My Minutia

School update

Remember when I wrote about how my daughter's college closed? That is probably what we'll remember most about this Summer. We moved quickly though, and I'm happy to say it's all worked out so beautifully. 

She was able to find the perfect private university for her with an excellent graphic design program. She also got her sports scholarship and an art scholarship. So, we have lots to be thankful for.

 

 (photo nabbed from athletic roster)

A good friend also transferred there and they are roomies. It's been hard for her not being with old friends, but making new ones is exciting, too, right? She is getting along with her other 2 roomies so far. They are decorating their suite Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe style....how fun! 

She had to move in early to start training with the team, and her classes started this week. She's off to a great start and seems to have the world by the tail again. So glad!! 

So the only trouble is, I miss her. 

At the Farmer's Market

We spent some time at The Aksarben Farmers Market this weekend. Look at my sweetie holding this fresh bouquet flowers.

 

Aren't late Summer harvests beautiful? Such rich colors.

I promised him I'd help carry our gatherings if he'd let me snap just one photo of him holding all that! Our last Farmers Market will be next weekend. They are our special Summer dates and we'll miss them! 

By the way, the sweet corn was the best we've had all Summer. And we are picky about our corn. Going to have to go back next weekend for sure to get more!

Edit: BTW, that's an original Steve Gordon designed OMA t-shirt hubby is sportin' in that photo! OMA as in Omaha. Omaha rocks!

And we are sewing

So when Sas was visiting, she asked me to do an online sewing class with her by Leigh Ann and Friends of Freckled Nest. Whaaat? Yeah so I am doing it. I did learn sewing basics as a young teen, but never thought I could do anything fancy. And I doubt I ever will sew anything fancy...but so far this has been really fun to do.

So far, we made totes. I wish I could show you hers, maybe she'll email me a photo?? Sas? Anyway, here's mine:

It was tough to get that nubby chenille through my machine, but it worked. The patterned chenille's are vintage and the pink chenille was picked up at Hancocks. I was thinking if I used a thick fabric I could bypass needing a lining. Sas lined hers I'm pretty sure. She rocks like that.

This bag will be great for dragging projects around to games and carpool lines this year.

 

And the back to school vibe continues. I made a couple pencil cases, too. With lining...yay! The bottom one was a bit deeper, because I have lots and lots of pens and pencils. :)

 

Still can't believe I installed those zippers. Amazing! My mom will be so proud!

Bless the Beasts and the Children

We have been traveling a lot this past week, which has given me lots of "sit still" time in the car. Perfect time for embroidering this sweet project.

 

That friendly turtle is a creation by Charlotte Lyons. The turtle's hodge podge shell is the fun part! You just fill in whatever stitches you like.  I knew when I saw it I had to make one.

 

"Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out."

I stitched it on an old towel (but still in good shape) from Kaari at French General.  It looks great in our kitchen! It sorta needed somesing else on that towel...so I added the quote. 75% of the Charlotte's proceeds will go to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, an organization working right now to save the turtles in distress in the Gulf.

Sneaking in a couple BFF photos now...

 

This has been an every morning occurance since we got Lilly. These two on the couch, chillin'. Summer is ending and the morning rush to get ready for school begins soon...so had to snap a few shots while I still could!

Finished The Ringquist Sampler

A few weeks ago I started a great embroidery sampler by Rebecca Ringquist. I'm happy to report I finished it. I left it on the back burner a bit (family visiting etc.) but it's done! 

 

 

I think the border turned out well and it helps frame the piece. Because the sampler had the year on it, and because I have had the end of Summer on my mind big time, I added a photo of our kiddos printed on fabric prominently with vintage award ribbon to the bottom.

 

The kiddos each wrote their name on the fabric and I stitched them. Sassy's good idea...thanks Sas!

Here's the finished sampler:

 

Going to miss stitching on this now that it's finished! Going to miss our Summer, too.

 

We made jewelry

We like the bling. A lot. We get it from our momma. So when Sas was here we put some jewelry together.

We worked with the fabulous Vintage Groove, Making Memories Jewelry Line (by Jill Schwartz), which I dearly love. We also used lots of the yummy Industrial Chic (exclusively at Michaels).

Both lines are so very well made and easy to put together. It was fun to merge them together for a different look, too. Slightly sweet, slightly salty...love that! Sas made the two necklaces on the left, and I did the two on the right.

 

The last day she was here, we found more of the line that had been restocked at Michael's (gaaa!) and wanted to make more but ran out of time. Shoot.

We had such a fun time together! We did some shopping, she rearranged our living room and kitchen, and had the best time reconnecting. She left yesterday and of course we all miss her already!!

Sas is visiting

Hooray! Been enjoying some sister time around here! We've been doing all sorts of stuff during her visit. Little bit of this and a little bit of that. On her first day here we decided her day would be a little bit better with some Culver's frozen custard in it. 

 

 

 

 

Good call on that one. She loved it! Back soon with more tales pix of our adventures!

 

Fun at The Art Mill

The other day my daughter and I had a play date at The Art Mill. Just girl time, you know!

We took Jane's workshop on Image Transfers and Abstract Art. I've been wanting to take her class on this for months and finally did it! She cured all my years of mishaps with image transferring in a matter of minutes! Thank you Jane! Such a talented lady...

 

Here's Allie's transfer/abstract canvas:

 

Can you believe that's an image transfer? The text is at least 4x6". Such great results. Here's her finished piece:

 

Here's my finished canvas:

(The Party)

Such different styles, right? She stuck on the abstract path....I didn't. I wasn't comfy with abstract work so I stuck within my comfort zone. Plus I ran out of time and finished it up at home. Notice the big legs-little body. Hee Hee.

Mr. Nannynannyboobooo is an image transfer...he turned out great didn't he.

We had a great time out together, exploring new territories together. I was so glad she enjoyed herself because I sure did! Thanks again, Jane!

 

It's Friday, go play

I forgot about this fun site. Have you used it? 

 

Just upload your pix (like Flickr) and do cool stuff with them. I've used a couple photos of my 16 year old.

 

Carve out some play time today! You deserve it.

 

hey, let's gab

Hello Bella Sweeties! We're going to do something new this year...and it's going to be fun!

 

Love to have you join in the Group Chat on Thursday, Aug. 12 at 8:00 CT! For an hour or so! Let's get our Silver Bella groove on! Be watching on the Silver Bella Message Board for the link! There will be some fun giveaways during the chat, so I hope you can make it!

Before I go, check out this ExTrEmE close up of Lilly! My Android X got an new app Retro Camera app today and I've been playing with it a little.

 

Great app and great smile, yes?! Silly puppy...