Believe it or not....

.....but I am still alive and kickin'! 

:) Elizabeth

9-11

10 yrs. ago I was at home sick in bed, when my dad called and woke me up with the words "get up, we're being attacked!".  The rest of the day was spent wrapped in a blanket in front of the television along with my college roommates in stunned silence. The following day, I went back to my student-teaching assignment. By the time I had completed my 9 weeks of student-teaching, several of the young men in my high school choir had enlisted in the military.  The urge to avenge our country was their new focus in life. I have had many students since then serve in all branches of our military. I am very proud of them, but I often wonder what their path would have been if the attacks of 9/11/01 had not occurred.

Now 10 years later, I stand in front of my students, ages 5-18. It is an odd sensation to realize that the majority of these 'babes' were just that, babes, of whom have never known a life without war, and the fear of terrorism. How sad, and unfair.

I "will never forget" 9/11/01 and I pray for a future where our children can remember the events of our nations past, with honor, pride and reverence, but that they too will never have to utter the words, "I will never forget"........

"Dazzling Dishcloths!"

Yup, suffering from my crafter's ADD! On to crocheting dishcloths! 

Here is the book:

Here is my version of "Spring Meadows". The pattern calls for 2 strands of size 10 crochet cotton, however I used 1 strand of a slightly thicker cotton. (no, I didn't forget one of the picot edges, it must have gotten folded under as I moved it around to be photographed)

This next one is the "Pineapple". Again, the pattern calls for 2 strands of size 10 crochet cotton.  I only had 1 skein, so, that's what I used. This is probably the most complicated pattern I've done in a long time, so don't look too closely - I'm sure you may find a few mistakes!

 Here is a picture of the two side by side so you can see the difference in size.

I don't know about you, but I believe they are much too pretty to be used as dishcloths!

Well, thanks for stopping, come again, and take care! - Elizabeth

And there's more....

Purchased some zipper tape today and am going to experiment with dying it different colors.  It is hard to find the color of zipper I want in the length I need, so time to play!

I'm sure you're getting tired of my zipper flowers, but I did buy some beauteous corduroy today that is just dying to be made into a purse......as if I need another!

Take care, thanks for stopping, and come again! - Elizabeth

Favorite?

I'm thinking this white one is my new favorite!

Which one(s) do you like the most?

Thanks for stopping, come again, and take care! - Elizabeth

Addictive

Be prepared, you might see some more of these!

Take care, and come again! - Elizabeth

Zipper Flower

I know I'm a little behind the fad of the "zipper flower", but I'd thought I'd give it a go.

A little lopsided, but not too bad for my first attempt.  This is the only zipper I had on hand that would fit the length requirement, but I would like to try one that has the metal teeth as those really "pop", and it adds a little extra "bling".  If you are interested in a pattern, just google "free zipper flower pattern".  There are a ton of sites and videos that will instruct you on how to make many different styles!

Now to make a purse to put it on......

Take care, thanks for stopping, and come again! - Elizabeth

The "Cut Up" Prt. 2

Well, after making my Halloween quilt, I decided I needed a Christmas one.  And...since I did have a Christmas layer cake........Wah-lah!

"The Cut Up" done with Christmas Layer Cake. 
Click any of the pictures for a closer look.

A few of the blocks

One of my favorites!

 I think the blocks ended up looking like presents!  If I get really ambitious I may applique some gift tags on the plain squares?? Now to find the perfect backing material? 

What else have I been up to? Well, I have attacked my house.  The garage, kitchen, dining room, and living room have been decluttered and purged.  I still have my room, the bathroom, and possibly the basement (if the motivation lasts that long) to go! Sounds like fun doesn't it.....not really, but it's getting done.

In my last post, I talked about a little run in involving the lawn mower.  Well, the lawn mower saga continues....first a little background knowledge for you.  In all, I mow 4 1/2 lots, or in terms of time, it takes me about 2 hrs. Yes, that's a lot of mowing! 

Anywho, I had mowed 3 1/2 of the lots, drove the mower across town to mow the last lot, put the brake on, put it into gear, and it would only go in reverse!  Yes, IN REVERSE!!  I tried everything - only backwards would my lawn mower go! After all that mowing and driving across town it THEN decided to go wonky!  I was so irked and irritated that I was momentarily tempted to go ahead and mow my lawn in reverse, but then the thought of providing the town with that much amusement, at my expense, kicked in.  Word travels fast in really small towns........(and by small, I mean 300-400 people on a good day!).

On a positive note, the lawn mower is now fixed and awaiting our next grass-trimming session.  However, I may have to take a baseball bat to it if it chooses to act up again any time soon.....I'm just sayin'!

 Well, that's all for now! Thanks so much for stopping, please come again, and take care! - Elizabeth



Trick or Treat!

Started this quilt top last Saturday, and finished it today!  The pattern is called The Cut-Up and the fabric is Trick or Treat (sorry I can't remember the designer of the pattern or fabric - if you would like more info., let me know, and I will get it to you!) 

 Here's a close up of the fabric.  Click on the images for an even closer view.

Maybe, just maybe, I'll have it quilted by Halloween!

I can't believe it is Friday already!  Summer vacation is going by way to quickly!! Did I mention there was a fight between a tree and a riding lawn mower the other day?  Did I also mention that I was the one driving the lawn mower?  No? Well, there was a fight, and yes, I was the driver.  Let's just say the tree won = ouch!  One must duck a little lower when driving under tree limbs.  I swear I gave my self whip-lash! I can't tell which was injured more - my ego or my head/neck! Ah well, live and learn!

Well, that's all for now.  Take care, thanks for stopping, and come again - Elizabeth

Vacation!

The school year is over!

My Dad always give me a bad time saying "you teachers get it so rough having your summers off!".  My response is:  "Do you know how many childless parents there would be if teachers didn't have some time away from their students?" - not that I would EVER harm a student, but the thought of hanging them by their toes for awhile has crossed my mind :)

The last week of school was a little bittersweet.  It was hard to say goodbye to some really great kids, and co-workers.  Others, not so much. This quote comes to mind: "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.... " (Bilbo Baggins and his farewell speech in the Lord of the Rings).

Believe it or not, I've already done some sewing.  I've got 20 of 36 squares pieced for a quilt top and hope to finish it up yet this week.  Pictures to come soon!

Take care, thanks for stopping, and come again! - Elizabeth

News

After applying and interviewing for a new teaching position, I have just been offered a contract!  I don't know if I should do a happy dance or sit down and cry! It is all very exciting and scary!

If you've been following my blog, you know that the past few years of teaching have been physically and emotionally challenging.  This year has probably been one of the hardest.  In teaching K-8 Vocal and 5-8 Band, I have been swamped and exhausted all year.  I have never quite felt in control or ever truly prepared, and with my anxiety issues, it has not been a good combination.

For this new position I will be teaching K-12 Vocal Music.  It will still be a very demanding position, but believe it or not, in comparing the pros and cons with my current position, this new one wins!

With this new position, I will only have to drive a total of 40 min. a day versus my current 2 hours!  I will actually be able to be home before 5:00 p.m. if I like! This means I might actually have the energy/ambition to get back into a sewing routine - how nice would that be!?!?

Well, thanks for stopping, come again, and take care! - Elizabeth

I haven't forgotten...

...how to sew!

Twisted Pinwheel Table Runner - using the 5" Twisted Pinwheel Template / Moda's Verna Charm Pack and a chocolate brown border.
(sorry for the blurred picture!)

I have not touched my sewing machine since Feb. 6th and I figured it was time to become reacquainted.  We had a few disagreements in regards to tension, but after I tore her apart, cleaned, and re-threaded her, we got along just fine :)

After unloading and setting up at a local sit-and-sew establishment, it took me about 4 1/2 hours to complete this little top.  I probably could have stayed and at least sandwiched and quilted it, but I had had my fill of sewing for the day.  To continue would have led to mistakes, ripping, and frustration - better to stop while happy :)  Maybe it will get finished once school is out???

I haven't completely decided if I like the twisted pinwheel effect.  It's a lot of work to sew all your squares together and then re-cut and resew to get the finished result.  I really liked the look of just the squares sewn together, but as they became the pinwheels, the colors and design of these fabrics disappeared.  It's definitely a pattern that needs more contrast between fabrics - something to play with another day!

Well, thank's for stopping, take care, come again, and have a HAPPY EASTER! - Elizabeth

Spring

Here are a few pictures of Spring in Northern Iowa. 

Daffodils

Busy Bees

Hyacinth

 Went to a local quilt guild's quilt show today.  Lots of beautiful quilts!  Wish I had the time and ambition to get something crafty done on my end.  Just over a 1 1/2 months of school left with 5 performances to go.......

Thanks for stopping, come again, and take care! - Elizabeth

Easy Table Runner

I first talked about this table runner here, and after seeing Amy provide a tutorial and show several done in fun fabrics, I figured I'd share mine again.

Here's the 10 minute Table Runner - just ignore the wrinkles!

Thanks to all of you for sticking with me during my near month of silence.  I have been overwhelmed with work, and my sewing mojo (any mojo for that matter!) just isn't there!  Things aren't looking to bright for the near future either as I have 6 performances to get kids ready for within the next 9 weeks - no rest for the wicked! 

Take care, stop by again, and sew some for me would ya? - Elizabeth :)

I wish...

.....I was more interesting to visit at the moment!

Sorry!

I'm afraid I have no new sewing/crafting news - just haven't gotten around to doing anything!

Thank you for stopping in however!  Take Care!  - Elizabeth

Strep creeps back.

First, I want to thank you for all the lovely comments regarding my purse!  Thank You!!

Moving on..... I spent all weekend in bed, and just couldn't muster the strength to go to school today. So, to the Dr. I went. Apparently I am on "the verge" of having strep again due to the antibiotics from my first go-around not being quite strong enough to kill all the little germmy buggers!  If this next batch of antibiotics doesn't work, then it's off to an Ear, Nose and Throat Dr.!

Of course this is all happening the week of my elementary parent-teacher conferences.  They're always such a pleasure to begin with, but add feeling absolutely miserable on top of that - STOP THE WORLD, I'D LIKE TO GET OFF! - yes, I know - rather punny that a music teacher would use such a quote :)

Okay, I'm done whining.  Thanks for stopping by, and maybe the next time you visit I'll actually have that purse finished!

Take Care - Elizabeth

Update 2/15/11: 4 parents came to visit me in the 4 hours of parent-teacher conferences this evening.  The Art teacher had 1 parent.  We both see approximately 150 elementary students throughout the week. Hmmmmm..............  It's so very disheartening to see the appreciation of the Arts disappear! 

Purse Pattern Trial

I found this pattern here and decided to give a whirl.

photo courtesy of sewmammasew.com

Here is my version:  Click on the pictures for a bigger view if you like. However please ignore the chalk marks and any rogue strings you may see :)

Front View: 

somehow my measurements got off and my flap runs into my handle brackets..humph!

Back View:

Front View with the Flap Open:

I worked on this at a Sit & Sew yesterday and today and boy this is a labor intensive pattern!  It took me a good 8 hours to get this much done!  I still have 2 pocket dividers to cut, prep, sew and insert.  Maybe at the next Sit & Sew it will get finished....?

Thanks for stopping, come again, and take care - Elizabeth :)

3 Words...

Strep Throat Stinks!

To whomever felt the need to share their germs with me: 

 I like to think that I am an open and welcoming type of person however, the need to share/pass on your germs, has crossed the lines of friendship, kindliness, etc.  I ask that you never, ever....ever....ever share with me in this format ever, ever, ever again. Or, when I start to feel human again, I may have to do something like....well, it will not be pretty. Just thought I'd let you know in advance.

Here's to good health and wanting to swallow normally (that's not too much to ask is it?) - Elizabeth

Product of Procrastination

Another Dish Cloth....not rag... (Hi Heckety!). 

Rather than do all of the things I should have been doing, like laundry, dishes, cleaning the house, oh and lesson plans, let's not forget those lovely things....I chose to try out another dish cloth pattern. 

I was in a crafty mood but needed something to do that:

1. Did not require a lot of time.  I did need to get to some of the previously mentioned chores.
2. Very few tools. I was lazy! I didn't want to drag the machine or fabric out.
3. Required little brain power. What? Think? Ummm, not today thank you! (I even cheated and did not add the final 2 rows!...don't tell anyone!)

And ta-da, instant gratification.  :)

Thanks for stopping!  Come again, and take care! - Elizabeth

Evacuation.....

WHEN: 9:00 a.m.

WHERE:  Middle School Gymnasium

WHO:  Approximately 220 6th, 7th and 8th grade students, faculty, staff, and guest speaker.

ENVISION: Principal comes swiftly in with that look (you know the look - the something is very, very wrong look).  She has a quick word with the guest speaker and then turns to the crowd and says, "we need to evacuate the building right now". 

EVERYONE, including the guest speaker and all of his gear, calmly (surprisingly) filed out of the building to a church across the street.  Re-set up the speaker's equipment and went on with the presentation. The cooks even managed to bring over food to feed the lot!

Long story short, it was NOT a bomb threat, but a pretty substantial gas leak (it was to the point where it had started to make some staff and students light-headed, although we hadn't discovered the cause yet).  The gas company was called, they had the part to fix it, and we were back in the building by 12:15.

If an evacuation could ever have "perfect timing" I truly think it happened today.  In having a guest speaker, the majority of the kids where "entertained" and "contained" within 2 rooms.  Can you imagine trying to find enough areas to hold classes and teach?

Well, one would hope that after all of the morning's excitement things would start to calm down....right?  WRONG!  I had just made it back into the middle school building when I had to pack up and head to the elementary building.  Which by the way is in another town about 8 miles away.  So I'm driving along and my car started to act up - to the point where I did not know if I was going to make it!

Another long story made much shorter-I did make it home by a "wing and lots of prayers", the car is at the mechanics, and I have wheels lined up to get me to and from work tomorrow.  Oof-dah!  What a day!

Believe it or not, I did get something creative done today!  Say hello to a new "retro" dishrag

Not very exciting I know.  It actually looks nicer in person.  It's hard to tell from the photo, but there is somewhat of a pinwheel pattern in the green section.  The pattern calls for a Front Post Stitch, of which I had no idea what I was doing - I must not have done too bad, as it looks pretty close to the pattern.

Well, I have kept you all long enough!  Thank you for stopping by and please come again!

Take Care - Elizabeth

Fixed?

Okay, I think I have the "comment" issue straightened out.

In going through the "setting" options, it said I could leave the comments embedded at the end of the post if the post pages were not disabled. Um.....mine were not disabled, so therefore all should have worked just fine - Right? - Wrong! Go figure! Anywhoo, if you'd like to leave me a comment, I believe it will work as a pop-up window.

Thanks for your patience and understanding. I hope I did not have any of you thinking that I did not want or appreciate your comments, 'cause I love them!

Take Care! Elizabeth

Oh No!

It has come to my attention that some of you lovely people have tried to leave me comments with no luck! How rude and frustrating! I'm not sure what is wrong, but I am looking into it!

Thanks - Elizabeth

My Mamma Bear Made Me....

... Mittens!

Poor Mamma Bear was covered with fluff by the time she finished sewing them - sherpa sheds something fierce when cut! But didn't she do a nice job? The sherpa makes them warm and oh so very soft and cuddly on the inside. Just what I need, as my fingers do not tolerate the cold like they used to!

Well, thanks for stopping by! Come Again and Take Care - Elizabeth