TMBC/LSD/LK Birthday

Hey -- the best thing about the TMBC/LSD is that it also happens to be TACO TUESDAY at our favorite Mexican joint!! Really -- $1 tacos is one of life's little pleasures, y'know?

Azteca is across the street from the library.

AND it also happens to be almost-Linda K's-birthday. So LP, Sandy and I brought a few surprise gifts.

LP appliqued the flowers from our apron fabric onto a kitchen towel...and she also made matching hot pads...

Ceramic quilt coaster...

Sandy brought star pins...

they both do HOMEMADE CARDS...

Sandy made this adorable pumpkin felted pin cushion.

AND Schmetz sewing machine needles...

YOU CAN SEE THIS IS A HARD GROUP TO COMPETE WITH...gheesh...handmade gifts, and homemade cards...

I gave Linda a Frankensewed shirt.

with ONE zebra sleeve.

I added a panel to both sides.

And I brought the chocolate!! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LINDA...

TMBC/LSD: How many?

So -- for this special TMBC/LSD...the plan was that all four of us would be making Mary Mulari's Criss-Cross apron...

When Mary was working on this design, I told her THIS WAS my Grandma Little's favorite apron. I wish I had a picture to show you...but Grandma Little was about 5 ft. tall, and I'm pretty sure she weighed over 300 pounds.   I remember her as a completely round person. So, there was no possible way she could have tied an apron behind her back!

Except for funerals or special occasions, she ALWAYS wore a criss-cross apron....every single day. When I was a kid, I never thought about Grandma's aprons much...but I'm pretty sure they were all made out of chicken feed fabrics.

http://www.marymulari.com/patterns/Crisscross-Apron

I already know I love this apron...because Mary made THIS ONE for me last year at our retreat -- and I wear it all the time.

To make the apron reversible -- you need to cut out both sides, then do any embellishments, i.e., pockets -- BEFORE you smack the two of them together.

I did one zebra pocket - and one flowered pocket trimmed with zebra.

For the zebra side, I made two zebra pockets...

THEN, you put right sides together...

Mary's instructions were, as always, PERFECT.

And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this criss-cross apron!!

 THANK YOU, MARY...!! WOW -- that first apron went together really fast....it must be time for lunch...

TMBC/LSD Neatness award...

You already know how much the four of us look forward to our Tuesday Mornings.

...but a WHOLE DAY OF SEWING?  Well, that's next level people...our new moniker for these amazing events is:  TMBC/LSD.

So awesome.  Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club/Library Sewing Day.

LOVE  LOVE  LOVE...

I set up the ironing station -- and GOT RIGHT TO WORK.

This is my "area". Gheesh...I am such a pig. Fabric scraps everywhere...thread...I take up four or five chairs...My sewing area is always a frightful mess.

Whereas -- at the other end of the table -- LP and Sandy are both working away....

And their area? Yep. Clean as a whistle. Pristine, even...

Apparently -- they pick up every thread as it drops.  BUT THEY MISSED THIS PIN..!!

Here's a great how to thread-your-needle tip. Put a white plastic spoon behind the needle. THIS REALLY WORKS. (Thanks, Marianne Fons!)

It's just possible I've overloaded my mini-grabbit

I decided to insert this embroidered panel on the zebra side!!  I LOVE IT...

Really.  This reversible apron went together SO FAST -- I might have time to make another apron today!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE...

LP matched her pockets...they're almost invisible.

Sandy's reverse side is red.

My intention was to get a picture of the four of us...with our completed aprons...

But, then -- this happened....

TMBC/LSD

It's February -- and we are BADLY in need of a TMBC/LSD. (Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club: Library Sewing Day)

So, for $5 -- we've rented a spacious upstairs room, equipped with sturdy tables and comfy chairs -- at the Bettendorf Library. We'll start at 9:00 -- and be there ALL DAY.

We have this deal pretty much down pat. Sandy brings a cutting station, I bring an ironing station, LP brings extra extension cords. LK comes late.

We have a special theme today.  APRONS.  To start the day, Sandy shared the Mary Mulari panel apron she made at our Retreat last summer.

And she was a step ahead of the game....this is Mary's criss cross apron.

THIS WILL BE THE BEST, BEST DAY!!

For a change, we are all making the same thing.  My favorite pattern of all time!! MARY MULARI'S CROSS CROSS APRON PATTERN.

I bought a BOLT (14 yards) of this fabric at the Salvation Army for $4.99.

So, we all started with the same pattern, and the same fabric...but who will make their apron reversible?  And what will that look like? And maybe my embroidered sewing panel will fit in...hummm

Do you think some zebra fabric will tone it down? Stay tuned...

 http://www.marymulari.com/patterns/Crisscross-Apron

My Name is Rita Farro and I like WORK

So -- the kids and I are in a thrift store. I notice this REALLY GREAT SWEATER COAT. It still has the store tag on it...($123.00)...

The thrift-store price was $10. It was half off that day. So - $5.00. WHAT A GREAT BARGAIN...I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this coat...so, I had Lilly try it on.

But, she has her own taste...and she hated it.

Lilly: this coat is totally YOUR style, Grandma -- not mine.

Me: I know. But it would take a LOT OF WORK to Frankensew that coat into a size big enough to fit me...(I started to hang it back on the rack)...

Lilly:  I thought you liked work...

So, of course, I had to BUY THE damn thing...

And you've got to admit -- these details are spectacular...all that quilted faux-leather is screaming RITA, RITA, RITA

The piece of leopard knit piping just sent me over the edge...

When I laid the coat on top of a tunic that fits me...I realized I'd have to add about 20" on each side.

And then, I'll have to add to the shoulder...and the sleeves will need to be completely redone...

I'm not gonna lie. This may be more work than even I'm capable of....

Happy Valentine's Day!!

So -- HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY..!! I always have the kids for Saturday morning breakfast...and I did their Valentine's Day last week...

To make breakfast special, I have red trays (thank you, Rhonda)...bowls and Valentine mugs...

OF COURSE... There is ALWAYS bacon...

I was going to make pink pancakes for this special occasion -- but was OUT of red food coloring.

I wonder if this will work??...hummm...

PERFECT..!!  The pancake batter was a beautiful pink -- and tasted like raspberry.  BONUS!!

I also put red sprinkles on oatmeal. (this was not a big hit, but I thought it was very clever).

Just pink pancakes would be fun, eh?

But then -- thanks to my Valentine cutter --

The pancakes turned into something extra special

I also cut their toast into heart shapes...and made poached eggs (their favorite)

It was the PERFECT Valentine Breakfast...