AfricanKelli

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Still not entirely perfect, but the bias tape on Taxi Tote #2 was significantly easier and the result much nicer thanks to that tutorial. The recipient, Ms. R, was thrilled. She is very, very, very into pink. She also started her first semester of community college last week and now has something very, very, very pink to carry her books in.

To prove the old adage, “practice makes perfect,” I’ve got two more cut and waiting to be sewn. I’ve also got plans for an additional two. I am not sure there is a simple joy sweeter than hearing, “Can you make me one of those? I love it and I use the other bag you made me all the time.” Giddyup.

~K

I achieved one of my long-time goals yesterday and you’d think I’d won the domestic lottery:

Food from the garden to the table! Cilantro for the guacamole, to be precise. Yesterday I hosted a small staff happy hour at my house. For social acceptance purposes, I didn’t let anyone know how dang exciting it was that I was in part feeding them out of food I grew myself. Woo hoo!

As for the recipes for the photos I posted yesterday, I have to ask for your patience. I’m working on a new project that’s keeping me from sharing too much, but I hope to have them in your hands soon! Thanks for all the sweet comments. You know if you are ever in Phoenix, you always have a seat at my community dinners.

Cheers,

Kelli

A seasonal meal to celebrate January with friends, including those lemon drop cookies.

~K

Finny sent me an email last week to say, “stop your whining about bias tape and saddle up already. Watch this video and tell me even your goofy ass can’t sew it.” Okay, she didn’t say it exactly that way, but I’ve never been as funny as she is.

Angry Chicken’s bias tape video is only 4 minutes but took about 3 hours worth of grief out of my life. Her method of sewing bias tape makes a lot of sense. So much so, I decided to give the Taxi Tote another try — or three.

Perhaps I’m a glutton for punishment, but Finny and the Chicken typically know what they are talking about. Back soon with the verdict,

K

Remember when I wrote about that elementary school near my office that puts a “lifeskill of the week” on the marquis? This week’s is resourcefulness, which I love. If there were royalty of resourcefulness, my mother would be queen. I can’t tell you how many times she explained the difference between a “want” and a “need” to us, or said, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” In other words, use your creativity to fix your problem.

My most recent use of my mama’s advice was this weekend when I looked at those green curtains I once sewed and realized how poorly they fit the windows. The design — with Velcro tabs on the back so they could be raised — was good, but the sewing wasn’t. Enter one generous Home Depot gift card, six or so hours of drilling, sewing and then cleaning up after myself and voila!

A new place to show off one of my mom’s quilts. She made this for me when I left to study at NAU. The pillow cases came later from a sewing swap. Kate in Australia knew just what to make!

A little bit of muslin and another easy curtain was whipped up. This is perfect because I can now sew at this desk with perfect natural light.

I also managed to finally put together another wish — a potting table. I’ve seen these in so many magazines, but never had all the components handy to put a useful to work.

I spent the better part of the long weekend cleaning, organizing and hauling stuff to Goodwill. My home is now in order and the whole thing cost $11 — three new potted succulents.

Not only are these pretty, but they don’t need a lot of water and are kinda tricky to kill. Thank heavens because if you can believe it, I’m pretty sure our winter has already flown by.

~K