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.