Life in Bonetown

Helping Mom - Part Three

2012-01-17T20:01:00.000-05:00

...and so it continues...

We're back at Mom's house doing some repairs to make her house more functional and liveable. You can see where we started this job here and here on earlier posts. It's been a slow and steady process. She hasn't had hot water in her bathroom for several months now so she's been showering at the local YMCA. Her office is actually a renovated porch, closed in to make another room. It has no heat so we have to raise the floor to put ductwork in below. The first order of business was to hit Lowe's and fill our carts will all the necessary materials.

We spent the first two days working on the plumbing problem. We replaced the ENTIRE water supply pipes under the house which required crawling around in the dust, cobwebs and crud. There's even a cat skeleton down there - poor little kitty got stuck down there and couldn't get out...makes me sad to think of that. It's a very small crawlspace so at times we were scooting on our bellies and at the end of the day our backs were aching so much from the strain. In addition, we weren't able to shower until tonight as we didn't have hot water....yuck! But, that problem is behind us and we're starting on the framing for the office tomorrow.

Mom is cooking three hot meals for us every day (way too much food) but we are enjoying being pampered and I know she is appreciative of the help. Bill and I both feel it's the least we can do to help her as she has committed her life to serving people in her community. She doesn't have the luxury of money, but she does have a calling and a desire to help the poor in her neighborhood.

So, that's going to be our week....right now we're settling into some serious 'vegging' in front of the television to watch Glee, New Girl and Raising Hope......ahhh....relaxation feels great after a hard day's work! :)

Recjoicing and Answers...

2012-01-04T07:49:00.000-05:00

Yes - I am announcing it! Sleep for me, lately, is such a rareity that when it occurs (probably 3 or 4 times per month), I want to shout it to the world, and that's just what I did! No restless legs, achy back, discomfort or insomnia last night, although I did have to get up to pee at least twice (can't remember if there was a third time) but, hey, that's an improvement!!! So, I feel good today for a change.

Anyway, I suppose y'all are back to get some answers to those burning questions I left you with....

First of all, on the puzzle, if you said anything about kitties, sewing or quilting, you were right there because those are some of my favorite things!

Speaking of kitties, I have a new favorite website....http://icanhascheezburger.com/ I have a hard time reading some of the cute-sy writing (sorta like a munchkin talking) but I enjoy laughing out loud at the funny pictures and videos of cats and other animals! I can definitely relate to some of it!

So, as you can see, the finished puzzle has found it's place on the wall and just yesterday I received a new installment in the mail - FOUR new puzzles just waiting for my longing fingers!!

I found a great new website for puzzles and it was really hard to decide which ones to purchase. I honestly didn't need 4 puzzles, but since I didn't receive any for Christmas presents this year, I decided to splurge.

OK, onto the next burning question. Most of you were right, but one of my friends totally made me bust out laughing when she said it looked like a "textured breast implant for a tiny titty or a doll".....HA!!! Oh, Sheri, you always make me laugh!!

My husband received a bag of Sunkist fruit gems and I asked for the grapefruit flavored ones. There were only two in the bag! I ate the first one he gave me and then this other one showed up the next day in it's cute little place! awwwwwwww......

Now, it's mmmmmmmmmmmm! Fake boobies taste like grapefruit - perhaps that's why they call them 'grapefruits'.....

P.S. I feel so good today, I think I'll make some cookies!!! http://www.ibelieveicanfry.com/2011/12/chewy-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-cookies.html

Guessing Game

2011-12-31T11:17:00.002-05:00

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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CLEARANCE ☆ ~ http://www.etsy.com/shop/Bewbear?section_id=10268236
READY to SHIP ☆ ~ http://www.etsy.com/shop/Bewbear?section_id=10577453
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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!!

©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©

It Hit Me.

2011-12-12T08:03:00.000-05:00

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....

2011-12-02T08:36:00.000-05:00

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

2011-11-20T12:34:00.000-05:00

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

2011-09-30T11:23:00.000-04:00

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!)

2011-09-24T16:15:00.000-04:00

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.....

2011-08-18T08:47:00.000-04:00

....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

2011-08-12T11:40:00.000-04:00

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!!

A Machine

2011-07-25T11:38:00.000-04:00

That's what I feel like lately.

In addition to sewing and sending out regular orders from my shop, I took on a giant order for a designer in NY for about 50 dresses and skirts.

She has a shop in downtown NYC and is originally from Ghana.

I've been working with ethnic fabrics paired with coordinating linens.

Lots of chain stitching and moving from station to station - making all the ruffles, ironing a portion on all garments, inserting all the elastic and pinning on the ruffles for machine stitching, heading back to the sewing machine to sew up all the openings and sew on the ruffles....trying to coordinate it all so I don't have to change thread colors every five minutes.....50 times!!

It's been a real challenge for me to commit myself to working on several items of the same pattern in a short period of time, but I'm just about done.

All that's left is a lot of hand sewing - buttons and such.

Then, it's all off into the mail and I'm off to visit family in Montana!!

Can't wait!!!

Cravings

2011-07-20T20:59:00.000-04:00

I just saw a picture of a stack of delicious whoopie pies in my magazine....

....now I just wish I could see one of them in my hand, making it's way to my mouth!

Funny how a craving hits us and nothing just seems to satisfy until we get that one thing!
Unfortunately, I have absolutely nothing in my house that even closely resembles the taste and texture of one of those light and fluffy chocolatey cookie pies! Bella seems to be experiencing the same craving. Nothing satisfies quite like ~~Robert Pattison~~ a good whoopie pie.

So, it looks like I'll have to settle for apple raisin pie and a glass of milk.

*meh*

Naming Game

2011-07-17T12:07:00.000-04:00

Whenever I start a new quillow project, I spend a lot of time thinking what unique name I can come up with to adequately describe the quillow in just a word or two (or three, perhaps, if necessary).

I've got my sewing table centered in front of window so it appears I'm sewing in the middle of the yard!

I decided to try Cluck Cluck Sew's tutorial for a "stack and whack" block - a simple block that showcases fabric easily.

I had a set of fat eights I purchased from Connecting Threads from their Quilter's Candy collection in dark blues, greens, indigo...naturally, it was on clearance and it was a new set of colors and fabrics for me to work with, so I snagged it.

Anyway, this morning I'm happily sewing away, sipping my cup of coffee and my darling husband traipses in with the coffee pot JUST to fill up my cup. C'mon - say it with me.....

Awwwwwwwwwww!

I realize that a lot of my posts recently have been full of conversations between my hubby and I, so in keeping with that trend, here's another I'll share with you.

Me: "Hey babe, help me name my new quillow"

Him: "Hmmmm.....Looks like it's very greeny and purply"

{I'm thinking descriptive terms like, ocean, lagoon, deep blue, etc.....}

Him: "You should call it Gurple"...he states as he heads back to the kitchen...

Ummmm...no. Sometimes I consider him my 4th child - 53 years old and still a child at heart - gotta love it!!!

(BTW ~ if you happen to live near me and speak to my husband occasionally, please don't mention that you read about him on my blog!!!! Thanks!)

Anyway, I really enjoyed making these blocks and can't wait to put them together! I plan on doing the same pattern with my Dr. Seuss fabrics and make a children's quillow.

I'm trying to train myself to use the knife on my sewing machine to cut threads in lieu of grabbing up the scissors all the time.

Do you use your knife? Do you KNOW you probably have at least one or maybe more knives on your machine? :)

Tempting...

2011-07-12T14:14:00.000-04:00

Sells regularly for $349....web exclusive for $199 at Joann Fabrics.
And this is the full-size one, NOT the GO! Baby!!

Click HERE for more details on this special

I'm not having any luck winning one of these on all the giveaways in blogland so this is SERIOUSLY tempting me!!!

Mary, Mary...

2011-07-10T16:44:00.000-04:00

....quite contrary......

....how does your garden grow?

In hexies!!!!

13 down..... ? . to go...
nope, still not sure what I'll do, but it will probably be a quilt of some sort.

My husband commented on my sewing the whole thing by hand....

Him: "I bet you'll charge a lot for that baby!"

Me: "Oh, I'm not selling it"

Him: "What? Why?"

Me: "Cuz it's for ME"

Him: "What are you going to do with it? You don't need a quilt!"

He just doesn't get it, does he. We just gotta make these things for ourselves whether we need them or not. We just do!!... right?

A Super Deal!

2011-07-08T09:15:00.000-04:00

My sister-in-law is a professional quilter and has taken the plunge and purchased a longarm quilter for her growing quilting business.

Click HERE to see some of her quilting work.

She is graduating from a smaller setup which includes a Janome quilting machine combined with a quilt rack and handles for the machine, which she has up for sale!

She offered it to me but I'm so busy with my clothing business that I don't think I'd ever get the chance to use it. Plus, I'm just not a bed-sized quilter, ya know.

BUT, it really is a super deal and I'm hoping we can find a good home for it.

Take a peek HERE.

The sewing machine is a Janome 1500P-DBX which is selling for about $800 right now, so to get the whole shebang for $750 is a super deal right off the bat - just for the machine!!!! She's a very particular and immaculate person when it comes to caring for her tools so I know this machine is in tip-top shape!!

If you're interested, just follow the prompts in the attachment above to send her an email or you can always contact me if you'd like and I can relay any info and make the connection for you.

P.S. She also has a degree in web design so if you're looking for help in that area, she's available!! :)

My husband knows me too well

2011-07-07T08:39:00.000-04:00

...to a “T” (what does that mean anyway?)

After the wild horse adventure yesterday, my husband and I were sitting on the front porch, having our morning coffee, and I saw a ‘lump’ out in the distance of the front yard. I mentioned that I wondered if the horses left some ‘stuff’ out in the field and if that was evidence. He said he hoped not because he had to bush hog the front field this week and didn’t really want to be tossing horse piles around with his tractor.

So, I told him later that it definitely was some ‘stuff’ out there and you know what he said?....

“Well, did you clean it up or did you just take a picture of it and put it on your blog?”

He knows me well.

~~~~~~~

Been thinking lately...

I admire the ladies out there that have time to blog, posting tutorials and such, turn out lots of projects, post recipes, decorate their houses AND raise small children - all at the same time. I go in phases of being willing and able to spend time just blogging about my boring life. It’s tough.

Last week when I was loaded down, both physically and emotionally, I lay there thinking of all the things I was stressing about. So many little things added up to just break me down. I wondered why….

my three, circa 1994...?

And then, my husband reminded me that I used to sew, work a full-time job AND raise 3 children! I am so glad that part of my life is over. Don’t get me wrong, I love my children, but I did my time – 18+ year’s worth in a blended family! I honestly don’t think I could handle it now.

taken shortly after we married, 1993

So, hats off to those of you in blog land that quilt, sew, decorate, cook and raise children – I will never underestimate you and I love to read your blogs and be inspired by all you create!!!

And, in case you haven't heard, Sew Fabulous Quilt Shop is giving away a Farm Fresh fat quarter bundle!

Be sure to stop by and check it out!!

"Wild" Horses

2011-07-06T09:06:00.001-04:00

We woke to wild horses tramping around in our front yard this morning.

While I was still sleeping Bill said he heard what sounded like thunder and peeked outside to see several horses. Unfortunately, he didn't wake me up (and I sleep with earplugs) so I missed the good part.
They're probably not wild as there is a horse farm behind our house so that's probably where they got loose from.

By the time I got up, they had meandered across the road in front of our land and were in the neighbor's field. A police car showed up, drove down the driveway beside our house and the horses followed easily. I was still in my pajamas and bed head but I managed to catch this shot with my phone of the caravan heading back home.

Oh, and I finished another puzzle, got it glued and up on the wall in my sewing room ~ pretty! This is partly what inspired my desire to start a hexagon project.

P.S. Sorry, but I couldn't resist sharing it ALL with you! :)

Settled and Soaked

2011-07-05T21:21:00.001-04:00

Remember these?...

I think I've finally settled on a pattern to use for my next quillow. I always pick up the flyer for Wal-mart's "Quilt of the Month" if I like it, but I usually pass on the fabric. I pulled this one out and thought it might suit these fabrics...I'm still nailing down which fabrics to use where...

Of course, I'll modify it a bit, cutting off a few rows and columns and adding sufficient border to fit my standard quillow size of 44 x 72.....and one block more for the pillow, of course.

These blocks finish out at 15-3/4" so that will be perfect. I think this one was from 2009...an oldie! You can download the pdf here along with several other ones.

I've finally dug myself out from under yet another huge to-do list and backorders so I've had a little fun creating a new brother/sister outfit set for my etsy shop. Whaddya think?

It's made with Michael Miller's Magical Flower Fairies toile fabric in apple and a coordinating brown mini dot. I've also ordered the purple colorway and will offer that, too.

Last week was filled with lots of anxiety and (unnecessary) tears so I also celebrated with a wonderful bubble bath and the last slice of coconut cake - yes, I eat in the bathtub!

This weekend we're going to make homemade ice cream and try this idea for a topping - hope I don't blow up the house or anything!

A couple finishes

2011-07-02T15:22:00.000-04:00

Back in May we returned from vacation and I had two quillow tops going together. Remember these:

Well, I've finished both, including hand quilting and they are in my quillow shop!!

I'm just loving how they turned out!

Now, I've got to get cracking on another project because I hate being without any hand quilting.

Several months ago, I purchased these two bolts

and then found some coordinates online and purchased a few fat quarters.

Oh, and I almost forgot that I've got a bit of this fabric, too, also in the line.

There were several more fabrics in this line (Bryant Park by Exclusively Quilters) so it was hard to decide which I wanted to use - especially since I didn't really know what I was going to do! I still haven't decided on a pattern so that's what I'll probably be working on tomorrow afternoon. The Quilter magazine used it on their cover in May 2010 and I didn't even realize it until after I had purchased the fabric. I don't think I'll be using that quilt pattern though.

So......I'm totally open to suggestions if anyone has one!

Anyway, I hope y'all have a lovely 4th of July, doing whatever you do!! Be safe!

P.S. I've got lots extra of the first two Bryant Park fabrics pictured so they're available in my etsy fabric shop.

MORE shop notes....

2011-06-28T07:17:00.000-04:00

I know....yet another post about the shop....

It's neccessary for me to shut down production for a bit and clear the shelves as I attempt to catch up with things, so.....

EVERYTHING in the shop is marked down 25% and READY TO SHIP!

Pocketbooks

Notepads

Baked potato bags

Aprons

And so much MORE!

Please stop by and take something home with you!!! (Click HERE to visit my shop)

A Corny Post

2011-06-25T16:51:00.000-04:00

Not really what I wanted to be doing on a Saturday afternoon

But I can't complain...

...it's free and it will fill my freezer!

Thank you, PeeWee!

"Ick"-ing and rejoicing

2011-06-20T20:34:00.000-04:00

OK....

Here's my thought for the day.

Or, perhaps it should be my statement for the day.

I don't like brown rice. at all.

Chewy little brown rubber nuggets....ick

I was trying to be all 'miss gourmet' tonight and tried a chicken dish with a dijon mustard sauce (the hubby liked that part) and since we're trying to eat more healthy, I fixed some brown rice to go with it.

Never again. The rest of the box is getting donated to my mother who loves that ~~crap~~ stuff.

So, now the rejoicing part.....

I finally finished a HUGE order for a customer for like two thousand pairs of ruffled baby pants that have been hanging over my head for at least 2 months!

Actually it was more like 15 pair, but it sure felt like 2,000.

I've decided I don't like doing ruffles - at least not on such a grand scale. I can't imagine being a seamstress in the early 80s!!

image found here

.....you'll also never find me working for Dolce and Gabbana

image found here

Sooooo......now that I've shared my heart with you tonight, I'm off to the bathtub for a nice, hot soak and then dive into these babies - no ruffles here!

Oh yeah...these too....a friend of my 'flung a craving on me' (as we say in the South) for some Mary Engelbreit and I started these dresden blades that now need turning and pressing.

Summer Sale!

2011-06-18T14:33:00.000-04:00

Just a quick shop note to let y'all know that all my Ready to Ship children's clothing items are now discounted 25%!

They won't last long at these prices so get them while you can!

Swamped

2011-06-13T10:32:00.002-04:00

....that I am!

I don't know why I let myself get to this point. I get lazy as the orders trickle in and I don't think much of it, plus I usually have some HUGE custom order lurking in the background that I keep putting on a back burner because I just don't really want to get started on it.

Then, all of a sudden, I'm swamped! This realization always seems to hit on the day when I'm the most tired, for who know what reason (probably also why I haven't blogged much lately - my blogging batteries have been dead.)

Well, it hit me today....Monday....ugh. I don't really dislike Mondays since quitting the 'working world' and starting my own business. Most days are usually just the same with none really being worse than the other. But today, I definitely feel the Monday Uglies.....

I decided I needed to just jump on things, regardless of how I felt, and it would abate - get started and get on a roll, get in a groove, and as Larry the Cable Guy would say here in the South: "Git-R-Done!!"

I was right! My favorite saying came true today:

"Begun is Half Done!"

Now, if I could just pry myself away from this computer and get back to work!! :)

Center piece or Edge piece?

2011-05-27T08:06:00.000-04:00

Can I pleez have a brownie for breakfast???? It would go so well with my coffee! :)

I had a 'hankering' for brownies last night, so the first chunk was my dessert. The second little nibble was my 'getting ready for bed' piece, which I snarfed before I brushed my teeth. You can tell I'm a center-piece kinda gal and not an edge-piece lover.

So, now I think I'll just polish off the rest of it so it doesn't get stale or anything.

What about you? Center piece or Edge piece??

Peace and Quilting

2011-05-19T20:03:00.000-04:00

I didn't realize until we were well on our way home from our beach vacation and Bill turned on the radio, that I hadn't listened to music for an entire week! All we could tune into was a country station and I'm not much on country music, but just listening to the songs (it was actually a good string of songs we heard) gave me a sense of peace and relaxation that I struggled all week long for! Funny to think that if I just would've found some music to listen to it would have been a whole lot easier to relax! You don't really appreciate things until you have to do without them. Granted I wasn't deprived of music for a week, I was just too busy trying to relax to even think about music! Sheesh!!!
It made me think of the participants on Survivor....imagine going 39 days without music! I know they probably don't think about that as much as missing good food!

Anyway, I'm back in the swing of things today, and spent a little time working on block placement for a couple of quillows.

I started these blocks several months ago when I saw a video for 'tube quilting' from Missouri Star Quilt Co. I have plenty of Jennifer Paganelli's Flower Power fabrics and I thought it looked like a really fun pattern!

It was actually very easy and I love the contrast!

Then I laid out the pinwheel blocks I worked on last week on vacation.

I just love the pastel, vintage look! I had accidentally referred to these fabrics in my last post as "Canning Day" but it's really "Sweet Remembrance". I think there's still more of it available and it's clearance priced here.

Can't wait to get these quillows put together and ready for quilting!

P.S. I've got more of the Jennifer Paganelli fabric for sale at shelf-clearing prices in my etsy fabric shop!! Please drop by!!

Bittersweet

2011-05-17T17:49:00.001-04:00

The last day of vacation...sort of a bittersweet day, isn't it?...sad to see the end of vacation time but glad to get back home to all your familiar and comfy surroundings.

I finally decided to bring my sewing machine and some charm packs and spent a few hours putting together some pinwheel blocks.

The fabric is "~~Canning Day~~" "Sweet Remembrance" from Connecting Threads paired with a pale yellow cotton solid.

It was Biker Week here at Myrtle Beach so there was plenty of Harleys and interesting looking folks!

I can't imagine this could be comfortable!

We tried to fit in and rode our human-powered bikes all over town!

that's my hubby on the right

All in all, I'm definitely refreshed and ready to get home and get back into a sewing groove!!!

Squirmy

2011-05-10T08:16:00.000-04:00

I have a hard time relaxing.

No, seriously.....I just don't know how to sit still sometimes. Unless, of course, I'm absolutely beat at the end of the day, I just can't seem to be content to sit quietly with my hands still....doing nothing. Oh how I wish I could! I can't even sleep in in the mornings!

What brings me to this acknowledgement is my decision as to what to carry to the beach this week to 'do' while vacationing. Honestly, I do look forward to sitting around the campground, watching people and chatting idly with my husband. But, I can only handle so much of that idleness and then I get squirmy. So, my dilemma is whether or not to take any sewing with me. If I do, it has to be simple, easy to work on, non-messy and I have to promise myself that if I don't have to do it! It's simply going to be my back-up if I get bored with crosswords, puzzles, reading, chatting, suntanning, biking, swimming, etc....you get the picture.

Last time I took a simple I Spy quilt that was cut and ready to go.

I just sat and chain sewed....easy peasy...

I even talked Bill into cutting the pieces apart, but I don't think he'll be as easy to coerce this time.

Anyway, back to my current world (we don't leave until tomorrow)....I have actually caught up on ALL my 'necessary' sewing - AMAZING!! Just need to finish making summer dresses for my niece and sister-in-law. I finished 3 more Buttercup Bags (pattern by Rae Hokstra) and listed them in the shop. Why, I just don't know, because they really don't sell that quickly....perhaps that's more of the 'squirmy' in me that just wants to do it because I've got fabric up to my eyeballs and need to do something with it!!!!

Oh yeah...it helps that they've been cut out and waiting to be sewn for several months now....sheesh! I'm pretty sure I started them last year because I used to sell them mostly at craft shows but we don't have time for those anymore.

Anyway, while working on real orders for my Etsy shop, I have also enjoyed creating adult TIE-shirts for fun!

My son's roomie saw his shirt and requested one for himself. I'm loving his color combination! I only wish there were more boys around to make these for!

I also found time recently to get into my garden and get it cleaned up and ready for summer.

We decided against planting any veggies this year so the only thing I'll be harvesting (hopefully) is some sweet basil and flowers.

My husband recently purchased a pallet of landscape blocks at a killer price for his construction project and luckily had plenty leftover which I used to trim out my beds.

Perhaps when I get back from vacation I'll have the energy to tackle the bed in front of the house.....

Bonetown Baby

2011-05-06T10:52:00.000-04:00

I looked out my window and saw that I had a little visitor today.

And then she saw me!

She's the newest baby on the block and lives just down the road at Jason and Amanda's house.

We helped build their new home last year and they've already had their first 'baby'

Her name is "Reese"....kinda like a peanut butter cup....chocolate on the outside (ears and nose) and peanut butter in the middle!! She's having a hard time with training and learning not to jump up on folks...much like any puppy.

Today she's riding around with her 'daddy' - he's here looking at the RV in hopes of getting it road-ready for our camping vacation next week.

I got my fingers crossed and prayers going up that it's not a lost cause because I NEED this vacation!!!

A Blessing in disguise, sewing fun and weekend plans

2011-04-30T10:56:00.001-04:00

Remember the countertop I mentioned here?

Well, guess where the old and 'damaged' one ended up?

Yep! Guess I shouldn't complain at having to spend that extra cash, now should I?

I'm definitely lovin' it! It helps my back even more so - the less I have to stoop, the better off my back is! Not to mention the extra few inches it added to the width of my existing cutting table!

My 23-year-old son was home over the Easter break and saw some of the boy clothes I've recently listed in my Etsy shop.

Here's a shirt I made for my 7 year old nephew in Montana for his birthday next week.

I used a tutorial by Mud Puddles and Daisies to make him a 'matching' wallet - my sewing is pretty rugged on it, but it will serve the purpose.

Anyway, my son decided he wanted a shirt with a tie like that. It was a bit of a surprise considering I really didn't think he'd ever want to wear something homemade, but he was serious! He even picked out his colors!

So, this is what I came up with....he put it on as soon as he got it and sent me this picture

Charming! He had called me earlier in the week to see if I was done making his shirt - said he wanted to wear it to church on Sunday! :) Now his roomie wants one, too!!

I planned to do some house cleaning and a bit of yard work today because the weather is beautiful and the house is empty ~ I can't stand cleaning house with people in it!

But, my back is not cooperating today so I will probably find myself in front of the sewing machine in a little bit until I feel better.

We've also got plans to have a 'real' house closing celebration tomorrow afternoon at Olive Garden followed by the weekly visit to Wal-mart....you know - the American tradition!! ha ha! It has to be weekly for us instead of more often because we live so far out in the boondocks and gas costs so much lately.

What are your weekend plans?? Hope it's a lovely one for y'all!!

...* ~ * Aahhhhhhhhh...!! * ~ *...

2011-04-28T17:25:00.000-04:00

It's been a very long journey since we started the Stumptown house (January 2009), and it's absolutely refreshing to breathe a huge sigh of relief and say that it's finally over!

the empty lot

beginning of the project

Construction is my husband's passion, and I have learned over the past couple of years that it is also definitely not mine. I enjoy the process of seeing a home built or renovated but I do NOT enjoy the physical part of it - at all! I'm still very young and yet lately I've felt 20 years older than I am. I know this process is physically taxing on my husband's body, too, but his passion for it overcomes his pain by a long stretch! So many times he went the extra mile for the homeowners by doing things that the average builder doesn't....adding little touches to make things extra special or extra durable, putting up a mailbox, installing blinds on the doors and windows and even combining all the papers, registration forms, manuals, etc...that come with all the 'parts' of a home, collecting them in handy binders with custom-made labels. The bar top in the kitchen had a few scratches on it that honestly no one would have really noticed or even cared about, but he couldn't let it slide and spent another $175 to have it replaced. I'm ashamed to say that so many times I told him he could have left this out, or not done that and gotten away with it, but he wouldn't go for it - he's not one to cheaply cover up his mistakes. He even baked cookies for the closing attorney and his staff last night!!! You don't find builders like that anymore and I'm truly honored to know one!

We had a mini celebration after the closing today....one final little 'picnic' on the living room floor - tater skins and Cokes from the local gas station!!

We learned not only a lot about construction, but loads about ourselves and each other. Even though there was a lot of blood, sweat and tears (more my tears than anything) along the road, I truly wouldn't trade this experience for anything!!

knockout roses in front of the house

I'll just post one more batch of some of the final pictures we took today.

family room

master bath

kitchen

back patio

private patio off the master bedroom

outside view of private patio on side of house

Thanks to all of you who cheered me on with your notes of support ~ it kept me going! :)

Private Gonzales reporting for duty!!!

2011-04-22T15:45:00.000-04:00

One of the things I love about my mom is that whenever she comes to visit she always wants to help out with whatever I need. Whether it's cleaning house, cooking meals, working in the yard or even tying quillows, she's always ready and willing! Today she had planned to clean out my flower beds but it is cold and rainy so I put her to work straightening up my fabrics. My stacks were in dire need of attention because I was 'losing' fabric in the midst of the mess!

She looked so cute just working away at those stacks!

Her name isn't 'Gonzales'...she just likes to wear fatigues because she thinks they're comfy. She gets them at the local Goodwill or thrift store. She's very cozy with the Salvation Army and refers to it as "Sally"! :)

Anyway, it gave me a chance to work on this bevy of bloomers for a boutique order while we chatted.

While trying to get my boutique orders out the door, I've been straying from the path and had to put together a few halter dresses in some new fabrics I got in the mail this past week.

They are sooooo pretty and so much fun to make!! Irresistible!!

They are now available in my Etsy shop with plans to make more!

Don't forget that all my 'Ready to Ship' items are 10% off right now!!

It's been a lovely day and I'm looking forward to all my chickens coming for dinner on Sunday! I hope your weekend is a lovely one, too!!!

Thanks Mom!!

Just a Reminder....

2011-04-20T13:01:00.000-04:00

...for me, that is....unless, you need a reminder, too, then I'll be happy to share these words of wisdom: "...in the middle of my little mess,I forget how BIG I'm blessed..."

Easter Shop Note!

2011-04-15T11:19:00.001-04:00

Just a quick post for those interested in my Etsy shop....

I've got a large selection of clothing items for both boys and girls!

I can't guarantee delivery of custom outfits in time for Easter,

BUT I have marked down all my READY TO SHIP items 10%!!!

These items ship immediately via USPS First Class and should arrive within 3 - 4 days.

Just click here to go straight to my shop and these READY TO GO items!!

The Scent of Montana Memories

2011-04-06T17:27:00.000-04:00

Today, my day was pretty much shot as far as getting any sewing done....I spent at least 6 hours getting lost in the big city of Columbia while trying to pick up miscellaneous construction and sewing supplies (and taxes - ugh). No time to get into any cutting or sewing now, soooooooo....why not blog a bit! Haven't talked with y'all in a while so a short 'chat' will be nice, doncha think?

The weather here is absolutely beautiful! I sneaked a few flowers into my shopping cart while at Lowe's this afternoon and finally got the planters on my back porch filled with something pretty.

Never mind that the house itself is disgustingly cruddy in places - at least my pots are full of flowers and that's all that matters to me right now! It's so nice to come home to a welcoming stoop surrounded by color!

Since Spring has arrived here in the South, my lilacs are in full bloom and they smell absolutely wonderful. I caught a whiff as I was crossing the breezeway and it swept me back to my childhood in Montana.

Lilacs grow like crazy there, overtaking all the alleys and lanes. We used to walk home from school down the alleys and smell the lilac bushes, picking them and tearing up the soft smooth leaves. They were such an abundance it was really harmless. Here, they don't grow so well and are often very spindly, lasting only a short while. It really is amazing how a scent can carry you straight back so many years to a specific time and place! I close my eyes, take a big whiff and BAM, I'm 10 years old and back in Montana, strolling down the alley and swinging my emtpy "Muppet Show" lunch box.

This fat little fella just didn't want to stay still to let me get a decent picture of him. He was definitely enjoying himself.

I just couldn't leave that loveliness outside because I knew it would be gone in a few days and I wouldn't have time to walk out and smell the flowers each day.

Never mind that I don't have a decent vase for it! It's just pure Spring and I'm loving it!!

The stork paid me a visit while I was gone....I came home and had 3 babies waiting for me!!!

This is my artistic shot...I call it...."Dummy Tummies" :)

If flowers are blooming in your neck of the woods, I encourage you to stop and enjoy them and even take a few inside with you if you can!

Quick Drop In

2011-03-25T06:56:00.001-04:00

Hello...I know I've been gone, like, forever, and I knew this would happen as the house project was drawing to a close. We have the closing set for April 7th and still many things to do.

If you look back at my last post you'll see the walls were still unpainted....Praise the Lord, we hired a painter!!! I was so glad, too, because I was having bouts of depression thinking of how I was going to get all that painting done....seriously! Anyway, this is what those same walls look like now:

Lovely, isn't it!! The dining room is the only room with a special color, the rest is a light shade of cream which contrasts nicely with the white gloss trim.

Next, Bill sanded floors....

while I installed all these...

It's amazing how we don't realize how many of these things go into a house...there were 92 of the outlet covers alone!!! I stopped counting when I got to the switchplate covers! I also installed my first dimmer switch and eyeball can lights!

YAY me!! :)

Looks good on the entertainment center, ya think?

Next, we applied polyurethane to the floors....I started by cutting in around the difficult areas

and Bill came along with the roller...

Now, isn't it REALLY lovely?

We're installing finish electrical and plumbing now and, to me, that's really the fun part! I enjoy electrical work! The plumbing is questionable at times.

In the midst of all this, I'm still trying to keep my head above water with orders of baby clothes, but I'm managing. I love it when my customers send me appreciation pics of things they've bought from my shop. Isn't this just the sweetest picture??

I was super excited to team up with a designer in New York that wants me to help create a line of clothing for them....wow! This is new territory for me and I'm excited but also a little nervous as I really don't know what to expect!

Spring has sprung here in the South and I have been taking pictures of some lovely things...I'll leave you with a shot from my back yard as the sun was rising...

My chair of bowlies....

2011-02-27T08:28:00.001-05:00

Good morning!

It's an absolutely lovely Sunday morning here in Bonetown, with temperatures promised into the 80s in the next day or so!! I was so busy sewing yesterday that I didn't get any laundry done, but today my DH and I will tackle it since it's the perfect day to hang it all out on the clothesline! And then, perhaps a nice bike ride is in order! I wished for some colder weather this past winter as I'm originally from Montana and prefer 'true' winter instead of what we usually get here in South Carolina and I definitely got my wish AND my fill of cold! I'm loving that I live in the South right now!!!

Right now, I'm just sitting here with my little brother, Frankie, reading blogs and enjoying a cup of coffee.

I am so behind on my blogs, as I have close to 400 unread, but I can remedy that with a lazy Sunday!

Things have been extremely busy in so many ways....especially with my Etsy shop. It's only February and I have already sewn more pinafore sets than I did in all of 2010!!!

On top of that, the quillow and nap mat orders started picking up. All this sewing in addition to the work going on at the construction project, which, by the way is officially under contract (amen).

We're in the trim stage at the project and my husband is quite the craftsman and wanted to do some fancy trimwork on this one - employing ideas he's seen in magazines and such.

The headers over the doors and windows are put together piece by piece - not one large piece (although

they probably make them that way, but I'm sure they're extremely pricey) We'll probably finish up the trim work in the next few days and then dive into prepping and painting....it's going to take a lot of caulk and putty to cover all these cracks and nail holes!

So, I decided I didn't need the stress which typically causes me to slack in my sewing quality so I made an executive decision and closed the shop for a week. I figured also since it was my birthday on Wednesday that this could be a nice birthday treat for me - a break!! Although, I really won't be taking a break because I have at least 15 - 20 pinafore sets to sew, approximately 10 quillows, one napmat and some alterations for a friend! Phew! I'm not complaining, though....I prayed for some relief from financial burdens and this is what I got!!!

I've felt free to purchase some more fabrics lately and can't wait to 'dig into' them! It feels like forever since I did any quilting! My life has been all about bloomers lately.

Have you ever shopped at Quilt Home? I really love that website - it's super easy to navigate, user friendly and the sales are fabulous. Right now all Tanya Whelan fabrics are 25% off!!! I got me a nice big stack ready to cut into!!

Lovely, right!!?

Some of it went into a special gift for a dear friend.

It's all done, and just waiting for a good press, a few decent pictures and then shipped off to it's new home.

Well, I must go now....my coffee cup is empty! Have a lovely Sunday wherever you are! :)

A glimpse of my day...

2011-02-11T10:49:00.000-05:00

Have I mentioned before that I truly have a fabulous husband? Probably. Well, let me re-iterate...he is FABULOUS!

Ribbon caddy he made for me last week

I am literally swamped with dress orders and have been sewing in the mornings for a couple of hours before heading to the construction site, working with him until about 4 or 5 and then returning home, cooking dinner, and returning to my sewing room for another 2 - 3 hours of sewing.

stacking up orders

He mentioned he felt badly that I had to do this, but I kept assuring him this was my choice and I was enjoying myself (all except the construction, of course!)

baby bonnets that need some hand sewing - my latest addition to the shop coming soon

Anyway, he told me last night that he had a bunch of one-man-job projects to work on at the house so I should take the day off and get some sewing done!

pinafores awaiting buttonholes and buttons

So, here I am amidst all this loveliness!

Ain't it the truth??? :)

Dinner and dresses

2011-02-10T18:06:00.000-05:00

Fresh asparagus for dinner tonight!!! Delish!!! It's one of my favorite-est vegetables!

They say the best way to get all the woody stems off is to gently grasp the stem, bend easily and where it snaps is most likely the place where woody becomes tender.

I lieu of just whacking off the bottoms, this definitely cuts out the woody stems.

Unfortunately, I always feel like I lose half the batch by doing that and often wonder if there's still some good tender bites in those 'trash' pieces....hmmmmm.

Anyway, I'm going to enjoy it, regardless.

Fresh asparagus is one of those things I rarely get to have because I'm too cheap to buy it and, honestly, down South here, it usually looks pretty yucky and who wants to spend $3+ on yucky-looking asparagus?!

The hubs has been real curious about Wal-mart's proposal to give you the competitor's price, and he decided he would check into it today. So, while we were at Wal-mart we stopped at the customer service desk and got all the details.

Wal-mart's price on asparagus was $2.84/lb. We cashed in Kroger's price for $1.98/lb. I'm liking my asparagus even more with that price!!

We also cashed in competitor's prices on Duncan Hines cake mixes and Folger's coffee....Cha-CHING!!!

I was tickled beyond measure yesterday when one of my customer's turned out to be quite good at photography and offered to take some pictures of her daughter wearing a peasant dress she purchased from my Etsy shop.

I'm hoping we can work an exchange with clothes for pictures!!! Feels so good to meet someone you feel you can trust almost instantly! Now, I just have to figure out what to do!

Isn't she just adorable? Fabulous photography, too, doncha think??

Help! Ohio State Fabric anyone??

2011-02-05T12:24:00.000-05:00

I was wondering if anyone up in the Ohio area knows if Ohio State cotton fabric (not fleece) is available at the local Wal-mart or other fabric shops. I have a customer that wants an Ohio State quillow, but I can't find the fabric online anywhere!!!

Apron Winner

2011-02-05T12:00:00.001-05:00

Well, I only had 7 friends come to my aid with tips for overcoming my fruit-eating-phobia, so the drawing was pretty easy to prepare for.

I haven't really had a chance to employ those great tips you all have shared, but I have printed them out and will start using them as soon as I can!

[I had to sit on the logs while my husband cut them - guess my fat is good for something after all!]

It's just been so busy juggling two jobs, if you can call it that, and I haven't had a chance to plan a grocery list surrounded around fruit, much less get to a larger shopping center where I can get some decent fresh fruit. That's one of the downfalls of living out in the sticks - the local grocery store is truly pitiful when it comes to providing fresh fruits and veggies.

[my most recently-completed patchwork quillow, City Blocks in Bloom]

Enough said, the winner of the Fruit Basket apron is

Mariliz from Mariliz's Musings

Thanks for your wonderful idea with melons and I hope you enjoy the apron. If half aprons are not your style, tuck it away and use if for a lovely gift for a friend!!

Happy Saturday!!

It's raining in Bonetown...

2011-02-04T07:44:00.001-05:00

I've been reading thru the book of Job for my devotions lately. At first, I was skeptical about this book, because I thought it would be somewhat boring....verse upon verse of poetic justice and crying out due to suffering. It didn't seem like a desirable book at the time for me. I assumed it would just depress me - reading about Job's misfortune and the aftereffects, etc...

But, I have been pleasantly surprised! I have been blessed over and over by the words I have read, digging deep to find meaning and apply it to my life ~ not depressing at all!

Today's reading was very fitting for my day. Here is an excerpt:

"How great is God - beyond our understanding!....

He draws up the drops of water,

which distill from the mist as rain;

the clouds pour down their moisture

and abundant showers fall on mankind.

Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds,

how he thunders from his pavilion?"

~ Job 36: 26-29

It was a very comforting and soothing passage for me to read - simply what I needed for today. Every day I struggle with pain, whether it be from working with my husband at the house project or even sitting at my sewing machine for hours. Today I head back to the project and part of me was so resistant to it, causing the sour mood to start creeping back in. I don't want to be a slave to a negative attitude...I want the joy that comes from working hard and helping where I'm needed. I allowed the rain to soothe and wash away all those negative feelings and put my trust in God! Reminding myself of something I already know:

God is in control...

He nourishes and provides...

He cares for me ~ I've seen it!

It never ceases to amaze me how the timing of God's Word is perfect. You can think you are behind in your reading because you have been lazy in your devotion time, but when you pick back up again, the words you read are perfect for exactly what you need at that moment. That's not an excuse for me to be lazy, but simply a reminder of God's love, no matter what.

Yes, it really is raining in Bonetown.....and it's refreshing!!

My Birthday Boy

2011-02-03T08:27:00.000-05:00

Today is my husband's 53rd birthday and I'm taking him fishin' for his celebration! His idea of goin' fishin' is heading to the Seafood Hut and devouring a plate of perch and/or fried oysters! It's a whole lot easier and tons less messy!! I'm not a big seafood fan so he doesn't often get the chance to eat seafood, so I thought this was a nice treat.

He's such a hard-working man and he's so very good to me!

I love him dearly and I wish him 53 more years on this earth!!! (Longevity does run in his family - his grandmother is 95 and two of her sisters lived into their 90s!)

Happy Birthday, BueBear!!

P.S...There's still time to get your name in the hat for the fruit apron giveaway! Please stop by and leave me a comment!!! I so appreciate the advice I've already received and I need lots more ideas, and besides, I love hearing from y'all!!

Help Wanted - Fruit Phobia...Giveaway!!!

2011-01-31T18:09:00.000-05:00

As far as New Year's resolutions go, I haven't made any in several years.

This year I decided a resolution just might be in order. Of course, every year I vow to exercise more and eat healthier (and less) but this year something just popped into my head.

I guess it was the words my husband said to me over lunch one day -

..."you oughta make 2011 the year you conquer your fear of fruit."

History....I don't like fruit. I have never liked fruit. As long as I have been alive I have struggled with my dislike of fruit. Actually, I love all fruit flavors and even fruit juice, but it's the texture that prevents me from eating it. It's really rather stupid because I love almost any kind of vegetable out there and they all have similar textures and such, so why do I have such a tough time with fruit - so much that it literally gags me!?? My mother says it goes back to my early childhood when my dad didn't like fruit and didn't want to eat it, so naturally he didn't force me and he even told my mom not to feed it to me cuz it was 'yukky'. I don't know if that is the real reason, but that's what I hear. It's gotta be something mental, and I really wish I could get hypnotized or something to help me overcome this. I was browsing the web looking for tips and I ran across this page....I thought point #7 was absolutely hilarious!!!

"Take a piece of fruit with you to your doctor. Explain to him that you would like to eat it in his presence so that if you become ill, he's available instantly. Eat a small piece there. This breakthrough can not only help you cope with the fear but conquer it."

So, this year I decided to try eating more fruit on a weekly basis. I like a few fruits in certain form...bananas, apple pie, strawberry jam, raisins....that's about it. Oh yes ~ add tomatoes and avocados to that list, because they are fruits, ya know! I can't stand strawberries because of the seeds and the gushy-ness combined. The pulp in oranges gags me and grapes are hard to chew, too. I don't even like watermelon!!! BUT, I am determined to do my best to try many whole fruits over and over again until I can stomach them. I decided I would start by performing at least one fruit-eating-feat per weekday! Yes, they will be feats!!

So far, I am starting with yogurt. I love yogurt but have only been able to eat the custard style ones or just vanilla. I love Activia, so I have been eating strawberry and this week I have mixed berry.

Anyway, I would love to have your help in this. I'm in need of suggestions as to how I can work fruit into my diet easily....no tackling the fruit basket directly for me quite yet!

Any ideas, recipes, suggestions, etc...will all be welcome! Those of you who leave me a comment will have your name entered into a drawing for a giveaway of this lovely Fruit Basket apron handcrafted by yours truly!!

You can drop by my Etsy shop to see more pictures and I even have a few more of these cute little half aprons available.

Giveaway ends Saturday afternoon at 12:00 PM EST, so you've got plenty of time to help me out!!! Oh, and it's open to all my international friends, too!!! :)

Thinking Positive +++ !!

2011-01-26T19:11:00.000-05:00

Why is it always that when I'm busy, I have so much to blog about, but no time in which to do it? duh....

Whenever I do get around to doing it, my mind goes somewhat blank and I forget all the little tidbits I wanted to share with you!....*sigh*

Anyway, here I am now, stealing a bit of time in-between busy things - I'll just bore you with my latest construction chatter....

I spent the first half of my morning today finishing up a couple of custom quillow orders in addition to waiting for the delivery of the kitchen appliances for the construction project. They finally arrived shortly before midday and I packed my lunch and headed to Stumptown to help my DH.

We spent the remainder of the day laying hardwood flooring in the living room.

This picture was taken at 12:46 PM

This one was taken shortly before quitting time at 5 PM.

SWEET!

I like installing hardwood flooring. I rack and he nails....we've got quite a good system! It's all less messy than painting - no clean up necessary!! :)

It's nice to see some progress at times like this. Most often I'm a very positive person, but there are days when I'm a "glass-is-half-empty" kinda person - especially when it comes to construction.

I look around at the house and see so many things that still need to be done....all the crown moulding, window trim, baseboard....then all that needs to be caulked and the holes puttied, not to mention all the painting that happens after that.

When I think like that, I tend to get depressed so I'm really trying to take one day at a time and focus on what DID get done!!

Last week we DID mostly complete the entertainment center in the living room along with the bookcases in the office.

Before - the blank wall

First, the base cabinets went in

then, the "big boy" is built in the center.

and finally, flanked by two bookcases.

All that remains is some decorative trim and to order doors for the base cabinets. The two holes at the bottom left are access doors to get into the base of the bathtub in the master bathroom on the other side of the wall.

Btw...whaddya think of our nifty coffered ceiling? It's our first!

One more positive thing I need to remind myself of - we finally have HEAT in the house and even though it might be set at 63° - it's wonderful!!!!

a beautiful sight!!

Flexing my muscles

2011-01-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

My PAINT muscles, that is....

Funny how something as simple as pushing a roller or a brush back and forth can cause such 'pain'. I guess I'm flexing muscles that haven't been used in a few months!

Last time we did any large amount of painting was last summer when we were working on my husband's cousin's house. Yesterday we assembled all the materials for the entertainment center and bookshelves for the Stumptown house and primed them all in advance...much easier than priming a finished product.

We did this at our house because it was roomier and more convenient. It looked like we were running a sign factory in our driveway!

DH worked on all the large pieces of plywood and I got to deal with the little stuff.

While we were working, the delivery for the rest of the hardwood flooring arrived.

We chose to have this delivered to our house instead of the project because the last time it was delivered, someone broke into the house and stole 59 bundles of hardwood!!! Luckily, we had carried 77 bundles upstairs while the workers were bringing it into the house, just to distribute it better. The thieves either didn't take time to check upstairs for more wood or something because that wood wasn't touched...it was just the bundles downstairs that were stolen.

Anyway, today we'll begin 'ripping' the wood and then assembling the entertainment center and bookshelves at the project. We'll be the equivalent of the Bonetown IKEA today!!!

I'm definitely enjoying this sunshine! I snuck away from the painting toward the end of the day when I still had some sunshine and was able to get some pictures taken of my latest shop installments - peasant dresses.

So fresh and pretty!!

Omigosh!

2011-01-14T08:13:00.001-05:00

I just did something I've NEVER done before!!

I bought a set of fat quarters from an entire collection of the lastest designer quilting fabric - Amy Butler's new "Soul Blossoms" quilt fabric - all 33 designs!

I've been seeing everyone playing with their "Soul Blossoms" and it just made my heart ache for that pretty stuff!!

So, on a whim, I decided to see what I could find in the way of a bargain....there just HAD to be one out there!

"Bliss"

"Joy"

"Passion"

And I found it!!! I received a monetary gift for Christmas from Gramma and Johnnie Mae and decided this would be a good thing to spend it on!

And, as a gift to you, my lovely readers, I'm passing this onto you!
brodyandma is having a one-day-sale today only on their entire collection of Soul Blossoms!

You won't believe the price, so if you're like me, you'll want to stop by there quickly and snag your bundle!! Oh, and the shipping is fabulous! I truly dislike it when shop owners charge ridiculous rates for shipping!

Ta-ta for now!!

Yes....

2011-01-11T19:16:00.000-05:00

...they were delicious!! I went ahead and modified the recipe a bit for those of you who would like to try it, to make them even better, I think...this includes more of the caramel sauce, more butter and cinnamon inside, and thinner rolls.

I was a bit skeptical about this recipe since it didn't typically require setting the rolls in a warm place to rise....as a matter of fact you put them in the refrigerator for 2 hours just before baking!!! When I took my rolls out of the frig, they didn't look any bigger than when I put them in, but they rose like crazy, which is why I suggest making the rolls 'thinner'. The original recipe only called for cutting the dough into 8 giant rolls but I made 10 out of mine and I would definitely try to squeeze out at least 12 next time

Enjoy!

Pecan Sticky Buns

½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar

½ cup light corn syrup

1 cup butter or margarine, softened, divided

1 cup pecan pieces or halves

6 - 6-½ cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 packages Fleischmann's Rapid Rise yeast (or 2 ¼ teaspoons)

1 ½ teaspoons salt

3/4 cup warm water (105° to 115° F)

3/4 cup warm milk (105° to 115° F)

2 eggs

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (use more, if preferred)

Heat brown sugar, corn syrup and 5 Tablespoons butter in saucepan until sugar dissolves; stirring often. Pour into greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Sprinkle pecans evenly in the pan.

In large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, granulated sugar, undissolved yeast and salt. Stir water, milk and 1/3 cup melted butter into dry ingredients. Stir in eggs and enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on floured surface until smooth, about 8 minutes. Roll dough to a 24" x 18" (roughly) rectangle. Spread dough with remaining butter and sprinkle with cinnamon. Beginning at short end, roll up as for a jelly roll. Pinch seam to seal; slice into 12 or 15 pieces using a serrated knife or long piece of sturdy thread. Place in pan on nuts with cut sides up. * Cover tightly and refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours. Remove from refrigerator. Uncover and let stand for 10 minutes. Bake at 375°F for 35 - 40 minutes or until done. Immediately invert onto serving tray.

* To freeze: place dough in prepared pan; wrap airtight with plastic wrap. Freeze up to 4 weeks. To bake, remove from freezer; unwrap. Thaw at room temperature 1 to 2 hours. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 ½ hours. Bake as directed.

More snowy day stuff

2011-01-11T10:02:00.000-05:00

I'm in the mood for a little baking today...

something doughy and sweet

and nutty

Mmmmmm...can't wait! Stay tuned!

Snowy Day Sewing

2011-01-10T21:16:00.000-05:00

I just love the way the trash can in my sewing room looks when I'm working with pretty fabrics...

...making pretty things on a snowy day!

Peasant dresses available soon in my Etsy shop! Don't forget to stop by Fabric Fettish and get some pretty fabrics for yourself!!

Thursday Thoughts...

2011-01-06T08:28:00.000-05:00

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;

He suspends the earth over nothing.

He wraps up the waters in his clouds,yet the clouds do not burst under their weight,

He covers the face of the full moon,spreading his clouds over it.

He marks out the horizon on the face of the watersfor a boundary between light and darkness.

Job 26: 7 - 10 "We have to pitch our tents where we shall always have quiet times with God,however noisy our times with the world may be."

~ Oswald Chambers, January 6

A new set of wheels, snow cream and a shop sale!

2011-01-04T10:23:00.001-05:00

My husband teased me a week before Christmas, telling me he bought me a new set of wheels. He joked that it could either be a Mercedes or he even suggested that Little Debbie Pecan Spinwheels could fit into the category of 'wheels', so I need to think about all that!

He went on like this with all sorts of taunting for about a week, and then on Christmas morning, I found this in the living room

Isn't it great! I've been complaining about my old bike and how old it really is (at least 15 years old) and how I really wanted a beach cruiser for when we take our camping trips to Myrtle Beach.

It has some nice detailing - pink of course! I finally got to take it for a test drive over the weekend and it sure is a smooth ride!

He even bought me a rearview mirror and dingy bell so I can see where I've been and alert those ahead of me that I'm a-coming'!! Here's a few other things I found stuffed in my stocking.

Can't wait for this year's first beach trip now!

Frankie came to visit for Christmas and I think he had a good time.

I made him a cozy bed for when he stays outside at Mom's house.

Not sure yet if he likes it but I think once he gets back out in the cold, he's start liking it a lot!!

We missed a white Christmas by just a few hours, but I didn't complain! Better late than never!

The snow was beautiful and we were able to get some fresh stuff to make snow cream.

We took it to Gramma's to share with her and Johnnie Mae.

On another note, just wanted to let you know I'm having a destash sale in my etsy fabric shop.

I tried my best to resist buying a bunch of new fabrics, but failed miserably. Therefore, I'm forced to make room for the stuff that's incoming so PLEASE stop by and see if you want to transfer something from my stash to yours!! :) I've clearanced all my Sugar Snap fabrics along with some other novelty fabrics.

Here's a link to a free pattern download using Sugar Snap fabrics by Melissa Averinos.

If you want more than 3 yards, just convo me and I'll set up a listing because I can fit up to 8 yards in a flat rate envelope for a $5 shipping fee.

Ta-ta for now!!

Ringing in the New Year...

2010-12-31T15:16:00.000-05:00

My house is empty once again and the holidays are almost past. My husband and I will be celebrating New Year's Eve with a night on the town that involves shopping, dinner and a movie. I get to go to the fabric store andy he gets to go to his favorite store - Lowe's! Then, it's off to Longhorn Steakhouse and "True Grit" at the theatre...can't wait!!

Since finishing up all my holiday sewing orders, I've been itching to get back into some quilting and sewing to re-stock my etsy shop.

I have so many fabrics in my stash so I am really trying hard to resist the constant flow of emails advertising year end fabric clearance sales, and it is tough!

I've got a new patchwork quillow finished

A couple of new buttercup bags

and plenty of cute aprons

It's so nice to just shoot from the hip and make whatever I feel like making each day!!!

I only wish it would last, but as I've mentioned before, it's time to get back on the house project so we can close this puppy and get rid of it!!

We've been working on the tile floors

and installing cabinets

Here's hoping each and every one of you has a safe and happy new year's celebration! Looking forward to lots of bloggy inspiration in 2011!

Flat on my back

2010-12-24T08:32:00.001-05:00

I seem to have pushed myself a bit too far over the past few days. Between hunching over my sewing machine and cutting table and then spending most of yesterday helping my husband up at the house project, I pulled a muscle in my lower back and now I'm stuck - flat on my back trying to heal somewhat before tomorrow. I've got a lot of cooking to do tomorrow so I need to get better! I also got an email from our oldest daughter yesterday asking for prayer as she has been very sick since 4:30 AM yesterday (the yukky stuff). And my mom arrived yesterday with a chest cold, congestion and laryingitis.....looks like we'll probably be having a "sick" Christmas this year.

But, that's OK, because some people have it worse this year....think of those people in California that have a house full of mud! Sometimes all it takes for me to get my priorities straight and realize how blessed I am, despite uncomfortable circumstances, is to be made aware of others who are really experiencing some tough times.

So, here I lay, with my mother and dear little brother, Frankie, next to me in my bed, watching a cooking show on PBS...it's not often I get to just do nothing, so I guess I can deal with it!

So, did you guess what I made for myself?

I think Pokey got it right when she guessed a robe!

It is so soft and so warm I hate taking it off! I chose a light gray color since my last one was dark blue and it showed every one of the gray hairs I shed on a regular basis - this one will hide those hairs better!

Passing on a little Christmas cheer, here's a cute video...don't think Frankie would sit still thru this!

Something for me...

2010-12-22T15:54:00.000-05:00

So, I have finally (holding breath) finished all my orders and shipped them off for the holiday. It's time to make something for myself. I consider this my Christmas present to myself.

Can you guess what it is??

Meanwhile, I've been admiring these lovely bolts of fabric that arrived in the mail last week.

Dying to play with them and dreaming up what to make first!

Here's wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!God bless you!!

Sewing Challenge

2010-12-17T12:37:00.000-05:00

I've been trying to finish sewing up all my custom orders so I can tackle all my gift sewing, but every time I think I'm done, and I breathe a sigh of relief, another order comes down the pipe and, naturally, it is something I still have to make! So glad I finally set a deadline for custom orders so that when another rolled in today I was able to 'just say no' to frantically throwing something together just to get it in the mail to please another customer. Some things are just more important than business or income.

My niece is into cheerleading right now, as is typical for most 9-year-old girls, so, I thought, perhaps I can make her a cute little cheerleader outfit for Christmas. She likes to dress up and she often has a girlfriend over so bravely I decided to make TWO outfits!

The hardest part was finding the right fabric in colors she would like. I wanted something thicker than broadcloth and the typical fabrics used in cheerleading outfiits come in atrocious colors so I settled for some heavyweight cotton woven fabric, hoping my choices were somewhat fun colors.

This was really a challenge for me as I don't think I've ever made a more complicated skirt - it has pleats, a yoke and a zipper, not to mention the yards and yards of bias tape for the trimming.

I started them yesterday and just now finished. Once I finished the first one, it was hard to go back and do the next one because by then I was tired of cheerleading outfits!!!! I think the black one picked up every bit of lint, fuzz and dust in my sewing room!

I really hope she likes them.

They were fun to make but I don't think I'll be making any more of these for a long time....anyone want a used cheerleading outfit pattern??? :)

Destruction and Anticipation

2010-12-16T09:07:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I had the chance to break away from my sewing machines and head to my beloved Wal-mart to collect some ingredients and goodies for our upcoming Christmas cookie baking day this coming Saturday. Hard to believe it was my husband's idea that we spend the day together in our 'one-butt-kitchen' (actually it's about a one-and-a-half-butt kitchen) baking tons of Christmas cookies to give away to friends and family.

Ain't he cute with his little cream soda?

(p.s. don't you DARE tell him I posted his pic on the internet -

our cookie baking adventure will be OVER in a heartbeat!)

It was really nice since it was a cold day, although the sun was shining (it's hard to have Christmas spirit when it's 80° in December here in the South) and I was listening to my local Christian radio station playing Christmas music while I drove back home with my 'booty'! (I got fabric, too!)

I pulled into the garage (for some reason the driveway in front of the garage doors was extremely wet - lots of puddles although we haven't had any rain) and what to my wondering eyes should appear than this:

Water was pouring from the ceiling where a water pipe had frozen and broke.

It brought down the sheetrock and the insulation on top of that

Making a complete mess of the work area

We were storing brand new cabinets here for the house project uptown and PRAISE GOD they were salvaged!!!

ugh!

Luckily, if I had NOT gone shopping yesterday and come back when I did, the damage would have been greater because I would be in the house and the hubby at the jobsite and no one would have gone into the garage to notice this was going on....the water would have run all day!

Uncle Harold (remember "Jorge"?) and Bill jumped on the job and had it cleaned up in a matter of hours. The insurance adjuster is coming today to assess the damages.

And onto brighter things.....here's what I have to look forward to this coming Saturday!

Most of you have probably seen this but I just have to re-post it - some rules to follow when you are baking Christmas cookies!

Christmas Cookie Rules

1. If you eat a Christmas cookie fresh from the oven, it has no calories because everyone knows that the first cookie is the Test Cookie and thus calorie free.

2. If you drink a diet soda after eating your second cookie, it also has no calories because the diet soda cancels out the cookie calories.

3. If a friend comes over while you're making your Christmas cookies and needs to sample, you must sample with your friend. Because your friend's first cookie is calories free, Rule No. 1 means that yours is too. It would be rude to let your friend sample alone and being the friend that you are, that makes your cookie calorie free.

4. Any cookie calories consumed while walking around will fall to your feet and eventually fall off as you move. This is due to gravity and the density of the caloric mass.

5. Any calories consumed during the frosting of the Christmas cookies will be used up because it takes many calories to lick excess frosting from a knife without cutting your tongue.

6. Cookies colored red or green have very few calories. Red ones have three and green ones have five - one calorie for each letter. Make more red ones!

7. Cookies eaten while watching "Miracle on 34th Street", "It's a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Story" have no calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel.

8. As always, cookie pieces contain no calories because the process of breaking the cookie causes calorie leakage.

9. Any cookies consumed from someone else's plate have no calories since the calories rightfully belong to the other person and will cling to their plate. We all know how calories like to cling!

10. Any cookies consumed while feeling stressed have no calories because cookies used for medicinal purposes never have calories. It's the rule!

Shop Sale!

2010-12-13T11:09:00.000-05:00

Hello blogland!!!

Just wanted to let you know that I'm offering a special sale to all my Life in Bonetown followers!

10% off your entire order from my Quillow Shop - ANY and ALL items!

This offer good thru Wednesday, December 15th!

Quillows that are already made are marked "READY TO SHIP" and offered at an additional discounted price!!! You'll get 10% off that, too!

Guaranteed delivery by Christmas!!

Bill's even offering his marshmallow shooters at this discounted price, too!

Shooters are $5 each and his custom design holsters are an additional $2 each....comes with starter pack of ammunition! This is a great stocking stuffer and something fun for EVERYONE to play with on Christmas morning!

Just let me know what you're interested in and we can set up an order for you right away!!!

Sunday Funnies

2010-12-12T10:25:00.000-05:00

We have a little game we play occasionally with the Sunday comics. It's called "you're in the funny papers today."

So, my husband comes to me today and says the required phrase: "you're in the funny papers today." Now, you're not supposed to tell that person exactly which comic they are portrayed in - it's their part of the game to find themselves amongst the colorful boxes.

This time it was easy to find as I was on the front page.

Remember my post the other day about the box of candy?

Well, just yesterday, we were finishing up that box (yep - we ate it all in a matter of about 2 or 3 days) and I had sequestered all his candies to the top layer and placed the ones I wanted on the bottom layer. I was sure he had eaten all his by now and what was left would be mine....so, I bit into one and, lo and behold, it was raspberry - blech!!! I tossed the half eaten piece back into the box right beside a caramel (obvious because of their square shape - can't eat those because of my teeth) and shoved the box at him to finish. Undoubtedly he had eaten my pieces first!!

So, am I having a Charlie Brown Christmas this year or what!!?

I had no idea....

2010-12-09T18:49:00.000-05:00

...that Rite Aid sells Charlie Brown Christmas Trees.

Unbelievable.

People pay good money for this??? $9.99.....on SALE!

Unbelievably RIDICULOUS!!

I suppose I'm the last to know about this...you're probably all saying, "yeah, we knew that...where ya been?"

AAAAAUUUUUUGGGHHH (in my best Charlie Brown voice)

Okay, okay....so maybe it can be useful to prompt us all to thinking more about the true meaning of Christmas instead of all the materialism and such, but, really....c'mon....and we're in a recession??

Guess I need to watch Charlie Brown Christmas again....sigh.

Sharing - redefined

2010-12-09T10:22:00.000-05:00

My husband did a small home repair job for an older couple in our neighborhood, and as a treat they sent him home with this little box of chocolates.

I love chocolate. Love, love, LOVE it!!!

Immediately I snagged the box and hid it, because if I allowed my husband to open it, he'd probably eat 90% of them in just one day. I, on the other hand, know how to pace myself and savor each piece, making this little box last a couple of weeks.

Eventually I felt guilty for hoarding the entire box so I brought it out and decided to share.

I did lay down the law for him, though....

Now, I just hope he OBEYS!! :)

I can see the light....

2010-12-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

...at the end of the quillow tunnel, that is.

This stack of quillows is ready to be pinned and tied.

It's quite an interesting combination of themes and fabrics...I got pretty mixed up at one point and almost sewed the Longhorns pillow pocket onto the Bengals quilt!

I hope to pin them today and spend tomorrow tying them while watching movies!! :)

Although, I really wish I could drag my feet on this, because once I am done (I currently don't have any more orders at this time) I have to suit up and head to this place to help my husband tackle the flooring, cabinets, painting, etc....

ugh....

Well, I still have some sewing to do for Christmas gifts and such so perhaps I'll be able to steal away for a day or so!

Beethoven's 5th

2010-12-06T10:01:00.000-05:00

I grew up in a home with a lot of classical music. Obviously this little 3-year-old did, too!

Enjoy!!

Saturday Break

2010-11-20T10:47:00.000-05:00

Today is a good day to take a break. I'm expecting a flood of orders for next weekend so I thought it might be a good idea to relax while I can. Last year, Cyber Monday was a great day for my business and I'm relying on it to be the same, if not better, again this year!

But for today, I'm breaking away from necessary sewing to fun sewing! I have to admit, I really enjoy ALL the sewing I do, for the most part, but some is just more fun-ner than others and it truly depends on my mood, too.

Last year, I made and sold 169 quillows and this year I'm up to about the 120 mark. You'd think I'd be sick of sewing them, but, really, I'm not. I've learned not to push myself to do something when I really don't want to, and fortunately, it's not too often I'm in a position when I have to sew something by a deadline. We all need breathing room, doncha think? I knew a long time ago that if I ever made sewing my living, then it would take all the fun out of sewing, so I made it a point to never let that happen.

Thus, today I'm doing the "fun" sewing.

I purchased a quilt kit from Connecting Threads several months ago on clearance (at an unbelievably fabulous price!) and am morphing the quilt into a quillow (naturally).

I'm not crazy about some of the fabrics, but when you step back and look at the design and how the fabrics work together, it's rather nice. In my business, I realize that I can't just make the things I like - I need to cater to several tastes. I try to load my shop with designs and colors for all tastes - male and female alike.

So, here I sit today, working on chaining some flying geese listening to the bread machine churn away in the kitchen. We're having meatball subs for dinner tonight and I'm too cheap to buy sub rolls - thought I'd make them instead since I have all the ingredients.

It's been sunny the past couple of days and in the low 60s/high 70s. Today I'm working on laundry, too, and luckily I'm still able to hang my laundry out on the clothesline...taking advantage of the cost savings!

Perhaps I'll finish my book later on today.

It's due back at the library next week and I've already had it for two checkout periods - it's a real good read!! I wanted to re-read my Harry Potter "Deathly Hallows" book next, but my son has it and is supposed to bring it to me on Thanksgiving, but I'm not holding my breath for that to happen! My backup is that if he forgets to bring it, I'll pull out my set of Narnia Chronicles and read them again. I saw that they're coming out with the movie for the "Dawn Treader". That's one of my favorites in the series.

We're also heading to the city later today to pick out some floor tile for the Stumptown House project. My husband is back at work on it after pushing it to the side while we built his cousin's house this past year. Praise the Lord, I believe we have a buyer on the house so hopefully we'll be writing a contract soon! You'll probably see a few construction posts from me before the end of the year because he wants me to come help him with the tile and cabinets...I think I'm ready to get back into the construction mode!

Hope your Saturday is a fun and relaxing one, too, wherever you are!!

Take a moment....

2010-11-18T14:19:00.001-05:00

...and clean the cotton-picking sewing room floor, FOR GOODNESS SAKE!!! Sometimes I just need to stop what I'm doing and clean because all these threads just become attached to everything and it's so annoying!!

Sewing all day, every day causes lots of strings to abound! I carry them around on my house socks and they get spread all over the house! But, luckily, the carpet is a variegated design so it's not as drastic looking as it could be.

We've taken to actually sweeping the carpets in my sewing/cutting rooms because the vacuum cleaner just gets too clogged with all these strings. This is the 'monster' that my husband swept out of my sewing room last week!!!

Who knows what's lurking inside!!!

I'm not one who enjoys hardwood floors, because although they are very beautiful, they don't appeal to my cozy side - I prefer padding around the house on carpet as opposed to cold, slippery hardwood - BUT - this is one time when I desperately wish the floors in my workrooms were NOT carpet and were easy-to-sweep hardwood!

Anyway, on a less scary note, we went turkey shopping today. I have been working so hard to save up my Greenbax at the Piggly Wiggly (you get a free turkey with 5 Greenbax) and I had 2.94 Greenbax! They also advertise that you can earn 1 Greenbax for each coupon you use - I am a super duper coupon queen so this was going to be easy for me! We went to "The Pig" today and picked up a few things, and used 3 coupons. (This should bring my Greenbax balance to approximately 5.94.) Once I paid for my order, I was ready to head back into the store, gather my free turkey with my 3 newly-acquired Greenbax, but found out that they had just discontinued that little perk of "1 Greebax for each coupon used". I was IRATE! I rarely ever shop at Piggly Wiggly and had just dropped $20 there in order to get a free turkey!!!!

So, I stormed out of there and told my friendly chauffer that he needed to head to Wal-mart because I needed a turkey today as it was going to take at least a week for it to thaw in the frig. Turkeys at Wal-mart start at 68¢/pound and I wanted a large one so I selected a 20-pounder. I figure, hey, if you're going to have the oven on, might as well cook a big turkey so you'll have lots of leftovers. All 3 of my kids are coming to dinner and they will most definitely pack up a plate to take home so I can always use lots of turkey.

I headed to the register and forked over my $14.07. Not bad, actually. I was fine with that. Just then, two ladies behind the register said that a local chain grocery was selling their turkeys for 39¢/lb and Wal-mart will match that price. I didn't even ASK!!! So, I got me a 20# turkey for $8.07 - WOOOOOOO HOOOOOO! I can deal with that! God is GOOD!

There he sits until next Thursday!!! It's a Jennie-O, too! Bob and Jillian would be so proud of me!!! :)

I forgot to show you last month but I finished quilting and binding my quilt along quilt led by Fat Quarterly.

I tried a loop-de-loop quilting design on it, which I thought was fairly difficult to maneuver.

I hope someday to have a sewing machine with a larger throat because this one is just WAY too small to do anything larger than a baby quilt.

I do like how it turned out, though. It's a great little scrappy quilt that I plan to keep in my car for road trips!!

Today I worked on some Appalachian State University Christmas stockings for a customer.

Cute!...and definitely quick and easy!! I like those kind of projects!

Now, I need to get back to that floor cleaning....ugh!

From Gray to Rosy Red

2010-11-16T09:07:00.000-05:00

I have the house to myself today. I like days like that, do you? Sometimes we just need to have some alone time and today is one of those days for me. Time to think, work quietly, relax, rejuvenate...

This morning, my husband tells me that I look pink (my pajamas are pink). He asks, "Do you feel pink?"

I answer "no."

"Do you feel blue?"

I don't answer....I am trying to figure out what color I feel.

I think I feel gray. Yeah, gray is probably a good description. It's a gray day outside today and I'm feeling it. But, something catches my eye and turns that gray a bit rosy.

Last week our youngest daughter came home to celebrate her 23rd birthday and she brought ME a rose!

The sight of that rose and the thought of her kind gesture definitely put a rosy hue in my heart on this gray day!

Back in the (re-adjusted) saddle

2010-11-04T09:34:00.000-04:00

It's a lovely, rainy day here today (my garden is loving this!) - the PERFECT day for catching up on sewing. I have a lot to do in addition to making a custom quilt that needs to be completed by Christmas (oy vey!) I've been absent from posting for a while now and have lots to talk about, but just can't justify the time to do it right now. I do want to send a big thank you hug to the handful of blogging friends that took time to email me and say they missed me! How genuine! I am truly touched and thankful for dear blogging friends who care! I have been debating whether to continue blogging or not, simply because I feel I've been doing it for the wrong reasons. I've said to myself that I was done, but I really don't think I am. I do think I need to re-evaluate my motives and stop worrying about 'popularity' or anything along that line....I decided I would make my posting more like writing letters to friends and family...not like competition with the other crafty ladies in the blog world.

There. I said it.

So, that being said, I'll leave you with a picture because we all love pictures.