Humane Society of the Nature Coast

Well, Ryan and I are headed to the Nature Coast of the Humane Society in just a few minutes, our local no-kill animal shelter.  We've been volunteering there for just over a month and really enjoy it.  It is definitely hard work but quite gratifying.  It's also been a great education!  They take excellent care of their animals and the facility. Every square inch of the facility is scrubbed down at least once a week (it might be more but this is what I have personally witnessed (and participated in!) myself!!).  Even the toys are soaked in a cleaning solution and inspected on a regular basis to ensure they are safe for the animals.  Please don't misconstrue this, these animals need to be adopted and need good homes!

If you are unable to adopt a new friend, please consider making a donation.  The Nature Coast Humane Society is 100% dependable on local donations and local fundraising events each year.  They do not receive any operational funding from local, state or federal governments, nor do they receive funds from the Humane society of the United States.  In addition to monetary donations they also accept items such as dog and cat food, puppy and kitten food, animal toys, bleach, fresh linens (for animal beds), cat litter, and paper towels.  For a more complete list, please visit here.

Donations can be made here on their site using Paypal or various other credit cards.  Please consider even a small donation of $5 or even $1.  It is amazing how fast it can add up!!

50% off Webkinz

If your kids are like mine and love Webkinz be sure to check out Amazon today.  A bunch of the Webkinz are on sale for up to 50% off and most qualify for free shipping!

TGIF!!

Friday is the best day of the week!!  I love the anticipation of the weekend and that it's just getting started!  The Tastefully Simple consultant is stopping by tonight to dropoff invitations and stuff for my party that I will be holding on August 12th, I went to my first party a few weeks back and absolutely love the products!  Everything is so delicious and what could be easier than adding 1 or 2 ingredients to prepare an appetizer, side dish or dessert!

I am also on a mission to limit my computer time this evening so that I have time to start on the Tiny Tote for my daughter's lunch bag this evening.  That is the only problem with getting on the computer, once I start it's hard to stop!  So many great blogs out there to read!  Here are some of my favorites:

For sewing and inspiration:
Cluck.Cluck.Sew
Sew 4 Home
Sunshine Girl
The Pine Cone Teacup
Quilted With Love
Made By Rae

For savings and great deals:
I Heart Publix
Moms by Heart


All have great ideas and inspiration to keep me motivated!  Hope everyone has a fabulous day!

2011 Tampa Original Sewing and Quilt Expo

If you can't tell, I am just a little excited about next years Expo (hence the countdown clock on the right).  I've gone to the Expo for the last few years and just love looking around and checking out all of the new gadgets, patterns, fabrics and the amazing work that is on display. 

This year, I not only get to stroll up and down the aisles of the vendor hall, but I also plan to take a few classes.  I hope to get some great inspiration for new projects and learn new sewing and embroidery techniques (now that I have my new embroidery machine there will be a whole new level of enjoyment!!).

My friend Kim, who also loves to sew and blog here, is also planning on flying all the way from Texas to join me.  I'll keep my fingers crossed that she'll be able to attend, we'll be like kids in a candy shop!!

Laminated Cotton Tiny Lunch Tote

I'm looking forward to getting started on the insulated Tiny Tote for my daughter to take on her first day of second grade next month.  I found some cute laminated cotton fabric at my favorite specialty sewing shop in North Tampa, Keep Me in Stitches.  They have a fabulous selection of quality cotton modern fabrics that reinvent and modernize the "traditional" craft of sewing.  They also offer classes for all levels and inspiration for your first or next project!

Laminated cotton is softer than vinyl but is just as easy to wipe clean after a day's use with a damp cloth.  I should have enough fabric to make 2 or 3 of the totes (providing all goes well!), so I might list a couple of them in my shop on Etsy.  I plan on adding a mongogram on my daughter's tote so that it's personlized but doesn't "scream out" her name because you never can be too careful these days!

Back to School!

I can't believe that the kids will be going back to school in about 4 weeks!  This summer is flying by.  The kids have really enjoyed staying home with Dad this summer, although, Dad is excited about starting his new career next week as a Physical Therapist Assistant.

In preparation for school, I am making new insulated lunch totes for the kids.  I am going to experiment with laminated cotton for the first time.  This fabric should be great to use because it comes in so many fabulous patterns and colors and will be easy to wipe clean.  I found a really cute pattern on Sexy Apron Day's Etsy shop, it looks like a mini-tote. I am also going to monogram them so there shouldn't be any mixup at the playground after lunch and recess.

I'll post a sneak peak of the fabric I'll be using later today.

Have a great day!

Out With the Old, In With the New

It's funny how a room can look so different in a photograph.  I thought I made great progress in my sewing room yesterday but after looking at the pictures of Phase 2, it still looks like a mess!  See for yourself:

Before:

Phase 2
(I am calling it Phase 2 until after I have cleared the walls, painted and finished purchasing coordinating storage containers, then I can call it "After"):

You can see a few more pics here on Flickr. 

I've started posting scrapbook supplies that I no longer use on Ebay.  If you are looking for a great deal on scrapbook supplies or know someone who is search for me on Ebay "denielle813" or click here.  So far I've listed the Provocraft Cricut (which is going to be difficult to part with but I just don't use it like I thought I would), Creative Memories cutting tools and a Crop in Style Sticker/Paper Organizer.  Over the next few days, I'll post the little stuff like stickers and other page embellishments.

I found some neat sewing themed wall decals at Joann Fabrics today.  The pack has a silhouette of a dress form, sewing machine and spools of thread and also a cool new clock with images of dress forms.

Well, regardless of what the photos look like, it's progress!!  Check back soon!

Sewing Room Update

I made some really good progress yesterday.  I've decided to list a lot of my scrapbook supplies on Ebay and maybe even have a garage sale in a couple of weeks.  I have tons of paper, embellishments (flowers, tags, eyelets of every color, ribbon) and even the first generation Cricut machine, all of it is going up for sale.

I realized I am going to have to do the room in phases.  Now that I have it cleaned out, the next step will be to take everything off the walls and paint.  Unfortunately, I am going to have to wait on this.  We are having the home inspected for a sinkhole so depending on what happens with that will determine how quickly I get to paint my room.

Anyway, now the sewing room is cleaned out but the front sitting room is a disaster.  This is going to be the staging area for the garage sale.  I'll post pictures this evening! 

Have a great day!

Sewing Room Make Over

I've decided to start on what is probably a much larger project than I realize...making over my sewing room.  My 7 year old daughter and I share a sewing room.  I have been piling fabric and tools over the years and really haven't done a great job at keeping the room organized.

I've decided on the colors for the room: pale yellow with bright pink accents.  I will post some before, during and after pictures so you can watch the transformation.  Hopefully the result will be an inspiring tranquil room with a little bit more room to move around!

Wish me luck!