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,
 
.

New York & Lined Bags

Hello Everyone,

Things are starting to slow down around here just a bit, and just in time for the holidays.

I hope everyone is doing well and I especially pray that if you have loved ones on the East Coast right now, that they are safe. As most of you know, our middle son is living in Midtown NY. Right there in the heart of the city. I have not been a happy camper at all. Thankfully, he is totally safe, and has plenty of water and food. The first day of the storm, I requested a text update every five minutes, but that didn't fly. He was fortunate enough to have power and the ability to use his cell so I know it was best to keep lines open for others less fortunate. With Facebook and other ways to communicate, I was satisfied that he was going to be okay. He has been working from his apartment because his office is without internet, probably for the rest of the week. The pictures and video footage I see on the news is just devastating. I asked him about the crane that is sorta hanging over the city. He said he can see it from his bedroom window and it is a strange sight. To back up just a bit, he left his original apartment two months early due to bugs in the building {He was practically best buds with the bug guy}. Since he left quickly, his back up plan was to rent a room in the Chelsea neighborhood until he could find another apartment. After a few weeks of searching, he found a 3 bedroom apartment on the third floor in Midtown. Move in date was Nov. 1st but since it was vacant, he and the other boys were able to get the keys and move in last Saturday.  Would you believe that the very next day after he moved out, that neighborhood was evacuated. I am such a thankful Mom right now! One of the apartments in his "old" neighborhood, lost the entire front wall. It's like you're looking into a doll house. All of those poor people! I can't imagine. 

On the crafty side of life, I added a link on my Tutorial page for the coolest lined drawstring bags.  They are pretty simple and are such a nice addition to a gift. Presentation is everything!   I've made several for gifts.  One idea I used was to fill the bag with different hair products like a brush, pony tail holders, hair clips, hair spray, pretty barrettes, etc.  It was really appreciated.  It's kinda fun to pick themes especially if you're able to match the fabric of the bag as well.  In this case I wasn't but it would've been really cute if I had hair products or something "hair dresser" oriented in coordinating colors.  You get the idea!!  With Christmas around the corner, a reusable bag is like giving two gifts in one! 
Check out Jeni's link right here!! Her blog is called "In Color Order". Be sure to check out her other pages too. Lots of amazing info and inspiration. 
I have the next two days off work and keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get to do major craftiness this weekend :-)

InColorOrder.com- see link above

 Happy Crafting to you.
 Until Next Time, 

New York!!

Hey Everyone!!
Okay so I've tried to "blog on the run" two different times and obviously with no luck.  Again, my phone is still "uploading" as I type.  I'm on my son's {brand-spankin' new mac} laptop now so maybe I can quickly post a few pics!!

My Son and I at Lincoln Center

Times Square

Hearst Tower...  His office is on the 20th floor

The Hearst Tower, top half

 Guess?  haha.  The water show was awesome. Wish I could've captured that!

Until Next Time,

* It's A New Week *

Hey Everyone!
Another week flies by and all I can say is two things:   I've worked A LOT and bought tickets for New York!!  Not much sewing but maybe I can sneak a little in tomorrow ~ my idea of a day of rest.
So, about New York.  My son flew out last week to work and find an apartment. He had angels with him because everything went so smooth and quick. The location is idea, less than a half mile from the Hearst Towers, which is where his office is.  No subways to deal with!  He's home for a few days to box up & ship his things that might fit in his space. We'll both fly out on Thursday and get the apartment all set up.  You can bet I'll be Facebooking pictures as well as blogging on the run.  This is my first time to NY and probably my first time being speechless.  {No comments... you know who you are!} 
Thank goodness for Google Earth.  As soon as I got word that papers were signed and he had an address, I opened up my laptop and took a tour of the city. The 3-D street view is insane!  I stood in front of his building and "walked" to his office.  {Yep, had to make sure it was a "safe" walk through the neighborhood} Can you tell he is the first boy to really leave the nest?  The college stuff didn't count.  I only gave him 7 pairs of boxers so he'd come home and do laundry that first year of dorm-living. Actually, we saw all our boys a lot during college.  I am so lucky they humor me. 
Fingers crossed that I get to post pics tomorrow of new items for my shop ;-)
I hope you're having a wonderful weekend.
Until Next Time,