penny carnival

Computer cozy

There's a company here in Spokane that makes ultra-rugged laptop computers, the kinds of things the military uses out in the field. They're padded in ways that lets them withstand the ultimate abuse.

And I've always wondered why that company doesn't market its stuff to me.

I am not exactly gentle with my belongings. My kids' clothes all have stains because I can't be bothered with soaking and spraying the second something gets dirty. My sister always hated when I'd borrow her clothes when were little because invariably I'd stretch something out or lose a button or something.

Unfortunately, I'm also rough on my computers.

This point was proved last weekend when I jammed my bare laptop into my purse, stepped out of my car, bent down to do something (I can't remember what) and the computer fell out of my purse and landed on the hard pavement. This further dinged up by bent-out-of-shape computer and caused some internal damage as well.

We'd been talking about getting a new one anyway and since my job very much depends on me having one, J went out and bought a replacement. It's lovely. Don't ask me what it's called. It's a Mac and it's shiny and new and the mousepad is smarter than my dog. That's all I know. 

I'm still in that honeymoon phase where I'm not eating food anywhere near it, and I'm blowing off any dust particle that touches it. 

And I sewed this last night:

Complete with my phone number embroidered on one side in case I leave it behind in some random coffee shop (don't put it past me):

There you have it. Nice and simple. Amy Butler fabric + leftover fabric from the Annie dresses. 

I was thinking of writing a tutorial for it if anyone thinks it's something that would be of use to others. Let me know.

Happy spring, everyone. It's a lovely day here and hopefully in your neck of the woods, too.

Wee love to garden

Some of you might remember the "Wee garden" we gave Bo for her birthday last year. If you think your little one might want a miniature garden of his/her own, like this one from Wee Garden,

then you might want to check out this post I just wrote for my other blog. It has links to some miniature-garden companies, blog discussions, photos and articles.

Totally random. Totally awesome.

Between computer problems, sick kids and a sick me, I've been M.I.A. for the last few days. I thought we were all on the mend, but I just cleaned up from a barf-o-rama session with Magpie. Poor thing. She's finally sleeping now, so a little Internet vegging out was in order.

No deep thoughts here. Just links to some fabulous stuff.

-Reason No. 983 why I wish I knew how to knit:

Pattern available here.

-Cookie magazine's article about Florida's "Forgotten Coast" and the daydreams I've been having about spending a week in these (surprisingly affordable) cottages:

-This sweet little girl and all the illustrations by Tutti Studio.

Wouldn't that be a lovely gift from the Easter Bunny this year?

-The metal bunny and chick easter baskets I got for the girls at Target today. They're actually much cuter in person.

-This super-cool new slide from Ikea:

-The fact that this book is out now (you can read my review here) and that the Farm Chicks Show is only a few months away. Who needs a place to stay?

-And the fact that I'm seeing jumpsuits all over the place now. I've got my eye on one at Coco in Spokane Valley.

And the winner is ...

Jenna Z!!

Thanks so much for entering the giveaway for the hanging book display (a.k.a. Book Sling) everyone. I was blown away by all the entries. Take a look:

As you can see, I printed out all the responses, cut them up, and then put them in my Dutch oven. I scrambled them around and pulled out Jenna's response to the question "What was your favorite book as a child or your favorite book to read to your children now?"

What's funny is that Jenna's entry inspired me to check out "Little House in the Big Woods" at the library the other day. I know my kids are too young to sit through me reading it aloud, so I checked it out on audio and have been playing it for them while we craft and cook for the last couple of days. Bo kind of half listens and chimes in every once in a while with a question about what's being said, and tonight she asked me to play "the book about the girl."

I loved reading all the responses and I plan to write a post that lists all the favorite books with links to Amazon one day soon. So many of the books were my favorites too, and then there were several that I'd never heard of before that I can't wait to track down.

So, Jenna, let's talk fabric. I'll be sure to post a photo of the book sling I make her once I get it done.

Remember, if you want to make your own book sling, follow the directions here. And if you want to buy one from me, go here.

Thanks again, everyone. It warmed my heart to read all the excitement for the giveaway and to learn a bit more about who all is out there, dropping by the carnival. 

JUST HAD TO ADD: Apparently today was Jenna's birthday. A Friday the 13th and everything. Ooooooh. Freaky Friday.

Sweet Emmeline

My life is now complete. I have sewn an Emmeline apron.

The apron is reversible. I used Amy Butler fabrics from The Top Stitch. One side is "gothic rose" in blue from the Belle line and the polka dot side is "full moon" in the color lime from the Lotus line.

I made the apron as a gift for my friend Nis--and I swear I will send it to you, Nis, once I'm no longer snowbound (again!)--but the girls and I had fun pretending it was mine-all-mine today. (OK, I had fun pretending it was mine. They had fun with the tripod and the camera's self-timer feature.)

(peekaboo:)

Very silly:

I can't speak highly enough about this pattern. Even J was impressed when he saw it this morning. And looky look--it does wonders for the bazonkers:

How many other aprons can say the same?

Scrap happy: what to do with fabric scraps

Does anyone else have a hard time letting go of fabric scraps? I especially hoard the good stuff, always sure that there's a future for those random pieces down the road.

I just wrote about this topic at my other blog and have a list of links there of tutorials that only require small fabric pieces (fat quarter or smaller), like these covered hangers:

Please let me know if you know of other projects I should add to that scrappy list. 

And, looky look. I found someone who followed my directions on Ohdeedoh for the hanging book display (a.k.a. the Book Sling). It looks great, Jessie! I'm so flattered that you decided to give it a try.

Anyone else take the plunge yet? If so, please send me photos or links so I can show off your work here.

And a big thanks to everyone for entering the contest. I love reading the sweet comments about the books you all love. I wish I could whip up one of these book slings for everyone on the list. 

The winner will be announced Thursday.

Hanging book displays ... for sale

I promise to get off this topic soon, but in case anyone can't wait for next Thursday's giveaway results ...

I decided to try selling my Hanging Book Displays on Etsy. 

I really need a better name for them. Book Slings? Book Hammocks? Anyone? Anyone?

Here's my listing.

A giveaway! Win a hanging book display

One day last week, I was in line for a coffee at the drive thru. When it was my turn to pay, the worker told me not to worry about it. The driver in front of me did it already.

I was totally flabbergasted. Did I know the driver? Who was it? Let me at least leave a tip.

I called J later to tell him about my good fortune and the first thing he asked me was, "So did you pay for the driver behind you?"

Um, no. Apparently I'm all about accepting random acts of kindness but not doling them out. 

I'd like to think that that kind gesture would have occurred to me on my own later on and I continue to blame my state of shock for not paying forward the first driver's generosity.

But here's further proof of my greedy ways:

Yesterday when it was announced on Ohdeedoh that I won the February Jump Start Project, I posted a comment thanking Ohdeedoh and Etsy for the opportunity and the $250 gift certificate. And, of course, I thanked the voters too.

Then I asked for everyone's suggestions on how to spend the money. On fabric? Craft books? Art? Darling clothes for my daughters?

One of the other contestants replied that if she had won she was going to buy something to give away to readers of her blog as a thank you.

Why. didn't. I. think. of. that?

I swear I was raised well. My parents are very gracious people. OK, my mom is a bit of a hooligan. But still. I really should have put all of you in the forefront of my mind, especially since so many of you headed over there and voted for me, for Pete's sake.

So ... a day late ... As a way to say THANK YOU to all of you, I'm going to make and give away a hanging book display like the one in the contest.

The package will include the dowels and curtain rod brackets (which come with screws), as well as the fabric part that holds the books, of course. The winner will just need some basic tools--drill, level, stud finder--to hang it up.

To enter, please leave a comment below telling me your favorite book to read to your child or what your favorite book was as a child if you don't have kids. I'll take entries until Wednesday, March 11 at 11:59 p.m., then will print off the entries, cut out each one and have the girls draw a winner. 

I'll announce the winner here on Thursday, March 12, and then that person and I can talk about how far apart your studs are and what fabric you want me to use (we have some great fabric stores in Spokane that carry all the good stuff). 

So, spread the word and let me know if you have any questions. This'll be fun.

P.S. I have since paid the tab of a driver behind me at the coffee drive thru. There is hope for me yet.