The Friday 15

I'm still downsizing. Today's stack is mostly full of kitchen crap.

1 large plastic container
1 casserole dish
1 Swiffer wand
1 reusable water bottle
7 glasses and mugs
2 canning things
1 file organizer
1 cooling eye mask

Goodbye to 15 more!

How to Make Fabric Pan Protectors - Tutorial Tuesday

It's Tutorial Tuesday and I have a new project for you. Today we are making pan-pot-glass bowl protectors. They whip up pretty darn fast and work well to keep down the scratches when you're stacking your pans-pots-glass bowls.

For this project you will need:

• fabric
• cotton batting 
• Marking pencil
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread
• Scissors or rotary cutter, cutting ruler, and cutting mat
• Pinking shears 
• Template downloaded from here

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.

Now available in my Etsy store as a digital download with the written directions, step-by-step photos, printable templates, and link to the tutorial video. Click to find out more!

Updated patterns now available in the Etsy shop! 

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

Or just watch the tutorial video to make the fabric pot and pan protectors here:

Find the new video tutorial here:

Carniceria Los Compadres in Mt. Vernon, Washington

It's Yummy Monday! Today we're talking about tacos in a butcher shop in Mt. Vernon, Washington.

My handy-dandy high school Spanish skills have been helpful as we've traveled in Mexico and Central America. Whether I'm trying to direct a taxi driver to take me to an orphanato (orphanage) in Honduras, trying to order pescado (fish) in Costa Rica, or a naranja (orange) soda in Mexico, I've been thankful that I've kept some of my skills. But like everything else, if you don't practice it, you lose it. Which makes me think if we spend our winters in Mexico I might want to practice more. Like a lot more.

We like to eat at local places. Places that do require some Spanish. So it was natural that when we walked into the Carniceria Los Compadres in Mt. Vernon, Washington - a real working butcher shop/market/taqueria - that I was expecting to use Spanish. But several people were talking to me in English. It seemed a bit off. It was only when we left the carniceria (butcher shop) that it occurred to me - I forgot we weren't in Mexico!

The food and atmosphere were so authentic I honestly forgot I was in a place off the freeway in Mt. Vernon, Washington. My mind was telling me I was in Mexico - and the tacos sure tasted like it.

Hubby and I shared uno chorizo, uno carnitas, y dos carne asada. Delicioso!

So good I forgot to take a picture until we were halfway done!

5 Things to do in Skagway, Alaska

Today we're talking about five activities to do in Skagway, Alaska when on your Alaska cruise vacation.

In August of 1896 gold was discovered near where the Klondike and Yukon rivers joined in northwestern Canada. Skagway became the major gateway for the Klondike Gold Rush and tents lined Broadway Street as the town grew by leaps and bounds. But by December of 1896 wooden buildings replaced the tents and then, less than two years later, Skagway had boardwalks on both sides, brick chimneys, railroad tracks, and utility poles. 80 saloons, three breweries, and many brothels occupied the town. Now it's a cruise ship town with plenty to keep you busy.

1. Take a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad. Built during the Klondike Gold Rush, the railroad is an “International Civil Engineering Landmark” and shares honors with the Eiffel Tower, the Panama Canal, and the Statue of Liberty.

2. Grab your passport and head out on a tour that takes you into Canada to the Yukon Suspension Bridge. You'll walk across a bridge 65 feet above the rapids.

With a spectacular view from the middle of the bridge.

3. Take a free National Park Service walking tour of the town. Many of those original buildings in Skagway have been restored to exact standards including historical paint schemes and sign fonts.

4. Take a turn being pulled by sled dogs. You can hop a helicopter to run on the glacier.

Or avoid the helicopter ride and climb aboard a sled that runs on dirt.

5. Eat, drink, and be merry. There are breweries, restaurants and cafes, and even a former brothel serving food.

Best ever patty melt at the Sweet Tooth Cafe.

Thai food is Skagway? Yep, at the Starfire.

Enjoy Skagway!

Make a Fabric Grocery Bag Holder - Tutorial Tuesday

It's Tutorial Tuesday! Today I have a new pattern for a grocery bag holder for you. It's better than the one I had years and years ago. (Well, six years and six months or so ago. Geez, I'm getting old.)

For this project you will need:

• Piece of fabric (also called a fat quarter)
• Pieces of elastic
• Pins or Clover Wonder Clips
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread
• Rotary cutter
• Cutting ruler
• Cutting mat

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.

Now available as a PDF digital download pattern in my Etsy shop with step by step written directions and color photos. Click to find out more!

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

You can find the easy step-by-step how to tutorial to make the plastic grocery bag storage holder sewing project here:

#EtsyCreatorCo

How to Sew a Quick and Easy Star Slipcover Pillowcase - Tutorial Tuesday

We don't do much in way of extra decorative pillows anymore. But I have a pillow form and needed a project for it. I'm guessing it's too late for 4th of July, but at least it's not August yet!

For this project you will need:

• 1 ½” x 9” red fabric strips, cut 2
• 1 ½” x 11” red fabric strips, cut 2
• 2 ½” x 11” beige fabric strips, cut 2 
• 2 ½” x 15” beige fabric strips, cut 2
• 9” x 9” piece of blue fabric
• 8 ½” x 8 ½” white fabric for star
• 9 ½” x 15” backing fabric, cut 2
• 8 ½” x 8 ½” piece of fusible paper-backed interfacing (I use HeatnBond no-sew UltraHold Iron On)
• 14” x 14” pillow form
• Star template from HERE
• Iron
• Rotary cutter
• Cutting ruler
• Cutting mat
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread
• Scissors

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 Americana ideas? Check out my other projects!

You can find the step-by-step how to tutorial for the homemade star pillow case sewing project here:

Travel Scooters on a Cruise

It's Cruise Ship Saturday! Today we're talking about travel scooters.

As people with limited mobility one of the places where we feel like regular people is on a cruise ship. Being in a business where the primary customers are retired people, cruise lines have experience working with less-than-mobile folks. From helping carry your plate at the buffet to providing assistance traveling up the gangway and everything else in between, a crew member is there. If you need a wheelchair or scooter there are rental companies working with cruise lines that can have one waiting for you in the cabin. If you use a cane or walker consider looking into this option. Being able to move around the ship and in port without having to worry about all the walking brings a freedom like no other.

Most travel scooters are narrow enough to fit through a standard door but a full size scooter requires a handicapped cabin because of its width. Handicap accessible cabins are near elevators and are much larger than regular cabins. If you need one, book one. Scooters are not allowed to be left in hallways.

Travel scooters are perfect for cruise ships. Whether in Glacier Bay...

 Or at sea...

Or in port...

having a scooter will pretty much guarantee a richer and more active cruise experience. If you use a walker or wheelchair, please consider a scooter instead. You won't regret it!