Hi, from Pennsylvania!

My Mom and I hit the road yesterday. After an 8 hour drive for me, we finally ended up in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, approximately 210 miles and 19 fights later.

Our first stop, of course, was Walmart in Warsaw, New York.




Not only was it the prettiest littlest Walmart ever, all nestled in the mountains (I'll talk about mountains in a moment) but it was the quietest Walmart I've ever been in.

Now, I consider myself quite smart, but boy was I ever astonished to realize that what seems like all of New York State and what I've seen in Pennsylvania so far is completely covered in mountains.







Time to pack up the laptop and hit the road again.....I have to check with my Mother and see if the fight-meter gets re-set to zero or do we start where we left off????

he he he

(she just said it should be re-set to zero)

Painting and one for the road...

Why don't I remember painting being so hard???? I decided that last week I was FINALLY going to paint the dining room. First of all, I had to deal with some wall repairs. Our house is 80 or 90 year old and has plaster walls which are being held up by wallpaper. I spent the first day making some minor repairs, but they did take me all day to do!!!

Next up, the walls. I painted them a very neutral taupe colour and I'm quite pleased with that but that took me two days. (Am I a super slow painter, or what?). Then, even though I had decided I did not want to paint the ceiling, it became apparent that I HAD to. It was very dingy compared to my new freshly painted walls.

I had never painted a ceiling before and foolishly decided to start that project at 5:00 in the evening. When the sun went down I had to stop and finish that up the next morning, I was really having trouble determining what I had painted and what I hadn't.

Then came the trim. Fortunately, Joe was home and gave me a hand with that, but again, that took an entire day.

But I'm happy with it.



I had big plans to do the hallway and doors this week, but I just couldn't do it. I plan to get around to that in August as well as paint the bedroom and bathroom.

This week I've been getting ready to take a Thelma & Louise style road trip with my Mom. We are leaving on Sunday and coming home on Thursday or Friday. More about that later.

But of course, how could I possibly hit the road without at least ONE new Simplicity 3835???? I couldn't.



This fabric drove me nuts. It was a bit tricky to sew because it had some stretch to it. I think I love it, but the jury's still out.

I might be able to blog while I'm away, but if not, have a super and safe week!!

We're back

Whew! What a super week we had up at the cottage!

We arrived last Sunday and I woke up at sunrise on Monday morning to get some photos.



As I was snapping the photos the loons were calling and the fish were jumping right out of the water. It was perfect.



That was the extent of my successful sunrise photos. I woke up early every other day that week to an overcast sky. I'm glad I snapped the few photos I did while I had the chance.

The other highlight of my week was revisiting my favourite geocache of all time, "Screaming Skulls". It's a geocache located near the property of a retired high school teacher who has filled his fields with amazing sculptures.



Since we've been home I've been knee-deep in painting. Our walls are ALL in desperate need of a paint job. I've been repairing old plaster walls and prepping for some serious painting in the next couple of weeks. I'm not exactly sure how much sewing or craftiness will be happening in the near future although I do plan to make some new throw pillows and cat beds once all the painting is done.

Break-time is over....back to work now.

See you in a week!

Joe and I are headed "up north" tomorrow to spend a week at the cottage. We rent the same cottage (from a friend) for the same two weeks each year, next week and the last week in August. They are without a doubt the best two weeks of the year! We always seem to end up with a cottage full of friends and this year is no different. We have friends joining us for several days next week which is ALWAYS so much fun!!!

The past couple of days have been spent packing and making lists (oh, how I love to make lists). I did squeeze in a little sewing time, of course.



Here's my latest and greatest version of the ever-so-popular pattern, Simplicity 3-8-3-5. I know the photo only shows one, but I actually made three and I've made a new observation about the pattern. It turns out a teensy bit different each time I make it. I think that the fabric choice has a lot to do with the drape and appearance of the shirt, but I also think that my variation of seam allowances have a lot to do with it too.

Thanks to Lera I've discovered that sewing darts in the back of the top can give it a little more shape and make it a little more flattering. Having said that, I don't put the darts in until the very end after I've tried on the top to see if it needs it. Two of the three tops I've made in the past three days did not need the darts.

Today is going to be full of last minute trips to the grocery store, packing, lawn cutting and car cleaning. Oh, did I mention there seems to be an over-population of bears at the cottage??? I think I'm going to go to the dollar store today to buy a couple of children't tambourines to take with us on walks to keep the bears away. Any other suggestions?

Have a super week everyone! (I will!)

Soap, pendants and a winner!

Yesterday morning I unmolded my soap.



I made three different kinds, freesia, apple blossom and a peppermint foot soap. They still smell a little bit funky, but experience now tells me to BE PATIENT, they will be fine in the end.

I also made a few more button pendants.



It's crazy how happy they make me. I've also discovered that I really prefer using the shank-back buttons so the pendant doesn't look quite as buttony.

The next few days are going to be full of packing and getting ready to spend next week at the cottage. I can't wait to sip my coffee down at the dock while watching the sunrise. Heaven.

And last but not least, the winner of my little give-away is lucky commenter number seven, Mary Sarah!!!

A good day

Yesterday was very productive around here. In the morning I made three different kinds of soap. It's not quite as good as it sounds, I made one batch and divided it up into three smaller ones, scenting and colouring them all differently.



This morning I can remove it from the molds and slice it. That's always the fun part. The not-so-fun part is waiting three weeks (not 4, Lera) for the soap to cure.

Once I was done being a soap-maker, I decided it was time to sew a new bag. I used the Grand Revival Flea Market Bag pattern thanks to Dallas who ever-so-kindly sent me the instructions to replace my missing ones!



I really wanted a neutral bag that would go with almost anything. I used a heavy denim for the outer fabric and a funky orange and green fabric (from my stash) for the lining. I used green thread for the topstitching all around.



I made the small size because I really didn't want anything crazy big. I'm thinking now that I would like it a teensy bit deeper so I might just have to make the larger version.

I really like this pattern. It was a little tricky for me two wrap my brain around, but once I got started it came together quite quickly.

Happy Canada Day!

Today is Canada Day and thought I'd mention a book that I'm reading. It's called Timbit nation : a hitchhiker's view of Canada.



Timbit Nation is the story of a journalist from Toronto who decides to hitchhike accross Canada. The book is part history lesson, part geography lesson and part comedy sketch. I'm completely loving it, it's the perfect summer-time read for anyone who wants to learn a little more about Canada.

The night before last when I was falling asleep I was thinking about a Martha Stewart recipe I used to make quite regularly, grilled flatbread. So yesterday morning I went to the grocery store to buy yeast and made a (double) batch and had some for lunch.



I cannot stress the following enough...I am NOT a fussy, bread-making person. I appreciate that people make their own bread, but bread-making is NOT FOR ME! Having said that, I could make this recipe every day. It is SO EASY and the results are SO YUMMY. In the past I would make my own hummus to go with it, but yesterday I opted to buy a small tub instead. I have a hunch that this just might become the "summer of the grilled flatbread" around our house.

The only change I made to the recipe is I omit the salt at the end. I'm sure it's because I just didn't read that you were supposed to do that the first few times I made it. Anyways, I don't miss the added salt.

I'm already thinking about how great they would be as pizza crusts and fajita wraps. I highly recommend this recipe.

Summer days and a plea for help!

On Saturday we went to the Friendship Festival in Fort Erie, Ontario. I had never been before and enjoyed wandering through the stalls looking at all the different vendors. There were live performances scattered through the grounds, clowns, a midway, and a food area with extremely overpriced food. $9.00 for french fries??????

Of course I had my camera with me and let me tell you this ladies, a camera is to a woman what a puppy is to a man. Not once, but twice I was approached (by rather attractive gentlemen) and quizzed about my lens! Too bad Joe didn't see that!

Here's one of my favourite photos of the day.



Yesterday (Sunday) I had the day to myself, Joe went geocaching. The first thing on my to-do list was to make a new summer bag, of course!!! I pulled out the pattern (which I had already used once) and guess what?? The instructions are GONE! I have all the pattern pieces, with NO INSTRUCTIONS! I need instructions. If I remember correctly, it was a little bit tricky and I have no idea where to start.



So here's my plea. If you happen to have the Grand Revival Designs, Flea Market Bag pattern and are willing to e-mail me the "Reader's Digest" version of the instructions, I would really really appreciate it!

So, once I realized I was NOT going to be able to sew the new funky summer purse what did I do???? I made ANOTHER Simplicity 3-8-3-5, of course.



I used a taupe coloured gauzy fabric. It was a little tricky to sew with and it turned out a little bit big. I suspect it's because the fabric has a little stretch to it. I'm going to try it on again today and see if I'm right, if so, I'll be adding the darts to the back of it.

I've also been playing with buttons. Last night I sorted through my VAST button collection and selected a few buttons to make pendants and bracelets with.

I LOVE summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hellllo summer!

Today is officially my last day of work before summer vacation and I'm so excited I can hardly stand it.

The past month has been a blur. We bought new living room furniture so for days before it's arrival I was cleaning like crazy and post-arrival I've been sewing curtains and cushion covers. Now it's time to paint, but I need a little rest before I tackle that job.

One thing I've done (and I'm actually pretty excited about) is re-open my long neglected Etsy Shop. Currently I'm only offering two different sets of photo cards, but my head is filled with ideas for other goodies to make for the shop.

To help me celebrate the beginning of summer, blogging regularly again AND the re-opening of my shop, I'd like to have a give-away. I'm going to send one lucky winner a set of my "painted doors" photo cards. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post telling me what your crafty plans are for the summer (if you have any).



I'll draw for the winner one day next week.

feeling ducky!

I really really really thought I'd have a sewing project to post today, but I don't. I had bit the bullet and purchased an $8.00 yellow gingham sheet at Value Village which I *thought* would make a very pretty/Springy Simplicity 3-8-3-5 but it quickly became apparent that it was going to look like a sheet that I made into a top. I do not typically wear pastel colours and it was a very buttery yellow that appeared almost white from a distance. Yuck.

After neglecting my sewing machine for weeks, this project did not reunite us, sadly.

I'm still completely consumed by the photography class I'm taking. Last night we started to look at how to use Photoshop. Next week's class is all about Photoshop and I can't wait. I have to decide in September if I'm going to take the second part of the phography course or take a Photoshop class. Decisions, decisions.

And here's a little photo that I made using Picnic, a cute little online photo editor. It looks like a fun little program!

Just popping in...

I'm just popping in to say "hello". I have not abandoned my blog, even though it certainly seems that I have!

I've been 100% occupied with my photography class. Every spare moment has been spent out taking pictures. My sewing room has not seen action in weeks.

That will all change soon enough. The school year is winding down (only 5 weeks left!) and then I'm off for the whole summer. I can't wait to get back to sewing!

Here's a photo of our senior dog, Chinook. I took it while we were camping (yes, camping) this weekend.

\

Happy Memorial Day to all my American friends!

Photoshop fun!

I've been trying to learn how to use Photoshop. I love the simplicity of Picasa for photo editing, but since I've started taking the photography course I know I need to learn a "grown up" photo editing program.

I've been playing with the colours of some of the images I've recently taken.



I decided that I really liked how they turned out and had the images printed. Then I turned them into little note cards.



I think they might make quick little gifts, which is always a good thing to have on hand.

I need help...

I know I haven't been posting regularly. I've been sewing a little bit but mostly I've been all about taking photos lately. I've been bitten big-time by the photography bug thanks to the course I'm taking.

Here's a shot that I took yesterday while out taking photos for my class with Joe. I love it.



On Saturday I worked on another Simplicity top. My newest modification is to add darts to the back to make it just a BIT more fitted. (Thanks Lera for that tip!)



The fabric is a Tracy Porter print from Joann's.

Now, here's where I need help. I'm out of control. I can't stop making tops from this pattern. They are so simple to sew and the results are outstanding. I'm loving all these pretty comfy tops!!!!!!!

I thought I had them all ironed and ready for the photo, but when I went to take the photo I realized that two still needed ironing, so they didn't make the photo shoot. This photo also doesn't include the first three that I made that I think are too short and I don't wear. I've also given one away.



I say I need help, but what I really want is more fabric to make more tops!

busy busy busy

I am pretty sure that this is just about the longest time EVER between posts for me but I've just been completely pre-occupied by my camera.

I'm two weeks into the photography course I'm taking and I've spent this entire week taking photos. I can guarantee that I've never taken so many photos in my life!



I've squeezed in a TEENSY bit of sewing time but with all the photos I've been taking for class I haven't had time to breathe, let alone update my poor neglected blog.

I have to hand in my first assignment tomorrow night and having not sat in a classroom (as a student) for close to twenty years (wow!), I'm fretting just a little bit.

Oh, and as much as I love that photo of the pinwheels, I can't use it for my assignment, it doens't fit the "simple" criteria so I thouht I'd share it here.

Camera Strap

After my little photography field trip on Sunday it quickly became obvious that I needed a little padding on my camera strap for comfort. Last night before my class I made a cozy for my camera strap.



It's much more comfortable to wear than the plain strap. I think I'll make another one that's not so pink, but this will do for now.

Niagara Falls Aviary

I have been sewing (a little bit) and I'll try to post photos very very soon of that.

In the meantime, I spent the better part of the day today at the Niagara Falls Aviary taking some photos with a friend.

While we were waiting for the rest of the group, we snapped a few shots of the American falls.



We then met up with the rest of the group for our tour. I have never seen so many cameras, lenses, tripods, monopods and camera gear in my whole life!



I took 87 photos in all. I think I like maybe 7 of them.



One of the gentlemen there was helping out my friend. They had the same camera and he had a backpack full of lenses he was letting her try. When I saw his face I knew I recognized him. I asked his name and quickly remembered that he was a student at the school I worked at before this one. His only comment was "you had blonde hair then". It was funny and I felt old.



It was a fun time. If nothing else it made me realize just how much I have to learn.

orange and strawberry

I made two more batches of soap this weekend.

A small 1-lb batch of orange dreamsicle soap.



And a larger, 3-lb batch of strawberry soap.



I wish I had made a large batch of the orange dreamsicle soap because it smells so good! The strawberry scent is not-so-good yet. I'm hoping it improves with time.

I'm completely excited today. I signed up for a 10 week SLR photography course at a kind-of local community college. My first class is tonight!

Her talent does NOT run in the family

My mother, DianNe, spent the weekend at a quilting retreat. On Thursday when I asked what she was bringing with her she innocently replied "my Christmas table runner". I'm sure I made some sort of joke about the fact that she's STILL working on it. Although I did see it in it's very early stages and I remember thinking how pretty it was.

I just received an e-mail from her friend and I am completely in awe of my Mother's talent. Trust me, I will NEVER EVER attempt any quilting project of this magnitude. EVER!

Do yourself a favour and click on the photo to see the detail of the applique!



It is all ready for the applique embroidery around to be done around the edges. Then it is on to sandwiching the batting and backing and then she will free-motion quilt it. My Mother is the free-motion quilting queen. She took ONE class and has the technique perfected. I'm not kidding. At all.



To quote my Mother's friend Dianne (her name is DianNe too):

You will not be allowed to touch it; as I think there are plans for having it showcased 'under glass'! So this is your sneak peak of the runner!!!!

I'm in awe. Way to go Mom!

More Lounge Pants

I had these cut out and mostly sewn first thing this morning and then we went out and did a little geocaching.

I came home and finished them up and here they are in all their glory...more lounge pants made from a thrifted sheet.



This is part of my efforts to use what I have. This sheet has been sitting in my stash FOREVER! I'm happy to have finally used it.



Now I'm trying to decide what to sew next...hmmmmmmmm

trains and cranes

It's been far too long since I've spent any time in my craft room doing anything!

The nice weather arrived this weekend and we were out and about today doing a little geocaching and taking some pictures.

First stop was an old train.



I had a little bit of fun editing the photos and saturating the colours.





Later on in the day we stopped when we saw what we thought was a heron in a farmer's field. We snapped some photos and the owner came out to talk to us and set us straight.



It was NOT a heron, but rather a sandhill crane and this little beauty is headed to the zoo.



With any luck, my sewing machine and I will spend a little time together this week. I have so many things to sew, and so little time!