The Sewing Mom

I just spent the last couple of hours paying bills, scheduling online payment, filing paid bills and trying to read through all those credit card offers that come in the mail. If it’s for a new credit card, I shred it, don’t even bother to read it. I’m also receiving quite a few balance transfer offers on my current cards. I usually will read through them to see what rates and fees they’re offering before I shred them, that’s what I was doing today.

Last spring, while opening up my new checking account, I was given an offer for a new credit card through the same bank. I decided to get it, but since having it now for almost a year, I’m not liking it very well. I like my bank account, and the bank, for the most part, but the credit card I’d like to get rid of.

The other day I received an email to apply online for a credit card through a company I am very familiar with (my husband & I have a joint account through them) and I’m considering accepting the offer and then getting rid of this other card. I need to read the details before making my final decision. I won’t accept any credit card that has a fee or high interest rate.

After my brain has rested from all the financial work I did this morning, I check out the offer in more detail. For now, I think I’m going to do some embroidery design for fun!

I have been so busy over the last couple of weeks that I haven’t sewn a thing. I have a few project in my head and one embroidery project that I’m getting ready to do. That particular project has to be done by next Friday, so I’ll be sure to post pictures as I progress with it, it’s currently in the planning and design stages.

So, for this weeks Sew Crafty Friday meme sponsored by Waiting For Him I have decided to show the bag that is currently under way. It’s actually almost done, I just haven’t had time to get in there and finish it!This is my second jelly roll bag. It’s made from jelly roll strips, fully lined and supported by interfacing to allow it to stand up and not just flop over. I am adding a snap closure to this one. It may be another week or so before I can finish it, but here it is as of today.

I have previously discussed worthwhile charity organizations and fund raising on this blog and something new has been brought to my attention that I feel is also worthwhile and I want to let you in on it.

Bloggingforhope.org is a non-profit organization that helps the youth in need in Africa and other developing countries. It’s very interesting how they are doing this. Working through local schools, they have been able to set up media centers with internet connections. They then help the kids learn how to blog and then become “affiliate” bloggers. They don’t make a lot of money through their affiliate links, but a little goes a long ways in these extremely poor areas. The income they make goes towards food, clothing and housing needs.

So, check out one of the best charities using the web for hope. Find blogs by category and click the affiliate links. Or, provide a corporate sponsorship. What an excellent use of the internet!

Friday, THANK GOODNESS! Today is the first day all week that other than taking my daughter to and from school, I have NO plans outside of the house. Good thing too because I have to clean it in preparation for her “party” tomorrow. She’s having two friends come over and we’ll all spend the day at the mall, go out to dinner and then back here to the house where they’ll be sleeping over. This is in celebration of my daughter’s 12th birthday.

So, I’m up early thinking of all the things I need to get done today (and feeling very glad that I don’t have to leave the house) and I know for sure it’s Friday because it’s time for the Four Foods on Friday meme!

This week’s questions:

#1. Do you ever use scissors to cut any foods? Which? Raw or cooked? I use scissors to cut open packages in the kitchen, but that’s pretty much the only thing my kitchen scissors are used for.

#2. Popcorn. Homemade, microwave, bagged, hot, cold. How do you like it? Microwave. I can’t even remember the last time I saw a popcorn maker. I have tried Jiffy pop over the stove, but my arm gets too tired!

#3. Sushi. Love it or hate it? EWWWWWW! Not a fan, at all. My husband likes it and my daughter likes to nibble on California rolls, but me, I’ll leave it in the ocean where it belongs.

#4. Share a dessert recipe.  This is one I haven’t had a chance to try yet, but it sounded yummy.  I just keep forgetting to buy the hot fudge sauce!

1 3/4 c. flour

2 envelops rapid rise yeast

2 T sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 c. very warm water

2 T butter

1 c. hot fudge sauce

Spray 9 1/2 inch deep dish pie plate with cooking spray.  Mix all ingredients except fudge sauce, in pie plate.

Top batter with evenly spaced spoonfuls of hot fudge sauce.  Using a spoon, swirl fudge sauce into batter.

Bake by placing in a cold oven, set temperature to 350.  Bake 25-30 minutes, until lightly browned and firm in center.  Cool 10 minutes.

Make icing with 1 c. powdered sugar and 1-2 T milk.  Drizzle over warm cake.

I just returned from a machine embroidery class. I’m not posting here to talk about the class, I’ll do that in another post, but I observed something when I arrived for the class. I noticed immediately that three of the other four ladies taking the class appeared to be at least 15-20 years older than me. Part of their appearance that made them seem older was their hairstyles, but the primary contributing factor making them look older was their skin. Their skin looked older.

From the time I was in high school I’ve taken care of my skin. Besides keeping my face clean, I’ve always tried to use skin care products and I’ve always used products for sensitive skin. There are so many skin care products to choose from. Each person must find what’s right for them.

Personally, I always want products that are dermatologist tested, fragrance free, designed for sensitive skin and, now that I’m older, has age defying components. A good system that I found recently, is the Borba system. It consists of 4 steps.

1. Cleanse
2. Treat
3. Protect/Hydrate
4. Boost

If added incentive is needed, a free gift is given with every purchase of $100 or more. Definitely worth checking it out!

Any mom will tell you, we’re ALL Superwoman! I don’t think a woman can be a mom without having the super powers of SuperWoman!

So, what super hero are you? Take the quiz and come back to let me know how it turned out.

Do you wash your own windows?

We moved in to this house last April and I have to tell you, it was pretty dirty.  I refused to unpack a single box until I had scrubbed the room the box’s contents belonged in.  I had all of the carpets cleaned, they were nasty and several rooms had dog urine on the carpets.  I still have a lot of painting after I finish wall repairs.

The one thing I haven’t touched are the windows.  There are over 40 windows in this house and they’re filthy dirty.  I have 5 tall windows that form the exterior wall of the family room.  They allow us to look out over the swimming pool and it’s a wonderful view, as long as the sun isn’t shining, reflecting off of all the dirt that is attached to the glass.

I can clean windows myself, and usually do, but I’ve never been able to accomplish the streak free window washing.  So, I decided I can’t stand looking out of these windows any longer and I hired a company to come do it.  The should be here in about an hour and will wash down the outside of every window in the house.  I’m going to have them do the interior of the family room windows as well, I really want them to be spotless.  Those windows have no window treatments on them, so we can see every smudge and grime streak.

I’m looking forward to having a clear view of our pool and backyard!

Oysters, how I love thee!

Oysters truly are one of my favorite foods, and being in Texas, we have access to delicious Gulf oysters . I never cook them at home though, I have to have them from a restaurant, deep fried. Raw or undercooked oysters can cause serious illness and besides not wanting to risk becoming ill, I just don’t care for the texture or look of raw oysters. Deep fried on the other hand, I love them!

Let me show you just how much I love oysters. Please watch my video.