Friday, July 31, 2009

NKOTB APPLIQUE

My bestfriend since elementary school visited us with her husband and one of her daughters. We found out New Kids on the Block were in town that week and thought it was meant to be. Needless to say we went, had a blast and giggled our heads off. On a serious note we did feel silly walking down the street in our NKOTB t-shirt. I put a sweater on and Tricia followed shortly after.


I appliquéd the letters on the t-shirts and learned a VERY important lesson - if you are stitching something that will stretch attach every single inch of fabric along the outside and start stitching about an 1/8th of an inch from the outside. When you put letters across your ample bosomed chest missed spots are BLATANTLY obvious.

This little one of Tricia's did not make the trip but Mike and I spent sometime at the beach with her. Just look at that little face.



Monday, July 13, 2009

What a fun weekend.

Mike's Aunt and Uncle gave us free reign of their cottage as a wedding present. The cottage was so cozy and fun. It was even more fun that our friends Andy and Krista, who got married within weeks of us, shared the weekend with us.

Some notable highlights were -

the food:



my hubsters mad steak making skills:




the humming bird outside the kitchen window and lastly,


the view:

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Katie is Getting Married

One of my favorite friends is getting married this weekend and she's asked me to stand for her. She stood in our wedding last year and I hope, hope, hope I'm half as helpful as she was for me.

I've been working away on a summery dress and finally finished it tonight. I'll post the dress later once I've had a chance to hem it.

This is an apron I made for Kate's bridal shower. She complains about not being a good cook so I hope this will bring her some confidence. The pattern came from Heather Ross' Weekend Sewing book.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Blissed out...

I'm having one of those days or even weeks where life seems to be wrapped up in a big blissful ball of excitement and anticipation. I'd apologize for not blogging but I haven't heard any complaints.

My bestfriend since elementary finally came to visit with her lovely little daughter and husband. I spent the entire week seeing the world through a six year olds eyes and stomach. When you hang out with six year olds who are on vacation that entails icecream every single day or just randomly twirling an umbrella for at least an hour at a time.

Just before Tricia, Mark and Ella arrived I made another friend, Jen, a bag for her birthday. Originally I thought she would use it sparingly as a dressy gym bag alternative when she didn't want to lug her cute sporty one around. Oh boy was I wrong - in a very pleasant way. Every time I see her she's wearing it as her regular everyday purse. I'm the type of person who saves things when they are special. Not Jen - no, no, no. She uses the things she loves again and again and then when they start to fade or rip she takes the time or money to fix it and then keeps on reaping mounds of pleasure from it. What a nice way to live your life, eh? If someone asked me what Jen's metaphor for life is it would be - enjoy what you have to the fullest then do something about it when it starts to fade, rip or start to stink. How lucky am I to have a friend who lives her life like this?

This is the bag I made her using fabric she fell in love with and bought four years ago at an outdoor fabric sale. She was going to donate to charity when I asked her for it. Because she's using it so often I'm going to add a pocket and liner for her. Stay tuned for the update.