Almost a "Post A Day in May"

Me being sick is such a waste of time, but I feel so much better now, although I'm behind on my blog reading, commenting and posting. I just about stopped everything and I feel bad because I was getting ready to paint the kitchen (actually primer first) and now the kitchen is in total disaray along with the rest of the house! Today I'm going to make it right by playing catch-up. Not only did I have a rotten cold, I also tweaked my back, oooh! Anway, here I am with not much to write about, but a ton of work to do. Tomorrow my cousin and I have our booth at the Sunday Market again, therefore there is orgainizing and packing to do tonight.

I'll leave you with a few of my favorites from the "Prettly Little Patchwork" book that I purchased last weekend.

(sigh) So much to do, so little time.

Have a great weekend!

An easy project

Since we didn't have plans for this weekend and today is a holiday, I decided that I was going to paint the kitchen-dining room. Of course I got a late start, but I have most of the prep work done. So looks like I'll be squeezing in painting during the week. I'm starting with the primer first and then hopefully if I get the vacation I requested for in June, I'll paint then. I have Jury Duty the first week of June, who knows what happens after that.

Now my easy project is bean bags for a co-worker. She works at another school and she asked me a few weeks ago if I could make her some bean bags and she gave me some upholstry fabric samples. That seems to be the going theme around the schools - recycle those fabric samples. Anyway, I couldn't say no, she's a very nice lady and the children are so good, once I finish these I can complete the tote bags I started a couple of weeks ago. My cousin and I have the Sunday Market again on the June 1st. Wow, beside my crafty projects and then painting I have my work cut out. Oh, and I'm subbing extra hours next week, that means those "split shifts" again, ugh!

Take care, see you tomorrow!

Fabric basket done!

Cute basket from Pink Penquin's tutorial. It was pretty easy, I'm looking forward to making a couple more to give away as gift baskets. I have alot of scraps and it's a good way to make use of them. I even have some jeans that would be perfect, also. That little sewing machine is my daughter's Kenmore Mini Ultra. It came in quite handy since my machine is still awaiting the ordered part.

You definitely have to make one of these cuties!

See you tomorrow, I'm off to Home Depot to buy paint, shelving and a new shade for the living room . . . diy days ahead.

More inspiration

I spent the morning cleaning bathrooms, ugh! Afterwards I needed to get away and I read online at doe-c-doe that the new Marie Claire Idees is out so I thought I'd scoot on over to Borders in Carlsbad and see if they happen to have it. I needed to go to Trader Joe's anyway. The weather was so beautiful and it was just a nice to take a drive, not that it's that far away, about 20 minutes. Well, they still have the March issue, which I already have, but at least I know they carry this awesome magazine. B&N was around the block so I swung by there just in case, instead I was in the craft book section (again!) and picked up another cute little book, "Pretty Little Patchwork". I need to stop, now that's two books in one week! I also brought home "Creative Home" magazine, which has some nice home dec articles and projects for around the home.

Have a nice evening and I'll be back tomorrow.

Yay for Fridays!

I woke up today wondering if it was going to rain or shine, sure enough it rained. This has got to be the most strangest weather ever, last week we were complaining about the heat. Then yesterday and today it's overcast, windy, rainy, flash flood warnings and a tornado not too far away! This is not supposed to happen on the day before the Memorial Day weekend! Sheesh, and all I wanted to be was home, but I had to sub this afternoon. Not fun when you're on the "rainy day schedule" with 40 or so kidlets. But all went well, we had movies, made pizzas, played games and puzzles until it was all over. It's nice when you're a sub and the kids hug you good-bye and are happy when you say "I'll be back next week".

Have a lovely day and I'll see you tomorrow.

Lazy day

Well, I wasn't that lazy, I did go to work this morning, but I spent the afternoon searching online for that replacement part I need, a bobbin case for my sewing machine, and thankfully I found it! So I'll be ordering it and should be back in business soon. Other than that I didn't get much done this afternoon, the weather was wierd, overcast and windy and then I heard about flood warnings in nearby areas and it was pretty cool outside. Just strange after we had 90 degree temps just last week!

I do have another sneak peak pic to share from "Pretty Little Potholders" and then I think I'll call it a day. It has been really challenging to post daily, especially when you're not prepared to write and my life isn't all that interesting. I couldn't possibly write about what I actually did all day, that would really be dull writing. Most blogs I read have little ones to write about, which is really sweet and I love it, but I don't have that in my life. Well, I do, but they're not mine and I don't like writing about someone else's child. So I'll try to be interesting as I can about what I do and what happens around here, which really isn't a whole lot.

Back to another favorite, an oven mitt, I would really love to have this in my kitchen ready to use!

Take care, see you tomorrow!

I'm sad

I think my sewing machine died. Well, not actually, there is a part that looks either chipped or worn out, of course it's plastic. I know it's not the end of the world, but I'm sad because I was almost finish with my little basket tote that should look similar to this cute little basket from Pink Penquin's tutorial. I'll probably either borrow my daughter's Janome or take over her little Kenmore until I either replace this part or buy my own machine like I've been wanting to do for a long time. For now, I'm catching up on paperwork, you know pay bills, and cleaning the kitchen and dining room. I'm getting ready to paint soon, but first I need to organize and clear the clutter.

Back to work . . . take care!

Cool little potholders

Saturday afternoon when I was out and about I stopped at Barnes & Noble to have a look around the magazines. Instead I ended up in the craft book section and this little book kind of jump out at me that I had to have it.

This little book is full of ideas on making potholders, hotpads, oven mitts, etc. And they look really nice instead of those ugly old plain ones that you buy, which I have. So with a little bit of fabric, imagination, and little time you can make one of these precious little gems that you can admire while in the kitchen. I'm always thinking of making a different kind of gift (with food included, of course), this would be perfect in a basket of assorted goodies. So if I don't make my Mom those appliqued/embroidered tea towels, I certainly can make her a potholder or oven mitts! Here's a few sample photos.

Have a great evening!

It's late .....

but I'll leave you with a couple of photos from yesterday's market.


I've had a long day today, tomorrow will be a better day for me to post more. Goodnight.

Sunday Market

It's late and I'm very tired, but I promise to have photos and a little bit about what happened today in tomorrow's post. The day was beautiful, but a little too warm. I even got sunburned, but we had a nice time. Unfortunately, not too many people came. I think everyone was at the beach. Oh well, maybe next time.

Purse on Martha Stewart

Yesterday on Martha Stewart there was a demo on making a reversible purse. It looks very easy to make and such a handy little purse. Mmmm, I think I would like one for myself. The pattern and instructions are here.

It's supposed to get pretty warm today, I think in the 90's F. Although, the Weather Channel says 82, that would be more like it for me. I don't think I'm ready for the hot weather, so I'm off to start laundry and run errands before it gets too warm. Later, I can relax and maybe bbq for dinner. Have a beautiful day!

More on Marie Claire Idees

I really, really would love to make these tea towels for my Mom for her birthday. I know it looks a little ambitious, but they are adorable and I think she would love them. Her birthday is in July, do you think it can be done?

I just love this apron! The pastry she's carrying looks yummy, ooops, sorry I didn't get the whole picture. I could see me entertaining my guests with this little number on.

And this screen is just too cool, I love birds!


I love this magazine! I find myself trying to read it and then translating through Babel Fish. Talk about a real "time snatcher"! I thought my husband and daughter could help me, but they have lives! He should know some French, even though it was a long time ago. My daughter took 4 years in high school for pitty sakes! I was beginning to feel like a pest. So I'll just stick to admiring the photos -- what a lovely magazine!

I still haven't had a chance to hook up my printer, hopefully today. I want to scan and I have photos in my camera that I want to print. Of course, I can go to Walmart, Costco, or any drugstore and have them printed, but I like the convenience at home. Plus there is a ton of scanning I want to do.

I haven't done any crafting so far today like I had planned to do. I have plenty of chores I need to get done - like wash the car, water the lawn because our sprinkler system is not working, then water the back, clean the pool, the list goes on and on. I guess that's what happens when the other half works long hours and I'm the part-timer. That's okay, I'm happy to be home and taking care what needs to be done.

See ya tomorrow!

More wip

I haven't much to write about today. I started a couple more bags, these two are almost done. I think just blogging about it makes me stay on task, before I would start projects and then never complete them. I have many unfinished projects, I stare at them and wonder what was I thinking. Especially all those quilt blocks, maybe someday I'll finish the quilts. So now that I blog and I admit I'm not the best writer, I feel like I've commited myself and I need to get it done!

Yesterday, I received my Marie Claire Idees. It came in the post just before I was going back to work. You should have seen me, I jumped in the car, ripped open my package and at every stop sign and stop light, I was flippin' through the pages. I called the school on my cell and told them that I was running a late, but I will be there. Hey, I have priorities! he-he

Have a great day!

Kind of busy ....

I managed to find some time to post the tote bags I made within the past couple of days. I've been working extra hours at work, it's funny while I'm at work I'm thinking about what I'd rather be doing! Now, if I could spend my evenings sewing instead of watching mindless tv I could get more done. I'll be taking these to Sunday Market this weekend, and possibly my etsy store. I've been toying with the idea and already have an account set up, just not the right name. So until then I'll keep making things and learn to manage my time better.

WIP - small tote bag

A tote bag I have been working on today. It's small, so I don't know what is taking me so long to finish it!

I made it through Monday

Okay, it's getting a little hard for me to post everyday. I worked another one of those split shifts today and then I had some running around to do, plus I slept lousy last night or actually this morning. So I wasn't my 100% today, but I managed to stay up late enough to watch "Dancing with the Stars". I know, I know, but I still love that show! Promise to have something a little worth reading about tomorrow. Goodnight.

Happy Mother's Day

Well, to any Mom's out there that comes across my post, I hope you had a wonderful day. I've had a fairly busy day, sorry again no pics. I'm just too tired, but I did sew today. I was able to make wine totebags for next Sunday's market. It was an idea I've been playing around with during Christmas, and then when I was talking to my Mom on the phone the other day she reminded me, "what ever happen to those wine bags you were going to make?" Oh yeah . . . , so there I was pedal to the metal this morning. I think I'm done with that idea, now I'm moving on to other fun stuff and projects I started and want to complete. I still need to sort through what I already have, it's been awhile since I've done the craft market.

Oh, almost forgot, my beautiful daughter brought me a latte and scone after she got off work this morning and then for lunch she went out and treated me again! Then the big surprise is I got a that scanner/printer I wanted (and hinted) for the past 3 weeks! A Kodak ESP 3 all-in-one printer. I haven't had a chance to play with it yet, but I'm extremely happy!


Have a great evening and I'll see you tomorrow.

Cotton Time is here!

I received my magazine today and I love it! It's so different, well of course because it's in Japanese, but never mind, it's no where near what I've seen in our American crafting type magazines. There seems to be a lot of articles about sewing and crafting, not a whole lot of advertising. Maybe it's because I don't understand it, but I just love looking at the photos and thats all that matters. If I get that scanner/printer that I've been hinting to get for "Mother's Day", I'll be able to give you a glimpse. Other than that I've been a little busy this morning getting new items together for the craft fair next weekend. All the sudden I have alot of ideas in my head, I just need to get them into something that I can see and touch. I went to JoAnn's today to buy fabric and see anything new, but I'll have to show you tomorrow. So until then, take care and goodnite -- it's been a good day!

Friday Happiness

Great news! I just got an email from the European Book Company that my order for Marie Claire Idees #68 will ship out on Monday! I can't wait! At least it's coming from San Francisco, so the wait shouldn't be too long. (I think?)

My cousin Chris has invited me to work a Sunday craft fair with her. In the meantime I have a week to get my goods in order, my daughter's too. Chris sells alot of vintage items and furniture. We have pillows, totebags and a few vintage kitchen items. We haven't been out to the craft fair since December and some of my things are still in plastic bins, so it's time to go through and see what I have and what should I add. I'm just excited to go see her, we have such a good time together, we haven't seen each other since New Year's. Anyway, I'll be poking around blogland for new ideas, there are so many creative people out there! I wish some of it would rub off on me.

Just about work

I don't have much to write about today. I'm working another split shift today and tomorrow, so leaves me with little time for crafting. My co-worker called in sick this morning, actually her son is very sick. So to make a long story short, I ended up working by myself with around 30 children! I know it sounds crazy, but actually it turned out pretty well, the kids were awesome. I did have to raise my voice a couple of times, but before you know it most of them were off to school. The morning went by super fast. We had Mother's Day projects that needed to be finished and the rest of them played board games or on the computer. A pretty interesting morning. Hopefully, I'll have something a little more interesting write about tomorrow.

Recycling Fabric

At work we had a mom come in and drop off a box load of fabric remnants. Looks like they are samples for furniture or draperies. Her employer was going to throw them away, so she thought maybe at our childcare program we could use them for an art project or just give them away to whoever wanted them. Here is a partial photo of my stash.


Well, there are too many to use for a simple projects, but the children are having fun playing "fabric store" with them. I get such a kick out of watching them while I do paper work and clean up before I take them to Kindergarten. I tell them "I'll be at the shop in a few minutes and to do some shopping"! Right now it's a novelty and they are loving it. They have the little cash register out and bags to put your purchases in. Of course, there alot of workers and I'm the only customer! Too funny! Anyway, I've been bringing samples home and have plans to make something - pillows and totebags are all I can think of right now. I was playing around with them and made this bag, I think it would be good for shopping or books. It's pretty sturdy. Book or journal covers is another idea.

Late, again!

Well, better late than not posting at all. Posting daily is already a bit of a challenge for me and I barely started! Anyway I spent part of the afternoon wondering what the heck am I going to make for my Mom for Mother's Day and will I get it done in time? I have to pack and ship it, I think it will barely make it if I send it Priority. Therefore I went shopping . . . . and what do you get someone that has just about everything? She doesn't need any more knick-knacks. So I went to World Market and bought her some food items and two very cute tea towels, my daughter will pick her up a pound of coffee from Starbucks and I'll put everything together in a basket tomorrow and ship it off, pronto!

As promised, here's my version of the Black Apple doll from the pattern created by Emily Martin (Inside a Black Apple) that was featured on Martha Stewart show. I think she turned out pretty cute, even though one arm went a little wayward.

Have a great evening and I'll see you tomorrow.

It's late!

Well, late for me and I almost forgot to post today. I really want to stay on track here, but today I don't have much to write about and no photos. I have my doll that I finished and want to show off - the Black Apple Doll I posted about earlier, she is so sweet! I didn't get a chance to take a picture. Today was busy, even though I just work mornings, time does get away from me. Plus my cable was out this afternoon when I'm usually online. I couldn't go online, my tv was out and no phone calls either (that was a good thing!). So instead I glanced through the latest issue of Home Companion Magazine, ironed my husband's shirts while I watched "Enchanted" again. I love that movie! I'm wierd, but I like to iron. It was sort of a peaceful afternoon. Then of course I ended up running errands and then had to start dinner. I've been up since 4:00am and I really should be in bed soon, I need to be up by 5am! Yikes, so it's off to bed and I will have more to write about tomorrow. Good nite.

Good Morning!

Well, I do have a little bit to share this morning, a photo of my finished embroidery on a simple white apron. I used one of the Sublime Stitching patterns, but I couldn't find the cupcake pattern, I'm sure we have it in our stash of patterns, but now gone missing. So I found a cupcake pattern at The Floss Box. Thank you, Emily! It was a bear to stitch on the pocket, though. I had a small hoop that fit inside the pockets, but still fidgety. It looks like one pocket, but there is stitching down the middle that makes two pockets. I wasn't about to remove the pocket! Eeeek!

I'm so excited and bummed at the same time. I purchased Cotton Time magazine from an etsy seller. And I was lucky enough to find an online source to purchase Marie Claire's Idees (thanks for the hook up, Doe) . I've heard so many good things about these two magazines that I was looking forward to receiving them. Unfortunately, Marie Claire Idees is sold out, but they say they will try to get more copies. So I guess I'll have to wait ....

There you have it another post in May for me. I hope you're having a super weekend!

A Post a Day in May

Yes, I'm going to give it a go and join Jenny's challenge at allsorts and start posting every day this month or at least try to. This will be a challenge for me to find interesting and crafty things to write about and be able to stay on task. I'm not much of a writer, but I love reading blogs, so this is good experience for me! She has a great blog, lots of fun stuff! So hop on over when you get the chance and join the challenge!