Hi, my name is Becky and I'm addicted to technology. I decided to spend an entire day without the computer, my iPod, iPad, TV, and cell phone yesterday. (I scheduled my blog post the day before- is that cheating?). It was SO much harder for me than I thought it would be. Ouch! I wanted to check my email probably 50 times just because I knew I couldn't. I also wouldn't let my son use any technology either. I usually let him watch a movie while I teach piano lessons, but instead I sent him outside to play in the backyard (I love having it completely fenced in!), and you know what- he loved it! In the end, I didn't make it the entire day, because I remembered that I had a few emails that I had to get sent out before Friday, but the computer didn't even get turned on until after the kiddos were in bed for the night, so I was feeling pretty proud of myself.
The best part of the experiment? The stars aligned and both of my children napped at the same time, so I just cuddled up with a fabulous book and read- enjoying the peace and quiet. It felt wonderful! I probably should have been cleaning my house, but it was a much needed respite.
I've taken away from this experience that completely blocking out all technology may not always be possible, but I definitely think it's a healthy thing to disconnect once in a while and enjoy life in a simpler way. Are you addicted to technology? Just curious if I'm the only one.
It's been about 3 weeks since my sewing machine broke, and well, the prognosis for my lovey isn't the greatest. I get her back tomorrow (finally!), but she's not coming back to me as I had hoped. The mechanism to thread my machine is broken, and the cost of the part plus labor would basically have been as much as just buying another cheap machine. I couldn't justify the cost, and he was nice enough to make it so I can manually thread it myself. So, it's usable just not as convenient anymore. But hey, after being without one for so long I'm just glad to get it back.
I did make this table runner with my mom's sewing machine (full post here), so I haven't been completely useless (in terms of sewing). :)
When I get my sewing machine back tomorrow I'm going to get down to business and make myself a diaper bag. I bought this stuff forever ago, and I'm finally getting around to cutting it. I'm excited for the new challenge.
So obviously nothing else has been done, but here's the list:
Skill Builder: I'm behind one block, but I have 2 quilt tops done
Blogger's BOM: new block comes out this week
Christmas blocks: no progress
Halloween Wall-hanging: I'm not even sure why I still list it, but technically it's at the bottom of my projects bin.
Stats for the Week:
New projects - 0
Completed projects - 1
WIP- 5
This month Oreo is celebrating 100 years! It's personally one of my favorites, and just about any dessert that contains Oreo is virtually a guaranteed slam dunk at this residence. Sadly, we're trying to be good, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some Oreo goodness. Here are a few delectable delights for your eating pleasure:
Have you seen this movie? I haven't. I personally have a low tolerance for blood and gore, so I steered clear of this rendition of the musical Sweeney Todd. I did, however, go to a high school version of this musical while visiting my hometown last week. It was choreographed by one of my closest friend's mom. I was very curious to see how they would tone down such a dark musical to make it ok for high school. I found out the music is slowed down a little, the language is cleaned up, and some of the darkest subjects are glossed over. I just have to say if you know much about Sondheim (the composer of Sweeney Todd) you know that he is seriously messed up in the head. I don't know how he comes up with what he does. His music is brilliant, but I still think he's slightly deranged.
The particular performance that I saw blew me away in terms of talent. I could not believe how talented the kids were. The rhythms, tempos and huge vocal range in Sondheim's music are so incredibly difficult and the kids nailed it. I was particularly floored by the two leads (Sweeney Todd & Mrs. Lovett). They had the "it" factor - amazing vocals, great stage presence, and fabulous comedic timing.
I think my question is whether or not Sweeney Todd is appropriate for high school. The entire focus is a man's lust for revenge. He murders person after person until he murders the person (his wife- who he didn't recognize) that he thought he was avenging. He then in turn is murdered. His assistant twists truth to get to him and in the end she loses her life as well. The entire musical is extremely dark although there is quite a bit of dark humor, so it's not always extremely intense. The school board actually read through the score, because it was so
controversial. Would you have approved it for your high school? My high school performed things like A Streetcar Named Desire and Grease, which both involve "adult issues," so where is the line? When does it become too much? I know as a director I would have personally chosen a different musical. There are so many wonderful musicals out there that I would have just steered clear from the controversy, but the jury is still out about where to draw the proverbial line on what is and isn't appropriate for high school. What do you think?
I finished up this table runner just before I returned home. I'm glad I did, because I was able to give it to my sister without having to ship it in the mail.
Typically stippling isn't the first thing that comes to my mind when wanting to quilt a table runner, but I've been trying to really improve my Free Motion Quilting, so this was the perfect size to practice it. I really like how it looks.
My mom has a Bernina, and the quilting was a lot smoother on her machine. As you can tell from the back, I didn't have any tension issues at all. Little by little I'm getting better.
I was having so much fun playing with my mom's sewing machine that I decided to use one of her decorative stitches for the binding. I usually hand bind, but it was a fun change-up.
My only irritation was that I wasn't thinking about the fact that I was
going to have to match up the sides and I went all the way around the
quilt before I realized that I had started too close to the edge. Ah
well, you win some - you lose some. I still like the table runner a
lot, and now I've learned something new again. :)
Anyone else think it's difficult to get a good picture of a table runner?
Now that I'm back home I'm without a sewing machine. It's still in the shop. I think I'm going to give them a call today, because I'm going to go crazy if I go much longer without it. The list of things I want to do is piling up quickly.
My sewing machine and car may both be currently broken, but it wasn't enough to keep me from sewing just a little bit. My goal for One Thing: One Week over at Amy's Creative Side was to get 2 Granny Square blocks completed (using my mom's machine).
I ended up getting a third block done. I went ahead and made a lovely table runner top.
I made these Granny Squares using a charm pack of Moda's Jovial (that I won on Giveaway Day) with Kona's Charcoal for the background. This is part of the Quilt Along with Old Red Barn Co.
It's now layered and ready to be quilted, but I'm not sure if I want to try FMQ with a machine that I'm not familiar with. Since I am at my parent's place for an unknown amount of time - until my transmission is fixed and I can return to Ohio, maybe I will live on the wild side and experiment with the quilting on my mom's sewing machine. Tee hee. That's about as big of a risk taker I am these days.
Can you tell from what I've been reading to Little Man what's on my mind?
In case you're wondering - he loves the books but has absolutely no interest in potty training. There isn't a connection between the two in his mind. We bought him a seat that goes on the toilet and occasionally he asks to sit on it, but that's about it.
I wasn't actually expecting him to all of the sudden be interested, but a girl can hope, can't she? I know that it's not going to happen a second before he wants to do it, but I wanted to at least make him aware of his options. Now the waiting and dreaming continues... :)
I did manage to complete a second quilt top from my Skill Builder blocks. I think I may like this one even more than the first.
And that's where the progress stopped... My poor sewing machine had a piece come tumbling off of it and now it needs to be repaired. It's headed to the shop. I had my Granny square all laid out and ready to piece, but alas, it was not meant to be. Granny will have to wait until I get my sewing machine back.
Other Projects: Blogger's BOM- up to date
Christmas Blocks - no progress
Halloween Wall Hanging - frozen indefinitely
Stats for the Week:
New projects - 1 Completed projects - 0
WIP- 6
I'm linking to both BOMs Away Mondays and WIP Wednesdays with this post since there is no more progress on the near horizon. Sniff, Sniff.
