Quilting!

As you may remember, a bunch of us moms are doing "Round Robin" quilts. This is quite a stretch for me, as I'm really just learning to quilt. And I'm really not so sure that quilting is my thing--oh, well!

So, here's a block I made for another mom! Sorry, just showing off a bit. I won't show you any more--don't want to spoil the quilt for anyone!

Curtains!

I decided it was time to get some valences done to match a bedspread in my oldest son's room, AKA the guest room (now that he's gone off to college!).

I'm not entirely happy with them--they are a bit blah, but at least they are a good start. I am planning to raise them up a bit, change from the run-of-the-mill curtain rod to a pretty, decorative rod (can you tell that these are double window--there is a small window on top the regular, larger windows) and also add some sort of ribbon or trim.

I wanted to make scallops of the white cotton--in order to show the blue band that I cut off the bedskirt. The bedskirt came with the bedspread and the pillow shams--but I didn't use the bedskirt on the bed--instead I'm cutting it up for curtains!

So here's what I used for a scallop template--my cutting board!

Many thanks to the Sewing Success Blog for help with the directions to make my scallops:

http://1ststeptosewingsuccess.blogspot.com/2007/07/sewing-technique-how-to-sew-perfect.html

Then here's the cardboard template for the scallops:

I sewed two layers of white cotton together on 3 sides (two sides and the soon-to-be scallop side) and then traced off my scallops with a disappearing ink pen--pinning the two layers together carefully along the marked-off scallops:

Then I sewed--with a tiny stitch!--along the traced lines, following the directions to turn the corners (using two stitches across the turn) and then trimming/clipping carefully.

I turned the scallops right side out and ironed everything flat as a pancake.

I then took the border print, which I had stitched to white muslin cut and hemmed on all sides to the correct size

,

and pinned this piece to the scallops just right so the border peeks through the scallops just so:

Then, I sewed the top casing, using the scalloped piece for the front and the border piece for the back side of the casing. I made quick and easy "guides" using ribbon and tape:


...so that my stitching lines would be nice and even! I just can't eyeball it well enough. It's just a bit of ribbon and some scotch tape. If you don't leave the tape on long--just while you are sewing your casing for the curtain rod--your machine won't get sticky glue on it.

I'll let you see when I 'really' get these valences done!

Sweet Valentines!

Snowed In

We had over 14 inches of snow when we got up this morning!

Can't you tell it's deeper than yesterday?

Here's my wonderful hubby--up to his knees!

I think the official count in Dallas was 11.5 or 12 inches, but south of Dallas, where we live, somehow got even a bit more.

And we are snowed in. There's still a foot of snow in our driveway, and it is UPHILL to the street---so there's no going anywhere! Plus, our little back street has little traffic. Thankfully, school was closed today.

Tonight, it's going to go well below freezing. We are supposed to have ICE FOG. I've never even heard of such a thing! Can't wait to see what THAT looks like!

Enjoy more snow pictures!

Still snowing

The snow in our backyard is 6 to 7 inches deep, depending on where you are--and those aren't drifts--there's no wind!

We may get over 8 inches of snow--maybe up to a foot!

It's so lovely--I've lived in Dallas 20 years, and have never seen this much snow.

Have a happy, blessed and warm snow day!

My Goodness, It's Global Warming!

Right here in Dallas!

It's absolutely beautiful. No public schools are closed, but blessedly, our homeschool Co-op classes were cancelled.

We're supposed to have 4 to 6 more inches today of this unusual white substance--at least snow is fairly strange around here!

Not too sure how the cats like this scenario....

Shower Curtain

I've finished the shower curtain, and really like it--EXCEPT for the ruffle on the bottom.

I'm going to re-do the ruffle (sometime!) with a small red check.

I think it will look much better.

Here's where the big, white cabinet used to be. In its place is a vintage metal shelf that I painted red.

Don't you like how the bathroom is turning out? That cabinet is no longer there, looking like it might eat you!

Church

Yesterday, of course, we went to church. Adult Bible class and worship service. It was great! but...

We are attending a new church. For me, it's so hard. While there's great Bible study, there's no community. At least, not yet. Perhaps time will solve that yearning.

I feel that church should be community, based on the word of God and doing God's work here on earth. That work is telling the Good News--the Gospel--and teaching disciples. In making disciples, you also make a community--one that works and prays and studies together. One that is accountable. One that is intimate, forgiving, edifying...

In the meantime, good news for this search. We are starting a Bible study with the express intent of being a community. Being open, honest and frank with each other. Spreading the Good News. Discipling each other. Yeah!!!!

So, now, back to schoolwork.

Plus laundry, bills to pay, sewing, cooking...a Mother's work is never done!