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Thursday, September 8, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
It's been a while...
and I learned something about me. Actually, I learned a lot about me.
1. I can't do big projects - like a sewing project a day. Or 90 days of p90x. If it were P1X maybe I could exercise and feel a sense of accomplishment... or or or tackle all the miscellaneous to do items around the house, or blog consistently, or keep the house clean, or keep the car clean, well, you get the idea. The main reason for this is that I am a procrastinator. The master procrastinator.
2. I can't do hobbies - like sew consistently, read consistently, blog consistently, garden consistently, etc.
The main reason for this is that I am easily bored.
3. I can do little projects - like make 8 jars of salsa once a year or, well I can't think of anything else I have done.
4. I have read 1 book in the last 365 days. Eat Pray Love. That's it. One. It however changed my way of thinking about me and the things that I do or don't do.
I have a new guru. She isn't a real guru, I don't even think she knows she's my guru. Her name is Sissy. I am not even sure if that is her real name. She lives part time in Mississippi, part time in California, part time in Arizona and the rest of the time traveling all over the world. She has this saying, "You can't do what you are supposed to do, unless, you say Yes to the Universe." At first, I wasn't sure what she meant by that statement, so she explained it to me in this manner... "You can't do what you are supposed to do, unless, you say Yes to the Universe."
ahh, Young Grasshopper, still not get it. Moving on.
Driving home from Mississippi after my visit with my MIL and Sissy, it dawned on me as I was listening to Sister Hazel sing, "If you want to be somebody else, change your mind." Then I reflected on my reading of Eat Pray Love. "If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind". So then, how does saying Yes to the Universe fit into all of this? Well, here's my conclusion... I am a chicken at heart. I take the safest, easiest, and fastest route out of a tough situation. Might not be the right thing to do, but it's what I do. I also spend a lot of time with my head buried in the sand. With my head buried in the sand, I also spend a lot of time in denial about what is going on with me and my life. While my head is in the sand in denial, I can't see what is going on around me thus I live in fear of what is going to happen next. I am constantly exhausted by "preparing for the worst", most of which is just a figment of my imagination and never comes to fruition. In order to say Yes to the Universe, I have to get my head out of the sand. I have to look around and see what is available to me. Looking at my world and how it "REALLY" works instead of how I "IMAGINED" it worked, took away a lot of the fear. In taking away the fear, I am opening myself up to the possibilities of my life. In opening myself, I am allowing all the things I ever wanted to do, see, or be come in to my life. I am saying Yes to the Universe.
Took me a year to figure this out.
Now. For the big project that I will be successful in completing: P1X.
1. I can't do big projects - like a sewing project a day. Or 90 days of p90x. If it were P1X maybe I could exercise and feel a sense of accomplishment... or or or tackle all the miscellaneous to do items around the house, or blog consistently, or keep the house clean, or keep the car clean, well, you get the idea. The main reason for this is that I am a procrastinator. The master procrastinator.
2. I can't do hobbies - like sew consistently, read consistently, blog consistently, garden consistently, etc.
The main reason for this is that I am easily bored.
3. I can do little projects - like make 8 jars of salsa once a year or, well I can't think of anything else I have done.
4. I have read 1 book in the last 365 days. Eat Pray Love. That's it. One. It however changed my way of thinking about me and the things that I do or don't do.
I have a new guru. She isn't a real guru, I don't even think she knows she's my guru. Her name is Sissy. I am not even sure if that is her real name. She lives part time in Mississippi, part time in California, part time in Arizona and the rest of the time traveling all over the world. She has this saying, "You can't do what you are supposed to do, unless, you say Yes to the Universe." At first, I wasn't sure what she meant by that statement, so she explained it to me in this manner... "You can't do what you are supposed to do, unless, you say Yes to the Universe."
ahh, Young Grasshopper, still not get it. Moving on.
Driving home from Mississippi after my visit with my MIL and Sissy, it dawned on me as I was listening to Sister Hazel sing, "If you want to be somebody else, change your mind." Then I reflected on my reading of Eat Pray Love. "If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind". So then, how does saying Yes to the Universe fit into all of this? Well, here's my conclusion... I am a chicken at heart. I take the safest, easiest, and fastest route out of a tough situation. Might not be the right thing to do, but it's what I do. I also spend a lot of time with my head buried in the sand. With my head buried in the sand, I also spend a lot of time in denial about what is going on with me and my life. While my head is in the sand in denial, I can't see what is going on around me thus I live in fear of what is going to happen next. I am constantly exhausted by "preparing for the worst", most of which is just a figment of my imagination and never comes to fruition. In order to say Yes to the Universe, I have to get my head out of the sand. I have to look around and see what is available to me. Looking at my world and how it "REALLY" works instead of how I "IMAGINED" it worked, took away a lot of the fear. In taking away the fear, I am opening myself up to the possibilities of my life. In opening myself, I am allowing all the things I ever wanted to do, see, or be come in to my life. I am saying Yes to the Universe.
Took me a year to figure this out.
Now. For the big project that I will be successful in completing: P1X.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Help me solve the mystery!
I must admit, I do love finding a new, and sometimes unusual, purpose for everyday items that one might generally discard. For instance, an old plastic lazy susan that you would normally use in the kitchen has found a new use as a lazy susan for small painting projects. I can turn the tray without touching my freshly painted item. Or, how about the outdoor storage bench that is being used in the basement for Tanner's toy box and also doubles as additional seating for playing the guitar.
Most times when I come home after a trip to the thrift store, yard sale or trash-day curbside confiscations, Mike gives me a puzzled look of "What on earth were you thinking and what are you going to do with that?!?"
Imagine my surprise when HE says to me this morning, "Oh honey! I got you a gift! I forgot to give it to you."
Holding his hands behind his back, "Guess what it is?" I look at him, puzzled by this most unusual gesture of thoughtfulness. It isn't my birthday, it isn't Mother's day, it isn't any special day in particular at all.
"I dunno," I say.
With a grin on his face he says, "Ok, I'll give you a clue. I found it on the street between East St. Louis and Brooklyn."
Now, I am more puzzled. If you knew anything about the neighborhood between East St. Louis and Brooklyn, you would know there is not much there except the railroad (where he works) and strip clubs.
"I have no frikkin' clue! It could be anything if you picked it up on the road between East St. Louis and Brooklyn!"
Out he pulls this...
and says, "I thought you might like it to use as a planter for a pretty flower!"
And he's probably right. I will probably do that this evening when it cools off.
In the meantime... how do think this shoe came to be on the side of the road in between East St. Louis and Brooklyn where's there isn't much beside trains and strip clubs? Oh, by the way, it's a size 8. That's a big girl. Post your version of her story in the comments.
Also, what type of flower do you think I could plant in this shoe?
Most times when I come home after a trip to the thrift store, yard sale or trash-day curbside confiscations, Mike gives me a puzzled look of "What on earth were you thinking and what are you going to do with that?!?"
Imagine my surprise when HE says to me this morning, "Oh honey! I got you a gift! I forgot to give it to you."
Holding his hands behind his back, "Guess what it is?" I look at him, puzzled by this most unusual gesture of thoughtfulness. It isn't my birthday, it isn't Mother's day, it isn't any special day in particular at all.
"I dunno," I say.
With a grin on his face he says, "Ok, I'll give you a clue. I found it on the street between East St. Louis and Brooklyn."
Now, I am more puzzled. If you knew anything about the neighborhood between East St. Louis and Brooklyn, you would know there is not much there except the railroad (where he works) and strip clubs.
"I have no frikkin' clue! It could be anything if you picked it up on the road between East St. Louis and Brooklyn!"
Out he pulls this...
and says, "I thought you might like it to use as a planter for a pretty flower!"
And he's probably right. I will probably do that this evening when it cools off.
In the meantime... how do think this shoe came to be on the side of the road in between East St. Louis and Brooklyn where's there isn't much beside trains and strip clubs? Oh, by the way, it's a size 8. That's a big girl. Post your version of her story in the comments.
Also, what type of flower do you think I could plant in this shoe?
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Heidi... How ya like me now?
HEIDI - PUSH PLAY
Remember these?
Well now they look like this.... I painted the frames black, removed the japanese prints and added the lyrics to Bob Marley's Three Little Birds. (yes I still suck at photography)
Here's the original idea at My Backyard Eden.
Uh huh... yeah... I thought so.
Well now they look like this.... I painted the frames black, removed the japanese prints and added the lyrics to Bob Marley's Three Little Birds. (yes I still suck at photography)
Here's the original idea at My Backyard Eden.
Uh huh... yeah... I thought so.
I had no choice, I HAD to go...
Tanner has grown 4 inches in the last year. He's now 5'4" and only 13 years old. That means he has no clothes that fit this spring. So, I HAD to go to the thrift store. I did score 3 pairs of cargo shorts, long ones because he doesn't like his 'thighs' showing, for $3.43 each pair. They didn't have any decent polo shirts he would wear, so I will have to go again. Rats! ;)
Anyway, while I was there, I also found a few items for my house or maybe for a mom, mother-in-law, sister-in-law or sister's house.
These are a cute set of Japanese prints that might look good in Heidi's guest bedroom. Yes? No? Japanese prints probably aren't your style, though. Mom, Suzy??? Maybe Carrie or Maranda might like them? I don't know. They were $1.41 each but yesterday was 1/2 price on home goods, so I got them both for $1.41.
Sage & Oregano, anyone? 88cents for the set. Sweet!
Floating Shelves $2.92 for the set. They would look really cute painted a chocolate brown color... Heidi.... ??
Heidi, you asked for a topiary.... I found this one. What do you think? You can change the colors of the flowers or paint the pot a different color. I like it the way it is, but that's my tastes. 1/2 price too! Man, I love the thrift store on Wednesdays!
Here's the gingham curtain I was telling you about on the phone the other night.
OR... I found these stripe panels at the thrift store yesterday. They are too long for what you need, but I can fix that. What do you think? Colors are beige and burgundy. (the lighting is different on these... they were on the kitchen counter instead of hanging in the
bath.)
Mom (Patty), I found this for you... You can't really see the star on top that it is hanging from, but I thought you might like it. There's a star over the door, too. Yes, No?
Ok, I have to get back to work. Today is my day off and I need to clean my house. Everybody, let me know what you want...
P.S. I have noticed people are starting to clean out their garages and basements
here because the weather has been so nice. I think I am going to have to start going to the thrift stores every other day!
Anyway, while I was there, I also found a few items for my house or maybe for a mom, mother-in-law, sister-in-law or sister's house.
These are a cute set of Japanese prints that might look good in Heidi's guest bedroom. Yes? No? Japanese prints probably aren't your style, though. Mom, Suzy??? Maybe Carrie or Maranda might like them? I don't know. They were $1.41 each but yesterday was 1/2 price on home goods, so I got them both for $1.41.
Sage & Oregano, anyone? 88cents for the set. Sweet!
Floating Shelves $2.92 for the set. They would look really cute painted a chocolate brown color... Heidi.... ??
Heidi, you asked for a topiary.... I found this one. What do you think? You can change the colors of the flowers or paint the pot a different color. I like it the way it is, but that's my tastes. 1/2 price too! Man, I love the thrift store on Wednesdays!
Here's the gingham curtain I was telling you about on the phone the other night.
OR... I found these stripe panels at the thrift store yesterday. They are too long for what you need, but I can fix that. What do you think? Colors are beige and burgundy. (the lighting is different on these... they were on the kitchen counter instead of hanging in the
bath.)
Mom (Patty), I found this for you... You can't really see the star on top that it is hanging from, but I thought you might like it. There's a star over the door, too. Yes, No?
Ok, I have to get back to work. Today is my day off and I need to clean my house. Everybody, let me know what you want...
P.S. I have noticed people are starting to clean out their garages and basements
here because the weather has been so nice. I think I am going to have to start going to the thrift stores every other day!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sewing again... finally
I have done a little bit of sewing over the past weekend since I have cleaned out my sewing room/office and can now get back in it without feeling too guilty. Before Mike left to go skiing, I mended the lining in his snow bibs and fixed the boot strap on one leg. It was pretty boring, no photos.
For Valentine's Day, I made a bag for his ski goggles out of some scrap fleece and string thrifted from some other long gone object.
Today, I hemmed the dragonfly fabric I bought last year for a new tablecloth. I am ready for spring to be here! It is beige-y gold, just like everything else in my house. It looks very pretty on the kitchen table.
For Valentine's Day, I made a bag for his ski goggles out of some scrap fleece and string thrifted from some other long gone object.
Today, I hemmed the dragonfly fabric I bought last year for a new tablecloth. I am ready for spring to be here! It is beige-y gold, just like everything else in my house. It looks very pretty on the kitchen table.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Catch Up Ketchup
I am catching up on my sewing journal. I actually did real work on Friday and Saturday and didn't have time to sew or post. That's not true. I was just too lazy to post. I played Zuma, instead. I have been thinking about my sewing journal a lot lately. Maybe sewing something every day is a lofty goal, maybe it's not. Maybe it IS because it's me doing it. I am the Master Procrastinator after all. Talking to my sister the other day, we hit upon a procrastinator's great idea.
On the days I do sew, I should sew 2 or 3 things to keep me caught up for days that I don't sew.
Does that count for a daily sewing? I mean really, who is going to know, besides me, whether I refashioned one of Tanner's shirts on Friday or Saturday?
So, here's Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You decide which day I did what. I'm counting them all as days of sewing because I am actually sewing and using the things I have.
Image 1 (nothing to see here)
Image 2 (or here)
Image 3(...or...here. Move along)
P.S. I'm out of ketchup. I don't know how this happened. I buy in bulk. I have a "store" in the basement. Mom, can you send me a bottle from your stash? jk
On the days I do sew, I should sew 2 or 3 things to keep me caught up for days that I don't sew.
Does that count for a daily sewing? I mean really, who is going to know, besides me, whether I refashioned one of Tanner's shirts on Friday or Saturday?
So, here's Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You decide which day I did what. I'm counting them all as days of sewing because I am actually sewing and using the things I have.
Image 1 (nothing to see here)
Image 2 (or here)
Image 3(...or...here. Move along)
P.S. I'm out of ketchup. I don't know how this happened. I buy in bulk. I have a "store" in the basement. Mom, can you send me a bottle from your stash? jk
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Franken-Laptop
Sewing Journal Update at bottom
I have spent the last few hours cleaning off my laptop. It is a sad state. The battery doesn't work, so the laptop has to be plugged in at all times. Kinda defeats the purpose of being mobile. It doesn't have a built in keyboard anymore since I spilled an entire cup of coffee on it about a year & a half ago. I have a standard size keyboard attached to it.
I don't like using the touch pad mouse and have a regular mouse in it's place.
The screen sorta works... I mean it works great for someone who has ADD and a 3 second attention span. That's how long the screen backlight stays lit before it goes black. There's something wrong with release latch that causes it to think it is in perpetual sleep mode. I have a yellow piece of foam taped over the hole so I don't accidentally close the lid and turn it off. The Shut Down mechanism still works great. So for me... I don't have a 3 second attention span, based on the fact that I can waste entire seasons on the computer... I also have a monitor attached to the laptop so I can read and type to you all.
Ohh, I almost forgot the cooling pad it has to sit on because it gets extremely hot and the internal fans can't keep up. I feel kinda bad about finally giving up the laptop. It is still usable, sort of. There is nothing wrong with the hard drive. It's practically brand new. This feels almost wasteful. So, if anyone needs a Sony VAIO for parts, let me know. By tomorrow, Frankenlaptop will no longer be used. I have a newer abused-less desktop pc that is going to work just fine.
Daily Sewing Journal
2 scarves for Christmas stragglers, Brittany & Kimberly. See their names in the snowflakes? Ok, so you can't really read their names. Just imagine for a moment that the one on the left says Kimberly and and the one on the right says Brittany. Sorry about the blurriness. Life's too short to retake blog photos.
I have spent the last few hours cleaning off my laptop. It is a sad state. The battery doesn't work, so the laptop has to be plugged in at all times. Kinda defeats the purpose of being mobile. It doesn't have a built in keyboard anymore since I spilled an entire cup of coffee on it about a year & a half ago. I have a standard size keyboard attached to it.
I don't like using the touch pad mouse and have a regular mouse in it's place.
The screen sorta works... I mean it works great for someone who has ADD and a 3 second attention span. That's how long the screen backlight stays lit before it goes black. There's something wrong with release latch that causes it to think it is in perpetual sleep mode. I have a yellow piece of foam taped over the hole so I don't accidentally close the lid and turn it off. The Shut Down mechanism still works great. So for me... I don't have a 3 second attention span, based on the fact that I can waste entire seasons on the computer... I also have a monitor attached to the laptop so I can read and type to you all.
Ohh, I almost forgot the cooling pad it has to sit on because it gets extremely hot and the internal fans can't keep up. I feel kinda bad about finally giving up the laptop. It is still usable, sort of. There is nothing wrong with the hard drive. It's practically brand new. This feels almost wasteful. So, if anyone needs a Sony VAIO for parts, let me know. By tomorrow, Frankenlaptop will no longer be used. I have a newer abused-less desktop pc that is going to work just fine.
Daily Sewing Journal
2 scarves for Christmas stragglers, Brittany & Kimberly. See their names in the snowflakes? Ok, so you can't really read their names. Just imagine for a moment that the one on the left says Kimberly and and the one on the right says Brittany. Sorry about the blurriness. Life's too short to retake blog photos.
uggh! I'm working on it!
A couple of days ago, I decided to simplify my life and get down to just one google account for my blog. I am not sure why I had 2 accounts in the first place. Anyway, I merged the account and deleted the old account. Then decided I should add a new template to my site since it was just plain white and kind of boring.
The template addition went ok. The merge did not. I didn't even think to back up the photos on the blog. So now I am going through my old posts and reloading the images. I have all of 2009 complete except for the "SCORE" post. I am not even sure if I kept those photos. Thankfully there are only 20 posts for 2008 and only 6 have photos. I just have to figure out where the photos are hiding. I have 3 computers in my office, one franken-laptop(a post all on it's own some other time), my home desktop and the desktop for my office that I brought home to clean off because it's full of crap and a lot of my personal photos.
Sheesh. 2 steps forward 3 steps back.
The template addition went ok. The merge did not. I didn't even think to back up the photos on the blog. So now I am going through my old posts and reloading the images. I have all of 2009 complete except for the "SCORE" post. I am not even sure if I kept those photos. Thankfully there are only 20 posts for 2008 and only 6 have photos. I just have to figure out where the photos are hiding. I have 3 computers in my office, one franken-laptop(a post all on it's own some other time), my home desktop and the desktop for my office that I brought home to clean off because it's full of crap and a lot of my personal photos.
Sheesh. 2 steps forward 3 steps back.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Recycled/Reusable Makeup Remover Pad Tutorial
Tutorial is below my daily sewing journal.
Daily Sewing with What I Have
January 12 - re-stuffed Mike's favorite pillow
January 12 - square makeup removers from old washcloths and scrap material. I started out by sewing them right sides together, turn and topstitched, but they were so small and really hard to stitch through 4 layers. I decided to stitch them wrong sides together and just use the serger. This worked somewhat better. The square shape was hard to serge the edges and have them look neat.
Moving on to today.
January 13 - I thought I would try the makeup remover pads again today, only this time larger & rounder. Much easier.
Recycled/Reusable Makeup Remover Pad Tutorial
Supplies Needed:
Step 1: Cut out fabric & terrycloth circles. I could get 4 circles from 1 washcloth. Don't worry if your washcloth has a finished edge. The edge will be removed when you serge.
Step 2: Layer the fabric & terrycloth with wrong sides together.
3. Run a basting stitch around the circle to keep it from slipping when you serge.
4. Serge the circle. If you don't have a serger, trim close to the basting stitch and then zigzag around the circle's edges.
5. You're done! Now go wash your face!
How to use your new recycled makeup remover pads
Wash. Wipe. Rinse. Repeat until your face is clean.
How to clean your new recycled makeup remover pads
Throw them in a lingerie bag and dump them in the wash with like colored items. Dry as usual.
Daily Sewing with What I Have
January 12 - re-stuffed Mike's favorite pillow
January 12 - square makeup removers from old washcloths and scrap material. I started out by sewing them right sides together, turn and topstitched, but they were so small and really hard to stitch through 4 layers. I decided to stitch them wrong sides together and just use the serger. This worked somewhat better. The square shape was hard to serge the edges and have them look neat.
Moving on to today.
January 13 - I thought I would try the makeup remover pads again today, only this time larger & rounder. Much easier.
Recycled/Reusable Makeup Remover Pad Tutorial
Supplies Needed:
- Old terrycloth washcloths (mine were 11in.x11in, washed a million times and had makeup stains) If you want something softer than terrycloth you can use microfiber fleece, just be sure to pre-wash first.
- 24in. x 24in. Cotton Fabric (I used an old pillow case from the thrift store that was in my stash)
- Scissors
- Sewing Machine
- Serger
Step 1: Cut out fabric & terrycloth circles. I could get 4 circles from 1 washcloth. Don't worry if your washcloth has a finished edge. The edge will be removed when you serge.
Step 2: Layer the fabric & terrycloth with wrong sides together.
3. Run a basting stitch around the circle to keep it from slipping when you serge.
4. Serge the circle. If you don't have a serger, trim close to the basting stitch and then zigzag around the circle's edges.
5. You're done! Now go wash your face!
How to use your new recycled makeup remover pads
Wash. Wipe. Rinse. Repeat until your face is clean.
How to clean your new recycled makeup remover pads
Throw them in a lingerie bag and dump them in the wash with like colored items. Dry as usual.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
12:45 AM Tuesday January 12
11:45 PM Monday January 11 - I fell asleep in bed with the tv on watching Intervention, waiting for Mike to come home from his Monday night hockey league. I was disappointed that I missed the end of the program. I really wanted to know what happened with Gabe.
Update: aetv.com is cool. I was able to finish the episode. I love web tv.
12:30 AM Tuesday January 12 - Mike wakes me as he comes into the bedroom. He tells me about the cool goal he scored as he is getting ready to get in the shower. Then he says, "I need you to take a picture for me."
I bet you weren't taking pictures of a tongue at 12:45 AM Tuesday January 12, 2010. I didn't want to go to the basement to get the camera, so these are taken with his blackberry. I am a terrible picture taker and these are proof.
He needs a shave... and a mouth guard! Even at 36, boys are gross.
Update: aetv.com is cool. I was able to finish the episode. I love web tv.
12:30 AM Tuesday January 12 - Mike wakes me as he comes into the bedroom. He tells me about the cool goal he scored as he is getting ready to get in the shower. Then he says, "I need you to take a picture for me."
I bet you weren't taking pictures of a tongue at 12:45 AM Tuesday January 12, 2010. I didn't want to go to the basement to get the camera, so these are taken with his blackberry. I am a terrible picture taker and these are proof.
He needs a shave... and a mouth guard! Even at 36, boys are gross.
Monday, January 11, 2010
2010 - A Space Odyssey
I know the title is incorrect. The correct movie title is 2010: Odyssey Two, but 2010 - A Space Odyssey is more appropriate to my circumstances.
I am on a mission and it might as well be to Jupiter if my past history is any clue to the success that I will achieve.
Objective:
To reclaim my space and unravel the secrets of the monolithic structure that is my ever growing pile of fabric.
I think Stanley Kubrick is alive and well, living in my sewing room. It is a mess of chaos that only he could understand and appreciate. Actually, I think he created this mess, not me.
{The Plan}
Attack!
I would like to sew something every day. It doesn't have to be big or glorious or fabulous or even usable. But I must sew. every. day. at. least. one. thing.
That's it. I wonder how long it will take me to go through all the material I have?
Here are some of the projects I have in mind.
1. A denim quilt for Tanner's bed made from his and Mike's old jeans.
2. Potholders
3. A quilted suit for me. (Burgundy, I already have the queen comforter to recycle)
4. Embroider the remaining dishtowels (6) and golf towel (1) that I have on hand.
5. Embroider the remaining 10 coolie cups on hand.
6. Dog beds. I have a queen size foam mattress that has seen better days but is still good enough for the dogs.
7. Curtains for the small windows in the basement.
8. Tablecloth for the round table (already have dragonfly material)
9. A box full of clothes that can be restyled or recycled.
10. 4 summer dresses for me
11. a pressing ham
12. embroider my cleaning cloths so the kids don't use the lemon oil furniture cloth on the mirrors.
13. a new clothespin bag
14. embroider the dog's bath towels so they don't get washed with my good towels
15. a new bedding pad for the dog crate
16. pj bottoms for me
17. tank tops with built in bra for me
18. embroidered luggage tags
19. Shoe bags for me (I didn't make any for myself when I did the others)
20. new curtain for the kitchen
21. new curtain for sliding glass door
22. A flag of some sort for my flagpole that never gets put out because I don't have a flag.
23. Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter table runners and place mats.
24. Covered dish cozy thingy
25. An apron
26. A 1950's style dress
27. Take in my 1950's dress coat (too wide in the shoulders)
Oh I am sure there is more, but that is all I can think of for now.
P.S. I did sew today. I hemmed a pair of dress pants(early, early this morning) that I have owned for 4 years and never worn. I wore them to work today.
I am on a mission and it might as well be to Jupiter if my past history is any clue to the success that I will achieve.
Objective:
To reclaim my space and unravel the secrets of the monolithic structure that is my ever growing pile of fabric.
I think Stanley Kubrick is alive and well, living in my sewing room. It is a mess of chaos that only he could understand and appreciate. Actually, I think he created this mess, not me.
{The Plan}
Attack!
I would like to sew something every day. It doesn't have to be big or glorious or fabulous or even usable. But I must sew. every. day. at. least. one. thing.
That's it. I wonder how long it will take me to go through all the material I have?
Here are some of the projects I have in mind.
1. A denim quilt for Tanner's bed made from his and Mike's old jeans.
2. Potholders
3. A quilted suit for me. (Burgundy, I already have the queen comforter to recycle)
4. Embroider the remaining dishtowels (6) and golf towel (1) that I have on hand.
5. Embroider the remaining 10 coolie cups on hand.
6. Dog beds. I have a queen size foam mattress that has seen better days but is still good enough for the dogs.
7. Curtains for the small windows in the basement.
8. Tablecloth for the round table (already have dragonfly material)
9. A box full of clothes that can be restyled or recycled.
10. 4 summer dresses for me
11. a pressing ham
12. embroider my cleaning cloths so the kids don't use the lemon oil furniture cloth on the mirrors.
13. a new clothespin bag
14. embroider the dog's bath towels so they don't get washed with my good towels
15. a new bedding pad for the dog crate
16. pj bottoms for me
17. tank tops with built in bra for me
18. embroidered luggage tags
19. Shoe bags for me (I didn't make any for myself when I did the others)
20. new curtain for the kitchen
21. new curtain for sliding glass door
22. A flag of some sort for my flagpole that never gets put out because I don't have a flag.
23. Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter table runners and place mats.
24. Covered dish cozy thingy
25. An apron
26. A 1950's style dress
27. Take in my 1950's dress coat (too wide in the shoulders)
Oh I am sure there is more, but that is all I can think of for now.
P.S. I did sew today. I hemmed a pair of dress pants(early, early this morning) that I have owned for 4 years and never worn. I wore them to work today.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
I made Christmas Gifts this year (well, last year)
I am slow about getting my posts up, but here they are... 2009 Christmas Gifts
1. Gifts for 5 yr old girl from Angel Tree at Church -
The "jolly bag" aka backpack or pj bag is made from a reclaimed/recycled baby blanket that I got for 44cents at Family Thrift store. I embroidered the bag and then added some goodies. I also embroidered a coolie cup to go with it.
2.Golf Towels for the guys
3. Doggie blankets for Suzy's (my mother in law) schnauzers. These were also made from recycled baby blankets from Family Thrift.
4. Embroidered Jolly bags for my neices... also from recycled baby blankets.
I patched a hole in Cyera's blanket with an applique heart. :)
Alexis & Addison with their jolly bags. Alexis also got a "hair salon" for Christmas. She charged everyone a $1 to do their hair. I think she made about $8 that night.
5. Baby Bradley's Fish Blanket - I love those little fish!
Other things I made but didn't have the time to take photos before they were wrapped and sent to VA, MS and other various points around the globe...
6. 7(yes seven) White Scarf with name embroidered in a snowflake pattern for all of Ellie's friends.
7. Travel Shoe Bags for my mom and sisters with the words "Shoe Bag" and a high heeled shoe embroidered on the bag. If I can get someone to email me a photo of their bags, I will post those later.
8. Dishtowels for Suzy - one with 3 wine glasses that says "Group Therapy" and one with a cute little woman in her robe with curlers in her hair drinking a cup of coffee saying "I don't do mornings"
9. More coolie cups for all the teen boys in the family. Each with their First Initial and name.
10. Travel pillows for Ellie & Tanner made of left over fleece from the other projects above. One is pink, the other is blue.
11. A laptop sleeve for Ellie with her name embroidered on it.
12. An Ipod sleeve for Tanner with a tribal artsy type spider embroidered on it.
I think that's about it for Christmas presents.
1. Gifts for 5 yr old girl from Angel Tree at Church -
The "jolly bag" aka backpack or pj bag is made from a reclaimed/recycled baby blanket that I got for 44cents at Family Thrift store. I embroidered the bag and then added some goodies. I also embroidered a coolie cup to go with it.
2.Golf Towels for the guys
3. Doggie blankets for Suzy's (my mother in law) schnauzers. These were also made from recycled baby blankets from Family Thrift.
4. Embroidered Jolly bags for my neices... also from recycled baby blankets.
I patched a hole in Cyera's blanket with an applique heart. :)
Alexis & Addison with their jolly bags. Alexis also got a "hair salon" for Christmas. She charged everyone a $1 to do their hair. I think she made about $8 that night.
5. Baby Bradley's Fish Blanket - I love those little fish!
Other things I made but didn't have the time to take photos before they were wrapped and sent to VA, MS and other various points around the globe...
6. 7(yes seven) White Scarf with name embroidered in a snowflake pattern for all of Ellie's friends.
7. Travel Shoe Bags for my mom and sisters with the words "Shoe Bag" and a high heeled shoe embroidered on the bag. If I can get someone to email me a photo of their bags, I will post those later.
8. Dishtowels for Suzy - one with 3 wine glasses that says "Group Therapy" and one with a cute little woman in her robe with curlers in her hair drinking a cup of coffee saying "I don't do mornings"
9. More coolie cups for all the teen boys in the family. Each with their First Initial and name.
10. Travel pillows for Ellie & Tanner made of left over fleece from the other projects above. One is pink, the other is blue.
11. A laptop sleeve for Ellie with her name embroidered on it.
12. An Ipod sleeve for Tanner with a tribal artsy type spider embroidered on it.
I think that's about it for Christmas presents.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
I haven't posted since November... so get comfy!
November 1st: Tanner turns 13! He isn't so little anymore. He's taller than me and didn't ask for toys. He wanted CASH MONEY and a fleece jacket with full zipper! Oh... and I made the fleece jacket he is wearing.
This cake was a disaster! I made it from scratch and the cake part I did right. The icing is a whole other story. Donna wasn't helping much, just watching and laughing as I poured the milk in TWICE! and then had to add more sugar, more butter, more cocoa, etc. The icing didn't get stiff, thus the terraced sides.
Side note: I seriously need to repaint the table top.
Mike hung the iron wall thingy (on January 2, 2010) Momma bought for me in May 2009.
We kept putting it off because I wanted it above the staircase.
It's a huge 12ft wall ... taller if you count the descending staircase below it. It looks great thought! I love it!
January 1st or 2nd or 3rd or all three: I cleaned the storage room! BELIEVE IT! Here's proof!
Mike took down the broken bi-fold doors and I made the curtain to replace them. Mike helped too! He man-hammered the grommets into the curtain. I bought this material 2 or 3 years ago for $1/yard when our Walmart was closing the fabric department. I had originally planned to make drapes for my living room and dining room.
It isn't perfect, but it looks wonderful for a basement!! I also made the matching table runner. I bought the trim at Hancock Fabrics. It was discontinued and $1/yard. I think I bought like 40 yards or something silly. It just happened to match the fabric perfectly!
Not so bad even if I did do it myself! I am starting to feel good about my sewing. It just takes a little practice.
Homemade Christmas presents in the next post...
This cake was a disaster! I made it from scratch and the cake part I did right. The icing is a whole other story. Donna wasn't helping much, just watching and laughing as I poured the milk in TWICE! and then had to add more sugar, more butter, more cocoa, etc. The icing didn't get stiff, thus the terraced sides.
Side note: I seriously need to repaint the table top.
Mike hung the iron wall thingy (on January 2, 2010) Momma bought for me in May 2009.
We kept putting it off because I wanted it above the staircase.
It's a huge 12ft wall ... taller if you count the descending staircase below it. It looks great thought! I love it!
January 1st or 2nd or 3rd or all three: I cleaned the storage room! BELIEVE IT! Here's proof!
Mike took down the broken bi-fold doors and I made the curtain to replace them. Mike helped too! He man-hammered the grommets into the curtain. I bought this material 2 or 3 years ago for $1/yard when our Walmart was closing the fabric department. I had originally planned to make drapes for my living room and dining room.
It isn't perfect, but it looks wonderful for a basement!! I also made the matching table runner. I bought the trim at Hancock Fabrics. It was discontinued and $1/yard. I think I bought like 40 yards or something silly. It just happened to match the fabric perfectly!
Not so bad even if I did do it myself! I am starting to feel good about my sewing. It just takes a little practice.
Homemade Christmas presents in the next post...
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Still Getting Organized
I am still working on organizing my home office/sewing/study/work/craft room. It has been a challenge for me, to say the least. I hate filing and most of the mess in my office is the mountain of paper that I don't know what to do with and the rest of it is papers/bills, etc that need to be filed. I HATE FILING! And it's pretty obvious from the mounds of paper everywhere. In the midst of dreading cleaning out the filing cabinet and organizing the files in an appropriate manner (notice there is no work being done in this sentence), I happened upon a not so novel idea! Why not scan all my files I absolutely have to keep and store them on disk?
We do it at work all the time. If it's good enough for a business it should be good enough for me, right? So my handy dandy HP Officejet J3680 printer/scanner/copier/fax machine is getting a workout. It has been scanning bank statements, retirement accounts, monthly bills(I have to track this for work),medical bills, insurance and other ephemera for a couple of weeks now. I don't know if it's getting tired, but I am tired of looking at all this paper! I think it will be worth it in the end.
The paper shredder has also been working overtime.
I must be crazy.
Friday, August 21, 2009
I'm getting organized...
I'm getting organized... or at least corralling my junk a little better.I found these boxes at the thrift store yesterday. They look like they could be VHS boxes but they aren't the right size and don't have the little circle thing-a-ma-jigs.
I cleaned out my desk and gathered up all the sewing notions I had strung all over the room and put them in the boxes. I sorted the items to how I use them. Then, I got out my trusty label maker and labeled each box. Extra Pins, Needles, Empty bobbins. Threaded bobbins. Elastic. Buttons. Scrapbook Pen Cutters. Frequently Used Notions. Brother Accessories... well you get the point.
I'm just happy as a lark about these little boxes. I have to go buy rechargeable batteries for my camera before I can take any more pictures of my progress. I have been taking so many photos lately, my camera is eating AA batteries like crazy! So... before my camera died... here are the photos I took last month & again yesterday before I started cleaning my room.A box of binders.... wth?
I taught myself knitting.... NOT
I have tried to teach myself to crochet and knit several times over the last 15 years. It just didn't take. It's not my thing. So, Heidi... look at this pile and tell me what you want and I will mail it to you. (list is below the pic)
Note to self: Knitting is not my thing. I am never allowed to purchase knitting supplies ever again. period.
- 1 - I Taught Myself Knitting Book with several patterns
- Candy Print Yarn (the pink) - 1 full skein (5 oz, 255 yards), 4 partial skeins (they may be nearly whole skeins... I can't remember anything that I did with it.
- Buff Yarn - 1 full skein (7 oz, 364 yards), 1 partial skein. Again, I don't know what I did with it.
- The big purple thingy (a knitting loom) - I think it was for knitting scarves.
- Needles - sizes: 6, 8, 11
- Large plastic needles (yellow packet)... maybe I bought these for tying off??
- Big fat blue crochet hook... I don't see a size on it.
- Ziplock baggie contains: ruler/knitting guage, a couple pins, needle tip protectors, stitch counter, and some little plastic rings (I don't know what they're for either).
Note to self: Knitting is not my thing. I am never allowed to purchase knitting supplies ever again. period.
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