What a Difference a Day Makes

There's an old song entitled What a Difference a Day Makes, and that is certainly true in terms of the weather we have been having around here. Late yesterday afternoon I was so glad to have the sun shining after a couple of days of dreary weather that I snapped this picture of the beautiful blue sky -- just a wisp or two of clouds. It was a lovely day -- warm but not humid with a slight breeze blowing. It was the kind of day that causes you to long to be outside.

However, last night was as they say, "a whole 'nother story!" We had a thunderstorm like we have not had for quite some time. Lightning lit the sky like a torch, while thunder boomed like a cannon. Rain pounded the roof; and no one in THIS house slept very soundly last night.

This morning it was darker than usual, and it continued to rain.

Yesterday's sky with barely a cloud to be seen turned into today's sky that was a canopy of clouds.

Both students and teacher were sluggish, a result of the combination of a dreary day and lost sleep.

Yet, in all of this we need to give thanks for the rain that we needed so badly. A very dry August has left things a little parched around here. I know that the few flowers I have left blooming are very grateful for a much needed drink.

Sew Crafty Friday - Doily

I have decided to post Sew Crafty Friday and Sewing Tips and Tutorials on separate days now. To view this week's Tips and Tutorials click here.

This week in the few spare moments I now have (our homeschool is back in session) has found me working on (you guessed it) more doll clothes. I figured you were probably about all "doll clothes-ed" out by now so I offer this creation instead. This doily was created by my youngest daughter (12 yrs. old) who is thinking about entering it in our area fair.

When I was a young girl, my cousin in Ohio had a set of blue and white doilies just like this on her dresser. I thought that they were sooooo BEAUTIFUL. I would have loved to have a set on my own dresser.
This is the loom on which the doily was created. Imagine how thrilled I was to find this old loom at a flea market this summer. I don't think it was ever used. I was even more thrilled when I found that the vendor was asking only a dollar for it. Such a bargain!!

My daughter found using it extremely easy and completed the entire doily in just a day. Now I must admit that she did it practically nonstop -- she became just a little obcessed with her new-found craft.

Of course, I'm partial, but I think she did a fantastic job.

To view craft projects shared by other bloggers or to share your own creations, be sure to visit SEW CRAFTY FRIDAY on Shereen's blog .

On Our Way

Last Friday we spent the day preparing -- cooking and packing.

We pushed and crammed our stuff for the weekend into every nook and cranny of our van.
There was barely any room for us.
A late start caused us to arrive after dark.

A Family Gathering

Putting up the tent by lantern light was no easy feat, but afterwards all trouble was soon forgotten as we sat around the fire and enjoyed family.
My niece, her husband, and two boys were our hosts at their camp on the banks of the river. It has been TOO long since I have spent an extended visit with my family; and this weekend promised lots of love and laughter, as well as MANY activities.Some of the men folk rose early, grabbed their fishing gear and headed for the river.In the afternoon,my second niece arrived... no, not by boat.So we sat down for a good game of Scattergories and a lot of banter.

Just how big did you say that fish was?

The More the Merrier

My GREAT-nephews May I introduce my dear sister sitting on the left?

Our numbers grew as more of the family arrived.

"What did we do?" you might ask.

We competed in horseshoe tournaments.

We played ball.

We floated,

waded,

and splashed.
We made mud forts on the river bank

and waited on the dock,

danced,

and CUT HAIR?

We cooked,

made mountain pies and smores,

and ATE and ATE and ATE.

Oh yeah, and we took LOTS & LOTS of pictures.

But. . .

MOST OF ALL, WE ALL ENJOYED JUST BEING A FAMILY TOGETHER!!!!

You Can Make It - AG Doll Beach Bag/Tote

Thank You

Before I show you my project, I want to thank all of you who have stopped by to visit with me in the past few weeks since I began my posts. ( Rebecca had helped me with the initial set up back in August of 2007, but it wasn't until July of this year that I finally sat down to share my thoughts and interests. ) I appreciate all the kind words of encouragement you have sent my way. It has been such fun visiting those of you who have left comments and seeing just who you are and what you interests are.

YOU CAN MAKE IT!!

You might remember seeing this little tote from my Sew Crafty Friday post. This is a very easy bag to make because most of the construction is done on a flat surface. I am teaching you the technique for making this tote bag, but what I want you to realize is that this technique can be used for any size tote bag you desire -- just change the dimensions.

You could make it a little larger for a little girl's purse, or a little larger still for a little girl's tote bag, or make it much bigger for an adult.

The bag you see here was made of light weight cotton and interfacing. But you could also make the outside of this bag from a heavier, stiffer fabric such as demin, canvas, upholstery fabric, or quilted fabric. The lining fabric should still be a lightweight cotton fabric.

Novelty fabric can customize it to the user's interests. It's easy flat construction make it a good beginner's project. It makes up very quickly -- great for gift giving.

Although this bag has no closure, it would be a simple to add velcro or a snap.

Okay, you get the idea, so let's get started!

It will be helpful to read all the directions, before starting your project.

Step 1

You will cut

1 piece 10 1/2" x 6 3/4" from the fabric you choose for the outside of the tote

1 piece 8" x 6 3/4" for the pocket

1 piece 10 1/2" x 6 3/4" from coordinating fabric for the linining of the tote

1 piece 10 1/2" x 6 3/4" from interfacing

2 pieces of 3/8" wide grosgain ribbon - each piece will be 16 1/2" long

Step 2

As shown in the photo below, sandwich the interfacing between the two pieces of fabric of the same size. The wrong side of both fabrics would face the interfacing. Now stitch both short sides 1/4" from the edge. Stitch both long edges 1/4" from the edge.

Step 3
Align the short edges and fold in half to determine the center of the long sides. Mark the center of both long sides. As shown measure and mark 3/4" on each side of that center mark.

Step 4
Turn over the short ends 1/4" and press. Then turn it over 3/4" and press. Stitch in place through all layers of fabric. Repeat for other side. (This will form the finished edge around the top of the tote bag.

Step 5
Turn the long ends of the pocket section over 1/4" and press. Turn over 1/4" again and press. Stitch in place. Do this step for both long sides of pocket section.

Step 6
Align long sides of pocket section and fold in half. Mark center of both short sides.

Step 7
Being careful not to twist -- stitch together the two pieces of ribbon (used for straps) to form a circle. Press seams open.

Step 8
With right sides facing up, match the center mark of the tote with the center marks of the pocket section. Pin securely in place. See photo below for placement.Step 9
Measure and mark right side of fabric 1 3/4" along both long sides.

Step 10
Turn fabic over. Lining side will be facing you. Stitch along the lines you marked in Step 3. This stitching will form the bottom of the pockets.

Step 11
Pin the ribbon along the placement lines you marked in Step 9. Be certain that the seams of the ribbon are aligned with the center of the base of the tote. This will insure that the handles are the same size. See photo below.
Step 12
Edgestitch both sides of the ribbon.

Step 13 (Optional)
If you desire to add a fastener (Velcro or snaps). Now is the time. Center between the handles and stitch on.

Step 14
Fold the Tote in half as shown below. Stitch sides of tote. and press.

Step 15
Fold the tote as in the photo below. Align the side seams with the center of the base of the tote. This is IMPORTANT as it makes the mitered corners straight. Stitch across the base of the triangle, using the stiching for the bottom of the pockets as your guidelines. Restitch directly on top of first stitching to reinforce.

Turn right side out and you are DONE!

Now, wasn't that easy?


The variations on this bag are LIMITLESS. Use your IMAGINATION and CREATIVITY.

If you do this project, I would LOVE to see it. Post a picture on your blog of your finished projects. Then use the choxbox on the side bar to give me the name of your blog and your blog address.

Didn't your mama always tell you to SHARE?