In like a lion...? I heard that expression for the first time this last week and then I heard it again and again at least ten times, growing up in CA we don't typically say stuff like that...
I had wanted to get some gardening done today...Specifically I had wanted to get the raised beds that the husband gave me for V-day ready for planting.
We found a special on seeds last week - 50% off of everything...the store we bought them at does that do start the season every year, it's the second year in a row I've caught the sale...here's what I'll be putting in the ground this year...lots of work huh?
It will be fun to harvest though!The raised beds need to be lined with fabric and filled with dirt...we have the fabric and the dirt, we also have a few inches of snow that fell last night. I suppose I could tough it out and follow through on my original plan, but naahhh, I'll use the time to sew instead I think. BTW, I'm planning on doing another post this morning to give an update on my recent sewing projects...
It is hard for me to see my sweet little blooms attacked by cold snow...the daffodils opening up along the drive way this last week has made me incredibly happy everytime I looked at them. They need a little sunshine to get their "flower-mojo" back.
A little over a week ago the husband found out that his application to
Habitat for Humanity had been accepted. He will be going to Cairo - yes EGYPT - to build in October. I'm very happy and excited for him...it will be such a rewarding experience for him. So...he's been chopping wood to sell to raise money for the build. He sold a chord already yesterday. I feel lucky being married to someone who has drive to get involved in helping people and who is working so hard to make it happen.
Lastly, here are a few gratuitous pet pictures. The first one was unintentionally taken of Bambino - I was outside this morning taking pictures of my flowers and he came with me. He loves the snow more than anyone else I know - people and animals included. He rolls, jumps, darts, and frolicks with more enthusiasm than I can explain. It would take about an hour of him playing for him to wear out enough to slow down for a picture...
Figaro on the other hand is not a fan of the snow...today wasn't so bad because it was just a couple of inches so he can still walk in it, but if it was deep he'd be getting depressed today. The look on his face says it all...he stays as close to the house as he can when he goes out on a snowy day. Earlier in the week when it was 60 degrees outside he was in a fabulous mood. He's started hunting again which means holding yoga poses for extended amounts of time, so he's started to tone up and lose his winter "softness".
Since the picture of Figaro above isn't his most flattering, I had to include one I took of him yesterday...this is him in a happy nappy state.
Also in honor of my trip to Brazil, I made a new sunglasses case. I go through sunglasses at an alarming rate - usually 2-4 pairs a year. Mostly this is because I don't take good care of them so they end up scratched or with their lenses popped out. I recently bought yet another pair. Don't worry, I never buy expensive sunglasses, I go for the $10 pairs from the Brass Plum at Nordstrom. I bought them the same day I picked up a new swim suit for the trip. I am going to do my best to make these ones last, this cute little bags is meant to help with that.
Okay next on my show and tell list is this skirt made with an Amy Butler fabric. I started it yesterday...it's not quite done, I still need to do some hemming and work on the waist band, but it is close. It is actually going to be a late night tonight because of this skirt (and a few other last second things that had to happen - like finishing writing the test I'm giving tomorrow to my classes!) 
So for now I will say Adeus! I won't be posting for the next week or so - in stead I will be soaking up the sun and culture of Brazil and it's people! When I get back it will be April and time to get very serious about my vegetable garden! Until then! -db
There will be many more soon! 
I recently finished another bag, not for Rio this time though...this one will be "for sale" - I've decided to call it my "Cherry Blossom" bag because it reminds me of the 
Because the body of the bag is a light pink I decided to put a patch on the bottom to help hide any kind of "blemishes" that it could attract with use...it seems like that's the first place to show wear and stains on the purses I've used.
I am very excited to see all of our trees bloom out soon...this is the crabapple in front of our house...we bought it last year when it was in bloom, I fell in love with it's beautiful color and can't wait to see it again soon!
And lastly, a few gratuitous pet pictures because they too are happy that Spring is here! That's Figaro hanging out by the crabapple tree.
And then Bambino with his favorite variety of "toy"...why we ever spent money on dog toys manufactured in sweatshops overseas I don't know, he is just as happy (or possibly happier) with a stick found in the yard.
The daffodils survived the recent snow and are looking very cheerful...they border the driveway so I get to see them everytime I leave or return home.
The husband took this picture...the focus on the closest flowers is very artsy. I didn't notice that
Bam slowing down so I can snap a picture - a rare moment.
My tulips should be blooming soon! The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is in a few weeks...I don't know if we'll make it up there for it this year, but I'll have my own little tulip festival going on for sure!
The husband wanted to go for a walk in our woods...seemed like a nice idea.
I love all of the ferns and moss that are back there, it's very lush.
All was well until I grabbed a branch that was rotton to steady myself...didn't work out so well.
The shape turned out how I wanted...I like tapered bags.
Here you can see the quilted stitching on the handle and also one of the vintage buttons I used. They came from the stash I inherited from my Oma...definately makes the bag even more special to me to use something that makes me think of her. She has been in my thoughts quite a bit lately. When I'm sewing I think about her life and the sewing that she did during the different stages of her life, in all of the places where she lived through the years.
I made the zipper pull out of a square of stitched burlap...
Some of my favorite features of the bag are the pockets I put on the inside. I made this quilted piece with bits of left-over fabric and turned it into the largest inside pocket.
Basically this bag is fun-fabulous...I am excited to have finished it...it was so fun to watch it come together! The only thing I'd change is the lining...it's not quite right...but then it's the lining and you don't ever see it, and on the lining are the pockets that I love so it's not all bad. It also made me appreciate how hard it is to make a bag...if I were to make more to sell I think I would sell them for at least $80, it took me many hours to make it...that time isn't cheap! But, for my own use I was glad to do it! It will be fun to take it on our trip...everytime I look at it I get more and more anxious to go! The district I work in called for a 2-hour late start this morning because of snow and ice on the roads. It was nice to get the extra rest after losing an hour to daylight savings this last weekend. But all the cold weather is just making me more and more anxious to be on the beach in Brazil! Only a few weeks!
Another pillow I had cut out a few weeks ago and sewed up yesterday. I like this one better, but it too will be (hopefully) sold. Once it is stuffed I think it would be cute on a chair in a little girl's room. The background fabric is upcycled thrift fabric, everything else has come from fat quarters I've picked up here and there. The two pink/brown fabrics are both 
The bag below was super easy to make using this 
Here is another bigger version of the box bag, I am going to take this one with me when we go to Rio in a few weeks! Yay!
Speaking of Rio, the confidence I gained with those two little bags and some gorgeous fabric I picked up recently at this fabulous 
I love it so much I decided to make my own version of it...I started it last night and here's what I've got so far...I will definately post some pictures of the finished project!
Okay the final thing...the suprise I had a few weeks ago that I've been waiting to find time to share...I got a NEW SEWING MACHINE!!!
It's been fun to learn new things with it. I still love my mom's old SINGER...it's a great machine, but my new one is quite a bit easier to use. The speed control is the main difference, I am able to try more "new things" on the new machine because I can make the machine move slowly. 
On the Singer I had a difficult time with speed, it felt like it was either stopped or moving full speed, the in-between was difficult to achieve. 
Another thing I love about my new machine is all of the different options I have for stitches...the picture below has horrible focus, but those stitches are bicycles! So fun!
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