Skirting the Issue

I wanted a new skirt but I didn't want to pay $59.00 to get one. So I pulled out one of my favorite skirts and laid it out on some brown fabric to use for a pattern.

This wrinkled gray skirt is one of my favs. So I cut the shape out in the brown fabric. And then I used some green yarn in the waistband so I could sew it inside out and then pull it through easily using the yarn.

Then I stitched the waistband to the main fabric and Wah-lah! I had a new skirt that I paired with some ankle boots and I was pleased for $12.00. Not a bad deal.

SCBWI Scholarship for Annual Conference - Deadline 3.1.14

If you're interested in attending the annual conference but you're running short of money, check out this site. There are forms for you to apply for a scholarship. And do it quickly because the deadline is March 1, 2014.

Good luck! And hope to see you at the conference.

St. Paddy's Day Wreath

I love to celebrate and one way I celebrate is by decorating the house with wreaths. I usually make them myself and it couldn't be simpler to make a wreath than to take a couple of feather boas and wrap them around the form of a wreath and add a few shamrocks and pom-poms. I even added a bow and a garland then I hung the wreath and WAH-LAH home-made merry making for St. Paddy's day.

Do you decorate for St. Paddy's Day too?

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

This is a sad story about a woman who dies from cancer in October of 1951 but her cells live on throughout time and help others by giving scientists a way to test and research cancer and its growth through her durable cells (HELA). It is really worth reading. But be prepared because it can be very depressing to hear about the way people were treated back in the 1950s. I almost couldn't finish it because of the horrific things I learned. But if you can put that aside and read the story, it is a very educational book. 

Homemade Holiday Pillows

This leprechaun pillow was made from an old tablecloth.

But I also made another one from an old sheet.

All I did was lay the material out on the floor.

Fold it over the pillow and cut the fabric.

Then I marked where I wanted to sew it, with a pink marker.

And I stitched it up.

I added a button to the white pillowcase so I can easily take it off and wash it.

You can see the button at the top of the pillow.

It was sew simple ;D

President's Day

President's Day has been in existence since 1879. It used to be  celebrated every February 22, but was changed to designate the third Monday of every February. It was meant to honor America's first president, George Washington, but now we call it President's Day and view it as a celebration of all American presidents.

I hope you all have a great day!

Happy Valentine's Day

Saint Valentine - Rome said he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire.  According to  legends, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius and before his execution he wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell.

Sort of a sad story for a celebration of love.

But I want to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day!