A quick update

I haven't posted for quite some time, but have been reading all your posts. I have to say when I'm able to check out the posts it makes me smile that everyone is doing great things. I haven't done alot lately, it's been a crazy few months. We are a product of the recession and will be moving soon. I don't really like to being negative. I'm just angry about the whole situation. We all keep hearing how the banks are willing to help struggling people out. WRONG! They aren't. It's been very discouraging. That's really all I'm going to say about the situation.

I have, however, made a few things and have been asked by the local quilt shop to teach a class on the purse that I make for myself. They especially want me to focuse on the quilting and the zipper. I will be teaching the class the end of this month. I have included pictures of some of the things I've made and tried to keep myself busy with. The purse at the top is made of from the quilt shops fabric for a class sample. The little fairy totes are for my 3 yr old granddaughter. Easter gift. The Cat tote is for me (I had a xmas gift card and bought the fabric for myself).

Hoping everyone a nice weekend. I'm still looking for Spring.

Connie204

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!

I remember the blizzard of 1967, although I was much, much younger. Funny, but this time the Chicago area was warned days ahead of time and yet hundreds of cars were stranded on Lakeshore Drive for over 9 hours from yesterday afternoon til this morning. I guess that just tells me that companies and people don't believe our weather forecasters. This storm covered 43 states and 2,000 miles. WOW!

I have a 5 foot drift by my front door and won't probably get plowed out til late this afternoon or maybe even later. Fortunately, we did not lose power. This storm is now going to bring us wind chills of 40 to 50 below tonight and tomorrow. Luckily we don't have to go anywhere and the cupboards aren't bare.

The sun is finally out and the snow stopped falling. Good day to read, sew, have a good cup of tea and enjoy.

Connie204

Got my machine back

Got my machine back from being cleaned and it purrs again. So I decided to make myself sort of a check book cover holder. Although it's not for my checkbook. Years ago I bought a little plastic calendar address book from Walgreens. I stuff all sorts of things in it, pictures, coupons, etc. I also had a rubber band around it. Went every where this year looking for a new one and I guess they don't have them anymore. So I decided to make one. Better then plastic and rubber band. My Granddaughters 15th birthday is coming up and she loves hats. So I knitted her this one. I also decided I wanted a new purse and pieced and used my embroidery stitches on it. Although I will probably end up sellling it, as I really like my purses with outside pockets and this one only has a cell phone pocket on the end. So I just wanted to let everyone know that I haven't been idle. I still have two baby quilts to quilt and I still want to make myself a new purse with pockets on the outside.

Have a great weekend and for all of you football fans, it should be a good one. GO BEARS!!!!!!

Connie204

Just a Reply.

Katie, you are right I probably won't be able to find anything. Liri, I can't believe you don't have any patience. Your hand embrodiery is wonderful, that also takes alot of patience. Love, your right, I did post the Angel on APQ and the Santa.

The one thing I really miss about APQ is replying to all of you.

Connie204

Goal Accomplished!!

I actually got my three closets I wanted to clean out. The first picture is when I started the cross stitch closet. I actually was able to close my eyes and throw out a bunch of junk. I also found stuff I forgot I had.

It's all done. The three little needlepoint boxes my mother made probably 40 years ago. I still have a large box of her needlepoint.




There are 8 little Just Nan angels. I probably started making them 10 or 11 years ago. They were a yearly pattern. I have never figured out what to do with them. I always wanted to make a wall hanging for my now 15 year old GD. The others are just some of my favorite pieces.

I also finished cleaning out my sewing closet and my own closet and thank goodness the VietNam vets will be picking up three large garbage bags tomorrow. I dropped my sewing machine off on Thursday for a cleaning and hopefully it will correct some of the crooked stitches it was sewing. I can't wait to go pick it up as the quilt shop is loaded with lots of new fabric and I have a gift certificate waiting there from Xmas. Connie204

Doggie Tote

My husband's cousin was here for Thanksgiving and had asked if I could make her a tote. She is a dog groomer. Since I called my quilt shop to ask a question about bringing in my machine today, they told me to hold off til Thursday as their service man had been on vacation. So I decided to finish the tote for her. I think it turned out really well and I hope she likes it. I had bought the panel at least two years ago because I thought it was cute. I may just make a couple more for the craft show. Now off to start cleaning those closets. Connie204

A Better 2011

I want to say Happy New Year to everyone. I am hoping for a better 2011.

I have decided it time to clean out my sewing/cross stitch closet. You all have fabulous fabric stashs. I have a fabulous cross stitch stash. I have been stitching for alot longer then I have been really sewing and quilting. My Janome 6600 has been giving me a little trouble and my DH gave me a gift certificate for the Quilt shop that services the machine and hopefully will have a little left over for fabric. I do have a back up sewing machine, but I think I will take this week to clean out and figure what I have both with my cross stitch and my fabric stash. I'm known to my friends as being pretty organized. LOL So I decided it was time I did just that. Good goal for 2011. I have one UFO and will think very hard about finishing it. I started to make it for my neighbor, however, unfortunately passed before I finished it.

Hopefully, this year will be better for everyone that the recession has hurt.

I still am going to work on the craft shows, as I can't seem to find a job and it does bring in a little extra cash.

To everyone Happy New Year, I'm sure I will be seeing some wonderful projects from all of you.

Connie204