Lots Going On....

Hello again! The whole month of July has come and gone - that's just incredible!  It's been really busy both at home and at the shop; and suffice to say the month was full of both great joy and sorrow.  There is much to be greatful for and we should not take tomorrow for granted.

A quick rundown of July - the first two weeks, my friend Suzanne and I tested out Kwik Sew's new Fat Quarter Bag pattern, and we had a blast!  Suzanne is a relatively new sewist, and took the challenge of her second sewing project in stride.  We started out making 4-5 bags for gifts for several of her family and friends.  By the time we finished this project we'd made 13 - WOW!!  Our daughters Krystle and Michaela did some modeling just so we could show these off...

This is definitely a pattern we'll keep around for a while:)  More pics with other fantastic fabric combinations here.

Somewhere along the week a pattern and jelly roll "spoke to me" and I started on a new jelly roll quilt using Frolic by Sandy Gervais.  I've not had the opportunity to begin sewing it yet, but I'll keep you posted:)  It's looking like one of those easy, simple piecing, with fabulous results type projects - WOOHOO!!

Our One Million Pillowcase Challenge sewing event was July 17th.  A special thank you to Jan and Linda - I couldn't have done it without you!  To all the wonderful women who joined us that Saturday - thank you, thank you, thank you!  We completed 132 pillowcases!

Thank you for helping make this such a successful sewing event, I've posted more pictures of our day here.

The latter part of July was beautiful and I can't say I spent a whole lot of time in my sewing room...the weather was tooo nice for that.  However, I did indulge in another one of my favorite activities - harvesting and putting away food for the winter.  It is one of the things I look forward to all year! There is always such a sense of accomplishment as you watch the pantry get stocked up for the winter...it's very rewarding work!

So, while I stayed home and harvested the mint and herb beds, Creighton (my Studly) went on a very successful fishing trip.  Mmmm....what at catch;-)

 

He does all the filleting for me - I know, I'm a lucky gal!

 

 The fillets are sized down to fit in pint size canning jars, and the packing begins...

 

These are looking good!  I need 18 for a canner load...we're half way there!

A few hours later the jars come out of the canner and we sit back and listen to the melodic "pop" of lids sealing on the jars.  A sure sign all is airtight and ready for the pantry!  We'll definitely be enjoying these later this year. 

The weatherman is promising more sunny skies tomorrow...aren't we lucky!  I'm off to sew, maybe I'll get that Frolic jelly roll project pieced before that sun arrives to tempt me out of my sewing room!

Have a great week and Happy Sewing!