More bags

 I was unsure what to do about sewing for my graduating great nephew, I was thinking that I would just give him cash.  But, I kind of wanted to make something, so I decided to knock out a couple of small Adventure bags for him.  The zippered bags are handy for phone chargers, a deck of cards, etc. 

I had some naugahyde on hand that was scrap from a friend's tablet cloth. It sewed up so nice.   I used his name in the quilting. I like these two little bags. 

I'm becoming very proficient at zippers.

Unfortunately, Jackson's party, scheduled for this Saturday morning, has been postponed. His Mom is in the hospital with exhaustion.  We hope for the best for her, and a speedy recovery. 

💕 💕💕💕

⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️

The news from New York, is that DJTrump was found guilty on all 34 counts in a fraud trial.  The first former President to be convicted of crimes.

Our system of justice, by the people, still stands. 

💪

Summer

 I got my deck cushions out today. The fabric is so worn out, I had been noodling on sewing new covers, but thought it would be a big job, and a lot of fabric. Then I found some inexpensive covers on Amazon. They are great. I just need more elastic tighteners, on the back, to sinch them up a bit. I'm so pleased. I tried a new cushion, before I found the covers, but it wasn't firm enough and so spendy, and not quite the right size or shape.  

This is the best solution, by far. 

Barley got to be in her catio for awhile. She loves it. It feels good to sit outside.

I'm looking forward to more deck days with Barley.

I got my Verbena planted today. I should have had a couple more plants, I'll have to get back to the greenhouse.

My Lily of the Valley is very pretty. I wish I could smell it.

Also, a good year for my yellow Peony, McPherson's Best.

I think I  counted 15 buds. 

Yahoo!

Adventure Bag

 This morning I caught the end of a 'Sewing with Nancy' episode called Sew Easy with Rectangles & Squares.  It was really good. I found it on YouTube so I can watch the whole thing. 

Nancy Zieman had a long running series on public TV, Sewing with Nancy.  I watch whenever I see one and always pick up a tip or two.  Sadly, she passed away in 2014, but PBS continues to play her series, mostly on Saturday mornings.

In this episode, S1, E19, she was making all manner of bags that I would like to make. 

I noticed when she did her gusset, she did it differently than how I have been doing it. So, I used her method on Charlie's big adventure bag.  (But, I actually prefer my method.)

I used the alphabet stitch on my machine to do some of the quilting. I had done that on one of Stella's bags too. Probably about the best use of that feature, since it is kind of primitive.

The handle

This bag has a heavy metal zipper in it.  

The fabric is leftover from the Myrna mystery quilt that I made in class in Cornucopia about 5 years ago.

I'll make two or three smaller bags that coordinate & then give the ensemble as a graduation gift.

🌻 🌻 🌻🌻🌻

Nancy Zieman published a book with the same title but I can't find it anywhere.  Even the library doesn't have it.  I'm going to have to search at book sales for it.  If anyone sees it for sale, buy it for me, I'll pay you back.

Memorial Gem

 One of my favorite Peony plants is an early blooming variety, Memorial Gem.

Yesterday it was in full bud, this morning it was in full bloom.

Just in time for Memorial Day weekend.

Graduation 2024

 Luck School's graduation was scheduled for 7pm on Friday night, 5/17/2024. Great niece Stella is the class Valedictorian and we were excited for the events and, of course, her speech.

I arrived at the school just in time to see the school being evacuated and I was told that graduation was cancelled due to a credible threat of a shooter.

I watched the graduates file out in their gowns, heading home, the disappointment was obvious.  

My camera lens had switched over to manual focus, so these are what they are, but I'm just as glad that the faces are blurred, it was personal to these kids.

The following message came shortly thereafter.

It was a feeling of helplessness, fear, disgust, shock, concern, gratitude, and sadness.

Aunt Lois invited me to stop at their house while we processed what had just happened.  She and Larry &  I hashed it over, as text messages poured in and we regrouped.  We knew very little about the 'threat' and our imaginations were running wild.

It was nice to be someplace safe with friends/family, & we washed it down with a beer... in a Stella glass, of course.

It guess I was more shook that I thought, pardon my blur.

Fairly quickly and much to my surprise, we soon knew what was what.

So, after a quick stop at Kyle & Heather's to visit with family, watch the many hands getting much work done, I headed back home to sleep fast.

We were gathered in the gym early (early for me) Saturday morning. 

 The Valedictorian is reserved the front row, and we filled it up.  More family was seated in the general seating area.  I was honored to be included with the front row dignitaries.

Jack, Baylee, Gage, Great Aunt Lois, Grandma Lois, Jens, Jude, Jenna, Ruby, Heather, Kyle

The Ceremony started right on time with the Procession by the graduates.

I stood up before the rest of the crowd and Stella took notice.

Added to the front of the program was a short message by Mr. Hinkle, Luck school Superintendent. He addressed the incident of the previous evening, thanking the appropriate law enforcement, students and families for supportive response and we started with the celebration of students.

Stella's Valedictorian Address

Class of 2024

Stella is a graduate, on to her next adventure.

I'll have many more photos later. 

Life is good.

Turkey Anyone?

 I finished my Thanksgiving mini quilt today.  I added orange lights with a timer. 

Time to make something for summer,  I guess. 

2023 12 21 Girls Varsity Webster at Luck

 I just finished editing this batch of photos from the 2023 12 21 Girls Varsity Webster at Luck girls varsity basketball game.  Here are a few of the photos.

The Webster team was surprised by the Luck team.  It was a thriller.