A small glitch

Have you ever been sewing on your sewing machine
and suddenly it has a mind of its own?   Well that's
what happened to me today.

I was working on the notebook holders and out of
no where my machine takes off and will not stop
sewing.  I stomped on the power foot and nothing!
So, I quickly turned off the machine.  Did a little
checking, cleaning, etc., and gave it another try.

Goodness! It was even worse.  It would not stop and
while trying to get things under control bent my
needle.  Turned off the machine and thought  to
myself: "I can't have this breakdown now when I'm
in the middle of these notebooks.  And, what if it
is something major and can't be repaired.  I can't
afford a new machine right now."  Frustration!

Picked up the phone and called my local sewing
machine repair shop and asked if there was some-
thing I could do.  No!  Better bring it in.  And,
if I could come right away they could take a
look and if it wasn't anything major could
probably fix it while I waited.

Lucky for me it was the spring in the foot feed
that had broken and they were able to fix it while
I waited.  Only  took about 20 minutes and the
charge was minimal. 

Thankfully it was just a small glitch that was
quickly resolved and I was able to finish all
four notebooks a short time ago. Now all I need
are notebooks and pens and then I can wrap them.















Not sure why the "bright pink" dresden circle on the
left came out orange; but, it really is bright pink! 

The pocket fabric is really bright and cheery, not as
dull looking as it appears here.

It's good to have these finished ahead of time. And,
it is wonderful, to say the least, to have my trusty
little sewing machine once again in top form.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Nola

Exciting Find!

What a beautiful end of August day to be out and about.
The day couldn't have been more perfect to travel to
my favorite quilt shop.  Apparently, we had thunder-
storms last night which cleared out all the haze and
left the world looking clean and fresh.

My friend, Jo Ann came down and off we went to see
what new treasures we could find.  Now mind you, I
made a list so I wouldn't get distracted.  Did I stick
to the list? No!  You should know me better than that
by now.

However, I did get some buttons that were on the
list for a project I am doing.  Then I found these
gorgeous greens that were perfect for another project I
hope to get done for fall.

And these bright oranges that will become pumpkins
on the greens above.  I especially love the one with
all the swirls.  Think it will make a great pumpkin!

Then as we came upon a display of notebook holders
we couldn't believe our eyes! There it was!  A
pattern we had been searching for on the
internet and had not been able to locate a source
for in the U.S.A.  Never did we think that our
shop Pine Needles would have the pattern.

Actually, had we not stopped to check out the
notebooks (like what I'm doing) we would have
missed it entirely as the patterns were behind the
basket of notebooks and not readily visible to the
eye!

But, it must have been our lucky day to find this:
http://rosaliequinlandesigns.typepad.com

 
















The wreath is pre-printed on linen and includes
all the embroidery floss.  I just love it!  And it
makes me smile every time I look at all the little
"treasures" on the wreath. 

The other items on my list were immediately crossed
off and will have to wait for another day.  Thankfully,
none of the items were critical to projects currently
in progress.

Finding "Christmas Treasures" certainly made our
day!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Nola

Today's Sewing

Since I had a little free time this afternoon, thought I
would get started on the notebook holders that I
purchased the pattern for a week ago.

Love the Dresden Plate pattern for the front cover.
and am doing two in pink and two in yellow. 

I need to sew the pocket for the back and
then work on the lining and the pockets that will
hold the notebook, pen, and a small card or
sticky notepad which I hope won't be too
difficult. 

Hopefully, I can finish them on Tuesday when
I have a little more free sewing time.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Nola

The Simple Woman's Daybook

 

For Today...Thursday, August 25

Outside my window...It is a hot, hot afternoon
(5:00 p.m.) for the latter part of August--96F.
There are a few fluffy clouds drifting across the
sky.  My plants are looking a little wilted from this
heat, so they will need to be watered later.

I am thinking...How nice it is to have central air
when it is this hot and days get muggy.  Only
problem is, I really notice the heat when I step
outside.

I am thankful...for my daughter spending time
with me today helping get some downloads done.

A thought I am sharing..."He who laughs at himself
never runs out of things to laugh at."  I love this.
And, it is so true!

In the kitchen...Dinner waiting to be started...
barbequed chicken, fresh tomatoes and green
beans from the garden.  And I may just dig up a
potato or two to see if they are ready yet.

I am wearing...Lavender t-shirt, tan capri's and
flip flops.

I am creating...more blocks for my Halloween quilt.

The stitchery is just 4.5 inches.  Stitched
this last night and have three others waiting to be
done.  Probably do at least one this evening
.
I am going...To go to bed early tonight.  This
waking up at 3:00 a.m. is for the birds.  Do you
ever do this and find your mind starts racing and you
can't get back to sleep until just before the alarm is
to go off?  I must have hashed over everything
20 times or more!

I am wondering...if it will be safe to get out on my
bike in the morning.  I like to go early but because
I live near the high school, elementary and Jr. High
schools, one takes their life in their hands around
the beginning and end of the school day.   I'll be glad
to have the weather cool down so I can ride or walk
a little later in the morning.

I am reading..."The Promise of an Angel" by Ruth
Reid

I am hoping...That my young friend Daniel can
stay well enough for his bone marrow transplant in
a week.  This last round of chemo worked and we
are all praying for him that things will continue
to work in his favor.

I am looking forward to...Monday when my friend
and I will be going to my favorite quilt shop, Pine
Needles.

I am hearing..The purr of the refrigerator, the
central air just coming on, and the ticking of the
clock on the wall behind me.  Rather quiet around
here this afternoon.

Around the house...Stitchery sitting by my chair,
towels waiting to be folded and put away, and
my book calling to me.  Do I read or stitch?
Maybe a little of each this evening.

One of my favorite things...Visiting with neighbors
over the back fence or as I take a walk around
the neighborhood in the evening.  It seems like life
gets so busy that we don't take the time to visit.
Last night I rode my bike down to a friends house
and stopped along the way to visit with neighbors
outside enjoying the beautiful evening.  Need to

do more of this.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
FHE tomorrow evening
Mow and trim the lawn
Saturday housework
Continue working on projects
Nothing too exciting

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My son and DIL playing in the snow they recently
had in New Zealand.  Just enough to make a small
snowman!















Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful day.
 Nola

A Little Bit of Boo

If I am going to get fall and Halloween projects done
in time to enjoy them this year, decided I had to get
busy----fall is almost here!

So today I started a small (40 inch square) quilt
which I actually purchased the kit for last year.
This little quilt comes from my favorite quilt
shop, Pine Needles, and was featured in the "Quilt
Sampler Magazine", Fall/Winter 2010 issue.

Was able to complete the six pinwheel blocks today,
the easiest part of the quilt:
                                                                                  














Now just have to sew the borders on the 10 stitchery
blocks, trace the designs, and do the embroidery. 
Hopefully, because they are small designs, it won't
take too long.

I still want to keep working on other "works in
progress" projects, so will do the stitching in
the evenings.  Probably will take a little longer
doing it this way, but think I can still get it
done by the end of September.  Wish me luck!

Thanks for visiting,

Nola

Word of the Day

And the Word of the Day is:  Patient
     Patient:  1.  Bearing pain or trials calmly without
complaint.
     2.  A person receiving or registered to receive
medical treatment.


Pulling up the word of the day and seeing "patient"
immediately made me think of my sweet mother who
endured so much throughout her life.  To me she
was the epitome of patience.

I thought about her example of being a medical
patient with heart problems and how patient she
was with all the procedures, doctor visits, hospital
stays, etc., even when things were painful and
uncomfortable.

One incident quickly came to mind of her patience
with the the hospital and then with me.

I had picked my mother up in my car and was
taking her to St. Mark's Hospital for open heart
surgery.  When we arrived at the hospital, at our
scheduled time by the way, we were told they did
not have a room ready for her.  We were asked to
sit in the waiting area and told it would be just a
short wait.

Well, we waited and waited and waited.  Soon it
had been almost an hour and thinking that we had
been forgotten, I went to the admitting desk to
see if her room was ready.  I could see mother was
tiring and I was concerned for her.  I was told it
wouldn't be much longer.

So, once again we waited and waited and waited
some more.  Sad to say I was getting rather
impatient and frustrated that mother had to sit
there when she really needed to lay down.  But,
through all of the waiting, she never once
complained and waited patiently to be admitted.

Again, I visited the admitting desk asking if they
knew  how  much longer the wait would be.
Guess I complained a little too much because the
doctor came out and said that if mother wasn't well
enough or strong enough to sit there perhaps she
should go home and reschedule the surgery.  I
stood my ground and said she was well enough,
but waiting over two hours for a room would be hard
on anyone waiting for admittance.  I also suggested
that it would have been good of the hospital to
call and ask us to come in at a later time when they
knew a room would not be available at the time we
were scheduled to arrive.

Don't know if my impatience paid off or if a room
finally became available, but shortly thereafter
mother was admitted and taken to her room. 
Through all of the hassle of getting her to the
hospital and admitted, she remained patient, calm
and composed.

Then when I went to bring her home after her
surgery several days later, I accidentally locked my
keys in the trunk of the car and had to call a lock
smith.  Once again she waited patiently while I
paced back and forth in frustration.

I learned patience from my mother during these
two experiences plus others I have observed as
she went about her daily activities.

When I became a cancer patient and had to have my
daughter drive me to appointments, when I had to
endure time in the waiting rooms of doctors, when
I had to endure painful procedures, etc., I
thought of my mother and her example of
patience and kindness to those who cared for her.
I have tried to follow her example of bearing
pain, trials, etc., calmly and without complaint.

Have I mastered this yet?  No.  But I am continually
striving to be more patient in all things and with
others.

Nola

Finished!

Yeah!  Finished the Halloween Pillow Cases for my
grandchildren!  How nice to have them all done.
Now I can wrap them and put them away until the
first of October---which will be here before we
know it.

Hailey loves cats and anything that sparkles and
this fabric has sparkles all over it, so I'm hoping
she will love it.


















Hopefully Ian will enjoy Casper the Ghost
since they didn't have any Halloween prints
with Lego's on it.

I'm hoping Kohler will still be enchanted with
his Monkey costume by Halloween so he
will like his pillowcase.

So glad I found this fabric the other day.
Love these kind of projects that work up
very quickly.

Now I can cross one more project off my
list.

Nola

A Few New Goodies!

I told myself that when I went to visit my friend, Jo Ann,
today to celebrate her birthday that I had to hold my
spending down as we visited a couple of quilt shops.
Just get my Australian patterns and maybe one other
thing.  Well, did I listen to myself?  Of course not!
It just isn't fair that new and wonderful things are
always popping  up.

I did get the patterns for blocks two and four for
"Journey of a Quilter".

This was my second visit to this quilt shop in
Brigham City.  It has such beautiful fabrics and
we were so excited to find a few pieces of Lynette
Anderson's fabric, "Scandinavian Christmas".

This is the first time I have seen the fabric and it is
beautiful.  Just wish this quilt store could get more in.

Next we were off to Logan to visit "My Girlfriend's
Quilt Shoppe" which recently opened.  Oh my
goodness! Cute!  Cute!

Couldn't pass up this kit to make this fun Halloween
pillow.















Leaving the store, I had to return and purchase this
pattern (notebook covers) to make for four of us who
will be attending "Time Out for Women" in September.

The dotted fabric actually came from Bernina but
will be used for a fall project Jo Ann and I will be
doing.  She has the pattern so can't share picture just
yet.  Blue fabric goes to my Vignette stash.

Jo Ann was kind enough to pick up this pink fabric
for another project we're doing as soon as we
accumulate all the fabric.

Now if days could be lengthened and my life
extended to 100 plus, I might just get these projects
done!

In the meantime, I love the hunt and challenge of
each new project.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Nola

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY:  August 17, 2011

Outside my window---The air here is very hazy due
to winds blowing smoke from the fires burning in
Idaho.  You can see the brown haze along the
mountains.  The sky doesn't seem quite as blue
because of it.  Am hoping that it will soon
dissipate as we have a light breeze.

I am thinking---That it is a blessing that so far we
have not had many wild fires here.  The few that
have started have been put out very quickly.  With
all the rain this spring, the mountain grasses have
really thrived and are now dying and could easily
go up in smoke.

I am thankful for---Tomatoes and green beans
that are coming on in my garden.  And, that I
have one little pumpkin.  Everything got in so
late due to rain and cold weather that I didn't
know if anything would produce.  Can't wait
to have a bacon and tomato sandwich!

A thought I am sharing---"Worrying does not
take away tomorrow's troubles, it will take
away today's peace."

In the kitchen---I've been cleaning out my pantry.
How does it get so messy?  Things get pushed
around and rotation has not been as good as it
should be.  So today, I set a goal to get it cleaned
and organized. 










Nice to have clean shelves and extra room.
Still have one more shelve to go and then it
will be done!  Yeah!

I am wearing---blue pants and a tan shirt,
(my cleaning clothes) and flip flops.

I am creating---A more organized kitchen.
But, will it stay that way when I'm finished.

I am going---to mail off a package for my DIL
birthday.  Wish I could show pictures, but they'll
have to wait.

I am wondering---What to fix for dinner this
evening.  So far nothing sounds good.  Maybe
just a salad?????

I am reading---"Dare to Die", a mystery by
Carolyn Hart.

I am hoping---to do a little sewing or stitching
later this afternoon when I finish up in the
kitchen.

I am looking forward to---Friday.  I will be
going to visit a couple of quilt shops and
spend the day with my friend whose birthday
is today.

I am hearing---the CD "Emma Smith, my story"

Around the house---A couple of trash bags I've
filled while cleaning waiting to be taken outside.
Then just touch up in the kitchen and things
will be back to normal.

One of my favorite things---has become my
early morning bike rides on the old bamberger
rail line.  Since the train does not run along
the tracks anymore, they were removed and
asphalt laid down.  It is a lovely biking and
walking path.  So far I've only biked 7 miles
because I have to come back home and from
the path to my house it is uphill and I still
need to develop more strength.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
FHE here tomorrow night
Play day on Friday
Work on Saturday plus a little yard work
Church on Sunday

Here is a picture I am sharing---

This was my Hollyhocks a few weeks ago.  Today
they are all beaten down by a wind and rain storm
we recently had.  I keep hoping they will revive,
but I'm afraid they've had it.  The yellow ones (not
seen) are almost bent down to the ground.  Oh
well, at least I have pictures!

Have a wonderful day,
Nola 

Getting Ahead

I know it is only the middle of August, but while out
shopping today found these darling Halloween fabrics
on sale and knew I best pick them up.

They are perfect for a project I have in mind for
my grandchildren.  And if I get started right
away they will be done in time to enjoy them
come the first of October.

Was especially excited to find the piece with
cute monkey's in pumpkins.  My son gave
Kohler a monkey costume that he found this
past week and Kohler has hardly taken it off
as he is so crazy over it. (See previous post)

Also finished two more strips of block 2 and 3
for my Vignette Mystery Quilt.

Now to get all the flowers traced and stitched.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.

Nola