Ooooooops, I Forgot I had a Blog

I spent a few days at my parent's cottage near Buffalo this week, and I reached such a complete level of relaxation I forgot to blog. I also forgot to cook, clean, do laundry, pay bills and be responsible in any way. I have to learn these things again, (somewhat like a stroke victim) so be patient while I get back on the bandwagon.

I had some major thrifting success, so when I came home the first thing I had to do was make a couple of new purses. Then I was able to shop for groceries and attend to real life again.

Beeshop Sneak Preview

All of us over at Beehive Co-op in Atlanta are super excited for the launch of the new Beeshop which will go live towards the beginning of August. I have been SO busy trying to get everything photographed and ready to go but I wanted to share a few shots from a yesterdays photo session which I am so ecstatic about I couldn't sleep last night. Thanks to Rebecca and Mike for letting me use their house and garden and to Heather for lending me her ballerinas torso to take the shots.

If the Tiara Fits, It's Your Birthday

Our friend Rebecca, invited us to her lovely home to celebrate Mary's birthday this weekend. We decided it would be a good time to have a girl's weekend, but Mary invited Eric nevertheless.

On your birthday, you must always wear a tiara or you will not have good luck in the upcoming year.

You must always bask in the golden glow of your candles while your friends sing off key.

and test a lick of the frosting to make sure it is up to snuff for your friends.

And then, finish it off by candelabra light in the presence of a bubbling brook. And after that try to sleep despite the deafening sound of tree frogs and horse chestnuts falling on your tent. Now that is a proper birthday.

My Week

Hello adoring fans,

I know you are wondering where I have been all week. I'm going to tell you.
Monday: sewing camp at my house
Tuesday: Atlanta day with many appointments and fittings squeezed in and a late night dash for grocery shopping
Wednesday: off to Athens for orientation
Thursday: ditch orientation early, come home sew like a crazy person
Friday: Crafty camp at Beehive in the morning and a stop for fittings at my day job.
Friday afternoon: grapefruit and vodka

Have a good weekend!

Did You Know Barbie Has a Widow Outfit?

Yes, Barbie has a widowers outfit. It is very stylin.
She is also prepared for Fall in a fabulous pumpkin colored cowl neck with an evergreen scarf.

P.S. I designed the boring one.

Jeff Caught A Tree

We were anchored in a cove this weekend for a wine tasting event and it was very lovely. We all enjoyed the wine, some people REALLY enjoyed the wine and then Mauricio and his family grilled some authentic Carne Asada on the fire pit, we went for another swim/float and all was well as we retired to our berths. (Please note proper boaty talk)
All was well until the next morning when people started to get up and think about returning home and started pulling up anchor. Jeff tried to get his anchor up and realized the other Geoff was anchored on top of him. After about a half an hour of maneuvering, Mike donned his mask and dove down along the anchor rode to tell him exactly which way it was wrapped around a tree. Finally got that one up, the Jeff and Chris had to unwind theirs from a tree with some help from Waine.
Then Mike realized his was wrapped around a tree and Larry and Geoff did the diving and directing this time. Everybody re-anchored and hopped in the water only to see a storm coming over the trees, so back in the boat to set another anchor (and yes it got wrapped around a tree) to wait out the storm.
After 13 hot dogs, various beers, a batch of Calypso and Peach Sangria and a giant bowl of popcorn the storm subsided long enough for us to pull up our anchor and head on home. It was a fun weekend, and no one complained because we NEED the rain.

Do You Have

a kleenex box collection?
Jordi has started the rewarding and fulfilling hobby of collecting empty kleenex boxes.It's simple, when you use the last kleenex, just leave the empty box on the floor. When you get more than one, just sort of shove them in the corner and watch your collection grow!
Do you blow your nose a lot? Or get weepy during chick flicks? Then you are a perfect candidate to start a kleenex box collection because you will have a lot of empty boxes. And just think of all the money you will save by not buying tacky porcelain owls or stuffed cows wearing all kinds of costumes.
What are you waiting for? Don't be left out, start your collection today!

Sewing Camp is Sew Much Fun

There is nothing better than the sound of 2 Berninas purring away.


This design, know as "The Martanette" will be made into a scrumptious pillow.


No day in the sewing room is complete without playing with the dress forms.


Check this out!


Of course sewing camp curriculum includes watching Project Runway reruns, so we have to have a little hamming it up in front the of 2 mannequins.

Fireworks and Steak Update

He lights


It smokes


It smokes some more


We ooooohhhh


We aaahhhhh

So it turns out that when Eric was wishing steak and fireworks for you, he was really wishing for steak and fireworks for himself.

We had both yesterday and had to do a little practice fireworks run before dinner.

Eric said he "was totally satisfied with the fireworks!"

Here's Wishing You

Fireworks that aren't duds, pork and beans on par with Aunt Marion's famous recipe, fun centerpieces including red, white and purple petunias, lots of family and friends who bring good hors d'oeuvres, and sunny but not too hot weather.

That is what I wish for you for the 4th.

Eric wishes for you: firework and steak. Top sirloin, medium rare to be exact.

My Practice Student

I've decided to put on the teacher hat in earnest. Thanks to Beehive Co-op and my friend Mary Sweeney of Felted Heart I have several opportunities and classes filling up for August.

I can sew with my eyes closed and my hands tied behind my back, but teaching others how to sew and explaining things clearly and well can be challenging. So I decided a little practice would be good.

Eric kindly volunteered to be a practice student.

I hope all my students are as good as he is! He picked up on how to handle the machine in an instant. I have worked with other 3rd grade students (all girls) and they have been great, but boys love machines! I started thinking, we need more cool projects for boys because there is a machine involved in sewing and that is fun for them.

So far he has made a Nintendo DS case (it quickly disappeared into the depths of his room so I haven't photographed it) complete with freehand embellishment and has finished a quilt for the cat and is waiting for me to put the binding on so he can finish it by hand.

I know I am his Mom and a little biased, but he has knocked my socks off with his sewing aptitude. Alex said, "Good! he can make sails for the boat!"