our new luxury liner

Never in a million years did I expect that after posting those pictures of my dream couches I would be finding one the very next day! I certainly wasn't looking for a couch when I walked into the Goodwill Warehouse. I'd actually never been into this Goodwill before. It is the main Goodwill headquarters for our area, and is a warehouse in every sense of the word. For some reason I was drawn to the large section of sofas. There was this beauty sitting amongst her very worn out sisters. "I'm not planning on buying this couch" I say to myself, "but it doesn't hurt to ask how much it is".



The price was astonishing, unbelievable, too good to be true. For a mere fifty dollars, this couch could be mine! With my husband out of town (equipped with a large van and large muscles) unable to get this whale of a couch home, the adventure began. After finding out that a good deal of male friends with trucks were out of town, or occupied, I resorted to good old Craiglist. I found a nice man, in need of some work, with a large truck, ready to help.


"What happened to that uncomfortable, ugly, fits only 2 people, loveseat she had in there before the new luxury liner?" is probably what you're thinking now. Craigslist to the rescue, again. I listed it for free, and the very next morning someone came to my house and hauled that thing right out of here!

hearts for haiti

Etsy has provided a way for those of us way over here in the U.S. to help out with relief to Haiti. They have set up a shop where crafters (like me) can donate their items, and then shoppers (like me) can buy a handcrafted awesome item, and all the money spent goes to help Haiti.

I've just donated one of my ruffled corduroy hip bags in brown. You can find it here along with thousands of other amazing, heartfilled donations.

nothing to show

Where does the time go? No, I haven't been at the beach since Valentine's day. I have actually been doing lots of things, some of which required fabric and sewing machine.

(Urban Outfitter)


I've sewn up a new toddler dress pattern that I've been designing in my head for a few weeks, I've sewn up a new skirt pattern I only just thought of while looking at my fabric stash, I've modified a thrifted dress for myself by adding a bit of length to it with a ruffle (made from a thrifted t-shirt). I'm sure I could show pictures of these things, but that would require me to have a camera, which has been taken out of town with my husband who is out of town with my camera.

(Urban Outfitter)



So instead, I'll just give you a few pictures of some couches I like to look at while I keep busy doing things that nobody will see.



(Ikea)

with love,

Happy Valentine's Day from the California Coast. Where the waves are big and the sun is hot. Hope your day is filled with Love!

a new skirt

As I was falling asleep the other night I imagined this skirt. In my bed the skirt was corduroy with a different ruffle decoration at the hem. I still want to make this skirt in corduroy, but for the first trial run I recycled a happy colored mu-mu.

The seam down the middle is double top-stitched, and so are the large patch pockets. The waistband has an elastic band in the back only, leaving the front smooth. Ruby picked the stripe material for the pockets, a perfect fit! And I love how she paired it with the hot pick leggings, this is one girl who is not afraid of mixing her colors!

Secret Agent 007

There's something so satisfying in a clean seam. Does anyone else get this feeling while sewing?
I just love how the seams are all even, no fraying, so tidy.



Here's my secret agent. It's a Bernina Funlock 007D (D for Deluxe). He's pretty faithful. Has been for the 15 or 20 years I've ran fabric through his cutters. Oh sure, I've broken a few needles along the way, gotten frustrated by rethreading the 4 different spools that sit on his back, but he's held up his end of the bargain just fine. He's such a behind the scenes kind of guy. Doesn't get any of the glory in how the final product looks from the outside. Just waits patiently for the few admirers who dare look inside to discover the neat, tidy seams.