Out Of The Blue

Just 3 Things

2026-10-16T16:14:54.878-05:00

I'm looking forward to senior night at one of the granddaughter's school tonight. She will be honored as one of the senior band members. Tonight will be the first night of true fall football weather as we are expecting temperatures to dip into the forties overnight.

Lydia and her Sax

- What I've Been Working On -

I finished up another granddaughter set this week. She's also getting a Tote bag constructed from bandanas. These are certainly not the traditional bandanas I think of but I thought the print was cute. They were a bugger to work with, though. They are not American made nor were they 100% cotton. They were rather thin; so, I used iron on interfacing for each and every bandana to give it a bit of substance.

Granddaughter's Bandana Bags

Once again, I did a little tweaking on the tote bag. I like the size - width - a bit better but I want to make it just a wee bit shorter. It will be good for toting a laptop around, though, when she is off to college next fall.

The bandanas in this print came in a set of four different color ways. So, I used three of them for this set. The tote features the tan and brown print on the outside and is lined with the black and tan print on the inside. I used the other black and tan print to make a couple of medium bags. One is the boxy pouch shown above.

The other medium-small sized one is called a Nami Knot design. It starts as a couple of squares and there are a couple of strips added to form the handles that are tied in a knot on top. I'm not sure it is really practical but it is cute and was relatively simple to construct.

I made a little keychain card pouch and a wristlet key fob to go along with the other pouches. I chose the swirly, swoopy L because I wanted it to look a little bit like Laverne and Shirley. I'm not sure she will even know that reference but it makes me smile!

- What I've Been Watching -

I've been enjoying the new season of network television this week. Several years ago when the Mister was talking to a friend just before dinnertime, his friend said, "Well, I'd better get off of here and go make my nest in my recliner. Tonight I'm going to Chicago. I'll watch Chicago Med and Fire and Police and then shuffle off to bed." We chuckled about that but on Wednesdays for the past couple of weeks I've gone to Chicago for their new season showings. I kind of like how they reference and have guest cast members from one of those programs to the next. It sort of seems more like it really is a connected town.

- What I've Been Loving -

This week I've also been working on some birthday gifts. Part of the gift is personalized cup towels. I love personalizing them. It is such a quick and easy project! I bought a big chunk of dish towels. Then, I just pull one out and stitch something cute on it, press them, tie them up with a colorful piece of twine and it makes for a really cute gift!

Changing out the font for the name really changes up the look a bit and truly makes each one a unique and personalized gift. Plus, who doesn't use a good, absorbent cup towel in the kitchen? When it is decorated and cute, that seems to make the chores of cleaning up the kitchen a bit more pleasant.

I'm thinking that some sort of soup or stew might be on the menu this weekend since fall is truly here for us, what suggestions do you have for that sort of simmering pot?

Today I noticed...Some road trips can be dubbed chat trips.

2026-10-15T13:57:44.510-05:00

Yesterday my favorite sister-in-law and I took a road trip to see a long-time friend that we had not visited in quite a while. We put together a meal, loaded the food and ourselves into her SUV, and trekked off three hours to our friend's house.

Now, my sister-in-law and I had just visited and caught up about a month ago when our grands were exhibiting livestock at a local fair. Then, we've also chatted via phone a couple or three times since. Yet, I noticed that the moment we got face to face for loading the food, we began chatting.

For the entire trip to and from our friend's house, we chatted - never a quiet moment. The entire time we were at our friend's house one of the three of us was yakking. We talked about children, grandchildren, parents, housekeeping, sewing, cooking, health and our current medications... you name it, we touched on it.

While our bodies were probably a bit tired from sitting still on the drive to and fro, neither of us was too tired to chat. Even when we returned to the house, my sister-in-law came in and checked out my recent stitching projects and we kept on chatting till she climbed into her SUV and backed out of the driveway.

Maybe, instead of Wednesday, yesterday should be referenced as Chat Day!

Just 3 Things | #48

2026-10-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

I've had a week that is pretty typical for me lately. I've had fun stitching and playing and learning using my sewing and embroidery machine.

- What I've Been Working On -

I worked on birthday gifts this week. We have a trio of family birthdays this month. So, I've stitched out a few things for gifts.

I used some fabric left over from different projects to make a reversible table runner. One side has a pumpkin stitched on it and the other has a monogram. I thought that would make it nice for a fall Halloween or Thanksgiving table or could be used most any time of the year.

Reversible Table Runner

I also made a couple of potholders/hot pads from the same fabrics and added a monogram to them.

Monogrammed Pot Holder

I decorated a couple of cup towels with the fabrics. I noticed that these particular fabrics are probably a bit heavy for decorating cup towels. I'm sure they will launder up alright but something like that would probably be better done with a light weight fabric stitched onto the towel. I love that kind of towel and I want to give a practical gift that will be used. I'll just have to remember next time to use a lighter weight fabric for decorating.

Decorated Cup Towels

The towel on the left with the points was a fun new learning experience for me. I cut squares and folded them into triangles. Then, stitched the raw edge between the decorative check fabric strip and the edge of the cup towel. The towel on the right was made sort of like a burrito pillowcase so that there are no stiff seams or raw edges.

I spent a bit of time learning to make a different kind of card and coin purse this week as well. It turned out alright but I've got some practicing to do before I decide that I am accomplished at creating something like that. I like that the snap is at the top to hold the card(s) in the center. The zipper is nice for keeping coins corralled and not losing out all over the place. I like that it has a loop with a swivel that can snap onto a lanyard, tote, or bag. It would also be handy on a wristlet/key fob, too. The other side has a monogram.

Monogrammed Wristlets/Key Fobs

I also made a try of making some wristlets/key fobs. I had gotten these cute little clamp thingies and wanted to give them a try. I like them and how they work. However, they are only an inch wide and I like the inch and a half width. So, I've got to figure out how to make that concept work.

One Inch Wristlet

Bridgette has suffered with a kidney stone this week. I thought she needed a little treat. So, I stitched up a one-inch wide wristlet with her monogram on it in her school colors.

One Inch Wristlet and Basketball Bag Tag

Luci was in a play at her school last weekend and I stitched up a wristlet and bag tag to take to her instead of taking flowers. She is into the color purple right now. So, I knew how t start on her gift. Her school colors are black, navy, and orange. So, I trimmed it out by stitching her name and lining it with school colors. Because she recently made the middle school basketball, I also stitched up a bag tag for her. On the opposite side of the bag tag I put a pretty loopy L. Every time I monogram something for one of the granddaughters whose name begins with L, I think of the swoopy L used in Laverne and Shirley for Laverne's sweaters.

Swoopy, Laverne-type L!

- What I've Been Reading -

I haven't made a lot of time for reading this week. After finishing my last book, I decided that I would dig into something that is engaging but not provoking deep thought. Only Lovers in the Building by Nadine Gonzalez fits the bill. It was promoted as a beach read and, while I am not lolling on the beach, I do have that sort of frame of mind when I make the time to read lately. So, it is perfect for short jags of reading without immersing myself into a story.

- What I've Been Loving -

Every fall for years and years I found myself at a big box store or an office supply store browsing through items and gathering needs for back to school. Since I retired a couple of years ago, I didn't have that ritual and, frankly, it has been pretty nice. This week, however, my volunteer work required that I get a copy of an eighteen by twenty-four inch map. I also needed an enlarged copy of an eleven by fourteen map. So, off to a local Staples store I trekked. I was under a bit of a time crunch. I had exactly ninety minutes and I knew that my travel time was going to be at least twenty minutes both ways. Thankfully, everything worked out beautifully and I made it back home for a virtual meeting with fifteen minutes to spare!

I walked in the door of the Staples store, asked the associate at the front of the store to point me in the right direction, and only had to walk about twenty-five feet to the next counter for service. The young woman took a look at my maps and made quick work of enlarging what I requested. The other map looked pretty delicate to her - translation - It was old and a wee bit fragile. So, she suggested that I download a scanning app to my phone and send her a digital photo for reproducing it. She talked me through each step with patience and pleasantry. Soon, I was walking out the door with clear, easy to read copies that I needed. I cannot say how much I appreciate a friendly, efficient, and helpful associate when I have business to conduct.

At the end of every summer, the Mister is tired and frazzled from mowing so much grass, harvesting hay, and generally maintaining our farm. He always talks about wanting to move during that time of year. So, earlier this week I suggested that we go looking for some place that would be better than here. He mentioned such an interest to an acquaintance one day and had an offer to show off a place the next day. Yesterday, we enjoyed a nice drive through the country and a tour around a place that we truly enjoyed and might even consider as a new perch. We are in the thinking and wondering phases. All that to say, again, efficient and helpful responses really made a difference and encouraged us.

I guess you could say that I'm really loving the fact that there still are folks out there who listen when you talk, who are truly wanting to be helpful, who are kind and encouraging. Sometimes I hold on to a negative attitude about things because I listen to a newscaster or read an informative piece , or encounter a person who is not the most pleasant. This week, it seems, that I came in contact with folks who are a breath of sunshine and I am loving that!

I hope your week had some breaths of sunshine to hold onto and that this weekend is one that helps to embrace fall and coziness. Lest I make the mistake of not mentioning the weather, we have had cooler temperatures this week and rain is predicted for our weekend and I am really looking forward to it!

Today I noticed...The flutter of falling leaves.

2026-10-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Off and on today I sat at my desk, which is right in front of a double window. I couldn't help but notice that each time I looked out there was a steady stream of leaves fluttering down and twirling along.

I know that the dry weather has caused some of the leaves to dry up and fall already but it is also a sure sign that fall is in the air.

Just 3 Things | #47

2026-10-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

I learned today that in our area we have had thirty-five consecutive days without measurable rainfall. That is creeping up close to a record that was set in 1963. That is a long time record that we have a pretty good chance of breaking! We also had temperatures creep back up into the sweltering level. The local meteorologists say we are looking at some cooler days ahead and maybe even some rain for the weekend. I'm hoping we don't break the dry weather record. When did I get to be the old person who always talks about the weather?!

This week I worked on some quick projects and stitched up a little something for myself. I ordered some fabric to make pillowcases for the grandsons. I'd been seeing lots of frilly and lacey and girly pillowcases and the idea hit me that one doesn't see much like that in the way of masculine-looking styles. Guys probably don't think about that sort of thing like women do but I think they probably appreciate them when it is tailored specifically for them. So, I took a little time and personalized and stitched up some pillowcases this week using this tutorial to remind me how to do it. For a couple of them I used the same fabric for the cuff as the main part of the pillowcase. I just inserted a small strip of contrast fabric to perk things up. For the other, I used three different fabrics - one for the cuff, one for the accent strip, and one for the main part of the pillowcase.

The fabrics are soft and cheerful and I think they turned out cute. For one of them, I noticed that the fabric was printed on it a bit crooked. So, to make my pillowcase fabric sit nicely when completed, I ripped the edge to straighten it. When I di that, I was left with only about six inches for the cuff and that is just way to small. So, I went digging into my fabric stash and found something that would coordinate. That means that the baseball print is not on the cuff of that pillowcase but I think it turned out wonderfully just the same. When I do a quick project like that, I really am tempted to order more fabrics and make the same for lots more folks! The pillowcases feature fabrics with prints that show each guy's interest. One is a baseball player and the other two are on bowling teams. I think these will put a smile on the guys' faces and they will see them as a fun way to brighten up their room. I believe that even stinky, middle school boys will like them!

My first placemats

When I first got my new sewing machine, I embroidered and stitched out some placemats for the Mister and me. We have used them daily and enjoyed them. Some spills have left a few stains on them. So, I decided to make some fresh ones. I dug out the left over kitchen window treatment fabric that I had and found another fabric in my stash that would coordinate with them. Then, I went back into my pin board and found the tutorial I used for self-binding placemats. I used the same monogram font to embroider one side that I had used for the previous placemats. It is bold and stands out well on a busy print. This time I stitched it out in two shades of blue.

I made this set reversible and I used a lighter loft batting for the filler. So, I think I'm going to like that better. I ran rows of quilting stitches from top to bottom at about two inch intervals. Then, added the monogram. For the back side, I used a bit of fabric that I had left from some classroom curtains when I was teaching back in the day. So, let this be a reminder: when one buys good quality fabric, it really lasts! I embroidered a simple O and a bit of greenery in the center of that side of the placemats.

I had purchased a bundle of designs that have greenery and berries and some have bows that will frame something like a monogram letter or could stand alone as decor. These placemats are nothing fancy and were truly made using just scraps of fabric that I had in my stash. However, I created something new and useful and it will not only protect our table but brighten up our kitchen. I feel like I have a kitchen update or a treat. Who doesn't like a treat?

For this project there were lots of steps - cutting the fabric, quilting, embroidering, measuring and mapping out the self-binding part and the mitered corners, and construction stitching. Because I hadn't made the self-binding and mitered corners in quite some time, it took me a bit of reading and thinking and measuring and planning to map it all out. When I make something like that, I really appreciate the cost of custom linens a lot more. Since I took my time and read the tutorials and gave it some thought, I have little to no mistakes or frustration. That is always rewarding when creating.

- What I've Been Reading -

I read John Grebble is Gone by Peter James this week. It was a very short read but it surely promoted thought on my part. Here is the brief summary Amazon gives: John Grebble wakes up to discover he’s been declared dead. His bank account is frozen, his car repossessed, and his entire existence erased.

While reading, I just had to pause and think about what that might be like - to have one's identity not just stolen, but dispensed with, wiped out, declared over. I had some fraudulent charges on my credit card recently and it really was a headache. The card policy is great because they will alert me when there is something odd like this situation where the fraudster had tried to purchase something from a tropical juice bar and hotel rooms in New Jersey. When alerted, I let the company know that I was not in New Jersey and had no plans to be there in the near future, they began investigating and denied the charge at no cost to me. They cancelled that card and sent me another. Then, I had to update the things that I have set up to autopay from that card and places where it is my default card when I order something. That was a little bit of a headache. I could keep operating and using my check card, however, since it wasn't tied to that card. So, I cannot imagine what it would be like to have all accounts frozen and begin losing possessions because of a fraudster.

I also did a bit of thinking and investigating to find out what I need to do to make certain that the Mister or my children would have no problems sorting out my accounts when I actually do pass away. Taking care of some of that business is on my upcoming agenda. So, beyond just being an interesting read, the story also nudged me a bit. I think knowing that it is fiction made me enjoy the ending but it also made me think about how I might react as well.

-What I've Been Loving -

Lately the Mister and I have been into simple, old fashioned fare for dinner. Our breakfast and lunch habits have been about the same - sandwiches, salads, or left overs - but our attitude about dinner has changed a little bit. Last week I leaned on some simple casseroles from my younger days and they were delicious. So, this week I decided to just step into that a bit more. One night this week I made meatloaf. I had put a pot of pinto beans on to slow cook and added mashed potatoes and we had a simple country meal that the Mister talked about for a couple of days afterward. The great thing about having the meatloaf is that there was leftovers and I had a meatloaf sandwich and the Mister had it with some veggies on the side and we enjoyed it almost as much the second time around as when it was fresh out of the oven.

I mixed up some good old fashioned pimento cheese and we ate it stuffed into a tomato and on a sandwich and with crackers for a day or two. Again, an old favorite that we just don't mix up all that often.

We've had low calorie fare some nights as well - shrimp tacos, a salad topped with chicken, fresh stir-fried veggies and chicken. So, we haven't reverted to that old-time, high-fat, high-carb sort of diet that the old folks once lived on. It's funny how one night meatloaf and beans and taters seems just the thing and a salad seems better the following night to sort of balance things out.

I don't know if we had gotten into a rut and just were eating the same old, same old there for a while or if I had gotten lazy and didn't want to think about meal prep or what the deal was. Sometimes, shaking things up by going back to the old fashioned tastes from days gone by really makes a difference in my attitude in the kitchen. I know the Mister likes it when I lean into old-time, country farm fare and lately I've been loving it sometimes, too.

It has been a pretty quiet and ordinary week around here and those are really the best kind! I'm off to watch one of the granddaughters perform in a play this weekend. She is a member of the cast of The Addams Family. Da-Da-Da-Dup, snap, snap!

Today I noticed...A long-time friend always makes for a comfortable chat.

2026-09-29T16:28:03.520-05:00

I have a couple of friends who I have known since we were girls in elementary school. We shared similar interests and had somewhat similar backgrounds and have children who are near to the same age.

We don't see one another nearly as frequently as we did as youngsters nor even as often as we did when we were raising our children. Yet, it seems like we can sort of pick up conversations where we left off and carry on when we do connect.

I learned last month that one of those gal's husband had a health issue and was moving from hospital to a rehab facility. She traversed quite a trek back and forth to the hospital and then to the rehab facility each day to spend time with him. Then, she continued to work and keep their family farm running as well. So, I knew that she was exhausted and a phone conversation truly confirmed that. As a result, she has been on my mind a lot and I've been saying little prayers for her and her family.

I touched base with my friend today and am so relieved that she sounded so much better and even optimistic. Her husband is home and starts out-patient rehab tomorrow. He is somewhat mobile and is progressing and getting better, she said.

It was so good to talk to her and we almost seem to just pick up a thread of conversation and run with it as though we are still car-pooling our kindergarteners back and forth to school. I hope the few minutes we chatted were a good thing for her because those were some of the best moments of my day today.

I hope everybody has a chance to catch up with a long-time friend this week and have a comfortable chat.

Happy Birthday, Harris!

2026-09-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hope it is like a Home Run!

Just 3 Things - #46

2026-09-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

Finally, finally we are experiencing a bit of fall. The temperatures have cooled and it is nice to be outside. I think I heard the weather girl on a local news channel say that Wednesday was the first day since late May that didn't have temperatures above the 80s. That is a HOT summer!

- What I've Been Working On -

I'm still stitching away on the 'sets' I'm creating for Christmas gifts. The eldest granddaughter gave me a little feedback on what she thought she would use in the way of totes, bags, or pouches and I tried to follow her suggestions. She's not one who wants her name or monogram on everything. So, I sometimes question her true southern roots.

She said she didn't really need a big tote bag. So, I did her something a little bit different - a small modified duffle. She also didn't really want the traditional bandana print and asked if I could use a leopard print bandana. I do love her suggestion that she passed along in regard to bandana choices.

The duffle is about 15" x 6' x 4" and would hold curling irons, or loads of cosmetics, or any variety of items. I added handles and a decorative black strip around the top. All of this set is lined with red bandanas.

Small Quilted Duffle with Handles

I did an open-wide box pouch. It is one of my favorite medium sized zip pouches. I had done one for another granddaughter and I love the triangular shape and I think it will hold loads of stuff.

Open-Wide Box Pouch

I also did a foam-quilted simple zip pouch. It is a traditional simple size and shape at 7 1/2" x 10" and the quilted foam gives it plenty of structure. I probably should have added a D ring so that a wristlet could be clipped onto it but it will work for a storage pouch or a clutch purse like it is.

Quilted Zip Pouch

For the smalls, I did a zip coin purse that is 4" x 5" and a pouch that is just the size to hold an ID or bank card. For the two smallest ones I added a D ring so they can be added to a wristlet, a keychain, or clipped on a larger bag.

Coin Purse (side 1)

Zip Coin Purse (side two)

Folding Card Pouch

I like the little card pouch and will probably try that again as a gift. I need to do a bit of adjusting to suit my idea but It really did turn out cute. Since I was adapting a tutorial that left the edges raw, I didn't monogram it. I think it would be really cute with a monogram, though. I love how each item turned out! I hope she does.

- What I've Been Loving -

I made a couple of casseroles this week that I haven't stirred up in a while and both were quite satisfying. The first is one that my Mama made when I was a young girl. So, in a way it is comfort food.

Cheesy Mixed Vegetable Casserole

Ingredients:

2 cans mixed vegetables

1 1/2 cups cubed processed cheese

2 tablespoons butter

Topping Ingredients:

1 sleeve of Ritz crackers

4-6 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and add cheese cubes. Stir till they are blended together.
Fold together mixed vegetables and spread into a baking dish.
Crush crackers.
Melt 4-6 tablespoons of butter and pour over cracker crumbles. Stir to cat the cracker crumbles.
Spread cracker mixture over vegetable mixture and bake until bubbling and heated through. Cracker topping will brown slightly and crisp.

This is tasty as a side dish or all alone! It was grocery day; so, we had fried chicken and this veggie casserole for a super easy dinner.

The other casserole is French Onion Beef Bake. It is really a tasty dish and one of the Mister's favorites.

French Onion Beef Bake

I'm sure I have followed the recipe precisely at times but I've also done variations. For example, this time I didn't have bow tie pasta and I used simple egg noodles instead. I've also used a pouch of French Onion Soup Mix and a container of sour cream instead of the purchased dip. The dish is delicious no matter how you stir it up! I'm loving a change of pace and some delicious recipes to welcome in fall.

- What I've Been Reading -

I abandoned a book before finishing it this week. I cannot remember when I did this last. Such a rarity. However, I just wasn't keeping up with the characters and didn't see the story line going anywhere. So, I DNF (I think that is the current slang term for did not finish.) and moved on to something vastly different. I'm currently reading Pitch by Pitch by Bob Gibson. I think I selected this one because I recall Tim McCarver as a broadcast announcer and McCarver was Gibson's catcher. I think one has to be a baseball fan to enjoy this one. I also listened to an NPR author interview with Gibson that was interesting and entertaining.

I'm probably going to work on some of my go-tos for a few days - wreath sashes and bag tags. I may stitch up a few more Christmas ornaments. They are just so fun and satisfying to complete because the embroidery looks so beautiful on that felt. The Mister laughed at me when a new packet of felt was delivered and I told him what I was planning to do with it. He seems to think some of my frivolous ideas are not worthy, I think. We shall be enjoying the cooler temperatures and hoping that your weekend is nice, too!

Happy Birthday, Stephen!

2026-09-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hope your year is HAPPY!

2026-09-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today is the fall equinox. The sun rises due east and sets due west. Day and night are equal in time. It is the official start of autumn in the northern hemisphere. Learn more from the Old Farmer's Almanac.

September 21 - One of my favorite days of the year!

2026-09-21T13:34:53.025-05:00

Yes. I am an Earth, Wind, and Fire fan.

Maybe it is because they were popular during my youth and I can recall dancing September nights away. Maybe it is the sound of the brass horns mixed with the nonsensical lyrics. Who knows?! I am still a fan of the group, though.

I recently read an article about how the song came to be written by Al McKay, Maurice White of Earth Wind and Fire, and Allee Willis. I really learned so much about Willis that I didn't know and I have sort of become a fan of her as well!

Maybe it is because she is the same age as me. Maybe it is because she is touted to be "the most interesting woman you never heard of" by the Washington Post. Maybe it is because she is such a creative person.

She was the writer of the theme song for Friends, "I'll Be There For You," "Boogie Wonderland," and "September," for Earth, Wind, and Fire, and "Neutron Dance" for the Pointer Sisters. She co-authored the musical adaptation of "The Color Purple" as well. There is a string of accomplishments - just Google her name to see!

Willis claimed that the nonsensical words and the date September 21st are all Maurice White. The date was said to, "Just sing better." She fought with White over the 'bad de ya' line till the last hour. She said she conceded when he told her, "Never let the lyrics get in the way of the groove." It was a lesson she applied throughout her career.

Do you remember the twenty-first day of September?

Just 3 Things | #45

2026-09-18T12:33:23.869-05:00

I've had sort of a slow week in regard to having completed projects. I had a doctor checkup appointment and I was called into volunteer duty for the cemetery a couple of times. Then, I waited on a zipper shipment only to discover that I had ordered the wrong size. Then, waited again. I am also waiting on a new kind of heat erasable fabric marker. I found that the white ones from the set I had before just don't do as well as I'd like. Maybe I am old with failing eyesight but I know I'm not the only one. So, I am trying a new kind. I'll report later on how I like it.

- What I've Been Working On -

One thing I did work on this week, though, is some more Christmas ornaments. I found that I absolutely love the way so many of my designs look when stitched on that stiff felt. I was joking last week with the concept that everybody on my list will get an embroidered ornament for Christmas, but I think that will be an actuality.

I am personalizing each one on the back side and adding the year. I don't know if I will make this a tradition or not but it never hurts to put a year on an ornament because we all loose track of time as we age.

I've looked into getting an ornament bundle or two but for now, I'm just using the bag tag options I have and adapting them in different ways. I've expanded the size a bit so that the ornament is a little larger than the typical bag tag. I've chosen a couple of designs and adapted them by leaving parts off and adding parts of a different design. I am just experimenting and having fun creating.

I think if somebody came in and gave a look at my sewing machine screen during my creation process they might be really confused at what I'm layering. A couple of good examples are the saxophone ornament and the lamb ornament.

I pulled the saxophone from a design that included music notes. Since the design has easy stops to change thread color, that made it easy for me to skip colors and move to get just the sax. Then, I added a bow from a a design for monogram wreath frames. The machine lets me rotate the design a bit as well as skip colors. Next, I added a large bag tag outline as a final layer to finish the edges and stitch around the hole. So, the sax now looks like a cute little gift all wrapped up for Christmas.

I centered up the smallest sized lamb inside a monogram frame with a different scalloped edge. Then, I layered the volleyball bag tag design and skipped to the white stitching to get the outline for the hole. So, three different designs all layered atop one another and used the machine features to get just the look I wanted. For the back side, I just floated a different piece of the felt on another hoop and used the built-in fonts to spell out the name and year. Stitched those, and pinned or 'floated' the finished piece on the bottom of the hoop. Once the placement stitch for the outline was stitched, I just cut away the top layer with the 'picture' design and cut away the bottom layer with the name/year stitching. Then, ran the last finishing stitch. The two pieces of felt are stitched together back to back that way and there is no messy unfinished side. Plus, the two layers of stiff felt are such a good thickness that will hold up well year after year. The stitching really does take some time but that is part of the gift, in my opinion. My time and love are included in each unique one. I have seven completed, making me almost half done!

- What I've Been Loving -

We went to a local county fair this past weekend. A couple of our grands were exhibiting heifers in the livestock show. We saw a lot of old friends around the showring and made some new acquaintances as well. The boys did a really good job of showing the heifers - probably the best that they have done so far this year. This experience really seemed to showcase how much work and dedication they have invested into a project and how it has expanded their horizons.

What I think I liked best is that we could see their growth as showmen, participants, and competitors grow with each lap around the ring. The judge for the junior show was a special kind of person. She took time to visit with the youngsters and give them pointers. Then, when the guys returned to the ring for subsequent classes, she commented on how she saw that they had improved. Positive encouragement!

The show staff was all so helpful and friendly to us and to the children. The facilities are new and improved and so clean and welcoming. Most importantly, though, the children had a fun time and really seemed to learn and engage with the activity while they were there.

It is fun to watch the next generation learning and getting similar experiences that we had as youngsters and their parents had as youngsters, too. As adults, we sometimes don't realize all the things we know and skills we developed over the years and when we watch our children and grandchildren it reminds us of what it was like to try to incorporate all the things into the experience.

I find that I often need to remind myself that these kinds of opportunities are what made up the whole package of who I became. These experiences also make me hope that these children will build on them and eventually look back to see that it was a wonderful opportunity that most folks miss out on or never have offered to them. I've loved watching the children grow.

- What I've Been Reading -

I read Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner this week. It is about a family in the spotlight that is shattered for a time by a poor choice. More importantly, it focuses on how each member of the family moves forward afterward.

I think what I liked about it most is that each and every character has foibles and faults but still moves forward in a positive direction after reflection and the way they have an influence over one another. After all, whether we like it or not, our family does tend to influence us.

I can't let the week go by without mentioning the weather. My Daddy would be so proud! It is still so very hot here. We are a bit past half-way through September and still experiencing high ninety degree temperatures. Never in my life do I remember having this before. Yep, I am starting to sound like a little old man sitting around at the country store! I hope your weekend is filled with cool fun and relaxation. See you next week!

Today I noticed...Polka Dots never really go out of style.

2026-09-16T12:54:14.024-05:00

Message from my daughter:

Just 3 Things | #44

2026-09-11T11:16:39.544-05:00

The Mister spent some time indoors this week and I was thankful. It is still so very hot outside that I am concerned that he will overheat when he is out there for long stretches. I do sometimes sort of like it when he acts like an old guy and kicks back in the recliner to watch seventy year old westerns! (Gunsmoke premiered on television on September 10, 1955, and ran for twenty years. It is one of the Mister's favorites.)

- What I've Been Working On -

I decided this week to try something a little different with my sewing and embroidering. I was awaiting the arrival of a supply shipment of foam stabilizer for stitching up another tote bag and some zippers in colors and sizes that I ran out of. So, I cruised through the interwebs and noticed that some folks were stitching up Christmas ornaments. Eureka! What a great idea! I have been gifting an ornament to the grandchildren each year for a while. So, I decided I might give a go at stitching one up. In my mind that would be similar to creating a bag tag.

I have been reading where folks are using a stiff felt for bag tags and decided I would put that knowledge to work for creating an ornament or two.

Let me just say, I am thrilled! Like a bag tag, making an ornament that is decorated on both sides is a bit of a thought process and takes some wiggling. The thing is, though, the stitching on that stiff felt turns out absolutely beautifully.

I used the baseball bag tag design I had purchased. I started by stitching out the recipient's name and the year on a piece of felt. In this case, I used orange because he was a part of Team Tennessee this summer for the World Series. That became the back side of the ornament.

On the front side I stitched out the bag tag as it was designed and added my favorite baseball player's number.

Where the split ring would generally go for a key ring or bag tag, I just ran a piece of cording and tied a bit of coordinating ribbon onto it. Each ornament is somewhere between four and five inches in diameter.

I'm already dreaming of more ideas for ornaments and perusing what designs are available! Here are some I am considering or maybe these or these. I'm thinking I could applique fabrics onto the felt to change things up. Of course, the perfect, preciseness of the stitching might not be there with another fabric appliqued onto the felt but it is just the right thickness and stiffness to make pretty ornaments!

This may be the year of the ornaments. You get a hand-stitched ornament! And YOU get an ornament! And YOU get an ornament!

- What I've Been Reading -

I just finished reading Carol Burnett's book about her relationship with her daughter who was lost to cancer. In some ways it was heart-wrenching and in some ways it was enlightening. Burnett shares the painful struggle her family and daughter, Carrie, experienced through her teenage drug addiction. She also shares stories of Carrie's successes as an adult and hard-fought battle with cancer ending with death at the young age of thirty-eight.

The thing I walked away with most from the pages of that book is an affirmation that parenting is never easy. Burnett's family had far fewer financial worries than ours but they still had the difficult parts of growing up and becoming independent. It also drives home how a parent's job of being the guide for their children is never an easy one. Finally, it also emphasized to me that even though our roles evolve over the years as parents and children, we still have a strong bond of love and hope.

Even though I finished reading the book a day or so ago, I thought about it again today when I was reading The Good List for the week from The New York Times. The author shares one more thing at the end of the list about how a woman wrote her husband a letter each year for their anniversary. The woman claimed that she learned of a father who wrote to his child each year on her birthday. Wouldn't that be a beautiful gift? What a keepsake to have throughout ones life.

- What I've Been Loving -

A friend or two has stopped by during the past few days and we always welcome a friendly face around here! One was the Mister's cousin who is an entrepreneur with a lighting business who worked for years at the local electric company and he had stopped to pick up sausage from the Mister. I was working on my own bandana tote and he peeked over my shoulder and said, "What are you working on? It really looks interesting." I explained that I was creating a tote that I had seen online and he wanted to know what I would charge to make one for his wife. I jokingly told him that I didn't think anybody would be able to afford a bag made by me because it was slow going and lots of thinking and sewing. Remember, it was my first tote and I was still deep into the learning phase. Yet, I loved his reaction to what I was creating.

I've progressed and made a couple more totes as gifts for the granddaughters and then used the leftover bandanas to make them a 'set' for Christmas. One of the granddaughters was snooping on her mom's phone and saw one of the sets and told her mother that she really liked it. I loved hearing that reaction. So, at least I am on the right track for gifts for one member of the family anyway.

Then, another friend stopped by a couple of days ago and she noticed all of the totes, zip pouches, and wreath sashes that I've got laid out in the basement bedroom. She was amazed and immediately gravitated toward the totes. I loved her reaction to the things I had fun creating! She asked me if I was going to sell them and I gave her the same reply - I would have to charge more than I think folks would be willing to pay. I did ponder about how I could make the creation process simpler and tried my ideas by creating a tote for one of the granddaughters. After all, we have seven granddaughters.

I realized the process was still pretty labor intensive and thought some more before creating a tote for another granddaughter. I've been thinking and watching videos and reading since then. I've got an idea or two for improving my method and plan to start the fourth tote next week. Ironically, the Mister had another friend stop in yesterday and he noticed my tote hanging on a dining room chair. He asked the Mister if I might be interested in making one for his wife. Here is the thing. We have ten grandchildren and I have set a goal for myself to create gifts for all of them for Christmas. Then, we also gift their parents. So, that makes a total of eighteen family gifts and that doesn't include gifts for extended family and friends and so on. Plus, I have only been retired for a couple of years. I have a variety of things I like to do with my time and, yes, one is sewing and machine embroidery. I worked hard for most of my life and am enjoying the days where I choose what I do and whether I complete a task or not. If I go into the business of creating these totes, I will be back at it full time, I fear. Even if I only took a few orders, I would be working on a daily basis and I'm not sure that there is a large enough profit margin that could be made for the work input. Unlike when I was younger, I am not looking for a way to earn extra money and stay at home with my children. Oh, we could use the extra money, don't get me wrong. However, we are making ends meet right now and I am enjoying the opportunity to just play and putter and create gifts for family. I love my time spent with my new sewing and embroidery machine. It keeps me learning and doing and trying things. So, am I being selfish to just say no to folks who would like to pay for my creations?

I hope it is cooler wherever you are than it is right here. We are off this weekend to a local fair to watch some of the grandchildren exhibit their cattle.

Happy Birthday to the Mister!

2026-09-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hope this year with two crooked numbers sees you doing loads of the things you love!

Today I noticed...When I'm mad about one thing, I tend to be mad about everything.

2026-09-09T18:12:52.282-05:00

I've sort of been mad all day long today. It really started early last evening.

Something didn't go as we had been promised with a group I volunteer for and now a project with high impact is stretched out for another month and everything about the project is stagnated and impeding business for the group. I did a bit of research and have come to believe that part of the problem is that someone is confused. Part of the problem is that the powers-that-be are not well informed and haven't done their homework like they should. Part of the problem is that there was rogue action in years past and we are now suffering the consequences. I'm sure that there are other factors that I am unaware of, but all of it together has become a big old batch of red tape and things cannot get done!

Then, today, I sat down to do a simple task for the Mister that snowballed into a big chunk of red tape. He got a notice in the mail weeks ago with information about renewing his driver's license. At that time, I read through it and came to the understanding that renewal would be a simple process of checking some boxes and entering a payment method to complete it online. I sat the envelope on the corner of my desk and have just been watching the calendar to take care of renewal near to his birthday - I mean, why renew and pay any sooner than necessary? Plus, in eight years, when it is time to renew again, his birthday will be a good reminder for getting it done.

I entered the URL as directed in the letter from Safety and Homeland Security. (Already things are seeming ominous, aren't they?!) I navigated according to the instructions provided. After I had input all of the required information and was ready to select submit and move on to the payment screen, a notice popped up telling me that the renewal could not be completed because the Mister is required to get an updated photo for his ID. Frustration! I read back over all of the info and nowhere did it say in the printed and mailed instructions that a new photo would be required. Even on the envelope it simply said, "Complete online registration for fastest service."

Thankfully, there was a link where more information was available. The very first option suggested going to a Kiosk. Plus, wonder of wonders, there was a Kiosk listed as being only four miles from our house! So, I immediately called the Mister and let him know the good news. He asked if I would tag along to, "handle all of that computer mess." He hopped in his pickup and came right to the basement door to pick me up.

Within a matter of minutes we were walking into the local County Recreational Complex and approaching the mechanical Kiosk. A lady at a nearby desk asked if we were planning to renew our license and we let her know that was exactly our plan. She pointed to a different machine than the one we were honing in on and said that it would be where we would need to complete our task except that it is out of order today. She apologized and gave us instructions for the location of the nearest other Kiosk. So, a bit disgruntled, we turned and headed out the door.

After trekking through traffic for a bit, taking about a half-hour to get only fifteen miles away, we entered the next County Recreational Complex. The lady at that front desk asked if she could help and we explained our mission. She quickly let us know that the only Kiosk they have there is one for renewing auto license plates - there is no Kiosk for renewing driver's licenses. She very helpfully gave us directions to the nearest AAA business where she knew there is a Kiosk expressly for renewing driver's licenses. (Obviously we were not the first people who had made that mistake.) So, with growing frustration, we turned and headed out the door.

After trekking through traffic for a bit, taking about twenty minutes to go only ten miles away, we entered the AAA building. The lady at the front desk asked if she could help and swiftly pointed us toward the desired machine. We followed the computerized instructions and after a couple of tries, the machine snapped the photograph. Shortly thereafter, the machine spit out a receipt with information saying that the photo does not closely match the previous one on file. So, we gave it another try. Again, same results. The last line instructed us to take the receipt to a local Driver Services Center for assistance. Heaping frustration! So, we turned and headed out the door.

After trekking through traffic for a bit, taking about a little over a half-hour to get only eleven miles away, we entered the Driver Services Center. We were instructed to go to the back corner to check in. We were fourth in line but numbers one and two made me question whether they really needed to be operating a motor vehicle anyway. Number two let the check-in lady know that he had two bills to prove residency. However, both had different addresses and the addresses were different from the one listed on his digital bank statement that he showed her on his phone. The check-in lady informed him that he needed proof of residency in only one location and needed to have the correct home address on his bank statement. She gave him a list of items he might bring back when he returned. He asked if he would be leaving with a plastic coated license card after he returned with the correct documentation and she let him know that is not how it works - driver's licenses are mailed to the address where you document your residence. He informed her that he had recently moved from Florida and that is not how things worked there. She let him know that he is now in Tennessee and must follow Tennessee procedures.

Thankfully, number three had all the correct documentation and all was in order. She gave him a number and instructed him to listen to be called to a station. Then, came our turn. She quickly looked through our paperwork and gave the Mister a number and instructions to listen to be called to a station. We took a seat and waited.

In ten or fifteen minutes the number was called. The Mister handed over the documentation needed. He posed for a picture. He signed three or four more forms. He swiped his bank card to make the payment and was given a couple of sheets of documentation that he had renewed his driver's license. The fellow behind the counter told him to look for his new license within the next thirty to thirty-one days.

The Mister took me out for lunch at the local Mexican restaurant. As we were traveling home, I knew that I needed to change my attitude. I began to look for reasons to be thankful even though we had spent three hours trying to complete what should have been a simple task. I told the Mister that I am thankful for the privilege of driving, the fact that we own fairly reliable vehicles, and that I am retired and was able to spend half the day with him renewing his driver's license.

I am also thankful that his license will be valid for the next eight years.

Creating a Set

2026-09-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

I saw on social media where a woman my age had purchased a set of bags, totes, and pouches for traveling. She mentioned that she had never had a matching set before and it really made her happy. So, I decided that creating a set of bags, pouches, and a tote for family members is one of my challenges. I have one completed.

Yesterday, I worked on the second set. I'd already completed the tote. So, I worked on crafting three smaller bags and a wristlet to go with it. I love that I can personalize them with my new sewing/embroidery machine.

The first pouch I completed this morning was a coin purse. I didn't add a magnetic snap to this one because I wanted to try out a new technique. First, I made a long, narrow lined pouch with a zipper closure at the top. Then, I gave it a good pressing. I embroidered a granddaughter's initial onto the bottom and turned it up and stitched the sides. So, there is an outside pocket and a zip-closure at the top. I added a tab with a swivel clip on the side so that it could be clipped to a keychain if desired. It measures about 3 1/2" x 4" and is a perfect little size for coins, lip gloss, or gift cards.

The second one is an open-wide boxy triangular pouch. It measures about 10" x 5" and was fairly simple to construct. I followed this tutorial but changed the dimensions just a wee bit to suit the supplies I had on hand. I had already begun constructing and decided to add a name to the pouch. So, that slowed things down a little bit. I really like how it turned out even though it took me a little finagling and rewinding and replaying and scrolling through the tutorial to figure out the different steps.

I think it will hold lots of treasures for the teenager who will be the recipient but I like how it forms sort of a triangle when it is zipped up .

Then, when it is completely unzipped, it will open wide and forms sort of a square trough. Pretty versatile! I used leftover bandana scraps I had after making her tote bag to construct all three of the pouches I worked on today.

For the third one, I needed a zipper that would coordinate but didn't have the size I wanted. So, it is still in pieces but will go together quickly once I get the right size and color coordinating zipper. It is a variation of the color-blocked zip pouches I have made before. I will probably add a tab and a D ring to it as well. The finished dimensions are about 8" x 5" and I've found that is a pretty handy size.

I think these pouches will be good for most anything the girls might want to use them to catch and carry round. Plus, they will coordinate with their tote that I've made them and they will have a matching set!

Labor Day

2026-09-07T17:20:00.986-05:00

I had almost forgotten that this is a federal holiday. Then, when I was 'waking up the house' this morning by opening window blinds, I noticed the flag posted out at the end of the driveway. Our local high school band offers this service for a fee. We get a flag at the end of the driveway 5 times a year and they get a little income. I always like to see the flag at the road and it is nice to drive through our little small town and see all the flags posted near the roadways.

Labor Day became an official American holiday in 1894 when President Grove Cleveland declared it a federal holiday. It is celebrated here and in our neighboring Canada on the first Monday of September each year. It began in the late 19th century during the industrial growth of America. Unions wanted a day to thank workers for their hard work. This holiday sort of marks the unofficial end of summer. (It was cooler here today, so that is a plus!)

Happy Birthday, Linley!

2026-09-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Make the most of this last single digit year!

Just 3 Things | #43

2026-09-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Come on fall! It is September. I am tired of hot weather. I am ready for some cooler temperatures! Everything outside is dry, dusty, and crunchy around here. The Mister cuts the grass with a mask on and still comes in looking like he has been wandering in the dust bowl. Plus, it has just been excessively HOT. I know that I get this way at the turn of the season each year but this one really does seem to have been a really hot summer.

- What I've Been Working On -

I've been stitching and embroidering this week. I am focusing on crafting Christmas gifts for our family. The bandana totes will make a good gift and will serve as ready-made wrapping, I think. I got a tote bag finished this week and I did a boxy pouch that I've been wanting to try for a while. Then, today I worked on a little coin purse. I ordered some shorter zippers and some magnetic closure snaps. So, I wanted to try those out. I've saved several ideas and tutorials. So, following my philosophy for the week of just diving right in, I picked one and went to work.

One side has a monogram and the other side has a pocket with the magnetic closure. It zips at the top to keep coins, cards, cash, or any number of small items secure. I put a D ring on one side so that it could be clipped to a key ring and I made a little wrist key fob out of a scrap of fabric.

I like the little outside pocket but I'm not sure how secure things will be in it with that magnetic closure. I stitched the magnets into the tab that folds over the top and into the outside pocket lining. So, the magnet holds but not super-securely. Since I had been working on one granddaughter's tote, I made this little coin purse out of the same coordinating fabrics I used for the tote bag - brown T bandana and pink with boots, hats, and horse shoes. This granddaughter loves her boots and is a fan of pink. So, this will suit her well.

- What I've Been Reading -

Besides reading and watching several tutorials and blog posts to build my confidence for stitching up a couple of different types of pouches, I have also done a bit of reading on the book I started last week. The Letter by Kathryn Hughes. I don't take as much time for reading when I am enthusiastic about my stitching projects! This is a good book, however, and I am about half-way through it.

- What I've Been Loving -

The Mister wanted a deli sandwich the other night. So, we ordered a delivery. I wanted something lighter than a sandwich and didn't really want pasta that the local restaurant offers either. So, I gave one of their featured salads a try. It was fabulous! The greens were fresh and light like I wanted. It also had blue cheese crumbles, caramelized walnuts, cherry tomatoes, green apple slices, and grilled chicken on it. I loved the flavor blend so much that I created my own from ingredients in our fridge a couple of times since. One night I added some mandarin orange slices and the other night I added some dried cranberries to the mix. The Mister turned up his nose when I added the apple slices to the one I was mixing and raised his eyebrows when I added pecans. The nutty, crunchy, tartness added to the sweetness of the fruit and the heartiness of the chicken and blue cheese really hit the spot. It was quite tasty and I highly recommend tossing it all together like that!

We have really been focused on counting our blessings and lifting others up this week. Our family lost my great aunt and my mother's sister last week. Then, this week a cousin's husband passed. All three folks had been suffering with different types of dementia but it is still hard to lose a loved one. Then, a dear friend of ours who we grew up with and went to school with as youngsters let us know that her husband had a second stroke this past week. I called and chatted with our friend today and she voiced what we all feel at times like these saying, "I just wasn't prepared for all of this. We watch others in such situations and wonder what we would do but nothing can really prepare us for the reality of it." We will continue to be lifting these folks up in the coming days and will also continue pondering different ways to help our friend.

Today I noticed...Sometimes it is easier than it might look!

2026-09-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

I have been reading and watching tutorials. I have made note of the different ways folks go about making a square Dopp Kit type bag. You know, the kind that is sort of square-ish. They have a zipper across the center of the top and usually have a handle or loops or something near the ends of the zipper. It is a pretty typical bag for a guy.

I have seen all sorts of sizes and all sorts of methods for putting one together. Today, I finally took the leap and gave it a try. I used some scraps left from a project completed earlier this week. I wanted it to be pretty simple, yet, still be personalized.

I had noticed several zip pouches and bags that had the busiest part of the pattern on one end and I wanted to try for that look. I had just the right scraps from a couple of bandanas left from the tote I finished yesterday. So, I dove in and used those. I lined it with the same bandana fabric that I had used for the tote as well. It is a pink background with boots and hats and horse shoes on it in browns and hot-pinks.

I had the zipper work done and decided at the last minute that I would personalize it with one of the granddaughter's name. I used pink thread for the embroidery to match the zipper and the bag lining. I set it a bit off-center as well to continue onward with that decor on one end concept. I sort of wish I had just centered it on the bag but I still like it that way as well.

One thing I would definitely do differently for the next attempt is that I would make the loops on each end lots shorter. I didn't have the perfect piece of ribbon to stitch on as a zipper pull. So, I stitched some chocolate brown rick rack onto a piece of pink twill tape and attached that as the pull It really set the zipper off and finished it well.

Just like my finishing up a tote bag yesterday, completing this cute boxy rectangular bag really encouraged me to want to give another one of them a try. I have ideas about how I will adapt the steps with different measurements and create different sizes of this type bag.

Sometimes when I am uncertain about how to do something, I drag my feet and overthink things. I think that is what I did with this design. I'm glad I finally just dove in and gave it a try. It was far easier than it looked!

Today I noticed...A finished product really encourages me to try something else.

2026-09-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

I've been playing with my new sewing machine and learning to make different items. It is such fun to create something from a few pieces of fabric. Then, having the opportunity to personalize what I create and really make it one of a kind is also rewarding.

I just finished my third bandana tote bag. I saw an advertisement for one and then saw a blog post tutorial and decided that I wanted to make one for myself.

My First Bandana Tote Bag

I'm really partial to a red purse. So, the traditional red bandana seemed to call my name. I lined it with a navy bandana. I also added a handy zip pocket and a recessed zip top closure. I'm probably going to remove the closure because I'm finding that I rarely want to close it up and that sort of gets in the way. All in all, though, I am really happy with my tote bag.

I decided that creating personalized bags would make good gifts. So, I've started down the path of making the girls in our family a tote bag. I've done a bit of tweaking on my method and I'm still not perfectly satisfied with how I want it. The bag below has traditional red bandanas as the lining.

My Second Bandana Tote Bag

Yesterday I finished another gift tote bag. It really made me smile in spite of the fact that I had to pick out the stitching for the lining because I had made a mistake putting it together and the fact that the bandanas I used were a little off-square and I had to wrangle with them a bit to make it work.

My Third Bandana Tote Bag

The finished tote bag is just so cute and eye-catching. The brown one above is lined with bandanas that have boots and hats intermingled with the paisley print and has a pink background.

I love how the different prints coordinate and really do make each bag unique. At this point I have completed the three using slightly different techniques for each one. I think I am honing in on exactly what steps and methods work best to create just the bag I like!

Even though I had a couple of hurdles to jump with this particular bag that I finished up today, when I hung it up on the closet door, I really felt encouraged to make another one. It is exciting to see how each one turns out and anticipate how the recipient might enjoy it. I don't know if I will start another bag tomorrow or will delve into a smaller project. One thing is certain, I'm looking forward to giving some sort of stitching project a try!

More Wreath Sash Gifts

2026-08-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

I've said before that wreath sashes are my Go-To and that really is true. When I want to try out a new design, I almost always go to a wreath sash. They are perfect for a three-inch embroidery design. They are easy to assemble with long straight seams. They don't require lots of extras like zippers or snaps or buttons or tabs or anything. They make good gifts.

Side one of an H wreath sash - patriotic and monogrammed

Side two of the H wreath sash - floral and monogrammed

I've been seeing that people are easing into fall already even though the temperatures are still in the hot summer ranges of the nineties around here. I had bookmarked and added things to my shopping cart and all the things one does these days when scrolling and thinking and gathering ideas. So, I pulled the trigger on a few new designs and decided to stitch them out.

Side one of a B wreath - patriotic and monogrammed

Side two of a B wreath - fall pumpkin and monogrammed.

I used a few pieces of leftover and found fabrics to make them. I'm not sure where I got the yellow gingham but it was a nice squared-off piece that still had selvage edges. So, I just ripped widths from selvage to selvage. I remembered that the last time I had made a sash out of the light yellow gingham the fabric on the back side sort of peeked through. So, I used and iron-on interfacing and backed it to try to prevent the color peeking through. That also helped to make the fabric have more heft. However, with a design that is pretty dense with stitching, like the pumpkin, there still was some puckering. Most people who are the recipients of my gifts don't notice or care but it frets me somewhat. However, in the big scheme of things, the product is still beautiful, personal, and one-of-a-kind. Isn't that sort of the definition of a good gift?

I made a couple with patriotic designs on one side and floral on the other and a couple with the fall pumpkin on one side and patriotic on the other.. They will go to different folks and I really like the look of both options. I'm guessing the patriotic design could be used in the summer for Flag Day or Independence Day or for most any patriotic holiday such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, etc. Then, the simple fall pumpkin design could be used from late September all the way through till Thanksgiving. The floral monogrammed sides could be used most anytime no matter what season. I feel like that is a nice gift for some of my women friends and family members and offers some versatility.

Side one of an O wreath - fall pumpkin and monogrammed

Side two of an O wreath - turkey and monogrammed with a swag of greenery

I had seen some monogrammed wreath bows. So, I gave one of them a try. It really takes a very long strip of fabric to make one of those. I'm not sure how the bow will stand up to wind and rain either and we all know that most doors are going to have a bit of weather exposure. I do like the look but I think I like the shorter one that is just looped and knotted better.

Side one of an H wreath sash - greenery with bow and monogrammed

Side two of an H wreath - pumpkin and monogrammed

I think one of the fun things about creating wreath sashes is how each and every one can be different. Even though I used the same fabrics on all of these wreaths, each looks completely different. They could all be hanging on doors in the same hallway and each would have an individual and unique appearance. The stitched designs vary or the font can vary or the monogram is different for different people or the colors can be mixed and matched. Sometimes simplicity really provides a whole lot of variety.

Wreath sashes lined up on a bed

I catch myself walking by the bedroom where I have the finished products laid out flat to prevent wrinkles and smiling a little smile of satisfaction. I hope the recipients enjoy them half as much as I have enjoyed creating them!

Just 3 Things | #42

2026-08-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

I wish I could be more like Dolly. Don't we all? I think we are all mourning the loss of her and her goodness. Here in Tennessee we sort of feel like we lost one of the best parts of our entire state. She was a ray of sunshine, a philanthropist on another level, and a talented storyteller and performer. May she rest in peace.

- What I've Been Working On -

After catching up on some housekeeping chores, I've been working on stitching up gifts again this week. When I purchase an embroidery design, I try to consider different ways I might use it. I look at so many things but one of them is the number of different sizes that are available with the purchase. I'm always thinking that I might use a larger size but haven't really had a need to thus far. Then, this week I tried out one of the designs that came in a larger size. Again, I learned so much. The number one thing I learned is that a solid design like this really takes a LOT of time.

The design I stitched in a couple of sizes is a simple pumpkin with a leaf. I stitched the smallest size onto a thin gingham fabric with an iron-on stabilizer added as well as a couple of layers of tear away stabilizer. It stitched up nicely. There were a couple of thread problems when stitching the leaf veining, though. I guess it was just the heavy duty stitch concentration that caused the thread issue. The smaller one will eventually become a wreath sash with the pumpkin on one end and a monogram on the other. Then, I stitched the largest version onto a heavier weight upholstery fabric with a couple of layers of cut away stabilizer behind it. This version will eventually become a table runner with the pumpkin stitched on either end. Again, on one end the leaf veining caused some thread issues and I had to rethread my machine. Again, the design stitched up nicely. Neither is perfect, however. On the smaller version, the outline of the pumpkin on the right hand side is a bit off. On the larger version, the outline of one of the pumpkin sections is just a wee bit off. Both are still beautiful in my eyes and I am excited to give each as a gift!

- What I've Been Watching -

We haven't really been watching much this week. I started a series from Amazon Prime called Heart Guy. I think what I'm enjoying about the show is the people dynamics. The main character's dynamics with his quirky family and the dynamics with his coworkers.

I really like watching something where there is representation of what people are really like. Oh, there is some rather exaggerated quirkiness and that just seems to add to the humor of the situations depicted.

I also watched an episode of Reacher recently. I forget how violent this show is. I'm sure that some of that violence is a reality in this world but I'm so thankful it is not in mine. It is always rewarding when a program shows the good guy winning and I think that is what is the attraction in this program for me. Plus, I like the main character and how he breaks down things in life to their most simplistic base. This is a program that I do nothing other than watch when it is on because I would miss so many clues and vital pieces that make up the story. He is a noticer and I am always impressed by that in people.

- What I've Been Reading -

After finishing my last book authored by Kathryn Hughes, I decided to dive into The Secret, also by her. I guess I just wasn't ready to let go of the concept that past events and the back story of those contribute to the present day. I did really enjoy The Letter and the concept of how the letter really did seem to bring people together in the end. I'm just barely into this one, so I cannot say whether I love it or not or whether it is a good follow up after reading Hughes's first book. Maybe I can report more deeply about it next week.

I got my hair cut a little differently last week and I'm still trying to decide if that was a wise choice or not. After wearing it in a fairly single layer for a while, I asked the hair dresser to add a bit of breeziness to it and add more layers as I showed her a photo that I liked. Usually when I get a new shearing, I immediately either really love it or really hate it. This is a first for me. I guess time will really tell. Of course, it seems that no matter how I have my hair cut and styled, it seems to sort of gravitate back toward the same look. I guess I just know one way to style my own hair and that is how it will be no matter what. Have a breezy, layered weekend!

County Livestock Show Fun

2026-08-26T17:09:09.237-05:00

The county beef show was this past weekend. The grandchildren who live up on the hill next door had their parents take their cattle to the Ag Expo Park for the show. They got things settled in - bedded the space, set up fans, put out some hay, rinsed the cattle, and tied them in. Then, it was over to another barn and the 4-H project chicken sale to sell the chickens they'd raised for the boys and mama, Bonnie. Dad and Abby Lee were off to their softball scrimmage. The Mister, grandfather, was left to keep watch over the cattle.

Later, the Mister returned home and had a snack before we loaded into the truck and headed over for the cattle show. First, came the showmanship classes. Abby Lee participated in the Pee Wee class. She did a good job, thanks to the coaching of older brother, Levi, and a docile Hereford heifer named Kaitlyn.

Then, it was Levi's turn to show in the Junior showmanship class, followed by Easton's turn to show in the Explorer class. Then, it was time for the heifer classes. First, Levi showed the registered Angus heifer they had raised.

She and Levi worked their way up to Reserve Champion Angus heifer. It is always rewarding to win an award with an animal that was born and raised on the family farm.

Levi and Kaitlyn returned to the ring for her class. Together, they earned Champion Hereford Heifer honors and Reserve Supreme Champion Heifer

The steer show followed the heifer show. Easton and his steer, AJ, shined in their class. The steer was sort of a middle-weight calf.

Levi and his heavyweight steer also caught the judge's eye for a little extra attention. All in all it was a wonderful experience for the kiddos and their family. Even dad was all smiles back in the barn.

We were all smiling big smiles as they loaded up the cattle and equipment to head back across the county toward home. It was loads of fun and quite rewarding for all of us. Let's hope that everyone is still smiling after the sale of the steers on Thursday!