Taking Some Time Off...

Hey Everyone! I hope you're all well. Just a quick note to say I'll be out a few weeks. I know, I know, sometimes I go MONTHS without a post! But it's because of all the busy stuff going on. This time I'm having BOTH knees replaced. You can just call me Zippy. Or bionic woman. Or crazy because that's how I feel less than 48 hours out.. I tell myself that it'll be good in the long run. I'll probably start up sooner and post so much that you'll beg me to stop. I can't wait until I can get both legs back under my machines. I have so many ideas for the shop!

Endless Summer or End of Summer....

Hey Everyone,
So here it is, the end of summer already. Our So Cal weather is not winding down at all. We've had enough triple digits to last a lifetime. I'm sure soon enough, I'll be complaining about the "freezing" temps. For me, that's anything less than 40 degrees. The last two months has brought our family a new baby boy. He arrived on 8.1.13. He's a chunky monkey. Born at 9# 14oz. {no one has matched my 3rd born who came into the world at 10# 2oz}. He's two months now and such a joy. I've been the lucky auntie to give all his vaccines so far :-( Hopefully he won't remember that part! On another note, I'll be taking a planned break while I go under the knife yet one more time... hopefully my last!!! I have horrible arthritis and I'll be getting a double knee replacement next week. Wednesday the 9th. Maybe during recovery I'll be able to post more crafty things-- In between trying to walk again. Ugh. I'm excited to be done with this but not looking forward to the week following the procedure. I mean, who wakes up and both knees are out of commission? Rumor has it, they'll be getting me up to walk by the next day. I'm pretty sure I'll protest that request. Let me hit the pain pump and come back later!! I have lots of pics to post of things I managed to make over the summer but that will have to be later. Tomorrow is my last day of work till 2014. Hubby leaves for NY Thurs to visit our son for a long weekend and while he's gone I get to fix up the house the way I want it. And maybe a party or two ?? Ha.

Baby B Birthday. 8.1.13

Here he is at 6 weeks old

Until Next Time!!
Tammy

July 4th and Summer Time!

Hey Everyone! Happy July 4th to all U.S.!!

Mia and Abby. Our Sweet Italian Greyhounds.

Don't you just love this photo? These two girlies are the best! Mia {brown} just turned 4 yrs. last Friday.  Abby {grey} will be 5 in August.  Now that we are empty nesters, Abby and Mia are the "children".  And when the grandbabies arrive, we'll have the full house again!

I've all but fallen off the earth over here. My little shop and blog seems to be on holiday for a bit.  Un-planned, of course! Time goes by so fast.  I can say unofficially, that soon I will have a large block of time and will be able to dedicate more to the shop. Maybe towards end of summer.

In one of my past posts, I mentioned that my brother and his wife are due this summer. They found out they will be having a boy {Branden} and for now most of my sewing will be for that little guy.  I've been getting into embroidery lately. I love how it's easy to transport and it's always handy when you have some time to fill while waiting. Of course, I have several projects going at once... but always a small one that's easy to throw in my purse to take with me.  I've also become an eBay fanatic. In both selling and buying.... mostly buying, I cannot lie.  But I have discovered some pretty awesome embroidery books! {same with Amazon}. The ideas are flowing here and I can't decide what to do first. That's why several projects at once.

Abby on left and Mia on right

 Above is something I had on instagram. A work in progress for sure. I love the flour sack cloth, it's perfect for embroidering.

Until Next Time,
 

Saying Goodbye to Man's Best Friend

Hey Everyone, I hope you're all doing well. Our past few weeks hasn't been the best, we had to let our old lab {Tobie} go last Friday. It was such a horrible decision to make... I kept asking him to go in his sleep so we didn't have to wonder if we were making the right decision. Of course being the stubborn old guy he is, he didn't listen to me. Tobie was getting up there in age - 14 years, he had many tumors all over, he had arthritis, he was overweight {should've been around 60 lbs but topped at 93.7 last Friday}. When we remodeled the house, we went to ceramic tile in the main areas. That was good for him on hot days- he loved to lay on the cool tile but while walking around, he lost his footing a lot and combined with arthritis, he'd go flat more often than not. He was a good sport but we worried he might break a leg or get stuck when we weren't home. We also have two Italian Greyhounds {I'm sure I've spoke about them one or fifty times in the past}. Mia, our most recent rescue, LOVED Tobie. She would hug his neck and clean his teeth. I know, it's gross, I get dry heaves just typing it. She is having a hard time adjusting. More than once she'll just sit in the middle of the room and cry. Our first Italian Greyhound Abby, doesn't seem to be phased by his passing.
This is a picture I took on Friday. I loved it when he would lay like this.

And here's one from his younger years...

Watching Spork ..... wishing....

That's all for now. Happy Memorial Weekend!!
Until Next Time,


  

Hey Everyone!
I know it's been a long while since last post.... I've either had SO much to say that I didn't say anything or I've been so busy and wasn't able to find an extra minute. Or to be honest, I'm so hooked on Instagram! I find myself spending way too much time there, that goes for Pintrest too. Have you checked them out?
How was everyone's Valentine's Day, St. Paddy's Day and Easter Sunday? They all seemed so close together this year and the decorations were hardly on display for very long.  Now there is nothing until July 4th. {Can you tell I like to decorate my house? Any little excuse will do!}
Shop News: With the help of hubby, I'll be slowly adding pet items to the shop. He has some great ideas and I know how to work the sewing machine. Now we have something to do while waiting patiently for future grand babies. {No pressure newlyweds}. In the midst of venturing back into my sewing room, I've decided I need to get a handle on my fabric stash... it has grown way out of control.  Which brings me to one of my favorite blogs/newsletters:   EVERYTHING ETSY.   I happen to stumble across a couple of posts with ideas on organizing your craft room. Specifically Fabric. So timely!  CHECK IT OUT HERE.  I have to say, EVERYTHING ETSY  is jam packed with so many great ideas, tutorials, hints & tips to name a few.  Talk about spending a lot of time on a website!!
What do you do to keep your fabric or craft room under control? I'd love to hear your ideas.

 Until Next Time,

Five Dollar Friday!

Hey Everyone!
I've been meaning to post about one of my favorite Etsy shops,  MICHELLE PATTERNS ETSY SHOP    OR   MICHELLE PATTERNS  {her Dot Com Shop}. Every Friday she offers her awesome patterns for only $5.00.  Such a deal!  The patterns that I've purchased have been super easy to follow and the finished product turns out so cute. Also if you have any questions, she's very easy to communicate with. In the past, I've sent an email and heard back right away.
I know it's afternoon already here in Calif. but hopefully you'll have a better memory than I do and will go shopping next Friday at Michelle's!

February has flown by much quicker than January did.  My FAV holiday is Valentine's Day. I just love decorating with all the Pink, red, lace and fluffy sparkle. And that's just my wardrobe!  Hahaha, just kidding...   I really meant my house but I do "dress up" for work as well.  I take advantage of being a pediatric nurse because with kids, I get to be a little goofy and get away with it.  So red flashing heart earrings & necklace, scrub tops with hearts all over and matching socks. Believe it or not,  simple things like that can make that shot I give them, hurt just a little bit less.... so far it hasn't backfired and scared anyone away! I'm lucky to have such a great job, awesome boss and co-workers and little patients, too.

My niece and nephew came out to visit over the long weekend - President's weekend here and it's also their birthday's. They used to stay summers with us but the last couple years they've signed up to be in the working world and it's not so easy to take off 2-3 months. Now they've got bills to pay: car, auto ins. etc. 
Here's a picture of us the morning they left. I was leaving for work and it was time to say "goodbye". My niece didn't get her usual hour of primping in front of the mirror before this quick pic.

Early, early morning. Jason & Kristina go back to TN today

 I actually made something for myself the other night. It's silly but not having a make-up roll was bugging me so much that I made it after a long day at work... {I usually have a late dinner and get ready for bed}  They are so easy to put together but the biggest decision is usually which fabric to use. I had enough left over of the Michael Miler fabric that I love so much and used that.  If it looks familiar, it's because I made my new daughter an Ice Cream Cozy out of the same fabric just a few weeks ago. I love the big bright flowers.

Make-Up Roll Open

Make-Up Roll Closed

I don't have a pattern for this, I just measured out enough scrap fabric for what I thought would accommodate my brushes and other long, narrow things. And then I picked a soft pale pink for the inside and cut the exact size as I did for the outside. I used a smaller scrap for the panel on the inside that would hold the brushes in their spot - it is also lined.  On this roll, I got ahead of myself and ended up having to use seam binding for the two short sides. I hate strongly dislike seam binding. No matter how many tutorials I watch or how many ways I apply it or how many times I practice, IT NEVER LINES UP WELL.   Oh it makes me crazy.  I get a little OCD when it comes to seam binding and I really try to avoid at all costs. I had to keep telling myself that no one will see this, it's just for me. It's getting late and it's a work night so suck it up.
If you zoom on the top picture, you see how "off" it is.  I'm only bringing it up so you know that I know it looks bad. Normally the things I make for myself I strive for perfection just because it represents my work. {And I say no one will see it  - yet here it is posted for all to see, haha}.  I have a few requests for a make up brush roll and you can bet I'll slow down and assemble in a different order and avoid the seam binding!
As things begin to slow down, I'm hoping to add a couple to my shop!  I love having extra time to sew.
Until Next Time,

Fantastic February

Hey Everyone!

I hope you're enjoying the weekend. I sure am. I've spent a lot of time exploring other blogs and learning new tricks and tips!
Yesterday I made an "ice cream cozy" for one of my new daughters. She loves her ice cream and likes to eat it from those individual containers.The problem is, they freeze your hands! I took a Starbucks cardboard sleeve I had on hand,opened it up and used that as a guide for the basic shape and curve.  I actually needed my pattern to be larger than the standard coffee cup holder.  I used a Michael Miller fabric for the outside and pink flannel for the inside. I think it turned out cute.

Ice Cream Cozy, Secured with large button and hair elastic

A better view of closure

It was fun to make.... and easy. My first attempt was a quilted version.  The only problem I ran into was thickness {if I sewed right sides together and then turned}. My other option was to use seam binding and for the most part, I avoid at all costs. It looks a little wonky only because our Lab Tobie, got a hold of the ice cream container {my sample!} and started to tear it up.  The actual cozy is fine but the picture looks lop-sided!
This was a really quick project and I'll probably make one for my son out of a super hero fabric. I'm sure he'll like that.

My son in New York is finally experiencing a NY winter. Last year he brought California with him and it hardly snowed.  Here's a few pictures he sent me via text yesterday...

Standing outside his front door. Midtown, NY

His cute girlfriend being silly. Look at the snow whip around!

His view in the morning. 3rd floor apartment.

Of course to me, this does not look like a good time. I shut down when the temperature dips into the low 50's. I just don't tolerate extreme temperatures {thin blood? midlife? cranky?} I've seen FB photos of friends on the East coast- they open their front door only to be greeted with a wall of snow. They can't exit until they get the shovel! That is crazy.

On a sunnier note, we took a stroll to the Harbor last week. Dana Point Harbor. It was such a nice afternoon. Perfect weather and lots of entertainment from the pelicans.  I've got a video of these crazy birds but not sure if I can load it.  As we stood at the rail, they would sit on a boat and wait... all of a sudden they'd take off in the air, do a circle and just drop into the water to get the fish! It was hilarious. Many times it looked as if they were flying straight at us, only to dive down with a plop directly in front, into the shallow water. Here's a few pictures.

Dana Point Harbor~Stroll Around The Harbor

Crazy Pelicans, Waiting for the perfect moment

Snack Time

Pelicans

Hope you enjoyed my pictures! Lot's more activity in the sewing room which I'll talk about in a future post.
Until Next Time,
 
.

Hodge-Podge: Valentine Giveaway!!!

Hey Everyone!
I wanted to share a giveaway that I learned about earlier today. Tamie over at Macaroni Mom  is having a Scentsy Valentine Giveaway. Click below to read the EASY directions to enter. You have until Jan. 17th... so what are you waiting for?

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Tamie says:
Click here ---------->      Hodge-Podge: Valentine Giveaway!!!: I am giving away a Scensty surprise!!  Leave me a comment, share this post and you can be the chosen one.  A winner will...



Until Next Time,

Baby,It's Cold Outside!

Hey Everyone!
Is it cold enough for you? We are getting our fair share of cold here in OC.  Maybe my blood is thin but regardless of why, I  have low tolerance for this kind of cold.
Living in So.Southern Calif brings about a feeling of mild weather that we all come to expect.....

Laguna Beach Sunset... {pic taken by Jack!}

According to the news, we are to prepare for a deep chill.  Like 29 degrees! I want to chuckle a little because I know my cousins in Michigan and all you Canadian folks are thinking we should just suck it up. My son is home for the month, working locally instead of in NY. I believe it's warmer in NY right now.  I think most people here do suck it up although the problem is, we don't really have the proper clothing unless Skiing is a big pass time. {I gave that up a decade ago}. This is where "Layering" comes in.
Besides the cold..... everyone is sick! Nothing like being inside a warm coffee shop with a bunch of sneezing, coughing humans. I have a visual of germs festering on door knobs or counters and floating in the air. Ewwww. Not good. Luckily, it's only temporary. Hope you all got your flu shot this season.

Whale Watching Boat spotted in Laguna Beach

One of my Instagram photos above. I snapped this one the other day at lunch. Hope I'm looking when the whales swim by! According to surf-forecast.com, the water is about 52 degrees right now. I'm pretty sure the whales are not happy campers. It might be a while before I see anything swim by.
In my last post, I shared that my youngest brother {and his Bride} are having a baby in July. We are so excited....here's the first blurry ultra sound picture.

My New Niece/Nephew looking like a Tad-Pole.  *Love*

They'll know in a couple weeks if it's a boy or girl.  I'm wondering,does pre-natal care consist of several ultra sounds these days?  I only had one and that was to rule out twins in my first and third pregnancy.  We needed a reason before getting the little blurry picture. I'll have to ask why they had one earlier this week and having a repeat in a few more weeks.
Humm..... 
I can't wait to start sewing little baby things! This is so cool because I'll get my baby fix. I worry that my new daughters can sense my anxiousness to be a Grandma! No pressure or anything. Haha. No, I don't really bug them although the entire world knows I cannot wait for the big moment.
Wouldn't you rather see my grandbaby pics instead of my furbaby pics?

Mia's Mani/Pedi. We got polish all over the place that day.

See? Don't  you agree that I need a little "mini-me" to sew and do fun things with? Everyone loves Spa Sunday at my house.
Here's to less cool weather and a wonderful weekend.

A warm drink for those chilly days!

Until Next Time,
  

Hey Everyone!
Thanks to my friend Laurie at CREATED BY LAURIE, I've learned a new way to discover awesome blogs! It's a "meet and greet" opportunity where other bloggers link their blog to the Host page and everyone visits and follows each other.  Doesn't that sound easy?  It wasn't to me at first.  I had to email Laurie for personal instructions... which ended up sounding just like the original directions.... but you know how it is when it's the first time for something.. you don't want to embarrass yourself right off the bat, so I had to get that extra hand-holding. Laurie is so sweet like that!  I'm happy to say that I was able to do it without additional emails begging for help :-)
If you'd like to join in, Click right here to be directed to Laurie's blog, including complete {easy} directions.  She does this on Sat/Sun/Mon so hurry on over before it's too late!  I think you can do it again next weekend if you miss this one.
I hope your New Year is going along well... all seven days of it! 

Until Next Time,
 

Happy New Year!!

Hey Everyone!
I hope that you all had a safe night celebrating the end of 2012. I can't wait to see what the new year will bring. For our family, for sure another wedding....

Melissa's Ring! They announced their engagement on New Years Eve.

and a new baby... no, not my boys this time but my little brother {who isn't so little anymore!}.

Lil' Bro "modeling" crazy jacket. Another Instagram Moment.

I'm always SO excited for babies. I get to make little clothes and baby quilts. Maybe even a Raggedy Ann or Andy!

Raggedy Andy {minus cap} | made for my little Nephew 2008

Good thing I like hanging out at JoAnn's Fabrics. I see lots of crafting in my near future.

This year might also bring some changes to my shop.  When I started it a little over two years ago, my intent was to have a place to channel my crafting & sewing obsessions while I recovered from surgery. Much to my surprise, I became hooked on Etsy and all the wonderful people I met while learning the "ins and outs" of the site.
When a friend or family member has a birthday, often I'll make something if time permits. I'll usually make duplicates and list in my shop.  While it's good to have variety, I'm thinking I should focus on just a few items that people want and make a variety of those items. Another thought was dog items, mainly coats or cold weather wear. I'm being gently nudged in that direction. Afterall, we do have two rescued Italian Greyhounds that I may have mentioned once or twice to you in the past!! Those sweet girls just love to model the things I make for them!! NOT!  Ohmygosh, they act like they are frozen statues when I put their jammies on. The jammies are different than their usual outer wear because all 4 legs are covered. For some reason, that makes it so they can't move. It's hilarious. {One way to keep them out of our way when company comes over!!} Here's a picture of Abby from last post, wearing her jammies.

Abby, frozen in time. Aka, wearing her Jammies.

Here's another outfit that apparently allows more freedom of movement for my little timid Fur-baby...

Abby, wearing her faux-fur trimed vest style cover up.

You can see above, that Abby's head is held a little higher in second outfit. No restrictions and she can run, jump and leap off tall couches with no issues. That is, as long as nothing gets broke... otherwise there will be issues!

Not too many people make dog clothing.... I know, I know, not too many people make their dogs wear dog clothing. But I do because they are little and unlike me, they hardly have any body fat!  And since So Cal is out to prove there is no such thing as global warming... haha and as long as we continue to dip into lows of 34 degrees, my girls will wear clothes!
Oh, and after the past summer house remodel, we no longer have carpet. For me, as I wander aimlessly through the hot-flash time of my life {that's a whole other story...hormones, ugh} I'm very happy without carpet. Since the girls do not like wearing their socks, this winter they seek out the throw rugs!

It'll be fun to see how things change and evolve as time goes on.  For me, right now the house is quiet so I should sneak off into my sewing room before my opportunity vanishes.
Wishing you and your family a very happy New Year! Thanks for stopping by.

Until Next Time,