Happy Halloween!!!

The Scariest Thing of 2015....

MY DESK!!! 

Or the Number Of Stats Books...

Or That I'm Having Coffee  With a Pumpkin at 0300 in the Morning doing homework!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Saturday Spotlight - last minute Halloween Inspiration

Happy Halloween!

It's finally here!

So of course the features from this week's Round Tuit have to be Halloween themed. Some last minute inspiration for you.

First of all some costume ideas.

Where's Waldo Group Costume from C.R.A.F.T., Jet Pack DIY from Cool Mom Cool Tips, Fluffy Chicken Costume from Sew Can Do and a Raccoon Halloween Costume from Kiku Corner.

And some Halloween Treats!

Fun Halloween Pizza Ideas from To Simply Inspire, Bat Cookies from Serendipity and Spice, Vampire Mickey Pudding Cups from Frugal Foodie Mama and Red Velvet Cake Eyeballs from Creative Homemaking.

I hope you enjoyed this week's features, and that you have a Happy Halloween!!!

CARLOS STEPHEN SÁNCHEZ SERRANO

Friday's Fabulous Flyer!

CARLOS

 

"My life in aviation began in 1999, when I started my training as a commercial pilot. After many years reading about aviation on magazines and books, I had the opportunity of studying what I had always wished. 

After finishing my studies and considering the different possibilities in order to start my professional life in aviation, I chose flying instruction. I remember the first day, when the teacher told us to explain why we were there. Everyone said almost the same “I’m here to get flying hours”. It was then when I realized that I thought differently because I was there due to my love for teaching.

After 4 years carrying out instruction tasks such as flight instruction (more than 1400 hours), simulator instruction (more than 1600 hours), ground instruction, and a year as a CFI (chief flight instruction), I considered that it was the time to change and continue my career.

In 2007 I got the opportunity of flying an executive airplane – a Cessna Citation 560 Ultra – which allowed me to have my first experience flying a jet airplane across Europe, and flying to many different places. The fact of changing from flying light Cessnas and Pipers to a Cessna Citation was a pretty important step forward, especially in terms of professional maturity achieved by performing a charter operation in an airplane flying at 0.7Mach, travelling to many different airports and with just a few hours to prepare the flight.

Unfortunately, this project just survived only for 2 years. The worldwide crisis which affected in a very important manner to the private aviation sector, closing companies, including the one I was flying for. Despite that situation, and taking into account that in my career I’ve always had the goal of learning and give the most in every company I worked for, I could add to my résumé 370 hours of jet time and the experience of being the security and safety manager of the company.

In that moment, the doubt of what to do appeared. The aviation market was really affected by the crisis. Airlines weren’t hiring pilots and in the only offers that could be found on the Internet, the requirement of being a B-737 or A-320 experienced pilot was common.

Was in that moment when I took the decision of developing a project that had been in my mind since for a long time. A project focused on working in these areas: aviation instruction, quality and image services, both for individuals and companies.

This project, FLYLAB CONSULTING, was established in 2012 and continues growing up in services and partnerships. Nowadays we are creating a database for aeronautical members in order to help people in their job seek, through contacts with airlines or international brokers, and by offering complementary training to improve their resumes.

In addition to my work at FLYLAB CONSULTING, I also work in a Spanish airline, as an ATR 42 copilot , Head of Training of the ATO and Safety Manager (SMS).

Although it seems to be a very busy life, I’m very lucky because I can develop a personal project and continue flying. The most important thing for me is that I have enough time to spend with my family without being forced to fly all the time. That’s a priority in my life. Of course I love flying, but the fact of saying “good night!” to my baby almost every day is amazing.

I hope you have enjoyed this quick summary of my professional life. I invite you to visit the web of my company - www.flylabconsulting.com/joomla/en - in which you will find, more in detail, all the services we offer.

Carlos, you are most definitely a Fabulous flyer. 

Thank you for sharing your story with us. 

And I wish you the very best success in your future! 

Enjoy the Journey!!

XO Karlene  

Witchy Messenger Bag

One of the last clothes upcycles I did for my daughter's carnival stall was this cute Witchy Messenger Bag.

I made it from a pair of jeans and an old shirt and used my own messenger bag from jeans tutorial here.

I was really happy that I found a great use for the collar of the shirt - as a skirt for the witch.

 I think this collar-skirt works well and will definitely be using that idea again in the future!

 I also love that I found another use for the green and black socks. I made a sock monkey from the main part, 

but there was still some of the socks left over as they were quite long - that's what I used for the witches socks appliqué!

And the purple shirt fabric works really well for the lining of this bag. And the rustic look of the worn jeans pocket is another feature I really like!

Well that's my final Halloween project for this year!

I shall share a final few Halloween features from the Round Tuit party tomorrow - in case you want any last minute spooky inspiration!

Tomato Pincushions

When browsing the internet, deciding what kind of pincushion to make for my girls, I found lots of pictures of tomato pincushions. I'd actually never seen one before, but have since learned that many original pincushions were tomato shaped, and many people still have tomato pincushions passed down through generations of sewers!

So not only are they a traditional type of pincushion, but I also learned that a red tomato at a window helps ward off evil spirits, and one on the mantel piece attracts wealth and abundance! (Source)

So this definitely seemed a good choice of pincushion to make for my girls.

I found this brilliant video tutorial from Martha Stewart showing how simple it is to make one. Take a look...

Aren't they just the cutest, simplest pincushions ever?

I made one each for my girls 

as part of sewing kit bag gift sets that I made for each of them

I gave them these gifts to say thank you for being such awesome pattern testers for my new e-book.

Have you ever seen a tomato pincushion? Or do you have one of your own perhaps?

I shall be linking this post to many of the fabulous linky parties whose buttons and links can be found on my linky party page.

Halloween Drinks Coasters

With Halloween fast approaching, I'm getting out our spooky decorations etc in preparation.

One thing that comes out every year is our Halloween Drinks Coasters. I made these a few years ago. They each have a silly Halloween joke on them, and since we only get them out once a year - we all seem to have forgotten them and still get a giggle out of them!

If you'd like to make some Halloween Drinks Coasters of your own - you can see the tutorial here.

I'll have to make a few of our regular Halloween decorations too - like these mummy candle jars..

And I'll be making my girls favourite - marshmallow eyeballs!

Do you have a favourite Halloween decoration or food that you make or cook every year?  Tell me in the comments!

I shall be linking this post to many of the fabulous linky parties whose pretty buttons and links can be found on my linky party page.

Upcycled Life - school carnival stall report

Last weekend was our annual school fair - The Coconut Carnival.

I've spent the past few months upcycling clothes into things to sell at the carnival.

What was I doing?

I wanted to show a way to create things from the resources we have to use as a fundraiser at the carnival - an alternative to buying plastic trinkets and sweets for the lucky dip or bottle stall! And it was a way to promote upcycling in general!

I've had enormous fun creating things over the course of the year from this pile of clothes I got that were left over from last year's carnival stall. Go here for more details of things I made.

I've shared what I've made here on the blog and on my Facebook page - also creating and sharing many new tutorials to help others upcycle clothes too. So before the carnival even started I feel like I've already achieved a lot!

School carnival day, and my stall

I set up my stall and was really pleased with the finished look. I had over 150 items for sale (someone did ask!) ranging in price from $2 to $30. 

Plus all the gorgeous unique wrist cuffs that the kids helped to create.

The Coconut Carnival is a huge affair each year - with so much going on. I had a lovely view from my stall.

I could see the rides and the helicopter taking off and landing!

But back to my stall...

Success!

Things sold slowly and steadily throughout the day and I had plenty people coming over to comment on things and show an interest.

In the end I made $150 profit for the school, which I think it pretty good from a bunch of old clothes! 

I've done a few market stalls over the years and think this was actually the best I've ever done in one day!

Reflections and thoughts after the day

Overall, I'm glad I did this upcycled clothes stall for the school. I learned a lot and am really pleased with what I produced and that I could help raise some funds for the school.

However, I won't be doing the same next year. 

I want to make a difference, but I don't think an upcycled handmade stall at the school carnival is the way.

I will continue to upcycle clothes, and this week will be opening an etsy shop stocked with all these upcycled goodies I now have!

But at the carnival, watching and listening to people I found that - there were those who commented that my things were overpriced, as you get often with people looking at handmade goods. They cannot compare in price with things churned out from factories in China for example.

I totally get this. I mean why buy a handmade soft toy at my stall, when round the corner you can go to the white elephant stall and find decent donated cuddly toys for $1?  

People want a bargain - and when kids are buying things themselves with their pocket money - of course a $1 bear is going to be their choice rather than a $15 handmade turtle, or sock monkey.

I was also asked as the evening wore on, when I was going to start reducing my prices, to clear things out. Well I didn't. For a start it's not fair to those who have just paid full price, but it also devalues what I and others have spent time and effort making.

As I mentioned, this carnival is a huge affair. Sadly - I was only too aware of the waste produced by it - not just the endless food and drink containers and bottles that are just discarded and not recycled, but also the huge amount of plastic toys, glow sticks and other plastic fantastic won in games and bought for a dollar or two.

People come to the carnival to have fun, play games, go on the rides and eat and drink. I don't believe it's the ideal place for a handmade stall. People don't really come to 'shop'.

So what's next?

So I shall have to get my thinking cap on for next year. Something that fits the bill better, but is still eco-friendly and has some upcycling in there somewhere. Any suggestions welcomed!

For now - I shall continue to share on my blog my upcycled and sewing creations, tutorials and ideas. It's always rewarding to have comments and emails from people who have used my tutorials or been inspired by what I do to upcycle their clothes!

An encouraging story

One of the best comments I had at the carnival stall was from a friend whose daughter did some pattern testing for me recently of my new 

Teach your kids to sew with a pair of jeans e-book.

The other day her daughter had come out of her wardrobe carrying the old pair of jeans that still fit her Mum, asking if she could cut them up to sew with! Needless to say Mum said no, but took her to the charity shop where she bought an enormous pair for $1 and is now looking forward to making lots of things with them!

It's nice to know I am inspiring others to "Use What You've Got", which is really what I'm passionate about and feel that society as a whole needs to do more of and move away from constantly buying new and spending money. We need to make full use of the resources we already have, rather than using them once and then discarding them.

Phew!  

Thank you if you've read to the end of this post, and to those who have followed this clothes upcycling challenge of mine this year.  It's been a lot of fun and certainly a huge learning experience.

Now it's time to set myself some new goals and challenges!

I shall leave you with a picture of the fireworks that ended the night at the school carnival - and ended my clothes upcycling challenge for 2015!

I shall be linking this post to many of the fabulous linky parties whose pretty buttons and links can be found on my linky party page.

Sir Frank Whittle

NOTAM SPECIAL -- BACK TO THE FUTURE WHITTLE JET

By Mark Restorick

"Hello from a dull wet rainy damp Nottinghamshire, this article was on our regional news last night, so missed my original newsletter of all things airline this side of pond. 

"Whittle jet" Gloster E28-39 upon the roundabout

In memoriam to from whence the dawn of a new propulsion age began, the " jet age ", the memorial upon the roundabout just off jc 11 M1 motorway at Lutterworth Leicestershire and 1/2 mile south from airfield " Sir Frank Whittle" developed the co - axial jet engine in 1936 after writing a paper for his r.a.f. college course in 1929, but the Air ministry would not believe him. 

"Sir Frank Whittle" then with his own money and help of initially" British Houston Turbine" then "Rover car group" and after several issues due in experience of " Rover"and " Rolls Royce" with their Aero engine knowledge stepped in after swapping a contract for armoured cars, at same time then Squadron leader Whittle, registered it design at patent office. 

The replica " Whittle jet " as known, or its true name Gloster e28-39, is 10 years old and looking a little worn by weathering even though whole " Whittle jet " is made from stainless steel. The trust who care for the " Whittle jet" have launched a call for donations to help towards overhall that will see the a/c restored for a further 10 plus, the end result will see the " Whittle jet" not in its stainless steel existing look, but, painted in the colors as worn by the original prototype.

The trust though have the issue of, how do you repair / restore an aircraft that is life size mounted upon a roundabout, one view is to erect scaffold about the aircraft and encase all in a tent, the other is to remove the whole aircraft temporarily from the roundabout to a site close by very possibly to the original buildings as once used by Sir Frank Whittle of which still remain in tact and are preserved."

 Thank you Mark!!

Enjoy the Journey!

XO Karlene