Instructions for Super Easy Pillowcase!

Main piece 27" X 41" (3/4 yard)

Border piece 11" X 41" (1/3 yard)

Accent Strip 3 X 41" (1/8 yard)

Lay 11" border piece face up on table

Lay main piece of pillowcase face up - lined up with border

Press the 3" accent piece in half the long way and lay face up on top of the main piece (temporarily pin together at top)

Roll the main piece of fabric from the bottom up staying below the accent piece - then fold up the border piece to the top and re-pin all the raw edges together. Stitch along the edge then reach inside and start pulling the fabric out. You will have a finished edge with all the stitching on the inside.

Putting right sides together, stitch a French seam or surge edges together.

Yippee! You have a beutifully finished pillow case!

Happy Sewing!

Pillow cases

This is a small example of the pillow cases I have been making- so far - 10 sets. I do the body of the pillow case in a print, a small band of solid color or a contrasting color - the bottom band is usually a darker color taken from the body of the pillow case. All three pieces are sewn at one time, extracted from a tube-like piece and then the top and side is sewn - in all - three seams - lots of fun - quick results.

One of the pillow cases has a 'Monet' like print - it is gorgeous. The other is done in yellow and browns.

Ms. Tara - Christmas 2008

Ms Tara loves the green, red, and tan afghan I put around the bottom of the Christmas tree - it is not beautiful, but I know how she likes it, so I put it there every year.

Indonesian Honey-Baked Beans

2 15-oz cans white beans, drained
2 apples, pared and diced
2/3 C honey
1/2 C golden raisins
1 sm onion, diced
1/3 C sweet pickle relish
1 T prepared mustard
1 t curry powder, or to taste
salt, to taste

Combine all ingredients in 2 1/2 quart casserole. Add enough water just to cover. Bake at 300*F
about 1 1/2 hours, adding more water if needed.

I put all the ingredients in my crockpot - turned it on high - stirred a few times and cooked about two hours or until apples were softened.

Another 'couture' creation (just joking)

This tan hat is sewn with suede cloth that has embroidery of the same color, lined with suede cloth of the same color, but no embroidery. I made it to try and sell at our Craft Club boutique on November 29, but I like it so much, I'm having mixed feelings.

Fall is here and I'm getting ready for it!

Although our temps here in So. California are still in the 70's and 80's, I'm getting ready for winter with some slouch hats. I have some grand sueded material and having a good time putting them together.

I sure wish I had a 'head' to put the hat on - I tried taking a picture of me in the mirror and all I got was a big flash! I put some interfacing only on the brim of the hat and left the rest of it sort of 'slouchy'.

More items for Christmas Boutique in November

Getting down to crunch time to prepare more items for our Christmas Boutique at the end of November. I am having so much fun sewing these fun items. There are water bottle holders (navy w/red hearts), door knob hangers with a bell on the bottom, scissor and needle cases, and the most fun of all - adult bibs!!!

Forgot to mention I am wrapping foam or straw wreaths with some lovely Christmas ribbon.

Halloween is coming!!

Top photo is of Betty, one of our treasured Craft Club members. She is painting a baseball cap that we will be selling at our Boutique at the end of November.

The pumpkin is one that I worked on (not much talent here). These are for our own enjoyment.

Selling ghosts & Halloween origami bags

At the club house Dime-A-Dip, our Craft Club sold Halloween ghosts and bags. We did pretty well, and are encouraged to make up some more ghosts before Halloween. The seated lady is our Club leader and the buyer is my sweet next door neighbor.

Origami purse

When my friend and I went on the Quilt Run a while bag, we were given a pattern for an Origami purse. It is made from two squares (mine were 22") sewn face to face and turn right side out. Folded in thirds (point on point) and a few seams. It was a snap to make and really turned out cute.

If anyone is interested in the pattern I can scan it and post it here.

googly eyed Halloween ghost

Everything I do that should be in a straight row inevitably ends up going down hill. Needless to say, I won't be asked to put googly eyes on the other ghosts that we made.

Craft Club making Halloween Ghosts

Here are some of our Craft Club members working in my dining room - we soaked cheese cloth in liquid starch, stretched over a balloon sitting in a glass - Looks as though I won't be eating in the dining room for a few days.

Latest crafts - havin' a ball!

Great Grand Daughter - Andrea Mae

This is a picture of my dear Filipina great grand daughter, Andrea Mae. She is two and a half years old. Her parents, Adrian and Maya, are both very attractive -

Wall Hanging

This is the wall hanging we have been working on in our craft class here in the club house. Every one of them looks totally different, although we all working from the same pattern. Some are soft and delicate, others bold and colorful, and mine, dark and made from heavy materials.

I wish I had chosen something other than the satin stitch to applique the pieces - it has been difficult to work with, but I sure learned a lot. My background material is tan cordoroy and I stuffed the binding fabric to give it some texture.

My hydrangea in vase

Flowers in my Garden - Memorial Weekend 2008

meringue cookie recipe

Chocolate meringue cookies (20)

preheat oven to 350° -

Beat 2 egg whites, add 1/8 tsp. cream of tarter, 3/4 cup of sugar and beat until stiff. Fold in one 6 oz. bag of chocolate chips. Drop on parchment covered cookie sheet.

TURN OFF OVEN, put in cookies and leave in oven over night. Do not open door until morning.

You can add a few drops of food coloring if you like, also, I add about 1/2 tsp. of vanilla.

pattern for matching tote and sun hat

The pattern for the tote and sun hat is Butterick #4532. The hat I made has the smaller brim and I didn't add the cruves extra panels on the top - the instructions are rather spare - on the tote, i will be making another for a friend and will not put the band around the top - almost impossible to do without breaking a few needles and it never seems to fit quite right. About six gals made it and none of them had good luck with the band.

Recipe for Chicken Ole'

Sally's Chicken Ole'

3 doz. sm. corn tortillas
1 tall can evaporated milk
2 lbs. grated cheese
2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 cup Pace picante salsa
5 medium chicken breasts

Boil chicken until cooked, shred into pieces
thinly slice tortillas (stack and slice with grain)

In a large mixing bowl combine soups, evaporated milk, salsa and mix.
In a 9 X 13 deep pan - layer 1/2 of the sliced tortillas, sauce, chicken and then repeat - top with shredded cheese.
Refrigerate over night. (this part is necessary or it will be too dry)

Bake @350° for one hour.

Mother's Day luncheon

We served about 75 people at the Mother's Day luncheon at the club house. Around 65 signed up - so we were concerned that perhaps there wouldn't be enough food - but, of course, there was.

This is a picture of the flower basket decoration that was at each of the 15 tables - they were given to people with winning luncheon tickets.

glass mosaic on tray

Today in our Craft Class we started the first stage of tiling inside of various items that we will be using as trays. Some used clay dishes that go under pots, I used a fiberglass one that I spray painted white. Some used wooden trays. We all had various types of tiles - some broke tiles, I used tumbled glass.

We will be painting glasses and pitchers to go on the trays later this month.

Craft Class hat & purse

Whoopee! Finished at last. Love my new sewing machine. Its small but mighty. I can't believe how it just plows through the thickest layers of fabric -

Decorating the Clubhouse

Spent the afternoon decorating the back wall on the stage in the club house. We always have a good time doing that - our gals are so creative.

my new hat

This is my new hat. In our craft class here in the Park we are also making a purse to match - I hope to sew mine tomorrow (Thurs.). We met today at the Olive Garden for lunch - fun!! Not such a great picture of me - but 'that hat's the thing!'....

How many people in the world with your name?

There is 1 person with my name in the U.S.A.How many have your name?

Start the week off right!

Ten things never said on the Ark

10. Did anyone think about bring a couple of umbrellas?
9. Hey, there are more than two flies on here.
8. Wasn't someone supposed to put two shovels on board?
7. O.K., who's the wise guy who brought two misquitos on board?
6. Help! I need some Pepto for the elephants - QUICK!
5. And whatever you do, DO NOT PULL this plug out...
4. No, Ham, you cannot eat the pig.
3. Do not make me pull this ark over and come back there.
2. Nice doggie..
1. Are we there yet?

PACE exercise class

There were about 14 of us this morning at the PACE exercise class. Lighting is not very good where we set up our chairs. Either a glare or no light at all. (that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it). The exercises are geared towards people witn arthritis - you can sit down or stand if you are able. About 40 minutes into the class (it is an hour long), we do some crazy dancing and playing with balls of all shapes and sizes.

The lady to the left is Ellie, she is our leader, to her left is Jessie, he uses a walker, and to his left is Shereen, she is in a wheel chair. Everyone does what they can - in between we laugh a lot.

Easter Sunday

A beautiful warm summer-like day in Southern California. Talked to four out of five of my children - that was nice. Had Dinner and Brian and Annette's - her yummy stir fry with rice noodles - I could eat a gallon.

Friends

Blessed are they who have the gift of

making friends, for it is one of God's best gifts.

It involves many things, but above all, the power

of going out of one's self, and appreciating

whatever is noble and loving in another.

Association Board

Our Board

St. Patrick's Day and new sofa

Today we had our St. Patrick's Day luncheon at the clubhouse. Pictured behind the serving table is the Association board.

The sofa is one my son and daughter in law gave me. The one I had was here when I moved in.

Friends

The friend who holds your hand and says the wrong thing

is made of dearer stuff than the one who stays away.

Barbara Kingsolver

craft class

The lady closest to the camera is the leader of the craft class. She made her hat ahead of time so that she could help everyone with their's. The other gal's hat is navy and white polka dots - very cute.

Easter Decorations 2008

I have bunny rabbits all over the place - candles, decorations, you name it! Still working on my picture taking technique - obviously, I haven't much of one - technique, that is. I think I don't get close enough to my subject - will keep working on it.

Spring forward!

Oh, the delight of going on Daylight Savings!! Will be sleepy for a week - oh, how I miss that one hour - where in the heck is it?

Stay tuned, I hope to take more pictures this week.
Diana

Ms. Tara's latest picture march 6, 2008

For some reason, the picture I uploaded last evening doesn't appear on here. I will try again.

The adventures of Ms. Tara

I will be reporting on the adventures of Ms. Tara on a more or less regular basis. Although I raised five children, who just by chance, grew up to be fabulous adults - I am not having the same good luck with a 12# pooch.

My children were not over weight - I made sure they ate healthy foods and got plenty of exercise - not so, the delightful Ms. Tara - she is plump, lazy and enjoys a treat on an hourly basis.

Am I so desperate for her lavish attention that I give in to her every whim?

YOU BET!

March 2008 - Initial Posting

Greetings family and friends. I'm new to this, so bear with me as I attempt to set up a blog for myself and the head of my household, Ms. Tara.

The first thing I will attempt to do is post a picture of my bed mate. This is an old picture. I will get a new one posted (if possible) asap.

Diana