Things are heating up...

Things are really heating up over at

and, I am happy to 'fan the flames' by sharing my interactive nesting fire puzzle in their 3rd edition.

If you need a break in your day, why not make it a  Bonbon Break.  You are guaranteed to find something inspiring or thought provoking.  And, while you are there, why not submit your own post for consideration.

Something Old

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

I'm invited to a bridal shower this weekend, for my cousin.

One of my favorite gifts to give is an embroidered vintage handkerchief {something old and something new-ish}.

With either a water solvable pen or, my new favorite, a Pilot FriXion Pen {a swipe of your hot iron will remove any trace of the ink} freehand or trace on the handkerchief what you want to embroider.

I opted for the bride to be's new initials kBr and her wedding date.

Select the thread color you want to use {I opted for her wedding colors, various purples}.  I used a stem stitch, which is a basic embroidery stitch, to create the monogram.

I continued using a stem stitch for the wedding date.  I separated the numbers using a lazy daisy and french knot stitches.

My only hope is that this handkerchief...

only catches tears of joy and happiness.

The only thing left to do, wrap it up and deliver it to the bride to be.

Painting.

I've been busy painting.

I thought I had worked out a good system. I paint a coat, run errands for a few hours, return and paint a second coat.

The one thing my system did not account for was Riley.

Fortunately, there was only a small trail of prints to follow and it led to Riley.

When I questioned her, she said, 'Who me?  I'm an angel.  How could you ever accuse me of such a thing?'

Though, there was no denying it in the end because I caught her red handed...

or white pawed :)

I couldn't resist

I had vowed to avoid Goodwill this week and I failed.

Yep, I bought myself a chair.

The best part, she {yes, this beautiful chair is a lovely lady} was only $3.99.  

Even though she needs some TLC can't you see how sexy she is?  I mean look at those legs and that tufting. 

When I showed my husband this beauty, he responded, 'Oh, you bought a chair.'

Um, what I am sure he meant to say was, 'Amy, I can't believe you found that stunning chair for just $4.  She's lovely, just like you'.  

At least someone appreciates this chair as much as I do...

Pinterest Comments

I regularly check pinterest to see what things have been pinned from my blog.  Did you know you could do that?  I am assuming most bloggers know this but maybe non bloggers don't realize this.

Generally, the descriptions for the "pin" are informational or complimentary or a description of why it provided inspiration.

Someone recently pinned my felt corn tutorial

and they described their pin as:  "Freakin' love fake felt food."

Someone else pinned a picture from the ROCK A-Bye-Baby shower I threw

and they described their pin as:  "While Wearing Heels: Rock A-Bye-Baby Shower {so unique an idea!!!}"

Sometimes, though, you'll find something pinned like my wooden sailboat tutorial and you'll find a comment that surprises you like...

"Just to clarify, since most people just assume this to be the case, just because I pinned this does not mean that I like this site."

I had to laugh at how absurd the description of this pin was.

By no means do I think everyone that visits my blog is going to walk away loving my tutorials or my posts OR that things that get pinned will result in fawning over my idea or even a new follower.

So, when someone pins something they did find inspirational from my blog with a disclaimer that they do not like my site seems unnecessary.

I bring this up to my followers, not to get solicit compliments or reassurance, because I already know, if you are reading my blog, you must like me.  I bring this up, instead, to find out what your own pinterest experience has been.

Towel Turned Travel Bag

 When I found this towel, I knew I had to do something fabulous with it...

I'd love to proudly hang this is some chic bathroom but, even as supportive as my husband is, he would object to a bathroom being so vibrant and pink.

I quite like things both vibrant and pink so I thought I would turn my towel into a tote of sorts.

Something to hold my bathing suit.

 
Or...

This project really is so easy.

Find a hand towel you like.  I found mine in the clearance section of Home Goods for $3.

Fold your towel to decide how deep you want your pocket to be and how long or short you want your flap to be.

When you decide on a size you are happy with.  Line the edges of the pocketed section up and sew both sides closed.  I promise even a novice sewer can do this. 

The existing binding on the edge of the towel already has a stitch line you can follow when sewing your sides closed.

Match your thread, follow the seam and sew your towel closed.

If your skills {and sewing machine allow}, you can make a button hole and attach a button to close your towel turned tote.  *I do not have such skills but fortunately my mom does.

Don't get discouraged if you don't have button hole skills, you can add a snap, velcro or even a ribbon to close your towel turned tote.

Then, it's up to you what you want to do with it.

Throw it in your overnight bag and put your dirty clothes inside.

Use it at the beach and throw your wet bathing suit inside.

Have a bachelorette party to go to, and you don't want to give the expected naughty gifts, this would make a great lingerie travel bag for the bride to be.  Better yet, get a blue towel and make it her 'something blue'

Or, maybe you have a color blind husband that wouldn't mind having a vibrant pink colored bathroom.  If that's the case, just hang it on your towel bar :)

Sick day {repost}

I am having {another} one of those sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever sort of days today.

I thought about taking a sick day but I knew my boss would not approve.

I know, she looks sweet but she can be really tough. We had a full day already planned of going to the park and crafting so I needed to push through.

So I schlepped myself, red nosed and glassy eyed {hidden behind the biggest pair of sunglasses I could find} to the park. The boss decided this would be a team building event so my co-worker Riley went along.

When we got back from the park, the boss immediately started on some paperwork.

Unfortunately, the paperwork caused us some trouble {those vinyl letters get me every time}. Fortunately, the boss didn't seem to notice or care.

So, in the end, I'll forgo the luxury of a sick day because I do feel...

that, even when sick, I get to make these memories with Grace {I guess she's not such a tough boss after all}.