Imagine my surprise this morning when...

I poured myself a cup of coffee....

signed onto my computer....

and found 111 followers !

When I started this little blog back in March 2010, as a tribute to my mother, I had no idea anyone would even be interested. Today I hit 111 followers - or - new friends as I like to call them. Well, that's not exactly accurate...I guess I can't count my best bud Debbie, Mr. Fisherman or our daughter in the count of new friends. But, I can definitely count the other 108. You see - I am not one to beg for followers. We have all seen them. You follow me and I will follow you... or if you follow me you can win a really cool prize.
What's the point? Are they really interested in your posts?
 I have kept this little blog a secret from most of my family and friends.
Why?
 Because I make gifts for many of them and I don't want them peeking before it's time.
So now you see why I am so excited?
I have 108 new friends !
So, thank you my friends, for not only following me, but taking the time to read and comment on my posts - all the while, ignoring all my grammar and punctuation errors. My mother would be so proud; not of my grammar and punctuation errors, of course, but maybe...
just maybe...
 I too, have been able to inspire someone along the way.

Thanks again to all my wonderful new friends!
YOU are MY inspiration.

I love scraps !

I have a problem throwing away even the smallest scrap of fabric.

I can always find a little project to use them for.

This little project started here...

Isn't it adorable?
Each time my friend Debbie comes to visit, she brings me little treasures.

This ladybug mug was one, of many, treasures she brought.

I started thinking about the cute little mugmats I have seen on other sewing blogs.

You know, smaller than a placemat yet larger than a coaster - just the right size for a cup of coffee and a little snack.

Well, I jumped on the band wagon and made one for myself...

They are so much fun to make, I couldn't stop with one....

Really.....

they are so addicting.

Bet you can't make just one !

Linking to:

http://www.somewhatsimple.com/

http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/

http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/

http://www.remodelaholic.com/

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

http://cherishedtreasures-terry.blogspot.com/

http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

http://www.canoeridgecreations.com/

http://hazelandhoneysuckle.blogspot.com/

Polly's one hour shirt is now complete!

~ 4 hours later ~

 I think the next time I will make the shoulders a tiny bit narrower, but overall it fit nicely.

It was looking a little plain to me, so I added top stitching and a few buttons.

Rather than a button closer I used a hook and eye.

If you are new to sewing, this would be a great pattern to start with.

Very easy !

A work in progress

New Look 6483

One hour EASY !

I chose this simple pattern for my daughter to test my skills using Penelope.

Sew far - sew good.....

~ Only one problem ~

After adjusting the pattern, cutting it out and making small adjustments while on Penelope,

this one hour EASY

has now turned into 3 hours and still a work in progress!

I couldn't resist....

I found these little camouflage shorts and had to do just one more outfit.

NOW, I am done!

Father's Day gift

My nephew received the coolest Father's Day gift this year.

A brand new baby boy! Yep, born on Father's Day.

I got to work embroidering a few things...

Of course - his big brother needed something too

I found this cute little bath at Wal-Mart.

and added a few things

Congrats to Mom and Dad!

~ Just Rosy ~

I had forgotten about this little spa bag until I saw Debbie using it on her visit.

I made this bag in 2007 for Debbie's birthday and she still uses it today.

It has 4 outside pockets.

 ~ you know I had to embroider on each one ~

I added a few goodies to match.

Rose scented candle tarts and warmer

Rose soap

Homemade bookmark

Homemade card

Oakleigh's beach bag is another example of the same bag - different fabric.

Don't you just love when someone actually uses the things you make?
I know, I do.

Linking to:
http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://itssoverycheri.com/
http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/
http://sewhappygeek.co.uk/
http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/
http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/
http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
http://www.remodelaholic.com/
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/
http://www.freckledlaundry.com/
http://cherishedtreasures-terry.blogspot.com/
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Thrifty find

Remember Madeline?

She now has a little sister.

Meet Penelope

Being tiny, petite and busty, my daughter, Polly, is hard to sew for.

I happened upon Penelope while strolling through a thrift store yesterday.

The minute I laid eyes on her - I knew I had to take her home.

She looked to be the perfect size for Polly.

 I took my trusty measuring tape from my purse (I'm a sewer - I always carry a measuring tape) and with just a few adjustments she was just the right size!

Welcome home Penelope!

Quick and simple dinner

Beef Enchiladas

Just a few ingredients...

A little ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, a can of enchilada sauce...

A few flour tortillas... 

(if you've not tried this brand before, give them a try - they are THE most delicious flour tortillas EVER)

Toss a salad and your done!

Quick and simple beef enchiladas

1 lb ground beef 

1 (19 oz.) can Enchilada Sauce

1 1/2 cup shredded cheese

8 Flour Tortillas

 Brown ground beef over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in enchilada sauce and 1 cup cheese. Spoon about 3/4 enchilada filling into tortillas; roll up and place seam-side down in lightly greased baking dish. Pour remaining enchilada mixture over top; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake at 400° for 15 to 20 minutes. 

What's for dinner at YOUR house tonight? 

~ Back to sewing ~

Slumber party or Sleepover....

Either way, Ms. Debbie will be ready.

Isn't she cute in her new jammies?



Debbie is new to sewing so while she was visiting she wanted to try a simple sewing project.

She chose this cute little pattern.

She was so busy sewing...

and ironing...

(I just love those cute little pink glasses, don't you?)

 

Until THIS happened !!!

 

Does this look a little strange to anyone else?

We called them her "cowgirl britches".

  I warned her to really pay close attention to the instructions when sewing the pant legs because they are a little confusing.

They are sewed upside down!!

What should be the pant leg is now the waistband....

 

Can you guess how I knew that?

Yep, I've sewed together a pair of "cowgirl britches" myself before.

Now enters the dreaded seam ripper...

 

Not to worry...

She is back to sewing.

And they now look like this..

Now let's recap...

~From this~

~to this~

Now you see the difference don't you?

As you can see, that didn't discourage her one bit...

The pj's are complete and she is already on to another sewing project.



Great job, Deb!

When did it change from "a slumber party" to "a sleepover" anyway?

Slowly getting back into routine....

I had such a WONDERFUL 3 weeks with my best bud, Debbie.

We traveled, shopped, thrifted, ATE, sewed, and tried all sorts of new things.

One of which was this....

~ fried conch ~

I will have to say - it was delicious.

We ate at a tiny little restaurant - The Hungry Tarpon - on Islamorda in the Keys.

Looks a bit "hole in the wall' but all the reviews were showing 5 star ratings.

It deserved a 5 star rating. Everything was fresh and delicious.

We chose to dine waterside.

They will even cook your own catch.

Can't get much fresher than this....

And...

 for all of you who have never tried Mahi-Mahi (Debbie) because you thought you were eating "Flipper"...

THIS is the dolphin Mahi-Mahi is made from. 

So, you see....Flipper is safe from harm.

Feeling a little better about eating Mahi-Mahi now?

I know Debbie is.