Before I Get Back To Sewing Dresses and Aprons.......

Something HAS to be done about this!

I mean REALLY!!

How MORTIFYING
and DEMOTIVATING!!!

Now, some have asked me why I do not just throw 

this chair away and get a NEW chair.

My parents have offered me some of their office chairs.

But I like THIS chair.

I custom ordered this chair when I was working as an interior

designer at a furniture store in Nevada City, while

waiting for Ahnalin to arrive.

It fits my body. 

And, as you can see, it has been my companion through many a

cup of coffee (yeah, I know it is really stained!)

So, I started by sewing up the torn cushion. 

The fabric is really, really worn.

But, since I am making a slipcover, 

you will not be able to see this.

Why am I making a slipcover instead of 

completely reupholstering it?

Well, I know I am going to be just as hard on 

it this time as I have been the past 6 years. 

And I prefer cotton fabrics, which tend to show dirt

and wear out quicker than nasty artificial fibers.

And once I make one slipcover,

I will likely make more as my mood changes.

For this first slipcover for this chair,

I pulled out some of my decorator fabric

from my stash.

As I am having to be very, very frugal,

and have a stash that may qualify me for "Hoarders",

I am choosing to use fabrics that have been 

my friends for several years. 

Yes, they are probably rather dated looking,

but I still love them. 

So, I cut the pieces for the slipcover

and decided to embroider my name

on the seat back.

Now......I have to make the piping and

sew the whole thing together.

More pictures to come tomorrow. 

I hope to have it done by then!

I Got "Inspired to Sew" By Bari J!!

Guess who I met yesterday!!!

I MET BARI J!!!!

I hope I did not scare her by my stalker fan excitement!

She was so nice and pretty and friendly 
and so were her hubby and daughters!!

I LOVE her Garden Tunic! 

The pattern and how-to are included

in her book.

And it is JUST GORGEOUS up close!

The Tree Of Dreams Wallhanging, 

on the wall behind us, 

is SO AMAZING!!

It has little bits of all kinds of

fabric and even a little ballerina dancing

amongst the leaves and flowers.

Oh I LOVED IT!

And she had lots of the beautiful projects in the 

book, right there to show.

Oh, wait!

I did not tell you WHERE I met her!

Wooden Gate Quilts in Danville, CA

is just the most adorable quilt shop.

I will definitely be making the drive back there for classes

and fabric purchasing. 

They hosted Bari's book signing and had her

fabrics on sale too! 

Look!! 

Bari autographed my book for me!!

(Sorry, grammarians, this post

really does demand all of the exclamation points!!)

And I bought some of her lovely Country Lane prints.

I wanted to buy more, but let's just say 

that I am trying to be good about

my fabric purchases this year.

At least I made it until the 22rd of

January before I bought fabric this year. 

So, I am dying to start sewing

some of the gorgeous projects

in this book.

But I have to wait until I finish my 

online traffic school course that

is due this week.

Bleck.

You can buy your very own book

signed by Bari 

here.

You will be INSPIRED!!

Happy Sewing!

Taking India To The Disney College Program-Part 3

Sunday night was supposed to be 

the first night for India to sleep 

in her apartment. 

I will be very honest and say that I was

dreading leaving here there.

So during the fireworks show at Disneyland,

I was thrilled when I received a text message

from her roommate.

She said that she was spending her last night

at her mom's hotel room.

I was NOT going to let India

sleep in her apartment alone! 

I mean, she is STILL my baby!

So, we took her back to Jana's to stay 

with us.

Monday, we went to Walmart

and stocked her up on healthy groceries.

You know.....carrots, apples, milk, cheese....

Mac and cheese, Cocoa Pebbles, 

Top Ramen, Chef Boyardee Ravioli, etc.

She is, after all, a college student!

We went back to her apartment

and unloaded her groceries.

I hugged her about a million times,

trying desperately not to cry. 

India needed to take a shower and get beautiful

for the Welcome Party.

Jana saw that I was having a hard time leaving.

So, she said 

"Time to rip the bandaid off, Mom!" 

Translation:

It is going to hurt either way, 

so it is best to just say goodbye and go. 

So, we took a last picture, 

and India walked us out to the car. 

And we left. 

Ahnalin and I cried. 

We drove back to Jana's and
she treated us to a yummy dinner
of Mexican food.

She is experienced with having
a grown-up-on-her-own daughter,
so she helped me to calm down.

Then we went back to her house,
packed up and set alarms for our early wake-up.

We had to catch the Amtrak bus at 5:45
Tuesday morning,
so we would be able to catch the train in Bakersfield.

Ahnalin was pretty sleepy and very quiet,
for the first few hours.

Then she played Mahjong on my phone for awhile.

Then, she WOKE UP!!!

So, every time the bus or train stopped
at a new station,
I made her get out and
RUN!!!

And RUN!

Capes are magical for running and flying!

After nearly 12 hours on buses and trains,
we arrived home in Santa Rosa.

Daddy picked us up at the station
and
took us out to dinner,
where Ahnalin fell asleep!

We got her home
and put her to bed
because the next morning,
she was to start her NEW SCHOOL!

I had asked her if she wanted me to make her a new dress
for her first day at her new school.

She said no.

She wanted to wear
the dress I made her for her first day of first grade.

We waited with her.

The bell rang.

And there she went!

She loves her new school.

And now,

I have to get used to a
new "normal".

Hopefully, I will get some sewing done now!

I have talked to India several times.

She is doing well and
loving the program.

She has been homesick and I have
been missing her so much.

If you have a prayer to spare,
please pray that God would
keep her healthy.

Pray that she would grow in grace
and wisdom.

Thank you so much.
Hopefully there will be sewing in my next post!

Taking India To The Disney College Program-Part 2

Sunday morning dawned bright and early

with India applying her Maleficent lipstick

from Mac's "Venomous Villains" collection.

Perfect!

India and Ahnalin snuggled in the back seat of Jana's 

car on the way to Anaheim.

Ahnalin told me that she will miss holding hands

with her sister in the back seat,

so India held her hand the whole way.

We arrived right before 8:00 so India was one of 

the first students to check in.

Jana, Ahnalin and I walked over to Starbucks 

while the students had a brief housing meeting and 

received their apartment assignments,

got their keys, and a few forms filled out.

India called us a few minutes later and

told us what apartment to come to.

Because there was a parent orientation in a few hours,

Jana took Ahnalin over to Disneyland so that I could stay with 

India and help her move in.

The furnished apartments are REALLY NICE!!

This is her living room.

India wanted to bring her bedding from home,

so I made up her bed and got it all cozy for her.

I think the bedding is looking rather tired, so 

I still want to make her a new set.

Her roommate has not arrived yet, 

so she is alone in her bedroom.

This is the dining area in 

the living room.

The bedroom on the other side

is where her friend Tiffany and two other

soon-to-arrive girls will sleep.

This is the beautiful, brand new kitchen

in the apartment.

Do you see India's Star Wars toaster on the counter?

This is from the dining area looking into the kitchen.

India's roommate, Tiffany, was unpacking

too but I somehow forgot to take a photo

of the girls together. 

But she is really cute and nice and 

I know the girls will have so much fun together!

Tiffany brought these cool plaques and I just love them!

I took India to a local restaurant, 

so we could eat some lunch before the orientation.

She refused to stop making goofy faces so I could take a good picture!

At the orientation, we learned about

what is and is not acceptable in the DCP 

and it helped me feel comfortable,

knowing how strict they are.

After the orientation, Jana and Ahnalin

came back and picked us up and we headed back to 

Disneyland!!!!

This was India's last time visiting the park before 

being an actual cast member!

When we went on "It's A Small World",

we were thrilled to see that the Christmas overlay

was still up!

Yep, that would be the Goosegirl!

Ahnalin did not wear socks that day, so Jana

bought her these red and white polka dot Minnie Mouse socks.

CUTE!

Jana treated us to Mickey Mouse shaped beignets

in New Orleans Square.

YUMMY!

I refuse to ride on the Mad Hatter's Teacups ride,

but Ahnalin and India rode it together.

 

We rode a few more attractions and 

then got settled in for the 

"Remember, Dreams Come True" fireworks show.

I always cry during this show, but

this time was even more bittersweet. 

This time, we were here because 

India's dream was actually coming true!!

After the fireworks show, we took in one more ride.

Ahnalin is finally tall enough to go on 

"Indiana Jones And The Temple Of The Forbidden Eye".

She was a little nervous but agreed to try it.

She liked it and is so proud of herself for trying it!!

Both of my girls are growing up!

"Taking India To The Disney College Program- Part 3" coming later 

today or tomorrow.

Taking India To The Disney College Program-Part 1

India is officially launched at the Disney College Program,

but I am dreadfully behind on this blog.

So, please forgive but, but I am going to back track a bit

and do a few posts on what we did the last few weeks

to get her ready to go. 

I have been missing doing any

actual sewing since we moved into our 

new house. 

But, I did manage to sneak in a few

towels to embroider for India.

And of course, they had to be "Alice Blue."

Preparing your chick to launch from the nest

involves lots of things that I did not 

think of until the last minute.

India LOVES carrots with a deep an abiding passion.

(Could it be all that time she spent with the White Rabbit

and the March Hare?)

So, I had to teach her how to make them the way I do.

They are just cooked in a bit of melted butter

and simmered in broth and 

salt and pepper. 

But they are a "home" food for India.

India's last night at home was spent

eating Chicken Green Chili Enchilada Casserole

and playing "Disney Scene It".

(I already miss seeing those green Converse high tops!)

On Friday morning, 

we got up at the crack of dawn and loaded the van.

 

Don drove us to the Jack London Station in Oakland 

to catch the Coast Starlight train.

We unloaded our suitcases to check in, 

only to find out that they were over weight.

So we had to lighten them and 

pack some of her things in boxes.

We were still way under the allowable limit of

3 checked items per person for the train.

 

Daddy took a quick picture of us

and then he had to leave for work.

Ahnalin took off running all over the train station

to "get her energies out" before

we boarded the train.

As soon as we got on the train,

I drove India crazy by asking her to check and make 

sure she had her various papers,

medical stuff, ID, etc. 

She put up with me and found it all to show me.

Yes, I am a crazy mama and she is probably

glad I am not there to ask her a million

times a day if she has her tester or if she checked her blood.

We got to have dinner in the dining car!!!!

Oh I LOVE to eat in the dining car of the train. 

And this was the first time for my girls. 

They LOVED it!

At nearly every station where the train stopped,

I made Ahnalin get out and run or climb a tree.

That girl was TIRED of being cooped up in that train!

 

We were on the train for 12 hours,

arriving at Los Angeles at nearly midnight.

My cousin Jana picked us up and drove us to

her house, 

and hosted us all weekend. 

Thank you Jana!!

On Saturday, we ran around and got 

some more things India needed for her

apartment.

And then Saturday evening,

my cousins Tara and Marlyn, 

as well as Jana's kids Ryan and RJ,

came over and we had dinner together. 

Ahnalin pretended to be a puppy the whole evening,

along with Jana's puppy Eli and Tara's puppy Mischka.

 

Ryan is EVERY BIT as "epic" as India is!

After everyone left,

we got ready for bed,

checked addresses and maps,

and set alarms so we would be on time

to check India in to the program!

"Taking India To The Disney College Program- Part 2" coming up later today!

Silly Pictures And A Recipe For Hummus

Really, I will get back to sewing. 

I promise!

But first, some silly pictures!

India had her heart set on a special toaster 

that is shaped like a Darth Vader helmet

and burns an image of old Vader himself. 

Stupid, eh? 

But she loves it and it will be going to her apartment

at Disneyland with her.

Ahnalin received a new Razor Scooter from my 

parents for Christmas. 

She wants to be on it every minute of the day.

And yes, I do believe that twirly skirts and pink

cowgirl boots are the perfect compliment to a

Hello Kitty bike helmet!

Our new neighborhood has flat streets! 

No hills!

I am pretty thrilled because I have found a

working combination of camera and computer,

for now.

My Mac is still broken and I am on Don's laptop

and using Ahnalin's camera. 

So, I had to grab a shot of my girls

snuggled together on the sofa watching tv.

Ahnalin had found the Pirate costume set she had

purchased for Daddy at the dollar store.

She had meant to give it to him for Christmas but 

somehow it got packed in a box and lost

before Christmas!

I have found my sewing machine and some thread!

Believe it or not, 

this will be my sewing area. 

It actually already looks better

but I haven't taken a new picture yet.

Suffice it to say that Ahnalin's 

dollhouse is more organized than our house is at this point!

My friend Tika gave Ahnalin her old

dollhouse before we moved.

Thankfully, my old dollhouse furniture fit it perfectly!

And Ahnalin picked out a little dolly family

to live in it!

The mama has long red hair and lime green shoes!

The baby had no hair so Ahnalin colored it black with a sharpie!

Ahnalin loves having her own room.

So far, we just have a combination of 

mismatched bedding on her bed.

But I am starting on curtains for her

and will be putting up some vintage

Laura Ashley wallpaper border

to make this a really special room for her.

India is thrilled to have Yaya's bedroom set

in her room now. 

She has definite ideas how she plans to decorate

her room, but since she is leaving in 11 days 

for Disney, it will have to wait.

And the master bedroom.......

We have to put up the wall-mounted

reading lamps, and our silhouettes, 

and it will look more inviting.

I made this bedding 9 years ago

and I am SO READY for a change. 

But it will have to wait a bit.

Ahnalin's room will be first

and then new slipcovers

for the living room furniture!

So, since you slogged through a bunch 

of messy, just moved in, pictures,

I am going to show you what I made for lunch.

I KNOW it looks like wallpaper paste!

But, I have a deep and abiding passion for hummus.

And I was hungry.

So I grabbed all the ingredients from my cupboard

and made up a yummy batch.

Now, I rarely measure anything, 

so these measurements are very loose.

But it is yummy and I think you will like it!

Sivje's Kalamata Olive Hummus

1 can garbanzo beans

1 (or 2, or more!!) garlic clove, diced

Juice of 1 fresh lemon

2 T Sesame Tahini

Extra virgin olive oil

sea salt

fresh ground pepper
 about 10 (or more!) pitted Kalamata olives

Drain the garbanzo beans, reserving a few

teaspoons of the liquid, and dump into 

a blender or food processor.

Dump in the diced garlic and "buzz" these together.

Pour in the lemon juice and the Tahini 

and blend them.

If you want a thinner hummus, pour in 

some of the reserved liquid from the canned beans.

Now, with the blender or food processor turned on,

add a little bit of olive oil, to taste.

Now, throw the olives into your blender and buzz it!

Now taste it. 

Salt and pepper the hummus to your taste and 

buzz one more time.

I use the same basic process for hummus everytime,

but I vary the additions.

Sometimes, I use sundried tomatoes, 

or roasted red peppers,

or feta cheese,

or fresh basil or spinach,

or just a LOT MORE GARLIC !

If you have good manners, and people are

watching you, pour the hummus 

into a bowl and serve it with carrots

or pita slices.

If you are alone in your kitchen..........

go ahead and eat it right out of the blender!!!

It is that good!!

But...........for your own safety....

turn off the blender 

before you stick your finger into the hummus!

I hope to actually sew today, 

so hopefully I will have something to show off soon!

Love to you all!

Here is to a NEW YEAR and a 

FRESH START!

I pray a lovely and exciting year for you!