June OMG Link Up: Armrest Sewing Station

Before I went to 4-H quilt camp, my June OMG was completed and gifted.  Yes, I know, I said it was for me but the fabric with koala bears was sitting there begging me to be made up and I obliged.

June OMG

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal - June Finish Link-up

The only regret I have with the project is that I didn't use more fabrics to make the project sparkle.  If I were to do it again, I would at least use the pincushion fabrics in reverse with the green print on top.

The one change I made was to dangle the thread spool like a bead on the strip that was supposed to hold it on top of the pincushion secured with straight pins.  When the spool was on top of the pincushion, it and the pincushion were very wobbly.  Eventually, the pins would work their way loose.  With a loose knot in the strip, it is easy to change thread colors.

I didn't add any dividers to the pockets.  They can easily hold a pair of small scissors or reading glasses.  The recipient loves it and it replaces an earlier armrest sewing station that I made a few years ago and was used so much it is worn out.  My friend does much hand stitching on the arts and crafts see sells in shows around the Northwest.

June's previous sewing station, known as the Venus Fly Trap

Long Time No See

I have been delinquent.  I have 3 years worth of 4-H quilt camp photos that deserve to be seen.  This entry will cover last week's camp that included 4 boys, a higher than average attendance from previous years.

This camp was comprised mainly with participants who had done little to no sewing on machines.  It is a joy to see them make significant and rewarding project in just 4 hours a day for a week.

Enjoy our show!

Two Little Gifts

Saying farewells are always difficult.  With DD leaving for four months in Europe, I had to find just the right gifts to send her off on her journey.  For her birthday at the end of March, I gave her a cross-body travel purse for her passport that had a wire cable running through the neck strap as a theft deterrent and additional protection for chip-enabled credit cards.  Her bon voyage party came and went and then the inspiration hit me.

Since I have allergies to laundry products, I never travel without a personal pillowcase.  It occurred to me that DD might not think to carry one so I dug through the stash for one of the horse themed fabrics I had purchased years ago.  It had to be the prettiest one I have, not just the usual brown Western versions.  Here is what was hiding in the bin, a beautiful print with horses grazing in flower filled fields, a scene dreams are made of.  Hmm, the folded pillowcase doesn't due the fabric justice.  I will have to add a photo of the remaining fabric.

A comment from the DiL my DD lived with until her departure on Friday confirmed the gift was perfect.  Many prayers will be said to calm my nerves and ask for travel blessings for her safety.  The Jewish Travelers' Prayer translated from the Hebrew, is perfect in so many ways.

"May it be Your will, Lord, our God and the God of our ancestors, that You lead us toward peace, guide our footsteps toward peace, and make us reach our desired destination for life, gladness, and peace. May You rescue us from the hand of every foe, ambush along the way, and from all manner of punishments that assemble to come to earth. May You send blessing in our handiwork, and grant us grace, kindness, and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who see us. May You hear the sound of our humble request because You are God Who hears prayer requests. Blessed are You, Lord, Who hears prayer."