New School Year Resolutions

I saw a list of new school year resolutions over at Cation Designs and liked the idea so much I stole it! Stealing is the most sincere form of flattery, right? So, you may know I am a teacher and will go back to work after a nice lazy summer on Tuesday.

Strangely, I tend to do more the busier I am. Let me explain. One week day this summer it was storming and flooding all over Houston. I got up about 7:30 a.m. and turned on news coverage. I checked e-mails, made coffee, found candles in case the electricity went out later on, and lost about 4 hours. I was still poking around thinking I was watching Good Morning America and Houston news updates when I realized I was watching Good Afternoon America (who knew?) and it was really 1:00 p.m. In a nut shell my days tend to get away from me when I have nowhere set to be.

I am a creature of habit, and while this summer has been awesome, I need to need to be somewhere. On a regular work week my day runs like a drill Sargent from about 5:30 a.m. when I run with the dog to 10:00 p.m. when I go to bed, and I fit a million times more stuff into the kind of day than into a lazy summer day. So, this school year here are my resolutions:

1. Sew more solids. I wear them more. And color blocking is hot now, so they don't even have to match.
2. Finish at least one quilt all the way.
3. Sew a coat. I just got an OOP Sandra Betzina pattern in the mail that I am determined to use since my favorite coat got lost somewhere in the move.
4. Sew more of the fabric I already have.
5. Sew more of the patterns I already have.
6. Sew more separates that are appropriate for chasing down children (and dogs).

There, anyone else have a fall resolutions list?

Happy Birthday Brindy!

Today my very favorite assistant turns 6 years old! I can hardly believe it. She is an amazing dog and my very best friend in the world. She shows up a lot on the blog, so I had to give her a shout out. Happy Birthday Brindy Best Friendy!

That picture is a photo of a portrait I had done last summer, that is why the lighting is a little weird. The session was done at Kim Hartz photography in Houston. She did an amazing job and I recommend her to anyone!

Niagara Collection

I know, I have been taking it a little too easy this summer. Sometimes you just need a break. I am planning some stuff coming up very soon. I did want to share this amazing pattern line released by Victory Patterns

I know, it is a small picture, but the Nicola has tulip sleeves and tulip skirt options. AND $1 of each pattern sold goes to Peace One Day. Go check out the samples at Victory Patterns! There are a few others she is releasing, but this one by far is my favorite.

February in August

That's right! Because I just completed my second February block of the month from Craftsy's free video course.

Here it is. February was half square triangles. Why am I doing it now?

As a visual reminder, life happens. This is how I spent most of February and March. Yes, that is my foot. I just came across my previous blocks and realized I had never gotten back to this project. I don't want to do it all in a day, but I would like to be caught up by the time the blocks all come together in October. 

This was my first February block. I am making this one for Mr. Thinks He Can (Demand a Quilt Since My Assistant Got One Last Christmas :)) I'm glad to be back to it, and glad to be learning new techniques. Remember the course is free and it is never too late to join.

In other news, I passed my Realtor's exam! Back to sewing, finally!