Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Sewing club


I taught a sewing class to 3rd, 4th and 5th graders from Sept.  to Dec. I have done it before, but this sewing class was the hardest.  I had 15 kids, some stinkers, some did not want to be there and then there were the ones who were terrified of the sewing machine.  I am taking about crying, anxiety and panic attacks. Then there was the cutting of pins, jamming the machine, breaking needles (used 4 packages of needles) and missing scissors and seam rippers.
It made for a long semester. We made by hand- teddy bears, pin cushions, ornaments and pillows. On the sewing machine we made pillows and  draw string backpacks. Like the one above. They came out great. They are lined and the straps are glow in the dark. The one above will be going to the BH house.

Take care,

Erlinda

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Quilting and Technology

What I am working on. It's not going good, I
really need more practice making quilts.

I am now able to post and add pictures of what I make for the BH kiddos and other sewing I do.  I got a Samsung tablet for Christmas. Still getting used to it, but at least I can take pictures and post. I hope. Technology and I don't get along.

Thanks to my daughter for figuring out how to log on to my blog. Now  I need her help taking pictures out of her ipod.

I will be back....

Take Care,

Erlinda



Thursday, August 28, 2014

Back at work

I am with out my smart phone, computer and camera.   All decided to quit working this summer :(   But I have been sewing.  I have taken a few thing to the BH house, mostly dresses and bags.

Work has started and I  have 21 kiddos. 12 boys and 9 girls. They are a rumbustious bunch of kids so far. But fun.

Till next time (hope to have pictures of Estes Park and sewing )

Take care,

Erlinda

Wow! what a boring post. Sorry about that.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

A Beautiful Win

I won this quilt last month from girlsinthegarden.blogspot.com. Isn't it beautiful. I took these with my daughters ipod (which I am learning to use) so not such good pictures. But I can tell you it is beautiful, soft, and warm. The boys were intrigued by the quilting done on the quilt. They all claimed it as there own. So it resides in the living room on first come bases.  The weather here has been cool and raining with it being monsoon season, so evenings are cool and you do need a quilt :P. 




A Very Big Thank You to Lori
you did an amazing job. Thank you. 



I have a few more dresses for the BH kiddos, but no way to photograph them at the moment. Now my camera is not working.  I need a 3rd job just to replace my smart phone, computer and now a camera. It sucks not having technology at your hands. Work starts in 3 weeks :(  then I will have my work laptop, it is an old apple with a few problems, but at least I will be able to keep in touch with blogs...I mean work and the world. Ok enough whining....

In other sewing news: I learned to make makeup bags with zippers. I want to make some for the BH kiddos to put their tooth brush/paste, face towel, brush/comb and hair ties in them. Now we just put them in a baggies, which is OK, but the kids need a little something pretty, colorful and their own.  

I also painted and reupholstered a chair. Another first. It came out looking cute. Will get pictures some how as soon as I can. 

I am also working on a prototype backpack, both for the BH kiddos and the after school sewing club I "might" be teaching again this year. I have not worked on lesson plans because I am not sure of how much money I will get for supplies, if any. Last year I got nada, zip, nothing.   All the fabric and supplies came from my stash and the sewing club. The machine was given to the program, but it needs work and its not considered mine or the schools and  if I get it fixed I won't get reimbursed.  Can't afford that right now. So not sure what to do yet. Yes, I know school starts in 3 weeks. I just don't know what to do.  Sorry for whining more. 

Till next time. 

Take Care,

Erlinda









Tuesday, June 17, 2014

A quilt and sewing

Don't look too close at this quilt, I think it is full of mistakes. It's the first patchwork that I have done and I made my own binding. It measures 35" X 35". Good size for a baby. I just could not line up the seams and only went on direction on the machine quilting part. I was not going to attempt going across, was afraid of the puckers I would make. The top is all seersucker scraps and the yellow backing is a soft linen (I think), another scrap piece of fabric. Its a very soft quilt. My family thinks I did a good job, me...I need a lot more practice on making quilts. And I will be getting more practice, Sewing Club as been asked by  BH if we could make quilts/blankets, pillows and pillow cases to send with the kids when they leave BH. So the group wants each member to make between 5 and 10 quilts/blankets (different sizes) an year. Well, here is my first one. Next meeting I will get a full review on how I did from the other members (and they will be honest).




Size 3 carpi pants with top and purse. 



Size 4 boys pants.


1 bear 

1 Thomas the tank engine pillow case.


Here is another quilt I made for Taos. Instead DH wants me to make more quilts for here and take the store bought blankets to Taos. This one is full of mistakes and puckers. I did not do a binding, just folded over the backing. With the white strip it was a bit easier with seams. 


This little guy was on our grill. We hatched about 500 in our class room this year. That was scary as they were on my desk, none got out but it was creepy. 


Had a dental appointment for a crown today, but once again it was cancelled. (4th time)
Not sure if to look for another dentist or what to do. Anyway after cleaning up the house and more purging (my summer goal-get rid of stuff) I will sew. The BH kids need shorts, its hot over here. 
Till next time.



Take Care, 

Erlinda

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Think I figured it out. These are the only pictures that I have and not that great either. The rest were lost. There were 2 of these reversible bags. One was a gift the other for BH kids. 





This out fit was a size 6. 

   

Size 4 (1974 pattern).


Size 4 boys jacket. 

 The dog we dog sat. 


Take Care,

Erlinda

Real fast update

Its been a crazy/busy year so far. It was busy with work and then I ran 2 after school clubs, plus my 13yo was is mesa, track, soccer, band, jazz band and Boy Scouts, which keep me busy all week. My 3 others are in college also had things going on, which added to me running around. My oldest was in a car accident (he is fine, car not). Dog sat for my brother's little dog Harley. A few trips to doctor (13 yo. with glue gun burn he got in mesa), Emerencency dental procedures (still on going)........etc....life.

Summer vacation is here and we have been doing a lot of yard work, putting  gravel,  a new brick fence is still in the process of going up, was not able to do a big garden do to the fence and redoing of back yard. Getting the inside of the house ready for painting next week. Dr.'appt's... and life.

I have been sewing for the BH kiddos when I can. I can't show anything on any of these computers.  The hard drive in my lap top went out, my smart phone went for a swim and died , this old clunker won't post pictures ( my 13 yo and I fight to use this clunker:). To date I have sewn:

1 skirt
1 jacket to match skirt
1 light weight top for skirt/jacket
2 boys pants
1 boys jacket
1 capri pants
1 top to match capri pants
1 purse to go with capri outfit (need a doll to put in purse)
1 dress (1974 pattern)
1 boys shirt
3 girl tote bags
1 purse
1 bear with blanket for purse
3 bears
2 pillows
2 pillow cases
*1/2 a quilt. (trying to make it a quilt that folds into a bag with straps, (just need time to sit a figure it out)).

*The BH house has request child size quilts/blankets so the kids can take them when they leave. So club members were asked to make at least 5 quilts/blanket an year.

Well thats all the time I have. Untill next time. In the mean time I will sew for the BH kids and figure out how to put pictures into this blog.

Take Care,

Erlinda

Friday, June 6, 2014

Still alive

It has been a busy year so far. Finally on summer break and yes I have been sewing. Will upload pictures next week and up date on what has been going on.


Take Care,


Erlinda

Sunday, January 12, 2014

First sewing of 2014

Here it is 2014. Its been a rough start to the year.  After Christmas I was hit in the face by a very friendly dog and my back molar broke in half and half fell out. I was not able to get a dental appt. till this past week. (dentist had the flu). Well, it looks like I need a root canal, and a crown. Which will cost more $$ then I have right now.
 
I have been sewing, but not for the BH kiddos. I made me a scrap quilt for me (need to get it off my bed and photograph it), and a quilt top that I started a few years ago (need batting to finish it up).
 
The only thing I made for the BH kiddos is a pair of boys pants. Simplicity 2907, size 3. I really enjoyed making these. They are made in grey corduroy and I lined the pockets and waist band in a basket ball theme. Legs are a bit wide, will try take those in next time I make them. (Sorry about the pictures, taken with my phone as my camera went missing).
 
 





Hope to post more and sew more. Not only for the BH kiddos, but for me. This year I am going to selfish and take care of myself. Mentally, physically and emotionally. I am also going to simplify my life. I have way too much stuff.

Take Care,

Erlinda