Happy Mother's Day & Friday Freebie

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The above image is from an old, undated, unmarked greeting card. Surely we all do the cleaning and cooking in such a lovely frock as this one. Be sure to thank your mom for all she does!

And for some Mother's Day fun, what do you think these ladies are saying as they toil over the stove? (This is a fun game to play, like "Fantasy Family" over at Amy's blog.)

Here's mine:

Ethel- Oh, Myrtle, I don't know...just how long have these turnips been in the Frigidaire?

Myrtle- Throw them in anyway, no one will notice. Cook anything for five hours and it doesn't taste like much.

Happy Mother's Day to you all!

Have a great weekend!

Almost Mother's Day

In addition to sewing more costumes (yes, I know, never let anyone know you can sew), I have been busy making Mother's Day gifts. The first one I completed is a pot holder set for my mother-in-law's newly renovated kitchen. (shhh! don't tell her I made these for her! It's a surprise!)

I took this pattern from the Sew Simple Book I told you about earlier last week. I thought the pattern was simple enough, make a pieced piece of material using tapered strips of material. The trick for me was to alternate the wide an narrow ends of the strips. I think that I goofed it up several times, but you might not notice if I didn't point it out.

I used a color palette that matches her kitchen colors, a bright blue and yellow. I thew in the green to add some 'pop' to the design. I had fun mixing the colors and large and small patterns to create visual texture. I found heat-proof batting to use inside the pot holders, and added a loop of ribbon for hanging. I made the towel top so that it can be hung from a convenient spot in the kitchen. All I have left to do is add a button to keep the towel attached.

The book suggests that the same idea could be used to make coasters as well. Upon reading that idea, my head started spinning to all sorts of other ideas to use this construction: table runners, place mats, even the front of a tote bag. The possibilities are obviously endless.

I was so excited about the design, that I started piecing more material to make a set for my grandmother. Unfortunately, this set is yet unfinished because I was consumed with making 8 Lullaby League skirts for the Wizard of Oz at the elementary school and the fabulous photo pendants that Kerry and I made for several customers this week. I will show you those next week--I don't want to spoil anyone's Mother's Day surprise!

Irish Wit and Wisdom

An Irishman's Philosophy

In life, there are only two things to worry about—
Either you are well or you are sick.
If you are well, there is nothing to worry about,

But if you are sick, there are only two things to worry about—
Either you will get well or you will die.
If you get well, there is nothing to worry about,

But if you die, there are only two things to worry about—
Either you will go to heaven or hell.
If you go to heaven, there is nothing to worry about.

And if you go to hell, you’ll be so busy shaking hands with all your friends
You won’t have time to worry!

Casa Bonita's Revenge, Part II

At Casa Bonita, you always get free sopapillas at the the end of your meal. Sopapillas are flaky dough puffs that are hollow inside and supposed to be eaten with honey. They are actually quite good but then again we are on a diet (sigh.) Claire decides to teach the kids a new way to eat them. Bite off one corner, then fill the hollow dough with honey (filled to the brim.) Take a bite and watch honey roll down your arm. Of what sticky fun!

After we unstick the children from the table we head to Black Bart's Cave. I head in with Molly, Mary and Claire (Lauren, the oldest of the bunch, wants nothing to do with it.) Apparently I move too quickly in the cave and cause things to buzz at us and can't manage in the narrow passageways with 3 children attached to me and the kids leave me! They go backwards through the cave not wanting to hear any encouraging words I may have. Later they all go in with Rachel and have no problems and nothing buzzes at them or pops out.




If you can make it out, here is our bunny ear wearing friend. She wore light up bunny ears, which we did not purchase (although we did think the boys would find them mildly amusing.)
Our friend is also easily amused by gorillas and we think she may have been getting free margaritas as she kept wandering "backstage."

Alas we had had all of the fun we could at Casa Bonita and it was time to head home. But there is one last amusement to behold on our trek. In a little strip mall, we pass a strange sight. A Casket store named "Casket Mart" next door to a sausage factory! Are Mrs. Lovett and Mr. Todd the proprietors??? Are their "meat pies" beyond description? Do we even want to know the secret ingredient?


So, come visit Colorado, there is much more here than beautiful mountains and skiing. Take one of Rachel and Kerry's lovely tours to see the "real" backcountry.

Monday Favorite - Casa Bonita

Happy Cinco de Mayo!



One of our favorite places in Colorado is Casa Bonita! A Restaurant and entertainment destination all wrapped up in a pink castle! It was once featured in an episode of South Park. The food is beyond horrible, the atmosphere is reminiscent of the Twilight Zone but it is guaranteed to give you a laugh. So once a year Rachel and I pile all four kids into the mini-van for the half-hour trip to Casa Bonita. This is our 4th year and the children are only beginning to groan a little. We don't know why this became an annual tradition but it has, groaning children or not! Please join us as we take you through Casa Bonita pictorial tour 2008.

• Yes, it really is a pink castle. Strategically placed across the street from a wide assortment of pawn shops and tattoo parlors, adding to the general ambiance.

• The neon sign inside the restaurant says it all when it comes to the fine cuisine offered here.
• After waiting in a winding amuzement park like line to order your food, you then proceed to the mystery holes. Yes, your food does magically appear through these holes. Next take your colorful tray with food into the seating area.

• We were lucky enough to be seated by the Las Sopaipillas factory. We even had a good view of the gorilla show.

• Another great view of the beauty seen from our seat. The interior of the restaurant is filled with lights, palm trees and a waterfall with cliff divers.

• Ahhh! the gorilla show. Who knew he would break free from his chains and run around the restaurant with uncontrollable toddlers chasing after him? Hilarity ensued, look he even has pants! A gorilla in swimtrunks, where else will you see this?

Our picture tour will continue tomorrow but until then here are some burning questions to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Will Rachel and Kerry make it through lunch since they are still on a diet? This means no tortilla chips or margaritas, IS IT POSSIBLE? Will the children make it through the terrifying Black Bart's Cave or will little Molly be lost forever? Will we buy the light up bunny ears from the wandering saleslady? Will the Saleslady ever stop laughing at the gorilla show? How could she not know what will happen next? He's wearing swim trunks, FORESHAWDOWING - somebody is getting pushed into the water!!!!!

Tune in tomorrow for the stunning conclusion, Casa Bonita's Revenge or Get me a Margarita or Die!

Friday Freebie

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Another wacky vintage postcard. What are they doing?!?

Mama's got a brand new bag!

We have both been looking for some new things to make. We are always looking for new designs, new patterns, fun colors, and pretty fabrics. We found this latest one in the book Sew Simple.

This book is filled with lots of simple, yet cute patterns for everyday living. There are easy home decor patterns as well as patterns for accessories and gifts. I think what I like best about the book is that the patterns are easy to follow, but the final product doesn't necessarily look too simple.



The first pattern I made was the Sling Bag, which is pictured on the back cover of the book. The bag was not too difficult to make, although I had to re-read the directions several times to make sure I understood the construction of the bag. I have become so used to tote bag construction. It is very similar to a Martha Stewart pattern that you can find on her website. Martha's bag is a simple and functional, unlined bag using a pillow case.

The Sew Simple bag is trimmed, lined and complete with pockets. I chose a pretty aqua and brown fabric for the outside of my bag, and a summery white with aqua and brown flowers as a lining material. The two complement each other nicely. I followed the instructions for using ric-rac as a trim. Chocolate brown ric-rac seemed to make a nice accent. Instead of using fabric covered buttons, I found some painted ones in coordinating colors and fun designs.

The bag is quite a bit bigger than I would use for a purse. But I would use it as a tote or market bag. I may try to scale the next one I make down a bit and add an interior snap, for every day use.

My next project will be the striped pot holders. I will let you know how those turn out, too. I guess I do still make things, I just haven't blogged about it in a while.