Saturday, April 30, 2011

Book Sale!

It has been a busy month, and with April turning in its grave - twisting and moaning - but ending with sunshine and breezes here in Oregon, we're about to enter the happy days of May. Thoughts of picnics (maybe), camping trips (probably) and more opportunities to get out and enjoy the fair weather. We hope!
Today I'm going to a book sale at the Main Library with my brother and we'll not doubt find one or two volumes to bring home. I seem to remember the sale last year when I paid an exorbitant amount for a used book I hoped to tear apart. Where is that now?
After that I want to stop by Primroses & Tumbleweeds, a new wine/boutique opening today in town. They will have Champagne for sale and other wonderful items. They have a Facebook page.
Farmers Market is opening too. Plant starts, I will bet - galore!
Talk atcha later - femminismo

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Some Things Accomplished

I have some things to show you. I've been working on crafty-daffy art. The craft I just turned out today: fabric cuff bracelets. Our Creative Expression group is going to work them over this coming Saturday so I wanted to make up a few to explain how they're made. (Makes sense, doesn't it?)
The orange tool with the curvy blade cuts through felt and fabric. You measure your wrist (plus 3/4 inch) and cut a piece of fabric that long.
Then you cut the same length, in a different color, a little bit slimmer than the first one.
Steam-A-Seam2 put between the two layers of fabric, with ribbon placed on top (it's cut a little longer so the ends can be tucked in between the two pieces and land on some of the interfacing) and then you steam iron it all to "glue" them together.
I had to use a flash on this picture because the lovely green felt kept looking a dirty brown. (Not that there's anything wrong with brown!) The button collection will decorate some of them and they will either fasten with ribbon in a loop around a button or with Velcro.
I'm sure I'll have photos of actual hand models wearing these. They might seem a little too cozy for spring and summer, but I'm sure there's a way to solve that with different materials. The curvy rotary cutter seems to solve the problem of fraying edges.
I also participated in a Relay for Life bingo fund raiser on Friday night. We had a a lot of fun and raised nearly $650 (maybe a little more) for cancer research - femminismo

Friday, April 1, 2011

When Did I Lose My Enthusiasm?

BLOGGING used to be something I did nearly every day, or at least twice a week. No restaurant meal was complete until I had photographed the food, no flower or sunset was truly appreciated until photographed and added to the blog, no social event worth its salt had really been enjoyed until I had blogged about it.
What happened?
I actually blame it on the Mister. He takes up too much of my time.
"Oh, I see," he said. "Now anything that you don't accomplish is MY fault."
Yes, I tell him firmly. It's all your fault.
Well, if only that were true. It seems my butt and the couch have a really hot relationship going on. Eating dinner takes up my time. And then there's getting ready for bed. (That takes longer every year!) Doing the Word Jumble puzzle in bed to relax is one of my creature comforts.
I have been leading such a lame life recently (so much work AT work) and whenever I get inspired to go to take a photo and post it (Lenten roses - done that two years in a row I'll bet; forsythia, same thing) I feel like it's Groundhog Day. Over and over and over.
I have been busy with Relay for Life. Last night I made oatmeal, peanut butter, raisin and chocolate chip cookies and sold them outside my office for $1 for four cookies. I made a whole $11 for Relay!
If only I could get online at the Relay for Life website I would send out emails to all my friends and acquaintances to try and earn more for the cause. However, the Relay website has many problems - a global complaint, I have heard - and it's always denying entry to me and the other members of our team.
Tomorrow I am taking a drive with a friend. She has a destination in mind and wanted some company and it's time for us to get together and talk. She also wants to stop at Macys and look at cosmetics! This sounds like it might be fun. Maybe I will find something to bleach a brown spot on my face. My doctor said this is the cure. Clinique should have the answer. Sorry there's no picture here, but I need some inspiration that's fresh and new - femminismo