Monday, May 31, 2010

Please take a moment today....

to honor all who have died for their country and our freedom
and all who have served and continue to serve 
in the United States Armed Forces.

 

My father, retired United States Air Force....


....visiting his son, my brother and best friend, United States Marine.

Please support and thank all the men and women
who serve in our United States Armed Forces...
many leave their family and friends behind and put their lives on the line
 for your freedom every day.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Three day weekend...


a perfect time to get started on those Christmas stockings you didn't get completed last year.

Oakleigh's stocking


Mommy and Daddy's stockings to match.


Stocking for one of my daughter's teachers.


Below are a couple more teacher stockings...
 I am showing the stockings before I completed them to show how easy these were to make.
I do the (faux) cuff, heal, toe and embroidery all on the front, then stitch them together with the lining afterwards.



I made Terry a stocking and one for her cocker spaniel, Penny.


I know this one is a little strange but, Sandra loves leopard prints.


If you start now, you will have them completed, "stuffed" and scratched off your Christmas list by July.

Wouldn't that feel great?

Friday, May 28, 2010

Lavender and yellow...

Our gladiolus are blooming.....


Pretty, aren't they?


What's blooming in your yard today?

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Busy day....

Just doing a bit of painting.
From this...


and this...


to this.....


The result after two coats of Kilz2 Latex primer and two coats semi-gloss enamel paint.
I love it !

Todays link:

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Just hanging in the kitchen....


Ever need an extra hand while cooking?
Here is my solution.


This works great to hold a small book or recipe open and off the counter - giving you more counter space to work.
So, next time you get one of those "throw away" hangers with your purchase, don't add it to the landfill - be creative.
What would you use it for?
I would love to hear your ideas.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Rachael Ray

I have a niece who loves, loves, loves Rachael Ray.
For her birthday I gave her a subscription to Everyday With Rachael Ray and
this apron.



Sunday, May 23, 2010

Pepperoni, extra cheese - please.....

What could be better than this?


 Free pizza delivery to your boat !
Homosassa, Florida

Friday, May 21, 2010

Meet Madeline....

My new sewing buddy....


Isn't she cute?
She was my Mother's Day gift.

She's outside "catching a few rays" right now but, very soon...
(Shhh.... she doesn't know it yet...)
Playtime will be over, and I will be putting her to work!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

What's for dinner tonight?


Want something tasty, cheap and really easy for dinner tonight?
Even if you don't care for salsa, you might want to give this recipe a try. My husband dislikes salsa but, loves the flavor it gives this chicken.
This is way too easy.....
You can use any brand salsa you like. I use Wal-Mart brand
because it's cheaper and just as tasty.
I usually cook 5 chicken breasts but you can probably do more. I start with one breast, pour a little salsa, layer another breast, more salsa and keep on layering till you end up with salsa on top of the last piece of chicken. I cook on low anywhere between 6 to 8 hours.
I have been known to put the chicken in the Crockpot frozen and it still seems to do fine. 


As you can see.... I have a very old Crockpot.
Still works, so I don't get rid of it.
If your Crockpot is "getting up there in years" here's a test you can do to make sure it's still safe to use.

This article was written in the food section of our daily newspaper.
Here's how to test it:
Fill it about 1/3 full of water, turn it on low and let it heat for about two hours. Then open it and quickly put a food thermometer in it. If the thermometer registers at least 165 degrees, it's OK. If it's less than that, you're better off throwing it away. Replace the lid and continue heating on low for 6 more hours (total 8 hours). Check the temperature of the water again. The temperature of the water should be 185 degrees to in order avoid potential food safety problems.

Now, put your dinner in the Crockpot..... and go sew !

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Yikes ! A mouse in the kitchen ?


But isn't he cute?


This was a birthday gift for one of my daughter's teachers.
I could not resist these little cards. I purchased 2 boxes of 10 cards each. Having 20 cards, I chose to divide them up and include them in with other gifts as well.  Here, tied with ribbon, are 5 of those cards and envelopes.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Gift basket


              I am expecting a new grandbaby in November, which got me thinking about
Miss Oakleigh's baby shower.
I thought I would share the gift basket I put together for her.
I included a bib, hat, receiving blankets, onsies, baby hangers, door hanger, powder, lotion, oil and wipes.






Not wanting those ugly labels to show, I made my own girly ones.




Close-up of matching tag.


The basket before wrapping.


The finished product...all wrapped and ready to go.



Sunday, May 16, 2010

Never too soon...



Right Now Is the Time to Be Kind.
 You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Friday, May 14, 2010

Reading in bed

Think Father's Day !
I made this a few years ago for my husband for his bedside.
It holds his favorite magazine, glasses, TV remote and more. 
The top slides between the mattress and box springs. The weight of the mattress will hold it in place. Only one problem - each time you change the sheets it falls off. To remedy that problem, I sewed Velcro to the top part that goes between the mattress and used sticky Velcro on the
box spring itself.
It works perfectly to hold it in place.




Is it obvious I married a fisherman?

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Tutorials Galore !

Got a few hours.......


Seriously, you could spend hours here... lots of great tutorials.


I will definitely be adding this site to my "fun places to visit".

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Another thrift store frame


If you haven't noticed yet, I am into quick and easy projects. 
Here's another easy one. I was attracted to this frame because of the crackle paint and corrugated cardboard mat - not the picture in it.  After going through my scrap fabric and embroidery designs, I came up with this instead.


When I tire of this ..... I can easily change it out to something
 completely different.
Why not change it for the holidays.....
... a little row of snowmen for Christmas, hearts for Valentines, pumpkins, bunnies, etc.
Use your imagination.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Summer vacation


Ever wonder what to do with all those shells you picked up
 on your summer vacation ?
Why not display them.


These shells are from a trip to Longboat Key, Florida.
I downloaded a photo of our family taken at the beach into Printshop, included the name of the beach at the top and our names at the bottom of the photo. This idea can be adapted to any vacation. Maybe a collection of river rocks, matchbooks, restaurant stir sticks, key chains from different places, or just a variety of little trinkets collected from your trip.
Not going out of town this summer? Your kids can collect things from their local adventures such as: Concert, theater or museum tickets, interesting shaped rocks from the park, driftwood, photos etc.

Whatever you do.....
Have a safe and wonderful summer vacation!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mothers Day !



As children, we would ask my mother what she wanted for Mothers day.
She would say “Just one whole day of peace and quiet."
We used to laugh and say “No really, what do you really want?”
Now that I am a mother.....
I finally get it !

Wishing everyone a wonderful Mothers Day..... everyday.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Cherries Jubilee...

I purchase white restaurant tablecloths from Sam's Club for everyday use. These tablecloths wash really well and only require a little ironing.
In order for these tablecloths to fit my dining room table, I need to cut about 2 feet off the length - leaving me with plenty of leftover fabric to ponder over.
Oh, what to do....
napkins, sachets, dresser scarf, small pillows, or maybe just a little decorative dishtowel....

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Pennie Pocket Swap


Recently I hosted a small swap using the Pennie Pocket pattern from
Since everyone who participated was somewhat new to sewing, I thought the Pennie Pocket was a perfect choice.
You can check out our finished projects below.

Made by Danise for Barbara

Made by Bonnie for Danise

Made by me (Lucy) for Bonnie

Made by Debbie for me (Lucy)

Made by Barbara for Debbie

Didn't everyone do a GREAT job?

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Camera sleeve


Recognize these fabric scraps?
Yep, they are leftover from Oakleigh's advent calendar.
Since I had no pattern for the calendar I experimented with the size of the pockets. I originally cut long strips of fabric and added bias tape to the top of each row. After deciding how large I wanted each pocket, I then cut off the excess, leaving strips about 4 inches wide.


Several months later, while on vacation, I misplaced my camera case.
I keep this little camera in my purse and needed something to protect it from scratches.
I remembered those little leftover scraps and made myself a new camera case.


The fabric is pre-quilted so it worked perfectly.


                       



                              


Monday, May 3, 2010

Pillow or Plastic ?

I can't believe how easy this plastic bag holder was to make. 
The flower design I purchased on sale for $.99 this week from
Embroidery Library.







Truth be known.......
This did not start out as a plastic bag holder. I purchased this home decor fabric to make pillows for my porch rockers.  After stitching the design onto the fabric, I realized it was not the look I wanted. Not wanting to waste the fabric and design, I decided to make this plastic bag holder instead.
 Even though I use market totes when I grocery shop, somehow I still seem to end up with a few plastic bags.