A Little Halloween Stitchery Finished

Just a short post today to share one of my finishes! I love making things for Autumn and the pattern for this little Hallows Eve pinkeep is from Primitive Bettys.  I backed it with some re-purposed wool.  Can't wait to add it to my Halloween decorating this year!

Had a little insomnia early this morning and so I was awake to see this spectacular sunrise! We also got some rain out of this "red sky at dawning"!  Have a wonderful day full of kitty kisses!



Advent Poinsettia from Wee Folk

Good Morning, All!!! It is a very, very cold morning here in Eastern Iowa ... only 9 degrees with a wind chill of 1 degree. A good day for thermal underwear! My kitties have decided its pointless to ask to go out on the porch as mom just isn't paying the heating bill out there and it is cold enough to freeze tails off!

This morning I wanted to share with you a lovely "FREE" wool applique poinsettia pattern from WEE FOLK! It is a lovely, bright and fun blog. There is even a large section of free patterns of things like gnome and dollhouse accessories, toys, kids crafts, apparel, household, and tutorials.  Whenever I need a smile, I browse around this blog. It is so bright and happy. If you have a spare moment today, take a break and head on over to this sweet blog!

Louie the Gnome Kitty

Yesterday, my daughter had another OB appointment and found out that everything is A-OK with her and baby boy.  We even got to see his profile on the ultrasound!  He is set to arrive end of January/beginning of February! In a family of girls, he is our first boy and we can't wait! We are having so much fun visiting all the great thrift stores here for baby clothes -- What deals on hardly worn items!  He already has a better wardrobe that I do. 

Molly has been feeling a lot better and is knitting away ... she has made baby boy one sweater already, and several hats.  Here is Louie modeling one of the little gnome hats.  We may have to make one for Louie as he seemed to really enjoy wearing it!

It has been a long week for me and my fibromyalgia has kicked up (I am trying to kick it back) so I hope to have a restful weekend (its supposed to rain here and that usually inspires me to sew and read).  Hope you all have a great time the next few says and as always, love to see what you make and hear from you! May the fabric always be with you!

SHARING A KITTY COASTER PATTERN

Good Monday Morning All! Hope your Halloween was fun and very spooky! Ours was kind of quiet.  My mom and dad came up to visit and mom said "Don't buy any Halloween candy, I have tons, and I'll bring mine." So okay! Great plan. Mom and dad arrive late Sunday afternoon about 1 hour before trick or treat time begins. Mom says "I forgot the candy." Oh well, so we look around the house to see if there is anything we can give out as treats - granola bars, bananans, oranges .... nothing. So mom answers the door for the first little girl and says we don't have any candyand gives her a dollar. The little girl's eyes get big when she see the money and says "Gee, thanks, maam!!"  Since we didn't want to go broke we then turned off the porch light.  Thankfully no one came back and egged the house!

Kezzie report.  Kezzie did well over the weekend but it still exhibiting signs of a blockage so I am going to take him back to the vet after work today, so please keep your fingers crossed for him that it's just the effect of surgery and not something else.  Thanks bunches!!!

And now for the free pattern! This cute little "kitty coaster" pattern was in my free issue of Creative Times
Supplies:
• Cotton fabrics of your choice, 2 rectangles 8” x 6” for each Kitty Coaster
• Warm and Natural batting, 1 rectangle 8” x 6” for each Kitty Coaster
• Ruler, marker pen, scissors, needle and thread, tacky glue (optional)
• Thin Ribbon or Raffia or Perle Cotton and ¼” rusty bells (optional)
• Trace kitty pattern  onto card stock or cardboard.

Cut out your Kitty shape. You will make a “sandwich” layering warm and natural, with right sides together from 2 of the same rectangles of cotton fabrics. The wrong side of your cotton fabric should be facing you. Trace your Kitty pattern onto the wrong side of the top fabric. Your tracing line is your sewing line. Stitch, leaving opening at bottom of layers as indicated on your pattern. Trim seam, and carefully turn right side out. The warm and natural should now be in the middle of the two fabrics and inside the Kitty. You might need to use a chop stick or other small tool to turn the ears! Press. Whip stitch the opening at the bottom of the kitty closed. Top stitch ¼” from the edges all around the Kitty. Add bow or raffia (with tacky glue) or stitch a small rusty bell (optional) as indicated on Kitty pattern. Finished! These Kitty Coasters would make great teachers’ gifts, hostess gifts or make upa bunch using fabrics for each holiday or occasion throughout the year.

Take care and don't forget to hug your kitty today!

Shopping for Christmas!

This morning I recieved a little email from Erica's Craft and Sewing Center.  In it was a coupon for a 20% discount and so I couldn't resist browing the site!  I wanted to share with you all what I bought and also let you in on the discount.  The coupon code is COMEBACKOCT if you decide to purchase anything at Erica's! The link will take you to Erica's wool and woolfelt department.  I can't wait to get started on these. My only regret is that it's about time to stop making Halloween crafties! Next year I think I will start to work on Halloween patterns in July - I love the colors and patterns so much, I could stitch Halloween goodies all year long!

I also finished a penny rug last night called "Cats and Jacks" that was designed by Cath's Pennies!. It turned out so nice (in my humble opinion). I used the tan wool I coffee stained using Cath's recipe and the pumpkins were cut from some wool that I hand-dyed.  It's hard to see in the picture, but the orange wool is mottled.  Please visit Cath's blog to see more of her wonderful patterns. She has some adorable patterns for Christmas/Winter. She also has great tutorials, too!

I think I told you all that my daughter and her hubby are home from Oregon and staying with us awhile.  She has finally gotten over severe morning sickness and is doing well.  Baby boy is doing really well.  However, Molly and hubby have two cats, so we now have a houseful!! One of their boys is a young black cat named "Hex" (or as I call him catzilla) and the other is a senior gray cat with one eye called "Yar" (get it? Think pirate and eye patch).  We are having a slight problem with territorial marking (not sure who is doing it) so I think I am going to go over to PetCo and buy some Feliway. I've used it before and it does work. So hopefully it will again.  My last resort would be to cage the offenders when we are not at home but I don't really like that idea!  Hey Kady, any suggestions????

Well, I must get back to work to earn kitty kibble money, so I wish you all a very happy Tuesday and alot of time to do what we love to do - stitching!!!

New Blog Friend

I just made a new blog friend! And I hope you will find some time to visit her blog at The Homespun Loft! Her name is Charlotte and she lives within Dartmoor National Park, Devon in England -- maybe she will send us some pictures? I would love to see where she lives within the park, how about you? She makes darling items and at The Homespun Loft  you can find Homespun fabrics, tinware, spicy mug mats, hand crafted items and loads of other prim this ‘n’ that. It's really a sweet little place! Welcome, Charlotte!

Adorable E-pattern!

I was browsing today and came across this wonderful, whimsical e-pattern from Homespun Annie! I think it is one of the cutest and original patterns I've seen in awhile (of course, take in mind that I am drawn to anything that has to do with kitties!). You can find it HERE. You might also want to visit ANNIIE'S BLOG, TOO! 

I hope you all have a fantastic fall weekend! I hope to be back next week with some new woolie creations of my own to share with you all!

AUTUMN OAK LEAF WREATH

In these tough economic times, I know we all appreciate "freebies" ... for me I expecially love finding ones that are craft related. Today while just browsing I came across this free wreath pattern offered by RHYTHM of THE HOME who says the wreath, a symbol of eternity, reminds us of the circle of life; of how one season flows into another, only to return again and again. How beautiful! You really just need a wee bit of sewing and a simple stencil, to make this wreath. Also, stop by her blog for a visit at http://rhythmofthehome.wordpress.com/.

Back to Normal (Almost)!

Well, good evening all! I spent a nice, restful day at home today because, after two months, I finally went to see the doctor about an ear ache I've been having off and on (for about two months!) Well, it turns out I had a low-grade fever, a sinus infection, an ear infection (both ears), and an infection in my eustachion tubes (which is why I couldn't hear really well, either). So, I had a lovely day with all my antibiotics and such.  I don't know why I put it off so long, except that it didn't hurt all the time (just most of the time!).

Anyway, I had a lovely surprise in the mail today. Cath from Cath's Pennies sent me one of her patterns! I just love it and will have to sew it up real soon. Thanks, Cath! I'll be sending you a little something in the mail soon as a thank you!. Isn't this just the cutest penny rug! You can find her blog and patterns at http://cathspennies.blogspot.com/

I have finally, almost, just about finished moving all my sewing stuff back upstairs to our computer room and in the process have cleaned house. I now have quite the tidy sewing area and a lot of stuff for my garage sale in September!!! I even have had some time to sew lately and have listed a few of the finished items on eBay. They are not my own design (except for what I've named them! One I call "Jack's Hat" and the other "Cro'ween"). The ideas for these two little Halloween pillows came from an online wholesale catalog.  I also cut out another pattern that I'm going to be working on tonight as I watch TV.  Hope you all have a great evening and remember don't delay in seeing your doctor! It really saves on the prescriptions!

FINALLY DONE!

Good Friday Everyone! Well, finally the HUGE project at work is DONE! I am also very close to getting my house ready for my daughter and her hubby when they move back home from Oregon the second week of September! They will be staying with us for a few months until they get a place of their own (I'm hoping they stay until after the baby is born!).  So, things are winding down a bit and the lawn isn't growing like its on grass hormones (but alas, this summer's weather has not been kind to my garden) and I may have time to get back to sewing! I have acquired some great new fall patterns, have found some in my stash I'd forgotten about, and have a few ideas for some more of my Cat Tales design sitting kitties - can't wait to get started.

What I wanted to share with you today (especially all you gals out there who are so great with your really primitive designs) is a new magazine that will be out in October. It's called "Prims - The Art of Primtive Dolls" from Stampington & Company. You can order it here at http://www.stampington.com/html/prims_autumn10.html. Hope you have a great weekend and enjoy finding out about this new magazine! 

Kezzie Doing Well!

Hi All! Its a dreary, muggy afternoon here in Eastern Iowa but on the plus side I wanted to let you know that Kezzie seems to be having a good day today. Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes you sent his way.

While wandering around blogland today I found another artist who I think does the most fantastic work making kitty dolls! Her blog is anotherlinda. Stop by and visit her blog today if you have time.  Here is a picture of one of her kitty dolls! Isn't she fantastic!

I also had some time last evening to sticth up a little bit of whimsy based on a hooked rug pattern from Nola's Hooked Rugs.  Although, I don't profess to have need to have a pet skunk, this little pattern just stuck my fancy (its also currently listed on eBay along with a few other new crafty items). Hope you all have a wonderful afternoon and happen upon all sorts of exciting fun things.

CRAFTY WEDNESDAY

Well, now that I've managed to figure out how to upload pictures again, I wanted to share what I've been up to for the last several days! Here are some pictures of some great garage sale finds and some hand-crafted items I've just finished stitching up. They are all listed in my eBay store.

It's a beautiful day here in Iowa, too. Sunny, 62, and a nice breeze! Thankfully, we didn't get a freeze last night! The low was only 39! A bit chilly, but the plants survived! Hope its a lovely day where you are.

New Blog I've Found

Good morning! Hope you are all starting out the day with great things planned! I wanted to share that The Vintage Workshop has their own blog. On it you can find all sorts of wonderful things: giveaways and contests; free images; fabric and paper projects; and vintage art.  Here is the free vintage clip art on their site for today.  Take a look.

99 CENT DAYS at MY EBAY AUCTION SITE!

In celebration of spring and because I'm a just thrilled to have won a giveaway, I am starting all my eBay listings today at a low auction starting bid of 99 cents! (I've listed these four litte wool pillows.) Thanks for stopping by to look and remember to hug your cat today! (BTW, if you would like a hand-drawn pattern (emailed) of the cat or crow pillows I would be glad to send my bloggers one for their own use!).

The Vintage Workshop - Now on eBay!

I just love to browse through The Vintage Workshop's online store! They have wonderful things there - clip art for paper crafts, scrapbooking, wearable art, and patterns for needle arts and sewing. NOW, you can purchase some of their finished goods and other catalog items for discounts at the eBay store - thevintageworkshop913.  It's almost too much of a temptation for me!