So not ready...

Where are the elves?!?!? it's beyond bonkers in the Basement.

Seven more days 'til 'Winter Break' starts....what happened to getting out of school in time to actually get ready for the holiday?!?!? My wonderful husband did put out the wreaths & swags yesterday and set up the tree. It has lights, but no decorations {did I wrote this same post last year?!?!}. A few gifts have been purchased (thank goodness for Internet shopping, USPS, UPS & FedX!!!) but nothing is wrapped yet. Cards are signed, but not addressed or stamped and certainly not mailed. I've invited folks for meals, but haven't planned a menu or shopped for food, much less cleaned the house or baked the first cookie! I don't have a clue where that Christmas china is. Bottom line, I'm sooo not ready for Christmas....how 'bout you?

The Day After

Our Thanksgiving was wonderful. What a feast...my Mama is absolutely the B-E-S-T cook!
Dusted off the treadmill this morning ... snapped this pic to document my progress...hehehe.

I heart Etsy

Etsy is such a great niche for talented artisans and a fabulous source of inspiration. Always makes me feel good to purchase from other craftsmen/small businesses.

My most recent Etsy acquisition arrived today. What do you think of my new "Keep Calm and Sew On" plaque? I love,love,love it! Perfect accent for the top of my ribbon rack. This little prize came from thehomespunraven and was 'made to order'...you can pick out your paint colors!...and it still got here really fast. Beau & Ruca {grand dogs} will be getting Christmas collars from pecanpiepuppies ...extra cute and very well made. They are super accommodating with special request and have a decent turn-around time.
Thanksgiving is absolutely my favorite holiday and lunch at Mama's...Mmmm, just bring on the elastic waist pants!!! We are truly thankful for so much. Right this minute, I'm very very grateful that tomorrow is the last school day this week.

My Wonderful Husband, an old friend, & randomisity

Warning: sort of a random, ramblin' post...stick with me.
Friday an old friend from 'home' called and said she was in the area for the weekend. Yesterday evening my wonderful husband drove me over to see her. Yes, I can drive, just don't like to. We had a short, but very nice visit. We taught together and haven't seen each other in 10+ yrs. She is such a lovely person and I'm so glad she called. On the way home we stopped at Chick-fil-a because the Peppermint-Chocolate Chip Milkshake is back! One of my favorite treats...at least it used to be. Even though wonderful husband frets about my weight and lack of will power, he allowed me the indulgence without criticizing. Think he was, however, quite satisfied that it gave me a terrible tummy ache! maybe {hopefully} I won't be tempted to buy so many of them this season.

I like to cook, do laundry, cut grass, love to sew & read, but house cleaning is not my favorite thing. My girls say I was OCD about it when they were growing up. Maybe. Don't think anyone would say that now. Honestly, our house is neat, nicely decorated, clutter free and probably cleaner than most. Really what does a little few inches of dust hurt!?!?! Anyway, it's getting busy in the basement, so I told wonderful husband last night that we needed to clean today...he said "I'll vacuum and dust if you'll do the bathrooms"....I'm good with that. Then when I checked email this morning there was an order for 18 shoe bags. Yippee!!! I got busy checking supplies, emailing, checking details and getting other orders started so I wouldn't get too far behind. Next thing you know, it's three hours later and I realize that wonderful husband has been upstairs cleaning the whole time! Moving furniture, vacuuming everything, taking silk plants outside and blowing them off, cleaning out drawers, cleaning bathroom floors...wow! and NO you can not have him!!! I appreciate his help so much, but it also makes me feel guilty 'cause I really do believe those are my jobs....yeah, I know, ole fashioned, but that's how we roll around here. I will be doing something extra special for him. {as soon as the Christmas order rush is over}

Isaac's Sweet Grandmother is at it again (Thanks, Gina!). Below are a couple of shirts she ordered for him. He will be tooooo cute!

I'm off to do my part now...clean the bathrooms, put away laundry, iron and maybe I'll still have time to stitch out some more cuteness before bedtime.
Hope Y'all have a safe & Happy Thanksgiving!

Holiday Savings

Holiday Sale

Save 25% on selected Quilted Items

11/13 thru 11/18

Quantities limited

Hope to see you in the Basement!

www.basementbags.com

Today

Happy Veterans Day!

11/11/11 ... pretty cool, historical even. What a wonderful opportunity to honor all Veterans. Thank you for your service and sacrifics. And happily for me, this is a day out of school!

My sweet husband won the auction for toy Singer sewing machine. "Merry Christmas"? works for me. He is a doll!

Y'all have a fabulous Friday & weekend.

Wish list....

Did you have one of these? Singer's SewHandy was one of the most popular 'girl' toys for almost 60 years. Most of the machines were black but they made several limited edition models in red, blue and tan...mine was exactly like the photo above. My childhood treasure somehow got misplaced and I regret not understanding the importance of it at the time. Oh, I knew how much fun it was and probably even realized it was the beginning of a lifelong passion. However, I didn't think about it as a valuable collectors item or what an intricate piece of my personal history it was until 50 years later. So now I'm on the hunt for one...it's tops on my wish list. Even though mine is gone, it would still be wonderful to have one. I'm watching one on EBay...keep your fingers crossed that I win it and PLEASE don't bid against me.

Long time...

Long time, no blog. Honestly, not much to tell. Life is keeping me busy. Seven weeks in and I am still struggling with the 'back to school' routine ... seems to get harder every year.
We made a road trip to Alabama this past weekend for my Dad's 80th Birthday. We enjoyed the visit and celebrated with a lovely catered lunch. I had the pleasure of meeting some of his friends (about 75 of them!) and got to hang out with my 'bonus' family. Kudos to Nina for putting together a great party.
I have been sewing, lots, just been slack about posting pictures. Just finished this precious bib/burp set. And now it's time for sweet dreams.

Ultimate Carry All

Ultimate Carry All

Something new from the Basement...this amazing tote is huge! Think tailgating, beach/pool, craft storage, traveling, pot luck dinners, gift giving basket...soooo many possibilities. It's available in several fabrics and can be embroidered with initials or designs. You NEED one of these!

My Suzalee

The book was good. I liked the movie better!

My childhood maid was Suzalee.
She called me Miss Susan and I loved her dearly.

There is a scene in the movie were one of the characters has a flash back of her beloved maid combing her hair. That trigger one of my fondest memories of Suzalee. I used to beg her to fix my hair like hers (corn rows)...impossible since my hair was super fine and cut in a pixie. Finally, one day she did it. It took hours. I probably looked like a 'crackhead' porcupine with a million multi-colored rubber bands and sprigs of hair sticking out everywhere. She must have been 'cussin' up a storm in her head, but I was sooo proud of that 'new do' and cried unconscionably when it all came undone.

PS...for months I have been unable to leave comments on other blogs...anyone else experiences this problem?

Matching Shoe & Bikini Bags

Working late tonight so we can take off for a long weekend at the lake. IF we don't get rained out, I plan to spend two days in the hammock reading The Help (can't wait to see movie as well) and being as lazy as humanly possible. Just finished this matching shoe & bikini bags...love the green and purple combo! Y'all have a wonderful Labor Day!

MIA

Just in case anyone is still reading....I'm here and all is well. Trying to get into the 'back to school' routine...seems to get harder every year. More soon.

Glad to be wrong

So I've been dreading thinking for weeks that school started today. Imagine my delight last night when I realized there was one more day of vacation!

"Uncle!!!"

Backpack & Lunch box Set

OK, I give up...back to school it is! Here's a super special ... matching backpack and lunch box ... $26.00 (yes, that's for both pieces AND includes monogram/name). Very limited quantity. Email me or look for it at http://www.basementbags.com/ later today. Y'all just don't know how much thinking about 'back to school' spoils my precious summer vacation!

For the sports fans...

Shoe Bag & Towel Set

Blog special - $32.00

good thru 8/1/11

Shoe bags with matching towel make a great gift for golfers and tennis players. Many college & professional team logos available. You select fabric and towel color from available stock. Send me an email to order.

This is just wrong

Our summer vacation just started June 13 and they have already started with this?!?! I understand that 'back to school' is the next big shopping event after July 4th, but seriously, couldn't they wait until Aug? Pretty sure I do this same post every summer, seems like it comes earlier each year.

Hope y'all are staying cool & hydrated...it is hot as Hades!

Six vs. One

More is not always better...especially in the case of remote controls. We had SIX! I could not even turn on the flippin' television! Had to call Hubby for directions to play a movie for the boys when they were here on Saturday...argggh! Solution...an amazing little gadget...Logitech Harmony 650. I know universal remotes aren't new, but Hubby said they wouldn't work with our stuff. He was wrong and I now can actually watch TV without assistance.


Alert the media....I am leaving the house today.

Pirates

Pirate Initial & Treasure Island

Love this matching CuTee and onesie for cousins to wear while on family beach trip...boys belong to Durham Daughter's high school friend...makes me feel old. Could I take a worse picture?

"Yes...."

....I stayed in the Basement all day!" Why would anyone find that unusual? Why would anyone who knows me even have to ask? So what do I do all day in said Basement? Well today, I made all that cuteness pictured above, walked on the treadmill for 45 minutes, ironed shirts for Hubby, went shopping (online), did some Facebook stalking & blog reading, folded two loads of laundry, read and filled out/paid my quarterly taxes. I did go upstairs to get coffee, eat lunch, take a shower, put away laundry and prepare & eat dinner. I even went outside to take the garbage out. All in all, a very good day!

Pinterest Inspired Project

It's decided...fabric organization will be my summer project. I'm completely inspired by this beautiful display. Can't wait to get the fabric out of the plastic containers and wrapped onto the organizers ... check out the system .

We had a wonderful holiday weekend. Sunday we celebrated Mom's 80th birthday with SC family and friends. Then yesterday more fun at the lake with NC family & friends. Too much yummy food/drink both days...so I'm off to the treadmill!

Announcing New Beautifulness!

"Boutique Beauties"

These darling ruffle pants & matching CuTees will be added to the website later this week.

Sizzlin' Summer Sale

To celebrate summer, I've put a few things on sale.

Hope to see y'all in the Basement!

L-o-n-g weekend plans

Staring tomorrow, I'll be here.

See y'all Monday!

"Red race car, please"

Per Jack's request...vroom, vroom!

Spa Day

12:00-Massage + 1:00-Facial + 2:00-Mani/pedi

=

Very happy, pampered, totally relaxed me!

Matched....

CuTee's with Circle Applique

I rarely dressed the girls exactly alike, but they usually matched. Durham Daughter told me not to do that to the boys. I'm thinking the girls grew up just fine and the boys will too....besides, they are extra cute in their SusieMama shirts and it makes me happy! Check out Target for shirts, Cherokee Ultimate Tee....lots of colors & amazing quality for $5 (cute girl shirts too). I'm loving this new circle applique font from Planet Applique. I'm also loving summer vacation!

Hog Heaven!

Schooool's out for summer! I am officially on Susan Time! Got to sleep in, it's 10 am & I'm not dressed yet & just finished my last cup of coffee, both machines are humming away , have a nice stack of orders to keep me busy, started a new book last night. I have no meetings, no appointments and probably won't leave the house for days! This is what I call 'hog heaven'!

Saturday in the Basement

Totes, Tees & Onesies

Nothing much to blog about...just staying busy making cuteness in the Basement.

Summer vacation starts Tuesday (finally) ... yipee!

More Cuteness...

CuTee's for Boys

Pirate Alphabet and AnnieOwl

Tomorrow is the last day of school for students in our county...having difficulty containing my elation here! It's the day I've been living for since Aug. 25...love teaching & the kids (most of 'em), but love summer vacation more! Can't wait to be on 'Susan Time'.

Precious!

Boutique Ruffle Pants and Matching CuTee

Coming soon to the Basement!

Hey, Durham Daughter and College Daughter, be glad you are 20 something 'cause if y'all were still little girls, I would soooo be making tons of these precious outfits! (with matching hair bows and Sam & Libby's, of course!) I adore these girly t's and the pants are just adorable...the c.p. (cuteness possibilities) are endless with all the gorgeous fabrics on the market. Look for this to be added to the website soon. That is IF this school year ever ends! 5 more days...I can do this!

Class of 2011

College Daughter graduated yesterday...it was a wonderful day! We are so proud of her!...guess she'll need a new blog code name now. It feels fabulous to have the youngest child graduate. It's gratifying to know we helped each of the girls get an education and gave them some tools to be happy, productive, responsible adults. Honestly, it feels like some of my really big 'Mom' jobs are finished.....Oh goodness, what will I worry about now?!?!?!

Fun Stuff

It's finally Spring Break and I'm busy making some fun stuff...bikini bags with animals instead of bikinis, koozies for a girl's beach trip....Hmmm, a beach trip would be fun! Actually, just being at home and working in the Basement is my favorite vacation!

Bittersweet

This is the dress that College Daughter worn on the first day of school when she entered 1st grade....hand-smocked by me with soooo much love....she was precious! Still is. Today she came home and we worked on addressing college graduation announcements and decorating the top of her mortarboard (a tradition at UNC-C). Such a fun day, yet so bittersweet. Where have the years gone? My adorable, toothless 1st grader is a soon-to-be college honor graduate. (By the way, she needs a job, if anyone out there knows of something in the Public Health field please let us know!) I feel old.

Happy Easter...hope the bunny is good to you!
PS...I am officially on Spring Break....Whoopee!

We paid our taxes rant!

So tomorrow is the deadline to file taxes. In our case, it also means sending in a big fat check. It doesn't matter that we paid the highest possible withholding all year. We still owe more. Now, we live a modest life. I am a teacher and my husband is an engineer. Our income isn't even in the neighborhood of that magical $250,000 that everyone talks so much about. We live in an unpretentious, 25 yr. old home and I drive a 13 yr. old Camry. We have some nice 'toys', but we aren't extravagant and we WORKED & EARNED all we have. We have always paid our bills, saved, educated our children and taught them to be self reliant. We believe in personal responsibility. We understand that paying taxes is one of our obligations as citizens...but not 28% of our income. Yes, 28%! And today I read that the average ultra rich pay only 17%...what?!?!? How does that work?!?!? I know how it works and it stinks! Then there are those who count on public assistance as their main substance and they get a refund!?!?! even though they haven't earned or paid in a dime into the system and may not even be in our country legally. What the....!!! Our government is messed up and I am so sick of it! And the icing on the cake is that we don't have any say in how the money is spent wasted. Check out this article, it's appalling to see it in print. Every politician claims that education is important, yet less than 3% of our tax dollars are spent on education. We spend more keeping down a huge segment of our population with public programs...welfare, Medicaid, public housing...I call it modern slavery, which surely isn't politically correct. So what?...the truth hurts. I believe it's time for some 'teach a man to fish...'. How will the US sustain this? Why would anyone want to stay on our current collision course? The values and priorities of the government are certainly different than mine. Thanks for letting me rant....wish it had made me feel better. My apologizes if my comments have offended anyone.

Spring Break

It is only Wednesday. I'm tired and need a break....more than just a weekend. We have not had Spring Break yet...will not until the week AFTER Easter...I'm beginning to think of it as of a pre-summer break. Who plans these calenders?!?! Eleven weeks without a day off. Non-teacher types won't understand that. Teacher types...y'all send me some "Bless Your Heart" 's and please pray that I don't kill hurt a sassy teenager before April 22. Picked up these nifty little frozen pouches at the grocery store this afternoon. Have you tried them? Yummy and Oh-so-easy!...no measuring, no blender, no mess...such a treat! Hopefully it'll sweeten me up a little or at least I'll get a good nights sleep!

Lunch

I'm home alone today, working in the Basement....everyone wants bikini bags this week. Hubby has gone to the lake to work on pier (project entering it's 4th year-no point, just thought I'd mention that). Anyway, noticed it was after 2 and I hadn't eaten. Lunch was two chocolate graham crackers with crunchy peanut butter...how's that for healthy eating?!?! Guess I'll start that diet tomorrow...actually Monday is usually a better start day for me. Gracious! someone just shoot me! Enjoy your Saturday!

Waiting

Just waiting for Hubby to get home. I keep hearing planes fly over, but none of them are landing! Or is that someone is mowing? Anyway, there was some minor damage to plane after all...apparently a flying porta-john dinged a wing and broke off the radio antennas. Is that a great story or what?!?! He had it (the plane) inspected and deemed safe to fly home. Hopefully he will be here soon...this waiting is awful.

This is what I finished in the Basement today. The matching shirts are actually a mistake. Jack asked for a helicopter and I was going to do just a 'P' for Paul with the same fabric, but I put the wrong size shirt on the machine first. Glad I caught it before the name stitched out. I really like the bikini bag with the flip flops. And the 'A' shirt is a new alphabet 'Bloomin'...really cute! Need to get it posted on the website. There's still time to get Easter orders in, but please don't wait too much longer. We have sunshine today, but it breezy and cool. Hope y'all are having a fabulous weekend.

Not so much Sun & Fun

Tuesday Hubby headed out for his annual pilgrimage to the Sun & Fun Fly-in and Air Show in Lakeland, FA. It's a huge event...thousands of planes, pilots camping out, exhibits, air plane stuff for sale, demonstrations of new products, air shows....a flying enthusiast dream! They had a tornado there today. About 50 planes were tossed around & torn up, tents collasped & blown away, more than 70 people taken to hospitals. I was totally oblivious to all of this...was completely absorbed in sharing a manicure/pedicure date with Durham Daughter who came by this afternoon on her way to Charleston. She got a call from him, saying he was fine...we didn't have a clue what he was talking about. I'd have been freaking out if we'd heard the news on the radio or television. Thankful Hubby and his plane are alright. He & 3 guys parked near him (complete strangers) were able to get off of the airfield and found a hotel room. What a story he will have to tell! I'm so glad it has a happy ending. He needs to come home now!

Mama 911

4:15 am phone call from college daughter

Stomach virus? flu? food poisoning?... nasty stuff!

E-mailed for a sub & sent lesson plans

5am dash thru Wal-Mart for soup, crackers, jello, ginger ale (thankfully no one there I knew)

Driving south in the dark, pouring down rain...dangerous combination for me

Lots of Mama-lovin' and head rubbing, she will survive

'Mothering' always makes me feel good.

(especially now that they are grown up & think they don't need me so much)

Hourglass or Fruit?

From age 10 to about 25, I made almost all of my clothes, everything from suits to wedding dress. When my girls were little, I made most of their clothes, including hundreds of hand-smocked outfits. After having children, there just not enough time to sew for myself and them (they were so much cuter!) and my changed figure was a bit challenging to 'fit'. I guess gaining 60 lbs. during first pregnancy and 40 during second will do that to a body. Today I decided to make myself a skirt and am sorely disappointed with the results. Evidently, I forgot that selecting a pattern based on the pictures is sort of like taking a photo into your stylist for a new hair cut ... it usually doesn't end up looking the same.

First of all, as mentioned, my figure is a problem. My husband would say the problem is that I eat too much, don't exercise enough and have no willpower. Whatever! Let's talk about figures, well, actually body proportions. Remember 36-24-36? that perfect Barbie doll figure...the hourglass shape they say we are suppose to have. Well, it ain't happening for the majority of us. So in reality what we should really try for is a well proportioned figure...one in which the bust and hips are the same measurement and the waist is 9" - 12" smaller. Yeah, good luck with that one too if you've even been pregnant, are over 50 or enjoy life even a little bit. If we aren't hourglasses, then we are some kind of fruit: apple, pear or banana....banana?!?!?! that means rectangle shaped...waist is less than 7" smaller than bust/hips. That would be me...a big ole' banana! Looking at 'Susie' (my 'twin' dress form) is much like having your picture taken, but somehow much more personal...a life-sized banana shape me right in my face!...Oh, my! I haven't added the 10 (alright, 15!) winter pounds to Susie and although the skirt looks alright on her...not so much on me. She needs some fluff! Anyway, back to sewing...most patterns are designed to fit hourglasses and as talented a seamstress as I am...I'm terrible at altering patterns...totally different skill. I should have learned.

Second, I picked the wrong fabric (pique) which the pattern suggested, but it's too stiff. It just doesn't 'drape' and the hem pokes out, which isn't at all flattering to us bananas! Oh, well, the sewing was fun!

Happy weekend, y'all!

I wish

....weekends were longer.
Sundays are the best, so relaxing. We were shameful heathens and skipped church. We met Hanna & Josh for lunch and I made a couple of CuTees for the boys. It's time to do the ironing for the week or maybe nap read a little.

I already dread hearing that alarm at 5:15 am!

Wow...

It was a totally perfect Spring day here...sunshine, warm breeze...wow! Spent most of the day outdoors cleaning furniture, blowing off the basement carport and drive ways, pulled a few weeds (very few, hate yard work!) and enjoyed the hammock for about an hour...such a nice day!

Did a tiny bit of work in the basement...isn't Jack's carrot shirt cute?!?! I also did a little closet cleaning & reorganizing. 'Empty nest' around here also means empty closets...I love just switching cloths from one closet to another. To date, not having much luck shedding the winter pounds, hopefully this beautiful weather and wardrobe change will be my motivation.

Time for my movie date....happy weekend!

Rainy days & Sundays

Rainy days & Sundays don't always get me down. Matter of fact on this rainy Sunday I almost get caught up. Hope your upcoming week is full of sunshine.

Child's Tote, Market Tote and Key Fob

In a flash....

Fortunately this week went by in a flash, however it's not going down in history as one of our best.

Hubby's birthday was Tuesday...had all intentions of posting about how wonderful he is and how lucky I am that he is in my life but the week was full of distractions.

• I had a meeting Monday afternoon
• My car was in the shop
• I had open house on Tuesday night
• Hubby had a car issue too, we actually shared a ride on Wed., which was sort of nice except for those extra hours that I stayed at school until he picked me up
• We had taxes done on Tuesday and even though we paid the highest possible withholding all year, we still owe our rotten, greedy, wasteful government mega $$...very disheartening...makes me really re-think this whole be responsible, hard work, have a job & run a business, pay your bills, save & invest to get ahead American dream stuff!
• Durham daughter and dog came home last night, she's gone on to SC, I'm dog sitting and sewing
• messed up two t-shirts this morning, can we say too tired?
• it's gloomy outside and my mood matches the weather ... tomorrow is another day, gotta get better! pleezeeeeee
  

Addiction

ad-dic-tion

[uh-dik-shuh n]

-noun

the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma

No question, I have an addictive type personality. It is an accepted fact. When I diet and exercise, I do it in excess. When I eat, drink, talk, I do it in excess. I tend to be an 'all or nothing' kinda girl. My 'socially acceptable' addictions (not that I have any other kind) include buying fabric, ribbon, embroidery thread and designs. My computer currently stores hundreds of embroidery and applique' designs just waiting to be ordered and stitched on something precious. Just finished this adorable child's tote with Extra Point design...too cute, huh? Some of my favorite digitizer (makers of embroidery/applique' designs) are:
Applique Cafe

Planet Applique
The Embroidery Boutique
BunnyCup Embroidery
MyGlamBoutique

The sunshine is beaming through the Basement windows today...the hammock & a book are calling my name! Hope y'all have sunshine and something wonderful planned for the weekend.

Grrrr----

4x X 4y = 16x

not such a big deal until you really do the math

x=lbs

y=months of bad diet & no exercise

dang!

here we go again. why do I keep doing this? wish me luck.

My Saturday

Shoulder Tote w/Flip flop Applique & Diamond Monogram

Med. Quilted Tote w/Zebra Ribbon & Zebra Bikini Bag

Large Quilted Tote w/Sweet Varsity Applique 'J'

Black/white Damask Print Wallet w/Curly Script Monogram

Zeta T-shirts...8 is enough!

Heat Press Onesies & Tees Coming Soon!