Red, White and Emmi

Here are a couple of totally random red and white pictures:
This first one is of a vintage tobacco tin that Valine gave me.And this one is of a vintage woven trivet. My mother gave me this, but I believe that it first belonged to my grandmother.And while this is not red/white, I just had to include this photo of Emmi. Last week, I got her groomed and asked them to cut her pretty short. I was not completely prepared for how short her hair was when I picked her up, but I knew that it must feel much better, considering how hot it's been. Her fur has already grown a bit and she is now looking quite cute!

Red and White

"Red is the ultimate cure for sadness." ---Bill Blass

As I sat down to watch the Olympic coverage this evening, I was interrupted by images of red and white all around the house. Since this is the first day of my "challenge", I grabbed my camera to take a few shots:
The head of this rooster sitting in my kitchen window. . . . .
The small bird on her side . . . . .Emmi's collar against her white fur (I didn't dare get out her red leash for the picture or she would have insisted upon another walk around the block!) . . . . .The tag off my newest Target reusable shopping bag. . . . .The buttons on my new digital remote control. . . . .And, of course, the side of my Diet Coke can.Which reminds me---the Olympics are on TV!!!

Window Treatments vs. Curtains

I don't know exactly when it happened, but somewhere along the way those things hanging on the windows that I grew up calling "curtains" (or "drapes" in the fancy houses) have become known as "window treatments". I am in awe of the conversations amongst friends (mostly at church) that revolve around decorating and the fabric/style of their window treatments. Now, maybe this is something like allergies were when I was a kid. My mom used to tell me that only rich kids had allergies---the rest of us had a cold!! Perhaps that's why I still call the coverings on my own windows "curtains".

But, nevertheless, I spent a good part of the weekend making new window coverings for Callie and Jordan's apartment. Always looking for a good deal, I set out on a mission to make stylish curtains on a budget. First, for their living room, I had this pillow from their couch (a hand-me-down gift from friends):
Since they essentially have 6 windows to cover in that room---2 double windows and 2 single windows---I weighed the options of buying fabric vs. ready-made. I found these at Wal-Mart for $9.96 a pair and decided to given them a try. First I took one set and split them down the middle, hemming under the ends of the attached valance. Next, I shopped for fringe
and braided trim. (the embellishments actually cost more than the curtains)
And after sewing both to the bottom of the valance and to the tiebacks, this is what I ended up with.Now, on to the bedroom. A couple of weeks ago, I sewed up some pretty brown valances for their bedroom---to go with their brown quilt. However, they have since learned that the window A/C units in their apartment are not especially efficient and are therefore looking for window coverings that offer some bit of insulation--not just mere decoration!

Voila! I took these curtains (also from Wal-Mart for $15/pair)and am adding decorative stitching to the sides.Hopefully, I can get over to Ruston in the next couple of weeks to help them hang them on the windows!

Inspiration

Seems that I need a new challenge in order to post regularly, so I've just found one. It's the Shades of Inspiration Challenge. Each week, a color combination is chosen and members take photos of things in those colors that inspire them. Sounds like fun----I think I'll try it. Next week the color combination is Red and White----hmmmmmm.

My first Tutorial

Last winter, I began using my old fabric stash to construct diaper bags to take on our next Mexico mission trip. Several ladies in our church wanted to make some, too, and asked for a pattern, so I made one for them. Today, I'm inspired to sew and am trying to make myself clean house before I begin another project, so in while taking a break from dusting and organizing, I'm posting my first ever tutorial.

Diaper Bag Tutorial

Where Are You, Buddy??

FOR ADOPTION: One large, yellow Lab. One and half years old. Has been to some obedience training. Playful. Loves to dig under fences, squeeze through gates and fences and run through the neighborhood. Does NOT come when called and dodges you with a smirk on his face when you try to catch him.

Quick, while Carol and Ron are still away---doesn't anyone want to take Buddy?? I offered to watch Buddy and his playmate, Spanky while they are out of town for a wedding. Spanky stays put, but so far, Buddy has managed to get out of the fence almost every morning and dash through the neighborhood as I try to catch him. He's out again---right now---and I haven't been able to grab his collar or lure him inside yet. Each time I have put him back in the fence, I've found the spot where he has escaped and carefully pulled large pieces of iron or wood into the holes, thinking that this time I had him penned in. Then, this morning, I find he has dug out once again! How does such a big dog squeeze through such a small space under the fence??? Surely, this will be the last time. . . . How many days until they get home??

The Price of Comfort

"Money, if it does not bring you happiness, will at least help you be miserable in comfort." --Helen Gurley Brown

It's only money, right? Despite having 3 small fans blowing in my room last night, I spent much of the night tossing and turning and sweating. So, upon learning that the expected high today is 105 degrees, I broke down and called for a technician to come out on Sunday. Of course, I paid double for the service call and he just came back in the house and said----"Do you want the good news first or the bad news?" Hmmmm----I'm thinking that neither sounds very good, but yeah let's go with the good news first. "I found the problem." That's it?----the good news? "The bad news----the compressor has completely blown and has to be replaced". The sales team will come out in the morning to talk to me about brand new A/C units---estimated cost is about $3500!!!!! And the even worse news---another hot night tonight. Guess I'll go to work this week after all---I need the money much worse than I need a break!!!