A new beginning!

My 2009 has not started out the greatest for me. I actually ended 2008 with having an abnormal mammogram. So my 2009 started with two biopsies. The happy ending was that the findings were benign. But then I also got a summons for Federal Jury Duty!!! That means taking the train to downtown Chicago to the Federal Building. Hopefully I won't get on a case. But then the way my year has been I probably will. But the final straw was that on Thursday I went to work and was told it was my last day. The company was eliminating positions and mine was one of them. So after 8 years in this job I was walking out the door with my boxes filled with pictures, desk stuff and all the other things that made my cubicle my home away from home. Hence the "NEW BEGINNING."

I have wanted to quit for quite some time - just tired of the long commute, the hours, traveling, etc. But I just didn't know how to do it and I was afraid to give up a job during a time of such uncertainty. Well, this kicked me in the butt and forced me to move on in a different direction...doing something I will love to do and will make me happy. So after years of talking about taking my sewing to a different level, I have decided to start sewing and selling my work. It's a big undertaking but now I will have the time to do it. I know I won't make the kind of money that I made in corporate America but I don't care. I will be happy and healthier. I have a very frugal daughter-in-law who is excited to teach me to power cook and save money in the grocery store. And I don't need to buy work clothes anymore so that will help. I also have a closet full of Coach purses that I need to list on eBay. I guess the bottom line is that I want to live simpler and own less "stuff". I don't need or want long commutes, long hours and stress. I want simple. My new beginning is going to help me find it.

My daughter Jen bought me my first "business sign" to hang in my sewing room. I love it!! She has been encouraging me for quite some time to do this. Thank you Jen for believing that I can do this! Now, let's get sewing!

Another Sewing Sunday!

Well, today was another sewing day!  Diana and I blazed on the projects on our list.  Diana completed the top of a darling Spring Wallhanging which took the majority of the day due to all the little pieces in the pattern.  Of course the first couple hours of our day was devoted to organizing all the fabric that we are acquiring...and to go through baskets of started projects that I seem to have put to the side.  Needless to say, she shamed me into completing or at least working on some of those projects.  So today was a day of "FOs" for me (finished objects).  I completed a cute table square with some squares that I had cut for something else, I made a tablerunner out of some left over strips from another project, and I got the top done on an applique wallhanging that I started a long time ago.  It's now ready for hand quilting.  So it was a very good day.  But because we had snow AGAIN today and it is in the forecast for the whole week, I thought I would post a picture of Diana's Spring Wallhanging.  This is just the top...it still needs the embellishments and of course to be quilted and bound.  But it's adorable and it gives me hope that we will get through this horrid winter soon and move on to birds, butterflies, flowers and bunnies!!!!  THINK SPRING!

Did I mention that i like knitting hats?

I have a new favorite hat - the Banana Republic Knock-off!  I have made 4 in the past week - 2 of them while watching movies on New Years Eve (yes I am a loser!)

I made one for Jen and Addison first.  They looked so cute in them that I decided to make one for me.  Now I am not a hat person.  I don't have the right hair for hats.  When I remove it my hair is as flat as a pancake.  But I tried this one on and I think it might work for me as long as I only wear it from house to car, from car to store - you get the picture!   So here are my two New Years Eve hats.  So cute and so fast!  Now I need to make one to go with my new North Face coat!

Happy New Year - Here's to a year of many more hats for my family!

it's been a busy holiday!

I'm finally back to blogging.  I have been so busy working on holiday gifts that I haven't taken the time to post.  Diana and I have been busy making candle wraps, notebook covers, planner covers, table runners, basket liners, curtains and the start of tree skirts for next year.  Yes I said NEXT YEAR!  I always start the year with the same new years resolution - not waiting until the last minute to make gifts.  And every year I do the same.  I wait until December and then sew for hours at a time to get things done.  I always think of things I wish I had time to make and vow that I will start early next year.  So here I am promising myself that I will not wait so long next year. Hence, the reason for beginning our tree skirts is to have them done BEFORE Christmas.  Diana and I will be making our own and will also make one to give to Jen for her birthday in October and one to Meagan and Ryan to give them at their wedding shower (they are getting married in October).

And now that the holidays are over, I decided to break away from the sewing machine just a bit and work on a couple hats.  Everyone knows that my favorite thing to knit is hats.  So I first made Addison a Banana Republic knock-off hat and it turned out so cute.  I then decided to knit the adult version of it for Jen.  You can see just how cute they both look in them.

So here's to a great and productive 2009!!!!  Happy New Year!

Addie is 9 months old!

Where has the time gone?  It seemed like only yesterday we were waiting for her to arrive and now she is 9 months old.  She is such a joy and more fun every day.  I hardly miss a day of seeing her - even if it's to just stop for a minute and give her a hug.  This is one of her Christmas pictures that Ryan took.  It's not a straight on shot but I just love the "action" shots.  This one makes her look like such a big girl.  I just love the beautiful dress and the bare feet!!  Little Addie will be celebrating her first Christmas very soon.  What fun to have a little one around again!!!

Diana's first quilt!

My daughter-in-law Diana wanted to learn how to quilt so we decided to have a sewing day and I would teach her the basics.  I made her appliqued table runners last Christmas and ever since she has wanted to know how to do it.  At first I thought we would start with a runner but then I wanted her to know the basic technique of patchwork first.  So I decided to teach her how to do a 3" square patchwork table centerpiece - just to let her get the feel of the 1/4" seam allowances and the importance of sewing straight and pressing well.  As you can see, she did a fantastic job.  By the time we were done she completed a 15"x18" table centerpiece to use for Christmas.  And when I say complete I mean complete.  She cut the fabric, sewed perfect 1/4" seams, sewed them back together, pinned it with the batting and backing, machine quilted it, sewed her binding on AND hand sewed the binding in place - all in one day!  Now she has the bug!  Really, really bad!!!  I knew it would happen.  I warned her!  The quilting bug bit me  about 22 years ago and I still feel it!!!  Great job Diana!!!

Addie's First Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving we had something new to add to our list of things that we are thankful for.  Her name is Addison - and we are so blessed to have her in our lives.  Every day I wonder what we did without her.  She brings a smile to my face every day.  

 So Happy 1st Thanksgiving Addison - we love you more than we could ever imagine!