New Year

 Ugh, these pics will be newest to oldest. I can't get the hang of this new Blogger interface! 

Above is crochet hook reinvention with handyman Crystal. I love a reason to use my Dremel! What I was attempting was to make a crochet hook that has a twisting action at the end so I can hold the hook with the back of my hand and twist the hook with just my fingertips. I combined a crochet hook to a small screwdriver with a twisting end. What I actually found was, that making an Easter egg shaped handle that can accommodate all crochet hooks is best. However, my plastic prototype was uncomfortable. Seeking out wooden Easter eggs to tray another reiteration... 

My hexies all sorted!

Hexie sorting day! Macey helped me match the pattern scraps to the solid jelly rolls. The pattern scraps were just fabric I had on hand. I made 1 to 4 sets of hexies from the scraps and then organized them on white cards so I could divide them by color/tone.

Here is how my hexie matching works. Each pile of 7 hexagons makes one flower and center. By putting two stacks of 7 together, I can make 2 coordinating flowers.

My first EPP (English Paper Piecing) hexagon scrap quilt! I am very excited to be making this quilt ALL BY HAND! I'll piece the top together, hand quilt and hand bind this project. I began by cutting out lots of paper hexagons (I'll need about 1300 to make a twin size quilt). Then I glued them either to scrap fabric and cut around them OR I used a plastic template made for fabric jelly roll (this is precut fabrics that are 2.5" wide and 44" long) and cut out the fabric hexagons and then glued the paper to them. You then baste around the paper piece folding down the fabric edges. A quick press and then paper clip 7 hexagons together. I got hyper organized for this project; I am not following a pattern, just making it up as I go and following some Pinterest ideas.

Reese's quilt layout.

The JoAnn fabric clerk and I were just absolutely in LOVE with this pallet! 

The best part of sewing lessons is that I don't actually have a curriculum. My students almost always know what they want to make and we just work from project to project.  Reese said, 'I'd like to make a quilt with an 'R' on it.'  Ok, let's make that happen!

Sewing day with Reese. So actually it takes more than 4 hours to make a quilt, but 2 months and 4 lessons is all I'm willing to give to the project. Usually I make sure that my student participates in at least each step for a few minutes, but I do the tedious work of getting everything ready in between the steps.

An actual concert! Ryan is the trombone in the back between the stands. This was the mid-winter concert. The top two bands were combined for this performance, which means Alex and Ryan performed together. Lucky us!

Alex is the tiny head in between the flautist and clarinet. 

Baking cupcakes!

I am loving this college ombre blanket. This is for Mizzou; my friend's son got into the School of Journalism. Next up is one for BYU; then SFA and UNT. 

Hey mom, I just got a job! Ryan has been bored stiff for years. He is so excited to finally be working! He is working at Palio's Italian kitchen. He runs the register and answers the phone mostly.

1st Snow Day of 2021. It snowed for 45 mins and melted 15 min after that, so yeah, it was lame.

Macey tried to make the most of it, but had to get on a YW's zoom call and the snow was melted before she got off. Bummer.

So cute, right?!

Lucy loving grandma spoiling her.

Bob and June came for Ryan's ordination to Priest. We went to church in person, but then the Bishop came to our house to do the ordination in our living room.

Macey is 4-11 the exact height my mom was when she was an adult. Thankfully, sister has some growing years left in her. She may even average out with me and the boys. Well, Ryan is going to pass us all up by the time he is done growing!

Lazy Sunday afternoon.

Ryan trying out all of Grandma's heel spur gear.

Hello, hello? Macers got a phone for Christmas. Time to make some calls!