Sewing Projects

Today it was absolutely freezing outside, so I thought it would be a good day to do some sewing. I have been making some projects to help raise money for Cora's Playground. Cora is a little girl in our church that was diagnosed with cancer around January 22nd. Cora went to be with Jesus on February 8th just three weeks after her diagnosis. Her family has set up a fund to raise money for a playground at our church in her memory. You can read their story at http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/

There is a wonderful website called Etsy.com where you can buy and sell handmade items. Several people starting offering all proceeds of certain items will go to Cora's Playground. My neighbor Megan decided to set up a shop. Several of us in the neighborhood have made items to sell. I have made several blankets and today accomplished a few more items. You can see the store at http://www.etsy.com/ and then under sellers name type in cdduerksen's shop or if you want to see everything listed from other sellers just click on the pink button on my sidebar.

Sorry about the picture quality but realized just a moment ago that there was a little finger print on my camera lens......... wonderful where that came from.

Even London wanted to join in with the effort. She had fun helping me stuff the pillows. Some day she will be playing on that playground and I can explain how she helped.

These are made from a vintage table runner

Megan asked me to make some of these bags. I had made one for London's bottles to use for daycare. I got tired of using a plastic sack. I have lined them with clear plastic to help with any spills. It is also a nice size to throw a few items in if you have to run somewhere quickly.

This is London's blanket - this will be her spring/Easter one. It is flannel on one side. I think she now has one for every season and most holidays. I call them receiving blankets - just a yard of material, simple but London's drags hers all over the place. I made several of these also for the store that have sold already.

I thought I would try making a "pillowcase" dress. It was very simple to do. I used some of my own fabric that I already had and some chenille. I had gotten a bag of chenille scraps at the flea market in TX and have had a lot of fun using them. So, if anyone has any old chenille bed spreads out there, I would gladly take them off of your hands.

I enjoy sewing and wish I had more time. I have several patterns and will be making quite a few outfits for London this summer. So as I get them done - I will post them.

Big Kids - Dinner

Since Russ was out of town this week - London and I went to Wichita Thursday night to take Kassade and Keyton out to supper. I told them they could pick where ever they wanted (within reason - have to add that disclosure). We went from Emperor's Grill, Pizza, no general fast good, to TGI Fridays and finally decided on Freddy's Frozen Custard.

London has become a conasuir of french fries lately. Through out the evening she kept stealing Keyton's fries.

Will I ever get a normal picture of these two yahoos?? Probably if I paid them $5.00 each. We had a good time with them. I got caught up on all the latest school gossip and what plans they were making for the weekend.

--------- 75 --------

75 degrees today! Yes, it feels like spring is coming. I decided that since Russ is out of town this week that London and I needed to go on a picnic. When I picked her up from daycare they were playing outside. I also learned that they had lunch outside and their afternoon snack. What fun they always have at daycare.

Such a little helper, getting the food ready.

I was surprised how well she did sitting down and eating - well, it only lasted maybe 3 minutes at the most then she was up and around but kept coming back to her plate for more.

We had a great time being outside and enjoying the sunshine. I took her over to the playground. She seemed a little overwhelmed with all the other kids and all the different playground equipment. The sun was setting so it was time to go. No sure what happen with the lightening with this picture.

When it's too QUIET in the kitchen

138

$3.00 a game x 24 games

$2.00 x 6 pairs of shoes

138 = my HIGH score

PRICELESS

Saturday night my "favorite" sister-in-law, my "favorite" brother-in-law and "favorite" nephew came up to go bowling with us. It was a great time and had several bets going on throughout the evening, the guys were quite the (I can't come up with the correct word) with their commentating.

It seems every time I go bowling these are the shoes I get - it must be the only color make in my size.

You can see the seriousness here.

Keyton after his first (and only -I think) strike. :0)

Mr. Average 220 - I'm so cool.

In the next few pictures you can see how serious we are about our form.

The first bet of the night was Russ told Kassade and Keyton if they bowled a score higher then his he would pay them $5.00. It was a no go - they just couldn't keep up with him. At the beginning of the last game their cousin, Cody told them that if they bowled a combined score higher than his, he would pay them each $10.00. The picture above was the response he got. They were motivated - they were planning and strateging how they were going to be beat Cody. I hadn't seen them work this well together for a long time.

They tried hard, Cody was sweating in about the 8th round, but in the end "professional" Cody was just too good. He scored a 223 and they scored a 202. Maybe next time.

We left London at home - we learned after last time - Bowling and London do not go together. Thanks Lauren for taking care of London for us!

On a serious note, this was our first outing without Konley. We had a great time but I have to admit that I missed him not being with us. He loved to bowl. I missed his giggles and silly comments and the way he bowled. We have great memories with him and bowling.

Vegas at Night

Here are a few night time pictures of Vegas

The volcano going off at the Mirage

Russ and Liz dancing at Mandalay Bay

John and Liz in our limo - we had for the evening to take us around. This night will stay in Vegas but we had a great time.