Sunday, May 29, 2011

The Summer of my 53rd Year.

I've been enjoying a few days away from work and the world to just "be". Summer is almost here.... and its my 53rd summer. I'll never be 53 during the summer again, so I've decided to make it a good one. The best thing about summer is that it comes right before fall, which is really my favorite season. You know how Friday nights are fun because its the night before the weekend? Well I feel the same way about summer. Its the pre-fall season. Time to enjoy and savor each day.

So how can I make this a special summer? By stopping to smell the roses,zinnias and marigolds and picking a few to go in the dollar store pitcher/jug thing I bought; by making my first grown from seed and made from scratch Southern sweet pickles; by spending a satisfying morning in the garden deadheading and weeding; by savoring that first drippy delicious, home grown from seed tomato sandwich; by sewing some neat projects, both for myself and others; finishing up some crinkly, soft quilts; drinking coffee early in the morning while walking amongst the flowers and/or veggies... and I'll let you know what else.

Friday was just such a day to begin my 53rd summer. I sewed to my heart's content. I made myself some girlie things to make everyday life a little more feminine and special. I was alone.... all day.

Here are the results. A new zipper bag made from several black prints. There are zebra prints, polka dots, florals and other kinds of strips. I quilted these in the ditch and magically, the zipper I had on hand was the right size and went in perfectly.

I will use this in my pocketbook to hold money, my debit card, my drivers license, and library card.



I was on a roll, so I decided to make another one in this red and black cherry themed fabric. This one will hold tissues, and other small necessities in my bag.



I made myself a new bag with this black and white rose fabric. Its a very light weight bag. I didn't put any pockets in it because a friend gave me a new purse insert that I can moved from bag to bag in a flash! Imagine having several bags in all kinds of colors that I can change out on a whim! The purses will go together faster because I don't need to worry about adding pockets to the lining. They will be inexpensive because I have fabric scraps on hand or if I choose to purchase fabric, I will only need about 1/2 yard which will not cost much.

This is the first bag I have made for my 53rd summer!



Here's the inside which shows the purse insert. It divides up the bottom of the bag wonderfully with places to store checkbooks, a small photo album, and the new zipper bags above.



I was also in need of a new make up bag. I don't own or use a huge amount of makeup, but it needs to be stored neatly and out of the way. When the opportunity comes up to go away overnight, I can just grab the bag and go.

Some scraps of this cute green floral prequilted fabric were in my stash. I decided to make a basic bag without spending a lot of time on it. No pockets or zipper. It closes securely with two strips of velcro. The inside seams were made using the overcasting stitch on Big Brother. Its very light weight and I love the way it stows away underneath the bathroom sink. Before I had a basket that I had to drag out and put away after putting on my makeup. This little bag is so much more fun and convenient.



And did I mention it was fun to make and cost nothing?



I'm really happy with the beginning of my 53rd summer. How about you? Which summer are you going to be experiencing this year? Whether its your 16th, 30th, "yikes" 53rd or 75th, lets make it a good one.

I gotta go cook my pickles!

14 comments:

Rhonda said...

Hi Debbie
very nice sewing projects, all those pockets will make that handbag very organized.

This is also my 53rd summer too! but by Christmas, I will be 54.

Impera Magna said...

Love all the girlie things you made for yourself... hope your 53rd summer is extra special nice!

Unknown said...

Happy 53rd summer...your work is fantastic...they are all so pretty...Lisa

Auntie M said...

You go, Girl!! What a productive
celebration of the beginning of your 53rd summer you had.

I want to find one of those purse inserts. That would make changing bags for different ensembles so easy. That was a thoughtful friend who gave this to you.

This is my 76th summer so I had better get going to make the most of it. Hopefully, I can share some of it with you.

I loved this post.

Rhonda said...

Great projects! You did a good job on all of them. :) I turn 49 in July.

Cindy said...

I was at Rhonda's blog and I saw your title. This is also my 53rd summer and I am looking forward to it. I love the bag that you made, it looks like something that I have been contemplating making in my 53rd summer. I don't like for all of my purse stuff just to fall to the bottom of my purse. My hubby calls it the bottomless pit and it feels like it when I am searching for something. Thank you for those marvelous ideas, they are just what I've been looking for.
Hugs, Cindy

L said...

You made some beautiful items for yourself, Debbie. I hope you enjoy them and I hope you enjoy your summer as well. Here's to time to just be. :)

Susan said...

I like your philosophy! I just turned 46, so this will actually be my 47th summer . . . but I prefer to call it my 46th! LOL I like thinking about all the things you can do to make **this** summer a good one. I'll have to meditate on that.

Debbie J said...

Thanks Ladies! Just realized that technically this is my 54th summer, since I am already 53. Just having a senior moment I guess! Oh well, I don't remember that first summer, so it really doesn't count, I guess. LOL

Little Penpen said...

Ok, I think this will be my 49th summer, as I was born in July and will be 48 this year. Confusing, isn't it? ha ha I love your new bags and your little makeup bag is my favorite! I have been shopping for a new pocketbook for several weeks and just can't seem to find what I want. Lucky you to make your own in no time flat! I wonder where your friend found the pocketbook insert... that is the coolest thing ever to use with your soft bags!

Denise said...

What a great idea, as I get ready to begin my 47th (I just turned 46) I need to remind myself to "stop and smell the roses".

Today I'm gonna plant my new tomato plants, guess what kind......yup Mortgage Lifters, I thought how neat that I could find them since I hadn't heard of them until you told us about them!

Enjoy your day.

sara said...

Debbie, I love this post, it has so much positive energy about it and all your gorgeous sewn bags, a happy, happy post.

This will be my 53rd year too, but not until September.........I am an autumn baby.

Enjoy your 53rd summer, I will be catching up with you soon.

Lori Harris said...

Good post Mama!!! This will be my 31st summer! Summer is my favorite season - So it feels more like a Sunday to me than a Friday, because I know Fall/Monday is on the way! I love you! :)

Deanna said...

Very nice work. It sounds like you had a lovely day.

Glimpses of Home - first quarter of 2021

I made a list of my 2021 goals that I wrote down in the back of my planner.  Its time to review that to see how I am doing! But, here are a ...