Truth be Told

You've probably noticed that I haven't put much new sewing stuff on my blog lately, haven't you?  Sad, I know!!!  :)  Well, the truth is that I've been desperately searching my computer and anywhere, quite honestly, for something to show you to keep you interested while I wait for my sewing machine to be returned.  I took it in for cleaning almost three weeks ago and I don't have it back YET!!!  Lord knows why they needed it that long......in actuality, I am getting a bit "pissed" about the whole thing, but what can I do?  If I "put up a stink" they'll probably hold it for ransom longer.  LOL  Now.......I do have an old machine (like almost 30 years old) as a backup, but as I was leaving my Bernina store when I dropped it off, one of the ladies chirped, "and don't think you can use your walking foot on your old machine honey, 'cause it won't work!"  E-gads, it was like she was reading my mind!!!!  I was thinking that exact thing at that moment!!!!  Yikes, they must know me better than I thought!!  So......needless to say, I've been sewingless.  AND.....it's been awful!  I have soooo many ideas in my head!!!

BUT.....and you might like this........I have been working on the Tree Skirt Pattern and will be mailing off the first trial set to my friend this morning who is going to test it for me.  She sews in the craftsman style and will be doing the skirt entirely in her colors and style......and I'm so anxious to see it.  It will show the diversity of the pattern (which I didn't know I was doing when I first made it, but will take all credit for my brilliance now, thank you! LOL)  In the meantime......I'll show you my Flickr mosaic (which didn't turn out correct) of some of my 2009 quilts.  I'm such a computer dunce!!!  I sew much better, thank GOD!!!

Have a nice New Year's Eve everyone! I wish you "EVERYTHING WONDERFUL" in 2010!!!

Merry Christmas

May the blessings and joys of the season be yours, and may you enjoy friends and family in love!  My wish for you is peace, hope and wonderful creativity!!  Thank you for being part of my life, although only in blogland.  I cherish each and every one of you!!!

Cookies Anyone?

People think that I make lots of cookies at this time of year, but what they don't know is that I used to make twice, if not three kinds as many.  In fact, I think I was up to 33 different varieties just two years ago.  Then, I give them all away (except the ones I eat myself, you understand, and those for my own family to eat too, you know!!!)  The joy is in the giving, they say, and I totally agree.  EXCEPT.....the shipping costs are killing me!!  And buying all the containers that I never get back are getting a bit expensive.  Now I just make 14 different kinds (although 2-3 batches of each).  Doesn't make lots of sense, does it?  After all, I probably still make the same amount of cookies.  Duh!  Where is my brain??  I want to cut costs, but I haven't a clue how to do it....and so I go on, baking away!  Every year..year after year, after year.  And...I'm getting old, I shouldn't have to work so hard anymore.  I think about that, I really do, but then the recipients write or call and brag about how much they love my cookies and so what happens?  Yup, you guessed it......I do it again the following year.  I'm thinking that only my demise will stop this cycle.....heavenly days!!!

These were taken in the basement on the pool table prior to sorting in separate gift bins.  I know the pics are kind of yellow, but the light down there isn't the best and my camera doesn't take the best flash shots. Sorry about that!   This might tell the tale better.......

Good enough to eat......wouldn't you say?????

Hand Stitched Gifts

I just love embroidery, so when I saw this free design on this blog last year, I just knew that I'd have to make a few for gifts for this year.  Needless to say, I didn't realize how many I'd have to make.  I think I gave one to everyone special to me so far, including some to customers (like the sweet lady who just ordered the tree skirt), but now I'm realizing that I'm missing some special friends, so I'm desperately stitching away so that I can finish them before I take my machine in for cleaning on Wednesday.  Wish me luck!!!  E-gads, next year I better do a better job of counting!!!  LOL  (Or maybe get rid of some relatives or friends, huh?   My fingers will really be sore after this marathon, I'm sure.)

 

Toddler Togs

No table runners and Christmas quilts for me to finish....oh, no!  I have to make something special for the two "sweeties" in my life....my 8 month old granddaughter and my 22 month old great niece.  Too bad my granddaughter lives in Florida because they'd be so cute together in these outfits, don't you think?  (And huge thanks to my two dear friends who did the machine embroidery for me.....what would I do without you???)  The pants were easy!!!  

And then, because my sister, who is my nieces grandmother, loves snowmen so much, I just had to make a snowman outfit for Christmas.  Won't she look cute in January wearing this?

Incidentally, since many of you asked.......I am seriously thinking of publishing the Tree Skirt pattern.  I hope that pleases you and you'll keep it mind for your 2010 sewing.  I'll let you know when it's ready for sale, okay?

HO, HO HO

I know I've been sort of MIA lately, but since I posted that tree skirt, I've been really busy.  Little did I know that it would result in such a big response, (including some unexpected tree skirt commissions which I thought I'd do after the holidays, but decided to do now.)  Who wants a tree skirt after Christmas anyway, huh?  Needless to say, I haven't been doing much else.  So, sorry!

I do have some things to show you, including all my Christmas cookies on my pool table when I was sorting them last weekend, but I haven't even uploaded the pictures into my computer yet.  (I know, what a slacker, huh?)  I thought maybe you'd like to see what's on my front door though.  Isn't he cute?  I made him last year.  It's really beginning to look a lot like Christmas here.  How about at your house???

Someone's got a new skirt

After re-doing our tree to lime, green, white and red in 2007, I knew the poor tree needed a new skirt.  The victorian one I made in the 80s just wasn't doing the job with all the bright, funky new colors......and the 4 inch ecru lace on the bottom, well, what can I say???  Duh!!  Besides, it was.....glory be......dark green velvet, with pink ribbons!!??  E-gads!!!  

Well, you saw the previews of my sewing the other day with my red and white and green fabrics, so now I can show you the finished product since we've finally had a bit of sun.  I must say that it turned out exactly as I had envisioned it.  (Good thing I still had my original newspaper pattern from all those years ago, huh?  At least it gave me a start.) 

And doesn't it look nice where it belongs????