It’s an Aggie Thing

My sister Katherine and her friend Kayla received their Senior Rings from Texas A&M University this week. Here are a few shots I took of them yesterday afternoon. Aren’t they cute? And SOOOOO excited.

As you can see, we had a BLAST taking pictures. I'm suprised all the pictures aren't blury I laughed so much. Kayla and Katherine, you two are beautiful. Congratulations! You worked hard for those rings. Flash 'em proudly.

The Porch that Faces North Street

This old house can be quite uncomfortable at times. In its current state is doesn’t accommodate large groups of people very well and entertaining guests with a table and 3 chairs can be, well, humorous to say the least. However, the front porch is perfect.

It’s our refuge after a long day of yard work. It’s a much needed sunny spot to enjoy lunch (after spending 5 hours in front of the computer). And you’re almost always guaranteed a gentle breeze when resting there. The front porch is our place to celebrate, entertain, and relax. The other evening we did all three. We celebrated the recent engagement of my sister and her fiancé Kyle Kielman, we asked Ricky T to join us for dinner at the last minute (because we ALWAYS have too much food) and we all relaxed while sharing a pitcher of simple sangria.

So, while remodeling an old house has its challenges, it also has its rewards. Had our dining room been something besides our current master bedroom, we might never have found the pleasure of our front porch. Right?

Laptop Sleeve { A Bit-O-Me Original! }

For Christmas I designed a lap top sleeve for Katherine’s new yellow laptop. I recently made another sleeve as a birthday gift for a friend. What I love about this blog is, that it’s a way to archive my projects so I remember how and what I've done! I thought I’d share my “pattern” hoping that one of you would be willing to give it a try! I’d like to improve upon the idea and perfect the design. Help!

To Make Your Own:
Obtain manufacturers dimensions for the laptop you are creating the sleeve for. (This sleeve was created for a red Dell XPS M1330. w 12.5, d 9.4, h 0.87 inchesw)

Add 3 to 4 inches to both the width and height of the dimensions. This is the size you should cut your fabric.
Decorative fabric (example 16.5” x 13.5”) – Cut 2
Lining fabric (example 16.5” x 13.5”) –Cut 2
Batting (example 16.5” x 13.5”) – Cut 2

For straps
Cut strips of fabric 2.5” wide. The length is up to you. My straps were 21”
Decorative fabric 2.5”x21” – Cut 2
Lining fabric 2.5”x21” – Cut 2
Fusible interfacing (to make the handles slightly stiff) 2.5”x21” – Cut 2

Iron fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the decorative strap fabric. Placing right sides together sew the decorative fabric to the lining fabric. Sew down each side, leaving both ends open. I used a 3/8” seam allowance.

Turn right side out. Press, making sure the edges are even. Top stitch both sides. Set straps to the side.

Base or sew batting to the wrong side of your sleeves decorative fabric. The batting has a tendency to stretch and move when sewing. This helps keep it in place.

Once batting is secure, place facing sides of your Decorative fabric together and sew three of the four sides together (The two long and one short) creating a bag. Use 7/8” seam allowance. Trim seams, cut corners, and turn right side out.

If you want to add a pocket to the liner now is the time to do that. Create pocket to desired size and stitch to one side of the lining fabric. Once pocket is in place, sew right sides together on three sides creating a bag. Leave this wrong side out.

Pin straps in place on the decorative fabric portion of the sleeve. Make sure you place the straps with the decorative fabric facing each other.

Once the straps are in place, side the liner bag over the decorative bag and pin together where they meet at the top edge. Begin pinning at the seams along the side making sure they match up.

Sew these two bags together using 7/8 inch seam allowance and leaving a 2.5-3” gap between two of the straps. This is where you’ll be turning everything inside out. Note: Be sure to back stitch over the straps to add strength and on either end of your opening as there will be quite a bit of tension when you turn this right side out.

Once the bag is right side out, form lining into the bag and press. (Turning the bag right side out is the harest part of this project. Don't give up. You can do it. Little by little!)

Place Hair band in the opening between the two straps. Top stitch the top edge of the bag stitching the band in place. Back stitch over it to provide strength.

Press.

I choose to top stitch the edges to give the final product a finished look. If you don’t top stitch, the bag is reversible.

Add your button and tada! Finished!

I like that the handles can also be put inside the bag, giving it a sleeve appearance.

If you are willing to test out my “pattern” please be sure to let me know how/if the instructions should be revised and improved upon. Happy sewing!

The Grimes Family

Can you believe that Jami is already six months old? It was critical we get family pictures before she starts walking! Sunday evening was perfect. Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy.

I love baby Jami's arms....so sweet and baby soft.

How fun is this shaddow?

Such a pretty family, on such a pretty day! Don't you think?!

Flower Show - A Family Tradition

Marin and I, along with my brother David, attended the 2009 Polk County Garden Club Flower Show and Tasting Tea on Tuesday. Mom has been a member of the Garden Club for two years now. Its been a tradition that mom and I attend this annual event, even before she became a member. Now we share this tradition with Marin. This year was especially exciting because mom won the Sweepstakes award for the most blue ribbons in horticulture. We all know mom can grown beautiful plants and flowers. Now she has a ribbon to prove it (grin). Here is her award winning Japanese Maple leaf branch and ribbons.

The flower show was held at the Polk County Memorial Museum. It was a beautiful day and a lovely location. Below is mom’s arrangement and one of my favorite arrangements on display.

After the flower show, we headed over to “Miss Effie’s Cottage” for the tasting tea and horticulture exhibit. Mom is definitely passing on her love for flowers to Marin. Hand Marin and flower and she’ll smell it and say “Ummm, pree wower.” They both enjoy Mom’s backyard and Marin insists that Grandma take her outside every time we visit.

Sugars and Sweets. Yum!

When we entered the horticulture exhibit, I said to Marin “just look, don’t touch.” She decided that the rules applied to EVERYONE and was quick to tell others, especially David, “don’t touch!”

In exchange for our tickets we were given stamps on our hand. Marin was so curious about our “colors” I thought she would enjoy her own “color.” She was THRILLED when they put a bunny stamp on her hand. She enjoyed looking at it the rest of the day. Bath time was a bit traumatic when the "color" had to come off.

It was a wonderful afternoon. Thank you, David, for helping me with Marin. She really loves you!