Snow, Purses, Quilts, Oh My!!!

Good morning! I've been up for an hour or so due to my hips and legs aching, but oh how blessed I am to be as healthy as I am. I am so thankful that I have both legs to hurt, I am thankful that I have both arms, and my health as it is. I am seeing and hearing of so much sickness and death in the past few weeks until it breaks my heart, but I know someone Who has conquered death and the grave, and one day there will be no more dying and crying over the loss of a loved one.

I follow several children on Facebook who have cancer or have had tragic accidents, or have a genetic disorder where I will remember to be thankful for the health of my family and to pray for these precious ones and their families. I have read where several of them have passed away and left heartbroken families. I have gotten so upset and angry at the disease of cancer lately, that I have really had to pray about it. I continually hear of others who have been diagnosed with this terrible disease. Ewing's Sarcoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer and so on. One would think that in this day and age there would be cures for cancer. I wonder if the pharmaceutical companies and researchers have found cures, but know that a lot of money will be lost if it is told. Cancer is not the only disease out there taking people, but this one seems to be so strong right now. Help me pray for these people who are suffering, and their families who suffer, too.

On a brighter note, they have predicted that we will get snow today. A significant amount of snow for Alabama. anywhere from a cold rain to some isolated areas could get up to 8 inches! For you northerners, that isn't much. Even 1-2 inches in Alabama can cause trouble. LOL People clean out the stores bread, milk, and various items if they predict snow or ice around here. Schools have already been closed for today, and many public offices like city halls, etc. have stated they will be closed today. People in the south do not know how to drive nor are we equipped to drive in this type of weather. I am thankful that we get snow very infrequently around here. I couldn't live up north where it is an all winter thing. One good thing is our snow will more than likely be gone tomorrow. I will post some pictures if we do get some.

I have sold one handbag lately, and have an order for another rag bag. I also have an order for a baby quilt and finished getting the fabric for it yesterday. It will be red, white, and blue with a touch of yellow/gold in it. I am not sure of the name of the pattern I'm using, but it is fairly simple and looks nice. I wanted to show the focus fabric, which is a navy floral, the most and this pattern will do that. The backing is a red bandana print. I ordered with the assistance of the purchaser a red bandana print from www.fabric.com, but when I got it in the good light at Hobby Lobby yesterday, I realized how much orange tint it had. That was not what I nor the purchaser wanted. We wanted a true red, so I bought more at HL and will use that other for something myself. Maybe in a handbag? I also pieced a donation quilt the other day out of the blue, so while at my quilt meeting yesterday, I picked up batting for it. Now to find a backing in my stash to use on it, quilt it, and get it back to the group to give to a child. Here is a picture of the top

Donation charm quilt

I call the quilt Scrappy Happy! I just took charm squares I collected a couple of years ago at the quilt group and started sewing them together with alternating yellow squares. Added a wide yellow floral border to top and bottom and a light purple border all around to make sure I got it large enough.

Below is a Swoon Sewing Patterns bag I made as practice. My machine would not sew though the sides very well due to the thickness of the Pellon Peltex in the pocket section. I got it in there, but it isn't sewn as well as it should. I won't have a problem carrying it. It has a strap that is connected by swivel hooks to the loops you see in the picture. I think it turned out nice even though the pocket section is sewn in as well as it should be. I know that next time, I will need to add some rivets instead of trying to sew it.

I was gifted with lots of fabric scraps and large pieces to make quilts and purses out of. I would love to sell some more bags, so if you are interested check out my Items for Sale Page. I can make them to order. I have two bags already made ready to sell, but have had no bites on them, yet. I will give someone a good price on the two already made if interested, please send me a message on Google+ or email me and let me know. Price will need shipping added to it.

Well, I am going to go for now. I pray you all have a great week. Keep checking back in to see what is new around the house.

May God Bless you,

Teresa

New Purses and Stuff!

Hi, Y'all! How you been? I've been blessed. You know something? God is so good! He is worthy of our praise and worship. I want to give Him every part of me to use. I am so unworthy of His love for me, but He loved me before I was even born. I am so thankful for that. Are you? I sure hope so.

I've been so blessed by the church we joined in November. Riverview Baptist Church is such a great place to worship my Lord and Savior. Our pastor preaches the Word just like God gives it to him, and he doesn't mind stepping on toes, either. He is so knowledgeable of God's Word and preaches and teaches what He knows in such a way anyone could understand it. He is one who loves the Lord with all his heart, soul, and mind and you can tell it by being around him and listening to him. My DH and I just love him and his family. I love to hear he and his precious children sing for God's glory. They have been blessed with talent.  As you can tell, I really enjoy our church. We are so blessed to have them as our pastor and family. 

Now, I have had a couple tough weeks having another tooth infection, then having to go to the oral surgeon to have it pulled. Then I got a dry socket, so I had to go back. I missed a few services at church during this time, and I really hated that. But, when you are in so much pain, it is hard to feel like doing anything. Even though it is still sore, I praise God that it is improving everyday. 

What have I been doing? I have been enjoying making some handbags from some new patterns I purchased and one I downloaded for free. I plan to purchase a couple more patterns probably tomorrow after I run to the bank. Need to deposit a blessing I received over the weekend. Then watch out! I was able to purchase a bolt of Pellon ShapeFlex 101 from Joann's at 50% off plus another 15% off on Saturday. Just waiting for it to arrive. It was the ten yard bolt, not the 25 yard bolt. But that is much cheaper than paying $5,99 per yard for it at Hobby Lobby. I have two more patterns already that I am wanting to try soon. Probably this week. I am hoping I can find someone to purchase some of these where I can get some money to purchase some fabric I want to get especially for a quilt. Or more bags. LOL 

*****DO NOT USE MY PICTURES WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. THESE BELONG TO ME. THANK YOU.

The first bag I made was a pattern from #Swoon Patterns. This is called Bonnie. 

Bonnie: first time using vinyl, and added a signature yoyo to the bag, 

 This one is a rag purse I made for my daughter. It turned out really cute. I think I may have to make one for myself. LOL

Rag camo tote

This bag is a free pattern you can find on Craftsy (love this site btw). I love this bag and how it turned out. It was very difficult to turn it, but next one I make, I will do a drop in lining instead of having to turn it. My RA in my hands just does not like the pulling and tugging I had to do. Love the pattern. Very sturdy bag. 

Front with large pocket

Front of bag again taken outside

This is the back of the bag. I fussy cut the fabric to put the flower in the center. Love how it turned out!

Inside of bag. Has a zipper pocket on one side and another large pocket on the opposite side. Love pockets.

This bag did not call for any closure, but I placed a magnetic snap on the inside onto the lining where I can close it for a little security. I want to get brave enough and try to make a zipper to put on the next one. 

Well, what do you think? Like what you see? If seriously interested, I can make these to purchase (Ethel and Bonnie). I could also make some rag totes, but with your initials or something like that on it, if desired. 

I pray that you like this post. I plan to try and post more often now. Keep me in your prayers. I have a few things I plan to sew soon, and I will be showing these. Keep on the lookout?

Hugs,

Teresa

TWO FINISHES!!! Wahoo!!!

I finally have something I can show you all that I have completed!!! I finally finished a Christmas 2013 gift for our DD and SIL. It is the Carpenter's Star quilt whose designer is Debbie Maddy. It was an easy quilt to make, but not an easy quilting job for me on my domestic machine. But, I will be so happy to give it to her when she comes up for a visit in a few weeks. Better late than never, huh?

Below you will see the Sunbonnet Sue top that I did on my embroidery machine for a new great-niece due in August. I believe I actually liked the way it looked better before I quilted it. I just have not perfected my quilting, yet even after four years of making them. Maybe one day I will be much improved in my eyes. Next you see the finished top. I did echo quilting around the Sue's and then put butterflies on the top and bottom border. I now wish I had used a thicker batting, but it is all done, so oh well. I sure hope they like it. 

I also made a taggie blanket and burp cloth for a former student of mine and her new baby boy. She loved it and said he did, too. LOL I hope so. I have a few more burp cloths to make for the great-niece and started my daughter's rag quilt purse after finishing the baby quilt. It will be in another post when it is completed. I still have to pin and quilt the Day and Night quilt for our DS and DIL, and the pinning may happen today. Who knows. If not today, tomorrow?? I REALLY need to get it done.

I pray all is well with each of you. I hope to get better with keeping up my blog soon. Please be patient with me. Hugs to you all!
Teresa

This Has Been a Rough Week

Good morning all. I have a few things I want to share with you today. I hope you will bear with me during this post. I have a memorial to tell you about  

and some projects I have planned to report.

It has been a sad week. I have felt so helpless, but yet did/said all I could do for my daughter and her family from a distance.  Monday morning brought a sad day for our family. My daughter's basset hound, Oscar, went over the Rainbow Bridge. He was 8 1/2" years old, but had a lot of issues. His health had really gone down over the past two weeks. He had almost stopped eating, slept a lot, stayed isolated from the family. They have had Oscar since he was seven weeks old. He was such a beautiful dog and was very sweet. When his health declined so rapidly, my daughter could not stand it any longer, so she and her hubby took him to the vet. He discovered that Oscar had lots of arthritis in his spine and a spinal disease that left him very weak in his hind quarters and was pressing on his spinal cord and causing him lots of pain. He had been very irritable for several months prior to this, so I guess that was from being in so much pain. He loved playing with a laser(red bug) with Papa. He would run and run chasing that red laser on the floor. He still loved it, but had gotten a lot slower. He was our grandson's buddy. His little heart is so broken that this Mimi and cried and cried, too. He feels so lost without his best friend, Oscar. He even told him Mama that Oscar was a brother to him. Jackson is seven, but oh so smart and wise for his age. He misses his best friend so much and wants another buddy to greet him, play with him, cuddle with him. So, needless to say, this has been a very hard, long week. Keep them in your prayers, if you will.  Below, you will see a collage I made of various pictures from my daughter's collection of pics. We had a basset hound for over 12 years, and it hurt losing him, but losing Oscar has really hurt, too. 

Okay, let's move on to something more cheerful. I have so many projects on my to do list, it isn't funny. I typed it up to print out where I can check items off as I go. I have a minimum of three purses to make, one of which is mine. I have a minimum of three Christmas gift quilts to make, two swap items from Facebook groups, donation quilts that I want to finish, and possibly another two purses to add for sure later. I also promised to make that awesome little man in our lives, Jackson a stuffed puppy. That will probably be first on my list to do today. I have to cut out the pattern first, though. :D I pray that I have enough fabric to use for it. If not, a trip back to Hobby Lobby will be in store. I need to stop sitting in my recliner and get busy!! I enjoy working on these items, but really procrastinate especially if I am not feeling very well. I will have to stop that. LOL

Okay, I did get the last two pillows finished for my client, but need to make a few pieces of jewelry, or help DH make her some jewelry to go with it. I may send the pillows and worry about the jewelry later. It is not a paid item. She sent beads and asked that DH make her some jewelry. 

Well, I have to go get busy for now. Hope you all have a fantastic day. I need to do all I can this morning, because we are expecting some bad weather this afternoon. Take care and stop by and tell me what you have on your to do list. 

Hugs,

10-11-12

Good Morning! I know, I know, I've been lazy about posting lately. I'm sorry. I've been busy working in my sewing room on Christmas log cabin quilt blocks, but I've put that away again for a little while. I have another donation quilt to make for the Ogden House in north Alabama. I have been wanting to do this for my friend, Gene Black, since I saw his first post last year. This year, with the help of Reba Bishop, another friend of mine who donated the fabric, I will be making a rag quilt for some teenager at the Ogden House. I sure hope he/she likes it. It is going to be black and white! I love these two colors together.

Reba and me when we met the other day

A baby quilt I've finished minus binding

Above you will see a baby panel I quilted for a friend of my son's. His baby was born in April, and I have been lax on getting it done. While talking to an old friend from my teen years, yesterday, I finished the quilting part. I was so excited!!! Now all I need to do is add the binding. That will be done today or tomorrow.

Next on my list of to-do's is a quilt that I've been hired to make by a lady in Virginia. It will be made using the techniques in Marguerita McManus's book Crazy Shortcut Quilts. I have never made one before, but I am excited about making this one. She has given me ideas of the colors she likes, and I get to choose along that line. I am thankful this is a quilt-as-you-go one because it is going to be huge! I will post pictures as I go, that is if you don't mind seeing the progress. LOL I am excited about doing this, but nervous, too. Keep me in your prayers.

Along with these two projects, I need to make Christmas gifts for my family, plus for the Secret Santa project on Stitches From the Heart on Facebook. Not quite sure what I am going to make, but I have several ideas in my head. It will be made from fabric I already have in my stash, more than likely. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Hope you all have a blessed day. I have lots on my plate, but will try my best to keep up with this journal.

Teresa

Happy Friday!

Hello! I am sorry I did not post yesterday, but I really didn't have anything new to say. LOL Today, DH and I went to the doctor for our blood work/check-up. We both got really good reports. Mine was made better when I realized I had lost eight pounds since the last visit. I even had jeans on! Wow! That news made me feel great! Well, emotionally that is. It was good that our blood work came back with good results. 

Yesterday, I started binding this quilt (see picture above). Our son, Joe married his love, April, on March 10th. I made this for them. Her favorite color is red. His is red and black. Their wedding colors were red and black, etc. I used Mary Johnson's pattern at http://www.maryquilts.com/ Two Rail Fence. It was really easy to make. I added a little extra to the border by putting four patches on the corners and a piano key type border in the corner that is closest to you. This is meant to be a cuddle on the couch quilt, but it could have almost been a full bed sized comforter. I will be glad to get it done, washed and given to them. I know, I'm a little late, but I had some issues with the backing and batting I originally planned to use on it, so I had to get another batting which came from my fellow blogger and quilter teacher friend, Linda. She had some black poly down batting that I purchased from her, then I went to Joann's and purchased different fabric for the backing. That fabric turned out so much prettier and easier to quilt than the original black I had started to use. I quilted this using stitch in the ditch. It is the largest quilt I have done myself so far. I was blessed to be able to purchase a Janome Horizon 7700 a few weeks ago and used it. It made such a difference from using my Wal-mart purchased Brother which is a good machine. I so love my Janome! I have never used a machine other than inexpensive ones before, and let me tell you something. It really makes a difference! I will toot Janome's horn as much as I can for it is a wonderful sewing machine.


I also much finish clipping the donation rag quilt I've made where it can be washed and dried and turned in to my quilting group, the Bama Belles. I have been so blessed to find a group like the BBs. The ladies are all a little older than me, but boy, so far they out sew/quilt me. Of course, they have all be quilting longer than I have, too. They are a great group of ladies who have welcome me into their fold without any problems. We meet twice a month and it is so good to have them to fellowship with those two days. I don't think I could have found a better group of ladies to encourage me and challenge me to be the best quilter that I can be. Their goal is to keep quilting alive and well throughout the generations. I plan to do my part, too. 


My next project will be working on some wallets, and designing my Christmas quilt. I'm still not sure what I want to do with the purple fabrics you saw in an earlier post. I have some ideas, but just haven't firmed them up, yet.


I hope you all have a blessed day and keep on sewing and quilting!


Teresa