simple Analogy

Buttercup Bag Winner

Gracious, that's what you all are!   I received so many nice comments from you not only on my Buttercup Bag, but also on my blog, on my writing style, on my sewing skills, and on the kids craft along.  I'm overwhelmed at the response.  

Congratulations to Emily Greenall, the winner of the buttercup bag!  I will contact you for an address and will mail the bag to you on Wednesday (my post office day). 

I'd like to welcome those of you who are returning after finding my blog during the giveaway.  I hope you'll join me here regularly for lots of crafty summer fun.  Again thank you for playing along.  Here's to a wonderful summer!

Buttercup Bag Giveaway

Yay, yay, yay!  It's giveaway time!  Why do I love giveaways?  First, they are so fun.  Second, to say thank you to my readers.  I have enjoyed getting to know many of you through your comments; you are always so encouraging.  Thank you for spending time with me here.

This cutie patootie Buttercup Bag is perfect for a summer day on the town - small enough not to get in the way, yet large enough for the essentials. 

Details:   bag is 7 1/2 x 11 inches, hangs 16 inches from shoulder, reverse applique on front, fabric covered decorative buttons, free motion stitching, magnetic snap closure, interior pocket

Leave a comment for your chance to win!  Winner will be randomly chosen May 31st.  USA residents only, please. 

Stop by Sew, Mama, Sew to enter some other great giveaways!  Only the master list hasn't been posted yet.  I'll let you know when!  OK, it's there!  Go have fun!

Just Awful

What could be more awful for a boy of ten than to have to learn to play the Wedding March on the piano?  I don't know about your boys, but mine are loathe to weddings!!!  For Noah, playing the Wedding March was almost too much to ask.  But it's a classic, and play it he must.  

One night he retreated to his room to practice his songs for the week on his digital piano.  I heard everything BUT the Wedding March.  When I asked if he had played all his songs, he boldly answered, "Yes." 

Thinking I was going to have to deal with outright lying, I asked, "What about the Wedding March?"

"Oh, I practiced it."

"I didn't hear it," I countered.

Smiling, he said, "I turned the volume down so I wouldn't have to hear it!"  Ingenious!

So, again what could be worse for my ten year old than the Wedding March?  How about a second grade girl saying he was cute.  Oh yes, it all happened in the same week!  It just about did him in, poor boy!

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Be sure to check back on Wednesday for a giveaway!!!!

The Troupe

First position, girls.

 

They are ready to tippy-toe on over to Nicaragua.

 

We had our first sewing session yesterday.  My niece, Ruth, is very conscientious and did a great job!  She did all the sewing and my sister-in-law and I turned out and stuffed the girls.  We hope our troupe will bring smiles to four little girls.

Raise the Cone of Silence

In Get Smart, the cone of silence always brings confusion and frustration, but our cone of silence has brought completion of the dreaded research paper.  This morning, Landon and I entered the school room with the knowledge that no one would leave that room until the paper was done.  Noah was given the command "NO NOISE AND NO INTERRUPTIONS" which is a great challenge for him.  Landon was given the command "FOCUS".  I gave myself the command "PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE".

Raise that cone cause it's DONE!!!!!!  We need some fireworks here, people!

Setting Grommets

If you can set eyelets in paper, you can set a grommet.  The only difference is that a grommet is bigger and you have to hammer way harder. 

  

This pattern came from Stitch and gave me the push to try setting grommets.  Mine turned out a little smaller because I didn't want to haul myself out to a real copy machine to enlarge the printed pattern.  It was supposed to be enlarged 250%; I could only manage 200% on my printer/copier.  It turned out plenty big at 14 x 14.

I'm so proud of myself for using my hoarded stash of Amy Butler fabric for this one along with a smidgen of Good Folks.  I am selfish with my AB's.  I buy them and never make anything with them because then I won't have them any more.  Foolish, I know!  But this bag is going to Michelle, and I wanted it to be special.  She is a godsend to me during Bible study.  She takes care of the snack each week which is one less thing for me to stress over.  Really and truly, Michelle, you are such a blessing!  Thank you, thank you!

Hello, Dolly!

My 12 year old niece started learning to sew while they lived in Ohio.  Now that they have moved back, she and I are going to be doing some sewing together.   Our first project together will be making dolls for the Craft Hope Project.  I sent her home with fabric scraps and pattern pieces to cut out.

 

I did a trial run on Saturday.  These little dolls are adorable, but the arms are challenging.  Turning them out and stuffing them was tricky just because they are so tiny.  I did follow Meg's sage advice on basting the arms/legs, but even then I had to reattach the arms a second time.  To me her arms look like she's just begging for a little girl to hold her.  Or maybe she's pretending to be an airplane - look at those arms sticking straight out!   We'll have to work on better placement this time around.  I think we'll be ready to sew on Thursday.  Wish us luck! 

Pillow Talk

I picked up my new Stitch magazine yesterday.

I've had pillows for the living room in the back of my mind for a while.  After reading this magazine I'm ready to buy fabric and make it happen!   I'll for sure make the one on the front cover using my newly acquired improv skills.  There are  several other great pillows inside too!  The round one out of fabric wedges is a favorite as well.  So far my living room is very neutral, but that is about to change with these pillows!  I've gotta hunt down some great lime, orange, white fabrics! 

Oh, and my gallery wall is almost ready to come together.  Still making the final choice on which pics to use.  That and the pillows should brighten up the space!

Endings

May is a month of endings...

AWANA - The awards ceremony happens Sunday and Noah has a script to learn.

Landon's research paper - These things are ETERNAL and not easy to teach.

Our homeschool year - We will be done by the end of May if it's the last thing I do!

Bible study - It always goes by so fast!

With all these endings trying to happen all at the same time, things have been crazy around here.  But once these come to an end, there will be another ending taking place ... busy-ness!  Not that summer is not busy, but it's a laid back kind of busy.  I could use some laid back busy right about now!

The pictures have nothing to do with the post, but they are pretty and peaceful!

Happy Mother's Day