Threading Thursday - Needed a partner

While I was putting away some winter bed sheet set, I found another throw pillow that was inside the bench (storage) in the guest room.  Next thing I know, I am trying to decorate it so it can be a partner to the other throw pillow that is now on the bed.  These two burgundy pillows were from our living room couch in San Jose.  I brought it with us because I knew that I reuse it, maybe make new covers and add some buttons, etc.  So I started searching for something in the boxes of notions I have and sure enough, there was the perfect ribbon and buttons.  Here's what I had completed.  The other pillow is the one currently on the guest bed and this new partner pillow is on top of the bench. I just hope that the couple who will stay in the guest room does not use it for a pillow fight. That would be funny. 

Trying Tuesday - Repurposing

After my sister's visit last October, I found this old jean capri pants that she left.  I asked her later and she said it was too big for her and I could do anything I want with it.  So it sat in a bag and almost took it for donation.  But after watching the Great British Sewing Contest, I was inspired with one of the project they had on one episode.  They were given some type of clothing and they were tasked to recreate something totally different with whatever they wish.  It had to be a little drastic.  Anyway, here is what I had completed.  The transformation of an old jean capri pants to a sort of vintage skirt. I had asked my sister for her measurements and I am hoping she can make use of it when she visits us sometime in the summer.  A perfect comfy skirt for just lazying around the house. 

I removed the elastic waist band and zipper and opened the inner leg seam.

Then I added the zipper, flowery insert and a bow to cover the pleats.

After I measure the waist, I cut the front insert and sewed it.

I cut the waist band and sewed it on.

On the waist band I needed a hook and eye as they call it, but I use the hook and hand sewn this for the hook.

The finish jean skirt for my favorite sister.

Santa Fe Sunday - Loving the mini frames

Now that I am used up all my mini canvas frames, I decided to get more at the dollar store.  I thought if I have some of these done, it could be a nice gift for friends who are visiting.  Of course I will only give it to them if they want to put it somewhere in their home.  Some people don't like collecting stuff only to be placed in the box and never actually use it.  That is why I am just keeping them until some one ask me for any of these paintings.  So far I have done six and I have shared the two cactus one and the two flowery ones.  This time I did a couple that are more like southwestern.  It inspired me when I thought about my girlfriend from San Jose who moved to Albuquerque, NM.  The idea is from some of the pictures I saw that are from that part of the state.  I remember going through that area on our RV last year.  Anyway, my friend who lives in Kelowna has some type of southwestern theme in her kitchen/dining room.  Maybe she might like it.  Otherwise, I will just keep it until someone asks for them.

Flowery Friday - Calling for spring

When we visit Vernon a couple of years ago, most of the locals said that the snow is gone by the end of February.  Well, there's only a few more days left for this month and I cannot see the ground yet. Obviously they were lying.  Also they tricked us in saying that when there's a snow fall, it usually disappear in a few days.  Again, they lied as it snowed on November 1 and it never left.  But enough complaining because I am truly hoping the Spring will be here sooner than later.  In the meantime, I kept my self busy painting on those days when it's snowing outside and don't feel like going out.  I think that when you read the title of this post, you already guessed that it is all about flowers and flowers means spring.

Left is my version of Forget-me-not while the right are my Cherry Blossoms.

Wanting Wednesday - Cactus

Sometime last year, my daughter ask me to embroider a couple of white kitchen towels with cactus in a pot. I did, not sure if you remember that post.  Unfortunately I cannot find a photo but hopefully by the end of this post, I would be able to find and include it.  Yesterday I decided to paint my mini canvas again. I sat for a while and then I remembered doing that embroidery and thought it would be nice to do something similar. Hopefully my daughter would like to keep it, but if not, I'll hang on to it until she is ready for it.  I started getting all my supplies and began after dinner and both canvas was complete by 900 pm.  Wanna see them?

I knew if I took the time to find where the embroidered towels where, I will find it, and here it is.

Flavorful Friday - Desserts for a crowd

It is another busy day in my kitchen.  I am preparing for our first Progressive Dinner.  Luckily I got what I had requested to host.  The final meal of the evening - Desserts.  One of our neighbor who has been to many of this event, suggested that I make smaller portion because people will have their belly full by the time they get to our house.  A week ago, I planned my menu and here's what Jeff and I have made. I will definitely post next week which one of these sweet treats made the top of the list. 

Brownies with nuts and chocolate chips.

Pecan Bars using Martha Stewart recipe

Macarons with candy cane cream filling

Macarons with chocolate ganache filling

Granola bar

Jeff's chocolate chip cookies 

Cranberry apricot cake balls dipped in white and dark chocolate

In addition to above, I will also be serving an extra plate of assorted cookies and squares which I have made previously.  I know I have a lot of variety which would please almost everyone.  We are expecting 26 people in total. 

Wholehearted Wednesday - What is love?

Are you one of those people that still celebrates Valentine's Day?  Is it because you still believe in true love?  If you do, do you try to make it very special each and every year?  Maybe you are one of those who do not believe in celebrating this day because you are more into making any day special when you feel like giving or doing something extra special.  Anyway whatever you do or not do, today could just be a day when you show the person you love what is the meaning of love in your own special way.  We won't be going out to have dinner instead we will have steak an lobster at home.  After we got married, I told Jeff I don't need no stinkin' flowers since most of them just die in a couple of days.  I am diabetic so he cannot buy me chocolates. Honestly when I got my engagement ring, Jeff says not to expect any more expensive jewelry And as for Jeff, he doesn't need anything - that is his usual reply. Instead of all these commercialized stuff, we just treat each other nicely, lovingly and wholeheartedly.  It's hard to believe that it has been 15 years since Jeff and I met.  Five years of long distance relationship before getting married, then another 2 years of being apart before joining him. Maybe that is our secret - being apart for a long time. We are very proud to add that we have never had any big fight in all those years.  Why? because we both have been there, done that and now refuse to go there.  That is the secret of our very happy marriage.  Happy Valentine's to everyone.