Bahamas Boat Charts and a Sunbrella Purse

We had yet one more exciting delivery today at the apartment when the charts that we ordered for the Bahamas arrived. I have a feeling that the Near Bahamas, Far Bahamas, Exumas, and Ragged Islands will never be the same after Hans, Laura, and Wilbur get finished with them.

Wilbur would like to enjoy the charts but he has an upset tummy.


How do I know this?

Well, today when I took him to the dog park (after Hans asked me with a bit of desperation in his voice, "Are you going to take Wilbur to the dog park?") I swear that during the half hour drive, the air in the car turned blue and I nearly suffocated.

Apparently Wilbur donned his 'King of Toots' crown, and I won't even begin to describe the runny messes I've cleaned up today.


We were looking all over the internet for Bahamas Charts but for some reason we couldn't seem to find the right thing. Thanks to Linda at See Yawl Later we ended up getting them from Explorer Charts.

Not only are they charts, but they're cruising guides too, and they are packed with information!

I am a procrastinator. Period. I really can't get motivated unless I have a deadline. I wish I could change this trait, and believe me I've tried but I think it's time to come to grips with what I am and quit worrying about it.

Anyway I finally finished the purse I was making out of a piece of Sunbrella fabric (I paid $5.00 for a $30.00 piece).

This is an Amy Butler Bag and while I'm not thrilled with it, it will work. Actually if I hadn't made a bazillion other purses before this, it would have been a disaster.

Luckily I did not follow all her directions, bypassed some of the interfacing suggestions, and ended up with an okay purse.

I did a passable job of matching the print on the flap with the body of the purse.

The inside has two inserts. The one in the back is zippered. I'm not at all happy with how they are attached to the main body of the bag.

Very amateurish and kinda ugly.

I would do things differently if I were to make another one, but that's just not going to happen.

The magnetic snap on the flap and the main body.

A bit of a close up of the print.

You can see the Bahamas waaay over on the right side of the bag.

Since Hans leaves for Annapolis this weekend to get our boat ready for its move to Florida, I decided to finish sewing elastic to the corners of our fitted sheets that we've had forever (it's called procrastination! See the beginning of this post). Except I'm missing one of the fitted sheets! Honest to God, I had all of them when we came back this summer and since we live in a small one bedroom apartment, where could it be?

I have no idea but I know for a fact it came home with us and has since then disappeared.

I have to wonder if fitted sheets can cause gassy problems in pit bull tummys?

Finally, this is it!

Today we received word that except for the radar (who needs it anyway?), The Knotty Cat is good to go.

How on earth does one decide what to take and what to leave behind? I've learned through past experience that a summer sailing wardrobe is very simple; shorts, t-shirt, and boat shoes.

And since this isn't a fashion show, they can be worn more than once!

But how about excursions ashore? Well guess what? Not one soul will know that the sundress you're wearing today was worn somewhere else a few days ago!!

And since I have a feeling I'm in charge of laundry detail, if you want something washed, it damn well better be dirty!

Last week we hit the Carnegie Library Book Sale in Squirrel Hill and I ended up with 15 paper backs. Some marinas have a very informal 'library loan' plan where you drop off your used books and pick up someone elses. I hope we find a few of these as we make our way north because 15 books aren't going to last very long.

Our refrigerator and cupboards needed to be emptied and I had to decide whether to bring things like flour, sugar, baking powder etc... will I be baking bread or not? We are very lucky in that our galley has a lot of storage space (even more than some small apartments), and my mother gave me the cutest little baking set for my birthday and it fits our small oven perfectly.

Hans solved my how the hell do I pack all this shit problem, by suggesting we use our suitcases.


Brilliant!


We filled two of them with the contents of my cupboards, and things like spices and cook books went into the front pockets! (the luggage will then be left in our SUV) Two huge duffel bags, beach bags, and tote bags are full of clothes, towels, sheets, shoes, books, toiletries, dog supplies, cat supplies... and in the morning we'll have to find a place for the dog crate and covered litter box! I'll also have to fill three coolers with the contents of the refrigerator.


I only hope I remember to drug the cat upon waking up or I may just strap myself to the roof for our five hour drive. Believe me, that would be a piece of cake compared to riding with a thirteen year old cat who can scream for hours without ever drawing a breath!!



I did manage to sew a bag made from the Sunbrella fabric I found at Loom, in the Strip District.

Loom is a fabric/notions store that opened last October. Good for me (but bad for them) I only discovered them a month ago. I've included a link to their store but you really have to physically get your butt there to see how really fabulous it is!!!

So here's my bag and while I'm not thrilled with the red cord (blue would look better and I can always change it) I think it will work just fine.










I also made a little zippered wallet to go with it.


I may wear the same thing every day on the boat but I insist upon being fashionable while ashore!!