Bobbin storage

Do you ever get tired of digging for that matching bobbin thread ?

These are really inexpensive and work great.

 The Handi-Bobs mount onto the top of your spool, keeping the matching bobbin and spool of thread together. 

Nancy's Notions is a great website with great customer service and quick delivery.

Check it out at nancysnotions.com.

Help save the environment.....

by purchasing reuseable bottles.

My nephew and his wife hosted a BBQ last year.

 I made these to add to my hostess gift basket.

Mommy, Daddy and the two kids.

These were just so easy to make. I used neoprene (headliner fabric) and purchased bias tape. I measured the bottles circumference and cut the neoprene about one inch longer, giving me plenty of room for the seam allowance. I added my embroidery and stitched on the bias tape both top and bottom. I then folded them right sides together and stitched up the back. The neoprene does not ravel so there is no need to serge the seam. Turn right side out. The only thing left to do would be to slide them on and you're done!

Ladybug fun facts...

All my little critters have been released into the wild... over 1500 of them.

I am hoping a few will stick around and take care of my rose bushes.

Ladybugs can eat up to 75 aphids in one day. 

Just like the horseshoe and the four leaf clover, the ladybug is considered to be good luck. 

A ladybug beats its wings up to 85 times per second when it flies.   

    

 Ladybugs will pretend to be dead and fall to the ground if threatened.

And.....

Did you know?

Ladybugs are the official state insect of Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio and Tennessee.

States have official insects ????

May I brag a bit?

 I have been teaching Oakleigh's mom to sew since she was about
ten years old.

Below are a few of her projects.

The bib and onesie were for her cousin's new baby and a couple dresses for Oakleigh.

Didn't she do a great job ?

The frog on the onesie was "fussy cut" from the bib fabric and appliqued on.

How cute is that?

The red dress is made from a soft corduroy, the pink is a girly
Florida Gators cotton.
Love that fabric.... Go Gators !

On another note.....
I am just thrilled to have a new follower on my blog. Thanks for coming on board. I hope you enjoy your stay.

It's a beautiful day...

I think I will grab my sunglasses,

pack my sunscreen.....

and hit the beach !

See you soon.......

What's in YOUR fridge ?

Okay, before you get totally disqusted and grossed out....

let me explain...

I purchased these little ladybugs for my garden from http://tampa.wbu.com/. 

They need to be refrigerated to keep them in the dormant stage until they are ready to be released into the garden.  Ideally they should be released in the early morning or late afternoon.

So, yes, they will be living in my fridge for a day or two.

Oh, come on....

there just cute little ladybugs and the container has a lid on it...

it's really not that bad...

Crafty Kids

Need something quick for a child's birthday party?

Try this...

I purchased the craft books from Borders, the blank aprons from Michaels.

It only took about 20 minutes each to stitch the designs.

 I think they turned out pretty cute - for quick, last minute gifts.

What do you think?

Ralph Waldo Emerson

When I found this little ceramic cutting board, another thrift store find, it was solid white.

 Not wanting to use it as a cutting board, I picked out one of my favorite quotes, added a little clipart, and printed it onto transparent film.

The transparent film clings to the surface making it easy to remove or change.

Shhhhhh...but don't tell anyone...

it's hiding an old phone jack on my kitchen wall.

Only 246 days until Christmas !

Trust me, it's not too early to start your Christmas sewing.

I made this Advent calendar for my Grandbaby in 2008. It took me about 3 months to complete. I wanted something large enough to put small gifts in. This one measures approximately 3 feet wide by 4 feet long.

Below is a close up of the pockets and bottom corner.

 

Here it is, completely full and ready to go.

And, with Mommy's permission, I am posting a picture of my beautiful grandbaby, Miss Oakleigh Elizabeth.

Romantic Homes

My favorite magazine just arrived in the mail.

Should you miss me today....
I will be sitting in the garden, relaxing, and enjoying every page.....

Free gift

Okay, we girls know these are not really free gifts.....

You know, those little giveaways at the cosmetic counter when you spend a fortune or more ? 

How many do you really need or use ?

Think - Reduce, reuse, recycle.

These were "freebies" from Lancome. Rather than just tossing them out, I personalized these and passed them on to my niece.

Bedroom window

I just adore old windows and use them in several rooms in my home.

Here is one hanging in my daughter's room.

It's all about roses...........

The old painted cottage

Check out my "fun places to visit".
I have added http://theoldpaintedcottage.blogspot.com/.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE everything about Jennifer's blog and website.

Be sure to click on Cottage8 to visit her home.

No time to chat .....

My 50% off coupon ends today !

Ever have "one of those days"...

and feel the need to warn everyone around you ?

This should do it !

Little Miss fancy pants !

Oakleigh, my grandbaby, is potty training and I thought she might need new britches for the occasion...

Elm Creek Quilts novels

Even if you are not a quilter, you will love these books written by Jennifer Chiaverinri.

They are heartwarming stories about the bonds between mothers and daughters, sisters and friends.

Jennifer has written several in this series and two collections of quilt projects inspired by the series.

Growing up with Amy Vanderbilt

To this day, I can still hear my mother say "According to the Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette...." 

I would roll my eyes, thinking, here we go again...

Now, of course, I am happy she taught me some manners. I learned you always RSVP and never go empty handed to a dinner party. Your host or hostess has worked very hard planning this event. Even a casual BBQ takes some planning. Deciding a guest list, sending invitations, planning the menu, shopping, preparing, cleaning etc. take a lot of effort. Why would you not want to give them a little gift to show your appreciation for all their hard work ?

I prefer something a little more unique than the same old wine and flowers everyone brings.

Here are a few ideas:

Wouldn't this dishtowel be cute in a basket with a variety of flavored coffee and muffins?



Why not personalize it for a couple.
Include in your basket a jar of pear preserves.

The perfect pear is also a good idea to acknowledge an anniversary or tuck into a wedding gift.

Covered buttons

If you are afraid of covered buttons, don't be.

The kits come in various sizes and reasonably priced; usually only a few dollars.

Here is all you need and you can have matching buttons for any project.

Check out the instructions below and see just how easy they really are.

Grab your bag....

and let's go shopping !

I love machine embroidery.

Below are just a few of my favorite places to shop.

http://www.emblibrary.com/

http://www.digistitches.com/

http://www.designsbyjuju.com/

http://www.bunnycup.com/

http://moosebstitchin.freeservers.com/

Don't forget to download your freebies before you leave.
Most embroidery sites have samples to test their work before you purchase.

Quick and easy dessert

If you have three minutes (excluding baking time) and these two ingredients you can whip-up this really yummy dessert.

1 box angel food cake mix

1 can - 20 ounce crushed pineapple

Do not drain the pineapple. In large bowl combine the cake mix and pineapple. 

Mix well using electric mixer.

Pour into ungreased angel food tube pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until top is golden brown.   

Immediately turn pan upside down on glass bottle until cake is completely cool. Run knife around edges; remove from pan. Slice and eat.

or

Slice the cake in half, making two layers. Spread a thick layer of Cool Whip in between and on top.

Can't get much easier than that !

Curtain tiebacks

I am not a "Rooms to Go" person. I like the casual cottage style. I don't like everything to match. I prefer to shop antique stores, flea markets and thrift shops. I like sewing my own pillows, curtains, slipcovers, etc. I never let scraps go to waste. My curtain tiebacks were made from leftover linen, lace and buttons. The roses were added using my Husqvarna Viking Designer1 sewing/embroidery machine.

  

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner ...

Our little Goldfinches !

      This feeder hangs from a tree in my front yard.         

Isn't this just the coolest thing you have ever seen ?

For more information visit http://tampa.wbu.com/

In my opinion.....

You can never have too many flowers or too much sunshine in your day.

Have a great day !

Oakleigh's Easter

Just a little something I put together for my grandbaby for Easter.

I purchased the placemat from Walmart, the bunny design from http://www.emblibrary.com/.

   

Happy Easter everyone !

Pillow fight ready !

Girls just love sleepovers, don't they?

Why not make them something special for Girls Night Out .

 I purchased a white tee shirt, flannel pj bottoms and a pillowcase.

Matching embroidery threads to the pj bottoms, I stitched out her name and a quick machine embroidery design.

If you have a little more time, here's another idea...

I purchased the gym bags from Target and stitched their initials on it.

Rather than purchasing readymade pillowcases I made them from a soft flannel.
For their overnight essentials I made a small zippered bag from pre-quilted fabric.

So much to sew

So little time........

Granny's Hanky

As far back as I can remember my Grandmother collected handkerchiefs. 

 When she passed away in 1979 I inherited a few from her collection. 

This one now hangs in my guest bath.

             

When I purchased the frame, a $1.00 thrift store find, it was dark brown and not really very attractive.
A bit of spray paint later and, it became......
just what I was looking for !