Mini Baker

Got home late Thursday night and found that Leia had baked (delicious!) chocolate chip cookies all by herself. 

And she did it one-handed. Very proud grandma moment.

Spring Visitor

Look who stopped by to admire our new landscaping. . . 

 Great Egret

He’s (she’s??j been here several times this past week, 

allowing camera-toting hubby 

to get progressively closer on each visit.

Hope he keeps stopping by!

Fiber Art Camp

The big girls* are in their second week of an after-school fiber arts class sponsored by  Studio Channel Islands.

This week was stamping on paper and fabric. They are pretty pleased with the results. (Me too!)

Next week they’ll add marbling to the stamped fabric, so the fish will appear to be swimming.

And bonus - Leia and Leanne each have a girl her own age in the group, which they love. The class was open to kids from 6 to 14, so what are the odds that the 6 participants (including 2 boys) would all pair up age-wise?? Everybody’s happy!

* I need to stop calling them “little” girls since, compared to Jaclyn and Donovan, they are now big kids. They’re growing up too fast!!

Job Counseling

This past weekend, Leia struck one potential job from her “what I want to be when I grow up” list.

“Hover board pilot” is officially a “no”. 

Friday’s X-rays showed a probable break in her wrist - later confirmed by a radiologist - but she also had pain in her elbow, so today the doctor decided to play it safe and recommended a full arm cast. Lucky girl! ( not!!)

She’s taking it pretty well, so far, noting that at least it’s not her right (dominant) hand. But once the novelty of having her friends sign the  pretty blue cast wears off, I think we’re in for 4 long weeks of “it itches!” Poor pretty princess. 

Spring Fever

About now I usually get the urge to plant all. the. green. things . . . and watch them die shortly thereafter. A green thumb has never been one of my strengths.

This year, however, it’s hubby who’s gone planting crazy. He’s transformed the front yard, adding a wine barrel planter, 

an arch and trellis for the new bougainvillea, 

and replaced parts of our poor drought-stricken grass with new brickwork accents.

It looks amazing. And since I didn’t plant them, maybe everything will stay happy and healthy. Crossing my fingers . . .

Bunny Purse Golf

The 4th bunny purse went to its home today, handed over during a rapid round of granddaughter golf in Ventura.

Karina loved it!

I thought that was going to be the end of bunny purses, 

 Leanne giving herself bunny ears. hahahaha

but Karina’s baby cousin (Wenona’s youngest grandchild) wants one too. 

 Leia couldn’t resist making silly faces.

Hmmm, where did I put that leftover fabric . . . .

 Hole-in-one happy dance

EPP Progress

I’ve been working on my English paper piecing (EPP) project for about a month and finally have enough done to show progress.

This fabric ⬆️ . . .

now looks like this ⬆️ . . . 

on its way to becoming this ⬆️. The red line in the upper right corner shows what I’ve completed so far. Still a looooooong way to go.

I’m still surprised at how much I enjoy the hand-sewing and slow progress. I do a bit each night, while watching tv, trying not to over-do and re-injure my shoulder*. I keep expecting to get bored and move on to other projects, but that hasn’t happened . . . yet. This EPP stuff is addicting!

 

* Good news - my MRI is scheduled for Tuesday! Physical therapy didn’t resolve the problem so we’re looking at what comes next. Crossing fingers for a non-surgical fix.

Hoppy Easter

Leanne and Jaclyn joined us for an egg hunt this morning - Leia was at her mom’s - before heading out to brunch. 

Jac wasn’t feeling good - she has a cold that she’s happily shared with me - 

so she wasn’t too excited about the egg hunt

UNTIL she discovered there was candy hidden in each one. Then she couldn’t find them fast enough.

Leanne, of course, is an enthusiastic Easter egg hunting pro. 

Hoppy Easter, y’all!

Bunny Purse, Round 2

Leanne and I went fabric shopping earlier this week so I could give the bazillion-hour purse another try. 

 Purse lining

I had plans to make it bigger . . better . . . different . . . 

but with Easter less than a week away, I decided to stay with the basic pattern but put things together in a way that made more sense to me.

Success! I finished 4 of these over the course of 2 days, 

taking my time with the handwork (eyes and nose) and not stressing over the rest.

 Forceps, anyone?

I’m kinda pleased with how they turned out and having all my sewing tools available made a huge difference both time- and stress-wise. Turning 1” tubes by hand? Yuck!! Using forceps to grab the end and pull it through? Fast and easy!

The big girls loved their new purses but Jackie was THRILLED with hers. It cracks me up that she immediately knew how to carry it over her arm. Such a little fashionista.

Easter Prep

The little girls are on spring break this week, so we’ve spread out the Easter prep to give them a little something to do each day they’re here.

Yesterday, Mary and Leia came over to make cookies

 Can you tell which cookies Mary made? They were gorgeous.

and decorate eggs.

Leia’s theme was emoji’s . . .

and her eggs had different designs on front and back.

Mary spent most of her time on one egg. Have I mentioned she’s an artist? 

She did this green egg freehand, with a SHARPIE.

It’s amazing. 

Today was Leanne and Jaclyn’s turn.

First we corralled Jackie found Jackie something non-breakable to color, 

then Leanne and I got busy decorating more emoji-themed eggs. 

Didn’t she do a nice job? Leanne started to cry when I explained about ‘egg fights’ (an Easter highlight when my kids were young), so we may not be doing that this year. Or at least not with Leanne’s masterpieces. 

Tomorrow - more bunny purses!

Bunny Purse

Addy saw this pattern in a local quilt shop and was immediately, “Pleeeeeeeeeeease, Grandma??”

She picked out the fabrics - and a few others just because they were pretty (I’m so proud!) - 

and today I started what I thought would be a couple of hours work . . .

 Notice the collection of Diet Coke cans in the background?? I needed them!

Wrong!

Between my lack of sewing experience and the poorly written/designed pattern, it felt like this took a bazillion hours. But it’s done, Addy is happy thrilled, and that’s all that matters. And I’m already planning changes so I can make bunny purses for Leia, Leanne and Jaclyn. . .