Look What I Received In The Mail!!!

Yesterday, my hubby was on his way home to pick me up so we can meet our friends for dinner who were treating us for our Anniversary. But when he came home I saw a package in his arms. Now we needed to leave but I couldn't do that without finding out first what that was. I don't remember ordering anything, I hope not since I'm broke....lol. But he gave me the package, so it was for me. When I turned it over, it was from http://myfirstbambina.blogspot.com My dear friend, Monika. Look at the goodies she sent me. (Click on the images to enlarge if you'd like)

She included the Tea Time magazine, since she knows how much I love tea and scones.

Then she added some beautiful stationery. All tea related. How thoughtful! But too pretty to use...:)

Even the fabrics had a tea theme to them, and the RIBBON as well!! I never saw this ribbon before and I love it.

And she knows my love for my kitty's and Paris. Isn't it pretty? Even the ribbon is ruffly and beautiful. She put so much thought into this gift. It was so much fun opening it up as well. The way she wrapped everything up, it seemed never-ending. Even my husband was enjoying watching me take the gift apart and unwrapping the beautiful items enclosed. Monika, thank you from the bottom of my heart. What a sweet surprise.

Well, we made it to the restaurant on time and had a wonderful dinner with our friends.

(PS- Read the post below and give me your opinion on "should I add the rose or not?" )

Mad For Plaid!!!

Yup!! Plaid is back and boy am I EXCITED!!! I LOVE it, I always have but for some reason it comes and goes in fashion. Yet in England, Scotland and Ireland its everywhere. When we visited London, I saw it in the shops, but not here. No sirree, its hard to find. So when I received my latest Country Living magazine and opened it up to the pages and saw PLAID, I savored every picture, and then I went out and bought fabric:

Guess what I'll be making with the fabric above.....any guesses???

Don't you just LOVE that plaid Jacket above? I'm in love, I hear music in the background......The belt just finishes it off. How delicious!!

And that red plaid overcoat........GORGEOUS!! I'll take one please..

And well, I had to put this picture in, someone sewing a piece of beautiful plaid fabric into something, well, beautiful, obviously.

So, there it is, I LOVE plaid in case you didn't figure that out. And what am I making with my fabric, with the pretty black rose? You'll have to wait and see....I already cut the fabric this evening, I'm still working on it though. You'll have to wait, sorry......

No Need to Call the Fabric Police!

Well, I guess I should go around and remove all the "Wanted" ads posted for my missing 7 yards of fabric. And I guess I can stop questioning my husband asking him what he did with my fabric. I tried to question the cats but all I get is purring and cute facial expressions. I couldn't tell if that was guilt or innocence. It was too hard. Yesterday, I went back into my sewing/workshop to do some clean-up and also because I was determined that somewhere in there my fabric had to be hiding. Even though I have very few storage areas in there, I knew it had to be in there somewhere. So I cleaned, organized, threw out some stuff. Swept in there. And right before I was going to walk out in disappointment, with almost tears in my eyes, I pushed in my chair back under my sewing table. Then I noticed that my sweater that is hanging on the back of the chair seemed bulky. When I lifted the sweater, I heard music......there it was, all 7 yards of my fabric. Hiding under my sweater the whole entire time!!! I couldn't believe it! I did not remember bringing the fabric out to my sewing room even though that is what I always do, but since I could not find it in there then the only other answer was that somehow it had gotten thrown away, not sure how, but it must have. I was so happy. I brought it in, washed it, dried it and took a picture of it. Now I need to buy some liner and trim and start sewing my heart out. Then after all that, I relaxed on my love seat and I wanted to look over my new book that I just purchased:

This picture is courtesy of Hetties Patch which I found accidentally. I took my own picture of the book but I didn't like it, and here she had it on her site, beautifully displayed. If you visit her tell her I sent you...So ladies, its done. The search is over, and evidently according to my dear friend Valerie, its age. UGH!!

Getting to Work- Finally...

So I am finally doing it!!! I'm sewing. YEA!! As much as I love to sew and do crafts I have to mentally prepare myself for the projects. Once I do that , then I can't stop. But I'm not sure why it takes me awhile to get myself going. Why some people can just get up and get right to work, while those like me, well, I have to have my coffee, check emails, eat breakfast while watching the news, then, I cleaned. Yes, I had to clean before going to work. Because if I try to go into my workroom, knowing that my house needs swept, bathrooms need wiped down and that there are dishes in my sink, well, I wouldn't be able to concentrate on my work and I wouldn't get much done.
So I rolled up my sleeves, swept the floors, vacuumed them, wiped the bathroom down, cleaned the dishes, wiped down the countertops and stove and put things away. Then I felt better and I was ready for work.
Now its time to get all things in order, I make sure my trusty old Singer machine is clean inside and out so it doesn't ruin my fabric. This machine is old, how old I don't know, but old. I bought from a friend who lost her grandma several years ago. It was an extra machine her grandmother had, she bought it new, but hardly used it. So I bought it for $60. It was a great purchase. I've had it 12 years, plus however long she's had it. It's been a loyal companion. But I have to admit, I really want the Singer CE-150 that monogram's and embroiders but there is no way right now I can dish out $500 for one. So I have to wait. One day, I'm sure one day. In the meantime, my old buddy and I get to work:

and together we pieced five bags. I still have five more to put together, and some aprons to cut out yet. Then if I have time, I'd like to try out a new pattern I received in the mail, a new handbag pattern. I have three weeks left before the fall craft show. Oh my, where in the world has the time gone??!! I'll be a busy sewing bee for the next three weeks. So I wanted you to have a sneak peek of what I'm doing. I'll post some more updates soon, I hope....