Bee-eautiful Day for Tea!

I have been busy as a bee around here lately, with one thing and another; so it's all the more special to make some time for tea today!  Sandi, at Rose Chintz Cottage & Inspirations, is our host for Tea Time Tuesday, while Wanda Lee is hostess for Tuesday Tea for Two, at The Plumed Pen!

Please, come in!  Another damp and rainy day today, isn't it?!  Well, it's warm and dry here, so do sit down, and join me for tea!  I hope you don't mind I invited a couple of extra guests though.  I know they're very happy to meet you, and I do enjoy including them now and then!...  Do you remember Lovey, here on our left?  I found her in a terrible mess, last summer, and I fixed her up, all pretty again!

Our other little guest, to our right, is a sweet little thing who could use a makeover too.  She really is beautiful already, I think.  I found her in one of my grandmother's sewing tins, after she passed away, and eventually, I'd love to make her a pretty new dress and maybe a new bow for her hair!..  Oh, and speaking of makeovers...

Well, now...  I'm getting AHEAD of myself here!

Please, everybody help yourself to some cookies too!  I'm afraid they're not homemade this week, but they're a favorite of mine, when in a pinch for time!

  
Do you like the tea cups I am using today?  I picked them up over the weekend!  You see what happened was that Dear Son's computer chair was falling apart. I tried to fix it, but I'm afraid my skills in wooden furniture repair are sorely lacking.  We were left with no choice but to buy a new chair, or head over to our nearest Salvation Army store, to see if we could find one used.  We did end up finding a good sturdy chair for a fair price; but on our way out, on a shelf not far away, a set of cups and saucers were calling to me...  "Wait!..  Don't go!  Please, take us with you!"  Well, the poor neglected little things...  Of course, I had to oblige!

In colors of yellow, white, and black, they have a very pretty opalescent look about them.  I got the 4 pieces for $2.00, and was as tickled as a child on Christmas morning!  I couldn't wait to bring them home!  As it turned out, that didn't happen right away, because we then decided to head up to the shopping mall for a few more things.  When we got there, I almost would have sworn it WAS Christmas!  I couldn't believe the time it took just to find a parking spot there!  Makes me wonder where I can find me one of these when I need one!  (ha! ha!)

One purchase I needed to make was for a new stitch-along I'm taking part in!  I needed some aida cloth, and embroidery flosses, and a good sized hoop for a brand new project that I can't wait to get started on!

I'm hoping maybe some of my visitors today might like the idea and join me!  Things are just getting started, so you're not too late!  You can meet Amy, at Counting My Blessings, for all the details.  I know that some of you have already met, when she hosted the 39-Square Sampler stitch-along!

It is by her suggestion, as this newest project is meant to be much more than just a craft project, that each participant set up a new blog, just for this endeavor...  a personal journey, actually!  So it is with great appreciation, for the beautiful work that Susie Jefferson, from 1st Floor Flat, put into this for me, that I can now show you my new blog, made possible by her time and incredibly gifted talents!

Once again, Susie went above and beyond anything I remotely imagined or hoped for!  I hope you can stop to see Beansie's Blessings...




or even stop HERE, to see the before-and-after blog makeover Susie's done!  Words aren't nearly enough, but with all my heart, thank you so much, Susie!  Our friendship is indeed a wonderful blessing to me!             

My gosh, is it that time already?!  I hate to see you go, but please do remember to pay a visit, and say hello to Sandi today!

  

There, you'll also find a list of other tea parties taking place in Blogland; and I know I won't want to miss them, so I'm making a bee line to Sandi's place right now!

Also be sure to stop by the Plumed Pen, where you'll find Wanda Lee hosts Tuesday Tea for Two!

 Thank you so much for stopping by today!

~Beansie~

My New Flower Scarf

Just recently I discovered a fun new site, Crochet Soiree. I registered as a member right away! The project I joined in on first was the Flower Scarf Crochet-Along. The pattern is designed by Tamara Gonzales. I started it this past Thursday night, and finished it the next day!


I used a variegated yarn with blues and beiges, and so I thought I would post it for Blue Monday!


I knew as I picked out the yarn, that it would go nicely with a beige newsboy-styled hat I like to wear for Fall!


Throw these together with a beige top, jean jacket and pants, some beige high heels, and I'm all set!


Playing dress up is so much fun!... especially in something I made myself!!... Do I dare say I wish it was Fall, so I could wear it?... No way!! Forget that! I love it, but I'll just pack this away nicely for now. I'm enjoying every minute of Spring and Summer that I can, till eventually that time must roll around again!

Be sure to stop and say "Hi" to our Blue Monday hostess, Smiling Sally! There you'll find a list of other Blue Monday participants to visit!! Perhaps you'll want to join them! In the meantime, thank you so much for visiting today, and Happy Blue Monday!

~Beansie~

My New Camera Case

Would you look at this camera case? This is the one I've been using for years. It's plain. It's not the least bit pretty or feminine looking at all, and it has no strap. Yuck!.. I don't know why it did not occur to me, for so long, to make one. I think I just overlooked it for so long. It was serving it's purpose for the most part. Eventually, I thought, well.. There are so many pretty ones in the stores. I'll just buy one! But every time I got to the stores, the camera case was entirely forgotten, and apparently I must not have deemed it important enough to add to my shopping list. So, looking at my little black case most recently, I had to shake my head. I HAVE the ability for heaven's sake! It's high time to ditch the old one, and make my OWN camera case! Since Walmart closed their fabric department, I don't have the time to just run to the fabric stores any time I feel like it now. Unless for some really big project that I feel is worth the bother of a road trip, I now look for fabrics by other ways and means. I often recycle fabrics. Most recently I recycled blue jeans!... But often I buy bedsheets and pillow cases which, even brand new, are often cheaper than purchases would be at a fabric store, yet are just as nice in quality! Sometimes I can use old linens, or terrycloth towels too, but for today's purposes, I used this...


It seemed to me this placemat would be perfect for my project! It's just the right amount of fabric needed. I liked the color. Being quilted, the batting and lining are already done for me; so of course, I like this! Now, let me just get comfortable at my sewing machine, here... My coffee is close by, and I think I'm ready to see what I can create with this!


First, I trimmed the sides of my placemat... approximately 1 and 1/2" or so off each longer side of the placemat. This was to leave myself with a size that is necessary for holding my camera and any accessories I carry with it. I saved the sides I trimmed away, to later make the strap of my case. Next, I estimated my seams by folding the fabric, in approximately thirds, to plan where the actual bag would end, and then where the front flap would begin. Once I figured that, I started sewing my side seams, then boxed the bottom corners so that the bag can sit flat. You can go HERE, for a nice tutorial on how to box corners. From there, I put together a strap by sewing one long tube, approximately 11" in length. I pressed the tube flat. Then I formed it into a circle, which was then sewed onto the top of the flap.


I really don't like velcro. In fact, I hate it, so I chose to sew a metal snap to keep my case securely closed. For a little embellishment, I sewed a silk ribbon bow, with a little vintage button to the front of the flap, then I added a silver heart charm to the strap, which says "follow your heart"... And voila! My 2-dollar project was done in just one night, and I've got a brand new camera case that is now SO-oooo much prettier than that other old thing!! I really am happy with how this came out, and I'm thinking this could be a very nice Mother's Day gift idea too!


Thanks to Leslie, at My Country Home, for hosting Whatcha Working On Wednesday! I hope you stop by and say hello to her, and then maybe visit any others who may be participating today!


Please also say hi to Jana, at Collected Treasures for the Home, Heart, and Soul! You'll want to check out what quick project she has in store for Quick Project Thursday! I know I certainly enjoy a "hello" and a visit from all who stop here, and I thank you so much! I hope everyone's enjoying the beautiful Spring weather like we're so lucky to have here, this fine day!

~Beansie~

Pink Raggy Flops

The weather's been warming up! The temps may still teeter between warm and cold, but the sun has been shining! Flowers are blooming everywhere!... And it's just enough for me to start bringing out all my pretty Spring and Summer things!... Short sleeves, tank tops, spaghetti straps, capris, shorts, and sandals... Pack those parkas AWAY!! It feels good to dress like a girl again!After posting how to make a new pair of flip flops yesterday, the response to that post was so nice, that I thought I'd post a new style of flip flops today!... And in honor of Pink Saturday, they are, of course, PINK!


I found the idea for this new pair from HERE. You'll find a 2-part tutorial for how to make them in full detail. Only a small amount of fabric is needed, really. I chose to work with four different shades/patterns of pink fabrics. Then, with pinking shears, I cut each fabric into 3/4" strips. I then cut the strips into shorter pieces, each 5" in length. Give or take, you will probably use around 60 of these pieces for each flip flop... Actually, you may use more, if your shoe size is bigger than mine. I wear a size 5. Anyways, all you do is tie these pieces onto the top/strap of your flip flop, till it's fully covered. You can trim these lengths of fabric, if you want, once you've knotted them. You have the option to further embellish them, as you see HERE; but I liked mine just the way they were!... So, here I made myself another new pair to flip flops... again, in only one night, while watching t.v.!


Now, I don't suppose I would wear these to work, or to church; but for less formal occasions, I think these are cute, and just plain FUN! In fact, all I had to do now was paint my toes in a pretty shade of pink, and now I'm all set to wear mine for the day!

I don't know. I can't tell. Do you think "Little Boy Bu" likes them?

Hmm... Maybe he just wants me to take him out? I guess I'd better!

Well, my feet are looking pretty stylish now, but I still haven't painted my fingernails to match! I'll do that as soon as I bring the dog back in!

Thanks to Beverly for hosting Pink Saturday each and every week! I hope you'll pay her a visit at How Sweet the Sound, then maybe some of the other participants, who will be sharing their pinks for the day too!...

Oh, and if you like how pretty my blog looks now? It's all thanks to Susie Jefferson, at 1st Floor Flat!

You can find beautiful blog backgrounds, headers, and a whole world of information and goodies from Susie at 1st Floor Flat BLOG-OLOGY, so do head over and check that out! Remember, ya gotta have an 'ology'!! Thank you so much Susie! I LOVE it!

Thank you so much for visiting, and Happy Pink Saturday!