Iraqi Bundles of Love

Are you addicted to fabric and yarn and have as stash that has taken over shelves, closets and maybe entire rooms???? Here is a perfect solution ~ donate to Iraqi Bundles of Love. Please read the quote below for more information and visit the blog to learn how you can participate! This weekend I know I am going through my fabric and yarns stash and donating to this worthy cause!


Iraqi Bundles of Love — the intro « Iraqi Bundles of Love: "The general premise is this. I am in Iraq, and I can get mail through the US Postal System. Willing contributors can send to me a flat-rate box of sewing / quilting supplies, all bundled up. I’d open the box, pull out the fully-contained bundle, and hand it off (with others) to our counterparts in the Iraqi Security Forces (Army and others) or the local police, for them to distribute. Some of the bundles will also be delivered by US Soldiers. The stated intent of this operation is to put sewing and quilting and knitting supplies into the hands of two types of recipients: locals who desperately need such things, and local sewing co-ops and other small businesses who have received grants or loans (typically to purchase sewing machines, rent space, etc)."

What a big Pay It Forward this is! I know that I am blessed with more than enough. Some of my fabric and yarn has sat in bins and boxes for too long. The potential is wasted as long as it stays in that box. We take far too much for granted. Just imagine if how the recipients will feel when they open each bundle. What joy such a small gesture will bring to someone in need.

Time is limited for this project!! Please visit the IBOL blog and you will find all the information you need to obtain the address and how-to's on packing your bundle. God bless our military men and women.

LisaJHoney is Featured

I was just going through my emails and I opened my daily delivery from CraftGossip.com. To my delight at the very end was a picture that looked very familar...a member of our FFESTy family has been featured!!!

Lisa Johnson is an extremely talented artist. Her felt creations make my mouth water! Here is a sampling of her lovely work...

WE are proud to have Lisa as a member of the Facebook Fans on Etsy Street Team (FFEST) and look forward to seeing more of her faux mouth-watering creations!!

Watch Out ~ There's a New Team In Town!!

Just about a month ago, I started a thread in the Etsy forums to gain my Facebook Fans for my Etsy shop's fan page. Little did I know that 68 pages and 668 posts later the thread would still be alive and well. Please visit the thread if you are looking for people to fan your page. This all lead to a discussion on Facebook about forming a team. One little comment began to snowball until....

Facebook Fans on Etsy Street Team (FFEST)was born!!

I must thank the following wonderful people that went above and beyond the call of duty to see this through!

Missy of Miss Moose Designs

Heather of aktie9

Cheryl of CherylsPurpleCow

Angela of Amievoltaire

Talina of RipperArts

Vickie ~ leader of the Etsy Twitter Team and shop owner of InMyHeadStudios

And there are others I will save for another post. Please stop by these shops!! Also, look for the tag, FFEST, to find other Facebook Fans on Etsy.

Rag Quilts are Fun!!

First thing I must do is apologize for the photography. I took these pictures with my cell phone before leaving for work this morning. With that said - on to my post for today.

I have been intrigued by rag quilting. I searched around the internet and most of what I found said it was easy, fast and fun. I decided to try it. I bought various black/white fat quarters and some fabric for the back and began to make a small quilt for my daughter. She always gets my first attempts at anything. I must say it was so easy and fast!! I made it in one weekend! While it isn't perfect, rag quilting is quite forgiving =) Like I said at the start ~ the picture quality isn't the best but here is the result of my labor...

Last night, I had some time and decided to make a tote. There are things I will change next time around but overall I like it. It still needs to go through the wash.

This technique has my creativity on overdrive! As you can imagine...there will be more things to come. So many different ways I can use this! I really enjoy the simplicity of the rag quilting. The wheels are turning! Stay tuned!!

I hope you enjoy many blessings today! God is good indeed!

No Title - Just Thoughts

I looked over my list and I did get the rag quilt about 90% finished. Right now I am clipping the raw edges and then it will go into the washer. My daughter is so excited. My initial attempts at anything new are usually for her. This quilt is in black and white printed fabrics to go wth her black and white and yellow room. I will post the final product whatever happens. Keep you fingers crossed it turns out like it should!!

Since I started working on the quilt, I didn't do much more on my list. I did go grocery shopping and went to church. We didn't get the workout in. On Saturday, our Curves closes at Noon. Emily started voice lessons on Saturday morning and we slept in just a bit too long! Hubby did a good chunk of the laundry on Friday afternoon. It rained on Sunday so no gardening. I didn't touch the computer so no pics of the latest batch of key fobs and the paper is still needing to be organized.

Hopefully this week I will be able to finish the quilt and at least get started on the paperwork.

This weekend wasn't a total loss. My daughter decided to join me in my craft room and I do believe she received the crafting gene!! She started out making some hemp bracelets and necklaces and then decided to attempt earrings. I don't do earrings very well but she is a pro!! She now wants to sell them ~ go figure!! Below is a pair she made for me. I took the pic with a camera phone so the quality is lacking. Large silver bead is actually a ladybug. Quite impressive.

I am thinking about adding a folder to my shop titled "Emily's Earring Boutique" to see if they sell. Eventually, we will work on getting her a shop of her own. Mama is soooo proud!

The weekend didn't follow my plan but blessings abounded and I am thankful that I had some beautiful quality time with my daughter...that doesn't happen often with teenagers!!

I hope you are enjoyed a blessed beginning to a new week. Make it an awesome day!!

God bless!

Weekends

I love the weekends. I always come up with more than I can accomplish on my to-do list. Here is what I have planned:

• workout with daughter on Saturday morning
• grocery shopping
• take my first stab at a rag quilt
• get pictures of my latest mini key fobs
• go to church
• move some daffodils from the shady side of the house
• laundry
• organize paperwork

Not too long of a list, I think. Hopefully, I will get a good chunk of this done. I really want to take my first try at a rag quilt. I have never quilted before and from everything I have been told and I have found on the internet (got to heart google!) it is one of the best ways to begin. I was going to start last night but once we got home from working out, I was tired to start something brand new.

Dinner for Saturday will be easy peasy!! I bought a rump roast on sale last week and cooked all day in the crockpot. I shredded it and put it in the freezer. I am going to take it out and put it back in the crockpot with some seasoning and bbq sauce and some secret ingredients and have shredded beef for dinner!

I am looking forward to more time at home this weekend and to getting some big and small projects completed. I hope you have your list and are ready to tackle some projects too!

God bless and make it an awesome day!

Etsy Blogger of the Month - Two Zany Zebras

I must confess that I didn't know much about Two Zany Zebras before she was named this month featured Etsyblogger. I began by going to her blog to see what she was all about. What a fun blog!! She has such a great sense of humor and I laughed out loud as I read more than one post. I am now one of her followers. Some of her observations seem like they came from my life!!

She has fun and colorful items for kids in her shop on Etsy. The home of the Zarkles! I challenge you NOT to smile as you look through her items. Here is a sampling of what makes her shop so special!

A group of very colorful Zarkles!
Zany Pocket Blankie with Ginger Zarkle

Zany Karate Kid Cuddle Blanie and Onsie

All Eyes On You Super Zany Blankie

This talented etsyblogger has a knack for bright and colorful items. She has been on Etsy for one year and I would like to wish her many more successful years doing the zany thing that she does!!

God bless!

Woohoo!!! New Listings!!!

I finally managed to get new items listed in my shop! I spent today at home with a heating pad on my back. I was moving a desk in my craft room and I must have done a little too much. I went to work yesterday when I shouldn't have so today it was much worse. I found that I could sit at the computer with the heating pad so I was able to work on my etsy shop at last!! Here is the new batch of items listed today.

I am not the greatest photographer but at least they are listed. I hope you like them! Stop by the shop and check out all my items!

I guess having an aching back and taking a sick day had a silver lining...what a blessing!!

Catching Up

It has been forever since I posted on my blog. I really need to get back at it! There has been a number of things keeping me busy. First my sweet little furbaby has been ill. Max has had a fever of unknown origin for over two weeks. We have been to the vet a number of times, he is on antibiotics and aspirin and he seems to finally be turning the corner and getting better. I am keeping my fingers crossed...hoping this time will be the time he finally breaks the fever and gets back to be his playful self. I hate seeing him so sad and lethargic. This morning his temp was down and he ate his normal breakfast. Things might just be looking up!!

This is my Max!!

The second thing that has occupied lots of my time is a show ~ Nunsense! My church put on the show over Valentine's Day weekend. I played Sister Robert Anne.

You just gotta love the sneakers with the boa!! She was tons of fun to play! Here is the chorus line of the Little Sisters of Hoboken. I am in the middle.

I had a blast and I got to share the stage with some talented gals!! The audiences were great. They laughed and cheered and made us feel great. I think it was about the most fun I ever had on stage. I am sad it is over but I am already on to my next project.

I am producing a show at Buck Creek Playhouse. It is Dancing at Lughnasa. It is set in Ireland in the 1930's. Meryl Streep played in the movie version. We have a crazy talented cast and the show just gets better with every rehearsal. I spent most of yesterday painting the set. Today I feel like a truck ran over me!! It is kind of nice being behind the scenes this time. It is incredible watching all the pieces of the show come together. I will post pics when I get them.

With all that said, I actually managed to spend time in my craft room!! I made a make up bag and some key fobs that will soon be in my shop. I used to share the room with my husband's drum set which left little room to work in. I am happy to say the drum set has been sold and the room is all mine. I am looking to paint and rework where I have my furniture placed. That is for another day. Right now I want to catch up on the blogs I have missed.

Yo-Yo So Crazy

As I have posted here before, I am a novice at sewing. I go in my craft room from time to time and attempt to make some items I can possibly feel good about selling in my shop. Still nothing in the shop has come from my sewing machine. My daughter has gotten a few of my practice items but I knew there was still room for improvement.

I wrote about a creation I came up with called the Fat-Bottomed Zipper Pouch. My goal is to get some made and in my shop. Having a snow day yesterday got me a great start! I have ten pouches all cut, interfaced and ready to assemble once I get more zippers. That leads me to yo-yos...

I have a basket where I have some scraps and notions for sewing. I hadn't been in the craft room to work since before the holidays. As I was digging through my stuff I found this...

I had forgotten I had bought it on a whim when I was craft shopping months ago. That got me thinking...a very dangerous situation!!! I decided I would figure how this little beauty works and see if I, novice sewer that I am, can indeed make a yo-yo. This is marvelous and extemely easy to use. I gathered up my scraps and needle, thread and scissors and headed to the couch to watch tv and see if I could become a yo-yo master.

Two hours later I had twenty lovely little yo-yos in front of me and my brain filled with dreams of embellishing everything that didn't move...oh the creative juices are flowing once again. I can't wait to hit the fabric store to get some different sizes...the possibilities are endless!!!

What is your favorite sewing/crafting gadget?

My blessing for today is the gadget above...using has helped my creativity to come alive once again!

God bless!!

Mondays

It is Monday morning and I am exhausted! Busy, busy weekend ~ but all went well. Last night the concert was amazing!! I am struggling to find some Monday motivation. I am faced with a list of items to do at work and I am so not motivated! Hopefully, with a cup of tea and diving in, all will get done.

I didn't craft at all this weekend ~ maybe that is why I am feeling a bit low. I always feel so much better when I have touched my creative side. There is such a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when I complete a project. I really want to begin working on some Christmas gifts for the friends that bless my life. Thankfully, this week looks like I have two evenings I can do just that.

I am excited about a sewing project I have. I am calling it the "Fat quarter Fat bottom make up bag". I made one for my daughter (she always gets my first try at a new project). Then I made one for me with some improvements like a pocket inside the bag. It has a zippered closure and fits all my make up. Most bags are just too darn skinny and I can never close them. This just might be the first sewing item I will put in my etsy shop. I will get a picture and post it soon...sometime tonight I hope.

I am truly blessed!

~Music - such a blessing to be a part of a congregation that is soooo talented!

~Family - they can be quirky but I love them!

~Christmas - just the fact that we can celebrate any way we choose is a blessing!

Let me leave you with an etsyblogger team member, Tulips Treasure Box, and her amazing necklaces....check out the listing here

God bless you all!!

Moving Forward

I feel like I can finally move forward. Turkey day is coming and I have a 5 1/2 day weekend!! We close at Noon tomorrow and I took Monday off. Time for me to get busy!! I need to catch up with all my Etsyblogger friends. I have items that need to get in my shop. And, I need to dust off the Christmas decorations!

Last night, I finally spent time in my craft room with my sewing machine. I made two sets of coasters. Not totally perfect but I may just put them in my shop. One is for everyday and the other is holiday themed.

I finally finished the baby afghan...I will post a picture later this week. I just need to weave in some ends and do some trimming and it will be ready to hand over to my friend.

I feel like the holidays have crept up fast this year. I turned around and it is almost December.

Hope all is well with all of you...I need to get back on the Etsyblogger team track and get some posting done.

Blessings...

~busy hands...

~holidays with family

~fun fabric

God bless!!

A Bloggy Promise

I promise to take some pictures tonight of my latest sewing attempts....cross my heart!! And I will rush right over to the computer and get them posted on my blog!!! First I need to finish my day at the office...come on 4:30...then pick up our Friday night pizza from this yummy pizzeria called "Pizza Doughmain" It is the closest thing we have found here in Indiana to the pizza we used to get at the Jersey shore. A bit of an indulgence on the diet front but we don't splurge too much anymore...who can afford it these days. I will let you know when I have some pictures posted!!

Sewing Away!!

I do believe that sewing is becoming my new crafting addiction! I spent Tuesday and Wednesday nights sitting at my sewing machine working on simple tote patterns. I broke two needles, messed with the tension, sewed up the wrong side, managed to work with the zipper foot, fixed a sweatshirt for my daughter, and ripped out a number of seams =) I am getting better…believe me. I actually made a mini tote that I gave to a co-worker today for her birthday. She loved it…it was the perfect size for her lunch!

Now that I am inspired to sew and create I headed off to the fabric/craft store on my lunch hour. I found some lovely fabrics in the remnants bin. One is soft paisley corduroy that looks like it will be fun to work with. I also bought some batting…my co-worker gave me some tips on quilting I might try this weekend if I get up enough courage. I also embellished some cloth diapers for burp cloths. Not perfect but I think I am on the road to getting some items in my shop.

I also have to work on some bracelets. I haven’t touched my beads in weeks. I want to get some holiday inspired items together. And there are a couple of paper projects I have been dying to try. Not enough hours in the day. Isn’t that always the way?

Right now the trainings are finished until the end of the month which should mean things are quieter at work. I finally had some time to organize my stack of papers and filing. I feel like I have a better handle on things. At home I need to get on the computer to download some of the pictures I have taken of my sewing attempts. I will only post them if you promise not to laugh!!

I need to count my blessings…I haven’t done so in a while. Let me see…

…learning something new! ~ I never thought I would enjoy sitting at my sewing machine as much as I do!

…fabric remnants and fat quarters ~ so many choices so little time!!

…my hubby and daughter ~ they are very complementary when I emerge from my craft room with a newly sewn item!!

God bless you all…I will venture around to your blogs sometime soon!!

A Sew Sew Weekend

This weekend I was determined to get some practice sewing in and, boy, did I ever? I headed off to the fabric store for some supplies after searching the net for some easy projects. I am getting more comfortable with my sewing machine and my seams are getting straighter. I had some tension issues but I did what my manual said and the problem was fixed in a jiffy. I even brought one of my projects to work to show my co-worker who sews and she was impressed. That definitely gave me a boost of confidence. I am not up to selling my items on etsy yet...but practice makes perfect! That was how I taught myself to crochet!

Another thing I did this weekend was head to the local library and straight to the section with the crafting books. I could spend hours just going through the books. I ended up bring home ten books on beading, crochet and sewing and one script for an audition in January!

Today at lunch I headed over to Half Priced Books and picked up a sewing and a rubber stamping book. If I don't like them I will just sell them back to the store. Both books look like they had some helpful hints in them. Hopefully, I will get a chance to look them over tonight.

I didn't spend much time online this weekend because I was buried in sewing books and fat quarters. I definitely need to catch with everyone. I need to get my etsyblogger posts together. I also need to get some pictures of my latest creations!! It gets dark too early now to take them outside...I have to find another option.

God bless you all!!! I need to get back to work!

Random Thoughts

I really have no idea what I want to blog about so I will begin and see where this leads me.

My first thought is my bloggy friends! Isn't it interesting that I feel so close to you all and we have never met? What a blessing it is to have the ability to get to know people from all over the world that we would have never communicated with without the internet! Each morning after reading my emails, my next step is to check the blogs I follow and catch up on everyone's blogs. When I am unable to do that (especially when work gets in the way! Imagine that!) I feel like I have missed something that day. It is hard to put into words what a blessing this is to me. I have even got in touch with a "real-live" friend through etsy and blogging! Vicki is so special and she has two beautiful daughters! She lives in the same town as my mother and I never seem to get back there as much as I would like. The internet has made it possible to keep up on the happenings in her family's life.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a meet-up? I just want to give hugs to those that have been reading my humble thoughts and made comments. I wish there was some simple way to make it happen. Just another random thought!

I am loving Fall!!! The leaves are really showing off ~ this morning driving in there was more yellow, red and orange than even yesterday. My husband got out some of our Halloween decorations for the yard over the weekend and I have a happy not-so-scary scarecrow welcoming visitors by the front door. The chill in the air each morning is so invigorating! This weekend here in Indy we are expecting a warm-up to the low 80s. For now, it is wonderful to have the windows open with a gentle breeze blowing through the house.

I get so inspired by my friends that sew. I really want to be able to make some of the lovely items I see. After this weekend, the show will be over and I will be able to concentrate more on all my crafts. Right now I am searching the internet for easy projects that involve the most basic skills. I look at the beautiful things that involve zippers and such and I can only hope I will be able to master more difficult skills. The thought of even attempting a quilt makes me nervous. I can only hope that someday I will have the courage to dive in and make something resembling a quilt.

Enough randomness for today...make it an awesome day!!

Blessings...

blogs ~ I love reading all about my new friends

cool weather ~ just seems to make everything crisp and clean

crafting inspiration ~ it comes from the most interesting places!

Very inspiring Woolly Bear Button Scarflette

from the Etsy shop of the very talented LazyTCrochet!!

God bless!

Thinking on Thursday About the Weekend

One more day until the weekend. I have got to start planning it out. Thankfully, there is no rehearsal on Friday or Saturday. Saturday night I have committed to working at a different theater running the house. Friday night was supposed to be "me" time but my daughter is not spending the night at her friends. It is time to regroup and reorganize my time. I have a list of things I need to do

Laundry

Clean

Shop for Groceries

Cook Dinner

More Laundry

Church

Then there is the list of things I really, really want to do, really!

Crochet

Sew - try out some new easy tutorials I found online

Work on Some Bracelets

Try some misc. tutorials I found online

Take pictures of items for my shop

Post my items in my shop

Hmmmm! My want to's are much more fun! Friday night was supposed to be a trip to Irish Fest in downtown Indy. Now the dd is going to be home, I will be forgoing the festival. Just as well, I will be able to get done some "have to's" .

Sew Fun!

My new goal is to learn how to sew. This is an ability I didn't think I could master. Then I was blessed to receive "The Machine!"

At first, I just stared at it. Hmmmm...what is a crafter to do when presented with such a thing? First, I plugged it in! After sitting idle for ten years before coming into my life, it still works! Okay, now for the next step...threading The Machine. I remember my mother's old sewing machine and the complexity of threading the machine, getting the tension correct, etc. I looked at the manual and thought "could it be THAT easy?" It was!! What next? I would try to sew!

I had some fabric from a decoupage project so I went for it. I set the foot down and push lightly on the pedal and......the needle went up and down but the fabric didn't move. Now, I was challenged to figure this out. I took the manual, went over and over it. After about 45 minutes passed, I finally got it! Change the length of the stitch and VOILA!!!!! I had sewn a straight line.

Now I was motivated with a capital M!!! A couple trips to the fabric store.

It was time to get creative! I found a simple pattern online and I was off. Here is the fruit of my labor. TISSUE COVERS!!!!

All of you sewing experts may not be impressed but I am very impressed with myself! I actually created something with a sewing machine. Now, I was starting to build up some confidence and I found a pattern that was just a bit more complicated. Here is the finished product...A CELL PHONE CASE!!

Now, I will not profess it was easy and everything went perfectly but...I did it!! It is lined with coordinating green fabric. It turned out just a bit bigger than it was supposed to but for my first complex (well, complex for me) pattern, I think it came out looking pretty good. Then inspiration struck and I made a matching tissue cover!

Of course, I had to get a "real" pattern. That chapter won't be written until the weekend. I can't wait to get my machine running again! My mind is full of so many things I want to try. I have a couple of books on hold at the library that might help. I will share my creations as I complete them. Wish me luck!

Remember to count your blessings! God is good indeed!

Welcome September!

I love this time of year! September brings with it changes in temperatures and changes in scenery. I can't wait to see how Mother Nature paints her canvas of trees this year. I love how the mornings begin to have a bit of a chill and there is an anticipation and preparations for the celebrations to come.

This long weekend signals that end of summertime and marks the time to get ready for Autumn. I can't wait for the first glass of fresh apple cider from the orchard and a slice of pumpkin pie with a cup of spiced tea. This is my favorite time of year.

This weekend was productive in some ways and in other ways not. I did get some great fabrics at the craft store and spent the better part of the weekend in my craft room attempting to make various projects. I can now proudly say I have mastered the straight seam! I am feeling much more comfortable with the the sewing process but I know I have tons to learn.

I purchased a pattern! The lovely lady at the fabric store took pity on me and helped me with the items I needed to complete this project. There are a few details I need to research before diving in and beginning the creation! I will keep you posted.

I did work on the project mentioned in the post below. I have it completed and I will post a picture on my blog tonight for sure! I love how it turned out and I have another that needs to be assembled in tan and turquoise. This project worked up so quickly. I love things that take little time. I can lose patience with projects that take too long to complete.

I fiddled around with sewing so much this weekend that I only got on the computer once for a total of five minutes to check my email. I posted nothing new in my shop. Shame on me! I need to get busy! How can I make a sale when I am not working on my shop?

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and for those in Gustav's path, I pray you remain safe and return home soon!

Count your blessings!!! God is good indeed!

New Project

I have been busy working with a new pattern. Of course I have to put my on spin on it! Here is the work in progress.

I should have it finished and in the shop this weekend. I am calling it my Go Green ~ In the Pink Tote. The different pieces worked up quickly so it may become a favorite pattern (if I can sell it!) I am still considering how to embellish it...I don't know if I like the sample shown with the pattern so I might get creative and do something else. Time will tell. I have crocheted it with 100% cotton yarn. I love working with cotton! I keep trying to pick up other yarns but I always go back to cotton. I love making the cotton sponges and dishcloths. I have about a dozen or so finished and ready for the shop. I may put them in coordinating pairs or a sponge and cloth together.


I will be heading out to the craft stores in search of some buttons. I have bibs that need buttons. There are a number of ladies both at work and church that are expecting and I need to get the bibs complete before the babies begin to arrive! I also want to get some in the shop.


This weekend is also going to be sewing project time!! I think I am ready to try and create some small items. I have found a few ideas online that don't require tons of experience. I figure I will start small and see how I do. If you have any suggestions on easy projects to sew I would appreciate the help. Email me at glorybe1024 @ comcast.net (without the spaces, of course!) There are so many things I want to do...I hope I have enough time this weekend!


Thank goodness we will have a three day weekend!! I am so looking forward to that. I want to get chores etc done by noon on Saturday so that the rest of the time I can spend in my craft room. That means getting up early! I don't mind...I would much rather get the have-to's out of the way then I get to do my want-to's!!!

Tomorrow is Friday! Yippee ~ it seems this week has not moved very quickly. I hope that work will let us out early tomorrow. Usually on three day weekends they let us off around 3pm. It is so nice to get home before the traffic begins to snarl.

Thanks for reading my ramblings....God bless you and yours. Remember to count your blessings today because you are richer than you think! God is good indeed!