Thoughts of a Grasshopper

My daughter needed a thank you card and everything I wanted to do, I just didn't have time for.  I ended up looking on Pinterest and saw a card like this with the left lace punch.  It looked simple enough so I went for it.  This is the type of card to do in a workshop, taking all of 5 minutes.  I would have preferred a different stamps for the "thank you" but I used what was on my desk at the time.   Stamps:  Four You CS:  WW, Island Indigo, Pool Party Ink:  Island Indigo Misc.:  Silver mini brads, pool party ruffled ribbon, 2-way glue pen, lace punch

I realized this morning that I never posted my square for June.  I was excited to do this block because from a distance it has a more curved appearance, however, up close, you can see that it is all straight edges.  Once again, the method for making it stretched me and I don't know that I really know the proper way that the instructions had but in the end, I did it and it came perfectly so I'm happy. I need to put the binding on the table runner I've been working on and then I'll share it here.  I quilted it Monday so I would have a little practice for my free motion quilting class on Tuesday. The table runner has straight lines forming a diamond that gradually enlarges.  I should have used the walking foot for that but I really wanted to practice with the quilting foot.  I still want to practice some of the designs (i.e., double flower, feather, etc.) we worked on there, but I think I did very well for it being my first time.  

I started off with the card on the right but I couldn't use the ribbon because it is retired.  I was so sad to look through my ribbon and see so many colors that matched the ink on the card but it isn't "current" so I couldn't use it.  Of course, the ribbon I could have used didn't match.  A color change was in order and I ended up going with the card on the left.  After I used the diamond gems, I couldn't help but wonder how many others were in the same predicament.  I added another layer with the Primrose Petals CS.  I like the clean and simple look of the card on the right layered with WW. I did a close up so you could see the scoring on the card a little better. Stamps:  Stippled Blossoms, Blooming with Kindness CS:  WW, Primrose Petals Ink:  Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, So Saffron Markers:  Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive Misc.:  Dimensionals, basic jew...

I seem to be slowly converting to making some of my own items due to the chemicals that exist in what is offered at the store.  12 years ago I went through a phase of making my own cleaners so I wouldn't have to worry about my kids getting into something they shouldn't.  I got lazy about it several years later and went for the convenience of buying.  About 7-9 years ago I started making my own laundry soap because it saved us money and still did the job.  Two years ago I started buying essential oils and used them with household cleaners I would make or for personal care.  I've moved on to a whole new level now - deodorant! I started off by making the spray and the roll-on for myself and my girls.  We are 50/50 as far as liking the spray and the roll-on.  I prefer the spray but I'm very liberal with squirting myself and it probably doesn't last as long (4-5 days) in the bottle due to that.  I've never had any odor using the spray.  Whe...

I hosted a swap last month.  The number of participants was few so everyone mailed the cards to each other.  I didn't expect to get any cards from anyone because I only sent e-mail reminders.  I didn't have to do any of the sorting and mailing back that is usually associated with a swap.  I didn't receive a card from all swappers but I did receive a few.  by Barb Baynard  by Sherry Davis  by Lynn Lipchak by Sherry Davis