She's been busy in the Sweatshop Again

I try to only buy what I need for a particular project, but when I saw this fun fabric that came packaged precut in 10" squares I just had to have it.  Then I had no idea what to do with them, and with limited storage they had to be transformed into something before I could justify buying yet more fabric.

So, since the fabric was food related I decided to create food related objects from them.

First I made reversible potholders.  Here is the front version:

This is the flip side:

Here is the next set.  One features a quilt piece I had left over.

Front side:

Back side:

Then I made a series of placemats.  The reverse side is the same and features this garden scene:


Yes, this was another batch of fabric I just had to buy because it was pretty.  Now it has found a use.

I had a lot of fun with these and they will be fun to use when having guests as each one is completely different.

Long Live the Queen of Fabric

What's for supper Wednesday

There are always those nights you have no idea what to fix for supper.  That's when I like to make up stuff and clean out stuff in the fridge.

This is kind of like a hash brown casserole I guess, not sure what to call it.

I started with a package of dry hash browns.  After adding the water to reconstitute them I dumped in a can of cheddar cheese soup.

Then I proceeded to empty the leftovers with some diced green pepper, onions, and ham.

It turned out pretty good - very tasty and not bad looking.

Long Live the Queen of Creative Cooking

Outdoor living

I had some comments about the outdoor living room set up with our new sunshade that I will address in this post.

The outdoor "carpets" are a woven plastic that won't kill the grass underneath them, so are perfect for the RV life.  They fold up into the size of a small suitcase and are very lightweight.  They feel great on bare feet and keep us nice and dry and clean.

Note that the cats got the OLD carpet...we really do NOT spoil them.

They are reversible and easy to clean.  The white one had red Kool-Aid spilled on it during its first use and it just wiped away.

It was pointed out that the cats did not have one under their area, but that has been remedied.  I had hoped to find a matching one, but it was not to be.

This provides them a dry area for their little paws.  It was snidely suggested by Chaseburg Mama that the sunscreen was actually for the cats.  Doest thou think we spoil them a bit?  Well, yes...that is a fact.  So now they have their own carpet area as well.

I've also added a table over the tunnel and am working on a quilted cover to give it some pizazz.  This gives me a bit more shade as well.

We cover the tent at night to keep their little "beds" dry and maintain the quality of their many toys.  We also cover it when necessary for a wind break or to provide additional shade.

It's extremely comfortable out here and they ask (quite insistently) to be placed in their tent the minute I get up...which I do, of course.

She loves hiding in the little pop up cube while attacking the ball in the orange circle.

When the sky is overcast and they need warmth they have the tent opened up like this.  Check out their little perches, they each have their own for naps and for lurking above the other.

Gracie is demonstrating the "I am higher than thou" pose.  George doesn't seem to care as he is busy playing with his felted ball.

When the sky is too sunny, I partially cover it to provide some shade.  George is a red head after all and has sensitive fur!

The cover also acts as a wind break on blustery days.

Here's a view from the inside to show them basking in the shade...all comfy cozy.

I tried to get the perspective of a cats eye view of the tunnel but every time Gracie sees the camera she comes running while shouting "I'm ready for my close up!"

I was able to find someone here in the park to give the old rug we had by the door.  It is too heavy and maintains the water and dirt, as well as killing the grass.  I hate to throw anything away that someone might be able to use.  It was still in very good shape and can provide someone else with a floor covering so we were all happy about that.

Long Live the Queen of Outdoor Living

Mandarin Orange Monday

Okay, nothing exciting about this shot, but it does feature the color orange.

Gracie's favorite toy is this orange circle that has a ball stuck in the outside rim.  She can dive at that, swat it to make it spin around and around before you can blink.

In the center is a scratching pad to sharpen those claws.  You never know when an unsuspecting bug might make its way into the tent.

Long Live the Queen of Orange Circles and Crazy Cats

The new sunshade is up

We picked up a sunshade at the Flea Market but it was too large, so the next day we took it to his shop and exchanged it for a different size.

The Flea Market is amazing, you can find just about anything you want to buy from small hardware parts to cars.  I think you might be able to pick up a kidney or a lung, but we haven't found those booths.

So, the odd pieces that we were using that involved a series of hooks and clips and lots of frustration are now replaced with a one piece of fabric that slides into the slot on the awning.

It is so much easier to handle, takes up less space and looks much nicer.

The table was placed over the tunnel of love which provides a little extra shade as well as serves two functions at once...always a plus when living in an RV.

It provides an inviting living room area for our whole little family to use outside.

Long Live the Queen of Shady Deals