40-ish sharpies (I think a few may be missing) in a red McCoy pot.   These are my markers.  Mine.  Needless to say, the girls get giddy when I share.  Happy Weekend folks!

Our family room bookshelves/catch all area

taken with my new lens...(amazing!)

full of books,

McCoy pottery,

and masterpieces painted, drawn and sculpted by our girls

a note from Fatty that we found this morning

Jane checking out the pastry selection at the coffee shop

carrying the beans

eating her cinnamon roll after swim team

leaving a note

playing coffee fairy and loving everything about it

I asked Kristen to make this necklace for me and I absolutely adore it!  I have been trying to snap a self-portrait while wearing it for a long time now, but never got a good shot.  I put Fatty on the task and he took two photos.  Ta da!

I probably should have asked him sooner since I have had this beautiful little number for at least a month.  And super sweet Kristen won't let me pay for it.  I will have to think of something equally brilliant to gift back because that is just the way I work.

Speaking of the way I work....I am super duper behind on some promised projects.  Poor Sasha and Marianne who won my birthday drawing, still don't have their goods and my end of a couple swaps are a bit tardy, too.  I need to catch up and, luckily, the ladies at the sewing shop gave me a loaner Bernina so I am back in business.  Photos for the rest of the week, people.  I will "talk" to you all later.

I have started this post about four times - the words just aren't flowing today.  I made this top for our friend, Tate, who was visiting with her parents and brother this weekend.  We had a great weekend, lots of fun with good, good friends.  I managed to squeeze in sewing this top.  Tate picked out the fabric and she looked through a couple of books and photos and chose this style.  Using the serger to finish seams and edges really sped it along.

My sewing machine is acting up and I just had the tension adjusted on Thursday.  Back to the shop it goes.  It's aggravating, but probably a good thing.  This house needs to be cleaned and I really would rather sew.  Looks like the choice has been made for me.  Hope you all had a fun weekend too.

Serena and her friend Leslie (who is visiting from Pittsburgh) came over yesterday afternoon.  Due to a sick kid the day before and a little tension problem with my sewing machine yesterday, our little craft party was an abbreviated one.  It was more like a whirlwind applique class with a tissue holder bonus.  Serena brought over her machine (mine had a four hour stay at the shop) and we got to work.

People ask me how I applique on t-shirts.  I just cut out and sew on.  Not entirely, but mostly.  I showed them how to use a double sided fusible web, like Wonder Under or Heat and Bond Light.  First you fuse it to the wrong side of your applique fabric.  Then you draw your design on the paper backing and cut it out.   Next you fuse it to the t-shirt.  Finally, you stitch it in place.  I generally use a small zig zag, but you can use a straight stitch or a decorative one if you've got it.  It is really that simple.  The key is to keep your needle in the down position when you shift the fabric.

This skull and crossbones number is for Leslie's little guy Carson.  I think it turned out great - it'll be even better when she embroiders some x's for a mouth.

We also made up a tissue holder using this tutorial from tutti fruiti (thank you to the other Leslie from PA).  No lie, it takes five minutes.  Edited to add:  I cut the top two rectangles, 6.5 by 4.5 inches, just like Leslie did because I like the overlap, too.

I would have loved to do more, but we ran out of time.  I was extremely nervous the entire time they were here (could you ladies tell?).  I am in my element when I am sewing.  It's the teaching part that gets me all jumpy.  Next time, you guys have to teach me something.  There will be a next time, right?

Do you like my new toy?  Hooray!  I have been saving up for a serger for awhile and with some birthday cash from my parents (thanks Mom and Dad!), I finally had enough to buy it.  It was worth every penny!

I made this shirt yesterday - sorry for the fuzzy photo.  I used this tutorial.  I am pretty happy with how it turned out.  I did have to take in the sides a bunch - like four inches.  I thought the pattern looked really big after I drew it out and it was.  I don't think that the tutorial is wrong - this was entirely my fault.  I must have had a math mistake somewhere, but, luckily, it was easy enough to fix.

After I got the fit right, I serged up the side seams to finish them off.  So fast and so easy!  Then I serged the bottom edge before I turned it up to hem.  So professional looking, too.

I was a bit hesitant to make this shirt mostly because I need to wear a bra.  The thought of a strapless one makes me shudder - I hate those things so much.  The solution:  clear bra straps.  Whoever thought of those is brilliant!  And while I wouldn't wear them with a strapless dress, they do the trick for wearing a summer shirt around town.

The craft party yesterday was cancelled due to a sick kid (not one of mine).   We postponed until this afternoon.  More on that tomorrow.

I took a little longer break than I had anticipated.  We had a beautiful weekend - great weather, good food and even better company.

The girls have art camp this week and I am enjoying a bit of free time in the mornings.   I like the quiet.  It only lasts a bit, though.  A mere two and half hours later they are back and the house is bustling again.  That's good, too.  I think we have found our summer rhythm.

I have a to do list as long as my arm.  I am slowly checking the items off.  I spent yesterday making some gifts and the sewing room is a disaster.  Time to buckle down, fold fabric and straighten.  This afternoon some friends are coming over to have a little craft party.  I have no idea what we are going to make, but I am sure there will be something to show you all tomorrow.

It's good to be back.