American Idol contestant, James Durbin Hometown Celebration! at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Well, we are all still in shock that James was voted off of American Idol. But this won't be the last you see of James Durbin. Santa Cruz welcomed their "Hometown Idol" home this weekend. They had over 20,000 people show up. It was crazy good fun! We stood waiting for him for over 5 hours and it was worth every freezing cold minute of it!  The sun did come out when he performed so all is good.



This is about 1/4 of the people that were there to see James Durbin



Most people get a key to the city but Santa Cruz mayor gave him a surfboard with an image of himself on it. He now needs lessons. This Santa Cruz kid doesn't know how to surf.  LOL It was great! 


James Durbin singing at Hometown Celebration in Santa Cruz, CA

  



  

Cancer Awareness~ Relay For Life Monterey

Well, Timothy and I volunteered again for Monterey's Annual Relay For Life. We had a lot of fun. We always are at Survivor and Caregiver registration. We love it. It is amazing how much strength these people have. And support. They couldn't get through this horrible disease without great caregivers. Reminded me alot of how much strength my mother had when she was fighting her own fight with breast and bone cancer. But then again, I don't think we have met anyone stronger than my Mom. She was AMAZING! And I miss her very much! She will be gone for 12 years come July and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her.

So, for Mother's Day. We went to eat an early lunch and then I got to sew and embroider the rest of the day. YEAH!! My sister-in-law, Teresa, is participating this Friday in a walk for cancer. It is kind of like Relay but all the funds raised stay in her own town. So, I am trying to get these towels made for her and her team. Her team is called the "Blushing Pink Divas".

(Disregard the shiny film, I wanted to take a picture before going to bed and didn't get all the stabilizer off- it washes right off. I will update photo later today)

IPad Sling/Case

I was asked to make a case for a friends IPad. She wanted something that she can carry her IPad  to her sons ballgames. So I thought if I made a sling type purse, it would be exactly what she wanted but also stylish compared to what you can buy at the store. 

I used swivel clips at the ends of the straps so she could remove the strap and just use the case part and throw in her larger bag or purse.  I used fleece for padding to protect the IPad. 

Well, I hope she likes it, what do you think?

Monogrammed IPhone case

I was commissioned to make a Monogrammed IPhone case. She chose one of my favorite fabrics,Expresso Beatrice flowers by Michael Miller.  I just love how it turned out.

The backside. I used Pearl Snaps..

Monogrammed Coffee Sleeve

I love using my own Monogrammed Coffee Sleeve each day. The fabric makes me smile and the fabric is so much more comfortable on my hands then those cardboard ones. I have had so many people ask me about them that I started selling the pattern and will begin selling already made sleeves through my Etsy Shop. That's A Stitch

Here are two I whipped up last night while watching American Idol. I just love this fun bright fabric.  Doesn't it make you smile?

Cute Dish Mat

I have seen a few cute Dish Mats surfing the net and knew I wanted to make myself one of them. I bit the bullet and purchased a Walking Foot for my sewing machine. GEEZ, those are pricey, this one was $80 but worth every penny. My new gadget made this project so easy. You see, the bottom of this mat is a hand towel. And when you use a regular foot on your machine, it is very difficult for the towel to feed through the machine own feed dogs.  And for those of you who have followed my blog, I used my favorite fabric and it goes great in my kitchen. I have brown tile counters.  I just LOVE IT!!!! It is Kaufman Metro Market Apples Green/Brown. I can't get enough of this fabric. My next project is to make some placemats with it. Did I tell you... I LOVE THIS FABRIC!

I used a white hand towel for the bottom so it will be absorbent

This is a picture of it in use.

Reversible Market/Grocery/ Tote Bag

Well, I spent most of the day yesterday sewing and putting together a Reversible Bag Pattern for my Etsy Shop. I love making these bags so much. They are so easy that any beginner can make one but whomever you give it to will think you are a "Rock Star".

I hate those ugly reusable bags you can buy at the store. The fabrics they use are so ugly.  This fabric makes you smile it is so bright and cheerful. I have made quite a few of these bags over the years and made this one for a dear friend of mine.  I'm giving it to her this week, I really hope she likes it.