Goodbye August!

Wow! It's hard to believe that September starts tomorrow. It seems like only yesterday we were making lists of things to be done (this summer) in and around our home and let's just say - some things were done and some were not!! I've kind of adopted this attitude - things can wait. There's way too much drama at work that I can't change, but life at home can be slow, relaxing and enjoyable! But, with that said, I do need to make a real effort to get ready for my Craft Show in November. Two months will fly by and I want to be ready. I did a little shopping over the weekend at AC Moore and Michael's and have lots of ideas buzzing around my head. Hopefully this week I'll have a few of them put together. My official start date is going to be the day after Labor Day. I will draw up a plan/schedule and go from there. I'm going to challenge (my word of the year!) myself to get this done with time to spare.

Today I need to prep my pages for my Inchies for September. I'm a little behind on August but will be caught up soon and then I'll show you both July and August. I forgot to do that last month. It's fun to do but I definitely need to keep my basket with that in close by as I forget to do it sometimes. I'm looking forward to seeing what Twinnee has done for this month. She's very talented with her drawing and watercolours, and has great ideas.

A pretty quiet week for me this week although Hubby and I did go to the Sub Zero/Wolf design place. It was fab! Lots to think about and a few more floor plans for the kitchen are needed!!

Here are my photo-a-day pics for the week

The first pic is a succulent cutting that fits perfectly in my mini cup. The Tasty Cakes plant next door to Sub Zero/Wolf at the Navy Yard in Philly. A picture that was on the wall at Quest. Hubby brought home pretzels - they're his favourites. Some things I didn't buy at AC Moore and Michael's! And lastly, Sunday morning breakfast for one!! Love the Bavarian Cream donut!

Have a great week, until next time...

I'm On My Way!

It's a slow start, but I think I'm on my way with my Craft Show planning. Following the success of my little box pouch from last week - I took it to work and have already got an order for 4 as bridesmaid gifts - I'm definitely going to be making those. I'll do two sizes for sure and possibly three. I'm also thinking that I'll slightly change the shape for one of them. So of course I had to start thinking about fabrics and have been looking at gothamquilts.com and hawthornethreads.com I'll probably check out a couple more shops and then place my order. I've also been getting papers and cardstock together as I want to make some fun little journals. And I still need to play with my Bind-it-all!! So like I said - a slow start but it's a start. My biggest problem is the weather. It's hard to be inside when it's so nice outside! That's why I'm trying to get all my planning and ordering done now and then once school starts and Hubby goes back to work (he teaches HS) I can focus on the actual making of things.

We had a great weekend catching up with our friends after their family vacation to California. On Saturday night the four of us went out to try the new Bonefish Grill and then on Sunday we all went house hunting (for fun) and then over to Le Pain Quotidien for cake and coffee! They serve the best lemon tart with big bowls of milky coffee!!

Here are my photo-a-day pix for the week.

The first pic is the new pool - Hubby was bringing the mermaid pool from the front of the house to the back and somewhere along the way punctured it! Mini office clips from Crate & Barrel. Dear sweet Maddie having dinner! The beginnings of a Happy Birthday journal. My favourite little girls' pool shoes. Fish and chips at the Bonefish Grill and lastly a cute little tiled sink area in the house we looked at on Sunday.

Hope your weekend was a fun filled one. Until next time...

Goodbye Peanut

Early Saturday morning (3am) our dear little Peanut died. I knew it was coming as she'd stopped eating her cucumber and tomatoes. I wrapped her in a cozy towel to keep her warm and snuggled with her one last time. As sad as it is, I know she had a good life - nearly 6 years - and is back with Pixie again.

I miss them terribly but know that we'll be guinea pig parents again and will probably adopt from Pet Finder or a local shelter.

Last week I bought a napkin from Crate & Barrel - I've said it before and I'll say it again THEY HAVE THE BEST NAPKINS AND DISHTOWELS!! I decided to have a go at making a box pouch. I popped down to Joann Fabrics and bought a zip and lining fabric and came home to sew.

I was thinking of making these with matching notebooks and pens for my craft show but needed to make a practice one first as I didn't want any raw seams on show on the inside. I have to say I love how it turned out.

I know it's not the best photo but you get the idea! Now I need to decide how many I want to make and start sewing!! My girlfriend, who's also doing the craft show, is making quilted table runners, canvas aprons with an embroidered design on the front and some pin cushions. I'm also thinking of making some holiday pillows and some knitted items. So between us we should have a good selection of different stuff. More photos and lists to come! Oh and I almost forgot - I bought a Bind-it-all from Amazon last week. I haven't used it yet - I was hoping to try it this morning before work, but I've put my back out so will have to wait until the weekend. I think I did it when I was playing with The Bean and Sissy in the pool over the past few days.

Here are my photo-a-day pics from last week. I've given up trying to get caught up with the few weeks that I'm behind so I'm just going on from here!

The first pic is my application waiting to be mailed for the Craft Show. Next is an American Goldfinch along the side of the road. My Bind-it-all from Amazon. A window display at Crate & Barrel. This beautiful shell shadow box is on display at our local library along with a few others - everything is made from shells! Early morning in the parking lot at work and lastly Peppa Pig and Brother George waiting to be hugged by The Bean and Sissy (actually Sissy ended up with both!!). Hard to believe we're already halfway through August, so enjoy these summer days as Autumn will be here soon. Until next time...

Holiday Craft Show

So I finally decided, after going back and forth, to sign up for a Holiday Craft Show. I've printed out the registration form and will be putting it in the mail first thing tomorrow morning! You have to specify your craft, so I'm going with - knitting, sewing and paper goods. That should cover everything. This craft show will be benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation and in addition to a show fee, we also have to donate an item for the raffle valued at $20 - I'll pick that out once everything is made. I guess my first step to getting ready for the show will be to make a list of things I'd like to make and go from there. I'll follow the steps for planning and making from a previous post that I'd originally found on the wonderful Stitched in Color blog. Naturally I'll be looking at Pinterest for inspiration but I already have quite a few ideas buzzing around my head! I'll update as I go.

My July Inchies is just waiting for the background detail which should be done in the next day or so and then I'll post that and hopefully the beginning of August too.

I'm still catching up with my Photo-a-day, so these are for the week of Monday July 20th

Edmond sits happily on the end of the diving board! Just thought the shopping cart sign at Target was cute! We're looking at tile for the kitchen and this is not it! Maddie and Lucy waiting for some of my lunch. Two of the places we had dinner when visiting my son and girlfriend a couple of weekends ago - Nando's and El Paso - the fish was Hubby's dinner! And the cruise ship that's "parked" along I-95 in Baltimore that we passed. Have a great week. Until next time,,,

Last Weekend

Last Friday Hubby and I packed our weekend bags and headed down to Virginia to spend a few days with our son and girlfriend at their new apartment. I swear I aged 20 years by the time we got there - not because traffic was heavy but because of the way people drive. I guess it doesn't matter how long I've lived here, I'll never understand why some drivers have to sit in the fast/passing lanes which then causes other drivers to weave all over the place!?! For dinner we toyed with the idea of driving over to Alexandria but after seeing that traffic wasn't moving too fast on I-95 we settled with staying locally. We drove around the different shopping areas and finally picked Nando's. The restaurant is I guess Portugese and quite delicious. I think almost everything is chicken with sides, so I chose a medium heat sauce - Peri Peri - over a breast with a side of mash potato. YUM YUM!

Once we got back to the apartment complex we wandered around looking at all the facilities. They've thought of everything from two workout/gym areas, a nice pool with hot tub and comfy looking lounge chairs, outdoor flat screen tv's, a movie room, full kitchen with family room and even a games room. We stayed a while and played some pool and shuffle board before heading back up to the apartment for bed.

For breakfast the next morning, Hubby and I were made yummy waffles with eggs and bacon. We then searched google for somewhere to go kayaking. We found a place that was about 5 mins away. Unfortunately we didn't get any pix of us as we left our phones in the car so they wouldn't float away! Hubby actually lost his sunglasses and his watch! We kayaked and swam for about an hour before going back to the marina/rental place and traded out our 4 kayaks for 2 paddle boards. Hubby and son went off and did that whilst we stayed and watched the boats and other kayakers. We did get to have a quick go on the paddle boards when they came back and although it was brief I had fun and would definitely like to try it again.

For dinner that night we went out for Mexican food. Definitely one of my faves! After assembling a leaning desk from Crate & Barrel Sunday morning, Hubby and I drove home. What a fun weekend - I can't wait until next time.

I'm a little behind on my photo-a-day, so here are the ones from the week of the 13th July

The first is a butterfly bush that self-seeded by the pool that I'll dig out at the end of the season. Next are peppers and toms from our pots. This HUGE caterpillar next to a quarter ate two large toms and half the plant in about 12 hours! Starbucks! I would love a Sub Zero for my kitchen remodel (it's not going to happen!) Some mittens i'm finishing from last winter and finally a stick insect that was out sunning himself.

Enjoy these last days of July. Until next time...

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My Lights Are Up!!

The  other day Hubby and I finally put up our outside lights.  Ever since vacationing in Marbella (back in my early 20's) and eating out in "Orange Square" I've had this thing about having globe lights hanging around my deck!  I felt like a kid at christmas - and I love them!

During the day

A little difficult to see but at night...

And the best part of it all, is that it shows off my arbor beautifully - thanks dad and hubby!!

A follow-up from a previous post - I've returned all my library books without finishing them.  I just can't seem to get into reading at the moment.  I think for a couple of reasons - a) I don't want to get so engrossed in the book and do nothing else and b) I'm trying to do a little artwork each day along with weeding and a few other things!!  I know it's just a temporary lapse and I'll find that happy reading time again.

Here are last weeks photo-a-day

The first is a kids meal from Chick-fil-A.  Next is Maddie on the sofa during some thunder and lightening - usually it's no dogs allowed!  Another one of Maddie - her tail peeping under the bathroom door! The Vending machine at work.  One of the frogs that lives under the lower deck. Looking through the window from my armchair in the living room and lastly, breakfast last Sunday at Panera.

Had a fabulous weather day today, really low humidity with a high in the upper 80's.  It reminded me of vacationing in the South of France!  Hope your weather is good in your part of the world.  Until next time...