Sunday, February 21, 2010

Birds in our Yard

My Father always told the story of the big Tom turkey that just wandered up into the yard and found his way into the pot for a good Sunday meal.

Living on a farm and hunting for your food was very much a part of everyday life.



Isn't it amazing that this turkey looks just like that one. Oh wait it is that one. This turkey just wandered up in our yard but it is NOT going to find its way into my pot. First I don't think I have pot big enough to hold it and second I am NOT going to pluck all those feathers.


There are some birds that you hunt and there are some birds that hunt. This is one of those hunters. This beautiful hawk is making a nest in a tree close to our home. He was just sitting around and creating a lot of squawking.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

How to make a Cricut Bag

I wanted a bag to carry my Cricut machine to and from classes. When I looked on the Internet I was astounded at the prices. Some of my friends have purchased a ready-made bag and they find it is difficult to put the Circut in it and the seams are already ripping.

I adapted the Miranda Bag from Lazy Girl to make this large bag. I stitched the ends of the bag so it would hold more of a rectangle shape and not wing out. Material list is at the end of this post. I made a fabric rose using this video. I made my fabric into a 1 1/2 inch tube to roll it into the rose. It really is one of those projects that you just keep rolling until it looks like a rose.
This is not a project for a beginner sewer. On a scale from 1 - 5, it is about a 3.
I used the Cricut box for my measurements.




See the area that a 5 inch square is cut from the bottom.



Sew on the pocket strip before the bag is put together.


Place the pockets above the 5 inch square at least 1 inch from the bottom. Note the pockets are larger that the bag. They will get cut off later.



Make sure to center your straps at least 4 inches from the midpoint.




Add velcro for the fastener and sew down the straps that go around the bag for greater stability.


I quilted the outside fabric, after much whining.


Stitching the topstitch for the inside fabric.




This is quite a large piece measuring over 35 inches by 17 on just one side.



This is the bottom and inside of the bag. It has the cover fabric, a layer of batting and then
iron-on heavy craft pellon to give it shape. Use long pins to put together. I also used a walking foot to sew on this piece.


I thought it was a nice touch to embroider my initials on the bag.




Finding the rings was the hardest part. I finally went to Goodwill and bought an old purse and cut the rings off.



The inside has pockets for all your Circut tools and a few cartridges.
Use the cardboard inset in your Cricut box for the stiff bottom. You will need to make a sleeve for it. Cut fabric 9 1/2 x 23 1/2. Cut one side on the fold and use 1/4 inch seams.


See how nice the Cricut fits in the bag.

I have even used my Circut to cut vinyl letters to adhere to the outside.


Materials Needed:
  • 2 yards outside fabric
  • 2 yards inside fabric
  • 4 - 5 yards interfacing depending on the width
  • 2 yards batting
  • 4 rings
  • 2 inches velcro

Cutting Pieces

  1. Cover Cut 4 17 1/2 x 18 Batting is cut the same size
  2. Lining Cut 2 34 x 19
  3. Interfacing Cut 2 34 x 20
  4. Pockets Cut 2 9 1/2 x 35
  5. Straps Cut 6 3 1/2 x 23
  6. Flap Cut 2 3 1/2 x 7
  7. Sleeve Cut on fold 9 1/2 x 23 1/2 ( 1/4 inch seams)


















Sunday, February 7, 2010

Come Visit my Digital Art Show

I have just finished taking Memories and Manipulations from DJ Pettit. It is a digital art class using Photoshop Elements 8 to create unusual art. This is my art show just for my digital viewers.


The Barn
Angels Among Us

Sweet Charlotte
staring my great grand daughter.




When I grow up
staring Katie Almosta Beck.





The Ride is Free






Cows
in Gilchrist County





Blue Angel
taken on the Santa Fe River. Can you find the cat?






Sweetie
Tiffany's cat that passed away this year.







Monday, February 1, 2010

Visit to West Palm Beach

I returned to Palm Beach Community College only to find out that the name had been changed . It is now called Palm Beach State College. Good thing they did not move the campus or I never would have found it. I had a wonderful visit with old friends and colleagues.Jeannine Burgess and Dr. Chris Columbo filled me in on all the new things going here.Dr. Offiong Mkpong is still just as wonderful as he always was.Jose is still keeping the building looking so good. We shared stories about the Masons. Sam came by to let me know that there are still plenty of pink flowers on the campus. Thanks Sam.


"Crash Cart Carolyn" is still the Diva of Online Learning. She is just the best!!!!!


AND THEN IT HAPPENED!!!!!



Our front tire blew out on the motor home at mile marker 136.
Sheesh we just left!!!!





We did make it to the South Florida Fair. Big Steve wanted ice cream.



We had a great visit and will be back next year.