Potato Sacks

A friend is having a Halloween Party on Saturday. She has organized what she is calling "Halloween Backyard Olympics".

Awesome!

Included in these events is a Potato Sack Race. Of course, real potato sacks just won't cut it. So Sarah hunted up some old bed sheets and asked me if I could sew them into sacks.

Of course!

I folded the sheets end to end and sewed up one side and across the bottom...leaving the top open for people (not potatoes). I left a very large seam allowance (two inches!), then added a top stitch for reinforcement. That should hold up through several jumps and hops.

Just to be sure they "fit", I asked Chris to jump in for me. Clearly, the sacks are 'One Size Fits All'.

That dark lump on the left, is Fender, our retired racing greyhound. There was no way he was moving out of the shot.

It didn't take long to make four sacks, especially when it didn't really matter what they look like, given they'll look pretty rough by the end of the games.

All that matters is that everyone has fun! Have a great time, guys. Happy Halloween!

Buying Spree

We recently made a road trip to Washington, D.C.  My husband made sure that a visit to Joann Fabrics was included in our itinerary. Yeah, I know...I'm spoiled.

A while ago, I was surfing the Net and stumbled upon a pattern for a cute star ornament that uses different fabrics to create a country patchwork look. So I picked up some Christmas-themed fabric.

When I'm done making stars, I'm going Mod Podge the leftover pieces onto Styrofoam balls to make tree ornaments.

I also found some sweet patterns for tooth fairy pillows:

I especially like the animal prints and daisy-like flowers.

Of course, I couldn't walk out without getting several yards of tote fabric. Aren't these fabulous?!

Today, I spent the day with my cousin, Sue.

We have a routine when we get together. Sue lives in Barrie and I live in Ajax. Newmarket is the mid-point for us. So we meet in Newmarket about once a month.

Our routine includes a visit to Fabricland. Sue is awesome to shop with. She carries the bolts of fabric, oohs and aahs over the colours and patterns, gives me her honest opinion and then debriefs with me afterwards.

We picked out some tote fabric today:

Of course, remnants from tote and placemat fabric are used for bookmarks.

So...I'll be spending the next couple of weeks cutting everything up. Then several weeks after that sewing it all together. I can't wait to get started!

Holiday Sales for 2012

Our line-up of shows for this year's holiday season is finalized. We only have three this year. I say 'only' because we turned down a few others. Not because we don't want to participate in them, but because we have other commitments.

Elderly in-laws are taking precedence right now, but we still want to squeeze in a few shows.

Unfortunately, we won't be at the Vaughan Willard School this year. Instead, we decided to attend a different show that day. We'll be at O'Neill Collegiate on November 5. 

Of course, we can't miss the Hungarian Culture Club. After all, we need our cabbage roll fix! We'll be in Oshawa for that on November 17.

And last, but definitely not least, is the Durham Region Crafter's Community sale on December 15. As you know, this is a craft show that I organize with my partner in crime crafting, Shandell Conboy (from Dellzines). 

We hope to see you at one of these shows this season!