the SNAP that wasn't

The bones of the snap bracelet

My grandson loves his snap bracelets and with his sister sewing her own baby doll quilt, he wanted to get in on some sewing, crafty time too.    Frantically trying to think quickly about what I might have in  that would appeal to him yet not make it be a huge undertaking for me to finish when I thought of  a fabric covered snap bracelet.  

That worked...... he's hooked. 

He went through my scrap basket and we auditioned which fabric he'd like to have on his bracelet.  Ultimately we went with the CARS theme.   Everything went along smoothly until I tried to insert the metal bracelet into the fabby cover.  I wrecked the "snappability" (if that's a word) by torturing the thing trying to get it into the covering.  With the opening on the backside just a little off center in the back thinking that it might look the nicest having a smooth and even edges on the ends.  
While I am trying to get that dang thing in .... Phew!! Such a little thing and so many problems so far, I swear I wrestled with that first bracelet for 30 minutes before finally asking my hero, DH to help out figuring he'd get it in.  He wrestled too and absolutely kille dit off!  So back to the drawing board but it was the little man's nap rest time. 

SNAP!! that wasn't a snap...  lol



While Brody went to take his nap Meme produced another covering with the end  left open and that worked much better for inserting that little metal strip.   Here is the end result and I'll be surprising the little man when he gets up.   






I think another snap bracelet might work for a complementary item for my next project I am working on. Here's a tease:



Snippet from my scrap basket that PGD#1 fell in love with and started playing with. 

I'll be back another day to share the doll quilt that his sister is making.  But here's a peak of the scrap from my basket. 

Jane

First down!

First in Ten oops, I meant Four.    Switched the wrong nomenclature here, was thinking about football again.  We've been to quite a few football games so far this season since PGS#2 is playing on JV team for the local school.    He only has about 4 games left so the fall is going by very quickly.

My finish is a baby quilt that I shelved away a stack of four  last year.  You heard me right, FOUR!  While Mom was here, she wanted to "help me" clean out some of my projects from my room.  You really do have to see and just imagine towers of project boxes hovering all around you as you enter the sewing room.  They are stacked safely though I have to say but if ever we have any earthquakes or tremors, I am running out of my room, that's for SURE! 
Anyway, Mom and I were able to assemble 4 baby quilt tops together last summer out of 2 kits I purchased with some additional yardage for the backings.  Of course there was this sale... I just wish I could remember where I got them from, my minds eye sees their logo but the name is escaping me.  (coming back to add that I think it was the Fat Quarter Shop.)   Perhaps you remember them from this post.   Well, they were safely shelved since last year so  I listed them as some of the projects I wanted to get totally done in 2012.  

One is done!   Yippee!!!!

 

 

This alphabetical grid is how I stitched in the ditch without starts and stops for a 4x4 alternating block layout of pinwheel blocks with the only section stitched over twice which is the segment from X to the RW dots. 

I stitched it in alphabetical order. 

















It seemed like the easiest way for retrieval of that information  if I placed it here and that way I'd share it with my cyber friends in case they had need of it.  Most times  it's a good thing my head is attached though  I blame the Rx's  I'm on for the deterioration of my mental aptitudes of course it couldn't be my age.  lol!    You can click on any photos for a better look.  Sorry my photography skills are still so lacking.



I just love these alligator cyclists!



 

Alphabetical fllece for the backing was used, very A propro don't you think?

For the borders I did an easy in the ditch straight stitch. 
Then for the binding that blue and green stripe was perfect.  Seems like I'm in a blue/green mode lately.  It was finished by sewing the binding onto the back  then turned it was over the edge  and  top stitched by machine.    EASY!


I am feeling very smug  satisfied that one is down and  now only three to go.   Whoot * whoot!

A smilin',

Jane

Coming back three days later   to add that recently while blog hopping, I noticed many bloggers have lists of items and intentions of what  to accomplish in the next week.  While shopping I found this little gem and started using it.  How easy and just the tiny reminder I need.  Since I bought it, I have found time to get in my studio every day! That's a new record for me.   I'll let you know how long  that lasts.   

Here's my list recently.  Notice all those blue check marks?  They are done! 

 

I also found time to connect with a friend for a wee time with a cup of tea and happened to see these little gems in her shop, Fibre Junction.  Aren't they lovely?     Of course they came home with me.  8~)

 

 

Since I was on a mission to get some black piping I needed for my current New FO and stop by Teavana to check out their new global teas,  I also proceeded on to Stitched in Vt. to get some more of that green tonal fabric in Malka Dubrawsky's line-"a stitch in Color" that I adore.  I'm using that in the current new FO. 

 

 

 

Can you guess what it'll be? Stay tuned, any day now.....

Jane

A little something I've been wantin....

To Have.
 
                       To Do.

                                               To Get Done.



VOILA- a new pincushion with detachable ORT bag.



Of course it's also a tool holder that now sets right next to my sewing machine.   So easy to use now and convenient too.  Perfect!

 I found the tutorial for this at Sew Mama Sew which Elizabeth Hartman graciously shared with all.  I only adjusted the pattern just a bit. Specifically, the dimensions and how I assembled the tool holder, the  loop and the pincushion construction by layering the wool on top of my side pieces with an appliqued  top  stitch then catching the other set of parallel sides with a typical seam. 
 I also opted not to make the "loop" but used a hairband instead.  I sewed it just under the pincushion with zig zag stitching.  While doing this I reasoned that the metal clasp would hold up better and be easier to use, thus that section of the hairband is visible when the bag is off yet hidden when it's assembled and in use.
As for the tool holder, I wanted to have the upper pocket have just a  hint of contrast so it would be easier to see the opening.  Of course the stripe fabric I wanted to use  had the wrong orientation stripe  for the size needed so I assenbled that black print so it would be on the inside of my pocket allowing the rest to be the lime stripe.  Recognize any of the fabric?  Quite a few are from Malka  Dubrawsky's line "Stitch In Color" that I fell in love with adding some other pieces I had in.   The bright aqua is a Jenny Beyer and the fly print, I'm not sure but was one I just thought could be fun so grabbed a fat quarter while shopping at Stitched in Williston Vt..

Last spring instead of going to my usual quilting retreat, there were too many things going on at the time and the price was just too much to justify with the income, I decided to stay home.  Feeling so neglected and actually getting into a bit of a pout  I stopped by my Bernina Dealer (Stitched) while DH had his Cardiology appointment in Vermont.  I ordered a specialized foot and base plate to do needle punch on my Bernina 440.   The owner Jenn was more than happy to help me out and mailed the part she had to special order as soon as it came in.  It's been hanging around here just waiting for me to make time to try it out.

 I finally made time to play and it works beautifully.    What do you think? 

The E stands for either Eileen or Emerson, my first and last names.

Recently, I found this blog which has many  inspirations.  Quiltyworthy,  Bags and otherstuff, check it out if you have time.

I have another idea from a different tutorial I found.  Here's a peek of what I'll be fondling  using.   lol

Enjoy your day,  Jane

Truly, Finally fixed!

Another blogger friend has given instructions recently about watermarking your photos and how to get your signature on a blog post. I hope I'll make time to learn one of these in this next week. Thanks Connie and  Wish me luck!

My neighbor friend different man than the other post came by to help me with my blogging editing bar.  And it is truly fixed, YIPPEE!
For others having trouble getting the full editing bar to be shown while posting a draft here are the steps he took to fix mine.

First on the top line where your "address" of what sight you are on shows, just to the right of it there are different icons visble.  Typically it shows a magnifying glass, a triangle (like the  drop down menu modes), a paper torn in two,  a backward circle, and an X.  If it shows the torn paper as a highlightable option, that means that your browser (ie: internet explorer, mazilla, or whichever internet browser  you use) is not compatible with blogger.  Click on it one time and then all the options that were hidden because of the incompatabiliy will now be visble and have been  fixed bandaid style.

To fix this communication link  permanently, I had an update for Internet Explorer that needed doing which blogger knew about, but obviously  I didn't.    He showed me that you could find where updates are needed by selecting the "windows button" on the botton left of your desktop.  Look through all the programs and find the Windows Update program.  When you select that one a screen will pop up showing which updates are CRUCIAL and which updates are optional.
A word to the wise here, if it ain't broke, Don't fix it.    I only updated the crucial software programs since my other optional update was for my printer and that is working fine.   I don't want to jinx it. 

Now mind you, this is what worked for me.  Not sure if you have a similiar system or not.   I am not a computer whizz like my neighbor and friend.  Just trying to help out and shared what I learned today.  Thanks Shon!

 

Banker's Orchard 2012

The youngest grandson, fondly referred to PGS#3 had a field trip to a local orchard with tractor pulled, wagon rides.

What fun!

 

After enjoying the trip to the pumpkin patch we walked into the orchard to learn about apple trees, apples and how to pick them.  Notice how little man is ernestly paying attention to Mr. Sullivan's instructions.

 

 

 

 

 

ANd we're off.  Need to pick only 5 apples for each bag and then pick 2 apples off the ground for Mr. S.

This orchard offers plenty for children to do besides learning and it's a favorite of the 2 youngest grandchilren to visit.   .It's a good thing we all love apples! 

There even was a demonstration of how apple cidar used to be made with each child placing the to ground apples into the masher.

 

After all the structured time we visited the petting zoo,

had a small snack of cidar and fresh doughnuts,

jumped in the bouncy house,

play and have more fun in the cut outs and mechanical money fed toys. 

 

 

Notice that DH and I had to get in on the fun too!

 



We had our scary faces on for this one!

It was a very nice day.
Just look at that smile.   {It just melts my heart}

Jane

Another first

 

 

day of school, second grader waiting for the AM bus.

 

 

 

 

 

My daughter with her peeps.   What a beautiful family inside and out.  I am grateful and we are blessed.

 

 

Peace Out.