Falling into Fall!

I am really feeling nostalgic today! I've been working on patterns and house renovations and I am weary! I need to see my grandkids! The photo above was taken 10 years ago when we lived on the east coast. We had built a great pond and deck and finished it just in time to find out we were moving. Our granddaughter loved putting her hand on the water and feeling the fish tickle it thinking she might have some food for them. I would love to have that pond and deck here. I would love even more to have my grandkids here!

As I write, I'm waiting on workmen to come put the glass shower door in downstairs. Doug's television for his media room will be delivered this week, too. We still have a lot to do, but we're making progress.

I have reworked several patterns, too.

 

"Creativity" 

(23" W x 45 1/2" L)

(This is actually  a new pattern. I made this wall hanging in 2013, but had not written it up as a pattern until now.)

"Jesus Loves the Little Children"

( 41"W x 41"L)

 

 "In God We Trust"

(35"W x 44"L) 

 

(about 4" tall)

These have all been remade with multiple photos and better instructions. They are also in a 8 1/2" x 11" format, unfolded.

I do not have them yet in download form, but will happily mail them out to you if you want one. ($15 each plus postage).

September? Really?

New! Give Thanks

I can't believe it is September and fall begins on Thursday! How did that happen? I have been super busy giving presentations, teaching classes, and working on rethinking my patterns. I am going bigger, better, clearer, and with lots of pictures. That means that I have to remake the quilt to not only evaluate the pattern, but to take photos at every step. Not a quick thing to do!

New! Let It Snow!

The renovation is coming along. My sewing room is almost finished, but we still have the cutting table to do and the baseboards.

 This is my wall of cubicles. My husband built me a platform to put them on so they weren't sitting on the floor. I found the little gray collapsible baskets at Walmart! 

 This is the far end of the room. You can't really tell much yet by these pictures. The little island is temporary. We are going to build a cutting table that can be rolled around. There is a huge arched window to the left of the room at that end that gives lots of light and a beautiful view.

 Sugarplum has found a napping spot there!

The other patterns I have updated (so far!) are:

 Birthday Banner

(This has candles that can be removed and replaced and the child can put the right number on!)

 

 

Little Cowboy (or Cowgirl)

 

and The Good Shepherd.

None of these are updated in the download version yet, but will be soon. The paper version is $15 each plus shipping. 

My sister and I are also putting kits together for these patterns.

Things are beginning to happn again! 

Have a great  fall! (Oh NO! Don't! I've done that and it hurts!) I should say,

Have a great Autumn!

 

Giveaway Winner and Burlap Cutlery Bag Tutorial

Congratulations to Suze for winning the Goldilocks pattern, below, from my recent giveaway. The Ho Ho Ho blog hop is over, but we're left with tons of ideas for the Christmas season. Those of us who participated have some of our decorating and gift ideas already done!
               
 Some of you have asked for a tutorial for making the simple little cutlery bag. Sugarplum, my Christmas kitty, insisted on showing you all the steps, so I let her. When you see how easy this is, you'll say, "Oh, of course! How simple!!"

1. Cut a rectangle from your burlap that is 4 1/2" x 7 1/2". At one short end, zig zag across the end of each piece  (about 1 1/2" from the top) using contrasting thread.  Round off the bottom corners at 

the other end.  Sew two long sides, starting at the zig zag stitch at the top, going around the rounded bottom, and ending at the zig zag stitch on the other side\. Reinforce with a zig-zag stitch. Pull threads out at the top to leave a fringed edge.

2. Turn inside out.

3. Press well.

4. Place cutlery in the bag and tie with a gingham ribbon to hold them in. Put a candy cane in the ribbon for a little extra pop of color!

 5. All finished! 

 Here's one on the burlap place mat.

 (This little bear placemat will be a PDF pattern as soon as our computer issues are sorted out! Yes, we're on computer number 3! I have two computers to send back right now and another one coming. They arrive with issues! We're talking EXPENSIVE computers, too. This is getting frustrating, to say the least! My husband has talked to Dell support lately more than he's talked to me! Before long he'll adopt an Indian accent!  If any of you work for Dell, I'd be happy to do an honest review if you can just get me a free working computer delivered to my house! :-) We've been without a computer since June because of this.)

 Thank you for stopping by today! (Sorry about the fussing!)