The One With the Crossbody Purse...

ohmygoodgracious!  I received the crossbody purse that I ordered - custom-made - from my online (and soon to be in real!) - friend, Donna.  She makes absolutely stunning purses and wallets (and quilts and backpacks and pajamas and napkins and, and...).  Check out her blog here.  I met Donna when I was involved in an online swap...a strawberry pincushion swap back in 2013.  We had several things in common...listed in this blog post.  

Anyway.  She makes wonderful pieces.  I mean, really wonderful!

So.  I do not normally carry a purse.  I carry my little zipper pouch and my phone.  Thinking about going on vacation and the travel involved in driving to/from/around Wisconsin and I thought that, perhaps, having a purse would come in handy.  BUT, I didn't want any big thing...like one that could fit everything AND the kitchen sink inside!  Something that is just big enough for my cards, license, cell phone and keys.

One day, on FaceBook, Donna showed a crossbody purse she made.  Well, that is exactly what I need!  So...after much emailing back and forth, we had everything that I wanted figured out and she made me the best purse ever!  It's not too big, but large enough to easily slip my cell phone inside...it has a long strap and a wrist strap, a puppy on the zipper pull and an embroidered brown dog.  I mean, really?  Also, she made a pocket and card slots for my driver license and other important debit/credit/library cards!  It is amazing!  See for yourself...

Cork fabric exterior...measures 8.5 x 6.5 inches.

embroidered brown dog

cutest puppy!

My fave color - teal - lining with pocket and card slots.

I am soooo happy with this!  I must go somewhere tomorrow so that I can take/use it.  Don't you think?  

Vacation begins in 10.5 days!


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

The One About the Churn Dash...

As I have written before, the churn dash quilt block is one of my favorites.  I have made a few of them over the years.  Even finished a quilt and a mini made up of them.  Go here and here and here (You really should follow those links, you know...they provide 'can't live without it' info...~grin~).

Several months ago, I received an 'impossible to pass up' offer on a box of Cotton & Steel fat quarters.  Course, I knew not what to do with them...just knew that I needed to take advantage of said offer.  A churn dash quilt was what I decided on...which I started this week.  Certainly not a great time to start a project, but there you have it.  I will work on it this week, and then next week will be devoted to getting everything else done that I have planned to get done before we leave on vacation.  AND, my niece Jody will be here for a visit before we leave.

These are the fabrics I'm using...

And, here's what I have so far...

I have six blocks completed, with six more almost ready.  I was working on them one at a time until it dawned on me that I could work on several at a time...chain-piecing, here I come!  The blocks will finish at 12 inches and I am unsure at this point how many I'll make.  At least 25, which will make it a nice lap quilt.

I have a secret project I need to start tomorrow.  If you never hear another word on it, that will mean I failed abysmally.  Hopefully, you'll see the words 'secret project' again within the next week.  Keep your fingers crossed!  ~grin~

In the meantime, it is almost the weekend.  Enjoy the time!  

Oh, and I ran across this and wanted to share it with you...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

A Tale of Two Quilts...

Remember the story, "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens? Writing the post title reminded me of it.

Anyway.  Two quilts are now done.  You saw them - or parts of them - in the previous post.  

The first...the pineapple quilt...the one where I ran out of border fabric.  And, it is not to be found.  Around here, anyway.  So, I had a choice to make...either piece the border, or use a different fabric. I chose to piece the border, thinking it won't show much once the quilting is done.  Besides, if it leaves this house to live somewhere else, it will only go down the street to sister Jill's house.  Therefore, it will be fine as it is.  This quilt measures 62 x 70 inches.

I love this quilt...and it was fun to make, that's for sure.  I will work on the backing and get this off to the long arm quilter within the next few days.  I'm not sure when I will get it back...she told me that someone dropped off 12 quilts to be quilted...WOW!  But, I am in no real hurry.  I am telling you, it's gonna be awesome!!!

The next...second quilt.  This is my 3rd quilt for the SBB Heart Builders organization and it is so rewarding to do something I can easily do that will have an impact on someone.  Makes my heart feel good.  

This one measures 47 x 63 inches.  Perfect size for them.  It's kind of fun to make just the quilt top and send it off.  No worrying about anything else.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love this sign...if I hang it above my closet doors, it will be one of the first things I see in the morning...

Another sign I would love to have is, "Let whatever you do today be enough".  Click here to read more about that. 

I might work on some simple sewing for the rest of this day...kleenex cozies or napkins.  Just because.

Have a good one!




"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

The One Where Naomi Janome Needs a Vacation, too!

Well, she is all set to go...  

Naomi Janome has been having a few problems and needs to visit the spa. Time to relax and rejuvenate. And, get those feeding problems fixed!  Nothing real serious...just not feeding smoothly.  

Luckily, I have the Big Bad Boy...who is stepping up to the plate nicely.  He is a real workhorse.      

Here's what I'm working on right now...

This is my third quilt for the Heart Builders...a very worthy charitable organization.  This quarter, we are donating to Project Linus.  I am very proud to be part of this team.  If you would like information on Heart Builders, please click here.




"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

The One When the 5 Day Project Fell Apart...

Yeah.  So I am working along and making great progress on my in-between project (also known as #5dayproject)....and have just the borders to do.  I find that I am one piece 5 1/2 inches x WOF short.  ohno!  Well, I figured, no problem, I got that fabric here at my LQS...I will just run over and get what I need.  

Well.  Seems as if that particular Grunge fabric was discontinued.  OHNO!  What now?  I actually can check at another fabric store (but not until next week) in nearby Pueblo.  And, I do have enough small pieces to piece the border.  Definitely not my first choice, though.  For now, I have set it all aside and will wait until I see if the other store has it...then will do whatever I need to do to finish this quilt top.  Here it is thus far...

In the meantime, I am working on Christmas gifts.  Since I will be seeing most of these people on my vacation, I thought it would work out nicely to take their gifts with me.  So.  Working my fingers to the bones.  

And, I am making lists and getting everything ready to go on vacation.  I am so looking forward to it!!!

I plan to take along some knitting...just in case I have some downtime (ya never know!)...or for in the car on the way to/from Wisconsin.  I should be able to knit face cloths while riding in the car.  You know, with all the bags/zipper pouches I have, none of them has ever been designated as a 'knitting project bag'.  So.  I made a special one to put my knitting supplies in for the trip.

This zipper pouch measures 11x6x2.5 inches...enough room for everything I need...needles (I use the short ones), darning needle, 2 skeins of Cotlin yarn (50 grams each), crochet hook, ruler, and scissors.  I lined it with canvas to make it a bit sturdier and I am very happy with it.  

I'll be back next week to let you know what I find at the other LQS.  In the meantime, have a great weekend!




"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11