On to the Next Project

I'm on the homestretch of one of my projects so I'm ready to move on to the next. I realized something about myself and my projects - I start too many of the same things, tire of them, get distracted with something else and then do nothing. What a scenario! I give myself alot of credit for even starting Christmas projects now but it's no good if I don't follow through. So instead of forcing myself to follow through with something else, I'm giving myself a chance to do a smaller project, something fun and for myself. What could be a better diversion? I'm still finishing up the quilt I started (yes, I said it, a quilt) and then I'm making a purse. This is called a grab bag or Japanese Knot purse that seems too easy to believe and for one of the first times I can remember, I'm following the instructions to a T. I think that's what usually gets me into trouble - I do it differently and then somewhere down the line I run into a problem and then I have to patch things to fix it. I've been heading to my local quilt shop (LQS, as they are called in the mags) where a great sale has been going on all month and buying material. This pattern for the purse calls for fusible fleece which I've never heard of let alone use, as have other people that work in the LQS. I was worried about the price ,as well I should have, as it was $7.99 yd. I managed to get a coupon at JoAnn's which gave me 40% off and doable so I'm excited to try that. So like I said this is a very simple pattern but has the details that I like and need such as inside pockets for phone, etc. I think what makes this purse is the selection of material and I'm ready for some brighter prints in my life. I'm using a darker print on the outside of the bag, lighter one inside (all the better to see you with my dear!) and a solid for the pockets inside. Wish me luck and google it if you'd like to see what I'm up to.

Summer Reflection

Well, it's been about a year that I've been blogging. At my 100th blog I said I'd like to hit 200 by my anniversary but I don't think that happened. What I didn't plan on was major surgery and the lack of interest in blogging for awhile. The last thing I wanted to do was complain about how bad I felt in my blog. You can tell I'm feeling better by my recent blog activity. Yesterday I sat on the deck having lunch and it brought back all those lunches from last year after I retired. It was quiet, peaceful, warm and I loved the sparkle from the pool. That was before the kids started back to school and the screams began. I got me thinking about what I've accomplished this year and as I thought, I realized that though I haven't done everything I expected, I've done alot. I'm happy about the crafts that I've completed and will continue on that trail. Despite my surgery setting me back a little, I think now I can say I'm coming back and things are good. Now for my next year of blogging I intend to take those quilting classes, focus on our cabin now that the basement will be completed, follow my daughter on her way to the altar (so to speak) and plan our move from this house to the next. I can't guarantee all of these will be realized, most will of course, but summer has always been more of a time for resolutions for me. My year always seemed to start with the school calendar so this is where I begin.

No Flags

I had my doctor visit with the PCP yesterday and I was very pleased. I felt confident when I went in that I was doing everything I'm supposed to and my bloodwork shows that. I've had good results on my coumadin for the past couple months so my fears about that are over. As the nurse gave me a copy of my bloodwork and I looked through it I saw no flags! Wow, that was a first. At my last check-up in Jan. my thyroid was all out of whack and other things such as blood pressure was not being controlled. This time my weight is down, bp is good, glucose is fine, cholesterol is great and gfr (kidney stuff) is good too. Hey, there's not much to talk about except getting a couple prescriptions and I'm outta here. This was really the first time since my surgery that I actually thought it might have done some good. I still have my cardiologist , or Danny Downer,to see in Aug. so I'm hoping he sees some positive things going on here and not anymore negative. Since I was out and about anyway, I left the office and went shopping, mainly to catch some more sales at the fabric store. What a great day!!!

Point, Touch and Print

I usually make my prints at Wal-Mart and over the years I've had my ups and downs with them. I would go to the store in Edinboro and sometimes it was so busy I couldn't get any copies. Then with the renovation, they added more machines which was good but they were very difficult in my opinion to use. I thought it was just me with the touch screens and I just didn't have the knack. In fact one young girl who was also using the machines said she was used to them because of her phone. Come on, it's not rocket science! I managed to print my pictures but it was frustrating to say the least. Then a few weeks ago a pen tool showed up at the machines and wow, did that work great! I thought it wasn't me after all. Last week I stopped at another Wal-Mart, a newer one, to make some prints. I looked all over for a pen but there was none so I had to use my finger. I was all over the place and ended up pressing anything just to be done. I see no point in having to give them my name and number when I'm waiting for my pictures so I didn't really care what name I gave them. I just wanted out of there. All of that for 1 picture! Maybe it's still me and I'm losing my patience with the world but now I know there's a better way.

GENIUS

I mentioned before about QVC having their Christmas in July special this past weekend and how I was looking forward to it. I didn't buy anything but I had a good time looking for new ideas and I think that's what QVC is all about. Here's some things that stood out.

1. One really good deal was the five candles in glass containers for $30 and S&H was free! That was a pretty good deal with the free shipping - even the maker of it was impressed.


2. Of course, the TSV from Bethlehem Lights on Sat. was spectacular! Not that it got my eye just on appearance but when they said the outlet ran the length of the trunk, I thought GENIUS!!!! What I wouldn't have given for something like that over the years. I thought when I got my prelit tree, I was home safe but I realized the work is just beginning with those cords. This is a no brainer and like I said GENIUS!!!


3. One other Christmas item caught my eye over the weekend was the hanging basket with lights and ornaments. It was $35 and had the battery operated lights with greenery in a hanging basket. That looked really gorgeous and something that would be nice at my house or eventually at the cabin but I won't pay that much as I would want more than one. They even commented how much it would cost if you made it yourself. It wouldn't cost me much because I would use some hanging planters that I already have, I would use regular lights to plug in (in the dark you wouldn't see the cord anyway), and I would use real greenery and pass on the ornaments. Voila, we have a freebie!

I'm trying not to buy Christmas stuff since I have more than what I need now. It's very difficult but at least I can get some ideas and make something. I'm glad QVC came through for me this weekend.

Goodwill Road Trip

I had an eye-opening experience at the Goodwill in New Castle yesterday. I left for the birthday party early so I could stop in my favorite Goodwill (really, this is the best). I could have bought more but I held back and only marveled at all the stuff they had. I did buy what looked like a small linen tablecloth that I thought I could make a purse out of. At the checkout, I mentioned again how it was the best Goodwill and I'd like to do a road trip and visit Goodwills. The girl then told me she's talked to me about that before! What are the chances of that happening? Well, maybe pretty good but it got me thinking that per chance I am all talk and no show. We visit alot of Goodwills during our travels as I've mentioned before but I'd like to do something with some girlfriends who enjoy the experience as much as I do, not that my hubby doesn't find anything to buy because he does. At the last retirees lunch I went to, I was going to ask one of the ladies for a commitment but she wasn't there. I think in Aug. I will bring it up again and possibly make plans to stay at the cabin overnight therefore widening our search. We'll see what happens. Some people are all talk and no show, ha-ha.

My Super Saturday

That's how I'm feeling about today, partly because I haven't had many Saturdays this summer where I could just relax and sit in front of the tv for one reason or another. It began in the middle of the night with some rain. I was so happy for my hubby because almost every day this week he's been watering the garden. Then I slept in a little, got up and while drinking my coffee, I realized all my sewing shows are on today. Thennnn, I thought I'd flip to QVC and saw that it was CHRISTMAS IN JULY!!!! Wow, was I excited. I didn't even think about it and it just sneaked up on me. What a great day!!!! I'm sure some of you are puzzled by my enthusiasm but when these things fall into place like this, I get excited. Of course I won't be sitting in front of the tv all day - my nephew's birthday party is tonight so I will get out of the house for a while but I'm sure I will be itching to get back home to see what else QVC has to offer tonight.