Sunny Sunday

 After several colder days, this week is predicted to be warmer, yay!

 My Pacific Northwest girls met in the middle and had lunch with their families. When their rooms were next to each other, they fought constantly. When Manda moved to FL to go to school, and later to Houston to work, then to Seattle, best friends! They talk every day, which makes me happy.

Is this the best description ever? 

I'm working on Steph's apron. The pieces are hemmed, the pockets are hemmed and on, and the shoulder straps are added. Today I start sewing the front and back together.

I'm consistantly working 3-4 hours a night on the counted cross stitch. So much confetti in the area I'm on. Still not up to 1% done!

 

Cleaning!

 Maybe it's because spring is coming. I have the urge to clean and declutter. I did the desk in our bedroom alcove this morning, or at least started it. I recycled years of Christmas cards and shredding banking materials. I still have more to do in that area.

These are the fabrics Steph chose for her reversible criss cross apron. The apples are so cheerful! Manda declined an apron, she feels like they make her feel hot. Steph says she's messy so she needs one.

 

0.64% of the cross stitch! Yikes, definately a few years for this one. I originally thought I could do 500 stitches per night,  but it's more like 200-300. I do about 3 hours per night, while the TV is on. 

 

Bittersweet

 Easter was bittersweet. Sweet because we had brunch and visited with Heather and family. Bitter because it was the 19th anniversary of my dad's sudden death.

Dad died 2 days before his 83th birthday. He had a good day that day, chasing squirrels out of his yard, and checking the gutters on the house. After dinner he told Mom he didn't feel well, and seemed confused. She called 911 and me. I went there, a two minute trip, and he was really confused. The ambulance came and took him. I called Mike, and mom and I went to the hospital, where Mike met us. Dad was dead within the hour. The ER doc offered an autopsy, which we declined. His guesses as to cause were a massive PE, a dissecting aorta, or a CVA. The cause didn't matter to us, he was gone. I relive that night so often.

The sweet was spending the day with Heather and Ed, and Eddie and Julianna.

We did a brunch instead of a dinner, and it was so low key. I took a blueberry french toast bake, and a spinach salad with strawberries. I even took the strawberry tops for the chickens! Heather made quiche, mac and cheese, tater tots, and a raspberry pastry. I also brought a dessert, which we almost forgot about! 

 

I took Heather's apron with us, and she modeled it. We stayed til about 2, which freed them up to have dinner with Ed's family at his mom's house. 

So, bittersweet. Such is life.

And a hearty F*ck to the Dementia Don, the grifting pedophile, and his band of spineless grifters. 

Brrrr

 After a gorgeous day Wednesday, Thursday was cold and misty. 50, but felt colder.

We went to brunch at First Watch, then to Aldi to get a few things. It was crowded, which we're not used to.

 This is the fabric for Heather's criss cross apron, called Hen House. So appropriate for her!

 This is what almost 600 stitches looks like! I feel like I'm getting into my groove now. 

And the F*cking Felon fired Pam Bondi. That won't release her from the supoena to chat with the house committee.  

Hello April!

 It looks to be another beautiful day! A good way to start a month.

 Our joint family calendar that Steph made! Pix of all of us, and we all have the same calendar.

My next project! I'm figuring maybe 2 years to complete- it's a big one. 550 wide by 750 tall. It's from Cross Stitch Studio. When we were transferring the chart from my flash drive to the laptop, first the Pattern Keeper app wanted to update. Then the google wanted to update the laptop. Then I had to watch a tutorial to refresh my memory about how to use Pattern Keeper. So all in all, I got a grand total of 71 stitches placed. I'm used either 18 or 20 count, I don't remember. But those squares are little! I bought the Chromebook specifically for Pattern Keeper, because it doesn't run on Apple. 

I'm waiting on Amazon to deliver my 28mm rotary cutter so I can finish cutting out the first apron. 

And my weight is exactly the same as it was March 1. Sigh. Better than gaining.

And the F*cking Felon is speaking tonight on TV. Yippee.
 

Goodbye March!

 March ends with my brother Mike's 70th birthday. It's going to be nice today, almost 80!

 And it's done! The backstitching really defined it well. It took 20 days. 

I had a Walmart grocery delivery this morning. The driver texted me that she'd be delivering the items in a box, due to the store being out of bags. It was a big, heavy box. I asked if she wanted some bags, and she was happy. I gave her a half dozen bags. First time that's happened! 

 

Housecleaner Lisa comes this afternoon, so I'll get something done in the sewing room to stay out of her way. 

And as always, F*ck the grifting, felonious pedophile and all who support the bastard. 

March is almost over!

 The month has gone pretty well. I got all the flannel cut, and the counted cross is in the phase of doing the accent stitching. I've watched a lot of TV while cross stitching, I'm up to this season of Grey's Anatomy.

 As much as I find backstitching annoying, it sure does make a difference.

 LOL, the only picture I took at Mike's birthday party was of the cake, and that was so I could send it to my kids. Strawberry shortcake is Mike's favorite. His daughter in law Samantha, and future daughter in law Molly adore him. Sam got the cake and made him his other favorite, rice krispies treats. We had such a nice afternoon of visiting with the family. Heather was working, but Ed, Eddie and Jules came to the party. 

And the daily affirmation- F*ck the pedophile and his followers. 

The weekend

 We're going to Mike and Donna's for a barbecue for Mike's 70th birthday today. It's a very last minute thing, they only decided on Thursday to have it. 

 We'll get to see this cutie! I sent her a bonus gift, the stuffed fruits and little bags.

This is what 100 yards of flannel cut into 8 inch squares looks like! Yikes!

 

I actually finished the stitching on this last night, and started the backstitching. I hope to finish it today.

 And Weber's Drive in opened for the season! Best smashed cheeseburgers and fries!

And as always, F*ck the pedophilic, racist, grifting, felon and his followers. 

Sewing room time

 This week I've been spending more time in the sewing room, an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. Cutting flannel. Fun fact, a yard of flannel yields 20 8 inch squares. I can cut 10 yards in an hour. I cut a total of 100 yards into squares! That's a lot of squares that will become rag quilts. 

I also have about 50 2 yard pieces stacked to become oversized recieving blankets. And maybe 10 pieces of more than 5 yards set aside for whatever. 

Anyway, I cut the last yard of flannel late yesterday. Whew! That was a chore. 

I'm calling the counted cross stitch as 75% done. I work on it every night with the TV on. 

 

I took St Patrick's Day down and put up Easter. I love the gnomes and birds! 

Today's project is to bind the little hot pad.

And more than ever, F*ck the pedophile felon and his band of awful people. 

Spring is here!

 By the calandar, at least. We all know that Mother Nature will do what she will do.

 This is what 29ish yards of flannel cut into 8" squares looks like. They are in 15 quart containers, and I just ordered more 27 quart containers. 

I hit 50% around midnight last night! I'll do all the backstitching for accents when the piece is entirely done.

We had the landscaper come to give us a quote for redoing the front flower beds. Adding rhododendrons, azaleas, and impatiens for a burst of color for the pollinators. Also trimming the hedge, and added some roses of sharon to the side yard along the fence. He projects mid to the end of April. Our last official freeze date is May 15, but he said it's safe to plant before that. 

And my daily F*ck off to the pedophile and his supporters.
 

Moving right along!

 Wow, March is more than half way over! We're having more seasonal temps now, highs in the 40's and 50's. 

 This is a new coffee/tea chain that is opening all over. They assemble the buildings off site, and bring them in halves to the locations. Steph and Dan got coffee while they were here, and Steph got a raspberry macchiato, which I tried. Now Ralph gets me one each Thursday morning on his way home from breakfast at the diner with the Veterans. 

 I'm happy with how the counted cross stitch is moving along. 

In the sewing room, I'm cutting flannel into 8 inch squares for rag quilts. Yesterday I cut 6 one yard pieces. 

I made potatoe soup in the crockpot on Tuesday, with shredded hash browns. So easy! Shredded hash browns, chicken broth, and a block of cream cheese. Cook all day, and add cut up ham or bacon and cheese the last hour. So good!

And even more than ever, F*ck the entire administration. 

Another chilly day

 I'm so ready for spring! This up and down is getting old. I know it's March, so not spring yet. 

 I hit 25% on the counted cross stitch last night!

Hot pad just needs to be bound. It's about 7.5 inches square. I learned some from doing this one, the next should be easier.

 

I've started cutting flannel into 8 inch squares to make some rag quilts. I've got 3 bins- Christmas, baby themed, and other. Any pieces 2 yards or more will be used to make recieving blankets. I've found a few pieces that are 4 yards or more, so I just put them aside for now. 

I'm thinking, depending on how much Christmas flannel I have, to do Christmas on one side, other on the other side. 

And more than ever, F*ck the Felonious Pedophile and all his supporters. 

Sunday

 We're expecting another windstorm tonight. I can't imagine living in a place where tornados are a constant risk! 

Here's where I am on the counted cross stitch. It's my evening with the TV on project.

 

This is a kit from Shabby Fabrics, a company in Idaho that I order from frequently. I've always been happy with their products, and I get a daily email ad from them showing new items.

This is the first I've worked with fusible grid. Luckily they have an online tutorial which I watched yesterday. The squares in the top picture are just placed, not yet fused. The hot pad uses insul brite and finishes at 8x8. 

And as always, F*ck the pedophile and his whole administration and his supporters. 

Windy Weekend

 We had surprise snow on Thursday. It snowed all afternoon and laid on the grass. By Friday afternoon it was 99% gone. Today it's in the 40's and windy. I have a spriral ham in the crockpot for dinner.

I finished the panel wallhanging for Boone. Aren't the zipper pulls adorable? I put a hanging sleeve on the wallhanging, they'll just need a dowel.

I'm working on the cross stitch every night, and it's moving along.

 

For the first time ever, I broke 100 on Wridges, the Washington Post daily word search game. 

Cold and dreary

 It's going to rain all day, and the temp will drop all day. The hint of spring was nice while it lasted. 

How cute is this panel? It's called a Spoonful of Sugar. They also have charms of Mary Poppins for a zipper pull, so I got Baby Boone a couple. This I have the backing cut for (messed it up the first time). I'm not going to use batting, and won't quilt it. I'll put a hanging sleeve, so it can go in her room. 

I worked on this again last night.

 

It's coming along well, even if it's a printed chart that is not pattern keeper compatible. It's my evening project.

And of course, F*ck to the administration and their idiot supporters. 

The last warm day

 For a little while, anyway. It's going to be 80 today, then drop down over a few days til we're back in cold land. It is March, after all.

 Another thing I started a longish time ago. I think it was from Ricky Tims' Convergence Quilts. If I remember correctly, it started with 4 fat quarters. The top was done. I trimmed it, and made the quilt sandwich and lighly quilted it. It's 21" x 22". Now to decide where to hang this little beauty! I may call it Jersey Beauty. I have to think about it.

We got the patterned enlarged at the library, and I got the cross stitch started. The fabric is actually light blue. It had been over a year since I did any counted cross, and it took me a few minutes to get everything in place. That will be my TV watching piece.

And more than ever, F*ck the entire administration and their supporters.
 

Spring?

 It's 70 out! I'm sure it's just a tease, we have the rest of March to get thru.

I did 3 more tablecloths yesterday!

I love all the fabrics that Manda picked from my collection of large pieces. Each piece took 2 yards, so that's 12 yards used! We mailed them out this morning.

 

Yesterday was the first Enduro race of the year! Ed and Eddie have belonged to a club since Ed was in his 20's, and Eddie first started carrying times from area to area on a little bike. Now he's been racing for several years.

 After the race! Exhausted, filthy, and totally happy! 

And the daily F*ck to the war criminal and his band of thieves and pedophiles.

 

Warmish Sunday

 I had a comment from an anonymous person- they didn't have the courage to use their name- mad because I called the felon a war criminal. I imagine they are one of those who believe crafting should be separate from politics and world happenings. Which it never has been, and never will be. I guess they want to either live in a little bubble, or only read things praising the pedophile. Which this space is not, and never will be. 

My husband, father, father in law, and grandfather fought in wars to fight fascism. So I will never condone or revere war criminals, pedophiles, grifters, or mysogeny. If anyone can't deal with that, then this is not the blog for them to read. 

And on a more fun note, I spent time in the sewing room yesterday! Amanda requested tablecloths. I sent her pix of some of the big pieces of fabric I have, and she chose several. I made the first 3 yesterday.

 #4 is on the cutting table, and #5 and #6 are on the extra table waiting their turn.

 Counted cross stitch! It's a kit that I bought a year or so ago, and got the fabric all set up in the q snaps last night. I have to get the pattern enlarged to comfortably work on it. It's not real big, so shouldn't take long. 

Lunch today is at Longhorn Steak house. 

And, of course, F*ck the whole administration, and anyone who supports them.