So, where did I go? First, I had to get cat food and then I was off to the fabric store. I was disappointed that I couldn’t get to the local quilt shop because they are only open part time so I had to make an exception and go to JoAnn Fabrics. I had no choice because I have to get serious about my sewing and needed to get supplies.

You see a long, long time ago my friend and colleague, Pam Damour, and I challenged each other to a one yard decorating contest. We thought it would be fun to present our projects at the Original Sewing and Craft Expo in Tampa, Florida. But the truth is, the expo is next week and I only have a few things completed. (Oh, how it seemed like such a good idea at the time…)

When I got to the store, it was abuzz with excitement. Many people were gathering up things to do during the “Blizzard, Part Two.” I couldn’t help but over hear their plans. One lady was buying some beautiful fleece to make dog pillows. Another was starting to work on her daughter’s prom dress. So many ideas!

I got my fabrics and such for the two remaining rooms to I have to decorate: the living room and the bedroom. I also have to finish the teen’s room but I didn’t need anything more for that. I’ll design the projects tonight while watching American Idol while the snow continues and continues and continues…

The anticipation of snow means for me an exhaustive exploration for new recipes to try, a trip to the grocery store to gather all the ingredients, and of course, plan a project or two. My snow storm rules are simple: Make sure all of the bird feeders are full; the food I prepare has to make the house smell good; it has to the first time I made the dish, and the project(s) have to be just for fun and not for work. All is well with the recipes and the bird feeders, but the rule with the project isn’t as easy to abide by as it may seem. You see. I have been writing and designing how-to home decorating projects for most of my career. To paraphrase an old Xerox ad, “I live and breathe this stuff!”

I have always enjoyed the fact that I can see something; figure out how to make it, and in a day or so have my own version of whatever it was that caught my eye. Most people sing in the shower. Not me (that’s too simple). I recite concise “sound bites” explaining the steps or techniques of my current project. Then I challenge myself to write the step-by-step instructions explaining what I did. If that’s not bad enough, I now have to illustrate the to steps (I am teaching myself Illustrator). Whew! Can you see my dilemma while trying to do a project just for fun?

Whether it is for fun or work, it is my passion to share everything I can about DIY decorating (especially sewing). This is my mission in life. Hopefully this blog, my projects, videos, books, and patterns I write and produce will inspire you to try new things and have great success. We’ll all learn together…

Let it snow!