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.

Tuesday's Treasures ~ Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!! In honor of this holiday here are the treasures I found on Etsy today!

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Margarita Zipper Pouch

by Novelty Creations

Happy Hour Margarita Fused Glass Ornament by glassworksnorthwest

FlossieBlossoms created this clever Condiment Wallet

I have to say this one is my favorite...created by DreamsCreationArt

God bless and Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!

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!

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!!

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!!

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!!