Busy time of year, and I've neglected my blog....sorry 'bout that.  I'm going to Indiana to spend the Holidays with two of my grown kids & their families and hope to blog while there.    Can hardly wait!  Of course I have to get a "baby sitter" for my "furry critters" and the minute I got my suitcase out, they get up on the bed and jump in it and lay down.  They would really like to go with me.  

Thought I'd share some pictures with you of a raggedy tote I made last year, and am using again.  I love the embroidery designs on it, and it's so comfortable to carry.

I love the "fringe look" on this one.

Here's some  of the knitted scarves......so soft & cuddly.... I made for the girls in the family.  Sure did enjoy making them.  Perfect for these cold, rainy, windy, snowy days!

Merry Christmas to you all!  I hope the love and joy of this season blesses you and your families.

12 days of Christmas Giveaway here.

This is my sister's blog and she's really picking out nice things for her giveaway.  What fun!  Of course, I won't have a chance of winning.....but the rest of you do!

Just click on the title for this posting.....easy link that way.


http://fabricartist21.blogspot.com/2009/12/yes-yes-it-is-time-for-my-christmas.html

Christmas in the Kitchen...Treasury on Etsy!

I'm so excited to be included in this Christmas in the Kitchen Treasury on Etsy for my Snowmen Redwork towels.  It's a great list....go see the pretties!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=99346

Kitty Cats in a Bag.....inside & out!

As some of you who follow my blog already know, I am a cat lover and my 3 inside cats are constantly inspecting my sewing/quilting projects.    This gives me such a great excuse to buy and collect lots of  different cat fabrics out there in fabricland.   I have 3 plastic tubs  full of them, AND sometimes I even use some of them for a project. 

I just finished this Etsy special order tote bag and want to show everyone the Kitty Cat fabrics I used for it.

  The outside pocket is personalized with an embroidered K initial and securely closes with velcro.

2 large inside pockets and covered mat inside.

3 of the cat fabrics that I used...........

                   Also made a key ring wristlet and a fabric wallet.

I had a fun time making it and my cats gave it 3 paws up!

What did you do today? I wrapped Elf Louise Toys!

Today  a few of my friends and I from our Tied Together Quilt Bee went to wrap presents for the Elf Louise program here in San Antonio.  Not all our members could attend this year, but we still had a good time.   This is our 6th year of volunteering.    Elf Louise was started in 1969 by a lady named Louise who wanted to give toys to some kids for Christmas who might not get anything from Santa.  It has grown to a HUGE giving program with 98% of the donated funds  going directly to toys for the kids.  This year over 4500 volunteers will wrap over 50,000  toys and  Santa and his helpers will deliver to the 5800 families starting December 22.  Each child on the list receives TWO toys, and the older teenagers receive Movie tickets.   To read more about it:   http://www.elflouise.com/about.php

This year the wrapping event is taking place in an empty Mervyn's store at Southpark Mall.  I'll share more of this story with my pictures.

This is where the wrapping crews check in to get the envelopes with the kids names and  ages.

Then we get to go shopping for the toys; aisle after aisle all displayed with each section having the appropriate ages on a display stand...TWO toys per kid.(GIRLS - Age 5-6)  Lots of dolls, tea sets, drawing/color sets, crafts sets.

Next we get our wrapping paper, scotch tape, scissors and go to our tables to start wrapping.

Here's another view of some of the toys we can choose.  CD players, bath sets, hairdryers, games. This place was HUGE!   I can't show you all the aisles of toys, as it would take up page after page on this blog.

That's me 2nd from the right in the red t-shirt.

When  all the toys are wrapped for each family, we take them to a check-in table so they can bag them and number them.  We then go back to the first check in table to receive the list for another family.

Here's just one room with the wrapped, bagged toys!  Each bag represents 1 family.  If the family is real large, then 2 bags are tied together.

After they are bagged for the families, they are put in the huge numbered boxes, ready for Santa to deliver them.  You can see some of the boxes overloaded on the LH side next to the wall.  Wow! 50,000 toys will bring smiles to a lot of little faces!  Such a HUGE giving program for our city...San Antonio, TX.

When we are finished, we like to go out to lunch and have some girl talk!  Another one of our bee members joined us for lunch.

Ahhhhhhhhhh! Our tummies are full and are feet are rested!  Time to go home, all of us with "warm fuzzies" in our hearts!

knit 1, purl 1...faster, faster..Knitting Slippers for gifts

This is a very old knitting pattern that I got back in the early 60's, and have made oodles of these slippers over the years.  My oldest son has been asking for a pair of these for several years now, so thought I'd attempt to make several pair for Christmas for my kids & grandkids.


Here's the three pair I've finished.

I really like this variegated color and the cuff adds a little something different for the gals.

The blue yarn (Vanna's Choice...I like it)  is for my youngest grandson's, and sure hope I can get them finished in time...knit faster, faster, stay up later.......oh my!

Need some shopping ideas??

What a nifty lady to share her blog with handmade items from other Etsians!  Go see!

http://tilttreasures.blogspot.com/2009/11/sunday-sales-gift-bags.html

Did you get your shopping finished? Here's an idea or two!

I just listed some of these Christmas Gift Card Holders  & Mini Wallets in my Etsy store.    They're only $4.00 each and can make your shopping easy & affordable!   Go take a look.  Just click on the title to this post.

Snow Snow Snowman!

I'm so excited, as I just found out that my Snowmen Redwork Dishtowels are featured on a Treasury in Etsy.  For those of you who are members of Etsy, I would really appreciate your going to see it and leaving a comment, as the comments help move it up in the ranks.

Just click on my title above (Snow Snow Snowman) for the link.

Thanks.

Looks like Frosty to me!

He's for sale in my Etsy store.  Ain't he cute??  Just click on my title for the direct link.

I guess today's the day for me to announce giveaways! Here's another one.

Just click on my title.

BEJEWELED QUILTS BY BARB: LAST WEEK OF THE INCH WORM FABRIC GIVEAWAY!!!

BEJEWELED QUILTS BY BARB: LAST WEEK OF THE INCH WORM FABRIC GIVEAWAY!!!

Here's a great giveaway!

Just click on my title of my post and it will take you to the Giveaway!  Wow! Great fabrics.

Onward and Upward with all my sewing projects....UNTIL.....

I've been busy sewing, sewing, sewing.......making lots of new things for the BIG SHOPPING Weekend we have coming up for my store listings on both Ebay and Etsy.  Ya'll  plan on seeing some pictures of some new items in a few days. 

I totally finished that blue minky quilt, (pictures in post below this one) washed & dried and ready to be mailed on Monday.  Also made a Christmas patchwork wallet to go with one of my Christmas totes for a special order to be mailed on Monday.

Today I was making some good progress until my embroidery machine locked up.  I know better than to leave my sewing room with that machine clicking away, but thought it would be ok while I  cleaned up the kitchen a bit and loaded the dishwasher.   Darn!   You would think I'd learn!  

It must have seen me leaving  my sewing room as I was sneaking out.   I spent about an hour taking the bottom off that embroidery machine, putting the cog gear belt back on the spindle, cleaned it up while at it, put it back together....and back to clicking away.    Thank Goodness! 

I am very lucky in that I can clean & repair my own machines as I learned how to do that by working in a Quilt Shop/Sewing Machine store for several years.  It's not that difficult and sure saves me some repair/cleaning costs.   Don't mind doing it at all, just don't want to take the time to do it.

Okay....someone crack that whip over my back and send me back to the sewing cave!

Hope everyone has a good weekend!







 

Does this quilt meet with your approval??

This is one of my 3 quilt inspectors (Roxie, my youngest that I bottle fed from 3 days old) and she had to get real close to me & my sewing today to see all the train track stitching......mmmh??  She didn't tell me if she gave it her stamp of approval or not.

I think she needs to go to quilt judging school, don't you??

Holiday Sale on Etsy - Doll Quilts - Lovey Quilts - Christmas Totebags - Christmas Patchwork Bags

Ready for the BIG RUSH and HOLIDAY SHOPPING FRENZY??  You can do a lot of it online right now on ETSY and SAVE some money too!   Hundreds of Etsy Sellers are participating.

Our Team Quiltsy on Etsy is having a Pre-Holiday sale through November 20th.  Here's some of my items on sale right now!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34320455

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27983469

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32849854

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31601317

Have fun shopping!


Thanks for looking!

Sale! Team Quiltsy on Etsy

No pictures with this post unless you click on the link!  Have fun!

I am a proud member of Team Quiltsy on Etsy and it's very easy to find all the beautiful handmade quilted items from ALL THE MEMBERS...just put Team Quiltsy in your search box from the Etsy Homepage.

Team Quiltsy on Etsy is having a big sale until November 20th...Go check out the beautiful items!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=94311

By the way, there's a great article in Readers Digest lastest issue about the founder and birth of Etsy in 2006.  Wow!  It's only 3 years old. 

Great Shopping site for Christmas!

OOPS! Bear Giveaway!

I guess I really do want to win this cute Noelle Kringle bear....and not share the giveaway with anyone else......SORRY! 

here's the right link: 

http://bearbits.blogspot.com/

She's Mine! She's Mine! Noelle Kringle bear from Bearbits!

Here's the link:  http://bearbits.blogspot.com/2009/10/silver-anniversary-giveaway-4.html

Her name is Noelle Kringle.......isn't she darling??  You'll have to use the link above the picture to get to Bearbits.

It's Nap Time with Blue Minky and Choo Choo Trains!

I just finished listing these two soft, snuggly, minky raggy quilts in my Etsy store.   As I was making them I found it very hard to keep sewing on them..........'cause I wanted to just feel the silky minky, kick back in my recliner chair, & take a nap!!  Great therapy!   Gotta make some more of these! 

Let's hope these lovey quilts will have the same effect on the little baby boys who receive them.  

These will be great for shower gifts!

http://sewfunquilts.etsy.com/

Thanks for looking!

Barb's Beautiful quilt giveaway!

Barb at Bejeweled Quilts is giving away an awesome quilt.  Go see it and enter here:


http://bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com/2009/11/day-has-come-deed-been-done.html

Am happy to post about it, as she is one AWESOME LADY! 

Old Hens or Young Chicks?? Tied Together Quilt bee at its best!

Here's just a few "old hens" behaving like "young chicks"........We had a 75th Birthday Girl  celebration at our quilt bee and we just had to surprise her with goodies & chocolate cake!    If you look close, you'll see a fat quarter with some RV sayings on it.  Yes, this lady drives her own rig and belongs to the Women RVers National Group. 
Last year she drove her rig to Alaska.

Now if you count those candles, there's only 16 of 'em on that luscious gooey cake.  We thought 16 was a good age for our "guest of honor"!   

We really do a little sewing at our Tied Together Bee meetings.  If you look close, you can see some sewing machines!  Table sure is messy and this time not with fabric pieces!

I know you're wondering what this picture is all about, huh?  We are the "Tied Together Bee", so every once in a while we do this little ritual where we each tie a strip of fabric in a couple loops and tie our strip to the fabric strip on our right and on our left.  You have to admit, it's crazy, but it's meaningful to us and keeps us "Tied Together"!

Ya Gotta Go See It!

This sure sounds like a great new company and terrific giveaway.  Go see their shop!


http://www.hawthornethreads.com/giveaway

Have fun! 

Have I got a deal for all sewers, quilters, scrapbookers, crafters...COME SEE!

Are you wondering why I am calling all sewers, quilters, scrapbookers, crafters??  This is the handiest little gadget you'll ever have and we all love our special little gadgets for our  hobbies, don't we??

I just finished some new listings on both Ebay and Etsy.   Go see them here: 

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34082541

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190347993984&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

FOR SURE ......you'll want more than one!  There's 6 different colors!

Want a  discount??   Silly question, with today's economy,  huh?   Anyone who goes to either of my stores and buys one of these from me in the next 5 days and mentions they saw it on my blog, will get a 10% DISCOUNT and a FREE SURPRISE!   

Have fun! 

Do you ever get tired of cutting fabric??

I haven't been blogging as much as usual and have missed it.  I've been so busy cutting, and more cutting; buying fabrics to cut, cutting fabrics for raggy quilt projects, cutting squares for my Dolly Quilts, working on a couple custom orders, cutting squares & jelly rolls to sell on

Ebay http://stores.ebay.com/SEW-FUN-QUILTS-by-sewmeow and

Etsy http://sewfunquilts.etsy.com/

.....whew!   My rotary cutter smiles everytime I put in a new blade! 

Here's a bunch of new Christmas fabrics I've been cutting for squares, strips, dolly quilts, quilt kits and my own Christmas projects.  AND......still cutting!  Thank goodness for rotary cutters!

 

It's that time of year for snuggly, warm raggy quilts, so I'm back to cutting flannels & minky too!

Thanks for stopping by to visit.

Great Giveaway - 2 charm packs plus yardage.......

Gotta enter this one........it's a gooder one! 


http://www.sweethomequiltco.com/weblog/?p=1318&cpage=1#comment-604

I'm Thinking Christmas Lace Ornaments; Snowflakes, Icicles, Angels.......Rhinestones.

New Lace Ornament listings in my Etsy store now.... The angels & Icicles are accented with Aurora Borealis Rhinestones.  They are dazzling, and hope you'll go take a look at them!   Custom colors are available too!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33863561

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33644028

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33642364

Thanks Sew Much!

2 YARDS OF FABRIC on this FREE GIVEAWAY!

This is a great FREE giveaway for 2 yards of fabric:



http://fabricartist21.blogspot.com/2009/10/lovely-november-giveaway.html

"BIG KIDS" & their Halloween Costumes!

We had our Annual Red Hat Halloween party yesterday at a restaurant called the Time Machine.  The waiters & waitresses are always in costume and it's especially a fun place to go for a DIGNIFIED LUNCHEON for older ladies! 

Here is Patches the Clown, one of my quilting friends.  She has different "PATCHES" costumes for different events, and for Halloween she is scarecrow.  She goes to nursing homes, children's hospitals, etc., to brighten others lives!  She is a member of our Tied Together Quilt Bee.

We had a couple of San Antonio SPURS cheerleaders, a college graduate, witches, Raggedy Ann, Saloon Girls,  an Indian, a nurse, Red Riding Hood passing out the candy is our Queen...........  lots of Red Hat Witches, A Construction Worker, A dancer.

This is our Pirate Waiter showing off his "hot buns"!

                                                                                        Witches, witches, and more witches!

A fun time was had by all us DIGNIFIED LADIES!