Trash to Treasure Part 2

So I forgot to take before photos (again...sorry!) but here is my next attempt to give a new purpose to a tired item.  I've had this straw bag for several years and LOVE it because I can fill it up with lots of things :)

 I replaced the old madras lining and the white but dirty pleather handles with a fun, summery fabric.  I'm happy with the result but need to find a better way to secure the lining, the thread I orginally used isn't strong enough and it sags a bit but that will be a quick fix with a glue gun! 

Prayers, Please

Over the 4th of July weekend, while at a holiday party, my cousin lost his little boy due to a drowning accident.  At this time, we ask for your thoughts and prayers for little Thomas and the family that he left behind.   We all know that Thomas is now in a better place in heaven!

Unfortunately, this is not the first tragedy that has struck our small hometown this weekend, on Friday one of our classmates passed away as well.  Our thoughts and prayers also go out to his family and his daughter Hailey.

OBX

Chris and I, last night of the trip

Family photo (L to R): Sonya, Chris, Danielle, Tim, Steve, Sharon, Alicia, Eric, Brittany and Dustin

In the middle of June, we spent a week in the OBX with Chris's family.  There were 10 house guests (12 if you count the twins that Tim and Danielle are expecting this winter), 4 dogs and two visitors (Grant and Lea came to visit).  Thankfully it was a large house with 5 bedrooms, three floors, in-ground pool, hot tub, volleyball net and grill to keep us all comfortable and busy.  We had so much fun and enjoyed the sun and sand...not the ocean so much, it was very chilly!  It was just the break that all the students needed before summer classes/internships starting :)

"Trash" to Treasure-Part 1

I've decided to work on refurbishing a few items around the house for my current sewing projects.  I forgot to take a before photo but this was a computer case that belonged to C that no longer fits his laptop (he went from a 15" screen to a 17").  I recycled the foam panels to make a cute cover for my work laptop using items from my scrap bin :)

The new outside of the case, in denim with canvas ribbon binding

Velcro closure

Flowered interior

Flowered interior, again

 

Max and Lila

Just hanging at home...being used as a pillow :)

Urban Gardening

 

Just a few photos of our "urban garden".  This year we planted tomatoes, peppers and herbs (basil, rosemary, cilantro, oregano, parsley, chives, dill and mint).  It's so nice to be able to walk into the back yard to snip some fresh herbs to add flavor to our meals, I'm so excited to use our "crops" this summer and dry them for the winter!  When we moved in, this area was just landscaping and a fountain...I feel this is a much better use of the space.  I just learned of a new farmers market in Bexley on Thursdays so I will be checking that out soon!

PS.  LOVE the little garden marker signs that Sharon and Steve gave me for Easter

Breathe

This word has is my focus for this week for two reasons. The first reason is I'm on break between Spring and Summer session classes (only FIVE more classes until graduation!!!). It's so nice to relax, catch up on projects and spend time Chris. The second reason is I've had some sinus issues going on for about three weeks and now I have wheezing in my lungs (according to the PA I met with yesterday). I'm now fully medicated and ready to get better!