Outside my window

Over the past three days I have watched with excitement as this beautiful nest was being built outside my office window! The effort that this bird put into this little nest was amazing. She must have made 100 different "trips" to this Rose of Sharon bush to drop off a load of "lumber" for the new home her and her babies will inhabit. I watched her bring twigs, pieces of corn husk, wet leaves, and even a piece of plastic that I'm sure she found laying in the yard. At first it was just a bunch of stuff piled on top of each other. But then she started to perform her magic and carefully weaved everything together into this beautiful piece of work.

I couldn't get a very clear picture of Mama bird through my screen window but was able to run outside when she left for another load to get a close up of the nest. Beautiful work this Mama did. Of course I don't know anything about birds so I have no idea what kind it is but I am so excited to watch her as she sits on her eggs in anticipation.

I'm so happy that she picked MY Rose of Sharon to make her new home in.

Strawberry Jam at 55

Thanks to my very talented daughter-in-law, I finally learned how to make strawberry jam! And I must say it is fabulous! I couldn't believe that I actually made it. We spent the morning on Thursday picking strawberries at Mary's Berries in Momence, Illinois. They were the tastiest strawberries I have ever had. And I must admit that since I made the jam, I have had it on toast every morning since then. If I keep this up, I may be in trouble! Doesn't my toast look yummy? I can't believe how easy it was. If you are interested in trying your hand at making your own, just check out The Apple Pie Gal and you will get all the help you will need to make your own. Believe me, if I can do it, you can too.

Addie's Newest Sweater

I never know what to work on first. I love quilting and sewing but I also love knitting. I try switching back and forth between my two loves. This little Tiny Tea Leaves Cardigan is my knitting love right now. I am making it for my granddaughter Addison. I am using a beautiful yarn called Dream in Color Butter Peeps that I have had in my stash for ages. It feels good to actually make a sweater with yarn I already have. Yeah me!!! Here are pictures of it prior to sleeves being put on. I am hoping to finish the sleeves tonight so that I can get it blocked and off to Addie so it is hanging in her closet and ready for fall. She will look so cute in this sweater with her little boyfriend jeans and a cute white turtleneck!!!!

Is there EVER enough time?

Why is it that there is never enough time in a day? I have so many great ideas in my head that are just waiting to emerge! Even though it seems like I get alot done, I really don't feel like I do. One thing I know for sure is that I have loved not working and being able to enjoy my family. I spend lots of time with my daughter Jen and my two grandbabies Addison and Blake. I have spent time with Ryan and Meagan while they search for a new home. And I have been sewing with my daughter-in-law Diana AND got my first lesson today on making homemade jam from the beautiful strawberries we picked on Thursday.

Of course I can't forget to mention my numerous quilts in progress and my two sweaters that are on the needles. Oh, and I read a great book called "Heart of the Matter" by Emily Giffin. It was a fabulous read!!!

I guess when I see it in writing, I really DO get alot done!!! But I still need more time!!!

Back in the saddle again!

As you can see, my last post was in June!! Yes, JUNE! I realized that this was the first summer I have not worked in 18 years! To say the least, I really enjoyed it! I spent 2-3 days a week on the golf course and a good part of the rest of the week enjoying my granddaughter Addison. Most of you probably remember that I lost my job in January and decided to start a sewing business online called Cutsie Tootsie Designs. Thanks to my wonderful daughter Jen, my name has gotten out there with her friends and I have had some great successes thus far. However, due to my lack of sewing mojo over the summer, I'm afraid that my site has really suffered with new and exciting products.

Sooooo.....with the cooler weather our area is experiencing, I am feeling the juices flowing again. I have so many great ideas for the fall and some awesome ideas for projects that would be great gifts for Christmas. One project I am working on is an Advent Calendar. For anyone who follows my daughter's blog, she posted the one I made her last year. I will make something similar to that but not quite as large. I also have some adorable coaster sets in the works as well as some photo book covers and water bottler carriers.

Thank you to everyone who has been so patient through my absence but I promise you I will make it up to you. Watch for many new products soon!

My newest sewing project

I have always loved purses that had a clasp on top. Reminds me of when I was little and my aunts used to carry "pocketbooks" that would clasp shut. I came upon a great website from the UK called "U Handbag" and she actually sells the purse frames as well as gives great tutorials on how to make them. I was intrigued so I decided to order a kit from her and try it. Well, let me tell you, I am hooked! They turn out soooo cute. I had some problems getting my order from "across the pond" and waited quite awhile to receive it. Never did receive the first order but the owner Lisa was kind enough to send me another package, which I received without a problem. Her tutorial gave instructions on how to take your own frame measurement and turn it into a clutch. After a first failed attempt at getting the size right for the frame I had, I tried again and I think I got it. I also found a company in the U.S. who sells purse frames so I am happy. Once I get my order from them I can make some cute little clutches to sell in my Etsy shop. The bigger one is 6" wide and is perfect to carry a cell phone, money, credit cards, lipstick, etc. Anything you need for a quick run or to carry to a wedding. The smaller size is more of a change purse size and very cute. I think I will also be ordering some larger frames to make more of a small purse size clutch. This company also sells the frames with holes for attaching a chain and actually making it a purse. So I'm excited to try something new for my etsy shop. Once I get my order and start sewing them up, I will let you know. Until then, take a look at how cute these things are!

Long overdue post!

Wow - where have I been? Better question would be "where does my time go?" I have been so busy that I sometimes wondered how I did anything while I worked and commuted 5 days a week! It's not that I haven't been doing lots of sewing lately - in fact I have done tons! It's just that alot of my sewing has been special orders and requests for things other than the items I sell. This is not a bad thing mind you, it's just that it takes up my time and I don't get new items up on my etsy site.

Since I have been bad about making things for Cutsie Tootsie Designs in the past couple weeks, I decided to keep the momentum going and make something that means alot to me. I made Addie her first quilt! I know - she is already over a year old and I feel bad about that. But I do think she will like it nonetheless. And I want it to be a blankie that gets tattered, torn and taken everywhere. Of course, because I waited so long to make her something, she has already grown attached to her pink velour blankie that she shoves her face into every single night. This one may not be the replacement for that one, but I do hope she spends lots of nights curled up on the couch with Mommy and Daddy watching TV and cuddling her blankie that Grammy Mueller made! I love you Addie!