Mine. Mine. Mine.

First off, I would like to say...when I am unable to sew...I can really can be up to no good.  

This project is a direct result of of me using up idle time!

We have a problem in our house. 

 

We have two measuring tapes.  

Both dear hubby and I use the tape measures for our various projects.  

After I realized I couldn't find "mine" the other day, I went on a hunt.  Yup.  I love a hunt!

This time, I found both of them up in Button's bedroom.  We are in the midst of decorating it.  I think he might have grabbed mine from my studio thinking it was his.

Now, I don't think we will have a problem! 

I just can't see him using the pink one.

Want to claim something in your house as yours?

Here is a real quick tutorial!

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Embellishing a Tool Tutorial

(and please note the tongue-in-cheek humor I have)

Supplies:

  E-6000 glue

Magic Glos by Lisa Pavelka

Scrapbook paper

Gemstones

Flowers

Computer, Printer

I forgot to take a picture of the Magic Glos....you will see it later in the tutorial

  

I first pulled out a scrap piece of scrapbook paper from my stash.  You know me and my scrap hoarding problem!

I then went to my computer and made a circle shape and placed my name inside the circle.  I played around with the font and settled on "Zapfino" and played with the line styles.  

I then placed the paper into my printer.  I pulled out my circle cutter (luckily had was able to cut the circle to the exact same size as the label of the tape measure).  

When you choose your paper, hold it up to the light to see how transparent it is. I realized that I had a problem when I added the dimensional gloss.  I could see through to the label.

What a FAIL!!!!

Not good!  So I quickly reprinted my design on the paper and glued a piece of solid pink to the back. 

I then glued the new label onto the tape measure using the E-6000 glue.  Can I tell you that I never knew about this stuff until recently.  Feel like a duh! 

I guess this is what happens when I can't watch Carol Duvall anymore.  Remember her?  She moved from HGTV to DIY, but the show ended in 2009.  She always was up and up on the craft world.  I truly miss it!

Anyway, focus Heidi......

I started to add the gemstones.  I pulled them from my scrapbook stash.  They are a continuous line of gems with a sticky back and were really easy to work with on the curves.

You can also easily trim them by simply cutting between the gems with scissors.

I decided to add a flower, but realized that it was made of paper and didn't want it to bleed.  I added a few drops of the Dimensional Glos to keep the "bleeding" down.

 

Then I glued it to the paper with E-6000 glue.

I covered the whole thing with the dimensional gloss.

I couldn't take a picture of the process of poring....because I wanted to do it carefully.  And I think you get the idea.  It just takes a light squeeze.  But look how it makes a layer of hard covering.  It is almost like a piece of molded plastic.

Let me tell you how much I love this stuff!  There is no mixing of catalysts or powders.  And cure time?  Fast.  Like 5-15 minutes fast.  Of course, it really is for jewelry like this.

   And I swear I have a tutorial in the works for it.  Just haven't put my mind to it!

You simply place it out in the sun.  The gloss cures under UV light.  

And if you work at night, like I do most of the time....there is an easy answer to fix this problem.  A UV light! 
 I have this one:

 I swear, this project only took me 15 minutes from start to finish!  I left it out to cure for longer only because Button was hungry.

My only complaint?

I wish the actual "tape" was pink!

I think I just might do this again on some other items that wander out of my studio............

Not A Scrap Left Behind

I just couldn't bear to throw away my scraps from the Only These Diamonds For Me quilt.  I usually save them and pop them into another project like an applique, but I wanted to do something specifically for the outdoor area.

I was looking at the size and lo and behold, they were the exact length and width I needed for some quilted coasters.

I am a bit embarrassed to tell you that I had to go and look at my very own tutorial to make them.  I had forgotten the measurements!

Every bit of scraps were used!  Some for the back of the quilt.

and some for these coasters.

I particularly like the plain blue ones.  

There something special about simplicity that just speaks to me sometimes!

Now what to do with the two fat quarter stacks I have in those same fabrics.  I am thinking some throw pillows for the couch and chairs?

A Difficult Day

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.

Happiness never decreases by being shared."

~Buddha quote

Yesterday was probably one of the more difficult days that I have had in while.

Our oldest is graduating from 8th grade next week. 

Friday was the last day he got up with his little brothers and dress for the All School Mass.

At his last Mass, words and prayers were said.

 

The 8th graders' candles were lit.

 

 

Then the 8th graders passed the light to the 7th graders' candles.

 

They passed on their leadership and all the responsibility it entails.

 I cried when his light was blown out. 

Fortunately, they are eager to look to their future and light their candles somewhere new.

Next year, I will be only be dropping off two boys at the school that I love so very much.  

Yup, a very difficult day for this mom!

Only These Diamonds For Me

Hellooooo Diamonds.......

I am so happy with this new quilt!  

Amy at Creative Sides is hosting the Bloggers' Quilt Festival this Spring....GO CHECK IT OUT by clicking on the button below! 

There are some absolutely STUNNING quilts that can really give anyone some inspiration!

Now to the introduction to my last minute submission to this festival. 

Last year, we put a pool in our backyard.  After living in the Houston area for 8 years, we realized we could no longer survive one more year in the abominable heat without one!  When we designed it, we included a special tile in memory of our daughter, Jamie Lynn. 

This spring, I was sitting on the "beach" with our newest addition thinking of her as I looked at her "feet" on Mother's Day and discovered that I really loved the color that the blue portion of our pool is.  

I have been rattling color ideas for our backyard furniture and it all of a sudden hit me!  I would emphasize the already orange accents (see the orange/rust colored cushion?) with the blue color of our pool!! 

  Of course, my inspiration portion of my brain kicked in and immediately thought of a making quilt.  I wandered into my studio and discovered that I had Jelly Rolls in the colors I wanted to do.  How convenient that I would think of this in time for the Festival!  Don't you love when things just fall into place!

So I went to work this past weekend and finished the top.    In true Heidi-fashion, I finished this late last night burning the midnight oil. Not my best quilting job, but it will do.

And I swear, the quilt just looks wonky from this angle.  It really isn't THAT bad.  Perfect, NO!  The fence is actually lower than where I was standing.  I hate when a photo makes something worse!

Why do I love this quilt?  I love it because I was able to actually do it on my boys' sewing machine (only has straight and zigzag stitch) while my sewing machine is in the shop again.  I love that I was challenged that way!  I love that it was made from fabric I already had on hand.  I love that it will be the springboard for the rest of my outdoor furniture fabrics.  

And I love that every time I see it or use it, it will remind me of my darling daughter!  I have been having trouble sewing off and on anything since the fatal diagnosis of our daughter.  But I had  a realization that I could either sit around and waste the rest of my life in a pile of grief, or I could do what she can't...LIVE!  And sewing and crafting give my life zest!  I couldn't think of a better reason to love this quilt!!!

My PhD

 

I was perusing my Facebook.  An ad for Cafepress popped up.

This is what they offer on a T-shirt.

I think someone is trying to tell me something.

My "Dirty" Little Secret

Even though my family and friends know that I love to decorate, they DON'T know that I am a hoarder of decorative items.

Okay, that isn't TOTALLY true. 

Anyone who has stayed in our guest room, might have used the closet. 

Okay, they have ATTEMPTED to use the closet.

  They couldn't because it is my little storage closet.

Unfortunately, dear hubby discovered this secret storage room last month when we were moving our oldest son from what is now the nursery to what was formerly the guest room.  He was absolutely stunned of the amount of drapery rods, frames, tchotchkes (you know that fancy word that the designers always use on HGTV for gewgaws, buables, etc), old textbooks, my American dolls, my scrapbooking carts and bags, artificial flowers, old drapes.  Frankly, you name it...it is in there!

It all had to be moved to make way for oldest son.

I realized that it was time to get rid of my stockpile when it took 4 hours (with the boys help) to haul it all out of the closet, down to the garage.  Then it took another 2 hours to sort it all into boxes.

I kept a few items, but realized it was time to get rid of the outdated ones.

The real question?  Why did I hoard all these items?

  Because we have moved about 5 major times, with 4 small moves in between the past 15 years of marriage. 

With each move, there is the need to freshen things up a bit.

I learned to reuse drapes and rods in new and different ways in each house.  I learned to shuffle the tchotckes.  I learned to mat my own pictures, posters, and prints to keep costs down.

So now, my items sit in my husband's section of the garage.  Most of it was picked up by Salvation Army two weekends ago.  A few boxes made their way to Goodwill.

So, all in all, not only have I benefitted from my hoarding.  So has someone else that might need those things.  
You should have seen the driver's face when he saw what I was getting rid of.  He kept asking me if I was "sure" that I wanted to donate them.

 
But I persevered, stayed on the straight and narrow and gave it away.



Now I no longer have a place to hoard because it is all out in the open.  I am pretty sure that was dear hubbies plan.  He can keep reminding me to get rid of things.  

Even now, I am shocked to look at this pile. It is so small!
 
So the next few weeks I am going to show you AND him how invaluable my hoarding has been and show you what I will be doing with it all!!!

Got it covered!

I am not really into reviews of items that are non-crafty...but I HAVE to share this!

About two weeks ago, my iPad2 arrived at my doorstep.

I love it!  I love how it perfectly syncs up with my iMac. 
Calendar, email, notes, to do lists, and internet!  Carpool mom heaven!

LOVE IT!

Did I mention that I love it?

So what am I reviewing?

iPad covers. 

Of course, I was dazzled by the iPad Smart Cover offered by Apple.

Too bad that I have nothing good to say about it other than the color.

It "snaps" on magnetically. It just covers the screen.  It folds so you can use it as a keyboard/monitor.

Who did they design this cover for?  Obviously, not for a mother with a house full of boys.  As soon as I snapped it on, my oldest made a grab to check it out.  The cover flopped off and he almost dropped it on our tile floor.   The cover makes marks on the screen where the folds are. Not too impressed with the folding action.

It constantly flattens out and "unsnaps" on me.

And for this on-the-go mom, it gives it no protection on the backside in my bag. 

Frankly, unimpressed....

A waste of $39.99.

A hunt ensued.  You know how much I like a hunt!
Remember the ladder?

I hit the jackpot. It arrived on my doorstep today!

A leather cover.

Strong and safe.

Transitions into a stand beautifully.

It's pink.

The cost: $20.99

Guess what is going right back where it came from!