Sew Expo Weekend

Yesterday, I wrote a little  blog post about Eileen's gift-giving philosophy.  I am a big fan of Eileen Roche, and it was a BIG DAY for her -- she and Marie were presenting their show for the Friday Night LIVE event in Puyallup.  However, I am worried that I hurt somebody's feelings...and I AM SO SORRY.  To the busy young Mom who received the chevron Parisian maxi dress -- I NEVER DREAMED YOU WOULD READ THIS BLOG. 

Yikes.

OF COURSE YOU ARE BUSY.....I completely understand that....and you do not owe me a thing.  You are a kind, generous person who helped a friend with a contribution to his moving fund.  YOU ARE WONDERFUL...and it took me months to get all the maxi dresses delivered....you didn't do anything wrong....

For Crying Out Loud, I write this blog EVERY DAMNED DAY...and sometimes -- who are we kidding??  I just talk out loud...it's like yada yada yada....blah, blah, blah....

HEY -- NOBODY EVER LISTENS TO ME!! 

On the one hand -- I am SO DELIGHTED THAT you read my blog, babe!!  But -- on the other hand -- OMG...I wanted to put up the pictures of the Mommy & me dresses...but doing that, then sharing Eileen's advice was never, ever meant to make you feel bad...

YOU ARE A WONDERFUL, warm, generous person (...I already said that...crap....)

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Here it is -- the weekend for Sew Expo in Puyallup, Washington. And while ya'll are out there, having a wonderful time, enjoying the rain and the scones -- it was 20 degrees BELOW zero here in Iowa today.

YIKES...

Thanks for all your kind emails, text messages and phone calls this week.  I miss you, too!!  But I am sure you are having a wonderful time...

AND Connie and Laura -- I heard you did a great job for the Sewing Sisters last night!!  I could almost hear the laughter here in Iowa....

My New Rolling Duffle

Warren spent the night here last night...and I get so busy trying to keep him from swallowing coins, I forgot to write a blog post.  But it would have been about painting my washing machine (it is happening)....

So, since I didn't get a chance to take those photos -- here's an OLD post about a dufflebag I painted a coupla years ago.  It was first published on February 26, 2012, and I was on my way to Puyallup.

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Taking a page from Oprah's magazine...there's one thing I know for sure...

No matter how much you pay for your suitcase -- the airlines WILL DESTROY IT.

So, I've made the choice to travel with cheap 30" rolling duffles. They don't weigh much...I can get a LOT OF STUFF packed in them...they're easy and fun to decorate....and when Delta tears it apart -- it's not a big loss.

The first step is to stuff the suitcase with blankets or towels. You want the surface to be as flat as possible. The secret to success is a lot of different "coats" of paint -- and you have to let the project dry between layers.


Most important step -- a coat of Mod Podge. If you don't do this -- the paint just soaks into the fabric and you will never achieve vibrant color.

Then, I put down a white base coat...then big patches of pink or blue...

Next step -- lay out a design (sorta)

Next step -- paint another white coat over the failed first design...(lol)
When I think it's mucked enough -- I use a black permanent marker to add some detail.

FINAL STEP -- several coats of Mod Podge.


So THIS IS MY NEW ROLLING DUFFLE. If you're at the Seattle airport on Sunday -- look for it standing on the curb...

I AM SOO EXCITED!!

Mary's Hotel Lobby Seminar

On Mary's second day in Iowa, we went to the Figge Museum and had lunch at the Blackhawk Hotel. Then, a little magic happened. Magic is more likely to happen if you are in a beautiful place...or with people you love....Although we didn't exactly plan this part of the day...it did end up glorious...

This is the side entrance to the Blackhawk...

The side lobby is smaller, but still stunning

with a magnificent gas fireplace

The furniture is all custom made

When the hotel reopened, after the big expensive remodel -- we had a cousin's party there!!

WHICH WAS AWESOME...

So, on this special occasion -- after lunch, we decided to enjoy the gorgeous lob...by

And it just so happens, Mary brought gifts for everybody...

There were books, and patterns...

And -- WHAT THE HECK?? She might as well do a little seminar...

I mean -- the chairs are really comfortable...

And the lighting IS STUNNING...

Figge Day Lunch Location

So -- okay - it's still Mary's Figge Day. We saw some wonderful art. And I love the look of these pieces. A cross between a sculpture, a stained glass window, and a Christmas Tree light string...

So, after such a beautiful, inspiring morning at the Figge -- our lunch should be something special. AND -- REMEMBER WE ARE in DOWNTOWN DAVENPORT. So -- where should we go???

Two blocks away -- the stunning, recently remodeled, historic Blackhawk Hotel!!

Mary and Phyllis at the Bix Bistro -- the restaurant inside the Blackhawk.

They spent MILLIONS of dollars renovating this hotel, and the results are stunning.

I can't afford to eat here often -- but -- hey -- LUNCH will be about a $20. We can treat ourselves, eh?

AND THE FOOD WAS DELICIOUS. I had a pork belly rueben. I LOVED IT...

Along with pumpkin soup??  I'm getting hungry, just remembering the delightful food...

After lunch -- we reconvened in the lobby. SAY WHAT???

So -- that's my tip for the day, folks. Whether you're in your hometown, or traveling -- if you want to eat at the most expensive restaurant in town -- GO THERE FOR LUNCH.

Grease Spot Removal

Here's my laundry tip for the day. It starts off with a handy supply of safety pins...

This little holder has a magnet on the bottom -- so it sits on top of my dryer at all times.....

One of John's shirts had a bad grease stain.  Ugh.  The fabric needs to be WET in order to pre-treat. And, once it's WET, it's hard to see where the stain is.  So, when the shirt is still dry -- I pin around the edges...

THEN, I make a paste of these three magic ingredients...

Equal parts baking soda, Dawn, and hydrogen peroxide...

The best applicator is an old credit card or hotel key....

Wet the fabric, then apply the pre-treat. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes...

The safety pins are a great idea...and it allows you to TARGET the area of the stain exactly...