I Should be Prancercising

Mama's got a brand new bag. I used the Asian Fan Purse pattern by La Todera. Julie's patterns are so fun. I started this bag at our last guild Sew Day and promptly forgot about it. That's what happens when you clean your studio and cram projects out of sight. I found some time yesterday to finish it.

There's a magnetic snap closure and a pocket inside. I used some of Hollywood's old jean legs for the strap. The pattern is really easy and straightforward, but it still took me three tries to get the lining and outer bag put together correctly. Geez.

I made a huge Mexican meatloaf for our big family dinner Sunday. This is the only photo I managed with a full house of kiddos. I love veggies in meatloaf, but what I love best is cold meatloaf sandwiches. The tomato topping for this recipe was especially good. It's a moist meatloaf because of all the veggies. I'd probably add more bread crumbs or oatmeal next time.

Peach cobbler before baking. Again, my photography goes by the wayside when everyone is here. Everyone was eating this warm with vanilla ice cream. I used the recipe from Penzey's.

A little playing with selvages. As usual, I got a little turned around and it buttons on the back instead of the front. Still works though.

Perfect for business cards.

For my birthday on Saturday, I ate a mess of these out by the pool. A visiting four-year-old sat beside me and kept asking for more "chicken." It was the first time he had blue crab and he enjoyed watching them alive and kicking, but enjoyed the sweet meat even more. And no, crabs do not taste like chicken. Next time he's over for crabs, he has to learn to pick them himself. That's the rule.

I'm still making pesto. That grocery store, rescued from the trash, half-dead basil plant is really producing this summer. Must be all the rain, because I never remember to water my plants.

I unearthed one of my cast iron skillets to make cornbread. Greased it with bacon grease too. My grandmother would be proud. Now let's Prancercise!

Do You Have Friggatriskaidekaphobia?

An irrational fear of Friday the 13th? That's the Urban Dictionary definition, I'm not hating on anyone's phobias. I'm not a super superstitious person but I have plenty of other issues! ; ) Anyway, what a fun word. Try to say it out loud and use it in a sentence today. Ha!

I added three black beads to this little mini quilt. I still need a label. I need to make labels today. Make me.

Work was so busy this week, but I managed to find a little time to reward myself with sewing projects. This gathered clutch was fun and gave me more much-needed zipper practice.

Love this lunch bag. I've had the red and white gingham oil cloth for a while and was looking for a fun project. Sewing with oil cloth is very interesting. Luckily, most of the sewing was done on the wrong side. I think you need a special Teflon foot to sew on the oil side. The pattern called to top stitch the upper edge, but I don't think my machine will do it.

Wonky houses for a block swap. I have a wonky house block collection from other quilters growing. I'm hoping to put them all together for a charity quilt. These three I'll send to my swap partners.

I stashed all my UFO's away when I cleaned my studio a couple of weeks ago. Not a good idea! Out of sight, out of mind! I plan to get that basket out this weekend and continue work on a few of those UFO's. These two asterisk blocks are a start. One of my quilt friends sent me more selvages, so I had to make a selvage asterisk.

I made this mini quilt for the friend who sends me selvages. I can't believe I haven't made her one of my floppy selvage bookmarks to say thanks. I usually whip up one of those to say thanks. She included a note in the bag that said "what do you do with these things?" I guess selvage quilting is relatively new. And just a little crazy.

Off to make the boy some blueberry pancakes. The fruits and veggies are still wonderful this summer. I've been a cooking fool. I'm even growing my own basil and dill. Barely, but I'm doing it. Looking forward to a fun weekend. I hope you have a great one.

School's Out For Summer!

I've had that Alice Cooper song in my head all day. Today was the last day of school. My son got out of school a couple of weeks ago, but my daughter was still attending the high school. Apparently it was an exciting last day. Several freshman boys decided to fight, cops were called, kids were maced and arrested, someone pulled the fire alarm, etc. That poor principal. The joys of high school. My kids normally go to a nice, A-rated school, but I guess the excitement of the day got to a few. Maybe they shouldn't have served Rocky Mountain Oysters* for lunch! My daughter was not impressed. I guess she was downwind of one of the mace clouds. Like any child, she's forgotten all about it and is at a theme park with a friend.

I whipped up this purse this morning. It's called the Phoebe Bag and the pattern is so easy. I'm going to make a few more of these! Thank you Artsy-Crafty Babe!

A package arrived from my friend Yumi in Japan! She sent these colorful scraps that may be from kimonos.  Aren't they fun? I could just frame the package as is!

And look at the cute monkey fabric! They remind me of that game, Barrel of Monkeys. A few of the monkeys are sporting pink bow ties!

And check out these little pouches made from zippers and twill tape. Could they be any cuter?

Yumi also made me this chic bag. It's beautiful! The patchwork continues on the other side too. And it's lined with a pretty floral fabric. The design is very unique.

She was only supposed to send this little donation quilt for AAQI, but she always spoils me! Isn't this quilt great? It's 9.5" x 9.5"! She calls it "Sunrise." Gorgeous! I've already eaten some of the fun Japanese snacks she sent! I'm such a lucky gal. The birthday celebration continues and it's only day nine!

I finished this small quilt based on this pattern by one of my favorite bloggers, Red Pepper Quilts. The pattern is perfect for leftover honey bun strips.

I'm off to make summer rolls. I've had Vietnamese food on the brain. I'm meeting my friend Tina on Friday to have an authentic Vietnamese lunch, but I can start with some summer rolls tonight!



*Not for the squeamish. I warned you! Rocky Mountain Oysters