Monday, October 28, 2013

October stuff

About a year ago I had bought a new iron.  Seems like I may have dropped the one it was replacing, can't remember.  I don't think I had it a month, and I made the mistake of putting it on felt.  What a mess!   I tried to clean it, to no avail.  It was so bad that I just bought another  new iron.  However, I just couldn't see tossing the scorched one, so I put it back in my closet in its original box with its original booklet.  After all, I hadn't had it very long.

Then yesterday Lisa and Linda were over working on a quilting project, and Lisa accidentally ironed on something that attached itself to the iron.  Linda suggested putting some table salt on waxed paper, and iron it to help removed the scorch.  Sure enough, it worked.

Seeing how well Linda's method of salt and waxed paper worked yesterday, today I pulled the iron out of the closet and gave it a try.  Can't say it worked very well, maybe a bit.  I looked on line, and found a method of using heated white vinegar.  Nothing to lose, I tried it.  Might have gotten a few particles off.  Then I figured I definitely had nothing to lose, so I dipped an SOS pad in the warm vinegar, and started scrubbing.  It came off!  

Happy days, now I have two good irons!   Its good to have friends come to the rescue, isn't it?

In recent news, Elizabeth celebrated another birthday.  Beautiful little girl, beautiful woman, beautiful person.  


 I host Bunco next month, and we always have an option of giving a booby prize...oops, guess I should be politically correct and say a consolation prize...for the person with the least winsIts hard to find items that specifically say Bunco, and I've told Party City they could make some serious sales if they would start carrying Bunco party stuff, but they haven't listened to me.  So I just made my own Bunco mug rug.  Pretty cute if I do say so myself...and I do.  :)

 Guess that's it for now.  Have a good week and safe Halloween...

Sunday, October 13, 2013

almost autumn

The calendar may say it's Autumn, but here in Texas we're still seeing some warm days.  Granted, upper 80's is not as hot as 100+ degrees, but I'm ready for highs in the 60's or 70's.

My neighbor wanted the twin bed frame I refinished, so since that's out of the way, I now have a new twin bed.  I may get a headboard at some point but for now like the flexibility of putting it wherever I want it.  I started out with it away from the wall, then decided flush against the wall is best for now for when Elise sleeps over.  I'd like a chenille bedspread, so that will take some looking.  In the meantime, I've got a quilt over it for a cover. 

Since it's that time of year, I made a couple of pumpkins for decoration.  Only have one to show, because Elise took the other one home.   This was really a stash buster...used a piece of fabric about 10"x20".  Click on the "pumpkins" link if you think you'd like to make one.


You may remember that last couple of years I've participated in the 12 Days of Christmas swap over on the HGTV quilting/sewing forum.  I debated whether to do it this year, and decided I will.  I've gotten a good start on it, and still have a few weeks to get finished.  Of course I can't tell you what I'm making, but you'll be seeing pics of everything around Christmas.  I like that I should be able to complete all of them with fabric I have on hand.

Guess that's it for now.  Have a good week all.



Sunday, October 6, 2013

its been awhile

Time manages to slip by, doesn't it?  Let's see...

In the past month, Elise turned 4!  As she likes to tell me, she's a big girl now.  :) 
 She celebrated with the new and improved version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey, which was Stick the Freckle on the Pony (or something to that effect).
And there was a pinata too.  That thing was huge!





I've been working on the string quilt-as-you-go.  Overall I'm pleased with it, considering this is my first time with this method.  I can see myself doing more.   I changed my mind on what I thought the layout would be, and went with this design.  It's a little tedious joining rows together, but when I consider that it will be totally finished without quilting a huge top (or sending/paying to have it quilted by someone else), it's worth it.  And I can see ways to make the next one a bit easier.

Here's a picture prior to joining the top two rows to the bottom section.   I really need to put side borders on for some more width, but I'm somewhat ready to leave it at this size.  I'm setting it aside for a week or two to see what I decide on.
I found this twin bed frame at a garage sale, and thought it might work to replace the crib/toddler bed. 
I refinished it by sanding, staining, and varnishing.  It was pretty dry and rough, but good wood.
So here it is.  Came out fine, and I got it in the room.  Then I decided it was bulkier than I wanted, and gave it to my neighbor.  Ah well, it was a nice project, and Elise enjoyed helping with it.


There's a lot to say when I don't post for a month, isn't there???

Last but not least, I made a couple of Barbie dresses this week from free instructions on the internet.  They had more cleavage than I particularly wanted, so they both were turned around and put on backwards.  They're wrap dresses, so it worked fine.  :)




Okay, that's it for now.  Have a good week everyone.