What's Growing in the CottonPatch!!

Accuquilt Cutting System is on its Way!

2012-01-27T09:18:00.001-05:00

I have become an Accuquilt Dealer! The Accuquilt GO & Baby GO systems should be here by next week, along with several dies. I can order any of the dies that are on website and I will honor their sale prices.

If you have not went to the Accuquilt website and are interested in what it is go to www.accuquilt.com and check out the videos. If you hate to cute, have problems getting accurate cuts, have any physical problems that make it hard for you to hold a rotary cutter or scissors, an Accuquilt might help you continue with your love of quilting.

I love my Accuquilt Studio but it is not portable. The GO can be folded and taken to classes, guild, and even vacation. I will offer great prices on the GO and the dies - so check it out. Who knows there are always birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays to add it to your list that they can choose from!

A Harrisville Loom found a new home

2012-01-27T09:06:00.001-05:00

My good friends ( and cousins), Gail and Debbie, brought a Harrisville Loom to join my family of looms on Wednesday. Well, Debbie's husband, Carey, got to load it in Nashville and drive it to me and with the help of my husband, Rhea, unloaded it into my living room. Thank you, Carey, Gail & Debbie!

Trying to decide the best way to get it from the truck to the house!

Plus probably trying to figure out how they get into these messes!

Got alittle work to do on it but I think it will be a nice loom. I have already contacted Harrisville about a couple replacement parts so I don't think it will be long. Now just finding the time to weave!

I asked on facebook about a name for it and my friend, Donna, suggested "Harris" - how well that suit him. He will join the other looms, Mira (Leclerc), Jimmy (Cricket loom), and Baby wolf (which still needs a name).

I need 48 hours in a day not 24!

New Fabric!

2012-01-21T18:44:00.001-05:00

New for the shop - Jo Morton's Civil War Fabrics, Marcus Civil War. Also, if you have a fisherman in the family - South Seas fish border and RJR fishing equipment print that would go great with the border print. Ask about the free pattern that would work great with the fishing fabrics!

Jelly Rolls

Amy Butler Daisy Chain Distinctions Marbles

5" Charm Squares
Splash, Distinctions Marbles, & Amy Butler!

Bloomin Beauties Flannel Quilt Kit

My neighbor, Baby, came up to shop!

Baby brought her Mom, Myrtis, with her.

First Week!

2012-01-15T20:09:00.001-05:00

I think I picked the coldest days in January to open, but it still we had a good time! Brintey got a few pictures for me to post.

My dear friend, Shirley was my first customer! It was so much fun to spend time just talking like we use to!

Marilyn brought in the first show and tell. A online Civil War block of the month, she got a great antique wide backing for it. The top was so beautiful!

Tanya brought by flowers to celebrate the opening! We enjoyed it so much that hopefully next week we will do it again! Talking about doing some knitting or spinning!

They are so pretty - made me think of spring. I cut out a blue and yellow Take 5 that Shirley and I had discussed. The flowers and the fabric made the day warm and cozy.

Dear friends, Jackie and David came up from Cleveland. Both Jackie & David are quilters.

Plus met a new quilter to the area, Janet.

Hopefully, they will bring show & tell next time!

Coming this week - Jo Morton's Civil War fabrics!!! Plus planning a Block of the Month!!

Anyone that wants to come and do a sit and quilt, knit or spinning! Let me know!!

Art Center Quilting Class in the Planning!!!

2012-01-14T06:10:00.000-05:00

The Art Center is planning to offer a quilting class next quarter! Quilting is an art form and it will be great to get it going at the center.

I will be teaching this beginner's class on the Take 5 quilt using precut kit. This should be a great class for anyone that is interested in quilting but doesn't want to take the plunge of buying mats, rulers & cutters until they see if they like it. Or for someone that knows how to cut and just wants to have fun!!!

Sewing machine is required but one can be provided if you don't have one. The kit will be offered in 2 color ways or you can come to the shop and pick your colors prior to the class. So pass this on to anyone you know that has had an interest in quilting!!! Contact the Art Center and lets support the center!

Working to get it all done!

2012-01-11T22:14:00.000-05:00

We have been working like crazy to get it all done!!! Britney has been doing fat quarters! She is getting pretty fast!

Can't wait to see everyone!

If you need to come on Saturday - just give me a call. We will be here working this week!

Mary
cottonpatchquilts@msn.com

Cotton Patch Fabrics & Gifts Opens Thursday & Friday!!!

2012-01-08T20:46:00.002-05:00

COTTON PATCH IS OPENING!!!

I had planned to open the shop a couple months ago, but I decided to wait until after Christmas. Now after months of getting fabric, notions & patterns in addition to weeks of working on samples, it is ready!! The shop will be open on Thursday & Friday, 10 - 5, Saturday & other days by appt beginning January 12th.

Fabrics by Maywood, Windham, South Seas, Marcus, and others are priced from $4.99 to $7.50, regularly priced $8.99 to $11.99 in quilt shops. Flatfolds valued from $5.99 to $8.99 are $3.99. Fat Quarters are $1.50 ea.

Thread, hand quilting & applique needles, machine needles, rulers, and other notions are instock. Please let me know of any items you need that is not yet in my inventory - give me a call if you are looking for something.

More Great Maywood Fabrics!!

Samples in flannel are up and kits are cut! Jelly Rolls & Charm packs teamed up with the newest books & patterns would be a great winter project.

Amy Butler's Daisy Chain fabric - also in Charm Packs & Jelly Rolls

Take 5 quilt is so much fun! Going to be a great class - the blocks are pre-cut and ready to piece!

As most of you know, I kinda crossover to knitting, weaving & spinning or at least have tried to! I love it - if anyone is interested in Fiber Arts - please let me know.  I know a wonderful lady that has agreed to teach classes in knitting or spinning.  I have taken several knitting classes from her as well as a spinning class - you will love her!
                                                                                                                             Blondie even
                                                                                                                             likes weaving


Also in the shop:

Mountain Mist Hand-Poured Soy Candles by Britney Sheffey - so wonderful! Several scents to choose from. Clean & long-burning candles - if you like candles, you are going to love these!

The Crazy Goat Lady's handcrafted goat milk soap & skin care products. Angie Silvera (my daughter) is a licensed esthetician; she has developed these products using the milk from her goats. Wonderful products!!! Lotions for face & body, soaps, & shampoo bars - for women & men. You will love them!!

Angie also has refashioned Feedbag Purses - so unique! You can see all her products and even purchase at her online store - then pick it up here at the shop!! Visit www.thecrazygoatlady.com .

Due to trying to keep my prices low and the high cost of being able to take debit and credit cards, the shop will only take cash or checks.

                                                     Bloomin' Beauties Flannel Quilt
                                              Kit is available - plus planning a class!

Everything is coming up Roses with Maywood Fabrics!!!

Accuquilt products!!

Any questions - e-mail me at cottonpatchquilts@msn.com

Life is so crazy!

2011-09-23T17:17:00.000-04:00

I am trying to get back to working on projects after a long break. So hard to find the time to do it but I am really trying to get a real mind-set for it.
Got goals to do some fall festivals this year! Also hoping to have some great fabrics to sell at even greater prices from time to time!

Big Babies!!!

2010-07-24T14:51:00.000-04:00

Layla had a stuff bear that she carried around, really teasing Saprano. So we hit the give away toys and found a Garfield for him!
They are such babies!

Update is that the bear is no longer with us - had the stuffing torn out in a tug of war battle. Garfield is still going and now we have another give away bear for Layla.

Blending Roving!

2010-07-24T14:45:00.000-04:00

My husband made me a hackle that I can use to loosen roving that is too tight and also I can blend some colors together. It is so much fun to use it. In the pictures, Brintey is doing it. After you layer the roving on the hackle, you take a button or a diz. It makes great roving that is so easy to spin.

Found the instructions to make the hackle on Ravelry. Bought my combs at the Dollar Tree and found as scrap of wood in the basement that worked. He bought 2 inexpensive clamps so I could clamp it to a table.

The roving that was used was just too dense and overdyed to spin. I have learned alot since I bought this roving. But after using the hackle it really spun up good. It was a gunbarrel blue and we mixed a natural cream. After spun up, looks like a blue/grey tweed. Got 4 oz done, only 4 to go.

Baby Wolf - New Toy!!!

2010-07-24T14:30:00.001-04:00

Got a new to me loom - a Schacht Baby Wolf. I love it. I can fold it up and roll it anywhere. It only weigh about 50 pounds so it is possible to fold it and travel with it. Finally got it warped up with some light aqua alpaca/silk blend that I had spun. The alpaca came from my friend, Jennie, who has the most beautiful alpacas.

Baby Wolf (got to get a name for her) is at home with Mira, my counterbalance. My room is getting toooooo full! I love craigslist - both looms came from adds I found on it.

Cake Class

2010-07-24T14:23:00.000-04:00

Finally got around to posting pictures of the last cake class that Britney took. It was so beautiful - hated to cut it. She took it to her great grandmothers and the family ate it up. If only I could get her to do one at home!!

First Prom!!!

2010-04-24T12:17:00.000-04:00

Okay, I have kept telling her I will not let her grow up! I miss my 5 year old that thought I was grand! Now I have a teen that most of the time does not want to talk to me!
Last night was first prom - we ran all day. Been preparing for months!! The right dress, make up, and hair - had to be perfect and it was.

Went to my daughter's (Angie) house, and she fixed her hair & make up. Perfect! Got home she ate a snack with fresh, wet silver polised finger nails. Got dress and looked Perfect! Of course, Angie taught her the pose! If you ever visit Angie's blog, you will see the pose perfected!

She went with some friends, Cory, Jonah & Becca. Unfortunately Beccs was running late and they had to meet her and I did not get any pictures of her and Jonah. Maybe I will have some pics later.

Cory & Britney looked good! He came carrying her a rose - so sweet! His mother brought him and we took lots of pictures!!

Notice - they are into the pose!!!

Wind was blowing! But a beautful day.

Discussing the wonders of the trees!

Yes, Jonah, you have to wear a tie -took Cory and his mom to help get Jonah's tie fixed!

Off to the first Prom!! A night they will remember!! They finally got home safe and sound. Cory's mom came to pick him up. She & I stood outside and listen to all the fun that Jonah, Cory & Brit could remember until almost 1 a.m. Jonah & Corry headed home - we headed in the house. Britney gave me a few more highlights that will be memories for her. Then off to bed - I am dragging today and letting her sleep!

New Friend Joined the Ashford!

2010-04-24T11:52:00.000-04:00

Okay, everyone tells me this is as addictive as quilting - it really is!!!! I love my Ashford wheel (Ashley) but a guild member was selling a Louet and I had to check it out. Ashley meet Louie!! They have bonded!

It has super hugh bobbins which will be extra nice when I ply even from Ashley. It is a comtemporay wheel but it really grew on me. We had to balance the wheel when we got it. Could not even tell it was out of balance until I put the bobbins on the lazy kate and then the wheel rubbed one of the bobbins. With the help of fellow Ravelry member, especially knitspin, and the help from the Louet company. We got it balanced and now I can ply from the kate.

It also has a skein winder that attaches which I am going to love. The swift and I sometimes had words spoken during use. We also have to fix a dowel on it but it works even the way it is.

It fits right in my back seat so I can take it with me if I want to go to a friend to spin or to guild with it. Also I can lay it down in the hatchback. I battled Ashley in my little compact car.

I asked a couple friends if I was crazy to buy another one so soon - and they assured me I was not!!! One has 4 wheels, the other has two, and one friend has just recently been bitten by the buy and bought a wheel last month at the Townsend Fiber Festival!

It, too - like Ashley, is an older wheel. But with tender loving care it is up and going great. Now if someone could repair my older body and get it up and going - life would be grand!!!!

A Spinning Wheel Has Found a Home!!!

2010-03-18T20:42:00.000-04:00

I mentioned to a friend and my knitting teacher, Jennie, that I was looking for a good used spinning wheel. Lo and behold - she had one that she was fixing up to sale. She had bought it from a woman that found it in her attic and did not want it.

I have found that an afternoon at Jennie's home is indeed a treat! Brit & I went to see her yesterday so we could try out the wheel and see her alpacas & horses. Pictures to come of the alpacas and one of the beautiful horses she owns.

Okay - I did have envy! She has a beautiful weaving/spinning studio, full of windows with the door going out to her alpacas. Looms, spinning wheels, thread, yarn, roving, and fleeces everywhere - I was in heaven!

The Traditional Ashford wheel is now at my home where it will be appreciated and used. I have cleaned it and applied Howards Feed & Wax with loving hands! It looks like a new wheel instead of a 30+ year old wheel.

I plan to send pictures of it to Ashford so they can date it for me and let me know what I would need to buy if I want to upgrade the flyer. It already spins like a dream so I am not in a hurry to do anything!

I am off to The Spinnery in Gatlinburg and to the Smokey Mountain Fiber Festival in Townsend tomorrow! Must find more bobbins!

Receiving Blankets & Burp Pads

2010-03-18T20:32:00.000-04:00

Had an order for a baby quilt that I did not have time to do so I embroideried receiving blankets & burp pads. They turned out so cute that I am going to make more for back up orders.

Brown Sheep Shed!

2010-03-18T20:27:00.000-04:00

This spinning bug has hit me and I love it! Someone from Raverly told me about Brown Sheep Shed and that I should order from them. The price for their roving makes it easy to play with Kool-Aid. So after the no you shouldn't - sure you should - no you shouldn't - "The sure you should" won out!

The day the order came, I had been having a MRI & c/t. Got home very tired and the box was sitting on the porch. Brought it in and sat it in the floor - fixed me a cup of coffee to get rid of my headache and just enjoyed the box! After a little bit - just had to open the present I had bought myself.

The roving on the left is white mill ends, black & white mill ends (can't wait to spin this) and a pound grab bag. The right is dye soppers - these will be beautiful after they are blended on a card drum. There was a very pretty pink that I think is mohair.

The bottom is a pound of seconds super washed red - I plan to over dye this with another color and also blend some of it with black. The other bag is a beautiful brown. I had ordered a pound of mill ends brown & white but I guess she was out and sub this - with is great!!

First Attempt at Spinning on a Wheel!

2010-02-16T08:00:00.001-05:00

I joined the Knoxville Handspinners this month and loved it!!! Everyone was so helpful and inspiring.

One thing that was so cool was that I could borrow an older Ashford traditional spinning wheel! I was showed how to work it and since I had bought a pound of Shetland/Rhomney mix from one of the members, I went to work with it. Of course, Britney had to try it too and really liked the wheel.

Knowing that I only have it for a month, I have worked everynight almost on the wheel. Got alot to learn but I really love it. So relaxing!!! The roving I bought is very forgiving for a beginner. Here is some of it after I have plyed it and wound it into a ball.

Looks very folky which is something I really like. I know it is not great but thats okay - gotta practice to get good. I still have more to do and I am hoping I will be able to make a vest with it. Got a knitting class coming up in March. After I do one vest, I am hoping I will be able to use this yarn in the next - won't that be so cool!!!!!!!!

Right now maybe it is alittle thick but it is double plied and there are some thick spots but that is okay. I got more to do and hopefully will improve as time goes on. Maybe will get it right by the time I finish the pound - ha!

One thing I know is when I cut the ties on that pound of roving - it grew and grew, just like Linda said it would! I hope she will have more to sell later on because I would like to do it again when I get a little more uniform in spinning.

This is the best way to enjoy all the cold weather & snow we have had this year!!!

Antique Shop Find!!! Cotten Cards!

2010-02-16T07:48:00.000-05:00

I love prowling around antique shops. Going thru a little shop in Athens, I came across a set of cotton cards for $25 back in December. I know new ones are around $60. Of course, I looked, talked myself out of them and walked away.

After talking to some on Ravelry, I realized that I could do more with them than cotton. Went back and they were still there and now they have a home in my weaving room and they look good!

Of course, I had to try them out. Phyllis at R&M Yarns gave Brit a cotton flower straight from the plant. She got the seeds out (gonna try to grow some this year). We cleaned it the best we could and I got the cards.

Not sure how to do it but I did get it fluffy and I am able to spin it on a spindle that I had made from a really neat bead.

All that fluffy cotton came from one flower (can't remember what they are called).

Blueberries & Cream - All Spun up!

2010-02-16T07:38:00.000-05:00

I could not wait, I had to get the blueberries & cream roving spun up. Now I am not sure about calling it Blueberries & Cream - little too aqua. It was hard to spin but I had to remember, 1st. I am a beginner spinner and 2nd I did use the not so great roving to practice on.

I like what I got when I was finished - a couple spots that was puffy and a couple that were thin - but all together it is very pretty and looks like springs.

Now I have to figure out what I can do with 46 yards because I want to use it and not store it.

I am really looking forward to dyeing more roving!! I have been to the Sheep Shed Studio web site and I am wanting to order roving so badly.

How fun - Kool-Aid dyeing!

2010-02-12T16:32:00.000-05:00

I have been reading about Kool-Aid dyeing and really had been wanting to give it a try. I love to fabric dye so I just had to do this, of course.

First I found the roving that Angie & I bought at the Sewing Expo two year ago. I have some I bought from Nancy at the Spinnery but just not ready to use it. I figured if I messed this up, I could always felt it.

I used blue Kool-Aid (which has been discontinued), 1/2 cup white vinegar and an old dawn detergent bottle.

Washed the roving in hot water first with detergent, rinsed next. Squeezed it, laid it out on saran wrap. Mixed the vinegar with Kool-aid and put it in the bottle. (A turkey baster would be better but I worked with what I had)

Squirt it up and down the roving, leaving some cream. Fold the saran wrap and rolled it up. I put it in a glass pie plate and nuked it in the microwave. I had read to do it for a minute but after 30 second I heard it pop and knew it was getting to hot, so I did it for 30 sec then rested it for 4 minutes - did this for about 5 times.

Let it cool to room temp, then rinsed it in room temp water. First rinse showed that all the Kool-aid had been taken up into the roving. Hung it to dry.

It is so pretty - I love the cream showing thru the blue so I called it Blueberries & Cream. I pulled it into long pieces and rolled it into a ball so I can spin it.

Now I am ready to do the really good roving that I bought in Gatlinburg!!!

Weaving up a storm - snow storm!

2010-02-12T16:16:00.000-05:00

Had a nice snow a couple weeks ago, power went off for 18 hours. Thankgoodness for wood heaters and city water. We had heat, a place to cook and plenty of water.

My car was parked and we had to walk up the hill. Got new tires on it now so maybe that won't happen again.

I took advantage of the being house bound to get my loom warped up for rugs again. Had to finish threading up by flashlight because it started getting dark. But I am weaving again!

Oh, here's my weaving buddy!

Handmade Raddle for the Loom

2010-01-24T11:02:00.000-05:00

I wanted to try to warped my loom back to front so I could double thread my reed and I needed a raddle to try it. I found a blog where someone showed how to do it and my husband made me one. I am using ponytail holders to keep the threads in place.

I have not had a chance to really try it but I think it will work fine. It only costed maybe less than a dollar and everything was in his stash of nails & wood. It saved me @ $50 to $60.

Now on to making a stand for the rigid heddle!

Needle Keeper!

2010-01-24T09:39:00.000-05:00

I have been sewing some - made a needle keeper that is alittler larger than most but it has it all.

Embroidered the GRITS design which was freebie but I forgot where I got it. I added a Bernina minature design and added needlecase.

Lined with come cotton batting and a cute muti-color cotton fabric that was in my stash of scraps.

Buttonholed stitch around. Took some felt added alittle pocket to hold a needle threader, a strip of fabric across the bottom and divided it so I have three compartments. After I placed the packs of needles in it, saw that they could fall out so I went back and added a strip of fabric across the top to help hold them in place. Added a button and button hole - put the pins, needles, etc., in it and it is finished!

Now I have to get some more made! I think they will make great presents!

What's on the Spindles!!!

2010-01-24T09:30:00.000-05:00

All my spindles have yarn on them! My cd still has the last of the novelty roving that I bought at the Gatlinburg Spinner - I got to get it off and washed. Not sure what to do with it though.
That's my problem - I love to spin but then I can't decide what to do with it - so far almost all, of it except for the pitiful first skeins, have went to my daughter that way I don't have to worry about it and she gets some handspun.

One spindle has the light color that I got from the raw jacob fleece that my DH bought in Murfreesboro last fall. After separating the colors in the fleece, washing and drying it, I started with the light color. It reminds me of frost because it has some of the gray blended in it but not much.

Oh - must tell you about the carding tools I am using! Found these at a local pet groomers, they are great. They are called Frank's Universal Dog Brushes. Made in Germany, larger than most brushes, curved just like wool carding combs but just cost $6 each. I really believe they must be made by the same company that makes wool combs. They are plastic but strong. Someday, maybe, I will have real wool combs - but now these are great for someone that really don't what they are doing!

Okay, the other spindle (my handmade one - isn't that cool to be able to say!), has the jacob roving that I bought last fall. It was already ready to spin - so soft and smooth. Beautiful shades of jacob - and the name of the sheep was Teva (named after the shoes) - isn't that great - this yarn will be called TEVA!

New Way to Wind a Bobbin!!

2010-01-24T09:10:00.000-05:00

Everytime I need to wind a bobbin for my loom shuttle, I have to try to find the drill to do it or wind it my hand (which takes forever!) The drill works great but since I don't get to work very often, I hate to keep my husband's drill all the time.

I have been searching for a way to have a portable, small way to do this without having to spend $100 or more for a bobbin winder. I tried a couple different things that worked but still not what I wanted - fast and smooth.

On Ravelry, I found a post about someone using a small battery operated smoothie hand blender. I had one in a drawer (aren't junk drawers - great!). I had had this blender for about 10 years - it had the same batteries in it that I put in orginally. Thankgoodness they had not leaked but they actually stilled worked.

I had to cut the curved ends off the ends so they would fit in the middle of the bobbin. The bobbin fit snugly on the wands - started the chenille yarn - and WOW, I worked! Fast, smooth - all the things I needed.

And I still have one wand intacked - so I can still use it in a protein shake if I wanted to!

It has a storage case and be stored in a little drawer by my chair - I can easily put it in my Ashford bag to carry it with my rigid heddle if I want to take it with me.

I will still use the drill when I am working on my big loom but this is perfect to be able to wind a bobbin fast for the rigid heddle anywhere I am working on it. This is perfect for any portable loom!

Rigid Heddle Weaving!

2010-01-24T08:56:00.000-05:00

Ashford Knitter's loom is warped and going! I warped the entire 20" with about 3 yards of black cotton blend thread. Weaving with two colors of chenille that I bought at R&M Yarns - beautiful varigiated brown and a soft black. I decided to do random stripes so I did not have to keep up with a planned pattern.

I am not sure if it will be a wrap or some fabric to make something else with. Because the strips are going across and not vertically I am not sure if it would make good fabric.

Weaving Room - Now No Excuses!!!

2010-01-24T08:49:00.000-05:00

Okay - I have to get to work and get my Mira warped up - NO EXCUSES!!! I have my room set up and though I am still finding little cuties things to put in it - I need to get it working!!

This is a great room! I have a closet to put my yarn and cones of thread in that I have to get organized better, of course. My duclimer is where I can pick it up and play whenever I want - displayed on the pretty stand . A TV and DVD, my books & magazines, the table loom that I am working to restore has a place - so cool!!!!

My husband made me a raddle for my loom - I was having problems with warping some fine cotton thread so I showed him a raddle in a book. He made it in about an hour - great - that saved me about $50 or more (I need a new reed in a different size - almost paid for that). He is working on me a stand for my Ashford rigid heddle that I bought from the Galtinburg Spinnery - I am so blessed that he likes to try to make some of the things I could use!!!!

My First Handmade Spindle!!

2010-01-24T08:39:00.000-05:00

I have 2 spindles - my first was a cd spindle made by my husband and the second was a spindle that I bought in a kit at Yarn Haven in Knoxville. Now, I have made my first spindle and I am hooked on trying to make more!!!

Everything came from Hobby Lobby except the hook ( I wanted a antique looking hook and could not find one small enough to buy so I dug thru my drawer and low & behold I found one thanks to a clutter junk drawer). I headed to my husband's tools and found a little saw so I could cut grooves on each side of the wheel so I would hold the thread.

First I stained all the wood walnut; let them dry; then I assembled them using alittle wood glue and putting the rubber washer at the top and bottom of the spindle circle. I don't know if the black washers are going to help much but I kinda like them there anyway.

I then rubbed the wood with melted bees wax. I let it set for a while than I could not wait any longer - I had to spin.

It spins great - it is heavier than my other wheels so I don't know if I could spin as thin but I really liked what I did. I used some Jacob roving I bought at the Murfreesboro fiber festival last fall and I love it. I had been saving it for a wheel but thought I better go ahead and start - don't know when I will have wheel.

The spindle spins & spins - this is so cool!!!! I am hooked - I have enough to make 3 more wooden spindles.

Quilts - lots of Machine Quilting

2010-01-09T18:00:00.000-05:00

I made and sold two quilts. One of my customers, asked me to make her son a wolf quilt and do a lavender quilt for her. They were so cute that I did not want to sell them. The lavender/blue quilt had two wide center pieces with butterflies quilted in a bright varigated thread. I just meandered the wolf quilt with random leaves. Wish I could get a few more orders like this - there would be a new spinning wheel in my house!!!!

New Weaving Room!!!

2010-01-09T09:30:00.000-05:00

I finally got my loom out of my quilt shop!!! I was so excited to get it moved!. Now if only I would get it warped it - but I am planning!!

I went from a dark mauve bedroom to a bright beige room!! All my stuff in it - weaving/knitting books, yarn, even a place for my dulcimer!!! Closet is full of cone of thread and draws of yarn - I must get it organized. I will have to do more pictures as I work.

View from the Porch!!!

2010-01-09T09:08:00.000-05:00

God gave this to us - isn't it beautiful!!

When the last time you looked at the sky in the early morning or late evening - He gave it to us - we must take time to enjoy and give Him thanks!

Breathe - Exhale - Relax - Give Thanks

New Weaving Toy from a Friend!!!

2010-01-09T09:03:00.000-05:00

My good friend, Brenda, gave me this wonderful, old table loom. It was given to her by a friend years ago and had been in her basement. She is not interested in starting another hobby, already a expert quilter, knitter, crocheter. So I have a new toy to get up and working!!!! Thanks Brenda for thinking about me!!! I will definitely restore this beauty.

I wish I knew who made it, but I have not found any markings on it. I removed the old warp that was on it. Cleaned & dusted it - it is beautiful!! It has string heddles and they look pretty old, so I have contacted Nancy at the Spinnery and she is going to help me replace them if possible with the new texisol heddles. When I get it all warped up - will post new pictures!!!

What have I been up to in the Spinning World!

2010-01-09T08:55:00.000-05:00

This is the party roving at the Spinnery - I picked the brown tones and it is turning out beautiful. Really a treat to spin but is not as smooth as the silk/merino blend - but it is a novelty. There is glitter and a blend of all kinds of roving. Really pretty - not sure what to make with it though. But the fun is spinning it!!! Then I will decide what to do with it or I am sure Angie will!

I love this merino/silk blend that came from the Spinnery in Gatlinburg! It spindle spins like a dream! Angie had bought it and I spun it for her. Can't wait to see what she creates with it.

My husband made me a cd spindle when I first got interested in spinning. Nancy at the Spinnery showed us a book that had the instructions to make it. I finally decided to paint it - as you can see I did not put much thought into what to paint on it but mainly wanted to see how well it would last. Works Great!!! Plan to make another one and do some fancy painting on it!

If you have not been to the Spinnery in Gatlinburg - and you love yarn - you are missing a real treat!!!!! Weaving, spinning, knitting, and/or crocheting - you will be in a yarn paradise! Nancy is so helpful!!!

Chickens!

2010-01-09T08:06:00.001-05:00

Aren't they cute!!!!

But the dogs are eyeing them!!!

2010 - Get organized - Get priorities - Get Better!!!

2010-01-09T07:01:00.000-05:00

Another year and still so many unfinished projects!!!! I have @10 quilt tops that I need to quilt plus probably 10 projects that are still in the piecing mode!

My Plans:

Itemize my unfinished projects - chart them and mark them off.

Quilt at least one quilt a month!!

Get my floor loom warp and ready! (Okay, Angie - I know you want fabric!)

Keep the rigid heddle warp and always ready!!!

Learn to knit better!!!

Learn to rug hook better!!!

Organize my fabric room & my yarn closet!!!! (No Angie, I am not ready to give you my cotton fabric but I might share some)

Clean my basement!!!!

Clean my closets and clean out my cabinets!!!!

Throw away or use!!!

Now how many things will I do - your guess is better than mine! I don't know how many people actually read my posts - but maybe just knowing that I have written it down will make me do it!!!

Day after Christmas and all is Calm!

2009-12-26T07:43:00.000-05:00

I woke up early this morning, around 5, and it is so nice! No video games going, no noise, no rushing to get last minute things done. The house is a mess - but it was before Christmas!
Time to think about how I am going to make next year less hectic!

My son, Aaron, got to come home the weekend before Christmas - he had to work on Christmas but is happy with his job. As long as there is something to do with cooking under the tree, I think he is happy. The knowledge that he is in a career that makes him so happy is a great year round present.

My daughter, Angie, - now she loves Christmas - wrap up a bottle of fingernail polish or lip balm and she is happy as long as she gets to peek at it and have something to unwrap! Mrs. Clause continues to visit her each year on Christmas morning and has since the Christmas she asked if there was a Santa. "As long as you believe and Mrs. Clause can - there will be a present under the tree on Christmas morning" - sometimes it has been hard for Mrs Claus to sneak it under the tree - but it has been there. I think her husband, Rico, has a time hiding things from her and keeping her from accidentally tearing paper. Of course, he gave in and she opened about 4 presents before Christmas.

My Christmas was special - presents to help me not to cook (gift cards to restaurants), roving to spin, beautiful crochets dollies and what is supposed to be dish cloths but too pretty for that and will become dollies, candy that I should not eat, video to watch and relax, thimbles from so many countries that I could never remember off the top of my head. Only two things have to be exchanged at Wal-Mart!
The hope that this year will be a better health year as I get ready for more tests next month.

Plus the future present that did not make it here on time - my Kromski spinning wheel. But most of all - knowing that my kids and grand kids are healthy and happy (and at times you have to wonder about the happy with teenagers) is the best gift of all.

But it is sad too - the grand kids are too old for the surprise of toys. They tell you what they want and you try to figure out what you can afford. Gone are the days when a ball or a doll made them happy or heck the box that the dryer came in!

I think next year will be the perfect year to spend the week somewhere - in a condo in the mountains of Tennessee! (If I can find someone to gather the eggs!)

I hope everyone had a Blessed Christmas and have the peace of Jesus in their hearts in the New Year and all the coming years.

Merry Christmas - Happy New Year!!!

Early Christmas Presents was a hit!!!

2009-12-26T07:34:00.001-05:00

Living in Tennessee and not being a Vols fan is almost a crime but of course I have a girl that is a Gator fan!!! Finding Gator stuff is hard here!!

My brother, Gene, who lives in Tampa, sent Britney an early present and it was a great hit!! It was a total surprise to her.

She loved it and has worn it so proudly. She has had fun doing so too where ever we go - she loves the thumbs up from other gator fans and the ribbing she gets or gives to the other teams out there.

We could have never found a sweatshirt like this in Volunteer Country!!!

She has also received a orange gator t-shirt from her uncle Chris and a blue gator t-shirt from me!

As for myself - I could care less about sports - give me a good sewing, quilting, knitting or weaving shirt!!!!!

Christmas Parades should be in the fall - when it is warm!!!

2009-12-26T07:21:00.000-05:00

We braved the cold 30 degree windy weather for the Niota Christmas parade. Now I know that is warm to some places in the U.S., but it is cold to me!!! Especially when it was @ 60 a couple days before!

This was Brit's first parade and she loved it. It lasted, from the time we arrived to get ready until we went home @ 3 hours. But they did win 2nd place! It was so cold & windy - burrrr!

She rode the Springbrook Riding Academy float. The girls had a great time and of course the pony was precious. Marge, her riding teacher and owner of Springbrook Academy really worked hard to get the float and all the girls ready.

But I did love the goat pulling the wagon and in the wagon is a English bulldog. 1st place went to the Freedom isn't Free float - dedicated to our Vets - congratulations!!!! So happy they won!

Too Busy - Too Play!

2009-10-31T06:16:00.000-04:00

So busy lately I have not had time to work on anything!!!

Horse show today and it is raining!!!!!

Fun in the Quilting Room!!!!

2009-10-11T19:46:00.001-04:00

Finally got to do some quilting!!! Had a beautiful quilt made by a great quilter, Ann, who lives in Maryville, TN. She always does such a good job piecing her tops. This was a big quilt, 95x112 but was alot of fun to work on after I decided what to do.

Freehand triple leaves in the borders and treated all the borders as one; swirls in the colored circles which were quarter circles appliqued on a small square and 4 pieced together to make a circle (4 drunkard paths); a fan with swirls at the bottom of the fan in the plain white circles which were reversed appliqued; an finally a back & forth motion in the background of the circles to create the feel of water. I kept thinking lily pads and water. Putting the swirls in each part of the quilt help tie the quilting together. The backing was a cotton sateen and all the quilting really shows up. Use 100% cotton for the batting - when it is washed - should really look good. I did not realize how much I did to it.

I sure hopes she likes it!!!

Birthday Cake

2009-10-11T19:40:00.000-04:00

Rhea's b-day was this last week - they come even when you are sick, which he was. But Britney created him a very special birthday cake today. The clowns were so cute. She had them laying down and some were holding their heads - "Oh, not another birthday!!!"

Woven Rugs are finally done!!!

2009-10-07T15:10:00.000-04:00

I finally finished the two rugs that I was doing on my floor loom!!!

Hurray - now I can try something else!!!

While working on them, I was not happy with them at all but after I took them off, they looked better.

You can even see that I had planned stripes in one - I could not tell it when they were on the loom.

They have a home in my bathroom - and I am planning my next project!!

Aaron's new uniform!

2009-10-07T15:05:00.000-04:00

My son, Aaron, came home this weekend wearing his new uniform - a chef's jacket!!! After years of loving to cook and create new dishes - he has finally landed on the first step of his new career.

He walked in, proudly, Monday night in his chef's jacket, having just got off from work.

Looks to good in it too!!!

Singer 99 - A Great Find and My New Treasure!!!!

2009-10-04T11:42:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Rhea & I decided to go to Crossville, TN just to go somewhere. Nice day to get out.
After spending a couple hours at the big flea market and not buying anything but wanting to bring home a minature donkey (he is now afraid for me to go back by myself for fear the donkey will be in the back yard), we headed out for a quick lunch and the outlet mall.

I am not a fan of any kind of malls - never have been. But in the middle of this mall, they had a store set up with used items that were donated to be sold to raise money for Domestic Violence. Now I love Goodwill, junk stores, yard sales, etc., so I made a bee line into this store. I was on one side making my way over to the other when Rhea, who had started on the other side, came to me and told me to come look at a machine he had found. He thought he had found a featherweight, it was priced $40.

Very cute machine but I was not sure it was a featherweight, so I call my machine expert friend, Marilyn. Told her what it looked like and it had a 99 on the front - her words were "BUY IT".
The needle would not go up & down but after a couple minutes, Rhea had it working. It needs oiling. Anyway, it now has a new home.

Last night Marilyn & I got on the internet and found out alittle about it. It was made Feb., 10, 1956 in Elizabeth NJ. There were @ 25,000 made during that time. Mine has the serial number on the front base , AM316682. On the front of the neck is a label with the engraving 99-. Has a cute tan & brown case with it but no manual or attachments, but I did find the manual online and have a copy of it. (Have found a manual on e-bay for $4.99)

I cleaned it up this morning and it shines - all the gold trim is perfect. Has bobbin, light works and it now the needle goes up & down just fine. We still have to oil it and possibly grease the motor.

After I told Rhea what I have found out about it, he reminded me "He found it for me". I am so glad my husband loves to search for treasures too!!!! Plus talks me into getting them!!! Plus paid!!!!! What else could you ask for!!

So a day that started out with "I should be working at home", turned out great and makes me want to hunt for more junk sales - whose knows maybe next time it will be a Featherweight!!!!

Doing alittle folkart painting

2009-10-04T11:31:00.000-04:00

After the last time I had to ply the yarn I spun together, I decided to come up with a easiler way to do it. So I took some clay pots and painted a cute folkart sheep on the front. Painted the saucer to go with it. So cute!!! I have one set done and the other ready to finish. I am changing the colors alittle so it will be different but will make a match set.

After I have washed my spun yarn and made it into a ball of yarn with the umbrella swift. I can put a ball of yarn in under each pot and pull the thread thru the hole in the top. Then using the spindle, I can ply it together to make a two ply yarn to knit or weave with.

These pots look so good just sitting on a table when not using.

So much fun, even though I had not painted anything in years and it took me alot of coats of paint to get the finish I like. I plan to make a couple more sets of these.

First Western Competition

2009-10-04T11:25:00.000-04:00

Britney's first western horse competition was held in Sept., near Kingston, TN. A great learning experiment and alot of fun but a very long day. She did come away with one third place, 2 fourth & 2 fifth places. She learnt about about what is expected of her and how a show is judged. Next show will be Oct. 31st., which includes a Halloween costume contest, (hint - her horse will be a cow).

Green Roses!

2009-10-04T11:21:00.000-04:00

Britney's last cake for the decorating class was to make the Wilton roses - turned out very cute.

Green roses with purple stems & leaves, chocolate inside.

Now she has to make one for her papaw's birthday!

Can't sleep!!!

2009-10-02T05:25:00.000-04:00

Woke up at 3 a.m. - can't sleep - I hate it when I do that!!! My body is tired but my mind can't shut down!!!!

Got a quilt in the frame that is worrying me toooooo much! Gonna get it going today and finished this weekend if at all possible!!!!

Geneology search!!!

2009-10-02T05:08:00.000-04:00

Thru some geneology searches I found pictures of my great-great grandfather & grandmother. I had never saw a picture of them and did not know too much about them. My grandfather talked some but I guess I just don't remember too much. Problem when you are young - you think they will always be here to talk to.

My ggreat grandparents were William Jefferson Tallent and Lucinda (Lucy) Veal Tallent. My grandfather, William Leo (dark t-shirt) and his younger brother Woodrow Wilson Tallent are in other picture.

William Jefferson's family came from England & Ireland. Lucinda's gggrandparents were William Wedgbar Underwood (England) & Anna the Cherokee (North Carolina). I am at a stand-still now, can't find anyting else out. Maybe someday.

Also, found some pictures of my grandmother's grandfather. That was an interesting family!!! Just have not got them downloaded yet.

Weaving Buddy!

2009-10-02T04:57:00.000-04:00

Soprano is my weaving buddy! He just lays and watches or chews his toy or bone as I try to finish these rugs.

I am so disappointed in how they are turning out that I just want to get them done!! All I see is the warp threads but I won't waste the warp, took toooooooo long getting it threaded up. I know I can use the rugs somewhere.

I have been working very slowly lately. Riding the roads just too much! This is making me very depressed - by the time I slow down at night - I am just too tired to work or play at anything. Got so many created things in my mind that I can't transfer to actual working projects!!

Cake Decorating Classes

2009-08-25T10:29:00.000-04:00

Britney has started cake decorating classes at JoAnns in Knoxville. Tonight will be the last of the Course 1. She is doing great - making some beautiful cakes and really liking it alot.

First cake was a rainbow cake and the second was a two layer clown cake. She even did a chocolate layer and a yellow layer in the clown cake.

Everyone at her Great Mamaw's loved the clown cake on Sunday. We are trying to find ways to get rid of cakes!!!!

She will be making a chocolate cake tonight with roses.

Our hens are laying great eggs for these cakes!!! We are getting alot of double yolks!!! And one of the hens (Britney thinks it is Betty) often is laying a jumbo egg! I love our chickens!!!

Weaving on the Brain Again!

2009-08-25T10:17:00.000-04:00

Been trying to get my loom warped up but has been a real ordeal. So much going on that I can't find time for me! But finally after days of battling with the new way I was threading up the warp, I got it done. Hurray!!!

I am working on recycle rag rugs. I got one started and hopefully, if I figured right, I will be able to do 3 on this warp. I am using some old knit shirts and a skirt in colors of burgandy, brown & mauve.

Please Santa - bring me another reed for Christmas. Working with one reed and a 6 dpi one at that can be hard for a beginner. I had to double the warp in the reed and I did do a messed up job which caused me to work twice as hard straightening it out. But it is working now.

I did find a bench at a consignment shop last week. I had been working with everything in the house trying to find the perfect seat to sit in at the loom with no luck. Last week I came across a padded bench with a back. I needed a back to help support my back. I can lift the seat for storage, which is great for my shuttles!!! I paid $20 for it - a regular loom bench cost between $300 and $500 dollars usually and have to be ordered so you don't know if it will work for you or not.

A great find!!! It works so great. It is wide enough that the treadles fit perfectly under the bench so I can sit right up to the loom.

More later!!!!

New projects in the works!

2009-08-07T06:49:00.000-04:00

Trying to get some new things done. I started spindle spinning some Hand Dyed Blue Faced Leicester Top roving that I bought at the Yarn Haven in Knoxville. It is so pretty. The color is Stained Glass. I am starting the second half then will ply it together for a double ply yarn. I am loving spindle spinning!!! It is so relaxing - now if I would just get something made with it when it is spun!!!

The next thing I am starting is a new rag rug! Using the floral fabric, I am hoping to turn out a really pretty rug. Paid a whole dollar for it at a yard sale!

Juanita Hofstrom, who lives in WI and has a weaving studio, has been giving me pointers. She has been so much help. She is a fabulous weaver and has taught weaving for many years, in great places like Arrowmont and John C Campbells. I wish I could go and take a class from her!!!
Her website is http://www.vauningstudio.com/ . She has also gave me some great hint on quick freezing veggies so I can get back to weaving. I met her on Rugtalk - which is a great group to join if you are interested in rug weaving.
Will post more on these projects later!

I gotta get a quilt finished for a friend, Kathy, before I play anymore! She does beautiful work. I love the colors in this one, she is great at designing a quilt!!!

New family member, Layla

2009-08-07T06:33:00.000-04:00

We have added a new family member, her name is Layla. Britney works at a animal shelter and this little girl came in and chose Britney. She is a husky mix with the prettiest blue eyes. About a third of the size of Soprano.

He is dealing with her - she is very bossy and I have to take up for him when she takes his toys. She is constantly nipping at him and biting his legs. She fits perfect under him when he is running. She weighs about 25 pounds and he is about 80 pounds. I think he was happier before she arrived (and I was sometimes!)

She is Britney's baby and sleeps with her. She is always hungry and very hyper at times.

One beautiful Quilt!!! Wish I had done it!!

2009-07-23T08:16:00.000-04:00

Isn't this quilt beautiful!!! I did not make it - wish I had. A friend I quilt for from Cleveland, Zandra, made it! She does such good work, it is always a treat to quilt for her. She makes fun quilts and lets me just do what I want!!!!

I used my Circle Lord on my quilting machine. I love using this attachment!!! Makes perfect circles. Takes alittle time to line up but really worth it especially when I want to play!!

Thank you, Zandra for letting me work on your quilts.

I have to admit I feel I have the cream of the crop when it comes to quilt makers that allow me to work on their quilts! I have to also admit that I worry over every one of them afraid they won't like what I do!

Loom at work!

2009-07-23T08:08:00.000-04:00

Got a sock loop rug finished!!! I love my loom! I knew I would - I have wanted to weave for 30 years!! Wish I had really pursued this then but did not know anyone with a loom. Now I find out there have been weavers in the area for years.

This rug was made from mixed blue & cream loops. I dyed some an indigo blue and added them through out the rug. One Christmas present done!!!!

Spindle spinning!!!!!

2009-07-23T07:59:00.000-04:00

I have finally got the hang of spindle spinning!!!! I know I still have to improve but I feel I am on my way.

Thanks to a Sit 'N' Spin at the Yarn Haven in Knoxville TN, after a couple of years of spinning what I call novelty yarn (because it is rather bumpy and weird), a very nice lady at the group showed me what to do!! I am sorry name slips me but I will get it at the next meeting!!!

Anyone that is interested in spinning should go to this meeting!!!! It is on the 2nd Saturday of each month and it is free. Time is 2 p.m., to 4 p.m.

Several are using spinning wheels (this is on my list of wants!) and I have noticed they are very happy to help the newbies!

The shop is nice and has lots of ideas, yarns and classes. It is off the Cedar Bluff exit. I bought some beautiful roving at the shop to spin and it is doing great.

My goal is to get be able to give my spun yarn as a present to a wonderful daughter, so she create a crochet heirloom!

My novelty yarn is going to get woven on a loom then felted so no one can see how bad it is!

Grandmother's Fan Quilt Top!

2009-07-23T07:53:00.000-04:00

I started this quilt top several years ago for a class I was teaching at a quilt shop! I had planned a throw but after I started I decided that I had enough throws and wanted a king size quilt!!! Now about 7 years later - the top is done!

The fabric is from Eleanor Burns 1st. fabric line. I carried it in my quilt shop and save the fabric just for this pattern. The pattern is from her book Fan's & Flutterbys.

I put lace at the top of each fan to give it a very feminine look. Now let's hope it does not take 7 years to get it quilted!!!!

New use for Cat Food Bags!

2009-07-23T07:42:00.000-04:00

I know I posted pictures of this bag once but I had a couple other pictures that showed more - it is such a great way to recycle.

A friend gave me a Friskies cat food bag and my brain went to work. It was woven plastic so I knew it would cut and sew good.

I opened it up and cut the bag so I could get a good picture and the name. The handle came out of the side of the bag.

I lined it with a pretty peach fabric. It serged and sewed beautifully.

I then gave it to my friend - she has 17 cats!

I now have two purple cat food bags and a bird seed bag - I have to get creative again.
I am looking for a woven dog food bag!!!!

Meadow

2009-07-07T08:21:00.000-04:00

I lost my baby this past winter due to what the vet said was a brain tumor as well as a kidney tumor. It was like losing a child and I miss her so much there is rarely a day goes by that I don't think about her and wish she was still with me.

Whoever says they are just dogs - have never really loved a dog. We got her at 7 weeks - she was my friend and companion thru some times that I felt I could not make it. I could talk to her and she would act like she understood everything. She was there next to me when I felt so alone. She loved to curl up next to me when I slept. She stayed under my desk when I worked. She would lay her head in my lap when I cried.

Some of my family consider her physco because she did not like strangers and she stayed close to me. In truth, she was not an easy dog because you had to watch her or put her out if anyone came around, but she loved her immediate family so much. She loved to play hide & seek with Brian & Britney.

I found this on the internet one day:

The Creation

When God had made the earth and sky

the flowers and the trees,

He then made all the animals

the fish, the birds and bees.

And when at last He'd finished

not one was quite the same.

He said, "I'll walk this world of mine

and give each one a name."

And so He traveled far and wide

and everywhere He went,

a little creature followed Him

until it's strength was spent.

When all were named upon the earth

and in the sky and sea,

the little creature said, "Dear Lord,

there's not one left for me."

Kindly the Father said to him,

"I've left you to the end.

I've turned my own name back to front

and called you dog, My dear friend."

She could never be off lease but now she can run and play like other dogs! And I will love her forever.

Trying to get going again!!!

2009-07-07T08:17:00.000-04:00

I just can't seem to get organized - and this is a terrible thing for someone that was always organized!!!!

Summer is hard - just too much to do. I would rather be outside than inside most of the time. Still getting very tired at times but doing much better than I was. Back to the doctor tomorrow for more bloodwork to see if my Vitamin D is up and if the folic acid pill is working right!

I have listed some fabric on Kijiji, hoping to cut my stash some. I have alot of cute kid prints that I need to move out of here.

Finished a quilt top last night - been working on it for about 6 years! Post picture later today.

Recyle Purses!

2009-05-18T21:02:00.000-04:00

Got in a recyle mode! Made this tote bag from a Friskie cat food bag. It was the large bag and was a woven plastic. Worked out great. I put a lining in it with pockets. A friend gave me the bag, and I gave her the tote (Gail is pictured here with her tote)! She loved it!

Got two more bags just not time to make them.

The next purse was made from Wal-Mart

plastic bags. I cut the bags into continuous strips and wove them on my loom. Cut the lining out of an old pillow case that match the wool, placed pockets in the lining. Braided the wool for the handles. Everything was recyled - wool was given to me, pillow case was years old, plastic bags, even the button was off a old jacket. Turned out real cute.

The material was so soft after it was woven - you would have never thought it was plastic.

Got behind in posting!!!

2009-05-18T20:52:00.000-04:00

It has been a rough year in some ways. Very tired all the time, can't seem to get my vitamin D levels up and can't find out why.

I am trying to get back in the swing of things though! Been quilting and selling alot of baby quilts. Trying to get back into making aprons again - sold all I had made up. Got some cute fabrics to do some more.

Building a chicken house for the 8 baby chicks; 4 Rhode Island Reds and 4 bantams. Gotta get pictures of the "Chicken Condo".

As you can see, Britney has made pets out of them. This is Betty Boop.
Betty likes to sleep on her arm.

Picking strawberries & cherries - back is killing me!

Will try and catch up on what is

happening!

Pincushion/Needlekeeper Swap!

2008-10-09T21:56:00.000-04:00

I joined a Pincushion/needlekeeper swap this fall! I swapped with someone in Australia - how cool was that!

I was a little slow getting done - back surgery was right in the middle! Depressions because back surgery did not help! But finally I got my done.

I received from Ciara (from Sidney) a really cute pincushion that looked like a cupcake and a really neat needlekeeper that was so bright and cute with the butterflies on the front.

I sent her a chicken pincushion made out of 30's reproduction fabrics and a needlekeeper that I had designed and digitized for embroidery machine.

It was fun!!!

Toooo Busy!!!

2008-10-09T21:43:00.000-04:00

Tooooo much going on!!! Just got over Fall Break and now the kids are back at school. Trying to get a few quilts quilted for my customers!! Trying to make a few things to sell before Christmas! Cleaning the shop! And Cleaning the house!!!! AT least canning is over!!!

I made a small table scarf with my Spear's loom - gotta get a picture of it. Worked great!

Now I have bought a used Leclerc Mira Loom!!!! That's why I had to clean the shop - to make room for it!!! Got some yarn at R&M Yarns during their 50% off sale. Got my books! My friend, Tanya (my buddy in trying to do everything at least once), loaned me some vhs tapes on weaving! Now I can't wait to get it warped and going!!!!

Yard sale treasures!

2008-09-11T19:37:00.000-04:00

Treasures at yard sales!!!!

Yay!!! I love yard sales - sometimes you can find such treasures!!

I found these aprons a few weeks ago.

I think this one is very unique! Fabric looks kinda 50'ish. Insert has a ruffle at the bottom. Person had to be very trim to wear it - the ties are very short!

I am going to try and make a pattern off it.

This one is a short work apron - very simple but cute (only cost a quarter). Great to wear when working in the shop!!!

Well, tomorrow we are off to John C. Campbell's Folk Art School in Murphy NC. I have never been, so I am looking forward to walking around and checking it out! Sure I will be drooling over the classes!!!

New Hobby!!! Like I need one!

2008-08-28T20:56:00.000-04:00

Mountain Dulcimer!!!

I bought a dulcimer this spring at a yard sale - for the whopping price of $10. It had a place that needed to be repaired and a friend of mine, Tanya, told me to call Johnny McGrew!! I think it is the best thing I have bought in a long time!!!!!!!!!!

We went to visit Johnny and his wife, Becky!!! What a wonderful couple! They told us the history of dulcimer and played for us some beautiful music! Both Johnny & Becky are so talented - I was full of envy! A beautiful log house that they built, and all the furniture in it was built by them. Johnny is an artist! His furniture & cabinets are wonderful. Plus he restored an old truck and it would make anyone drool - it had cherry wood in the bed and he has made a cherry tool box for the back! Becky made some of the most beautiful pottery that I have ever seen - I would love to be able to do pottery but I have to stop at getting new hobbies (Ha-Ha).

Johnny builds the most beautiful dulcimers and I fell in love with the sound they made! He fixed my little dulcimer and both he and Becky showed me how to play. Becky got me a book - and before I left I could play a simple song! I don't read music so I was excited that you did not have to read it to play!

Brian & Britney both can play and even Angie has joined in on this new activity!!! She is wanting her own dulcimer now!!!

Angie & Brian playing in my kitchen!! Here's Brian on the deck - isn't the perfect place to play a mountain dulcimer!!!

Johnny is building me one and I told him to surprise me with the wood & design of the cut out. I am so excited to get it! I will have to relearn how to play because it is bigger than my little one.
Will post more later!!! Hopefully pictures of him building it!

Wow - I am tired - I think this is the latest that I have been up in a while - I will pay for it in the morning!!!!

Sassy Apron Swap!

2008-08-28T20:10:00.001-04:00

Finally, I am posting the pictures of the apron that I made for the Sassy Apron Summer Swap! I have to admit that I have not felt like doing anything this summer - and have went days without even turning on my computer.

I made the apron out of 30's reproduction fabrics; added a loop to hang a kitchen towel thru and put a pocket with a little yo-yo flower on it. The kitchen towel was made from osenburg and I added a redwork kitchen design with my embroidery machine. It is reversible with 30's on the back.

You can see in the background that I have another one on the design wall. Of course, it has been there for 2 months!

I received a beautiful apron from my swap partner but apparently I have lost the pictures - so I have to retake them and will post it later. It was alot of fun!!!

Trying to get back in the swing of things!

2008-08-28T19:59:00.000-04:00

This summer has been so busy - I just can't find the time for everything! The garden did okay until it got so dry but I have still had to can, freeze & dry constantly, thanks to friends passing on their extra stuff too. Then, of course, there was back surgery - that did not help much!

Here's my husband, Rhea, and my grandson, Brian, picking cherries. Brian made his first jam this year and was quite proud of it. He has helped me in the garden this year.

Britney has also been helping some, here she is helping me make jelly. She also helped with the salsa.

Because of an unexpected heart cath and the back surgery, even my husband had to learn how to can this year!!! He canned beans, blueberry and blackberry jam & jelly. He has help me with freezing corn, and also making apple butter. Gave him a chance to see how much work is involved in all this.

But I do love to see all the jars lined up on the shelves for winter!!

A Beautiful summer evening from my deck! I love looking at the mountains -= I just don't have enough time to do it!!!

I think Brian has found his Calling - Future Landscape Artist!!!

2008-05-09T14:00:00.000-04:00

Last weekend my grandson, Brian, worked very hard on my flower bed in front of the house!!! He did a wonderful job.

I wished I had taken a before picture - the area was all grown up with daylilies so thick that he had to take a shovel and maddock to get them out. I think he loaded a wheelbarrow at least 12 to 15 times and had to move it to the woods down the hill in the back yard. He started about 10 a.m. and finished with the digging and raking about 3 p.m.

Then that afternoon, my husband got a load of black mulch. It took close to 2 hours for Brian, Britney & myself to unload and place it around the bushes.

It was Brian's decision on where to put the stones for a walkway & to place the bistro table & chairs. Plus he

placed the other concrete things, like the small birdbath, angel, concrete flower pedistals and more. He did a great landscaping job!!!!!

He has two more projects planned for me - next he plans to work

on the area below the steps and then I showed him a place in the woods that would be a beautiful shade-garden room. Great place for him to practice his guitar! I will do before pictures this time.

I hear he is now working on a landscaping plan for his mom! Can't wait to see it.

Frog scrub - into - "Smock" Apron

2008-04-28T19:39:00.000-04:00

I just had to work on my "apron" today. I got it finished and I think it turned out good. It was very comfortable - plus I did not use my shirt to wipe my hands on when I was working in the kitchen! It took about 2 hours to complete.

(1)First I cut the sleeves out and took the side seams apart and part of the hem at the sides (I did not even notice that it was a small so I had to make a few changes there).

(2) Removed the top snap and fuzed some fabric over the hole and zig-zag around it (it was on the back but I did not want it to ravel.

(3) I drew a templete by laying the top of the scrub on the paper and made the curve of the outside; then laid the templete paper over the facing and marked the width of it. I wanted the lime green fabric to show at the top like a lapel.

(4) Turned under 1/4" on the curved edge of the green facing and pressed; serged the bottom.

(5) After I pinned the facing to the scrub, I used the buttonhole stitch and attached the curve side to the scrub (on the scrub facing side. Then I serged the inside of the facing to the scrub facing and serged the shoulder seam (I did not take the shoulder seam out but wanted to attached the lime green to it.) Pinned each side back to make a nice point and topstitch it down. Pressed it all

(6) I cut 3" strips from the lime green and attached one to each side of the scrub; leaving enough at the bottom to turn under for a matching hem. Pressed under hem and stitched.

(7) I cut 1 1/4" strips on the bias out of the lime green. Joined them and turned under one edge and pressed. I attached the raw edge to the armhole on the wrong side of the scrub then rolled it to the front and topstitched it down (starting and ending under the arm)

(8) Cut 2 pieces 3 x 11. Turned under 1/4" on each side and pressed; folded it in half and pressed again. Next I stitch closed to the edge on all sides. Put a buttonhole on one end of each strip.

(9) I decided where I wanted the tabs on the back; pinned in place & stitched.

(10) I had to decide where I wanted the tabs to be attached with a button on the front. Once it was in place, I used a chalk pencil and marked the button placement and sewed on the button. The tabs were placed above the waistline because of the pockets - but it just made it look like it had an empire waistline.

I pressed it and then wore it!!!

May sound like alot work but really it was not at all. I had fun doing it! I think the lime green accent really set it off. I have an orginal "smock" apron and only have @$1.50 in it!

I hope I explained it okay - if you have any questions, let me know.

Great Day for Yard Sales!!!

2008-04-27T10:08:00.000-04:00

I took off yesterday morning with a quest!!! I wanted to find some vintage apron patterns!!!

SUCCESS!!!

Here is what I was able to get!!! I paid a .25 for one and .50 for the other!

The McCalls was copyrighted in 1952. The other one is a Simplicity and it was copyrighted in 1953.

The Simplicity had been used alittle more but all the pieces as well as the applique & embroidery is intact. The cute thing about it was that the pattern was in a plastic bag and you could not tell what it was. The bag was a Sears "No Doubt About It" mid-leg panty girdle bag. The bag is in excellent shape! I probably wore one like that in the late 60" and early 70"when I did not need it but every girl was suppose to.

I also found some other goodies. I found a about 3 yards of red swiss dotted fabric - very similar to something I might have worn in a dress when I was alittle girl. I don't think they even make it any more. Use to wear it with a stand out slip as we call it. Of course the best thing about wearing one of those slips was you waist really looks small and no one can tell how large your hips are! Look at June on Leave it to Beaver - I think those ladies dresses like that are really cute! Including the white gloves! Wore them too! And never wore white after Labor Day or before Easter (been told that was a Southern thang!)

Another find was a hand embroidery star on yellow gingham. It is so sad when a mother dies and kids just put her handiwork in a yardsale instead of getting them finished and cherishing it. I am considering making this into a pillow, framing it or possibly adding a ruffle of small yellow gingham and making a cute apron to hang up but not use. I have her name and could put it on it somewhere.

Got some big, big, bright plastic buttons - don't know what to do with them but thinking decorating a purse with them - I have some big bright polka dot fabric that would make a mod (60's) purse. Also several packs of ric-rack - prices on them was .39 & .44 each!~!

Now, this shirt called to me!! I love frogs!! This is a scrubs shirt, I think - gave all of .75 for it but really think it would be a cute cobble type apron. Cut the sleeves out - add alittle trim and maybe ties at the side.

I had a fun day!!!! I love to go to flea markets and yard sales more than the mall (ugh!) Some days you find some real treasures and some days nothing.

Some Quilts from the Past!

2008-04-24T09:44:00.000-04:00

I am trying to get motivated to work on some quilts again. Most of the ones I have done have been given away or donated. I have only maybe 3 bed size quilts left here at home and several wall hangings that I have used in my home. I have so many quilts in my brain that I have to use all the fabric that I have bought for them!
Here are a few of my small quilts:

I still have a dozen quilts started and many more in the planning. I think I stopped working on them because I just don't know what to do with them when I am finished with them! Just wait until I take pictures of my fabric! Did I say bolts of fabric!!!

Aprons!!!

2008-04-24T09:29:00.001-04:00

Finally got to work on something I wanted to do!!!

Britney is modeling my GRITS apron.

I love this apron it is fun to do and you can change it so much just by the fabric used and the design on the pocket.

The strap goes around the neck with 2 buttons for adjustment and it has long apron strings. The pocket had a embroidery design and frame with cordinating fabric. And of course- we are Girls Raised In The South!

Britney has made her a blog to show some of her work she has done! Hopefully she will now finish some of her projects so she can post them. Her blog is: www.cottonpatchquiltsjr.blogspot.com Post a comment so she will be encouraged!!

Baa Baa says the Sheep!

2008-04-04T14:52:00.000-04:00

I made my first needle felted animal! I was so much fun but I do know I will have to make another one so I can improve my work.

It was so much except for the legs which were masonary nails. I had a time getting them to work and getting them glue in right. And after so much time & work - the front legs are still alittle longer than the back ones but he still stands - must find a way to improve that.

Anyway - I love it. I think I will call it Mr. Sam since he has the hat (which I will make the stack on it longer next time).

The Shawl is done!

2008-04-03T14:07:00.001-04:00

I finally finished the shawl I have been working on forever (or at least it seems - really only about 3 months and maybe it all the time was put together - maybe only about 3 weeks)

I bought my cotton yarn at R&M Yarns ( http://www.rmyarns.com/ ) in Cleveland, TN. I was knitting a washcloth out of it one day while I was watching a knitting show on TV. The program was about lace knitting - and I thought "why couldn't I do a form of lace knitting with this yarn". It is light weight 100% cotton (4.5 /3 ply natural cotton), the finest I have ever worked with (even though real lace knitting is from something alot finer).

One things is that I can't not say how much I yarn I used since I bought it on the cone by the pound but I believe it was only about a pound cone. I used it for 3 wash cloths before I started the shawl and I have some left.

Dolls! Dolls!

2008-04-03T13:54:00.000-04:00

I Love Making Dolls!!!

I have always love making dolls! I have worked the past couple days on my Long-Legged Angels. It is like bringing them to life as I put the details on them toward the end. I almost hate having to put a needle in them - afraid I am going to hurt them!

These angels are about 26 to 28 inches tall and have wings made of an old quilt that I have saved from being destoryed. I love thinking about how someone many years ago lovingly made a quilt from old clothes, saving the memories of the loved ones that wore them. So many quilts are loved to bare thread and someone will discard it in a yard sale or so - at least part will be remember for a long time.

The legs of the angels are long and slender and are able to bend at the knees so they can cross their legs and their arms are usually up with their hands praying. I have cute osanburg bloomers on them - I just can't make a doll without bloomers!

Rug Weaving with Sock Loops!!!

2008-03-25T17:29:00.001-04:00

~~~~ Gone Loopie~~~~~
Remember the sock loops that we use to weave on a little frame to make potholders??? I have found that they work great on my homemade weaving frame!!

I was at R&M Yarns in Cleveland TN and they had a beautiful rug that was made on a large floor loom. It looked like chenille. But it was made with ercu sock loops - which they sell by the pound. Of course I saw a challange to try this on my frame that my husband made me.

I warped the frame with a polyester yarn that I got at R&M (which I will use for my fabric rugs now - it works great). Then went to work by looping the sock loops together to form a chain; weaving in and out, over and under - and I love it. It works up quickly. When finished I used a crochet hook to pull the loops threw the warping threads at the end of the mat, making fringe at each end.

I can't wait until he gets my large rug frame done to do a big chenille floor rug!

R&M Yarns is a great store - I am planning a beginner's weaving class on April 5th ( on a real loom! )

Their web site is: http://www.rmyarns.com/ , they have yarns for knitting, weaving, etc - great prices. The yarn is mostly by the pound on the cones. They have cotton, New Zealand & Domestic Wool, novelty yarns and more! Be sure to check out her sock loop rug if you get to go by there!! The owner is Phyllis Narus.

A Quilting I must go!

Today was quilting day - I quilted 4 baby quilts, 2 cute rabbits, one adorable bear, and a fun summer looking with stick kids flying kites. Push myself tooooooo much - so I am done! Binding will go on tomorrow - one rabbit is already sold! (one baby step closer to a loom!!!)

Must finish my shawl tonight ! I am getting bored with it even though it is beautiful & lacy, but I am row 192!!!! It is a beautiful ercu cotton that I got at R&M yarns - I love it but I am ready to get back to work on my bright varigated socks!!!

Peace & Blessings!

Slow Moving!!!!

2008-03-18T07:17:00.001-04:00

After a over a year of health problems, I have been finally diagnosed with low Vitamin D. Not sure how low but apparently pretty low - started on 50,000 units of D twice a week for 4 weeks, then go to 50,000 units for 8 weeks, then 1000 units a day, plus a caltrate and another vitamin. Go back to doctor on April 7th to find out why and if anything else showed up on the pint of blood they took!

I took my second pill yesterday and so far I can't tell any difference. Oh, well took over a year to get this bad - sure it will take a while to get built back up.

Been quilting on a friend's quilt this week and I really over did it yesterday. Must pace myself better! Must make time to play in my craft room! Must clean my craft room!!!!

If you get the chance, visit http://www.nancymalay.blogspot.com/ and http://www.vintagewhimsy.com/ - Ms. Malay is doing a give away and all you have to do is sign her guest book for a chance! She is such an artist!

My little sewing bear was a freebie from Lisa's Country Clipart. Have had it for several years and love it!

Needlefelting!

2008-03-15T06:44:00.000-04:00

Oh, another New Hobby!!!

My first attempt at needle feliting something that maybe I can use! I was playing around last night with the stuff I bought at the expo, trying to make something that did not look to kindergarden-created. I wanted to make something 3-D. Kinda hard since I have yet to get a needlefelting book to tell me how to do this stuff.

My flower really just looked like the yellow one I did, then I made a egg shape thing - not knowing what I was doing. Then I was playing around with it and thought maybe a pin to wear. So this morning (about 6 a.m.) I snipped off the leave (looked too dark) then added a light one back but no stem. Then I started using some thread and a needle and added some beads and a pin back - and I think it made a cute spring brooch.

Now I need to read a book on how to really do it?!?

Doll from the Martha Stewart Show

2008-03-13T11:03:00.000-04:00

Meet Kiwi!

She is so cute and I think each one will have a different personality. On the Martha Stewart show, Emily Martin showed how to make this cute doll. She has a little Mary Engelbrit fabric apron on and a blue plaid scarf on.

I made one for Brit since she was so sick this week. I named it Kiwi because of the bright green legs.

It was fun making a new doll!!!

But I have to quilt now!

See ya

Baby quilts!

2008-03-12T18:58:00.001-04:00

A Great Day!!!

I quilted 5 baby quilt tops to sell and today I sold 4 of them at the doctor's office (thank goodness for my friend, Gloria, that works as a RN in the office)! I am so up now!!!

I did not do alot of quilting = just some freehand designs and they were baby panels but I did not charge alot for them. They have a very pretty plaid print on the back & I used the plaid for the binding. Alot prettier than just plain muslin or white. Completely done on machine.

I have alot of cute kid prints that I have to do some thing with - I am trying to lower my stash. Then I won't feel so bad when I buy new material!

So now I have to get busy and do some more! Maybe that 5 gallon tote of fabric will finally get used up!!! I had so many big plans for it when I bought it - but the plans only changed.

See ya, later!

More from the Expo

2008-03-10T18:32:00.000-04:00

This bag is so cute!

I love the Karma Bag - Angie & I both made one in a class at the Sewing Expo in Atlanta. It is an interchangeable bag - one handle - many bags. With a twist, one bag comes off and you can put on the new one - so cute.

Here's the punch needle project that we did. This was a great make it & take it but it was really a class that we did on Thursday evening. I can't find my paper with the teacher's name but Angie has it on her blog, plus a link to her website. I had done some needlepunching but she really helped me alot.

We also had a demo with The Mad Hatter, Dawn Anderson. She was good and really made making hats look easy (alot of hand work though). Her site is http://www.dawnandersondesigns.com/

Made me want to make a hat - oh, another hobby!

Kathy Ruddy, creator of Unique Patterns, did a great fashion show called Eat lots of Cookies. She was hilarious - but we really pick up alot of pointers. Web site: http://www.uniquepatterns.com/

This was a free fashion show. They had on going things at two different stages. I think we really learned more in the vendors mall than in the demos and classes. So many make it & take its and so many fashion shows and stage demos.

Okay, today was clean the house - yuk day! Laundry (mainly mine that I bought back so I could not complain about it), dishes, bathrooms, and moping. Plus supper which was cabbage beef soup and homemade bread. Rhea did a great job with the house - he had his laundry done & the house looking good when I got home on Saturday!

My bread recipe came from the Urban Homemaker. I usually make it just like the recipe she has but I changed this one to work in my bread oven. I grind my own wheat but today I was lazy. I did not grind enough wheat so I mixed some bread flour in with it. Her recipe is called Marilyn's famous Whole Wheat Bread and we love it. She has a great free catalog and website with lots of tips, recipes and ideas. The web site is http://www.urbanhomemaker.com/ .

Today's version of homemade bread (mine is never the same but it usually always comes out good. This one was very light and rose very high):

Semi Whole-Wheat Bread (my version for the bread maker on my lazy bread day)

1 1/4 cup warm water

1 cup of whole wheat flour

Combine warm water with 1 cup ww flour, Stir and let sponge (soak) for 15 to 20 minutes. I placed mine right in my bread pan for my breadmaker.

Add:

1/6 cup honey (I did not have a 1/6 cup so I just used a 1/3 cup and filled it up one half full)

1/6 cup oil

1 1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 tablespoon dough enhancer (optional)

1 Tablespoon gluten (optional - might not raise as high as mine but mine was about too high)

3/4 Tablespoon yeast

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup bread flour (this is where I changed her recipe - she uses all whole wheat and

usually I do but not on lazy bread day)

This is the order I put it in but you need to put it in according to your breadmaker's instructions.

and bake according to your instructions for whole wheat.

I have an Ultimate Breadman. My settings were for Whole Wheat, rapid rise, 1 .5 pound loaf and medium crust.

I also check when it starts kneading to see if it needs any more flour or liquid. Seems that can vary - maybe it has something to do with the humidity. Today I had to add the extra 1/4 cup of bread flour. Do this if it looks too runny - if it looks too stiff add alittle warm water.

The urban homemaker's recipe makes two loafs but to get it for my breadmaker I have to cut it in half. I have to admit - in the beginning - I only made it the traditional way by hand. But I kneading takes so much time and sometimes my bread would not be as light, so I have given in to modern conveniences, at least, part of the time. Using all whole wheat makes wonderful bread, though especially fresh ground wheat.

Also, since it is so fast in a breadmaker, you can have fresh bread anytime!!! Makes it seem like you have work very hard even when you have been sewing all day.

Let me know if you try it or have any questions!

SEWING & QUILTING EXPO, ATLANTA!

2008-03-09T18:52:00.000-04:00

FIRST TRIP TO THE SEWING & QUILTING EXPO IN ATLANTA ! WOW!

My daughter, Angie, & I took off on Wednesday to Atlanta for the Sewing & Quilting Expo - what can I say - it was wonderful. We stayed until Saturday and had a blast. Shopped out!

This was the first trip we have been able to go away together and I hope it will become a yearly thing.

I took only 3 classes. One was the Karma Bag with Angie and I loved the bag. Will post a picture later, Britney has claim it and is carrying it tonight. A picture is posted on Angie's blog (sewmuchtosew.blogspot.com).

The next one was a lecture that turned into a sales pitch but we did come away with some useful info. The last one was crafting for profit - a good speaker and lots of info.

But mostly lots of venders!!! I did not go too wild on shopping but did alot of looking and planning for stuff I already have. Of course I pick up a new hobby and got pointers on one I had already started.

A few new patterns, embroidery designs and a little fabric - how perfect could it have been.

New patterns!
A really cute country apron pattern. A couple retro patterns - A japanese inspired owl pattern was a freebie from SomeArtFabric and I bought a cute fabric monkey pattern (Magoo) from them that reminded me of the sock money.

NEW HOBBY!!

Like I need another one! I feel in love with needle felting. We did a make it and take it book mark in a booth and were hooked. Both Angie & I went on a hunt for felting stuff! I bought the wool roving at the Vogue booth. On Friday when Angie was at a class, I found kits with the foam and needles for both of us, so on Friday night we went to felting. We took the roving off the bookmark and made a heart. Her's was much better than mine - I think mine was a broken heart - but it was fun. So then I made a sunflower - kinda looks like the dorky homemade look but it has not been wet and put in the dryer yet - hope it improves. But I was hooked - went back to Vogue and bought more roving on Saturday morning.

We also tried out a felting machine - loved it! So I guess that is on my list for new machines. I know Angie has it on her list - she sees jeans with felting on them. It was easier to use a machine but there as something about punching that roving into the foam - great way to work on you frustrations!

But everyone that knows me - knows I love machines!

Of course - I hit the Goodwill today for wool sweaters and jackets for felting. Can't wait to play!

YOU CAN'T GO TO A EXPO THAT HAS FABRIC AND NOT BUY FABRIC - WHO WOULD BELIEVE THAT YOU WENT!

I got 4 fat quarters to play around with on my totes and purses - I am already regretting not buying yard pieces! I felt like I was back in the 70's (except my back hurts) when I look at this fabric! Kinda like Ninety Nine on Get Smart Look! Well, I just dated myself!
I got them at a booth called Some Art Fabric - they had some great fabric. It is a online company that only does online and shows. Website is SomeArtFabric.com.

I bought these cute pieces of fabric at the Vogue booth for purses - they are so cute! I think I will try them with the Amy Butler patterns. I don't know which I like better. The green really shouts spring!

I also did a needle punching class with Angie. That was the one where I perfected my punching. I will post a picture later - I thought I had taken one but guess I did not. It was fun. A friend of mine that use to live in Athens seen us, Joyce Trew. I had not seen her in about 3 or 4 years. She also took the class also when she saw what we were doing.

I was so deep ingrossed into punching that I did not get to talk to her much. I would have never thought about running into anyone there - there were so many people!

The only thing I wished I had done was take pictures at the show of Angie & myself. I planned to but it was so mind boggling when we got there each day that I would forget.

This is being 13!!!!

2008-03-05T06:22:00.000-05:00

The BIG 13!!!!

Well, Britney made it to 13 but I don't know if I will make it the rest of the years!!!!!

We had cake on Sunday at my aunt's and cake on Sunday night at Britney's great-grandmothers and cake on Monday morning (the real birthday) at home for breakfast!

Getting a little done but not much!!!

2008-03-05T06:04:00.000-05:00

Seems like I can't get alot done - I gotta get motivated! Maybe the trip to Atlanta with my daughter this week will do it!!!!! I am packed and finishing the last minute things I have to do. I have never been on a trip without my husband, so it is kinda new. Also I have never went anywhere without Britney, so she is adjusting to it!

Did a couple better pictures of my tote bags - thing is I don't even have one to carry to Atlanta. I got the fabric but did not get it done - well next time.

A little embroidery & my first rug punching project!

I finally finished a rug punching project - my first. Problem was the kit I bought did not have enough yarn to finish like the picture - that was a real bummer. I had to sorta free-form it to make it work but I like it and made it a chair pad for a rocking chair in my special room. It is a room that usually stays clean!

It was fun but I now I want to make my own pattern or use one that I found in a book. The yarn in this kit was not a natural fiber and I plan to make one with wool yarn and wool fabric. I used burlap for the base and an oxford needle for punching, a morgan frame for holding the fabric.

I am hoping to find a couple venders in Atlanta that have this and maybe they will be demoing so I can ask some questions. Last year at the quilt show in Nashville there was a booth that was doing it and I feel in love with the primitive work.

I am still trying to get my embroidery machine up and going - what a time that has been. But I did get this pillowcase done before Christmas. It is a large case and I think I will cut it down to a travel size because I think it will be a very pretty decorative pillow. Besides - I don't know if I want to do another one!

Embroidery Machine is busy, too!!!

2008-02-21T10:05:00.000-05:00

Embroidery Machine Time!

Finally got my embroidery machine out of the shop and back at work! The great thing about embroidery machines is that they work on their own. You can do other things while it is working on a design; it stops when you need to change thread or change the bobbin.

I love making these towels for the kitchen. Usually I make the sunnbonnet sue days of the week towels in either turkey red or country blue, but these are so cute. Each is a different color: red, green & blue. The sides are serged and hemmed under with matching thread. On the end with the design, I used a decorative stitch off my regular machine. The fabric is Osanburg 100% cotton that has been prewashed.

I am hoping to use this monogram design on the front of a purse. The floral design, I think, was a freebie on Martha Pullen's site. I have a really cute print that I match the colors of the thread to.

Well, back to work! Maybe I should do alittle house work!!!
Oh my, What was I thinking?!?

Butterflies in Flight!!!

2008-02-21T09:36:00.000-05:00

Don't it make you think of spring!!!

Even though it is in the 30's outside - this bag really makes you think of spring!!! I loved working on it.

A nurse and dear friend, Lonnie (works at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, TN), picked the main fabric and left it up to me to pick the rest. Hopes she likes it. She has lots of books to carry back & forth to work and needed a strong bag.

The fabric is beautiful butterflies with shades of dusty plum, lavender, purple and gold. The lining is was a dark plum which was almost a charcoal. The pockets & binding was done in medium dusty plum.

After choosing

the lining fabric, I quilted it on my A-1 quilting machine. I just did a all over meandering using a soft Hobb's cotton batting. The second picture shows the lining after some quilting was done. Doesn't if just work!

The pocket fabric was a dusty plum with a little leaf design. I am working on a tutorial on how to make the pocket so you don't have to have any stitches on the actual quilted bag. It works great.

The binding was done with the dusty plum too.

Tote Bag Crazy!!!

2008-02-21T09:14:00.000-05:00

Tote Bags on the Brain!

I have been playing catch up with orders for tote bags!!! Seems like I find a new way to improve them each time - little things that cut the time involved in making them. They are 15" x 17" with a box bottom and are 30" from bottom side to top of strap. Great to for a shoulder bag. I cordinate the fabrics and quilt them with cotton batting inside.

This one is a farm/country theme. I used a country red check for the lining.

There is a large pocket inside that is divided into 3 compartments and two pen holder. The center pocket is has velco to give it alittle more security to hold you checkbook or wallet. The buttons are placed on the velco for looks. A cute country red with a wavey line is used for the pocket.

I have made totes with horses and dogs fabric also. Used a homespun fabric for the lining and black for the pockets.

Back to work!!! I am so getting behind on my quilting!!!! Plus all the unimportant stuff like cleaning the house and cooking!!!!!!

Rug Making!

2008-02-14T16:13:00.000-05:00

First time using a weaving loom!

My husband, Rhea, made me a loom to weave fabric strips and this is the first finished project. The loom is @ 15 x 18 and a good size for a placemat. Of course, I have already been planning away to turn it into a PURSE!

It was so much fun and worked up quickly.

Here I go again! I have started another one and here's what it looks like as a work in progress. He made the loom our of wood and stain it a beautiful walnut. So it looks good just setting in the living room when I am not working on it - Working Art!

This rug is being made from strips of old blue jeans and left over muslin. I used cording to warp it.

He is working on a larger frame that will make a rug @26 x 34. I am really looking forward to making a larger one to cordinate in my rooms.

Guess I will be having a rug making class with some friends soon!

A couple novelty quilts from my work shop!

This quilt was made from the fabrics that I hand dyed (except for the black & white checks. I quilted it with varigiated thread. It was for a challenge in my quilting guild to use a collection that you had. So since I had made all this hand dyed fabric and was not using it since I might not be able to get that color again I figured it was a collection.

I called it A Traditional Quilter Breaking Out of the Box!

WHAT FABRIC!!!

This one was also another challenge from my quild. This one you had to make a quilt showing something you collected - so I collect fabric from every quilt shop I can find! Of course, I think I might have to pass this one on to my daughter since she is also collecting fabric and I think trying to pass me up (she has not looked in my fabric storage room in a while!)

WORK IN PROGRESS

I started this Grandmother Fan about 4 years ago - I plan to finish it this year. It will be a king size and I plan to do alot of quilting on it. Maybe I will get it quilted in another 4 years.

See ya later!!!

My german shephard, Meadow

2008-02-13T12:59:00.000-05:00

My BABY!!!!

This is my spoiled rotten german shephard, Meadow. She was 3 years old on January 23rd. She was bought for my granddaughter, Brit, but, of course, guess who took care of her the most; therefore getting attached to her.

She has her own quilt on one corner of the couch.

Meadow (her akc name is Midnight Jasmine aka Meadow) is a one family dog. She is not a friendly dog except for us then she is a baby. My husband, son, granddaughter, grandson and myself are the only people that she will accept.

I can't believe I am blogging!

2008-02-13T10:53:00.000-05:00

My daughter has encouraged me to do this - so here I go!

I'VE GONE PURSE CRAZY!!

I have been making some tote bags lately and having fun doing it. I quilted the fabric then cut it out. I had an idea of what I wanted to do but really just designed it as I went. I really loved the fabric!

I used a tote bag pattern from Kentucky Quilt Company then added pockets to the outside and inside pockets the way I wanted.

Recycle Felted Sweater Purse

I bought a wool sweater at a consignment shop. Washed & dryed it so it felt. Last night I could not sleep so I worked on a purse with the sweater. It was calling me!

I did not know what I was going to do. I wish I had taken before pictures because I almost gave up. No pattern to go by - I just had to wing it. This is what I came up with. The inside is lined with a dark blue fabric, including one pocket. I think it will be perfect with jeans!

DOES IT LOOK LIKE I MADE IT OUT OF CARPET!!

Last year I learnt how to rug hook using a locker hook needle and canvas and I love it. I am on my third rug. It is a great way to use up scrap fabric strips! I have to make a picture of the ones I have done and post them later.

I decided "Why not make a purse?"- so using yarn, canvas and locker hook needle I made this purse.

The pattern was my MGI Textiles but it did not have a pattern or picture of a lining. I put a stripe cotton lining with pockets including a zipper pocket.

FINALLY FINISHED PIECING MY CHRISTMAS QUILT TOP!!!

I started this top in 2000 when I owned the quilt shop. It was a block of the month that I was doing with my customers. I put it aside when I sold the shop. Last year I decided that I could not make another quilt top until I tried to at least finish a few of my quilt projects that I had going. I finally finished 4 tops - here is one:

I-SPY Quilt

My husband's aunt, Mildred, gave me this quilt. It is called I-SPY Quilt. Each hexagon is a different fabric. It is so special to me!!! I quilted by doing a curve outline on each hexagon. She cut and piece each one. She is so talented.

I hope this was okay for my first time blogging!!

I have started making and selling tote bags and folk art dolls again. I will post pictures soon. Also I hope to post pictures of my granddaugther's quilts.

Check out my daughter's blog: sewmuchtosew.blogspot.com. She will inspire you!!