Sewing Day

Today I made this bag. I'm thrilled with the way a belt I found secondhand matches the fabric and makes a great strap, and I really like the interior pockets, the quirky boxiness of the bag's shape, and the cuffed lining around the top. I'm not so thrilled with the way it hangs. My poll question (to the right) is: Do you think I should offer this bag for sale?As I was ironing the final crease in the flap, this ginormous spider stepped up and frightened me so badly that I shrieked. My impulse was to stomp on it, but I didn't want to clean the carpet after such a violent murder. I dumped my stainless steel sewing foot bowl onto the ironing board, scooped up the spider and ran him outside. He sat, stunned, in the same spot long enough for me to run for my camera. I've never encountered a spider this large.

And it burns, burns, burns, the big bonfire...

After returning our rented dumpster, we generated more construction refuse. The "solution"? Have a bonfire. It was not without environmental guilt and trepidation, but it was effective. And oddly pleasing. I felt primordial satisfaction and pride in building a raging fire. The process is not something a good camper forgets, even if she hasn't had a camp fire in years because she wants to preserve the ozone.
In a matter of two hours, the wreckage was diminished to a pile of ash. End of confession.

"Shakespeare" is the Etsy search term for today!

I'm headed to Shakespeare in the Park tonight, for Richard III with a bus full of teens who enjoy such outings. It's a last-day-of-school tradition I started when I took over the sponsorship of Literary Guild.
JBlackdesigns is a new favorite shop of mine, filled with literary treats. This photocard bears a message well worth delivering.
I adore this quotation. In fact, it's one of my tattoos. EasyLifeProductions lets you choose: art print, mini-print, card---no matter what, it's yours for a low, low price.

Urbanbead offers this groovy pendant. Wear it to publicly demonstrate your affection for The Bard.

"Postage"-- the Etsy Search Term for Today

The colors in this stamp are just plain lovely, yes? Check it out in jewelparlour's Singapore shop.

DancingMooney has created this postage-inspired ACEO orginal.

If this hasn't sold by the end of the day, it's mine. I have always loved this stained glass piece, and the recycled postage stamp and button cover used by SquishySushi to create a pendant speak to me. (The message? "Wear me! I'll match any outfit!")

Marshmallow--the Etsy search word for today

Welcome to my first food-product feature. My son has been digging into the baking cabinet for marshmallows lately, so this search was inspired by his passion for the spongy foodstuff and was overtaken by my adoration for peanut butter.
I never dreamed I'd find peanut butter in this search, but when a person loves peanut butter as truly and completely as I, nothing can keep us apart. I have learned the term fluffernutter, and I am a better (and soon bigger) person for it. Check out TheSweetSpot for this Ghirardelli-covered marshmallow cream and peanut butter confection.
My mouth is watering for this combination: peanut butter and chocolate encasing a marshmallow! Go to SweetsOnSticks for these, and more delicious goodies.

Cardboard is the Etsy Search Word Today

GreenerGrass has created an assortment of amazing gifts, from magnets to clothespins, to pocket placemats. I like the simplicity of this sign, and the message as well.

Remade creates postcards ("Box Card Children"--what an awesome, nostalgic name) from cardboard branding. She's also got clothing, wristbands, and totes.

Cardboard cupcake by artonthemenu! A whole menu of foods ala cardboard is available.

Etsy search word of the day: Chess

Chess is the search term for today.
This coffee table has been transformed into a mosaic game board surface by designbytianna.
AndrosCreations makes silver guitar picks with a plethora of illustrations to choose from.
From COGnitiveCreations comes this steampunk pawn pendant on a cord.

Ticking--the Etsy search word of the day

Ticking. It's a nostalgic fabric that I adore. Here are some ways to incorporate it into your life.
From gomonkeydesign comes these comfy-looking, yet fully stylin' toddler pants. I wish they came in adult sizes!
Ponderingponteuf's shop is filled with delightful creations like these "madness pants" for kiddos.

The bag is great, and I just plain love these product photos from Oiseaunoir's shop. They're selling an entire image.

My weekend plans

1. Plant flowers and mulch beds.

2. Unpack, re-organize, and set up my sewing room! The basement repairs are complete, and I'll be able to sew for the first time in seven weeks!

3. Go to the St. Louis Art Museum's quilt exhibit: Quilts in a Material World. This will be my Mother's Day treat!

4. Finish the book I'm reading: The Rules of Survival. (I have an advance copy through my school's library club.)

5. Go for a six-mile hike (or run, preferably, if my knee can handle it). We're lucky enough to live within a mile of a beautiful state park with many trails to choose from or combine.

The best-paid teacher in the land

In January, I told my students about a zany plan of mine: to buy a life-size cardboard cut-out of myself. (I like for them to worry that I'm crazy.) I told them how it would simplify my life to have the cardboard Mrs. G monitor the hall while I was catching up with a student who'd been out sick, or to have cardboard Mrs. G stand sentry over sleepyheads while we read Shakespeare. I mused aloud about how fun it would be to put different outfits, and even faces on a giant paper-doll me. Then I added my hidden nanny-cam plot for glowing red eyes on the artificial me, so I'd never need to worry about what was going on when a sub was in my place.

They laughed in ways that ranged from polite to disturbed to rollicking, and we moved on to the finer points of MLA citations. Another scheme of mine forgotten (like the one where I come to school in disguise and insist I'm a substitute). Or not.

Today, my club--the Literary Guild-- surprised me with a year-end gift. They plotted for months and even involved yearbook photographers so that they could make my dream a reality. Today, the club president called an "emergency" meeting so that they could grant my wish. I was near tears. It may be the best gift I've ever received.

I spent the afternoon strolling through the school, arm around my other self, making teachers, students, administrators, custodians envious. Everyone wishes they'd thought of my idea...and had a group of students like my after-school crew. If every day were like today, there would never be a teacher shortage.

"Triathlete" is the search word of the day

PlusPerformance's card shop features greetings for the active woman. Swimming, cycling, and running are prominant themes. Can you dig it? I do!

Sunrise is the word of the day

Etsy search: sunrise art not photo not print.
This mixed media collage by nicoleraephotography satisfies a need for light and dark to coexist.

The view presented in this miniature painting by smallimpressions brings camping memories to mind. I love to be in the mountains.

CobaltSkyStudio has reduced the price on this painting by 50%! It's large and I'm keeping it in mind for my home.