Kitchen Sewing

I wanted to show you the project I made today. This is for one of Little Bit's friends. Little Bit is going to her birthday party tomorrow. (I also made one for Little Bit for Christmas.)

Somewhere during the Christmas holidays, I came across this tutorial for a kitchen playmat. I just knew I had to make at least one.

The little girl's favorite colors are pink and purple (little girl... who would have guessed that?).

Doesn't this look cute all rolled up?
When you unroll it, you get a kitchen. Complete with stove burners, sink, faucet, and water drops.

The stove knobs always looked funny to me, so I added the words "on" and "off" to kind of give it more definition.

Close up shot of the water drops.

Be careful. These burners are "HOT!"

I added the little girl's favorite princess on the back. (Thank you to whoever invented fabric panels.)

And yet a different view of it.

I also added a one egg omlet pan, a plastic 1 cup measuring cup, a corelle bowl, and a pink rubber spatula. I hope the little girl gets as much fun out of it as Little Bit has.

Hugs,

Melinda

"New" computer

One of the "perks" of my husband working in the IT field is that he has started a collection of computers. Last night, he was able to bring home a fairly decent computer, a desktop that has Windows Vista on it. I told him as long as he was able to transfer ALL of my work over from our laptop that has had a battery issue on it since July.

He agreed, so I'm trying to get used to this new computer. Really, I was fine with the old one. I just got frustrated with the battery.

But things aren't right. It's Vista, not XP. My pictures aren't here. Office isn't installed yet. The "type" on the screen is smaller and I can't get it adjusted right. The keyboard is a bit smaller and I just pushed a button that I don't know what it did.

So, while I'm grumbling, let me also state that I've been trying to host a ladies' Bible study. We finished Week 2 before Christmas, and we were supposed to have week 3 today. But no one showed up.

I'm tired and grumpy from being sick all week.

Later,
Melinda

Granny Square Afghan

I wanted to share something with you. When I was growing up, we had a huge crocheted afghan that my momma had made herself. She said it was a "Granny Square." When my daddy moved, that was one of the things that I wanted, but we couldn't find it.

So I said to myself, "Self, your momma wouldn't want you to mope about not having your afghan. She taught you how to crochet, why don't you just make one for yourself?" I found an easy to read pattern at the book store, and I've been working on it for about 2 years now. I still have a long way to go, but I'm happy with *my* granny square.

Oh, and I'm using my mom's crochet hook and some of my mom's yarn to make it. :D

Hugs,
Melinda

What have I gotten myself into?

It started innocently enough. My dad needed help. He is trying to get a small business started. He makes photo cards out of his photography. He wanted a website for his customers to peruse his photography so they could pick the pictures they wanted on their cards.

Quite honestly, the website needed help. In an attempt to help, I logged on and was poking around. You know what I found? That I couldn't use the current website he was on, because it was too stinking hard. I told Dale I needed something that was "dummy proof." He pointed me in the direction of Office Live.

I can't show you the results yet, because it's still in progress. But to say I'm impressed with myself is an understatement.

So now, guess what? Dale wants me to update a website for one of the partner companies he works with.

I say again...... What have I gotten myself into??????

Hugs,
Melinda

Congress is stupid

I'm sorry, it's true. Congress as a whole is stupid and idiotic. Please let me explain the "economic collapse" from my viewpoint.

A whole bunch of banks ran out of money. Congress says, "We'll help you by giving you more money. Only it's not our money; it's taxpayer money." Well, the taxpayers got up in arms and said, "NO!" Then Congress said, "we're not listening to you, the people who hired us."

Then some car companies said, "hey, we're running out of money, too. Can we get some of that?" Congress said, "No. You came here in a private jet and you waste a lot of money. No." But the president says, "Okay, I'll help you."

Now, we have a President-elect who says, "our economy needs help. Let's give EVERY one some money."

Where is this money supposed to come from? You guessed it.... US. The taxpayer. We have to give ourselves money. We give banks and car companies our money, and Congress and presidents can't figure out why we don't have any thing left to give to the economy; why people aren't buying anything. Guess what? You guys took it all.

Oh, and don't forget. When these banks were asked where all that money was, they basically said, "We're not telling you, we don't have to and you can't make us."

Meanwhile, the cost of gas is going up AGAIN, and the Arab and middle-eastern countries who charge us an arm and a leg are making a HUGE profit off of us.

Do you really want to solve the job crisis, Congress? Allow us, AMERICANS, to build refineries on American soil. Allow us, AMERICANS to drill for OUR oil. (Did you know that America can't drill for oil 100 miles off the US Coast, but China can drill only 50 miles off? That's OUR oil they are drilling for.) Allow Americans to build oil wells and refineries, and you will create jobs, you will create financial independence, you will create energy independence, you will create a stronger economy.

Now........... before anyone accuses me of not caring for the environment, I have to say, wait a minute. I do. Really, I do. But there comes a point where people need to take precedence over polar bears and moose. And also, I am all for alternative forms of energy. But is there any reason we can't build the new refineries and develop alternatives at the same time? That's just more jobs. That's more energy independence. And if America develops a cheap alternative before some other country, hey, that's gold, baby... gold. Other countries would depend on us instead of vice versa.

Okay, so I'm not going to take this blog in a political turn. I just needed to get some frustration out. I get tired of being an adult and having to worry about these things, but really, it seems so simple to me. Why can't Congress figure this out?

Hugs,
Melinda

P.S. How many more days until Mid-Term elections?

Christmas Dresses

I have a very generous mother in law, I must say. There are lots of examples, but this is the one I want to share today. She sent the girls dresses for Christmas.

Aren't they gorgeous? Surprisingly, my girls look good in red. :D

Little Bit is usually pretty good about taking pictures. Not this morning though. She didn't want to eat her breakfast, which made her grumpy.
But Sweet Pea got her to smile a little bit. My precious babies. :)

I think that's all the posts I have for the holiday season. The only other thing I can think of would be pictures of the roll up kitchen and chalkboard table I made for Little Bit. If you want to see pictures, leave me a comment. Other than that, I think I'm going to stop for today.

Have a good one.
Hugs,
Melinda

Bling, the cat

One of the BIG events this holiday season was that TFF got a cat. Well, more precisely, a kitten. It's a Russian Blue that she got from a cattery not too far from here. Her boyfriend's son is allergic to some cats, and this breed is supposed to be hypoallergenic. Since he "didn't like cats" but was willing to put up with one for her sake, he got to name the cat. They got him close to Christmas, so his name for some odd reason is .... Bling.

I have to say, I'm jealous. After all, I still miss my old cat, Norman. :( I had to leave him in Georgia, and I don't think I've ever gotten over it.



Bling came for a visit to my house. Between the newness of being at my house, the 4 children chasing him, and the fact that he's still a kitten, we wore him out. Which is good, because that was the only time I could get a GOOD picture of him.
Such a pretty kitty. TFF has been blessed.

Hugs,
Melinda

Childhood wonder

I have to tell you, I love my children. I had to work when the oldest, Sweet Pea, was 1, 2 and 3, so I missed all the good stuff. I missed her first steps, her first experiences with coloring and cutting with scissors, and I even missed a good portion of her potty training. (Thank you Mother Goose PreSchool!)

So, I am continually in awe with our second child, Little Bit. It is so much FUN watching the wonder in her face and the look she gets when she is learning something new for the first time.

For example, these pictures are of the first really big snow that we got this year. Snow is for eating, right?

Okay, so how about trying to catch snowflakes on your tongue? After all, that's what Barney has been teaching her to do with her favorite song.
But what gets me every time is the look of pure delight on her face. She's just so happy to be in this great big world that God created. It's her playground.
Now about those snowflakes and that tongue..... ah, ah, ah, ah, ah.........
Inside, we decided it was time to learn how to make paper snowflakes. She was very intent. Scissors are a little bit tricky if you've never used them before.
She sat quietly for over an hour making her paper snowflakes. It was so neat to watch her practicing her cutting skills.
Making paper "snowflakes." A lot of paper snowflakes.
Hey, what can I say? She was more than quiet for so long, I didn't mind picking up the "snowflakes."

I have to go back to this picture. It's just too cute.

Today, I hope you can take a minute or two, and I pray that you will see the world through the eyes of a child. I believe that is how God wants us to see it. I was talking with a friend about how children have a great capacity for love. They will love and love and love until they are told they aren't supposed to, and even then, they will still love. I am almost certain this is what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 18:3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Let's take the time to see and to love like children of the most high king of kings today.

Hugs,
Melinda

Christmas Aprons

So, what kept me so busy during the holidays that I couldn't take two minutes to blog about it? Simple. I was sewing. I decided that I was going to try to make as many presents as possible, using materials I already had on hand. It wasn't easy, and I probably could have done better, but I am proud of what I did accomplish.

(Hey Marie and Sarah..... If you are reading this. Stop. Right now. Go on to the next post. Do not read any further. I'm warning you. Stop now.)

My realtor surprised me by giving us a house warming gift card. I used it to purchase this pattern and the brown fabric in the picture below. So my gift of choice became.... Aprons. Lots and lots of aprons.

I think by the time Christmas was over, I had made something along the lines of 5 aprons in these Christmas-y colors. 3 of them went to my guild's auction in November, one went to Jenna, and one went to my neighbors. (Interestingly, I had purchased the fabric in 2006 when I was told a certain Wal-Mart was pulling the fabric department out. These fabrics were on sale for $.50 a yard. How could I resist????)
I had originally made the brown apron for myself, but my friend K fell in love with it, so it became her Christmas present. I have never worked with browns or directional fabrics before, so this was also a challenge to myself.
Somewhere along the way, I came across THIS blog post with this simple apron pattern. I simply had to try it.

So I made three for my sister. In coordinating colors of course. :D

I didn't like this fabric when I first saw it, but I think I fell in love with it while making these aprons.
Aren't they just yummy!?
I might not ever have made a quilt with them, but it was perfect for aprons.

I had to have a model so you could see how fabulous it looks. Doesn't Sweet Pea look Fabulous??? Sort of like she was born for the role.
Of course, my step mother came for a visit this Christmas, too. So I had to make her one.
I love getting close ups of the fabric. I love seeing the weave in the purple.
It just all worked so well together.
Now..... Don't tell my sisters in law, but that's what they are getting for Christmas. I still have to make them, but I got some really cute ........ Marie, I said don't read anymore.

I'd better not tell you. But I promise it's REALLY cute, and I will post a picture. Promise. :D

And that's all I can type tonight. My hands are hurting me from all the typing, so I'd better stop for now... Have a good one.

Hugs,
Melinda

Playing the CVS game

Okay, so surely everyone knows about CVS and Extra Bucks by now. Right? I've known about it for a long time, but I've never been able to really figure out how to really work the system.

The end of the fall quarter was recently, so it was time to reap some rewards. I earned a total of $7.50 last quarter.

Tonight, I went to get a prescription transferred to the CVS that is closer to our new house. While I was there, I swiped my card at the coupon printer kiosk thing they have there. I got my $7.50 reward plus 4 other coupons, including a $2 off $10 cosmetics purchase. Which was cool because they are also having a 50% off selected cosmetics sale. :D

I knew exactly what some of my Extra Bucks were going to. If you have an addiction to Carmex or Blistex or Chapstick, you really ought to try Covergirl's Amazemint LipGloss. It has peppermint oil in it, and is just as nice on your lips as Carmex.

Anyway, I'm getting distracted.

I got a new tube of Amazemint LipGloss for $5.99, and a package of Revlon Color Stay nail enamel that was half off for $2.99, and a pair of nail clippers (because my husband CONSTANTLY misplaces them) for $1.45. Grand total before coupons --- $11.27

Grand total after Extra Bucks and $2/$10 coupon --- $1.04 !!!! I am SO proud of myself. I sat and debated on if I should just get something to fill out the $7.50 or if I should play with the $2/$10 coupon. I may not have earned any other Extra Bucks to roll over, but I sure had fun playing with what I had.



A picture for your perusal. :D
Hugs,
Melinda

New posts to follow soon.....

I am feverishly uploading pictures and writing blog posts. Stay tuned for the many adventures of Little Bit, Sweet Pea, my friend TFF and her children, So Cool, So Sweet, and Bling. :D

Hugs,
Melinda

ROFLOL

If you are in need of a laugh or three....(oh and don't forget the incredible amount of time you'll waste by laughing) go check out icanhascheezburger.com

Hugs,
Melinda


more animals

I know, I know.....

I'm behind. BIG time. The holidays have come and gone, and I haven't posted diddly squat. I promise I will try to work on it in the next few weeks. I have about a bazillion pictures I need to load. LOL

For now, I'm trying "naked" potty training with Little Bit. So far, it's working. We've been 8 and a half hours with only one accident. That's pretty good I think.

Well, it's about time to get back to the Bible Study I'm trying to put off. LOL Have a good day, a happy new year, and a contented life.

Hugs,
Melinda