With all the alphabet posts finished and the kids in school, I actually managed to make something.  This is a craft blog, after all.

It's my first quilted bib and I am pretty happy with how it turned out.  What is there not to love about patchwork and bias tape after all?

I scooped up that chocolate brown linen on sale about a month ago and I am just crazy for it.  It is a pain in the you-know-what to embroider on, though.  I have a white pencil, but it doesn't show up too well.  Anyone have other suggestions for transferring images or text onto dark fabric?  I have a fairly large embroidery project in mind that I want to use dark blue linen for, but don't want to start unless I know I can transfer it successfully.

Thanks for all the back to school love - both girls had great first and second days.  We all love school.  Phew!  OK, the craft swap is on Monday.  I am about 75% finished...better get cracking.  Have a great weekend.  I will be back next week with some lovely show and tell.  The mailman has brought me some lovely packages in the past few weeks.  Oh yeah.

The girls started school yesterday and they were ready.  Kate seemed a bit nervous the night before...kindergarten at a new school will do that for you.  I bought them each an alarm clock with a cd player.  Jane was up at 6:30 complaining that her alarm didn't wake her up.  Well, hon, that's because it is set for 6:45.  Oh.  Kate was awake in bed waiting for hers to beep.  So cute.  Kate asked me to put her hair in pig tails which I just love on her, but she doesn't ever want (be still my heart!).  They barely ate any breakfast and were ready to leave about 20 minutes before we needed to.  That left us plenty of time for the photo shoot.

We hopped in the car and before we pulled out of the driveway, I told them my expectations:  do your best, be nice to your classmates, use your manners, listen to your teacher and say good-bye to me every day before you get out of the car.  They almost forgot the last one.

The principal greeted us at school and asked Jane if she was going to help Kate.  Sure thing, said Jane.  They jumped out of the car with big smiles on their faces.  And me, I was smiling, too.  I was almost as excited as they were.   As I drove away, I looked in the rear view mirror and saw Jane holding Kate's hand.  That's when I got teary.  It was the kind of moment I wish I had on film.  It was so sweet.

The tears didn't last long.  I got home, put on my running shoes and got some exercise.  Then came home and drank coffee, read blogs, flicked around on flickr and sewed.  And today, I am doing it again.  And tomorrow, more of the same.  Back to school never felt so good.

...is for zinnias.  They are one of my favorite flowers, especially in a tin can or a mason jar.  This McCoy vase works pretty well, too.

...is for zippers.  I love sewing notions and colorful happy zippers make me smile.  I am also working on a tutorial to show you how to put a zipper in a pillow.  I should have it up sometime next week.  It's easy.  Really.

Now you know my abc's....thanks so much for playing along with me.

X
...is for x-ray vision.  How cool would that be?
...is for xylophone.  Really, could you think of anything else?

Y
...is for yarn.  The latest purchase is slated for knee socks for me.  I haven't picked a pattern yet...any suggestions?  I am getting ready for the carpool line.

...is for water.  Best drink around.  Good for swimming, too.

...is for watermelon.  I like them with the seeds.  The kids, however, don't get the seeds so were dismayed by this lovely one last night.  I was doubly happy - it was local and so sweet.

...is for weight.  It's probably my biggest self-image issue.

...is for wine.  Also a good drink.

...is for winners.  I removed all multiple comments so the playing field was level and then had the random number generator choose 3:  Grace (55), Sarah (105)and Kristin (151)!  Congrats!  Please email me your addresses!

T
...is for trim.  I picked this bounty up in NYC.

...is for tree.  I love the one in our front yard.

U
...is for ulcerative colitis.  I have this disease.  Most of the time it's okay...right now, not so much.

V
...is for voracious.  I have a good appetite.  That is a problem.

Q
...is for quilts.  I am becoming better acquainted with my walking foot.  This is a good thing.

...is for quiet.  I need quiet to concentrate.  No talking to Mommy when she's counting her knitting stitches.

R
...is for radio.  We are lucky to have a few good public radio stations in our town.  I turn the kitchen radio on every evening while I am cooking dinner.  I also listen to it up in the studio - much more often than I listen to my ipod.

S
...is for sewing.  Oh yeah.
...is for shoes.  Look at my new ones!  I heart Dansko! I know I already said that.

...is for sleep.  I need a lot.  I am happiest when I get 9 hours, but that doesn't happen very often anymore.
...is for school.  It starts on Wednesday.  I think we are all ready.  Kate is entering the big time - Kindergarten.  I don't plan on crying, but you never know with these things.  They have a tendency to catch me off guard.

M
...is for Mexican food.  Enough said.
...is for margaritas.  With the above food or by themselves.  I did say I like limes.  Recipe here.

N
...is for notebook.  I was thinking about these great things to make and then couldn't remember what they were so I recently started carrying a notebook around so I can jot down my ideas before they escape.
...is for New York.  Fatty and I had a great getaway.  We walked so much that I have shin splints.

O
...is for onions.  I love them.  Really.
...is for orange.  This color is really growing on me.

P
...is for pedicure.  This is the one beauty treatment that I will always get.  I am so hard on my feet.  See above.
...is for popcorn.  Most likely my favorite food.
...is for patchwork.  What is there not to love about patchwork?  I am crazy for it.  Patchwork pillows are next on the agenda.  Sketches are drawn and fabrics are picked.  Just waiting for the time.  And speaking of patchwork....look where I am in this photo.