Hello Blogland!!!  Has everyone’s retina’s recovered from viewing last posts lovely fabric pictures??? ROFL!!!! I threatened the hubster with making him Christmas boxers out of the fabric.  He noted he doesn’t wear boxers. HEHEHE–then I said ok I’ll make you pajama bottoms!! He walked out of the room shaking his head.

Fashion wise there is nothing to show you-I’ve been off work the last couple of days so my ensembles aren’t fit for public consumption.  I’ve been lazing around  and futzing with crafts while watching the Olympics.

The quilted wall hanging I’m doing for our daughter is completely pieced together. I have to say I love how it turned out so far. Her color scheme in the family room they are fixing up is silver-grey, black, aqua and pale yellow.

I attribute some of my “fearlessness” with pattern mixing to making quilts. What is MORE pattern mixing than quilts???  You choose a theme or color scheme and select different fabrics to make up your blocks.  You can go with geometrics, batiks, modern, whimsical, floral, retro, or a mix  of everything. Usually as you are planning a quilt you try to combine colors, patterns and scale of print in a pleasing way.

With Julie’s wallhanging-I used more contemporary or geometric type prints as she didn’t want a too ditsy floral look. Several of the fabric prints repeated a circular motif-which helped tie it all together. The thicker black border is there to help line up the batting and backing fabric. Once its quilted it will be trimmed off to a 2″ width. I’m thinking of binding the edge in aqua or pale yellow as it will be against a silver-grey wall. Gotta see if I have any in my stash.

Here’s a close up of the pattern. The block is called “GreatGrannySquare”

In other new-I’ve learned to use PicMonkey to make collages. How much fun is that??  I made a collage of the loot I found thrifting and yard-saling last Friday.

Top Right-bunch of quilting magazines for $1. Center Top-lots of vintage beads and a bracelet for $2, Top Left-the most AMAZING 70’s era Owl cookie jar for $3. It was disgustingly filthy but oh so awesome! It will hold doo-dads in the craft palace.  Bottom Right-blow mold Santa light from 1974 for $2. I collect Christmas stuff- and ADORE tacky kitschy decor (obviously since I pounced on THAT fabric) Center Bottom-Knitting basket with yarn and unfinished projects for $1. Bottom Right-A trio of kitschy craft beaded tassel necklaces from about 1970 and a book on how to make them from 1971 for $1.50.

All in all a good haul. It’s been dismal  on the kitschy Christmas side lately-although I look for nice stuff for the daughter to decorate for the holidays/seasons. I want another blow mold yard Santa for my nephew. He has my warped sense of humor. When he brought his house I snagged one at a yard sale for $1 as a house warming gift. He PROUDLY displays it in his yard-much to the disgust of my humorless sister. (which is why he does it) He also collects tacky ashtrays-which I have contributed to, and displays in his living room to annoy my sister. I love this boy!!! HEHEHEHEHE

Well–off to take some wool fabric I just dyed out of the dryer. more on that endeavor later this week!!

Have a great day!

TTFN

Tamera

Hello Blogland!! Hope everyone’s been having a wonderful weekend! Mine certainly has been BUSY!! Managed to get in some quality thrifting and yardsaling on Friday-more to come later as I’m learning to do collages in Picmonkey! I made some awesome scores.

Stopped in Joann Fabrics last week to pick up some more fabric for daughter’s quilted wall hanging. I was helping a young girl (I know the store better than the employees-LOL) find some fabric for a project when out of the corner of my eye I spied THIS:

“Hurry down the chimney” designed by Alexander Henry

Stopped DEAD in my tracks in AWE!!!  Be still my beating heart  because I love me some tacky christmas kitsch. Pulled the bolt out to get a better look and was just gobsmacked with the trashtasticness. Because NOTHING says Christmas like half-nekkid teenage boys in Santa Hats!!

Behold the close-ups:

I immediately thought of the fabulous Miss Helga Von Trollop  and knew she would totally get a charge out of this and make something utterly divine with it. I knew I had to get some for her. Helga–this is going to wending its way to New Zealand for your holiday decorating!

The ladies at the cutting table and I (all of us of “a certain age”) hooted and cackled over the fabric for a good ten minutes. We all noticed how “young” these boys are and how , um, “anatomically correct” they are!  Still trying to figure out WHERE the guy that designed this mind was….ok in the gutter!

Now for some minimally dignified stuff!!!  This is what I wore Friday thrifting and running errands. Saturdays outfit isn’t fit for public viewing (cleaning and gardening).

I dressed for the miserable hot weather and ease of changing for trying on clothes. The thrifts are pretty bare right now, I must say. I did manage to find a couple of things on my need list.

Batik top-KrazyKat via Rescue Mission, Crops via Goodwill, Sandals via Kohls, Purse via Goodwill

Here’s the clothing I thrifted:

Brand new Hunter Green Denim Jacket by Denim&Comapnay for $3. Not on my need list but great color and fit and will be a good layering piece.

Brand New Laura Ashley Black Long sleeve Tshirt for $2. This was on my list for layering with my sleeveless maxis in cooler weather.

Westernport Denim Pinstripe trousers for $3. Classic menswear print trousers are on my need list so these will be perfect for fall/winter.

No Miss Kae pix today–she’s been in a “mood” lately and all I can get are butt shots. Diva’s are known to be temperamental! I think she’s jealous because I posted a picture of Mr.Bill, the little hussy!

I’m linking up with Visible Monday and Monday Mingle!!

Have a great rest of the weekend!

TTFN

Tamera

Hello Blogland!! How is everyone doing??? I’m glad it’s my Friday! Tomorrow I can go to town and visit the thrifts and hit up some yard sales!

I wanted to share a picture of Mr. Bill so no one thinks he’s being neglected in favor of Her Majesty. He’s just really camera-shy and usually hides when he sees it. He hid under the bed after I took this picture. I have no idea why he is such a wuss. It was hard to get just his picture with Miss Thang photobombing it and blocking him out. It is all about her after all!

How many of y’all have certain songs, that when they come on the radio or such, you turn them up and sing along?? Especially in the car whilst making “Rock Fists” so the other drivers stare at you??? Oh come on, be honest!!! I know I’m not the only one!

The songs that I crank up are: Rockin’ the Casbah by The Clash, Brickhouse by The Commodores, Under the Bridge by RedHotChiliPeppers, Don’t Dream It’s Over by Crowded House and Gloria by U2. There are others but these are guaranteed sing at the top of my lungs in the car alone songs. I just realized that is one weirdly eclectic list!

Wednesday’s blouse began life as my Mother of the Bride dress. After seeing the wedding pictures I decided I’d get more wear out of it as a blouse. It was just too short. so a little chop-chop and WAH-LAH-new top!

Cardi-Goodwill, Top-Apt9 via Kohls (refashioned), Crops-Goodwill, Sandals-Kohl’s, Purse-Talbots via Goodwill ($3)

Wednesday’s Blingage

Thursday’s Bling-the coral flower pin is vintage

Tell me what songs you like to rock out on!!!

Have a great evening and weekend-chat with y’all Sunday!

TTFN

Tamera

Hello Blogland!!! I hope the start to the new week has been good for everyone!! So far the crazy meter hasn’t  pinged at work but the week is still young!!Every year our garrison (that’s what we call the army base) has a dessert contest to coincide with our garrison picnic. Last year (my first time entering after much prodding by the co-workers) I won 1st place in the cake division and grand champion overall for my “Slap Yo Mama Butterscotch Toffee Cake”.

This year I decided to expand on the strawberry/chocolate chip cupcakes I made for our daughter’s wedding. I morphed it into a Raspberry Dark Chocolate Cake. Raspberry cake with dark chocolate chip bits layered with chocolate mousse and covered in a Raspberry Swiss Buttercream Icing. Sounds delicious….in theory.

I made a stunt cake to taste test with my very willing co-workers. I found my cake recipe so moist that I couldn’t split the layers in two for extra mousse layering. No biggie–I’ll just make double the layers. This was the least of my problems.

The mousse was so delicate it sort of squished under the dense cake a bit. The real tragedy was the icing. It was a new method of making icing and well…it makes a gorgeous glossy icing that will not stick to vertical surfaces like the sides of cake. It just oozed down the sides. I plopped it on as best I could and put it in the frig hoping it would stiffen up.

It nominally stuck to the sides. I passed out “slices” and apologized that it looked like roadkill. My co-workers all agreed it was extremely TASTY roadkill!! The cake was a hit flavor-wise. Most everyone said it was better than the butterscotch one.

I think I solved my problems–which is why I do a stunt cake. More layers, regular buttercream icing and I’m going to morph the Swiss buttercream with the chocolate mouse for between the layers. Wish me luck!!  I have some pink ooze icing left I puit in the freezer that’ll be awesome on a sheet cake-no sides to ice!!

I am so happy maxi’s will be around this fall. The one I wore Monday will definitely be able to be styles for cooler weather!

Maxi-Ross, Cardi-Kohls, Shoes-Ross, Leather Purse-Sereta via Goodwill for $3!!

Today started out wonky with some pain issues. I went for “out of bed and dressed” as opposed to stylin’!

Crops-Goodwill, Top-Goodwill, Shoes-Kohl’s

Off to work on the quilted wallhanging. My daughter wanted pale yellow as an accent as opposed to the coral I chose so I had to take the centers out and I’m putting in yellow. WAY easier than making new blocks!! I couldn’t live without my seam ripper!!

TTFN

Tamera

Hello Blogland!!! How is everyone this lovely weekend?? It FINALLY cooled down here in Maryland and we got about 4 inches of rain. I’m sure I will have 20 lb zucchini this week in the garden!!I “got a wild hair” this week and decided to rearrange the Craft Palace. For those of you new to the blog, the Craft Palace is the spare bedroom that I have claimed as MY SPACE!!!  I spend a good deal of my time at home in here sewing,crafting and visiting blogs!

I was getting frustrated with having to move my sewing machine or laptop off of the table if I wanted to do something else. I really needed a dedicated sewing area and a spot where my laptop could live. I was in the Craft Dungeon (the basement) studying these 2 work table the hubster brought home from his former employer when they went out of business. The tops were a mess but nothing tablecloths couldn’t improve. Took a few measurements and a plan was formed!!

The hubster came home from helping a friend out with carpet Thursday nite to find the Craft Palace in a state of disarray.  He innocently asked if I hadn’t rearranged it a month ago?? HEHEHEHE–he should know by now how I like to rearrange furniture and such.

Friday I finished reorganizing my stash (I am such an OCD Magpie!) and Saturday I sweet talked Lauren into helping me move the tables upstairs. I am SO HAPPY with the new layout! I have a nice big sewing table (our former kitchen table in our old house that I yardsaled for $5 maybe 25 years ago) and a large L shaped area for other craftiness and the laptop. Here are some pictures:

Looking in from the doorway to the new L shaped arrangement. The shelves hold my collection of vintage planters.

The sewing center

My stuff. Yes, it’s all labeled!!!! LOLOL I totally cop to my OCD tendencies!

Old cabinet full of supplies.

Cupboard full of fabric. Her Highness is on her pillow snoring away!

I haven’t been thrifting much–seems to be a dry spell and I REALLY don’t need anything. Except 2 pair of lace curtains for the guest room. Didn’t find them but I scored this wonderful leather basket weave purse from Talbot’s for $3!!

I was out walking the dogs this afternoon along our front sidewalk because the grass was super wet and Her Majesty doesn’t “do” wet grass. A car full of tourists stopped in front of our house and rolled down the windows to exclaim over the cuteness of Miss KaeKae. She of course preened and posed and they took a picture. LOL- her fabulousness stops traffic!!

Stopping traffic in Lulupink via Ross

It’s drizzling and I’m done with this nature crap. I’ll meet you and Mr. Bill by the front door.

My end of the week outfits were nothing special. I’ve been battling migraines (ugh this WEATHER) so I’ve been somewhat lo-tech on the style front.

Thursday- Cardigan via Kohls, Top-Croft&Barrow via Kohl’s, Crops-Dressbarn via Goodwill, Sandals via Kohl’s, Buttonflower on top via MeganMae

Friday-Top via Goodwill, Crops via Goodwill, Sandals-Clarks via Goodwill, Purse via Goodwill, Bracelet via yard sale

Here’s a picture of one of the quilt squares I’m working on for the wallhanging for our daughter- I’ve made 4 like this and will need to make 4 more using pale yellow as the center block.

This was actually a pretty easy quilt pattern to do. I’m also making matching throw pillows ( I only need 2 each of the coral and yellow center squares for the wall hanging) for her.

Well, off to peruse my stash for my next quilting project. I’ve caught the bug and heaven knows there’s enough fabric here to quilt half of Maryland. I’m thinking of doing a small throw utilizing Civil War era quilt patterns and repro fabric as it’s the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam/Sharpsburg this year. I live in Sharpsburg, where this, the bloodiest one day in American history, took place.

I’ll be linking up with Visible Monday and Monday Mingle!!

Have a great evening!

TTFN

Tamera

Hello Blogland!! Hope everyone is having a wonderful start to their week!

I am thoroughly enjoying my gifted Kindle!! As an avowed bookworm–this SO much easier to manage. I am a voracious reader and visit the library every third week for a new pile of books. That doesn’t include all of the reading matter I have at home-like my cookbook collection (400+ and 99% thrifted) I actually read cookbooks like regular books!

I have downloaded several free books to read. Grace Livingston Hill is a favorite author. She wrote “romance” novels around 1900-1940. I was blessed to enjoy reading these about 30+ years ago by an aunt who had quite a collection(which her daughter I believe threw AWAY after she died!) They are out of print and libraries no longer carry them.  And they are mondo EXPENSIVE in antique stores. I was so excited to find about a dozen titles FREE for the Kindle!!

I am going to endeavor to read or re-read many of the classics I read in high school and college. Plus I’m hoping to re-read some classics from my childhood like “Mrs.Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch” and the Trixie Belden series. This will keep me busy for a bit!!

It’s still hot, humid and utterly miserable here in Maryland. We were forecast for storms from Friday onward which have gone around us. We maybe got 10 drops of rain so I’ve had to water the veggies. UGH.

Here’s Monday’s ensemble. I’m doing some pattern mixing with the gingham crops and floral sweater.

Crops-Goodwill, Cardigan-Goodwill, Top-Kohl’s , Sandals-Kohls

Tuesday’s outfit turned out to be a pain in the rear. The tank top is this slinky knit stuff. The arm holes are so huge that it kept shifting and my boob would wind up poking out the armhole. Not the look I was going for at ALL!!!  Nothing I can do to fix it so for $1.50 thrifted it’s gone!

Everything is from the Goodwill. This is how I started out this morning before my boobs decided to escape from the tank top!

After buttoning the cardigan. The stupid tank top still twisted around. Must be the material.

Here is da Bling:

Monday: Thrifted pearl bracelets, earrings. Cherub blowing a pearl butt-bubble pendant from yard sale this weekend.

Tuesday: Bracelets made by me, Thrifted necklace, Copper earrings so old I can’t remember where they came from

Well, I must brave the heat and harvest some veggies. My tomato plants are groaning and I know there are probably 10 million cucumbers ready!

Have a great evening and see you Thursday!!

TTFN

Tamera

Hello Blogland!! I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!!  I’ve finally got all the pieces to the quilt project cut out and arranged. now to start sewing!

After helping with our church homeless outreach in town Friday evening the hubster and I went out to the new Sonic for dinner. It was nice but I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat there. The cherry-limeade was tasty but as far as I’m concerned the burgers and fries weren’t anything spectacular.

Saturday I spent the day cleaning and puttering after running some errands in the morning. Had to mail a package out and stop by the Mennonite Nursery for some corn on the cob (YUM) I managed to find a fairly decent yard sale to hit up.

Vintage scarves, necklaces and some seriously COOL earrings for $1.50

The big pearl pendant has a cherub riding it–awesomeness. Those gold spiky things are clip-on earrings from the 60’s. The lady gave them to me when I oohhed and aaahhed over them. I’m thinking they NEED to be taking a trip to New Zealand to live with the amazing Ms. Helga Von Trollop..

Oh yeah–butt implants. I seriously have NO BOOTY. I’m the true definition of pancake butt. Jennifer Lopez has got more back then me–which considering my SIZE is really funny. It makes finding pants sometimes problematic–if it fits my tummy it often looks like I have a saggy load in the back. Add to that I’m also short-waisted and the crotch can be hanging down around my knees.  I do a lot of alterations when I can to get pants to fit.

Two pairs I wore last week, the olive and the tan pinstripe, went in the give-away pile along with a pair of light blue denim crops. I just couldn’t alter them enough to make them work. Which is why it’s great to buy thrifted stuff– if it won’t work no biggie.

Sunday’s post for Visible Monday would not be complete without a photo of Her Majesty KaeKae.  She was snoozing on her pillow in the Craft Palace snoring away yesterday afternoon.

It’s exhausting being a Diva!!!!

Judging by what I observed at church today, it seems we ladies of a certain age have enthusiastically embraced the maxi dress!!! Everyone was raving about how comfortable they are!

I’ve worn this dress before but recently thrifted the teal cardi that matched perfectly.

I got the newest Roaman’s and Jessica London catalogs for Fall and they are showing Maxi’s for Fall/winter with boots and blazers. YAY!!! Some of mine will work well styled that way. This one won’t as it’s too summery but that’s ok. I’m looking forward to wearing others come cooler weather.

A dear friend gave me her Kindle2 (she got an Ipad) so I am off to learn how to play with my new toy!!!

I’m linking up with Visible Monday and Monday Mingle as usual!!

TTFN

Tamera