Work Hard & Party Hearty

Did you think we gave up blogging?  I can’t believe it is August already and summer is nearly over.  Here’s what has kept us so busy this summer.

Davis Ranch Craft Show

In mid-June we participated in the Corn Festival at Davis Ranch in Sloughhouse, CA.  It was tons of fun and I had great help from my friend Virginia. 

Un-wedding Reception

My nephew married his soul mate on June 29, 2012 so we celebrated their wedding with an Alice in Wonderland themed “Unwedding Reception” during our family reunion.  Here are some of the decorations we made.  It was so much fun putting this together for them.  They are such a sweet couple and truly are perfectly matched.

Paper Roses

We made tissue paper roses in various sizes to use for center pieces on the tables.  It was so easy.  Just cut 3 different size circles from tissue paper and stack them placing the smallest circle on top then the middle sized circles and finally the largest circle.  Punch a small hole in the center and insert a brad to hold the circles together.  Starting with the smallest circles, pinch each layer up tight to the center then when all the pedals have been fluffed; wire the flower to a florist pick so you can arrange them.  We used oversized tea cups and mugs as well as stacked regular sized tea cups.  These center pieces were very fun & inexpensive to make. 

 Framed Art Work

The drawings from the original Lewis Carroll version of Alice in Wonderland are now available to download so I made “framed”  works of art using small silver serving trays (say that fast three times) that I got at Dollar Tree.  I increased the size of the original pieces using a copy machine.  I centered the drawings on the back side of the trays and pressed down around the edges to create a crease which I could follow as I cut off the excess paper.  The drawings were attached to the bottom of the tray with double stick tape and the decorative edge of the tray created the perfect frame.  Cost per piece was $1.45.    We used these as table decorations along with the tea cup flower arrangements.

 White Rabbit  

This large framed picture was made by my friend Nancy who is so creative.  I gave her a copy of the rabbit which was Felicia’s favorite drawing in the story.  She used black and white fabric as a background and increased the size of the drawing which she mounted on cardstock.  She used a font that was similar to the Lewis Carroll Font to write the words and added some embellishments.  This now hangs in their home as a reminder of their special day.  Thank you Nancy!

 Mad Hatter Hat Party Favors

Felicia wanted the party favors to be in the shape of the Mad Hatter’s hat so I scanned through tons of ideas on Etsy and various party web sites but I just couldn’t come up with something that was pre-made that was affordable so I put my thinking cap on.  I purchased the "Tags, Bags, Boxes & More 2" cartridge for my Cricut because it has tons of different shapes of boxes.  I experimented with several boxes and finally settled on using a trapezoid box which we turned upside down.  We added ribbon trim and an oval paper brim base.  They were filled with sugar cookies that had a white chocolate rabbit on top and a small bottle of juice.  These were labeled with little tags that said "eat me" or "drink me".  We had a ton of fun putting these together the night before the reception. 

Team USA Popcorn

Since our family reunion began on July 27, 2012 which happened to be the opening day of the Olympics I made some special popcorn to show our support for the USA Team members.  It also kept the troops working as they helped prepare the decorations for the reception which was the next afternoon.

It was so easy and I got lots of requests for the recipe.  Here it is:

1.  6 regular size bags of Pop Secret Microwave popcorn

2.  1 bag each of Red, White, & Blue Candy Melts (Chocolate melts usually found in the party or wedding section at Wal-mart or JoAnns.)  Note that they only have a pastel blue so I added blue food color to make it darker.

3.  Pop two bags of popcorn.  Place in an extra large bowl making sure all the un-popped kernels are taken out then set it aside. 

4.  Place a bag of the candy melts in a dish and microwave until they are melted.  Follow package directions.  Stir the candies until they are smooth.  While the candy is still hot pour it over the popped corn.  Stir the candy and the corn together until all the corn is well coated.  The more you stir the more evenly the candy coats the corn. 

5.  Spread the coated popcorn onto two large cookie sheets that are lined with waxed paper to dry.  Let it dry for about 2 hours then break it up and store in an air tight container.  Repeat with the other two colors.  When all the corn is coated and dried you can mix the colors together.  I also added almonds, pecans, & raisins to the mix. 

All in all we had a great time at the unwedding reception and the family reunion.  Now it is back to reality and crafting.

Tutorial: Patriotic No Sew Wreath

Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays for several reasons.  First, it brings to mind all the freedoms we enjoy thanks to our military men and women who have served so long and done so much for us.  We can never thank these brave and courageous souls enough.  Second, traditionally this weekend officially begins summer.  Who doesn’t love summer?  Third, but not necessarily least, there is no pressure attached!  No stress, no list of people to buy presents for, no cookies to bake, no major shopping trips, no long drives or traveling (unless you choose to).  I LOVE this holiday.

In years past I would drag out tubs of decorations with every new season, holiday, birthday, or other event.  I was always taking down and putting up decorations.  Now…Not so much.   I just switch out a few things here and there to add a little flavor of the season. I try to make these changes last over three to four months.  HA! Another reason to like Memorial Day!  These decorations also cover June (Flag Day) and July (Fourth of July).

This quick and easy no sew wreath will add pop and sizzle to your summer decorations and really doesn’t take much time or money.  ALWAYS check your stash before you go shopping.  I didn’t have to buy anything for this project because I had everything on hand either left over from another project or purchased when it was on sale.

You need:

- 1 Straw Wreath

- 1/2 yard of patriotic fabric in two coordinating colors 
  (approximately)

- 1 1/2  yards matching ribbon

- Lots of small straight pins.

Step 1: Cutting FabricCut your base fabric into 3 inch strips across the width of the fabric.  I tear my strips because I like the ragged edge look but you can use a rotary cutter also.  You need about 6 strips.

Cut or tear your ruffle fabric into 3 inch strips.  You will need about 3 strips.

Step 2:  Wrapping WreathSecure the first strip of your base fabric to the back side of the wreath using pins.

Frugal Note: This is a good place to use those bent pins you generally throw away.

Continue wrapping the fabric around the wreath at an angle making sure you over lap the edges about 1/2 inch until the wreath is covered.  Secure fabric strips with pins as you add them on.

Step 3: Attaching Ruffled Edge

Using the contrasting fabric strips, begin attaching a soft pleated ruffle to the back side of the wreath.  Fold over the narrow raw edge and secure with a pin just at the outside edge of the wreath.   I use the width of my thumb nail as a guide to keep the pleats even.  Secure each pleat with a pin.

To add a strip of fabric, about 1 inch from the end of your first strip fold a soft pleat back toward the previous pleats, fold the end in to the middle.  Sandwich the next strip of fabric inside this pleat then secure with a pin.

Continue pleating until you have gone around the entire wreath.   You can stop here and tie the ribbon hanger onto the wreath for a minimalist look or add a simple embellishment.  I happened to have a cute little wooden star banner so I attached it with pins. 

I hope you enjoy Memorial Day weekend as much as I plan to.  Please leave a comment and share your thoughts on this wonderful holiday!

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Tutorial: Grab N' Go Tote

What do you do in the summer that makes life easier?  I’m always trying to find things that make summer activities easier, more fun, and most of all COOLER.   I live in an area where it is not uncommon to have 100 plus degree weather for days on end.  Ok…I know there are way worse places but for a mountain girl who never dealt with extreme heat this is HOT – HOT – HOT.

To get away from the heat we sometimes hop in the car and head to the Calaveras Big Trees

  Or to Dillon Beach

This is usually not preplanned and I am rushing around at the last minute grabbing coolers, food, drinks, and other necessities.   So I’ve had some ideas in my head for a while about making summertime excursions easier and less stressful.   The first thing I wanted to have ready to go this year is a Grab N’ Go Picnic Tote.

You will need:

- 1 Cotton cloth dish towel  (measures approximately 20 X 28 inches)

- 18 inches of 1 inch wide Grosgrain ribbon cut into a 15” piece and a 3” piece

- Small pieces of Velcro

- Matching thread

Step 1 - Pockets

Working with the short side, press the end up 4 inches toward the center of the towel then fold that pocket down so that you have approximately 1 inch above the top of the first edge – press.   Fold the towel again so that you form a pocket that measures a total of 6 inches - press.  You should have two layered pockets one that is shorter on top.  See the photos for clarification.

Step 2 – Sewing the Pockets

Working just the 4 inch folded pocket, measure and mark the lines for the plastic-ware starting 1.5 inches from the side across the right side of the towel until you have marked 6 pockets.  Repeat starting at the left side of the towel.  Note you will have an extra center slot that is slightly wider than the others.  That is good.

Stitch the sides together along the 4 inch edge making sure to only catch the first pocket layers.  Stitch the slots for the plastic-ware.  I always backstitch at the beginning and end of each line.   Topstitch along the folded edge which is approximately 1 inch above the open edge of the slots. 

Fold the 4 inch pocket on top of the six inch pocket and secure with a pin.  Starting about 2.5 inches from the bottom edge of the 4 inch pocket you want to stitch that pocket down.  Stop stitching about 2.5 inches from the other edge.  Be sure to back stitch at the beginning and end of this seam.

Fold the entire pocket assembly toward the center of the towel and stitch a seam up the center through all layers.   Almost done!

Optional:  Attach ½ in pieces of Velcro to the center of the two large pocket tops and the inside edge of the fold down flap.  I use sew in Velcro because it stays put but you can use the stitch free type if you prefer or…you don’t have to do this at all.  I just like to have things tucked in and secure.

Now you need to stitch the 6 inch pocket to the back piece.  To do this you need to fold back the end of the 4 inch pocket to keep it out of the way while you stitch the side seam.  Also insert the grosgrain ribbon holders by folding each piece in half and placing it between the layers of the seam at the top of the inner pocket.  Make sure they line up.  Secure by backstitching several times then stitch down the seam and secure the end of the seam with backstitching. 

Optional Embellishments:  You can add buttons, flowers, decals or whatever embellishments you want to the outside of the tote.  I want my tote to fit easily into my trunk and not take up a lot of space so I haven’t added anything extra - well not yet anyway.

I have some other ideas floating around in my head that I plan to put into cloth and on paper so come back in a few days to see what other summer fun things we will have going.  Please leave us a comment and tell us what you do to make your summer activities easy, fun, and COOL!

Love/Hate Relationships

Ladies, it is time to bring the messiest relationship you have out of the closet.  Come on…be honest…we all have them.  You know what I’m talking about.   You spy it across a crowded sales floor and believe that you are not able to continue in existence without that absolutely perfect handbag.   You LOVE it. It’s the perfect color, shape, style and it is on sale.  Life just doesn’t get better.  Am I right?

The funny thing is the first time you use this perfect bag you think it is a little fluky that you can’t find your cell phone when it goes off so you dig around until just as the call goes to voice mail you finally find it in corner.  Next you notice you can’t find your car keys so you dig around for five minutes even going so far as to shake the contents up a bit because we all know that’s going to help.  This relationship begins to turn ugly….sort of like this. 

So what’s a girl to do?  Well I happened to be thinking of giving a great bag to the Goodwill but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.  I really did love that bag.  That’s when I stumbled on a way to save my relationship with my handbag. 

This simple organizer is so easy to make and the best thing is you can change purses in a flash without having to transfer a dozen things.  It rolls up so it fits in bags of all sizes.  Now I can quickly find my phone, pens, tissues, or any number of things. 

I love this simple idea that has solved a problem that was making me into a not so merry Merry!

Quick Directions:

- Cut two pieces of fabric 8” by 26” and   two pieces of heavy duty iron on interfacing the same measurements.  Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric.

- With the right sides together, sew the two pieces of fabric together using a ½ inch seam.  Be sure to leave an opening to turn it right side out.  Clip the corners and turn the organizer right sides out.  Press flat then top stitch around the edge, closing the turn opening at the same time. 

- Fold one long edge up about 3 inches then sew the ends.   Mark pockets based on what you plan to put in your organizer.  Measure the item and add 1 inch for each slot.  Sew the seams being sure to back stitch.  

Fill it up and live happily ever after!  

For the detailed directions you can go to The Giving Flower

Genetics

It is a well known fact that we inherit our genetic makeup from our parents who in turn inherited their genes from our grandparents.   It seems reasonable to me to assume that I was born with genetic potential to be similar in many ways to my ancestors.  Don’t panic…this is not a science post. 

Basically I’m talking about the gardening gene.  My grandfather was a farmer his whole life.  My dad loved to garden.  He was a farmer who moved to the city out of necessity but he never stopped growing things.  He always planted a garden and had beautiful flowers where ever we lived.

This picture of my dad isn’t that great but you can get an idea of the pink and white stripped petunias that he loved most.

  My sisters all love to garden and have beautiful yards.  One of my brothers raises a big garden of vegetables every summer.   Even the butterflies want to be in Jacque and Beverly’s garden.

Me - not so much.   I don’t know if the gardening gene skipped me or if I just have not developed my potential in that area.  Oh, yes I have occasionally tried to grow things but plants seem to realize that they have a novice in charge and the race to see how fast their leaves can drop off.  I think it has to do with water and talking to them. 

So now that I am retired and have time to “stop and smell the roses” I’ve decided to give my gardening gene another chance to emerge from the oblivion that has overtaken it.   Ok - really I have been on Pinterest again and have seen so many great ideas for container gardens I just had to give it a try.  Keep your fingers crossed for us and maybe remember these pretty little flowers in your prayers. 

What is in your genes?  We all have genetic potential when we are born.  It is up to us to take that potential and make it become part of who and what we are.  I don’t expect to be the world’s greatest gardener but I do think I can be a better gardener than I have been – after all – it’s in my genes.