Thursday, September 29, 2011

My Little Red Lunch Tote


When I was growing up, my lunch was packed nearly every day. Weren't you so proud  to have a lunch box that represented your favorite television show or past time? Your name was on masking tape inside the metal lid, it held a sandwich wrapped in waxed paper, a banana or apple, and one of mom's cookies. Maybe, just maybe there would be a Hostess Cupcake on a special occasion.  And remember  the room temperature milk in the glass lined thermos? If you were lucky, it was blended with some Nestle's Quick. When I was in fourth grade, my best friend Cheryl and I would each bring a nickle to school so that we could buy an ice cream sandwich on Friday's. The lunch lady would cut it precisely down the middle for us, even though we didn't buy our lunches that day with those little tear off lunch tickets. It was an extra treat for  those of us who brought our lunches from home.

Carrying that lunchbox every day was so awesome...until Junior High, when it was way more cool to buy from the cafeteria than to bring something homemade.

When I reached high school, it was okay to pack a lunch again... I mostly brown-bagged it, and all the girls would try to bring the healthiest,  or the most appealing portable meal...one kid, Douglas, would always pack sardines, which really grossed us out.






These days, I bring my lunch to work nearly every day. Usually a salad, some fruit, or maybe leftover soup in the winter. I also find myself coming full circle in that I having to carry a cute lunch tote. My old one was frayed and worn, so I finally buckled down and made one last night from the book "Lunch Bags! 25 Handmade Sacks and Wraps to Sew Today."

 This was a quick project...made it in an evening. The fabric is red duck from Walmart's remnant bin...which cost all of about $2.00.
The lining is from my scrap bag, and the batting from the bottom of a bin of old quilt supplies. I used grosgrain ribbon for the drawstring closure.
                


The lining is laminated cotton. The outside is machine quilted. And it's a very generous size.















I love the plump squareness of this bag.

And today, she did just fine on her maiden voyage to work..plenty of room for all of my containers, and wiped clean to use again tomorrow.

I just may have to make another one!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

A Full Measure of Blessing

It's sort of feeling like a season of blessings to me. I love the fall transition of the year..it's a contemplative time, and I have had so many things on my heart these past weeks. And so thankful to God that He so tenderly cares for me, even knowing that I am such a work in progress!

I'm thankful for today, because it's my anniversary. 15 years married to JR, who has loved me unconditionally, been an example and a mentor to me, and has always demonstrated  grace toward me and our marriage.


And my family. How can I be proud and humbled at the same time?  And did I mention that the most incredible news of all is that in addition to the four smartest and most adorable grandkids that we have, we are about to have three more!!! That's right, each of our girls, Meghan, Katie and Amelia, are having babies! One is due in December, one is due in February, and the other is due in March! I still can't quite get my head around that! Did I mention...three more grandbabies!!!!!

The blessings of friendship...camping friends, blog friends, church friends, neighbor friends, and the friends that we know would drop anything when we need them. There are the friends that know every detail of our lives and without hesitation  love us more because of our mess-ups.

And to think I get to spend my time here on Earth with all of these people, and live comfortably in a little bungalow, and make and do the things I love to do.   That's not a bad way to live.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Beth and Maxine!



And the winners of the two books are:
Maxine said...
Hi
I've just had a very enjoyable drive listening to you and Lori chat about sewing! What a fantastic episode. Lori has introduced me to some great new places - and now I have a new one too - your blog. It looks fab and I'm sure I shall enjoy keeping up to date. Thanks!
Beth said...
I listen to Lori's podcast and follow her 2 blogs in my google reader. I will now add your blog to my reader as well. I would love to win either of these books. So happy to have found you!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Wedding Plans

I miss sewing. I miss cooking.  I miss my house. I miss my husband.

These past few weeks, I've been up to my ears in wedding consultation and planning for a sweet couple who are got married today.  Themes, layouts, design elements, centerpieces...all that fun stuff. It was  a blast to see it all come together this weekend, though.






Last night, the reception venue was transformed from ski/hunt lodge to rustic wedding.



And the bride and groom are happy with the results. Which makes me very happy.


I had really hoped to get a red dress made to wear, but that did not happen. No. Way.
I was  lucky to get  my toenails painted in time!  So tomorrow, I will sew, I will make a nice dinner, I will clean my house, and I will spend some time relaxing with my husband.

And, I will draw two names for the winner of the books!



Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Mr. Husband likes Camping!

I believe that Mr. Husband is convinced he likes camping.
After another weekend away at the beautiful Stony Brook State Park with our good friends, Jon and Lisa, JR is convinced that we're on to something.






    


Good food.
Relaxation.
Enjoyable companionship.
The Great Outdoors.

What's not to love? How could we have waited so long?  I grew up camping, and have always wanted to return to that vacation lifestyle once again. A whole weekend with nothing to do but kick back....after setting up, of course.
But you know that when I get an idea in my head, I obsess about it.
And for the last few years, I have obsessed about having a vintage camper to restore.
So, while we were on the drive home, and while thoughts of a vintage camper were lurking in the back of my mind, we happened across our newest project:

                                                     A 1961 13ft. Scotty Silverside Camper!



And she's all ours!

I can't tell you how I am bursting with ideas for how to restore and decorate this little lady.   What will the interior color scheme be?  How will she be accessorized ? There will be fabric to choose and cushions to cover! Curtains to adorn her little jalousie windows! Will she have a theme?

Shabby Chic?
Retro 60's?
Vintage Camp?
Nostalgic Travel?
Vagabond Gypsy?

Do you have any thoughts? Something I haven't yet entertained? If you had a little camper, how would you dress her for her first outing?


Don't forget to listen to the latest episode of  the Sew Forth Now Podcast,  in which Lori interviews yours truly! And then leave a comment or become a follower so that you can be in the drawing for one of two books!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

My Podcast Interview and a Giveaway!




This week, I had the awesome opportunity to be interviewed on Lori's Sew Forth Now podcast! It was such fun to talk with Lori about our love of sewing and some of my areas of special interest. She is a delightful hostess, and I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. I think you will, too!
You can find the current episode at Sewforthnow.blogspot.com, where Lori has included a direct link, or you can listen on iTunes!

Two of the websites I mentioned for inspiration are:
The Cabi Canary
and
Fabulous After 40

I mentioned at the end of the podcast about how this interview is timed at about when I was transitioning from my old blog. So because of that, I want to take the opportunity to share something special with you!


I will be giving away two fabulous books!
"Pattern Making for a Perfect Fit"
and
The Little Black Dress

I will draw two names on September 25th  from the comments mentioning Lori's podcast and from my Google followers! So, comment, link, follow, or whatever else you need to do to have a chance to get one of these books. And thank you, thank you, thank you for reading and listening!




Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Simplicity 2728

And just in the nick of time, right before a cold front moves in, I get to wear my white jacket!


This is Simplicity 2728, made with Vera stretch cotton sateen from Fabric.com.  This is a great jacket. I had already worked out the fit when I made my previous version which you can read about on my old blog...
IMG_4107  IMG_4109  Just goes to show you the versatility of this pattern!

This time around, I sort of created my own view again: 3/4 sleeves without sleeve bands,  topstitching, and extra buttons. I also did not do the back tab detail.


The entire jacket is lined with white bemberg rayon.  It goes together wonderfully, and the pattern instructions are very easy to follow. I cut a size 16 with my usual full bust adjustment. And after my coffee disaster, I was able to get it washed and pressed in time to wear to work today.


I really like it. Very much.  The fit is so nice, and easily adjusted with those nifty front shaping darts.
Now I have to get to taking in some of my pants...good grief, look how baggy they are! Thanks to 

Next up? I actually need a new lunch bag...I'm embarrassed to show you what my current one looks like!
I'll be making one from "Lunch Bags!"