Yup its Monday

It's Monday which means the weekend flew by! BT and I were busy moving stuff out of my apt to the storage unit (not that I have a new place to live yet). Along with finishing up multiple projects including birthday gifts and headbands. My life has been consumed by headbands lately and I don't even have them up on ETSY yet! I feel like I should hold off on posting them as the economy isnt helping me much.

Ice cream on saturday as usual and BT and I went out on a genuine DATE! I know its been months and im lazy and cheap! We went to see the movie The Ugly Truth which takes place in SAC. It was okay didnt see too much of sacramento and the apartment she lives in can NOT be in sacramento. And if it was I would be begging to live there! We then went to Sweet Water which is slowly becoming a favorite place to eat and drink. Were still testing the waters out when it comes to eating out.

In other news I have a new project in mind with a tutorial. Im going to go check out fabric today and yes it has to do with storage and moving!

One reason to love UCLA Football

I finally have a reason to like UCLA and UCLA football none the less. As you all know I'm not the sports type and I have a true distaste for UCLA (come on I graduated from UCDavis we don't care about sports!). But one boy has truly become my college sport hero for the time being. Ricky Marvray a wide receiver who went to centennial HS in Corona who's hobbies include playing video games and knows how to SEW and CROCHET. All I can hope for is a blog where he shows off his tallents! Yes he will probably be made fun of but hell he has one more tallent than most of the boys on the team who cant sew a button on!

On an aside this by no means that I will be watching football games for him unless he sews and crochets on the sidelines!

Back from the wilderness

Well we made it back alive and in one piece. Camping was a lot of fun. And the Sleeping Sac's I made worked like a charm! While the others struggled the morning of clean up all I did was stuff and there was room to spare. I do have to say camping was more enjoyable than I remember. We literally sat around camp all day eating food and going off on little adventures to the beach. One of the really enjoyable thing was the weather. Here in Sac we have been experiencing 90-100+ degree's of heat a day. Too hot if you ask me but we headed down south to lovely 60-70's. It was glorious until we had to head back. All in all I think BT and I are ready for our next adventure in camping. Once I have a few minutes at home I'll post some pictures.

As for Crafting news im finishing up some skirts (yup I've moved on to clothing), doing some embroidery with the machine for my mom, and making headbands from some family friends. Yup I'm busy as usual ill try to share some pictures later this week!

Diet Soda

When did a diet soda become my desert at lunch? What happened to cookies?

Relax

Its official I'm done done done with Fiscal Close!!! No more running around getting my ledgers to look pretty and clean. It's over no more Debby downer Noelle. But I'm guessing you would want to know more about my weekend?

Saturday was farmers market and then BBQ with the Canadians. We went to a place in Woodland called Ludy's its some of the best BBQ around and has some awesome decor. Pigs and cows on the ceiling the the Sistine Chapel and cowboy furniture. After dinner we went to Bernardo's in Davis where the boys proceeded to have Wiki's while K and I walked around town and then looked at office furniture. I'm trying to replace my desk that I bought at Ikea 3 to 4 years ago its time to upgrade and get better quality. Im looking for a corner unit which are so hard to find especially the size I would want. It's going to take a while so for now its just the thrill of the hunt. After the boys got good and sloshed we all went our seperate ways.

Sunday was just as busy with a trip to costco to get ready for camping. Ah camping one of those things my parents refused to do. I am hoping we have fun and enjoy it as its the cheapest form of vacation I can find right now. We also went to Ikea to look around. Now dont get me wrong Ikea is cool and fun but I can never get out of there in an hour. Its visual overload there and I want to make my house look as cool as they make there little rooms look. But then I remeber I dont want to have Ikea furniture as the basis of my home decor. It used to be such better quality then something happened (consumerism?) and it just havent been the same. The rest of Sunday was spent on the couch with me passed out while BT watched Harry Potter (I think were going to see it tonight and no I haven't read the books I'm taking one for the team). Other than that not much crafting I did start two more skirts which I should really attempt to get done before we go camping. UGH not enough time in the day!

Lemon Basil Ice cream

Who would have thought that Lemon Basil Ice Cream would be amazing?? It is one of the Farmers Market flavors I sell for the Davis Creamery on Saturdays and its to DIE for!!! Chop up some basil juice from some lime make a vanilla base and tada you have bliss in a bowl. Next up I think were gonna try mojito ice cream.

Summer What Summer?

Well the "lazy" days of summer are passing by like a freight train! Work has been well consuming lately so today I'm catching up on the blog. I got a nifty new Serger this past weekend and I got it on Craigslist. I have to say I was skeptical at first but the machine ran like a charm and was only $150 bucks. Ive got it working really well and to be honest best purchase of the year so far (besides the frustration of trying to thread the damn thing).


With this machine as new inspiration I was able to get started on a project and finish it in one yes one night! I present to you a B-day gift for my Mother who doesn't read my blog. Blasphemy I know. Heck even BT's mom reads my blog and complains when I don't post enough (thanks!).


Its a skirt with some embroidery on it to give it a little something extra. I hope she likes it but its not the only thing she is getting. I'll have to take some pictures with it on. BT wants me to make one for myself now.

Mondays

I've got a case of the Monday's. Fiscal close is close to over but its still lingering. Oooh i forgot the big news that doesn't make this such a Debby downer moment. I bought a Serger! Yup its gonna be an adventure with pictures of course.

National Hotdog and Hamburger day!

Happy 4th of JULY!!!!

Its officially hot dog and hamburger day. I am taking full advantage BT is preparing Shannon and I are eating! Yup its gonna be GREAT!

Have fun out there and be safe I don't want to find out any of you are missing appendages.

Movies

Well this weekend passed by (and half the week) in a flash. Its been very busy around here with my mom visiting and fiscal close happening at work. I've finally reached the point where I can see straight! With that I've also caught up on my movie watching. My mom and I went to see the Proposal with Ryan Reynolds, Sandra Bullock, and Betty White who stole the show!!! It was SOOOOO funny and Ryan Reynolds is HOT. Even good for the guys! Next was Disney's UP it was also very good and fun. Both my mom and I walked out commenting on how the old man looks and acts kinda like my grandpa (stubborn). Lastly there was Transformers. It was also good but too long. I also felt like I was on visual overload with all the explosions. I'm officially caught up on movies for now, unless it reaches 112degrees again then we will be back at the movie theater. Okay back to my regular schedule work GMAT (yup I'm back on the studying trails) gym and some crafting.

Sleep Over Sac Photos

If anyone would like to send me photos of there Sleep Over Sac I would LOVE IT! I will post them on my blog for everyone else to see as well!!!

Happy Weekend its 8:30 and about 80 outside its gonna be a hot one!

Sleep Over Sac

BT and I are in the process of gathering up camping supplies, in particular sleeping bags. So I searched and then one day on Woot they had a deal 2 summer sleeping bags for $20 bucks! This was right up my alley because I’m not going to camp in the winter (no way no how!) and were not exactly the hiking sleeping on the floor type. So I snagged them! They arrive yesterday and were in these perfectly little bags or sac’s.

Well I couldn’t wait to see the sleeping bag so I took it out and inspected. Then it cam back to stuffing them into the tiny little sacs, I officially failed! BT took a shot at it and failed as well (plus the bags aren’t made all that well).

We arrived at the conclusion there was no way we could get them back in and that it was a perfect opportunity for me to be crafty. So here I present the Sleep Over Sac. Big enough for the sleeping bag, PJ’s, Tooth Brush, and some other essentials. I would have loved to have this as a kid perfect for the My Little Pony Sleeping bag I had as a kid. The other advantage of this is that kids can actually get the sleeping bag in the bag cause its oversized!

The directions are pretty simple I finished 2 in about and hour. I’ve made the directions so you can measure your own sleeping bags and make the bag. One thing you may want to be familiar with if you don’t have a Serger is French Seams. If not no worries I will walk you through it!

Supplies

Fabric (this will depend on the size of your sleeping bags ours were pretty small so half to three quarts of a yard were used.

String/Ribbon and Clip (I reused the string and the clip from the bags we originally got)

Thread

Sewing Machine

Scissors, Pinking Shears, and Rotary cutter if you have one

Ruler

Iron and Ironing Board (this is a MUST!!!)

Safety pin (a small one)

(You could also plan to add ribbon or ric-rac in the process as well. Another option would be to do some hand/Machine embroidery on the bag especially if you have kids)

Measuring

First things first get out that Ruler and the sleeping bag you plan to make a new bag for. Roll up the sleeping bag as best as you can so you can get the measurements of the cylinder shape.

Here are the measurements you will need

1. Height + Radius of top of bag (Remember radius is ½ the diameter see geometry does come back to haunt you!)
2. Diameter of the bottom
3. Width of the Ribbon/String you will be using (if string just follow my directions)

My Measurements were as follows:

Height + Radius = 13+3 = 16inches Diameter of bottom = 6inches

From this we create the new measurements now this is where you have to get a little inventive on your own:

First increase the Diameter of the bottom by at least 1.5 inches (I increased by 3.5 and found a 9.5 round plate) . Use this to make the circular pattern piece for the bottom (I traced the plate on the fabric I had)

Second you have to calculate the Circumference of the circle which is Pi*Diameter or 3.14*Diameter = 3.14*9.5 = 30 inches (aprox) and then add a seam allowance of half an inch so 30.5inches

Third Add at least 4 inches to the height 13 + 4 = 17inches (you can add more to the height if you want the bag to be deeper to fit more items.

With the Second and Third measurements you will cut one large rectangle measuring 30.5x17 inches (or whatever the measurements you came up with)

Fourth if you are using string or cording that is pretty thin you need to cut a strip of fabric that is 1.5inches x 30 inches. If you are using ribbon take the width and multiply by 2 and add 1 inch (if you have ribbon that is half an inch wide then your strip should be 2 inches wide)

Here is it mapped out on fabric:

Now for the Easy part assembly.

First if you want to add embroidery or some ric-rac this is the time to do it! I would add it only to the large rectangle and the circle

Take the small rectangle and fold the short edges over so they are ½ an inch, iron flat, and sew down.

Next fold the long edge over in ½ and iron flat.

Take the large square and on the long edge fold over ¼ inch and iron.

Pin the raw edge of the small rectangle under the flap on the large rectangle. Make sure you center it (there should be some of the large rectangle on either side)

Sew the flap down. There really is no seam allowance here just try to make it in the middle of the flap. This makes a casing for the cord/ribbon.

From here you are going to enclose the raw edge of the flap on the large rectangle. This is going to sound difficult but its really easy. Iron the casing so its going up.

Next Flip over the fabric so you are looking at the right side of all the fabrics and iron the seam you just made up over the raw edge. This will enclose the raw edge of the flap.

You can either pin this down or hold it down as you sew. When you sew it down you want to sew close to the first seam you made (you can do it on top of the first seam if you like. This will completely enclose all the raw edges on the top of the bag.

(Image 2562, 2564)

Now for the French Seams

Fold your bag in half so the short edges meet up with the wrong sides of the fabric together. Sew a quarter inch seam on the edge of the fabric (you will be sewing on the right side of the fabric). Next take pinking shears to the seam you just made cutting it down a bit. Turn fabric so the wrong side of the fabric is on the outside and the right sides of the fabric are together. Iron the seam and sew down with a quarter inch seam. Turn so the right side is out and notice the seam is enclosed. Easy Peasy right? Well if not take a look at these tutorials: Here and Here

Now you’re ready to attach the circle to the bottom. Turn the tube you just made so the wrong side of the fabric is on the outside. Pin the circle to the edges of the bottom of the tube (where the raw edge is). Use lots and lots of pins!!! It should look like this

(You may need to make some adjustments to the tube if its too big. I just add a new seam that make the tube smaller at the bottom and then angle off to the old seam)

Next sew the circle to the tube using a 3/8 seam. Add a zig zag stitch to finish the edge and using pinking shears to finish edges as well.

You’re almost there now take the safety pin and ribbon and thread through the casing you made add your clip or tie a bow and you’re done.

This project can be modified to make a dirty clothes bag, gift bags, makeup bags, ect the options are limitless!

Weekend

Well it was another busy weekend here in Cow Town/ Sac Town. Friday I nearly took off 1/2 my toe at the farmers market when the freezer I was moving fell on it. Its not pretty I'll spare you the photos. I cant wear shoes right now which is really interfering with Gym time. Farmers market was fun though I have some regular customers now and we almost broke $200. I know its not that much but its a huge deal when you make that much on ice cream before 1pm! After farmers BT and I went to Costco for some indulgence of hot dogs and pizza. Yes dinner was under $10 and we were both very satisfied! It was our "off" day from being good and eating healthy. So what else could make it better a Blizzard! So here is an interesting Fact. In Texas they have to turn your Blizzard upside down if they don't you get it for FREE!! Here in California they don't event give you a show by turning it upside down its very disappointing.

Sunday was as lazy as could be. 6 episodes of Greek later I got on the bike and rode home to do some crafting! I know amazing right. Well I could spoil the surprise of what I'm making but it's a gift so you will just have to wait. I will have to say I'm going to make a tutorial for it's inspired from this tutorial but I have a Different approach.

And now its Monday and work time...bleh!

Lesson in Agriculture

Ever run across a fruit tree/vine with bags on it like this?

Well its not Christmas ornaments its actually an experiment. What is going on is they are splicing different tree's together to make a better fruit. This is just and FYI moment...

Pictures Just for YOU!

jGrapes...Not for eating but for Vino!!!
Here Figi Figi Figi

Oh Plum
Nectarine? or Peach we cant decide yet
Dont eat the Fungi!!! Although it does remind me of something out of like starwars...

And finally the one thing I cant ID...Its either Peach or a Nut (walnut?)