Tuesday, May 31

Five for 500 - A blogger's special - Winner

The last giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all of you that took the time to enter the 5 giveaways. I wish I has something special for each of you. 

The winner of Tara Frey's "Blogging for Bliss" and a handmade grosgrain ribbon flower is:



 Congratulations to Little Blue Mouse :). Please email me your postal address by Friday so I can mail your prize.



Trading Post - Jeans upcycled into belts

Amie (Kitty Cats and Airplanes) and I are so lucky that we live close enough to meet regularly and are having way too much fun crafting together. So even though she was tired from having been on the road for hours that weekend, Amie joined me for a shorter than usual but greatly anticipated play date. 

I have been trying to upcycle torn/stained jeans rather than throwing them away when they are no longer wearable.  So far, I have made an apron and I still have a few jeans to give a new life to. The second pair has been thoroughly used up last weekend making fun denim belts. 

Amie made a lace-up hip belt with some lace trim. Very simple and romantic.



I dug up into my stash of laces and picked out a ruffled trim that I had used for a fabric dye experiment. I also reused the Jeans pockets since they had an interesting design and finished with a buckled that I scored for pennies at an estate sale.  

 
I think I'm going to try making some more accessories with denim. I've started another upcycling projects with the leftover usable denim from this project and the apron. After all upcycling is all about reusing and minimizing waste. 



Monday, May 30

Memorial day weekend - upstate NY

We took the opportunity of the long weekend to visit my in-laws (father/mother/brother/future sister) and my hubby's childhood friends. On Saturday evening, we had a fun and somewhat improvised get-toghether in the backyard that involved goodies snagged on the way over from a fabulous german deli (Liehs and Steigerwald if you live in the Syracuse NY area).

Coneys, tasty hotdogs along with pasta and potato salad and other goodies were on the menu along with fun, Frisbee and a looot of running around and giggling.



Sunday was much fun too. In the morning, Bug played soccer with Grandma and Daddy then it was bubbles time. Really. Lots and lots of bubble soap, more running and giggling.
 

Grandpa also took a lot of pictures while relaxing in the grass. He lost a lot of weight but is still dealing with his chemo treatments quite gracefully and with lots of humor despite the unpleasant side effects. 



The only bubbles interruptions were to help dandelions spreading over Grandpa's lawn


In the afternoon we all went to the Utica Zoo were bug was able to pet a turtle and feed a funny looking lizard amongst other fun things. 


I almost forgot to mention the chocolate ice cream


We finished the day with southern style barbecue and a cheesecake. Yum. Here goes my diet but for this time, I really don't care. Who counts calories on those special occasions anyway?

I hope you also had a nice relaxing weekend with family and friends and also remembered to honor t those who have ever server under the Nation's flag and of course those who are serving now. 

Happy Memorial Day. 
  

What I have been up to - Week 22

This marks the end of the second week since my manager decided to move on to greener pastures (and to Boston). So far the team is holding it together. We have yet to find out how our ex-boss will be replaced (if at all). This makes for a bit of added stress. At least the 3-day weekend has been giving us a much needed relief. 

We took the opportunity to visit my in-laws (father/mother/brother/future sister) and my hubby's childhood friends upstate NY. 


Bug had lots of fun in Grandma and Grandpa's yard as usual. More on our weekend in a separate post. Summer has definitely made a grand entrance in MD with temperatures in the 90s and our usual thunderstorms. Time to get Bug's little waddling pool out of the basement for splashing and refreshing. 

Crafting time was limited by the travel preparations and work overflow. I only finished a denim apron and a belt as well as ruffled skirts for my nieces. I still have some jeans upcycling in the works that I will share soon

 

PS: this post has been made possible by Lisa, my sweet co-worker , that loaned this magic gizmo called a wireless access point. This cool gadget allows me to blog from the passenger seat as we are making our way back to MD on the Interstate. Yay for technology and big thank you Lisa :).

Friday, May 27

Five for 500 - Flamingo Toes giveaway - Winner

 The winner of the Etsy store credit from Flamingo Toes is



Congratulations to the Head Chocolatier!!



And don't forget to enter to win 

- "Blogging for Bliss" and a grosgrain ribbon flower HERE (ends May 30th)
 

Thursday, May 26

Simple ruffled skirts

Summer is around the corner. It's is getting warmer in MD. 95F today. Bug doesn't want to wear anything else than skirts or dresses.  You may recall I made a couple for her in the past weeks:



I also made a skirt for each of my nieces. Matching skirts with a mismatched ruffle. The same way my nieces are so different and so much alike. A brunette and a blonde, both full of energy and strong willed. 

 
They came together super fast then I slacked for a couple of weeks and set them aside. It was high time to finish them up. They are on the way to Switzerland along with my sister's new handbag


Five for 500 - Kittycats and Airplaines giveaway - WInner

 The winner of the bracelet and earring set from Kitty Cats and Airplanes  is



Congratulations Ginger. Please email me your mailing address by Monday to claim your prize



And don't forget to enter to win one of the other giveaways:

- a $25 store credit to Flamingo Toes' Etsy store HERE (ends May 26th)

- "Blogging for Bliss" and a grosgrain ribbon flower HERE (ends May 30th)
 

Wednesday, May 25

Five for 500 - Craftaholic Anonymous pattern - Winner

 The winner of the pattern from The Ruffled Begonia   is

 


Congratulations Missy. 


And don't forget to enter to win one of the other giveaways:

- a $25 store credit to Flamingo Toes' Etsy store HERE (ends May 26th)

- "Blogging for Bliss" and a grosgrain ribbon flower HERE (ends May 30th)
 

Tuesday, May 24

Five for 500 - My thanks to you - Winner

Random.org has spoken. The winner of the "sewing kit" is


  

Congratulations Michelle. Please email me your mailing address by Sunday to claim your prize


And don't forget to enter to win one of the other giveaways:

- a pattern from Craftaholic Anonymous'  Etsy store HERE  (ends tonight)

- a bracelet and matching earrings from Kitty Cats and Airplanes HERE (ends May 25th)

- a $25 store credit to Flamingo Toes' Etsy store HERE (ends May 26th)

- "Blogging for Bliss" and a grosgrain ribbon flower HERE (ends May 30th)
 
 

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