I thought I would post a couple of pictures from the Vintage Ball. Here is the General and I preparing to go. Don't you just love a man in uniform. I did make my outfit, I redid a dress I made a couple of years ago.

Here is Captain Cool and some of his friends. Captain Cool is in the grey. These are all homeschooled young people. Captain Cool has been homeschooled 10 of his 12 years of school. The two young ladies in the middle, who are sisters have been homeschooled since they were in elementary school. The young man on the end, who is wearing his father's VMI uniform, has been homeschooled his whole life. Both the boys in the picture are seniors this year.

There was a lot of young people dressed in vintage attire. Most were colonial era, some Victorian, and a lot of Renissiance. We had a lovely night. The General and I danced every Waltz. We also danced one line dance. The General and I figure we have about eight more years of this dance and then we will be finished. It's great fun, but, very physically taxing! We know now why young people in the eras they did these dances didn't get into a lot of trouble after such affairs. They were too wore out to!

Sew Long for Now!

I have had a pretty tough week. After spending four days trying to sew a pair of revolutionary war pants for a costume I threw in the towel. I can pretty much figure out anything, but these directions just stunk. My husband laughs that there are people who ask me to sew outrageous things just to try to stump me. I usually can figure it out, but not these. I know of a lady who sews for a local historical park and I am going to ask her after the new year to help me. I may not have the outfit for tomorrow night's ball, but I will eventually get it. I didn't get the coat done because my dryer broke down the day after Christmas. Broke is such a gentle term for the motor burning up. I thought I would have to wait awhile to get a new dryer, but God provided for this need. I wash around 3 loads a day. If my dryer had broke before Christmas it wouldn't have been so bad, we had 70 degree weather. No, my dryer breaks the day it is cold and back down in the 30's and 40's. I tried to hang out some clothes and 8 hours later they were still damp.

Tomorrow I have to put cockades on the two tri cornerned hats I did finish and then in the afternoon we are going to rent costumes for the boys to wear. Since this will be a pretty busy weekend I thought I would post a New Years wish from our family to yours. The picture above is from a visit we made to Luray Caverns at the end of summer.

So our prayer is that God will bless your family in 2007!

Sew Long for Now!

I finished 4 more aprons and embroidered two stockings and a tree skirt. Oh, and I finished making a polar fleece blanket for my sil for Christmas. The kind you put two pieces together and then cut the edges and tie the two sides together with knots. She wanted it king size for her bed. Captain Kitty helped me and we made it queen size, we couldn't quite get to king size. I still have 3 more of those to do and a bag and wallet to do. Guess what? I am not going to do them. I am officially taking off as of today. The General changed his days off again. He is now off Friday and Saturday from his main job, this started today. I am spending the next three days doing things with my family. The General and I will be getting our last present, gift cards for my parents. They love them to restaraunts. Tomorrow we will go out to breakfast with our Sunday School class and then on to my folks to spend the day with extended family. We bring the General sister back with us tomorrow night and then Monday we spend with her here.

The General and I plan on working on the vintage ball outfits on Monday afternoon together! I will not be sewing for anyone else next week. I will be concentrating on the outfits.

Sew long for Now and Merry Christmas!

Here is the finised parka. Actually is called a Kuspuk and is a type of Alaskan jacket. The lady I did this for had cut out most of the pieces and began on it. She now has carpal tunnel and does not sew any more. This is the front view and below is the back view with the hood. It was not too difficult and actually fun to put together.

I made my first attempt at saying no to some one and it was a disaster! A lady I know from church called me when I got home Tuesday from running errands. I had just walked in the door and my son handed me the phone. She ask if I was busy with sewing and I told her yes, that I was swamped until after New Years. She burst into tears. It seemed she was calling from the CCU at a local hospital. Her husband, who is also Captain Chaos' Sunday School teacher, had a heart attach Sunday during church. She had promised a set of flags made for a local high school's ROTC competition...the next day. They weren't done. I did not know about her husband, I hadn't heard. Of course then I told her I would do it. She had her son bring all the stuff by. I stopped everything else I was doing and finished one Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday night was our stay at home Mom's meeting for church and I went. I needed to get some down time and I wouldn't do it at home with all that still needs to be done. We had so much fun just talking and hanging out that we lost track of time and I went home at 9:45. The General had a message that one of my sister in laws had called, so I called her back. She wanted me to embroider a shirt for a friend! LOL, but she doesn't need it till spring/summer. She lives in Afton so she just wanted to ask me so she could bring me the shirt on Christmas Eve when we all get together at my Momma's. Anyway, after all this I was tired and decided to just go to bed. I got up at 6 the next morning and the second flag went together pretty easy. I had them both ready to be picked up by 8 a.m. I went to work on the parka and had it finished by noon.

Today I have some e-mails to send then it's off to more sewing. Sew Long for Now!

Tuesday morning, Christmas is five days away. I finished embroidering 4 sweatshirts. I finished 4 more aprons. All this was for customers. I worked on the parka last night, came to the zipper and realized she didn't have one in the bag. This morning I am going out to get a zipper. I also had a customer come by yesterday asking for two stockings and a tree skirt to be embroidered for Christmas. I still have a purse, wallet, and skirt zipper to do for a customer. Then I have 8 more Christmas presents to make, or is that 12? I have started sending out my cards. If you are expecting one from me...it may be late. So sorry, please forgive me. I cut out the pattern for the General and Captain Cool's pants last night. Do I sound stressed? Well, yes I am just a tad. I did spend time yesterday reading out loud with the children. This morning I need to run errands and then I will work on the parka. I would like to finish it today. I need to cut out a bag and wallet today. I need to embroidery some more standing lace. I would like to iron the material for those pants. I should be ordering some buttons. This evening I will be taking off and going to my hearts at home monthly meeting. Oh yes, the picture. This is two of the four aprons I did. This set has a third apron to go with it. It is for a mother and her two daughters. Well, I am off.

Sew Long for Now!

Pardon me while I experiment with this new beta blogger!

I was so happy how this embroidery turned out. I had to design it. The picture is not so great, but in person it looked great! I delivered all the blankets yesterday after we attended the Nutcracker. The youngest two and I went to see the SW Virginia ballet's performance with some other homeschoolers, about 350 of them. Actually, this was the performance for school groups and ours was the largest. We knew several dancers in the ballet and it was just wonderful. Captain Chaos was not really interested in going. He had never seen this ballet. Afterwards he wanted to try out for an extra part next year. He wants to be one of the mice! I ended up having to do some shopping for Captain Cool yesterday afternoon because he had to work. It was after supper before I got to any sewing. I was so tired, but I made myself finish one customers work. The work wasn't hard, just hemming pants and repairing shirts. Then Captain Kitty and I worked on Christmas cards. I still haven't finished. LOL, mine may be New Years cards. This morning I am going with all the children to the mall. That sounds fun doesn't it? In the afternoon I am going to try to finish four aprons I have cut out and then tonight we may go to Bedford to see the lights at the Elk Home and Lakeview Park. That is a tradition we do every year.

Sew Long for Now!

I never did get to the parka yesterday. I had errands to run and then the General and I spent time last night running around looking for just the right material for the jackets. We finally found the right material at Hancock's. The lady was so nice and reminded me that there was a coupon that started today. She held the bolt for me and I ran back over there this morning and purchased it. That saved me $17. That will help go towards the 70 or so buttons I need to buy. I have been embroidering blankets today. I ran out of the pink thread just now. You see how far I was on this blanket. I have to take Captain Kitty to violin lessons tonight so I will go early and get some thread on the way. I would like to finish these blankets today. I would like to finish all the customer sewing I have by the weekend and then devote next week to the Vintage Ball outfits. That and baking. I haven't baked anything yet! I usually bake a different cookie every day during the holidays. Oh, and I forgot I still have presents to buy. I also got a call today that not all the residents at the nursing home will have gifts for Christmas. I would like to either buy some fleece and finish the edges or pick up some inexpensive blankets and take them over. Well, back to work.
Sew Long for Now!

This little elf has been busy in the workshop. Monday I jumped into the piles of sewing I have here. I embroidered three stockings with names. I embroidered a blanket with a name. Also, Captain Kitty and I embossed snowflakes for our Christmas cards. We did lots of laundry! Tuesday the youngest children and I went to our monthly party at the nursing home. We also went to the grocery store. We all know how much I love grocery shopping, not! When I got home I finished hemming five pair of pants that I had started Monday. While I was hemming the pants on my trusty old Euro Pro I had the Bernina beside me embroidering standing lace crosses. I plain on using them in Christmas gifts. The one pictured needs the stabilizer washed out of it. I will sew three or four of them together and put them around a plain ball ornament and make a tassel for the bottom. I did realize I need more stabilizer to finish making as many as I want. I also started altering a formal dress for a young lady to wear to the Vintage Ball. Of course there was the laundry to do. Captain Cool had an interview Tuesday with Rep. Goodlatt in his quest to be admitted to the Air Force Academy. Senator Allen sent him a letter last week that he chose some one else to recommend. Sigh, we were praying that he would recommend him, but there were several applicants also trying to get this honor. This morning I finished altering the dress for the ball. I also cut out four aprons that I have promised for a long time. Now, after I take a little break I am off to work on the parka and then I need to go to the store and get stabilizer and fish food. Tonight the General and I are going to JoAnn's to pick out material for the jackets for the ball.

Sew Long for Now!

Our weekend culminated with going to the movie The Nativity Story. It was so nice to be in a theater and know all those sitting with you. It was so nice to see a movie in the theater that was good. Everything we have done lately has been great, but we are all tired of the running. We all have colds now. LOL, I went to church with one finished stocking and came home with three to do. So, today I must get to work on all the sewing piling up around here.

Sew Long for Now!

We always celebrate Saint Nicholas Day. We started it when the children were very young. To teach them about sacrificial giving and to give them a little something to help them hold in their excitement until Christmas. Our tradition has been to bake cookies and give them anonomously to neighbors. We have lots of neighbors who live alone or are single parents. Then we put candy coins and a little present in our children's stockings. Since the children are getting older and we do a lot of volunteer services I thought we would stop this little tradition. You would have thought I had said I was canceling Christmas when I suggested this. So, the General and I decided to get a cute joke gift and the candy coins and continue this tradition. I was in A and N one day and came across red union suits. The General and I decided this would be a cute gift. I bought four, one for the General unbeknowst to him. Since he and Captain Cool wear the same size I embroiderd my little pet name for him on his. This week when we celebrated Saint Nicholas Day the children got a great laugh out of the red union suits. The last laugh was on me though. They loved them and have been wearing them under their clothes. This has become especially a nice thing since the temperatures have fallen in the 30's here during the days.

This morning I need to embroider a stocking and mend a hole in one of the General's work coats. I have loads of other work to do, but Captain Kitty and I will have most of the day to ourselves and plan on getting some shopping done. Then this evening our Sunday School class is having a Christmas party.

Sew Long for Now!

What a whirl this holiday season is right now. I am sewing of course. People seem to wait until the last minute and then they need it right now. I guess I am guilty of the same so I shouldn't bemoan them. I finished embroidering the cutest t-shirts for a family having a baby this week. I hemmed a concert dress for a girl in a local college's children's choir. Now I have a parka to make for some one for a Christmas present. I also have 10 pairs of pants to hem for a man. Last night a girl came over and tried on her dress for the vintage ball that needs taking in. We are also going to the vintage ball. I ordered two tricorner hat blanks this week for the General and Captain Cool. This weekend I go in search of material to make the outfits they will wear. I wonder if I will have time to make myself a dress? Besides that Monday night we went to Captain Cool's CAP banquet. Tuesday we spent the day at U.Va. with the Neuro Opthomalogist about the General's diagnosis. Wednesday was shopping and Awana. Tonight the General and I have a Christmas dinner for one of his employers to attend. Tomorrow night we are going to Scrooge. Saturday our Sunday School class is having it's Christmas party and Sunday evening we will be attending the movie "The Nativity" with members of our church. Our church has bought out all the tickets for two showings at a local theater and may need to do a third. I certainly hope next week slows down some. I have so much still to do.

Sew Long for Now!

My friend Deb over at Mountain Musings ask about our favorite Christmas tree ornaments. I love all ours. As we put up the tree I can look back over 20 years and they each have a story and remind me of things. As I pondered this I came to the conclusion that this is my favorite ornament. This is our first Christmas ornament as a family. My husband and I were married in 1986 and thus began it all. Each year we buy or make a new dated ornament. The ones the children were born are extra special also.

Sew Long for Now!

This a picture from last year's marketplace. Friday night we had around 650 visitors. Saturday they had around 1250 people. It is a wonderful fun thing. My husband played a Roman soldier Friday night and Saturday. As part of the act our oldest son is a prisoner and he pretends to go in the jail and beat him. Saturday when he came out he said several little boys ask him if he had whipped Jesus. My husband tried to explain to them that he had whipped a prisoner for not paying his taxes. The boys just couldn't understand so he had to tell them that if the walked through the market and got to the end they would see baby Jesus in a manger. It is fun to act a part and interact with the people. One interested sewing tidbit. Last year I bought literally thousands of yards of material for costumes. I bought some bargain fabric because I was spending so much money. I washed my costume after wearing it two days straight last year. I didn't bother to try it on before Friday. It had shrunk four inches in length! LOL. Next year I will need another costume. The children's concerts went well yesterday. I have to smile looking at my calendar for the next week. I have sewing to do, of course, but we have commitments every night. I love the Christmas season. I just I wish I knew how to make it less hussle and bussle.

Sew Long for Now!

Five broken needles and one hurt finger later, here is one of the Roman soldier top pieces. I made four of these. I also made four belts, but we decided yesterday afternoon they didn't look right. So here in a minute I will redo them. Last night I also shortened four of the red capes from last year that we are using. This pleather stuff is hard to sew through. It is really hard when you are sewing through several layers. These are all lined with the same fabric. I ended up using my walking foot to sew these together.

Tonight 7-10 is the first performance of the marketplace. The youngest two have singing school practice today also. Tomorrow the General and Captain Cool are in the marketplace. Captain Kitty has a violin recital and then Captain Kitty and Captain Chaos have a singing school concert.

Sew...sew long for now!

My friend Ann has written an e-book of devotionals for use with a Jesse tree. We have been doing this type of devotionals every year the last several years. We usually make a big tree on paper and color the pictures to go along. This year we are using Ann's e-book. We printed the pictures that go with each days devotions. We pasted them on two different colors of card stock cut out with fancy scissors. We lamenated them and put organza ribbon through the tops to hang them on a small table top tree in our kitchen. The tree has white lights and a few free standing lace ornaments I made last year.

I just finished the Roman soldier costumes at 2:30. Rehearsal is tonight and tomorrow starts our Bethlehem Marketplace. I will try to take a picture of my Roman soldier later to show the outcome of the costumes.

Sew Long for Now!

This is a picture of one of the vinyl totes I was ask to embroider.












This is what we came up with doing. My friend Debra at our local Bernina dealer agreed with me that embroidering on the vinyl was not going to work. My concern was getting the bag to stay at the hoop when embroidering. She mentioned that the needle hools would preferate the bag and cause it to tear. I had not thought of that. She suggested embroidering on something that didn't ravel and sewing it down. I bought some suede to match the black trim around the photo holes and embroidered the names in tan on it. It was still hard to attach it through the several layers of vinyl, but I got it done. I was so relieved the customer was pleased with them. Besides this I have been working on the Roman soldier costumes. They are taking more time than I anticipated. I have also been working on Jesse tree ornaments, but they are made out of paper. I need to go supervise supper preparations.

Sew Long for Now!

Greetings! I have been missing in action. Oh, it has been so busy. There was Thanksgiving of course. I spent the morning cooking and then we loaded up the food and went to our friends home to share the afternoon with their family. It was really nice. Friday morning the General and I were out the door at 4 a.m. to go shopping. We had a great time and got almost all our shopping done. We always go to Ihop for breakfast on this day. I had their Colorado omelette, it was great! In the evening we put up our Christmas tree and watched a Christmas movie together as a family. Saturday I made it to JoAnn's by 7 a.m. for more shopping. Then I spent the day embroidering stockings. Sunday I was feeling under the weather and spent the day in bed. Today between cleaning and making sure the children were doing their lessons I have been working on the Roman soldier costumes for the marketplace...this weekend! I have like three days to complete these. Ikes! I also have four bags to figure out how to embroider by tomorrow morning. They are vinyl and I don't think I can embroider on the bag. I am heading out soon to take the children to their extra singing school practice so I will be going by JoAnn's to find a way to do this.

Sew Long for Now!

561. Suffering in my life that God has used to make me grow more
562. Reminders of what Jesus did for me
563. My insignificance in the universe
564. My significance in God
565. People God uses in my life
566. Words that spark a memory
567. Time
568. Long johns for the boys to keep them warm when they work outside
569. Boots to keep our feet dry
570. My oldest son fixing supper last night for me
571. My daughter cleaning up after supper last night
572. My youngest son cleaning up his room when he was ask the first time
573. My husband going to the store so I wouldn't have to for the second time that day
574. Rugs to walk on when the floor is cold
575. Traditions that help our family to remember the significant things in our lives
576. Turkey roasting bags
577. That jellied cranberry stuff in cans
578. Hearing the birds chirping in the early morning hours
579. Krogers doubling coupons
580. A night out with other stay at home Christian women
581. Vinegar
582. Baking soda
583. My kitchenaid mixer
584. People who are willing to step out and stand up for what is right
585. The Truth
586. Knee high hose
587. Being loved for who I am, not what I look like
588. Faith
589. Home made cookies
590. Home baked bread
591. Warm rolls with butter melting on them
592. Better yet, warm biscuits with butter melting on them and a slice of home grown tomato
593. spellcheck
594. Money that still has "In God We Trust" on it
595. The Pledge of Allegiance
596. Vacation Bible School
597. Summer camp
598. Tennis
599. See saws
600. Walking in the spring rain with an umbrella

I had a great weekend at the craft show. I always enjoy doing the shows that I am at myself. I get to meet and talk to people. My friend Lisa from Groggy Froggy came and saw me. She was kind enough to buy a couple of my items. Now I have to get caught up on my customer sewing. Yesterday I embroidered pieces of sashing for a lady to put in a quilt she is making for her granddaughter. I also cut out part of the Roman soldier costumes for Market place. This morning I have to go out and get a zipper to put in a leather coat for a some one who's broke. Then I have to cut out the rest of the soldier costumes. Tonight is our stay at home women's group from church. We are all bringing the craft items we sell and seeing if anyone wants to buy them or order from us. The children are going to the nursing home to help with a Thanksgiving party. So much to do the next two days.

Sew Long for Now!

521. a new beginning each morning
522. being able to get out of bed
523. having a comfortable bed
524. the feel of cool rich dirt between my toes when I am gardening
525. my husband wrapping his arms around me for no reason except he loves me
526. a good sappy movie and crying while watching it
527. a good sappy book and crying while you read it
528. devotional books to help you
529. reading out loud to my children
530. laminating paper
532. bulletin boards
533. duct tape
534. patterns
535. grandfathers who care and call often
536. sharing a laugh with your mother
537. stories of family from the past
538. diaries and journals
539. electric candles in the windows of houses on dark nights, so beautiful
540. Christmas trees all lit up
541. a dated ornament for each year of our married life
542. decorating the Christmas tree and sharing the stories behind each ornament with the children
543. Pumpkin pie with whip cream
544. apple pie with vanilla ice cream
545. Beyers all natural vanilla ice cream
546. sweet potato pie
547. cd's to listen to
548. houses decorated with Christmas lights
549. going to see the same Christmas decorations each year as a family
550. traditions
551. dentists
552. a warm winter coat
553. friends who bring you a meal when you are sick
554. being able to bring a friend a meal when they are in need
555. a kind word
556. blowing bubbles
557. laying in the grass watching clouds float by and talking about what they look like
558. making snow angels
559. making ice cream at home
560. going out to get ice cream at the parlor

481. twin calves playing in a field
482. watching a newborn colt try to stand
483. the softness of a horses nose nuzzling your hand
484. a kitten purring against your ear
485. watching a bird soar in the air
486. bright stars in a dark chilly sky
487. sticking you feet in chilly creek on a hot summer day
488. the sound of water flowing down a creek, bubbling over rocks
489. the sound of crickets at sunset
490. a pot of petunias blooming on the front porch
491. making cookies with your children
492. a radio station that plays Christmas music 24 hours a day starting the week of Thanksgiving
493. A good sale
494. childhood memories of riding in the back of a pickup truck
495. bagels with cream cheese
496. people who still wave when you pass
497. being able to renew your car tags over the internet instead of waiting in line at the DMV
498. sledding down a big hill
499. hot cocoa when you come in from the cold
500. book shelves
501. Godly parents
502. Rocky Mountains
503. guardian angels
504. chairs that roll
505. soft baby chicks
506. The Good Shepherd
507. Advent Calendars
508. the warmth of candle light in a dark room
509. the wind billowing the sails of a tall ship
510. baby's breath in a flower arrangement
511. a good laugh
512. bikes for boys to ride
513. children swinging high in a swing
514. watching the fish being fed at an aquarium
515. carriage rides
515. jingle bells
516. kites flying high in a cloudless blue sky
517. sitting under an umbrella on the beach
518. wrapping paper
519. tape
520. bows and ribbons

I finished 3 aprons yesterday. I didn't get any more sewing done. I went to the Bernina club meeting last night. Oh, lots of ideas. I just wish I had more time to sew for myself. Maybe soon. Today I am going to tag my craftshow items and get everything packed up to go.

Sew Long for Now!

442. zoos
443. zebras
444. fun fuzzy yarn
445. bright yellow sun
446. full harvest moon
447. a big yawn at bed time
448. wool yarn
449. warm wool material
450. felted wool
451. waffles for breakfast
452. blow hair dryers
453. curling irons
454. round brushes
455. lipstick
456. make up to cover my not so good days
457. waterfalls
458. white falling snow
459. my sin being washed as white as snow
460. cotton blossom scent from bath and body works
461. oil of olay face wash
462. vaseline
463. yesterday
464. tomorrow
465. today
466. old quilts
467. tea
468. beautiful china tea cups
469. the scent of a rose
470. salt to season food
471. popcorn
472. Subway subs
473. the Manger
474. bird nests
475. butterflies
476. trashmen
477. October
478. love
479. kittens
480. homemade jam

Yesterday I completed 18 tissue holders. I cut out five or six Christmas aprons. I also embroidered names on four stockings. Today I need to put those aprons together and work on some more stockings.

Sew Long for Now!

401. sister in law
402. mother in law
403. father in law
404. fuzzy slippers
405. Birkenstock sandals
406. Birkenstock clogs
407. cookbooks with spiral bindings
408. aprons
409. electric stoves
410. the cross
411. dangly earrings
412. gospel music
413. Bible teaching on the radio
414. double folded packaged biased binding
415. the freckles across the nose of my youngest son
416. the green eyes of my daughter that match her father's
417. My 6 foot something tall oldest son
418. green rubber clogs with flowers on them
419. raincoats
420. hand knit hats
421. sewing clubs
422 the history channel
423. HGTV
424. DIY network
425. Extreme Home Makeovers with Tye
426. Jamestown's 400th anniversary
427. Pilgrims
428. all ready plucked turkeys
429. the smell of home made bread
430. denim skirts
431. the heater in the car
432. books on cd
433. children who help with household cleaning
434. children who help each other out
435. chess
436. checkers
437. Monopoly
438. Scrabble
439. Risk
440. Uno
441. Dutch Blitz

Yesterday the youngest two and I went with several other homeschool Mom's and their children to a local nursing home and hosted a party. We usually help at this nursing home, but in another part. This time we helped with people who are not doing well. It is so bitter sweet to see people in this position.

My sister is starting a food bank where she lives and she came up yesterday to get a donation and help from our local food bank. She didn't have enough room in the vehicle they brought to get all the stuff back so she called us for help. Captain Cool helped her. It was his first time driving by his self so far from home. He did great of course. Before he left Senator Allen's office called to set up an appointment with him for an interview. Captain Cool is trying to get a nomination to the Air Force Academy next year. We are praying that if this is God's will all will work out.

The only sewing I did yesterday was to cut out and start making tissue holders. I really thought the one pictured above was cute with the snowmen's faces on it. Today I need to get more done.

Sew Long for Now!

361. quiet of the house before anyone else rises
362. quiet of the house after everyone else has gone to bed
363. beautiful pinks in sunrises
364. beautiful oranges in sunsets
365. sun rising over the ocean
366. snow falling on the beach
367. double rainbows
368. God's promises
369. Our country's flag
370. Star Sprangled banner
371. a child hugging an old man in a wheelchair
372. making crafts with nursing home patients
373. a sister who loves Jesus so much she wants to serve others
374. A grandfather who will drop everything to help his grandson
375. a phone nearby just in case while your 17 year old drives 100 miles away on his own
376. fellowship with other women who have similar goals for their families
377. creative people who share their ideas
378. safe interstates to drive on
379. State Police officers
380. Fire fighters
381. Paramedics
382. police officers
383. sheriffs
384. soft green grass
385. sweet juicy oranges
386. high school marching bands
387. symphonies
388. ballet dancers
389. Christmas music
390. The Nutcracker ballet
391. Scrooge
392. a local church who puts on Scrooge every year free of charge and takes a love offering instead to support local agency that helps people in trouble
393. The Rescue Mission
394. Goodwill
395. Samaritan Inn
396. Habitat for Humanity
397. RAM House
398. small girls twirling battons in parades
399. fireworks
400. fishing with your Dad

321. crockpots
322. sausage gravy
323. humming birds
334. grocery lists
335. to do lists
336. Proverbs
337. afternoon naps
338. Tylenol
339. Allergy medicine
340. vaccum cleaners
341. paper towels
342. dishtowels
343. smiles through gaps of children who loose their teeth
344. boy's imaginations
345. the sense of taste
346. thank you notes
347. Christmas cards
348. getting surprise gifts
349. giving surprise gifts
350. The Holy Spirit to help me
351. prayer
352. crochet hooks
353. Bamboo knitting needles
354. People who work at nursing homes
355. priviledge of volunteering at nursing homes
356. smiles of senior saints
357. hands of old women
358. holding hands with my husband
359. artist who paint beautiful paintings
360. great paintings from the great masters

This morning I took Captain Kitty to the hair salon. She decided recently she wanted her hair cut. I put it off for a while because I thought she was just fooling. You see the last time I had her cut she cried for a week. She meant it, so last week I called our beautician and set up an appointment. She had 12 inches cut off.
My 11 yo is looking oh, so grown up! Yikes! She is turning into a young lady. She lost 12 inches of hair and two teeth today. What a day. We are donating her hair to Locks of Love. I embroidered a book bag and hemmed a pair of pants so far today.

Sew Long for Now!

The baby shower I went to was held a place called Beads Indeed. Instead of the usual shower games we all made jewelry! I made the necklace and earrings above. That was a pretty neat way to hold a shower.

Today I have to work on things for craft show number 2. I also have to embroider a book bag. Oh, and cut out tunics for our church Bethlehem Marketplace.

Sew Long for Now!

241. Sherando Lake
242. Lazy summer days spent at the lake
243. building sand castles
244. walks in the woods
245. hikes up Humpback
246. riding the bus up Peaks of Otter
247. riding down the Blue Ridge Parkway
248. sitting in the shade of a big tree
249. overlooks with gorgeous views of the Shenandoah Valley
250. going to the pool
251. going on a picnic to the mountains
252. hiking up Dragontooth
253. going to the range with your husband
254. hiking DOWN Crabtree Falls
255. taking the children to the Fish hatchery
256. riding down country roads
257. riding in the car with the windows down
258. trips to the Grandparents farm
259. trips to the Grandparents in Kansas
260. clean rest stop bathrooms
261. fields of wheat waving in the wind
262. farm land for as far as the eye can see
263. museums
264. historical landmarks
265. ancestors who had to courage to come to an unknown place
266. hymns
267. Sunday School teachers
268. Sunday morning fellowship with other believers
269. Sermons that move you
270. Missionaries
271. people who volunteer in the nursery
272. Greeters
273. nice seats to set in in church
274. Sunday naps
275. Sunday comics
276. coupons in the Sunday paper
277. testimonies of believers
278. caterers
279. birthdays
280. cakes
281. presents
282. Christmas
283. Advent
284. bikes to ride
285. gardens
286. home grown tomatoes
287. fresh picked green beans
288. home grown cucumbers
289. freezers to store food in
290. book sales
291. snow
292. sleds
293. shovels
294. building snowmen
295. bare trees standing still in winter
296. the promise of buds on trees in the spring
297. football games
298. soccer games
299. baseball games
300. basketball games
301. blogs
302. journals to write in
303. spiral bound cookbooks
304. zoos
305. walking in the sand along the shore
306. horses to ride
307. riding the waves in the ocean
308. a new Easter outfit
309. sun rise service on Easter morning
310. turkey on Thanksgiving
311. Ham on Easter
312. traditions
313. Civil Air Patrol
314. Community Colleges
315. Colleges and Universities
316. Beauticians
317. Locks of Love
318. planes to fly across the country to visit relatives
319. a faithful pet
320. rowboats

Oops, here is the link to the blog with the tutorial, stardustshoes.

This morning I got up at 6 a.m. to fix the Generals lunch and sit with him for a few minutes before he went off to work. It dawned on me that I had a baby shower to attend today. I had no present! The baby is going to be a boy. There were twins, but one passed away early in her pregnancy. She had talked to me about making a bumper pad and such for the room. She wanted it in John Deere fabric. She then found one on ebay already made. I decided that since I knew they liked John Deere and I had some fabric to make her a pair of booties using the tutorial over at Stardustshoes. They came out so cute! It took me about 1 hour to make these.

Later I took Captain Chaos over a friends to spend the day. Captain Kitty and I went shopping and then out to lunch. We had a great time. We found some great deals on clothes for her. I also found a cute baby hat and mittens to match at Target. I also added an ornament that says "baby's first Christmas 2006."

Off to the shower. Sew Long for Now!

201. crisp blue fall skies
202. pumpkin scented candles
203. ceiling fans
204. air conditioners
205. gas grills
206. legos
207. soft juicy pears
208. sweet ripe bananas
209. old photos of past generations
210. frig magnets
211. mail order catalogs
212. fresh hair cuts
213. hills for climbing
214. trees for climbing
215. smiles
216. tears
217. morning kisses and hugs
218. spending the day with a friend
219. shopping with your daughter
220. eating lunch out with your daughter
221. pizza buffet restaurants
222. shoe stores
224. mark down racks with great choices
225. being pregnant
226. baby showers
227. baby booties
228. tutorials
229. earrings
230. bracelets
231. Christmas ornaments
232. puzzles
233. gift wrapping
234. dvd's
235. dressing rooms
236. parking lots
237. cart racks
238. mittens
239. plastic tubs for storing things
240. feather boas

Here is a close up of Captain Kitty's doll dress. It shows the hand embroidery she put on it.
Here is a shot of her whole dress. I finished the shirt alterations. There were 12. Today my sister is headed to town. Depending on what we do I hope to get some embroidery projects done.

Sew Long for Now!

The past 24 hours has been a rush to finish the doll dresses for our three dolls. Of course I waited until the last minute. The two I did are finished, Captain Kitty is still working on hers. She wanted to hand embroidery on the dress. I hope to finish all the shirt alterings for one customer and take them to her this afternoon. The vintage ball tickets go on sale today. I see myself working the last minute to make the General's and Captain Cool's outfits. I wonder if I will have time to make a gown for myself?

I used the same pattern to make both dresses. Simplicity 4364. This was a fairly easy pattern and it went together quickly.

I took this close up to show that I lined the jackets with material to match the dresses. I truly hope the little girls who receive these will be blessed and enjoy them. I hope they enjoy the material as much as I do.

Sew Long for Now!

121. soft pillows
122. snuggling with your husband
123. good night kisses from your children
124. hugs from a son who is almost a foot taller than you
125. kisses from a small boy
126. fun sewing with your daughter
127. cars that drive you places
128. grocery stores
129. friendly check out people
130. well stocked grocer shelves
131. food you can buy and not have to worry about the safety of
132. a nice comfy chair to sit in
133. people who volunteer in Awana
134. youth leaders
135. preachers
136. scripture memorized
137. unseasonal warm weather
138. sound of a violin
139. sound of a piano
140. sound of a guitar
141. sound of children's voices singing together
142. veterans
143. active duty military people
144. volunteers who help with singing school
145. violin teachers with enthusiasm
146. telephones
147. cell phones
148. volunteers who make doll clothes for the Salvation Army
149. The Salvation Army
150. Heifer Project International
151. Muscular Dystrophy Association
152. Muscular Sclirosis (? spelling) Association
153. Cancer Research
154. Graham Association
155. Volunteers for Christmas shoebox project
156. Christian music artist
157. blank paper
158. crayons
159. markers
160. colored pencils

81. hot showers
82. soft towels
83. snuggly bathrobes
84. dishwashers
85. microwave ovens
86. boxed cereal
87. milk in a jug
88. refrigeraters
89. freezers
90. sale ads
91. TV weathermen
92. coupons
93. sergers
94. sharp scissors
95. different size sewing machine needles
96. rulers
97. rotary cutting mats
98. Rotary cuters
99. scissor fobs
100. different color threads
101. different weight threads
102. magnetic pin holders
103. flower head straight pins
104. silk straight pins
105. tissues
106. glue guns
107. paper towels
108. cotton material
109. bias binding
110. lace
111. rick rack
112. mini irons
113. a good iron
114. heat set tools
115. zipper foot
116. walking foot
117. chocolate candy bars
118. radio stations
119. pin cushions
120. patterns

Sew long for Now!

Today's sewing so far has consisted of hemming tops for some one. So far I have finished 6 and there is still a pretty good pile. Her daughter's sleeves are too long. I am hoping to work on the doll dresses later today. I also would like to cut out a new black skirt for myself. After this break I am off to history study with the youngest two.

Sew Long for Now!

41. flannel sheets
42. the smell of snuggle fabric softner
43. a manual washer
44. an dryer
45. an alarm clock
46. a snooze button
47. an electric toothbrush
48. scrambled eggs with cheese
49. coffee for my husband
50. soft rain falling
51. the smell of rain in the Spring
52. soup in a can
53. Awana books
54. all those who came before us that paved the way to homeschool
55. curriculum that makes homeschooling easier than a decade ago
56. well written books
57. being able to order library books over the internet
58. Libraries!
59. Librarians who remember you and your children
60. Story time
61. Book stores
62. Authors
63. Publishing houses
64. Teacher's Manuals
65. Swifter sweepers
66. Teenagers maturing
67. Older siblings who willing play with their younger brother
68. Warm coats
69. Gloves
70. Umbrellas
71. soft sweaters
72. computerized sewing machines
73. embroidery software
74. embroidery designs
75. treadle sewing machines
76. rayon thread
77. embroidery floss
78. sharp hand needles
79. thimbles
80. bobbins

My good friend Ann over at Holy Experience has invited us to join in making a list of a thousand blessings. I would like to attempt this. I have been blessed so much by God that I would like to put some of them in writing.
1. A Savior
2. Grace
3. Forgiveness
4. A patient loving husband
5. children
6. A house to call home
7. a church family
8. great friends here
9. great friends over the internet
10. a husband who works hard and unselfishly for his family
11. A Bible to read
12. heat on a chilly fall morning
13. freedom
14. priviledge of voting
15. mail in my mailbox
16. e-mail in my in box
17. choices
18. sight
19. hearing
20. tasting!
21. feeling (physical)
22. feeling (emotional)
23. hot running indoor water
24. being able to read
25. being able to write
26. being able to walk
27. sister's who listen
28. food enough to feed the family
29. clean water to drink
30. clothes to wear
31. a voice to praise God
32. ability to sew
33. the soft feel of fleece
34. time to sit and talk to a friend
35. being able to knit
36. warm hand knit socks
37. colors!
38. the smell of new babies
39. the laughter of little children
40. a computer

Sew Long for Now!

What a busy weekend! I finally got around to cleaning the sewing room. It was quite a mess after all the sewing frenzy. The children participated in the Awana Derby. They didn't win any awards, but it was fun. I think the best part was their oldest brother spent the time helping them design and paint their cars. He will be leaving to go to college next year and times like they spent working on this will be memories they will cherish. We had family movie night Saturday. Sunday morning Captain Cool helped in Captain Kitty's Sunday School class. Then Captain Kitty helped in children's church. Captain Chaos went over to a friend's house after church. Sunday afternoon Captain Cool had his PT test for the AFA. Next thing I knew Captain Kitty was going over a friend's house. When the General got home from work he was tired and lay down for a while before he went to church. Finally, about 7:30 everyone found their way home and we had supper!

This morning Captain Kitty and I finally found time and cut out our outfits for our Salvation Army dolls. We have been doing school work and house work also. I have some business sewing to work on later so it will be tomorrow before we begin to put them together. I included a picture of the materials we are using above.

Off to do Language Arts.
Sew Long for Now!

Yesterday a new friend from church came over. She wants to learn to sew. She has a 3 yo and a 6 mo. We spent five hours together. I was able to show her how to wind a bobbin, thread the machine, oil the machine, change the needle, measure and hem pants. It was a little difficult with younger children. Captain Chaos kept her youngest busy no problem, but the 6 mo had a hard time. She didn't want either of my oldest two holding her much or playing with her. Oh, how I easily have forgotten those days.

Today I have so much I need to do, so much I should do, and so much I want to do. There is some house work that has to be taken care of. Captain Kitty and I still haven't gotten our dolls dressed and they are due next Thursday. I have loads of sewing for others and more on the way. I think instead of stressing about everything I will just do the next thing.

Sew Long for Now!

We are back from our trip to U.Va. The results? My husband, the dear General, has to have more tests. They say he has a form of MD, but he has symptoms that could make it one of three different types. They have ruled out one and are working on ruling out another. They did a DNA test yesterday. Hopefully, we will have the results in a few weeks.

Besides that we had a glorious day together! We went out to eat lunch. We did a bit of window shopping in Charlottesville. We drove home the old route instead of taking the interstate. It was an absolutely beautiful fall day to do this. The air smelled so good. We stopped at Rockfish Gap store and I wanted one of all we saw. I settled on this book. It was originally printed in 1920. My copy is 1926. I can't wait to read it. I have skimmed through it and it is full of wonderful jewels.

We had supper with my parents. My Momma had kept the youngest two at her house while we were gone. They fed the horses and took off across the fields in the farm truck to check the cows. When they came back to the barn Momma had to back the truck up. There is something funny about the farm trucks reverse and no matter what they tried they couldn't get it in gear. Momma laughed about them leaving the truck down at the barn and having to walk up over the rest of the fields to the house. Their excitement of the day! She let Captain Kitty and I raid her stash of lipstick. She buys perfume and they give her lipstick with it. She never wears much so she had a basket full of lipstick that we picked from.

Momma also showed me an article in their local paper about the ladybug problem we encountered here. The article was not promising. It seems these swarms of ladybugs have moved in up and down the mountains. They live 3-4 years and lay 300 eggs apiece each time they lay. The writer of the article ended by saying that next spring the amount of ladybugs looks to be even more. One survey estimate them at 10,000 per acre on the day they swarmed!

Well, off to do some chores then on to sewing!

Sew Long for Now!

I am getting together everything I have finished to turn in today for craft show #1. I tried to load a picture, but blogger will not let me right now. I will take a few days off craft show sewing. Tomorrow is a trip to my folks and U.Va. Thursday and Friday I need to work with my daughter to sew outfits for three dolls for the Salvation Army to give as Christmas gifts. I need to start getting together our shoeboxes for the Graham Christmas ministry. I think after Sunday when I see what sold or didn't sell at this show I will begin again. That will give me 12 days until the next show.

Sew Long for Now!

Yesterday I only got four aprons completed. I cut out 13 new bags. I ran my errands, then in the afternoon a friend came over for a visit. Later we had family movie night. We watched "Over the Hedge" for the first time. I have to finish those aprons today. I am running out of time. I have to have everything tagged and turned in by Tuesday. Tomorrow is church, Tuesday night is Family Fun Night, and Wednesday we have to drive up to U.Va. My husband has a doctor's appointment there.

I loved the material I used for this apron. I tried to lay it so you could see the bottom of the apron. It has a nice scalloped edge.







I couldn't forget the men. Here is one of the Bar B Q aprons I make for men. I am also making some out of Nascar material this year.

















This is one of the bags finished with a snap on it. I like this material combination. You can't see so well in this photo, but the centers of the flowers on the base of the bag are ringed in black. I thought that went well with the black snap.













Last, a picture of my new chairs. Today is my birthday and this is what the General gave me for a present. They recline back, but do not rock. We had two rocking recliners in the Living room. We have three children. Rocking Recliners and small children equal banged up walls.

Sew Long for Now!

Happy Birthday to our favorite family pet! Our dog is now 13 years old. She doesn't look a day over 10 does she?

I over slept this morning. Yikes! Yesterday I finished all the bags I had cut out. I finished two aprons and sewed up the ties for four aprons. I wasn't feeling well and I had to take the children to singing school and Captain Kitty to violin lessons. So I took an evening break from sewing. I also fell asleep. Needless to say I couldn't go to sleep at bedtime then. I was up sewing until 1:30 a.m.

I have to go to the grocery store this morning. One of the most dreaded chores in my life. Next comes cooking. LOL! I need a few things from JoAnn's and then I have to get back home and sew. Today my goal is to finish at least six of the aprons I have cut out and cut out some more bags. So it's off to work I go.

Sew Long for Now!

Aprons and bags. I have been busy sewing aprons and bags. I finished four aprons and one hooded brown robe for a Jawah (some Star Wars thing) costume on Tuesday. Yesterday I worked on putting together 11 bags.


Here is one of the bags almost complete. I needed to put the snap on and tada! I am going to use the snaps you have to hammer on. I tried one on a finished bag and it works lovely. I have 9 more bags in various forms of completion to work on today. I also have 13 aprons to work on. Then I need to cut out more bags and more aprons. Craftshow season is a busy time.

Sew Long for Now!

As a Christian we are to go the extra mile for people. Sometimes that is a difficult thing to do. I didn't get much sewing done yesterday because the lady I digitized the design for wanted it tweaked. I should have told her I didn't have time to do the design in the first place. I did one for her last year and she wanted change after change after change. I spent most of yesterday on the phone with her and changing her design. I redid it six times and sent it to her. In all I got less than $1 per hour to do that design. She later confessed she was very picky and that she wouldn't get someone on the internet to do it for her because they wanted $10 per 1000 stitches. The design had 8000 stitches. I talked to the general last night and told him I did not want to do any more designs for her.

I did manage to finish 3 aprons. Here are two that I thought were just as cute as could be. It's a Mother/daughter set.

I must get a lot done today.

Off to sew!

Sew Long for Now!

I have been working hard. I finished altering a prom dress. I digitized a design. That process involves quite a lot of work including sewing out the design and working out the bugs. I also cut out 20 aprons and finished sewing 4. I am hoping to sew aprons and cut out more bags today.


This is one of the full aprons. I included a picture of a close up of the material below.

This is some cute fabric. It has a gold glitter in it.
Well, I am off to work.

Sew Long for Now!

Yesterday we decided to escape the city for a while and go up to the mountains. The trees are beginning to turn and the sky was that beautiful autumn blue, who could resist.

On the way up into the mountains I mentioned several times to my husband about the multitude of gnats. He replied that it had been raining for days before and the moisture had brought them out. HAH! When we got to our destination we noticed ladybugs landing on the car.

Not only landing on the car, everywhere. When we got out of the car we all got covered in ladybugs. The children were trying to brush them off. They were on my glasses, in my pockets, I even had to get them from under my shirt! Swarms of ladybugs were everywhere. I felt like I was in some horror movie, "Attack of The Ladybugs." They tried to fly in our ears, they tried to fly up our nostrils. We tried to walk, but after 20 minutes of fighting off the ladybugs we tried to brush them off and jump in the car. We were not quite successful and the car had many ladybugs in it! Going back down the moutain we were trapping and putting ladybugs out the windows. That was the wierdest experience I have had in a long time.

I did get some sewing related work done yesterday. I digitized a design for a lady and I cut out 7 bags, 6 tissue covers, and 6 key chains.

Sew Long for Now!

As I was uploading some pictures of cards we made at our stamping party last night I found two pictures I forgot to post yesterday. With the bags I also made a coordinating tissue cover and key chain.

These match the lining of the bag. I also cut out four more bags yesterday afternoon. I have material ironed and layed out to cut out another four today.

Sew Long for Now!

I hadn't realized how long it has been since I last blogged. It's been pretty busy around here lately and I just lost track.

This is an apron I made for the craft shows. I loved the fabric!


















And finally...a bag I am happy with. This is the bag I am going with for the craft shows. It is lined and has three inside pockets. I am still thinking about how to secure the flap. I don't want to use velcro. Now, I have two weeks before the first craft show and 4 items made.

Gotta get to work!

Sew Long for Now!