Spring Trip

We planned a trip to Sheridan, WY to attend our friend's celebration of his 40th anniversary as a priest with a visit to Alliance, NE to see Larry's family.

The drive to Nebraska was uneventful for us - not so for 3 travelers we observed in various single vehicle accidents. Sobering events to say the least.

With a little rain and little snow and lots of wind we made it to Alliance for a week's visit with family. We seem to bring lousy weather with us each time we visit - or at least that is what we are told.

The highlight of the trip was our brief visit in Sheridan. It was such a pleasure to be able to make it to Sheridan for this momentous event. It was so nice to see Tom Ogg - it has been a few years. What he has lost in hair Larry and I have gained in pounds and wrinkles! A lovely event, well organized with lots of nice people. We will pray that Fr. Ogg retires in 3 years as he has planned and that he gets to be less of an administrator.

Beware Cute Fabric!

While a friend and I were on an escape day we happened into Walmart. I headed for the fabric section and while I was looking for something new I happened upon a cute fleece fabric with animals. Not only was it an interesting design, the fleece itself was velvet soft.

Fast forward to purchasing not only the fleece but a bunch of flannel as well. The end result is a couple of snuggles for babies as well as a couple of pillows made from the scraps. Isn't the animal print the cutest! I may purchase more for more projects!

Busy, busy, busy

The last couple of weeks it seems like we have been riding, driving at every turn.

We flew to Spokane, WA and were picked up by the owner of the yellow Valkyrie trike and taken to Moses Lake - where we purchased the trike and stayed the night. If you are looking for a good place to eat Michael's is good.

It was an incredibly cold ride home. We left Mose Lake with temps below 50 degrees and I think the maximum was 55. We were in such a hurry I mistakenly agreed to forgo installing the wiring for our heated gear - stupid me! We ran into a mini blizzard in Crescent, Oregon but made it as far as Klamath Falls the first day. Thank heavens the Super 8 has a hot tub. The next day we waited until 10 a.m. to leave because it was once again below 50 degrees. By the time we rode to Weed, CA we were peeling off outer layers. Made it home safe, sound and reasonably warm.

We were home 4 days and headed for Coarsegold, CA for the brake upgrade on my trike. That was another 2 day adventure and chilly ride.

We now have 6 days to get ourselves organized before we leave for Nebraska and Wyoming.

Spring Continues

While the skies have been clear and sunny the temperatures have been decidedly wintry.

Sunday we traveled to Santa Rosa to pickup a new laptop for a friend. I lovely drive in the Mustang. Daren and Kristie also came for a visit.

We visited with Daren and Kristie and then had lunch at Jack's Gaslight in Lakeport. Except for the fact Jack doesn't appear to have a heating system and it took forever to receive our food it was great - as usual. Daren's friend Jonathan visited with us during lunch.

Today was "use up as many oranges as possible" day - so I baked. I find it amazing that many recipes online request frozen orange juice, not the real deal. Go figure! I think I'm down to 20 lbs. of oranges we grew.

The orange tree is now covered in orange blossoms - they smell so nice.

The photo of the yellow trike is Larry's newest ride - which we will pick up in Washington state next Monday.

The bottom photo is of friends Carol J., Suzanne S., Michele P. and Chuck G. taken after breakfast last Sunday.

Enjoying life.

I've taken a little vacation from my craft projects. They are calling to me so I'll get back to them soon.

Last weekend we went to Sacramento to begin our little group ride San Simeon. We departed the Sacramento area using the levee road to Locke where we met up with Bill, Eileen, Steve and Jo. We continued down the levee road beyond Hwy 12. We stayed off of the interstate and it made for a long day. The temperatures were in the 90s, but the traffic was reasonable.

We stopped in Gilroy for lunch at Famous Dave's BBQ. Larry & I wanted to see if it was as good as the one in Billings, MT. It is. Major YUM!

We arrived in San Simeon and had enough time to walk across Hwy 1 for dinner at the Mexican restaurant. The restaurant is the same as it was the last time we were in the area - not very good.

On Monday we went to Hearst Castle for tour number two. Lots of stairs. Nice weather and a very interesting tour guide.

We left San Simeon to 51 degree temps and riding over to Paso Robles it got down to 45 degrees. For me it was the first day I have ridden wearing my insulated gear all day long. I don't think it ever got above 60! We managed to stop at Famous Dave's again on the way home. Didn't want to miss the offer of a free dessert! At Gilroy we headed east and rode north on I-5. As we neared Sacramento we found lots of wind. Glad it wasn't for the entire ride.

I purchased a new camera and managed to leave it on the table in Sacramento so the photos posted of our little ride (800 miles round trip to Lake County) were taken by our friend Jo. Thanks!

Evening Wrap Instructions

Here are the instructions for the 60" long evening wrap.

Materials Needed:

¼ yard of 60 inch sari or brocade weight fabric (FRONT)

¼ yard of 60 inch silky weight fabric for lining (BACK)

½ yard fringe – at least 2 inches long, even longer would be good

Double stick tape

Thread to match

Trim edges of fabric pieces. Make sure both pieces of fabric are the same size.

On the right side, narrow end, of the FRONT fabric place 2 inch sections of double stick tape an inch from the edges at approximately 2 inch intervals. Place the correct width of fringe on the tape. (Make sure your fringe is neat on the edges or it will not look good.)

Do the same thing at the other end. You now need to place tape on the top of the fringe (if you don’t the BACK won’t hold for sewing).

Place the tape on the long edges in the same manner.

Carefully place the BACK (right side) on the FRONT (right side) and fringe. Matching edge to edge.

The double stick tape will hold the fabrics together for sewing.

Starting about 5 inches from a corner begin sewing a ¼ inch seam. Sew all the way around stopping 3 inches from where you started.

Trim the corners and edges, except where the opening is.

Using the opening, turn to the right side. Using a long handled utensil, poke the corners so they are neatly squared.

Remove the double stick tape.

Press the seams. Top stitch the opening and around the entire wrap.

For a longer wrap purchase two ¼ yards of fabric for FRONT. Sew ends together. Cut to length you want. Do the same with the lining fabric (BACK). Proceed with instructions.

For a wider wrap purchase ½ yard of fabrics. Tape and sew.

If these instructions are not clear enough I'll do a step by step tutorial.

Heat Resistant Curling Iron Bag

When we travel I do my hair just as we are leaving. I hate having to put the hot curling iron in the luggage. So once I became interested in sewing again I looked for a pattern to make something that will keep the heat from ruining anything. Saw where someone has a patent on some kind of curling iron bag, also saw advertisements for bags selling for $20 and up - didn't even look.

I tried to modify instructions from a tote bag I found on line but just couldn't get it to do what I wanted with two different fabric patterns and with the heat resistant lining. After trying four times and having all four not being what I was looking for I had an "Eureka" moment. So here it is - my first pattern. The pattern assumes people already know how to sew.

Copyright 2008. This pattern is intended for your personal use only. Please do not post this pattern on any other site or claim it as your own. The items you make belong to you and you may sell them at craft fairs, bazaars, and to family, friends, and you may donate them to any charity, as long as you give me credit as the designer. Please ask permission before selling online. Selling in mass to retail or wholesale stores is prohibited.

Suzanne’s Heat Resistant Curling Iron Bag

28" piece of ribbon, lace, cord or whatever you like
Thread to match or compliment fabric
Permanent fabric adhesive
Two pieces of cotton fabric 15 inches x 6 inches for OUTSIDE
Two pieces of cotton fabric 15 inches x 6 inches for INSIDE
Two pieces of Insul-Bright™ heat resistant lining 14 3/4 inches long x 6 inches (or whatever brand you prefer)

Using one piece of outside fabric and one piece of inside fabric - place right sides together and sew at narrow end. You should now have a single piece of fabric 29 ¾ long with two different patterns.

Repeat for the remaining fabric pieces.

Place and pin the long pieces of fabric right sides together – outside fabric to outside fabric, inside fabric to inside fabric.

Place and pin Insul-Bright™ pieces on either side of the OUTSIDE fabric BOTH sides. (The OUTSIDE fabric will be sandwiched between the Insul-Bright lining.)

Starting on a lower side of the INSIDE fabric end stitch edges together with ¼ inch seam leaving an opening long enough to turn right side out.

Remove pins, trim corners and edges (except for the open place) and turn fabric right side out – should be a 5 ½ inch wide by 29 1/2 inch long tube of fabric. Press the seams.

Top stitch the opening used to turn fabric.

Now – stuff the top 14 3/4 inches of fabric down into the opening – you will end up with a fully lined heat resistant 14 3/4 inch x 5 ½ inch tube.

Stitch around the top edge where ever you like – this will keep the lining in place.

Using permanent fabric adhesive on the outside 2 inches from the top opening place a 28” piece of lace, ribbon, cord, tape or whatever you like. Place the adhesive on the back and 1" on the front of the tube, put the ribbon on the adhesive. Allow to dry.

Place the curling iron in the bag – tie ribbon in a bow.

This may also be made with all the same fabric – simply cut two 30 inch x 6 inch pieces and pin right sides facing. Pin Ultra-Bright™ pieces to one end. Continue with the remainder of the instructions.

You could make this shorter if you just wanted a bag long enough to put the hot barrel in and not the entire device.

This can be this simple, or you could embellish the front with appliques, beads, sequins or whatever takes your fancy.

Enjoy.

One More wrap

Decided to make one more item today. This wrap was created using 45" wide fabric 1/2 yard long. I had to cut the fabric in half lenghwise and sew it together and cut it to 60" to fit the black silky lining I had. The 2" fringe is okay, but longer would look even better. I think next time I have 45" wide fabric I will purchase more 60" wide lining and make a longer wrap. Not everyone fits in a 60" long evening wrap.

Still at it!

The internet is such a great source for ideas and free patterns to excerise one's creativity!

A snuggle, a couple of heat resistant curling iron bags, motorcycle lady and teal/lavender lady.

I hope to make some more evening wraps and tote bags this week....in between dental appointments!

The Evening Wrap

I purchased some lovely material to make an evening bag and decided that it was large enough and too nice to just make a bag. So I bid on some fringe on Ebay and won. Then I a few weeks later I picked up some lining material and thought it wasn't enough. So last week I finally had everything to begin the wrap.

It is so pretty!

Snuggle Quilt

I once said I wasn't interested in sewing a quilt, even lap size. Then I saw a lady on Simply Quilts that makes tube quilts. Tube quilting means no little squares and no little triangles to cut and sew, but the result looks like you spent lots of time cutting and sewing.

This little number took a couple of hours to get together and then another hour to sew on the binding which I did in my own way, not necessarily the right way!

I found the fabric for this quilt at Walmart. Say what you will, whoever is doing the purchasing for their fabric department does an excellent job and the prices are reasonable too!

Drawstring Bag

This bag is made from a fabric design that I love (I picked it up at Walmart!)

A big thank you to "Happythings" blogger! This project was great. I never would have tried a drawstring bag had it not been for the "magic"! I used grosgrain ribbon for the "string" because I couldn't wait for cording!

Little Yellow Bag

This bag is about the size of a comestic bag. It was lots of fun to make with the fabric Barbara sent from Montana.

This was fun because the tutorial was precise and there was room for creativity!

Thanks to Crafty Ladies for the tutorial!

Two new ladies.

The Sassy lady with the tangerine hair is for fun.

The Polka lady with the yellow hair was commissioned - just hope it is what she had in mind!

Next up - lady motorcyclist!

A little of this...

and a little of that! Life isn't boring! Larry's has been cutting and chipping branches around the yard. His arms looks like he's been chewed on!

Today we had AWESOME Thai food at the Kour Thai in Lucerne, CA....hope this lady stays in business a long time.

I have made more ladies and some bags!

While Larry is busy doing taxes at the senior center and walking dogs at the animal care and control department I'm trying to keep myself busy without getting bored doing one thing.
My latest projects are tote bags - found an awesome instructions to make a one-yard of fabric into a tote bag. I decided to see what would happen if I used 1/2-yard of fabric. A little small, but do-able.

I have 5 sitting ladies ready to begin the pretty process. I'll work on those between yard work projects!

By request and then some!

The weather has turned into spring...hope it lasts. We've been getting some yard work done, as well as getting or things organized.

We had joined a woodworking class but that turned out to be a major joke - so we chalked up the $30 as a donation! Apparently the only reason people take the course is to use the tools, not to actually learn to use the tools and build something.

At the request of a friend I made the two garden ladies. I made the "freedom" lady as a raffle prize.

Today I made the tote bag for my niece out of a single yard of material. She is turning 7 so I hope it doesn't swamp her!

Wednesday's "Job"

Yesterday I hit some thrift stores and found 2 wool sweaters to make into boiled wool "cloth".

After boiling or felting the wool I made a beret from a Martha Stewart pattern....I need to try this again, looks more like a beanie!

Last, but not least, my latest pieced apron. This one I let the fabric "talk" to me. I began the apron by using a purchased applique rose (from the dollar store) to a piece of fabric and went from there. Probably a little bazaar, but I think it is marketable!

Red Hat Lady

This little lady was a request from a friend - and I got to have free license on just how I accomplished the task.

These are so much fun to make! Her "boobies" are little fuzzy pom-poms.