Catching Up

Many days have passed since the last post but that doesn't mean that stuff hasn't happened.  Sometimes, though, the things that happen need to be written on the heart only.  So, that's where I've been posting lately.

I promised, however, to show progress on my son's "beer" shirt.  Here's what I've done so far:

It's cut out, anyway.  Hopefully, there will be more progress soon!

The two items I've actually completed, two purses, are hanging in the quilt shop.  They turned out very nicely and I will post pictures of them when I remember to take my camera to the shop!

Another "in-progress" project is a vest I'm making to wear at the quilt shop during the shop hop (which is Nov 6-13...I'd better get a move on!):

For the last unfinished project I'll show today (believe me, these are the tip of the iceberg!), here are the earring charms I made using my embroidery machine.  They are from Criswell Embroidery and are as cute as can be.  The Halloween ones won't become earrings in time for this year's event but there is still time for the fall-themed ones to grace someone's ears...providing I get them assembled within the next week!

Happy Fall, everyone!  Enjoy the process of making pretty things and to heck with the deadlines!

Marilyn

Marilyn is a genuine, warm, loving person who always has a big welcoming smile and good things to say.  She is a great conversationalist (and a night owl, like me) and easy-going.  She is fun and comfortable to be around.  She loves her family fiercely and makes her friends part of her family.  By the worlds' standards, Marilyn is not rich nor is she a stunning beauty.  But in the eyes of her family and friends, she is pure gold.  She is the staunchest of friends; she never backstabs or gossips.  With Marilyn, you are safe.  She is one of those people who seem almost unnoticed by those around her until she is gone...and then one realizes that she paints life's landscape with warm sunshine.  Marilyn loves to sew and quilt and craft lovely things.  She is a fellow "Pfaffie".

Marilyn is my friend and has lost her long-time battle with cancer.  Goodbye, dear friend.  You are irreplaceable.  I am so glad God brought us together as friends. 

Been Busy

Here are two totes I made for my granddaughter and her best friend.  The friend has two bearded "dragons" and so, of course, the two girls are completely captivated by anything related to dragons.  So...my new Bernina 830 has a lovely embroidery design of a dragon (I guess you can say "lovely" and "dragon" in the same sentence) which I painstakingly embroidered (each in slightly different colors) on two canvas tote bags.  These were to be for their birthdays (Oct 5 and 8) but will arrive a few days late.  Since the backs of the totes looked so blah, I embroidered their first-name initials there.  Having purchased the simple canvas totes, I decided they were too simple for such grand embroideries so I lined them with pretty Laurel Burch fabric, pink with butterflies.  I hope they enjoy them! 

I also made a set of Snap Happy purses (pattern by Stitchin' Sisters) to add to a giveaway basket.  These are fun and simple to make, and folks are always surprised to discover that the closure is made from strips of metal carpenter tape!  They can be made any size and can be used for makeup, small toys, golf tees, snacks, whatever.  These have a golf theme.  Aren't they the cutest?

I'm working on a shirt for my son, so will post progress on that project tomorrow!  Meanwhile, if you like to make handbags as much as I do, take a look at this fun blog I found tonight:   http://tinyseamstress.blogspot.com/  She is featured on today's Moda Bakeshop entry, with a tutorial on making a Monster pillow.  So cute!

 

I Won!

I participated in my very first blog hop and wound up winning Pat Sloan's giveaway!  It was fun to visit the sponsors' blogs, read some of their posts, collect their free patterns & recipes, and then leave a nice comment/thank you.  There are SO MANY talented folks out there in the blogosphere!

Anyway, back to my WINNINGS!  Here is a photo of the lovely prize that Pat is sending my way.  She has a super blog, website and radio show, designs really great patterns, holds contests, sponsors challenges...whew!  Wish I had her creative energy!