Styling your self!

I had more tote and zipper bags to make & deliver in MB (by special order), here are pics of them... I LOVE this set & have the same fabric in my stash for a lap quilt (one of these days Jeanne!).  This Christmas Set was her favorite she said... (and she now has 4 sets! LOL).... This tote was for my dear friend Susan who LOVES blue.  It is very pretty in person! And last fall I ran across this fabric in Susan's fabric stash that she was purging.  I had to use it to make a zipper bag for our friend Char.  ;-)  Now Char is the proud owner of a one of a kind construction worker zipper bag to carry her stitching projects in.  She hooted with laughter when I gave it to her & I do believe she slept with it on the pillow next to her each night...  (I so wish she had a blog! LOL) And now for a SUPER simple project......  This little "ort bucket" is just the cutest idea, and if you want one but don't want to stitch something over...

I have been so busy the entire month of October, but especially the past two weeks, that I hardly know which end is up.  It was LOTS of fun though...... We've been to a couple of shows, Franc D'Ambrosio and Pam Tillis.  Yes, VERY different but both VERY good!  We were also hosting the 14th Annual Cross Stitch Pals "Stitching at the Beach", which was great fun.  I only  have a few pics from the retreat, but I do have pics of the things I stitched/made to exchange and the things I brought home in return.  I will share those with you in a later post. First I want to share with you a few I've made for Halloween since Halloween is tomorrow.  These have been finished for several weeks, but I haven't had time to post anything to my blog. Remember the post several weeks ago where you only saw bits of Halloween Fabrics?  Well, this is what they were, halloween project bags.   I used my GO! Baby and the new Halloween die for the cat ...

I just realized I never posted the "Santa Sack" that I sent to Carol last month..... I know Carol loves polka dots, so when I started looking for a Christmas fabric, I found the polka dot fabric in this line (Christmas Candy by Riley Blake Designs) & went from there.  I think it's pretty cute if I do say so myself.  I made the pattern up as I went along, very simple but I still think it's cute.  It's lined with the polka dots too.  Just thought I'd share....  :-)

Carol sent me another tote bag as the first wasn't "big enough" to hold everything (her words, not mine!), she's so generous!  Isn't this cute?  And she made the pattern up, she did a great job.  I especially love the buttons sewn around the top of the bag - love buttons and these are the perfect touch!  And tied to that candy cane package is an adorable peppermint tape measure!!  Don't you love it?  Thank you again Carol - it's getting harder now to wait to open the pkgs, but I will do my best....  ;-) I have been busy sewing, stitching a bit & trying to get ready for the retreat that's coming really quickly.  Looking forward to it, but have so much to do!  I'm going to try & share pictures of some of the things I've made - maybe later today.  Check back soon.... Have a great day & happy stitching & sewing!!

Stitching at the Beach 2011 One month - and counting.... wooohooo!!! Guess who will be joining us????  :-) :-) :-) Paulette AND Tanya AND Marie of Blackberry Lane Designs Don't you want to join us too?  :-)

I have been stitching - FINALLY!  I went to the eye doc (again & again) and this past Thursday he put a contact in my left (and "new") eye for me to see close up!  NOW I can see to stitch, sew, and anything else close up.  The only issue is then that I can't see a thing past 5 or 6 feet.  Oh well, I'm not going to complain about that - it's much better to be able to see the computer screen, my stitching & sewing, my food, etc. than seeing the TV or a car driving by! ;-)  All I have to do is take the contact out & then I can see at a distance.  Amazing how ridiculous all of this has been really.....  but I'm happy at the moment, so we'll leave it at that for now.  I have been stitching and sewing a little - this is parts 1 & 2 of the MSAL going on from dear Carol at iStitch - she's so talented & I love so many of her samplers.  I have parts 3 & 4 done now too - will update with a new picture later.  :-)...

I'm in the Santa Sack Swap 2  that's being run by Carol at Carol's Crafty Creations (she's SO talented!) and Carol & I are partners (woohooo!).  If the  "sack" looks familiar, it's because it's her blog button that you see in my sidebar.  Now let me tell you, the "sack" is more cute in person than in the pics, and that's saying a lot.  :-)  My sister thinks I should use it as a Christmas purse & she's right, it's perfect for that!!  Problem is, we're supposed to leave all the wrapped gifts in it until we open them at Christmas.  Hmmm.... I think I can leave the gifts wrapped until then (though it won't be easy and my sister swears I can't do it! LOL) but I think I might just have to put them in something else, because that "sack" purse is going to be going with me when I go Christmas shopping and anywhere else! Do you ever find it hard to follow the rules too?  lol  Thank you again Carol - LOV...