August 1 - Fabric Roses

My own personal National Sewing Month has begun. One thing to look forward to at this time of year (the dog days of summer, which Texas is happily sharing with the rest of the nation) is to STAY IN and SEW! Moms and Dads are getting the kiddos organized for school, shopping and running off on last minute vacations. Work folks are gearing up for a busy fall. Football is on the minds of many, and I am sure stores are rummaging around in back for their Christmas trees. But for me . . . . SEWING! 

First, I did have to get the back to school box sent off to the grand children with some back to school cookies. This is one of my favorite designs, a sand dollar. I also packed some for my brother, some for a new neighbor, some for a friend and some for my oldest who is coming to visit tomorrow. That took a while. Then there was laundry, clearing out stuff we didn't want any more, errands, grocery and reading a book from the library to get done before it is due. 

Cookies ready to pack up.

 But I did get some sewing done. 

 I figured out how to get the dent out of my fascinator base. 

 I also decided what I might want to do with 

the beautiful purple linen I got at the ASG conference.

 First I practiced with paper. 

Then I practiced with fabric. 

Turned out pretty well. I think I will use the design on the front of the book as well, and fabricate some leaves. Not sure how I will apply them to the dress, but I do know they will trail down and be different sizes. For now I will need to pre-wash the fabric, make a few and applique them on. Wash them to see how they will hold up and pick buttons! 

Didn't get much done, but at least got started on my personal August Sewing Retreat. 

Tomorrow it is Gare Bear Day! Fun for Grandmother and Grandfather.  I am sure I will get something done in the sewing room at some point. We'll see. Wouldn't miss our time with the G-man for anything. Growing like a weed!

Solar System Cookies

Per usual, I challenged myself to make a Solar System out of cookies. It worked!

Happy Birthday JR

Our no longer youngest grandson turned 2 last week. I have made quilts for the older two and hope to eventually have a quilt for all of them. This one was so fun. Most of the shirts I have made for the men in my life are represented here. Been doing it for a number of years. It was a bit of a spontaneous, not too planned quilt. I just started cutting squares, them putting shapes on some of them, then his initials. After it was together I realized it needed to be a bit bigger. Since Grandfather is an original Bow Tie Guy, I decided to add that all around to add size. Not a specific size, just a little quilt for a little boy. Comfy and fun. Wasn't sure it would get done, as lately the sewing room seems to have taken a back seat to all the other things going on. But I did it! 

 I tied this one. 

And here is the handsome 2 year old. 

What a great idea to get one eating the cookies I made.

Can't wait to see him. 

August 14 - More Side Front

This is the side front and there is a dart in the lining and interlining stay piece and the fashion fabric will need to be steam shrunk. I have not made a LOT of progress, but am learning a lot and still moving forward, so success on some level. I am hoping for a full weekend in the sewing room. No laundry, house cleaning, lunches, errands, shopping, meetings, work outs, deliveries, cooking or baking. Just sewing.

One reason yesterday was less about sewing. The grandkids start school next week, so . . . .

July

July has been a full month. Travel and family was a big aspect. I got to see three of my four brothers and their wonderful wives along with a nephew and his new wife. Spent a couple weeks with mom and got a lot taken care of, always nice. It was a good July. 

I smattering of what has gone on. 

Photographer and Sister-in-Law extraordinaire was up for a little Then and Now photo, this was fun. Love my little bros. And love my other sister-in-law's photo bomb! 

I also did a little baking. Son's birthday (these were too much fun!) 

and just had to send some love in the mail. 

Besides some mending/alterations for youngest and a neighbor, I managed a jumper for my mom. 

It was a big month with lots of fun stuff going on. It is good to be me. 

Cookies

I have begun to make cookies! Fancy cookies. DELICIOUS cookies, as the recipe is outstanding. SOOOO yummy. The frosting is made with white chocolate, so not the typical royal icing used to decorate most cookies. This one is definitely up a notch in the taste department. A lovely friend from church was generous enough to share her recipe and give me tips. I have also been reading blogs. Amazing some of the things you can learn from others. I am also getting more cutters, colors and equipment to make things easier.

So anyway. . . the grandkids had a BIG day recently with baptisms and first communions. The newest grandson, JR, recently officially adopted, had his baptism, and the three oldest siblings, Cowboy, Lulu, and KN received their First Communion. Oh, how I would have LOVED to have been there. It wasn't to be. So . . . I made cookies to send in the mail along with the little stained glass window that I made for JR. 

These have more of a baptismal theme.

These have more of a communion theme.

And this is how I made the shape using my new multi sized circle cutters. 

And next time I will pick a nicer background to take the pictures! I tried to give the cookies a "stained glass" look. So fun. My son's birthday is next and I hope he enjoys his fun cookies that I thought of.