Snowman Mug Rug I

This mug rug measures 10 ½" x 8".  It is pieced, appliquéd, and embroidered, both by hand and by machine.  The border on the left was done using the Seminole technique.

Mini Log Cabin Binoculars Case

My binoculars needed a new case. So today I measured the binoculars and started cutting and sewing. 

I used a miniature log cabin pattern for the front.

Larry, upon looking at that case, asked why I didn’t want him to carry my binoculars for me anymore.  heh heh  Guess he doesn't want to carry a flowery purple case?  

It wasn’t difficult; only the black outline around the five mini blocks was a wee bit tricky, as I used the partial-seam method to get it outlined. 

There are two layers of batting. The flap was sewn on later and I put tucks on the sides to make it fit properly. Now my case needs new binoculars! 

Actually, though my binoculars weren’t horribly expensive when I got them, they’re nice ones, and work just fine. They magnify and pull in light and color better than my big Canon lens. I can think of all sorts of other things I’d drool over before I drooled over new binoculars!

Here’s an excerpt from June 24, 1994, when I bought the binoculars (looks like they’re 19 years old):

Today I splurged and bought a good pair of binoculars, a 10x50 wide-angle with completely stabilized and coated optics.  Bob, oh boy, are they ever nifty!  After supper, we drove out to Lake Babcock to try them out watching the birds doing their before-bedtime calisthenics.

As we gazed out over the rippling water, a dazzling pink, lavender, and orange in the light of the setting sun, Lydia, age 3, asked, “Where are all the bad hawks?”  (Babcock = bad hawk.)

Well, we arrived at a certain vantage point between tree and lake, and the place was absolutely teeming with wildlife, so we parked and alit.  The children spotted the playground toys; and, with loud war whoops of joy, were off and running.  Three were on the swings:  eeeeEEE!  eeeeEEE!  eeeeEEE!  Two were on the merry-go-round:  screeeee--screeeee!  Two were on the slippery slide which wasn’t, so they had to use their feet to pull themselves down:  Thuddity BOOM Thuddity BOOM Thuddity BOOM.  One kid proceeded to run up the slide:  BOOOM BOOOM BOOOM BOOOM BOOOM BOOOM!!!

And all this was accompanied by many squeals and shrieks of delight, which is why I believe we will soon be hearing reports from Africa, Singapore, Tokyo, and such like, of sightings of bewildered American birds.  So much for trying out the new binoculars.

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Grand Piano Mug Rug

This mug and mug rug are for my niece, Susan, who is a skilled pianist.

The mug rug is paper-pieced, and there are 165 pieces.  The black keys on the keyboard border are just an eighth of an inch wide.

Post Script:  This mug rug won a blue ribbon at the county fair.

Doilies from Hannah and Victoria

Hannah and Victoria both made me doilies for Mother's Day.  Here's the one Hannah made:

And here's the one from Victoria:

Apple Mug Rug

Getting started on Christmas gifts. 

I traced the apples from the cup onto freezer paper to make the templates for the appliqué.

Needlecase and Eyeglass Case for Lura Kay

These are for my sister, whose birthday is on the 17^th.

Needlecase

This needlecase is for Norma for Mother's Day, along with the checkbook cover (below, May 08).  The miniature log cabin block is 1.75 inches.  Each log's finished size is ¼".