Gas Tank

My dear husband and I have started a new project together. We bought an old motorcycle that had been setting around in someone garage for the last ten years. and we are going to get it road ready for the summer season. So even though it isn't a "typical" craft I am going to learn restoration along this path. and I will be having a smattering of this along with everything else that I do.

Steve has really been chomping at the bit to get going on this so i told him to bring in the gas tank. and we would give it a once over and see how bad of shape it is in.

Well we washed it and then we fetched in the buffer I bought for Steve last year, and hit the tank with the buufing compound and it took on a nice shine.

Good enough that we have decided not to fix the rust this year, we are going to send it out next winter during the off season. That way we wont have to wait this year to ride.

sick!

I have been missing from my blog for a couple of days, due to a horrid headcold. So instead of crafting or cooking, I have spent two days sniffling and sneezing.

I did manage to start a new Linus blanket in between naps, Hopefully I can have it done a a few days.

Grandma's pattern

The culprit for the tendonitis is finally done!

This stitch was taught to me by my grandmother. I dont really know what its called or even a pattern that I could record. because the way she taught me was "here's how you start it, then come back and see me when you get it as big as you want then I'll teach you how to decrease"

I have had many people ask me how to do it and unfortuanatly I can only teach as I have been taught. I understand now that i am older that this was just a way for Grandma to get her teenaged granddaughter to come for a visit. if I had known then what I know now....

anyhow this blanket goes into the Project Linus Bag to see if i can make my personal Goal by the 21st.

Teddys!

well back to the quilt top no sew! this time Ive gone with a teddy thing.

I am planning on getting a navy blue back and a maroon border (to match the squares and bowties) for this one. I think it will be really cute when I get it all done!

I do appologise for the "yellow" tones in some of my shots. Lighting in my house sometimes is just horrid!

needs a home!

Once more a project that I found the fabric in the remnant bin. This one I actually finished about a month ago before I started this blog, the pink and lime green paisley really isnt my speed, but I love the way it turned out.

It rides low on my hip and has a zippered top, along with a large pocket in the front. My daughter says its just like the designer bag she has, just a diffrent color. but of course she doesn't want it... she has her own. As for me keeping it..... if its not purple ... I wont use it.

I'm hoping to find this a home soon.

Make a Blanket Day 2009

Today is Make a Blanket Day!

Each year, participating chapter coordinators around the country band together to make blankets and spread the Project Linus word.

The chapter I send my blankets to, had a goal of 100 blankets to be donated. I am happy to say we nearly doubled that goal!

I feel really pleased to know that I helped with this goal with five blankets. and knowing I have five more in the works that I want to donate by next month.

I would once again like to encourage anyone who can make a blanket to donate it to this cause. You can find your own chapter though the Project Linus website. I have it linked to the banner.

Crochet bag

My Father used this material to cover a chair for my mom years ago. No one every really used the chair so the material was barely worn. But when mom redecorated after my fathers death, she asked me to re cover the same chair with a material that would match her new color scheme.

I have one that I made for myself that I use in the summer to carry "beachy type" things in and I never use it without getting a "great bag" comment. Of course mine is in purple.

I took the old material home, washed it, tore it into strips, and crocheted this bag for my mom, so that she has a nice useful bag out of something Daddy did for her.

I used a "Q" hook. Then the handles are braided. I sewed a liner with a pocket. I used a large belt buckle as a "throw over" closure. I have to admit I hate patterns and I usually just get a picture in my head and crochet untill I get it the way I want it.

kittie bed

This was a (SHHHHH!!!) used doggie bed when I found it. The top was chewed, and frayed with no mattress at all.

I found some kittie fabric in the right color shades to match where she likes to sleep. which oddly enough isnt purple!....

Anyhow back to it, I tore some of it into strips and wrapped it around the chewed top. I never throw away old bed pillows either. so I made a little mattress with an old pillowcase, stuffed it with the stuffing from an old pillow, and sewed a new pillow case out of the kittie fabric!

so a new kittie bed fit for my "queen"

new selvage use!

Everyone is always trying to find new ways to use their selvages.

well "Queen cat" and "Princess cat" decided that selvages work great for cat toys! Sharp claws can grab them really well! not the box of cat toys I have spent COUNTLESS amount of money on OH NO not them they gotta play with selvages!

They actually got into a fight today over a scrap of selvage I dropped on the floor while I was sorting out my fleece.

I was able to snap this shot of "Queen cat" right before "Princess cat" Bounced her.

Of course "the Queen" won..... which is why she's the queen.

finished!

For a project that I was told "can't be done" I am really impressed on how this has tured out. it has a nice "scrappy" look to it. but still a good no sew feel as well. not bad for a couple of bags of scrap "garbage" fleece and a $7 peice of fleece for the back.

And for anyone who cares, this one is big enough to be the bedspread for a tot bed. 42in wide by 52in long the fleece i bought for the back was 2 yards, and i have left overs for the next "quilt top" YEAH!

Border!

After a week of being "laid up" with tendonitis in my shoulder. I have started back to my crafting.

I made up my mind that I will work an hour on it every day untill I get caught up, but yet not over work my still tender shoulder. So today I decided to put the border on my quilter "now sew" tie fleece top....

As I'm certain I have already mentioned, I dont quilt. I have no idea how to do much of any of it. but my "sewing coach" Big Sister has been great about always there to tell me "oh thats easy do it this way!"

Unfortunatly shes in another state today. Can't really just jump in the car and drive over there. Now I thought, "I can put this off one more day" but if I did that I knew it wouldn't get done.

So I winged it!

And I gotta say I think she would be proud of me for getting it right!

As a matter of fact this border was her idea. she said tieing this thing with all the seams would look really ratty... or did she say "not nice" and I just heard "ratty"? anyhow I think this will be WAY easier to tie!

Limeaide

Waking up this morning to a dusting of snow, after last weeks nearly 50 degree weather, made me sick and tired of winter.

WELL I AM NOT GOING TO GIVE IN TO IT!

I have been accused of living in a cave in the past, and well, in my cave it's now sunny and 80 degrees. (not really but I have a vivid imagination)

Yesterday I found a great deal on Limes. 10 for $2, my Florida viewers may disagree with me on that, but for snowy PA thats a pretty good deal.

So a gallon of limeaide was made for a refreshing treat! This is also a nice change in the summer when you have been lemonaid-ed and icetea-ed to death. It still has a nice quench to it, but not the same old same old.

Now I'm gonna drink a big glass and close my eyes and sit in a sun-beam and pretend I'm on a beach... I'm thinking maybe Havana?

1 cup of fresh squeezed lime juice

2 cups of sugar

3 quarts of water

stir well and chill.

Hints and tips: Limes should be room temp before squeezing. and "roll" them firmly on the counter with your palm before cutting. It will make them release their juice easier.

Valentines day

Happy valentines day everyone.

RAK day 5

OK the last day of random acts of kindness week.

Kindness Gifts

This is what I will be working on... as i have much room for improvement!

The Gift of Listening...
But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response, just listening.

The Gift of Affection...
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

The Gift of Laughter...
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

The Gifts of a Written Note...
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, hand-written note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

The Gift of a Compliment...
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

The Gift of a Favor...
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

The Gift of Solitude...
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition...
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, "Hello" or "Thank you."

Rak day 4

Random acts of kindness day 4.

Be kind to the earth.

This would be the same as earth day! something I am HORRIBLE at. At least i can really see where I need some improvement in this area.

what have I already done?

Buy a Nalgene (water bottle) and a filter, instead of bottled water.

I actually have like 4 of these, and they are virtually indistructable, I did however break one and Nalgene replaced it for me! {that's the bottle in the pic, I dropped it while it was frozen}

Switch your lights from incandesent, to floresent.

The nicest about this one was they last so much longer than regular bulbs, and they cut down on the cost of your electric.

Switch from plastic lunch baggies to storage boxes.

yea you have to wash them, but you dont have the "apple on your PB&J" sandwich! also! the 4 oz gladware cups you can fill with Jello, and make your own snack packs.

what else can I do?

Economize on car use. Do as many things as possible on one trip.
Keep your car tuned up.

Pick up trash along the road.

do more recycling

make a compost box

Turn off lights, heaters and fans when not in use.

Take in your plastic grocery bags to be recycled or better yet use fabric!

What am I doing today?

my car's in the shop and I'm going to stay put for a few days. maybe I'll even sew a few grocery bags.... I wonder if I can find someone's pattern!

RAK day 3

Random acts of kindness day 3

Kindness to your community.

This is doing things that will benifit where you live. Basically a volunteer in some capacity.

Give a pint of blood to the local Red Cross blood bank

Take a dog for a walk at the local animal shelter

Visit an elderly neighbor and bring them cookies

Pick up litter as you walk home

Read to children and adults in literacy programs

Shovel snow or rake the leaves for a senior citizen...free of charge

for more ideas

What am I doing? I am spening the afternoon at my local Retirement home.

RAK day 2

Random acts of Kindness Day 2

Kindness to your colleagues.

Well, I'll be honest with you I had NO IDEA what a colleague was until this AM. So lets define it for everyone.

according to define.com:

1. an associate you work with.

2. a person who is a member of your class or profession.

so in MY interpetation. These people fall into this category; co workers, spousal coworkers, committee members, organisation members, group members, classmates, teammates, etc.

Now that we know what they are and who they are, now we can do nice stuff for them!

Bring a cup of coffee or tea to a colleague

Put an anonymous supportive note on a colleague's desk

Drive a colleague home from work

Give a compliment

Tell your boss how much you appreciate how he/she supports you

Say "good morning" to everyone you work with today

Offer to switch a shift with a colleague when they need time off

Praise the work or attitude of someone you work with

need more ideas?

what am I doing? I am going to bake a batch of brownies for my husband co workers.

RAK day 1

Random acts of kindness day 1
Be kind to yourself.

Most new mommies know that the worst part of it, is that you have NO time for yourself. and if you want to take care of someone else first you must take care of yourself.

So I dedicate day 1 to "do something nice for yourself"

here are some "low cost" examples of what you can do for yourself:
Make popcorn and watch a favorite movie again
Buy yourself flowers
Celebrate who you are!
List all the things you would love to try and dare yourself to do one
Create three positive affirmations and post them on your desk and at home
Visit a friend you haven't seen in a while
Take a bubble bath by candlelight
Buy a journal and starting writing
For more ideas please click here

what am I doing? I am going to treat myself and my husband to a nice dinner out of steak and shrimp at Hoss's.

Random acts of kindness week

Random acts of kindness week is Feb 9th through the 13th.

The week is an invitation for individuals, schools, community groups, service clubs, businesses, health institutions, schools and churches to join hearts and hands to create a better world.

A kind act is "random" when it is unexpected-done simply out of the will to extend goodness, person to person, without expecting anything in return.

This organisation focuses on many diffrent ways to be kind;

Kind acts to self

Kind acts to collegues

Kind acts to Community

Kind acts to the Earth

This week I will focus on doing kind things that fall in line with this. Please join me in my quest to be kinder, and try not to let it stop at the end of the week.

Keep up with my blog this week to get ideas on what you can do to make this a kinder world!

Day off

Have you ever looked forward to having a day offso you could get oh so much done, just to awaken with the headache from hell?

well welcome to my world! I am not one for taking OTC headache meds. mostly I just deal with it best I can. but today it got so bad I finally broke down and took something and let me tell you I feel oh so much better perhaps I can still get something done tonight!

Blueberry Coffee Cake

My new cookbook yeilded this recipe, I added the topping because it seemed just like blueberry muffins in a pan. and then after they baked i realised that it really needed double the topping, so i have already doubled it here. so however you wnat to try it; toppingless, full topping or half it, these were really good.

2 3/4 cups flour

3/4 cups sugar

2 1/2 teas baking powder

1 teas vanilla

3 eggs

1 cup milk

2/3 cup soft butter

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups frozen blueberrys

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
4 tab butter soft

Mix all ingredients together execpt blueberrys. then gently fold in blueberrys (unless you want purple batter!!!!) pour into greased 9x13 and sprinkle with topping. Then bake at 350 deg for 45 mins.

Done is Good!

About ten years ago My mother in law gave me a HUGE bag of yarn. of which I have done nothing with. and since I have spent enough $$ on fleece lately, I decided that I had better use up some of the resourses around the house.

So I started making a crocheted blanket. I am happy to say this is the VERY FIRST blanket I have ever completed! I have started many in my time as a crafter, but I never seem to have it in me to get the job done. I know it has been my perfectionism keeping me from finishing. but this time I said to myself done is good. perfect isnt needed, and this is what I got!

Luckily the cold weather held off and I was able to make a drop off of this blanket!

Red Skies at Night

We have been hearing for DAYS about this huge storm we are to get tomorrow. After freezing temps last month, -23 degrees, and more snow than I could ever want. Another storm is just not news that I want to hear.

So I am hoping that this picture that I snapped last night is a good omen that we wont get any snow. My father & grandfather used to always say "Red Skies at Night Sailors Delight" meaning good weather tomorrow. Lets hope this holds true!

New cookbook

I went to visit an old friend the other day. When I got there she had the most wonderful suprise for me! She had a new cookbook that her church had made up.

I love new cookbooks. I actually will sit down and read a new one (like a novel) before I even use it. so I just cant wait to get my hands on it to see what treasures I will find!

Boys blanket

Well, I went to Wallmart to get the finishing fleece to the "quilt top no sew" that I need to get finished for Project Linus and of course I had to rummage through the remnant bin.

I found the most wonderful two peices of fleece for a little boy, they were even the same size! and at 20% off who could resist?

My husband, out of curisoty, asked how much this blanket actually cost me to make and you know it was under $10, and only an hour of my time.