Having Some Fun!

My brand new cell phone got a little scratch on the face. I hate that. I am so careful with it that I don't even know how it happened. :(

I didn't want to buy a case at the store, because they are too expensive. There are some darling ones on etsy, but I never buy things that I am capable of making myself......so, I made one. In fact, I made two so far, and I am having so much fun that I am going to make more and sell them all in my etsy shop, FourDogDay!!!

Here are the two that I have done. I love both of these fabrics! These hold a standard size phone, and then I am going to make some that are just a tad bigger for the larger phones. The insides are lined with felt so they are nice and soft.

Here are some that I have cut out, waiting to be sewn.

This will be another awesome way for me to use up some smaller fabric pieces that are sitting here on the shelf staring at me.

It's Friday....be sure to do something really nice for yourself today...like go for a walk! :)

Fun at the Fabric Store

Here is a picture I took on my drive in to work this morning. The weathermen failed to get it right once again and we only got about 5 inches of heavy wet snow instead of the10 that was predicted. It was pretty, but I give it permission to melt quickly.

Sunday I made a trip to Joann Fabrics...one of my favorite stores. I haven't been there for a while and it felt so good....like coming home. I bought fabric to make three new clocks for my etsy shop, FourDogDay. I learned a while ago that I have to buy fabric that other people might like and not just fabric that I like. So, with that thought in mind...here are the three I bought. Can you guess which one is NOT something I would normally buy? HAHA! I just thought it might make a fun little desk clock. I'm hoping someone will like it! The other two I LOVE!! The green one is awesome and the old fashion looking one is so pretty. I'll show you the clocks when I get them done.

Then I bought fabric for three new tote bags. I love all of these and I can't wait to get started on them! The prints are the outside and the more solid colors are the lining. Flowers, darling kitties and bumble bees!

The fabric store was bright and colorful from wall to wall, and everything just shouted "SPRING"! It was so awesome.

Using It Up

Since the new year, there has been a lot of talk about not buying more crafting and art supplies until using up the huge mounds of things we already have. Then Mary at MaryRichmondDesigns asked for people to make things out of material they already had and blog about it today. Well, I have fabric. In fact I have three good sized bags of awesome fabric. It's leftover pieces from aprons and totes and pillows, and it's nice...really, really nice...and it was killing me to have it sitting on the shelf unused.

I had already started using some of it for my new fabric clocks. All three of these are made using leftover fabric. I did have to purchase other things to make the clocks, but at least the fabric is being used. Some of the pieces I had wouldn't work for the clocks, but I still wanted to use them up.

That's when I decided to start making the Itsy Bitsy Tote Bags. I showed you this one on Sunday. I don't know about you, but when I go to the store or to the mall, I do not take a big bag. I need my hands free so I can pick things up and look at them. You sure can't put your purse down anywhere or leave it in a shopping cart, so I prefer a small, lightweight bag that I can "wear".

Here is my second Itsy Bitsy. I had this fabric left from a regular sized tote bag I had made a while ago. I'm going to keep playing around and come up with some other styles, but I think it's a great way to use up fabric that is just sitting here.

Are you being run out of your workshop by bins and boxes and crates and drawers and closets that are overflowing with leftover supplies and materials that seem to multiply all on their own? What do you do when you have more leftover materials than you know what to do with?

HO-HO-Home at Last!

The sights and sounds of Christmas shopping 2009, but first things first!!

Parents......please leave your little kids at home when you do your shopping. They really have no interest in shopping with you all day. They don't care what you buy Aunt Martha or Uncle Joe. When you are grabbing your little one by their arm and dragging them through the mall....it upsets me....and I really want to slap you right in the head. UGH!!

Shoppers....when you aren't sure where you are going....pull your rear end over to the side of the walkway and THEN look around to see if you can see the store you are looking for. DO NOT....I repeat....DO NOT try to walk and look up, down and all around, because you just might run into someone and make them dump their hot tea all over themselves!

Stores....if your piped in music is stuck....please go fix it quickly....because as much as I like the Andy Williams rendition of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"....at 3:00 on Sunday afternoon....I doubt anyone in your store wants to hear Andy sing, "It's the Most Wonderful Time, It's the Most Wonderful Time, It's the Most Wonderful Time, over and over and over and over again! It's enough to make this shopper head for the exit!

Okay, so with those things said, I had a wonderful day shopping with Tresa yesterday. We had a great breakfast and then hit the mall.

Tresa likes her picture taken about as much as I do.

I did get just a wee bit nervous when the first three stores produced nothing, but after that it was pretty smooth sailing.

Macy's Christmas decorations area outside their store.

Somewhere down there is Santa and about a thousand screaming and crying kids waiting to chat with him!

More mall decorations....
Awesome fabric I found at IKEA!

The loot!Maggie helping me relax after a long day of shopping!

I am almost done with my shopping. Just a couple of things for Irv, one more thing for Tresa and then gifts for six dogs and two cats! HO-HO-HO!

Surprise Unveiled

The wait is over....I am about to show you what I made for my living room!!!! First though, here is the cute little table I bought to put my record player on. I found it at that same little shop where I got the other table and lamp. We still need to move furniture around, so I'm not sure where it is going to go, but I think it will work.

Remember when Irv took our big TV cabinet and cut it apart with a saw to make a smaller TV stand......click here to see the "before" picture. Well, here it is cut down and painted with new handles. Irv had to put a little mat under the TV for now so it doesn't stick to the new paint, but isn't it awesome?

Okay....I've made you wait long enough. Here is the surprise project.....

Tick! Tock! I made a clock!! (Hope you weren't expecting something really exciting)

I saw these clocks in a magazine and I couldn't wait to try making one. I bought the awesome fabric at IKEA and Irv made the frame. In the magazine they used a framed art canvas....but I will only do that if I can get them on sale. Irv can make them cheaper. I ordered the clock parts online and we just finished putting it together last night! I just love it!


Unfortunately, it was already dark when I took the pictures, so I had to use a flash, but you get the idea.

I looked on etsy and there are some similar clocks, but not too many. That either means that they aren't big sellers, or no one wants to make them. HAHA!

What do you think? Should I make some for FourDogDay? If so, what colors, sizes and shapes do you think might be good? Any suggestions?

Back to Work

Wow....Sunday when I was nursing my two day headache, I decided I had to DO something. I am not the kind of person that can go lay down, or sit and watch T.V. I have to be doing something all the time.

I had fabric for two tote bags that I was going to make for FourDogDay about a month ago, along with three Christmas aprons...and none of it ever got done. So I pulled out the fabric for the totes and went through all of the new patterns I have bought and found a GREAT tote bag pattern...the kind that ties at the shoulder...and started cutting them out. I think they are going to be really cute, and I might actually allow myself to keep one of them!! I would love to take a picture and show you, but I left my bag with my camera in it at work!

Irv and I also worked on my secret project too. (It really isn't very secret....I got it from a magazine!) I am waiting for some parts that should arrive this week and then I will finish it and show it to you. It is so darn cool! This one is for my living room....if it looks good....I'll make some for FourDogDay.

Well, that is it for today. Short and sweet. Gotta get ready for work. Make it an awesome day!

Mish Mash

Sunday was a great day. It was one of those days when you have so much to do that you don't even know where to start, but little by little things get done and by the end of the day you can smile and say, "Yep, today was a good day!"

I told you I would show you some of the things I found at IKEA on Saturday. Here is my little white lantern. It's so darn cute. I bought a silver one like this from IKEA years ago, and it has been outside on the table that's on our deck for years. I thought this one might make a cute centerpiece on the kitchen table. Maybe some evergreen around it with some little pine cones and maybe some funky ribbon or something tied to the ring on the top, the little candle burning...could be cute....not sure...we will see.

Here is the fabric that I bought. Just 1/2 yard to make the secret something for my living room. No, not a pillow. I will do those once I find a couch cover. I have to order some parts, so I won't have it done for a while, but I will show you when it's ready to make it's debut.

Here are the three matted black frames I bought. My son Matt takes some awesome photos that we sell in FourDogDay. I framed three of my favorites. I might hang these over the new chairs, but I need to get the lamp first so I get the height right. If not, there is another wall where they will work. I think they look awesome!

This is our built in shelving in the living room. We have always painted the back wall of it the color of the walls, but Irv wanted to try it white this time. I love it. I put some books, photos, and little things on it today. This is the shelving that I want to put all old black and white photos in black frames on. I think that would look great.

The family photos that are on the shelf now will go around Matt's Family poster that I hung in the hallway today eventually.

The living room is really starting to take shape. I haven't found a little table for in between the chairs yet, but I dug this out of the garage today! Guess what Irv is going to do?

I bought this darling....but very old and grungy snack tray at a garage sale this summer for $1.00. It has about 10 coats of paint on it, so Irv is going to sand it and probably paint it. That will be our end table for now. I thought about papering the top maybe....

We found a little end table at Bed, Bath and Beyond that was cute but it was $40 and I know I can find one resale for next to nothing if I keep looking....so we'll use this for now and if we find something resale that we like better....cool...if not, I think this will be perfect!

So, that was the day for me. I hope your weekend was enjoyable. Make Monday an awesome one for yourself!

Slow Down...You're Moving Too Fast

Irv came into my workshop last night and asked, "Are you okay? You don't seem to be very into all of this anymore."

"I'm fine. I just have a nasty headache," was my answer.

"All of this" meant my crafting and our upcoming craft shows, and my answer was an honest one. I did have a headache, but his question did make me realize that it's time to slow down a bit.

I have been working at warp speed since April when I was accepted into my first show. About that time I started working with fabric and my entire focus changed. That has meant working every evening and every weekend to get enough items to have a nice variety at my shows. It probably wasn't good timing on my part, but it is what it is.

I am excited about the two indoor shows and my new display...which Irv almost has done...and the prospect of seeing how my aprons and tote bags are received, BUT I have to admit that I am definitely looking forward to the shows being done....because I want my life back! HAHA!

I have a really hard time enjoying what I am doing when I have to work every minute of every day on it, and when I have a deadline. It will be so nice to be able to exhale.

I have also not touched my etsy shops in ages. I'm finding it difficult to prepare for the shows and keep up with listing new items. I am renewing as needed, but haven't listed anything new.

So, my plan is to make what I can without causing myself to have a mini meltdown, and just go with the flow until after the shows. My shops are doing okay, I have made some awesome aprons and totes and all will be well. The pictures are some of my new things.

What do you do when you have too much to do and not enough time to get it done....I'm thinking chocolate just might help!

Super Shopping Day!

Happy Weekend!!! Chee Hoo to everyone!

I only have a few minutes this morning. It's almost 11:00 and I haven't even started sewing yet. I have been to Menards to pick wood for the shelves for the craft show booth....which is turning out AWESOME. Irv has the walls done and now we are trying to design the placement of the shelves. I'll post pictures when we get some of them in.

After Menards I went to Hancock Fabric. They are having a big sale so I thought I would see what I could find. Got some awesome denim and corduroy fabric for two new totes and a great looking fall print for another.

Here is the denim I bought. It has embroidered flowers all over it. I bought a tiny floral print to line the bag. I think this one is going to be darling!

I loved this striped fabric. It's hard to see the colors in the picture, but they are very autumn looking. I think the gold paisley will look great as a lining. This bag will have wood handles.

I thought this 60's look floral corduroy was so neat. I would love this one for myself....but like I said before...that is against the rules. Then....get this....they had all of their Simplicity patterns on sale for ONE DOLLAR EACH!!!! No, I am not kidding. I could have sat there all day! I bought 2 great apron patterns....one is a wraparound and the other is vintage look aprons! So darn cute. Then I got one for some new pillows, a really cute tote bag one, one for make up bags and then one for kitchen accessories like place mats, napkins and stuff. I will use the apron and tote bag ones now and the rest will be for when I have time....but what a HUGE SCORE!!! I would not have bought ANY right now at the regular price, but I couldn't pass this up. Normally the six I bought would have been $85.00!!! That's how good of a deal this was! I paid $6.00!!!


So, I am off to get this house picked up. Irv is over at Michael and Bern's house hooking up new appliances today so I'm on my own for the day. Hopefully I will get a lot done. Make it a super day for yourselves and I'll chat with you tomorrow!!

Introducing......

a few of my new tote bags!!! Tah Dah!!! Pardon the pictures. I just hung them wherever I could snap a picture of them and they need their final pressing. For the show, I will stuff some tissue in them so they display nicely.

I love fabric. I love the colors and the patterns. At times I struggle with certain aspects of sewing, but I am learning. I never took a sewing class, so I sometimes have to work really hard to perfect things that other people probably breeze right through. I had trouble with a couple of spots on two of the totes and I was ready to throw them in the garbage, but I stuck with it and finally got them to where I am comfortable taking them to the craft show.

I don't think I am going to put these in my etsy shop. I really want them for the show and I'm not sure how many I will be able to get done. I still have more aprons to make too!

The first one I made is a little zebra print with webbing straps. This one would be perfect for carrying my "junk" to work every day or for a trip to the grocery store. I'm working on another one like this one in an amazing green paisley print! I know I am going to want to keep that one, but that it against the rules.

This brown one is one of my favorite fabrics and this bag gave me such a hard time. It's huge and would be awesome for a trip to the beach or as an overnight bag. Although I do know people that carry around bags this size everyday.....I don't. I am a small bag or a no bag kind of girl.

The last one is so darn cute. I made a couple of pillows out of this fabric and loved it. It's a tan and maroon floral with wooden dowels for handles! I really like this bag a lot.

I was looking through a magazine last night and found some pillows that are just the most fabulous things. I am already gathering what I need to make some of those before the show.....maybe I should take a leave of absence from my full time job so I can get all of this stuff done for the show. Think they would go for that? HA!

What a Day!

We had the picnic at work today for our superintendent that is retiring. It went really well. He's such a great guy. I ate way too much, including a couple of pieces of cake and my stomach is still reminding me eight hours later! HAHA!

After work I zipped on over to the house that Michael and Bernadette are buying. They were having inspection, so we were able to go in and take a little tour. It is so cute and in such a nice area. I think they are going to be very happy there. Once they close on it, I'll share some pictures.

When I got home I watered the flowers on the deck. They were looking a bit thirsty. Then I got Irv to take some pictures of me modeling my two new aprons. I love these two. It was cute...when I was headed back in the house after he took the pictures of the black and white one, he commented that he really liked that one! :) I like them both and I can't decide which one to make next as I sit and look at the fabric I have left.

I had hoped to get these all done before vacation, but that sure isn't going to happen. We leave a week from Saturday and I have five more to do! Maybe I can get two or three done. I wanted to have them for the show I'm doing a week after I get back. Why do I always think I am Super Woman?

Well, I really have some other things I need to get done. Hope everyone is having an awesome day! Chat with you tomorrow....it's summer hours and I get off at NOON!!! Woo hoo!

It's A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

We went out to lunch today at work and then they let us go home after. It's such a beautiful day. I already mailed Angela's craft show apron. It turned out really cute. This is the fabric she sent me to make it with. Cute isn't it? Her show is the 20th and I know she is going to kick butt. If you've never seen her awesome collages....you can check them out here.

I went outside and just snapped some pictures of the wonderful flowers in our yard and our great garden. Irv worked so hard this off season...planting everything from seed. Almost every thing you see in planters, he grew from seed. The entire garden is from seed as well.


I've been trying to add a few more perennials to our yard each year and it really is pretty in the spring. We have a long way to go, but they sure are nice to look at.


So enjoy the pretty flowers...I'm going to take advantage of the extra hour and work on a new apron. It's the one I'm doing with this fabric. I love it! I hope to get some of the aprons listed this weekend. Yeah!

Irv couldn't remember what these were when they sprouted, so it was a surprise when the little violas came up!

I love this bush! The flowers are so pretty and right now it is covered with them!

These have never done really well where I have them. They get nice flowers, but the leaves get yucky really fast and then they look like poop!

I received a couple of tiny baby roses as gifts and this one has just one little flower on it so far.


Many, many years ago, I took care of an elderly woman that had Alzheimer's. She had me take a few bunches of this one and it spread beautifully. She's been gone for quite a few years now, but every time I look at it I think of her. :)

I have a few of these. Can't even tell you what they are. They are cute but only bloom for a short time in the spring and early summer.

More of Irv's impatiens he planted from seed. We have them everywhere. He went a little overboard, but he was anticipating them not doing really well, and they sure did!

The awesome watering can planter on the top was one of my Mother's Day presents! So cute!

My bleeding hearts are just about done for the season. I really love them. I just wish they bloomed for a longer period of time.

Irv built this above ground garden. He wishes his whole garden was like this. It's so easy to take care of at this height! I can't wait until my lettuce is ready!

I think I see a weed! Oh no! I'll have to run out and "pluck" it!

Mmmmmmm........fresh, organic lettuce!

Have a great evening everyone!