Book Club -- September

Our book club selections are eclectic by design.  We're trying to find books the group hasn't read yet.  Sometimes this is hard because that's the best way to make a recommendation -- by reading it.  This was our September selection.

This is another great book.  My copy is paperback so it wasn't too expensive.  And your local library is always a good place to find a great book. 

September UFO

My quilt guild has a 12-4-12 program for finishing up those UFO's we all have stashed around the house.  This is my second year of participating.  You sign up, send a picture and description of your finished UFO during 12 of 12 months.  If you keep up, you get a $25 gift certificate to the quilt shop of your choice.  It has been a fabulous motivator for me.  Some months I'm just barely making it but I've kept on top of it and won my gift certificate.  It's a great treat and helps by another backing or binding fabric.

This month's finish was a French Roses quilt.  It's made entirely from scraps leftover from a kit for the Charming Log Cabin quilt.  I also made a French Rose Buds quilt from the same scraps. 

My plan was to donate the quilt to charity.  But my daughter saw it and fell in love with it.  So it will be added to her stash.  I'm building a stash of scrap quilts for both of my girls.

Here's a close up of one of the lovely roses.

I did the machine quilting myself.  I have to practice, practice, practice.  It is a challenge for me but I know I will only improve.

These patterns are both fabulous.  Heather French is the designer.  They've been very popular at quilt shops everywhere the past few years.

Some more paper

The tower of paper I showed you was new paper, never been cut.  This is where I keep all those scraps, that could easily take over the entire room.

The scrap paper is on the left of the second shelf.  Some of my many boxes of photos are above and lots of scrapbooking supplies are on the bottom shelf and right second shelf.  This isn't all of it, either.  It is getting better organized so I can use these wonderful things more often.  I'm so much more efficient when I'm organized.  I've been going through about 18 years of collected supplies.

Scrapbook Organizing

I am fortunate enough to have a room for my crafts.  Sewing and quilting monopolizes my time and space in there.  But I am re-energized to scrap some more.  I have a few new toys to make it more fun that I'll be showing soon.  The paper was all a mess and I was actually horrified to see how much I had when it was all sorted out.  The better part of my time over Labor Day weekend was spent on this project (along with some great time in the pool).  Here is the bulk of the paper now:

I think there should be enough paper there to make hundreds of cards and scrapbook pages.  It seemed like it was mass producing before my eyes.  It was stashed in so many places.

The cubes and drawer were bought at Michael's, on sale of course.  It looks great in my room and the white is the right color for it. 

Soon there should be lots of pretty new things to show you made from all my paper!

New scrapbook tote

I ordered this a while ago and just haven't done much with it yet.  It's a fabulous scrapbook supply tote.  The company makes matching aprons and other accessories.  It is really too pretty to continue to be neglected.

There's so many pockets inside and outside.  I need to get it filled up and start toting it around the house and get some cards made and scrapbook pages done!  The company is Artistic Bliss, can't find the website right now.

Fun Mystery

This is another quick, easy book to read.  It's by Julie Kramer, the same author of Stalking Susan.

It's very hot here during the summer.  We're finally back into the low triple digits.  We use the power curtailment program to save some money, so the afternoons its usually 83-85 in the house.  The coolest place is our master bedroom.  My favorite afternoon activity is to sneak in there and read for an hour or so.  It's one little indulgence for me.

Fabric storage

My fabric takes up half my closet space plus a dresser in my sewing/craft room.  I love the way it's all organized although it can get messy at times.

It could actually use some straightening up but I have to get ready for sew day here tomorrow.  The bigger yardage is folded on the top shelf.  Then fat quarter sized pieces are folded and organized by color in the lower bins.  I have a bin on the floor with pieces that need to be folded, trimmed, or tossed.  I get to that when it's full -- which is about now.  This method helps me stay organized and find more time to sew.

Scrapbook Paper Stuff

This is my favorite bag for carrying "my stuff" to scrapbook.  I've had it for 5 or 6 years.  I'm a big Mary Engelbreit fan and I just love this drawing.  I also have a tin "lunchbox" to put all my little goodies in -- like scissors, tape, glue, pencils, embellishments, etc.

These are two of my trusty, favorites for scrapbook stuff.

I certainly have about 20 years worth of stories to tell on scrapbook pages!

Happy Labor Day.  We're taking it easy today watching football, reading, swimming and then off to yoga.

Great Easy Reading

This was a great summer read! 

 The book is Roses by Leila Meacham.  It's 609 pages but easy to get through those pages.  In fact, my husband remarked I couldn't put the book down.  It took about 6 months to get it from our public library -- that speaks to its popularity.  It's an epic novel compared to Gone with the Wind.  The main character is Mary and chronicles generations of a love affair with the land, fortune, loss, and romance.  Everything to keep you reading.  The plot is complex and not transparent (which I hate in a book).  It's comparable to Gone with the Wind, the Shellseekers, and the Thorn Birds and would make a great movie.