A Couple More Projects Done for Hawaii Trip

I'm slowly getting things done that have been on my "To-Do for Hawaii" List.  One of the things I decided to do was a cover for my Canon Rebel Strap.  I had made one out of flannel before, but I really wasn't too happy with it.  I had bought some orange "UT" fabric a little while ago to use to mark our luggage for the trip and had some left over, so decided to use it for the new strap.
Here's the new strap cover:

In case you're interested, here is the tutorial I used.  I like that it's nice and tight on the strap.
I had to use my other camera to take the picture, so it's not very good.

I also wanted to make some pouches to keep all my cords in.  Decided to dig out the Bernina sewing machine (that used to be my mother-in-law's) to label them.  Again, the pictures aren't that great.


A closer look at how they are labeled.  I had some old fabric paint brushes from years ago so used them to color in the letters.  The "ear phones" one I tried to used some dimensional fabric paint but that didn't work very well.  lol

In case you are wondering, here is the link for the tutorial for these.

Finally, I had been looking for something small to use for a travel journal.  I know I'll take one of our laptops so I can upload photos, but it's nice to put pen to paper every once in a while.  I had one for our cruise in 2010, so decided I wanted one for this trip, too.  Anyway, this is what I found at TJ Maxx for about $4 the other day:

They are small and don't take up too much room, but they're not very pretty.


So, I decided to try to put new covers on them.  I had bought some scrap paper a while ago for another project, so decided to use that to recover them.


These are the pages I decided to use:
Cover:


And the books:






All  I did was cut the sheets to the correct size, decided what I wanted on the cover and books, then used a glue stick to glue the sheets on.  It worked petty good, even though I had to take about 6 pages out of each book so they wouldn't be too tight in the cover.

This is after they were covered:






Then I decided to make some labels (printed on clear labels), then coated with modge podge (homemade, recipe here).  I was pretty happy with them, but while organizing the office (for the millionth time), I found some spray laquer that said it was good for decoupage, so decided to spray that on, too.  Here is the finished project:


Quite an improvement!!!!!










They're not perfect, but I'm really happy with how they turned out!

I still have some shopping to do before our trip, but need to go through my current wardrobe first to decide what else I need.  Counting down the days!!!!!!  Todd and I are both really looking forward to the trip!

Quilt top is DONE!

Last night I finished the quilt top!!!!! Added the boarders and serged around the edges since it will be after the first of the year before I can put it in and start quilting it. I quilt by hand, so it will take up our entire living room and with Christmas so soon, I need to wait.

Here is the final result - the boarders add a lot! I made the boarder at the top of the quilt smaller so I'll be able to tell what goes on the top of the bed - a trick my mom uses.


I also took pictures of the Christmas tree and fireplace "mantel" - practically the only Christmas stuff we have up.

Todd put the stocking up this year.

And the fireplace with the lights on (sorry it's blurry, you get the idea).


Today the girls and grandkids are supposed to come over to decorate Christmas cookies and to celebrate Angel's birthday. It will be fun, but I still have a bunch of cookies to make, so I'm up early.

I also decided I'm going to make a purse for my sister for Christmas since we are heading to Nebraska on Christmas Day. I bought some more fabric at Kinsey Interiors Friday, so will use one of those. I'll post pictures if I get it done early enough.

I will have to work Christmas Eve, probably until 1 or so, then we'll have the girls and grandkids over to celebrate Christmas. I'm planning on a casual supper of Chili and grilled cheese sandwiches, then opening presents. Todd and I will get up really early the next morning (Thursday) to start our long drive to Falls City, Nebraska. We are taking both dogs and driving the pickup so that we can meet my parents sometime while we are there to get mom's old commercial sewing machine. I can't wait!

While in Falls City, we'll stay at Todd's parents and get to spend lots of time with Todd's grandma. Megan and family will come up sometime so we can get a 5 generation picture. We'll head home either Saturday or Sunday (at the latest) since we both have to work again Monday. It will be a quick trip, but at least this year I don't have to drive it by myself.

Better get those cookies in the oven.... :D

Friday afternoon

We are getting ready to go to Ft. Riley KS to visit our newest granddaughter, McKenna!! (And her parents LOL) We'll have a full night of packing the car, then we'll leave about 3 am. I took our larger dog, Buddy, to the kennel this afternoon and we'll be taking our little dog, Brute, with us. I always hate taking Buddy to the kennel for the weekend because when we get back, he's horse from barking all weekend. It makes me sad, but it's really best for all.

I'll have lots of pictures when we get back on Monday!!!