Is This Michigan?

Of course, this thermometer is in the sun on the south wall. But the temperature on the computer says 54. My kind of winter! (the calendar is Don't Sweat the Small Stuff desk calendar.)

Amanda's and Molly's Bag

I realized I never did post Amanda's or Molly's bags. They used the same bag and fabric but different color. Molly's is the first bag and Amanda's the second. Here is the link from where I got the pattern: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaisleyPearQuilts?ref=seller_info and this is where I got Molly's fabric: fabric.com and Amanda's came from: fabricsyoulove.etsy.com I'm halfway done with Maria's bag and it's going good. It really is fun to sew now that I actually have time to do so. Larissa, Heidi and Emily, start looking for bag patterns and fabric. I should be able to start on one of yours next week. It kind of looks like I won't get the nine bags done this month but maybe I can get four or five finished if you girls get on it.

Sewing Projects

This is what I've been working on. The top bag out of vintage fabric is almost done. I'm just waiting for the vintage lining to arrive so I can finish it. The bottom bag is cut out from Finland's Marimekko fabric. I was a little intimidated by this bag as there are a couple zippers and interesting pockets but as I looked at the instructions, it doesn't look that bad and I'm anxious to get started sewing on it. (I just read in a magazine that Crate & Barrel has started carrying the Marimekko line. In pillows, bags, etc. Pretty but pricey.) I will show the finished projects once they are just that.....finished!

Raspberry/ Blueberry Pie Bars

I found this recipe (click on link below) on Pinterest last night. I let the ladies at a shower this morning be the guinea pigs for it. It was actually very good. I didn't have blackberries so I added 4 1/2 cups of raspberries and 1 1/2 cups of blueberries instead. I'm pretty sure any fruit would work. I used almond extract as I didn't have lemons. I loved the almond flavoring in these!

http://www.ahintofhoney.com/2011/07/blackberry-pie-bars.html

Winter

According to Joe Bastardi from weatherbell.com, winter will be here in a few days. In fact we should get snow Thursday night and then he predicts that we will have winter weather until into April. (Via a phone interview on WJR with Frank Beckmann.) It's been nice not having to scrape and shovel snow off the car but I guess I could handle a little winter now.

Salvation Army Find

I stopped by the local Salvation Army yesterday about five minutes after this night stand was put out (so they told me when I was checking out).I've been looking for one and was happy to find a $7.99 price tag on it. My first thought was to paint it and put new hardware on it. But once I got it home I realized that it almost perfectly matched my 35 year old bedroom set. (So now I'm thinking that maybe someday........I'll paint and redo the whole bedroom set. Maybe.)

For any of you locals, there is a nice new Salvation Army on M59 just passed Milford Road. I've only been there once. My daughters and I went thrifting one day when they were home for Christmas. I am dying to go again. One of my friends recently told me that she was "addicted" to the local thrift stores. I'm starting to get that addiction myself. I haven't found a whole lot but enough to keep the "bug" in me. In the last month I have found three pair of jeans for Danny. He is so hard to find pants for as he is so short so I was pumped as he is set in bluejeans for awhile!