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 :-)

Strip quilt

This is a quilt that I taught at Pink Florida Threads a few months back. It is a basic quilt using strips of fabric that might have been left from another project, or that you purchased in a blend of colors specifically for this project. It can take on so many different looks by how the strips are sewn together. I decided to embellish a bit further and added the applique flowers.

This will be added to the collection for sale in Maggie Valley in October.

Tee Time

Someone is thinking way ahead and has ordered this for a Christmas gift. Won't the recipient be styling at the golf course with her cute bag???

Have a GREAT day :-)
Teresa

Pink Firetruck

Special order is my speciality.....

A baby is on the way and her daddy is a fire-fighter.
She will be coming home in style with this cute
PINK Firetruck diaper bag to carry all her special items.

The pink stripe fabric is complimented with denim bottom and handles and the inside of bag has my trademark pockets all around, snap closure and key fob.

See you in a few days with yet another fun bag.

Teresa

Princess or Little Slugger

A princess can be a little slugger too...or just maybe the parents are BIG Boston Red Sox fans. Either way, cute diaper bag to hold all the necessitites and show support for your favorite team all at the same time.

Since it is impossible to find "pink" Red Sox fabric or any baseball fabric as far as that goes.....we must go to the design board and create our own. This cute pink stripe fabric is the background for the hot pink appliqued letters
" R E D S O X".
The baseball is cut from a themed fabric and stitched on. As with all my bags, pockets are a must and the inside is loaded with them....along with a key fob and snap closure tab.

Welcome little Red Sox Princess :-)

Teresa

Where does the time go?

I just checked the date on my last blog and it tells me that I have had a very busy month.

The second month of retirement for Wes and we have been doing lots of things, including remodeling a house...phew, not as young as I once was...LOL

About the only thing I sewed in the last several weeks is the top to a stool for the boys and a couple pillows for Michelle.

Things are settling down a bit and I can get back to the sewing machine. I have a few bags to make for some lovely ladies....first on deck is a cute little diaper bag with a baseball theme....come back in a day or so to see the picture of that one.

Hope you are having a great weekend and if you are in Florida...hope you are staying cool....it's a scorcher out there.

Teresa

Pretty Princess

Every little princess will want this cute pink/lavendar bag.

This one is for a special 5 year old to hold her books, dolls, and a little blankie.

It has pockets on the outside and one one the inside.

Golf tote bag

Just right for carrying your personal belongings to the golf course.

Pockets on the outside and one tucked nicely on the inside.

This one is for a special mom for her birthday :-)

quick peak & update

Hello there,

Just wanted to give you a little tease of the quilt I made a few weeks ago. I am getting ready to quilt it......hopefully this week. I will post the entire picture when it is complete.

I just got back from a fabulous weekend with some of the best gals around. It was a scrapbook weekend with Hilltop Memories. Linda does a wonderful job organizing the event and spoils us rotten all weekend long. You won't find a better bunch. We have gals that travel from all over Florida, Alabama and North Carolina...so good to see everyone. The fellowship, laughter, sharing of ideas and supplies makes us totally unaware of the time (which seems to pass VERY fast)...before you know it, it's time for all of our hugs goodbye...until we meet again my friends :-)

Hope you all had a good weekend and got to spend some quality time with family and/or friends....I sure did :-)

Teresa

Quilts are comforting

I cannot believe that Wes has been retired for 3 weeks now. Time is just flying by. We are managing to get a few things done around the house and he is continuing to work in his garage...which is a HUGE job.

I suppose that I have been taking a little break from sewing the last few weeks and only grabbing a little time here and there. I just finished (this morning) the bright colored quilt. If you click on the picture you will see that these are "beachy" fabrics...even have an old Woody in several of the blocks. The fabric came about in kind of a funny story. My neighbor...love you Kathy....brought over a bag of scraps from a quilt she made and said maybe that I could use them for some of the little wallets that I make. But I decided to make a quilt. What's the old saying, "when life gives you scraps - make quilts", "well when friends give you scraps - you can make quilts too"...lol

The pastel quilts are a sweet Debbie Mum fabric. The pinwheel quilt took forever to piece, but I really like the results. The other one...not sure what the pattern is called is from the scraps as well. Next on the sewing agenda is to make a matching tote bag (diaper bag) from the Debbie Mum fabric.

Hope that you all have a great weekend....and I will try to post more often.

Some exciting things coming up for our family...but more on that later.

Ta-ta for now....hugs,
Teresa

Long time...no see

I just looked at the date of my last post and realized it has been over 2 weeks....wow, did you miss me???

Has been a crazy two weeks.

*My husband retired, but you all know that. We are both trying to get into a schedule or do I want to call it a routine.

*My niece graduated from St. Pete High with honors....congrats Dana.

*My Mom and Aunt Diane came down for the graduation and party...was a great time. You did good Cindy :-)

*I taught a class to 4 wonderful ladies at Pink Florida Threads on Thursday and went back to hang with 5 more wonderful ladies on Saturday.

*School is out and we will have the boys (grandsons) everyday now while their mommy is working summer school....soooo, let's just say that it has been busy and will continue that way right on through the summer.

Here's looking at you kid.....catch ya later,
Teresa