Bike Pack Cover

I haven't found the perfect pattern yet for my new fabric. I will get to it, though! In the meantime, I whipped up a little something tonight. It's a cover for the pack I have attached to my bike.

I started with this cute fabric from Hobby Lobby (or Hobby Lobotomy, as my husband calls it).

I cut out a circle-ish piece for one end and a long piece for the cylindrical part. I didn't bother with being too careful about the look of these pieces. All of the ends would be tucked in anyway because I used only topstitching for this project. The end with the zipper I just left alone. It's easier that way.

Despite my best intentions I completely forgot to take ANY pictures of my steps along the way. I guess it's good that I was really in the zone.

I sewed the two pieces together first. Then I cut a slot on the end because there is some velcro there, which runs along the side of the pack. I left this area open as well. Then I sewed all along the edge by the zipper so it won't come off.

Buttercup is ready to hit the road in style!

Fabric

For our two year wedding anniversary, my husband got me this gorgous fabric:

 I can't wait to make something from it - or several somethings. There are 4 yards, so I can do a lot with it!

Easy Skirt Alteration

I have been massively impressed and inspired by Marisa at New Dress A Day. She buys cheap thrift store outcasts and alters them to adorable, one-of-a-kind pieces for her own closet. Over the years, with my craft projects, I've been trying to not just see the object in front of me but what it could be, e.g. taking an ugly, gaudy mirror or sunburst clock and painting it for a modern look.

So, today, when my husband and I hit a thrift store, I tried to think like Marisa. I looked for fabrics and patterns I liked, no matter what the size. Luckily, I found a dress that already fit me perfectly, but I also snagged this $3 Old Navy skirt that was too big.

This was an easy alteration - just taking it in on one side (the other side was the zipper and I wasn't messing with that). Now I can wear it without it slipping off!

What city do you think is depicted on this skirt? Buenes Aires?

Bird of paradise headband

I haven't had a project to work on lately. The only thing I've made recently didn't even feel like a project. I attended an Island of Dr. Moreau themed event and wanted a fun hair fascinator to wear with my tropical dress that I made. I started with these supplies:

and ended up only using the bird of paradise, some floral tape, and a green headband. It was almost too easy but I got a lot of compliments on it!

I know I'll use some of those supplies at some point, especially the feathers.

Special bonus shot of the avant garde eye makeup my friend Alicia did for me:

So, I'm not sure what my next project will be. I have some great fabric - pink with pastel geometric triangles and shapes on it. Very 80s. Maybe a short skirt? I'll have to find a pattern that speaks to me.

Pittsburgh to Milwaukee

Friday morning we took our time getting ready and eating breakfast. We were a little early meeting a friend for lunch so we walked around a little bit. Pittsburgh seems like an awesome city and I have to come back someday to explore it more.

 We ate at Eat Unique and the food was dece but the really memorable part of the meal, besides awesome conversation, was the chocolate chip sea salt cookie! I found a recipe here that I'm hoping will satisfy my craving since this place is around seven hours away.

We made great time heading back to Milwaukee even though we passed right through a big rain storm. We got home around 9:30.

Driving from NH to PA

Today we did a lot of driving. About 10 hours. We're kind of crazy in the brain now. We're staying in a nice little town an hour away from Pittsburgh, called Blairsville. We got a room at a Hampton Inn and Suites and it's SO nice and the room is HUGE. It has really nice views of a golf course. Golf courses are pretty. It's just too bad they're dedicated to the sport of golf and not just, oh, picnicing and walking around barefoot.

We got a pizza to have in our room.

Tomorrow we're meeting a friend in Pittsburgh and then heading home!

Portsmouth, NH and Maine

We decided to book another night at our Portsmouth, NH hotel because we like it and if we stay here versus Maine, we'll be an hour closer for our looong drive tomorrow!

This was supposed to be a big day for me - we were going to visit the Shaker Village and museum, which I have been looking forward to for almost a year. I hadn't thought to check the website until this morning, but when I did, I discovered they start their open season Memorial Day. I was really upset and sad. Dan tried to keep my spirits up and we drove in the rain to Shaker Village anyway. We found it and drove near it to take some pictures. It's really beautiful and I'm trying to stay positive by telling myself I WILL come back there again!

We headed to Portland Maine to do some shopping and eat lunch at the Green Elephant (lots of green animals here!). The menu here is all vegan and vegetarian! That was pretty nice. I got a really great hot and sour soup and a ginger beer.

The stores were really cute and I bought a skirt and two dresses from resale shops. I've really gotten into tropical prints lately. Is there such thing as too tropical? Hm, maybe in Wisconsin. Oh well.

It was misting rain all day long and I think we might have wandered more in Portland if the weather were nicer, but I still feel like we got a great taste of the place.

On our way back we drove around York, which is a really cute touristy town. It reminded me of an old fashioned boardwalk. We also were reminded of how glad we are that we're here just before tourist season starts! These places would be cah-razy in the summertime!

York is where we found a great place to park and take a walk near the ocean. The rainy, windy day made the ocean really beautiful.

 After freshening up for dinner we drove into Portsmouth to The Friendly Toast. The decor was SO awesome and I wanted to take a bunch of stuff home with me! I ordered the Granny Melt - swiss, cheddar, apple slices and brown sugar carmelized onions on a croissant. It was heavenly as was my side of onion rings. I also ordered a mint cocoa. It came with a CUP of marshmallows and a BOWL of the most delicious whipped cream. So tasty.

Now we rest up for the long drive tomorrow. We're going to stay someplace outside of Pittsburgh.