August 2009 Archives

To distract myself from the chaos that continues to be what I shall henceforth refer to as "the kitchen floor situation," I spent quite a bit of time on my sewing machine during last week and during the weekend.

I started this quilt in January (oh-nine, thank you very much!) with the plan of making a king-size log cabin quilt for my bed. I hadn't worked out all the details, but I know how to sew log cabin squares so I just started sewing, and sewing, and sewing.

Needless to say, even though I was string piecing and trying to be as organized and efficient as possible, I ran into so snags. I didn't have a good estimate of how much fabric I needed, and I started running out of certain colors. By the time I went back to the fabric store, she was sold out. I started ransacking my fabric stash & local fabric shops to find something that would be color-and-pattern equivalent to the fairly unique Amy Butler & Alexander Henry prints I had selected. (Thank you, Christmas gift card from Uncle Charlie!) I finally found some replacements that more or less filled the bill, more cutting, more sewing... burnout. I just got sick of the project and didn't touch it for at least 3 months.

This summer, I've kind of lost my knitting mojo, but I have been sewing quite a bit more. Why not the quilt? I picked it up to discover that all the squares were done, I just needed to join them together! I added some off-white sashing to balance out all the crazy prints, and I must say, I'm pretty impressed with myself.

So, now the question is... how in the heck am I supposed to quilt this thing? It is truly king-sized, and I just have a regular sewing machine (not long-arm or anything). Is it even possible? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Just in case you're wondering, I don't have a progress update on the kitchen floor situation yet. We have talked to about 8 contractors, and I think we've narrowed it down to 2-3. Hopefully we'll be able to meet with each of them this week. I know nothing about remodeling is quick, but I would really like to get a contract signed (and hopefully get work started - too much to hope for?) by the end of August.

I know some people go to the fair because it's kitschy, or because it's fun to make fun of the carnies, or shake their heads in amazement at all the people that apparently still "live on farms" and "raise livestock." But I actually really like the fair. I love that it's something that all different kinds of people in the community can get together and enjoy, and I really love the fact that, despite all the flashy rides and yummy fair delicacies, the main event is still about country living - raising animals and vegetables, baking, sewing, woodcarving, etc.

Camo Dress!
Originally uploaded by kerner

That being said, it is pretty awesome that at least one of the award-winning seamstresses had a bit of fun with this gala-worthy creation. Look close - do you see it? Yes... that is CAMO fabric!

Other Fair highlights included:

IMG_1251
Originally uploaded by kerner

Saying hello to a very friendly donkey (and I got a classic hee-haw when I walked away. Aww, he missed me!)

Cheesecake on a Stick
Originally uploaded by kerner

Watching my friend Dave devour an enormous piece of cheesecake on a stick...

Beefalo
Originally uploaded by kerner

Learning about a new (to me) variety of cow (hee hee... just saying it makes me laugh. Beefalo! You guessed it, a cow/buffalo hybrid)

IMG_1279
Originally uploaded by kerner

And last but not least, enjoying a lovely ride on the big Ferris Wheel (with 2 very chatty children, because apparently the carnival folks didn't want to miss out on the income stream of shoving 7 people into a single car). But hey, it's all part of the experience. The kids' dads were both competing in the tractor pull competition that night, so we got to hear all about how one of their truck broke down (or something... I'm not exactly sure of the mechanics of a tractor pull. Does the tractor pull something? Is a person pulling a tractor? I don't get it - I would have gone to watch but it required extra tickets we didn't buy.)

It's time again for the Ozark Empire Fair! (Speaking of which, Fair City News did a really funny post on the history of the Ozark Empire and the Ozark Emperor a couple of days ago - a must read.)

Actually, it's been 3 years since I last went to the fair. I love rollercoasters, but I don't really trust the rides that get disassembled and reassembled every week for fairs all across the country. I stick to the low-speed ferris wheel, the deliciously terrible food, the animals, and the "family living pavilion" - aka the 4-H exhibits.

I was a 4-Her for several years when I was growing up, but I lived in town (no room for livestock) so my fair exploits were limited to sewing, ceramics, baking, photography, etc., as well as a very ill-advised run for Junior Princess one year. (I'm not quite sure how I got talked into that one, since I was a very shy kid.)

Even though I generally remember suffering through most of my 4-H projects (especially sewing), I must admit I'm glad my parents forced me to stick with it for a while. After all those terrible sewing projects (American flag-themed shorts & vest combo anyone?) I am very glad that I have a good working knowledge of a sewing machine, and I could probably follow most sewing patterns if I had to.

Tonight, I'll just be glad I won't be entering the family living pavilion with sweaty palms, hoping to see a blue ribbon on my projects. Instead, I'll probably be ridiculing the knitting projects and in awe of the quilts.

And eating fair food - can't forget about the fair food! I wonder what's the strangest thing I can order on a stick?