Mark this one off the to-sew list.

Yeah! My shower curtain is finished!
(and yes, my bathroom is tiny)

I have been searching (unsuccessfully) for a new shower curtain for quite some time now. I can never find one I really like. I love the look of a nice linen with red and the tile in my bathroom is a linen-tan color. I already had the red valences (Woolrich by Target from a couple of years back) and had been using them over my old shower curtain since they were purchased. I knew I wanted to keep the red color (and use the valences) but I just couldn't find a shower curtain in ANY store that would coordinate. Then a friend introduced me to this fabric that has been sitting in her basement for a couple of years:

Linen & Red floral by Pottery Barn. :)

It was love at first sight. She gifted me the fabric (she is the best friend ever) and the rest is history.

I used grommets for the first time (for the holes at the top instead of making 12 buttonholes). Now, I love grommets. So crisp. So professional. So fast. Try grommets.

I love it.

beautiful stitches...

A few new things just added in the shop!

This looks stupid...

Yes, my cute little dogwood that was a gift from my sister for my wedding anniversary is covered in yellow tulle...

No, it is not in celebration of anything.

It is because of this darn thing:

Our local extension agent says our young trees (less than 6ft tall) need to remain covered for probably 3-4 more weeks! I hope having my trees covered in this ridiculous looking tulle is actually doing something because it sure is an eyesore. Everyone on my street has tulle covered trees. Mine is the only yellow one. Why? Because everyone else has had their tree covered for about 2 weeks already. By the time I got around to covering mine yellow tulle was all that was left. Mr. Cicada, I'm sure you have a purpose on this planet but can you please hurry it up because tulle covered trees are annoying.

This is one thing in my garden right now that really isn't an eyesore at all.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I am in the process of working on a project for me and cutting out my Emmeline. I plan to post some progress later tonight. I have to get caught up on a post a day in may because I have been slacking. :) sorry.

A Cartoon and info about a giveaway!

Em of Em and the Gang has an awesome giveaway over at her blog to celebrate here 100th post. Just head over to her site and post a comment - you even get to pick your prize!

Irrestible Strawberry Tray

I have this thing for strawberry prints - so summery, so red (my favorite color). My mom found this strawberry print metal tray at a yard sale and I absolutely love it. It is going to be perfect for our cookouts. I can see all of the uses now...carrying drinks outside, gathering up condiments for burgers, using it for clean up, etc. etc. It is going to look fab with my vintage strawberry tablecloth! Just had to share!

emmeline...why do you intimidate me?

I've got all the fabric and thread ready. I've read (and re-read) the instructions.

So why am I having such a hard time starting my Emmeline apron? I'm intimidated by this project! There are a couple of reasons I think I feel this way. 1. The floral pattern is a vintage fabric and I love it. I only have just a little more than enough of it so I can't make any mistakes (stress!!!). 2. The apron is so beautiful so it has to be hard to make. I just need to suck it up and start cutting! I only have 10 more days left for the sew-along!

Aren't these little coin purses lovely? I have used these little coin purses off and on since I picked them up at estate sales a couple of years ago. They are super handy to have in your purse for coins or mints.

You can find them now in the shop.

Have a great day tomorrow everyone!

celebrate

Whew...I need a weekend to recover from my weekend. While I had the weekend off (no call...yippie!), DH & I were soooo busy I feel even more tired than if I had worked all weekend. We returned from the conference Friday night then spent all day Saturday cleaning up our backyard and flower gardens. We planted, weeded and pressure-washed until we could do no more. Today we did more cleaning up around the house and then hosted a surprise birthday party for my father-in-law. Our first backyard barbecue of the season - yummy burgers on the grill, salads and then strawberry shortcake made by my MIL (had to pull out the vintage strawberry tablecloth for the cake!).

I plan to work on getting my Emmeline apron cut out this week for the sew-along. Also, I have plans to whip up a (looks easy but we'll see) wrap skirt from S.E.W. I'll keep you posted.

Now, gotta go finish unpacking/laundry from the conference and get ready for a busy week at work...