Finally Made a New Bag!

At long last, I've completed a new bag for my Etsy shop. Camera battery is charging, so I'll have to add a picture later. I used my sling style purse pattern and used a Kaffe Fassett print from my stash of fabrics. I hope to list it tonight after the camera is up and running and I also want to make a matching coin purse and key fob to list as well. I hadn't sat down to make a bag for a quite awhile and was very happy that I remembered how to do it! I need to make better notes, but hopefully I'll be making another one soon.

I spent some time thinking about what sort of spring quilt I'd like to make for the Four Seasons Swap. I've got a couple of ideas that I think will be nice; I'll have to see if my partner has any specific requirements. My mailbox was empty again today. My winter quilt hasn't arrived. I'm starting to think my special package from somewhere may not come. I do hope it is not lost... That would be a very sad end to someone's hard work. But it isn't a whole month past the deadline yet, so I'll try to be patient which I'm finding very hard to do!

Well, it's off to run the kids to all the afterschool activities. At least it isn't snowing today, so we won't be slip-sliding all the way!

Winter's Last Hurrah!?!?

Maybe.

I took this photo yesterday when I went out to check for mail. Still no quilt. Maybe Monday. Anyway, we've had too much wintery weather lately. Last week was a very strange week. Holiday on Monday, snow day on Wednesday and another one on Friday. Thank goodness for snowblowers. Of course they don't do much good when you get ice!

All of the trees were covered with a glistening layer of ice. How pretty when the sun came out and made everything sparkle. I'd like to make a quilt like that. My picture didn't quite capture the sparkliness.

More icy pictures:






Enough of the cold stuff! Bring on the Spring flowers!!

And I almost forgot! Sign-ups are going on now over at the Four Seasons Swap Blog for the Spring installment. I sent my information along to the marvelous Margaret who arranges all the madness. I find the swaps a great opportunity to try new techniques and complete a fun, small project at the same time. Go visit the blog if you'd like to give it a try!

Another Snow Day!!

We had a winter storm last night and today, got some snow, got some ice. Kids got a snow day. I guess I did, too. My productivity suffers when I have people home. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a regular school day for them, work day for me. The roads aren't bad now, but they'll probably freeze up over night.

I keep checking the mailbox for my Swap Quilt. So far, it hasn't come. I'm so eager to see it. I hope it comes soon. Margaret is organizing another swap, a round robin this time. I think I'll have to pass on that one. I really want to do the Spring installment of the Four Seasons Swap and I need to focus on some projects I've got to finish and my Etsy store. So I'd better not put anything else on my list just now. But it does look like fun...maybe next time.

And I found out yesterday that I'm needed back on the bowling league to finish out the year. One of the ladies hurt her shoulder so I'm taking her place. It is fun; I can't say I ever thought I'd join a bowling league, but it's nice to get out and be with the other ladies. I thought I'd like to find a quilting group but I haven't had much luck there.

Bye for now!!

Another week...

Another week done and not much to show for it. I've been working on a couple of new handbags for my Etsy store. I don't use commercial patterns for them, and it sometimes takes a couple of tries before I'm satisfied with my design. But I've got one that's getting close, so hopefully I'll have pictures next week and a finished product to list.

Later today, I'll be looking through my pile of handwork awaiting attention. We are going on a car trip tomorrow and I need to decide which project to take along. I really need to finish some of them up but I seem to only add to the pile. Most likely, I'll take my hexagons. I really want to finish that one.

I've made tentative plans to attend the Chicago quilt show in April. I've promised myself that I'll finish a few of my WIPs before I go so I can shop with a clear conscience. I don't enjoy shopping much when I feel guilty about it.

Back to the sewing room! Have a great weekend!

I fixed it!

I finally did it! I spent some time this weekend on the internet figuring out how to fix my blog header which had mysteriously gone wonky. I also discovered how to put a slideshow on here. I chose last summer's vacation in Maine. Looking through those photos again reminded me that I would like to use a few for quilt inspiration. The landscapes up there were breathtaking.

I've also been catching up on some magazine reading as my sore arm is not letting me do much sewing. I just received the current issue of American Patchwork & Quilting, their 15th Anniversary issue. I had no idea it had been so long! Time really does fly!! I've been a subscriber since the beginning. I've got every issue, in a box in my sewing room. Most of them have several sticky notes on projects I'd like to do someday. I'd better get busy!

Groundhog Day

I hear the groundhog saw his shadow today. This falls under the category of "Bad News" for me. I've had enough of winter already and now if the groundhog is correct, we're in for another six weeks of it. Let's hope he really has no prediction ability where spring is concerned.

Speaking of "falls", I had a nasty one on an icy spot yesterday. I landed hard on my left side and today my right side is hurting in sympathy. I feel rather out of whack and I've got the beginnings of a colorful bruise. Motrin helps a little. I'm just happy I didn't hit my head, or cut a gash somewhere. Time will heal all, I'm sure.

I noticed when I logged on that my last post was my 50th. I should do something to commemorate it, I suppose. But I have no brilliant ideas at the moment. Maybe by the time I have my 100th post, I'll have something in mind. Maybe I'll make a little quilt or something to give away to a lucky reader.

I'm hoping that tomorrow I feel more productive. I really need to get busy on some new things for Etsy. I posted a few new items last week. I really like the heart fabric; I thought someone might like it for Valentine's Day.


Have a great rest of the weekend!

Wild and Windy Wednesday

Wow! Have we had some weird weather here in Ohio! Yesterday, it was in the 50's - not normal for January. Then we got thunderstorms, with lightning. Also not normal! The temperature fell to 10 degrees by this morning. And windy!! I thought the roof was coming off for sure. I was quite nervous that one of our big trees would soon be crashing into the house. But the trees are all still standing, minus a few branches and all the shingles are still on the roof. We lost power for a short time, the cable (and internet) went out several times. But all seems back to normal, or it will be after I've finished re-setting all the clocks.

I tried to sew today and was not very productive. A lot of "un-sewing" going on... Anyway, my sewing machine was acting up. It was unplugged for the storm; I value it too highly to risk a shock. I think it's time for a visit to the repair shop. I'm lucky to live near a good dealership that has a very good repair department; it's a bit pricey though. At least I kept my old one so I won't be without a machine. I'm so glad I finished my swap quilt before the problems started; and a custom order for my Etsy shop. I'll give it another run tomorrow to see if it continues to act up. Its due for a servicing anyway...

I just visited Flickr to have a look at all the swap quilts that have been posted. There are some really lovely ones; some are so creative and different. I enjoy looking at them. I can't wait to see what the mailman brings me!