Really Random Thursday, 5/24/18

This will be a short post.

Last Thursday was the last orchestra concert of the year. Each year I'm thoroughly amazed at the level at which these kids perform. They are part of a competition in the spring, up against orchestras from middle and high schools. Again, these 4th, 5th and 6th graders received unanimous superior ratings.

They are so fortunate to have their director, Mrs. Gratz.

Charlotte and I had a short texting conversation after the concert. She ended with this. Somehow it just made my heart melt a little.

Mark saw some video of Justin Timberlake stuffing raspberries with blueberries so we had to try it.

Mark finished umpiring his last softball game of the season. The next morning, he and Aaron attended a football clinic where Aaron gave a presentation on the new rules for the upcoming season. How could they already be talking about football?

After months of working to get the thrift store open, they had a "soft opening" this past Monday. These pictures were taken Sunday morning. I love the shadows from the books.

Books--the first thing you see when you walk into the store.

If you were inspired by the royal wedding, you would appreciate this really classically beautiful wedding gown. I wish I could have lifted the blue plastic as it had a lovely train as well.

A happy coincidence--a dress that matches the fun flowers hanging from the ceiling on the other side of the entrance doors.

And I'm so happy to have finished these cute little dresden blocks.

I'm going to love this quilt when it's completed.

That's all for this week. I'll close with this.

Friday Finish: Range Backpack

I don't do a lot of "3-D" sewing--in other words, things other than quilts.

The Range Backpack, an excellent pattern by Noodlehead, has been on my radar since last summer when I saw the one made by Amanda Jean. I promptly came home from the quilting retreat in Minnesota and ordered waxed canvas from A. L. Frances Textiles, which then sat in a corner in my sewing room until this week, nearly a year later!

The canvas felt stiff as a board, literally, and I was quite intimidated at the thought of sewing through something that stiff. But I followed Anna's pattern, and with a size 16 denim needle, it was actually a breeze to make.

The only thing I changed was the closure--it called for a D ring but I used a clasp instead. You can't see it very well because I need to shorten the bottom strap, which I will do the next time I make one of these. And you can be sure there will be a next time--I already have fabrics chosen!

I love the lining fabric--a Suzuko Koseki print in coordinating colors with lots of fun artsy items, purchased from Sunnyday Supply.

I even made my own little leather "handmade" label.

And included a "live a colorful life" label on the side.

The back of the backpack.

I couldn't resist photographing it on my coordinating sewing chest.

I'm thrilled with how it turned out. It will get some good use on our upcoming trip to Yellowstone.

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts, TGIFF and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Really Random Thursday, 5/17/18

A week ago today, our daughter-in-law entered a new decade by celebrating her 40th birthday, with dinner as a family.

Mark was in charge of the gift from the two of us. He went to the bank and got lots of coins, then put them each in separate boxes with little notes

40 pennies

40 nickels

 40 dimes

 40 quarters

Our bank does not stock 50 cent pieces (who knew?), so he substituted a $20 bill

 40 one dollar coins

And then to her disappointment, the next box did not contain 40 five dollar bills...

(Christa was surprised the next night by Aaron, who had arranged a fun evening at a local winery with a lot of their friends). When I told Aaron I couldn't figure out who that person was with the hat on, second from the left, he said it was just some random person from another table who photobombed the picture. Ha.

While they were partying, the kids spent the night at our house.

 Gramps (Mark) made breakfast, as usual. I'm not sure what the kids were watching, but at least Charlotte smiled for the camera.

We went to watch her basketball game later in the afternoon.

We had planned to take my mother out for dinner on Saturday night for Mother's Day but she wasn't feeling well, so we will have a delayed Mother's Day celebration this week. But since we were in Reedley anyway, we decided to try a place we hadn't been before, The Pub. I highly recommend it if you are in Reedley, California, and looking for some good food.

Mother's Day was a good one. Levi was handing out flowers in church.

We had girls' time in the afternoon at a flea market. I hope this becomes a tradition.

Debbie (Christa's mom), Charlotte, me, Christa, Stacie

Later in the evening, Aaron spent time with me at Starbucks--I value any time alone I have with him. Should have taken a picture, but later he sent me this. :)

I had missed Charlotte and Levi's choir concert at school the previous week, but they performed it again for the students on Monday morning and I was able to attend. Charlotte even had a short solo.

Mark continues to spend hours and hours at the thrift store, with a soft opening planned for this coming Monday. His optometrist son was not thrilled to see this picture--sparks flying and protective eyewear on top of his head. Hmmmm.

I love this display unit. 

This used to be used for quilt book storage in my sewing room. Now it has been repainted this great yellow color and hung on one of the walls.

I happened to be present when an 18-wheeler pulled up with all of the racks for clothing. Yikes. So many things to put together.

Things are really coming together. As I've mentioned before, this will not look like any other thrift store in the area.

Everyone wants to buy this not-for-sale clock, including me.

The used book section is one of the first things you see when you come into the store. But even before that, you will see these books hanging in the window. Isn't this a cool idea?

The manager has made strings and strings of these newspaper flowers. 

They are now hanging in two windows on the other side of the front door.

With the upcoming royal wedding this weekend, I'll leave you with this short conversation.