Knitted Bottom Drawstring Pouch

I have long wanted to make one of these pouches that I've seen on other blogs. I couldn't quite get the right measurements or pull the method together, myself. I ended up asking one of my friends from my cross-stitch group (who knows how to do every kind of needlework and has mastered them all!) how to make the bag. Just as I thought, not only did she know how to do it but gave me step-by-step instructions to make it! She surely didn't let me down!
I had this piece of embroidery from quite awhile ago. I did it on some monthly embroidery group but never put it together with the rest of the blocks. So, it didn't go to waste! Now that I tried my first one, I'd like to make a few more. Next time I'm going to use some of the vintage bureau scarves I've collected over the years. I think they are lovely and this project will showcase them well.

Just Checking In

Sorry I haven't been here for awhile. You all know how spring is; lots to do and not enough time to do it in. That aside, I have been enjoying the beautiful weather we finally have. We had lots of rain and a tornado that passed two miles from my house but since then nice weather has come.
The baby crow, above, has a hurt wing. Yesterday, Kaleigh and I heard the crows making quite a racket. She went out to see what the fuss was about and the crows were swooping down trying to attack our kitty, Misty. She is the sweetest cat out of the three that we have but who could blame the crows? Misty was "playing" with the baby crow! Kaleigh was able to scare off the crows back high into the trees and my husband went out and picked up the baby bird and put it on the sky fort. Hopefully, the baby will be able to fly back up into its' nest. Naughty kitty!

I'm still plugging away on the Little Miss Shabby BOM. This one is the May block and the next one...

is April. As you can see, May brings flowers and the April one has little Easter eggs in the trees. So much thought is brought into each block. They are very cute. I'm halfway done and stitching one block a month is just my speed; nice and slow.
I haven't done any knitting lately. I think I have arthritis in one of my fingers from repetitive motion. It started about a year ago and I ignored it and plugged along. At this point, it's swollen and hurts so I'm giving it some TLC and rest. I'm drinking tart cherry juice and have some raisins soaking in gin to eventually, hopefully, relieve the swelling and pain.
So instead of knitting I'm embroidering, cross-stitching and reading. I also have some sewing to do so those things should keep my hands busy, for now.
Kaleigh is off taking her SAT's this morning. I hope she does good. Cassidy just told me she asked for the intercession of St. Dymphna and St. Thomas Aquinas to help Kaleigh along! I love to see the kids live their faith!

Finding Quiet In Between the Chaos

We're smack dab in the middle of Thanksgiving weekend. I hope your day was filled with family, friends and lots of yummy food. Our Thanksgiving was very nice and the food was wonderful. I ate a bit too much so I need to watch myself over the next few days. I'm nearly done with my Christmas shopping but still have a few things left to make. I've been trying to get my work done during the day so in the evening I can relax with the kiddoes and watch some old movies and either cross-stitch, knit or sew. I've been trying to sneak in some quiet time just before bed, too. I'm enjoying reading, Old Christmas: From the Sketchbook of Washington Irving. It was written in 1875 and is such a relaxing read with many black and white, old-fashioned drawings. When that is complete I'd like to move on to The Home Book of Christmas by May Lamberton Becker. The book is a treasury of short stories, history, tradition and songs. It looks to be a very enjoyable read as well. I love to light a few candles and sip on either Hot Cinnamon Tea or Chocolate Mint Tea. Lately my husband has had the wood stove burning and it makes for a very snuggly, cozy retreat.

My days have been filled with homeschooling and the normal cooking, cleaning, errands and everyday-living type things with more shopping than usual thrown in. I like to make several gifts for my girls and I love to see their faces on Christmas morning when they open what I've made them. I thought Cassidy, who's ten, would like a little zippered pouch (which I've made many of) to hold her knitting and crochet tools in. She's just learning both arts and is in need of organizing her own things. I thought a little personalization was in order, too, so I cross-stitched her name on the front. The inside is lined with a pretty red cotton. The two prints together make for a very pretty combination. I have many other projects that are nearly done. I'll take pictures and post them, too, as I finish them up. I told both Kaleigh and Cassidy not to visit my blog until after Christmas as I don't want to spoil the little surprises I've made them. More to come!

Clothespin Bag

My grandma always made me and my mom clothespin bags. For as long as I can remember, we both had them; when they became worn my grandmother would make new ones. Well, my grandma has been gone now for eighteen years and my clothespin bag is long gone, too; my mom's is hanging by a thread. My mom wanted me to pick one up for her at Walmart. I knew I had a pattern to make one in one of my sewing books, Sewing In No Time, so the other day I made one especially for her. I took a quick pic as she's been here for the weekend is taking it home today. It brought a smile to her face when I gave it to her and makes me happy to know it has a nice new home. Happy hanging, Mom!

Goodie Swap

Kaleigh and Christina of Bumble Bee Bags (see side bar), recently swapped one of their beautiful items to each other. Kaleigh was the lucky recipient of the beautiful wristlet/handbag. The fabric that Christina chose goes so pretty together! As soon as it came in, Kaleigh filled it up with her necessities and she has gotten a lot of compliments on it. It's the perfect combo for spring!

In exchange, Kaleigh sent Christina these pretty knitted Delicato Mitts that she knit for her. They are made from Frog Tree mohair and are soft and warm! They both are happy with their goodies!

My Dad

My dad passed away on January 29. It's been a sad time for me and my family but I am comforted by the thought that he is happy resting in the arms of Jesus and Mary. If you would, please pray that he rest in peace.

Last night, I made this pretty satchel bag from the French General Home Sewn book. I got the Waverly material from a tag sale. The lady is an interior designer and had loads of pieces and bolts of fabric everywhere. I scooped up quite a bit that day!
My sister-in-law has been extremely helpful and supportive the past few weeks. She helped bring my mom back and forth to the hospital, helped with the wake and funeral arrangements and read at my dad's Mass, despite a nasty cold and laryingitis. I'm pretty sure she's much better, but I'm bringing her a pot of chicken noodle soup, oatmeal-cranberry muffins and tapioca pudding tomorrow; all in the bag. I hope the meal hits the spot and gives her a nice night off from cooking and the bag totes around her stuff in style.

New Camera - New Camera Case

Finally a blog post. It seems like such a long time; but really it's just been a week. I've been busy with life lately and just haven't had any time for stuff I wanna do...mainly it's been stuff I haveta do.
I've needed (nope, wanted) a new camera for some time but couldn't justify buying one as there really isn't anything wrong with the one I have. It works and everything but it doesn't take the greatest pictures. So I've held out. And it paid off. My husband just celebrated 30 years at the same company and they sent him a booklet filled with gifts he could choose. There were all kinds of things but not much appealed to him. He's not one for jewelry and just isn't a materialistic kind of guy. So what did he choose? A new camera for me! He never takes pictures but thought I'd like it. And I do! So of course, seeing as how I got this new camera, I had to give it a new home to sit in, right? And that's what I came up with. I searched around and looked at other people's tutorials and combined them and made my own. Maybe I'll be able to find it quicker seeing it's hot pink.
Oh, and just so you know, the above picture is taken with the old camera because I wanted the strap to come through and the old camera doesn't have one. Hopefully from here on, my pictures will be a little more clearer.

Spring Top Week is Here!

Wow, that came awfully fast! Remember I posted about this weeks ago? The Made by Rae Spring Top Week officially began today. I have three tops done so far. I'd love to squeeze one or two more in by the end of the week, but I don't know. Anyway, here is my first top: Simplicity It's So Easy 2962. It was very easy and fits me quite nicely, too. I used a soft cotton blend material I bought last year. I loved the print then and now that it's sewn up, like it even more. I will surely make another top from this pattern.
If you'd like some inspiration to get you going, click on my sidebar on the Spring Top pic thingee and visit Rae's blog. She has lots of links to other people's tops and a free pattern by her! It looks like a fun week ahead!

Puppet Theatre

I made the puppet theatre for one of Kierra's gifts. I used the pattern from the Bend the Rules Sewing Book. The pattern was easy, but of course, me being me, I messed it up. I cut the center wrong, but was able to 'fudge' it enough so the kids can use it and it's functional. If I were to ever make another one, now I know where I went wrong. I have no idea why many times I do things wrong the first time... After that I'm usually O.K., but I almost never do anything right on the first try. Oh, well, it came out pretty cute, anyway, and the kids have no clue their dingy Mom messed up!

Everything's Comin' Up Daisies!

I've got a new bag for summer! Won't that look cute with a pair of jean shorts, a yellow or pink Tee and flip-flops? I used the pattern Flea Market Bag by Grand Revival. It's an easy, well-written pattern and fun to make.


This one is for my Mom's birthday on May 2. I planned on making her one anyway, but she saw the one my daughter, Kaleigh made and requested one. Kaleigh's is pretty 'hot'. Hers is made from (inside) hot pink material with black polka-dots and (outside) black material with hot pink polka-dots. Perfect choice for a nearly 14 yo girl! I have one more to make for my sister-in-law's birthday in June. I'll post a pic of Kaleigh's and hers then.
And speaking of handbags, look in my sidebar under Favorite Blogs and click on Bumble Bee Bags. Christina has some very pretty ones she's busy making. Very inspirational!

Finished Christmas Gifts

Here is a table-top quilt I made for my parents for Christmas. It was my own design. It's made from 1930's reproduction fabric, as they were both born in the '30's (plus I just love the fabric, anyway) and the steam coming from the pies is hand embroidered. I will pair the topper with a cute pie plate and a list of 'pies-0f-the-month' that I will bake for them each month throughout the year. I'll have cherry for February, key-lime or mint for March, etc. I'll try to come up with a theme for each month.

Bend the Rules Zippered Pouch

A zippered pouch I recently made to hold my knitting tools. I lined it with the same fabric as the brown and pink paisly in the Bend the Rules Clutch. It's a real nice size and a snappy piece to bring out while knitting in public.

Bend-the-Rules Sewing Clutch

Here is another clutch I made from the Bend-the-Rules Sewing book. Just love that book! On the left, is material that I just fell in love with. It's a pretty pink with brown, and lined on the inside with brown and pink paisley. The button is one I covered from the lining material.

I scooped these babies up from Etsy, created by Mary Blume. They are stitch mark holders. Now I have no excuse to lose my stitch markers. The blue one with the cute teapot button is mine, and the lilac one with the glitter button is for my daughter, Kaleigh.

Bend the Rules Sewing Clutches

Here are the clutches made by Kaleigh and me from the book Bend-the-Rules Sewing by Amy Karol. These were fun and easy to make, and used fat quarters from my stash. If you look closely, you can see the matching lining fabric peeking out. Between the fabrics is a piece of soft flannel. This was a great project to learn how to line and face a bag. If you're looking for a wonderful mother-daughter project book, this one fits the bill. It has many fun and cute projects that appeal to both teens and older gals... like me.