A tiny tutorial for Christmas

This was such a quick project. At least it would have been if I hadn't had to look at every single piece of red and green fabric in my stash in order to select the perfect pieces. :>} I cross stitched a tiny tree - that part took about ten minutes. I cut a six inch square of green fabric, and a six inch square of batting. I centered the tree on the batting which was on the wrong side of the green fabric.

I cut a strip of red fabric one inch wide. I stitched it 1/4 inch from the edge of the aida cloth, with the wrong side of the red fabric against the right side of the aida cloth.
I continued in the same manner, until the tree had a quilt as you go border of red.

I began a second border, this time of green, and using a strip 1 1/2 inches wide.

When the green border was in place, I trimmed away the excess batting, without cutting the backing fabric.

When the batting had been trimmed I folded the backing over the second border, tucking in the raw edge.

I stitched it in place, forming a self-binding.

As you can see, the cat was with me every step of the way. I added some white ribbon and a tiny red bow. I liked the first one so much, I made two more. These will make nice gifts for co-workers and friends.

Something to blog about.

Even though summer is over, the hibuscus is still blooming. Nice!

Larry and I passed this lovely garden on our walk, and were so impressed that someone thought to create something so pretty around the fire hydrant in their yard.

The hurricane came by two weeks ago, and this is an example of what it can do even this far inland.

I had never seen the inside of a partly hollow tree before.

The people who live here were so very fortunate that it didn't come down on their house or electric lines. I'm sure they're mourning the loss of their tree, though.

This is what our pool looks like for eight months of the year. Not much fun now, but we do love it in the summer! For the first time in my life I actually know people who live in places where spring is just beginning, and I am happy that their daylight hours are getting longer as ours get shorter. I usually feel a bit depressed as the days get shorter, but now I can be happy for Suzanne and Jodie and all the other people for whom the opposite is happening.

Food Journal and Fall Mums

No one wants to hear from a smug successful dieter, but I couldn't do it without my trusty food journal. I started this last March, and write down everything I eat every day. I am sorry to tell you that this is not the first time I have lost weight this way, but I hope it will be the last! I needed a bound journal, nothing like a steno book in which you can easily rip a page out of if you have a bad day. I have actually been at this for seven years - no, this is not a typo, SEVEN YEARS. I needed to change my habits slowly and permanently. Can you imagine a magazine article titled: "How I lost 42 pounds in 7 years"? I'm guessing no one would read it. How about "How I lost 17 pounds in six months?" Nope, not a best seller, but it has worked for me. LOL

I hate to see the end of summer, but the fall flowers are looking good!

Have you visited Jodie at www.vintagericrac.blogspot.com? She is the selvedge queen, so I was cutting off some selvedges to send her. Hallie Cat could not have been more interested in this project. Those long thin selvedges were very entertaining!

Happy Saturday

When Larry isn't teaching guitar lessons or making music, he works part time for a tree service. The three guys like to say they are the oldest tree crew in Ohio. :>} Their boss, Dave, is turning 70 next month. I hope he'll see the humor in his present!

I am so impressed that a 70 year old man is willing and able to climb 80 feet up to trim branches off enormous trees. Larry (age 59) and Frank (age 65) are the ground crew, hauling away the branches as they come down, and grinding them to sawdust. It is extremely heavy work, as you can imagine. You should see the biceps on those guys!

We had our portion of hurricane Ike last Sunday night, and the tree crew spent all week removing tree parts from peoples' roofs, garages, and other inconvenient locations. We were fortunate to have our electrical power most of the time. It was just out for six hours Sunday night. I work with several people whose electricity was off for four days! The most amazing thing is, they came to work looking just as nice as always, after showering and dressing by candlelight.

TGIF

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not very good at this! I had two pictures posted and was adding the text, when all of a sudden the pictures disappeared. The camera battery went dead about the same time. It is charging now. Sigh. It's been a very long and tiring week. I am working six days this week, so TGIF doesn't have quite the ring to it it otherwise might.

I did make one very small but fun project which I wanted to share with you. Next time. The other picture was from our beach outing, which is where I'd rather be!

I just have one request of anyone calling their doctor's office for an appointment. Find your calendar before you pick up the phone. :>} I can't tell you how many people call and when I ask when they are available they say, "Let me go get my calendar."

I hope you have a great weekend!

The Coral Floral!

One of the many things I do for my employers is to provide a tablecloth for the lunchroom. It was time to replace the last one - whoo-hoo! A business trip to the fabric store! Of course I went on my own time, but still. . . The best part is, a new fabric store moved into the small shopping plaza that is just half a mile from home. An easy walk even when carrying fabric. :>} The shop mainly carries upholstery fabric, but I found several things suitable for tablecloths. It was easy to choose because this one was $2 per yard. Another one I liked a lot was $21 per yard, making my decision ever so easy. This is a polished cotton chintz, and should be able to repel all the spills that happen at lunch. The table is a lot bigger than the one at home I photographed it on, so a three yard cut of 54" fabric is perfect. All I had to do was cut the selvedges off and hem the four sides. Presto! We have the (say it with me) Coral Floral.

Instead of sewing. . .

I have been too busy to sew, but fortunately not too busy to take a walk to see things like this bush. It is magnificent! Those orange things are berries. The photograph doesn't do it justice, but it was the highlight of our walk.

Sometimes a little chocolate helps! Have you seen the new mint 3 Muskateers bars? Mmmm.

I have been given new responsibilities at work, which has required homework. Tonight I will be conducting my first interviews for some new help. I spent a lot of time preparing. I firmly believe that God is the only real employment agent, and He will send us the right person for the job, I just have to do a few interviews to see which one! In the past when I was seeking employment, I always relied on God to get me to the right place, and He did - every time.

From tree to table

Hmm. I hope you'll take my word for the fact that this is an apple tree. The apples don't show up very well in the picture! My dad started it from seed and gave it to us in a little pot. I can't even remember when that was, but it's grown a lot since then.

We had a good harvest this year. First stop was the sink for a bath.

Then the peeling and slicing. It was so nice of Larry to help me!

He enjoyed apple pancakes for breakfast the same day he picked the apples.

We all love applesauce.

There were plenty to share with the neighbors, too. :>}

Because nice matters.

Wow! I love these colors, and I love having a stash of fabric to choose from when inspiration strikes.

We do have cat rules at our house. He is not allowed on the dining table, (even when it's being used for an ironing table) and he is certainly not allowed to drink out of our water glasses. This is what happened when I turned my back for a minute. He loves water, and even though I give him a fresh bowl daily, he would prefer to drink ours, thank you very much.

Things are difficult at work right now. I made this to hang in my work area to remind myself (and anyone who happens to see it, one person in particular) of this important message. We have had a crisis, and two of our number were let go, and another is on an extended vacation. Those of us who are left have to manage the best we can, mainly by working harder and longer than ever.

It's Labor Day, and having a holiday from our labor is especially welcome! The above troubles are temporary, others will be hired, but for now it's great to have a day off.

Wishing you, my wonderful blog friends, the very best.