In Honor of Labor Day

I like to work.
But I have learned the value of taking a break every so often, grabbing a good book and truly relaxing. Because of that, I have decided to take it easy this weekend.

Of course I will still get some work done. Life doesn’t stop, even for those concerned with relaxing and who have given themselves a cute french manicure.

I will be thinking of serene places such as this even while I am working and admiring my cute toes.
I can almost hear the toads ribbiting….

However, a major local historical site burned to the ground, and my editor has requested pictorial evidence.
Instead of the lakes and sunsets I had hoped for this weekend, I will be snapping shots of the charred remains, editing them and wishing that I had a newer version of Photoshop.

And if I need to, I can reminisce about this particular camping trip that happened a year ago about this time. I’ll recall the dewy blankets we slept under, the spider web infested community bathroom and the spiny backbone of a dead fish my big toe accidentally touched.
That will surely cure me, or at least keep me sane for a few more hours…
Hope you have a great Labor Day Weekend as well!

Sew Vintage Blank Note Cards

Biceps owned several vintage postcards P.R. (pre-Rebekah).
Neither of us knew what to do with them, and we revered them too much to actually use them as postcards.
But things are meant to be used in a practical way and not made to look at and clutter up my desk drawers.

Stitching Bicep’s vintage postcards onto card stock seemed like the next logical step in my strange brain.
You can do this with old photos, as well. As long as they’re weird. That’s my only stipulation.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your very own ‘Sew Vintage Cards’:
Old, weird photos or postcards
Vibrant colored thread
Scissors
8.5 x 11 Card Stock or pre-made blank notecards
Sewing Machine
‘Jean Needle’ (100/16)
Envelopes 3.5” x 5”
Pen
Ruler

If you don’t have pre-made blank notecards on tap, use card stock and make your own.
Fold your card stock in half and draw a line down the middle using your pen and ruler. Cut your card stock in half, making sure it fits inside of your envelope.

Dust off your sewing machine, slap in your heavy duty ‘Jean Needle’ and choose your favorite decorative stitch.

Test the look of several different types of stitches on a piece of cardboard, just to see what you are getting yourself into.
Once you’ve decided on a pattern you like, temporarily tape your photo/postcard to the card stock or your pre-made fancy note card with scotch tape.

Tack down two opposing sides of the photo/postcard with your preferred stitching method to prevent it from sliding around.

Sew around the entire perimeter of the photo/postcard, changing up the decorative stitch if you feel so inclined.

Using a straight stitch, take your time slowly stitching whatever crazy phrase comes to mind that compliments the picture. I thought that the phrase, ‘Miss You’ seemed appropriate.
Don’t get picky, get weird.

Decorate the flap of your envelope with a decorative stitch, as well.
Finally, choose someone you really love that deserves such a cool hand-crafted card. Sending them this piece of snail mail will surely impress them and make them have warm fuzzies.
If you need my address, just let me know….

Oh Cecilia, You’re Breakin’ my heart….

If you don’t know this song by Simon & Garfunkel…please click here.
Then come back here. Or else.
Well, Cecilia…you’ve done it again. You’ve broken another heart.

All I wanted were a few pictures of your magnificent landscaping, the sky blue pool, the uber private rooms, the sassy ‘member’s only’ lounge area….

I had no idea, Cecilia, that you were so exclusive and that even these shots that I had already captured were strictly ‘Verboten!’.

Yes, I felt the vibe from the yard crew as they gave me the stinkeye…but I had no idea, Cecilia, as to the reason why.

I was in love with you, my dear. From the cruiser rental bikes to the perfectly manicured lawn, you had captured my heart. And then, something horrible happened-something embarrassing.

As I snapped what would now be my very last photo of you, Cecilia, I was asked to leave…rather politely-but still-asked to leave, since we were not guests.
I turned fifteen shades of red.
Don’t worry my lovely Cecilia, when I am filthy rich and cruising through Texas once again, I will be back in your arms. And I will have forgiven you for shutting me out-for breakin’ my heart-because that is what true love is.

Sea Trails-My Huffy is Gone

Biceps bought me a bike years ago from a thrift store.
I loved her. Her name was Molly. She was orange, brown and beautiful.

Molly was the standard of inefficiency. With three gears and a metal frame, she lumbered over curbs and puttered up hills. She forced you to notice your surroundings, albeit slowly…very slowly.

Molly’s logos were starting to fade; but proudly displayed themselves as best as they could. I have always loved the color combo of yellow, gold, orange and brown.

Molly kept log of her miles and kept track of her speed. My favorite thing about her was the 242 original miles she had slowly explored during her life. What stories she could tell…

Her seat was as comfortable as a 2 x 4. The springs had lost their bounce, providing little to no cushion for my bony backside.
But, I loved her.

And then Lady Bike came into my life. There didn’t seem to be enough room on our back porch for these two rivaling bikes. The constant arguing between the new vs. the old upset me somethin’ fierce. I had to make the hard decision to let one of them go. We just couldn’t go on like this anymore.

Goodbye, sweet Sea Trails.
You were a good bike and I will miss your retro paint job, your speedometer and your curvy handlebars.
I will not miss my sore butt or my extremely tired thighs, however.
It was better for all of us this way.