She's Sew Pretty

Wow, What a Weekend!

Oh my gosh, what a weekend.  I've eaten too much, spent too much money, been cranky, been giddy, laughed a lot  and generally had a fantastic weekend. We started the weekend, a day early, in nearby Kerman at a small town fireworks show with my family.  All of us girls piled on a blanket with popcorn and cold water and smiles from ear to ear.  The guys got the chairs but we didn't mind.  It made gossiping much easier.

The next day was the neighborhood block party where massive amounts of food and beverages were consumed.  Our neighbor, a retired marine, was full of patriotism and love for our country and he spoiled us all with a big fireworks show and a barbecue.  I don't know what it is about 4th of July that turns grown men into little boys.

The next day, my family including my son and his fiancee and her mother, who is visiting from Kansas, made the trek to the "Big Trees". In a little over an hour, we drove from the hot valley floor up to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park to see the giant Sequoia trees. The General Grant tree in Grant Grove is in Kings Canyon Park. It stands 268 ft. tall and is 107 ft around at the base. 

In the nearby Giant forest, the General Sherman tree is a mere 274 feet tall.  It is hard to comprehend how big these trees are until you stand at their base. If you ever visit California I think this is a "must see" destination.  The unspoiled beauty of the parks is just inspiring.  It is amazing to look out and see the vistas along the highways through the parks. 
Today, the rest of the family is off traveling.  My daughter and her husband are on a  cruise.  My son took his fiancee and her mother to visit the California coast.  I am sitting here thinking about doing my homework.  I am half way done with my class and I have a term paper to write this week.  I haven't wrote a term paper in over 30 years.  Wish me luck!

Happy 4th of July

It's Pink Saturday again.  We've been busy with family get togethers, fireworks shows, and today we're having a big neighborhood block party for 4th of July.  There's going to be lots of food, music, noise and fun.  I wish Beverly and all of my pink friends could be here.  I'd make us all a pink strawberry shake.

 

The shake is healthy too.  Fresh frozen strawberries, soy milk and splenda.  It really is yum!
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.  Sunday we're going to visit the Big Trees in the Sequoia National Forest.  I'll bring back some pictures!

Pink Saturday and a Fanciful Twist Tea Party

Today for Pink Saturday, I hope Beverly won't mind if I invite you along to my Fanciful Twist Tea Party.

My son's fiancee and I have made lots of pink treats and we've been waiting for you to get here.

These two have already made off with a few things.
  Make sure to go visit Vanessa.  Last year's tea party was lots of fun.  I'm sure you'll be able to find a pink surprise or two.

Wasting Time on Wednesday

I managed to take my head out of my books long enough to go to an estate sale.  The pickings were slim though.  I found a little wooden doll to add to the shelves in my studio and a cute embroidered towel that I will eventually do something with.  I love the colors of both and think they were meant for my studio.  Funny, I've been calling it a studio when this week all I've done is study in here.  My hubby wants a new scrub top for his birthday.  So, I am going to have to move some of these books and get out the sewing machine.  I really need to earn my keep some how.  The poor guy has even resorted to washing windows while my head has been stuck in my text books.  I guess I could have stayed home and cleaned house instead of sneaking away to an estate sale...

Happy Pink Saturday from the Raggedy Girls

As promised Raggedy's sister did not have to stay naked long.  I made her a pink dress just for Pink Saturday.  These are so fun to make.  I think that I will probably put some in my Etsy shop at the end of July.  I just don't have time to make more than one at a time right now.  There are lots of great tutorials online if you want to make them yourself.  I made the arms by folding a twelve inch pipe cleaner in half and then folding each half in again.  Then I wrapped it as tight as I could with seam binding.  The dresses were made up as I went along using scraps of fabric and lace.  A little paint, fabric and hot glue and you can have one too.  I bought the clothes pin components at Michaels in the wood crafts aisle.  Don't wait as long as I did to try to make one.  I had a lot of fun with mine.

 One of my favorite quotes is by Babe Ruth.  He said, "Don't let the fear of striking out hold you back".  I should take his advice more often.

I'm am posting this on Friday because Typepad is giving me fits.  I tried to comment on some Typepad blogs and couldn't post. Have a wonderful weekend everyone. Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.  I know there is at least one that reads my blog. 

Raggedy Gals

I've been buried in my Pathophysiology book.  I'm learning more about infection, bacteria and cells than I ever wanted to know.  I'm also afraid to eat anything after the chapter I read today.  Last night, I took a break and put the books aside and worked on something I've been wanting to make for a long time.  I've been seeing clothespin dolls on Flickr and around Blog land for months.  I finally made myself one.  Did I ever tell you that I liked Raggedy Ann?  Well, when I decided to paint my doll with red hair, she just seemed to be a Raggedy kind of gal.  Then she told me she needed a sister.  Now, sister needs some clothes.  I'm thinking a pink dress would be just about perfect.  See you Saturday.

A Wedding in the Garden

What a beautiful day.  A beautiful garden was the setting.  The flowers were all in bloom.  The bride was beautiful.  The groom, a long time friend of my sons, was serene.  It was a day we all had looked forward to.  The pastor was the groom's father and had a wonderful story to tell.  He and his wife had started praying for not just their son, but his future wife also, from the moment they knew they were having a baby. Many of us were misty eyed as we watched them take their vows.  A perfect day to celebrate.

Sew It's Pink Saturday Again...

Guess what?  I've been hanging out in my sewing room.  I can't remember the last time I sewed something for myself.  I found this pretty pink and gray paisley fabric at the thrift store last year for just a few dollars.  So far, I've made a tote bag for my daughter and now a skirt for me.   

I liked the skirt so much that I went to the fabric store today and bought this pretty black and pink fabric for another skirt. 

Guess what I'll be doing tomorrow?
Happy Pink Saturday everyone!  I missed Beverly and my pink friends last week.  It's nice to be back! We're going to a wedding today.  I'll be dressed just like that chubby lady in the top picture.  The groom requested casual attire.  I think that means I don't have to wear a girdle!

And Poof...

...a week went by just like that!  I did not mean to be gone so long.  I blame it on my daughter.  When the fan died on my desk top computer, she talked me into buying one of these.

So, I've been spending lots of time getting acquainted.  So far, I've found out that riding an exercise bike isn't so bad if I can see my lap top.  I've been watching the BBC series, Cranford and my son introduced me to the Carnivale series from HBO. Carnivale has me hooked.  I'm thinking that buying a caravan and roaming the world would be kind of fun.  Of course, I would have to stop where there was indoor plumbing and showers.

The weather has been gorgeous here too.  If you like summer thunderstorms than you would have enjoyed the dooozy we had last week. They went on almost all week in the near by Sierras but they did stop long enough
for my nephew to graduate from high school. 
His graduation was set against this backdrop of beautiful mountains. 

The flowers in my patio did not mind the rain and thunder.  My geraniums are growing like crazy.

Look at my lady finger grapes.  I think this may be their best year yet.

So, that's where I've been.  Not much sewing going on here.  Though I do have a few ideas floating around in my head and my fingers are itching for some new fabric.  I think that the cooler temperatures and the breezy days have chased away any depression that was lingering.  For those of you who wrote me about this being the product of menopause.  I had a hysterectomy three years ago.  I took hormones for awhile but then decided that I did not want to deal with the side effects.  I blame it on the t.v. too.  With my mother's constant need for the television news, I don't hear the same news story once.  I hear it over and over, all day long until I want to scream.  So, if I don't show up here for a few days, don't worry about me-I'm out in the back yard screaming or pulling weeds...one at a time...while cursing the FOX new's network!

The Wisdom of an Owl

I'm making progress in my studio.  I actually did some sewing.  I used my Daisy Kingdom fabric for a window valance and my youngest son put a curtain rod up for me.  In return, I altered his skinny jeans so that they were even skinnier.  Must be nice to have to alter your pants because they're too big!  My daughter and son-in-law gave me their exercise bike and it is sitting in my studio just waiting for me to "get with it".  I debated on whether to bring in my antique sewing machine or the bike.  The bike won. It gets so hot here in the summer that daily walks are not possible.  I figure I can pedal away while thinking about what I'll make next.   I hung a new inspiration board above the bike.  I just wrapped a piece of foam core with batting and polka dot fabric and used strapping tape to tape it down in back.  The buttons are sewn right through the board and fabric.  Really, really easy!
Do you see my owl?  I found her at the thrift store today.  I haven't been to an estate sale or thrift store in what seems like weeks.  Today, I was feeling depressed and sad and just a little bit sorry for myself.  So, my hubby thought a trip to the thrift was a good idea.  This little green owl was calling my name.  I filled it up with scissors and put it right on my desk. I thought she was telling me to smile.
I've been weepy and emotional the last few days.  I don't know if it is related to hormones or just plain old tiredness.  So I am taking a few days off from blogging.  There is still a wall in my studio that needs some artwork so I will be working on that.  I think I should figure out how to power my sewing machine from that exercise bike.  That way I can take care of two things at once...my hips and the electric bill.