Clock from Petrified Wood Slice

Here's one D in DnD Creates (Dave), I'm the other (Dori). When we bought our rundown acreage in February 2010 (the one that had sat empty for more than a year and was previously lost by someone in foreclosure) Dave saw vision in the 5.69 acres and the large, run down machine building by the driveway. His grandpa was an avid rock hound and left much good fortune to a college geology department, in addition to leaving many ton of rock and mineral from around the world with his saws and polishers to Dave's dad. The equipment sat in a basement for 20 some years unused until Dave packed it up into several pickup loads (with his brother's help) and hauled it 3 hours to His "new" workshop. This was despite the fact we had many other things to do, but this was his dream and when opportunity knocks ......

He found a slice of petrified wood cut by his grandpa that had saw marks in it from the original cut. After polishing it using a refurbished belt sander found in the basement collection (it didn't work until his magic was performed), Dave drilled a whole in the center and attached a clock and numbers for his desk at work so others can tell what time it is ... or maybe so they don't lose track of time chatting. ;-)

When I first married Dave in 1989 it was often said in his family, "It's a Harvey thing".... I understand this love of nature and mechanical wizardry now. It is in his blood. This also helps me understand why everywhere we go I get a small but awesome looking souvenir rock that he found there, I have a whole jewelry box full of these memories. I even have them marked from where we were when he found it. Maybe this is odd, but our family photo album is also filled with pictures of plants, shrubs, birds, trees, flowers, etc, and even my two grown children do this now. I have grown accustomed to it as I understand, "It's a Harvey thing". My photo album are of the people I love and of the artistic projects that they do, although I don't get into the naturey thing, I do appreciate it and love them that do.

Cinnamon Spice Lunch Set

I purchased the book LUNCH BAGS! 25 Handmade Sacks and Wraps to sew Today (Design Collective Paperback 2010). It was an impulsive purchase when I was standing in line at the Hobby Lobby checkout. I was immediately inspired and paid full cover price for it. Even though I bought it this past winter, the book has kept my interest to become the source for my summer projects. This fact means alot because I buy alot of books impulsively when I am inspired by a project, but usually after making it my breakfast time "read" I lose the momentum and decide that the project (although neat) is not really the thing for me.

This lunch bag called the "Rita Kay" made it to the top of my project list because it did not use alot of fabric and looked pretty easy, it was easy. I really liked the newspaper holder because I like to read while I am eating. The bottle carrier pattern came from a simplicty pattern for going green shopping bags, but the two went together so well and are now happily connected. In the picture it is clipped to the strap of the bag. The bottle tote can be used for carry a multitude of items. My daughter used hers today for a can of pop and a bottle of Advil. I like to put my morning break food there so that it doesn't get mashed, but it has contained plasticc silverware and some feminine products also.

The sandwich wraps (pictured below) were my next inspiration even though I personally have yet to take a sandwich for lunch, it is usually leftovers of soup or a casserole. My daughter has been a fan of the wrap since she started a new job and needs to carry her lunch. It is perfect for carrying just about anything because the shape can change with the way one chooses to fold it so sub sandwich, pita, pretzels, etc.

The accesories for this set includes the following:

• 16" x 16" octagon shaped sandwich wrap has a quilted effect with 4"squares of fabric 1 and 2 sewn together; Wrap is 3 ply with cotton exterior, cotton middle layer, and orange sports nylon interior held closed with elastic and a large green button.
• Velcro closure reusuable "ziploc" bag is approx 4" x 5 1/2" with a cotton exterior, mid layer, and the orange sports nylon interior
• 2 cotton napkins (2 ply) that can be washed when needed

I have the lunch set pictures for sale on www.etsy.com, a new "business"avenue to explore. My store is called CreationsByDnD. They charge 20 cents item (not listing) to be sold. If the item sells they get 3.5% of the sale price, shipping charges not included. They will keep the item listed for 4 months and remove it if it does not sell or one could relist again for another 20 cent charge.

The complete set is listed on etsy for $30.

The listing was published yesterday 6-22-11, so now I wait and see. I facebooked pictures of my creations yesterday also and without expecting I sold three sandwich wraps similar to the one in the picture to a gal who is soon to become my step sister in law. whom I will meet in July to deliver the goods.