Tuesday, February 20, 2018

How to Make a Decorative Pocket Tissue Holder with Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer Pocket - Tutorial Tuesday

I'm pretty much at the point in my life where I can say I will never work in a public school again. But it doesn't mean I've given up teaching. My tutorials are a way I can share with others while learning myself. This week has been a busy one for my learning. We're making a pocket tissue holder with a pocket for antibacterial hand cleaner and lip balm.

For this project you will need:
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.



Looking for more quick and easy ideas? Check out these projects!


Otherwise, you can just watch the  tutorial to make these homemade fabric pocket tissue holders with a pocket for your hand sanitizer and lip balm right here:

How to Sew a Fabric Eyeglass Case - Tutorial Tuesday

For today's Tutorial Tuesday we are making a quick and easy case for those of us who need an eyeglasses case. I use mine to protect my glasses when I'm in the pool at the Y.

For this project you will need:
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 quick and easy ideas? Check out these projects!

Or just watch the tutorial to make your own easy homemade fabric eyeglasses case:

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Sunday Sew-In

“How did it get so late so soon?” 
― Dr. Seuss

My Sunday Sew-In became a
sew-in
project organizing
Daytona 500 watching
newborn kitty feeding and snuggling
kind of day.

Saturday, February 17, 2018

5 Ways to Prevent Seasickness on a Cruise

Yep, seasickness happens.

If you get carsick, airsick, or are sensitive to movement you might just get queasy on a ship. The best way of managing seasickness is to prevent it before it starts. There is nothing worse than stepping aboard a ship on your first ever cruise thinking you’ll be okay and waking up in the morning miserably sick. Once in the throes of seasickness recovery is not easy. A few thoughts will enter your mind.

Why did I get on this ship? 
This was a huge mistake. 
I want off and never want to come back.

On my first cruise those were my thoughts exactly. I really wanted to go home. It took me a few days to get enough medication in me to make it through the rest of the week. And now? Occasionally the seas will be quite rough and I might feel a bit icky. Pop a couple motion sickness pills and I'm good.

There is much truth to the saying “getting your sea legs”. The same amount of movement that makes you queasy at the beginning of the cruise may not be noticed by you at end of the cruise. Until the sea legs kick in there are a variety of methods for preventing seasickness.
5 Ways to Prevent and Manage Seasickness on a Cruise

How to Prevent and Manage Seasickness on a Cruise

1. Book a midship cabin. The lower decks and the middle of the ship are where the least amount of movement is felt. If unable to book a midship cabin hang out in the midship public areas during the rougher times. It could be a library, an atrium area, or a bar on a lower deck. You may still feel some movement on the lower decks but the view can be nice.
2. Eating green apples or using ginger products - tea, gum, candy, and capsules - can be helpful. If already experiencing a strong case of seasickness it might be best to use an alternative remedy. 

3. Look to the horizon and fix your eyes on a point far in the distance. You'll need to have access to a window or, even better, get yourself outside in the fresh air. Focusing on something inside the ship or at the waves themselves certainly will not help. 

4. Seasickness bands. These wrist bands use acupressure to help alleviate motion sickness.
5. Over the counter or prescription medication. Some folks take over-the-counter anti-nausea pills in the evening before bedtime since both regular and less drowsy formulas can cause sleepiness. The medication can last for 24 hours. If you're wanting something even stronger, there are prescription anti-nausea patches. The circular, beige-colored patches are worn behind the ear and give continuous medication for up to three days.

If an excursion takes you on a smaller boat like a ferry, catamaran, sailboat, snorkel boat, or zodiac raft take additional precautions. Smaller boats do not have the additional stabilization systems so the ride can be rougher. I’ve watched crew members handing out dozens of plastic bags for sick passengers on these smaller boats.

Prevention is the best medicine so don't let the fear of seasickness prevent you from taking a cruise. 

Friday, February 16, 2018

The Friday 15

“A kitten is, in the animal world, what a rosebud is in the garden.” 
― Robert Sowthey

Sold four items on eBay.
Gave away one item to another quilter.
Donating five projects left over from tutorials and five Christmas things.
That makes 15! But today's Friday 15 includes an additional two items. Two that came into the house.

When the Simply Cats organization contacts you asking for a foster home for some newborn kitties you just have to say yes. I usually foster kittens that are several weeks old. Not this time.

Two kitties, four ounces each, four days old. Sweet bottle babies.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Red Snapper Restaurant in Limon, Costa Rica


We've visited Costa Rica more than once and have done the coffee plantation tour, the banana railway tour through the jungle, and the canal wildlife-watching tour. So when we needed to choose a port to take a crew member friend to lunch, we chose Limon, Costa Rica.

Week after week the ship's crew go to the same ports so they are the best at knowing where to go to eat. After talking to one of the ship's officers about Puerto Limon choices, we decided on the Red Snapper restaurant. A menu in Spanish, an ugly fish, a beautiful view, and a great day with a crew member.
We are blessed to be able spend time with people from around the world.


Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Sew a Fabric Coupon Organizer Envelope - Tutorial Tuesday

Homemade Coupon Envelope Sewing Project
As much as I practiced and rewrote and erased and scratched out and muted and refolded and restitched and restated things, my product should be perfect. Alas, it is not.

Looking for more sewing and crafting projects? 
It is what it is. A coupon organizer sewn by a regular person (me) on YouTube. 


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.


Looking for something else? Check out some of my other kitchen sewing and crafting projects!


You can find the how to tutorial for the fabric coupon organizer envelope here:

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Sunday Sew-In: Coupon Organizer Part II

“I am certain that a Sewing Machine would relieve as much human suffering as a hundred Lunatic Asylums, and possibly a good deal more.” 
― Margaret Atwood, Alias Grace

Except when your project is stuck in Groundhog Day mode.

My chicken scratch started last Sunday as I tried to figure out how I made a coupon organizer from years ago. The chicken scratch continued today. I got it figured out and was ready to tape a tutorial.

And I did tape one. I left the camera running through the entire thing, knowing I could cut out all the extra parts.

But a problem arose during the editing process. The whole video - every single moment - turned out blurry. Whether I forgot to focus or forgot how to work the camera, it doesn't matter much. What does matter is that several hours of work have been wasted and my pretty fabric has been used up. Guess I'll be trying again another day with another batch of fabric. Ugh!

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas

It's Cruise Ship Saturday! Today we're talking about the Allure of the Seas.

“When there is noise and crowds, there is trouble; 
When everything is silent and perfect, 
There is just perfection and nothing 
To fill the air.” 
― Dejan Stojanovic

The first time we sailed on the 7,000 passenger Allure of the Seas we didn't enjoy it much. Our local casino gave me the trip for free and being I never say no to a cruise, we decided to take it. We didn't know much about Royal Caribbean and even less about the Allure of the Seas. A zipline and Flowrider and water park and climbing wall and carousel should have been the tip off that we would be on a ship full of children. Between the screaming kids and the full pools and the crowded buffet and not knowing our way around the ship, our old quiet selves felt a bit out of place. We found ourselves comparing criticizing the way things were done on the Allure of the Seas with the way things were done on our preferred cruise line.

But that was the first time. I didn't think there would be, but there was a second time. For some reason the local casino decided to give me another free cruise even thought I hadn't visited the casino since the last free cruise giveaway.  Of course we took it. Same ship. Same crowds. Different experience. We did continue to compare the Allure with our favorite cruise line. but we found more things on the Allure that we liked.

Escalator to get to the lower decks when disembarking in a port instead of having to use the stairs? Yes, thank you.

Mamma Mia! the musical. Yes, please. (And so much better than the movie.)

Central Park? Yes!

An empty spot that not many people know about. Yes, yes, yes!

When we were at sea you could find us in one of two places.
Central Park during the day
Central Park at night

Our favorite secret spot on the ship. Shh...don't tell anyone. 

Friday, February 9, 2018

The Friday 15

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” 
― Edward Everett Hale

My 15 for the week:
8 items sold on eBay
2 packages of things I gave away
3 bigger donations - a chair, monitor, and shelf
1 bag of glass beads for donation
+ 1 new tutorial (finally) posted to YouTube

How to use Comic Book Boards to Organize Fabric

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Almaplena Eco Beach Resort in Costa Maya, Mexico


It's Wanderlust Wednesday! Today we're talking about Almaplena Eco Beach Resort in Costa Maya, Mexico.

“Sand lines my soul which is filled with the breath of the ocean.” 
― A.D. Posey

Almaplena Beach Resort knows how to draw cruisers in. Words and phrases on their Beach Break website make it difficult to resist.

*Powdery white sand and turquoise-blue water
*Secluded area away from the crowds
*Beautiful pristine beaches
*Sipping refreshing tropical drinks lying on the beach
*All you can eat
*All you can drink
*Free transportation to and from the port
*Reserved umbrellas and lounge chairs

We booked the day for the two of us. The resort sent detailed directions on how to catch the free transportation (local taxi). Exit the port area, walk a few minutes, and let the taxi stand know that Almaplena is your destination.

After an adventurous taxi ride from the cruise port we arrived at Almaplena. We were handed off to the owner and had some quick decisions to make.
*What time do you want to return to the ship? The taxi driver needed to know, as he would be the same one taking us back to the ship.
*What time do you want lunch? There are only a limited number of tables outside.
*Do you want something to drink? Open bar here. Alcoholic, nonalcoholic, soda, bottled water.

We soon came to realize the descriptions were spot on.

Food. (I can't find my food pics. Boo hoo.)
Loungers and palapas and beach and sand and water.
And a friendly dog, Bella to boot.
.


Tuesday, February 6, 2018

How to Organize and Store Fabrics on Comic Book Boards - Tutorial Tuesday

It's Tutorial Tuesday and today we're talking about comic book boards. And fabric.
Organizing and Storing Fabrics by Wrapping them on Comic Book Backer Boards

I used to read some comic books when I was a kid (mostly Richy Rich - boy, what I would have given to live that life!), but had no idea what a comic book board was. Now I know it's a piece of thick cardstock-like acid free paper that collectors use to help maintain the shape of the comic book. Like these here on Amazon.

Looking for sewing and crafting projects? 

Every single yard of my fabrics is wrapped on the boards. I wouldn't keep my fabrics organized any other way.

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.

You can find the step-by-step how to tutorial for wrapping, storing, and organizing your fabric stash on comic book backer boards right here:

Looking for even more sewing room ideas? Check out these tips on creating a sewing room.

The Almost Tutorial Tuesday

“To conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles.” 
― T.F. Hodge, From Within I Rise: Spiritual Triumph Over Death and Conscious Encounters with "The Divine Presence"

It was the Tutorial Tuesday that wasn't. After filming a tutorial and editing and doing a voiceover for it and exporting it and getting it ready to upload to YouTube...it didn't happen. The "free" video editing software I was using put a big old watermark across the screen. Ugh. That led me to finding another free editing software download. That wouldn't work. So onto the third free download. We'll see where I end up by the end of the night. So frustrating!

Otherwise the day was pretty darn good. Other than those two broken front windows. One broke last month and now this morning another one? How does a double-pane window crack on the inside pane - on two different windows - on the same side of the house - in two consecutive months? I so DO NOT get it. Yesterday's new packaging tape came in handy. It might look cheap but we now have clear packaging tape holding both of the windows together.

Not cheap? The tires I bought today. They look so pretty!

But the best part of the day happened before 8 a.m. I got a message from a crew member friend from India which inspired me to get my YouTube channel cleaned up - and motivated me to get back to the tutorials. And then within a few minutes of those messages going back and forth I got a call from a crew member friend who is living in Kuwait. We are so blessed to have dear friends from around the world.

And blessed that I was up early to get the message from India and the phone call from Kuwait and see the sunrise out my window in Idaho.

Monday, February 5, 2018

Motivated Monday

“When you start to do the things that you truly love, it wouldn't matter whether it is Monday or Friday; you would be so excited to wake up each morning to work on your passions.” 
― Edmond Mbiaka

Thus I was up at 4 a.m. on a Monday. There was too much to do and I needed to get an early start. I needed to:

  • get some writing done.
  • box up some eBay items.
  • take those packages to the post office.
  • buy some sewing supplies.
  • buy packaging tape.
  • price tires.
  • take hubby for a haircut.
  • take hubby to the doctor.
  • go to the bank.
All those to-do thoughts lasted for only a couple hours. The cold 55 degree house had me heading back to bed before 6 a.m. Once I got warmed up in bed it was no surprise that I fell back asleep.

But I still got most of the day done. Even got a couple things done at the same time - writing in the car while hubby was in the doctor's office. I must be nuts.

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Sunday Sew-In: Coupon Organizer

“Death, taxes and childbirth! There's never any convenient time for any of them.” 
~ Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind

Every year I don't spend Superbowl Sunday watching the game or the pregame or the halftime show or the commercials. I use the time to sit down at the computer and do taxes. Every single year.

I have always done our taxes. And it's always a pain. I long for the simpler days of being able to use the EZ forms! But I am also ever-so-thankful for tax preparation software. So while I'll be using that software during today's game I have other business to attend to first.

My Sew-In Sunday.

Several years ago I made a coupon organizer.
Now that I'm working on my next book (the upcoming one is a craft one) I'm needing to put together step-by-step directions for many of my creations. Except there is a bit of a problem. I didn't take good notes last time around.

So today's Sew-In Sunday is me trying to figure out what the heck I did and how the heck I'm going to do it again.

And just like last Sunday I came away with a page (and pile) of mess.

But I think I finally figured it out. I'll be using these fabrics for the instructions. But that's for another day. Since the Superbowl just now started I need to switch to tax time.

Saturday, February 3, 2018

Packing for a Cruise

It's Cruise Ship Saturday! Today we're talking about packing for a cruise.

When other passengers ask us about what we pack for a cruise they don't understand how it's possible we use just one suitcase. Then when we tell them hubby and I share the one suitcase they think it's impossible.


One of the biggest misconceptions a first-time cruiser has is that everyone wears dressy clothing all the time. Remember, these perfect photos are an advertisement. The ideal. They don’t represent the majority of passengers on today’s cruise ships. Go to your local movie theater, mall, or restaurant to see who you will find on a ship. Average people. Some are smaller, some are larger. Some wear sharply pressed clothing and some wear wrinkled clothing. Some look like they are heading to a wedding and some look like they are ready to mow the lawn. Even packing lists promote a mentality of it all having to be perfect. Do an internet search for cruise packing list and what you find will be overwhelming.

And not necessary.

Packing for a cruise isn’t much different than packing for a land-based vacation. There is no need to pack something just in case. With only paperwork, a passport, medications, a clean pair of undies, and some deodorant anyone could survive on a cruise. (But you’ll probably be more comfortable with more.) Bring a couple pairs of shoes with one dressier to wear into the dining room, a couple pairs of slacks, and a few tops. Reduce the amount of clothes by sticking with the same color scheme. Don’t forget to wear what you’re comfortable in! Wear the bulkiest of the clothes on the plane.

Whether going on a cruise or land vacation we subscribe to the belief of packing half as many clothes and twice as much money as we think we’ll need. Since we frequently take our trips last minute we keep a basket of our must-haves ready to go.  After all these years of traveling our list is about right. For us.

Our list:

  • Medications - Prescriptions, vitamins, pain relievers, antihistamines, cold medicine, anti-nausea, antacids.
  • Toiletries - Toothbrush and toothpaste (ask dentist for extras), deodorant, hair gel, powder, sunscreen, disposable razor, shaving cream, lip balm.
  • Adhesive bandages, travel size sewing kit, nail clippers, small scissors. We keep all of these in a glasses case.
  • Fabric freshener that can double as an air freshener. Remember the bathroom is small.
  • Reclosable bags in a variety of sizes. Keeps money dry and sand out of electronics while at the beach. Larger size bags can be used for sandy/muddy sandals and shoes.
  • Windbreaker, hat, cheap rain poncho.
  • Electronics, headphones, charger. We rotate electronics for charging.
  • Slippers. Comfy for a quick trip to the buffet.
  • Undergarments and socks. Bring old ratty ones and toss them out as the trip goes along. Leaves more room in the suitcase for trip purchases. We don't buy souvenirs but we sure like coming home with a lighter suitcase!
  • Cross body bag or drawstring backpack to use when going ashore. Holds ID and money, camera, on-shore purchases, sunscreen, beach towels. If not a beach day I use a waist wallet under my clothes. 
  • Magnetic clip to keep paperwork organized on the cabin wall.
  • Pocket sized hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray.
  • For warm weather trips - snorkeling equipment and underwater camera, swimsuits and cover-up, sandals. 
  • We don’t own binoculars but if we did we would take them on voyages to Alaska.
Bald eagles and calving glaciers will be easier to see with binoculars.


Friday, February 2, 2018

The Friday 15

“The numerous choices you have around yourself are often superficial; they don’t matter. The art lies in doing more with less. Minimal requirements, more work.” 
― Vishal Ostwal, Pocket Productivity

Doing more with less. Less notepads and binders and office organizers. Add in the five things I sold on eBay this week and there is my 15 for the. Buh Bye to crap.

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

The Dream Lives

“If you have a dream, don’t just sit there. Gather courage to believe that you can succeed and leave no stone unturned to make it a reality.” 
~ Roopleen

It is alive. And FREE until midnight on February 1. Exclusively on Amazon.

If you read it and like it, please leave a kind review on Amazon. Since it's a new edition the reviews from the old one don't transfer. Thanks a bunch, and enjoy!

Swimming with the Turtles in Akumal Bay, Mexico


It's Wanderlust Wednesday! Today we're talking about swimming with the turtles in Akumal Bay, Mexico.

This week's adventure is a continuation of last week's. Part I can be found here.

When we arrived at Akumal Bay there was a bit of a break in the weather. By the time we got the snorkel life jackets (different ones than the cenotes life jackets), it was getting a bit cloudy again. That should have been a sign to turn back. But we all forged ahead with our fins on to join the turtles. A few turtles were spotted.
And so were ominous storm clouds.
It wasn’t but a few minutes until the downpour started. The seas became very rough and the guide made us get out of the water. Immediately. We had already been soaked all day long so we didn’t even run for cover. We just walked in the pouring rain and howling wind to return our life jackets.
The plan was for us to make our way to a local restaurant for a buffet lunch and some beach time. Walking through the streets to get to the restaurant was like fording rivers. No beach time could be had. The ferry’s departure time had already been re-scheduled for those wanting to do some shopping. Fording more stream-filled streets for some shopping ? Not for me. I decided to stick around the restaurant until it was time to leave. My two knee-replacement and screw-filled shoulders had enough adventure for the day.

The ferry ride back to Cozumel wasn’t nearly as rough. There were a few plastic bags being handed out but not like on the ride over. Thank you again, iron stomach. And thank you to myself for learning how to snorkel. A full day of wet hair and wet shoes and wet towels and wet clothes. Soaked to the bone. Can’t wait for a sunny Cozumel port day so I can try cenotes in the sun!