Summer 2013

My daisies

     Well it is definitely summer time.  My daisies are in full bloom, the strawberries are coming in like crazy and we picked a ton of cherries.  The rest of the vegetable garden is coming in nicely.  Was able to enjoy some lettuce from the garden this week also.  

    The weather has been unpredictable.  We will have a few hot days and then it goes back into the 60s for a few days.  Had close to 5 inches of rain last night.  Won't need to water for a while.

Colton and his Ryno Rhino

     Nothing says summer though more than a trip to Wrigley Field.  We took Colton to his first Cubs game on Sunday.  It was Build a Bear Ryno Rhino day.  The rhino seemed to be a very popular give away for infants.  I saw at least 8 just around our section alone.  The little ones seemed to enjoy gnawing on Ryno's horn.  It was so cute to see.

Mom and Dad with Colton

     It was a long day because we had to get there early enough for Colton to get his rhino and then the Cubs won 14-6 so lots of scoring.  PJ and Kate came along also so it was a fun family day.

Aunt Kat and Uncle PJ with Colton

     Later that evening Jinny and Bob came by and helped us pick cherries.  We picked for a while until the bugs got too bad.  I had Colton in a Snugli on front.  While I was picking cherries he was pulling off leaves.  I had to keep stopping to get them out of his hand and mouth but he was having a blast.  Next year maybe he will pick cherries instead.

     And just one last thing to say, congrats to the Chicago Blackhawks, Stanley Cup Champs!!!

Father's Day 2013

Grace and her new skirt

     Well just as I predicted the girls were able to finish their garments last week.  Grace finished her back slit denim skirt even sewing on the buttons by machine.  Erica finished her pretty square neck blouse with just a little help with the pinning so she was finished in time.  They did such a great job.

Erica and her new blouse

     We had a busy Father's Day weekend.  On Saturday my sister-in-law got married in the church.  She and her husband were married last year in an outdoor ceremony but now that her husband's annulment came through they repeated their vows at Mass.  They followed it up with a barbeque in their backyard.

Bob and Mary

     Then on Sunday we had our 11th annual neighborhood pig roast.  Our daughter and grandson came as well as our youngest son and his wife and our son from Iowa also was there.  It was a great day hanging out by the beach just eating and talking.

Colton enjoying the nice day

      Of course we still had to get in our 40 mile bike ride and 11 mile run.  Half marathon in just a month's time so I need to get the mileage in.

Pillow with twisted cord

     Getting some sewing done this week with no camp.  Here is a pillow I finished for a client.  Finished alterations on a mother-of-the-bride dress and now am working on a t-shirt quilt.  Meeting with a client later about another project.

Beginning Sewing June 2013

Beginning Sewing Camp June 2013

     Summer sewing camps started this week.  Last week Friday I received a phone call from a mom wanting to know if it was still possible to start sewing on Monday.  She apologized for the late notice but her daughter and a friend really wanted to learn to sew.

     I had already started to take appointments for the week so we settled on just a three day camp.  Tuesday morning Erica and Grace showed up to learn to sew.  They caught on quickly and by the end of the second day, today, they had earned their "driver's license", finished their sewing bag, made a belt and cut out their first garment.

     Erica chose a cotton that reminds her of the sunset to make a square neck blouse while Grace chose a shimmery purple twill to make the back slit denim skirt.  Erica helped her choose the buttons for the back.

Erica and her bag and belt

Grace and her bag and belt

     Tomorrow will be their last day and I have faith that they will finish their garments.  They are having fun but also working hard.

Sewing buddies

     Yesterday while working in my garden plot something bit me on the upper right arm.  I didn't think too much of it, just brushed it off.  I could tell it was definitely larger than a mosquito though when I brushed it away.  My arm started itching and by evening time it was starting to swell.  I took some Benadryl and went to sleep hoping it would be better in the morning.   Well it doesn't itch as much but the arm is now swollen from the middle of my forearm into my armpit.  Hoping it goes down soon.  But the strawberries I picked from the second garden plot are so delicious that it almost make up for it.

Looking Ahead to Summer 2013

Greta and flange pillow

     This afternoon is my last after school class of sewing.  Here is Greta showing off the flanged cover for a large pillow for her bed.  She is hoping to make a couple more to line the head of her bed.  Yesterday, Izzy and Christine just worked on pillowcases while on Monday Meghan and Katie were working on pajama pants and capris.  I'm not sure if they will finish them at home over the summer or come back with them in the fall to finish.

     Cara will work on her peasant blouse this afternoon.  I am not sure what Greta is planning on doing, whether she will start another pillow cover or work on something different.  Ellen worked hard on her sister's blouse last week but will need to do some work by herself at home.  She is already off on vacation today.

     Beginning Sewing camp starts on Monday.  So far I have had several phone calls but no one has signed up.  Not sure what is going on.  

Box cushions

     I finished up the floor cushions for a client.  She sews herself but after not getting them done for a while she decided to pay someone else to do it.  I know that feeling.  I have several cushions I want to make for my patio furniture but they still aren't done.  Maybe I need to hire myself.  :-)

     

JJ and Colton

     Just another photo from our visit to Iowa.  My older son holding his nephew/godson.