Quick Catch Up

I mentioned a few blogs ago about wanting to learn how to make tulip sleeves.  That began my quest to search You Tube and Blogger for tutorials, only to come up empty.  

During a quick visit to my mom's, I asked her "Hey mom, by chance do you know how to make tulip sleeves?"  Not only did she know how, she made a mini pattern out of a paper napkin to explain the process.  I got the best tutorial ever.

Mammoth Way to End Summer Vacation

We had a last opportunity for a family vacation.  Mammoth Lakes, in Nor Cal.

We all went hiking and both boys were very excited to see this rock formation.  Alex, was eager to teach his old mom all about this being the most perfect example of a Basalt formation.  He went on to explain how they are formed.  Eli chimed in here and there.  I couldn't retain any of it, other than what I already stated. It doesn't look like a mammoth sized formation, so I added something to help put it to scale.

 Eli is at the very bottom of this Basalt formation, better known as the Devil's Postpile.  The hexagon stone chips are larger than my kid.  You wanna know what else I remembered?  My legs almost falling off climbing to the top of the rocks. There is a path, so no rock climbing necessary.

After the coming down from the rock formation we continued our hike.  We kept on the main trail until the roaring water called us closer and off the beaten path.  The powerful river shot a cool mist upward that was refreshing after the mammoth climb.

Our final destination was Rainbow Falls.

A semi-family pix after the hike.  

Of coarse I had to do some shopping.  I'm a "baller on a budget", so I went into a thrift store. I found this basket that holds my towels nicely.

My daughter found this handmade mirror.  Super cute.

My Birthday

 Yesterday (8/1) was my birthday.  Happy Birthday to me, Happy birthday to me, Happy birthday dear....  Ok, ok, you get it.  It was also a HOT & HUMID day, so we vegged out all day in our non air conditioned home.  Several hours and showers later, my honey came home from work and we

got dressed to enter a nicely air conditioned restaurant for dinner.  BUT, before dinner, I had to take pictures w/my munchkins.  

  They are so cuuuuute, and no longer munchkin size, but they will always be My Munchkins.

My honey and I

No pictures during the feast, but I snuck in a shot of my two photo friendly munchkins.

Alex, is anti-photography and covered his face every time I tried to capture him.

The picture taken below was taken by Eli, so I had to include it.  I thought he did real good.  The pix is centered, my head is not cut off and he got a candid shot.  

Thanks honey for taking us out to eat to beat the heat at home.  I had yummy steak and shrimp.  Any family members probably just gasped.  Yup, I ate shrimp.  It had lots of seasoning, so no fishy taste.  The texture was gummy so I chose to ignore it and swallow quickly.  I don't think I will do it again, but I can say, I tried shrimp.  The steak was perfect.

Watching re-runs of the Big Bang Theory before going to bed.  Sheldon is a crack up with his smart, awkward, inflexible, close minded self.

Family is all I needed on my B-day.  Thank you Jesus that I also received an out pouring of calls from my beloved sisters, bro, and many birthday wishes from friends on FB.

Oceanside, CA

My hubby had a mini family get together after receiving a call that a few of his cousins from Colorado and Florida came to Cali.  We met @ an Oceanside beach near his auntie's house.  After many hours of playing in the water, the kids returned to their comfort zone...video games!

My older kid hangs out with the adults now and they kicked the soccer ball around.  Alex and my hubby were too quick w/their dribbling skills for me to catch it on camera.  I'm not sure if it's even called "dribbling", but it's that thing where they bounce the ball on their knee, kick it w/their feet and mix it up (from foot to foot to knee to foot, etc.) until they drop the ball.

The pier during sunset was a must.  I never grow tired of the beauty of a sunset.

What dad and son were talking about is anyone's guess.

The after glow of the sunset.   Breathless.

Finally a pix of the couple that made those beautiful kiddos.

Where's Waldo (AKA: Sabrina)?

My big girl couldn't come along because she had to work, and is too responsible to call in with a ....cough, cough, sniffle, cough.....sick.  

Simple Summer Smock

I purchased this inexpensive quilting fabric this past winter.  I am a fan of paisleys, so it won me over.  I made this simple summer smock blouse that I can wear around the house as I clean & do the mom things this summer.  because it is not fitted, it's comfy and it'll be a nice change to my customary T-shirts once in a while.  I used the fit of another similar blouse to make my brown paper bag pattern.

Brief intermission:  I remember my mom carefully opening up brown paper grocery bags to make her own pattern pieces.  I went back to what I knew and did the same.  All it took was four pattern pieces.  This design is an ode to my mom's old Mexican aprons.  Ok. back on track.

I like that a simple belt can make this lazy summer top transform into something chic when I step into the world..... to lets say....run errands.  I would feel confident if someone I knew ran into me out there if my waist was girded.

The design is so comfy that I want to buy softer fabric and make a simple smock dress w/a braided belt...when I have to go out in the world.  

My next endeavor is....learning how to make tulip sleeves.

Adios

Soooo Sad :'(

Well, apparently nobody wanted to enter my giveaway.  I'm so sad, cuz my work is so good & I take lots of pride in my craftsmanship.  Oh, well.

Goya Designs at etsy is closing it's doors.

Signing out.

Have a Happy Friday everyone.

Goya Designs' Farewell Give Away

My Etsy shop, Goya Designs is closing soon.  I thought of hosting a Farewell Give Away.  The winner will win a Grab Bag by GD, so the content won't be discovered until the winner receives it in the mail and opens their surprize :)   Now, if in the future, Goya Designs is meant to have a rebirth, then so be it.  Enough about that, lets get to how to enter to win.

To enter, tell me what you or someone u know has done to make a good-bye a positive experience (in the comment section).  If you are not registered on blogger, then you will need to open a free account before allowed to leave a comment in the comment section, thus before entering for the chance to win the grab bag.

Entries begin today and will close on July 14th @ 10 pm (Pacific Time).  The winner will be picked randomly by the number generator.  I will announce the winner on July 15th here.

Lots of love,

Gloria