Laptop Keeper

Every once in awhile I find a pattern I really like, and it's usually by Indygo Junction. As soon as I saw this laptop keeper pattern I knew I wanted to make it.

I love the finished project with patchwork, binding, and lots of quilting. The lining is pale green with little cream circles. It's laying on carpet, so ignore the blue and white flecks on the sides.

Wednesday night. Three nights in a row this week with evening meetings, two are now finished, and there will be a three-day weekend coming up beginning on Saturday.

One of my goals this year was to celebrate the seasons and decorate for them. And I have no Easter decorations in place except for a little dish I spotted at Michael's. I know there will be celebrating, though, because Steph's birthday is on Easter. Even with Easter desserts there will have to be a cake with candles because Nora and Aaron so enjoy singing lustily: Happy Birthday to You.

Little Projects

Some little projects -

From Viking Embroidery Club, a towel holder

and matching potholder.

And now for my favorite - late birthday goodies for my sister. Design from Embroidery Library. Chocolate from here and there.

Nora on Sunday

On Sunday after church Nora and I went to Noodles and Company. Their mac and cheese is absolutely beautiful

but I forgot that Nora only likes the bright orange mac and cheese that comes out of a box. I'm sure someone at her house ate it today.

She didn't go hungry, though, because our next stop was the big Buskin Bakery on Madison Road. The selection is enormous. (Thanks, Violet, for suggesting this.)

She chose a donut with white frosting and sprinkles

and two pink bunny cookies for her and Aaron to have later. The donut came about because she told me that she had eaten bagels but not donuts. Turns out this wasn't quite true, but close enough. She'd never had one of the large bakery donuts.

Saturday Night With Nora

Nora stayed with me on Saturday night while Aaron went to Aunt Tina's. We headed for Barnes and Noble first. Nora loves books and she loves the train set-up, same as Aaron.

She spent some time on the reading stage, turning cartwheels and pretending to be in a play. Then she picked out three books.

Beside the escalator she spotted Alice in Wonderland and added that too. Lots of words and the pictures are black and white, but she loved it.

We headed for the Purple People Bridge, fulfilling a promise I made to her last summer that we'd walk on that bridge. It's for walking only. She carried her Alice in Wonderland all the way over and back.

We stopped several times on the way over to rest on the benches, but we made it to Cincinnati.

On the way back, we walked on the side section that has no benches, but there was a moon to admire and a few rest stops for us.


Then there was a stop at McDonald's, time to play with toys, a movie to watch. Yes, I told her mom that I wouldn't let her stay up too late, but I always do. I think her mom knows that.

Friday Fill-In # 169

Time for Friday Fill-Ins (on this slightly snowy!) morning. Answers are in bold.

1. The right word can soothe, explain, welcome, comfort. Words are powerful.

2. Hug, smooth the blankets, turn off the lights, turn on the soft music, one last kiss, and shut the door quietly, please. It's nap time.

3. Up in the night sky, look at the fireworks. The Reds have hit another home run. It's almost time.

4. Upstairs is where you'll find me. Turn right at the top of the stairs and you'll find my studio. Turn left at the top of the stairs and you'll find my office and design wall. Upstairs is where I love to be.

5. Ohhh! What is that sound? It's the sound of basketball on tv. This is one to the best times of the year. I'm cheering for the Kentucky Wildcats.

6. Going grocery shopping is a good idea. If I don't go grocery shopping, I am far more apt to eat things that aren't as good for me. I went yesterday, brought in the groceries in the rain. I'm feeling good about it this morning. I want to start cooking again. Sometimes I tend to get a little cooking-lazy.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm planning to clean my bedroom and sew a little, tomorrow my plans include working, then having Nora come for a sleep-over, and Sunday I want to watch basketball.

Happy Friday, everyone. I've been quiet this week, but I've been here. More tomorrow.

Can't Find It

This morning I was doing some patchwork for a laptop keeper, in between the usual morning rushing around and a few other projects. I ran out the door with the feeling that I couldn't remember where I'd put that last piece of sewing, and the feeling was verified when I came home - I can't find it.

So I'm doing my usual look a little, iron a little, wash a few dishes, sew a little, play on the computer a little, repeat all, but so far no luck. It's no big deal, just three pieces and I can cut out more, and then I know I'd find it within three minutes. In the meantime, I'm getting quite a bit done by accident. And I'll let you know where I find the patchwork.

Here are two Martha Pullen work projects - a hot pad holder finished yesterday

and a baby bib, finished last month.

Friday Fill-In # 168

Friday today, and here are the Friday Fill-Ins. Answers are in bold.

1. Today I will be smiling all day because my alma mater won its game in the NCAA tournament. Ohio University - can you believe it? And can you say, "brackets busted?" And my favorite won too, the Kentucky Wildcats.

2. You say, "Let's go to the movies tonight" and I say "why not?" Oh, I know why not, March Madness. Let's go to the movies another time.

3. What do you think of cars having a black box that records a few seconds of data? I don't think my old truck has one.

4. At my workplace it's Free Pastry Day until 10:30 Friday! Or, at least until we close at 6:00. I'm making blueberry coffee cake for the Coffee Breakers and there will be some left.

5. People say that what we're all seeking is happiness. Peace, love, joy, connectedness, being appreciated, hope. Or at least that's what I say.

6. The image I cherish most is a collage of my friends and family.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to excellent basketball, tomorrow my plans include working 'til 5:00, and Sunday I want to get ready for Journey Group in the evening.

Happy Friday, everyone.