One Skirt = Three Little Dresses

Now that I am an upcycler/recycler extraordinare, I don't see ready-made clothing as something to buy and wear. Oh no, they are just pieces of fabric. Designer fabrics that can't be purchased at my local fabric store. Fabrics just waiting to be fashioned into something smashingly cute.
Take a look at this skirt. When I saw it at my favorite store, my brain was telling me, "This is not just a BIG skirt - It is a skirt with a LOT of fabric for only $8.00."

Maybe with some clever folding, cutting and sewing, I could make a few of these little dresses:

You can do it too!!
From the waistband to hem, fold the skirt into thirds.

Then, from the waistband to hem, fold all the layers of the skirt in half.

Cut out a size 12-18 month 'swing' dress pattern.

It makes three of these:

Sewing Sassy Aprons

My gift to you - well, some of you. To my girlfriends or brides-to-be or to someone who has been especially nice.

The Recently Seen G'Kids

Avery: On the slide at the park. At the zoo wearing the inspiration for my Upcycle #1 project.
Jackson: On the ferry in Galveston. In the Gopher Tube at the zoo.

Ruby: Easter Morning. At home wearing Upcycle Project #3.

Frumpy to Sassy

When Gina saw this skirt in the craft/sewing closet (aka the Magic Closet), she instantly said, "I always wanted a pencil skirt." And she proceeded to cut it shorter and sew about 8 inches off the sides.
In 30 minutes this skirt went from a frumpy size 14


To a sassy size 6.

Upcycle Project #2

It was so easy to make this peasant dress out of the body of the shirt. Using bias tape I made a casing in the neck for the elastic. Then put elastic in the hem of the sleeves. The original hem of the shirt becomes the hem of the dress.

Upcycle Project #1

This old shirt of mine was in the “give away pile”. After close inspection and some inspiration from Gina, I figured out a fun way to change it into a jumper for Avery. First, I cut off the ¾ length sleeves and the collar.

Then I sewed the sleeves together, using the cuff detail for the top of the jumper. The pointed collar adds a little detail to the straps.

Hula Hooping

Forget your cares. Let the world go away. Veg out.
As a little girl I hula hooped, jumped rope, rode my bike and hopscotched all my little girl worries away.
I am hoping that this hula hoop can take me to that carefree place. This hoop works so much better than the hoop of my youth. The size and weight help to propel it around and around. I have made several and given away a few. Some recepients were less than enthusiastic; others were kind of excited. The hoop that I filled with mung beans creates the sound of rainfall. Then I got a little crazy and filled a hoop with water. It is pretty heavy but it is actually the easiest to use.

What will become of .....

I love walking up and down the aisles of big do-it-yourself hardware stores. I can imagine a new chandalier in the dining room, see new golden paint on the walls of the upstairs bedroom and visualize new tile in the master bathroom shower. I can even conjure up a picture of something fun made out of these materials:



As you can see, I bought 100 feet of irrigation tubing, two rolls of electrical tape, 8 conectors and a pair of tubing cutters. I am going to make something fun and classic and it will be something that you want. I am going to make it (well, I hope to make one) tonight. By Tues. or Wed. I will be ready to unveil my creation - if I can pull myself away from all the fun I will be having with it.

When I grow up...

I want to be a Family Photographer. That means that I need to buy a camera - one that has lenses that screw on and off. My brain is so confused - is it the camera or the person behind the camera that takes a good picture? I keep hearing and reading that you need "good glass". That means expensive lenses!!! I have aperture, ISO and shutter speed all floating around in my head. Here is what I decided for now. This is what is most important. If you don't have this - well,then just don't bother to take the camera out of the bag. The most important thing -- CUTE SUBJECTS!!!
Just wanted to share a few photos taken with a Sony Super Steady Shot DSC-H5. It has been a great little camera. But I need a Nikon or a Canon or an Olympus or a Fuji.

Vintage Dress

While on a high school theater trip, Rhonda bought this dress at a vintage clothing boutique. It was made in the 1940 - 50s. She wore it to the Homecoming Dance and looked gorgeous in it.

The workmanship is truly a work of art. I just love the pleated details.


In February, Tammy and I tried to sell it to a vintage clothing store. We just wanted to find a happy home for this organza beauty. The store buyer loved the detail and styling but noted that the fabric is falling apart. She offered me $20.00 saying that she would have to put it on the clearance rack. I decided to keep it.

This morning I came up with this great idea:

Tyson's Thai Friend

Using a few gestures, Tyson ‘asked’ this little Thai girl if Collin could have a ride on her skateboard.

Hayden wanted a ride, too. Seeing that crooked wheel made me a little nervous that we might have broken her one and only toy.

But, once Hayden jumped up to trade places with her the wheel recovered nicely.

Now it is her turn.

Hayden didn't get a chance to pull her before she got nervous and hopped off.

Definitely not the Dumbo Ride at Disneyworld

The boys are perched 9 feet above ground waiting for their ride to pull up beside them. Isn't she a beauty? Each comes with its own driver.
Passengers can purchase fuel for a few cents.
All buckled up and ready to ride.
Our driver sensing my nervousness is giving me the "thumbs up".
A shrine for good luck and prosperity.
I was happy to say a little prayer in their behalf. Down the cement staircase and into the river.
At this point we hung on for dear life as the elephant gracefully stepped off the 4 foot ledge into the river.
The up-and-down motion combined with the back-and-forth swaying was quite relaxing.
Traversing the slippery staircase up to the rubber tree forest was terrifying.

Playing Photographer in Phuket

At the resort, there were so many great photographic places to take pictures of Tyson's family.
I love this first photo. We had just finished breakfast and were walking back to the room so everyone could change into their photo-taking-clothes and decided to stop for a few candid shots.

 

Look. No kids in this picture.

 

All I said was, "OK everyone just sit in this big chair." They quickly figured out good positions. I complimented Ashton on how nicely he put his hand on his hip and stated clicking. I love how the chair and the tile floor give a sense of unity.

 

When I suggested to the boys that they should hold hands, I was happily surprised that they reached out to each other and took hold without complaining. Or hitting. Or kicking.

 

Danger on the Beach

How terribly disapointing. No swimming on the beach. Do you see the red flag? There must be high waves. High tide. Or a rip tide. What is going on here? We came to Phuket to swim in the warm water. To feel the tropical breeze on our face. To get a tan that everyone would envy.
But just hold on a minute - what do I see? Beach Massage for 400 Bhat. A quick calculation in my head tells me that 400 bhat is about 12 US dollars. Forget the beach. Who wanted to go to the beach anyway?

We are in luck. It looks like Massage Lady is getting ready for work.


The boys settle in for a 15 minute massage.

The special back bend treatment is for kids only.

Do you see the big palm tree? Our room at the JW Marriot is just behind it. A perfect location for a short walk to the beach or to the massage parlor.

Postcard 2

Scenes at the beach

Details of the resort

Postcard From Phuket, Thailand

We are not having any fun in Phuket. No, Really. No fun at all. It is no fun at all to order lunch and have it brought to us beside the pool.

These two are not having fun. No siree.

Watching baby elephants on the beach - No Fun.

It would be more fun if you were here.

Gina's 1000 Markets Shop

Check out Gina's new shop where she makes and sells adorable little girl dresses and hair clips. She is also doing a give-away promotion.

The Chic Dragon Fruit

The dragon fruit, while exotic on the outside, is quite bland on the inside. The white part and seeds are edible. It tastes like kiwi and has the texture of a pear.

Arab Street

Yesterday, Natalie and I ventured out into the big city by car. It doesn't seem like a big deal but, driving on the wrong (left) side of the road in a city of 4 million people crammed onto a tiny island can make your head spin or in Natilie's case - hurt. After we dropped Ashton off at the Canadian school we simply wanted to drive the 6 miles to Arab Street. Nothing simple about it - not even with the GPS telling us clearly to "keep left at Bukit Timah Road". One hour and several U-turns later, we were finally in Fabric and Rug Heaven.

Street lined shops. I purchased the cotton sateen fabrics at Royal Fabrics - on the right.

There are hundreds of thousands - maybe millions - of scarves to choose from.


You can choose a little bottle and have it filled with the essential oil of your choice.

Natalie and I shared this appetizer sampler at a Greek Cafe. Everything was delicious!!

Our waiter - luring in the patrons with his good looks.

Sultan Mosque is the main Islamic place of worship for Singapore's Muslim community.

Fabric High

I get so giddy when strolling through bolts of fabric. I love to feel each piece and can imagine each made into lovely items. For a fabric-o-holic shopping on Arab Street near downtown Singapore is like being in Fabric Heaven. I can't wait to create something from these cotton sateen pieces from Japan.

Fruit or Flowers?

Although some of you may have guessed that these are flowers - these beautiful gems are Dragon Fruit. Stay tuned - Later today, when the house helpers, Anna and Rachel, finish cleaning the kitchen, I will cut one open and show you the perfectly cute and chic color scheme mother nature blessed this delicious fruit with. Can you guess the two colors we will find inside?

Singapore Suburbs

Yesterday morning, when the effects of jet lag hit, I really wanted to climb the three flights of stairs to my mother-in-law suite and take a long nap. I had been warned that taking a morning nap would be precisely the wrong thing to do when trying to acclimate to a new time zone. Especially a time zone that is 14 hours ahead of my home town time. So, with map in hand, Natalie coaxed me out the front door, down the steps and through the gate to do some exploring of the Singapore suburbs all by myself. After passing the back entrance of the Singapore American School where Hayden attends the 2nd grade, I continued, as instructed by Natalie, to the local shopping area. I didn't buy anything but had a great time looking around.

Harvest Table

Having my breakfast room table decorated for the Thanksgiving Season helps me remember all that I am grateful for and gives me an excuse to break a long standing rule in this household. My kids have heard it a thousand times. No. Eating. In. The. Livingroom. Well, I just threw that rule right out the window. Why mess up a nicely decorated table when I can sit on a comfy sofa with a bowl of cereal precariously balanced on my lap? It is just a risk that I am willing to take. But don't you get any ideas for when you come to visit. We will sit together at the table.

It was Sew, Sew Great

Ten friends and I met in Round Top, Tx (Population 77) for a scarpbooking/sewing retreat. Nearly all of them are young enough to be my daughters. What a hard working bunch of girls. Really, your husbands, who so willingly stayed home with the kids, need to know that you stopped for nothing. Well, nothing but to eat and sleep. I am a witness to how diligently you cut, pasted, organized and created page after page of wonderful memories for your families. We ooooed and aaaahed over the cutest pictures. I was the odd man out – the only one who brought sewing projects to work on. Not because I don’t have any photos to scrapbook. But, because I have 35years of unorganized, unscrapbooked photos to work on. It will take much more than a 2 day retreat to whip that project into shape. Not only did we scrapbook and sew, we talked and laughed and listened to music. After listening to Tim McGraw I decided that I liked him – I mean I like his music. And the one married to Nicole Kidman – I liked him too. I fell in love with Il Divo – no really – I am in love with them – all of them. It just makes me happy to hear them even when they are singing in Italian – especially when they are singing in Italian. I wasn’t aquainted with Journey – and I have to say I was happy when the Journey was over.
Want to see what I acomplished??

14 soft flannel swaddling blankets
3 quilt bindings
1 fleece car seat blanket
1 retro swing dress
1 green daisy dress

It's a Big Country

Tammy took me on a trip across the country. Together we drove her car and belongings from Utah, the state of her college education, to Virginia, the state where her Big Brother and her Big Sister live and where she will live, find a job, friends, entertainment, and lots of museums. We made several fun stops along the way but mostly we were content for mile upon mile to gaze upon the never changing scenery.



I lied. Really, that was not all we had to look at. Oh, no. There were miles and miles of corn fields. And - I almost forgot - the miles and miles of trees. I really expected more variety. Where were the purple mountains majesty and the waves of amber grain and the friuted plains?? Does corn belong to the fruit family?

There is Beauty All Around

When a camera is hanging around my neck, I am reminded to look for the beauty all around.


I spotted these beauties while walking in my parent's neighborhood in Medford, OR.

Grown-Up Conversation

Some of you young moms have posted conversations you have had with your children. I have truly enjoyed them all. They are adorable, silly, and sometimes hilarious. I thought it might be enlightening to someone out there to hear this conversation between me and my 22 year old daughter. So, listen up and learn a thing or two about grownup children and what you have to look forward to. Now, I love this girl to death but she has just spent way too much time going to school in what we call “Happy Valley”. It’s a place where you can trust everyone, feel comfortable getting help from a stranger when you break down on the freeway and never get mugged.

Tammy has been in Houston this week attending a Museum Conference in downtown Houston.

She called me Saturday afternoon:

Tammy: I can’t find my car (it is not her car; it is MY CAR). It is not where I parked it this morning.

Me: What do you mean? Did you forget where you parked it?

Tammy: No. I parked it in the same lot that I parked it in on Wed. But it is not in the space that I parked it in this morning.

Me: Ok. So, tell me what happened.

Tammy: Well, just like on Wed the guy just took my parking fee and then told me which space to park in. Oh Shoot!! He took my MONEY!!!

Me: Ok. I get that he took your money. But where is MY CAR? Did he give you a ticket to put on your dash?

Tammy: Uhhh…. NO! He scammed me and took my MONEY!!!

Me: Ok, Tammy I understand that he took your measly $5.00. Now, find out where MY CAR is.

My car was towed and impounded. Two hours and $200.00 later she was following me out of downtown Houston into the suburbs.

Three and Four Down

Four new grandbabies in less than 6 months is so much fun!!
Here is #3 - Ruby - I really, really want her to have red hair.

Here is #4 - Collin - He and his family will be moving to Singapore on July 27th. That is 10,000 miles away!!!!

Strawberry Jam

Just wanted to share my newly invented recipe with you. I wanted jam with less sugar and didn't want to spend $3-4.00 on pectin. So here is what I came up with. It is so easy and it comes out perfect!

Ingredients:
2 cups crushed strawberries
1 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 package unflavored gelatin

Directions:
Crush strawberries with a potato masher or in a food processor.
Put all ingredients in a sauce pan. On medium-low heat stir until
sugar is dissolved. Ladle into jars, zip lock bags or plastic containers.
Stores in fridge for a few weeks. Stores in freezer for about 6 months.

I Miss my Sweetheart

Everyday I think of him. Many, many times. And I miss so many things about him.

I miss how we always sat close to each other in church– often holding hands unified in our faith. Our children always sat on either side of us - never between us.

I miss the therapeutic-on-demand foot rubs. In the most unladylike way, I would thrust my feet into his lap and know that without complaint he would soothe the cares of the day away.

I miss sharing fajitas and conversations on the patio at Café Adobe.

I miss his loving devotion to his mother which led him to call her every week to chat and express his love and concern for her.

I miss being a participant in his weekly Sunday School class where he carefully and thoughtfully taught new members and investigators of the church. Through his gentle inquirys he guided each student in discovering their own thoughts, feelings and opinions.

I miss working on a project with him and the shared feeling of accomplishment when the task was completed.

I miss answering the phone and hearing one of our children ask to talk to him when his advise or encouragement was being sought.

I miss his companionship in everything I do. His gratitude for meals. His laugh while watching silly movies. His enjoyment of running errands with me. His instructions while paying bills. His opinions when discussing issues.

I miss hearing him say to others “Welcome to church.” “How is your family?” “I appreciate all you do.” “You are doing a great job.” “Do the best you can.”

I miss hearing him say to me “I appreciate all you do.” “You are doing a great job.” “I just want you to be happy.” “I love you.”

Veldon, I miss you.

Love, Joyce