Some teachers gifts (& UFO Challenge Update)

I have been sewing!

The first is a project for a teacher who is retiring from our school.  My kids have had her for the past 4 years (my daughter has had her for the past 3 years) as she team teaches with two other staff members.  She is a wonderful lady who we are going to miss at our school.  In fact our school has 4 teachers retiring this year, including the one who retired at Christmas.  It is absolutely wonderful for them as they retire, but a big loss to our school community to loose such expertise all the same year and another teacher is going on year long maternity leave.  Of our 16 teachers on staff, 3 are retiring and 3 are laid off, and one heads off on maternity leave.  This from a staff where most staff have been at the school for 15+ years, including one who is retiring who reportedly has been at the school since 1972!


For my daughter's class the class has made a small gift for this wonderful teacher.  The gift is a rice bag made using a school t-shirt.  The following poem we wrote ironed on the fabric using fabric transfer paper -- slight frustration as my printer driver doesn't have a "mirror" feature!!!

You've helped so many fingers throughout your teaching years,
You've taught us reading, math and science, and lent a caring ear,
Even when our fingers fumbled, you helped them with a smile,
You've taught us all to chase our dreams and go the extra mile.

And for some of the other teachers I'm using up some UFO 9-patches and making boxes!  I have 5 more ready to go... These will be filled with school supplies for the teachers.  These are using June's UFO Challenge! 

FNSI - Another month of no sewing!

So how can it be that for the past 3 FNSI I can't participate?

One I had a fundraiser at my kids school, the second we were headed off to pipeband and highland dance competitions, and last night we headed to the cabin for Father's Day weekend. So I told my husband that for July's FNSI - it didn't matter, but I would be sewing!

So what are in my plans for the next month?
Finishing some Quilting UFOs!

• Quilt 1: My sons Mariner's Quilt -- Finish Quilting and bind
• Quilt 2: St. Patrick's Day Quilt -- Finish Quilting and bind
• Quilt 3: Lily's Quilts Quilt Along Quilt -- Set Circles and quilt blocks, join blocks, then bind!
• Quilt 4: May's UFO - A quilt for my grandmother
• Quilt 5: June's UFO - Use Teacher's Quilt Blocks - Perfect its June!

And some Dancing Costumes
For this summer

• Hornpipe Costume Reset Sleeves on my daughters Hornpipe Costumne
• Jig Costume Make Apron, Skirt, Cumberbund

And for November....

• Kilt Finish handstitching lining and buckles
• Vest A black vest to go with my daughters new kilt... she can't wear purple with a fuschia kilt!

And some garments

• Pants for my son

Now onto sewing... Must get some done before school ends June 29th.....

Getting back on track -- soon

I am sewing... trying to get some projects done today! OK so I started this blog over 2 weeks ago, when I thought I would be getting things done.... BUT then my brother announced he was getting married on June 5th! Change of plans - sewing time became shopping time - with all the other things going on I just didn't have time to sew 2 flowergirl dresses, 1 junior bridesmaid dress, a dress for me. Then sewing time became hemming time - my Gramma's pants, my mom's pants, my son's suit pants and jacket... Luckily my girls and my dress didn't need any alterations!


I had it listed I would post pictures of my recent sewing, but I haven't taken them yet... so here is the pictures of the wedding instead. This spring my grandmother was in the hospital for 3 months recovering from a fractured pelvis and then bladder infection. You'd never know it now, she looks amazing! Note: in 3 weeks she turns 95!

BTW, I also got a new laptop a few weeks ago nowso am working slowly on moving files over. still getting used to this new keyboard, there are some crazy changes on this... why is there a key between the Z and Shift key? I don't need the backslash "\" key on the keyboard TWICE!

And I made a bag for my new computer using this tutorial. I really should have embellished the bag, I think it needs it now, but couldn't think of it at the time. I may find some green ric-rac and add it soon.

Now the plans are to get back sewing! But with end of year school activities, I'm not so sure when!