I am sorry it was quiet around here. We took off on a short trip. At first we thought we were crazy for leaving. 4 inches of rain fell in 5 minutes. It had been raining for days on and off. On the road we drove through some period it rained so hard you could barely see the front of the car. About 1/2 hour before we reached Jamestown the rain stopped. It stayed nice long enough enough for us to visit the historic Jamestown settlement. We tried to go to Yorktown the same day, but the heavens opened up and it poured again. By the time we got to the hotel it had stopped raining and the children got to swim in the pool. The next day was very nice to visit Yorktown Victory Center. Then we went to the Aquarium at Virginia Beach. That evening we drove home. It was a whirlwind trip, but very enjoyable.


The gang in a native American dwelling, posing with a bear skin.

The General with Captain Kitty and Captain Chaos on the Susan Constance.












The captains on the Godspeed.

Trying out a canoe. I missed a picture of the snake that came by right at this time. The female interpretor went crazy. She called security. We got a kick out of it.

I haven't finished downloading the Yorktown pictures. I will get some up soon. I did play around with making one of the vinyl bags last night. I don't like the way it turned out. I am going to get another zipper and try it a bit different.

Sew Long for Now!

I have found this in my stash

I cut out 16 strips. 8 of each. I also cut out 12 strips. 6 of each.




Sew Long for Now!

I liked Randi's idea on get real Monday. What would my shoes have to do with sewing? Here is my favorite shoes. Now these have little to do with sewing. A few years ago I was diagnosed with bone spurs on both feet. It was a so painful. Between the physical therapist and changing to wearing Birkenstocks I now have no pain. I love these shoes. The General thinks I might should start buying some that are more colorful and cutsey. The ones I have are pretty plain.















These are the reason I thought my shoes would go with my sewing blog. My friend Debbie turned me on to crocheting flip flops last summer! She went bonkers and made 100's of pairs. I made Captain Kitty several pairs and I made these three for myself. These are my fun shoes that I wear when I don't plan to walk far or be on my feet much.

I have to run work on a skirt I am making for some one. I will try to post some cute "purple" fabric later.

Sew Long for Now!

My friend Linda from ASG left a comment on my post about the shirt I was making for myself. She mentioned how Sandra B. says when using stretch fabric to add 3-6 inches of ease. I tried on my shirt for the General yesterday and told him what she mentioned. My husband is really good about listening to me and helping me. He probably knows as much about sewing as I do. He sits in the room with me a lot and works on the computer while I sew. When I showed him my problem he suggested I add some material to the sides under the arm. So I did. The shirt is much better now! I might even wear it out of the house. I love being able to post something and some one has an idea how to fix it. Thanks Linda!

I also worked on a skirt I am making for a lady at church. It is going to gather really nicely. I made a black one for her the other day. Now I am working on a tan one.

Sew Long for Now!

I am not a miracle worker, only God is. I have some clients who my husband jokes sit around at home trying to think up impossible sewing tasks just to stump me up on. Today I worked on a project for one. She brought me four clear vinyl cosmetic bags that she wants me to change the diminsions of and change the color of the zipper on, but, leave the bag basically the same. After several hours and two zippers later I threw up my hands in aggrevation. I can't figure out how if I make the bags as little as she wants I can put a zipper in and not cut the bottom. I have come to the conclusion that I am going to the store and buy some clear vinyl, bias binding, and zippers. Then I am going to make the bags from scratch my own way, but with her colors and diminsions. Good thing she told me to charge her whatever I wanted! (Evil grin)

Sew Long for Now!

I am all shopped out! This morning after working in the garden I went to SAM's club with the General for our bi-weekly shopping experience! Grocery shopping is just something I really don't like to do, but seem to have to do often. I always wonder at the work involved. You have to go through the store and pick out your items. You have to unload your items on the checkout. Most of the times these days you have to bag your own groceries. You have to load them in your car. When you arrive home you have to unload them. You have to put away the groceries. To top it all off then you have to prepare the meals. It seems very labor intensive. After putting everything away, fixing and cleaning up lunch I went to K-mart. I went in search of some clothing items I saw in their sale flyer. While there I came across some great sale items.


I got all the these dishes for a total of $10. I really like Martha Stewart items.








These are all white with an embossed acorn design on them. A napkin holder (I use for outgoing mail), a small serving bowel, and a pitcher.







I have been wanting a glass butter dish. This one has Hydrangeas on it.








I also found this set of MS stainless steel pans for $28. Almost as good as thrifting!






I did not sew anything today. I did take in more sewing. I am making 4 dresses for little girls to wear in a wedding in August.

Sew Long for Now!

This morning the children and I worked in the garden. They worked there yesterday morning and helped a lot getting the weeds under control. Today I started tieing up the tomatoes. They are finally starting to grow. I had to go out and get some more stakes. I used to use tomato cages. I found that I really didn't like them. This year I am trying stakes to see if I will like them any better.

The General assigned the youngest two papers to write and I had to help Captain Kitty do some research on the web for her's today. She had a hard time finding information on the first winning horse in the Kentucky Derby. I even had problems finding enough information to write a one page paper on him. Captain Cool is no longer a captain in Civil Air Patrol. He got promoted to Major last night. Since these cute names we use all got their beginning there he wanted to be called something else bysides Captain Cool. I told him that I was Major Momma so he would have to stay Captain Cool here.

I watched Madagascar with the children this evening. We had never seen that movie. It was cute, but, I wouldn't have missed any sleep if I never saw it. After that was over I told them I had to go sew. I finished hemming another jacket. Both the bottom and sleeves. I worked on making a skirt for some one. That serger sure did make the construction so far a breeze. Last I spent some time working on my shirt.

It's all done except the hem. I tried it on. Remember it is a slinky thin knit? I lined the top with the same fabric and that took care of the ability to see through the material. The slinky part...well, I may never wear it in public. It clings to every curve I have. These are curves that I do not want seen. I am not a small lady. I have parts that I purposely cover up. I don't know if I like this pattern. I can't judge by this top. I might make another one in a cotton and then decide if it is really a becoming style or not.

I need to work on my homemaking notebook. I also need to work on planning next years school.

Sew Long for Now!

Today we had our stamp club meeting at my house. We made two really cute cards. It was sad though. The lady who does this is going back to school to become a teacher. She doesn't think she will have time for all the planning involved. She is one of the most creative people I know in real life. Good thing she only lives a few blocks from me, goes to church with me, has children who are friends with mine, has a husband who works with mine and who is the youth pastor to our children...shweee I thought I might not get to pick her brain or use her stamps!




Love the beads on this one.
















When you pull the tie on the bottom of this it folds up and shows you a cone under the chocolate scoop with the words "happy summer."




Sew Long for Now!

I forgot to add a picture of my "find" in Martinsville at the Sewing Studio.

I got this for $5. It has winter bags in it, but, I think I could make them in any material. I love the one in the right bottom corner.

Sew Long for Now.

All my chicks are back in the coop. Sun burnt, but, back. We went to the lake yesterday after picking the youngest two up.
This has always been my favorite view. The island at the lake.









Here's the General in "cool mode."








Here is a shot he took of me looking silly!









Here's Captain Cool being what else-Cool!








Captain Kitty being silly!








Captain Chaos all wet!

Today is my last day of being childless! Hurray! I have missed the little devils. I talked to my Momma tonight. It took her a week, but she finally wore Captain Chaos out. He was a sleep at 9 p.m. when I called. They went to the lake today and then this evening my neice in law took them horse back riding. Captain Kitty said she missed me and was ready to come home. Ah!

I finished the last two shirts I needed to embroidery for my nephew. The same nephew who is married to the neice in law who took the children horse back riding. My family is very complicated. I have two real sisters. I have had six half brothers. My half brothers have three half brothers and 3 half sisters that my parents have also had to deal with due to abuse. I have 23 nephews and neices and as of last year I have 16 great nephews and neices. I tell people I come from the original disfunctional family.

I also worked on a shirt for me.
Don't you love those beautiful stitches! Especially since this material is a very thin very stretchy jersey. It just stitched right up. I love it when things work right! Tomorrow we go to N.C. to pick up Captain Cool. The General is going to take me past Martinsville so I can go to a sale at the sewing place there. I heard from a friend today that it was a great sale. I have been wanting to check out this place, but, since it is a bit far from my house I have never been. Since we will be going by there anyway I get to go!

Sew Long for Now!

Today was errand day. I had a lot of running around to do. I didn't get much sewing done. I embroidered 3 more shirts. I hemmed a jacket for a lady. The cool thing about this was using my new serger to hem it. I was able to figure out how to make it sew a cover hem. Way Cool! Neato Man! LOL, or as the children would say, Awesome, Rad Dude! One of my errands this morning was to my sewing machine dealer and they were asking me about new owner classes. I will take them in the future, but, don't expect me to just stare at the machine until then!

I finished reading Stepping Heavenward One Woman's Journey to Godliness by Mrs. E. Prentiss this afternoon. That was such a great read. I could so relate to her struggles of trying to be more like Christ and failing only to have to try again. One paragraph at the end really spoke to my heart: "And when I entered upon the sacred yet often homely duties of married life, if this love had been mine, how would that life have been transfigured! The petty faults of my husband under which I chafed would not have moved me; I should have welcomed Martha and her father to my home and made them happy there, I should have had no conflicts with my servants, shown no petulance to my children. For it would not have been I who spoke and acted, but Christ who lived in me." Oh, to learn from this in my own life!

Speaking of children. I have spoken to our youngest two every evening. Last evening my Momma sounded quite upset. It seems Captain Chaos had coming running in the house saying he couldn't breath. He had went out side with his goggles and snorkle on and tried to suck up dirt through it and it caused him to choke. Later she went outside to feed the horses and found him with her trowel digging large holes all over the back yard. He felt it was his duty to rid her yard of all the ant hills! Today Dad and Mom took them to town. My parents raised many children, but the youngest of those is 42 so it's been awhile since they have had to deal much with an active little boy!

Sew Long for Now!

Today was a good productive day, well sewing anyhow. Last night I stayed up until 1 a.m. cutting out a pattern. Captain Cool called at 12:05 a.m.! He didn't realize there was a 2 hours time difference. He sounded very happy. Did you know Martha comes on at that time of the night? I saw an episode on giving a baby shower that was pretty good.

I embroidered 3 more shirts for my nephew. I ran out of iron on poly mesh so will have to run over to Alpine tomorrow and pick some up. I put new elastic in the waist of a pair of pants and hemmed a lined jacket for a lady. I cut out a shirt with the pattern I cut out last night. (I think the worst part of sewing is cutting out patterns.) I also made two pin cushions using the instructions from the ASG meeting last Thursday.

The one with the pink center is the one I made at the meeting. They had the supplies all cut out and in baggies, you just grabbed one. The two below are the ones I made today.











Of course I had to change the directions a bit to make it more efficient for me. I think I will try some more later. Tomorrow I would like to start on a new wallet. I ordered the pattern called "A Safe Place" from Favorite Things and it came in the mail.

Sew Long for Now!

Our oldest son has made it safe to Colorado Springs. He is only staying a week. This is called the summer seminar. It is for potential Air Force Academy Candidates. You have to turn in a resume and PSAT scores and be picked to attend. If all goes well and he receives a nomination he will attend the academy next year. This is a very difficult process. Only so many people from each state are selected each year. Since it is an all expense paid college education it is very competative. We have prayed a lot about this and we feel this is God's will for his life. If God wants him there next year, He will make it happen.

It is so quiet here with no children. I am feeling a bit lonely. Not bored, never bored. I am just not used to so much silence. I spoke with the youngest two just a little while ago and they were full of tales of riding horses on the farm today and the Grandparents taking them to Tasty Freeze. They are hoping the Grandparents will take them to the lake tomorrow. Granddaddy will not let them swim in the creek because a lot of debris has washed down during some storms over the winter, that and he has a couple of bulls that seem to be aggressive. He doesn't want them in the field with them.

Today I got up about 5:30 and worked in the garden. With the blessing of the weekend rain came weeds. I got through about half the garden this morning and plan on finishind the rest tomorrow morning. I embroidered 3 shirts for my nephew. I took in and hemmed some pants for a lady. I also finished the blue bag for the exchange student who is going home this month.

I added a cloth flower to this one. It looks cute. The material I used has a lot of blue and tan in it. In the photo it looks more black.

I hope to cut out some patterns tonight. We will have to see. I am running out of hours today.

Sew Long for Now!

I am waiting to cook supper, then we are going to take a nap. We are leaving at midnight or 1 a.m. to take Captain Cool to Greensboro to catch a plane. His flight leaves at 6 a.m. He is headed to the summer seminar at the Air Force Academy. I didn't sew today, but, I did go to JoAnn's...does that count? I thought I would answer this while I waited.

1) FIRST NAME? Cynthia
2) WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My middle name is after my grandmother
QUESTION NUMBER 3 DISAPPEARED AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE TO FIND IT!
4) WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? I can't remember
5) DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? No
6) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? thin sliced deli ham
7) KIDS? 2 boys and 1 girl with 4 in heaven
8) WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I don't know, I would hope so
9) DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Only in this blog
10) DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Define a lot
11) DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Well, that's a hard question. I had them removed, but they grew back. So, I actually don't still have them, but have them again
12) WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? NO!
13) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? We don't eat much cereal here so I don't have a favorite
14) DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?No, I wear birks
15) DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Neither in the physical or spiritual sense
16) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Breyer's All Natural Vanilla
17) SHOE SIZE? 12
18) RED OR PINK? Both please
19) WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I can be so unorganized that I waste a lot of time
20) WHO DO YOU MISS MOST? My Grandmother
21) DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Surely!
22) WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? I never wear pants. I am wearing a blue jean skirt with my brown birk sandles
23) LAST THING YOU ATE? I stuck my finger in the icing of the carrot cake in the frig when I was getting something to drink
24) WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The neighborhood children laughing outside
25) IF YOU WERE A CRAYON WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Green
26) FAVORITE SMELL? Cotton Blossom
27) WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My children and Mother as they are staying at her home, or was it my father-in-law?
28) THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Whether they are friendly and talk
29) DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I found it on Mrs. Wilt's blog, 30) FAVORITE DRINK? Diet Dr. Pepper
31) FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Deep sea crab fishing
32) HAIR COLOR? Cooper Brown
33) EYE COLOR? Light Brown
34) DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No, just glasses
35) FAVORITE FOOD? I have to pick just one! Strawberries
36) SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings. Always
37) WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Blue
38) HUGS OR KISSES? Both please
39) WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
40) WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
41) WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Sense and Sensibility, 7 Habits of Highly Affective Families, Hidden Art of Homemaking, Stepping Heavenward, and the Homemakers Companion
42) WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? No mouse pad
43) WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? What Not to Wear and Red Green
44) FAVORITE SOUNDS? Birds chirping, rain falling, children laughing
45) ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Neither
46) THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Canada or Mexico, I don't know which was farther
47) DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? No, I am just ordinary
48) WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Oct. 28 in Waynesboro, VA.

Sew Long for Now!

I tried to post Wednesday, but blogger had a hiccup. Thursday was very busy. Thursday night was ASG meeting. We made these cute pin cushions that I will post a picture of later. Captain Cool got his drivers license. Today we are headed to my folks to drop off Captain Kitty and Captain Chaos for a week of fun with the grandparents. I finished the digitizing for my nephew and will meet him at my parents to get some shirts to embroidery for him. He lives just a couple miles from their farm.

I have been battling a sinus headache several days this week and it has really put a damper on my productivity and creativity. Since I will be home alone for a week I hope it leaves soon because I have so many tasks I would like to get caught up on.

Sew Long for Now!

I am pleased to announce the newest addition to my sewing family...



My new serger. This machine is way cool. I have had fun playing with it today. My old serger would not do a chain stitch or a cover stitch. Half the time it wouldn't do an overlock stitch. This machine is a breeze to thread compared to my old one. I did actually get some sewing done today, not just playing on scrap material! I worked on the blue bag. I did the pockets and the handles. I also hemmed a jacket bottom and sleeves for some one.

The problems with hemming an already made jacket can make it a bit overwhelming to some. I had to remove pockets that were patch type, but, sewed in the seams on both sides of the jacket because they where too close to the bottom and the new hem would have sewed them half shut. I had to figure out the hem and mark it then figure out where the pockets should go with the new hem. I had to rip the side seams out and reinsert the pockets in the seams then sew the pockets back to the front panels of the jacket. After I got that done, I proceeded to finish the hem. The sleeves were lined. So to shorten them I had to take the sleeve and lining apart and measure and cut the sleeves then mark the new hem line. Next I had to do the same thing with the lining. I hand sewed the lining back to the sleeves so that it would look professional. Altering is not the funnest thing in the world, it seems some times it would be easier to make something from scratch. There is a market for it though.

Yesterday I didn't get any sewing done due to a terrible sinus headache. I have had quite a few of these this spring. I hope what ever is blooming finishes up or it rains more to wash some of this pollen away. Even Captain Chaos awoke Sunday morning with a sinus headache so bad it made him feel sick to his stomach. The General stayed home with him while I went with our other two to church.

Sew Long for Now!

Yesterday I took Captain Cool to SAT's. Captain Kitty and I went to a used curriculum (homeschool) fair. I found some good deals. Not everything I need for next year, but, most. Captains Kitty and I checked out a few yard sales and A.C. Moore while waiting to pick up CC. The General and Captain Chaos had gone to help our friends in Thaxton do some electrical work. When I finally arrived home I was tired. I didn't get much else done yesteday. I finished a pair of socks I was knitting for Captain Kitty.


I don't think you can see in this picture, but, the ribbing on these socks goes in a spiral. I bought the yarn on clearance last year and got the last skein they had. I didn't know what I was going to do with it. CK ask me to knit her socks out of it. I told her there was not enough for two complete socks so she picked out the denim yarn to go with it. She wanted it like some store bought socks the boys have that have grey toes. I think I should have made the toe area littler, or the whole foot the denim. CK is happy, she hasn't taken them off since we came home from church.









Today, while watching a movie with CK and her friend I crocheted this dish cloth. I figure at this rate, if I use up all the bits and pieces of yarn I have, I can buy some more! Or maybe this can qualify as one of those use what you have kinda things!

Sew Long for Now!

I feel pretty good about today. I accomplished some sewing. One of the things I worked on took up the majority of my day, but, I am very pleased with the result.




A friend brought me this shirt and bolero. The bolero is made out of a very slinky knit. She wanted me to embroider something on the bolero to give it a little umph to go with the shirt. I had some iron on polymesh and I had to put it up under the interfacing. I used iron on stabilizer because this material had ALOT of stretch in it.
















This is what I came up with. I used a Criswell lace design and embroidered it directly on the jacket. I added a little detail of gold metallic thread on one side, you can't see it so well in the photo, but it gives it a touch of sparkle. I hope she will be pleased. I hemmed two jackets for a woman while some of this was embroidering.

The funny thing about people finding out I sew is they are always asking me to do things for them. When the General went to the doctor this morning for a followed up visit I went along. Our doctors nurse ask me if she had my permission to look up my phone number and address on my records and call me next week about doing some sewing for her and her mother. I told her sure. God truly does bless our family through this.

We are having grilled salmon, corn on the cob, and family movie night tonight!

Sew Long for Now!

This morning Captain Kitty got her hair trimmed. This is the first time in about five years she has gone to the hair saloon. She is so afraid they will cut her hair short. Her hair is about to her waist. I found a great stylist though. The stylist herself has long hair so she was very respectful of CK's wishes to keep her length. CK's hair looks really nice, she still has her length, and the stylist showed her how to curl it with a curling iron to make it look really cute.

I hemmed two shirts for customers this evening. I fixed the straps on a dress for some one. I repaired a bib type thing used in the daycare at church. I embroidered bookmarks for teacher gifts. I even got the sides pieced for the blue bag. I was worried I wasn't going to be able to sew at all with all the lightening and thunder here. I don't like to turn on my machines with storms. It finally calmed down and the sun even came out.



These are going to be part of gifts for the children's Sunday School teachers.

This is the bag I am doing for the exchange student who is going home. I need to finish it by Sunday.

Sew Long for Now!