July is almost here!

I can't believe that summer is well under way and July is right around the corner. My middle child turns 11 on Friday! I can't believe that he is already 11! Where did the time go? I blinked and he suddenly grew up from a tiny 4 lb. 8 oz. infant into a big boy.

Creativity is the same way. You have an idea and foster it... then before you know it, it takes on it's own life, matures, and morphs into something else. The end product is beautiful and different from what you expected, but is still your baby. Guess I'm just getting nostalgic. Time to go to work!

Summer burn

Just got a request for two more quilts - word of mouth always seems the best advertising. One of them is going to be based on Winnie the Pooh - and the other is that little Chinese girl on Nick Jr.. Guess I need to figure out her name and the "look" of the show. I can't imagine they have fabric for that one yet!!! I am also busy working on three aprons for my mother-in-law. I'm on the last one - so have no fear Granny Jane - they will be ready for Christmas!

I burned myself this week and managed to get the dang thing infected! And of course it had to be my right arm!! I'm wrapped up like a mummy and I'm not sure how this is going to work with sewing... but I feel the need to create something. So, I'm going to plow thru and hope that my arm doesn't start throbbing! Motivation is so hard in the summer... the kids are home and there always seems to be something that needs to be done. Or maybe it's just something that seems like more fun than sewing.

My goal is now to finish the last apron, make the two quilts and complete three of anything to post on my etsy site!!! I need to get rolling! It's out there now, for all the world to see - so keep me to my word!!!

Here's the latest... men's Gator aprons for a wonderful lady in the front office of my son's school. They turned out really cute, if I may say so myself. I started with a pattern, made one apron according to the letter. I hated it and started over! The new apron was a combination of the pattern and other techniques I've used before in my half aprons. The finished products are fully lined and reversible. I always like the option of turning the dirty side of the apron around so you look fresh at the end of the cooking. Saves on washing too :)

Quilts!

My lawn lady approached me recently to find out if I could make a quilt for her daughter. Seems her daughter has been very ill her entire life and has spent a good portion of it going in and out of hospitals. The last time she was admitted, someone took her childhood blanket!! She is now 25, but, like most of us, she needs that security from her baby blanket in times of stress. So, I am making the quilt for Talina. And I even hand embroidered her name on the quilt so no one can mistakenly "take" her blanket again!

Sorry for the big lapse in posts, but I really have been busy doing lots of crazy mess. I worked on a doll for a while - got to the face and now she is in a drawer... made some cute gift bags... and have been taking lots of orders for aprons. I guess I just need to get this quilt finished so that I can turn my full attention to my other projects. Sometimes it is so hard to jump-start those creative juices!

Tampa

Off to Tampa for a few days with my daughter - she is performing in the Florida All-State Honor Choir. Boy, are we proud of her. But, along with this big performance comes hours and hours of rehearsals. So... I've geared myself up with fabric and thread and plan on making tons and tons of fabric yo-yo's. No, not the up and down on a string thingy dingy. Rather, the little round baubles of fabric fun. Not sure what I'll create with them yet... maybe a dainty little bag.

Happy New Year!

Well, the year is new and I sure am ready for it! The holidays were hectic - I sure was busy! The ladies I made the 36 aprons for had a blast at their Christmas party. They loved the aprons and had a fabulous time fighting over them. I was sent a couple of pictures from the big apron extravaganza and hope to be able to post them soon.

On the same day that the big apron order was due, my sister sat at a craft fair booth in NC for me. She sold quite a few bags and I even got a custom apron order out of it! My sister is my new Southeast Region Marketing Manager! Thanks Robin!

I've posted a photo of the custom apron order - a very sweet woman, Fran ordered the apron for her daughter as a Christmas gift. When Fran received the apron she left me the nicest voice mail I think I've ever gotten. She was very happy with the apron and was extremely complimentary. The message was so nice, I saved it on my phone to listen to again when I need encouragement and a little pick me up! The photo is of Fran's daughter wearing her new apron. She looks so happy!

Now that the holidays are behind me, my goal this year is to finally get my website up and running. Now I just have to produce the inventory to stock my new shop. I'm so excited!