Tote-ally Green

My soon to be married little sister had a "Stock The Pantry" bridal shower. So, along with the recipes, I gave her the ingredients for dinner, dessert, plus some extras. I didn't have a gift bag to put everything in, so I  made a tote that doubles as a grocery bag. I've been meaning to make some for me, so I can do my part by being a little more enviromentally friendly.
I took note of some measurements from an existing bag I had. I used a thrifted Pottery Barn sheet. I thought the colors were just so summer-like! It would also be a great tote to take towels to the pool, or library, the places are endless!
I started with 2 ( 13-1/2" X 14-1/2 ") pieces. Sewed a 1" top hem.

Cut 2 (5" X 46") strip. Folded it in half

and then in half again.

And ended up with 2 (1-1/4 ") strips for the handles.

I pinned the strip 2-3/4" from each edge.

Sewed 1/8" from each edge of the strap.

I ended up with the front and the back of the tote.

I cut a 42" X 9" rectangle for the side and bottom of the tote. Also sewed a 1" top hem.

I pinned front of the tote to the side matching the top edge. With a 1/2" seam allowance, I sewed along both sides leaving 1/2" at the bottom. Then sewed along the bottom making a mitered corner (that's were the 1/2" was helpful.

Did the same with the back of the tote.

Enfored the handle.

Some minor embelishments . . .

And here it is!

I might just make a few more out of some vintage sheets, but now, I better get started on a few things I need to have ready for little sister's wedding!

Mirror Mirror On The Wall

Our downstairs bathroom has been finished for nearly five years now, except I still hadn't gotten around to hanging a mirror. I've had this old mirror for nearly two years. It came with an old set of dressers I bought for my craft room. I finally got around to it . . .
Here it is before:

Here it is after a fresh coat of Snow White paint!

Now who's the fairest one of  all?!

I Like Fresh Air

Half of our family has been out of commission for over a week (including myself). What's the deal with these summer cold viruses that sneak up and keep you down for days! I find it to be one of the most difficult things as a mom, taking care of children, when all you want to do is lay in bed. Luckily, things are turning around . . . if we can keep it from spreading some more, I might just  find the energy to do something.

Fortunately, we were able to enjoy the 4th of July Holiday weekend (right before the microscopic pathogens hit).

We were able to enjoy a little hike up the canyon and partake of some higher elevation weather. Crisp, cool air and green scenery throughout!

                                                                              Our home is that way!

We enjoyed a packed lunch, and had some Chex Mix, which we shared a little bit with a new friend . . .  Introducing:  "Chimpmunk Chex"!

Overall it was such a nice day. It'll  be nice once this head cold clears up, and I can finally breathe again.  Some fresh air would be nice!

Summer Dawn

I've been keeping tabs on our tree tenant.  I can peek out my bedroom window, and when the wind blows just right, I can catch a glimpse of the nest. Sure enough every time I looked, I could see the mother bird (I think) devotedly sitting there, guarding those perfectly blue eggs.

Wierdly enough, early this morning, I was awaken from a dream.  In my dream I was trying to take a picture of a nest that was in a tree, and when I got close enough, I could see two little birds and an angry mother bird with her wings spread out as if protecting her young. It was chirping as if yelling and warning me,  it proceeded to fly straight toward me, and I woke up. I am not making this up, this was seriously my dream this morning!

I think it had been about a week since I peeked out my bedroom window.  So after that strange dream I had to look. I noticed the mother bird was no longer just nesting, but it was standing on the edge of the nest.  I had to clear up my suspicions, so here's the update:

As for the mother bird, this is she. She did fly back and forth a couple of times from the fence to the roof, she almost flew toward me, and warned me, enough to make me silently scream  a couple of times.

I didn't want to label this post "When Mother Bird Attacks!", So I let the little family be.

Vintage Spring Blues

I've been craving to make a Spring throw out of my stash of vintage fabrics. It was just a matter of designing a pattern, and choosing a color scheme. Inspired by this teacup and plate I rescued,

it was now time to cut, and sew.

Here it is ready for some stippling fun!

After a few hours of free motion bliss . . .

It just needed a little something more . . . Inspired by our very own morning visitors,

I came up with this.

My Vintage Spring Vision has become reality!

Summer may be just around the corner, but Spring is still in the air! A feathered friend has made a home in our backyard. Littlest girl can't get enough of our little tree tenant!

I tried to get as close as I could to take a picture, and our friend flew away. I was curious . . . So while our friend was gone, I took a peek.

(They're not the best pictures, but it was too high to reach without a ladder, and it started to rain)

Luckily our friend returned and has been there since!  So even though my Vintage Spring Blue color scheme was sparked by merely a plate and a cup, I can't get over how perfectly blue those eggs are!

Confessions Of A Chocoholic

Days ago, I wasn't exactly having the best of days . . . Okay,  I was having an absolutely sad, down in the dumps, or as Anne Shirley puts it, I was "in the depths of despair" . . . While expressing my frustrations, and dealing with my own emotions, hubby asked me, "What do you need?" "CHOCOLATE", I responded. I wasn't entirely serious. After all, I'm not one that fills my emotional voids with food, or chocolate (since it's not technically food, but more of it's own food group).  Usually, I just need to vent, sort out my feelings, and move on. Sarcasm or not, I don't think hubby was taking any chances. In an attempt to soothe my blues,  after a trip to the local home improvement store, hubby took a slight detour. He not only came home with four of these:

(Might I add they're the king size)
But also with a dozen chocolate, chocolate glazed doughnuts! I must have been quite an emotionally unstable sad case! It's nice to have a hubby who cares, and knows me so well. None of that milk chocolate for me!
I did share.
A while back at the library, this children's book caught my eye. I had to check it out.

Except I would title mine, "I love Dark chocolate"

Speaking of chocolate . . .
Here's the chocolate layered cake filled with chocolate whipped cream, covered in chocolate frosting, surrounded by chocolate sprinkles, and topped with dark chocolate shavings, I made for my mom's birthday. After all, I do believe this addiction runs in the genes!

(The sugar daisies were left over flowers I made for littlest girl's birthday cake).

Not that I don't appreciate or savor chocolate-free treats, but in my world, chocolate does make everything better, even bad days!