Another Quick Finish

Three mornings this week I volunteered at Project Transformation in Memphis.

We listened to elementary and middle schoolers read. 

I had Flat Chuck in my bag and took a photo of the book Aiden was reading to me.

Then Aiden agreed to have his photo taken.

Hope he has fun reading to his next volunteer.

I cut out this jacket earlier in the week.

It only took a couple of hours to finish it this afternoon.

I bought the fabric at the quilt show in Paducah.

My oldest grandson had a promotion celebration on Wednesday.

I wish I could have been there to see the program.

Thankful for photos of the events I miss.

He is a smart, kind, creative boy who gives wonderful, crushing hugs.

Can't wait to spend time with him in August.

I finished my block for our group's charity quilt.

Now we have to sew the six big blocks together.

The first National Park quilt has basic quilting done

and it has been trimmed.

I am taking a break from working on these quilts while I make some outfits

for Ava and Kenton.

My mini history quilt is also in the rotation. It has to be finished by August 22.

A workshop that I thought would add a feature to the mini quilt has been canceled.

Back to the drawing board.

I started going to physical therapy for my knee this week, too.

Wow! So glad I'm getting this help.

I can already feel the difference.

Happy sewing.

 

Rescue Dog

This doesn't look like a dog but once upon a time it was a cute corduroy pup.

The stuffing had disintegrated and I thought I could easily fix this childhood treasure.

I'm not sure what my mom used for stuffing but all that was left was dust.

Even the little tail had gritty brown dust inside.

I started emptying the toy in my sewing room.

Oops! Brown dust every where.

I turned the dog inside out to undo the tail.

I decided the only way to get rid of the embedded dust was soaking the fabric in cold water.

After swishing it around several times and running fresh water through it, 

I squeezed the excess water out and put it on the screened porch to dry.

I used pearl cotton #5 to embroider a nose and eyes.

The original eyes were glued on pieces of yellow corduroy.

There wasn't a nose/mouth as far as I can remember.

I outlined the eyes with brown pearl cotton and stitched a brown iris on each eye.

After I embroidered a nose and eyes, I stuffed little doggie with polyfil.

Next, sewing the tummy opening.

As I stitched I realized how fragile the corduroy was.

I used a variegated brown thread to close the tummy.

To make the closing almost invisible I used a ladder stitch.

Next time I will pull the stitches tight after a stitch or two.

Pulling this many stitches was not the best way to close the opening.

So cute!

His ears just naturally stand out.

He reminds me of a favorite picture book from my childhood 

about a little puppy who was invisible, Nothing At All by Wanda Gag.

I may have the pattern for this little stuffed dog in mom's pattern collection.

When I have a chance I will look for it.

Little doggie has a home with my baby photos and bronzed shoes.

Very pleased with this refurbished little stuffie.

Planning to get back to National Parks quilts next.

Happy sewing.

 

Sewing frenzy

Sue Spargo has a sew along going in celebration of 20 years in business.

I printed all the prompts with intentions to make the flowers one day.

Then she announced a wonderful prize for one lucky person who completes the sew along.

I'm in a sewing frenzy to meet the deadline.

Above is the first flower I tried.

Then there were two.

My wool pieces were too small, so I added pieces.

More flowers.

All the possible threads and needles were found.

My version of a sunflower.

Below is the finish.

I have 8 more flowers to make, then all the stems and leaves.

Will I finish in time? 

We will see.

There was a little pause to make this with Ava, our granddaughter.

Blooming now in our tiny yard.

The daylily above is from my mom's yard.

The one below is from Dixon Botanic Garden's plant sale.

See you next time.

Happy sewing!