Bloomin' Tuesday

I can't believe it's Tuesday once again! My weeks have just flown by lately. This week I'm featuring my pink petaled posies. It's sort of a motley group of photos. I hadn't really prepared for Bloomin' Tuesday this week because I didn't think I would have the time. I've been knee-deep in wedding preparations and sewing lately. But, it feels good to come up for some air and get behind a camera. Hope you enjoy!

To see more Bloomin' Tuesday posts go to Ms. Green Thumb Jean's!

SOLD - "City Street"

Earlier this week I made the tote "Shop Till You Drop" and it sold immediately, so I thought I'd use the other side of this 45 inch wide fabric and make this one, which I named "City Street!" Love this fabric because each building across the width of this fabric is different -- not one is repeated -- which makes this Hang Up quite different than the one I made earlier this week. So fun!

To get the most from this fabric, I made this Hang Up with my larger pattern and it measures approximately 15 1/2" x 12". Both the fabric and the lining of the tote are fully interfaced. There is a roomy, two-compartment pocket inside, a removable reinforced base, and canvas straps. Included in the price is the cost of shipping to the continental U.S. & Canada. If you would like to purchase this Hang Up, send me an email at the address on my side-bar. Comments are always welcome and appreciated!

SOLD - "Grape Splash!"

Batiks are such a popular fabric right now. Most fabric stores online or not feature generous sections with these bold, bright, colorful fabrics. I found this top fabric just by chance at one of the fabric stores in our town. When I saw it I knew that I loved it, but I wasn't sure it would go with the bottom fabric that I had on my shelf at home. I bought it anyway. When I came home and put the fabrics next to each other I knew it was a match made in heaven! So pretty and contemporary. Love the name of this one ... "Grape Splash!"

Feel free to check the sidebar to learn how my totes are constructed. If you are interested in buying one of my products or if you have a question, feel free to email me. My email address is on the sidebar. This tote is approximately 14 1/2" x 12". The purchase price includes shipping to the continental U.S. and Canada.

SOLD - "Forest Flowers", $45

The fabric that graces the top of this tote is an Amy Butler print from her Midwest Modern line called "Ohio Sky." I bought it a couple of months ago and have been browsing for another fabric to compliment it ever since. Yesterday I came across the fabric I used on the bottom of the tote. It's a Heather Bailey print and words cannot express how much I love these two fabrics together!!! Sometimes a photo just doesn't cut it. This combination of these fabrics is just so fabulous together. (Be still my heart -- No, never mind, just flutter away!!!)

Anyway, this tote sells for the usual price of $45 for my 14 1/2" x 12" tote. It has the usual features. One thing I haven't mentioned in the past is that the lining for each of my totes is the same quality fabric that is on the outside of the totes...no cheapo "lining" here! It's all great, high quality fabric. ;o)

Check out my sidebar to find more information about my totes and please feel free to email me with any questions you may have or if you would like to purchase one of my Hang Ups or Dwipes! The price includes shipping to the continental U.S. and Canada.

SOLD - "Shop Till You Drop"

I loved the black and white fabric on my Give-Away tote this last month! It was from Blank Quilting's City Limits line, so I bought some more of their fabric and decided to whip up a couple more Hang Ups this week. This is the first of those creations. I named it "Shop Till You Drop" because it reminds me of going to the city for a shopping spree and lunch!

To get the most from this fabric, I made this Hang Up with my larger pattern and it measures approximately 15 1/2" x 12". Both the fabric and the lining of the tote are fully interfaced. There is a roomy, two-compartment pocket inside, a removable reinforced base, and canvas straps. Included in the price is the cost of shipping to the continental U.S. & Canada. If you would like to purchase this Hang Up, send me an email at the address on my side-bar. Comments are always welcome and appreciated!

SOLD - "Downtown Menagerie"

Here's another Hang Up with fabric made from the City Limits line. This one I named "Downtown Menagerie." I love this fabric. It definitely has a perky, happy feel to it! This tote measures approximately 14 1/2" x 12". Check out the sidebar to find more information about my totes and please feel free to email me with any questions you may have. This hang up sells for $45 -- which includes shipping to the continental U.S. and Canada.

August's Tote & Dwipe Give-Away Results !

I just want to give a big "Thank You" to all those who signed up for this month's Give-Away and especially to those who put a shout out on their blog! I appreciate all your kind words so much! Please check back often to see my new creations. I bought some more fabric from the City Limits line to make some more totes and I hope to post some photos of those Hang Ups this week.

On to the results of the Give-Away. This month's winner was another person who got her name into the drawing twice by posting a shout out on her blog. (Man alive, that really works!)

City Lights goes to... Kristie from The Inman Clan! Congratulations!

The "Perfectly Paisley" Dwipe goes to someone near and dear to me! Yup, my niece won this one ... She's expecting a little one in October, so this is great timing!

Adrienne -- it's all yours!

Yippeeee!

A couple of weeks ago I received word that I had won this beautiful "explosion photo box" from Stacey at Luscious Chaos. Oh my goodness! If you think this box is beautiful in a this photo, I wish you could see it in person. I've done enough scrapbooking and card making over the years to know that this is an absolute work of art that took time to prepare! It's beautiful as a box, but the "explosion" happens when you open it up. It fans out to reveal multi-layered facets inside the box. I love the papers that she chose to use. The designs on papers and fabrics have much the same effect on me. I just love the visuals! The box really is stunning and I know just how I'm going to use it! I'm so excited. Thank you, Stacey, for your generosity. It really is beautiful!

SOLD - "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" Dwipe

The cute green caterpillar link on this Dwipe definitely mimics the favorite children's book that it's named after! Love this fabric. Andover Fabrics has a whole line of fabrics in honor of Eric Carle's classic. This particular fabric is so bright and cheery.

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" Dwipe is made like all the rest. Please check out my sidebar for more information on how my Dwipes are constructed. This one sells for $15, which includes postage to the continental U.S. and Canada. Just shoot me an email if you are intersted!

August's Tote and Dwipe Give-Away...

Scroll down to find the post for August's Tote and Dwipe Give-Away! To participate in this month's Give-Away just make a comment . The contest runs through midnight on Sunday, August 17th. Monday morning the winners will be announced. Good luck!

Sold - Bunnies & Chicks

This beautiful fabric is designed by Anna Griffin for Windham Fabrics. It's found in their"Hannah Collection" and I think the whole collection is so beautiful! "Bunnies and Chicks" has all the usual bells and whistles, except it doesn't have a link attached. I'm having a hard time finding pastel links and if I can't find one that matches and looks good, then I won't attach one. I'm like that. Very matchy-matchy. Can't help it. It's just the way I am. Anyway, this one is darling without it so I'm not going to apologize. ;o)


To find out more about my Dwipes simply read the Dwipe information on my sidebar. This little ditty is $15 which includes shipping to the continental U.S. Please send me an email if you are interested in buying this Dwipe.

Sold - "Sugar 'n Spice" Dwipe

What are little girls made of? Sugar 'n Spice and everything nice. This Sugar 'n Spice Dwipe would be perfect for that sweet little girl in your life. It's soft, subtle colors are so pretty! It's another Moda Fabric -- Honestly, what would I do without Moda in my life? This fabric is designed by Susan Branch. It's called the "Simplicity Collection."

Sugar 'n Spice has all the usual features... high quality fabric, fully lined, interfaced, boxed corners, velcro fastener, and a tab with link attached. You can then add a play toy or rattle of your choice to the link to help keep the baby occupied while he/she is being changed. Feel free to order the pattern for an extra $5. Included in the price is the cost of shipping to the U.S. and Canada.

SOLD - "Seeing Red"

I don't know if "Seeing Red" is a great name for this tote. This Hang-Up definitely invokes feelings of happiness, rather than anger. However, when I looked at it after it was finished that's the name that came to my mind! I love these deep red colors -- it is really beautiful! Again these are both Moda prints from their ZaZa line. So pretty!

This Hang-Up has all the bells and whistles. Check out my sidebar to see how my totes are constructed. It measures approximately 14 1/2" x 12". Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have. This hang up sells for $45 -- which includes shipping to the continental U.S. and Canada.

SOLD - "Olympic Dreams"

As a tribute to the Olympic Games, this tote was named ... "Olympic Dreams." Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love the combination of blue and white. I think it's especially pretty in this Asian themed fabric. This tote would be awesome worn next to a pair of jeans! It measures approximately 14 1/2" x 12". Check out the sidebar to find more information about my totes and please feel free to email me with any questions you may have. This hang up sells for $45 -- which includes shipping to the continental U.S. and Canada. Go for the gold USA!

Bloomin' Tuesday

Last week we were in southern California soaking up the sunshine. It's beautiful there and we had a great time, BUT I found out that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence (or the Rockies). I do believe it's actually greener in Colorado this time of year! (California does reserve bragging rights during the Winter months though -- hands down!) It was great to come home to green grass and bounteous flowers. This last week it has cooled down considerably and all the foliage has benefited from the drop in temperature and the rain storms. Our gardens look better than ever!

Today I am going to share with you some photos of my hibiscus plants. This first hibiscus plant is planted in our yard. When these plants started showing up in our nurseries a few years ago and they were labeled "Hibiscus," I didn't have much hope of them surviving the winter. I'd grown up in northern California, and even there Hibiscus plants have a hard time in the winter. But, survive it did. This perennial is a wonder. It dies back every year, but comes back each summer with these magnificent blooms. These blossoms are at least 6 inches across!

The first summer that our neighbor saw the Hibiscus plant above, he thought he would try his hand at one too. We get to enjoy his as well, because he planted it in his front yard right by our property line! These blooms are huge -- at least 10 inches across!

These next three photos are of three hibiscus plants that I potted in the late spring of this year. They won't make it through the winter, but these plants have bloomed their little hearts out all summer long. They didn't even take a breathe in their blooming cycle. Every time I look at these flowers I feel like getting out my ukulele (if I had one) and singing an Hawaiian ditty!

Go to Ms. Green Thumb Jean's to sign up to participate in Bloomin' Tuesday and to see other Bloomin' Tuesday posts!

Also, don't forget to sign up for August's Tote and Dwipe Give-Aways! Just scroll down and leave your name in a comment to participate!

August's Give-Aways!

This month we have not only one Give-Away, but two! We've got the usual Tote Give-Away, and a Dwipe Give-Away as well. Scroll down to enter each contest. Remember you have to leave a separate comment under each contest to enter them both!

August's Tote Give-Away ... "City Lights"

Oh, how I love beginning of every month! Yup, it's time once again for a Tote Give-Away! Last month I took a poll to determine the colors for this month's tote. The results came back that the majority of you wanted a classic black and white tote. (One of my favorite color combinations as well.) I hope I chose well when I picked out these two fabrics. They are Blank Quilting designs from their "City Limit" line. I just love 'em! I've given this Hang-Up the name ... "City Lights."

The August contest will run through midnight on Sunday, August 17th. Monday morning, August 18th, the winner of the contest will be announced. For this contest one name will be chosen from all those entered. The contest is open to all blogging buddies, relatives, and friends. Don't be shy!

Here are the rules of the contest:
1) The participants must live in the continental U.S. or Canada. (I will provide the postage.)
2.) Each person that makes a comment below will have her name entered in the Tote Give-Away contest. If you put a "shout out" on your blog about the contest, and come back and let me know through another comment, your name will be entered again. (Remember last month both winners had entered their names in twice!)
3.) No anonymous comments PLEASE! If you are not a friend or relative that I already know and love, please leave your name and a way for me to contact you (either an email address or the address of your blog). If I don't have any way to contact you, your name will not be eligible.
4.) This tote is not meant for resale. Only those intending to use the tote for their personal use may sign up for this contest. Thank you!

"City Lights" measures 14.5" by 12". It is fully lined, doubly interfaced, and has a reinforced fabric covered base for extra support. It sports two inside pockets and canvas straps.

Don't forget to scroll down to enter August's Dwipe Give-Away!

Dwipe Give-Away ... "Perfectly Paisley"

Life is good! We're not only having a Tote Give-Away this month, but we're throwing in a Dwipe Give-Away for good measure! Staying with the black and white theme for the month, I made this dwipe and named it -- "Perfectly Paisley." Check out my sidebar to see how my compact diaper/wipes totes are constructed. Link and keys are included on this dwipe -- you'll need to fill it with your own diapers and wipes.

The contest will run through midnight on Sunday, August 17th. Monday morning, August 18th, the winner of the contest will be announced. One name will be chosen from all those entered. The contest is open to all blogging buddies, relatives, and friends. You don't have to be a young mother to enter this contest. Anyone with little ones (grandmas, aunts, friends, etc.) in their lives are welcome to participate. Just give it to someone you love if you can't use it yourself!

Here are the rules of the contest:
1) The participants must live in the continental U.S. or Canada. (I will provide the postage.)
2.) Each person that makes a comment below will have her name entered in the dwipe give-away. If you put a "shout out" on your blog about the contest, and come back and let me know through another comment, your name will be entered again. (Remember last month both winners had entered their names in twice!)
3.) No anonymous comments PLEASE! If you are not a friend or relative that I already know and love, please leave your name and a way for me to contact you (either an email address or the address of your blog). If I don't have any way to contact you, your name will not be eligible.
4.) This dwipe is not meant for resale. Only those intending to use the tote for personal use may sign up for this contest. Thank you!

A Recommendation...

I try to keep my posts on this blog light-hearted and entertaining. Generally speaking that's how I like to roll through life. Every once and awhile though, a thought wanders through my mind that is a little more contemplative and introspective..

A few months ago, I overheard a few of my children mentioning that they had read the book, "The Last Lecture," by Randy Pausch. (Randy Pausch was a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon when he was asked to give a talk entitled "The Last Lecture." Many professors give talks titled "The Last Lecture." They are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. Randy Pausch didn't have to imagine it as his last lecture, because he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer.) Some of my children mentioned that they had even watched the lecture online. Earlier this year I had tuned into Oprah for a few seconds when she was interviewing Randy Pausch. I heard enough in those few moments to be impressed by the man. We were in St. Louis when my husband and I saw his book at Costco and decided to buy it. With the recommendation of the kids and Oprah, I figured we couldn't go wrong. This last week Jill, Mark and I went to southern California for a little vacation. I brought along the book thinking I would have a little time to relax and enjoy it. I really didn't know what to expect as I started the book. I mean, what kind of advice or wisdom does a dying man offer in his last lecture? I guess I expected something profound and insightful -- especially since the book came so highly recommended. I wasn't disappointed. What I didn't expect was the effect this book would have on me.

When I started reading the book I thought it might be filled with bold, innovative ideas. Instead I found "down-home" advice and unembellished wisdom. In this complicated world that we live in, it is so refreshing to read about principles that are profoundly simple and sensible. There's something extraordinary about a person who can look back on his life and feel content that he has realized many of his dreams, created lasting relationships, and learned from his mistakes. That is a blueprint for a successful life in my eyes. It's one that I'd like to duplicate.

I loved the portion of the book that's entitled, "It's About How to Live Your Life." In this part of the book one can find one-page, mini-chapters with headings such as, "Earnest is Better Than Hip,"Don't Complain, Just Work Harder," and "Watch What They Do, Not What They Say." This book is filled with good advice for the college student, but as we all know, truth is truth, and just as applicable for the old as it is for the young.

It wasn't until I was halfway through the book that I was told that the author had passed away a little over a week ago -- which made the reading of the book that much more poignant. I just wanted to pass on my recommendation for a book that I feel is worthy of attention and study. I love a book that prompts me to take stock of my life, inspires me to make "course corrections", and encourages me to do better. This is certainly one of those books.

Bloomin' Tuesday

Sometimes one photo says it all... Happy Bloomin' Tuesday, Friends!

To see other Bloomin' Tuesday posts or to join in the fun, go to
Ms. Green Thumb Jean's.