SOLD - Turquoise Medallion

Here's my new creation. I've named it Turquoise Medallion. You know, I think it was easier to come up with names for my children than it is to come up with a new name for every tote I make! Anyway, this is another Amy Butler fabric -- love it! It's deep, rich colors are so pretty. 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. Enjoy!

SOLD - California Coast

Those of you who love the California coast might have similar memories as I do of grayish fog-misted mornings surrounding beautiful flower beds -- ergo, the name for this tote! Amy Butler ensured beauty in this tote when she created the design on this fabric. I absolutely love her fabric -- the patterns are so pretty and the quality of the fabric is wonderful. My 19 year old daughter went fabric shopping with me yesterday and gave this combination a thumbs up. (It's always great when a fabric bridges the generation gap!)

This Hang Up is my larger tote and measures approximately 15 1/2" x 12". It features an outside pocket on the front of the tote. 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. A gray toned abalone shell button creates the perfect accent! 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 - Tomato Pesto!, $45

This afternoon I had a block of time, so I decided to whip out another Hang Up. My inventory (such as it is) is down to precious few, so I thought I'd better get moving! I named this tote "Tomato Pesto" because of the fresh colors that remind me of tomatoes and, you guessed it, pesto! (Can you tell I'm hungry?) I do love these Moda fabrics -- they're so fun and cheery! This tote has all the usual bells and whistles. The bag 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 little beauty is $45 -- which includes shipping to the continental U.S. and Canada. Enjoy!

Get Ready for an AUCTION !!!

SOLD - Auction closed

I'm up for trying a little something new. How about an AUCTION! I'm going to auction away my "Olive It" Hang Up valued at $45. We'll start the bidding at $20. Each bid must be in dollar increments. Please make your bid(s) in a comment below. No anonymous comments (obviously). Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you make a bid. The auction will end on Friday, July 25th at 5pm MT. We'll see how this auction goes and if it's successful (i.e."fun") I'll have to do it again! No need to advertise this on your blogs. That way the tote will go to a member of my faithful readership! ;o)

Here's a photo of "Olive It." This Hang Up has a roomy, two compartment pocket inside, a removable reinforced base, and canvas straps. The bag measures approximately 14 1/2" x 12". Scroll down to find more information about it and please feel free to email me with any questions you may have.

SOLD - Retro Flower & Fruit

When I gave a sneak peak of this fabric there were quite a few of you that mentioned that you liked this retro flower and fruit fabric! I've had a hectic week this week -- picking up daughter from college and a few other unscheduled events -- so I haven't been able to get much sewing done. It felt good to get back to it today. I do love this print. I ordered it online at Harts Fabric. They have a lot of cute retro fabrics, if you are a sewer! This Hang Up is fulling lined with the bogus "snakeskin" fabric found on the bottom of the tote. More details about my Hang Ups can be found on the sidebar to the right. This tote can be yours for $45, which includes shipping to the U.S. and Canada! Feel free to email me if you are interested in "Retro Flower & Fruit" and please post a comment any time.

Bloomin' Tuesday

In our backyard, off a large patio we have a tiered rock garden. In the middle of this flower garden resides a large locust tree. It's canopy has grown considerably over the years and now shades this entire area, so the flowers that we plant here have to be shade-lovers.

I've planted many different annuals in the first tier over the years, but the plants that have always given me the biggest punch of color are impatiens. This first tier is in the shape of a quarter-circle, so I plant the annuals in a circular motion as in the first photo below (bottom right).

This year I planted 226 (I counted!) impatiens, lobelia, alyssum, and torenias in this first area. I plant them close together, because I love the way they fill in to make beautiful, sweeping rows!

The torenia don't spread as well as the annuals above, but their cute little bloom is appealing in its own right!

The second tier of this garden is a rock garden with many perennials. This area is strikingly colorful in the Spring when all the perennials are in full bloom, but I have several perennials that bloom all summer long ... like coral bells, hostas, pansies, and lavender ... so it remains colorful through the Summer. I also plant a few annuals, like New Guinea Impatiens and coleus, in the area to give it more color in the Summer.

The third tier is a row of bright yellow lilies...

One last bloom... A couple of years ago when one of my little granddaughter was visiting, this garden was in full bloom. I placed her on one of the small stepping stones and took a snapshot. She wasn't too sure of the cold stone beneath her, but she put up with her grandma anyway. These blooms never looked so good as when this little blossom of ours was right in the middle!

I hope you've enjoyed this photo-tour of our shaded, little rock garden...

To see other Bloomin' Tuesday posts or to share your own blooms, go to Ms. Green Thumb Jeans!

Magazine Cover

Have you ever dreamed of having your home ... or your garden ... or a photograph you've taken on a Magazine Cover? Me too. Here's mine...


You can design your magazine cover at Flickr Toys! If you create one, post it on your blog and leave a comment here so we can all see it!

Bloomin' Tuesday

A few years ago I was talking with my sister, who lives in California, on the phone. We were discussing our gardens and I mentioned that the next day I was going to plant some morning glory seeds. There was a swift intake of breath on the other end of the line, and she indicated that she didn't think that was a good idea because once planted, she assured me, you can never get rid of them! She didn't realize that I had been planting them for several years already. Although morning glory is a considered a noxious weed in California (because they are such prolific reseeders and they never die back), in Colorado the morning glory can be considered a favorite annual! In late Spring/early Summer one can have many "volunteers" sprout up where they grew the year before, but if you have them in the same spot every year, like I do, one considers this a great advantage! For a number of years I've had them in my vegetable garden. I have them climb up poles and fences. They add a beautiful dash of color to the area. I love going out in my garden early in the morning and seeing their bright, shiny faces! Here are some of the blossoms I have this year and a couple of photos from years past.

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

SOLD - "Olive It!", $45

Raise your hand if you understood the play on words for the name of this tote. Hint: If you say "Olive It" just the right way, it sounds like you're saying, "I love it!" ... which I do. I know we all have our own preferences with color, design and fabric, but if I have a bias toward any particular fabric, it would have to be the Moda lines. The two fabrics in this Hang-Up are both made by Moda -- I think they are luscious! Not only does Moda produce fabric with beautiful colors and designs, but the quality of their fabric is wonderful. I love these subdued colors of olive and pink. They are heavenly together, as far as I am concerned! These fabrics are not from the same "line" of Moda fabric -- in other words they weren't necessarily meant to go together, but when I brought the top fabric home and noticed the bottom fabric already on my shelf, I knew it was a match made in (my idea of) heaven! This tote has all the usual "equipment." Please check the sidebar to see how my totes are constructed. Feel free to email me if you are interested in "Olive It!" and please feel free to post a comment any time. Shipping to the U.S. & Canada are included in the price of this tote.

SOLD - "Soft Paisley" Dwipe, $15

What are little girls made of? Sugar and Spice and everything nice. This Soft Paisley Dwipe would be perfect for that sweet little girl in your life. It's soft, subtle colors are so pretty! Just check out my sidebar to see how this little diaper/wipes tote is constructed. This one sells for $15 -- which includes shipping to the U.S. & Canada. If you're interested, please email me at the address on my sidebar! Thanks so much!

Cannot Believe It !

Sometimes I cannot believe my good fortune... or maybe it should be considered your good fortune. So far in the last few days, 20 of you have voted on what color(s) the August tote should be. It looks like it's a neck and neck tie with most of you wanting either a black and white hang up or a hang up with a mix of several bright colors. Today I received a fabric shipment that I ordered last week -- long before I had any inkling of the results of the poll. Here are three of the fabrics that I ordered. Take a look at those first two -- would they be considered "black and white" with a "mix of several bright colors." I just might be able to make both camps happy with August's Tote Give-Away!

Now, I know that the poll has not ended and, who knows, there may be a influx of ladies who would wish for a yellow or pink or green tote, so things might change. I'm quite confident that whatever color wins the poll that I have enough fabric in my stash to complete a Hang Up that will make the majority of you happy!

SOLD - "Choo Choo" Dwipe

Junior Engineers will love this Choo-Choo Dwipe. The bright, primary colors are eye catching against the black backdrop in this fabric. I have two of these available in this print. The Choo-Choo Dwipe has all the usual features. Please look at the sidebar to find out more information about my Dwipes! Feel free to email me or make a comment here if you are interested in this Dwipe! The cost is $15 which includes the cost of shipping to the U.S. and Canada.

Sold - "Anchors Away" Dwipe

Here's a Dwipe for the little sailor in your life! I love these primary colors! They are so crisp and sharp looking! This Dwipe 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. Ahoy Matie!

SOLD - "Little Buds" Dwipe

Enter the "Little Buds" Dwipe... She's awfully cute! Look on the sidebar to see how this little diaper/wipes tote is constructed. This one sells for $15 -- which includes shipping to the U.S. & Canada. If you're interested, please email me at the address on my sidebar! Thanks so much!

SOLD - "Lemons & Blooms" Dwipe, $15

I've decided Dwipes are a hot little commodity! Who knew? I can hardly keep any in stock! After raising my 7 kiddos though, their practicality is certainly not lost on me! I'm going to be making a few more Dwipes today. Here's one that I've called Lemons & Blooms! If you're interested in this one, let me know if you'd like another complimentary color for the link. I have links in all the colors that are in this fabric! Please look on my sidebar for a description of the Dwipe. Diapers and wet wipes are not included, but the cost of shipping is included in the $15 price of the Dwipe. Feel free to purchase the pattern for an additional $5. Just email me at the address on my sidebar if you're interested!

Bloomin' Tuesday

Welcome, Bloomin' Tuesdayers!

This week I'm going to share with you my flagstone patio in my backyard and the blooms that surround it. I love this area because it feels like it's tucked away in the backyard and seems a little more secluded and private. In this first photo you can see the peach tree to the side of the patio. This year we don't have any fruit (we had a late freeze), but most years that tree is resplendent with large, juicy, sweet-smelling peaches that add a sweet fragrance to the patio area. The area is bordered by the house on one side and a fence on the other, but I think the private feeling you get from the area is mainly due to the plantings surrounding the patio. Surrounding the patio are day lilies. They start blooming here the end of June and are especially pretty this time of year. I believe the variety I have is called "Renaissance." It has a spider-like blossom of dark crimson, and a splash of yellow at the center that reaches into the petals.
At the back of the patio "Jackmanni" clematis line the fence. I cut these back to about 12 inches every Fall or Spring, so they take awhile to come back every year, but I can count on them being in full swing by the 4th of July. I love clematis. They are such a hardy, reliable bloomer, and they give such fabulous color to any garden!
Also, on the patio I place a few potted plants just to add a little more color and variety.
One of the things I love about this patio is that when I'm out there I can appreciate both the flora and the fauna. We have a bird feeder hanging from the peach tree that attracts some beautiful birds like this one!
I hope you enjoyed this little tour of our patio area! Travel over to Ms. Green Thumb Jean's to sign up to participate in Bloomin' Tuesday and to see other Bloomin' Tuesday posts!

SOLD - "Walk on the Wild Side" Dwipe

Today I made two of these "Walk on the Wild Side" Dwipes. One is spoken for, but the other one is available. This "Wild" Dwipe is fully lined and interfaced. It has a boxed corner at the bottom to allow room for the storage of diapers and wipes. Attached to this Dwipe will be one baby link. (Please specify color.) You can then attach other rattles, toys, etc. to entertain the baby while he/she is being changed. (FYI: Diapers and Wet Wipes are not included.) Included in the price is the cost of shipping to the continental U.S. & Canada. You may also purchase a Dwipe pattern with complete instructions for an additional $5. However, this pattern is only available with the purchase of the Dwipe. The pattern will enable you to make as many Dwipes as you would like. With the Dwipe in hand and the detailed instructions, even the most basic sewers should be able to crank out a Dwipe! If you're interested in purchasing this Dwipe please email me at the email address on my sidebar!