STITCHIN' CRAZY

I know that lately I have been rather pessimistic and down.  I guess it is after Christmas blues.  Just to let you know that I can finish something, here are pics of a little sachet I made recently.  It was a gift to go with a purse I sold. 

Just a little simple thing that only took a little bit to make. Maybe now I can finally get in the groove.  I am working on a pillow top that I started a long time ago. I didn't like the center part ~ a ruffled lace heart outline and a lot of ribbon work. I have gotten it out and looked at it and then put it back up. Finally I just ripped the ribbon and lace out. I had done a lot of ribbon work, but I just couldn't stand to look at it. I found a vintage pic of a lady with flowers that I had printed off on fabric and I have tacked it down and now I have decided how I will decorate it.  I am not kidding when I say I have spent a lot of time looking at it. I have an ottoman in front of my recliner (that doesn't recline any more, but it is a Lazyboy and VERY comfortable to sit and sew in). Any way I put the piece on the ottoman and left it there for the last week and just looked at it when I was reading books or watching movies w/ the hubbyman. I have finally reached a decision.  Now we will see if I can execute what I have in mind.  Here is the now pictures and I will post the after picture in a couple of days

This is only the basic stitching.  I have put a few beads on it so far, but a whole lot will follow.  While I was taking that picture I decided to photograph some finished pieces, 2 of the first crazy quilt pieces I ever did.

I don't remember why I strip pieced them. I have never been able to put them up for sale. Several people have wanted to buy both of them but I just couldn't let them go.  Funny how you can bet attached to some things. Sometimes I know there is a flaw in a piece and I want sell it.  I have a handbag like that. I made a mistake with one of the straps and turned it wrong. I guess no one would ever even notice it, but I do.  When Mother and I were sewing for shows, sometimes I would hit a piece like top stitching something, I just could not get it right. After ripping it out 3 times I made it a practice to throw it away and quit working on it, because after 3 times I would never get THAT piece right.  I would waste too much time trying to fix it and could have something else finished and ready to go in that same time.  Well that is it for tonite.
God Bless each of you.
Mary

FINALLY FIRST LAVENDER SACHETS FINISHED

Well, I finally finished a project today. I have spent 2 weeks trying to find fabrics, embellishments, stuffing, etc, etc, sewing machine, etc, etc.  My stuff is so disorganized til I could pull my hair out.  Part, no most of the problem is me - I am totally unorganized. Part of the problem is my husband helped me move stuff around after we got married.  He has NO clue about crafters, crafting, sewing etc., etc.  For my birthday Don gave me a huge sack of fresh lavender we ordered off EBAY.  It was just what I wanted, so I could go back to sewing and making pretties with lavender in them.  I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel and one of these days will take pictures of my craft room and sewing room.  It has been a journey trying to get organized where it is easier to craft and not work so hard to start crafting.  I will keep you posted on the organizing part. 

 I am pleased with the results so far.  I am happy to back at the sewing machine again. Don worries I am working too much, housecleaning, moving boxes and furniture. He does not realize yet that sitting at the sewing machine is very relaxing to me.  Making the roses, ruffling lace and eyelet, stuffing the pillows - all of it is relaxation to me. For me the listing of the items is the hard work.  Trying to decide what to say, etc., etc.
These three are just the tip of the iceburg. I have atleast a dozen more layed out ready to match up the embellishments.  That's the fun part. I have tons of vintage images I have bought on cd and collected from lots of sources.  My mother got me started on that part. I found a little journal that she had pasted Christmas cards in. It was in the cedar chest. My mother has been gone 5 yrs and she was 87 when she died.  She put her age in the book as 9 years old when she made up her little scrapbook.  I will try to photograph it one of these days.  That book started me on my collection of Christmas cards and greeting cards, pictures etc.  I would not trade any of them for anything.    Oh yes, the sisters image on the pink sachet is from Gail Schmidt at Shabby Cottage Studios. Thank you for such a pretty picture.  Want to make sure she gets credit for such a pretty picture/           

Mother instilled an appreciation of fancy things. She loved frilly, lacey things with roses and flowers on it. I am just carrying one the tradition. Both of my grandmothers felt the same love for fancy things.
Well, our weather has really cooled off and I am enjoying every bit of it. I know summer  and hot weather will come again next year, but, I am going to enjoy this cool weather no matter what the heating bills are later on.  I guess this is all for today. I hope all of you have a nice end of the month. I don't really celebrate halloween any more, it has gotten too witchy and dark.  I love fall decorations, the leaves and fall colors. Not long and the holidays will be upon us. I look forward to that.  It is my favorite time of the year.
May God Bless each and every one of you.
Mary