Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
A SEWING PATTERN STORAGE IDEA
Ever since my friend, Yolanda, taught me how to sew . . . I've been hooked. I've sewn several items through the years since I first began my lessons in her kitchen many years ago. Every time I see my sewing machine I think about my teacher. She helped bring out my passion for making beautiful and useful items from a few yards of material and some matching thread. Thank you, my friend!
One thing that has always bothered me is how messy it can be to keep patterns orderly. I wanted to find a way to store my patterns without all the mess and bulk of the original package. (If you sew, you can understand how frustrating it can be to stuff those pattern pieces back into their small envelopes. What a headache!) Until recently, I've just kept them in bins in my laundry/sewing room cupboards. I read a book some time ago that gave me an idea for storage that I had never seen before. I wish I could remember the title of the book, but nothing comes to mind. I've kept that idea tucked away in my head all this time just waiting for a chance to implement it. Well, here's my chance!
I asked "Beauty" to start working on this long anticipated project. (She's even taking time to cut out my sewing pattern pieces before relocating them into folders. Yippee!) I have between fifty to sixty patterns, and she hopes to complete two patterns a day. I am so excited to finally be on my way to having these organized! She is so excited to be earning some hard-earned cash for each pattern she completes. Two happy campers . . . just what the doctor ordered. ;)
As each folder is finished, it can be placed in a filing cabinet, an appropriately-sized bin (or box) with a lid, or hole-punched and placed in a 3-ring binder. (Only hole-punch an empty folder so as not to damage any pattern pieces.) Close the top of the folder with a large, sturdy paper clip if choosing the binder option to prevent the pattern pieces or sewing instructions from falling out.
I'm so very happy with my newly organized pattern. One down, and only about 59 more to go! :)
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| My pattern envelope is getting a little wrinkled and dog-earred. |
Ever since my friend, Yolanda, taught me how to sew . . . I've been hooked. I've sewn several items through the years since I first began my lessons in her kitchen many years ago. Every time I see my sewing machine I think about my teacher. She helped bring out my passion for making beautiful and useful items from a few yards of material and some matching thread. Thank you, my friend!
One thing that has always bothered me is how messy it can be to keep patterns orderly. I wanted to find a way to store my patterns without all the mess and bulk of the original package. (If you sew, you can understand how frustrating it can be to stuff those pattern pieces back into their small envelopes. What a headache!) Until recently, I've just kept them in bins in my laundry/sewing room cupboards. I read a book some time ago that gave me an idea for storage that I had never seen before. I wish I could remember the title of the book, but nothing comes to mind. I've kept that idea tucked away in my head all this time just waiting for a chance to implement it. Well, here's my chance!
I asked "Beauty" to start working on this long anticipated project. (She's even taking time to cut out my sewing pattern pieces before relocating them into folders. Yippee!) I have between fifty to sixty patterns, and she hopes to complete two patterns a day. I am so excited to finally be on my way to having these organized! She is so excited to be earning some hard-earned cash for each pattern she completes. Two happy campers . . . just what the doctor ordered. ;)
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| The book I read also said that a washer and dryer are the perfect height for cutting fabric without hurting your back. She tried it today, and says, "It works!" |
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| These are the supplies needed for this project. (manilla folder, scissors, glue, marker, tape . . . and a pattern, of course! ;) |
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| Cut out and fold the pattern pieces to fit the mailla envelope. Trace over the pattern number (i. e. 3134), the number on the actual pieces (1-9, etc.), and the number telling how many pieces to cut. (This makes it easier to see when working with the pattern pieces as the ink may be faded.) |
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| Don't forget to include the sewing instructions in the folder. |
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| Cut out and glue the measurment chart onto the back of the folder behind the tab. |
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| Cut apart and glue the pattern envelope onto the front of the manilla folder. Write the pattern number on the tab with the marker. Tape the left and right sides of the folder closed. |
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| Place all of the pattern pieces and the sewing instructions inside the folder. |
I'm so very happy with my newly organized pattern. One down, and only about 59 more to go! :)
Monday, March 19, 2012
WE ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE
Click on the links below, and check out these incredible videos. I think you'll be glad you did. The people in them are pretty incredible!
Swan Lake
Nadia Comaneci's Granddaughter
POISON CENTER NETWORK
March 18-24, 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW), which is a great time of the year to join the efforts of the Poison Center Network to reduce the number and severity of poisonings in your community and help raise awareness for your local poison center.
Cathy's Story - A Poison Tragedy (by the American Association of Poison Control Centers)
Fifty years ago, in 1962, three year old Philip was rushed to the nearest hospital, 30 minutes away. Tragically, he had ingested a bottle of rat poison. Though all attempts were made to save his life, he lived only a few more hours. Fifty years later, his sister, Cathy Seifried of Kingwood, Texas, is still grieving. According to Cathy, her brother's death, a tragedy in itself, had long-lasting effects on her entire family as grief, sadness and remorse took its toll. "I had good parents," says Seifried. "They managed to function and go through the daily motions . . . but, as a family, we were broken."
Today, Seifried focuses her efforts on supporting poison control centers. She feels that had her family had access to the education, outreach, and support that today's poison centers offer, her family might have avoided terrible heartbreak and devastation.
This week the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week and it is a great time to help spread the poison prevention message. There is much work yet to be done. Poisoning is the leading cause of death from unintentional injuries in the United States - ahead of motor vehicle crashes and guns.
Just one phone number, 1-800-222-1222, will put you in touch with your local poison center anywhere in the United States. Calls are answered by experts in poisoning treatment and prevention 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Calls to poison centers are free and confidential. Callers have access to poison advice in more than 150 languages and all calls are free and confidential.
What can we do to prevent poisonings?
•Keep medicines and cleaning supplies locked up and away from children. Children act fast. Unfortunately, so do poisons.
•Always use your glasses to read your prescription bottle, and only take medicine with the lights on. These simple actions can prevent accidents.
•Ask visitors to keep purses and luggage containing medicine out of reach of children at all times.
•Install carbon monoxide detectors and check batteries at least twice a year.
•Keep the 1-800-222-1222 number accessible and programmed into your phone. Your local poison center can send you magnets and stickers with the number. Call the Poison Help number even if it's not an emergency. When in doubt, check it out.
•Support legislation that funds local poison centers. In 2011, federal budget cuts reduced funding for poison centers by 36 percent. Poison centers, which handle about 4 million calls a year, are now in jeopardy; further cuts will make it difficult for poison centers to continue providing life-saving services.
"Philip has been gone for fifty years," says Seifried. "I know there are many other stories just like his. For their sakes, please get involved with your local poison center in promoting poisoning prevention and the Poison Help number. We can make a difference."
Order FREE prevention material from the link below. Don't forget to ask for your Mr. Yuk stickers. Yes, they're still available! :)
http://www.poisoncontrol.org/
Cathy's Story - A Poison Tragedy (by the American Association of Poison Control Centers)
Fifty years ago, in 1962, three year old Philip was rushed to the nearest hospital, 30 minutes away. Tragically, he had ingested a bottle of rat poison. Though all attempts were made to save his life, he lived only a few more hours. Fifty years later, his sister, Cathy Seifried of Kingwood, Texas, is still grieving. According to Cathy, her brother's death, a tragedy in itself, had long-lasting effects on her entire family as grief, sadness and remorse took its toll. "I had good parents," says Seifried. "They managed to function and go through the daily motions . . . but, as a family, we were broken."
Today, Seifried focuses her efforts on supporting poison control centers. She feels that had her family had access to the education, outreach, and support that today's poison centers offer, her family might have avoided terrible heartbreak and devastation.
This week the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week and it is a great time to help spread the poison prevention message. There is much work yet to be done. Poisoning is the leading cause of death from unintentional injuries in the United States - ahead of motor vehicle crashes and guns.
Just one phone number, 1-800-222-1222, will put you in touch with your local poison center anywhere in the United States. Calls are answered by experts in poisoning treatment and prevention 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Calls to poison centers are free and confidential. Callers have access to poison advice in more than 150 languages and all calls are free and confidential.
What can we do to prevent poisonings?
•Keep medicines and cleaning supplies locked up and away from children. Children act fast. Unfortunately, so do poisons.
•Always use your glasses to read your prescription bottle, and only take medicine with the lights on. These simple actions can prevent accidents.
•Ask visitors to keep purses and luggage containing medicine out of reach of children at all times.
•Install carbon monoxide detectors and check batteries at least twice a year.
•Keep the 1-800-222-1222 number accessible and programmed into your phone. Your local poison center can send you magnets and stickers with the number. Call the Poison Help number even if it's not an emergency. When in doubt, check it out.
•Support legislation that funds local poison centers. In 2011, federal budget cuts reduced funding for poison centers by 36 percent. Poison centers, which handle about 4 million calls a year, are now in jeopardy; further cuts will make it difficult for poison centers to continue providing life-saving services.
"Philip has been gone for fifty years," says Seifried. "I know there are many other stories just like his. For their sakes, please get involved with your local poison center in promoting poisoning prevention and the Poison Help number. We can make a difference."
Order FREE prevention material from the link below. Don't forget to ask for your Mr. Yuk stickers. Yes, they're still available! :)
http://www.poisoncontrol.org/
Friday, March 16, 2012
ARTWORK THROUGH THE YEARS
Oh, what memories these bring back to me. :)
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| Pilgrim with chicken pox and an acorn |
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| 1906 Franklin |
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| Truck and Police cars |
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| A showing of love |
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| "Great Adventure" |
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| Father's Day wishes to Dad |
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| Caterpillar |
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| Coloring Book |
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| "Love and Patriotism" |
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| Skill in color, cut, and paste |
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| Learning about the body |
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| "How to Fry an Egg" instructions |
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| Picture of mom and daughter |
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| Pictures of Adam and Eve |
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| Picture of Loved One |
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
A SWEET TREAT
FRUIT SMOOTHIES
8 ounces coconut milk (or your choice whole, 2%, skim, almond, soy, rice, etc.)
2-3 good-sized squirts of honey
1 whole frozen banana (peeled and cut in 4 pieces before freezing)
1 cup frozen fruit (we use strawberries or mangos)
Put milk, honey, and banana in blender. Blend until smooth. Add strawberries in 2 or 3 at a time. Allow blender to puree them without overloading blender. Add more honey, if desired, pour into a glass and enjoy.
A delicious, healthy snack. :)
A delicious, healthy snack. :)
GOT . . . FRUIT FLIES?
Several weeks ago I started noticing fruit flies hovering over the fruit bowl on the kitchen counter. I didn't think much about it at the time. I had seen them there before on occasion, and when the fruit was gone so were the flies. All that has changed as of this week.
A small swarm of Fruit Flies has taken up residence in our kitchen, and I have seen one or two in our bathroom and bedroom buzzing around. Need I say that I am not happy about it? Well, I'm not. I've been Googling Fruit Flies, and found some interesting facts about them . . . including ways to get rid of them. (Check out the link below for an excellent "how to" video.)
I wanted to know just how they got into our home. I already knew they can "hitch a ride" in our fruits and veggies on grocery day. What I didn't know was that they can enter a house through window screens, or crevices around doors and windows.
They lay their eggs on the skin of very ripe, fermenting, and unrefrigerated fruit. Known for persistence once indoors, they don't need fruit to keep reproducing. They can breed inside slow-draining plumbing, or a sour sponge or mop.
The fruit fly population usually peaks in late summer and fall due to the abundance of harvested fruit. The good news is that these little pests don't live very long.
The key to prevention of infestations (swarms) is sanitation and removal of potential feeding sites. Here are 10 Tips to help win the war against the Fruit Fly -
1. Dispose of any rotting fruit and vegetables.
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| Commonly known as Fruit Fly. Technically known as Vinegar or Pomace Fly. Scientifically known as Drosophila Fly. |
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| God made Fruit Flies to find fermenting fruit. |
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| Once they are inside, they will reproduce! |
The fruit fly population usually peaks in late summer and fall due to the abundance of harvested fruit. The good news is that these little pests don't live very long.
The key to prevention of infestations (swarms) is sanitation and removal of potential feeding sites. Here are 10 Tips to help win the war against the Fruit Fly -
1. Dispose of any rotting fruit and vegetables.
2. Empty and clean garbage and recycling cans.
3. Take compost scraps outside.
4. Replace old sponges, mops, and dishrags.
5. Clean dishes immediately - especially juice glasses.
6. Check potato and onion storage bins frequently.
7. Set out vinegar traps in problem areas.
8. Give the kitchen a thorough cleaning.
9. Fix slow drains and keep plumbing and garbage disposals free of organic matter.
10. If you do your own canning, ensure the jar lids are sealed completely.
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| Allow me to introduce my new little friend. :) |
Homemade Fruit Fly Trap
You will need: 1/4 cup of vinegar, dish liquid, and a small bowl or jar.
Pour the vinegar into the bowl or jar. Add several drops of dish liquid to the vinegar, then place the bowl in the area where you've seen the fruit flies, and wait for it to do it's job.
Fruit Flies are attracted to the smell of the vinegar, and will attempt to land on its surface. However, they'll be in for a surprise - since the dish liquid breaks the surface tension of the vinegar, the Fruit Flies will fall in and drown.
Guess what?
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| I GOT FRUIT FLIES! (39 to be exact. :) |
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| Fruit Fly traps - so cute! |
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