The Simple Woman's Daybook 12/27'2013

FOR TODAY  January 20,2014

Outside my window...sunny and temperate!

I am thinking... about friends with physical needs/ .

I am thankful...for the people in health care positions . 

In the kitchen... I have meatballs and sauce in the crock pot.

I am wearing...denim capris, sandals and a grey top.

I am creating.... a baby quilt.

I am going...to take a long walk.

I am wondering... when my grand son and a friend will come home from the hospital.

I am reading... Stella Bain by Anita Shreve (I recommend it!)

I am hoping.... to finish some small projects up this week so I can start on a new quilt.

I am looking forward to...Going on a quilt shop trip Friday.

I am learning to ... .eat and drink before I am really thirsty or hungry. This keeps me from overeating!

Around the house...it is time to vacuum and  mop floors again.

A favorite quote for today..."Open your mouth only if what you are about to say is more beautiful than silence." Arabic quote



If you are interested in reading  posts by other people using the Simple Woman's Day book please enjoy this link. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

'Tis the Season of Gifting

I generally try to make many of my Christmas gifts and certainly enjoy trying to find the perfect gift to match the person I am gifting. This year my side of the family celebrated Thanksmas . I can reveal the gifts I worked on throughout the year!  

This pillow sham was made from left over pieces of a  Twister quilt that I made for my dear friend Vikki. A good book, cuppa coffee and the pellet stove will all help her get through the cold Maine winter as cuddles on the couch with her quilt and pillow!                          
 
Evidently I haven't uploaded the pictures of the other gifts but I will tell you that I made market  bags for my sister and in law, a laundry bag and jewelry pouch  for my niece, and a dozen pints of pickles for my soon to be  son-in-law! My nephew got  winter supplies including a  fold up shovel for  his car. Add some  snack mix and an assortment of Maine made mustards along with gift cards and my brother and brother-in law were covered!  Merry Thanksmas to all and to all a good night!

Snowman Hat

Second completion on this snowy day! I am making these sweet hats for some little gals I know. Truthfully, I have had this hat completed for awhile but I only just got around to adding the nose and eyes tonight!

Respectfully,
Harmony

Snowed In

We got well over a foot of snow today and it is still coming! I used it to my advantage and whipped up this fun table runner. It will be given as a gift, but I won't tell who is getting it!

This was my first attempt at the quilt as you go method and it was a breeze. If you are short on time and need a gift to truffle together, I highly recommend checking out Missouri Star's tutorial on YouTube. Click here to check it out.

Respectfully,
Harmony

FOR TODAY  December 13,2013

Outside my window...warm and dark.

I am thinking... about some of the activities I am missing in my hometown.

I am thankful...that I can keep in touch with friends and family via email and Facebook!

In the kitchen...I am headed to the fridge for jello and a banana.

I am wearing...jeans, a red top and green necklace and earrings.

I am creating.... a Spider Web wall hanging.

I am going... to get up early and take my walk.

I am wondering... when a package I am waiting for will arrive!

I am reading... A Perfect Christmas  by ????

I am hoping... the replacement charger for my Kindle arrives soon. I can not believe it was shipped to Maine!

I am looking forward to... spending  some time at my sewing machine this weekend.

I am learning to ...  make sourdough bread starter.

Around the house...I  need to finish putting up some decorations.

A favorite quote for today..." Try  with a little umph and you will triumph"  Unknown



If you are interested in reading  posts by other people using the Simple Woman's Day book please enjoy this link. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

template with image

FOR TODAY  December 27,2013

Outside my window...warm and dark.

I am thinking... about all of the people in Maine without electricity due to the ice storm last weekend.

I am thankful...that I have electricity!!

In the kitchen... I have fresh picked strawberries on the counter that I need to put away!

I am wearing...long black pants and a bright red top.

I am creating....pillowcases and leg warmers. 

I am going...to the local quilt shop tomorrow to check out the  pre-inventory sales!

I am wondering... what the weather will be like next week when company comes.

I am reading... Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlin (a favorite author)

I am hoping...I can figure out why my Kindle is not accepting my password! Grrrr.....

I am looking forward to... seeing Ryan,Lucretta and Andrew.

I am learning to ... drink BEFORE I feel thirsty.

Around the house...I have folded laundry that needs to be put away first thing in the morning.

A favorite quote for today..."Christ came so we might abundantly live.I am enjoying the abundance." Maya Angelou



If you are interested in reading  posts by other people using the Simple Woman's Day book please enjoy this link. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY  December 6,2013

Outside my window...warm and dark.

I am thinking... about how thankful I am to be able to live in FL during the winter.

I am thankful...that  we arrived safely  yesterday.

In the kitchen...I  have  stocked the refrigerator and cupboards.

I am wearing...my  summer pajamas!

I am creating....  the next round of Christmas gifts!

I am going... work in my flower garden tomorrow.

I am wondering... about how much "news" I am missing by not getting the hometown newspaper forwarded down here.

I am reading... The Valley of Amazement   by Amy Tan

I am hoping... the replacement charger for my Kindle arrives Monday as promised. I can't  believe it didn't get packed!

I am looking forward to... spending some time in the sunshine  this weekend.

I am learning to ... wear my " good" shoes around the house. I  don't want to have my feet hurt!

Around the house...I  need to wash the summer grime off my windows.

A favorite quote for today... I am enjoying the many Nelson Mandela quotes being posted  in remembrance of this gentleman.



If you are interested in reading  posts by other people using the Simple Woman's Day book please enjoy this link. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY  November 26,2013

Outside my window...it is the calm before the storm.

I am thinking... about taveling to my sister's for Thanksgiving.

I am thankful...that my husband encouraged me to rethink my travel plans for today. Deceptively slippery in many areas.

In the kitchen...I  have gathered the ingredients I need to take with me to prepare my contributions to the feast.

I am wearing...my  nightgown and sandles!

I am creating....  the next round of Christmas gifts!

I am going... to be on the road a lot!

I am wondering...if I am as prepared as I feel!

I am reading... The Valley of Amazement   by Amy Tan

I am hoping... the roadsare clear, the rain has stopped and the wind dies down so I can travel tomorrow afternoon..

I am looking forward to... spending time with the whole family, especially Jenna;

I am learning to ... knit using the Magic Loop technique.

Around the house...I have only a few more things to do before we head south Sunday.

A favorite quote for today..." Tomorrow, tomorrow , the sun will come out tomorrow"  Annie



If you are interested in reading  posts by other people using the Simple Woman's Day book please enjoy this link. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY  November 21,2013

Outside my window...clear, cold, and dark! It is 7:45 pm.

I am thinking... about Thanksgiving..

I am thankful...that I have been participating in a FaceBook activity  recording one thing I am grateful for each day this month.It has helped me focus on  my many blessings..

In the kitchen...I have a few dishes in the sink but I will do them up in the morning.

I am wearing...my jeans, a longsleeve top., and some earrings and makeup!

I am creating....  wrapped  gifts!

I am going... to start some Thanksgiving baking this weekend.

I am wondering...if the forecast  for next week will impact my travel plans.

I am reading..."The Christmas Quilt" by Emilie Robards

I am hoping... to get all of my packing done before next Monday so I can concentrate on  relaxing next week.

I am looking forward to... Thanksmas , seeing my niece and nephew, and going into Boston to see "The Blueman Group"

I am learning to ... check my lists more frequently!

Around the house...cleaning  and weeding out.

A favorite quote for today..." No offense ,Mrs. Hartung, but the next time I come to help you I need to hang out with Mr. Hartung more. I can come tomorrow!" Joshua Robert McNally age 7



If you are interested in reading  posts by other people using the Simple Woman's Day book please enjoy this link. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Busy in the sewing room!

I have been working almost every evening in the sewing room getting things ready for Christmas! I need to be finished by Thanksgiving. We celebrate Thanksmas with the Maine relatives on the holiday weekend. I also like to have most of the regular Christmas gifts ready for Harmony and her fiancee so I do not have to mail them from Florida. I have finished a charity quilt for the local hospital.Enjoy the pictures  below. Also take note of the AWESOME chalkboard signs my husband made for the local quilt group. I will probably not be back in Maine for the biannual show in May but other people will now know how to find the show!

FOR TODAY November 13,2013

Outside my window...it is sunny and cold with a slight coating of snow on the lawn and frost on the car windows!

I am thinking... about the errands I need to run today.

I am thankful...for all of the quilting friends in my life.

In the kitchen...I  am planning on putting supper in the crock pot.

I am wearing...my jeans and a longsleeve top.

I am creating....  bags!

I am going... to the library and the CU today.

I am wondering...what my dentist will say about the broken tooth I have when I go to see him tomorrow.

I am reading..."The Book Thief" AND I just saw an add for the movie! Didn't know it was coming out this month. I MUST see it!

I am hoping... the weather cooperates for the next two weeks. I hate driving  in slippery conditions.

I am looking forward to... going to see my "fake" grandson in  the school musical.

I am learning to ... concetrate on being in the moment.

Around the house...I sorting  and donating.

A favorite quote for today..."Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."JFK



If you are interested in reading  posts by other people using the Simple Woman's Day book please enjoy this link. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY November 9,2013

Outside my window...it is sunny and cold!

I am thinking... that I am glad that I  we have a well insulated house.

I am thankful... I have a dentist appointment scheduled this week. I broke a tooth this morning!

In the kitchen...I have plans to make bread this morning.

I am wearing...my LLBean bathrobe , socks and a night shirt.

I am creating....  Christmas gifts for my family.

I am going... to a craft fair today.

I am wondering...how this broken tooth will affect our plans to leave for Florida.

I am reading...Nantucket Christmas by Nancy Thayer.

I am hoping...to make headway on finishing up my "before  we leave" list.

I am looking forward to... the annual school play next weekend.

I am learning to ... take a sip of water after every bite.

Around the house...I am cleaning, cleaning, cleaning.

A favorite quote for today..."Gratitude is a muscle that needs to be exercised" Good Housoekeeping magazine Nov/Dec 2013

If you are interested in reading other blogs featuring Simple Woman's Daybook, click here.http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY October 29,2013

Outside my window...it is frosty and gray.

I am thinking... that I am glad that I have a warm house this morning.

I am thankful...that  I can stay home today.

In the kitchen...the breakfast dishes are calling my name.

I am wearing...my LLBean bathrobe that is at least 30 years old.

I am creating....a  Christmas gift for my son.

I am going... to make an appointment to get my hair cut.

I am wondering...what will happen in the World Series.

I am reading...using my ears instead of my eyes. Transister Radio by Chris Bohjalian.

I am hoping...to finish up Ryan's Christmas present this morning.

I am looking forward to...watching the Red Sox game tonight.

I am learning to ...check my "list" more frequently.

Around the house...I am getting ready to wash the kitchen floor.

A favorite quote for today..." If we are facing the right direction all we have to do is keep walking." Zen proverb

placemates

At the State Quilt Show this summer I took a class on curves. I didn't have any experience prior but I really enjoyed the call and learned quite a bit! I especially loved that not a single person took out their seam ripper even once! My blocks never made it to the intended wall hanging though. They turned into picnic place mates for my Mum!

For today...October 24 , 2013

Outside my window...it is sunny but crisp and cool.

I am thinking...I still need help with the templates for these posts.

I am thankful...for the warmth of the sun through my southside windows.

In the kitchen...I smell the beginnings of French Onion soup in the crockpot.


I am wearing...my pajamas!

I am creating...Christma presents and a charity quilt.

I am going...to read at the elementary school Litercy Night tonight.

I am  wondering...what the Red Sox will do in tonight's game?

I am reading...A new quilt pattern book that arrived in the mail.


I am hoping...to get a lot done today in the sewing room.


I am looking forward to...heading 2.5 hours NORTH to celebrate our daughter's birthday!

Around the house... I need to vacuum.

A favorite quote for today..."Keep your face to the sunshine and you can never see the shadow." Helen Keller

FOR TODAY October 18th,2013 10:15 AM

Outside my window...it is pouring!

I am thinking...that I am surprised that I was able to cut and paste this document to post again.

I am thankful...the support of friendship.

In the kitchen...chicken soup in the crock pot!

I am wearing...jeans, tan top , socks and sandles! Work clothes.

I am creating....a pillow sham with left over quilt material and a sweater for a gift.

I am going... to the store this afternoon to buy the local newspaper, stamps and carrots. Perhaps some new quilt magazines will be out.

I am wondering...what time the Red Sox game will be tomorrow.

I am reading...a new novel by Elizabeth Berg, a favorite author.

I am hoping...this weather passes and returns to sunshine.

I am looking forward to...stitching the afternoon away..

I am learning to  eat with chopsticks.(Still,LOL)

Around the house...I am cleaning the junk drawer out.


A favorite quote for today..." Tomorrow, tomorrow, the sun will shine tomorrow>>>"

Daily Template

FOR TODAY October 15,2013

Outside my window...it is very dark. The street light is on.

I am thinking...that I am glad Jenna was able to save this template for me . I enjoy reading other blogs with this on it.

I am thankful...

In the kitchen...the dishes are done and the floor is swept. the kitchen is CLOSED!

I am wearing...my ne Dansko walking shoes, capris and a black top.

I am creating....A Redwork pillow and table toppper for the Congo Church Tea.


I am going...on a "bird ride" way up north with my husband this week to revisit the area he managed as a forester.

I am wondering...if the Red Soxs will win their play off game.

I am reading...an Amish novel about barn fires. I have a hard time remmbering titles when I use my Kindle!

I am hoping...this weather lasts.


I am looking forward to...visivting with frineds who live about 3 hours away.

I am learning to eat with chopsticks

Around the house...I am working on sourting fabric in the sewng room/


A favorite quote for today..."If it is to be it is up to me"

Still Here

I promise that this blog is still alive and well! My computer died at the end of the summer and then was briefly swamped with the beginning of the school year but now that I have had time to familiarize myself with my new tablet I will be posting all about what I have been busy with!

Stay tuned to see some funky place mats, a landscape in progress, tips and a-ha moments from the state quilt show work shops, some adorable knit snowman hats made on my loom And A few teasers about holiday gifts!

I've certainly got my work cut out for me to get caught up!

Respectfully,

Harmony

Never Ever

I never want to  be in this position again! I have to be done with Christmas sewing Thanksgiving weekend and I am way behind!Last year I dedicated the second Sunday of the month to gift sewing and really liked the feeling of accomplishment. Why,oh,why did I not continue with that in 2013???

I have been reading this summer and  quilting with my friends on Mondays. However, I need to get serious about heading into the sewing room after dinner. Time is marching on.

I do have a few finishes to share with you. 15 months ago a cute little kindergarten boy drew a picture for his grandmother.  His mom posted it on Facebook and I immediately knew it had to be made into a  pillow. A great kindergarten memory as he enters second grade! LOL ! I hope Natalie reads this!

During this past year I have been working on a BOM sponsored by Quilter's Quarters in Zephyrhills , FL.

Each month we received a new pattern and two colors in batiks. I am anxious to return south and finish the quilt. You make 9 blocks,keep one, turn 8 in and receive 8 blocks back in different colors. This is a VERY large quilt! Posted below is one of the 108 blocks I have made!

We have frost warnings tonight so I am off to cover the flowers before I head to the sewing machine. I WILL be ready by Thanksmas .

In stitches,
Pieceful

Mini Messenger Bag

Thank you, Pinterest!

I found this wonderful messenger bag tutorial on Pinterest. It led me to to a great blog titled "ocd: obsessive crafting disorder" which I thought was very clever. Head on over and check her out! (Click the word tutorial above to be linked directly)

I found her instructions and pictures very clear to follow and didn't have to take the seam ripper out even once!

Here is the fabric I chose for my mini messenger bag. The print is a heavier home decor weight that I think will hold up well and of course purple for the lining!

You begin by making the flap. She chose to use buttons, but I've opted to use magnetic snaps. (I promise that wrinkle is not nearly as bad as it seems....)

Then you make the lining and the outer bag. I like the way she assembled these by adding the bottom and sides first, then the opposite panel. Other bags I've made has you put the bottom on last, but it always causes me frustration lining up corners. Not a problem with this method! Also she has left the hole for inverting the bag at the bottom of the lining. Again, other bags that I have made leave this at the top of the bag where it is much more noticeable and causes more frustration to have it look 'right' in the end.

Finally, assemble and add the adjustable strap! I forgot to take pictures of this part. It was my first time using adjustable strap hardware, but it was very simple to do! I added a loop with a hook to be able to clip my car keys to.

Stay Tuned

Pieceful and I are going to the state quilt show this weekend! I'm getting very excited but anxious too. The classes I chose will have me learning lots! They are called Vivacious Curvaceous Squares and Life's a Beach (Picture Piecing). I'll share pictures of those later!

Respectfully,

Harmony

Summer Sewing

School's Out.....

for summer! Woohoo! It was a crazy spring with lots of musicals and concerts to keep me me too busy to get much sewing done. I did, however, find some fantastic Riley Blake jelly rolls to make adorable race quilts for two little girls who share the name Anna Grace. So I call these my Anna Grace quilts. Each quilt was the same set of prints, but came out quite differently because the strips were assembled in random order.

I photo documented the jelly roll "race" process. If you haven't tried this yourself, it's a must. Very fun, quick and easy. Missouri Star has a wonderful tutorial on You Tube!

Anna Grace Quilts

Select your material! *note I forgot to take a 'before of the jelly roll...this photo was part way through the sewing process...

Begin  by chain piecing ALL the strips together.

Once you are done it looks like this...fancy! Kidding!

Trim and clip the thread so you have a single 1600 foot long, continuous strip! I have a very helpful hand model (thanks Jon).

Let the race begin! Bring the two ends of your super long strip together and simply sew a 1/4" seam the entire 800 foot length. This first one seems to take forever, but after this time flies. I promise!

Cut the fold that you have created at the end. Now you will have an 800 foot strip that is two strips wide.

Repeat the previous two steps until desired width:

Bring the two ends (now two strips wide) together and stitch down one side.

 Bring the two ends (now four strips wide) together and stitch down one side.

Bring the two ends (now eight strips wide) together and stitch down one side.

Bring the two ends (now sixteen strips wide) together and stitch down one side.

This is where I opted to stop.

I could have layered this as it is since it is a good size for a toddler quilt, but I chose to add a 4" border.

Here is a shot of the backing. I thought is was the perfect compliment to the front. Very cheerful for smiley toddlers!

The part that I am most excited to share is that these are the first quilts that I have quilted entirely by myself! Most everything went quite smoothly (with only one ridiculously, silly WHOOPS that I am too embarrassed to share) right up until about noon-time today. When my trusty Kenmore whom I've been calling 'Bessy' decided to get a bit moody. The second quilt has literally eight inches of quilting and the binding left, but I don't dare try it until Bessy sees a doctor. I'll be making that appointment tomorrow ;) I've really learned a lot making these. And there are spots where that definitely shows in a few places...but I know that they will be well loved and get lots of use!

Stay Tuned

When I get my machine back from being serviced, I will be showing a few small projects that I have on my to-do list. One item is a multipurpose play mat that I am making for a friend who is due in August and the other is a messenger bag for myself!

Respectfully,

Harmony

Bunny Baby Quilt

Jelly Roll

This quilt top was made using the green Bunny Hill jelly roll from Moda. I can't take the credit for choosing it though, Jon picked the material! This is our gift to his sister who is having a baby girl in June. It is a very cute roll as it is very little girl-ish with out being cutesy pink. I used a split rail fence pattern and had it done in an afternoon. 

The backing is a very soft flannel that matched surprisingly well. At first I thought the green would be difficult to find a companion too, but this flannel and the border practically jumped off the shelf!

I sent it out to the AthleticQuilter (thanks again, Kathy!) to be quilted and I love the designs she chose! Dainty flowers over the greens and a nice scroll around the border.

 

 Here is a close up of one of the prints. It was very difficult to capture it without being up close.

Stuffie

Jon also went online and chose a stuffed bunny to go with the gift. I think he did a great job choosing a dark bunny that matches so well. It is also the softest stuffie I have ever felt!!!

Stay Tuned!

My next blog, which is already in progress, will be of two toddler quilts. They are both going to be both jelly roll race quilts of the same prints, but am told that they can come out quite differently! They are for my darling Anna Graces! For those who don't know, two of my best buds (who have never met each other) both had little girls six months apart and both chose the name Anna Grace! So I thought it would be fitting to make them quilts of the same print. One will get hers as a first birthday present, and the other will get hers as a first half-birthday present!

Respectfully,

Harmony

Random Acts of Kindness

Shortly after the Sandy Hook tragedy, I had a chance encounter in the Publix grocery store that afforded  me the opportunity to participate in a Random Act of Kindness. As part of my grocery purchase I was buying  two quilt magazines. The cashier was not busy and we started to chat about quilting. Angela shared that she would love to be able to make a quilt for her 4 year old granddaughter but had neither the time nor the supplies. We continued to talk about what a crazy world we live in and how it is so hard to focus on what is important with all of the sadness in the world. When I returned to the truck I told my husband that I wanted to make a RAK quilt for Angela's granddaughter. Ann Curry had suggested that everyone do twenty- six RAK's in memory of the children and teachers killed at Sandy Hook. I felt this was perfect for one of my twenty-six acts.

Tomorrow I will deliver a small quilt to Angela. I tried to do it today, but she was not working. The quilt is small but very bright and happy. All children deserve bright and happy...

Merry Christmas and a Happy Valentine's Day

Yes, you read the title of the post  right! I am sending off Christmas gifts as February 14th nears! I have finally finished the two strip quilts that I gifted as Christmas presents . The red,black and white quilt was given at out family Thanksmas in Maine and promptly snatched away to be quilted and bound. The brown quilt was gifted to my DIL on Christmas day and then returned to be quilted and bound. I am happy to report that both quilts were  machine quilted by me on my little Janome  720 and I am very pleased with the way they both came out.

Tomorrow is a big day of quilting for me down here in sunny Florida. My friend and I have made arrangements to  have a room opened for a quilting "Sit and Sew" each Thursday. This is something we both participate in "up North" and we both miss it dearly. Can't wait to meet new friends and share ideas here!

This year I am continuing the Second Sunday sewing challenge to work on Christmas gifts throughout the year. Although I didn't finish the quilts posted above completely I did get LOTS done to give for the holidays and all of the quilt piecing was done in that time slot!

Until next time, I hope your days are complete as needle , thread and fabric meet~

Pieceful

Gifts to sew with!

Spoiled Rotten

It's official. I am one lucky gal! I got some wonderful gifts this Christmas to sew with!

My favorite is an extension table for my sewing machine. I use a very trusty older Kenmore, but couldn't find a table that fit. I love when I get to use my Mums and I guess I said so enough times that she surprised me by finding a company that made one to fit my machine! I know that this is what the company specializes in, but I was still shocked at how amazingly well it fit. Like a glove! I also got a sewing machine organizer in an adorable print that she made for me!

I also go material! Good material! From Pieceful (Mum) I got a Bali Pop and quilt pattern and then my boyfriend got me another Bali Pop and two Moda Jelly Rolls!! I was very impressed by this. At Thanksgiving Pieceful and I dragged him to a quilt shop we visit each year and though he was a great sport I thought for sure he had to be miserable. Little did I know he was taking very detailed mental notes of things I 'ooh'ed and 'ahh'ed over!

Then, to top it all off we did some reorganizing of the apartment. We live in a very small one bedroom. We are both professional musicians and I chose quilting as a hobby. Space is tight. Let me give a you a visual. We currently have five instruments here, we often have up to ten during the summer but right now we can store some in our classrooms. The five instruments we have currently in our apartment are two electric basses, a keyboard, a tuba and and upright string bass. Not exactly compact....Now add to that my sewing supplies. Also not particularly compact. We were busting at the seams! Especially in the kitchen because my sewing machine was living on the table  and instruments in the corners. To cook we had to shuffle materials, machines and instruments around without actually having a place to put them 'away'. The solution? A smaller entertainment unit in the living room which provided more instrument storage. A new shelving unit in the kitchen to hold our cookers (we do a lot of rice cooker, pressure cooker and slow cooker meals due to evening rehearsals). The kitchen table went to storage to make room for the shelving unit, but we bought a light-weight collapsible table that can be easily set up for me to sew on (it's actually bigger than the kitchen table!) but can be tucked away when we don't need it. With the bigger shelving unit, we were able to free up our kitchen cart which is being transformed into my sewing station!! My sewing machine can live inside, along with material for my current project. No more worrying that it will get stained while we are cooking and I can put my machine right on top for sewing quick, small projects! 

I will add more pictures once I actually get it organized, but here is the general idea:

Respectfully,

Harmony