Simply Dawn

A Good Kind of Busy

It’s been busy on the home front.  Busy, but good.

The past several days have been productive.

There is so much to write about, and in my perfect world all the bullet points I am about to list would come each with it’s own post, but for now I will just catch you up a bit…

• we got a new van, 12 passenger
• we went to Wisconsin Dells for a family reunion
• we got the new van stuck in a friend’s driveway during the 18” snowfall
• we have painted the laundry room and wired in our second washer and dryer set *happy dance*
• I pulled out an old quilt project I started when Sybbi was a new baby and made some headway
• Flylady is painfully slowly but surely helping me to get my home organized
• my 365project is out of sync but I am having fun putting words in place of missed shots

Tonight is tutoring night and I have pizza dough and sauce made and ready to go along with homemade lemonade…now I just need to figure out a dessert.

Here are some shots from our busy morning…

our busy climbing boy…A few weeks back I went away for a girls weekend and David watched all the kids…when I got back he said he didn’t know how I got anything done.  John wasn’t climbing then…

administering a spelling test while pressing strip sets for a quilt…

Yep, it’s been busy but good and I hope all is well in your world.

Lovies,DJ

Dot to Dot Quilt

So I have been telling you about the quilt I have been working on.  Here is a picture of the pattern I am going off of.  Notice, in the picture below, that the quilt is a throw or couch type quilt…the one I am making is considerably larger.  It will fit on my queen size bed and fall near the ground.  It is 91x92  6” quilt blocks, dimensionally speaking.  Then we will have to factor in a border.
 

In the picture below, you can see a stack of quilt squares and a pile of strips.  Those are all sorted so that I can sew 4 strips together to make a strip set for a total of 37 strip sets.  There are 364 squares back there, sorted into 4 square sets.  Each set will be sewn to create triangle corners on 91 blocks that already have a circle blanket stitched to the center (or relatively the center).

That’s about it for the quilt for now.  I did sew 4 strip sets together.  Then I decided I needed some instant gratification and pulled out some wine gift bags I had cut out three or four years ago.  I started sewing them together and found that there are twelve of them!  They go together sew much faster than the quilt.  Once they are done, I may put a few eye pillows together and maybe tackle those hats I have been wanting to try…  Now that my sewing nook is set up I can sew.  If I hadn’t gotten pregnant we would have put up the scrapbook station and then my crafting area would be complete.

I guess God had a different plan than me completing my crafting area…I think he wants to work on our family right now, and that’s cool with me!

Hope you all have a great day and I will chat with you soon!

Do you like to sew?  What kinds of things do you sew?  Do you mix sewing into your other crafts?  Do you sew with your kids around or do you have to have solitude?  Leave me a comment!

Lovies,DJ

Curtain Project - Final Phase - Installation; 5-30-08

OK, here is the curtain on it's rod at the group home.  Dear hubby installed it for me.  That's the end of this project.

As you can see, I am not one for writing a good tutorial.  This will just be for my personal record.

Curtain Project - Phase 3 - Quilt, Bind, and Rod Pocket; 5-30-08

OK, hopefully the formatting will show up on the blog the way it is showing up here...

The first picture shows me trimming the excess from the top layer, after quilting.

The second picture is trimming the backing fabric in order to make a double fold binding.  This was done on all sides except the top (that's where the rod pocket was placed.

The third and fourth pictures show the pressed and folded binding before sewing.  Once the binding was pressed to the front, then I simply stitched 1/8" from the inside edge of the binding, still using the walking foot.

The final picture shows where my picture taking fell short, and trying to explain the process would loose you, if I haven't done that already.  Please forgive me!

Curtain Project - Phase 2 - Measure, Cut, and Mark; 5-29-08

OK, so I did my research and all the sound dampening type of fabric "curtains had some fancy space age fabric on both sides and fancy space age filling with a simple diamond quilting pattern.  I figured that if I took some thick fabric like a decorator jacquard and placed a thick cotton batting between it would work pretty good for that purpose.  I chose a dark color because the walls in the house are a mocha brown and a brighter color may have made the area look brighter instead of darkening it.

So here is the design for the doorway leading to the living room from the hall (the residents who went to bed early were bothered by the light and sounds of the TV)...

I layed this one out on the floor of the living room (in my house)...the length I needed was a fair amount longer than my cutting table (floor to ceiling at the group home...plus length to cover the rod pocket and allow for quilting shrinkage)

 

Then it was cutting the width of fabric at the measured markings.  This I did with my rotary cutter on the cutting table...I am terrible at "eyeballing" a straight line.

 

Finally I marked the top with a diamond pattern...I am thinking somehow this must help block the soundwaves, otherwise, it is just a construction method to keep the batting from shifting.

Curtain Project - Phase 1 - Cleanup, 5-29-08

OK, this is how my "sewing" room looked in May, when I was asked to make a sound-dampening, light resistant curtain for a hallway in my girlfriend's group home.

The sewing cabinet...that's my Viking Rose...a little treat I bought myself after the Bear was born...

As you can see, this is also a laundry room for a family of 8...I think we may have a couple of days of forgotten laundry here...it's usually not that bad...

This is my Horn cutting table...cost a mint, but has a lifetime warranty...it is amazing and has locking casters.  I can fit two of the large cutting mats on it and it is just the right height...for me!

Ironing...hmmm...not exactly my favorite.  Above the ironing board is a bar for hanging things, on which are the border strips for the quilt I have been working on for the past 5 years.

 

So I sorted laundry, picked up all my scraps and projects and put them in a basket, ironed and dusted.  My Joe loaned me a little battery powered radio (I really must remedy the tunes situation someday) so that I would feel a little less like I was in a cave.  With the cleaning done, my creative juices really started pumping and I began the design and construction of the curtain.

Doing Life 6-25-08

Today, I conquered my computer...again!

I have been working this week on catching up on projects-procrastinated, and the computer was one of them.  Actually, the computer and the camera, because as you know, I have some sort of hang up when it comes to uploading my photos.  Today, I uploaded and then edited (you know, shift the alignment from landscape to portrait, get rid of red-eye, delete the really bad ones), and backed up to CD.  Now I am ready to clean up my camera and maybe tomorrow I will get some more pics taken...starting the process all over again.

I also finished up the window treatments for the boys room (which I plan to take pics of tomorrow and maybe even blog about some day).  They are happy to have somepersonal touches in thier room.  We painted it this winter and now with the treatments, the only thing left is to make quilts for thier beds...I know, I shouldn't bite off more than I can chew.

Other than that, we are keeping up with laundry and the math for summer.  I am trying to keep up with the housekeeping and child-rearing...even tried potty-training twins last week...not a pretty picture and decided to wait a little while longer.

My plans for the rest of the week are to possibly finish up the four or five year quilt so we can get it on the wall before this baby comes.  We have an event at the end of the week that should be fun for all and then R & R on Sunday.

Hope your week has been going good...oh, I almost forgot, I am starting to not feel as sick in the evenings...could July be the start of the Golden Months!

Lovies,DJ

Spam, Benadryl & Coffee

Hello again!

Today is a good day because my oldest let me take a nap BEFORE the regular naptime, and I am feeling fairly spry right now.

I didn't get to a Fabulous Friday Find, but I did introduce my children to a childhood favorite of mine...SPAM!  Do you remember it?  It was so salty and yummy, just like bacon without all the mess when you cook it.  We would have traditional Spamburgers or dad would fry cut SPAM and add eggs, taters and onions and that was breakfast...it was especially nice when we went camping.  Anyhow, I went for the quick and easy Spamburgers and the kids loved it...even Addie ate all of hers without complaining.

Besides the Spamburgers, I gave the kids dollar store stew...that's right, we are sodium loading today.  We don't do this all the time, but every once in a while I will buy a big 2.5lb can of stew at the dollar store for $3.  Dinty more 1lb cans cost more than that, so I figure we are doing pretty good and this one's flavor is pretty good.  I just don't put the salt shaker on the table.  It is a huge hit with everyone and for about $6 I have fed my family a feast and they are content ALL the way to dinner.

On a different note entirely, my allergies started acting up!  I haven't had battles like this for a long time and it has caused me to reach for the Benadryl.  Thank goodness pregnant ladies can take Benadryl.  The added benefit of this is the drowsiness.  I know, I know...I have complained about lack of energy or been happy that I have too much.  What's worse than lack of energy though is lack of sleep, and this old momma bear has been lucky to get 4 hours a night in and even luckier if she gets a nap.  So the Benadryl slump is welcome...at certain times.

That's where the coffee comes in.  There are times, like right now, that I actually want to be awake and somewhat productive...coffee is making that possible.  I limit myself to one cup a day and am trying to keep up with some sort of excercise everyday to work off the extra sugar and cream.  My good old Senseo has been getting a work out.  I am going to use the last pod of dark roast tomorrow and then I will dig into the medium roast.  I hope I like it as well.  Right now the dark roast double cup with 1/2 cup milk and 2 tbsp half-n-half and 4 tsp sugar is my fancy.  It is like a latte at the shop...I just have to heat my milk in the microwave...SHHHHH!  DOn't tell the health guru's that I am using a microwave while preggo.  (BTW -- did anyone see the video on myspace where four cell phones pop some popcorn...FREAKY!)

OK, that is it.  I have a pair of pantaloons to finish, about a dozen things to iron (yes, I started ironing again when I saw Dave at church looking rather disheveled in a perfectly clean shirt...my mommy pride was mortally wounded!), and then I am going to have room to start on the boys curtains...which I bought new rods for (I hope that they don't decide to use them as swords, or try to turn the curtains into tents and bend them...fortunately they were somewhat cheap and I used thier allowance money...maybe they will take care of them this time!  You can imagine what happens when boys of all ages get scissors and try to figure out just how much of the string you really need for a venetian blind!)

Alright, that is really it.  My coffee is getting cooled and I need to get!  Remember that GOd is the author of your day if you let him and what a day it can be!  I love my life and wouldn't trade it for the world!

Lovies,DJ

Mondays

So, it is sooooo wierd to wake up on Monday and say to yourself, "Self, we have no homeschool for the big boys today."

"Really, are you sure?"

"Most certainly!  We finished the testing early last week and the new math won't arrive until Friday.  That leaves just the reading lessons with the Bear."

"Goodness!  Time does fly."

That's where it sits.  My crazy, fun, mixed-up life just got a little more mixed up and that's okay.  In light of no homeschool for the older boys, I am getting them going on housework.  I am going to get a bit done myself (upstairs dusting and vacuuming, perhaps the bathroom, and office paperwork).  Last week I completely cleaned the homeschool bookshelf upstairs and my little desk, as well as one of the student desks.  It is amazing how much that did for my cleaning motivation, hence the desire to keep it going. 

Last night, I finished one of the pantaloons for Addie and the outfit is adorable!  I made it a size 6, so it is a bit swimmy, but she should be able to wear it in the spring and possibly all summer next year, so that is encouraging.  I have two more pantaloons to make and then three play outfits are complete.  The boys desperately need curtains for thier room, so that is next on my sewing agenda.  After that, I will try to finish up the hundred-year quilt so I can have Dave hang it on the wall before the end of the month...not too hard of a challenge, but just enough.  Then I have to assess the clothing situation and make a decision about what will be sewn and what will be bought.  Hopefully I will get that done soon, before the garage sale season is over, and I can score some deals (and maybe some of you can help)

Other than that, the garage needs a good once over, and I am only talking about the common areas.  Dave will be staining doors and trim today, so it probably isn't the best time to accomplish that.  I am sure the customer doesn't want dust all over thier woodwork and then polyed over...but it could be a new look...we could be on DIY -- dusty woodworking -- think it will fly????

Alright, enough musing for now.  I pray that you are blessed with joy and contentment as you go about fulfilling God's calling on your life.  BLessings to you!

Lovies,DJ

Today

Wowser!  I have been gone a while...sorry!

We had a great time on Saturday for the scrapbook retreat and Creative Escapes will get my money every time I go out for scrapbooking.  I will write more on that later.

Sunday we went to Sunburg to visit our friends and see thier farm.  It was lovely and Kelly always feeds us well.  The two of us got to go for a two mile walk down a beautiful country road.  It was amazingly turbulent weather on the way there, but it cleared up to a beautiful day.  The kids had a blast and no animals were killed, so I'd call that a great day!

Monday, Dave let me sleep in and then he was off to do some work.  The kids and I did a little housework and lounged about watching TV.  I was able to get a good nap in and was cleaning house when we were invited to a grill out at our friends house.  It was a bit chilly, but the fire and food and friends made up for it. 

Tuesday was back to school day.  Not too rough, and I did get a bit more housework done.  The little ones even got to play playdough (such a rarity...stinky and messy!) and then puzzles in the kitchen, where I had them trapped with gates.  In the evening, after nap Gavin returned to us from our Sunday visit and we had a decent meal, and then a visit from April.  She brought a ton of homeschool items that she won't need and it will be a huge blessing to us!  We planned our Friday trip to Trader Joe's

Today, Joe is hard at work and he has won the customer across the street for his lawn service.  One steady customer and hoping for more.  He is soooooo close to being done, if not this week it will be next.  After that it is just the standardized tests and on to summer vacation.  We will do math and penmanship over the summer, but that's it!

I still have a bit of housework to catch up on.  I am hoping to get Addie's play clothes finished and then finish up the quilt.  Then maybe I can work a little more on Addie's scrapbook and then maybe post some pictures.

I hope that your day goes well and I will chat more when I can.

Lovies,DJ