Happy Long Weekend!

I plan to be enjoying some of these...



While watching some of those...



And soaking up some of this...



While relaxing somewhere similar to here...



Hope you have a fantastic 4th of July week(end), whatever it is that you may be doing. Hoping for great weather, fun times with the family, good eats and drinks, and an all out fantastic extended little holiday.

Question & Pretty Fabrics

So, if someone was to happen upon my blog by searching for "sewing, Denver, Fancy Tiger," or something like that, I have to pose a question. If anyone happens to recognize the designer and style of the tan/white striped fabric in this photo, let me know! I used it to make my project in sewing class but I have another project in mind that I would like to locate it for. I hear it might be a little old, since I got it from Fancy Tiger's scrap basket.

Speaking of fabric, I have supplies for my first project- a clutch! No, I still have not set-up my own sewing machine but I'm headed to Michigan soon and Mom's going to help me with this project. I don't know who makes these fabrics but I like the way they'll go together and I bought them at Fancy Tiger. I'm hoping it goes well because I'd love to make more of these as gifts for friends.

And I purchased these two Joel Dewberry's from Fabric Bliss. So pretty, I am going to make a reversible pillow for our bedroom. And, by the way, the owner of Fabric Bliss is so sweet and I can't wait to take her class later in July!

And finally, one of the coolest little "tools" I've ever seen. The two items on the outside actually make the yoyo flowers in the middle. Can't wait to give it a try, as I've always wondered how people make them and affix them onto purses and sweaters, etc.

Sorry, parents and friends, you are probably wondering if I'll ever write about anything other than sewing. But, I'm extremely excited about my new hobby and to be honest, with Brian gone and me traveling and working a lot, there isn't too much excitement happening out here in Colorado. Doing laundry, packing 2 suitcases for Michigan, and going away to Vail for a girls night on Saturday - that's about it around here.

Just Another Friday Night

Let's see, just another Friday night around here... me sitting around downloading Jackie Evancho, Sarah Brightman, and Andrea Bocelli for my upcoming flights. Yes, sudden shift in my musical preferences apparently. As I'm writing this I'm actually considering purchasing two whole Bocelli albums. My friend Sarah would be so pleased with me- she loves him. Essentially, they go right along with Adele on the playlist that will "relax me and eventually put me to sleep." Critical since my company seems like to keep assigning me to East Coast events. I just keep repeating my mantra, "frequent flyer miles, frequent flyer miles, frequent flyer miles..."

Let's see, what else? Last night, when I should have been working, I made a trip to Hobby Lobby and suddenly ended up with $60 of "sewing goods" at the check-out counter. Not exactly sure how that happened, I didn't even get much! Oh, and PS: thread is expensive! $2.50 - $3.50 a spool. I guess I thought it would be about a buck a pop. No such luck. So, my fabric finds and supplies sit next to the sewing machine on the kitchen table... no forward progress there. I can see myself being one of "those people" who acquires all of this pretty fabric but doesn't know what to do with it. I do have plans for a potential project when I go home to Michigan next month. We'll see how it comes together.

Ahh, here's a funny little situation. So, Brian's back to traveling 15 days a month and I've been on the go at least 1-2 times per month. So, there's lot of sedan action in front of our house. As it already is, our three new neighbors probably think we don't work because we're home all day. So now throw these random sedans into the mix all of the time and they must be completely wondering "who do they think they are?" I'm not done yet! We just started lawn service today. Goes along with that whole Brian's traveling and Amanda doesn't cut the grass thing. So, now we're the "home all day, sedan taking, lawn service receiving neighbors." I can't imagine what they're saying about us... Oh, yes, and the lawn has never looked better. I almost took pictures to send Brian and show him the magic of an edger and a weed whipper. Beautiful!

Well, I just realized it's midnight here and I have a lovely pedi scheduled at my favorite Ten20 tomorrow morning, I need to take Ries to the dog sitter, and I switched my flight to tomorrow instead of Sunday, so off to DC I go a day early. I cannot wait for this next week to be over. Looking forward to a fun filled "girls night" next Saturday when a bunch of us head for Vail to celebrate a Bachelorette Party. I need a little getaway!

Have a great weekend!

Sewing Class = Success

I loved my sewing class tonight! It was the perfect intro to setting up a machine, threading a bobbin, and even successfully completing project numero uno. Tada!

It's a business card holder and it was so easy! I really can't believe I did it, with straight lines and everything. It can be used for credit cards, as a gift card holder, made larger for a cell phone case, laptop case, etc. If you're in Denver, I strongly recommend Sewing 101 at Fancy Tiger Crafts. Sadie is an awesome instructor too. Next up on my list, Intro to Sewing at Fabric Bliss. Yes, it's another introduction class  but I could use it and the project looks a little tougher - a tote bag. Can't wait until my sewing machine gets here tomorrow and I have an outing to both of these stores planned this weekend for some fabric shopping.

Sewing

Inspired by many blogs I read, motivated by a Sewing 101 class I'm taking with friends this week at Fancy Tiger, and funded by a Christmas gift, I just purchased a sewing machine. At 12:35 am, because I can't sleep so what better time!? After reading this and this, I made my decision in about 10 quick minutes and it will be on my door step in just a few days.

I don't really have any "first project" plans yet. I have sewn in the past, but it's been many, many years. Lots of pillow making and doll clothes sewing at my Great Grandma's when I was little. I can remember going through her piles of fabric and being able to choose whatever I wanted to make my creation. I can't wait to get my hands on some pretty fabrics, such as the above and below, and figure out what I'd like to make. It's amazing the selection they have out there. Perhaps start with some new throw pillows and even simple curtains. I've been dying for some curtains around here! I'd like to learn how to make a bag and even a little clutch as I progress in my sewing abilities (hopefully).

More to come on the sewing front soon, I'm sure!

Royally Obsessed

With these two royals. Or let's be honest, I can probably do without "Wills," but Catherine "Kate" Middleton is a part of my daily people.com celebrity trash news reading. She is so chic and fabulous, I can't get enough.

America's Riviera

Where's that, might you ask? Santa Barbara. Quite possibly one of my most favorite places ever. How can you not love this?



I couldn't really do a better job of describing it so I'm just going to let this little excerpt from the Four Seasons Biltmore website do the talking...

Epitomising the casually sophisticated California lifestyle, Santa Barbara is among America’s most coveted destinations. Located on the California coast between San Francisco and Los Angeles, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, the landscape is lush and almost tropical. Graced by sunny skies and a mild year-round climate, the Santa Barbara ambience is richly Mediterranean, earning the community its reputation as America’s Riviera.

The town’s Spanish colonial heritage is reflected in romantic architecture featuring thick adobe walls with deeply recessed doors and windows, graceful archways, wrought-iron gates and red-tiled roofs. With a small and exclusive population of just 89,000 people, Santa Barbara vibrates with activity – from quaint tree-lined State Street to intriguing art galleries, museums and the interactive Sea Center. Santa Barbara County is also a popular wine region, featuring nearly 100 vineyards. Adventure continues on the ocean, with sport fishing, sunset cruises and kayaking in the nearby Channel Islands.

Ojai Valley Inn and Spa

Four Seasons Santa Barbara - The Biltmore

I've been there twice, albeit for work, so I've never really gotten to take full advantage of everything to area has to offer. I've stayed at the Four Seasons Biltmore and Ojai Valley Inn and Spa - both amazing. Both places we are staying on our trip this fall. I've visited State Street, The Santa Barbara County Court House, Downtown Montecito, Artiste Wine Studio, sailed on the Channel Cat, and dined on the pier. I liked what I saw so much that I need to go back for more! So, the question becomes, anyone who has been there, what are the must-sees and must-dos and probably more important in my book, the must-avoids? I just ordered two books from Amazon because I'm a big fan of "reading before you go," so we'll see what they have to offer. We'll be flying into LAX and doing something else that I've always wanted to do - drive the Pacific Coast Highway. I've wanted to take a much longer journey up and down the coast, but this little stretch will do and serve it's purpose for the time being. All that's missing is a convertible with the top down!

Coral Casino Beach Club - Four Seasons

I'll be certain there's plenty of time for relaxing pool and ocean side here, I'm sure of that. I envision some bicycle renting at some point - whether it's in Santa Barbara or wine country. Visits to some of the "best kept secret" wineries and avoiding those tourist traps. Perhaps touring the Santa Barbara Mission. Is kayaking the Channel Islands really all that it's talked up to be? Soap making, or something similar, at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Apothecary Cottage. A spa treatment, for certain. I hear there's a cupcake and wine tour- what could be better!? Some times I think the best way to see it all is to do it like a tourist- I'm more than happy to hop on the big red trolley for a narrated tour of the area. Gives a nice overview and then we can go from there. So many options and decisions... can you tell that I just might be looking forward to this a little bit? Try a WHOLE LOT. I can't wait, it's my light at the end of the tunnel as far as work is concerned for these next few months. Gives me plenty of time to plan out 5 days of pure paradise... you've been warned, I'm sure there will be plenty of "planning posts" here as well. Until next time...

Happy Saturday

And welcome back to this realm for me- it's been awhile! Since my last post lots has gone on, that's for sure. I'm even here with a video and a photo or two or ten. Hang onto your hats this might be a long one! Let's be honest, who is reading this besides our parents anyway?!

Well, to start off, 2 days after I came home we took off for Michigan for a few weeks. A few reasons, one of them (and the most important one!) being a SURPRISE 50th birthday party for my Mom! And boy was she surprised- that's probably an understatement.

Another exciting part of Mom's party was to finally be in the same place at the same time with these two lovely ladies. We haven't been able to do that since their weddings. I miss them! Was able to have lunch with them for several hours the next day too since I was playing "hostess with the mostess" the night of the party.

Think she might have been a little surprised?

I think so!

This may or may not have been taken at 2 am. But, it's the only one of the two of us I have from the whole 2 weeks. So here you go, take it or leave it!

3 lovely generations!

And yes, we did end our night at approximately 2:15 am and I believe that the song playing during this "last dance" was something by Shania Twain. Keeping it classy at the yacht club - that's how we do it. Oh, and yes, for those of you who are not aware, this is my brother and not some younger guy my Mom decided to pick- up. :)

Another perk of being home? Seeing cousin Chelsea for her prom. This required some good detective work to find out if Mom still had a meeting after school and wouldn't just show up. She didn't, thankfully, as this was the night of her party. Chelsea looked absolutely beautiful!





And finally, another perk of being home for 2 weeks is spending Memorial Day weekend at our cottage. There's nothing I love more than good times with the fam up-north. All of my Dad's family was up there, at their respective cottages, and we had a blast. Let's just say, the quote of the weekend might be from my cousin (otherwise known as "Cheese"), "Well shit! I showed up at 10pm and by midnight I was drunk!" or perhaps from my brother, "Well, there sure weren't a lot of brain cells that night," referencing the same evening that Cheese showed up and several of us decided it was a great idea to go to the ELB (the lake's bar) at midnight and close it down. Oh yes, that's us... always a fun time!

Notice how hard my Dad is working - sitting in the chair pushing the lever up and down. Thank goodness for his laborers - i.e. Dave and his friends. You'll notice my Uncle also makes a great supervisor- that's what the men in our family do best!

Dave burning his textbooks from college. "Ah yes, this gives me so much satisfaction," were the words I believe he uttered.

And that just about brings us to tonight. Where a little bit of this is taking place. Wine, dinner (that I made, thank you very much), and Adele (LOVE her new album, 21). Can't ask for much more at this point. Oh, perhaps a new/new-old job for Brian and a vacation getaway in September for the two of us to Santa Barbara - more on that soon though. Divine, I tell ya, I cannot wait! I've brought you all up to speed and promise I won't be gone as long this time. Have a great weekend!

And yes, those are pre-grilling kabobs.