Faux Roman Shades

So another Saturday and another project. Hubby is outside working and I'm inside sewing new window treatments for our kitchen. It has taken me awhile to decide what I wanted, and now that I've decided I have to move on the idea before I change my mind!

I like the look of Roman Shades when they are folded up ...

This is an example I found on the web.

... but not so much when they are down covering a window.

I was going to follow directions I found on Pinterest to make Roman shades, but realizing I would never pull the shades down, I thought why go through all the bother. So I decided to make a valance that looked like a Roman shade; or something like a Roman Shade. 

I am still not decided if I really like it as much as I thought I would. However, it took me all week to like the box valance we made last week for the patio door. It just takes me awhile to be objective and less judgmental of my work.

One thing I do wish is that I made it long enough to have a third fold! Hubby and I both did the measuring and we both THOUGHT we calculated for a third fold, but as you can see there are only two folds. I thought of faking a third fold with the fabric left at the bottom, but you'd see the "fake" from the outside and goodness knows we can't have that!!  

Next, I need to make a matching valance for the window over the sink, but I think it will have to wait until tomorrow or one evening during the week. In the meantime; I have mismatched windows! 

OY VEY!!

The Historic Easton Cemetery

Yesterday, Camp Nonna's activity was to tour The Historic Easton Cemetery. The cemetery was placed on the national Register of Historic Places in 1990; it is noted for its design, architecture, landscaping and funerary art.  It would take days to cover all 87 acres of the cemetery, so suffice it to say in an hour we only covered a tiny portion of the historic site.

The entrance gate was built in 1882 at a cost of $4,650.00; 

it was restored in 1988 at a cost of $50,000.00

The superintendent's house is located outside the main entrance; it was built in 1900.

There are nearly 30,000 people whom have found their final resting place at Easton Cemetery. Among those thousands are:

Dr. Traill Green who was a physician, teacher at Lafayette College, scholar, botanist, geologist, chemist, author and humanitarian. 

This bronze statue was dedicated in Dr. Green's honor in 1911;

 it was crafted by Harry Lewis Raul, a local artist.

Dr. Traill Green (1813-1897) became a doctor in 1835 and practiced for almost sixty years. 

There are many famous people whose plots we did not find due to the lack of time. One, which we will have to go back and find, is that of George Taylor, signer of the Declaration of Independence.

This is the Silas Moon monument, notable for the obelisk decorated with a star, a train engine

 and an eagle on the shield.

Lucy Minturn Barnet's monument seems to be a favorite among visitors. 

born May 25, 1851-died February 2, 1853

Lucy was only 21 months when she died, and to this day visitors still bring her flowers and gifts.

This non-sectarian chapel was built in 1875. It has been restored, 

but all the furniture in the chapel is original to the building.

This historical site absolutely deserves another visit, hopefully, hours long! It is very well kept, beautiful and chock full of interesting facts. In the beginning, the cemetery had a work crew of 30 responsible for some 50 acres of ground, but today only 4 or 5 men are responsible for the increased acreage and thousands of grave sites.  

A piece of trivia:  Esther Schock was the first person to be buried in the cemetery on November 1, 1849.

There are still many grave spaces available....interested?!

Box Valance

I have been in the mood to change things up a little and so yesterday I decided to make a box valance for our family room door.

 I went to Hobby Lobby at noon and by 3:30 the valance was made and hung. I owe Karen at Sew Many Ways  a debt of gratitude for sharing her valance tutorial.

First I cut the drapery fabric to the size I wanted the valance to be, minus an 1/2 seam allowance on three sides....

I then used the cut drapery fabric as a template to cut the lining. I used muslin; inexpensive and easy to work with.

While my dear husband ran to Home Depot to get a 1 x3 board and L brackets I sewed and ironed the valance...

I placed the valance onto the board as suggested in Karen's tutorial, and my hubby stapled it into place for me.

Finally, it was hung into place, and.....

Viola! A custom made box valance. Sadly between the light outside and the dimness of the room I was unable to capture a great picture of the finished project, but...

I think you get the idea!

Logan Houptley - 2016 Finalist for The NASCAR Foundation's Betty Jane France Humanity Award

Logan Houptley met a young lady named Mikayla Resh in his third-grade classroom after moving to a new school district in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Mikayla had profound multiple disabilities that included brain damage, cerebral palsy, seizure disorder, along with facing the challenges of being blind and deaf. At only 10 years old, Logan was incredibly understanding and accepting, treating Mikayla with love, kindness, and inclusion. Ten years after they met, Logan has continued his friendship with Mikayla, in the process helping create Mikayla’s Voice. Founded in 2010, the organization is dedicated to inspiring children and young adults to embrace individuals of all abilities. The organization promotes cultural change by teaching communities about the importance of inclusion and acceptance. 

I too have been involved with Mikayla's Voice since it was founded in 2010. I am passionate about this organization because we inspire, educate and empower children to include people of "other" abilities in all walks of life. Because of Logan, our non-profit organization is in the running to be awarded $100,000.00 to continue our efforts. 

Learn more about this year's finalists, and cast your vote to determine the winner of a $100,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation. Go to www.NASCAR.com/Award today!

Voting closes on September 26, 2016 at 5 PM (EST).

Watching this video does not count towards the vote. You must cast your vote at www.NASCAR.com/Award.

If you have social media, please copy and post on your Facebook page, blog, Twitter or simply email friends and ask for them to vote. Voting is open until September 26, and it all comes down to how well we promote ourselves in getting the most votes to win. So, if you agree and like what you discover about Mikayla's Voice please help us.


Visit our website Mikayla's Voice

Playful Sunday

Two years ago my husband gifted me a Nikon D5300 camera, which I rarely take the time to play with. I do take pictures, but that's not the same as 'playing' with the camera! Today he and I took a walk along the bike path not far from our house, which runs parallel to the Bushkill Creek. I was able to capture nature photos that I will share here for a lack of any where else to share!

I am sharing only a few, and note that they are unedited photos.

All photos were shot with a Tamron AF180270mm f/3.5-6.3 lens. 

The Bushkill Creek
ISO 280, 110mm F/6 1/125

The Bushkill Creek
ISO, 400, 110mm, f/6.3 1/160

Fungi on Log/Bushkill Creek
ISO 110, 78mm, f/7.1, 1/200

Bushkill Creek
ISO,100, 42mm, f/4.8, 1/200

Bushkill Creek
ISO 400, 42mm, f/7.1, 1/200

Scheneck Creek Bridge
ISO 800, 250mm, f/6.3, 1/160

God's Garden
ISO 400, 270mm, f/10, 1/250

God's Flowers
ISO 320, 270mm, f/6.3, 1/500

Grey Skies
ISO 200, 140mm, f/6, 1/2,000

Dew Drops
ISO 400, 200mm, f/8, 1/160

Scheneck Falls
ISO 500, 60mm, f/5.3, 1/60

Bug Bait
IS) 2200, 100mm, f/6, 1/500

Working Vacation

The working part of our 'staycation!'

Happy 4th of July and Happy Birthday, Hannah

 Happy 240th birthday, America!

Happy 6th birthday, Hannah!

           

Staycation

Hubby is on vacation this week, and it's the first time in four years that we are taking a "staycation." There are many little jobs that have been put on hold for awhile. There just is never enough time to get to them when working all week. I try to do whatever I can to help, honestly I do, but there are just somethings I cannot tackle. So, the deal this week is, work a little and play a little!

One thing my husband looks forward to is the Kutztown Folk Festival, and because we haven't been in town the past three years, we hadn't been there for four years. That changed on Sunday, as we made our way to Kutztown as our first "play time" event.

The first time I went to the festival was in 1973; pushing my darling little baby girl in a stroller. I went with my mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law. Believe it or not, it was the first time I ever had an apple dumpling! I mention this because even after 43 years it seems there are the same stands, in the same spots, still selling the same things! Know what though? It is all still welcomed and wonderful.