Tuesday, September 23, 2008

For Andi...

Last week my DIL gave birth to our 5th grandchild.
I think the little mother deserves a gift.
What do you think?

Lots of pockets in this one for all those things that a mother
of young children has to haul around!
Hope she likes it!

Roses, Impatiens & Nasturtiums are Blooming

I've had a few late bloomers in my yard this year. I love going out into my garden and discovering a blossom that I didn't expect! With the cooler weather some plants have given up the ghost, while others have gotten their second wind and thrived. This week we have roses making a last curtain call...Impatiens that have been invigorated by the cooler, Fall weather...and Nasturtiums making their debut! (Click on photos.)

Roses making their last curtain call...

Impatiens getting their second wind...

The show stealers!

Head on over to Ms. Green Thumb Jean's for more Bloomin' Tuesday posts!

Monday, September 22, 2008

September's Tote and Dwipe Give Away Results...

I just want to say a big "Thank You" to all those who signed up for the Give-Away this month and especially to those who put a shout out on their blog! I especially appreciated all your kind words as you left your comments! I had a lot of new faces visit my blog this month (thanks to the shout outs!) and it was so fun for me to check out all your blogs and "meet" you. Please check back often to see my new creations and feel free to leave a comment. I hold a Tote and Dwipe Give-Away monthly, so I'd love to see you again! On to the results of the Give-Away.

This month's Hang Up, "Retro Fall Flowers", will find a new home at ...
Judi's from "Landing on all Fours."

The "Retro Fall Flowers" Dwipe goes to ...
Stacie from the "Arizona Benningtons."

Congratulations ladies!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Sold - Turquoise Cider

I bought this beautiful fabric this morning at a local fabric store. It's from a new line called "Cider Mill Road" by Nancy Halvorsen for Benartex. I love the soft, muted colors with the splash of turquoise toned apples! This beautiful fabric combination makes for a very versatile bag.

This tote sells for the usual price of $45 for my 14 1/2" x 12" totes. It has all the usual features. 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 of $45 includes shipping to the continental U.S. and Canada.

Berkley Alexis is here...

Mother and baby are doing beautifully. Meet "Berkley Alexis" -- a little 8 pound bundle of joy!

Sold - "Retro Flower & Fruit" Dwipe

I had some free time today and even though I had the attention span of a knat, I managed to make a few Dwipes. I love this fun, funky retro fabric. It makes for a playful, stylish Dwipe. 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!

Sold - "Autumn Bouquet" Dwipe

If you're interested in this Dwipe, just send me an email at the address on my sidebar. Please look on my sidebar for a description of my Dwipes. Diapers and wet wipes are not included ;o) , but the cost of shipping is included in the $15 price of the Dwipe.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Later that day...

(This is an update to the post below...)

Update: The rolls are out of the oven, cooling, on the rack, ready to be frosted and consumed...

Our other little bun in the oven, is not being quite as cooperative. Apparently, she thinks she needs a little more time, which results in the following scenario...

Over and over again.

:o)

I would like to make a confession. I am an event dieter. It's true. I always seem to take off the pounds a littler easier if I have an occasion looming in the distance... like a wedding. I've been pretty good lately -- it's been a slow and steady process, but a few pounds have come off and I've felt pretty good about that.

I'm afraid today I may gain it all back. You see, I am also an event eater. I tend to want to put anything and everything in my mouth and consume it when I'm nervous. My darling daughter-in-law is having their baby today. A command performance (induction) has been scheduled. I'm so excited and nervous. This is my 5th grandbaby. You'd think I would be able to control the nerves better by now, but that's not going to happen.

Anyway, I woke up this morning craving these:

and these

Fortunately, when I'm in this type of circumstance, I go into cleaning mode. I run around my house like a banshee cleaning anything and everything in site. It was only after I turned on my oven's cleaning cycle that I realized it would be difficult to make the above mentioned delicacies without an operable oven! A sweet little ploy, if you ask me. The cleaning cycle will be completed in four hours. Hopefully, by then the baby will have arrived (wishful thinking, I know) and I won't have any need for any of these goodies. If it's a long labor, I'll have to whip some up and have two or three (or six or seven).

All this rambling to ask this little favor: Please send up a little prayer on behalf of my sweet daughter-in-law and grandbaby. (Laboring women deserve all the help that is available!) I'll be sure to post a photo when the baby has arrived.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Sold - Sugar Baby

When I was about 6 years old my family was on vacation in Santa Cruz, California when I lost one of my first teeth. I was wrapping my lips around a fist full of Sugar Babies when it happened. You would think an experience like that would have made me leery of this sugary taste treat, but not so. I still love 'em.

I don't know why this memory came to mind when I was sewing up this tote, but the chocolaty brown background and lusciousness of this fabric, must have prompted such a response. This Moda fabric designed by Erin Michael has such beautiful, warm Fall colors and the pumpkin orangey color on the bottom is the perfect accompaniment!

This Hang-Up has all the usual 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 at my email address on my sidebar with any questions you may have. This Hang Up sells for $45 -- which includes shipping to the continental U.S. and Canada.


Don't forget to sign up for this month's Tote and Dwipe Give Aways! Just scroll down and add your names to the list!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Happy Bloomin' Tuesday...

I think Bloomin' Tuesdays are going to be a thing of the past in a couple of weeks for us in Colorado. Fall clean-up is happening in my garden. Out with the old, in with the new (next Spring). Thankfully, there are a lot of places in the U.S. where Spring-like weather happens all year long, so we'll be able to enjoy other's blossoms even when our soil is frozen hard as the proverbial rock! (It's 43 degrees this morning as I write this. A little chilly for this time of year, even by our standards!) Today I came up with a few choice photos of Fall flowers and colors. As much as I love the pinks and purples of Summer, my favorite colors are definitely the earthy tones of Fall. Hope you enjoy!

Make sure you scroll down to enter this month's Tote and Dwipe Give-Aways!

Head on over to Ms. Green Thumb Jean's for more Bloomin' Tuesday posts!

Monday, September 15, 2008

September Give-Away..."Retro Fall Flowers"

With the wedding looming on the horizon and a grandbaby due any day, I wasn't sure I would be able to pack in a Tote Give Away this month, but the baby isn't here yet and wedding plans are progressing nicely, so... it's time for a Give-Away!!!

This month I took a poll to determine your favorite Fall colors. The results came back that the majority of you favored the colors of pumpkin orange and dark chocolate brown. However, most of the other Fall colors had a positive showing as well. I hope this combination makes everybody happy! This fun, retro fabric has a dark chocolate brown background with bright retro flowers in all your favorite Fall colors! The Michael Miller fabric on the bottom of the Hang Up, called "Beatnik Blur" is the perfect compliment next to the retro garden!

September's contest will run through midnight on Sunday, September 21st. Monday morning, September 22nd, 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.
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!

"Retro Fall Flowers" 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.

Scroll down for the September Dwipe Give-Away!

"Retro Fall Flowers Dwipe" Give-Away

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 retro flowers and Fall color theme for the month, I made this Dwipe out of the same fabric as the tote. Check out my sidebar to see how my diaper & wipes mini-totes are constructed. The little link is included on this Dwipe, but you'll need to fill it with your own diapers and wipes.

The contest will run through midnight on Sunday, September 21st. Monday morning, September 22nd, 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.
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 Dwipe for personal use may sign up for this contest. Thank you!

Oh My Goodness....

This morning I contacted Dana at "Charmed Designs." I have a chocolate brown dress that I'm going to be wearing at the wedding festivities and I was wondering if she could use her expertise to make me a bracelet and earrings that would add some pop to that little brown dress. She worked her magic and just look what she came up with...



Don't you just LOVE it???

Sunday, September 14, 2008

The Wedding Plans Continue...

This last week was a busy one with a little bit of tote-making tucked in between wedding planning and errands. All the "big ticket" items for the wedding reception in Colorado have been planned for and arranged. Venue - Cake - Flowers - Photographer - Caterer - Invitations. All those are taken care of and now we are down to planning the "little things." These little things take a lot of time and effort to collect, but they are also the fun touches that add so much to a reception! I've been collecting some of these things this week and had almost daily deliveries from different internet sources. Baskets for the napkins, a basket for the wedding cards, and a basket for the favors. Ribbon for the cake and to wrap around the little Chinese take-out favor boxes. Candles, votive holders, rocks... Yup, it's kind of hard to justify spending money on rocks, but unless you want to while away an afternoon finding, washing, and polishing little rocks, it's easier just to buy them. :o)

The Chinese take-out boxes are one of our cutest finds. Not only are they perfect in size for favors -- only slightly larger than the votive holder next to it -- but these particular ones are embossed with a sweet little floral print! Just love 'em!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I'm in "warp speed" mode right now with the wedding planning trying to get everything organized because we have a little surprise that our family is expecting very soon! Yup, another son and his wife are expecting their baby any day now...and I do mean ANY DAY! So, when that little grandbaby arrives, this Grandma gets to drop everything, forget wedding plans temporarily, and hop on a plane to help the new mommy, daddy, big sister, and baby! Can't wait! (I'm so excited!!!!)

Friday, September 12, 2008

Sold - Sassy Sunflowers

"Sassy Sunflowers" is the perfect name for this playful, sassy Hang Up. I ordered this fabric a couple of months ago, and when it arrived I knew I wanted to save it for this Fall. Hopefully, this makes all those who favor "russet red" very happy!


This tote sells for the usual price of $45 for my 14 1/2" x 12" totes. It has all the usual features. 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 of $45 includes shipping to the continental U.S. and Canada.

Sold - Pumpkin Passion

I may have been a little off my game yesterday morning as I struggled with fabric selection, but by yesterday afternoon I think I scored a touchdown. This gorgeous tote screams "Fall!" Love it! This is for all you "pumpkin orange" fanatics -- of which I am one. :o) These Moda fabrics are so luscious and rich in color and texture.

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.

Ok, so this week I've hoped to please all the "dark chocolate" and "pumpkin orange" ladies with my two new Hang Ups. This afternoon I'm going to take on the "russet reds." This one is going to be a very unusual tote and I'm looking forward to seeing the end result. Stay tuned...

WHAT !!!!

(Refer to the post below.)
Ok, ok -- STOP!!! Enough already. I feel like such a loser. My confidence as a fabric picker-outer has been seriously compromised. It's a wonder I've sold any totes at all! My favorite choice was #3. Yup, the ONLY number that was NEVER chosen. I'm a little shaken. It may take some time to get over this. Geesh. Man alive. In need an ibuprofen, a diet Pepsi, bunches of chocolate and a bubble bath.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Help!!! You decide...

Have you ever had one of those days when you couldn't make a decision? I sat in front of my fabric this morning for far too long trying to figure out which fabrics to put together for one of my next Hang Ups. I couldn't come up with a decision for the life of me. Finally I had the brilliant idea of letting you all decide which fabrics to put together. You can thank me for narrowing it down to five choices. I even gave you an "out" (#6) just in case I've lost my touch and you don't want to hurt my feelings. ;o) I know that many more people visit this blog than comment on it, so please don't hesitate to leave a comment and a preference! Thanks for helping me out...

1.
2.3.
4.5.
6.

Sold - "Cityscape"

I made this tote last night for my mother and named it "Cityscape." She has liked all the "city" Hang Ups I've made recently, so she ordered one up for herself. This tote is my larger version and this time I made a flat pocket on the front because I thought it was the best way to show off the fabric. It's classy and chic -- just like my mom!

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Mag-nificent Giveaway!


Angie over at Leaping Thru Life is having a Mag-nificent Giveaway! She's helping out her niece's magazine fundraiser by giving away a year's subscription to a magazine of the winner's choice. Sweet! Such a great idea. Mosey on over to join the fun.

Guess which magazine I want to win?!?

Sold - Hot Chocolate Swirl

My sewing machine and I became friends once again and hung out together this morning. I couldn't wait to start working on some of my Fall-fabric Hang Ups! Here's one for all you ladies whose favorite Fall color is dark chocolate brown! This one is a beauty. Unfortunately, I can't really capture the metallic gold found in the fabric in a photograph. Frustrating. But trust me, that touch of metallic is there and it makes this fabric so beautiful and classy! Click on the photo to get an up-close look.

This Hang Up is my larger tote and measures approximately 15 1/2" x 12". It features a gathered 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 fabric-covered 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!

PS - Don't you just love that sunflower peaking through the fence. Danged if that thing isn't stealing the show!

Bloomin' Tuesday

Fall is in the air in Colorado and nipping at our heels. We have had a few days in the last week that the high temperature for the day was in the 50's. Yup. The hot days of Summer are over. I'm not entirely bothered by these turn of events. Fall is my favorite time of the year. It felt really good to be able to put on some long pants and a sweater last week. Come mid September I usually start tossing out all of my container plants and winterizing my garden. (kind of sad) By next week most of my potted plants will be a sweet memory, so this morning I went out onto my patio and took some photos of some of my favorites. Geraniums.

Geraniums are a big bang-for-your-buck kind of plant. Their bold, bright colors can illuminate any garden. They are so hardy and don't complain (much) if you ignore them on occasion. I like a plant that can take a little heat. Impatiens are beautiful, but if you forget to water them just once they shrivel up, slump down, play dead and make you think you've committed murder. Geraniums don't play those games. They are the big, bad boys of my garden and they seem to thrive regardless of my occasional inattention. That's one of the reasons I love 'em!


The following photo is proof positive that Summer is over. Frost on the windshield. Autumn is here! Bring on the Indian Corn and the Pumpkins!




To join Bloomin' Tuesday or visit more Bloomin' Tuesday posts, visit to Ms. Green Thumb Jeans!