Did Someone Say Tutorials???

I thought that today I would list a few tutorials for things I want to make! Just click on the pictures to go to the tutorial!!!

The Train to Crazy has some really cute skirts for girls! I really want to make a couple or then for Baby Girl!

Betz White has a couple. First a stackable display for goodies, and then she also has an eyeglass case that is too cute!

And last for today, Fabtalk has a darling pincushion that I will probably make up for my Stitching Angel (and of course, one for me!):

Well, I think that is enough for today! Go make something!!!

My Saturday Finish...

First let me apologize for the following crappy pictures. As you may know, my desktop's mother board bit the dust so I am temporarily using my old laptop that doesn't have my photo editing program on it. I'm afraid to put it on as I think it will be too much for the poor little thing. What you don't know is I have gone back to using our OLD camera since, being the wonderfully organized person that I am, I have managed to misplace the charger for our good camera that I normally take bad pictures on! Sooooo....crappy computer with no photo editing program + crappy camera + crappy photographer = very crappy, orange tinged pictures!

Here are my finishes for the day! I am so happy about how they turned out! First is my sewing machine mat. It has a pocket and turned out darling!

Full on shot:

With my trusty 25 year old machine on it:

Now I think I need to get some pink scissors since the orange ones clash so badly with the material, not that you can tell in my orange pictures!

My other part of the finish is the matching sewing machine cover:

Close up:

If you are interested in the pattern I got it from Cheryl over at Willowberry Designs . She is a very talented designer with a wonderful blog. She is also part of a new venture of Aussie designers that have started a new blog called Among the Gum Trees. You should definitely check out their new blog too!

Donations Appreciated...

Won't you consider joining in this worthwhile cause? If you prefer to donate to a local chapter and you are in California, Florida, Michigan or Ohio visit the Project Night Night site here to see where to send your donation.

The Simple Woman's Daybook 4

September 22, 2009

Outside my window... a dark, humid night tapping at the glass.

I am thinking... how silly some of the women are on dancing with the stars.

I am thankful for... good friends, good music and good times.

From the kitchen... dishes from dinner yet to be done, the smell of the crockpot chicken we had for dinner, a family well fed.

I am wearing... pink pajama bottoms and tank top.

I am creating... today...wedding decorations and programs for a dear friend.

I am going... to sit and enjoy my glass of tea.

I am reading... my Daughter's homework sheets.

I am hoping... to sleep well tonight.

I am hearing... my Husband practicing on his acoustic guitar...I love the sound of that!

Around the house... sounds of music, sleeping dogs, the end of the day.

One of my favorite things... being able to help my friends with their projects.

Check these out...

It's giveaway time in blogland! Here are a few for you to check out! Just click on the pictures! (I'll be adding to this list as the day goes on)

If you like pink, you HAVE to go see this giveaway, it's amazing!

Lovely office supplies at Creative Home Expressions: There's a new blog in town. It's a group of Aussie designers that are all wonderful on their own and they have joined up to make a wonderful new place to visit! They are all having giveaways to promote their new venture. If you like to sew or embroider, you must check this site out and visit their individual blogs to enter their giveaways!
Over at Our Cozy Nest they are giving away a couple of darling charm packs:

The Simple Woman's Daybook 3

If you are interested in joining in, you can find all the information by clicking on the button below.



September 14, 2009


Outside my window... the sun is shining, the cicada's are buzzing in the trees...summer has cast her cloak on us for a final farewell before the new season arrives.

I am thinking... how unusual it is being in such a quiet house...I'm the only one here...that hasn't happened in a LONG while!

I am thankful for... the beautiful sunny day.

From the kitchen... the sounds of my coffee maker sighing. It wants to be used for coffee instead of the hot water I run through it constantly for my tea.

I am wearing... jeans and a tshirt a lovely shade of pinky melon.

I am creating... embroideries for my secret angel and another secret swap partner.

I am going... to be very busy the rest of the week!

I am reading... The Time Travelers Wife...very good book. I wanted to read the book before I see the movie, it always helps to give insight to the little things they just aren't able to convey on film.

I am hoping... to get caught up on my laundry. *gasp* *snort* *chuckle* *guffaw*

I am hearing... the whine of the fan in my laptop (still no desktop computer :( ) The low pitched rushing of the refrigerator running. The occasional creak of the door or windows as the sun warms them and they shift in their casings...who said it was quiet around here???

Around the house... my Daughter's things everywhere...on my desk, on the family room floor, on the kitchen table, the dining room table, the stairs... she is like a tornado on steroids!

One of my favorite things... this will sound odd...I have terrible allergies and go through life pretty much not smelling anything. On the rare occasion I have my sense of smell, usually only for 5 minutes or less, I like to run to my children and smell them. The sweet smell of my Daughter and whatever lotion is her preferred for the day. The slightly sweaty, but not unpleasant, smell of a Son who has been out in the sun. The scent of my Son's deodorant mixed with his naturally pleasant body aroma. One of my favorite things, and much missed.

Here are a couple of giveaways for you to check out, just click on the picture:

Have a lovely day!!

Zip, Zilch, Zero...

...crafting going on in my house. I thought with my computer being sick I would have more crafting time (not that I have a problem walking away from the computer or anything...). But here is a synopsis of my last two days:

Wednesday:

8:45 - get Daughter on bus for school.

8:55 - drink chocolate coffee mixture while checking email and random blog sites.

9:30 - run a load of laundry, fold a load (Di, aren't you proud of me!!), put it away. Do random housekeeping. Do a little pile elimination (I'm a terrible "piler" of papers).

11:40 - leave to take #2 Son to college class (he needs rides for the next couple weeks).

12:00 - return home, clean house, sweeping, vaccuming, straightening. Wash dishes, by hand, with water I boiled on the stove top as our water heater is acting up and had to be shut off.

1:38 - leave to pick up #2 Son from class

2:15 - return home

2:30 - Brother-In-Law arrives to look at hot water heater

2:55 - leave to pick up #3 Son from marching band practice

3:15 - arrive home. Run some laundry (always with the laundry, guess that's what I get for having four children!!!)

3:45 - Start dinner.

4:35 - get Daughter from bus. Rush her to get ready for dance. Search frantically for dance bag that contains ALL dance shoes. Have fit. Trash Daughter's room. Find bag after looking in the same spot 4 times.

5:15 - do Daughter's hair (It has to be put in a ponytail. Woven into two braids and wound into a bun) in the worst way I have ever done it. Grab a bowl of food for her to eat in the car on the way to dance.

5:40 - arrive at dance 10 minutes late. Have teacher comment on how frazzled I look. Smile, tell her it's been a long day. Watch Daugher dance through two way mirror. Read new book. Watch. Read. Rinse and repeat.

8:05 - leave dance studio to go home

9:00 - tuck Daughter in. Collapse in exhaustion. Stare mindlessly at tv.

Thursday:

8:45 - get Daughter on bus for school

9:00 - leave to take #2 Son to get books for college.

9:30 - arrive at college campus, drive around for 20 minutes looking for a parking spot. Give up, park in nearby subdivision, hoof it to bookstore. Realize that if we stand in line for books, he'll be late for class. Go back to car. Drive back to town.

10:50 - stop at Starbucks, get large shaken ice tea and a frappuccino.

10:55 - drop #2 Son off for 11:00 class

11:10 - go to Joann Fabrics to waste time since it doesn't make sense to go back home before I have to pick #2 Son up from class.

11:40 - arrive back at satelite campus. Park and read until class is done.

12:25 - pick #2 Son up from class.

12:35 - pick Daughter up from school for Doctor's appointment at 12:45. She has a sinus infection.

1:47 - return Daughter to school to finish the day.

2:05 - arrive home.

2:55 - leave to pick up #3 Son from marching band practice. Go to Walmart to pick up prescription for Daughter. Go to one bank, make withdrawl. Go to different bank make deposit.

4:13 - arrive home

4:35 - get Daughter from bus. Start dinner. Quiz Daughter on schoolwork.

5:15 - eat dinner while fixing Daughter's hair for dance.

5:33 - leave for dance class.

5:57 - arrive at dance class (see yesterday's rinse and repeat).

8:10 - dance class is done...go home.

9:00 - tuck Daughter in.

Whew!! Make a blog post and...go to bed...

All I can say about tomorrow is THANK GOD there is no dance... oh, and #2 Son? He can ride the public bus home...I'm going shopping for a dress to wear to my favorite friend's wedding. I think I deserve it!!! Of course, I still have to be home to pick #3 Son up from marching band...

The Simple Woman's Daybook 2

If you are interested in joining in, you can find all the information by clicking on the button below.

September 7, 2009

Outside my window... The lawn was cut, the mulch laid and weeds pulled.

I am thinking... about how I am loving the way my new sewing machine cover is turning out!

I am thankful for... my Husband and our long marriage.

From the kitchen... a yummy taco-ish dip from my sil, potato and cheese filled perogies and ceasar salad. Sounds weird together, but the beany-cheesey dip was great on the perogies!

I am wearing... a summery dress in pink, orange and yellow.

I am creating... a sewing machine cover and mat.

I am going... to bed in a few minutes!

I am reading... lots of blogs!

I am hoping... tomorrow will be a good day for my kids, it's the first day of school.

I am hearing... the quiet of a house gone to bed... my dog's breathing as he lay's sleeping in my lap.

Around the house... NO LAUNDRY! I folded it all and put it away! Yay me!

One of my favorite things... watching a movie with the whole family! Tonight it was Inkheart. Enough action for the boys, a youngish girl for the Daughter to identify with and enough of a storyline for me to be entertained!

The Button That Does Nothing...

I'm so unhappy. My computer, which just celebrated it's one year birthday (of course) won't turn on. I push the button and the light comes on (for the button) and then, nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero.

I have to take it to the "computer docotor" today. As we all know, medical bills are outrageous. I'm sure the "computer doctor" won't be any different.

What I'm most concerned about is the fact that I was in the process of transferring a couple of free block of the months (which I am woefully behind on) and recent family pictures to my memory stick when my computer froze. Keep your fingers crossed that the hard drive is okay and I won't lose my information.

I should have known better. My old lap top went through TWO hard drives. I don't have the best luck with computers.

I am using my children's computer to make this post. Needless to say, I won't be spending so much time online for the next few days. At least I should be able to get more accomplished around the house (yeah, right!) and be able to do more stitching and sewing!

I had a surprised planned for everyone, but until my computer is all better, it will have to wait. Hope to be back soon...