NEW PROJECTS....

I have vowed to let go of my stash of fabric scraps, have even filled four garbage bags with them.  No they have not quite made it to the garbage can for pick up, but they are in the garage except, of course there has to be an exception, for some flannel shirt scraps I have been saving for several years.

 

This is left overs from making shirts the last four years or so and I just could not bring myself to throw them out, but I had an idea.  They would make some nice pillows with appliques and piping.  I, however, have never worked with let alone made my own piping and know if I plan to sell an item I must keep my costs down so they can sell at affordable prices, therefore, I needed to make my own piping.  I found some cord in my many stashes and devised a plan and went to work.  When I was finished I was very proud of the outcome, but needed more cord.  Home Depot here I come, thinking I could find something that would work much cheaper than I would be able to find at the fabric store.  After searching their inventory I came up with some nylon rope.

 

And after combining my new purchase with my coveted fabric scraps my first set of pillows are now complete.

 

I am just in love with this set and hope I feel that way as I continue on my journey to rid my sewing room of fabric scraps.

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!!!

I should start by saying my camera has finally died on me, but we have had a long and successful relationship so there are no new pictures for this post.  Hard for me to believe it is almost time for Santa Claus again, but the snow is on the ground and although it has been cold we have certainly had colder winters.  It is this time of year that I start thinking of warmer weather and places.  Friends from South Carolina called to let us know that they are predicting Christmas day temperatures of 80 degrees, and we are not even going to make it to the freezing mark, but I plan on celebrating with a few close friends and a good meal tucked in my warm home.

Holiday parties and get-togethers have been celebrated, Christmas packages have been mailed and have hopefully made it to their destinations, my few decorations are now up and I have managed to de-clutter several closets and donate to my favorite causes.  I didn't however get my Christmas cards out, so to those that are used to seeing a card from me I apologize.  I'm thinking I should start a new tradition of Thanksgiving or New Years cards instead.  I'll need to give this more thought.

My year with our little mercantile and gallery is quickly coming to a close, it's hard to believe it opened 8 months ago for the season.  Anne will close on the 24th for the winter and re-open again in the spring.  I believe I am her only vendor that has sold every single month she has been open this season and her holiday open house was a tremendous success.  Lots of people came through and they were shopping.

I have had several items that sold within just a day or two of my delivering them.  Someone paying for something I made, whether it is a piece of furniture, jewelry or something I sewed is the greatest compliment I can receive, but when they come back in and ask for more it puts me over the top, unfortunately since most of my items are one of a kind there have only been a few times I was able to re-produce, but have tried to accommodate those requests when I was able to.

So as this year comes to a close I need to work on my new years resolutions and give thought to what I want to accomplish in 2016.

And with that I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK ALOT LIKE CHRISTMAS.....

Well not at my house, my house is just a mess from leaving the hubby and dog alone for three weeks (have to wonder how the vacuum, dishwasher and washing machine all seemed to quit working while I was away !!!!!) and rushing to get our little mercantile ready for all the holiday shoppers.

Taking advantage of those free bedsprings I was blessed with this summer I made Christmas decorations.

There are some pretty trees

 

and I do hope these are the only snowmen I'll be able to build this year (wishful thinking)

 

 

Maryanne is now ready for all the holiday baking and will be on loan to the mercantile through the month.  Couldn't decide which jewelry she should be wearing, so made a few sets.

 

Spending the last few weeks making the Christmas merchandise I have delivered all of it to Anne so  I can now focus on getting my Christmas boxes out to be delivered before Santa comes.