August already????

It's so crazy to think it's already August!

How did that happen????

I'll admit that I'm pretty excited that it's almost fall again :)

I bought some fall charm packs on ebay last night

just to get into the mood :)

(ever since the Quilt Festival I've been itchin' to quilt something)

So this week I've been busy making a couple of custom orders.

This little guy is on his way to Orgeon.

And this guy hops on a plane tomorrow for Australia :)

I'm also working on a cross stitch Nativity.

I started on the Leaping Cat chart last week,

but lost my interest in it.

That's never happened before,

but I'm sure I'll pick it up again sometime soon.

Ha.....I just realized when I looked at this photo

that I forgot one of the gold stars!

I'd better fix that tonight :)

I have a big bag to sew for my daughter

to use to carry Sunday school materials back and forth

and a project bag that my Mom asked me to make

and an apron for an upcoming bridal shower.

After that.......

It's quilting time!!!

(my charm squares should be here by then)

Inventory Reduction Sale on Etsy!

These guys desperately need a good home!

Just look into their eyes.......

can you feel the love?

If so,

hop on over to my Etsy shop for my

Inventory Reduction Sale!

(sounds impressive right?)

It's time to make room for some new items

and it's just sad that these cuties are wrapped in plastic

instead of being loved.

I have aprons as low as $10.00!

It there is something you've had your eye on,

most likely it's on sale today!

When these items are gone,

they're gone....

and I probably won't be making them again.

(I get bored easily)

Happy Shopping!!!

Happy Monday!

I had such a lovely weekend with my family :)

I hope you all did too!

I finished the mug rug for my swap partner

and it's on it's way to Australia now.

I hope she likes it!

I also finished up a fun little cross stitch pillow.

"Support our Troops" by Erica Michaels

Stitched on 28ct linen over 2 threads.

I found this backing fabric out in the garage

along with some other patriotic fabrics

that I used a lot

when I was making raggedy ann dolls years ago.

This is the needle book I stitched for my Mom.

I know she'll love the Delft tile look :)

I found this needlebook kit on ebay.

It made me laugh to think

that this pattern was designed in Scotland

and it's a classic Delft tile pattern from Holland

being stitched by a woman born in Holland

who now lives in California

and it's being mailed to a woman in Germany

who married a man from Holland

that now lives in California

but is on vacation in Germany where she was born.

Makes perfect sense right?

My new friend "Betty" :)

Today I made a very much needed new wallet for myself.

I used the "Betty" wallet pattern from the book

"Bags - the Modern Classics" by Sue Kim.

Awesome book!

So many cute bags of all sizes!

All the pattern pieces are full sized so you

don't need to enlarge them.

I only wish the patterns didn't overlap

so you could cut them out without having

to use tracing paper.

The pattern was FTS (fun to sew) and went

together in less than 2 hours start to finish.

I added the little cross stitch piece by Sue Hillis designs

that I just finished stitching.

I used a clear button on the front because

I didn't want to take away from the cute cross stitch.

I realized that I didn't take a photo of the backside...

it's done is black canvas.

I stayed true to the pattern except

that I added medium weight fusible interfacing

on the pockets for some extra "body".

I also added an additional shorter

pocket (the gingham) for my coupons :)

And lastly I added the elastic

for my pen.

I don't know about you,

but I always need my pen!

So here's it is all filled up :)

I can't wait to take Betty shopping ......

I do have some JoAnn's coupons in there.....

hmmmmmm

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

 OK....so it's not the Great Pumpkin. But these tiny pumpkins are just so darn cute! I found the free pattern for these little beauties at Wee Folk Art. They have a ton of free patterns on their website! I love when people share :) They are super easy to make and really cute...did I mention that they are really cute? I made  3 yesterday afternoon and I made  more last night while the hubby watched TV. They are all hand sewn so you don't need a sewing machine. You could make these while waiting for your doctor's appointment or while you're getting your car washed (which I really need to do!) My daughter and my daughter-in-law will be getting some of these little darlings.  They would look adorable grouped around a candle! What will you do with these "Great Pumpkins"?

4 Little Words

 When I see things that I like in stores I find myself saying "I could make that". Those 4 little words have cost saved my dear hubby untold amounts of money :) Who wants to pay full price for things they could make at home? Not me....no Sir... So I find a new hobby. (Like I need more hobbies)A new way to bring extra income into the house. This is what I tell myself as I buy sterling silver findings, watch faces, swarovski crystals, jewelry tools, cases, display items, cute drawstring bags, the list goes on and on. The funny part is that if I had just bought the jewelry that I had originally wanted I would have actually saved money! So over the past few years I have done a few jewelry shows, sold some jewelry to family and friends and their friends. My beautiful daughter is having a holiday party at her home tomorrow and invited me to come along and bring some of my jewelry. So today I'm organizing some of the pieces that I have already made and I'll be adding a few more pairs of earrings. Maybe if I'm lucky somewhere in the next 10 years I'll break even on my investment.....or maybe even bring some extra income into the house :)

Here come the BERS!!!!

We have some wonderful friends who introduced me to the term "the BERS". Like myself, Mike and Sandi LOVE all the months that end in "b-e-r". Ever since the first time I heard them say it, I have thought about them every year on September 1st and smiled :) For me, these months embody all my favorite things: cooler weather, sweaters, family, yummy food, visiting the pumpkin patch with my grandsons, and of course, Christmas! I tend to give away most of my craft projects but one of the projects I finished for myself this year was the 12 month kitchen towels. Every month I change out the towel in my kitchen :) Today is a very good day indeed! I am feeling so much better and I went to the

fabric store this morning and purchased some fabric

for my next projects. This dinosaur pattern is one

that I bought and made for my son when he was

a boy. It was 1983. Last year I made 2 of the

dinosaurs for 2 of his sons and this year I will be

sewing one for my daughter's little boy :) The

other pattern is by Heather Bailey to make a set

of stacking rings for my youngest grandson. I can't

wait to get started! I'll post pics when I'm done!

Just call me "Scrap Happy"

Sometimes I sit in awe of how amazing God is and how much He blesses me in my life. I've been "retired" (due to fibromyalgia) for almost 10 years now. We downsized in a big way and get by on one income. (Thanks Hozer!) Inspite of rough days and nights, I wouldn't trade places with anyone I know. Our family actually enjoys spending time together. And I always manage to get the things done that need to be done one way or another. Everything I buy is on clearance or previously used and I jokingly tell my hubby "look! God had a gift for me today" when I return home with a new prize at an amazingly low price! I told Jose that I don't even stop the car for less than 40% off :) So this is my craft room. An accumulation of sale items and thrift items (my desk was 25.00 at the Salvation Army) The curtains I made were made from $2.00 a yard designer fabric from an outlet close to my home. My scrap supplies - you guessed it - all on clearance online and with 40% off coupons at my local Joann's and Michaels. My latest acquisition is the green hutch that I found on Craig's list. This is my happy place. This is where I create. I am grateful!