Guessing Game

Hiya folks.....wanna play a game?  :)

I finished a new puzzle over the Christmas holiday and just finished gluing it.....can you guess what it is?

I love to do puzzles and then glue them and post them all over my sewing room.  It's very easy to do and all you need to buy is the glue which is basically just like Elmer's glue and you can get it at Wal-mart in the craft section.  I have a puzzle gluing tutorial here in case you were interested in trying it out yourself.

I seem to be running out of free wall space to put puzzles in my main sewing room, but I've still got another room I can fill up!

So, today is a busy 'domestic' day for me (I probably won't get to do much sewing) as Mom and my two daughters will be here for the weekend.  I have mounds of laundry calling my name along with packing up the Christmas tree and taking down decorations.  My husband has been extremely sweet and helpful to me this morning....he wiped down the clothesline for me, getting it ready to hang the laundry, then he bounded into my office as I was packing up an order and offered to carry it out to the mailbox for me (gosh, I love it when he reads my mind) and then as I was in my sewing room tidying up a bit, I saw this little surprise just waiting for me....can you guess what it is?

Looks kinda grody doncha think?   How about a closer look....can you guess now?

Stay tuned for answers to these burning questions!!!

.....oh, and   HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!


P.S.   Etsy Shop Note....

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Thank you to all my customers for your support in 2011!  I enjoy seeing the pictures of your loved ones wearing my creations!  Looking forward to your visits in the new year!!

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It Hit Me.

Well, actually 2 "its" hit me this past weekend.

The first was the Christmas spirit in the form of a desire to decorate.  That doesn't happen to me anymore so I was taken back just a bit.  I spent some time Sunday afternoon putting up my little tree, adding a few little trinket decorations and also some other little Christmas-y things around the living room - poinsettias, stockings and a garland.

My husband napped thru the entire thing and woke up in new surroundings! ha ha....

I've been putting up these same stockings for the past 18 years and I think it might be time for a change.  This is a picture from several years ago...

My son's is the light blue one on the right with the snow babies on it....I can't find it this year and I think he might have confiscated it last year in hopes it wouldn't go back up again.  It is a bit 'young' for him.....he's 23.  So, I'll see if I can find time in the next few days to make some new ones.

The other thing that 'hit' me this weekend was the realization that our oldest daughter is going to be gone for an entire year and it's happening very fast.  Too fast for me.

She has raised 100% of her funding needed for her year's stay in Southeast Asia where she will be teaching English.  I can't tell you any more than that as it's a Muslim country and we're just supposed to keep quiet on the details for her protection.

My husband and I were having our regular Saturday morning breakfast date in a local diner and I mentioned that Jennifer was going to be leaving in early January.  Before I knew it, I was crying.  Bill looked at me and asked why my eyes were watering.  Then, when he realized I was crying, he asked if I was being hormonal or something... Sheesh!  Men!!!

I found out later in the day that she will probably fly out January 7th.  I told her that I would mostly likely be a blubbering mess when I had to say good-bye ~ she said she'd bring tissues.  (I'll need a truckload!)  Oh my, I can't even write about this without getting emotional, but I'm sure that will pass.  I have a commitment to myself to send her snail mail at least twice a month.  She appreciates a good letter or card and I honestly believe we don't sit down often enough and physically write to our loved ones.

So, anyway....life is moving on and the holiday is coming fast, too.  This will be (hopefully) my last super busy week of sewing orders.  I miss the years past when I had time and energy to make gifts for friends and family.  I normally make gifts at least for my nieces and nephew, but this year they won't be receiving a handmade gift from Aunt Jenn.

That being said, it's time I was heading to the salt mines sweat shop sewing room.  Ta-ta!!

Dressed to the Nines....

Nine lives, that is!  Can you see the kitties on my pants?

It's Friday and I'm dressed comfy because it's going to be a busy-busy day.  I spent all day yesterday just cutting and organizing quillow orders that need to be sewn, tied and mailed out for the holiday.

Here's another basketful

I spent several hours just re-organizing my fabric shelves - we'll see how long that lasts!

Anyone wanna buy some fabric?  ;) he he he

But, I did find time to finish another puzzle!  It's glued and has found a niche on my sewing room walls with the others.

I've also got another ready to go that will be fun to work on thru the holiday season.

Can you tell I like kitties?  :)  It's my last I have in stash but there's two more in the Connecting Threads magazine that I'll have to put on my wishlist!

We had a unique Thanksgiving this year.  After celebrating at home with our kids, my husband, my mother and I drove down to Orlando where my Uncle Hank lives and spent a few days with family that we don't see too often - mom's brother and sister.

My husband and I got a chance to spend more time with Aunt Pat and we really enjoyed it - she's a lot of fun and I wish we lived closer to each other (she lives in D.C.)

She hates that name, but I love it and this is my blog so 'tough beans'!! :)

Uncle Hank is fabulous in the kitchen and we had a terrific turkey dinner that he served on these beautiful dishes he found at a garage sale!!

The next day we toured the Stetson mansion in Deland, Florida.

"The Blood"

Bill and I had fun just 'knocking around' Orlando....doing some shopping, hanging with "the blood", eating, etc....ya know - general lazy stuff - it was a nice break.

But, we're back home now and kicked into high gear to get thru these next few busy-busy weeks..
He's in the final stages of finishing the house project uptown (remember the house we moved?).  It's pretty much all done on the outside, even the landscaping, and the inside is currently being painted and all the fixtures being installed so I'm excited to see what it looks like next week.  Perhaps I'll even have pictures to show you!

In addition, lots of things are going on in my children's lives now and maybe I'll have time to give you a full update later.

Have a great weekend!!!

Turkey Wishes

Hello strangers...

Yes, me again - I know it's been a while since I said 'hello' to y'all, but things have been crazy busy in our world.  My husband is trying to finish two construction jobs and I've had to close the etsy shop just to catch up.  I'm just stealing a moment now as I don't know when I'll be posting again (if ever) ~ I think perhaps my blogging days are numbered....sigh.  I still read lots of blogs and am definitely a 'lurker' as blogger often labels me 'anonymous' and won't process my comments, so I've just given up trying.

Anyway, I just wanted to send everyone some turkey wishes for a very Happy Thanksgiving - - to you and yours from me and mine!  We celebrated with the kids early this year as we are headed to sunny Florida to spend the holiday with more family.  We are much in need of this break, hoping it will give us the energy, refreshment and encouragement we need to make it thru the remainder of the year.

God bless you!

The work of our hands

Every morning I try to spend some time by myself, drinking my coffee and pondering my day ahead.  I do my best at this time to also focus my thoughts on spiritual things....devotions.  I have several books that I read from, one of my favorites is Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest".  Recently I pulled my old devotional Bible from the bookshelf.  I think it was given to me years ago by one of my old secret pals from church.

It's been well-read as you can see....and loved, too.

I came across this devotional today and wanted to share it with those of you who read my blog who consider yourself crafters and creative people because I feel like we do have a bridge between us and an instant friendship because of our interests.  I felt like it really touched my heart today right where I needed it.  I was feeling stressed, weary and worn out from so much sewing lately.  It was truly an encouragement to me and perhaps you'll find a jewel in it for yourself!

(I apologize in advance for the crappy quality of all these photos - I'm without a camera now and a blackberry camera just doesn't cut it sometimes)

I went on to read the Scripture associated with it:

Psalm 90: 17 ~

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us -
yes, establish the work of our hands."

Both my husband and I have been working hard for the past year or so and agreed just this morning that a break is needed, but still it's important to keep our heads down and continue to do our work, and most of all to do our best!!

So, I dove into this stack of outfits for a local boutique and truly enjoyed fully putting my heart into it!  Clipping and setting my seams properly, matching up seams and focusing completely on doing my best.

Now, perhaps I can take a mini break this weekend - at least from the sewing.  We'll be working in the yard as we've just had bushes planted and we decided to add the pine straw ourselves in an effort to keep the cost with the landscaper down.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend....wherever you are!!

Hullo! (warning ~ word-heavy post!)

So, I've been chained to my sewing machines for the past month or so as my little business has definitely taken a turn.  For the better, I'm sure...i think.....Orders come in daily and even though I tell myself I have plenty of work and don't want to take on anything larger, I go and accept an order from a boutique (or two)...what gives, idiot????  Am I a glutton for punishment or do I really need to fill my days with endless sewing.  Sometimes I think the latter wins.  Although I do force myself to stop in the evenings and give my hubby a little kiss and hug but then it's back to the salt mines.  No, really, I don't work into the wee hours of the night, but I do have to be careful!

This morning, we ventured 'uptown' to run an errand at my husband's latest construction project. Remember this post back in 2010 where we moved a house?

Well, he's added a bathroom and is ready to put on the vinyl siding and start cleaning up the inside. We have a buyer so that is extra nice right now!

Anywhoooo...it's Saturday and I'm trying my best to 'work' only on the weekdays and do all my domestic chores and fun stuff on the weekend.  Like today.  Today I'm being domestic.   I've been craving some fresh, homemade shortbread and today was the day to make some.   Soooo simple - just 3 ingredients:  flour, sugar, butter (real stuff, not margarine)....yet sooooooo tasty!  Especially when it's fresh from the oven.

While I was in 'bread' mode, I decided to make some gingerbread cookies, although these were made from a mix that I bought last Christmas but never got around to making.  The expiration date was for next month so we're OK...

...although those little gingerbread men don't look so 'OK'....

so, that didn't work too well....enough little brown men, how about some little brown ducks? 

In addition to finding more time to rediscover my domestic side, I've actually found more time to read, which I haven't done much of since I began my entrepreneurship.  Right now I'm reading Cashelmara by Susan Howatch.  It's a novel set in Ireland in the 1800s and it's actually pretty good.

The lives of my family members are changing somewhat, too.  Two weeks ago, my dad went in for minor surgery on his knee, and while on the operating table, his heart stopped......3 times!!!!  They had to 'bring him back' with medications and later that afternoon he immediately had a pacemaker put in.  He's only 66 and in excellent shape.  I think it was more of a wake up call for me than for him. 

Our oldest daughter finally has a direction to go in her life - she's headed to Southeast Asia in January to teach English to folks over there.  We really aren't allowed to say exactly where she's going as it's a Muslim country, so we jokingly refer to it as "Topeka".  She's a member of Wycliffe Bible Translators and has to raise all her funding prior to her departure in January.  We are SO proud of her and backing her up in every way we can!  If you want to know more about her mission, you can read about it here.  God is good!.....all the time!  :)

So, I guess now that I've updated you just a tiny bit as to what's been going on in our household for the past month and a half, it's time for me to get back to being domestic....the laundry calls!

We've got spirit.....

....YES, we do!  We've got spirit, how 'bout YOU!?

Pinafore and Bloomers  ^

Brother/Sister Sets ^

Jumper A-line Dress ^

Peasant Dress

And if your team fabric is not available, we can always just go with the team colors in a variety of prints and designs!!

GO TEAM!!!!

Contact me at handmadebyjenn@gmail.com to order!

A 'Passel' of Quilts

Oh, I know it's been awhile since my last post, but I have a real good excuse....

I've been mounting a HUGE quilt-making effort - 32 quilts in just a couple of days!
Seriously!!

Hey! I've got pictures to prove it!!!

Actually, the quilts are only about 5" square but there's 32 of them!!!

They're for my Burden Bears.  I recently took an order for a hospice in Kansas with potential for a larger future order from associated programs, so I've been working hard putting these little cuties together.

I used a strip quilting technique, making 5 sets of 5 - 22" strips (1-1/2" wide) sewn together and then cut them crosswise in 1-1/2" pieces.  Then I chose one piece from each different strip cutting and sewed them together so each quilt will not have a repeating square.  Then, I just backed them in muslin and thankfully there's no quilting involved.

I then accordian the little quilt, tuck it in one of these little guys' arms and sew his little paw to his tummy, helping him hold onto his quilt.  Attach the Burden Bear poem and he's ready to give comfort!!

I'm working with a new bear which I like so much better than the ones I was using.  Their fur is very much like fuzzy suede and they are SOOOO cute!  I ordered a very large amount of these so I'm sure there's going to be plenty of miniature quilt-making in my near future!  These guys are also available in my Etsy shop here.

Nighty-night, little bear!!  You've got a big day tomorrow as you're headed to Kansas to cheer someone up!!