Three Day Weedend of Awesomeness

My three day weekend of awesomeness...I went to a Quilt of Valor meeting, a The Applique Society (TAS) meeting and signed over the Guild bank account to the new treasurer.  Then I really got down to business.

A week or two ago, I finished another Sew Tweets block.

 I started assembling my Civil War Quilt, last weekend.  I'm really loving it.  There is no open space in my house big enough to lay out the whole quilt.  So, I'm not sure if I have enough of these sashing strips made yet.  And, I already have about 120.  Bleh.

I'm really glad I waited to work on it.  I was so sick of it before but it was great to dig out all these old blocks.  It was like visiting old friends.  It was fun deciding my favor blocks.

 I made a couple of necklaces this weekend.  The white one is crocheted pearl cotton with beads and flower sequins.

The green one is seed beads and I forget what... I made it too short so I'm not sure what to do now.  I ran out of string, so I couldn't add on.  I guess it's a choker or someday I'll have a re-do.

I feel I should also mention the trip to Kato where I hit the clearance section and got a whole outfit for $30....including shoes.

Bethany is headed to Florida in a few weeks so we've been all about beach life lately.  I made layout pillow/towels for her and her friend Kristen.  I found the pattern on Pinterest.  It was fairly easy but nobody warns you about the sheer volume of towel fuzz that flies up your nose.  I was in a super foul mood by the time I was done.  Probably not going to make any more, so I hope she likes them:)

This is a barefoot sandal Bethany made for her trip.  Her boyfriend's mom wanted me to learn how to make them for a friend's wedding.  So, when we found out how easy it was, Bethany wanted to give it a try.  She did a great job.

The other big job I did was to clean my sewing room!  I threw out a huge garbage bag of crap, and re-organized everything.  I managed to get a couple extra shelves opened up for more important things.  Quilts of Valor that are in various levels of doneness now have a shelf all to themselves.  My Civil War fabrics got put away!  Although, I considered leaving it out because now I'm following a blog that is doing a Benjamin Franklin block of the month that I'm all excited about.

Sierra made a chocolate cake and fudge.  What's funny is that I never get a picture because we eat it too fast!  And we decorated for a patriotic summer!

Now the kids are bugging me for dinner.  Jeesh!  They never stop.

I Know, Right?!

 So, it seems as if I haven't done anything since Hunter's Graduation.  I've been so wiped out that I don't think I've turned on my sewing machine for a month now.  I know, right?

I did celebrate my birthday with a new pair of shoes.  These are like clouds strapped to your feet.  I highly recommend.  And, believe me, that says a lot because I would never spend that much money on flip flops.  Just make sure you get them on sale:)

 Here's a funny story.  There was a company pot luck the day after graduation.  So I decided I could throw the party AND make tuxedo cookies at the same time.  I know, right?  So the dough sat in the fridge for 2 weeks and then when I finally did them, I thought they were too much work and I wasn't doing a good job with the frosting so we ate them at home.  There were a TON of cookies.  This is a picture of the best one...

 My beautiful daughters had dance recital last week.  Another reason I've gotten nothing done!  Pictures, rehearsal and then 2 shows.  Bethany even had her first solo.  I can't imagine dancing by myself in front of all those people!  But, they both did a great job.  This is Sierra's first time.  Grandma Mantz drove down for the event.  She's such a trooper.  And then, I had the flu the whole time.  And, believe me I did nothing but what absolutely had to be done.  The rest of the time I was in bed.  Awful.

 This is a photo album cover I'd been making since before graduation.  My sister-in-law pays me to make them for her friends that have babies.  I have no idea how many I've made over the the years.  A lot.  I almost had it done in time to give to her at the party but I wasn't happy with the name.  And, it turns out you don't spell Tenley with a K.  So, this is the second round.  At least I didn't attach it because I didn't like the colors I'd used for Kenley....

 I made this nut cracker a long time ago but didn't take a picture until now.  He is super freaking awesome!  I used a lot of old vest material from work on him.  I plan on making many more.  Don't his eyes freak you out?  LOVE HIM!

Hunter's graduation quilt that didn't get finished in time.  I need a new outer border.  I originally had some wood grain fabric but I really don't like it with the finished top.  You can't really see in the pictures but the ladies are posing with Woody Wagons.  Hunter loves panel wagons and he asked for a luau for his birthday, hence the Hawaiian lady quilt.  I used the Circle of Nine pattern again but added blocks to make it longer.  It's funny because I didn't originally like the book and now I've made 3 or 4 quilts from it.  It's so versital!

My latest block from Sew Tweet.  And now I know why I'm doing it!  Last night at our guild meeting our new President announced the next President's Challenge.  It's got to have Triangles, Applique, I already forgot the P and Scallops.  TAPS.  Sew Tweet meets all the requirements!  I just have to get it done by next May.  And figure out how to work in a triangle.  Although, I do believe the Star Trek symbol in the corner could be a triangle if I wanted it to be...  I know, right?

Lastly, I crocheted a baby blanket.  I think I was going through a thing because my baby was graduating.  Anyway, I finished this while watching Hatfields and McCoys.  Great mini-series!  And gave it to an office mate that just had a grand baby.  This yarn is SOOOO soft!  Honestly, my kids wanted to keep it.

I also read the Hunger Games trilogy.  Yikes!  That was stressful in it's own right!  I didn't like the last book very much but I got it done!  Now I'm late for work so I gotta get dressed.

My first blog with the new set up.  We'll have to see how this goes.  I should be sleeping but since I took a fabulous nap today, I'm totally cranked up.

Life is flying by right now.  My youngest, Ethan, told me that my long hours were giving him chest pains.  Then yesterday, Bethany said I needed to stop working so much because she missed me.  I know it's pretty twisted, but I love that they miss me.  I didn't think they'd notice me being gone so much.  Alas, Prom season is all but over and they'll be back to not appreciating me in no time:)

But, in the mean time... I finished another month of my Sew Tweet block of the month.  It's currently pinned to my cubicle wall.  My flower centers are terrible!  I need to follow directions for the Perfect Circles but I just don't like to be told what to do...

April 21 was Hunter's 18th Birthday!  Something that I've learned from that experience is that I can not make fondant.  I screwed up another batch and resorted to butter cream at the last minute.  Her tattoo is totally jacked up, too.  She really needed to do her research before deciding on an artist.  But, she's young.  She'll learn from her mistakes and move on.

I can't believe I didn't take more pictures.  The house was totally decked out!  I cooked more for that party than I did at Christmas!  We even had umbrellas for their drinks that they got out of the Igloo sitting on a beach towel.  Trust me, this was major for a Mantz Birthday.

Yesterday, Ethan completed his first 5K.  It killed him.

 

Sierra also had 8th grade formal.  She looked so grown up!  Freaks me out.

 As you can see, she takes everything way too seriously.  Below, you can see she was climbing the plum tree and falling out.  Poor kid, so much like her mother.

Sierra brought home left over cherry pie filling from a school project.  So, before everyone could eat it all straight from the can, I made a pie.  There's nothing special about that, really.  Except that is was so perfect looking!  That never happens.  So perfect in fact, that no one has eaten any.  I don't think they trust it.  If only everything I made came out this attractive!

 I also made a new table runner to match the dining room.  We're having a graduation party in a few weeks and I'm trying to class up the joint.  Purple & green have been my thing lately!

Lastly,  I started a crocheted baby blanket.  It's out of a book that I had when I was pregnant with Hunter.  The yarn is SO soft and cuddly.  I'm not sure why I'm making it.  I've just been in the mood to make baby stuff and to crochet.  Probably my way of dealing with my babies, not being babies.  What I should be doing, is teaching myself to knit.  I need to be fully prepared when I become a grandmother.  In the very far future...

I'm Not Sure,They Might Be Too Masculine...

I feel like a broken record but, I don't like working all these hours.  It's exhausting.  I feel like nothing is getting done and Rich feels like the world is falling apart around him.  We just have to get through May and everything will mellow out.

I'm planning Hunter's Birthday Luau for next weekend.  I just did my taxes the other day.  I don't recommend doing that when you have the flu & you owe money... Not good for the stomach.  Then, Hunter has Prom.  Sierra has her 8th Grade Formal.  Mother's Day:)  Hunter's Graduation party. Then, my birthday.  Then, the girls' have their dance recital.  Then, Prom Season is over and life can go back to normal.  How much do you want to bet, I won't know what to do with myself when it's all over.

Easter was nice.  I did a lot of cooking.  We tried dying our eggs using Kool Aid this year.  Not a huge success.  Don't bother with the lemonade.  Purple was weird but ended up really cool after it dried.  And, it really did smell yummy.

Don't be alarmed, Ethan never has a shirt on.  A little tip, make sure that your containers don't have holes.  I think I had to replace more than half of my containers because they all leaked dark Kool Aid all over my counter.

I've been working on a Block of The Month while on my breaks at work.  It's super cute but it's taking me forever because I get things done 15 minutes at a time.  I'm currently on block 2.  And, we're half way through the 4th month.

I won a Jackman's gift card at our Guild meeting this month.  So, decided to buy a couple patterns that I've had my eye on.  These fabulous pot holders are from one of the patterns.  I made them to match my beautiful kitchen curtains:)  The other one is a house wall hanging with yo-yo trees and animals.  I got the spring version.  Gonna be cute.

I also spent a lot of time today making new curtains for my sewing room.  I'm not sure, they might be too masculine.  The lighting is really bad in the pictures but the fabric background is white on white polka dots. 

 The color of this picture is better.  Now I'm out of the yellow fabric I made the roses out of.  Originally, I just wanted 2 but now I think I might want 2 for each curtain.  I may end up with a bouquet when I'm done.  Who knows.  Hope everyone stays safe in this tornado weather!  See you soon.

Not Getting Much Done These Days

Well, Prom Season is upon me.  And these extended hours pretty much suck Easter Eggs.  I've decided not to get out of bed today.  It's my only day off and I'm gonna do what I want.  Which is complete b.s. because I have 4 kids.

I did get breakfast in bed from Sierra, and Ethan made me a tea.  I was feeling loved and missed until Rich just came in and burst my bubble.  Apparently, at least Ethan, may have ulterior motives.  There may be some buttering up going on...

 These necklaces are the result of my jewelry making experiments from a few weeks ago.  I strung and restrung several times.  It does, in fact, pay to read instructions first and make sure you have everything you need before you start this sort of project.  I really like my leaf necklace.  It's really heavy, though.  And, it's spring so I won't be wearing it for a long time.  I like the buttons, as well.  It's too short, as I have the neck of a linebacker.  I bought some chain to add to the back. It's also not very comfortable to wear, a little scratchy.  The chain may solve that for me, too.  An important lesson here was to use thicker wire.  I kept breaking it...

Last Sunday I made an Easter wreath.  My old one was looking pretty pitiful.  I was inspired by Pinerest on this one.  It took WAY more eggs to make it than I expected.  I used the 2 bags I bought plus most of the Easter Bunny's eggs and almost all of my glue sticks.  Jeesh.

This little bunny wall hanging is from the Red Brolly blog that I follow, whom I LOVE.  She has several super adorable Easter designs.  This one was a pincushion.  I made it into a wall hanging for my cubicle.  I was able to use scraps from my '30s block of the month.

 Hunter's graduation invitations!  I started them last weekend and finished them this morning.  I ran out of the red paper from Archiver's and had to get more after work yesterday.  That doesn't seem so bad until you realize I've worked 6, 9 hour days, drove 30 min. to Fairview & then another 30 home....

He just told me they were "legit".  Mission accomplished.

If he doesn't graduate, I'm still throwing the party... decorations are being collected on Pinterest.

What's left of the Bunny Chow I made this week.  Apparently it was a hit.  Ingredients: unbuttered popcorn drizzled in pink almond bark, pretzel m & m's, blue rice crispy treat crumbles.  And soon, you have a nearly empty bag....


What do you get when you combine all the ingredients below?  2 kids with respiratory infections, a bikini cake, and kids that are wishful for DQ.  Not sure what the steak knife is for.  Protection?
 

There has been much discussion on the size of the bikini cake's boobs.  I remember my Aunt Betty making it with SnoBalls but the internet says to use the Wilton's ball cake pan.  I think it's because of implants.  We're going to do a dry run with the SnoBalls.  If it looks dumb, we'll use the ball pan on Hunter's birthday.  But to accommodate boobs that size, I'll have to buy a sheet pan and make enough cake to feed 30 perverts.  I mean people:)

I believe that is all I have to report for now.  Stay tuned for the boob size outcome.

Y-Seams Suck.

 You know how you have those long weekends and you promise yourself that you're going to get tons done.  And then, you don't get anything done.  I had a 3 day weekend and the first 2 days were completely wasted laying around and watching movies.  By the way, Bridesmaids is the funniest movie ever!   And Conan is a complete waste of money.  Not sure, at all, why they remade that one.  And I was a fan of the originals.

I made this cornice last weekend and am just now taking a picture of it.  I've been planning it in my head for over a year.  I just hadn't made up my mind what I was going to put on it.  I adapted an Erin Russek pattern "My Tweets".  Now I wish I hadn't done something so simple. I had a really dark valance up and it was just too heavy and depressing. This is much more fun and light.  I like this but I don't LOVE it. 

It's times like these that I wish I was good at following directions.  I finished my love birds and I think they're super cute but my execution sucked.  My dresden blades are off center and the center circle is too small.  I should have made the circle larger, like the instructions said.  Instead, I winged it and did it wrong...

Haidyn's Star Wars quilt is done.  I quilted it today and got the binding put on.  I'll hand sew the binding down while I'm on breaks and then he gets to have it.

 I also made 2 batches of chocolate chip cupcakes.  The first batch burned:(  The second batch got eaten so fast that I never got them frosted.

 This obnoxious block is part of my Twisted Mystery quilt.  Y-seams suck!  It took me two hours to cut and sew one block.  And, there are several of these in the quilt.  Below you can see how ripply it turned out.  I suck.  This may  be the project that I never finish...

To make myself feel better I made this cute little lamb quilt.  It's only about 12.5 by 10.5".  And I think he's super cute:)  He's the perfect size to hang in my cubicle at work.

Well, I hope you guys enjoy the fabulous weather we're about to get.  Prom season is all but upon us and I'm about to be working way too many hours.  Which is why I thought I should get things done this weekend.  Oh well, you can't win them all.