Projecting, et al.

I know, I've disappeared for a while; fair warning, I shall disappear again for a bit after this too. I know, what ever shall you do without Kate's mindless contribution to cyber space?!

The past few weeks I have been working on projects. I've also been reading a lot and have become very thankful for libraries. My library card is one of my most important cards in my wallet!

First, I was inspired by a post on a friend's interior design blog for making a pleated knit scarf. (This is an old roommate and she is very talented. Take a stroll through her blog. If ever I have a house that isn't owned by the government...) The fabric I used was thicker than the example so I made my pleats a little bigger. I thought it turned out quite nicely.
I have been using the same bedspread for the past 20 or so years. It's old, it's falling apart, it's traveled across the country with me, it's time for a change. I decided to attempt a quilt for myself. I've done a few for friends in the past, but this was definitely a step up from beginner. I still need to quilt it (which is a new thing altogether since I've always tied quilts) but I'm hoping to have it done before I leave Houston, and my mom's sewing machine.Hot off the sewing machine. There is a smidge of edge to stitch by hand where I pulled the quilt right-side out. Below is the pattern of solid and print colors, with the yellow, also solid and print, bordering. At first I thought it was way to much yellow, but it's grown on me and I'm excited to put it on my bed.
I put a simple tan color on the back and a tan border along the front. I put a yellow border on the back. As I said, it just needs to be quilted.I was able to see some old friends a week ago. I randomly ran into Damion (on left) and coordinated with him to see his brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Sarah, who I grew up with and last saw three children ago. (Theirs, not mine.) Adam and his girlfriend KaCie came too and it was good to chat and catch up.

And now... on to my next adventure. Happy 2012!!

Very Exciting First

I shopped victoriously! That's right, I had my first Ebay experience and it was oh so very thrilling.

At some point between Decatur, TX and Houston as I was making my way home, I lost a hubcap. (It took a lot of gentle persuading to get my car to allow me to take this picture of her; she was very embarrassed by the fact that one of her tires had a wardrobe malfunction.)
Now, thought I, I just need one hubcap, not four. It can't be more than $30, right? Wrong! Try $80! For one hubcap! Eek! I'm a park-less park ranger at the moment and that is not in the budget.

So, with extreme courage, I turned to Ebay. I had watched a friend sell motorcycle parts on Ebay, knew my brother had had successful Ebay experiences, but had never ventured there myself. I went, I saw, I bought. It was thrilling, especially since the total price, including shipping, was less than half what the manufacturer was asking.

Then, I very patiently waited. I was very nervous and excited too. When the box arrived on the front porch, I was a little hesitant to open it. What if the size was wrong? What if if didn't match the other hubcaps? What if the box was full of newspaper and I was swindled?
To my great relief, it was perfect. As I said, a thrilling experience.

My car is once more whole and she is very happy. The new hubcap is shiny and clean, free of the scratches from a slight run in with a sharp Montana curb while parallel parking. I gave her a good bath, then cleaned and vacuumed the inside until she felt like a new car again. (My one question though, is it proper Ebay etiquette to write a thank you note from the person I received the hubcap from?)

Oh, and she's pretty tickled about her new tattoo, or 'patch' as my dad called it. I'm rather proud of it myself.