There's lots today, but I'll be quick about it!

Like I said, there are lots of things to show you today, but I'll be quick about it.  First of all, let me introduce two new ladies:  # 74 (Randi from Canada) and #76 (Barbara from the US) - (#75 is still a mystery to be revealed next week).  

Randi wasn't sure if she wanted a ribbon in her hair, or a tape measure, so I surprised her.  Note that her "real" photo doesn't have glasses, but she sent me another one that did, so that's how come I knew the frames were reddish.

Next, we have Barbara from the US.  Barbara is a professional adult tea party coordinator who loves her craft!!  She wanted herself with all the proper attire for a great tea party.  Check out that cool feather in her hair with ribbon and button.  Can't have a better fascinator than that, I'd say!  lol

Next, let me show you the quilts I made for the Mini QT swap for my partner.  The theme was black and white plus one other color which my partner decided.  Only one quilt is required, but I got carried away.  The first one I named, "Girly DNA" and was 10x14 inches.  Note how I free motioned my name on the bottom:

And then I also made her this one which I called, "Flowers".  Duh!  lol  That one was 9x12 inches.  She told me her sewing studio had pink walls which is why she decided on that color.

I'm expected her package maybe even today, so next week I will show you what she sent to me.

Then, naturally we have the envelopes I sent my girlies this week:

And I finished off the month reading a bunch of fun mysteries plus one fun contemporary:

THE DRESS SHOP OF DREAMS                  by              Menna VanPraag
DEADLY LIES (debut) - really good                by              Chris Patchell
MURDER ONE                                             by               Robert Dugoni
CANE & ABE                                               by               James Grippano

So, there you have it….short and sweet!!  Now to plan my next mini quilt for the theme:  Folk Art.  I already think I know what I'm going to do.  Stay tuned!!

All caught up!

Whew!  After a busy few weeks, I'm happy to report that all my new "ladies" are finished and flying  home to their owners.  Soon, I'll be able to introduce you to Randi, Marilyn, and Barbara…..ladies #74, 75 and 76.  Not only that, but I also mailed out my swap quilt(s) to my partner, so next week, I'll show you that, plus maybe even the one I get from her, who knows?  In any event, you will see some sewing.  lol

In the meantime, here are the envelopes I sent out this week to my sweeties:

And then I think I told you that I would let you know about the books I've read so far this year.  If you recall, on January 3rd, I had finished only one, "Vanished" by Irene Hannon.  Surprisingly enough, I have squeezed quite a few additional into the month even being so busy sewing.  (I think it's because I read mostly suspense and mystery ones which make you want to turn the pages faster.  lol)

THE LAST LETTER FROM YOUR LOVER          by        JoJo Moyes
THE RESURRECTION OF TESS BLESSING      by        Lesley Kagen
STOLEN (good)                                                 by        Daniel Palmer
THE LAST ALIBI                                               by        David Ellis
THE CONVICTION   (good)                                by        Robert Dugoni
FIRST FROST                                                  by         Sarah Addison Allen
BODILY HARM                                                 by         Robert Dugoni

So, that's it!  As you can tell, I'm really into the author, Robert Dugoni lately.  I have another one of his to read, but my hubby grabbed it as soon as I brought it in the house from the library, so I have to wait. He writes suspenseful legal thrillers and personally, I think he's better than Grisham…….or maybe I've just read Grisham too long, who knows?  In any event, you might like his stuff too and it's readily available at a library which makes it a plus!  Let me know what you think……

Until next week……….enjoy your life and read a book!

I'm going to make this quick….

Whew……it's been a busy week.  Since I wrote about the ins and outs of ordering my "Ladies" on my  last post, I have been answering e-mails like a crazy woman and already have a backlog of new ladies to create!  Needless to say, I haven't been reading much!! I did read a few books before all this started though, so I will tell you about them next time.  For now, I'm only going to show you the envelopes I sent out to my little ones the past two weeks and then introduce you to the newest lady in my series.

My little girlies LOVE getting mail:

And then, I want you all to meet Lady #73, Ellyn.  If you ever read the comments on my blog, you'll note that Ellyn told me that she has wanted to join the ranks of my ladies for two years, but even with hints, links to my blog, etc. none of her beloveds surprised her with "herself".  So, Ellyn did the next best thing and ordered her for herself!!  Yeah, Ellyn!! 

And……the real Ellyn!!!

That's all for now, my friends!  E-gads, I've been so busy I'm even missing some of my afternoon naps!  Can you believe???  Til next time………..have fun!!

The "lady" process and 2014 gang!

Say "hi" to the 2014 ladies.  (Not many last year for some reason.  Probably because I was reading my head off instead of sewing like many of you thought I should be doing.  lol)

Above, from left to right we have:  Delia from the UK, Olga from Brazil, Margaret from the UK, Pat from the UK, and Beverly, Diane, and Judy all from the USA.

Every week I get inquiries about how to become one of my "ladies" so I thought I'd explain the process for any of you interested in the possibility.  All portraits are done on a commission basis.  I draw each lady from a photo provided by the client and retain my original drawing just in case the fabric portrait would become lost in the mail……..(let's not even discuss that!!!!  EIKES!!!)  My charge is $125 USD for US residents, and $140 USD for international clients.  This includes priority shipping for US residents and 1st class shipping for international and gets you an approximate 14" by 18" fabric likeness wall hanging with sleeve, dowel, and O ring, all ready to hang.  My turn around time is usually 1-2 weeks.  Payment can be made by check drawn on any US bank for US customers or Paypal for anyone, but not until you have discussed the job with me.

From the client, I require a front facing photograph sent to my e-mail address (listed on my sidebar), along with knowledge of eye color (since it's not sometimes apparent from the photo), knowledge of favorite colors, hobbies, likes and dislikes.  Sometimes ladies don't want pins in their mouth…or have other specific requests.  I once did a teacher who loved cupcakes, two art teachers who wanted art supplies on the portrait, and even two knitters……although quilters are my favorite, I must admit.  I also require the full name and address of where the finished portrait should be sent.  Sometimes I have two or three orders at the same time, and by getting addresses right away, I can keep everything straight.  (So far, I have not mailed the wrong quilt to the wrong lady, thankfully.  Yeah!!)

If you are interested in seeing all my "ladies", click on the colored picture of the buildings on my sidebar which will take you to my Flickr account.  From there, click on Albums, then click "The Ladies Series".  Scroll down and visit many of my ladies with themselves.  You can then click on each one, if you want to see it larger.  AND…..if you really want to waste time, you can visit my other albums too. lol.  I have sent portraits to Australia, Brazil, South Africa, The Netherlands, Spain, Norway, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and of course, many states in the USA.  Maybe some of my ladies will comment and let you know if they were pleased with themselves????

So, that's it.  I must interject here and tell Robin, Ana Marie, Lenetta and Ellyn that I will honor my quoted prices to you since we have recently e-mailed.  Thanks!  And for the rest of you……I would be honored to add you too to "The Ladies Series".  I was only going to make 100 ladies, and I'm on 73 now so who knows???  What number will you be?

It's so hard to believe…….

It's so hard to believe that I'm old enough to have a daughter (my baby) who is 38 years old today!!  Where have the years gone?  Seems like yesterday when I was dropping her off for her weekly baton lessons or making costumes for competitions and then too when she joined "Accompany of Kids" and had practice twice a week and performed all over the state in that song and dance group.  It seems like yesterday!  'Course, I doubt if I'd have the stamina to do all that anymore!!!  Naps are more my style now, I'm afraid…….sigh!!  The years are creeping up.  EIKES!!

You'll be happy to hear though that my sewing machine is back on my dining room table and that last week, I not only completed the mini swap quilt I agreed to do, BUT, I also made another one in addition.  (That's what happens when I get two ideas I can't get out of my head.  Duh!)  So, my partner will be surprised!  Here are two sneak peeks………the theme was black and white plus one other color and she chose pink as hers.

Of course, I sent envelopes to my sweeties too:

And, I read one (yes, only ONE) book:

VANISHED                  by                 Irene Hannon

It was okay, but nothing to write home to mama about!  This week I will be working on Lady #73,  (don't get too excited, Ellyn!!), so I doubt if I'll get much reading done then either.  It's funny…..when I sew, I sew and when I read, I read and for some dumb reason, I can't mix the two.  Strange!  First things first, I guess.  lol

You all have a nice week too!  It's snowing here for the first time this year and covering the green grass we have been looking at for months…….I suppose it's time, huh?  I was sorta wishing we could go through a whole winter once with no snow, but that was really a crazy wish for Wisconsin, I suppose!  Duh!  Where is my brain????  Take care, my friends and do something fun this week!  You deserve it!