Long time, no post.....

I feel like I need to introduce myself to ya'll again. LOL I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted, but it's been busy, busy around here, and I honestly have not had time. I haven't even had the time to visit and comment on your blogs, and for that I feel really bad. I will try to get back into it soon. Summer is a busy time in our household, so my computer time does suffer. With that said, I do have a few things to share with you. (All pictures are clickable to get a closer view).

First up are a few stitchy things that I've finished. I've looked everywhere in my sewing studio and can't for the life of me find the leaflet that this pattern came from to give you the info, but will continue to look in case someone is interested in stitching it. I stitched this for a dear friend in Florida who loves her "posies". :) Sorry about the glare.



This next one was a French freebie that I couldn't wait to stitch as soon as I laid my eyes on it. This was made for a dear friend's birthday and I made it into a free motion quilted bag. This was a very fun stitch. :)



My dear sister-in-law was here for 10 days and we literally sewed till we dropped. She's sooooo talented, and spent alot of her time sharing with me what she knows. She also helped me with my embroidery machine so that I could do different things with it. I won't show everything that we sewed because there was a LOT, but here are a few of the things I learned how to do. These are the sorts of things I'm planning to have in my etsy store if I ever get enough done to get it up and going. I have so so many ideas and patterns of things to work up. It's just finding the time.

I also bought a new machine this last week! A Viking Sapphire. I feel like a traitor. I've always been a Bernina girl, but needed another machine so I could sew while I embroider and my other Bernina cratered on me. I start lessons on this one on Thursday and I'm really excited about it. :)

The first two pictures are the lined tapestry totes that I've learned to make. They are awesome for carrying a project with you, or magazine, books, whatever. I have so enjoyed making them, and there will never be any duplicates. Each and every one will be totally different. The toile one I put a small pocket inside at the top to try it out and the other one is just plain. They are all faced with coordinating fabric and lined with a silky satin material that coordinates, as well. Too fun!





These next two are the mesh project bags that I make. They are the same size as the ones that you buy at an LNS but just a bit fancier. :) The seams inside are bound with the same fabric as is on the outside, so they will last forever. I made the ladybug one for me since I love ladybugs and it didn't turn out like I wanted it to, so I'll keep it. :)





And last but not least....this is a tablerunner that I pieced about 10 years ago. I never finished it because I wanted to free motion quilt it and didn't know how. After practicing every day while Joanne was here, I felt I had it down well enough to finish it up. Now I have a new Christmas tablerunner. Whatcha think??



We made quite a few things for Kayla and Carter and I can't wait to get their box of new clothes in the mail to them. :)

I will have a new stitchy item to share with you in a few days, and that would be Becky's Christmas ornament. I want to wait until she receives it before I share it. It's stitched and I will spend tomorrow doing the finishing work, and then off to Miss Becky. :)

I've also been spending some time working in my Mom's house. This is going to be a HUGE job and is just so overwhelming. She had so much stuff....more than most could imagine. And it's good stuff...not junk, so the three of us have to go through everything and see what to keep, what to sell and what to give away. A big job, to say the least, but one that has to be done. It's hard to go over there. I miss her everyday. It really seems weird "pilfering" through her things. Oh well...that's part of it, and I'll be glad when it's taken care of.

I've missed you all terribly and hope you haven't totally forgotten me. This Texas heat has literally wiped me out....triple digits every day with about 90 percent humidity and NO RAIN in over two months. Horrible, to say the least.

Okay, off to work on some 4th of July stitching. It's just around the corner!

Thank you for reading, commenting and emailing. Like I said, I love you all, and hope to be back visiting you all real soon. (My Google Reader is 1000 plus...I'm doomed!).

Come again soon.....and I wish you enough!

Love and hugs from hot, hot, hot Texas,
Carolyn :)