Tuesday, December 30, 2008

what do you do when you have a cold?


...you find a project to work on of course! This is a 12 inch quilt square I created to send in for the PW Gathering in Louisville in July. My first attempt at an "art quilt" of sorts. The teapot represents God, pouring out His love into all the little teacups..... those are the women. Notice they are all different? Just like us. It's not perfect but I had fun doing it & it helped me forget my sniffles for a while.


While I was quilting I was listening to podcasts. My sweetie bought me a fabulous radio for Christmas... it's a big job shop radio from Home Depot, indistructible (if you know me, you know that is a great idea!) & I can hook my ipod up to it... So I was catching up on podcasts, listening to Annie Smith & I hear my name! I won a book! & she announced it on the podcast... I was so excited.


Sunday, December 28, 2008

Looking forward....

Well it's almost 2009..... I can't help but think about making some resolutions (I know it's silly, who keeps those things anyways?). What are you resolving to do in the new year? Of course, the usual ones come to mind.... the old weight loss goal is always lurking there. But maybe I will try something new next year? I am thinking about trying to write up some of my design patterns... getting back to sewing clothes maybe? & maybe doing something new with my music... just some ideas I have. Oh, & then there's the domestic todo list hubby & I created today. Yikes, that could take up ALL of my time if I let it!

Whatever your dreams & goals are, I wish you much happiness in the new year!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Bring it on!

Well, my shopping & wrapping are DONE! I don't know what to do with myself.... do I start a new sewing project the week before Christmas? Hmmm possibility! I will be enjoying time with Leigh Anne who arrived home from Arizona last night... maybe I'll just goof off with her for a week or so! Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Ornament exchange


Check out the beautiful snowman ornament I got from my pal Lorie! She had my name in the ornament exchange for our email loop... & guess what? I had her name too! Anyways, just wanted to show off...

Friday, December 5, 2008

Deck the halls

Can you believe it's almost Christmas? I love when the decorating is done, Christmas CDs playing through the house... it makes me smile! I am thinking maybe we need new, bigger stockings next year, what do you think? These look so tiny to me all of a sudden....

This year we decided to draw names for stocking filling. It's fun, this way I don't know everything that will be opened! I hope all the santas remember who they have!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

what a find!


Check out the beautiful vintage tablecloth I found at the McKinney Trade Days last weekend! It does have one stain & a few holes..... which brought the price down & makes me not feel very guilty about cutting it up! Ohhhh I love to make other things with these tableclothes! Aprons, little girls/doll dresses, bags..... I think I'll look at this one a while before I decide what it should become. What do you think?




We went to the flea market all bundled in sweatshirts & jackets on Sunday afternoon & were amazed at how warm it got! By the time we left we were carrying all of our warm clothes and our bundles..... Allyson (still hobbling, bless her heart!) got some Christmas gifts bought & also bought a big bag of kettle corn! Love that stuff...

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

no more pictures!

Sorry, you won't be seeing pictures of my creations for a while. I am making Christmas gifts! I don't want my secrets & surprises to get out.....

On another note, I had a wonderful visit with Leigh Anne at ASU last weekend, & my parents in AZ. We did some shopping (mostly Christmas! Sorry I can't share that either.... geez, why have a blog at all? Good question...). We also went to see The Secret Life of Bees - a great movie & a wonderful book, I highly recommend both. I must warn you in advance though (& no, I did not warn Leigh Anne but I should have) there are some difficult topics in the movie & some hard scenes to watch. Dakota Fanning did a wonderful job & is growing up before our eyes. Amazing!

Ok, back to my sewing machine I go..... Have a wonderful day

Thursday, October 23, 2008

cutest fabrics ever!

What do you think of these fabrics? I just couldn't pass them up! So I made some little zipper bags for the craft show on Saturday (First United Methodist Church of Allen, TX, I'll be there!) I wish I had time to make a ton of these! Ok, back to my sewing room I go...






Wednesday, October 1, 2008


I told you there would be more! What little girl wouldn't have fun with this one? Makes me wish I had someone young enough to appreciate it. Yes, Allyson rolled her eyes when I showed it to her. Ah, to be 12 again!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

playing with scraps


Well here's my latest! Made from leftover pieces of my hipster bag. I think this is the perfect bag for little girls... it's about 9"x5" with a magnetic snap & a little pocket inside. Perfect for her treasures... it was fun to make! There will be more of these!

Monday, September 22, 2008

sorry!


Ok, so Leigh Anne just yelled at me (no she didn't really yell. If you know Leigh Anne, you already know that!) for not posting on my blog lately. I guess my life isn't as exciting as I'd like it to be! I've been sewing a bit lately, but nothing new & exciting. There are some new purses brewing in my imagination.... maybe they'll actually create themselves soon! Meanwhile, here's one of the other designs I've made a few of recently.
I have some other ideas for Christmas presents.... but I'm sure not sharing those here! Heehee I like to think that some of the lucky recipients might possibly read this (heck I know Leigh Anne checks here frequently! Hi Sweetie!).
Until next time...

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Why is this so complicated?

Honestly, this should have been so simple. I called the ASU computerstore about 2 weeks ago to order the software Leigh Anne needs for her new computer. The guy told me to wait, call a week before we come & they will transfer it to the downtown bookstore for us, she can sign the license agreement, pay & pick it up then! Sounds great....

So yesterday I called again, told them "we'll be on campus in a week. Please send the software to the downtown bookstore". Oh no! She has to sign the license agreement before we can send it. I can email it to her. Great! "Can I pay you now?" Oh no, you can pay when you pick it up. No problem. Got the email, printed the document, Leigh Anne signed it, scanned it, sent it all back. Done, right?

No, no, not so quick. Today the same girl calls me back. "I can't send this to the bookstore until you pay for it". New story! So now it is paid for. Do you think it will be there when we arrive? Somehow I wonder!

I am remembering going off to college in 1980.... one suitcase (maybe 2?), 2 pair of shoes, one set of sheets..... times have changed!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

today's project!



Here it is, my latest creation..... a custom laptop case for Leigh Anne to take to school! I think it came out pretty nice & she seems happy with it... now if I could just keep motivated & create some more... but I think a nap might be nice!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

movies!

Leigh Anne & I have been waiting all summer for Sisterhood of the travelling pants 2 to come out.... today was the day! We went & had a blast! Well worth the wait & all girlie girls should see it for sure!

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

hot hot hot

Another 100+ degree day in Texas... perfect sewing weather I say! Leigh Anne asked me to make a quilted laptop case for her to take to school.... maybe today! I'm still deciding in my head exactly how I'll do this one...



I made 2 more purses yesterday. The hipster bags (here's one I made a while ago)
Today my baby is 12! Happy Birthday Allyson! I know G'ma & G'pa will spoil you rotten! Enjoy.

Friday, August 1, 2008

day one!

Wow, I keep reading everyone else's blogs & thought to myself "I can do that!". So here goes...

I haven't quite decided what my focus will be yet. Kids? I could talk about them (there are three... Leigh Anne, 18, Steve, 15 & Allyson who will be 12 on Tuesday!). Crafts? I like those too (mostly sewing, quilting, paper crafts). Or maybe music? Gosh.... this is hard!

Today I made 2 pillowcases for Leigh Anne to take to college (there's a whole post right there! Sending your first child off to college). They coordinate perfectly with her new bedding (which I'd show you a picture of, but alas it is all loaded in my mom & dad's car heading to Arizona!). I think she will be very happy with them. They were quick & easy to make...

I guess sewing was kind of a therapy for me today. Mom & Dad left here this morning with my baby, Allyson & all of Leigh Anne's "stuff". The rest of us will join them in Phoenix later in the month to move Leigh Anne in at ASU. I'm sure you'll be hearing more about this adventure in a later post! Meanwhile.... I am wondering how Miss Allyson is doing with G'ma & G'pa (or rather, how they are doing with her?). I'm sure they are having a wonderful time, despite a rocky, preteen hormonal start!
Happy August! (where did the summer go?)

Ellyn