Going Off the Grid

Amongst my making lists, crossing off things on said lists, washing up things, packing things.. I wanted to say hello before I leave for 10 days as of tomorrow morning.  I know you're not supposed to put on your blog when you'll be gone, but just because I like to be real and tell you what I'm up to, we had a very good security system installed with cameras and we can check it from wherever we are from our iPhones. :-)  I thought you'd enjoy seeing my "pile" of things to load into the trailer.  My flower shawl project using Drops Alpaca - the colors of this are luscious.

My Shocking Pink Teddy Bear project, some KnitPicks Dishie cotton for knitting dishcloths, my basket of assorted "shtuff".

The latest Country Living with Jadeite dishes on the cover.. ohhhh.. my new vintage camp plate of enameled tin, my beloved Sourdough cookbook (I'll be making sourdough flapjacks (pancakes, hotcakes) while we're at camp.  I've got my sourdough starter fuzzing away in the kitchen right now.  My penny whistle, Cath Kidston chambersticks, my Winsor & Newton watercolor kit.. don't forget to remind me to grab some watercolor paper.... we're almost done packing!

My favorite project right now is my yo-yo centerpiece I'm working on.  I've always wanted to do quilting.. and this is the closest I've gotten.  I'm enjoying making these! 

 Story time.. I had some really good Mundial scissors I've used for years - but when I've tried to cut the cotton fabric for this project, it wasn't cutting all the way to the tip.  So, hubby goes.. hand them here, I'll fix them.  WARNING - BIG MISTAKE!  He takes one of the blades and BENDS it.. yes, he did.  So I try them out and now they're really not cutting well.  ::sigh::  So, I hop over to Amazon and order a new pair of scissors - and they are heavy, but cut all the way to the tip.  Moral of the story - never give your husband your scissors to "fix". :-)

I'm kind of surprised how few people seem interested in my yo-yo project.. :-)  But one person asked how I get them so uniform - this is how - you buy this nifty gadget for making them, made by Clover.  It's actually amazingly brilliant - you pop the 2 pieces together over the fabric, then cut around the circle leaving 1/8 of an inch of fabric around the edge.  Then you sew in and out of the little curved openings, then pop the cover off an pull the thread and it gathers up into the yo-yo.  Make a knot and VOILA! a yo-yo. 

They come in several sizes, but I like this small one. 

All of this yo-yo making stuff fits into this wonderful vintage basket purse/sewing basket that my sister, Roberta, gave me for a gift and I love it! 

My Stargazer Lily is blooming.. I'm amazed that it's over the roof!  I can see these from my lounge chair in the family room through the kitchen window which is divine. 

I wish you could smell these! 

I was one of the lucky winners on Joan's blog giveaway - do visit her at Pembrokeshire Lass.  She lives in a beautiful place and has such a philosophic viewpoint on life - I really enjoy reading her blog.  Thanks, Joan!!  When I use this tea towel I will always think of you and wish I could visit your beautiful land.

She also included this beautiful art card with a handwritten note.. what a sweetie!

Well.. I had better get busy - I have to run an errand, put a hold on our mail and hop to the grocery store for 3 last items.. hehe.  I'll miss you while I'm gone!  OH.. "Off the grid" means that you don't have any water, electricity or internet - which is what we'll be doing.  We'll be in our wonderful trailer, but this is a wilderness camp, no hookups.  See you when I get back.. and have a super week ahead!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)