A Little Alpaca Love

I drive past a field of Alpacas every time I go into town. As I drive by, I always think to myself how much I love, love, love seeing them. So yesterday, I decided to stop and say hello.

They were happy to see me.


They made me laugh.


They had beautiful deep brown eyes.


Some folks will tell you that they're apt to spit, but not him, he just wanted...


...a kiss.

A Blossoming Valley

The valley is in full blossom. Everywhere you look, you see cherry blossoms, pear blossoms, peach blossoms and apple blossoms.

It's an exciting time of the year here in orchard country. The earth has been stirring from its winter slumber for weeks now, slowly awakening into the bright-eyed and bushy tailed blossoms that is spring. The sense of renewal is palpable.

There's also a tantalizing anticipation for summer to come and an eagerness to watch all the various trees go from delicate spring blossoms, to voluptuous summer fruits. And the fruit is sweet.

Last summer I remember stopping in at the Organic Grower's Association down the road to see if I could buy a few peaches. I asked him if they were super sweet and juicy and he got out his knife and sliced me a taste. They were. They only sold them by the case so of course, I bought the case.

We ate fresh organic peaches morning, noon and night. We'd even have them for dessert. You'd think one would tire of the same fruit day in and day out for weeks on end but we never did. I made a couple of peach pies with them but other than that, they were eaten as they came, plucked fresh from the tree they grew on.

Happy glorious spring and summer to come...

Bag Tag, Ornament, and Picture Holder - Oh My!

This project is so versatile. Attach it to your purse to display a picture, to your gym bag for id or to your holiday tree as an ornament.

Materials List:
Four 4 1/2 " squares cotton fabric
Two 4" squares heavyweight double-sided fusible interfacing

One 4" square light weight clear vinyl with tissue paper
Fabric glue
Two 1/4" grommets and tool
Ribbon
Coordinating thread

Trace a 3 1/2" circle onto both pieces of interfacing. Turn one piece of interfacing into a "donut" by drawing and cutting a 1 3/4" circle in the center. Cut out other circle. (Hint: I used Microsoft Publisher for my circle templates.)

Trace a 3 1/2" circle on the wrong side of two pieces of 4 1/2" square of fabric. Turn one of these pieces into a "donut" using the same technique as above.

Lay one 4 1/2" fabric square wrong side up. Place interfacing donut on top in center of fabric, then fabric donut - right side up - on top of interfacing. Use your iron to fuse. This forms the tag's front. Repeat with one 4 1/2" fabric square, interfacing circle and fabric circle. This forms the tag's back.

Trim extra fabric into a circle around donut and circle, leaving a 1/2" all the way around. Using fabric glue, fold and glue excess fabric around interfacing edges on both the circle and the donut. Let dry. (Hint: Fabric glue dries quick. Hold the pieces in place you move around the circle until they are dry.)

Section the fabric in the center of the donut into triangles by making several diagonal cuts (like a pizza). Cut up close to the edge of the interfacing trying not to cut the interfacing. Fold back your triangles to the wrong side of tag and secure with fabric glue. (Hint: Smaller triangles will make a more perfect circle.) Let dry.

Cut a 3 1/2" circle from vinyl. (Hint: Cut tissue paper in a circle also to help vinyl slide easily under your sewing machine foot.) Pin vinyl circle with tissue paper on back to wrong side of donut. Sew around inner donut circle using a 1/4" seam allowance. Remove tissue paper. Trim vinyl to 1/4" seam allowance. Sew around outer edge of donut using a 1/4" seam allowance.

Attach grommet to tag front and back following manufacturer's instructions. Top of grommet should be approximately 1/4" from edge of tag front and back.

Pin tag front and back together lining up grommets. Sew together along 1/4" seam allowance, leaving approximately 1 1/2" inches on both sides of grommet. (Hint: This is the opening for the picture, label, etc.)

Insert picture or label. Thread ribbon through both eyelets/grommets. Attach to your favorite bag!