The Sewing Mom

I’m on day 8 of my sinus infection treatment, a prescribed antibiotic, among other things. I’m not feeling any better today than I did 8 days ago when I went in to see the doctor. I had hope yesterday, after spending most of the day doing yard work, in the heat, I actually didn’t feel too bad. My head still hurt, but it was much more mild than it had been, bearable. This morning it was back to pain as usual. I’m becoming very frustrated.

Anyone who has ever had any kind of headache knows that when your head hurts, especially if it REALLY hurts, it’s difficult to get anything else done. I’ve been feeling so bad for so long now, if I didn’t keep doing things around the house, there’d be no clean clothes to wear, no clean dishes to eat off of and no food in the house to eat. Needless to say, I’m still doing my work around here. There are times though that I just have to sit back and close my eyes. This afternoon was one of those times.

I drove my daughter to her guitar lesson and by the time we got there I could barely keep my eyes open. It’s almost like I was sleep deprived. I told my daughter to go on in to her lesson and I sat in the car waiting for her. I had 30 minutes to sit back in the car with my eyes closed. By the time she came back out to the car, my eyes felt much better, even if my head was still hurting.

I plan on talking to the doctor next time I go in about different treatment options. The anti-biotic doesn’t seem to have had any affect. I’m still taking over-the-counter allergy medication and it helps keep my nose from running and eyes from watering so I can at least see to cut fabric. I’m also taking over the counter pain reliever for my headache, but I’m not sure how much good that’s doing either. I’m not a big fan of taking medications, but I’ve been doing my best to follow the doctors orders. I think I’m ready to hear what my options are since the current treatment plan isn’t working.

As for my lack of energy, that may be contributing to my headaches. I’m considering sublingual B-12 which is supposed to promote energy and stamina. The B vitamins help your body fight off illnesses and I could sure use help. If you’re thinking the same thing, Click here to get your own box of Trivita Sublingual B 12. which is safer and more affordable than a B-12 shot, not to mention painless.

Anyway, whatever I do, I just want my head to stop hurting, I’ve got sewing to do!

Tags: sublingual B-12, Trivita Sublingual B-12, www.sublingualb12.com

As my readers may know, I haven’t been feeling well due to severe sinus and allergy pain.  Unfortunately, it’s putting me behind in my sewing.  I have a sale coming up in July and I need to have quite a bit made and ready to sell by then, but in the last two weeks, I’ve completed only one bag.

Today, I sort of turned that around.  I’m still not feeling well, but, thanks to the weather, I got some sewing done.  You see, we had severe thunderstorms roll through earlier today and the power kept flickering on and off.  Finally, it went off and stayed off, so, after reading a few chapters in my book, I decided to cut out some fabric so that it would be ready to sew once the power was restored.

Incredibly, as I was finishing cutting out frog print fabric for the 2nd bag, the power came back on.  I turned on my sewing machine and managed to get both bags completed before having to go pick my daughter up from school.  I feel such a sense of accomplishment!

I will have to wait to take photos as my husband took the camera with him this morning on his business trip.  I’ll post pictures in the next day or two. 

Tags: fabric bags, frog print fabric, sewing

Myspace Graphics at WishAFriend.comTo all of my U.S. readers, I wish you a safe and happy Memorial Day!

I hope you find time to spend with friends and family. We were able to do that yesterday and spent the day hanging around our swimming pool.

As my own dad was a veteran, I ask that everyone take a few moments at least to remember all of those who have served our country over our history, including those who are currently serving, all across the world.

Have a super day!

Tags: Memorial Day

I am not the best when it comes to exercising, I always have good intentions, but tend to put off what I know I need to be doing. I have a treadmill and a mini trampoline that don’t get too much use. I have a great pair of walking sneakers that get worn, but not too much for exercise purposes. Pretty much the only walking I’ve been doing lately has been when I’m out running errands or cleaning house. Yes, I’m burning a few calories, but not really working out my muscles the way I need to.

I found a solution, and a good one too, a solution I can actually stick to! I’m going to get myself a pair of Fitflops. These are shoes that are designed to tone and strengthen your leg muscles simply by walking while wearing them. I love it! And, they’re cute too! Take a look.

I plan to order my Fit Flops in the chocolate (sold exclusively by sweatyBetty.com) and black. I’m really liking the red too. I just think they’re all really cute! Of course, I do love shoes, especially sandals and flip flops, so it’s only natural that I would like the Fit Flop and want to add it to my shoe collection.While sweatyBetty.com is in the U.K., they will ship worldwide. I can’t wait to order mine!

Tags: Fit Flop, Fit Flops, Fitflops

I received an early morning call today that made me quite envious.  My sister called quite early to tell me that she and our mom had just left the quilt shop after each of them spent a rather large sum of money on fabrics.  The good news for them was that everything was half price, the bad news for me was that I couldn’t go with them!

The quilt shop in Wabash, IN had a big half price sale  this morning.  The catch was that you had to enter the shop between the hours of 7-9 A.M. this morning only to receive the discount.  Let me tell you, for half price at a quilt shop?  I’d get up at midnight for that!

Tags: quilt fabric

I really need to go to the local quilt shop to purchase a few supplies. I have to try to stay away though because I can’t walk in without ending up buying yards and yards of beautiful fabrics. I truly believe that I have a fabric addiction.

I really have to limit how frequently I go to the quilt shop, I try to go no more than once a month. I haven’t been yet in May, I think I’m doing quite well. I may try to go on Monday and I hope I won’t need credit card debt relief when I’m done. Perhaps, rather than credit counseling, I need fabric counseling! I wonder if the quilt shop accepts debt settlement?

I’m kidding of course. I use the money I make from selling my sewing creations and writing paid posts to buy more fabric. I make sure to always pay cash so I don’t have a panic attack when I get a bill in the mail.

For those that choose to pay by credit, my advice is, don’t let it get out of control. If you need help, get qualified help. Now I must return to my sewing projects.

Tags: credit card debt relief

It’s my favorite day of the week, Friday! Today is even better because it’s leading into a three day weekend and I’m hoping to get some flowers planted, although, I do wish it would rain, I’ll have to turn my sprinklers on if it doesn’t!

This is really my favorite meme, put on by Fun Crafts and Recipes and if you’d like to participate, head on over there and give Valmg a shout out.

This weeks questions are:

#1. What’s your favorite white beverage? If you don’t have one, what’s your favorite beverage with something white in it? I’m definitely going to say White Zinfandel wine. If I can’t have that then I’ll go with Sprite or Sierra Mist.

#2. What’s your favorite white gravy, sauce, condiment, dressing or topping? I have to say I almost always go with ranch dressing on my salads, but my favorite gravy is cream gravy, like the kind that goes over chicken fried steak!

#3. What’s your favorite white item from the refrigerated section? In the refrigerated section, I am always stocking up on International Delight French Vanilla coffee creamer. I prefer the no-fat version, but it’s getting harder to find, so I do sometimes get the sugar free version. I almost can’t drink coffee without it. My husband has been know to bring it along when we take extended road trips.

#4. Share a recipe for something white. This is the recipe for Chicken and sour cream enchiladas.

2 c. chopped cooked chicken
1 c. thick & chunky salsa
1 c. sour cream
1 1/2 c. shredded colby & monterey jack cheese
1 tsp. ground cumin
2 T. cilantro (I don’t like this, so I leave it out)
10 flour tortillas
1 c. shredded lettuce
1 chopped tomato

Mix chicken, sour cream, 1 c. of cheese, 1/4 c. salsa, cilantro and cumin until well blended.
Spoon about 1/4 c. of the chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla, roll up. Place, seam sides down, in a 13×9 inch baking dish. Top with memaining 3/4 cup salsa, cover.
Bake 30 minutes in a 350 preheated oven. Sprinkle with 1/2 c. cheese. Bake an additional 5 minutes to melt cheese.
Top with lettuce and tomato just before serving.

Tags: enchilada recipe, Four Foods on Friday, recipe

Since moving to Dallas last year I have suffered from allergies more than I have in any other place I’ve ever lived. The pollen and grass counts are always so high and add to that the winds that are always blowing, it’s no wonder I feel miserable. Most times I can take an over the counter allergy medication and feel better. This time though, I wound up getting a sinus headache that has been putting me out of commission. I can’t see straight, and there is so much pressure behind my eyes and nose I just want someone to knock me out.

I finally couldn’t take it anymore. None of the over the counter methods I was trying were working. I went to the doctor last week. I was given a different over the counter allergy med., a bottle of eye drops and a prescription nasal spray. I used all of those for 3 days and felt no change. Monday morning I was about in tears my head hurt so bad. I called the doctor’s office again, went back and this time was prescribed an anti-biotic, a heavy duty allergy blocker, the nasal spray, and was told to continue taking the otc allergy meds and pain reliever, along with the eye drops. I have to tell you, I’m on so many different things right now that I wish I had one of those little pill boxes so I’d remember if I took everything I was supposed to take.

I’m on day four of this regimen and sad to say, I’m still not feeling any change. My head is still throbbing and I feel like crap. I have to wait until Wednesday of next week to go back to the doctor. I’m trying to think positive and hope that it will stop, but it is getting frustrating.

In the mean time, I’ve really been looking around the house to see if there are things in here that could be adding to the problem. I’ve been vacuuming the dog hair regularly. I change the filters in the a/c frequently. I do need to dust more often, something that’s so easy and yet gets forgotten. I’m hoping to clean out my bedroom this weekend. We still have a few boxes in there from when we moved in. With my husbands help I’ll be able to clear all of that out and give the room a good cleaning.

I’m thankful that we no longer have live plants indoors. I’ve been using silk plants to decorate my home for a long time. As long as I remember to keep them dusted, they look really nice. They stay green too because unlike real plants, I don’t have to remember to water them! My husband always likes ficus trees and we have several 6 ft silk ficus trees around the house and even one outside on our covered patio. It’s nice to add some greenery without adding to my allergies, I have trouble enough!

Silk plants, allergy free and no need to remember to water. That’s my kind of plant!

Tags: Silk Fair, silk plants

I often get asked why the fabric bags that are made by hand, such as the ones I make, are so expensive. I thought I’d provide several reasons for those who’d like to know.

First of all, cheap fabric is not used. I could use it, but then the bag wouldn’t take wear and tear very well. Most cheap fabric can’t hold up to washing and tend to tear easily. So, reason #1 is quality fabric.

Next, most quality bags have some sort of interlining between the outer fabric and the fabric lining. In my case, I tend to use a nice thick craft fleece. I do the same in the handles to make them comfortable on the shoulders for carrying.

Also, as in this bag, some bags have hardware. This bag has a metal tube that works to keep the bag closed and secure. These can range in price from $9-15, depending on the size. Some bags have zippers. Obviously these are less expensive, but they do still add to the cost.

Finally, there is the time involved to make a bag. Not counting the time spent purchasing supplies or advertising the bag, simply making a bag can take many hours. The fabric has to be cut and then sewn with purchased thread. I don’t use cheap thread, I want it to last. There is a lot of pressing with the iron and more sewing. My latest bag also had decorative trim (an additional cost) surround the bag and on the handles. All of this takes time.

So, those are the primary reasons that drive the price up on quality fabric bag like this one.

Tags: fabric bags, sewing

I just got back from picking up my daughter from school and I have to tell you, we are both laughing our heads off. Let me explain something. We live in a very nice subdivision with fairly pricey homes, all on a minimum of 1/2 acre. This is unheard of in the DFW area where most every home is built with zero lot lines where you can reach out and touch your neighbor through your windows. Most of the homes have beautiful landscaping on the property, it’s part of the appeal of the subdivision. Notice that I say MOST of the homes have beautiful landscaping.

The one home that really struggles with landscaping happens to be the house we can see from our front porch. I would have to guess that every home in this subdivision except that one has had the landscaping professionally done. This particular home owner seems to think that she has a talent for landscaping and, while I’m not sure how long she has owned that home, I do believe she has been working on it ever since moving in. The problem is that besides thinking she is an accomplished landscaper, she also appears to have ADD. She is always working out in her yard, but never in the same place. Basically, no task ever gets completed.

For example, last fall she dug up dirt from one spot in her yard and created a dirt mound in another spot in her yard. That same dirt mound was moved a few weeks ago to yet another spot in her yard. Another example, she had actually hired a crew to do some brick work along the edges of her flower beds (that have no flowers) last fall. A few weeks ago, she was outside pulling out the brick, now they’re piled in her yard. She continually purchases plants and leaves them in containers all over her yard, most of which die because they become root bound and aren’t cared for.

So, why were we laughing today? Because we noticed that she had gone out and purchased Solar Lights and placed them below several of the small trees in her yard. I’m not sure what she’s trying to put a spotlight on, the mess she calls a yard?

Now I’m all for solar lights, they cut down on energy costs and I believe in good landscape lighting. But to spotlight her mess is just silly! Besides, the lights she put out are tiny, if she wants to spotlight trees, she’s going to need bigger solar powered lights. Then again, it’s bad enough we have to look at her mess during the day, if she lights it up, we’ll be looking at it after dark too.

Tags: solar lights