Long Time - No.......

I cannot believe it has been over two months since I last posted anything. I know, I know, I say that everytime I am away for over two months. And unfortunately, I don't have much to show today either. I have been extremely busy at work (this is not a complaint by any means, as jobs are being lost everyday).

We suffered a large loss (relatively speaking, of course) a couple weeks ago, when the rains from Hurricane Ike (no Tina jokes here) beat up on NW Indiana. We had about four feet of water in our basement - I was tempted to put the house on the market, and say that it included an indoor swimming pool. LOL. We are in the process of stripping our finished basement down to its studs.

Our area wasn't designated a flood zone so we weren't able to get flood insurance. We lost everything we had down there (furniture, gym, my husband's music studio, water heater, furnace etc.), but STUFF can be replaced. We are just praising the Lord that we survived this disaster. One house in a nearby town, exploded as a result of the flood waters.

I had been planning a fall/winter wardrobe, but was sort of dragging my feet. Well....since all of my fall clothes were stored and "safely" tucked away in my basement I can no longer afford to drag my feet anymore. I need all new clothes, and I have no money to buy fabrics, patterns, etc. This means I am forced to use things from my stash. I have to really get moving because the temperature here is dropping faster than Adrienne Nixon can knock out one of her cute knit dresses. In other words, it's getting cold fast.

This is what I started with: V8505

I am making every single piece at least once. They are simple, quick and easy-to-sew pieces, but with the right fabric, will make a nice fall collection. I hope to finish and post photos real soon.

My First Burda

I know! I know! I said I was going to be more consistent with my posts, and two weeks have passed since I last posted - but it wasn't my fault. I was out of town on business all of last week and I just never had the time to do anything. In fact, I was in the City of Brotherly Love and thought I would get a chance to show some love along "Fabric Row" (Elaray of Another Creation even offered to be my Fabric Tour Guide - thanks again Elaray) but alas, I was stuck at work until late into the evenings.

I began my Burda suscription over seven months ago but I kept putting off trying it because the tracing looked scary. I kept reading other people comment on how easy (or not that bad) the tracing was. So this week I finally decided to take the plunge and am using my very first Burda pattern. I tried it, and guess what? It really wasn't so bad after all. I don't know why I had been so intimidated all this time.

So here's what I making. I only needed a few of my drafting tools. And voila!

Monday Meditation

Yesterday, we studied the Book of John chapter 9 where Jesus gave sight to the man who had been born blind. When the religious leaders asked the man who opened his eyes, he told them about Jesus. They became so bothered by his response that they cast him out of the church. When Jesus heard about what happened, He went to find the man and made him "whole" through salvation. Jesus goes on to say that it was those with natural sight who were really blind.

Sometimes people will ask you about your faith, and when you share with them the Lord Jesus Christ they will often become angry and dismiss you, discredit you, and cast you out of their circles. But once our eyes have been opened to the truth we must continue to stand on our belief that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. When all others have turned their backs on us because of our faith in Christ, He will come to us and comfort us.

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? John 9:35

Staying Connected

I don't have much to report today, but I don't want to let too many days go by without posting something. I have learned that three or four days can easily turn into two months of no posts.

I was hoping to be able to show my completed living room curtains this evening but that didn't happen. I will try for Thursday night now. Today was my first day back to work after having 10 days off, so to say that I was pretty non-productive when I got home this evening is quite the understatement.

Monday Meditation

Sunday we were studying from a very familiar passage of scripture where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Here is where we read the shortest verse in the bible "Jesus wept." (If you are like me, you might remember choosing this verse everytime you were asked to recite a verse of scripture from memory in Sunday School. LOL).

But the thing I want to meditate on is the fact that Jesus learned of Lazarus's condition while he was still ill, but did not go to him until four days after he was dead. So instead of healing him of his illness, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus resurrecting Lazarus should serve as a reminder to us that no matter what has happened in our lives, no matter how dead some of our hopes and dreams may seem to be, it is never too late for the Lord to resurrect them. But just like Martha was reminded in verses 25 and 40, we must first believe that he is the resurrection.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live...John 11:25

Addition to the Family

Yes, it's true I have a brand new "baby". Weighing in at about 40 pounds and approximately 30" long she is quite an armful. I took the plunge and purchased the brand new Viking Designer Diamond. I have been wanting a Viking for quite some time and it has finally happened. This big ticket machine sews beautifully. As I post future pictures of finished projects on my blog I will point out some of the many wonderful features of this fine machine.

Isn't she just lovely?

She comes with three bags: one for presser feet, one for the embroidery unit and the large pulley bag for the machine.

One great feature of the machine is the embroidery. I made this skirt out of a light cotton and underlined it with an organza to give it enough strength to support the embroidered border. I still need to shorten the skirt, hem it and attach the lining and waistband.

I was able to complete the border around the entire skirt without the thread breaking or birdnesting one time. YAY!

Another wonderful feature is the feed teeth (Viking doesn't call them feed dogs). I had some gorgeous silk fabric in my stash that I thought would be perfect for a sheath dress, but I didn't have quite enough to cut out the dress in the traditional way. So I had to peice some scraps together (cutting against the grain) in order to get all the pieces cut. Since the fabric is a vertical stripe I ended up with two strips of horizonal stripes in the back. I needed the stripes to match up along the zipper so that the dress wouldn't be too buzy back there. I didn't have to use a walking foot or do any other tricks to get the stripes to match up because the feed teeth did such a great job of feeding the fabric through.

Needs to be hemmed and taken in at hips and shoulders.

Hand-pick stitch on the visible seam of the lapped zipper.

In order to sort of justify the purchase of the sewing machine I have decided to part with two other machines. My Brother ULT 2001 and my Singer XL5000 - If anyone is interested in purchasing either (or both) of these machines and all of their accessories just make me an offer.

It's actually all boxed up and ready to go!!!! Make me an offer.

I have lots of accessories for the Singer too - I just haven't gotten around to taken photos yet.

One last thing, I will be in Philly for one week, beginning July 13th. I will be staying in the historic district, does anyone know of any must-see fabric shops? Please advise.

New Fabric

I got my new Amy Butler fabric in the mail over the weekend. I really like it. I think it will be perfect for my Kimberly bag. I also think I have enough fabric to make a skirt too.





I have been working on a few layouts for my scrapbook and here are a couple of samples.

This is my cousin and me when we were about four years old. Check out our grown-up handbags.




I would normally include a Monday Meditation when I do a post on Monday, but it's getting pretty late, and I'm getting pretty sleepy, and I have to get up at 4:15 a.m. so I think I will post my meditation tomorrow instead. I hope you all had a great weekend and are off to good start this week.

Whew!!!

I have been extremely busy for the last few months. As I mentioned earlier I got a "huge" promotion at work and I have been in extensive training sessions. This new position will require a ginormous time commitment. But I am still very excited about the opportunity.

I know that some of you have still be checking in and seeing no activity for quite some time, but I am back now, and I really do appreciate your patience.

First off, I got a new digital camera so I am able to post some pictures. Yay! And...I have actually been doing some stuff, therefore, I have pictures ( a lot of pictures) to share.

I hosted an All-Day Craft Day at my home about a month ago. We did scrap booking, card making, crocheting, machine embroidery, machine and hand knitting, quilling, quilting and jewelry making. I thought it would be a great way to introduce some new comers to the exciting world of crafting. It turned out that everyone had a great time, and each person was addicted to scrapping by the time they left.

There was one attendee who was bitten by the sewing bug, so I am giving her lessons. I will be posting her first completed project sometime next week. Please stay tuned.

I did manage to sew a dress for myself. It just needs to be hemmed and ironed. The fabric is a painted knit. I love the colors and it's lightweight enough to wear throughout the spring a during most of the summer.

Next up, is the Kimbery Bag by Amy Butler. Is this not the cutest little bag? I ordered my fabric and it should be here shortly.

Perhaps I will make this quick, summery dress in the meantime. I will do an embroidered border and neckline instead of beads.

I think that's enough for now. Thanks again for not forgetting about me.

No Photos - No Camera

My digital camera has not been cooperating lately. But honestly, that's not the only reason I don't have any photos to post today, it's really because I don't have anything interesting to share yet. I hope to make great progress on the 4 or 5 or 20 things I'm working on.



Adrienne, if you are reading this, do you remember the date you did a list of suggested digital cameras? I need to purchase a new camera and this time I want to get a really good one. When I say really good one - I mean as good as I can get for $300 or less (I ain't trying to be all professional and what not) LOL.



Cidell (Miss Celie's Pants), if you are reading this, Thank You-Thank You-Thank You. When your blog was private I took it personally. I thought it was because I hadn't posted anything in a while so you counted me unworthy to view your blog. Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit, but I am glad to have access again.



I hope to have my new camera and some finished projects by Monday night, with my having a three-day weekend coming up and all. Until then.....

Kid's Stuff

My BFF's granddaughter absolutely adores Dora the Explorer. So I made her an overnight set for her birthday. This is a small bag with a quilted bottom and a twin/full size pillow case.

I also made a pair of simple pajamas. I still have to hem the sleeves and bottom of the top and attach the neck facing. I even made a personalized card using the motif from the fabric.

Everything fits right into the little bag so she can just grab it and go when she is spending the night at Grandma's.

Tomorrow I begin sewing for me. YAY!

All Over the Place

I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted. And sadly, I don't have much to show for my absence. I have been very busy at work - as a matter of fact I have gotten a huge promotion and will be needing to revamp my entire wardrobe. I feel a SWAP coming on!

I did finally manage to get pictures of my granddaughter in the the skirt/vest I crocheted for her and the top I sewed. You can't tell from the photos but the skirt is underlined with the same fabric used to make the top. Cute!

This is a top that I am working on. I will try to get a better picture when it's done. I did hong kong finishing on the seams since the fabric is so ravely. Brown is the main color of my upcoming SWAP.

So one day my husband comes in from work and announces that he promised his staff that he would bring them some homemade baked goods the very next day. So guess who had to whip up something really quick, on a week night no less. He said they really enjoyed it.

I attended a scrap night a couple of weeks ago, and had a wonderful time. I have now been in scrap mode ever since, but need to sort of snap out of it because I have a wardrobe to make.

There should be many pictures coming your way soon. I have a three-day weekend coming up [YAY!] I hope I can get a lot done.

I'm Here I'm Here

I can't believe it's been over three weeks since I've posted anything. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos today, but I did want to take a few minutes to send hopes of a wonderful and prosperous new year to all of you. I have been sooooo busy. Hopefully, things will slow down in the next few days and I can show some pictutes of some of the things I've been working on. Hold tight - and please don't stop check ing in on me. I will be back in full force real soon.