Getting Closer

As of today, we are 29 days out from our next trip to Walt Disney World.  I'm getting more excited by the day, but I have so much to get done in the next month.

I've been working on designing tip envelopes for Mousekeeping. and am pleased with what I have so far.  I think I've done a total of 10 envelopes, although I only need six.  I also decided to do some cast member thank you cards.  These are examples of two that I've done.

I've also been sewing, and have finished two new wristlets - One themed Beauty and the Beast, and the other is a Bright Pink Floral with Minnie Mouse.  After a quick clean up of my sewing area, I've going to start a couple of cross-body bags with a Disney theme.  Check out the shop.

What a Mom Won't Do For Her Kids

Daughter Mary and her family are huge fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Jimmy jokes that he's caught more baseballs at games than he has caught fish in his lifetime.  We're talking serious fans here!

When Mary discovered that MLB had released approved fabrics for the teams she asked if I would make her a wristlet (she would order the fabric).  I said sure, I've made dozens of the wristlets that you see in my Etsy shop and figured it wouldn't take much time at all.  The fabric is really impressive. And before I had a chance to start on the wristlet, Mary looked at me with her big brown eyes and in her sweetest voice said, "What I'd really like to have is a cross body hipster similar to my Vera Bradley one."  How does a mom say no?   I've yet to figure that out.  I had a pattern for a cross body hipster that I bought from Dog Under My Desk, but always figured it was to difficult.  But for my daughter . . . .  So I printed out the pattern, and started working on the bag.  I spent one day just cutting out the pattern, the main fabric, the lining, and the interfacing.  Tuesday, I fused all the interfacings onto the fabric, and double checked that I had all the pieces.  I also hunted out the zippers and prepared them for the bag.  Today I started to sew the bag.  I have the outside done and it's ready to attach the straps.  Tomorrow, I will make the lining and hopefully finished the bag.

I don't think it looks too bad for my first try.  The second bag will most likely be less difficult and go faster.  It's been interesting, and I have to admit, it's been fun.  But don't tell Mary, I want her to think it was a difficult task of love!

Some of My Favorite Disney Food . . . Ooh It's So Good!

Since I'm not a roller coaster fan, I spend most of my time at the shows around the park and thinking about the food.  One of our must-do places to eat on every trip is the Kona Cafe located in the Polynesian Resort.  Most of the people in our party love the steaks there, but I'm more of a chicken person.

On the one occasion that we had lunch there, I got the Polynesian Plate lunch.  It was coconut chicken with sticky rice and macaroni salad.  I loved the macaroni salad and the chicken, but didn't eat the rice.  When we go for dinner, I have to order the pork pot stickers, and I do get the steak for dinner. The pot stickers are served with a ginger sauce, and although I'm not a big fan of ginger, I like this sauce.  And the banana-chocolate creme brulee is to die for.  

Another of our favorite places to eat is the Captain's Grille at the Yacht Club Resort.  On our last visit, I ordered their gnocchi appetizer. They are house made potato-cheese gnocchi served with toasted walnuts, julienne pears and truffle butter.  I thought it was food for the gods!

For my entree, I chose the snow crab legs served with new potatoes and corn on the cob.  The crab legs nearly covered the plate, and that was OK by me.  

So there you have my selections from two of our favorite dining places.  More picks in another post.

Beating the Heat

We are preparing for our next Disney vacation, which will be in September.  September is certainly NOT my favorite month to travel to Florida, but we got preferred rooms at Riverside with free dining. So it was a no-brainer that we would go then.  We plan to leave the day before Labor Day, so Rod will only have to use 4 days vacation as we return home Saturday evening.  Now I just have to figure out some ways to beat the heat.

Let me just say that I have never been in a pool at Walt Disney World.  Because of my weight, I am embarrassed to be seen in a bathing suit.  I do have one, I just never pack it.  The twins have tried to convince me that this year, since I will probably never see the people who see me at the pool, I need to pack that suit.  I'm thinking on that.  I do have to admit though, that it would be nice to relax in some clear, cool water in the afternoon heat.  So, maybe,

I've made some neck coolers, which I may put on my Etsy site.  They are made of cotton and are filled with polymer crystals.  You soak them in water overnight, and the polymer crystals swell and when you put them around your neck, they really do help to keep you cool.

 I also want to purchase a cooling mist fan - it's a spray bottle with a fan attached.  This one is available at Walmart.  I'm thinking that I might need to figure out a pattern for a holder that I can hang on the handles of my scooter.

My favorite way to keep cool in the parks is to visit the indoor shows that are air conditioned.  In Magic Kingdom, it's that Hall of Presidents; in EPCOT, it's the American Adventure. Both of these are great places to sit and cool off, and Rod and the twins can attest that they are both great places to catch a short nap.  I know that a lot of people don't care for the Living with the Land ride in EPCOT, but I love it.  Not only is it a nice cool boat ride, but you get a chance to see some really innovative ways that Disney is growing vegetables.

Have a great weekend, and keep cool.

Sometimes Revisions Must Be Made

I was so proud of the Busy Buddies that I had made and listed on my Etsy shop.  But after my grandkids played with them, I felt that they just weren't what I wanted. The pencils kept falling out, and my grandson had trouble with the loop and button.  So I searched for other ideas and modified them to fit what I wanted.  Now, the new ones, which I call Crayon Wallets are in the shop.  They are more compact, and there is room for a 6" ruler in addition to the crayons, notepad and pencil that were in the former ones.

I'm more pleased with them, and they are "grand kid approved".

I want to make 4 quilt blocks for the quilt along that I joined, and then I'll get on to my next project.

It's a Newsy Day

Today is a news day.  First of all, I'm doing a happy dance today.  After one month with my Fitbit, I am down 9 pounds.  I wish it were more, but they always say that losing slow is better.  So, I'll take it.

I think you know that I have a fabric addiction.  This past week, I've been working to restock some of the wristlets that have been out of stock on my Etsy site.   Saturday I finished two Dumbo wristlets that have been out of stock since January and re-listed them.  I also finished two Winnie the Pooh wristlets which will be listed as soon as the zipper pull charms that I ordered arrive.  And today, I'm working on Tinkerbell and Alice in Wonderland wristlets.  I've always loved the Cheshire Cat, and will be making one of these for myself.

But last week I also received new fabrics for Bambi, Lady and the Tramp, Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Peter Pan and Captain Hook, and the Seven Dwarfs (really cute). Sew much sewing, Sew little time.  Keep watching my Etsy Store for more new items.

May The Force Be With You

My daughter, Kristin,and her family are huge Star Wars fans, and especially love everything Darth Vader.   So when her family decided to go to Walt Disney World with us on our last trip, we knew that we had to get the kids signed up for the Jedi Training Academy.  The morning we were doing Hollywood Studios and wanted the kids to do the Academy, Kristin and the kids arrived at the park for rope drop and headed straight for the Jedi Training Academy.  The spots fill up quickly, and there was quite a line already.  But they were registered and given a time to return. They took a Memory Maker photo op with the speeders in the Star Wars area, and toured the park while waiting for their return time.

When they returned at their given time, they were fitted for Jedi robes, and then marched as a group to the stage.  There they were introduced to the Jedi Master, who presented them with their light sabers and instructed on how to use them.  Each trainee was given the opportunity to practice with the master.  You have to be 4 years old to participate, and Jake had turned 4 only five days before.  He had a little trouble with his light saber getting stuck, and in this photo the Master is asking him if Mommy had instructed him to say he was four.  Jake told him that he had just had a birthday.  After practicing with the Master, each trainee was given the opportunity to battle Darth Vader.  Here is Izzy "taking down" Darth Vader.

The kids had a great time, and Kristin commented that she wished she could have participated.  Jake still talks about fighting Darth Vader.  With the Memory Package, you have the opportunity to take your photos and add borders.  I made Star Wars cards for both the kids.

If you are looking for something special for your kids to do in Hollywood Studios, check out the Jedi Training Academy.  You will have a great memory, and so will the kids.