Irene Update

The storm has passed us and I think the worst part was trying to sleep on the couch in the basement with a nineteen month old.
It's still raining and a little windy but the worst is over.
We had very little damage in our immediate area. A few branches down, no flooding or power outages. I just wish everyone could have been as lucky.
I have no idea how to publish pictures using this iPad--something else I need to learn.
Looking forward to a little sunshine.
Thanks for all the good thoughts sent our way.
Happy stitching,
Nancy

Irene is Coming!

This past week I have been in Alexanderia, Virginia visiting with my Daughter. It seems like every time I come for a visit there is some sort of natural disaster.
Last week they had an earthquake here. At first we thought the washing machine was out of balance but when the whole house started moving and shaking we figured out it was an earthquake. She didn't have any real damage just a lot of crooked pictures and things falling off the cabinets.
Now we are trying to get ready for Irene. Rounding up batteries, a generator, water and anything else we can think of. The powers that be are saying we will loose power for several days.
If all goes as planned I will be returning home Tuesday----Maybe there won't be anything else before I get out of town.

The Ice Cream Dress

One of the patterns I used and  really liked is called the Ice Cream Dress.  One day as I was blog hopping I came across the Badskirt blog.  Amy was having a sew along making the Ice Cream Dress.  It was so cute I decided I needed to make one for Lillian.
On the yoke of this dress you have to turn a hem before you sew it down and it needs to be nice and even since you are turning it to the right side.
Here is a little tip I have for pressing hems so they look nice and straight .

Cut a manilla folder into approximately 2 to 3 inch strips and mark the amount you want to turn under along the edge.  I guess you could use any type of folder just be careful if you choose a colored one because steam might transfer the color onto your fabric.

Then place the strip on the wrong side of the fabric and press the hem -  folding the fabric over the edge of the folder strip.

  This gives you a nice crisp turn with a smooth edge to sew down.  It's very quick and easy and could be used to turn a hem on almost anything where you want a nice even edge.
Happy stitching,
Nancy

Lillians Clothes

Not much time for quilting lately because I have been busy sewing for little Lillian.  I haven't made any little dresses in quite some time and it was fun.
I was a little surprised at how expensive the patterns for these little gems were.  Most of them were bought at the quilt shop and are not anything like I remember patterns.  You have to trace your own  pieces and you need to have a little dressmaking experience because the instructions are somewhat lacking.
Still a few left to finish but I put these in the mail today.  Sure hope they fit.
If you know of any cute ones I have missed let me know.
Happy stitching,
Nancy

Out of Town Visitor

I have had a visitor from out of town for the past few days.  Meet Rolly the Accuquilt rolling pin.  Since the Accuquilt Retreat in Fremont Nebraska he has been traveling around the country visiting all the friends he made at the Accuquilt Retreat.  The purpose is to encourage Accuquilt to hold another retreat.

Rolly belongs to Steve Nabity the CEO (Chief Energizing Officer) of Accuquilt who used his wife's rolling pin and cookie cutters as dies to cut out paper  shapes and so began the Accuquilt die cutting system.  If you would like to read more about the Accuquilt company go here.

Rolly is getting a few flying lessons in my Husbands newly restore Stearman airplane.  If you remember about this time last year there was a little accident.  You can read about it here but after a lot of hard work the Stearman is about ready for it's first flight.