Thimbleanna – Page 152 – My little online diary.

Backpacks

35 Comments / January 9, 2008 February 18, 2011 / Sewing

Thank you all so much for your great advice for the bleeding tree skirt. I told MeMum about all the great suggestions, but she’s afraid doing anything will cause more bleeding. I’m thinking I’ll probably have to kidnap the tree skirt and then if I ruin it, I’ll just have to make her another one. (It’s just more embroidery and quilting, right?) I’ll keep you posted when the deed is done.
This years pre-Christmas sewing frenzy included several backpacks that I couldn’t show you, for obvious reasons. You may remember that I made a backpack for myself several months ago and I LOVE it! I originally made mine to carry my laptop when I have to go on a work trip, but recently I was without a purse for a month (while it was being repaired) and I started using my backpack for everyday use. I have my purse back now, but I’m still using my backpack as a purse. I love that I can throw lots of stuff in there.

Anyway, I made two backpacks for my almost 11 and 15 year old nieces.

I used this pattern from Cindy Taylor Oates. This is the small backpack view. I love, love, LOVE this pattern. The instructions are easy to follow and Cindy uses some really solid construction techniques. I love the way the straps are constructed on this small backpack. Bag straps have always been a pet peeve of mine, ’cause they are often flimsy. Cindy uses my favorite method of covering webbing straps. Nice and sturdy!

Then, for SweetiePie, I made a “Bride-to-Be” backpack out of the large backpack pattern. This is the same pattern as my backpack. This backpack is made from the black and white fabric that SweetiePie will be using a little bit in the wedding. SweetiePie loves polkies.

Knowing, that SweetiePie will only be a bride-to-be for 5 more months, I made the bride-to-be tag removable and put her new married monogram under the bride tag.

If you need a backpack, I can’t say enough about this pattern. I did a few things differently than Cindy suggested, but I suspect that’s ’cause I’ve been sewing since the stoneage and it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Thanks Cindy, for another great pattern!

XOXO,
Anna

We have a Weiner!

28 Comments / January 6, 2008 February 18, 2011 / Chat

Wow, thanks for all your very nice comments about the boy’s boxers! I was quite surprised yesterday when TheFirstChild appeared wearing those pink boxers– I said “Have you been reading my blog?” That was just too coincidental. He said no, but I think he was just trying to prove me wrong! Oh well, I lost the bet — SweetiePie knows him better than I do — I guess it’s a sign that it’s time for her to become his handler and not me LOL!

Now, time for the bunny drawing. I still do things the old fashioned way, so I printed out everyone’s name and put them in a bowl (some day I’ll learn how to use those random generator thingies!) And the winner is:

Do we need a close-up???

Congratulations Darlene! Come on Down! Send me your address and I’ll get little Bunnyversary in the mail to you. Thank you so much to all the rest of you for entering — AND for stopping by here to read over the last year. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know so many of you!
Now, I have a question for all you quilters. Remember this Christmas tree skirt that I made for MeMum? Well, water from the Christmas tree spilled on it and the colors in that *&(^$@@! red fabric ran! I can’t believe it — in the raging debate over whether to pre-shrink fabric, I ALWAYS say pre-shrink to set the colors. And I ALWAYS pre-wash my fabrics, so this really whizzes me off! So, do any of you quilters have some magic elixir to take care of this problem AFTER the fact? MeMum would really like to wash that tree skirt, but now she’s afraid to do it. She’s pretty upset about the whole thing (’cause after all, I’m the MyMomLovesMeBestDaughter ROFLOL) and would really like a solution. I remember reading somewhere along the line about some sort of dye magnet product. Does anyone know anything about it? Does it really work? And will it work after the fabrics are already put together? I’d really appreciate any suggestions any of you might have.

Well, now I’m off to be grumpy the rest of the day — I have to go back to work tomorrow. BooHoo — I know I should be glad I have a job, but I could sure use a few more weeks of vacation! I hope you’re enjoying YOUR day!
XOXO,
Anna

Boxer Day

20 Comments / January 4, 2008 February 18, 2011 / Sewing

Whew! I’m pooped! I’ve been cleaning and putting away all the Christmas stuff for three days — why does it take me so long??? I used to be able to clean a whole house in a day — must be my advancing age LOL! Just a few more hours tomorrow to clean our bedroom and bathroom and I’ll be DONE! Sadly, it will just get dirty again. I really do love being at home and having the time to clean, but it’s really frustrating to know that it won’t stay clean for long.

Anyway, since I think you wouldn’t enjoy a picture of me on my hands and knees mopping the floors, I’ll show you one of my Christmas projects. For about 10 years, I’ve been making boxers for the boys. I love making them ’cause it’s a great way to use some fun fabrics. And there’s not much else (besides quilts) that you can make for boys. It’s hard to take pictures of boxers, but here’s this year’s selection:

The pin-up girls are fabrics that I bought in Hawaii last March. I love making boxers out of pin-up girl prints — I’ve used pin-ups with hearts for Valentine’s Day and with pumpkins for Halloween. When the boys were younger, I used to use a pajama pattern cut short, but then one day, I found this pattern and I love it. It’s a little fussy, because it has flat-felled seams. I’ve been tempted to just serge the seams, but I love the way the flat-felled seams look — all neat and tidy.

The boys each got two pair of boxers this year, and if you’re counting, you’ll notice there’s a fifth pair there. Not only that, if you have an eagle eye, you might be wondering what’s going on with that pink pair on the left side. Since TheFirstChild was about 10 yrs. old, MeMum has had a running joke with him and she calls him “My Little Princess.” She usually gives him some sort of little girly birthday card on his birthdays. When we were fabric shopping in the fall and we saw this fabric, SweetiePie and MeMum thought it would be perfect for boxers for the “Little Princess”, so I made them for her to give to him.

SweetiePie and I have a bet — she says he’ll actuall wear them, I say he won’t. We haven’t come right out and asked him yet, but they haven’t turned up in the laundry yet either. ;-)

Thanks for all the great bunny comments — you guys are the best! If you’re just catching up, don’t forget to sign up for my blogaversary draw if you’d like a chance at a bunny — there’s one more day.

Have a great weekend!
XOXO,
Anna

Happy New Year!

19 Comments / January 2, 2008 February 18, 2011 / Holidays, Recipes

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year’s celebration! We had a fun time at MeMum and BigDaddy’s house last night ringing in the new year. MyDadLovesMeBestSister got a new fondue pot for Christmas, so we got our fondue pots out and had one with oil for meats, one with a cheese dip for veggies and bread, and a YUMMY pot full of chocolate with lots of fruit dippers. We pigged out with lots of other appetizers, played games, watched fireworks down the street and had a grand time!
Then today, everyone came to our house for our traditional New Year’s Day dinner. We always have what to some people is their traditional Christmas dinner — standing rib roast, twice baked potatoes, green beans, and 24-hour salad. Some years, if we’re feeling superstitious, we’ll have black-eyed peas, but we weren’t motivated enough this year. I sure hope that’s not a bad omen LOL!

Many years ago, MeMum found the perfect standing rib roast recipe. It’s fool-proof. No thermometers and no waiting around when everything else is ready, trying to figure out if the roast is done. I hate making beef tenderloins because I can’t ever figure out when they’re done (I’ve only ever done two of them), but I never have that problem with this standing rib recipe!

Easy Peasy Standing Rib Roast

Bring roast to room temperature 1 hour before cooking. At noon, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Season roast with salt and pepper. Put uncovered roast in preheated oven. After one hour, turn off the oven and do not open oven door. (I put tape over the door handle with a big “Do Not Open” sign to remind everyone!) Approximately an hour before serving, turn the oven on again to 375 degrees. Remove the roast from the oven after 45 minutes and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. This method seems to work for any size roast, but it’s ideal for 3 – 4 ribs. We usually make a 5 – 6 rib roast (love those leftovers!) and it’s pretty rare in the middle, but that’s ok for us as we have a few family members who love rare roast.

Well, now all the fun’s over and tomorrow it’s time to take down the decorations and clean house. Ugh. I hate that job — it usually takes me 2 days ’cause I’m easily sidetracked. Hopefully, your decorations are all cleaned up and you can play for a few days!
XOXO,
Anna

Gingerbread Houses, Part 2

20 Comments / December 31, 2007 December 29, 2011 / Gingerbread Houses, Holidays

Wow. It’s the last day of 2007 already. We had a fun year here in Thimbleannaland. I’m once again very grateful for a good year in which we all managed to stay healthy. You can’t really ask for much more than that!

To finish off the holiday season, we finally managed to get together for our annual gingerbread house competition. (I know you’ve all just been waiting on pins and needles for the results LOL!) I’d like to apologize ahead of time for the inappropriate behavior of some of my family — hang in there to get past the offensive parts!

The defending champion frat team of TheSecondChild and TheManoftheHouse (along with one of TheSecondChild’s friends) continued this year with the party theme. They created a bar, complete with malfunctioning neon lights, jam wrestling, a bucking bronco and a bartender. (Apparently, a bar was their concession to clean things up….rumor has it that a brothel was in the works. Men.)

Appropriately, MyCrazyBIL and my 13 yr. old nephew created a Funny Farm. Their accessories included a gingerbreadman in a straight jacket and a crazy lady escaping out the back window while an inmate looked up her skirt.

In an attempt to bring a little dignity back to the competition, MyDadLovesMeBestSister and my 10 yr. old niece made a cute little Candy Cane Cottage. They get a special prize for the best use of Captain Crunch cereal. I was so busy taking pictures that I didn’t notice the cute little gingerbreadman snowball fight until after everyone had gone home.

In third place, we have the team of MeMum and BigDaddy. We all cracked up when we saw their Santa’s Home for the Aged. BigDaddy is always good for a laugh! I thought he did a great job on the roof too.

My 15 yr. old niece and I cornered enough votes for second place. We made a little Peppermint Cottage. My niece had to carry the ball on our house, as I had to keep leaving her to take pictures and refill icing tubes.

And the first place winners this year were none other than the bride-and-groom-to-be, SweetiePie and TheFirstChild. They created a cute little wedding chapel, complete with attendants, stained glass windows and a steeple.

I didn’t get a great picture of the steeple, but you can catch a glimpse of it in this picture.

So, a fun end to a great year! Thanks to all of you for being a part of my 2007. I’m WAY behind on reading my comments/e-mails — hope to fix that in the new year. I hope you all have a wonderful New Year’s celebration. Be Happy AND Safe!!!

XOXO,
Anna