Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Top 5 Snorkeling Spots in the Caribbean

Today we're talking about the top snorkeling spots in the Caribbean. Clear waters, beautiful fish, what could be better?
Top 5 snorkeling spots in the Caribbean

As I was driving the kitties back from their shots yesterday, my mind started wandering. Random thoughts. So totally random. Seriously, who has their mind making a list of all the places they've snorkeled while sitting at a stoplight on an April Monday morning in Idaho? And who starts putting  them in alphabetical order in their head? Well, me. (I didn't finish the ABC order. I wasn't at the stoplight that long.)

Bahamas
Belize
Grand Cayman
Grand Turk
Aruba
Bonaire
Cabo San Lucas
Cozumel
Costa Maya
Curacao
Dominica
Hawaii
Playa del Carmen
Roatan, Honduras
St. Thomas
St. Maarten

I've snorkeled most of the list several times over. Don't worry - my drive wasn't long enough where I was assigning tally marks of how many times I snorkeled in each place.

But I did assign a ranking.

1. Bonaire
You can snorkel from shore - the beach itself is made from coral so you'll definitely need water shoes - but the best snorkeling is somewhere else.

See that island out there? That's Klein Bonaire, an uninhabited island. No chairs, no toilets, no services. But there is a water taxi that can take you out there so you can snorkel from shore. Tours also take snorkelers out for drift snorkeling. The absolute best snorkeling in the Caribbean, hands down. (Check out Woodwind tours. The best!)

2. Roatan, Honduras
If you head to the West Bay you'll have easy access to the reef  right from the beach. There are even fellows in kayaks working for tips who will tow you out to the back side of the reef for even better snorkeling. Water clarity is amazing, coral is in pretty darn good shape, and fish are abundant.

3. Grand Cayman
There are a couple spots in Grand Cayman that are my favorite. If you've never snorkeled or swam with stingrays, this is the place. No, their barbs aren't removed. Head out to Stingray City on a boat or jet ski to see something like this.
Those dark blobs are the stingrays. They congregate at the sandbar and are fed by tour operators. You get up close and personal. And yes, you should go in the water with them.
Otherwise head to the Paradise Seaside Grill and snorkel right from the shore to the reef. It's within sight of the ship.

4. Bahamas
You can see the clarity from the shore.
 From the air.
 And from the water.
And the fish are pretty cool, too.
5. Belize
Belize has its own barrier reef. You'll need to take a boat to get out there, and the current can be a bit strong depending on the weather, but the clarity, fish, and coral are amazing.

Belize was my first snorkeling adventure - before I had an underwater camera. And the next Belize visit was after my underwater camera busted. So no pictures. But I'll be back again some day!

Top 5 snorkeling spots in the Caribbean

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Easy to Sew Sleep Mask Project - Tutorial Tuesday

“I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I'm awake, you know?” 
― Ernest Hemingway

I like my sleep. It's great in the winter when it's dark early but in the spring and summer? Not so easy to sleep late. Which is where my second sleep mask in a year comes into play. When I don't like something I have I just make another.

So a sleep mask is what we have as today's tutorial. And I get to sleep in because I'm wearing it. Score!

Homemade Fabric Sleep Mask Sewing Project


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 travel ideas? Check out some of my other projects!



Check out the step-by-step how to tutorial and make your own homemade fabric sleep mask:

You can find the directions in a PDF here.

Sunday, April 8, 2018

Sunday Sew-In

“I hate Sunday, and I don't think I'll ever get over it. But I'm going to try.” 
― Frank D. Gilroy, The Subject Was Roses

I used to hate Sunday. Sunday meant Monday, and Monday meant work. Now Sunday means I get to sew. And Monday means I get to sew some more. Or cut fabric. Or film a tutorial. Or write for upcoming books. In other words, not work.

Today's Sunday was filled with two projects. Actually, four. Two from an upcoming travel crafts book and two cute little black and white foster ones from Simply Cats.
Cutie patooties Cami and Sami.

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Cruise Ports - Tendering


It's Cruise Ship Saturday! Today we're talking about tender ports.

 “To reach a port we must set sail –
Sail, not tie at anchor
Sail, not drift.” 
― Franklin D. Roosevelt

Unless your ship is at a port that requires tendering.

In some ports the ship may not be able to dock at the pier. The channel may not be deep enough for the ship or the piers could be full with other ships. The ship instead anchors offshore. Passengers are then shuttled back and forth from ship to shore in tenders. The boats used to tender are typically the ship’s lifeboats and in some cases, local boats.
Lifeboats are quite safe and stable.
Tenders, being small boats on ocean waters, can bump and move. The crew does a great job in assisting passengers with entering and exiting the tender. Follow their instructions. The movement felt on the tender will be more than is felt on the ship. Tendering can be a challenge for people with physical difficulties as tenders require steps to enter and exit and are not wheelchair accessible. Passengers with collapsible wheelchairs and foldable walkers and scooters who can navigate steps may be able to access the tenders. Full sized mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs are usually not allowed.

Don't want to take a tender to shore? Stay onboard the ship. Some of the most peaceful and quiet times can be had when everyone else is off the ship. While onboard shops are closed the pools are open, the buffet is empty, and the decks are clear. It’s like having your own private yacht for the day.
A private yacht day.
Excerpt from Cruising with Confidence: How to be a First Time Cruiser without Looking like One, 2nd edition.

Friday, April 6, 2018

The Friday 15

“Friday's a free day. A woman's day.” 
― Neil Gaiman, American Gods

Or a good day to get rid of a Woman's Day magazine!

And another magazine,
and four spools of thread,
and a placemat,
and four pieces of fabric,
and two tutorial projects,
and two things on eBay.

Friday is a free me day for me. I'm free of 15 more pieces of stuff.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

5 Things to do in Ensenada, Mexico

Today we're talking about what to do in Ensenada, Mexico. Learn five different activities you can do when you're visiting Ensenada on a cruise ship.

5 things to do in Ensenada, Mexico

The first time we ever took a cruise to Mexico we stopped in Ensenada. Just a couple hours south of San Diego but a world away. Actually, we didn't know if it that was true because we didn't get off the ship. And the next trip we stayed on the ship, and then the next. Yep, we were fearful American tourists who never stepped foot on shore. But then one of our crew member friends was celebrating his birthday in Ensenada and invited us to go along. Only then did we venture out.

Fast forward to now. How many times do we stay on the ship when it docks in Ensenada? Like, never. We've found lots to do - and found our fears about safety were unfounded.

If you want to venture out a bit either by car, bus, or taxi you can visit:
  • A winery? In Ensenada? The nearby valleys of San Vicente, Santo Tomas, and Guadalupe produce 90% of Mexico 's wines.
  • La Bufadora, The Blowhole.  The spout of ocean water is created when waves and air are pulled into an underwater cave and spit back out.
If you want activities within walking distance of port you can visit:
  • Hussong's Cantina is Baja's oldest bar still in use. It's also where the margarita was invented in 1941.
  • The Malecon is a nice waterfront walkway. The Malecon starts just past the ship's secure areas. We frequently see families out and about walking and sitting and playing with their kids along The Malecon. (We enjoy watching locals with their families.)   You'll also see Mexico's second largest flag there. (Although you can easily see the flag from the ship - it is huge.)
Large Mexican flag in Ensenada, Mexico
Walking The Malecon will take you to #5, the fish market.
  • Mercado de Mariscos - Fish Market. Northern Baja California 's largest seafood market, you can find all kinds of small and large fish here. Don't be surprised if you see a fisherman bringing a shark to market - using a wheelbarrow.
Shark meat for sale at the fish market in Ensenada, Mexico
Also near the fish market are lots of restaurants. Restaurants that just go next door to the fish market and purchase the fish for your meal.
Preparing red snapper at a restaurant stall in Ensenada, Mexico
Ensenada is home of the original fish tacos. With fish straight from the market you can't get much fresher. Cheap, tasty, can't-be-beat fish tacos. Yum.
Baja fish tacos in a restaurant stall in Ensenada, Mexico
Fish tacos in Ensenada is our top pick for what to do in Ensenada.
5 things to do in Ensenada, Mexico

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

How to Make Flower Button Magnets - Tutorial Tuesday

"When buttons came in, about 1650, people couldn't get enough of them and arrayed them in decorative profusion on the backs and collars and sleeves of coats, where they didn't actually do anything. ”
― Bill Bryson

And this week's project doesn't have buttons doing much of anything either. Except maybe holding up papers on the refrigerator. Buttons + scrap fabric + magnet + hot glue = super quick and easy spring project.


Homemade Fabric Covered Button Flower Magnets Craft Project

In addition to the standard crafting supplies, for each flower magnet 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 craft ideas? Check out these projects!

Check out the step-by-step how to tutorial to make your own handmade flower button magnets:

Monday, April 2, 2018

MY BOOKS

Get your copy HERE
Get your copy HERE

Now an Audiobook

Get your copy HERE



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!

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



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