What does this all mean?

I have the touch for destroying electronics this week...

Yesterday, I thought the space heater was smelling HOT.  You know what I mean, when it smells dangerously, overheated-type hot?  Then I saw the sparks, followed by small flames.  "Oh, my, oh, my," I exclaimed, trying not to attract the attention of Bear Cub Q, who was sitting next to the now-burning space heater.  I unplugged it, and the flames vanished.  Electronic #1 to the dumpster.

The Screamer likes to express her disapproval of DH's absence by peeing on the floor.  So, while doing the laundry that accumulates from such expressions of disapproval, I knocked the old clock radio onto the floor.  It used to sit atop the dryer to be used in inclement weather, but alas, no more.  It no longer picks up 90% of the radio stations, including the country station that covers weather.  Electronic #2 to the trash.

Last night, I slow-cooked a chicken for dinner, then returned the bones to the cooker to make broth.  This morning, after straining the broth, I decided to attempt homemade bone meal by cleaning the bones and drying them in the oven at 300 degrees for 3 hours.  That inspired me to feel housewifely and efficient, so I cut up the last bowl of peppers to dry in the dehydrator (to make chili powder, eventually).  I started the dehydrator, which didn't start, took a peek in the middle, and saw red and smoke.  Dang.  Electronic #3 to the dumpster.

My mom says such things come in threes.  I hope she's right!  If she's wrong, what will become of the sewing machine?  Or the iron?  Or... (I dare not come up with a third.)

On a more positive note, Bear Cub Q is no longer vomiting or having slimy diapers.  It is a good day after all!

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Stash Report Week #48

0 in, 0 out

There wasn't much time for such things this week.  I didn't even finish crocheting my second sock, which I thought would be easy!  There were supposed to be quilt shop stops, but the shop had closed 15 minutes previous, and then due to Bear Cub Q (see below), we only stopped when necessary.

Instead...
Monday from 8-5, Bear Cub Q and I volunteered at a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training.  In the evening, I packed to leave for San Antonio.

Tuesday, see above.  Then, I had to move my entire atrium-worth of materials back to my parish.  At 6 pm, we loaded the kids in the car.  DH drove, I convinced the kids to stay asleep.  At 11:20 pm, we arrived in Dallas.  The girls were so hyper (as was Bear Cub Q), that DH and I, exhausted as we were, didn't get to sleep until well after midnight.

Wednesday, we drove to San Antonio to see DH's Memaw and some of his dad's side of the family.  In fact, we spend Thanksgiving day at Cracker Barrel waiting to eat lunch.  Note to self: you really should cook Thanksgiving dinner or at least order something you can pick up the day before and warm up at home!

Friday, we drove back to Dallas so we could see DH's brother and wife, who's having a baby any day!

Saturday, we attended a baptism in Dallas, ate lunch, and drove home.  By the time we loaded up in the van, we were sure Bear Cub Q was running a temperature, so we gave him ibuprofen.  At 5:30 pm, 1.5 hours from home, Bear Cub Q said he was DONE with the car, but we made it home.

Last night, he would only sleep in my arms and latched on to nurse.  This morning, he is awake and smiling, but still feverish.  Poor little dude.  Depending on his level of illness, there may night be much sewing this week either (and there's A LOT of laundry to do... all the places we stayed/visited had pets, and I think we're all mildly allergic).

Check out the other stash reports on Judy's blog.  Maybe someone actually did some sewing!

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Stash Report Week #47

My numbers from last week are wacko somewhere, so let's just state that I used 1/4 yard this week by throwing it away.  While searching for a Christmas present for an awesome BiL, I found a bag of the Assistant's fabric that I hid so I would have it if I needed it for her quilt.  She liked to pick out of the pre-cuts at JoAnn's, and the fabric is gross, so I pitched it!


I have six blocks of my Favorite Things left to piece, and I have all the necessary blocks for the pink quilt.  It needs a name... I'm not so good at names!


Check out the other reports on Judy's blog.


from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.


edit:
IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 152 3/4 yards


OUT this week: 1/4 yard
OUT YTD: 179 yards


YTD Total: 26 1/2 yards OUT!

Stash Report Week #46

IN this week: 2 1/4 yard
IN YTD: 152 3/4 yards

OUT this week: 3 1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 179 yards

YTD Total: 26 3/4 yards OUT


I bought some Brown Bear all-around fabric, 3/4 yard for each child, to make pillow cases, then made the ends from my stash.  I guess it's not terribly efficient to have to buy 2 1/4 yards to use a yard of my own, but they're awfully cute.

16 blocks for my "Favorite Things" quilt are done/pieces are sewn together.


There are only 30 blocks left to make for the pink quilt (they're 4.5" each).


I'm not doing so well on French knots, but they're done for now!


Check out the stash reports on Judy's blog.


from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Design Wall

Having never posted a design wall post, this may be a little dull.

Welcome to a corner of my dining room table.  As our house is on the market, I can't have a design wall right now, so this is temporary (until the next fit of decluttering seizes me).

We have a block for my version of Judy's Peaches and Dreams quilt.  There are 30 total, and I think I have 7 done/needing to be ironed.  I'm aiming to assemble the pieces of one each day.

Then there's the wool candle mat I won when Judy had a giveaway.  I think I make the buttonhole stitch backwards from the directions, but I'm a lefty (and proud of it!) so that will have to do.  The stitches are slowly improving, although my spacing and depth still needs serious work.  I had a New Year's Goal of learning a new skill, and I guess this is it!  I've done limited applique, but only with a blind stitch - nothing fancy.  I should be a pro at buttonhole stitches and french knots by the time I'm done.

Finally, my blocks for the Assistant's pink quilt.  I need 159 of these little blocks, and I am about 1/2 done.  They are being pieced alternately with my blue blocks.

Check out the other design walls at Judy's place!

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Stash Report Week #45

I counted up the music fabric and will estimate it at 1 yard.

IN this week: 1 yard
IN YTD: 149 1/2 yards

OUT this week: 0 yards
OUT YTD: 175 3/4 yards

YTD Total: 25 3/4 yards OUT

I am working on the heel of my first sock.  The sock is going to be too big, I think, but I'll finish it before I make adjustments.  Maybe it will shrink if I wash it in warm water (it's cotton).

My wool kit from Judy is next on my list, but I need my sister to help me out!

Other reports at Judy's blog.

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

What a day...

What a day we are having!  I'll spare you the details, as it's all potty-related, but AHHHH!

So, in more cheerful news, our house in on the market (and clean, and, we hope, now mouse free... 6 dead mice later).  We bought rugs last night for the upstairs (wood floors are cold in the morning in an unheated bedroom).  They're very pretty.

I've been alternately sewing the blocks for my version of Judy's Peaches and Dreams quilt with the Assistant's pink blocks.  I'm going to call my quilt "Favorite Things" after the song in the Sound of Music.  I'm using my favorite fabrics, so I figure it's apropos.

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.