Sparkly

I had two great aunts that never had children. When they passed, all of their fun stuff came to my sister and I. I have held on a lot of their stuff for awhile. I enjoyed getting them out and thinking of the things I could make from them. Ive had this huge box of jewelry for 7 years, unfortunately, it hasn't made its way into a project yet. I am moving across the country and I need to pack everything up, or get rid of it. Its hard to think about getting rid of some stuff. I have had one yard sale and we sold mostly old jewelry that was from the 40's and 50's.  These earrings were sold. I miss them, its hard and ridiculous that I miss them. I wish I wasn't materialistic. I love my junk, especially the stuff my great aunts sparkles.

Floating

Ive been craving water and to float. We got out on the lake in the boat last weekend. It was bittersweet, i was in heaven in the water, but sad to be leave my home and family here. I've been going to the lake with my dad since I was little. We never do much more than float.

Iam a water/ air sign and feel very connected to water. I always crave it this time if year. The ocean is a great fix. A lake is awesome when it is calm and few folks were out because the water is cold still. This is Lake Tillery, NC.

Helping Pockets

My grandmother fell in her home a few months ago. She is in a rehab facility and will be going home soon. She will need to use her walker at home, so I made her pockets for the walker and gave them to her for Easter. She seemed very pleased. I wasnt able to measure it myself, I think I'll make it a bit smaller if I ever do this again. I used heavy cotton and canvas and clear plastic for the pockets so she could see what was in the pockets. It took me abt 3 hours to make and it didn't cost me a thing, all from my stash. I loved making this.

Set of Three

Check out the set of three canvas bags and plastic travel bags I made for myself! I love them I am making more soon.

Well if your going for it, Go Big!!

Life's been nuts. We decided to move to Oregon for my husband to obtain a Doctorate in Linguistics. It is paid stipend and grants for four years it also includes health insurance we are very excited. We have been busy since the decision seeing family and friends. We will be moving across the country in two months. I have a lot of stuff and this will be interesting trip. I am nervous about the cost of it all, but once we get there, it is a beautiful spot. This is one of the few pictures on the blog I didnt take myself of crater lake, but soon i will see this for myself.

Fun Skirt

I had searched for straight shorter skirt that weren't made out of knit. The body con look is not for my hips but, I wanted more of a mini skirt look. I shopped for the better part of a year with no luck. I had a super basic solid skirt black skirt that was out of a rayon. I basically copied its construction. I love love love this bold zig zag Brandon Mably fabric. I had used it in my Mom's quilt and purposely purchased too much. I recently realized it was enough to wrap around my hips. I think that the high quality cotton fabric will be nice for the spring, summer and even the fall with tights. I like the brown & black paired with bright teal and orange. Yum!
Here's how I made it-
I took three measurements:
1.  H- Around the widest part of hips/ buttocks
2. W- Around the smallest part of waist or where you would like to wear your skirt (dont suck in if you want it to fit!)
3. L- Start at point you took measurement W, measure down as long as you would like your skirt to reach (if you are going much past your knees you will need to add in a slit into the hem.)
4. Cut a piece of skirt fabric H+2 x L+3
5. Hem bottom longest side 1 1/2 inch
6. Cut piece of Elastic 1 1/2 width x W-2(or 3 if you want it to have a tighter feel)
7. Cut piece of coordinating band fabric H+2 x 5
8. With a simple fold over 1/2 inch hem the band fabric along both of the longest sides, hem both sides to same side (this seam will show at the top of skirt).
9. Fold the band in half on the longest side, with hems to inside, sew along the fold with a 1/4 seam allowance, Creating finished binding
10. Tack elastic onto the inside of one end of band, make sure the elastic fits tightly into the binding pocket.
12. Take time to pin in the piece of skirt fabric making sure keep the raw edge of the fabric into the binding, matching up seams onto one side of binding.
13. Fold over binding and sew paying attention to outside seam, use piece of elastic to keep straight line. don't sew into the elastic (your just making a pocket over the elastic).
14. Find the unattached end of elastic in the binding pull tight and attach to end of binding.
15. Match ends of the binding and hem of skirt and sew 1/2 seam allowance
16. Roll over seam allowance and sew again (creates a more finished inside)
17. Turn right side out and ENJOY!
This skirt took me 45 minutes , including fabric brainstorming time at the beginning.
 I can't wait for this cool weather to move on and I can test it out!

Nom Nom Nanner Puddin'

This is amazing Nanner Puddin' I had last night at The Pit in Raleigh. Isn't that meringue beautiful? It is rather tasty. I always find room after BBQ to eat it.

My day!

My big weekend started off with a big bang! My mom and sister came to Raleigh and we decided to go to Poole's in downtown. It is a super amazing restaurant that has wonderful food and equally amazing cocktails!  This was the best short rib I have ever had in my life. Everyone loved their meal and we had a great time chatting over cocktails.

 

It has become so important to me to make time for family and to enjoy life. We are so happy with all the amazing news that has surrounded us lately. I think I smiled all day because it was filled with relaxation, family, silliness, and yummy food!

The Big Life

I have had a crazy stressful but exciting January... February is shaping up to be the same. I may have failed to mention that I have a very very big birthday this coming weekend. I have plans to try to relax and pamper me. I have been working super hard on my feet and I am getting a massage to treat myself and care for my body. This is something that I realize that I don't do enough of. I don't do much exercise other than yoga or chasing the dog around the yard.

 I would also like to do more for myself beyond exercise. I would like to have regular hair cuts and eat more wholesome food. I feel I have come to a point where I need this in my life.
I also realized recently how much relationships play apart in my health. I carry all stress in my back and shoulders. I have gotten to the point where I have weeded out very negative relationships in my life and worked to surround myself with those who truly love me for who I am. I know life will throw me curve balls, but I also know that I am not going to stand in a batting cage with the pitch machine turned all the way up.
I want to make more time to do the things that make me calm and smile.

We had some dear friends visit us from the mountains for the weekend. We did nothing more than tell jokes, eat great food and watch movies, but by far it was one of the best weekends that I have had in a long time. I am hoping for an even better birthday weekend. I guess I am showing my age, because I want the simpler things in life, that make me smile.

MacBook Case

I had promised my hubby awhile ago that I would make a computer cover for his new MacBook Pro. I told him this to deter a 48.00 purchase at the mac store.  It took me too long to make it but, it had everything that I wanted to include. It is made out of duck canvas. I used lots of thick and rigid batting to pad the computer. 

 I made sure it had a big enough pocket so the power cord is always with the computer. I ended up stitching a pen pocket to make the pocket tighter. The pocket and computer opening have a large tab and button closure. I like buttons over velcro normally.  This is an awesome vintage blue button from my great aunt's stash.

I used navy micro fleece as a super soft liner. Then I used navy thread with a zig-zag stitch in order to create a pattern on the duck cloth and quilting it at the same time. Making case included a bit of trial and error. At first it was too loose and then too small. I had a time getting my Singer through all the layers of the padding and canvas. My arms hurt the next morning from force feeding the fabric. The top thread  kept. breaking. It took many adjustments to get it finally. He started using it right after I made it and loves it. I just hope it wont get too dirty, since the duck canvas is a light color. Next time, I hope I can get projects done when I want to. The entire project only took me four hours. Most of the time was spent troubleshooting my pattern and the sewing machine thread tension. I love the modern look of the finished project. 

Camera Strap Cover

I made this camera strap from $5 worth of velcro, scraps of fabric I had and about fat quarter of fabric, and batting. I looked up the sizing of the camera strap (Its a gift, I didn't have one to measure) on the Canon website. Make sure you find the width and lenght of the exisiting strap and double that and add 3 inches. Most padded part of all straps are 20 inches, but look that up too.

 I started by piecing Kaffe scraps to make one side of my strap. It was about 30 inches wide and 10 inch tall.

 I sewed on the 20 inch Velcro piece along the pressed scrap pieces leaving 5 inches at the top and bottom. The opposite side of the Velcro was attached to the outer fabric onto the opposite side. This allows for the strap to be reversed! I layered the scrap side batting and stripe fabric and sewed almost all the way around. I flipped it inside out. Then pressed with the iron. Then I top stitched all the way around making sure to seal up my hole that allowed it to flip inside out.

 I picked a favorite fabric of Kaffe stripe for the other side and included a folder over pocket for battery pack or card. Batting between the two pieces of quilting fabric makes the camera much sturdier.

The Velcro hides the strap and is set back enough so it wont scratch your neck..well my sister's. This was her birthday gift from me. Love ya Lady!

Obsessed

I am sorry, I have abandoned the blog since the holidays. Honestly, I am not that busy. We have been home for a week,  took down the decorations and I am working (hard), but I have time.  The time I usually spend writing on the blog has been pinning on Pinterest. I am officially obsessed. I have spent hours pinning and scrolling. I love the concept. I am not one to want to steal others ideas and act like they are my own. That is why every picture on this blog I or my sister took. Or, I asked if I could use it. I like Pinterest because it is a great way of keeping track of all the super ideas and inspiration that I see out there, Now I can hold on it with out claiming it as my own. I LOVE it! Check me out!
Hope you are having a more productive 2012 than I am. Use with caution.

I have been productive, if you can define that as getting well deserved rest and relaxation and feeding my heart and soul so I can start the year off filled with awesome ideas.
I am also obsessed with the Camellias from my back yard.