We made a slip cover

While on vacation my Mom, sister and I made a slip cover for an old upholstered rocker that is to go in Hannah's room. This rocker was ours when we were kids and then it was covered and passed on to my nephew Sean when he was little. It was still in great shape bit it didn't look like it belonged in a little girls bedroom. We shopped for fabric then first day we were in Arizona. We found this really cute flannel with little frogs wearing little pink checked skirts. This was going to fit perfectly in Hannah's room. One night we just jumped in and started to figure out how to make a slip cover. In the end I think we all did a really great job on it. I just wanted to share a picture of it and the special little girl who is going to spend hours rocking in it.

I'm home

Well, I got home from my fantastic trip to Arizona to visit my sister yesterday afternoon. The flight home was nothing special and I passed the time listening to a book on my Ipod. What a shock when we stepped out of the terminal and it was COLD, DRIZZLING and already dark and it was only 4:30. I wanted to turn right around and get back on that plane and go back. I already miss everyone there. It was so nice and special to be able to see my family that has relocated to Arizona and of course to get to meet and play with Ethan and Hannah.

I spent the day today putting things away and doing some odd laundry. Then I decided since it was so gloomy out I'd start decorating for the holidays. The little tree is up and all I need to do is figure out why the lights in the middle of it are off. It's just a little table top tree but I love just sitting with the lights on and watching TV. A few Christmas decorations are out and more are waiting to be put in place tomorrow. I know I'm jumping the gun but why not do it while a person has the time. I came home with this cool talking parrot that my sister Karen gave me so he's the new "pet" in my house. So I placed him on the entertainment center last night and turned him on. He talks and I can also record things for him to say. Anyway I forgot about him there and when it was time to go to bed I shut off the lights and then jumped when he started talking. I have to remember that he's there.

While I was on vacation I made my sister a great purse. I have to admit it turned out really pretty and she's thrilled with it. I was also able to show her how to make pillow cases so I hope she gives them a try. We also did criss cross coasters. I had such a great time just hanging out at her house. This was the best rest I've ever had and boy did I need it. I'm now totally refreshed and feel like my old self again. Thanks Karen for a wonderful time.

I'm alive and having fun

Yes, I'm alive and doing well. I'm in sunny Arizona visiting with my sister and having a great time. I even extended my stay for another week since I've got the time. We've gone a few places shopping. All I wanted to do was sit and do nothing and I'm loving it. I've been doing a little sewing here making my sister a new quilted purse and I'll post a picture of it when it's finished which I think will be tomorrow. The weather has been great and I've been busy playing with my great nephew, Ethan and my great niece, Hannah. These kids are great and keeping me busy but I'm loving it. Tomorrow Ethan and I are going to draw and doing finger painting outside. I just wanted to stop in and say hello and I'll leave you with a few pictures from sunny Maricopa, Arizona.

I just had to share with everyone a great sunset I saw here last week. The rest of the pictures are of the kids and my sister Karen. Sorry for the duplicate but for some reason I'm having problems and I can't delete it.

Sewing Like the Wind

Since Sunday afternoon I've been sewing like a crazed person. I found out Sunday afternoon that I was going to Arizona to see my sister and I'm leaving next Tuesday. The machine starting going with the wind. First up was my tote bag to use on the plane. It's a cross between a Charm Party tote and a regular tote but I added a larger outside pocket and a large zipper in the top. I had this cute bumble bee fabric from the Patched Works so I was good to go.




Next up was a pair of pillow cases from some sock monkey fabric that I had been sitting on for a while. I think they turned out really cute and I can't wait to use them.

A while ago I made quite a few cloth books for the babies in Arizona. Those got mailed out and then Jen gave me this one to make since I had been on a roll. Well I finally made it today so I can take it along with me. These are so easy and fun to make I think I'm going to see what other ones the stores have. Maybe I can add a few for Christmas. So far I've been able to find them at my local WalMart.

At the last minute I decided that I needed to make a larger bag to carry all my toiletries in. I use two pieces of batiks that came from my friend Sherry a couple of weeks ago. I think the bag turned our really nice and it's going to be very useful.

Last but not least I made a tote bag for my Mom who is also going on the trip with me. Well, actually I'm going with her. She needed something lighter than the big heavy bag she usually carries on the plane. I had these great batiks that I had been sitting on for a while and decided to use them. There are 4 different fabric patterns on this bag. On the front she wanted a large pocket to put her air line ticket in. I added the two buttons to the flap so she would be able to feel where the flap is since her vision isn't the best. I also added a large zipper to the top so her bag would be closed up tight. I took lots of pictures of this bag but just couldn't get the colors to come out right. It's very right looking in person.

Next up I'm going to make myself a few new watch bands to take along and hopefully tomorrow morning I'll run to the Patched Works to buy some more fabric for pillow cases so I can make a few to take along for my sister. I've done alot of sewing in a short time yet I've enjoyed every bit of it.

Barn Hopping

Today was just a wonderful day in the world of Cindy. This afternoon Jen and I went on a Quilt Square Barn Hop in Walworth County. It was a beautiful sunny day and just a tad on the cool side. Off we headed complete with a map, a list of the addresses for the barns we wanted to see and of course a GPS. The directions were relatively easy to follow and we had no trouble coming across our first barn. I was so excited because I hadn't seen these on barns around Wisconsin before. It was a great block. We also talked to the barns owner a wonderful woman who explained how she was on the committee that got all of this started and how they went about picking out their block and the colors for it. She even explained how it took a huge front end loader to lift the panels up high enough so they could be attatched to the barn. While we were visiting this farm we also got some Indian Corn and a couple of really pretty and different looking gourds. I'm a little leary about hanging my Indian Corn outside because I have a squirrel here that will for sure steal it and take off with it. He likes to sit at my livingroom window and stare in at me in hopes that I'll give him something.

I want to just show you a few of my favorite barn squares and of course a cow that I made friends with. She even licked my finger and I wasn't expecting such a rough tongue. We did have one farm dog, very gentle, who did stand up at the open car window while Jen was taking pictures of their block. We didn't want to get out of the car because of the dog so the dog came to us. All in all it was a wonderful day. Thanks Jen for taking me along on the adventure.

My Mom Turned 90

Back on October 2nd my Mom turned 90 years old. What a milestone that is for anyone but for my Mom it meant alot. Three years ago after her heartattacks we didn't think we'd ever make it this far, but here she is still going strong. I just wanted to share her picture with everyone. Just think of all the things that happen in someones life by the time they are 90. She was married to my Dad for 65 of those years, another feat. Mom has 6 kids and 15 grandkids and countless greatgrandkids. Some of us were able to go out to dinner with her for her birthday and tomorrow is another party for her. So Mom, here's to many more years to come and many more birthdays that we'll all celebrate with you. I love you.

My Mom is the one where I got my love of quilting from and she also inspired my daughter Jen and look at the quilter she's become. Mom no longer sews because of her vision but I know just looking at her that she'd love to still be doing it right along with Jen and I.

Jack O'Lantern is finished

Last October I was making a few wall hangings for Halloween when I decided to make this one. Putting it together wasn't hard at all. My friend and fellow quilter Sherry sat and make ours together. They turned out really cute and then in the end all I had left to do was to put on the binding and hand stitch it down. Well, when Halloween was over I put it away and forgot about it. During our UFO Finish It Summer, I pulled it out and added the binding and then it sat again. Finally tonight I stitched the binding down and hung it on the door. I guess now this means I have to do the rest of my decorating for Halloween. I might as well start early and be done with it. It just feels so good to have one more UFO finished.