Wallhangings to Pillows Makeover

Cathedral Windows Pillow in Muslin with Lime and Fuchsia Print

Originally, these pillows were wallhangings with hot pink binding - now made-over into throw pillows.

Hot Pink with Dots

Lime Green with Dots

Vintage Needlework Tulips Pillow

Batik Backing

Available at SarahsQuiltsnCrafts on etsy.com.

Jade and Cream Floral Tapestry Laptop Notebook Bag

Something I've been wanting to try making ever since I got a laptop of my own is a laptop bag or sleeve. This is the result....after making a simple, more basic version/prototype. It has an exterior zippered pocket that accomodates the power cords; it's lined - with an interior pocket. It sports a vintage button and loop closure, and over the shoulder carrying straps of cotton webbing.

 

 

Jade and Cream Tapestry Laptop Bag

Fits my Compaq Notebook and Power Cords

Matching Zipper Pouch and Credit Card Purse

Zipper Pouch fits into Interior Laptop Bag Pocket. Purse fits into the Pouch

Like Russian dolls one thing fits into the other. I am actually quite pleased with the result of my venture into laptop bag making! I hope the set will find a great owner in the very near future. Available in the laptop section of  EclecticArmadillo.etsy.com . Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post, and if you know of someone who is looking for a beautiful laptop/notebook bag please consider recommending this bag! Thank you!

Moving Day

Today is moving day for me. I am leaving here permanently and temporarily moving into a friend's log home loft while she is on a trip...what's next after that remains to be seen. Some changes are easy and some are not, and some are mixed - which is pretty much the case this time. I have more "stuff" than anytime since moving to Florida 10 years ago. In fact, this is the first time in my life that I have rented a self-storage space for things I won't be needing on a daily basis. How long before the cost of the storage rent will exceed the cost of replacing the items? So that's one thing. Of all the plants I grew here I have about 36 potted plants to take with me, and two young adult cats that have been with me most of their lives. One is indoor/outdoor and the other is outdoor/indoor. The home I'm moving into temporarily already has a cat and a dog. The owner is concerned her cat will bolt and disappear when my cats arrive. I really hope not. If her pets don't get along with my cats then I will have to find another place for my cats.


And this time I really feel like I'm too old to be invited into someone's life and then shuffled off again when the other person is no longer satisfied with me - not once but twice. One for sure thing, I am ready for that part of my life to change. In all fairness, my heart's desires and innermost dreams weren't about to be fulfilled in this place either. So, it's all good.


Here's a favorite quote by Lily Tomlin: 
"Forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past."


Last but not least - for years I dreamt of one day living in a log home! However brief this stay may turn out to be, this is it!

Little Free Library

This is the most charming idea...totally something I would love to do in a less rural setting!

A Little Free Library

To participate, build your own or buy one, and so much more about this micro library visit their website: littlefreelibrary.org/


Etsy has a fascinating blog post about this miniature library, and others like it!
etsy.com/blog post

Textured Bliss Studio

One of my Cathedral Windows wallhangings has been included in this fine etsy treasury. 

Artistically curated by JCStrong Original Acyrlic Watercolor and Ink Paintings.

beautiful things you may have missed

Lovely to have my new etsy listing of a custom zafu cover included in this "beautiful things you may have missed" treasury...I like!

Curated by Maggie of englishpreserves who sells: 

Vintage Linens, Prints, Porcelain, Boxes, Home Decor

Transitions and Adventures

I haven't posted in awhile...been busy focusing on personal transitions and adventures... :-) I'll be back on a regular basis in the near future.

"Make me happy, or plan your exit strategy" is the contemporary way of saying "It's my way, or the highway" When your s.o. says those words to you (or something to that effect) one way of looking at it is to see that you are about to embark on an adventure.  Now may be the time to "Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls." ~ Joseph Campbell

"The voice within is what I'm married to. All marriage is a metaphor for that marriage. My lover is the place inside me where an honest yes and no come from. That's my true partner. It's always there. And to tell you yes when my integrity says no is to divorce that partner." ~Byron Katie

First Friday Art Walk Weekend on etsy

Oh lovely...one of my Cathedral Windows wallhangings is included in this warm and beautiful etsy treasury! A heartfelt "Thank You" to the treasury curator  Jo Ann ...a dedicated AWEteam member!

Gardening and Sewing Pics

Flannel Nine Patch Boyds Bears Baby Quilt Top (unfinished)

The nine patches were leftover from making a baby gift quilt. The polka dot and white were purchased additionally so there would be enough to make another baby quilt top - albeit scrappy.

Rooftop View of Garden 5-30-2012

Weeded all the pathways this morning, and then I decided it was a good time for a roof top view photo. One thing leads to another. While I was up there I swept down old wasp nests from under the eaves - something I've been meaning to do for a long time. And a few not so old ones, too.

Spotted...literally

Precious little fawn in our "un-yard".

Curiosities and Mischief Quilt Top

The colored fabric blocks are the latest, Spring 2012 issue of Mr. B's Preview Pack Club. The fabric was designed by Nancy Halvorsen and is called Curiosities and Mischief. 

Pieced Baby Girl Quilt Top

Close-up

I chose to intersperse white blocks and add a white border. The top looks crisp and sweet.

 Click here for information about or to join: Mr-B's-Preview-Pack-Club-
Click here for information or to order: Nancy-Halvorsen-Fabric-Benartex-Fabrics

Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity - Honoring Domestic Peacekeepers

*Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity...think about it.


~Favorite this treasury link, tweet it, blog it, facebook it...Pin your favorite items! Help small businesses in America!


~To join the Small Business USA team:
http://www.etsy.com/teams/12413/small-business-usa?ref=pr_teams

Small Business U.S.A etsy Treasury featuring Cinnamon Kitchen Decor

I love the scent, taste and color of cinnamon!

My other blog...

FYI...


Earlier this year I created another blog at http://outofutopia.blogspot.com/ for matters of an inspirational and spiritual nature. On it are a number of stand alone pages (found at the top) about things that matter to me as well, which are subject to occasional editing and revision.


This blog has been dedicated to Small Businesses in the U.S.A. (on etsy mostly), including my own "small busy-ness" activities.


Yesterday I played around with making a zafu cover with spiral quilting. Pics coming soon! Enjoy the day!

Mandala Zafu

I Spy Quilt for a Girl with Butterflies and Paisleys

Multi Colored I Spy Quilt for Girl

Pink and Green Paisley Backing

Butterflies Border

Small Businesses in the USA featuring White and Red

Some Quilty Things

Quilted Charcoal and Mint Log Cabin Pillow

Another Boy's I Spy Quilt 

Red White and Black Contemporary Quilted Placemat

Children's Quilts by Small Businesses in the USA

Small Businesses USA featuring a Variety of Handmade Bags

I Spy Quilt for a Boy

I was hoping we'd get some rain from the thunderstorm that passed through our area, but we were not so fortunate. I transplanted several of the volunteer basil plants into a separate bed this morning. On Saturday I picked 8 smallish bunches of parsley and took them to a local market to sell as part of their fundraising effort for the restoration of the Old General Store. The building also had a small post office. The exterior letter slot accomodated only a regular size envelope. It needs considerable rehabilitation but there is lots of history in that old building, and I'm delighted to see that the area people are determined to make it happen.

Firemen Heroes border print

Cars fabric for the back

Completely finished, and machine washed/dried this quilt now measures 40" W. x 46" L.