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Sewing Class and The Inner Workings of My Brain

Sewing 101 is going great. I have a class of 5 chicas who are learning to sew. It is SEW fun! Do you get it? Good, right? Several friends sewed their first seams. I'm very proud of them and excited about our upcoming lessons and projects.


Look at them working hard. We had to pull out the Cheez-Its for sustenance. Sewing ain't easy.


If you are interested in group or private sewing lessons, contact me at mddark@yahoo.com It will be fun. There will probably be Cheez-Its.

Also, don't forget about the Felt Christmas Stocking Workshop on November 30th. There are just a few spots still available, so let me know ASAP if you want to be a part of the fun or if you want to purchase Christmas Stockings. Email me at mddark@yahoo.com to sign up or for more information.


 
In other news, last night David and I went out to eat. We rode in my car and David drove. We went to the restaurant, drove to Barnes and Noble... we spent a while in the car going here and there.

Every time David cranked up the car to drive us to our next destination he would say "Man, this is a long song."  I had my Norah Jones CD in and the song "Sunrise" was playing.

After getting in and out of the car several times, the song was still playing.

Exasperated by Norah, he finally yelled "This has got to be on repeat or something!"

It was, in fact, on repeat.

Here's the sad part. The Lord only knows how long that song has been on repeat in my car. It could have been weeks.

I would have never noticed, had David not gotten in my car. I was even singing little bits and pieces of the song every time the chorus played through...obliviously crooning right along with my girl, Nora.

I never change the radio station. I never change the cd's that are in my player. That cd has been in the disc changer since I got the car. SINCE. I .GOT. THE. CAR, people.

David can potentially change the radio station 15 times during a 2 minute car trip.
I can, obviously, listen to a song on repeat for 15 days.

This is why we are married. We need each other.
Melissa

Field Trip

Yesterday, I went on a Field Trip with David's school. We went to Atlanta to see the "Bodies Exhibit". Have you heard about "Bodies"? It's been traveling in America for several years. It was in New York first, for a long time, and it's a really big deal. Basically, it's an exhibit of real bodies that have been preserved and dissected to create a teaching exhibit that shows all the parts of the body and how they work.

Yikes.

I've mentioned many times before about wanting to see the exhibit, so when David found out about the trip, he signed me up to be a chaperon. Hey-Oh! Free trip!

I'm not really sure why I wanted to see this. Bodies gross me out. Live bodies, dead bodies, skin, organs....yuck-ola.

I think I was just intrigued with the idea. These were real folks...that died...and now they are in an exhibit. Isn't that weird? Hello? (tap, tap) Is this thing on?

It was really neat and I'm glad that I saw it, but now I'm actually trying to forget it, because it weirded me out so much. Cool, but weird. Informative and educational, but yucky and strange.

Moving on...

The "Bodies" exhibit was shown in conjunction with another traveling educational exhibit called "Dialog in the Dark," which is essentially a simulation of the day in the life of a blind person.

The whole exhibit was in total darkness...no light, whatsoever. It's a little scary. You were given a cane and were lead through the exhibit by a blind person. In the dark, we had to cross over a bridge and walk through a park, go to a grocery store and identify objects, get onto a boat, cross the street, etc. We spent about an hour walking through everyday activities the way a blind person experiences them. It was very enlightening (I want to say eye-opening here, but it just doesn't seem right.) It was incredibly scary to not be able to see, and I'm clumsy already so I was really worried that I was going to injure myself. We learned so much about the way blind people adapt to doing things and surviving in a world that relies so heavily on sight.

I would highly recommend going to experience "Bodies" and "Dialog in the Dark" if you are near the Atlanta Area. Both exhibits are at Atlantic Station.

I love Atlantic Station...so many fun things to do

We ate at California Pizza Kitchen. I love BBQ chicken pizza. It is the B.E. - S.T.! Better than all of the R.E. -S.T.!

It pained me to be so close to IKEA and not be able to go in. I did get to go into H&M for the first time. Holy Awesome Cheap Clothes, Batman! It was amazing! I was so excited about trying on some clothes, but David lured me out of the store by offering to buy me ice cream.

Well played, Dave Dark...well played.

Next time I go, I intend to buy as many tunics as I can fit in my shopping bag.

You won't fool me again, Dark.
mel

Greener Grass Felt Christmas Stockings Workshop

Felt Christmas Stocking Workshop
Tuesday, November 30th
6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.


I'm here to announce the first official Greener Grass Workshop and I'm so excited about it.  I'll be teaching on how to make sweet felt Christmas Stockings for your home...and it is SO much fun!

I've made two different pattern styles of stockings to choose from. The first is a traditional shaped stocking...very classy.


The second style is what I'm calling an "elf stocking." It's curvy and fun...almost cartoon like.


We'll be sewing with ecospun felt, which is a wonderful sturdy felt that is made from recycled plastic bottles. It has a great texture, is durable, and very easy to sew.

These stockings are just examples. I'll have a large selection felt in many different colors. I have lots of examples and ideas to match any decor style. You'll get to be creative and learn some basic sewing skills...using a pattern, machine stitching, and simple applique. This workshop is perfect for the beginner!


Handmade stockings are a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays. At this workshop, you'll have the opportunity to create something that will be special to your family and enjoyed for years to come. We'll sew and listen to Christmas music and sip on cider and cocoa...What a great way to get in the Christmas Spirit!


The cost of the workshop is $30. This includes supplies, material, pattern designs, and tutorial for you to make and take home 2 Christmas stockings.  If you would like to make more than 2 stockings, that's perfectly wonderful. Each extra stocking (after 2) will just be an additional $5.

Class will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. To reserve your spot and get further details, email me at mddark@yahoo.com

The workshop is open to anyone ages 12 and up. Class size is limited, so sign up soon!

This is going to be so much fun! I'll see you there!
Melissa

***For those of you who are not feeling crafty, but are interested in these Christmas stockings, you can email me about purchasing unique handmade felt stockings for your family. ***

Marathon Day

Well, he did it.

David ran the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon on Saturday.

...Checked it off the 'ole to-do list.


This is at  7:00 a.m. (FYI: I had been up for and hour and a half at this point.) It was a chilly 40 degrees outside. A beautiful day in a beautiful place- fall leaves, fields full of deer, scenic roads, gorgeous sunrise...

After the cannon fired (yes, a cannon...scared me to death) and David started running, I boarded a shuttle to go watch him at different points in the race. I told you this was going to be some serious spectating.


David at mile 4...doing great. His spirits were high.


I rode the shuttle to lots of different spots in the race. I made friends with other spectators. I petted a lot of dogs. When I saw Dave, I would scream and cheer and then run along side of him in my Fuggs (fake Uggs) to give him his fuel bars, trade out his beanie for his running hat, etc.

Big. Time.

After I saw him at mile 18, I went to the finish line to wait. I never get tired of watching runners cross the finish line at a long race. There's such a sense of accomplishment and happiness on people's faces. They've just completed something that most of them weren't sure that they could do. Amazing.

Triumph of the will!
Hope!
Tomorrow!
America!

You know how I feel about all of those things. I get emotional.

David was planning on running the marathon in 4 hours, so I was watching the clock to see when I could expect him. Then, much earlier than I anticipated, David rounded the corner and started the home stretch to the finish.

He's in the white shirt.


And here he is, on the left, crossing the finish line.


He ran 26.2 miles in 3 hours and 51 minutes. When he crossed the finish line, Dave hugged me like he hadn't seen me in 26.2 years.


David finished his first marathon. I'm so proud of him. He's so proud, too.

Race bling.

Dave sat down in the grass to take a break, with some pizza and coke. As soon as I snapped this picture, I told him to get his butt in the car.

Just kidding. I let him finish his pizza. Then, I drug him to the car.


We made it to the wedding by the skin of our teeth. David was delirious.

The wedding was perfect. We are so happy for Tiffany and Chris.
We got to see good friends and eat good food.

They had some of the best sweet tea I've ever had at the reception. And, I consider myself a connoisseur of sweet tea, so don't take that lightly. It was really really good.

We are happily exhausted.
mel

Run Like the Wind

 

David is running a marathon tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. I will be spectating in a big way. BIG!

I will be as supportive as it is humanly possible to be at 7 a.m.

Dave is gonna run fast.

Actually he's got to run fast, because we have to be at a wedding just a few hours after he finishes.

The marathon and the wedding are inconveniently located several hours apart.

Run like the wind, Dave! Tiffy is depending on you!

David is playing the guitar in the wedding.

I'm bossing people around directing the ceremony.

It's good that he doesn't play the guitar with his legs, because I think they are going to be wore slap out.

I told Tiffy she should probably provide the artist currently known as Davester with a stool that he could  perch himself on.

I don't know if he's going to be able to stand up.

I hope so.

Run like the wind, Dave. Run like the wind.

Needless to say, it's going to be an interesting weekend.

You can hum the Chariots of Fire theme now, if you want.
I am.
Have been.
Not stopping.

Spectator at Large,
M. Dark

Flower Formula

Yesterday, I tackled a little project after work.
I thought you might be interested.
You may not be.
That's a chance I'm willing to take.

I have been dissatisfied with these planter boxes for quite some time now. Like a year.


These big uglies came with the house. They were undoubtedly built especially to flank our backyard steps. They had potential to be nice and I tried sprucing them up by cleaning and painting them. The mission was unsuccessful. Obviously. They always look yucky from the dirt seeping out between the boards and splashing up off the ground. I guess that's what happens when you fill something with dirt and sit in on the dirt. White is maybe not the best color choice for a planter.

I'd been looking for some big pots to replace them for a long time, but large pots are really expensive. I needed two very large pots...forget about it.

So every time I go to Lowe's or Wal-Mart I wander through the garden center, just to see if there are any awesome sales.

When I was in Fitzgerald last week, I found just such a sale. Well, Mama found it, and she took me there.


I got these big giant red planters. They are made of resin, so they are lightweight and durable, but they look like glazed pottery. They were on clearance. Thank you Better Homes and Gardens via Wal-Mart. My home and garden are better because of you.

I keep finding humongous red stuff that I need to purchase when I go to Fitzgerald. What gives?

David moved the old planters out of the way and filled the new pots up with dirt, without me even asking. Thanks, Dave-O. Yesterday I went and picked up some plants to fill 'em up.

Check me out. Getting my garden on in my dress clothes. What, you don't garden in a dress? I was losing daylight and just had to roll with it.

Please ignore my funky hair. Thank you.

I'd like to show you my formula for filling big planters. Yes, it's a formula. I use it in all my large containers. Like these on the front steps.


Are you ready for this? Are you ready for the amazing planting formula?

OK, here it is. Plant something big and tall in the middle and something small and colorful around it.

Pretty good, huh? This is why you're reading the blog. Because I'm so full of useful information. Right?

But wait, there's more. Here's what you do.

Step 1: Choose your plants.

Choose a tall shrub that is at least as tall as the pot that you will be planting it in. The shrub will be the permanent fixture in the pot and then we can plant seasonal things around it for color. This way, you save money by not having to change every plant in the pot each season. Thrifty. It also adds height to your arrangement for visual interest.

I chose a Sky Pencil Japanese Holly for my tall shrub.

You also need colorful plants to go around the base of the shrub. I usually use just one type of plant, but since this pot is so big, I decided to use a few.

I chose Pansies for color. In a smaller pot, I would just go with Pansies. They love the cold and will be pretty all winter.


I also picked up some Violas, because they are a trailing plant, which means they will grow long stems that hang over the side of the pot. I love that.


I also mixed it up with some ornamental cabbages to add contrast and fullness.


Tip: I buy all of my plants in the smallest size that the garden center sells. By buying baby plants I save a lot of money and in two weeks they will be just as big as their older brothers that I would have had to pay double for. If you can have a tiny bit of patience, you can save a lot of money.

Step 2: Arrange your plants in the pot.

Try different ways to see what looks best. If you are making two pots, like I did here, make sure both pots are arranged the same. It's easier on the eyes. I also always put the big plant in the middle and the most interesting plants (in this case the trailing Violas) near the front.

Here's my little mock-up arrangement.


Step 3: Plant!

Here's the fun part. Take all of your plant out of their little containers and plant them in your big pot. You'll find that most of the plants will have their roots tightly bound together from growing in a pot that is too small. Gently separate the roots before you plant them in their new home. They will be so happy to be free from their life in a superstore tiny pot that they will love you forever. They will repay you by growing fast and strong.

Feel good about yourself. You are a plant liberator!

Lady is extremely interested in the planting formula. She is my best student.


However, she suddenly lost interest when David offered to take them to the park. I can't compete with that.


Eager souls.

Here's the finished product:


Remember the plants are just babies right now, but they will fill up the pot within a few weeks. Patience, grasshopper. Patience. It's going to look great!

Are you working on any fall/winter gardening projects? I'd love to hear about them. Maybe you want to tackle one now, because you have my ultra-awesome formula?

Tall Shrub + Seasonal Plants with Color = Garden Delight
Mel



Sharing this project with friends at:
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Between Naps on the Porch
Skip to my Lou

A Good Day

Today was a good day.

I went to work. The weather was beautiful.

I wore my new shiny shoes and my new straight-but-not-too-skinny jeans.


I got not one, but TWO magazines in the mail that I can't wait to read. I'm especially excited because they are the Christmas issues. CHRISTMAS! Yay! I love to read magazines.


I went to Starbucks and got my first Peppermint Mocha of the season. Delicious. They were out of the beautiful red holiday cups, so that took away a little bit of the magic, but it's OK. I forgive you, Starbucks.


While I was trying to take a picture of our pretty front porch pansies this afternoon...


...the neighborhood kitty snuck inside our house.


That's our living room rug in the background. Sneaky cat. She belongs to our new neighbors and we love her. She is really sweet and friendly (obviously.) She just snuck right in our open door. I picked her up and took her outside, but she didn't want to leave.


I don't know her name. I call her Kit Kat.


I'm not use to sneaky animals. I am always all too aware of where Jack is.


I hope you had a good day, too.
Melissa

Greener Grass Downstairs Bathroom Tour

Hi Friends.

The next room in the "After" house tour is the downstairs bathroom. This room was in pretty good condition and had a new tub, toilet, and sink when we moved in, so it didn't need much work. Lucky us.

It was just not so cute.

Remember how it looked before?
 


The main change we made was the paint color. After a lot of cleaning and a fresh coat of paint, here's how it looks:



The mirror is the same one that was already here. I just painted it white and distressed it.

I stole borrowed this plant stand from Mama's garden to hold our towels and TP because there is no storage in this bathroom. This works well for now to corral the necessities.


Mason Jar soap dispenser. You can make one, too.


Here's the shower curtain. I LOVE ruffles.


This old locker basket holds magazines.


There are still a few things that I'd still like to change in this room. The light fixture is in need of a update. I'm thinking about installing an iron chandelier. Fancy. I'd also like to spruce up the window a little, but I'm just not sure what to do.

Do you have windows in your bathroom? What do you do to them?
Melissa

By the way, our laundry room makeover is being featured at Remodelaholic today. Go check it out!
The CSI Project





Fitzgerald Farm House Phase III

David went on a 4 day field trip with 8th graders.

I slept at my house alone one night. I was scared. Our house is creaky.

I let Jack sleep on David's side. He is a bed hog and he snores.

I went to Fitzgerald for the duration of the 8th grade field trip.


It was like a business trip, anyway... I knew that you guys needed to see the progress on the Farm House.

So here it is...Fitzgerald Farm House Phase III.


 Shingles...check.
Windows...check.
Doors...check.
Insulation...check.


A pretty view through the dining room windows.


This is the back of the house and the future home of a big deck.

 
  
This is the side of the house and the future home of a stone fireplace.


These are the footprints of the current tenant.

It's a raccoon and I've named him Bandit.
Mel

A Few Stair Ideas

Next week I'm going to show you more "after" pictures of the house. I really am, I promise. I've even already taken all the pictures of every room with my friend's sweet wide lens.

Thanks, Ash.

There is one place in the house that we have done basically nothing to, and that's our stairs. There are no "after" shots of the stairs. I keep waiting for someone to just come to it for me. I don't wanna.

It's going to be very detailed work and time consuming.

That's not my gig.

Here they are in all of their glory.


I've been thinking about what to do when we do finally make it around to the stair remodel. There are several cool options.

First of all, this is basically how the stairs will look with just a basic clean-up, paint, and stain.

(image from Design Sponge)

Pretty, right? These are obviously not exactly like our stairs, but you get the idea.

But then I saw this great picture of similar stairs with a striped sisal runner. I heart stripes and sisal.


David says that he is not interested in a runner. He doesn't want to have to vacuum it.
The man makes a good point.

Besides, I think it might be a little fussy for our house. Also, keep in mind that our couch faces these stairs. Do I want to look at stripes all the time while I'm trying to get my Law and Order on?

Then I recently saw this picture:

(image from Pottery Barn)

Oh, Lordy.
I love numbered things.
I love things that are just a little quirky.
I love fonts.
Be still my beating heart.

And then I saw this:

(image from here)

Different fonts and a pretty painted runner. Love.
It works well with the wainscotings on the wall, which we also have on our staircase.

This picture from Design Sponge is a little much for me, but I do like the white numbers and, again, the faux runner.


I think, if we do the numbers-on-the-stairs-thing, I'll probably go this route.

(image from Holly Mathis)

These numbers are just vinyl decals that you can order online. Super easy and zero commitment. Perfect. This also still keeps the classic look of the stairs. I love that our stairs have painted fronts and stained tops (I think that there are technical terms for stair-parts, but I don't remember them. Let's just stick with fronts and tops, shall we?) and I don't really want to change that.

So what do you think? Keep the plain Jane stairs? Put in a runner and teach Jack to vacuum? Or apply some cool numbers?

Mel
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