Three Border Collies & a Purse

Christmas 2010

2010-12-27T10:26:00.001-06:00

Just a few things I've been sewing

2010-03-01T12:26:00.001-06:00

Just a few things I've been up to. I made embroidered pillow cases for my mom - sweet dreams, I made a pillow case for my mother-in-law with ruffle and embroidered "R," embroidered hot pad - pears, fabric basket - use to store my fabric scraps, a stocking and zipper pouch for a friend's b-day, another stocking - I was kind of addicted to making these around Christmas.

Back to sewing

2010-03-01T03:27:00.000-06:00

I haven't blogged in a while -- okay a long while. I don't really know why. And I really hate bloggers that in every post apologize for not blogging in so long -- now here I go doing it, too.

So anyway, back to sewing. I've been doing a lot of sewing lately. I got a new Brother embroidery sewing maching for Christmas and have been going crazy with it - LUV, LUV, LUV it!!!!! Thank you to my sweet husband for totally surprising me with it.

I've been making pouches, bags, doll quilts, and even started a string quilt. So much fun -- and, oh, yeah, I'm totally addicted to fabric!!!

For Christmas, I made little stockings and put them on everyone's plate. They were a big hit!!!

My stockings were all different - patchwork of course because I luv patchwork.I made my niece and nephew little mini quilts. They really liked them a lot.And I made my husband's grandma a tree skirt. I forgot to take a picture of it, but here she is opening it. She loved it.I needed a tree topper for my "candy" theme tree. Couldn't find one I liked, so I made it myself. I used poster board and traced around two different sized plates for circles. Then I made a template of a candy segment and traced it on the circle. Then I taped over my lines and painted. Add glitter and a bow and some skewers and ta-da candy tree topper.

I'll catch you up on some of my latest projects tomorrow.

Betty Boop Fabric

2010-03-01T02:48:00.002-06:00

I have some really cute Betty Boop fabric for sale on E-bay. Check out the link.

It's priced really good and is super cute. Start making a cute project for a fan of Betty Boop today!!!!!!!!!! I have 11 different patterns. Super cute!!! Let me know what you think.

Matatabi Japanese Fabric Shop -- Giveaway!!!

2009-03-02T05:01:00.003-06:00

Be sure to check out http://the-fabric-shopper.blogspot.com/. They are giving away fabric from Matatabi Japanese Fabric Shop -- Kokka Apples and Cosmo My Travel Journey. It's really yummy fabric. I hope I win. I think I would make a sewing machine cover and maybe a matching pin cushion.

Sewing Log Cabin Square

2009-02-24T17:21:00.002-06:00

I finished my first log cabin square. It turned out pretty good. I'm getting inspired to make a quilt.

Making a log cabin square always seemed kind of daunting to me, but it's actually really simple. You start with one square 2 x 2 or 2 1/2 x 2 and usually it's red or pink symbolizing the heart of the home. You then add your next square on top of that. Then turn, add the next square. Turn and add the next square. The squares keep getting bigger, but you don't really have to measure. It's kind of cut as you go which is perfect for me!!!

Primroses on snowy day -- Hurry up, spring!!!

2009-02-22T10:20:00.005-06:00

There was an article this month in "Country Living" magazine about Primroses.

They are very pretty flowers found in the spring and late winter.

They are grown indoors, but can be transferred outside in the summer.

I just read the article this week and I know I sometimes spot these flowers in the grocery store . Well, I had to run and get eggs for a cake I was baking (my super fly Barbie cake), when there they were, Primroses in all their glory, spectacular colors. And not to mention, 2 for $3.

So I picked up four different colors. They can be somewhat hard to maintain, so I hope I can keep them around until summer.

So Primroses, suffice to say, have been on my mind. I decided to

Google Primroses to get some information on taking care of these flowers,

when I started finding all kinds of cute stuff with a "Primrose" theme.

For example, Primrose design. I checked out their site and they have fabulous fabric. Best of all they have vintage items. They also sell buttons and other notions.

This is Amy Butler's fabric, Lime Primrose.

It's absolutely gorgeous. And Here is Amy Butler's fabric made into one of her purses!!

And Here is a book "Quilt Smart" by Mary Devendorf. It features a Primrose Quilt pattern. Okay. I want this book now.

Now check out this fabric called Primrose Stripe by Fabri-Quilt. Lovely!!

Check out this room. The cushions, pillows, curtains

all made fromPrimrose Hill fabrics.

Love the funky colors!!

Okay. I could go on like this all day, but I'll let you do your own searching

for great fabrics and new ideas!!

Primroses

2009-02-22T10:11:00.004-06:00

More primroses. I just baked a cake and was kind of
in the cake mode. I love cake stands and have many
different kinds. I thought these delicate flowers would
look cute sitting atop a cake stand!!!

Barbie Cake

2009-02-21T22:27:00.003-06:00

I made this barbie cake for my niece's 7th birthday. She had a beauty makeover party where all the little girls got makeup, nails done,
and hair-dos. We took before and after
pictures and sent them home with the picture
as a favor. It was a big hit!!!

Blaze is my automatic vaccuum cleaner while baking the cake.

I drop it, he licks it up. It's a win-win!!

2009-02-17T10:43:00.002-06:00

Totally excited about my new terranium I made from a vase. I added rocks, soil, shells and two little branches. So far it's really doing well.

I planted some poppy seeds, too. They are sprouting, so we'll see if they take off. It would be great to have some pretty flowers in winter!!!! I'm getting spring fever!!!

I got this great new ornament as a gift from my husband's mom and dad from their trip to Disney. This came from Epcot and is made in Germany. I just love it. It's for Christmas, but I like it for all year round!!!!

Lots of sewing

2009-02-16T10:03:00.007-06:00

I've been doing quite a bit of sewing. I've made pin cushions, zippered pouches, a tote bag for my mom.

I've been experimenting with felt making a small pouch and key chain.

I made some business card holders and little lip stick holder for your purse.

Playing around with felt. Pouch and keychain.

Made this tote bag for my mom. She loves it. She picked out all the fabric, I sewed it up.

Kleenex holder. So easy.

This one has a little pocket to store needles or your seam ripper.

Lots of pin cushions. I've been playing around with piecing little pieces of scraps together and then quilting them.

This has inspired me to start a quilt. I'm going to attempt to make some log cabin quilt squares.

I think this is my fave pin cushion. Although, I need some special filling that keeps your pin nice and sharp. Not sure where to buy that stuff, but I'm sure it's available at crafts stores.

Finally cut my mushroom print pattern that I've been saving. Not sure for what, but I just couldn't cut it. I'm glad I did. It's too cute.

I love the fabrics on this. The shape turned out a little wonky, but it's all in the name of experimenting.

Business card holders for your purse.

Lipstick holder complete with covered button on the top.

Border Collies

2009-01-16T15:47:00.004-06:00

Found another good article about dogs in cold weather from Partnership for Animal Welfare website. It contains a lot of good tips about cold weather and your pets.

I also read that if your dog stays outside, you shouldn't keep a metal collar on him because the metal attracts cold and can actually burn your dog's skin.

It's another sub zero degree day here in Chicago. Even though the sun is out, the temperature is -2.

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_ColdWeather.php

Please Bring Your Dogs Inside Tonight

2009-01-15T21:02:00.005-06:00

It is -10 in Chicago tonight and I'm worried. I always get really nervous and upset when we have cold snaps like this in the dead of winter. I think of all the poor pets that are kept outside. I know a lot of people keep their dogs outside. There are also so many dogs that are lost or strays and are really cold tonight.

I look at my three dogs and I just give them an extra hug and tell them you are safe and warm. I don't keep my dogs outside, but I know there are many dogs that are outside tonight and my heart breaks for them.

So if you know someone who keeps their dog outside, please tell them to bring them in for the night or even offer to keep them at your house for the night. I think a lot of people think dogs are okay outside, but in this cold, they get frostbite very quickly just like we do.

I found a good article on the Dog Channel web site. Please read and pass it on. Extra prayers for all those cold, lonely dogs tonight.

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-news/2009/01/12/protect-dogs-from-cold-weather.aspx

Add a caption . . .

2009-01-12T22:38:00.003-06:00

Look at these pictures and really look at the cat!!! I swear to God I did not set this up or adjust this in any way. I was trying to take a couple of cute pictures of Blaze and when I looked at these, it really looks like the cat is not only really looking at him, but looks like he's saying, "oh, no, you're hurting me."

I need to add some captions to these. So come up with a caption and I'll post it. Best one wins!!!

Border Collies Having Fun on Snowy Night . . .

2009-01-12T22:36:00.001-06:00

Well, the weather forecast is more of the same. More snow. They actually used the word "blizzard in the forecast to describe what the weather will be like later tonight.

So we decided to stay in warm and cozy and play some ball. We had lots of fun.

So I got out my new camera and took tons of pictures. Scout is missing from these pictures, of course, because she hates the camera. But Blitz and Blaze, on the other hand, look at the posers!!! They love the camera.

Does anyone know how to train a dog how to show teeth to simulate smiling? I saw a video on America's Funniest Home Videos where a guy said "smile" to a dog, it was actually a Border Collie, and the dog showed teeth like it was smiling. Seems like that would be hard to teach. If you have any ideas, let me know.

Lazy Sunday-- Cook and Sew

2009-01-11T08:53:00.005-06:00

Today the snow still lingers. Snow, cold, ice, gloomy skies. Well, actually the sun is trying to peek through, but it's COOOOLLLLDDD!!!! Typical Chicago January day.

Today screams for me to make some hearty soup and let the aroma permeate the house. And also sit down and start a quilt. Or maybe a table runner for the table my husband made. I'll have to post pics. Or maybe some Barbie accessories. The creativity is running wild today. It's a stay-at-home day in sweats and comfy slippers doing all things I love.

What do you like to do on days like today? Lazy snowy Sundays? Do you have any good soup recipes? I'm in the mood for ham and potato soup. Yummo!!!!

I'll update as to what the day brings. Don't forget to tell me about yours.

Snow day

2009-01-10T21:11:00.000-06:00

Vintage Christmas Card Basket Handmade

2009-01-10T20:59:00.003-06:00

This basket was handmade by my great-grandmother. She used to embroider old Christmas cards together and form them into a basket. This has to be at least 30 years old. It's been in my family and now it's been given to me. I absolutely treasure it. She also has thick transparent plastic over the cards sewn in, so it's really durable. I just can't figure out how she got it to curve so perfectly.

I remember my mom saying she stopped making them because it was really hard to sew through the thickness of it and would really hurt her hands.

I think this was a popular craft to make in the 1970s possibly. I can't find out too much information about it on the internet. If you know anything about these, know how to make them or have one you were given or that you made, please post a picture and let me know about it.

I took pictures all around the basket and there's even some on the inside and one on the bottom as well. The pink angel holding the lamb is my favorite. Isn't she sweet?

Please leave your comments

2009-01-07T22:56:00.002-06:00

I'm in the midst of a court reporting daily copy trial, but real quickly, if you visit my site, please leave a comment and vote on my poll.

I'd love to hear from you!!!

Thanks!!!

We need some color

2009-01-05T22:29:00.005-06:00

Yesterday was such a bleak and gray day. The sky was cloudy and gloomy. The snow still left in the front of our house now looks dirty and yucky.

What better way to cheer up then a beautiful boquet of flowers. My mom brought these home from the store. Just what we needed, a little punch of color on this dark and dreary day.

Moody

2009-01-03T20:47:00.003-06:00

My sister has started her own business. She makes clings that can be applied to windows, fish, tanks, coffee mugs, you name it. They help you express your mood. Each cling has a different kind of mood. There is even a special pack just for fish tanks. Because let's face it, the pet fish industry is not too big. You can buy anything for your cat or dog, but fish? It's the same old pirates ship and scuba diver ceramic things from when we were kids.

Check out her site at moodieclings.com. I know you'll like it.

Sewing

2009-01-03T10:32:00.004-06:00

I have been sewing again!!! Here are a few things I've made in the past few weeks.

I made a little fabric bucket, a mitten ornament, a scissor holder, a hot pad, and some birds which I put on the branch. The birds is still a work in progress. I will find the link to that one in case you want to make it, too.

Picture Collage

2009-01-03T10:27:00.001-06:00

I found this really cool feature in Picasa 3. You can make a photo collage of pictures from a folder. You select the folder and hit create collage and it makes this. You can add borders, text, you can make the pictures have borders. It's really fun.
This collage is a summary of our Christmas. Enjoy!

Christmas tree catastrophe

2009-01-03T09:55:00.003-06:00

I'm taking this as a sign that Christmas is officially over. Catastrophe struck last night. We were watching TV and I was doing the usual throwing the ball to my pups. Three Border Collies never rest. We play ball all day long. Well Blitz got confused and for some reason thought his ball went under the Christmas tree. He went underneath the tree and walked around it and the tree started to spin. It spun completely around and when Blitz came out from under the tree it fell over almost landing on Scout.

We then had to pick up all the loose ornaments scattered across the floor and my husband stood the tree back up. The tree now looks pitiful, ornaments hanging off, branches off. It was kind of histerical, although, Scout didn't think so.

Blitz slinking off looking guilty. Ball in tow mind you.

Scout looking terrified. The tree almost fell on her. Look at the fear in her eyes.

She's taking cover behind a pillow. Poor girl.

New Year's Eve cooking

2009-01-03T09:42:00.008-06:00

There's something about New Year's Eve that makes me want to cook. Maybe because my husband and I are off all week and it's not something that I have to do in a rush. I love to cook, but after working all day and coming home in the evening, it can sometimes seem like a chore. There's something about taking the whole day, coming up with a menu, and just cooking that seems so special this time of year.

This year Rick's mom and dad brought over a honey baked ham for Christmas, so for New Year's Eve, I decided to make split pea soup with the ham bone. I also made corned beef and cabbage and little potatos. For dessert, I made a lemon pound cake. It was delicous. I invited my husband's mom and dad over and my mom was here, too. We had a great dinner and played games and gabbed afterwards.

It was a delightful New Year's Eve. We had so much fun. There's something about New Year's Eve to me that just seems so relaxed and cozy and comfy. No stress, no worrying about cleaning the house, etc. I just love it. I absolutely love Christmas and I host Christmas day at my house. But there is just something that seems relaxed about New Year's. There's no gifts to buy, hoping everyong likes what you got. It's just casual and relaxed. Maybe I should have this attitude about Christmas Day also.

What do you do on New Year's Eve? Do you have a favorite recipe you like to make?

Showing off

2009-01-03T09:31:00.006-06:00

Thought I'd show off some of my fab Christmas gifts from my husband.

I got a digital camera, some sewing tools, and Harajuku Lovers perfume set!!! Love, love, love.

Tell me what you got. I'd love to see it.

Christmas decorations 2008

2008-12-25T22:28:00.007-06:00

Just a few of my decorations this year. We had a wonderful Christmas. Hope you did, too.

I had a doggy tree, a candy tree, my main tree is a collection of ornaments through the years, I had a tree in honor of my husband, the best carpenter ever, I had a village, and my table this year was an icy polar bear theme.

2008-12-17T12:57:00.002-06:00

All I want for Christmas is a digital camera. Please, Santa, I really need one. Thanks in advance.

2008-12-16T01:44:00.005-06:00

Zales jewelry store just came out with a new line of Hello Kitty jewelry. It's by Simmons. It's so cute. Check it out on Zales.com. The price is range is from $150 all the way past $1,000. Here's a few pics of some of my faves.

2008-12-16T01:32:00.000-06:00

Potential logo for Three Border Collies and a Purse. Whacha think?

2008-12-16T01:29:00.004-06:00

Random things I love right now.

Milk Glass

2008-05-10T15:52:00.004-05:00

I really love milk glass.
Here's just a few pieces I've gotten from here and there, thrift store, garage sale, or whatever. They look great grouped together I think.

Just picked these from my yard and added a ribbon. Cheers up my window in my kitchen!!!

Pin cushion

2008-05-10T09:45:00.005-05:00

This has been going around in my head lately, so I decided to try it. It's a little miniature pin cushion from a pop bottle cap. I literally whipped this up in like ten minutes. It needs some tweeking, but pretty cute.

What a mess. I just finished another cute little dress for Mother's Day. I sat it on the table and started doing laundry. When I came back, this was on the floor and Blaze was sitting there wagging his tail!!!! Arggggggg!!!! Start over!!!! Oh, the joy of having a pup!!!

Check it out

2008-05-10T08:22:00.005-05:00

Check out these cool paintings by my niece. She is only 6.
I think they would make great fabric.

This one I just had to frame.
It's so cheery. It makes me smile!!!!

Random Border Collie fun

2008-05-10T07:29:00.004-05:00

Just some random pictures of Blitz and Blaze this morning. Scout went on a field trip today with her daddy. The two boys are having fun at home playing catch and brushing up on some tricks.

I played around a little with the color on Picasa. Super fun!!!!

Blitz is actually watching American Idol. He's a big Mariah Carey fan. He loves to sing. I sing bye-bye by Mariah Carey and he howls along. Too cute!!!!!

Zippered pouch

2008-05-09T22:11:00.004-05:00

I got an iPod Nano for my birthday from my sweet husband . . .

So, of course, I had to whip up a zippered pouch wristlette for my purse to hold my iPod. I got this fabric on the bargain bin at the fabric store. The fabric is nylon-ish, not really fabric, so it won't stain and I can wipe it off. Love it!!!!!

There's tons of zippered pouch tutorials out there on line, but none of them really worked for me. This one I kind of made up myself. Worked great!!!! Plus you got to love the little doggy!!!!

Mother's Day dresses

2008-05-09T21:50:00.010-05:00

What do you get from

A basket of scrap fabric . . .

a few pins and needles and a pin cushion (which I made myself out of Holly Hobbie fabric) . . .

some felt, rickrack, and embroidery thread . . .

and a little dress pattern (from Softies)???
You get these fabulously cute dresses!!!! I only have three done so far. One is in the works. I made these from the pattern in Softies (love that book).

I'm going to use these on my Mother's Day table. I think they will look really cute.

Now back to work. I have a few more to finish up!!!!

Bunny Files

2008-04-24T21:04:00.009-05:00

I was in the process of making dinner tonight when my husband said, "What did he just bring in here?" I instantly knew he was talking about my youngest pup, Blaze, because he is usually the one into some mischief. I went into the living room to see what was up and I saw something furry laying on the floor. My husband said to me, "What is that?" My first instinct was that it was just a pup toy. My pups are notorious for chewing up their toys and you'll see random body parts of stuffed animal toys laying around.

I actually bent down to pick up this fluff ball, when something didn't look right to me. I backed away from it and said, "Oh, my God, I think that is some kind of animal." So my loving husband, whose job it is, by the way, to secure the house from all things critter-ish, got up and bent down to investigate it. He said, "Yeah, it's real."

I still didn't know what it was and I was really creeped out. Was it alive? What was it? I knew it wasn't a mouse. It was too big.

After further investigation, we could see that it was a baby bunny. It was definitely dead and was actually bleeding a little bit. I will spare you any more of the gross details.

This little baby bunny had the sweetest little face. I felt so sorry for it. I turned to the culprit hunter, Blaze, and said, "What did you do?" He just looked at me with his tounge hanging out as if to say, "I caught me one." It was priceless.

I did not take a picture of the little baby bunny that Blaze found, but this is a picture I found that looks exactly like it. Same coloring and size. Poor little bunny. I did a little research on baby bunnies and learned that only 10% of bunnies that get taken from their mother's nest survive, so this little guy never really had a chance. I guess it really is a dog-eat-dog world out there.

Green Beans

2008-04-24T20:55:00.004-05:00

One of the things I love about this time of year is the fresh veggies.

There's nothing better than fresh green beans.

I made these last night for dinner. Delicious.

Scout

2008-04-22T08:38:00.002-05:00

This is my oldest border collie, Scout. She is extremely camera shy, so pictures of her are few and far between. Whenever I pull out the camera, she runs and ducks for cover. She is seven years old and she's the pack leader of my "pack." She is has a really sweet disposition and loves everyone. She helped me "raise" my two other border collie pups. She's much stricter than I am!!!!!

Handmade Furniture

2008-04-21T22:16:00.004-05:00

My husband is an excellent carpenter and he recently built this dresser for a girlfriend of mine. She was looking for a dresser for her son's room that looked like a toolbox, the kind that stand up that mechanics use. I think he did a really good job. They came and picked it up yesterday, so I had to hurry and snap a few quick shots of it before it left. I think it turned out really great!!!

Road trip

2008-04-21T21:40:00.006-05:00

So my sister and I made a road trip to Mattoon, Illinois, today from Chicago. It was a long ride. So to pass the time, I decided to try and take some pictures of old farm houses and barns. I love how they turned out. I took these from a moving car, mind you. I love the look of some of these buildings, even the old run down ones.

Walk in the Park

2008-04-21T21:25:00.007-05:00

Yesterday was so nice and sunny. I took the dogs for their daily run in the park. We played catch with the tennis ball. They had so much fun!!! I don't usually bring a camera on our walks, but I thought it might be kind of cool to try and catch them in action. Pretty hard to catch three border collies in action. I think I managed to get one shot with all three of them.

Dog quiz

2008-04-20T01:31:00.001-05:00

Can you believe this? I just took this quiz. I'm a golden retriever. Great dogs, but I guess I was hoping for Border Collie. Although I should have known I don't quite have their work ethic and drive.

Things I love

2008-04-19T00:49:00.001-05:00

Blaze

2008-04-15T02:26:00.004-05:00

This is my pup, Blaze. He just turned one year old. He is the cutest pup ever!!!

E-bay Win

2008-04-15T01:21:00.003-05:00

My recent win on E-Bay!!! Yeah!!!

Three Home Companion magazines!!

Can't wait to read them.

Jewelry

2008-04-15T01:06:00.001-05:00

Don't you love this pin? My niece collects them. I just came across this picture. Love this pin!!! She picked it out herself!!

Blitz

2008-04-15T00:33:00.002-05:00

Blitz is such a ham. He's posing with an imposter!!

This is one of my Border Collies. His name is Blitz. He is three years old. He is saying to himself right now, "Please stop taking pictures and just throw the frisbee already." He's such a cute guy.

Spring

2008-04-14T19:06:00.006-05:00

Today was such a pretty day. Spring is finally here. I felt compelled to take a few pictures of all the things spring in my yard.

Party Chicks

2008-04-14T18:59:00.003-05:00

Once I started making these "Party Chicks," I couldn't stop. Soon there was a whole bunch of them. I saw these on Heather Bailey's blog "HellomynameisHeather." I love her blog. She was also featured in "Home Companion." My favorite magazine. These were really easy to make. I used old greeting cards and even tea boxes that I thought were really pretty. You should try them.