Happy New Year

Reflecting back on this past year...wow, seems like it was January 2009 only yesterday.

*I taught some sewing classes, took some sewing classes and made a ton of tote bags, purses and quilts for us and many other people.
*My husband joined me in the retirement ranks....that took some getting used to, but we are in the hang of it now.
*We moved our son and daughter to different homes.
*We had several yard sales because of all these moves :-)
*We have watched our grandsons grow another year older and all the funny things they say to us each and every day.
*We enjoyed family times....Mother's day with grandma Betty, the winter months with mom and Richard, the boys birthdays, weddings and births of friends.
*We finally got the New/Old truck (1957 Chev Pickup) out of the body shop and on the road.
*We went to Maggie Valley in October to see the beautiful leaves and visit friends.
*We celebrated the life of Great Grandma Betty who passed peacefully in December. We were surrounded by friends.....some we don't get to see all that much, but we know they are always there.

2009 is in our past and I will cherish the good memories...

I think I will use EXPLORE (investigate, discover and examine) as my word for 2010. With both of us being retired now, we plan to explore parts of Florida that we have never seen.

I would also like to take this time to thank you for visiting me here and showing an interest in what I have to share.

Thank you for all of your kind words & comments. You lift me up, you motivate me, YOU, my friends, inspire me.

A from-the-bottom-of-my-heart kind of thank you. For stopping by, for being there, for your support and for your genuine kindness.

Happy New Year...Happy 2010....may this year bring you health, wealth, friendship, peace and most of all LOVE.

Teresa

Birthday Present

Okay...she just picked up the quilt. Michelle expressed a desire for the batik quilt about a year ago and even helped me pick some of the fabrics. I am sure she figured this was just one of those projects that would end up in my closet. I decided it should be for her birthday and I have worked on it for over a month, but feaverishly the last few days to finish it up.



















She seemed so thrilled with the finished product, which makes it all worth it.

The picture on the left is of the front, and the back (on right) is just as cool.

Happy Birthday Michelle

Thirty one years ago today, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who has matured into a beautiful lady.

Happy Birthday Michelle.....we LOVE you.

Mom and Dad

Gator Quilt

Oh how I love to make t-shirt quilts and rather proud of how this one turned out. A good friend of mine asked me to make this one for her son...can't wait to hear how it was received.

Girlie Gators love Pink

Two very special ladies received these cute purses for Christmas this year....a special order from their lovely Mom. So glad you liked them Jaimee and Kenz :-)

Family Heirlooms

Quilts are sooooo comforting







I have been working on this quilt for almost a year now (off and on). The trees are several different green fabrics and the background is tons of black/white different fabrics. The christmas light border was hand appliqued and entire quilt was machine quilted due to time restraints (normally hand quilt), but love how it turned out.

Hoping this quilt will become a treasured heirloom to my family as the bed is to me. My grandfather gave this bed to my grandmother for a wedding gift almost 80 years ago.

Awwwww.....the memories.

Teresa

Decorations and Memories

Yes, the decorations are all set, the gifts are "almost" all wrapped, the menu is set, the grocery shopping mostly done and the baking is about to begin :-)

I took a few moments this morning to reflect on Christmas' past and some of the handmade decorations that I have made over the years.

The ceramic Santa has been a part of my decorations for almost 40 years....way back in the day, we would go to ceramics classes.
All of the wooden Santas were made as a series. I always particpated in a craft fair at Pasadena Church and each year I would present a new Santa. Was so much fun creating them and the best part was getting to spend an entire day with such lovely people, especially my daughter who would come to help me and also friends who came to help man my table as well.

Memories, creations and friendship.....it's a wonderful thing.

FIVE days until Christmas, but who's counting :-)

Traveling to China

I wish I was going to China...LOL....

Another happy customer picked up her bags yesterday. She had me make her and her friend matching totes. They are getting ready for a trip to China.

We used some Asian garments to make the bags and I am very pleased at how they turned out. She seemed thrilled :-)

Check out the little cell phone bag trimmmed with the closure.

Texas Longhorns

Check out this cute Longhorns lunch bag.
This was a special order for Janie in Texas. She wanted it to fit a "Smart One" in the bottom, also a small salad bowl and water bottle.

It opens up nice and wide to put your lunch in, then zips up nicely to keep it all cool and tidy. The bag is lined with insulate and a plastic lining as well.

I hope you like your lunch bag Janie. :-)


Happy Monday All, I am off to sew some last minute Christmas gifts with a friend.

.....Teresa

Christmas memories

The season is well under way and all my decorations are proudly displayed in our home. I have been really busy sewing the last month, but can't show you much of it because it was almost all presents for all your wonderful friends and family :-)

Hope Santa brings you exactly what you have wished for. Some lucky person is getting a beautiful quilt and a few purses out there too.

Since I can't show you those, I will post a few of the creations I have made over the years. To start, this is one of my favorites. It is a drawing that my son made for me when he was 5 years old. I loved it so much that I transferred it on to a pillow and every year for the last 23 years....it makes me smile.

Happy Thanksgiving

Good morning from wonderful sunny Florida where the weather today is picture perfect.
I have the big bird in the oven...no Ginni, not the yellow feathered guy...LOL and everything else ready to go. Just waiting for Michelle and the boys to get here in a couple hours.
As I sit here watching the Macy's Parade, a tradition of our family for as long as I can remember, I am remembering all the things that I am thankful for.
-I am thankful for a wonderful husband that is always by my side and always has my back.
-I am thankful for two wonderful children. Both of you have grown into adults that any mama would be proud of.
-I am thankful for two of the cutest, sweetest, funniest, coolest, hard working and loving little boys on earth....love you Zak and Peyton.
-I am thankful for a family that is always there....loving and supportive.
-I am thankful for my friends. Work, scrapbooking, sewing, dance, childhood....you are all extended family to me....missing some...hoping our paths will cross again very soon :-)

and I thank God for all that is GOOD with the world.

Much love to all of you......Happy Thanksgiving :-)

Garnet and Gold

Just finished up the Seminole purse. It's a shoulder bag with a zip closure, front pocket with velcro closure and inside pocket too. The matching accessories are cell phone (camera) bag and credit card wallet.
Purse - $30.00
Cell phone pouch - $6.00
Credit Card Wallet - $4.00

I LOVE this style and have been carrying mine for over a month now.

This one is one of a kind.....perfect Christmas present.

Gator MOM

Have been a bit out of sorts for a couple weeks now. My best therapy is to CREATE.

And who better to create for....my baby sister :-) She is always eager to listen and always very supportive.
She is feeling that "empty nest" syndrome these days as her baby just went off to college.....sis is now a GATOR MOM :-)

She found this cool orange and blue fabric and thought it would make a VERY cool Gator-ish purse. I TOTE-ally agree :-)

I'm Back

Vacation was a blast. The mountains were just gorgeous....cool and even snowed on the mountain.

I am working on several things right now...of course all at the same time. I am a Gemini and we do things like that...LOL

I am working on a Christmas Quilt, a Batik quilt and just finished up a t-shirt quilt for a friend to give as a gift.

The special order cell phone pouch for Roz is finished and in the mailer to get to the PO on Monday.....Roz...check your mailbox toward the middle of the week :-)

I promise to be back soon with more wonderful items :-)

Be back soon

I have taken a little break in the creative department....you gotta do that every now and then.

Check back in about a week and I promise to be back with lots of new things to share :-)

Teresa

Pieces of PINK

Larger bag, perfect for a diaper bag, scrapbook bag, shopping bag or traveling tote.

Denim handles and bottom compliment the 21 different pink and green fabrics.
Pink lining with tons of pockets inside.

Michele's new purse

I just couldn't wait to post this. Michele L. (a friend from scrapbooking) picked out her own fabric and of course her favorite color is green, so we had to add a touch of green to it too.

It has the outside pocket and tons of pockets inside, shoulder straps and zip clousure.

Enjoy!!!

Hipster bags

Oh my goodness, I am having so much fun making these cute bags.

Tote bag full of Pineapples

I feel like one of Santa's little elves lately...working from the Florida branch...lol Actually, I am creating for the Craft Festival that I will be part of in beautiful Maggie Valley, NC in Mid October. It should be a beautiful setting amongst the mountains and beautiful leaves.

Pineapple fabric, embroidered strip and blue chambry make up this large bag. This is the size that everyone likes to take to school, the office and to use as a diaper bag. The inside has pockets and key fob, snap tabbed closure on outstide. Completing the set is the eyeglass pouch, cell phone bag and credit card wallet.

Cell phone pouch

These are very popular right now....priced right too.

It will hold your cell phone very nicely and can be clipped on the handle of your purse so that you are no longer fumbling about trying to find the ring. Or, fits the smaller digital cameras....or, if you have the habit.....smokes fit too.....won't mention your name..you know we love you :-)

Trivet and T-Towel

These are part of my inventory for the Maggie Valley Craft Fair :-) All packaged up and ready to go home with someone.

Sampler shopping tote

Think of how much fun it would be to fill one of these Sampler bags up.....doing what we all LOVE to do.......
SHOPPING :-)

Cocktails

Love these "hipster" bags.

This one has a zip closure, inside pocket and outside pocket.


Also shown, matching cell phone pouch, credit card wallet and eyeglass case.

pinwheels and flowers

Finishing up a few projects or as we tend to call them UFOs (Unfinished Objects). This is a pattern by Suzanne's Art House.

Love, love, love all the bright colors. Best part was.....used up lots of scraps.

Lots to show you

My last post was last Wednesday and a lot can happen in a week. Our youngest grandson started Kindergarten, and his brother started 3rd grade. They both have fabulous teachers and I am sure it will be a GREAT year :=)

Grandma has been very busy sewing since last week. I completed another of the Sampler bags....


Two of the hipster bags........






complete with accessories..............
















And.....this beautiful purse for my second cousin in Kentucky......hope you like it Dianne :-)