Kittens!

A stray cat charmed her way into my parents hearts and home and when she started to grow in size, my mom said she didn't think she needed kittens in the house. Well as you can see they are quite cozy... in a basket... under a desk... in the house.

Hawai-I like it...

In the past couple of weeks I have acquired some fabric items that I am really excited about.

To be honest, I generally do not seek out vintage fabric or items to "upcycle" but here are a couple of items that I needed in my stash...

The first photo is of a shirt that I believe was bought as a souvenir at the Falls of Clyde in Hawaii. I found it at a yard sale and the tag was still on it (no price or date on the tag, but judging by the style - at least 20+ years ago?).

The seller wanted more than I wanted to spend, so I admit that I haggled a little. I did give in to a final price when she said that the shirt was really expensive. When I gave her the money I told her that is going to make a very nice bag for someone. I could tell by her reaction that she was curious, but still holding on to the regret of purchasing such an expensive shirt oh-so-many years ago.

The second photo is vintage fabric that my husband's grandmother bought in Hawaii back in the 60's.

I saw a project that my mother-in-law was working on and complimented her on the fabric. She said it was her mother's and that since it took here this long to make something with it, why didn't I take the remaining yardage. What a treat - I can't wait to use it!

Clothespin Bags

Here's a couple of pictures of my latest project - a new set of clothespin bags.

They will all be ready in the next couple of days to help with the laundry - except for the orange guy on the upper right - he'll just eat your socks :)

Women Magazine Has Excellent Taste

I will link to the online edition when it becomes available, but for now I am posting a (mediocre) photo of my article in the Fox Cities (Wisconsin) Women Magazine. My items are the purse, wallet and mini wallets on the top and left side of the page.

On to the next...

I am finally finished with the 13 totes I have been working on. The reason I always end up making more than I really feel like finishing (I did start and finish all 13) is because I start pulling out all these colors that I must use and before I know it I cannot say no to making one for each color.

I am about to go upstairs and work on my next project, which I am looking forward to, well - that is until it is half done, then I will be ready for the next.

Out of the Way

Lindsay helped my husband unpack and assemble the new desk.

When I started getting into sewing I would make something (as in 1 thing) now and again, and since our house is small, I would set up in the dining room and clean up when the project was finished. As the projects and time sewing has increased, so did the amount of fabric, cutting implements and necessary cutting spaces, which then overflowed into the living room.

We finally decided to get a new desk and keep the computer contained to a little area of the dining room (where it will not shed treads or drop pins) and move my stuff upstairs to the now former computer room.

It is soooooooooooooooo relaxing to hang out in the living room without my projects looking at me and asking why they are not being worked on. Plus - I don't have to try to find a spot to put everything when company comes over.