Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Crafting Friday

http://www.incolororder.com/2011/10/lined-drawstring-bag-tutorial.html?m=1

I felt a little crafty and found this great tutorial to make draw string bags.  The Yarn Harlot was listing knitty Christmas presents and had accessory bags listed. When I saw the cute bags on Etsy, I really like them. But I'm also cheap frugal and refuse to pay $30 for a bag I can make.

I dug through the fabric stash and found this cute Mary Engelbriet fabric. Less than an hour later I had two bags made. Great tutorial and easy to follow. Now my knitting isn't tangled in my bag.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Missing Me?

Oh dear blog, I'm sorry to be neglectful. Part of my neglect comes from knowing no one reads you. :( that's ok, I knew that when I started writing that this was for a limited audience.

The other part is that my school year slammed me up against the wall and drained all my creative thought processes. I have knitted a few scarves and that has really been it for crafting.

Today, I start on a crib dust ruffle for a sweet new family addition. I purchased a ruffler for my machine and I've been very hesitant to start the project. I'm afraid I will really make a mess.

I've also started a new cross stitch piece - Turkey Love by Plum Street Sampler. Can't wait to see it finished.

Well little blog, I'm off to get busy and I'll leave with this closing photo of my last quilt finish.


Location:Malone St,Brush Creek,United States

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Quest for the perfect pancake begins and ends

in my kitchen cabinet! For two years, I've been on a quest for great pancakes, the kind I remember mom making. I've posted lots of pictures on Facebook of my attempts, some successful and some not quite good.

Yesterday, sister and family went to the flea market and I kept seeing lovely Ball and Mason jars as well as cast iron skillets. Many in poor condition. I wish I'd taken a picture of the ABC skillet for shortbread. It was $125 and not in a great condition. But that no longer bothers me, I found a blog post to recondition cast iron http://www.ibelieveicanfry.com/2010/12/reconditioning-re-seasoning-cast-iron.html  But back to the pancakes.

This morning was the perfect morning for pancakes. I seem to crave them on cool fall mornings. Often I eat them on the porch. But they cool really quickly when I do that. I decided to dig into mom's recipe box and see if her pancake recipe was in it! IT WAS!!!

Next I dug into my cabinets looking for a good cast iron skillet, figured a small shallow one would work and I found this griddle!!! I don't remember mom ever using it but I did and my pancakes were awesome! I even added a few white chips to a couple and sliced a banana, heated the syrup and had delicious pancakes.

I didn't take the time to photograph those, I wanted to enjoy them while they were nice and warm. I've had problems with burning them and the flavor just wasn't right. I've used all sorts of recipes. Searched the Internet, used Betty Crocker cookbook, Bisquick mix, you name it and I might have tried it. Now that I've uncovered the griddle and relocated the recipe, I'm seeing more pancakes in my future!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Compassion Blogging

I realize I don't have five people who read my blog, that's ok at the moment. But I have several things I'm passionate about and Jesus is at the very top of that list. I love the Lord and through working with my youth group at church, I became a Compassion Sponsor in 2007.

We went to a Student Life conference in December 2007. Student Life and the worship band really talked about how Compassion was changing lives. Our group was moved by the stories and wanted to sponsor a child. They asked the leaders what they should do and we said Pray! Talk to Jesus. ;)

One of the leaders and I made a Starbucks run and were praying for youth groups we encountered coming back into the auditorium (we were between sessions) and I commented on a big group circled up, holding hands and praying. It was very moving to see, no adults were with them. James recognized them first and said Hey that's our kids.  LOL It was a darkened hall and tons of teen groups around.

We joined them and realized they were praying for the children at the Compassion Sponsorship booth. It was so moving and after they finished they decided to sponsor not one child but two! I was so proud of them. I was so moved that I decided if they could do it, so could I!

I went through the sponsorship kits and because my heart is in Guatemala, I chose a lovely young girl, 6 yrs old and living in a small village north of Coban. I've been sponsoring her for almost 6 years. I've loved getting her messages and sending my own. Her photo is on my fridge and computer desktop. I would love to some day meet her on this earth, but I hope that through Compassion's love and Bible teaching I'll one day get to meet her in Heaven.

I'm proud to become a Compassion blogger. If you are one of my five regular readers, please consider sponsoring a Compassion Child! If you have found my blog through Compassion's links, Welcome and I hope you become as passionate of Compassion and Jesus as I am!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Weekend Quilting

I'm hoping to finish a sweet baby quilt today! So I'm just stopping in to do a quick post and say I've not forgotten the blog. I know I don't have many readers, but I won't have any if I don't post often. :)

I also finished knitting a cowl last night, now I need to block it and sew the ends together. I purchased some awesome knitting books a few weeks ago and I'm sure The Principles of Knitting will walk me through sewing the ends together.

Will post pics soon!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Not Forgotten

I'm still here. I have been busy in my classroom preparing for a new school year. I've also been hooked on Pinterest and Ravelry!  I am so enjoying knitting and have finished three scarves. I currently have a new start that is driving me nuts. I love the yarn but nothing I start looks good with it. It keeps looking like a lump. So I'm going to put it away and start on a lovely thick ecru scarf.

I'm hoping to add the borders onto my crayon quilt and get it to the long arm quilter this week. I want it hanging in my classroom soon!

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Hot Days

After failing the photo challenge, I decided not to worry about restarting it. :) I'm ok with that lack of commitment. I am still finding things to photograph and I'm still keeping up with my summer commitment to go somewhere every other week to take photos.

Thankfully this week, my great friend Joan invited me to Chattanooga. She was there on business and it has been a very long time since we last hung out together. I went down for the evening and we caught up on all the good stuff of life.

When she headed out off to work, I headed out to Chickamauga National Military Park. I'm teaching US History again this year and I decided some photos might help capture my students attention. Here is a sampling of the monuments at the park. (103 degrees when I left at 12:00 pm)









Sunday, June 17, 2012

Oops

I failed the challenge. :) I forgot to take a picture Saturday and don't feel it today! Asher and I are snuggled on the couch. I did finish my scarf. I will post a photo tomorrow along with my challenge photo.

I don't have any pics of Dad on my iPad, I got it several years after he passed away. In his honor I will post a photo from Sedona. I felt dad with me the entire trip. He gave me a great love of Louis L'Amour westerns and I felt like I was living in one the entire time I was there. I know he would have loved the trip.




Happy Fathers Day to all

Friday, June 15, 2012

Day Three and Four

I did shoot on the appropriate days, I was so mad at myself I didn't post last night. More about that later.

Day Three - favorite shoes



Yes, I love Crocs and I had these on yesterday when I worked on the porch.

Day Four - Mother Nature Father Creator



I rarely have two lilies blooming at once. They don't last long and a third is poking its bud out of the water.

Back to being mad, I took a quick knitting lesson a couple of weeks ago. I finished the two face/spa/dish cloths and got very ambitious and started a scarf. I told my sister it was a shame I had expensive tastes no matter what my hobby. She said buy cheap.

I went to a local yarn shop, LYS, and was looking for a heavy yarn to start a scarf. Every skein I picked up was $20+. Because this is my first scarf, I know better than to spend $25 on a skein that will only be worn because its a gift and not because it is a pretty handmade scarf.

But I found a gorgeous silk in a my favorite colorway and decided the first scarf, with all it's flaws should be for me. I bought needles and proceeded to have almost 3.5 feet of scarf knitted when I realized I had some how turned the scarf and was now knitting the wrong side.

I unraveled six to eight inches of scarf last night. Luckily I figured out where to stop and put my needles in correctly. (that part wasn't taught in my class) Today I'm reknitting those unraveled inches, I'm on the phone with sis and Puff decides the shiny needles need to be played with. She's still giving me the innocent look. It took forever to get the needles and stitches in the right spot. I'm still not sure I have the stitches lined up correctly.

I'm just happy I picked a very forgiving open weave pattern. The next scarf is for sis, I hope she remembers she said go cheap. ;)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Day Two

Today was favorite food picture. I played with PS Express on my iPad. Softened the focus and deepened the saturation.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Day One Photo Challenge

I've decided to do a 30 day photo challenge. I Googled challenges and then surfed through Pinterest and finally decided to combine several lists.

Today's photo - green.



This is SOOC - straight out of camera.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Sunday Stitch Day

Stitching of a different kind - what I call a new hobby, women 100 years ago knitted to clothe their families and keep them warm.




My first project complete - a simple dishcloth.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Saturday, June 2, 2012

New hobby

Last summer I decided to get a little more serious about my photography. I took a great class at Watkins Art Institute in Nashville and learned a lot about my camera. I now shoot 95% of the time in manual or out of program mode. Tremendous difference in my ability.

I decided this summer to continue increasing my photography skills by going out and taking pics every other week. I also decided to learn how to knit. I had a private session at sit and stitch this week and started a dish cloth.



My two favorite photo models decided to bring me my knitting last night. I woke up to find this in my bedroom door this morning. Luckily all they did to the knitting was add natural fibers! LOL I hope to finish it today and I'm headed out to take pics at the Belly Rubs Basset Waltz. Going to rub some basset bellies.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Summer Begins

My first official week off from school and I have rested. Wednesday, I met my sister and bil for dinner. We went to a new to me hibachi restaurant.  Dinner was great and I love spending time with my family. We really need to do it more!

I took the day Thursday and went to two local nature areas. I didn't know they were nearby, both were glades and had a rare species of Tennessee coneflowers. These flowers had been on the endangered species list until last fall. They are making a come back in these two glades. Only a few were in bloom but next weekend is supposed to be the peak. I may go back and take more pictures.

I have decided I am going to try knitting. I hope to go Thursday to sit and stitch at the Stitchin' Post and get a beginner crash course! We'll see how I do. I really need another hobby like a need a hole in the head!



I also have a few quilting and stitching projects planned. Several babies are coming and I been surfing the net and going through my patterns. I will post progress soon.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Home Ownership

Ugh! It really has its ups and downs. Two weeks ago I had a fuse blown in the central unit. Came home from work and started making dinner, then I noticed the house was starting to get warmer. That first night was very warm and I was lucky, the second day was much cooler. Sleeping was much easier. 48 hours later, I had a new fuse and cool air blowing.

Tonight I came home to a notice from the water department that my usage had tripled and to look for a leak. I thought I'd heard something running but when I checked the crawl space I didn't see or hear anything. I had washed the porch a week ago and knew I'd used a lot of water. But this afternoon when I went into the crawl space I was hit by an obvious sound of water running.
Luckily, I have an awesome family who comes to my rescue. Between the boys, one came to my house and shut off my water and attempted repair. I'm afraid it will have to wait until tomorrow when parts can be purchased. But it sure is nice to have talented friends and family.
I'm glad the kitties can be comfortable!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Mother's Day

First, let me say happy mother's day to the few people who read my blog.

Today is a bittersweet day. I'm happy to celebrate my mom this day. She was such a wonderful lady. She was loving, kind, resourceful, funny, and caring. Mom taught me so much about life, how to love completely, laugh deeply, and squeeze every drop from the lemons we receive.



She and dad traveled all over the US. Dad's job carried them everywhere. I would visit and be amazed at how quickly she would know all the back roads and shortcuts. She would drive us all around for hours just to take photos or see a historical area. Carmen and I both now have a love of photography she instilled.

Mom, great-grand mother Hattie, and her mother passed down the gift of sewing. They were all wonderful seamstresses. G G Grandmother provided for her family by tailoring suits that were then shipped down river to Nashville and sold in shops there. I have a love of quilting today because of these moms in my family.

Mom showered us with love, she could lift what I thought were dark days. I didn't know how dark the days could be until we lost dad and then a few short years later her. But I know Carm and I grieve as deep as we were loved.

I miss her so.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Reading more than blogging

I realized, as I caught up on google reader, that I've read more blog posts than I've written recently.

Today, I went to our first service at church and then came home. Usually I serve all three services in the media booth. It was quite the change to get home by 10:30.

I changed clothes and hit the porch. It desperately needed washing.





After a good cleaning, it took forever to dry! It was 80+ degrees and there were still damp spots at 5:30. I took time to finish my bible study on the porch and then grilled a delicious dinner.

It was a great Sunday!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Friday, April 6, 2012

Fun Friday!

Several years ago I found a pattern in a quilting magazine that I decided I had to make! It was for a purse and it used dishtowels. I purchased the necessary parts and pieces, but life happened and I never made the purses.

Today, I was cleaning out the shelves in the garage and found more handles I had purchased along with a couple of towels. I continued putting things away and purging others. I found a couple of dozen quilting magazines that needed to be purged. So after finishing the shelf I was on and putting things away, I sat down and went through the magazines.

I was diligent in keeping magazines that had two or more patterns in them and then pulled patterns from those that only had one pattern. As I went through them, I found the original pattern for the purses. After I finished with the magazines, I sat down at the sewing machine and finished two purses.



The taupe one had issues, the towels were shorter than the pattern called for and it made for a tight fit for the handle. But I loved how they turned out.


Fun Day!!!

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Things I've Learned

Today, I decided to work on a quilt I started the winter after mom passed away. I learned several things. First, I shouldn't piece anything complicated when I'm depressed. The blocks aren't the best I've ever sewn, as you can see even when I put the rows together I made constant mistakes. At the time I didn't realized I was in the state I was in. I was trying to get back to normal and thought this class would help.



Second, I've done more unsewing than sewing today. I also shouldn't work with biased edges. As I recall working on this quilt in class, a few people commented about the bias. But I was in a zombie zone and didn't think I was having problems at the moment. But now that I'm working on the final part of the quilt, I realize that I had major issues with all of the biased edges. 

I would love to start over on this quilt but I have no more fabric. :) I will make this patten again but with a totally different piecing technique. I have several more rows to put together before I decide on borders. I think I originally decided to just border in the background print.



The last thing I learned was not to wait so long between piecing and putting the top together.  I have another quilt that is partially pieced and I've lost the directions putting it together. It was the first mystery quilt class I took and I have no idea where the directions went. I thought they were with the fabric but when pulled the project out t see how much work needed to be done, there were no instructions.



As you can see, I had a lot of help from the quilt inspectors, they were really taking their job seriously. ;)

Have a great day,
Tracy

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

A quilting I will go

I'm binding the last few inches of sister's tshirt quilt. I have major help. :)




Tracy

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Rain Rain and More

Rainy days like today make me want to curl up under a quilt, kitty on lap and good book in hand!


Monday, March 5, 2012

Binding Needed

Picked these up from my fabulous Longarm quilter Jennifer!













- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Leap Day

Nothing really exciting happened this Leap Day. We were having horrible storms in our area and schools did close early today to get everyone home safely before they hit.

My fish pond lost about four inches of water last week. I had restacked the waterfall incorrectly. When the storm hit this afternoon, the pond was refilled and had extra to spare. Poor fish, they've endured an odd winter, one week frozen over and the next week 70 degree temps.





Hope you've had a great day!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Saturday Night

There's nothing like a cuddle buddy.

Tracy

Lazy Day




It's a three day weekend! My church starts a four night revival tomorrow night, our first! It promises to be a great weekend with nothing pressing on the calendar!


let the fun begin!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Dear Blog

I'm not ignoring you, I just don't know what to say!
The past few weeks have been difficult and very tiring. Plus, Tennessee has had a warm weird winter. Last night we had brief snow slush, but it's been way too warm to stay.
I really like winter and I miss the snow.

Asher is sticking close, I've been too busy to cuddle with him lately.
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Comfort

I love coming home to the smell of a roast in the crockpot. It hit me before I opened the front door. I woke up in the middle of the night with it on my mind that a roast was sitting in the fridge waiting to be cooked. First thing this morning, I put it in to cook.

Now that I'm home, I have tea going and stewed potatoes. I haven't had stewed potatoes in many years. I'm talking 25+ since I've made them. The last time I ate them Mom cooked them. My girlfriend Cindy also makes them, but it has been a long time since I've eaten them at her house. Yummy, can't wait for dinner to be done.

The only thing I'm lacking is dessert and my favorite thing is ice cream! It is cold out and I just want to curl up on the couch with a quilt. No way am I going out for ice cream. Mmm, peach cobbler would be good too.

Stay warm,
Tracy

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Blessed Evening

I have the privilege of serving with Rising Above Ministries. The ministry serves families with special needs children. Jeff and Becky Davidson head the ministry and they have become dear friends. I left tonight reflecting on Jeff's message, Jesus searching my heart.

I serve as the media person, I put the verses, music and bible, on the big screens. Very easy job. But I get to worship with them once a month and I just feel so blessed every time I leave. I love getting to know the kiddos and the parents. I'm developing a much better understanding of the difficulties they face, but also I can see the blessings and actions of God.

I get to attend/work the retreats. Although, so far Jeff hasn't asked me to work the men's retreat :) he did have men working at the ladies. LOL I am attending the couples retreat. I'm sure I will be a little bit of an odd ball, but I know it will be a great weekend.

Just reflecting on a wonderful evening,
- Tracy

Sunday, January 1, 2012

New Year - Changes

I ended 2011 with church and friends. I spent the day working on this small quilt. I enjoyed the process so much and I realized how much I missed my quilt guild.

Our small guild group dissolved years ago. We just kept getting smaller and smaller. We met in the evening, members moved away, lost interest and we drifted apart. As I set sewing and fondly remembering my quilts friends, I realized I needed to find a new group and made that a goal of 2012.

 

I spent most of my evening at church. We have a church family night and hosted a chili cook off and talent show. We had great food and a wonderful assortment of talent. The winner was a young man under the age of five who quoted several Psalms from memory. Cute factor played well in his winning. :)

After leaving church, I went to a friends annual NYE party. There is always good food and entertaining conversations to be had. Knowing I had to be at church early, I left well before midnight and was tucked into bed nice and snug.

Today after church, I've worked in the garage and almost have it ready to put the car back in. I still have my old water heater sitting in the way! Hopefully I will get it moved soon. I also changed the back door locks, a project that has been on my to-do list since moving 1.5 years ago. LOL I accomplished a lot today!

I hope that this new year brings more things checked off my to-do list. Starting with more Bible study and more quilting and needlework.

Be blessed!
Tracy