Sunday, April 1, 2018

Making Spring Flower Placemats and Table Runners - Sunday Sew-In

“We need solitude, because when we're alone, we're free from obligations, we don't need to put on a show, and we can hear our own thoughts.” 
― Tamim Ansary, West of Kabul, East of New York: An Afghan American Story

I like my Sundays. Actually I like my Mondays and Tuesdays and Wednesdays and .... These days - all of these days - are my alone times. I go to the sewing room in the morning, put on my headphones, and work. Every day. And it's great. (Actually, I'm not technically alone as I have kitties running around my feet and table and shelves. And that's great, too.)

Back to today's Sunday Sew-In. It netted two projects, a spring placemat (you can find the tutorial video for the spring flower placemat here) and a still-in-the works project table runner. (You can find the spring table runner tutorial video here.) My daylight is waning and prime photo taking and video recording time is coming to a close for the day. Alone time is done for now.

Sewing Room Storage

Want to know what kinds of products I use for storage in my sewing room? Here are my favorites.


 ClosetMaid Stackable 15-Unit Organizer I have three of these.
Sterilite 3 Drawer Unit I have six of these.
ArtBin Super Satchel 1-Compartment Box I have four of these.
IRIS 6-Drawer Scrapbook Cart with Organizer Top I have two of these.
ClosetMaid Cubeicals Organizer, 9-Cube I have two of these.

Note: Some of my links are affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support the blog and allows me to continue to provide free content. I only recommend products I use again and again. Thank you for your support!


Disclosure

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new crafting, cruising, and foster kitten content.

Remember, I only recommend products I use again and again. 

Thank you for your support!

Essential Sewing and Crafting Supplies

Essential supplies for sewing projects

I get lots of questions about what tools I think someone who sews or crafts needs. I have plenty of supplies in my sewing room. Some I like, some I love, and some products are ones I'm brand loyal to. The only products on this page are my favorite, brand-loyal products that I use. You could walk into my sewing room now, 10 years ago, and 10 years from now and find these products in there.

So what supplies and materials (besides fabrics, of course!) does it take to make all the sewing and craft projects you see here on Deb's Days and in DebsDaysDesigns Etsy shop? It's a big list. 

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Sewing Machines 
I have the Singer 9960
My backup machine is the Singer 7285
My daughter has the Simplicity SA2400L
All have served us well.

 Sewing Machine Accessories
Coats & Clark Dual Duty Thread

Friday, March 30, 2018

The Friday 15

“Simplicity is the peak of civilization.” 
– Jessie Sampter

If I had my way I would live off the grid, away from everyone and everything. Only own 100 things and have no extra of anything. While we've done a good job with cutting out the excess, every time I film a tutorial I wind up with extra "stuff". 10 years ago I probably would have kept everything I made.

But not now. The items either go to my mom, my daughter, or to the donation box. Sometimes it is hard to let them go because I really like what I've made but other times it is easy. It does get easier every time a Friday 15 comes along.

1 eBay item
1 big pile of extra elastic
1 big pile of extra hook and loop tape
A whole big bunch of tutorial items
Some miscellaneous things I used for patterns

And that makes 15. Easy peasy!

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

5 Things to do in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Today we're talking about what you can do when visiting the cruise port of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on your Mexican Riviera cruise.

5 things to do in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Cabo San Lucas is frequently one of the ports cruise ships stop on the Mexican Riviera cruises. It's also a port where boats are plentiful (and busy). There is a lot to see.

1. Take a boat out to see The Arch (El Arco). This southernmost tip of Baja, California is where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meet.

On your way you'll be able to see colonies of seals and sea lions sunning themselves. (Fun fact - did you know sea lions have ears you can see but seals don't?)

2. Take a water taxi to Medano Beach (Playa El Médano). You'll find plenty of beach vendors and places to eat. Or keep it low key and just hang on the beach. Be aware of water conditions, though. Swimming can be dangerous so keep an eye on flags posted on the beach (red is danger) to determine if it is safe to go in.

3. Stop by one of the numerous restaurants and bars for some food and drink. Cabo is a tourist town so English is spoken, water is purified, and U.S. dollars are accepted. (But change is often returned in pesos.)
Red snapper anyone?

4. Go snorkeling. You'll find fish here that aren't present in the Caribbean.

5. And if you're coming by cruise ship...Since Cabo San Lucas is a tender port, you'll have to take a boat from the ship to shore for your Cabo adventures. The Cabo port stops are frequently a half day so sometimes it might make sense to just stay on the ship. You'll have nice views of the town - and of the other ships anchored along with yours.
A couple other things to  know:
*Public restrooms aren't always free. You may be expected to give the attendant a dollar or some pesos. 
*No food or drink is allowed off the ship. No sandwich, no apple, no cup of coffee. Dogs check every single bag, backpack, and purse when you arrive from your tender. It will be confiscated.

5 things to do in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico



Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Fabric Covered Plastic Easter Eggs - Tutorial Tuesday

It was a couple weeks ago when it hit me. Easter is coming up fast. Which meant I needed to get a movin' on an Easter project. I've been working with some plastic Easter eggs and fabric trying to come up with something cute. My first attempt was a long, drawn out, messy failure. Then it hit me - time to go back to the old stand by, Mod Podge. 

Plastic Easter eggs + fabric scraps + Mod Podge = today's project. Just in the nick of time for Easter.


Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you sewing and crafting content.
Looking for more sewing and crafting projects? 

Check out the tutorial to make your own scrap fabric and plastic Easter Eggs craft project:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)