Scissors!

Joann.com delivered! I got 2 rotary blades (one with the scallop blade for an easy scalloped edge on pleather, etc.), Fiskars with the spring loaded handle for easy cutting around curves on pleater or plastic covered lace (omg...these things are awesome...I'm cutting with the simplist flick of my wrist, almost before the blade touches the fabric), a pair of Gingher knife edge bent scissors for delicate silks, and a nice Gingher gift set for myself to get the longer Gingher scissor that's good for almost any fabric. My fingers and wrists are thanking me already...

I couldn't resist not using all of the scissors, so I made this scalloped pleather wallet to hold my cards and keys:


I must admit, the scalloped rotary blade was not so easy to use all of a sudden. Not sure why, but the wheel wasn't turning on the pleather or cutting through as easily. Must find out why. Maybe it needs more oil/lube stuff. Now I need to find some board for the table that can take these razor sharp edges! Maybe I'll get one of these.

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Eureka! I Like This Vacuum Cleaner

David and I just went to Bed Bath for an air conditioner, and came out with a Eureka vacuum (and towels, and a Nicole Miller bathrobe, and a new soap dish, and a new lint sponge thing...). I am in love with my new appliance. Not only is it small and green, like a Kermit, but it has the same power as my larger, more expensive upright Dirt Devil vacuum that hogs the corner of our bedroom collecting dust.

Being in a house of dogs, cats, fabric scraps and thread, the Eureka vacuum cleaner is my new best friend (in with the new, Aveda Smoothing Fluid). This is a great vacuum for apartments, as it's 1/3 less the width of a normal vacuum cleaner (which means, though, it holds a little less dirt), is $59.95 at Bed Bath, has an adjustable handle, and is much quieter and lighter. Many of you may already have this, so I'm a little behind the times.

Our bedroom is the only room with a carpet, but most of my vacuuming satisfaction comes from upsetting dust bunnies and sucking them into the plastic container, where they swirl around in what looks like a tall ice-tea plastic picture, until they meet their new home. The one drawback I have to mention is that it blows out air when the brush is off. Not sure why it does this, as it kicks up the dust. But just as oddly, the dust gets into this wind current and most of the time gets circulated back to the vacuum and vanishes in the suckage, but I could be using one of the settings wrong. I don't think I missed any dust bunnies.

Watch what the Eureka can do:

It's showing off now on the chair, to show you how easy it is to get up there and stay...

See it vacuum not only the chair cushion seat, but see how it snuggles in-between the pillow and the seat...

See how it sits in the corner like a good vacuum. Inspired by how well it did, I made it a cover. Oh dear is right. See below for the hidden world of vacuum cleaner covers...


Buy it now from Amazon, or cab it to Bed Bath for a possibly cheaper price.

A look into the world of vacuum cleaner covers from the Heartland

I hate when I go to clean, and there is dust all over the vacuum b/c there is no room in our closets to store the vacuum cleaner. So I Googled "vacuum cleaner covers" and got the following interesting creations:








Mine does not take the shape of a pig in ruffles, nor does it personify anything. It is more of a Casper the Friendly Vacuum Cover in cool fabric so that it can be just another piece of furniture in my room. It's a little too big. I need to take it in. My vacuum cover needs alterations. It’s not ready for prime time. But I’m thinking of having a “Vacuum Friendly” section on katie-james.com.

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Fun with Puffy Paint

I went to Lee's Art Shop for some spray mount, and came out with $75 dollars with of white glitter, iridescent glitter, pink glitter, jewelry making tools in a variety pack in case I'm overcome with the desire to make jewelry NOW, and puffy paint in contemporary markers (verses the accordion puffy paint that came in primary colors)! I was out of control, thinking I had not a financial care in the world, and took everything to the counter and checked out (you could probably get this all for cheaper online, but I was inspired.). Pebeo pearl touch puffy paints can go on walls, fabrics, lamp shades, vases, you name it!

Summer is a time for projects. I usually paint a room or keep a garden, and this year will be no different (although I'm a little tired of painting rooms). So, the first project will be attacking everything with the Pabeo pearl touch paint. I got more than a few colors, including a dusty pink, mint, olive green, and parma (no idea what that means, but it's a dusty purple). I grabbed a clear glass vase from the thoughtful flower arrangements David sometimes sends (birthday, going out of town, didn't do the dishes, etc.) that are accumulating under the kitchen sink with nothing to do.

The vase made a great palette! Aside from a few puff kaputs and overzealous squeezing, the paint went on like a globbing dream. And it smells like the arts and crafts room at summer camp. Took me ten minutes and is a great way to unwind in a quiet place while boyfriends watch loud samurai movies. No cleanup required, unless you smear your fingers in your painting, like I did.

And now let's all look at Dinah, because we haven't seen her in a while...


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