A Little Bit of This and That ~

Today was one of those days where I was busy doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that.  It began with an edit.  I edit audio files in real time to remove noises, slips of tongue and the like.  Then I convert the files into various formats for reproduction.  I spend anywhere from 4-6 hours a week doing this.  After finishing, it was time for me to put away the Christmas decorations.  Well, they've been put away for quite some time, but I needed to trek them four flights down to our basement storage area.  After about 7 trips I was finished with my workout....and void of energy. =)

In the afternoon, I worked on the ironing pile and when I finished, I set about adding names and states to the Orange You Glad Bee Blocks I've received back thus far.

 Of course I was finishing this up as the children came home from school.  Our afternoon's are spent working on homework and practicing instruments.  I spend about 1/2 hour working with my son on his violin practices....and no I don't play, but I have enough musical skill to work with him on timing and hitting the notes accurately, and also being diligent.  It is work though. =)

After dinner, I decided that it was time to tackle a few alterations that I needed to make to some pants my son had received for Christmas.  I removed the buttons and added snaps, then did simple hems in three pair.  They're now ready for wear.  I also hemmed a pair of pants that were a special gift to my daughter from her Aunt Dee Dee.  Finally, I was ready to do something for me!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am frequently cold.  To remedy this winter long ailment, I've been hugging rice bags for years.  I reheat mine multiple times during the day...I don't count, because it's quite frequently, especially when I'm sitting editing and cold.  Anyway, one of my bags fell apart in the beginning of December.  Rice was falling out all over the floor. =( Boohoo...I had to toss it.  The other one looked very scary...okay, so it's downright gross!

Honestly, the problem was a combination of things...I chose the wrong fabric to begin with, but it doesn't help that the microwave is occasionally moist from heating something and then that gets on your rice bag or it occasionally gets heated to long...and yada...yada...yada!  It still did the trick, ugly as can be, it helped to keep me warm.

Well, tonight I finally got around to making myself two new rice bags!!!!

My method is quite simple...I do this long style, because I have neck issues and you can easily drape it around your neck...and it also works everywhere else too.  You simply cut a 6" wide strip of muslin the width of the fabric.  Sew up both side seams and flip.  I draw lines with a pencil to mark where I want to sew...sectioning off the rice helps it to stay nicely on the entire area of your neck, as opposed to falling down to the ends and hanging like a lead weight.  Next I scoop about 1 to 1 1/2 cups rice into a section...depending on how many sections you have...if you have more sections, use less rice.  Then I sew the seam..which can be tricky, but you can figure it out.  After that I seal it off at the top. 

Next I cut a piece of fabric, the width of the fabric and approximately 7" wide.  I flip the one selvage edge down and sew it, then slightly overlapping the unsewn edge over the sewn, right sides together, I pin and make sure it will fit the length of the rice bag.  Sew both seams.  Flip and insert the rice bag and flip the end over like a sandwich bag.  Then you have a washable cover.  I chose a darker piece of fabric this time, so hopefully it won't look so gross as the last one.

Ultimately the old rice bag wasn't terrible, so I simply made a new cover for it and have three now! =)

And last, but not least, as I need a couple of gifts very soon, I worked on a couple wristlets.  All fabrics were from my scrap boxes....pieces of fabric left from my handbag making days.

The first features Kate Spain's Fandango.  I made a bag for myself from this fabric.  I used a different piece on the back and also the inside, so there are a total of four prints used.

 This one features some of my favorite fabrics by Sandi Henderson, Meadowsweet.  The back is similar to the front floral fabric, but I incorporated another fabric in the yo-yo and also used another print in the lining.

I originally bought this fabric with myself in mind but ended up making a tote for someone else instead.  I love how that bag turned out...so I thought I'd show you a picture.

Well, I have one more wristlet to make and I haven't worked on the quilting project I wanted to yet this week.  I did get it pinned, but not sewn.  Maybe tomorrow. =)

I hope everyone is having a productive week.  I'm enjoying getting some sewing done...however, there's still so much more that I WANT to do...in time!

God bless!