Brave Fuzzy Riley

Riley went into the basement for the first time yesterday after the carpet was installed. He was still not sure about the scary dungeon he avoided the past 4 years. Steve put a leash on him and coaxed him down the steps. Now he is up and down all day! Fun fun!

P.S. I need advice from my blog friends regarding what type of window covering I should make.

F-R-E-E-D-O-M!!

Freedom! that's what William Wallace exclaimed in Braveheart...and that's what I'm shouting this morning! Paul started High School and Lauren 5th grade. Now I can get my house organized and sew during the day while these adorable creatures are at school. F-R-E-E-D-O-M!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Divine Fabric

Excitement is in the air! I stopped by Hancock's for some felt to make Riley's Halloween costume and guess what I found...this home dec fabric. I had red toile in mind until I spotted this divine fabric. Oh! it is so fun. Sadly, only 3 yards remained on the roll. I think I can make some window coverings from this wee bit.

Halloween Countdown

As of this post there are 68 days and 23 hours until Halloween! I have decided that I want to be......drum roll.........Medusa! I think it will be so fun making the hair...I envision sewing snakes to clip in my hair. Maybe I'll purchase some glow in the dark creepies. Fun fun!

Paul wants to be Borat. By the way I thought this movie was very irreverent but funny. The second time I watched it was not nearly as humorous. I thought it was sad. Sacha Baron Cohen actually has a lot to say about people, cultures and society.

Laurens costume is still a secret. I can't wait to make this one! She has a great imagination.

Steve? he does not answer me when I ask. Guess that's a no-go for daddy.

Riley? Probably a Doggie Treat Monster

Laurens stuffed Bunny Dongo will be an astronaut. If we can find him....poor Dongo lost in the messy bedroom.

The Little Mermaid

No sewing to report...however I did have a meltdown this morning. It boils down to end of the summer blahs, I'm ready for the basement to be finished and the kids to be back in school. My best friend and husband Steve sat with me on the couch and listened. He asked for a co-pay of $20.00 for the 50 minutes of therapy and made me laugh. He is the bestest ever!

Tonight we are going to see The Little Mermaid. This will be fun. The young lady playing the lead is from Denver. How exciting for her to dream of being a Broadway star and open the production in her home town before it heads to New York.

Dance Class

No dancing makes Amy a dull, moody and sad lady. Dance class finally starts up today after having the summer off because the studio was being rebuilt. I'm looking forward to class and some good laughs. Our instructor is a witty Irishman with a touch of arrogance. Martin was a former lead in the Lord of the Dance production and danced Michael Flatleys lead role. He's a great instructor and dancer. My opinion is that no one can dance like Michael Flatley though. By the way if anyone likes to read autobiography's Michael's book is very inspiring. I like Michael's spirit and arrogance. I enjoy stories about determined underdogs who come out on top. Add some sadness and poverty in the saga and it's even better. My girlfriend Maureen (yes you girl big trophy winner) is trying to convince me to compete in 2 weeks but I don't know if I can get my act together after not dancing or practicing for several months. I probably can execute a few dances but don't know if I want to compete. I'd prefer to sip an Irish beer and watch the other adults compete. The Irish/Scottish Festival in September is my all time favorite outdoor event. I am more Scottish than Irish and have made lots of Clan friends over the years. I can't wait to see everyone. The Scottish Clans have tents that I visit and am always offered a dram of whiskey of some sort which I pretend to sip. shhhh!

Flashback Friday 1991

Costumes are my favorite things to create and sew. The final product does not have to be perfect. Lord knows these were not perfect. My mermaid costume is the first costume I ever made and it was by hand because my machine was giving me fits. Looking back I know what went wrong: tension, fabric and thread type and my inexperience. I learn from my mistakes. I tried it again about 6 years ago with Lauren's costume and everything went smoothly. I quilted and appliqued her seashells on the leotard with metallic gold thread. I don't know why the photos turned out so small. I have another learning curve to tackle...scanners and computers. :)

I'm Tired

The baby shower was a success, the weather was beautiful and we visited and caught up with some of our favorite couples. I am happy it is behind me now.

Next is head shots, back to school shopping, organizing my "stuff" for the "studio" and planning our Halloween costumes. My family will be in Ireland for Halloween and I am so jealous. It is just not fair. My brother is going to run the Dublin Marathon. I don't run but I would if I was there...especially when there is Guinness at the end of the race.

I found this pattern on eBay today(shh..I was shopping while at work) I hesitated then went for the buy now button. If they catch me so be it...I had to have this pattern for Lauren's costume. I can't divulge WHAT she will be though. My blog friends will have to wait and see. Only Mimi knows who Lauren is going to be and I know she can keep a secret!

Not Sewing

I have too much on my plate to sew right now. Is it cheating to post something that I made a month ago? This is the bucket I made for my niece to store her dance supplies. I like the colors she chose.

I have a little sister her name is sister Sue

Does anyone remember that song? I put her in the bathtub to see what she would do...she drank up all the water she ate up all the soap....la la la
Happy Birthday to my oldest sister Sue! Sue made the cutest clothes for herself and me when we were young. I loved to watch her at the machine. Sue is an amazing woman, friend and sis. Sue acts, sings, dances, cooks, decorates, teaches calligraphy, and is a well known watercolor artist. I love you Sue!

Almost Finished

I finally settled on a blue paint called Barely Visible by Kwal. It was a last minute split second decision away from seafoam green. Yes No Yes NO Yes No Yes..sometimes there are too many choices. I felt like a kid in the candy shop. The first picture shows the true color.

Diaper Cake

phew! one project completed. We are hosting a baby shower for our friends on the 11th. Lauren and I made this diaper cake together. They sell for approx $100.00 online so I thought I'd make it for less. NOT!

Paul on Wheels

Paul and I went to the outdoor rink today just to hang out together. I did not take my skates but I will next time. I love to watch him skate he is so fluid.

Summer Shopping

Remember when it was cool to dress like a twin with your best friend? I took Lauren and Rachel shopping today and we bought several matching outfits. I tried on this shirt but it reminded me of a maternity shirt I once had. It looks great on the girls.

I ain't afraid of no ghost

This is a non sewing related post folks. I worked the night shift last night and it was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. The last time I worked a night shift I saw a ghost! Tammy and I went ghost hunting at 02:00 but found nothing! darn. Tammy is the funniest person I've ever met in my life! I think she looks like Kirstie Alley. Tammy and I are both from California and our birthdays are 6 days apart! Tammy kept me awake last night and we laughed and laughed and laughed! We are going to stay in a haunted hotel in Leadville this fall. ooooh! several other nurses want to come along...it will be like a slumber party.