1/5/15

Monday Meanderings

This morning I was out of the house early to meet up with Erik for breakfast. That alone would have made the trip worthwhile, but as long as I was already out, I ran a few errands. I bought 80 pounds of black oil sunflower seeds for my piggy birds. The Backyard Bird Shop is right next to the grocery store, and so I got the things on my current list. I was home by 11:00 a.m., started the laundry, and was ready to start hand-stitching the Sew Powerful piece before noon. To quote Jimmy Durante, Ha cha cha! I'm not exactly sure what he meant when he said that, but it popped into my head. You're welcome. And if you're not old enough to remember Jimmy Durante, I have two words for you: Shut up.


The piece is small, and so it took me only about an hour to completely hand sew the binding. I might have done it faster but for the cat on my lap. For him, it was a Herculean effort not to bite the tail of thread dangling so alluringly behind my needle. And here it is...all finished, and ready for hanging.


Here's how it looks from the back.


Once I had that done, I printed off the label and fused it to the back.



And there you have it: my first finish of 2015.

Then, I was kind of at loose ends. I wanted to keep sewing, but somehow my motivation was lacking. I decided to start on my doll quilt for January's swap. The optional theme for January's swap is "A Good Book". I'm sticking with the theme, and I already know what I'm doing. Once I got started on this, it went pretty fast, and the top is made now. It's an applique piece, and so it still needs top-stitching. Then I'll be able to finish it off and get it into the mail to my partner. I'm not sure if she reads my blog or not, so I can only give you a peek for now.


Any thoughts?

For Christmas, Mike gave me some waterproof headphones. Tomorrow I'm going to make my way back to the pool and try yet again to get an exercise routine established. If the headphones work, it might make the difference. I like swimming, but it's a hard workout to keep doing over time because it's so danged boring. The headphones work like this: I'm going to use an old iPhone...it no longer functions as a phone. I just use it for music and audio books now, although I can still get on the internet with it, which means I can also listen to podcasts. The phone goes into a waterproof pouch. There is an internal jack that plugs into the phone, and you seal it up inside the pouch. Then, you plug the waterproof headphones into the outside of the pouch and, with any luck, you can listen to music, or a book, or whatever.

The phone attaches to a lanyard that I'll put around my neck, and then stuff the phone into my swimsuit between my boobs. Sounds attractive, no? Fortunately, I go to the old people swim. I doubt anybody can see me let alone leer at me. And I'd have to say anybody leering at me would have to be off his or her rocker anyway, so what do I care? It does bring a picture to mind, though, doesn't it? So more on that later. I'm suffering with a stiff neck the last two days...probably in anticipation of going swimming. If it doesn't feel better tomorrow, I might have to postpone my start date. I would not consider this a tragedy. If I'm really lucky, I might postpone it until 2016.


10 comments:

WoolenSails said...

We got through a lot of seed too, it seems all the birds know where to go for food, never mind the squirrels. If I am alone, I like music and our spa has a separate system for the pool area. Usually there is music playing but we can also turn it on if we want, but with others I don't bother since not everyone likes the same music and I have someone to talk to while I work out.

Debbie

Lyndsey said...

We get through a lot of seed as well, I think the birds have put up signs saying 'get your meals here'. I may start swimming again this year especially as it is only a ten minute walk to the pool but it always seems such a fiddle - first getting undressed and into the swimsuit that getting dressed and sort my hair out. Swimming hats never keep it completely dry and if they do it is all squashed flat. Music while swimming would certainly make it more attractive.

Ann said...

Love, love, love your finished embroidery. I have that pattern on my to do list. I have arthritis in my neck and I have to do gentle stretching to keep my neck flexible. My neck actually feels better after I stretch. Please let us know how your swimming music idea works.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I think you will be the fashion envy of the group! Congratulations on the first finish of the year with such a lovely piece.

Nita said...

Your sewing maching hanging makes me think of those initiatives in third world countries where donations purchase sewing machines for women who are then able to support themselves and thei families. Never underestimate the piwer of a woman with a sewing machine, indeed!

Nita said...

Crazy giant fingers...forgive all the typos in previous comment, lol! Typing on my ipad.

Christine M said...

Your hanging looks wonderful, Barbara. I love the binding fabric. It's so perfect.

Brown Family said...

I am interested in how the waterproof head phones work!

quiltzyx said...

Congrats on your first 2015 finish! I don't have a 2015 start yet...need to dig out my challenge fabric. I think it's on the couch somewhere.
You will be your own fashion statement at the pool!

Kate said...

Congrats on your finishing up Sew Powerful, it looks great!

Drama Teen got a wireless speaker for her shower for her birthday. She loves it and so do I. No more blaring music invading my space when she's in the shower.