Blustery Days

A Rather Blustery Day

Piglet: I don't mind the leaves that are leaving. It's the leaves that are coming.

This is such a simple statement, but a very profound one.  

It seems that I have experienced many blustery days, especially over the past several years, but like Pooh and Piglet, keep my course through and past the "leaves."

I finally did some sewing this week after a dry spell as I made a few knit skirts and matching tops for Isabella.  I have no photos as that I gave the items to her as soon as I finished them.  I will try to snap a few pics before the next newly made clothes are whisked away.  

Where did February and Part of March Go?

I cannot believe that so much time has elapsed since my last post!  I was really ill with a horrible sinus infection for the entire month of January and am still trying to get my steam back to full speed.  I have purchased some beautiful cloth for some items that I am making for my two granddaughters.  A recent trip to my Husqvarna Viking dealer resulted in buying a nice table extension for my Designer SE and a couple more specialty feet.  Now, I need to get to work and sew!  I really have not broken in the Designer SE as that my time was spent on taking care of my father 24/7 for 20 months, and then becoming caretaker of my spouse who is in early stage of a form of dementia, plus handling the responsibilities as a personal representative for my father's estate during the last 11 months.  My spouse is fairly functional, but I have to keep an eye on him just the same.  However, I am making the most of time that I can find for myself.  

Is fada an bóthar nach mbíonn casadh ann.

It is a long road that has no turning.

Irish Proverb on Life's Ups and Downs 

I Am Still Around

I finally have started feeling well enough to start sewing projects.  However, a great deal of house work is staring at me, too.  Well, today I am doing set goals in house work, and then I will initiate a sewing project.  I will try to follow this pattern daily for the rest of the week and see how it goes.

I am committed to making some doll clothes for the American Girl doll for my granddaughter.  The first is a smocked night gown and the pattern is one created by Genine Wren, which I plan to pleat and smock today.  If I am up to it, I will sew it today...but that may be put on tomorrow's agenda.

The next project will be collars for myself and my 2 granddaughters to "dress up" a bit or just for a change in looks.  I recently obtained some Simplicity patterns at Hancock Fabrics while they were 5/$5.  I have plain knit tops, in which a collar that just is worn around the neck (not attached to the garment), can be jazzed up with such an accessory.   Naturally, my older granddaughter likes the look of the animal print.  Well, off to do house work and then, to manage some sewing!

Back to Sewing

I finally completed a sewing project!  Here are two of three neck pillows that I whipped together this week.  The pink zebra striped print flannel pillow was made for my granddaughter as part of her Valentine's gift.  The butterfly pillow is for me and it's duplicate has been given to a dear friend.  If you would like to make one for yourself, go to the Sew 4 Home site.  I cannot sleep without a pillow shaped like this.  Now, I need to make a couple more in order to keep them in my car, or just use when lying back in the recliner for my daily afternoon rest.

She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. - Proverbs 31:13

Still a Day Late

It is too early for the azaleas to be blooming here.  The photo is one that I shot last spring.  However, the Chinese magnolia in the yard and most tulip trees in the area are blooming due to the unusually warm temperatures for the past few weeks.  Today, we are to get back to 70 degrees again.

I am still "a day late" in accomplishing my goals as far as sewing projects are concerned.  It is mainly due to the bout with a nasty sinus infection and to my father's medical needs.  But, mainly, because my energy level has been low lately.  No matter, I am heading to my work area when I finish this post.  

Philippians 4:13

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

Check This Out!

Tanya Whelan is an accomplished fabric, product and sewing pattern designer whose first book is now on the market.
You can purchase it by clicking here or here.

Monday Musing

Time for me to get to doing something creative!  It may be slower than I like to complete something as that I am still recuperating from my surgery.  However, there are a couple of items that were completed earlier and they need to be photographed and listed.  The smocking pleater was pulled out this past weekend and dusted off.  One goal today is to find a book of girls' smocked clothing patterns and start on a summer top or two for my two granddaughters.

E.T. Is a Favorite with My Family

I rummaged through my files (sewing cabinet) the other day and found this pattern from which I made  this costume for my son when he was in the first grade.  It is for sale on my ETSY shop and I hope that someone will use it to give a child joy, or just enjoy it as a collector's item.

The costume is still in my son's possession, and he treasures it.  I put a great deal of love into that costume.

If you are interested in this pattern, please check it out -- It is in excellent shape.

Pumpkins Abound!

These and other pumpkins made by me can be found on my ETSY shop.

If you would like duplicates of these shown, please contact me for availability (depends on availability of material).  If you would like a pumpkin made for you in a specific color or theme, do not hesitate to contact me:  I will take all requests into consideration, which really depends on whether material is obtainable or on my time restraints.

The Pumpkin Patch Is Overflowing

Visit my Etsy shop for these pumpkins.

      Click the image above for closer view.

NOTE:  I am in the process of making at least 5 more pumpkins -- Pics of

 these will be posted and will be listed for sale ASAP.

It Is Time for Pumpkins!

I am presently stitching up some soft sculptured pumpkins.  Recently, I ran across a great find at a yard sale:  a huge stash of fabrics from a quilter of 20 + years.  From this stash, and from a selected number of prints purchased by me within the last year, these pumpkins are being created.  I do not know why, but the pumpkins are one of my favorite things to make.  Keep an eye out for these on my Etsy and Artfire shops next week!

SIAMMIE on Etsy Treasury!

My SIAMMIE, one of the JellyBean Critters, has been featured on an Etsy Treasury!  I take this as a compliment.

New Labels for Cher Chic!

I received the labels that were ordered from Jennifer's Jewels and am really am excited about them!  I attached, in an email, a digital copy of a design created by me and told her as to what dimensions I wanted for my label, and viola!...here it is!  Good job, Jennifer.  If you need labels customized for you, click the hot link in this post and convo her.  Oh, by the way, my labels are iron-on, which is very convenient.  Dimensions: 5/8" tall and 1-1/2 inches long.

Clormey Is Becoming a Butterfly!

I am in the process of drafting out my own pattern for his chrysalis and wings. You can follow me on Twitter and Facebook so that you will be one of the first to receive my announcement of his grand debut as a butterfly.  

August 20:  UPDATE:  I am still working on this project as time allows.  I am not rushing this, but am sewing and reworking to get everything to where it suits me.  Stay tuned!

{In Between}

Back to the garden again.  I am still trying to figure out how to get better pictures with my camera, so bear with me.  The views here are from my desk in my bedroom, which overlooks the garden.  I tried to get a portrait of the back yard boss, a mockingbird, but he was too busy running off "invaders," including the squirrels.  


Not much was done in the garden today as that showers kept us out.  But hey, we surely need the moisture!  The plants have really grown since the rains started Sunday.


The plants in the top photo are potato plants, which my hubby is pulling soil towards them, to make the hills bigger around them, as I write.  The second photo is of okra.  I love okra!  The third photo is of the yellow crook neck summer squash and the fourth is of the pole beans and the Ichiban eggplant at the end of the row.  Between the beans and eggplant are cucumbers that should start climbing the trellis soon.


        My husband was not sure about vertical planting last year, but loved it when he discovered that he did not have to bend over to pick the green beans last year (not much, anyway).  


He is to fix another trellis row next week and we are to plant some more beans and cukes.  Staggering the planting of vegetables keeps the veggies coming through the summer.  We can grow stuff well beyond September if the weather is right.  Oh, we also want to plant sweet potatoes somewhere.  I am not sure if they will overrun the place, but we have decided to try.


I have decided to pull back on producing stuff for Etsy and concentrate on immediate needs.  However, I do need to list the JellyBean Critters that are ready. The garden is an immediate need, as well as that I intend to make some clothes for the granddaughter and a couple of shirts for my father...as well as create some more embroidery designs from my original artwork.  Hey! I see fireflies!  Summer is around the bend!

{{{ Back to Work }}}

Click on image above for larger view.

First Entry: An Introduction

Hello!  I am new to blogging and hope that it is a venture that will broaden my life.  I love children and cats.  The joy in my life is my 6 year old granddaughter.  I create things for her and her sister , other members of my family as well as for some dear friends.  

I have ventured into the world of Etsy today with a purse that is similar to one that I made for my older granddaughter for Valentine's Day.  I had enough material to create another and hope that it brings enjoyment to another child.  I have some other projects in mind that I will finish and place on Etsy for sale in the future.  I am living life and take on projects as the "whim" hits me.

I taught in the field of the Visual Arts for over 30 years and am an experienced watercolorist with paintings hanging in my home as well in other homes.  I have been involved with sewing since I was in my teens and recently became interested in machine embroidery when the first grand baby arrived.  I also brought out the pleater and made new smocked items for the grandchildren just as I did for my two children were little.  However, I gave away those smocked items to a sister, and to the daughter-in-law of a dear friend of mine when she lost everything during Hurricane Hugo.  

Regarding the smocked clothes for my two granddaughters, I also lend them to my "adopted" grandchild who is between the ages of my own granddaughters and then put the smocked articles away (when they are returned) for any future great-grands --- (In order words, I am creating a great-grandmother's chest).

Back to machine embroidery, I am continually creating new  artwork and developing designs from my artwork - I am digitizing the artwork and am learning so much in that I am manually digitizing.  I have a wonderful online mentor who is helping me in my endeavors.  Hopefully, I will put those out on the market for others use.