A Project Finished!

Just a simple table runner and placemats made out of a jelly roll I recently picked up at Jo Ann Fabrics. Now on to planning a fall capsule. Standby dear Readers…much love, Mary

Upgrade!

 One of the other crafting rabbit holes I have fell into lately is diamond painting. The first couple of paintings, I did at the far end of our dining table, which was fine, because I could watch the critters out the window and listen to an audiobook, podcasts or music, but I couldn’t see the tv.  As I started doing more diamond painting, I moved a folding table to the window seat in the living room and could watch TV while I crafted, but all my supplies were out on the table and the cats found that highly offensive, knocking them off every chance they got. I don’t regularly peruse Craigslist every day, but yesterday I needed to go to Sunriver and thought…maybe I’ll check to see if there are any garage sales happening on my way or anything in the freebie section I might score. This drafting table had been posted for free the day before and I thought it would be the perfect setup! My sweetheart took me to Bend to pick it up (I think he just didn’t want me driving his truck 🤣) and then we swung into Sunriver on the way back to pick up my library holds. Our library has been going through an almost year long renovation, and while we had a temporary library location, someone drove their car through it, hence now the closest branch is Sunriver. It did speed up our renovation project, so our new and improved library will be opening ahead of schedule in September!

In sewing news, the placemats and table runner are almost finished. They will be quilted today, and then I will start planning a capsule wardrobe for Fall. Our next ASG meeting is about creating a capsule wardrobe, so I thought it would be nice to start thinking about it. I’m usually a “sew the next shiny thing” type sewist, and somehow my closet is somewhat cohesive, but sewing items that actually work together might work 😉. It’s only taken 50 years to have that epiphany!  Well, I better disturb the cat, feed the dog and get me some coffee. (You see where I stand in the rankings?) 

Have a blessed day!

Work in Process

Since the blog is getting a reboot, I thought it was a good time to give the blog a fresh look. It's been a minute since I've dealt with technology, so standby while I tweak things a bit! Much love... Mary 

I'm Back in the Saddle Again...

 Or something like that if I actually rode horses! 😁 I'm trying to make blogging a habit again, so I added this page to my desktop to prompt me and making mental notes about what I want to express. It's been a relatively busy week for me. Nothing too earthshaking, but some excursions out into the world and a little bit of work around here. My friend's hotwater heater went, so that caused some angst (and a whole lot of work) She still went to our ASG picnic with me. I recently connected with an ASG group here in central Oregon and have really enjoyed spending time with my new sewing buddies! Pictures were taken (not on my phone), but I don't have any to share today. We took a group picture with "Maddie's Hair". Let me explain...my friend's 3 year old great granddaughter is battling leukemia. She was determined that she wouldn't lose her beautiful curls during chemo, but of course she did. A friend gave her a wonderful book about her hair "going on vacation" and coming back one day after the vacation is over. When her Mother asked her where her hair was going on vacation, Maddie said "with Grand Mom-Mom" (my friend). When she told me that, I immediately went online to find a hair piece that could be taken "on vacation". Creagh takes pictures of the hair wherever she goes, and it makes Maddie happy to see all the places her hair gets to go with Grand Mom-Mom! Cancer sucks! 'nuff said!

I've been sewing a bit. I'm currently working on some placemats and a table runner. I really need to make some pants! I spilled blackberry milkshake on my favorite Pietra pants last night, so that may get me motivated if the stains don't come out! I've been painting and diamond painting a bit too. What can I say...crafting ADD...it's a thing!

Today we are running to town to pick up some wheels for Tom's Jeep he's building and hit Costco (gotta make those trips to town count!) Then we are going to sand on the VW bug. This project was my brainstorm, but I've kind of been whiffing my part lately, so I need to help (Crafting ADD...🤣) And since I don't have a picture of the bug at the ready., here's a picture of our bus we are fixing up (another Tom & Mary production!):

Has it Really Been Over 2 Years?

 Wow! I was reading my blogger feed and recently one of the bloggers I followed back in the day has resurfaced.  In responding to her post, I checked on my blog because I needed the url to identify myself. 2 years since I last posted! Over 2 years! We were in the midst of covid vaccines and isolation...ugh! Certainly things have improved! So is Mary still Sewfast? Yes and no...I still sew and am pretty efficient about it. Being retired,  there isn't that urgency to get things done so I have something new to wear to work or a job for hire. I limit who I sew for these days and try to do so with more intention.  I don't feel a tremendous urge to buy fabric like I used to (say what???), but i think that may be due in part that i have a well curated stash that i can shop day or night. There is a bittersweet joy in discovering a beautiful fabric in your stash that has been languishing for years and hasn't been sewn into a much loved garment. I hope to remedy that problem.  Patterns are another issue.  I have many, some are too small now, and probably could make anything I wanted between the patterns and my Burda collection.  I also am in 2 subscription services and am enjoying a new pattern every month. Closet Core patterns fit me really well, once I nail down the right size to make (I'm looking at you Nicks dress and top! I eventually settled on size 10, and anyone who knows me IRL knows that ship sailed a long time ago 🤣) I recently joined the Cashmerette club and am really digging their vibe right now. Itch to Stitch is starting their weekly summer sale this week...sigh. Love Kennis too!

Well, you may be wondering what I've been up to these last few years (or not...) We have spent winters at our friend's ranch for the last 3 years since I retired.  We kinda work, but not really.  It's our home away from home...we lost our 2 pomeranians during the covid years and were dogless for quite awhile.  Tom wasn't sure we would have another dog again. I wasn't really feeling that, but I did have to grieve for a long time and still miss Jo and Sam to this day.  I was so bad, I left their little nose sprints on the window where they watched out the driveway.  Did not even think of the optics of it, but some friends stayed at our house while we were at the ranch and Janice cheerfully texted me "I washed your windows for you!" It was a good thing, because then I could start to move forward,  but I thought "Man! She must think I am really a crappy housekeeper!" 🤔 Anywho...I am happy to report we do have another dog in our life now. Blue is a charcoal lab that needed us as much as we needed him, and it's worked out beautifully! Here is a picture of Blue to end this post, because we all like blog posts with pictures. I will try to not make it another 2 years before I check in again!

He seems pretty content...don't you think?