Getting things done around here...

 We sure are keeping busy around here this Summer...today I decided to re-set the stepping stones in the front flower bed...we had a pin hole leak in the faucet out there...that our neighbor fixed...he put some weld on the spot...we were gone when it started...and I can't believe how much water came out of that tiny little hole...our step stones sank a bit...so time to pull them out... 

 We put some top soil down to level out the area...I had to pull back all the baby tears...but I will be transplanting it back in...it will fill in all around the stones like it was before...

 Another project I finished this week is a changing pad for our new Grand Baby...the dresser in the baby's room is old...we painted it turquoise and put glass knobs on it...the kids wanted to use it as a changing table as well...so we had to make our own...

 I got foam and wrapped it with batting...then I made a water proof cover out of fabric I found at Joanns that is used for diaper covers and changing cloths...it is rubbery on one side...then I made this cover. Their hamper and diaper stacker is black and white damask too.

 I managed to find time to make a tote bag for my Etsy shop...and it sold in 19 minutes...I was quite amazed!

 So...its on its way to Pennsylvania...

 The inside...

 I had enough fabric left to make a makeup bag...I put this in my Etsy shop too...

 I added lots of wool flowers to the front...

I had to use a different fabric to the inside...I didn't have enough of the polka dot I used...this is Riley Blake Pop Posies...its organic cotton and I really like the way it feels...it makes a great bag because its a big heavier than regular cotton.

I'm all registered for next semester for school...just taking one class...Fall is very busy in my shop and I have a couple shows to prepare for too...I will be taking Advanced Desktop Publishing...the focus is more in Adobe Photoshop...repairing photos and things like that....then on to Web Design in the Spring!

Tomorrow we are off to San Diego for a visit with our boys and girls...this will probably be the last time before the baby arrives! We have 15 days left...and we are more than a little excited about it!! My niece even posted a little poll on FaceBook for everyone to guess gender and weight...guesses are all over the place!

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!!

Keeping busy...

 I had another crazy idea...well...I don't really think it was THAT crazy...I thought it would be nice to add some concrete in an area of the back that really doesn't grow much...and because when I bring out the giant rolling trash cans and mower to the front...I always miss the corner of the walkway and the wheels go off...Don agreed...and quickly went to work getting the area ready...

 Since we don't have a cement mixer...the concrete had to be mixed by hand...it took 15 bags of cement...that's ALOT of mixing!

 It got smoothed out a little at a time while more cement was being mixed...

 This is Carl...Don's BFF...we couldn't have done it without him!!

 Her it is this morning...after drying overnight...it has a way to cure and they have to cut into it and do more finishing to make it match the patio and sidewalk...the part on the bottom of the picture is the side walk to the front yard...

 Here's me and my sisters on Saturday...my younger sister's daughter and son in law are moving to Colorado Springs...he got a dream job as a fire fighter there...and this is at the going away party...it was bittersweet...so sad to see them leave...but I am proud of them for following their dreams of Brett becoming a firefighter....

 Some randomness...this is what I have been making with all the squash, peppers, onions and tomatoes from the garden...Yum! We have tons of all sorts of peppers this year...and the red onions grew...but not very big...they are quite tasty though and when I pulled a few and brought them in the house...my whole front room smelled like onions! I love this combination...Don like cheese on his...I prefer the veggies alone!

 While the boys were doing cement work...I sewed...this is for the Grand daughter of my dentist...she is starting ballet and needed a ballet bag...

She wanted pink, stripes and a ballerina...this is what I came up with...it's good sized...has a zipper on top and will fit all her gear in there.

It has been really nice here the last week or so...but hot is on the way...supposed to be 100 by Thursday...ugh!! It has been in the 80's...I like that...perfect gardening weather!

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!

More of this and that...

 I've been busy sewing lately...trying to get lots of doll carriers into my Etsy shop....here's some I just finished last night....now on to some special orders...I have a few bags to make for customers...I have just been waiting for fabric to arrive...

 The Black Eyed Susans are blooming now...I have so many of these all over the front and back yard...all from one original plant I got 10 plus years ago...this is the latest bush I transplanted to the front...it was only a few leaves and roots last Fall...its right next to a huge Shasta Daisy bush that I planted from seeds after my nieces wedding about 6 years ago...two of my favorites right next to each other!

 Here's a new addition to the front...a Crepe Myrtle called Dynamite....its more like a large bush now...but I was assured it will soon be a tree...with multiple trunks...

 I love the color of these flowers...so much darker than the pink ones I see everywhere...

 And the buds and leaves have a lot of burnt red on them too...I think it will be so pretty with our brown house in the back ground....

I ripped out about 2/3 of the Lambs Ear in this flower bed...it was taking over...that left some bare spots...I transplanted some other perennials in there...I hope they fill in quickly...but until then...I'll try my best to be patient. My front looks a little tired right now...the Baby Tear moss got too much sun when we had a short heat wave...and turned brown...but it will bounce back...it always does! And a lot of the sage has turned to seed...I used to dead head it all right away...but the seeds attract Gold finches...and I love them...so I have been trying to let alot of things go to seed. They also love the Black Eyed Susan seeds...as well as the Russian Lavender and Cone Flowers...and now I have discovered they like basil seeds...I let some of those go to seed to collect and I found little tiny finches all over them! Since they are no bigger than a hummingbird...they fascinate me...I am trying to get some pictures...but they scatter quickly when they hear me! 

Until next time...enjoy your day!!! 

This and that...

 In an earlier post I showed you all the turquoise things I painted...this is "Matilda"...Don named her...she is kindly holding up a few cucumber vines for us...and yes...those are onions...they started going to seed, but aren't big yet...this is my first time with onions and I'm not sure when they are ready...they are still small!

 Cucumbers are doing well though...

 Lots of tiny ones everywhere...

 We have been pulling tomatoes daily...these big ones are starting to turn red...

 Picking lots of bell peppers...this baby is on the plants we started this year...we have about 6 plants...we like our peppers here! Bell peppers go in the pots of beans always cooking around here...pinto beans that is...so we can have bean and cheese burritos!

 I made a couple pillows for the front porch bench...I thought this Popsicle fabric was so cute...and it is outsoor fabric too! I got it at the discount fabric store in town...they have the best upholstery and outdoor fabrics! And so inexpensive! 

Caught this little guy hanging out while I was gardening...they are usually so busy...it's nice to see them rest a bit!

I have stacks of fabric cut out and quilted for doll carriers this week...I need to replenish my Etsy shop...those carriers sell like crazy...a good thing! And I just got fabric in the mail so I can complete a couple custom orders...I am keeping busy around here...AND...our Grandbaby will be arriving soon...August 10 is the date!! I can't wait!!! Selin said the doctor told her the baby is almost 6 pounds...so he/she is growing fast!!

Until next time....Enjoy your day!!!

Yard sale gem....

 Don and I found this little bench at a yard sale a bit ago...for $5...I think it was once a piano bench that was shortened a bit...you can see where the legs were cut down a bit...we saw potential here...

 I liked the lines of the legs...but it was really grimy...

 So I sanded it down a bit and washed it with TSP...

 Primed it....

 Here's the fabric I got ...the weave is kind of loose...so I don't know quite how durable it will be...but I got it at the discount upholstery shop in town...$5 for a yard...which was more than enough...It is pretty soft fabric though...

 I used my homemade chalk paint recipe...the color is called Muslin Wrap...sort of a creamy off white....

 I like the way it turned out...bright and cheery...but still neutral enough. I change my rug here seasonally...so I wanted something that would go with everything....

These legs are so pretty...and for $10...we have a new piece of furniture that is perfect for an extra seat when we need one...but the right height to put our feet up on.

I love shopping yard sales, rummage sales, thrift stores and flea markets...you never know what you'll find...sometimes I come home with nothing...sometimes a gem like this!

Until next time....enjoy your day!!!

 When we bought this simple dresser from Ikea...I knew I was going to have to paint it...I changed the knobs out right away...but this dark color wasn't me...

 I read all about chalk paint...but boy was it expensive...but I found a recipe online and decided to try it...this is after just one coat!

I really like the way it turned out...I put Minwax on it after it dried overnight...it brightens up our room...just gives me a happy feeling in there.

On another note...I know I have been away awhile...I have been visiting many of you and reading posts...but I have been having trouble when I leave comments on some...it seems to go through fine...but then I notice in my spam folder in my email that the comments were undeliverable...strange! I also stopped getting email notices on any comments left here...I tried to fix it...but lots has changed and I need to take more time...but I'm not sure how to fix my comments on your posts...I did go back on a couple and my comment is there...weird...huh!

I will try visiting more now ...I miss everyones visits and my visits to you all!!

Until next time...Enjoy your day!!! 

 From our house to yours...

I want to wish you all a very Happy Independence Day!!

I'm back...........

 First let me apologize for not keeping up with my posting here...life has just gotten the best of me lately....since April...I finished school for the semester...gardened alot...painted furniture...made lots of baby things...thrown a baby shower and gone to another for the kids...and traveled back and forth to San Diego countless times trying to help the kids out....this is fabric I got for a quilt for the baby....

 Selin likes turquoise a lot and I thought the gray was a pretty neutral...she also wanted pops of bright green and orange...since we don't know the sex of the baby until birth...I went pretty neutral...although I think I leaned a little more towards boy...I just realized this picture is sideways....

 Its the bugs in the jars that makes it more boy...but they are so darn cute!

 Here's Selin and her frien after opening the quilt...she loved it and her friend loved it so much she wants one for herself!

 Aren't they a cute couple!! 

 Grandpa got into the games!

 In fact...he just had fun everywhere!

This is from our shower...I realized I hadn't taken many pictures...this one shows all the gifts...well about a third of them...they were so overwhelmed by all the presents at both showers...everyone was more than generous...this is one lucky couple!!

I am going to try very hard to keep up with my posting and to go catch up on all of yours...so..

Until next time...

Enjoy your day!!!!