Dogs, quilts, shopping, birthday

So, tomorrow is my birthday.  Not really sure how I feel about that..........so I'll skip over this part for now.  ha ha.

I'm off to class with Gabbi.  I haven't done any homework the entire time we've been going to class.  It's terrible!  I just really can't explain where the week goes - time is flying by SO fast for me.

I don't seem to have enough time to keep up with myself.  And when I finally get some time, I'm exhausted.  Today, I just want to go back to bed.
But I have a feeling that's partly due to weather, and partly due to the crappy food I ate yesterday.  Amazingly enough, I'm less hungry lately and I'm not jumping for as much junk food.  But we went out for lunch yesterday for my birthday (we being Rita and I, and her daughter came along too).  I had a blast, but, I ate heavy, fried food and didn't feel so good after.  And today, I feel really sluggish.  I'm realizing that I'm not as happy with that kind of food anymore.........yay!

I have been working on my quilting but I had to tear a whole bunch out cuz the squares didn't match up after the sashing was on.  Now I have to finish tearing out, then try to square up my squares again, and get them exact.  If I can do that, hopefully when I sew the sashing back on, they will come out correctly again..............we'll see.

Ok, so now I'm out of time for the rest of this post, as I have to shut down the computer and get Evan locked up (he hates being locked up alone) and get Gabbers ready to go to class.  She's not happy with me today as we spent some time grooming and she hates it.  But she looks cute.  :-)  She'll learn to deal with it - I just have to be more consistant with doing it more often...........sigh. 

Ok, off I go!

Photography!

Ok, so the weather was just amazing this past weekend, and the butterflies were out, the lilacs had bloomed, and it was sunny and beautiful out.  PERFECT weather, and good photography practice!  I love butterflies.  I love lilacs.  It was so much fun to watch the butteflies flitting around and playing in the air, then landing and enjoying the lilacs. 

This butterfly was hanging upside down.

I really like this picture:

There are MANY more..............

Quilting!

So, I finished my place mats and pot holders for the in-laws. :-)  I think I did ok!  Here they are:

I don't like that when they are sewn, the center front isn't connected to the center back in any way.  Its just weird to me.  Instead of free motion quilting (fmq) I decided to try to mimic the flower in the floral pattern.  That is the flower in the center.  These are the "tops" of the place mats.

Below, is the bottoms:

And, here are the pot holders:

and backs:

I could have done better with the tabs, and I could have quilted them better, but this is what it is.  LOL  I enjoyed making them and will probably make more with this method of quilting (Quilt as you go).

Leashes

Ok, here is the newest thing I've worked on - nope, not sewing (yet).
I decided to try to make my own leash - personalized.  One led to another, and another.  3 different styles.  I like them.  I want to try sewing one to see if I like it, and if so, I'll learn to personalize them also.  Can't make collars yet as I haven't gotten the buckles.  Might have to order them online.........
Round black leash - first time braiding in the round.  No beads - was difficult enough just keeping it going. 

This is the black, with beads, 4 strand flat braided leash.  Its really pretty with the beads.  Below that is the brown softer suede one, with Evan's name!

Sewing Table extension

I've been busy creating - again. Only this time, it wasn't sewing.  I have done very little sewing this week.  :-(  But, I'm doing other stuff, so its all good!

So this time, I created a sewing table extension.  Or a sewing extension table - whichever.

Here it is - 2 pcs of plexi - had the lady at Lowes cut one to the size for the front piece, and then used the back piece and one whole piece for the other parts.  It's like a puzzle but when it is put together correctly, it works SO well! 

Can you see the 3 separate pieces?

It's also portable!

Heavy duty velcro that holds the pieces together- keeps them from shifting.  A piece on each side of the plexi, then one piece that sticks to the 2 pieces. 

All that is on the bottom is pvc - this is all ready cut and has smooth edges on the bottom so no need for putting any kind of felt on the bottom.  And, as wide as they are, these feet create a very stable base.

Pieces separated. 

Here is my audition wall - this is a huge piece of flannel I found at Wal Mart in the excess (already cut pieces) bin.  It was not very expensive, and is the perfect size for what I do.  It is held with 3M hooks that are easily removed from the wall, and pretty binder clips I found at the Dollar Tree - 3 in a pkg for a dollar.

I walked past it a couple of times, that's why it's wrinkled.  Easily adjusted by just pulling and rehaning on the hooks. :-)

Here is the binder clip:

Well, that's it for now.  Another post will have my newest creations.............sigh, I have craft ADHD.  LOL

This weekend

We got a fence built!  It's not the prettiest fence.....that would have cost us around $800.  Not going there.  The fence we have was hard work, but it works and that's all I care about.  :-)
It's so nice to stand on the porch and let the dogs go potty (especially in the rain!  LOL). 
The dogs love it too!  They had a blast running around - Evan ran so hard, he was choking and coughing! What a character.  The down side is, they both got filthy -- the upside was - I have a grooming table now that is perfect for them - and I left it out on my porch so that I can dry them off when they are wet, and I can comb the crap out of Evans loooooonnnnnnnnngggggggg fur!  Hehe.

I made my Easter cards - I am not sending to everyone in the world.  I used to do that, but most of the people I used to write to and send my hand-made with love cards to, don't even acknowledge that I'm even alive.  Whatever.

Anywho, I have to get back upstairs and do some more sewing. Lots of good shows on tonight so I'll be watching those and flipping around!

Quilting

Ok, so, I still have tons to learn.  My quilting is not very good - well, my SEWING isn't very good.  Lets start there!  Sigh.........
Here are my placemats.  I did the two on the right first.  They were downstairs. I have no idea how the two on the left came out with the stripes going the oppostie way.  What the heck?

Ok, so, it adds a little interest anyway................

Here is the hot pad to match.  It also is not my best work.  It was night time and I wanted this project done.  Why I do that to myself, God only knows..............

First time using insulbrite - I also used an extra piece of insul-brite and an extra piece of batting.  No heat should get thru this baby!