Chalk Cloth Instructions

I have added " Personalize your own lunch totes" as an alternative to an actual custom  bag. I did a custom (see Ann's Fit for Life) for a friend, but found it hard to do on the internet. Since I use alot of fabric samples, I only have one of a kind fabrics, for the most part. After much research, I found chalk cloth. It is fairly new and rather hard to find, but I think it is a fun alternative! It allows you to write your own, erasable message, drawings, or whatever YOU want!! So here are the instructions!
1- Read the directions on your pen, there are each alittle different. Some clean off with water, others with window cleaner.
2-Shake well, depress tip on scrap paper until the paint flows well. Then write your message, draw, have fun! Make sure it is completely dry, takes about 5 minutes. The shine will be completely gone. The paint will not rub off at this point.
3- To clean off, rub with a damp cloth, or spray window cleaner on cloth and rub off, depending on the brand of pen used.

 The chalk pens also come in colors. I found those at Micheals. This brand wipes off with water.
Regular chalk can also be used (hence the name chalkcloth)! The cloth should be prepared by chalking the fabric completely and wiping off twice. Keep in mind, the chalk will of course rub off on clothes.

So there you go!! I have included a white chalk pen with each Personalize it lunch tote I sell, as they are very hard to find. They would make a great give to a teacher- draw an apple on it, for a co-worker-with her name, for your kids-write their lunch menu for the day or team support hoots!
These are fairly new, let me know what you think!!!    debi

Step away from your computer!!!!

Being new to the internet world can be a bit overwhelming at times! It takes a while for me to figure out how to use FB and twitter and blogs, trying to promote my shop etc. Sometimes it is hard to balance the "virtual" world and the "real" world. Yesterday I decided to break away from working on the computer and cooked, cleaned and took some pictures. I didn't think I was doing very well until I looked back at the end of the day.
1) Made butternut squash soup! I don't measure much anymore while cooking, so for those of you that have basic cooking skills, here is a good recipe for leftover squash. (about 2 cups worth)

Saute about 1/8 cup onions in a little olive oil, add 1/2 teas sage, 1/2 teas thyme, 1/4 garlic powder, 1/4 teas smoked paprika. Stir in squash. Add about 4 cups of chicken broth and simmer for about 15 minutes. Blend till smooth in food processor, salt and pepper to taste. I also add a little cream at this point, but it is optional. Very good for a cool fall meal.
2) Checked my pomegranate tree. They are huge this year. I have to time them right to harvest, mine aren't a true red, so I can make pomegranate jam again this year!
3) Made a great dinner of simmered pork chops, scalloped potatoes, sauteed mushrooms and spinach.
4) Made chocolate chip cookies ( back on diet today!!)
5)Took fall pics in my yard. Here is a picture of my eastern redbud in the spring and now.Soon all the leaves will be gone.....
A few people on twitter mentioned how addicting it can be so.......
Be sure to step away from the computer and enjoy the small things in life ( after you read this)!! heeheee

Sunny California???

It's been crazy in Sacramento the last few days!!! We had the worst wind and rain storm ever in October. I managed to take a few pictures with my point and shoot camera, so named because my view finder is not working, so its "point and shoot" and hope it is somewhere near the object I am looking at! If it ever stops raining I will be shopping for a new one! ugh..... Enjoy the pictures, hope you are dry were ever you are! (click on pics to enlarge)

Enjoying the side tracks of life....

So...I'm trying to retake some pictures of my suncatchers this morning. They are so hard to do because of the length..I finally got some half way decent shots, when my cat (Billee), decided to help me. So I took a few pics of him. He is named after my wonderful Dad who died about 3 years ago. His name was Bill Lee. (miss him soo....) Anyway, then I moved the shots to a wall outside and got some help from my little lizard friend who's been hanging out the last few days. There is usually a welcome sign hanging there. He just sits on the wall behind it. He was a little annoyed and finally move a few inches. I painted the welcome sign in a class I took on tole painting. I'm actually supposed to be cleaning, grocery shopping, and cooking for tomorrow's company. I did finally get a menu together!! It's so easy to get sidetracked. Makes life more fun though!!  

Have a great weekend and don't forget to just go with the flow and enjoy life's little sidetracks!

Down by the River...

Some people have been wondering about the size of my handbags, so I decided to take some pictures on a real person. But who? Certainly not me! ( I would ultimately like to sell these bags!!) . I was able to snag my son's girlfriend and drag her down to the American River for a delightful photo shoot. We set up on the walking bridge along Sunrise Blvd. and shared it with some wonderful bikers and joggers. It was a perfect day, sunny, about 75*. I didn't have to do anything except crop the pictures. A few curious women even took my business card as they jogged past us! I couldn't have hired a better model, young and adorable. It was alot of fun and I think it added a new dimension to my web site. Hope you agree. Here are some pictures of the glorious day.....

Creation Frustration!!

It's been a busy week. Very good, but very frustrating at the same time! I decided to take a break from making handbags and start making pillow covers for awhile. I've been promising my daughter to make a new one for her to go with some beautiful "Anthropology" pillows she picked up earlier this summer..so I finally got that,almost, done. Thank goodness she loves it. I am still looking for the perfect buttons to finish it off. You would think out of the millions of buttons I have, I could find a few.....but no! (First unfinished project.) Then, I found out a great idea for personalizing the lunch totes I make, ran all over town looking for the fabric. No one heard of it and I had to send for it. (second delay). I am going to start doing a few tutorials, first one on some gorgeous handmade flowers that I learned to make at the fabric store. My son couldn't find my tripod!! Need it to free my hands while I take pics of the steps. (Third unfinished idea). Also waiting for pillow forms for the new pillows. Whats a mother to do!!!
Here are some teaser pictures in the mean time. I'll try to post the directions by next Friday.
This week Sacramento decided to turn into Fall! The temperature from over 100* on Sunday to the 70's this week. It is beautiful, perfect weather!! I live within walking distance to the American River, I am so lucky!! When the kids were little, we would have picnics and swim. My old dog used to love it too. (She sadly died a few months ago at the ripe old age of 17) Hopefully, I am going to do a photo shot with my son's girlfriend tomorrow on the bridge. It should be great! I will definitely share!
Well, I hope everyone has a great weekend and hopefully I'll wrap up some work next week!