Empty and Full

What a sad sight. Nothing where a sewing machine should be. Not only have I packed up the new machine to be sent back because it is malfunctioning. My old machine is not fixed yet.

So, for now I guess I'll focus on making refrigerator magnets. Though so far I've focus more on cleaning, laundry and organizing. But I did just purchase some round tin boxes to use to package the magnets and I also bought some super duper strong glue to make more magnets. Oh, and some buttons to cover that were 50% off at Hobby Lobby.

I'm also hoping to have time to make some more flowers and put them on barrettes before the Cora sell-a-thon on Etsy is over.

And by the way, it is STILL going strong! Just click on the pink button on the right side over there to see what you can buy to support the playground fun! Here are a couple of treasuries from it:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=44536

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=41930

On the flip side, I just found out that the 8-week dance class that I teach on Mondays is FULL for the next session! I will get a week off and start that up the following week. I am pretty sure I will know one of the little girls as a daughter of a friend and I suspect that one of Ella's swim classmates may be in that class.

If you read my blog, chances are good you read my friend Crystal's blog as well. But if you don't, or haven't happened to stop by today. She had her baby boy this morning in the wee hours. A big boy he is and I'm guessing the whole family is doing well.

Weekend and Today

I owe you some photos from our weekend adventure to Wisconsin.

Going backwards, here is a photo of the kids eating brunch at our cousin's in Madison Wisconsin.

The fun temporary attraction they took us to see. Ahhh, the Statue of Liberty has fallen into Lake Mendota near the Student Center at U of W-M! Read more about the original Hoax from 1979. The original statue looks much better anyway! More here about bringing the statue back this year.

Original Statue from 1979...

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The rest here were taking either Thursday or Friday during our stay at the Chula Vista Waterpark in the Wisconsin Dells.

Kids at the waterslides.

Ella and the guys floating in the Lazy River.

Gail reading to Ella and James (her son) by the "fire". We all love Gail!

All the kids slept hard. Well, at least the second night...

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As for today. My Valentine's present surprise that I was going to gleefully show is defective and I have to return it for a new one. Anway, it was, as you may have guessed, a new sewing machine. Yes, the Marie Osmond Quilter's Companion by Janome. I can operate the machine, but there is a part that is automatic that doesn't work the way it should. I can work it manually, but that's just not good for a brand new machine.

Nevertheless, I've started working on some placemats. I had another idea, but then was inspired to do this one instead. But I'm not sure if I should sew the circles on or not. That was the whole point of the inspiration. But I'm not sure if maybe it looks cuter without the circles? If so, I don't want to do all that work and use all that extra fabric.

Do you have any opinion?

without circles

with circles

Finally, here is my latest casserole carrier. I've already listed two in the shop, but they have not even budged! Not sure if it is worth it to make many more unless something sells. These are not cheap at all to make because they require SO much fabric!

Family Pop In

We just returned yesterday from a fun filled weekend. We spent most of the time at the Chula Vista Resort Waterpark in the Wisconsin Dells. I will get back to that in another post.

On Saturday we stayed in a hotel in Madison, WI home of the University of Wisconsin, Madison and their state capitol. I've been there a few times previously and just love that city. My cousin Andrea and her family are living there because her husband Dennis is working on his PhD in Philosophy at the University. Sunday morning we went to their house and Andrea had prepared a wonderful brunch for all of us. The children, who are cousins twice remove (or something like that) love to get together and seemed to have fun as usual. After brunch and some nice conversation, my cousins took us to one of the student centers to see something really cool. I'll show that in another post as well.

I am just really wanting to get back to something that I have really missed. Yes, you guessed it, that is part of another post too.

So until then, enjoy these pics of my family.

Dora, Dominick, Miles, Ella
First Cousins Andrea and Me (Kristi)

SHOESday!

For Andie, who just had a BEAUTIFUL baby girl on Valentine's Day!

I rarely do Shoesday, but today my new Tap Shoes happened to be delivered. What timing. I've had my older shoes since I was a teenager or perhaps even before then. Whenever my feet reached their full size is probably when I first had the shoes. I loved them, they worked for me and I especially enjoyed the jingle tap on the toe which made a whole lot of noise (the beauty of tapping). But the elastic on one of the buckles wore out so I knew it was time for a new pair. I even stapled the elastic on the old ones just to get by. The staples were really poking my foot this morning in class. These new shoes aren't quite as loud, but the heels are not so high and they aren't as slippery. Plus they are BRAND new and I'm happy.

No, these weren't my Valentine's gift. That is still to come. It was shipped yesterday though.

Back to the topic of Dance. I wanted to share a little of my interest and my past here. My husband and I, although we didn't meet through swing dancing, did a lot of swing dancing together through the earlier part of our dating. In the Spring of 2001 we went to Catalina Island, California to a Swing Dance Camp. There we took many classes from excellent swing dance instructors including the legendary Frankie Manning one of the original Lindy Hoppers. We also sat down and listened to stories and a question and answer session with him. It was amazing to be in the presence of such a living legend. I was most touched by the fact that music and dancing was such a social area of integration and the color lines often dissolved around this dance at such a point in history where such was not the case in most places and situations including the professional dance and teaching realm. The funniest story was about when Frankie taught Denzel Washington and Spike Lee how to lindy hop on the set of Malcolm X. He said that Denzel was a natural and very good at it while Spike Lee just plain stunk. If you haven't seen Malcolm X, it is a very good and interesting movie. I highly recommend it.

And how this all relates to tap. At the aformentioned Swing Camp, I took a tap class with Chaz Young, Frankie's son. Chaz worked with legends including Sammy Davis Jr., the Nicholas Brothers, and Gregory Hines and appeared in the movie The Cotton Club.

Here is a video that gives more of the history of the lindy hop including an interview with Frankie. In 2009, Frankie is 94 (1/2) and still dancing strong. The other interviewee in this video is Norma Miller who we also saw dance and speak in Evanston at a fundraiser.

Here are some friends from Chicago doing Lindy Hop in this decade! (Though Evin has since moved to Atlanta). The video repeats itself, so it is really only half as long as it looks. Unless you want to watch it again, which you just might.

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I can't believe how many packages I mailed today for the Cora Playground Fund! I have two more orders since I came home and one additional order from my Kitchen Stitchen shop for non-Cora items too.

And here is a cute owl plushy that I could not resist sharing from the Sew Mama Sew blog. Made by Star. Too bad there is no pattern for this.

Happy Hearts

I know some people don't like Valentine's Day, or don't care about Valentines Day and there are some that do like Valentine's Day but to varying degrees.

I think I've always liked Valentine's Day, though there were some years as an adult that I kind of ignored it because it didn't seem to apply to me.

My parents always had at least a little heart box of chocolates for us in the morning when I was growing up.

This year my heart was full! I educated the kids in what types of typical gifts one could get for Valentine's Day and they each pick out theirs. Ella picked flowers and Miles candy hearts. For a couple of weeks prior to the day, I delighted in asking them if they'd be my Valentine and hearing them in turn ask me or others if they'd be theirs. Additionally, a few weeks before the big day I came up with a plan to make an authentic Czech meal for my husband. He is 1/2 Czech and his mom often makes these meals for the family on special occasions. I had never tried my hand at it before, so I was a little nervous. I found some really good recipes online and did my best.

On Friday I made the Kolachkie cookies with walnut/honey and poppy seed fillings. Yum. Those definitely turned out well! I had to hide them in the basement storage area so the secret wouldn't be blown. Then on Saturday I sent my husband off to a massage appointment I had made for him. Unfortunately, while I was out the spa called the house to change the appointment time, so the surprise was ruined. But I don't think he minded too much. Though it would have been fun to trick him and confuse his as to where I was sending him. Next up for me was a whole lot of cooking and using about every pan we own! I made Roast Pork, Dumplings, Kraut and Sour Potatoes. He came home and I think he might have almost cried when he saw just what KIND of dinner I made for him.

And I am SO EXCITED about my gift, but it is being shipped just today and I will tell you about that when it arrives!!!

A couple days before Valentine's Day, I received my swap package from Mindy. It was so fun to get such great gifts from her. The package was wrapped in cute pink and red polka dot craft paper but I didn't have the patience to photograph it before ripping it open.

She sent a cute handmade card, my first and only hearts socks, a hand decorated jar filled with chocolate kisses, another package of NY cheesecake chocolate kisses, some Dark Mayan Chocolate coffee drink, a beautiful glass heart ornament (see first pic above) and a tied paper box which contained...

These sweet sweet earrings!

Unfortunately, Mindy's blog is by invitation only, so I can't invite you to go check out her corner of the blogosphere.

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I have been so AMAZED at how many sales I have made for the Cora's Playground Fund on Etsy so far. Too bad the post office is not open today to send everything out, but I will get there tomorrow. Right now I still have a lot up in my SunnyPond shop and hope to post a few fridge magnet sets at KitchenStitchen soon. Remember, to see all the items being sold for this benefit, just click on the button on the upper right side of my blog. If you haven't already, go check it out! It's a win/win situation. You get something lovely and the money goes to a wonderful cause, to leave a legacy for this precious girl who was so loved by her family and friends.

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Finally, did you know you can convert YOUR digital photos to digital Polaroids?? Download a FREE program HERE and just follow the instructions. So fun! With all the Polaroid rage, when do you think they are going to start making Polaroid cameras again?

Cora's Playground - How You Can Help

Cora was a sweet little girl who lost her battle with cancer last week. She was deeply loved by her parents, friends and family. To read their story, go here.

Today fundraising is underway to build a playground at the family's church in Cora's name. So many creative people are rallying together to donate some or all of the proceeds of their items on Etsy. Tomorrow is the launch of the Etsy effort to help raise funds for this wonderful cause. Items are ALREADY listed and many have already been sold. How can you help?

1. Go here and buy something wonderful to support this cause.
2. Add the button on the right of my blog on your blog to get more shoppers over to help out. You can copy the code from the item under the button.
3. If you just want to donate outright to this cause go here to find out how and read more information about this fund.

I too will be participating in this cause and you can find many of my Etsy items for sale in this batch.

Thank-you all so much for your support in this wonderful cause to leave this precious child a wonderful legacy.

Curtains Done FINALLY

When I went back to get the before pics for my parlour curtain project, I noticed that I wrote in March of 2008 that I wanted to get that project done "next". Though I will cut myself a lot of slack because that was right before my husband lost his job. But still, he started working again in July. So I don't know why it took so long. Anyway, here are some before photos of the drapes in our parlour (formerly our dining room). I loved the fabric, but not the shape or hanging method of them.

Here they are on one window in all their glory.

For the most part, they were falling out of the wall at their hardware.

Maybe you can't tell but the right side is drooping due to hardware tearing out of the wall.

Too short, need I say more?

Lining sticks out.



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The origin of these drapes is that they were made by the previous owner. Love the fabric, but it needed a new look. I had something in mind. It may have changed a few times. But this is the result.
Keep in mind that since the befores we had also gotten hardwood floors, installed a new lighting fixture (though you can't see in in the pics) painted the wall a lighter butter yellow (from gold), and rearranged furniture and decor a tad.

What do you think?

Soon I will be posting the wonderful goodies I received from the swap I participated in through Crystal.

I also have some super exciting news, but it will have to wait!

This Little Corner of the World

We are having a HEATWAVE here! It's in the 60's.

Today I dropped off my sewing machine. Boo hoo. Wow, there was a lot more wrong with it than I even realized. I also have a very short window in which to decide if I want to upgrade to a new model. I'd get a discount for trading in my old one, but the one I'm eyeing is still quite expensive. Should I do it bloggy friends? Here is the one I want.

That's right, it has Marie Osmonds name on it...

Here are its features:

Automatic Straight Stitch Needle Plate
Stitch Combination to Memory
Stitch Elongation
Mirrored Editing
5 Recall Memory Banks
201 Utility and Decorative Stitches
10 One-Step Buttonholes
3 Fonts with European Characters
Large, Backlit and Easy-to-Read LCD Screen
Maximum Zigzag width: 7mm
Maximum Zigzag length: 5mm
Variable Speed Control
Programmable Needle Up/Down
Start/Stop Button
One-Hand Needle Threader
Built-in Thread Cutter
Bobbin Winder Thread Cutter
Free Arm/Flat Bed Convertible
Auto-Tension System
Top-Loading Full Rotary Hook System
Extra High Presser Foot Lift
Drop Feed Dog
Snap-On Presser Feet
Built-in Accessory Storage
10 Languages Available On-Screen
Dual Krypton Lights
Electronic Foot Control
Swing-Open Face Plate
Adjustable Foot Pressure
Superior Feed System (SFS)

Seems like heaven to me...


Here's the other one I was shown:

First of all it scares me. Are those tattoos and blood stain on there? Looked like it to me. Did I mention it is called the "Thread Banger". Second of all, while it seems like a minor step up with nicer/easier features, I would not really be getting many more functions. And thirdly, I don't want it to make me want to start sewing with skull and crossbones fabric only!

I listed a couple of new items in the shop today!

Another casserole carrier is done and will be listed soon.

Since the machine my mom lent me cannot do all of the heavy duty work needed for most of my items, I think I'll work on easier to sew (not too many layers or thick fabrics) placemants.

Have a great day all!

Bag Sale - Bag the Machine

This weekend, I got all of this for $10!

First I must tell you about my interesting experience this weekend on Sat. at 9 am. I went with Ella to a $10 bag sale at a local resale shop. They are picky about what they take. Brand names and no stains or significant wear.

From the email they sent, I expected that the whole store would be included in this bag sale, though in retrospect, I can understand why it was not. You can bring things in to sell on consignment. This means they need to pay you if they make money. However, after a certain amount of time on the floor, if the items don't sell, you agree to let them donate them unless you call and ask to come pick them up. So I'm assuming their $10 bag sale items were those of that nature. How nice, they donated them to themselves and still made money on them without having to pay the person who brought them in.

So I walk in the store and am handed a clear plastic bag. I'm told all the bag sale items are in the back. I look in the back and it is JAM packed with women. Oh my. Being packed in with a lot of people and having to rummage through racks (because things were not at all organized by size) was not my idea of fun. But I quickly made my way through and found some really cool things. So we get in line, plenty of time to get through before Ella's singing class.

How it works is that you stand in line with your bag(s) and get to the first desk where someone puts all of your items into a blue bag and staples it shut. I think this way they can make sure all the items you put in your bag were indeed from the sale. Next you get in a shorter line to pay your $10/bag plus tax.

We were doing fine, had plenty of time. Next thing you know a woman and her older friend (mom?) see a woman in the line in front of us that they know. They then worked it out that their friend in line would take their combined 6 bags and check out for them so they don't have to wait in line. (!!!) Next another woman excuses herself to me to get around me so that she can get to the back of the line. She happens to know the 2 ladies standing in front of me and "stops" to talk. She then stays. (!!!) Suddenly the line is longer as more people tend to do this and people who were in line have more bags. We actually get to the point where we need to leave or we will be late to Ella's class.

I was almost in tears. How could I miss out on such a great deal! I handed the bag over and explained that I could not wait in line another minute because my daughter had to get to a class. My big mistake here was that I should have asked if they could hold the bag for me. Because the whole time Ella was at class I was beside myself that I was missing out on that deal and I had found some cool clothes. Both Jason and I called the store back to see if they remembered me and had not put my stuff back. By the time they got back to me, they had.

So just for the heck of it, I went back to this store after Ella's dance class. And guess what? It wasn't as crowded and I was able to find a lot of what I had wanted the first time around. It was so much less stressful than that morning.

Here are a few close ups of some of my favs..

And while I'm talking about bags, it is time... Time to bag up my sewing machine and take her in for a tune up. Because she's gotten to a point where I have to keep tweaking something way to often and it is nearly impossible to get anything done. And so I will have some (unwanted) downtime from sewing. I do have a machine I'm borrowing from my mom, but it really doesn't work for all I need to do as the specialty feet I need to use are not compatible. Oh, poor me!

Easy Heart Ornaments

I made up these simple cuties using my latest batch of "bits and pieces fabric scraps" from lassiegirl.

I saw something similar to these on a blog I read.

I also saw another post at Nicole's Our Cozy Nest with Tshirt appliques she did using a decorative stitch. I decided then that I really wanted to use a decorative stitch for something. Unfortunately, my machine has no such stitches. Luckily, my mom's does, so when we went to visit my parents on Thursday, she let me use her machine and I used its decorative stitches to make these little pillow hangy things.

They each have a different fabric on the back. SO easy to make.

Cut 2 heart shapes from 2 different fabrics. Cut some ribbon long enough to form a tab. Pin ribbon into place as a loop at the top to the wrong side of one fabric. Place wrong side of other fabric to wrong side of fabric with loop. Stitch together around edges until just over the second hump of the heart. Stuff with polyfil and then stitch closed. So simple. Should I be ashamed? (Not to mention I SHOULD be working on things for the shop...)

These were lovingly made for my children's preschool teachers and aides as well as the women I work with as mentors to teen moms.

This is my favorite.

I'd like to make a bigger deal about Valentine's Day than I have in the past. This is just a start.

Have you made or purchased any fun Valentine's gifts yet?

55 Degrees

Was it warmer for you this weekend?

More, coming (hopefully) soon...

My drama at a local upscale resale $10 bag sale and its happy ending.

Some Valentine goodies I threw together last minute for some friends and teachers.

A Valentine, Everywhere

Though I can't think of any other examples at this time, I know there have been plenty. The way children attempt to emphasize something, that is.

Today was so sweet and tear inducing.

I was driving Ella to swim lessons. At a stop light I looked back at Miles. He smiled, I smiled. I turned around. Then I hear "Mommy?" I looked back and Miles said "I love you EVERYWHERE." When I reciprocated his feelings he then asked "Will you be my Valentimes* everywhere?"

*translation
Valentimes = Valentine
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side note:
At swim class today, we learned that Ella is graduating to the next level "Ray."

Dance - A Lovely Surprise

I teach dance. I love teaching dance. I talk about it sometimes. But not much. Why? I have not really come across many people who appear to find it interesting and/or who actually ask how it is going or anything else about it. And so, as with many of the activities I pursue in my life, I don't really think what I'm doing is in anyway interesting or important. Sadly, because I base that on how other friends and acquaintances seem to have little interest.

I do get a bit of affirmation from the moms of my students. Moms who thank me for "what I do", moms who say their daughters love me. But today, I really received the best compliment(s) outside of the moms (who really are the most important people to please - as they are the voices for their preschool age daughters). One of the other teachers who works at the studio was there before my class this morning, working on her choreography. She started to leave when my class began and then after it had started she asked if she could observe. Her observe me? Why not, I had nothing to hide. But she is older than me, has more experience than I, works more hours than I. After the class I noticed she'd taken a whole page of notes. (!) Then she started to ask questions about my "methods and philosophies" which I guess I do have but never really labeled them like that. Its just what I do and why I do it (which I suppose are my "methods and philosophies"). She liked what she saw. She complimented me. When I told her I'd just started teaching this age last fall, she was shocked. What? I was flattered.

This all just made me stop and think. What I do as far as teaching dance is important. How I do it has now been admired by a colleague. She admires how I insist on children learning not just to dance, but to have self control in the midst of a very physical activity and how I seem to effectively get that across to them. How I try to pack in as much as I can the best way I feel children that age can learn about proper dance and body movement as well as a foundation of the basics. Just in case they decide to pursue dance even further.

Much of what I teach is what I was taught by my teachers and by my parents. I hope to pass along all of this wonderfulness to another generation at the very least for them to keep in their "toolboxes" as they go through life and more specifically if they decide to pursue dance in any way shape or form.

In a nutshell, when you teach dance, especially to 3-4 year olds. You are teaching so much more than dance. You are giving them tools they can use their whole lifetime. Tools they may or may not be getting elsewhere. I am living proof of that as I know are so many others.

So no longer do I care if friends or anyone else thinks that teaching little kids to dance is not that interesting or exciting. They have not seen me teach. They do not know what goes into it. But I do, and the important people, who also do, respect me for that.

One of the gifts I have is that I see potential in each child through young adult I have the priveledge to work with. In each and every one of my dance students I see the potential for them to be this... I really do.

Backbreaking Sewing

Backbreaking? You may ask. Well, maybe not breaking, but aching for sure!

I finished another drape today and remember now why I waited so long to do this second one. It is tedious work that gives me a headache, and hurts my back. Pushing that needle through so many layers of fabric to make pinch pleats is not easy. Note, this fabric is lined and turned twice!! There are only 4 pinch pleats per drape, but they still make me unhappy. The other hand sewn part of redoing the drapes includes a herringbone stitch for the hem. Not nearly as bad. Maybe I should do that part first next time.

Can't wait to show you the results. Or maybe I can, since I don't know when I'm going to want to do that again...

I went to the gym after teaching a dance class this morning. This time I didn't let the guilt of pawning the kids off on someone else for 2 hours get to me. (Once during my dance class and again at the gym). Because I need to work out. I need to feel strong. Otherwise my body starts to ache and just feels so awful all around.

The dance class today was another story. The students (most of them) are ready to progress to a new level of more difficult moves and steps. Today I started them on some new tap exercises. This was not a good thing (at least in her mind) for the little girl that cries and needs lots of attention. Because I just didn't have the time to stop every 20 seconds to help her with her next mini-dilemma. I really do care about and love every child in that class. But the class is for all of the students. If I everyone of them demanded that kind of attention (for minor issues) as much, then no one would learn anything. It is frustrating. In fact, the most frustrated I've been so far since teaching younger girls.

Didn't get anything listed today. I just can't do it all. And I still have a meeting tonight. Oh, and dinner to make.

And before I leave, I just saw a post my husband does for his project 365 photo blog. This may seem silly, but he mentioned that his wife does a great job decorating the house and I almost cried. Didn't know he noticed.

Store Update/ Store News/ Other Stuff

New towels will be trickling into the store this week! A couple already went in today. All will eventually have pairs listed.

Good Morning Eggs - is already there (well one of the pair) and the corresponding pot holders are being worked on.

No name for this one yet (Sillouette Red Lily?) will be coming soon. Matching pot holders also underway.

Modern Birds... will be in the store sometime this week and match some pot holders already listed. (Though one has sold).

Brown and Turquoixe Luau... matches pot holders in the store. Listed one of these today.

Do you see anything you want here? Let me know and I'll reserve it for you before I put it in the store!

Other store news... I'm working on casserole carrier #2 and hope to finish it soon when I get the time. More fabric is on its way through the mail to start #3. These are really fun to make, just a lot of fabric (including Insulbright TM) which makes it hard to keep costs down.

I have been really happy with my sales and customer comments so far, but really bummed that my 2 new items have had so few views. So I'm thinking it may be time to buy some advertising or try some other ways to get more traffic.

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Friday I took the kids to the mall and was able to find a few things I didn't hate for Ella for Spring/Summer.

One outfit was from Macy's from their greendog brand. I can't find it on the website. But it was a dark pink polkadot and striped strap dress over a white T with matching solid capris leggings with knots tied at the hems. I also got her a greendog ladybug T.

I found a couple of tops and some leggings from Gap. The leggings are light blue with white polka dots (not on their website) for the first top here.

And believe it or not, I actually found a couple of things at Gymboree. But not much. Plus their flip flops were on sale for $1.99 a pair, so I got some for both Ella and Miles. Ella's actually match an outfit I bought her last year.

I don't know what it is with the leggings?? I hate leggings. I think I plan for her to wear them under dresses. Oh yes, I remember now. I got the much cheaper pink ones at Gymboree (than Hanna Andersson) to go with the Hanna Andersson dress on the way.

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This weekend I completed 2/3 of the family room carpet shampooing as well as Miles room's carpet (which he had massaged lotion into).

I also progressed a bit on the parlor drapes redo. Mostly hand sewing is left to make pinch pleats and a herringbone stitch for the hems. Hello thimble!

Lots of laundry.

Random cleaning.

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Hope to show before and after pics of the drapes soon!!