The Friday 15

I'm gonna pop some tags
Only got twenty dollars in my pocket
I - I - I'm hunting, looking for a come-up
This is f****** awesome
~Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Thrift Shop 

I had twenty dollars in my pocket when I went to the thrift store today. I only spent $2.43 of it. Big spender, I am. When you're working on getting rid of things it doesn't make sense spending money on new stuff. But I needed a couple of supplies for some new tutorials and the thrift store is my go-to place for them.

Even though I brought in a couple new supplies (which will be turned around and sent back out after the tutorial) I did get another 15 things to go out the door:
Sold one item on eBay this week.
Donating 14 totally random things.
That makes 15.

But I'd rather post a picture of one of my little kitties instead of my pile of 15. The kitties started with me when they weighed four ounces each and now they are both are weighing in at just over one pound. They are so fun and cute.

Say hello to Cami.

Reykjavik, Iceland

It's Wanderlust Wednesday! Today we're talking about Reykjavik, Iceland.

Our suitcase that was taken from the Blue Lagoon in Iceland wasn't our first luggage mishap of the year. On the way back from our Spring Break trip it had made it's way from LAX to Puerto Vallarta instead of heading home with us to Boise. Got it back. Then it gets taken in Iceland at Thanksgiving? (We did eventually get it back. We weren't stranded in Iceland without clothes for the entire week. Yay!)

That's good because we needed our stuff. We had places to go and things to do.

Loved the minimalism in the hotel room. 

Found some yogurt and snacks in the airport store. Loved, loved, loved both.

Tasty hot dogs and delicious hot chocolate in Reykjavik.

The city was preparing for Christmas. I could even drop off a letter for the Icelandic Santa if I wanted to.


The best view of all comes if you climb to the top of this...

Where you can look out the top windows and see this...

 Beautiful Reykjavik.

How to Sew a Coffee Sleeve - Tutorial Tuesday

NOTE: THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN UPDATED TO USE AN ELASTIC HAIRTIE AND BUTTON INSTEAD.

I'm not a coffee drinker. Never have been and never will be. But hubby? Oh, yeah. While he loves his coffee, he has sensitive fingertips. He can't stand holding anything hot for long. So you'd think I would have made today's tutorial for him, right? I'm not sure he'll be thrilled with the fabric used so I guess not. But maybe, if he's good, I'll make him his own. But is it called a coffee sleeve or a cozy? Not a clue.

For this project you will need:

•  main fabric
•  lining fabric 
•  cotton batting
•  elastic hair tie
• button 
• Marking pencil
• Pins or Clover Wonder Clips
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread
• Rotary cutter
• Cutting ruler
• Cutting mat
• Template from here

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

An updated pattern - made with a button and hair tie instead - is now available in my Etsy shop as a digital download with the written directions, step-by-step photos, and printable template. Click to get your copy today!

Looking for a coaster for your coffee cup instead? Check out some of my other projects!

You can find the step-by-step how to tutorial for the homemade fabric coffee sleeve sewing project here:

Sew-In Sunday

“A person who is interrupted while performing a task takes 50% more time to complete it and make 50% more errors.” 
― David Brooks

I was thinking about this today. Every day - even on Sundays - I go to "work". I go into the sewing room, shut the door, and put on my headphones. Some days I work on figuring out measurements for patterns. Some days I film tutorials. Some days I get things listed on eBay. Some days I narrate the Cruising with Confidence book. Some days I write. And sometimes those things all happen on the same day. Yes, it's a 40+ hour a week job.

Hubby is pretty good about leaving me alone. He knows I will leave for work by 9:00 a.m. and will come out for a yogurt around noon. Then I head back to work until Dr. Phil comes on at 3:00. At 4:00 hubby heads for a nap and I head back to work until about 6:30 p.m. Now with the baby kitties my work schedule is all over the place. It seems to take a lot more focus to work on a project. It took me what seemed like forever to figure out measurements for my next projects.

 Even one of the kitties got tired and gave up.

Safety at Sea

It's Cruise Ship Saturday! Today we're talking about Safety at Sea.

“You're never perfectly safe. No human being on Earth ever is or ever was. To live is to risk your life, your heart, everything.” 
― Rick Yancey, The Last Star

Every time I hear about another person falling overboard from a cruise ship I think one thing. Stupid people. While sometimes the waters are rough, they aren't rough enough to throw you overboard. Still, you do have to be careful when on a ship.

Remember, you are on a moving vessel. Stabilization systems reduce the movement felt but do not eliminate it entirely. Walking is relatively easy when the ship is gently rocking but becomes much more difficult when the ship is really rocking. Watch your balance and be prepared to grab a handrail. Most certainly hold onto handrails when using the stairs during rough seas and be very careful when walking on wet decks. Even with rubber soled shoes a moving ship can be slippery. Being docked in port is no guarantee of absolute safety on deck. As careful as I am about walking I still slipped and fell on my bum after a rainstorm - while the ship was docked.

Other things unique to a cruise ship:

• Raised thresholds are everywhere. At the cabin bathroom and ship restrooms, at the doors to the exterior of the ship, at a cabin’s balcony, and at the fireproof doors in the hallways. Be extra careful crossing the thresholds as they may require a higher step.
• Cruise ship railings are 48” high. You can’t accidentally fall over with a railing that height unless you really try. Never sit on the side rails of the ship and don’t hold anyone, including children, up there either.
• Cruise ships have cameras everywhere. Unless you are inside the cabin you are probably being filmed. So be good.

Seeing a view like this is worth the small risk.

The Friday 15

“You sell off the kingdom piece by piece and trade it for a horse that will take you anywhere.” 
― Colin Wright, My Exile Lifestyle

Maybe that should be my eBay mantra. Sell off my junk and use it to buy my way onto a cruise ship. Maybe.

• eBay did well this week with five things sent off.
• Kiddo and I went through our duplicate pictures from the last 30 years. Shredded several hundred photos.
• I went through more fabrics and decided to discard the smaller boards I used to wrap the fabric. 100 boards are going away.
• A metal zipper, six plastic Easter eggs, and a leftover tutorial project are leaving.

Technically that's more than 15. Yay!

Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik, Iceland

It's Wanderlust Wednesday! Today we're talking about the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik, Iceland.

I'm not sure how our new black suitcase with colorful tape wrapped around the handle and the loud luggage tag could be mistaken for someone else's, but it was. They had our winter clothes with them and we didn't. And it was cold in Iceland during our Thanksgiving break.

At least it happened after our visit to the Blue Lagoon. Actually, technically it happened during our visit to the Blue Lagoon. A transfer from the airport to our hotel in Reykjavik included a stop at the famous Blue Lagoon. Very warm blue-looking geothermal pools were a super-nice way to get warmed up and relax after our long Idaho-to-Iceland flights. Many airport-to-Reykjavik city transfers add the Blue Lagoon so the place is prepared for tourists. They even have a baggage check right where the bus pulls up to drop you off.

We had read ahead of time that you are required to shower before entering the pools. Showering naked, that is. Nope, no swimsuits allowed during the shower. There are attendants in the locker rooms monitoring the showering. And monitoring that you are really dried off before stepping back to the locker room. Interesting.

But the water in the pools, oh my! Warm, bordering on hot. Full of minerals. Want super-soft silky skin? Try using some of the pots of silica found in the lagoon. Rub some of it on your face and body and you'll come away with skin feeling soft as a baby's bum.

The Blue Lagoon is one of those places that pictures where the pictures just don't do justice to the beauty of the place.

Such a relaxing day.

The relaxation ended when we went to pick up our luggage before catching the shuttle to our hotel. The luggage that had been taken by someone else. An extensive search of the luggage storage area came up empty. So off to the hotel with nothing but the clothes on our back. Let's call that an adventure.

Sew a Fabric Lanyard - Tutorial Tuesday

Tutorial Tuesday sometimes becomes more difficult than planned. On days like today when one of the kitties is sick and has to go to the doctor, on the same day when hubby had his home visit from a doctor, on the same day the three garbage trucks come through the neighborhood for the composting can, the recycling can, and the regular can. Trying to record a video and voice over is downright hard on days like these.

Today's project was a lanyard. Quick and easy.

Looking for more quick and easy ideas? Check out these projects!

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Find the step-by-step how to tutorial for making your own homemade fabric lanyard right here:

Sunday Sew-In: Project Preparation

“I feel like every project I work on is a dream project, so long as I am learning.” 
― Simeon Kondev

Today's Sew-In wound up being a preparation day. I sketched out measurements and directions for eight different projects. Even got the fabrics cut for them! Guess Tutorial Tuesday is going to be a busy one.

Why so many different projects each week? Because I have some new books in the works and I need some step-by-step photos and videos to accompany them. A fun time!

Cruise Ship Muster Drill

t's Cruise Ship Saturday! Today we're talking about Muster Drill.

“I am repeating... It's not a drill,... It's real....” 
― Deyth Banger

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires all passengers attend a muster drill within 24 hours of sailing. Like practicing a fire drill in school, a muster drill is a practice for an emergency. All passengers are required to attend. No matter how busy you think you are or how young your children are. No matter whether you are in a wheelchair or walk with a cane or dislike crowds. No matter how many times you’ve worn a life jacket in your life. No matter how many cruises you’ve been on before you must attend the muster drill.

Muster drills are held in the muster station, an area on the ship where passengers gather in case of emergency. Muster station information is located on the back of stateroom cabin doors and is printed on cruise cards.

Green signs around the ship indicate the way to muster stations.

An emergency broadcast alarm is sounded to call passengers to the muster stations for the drill and for a real emergency. This piercing alarm consists of seven short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship’s whistle. Upon hearing this alarm go to your designated muster station. Some cruise lines have life vests in cabins and require you to bring them to muster and some do not. Be familiar with the muster drill procedure on your specific ship by reading details in the first day's paper and listening to the directions of ship personnel.

When entering the muster station cruise cards are scanned by muster personnel. Scanning of cards by the electronic system assists crew in determining the attendance of passengers. At muster a presentation is made on what to do in case of an emergency. Do not even attempt to get out of the muster drill. We have had real-life emergency situations happen on cruise ships. In case of evacuation it is crucial for you to know where to go and what to do. It is in your best interest to take the muster drill seriously!

Other things to know:

• Elevators cannot be used during the muster drill or during a real emergency.
• If assistance will be needed in a real emergency let your cabin steward or the passenger services desk know so arrangements can be made. Special personnel are designated to assist passengers needing additional help.
• Depending on the ship your muster station may be located outside by the lifeboats or somewhere inside the ship. Some muster stations have no seating and others have limited seating. If you are unable to stand for a long period of time let personnel know. If yours is being held indoors consider going to the muster station a few minutes before the scheduled time so you can secure a seat. The elevators will also be working beforehand.
• Ships have enough lifeboats (and then some) to accommodate all passengers and crew.
• Cabin stewards are responsible for checking each cabin. Don’t dawdle in your cabin during the drill.

Muster drills are something to be taken seriously. What would you do if the captain came on the loudspeaker and told passengers there was a fire in the galley and ordered all muster crew personnel to the muster stations? Would you know to get back to your cabin and dress warmly and pack a small bag with your medications like we did? Would you then know where to go to evacuate the ship? Would you know how to put on your life vest?  Every cruise we see people talking to others, texting, taking pictures, and even sleeping during muster. Don’t be one of them. We’ve sailed enough and had enough emergency situations happen on the ship to know how important the drills are.

The Friday 15

“That’s the only thing you can do with a mess. Start cleaning it up, a little at a time.” 
― Lisa Wingate, The Sea Glass Sisters

I certainly don't have a mess. But the fact that I still can find things to get rid of on Fridays tells me I still have too much stuff.

Today's 15:
Three eBay items.
Four stuffed fabric carrots.
One clipboard.
One bag of embroidery floss.
Five packs of candlewicking thread.
One box leftover from slides.

See ya later, stuff!

Yukon Suspension Bridge, BC, Canada

It's Wanderlust Wednesday! Today we're talking about the Yukon Suspension Bridge in Canada.

(If you would rather watch a video instead of read this posting, take a look at this video here.)

It might seem strange to get off a cruise ship in Skagway, Alaska and wind up in Canada just a short time later.

  Looking for more things to do on your Alaskan cruise? Check out some of the other things we’ve done!

Why come all the way to Alaska to just go into Canada? To conquer a fear of heights.

The population of Skagway runs around 1,000. During the summer season it doubles, but back during the height of the gold rush the population of Skagway was as high as 30,000. (I love the days when there is only one ship in town.)

A lot of passengers take the train trip when in port. The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad – built during the Klondike Gold Rush – is an “International Civil Engineering Landmark” and shares honors with the Eiffel Tower, the Panama Canal, and the Statue of Liberty. 

Since we’ve ridden the railroad more than once we now skip it and do other things.

On this particular day the other thing involved a passport to get into Canada. A Klondike, suspension bridge, and salmon bake tour. As our bus headed into the Yukon Territory we had beautiful views.

Our close up glimpse of a bear was so close I couldn't even get the whole thing in the picture!

While I did enjoy the scenery and wildlife, I really was taking this excursion to the Yukon Suspension Bridge to conquer my fear of heights. It certainly was the best place to do it.

See that bridge over the canyon? That's where I'm headed.

As I got closer, my heart started beating harder. I was scared.

 Once on the bridge you can look down and see the water through the bridge. Even scarier.

After making it across the bridge you'd think my fear would have abated. But I have to walk back across it.

I talked to myself all the way. What did I say? Oh God. Take a step. Oh God. Take a step. Oh God. Take a step.

This afternoon was the time to overcome my fear of heights. I walked all the way to one side of the suspension bridge and all the way back across the same bridge. No one to hold my hand, no one to cheer me on. Just me and my fears. (Did you know suspension bridges move when people walk on them? Yikes.)

The trip was worth it. Fear conquered and just look the view from the middle of the bridge. Spectacular! Would I do it again? Absolutely!