UFO getting closer to the finish line

Here are some more of the Sampler blocks I got stitched up yesterday. I have one more pieced block to stitch together and the applique medallion to make. Then the sashing and the borders and it will be closer to the finish line. After sitting most of the day I did get up and vacuum the living room. It really had threads all over. I need to dust today. I striped and remade two beds yesterday and five loads of laundry.

Last night I got more of this purse stitched together. Today maybe the rest of it will get cut out and stitched together. The purse is for a surprise gift for my neighbor. This is the front and the flap for the purse.

This is the back side of the purse. She loves flowers and I had appliqued them on the denim. IF I make anymore I need to find a better way to get the applique done. My hands from working on the denim are tired. I think I am going to work with the machine applique. The blind hem stitch and I might become good friends.

I am only making the purses for friends and family. I decided the amount of work I wasn't really getting a whole lot of money for my time. So if the machine technique works to my liking I might get more done. Been trying to get in better shape for outside work which is coming soon. My progress is really slow. I need a little warmer weather to walk. I did quite a bit the other day, but the weather changed again. I am being forced to find a way to do this without adding to the National Debt. The gas prices to go walk in an enclosed area is eating into my budget so I need to get out in the fresh air and keep up the effort. It is 34*F out right now and I am sure with the winds we have it is close to 20*F windchill . The air will take your breath away.
Chris

Remember this-Another UFO

I started these last fall. Did several blocks and then got involved with Christmas quilting. I finally got them back out this morning. I woke up early and wanted to be quiet. So I got this UFO out and started. I ripped three seams. Wasn't paying attention.

This has a center that is appliqued and I have asked a couple about doing it by machine. I like hand applique but need to speed up my techniques. I don't ever get anything done by hand. There will always be a place for hand work in my life, but I would like to see this one done. I think I have three more blocks to piece then the machine applique. I practiced the length and the width of the stitch I have on my machine this morning and I think I can maybe do it.
At least I will try. Back to the machine then cleaning later on today. It is raining here. Chris

Boy am I a Pig

I am embarrassed to say the least. I have let everything really go around here. This is a hand made stain glass lamp shade my Step Father made for me many years ago. We have moved it about 12 times. I think about 4 times just in this house. He made stain glass shades and windows for all of us kids. He has been gone for about 10 years now and I want to hang onto this for a long time.

Here it is lit up. I haven't cleaned it for a long time and today I spent about 20 minutes getting all the dust and grime off of it. It is pretty lit up, but now it lights up much brighter because I cleaned it. I might use the motif in it for a border on a quilt sometime. The shapes would be beautiful in a quilt border. Glad I thought about that. LOL. Many stain glass patterns can be used for quilting shapes or applique. So many times we look just to quilting patterns for our choices for quilting. Stain glass patterns and coloring books are a great source. Another one is tole painting patterns are good also. Having been a librarian I try to look outside the box for patterns and choices. Back to cleaning.
Chris

Another Spring Purse

My neighbor's Mother called me a few weeks ago and said she needed another purse. I made one for her for her Birthday last year as a gift from her daughter. Now she wants on for her daughter. So I have to get this done and in the mail in a few days. I wanted Spring like flowers and colors for her. I found this fabric in the stash and then looked for flower shapes. This is a modified flower shape. It had a deep v in the throat of the top layer and I felt it was to difficult to achieve for a well used surface without fraying. I think the modification worked out well.

The denim is of course recycled jeans. I will make a couple more over time, but I think I need to find a different fabric base for the next design I am planning out. More details will be added to this purse over the next couple days. Several are starting to do major cleaning. I have really let things go since Christmas. Well today I am starting. I plan on cleaning this morning and every morning in the next few days. I need to get this under control again. I am starting in my kitchen. Ceilings need dusting down and cabinets need washing. I noticed yesterday with the sun streaming in the windows how bad it was. I stood there and made up my mind it has to happen. I don't move as fast as I use to and I am really out of shape. So here goes some straining and groaning on my part.
I would rather be sewing, but it has to be put on the back burner. Between the furnace and the fireplace the Health Department might shut me down if I don't get this done soon. Now that I confessed don't call them please. I would like to live her a little longer.

Believe it or not I use to clean for a living. I clean really expensive houses and also worked for a school district cleaning classrooms. Guess my skills have changed as I got older. Chris

No sewing Painting and staining instead

Have been busy in the garage and not sewing. Well you can see the freezer paper box on the table. Have traced off some applique pieces, but haven't done anything else with it. This is a Squirrel feeder. Instead of a corn cob on a screw it is a holder that opens and they can get out corn from it.

Jeff made the details look real. It has a hinge to open the lid. Also the TP holder was an after thought. To Cute! I wish that we can get a squirrel picture on the feeder. It makes it look neat if you have something to show what it is suppose to work and be like.

He made a comment he was running out of wood. There are more out in the garage and I need to take some more pictures. Tomorrow I will make another delivery to the Landscaping showroom to get there showroom filled up. Hopefully these all sell. Went through old pictures of the garden and flower beds last year and I so want them to look that nice again. Tired of snow and bare ground. Been looking at a book on mulch gardening and the want to get my hands dirty again is really and urge that is over powering right now. Cabin Fever has hit me and I hate that feeling. Have a lot of errands today. Suppose to be sunny and 39*F . Chris

Should have finished post before I posted it

Here are the pictures of the egg noodles in the process. I made two batches and rolled each batch out seperately. This is the first batch. I roll it out as thin as I want it. I prefer more of a dumpling like noodle so mine are 1/4in to 3/8 in. thick.

Roll it up into a long log and then cut it into the size noodles you prefer. A pasta roller can be used also to get a thinner noodle. I cut the slices and then I unroll them and leave them on the counter to dry most of the time.

I do like them fresh and placed in the pot with a boiling roll to the liquid. This is two batches as I make them. You could get more mileage out of a thinner rolling. They are very good in my book.
My Mother use to make them and she would use so much of her shoulder muscles making then she threatened to wrap it in foil and take it out to the garage floor and roll over it with the car tires. This makes a softer dough but a good flavor. I know some day my recipe is going to fall apart I have saved it to my computer and hand written it into a couple cookbooks. Don't want to loose this recipe. Chris

Comfort Food

It is cold and damp and dreary out. The Grandkids are coming and I decided Home made Chicken and Noodles. This is the copy of the recipe I found in BH&G from June of 1989. You use a food processor to mix your dough and roll it out to the thickness you want and cut and dry or cook right away. I use it all the time and have worn out two food processors making it. Not sure you can read the ingredients, but it is easy. 2 eggs, 1/3 teaspoon of salt, 1/3 cup of water, 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 2 1/3 cups of flour. Add all to food processor and mix on high with large blade until it forms a ball. If it crumbles then add a few more drops of water and it will for ball. Let rest and then roll and cut. You can dry them or use fresh. Bring liquid of chicken stock or beef stock to a boil and drop in. Cook on high until tender. About 20 minutes depending on the thickness of the noodles. Hope you like it Chris ps. Double click on the recipe and it will come up larger.

You can add dried herbs for flavored noodles also.