Twinkle Blocks

I've had some fun this week sewing some of this month's Block Lotto blocks.  I must say that they looked a bit complicated, but really went up beautifully with the Tri Recs tool.  I also like the black background that was called for this month.  I'd love to see these set on point in a quilt.

I've spent my sewing time this week with a pile of mending and "have to do" sewing, but it feels good to have it done.  I did get a bit of fun sewing in with a couple of trick or treat bags for the littlest ones here.

We took some of the little ones to the pumpkin patch this week and had a great time.

We continue to celebrate October birthdays here.  I had a request from one of the granddaughters for a princess cake.  The problem was that she wanted one of our family's favorite cakes which is a yellow cake with hot fudge drizzled over the top.  I usually make it in a rectangular pan.  I decided to get creative and made a bundt cake, stuck a doll in it and make a gathered skirt to cover the plain cake.  Then when we served it we just removed the doll, sliced the cake and drizzled the chocolate over each piece.  It worked out perfectly.

The birthday girl was pleased.  That's what matters.

Over the weekend we attended the children's school gala at the Reagan Library.  It was a spectacular evening for the event and dinner was served underneath Air Force One.  It was quite impressive to look up at the massive plane above the table.

View looking up from our table.  

The very talented Soma from Whims and Fancies is going to be hosting a "Trunk Full of Quilts" event on her blog in November.  Pop over and check out a way that you can share your favorite quilts that you have completed over the years.

After RNG selected two "no reply" comments from my recent Halloween Haunts blog hop, I have finally notified the winner - Angelia (no blog).  Hopefully, I will hear back from her soon.

Have a safe and happy Halloween.

Friday Check In

In between running around and doing some babysitting this week, I have managed to get some stitching squeezed in here and there. 

My daughter's family is having their family pictures taken next week and asked if I could make a gray dress for their little one.  I LOVE sewing children's clothing so I jumped at the idea.

 

For this little one.

A few of the grandchildren needed their Halloween treat bags for trick or treating so I did up some simple little bags for them.

The children's school auction is coming up in the middle of November and I made a couple of items for the silent auction.

Embroidered ornaments for a Jesse Tree

While the little ones were here this week they found a neat looking "leaf" bug on the wall.  All were quite impressed with it!

When my children were little we had a great toy that they spent hours playing.  Some of you may remember it - the Red Raven records with the mirrored carousal.  I brought it out for the kids this week and they enjoyed it as much as my own children did.  The records have characters on them that the mirrors reflect their movement as the records revolve.  One can enjoy the antics of the Three Blind Mice or Santa Claus Coming to Town as well as many others.  I do think the children were as intrigued with records as they were with the mirror activity.  Everything is digital for them.   

The "tornado" who really just wanted to get his hands on the records.

The weather has cooled off considerably this week.  It makes for some good evenings for warm, cozy fires and extra blankets on the bed.   Thankfully, there will be no snow in our future. 

Dealing With the "Ps"

Yep.....it has been a week of dealing with the Ps in my life - peaches, pears, peppers and pieces!!!!!!!!!  I have lots of canned peaches and pears as well as peach pie fillings which are now frozen.  Won't a fresh peach pie taste good in January?

We have an abundant supply of colorful peppers in the garden too.  Again, they are late in coming, but they are here.  I slice and then spread them out onto a cookie sheet.  Then I place them in the freezer until they are frozen.  Freezing them that way before bagging them up allows you to take out just the ones you need for cooking.  They, too, are wonderful all winter. 

In between "putting up" I played with pieces.....

Halloween bags for some of the grandchildren.  I have made them for the others already.  One problem that I had with these was my package of rick rack.  I was not pleased with quality assurance when I opened this package and had to patch it to make it work.  I would have taken it back, but the trip to the fabric store has now become a long trek with the closing of our main road for TWO months!!!!

A few more blocks in the batiks that I have been playing with.  The jury is still out on this one, but I will keep trying more to see if I can help it along.  At this point I hate to have it end up a UFO.

I made a couple more take along chalk boards which have been a big hit and

.... a pacifier leash, in PINK of course!!!

Lastly, a couple of weeks ago I won some metallic threads from Tonya.  Although I am not a fan of sewing with the metallics, I have found that putting them in the bobbin can give great and hassle free results.  I have been making some flower pins with them and I really like the results.  They are great for wearing or attaching to bags. 

A question....how come they did not have this cute item when I had children who at home who loved using my sewing scissors????

My last P is a new phone.  Now I need to spend the next ten years learning to use it!!!!!  For years I have just had a flip up thingy and I now have a phone that assures me that I will never get lost!!!!!  Is that REALLY a good thing?  Ahhh....technology.  There is definitely a love/hate relationship here.

Happy fall y'all.