Mayhem and a Little FNSI Fun

Hi everyone.  Things have been a little bit crazy around here.  Our dishwasher's pump blew a seal and flooded our kitchen and what started out to be a small thing we could fix ourselves has evolved into absolute mayhem!  I am living out of plastic bins in the kitchen as half the floor and cabinets have been ripped out.  Our insurance company is trying to get away with paying us as little as possible to replace our cabinets so that is an ongoing battle we have to win before things can get back to normal.  And not to bore you further, but the insurance adjuster said we were lucky we have paid the high premiums of  the deluxe policy!  What would have happened if we had the mediocre policy?!   Also our 12 year old chocolate lab has been having accidents all over our house when we leave to go someplace for a few hours.  Frankly, I have been afraid to come home from work on many occasions lately.  We have her on medication and have changed her food per the vet's instructions.  Let's hope that is it.  We would be heartsick to have to put her down.  Also, my husband's truck broke down and I got slightly injured at work.  So, enough of that. It depresses me just to keep talking about it! 

As you see in the above picture, I sewed a bright flannel pillowcase for kids with cancer as part of my FNSI.  It was fun to make it and I hope it can be a small way to comfort a kid going through such a harrowing and scary ordeal. 

 I also finished up this cute drawstring bag from Pretty Little Purses and Pouches.  I love that series of books!  This was a fun bag and not too difficult to put together.  It was smaller than I thought it would be but it would be great for when you don't want to drag half of your stuff around.  A lip gloss, cell phone, credit card, ID and a little cash would fit in there nicely. 

I would love to gab, but I have dishes to wash(a new-found chore to add to the list) and a pooch to medicate as well as a son to pick up from his job. I wanted to include a picture of my sleeping angel.  I had just changed the sheets this morning and fluffed my feather bed topper.  She loves to sink down in it after I do that.  She looks like she is laying on marshmallows!  I hope you all have a great week.  Take care.  Nancy

The Cutest Little Purse

Happy Easter everyone!  I hope you are having a wonderful family-filled holiday.  I am sad my Spring Break from school is coming to a close.  It is going to be a long haul from now to the end of June! 

I have been having fun in my craft room this week.  I made this cute little purse from the Pretty Little Purses and Pouches book.  I have had my eye on that pattern for a while and I finally made one.  It was fairly quick to make and the instructions were pretty good.  It turned out a little smaller than I thought it would but it is really different with that cool handle.  I bought a pair of beaded handles in my craft store because I couldn't find what the instructions called for locally and didn't want to order one.  I kind of "reinvented" the instructions for the handle straps and was sorry I did.  It almost didn't work-note to self, don't change directions on your first time makings something.  Maybe they are that way for a reason!  Anyway, I don't dress up and go out often, but I have the perfect outfit for this purse right in my closet if I do get a chance. 

I tend to go back to make successful and quick projects over and over again.  Anyone else do the same?  I loved these puzzle bags and they have received such raves, I have been making them frequently.  Here are two more I made.   They are fun.  I have some people on my Christmas list that will be getting one. 

I also had made this key fob to match the tote and glasses case I made for a charity raffle.  I think my D ring was a little big, but I just used what I had on hand.  I am an absolute nut for things that match. 

The last thing I want to share with you is a rare event for me these days.  I went out of my comfort zone and tried a radically new nail polish for this last week. 

It is called Illusion from Avon.  It is like a pearly opal with green tones.  It is chameleon like in nature.  It looks grey when you are holding something grey or blue when it is next to blue.  At first, I hated it but it grew on me.  Please ignore my cuticles in the above picture.  It is time for a touch up.  I may take this color off and go back to my French manicure I am so comfie with now that school is back in session. 

I hope everyone has a great week.  The weather here is chilly but sunny-kind of typical for Spring.  I changed all my bedding and my curtains in my bedroom.  Everything is lighter and brighter in there now-a sure sign of Spring.  Take care.  Nancy

A Couple Of Things For Your Waist

Hi everyone and happy Sunday.  I am glad April Fool's Day came on a weekend this year.  When you work with small children, you get April fooled to death!  My youngest, who is graduating in June, started his first part-time job this past week.  He seems to be doing well and he loves the independence of having his own money.  He doesn't have his full licence yet so we are all ferrying him to and from work.  My husband and I are getting used to having dinner with just the two of us now that both our boys are working much of the time during the dinner hour.  It is kind of nice, but I would not be telling the truth if I didn't tell you it is a little sad to think of everyone growing up and getting on with their own lives. 

Well, onto the fun, creative part of this post!  I made this really cute and really functional hip pack from a tutorial from Daisy Janie.  I love it and I was able to pick out fabric I liked instead of just accepting what was already made.  This is the second project I have made from her tutorials and she rocks!  I love her projects and she can definitely instruct well.  I found both projects easy to follow and had great results. There are so many times I want to carry my belongings and still remain hands-free.  Also, there are places I go that I am afraid I will set my purse down and forget it.  I bought a cross-body small purse and I find it slightly uncomfortable and in the way.  This should be perfect.  It even has a couple of pockets inside. 

 And here is another thing for your waist-actually, it may help make less of your waist!  I have not exactly been dieting, but I have been watching what I eat.  We had a recent hot snap here and I discovered my capris are a little tight in the waist.  I love the Hungry Girl show on Food Network.  I must confess, I watch it because the host is a riot and I like the tips.  Usually the recipes contain NutraSweet or some other fake sugar and I refuse to use that stuff.  But a couple of weeks ago she made these and I thought I would give them a try for my snack day at school.  There are alot of teachers following Weight Watchers and apparently, they also use this recipe for points.  All you do is take a Devil's Food cake mix and add a can of Pure Pumpkin-nothing else.  Mix it up good and bake.  I made mini muffins and I figured they were 45 calories each and pumpkin is so good for you.  If you don't over bake them they are very moist.  I baked the mini ones for 12 minutes.  Enjoy!

 I had to share with you my husband's most recent creation for our home.  I collect Haunted Mansion stuff and he made some glass doors so they wouldn't get broken by the cat and they wouldn't get so dusty.  Isn't he talented?  He is in the process of making a hutch for his sister.  He made her a beautiful bookcase and a small end table already.  I have been hinting that I would like a cutting table and I don't want to pay the $300 plus I have seen them for.  He is a busy guy so we shall see. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful week.  I am off from school this week so I am hoping to get some Spring cleaning projects done as well as some sewing.  Dancing With the Stars started up again so I will be watching that.  I should take lessons, I love to watch ballroom dancing!  My husband is such a sweetie and he gives in to me all the time, but I don't see that ever happening!  Take care.  Nancy