don't be a boob

It is coming up to my 5 years, post atypical cell growth in my right booby. 

Cancer.  

I'm not to worry because they said it was clean margins when they removed a 2"x 4" part of my tit.

So, why do I worry?

Because I'm a nurse and I deal with cancer diagnosis' every day.  What I do know is that cancer is never cured, you are never a winner. if you live long enough it comes back.  Maybe not in my boob....but probably somewhere else.

When I went through all this, I did it pretty much alone.  I did not want to worry my family. To this day, my kids still don't know. I waited until the surgery to tell my other half.  Post surgery I was to start chemo and do mammograms every 6 months.  I did a bit of soul searching and with talking to my oncologists,  opted to not continue treatment.  The answer was that it is a 75% chance that it will return within 5-10 years with no treatment.  Because it was a clean catch and not ductal or lymph nodes I chose to not participate.  It's been fine. 

5 years is January.

 ( after the surgery .... this was called a breast saving mastectomy....they take a big scoop out and leave everything else.  Mine was not ductal , I was lucky)

This past few months I have noticed a lump in 

the same breast.  But not too big.  I have lumpy boobs anyways so I am not going to stress until the new year when it is time for my mammogram.  

For people who aren't aware ....here is what you can look for in breast changes

No need to worry....

But I do worry.  I have some underlying bone pain in weird places, I have lost a bit of weight and I have a weird feeling.  (yes a weird feeling).

I will make an appointment with the dermatologist, pretty sure I need some business on my pasty skin corrected too. 

5 years.  

I'm going to just go with it.  I guess the best advice is to cross that bridge when I get there.  I'm not sure I can walk across that bridge alone this time.   

I'll just hope for no bridge....zip.... 

clear my mind....

don't worry

my boobs are real....but this is funny

write ya later, 

m

How to recover a patio cushion

So gross...like many things around here right now...after the neglect everything in my house has had for the past 2 years (nursing school) I decided to get my arse in gear and

start tidying up. The girls put the final kybosh on this nasty porch swing cover last weekend ...RIiiiPPPPPpppp. I decided to recover it. I know, you are thinking gross, she should just buy a new cushion. But it's fine...our butts go on it...it doesn't have to be perfect.

I bought the "Outdoor Fabric" on the long bolt...60"

on sale at Hancock for 6$ a yard...bought 2 yards

Lay your cushion on there and do a quick measure. I am old enough now where I like to just "wing it".

Now for the width of the fabric. My swing and cushion were about 48 inches long with a 2" thickness. I cut the fabric to 52" wide (from the 60" width fabric), that's 48" + 2" thick on the left + 2" thick on the right = 52 inches (that should leave plenty for seam allowance).

(really you can just lay it out and cut...you can make width corrections as you sew)

Cushion laid out, fold over once then over so it is about 1/3 over the top again...overlapped.

We are going to make a great big cushion envelope.

On the edges that are on the long parts of the foam, we will make a tidy "Hem".

First part of the sewing I did was to hem the edges. (these are the long edges)Fold once 1/4" iron, fold again over the 1/4 inch iron, pin and stitch. this will make the edges purdy.

Now for the short edges of the cushion.

oooh all ready looks better. I cut off the the edges, so that it will leave me enough room to stitch the "short sides" of the cushions together. Once you figure this out(this is the length of cushion plus the 2" on each side, like I said above) you want to turn your fabric right sides together, wrap it around the cushion again to make sure it will be snug in the little pocket and pin.

...see how there is 1/3 fabric hanging out? that is the "envelope part" which will fold over. When you are ready to sew up the sides, make sure you sew the right sides together. I pinned first, made sure it was snug then stitched...perfect...so far.

Now we are going to attempt those fancy box corners. I used some help from Craftapple so go and check it out for the corners...its really easy and makes a world of difference in looking neat and tidy. After you stitch the "pocket" and your cushion /foam fits snuggly in there take it out. Find one bottom corner, and turn it to a triangle like the picture (still inside out)...go look at Craftapple quick!

I made my box corner 1 1/2 inch down from the point. I just measured with a ruler.

draw a straight line to make a nice triangle...evenly and straight . This is what you will sew.

straight across...there you have it...magic...turn it right side out, take a celebratory sip of beer and admire your work, because no one else in your family will appreciate that box corner like you will!

so beautiful!!! look at it!

Now we will do the same with the other corner...good luck. :) should be easier now.

After those are done I turned it right side out and put the cushion in to see my progress. Looks nice, now we have to do the fold over envelope part. This part is easy.

From the point where the "envelope part sticks out. double hem again. Fold 1/4", iron, fold 1/4" pin and sew...nice and tidy.

Do both sides (width sides)

Now here is where I winged it again. Wen I folded it over after hemming I thought it looked nice, but maybe it needed box corners here too.

Because after you but the cushion in it looks kind of flat where it folds over... so I thought, why not...

lets try a box corner here. This is hard to show in pictures but right where the "envelope" folds over I pinned 2 1/2" down and sewed right sides together...on both sides. making a hem just like the top, made the triangle again, sewed straight across. and voila...another 2 box corners.

Remember right sides together.

and lookie here.

good job

that's about it. The fold over part I closed with buttons, but botton holes are an entire new tutorial ...you could use velcro, or nothing. It stays flat, because it is under ...you know, its the bottom...who's gonna see it? Now you have the swing cushion cover...

your porch and butt is happy :)

Mod Baby Burp Cloth Tutorial

I'm one of those people who love to make things for people (when I have time.) You see I'd much rather give a gift from the heart than a gift from Walmart, so I started making these little Mod Burp Cloths for an easy baby shower gift.


what ya need for the project:
6 (comes in a package) prefolded birdseye diaper cloths
1/2 yard ( yard total) of 2 types of 100% cotton fabric (something easy to clean...washable)
thread
sewing machine
iron
***these would look great with How about Orange's new fabric***
a couple of podcasts and a beer if you like
This can all be done in about an hour and a half.


1. I like to wash everything first, so that it is clean and ready for the baby.
Plus the 100% cotton diapers shrink quite a bit.


2. After washing, iron the heck out of the fabric. It makes it so much easier to work with.



3. I started with a template of 4 1/2" by 20" because that is how big the center stripe of the diaper is...but after washing, the diaper shrunk about an inch...but this project is so forgiving you can fix it as you go. I like easy...so, we will adjust as we iron it and then sew it to the diaper. (remember, this is for a burp cloth, not for the Martha Stewart Show)



see, it has little lines all ready in it...just make sure your fabric fits in the middle of those.


4. Cut out, using the template. You need 6 total strips of fabric. I used 3 of each kind because it looks cute when you put them together...go ahead and cut out more...because you will want to make more.

5. Next iron 1/4 seam allowance around the sides. Remember, this is forgiving...so no measuring...just fold and iron. I start with the long side, then the bottom , then the long side then you can adjust the top to fit onto the diaper.


I mitered the corner by just snipping the corner and re-ironing to make it lie flat.
This is going to fit in the very middle of the diaper, which all ready has the lines laid out for you :) (told you this was easy.)



6. Now head to the sewing machine.
I picked a color thread which matched the fabric. It shows on the opposite side so you could even do white it you wanted nice clean looking backside, but I like the look of the stitch on the underside.


As you sew, sew close to the ironed edge and as you go along try and keep it on the middle area of the diaper (pin it). long side, bottom, long side then you can adjust as you go if you need to. You will be fine...burp cloth...nothing fancy .



7. cut thread..look and smile...now fold it into thirds and iron it nice and pretty.

5 more to go, a little ribbon and you are the star of the party ( I think anyways)

have fun, I love this project and after all the gifts are opened and in the nursery... you will be remembered every time there is a burp involved.

write ya later
m

Skull book cover

Because I couldn't let the kid go to school with a paper bag on his book or Lord forbid the purchased book cover...we made a hip happenen' perfect for the Hot Topic back to school gear cataloge ...

I was thinking...Hey I need this on a Tshirt...why am I always making crap for other people?...ok it is my kid, doesn't count.

The Book cover looks like a pillow huh? just realized that in the photo.

But it's actually pretty cool.

1. find the material you want to use.

2. Lay the book on top and allow for 4 inches extra on each side of the book and an additional 1 inch top and bottom.

3. I hemmed it with a normal double 5/8" hem all the way around.

4. Do one side first...Fold( right sides of fabric) over the 4" on one side pin and stitch at top and bottom.

5. Turn right side out and put on book.

6. make adjustment and pin other side of book so that it is tight, but so that you can close the book...(remember you have a binding on the book!)

7. Stitch other flap of book right side together to make the part you slide the book cover into....turn right side out.

at this point it should fit the book,somewhat tight, make adjustments on top and bottom if needed...If you measured correctly it should fit pretty good.

***we decided it looked kind of plain so I took a piece of craft felt and pieced together a skull and crossbones and sewed it on with contrasting thread. You could hand stitch or sewing machine.

I just winged this, so I'm sure you can do it also...It took about 45 minutes max from start to finish and it's not super fancy...just plain old cool
write ya later
m