. After cruising around the internet, gathering ideas and inspiration, this is what I came up with:

I edged the tulle with 1/4" double fold bias tape.

There's also a black fabric skirt under all the layers of tulle.

Didn't need her showing off her diaper at the party!

On the back are three buttons I made.

I just have to attach the ribbon so it doesn't ride up in the front. And I may make a diaper cover. And some yellow shoes. A Minnie has to have yellow shoes! Guess I have some work left to do today!

(The Little Minnie approved... as she saw herself in the mirror, she smiled and said "Minnie". And when we took it off of her she said "NO!" Melt my heart.)

11 August 2012

Summer Fun

Finally found some time tonight to catch up on blogging. I saw the date of my last post... It was at the end of June. And it was only a picture. Here we are, well into August. And there goes summer!

It's been a busy one, this summer:

A week of Vacation Bible School.

Bringing upper elementary kids to Bible camp for a week and spending part of the week with them.

Dropping off my son and other younger elementary kids for a week of camp (and, boy, was it quiet around the house!)

Picking him up only to drive home and immediately get on a bus for 11 days to Biloxi, Gulfport, and New Orleans for a youth gathering with the high school kids.

Returned home from that amazing trip and got the middle school kids ready to leave 5 days later for a week long service trip (which I didn't go on because I busy trying to catch up on sleep!)

The summer has been a bit of a blur.

(If you haven't guessed already, my full time job is in youth ministry.) I've been at my position coming up on 11 years and I came to the realization this summer that I'm not as young as I used to be! It gets harder to bounce back after sleeping on buses while traveling and keeping up the busy pace that these trips demand! But as I bobbed around in the Gulf of Mexico with my group of students, I said "Just another day at the office!" I love my job and the youth and families I have the privilege to work with! It's been a great summer!

And now it's August. Whew.

August meant a week of at-home vacation. Now in the midst of a couple weeks of working. And then a vacation with my family and friends of ours coming up. Looking forward to time away with my boys and our friends!

The sewing machine hasn't been totally neglected this summer (She even got her annual tune up while I was in New Orleans). Here's some projects I've worked on:

Another 421 Tote for a silent auction for the Bible camp we send our church kids too

A t-shirt quilt for a silent auction that benefits the MS Society. My husband has been involved in an event called Crawl 4 the Cure since it started. It's a 4 day event where people bring their Jeeps and other Off-Highway Vehicles to an off-road park and run trails all weekend long, while raising money for the MS Society. There's a big silent auction and a raffle for a Jeep on Saturday night. This year they raised over $90,000! It's a fun weekend of camping, wheeling, and hanging out, but I had to miss it this year due to being on the trip to New Orleans. I put this quilt together as my way to contribute. It includes t-shirts from every year the event has been held. My husband texted me the amount of the winning bid... $600! My jaw hit the floor! It was the highest bid for any silent auction item. Made me glad to be able to help out this great event!

This week I made an apron as a wedding shower present for a friend.