tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14513088360246580702024-03-04T23:00:56.138-05:00sew at sealaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.comBlogger450125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-51571283449182118782017-05-08T16:06:00.002-04:002017-05-09T13:47:28.916-04:00Personal updates<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oOjgHCn5seE/WRDP3BJI0YI/AAAAAAAAEd0/JXaELJ_HpSA3EIUNeOAHyd9RbPV--32uACHM/s1024/Photo%2B20170508160646289" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oOjgHCn5seE/WRDP3BJI0YI/AAAAAAAAEd0/JXaELJ_HpSA3EIUNeOAHyd9RbPV--32uACHM/s500/Photo%2B20170508160646289" id="blogsy-1494352031318.7642" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="281" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Verdana"><em> Christmas at the inn</em></font></p><p> </p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana">I'm still around. Just not a lot of sewing these days. We were busy working last year at the inn I mentioned in my last post. Actually, we were due to start back there soon but sadly the inn burned down this past week. The only guests in house that night happened to be stitchers. </font></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana">We're all devastated by this event and I wrote a post on our sailing blog that I'm going to share <a href="http://knottycattales.blogspot.com/2017/05/gone.html" target="_self" title="">here</a>.</font></span> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><font face="Verdana">A bit of good news though. We became grandparents in September.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VLXeKs_tx8g/WRDP3ylo5HI/AAAAAAAAEd4/lXeHOSMa4K85LD6CKrH82N6JwH7iEFGegCHM/s640/Photo%2B20170508160646703" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VLXeKs_tx8g/WRDP3ylo5HI/AAAAAAAAEd4/lXeHOSMa4K85LD6CKrH82N6JwH7iEFGegCHM/s500/Photo%2B20170508160646703" id="blogsy-1494352031288.6138" class="aligncenter" width="480" height="640" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> Andi Elizabeth with Hans</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><font face="Verdana"> </font></p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-27028805942798846182017-05-08T16:06:00.001-04:002017-05-08T16:06:57.601-04:00Update<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oOjgHCn5seE/WRDP3BJI0YI/AAAAAAAAEd0/JXaELJ_HpSA3EIUNeOAHyd9RbPV--32uACHM/s1024/Photo%2B20170508160646289" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oOjgHCn5seE/WRDP3BJI0YI/AAAAAAAAEd0/JXaELJ_HpSA3EIUNeOAHyd9RbPV--32uACHM/s500/Photo%2B20170508160646289" id="blogsy-1494274015581.1282" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="281"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Verdana"><em> Christmas at the inn</em></font></p><p> </p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana">I'm still around. Just not a lot of sewing these days. We were busy working last year at the inn I mentioned in my last post. Actually, we were due to start back there soon but sadly the inn burned down this past week. The only guests in house that night happened to be stitchers. </font></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana">We're all devastated by this event and I wrote a post on our sailing blog that I'm going to share here.</font></span> </p><p> </p><p> http://knottycattales.blogspot.com/2017/05/gone.html</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><font face="Verdana">A bit of good news though. We became grandparents in September.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VLXeKs_tx8g/WRDP3ylo5HI/AAAAAAAAEd4/lXeHOSMa4K85LD6CKrH82N6JwH7iEFGegCHM/s640/Photo%2B20170508160646703" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VLXeKs_tx8g/WRDP3ylo5HI/AAAAAAAAEd4/lXeHOSMa4K85LD6CKrH82N6JwH7iEFGegCHM/s500/Photo%2B20170508160646703" id="blogsy-1494274015606.349" class="aligncenter" width="480" height="640" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> Andi Elizabeth with Hans</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><font face="Verdana"> </font></p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-41617319774114473932016-05-23T20:29:00.001-04:002016-05-23T20:29:15.282-04:00Sewing Retreat Anyone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30URU9eiLywzlXTmIlg9OF9ETUwdqAXsrHbsopYLdQBIZFdJknqxAwURKelzqAR6wbCnuRaSV0_NLoUZ4dGbR0tZbpkUqv8S1s3E5OFFP7QLmREisziWQ22jpJh6KkflHoflgvev4I9gk/s1024/Photo%25252020160523175103973.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30URU9eiLywzlXTmIlg9OF9ETUwdqAXsrHbsopYLdQBIZFdJknqxAwURKelzqAR6wbCnuRaSV0_NLoUZ4dGbR0tZbpkUqv8S1s3E5OFFP7QLmREisziWQ22jpJh6KkflHoflgvev4I9gk/s500/Photo%25252020160523175103973.jpg" id="blogsy-1464049444636.3088" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>Debbie Cook, this picture is for you. I've posted it before but it's still cute!</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em><br></em></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I disappear from my sewing blog for well over a year, enjoy next to no sewing, and I start back with this? A sewing retreat?</span></div><p><font face="Verdana">Before I get to the point of this post I'll fill you in with what we've been up to. I realize I don't have a hugely popular blog but for those of you who've been kind enough to follow, here goes:</font></p><p><font face="Verdana"><br></font></p><p><font face="Verdana">Hans and I left our Florida Marina (we live on a sailboat) in January of 2015. We managed to get to the Dry Tortuga's (not the most comfortable sail and I'm glad that's off Hans' bucket list) and the Bahamas (some of the worst weather seen in 30 years. Leave it to us!). We were gone for six months but it seemed like a lot longer. Life on a boat can be pretty interesting.</font></p><p><font face="Verdana">Looking back, even though we spent way more money than we had expected, I'm glad we did it because it would not have happened this year, or maybe ever. My dad's health started to decline last summer, so upon returning from the Bahamas we put the boat on the hard and came back to Pennsylvania. I ended up back at my old waitress job and since the inn needed a piano player, I volunteered Hans for the position. We only intended to stay for a couple of months, but ended up staying all the way through to New Year's Eve. </font></p><p><font face="Verdana"><br></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0158qdPaRptQm7onJFCWogtK_PNHf6FknOW7Xlzpahcd2_NPUOtWJwSVVg4BbijYTmhH0rSIZsiwV2O9_Wh0TVp9Kej_JiJiLBYaYWU8zhMqU1bp7Lk51UHaCgw1EuKgebEPVVKXtFcn/s1024/Photo%25252020160523175552938.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0158qdPaRptQm7onJFCWogtK_PNHf6FknOW7Xlzpahcd2_NPUOtWJwSVVg4BbijYTmhH0rSIZsiwV2O9_Wh0TVp9Kej_JiJiLBYaYWU8zhMqU1bp7Lk51UHaCgw1EuKgebEPVVKXtFcn/s500/Photo%25252020160523175552938.jpg" id="blogsy-1464049444696.5703" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="286"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Verdana"><em>The Inn. Built in 1885. Look at that porch.</em></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA6uJ4tpCy3JmmslocrA9pQIN0etOhsbbJ3J-PIm-bm_nK93_9KUSV-E-uhcFPN7vIqGAczzFRQebnnGI5dlIs4iVGpQR6PauJfesBP12b1xMnpajjhxpDxdHgt4qXQdZsAczB7nIy562/s640/Photo%25252020160523175618613.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA6uJ4tpCy3JmmslocrA9pQIN0etOhsbbJ3J-PIm-bm_nK93_9KUSV-E-uhcFPN7vIqGAczzFRQebnnGI5dlIs4iVGpQR6PauJfesBP12b1xMnpajjhxpDxdHgt4qXQdZsAczB7nIy562/s500/Photo%25252020160523175618613.jpg" id="blogsy-1464049444724.804" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="480" height="640"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Verdana"><em>Enjoying a break in our room. We actually lived at the inn for a memorable six weeks!</em></font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Verdana"><em><br></em></font></p><p><font face="Verdana">In January 2016, back to Florida and the boat we went. But before we knew it, we were putting the boat right back on the hard as my dad died in March and we came back to Pennsylvania to see if my mom might need some help. Hans and I are back working at the inn and this morning I woke up and had an epiphany. I said to myself, "Duh! Why not suggest a sewing retreat at the inn to my bloggy friends!" I guess it's just a case of living too close to it to realize how perfect it</font><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> is. There are already a few groups of ladies who come to the inn: rug hookers, quilters, and this week we have cross stitchers.</span><br></p><p><font face="Verdana">The inn has 74 rooms for rent along with a variety of rooms that can double as sewing areas. There are hospitality suites, adjoining rooms, single rooms etc... We are an historic inn built in 1885, located in western Pensylvania, and we're a couple of hours from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Buffalo... It's truly an unexpected gem in a rural setting. Within close driving distance there are antique stores, a pottery, wineries, a micro brewery, many golf courses, and within walking distance is the best damn consignment/thrift store ever! </font></p><p><font face="Verdana">But please understand, I don't get anything for this! I'm not a saleswoman and there is no commission. I just think you'd love this place. (Psst, depending on dates, I could probably get you a discount). </font></p><p><font face="Verdana">If anyone is interested just send me an email at laurao43 at hotmail dot com and I'll send you a link to the inn. I don't want to blast the name of it here and risk having weirdos contacting them.</font></p><p><font face="Verdana"><br></font></p><p><font face="Verdana">As for Hans and I, we plan on getting back to the Knotty Cat in January. </font></p><p><font face="Verdana"><br></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAo3NioIBKZwpwAkiyjYwYrXT9GdiiiJ4o3hdDvdFwAfKyERFIZFLD73NjnQ0eeOozJhWFUzPyx3tbjU1O9tWewvPcSjRFtNSO5LyNkJ9VQfNPSPg9zBG_vVxRchO9qY3rLd9zdeQnp0WQ/s1024/Photo%25252020160523175618634.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAo3NioIBKZwpwAkiyjYwYrXT9GdiiiJ4o3hdDvdFwAfKyERFIZFLD73NjnQ0eeOozJhWFUzPyx3tbjU1O9tWewvPcSjRFtNSO5LyNkJ9VQfNPSPg9zBG_vVxRchO9qY3rLd9zdeQnp0WQ/s500/Photo%25252020160523175618634.jpg" id="blogsy-1464049444669.958" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <font face="Verdana"><em>Wilbur had his own bed but he still slept with us!</em></font></p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-64199039683444484962015-03-07T17:08:00.001-05:002015-03-07T17:08:29.727-05:00More 'sea-ing' than 'sew-ing'
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wY3pHgWe-24/VPtzHa40GKI/AAAAAAAAD9o/o5vV4WNug2A/s1024/Photo%25252020150307164711381.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wY3pHgWe-24/VPtzHa40GKI/AAAAAAAAD9o/o5vV4WNug2A/s500/Photo%25252020150307164711381.jpg" id="blogsy-1425766109899.46" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Verdana"><em>At Cabbage Key</em></font></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Verdana; line-height: 1.3em;">Hans and I have cast off our dock lines and are cruising again.</span><br></p>
<p><font face="Verdana">We left St. Petersburg in January and are currently moored in Key West where we hope to leave in a day or two for the Dry Tortuga's. I don't know why but I'm a bit nervous about this next jaunt.</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana">I did get a bit of sewing done before we left, especially when Hans stated just days before departure that maybe we should re-cover our cockpit cushions. Personally, I would rather sail with crappy cushions that I don't have to worry about getting dirty. But, these cushions were starting to 'shed' sand-like crap all over the place. I ended up making very simple envelope style covers for the easiest cushions but that's as far as I got. The remaining two will need to be 'fitted' and that probably won't happen for a very long time. I don't sew at anchor and when we are lucky enough to be at a dock with shore power, we have to do laundry, vaccum, take advantage of endless water to scrub the boat, provision, blahblahblah, which leaves no time for fun.</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana">I also have a sailing blog for anyone who's interested in that lifestyle. Needless to say a lot more gets written <a href="http://knottycattales.blogspot.com" target="_blank" title="">there</a> than here. </font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana"><br></font></p>
<p>I<font face="Verdana"> may not be sewing much but I still very much enjoy reading everyone else's blogs about their projects. </font></p>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FjzXEa3eH40/VPtzLiTRCoI/AAAAAAAAD9w/eiyLGeC15vQ/s1024/Photo%25252020150307164751953.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FjzXEa3eH40/VPtzLiTRCoI/AAAAAAAAD9w/eiyLGeC15vQ/s500/Photo%25252020150307164751953.jpg" id="blogsy-1425766109944.446" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <em>Our chilly little pit during a cold spell. I made his coat out of left over fleece.</em></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gQOecfdrb-Y/VPtzT3ZJSZI/AAAAAAAAD-A/BP8Wsy3vVgE/s993/Photo%25252020150307165146750.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gQOecfdrb-Y/VPtzT3ZJSZI/AAAAAAAAD-A/BP8Wsy3vVgE/s500/Photo%25252020150307165146750.jpg" id="blogsy-1425766109934.0662" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="592"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <em>A bag I made from recycled sail cloth.</em></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6G4UO-str58/VPtzcTjf7QI/AAAAAAAAD-I/oQHW2QPOqvQ/s1024/Photo%25252020150307165202921.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6G4UO-str58/VPtzcTjf7QI/AAAAAAAAD-I/oQHW2QPOqvQ/s500/Photo%25252020150307165202921.jpg" id="blogsy-1425766109961.165" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <em>Another one</em></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tMsCuJpXUWE/VPtziyXko0I/AAAAAAAAD-Q/SH1vEDgDWw0/s1024/Photo%25252020150307165146715.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tMsCuJpXUWE/VPtziyXko0I/AAAAAAAAD-Q/SH1vEDgDWw0/s500/Photo%25252020150307165146715.jpg" id="blogsy-1425766109931.032" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <em>And yet one more.</em></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-luuqcN2qjmE/VPt22pCUWcI/AAAAAAAAD-c/bNl_VWC09Bg/s1024/Photo%25252020150307170810462.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-luuqcN2qjmE/VPt22pCUWcI/AAAAAAAAD-c/bNl_VWC09Bg/s500/Photo%25252020150307170810462.jpg" id="blogsy-1425766109896.943" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <em>Boring cushions but they do serve a purpose.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bkBMDH9eT7U/VPtzRJJoGyI/AAAAAAAAD94/G6a3vkW9Z6I/s1024/Photo%25252020150307164838997.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bkBMDH9eT7U/VPtzRJJoGyI/AAAAAAAAD94/G6a3vkW9Z6I/s500/Photo%25252020150307164838997.jpg" id="blogsy-1425766109988.4153" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <em>At a marina in Marathon. I enjoyed this for a few seconds before I had to get a butt load of chores done.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We hope to cruise until at least June. We have to be back for my son's wedding in July and we will have a lot of figuring out about what we're doing after that. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">But for now, we're sailing Mon!</p>
<p> </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-8977704884246193812014-10-27T11:18:00.000-04:002014-10-27T11:19:57.025-04:00Finally, Fall is Here! And I Finished my Quilt. No Kidding!<p><font face="Verdana"> </font></p><p><font face="Verdana"> It appears summer is finally releasing its hold on the south and we are now a week free of having the air conditioner running in our salon. It can still get pretty warm inside but the evenings have been pretty nice. </font></p><p><font face="Verdana">Since we used a bigger air conditioner this year as opposed to the last two years I was able to actually accomplish some summer sewing. </font></p><p><font face="Verdana">Some. Just not a lot.</font></p><p><font face="Verdana"> </font></p><p><font face="Verdana">Last year we finally replaced our tired and very old (nearly 18 yrs) main sail and I made sure that our old main sail came back to us as I really hoped to make some bags out of it. Well, we got it back all right and after letting it stew in its own juices for a few months (all folded up in a tight, hot mess) I, all of a sudden, decided I needed to get started on those bags. </font></p><p><font face="Verdana">It took me two whole days to get one hunk of sail cloth clean enough to even consider sewing. Mold, mildew, and filth hardly describe the mess I discovered upon unfolding our main and I nearly wore my arm out with scrubbing before finally giving in and adding bleach to my repertoire. </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ihsVkg171T8/VE2Mlc0O3xI/AAAAAAAADrM/vpvWNEqdVpA/s1024/Photo%25252020141026200502.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ihsVkg171T8/VE2Mlc0O3xI/AAAAAAAADrM/vpvWNEqdVpA/s500/Photo%25252020141026200502.jpg" id="blogsy-1414422972294.2078" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>The guy that ordered this uses it for his volleyball evenings. It holds beer, snacks, garbage bags, etc... He calls it his 'chick bag'.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vm04b2waH2U/VE2MmZh72qI/AAAAAAAADrU/a2om15RxNFg/s1024/Photo%25252020141026200502.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vm04b2waH2U/VE2MmZh72qI/AAAAAAAADrU/a2om15RxNFg/s500/Photo%25252020141026200502.jpg" id="blogsy-1414422972277.149" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><em>All of my sail bags have 6 internal pockets along with a secure velcro pocket.</em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="assets-library://asset/asset.JPG?id=353249FD-91AB-4F39-98E1-0C9B445E8E86&ext=JPG" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GF6m2SIYlU0/VE2Mncr2eSI/AAAAAAAADrc/0bGpYs5bhg4/s1024/Photo%25252020141026200529.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GF6m2SIYlU0/VE2Mncr2eSI/AAAAAAAADrc/0bGpYs5bhg4/s500/Photo%25252020141026200529.jpg" id="blogsy-1414422972285.7466" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>This was an anniversary gift for a surprised wife.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><br></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-noI6X1JAQFw/VE2MpacDl1I/AAAAAAAADrk/vt--4Nt-cDI/s1024/Photo%25252020141026200530.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-noI6X1JAQFw/VE2MpacDl1I/AAAAAAAADrk/vt--4Nt-cDI/s500/Photo%25252020141026200530.jpg" id="blogsy-1414422972328.79" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="670" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>A fellow live-aboard gentleman and I had a talk about what motif we should put on his bag. After many ideas (I swear men will forever be trapped in a 10 year old mentality) I persuaded him to let me do my own thing. I came up with this. It's entirely up to discussion. </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yVLp8QXyfmQ/VE2MrHcb1kI/AAAAAAAADrs/EoFggTJoHRo/s1024/Photo%25252020141026200557.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yVLp8QXyfmQ/VE2MrHcb1kI/AAAAAAAADrs/EoFggTJoHRo/s500/Photo%25252020141026200557.jpg" id="blogsy-1414422972339.8306" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="670" alt=""></a><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>And here is the finished quilt I started this past spring. I so need to get this in the mail.</em></div><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YTDNwLRVM3Y/VE2MsKyPSWI/AAAAAAAADr0/T3tlw7ghRa8/s846/Photo%25252020141026200557.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YTDNwLRVM3Y/VE2MsKyPSWI/AAAAAAAADr0/T3tlw7ghRa8/s500/Photo%25252020141026200557.jpg" id="blogsy-1414422972317.6062" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="498" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>And for the next baby quilt on the block, it's called Applejack!</em></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2iv03AdUp5A/VE2MtRwG0-I/AAAAAAAADr8/xiZ7D6k-m4A/s1024/Photo%25252020141026200557.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2iv03AdUp5A/VE2MtRwG0-I/AAAAAAAADr8/xiZ7D6k-m4A/s500/Photo%25252020141026200557.jpg" id="blogsy-1414422972321.0996" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>A couple of finished squares.</em></p><p> </p><p> <font face="Verdana">For this new project I'm using a 'Quilt as you Go' method. So far I really like it. It makes sewing a quilt in a small area a very enjoyable experience. </font></p><p> </p><p>I've been really zipping along on this and I have such high hopes for it! I'm keeping my fingers crossed. But in the meantime, I received an order for another sail bag. </p><p>Good Times.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-19895902175099650062014-06-25T10:59:00.001-04:002014-06-25T11:01:05.673-04:00Pretty little dog collars all in a row<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Je5XHVJLwpY/U6rjs0-HmOI/AAAAAAAADlY/M5DPVRoGF2U/s1024/Photo%25252020140625105851.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Je5XHVJLwpY/U6rjs0-HmOI/AAAAAAAADlY/M5DPVRoGF2U/s500/Photo%25252020140625105851.jpg" id="blogsy-1403708361854.0063" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="234"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>I do love bright colors</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t0YWc9a6oYI/U6rjuqi6_HI/AAAAAAAADlg/AO6wOJI4J9k/s1024/Photo%25252020140625105852.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t0YWc9a6oYI/U6rjuqi6_HI/AAAAAAAADlg/AO6wOJI4J9k/s500/Photo%25252020140625105852.jpg" id="blogsy-1403708361843.1577" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>My ever present critic</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VuXngM0L2_4/U6rjwXrSsrI/AAAAAAAADlo/Y_w4Whdm2is/s1024/Photo%25252020140625105852.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VuXngM0L2_4/U6rjwXrSsrI/AAAAAAAADlo/Y_w4Whdm2is/s500/Photo%25252020140625105852.jpg" id="blogsy-1403708361853.3882" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>Actually he just can't stand not being involved in everything</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7CpAOv6K5i4/U6rjx6eQpKI/AAAAAAAADlw/JWvpP4YcfrQ/s1024/Photo%25252020140625105852.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7CpAOv6K5i4/U6rjx6eQpKI/AAAAAAAADlw/JWvpP4YcfrQ/s500/Photo%25252020140625105852.jpg" id="blogsy-1403708361839.3076" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="549" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">We installed an 8,000 BTU air conditioner on top of the salon area on our boat and for the first time since we've been living in Florida I can finally sew on the boat in comfort during the summer. The 5,000 BTU unit just couldn't keep up. </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">I still have that darned <a href="http://sewatsea.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-finished-quilt-top.html" target="_blank" title="">baby quilt</a> to finish and I really need to get serious about making new cockpit cushions but luckily I can get these collars out the door pretty quickly.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-11861107108074825142014-05-16T11:19:00.000-04:002014-05-16T11:21:40.147-04:00Back in Steamy Florida<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Verdana">We really lucked out with our visit to Maine last week. I'd checked the weather forecast before going and rain was predicted nearly everyday. Instead, we enjoyed sunshine except for one evening when we sat on our balcony and watched a misty rain shower roll across Frenchman's Bay. So different from a rain shower here in Florida where the sky just opens up and dumps gallons of water on you and everything gets soaked before you even have a chance to close all the hatches.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P9CcNfRaoCQ/U3YgFJeKzPI/AAAAAAAADeQ/8QU5QI6MugY/s1024/Photo%25252020140516102612.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P9CcNfRaoCQ/U3YgFJeKzPI/AAAAAAAADeQ/8QU5QI6MugY/s500/Photo%25252020140516102612.jpg" id="blogsy-1400253409525.7007" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>We drove past this fabric store on our way into Bar Harbor. </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><p style="text-align: left;"><font face="Verdana">I got such a kick out of seeing that sign so needless to say we stopped for a visit on our way back to the airport. In addition to tons of quilting fabrics she also had a lot of notions and patterns. If I lived there I know where I'd be spending quite a bit of time and money.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7wHgBjabqAM/U3YgGkw0SMI/AAAAAAAADeY/39VVTyrK__Q/s1024/Photo%25252020140516102612.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7wHgBjabqAM/U3YgGkw0SMI/AAAAAAAADeY/39VVTyrK__Q/s500/Photo%25252020140516102612.jpg" id="blogsy-1400253409540.6956" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><em>I had to buy something to remember my visit and I thought this was cute. </em> </p><p> </p><p><font face="Verdana">Back to reality. We arrived in Florida at nearly midnight and the next day we had to move the boat back to the marina (we had it worked on while we were gone). But first we had to move our holding tank* back into place since it had of course been sitting right where the mechanics needed to work. Getting it out was no picnic (I nearly puked while rinsing it out) but luckily getting it back in was easier. However, attaching the hoses to it involved a heat gun, and added to the fact that this took place in the engine room...</font></p><p>* <em>For those of you who don't know what a holding tank is; it's basically a septic tank. Everyone gets pumped out once a week at the marina and believe me you don't want to be downwind of the pump-out cart that day.</em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SeDQJsGJanA/U3Ygt9ETZZI/AAAAAAAADeg/nreToEabHK0/s1024/Photo%25252020140516102902.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SeDQJsGJanA/U3Ygt9ETZZI/AAAAAAAADeg/nreToEabHK0/s500/Photo%25252020140516102902.jpg" id="blogsy-1400253409555.6523" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>This was after I crawled out of the engine room where I'd finished re-attaching the hoses to our head. Pure sweat!</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><font face="Verdana">We also picked Wilbur up from Doggy Day Care where he received a glowing report card. He was part of the Wild Child group; got an A for completing his bath, nail clipping, and ear cleaning with no problems, played well with others, and is a Teacher's Pet. He may be a red-nose pit but apparently he's also a brown noser!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XOqhIt_fkp4/U3Yp7mOITfI/AAAAAAAADes/jRGKMF9uTNE/s1024/Photo%25252020140516110813.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XOqhIt_fkp4/U3Yp7mOITfI/AAAAAAAADes/jRGKMF9uTNE/s500/Photo%25252020140516110813.jpg" id="blogsy-1400253409520.002" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>Our watch dog keeping one eye open.</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-88946366963001982922014-05-07T18:59:00.000-04:002014-05-07T19:00:14.841-04:00From Hot Florida to Chilly Maine in One Day<p> </p><p>And no, we didn't sail our boat here. The other day I told someone we were heading to Maine but we'd be back next week and they actually thought we were taking the boat. Believe me, if I told someone we'd be sailing to Maine I'd be telling them we'll be back <em>next year</em>. That would be no small trip.</p><p>But now that I've been here a couple of days I'd sail here in a heartbeat if I could. I absolutely love Maine and I think I only took one breath of air when I told Hans I could live here. I know everyone loves Florida but even though we've been living there for almost 3 years I do not feel at home and I know I never will. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tZqZwo1yuUg/U2q0_7NzrfI/AAAAAAAADcM/0LN7WY-VbDk/s1024/Photo%25252020140507183337.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tZqZwo1yuUg/U2q0_7NzrfI/AAAAAAAADcM/0LN7WY-VbDk/s500/Photo%25252020140507183337.jpg" id="blogsy-1399503599908.125" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><em>This is a sand bar that stretches across Frenchman's Bay to a small island. You can cross at low tide which gives you about 4 hours to explore. </em> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LD-5tHOy8_8/U2q06oZgb2I/AAAAAAAADcE/8pKS2mmsl4w/s1024/Photo%25252020140507183314.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LD-5tHOy8_8/U2q06oZgb2I/AAAAAAAADcE/8pKS2mmsl4w/s500/Photo%25252020140507183314.jpg" id="blogsy-1399503599930.422" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="467"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>On our small balcony with a glass of wine. We have a view of the bay from our room.</em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K4FbVCJyUQU/U2q1EuN5oYI/AAAAAAAADcU/S0uuvUpLmZo/s1024/Photo%25252020140507183337.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K4FbVCJyUQU/U2q1EuN5oYI/AAAAAAAADcU/S0uuvUpLmZo/s500/Photo%25252020140507183337.jpg" id="blogsy-1399503599894.2605" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>4 fat quarters with a nautical theme. </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><p style="text-align: left;">While Hans was working I walked around town and found a small quilt store. I know I can find quilt fabric anywhere but I wanted something I knew came from my trip to Maine. </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">We head back home on Friday but before we get to the airport I'm stopping at a store we drove past on the way to our hotel. I got a kick out of it's name and after we visit there I'll tell you about it. </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">In the meantime I never thought I'd love having to wear a winter coat in May. There must be something in the air here.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-16534001940382330802014-04-24T13:16:00.001-04:002014-04-24T13:16:57.886-04:00A Finished Quilt Top<p> </p><p> </p><p><font face="Verdana">As most of my sewing projects go, this one was no different. Which means I started out with an idea and good intentions, but ended up with something else entirely.</font></p><p><font face="Verdana">My original plan was to sew my jelly roll (remember my jelly roll consists of 40 2 1/2 inch by 44 inch strips) into groups of 6, cut them into 12 inch blocks and then arrange them into a log cabin type of pattern.</font></p><p><font face="Verdana">Easy.</font></p><p><font face="Verdana"> Unfortunately, even though I was very careful and tried to keep my seam allowances the same, my strips did not come out exact. When I tried to arrange them into blocks it was obvious that some of them were off by as much as a quarter of an inch and more. I would have to stretch some blocks and scrunch others. Well, crap!</font></p><p><font face="Verdana">So I decided to whack the blocks into strips, stagger them, re-sew them, and cut the finished product into 12 1/2 by 10 inch rectangles. It was time consuming, the result is a bit crazy and needless to say nothing matches up. </font></p><p><font face="Verdana">Which for once was what I wanted. </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AHxo-EsRmvs/U1kn58t-KFI/AAAAAAAADZU/Yg00LmDQuIc/s1024/Photo%25252020140424110244.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AHxo-EsRmvs/U1kn58t-KFI/AAAAAAAADZU/Yg00LmDQuIc/s500/Photo%25252020140424110244.jpg" id="blogsy-1398358424650.0852" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>How it started out. Simple strips of 6.</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aqyxjH2t7vQ/U1kn7jj-CjI/AAAAAAAADZc/NYTxwzlbhzg/s1024/Photo%25252020140424110309.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aqyxjH2t7vQ/U1kn7jj-CjI/AAAAAAAADZc/NYTxwzlbhzg/s500/Photo%25252020140424110309.jpg" id="blogsy-1398358424666.3374" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>How it ended up (before I added the border). Crazy!</em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LdsrKPISVpA/U1kn_LHT1nI/AAAAAAAADZs/9a_1Xw1Ha0U/s1024/Photo%25252020140424110309.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LdsrKPISVpA/U1kn_LHT1nI/AAAAAAAADZs/9a_1Xw1Ha0U/s500/Photo%25252020140424110309.jpg" id="blogsy-1398358424668.6428" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>The jelly roll came with strips of polka dots in four different colors. I used 4 of them for the border. The length of the quilt was a bit too long so I had to piece the corners with a coordinating fabric. </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GYZkbAxJ_4c/U1kvjqrAqGI/AAAAAAAADZ8/00JHmGOSfnQ/s1024/Photo%25252020140424113622.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GYZkbAxJ_4c/U1kvjqrAqGI/AAAAAAAADZ8/00JHmGOSfnQ/s500/Photo%25252020140424113622.jpg" id="blogsy-1398358424615.189" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>It's difficult to see the whole thing (and yes, I know our cockpit cushions are on their last legs. The Florida sun has done them in).</em></p><p> </p><p><font face="Verdana">My biggest challenge was finding a place big enough to spread it out so I could decide what to do about the border. Then I had a brilliant idea (something that doesn't happen very often) and took it to my Zumba class. It's a huge building so I showed up a half hour early and was able to lay it down and not have to step all over it while figuring things out. I'm glad I did because what I thought I might like; I didn't. </font></p><p><font face="Verdana">I kept it simple with my polka dot prints and was able to sew it together yesterday. Now all that's left is to buy some batting, quilt it, and bind it. </font></p><p><font face="Verdana">I'm still up in the air about the quilting. I should probably pay someone to do it, but it's a baby quilt! I mean It's gonna get puked and pooped on for crying out loud. I don't feel like hand quilting it and I don't want to tie yarn knots through it because those usually end up turning into holes. I guess I'll probably try to do free motion with my machine and just keep the stitches simple. </font></p><p> </p><font color="#000000" style="text-align: center; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V6kXE9-_SY0/U1kn9AWDSTI/AAAAAAAADZk/euwLA4K8hdE/s1024/Photo%25252020140424110309.jpg" target="_blank" style="text-align: center; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V6kXE9-_SY0/U1kn9AWDSTI/AAAAAAAADZk/euwLA4K8hdE/s500/Photo%25252020140424110309.jpg" id="blogsy-1398358424693.931" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375" style="text-align: start;"></a><br></font><div><font color="#000000" style="text-align: center; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></font></div><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Wilbur the inspector asks, "What the hell happened?"</em></p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-40238306313300364322014-04-20T12:12:00.000-04:002014-04-20T12:25:05.441-04:00Hoppy Easter!!<p> </p><p>This week I discovered I have the biggest refrigerator, the biggest oven, and apparently the biggest mouth here in our marina because for today's Easter get together I'm in charge of cooking the 12 pound ham.</p><p> </p><p>Maybe I should have mentioned with that big mouth that I've never cooked a ham in my life. </p><p> </p><font color="#000000" style="text-align: center; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14onuRBKOeYfTHsZgkaL94zcO0EqHRoRzn5jZevoQbUuL7dhj0zcspDk8R7erIfrADqurgMBVgtd8kX9thy0W_HvHRd4glZT957VWIUETUrbzGEJ1mHqMrcp0rUW_JmCJ4Wu4aAdA5qc/s1024/Photo%25252020140420120235.jpg" target="_blank" style="text-align: center; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14onuRBKOeYfTHsZgkaL94zcO0EqHRoRzn5jZevoQbUuL7dhj0zcspDk8R7erIfrADqurgMBVgtd8kX9thy0W_HvHRd4glZT957VWIUETUrbzGEJ1mHqMrcp0rUW_JmCJ4Wu4aAdA5qc/s500/Photo%25252020140420120235.jpg" id="blogsy-1398011087030.3293" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="547"></a></font><div style="text-align: center;"><em>That little heart sticker on Wilbur's head signifies he was a good boy and took his heart worm medicine.</em></div><p> </p><p> </p><p>Wilbur thinks I'm a fabulous cook and has volunteered to be the official taste tester. As long as it's covered in whipped creme, he says, life is good.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-55894491700386512012014-04-13T14:43:00.000-04:002014-04-13T14:46:09.840-04:00The search for the ever elusive scant 1/4 inch continues <p> </p><p> </p><p>We pick up this story with my continued <a href="http://sewatsea.blogspot.com/2014/04/some-small-steps-on-my-baby-quilt.html" target="_self" title="">quest</a> of trying to find out how to accurately sew quilt pieces together. </p><p>After sewing my pre-cut jelly roll strips together I was looking forward to cutting them into 12 inch squares. That is until I realized the new blade I'd put in my rotary cutter a couple of months ago was rusty. I would have had better luck running a dull butter knife up and down my fabric it was that bad. This is what comes from living on the water in Florida; if things don't get moldy they get rusty. </p><p>So off I ventured to my favorite fabric store, and for the first time they didn't have something I needed. I have a Fiskars Cutter and they don't carry them. I couldn't get to JoAnn's because I didn't have the vehicle that day so I had to wait until yesterday to drive there. Luckily I had a 40% off coupon and bought some titanium blades (I have no idea if they'll stay nice or not and I need to come up with a better storing solution). But then I remembered they sell Janome Sewing Machines at this store and I asked one of the employees who was sitting at a machine if they happened to carry a quarter inch quilting foot and by golly they do! I then asked her if she'd heard the term 'scant' quarter inch and she gave me a baffled look and shook her head. So I went into my long winded explanation of why I wanted one and she said she's made many quilts using a simple quarter inch seam allowance and never had a problem. </p><p>That's when I decided enough was enough and to quit making such a big deal out of this and just suck it up. I ended up buying the foot they had in stock and it also came with 2 guides; one for the 1/4 inch seam and one for sewing in the ditch (actually the guide runs in the ditch and allows you to sew very close to it). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rP9eGBJrJ2I/U0rS1aMyd5I/AAAAAAAADWo/1vSjNd5wqjo/s1024/Photo%25252020140413140855.jpg" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rP9eGBJrJ2I/U0rS1aMyd5I/AAAAAAAADWo/1vSjNd5wqjo/s500/Photo%25252020140413140855.jpg" id="blogsy-1397414635212.5974" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="458"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>This is the foot with the 1/4 inch guide attached. The other guide is off to the left.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rBdhNSxa9bM/U0rSzxuTENI/AAAAAAAADWg/liHeSIS3moY/s1024/Photo%25252020140413140855.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rBdhNSxa9bM/U0rSzxuTENI/AAAAAAAADWg/liHeSIS3moY/s500/Photo%25252020140413140855.jpg" id="blogsy-1397414635206.0051" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>AHA!! CHECK IT OUT! SEE WHAT IT SAYS ON THE PACKAGE?</em></p><p style="text-align: left;"><em><br></em></p><p style="text-align: left;">I did not have my reading glasses with me and I didn't see this until I got home. Is that not just too funny? </p><p style="text-align: left;">So the search for the scant quarter inch foot and guide is now over.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The sad part about this is when my quilt ends up with wonky seams I won't have anyone to blame but myself. </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1uaDEk7KH-A/U0ra6aQgwJI/AAAAAAAADW4/5TJ-Wi5rl-o/s1024/Photo%25252020140413144349.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1uaDEk7KH-A/U0ra6aQgwJI/AAAAAAAADW4/5TJ-Wi5rl-o/s500/Photo%25252020140413144349.jpg" id="blogsy-1397414635189.7632" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>No sewing this weekend as Hans and I cast off our dock lines yesterday and anchored in the bay for the night. This little racer zipped past our stern with about 6 'scant' inches to spare. </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em> I crack myself up!</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-64305757046098956292014-04-09T22:07:00.000-04:002014-04-09T22:14:52.986-04:00Some small steps on my baby quilt.<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;">First of all, let me express my thanks to those who welcomed me back from my bloggy absence. It really surprised me and also made my day. Oh, you are so going to wish you'd never encouraged me!</div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;">So I started sewing the baby quilt I mentioned yesterday. I sorted out the strips and then sewed them together in groups of 6. Each group of strips will then be cut into three 12 inch squares. </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;">But here's my dilemma; Is it just assumed that everyone knows the secret of the 'scant' quarter inch seam allowance? I'm not a quilter but I do have a couple of quilting books and I've also read and watched a lot of tutorials, yet not one of them mentioned this term. I can't remember when I first heard about it but I did know upon starting this quilt that I should follow the rule. I know you can buy a special foot for your machine but apparently it isn't always accurate. Then I heard that the line spacing on index cards is measured at pretty much a 'scant' quarter inch. So of course I bought a batch of them at my local Winn-Dixie. </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;">It would appear that my teflon foot is the closest thing to what I need (yet still not quite right), so I measured as best I could from the needle and taped a hunk of memo pad to the bed of my machine as a guide. This much I know; 6 strips of sewn together fabric should measure 12 1/2 inches across. Mine are pretty close yet not necessarily exact and that pisses me off. And the individual strips after having been sewn should come in at 2 inches (except for the two outside pieces that still have unsewn seam allowances). I'm sewing as carefully as I can but I can't help but wonder if the fact that the quality of some of the fabrics is different from the others might be the problem. The lighter colored fabrics are much lighter in weight than the darker ones. </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;">I swear, only I can find a way to make something so simple, so complicated. But regardless of these minuscule discrepancies, I'm going to continue to charge forth. After all, this is for a baby whom I expect will puke, poop, and do God knows what else to it, so who cares if it's not perfect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sCeviY4YGYo/U0XjsUw4hUI/AAAAAAAADWA/6wc12HVmnvc/s1024/Photo%25252020140409201909.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sCeviY4YGYo/U0XjsUw4hUI/AAAAAAAADWA/6wc12HVmnvc/s500/Photo%25252020140409201909.jpg" id="blogsy-1397095881164.2375" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>One set of strips. Remember these came pre-cut and some of the prints aren't exactly centered.</em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rxCYM57nLq8/U0Xk3QiD5iI/AAAAAAAADWQ/hVBeOetUgoo/s1024/Photo%25252020140409202230.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rxCYM57nLq8/U0Xk3QiD5iI/AAAAAAAADWQ/hVBeOetUgoo/s500/Photo%25252020140409202230.jpg" id="blogsy-1397095881190.4233" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Three sets hanging on my clothes line (Wilbur's retractable leash).</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><br></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5n0jP3i2RHs/U0XjtzuqI2I/AAAAAAAADWI/g0qAERCJPWc/s1024/Photo%25252020140409201909.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5n0jP3i2RHs/U0XjtzuqI2I/AAAAAAAADWI/g0qAERCJPWc/s500/Photo%25252020140409201909.jpg" id="blogsy-1397095881113.0222" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>Now that Wilbur's an adolescent, I don't dare leave my camera lying around. Here he tweets yet one more selfie. </em></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.3em;">The weather these last few days has been wonderfully cool and perfect for sewing. Tomorrow I plan on cutting these strips into squares and then trying to come up with a good layout. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;">I also need to find a way to keep my iron from spitting rusty stains up all over everything. </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-83686935884307799522014-04-08T11:24:00.001-04:002014-04-08T11:37:04.417-04:00I'm still living and sewing on our boat.<p> </p><p>I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted. We're still down here on the Gulf Coast of Florida and while I've sewn a number of things, I don't have access to a lot of the pictures as my computer died and I'm slowly moving them from another hard drive to my iPad. </p><p>We've been in the same marina now for nearly three years. </p><p>Wow.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6vZt7NxrOxI/U0NBhBnkouI/AAAAAAAADVw/DYm_irIFxKo/s1024/Photo%25252020140407202305.jpg" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6vZt7NxrOxI/U0NBhBnkouI/AAAAAAAADVw/DYm_irIFxKo/s500/Photo%25252020140407202305.jpg" id="blogsy-1396971372567.235" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="401"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>This past weekend I took down our dodger (located toward the front of the boat, the dodger contains the plastic windshield) and reinforced the seams that were coming apart thanks to our brutal Florida sun. BTW, I forgot to put sunscreen on my upper exposed back neck area and, yes, I got a sun burn. Big surprise!</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><br></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><br></em></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;">Since sewing (even with air conditioning) on our boat during the summer is nearly impossible, I had hoped to do some fun sewing this past winter. I did manage to get some projects completed but they leaned more toward functional boat stuff as opposed to fun creative stuff. And then we received news that the stork is due to make a delivery within the next few months to a cousin in the family and I got a bug up my butt and decided I really want to make a quilt. However, the only quilt I've ever made was for me and it was beyond amateurish and I wouldn't even gift it to a homeless person. </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;">I then happened across a YouTube video from the <a href="http://www.missouriquiltco.com" target="_self" title="">Missouri Quilt Company</a> that utilized a pre-cut jelly roll. Now, in the past I'd heard the term jelly roll, layer cake, blah blah blah, and actually, I found them to be kind of weird. But weird or not, pre-cut fabrics are just what the doctor ordered since I have very little cutting room here on the boat. I actually want to make two quilts so I order two jelly rolls for the tops and yardage for the backs. I can't tell you how excited I was yesterday when my fabric arrived and I was able to run my hands over 80 pre-cut 2 1/2 in wide strips. Yaaaay!</div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wgVDcWG0V7o/U0NAjaF07OI/AAAAAAAADVY/EDKaC-CJltU/s1024/Photo%25252020140407201534.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wgVDcWG0V7o/U0NAjaF07OI/AAAAAAAADVY/EDKaC-CJltU/s500/Photo%25252020140407201534.jpg" id="blogsy-1396971372599.661" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>This print is called Bartholo-meow's reef. Too, too cute!</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Wd10li7rirE/U0NAk5Bnp0I/AAAAAAAADVc/mSwbGWz8omw/s1024/Photo%25252020140407201552.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Wd10li7rirE/U0NAk5Bnp0I/AAAAAAAADVc/mSwbGWz8omw/s500/Photo%25252020140407201552.jpg" id="blogsy-1396971372635.6257" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>Look at all those bright prints.</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WTzjhlw2_BI/U0NAmN_f7aI/AAAAAAAADVo/BV5FEtFzRAo/s1024/Photo%25252020140407201552.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WTzjhlw2_BI/U0NAmN_f7aI/AAAAAAAADVo/BV5FEtFzRAo/s500/Photo%25252020140407201552.jpg" id="blogsy-1396971372570.548" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>It doesn't smell like a jelly roll!</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><br></em></p><p style="text-align: left;">Today is rainy and overcast which makes it perfect for me to get started.</p><p style="text-align: left;">If you have time you should check out the Missouri Quilt Company link I hi-lighted above and read about how they got started and what they've accomplished. What a great group of people.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-84488971661037623162013-06-06T17:41:00.000-04:002013-06-06T17:41:24.597-04:00Stuck here on our boat during Tropical Storm Andrea.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I guess Mother Nature has a calender and discovered that Hurricane Season is officially here. No Sooner had June 1st rolled around than she started churning up trouble in the Gulf and we're now getting hammered with wind, rain, and high tides. Just like last year during 'Debby', Andrea forgot to turn off the faucet and our marina has overflowed. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiWnIlHccurczw-g-OE4-8td_WwDI6rdEVnhA5nTDvlhvzygU58xM6JP8LbhYlg5UYLaadZv9UffK5O0v2TZVnagT3w75GzSlWq0l0dpxpG7oYyu4uzgHUVy2G849Cp9pfTo7VeSEdvdO/s1600/DSCF2035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiWnIlHccurczw-g-OE4-8td_WwDI6rdEVnhA5nTDvlhvzygU58xM6JP8LbhYlg5UYLaadZv9UffK5O0v2TZVnagT3w75GzSlWq0l0dpxpG7oYyu4uzgHUVy2G849Cp9pfTo7VeSEdvdO/s320/DSCF2035.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Normally the water is about 3 feet below our docks. I took this picture before the dock ended up covered in about 6 inches of water. Not as bad as I thought it would be.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjHMYfQurzMul5A6Lwd9ICNcQm73Pp2srlwJ8M7RQBbz2h_OfzwaCPjwQhyphenhyphenXTvqbV1ZLBYzJBjkIXVDAeKfhjj2uGzhz9ikCinDdLMco1luViCpys36VmgkiLA__UlLYEt9DJorSZU2ye/s1600/DSCF1999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjHMYfQurzMul5A6Lwd9ICNcQm73Pp2srlwJ8M7RQBbz2h_OfzwaCPjwQhyphenhyphenXTvqbV1ZLBYzJBjkIXVDAeKfhjj2uGzhz9ikCinDdLMco1luViCpys36VmgkiLA__UlLYEt9DJorSZU2ye/s320/DSCF1999.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another version of the dress I blogged about in my previous post. This one is LOUD and I love it.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt5E2X7CSGMpV1C2S5pOV87ZBP9TZVeczrCS_YzZ3HZHQhjvlQuxshXb6UKlvkzTNMYOCA6mgc_BLn5wSvOXTw6B5SHRn7E4sWYVqeSBATyKrnmZqjjAQnyj67j6OvA5Z1gorcLvwSGJK/s1600/DSCF2001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt5E2X7CSGMpV1C2S5pOV87ZBP9TZVeczrCS_YzZ3HZHQhjvlQuxshXb6UKlvkzTNMYOCA6mgc_BLn5wSvOXTw6B5SHRn7E4sWYVqeSBATyKrnmZqjjAQnyj67j6OvA5Z1gorcLvwSGJK/s320/DSCF2001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The back with ties.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjgzN3VrXxfJvKKSYvRMw5E5l8ElivR7JXFWa2Smar8vmcJBktAtZAl8FZVnc2ndliheuMUF8QrbAmAoZ90yxVHS3bWY9U8X7ia12hQCRjPDs7NKPxexRPoq6G97jJzeSV_Mp8PuDI0yx/s1600/DSCF2003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjgzN3VrXxfJvKKSYvRMw5E5l8ElivR7JXFWa2Smar8vmcJBktAtZAl8FZVnc2ndliheuMUF8QrbAmAoZ90yxVHS3bWY9U8X7ia12hQCRjPDs7NKPxexRPoq6G97jJzeSV_Mp8PuDI0yx/s320/DSCF2003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The back of the panties and I just now realized I should have added a bow!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPBCMgC_ihUR4nCokUuHIzU6D6CwwQRtpXxAa8uytY2hFGw5tFlqmJrssuZoV7vC-g565L5hdRGcB4pBBMFkB6eR6FHQ6M2vb7yRkRdQXz1uIlo65Gv4PtezOtkTeqf15ZyEMoiwc3Ip3/s1600/DSCF2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPBCMgC_ihUR4nCokUuHIzU6D6CwwQRtpXxAa8uytY2hFGw5tFlqmJrssuZoV7vC-g565L5hdRGcB4pBBMFkB6eR6FHQ6M2vb7yRkRdQXz1uIlo65Gv4PtezOtkTeqf15ZyEMoiwc3Ip3/s320/DSCF2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And what I really love; matching dog collars (and of course a head band).</span></td></tr>
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I've been busy making and selling dog collars and baby items. These are things that are manageable to work with while living on our boat and besides that I really enjoy sewing them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekdxhf3YZPc1tnF_3G7JITQHhi3hOP_WgQ-X2vMsiWuVhvOgD_D6e-Etj4WFetxFncbJ_HASlM_3QLbFEVTXhREZ0Jw1DSDXH9nCFYlsIbuSkz4qMV7emSuFHiijwvvcpXcyC72Y9ZjLx/s1600/DSCF2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekdxhf3YZPc1tnF_3G7JITQHhi3hOP_WgQ-X2vMsiWuVhvOgD_D6e-Etj4WFetxFncbJ_HASlM_3QLbFEVTXhREZ0Jw1DSDXH9nCFYlsIbuSkz4qMV7emSuFHiijwvvcpXcyC72Y9ZjLx/s320/DSCF2019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hurricane Season???? NOOOOOOOOOOO!</span></td></tr>
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Wilbur is doing well but he does not like having rain and wind whistle up his butt when he's supposed to be going potty so he tends to hold it until he's ready to explode. Luckily the rain stopped for a while and the tide dropped enough for me to get him off the boat for a quick break. We both hope this isn't the beginning of an extra stormy summer.<br />
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laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-21506105210952328302013-02-07T22:09:00.000-05:002013-02-07T22:09:15.797-05:00Still living and sewing on our boat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe how quickly time passes by.</div>
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As I previously posted, we spent Thanksgiving at anchor and I don't think any other holiday will ever measure up to how much I enjoyed that one.</div>
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Christmas rolled around and we flew north for a few days in order to visit family and friends. We ended up renting a Mustang Convertible because that's all that was available and Hans refused to drive with the top down just because the temps were in the low 30's along with freezing rain. </div>
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Back in Florida, we spent New Year's Eve at anchor (with no snow or winter coats necessary) while rafted up with another couple from our marina. And since I got Hans a keyboard for Christmas we ended up having a jam session in our cockpit the next day. In addition to the keyboard, our friends brought guitars and a drum machine. Then their friends came by with another guitar and tons of food. I don't know what we sounded like but we had a great time. </div>
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Back to reality. Hans flew to Boston on business and my hopes of having a week long sewing marathon (without having to put everything away every day) went out the window when I experienced my first cold in over a year and a half. Living here in constant fresh air had me spoiled but that cold knocked me on my ass. One day I was actually in my pajamas by 4 PM. </div>
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Then, a couple of weeks ago, a good friend of mine became a grandmother when her son and his wife had a baby girl. </div>
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And, oh my! Who doesn't love sewing for baby girls?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_dO5N3AEUfFLtuwzx26rWuBlA6UukLYSUxpW7oOvEGrLmMQjCO-d_pFL2FCK3lUZ1WPYJQg4JS9I9p6Y0YVXB6PUFv_xV3S-2KQ56kL7CGkpFLXduc8SUJKRdnV108PFm7S4LhrC0OoK/s1600/DSCF1642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_dO5N3AEUfFLtuwzx26rWuBlA6UukLYSUxpW7oOvEGrLmMQjCO-d_pFL2FCK3lUZ1WPYJQg4JS9I9p6Y0YVXB6PUFv_xV3S-2KQ56kL7CGkpFLXduc8SUJKRdnV108PFm7S4LhrC0OoK/s320/DSCF1642.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My version of Baby Girl Mary Janes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWN_uzR2aZGdTCUBw4NW7j5SGnM71c6GsE3kpXF0DHW23qJ8QhdcCyUNrSPIVNFaW0GyRfTn-uoFgV-lqZREDXGm9VqCeBCIJA6i1NuvL7xDIrdCA5XgADF2APgu_212lEeca707zlr8tz/s1600/DSCF1645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWN_uzR2aZGdTCUBw4NW7j5SGnM71c6GsE3kpXF0DHW23qJ8QhdcCyUNrSPIVNFaW0GyRfTn-uoFgV-lqZREDXGm9VqCeBCIJA6i1NuvL7xDIrdCA5XgADF2APgu_212lEeca707zlr8tz/s320/DSCF1645.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the front.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zLdmWVljxvJ3ec2rQegF0F6hyvKVd92OsEArUDxlNLePKRjcebxBLV0Sv7wN98p_TLCHgZGFKGDN_YxKAjeaLKZenK-ikAW_gI1o_u9ERJMqmWgKPARTPxpW5byYirTKqjeY4BkHBhm_/s1600/DSCF1646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zLdmWVljxvJ3ec2rQegF0F6hyvKVd92OsEArUDxlNLePKRjcebxBLV0Sv7wN98p_TLCHgZGFKGDN_YxKAjeaLKZenK-ikAW_gI1o_u9ERJMqmWgKPARTPxpW5byYirTKqjeY4BkHBhm_/s320/DSCF1646.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back with a view of the <i>very</i> ruffled panties.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-Iz8WiIjVgUTGLMXsNarqm1RBbjPYes5k86eUmM9sdmV8Nfv1NkPHWqD9MyqnuY4izWmdq4X-MmbbHeGz8hoLDKh74Vc0xmWKmKxLJT57uUflfbUpElFb43KH4wcVXmKdbx0qD87Hos0/s1600/DSCF1647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-Iz8WiIjVgUTGLMXsNarqm1RBbjPYes5k86eUmM9sdmV8Nfv1NkPHWqD9MyqnuY4izWmdq4X-MmbbHeGz8hoLDKh74Vc0xmWKmKxLJT57uUflfbUpElFb43KH4wcVXmKdbx0qD87Hos0/s320/DSCF1647.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are these cute or what??</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnyjMrIdAak7ZBD4G4sPgEIhNDIX-eMAiw8CrFzRtS6OYzLZiDQ6mQGc5t8xSF1zg_3J1bXJ81eHlTKdNwSRXqVWA9_ss7aVby47SgE93c1c7PHzdmHC_GtNtEznbd-M9QoJpicvZCFOB/s1600/DSCF1648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnyjMrIdAak7ZBD4G4sPgEIhNDIX-eMAiw8CrFzRtS6OYzLZiDQ6mQGc5t8xSF1zg_3J1bXJ81eHlTKdNwSRXqVWA9_ss7aVby47SgE93c1c7PHzdmHC_GtNtEznbd-M9QoJpicvZCFOB/s320/DSCF1648.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByS0e2DYIPMI-VdoNmh-2Pnv1kI5VfUVMWfpRg-YlJs7kWts-C5VNl0hN44xMDQKHRdjH3FrgBWysntN9en1hQtk4koLCyZHasWxksEkbsgqpjkNc61iKP8OaivqZP4TqVUpq-cl_lki2/s1600/DSCF1649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByS0e2DYIPMI-VdoNmh-2Pnv1kI5VfUVMWfpRg-YlJs7kWts-C5VNl0hN44xMDQKHRdjH3FrgBWysntN9en1hQtk4koLCyZHasWxksEkbsgqpjkNc61iKP8OaivqZP4TqVUpq-cl_lki2/s320/DSCF1649.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inside of these are fully lined.</td></tr>
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All that's left to make is a bonnet. But tomorrow I have to drive Hans to work, get groceries, blah blah blah... and we hope to anchor out for the weekend so I won't get to the bonnet until next week. That's okay though since I'm pretty sure this won't fit the little lady until well into this summer.<br />
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<br />laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-60013397485018331912012-11-29T22:09:00.000-05:002012-11-29T22:09:15.361-05:00Small time sewing<div>
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Hans finally earned a full week of vacation so we cast off our dock lines and sailed (actually the wind was in the wrong direction so we motored) away for Thanksgiving. We ended up anchoring for the holiday and I'm happy to report we enjoyed a roasted turkey breast, real mashed potatoes, and stuffing for dinner, and homemade apple pie for dessert. <br />
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I love our stove!<br />
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I have to admit though that I'm still not used to these warm winter months and I have difficulty comprehending that Christmas isn't that far away. I just need to bite the bullet and get what little shopping I do out of the way. But I also have to keep in mind that anything I buy will need to fit into a carry on bag since we'll be flying home for the holidays.</div>
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I've been itching to sew now that the weather has cooled to the point where I can use my iron without fear of sweating to death. However, it's now too late to make anything of real consequence, like maybe flannel quilty things for my kids and I've found myself involved in a wallet making marathon. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwFn5C_rxUN-pm7FZjcOwyd1kc04aOA0QpA_8GmzuD_fYBo0OJrsdw4_la-tzpvGCfUw-HOggKXHA_xs3iqhVEPoTwgfJ1UaqP_nvp_QLyrWimswSglCQYiewT51kak0PP2C8fxQz9-6V/s1600/DSCF1516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwFn5C_rxUN-pm7FZjcOwyd1kc04aOA0QpA_8GmzuD_fYBo0OJrsdw4_la-tzpvGCfUw-HOggKXHA_xs3iqhVEPoTwgfJ1UaqP_nvp_QLyrWimswSglCQYiewT51kak0PP2C8fxQz9-6V/s320/DSCF1516.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monopoly money, Poochies , Pet paw prints, and a Life ring</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SSUCU1svOItGBN82PHax9AdUyQb_gYHdggdKzqHeCeEEP3QTrmJrGUB12CxoztABOdMIp_VoQkbkKIyoUKtkrOF9X4QurIfAr1zvDMOFmqtBSDx16lr9B-hLbORM5KYWD_L5g6TmpxD8/s1600/DSCF1517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SSUCU1svOItGBN82PHax9AdUyQb_gYHdggdKzqHeCeEEP3QTrmJrGUB12CxoztABOdMIp_VoQkbkKIyoUKtkrOF9X4QurIfAr1zvDMOFmqtBSDx16lr9B-hLbORM5KYWD_L5g6TmpxD8/s320/DSCF1517.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Life ring one is mine!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7EjCIbMQNP7Fz9C48trWzvkRKlYP4eJ8XRy3SachTr-avd-qPUrVgEJLrzxjxq4hWgDHGjqBFdILq2xHnhJ7mIrH01dMzaEqemvNyLUz6dmOKMzf02iJkkzjMgbqVkwGtJgPnzgLTtZE/s1600/DSCF1518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7EjCIbMQNP7Fz9C48trWzvkRKlYP4eJ8XRy3SachTr-avd-qPUrVgEJLrzxjxq4hWgDHGjqBFdILq2xHnhJ7mIrH01dMzaEqemvNyLUz6dmOKMzf02iJkkzjMgbqVkwGtJgPnzgLTtZE/s320/DSCF1518.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All opened up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLb8jSWTZkz_JA_fC0-nmavVmyZD26rgsO_eSiMTbtAFf6Oq2_Px49H_h9yVN7lv0TkJr8rsPGWtt3HceDanigbgaBHKTyuixsUuuGctxy0WjOwM2i93MxtUKQ81VmAq20zR-A0DyMXtU/s1600/DSCF1520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLb8jSWTZkz_JA_fC0-nmavVmyZD26rgsO_eSiMTbtAFf6Oq2_Px49H_h9yVN7lv0TkJr8rsPGWtt3HceDanigbgaBHKTyuixsUuuGctxy0WjOwM2i93MxtUKQ81VmAq20zR-A0DyMXtU/s320/DSCF1520.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still mine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, who am I supposed to give these wallets to anyway? I think I'll give them to our friends at Wilbur's Dog Park, except we have more friends there than wallets so I better get busy making more.<br />
<br />
I love taking Wilbur to the park and I make sure to go at the same time every day. I started this habit hoping that if the same people saw my wild pit bull on a daily basis they'd get used to him and not see him as a potential killing machine (really). Well, after a year, Wilbur has worked his way into many hearts (he's truly known as the kissing bandit) and when newcomers to the park arrive and Wilbur does his usual zoomy greeting at the gate (you can literally see the alarm on some people's faces), I rarely have to say a thing because someone else usually pipes up and informs these newbies that Wilbur is quite harmless. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4VJ84whoDzFK4Yk6K7B1NrrErmMyZ__7zCA7r9zV3moW6Pxsb2SqskzEr4rHBF9o8Zxd_MB51bybK-n4-MpRZ_xMxCRQYvULpfLFSg5tum5JXedfWlhVAqXJgsm4Nx54vtm8kvG1DGrD/s1600/DSCF1379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4VJ84whoDzFK4Yk6K7B1NrrErmMyZ__7zCA7r9zV3moW6Pxsb2SqskzEr4rHBF9o8Zxd_MB51bybK-n4-MpRZ_xMxCRQYvULpfLFSg5tum5JXedfWlhVAqXJgsm4Nx54vtm8kvG1DGrD/s320/DSCF1379.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Killing Machine after a day of playing at the park</td></tr>
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<br />
And I have to tell you I love this wallet; even though it only has two credit card slots you can cram a lot more than that into them; there's room for paper money, and it also has a velcro coin pocket. <br />
<br />
I just remembered, one of the cute little cashiers at my local Winn-Dixie thinks my wallet is adorable so I really want to make one for her and I should probably make sure her co-workers don't feel left out.<br />
<br />
This is what I call therapy sewing. <br />
<br />
It keeps me off the streets.<br />
<br /></div>
laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-59265203983449436802012-11-16T12:49:00.000-05:002012-11-16T12:49:37.570-05:00Yet One More Pot Holder<br />
Tomorrow is Departure Day for a couple we've become friends with here at our marina. They decided a year or so ago to sell everything and move onto a boat and the fact that they had no sailing experience didn't stop them. They now live on a 43' monohull with their calico cat and with a lot of sailing lessons behind them they are heading for the Bahamas and then who knows where.<br />
<br />
And imagine how fun it was for me to discover that Sally also sews. Actually she sews a lot and her work is really very nice. She's made Sunbrella covers for nearly everything on the boat including their anchor! Her husband is always coming up with something he thinks she should sew and I warned him if he doesn't stop she'll probably be glad to make a body bag for him She also made all their cockpit cushions (something I would never attempt) and they are very professional looking. They lucked into a couple of old sails and Sally's made some really great bags out of them like the ones you see for more than a hundred dollars in catalogs.<br />
<br />
But anyway they are leaving (insert very sad face here) and Hans told me I should make something for them. I told him no because Sally can already make anything they need and since her work is so neat and precise I'd be embarrassed to have her see my stuff up close. I decided on a bottle of champagne until last week when we were enjoying cocktail hour(s) in their cockpit they mentioned they've been given at least 3 bottles of the stuff along with the bottle their son gave them back for their 25th wedding anniversary (they just celebrated their 32nd and I'm impressed with how much fun they still have together as a couple). <br />
With that idea out the window I threw caution to the wind and went ahead and made a couple of pot holders with a nautical theme <a href="http://sewatsea.blogspot.com/2009/01/the-perfect-pot-holder-tutorial.html">(from this tutorial).</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9cvIsLYVDeIq6LYYGE3Bq_VGHzYqNdpOvX3JrVW_1WjH-9Pa3zTbqiyvpsclr738u9dyvyrAiM-prnRQQaDQdEe1werFN8MRIAtyKm_TRHaYPNHc8gZc_sDHBbIcWyvbzjd4nDqrNobl/s1600/DSCF1395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9cvIsLYVDeIq6LYYGE3Bq_VGHzYqNdpOvX3JrVW_1WjH-9Pa3zTbqiyvpsclr738u9dyvyrAiM-prnRQQaDQdEe1werFN8MRIAtyKm_TRHaYPNHc8gZc_sDHBbIcWyvbzjd4nDqrNobl/s320/DSCF1395.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pockets </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No this is not a pot holder</td></tr>
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The weather here seemed to go from hellishly hot to wonderful just like that! We now have very cool evenings and mornings and poor Wilbur is puzzled. After I dropped Hans off at work today and came home, I was met by a trembling pit bull. Honestly, he trembles when he gets cold and apparently 60 degrees doesn't feel good on his tender pitty flesh. I had to cover him with a blanket. <br />
<br />
There will be no sled dog races in this pooch's future!<br />
<br />laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-22026101548087684472012-11-06T15:35:00.001-05:002012-11-06T17:28:10.575-05:00Boat Sewing and a Good Citizenship Award.<br />
First of all I want everyone to know that I'm doing my very best to be a good U.S. citizen (and NO! I don't mean I'm leaving the country so there will be one less idiot running around).<br />
<br />
Today I voted.<br />
And last week I had jury duty.<br />
<br />
My voting experience went quite smoothly although for some reason there's a notation in the records that I 'need assistance'(?). This same thing happened to me last year when I voted in the primaries and I thought the situation had been resolved. So I filled out the necessary paperwork again and please note; one must leave one's sense of humor at home when voting. My, "Well, I'm a blond" response as a reason for needing assistance was met with stony silence.<br />
They probably threw out my ballot.<br />
<br />
Jury duty was a tiny bit more entertaining. After watching a video and learning the rules of how to be a good juror we were given a small break before court commenced. Of course there was an immediate line outside the ladies room and at the head of it was a very large woman sitting importantly on her little rascal scooter. Turning to us she announced that she was going to check out the availability of stalls. We all watched as she dismounted and on the tiniest feet (encased in little elfin slippers) I've ever seen on an adult she tottered to the door, opened it, took a gander and then boomed back to us, "STANDING ROOM ONLY! STANDING ROOM ONLY!" Once she was re-seated she took her role as Potty Police to heart. While leaning dangerously far from her perch in order to get a better look, she yelled "CLOSE THE DOOR!" towards the men's room.<br />
Potential jurors continued milling about and she scared the living daylights out of one gentleman when she shouted at him, "DO YOU NEED TO USE THE RESTROOM? SIR! I SAID DO YOU NEED TO USE THE RESTROOM? I CAN SEE AN EMPTY SPOT IN THERE!" "Um, no?" was his timid response. "WELL YOU LOOKED LIKE YOU NEEDED TO" she harrumphed. "CLOSE THE DOOR!" she demanded again as she swiveled around.<br />
By now I and the lady in front of me were shaking from trying not to laugh. "Oh God, I know she'll end up on my panel." she groaned. "And guess who'll be the foreman." I answered.<br />
Just then a lady exiting the bathroom informed us via raised eyebrows and a look of confusion that there were many stalls available.<br />
Shortly thereafter my number was called and as I left the room I had to pass by the Potty Police. She was busy scanning the room and clutched in her hands were a # 2 pencil (I haven't seen one of those in a long time) and a pad of paper.<br />
No doubt keeping detailed accounts of our indiscretion's and toilet habits.<br />
<br />
Here in Florida only 6 jurors are needed per trial and needless to say as one of the twenty two chosen to start, I was not picked or my day would have been a whole lot more interesting.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Anyway, on to some sewing. Two years ago I made slip <a href="http://sewatsea.blogspot.com/2010/11/ive-been-very-bad-blogger-but-i-sort-of.html">covers for our settee</a>. I made them out of old king sized sheets left over from Hans' dad's estate. They served their purpose quite well but were really getting worn out so I decided to make new ones.<br />
I ended up getting some upholstery fabric on sale for a total cost of around $35.00. I also recovered Wilbur's pillow in a blue and white stripe. Of course it was only after I finished his pillow that I noticed a note in the selvage 'Dry Cleaning Recommended'.<br />
Yes, I made a doggy pillow out of Dry Clean Only fabric.<br />
Good news though, I washed it already and hung it up to dry and it's just fine.<br />
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I will admit something here. The fabric on the long cushions are only fitted on the top and sides. I actually have it pinned to the cushion in the back and on the bottom. Luckily it's working.<br />
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I'm glad I covered these starting way back when because you wouldn't believe how discolored they became from sweat and body oil, and of course the dog. The original cushions are still in good condition.<br />
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I would like these new covers to stay clean as I don't think I should be washing them all the time so I found this quilt at Home Goods for $29.00!! It's actually pretty nice and I don't mind if it gets dirty. I can throw it over my new covers on days that we are extra hot and sweaty which is basically all the time. However, I do have to admit that someone threw a switch around the beginning of the month and we are now enjoying wonderful weather.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oink Oink</td></tr>
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laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-81734504303466361812012-10-22T21:34:00.000-04:002012-10-22T21:34:56.506-04:00Bloggers meet yet once again!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Last week Hans had to go to New Orleans on business so I paid a visit to my youngest daughter who now lives in Kentucky.<br />
<br />
I had a really nice time mostly due to the fact that I didn't sweat 24 hours a day in the Florida heat, witnessed the beauty of fall foliage and not the endless monotony of palm trees, and was able to take a hot bubble bath every stinking night that I was there.<br />
Only those who've lived in Florida, on a boat with awful air conditioning, during the summer, can truly appreciate this.<br />
<br />
I also got to meet up with Cyndi from Cut-Up and Sew again. The first time I met Cyndi was when I moved my daughter to Indiana. We got together again when Cyndi was visiting her family here in Florida this summer, and believe it or not, my daughter's new home in Kentucky is only a half hour or so away from her, so of course I was thrilled when we were able to hook up. Remember, she made Hans and me a <a href="http://cut-upandsew.blogspot.com/2012/07/back-in-sewing-room.html">beautiful quilt </a>for our wedding and I still can't believe it's all mine!!!<br />
<br />
During my visit with Cyndi I had so much fun and I have a feeling that even if we were to spend a solid week together we'd never stop talking! Cyndi is a fabulous host and her home is so welcoming and comfortable. I absolutely love her sewing room and I have to admit that that's the one thing I really miss about living on a boat. Anyway, the only regret I have is that even though we mentioned it a couple of times, we didn't get around to seeing her finished <a href="http://cut-upandsew.blogspot.com/2012/07/m-i-ck-e-ymouse.html">Mickey Mouse quilt top. </a><br />
<br />
So anyway, while I was there I got to meet Noah the Basset/Beagle Mix (who was quite happy to socialize) and Wilson the Cat (not quite so happy to socialize and who viewed me at a safe distance from under the bed).<br />
-----------------------<br />
I have to stop here for a moment to tell you first of all, I love animals (just in case you never guessed that).<br />
Period.<br />
Second of all, animals are like people in that they have their own distinct personalities. Some just happen to be blessed a bit more than others, and let me tell you Noah is one of them.<br />
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<br />
Needless to say, I was missing my Wilbur, and Noah was kind enough to entertain me. Actually, I was a little surprised (actually a lot surprised) to find that Noah is just as gifted if not more so than Wilbur when it comes to the surgery department. Wilbur loves to perform squeakerectomis on his stuffies before he gives them liposuction but Noah has a couple of years on Wilbur and he has his surgeries down to a science.<br />
<br />
Cyndi had informed me that Noah has a habit of removing the eyes from his patients/victims before he commences to disembowel them and then she gave Noah a brand new juicy purple Easter bunny (new to him anyway, it actually came from a thrift shop). He happily mouthed it for a spell while we gabbed away and then all of a sudden he jumped up and with his new friend held firmly in his mouth we heard him bounce down the steps to the family room.<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> Where's Noah going?<br />
<br />
<b>Cyndi </b>(quite calmly)<b>: </b> Oh he's probably going downstairs to rip the bunny's eyes out.<br />
<br />
<b>Me </b>(clutching my chest)<b>:</b> Oh my God! Really?<br />
<br />
<b>Cyndi: </b> I can't tell you how many times I've gone down to the family room and found eye balls all over the floor. <br />
<br />
Apparently Noah likes to perform his surgeries in secret and I had this vision of a mafia like setting (blackened windows and guards at the door) where stuffies get 'the treatment'.<br />
<br />
Noah soon came bounding back up the steps and still clutching his purple bunny, he happily hopped back into his chair. He gave me a benign smile and continued to maul his bunny as if he'd never left the room. I watched him for a minute or two and then I couldn't resist it; I had to take a closer look.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah sets his bunny aside and politely asks me if I'd like a cup of tea.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJxXVqLVO12KHjDuDq9bqlRxdIWrOI7WYT_RF2UbAvLO1bGqr8zn_3i0PF46eKsBJMkDOHeKh3caq4L9RVquh3wSUJxdYptnE-vtJywka2MpZmzaRjjICg0s171q53ZH5olaORT-eVrwE/s1600/DSCF1297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJxXVqLVO12KHjDuDq9bqlRxdIWrOI7WYT_RF2UbAvLO1bGqr8zn_3i0PF46eKsBJMkDOHeKh3caq4L9RVquh3wSUJxdYptnE-vtJywka2MpZmzaRjjICg0s171q53ZH5olaORT-eVrwE/s320/DSCF1297.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bunny says something that apparently irritates Noah.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BPH_-zbSiNespi5U5-YCRR9WXnN88RPKJV9ok8KJZwg7FDEZUeC5P2GDoj9QYPMeHBUzXkoAMJ5ate5YIWO4noXmOMbL-LKD00HE7kUADx2RHuO-q6wVNUhMJoQSgGAfZXV6_pMo7Ymt/s1600/DSCF1302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BPH_-zbSiNespi5U5-YCRR9WXnN88RPKJV9ok8KJZwg7FDEZUeC5P2GDoj9QYPMeHBUzXkoAMJ5ate5YIWO4noXmOMbL-LKD00HE7kUADx2RHuO-q6wVNUhMJoQSgGAfZXV6_pMo7Ymt/s320/DSCF1302.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's nothing more wonderful than burying your head into your prey.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZe8xq1ZPYjPgRnU1ZkSrXL16Ajl8MM_RDOyS0lfXMmEHzcNH75Ybf6uY4dezac_2KwKNXz9J37sTc8mKpxDst6COkIPz8LHLiI9T4aH3bPfnQtneIyxLPlAUbgqwKI6xgTWSPeIclXeiF/s1600/DSCF1299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZe8xq1ZPYjPgRnU1ZkSrXL16Ajl8MM_RDOyS0lfXMmEHzcNH75Ybf6uY4dezac_2KwKNXz9J37sTc8mKpxDst6COkIPz8LHLiI9T4aH3bPfnQtneIyxLPlAUbgqwKI6xgTWSPeIclXeiF/s320/DSCF1299.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saving the world from purple bunnies is exhausting.<br />
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Noah proudly let me take his victim from him and I gasped in horror when instead of looking into the prettily embroidered eyes of the purple bunny I instead stared into empty sockets full of fiberfill (cue in the music from Alfred Hitchcock's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwLiH8bWFdM">'The Birds'!</a>). Needless to say, the fiberfill didn't last long either and very soon afterward the floor was thick with it.<br />
I felt very much at home.<br />
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And then my visit up north was over before I knew it and we were back home to reality once again.<br />
Hans missed his flight home and instead of arriving at 1PM he got here at 2AM and still had to be at work the next morning.<br />
Wilbur had a blast at Doggy Camp and slept for 16 hours without ever going potty.<br />
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I got to do the laundry.<br />
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But fall really seems to finally be arriving here at our marina and I'm feeling ever so energized to get back to some sewing.<br />
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laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-46353884559677890962012-09-11T20:51:00.000-04:002012-09-11T20:51:42.338-04:00It took a whole stinking summer to get this done<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once upon a time I lived in a house.</div>
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In the northeastern part of the United States.</div>
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If I wanted to sew all I had to do was walk into my temperature controlled spare bedroom.</div>
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I had fans in the summer, heat in the winter, and a sewing machine (complete with a thousand notions) that didn't have to be put away (as if in shame) every stinking time I used it.</div>
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I now live on a boat in Florida.</div>
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If I want to sew I have to dig through our guest berth (the garage) for any and all sewing notions including my sewing machine. This requires several trips, and no, we do not have air conditioning on that side of the boat and by the time everything has been hauled up to the salon/sewing area I'm saturated in sweat. And then there's the ton of fun I have trying to find a flat space bigger than 2 feet by 3 feet to cut out something bigger than a handkerchief.</div>
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Yes, we have an air conditioner hanging in our salon hatch but I may as well hire someone to breathe across a pile of ice on me for all the good it does. </div>
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As for firing up an iron? Well, if you like lounging about in a sauna, come visit me.</div>
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I will never, ever get used to living in Florida (and I have no intention of doing so!).</div>
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Anyway, enough of my whining.</div>
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Awhile back (like at the beginning of the year) a young cruising couple had a baby girl and I really wanted to make something for them. However, life and then weather got in my way and I only recently finished my project. I actually had a lot of other things I intended to make but she could very well be ready to enter college by the time I finish everything so I'm stopping now.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2f3mQSc7IpNcJLrcN8Q0mldQkAviIBGLJyFM6ODt3oreDUVV-k3gX6vJ0-T5Zki4G8YZU2E8mDTfC9J8jrXPyC7SDRd4P1aWh8-GonujCSw1ywXGfv5swdIaOHHKDAkeh0y44Wc6FVm3j/s1600/DSCF1225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2f3mQSc7IpNcJLrcN8Q0mldQkAviIBGLJyFM6ODt3oreDUVV-k3gX6vJ0-T5Zki4G8YZU2E8mDTfC9J8jrXPyC7SDRd4P1aWh8-GonujCSw1ywXGfv5swdIaOHHKDAkeh0y44Wc6FVm3j/s320/DSCF1225.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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Excuse the order of my pictures but I have no patience with Blogger these days and I don't feel like spending umpteen hours trying to rearrange my photos.<br />
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This is a close up of a covered button that adorns the front of the little pinafore I made.<br />
<a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=butterick+5625&qpvt=butterick+5625&FORM=IGRE">Butterick 5625</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8R4jY6nPqPhGgGe85Ljb876pwoOyl_valkwh5Bl69YkuFmMq03T_3X6FkKm0Yxmf4uUYB6DUy6Q3M5OJSda5BJ5I_bADXvzkA0xmDv39E3Cvxaz-sfUwPAHtYvChqNGftUsn7y0LEUhRo/s320/DSCF1213.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
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And here is the pinafore complete with hat and panties.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-l6sBQCEC3lxQI7BC6K2cASqA9AD5tn8wRmN0vegnW2bxXadpy9xAmE2iIudq2GfXkppTpMMXZLTJD3i8n5ANm8MjdIibPkH2aNNrZgS4DAPdSUkE5r3ZogW6LNvCk38syTvPMR6CxNns/s1600/DSCF1229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-l6sBQCEC3lxQI7BC6K2cASqA9AD5tn8wRmN0vegnW2bxXadpy9xAmE2iIudq2GfXkppTpMMXZLTJD3i8n5ANm8MjdIibPkH2aNNrZgS4DAPdSUkE5r3ZogW6LNvCk38syTvPMR6CxNns/s320/DSCF1229.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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A view of the pinafore's inside contrast fabric.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJYZFmuSMsTIaCr7R-la7swwUQ_5odXCD0I5M264NArHAEsd9baTOlRhGF1WhQ1WdhTX0c5vf7vcgmiQJIj8DfKUf3HD1bPWVpFob5PyOnGzi_XizUUnlUua4ecWvXsEhjDy7L-RvsquQ/s1600/DSCF1230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJYZFmuSMsTIaCr7R-la7swwUQ_5odXCD0I5M264NArHAEsd9baTOlRhGF1WhQ1WdhTX0c5vf7vcgmiQJIj8DfKUf3HD1bPWVpFob5PyOnGzi_XizUUnlUua4ecWvXsEhjDy7L-RvsquQ/s320/DSCF1230.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Panties</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZhA_d767s0zKziFQv31dxI4tyKJLgo04A-kitEI0qrFsrg-xab0rVughcwekZLZBAZrNu2B8km-CAjOnWPXRt6V84pa7PnGHej-VlhkTYguTQVYUXeua9ypR9PT1ITKX7kedEXuPPHrk/s1600/DSCF1231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZhA_d767s0zKziFQv31dxI4tyKJLgo04A-kitEI0qrFsrg-xab0rVughcwekZLZBAZrNu2B8km-CAjOnWPXRt6V84pa7PnGHej-VlhkTYguTQVYUXeua9ypR9PT1ITKX7kedEXuPPHrk/s320/DSCF1231.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hat (I lined it)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQF_tZYnrcu4L3bzK3mIwx-2iZN0xu6-COWZUmOLsmrLRwZ_wXPFGAMFV1dzhf-bUZ5U4MbZR0HF_PDdHFibKEz9xODj84gRmXMbpF3TLp4FegqffSuUpmxIrXXdK8m1_ocM0zAng1a3F/s1600/DSCF1233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQF_tZYnrcu4L3bzK3mIwx-2iZN0xu6-COWZUmOLsmrLRwZ_wXPFGAMFV1dzhf-bUZ5U4MbZR0HF_PDdHFibKEz9xODj84gRmXMbpF3TLp4FegqffSuUpmxIrXXdK8m1_ocM0zAng1a3F/s320/DSCF1233.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Outside of the hat with a covered button on top.<br /><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">These are fingertip towels I made into easy, slip on bibs.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmq8priWMgaeoV2ZyEF4TwwuzdqnXifruHIn7MX_y-kFikR2Ku25OMJTqQrc9m4k4kFJIyjZq60BeIzSdqoYpocdXZzsCe70EQP9AU9nVQmD-BY7WxDuVi5lBIR76hyphenhyphenMkoxfcGDgYV0-K5/s1600/DSCF1236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmq8priWMgaeoV2ZyEF4TwwuzdqnXifruHIn7MX_y-kFikR2Ku25OMJTqQrc9m4k4kFJIyjZq60BeIzSdqoYpocdXZzsCe70EQP9AU9nVQmD-BY7WxDuVi5lBIR76hyphenhyphenMkoxfcGDgYV0-K5/s320/DSCF1236.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bibs</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">This sleeve saver bib pattern is<a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Sew+Baby+F854&go=&qs=bs&form=QBIR"> F854 from Sew Baby</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The only thing I don't care for is that it requires bias tape which I hate!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I made my own bias tape but I'm not sure how many of these I may make it the future.Perhaps if I have grandchildren?</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircAoSLVfx1qegQZ6PHVyrBEOzj3u-XZlQpDfF52mVMVvsXUrBu7nfk83TrLhhL6PY3DJ1CyAMHncV4GM-M4wNo_XNwi0VLc5j63HQMiRJkrnxRrnM1jqBdT6ycrPbzb4glJnDKCRkoB1-/s1600/DSCF1238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircAoSLVfx1qegQZ6PHVyrBEOzj3u-XZlQpDfF52mVMVvsXUrBu7nfk83TrLhhL6PY3DJ1CyAMHncV4GM-M4wNo_XNwi0VLc5j63HQMiRJkrnxRrnM1jqBdT6ycrPbzb4glJnDKCRkoB1-/s320/DSCF1238.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sleeve Saver Bib</span></td></tr>
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I butchered a pattern for boys in order to make these nautical booty sandals for a girl.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoNhe7lly9ScOTGHRJZPsLddyHbijiPJ1Is3L3jpI3-s2FT7Ld3MVXY5bxPQmVdBNPAWHEfR49VHzS6yTamVwxzttBPkWKJ25M5oNp_RFPgi5RQSYVGSqKOf64BNTmmdsn4oKs79f8yMb/s1600/DSCF1234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoNhe7lly9ScOTGHRJZPsLddyHbijiPJ1Is3L3jpI3-s2FT7Ld3MVXY5bxPQmVdBNPAWHEfR49VHzS6yTamVwxzttBPkWKJ25M5oNp_RFPgi5RQSYVGSqKOf64BNTmmdsn4oKs79f8yMb/s320/DSCF1234.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Booties</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Since this baby will eventually become a toddler while living on a boat I made her a place mat sized chalk board (from chalkboard fabric which luckily a local fabric store carries).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And just try to find chalk these days. Not even ToysRUs carries it!!! I found mine at WalMart.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe95YkiF1X-Yywgi3D4i-ypj8RSSi4zcVh4jKeCNnz3Ysp97DOfS8Oa7eUdiKez7HKQrHyPI9BEuNqL7pJuwgy-8jqi9lEg3stwbJWNJZDKUCR6yRwM1RX9lDZiu0pW0T2SP21uF1-m-QW/s1600/DSCF1240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe95YkiF1X-Yywgi3D4i-ypj8RSSi4zcVh4jKeCNnz3Ysp97DOfS8Oa7eUdiKez7HKQrHyPI9BEuNqL7pJuwgy-8jqi9lEg3stwbJWNJZDKUCR6yRwM1RX9lDZiu0pW0T2SP21uF1-m-QW/s320/DSCF1240.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tic Tac Toe anyone??<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">By the way, the beautiful fabric I used for the pinafore set came from Cyndi of <a href="http://cut-upandsew.blogspot.com/">Cut-Up and Sew</a>. She gave me a stack of fabric when we hooked up over Memorial Day Weekend and it's all to die for!! I would have loved to make a purse or tote bag from it but all of a sudden I realized it would make such a cute baby outfit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And it did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'm very much ready for the heat to break which should hopefully be soon. I have a couple of projects in mind that I'd like to get done before we either head back out to sea or summer sets in again.</span></div>
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<br />laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-23109976194905747542012-08-29T11:43:00.000-04:002012-08-29T11:43:48.998-04:00Still afloat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGSZKkY4r0pVOZZL_VqdbNDNC_jykMAPnEylfoappM-Y1_lKVWaku1Knp-4ZElHMwpP64fP4Culb4K34KtlcvBupAuyEk2nDCTsKkBQpsiYrAjwm821hFzWBjniXFGCgPZOc4PMineyOb/s1600/DSCF1059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGSZKkY4r0pVOZZL_VqdbNDNC_jykMAPnEylfoappM-Y1_lKVWaku1Knp-4ZElHMwpP64fP4Culb4K34KtlcvBupAuyEk2nDCTsKkBQpsiYrAjwm821hFzWBjniXFGCgPZOc4PMineyOb/s320/DSCF1059.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">defrosting the fridge<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
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We're still sweating away here in Florida. Not a lot of sewing gets done though as just plugging the iron in is too much for our air conditioner.<br />
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And then there are boat duties that take up time too. Our refrigerator broke but luckily a neighbor helped us get it running again. Our head quit working and after spending days trying to clean out the exhaust hose we ended up replacing it. I've been up the mast a couple of times to replace bulbs etc... and I'm going to have to go up again (even though I'm afraid of heights).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmoXyxf-j3WML2DFHU0edMc-NSZMo0dBWzA-eDn5xIDgVnByUd3mu8Zeulw626pjhAvxVtDZgtPXK3GcquK6kj6AH5Txts3SFHnmnMMUrgNXTjX9xs0o59-Jd5iTZq4jWNMeDPaPfRuO1/s1600/DSCF1005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmoXyxf-j3WML2DFHU0edMc-NSZMo0dBWzA-eDn5xIDgVnByUd3mu8Zeulw626pjhAvxVtDZgtPXK3GcquK6kj6AH5Txts3SFHnmnMMUrgNXTjX9xs0o59-Jd5iTZq4jWNMeDPaPfRuO1/s320/DSCF1005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a very pampered pooch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4HbanOziPXMaq_LVrFYmwyYtLB6HyPxfIosb9r-BEzYL-CliB4heZ2iygMOD42_23GY6WhxlvvDKqfRrK29_egbCRKriUWEHL1gXttpzcMsrPc0FV_PZqou54TVxcVVM4xtV_5y8nxGd/s1600/DSCF1132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4HbanOziPXMaq_LVrFYmwyYtLB6HyPxfIosb9r-BEzYL-CliB4heZ2iygMOD42_23GY6WhxlvvDKqfRrK29_egbCRKriUWEHL1gXttpzcMsrPc0FV_PZqou54TVxcVVM4xtV_5y8nxGd/s320/DSCF1132.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tropical Storm Debby</td></tr>
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Wilbur goes to the doggy park during the week and you should hear him scream when we pull into the parking lot. I wish I'd had my camera with me last week when during a doggy birthday party he left his party hat on for at least a half hour and he ate his ice cream cup in a very gentlemanly way.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We were caught off guard by Tropical Storm Debby but we were very prepared for Hurricane Isaac who didn't even bother to show up.<div>
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Hans ended up tripping over a stern line when he tried to get on the boat and after landing smack on his butt he rolled all over the place in the water that had overflowed our dock. I tried not to laugh but c'mon!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPPJjeeg4lOX6SwLSYV5mEf50K0dmxnR6pWV9ChS9q3Ht2PIOSyrAHF2sDJrWWTMCMhIrtRnXAD9dZcJlBcgP_FV_fQRnOG2IVp_bJwHbPafbKo_SjIg-4zSBWo6bdgDr5ZjSMMZ8G54W/s1600/IMG00277-20120129-1225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPPJjeeg4lOX6SwLSYV5mEf50K0dmxnR6pWV9ChS9q3Ht2PIOSyrAHF2sDJrWWTMCMhIrtRnXAD9dZcJlBcgP_FV_fQRnOG2IVp_bJwHbPafbKo_SjIg-4zSBWo6bdgDr5ZjSMMZ8G54W/s320/IMG00277-20120129-1225.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up the mast</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvx3Y6X9Ym_2dIXAZXGfRh_pjFPj5tgDfucq-kgmtfBx6yOZuOO2RpILbUC8SSLCkEr3M9_Rw_fnaMEX5UUMwp1LE2lA-R3Sjy4XB_MT9wfjkMzLW44KW0t_upVDMaTaq5yVIKtbcHHIVg/s1600/st+pete+wilbur+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvx3Y6X9Ym_2dIXAZXGfRh_pjFPj5tgDfucq-kgmtfBx6yOZuOO2RpILbUC8SSLCkEr3M9_Rw_fnaMEX5UUMwp1LE2lA-R3Sjy4XB_MT9wfjkMzLW44KW0t_upVDMaTaq5yVIKtbcHHIVg/s320/st+pete+wilbur+020.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"HELP!"</td></tr>
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<br /><br /><br />Poor Wilbur got stuck modeling a baby hat I made. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Cyndi from <a href="http://cut-upandsew.blogspot.com/2012/07/back-in-sewing-room.html">Cut-Up and Sew</a> made Hans and me a quilt for our wedding and it's absolutely beautiful. Her pictures are much better than mine and you can see it<a href="http://cut-upandsew.blogspot.com/2012/06/have-you-missed-me.html"> here</a> too. Needless to say I'm not going to let Wilbur near it and I'm keeping it in our guest berth. I've never owned a 'real' quilt in my life and I love it. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxidJZ_puvXNvqyRvpYxXVH03lMRBITfTJ1lDdMvhuJXfqlf52CVp8mydxOHKImj-Y9fSjpnvAxbjgphZi51k29PdBmsG7hNXAnHaulK8PxLnSrX55fyy7CgiROW1Hw4HeKcRpb_HIqLN/s1600/DSCF1169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxidJZ_puvXNvqyRvpYxXVH03lMRBITfTJ1lDdMvhuJXfqlf52CVp8mydxOHKImj-Y9fSjpnvAxbjgphZi51k29PdBmsG7hNXAnHaulK8PxLnSrX55fyy7CgiROW1Hw4HeKcRpb_HIqLN/s320/DSCF1169.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">check out the couple in the canoe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTo9w4Ga8AudL48mGVWxkNS7jbvQLQzRA22y1XMh25n3oTnycvltM_dNF8uwBtmXj8Fow_lYn0ZTFghB5Uoyojoc-8krn93ZMWOET4NaNSQXIZe6PviqVI2AWrdvJ4ad2p5QE7owpZC9dh/s1600/DSCF1174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTo9w4Ga8AudL48mGVWxkNS7jbvQLQzRA22y1XMh25n3oTnycvltM_dNF8uwBtmXj8Fow_lYn0ZTFghB5Uoyojoc-8krn93ZMWOET4NaNSQXIZe6PviqVI2AWrdvJ4ad2p5QE7owpZC9dh/s320/DSCF1174.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Like I said, Cyndi's pictures are better than mine but I don't want to take it outside because it could get dirty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I know I should post more often but I just don't seem to have the incentive for it these days. However I still enjoy reading everyone else's blogs so keep posting!</span></div>
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laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-12647828654039977982012-04-27T21:37:00.001-04:002012-04-27T21:37:34.989-04:00Married at sea <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26811154@N07/6899112524/in/set-72157629739433527" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7258/6899112524_cb54ea1dee.jpg" id="blogsy-1335577016093.6853" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="443"></a></div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4">Last month Hans and I finally got hitched. On our boat. At sea.</font>This has been a hectic, sad, and crazy year so it was nice to finally have something good happen. And my son and daughter were able to attend which was really great. And I made my dress from silk that I bought in Paris years ago. After I realized I had 3 yards and not just 1 1/2, I dug out my <a href="http://www.google.com/">McCall's (Hilary Duff) 5880</a> pattern and got to work. And if you've ever worked with real silk you'll know what I mean when I say "work"! Instead of putting in a few hours, I ended up spending days working with this very simple pattern. Because of that damn silk! What I did was:<ol><li>Hand wash the silk in cold water and then air dry (of course I'd no sooner hung it out to dry on our stern when our 'neighbor' started up his diesel engines thus spewing stinky fumes all over it).</li><li>Trace the entire pattern onto freezer paper (ink on the paper side).</li><li>Press the shiny side of the freezer paper pattern (with a dry iron) onto the 'wrong' side of the silk. I placed my silk fabric on top of an old bed sheet so it wouldn't 'shift' like a batch of mercury!</li><li>Cut it out and then sewed it with the paper still attached (this helped keep the fabric from puckering and getting yanked down into the feed dogs) This pattern was simple enough that it actually worked. I still used a metallic (sharp) needle. Removed the paper which was painstaking yet worth it. After the paper was removed, I double stitched my seams. </li><li>I did not use a back zipper (it's not needed,) and I didn't attach a neck band; I made casings and strung a cord through them and tie it at the back. </li><li>It took an entire day to hem!!! I ran Q-Tips drenched in liquid starch all along the hem line and then hit it with a dry iron (silk setting). I straight stitched an eighth of an inch from the edge, turned the fabric up on the stitched line and top stitched. Doesn't sound like much but there was the lining too.</li><li>A wide piece of grosgrain ribbon was used to cover the elastic on the empire waist. Hook and eyes hold it in place at a side seam.</li></ol>We will be heading north next month for the wedding of a friend's daughter and I intend to wear my dress again. I bought some fabric today so I can make a matching purse. If it's successful I'll post pictures.<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26811154@N07/6899112520/in/set-72157629739433527" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5349/6899112520_da0f6ea97e.jpg" id="blogsy-1335577016140.2275" class="alignnone" alt="" width="470" height="500"></a></div> I've been having tons of computer and camera problems which I hope will be resolved soon. This post is a huge experiment with my iPad and a newly downloaded Blogsy App. Unfortunately I have a huge learning curve so it may be awhile.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-3880711808536922522012-02-17T09:33:00.005-05:002012-02-28T21:50:41.099-05:00A sad start to a new year.I didn't post about a lot of things that were going on in my personal life last year, and I sincerely hoped that this year would see some improvements.<br /><br /><br />But then in January Hans was involved in a very serious car accident, and we're fortunate that he wasn't killed. He was unlucky enough to get caught in the middle of a high speed police chase involving four police cruisers and a purse snatcher. The purse snatcher was killed, an innocent man in the truck in front of Hans sustained a broken neck, our 17 year old immaculately maintained vehicle was totaled, and Hans now suffers from chronic neck pain which makes his life difficult as he tries to juggle doctor's visits into his busy working days.<br /><br /><br />And then two weeks ago, in the middle of the night, I received news that my middle child, Vet Tech Girl, had died. She was a beautiful girl in both heart and spirit. This much I believe; in the overall scheme of things, we are on this earth for a very short time. Rachel's time was a bit shorter than most and I myself have already lived more years than I have remaining. Therefore I don't have a hugely long time left before I hopefully see her again.<br /><br /><br />In the meantime I have two other children who need me and I will not become the kind of parent they dread to call because they can't stand having to listen to a weeping mess of a mother. We have no guarantee of the duration of time or the quality of our life at our birth and I choose to live my life one day at a time. I've been very blessed during my time here and even though I've lost a child I know I haven't suffered nearly as much as so many others have.<br /><br /><br />Rachel's pit bull Duncan is now living with her dad. Her dad helped take care of Duncan this past year and he became very attached to him. I've no doubt Duncan is quite happy and enjoying life with a big deck, a back yard, and a willing tug o' war participant.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJrXcqXkV8rU-6722Flrhh5Ic9k_ATkbUtoj8GY3Va6JkwRlhF8e81tJUXMLks-pikn_zzPvdkq2A8RxmsPOVK3NMQ8ANWMu-a0GRpdzxLG2hkNFtDFC8An6SrxGt9UXR6uDjAHnJOhCM/s1600/rachel+feb+2012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710112738158762434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJrXcqXkV8rU-6722Flrhh5Ic9k_ATkbUtoj8GY3Va6JkwRlhF8e81tJUXMLks-pikn_zzPvdkq2A8RxmsPOVK3NMQ8ANWMu-a0GRpdzxLG2hkNFtDFC8An6SrxGt9UXR6uDjAHnJOhCM/s320/rachel+feb+2012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);" >Rachel was a huge force to be reckoned with and she will sorely be missed.</span></div><br /><div></div>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-24528422675614014542011-12-21T09:50:00.001-05:002011-12-21T10:01:57.352-05:00Sewing, Sailing, and a Visit from Big SisterI can't believe it's nearly Christmas. But since moving to Florida I've found that sunny days just melt into new sunny days and then all of a sudden...<br /><br />Crap! I haven't even started Christmas shopping!<br /><br />But anyway I finally finished up some baby sewing for Hans' cousin who is due to have a baby boy this January. I found some very nice hand towels at Target that I made into bibs. Have you ever caught the silky hairs at the back of an infant's neck in the string ties of a bib? It's not fun for all those involved believe me! These bibs have a simple ribbed neckline that pull on and off Baby with absolutely no trauma. I've made tons of these over the years and some women have told me they were the only ones they ended up using full time.<br /><br />You can see how big one actually is here (I have my little onesie, booties, and more folded bibs lying on top of one). This covers an infant's clothing very nicely during a feeding (and the pukey follow up!) and also provides a lot of cover for a toddler in a high chair.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688385040070063810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QTLU3-Fr6NnGRwkqALCPTEcDz2w3oT2ioCmu6K2gk0aaxgFTN4eC9bRQJNXN5FhlXzEkKGF2W0K8_te-58EB56ZdN1es9kGUrRwM4QFHbwj663sCxehl_eHgIT_psEE6k5JRRwE5tOR3/s320/DSCF0888.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Complete with diaper bag.<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688385030437166002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNy415w5mriVmrAqIPjjYKECMkxSlVk8VGSwhyphenhyphenmDoIbI86nGE7DQ8tlYvTFrvBwsK4D6Dvr2ioJw5ChMrKFeW3L7zXpyfCqbChC9TPfFpS3_eN6QuS5l7CnyZTFSQXxvBuKzrxaQ5kYbI/s320/DSCF0891.jpg" border="0" />We've managed to get out for a couple of sails since we've been here. Now that Hans is working full time that only leaves the weekends and in order to sail, it's all about weather. A few weeks ago we had a fabulous day in the gulf with our new friends Carolyn and Mark. I met Carolyn through this blog and you just have to love the internet! Just a few years ago this never would have happened.<br /></div>After the holidays we hope to get out a bit more. What's the sense in having a boat if you don't use it?<br /><br />Here's Carolyn trying to relax which is sometimes difficult when you have a kissing machine of a pit bull along for the ride.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688385017671738402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgKQk8RNyknaPCdpTVJdiC-VPtRMoyartpi0FVOh5OLXvmKnc_knXJvT-A6A8df8CUJSh98oDjH1aqFsEWPSZwQ1DTmBy89OGYtkrmBiddBzvsOvfm_gcf36VhZHz9u-I4k5jL169DcH3/s320/DSCF0760.jpg" border="0" />Very soon after our day at sea Hans and I went to New York City for a few days. Poor Hans had to work but I managed to stomp around (more like limp around on my very hurty feet!) the city and got to visit the garment district. And if anyone happened to be watching the Today Show while I was there, yes, that was me waving at you from Rockefeller Plaza. I had a great time and the ladies of the Today show are even prettier in person, they really are!<br /><br /><br />And right after we got back, Baby Girl decided to pay us a visit. She originally wanted to surprise me but there is so much involved in getting our guest berth ready, Hans had to let the cat out of the bag. She is a college soccer coach now and was able to use her break to visit us (not that she wasn't on the phone or texting constantly about recruits, meetings etc...).<br /><br />Here she is taking a snooze with her baby brother Wilbur. Poor Wilbur ended up being left behind way too many times while Baby Girl was here because unfortunately pitties aren't permitted to prance about the many places we ended up visiting.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">"You always did like her best!" Wilbur pouted.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688383177987606770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdG3XYH57Qb7DKLlTRdM14ICnt08yEh3Ys50MM6m6sU39IOPg64s1Il02zMvWMamO0znN4YxWyP1hciNM1-x-umqBqkQTTJw-ykdkobZ7Xnl64RAK0u-kP8cJe-o5Dl-Lg0BxZkh1g3JO/s320/DSCF0878.jpg" border="0" />We ended up taking a trip to The Pier and Baby Girl insisted on feeding the Pelicans. For five bucks you get five fish and let me tell you those five fish created quite a scene as pelicans came out of nowhere for their free meal. That man is holding a net behind her head to ward off any more renegade pelicans because in the heat of the moment a particularly famished (greedy) pelican slammed into Baby Girl's head and nearly knocked her off her perch. It was too stinking funny and I only wish I'd gotten a picture.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688383165617325954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHJj1e7PVm9OLKTjwgNXmcVr2y1WyJ397jAAbkgAifDkh2m7bDECGzzc2WyevhRRydLFn2-fF1Hw0H9zeI9Wf5yyDbn-0bO0j7wHQk13UWHIgoa0Pyg3xllTU_DEfXiqxAkzEe0JCoZ0t/s320/DSCF0869.jpg" border="0" />Oh the life a busy young lady. While she should be taking a note from Wilbur and relaxing, she's on her phone yet once again and her I-Pad is sitting at the ready for even more work.<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688383159916200178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDuqaEJdiQHApF44OOmVopvGENpSxCWR1U4BYE2zSW4W0CnfTHrgMkzyYdBPDBa6C0kgU0QUN4LymXt0QILCT6H2Y3ET4vZEuPQv7cx8SDhNgQcb6CxQuwoA4wuxt5kqmm-ZCfdgig64_/s320/DSCF0850.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><p>I feel bad because I'd promised Baby Girl that if she ever got to Florida I'd make sure to get her to Disney World so she could finally experience the Tea Cup Ride. I won't go into details but when she was a tiny little thing the Tea Cup Ride was just within her grasp and it was rudely taken away from her and she's never forgotten it. It didn't happen on this trip either but hopefully she'll give me more notice next time and as far as I'm concerned she can ride it till she pukes!! </p><br /><p>She deserves it and I'll make sure to take along a big bib.</p><br /><p></p>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451308836024658070.post-17780985382434138812011-12-11T19:20:00.004-05:002011-12-11T19:28:26.461-05:00New York City... the story continues<span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00"></span><br /><em>Warning! Way too much rambling on this post!</em><br /><br /><br /><div>First of all I don't think my feet have ever hurt as much as they do right now and I have to admit that it's all my fault. I may be wearing the very same shoes I wore a couple of years ago when I accompanied Hans on a whirlwind two week trip to Europe, but I'm afraid my feet have since then grown accustomed to sandy beaches and they are having a delightful time torturing me for making them stomp about on unforgiving concrete all day long.</div><br /><br /><div>I hate looking like a tourist but I had to whip out my camera and take a picture of this fabulous button and needle that marks the beginning of the garment/fabric district.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683607831822415618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4943529XvCogYBd2JGq2SZa-jr42xN9dsERwxBtJ_M98ZaNCbuDIbjTdN8itdez1kJoEUP1XiQ0lTa8lkDyacawj7uWVuotoVgQD15lpxPoniu-srLUsKLPpt47vIhg9hfuaEgLIPDvei/s320/DSCF0790.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p>I only wish I'd been bold enough to take a picture of the young lady who walked in front of me for several blocks clad only in a polka dot white fleece robe and her hair in curlers. Might I add that her robe just barely covered her bottom. I wasn't the only one who found this unusual and since I was following her I got to see the reaction on the faces of people after they passed from the opposite direction. And then we walked past a construction site. Have you ever witnessed a group of construction workers go completely silent?</p><br /><p>I managed to find the fabric district and it was actually pretty overwhelming. After a while I finally figured out that everyones prices were pretty much the same and I didn't find what I would call any real bargains. I wasn't particularly looking for clothing fabric but I did buy two pieces of spandex fabric at Spandex House. I didn't find any (affordable) fabric for purses but I did buy a few little o-rings (for wallet wristlets) and some short zippers. There are tons of pieces of hardware available here but some were pretty pricey and without a real plan for them I didn't want to buy any (I already have a lot of stuff I've bought in the past and still haven't used).<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683607047566859234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOrc6AmscBpnCMyFcBurW7BO_bc-93nqx4YhRPVB17Q-ckXCr2aGC_WUecWkDii8d6fL5zVnPrhip6uPwtZB7xfu9TVXejMbvzTCKcZ4I7FnAHmw4iAAxLHHATZtbf-M-RMr3jjVzWNJO/s320/DSCF0804.jpg" border="0" />I was thrilled to death to accompany Hans to New York on his business trip. I've never been here before and the thought of seeing NYC during the Christmas season was too good to be true. So I told Hans that for my Christmas present I wanted to go to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes. My great grandmother thought the Rockettes walked (or perhaps tapped) on water and I only wish she'd been able to attend an actual performance during her lifetime. The show was spectacular and I have no idea how the hell those girls remember all their dance steps.</p><br /><div><br /><div>Of course it rained like crazy on Rockette night and here's Hans with both of our umbrellas. We got soaked.<br /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683607037020140898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFgq2FF3RVcLbed8P-n5YBCEBOINqNpZSphSSfWeFaAgWWARTPy74AH8Z13LvTmUZ2YD8WJ1gJeW1nK03UOitxYt5BplhJUXjVrncOG4tnvoy0LxWwUf-jhdMh09UHVQwfqptkhr1SjgU/s320/DSCF0805.jpg" border="0" />The sculpture behind us was created years ago for Radio City Music Hall and was then banned for being too graphic. It's now very much out in the open and don't think Hans didn't appreciate it!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684302047018739010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK_VJzbzoO102gOnst6TcHz9-2nGIwbNwm2-nS9WrPdz9Traz8yUskS81kz77uGxRcIJXJyxM5kwOTrYk-eG1Lh2hGD6-aBULgUN3Y_56AAvBqCb0HooTbDf1ezBD1g8LzyWiHQiZZ7Cp/s320/DSCF0811.jpg" border="0" />I mentioned before that I have no sense of direction and was a bit fearful of maneuvering about Manhattan on my own, and I admit that I had to back track a couple (okay a hell of a lot!) of times. But in the end I found myself enjoying the Big Apple immensely. </div><br /><br /><div>How well I recall bursting into our hotel room late in the afternoon on our first day in New York only to find Hans had gotten there first. </div><br /><br /><div>"What the hell are you doing here?" I demanded.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>"I'm done for the day. Where have you been?" was Hans' reply.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>"My feet were killing me and I just had to sit down so I had lunch up the street at D.J. Reynolds Pub and the owner happened to be there and he bought me a drink and I've been having a fabulous time!" I exclaimed. "I love New York! It has such a small town feeling and I told Dennis we'd be back for dinner tonight!"</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>"Who's Dennis? Hans asked.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>"The owner." </div><br /><br /><div>"Why am I not surprised," Hans sighed. </div><br /><br /><div>He knows me all too well and could only shake his head, because, you see, I will talk to any one, any time, and at any place.</div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://djreynolds.com/">D J Reynold's Pub </a>is a fabulous Irish Pub (and I've been to Ireland) with good food at a very affordable price (we ate there every single night!). By all means please go there if you happen to be in Manhattan. You will not be disappointed.</div><br /><br /><div>When we moved to Florida I had no idea I would be heading north before the Christmas holidays (I left my winter coat back home) and I was in dire need of a winter coat to take with me to New York. My new friend Carolyn stepped forward and offered me a beautiful leather coat that had belonged to her husband's mother. It fit like a glove!<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683607005984565026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3lffN73zJipuaTUcBvI98nY4x3fhXo9UCuMmFIcV5sahHo0idgcPsd0NkNC0Im6OXMimiKWcT1pFFN3R7MO901dvrTxtis-E0rDW8yV80UBdphF4bqATJxGufKwEMoYUa_WSRKZw6Pbp/s320/DSCF0800.jpg" border="0" /> Here I am right before we left to see the Rockettes. </div><br /><br /><div>After dinner at D.J.'s, our waitress, Siobhan followed us out into the street and after giving us a hug, she commented on my beautiful coat.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thank you Carolyn!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We are now back home and apparently just in time.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I've been informed my youngest is due to arrive for a visit tomorrow!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Wilbur can't wait. He loves to sleep with his sister. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17174697892947430149noreply@blogger.com2