So much to do....so much done!

We have been very productive this week.

Larry has been getting both motorcycles ready for our ride east. In the middle of the 'simple' maintenance he has also (with the help of Fred) crafted a new, shorter antenna for his bike and performed his magic on the motor home.

I have now a new front tire, the oil is changed, the trailer has grease packed in the bearings and he installed Sirius radio on my trike! Awesome.



I have completed (?) the packing. Now all I have to do is gather all the motorcycle gear we will need for all weather possibilities.

I finished a windshield cover for Larry's Goldwing. I also finished an apron for our friend Pat and and apron for a little girl. I had been commissioned to make a child's apron before Easter. I made two so the lady could choose. One slight problem - they were in a container in the car before we went to Nebraska and now they have simply disappeared. After looking high and low I decided I'd just make a new one and leave the discovery of the others to a high power!

More Sewing

I took time out from everything else and made a lap quilt and an apron for a friend's birthday.

The apron embroidery designs represent things important to our friend.

Busy time.

We traveled to Nebraska as a surprise for Mother's Day. Leave it to us to find snow in May! We then drove to Montana to visit with more relatives. The weather in Montana was summer like!

After two weeks we headed home in the rain. I think we had 2 days before we drove to Sacramento to take care of some business. Three days later we rode the bikes to Williams for a possible sale of the Valkyrie...I think it has now been 4 days since we had to leave town.

I haven't made any time to sew until today. This table runner is from a pattern from Shelley's Quilts in Kelseyville, CA. I have other patterns I prefer.





Now we are getting ready for our next adventure - motorcycling to Des Moines, IA via Bryce Canyon, Zion, Four Corners, Albuquerque, NM. I'll be blogging whenever we have internet access. We are really looking forward to riding with our friends.

Bailey and Shadow

These photos were taken by Bailey's owner, Jo....Bailey was enjoying sniffing Shadow, but Shadow got tired of it and crawled up on my shoulder.

Bailey is an awesome boy and Shadow was a smart little dog.

I think Bailey's head weighs more than all of Shadow.

Mother-in-Law Quilt

This is the quilt I made for Larry's mother as a Mother's Day gift this year. One date is wrong....but I picked at it and doctored it so it is now correct.

If it wasn't for my new friend Lisa C I'd still be working on it. Lisa has an awesome quilting machine at her home and kindly let me use it to quilt the layers together.

More Heron Festival

A fellow passenger very kindly took this picture of us and Shadow.




This is a green back heron....never seen one before.

Heron Festival Boat Ride

 

 

 

 

Some photos on a lovely pontoon boat ride on Clear Lake during the Heron Festival.

New Table Runner

I decided to try my hand at combining embroidery and sewing to create a spring table runner.

I need to work on the angles I used for the letters, but I am pleased with the pieced quilt top.

I need lots of practice learning to sew on the binding. Guess I'm going to have to take some lessons instead of learning everything from videos on the internet.

Lake County Stars - Congratulations!

The Chamber of Commerce sponsors a program to recognized people and businesses within the community. This year the AARP Volunteer Tax Preparers were nominated for the volunteer work (Larry has been helping for the last three years). Last night was the gala event.

I'll say this - the people attending certainly embraced the "Lake County wear anything" idea. There were people in tuxedos and evening gowns. There were people in T-shirts. There were people in denim. There were BADLY dressed people in evening wear. There were well dressed people in every day clothes.

Bottom line - it was very well organized but took way too much time to announce all the recipients.

The AARP Volunteers did receive a Star award for their contributions to the community.

Harry Graves - awesome WWII, Korea and Vietnam war Navy veteran received the Spirit of Lake County Star. Harry is a perpetual motion machine and an asset to humanity.

April 2

Around 37 years ago we were visiting relatives Billings, Montana and had this really tasty salad. Elizabeth Lindmark shared the recipe.

Coleslaw Souffle salad

1 package LEMON Jello
1 1/2 Cup HOT water
2 TBSP white vinegar
1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
1/2 tsp Celery Seed
1/4 tsp Salt
Dash of Pepper
1 TBSP Minced onion
1 1/2 Cups finely chopped cabbage
2-4 Tbsp finely chopped green pepper

Dissolve Jello in hot water. Add vinegar, mayonnaise, salt and pepper, blend.

Chill until slightly thickened and beat until fluffy. Fold in vegetables and celery seed.

Pour into mold and chill to set.

Treat Bag Tutorial

I wanted to create a doggie bag that is sturdy and wouldn't hang too low from the waist of the human. I also wanted to sew it as simply as possible...as in getting the pocket for the cord created BEFORE it is sewn into a tube! My treat bags are personalized with embroidery.
So here it is...feel free to use however you like, just don't try to sell my tutorial!
Drawstring Treat Bag
Choose your fabrics--less than 1/4 yard each (Piecing something together works well!)....I am using a 100% cotton fabric for the lining and a polyester/cotton for the exterior. You will also need cording (16"), webbing for a handle (approximately 8"), cord locks, coordinating thread and the usual sewing notions.

From each fabric cut one 5" circle and one 15.7" x 8.5" rectangle.

If you are going to use your embroidery machine, now is the time to get your design embroiderer on the rectangle of fabric so that it is centered on one half of the rectangle (because you are going to have a SIDE seam).
In the center of piece for the back, position a piece of webbing for the handle and sew to the top and bottom - using a 1/4" seam allowance.

On each rectangle top edge - fold down 1/2" and press. Fold down 1 1/4" and press.

Top stitch the lower edge and the upper edge of 1 1/4" 'pocket' - this will be your
cord pocket.

Sew the side seam to make a tube and pin 5" circle in bottom.

Now you have the lining finished and the exterior finished.

Place the lining in the exterior - wrong sides facing.

Pin the two together at the top edge. Top stitch the lower edge and upper edge of the 'pocket'.

Using a seam ripper remove the stitches in the exterior side seam between the top stitching.

Thread the cord through the side seam opening through the pocket and back through the side seam opening. Install the cord locks....and you are finished!

This is Zum's bag...it is made using outdoor fabric for the exterior. This has a major oops (drawing string should be elsewhere)....but I think it looks good and will last a long time.

March is going out wet!

Raining again here - after a lovely taste of spring last week. At least the break in the weather afforded us the opportunity to get some yard work done. Still haven't taken the motorcycles out. (I choose to ONLY ride awesome weather when I'm at home.)

Shadow continues her basic obedience training. She likes the training and does well for a 6 month old. I wish she was just as enthusiastic about house training! Obviously she needs to train me better!

Last Saturday she helped us raise funds for Chapter 951 of the Vietnam Veterans of America...


I made this little smock type apron from a free online pattern...The embroidered rose and heart actually cover up some "oops". I managed to cut a slice where the rose is and the heart covers up a name....I had intended this for a friend and realized that it was too small. Yet another good reason to have the embroidery machine!


This little bag was a gift to Shadow's friend Hydro. Hydro is an 8 month-old golden retriever who is so good with her. He crouches down on the ground to play!


I broke down and purchased a smock apron pattern....one of those aprons that you slip on and it covers everything! The biggest challenge was making the bias binding and sewing it NEATLY on the apron. I made the medium size and it fits hubby....at least it won't be too small!


Looking forward to April....and better riding weather!

Recipe for Noodles and Ground Beef

This recipe comes from a chemist that worked with us in the Geysers in Northern California. The chemist was from Pakistan, but I'm thinking this is a very American version of something else!

Guys REALLY like this. It is inexpensive and easy to prepare.

Noodles and Ground Beef

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons oil
2 pounds extra lean ground beef
1 onion (chopped)
1-teaspoon garlic powder or chop up some fresh garlic to taste
Spaghetti to serve 6
1 head green cabbage – sliced
1/2 cup light soy sauce
1/2 cup vinegar, ½ teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper.

Step 1. Boil spaghetti and drain – set aside.

Step 2. Mix together vinegar, salt and crushed red pepper. Set aside.

Step 3. Sauté half of the chopped onion in 2 tablespoons oil until golden brown. Add ground beef, garlic, salt and pepper and cook meat until brown. Set aside.

Step 4. Heat one-tablespoon oil, sliced cabbage and the remaining chopped onion, sauté for two minutes and add soy sauce and 1/4 cup vinegar mixture. Sauté another two minutes.

To Serve: Layer spaghetti, beef and then cabbage in a 9 x 13 pan or dish. On the side have the vinegar mixture for those who prefer it hot.

I sometimes cheat by preparing the onions, adding the ground beef and the cabbage and when they are cooked I add in the cooked spaghetti and toss in a bowl!

Ruffled Apron Tutorial

Feel free to use as you like, just don't sell my tutorial!
This tutorial is for a lined or reversible apron (If you put pockets on both sides). So you may use the same pattern fabric for both sides OR have a different pattern for each side. Making it lined takes more fabric, but it really makes for a better garment and is easier to make because you don't have to press the edges in and then sew.
The size of this apron is generous.
This tutorial assumes that anyone wanting to make it knows how to sew. Therefore I have not gone over every single step of the process. If anyone finds an error, please let me know!
If you don't know how to do something - Google it and I'll bet someone has posted the answer.

Supplies needed:
Fabric – two coordinating patterns – 1 1/4 yards of each pattern. (I will refer to them as A and B)
Optional - Wide or Jumbo Rick Rack – two packages (you don’t need all of both, but you need more than one package)
Optional - Buttons – At least four or other embellishments
Coordinating thread
All seams are no more than 1/2 inch - your choice.
Measurement of individual pieces:
RUFFLE – cut TWO (from both fabrics) 4 – 6 inches by 30 inches. Sewn end to end to make two 60 inch long pieces.
NECK TIE – cut one on the fold from either A or B fabric – 3 ¾ inches by 12 inches
WAIST TIES – cut two from either A or B fabric - 3 inches by 31 inches
POCKET – cut two from both fabrics – 10 inches by 14 inches (modify to appear like a rocker bottomed triangle) (I cut the pocket sections from the remaining fabric from the curve of the apron pattern piece.
NECKLINE EMBELLISHMENT - cut two from B fabric – 5 inches by 10 ½ inches (modify to a 10 ½ inch wide triangle)
BODY – cut 2 on the fold (30 inches by 30 inches piece of fabric) The shape of the apron measures likes this:
ON THE FOLD:

7 inches wide at top edge
Approximately five inches from top edge the width is 8 ¾ inches wide.
Approximately eleven inches from top edge the width is 17 inches wide.
Approximately seventeen inches from the 11 inch mark – the width should be 18 inches. You will begin making a curved edge starting at 12” down from the 11 inch mark – between the 12” mark to the 18” mark at the fold you will make a gradual curve.
Cut out all pieces.

(If the fabric is NOT directional you may cut some of the pieces on the fold.)
Sew RUFFLE -Right sides together, sew 60 inch pieces at the long side and ends. Sew the wide rick rack to finished edge of side B. Or sew the rick rack on the unfinished edge of side B so it is sandwiched between the two sides.

Prepare the raw edges for gathering and gather. (I have found the easiest method is to hand baste a heavy weight thread into the raw edge.)

NOTE: After sewing the two ruffle sides together you may also create pleats rather than 'gathering' the fabric. (Pin right sides together to A at the right, center and left. Then, in each 'section' you will pin smaller, equal, sections. Each time you create a smaller section. When the sections are small enough you will have pleats. For me, this is a lot less frustrating than messing the creating a ruffle with a gathering foot or the heavy weight thread method.
Neck Tie: Fold the fabric in half, wrong sides together and press. Open and fold one side to center, press. Fold the other side to the center and press. Fold together, press and sew starting at the short side and continuing on the long side sew the edges together. Turn and press and top stitch. Set aside.

Waist Ties: Fold the fabric in half with right sides facing. Starting at the short side and continuing on the long side, sew the raw edges together--leaving one edge open. Before turning – create a point on the closed short end ‘^’ then turn, press and top stitch. Set aside.

Pocket: Place A and B fabric right sides together. Sew on all sides leaving an opening to turn the fabric. Turn, press and top stitch. Fold the point down four inches and press. Sew rick rack on side B point—sew on enough rick rack so that the edges are hidden inside the pocket. Set aside.

Neckline embellishment: Place A and B fabric right sides together. Sew on all sides leaving an opening to turn the fabric. Turn, press and top stitch. Sew rick rack on side B. Set aside.
Sewing on ruffle:
Using Side A body pin on the ruffle – because you want the side B pattern showing when you place the ruffle it will be Side B facing side A. On the sides place the edges of ruffle so that they will not be caught in the seams later...indent a little more than 1/4 inch.

Sew ruffle to Side A….check alignment.

Sew the neckline embellishment, pockets, neck tie and waist ties in place on A fabric. Make sure the waist ties and neck tie are folded in, away from edges. (This way you may remove all pins before completing the lining. Make sure you position the ruffle 1/2 inch from the sides (short edges) of the ruffle and folded in so they are not caught in the side seams.:

Pin Side B, facing down on Side A with all its pieces sandwiched between.

Sew raw edges together – leaving a 3 inch opening to turn. Turn. Press. Top Stitch.
Sew two buttons on the neckline embellishment and two buttons on the pocket point so that the ‘flaps’ are secured in place.
Press. Make sure all pins are removed. Enjoy.
Here is photo of the finished apron.