Walking w/ Dinos!

Yep, we went and saw Walking with Dinosaurs tonight at the Portland Rose Quarter.  The boy was soo excited all week counting down to this event.  And it didn't disappoint.  It was pretty cool.  The boy LOVED it and even the teen had a good time (contrary to her earlier claims).

I'd definately recommend it as a family activity.  Little and big kids both will be entertained.  There's some blood and roaring but not too scary or over the top.  And there is intermission after only 40 minutes, so not too long for little kids.  Its a bit spendy, especially when you add in the required shirt and program, but that's my only complaint.

 Here are some great photos we took,w/out flash!:

Another successful family adventure!

and tomorrow on to the Sewing Expo!

Pants-less

The Sewing Expo is only 3 days away! (Actually only 2 but I can't go until Friday, so 3 for me).  Friday is Recycled Denim Day so I've been trying to come up with a beautiful-creative-yet-stylish-and-"cool" project to wear. 

I have a pair of jeans that I thought would be perfect.  1) I got them from Goodwill, so cheap and already upcycled, 2) I never wear them, so increase my wardrobe, and 3) they are denim!

What to do?
I could felt them....
I could add beadwork....
I could cut them into a skirt....
I could add a cute patch (like one of the many I have made and never used)...
I could do any number of embellishments, 
 Heck, I could even add some crochet edging....

But alas none of these were choosen.  Instead I decided to add very bright, big ruffles down each side.  

Cricket...

Cricket...

...did I mention I made a pocket on the back of my sizable bum to match?


Cricket...
.. and that the pants are like a size 22.

Yeah.
Once hubby and the teen stopped laughing, they tried to make me feel better by saying, "Well, if there was anywhere you could get away with these, it would be your Sewing expo. Ole!"

Needless to say, the ruffles are gone. Back to square one.  What to do with the pants.  Auugh!!  I feel like I have writers-block for sewing...is that called sewing-block?  Creative-block?  And only 2 nights to go!!!

I'll keep you all posted.  But no pictures until they are done!  Thankfully there were no ruffle photos. 

OWOH..and the Winner is....

Wienermaedl from Vienna/Austria!!

Thank you all so much to everyone who visited my blog and entered my give away!  It was amazing to meet so many artists and crafters from around the world.  I am so glad I participated this year and got to know you all.  I look forward to a long friendship with all of you and hope you keep your magic carpet powered for more adventures.

Happy blogging!

mly

Sweethearts, Sand, and Yarn

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!



Hope you all had a lovely day with your sweetheart and enjoyed your valentines!

I received a very nice valentine from my sweetheart.  After 20 years, it's more about appreciation then romance.  Appreciation that someone still wants to hang out with me, still laughs at my jokes, still asks if I'm ok when I cough, and still wants to give me a kiss and hug after having woken up to my morning breath for the last 20 years.  Yeah, he's a keeper.  Heck my parents kicked me out after just 18 years! 

Since it’s a 3-day weekend we decided to go to the beach for the day.  The beach is about a 2 hour drive from here. We are firm believers in sleeping-in and taking our time, so we got on the road about 11am and arrived around 1pm.

Now, for those of you who don't know, I live in Washington State, so when I say "the beach" it’s not the crowded, hot, bring-your-swimsuit California style beach.  It’s the cold, windy, unpredictable weather type beach.  Even in the middle of the summer, it’s safe to bring at least a sweatshirt and hat if not long johns and boots.

BUT...for the past many years we have been going to the beach on Valentine's day weekend, and I believe, that if you want to see the beach at its best, don’t go during August, go Valentine's day weekend.  This year was no exception.  Before we left home I checked the webcam and saw cloudy, overcast, and rainy weather.  But that must have been for those early risers, because by the time we pulled into town, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, no wind, and the temperature was up to 55!  We even left our jackets in the car!  Look how gorgeous it was!  There's the teen and her best friend playing in the surf.

We went to Long Beach, WA.  Our family's favorite!  Being a lifetime Washingtonian, I am partial to Washington beaches.  Oregon has some nice ones too, but, there's just something homey about Washington beaches.

We saw Jake the Alligator man, (that's the boy standing next to the Cheif) stood in front of the big oyster pan, bought candy in the candy shop, avoided the arcade (barely), walked barefoot on the beach ‘til our toes froze, and rode the go-karts.   

It was a great day!  And to top it all off, I found a new-to-me yarn shop...Tapestry Rose Yarn Shop!  This yarn shop is AMAZING!!  I could have stayed there all day…all weekend actually!  There is a lovely yet deceiving café in the front of the shop, but head to the back as if you are looking for the bathroom, and you walk into a world of color, fiber, and the warmth of two lovely ladies.  They were so nice and fun!  The boy kept pulling on my sleeve to leave, so I will have to come back when I’m by myself so we can talk about patterns, textures, and they can help me with some of my stitches.  Can harldy wait 'til the next beach-run!

I  couldn't leave without buying some yarn (even though I'm suppose to be saving all my pennies for the Sewing Expo).  I got some gorgeous wool yarn that I think I'll crochet and felt...maybe a purse?  Maybe a vest?  Can't wait to start whatever its going to be!  

Hope you all had a wonderful day!  Tomorrow I will announce the winner of my OWOH give-away!! 

etsy!

Yes, I have an etsy shop.  And once I figure out how to add the little button on my side bar, I'll point ya'll right to it!  In the meantime, here is a link to my shop Pickled Tink.

I just added some cute little Alice in Wonderland patches.  I don't know why, but I am suddenly bitten by the Alice bug (I'm painting the roses red!).  Heck, I don't even care that much for the story, nor do I have any kids in the local play.  But who am I to question my creative streak?  So when my brain says "Off with their heads!"  I make patches :)  Actualy, the "off with their heads!" patch didn't come out so good, so I'm still working on that one.  There is a White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Tea Party, and Painting the Roses Red.  Go have a look and let me know what you think!

I like making patches and then attaching them to a coat or purse with safety pins.  That way they aren't permanent and I can move them around as my whimsy dictates :)

I have a bunch of Wizard of Oz patches I'll put in the shop later this week.  Right now, the Queen is calling and I have more roses to paint!

Quick Valentine Craft - Willy Wonka Wall

I was looking for something  quick and easy to brighten up my office cubeland for Valentine's day.  So, this is what I came up with:

They are exactly what they look like...candy hearts stuck to the wall.  I have another great photo that shows them stuck to the cube wall but its having a hard time findingits way to my blog.  Here they are on the cube wall.

Here is what the back looks like:

And now for the tutorial:

Supplies:

Candy hearts (I sorted through the bag and found ones with clear writing)

Thumb tacks

Glue (I used a hot glue gun)

5-Step Process

Step 1: Turn the candy heart over

Step 2: place a dot of glue on the back

Step 3: place thumb tack on glue

Step 4: let it dry

Step 5: Stick to wall in any pattern you choose :)

Note of caution:  Make sure no one tries to eat them.  The glue could be toxic and the tack might be tough to digest.  Licking of the wall is left up to your discretion.

Enjoy!

..and the countdown's on!!

23 days says the countdown in the corner. Only 23 days until the wonderful, much awaited, lovingly talked about, blissfully dreamed of...SEWING AND STICHERY EXPO 2010. I just got my tickets so decided it was time to write the blog.

If you are a lover of anything fiber and are in the Pacific Northwest, you have to have this on your calendar. Feb 24-27. It is held in Puyallup, WA at the state fair grounds, and even if you can only come for a day, it is worth the $12 ticket. Just walking around and ogling at all the vendors in the 2 expo buildings is worthy. There are vendors for quilting, sewing, patterns, felting, beading, fabric, yarn, embroidery, etc., etc., etc. You get the picture.

My mom and sister and I make this an annual event. We share a hotel room for the weekend (short-straw shares a bed w/ mom), leave the hubby and kids at home, gather our money from all our secret stashes, and hit the expo running!

I'm not sure exactly how many I've been to in the past, but I do recall pushing around my baby boy in a stroller one year and he is now 12. So at least 12 years.

For those of you new to the expo, here are my top 10 tips:
1. Everyone at the expo looks like my mom, and that's a good thing...unless I am trying to find her in a crowd.
2. If at all possible, do not bring the husband
3. If at all possible, do not bring the kids
4. If at all possible, bring your mom, sister, or girlfriend. Giggling and oohing and aahing is more fun with a friend.
5. If #4 is not possible, don't fear, you will quickly meet a mom, sister, or girlfriend.
6. Plan to eat lunch at the expo and sit with strangers who quickly become friends and ooh and aah over your purchases.
7. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a big bag to carry your treasures in.
8. Bring a water bottle that's easy to refill. There are water fountains available so you won't have to waste your hard stashed money on frivolous things like water. You'll need it when you get to the next fabric booth.
9. Each booth has a number but they are hard to see. Get a map at the gate and get oriented before you begin. This makes it easier to find your lost mother later in the day.
10. Do stash away a little extra cash for going out to dinner with your mom, sister, and girlfriends. You deserve a special treat after a long day of shopping and oohing and aahing.

As the countdown gets closer you'll hear more about the expo. For now, check out the web site and blog and get your tickets!