When things go wrong, as they sometimes will

 I don't always get it right the first time. Sometimes no matter how much I try I never get it right. That's all part of life. 

To show I'm not perfect I'm going to put my mistakes out there for all the world to see.

First mistake was when I had decided to use iron on vinyl on wood. I had never done it before but not a problem. I looked for the time and temp needed. I painted my wood piece and added a sealer. Let me just say here that lack of patience is my own worst enemy. I failed to let this dry long enough. My mind told me that it was dry to the touch so that was good enough. I found out otherwise

Not only did the vinyl not stick but it made a terrible mess of the paint and sealer. I had to toss the whole thing and start from scratch.

The second mistake was when I made a cell phone bag for myself. I had already done 7 of these and could get through them without constantly checking the directions. I don't have a picture of the error just the finished bag.

Thankfully my mistake is not noticeable. There are two inner pieces and when I put them together to sew I had one panel facing the wrong direction. That means that you can see the backside of one of those panels instead of the front. It only shows on the inside middle pocket and the sides. Thankfully I did not make this mistake on the bags I did for orders. The worst part about this mistake is that when I was pinning the two panels together I questioned if I had it right or not but then decided I did instead of going to check the direction. Live and learn.

Out to lunch

 Since I have been off work I have been out to lunch more times than I have in the past 5 years put together. 

Tuesday April 8th I met up with two of the girls that I worked with. We went to a new place that just opened up across the street from the store where we worked. The food was good but the service was horrible. They really need to step up their game in that area. I had fries and a chicken parm sub. The fries had to be sent back because they were cold and they came way before my sub did. The sub was supposed to be a half and it was a whole. It was good though.

Two days later I had lunch with an old friend at Sparky's in Conneaut Ohio. It's a bar but they serve the most delicious food.

I forgot to take a picture of my food but I got a Rueben and onion rings. We met for lunch because she was bringing me fabric that she wanted me to use to make her four cell phone bags. 

A walk in the park

 Monday April 14th was a beautiful day with temps in the high 60's. It may have even reached 70 but I'm not sure. Then of course in true Northwestern Pa fashion, the next day was in the 40's and rain.

I took advantage of the nice day and took a short walk around the local park

It may be slow to arrive but spring is definitely showing signs.

While I sew

 I've said it before but I'm going to say it again, I've been spending a lot of time sewing. While I'm busy at the sewing machine

Gibbs curls up on the blanket and naps.

Week 45 drawings.

 Another week of drawings.

I did a thing

 If you follow me on Facebook you probably already know that I started a new Facebook page for my handmade items. I figured that I may as well post things on there and offer them for sale. So far I've only posted a couple things but I've been busy working on an order for 4 cell phone bags that a friend wanted.

I did post some hair ties and another cell phone bag that I made though.

This is only one but I posted a picture with a few different fabrics.

And this is the cell phone bag that I've shown here before.

I just discovered today a message on the page from someone asking for a price. Of course the price is in the listing but she apparently didn't see it. I need to find a better way of having people contact me. Even the comments they leave aren't always a guarantee that I'm going to see them. 

Any way, the page is called Handmade with love by Ann. I tried to do a screenshot of the page and insert it here but it's giving me problems and I'm not in the mood to figure it out. If you're on Facebook and want to follow by all means head on over there. Maybe this link will work https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574947143757

Dapper dog

 Gibbs is getting up there in age and isn't as restless as he used to be when he was a pup. He's still a dapper dog even if he is a little sleepy sometimes.

I made him a new bandana and he's looking quite handsome.

Happy Easter

On this Easter Sunday, I wish you all a day filled with joy and peace.

Today I will be...

I hope that however you spend the day, you find joy in the simple things.

oh my I almost fogot

I almost forgot that today was the day I was supposed to announce the winner of the drawing for the giveaway. 

This is what was up for grabs

There were 7 of you who asked to be included

Drum roll please

And the winner is...

Congratulations. I just need your mailing address to get this out to you.

Week 44 drawings

 Here's another weeks worth of drawings.

With tomorrow being Easter there had to some bunnies.

A new obsession

 My latest obsession is making wrap sandwiches in the air fryer. There are two that I make the most. A pizza wrap with sauce, cheese and pepperoni. The other is a tuna with cheddar cheese. After placing the filling on the tortilla, I wrap it up and put it in the air fryer for 5 minutes. 

Oh my, so yummy. Here is my pizza wrap

You need to be careful that the seam side is facing down when you put these in the air fryer. The one time I put one in and it must have rolled a little. I kept smelling something burning and when I opened the air fryer to check on it, the open edge of the wrap had blown up and was touching the top side. It got quite crispy but it was easily cut off.

Spa day

 Saturday April 5th, Gibbs was scheduled for a spa day. He was all excited about getting to ride in the car but he looked a little concerned about where we were going

When he gave me the sideways glance that questioned our destination I explained that we were going to Paws and Claws and reminded him that we had been there before.

They were taking longer than usual so I eventually called to see if he was done. The girl who is normally there wasn't working and I'm wondering if she still works there or not. When I called the transferred me to the groomer who said he was done and they must have forgotten to call me.

Why doesn't he look handsome? And he smells good too.

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

 I drive a 2015 Ford Escape. I'm 99% certain that the tires on it are the ones that came with the vehicle when I bought it brand new. The last few years I've been expecting them to tell me I need new tires when I go for yearly inspection.

The last several months, when I drive at a slow speed, the steering wheel shakes like crazy. My low tire pressure light has come on several times and I've been taking it to my son to put air in the tires for me. He mentioned how worn they were looking one of the times he put air in. It's gotten to the point where I'm not really feeling safe driving it.

I went on Walmart.com and ordered 4 new tires and set an appointment for them to be put on. The sale went through the appointment was set. Later I get a text saying it had been cancelled because the tires were out of stock. I went online and it shows they still have the tires. I call and talk to the guy who really was no help in explaining why I was even able to set the appointment if they didn't have them. He couldn't even give me an estimate as to when they would have them back in stock.

I did what I should have done in the first place. I called a local place that does specializes in tires. I told the guy what I wanted and he said that the tires I was going to get from Walmart are sold exclusively to Sam's club. He told me he had a tire that was comparable to what I was going to get though. He gave me a price for 4 tires with installation that came out to $73 less than what the price was at Walmart. I asked when he could put them on and he said the next day. I'll take it.

I didn't get a picture of the guy who kept me company while I waited but it was a great big dog who would come see me every time he walked in the room. It was supposed to take an hour and I think they had it done in about 45 minutes. Why I didn't call them to begin with is beyond me but I can guarantee that if I need tires in the future they will be my first call.

Just a reminder about my giveaway. There were several comments that didn't specify if they wanted in on the drawing or not. If you do want in please leave me a comment there saying so. I'll pick the winner Friday and announce it on Saturday.