Picture as Promised

In a previous post, I mentioned I was working on an order of dance shoe totes for a local studio.This is one of the dance totes I completed-called "Vera Who?"- it is the right size for ballet shoes, or as an everyday mini carryall. The lining is sandcastle quilted fabric, and the print is a fat quarter from my stash by Dena Designs/Fabric Traditions called Spring Bliss. The bag measures 8" x 10" with 8" handles. There is a pocket inside for cell or whatever.

All of my bags/totes are my own designs. On my to-do list is to get organized enough to make a pattern or two!!! We'll see how that goes!!!

Eeny, Meenie, Miney , Mo........

...into which mug will my tea go???????

I've collected so many pottery mugs over the past year, that it's hard to use them all!! Collecting them has become an addiction- but there is nothing like drinking your tea out of a mug someone made by hand.

I guess today I will use Richard's Japanese salt fired mug and teapot, altho I love these "new" thrift store mugs made in 2001 by a local potter, Mike Yoder! Decisions, decisions......

If only life's daily decisions were as easy as choosing what mug to use...................

While drinking my Stash Lemon Blossom caffeine free tea on the porch, my shivers from the chilly morning were warmed by the patch of sun at the edge of the deck. The hummingbirds buzzed at top speed around my head - wondering why I was invading "their" breakfast nook this early in the morning!

Be sure to drop in on the other "members" of our tea party-their links can be found at Kimmie's place!

Gee's Bend Quilters

You have to go visit this blog - the quilter went to the fabulous Sisters, Oregon Quilt show, and met some of the Gee's Bend quilters. She posted a little video of them singing while they signed autographs - too fabulous!! I have always regretted not going to see the Gee's Bend quilt exhibit while in DC- but seeing this little video kind of makes up for it!! LOL




http://with-heart-and-hands.blogspot.com/

This, That & the Other..................

Wow! Every morning, so many blogs to follow, so many new posts to read, so many challenges to participate in, so many contests and giveaways to enter!

The mind boggles, and being of scattered mind anyway, I get soooo flustered and don't know where to go first!!!

To all the blogs I follow, I do read you all every day - but may not have the time to comment, enter or participate all the time! I would never leave the house, if I didn't step away from blogland occasionally!!! Blogland is definitely fun, inspiring, educational, AND addictive!!!

I have been busy sewing - have a bunch of dance shoe totes that need to be delivered to the dance studio this weekend- here's hoping they sell!! Last night I completed the tiny little "Vera Who??" ballet tote. It's so cute - I will have to take a pic and post it later!

In an attempt to " lure" some new customers in- I paid for some additional advertising on Etsy's Storque Showcase. Not sure if this will pay off, since it appears to be difficult for non members to find the link.But it was a minimal investment- I may give it one more try, and advertise on Etsy's main home page. Has anyone out there used Etsy's showcase before?

Here is the Link

Look for the little green apple and click on it - that's me!!!

I have checked in with Etsy, Twitter, Blogger,Wordpress, email, and FB-and the morning networking is complete!! So, again, it is time to step away from the computer, and step back into the "real" world!! Horses, dogs, garden, sewing, and life await!!! I'll check back in later..............

From Apples to Aprons!

Being of scattered mind, I tend to flit from one project to another! Anyone else have that problem????

I just finished making a bushel of apple pincushions for the farmers' market, when a pile of discarded vintage linen tablecloths caught my eye at the thrift store where I volunteer. They were deemed unfit for sale, because of a teeny stain here or there. Of course, I couldn't see them being tossed, so they came home with me!!

The first tablecloth was so pretty, I hated to cut it, but cut I did, and turned it into an apron. The leftover scraps will end up as sachets, pincushions, and pillowcases.

I have alot of half aprons in my store inventory that are not moving right now. I prefer full bib aprons myself, so I took a couple of the half aprons, and turned them into bib aprons. Those discarded tablecloths are going a long way!! I was really tempted to keep a couple of the "new" aprons for myself - but I have enough aprons in my pantry now, that I could wear a different one each day for a couple of weeks!!

I took one of the aprons to the shop, and used my dressmaker dummy for photos for them all. I was trying to find a place in the store with no backround distractions - but that was impossible!!! My area is small, so I couldn't get the whole apron in the shot without tripping over someone else's inventory!! So, I dragged Ms. Dummy into the aisle and started snapping away!!

I don't use a pattern, so I guess you could say these are OOAK aprons! I probably should make a paper pattern for the ones that turn out well, so I can replicate the design! But, I am not yet that organized!!

The blue flowered apron (my favorite!) started life as a rather unattractive smock apron, destined for the rag pile. I took it home, and thought about it for awhile, cut it into pieces,and gave it a whole new look. I had some bakelite buttons in my stash that went perfectly, I think.I kept the 3 or 4 pockets the smock style had. I really like this one - but it will be on etsy shortly. The white cutwork apron with blue ties is in my "land" shop.

The 3rd one started out as a handkerchief half apron from my shop inventory- I added the top from the cutwork linen tablecloth. This one will also be in the etsy shop.

Today is another day, I wonder where my mind will take me!!! :>)

Another Contest

Check out this blog - it's another man quilter - discovered him thru Gene. Looks like he has a great little shop in upstate NY, and the giveaway is some fabulous fabrics. I am now following his blog!!

http://imjustaguywhoquilts.blogspot.com/2009/07/its-july-birthday-giveaway.html

Happy July 4th!!!

I was looking for a patriotic picture to post - and the only thing I could come up with is a flag I made a few years ago to celebrate our move into our then new home.

Please forgive the rockets' red glare....oh, wait - that's the camera's flash glare!!!!!

Soo, everyone have a safe and happy holiday - and remember our troops, past and present, and the words in the pledge.