feel good Friday.

I had another post planned, but I think this little clip is so much better than anything I have to say. You may have viewed it in the past, but if it's cold where you live, this will surely warm you up...

more nunsense.

It started with the great "Matching Shirts Caper" provided by my parents and visiting brother. Mike treated us to lunch.

Followed by these beautiful flowers from Suzy and a dinner to the Mossfire Grill in Riverside. The best Steak Salad in the universe and 2-for-1 wine, who could resist? Thank you, Suzy. It was a great evening.

More "nunsense" from Kathy. "Fun now, Penance Later." Gotcha!

Dinner at The Landing, then on to our night job dancing on the chorus line. You don't believe me? Hey, I took a shot! The show was excellent, Kathy had to restrain me from getting out of my seat and tap-dancing up to the stage. I so badly wanted to get to the stage and help the character sing T_ T _ & A _ _!

A beautiful and inspirational book. When I opened the gift after the show in the darkness, I didn't see this...

A lovely inscription which I discovered sitting in the chapel during our hour of adoration. It was an extra bonus, a special note from a friend during a special time of the week. Loved it!

And this funky little tripod, which is really a great little tool for picture-taking. Fabulous!


Thank you, Suzy and Kathy...you're the dearest friends and I love each of you more than you'll ever know!

bearable day.

I know, isn't she just too adorable? Look at that ball-fringe on the hem of her little dress! You know I want her, you know I want to make her!

Go visit her in Australia...OK, we all know that's not possible. So just click over to the beautiful Jennylovesbenny's and feast your eyes on her mesmerizing menagerie. Jenny creates all these creatures and they're even available as patterns and kits, if you have a hankerin' to make these adorable little animals.

I want one!

cruising, Florida-style!

*Disclaimer:if you're living in a cold climate and/or there's snow where you live, or you haven't seen the sun in days, please turn away now...you're not going to appreciate this.


My brother is in town from Pennsylvania. He had business in Atlanta, so he decided to rent a car and drive down to Florida to see our parents. This afternoon he called and invited me to join him and the parents for lunch. He pulled up in a convertible. Show off!

He even has Mom doing her best Hollywood impersonation of Marilyn Monroe in her sexy sunglasses. Show off!

Who's this in the backseat? It's Dad, doing his gangster impersonation. He isn't quite pulling it off, he's not mean or sullen-looking enough. He looks way too cute...show off!

Cruising down Beach Blvd with his parents and sister...yup, my brother Mike is quite the middle-aged crazy! He's always been good to his family. Even though we were all wearing the same color shirts...how dorky!

So I said, "Hey, Mom! Toss me your shades...I live in this town and someone might recognize me."

Pennsylvania-boy needed to gas-up before we headed out on our excellent adventure.

"Hey, attendant," I said. "Check the fluid levels while you're at it, would'ja?"

When you're riding in a convertible you can pretty much be as snotty/bossy as you want.

Oh, please. Don't look at this glorious blue square up there if you haven't had a nice day where you live...that's the sky. I took the photo as we were cruising down Beach Blvd. I didn't touch it up in Flickr or Photoshop...the sky was just that pretty.

I told you at the beginning of this post to turn away...

This is Dad's foot, he's resting it on the console. His other leg was resting on my lap. He's had a knee-replacement in both legs and can't comfortably bend either while being cramped in the backseat of a sardine can.

No cankles on Dad. Nice legs, Dad!

Our plan was to head on out to the Beach for lunch, but as we neared the coast, Dad was getting cold in the backseat of "our" car. So Michael made a sharp U-turn and into the parking lot of Bono's BBQ we went.

"Excuse me, may I have some clean rice? I just don't know where that rice has been."

Of course, we could always sterilize it with some alcohol prior to eating it.

The waitress told us that we looked cute in our matching shirts...I told her that if she expected a decent tip, she had better take that back, right now!

We're such dorks!

Thanks for the ride, the lunch, the laughs, Mikey.

So, what color shirts are we all going to wear tomorrow?

commando!

My dressform decided today is a good day to dress commando. I've heard about people like her...

These are some of the bags I've been working on. I love the vibrant colors! Perhaps I should tone it down a little on the next batch...these just might be a little too "happy" for some folks.

sock it to me!

Can you believe this? A change purse made out of a baby's sock! My auntie/sister (hey, we live in the South, figure it out!) presented me this sweet confection during her visit this weekend. How cute do you think this sock is, hmmm...?!!!

You've probably figured out that I'm figuring out how to make this little sweetie. The hardest part? Finding the little itty-bitty frame the sock is attached to. If you have any suggestions on where to purchase, I'd love to hear from you.

You can find this little rascal at Little Miss Matched...I am so loving this!

Thank you, Auntie/Sister Cheryl!

creative blogger, i have to say!

When I began my blogging adventure, I was alone and adrift in the blogging world. Instinctively, I did what bloggers do...find other blogs to help spark my own creativity. On one such journey, I stumbled across a blog with a similar title as mine: i have to say... Curious, I clicked the link. And here is what I found:
A delightful blog, beautifully written with photographs of family, fabric, food, homeschooling and lots of fun; the author is a power-house in the creative blogging world. More importantly, she is a woman with a sincere and gentle love of God. I was delighted with her sentiments, her humor and her outlook on life. I had to learn more...

Randi is an excellent photographer. This photo of her extremely creative daughter/assistant is one of my all-time favorites. What is so unique about the photograph is that mother & daughter sew together, work together, learn and play together...the sewing machine is the frame that captures their relationship and ties it all together. Randi's creatity is inspiring.

Randi also sells fabric from her shop, Fresh-Squeezed Fabrics. She carries gorgeous fabrics, keeping a keen eye for contemporary designers and the freshest fabric palettes. Her high quality fabric is priced lower than local quilt shops; more importantly, Randi takes the time to help you with your selections and offers honest suggestions to color and pattern pairings. I know, I've bugged her plenty of times and she's always been amazingly helpful. And prompt. Once an order is placed, Randi attaches wings to the fabric and it then flies to destination's doorstep!

I was thinking of keeping this part a secret (just kidding), but I simply can't...Randi has several wonderful tutorials posted on her blog. Like this charming drawstring bag. It's famous! I see it all over the web, with links galore! This is a great little tutorial, especially if you're new to sewing and need an easy project to get you going. It's also great for seasoned sewers, who crave a pretty & functional drawstring bag!

Randi writes of seasons, not only of nature, but also of life. She speaks of the importance in her role as a wife, mother, friend. Her writing is honest and instantly, a connection is made and she's the friend you've known and trusted forever.

Randi is hosting a quilt-along, which is a great opportunity for you if you've always wanted to learn how, but didn't want to have to take a class. It's really not too late to join in on the fun! Randi has excellent tips on pairing fabrics for your quilt, or any other project you may have in mind. Click here to learn what supplies you'll need and how to plan your quilt. Above all, you are going to have a great time creating a family heirloom!

i have to say...

"Thank you, Randi, for being a light in the world and inspiring so many. And thank you for being my friend."

Psalm 33:12

forgetting special dates.

Ever forgotten a birthday, only to remember it after the big day? I haven't. Anniversaries, ever forgotten one of those? I haven't. Miss a baptism, holiday, day-off from school, church event? I haven't.

Kennalyn has created these adorable, downloaded calendars to help me, I mean us, keep track of special dates. Just click here, download and print...so easy and cute!

me, doing Jason's chores. The nerve!

You may be wondering why I have a post-it note taped to my front door, reminding me to "turn off the water." Come, I'll show you.

The pool's water level is low and it's making a horrible sucking noise. Yes, you heard me. Jason isn't here to take care of this...he had an out-of-town meeting, so I'm in charge here! And that covers pool-duty! See how low the water is from the top of the pool? Not good. Let's fill 'er up, where's the water hose? C'mon...

Oh, look! Jason, being the horticulturist he is, remembered to cover the plants prior to the hit of the big freeze. Look at the pretty roses...if I had touched them, you'd be looking at a potted stick. Don't worry, I covered the little blooms back up...I hope I didn't make contact with them!

And there's our sweet B.B. She does not like the pool, so she's off to sun herself in the dirt near the fence. She's going to want a cookie when she comes in, but I'm not going to give her one. She's spoiled. And really cute!

What were we doing...? Oh, right! The hose. Follow me!

Here we go! The hose...what's this junk on the end of it? Jason has some kind of super-duper valve thingy on the end of it. I hope I can figure out how to turn it on...

Success! Let's go and fill up the pool! Do you see how hard this job is, why it's up to Jason to keep track of the pool when he gets home from working all day? I'm just too busy sewing, or writing on my blog, or driving around. Gee-whiz, this is manly work!

And just drop the hose in the pool. Yup, that's it. Not that anyone's going to be in the pool anytime soon...

Here's some green vegetation, for my Northern-dwelling family and friends.

Here's some more green vegetation, growing on the steps. That would be lichen. Aha, I remember some stuff from high school biology! The lichen will be cleaned off during Spring yard work weekend. Some leaves...this is the South's Fall! We'll be raking up a bunch of these in a few weeks.

Thanks for helping me fill the pool. Hence, the note on the door (and hallway lamp). I sure would hate forgetting to turn that hose off and the pool overflow. Yikes! It could have almost happened, once...

coming up for air.

I was awakened this morning at 5 am...by the dreaded alarm clock!

I had a mission...

To have the Forerunner serviced for its 60,000 mile checkup.

Appointment time: 7 AM.

It was nearly 10 AM when the paperwork was ready to be signed and the check written.

I dashed to the truck...I was relieved!

Until I had driven 2 miles, only to discover the little doo-hickey tire light on the dash was now lit up like a tree.

I was irritated.

I made a legal u-turn, returning to the hell I had just escaped...the dealership service waiting area. Oh, the inhumanity!

They said "we'll have you out soon, take a seat and we'll take care of it." Right!

Stewing, I sat down and discussed this tragic state of events with my husband, who informed me that when he called the service department to discuss this travesty, they put him on hold and wouldn't pick up his line.

So I left, but not before informing the service dude that I was leaving and going to take my vehicle to Big Chief Tires and have them check the pressure in my tires, never again to return to COGGIN TOYOTA AT THE AVENUES. This was not the first time COGGIN AT THE AVENUES messed up the service and made me hopping mad.

Down the road I drove, to the people of my native land. They know how to treat a girl.

Big Chief Tires checked the tires and filled them for free. Thanks, guys!

I then came home and "penned" a scathing email to corporate TOYOTA.

Wouldn't you think that after rotating and balancing the tires, they'd check the tire pressure?

Duh!

Who runs these places? WHO?!!!!

fake it Friday, on Saturday!

Welcome! My lameness and lack of creativity continues...check out these awesome boots! Oh my gosh, they're just amazing! Guess what? YOU can make them! Yes, you can! Out of an old, moth-eaten sweater. If no moths have been nibbling, that's OK, use any old sweater.

If you don't have an embroidery machine, skip those steps...you could sew on a store-bought applique, if you so desire. For the "how to," visit Urban Threads and take a look around at some of their other great tutorials.

And if you should make a pair of these boots, it's mandatory that you send me a photo!

fake it Friday.

Welcome to "fake it Friday," the newest feature on my blog where I feature another blogger due the fact that I "got nothin'!"

No inspiration, no chit chat...until I ran across this charming bracelet! How cool is this? And for those of you with little girls who play with Barbies, but who can't seem to keep Barbie's shoes in order, this is for you Or for little girls who are just barely too grown up to play with Barbie, this is for you! Visit K Mckay Designs for this and other fabulous inspiration!

It's just too cute!

charming bag!

Taking photos of the purses I make is a challenge for me. I'm not schooled in the art of photography, so what is easy for some is very difficult for me. There are so many things to consider...lighting, shadows, textures, blah, blah, blah...

It took me two days to capture a semi-decent photo of my recent purse. I whipped it up in record time, in fact, finishing it the day I posted the photo of the fabric (previous post). I just couldn't get a decent shot of it.

Then this morning, I remembered hiring this buxom beauty, my model, my muse. She handled her duties well, obediently standing wherever I dictated, in whichever direction I demand she stand. No complaints about the sun being in her eyes, or if a particular pose flattered her. Because she knows she looks good no matter the angle!

This really is quite a fetching little bag, made from Heather Bailey's newest pattern, "Smarty Girl." The bag's dimensions are 13" wide x 10" high x 2" deep, perfect for carrying sketch books, art supplies, grade books or even everyday items. The strap is lovely and long, great for traveling through airports or on other excursions where you don't want to have to keep readjusting slipping purse straps.

Look for more of these bags in the days to come...I'll be listing them on my site and on etsy. If you're interested in a bag, SHOUT out to me and I'll gladly get a bag to you!

Now I'm off to finish deconstructing my Christmas decorations...and construct another Smarty Girl!

in a ruffle!

Pretty fabric. I can't resist it. This is my newest project and I'm half-way there! Everything's cut, backed, fused and ruffled. Now I just need to sew her together.

Look! Even my rotary cutter matches the fabric, how awesome is that?

I'm busy restocking for the upcoming Riverside Arts Market, which will reopen March sixth. I'll be featuring new patterns and fabrics, all of which are stunning.

You are so going to get bored with this!

project in my future.

Imagine this file folder sitting on your office desk. I do believe you'd be the envy of all who laid their eyes upon it! It's just too awesome for words!

When I came upon this delectable morsel, I thought it was a free tutorial entitled, "How to create this delectable, tantalizing morsel."

Wrong. It's for sale. Go ahead and guess how much it's being sold for...yes, you are correct! $79, smackaroos, bucks! Can you believe it? Check it out here.

Perhaps, just perhaps...I could reproduce it right here in my sewing room with all my glorious fabric scraps and offer it as a tutorial.

Wouldn't that be fabulous?

listen, do you want to know a secret?

My friend, Julie, sent this to me. She really "gets" me. She understands my sense of humor, my beliefs, what I find to be beautiful.

Today, I found this in my email and I thought you might get a kick out of it. It's so dead-on. Especially the keys...watch it, you'll see what I mean.

Thanks, Julie!

poor "baby!"

Delicate surgery to be performed today on mama's baby.

Canine mamas sure are rough on their "babies."

survey.

Let me ask you, when you were a teenager, what names did you call your parents (behind their backs) when you were mad at them?

We need to know...we feel burn-holes in our backs.