Pattern for backpack

I forgot to mention the pattern number for the backpack.
Butterick B5054

too busy to blog?

I have been so busy, I have not even had time to report on what is going on craft-wise 'round here.

I am, surprise surprise, in the midst of many projects.

I have been working day and night.

Well, not that hard.

I do have multiple sewing and knitting projects that I can place in the active column.


First, I am working on Eastlake from the new Norah Gaughan book Woodland Gothic.

This is a picture of the back.

In a reaction against the licensed character and princess backpacks that abound at the Target, I have decided to make the Elder Hug-a-Bug a school bag, she won't let me say backpack for some reason.

Here is a picture of the front and back.

The main fabric is corduroy, and the lining is a fantastic Kokka print with pigs, apples and birds that I scored in the remnant bin at Treadle.

This disaster area is my sewing table, I know, you can hardly see it beneath all of the, let's just say it, Crap.

There are at least 3 pieces of clothing needing mending, the Beatrix Potter quilt that has yet to be quilted because I used too lofty a batting and I need to take it apart, again, the yarn for many small projects, and the backpack stuff.

I am also working on a secret project that is delicate enough that I can't work on it while the Hug-a-Bugs are awake, for fear of their globby hands and feet.

With all of that on the docket, what else could I do tonight, but bake chocolate chip cookies.

I even had plenty of dough to freeze for future cookie jonesing.

Don't get too bogged down out there,

Jess

Gardening Excitement

There has been a lot of activity in the yard the last few days.

It had come to my attention a couple of weeks ago that we should cut down our pussy willow tree.

There were four or five frost cracks, and the experts at the MN Landscape Arboretum told me that we should take the tree out before it falls on something or someone.

So, in preparation, I had to move a bunch of stuff out of the way.

On Friday, I moved two clematis vines, 6 snapdragons and a begonia.

I also bought two new lilac bushes, pictures to follow, the battery is recharging...

Saturday, we started chopping down our tree.

Chopping with an axe is sloooowww.

I think, beyond our inexperience, our main problem was that our axe was too dull.

So, after about 45 minutes of chopping, we decided on the Sawzall, not the best choice.

Finally, after my across the alley neighbor offered us the use of his chainsaw, we cut it down.

Now, there is a huge bare spot in the yard.

This is the before,

and here is the after with the stump

Well, I just needed a picture of something growing and vibrant, so here is my new salvia in the back garden. I managed to get one with a bee in flight.

We, the Hug-a-Bugs and myself, built a new fairy house this morning.

I dug all of these rocks up when I put in our new lilac bushes.

Chimneys courtesy of the younger Hug-a-Bug.

Note that in the first photo the oven is closed, and in the second the oven door is open. That was all the Elder Hug-a-Bug.

Get out there and garden!

Jess

Play on!

As some of you know, I am a musician and music lover.

As you may not know, I played french horn in orchestra from senior year of High School through College.

Another fun insight into my past is that I, along with the rest of my family, have always loved watching the DCI Finals on public tv.

We would wait all year for the big event, we'd all sit down and act as judges in our family room.
It seems like the last few years they haven't shown it on TPT, but I may have just missed it.

Well, I will tell you that nothing is like the real thing, and last night I attended Sounds of Minnesota Drum and Bugle Corps show.

There were 5 Corps and some were pretty good, but there were 2 that stood out from the rest.

The first is the Kilties from Racine, WI, who along with playing a fantastic program of Renaissance! music arranged for Drum Corps, they all marched in Kilts.

The second group, and the group that won the competition, and the group that has as a member my little sister, is Minnesota Brass.

Great music, good company and concession stand hot dogs; I couldn't ask for a nicer evening out.

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Great job Donna!

Have a lovely Monday everyone!

Jess

p.s. Incaknits, did you recognize Historic Ettinger Field?

Cuteness

I couldn't refrain from a little kid worship today.

First, the Younger Hug-a-Bug has been playing with my tape measure lately and asking "How tall is me?"

Second, the Elder was upstairs playing and when I told her that lunch was coming soon she said "O.K. Mama, and by the way, I love you!"

Sometimes this mom thing pays off big time.

Have a great day!

Jess

Happy Anniversary

Many years ago, when I was merely a freshman in High School, I met a boy who made me laugh.
About four years later we started dating.

About four years later, again, we got married.




Exactly nine years later we find ourselves here, today, still laughing.

I love you Brian, and I am lucky to wish you a Happy Anniversary today.

Jess

Surprise

There is a new blog love in my life:
Shutter Sisters


This is a site dedicated to celebrating photography.

Every day they have a challenge, or a question to be answered in photo form.


It might be my favorite moment of the day when I can choose from my own photos to contribute to the daily post.


This morning, the theme was Surprise.


When I woke up this morning, I was surprised by dense fog outside my window.
I went out to take some pics, and while I was shooting, I saw this:

This shot looks like black and white, but if you look to the left, there is a red stop sign.

All in all a most surprising photo, and I was grateful to find it.

What has surprised you lately?

Jess