Oversize Bottle Caps & Place Mats

I purchased the August kit from Daniela Costa: http://www.theartlifeshop.blogspot.com/ and I finally got around to finishing them. I incorporated my own images and tried to keep a consistent theme between the three bottle caps. I'm still thinking of punching a hole on top or bottom so I might hang something from them.

This weekend I went to 4th street in Berkeley with CGS. We specifically wanted to go to Scrapbook Territory - a wonderful scrapbook store with lots of great items. We found some great finds - can't wait to make something with the stuff I got. http://www.scrapbookterritory.blogspot.com/.

Also on 4th street is Paper Source - a wonderful store with lots of unique items. CGS found this pad of place mats - so cute!

Check out their site: http://www.cakevintage.com/. I went to Lakeshore Learning today and laminated these place mats so I could re-use them over and over. It's a great place to laminate items - only $0.29 a foot. I did 12 place mats for under $4.

This is how they're going to look on my table...now the kids don't have to ask me what side of the plate do the forks and knifes go on.

Embroidery Projects Finished

Well, I finished my two embroidery kits this week. The inchie sampler was from Amy Powers - I love all the little pictures - it was fun and quick to do. My bird in the lower left corner though looks like a turkey though...ha. I think my favorite square is the bird cage.

Then I finished the Charlotte Lyon's tote - I can't wait to use it. I changed it up a bit and used some of my own supplies...but it's mostly her design. She sells this kit on her etsy site: http://www.etsy.com/shop/charlottelyons

Bike Riding, Swimming & My Travel Projects

We started the day with a nice bike ride along the Truckee River. It was mostly flat, just a few small inclines. There's a bike path that takes you right next to the river and away from the street.

We started the ride from our hotel and rode all the way to Tahoe City, round trip was 15 miles. This is my cruiser bike with my wicker basket...love my basket.

We stopped in Tahoe City for lunch and this bird was right next to us. I was able to get a great shot. He looks so peaceful, but he was actually eyeing our food.

After bike riding we couldn't wait to hit the pool and hot tubs. The end of summer is a great time to go, not very crowded.

During vacations, I love bringing along images to cut. It's relaxing just to cut out paper and so nice to have these images ready for doing projects. I got a bunch ready for something.

My other project I brought along was my embroidery kit from Amy Powers. As you can see, I didn't get very far, but I did make some progress.

Truckee River Rafting

Every summer we love to float down the Truckee River in Tahoe...and I mean float - it's a very calm river. The surroundings are beautiful and the weather was perfect.

There are small spots of white water and those are the most fun to go through.

We all take turns doing some rowing.

We take along food and drinks and eat along the way. It took us about 2 hours to finish the ride - that's with lots of stopping along the way to wade in the shallow water and enjoy the scenery.

At the end of the ride it brings you right to the River Ranch Restaurant. We got a perfect table and grabbed a bite to eat and something to drink.

It was fun ride and no one fell in.

Mini Vacation to Tahoe

Before the kids go back to school, we decided to have one last mini vacation to Tahoe. It's so nice to wake up to blue skies and not wait for any fog to burn off. We're staying at Squaw Valley and our accommodations are lovely - highly recommend.

We had a wonderful dinner out in Tahoe City at a restaurant called Evergreen. Within the first 5 minutes Christopher noticed that Diane Feinstein was sitting right next to us. She was so nice to take a picture with Rachel.

Today, we plan to go rafting down the Truckee River - one of our favorite activities to do in Tahoe.

Company Sample Sale Today

One of my favorite days of the year - Company Sample Sale. The employee sample sales are one of the best benefits of working for Williams Sonoma Inc. I always volunteer to work at them so I can pre-shop the day before. On the day of the sample sale I worked from 7:30am - 2pm...so it was a long day - but it was fun and well worth it! I found great items and great deals. I got everything on this table and then some.


Rachel always likes me to pick up journals and books...founds lots of those. That bird house is going into my new digs at work - I just moved into a shared office - gonna love decorating it! Picked up some burlap lamp shades - got a bunch if someone wants one.

I love the cat toss game in the back - you'll be sure I'm bringing that one out at our next family party and at Halloween. Toss a pumkin bean bag in the mouth.

I've always wanted one of these map drawers. It'll be great for storing my craft stuff.

Speaking of crafts, here are Rachel's latest felties. Duckie, Piggy & Hippo - what an adorable trio.

Tomorrow we head to Tahoe for a few days - one last mini vacation before the kids go back to school. I can't wait to take some time off and get to some warm weather.

Another Summer Weekend

This weekend was full of a variety of activities. We started with some back to school shopping...the kids got a bunch of clothes and Rachel also got this adorable backpack from Borders. She loves objects that have eyes...so this was perfect.

We had a chance to do some swimming Saturday and were delighted to see our Nephew's kids join us too. They were so cute - here's Lennon in the hot tub.

Owen stayed in his wagon.

It wasn't very warm, so sitting in the hot tub felt great.

Sunday we celebrated my husband's cousin's birthday @ the Shattuck Hotel in Berkeley. This is the card I made for her.

Here's the birthday girl, Kyra - 71 years old...she sure doesn't look it.

My great weekend buy - photo paper. I really like this photo paper and I use it all the time. In the Sunday paper, there's a Staples ad which has this coupon for a box of the paper for only $1, normally sold for $15. What a bargain! It's heavy weight 61lbs and double sided - it's great for projects - not just photos.

I've been working on the mini sampler tree skirt from Lisa's class last weekend. It's getting pretty full, probably too full. That's my problem - knowing when to stop.

More Of Rachel's Felties

Summertime means more creating time for Rachel - she could create items all day and night. I just had to share what she's been up to. Just this week, she made all these items. She made her own needlebook with a sushi feltie on it. The two desserts are so amazing - you just want to eat them. The rest of the felties are inspired from The Cute Book by Aranzi Aronzo. I sure wish I had 3 months off just to create.

Holiday Workshop & Flea Market

This Saturday a couple of my sisters and I took an all day workshop with Lisa Super - the theme was "Holiday Sparkle". It was a really fun class making a mini embroidery sampler tree skirt and 10 fun holiday ornaments. I didn't get to finish my tree skirt, but I can't wait to work on it some more. For the picture, I put all my ornaments on top of my skirt so it looks full, but really my tree skirt is only half done.



Pat had to leave early and didn't get to finish her project so I wasn't able to get a picture of hers. After class, Maryl worked on her project and finished it. Here's how it turned out - so adorable - what a great job Maryl!



I recently purchased some new kits and they just happen to be about embroidery too - what a coincidence. One is a cute purse from Charlotte Lyons (http://www.etsy.com/shop/charlottelyons):

and another cute project from Amy Powers (http://www.etsy.com/shop/inspireco). I can't wait to work on them. So much to do, so little time.


Sunday, Pat and I went to the Alameda Pt Flea Market. It's so much fun hunting through all the booths and discovering great finds. Here's what I brought home. I love the plaid mini case. It's actually a picnic basket full of goodies - but I think I'm going to re-purpose it into my new travel craft case.




And last but not least, I have to show you the dessert Rachel created last night - so adorable - Marshmallow treats.