It's been a long haul

What you ask? My road to retirement. This coming Wednesday will be my last day at the office. I am SOOOOO excited! I have worked for the Federal Government for 32 years and have now become eligible to retire. I have only one workday left. With Monday being the New Years holiday and Tuesday being the National Day of Mourning for President Ford, I just have Wednesday to go.

I have so many projects dancing in my head. There will be household cleanup and organization (I'm talking MAJOR); some house remodeling; yard and garden cleanup; a spring vegetable garden; and lots of sewing. I'll probably have to live to be 104 to get my "to do list" done.

My ASG friends and I are looking forward to spending more "quality" time together, attending sewing workshops, etc.

I leave behind at the office some dear friends, but I plan to keep in touch with with those closest ones. I also plan to renew some older friendships that have languished due to "life getting in the way." I already have some out-of-town day trips planned.

I'm not sure if I will be doing any "football" sewing today, or will just be watching football. Lots of good games this afternoon.

I Spy Quilts Have New Homes

The two quilts are now residing with their new owners--each of the new owners is about 18 months old.

Here's the one that went to the little girl, Abigail.





Here's the one that went to little boy DJ.





I'm not sure what is next for me in the sewing room. Today may just be a rest and veg day. I haven't decided yet.

Merry Christmas

We've always wanted our own Reindeer! Meet Jac (Jacque Pierre). He is such a pet. He humored me by wearing the antler headband and posing for a pic. My other horse wanted nothing to do with it. Oh well, his loss....

It's Christmas eve and I have to finish the last (of this year) 'I Spy' quilt. (It's almost done.) and one 'Spider Man' pillow case. So that's my afternoon 'football sewing.'

I have two cream pies to make for tomorrow's family gathering at my cousin's home. Not sure if I will make them this evening or get up early in the morning. Whatever, they WILL get made.

To everyone reading, I wish you joy, health, happiness and some uninterrupted sewing time in the near future!

PJ Pics (Finally)

When DGD was here over the Thanksgiving holiday, I asked her if she needed any new flannels. I've been making flannel pjs for her since she was about 5 years old--she's 20 now and a 2nd year college student. "Yes, Gram" was her answer and she followed that up with "I want *girlie* fabric." With no girlie fabric in the stash, I looked at Joanns and Hancocks and didn't find anything I deemed appropriate--thus, on to the Internet and a stop at Fabric.Com I ordered 4 yards, not really knowing what pattern I would use.

The fabric arrived in quick time and I decided that Burda one seams were the ticket for the bottoms. Then I found this old Simplicity.



I knew I didn't have enough fabric for the top with the placket, so I deleted the placket and cut the front on the fold. I had some Wrights "fleece bias tape" that I purchased for a different project that has yet to materialize so that would be perfect to finish the neckline. Then when it came time to cut the sleeves.... Oops *really* not enough fabric now--time to improvise. The sleeves had to be pieced. What to "cover" the pieced seam? Well, still thinking "girlie" I thought--I must have some lace here. If found some Wrights hemming lace in white and blue. The blue almost perfectly matched. How strange--I've had that package for years--the price on it was $.89--go figure. One sleeve top could be cut on the straight of grain and one had to be cut on the cross grain. Believe me--there is almost NO fabric scrap to be seen at this point.

Anyhow, here they are. I added some white lace to the one seams to add a bit more "girlie" to them and to try to "tie in the lace" that I'd had to use on the sleeves.

Quick Update

Just taking a minute to say that I finished DGD's flannel PJs. I'll try to get pics posted this afternoon. She wanted "girlie" flannel so I broke my "pledge" to buy new fabric and ordered from Fabric.com. I ran short of fabric, so when I post pics I'll tell of my "design opportunities."

Beth H. asked about my Minnot books. They have both arrived and I haven't been able to spend much time really reading them. I browsed thru and really like the concept. I plan to spend time after the first of the year getting to know that method and trying it out.

DH and I met my blind friend and his wife for dinner last night and had a grand time. His guide dog which I wrote about in a previous post was a perfect gentleman (except for the moment he reached up to help himself to a chip that came along with the crab dip). Folks at the table next to us had a good laugh. He is so fast! It happened before any of us knew what was happening!

Until later.....

Sewing Guild Party Yesterday

We had our guild Christmas luncheon yesterday. Lots of food and lots of fun. For our "show and tell" I managed to take the finished I Spy quilt tops. One of our ladies made the most beautiful Christening gown for her friend's newest arrival. I wish I had had my camera with me. The pintucking, the embroidery--absolutely lovely!

My ASG friends are so fun to be around. With family issues and life in general we have laughed and cried together. I don't know what I'd do without them!

I hope to get some sewing done this coming weekend. I didn't get to the machine this past weekend. Too much "life" getting in the way!