We're back from our trip south! We had a fantastic trip, it was amazing and beautiful, and to top it all off we got upgraded to 1st class on the way home!



Is anyone else having trouble seeing photos on flickr? Only about half of mine are showing up, and I can't see everyone else's either...







I actually got home almost a week ago but arrived home to broken internet, so posting may be sporadic for a little while... They're supposed to fix it tomorrow, but they've said that before! I have a ton to share (not just vacation photos!) so I'll be back as soon as I can!

Labels: photography, travel

I miss having a free week off at spring break like the school kids do... Fortunately this year it worked out for us to take our own spring break!


I think Baxter knows we're leaving...

This evening we're flying out for a full week in Costa Rica, with equal parts relaxing and adventuring. I'll be back with pictures in a week or so!

Labels: travel

On a whim, I dedicated February "No New Supplies" month... It was, for the most part, a success. I had to buy a zipper for the Mommy Bag, and while at JoAnns to get it I grabbed a couple cottons that were on sale. But that was my only slip! No beads, no online fabric orders.

Of course, now that it's March....

I just had to take advantage of Sally's tag sale.




Click to see those adorable pandas better!

And then Jessica posted about some new Repro Depot fabric, and I had to have it but it was lonely in my shopping cart...




Can you believe how precious those clouds are??

Apparently my February restraint was not enough to break my shopping habits... It did force me to use some fabric I was hoarding - I have a really hard time cutting into my favorites - so I might try this again, maybe every other month?

Labels: fabric

Some of you are probably familiar with Chick-fil-A, especially if you like waffle fries! A new location was opening near work, and if you are one of the first 100 through the door, you get a year of free Chick-fil-A (52 coupons for a free combo meal). The catch is that to be in the first 100, you have to get there early. Up to 24 hours early. And camp out. All night. Crazy right?? Well...





Yes, we camped out all night. You sign up when you get there, so there's no risk of anyone cutting or anything - no way I'm staying in a parking lot overnight without a guarantee of free food! We were with a few friends, and had a blast, and now have more free Chick-fil-A than we'll be able to eat... So if you're someone that knows me in real life, chances are you'll get some of the free chicken love!

Labels: me

So I kind of cheated for my 2nd unplugged night - I slept through it, since I was still recovering from the flu. I got home from work, took a three hour nap, got up for a tiny dinner, and was back in bed around 9:30. Maybe I'll have to have a secondary unplugged night to make up for it...

Now I just have to share my latest project - I finished this a week or so ago but had to wait for daylight to take some pictures. Jeanine, one of my best friends from high school, is due with her first baby in just a few weeks - official due date is March 20. In honor of her impending bundle of joy, I put together a Mommy Bag for her!



I'd call it a diaper bag, but I figure she has one of those already, and my sister insists she uses about five bags to get all her things everywhere now that she has Charlie... So it's a mommy bag!



On the outside there's a small front pocket lined with ribbon, and a large back pocket with a magnetic snap.



On the inside there's a large divided pocket, an elastic-edged bottle pocket, a key clip, and a pacifier holder.



The whole thing closes with a zipper and is very large. Here, I'll model -



I didn't quilt it like my other totes this style because this one is so big, it would have taken forever. I did interface the outer fabric and lining, so it holds its shape very well. I filled it with usefull goodies like wipes and diapers and made a little matching pouch for small things.



Although the length of this post kind of exhausts me, the project came together in a weekend, a lot faster than I thought it would! Now it's all wrapped and in the post, I hope she likes it!

P.S. - If anyone's interested, Michelle is hosting an embroidered button swap! It's animal-themed and should be a lot of fun, I joined and can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

Labels: 52 nights, bags, sewing, swaps

At least that's what I'm telling myself, as the bright side to how I started my weekend... Let me preface this by saying that I AM OKAY!!! Now on to the results of my Friday night:







I babysat Friday in the city for my nephew, and was almost home (only 1 mile from my house), about midnight. I was sitting completely stopped at a red light when I got hit from behind by a drunk driver doing about 35MPH (his airbags deployed, which the cop says usually happens at speeds 35MPH+ - so he could have been going faster). I was stopped behind an SUV, so the damage to the front is actually the worst.

Anyway, we don't know for sure but we think the car will be totaled. These pics are from the lot where it was towed. I'm really sad, this was the first new car I'd bought myself, it was paid off, and we planned to drive it a lot longer... But we'll figure it out! I'm just glad I made it out of there with only a sore neck!

Oh, and to top off a fantastic weekend, today I have the stomach flu. Oh well, I guess we can't win them all!

Labels: me

I always appreciate having a few quiet minutes to spend in my sewing room. This is especially nice on the weekends, when we are usually going at top speed! Recently I was busy sewing, and glanced up to see my entire zoo hanging out with me.



Can you spot everyone? Click if you need help!

Labels: craft room, family

I'm sure you're tired of hearing me go on about all the baby presents I have to make lately. Truly I love it! It's fun coming up with new things to make, or turning to old stand-bys. The last time I made a ribbon snuggly I took some pictures in case anyone is interested in what I've found works best for me...

1. Cut two pieces of fabric ~10x10" or 12x12" - size isn't critical as long as they're the same! I usually use cotton or flannel on once side and fleece on the other.



2. Cut a bunch of pieces of ribbon 4" long - try to vary the width and texture. I never throw away ribbon scraps now! Lay out around your fabric square as you go so you know how many to cut.



3. Fold the pieces of ribbon in half and pin to the right side of the cotton fabric, loops facing in. Try to space out evenly.



4. Baste the ribbons, using 1/4" seam allowance, pulling out the pins as you go.



5. Place the backing fabric face down on your cotton fabric, sandwiching the ribbons. Feel with your fingers to make sure there are no folded ribbons. Sew around the edge with slightly greater than a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving a ~4" gap to turn.

6. Turn right side out, poke out the corners with a knitting needle or chopstick, and topstitch around the whole edge. Be sure to close up the gap you left for turning.



The best part about this is it takes about 30 minutes once you get the hang of it!

Labels: how-to's, sewing

Last night was my first "unplugged" night and it was fantastic. P and I worked on the floors, then I made some dinner, and spent the rest of the evening taking care of things that have been on my list for ages. The coolest side effect was that P got into it, too, and I hadn't even told him what I was doing. Since I was being productive, he decided to give the dog a haircut and take care of a couple other things. I consider Night 1 a success!

I also wanted to share auction purse #2. I changed up the design a little bit and am so pleased:



The pleats are slightly different and the overall bag feels softer. I continued the same color fabric over to the inside, too, and I think this makes it look more finished.



The patch pocket might be my favorite yet! I always have trouble attaching them well, and this came out very neat. I also did a lot of top-stitching, which helps the overall look, I think.



And of course I have a pile of fabrics waiting to be more bags... It's fun to be back into bags, but the grass is always greener and I'm getting the quilt bug again!

Labels: 52 nights, bags, sewing

Have you heard about this yet? I saw it on Shelterrific. I think it is such a fantastic idea - Monday night each week, I am going to let go of anything electronic, no Tivo, no computer, no email or blogs. Tuesday I'll let you know how it goes.




Even in this little photo can you see how dusty everything is??

Anyone else want to join in? Sign up here. Wish me luck!

Labels: 52 nights