Yep, we've got one today, again. Predicted high is 113. Officially, we hit 117 yesterday which is now part of a three way tie for highest recorded temperature in June anywhere in the country. In Death Valley, which is about 140 miles north and west of here, it was either 128 degrees or 129.9 degrees, depending on whose thermometer you used.
A friend who lives in the high desert in California, where it's usually a bit cooler than Vegas, says they're being warned via television not to go out into the heat. Also, their city has set up "cooling stations", where folks who don't have a/c or whose a/c has gone out, can cool off. Praise God for good planning and such valuable life-saving measures. Every year you hear about heat-related deaths in the midwest; thankfully, the west knows how to handle these things.
Well, the only time I will leave this house today, if I can help it, is when I take the trash to the curb! Tomorrow is trash day..........
After I signed off last night, I started on a very time consuming project........ I got into my big container of buttons and pulled out all the buttons that are on cards. I am removing the buttons from the cards, stringing the matching buttons together on thread, and putting them all into the jars I've been cleaning up. Someone, somewhere in time, had buttons on clearance, and I grabbed a bunch of them. Given today's prices, the prices I paid are ridiculous--I saw one card priced at $.25! The ones that are sewn onto the cards aren't bad. Next best are the ones that are secured to the card with lightweight wire. Some are "stapled" onto the cards, and those are buggers to remove. Once I get through with all the buttons on cards, I'll have to sort through all the remaining loose buttons in my big stash. This organizing stuff is nothing if not time consuming. It should pay off in the end, though.
I told you yesterday that I bought some McCall's patterns for $1 a piece. I thought I should show you what I got. I'll just show you one or two for the sake of time, but I'll show you more throughout the week.
This pattern was priced at 11.95 by the manufacturer. JoAnn gives 40% off on all patterns. That would have brought the price down to $7.17. I got it for $1! I really like that simple squared off bodice on the red gingham check model. I think that would look amazing with contrast fabric for the bodice, with maybe some ribbon trim. Picture this: white bodice, big blue gingham check for the dress part, and some bright red ribbon across the bodice and around the hem as trim..........
Here's another:
Dresses with these tiered and ruffled skirts are all over the internet. I don't care much about the patterns for the tiers/ruffles--I can fake those. I do care about the bodice patterns. And I care about the skirt stuff at least as far as helping me determine a standard length for a dress given the size..... I also like getting the matching capri pattern in here. Makes the pattern more versatile. This was another pattern priced at $11.95 by the manufacturer. I paid a buck.
I only bought 6 patterns, but one I bought in 2 different sizes, so 5 in actuality. You can buy 10 for $10. That is an amazing deal, y'all!
As I mentioned a while ago, it's been years since I've done any sewing. I have to admit to you that I am flabbergasted at the prices of both fabric and patterns. I remember buying patterns at $3.95 and $4.95 and wincing. I was distraught when they got up to $6.95. Now I am seeing prices as high as $15.95. It's almost unbelievable.
The fabric I've bought is perfect for little girls' summer dresses. Lightweight, colorful, darling prints and it washes like a dream. However, the regular price per yard is $9.99! I've just been blessed to get it at half price. I was looking at some good quality cotton the other day and it was $18.99 a yard! Holy mackerel!
Here's another fun fact from JoAnn. It was 117 in Vegas yesterday, and the first thing I saw when I walked into the store was fleece. They're putting out their fall and winter fabrics and it's 117 outside! Of course, since it takes time to assemble a jacket or whatever, it makes sense to put out these fabrics early. BUT, the contrast between how hot it was and cold weather fabric was just a shock to the senses.
I think today's to do list is pretty similar to yesterday's. I still need to do a lot of work on the desk. Anybody got any great ideas on what to do with about $25 in rolled pennies? I rolled them here so they're still here because I have no idea where else to put them!
I will, of course work on the sewing/junk room and on doing some actual sewing as well. I found a reasonably accessible (as compared to the rest of the room) spot for some filing cabinets. However, it is currently occupied by a box of office supplies and a box of scrapbook layouts that need filed. I've been carrying a load of office supplies out to the office everytime I leave that room. I have it about half emptied.
I have 3 more jars "marinating" in olive oil in the kitchen. Really, I just put a few drops of olive oil on them and rub it around to make sure all the ooey gooey glue is covered. Some are taking as much as 3 applications with rubbing and or scraping in between. If I can get those cleaned up today, I will be done with that project and can get on with cleaning up the kitchen.
I don't really need to do laundry, but my sheets are clean and need to be put on the bed. I am waiting for elastic to go on sale at JoAnn's. I am going to replace the worthless elastic on the fitted sheets. Honestly, could they find anything more cheaply made? The sheets will wear forever, but the elastic gives out almost immediately.
I have the very last of the cleanup of health and beauty supplies in the Master Bath to do. At least, til I discover more, LOL.
And, of course, I need to do the usual, e-mail deleting, designing, advertising, and tagging. Full day ahead.
How about some eye candy? This week's kit was a big hit with the Creative Team. One lady did 4 layouts with it! Let me show you some........
Here is Laurie's Project Life layout for the 24th week of 2013. LOVE that quote and I love the week number in the center of that doodled daisy! Great lookin' blocked page.
I have several layouts this week done with the stackers. For some reason, THESE stackers just grab me. Deanna did this one and I think it's darling. She also used one of our frame clusters and commented on how fast and easy it was to do the layout. And the results are beautiful as well!
So there you have it, my mind dump for this morning. I'm off to get going on my day. YOU be BLESSED today!
