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!

New shoes...whacked body

I've probably mentioned that watches and shoes are my two favorite accessories. Most of my shoes have about a 2" heel...flats are so precious, but give me a killer backache if I wear them for more than a few hours. Open heels are always my first choice because my feet are two different sizes. No, not just a little different...way different! - right foot is a 7.5 or 8...left foot is a 9 or 9.5...isn't that special!?!?! (and it's not just my feet, my whole body is whacked up...a mystery from birth until my genetic counselor daughter diagnosed it, hemihyperlpasia...now how's that for a genetic disorder!?!) Sorry, I digress, back to the feet and shoes. Since I can't afford to purchase two pair of shoes, clogs work best...yes, one is a little floppy...but it is what it is. Anyway, I've been in search of shoes to wear with khaki pants. I grew up with that fashion rule: shoes should match the hem of your garment, so wearing brown, black, blue shoes with khaki just drives me nuts . I finally found these super comfortable, SoftWalk clogs that are a perfect match! They are 'sand' suede and antique leather and cute as a button ... what do you think? They also come in navy, black and dark brown...do I dare get a pair in each color. Maybe. Probably.
I'm loving the sunshine & warm temperatures of the past few days. Trying not to get overly excited as the weather is wishy-washy this time of year. An escape from the Basement might be in order if it stays this pretty all weekend. Y'all enjoy!

Feeling the love?

Hope each of you is feeling the love from a cherished someone today. I'm fortunate because I feel the love every single day, so Valentine's Day is just 'gravy, big baby'! (as my girls used to say). I am glad our relationship doesn't require 'grand gestures' on appointed days for validation.... however, I must say, my new watch with pearl band is just lovely! and it is always nice to be treated extra special. Happy Valentine's Day!

Saturday Stuff

Just posting random stuff today.

• no snow/ice yesterday, so it was school as usual- I survived.


• seems like 'key fobs' are the flavor of the week ... I'm busy, busy with orders this weekend.


• did you notice my first affiliate 'button' Chunky Bling? Check them out, buy something...cute, stuff! Wathces and shoes are my weakness. I may have ordered one or two.
• son-in-law is turning 40 y/0, surprise party tonight...fun, fun!


• 'Durham Daughter' & doggie are coming home today ... don't think she's been here since Christmas, that's too long!


• weather is gloomy... perfect for homemade veggie soup..it's simmering upstairs- smells yummy!

• just added Zebra print meduim and large quilted totes...I can sooo see this with YOUR initials!

Think that's it, exciting stuff, huh?!?! Hope y'all have a fabulous weekend.

Ice? Yes, Please.

The weatherman is at it again...predicting a 'chance' of winter weather for us. I do not really like ice or snow, but I would love to stay home tomorrow... I mean really, really love to stay home. I am tired. My new school schedule is taking some getting used to, especially teaching Foods...haven't done that in 8 yrs! Sewing is my favorite subject to teach, then Parenting. This semester, I have one class of each...three preps...two lab classes...fabulous students (the saving grace!). Us Betty Crocker types are just too versatile for our own good...lol. And yes, we still teach that stuff...sewing, cooking, parenting, housing & interior decorating...matter of fact, we have four Family and Consumer Science teachers at my school. FACS was formerly known as Home Economics (and that's what I still call it most of the time!). Anyway...I've studied my Foods lesson, made the PowerPoint & have handouts copied, dubbed the Parenting video from VHS to DVD, ironed my clothes, packed my lunch....surely it will snow or sleet or something! Pleeeeze!

Girls Night Out

Basement Bags @ The Lakes

The Lakes, a local wedding/party venue, hosted a "Girls Night Out" for brides & bridesmaids last night. The owner invited local businesses to come 'meet & greet' , set up displays, and take orders. Bonus Daughter #1 (on the right, isn't she beautiful!) worked at The Lakes during college, so she helped me set up and take orders. It was our first 'show' ... I really enjoyed it & appreciate so much that Dana was with me. Hubby helped set up the computer with a slide show, which was a big hit, and he printed the banner. We didn't have much notice (and life has been crazy busy this week!) so I didn't have time to really prepare. Still, our display wasn't too bad. We did get tickled at how many people mentioned that they knew someone that sold 'Thirty-one' or how much they loved their 'Vera' bags....I very graciously told them that 'Basement Bags' were much better quality and that we have many more personalization options, not to mention all the 'love' I give every item. Anyway...it was a fun night and now I must get busy because my desk is covered with orders.

Hope you have something wonderful planned for today!

Kissin' cousins

As for blogging...I got nothing.
Just wanted to share these precious CuTees that I just finsihed for cousins Isaac & Nikole. You can still order treats in time for Valentine's Day (Feb. 2 is cutoff).
Hey, Daughters if you are reading, there are boxes of Heart shaped Little Debbie's in the pantry with your name on 'em !
Is it Friday yet?

9 yrs. in the making!

What is significant about this picture, you ask? It shows the completion of the ceiling in the Basement...a project that was started 9 years ago. You see, hubby ran out of tiles (about 4-5 short) & light panels and just never bought the rest and finished the ceiling. We are VERY different when it comes to projects. Whatever I start, I finish (as quickly as possible)...he can have 'projects in progress', as I call them, for y-e-a-r-s and it doesn't bother him one little bit. I have not nagged about it and knew he'd get around it finishing one day. Yesterday while I was at school (yes, school on Saturday...snow make up day) he got the materials and actually finished the ceiling...it looks great. Walls painted, shelves installed, new office furniture, ceiling finished, new carpet...the Basement is all done and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!! Oh, of course if we win the lottery or something all the 'plastic storage thingys' will be replaced with real cabinets, but for now we are good to go!

Whatever you are doing today....

....it has to be better than this! Holes in the ceiling, holes in the walls, vanity in the bedroom (sigh!). Our house is being re-plumbed today...Yea! for new pipes and no more leaks...Boo! for messed up house and mega-thinning of the wallet! I know many normal women would be excited and use this as an excuse to re-decorate the whole house. Another testaments to my 'abnormalness'...I love our house and plan for it to stay the same forever! Well, that WAS the plan. We'll see if those paint guys can match 10 year old hunter green and periwinkle. Ha!

With all this going on my only defense is to stay in the Basement and make cute stuff!

I think we are going back to school tomorrow. After evelen days (weekends included) off, it will be a challenge to do it.

What?

No school this entire week and our Saturday makeup day has also been canceled. It is not for me to question the wisdom of those making the decisions, but five straight days out is a first in my memory. Honestly, every minute of being at home has been pure joy....I was so meant to be June Cleaver or something! Anyway, one day we'll have exams, finish first semester and maybe I'll get in the mood to teach again.

Zeta Tau Alpha

My project today was sorority t-shirts for a former student, Mallory. I've been planning to add sorority items to the website, but just haven't gotten around to making samples. Had to do some research into the type of fabric used for the background letters (tackle twill) and then some digging to find a place to order (Twill USA). Fabric arrived yesterday and the experimenting started this morning. The fact that Mallory is a Zeta (my sorority!) made it all the more fun. Her Dad actually ordered the key fob as a stocking stuffer this past Christmas. I have several sets of Greek letters, traditional & funky...applique & embroidery...monstrous amounts of fabric...sooooo many options. Designs would look great on apparel, towels & other linens, totes, lunch bags, cosmetic bags...really anything from the Basement. If you need sorority/fraternity stuff, please keep me in mind!
Time for a Netflix date with my favorite guy! Happy Weekend.

Optional?

So today was an Optional Teacher Workday in my county. I opted to stay home. I finished these precious burp cloths for a customer in Japan ("Thank You" American Armed Service Families!). Call me lazy, scrutinize my work ethic, accuse me of loving my basement, say I'd rather sew than work...I'm guilty of all. Unfortunately, there probably won't be a choice tomorrow...I'll go kicking and screaming cheerfully back to school and love every minute of it. (hopefully on a two or three hour delay!...lol)