diversion

I got to spend the afternoon searching our house for my son's school library book. While it did give me a chance to sweep under the sofas and look under lots of furniture, it really wasn't how I wanted to use my time. I didn't have any plans really, but that definitely wasn't ever going to be on the list. At this point, my guess is that it was returned to the city library instead but that's just a guess.

Thankfully, mid afternoon my UPS guy showed up with a box for me. My first precut fabric order!

I also ordered this:

I can't remember if I had plans for it or if I just thought it was cute.

I finished the slip cover this morning. Well, mostly. I still need to figure out to finish the cushion. Maybe it's time for me to learn how to install a zipper.

As you can see, Grace already scrawled on it--several months ago while it was folded up on the back of the chair. Probably should've washed it again, even now that I'm done, but I was just so happy that it was done, it fit, and looked good that I don't want to take it off right now to wash it.

That's enough for now. Today's our anniversary and as soon as we can drop the kids off at church we are headed to Benvenuti's. Thank you Groupon!

The Zoo and the May quilt

We woke up Friday morning to rain. Light rain, but still rain. And the field trip was still on. I've been to the zoo lots--nearly every week at the end of last summer--but never in the rain. The weirdest thing about the zoo in the rain is that they don't let many of the animals out. I guess it's too hard to do the upkeep in the mud? I don't know.

First they went to a little class about animal transformations. That's my 3 year old sitting there with the 3rd graders. It helped that the lady was holding a turtle.

After that we could wander around for a couple of hours. At a semi-fast pace.

 I love the landscaping at this zoo.

We found a pavilion for lunch but it was still drippy.

 Bears don't care about rain.

They LOVED watching the otters.

She really liked the goats. The boys did too but I don't want to post pictures of other people's children, unless you can't see their faces well.

 One of the free range peacocks.

At about 1, we met up with the school group, dropped off the two boys who were with us and signed Isaac out so we could go look at the rest of the zoo. It was a much slower pace and I didn't have to worry anymore about anyone missing the bus.

Both kids took a nap on the way home. I wish I could have.

Saturday was wonderful. We didn't have to go anywhere that morning so I was able to clean and destack my bedroom. It had piles from Craft Weekend, a recent cleanup downstairs that I had just hauled upstairs rather than dealing with it, and a few odds and ends for my next trip. Really, it was a whole bunch of odds and ends, but it is now taken care of. As is most of the laundry, not Isaac's because he never took it down, but everyone else's. That evening we headed to my sister's house to hang out and go eat some pizza.

 They give the kids some dough to play with while they wait. Genius people.

Apparently my sister was inspired by Craft Weekend and is going to make a baby quilt for a friend, one that will be a favorite even when the child is older. I love her fabrics, much more subdued than I have used yet. The picture is a little icky but the quilt should be great. She plans to do one of these sew as you go strip quilts.

On the way home, my daughter decided to color her eyelids. I do not understand her sometimes.
Oh, and over to her side there? That is the afghan that my sister handed to her. Our great-aunt made it for her when she was little and she decided it was time for someone else to have it. I told her she should have taken it to Craft Weekend for Meg.

For Mother's Day, I finished the May Quilt. This one is for the 2nd grade girl I mentor. I've worked with her for three years. I think she is moving away this summer.

I tried to get it washed and dried before it was dark outside, but it didn't happen. Maybe I'll get some better pictures tomorrow.

As soon as I got it finished and into the wash, I headed out to Joann's to look for some more fabric. Grace went with me but was way more excited about the trip to the pet store afterwards. That is fine, since I only have one sewing machine. I do have a mini list of quilt ideas for the upcoming months, including one that my friend asked me to do for her with some family heirlooms, but I'm not going to predict which one I'll do next this time. I'm learning.

We're not in Kansas Anymore

Today at breakfast my daughter asked me about this weekend. She asked me what I did in Kansas. As I was getting up for the third time to get her something else she needed, I told her. "I went to a place where I got to eat yummy food that I didn't make and didn't have to clean up afterwards. No one said they didn't want to eat it. I got to make lots of things. I got to look at some cool stores and meet fun new people. And I never had to get up from the table while I was eating until I was done. " To which my husband replied, "We're not in Kansas anymore." Yep.

I always have to make a mental adjustment after I come back from a vacation, and this one was no different. I started working on some of my projects--but they take longer when you don't stay up all night to work on them and need to go to an office for at least half the day. And do non-"creative" things there. I'm adjusting though. The weekend is coming and I have a quilt to finish!

Also had to banish the cat to the enclosed back porch indefinitely. Despite our best efforts, she keeps peeing on our stuff. I do not have time in my life to wash the entire set of bedding every night. The last straw was that her bathroom problem progressed to, umm, other stuff. Disgusting. So she gets to camp out for a while. Maybe she will grow to love the fresh air and close proximity to her actual litter pan.

Sunday night I decided to start working on a chair slipcover. I have had the fabric for it draped on the chair for several months, but since the kids had started using it for a play toy (and I don't want to replace it), I took advantage of the creative burst of energy and got to work.

The fabric is a canvas drop cloth. I did prewash it and hope it won't shrink too much. Now I have photographic evidence of when I pinned it up. I just have to baste it and then sew it. No telling how long that will take. The quilt has priority. Oh, that quilt draped on the back is one I got in Kansas and will be a much less stressful (for me) play blankie for the kids than the granny square afghan I did have in the room. I've moved that to my room.

On Monday, Grace and I painted our fingernails. If you know me very well, you will also know this means that I first had to go and buy finger nail polish. I got some fun colors.

Mine are the same.

Isaac had a special chocolate project for school and chose to invent a new kind of chocolate. He made what he calls sour chocolate. He wanted to call it Skittle chocolate but I reminded him about the copyright. He used two kinds of milk chocolate chips and layered in some smooshed up frozen sour Skittles.

He put a layer on the bottom, middle and the top. They really taste good. I suggested that if he makes it again sometime he might make it flat on a cookie sheet and then break it into chunks. It would be easier to eat than the cube of chocolate. We cut each cube in half so everyone in his class can try one.

At lunch I went by the thrift store to see if I could find a shirt or two to take with me on my next trip. I need a long one with 3/4 sleeves. I didn't find what I needed but I did find this. It will look great with a new frame.

Also did some spray painting so I could frame one of my new prints from Meg, the rainbow "whatever..." one from Philippians 4:8. It is now hanging in my office. Still haven't decided how I want to frame the bird's nest one.

As promised, here is the link to the official Craft Weekend post. This picture is from here. My favorite group picture, though, is the one at the bottom of her post.





Coming on Friday, Isaac's (and our) 3rd grade field trip to the zoo. Should be a great trip. I love the OKC Zoo. We can feed giraffes!

My Whatever Craft Weekend

I'm back. The Whatever Craft Weekend was awesome, as was getting to meet Meg, Kimberlee, and some new friends.

My sister and I drove up to Kansas Friday afternoon. It was a quick drive and got there a bit early, so we drove around the town a little. But finally, it was time.

We were assigned the playroom and I chose this bed:

I love sunshiny beds.

While we waited for the others to arrive, I took some pictures of Meg's house. I did this off and on the whole time.

Our first evening was filled with pasta a la Betsy, apron ruffles, and chocolate peanut butter cake.

The next day we all woke up too early even though we were supposed to sleep in. I guess most of us have forgotten how to do that.

 This is Jen. I too spent a LONG time on this aisle, and brought home two quilts.

 The three crafts for the night--a wooden block for Isaac, a fabric headband for Grace, and two dishtowels.

Yes, the cheesecake WAS delicious.

Sunday morning was a slow morning. I took more pics of Meg's house, ate some more, and then we all assembled for final pics. I'll add the link to that soon. 

 Creme brulee french toast with strawberries and hash brown casserole. Yum!

 My new friend Meg.

 The awesome team behind Whatever Craft Weekends.

 Two prints of Meg's I brought home. She will be selling them (and others) soon in her shop.

All the stuff I brought home. Some I made. I bought the two quilts and the red suitcase. ALL the rest of the special presents we got. I'll add the link to the sponsors soon. One of my favorites was a ring from Crystal B. She has a cute flower bobby pin I plan to get for Grace.

And here is Grace modeling my apron and her new headband.

I had a wonderful time. I enjoyed the break from my routine, the delicious food (that I didn't have to cook), and getting to meet so many creative and fun ladies. Two of their blog/shops I've checked out so far are Lily Cole Designs and Pitter Patter Art. Most of all, I loved getting to see Meg's house in person and getting to meet her. We talked Africa. She is a creative, loving, inspiring, funny woman--and she gives great hugs! She and her team were a blessing to all of us.