Monday, June 2, 2008

Quilts and Gardens: Aren't We Domestic?!?!

The last time I completed a sewing project of any kind was in Junior High when I made two of those felt sewing kits: a red race car for my brother and a computer with keyboard and mouse for my dad. And I think I even sewed a bunch of mini red stockings for some Christmas project at church. As an artist, I am attracted to fabrics... and I'll admit that I have a stockpile of some beautiful material with which I haven't done a thing except run my hands over it every once and a while! When I was in High school I was inspired by my best friend Jennie's t-shirt quilt and I cut up a bunch of raggy old shirts of mine for use in a similar project... those cut pieces are still in a nice neat bag in my craft closet. Somehow I forgot about the part that I didn't know how to sew when I began going at it with the scissors. In college I got excited about making a cute green quilted purse for my lil sister's birthday. You guessed it, I still have all the pieces, buttons, thread, and even lime green zipper... but no purse. I wanted to make a paint brush holder that rolls up and protects your brushes. I got everything cut and laid out... and broke 2 sewing machine needles in the space of 1 hour. My brush holding project rests next to all the other incomplete projects and failed attempts at being "domestic-seamstress-Elisa" in the craft closet. Hmmm.... Something had to be done about this!

So, I joined the quilting and sewing Enrichment group in our ward. Not because I'm really skilled in this area (as detailed above), but precisely the opposite! I borrowed a sewing machine and was flustered that I couldn't get it to work... and then embarassed and chagrined when I realized that the bobbin had no thread on it. Go figure. Well, I think that my ineptitude prevented me from completing the red, white, and blue rail fence project in a timely fashion, but it didn't keep the completed blocks from looking pretty darn good for a first try at quilting! I was admittedly proud that the center lined up on my second block. Now to do it again with a cute pink and green pinwheel pattern... and maybe I'll be brave enough to add my name to the drawing to take all the completed blocks and actually make a quilt with them!


Eric's man-version of domestic bliss this week has been his successful installment of a lovely 7x7 garden plot! He spent 8 hours digging up a previously weed-ridden portion of our backyard (after securing permission from management, of course) and trying to eliminate the plentiful rocks claiming that spot of soil as home. After removing 3 5-gallon buckets worth of rocks from such a small area, he has been hypothesizing that perhaps previous residents had a Zen rock garden there! In case you're wondering why I'm only taking pictures rather than helping to dig a lil, let's just say we have stray cats around here who are most likely carrying Toxoplasmosis.


Well, since we (when I say 'we', I really me 'I') successfully slaughtered all our tomato and pepper seeds that we started in our kitchen in March, Eric and I purchased some Roma tomato, Jalapeno, Bell, and Sweet Chili peppers. Don't they look nice in the soil? We've also got onions, carrots, beets, peas, cucumber, green onions, and herbs either already planted or on the schedule to be planted this week. What a great lil garden! Good job Eric!

6 comments:

  1. Very domestic! And way to go getting signed up for the enrichment group...they'll have you going in no time!

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  2. I love it! That's so funny that you have all those projects just waiting to be done. You'll be busy for awhile with those. :) Enrichment is the only way I know how to thread my sewing machine and I'm still not much of a seamstress, but oh well. Yay for your garden! I don't think I can swing one this year, but I am going to try to get a small plot ready for planting next spring. Hope all your plants grow really well. :)

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  3. Good job on the quilt! I have seen the squares and I agree they were great.

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  4. We are so glad you checked out our blog! Larry has been sad cause he didn't think anyone from the myfamily website has! Congratulations on your baby! How exciting! Do you know what you are having...or do you guys want to be surprised? Good job with the quilting and gardening! I wish I had the time and patience to do all that! Oh and we are so jealous that you guys went to an Asian Festival! Larry has been begging me to go with him to eat Korean food, but the baby inside me does not like it much...and it gives me massive heartburn! Bummer, huh?! Funny thing is that I have been craving it since being prego again! We have already planned to eat some as soon as I am discharged from the hospital! There is an awesome restaurant here in town! If you guys are ever in Vegas, we will have to take you there! Good luck with the pregnancy and if you need any advice, I am here! Do you mind if we add you to our friends link?...we would love to keep in touch with your growing family and see pics of your cute soon-to-come baby!

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  5. Yay for domestic bliss and learning new skills! I would love to see any quilt you'd make. With your artistic skills at work yet again, the gods must be smiling.

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  6. Wow, good for you guys! We do have a garden, too, but I will never ever be able to sew. Good work!

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