From the Work Basket: May

Sewing clothing is not my forte

Although I took two semesters' worth of sewing classes in high school (just sewing - these weren't home ec. classes. I'm thinking if I went back to my alma mater those classes would no longer exist...), I didn't learn much about apparel sewing. Usually I would get too caught up in "real" school work, and finished sewing assignments using less than honest means (i.e. my mom's employees). I wasn't going to risk a grade less than an A in an elective, and I guess dishonesty runs in the family.

I really should sit down and learn how to do things right, but in the end I just want to get things done. So long as the clothing pieces are functional, I am satisfied. First lesson, should I choose to slow down and make it right, would be to learn how to insert a zipper. The one used in this project is neither hidden nor flat.

The fabric was thrifted years ago, and was obviously used for curtains. I was pleased in picking up this project again that I had to take it in by 2 inches. Pattern is Simplicity 4233. Charm bracelet from Inspireco.

(I can't believe there are three more apparel projects on the work basket list - help me!)

Remaining work basket projects (in no particular order:

- Quilt for my mom

- Sandwich wrap

- Carpet bag

- Tunic

- Hooded towel repair

- Vest for Hank

- Men's shirt refashion

Completed projects:

January: Baby pants

February: Baby quilt (using BT's baby blanket)

March: Apron repair

April: New bulletin board

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Recent favorite: I'm on The Storque!

Working on: Curtains. Lots and lots of curtains (sneak peek above)

Hope you aren't distracted from the loveliness of this package by the backwards "D"

As some of my long-time readers will recall, I used to participate in a number of swaps.

At some point I realized the swaps were quite expensive (I'm pretty sure some of my boxes, including international shipping, were close to $100), and kind of cooled off on them. But, like most things, it seems with time you forget the bad aspects, and get a hankering to experience the fun all over again. When Rebecca posted news of the Vintage Cowgirl swap, I started going over all the things I already had on hand that would fit with a swap of this theme. I figured I could do a decent package without much shopping, and I think I was right!

*Fortunately* in sharing info about each other, my partner, Elaine, noted that she enjoys cooking as one of her hobbies. The focus of my imagined package was kind of a pioneer cowgirl theme, so that worked out perfectly!

I started with a vintage Ovenex loaf pan we found in cleaning out BT's parents' garage, which I presume belonged to BT's grandma. We found a few of these pans, and I had spray painted them white with the intention of screwing them into the wall and using them as shadow boxes (a la Heidi). I used one as a gift basket of sorts for Elaine's gift. I also included a thrifted chicken scratch apron I bought a few years ago.

(The handmade elements)

The next "on hand" element was the embroidery piece used to make a hot pad. I started this piece when I was participating in Hot Mitt Monthly. I think this was for a month with a western theme. I had finished the girl, but none of the background aspects (fortunately I had saved my drawing, as the marker pen had long faded). I had the denim and cute red bandana fabric on hand - just enough to make a hot pad.

As part of the swap, we needed to use a vintage cowgirl image. I was fortunate to find an image of a one hot "cookie" ringing a dinner bell. I made a little folio for some recipe cards I made using some western themed paper I had on hand, and tied it closed with suede cord. I filled in the recipe cards after taking this shot with recipes like cowgirl cookies, BBQ baked beans, etc.

I framed another cowgirl image using a mini tart pan. I mod-podged the image and added a little glitter and a ribbon loop for hanging.

Kind of last minute I decided to make a button bouquet to place in a silver pitcher I think I had on hand from the western Christmas tree.

Also shown in the handmade image is a "cowgirl brooch" I made (also last minute) using a thrifted handkerchief and a horse patch I've had for some time.

Really the only things I had to buy were a few food items from Cost Plus, including old time candy, Cholula hot sauce, and some chipotle flavored sauce. I sewed a little bag to hold the dry ingredients to make corn bread. The gift tag was from Mary Ann, so I could not do a redo to fix my mistake of the backwards stamped D - doh!

Elaine has a little grandson that lives with her, so I made a little bag for him with gold mine candy, a small wooden top to paint, and a deputy star (also from the western tree).

All told, I think I spent about $10 (in the current sense) to complete this package. I was very proud of myself, and happy with how it turned out! Hope Elaine enjoys it was well. Yee-haw!

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Recent favorite: Cute party idea

Working on: Canning party prep. Oh yeah - still have to do a work basket project, too!

This is how it goes

Browsing through Michaels, a stamp in the dollar bin caught my eye. Digging through the bin, I discovered a few more that had to come home with me.

Shopping addiction strikes again. As a side note, Michaels is rivaling the dollar store as of late with its oodles of cheap China crap. I'd be curious how junk sales compare to sales of craft items, but the junk must be profitable for the store 'cause there is more and more of it.

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Favorite of the day: I heart surprise balls

Working on: Vintage Cowgirl swap - due tomorrow!

Random Musings

Sorry for being MIA as of late. I am working on a swap package due Monday, and I also found out I am a hostess for a House Party to host a canning party - yeah! - so I have been busy planning for that.

It seems the internets are brimming with wonderfulness as of late. Here are a few things I am digging

~ Mini root beer float cupcakes (via edible crafts)

~ Vintage picnic sets

~ The cutest engagement photo session of all time (via kirtsy)

~ Counting fish game craft and printable picture recipe (via The Crafty Crow)

~ I would never have the patience or inclination to make the cake, but the Ewok cupcakes surrounding it are a-dorable (via Neatorama)

~ French breakfast puffs (via Shelterrific)

~ My new blogging idol. I had a lot of the same ideas saved as "favorites," but now have those times ten. And 13 ounces or less gifts to send in the mail? I think we may be blogging soul mates.

Take care, dear friends.

8 gifts for $6

We're home! Back to the land of toilet seat covers. Mid-westerners must all perfect the art of hovering, since none of the public restrooms I have used in the tri-state area have 'em. But this California girl appreciates having the little paper cover between her and the toilet seat.

The trip was --- good. There were a few toddler troubles, and the weather was god-awful, but I am trying to focus on all the good times with family as I file away the memories from this trip.

We were fortunate to be in town for several events, including two birthdays, an anniversary party, and Mother's Day. Of course I also needed a few thank you gifts for aunts who hosted us and lent us baby gear. As mentioned previously, I tried to be prepared by bringing gifts from home versus buying stuff there.

First up, a birthday for a three year old

I pulled a few items from the gift bin, including a set of "monster hands," a finger puppet monster, and some bubbles. I fortunately had an extra fishcakes sticker on hand to adorn a plain gift bag to tie everything together.

Next, we had a 40th anniversary party. My aunt and uncle are very family oriented, so I decided to make a family tree

The background paper was a random Michaels buy, and the inspiration for the tree shape and apples was from a set of paper I purchased years ago from the Target dollar section. I was able to cut out the apples from one of the sheets from this set to adorn the tree

(My aunt and uncle's names are on the truck of the tree. Red apples are for their kids and their spouses, and yellow apples are for the grandkids). It was mounted on a piece of paper board, and the card said I would let them decide on a frame (tee hee).

Sunday was Mother's Day, of course. My mom had also flown in for this trip, but warned me she didn't have an ounce to spare to take anything home. I hope this ended up making it back with her

It is a travel jewelry pouch made using Thimble's pattern. I need one of these, too!

I also made a little gift basket for my grandma using a cute recycled jar I filled with honey (risky to take something so messy on the plane, but I triple wrapped it in case of explosion), tea bags with altered tags, and a cute hand-painted dish towel.

We had dinner with a couple of my aunts on Mother's Day, so I made up some little favors for all of us. I brought the tulle circles, twine, and butterflies (which were left over from a bridal shower I co-hosted), and just needed to buy candy in Iowa. The candy cost $6, and this was the only item I purchased for all the gifts described here!

It was also my grandma's birthday this week. I gave her a glass wind chime (also risky to travel with) similar to the one I made for Rebecca, with a stamped image on the paper "chime." I guess I forgot to take a pic of that one...

I needed a couple of thank you gifts. For my aunt who hosted us, I made three loop loom pot holders

I am almost out of my brightly colored jersey loops - hope I can find some more!

For my aunt who loaned us a car seat for the week, I gave a little candle and a heartfelt thank you card.

I brought a pack of thank you cards in case other things came up that required a note of thanks. I got a little distracted from properly thanking everybody for their hospitality and generosity, due to said toddler troubles. But, hopefully everybody knows how much we enjoyed our visit.

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Recent favorite: Speaking of favors -- may do something along these lines for Christmas this year.

Working on: A swap package. I know - can you believe it?

May 5th

So many things associated with May 5. Cinco de Mayo, of course. The birthday of the son of friends. My grandfather's passing. And also, Japanese Children's Day (formerly just Boy's Day was celebrated on this date in Japan). We chose this year to focus on the latter event by flying carp flags

Eating sushi

(Excuse the painter's tape. We stupidly decided to work on our dining room this week concurrent with preparing for our trip)

and coloring a samurai

We had quesadillas for dinner, so we got a little Mexican in, too.

I will be going on vacation for a week - don't have too much fun without me!

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Favorite of the day: I heart all travel posters, I've decided. But these are particularly rad.

Have you checked out the raffle today?

Working on: Shifting stuff around to get our suitcases under 50 pounds.

Teacher Appreciation

Just a couple inexpensive tokens of our appreciation for our teachers this week -

Using an idea from Skip to My Lou, we gave a bowl full of Milky Way candy bars with a sign that says we think our teachers are out of this world.

Today we brought Gerbera daisies with a thank you tag attached. Hank was very excited to present each teacher and aide with a flower, and then he would sorta lean in as if he was giving them permission to hug him. Very cute.

We also brought bagels and cream cheese for a breakfast being hosted for the teachers tomorrow.

I never thought I would like Hank's school as much as I do. It seems kind of generic and institutional from the outside, but fortunately is staffed with some really great people. Almost all the teachers and toddlers that are there now are the same folks as when Hank started. He seems to be learning a lot there -new words, and even gymnastics. We really do appreciate our teachers, and all the men and women out there who are called to teach.

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Favorite of the day: Picnic club - check, but only if it looks half as nice as this.

Working on: Last minute gifts! Heck - last minute everything!

Life is hard - let's go shopping!

Thus ends my week of "no shopping." I started out strong, but lost resolve over the weekend, with the trip to Target on Saturday and Ikea on Sunday. I bought one "extra" item at Ikea (for what purpose, I cannot say) in addition to the new window coverings we had scheduled to buy this month.

The lessons learned this week were very valuable. I definitely find comfort in shopping, and do it when I am bored, of feeling a little down. There was only one day that I didn't go to any shopping/eating establishments. Sometimes the desire to just know what is there motivates me to go to a store, even if I don't intend to buy anything (though, in most cases, I am sure I could find something). I seem to be able to justify buying thrift store items or items off etsy easier, but in the end they are still just things, and in most cases I can live without them. Except clothes. They may not be high end or particularly trendy, but I like to get a couple new things each month.

I did cut down on eating out this week - only one time that I paid for. That could save us some money. Oh, and I can drink the coffee at work, and don't need to stop at 7/11 or Starbucks every morning.

Something that can eat a lot of money from our budget is gifts. It seems I end up giving a lot of stuff away any given month. I don't think this is a bad thing necessarily, but it needs to be done on less money. I remember going to a financial planning class before we bought our home offered by the city of Long Beach. The man teaching the course ran through an ideal budget, and how much money should be going towards different things. A woman raised her hand and asked where gifts fit into the budget. She explained that she attended several birthday parties each weekend, and needed gifts for other family events throughout the month. The teacher laughed and said in a fiscally sound budget, there is no room for gifts. You just need to explain to people that you are trying to save money, and hope they understand.

I don't think I can go that far with things, as I do enjoy giving gifts, but am going to try now more than ever to make things or assemble gifts from things I have on hand (some are admittedly re-gifts, but some things I purchased with the intent of giving away). Eventually I would need to replenish my supplies, but so far I have been successful looking for ways to make the supplies I do have work (like this blanket). We are going on a trip this week, and I will *need* 6 gifts plus, potentially, favors for a party. It will be a pain to carry everything, but I am bringing homemade or home assembled gifts plus a pack of thank you cards. I was excited to take on the challenge!

Going forward, my goal will be to be more mindful of my shopping habits. I don't "deserve a treat" when I go shopping at Target, and it is ok to just stick with the things on my list. I will try to bring leftovers more often to eat at work. If I need to get out of the office, some days I will go to a park instead of heading on auto-pilot to the mall. I will make more gifts. I will be mindful of how things were made, and whether or not I am paying the "true cost" for an item (which equates to less shopping at the dollar store, I imagine).

Baby steps to cure this Shopaholic!

Peace offering

Our core group of friends consists of six couples + one bachelor. Most of the guys know each other from high school, and the women infiltrated the guy club one by one. *Fortunately* we all get along fabulously, and I am sure we would all be friends even if we had met under different circumstances.

Meeting new couples as a couple, as I'm sure you can relate, is a little more challenging. Typically one of us makes initial contact with one person, and then hope our spouse gets along with their spouse. We have had a few successes over the years, but more often than not, the uncomfortable party ends up backing out of couple activities that are planned.

BT has befriended one such couple. They seem nice, and have a common interest with BT (nerd games). I do not share this interest. Making small talk to find common interests we may share is not my strong point, and thus the friendship from my end has not progressed. BT has to nurture and cultivate this friendship on his own.

This couple has a slightly different view on social activities than our main circle of friends. Where the very hint of hosting a co-ed baby shower for one of our friends was shot down with a collective Hell No and indignation from the menfolk that the idea even crossed our minds, BT's new friends don't even question that men and women should both attend an event of this type.

The couple is having a baby. I was told the date of the shower, that the couple does not know if it is a boy or a girl, where they are registered, and other details my husband is usually not so good about remembering for events where I am more involved in the preparations (maybe it's good for him to be on his own from time to time). I decided to make them a little blanket, using fabrics I had on hand. I used one of the flowers shown in the busy print at the bottom of the blanket as inspiration for the appliqué. I also made a matching block using the fabrics from the blanket.

It's a little iffy to give somebody you don't know very well a handmade gift, but I feel pretty good about this one! Maybe it will help our friendship grow.

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Favorite of the day: Maggie Grace raffle starts Monday!

Shopping update: So, yeah. I forgot today was the 1st - my usual Target run day. We were completely out of paper towels, and on the last quarter roll of t.p. Pretty much stuck with the basics, plus a couple of tops for an upcoming trip. And then...I *needed* to go to Kohl's to find pants to go with the tops. I'm a failure...{sob}

Working on: Gifts galore for next week!