I just read my sister's blog (Prairie Star Quilts) and she said it was cold in Iowa! I will leave tomorrow for Dallas and then on to Des Moines on Monday! It is suppose to be about 100 here today and I am not sure how to pack! I think I will have to get out some warmer clothes to take with me! I'm not ready for the cold yet! Mom has her knee surgery on Wednesday and then on Saturday is my daughters baby shower. I will be there to help my mom out for a few weeks so I doubt if I will get much new started, I am not sure now if I can even get much done for the show. Oh well, first things first. I am thankful that I can at least take my pattern business with me and work from any where, and I am especially thankful that I can go and help my mom. God willing she will be able to carry on with her antiquing and running around with her friends without the pain!

Another new pattern! Once again this is a hanging. I have created a tube by folding the top over about two inches and filling it with bird gravel, crushed walnut shells or you could use cat litter! It is just enough to hold it to display on a cupboard door or to hang from a shelf, you could even put it on the back of a chair. If you would like you could skip weighting it and add ties and hang it from a tree branch wrapped in Christmas garland! All of my patterns can be found website www.apieceofworkdesigns.com

I will be leaving soon for Iowa for my mom's knee replacement! I will be away from home for a few weeks. I will be able to fill my orders just maybe not as quick.

Another new pattern! Wonderful little pin keeps ! The bottom round is weighted to sit on the arm of your favorite sewing chair! The cats tail is made to tie your embroidery scissors on and both the cat and the bird have a pocket, the cat has a heart pocket and the bird two wing pockets, to hold a package of needles or whatever! These are both quick and easy! I made one in an hour! I made mine out of wool, of course, but could be made from any fabric! You get both in one pattern. These should be available on my website at the end of this week!

I have a few new ideas for patterns so I thought with everything going on this fall that I had better take things as they come! This is to hang over your cupboard door or it could be made as a wall hanging! I love how it turned out. I just wish I was a better photographer! The black back ground (or main piece) is wool felt and the rest is wool. Wool is so hard for me to come by that I cherish every piece I find! If you get the wool felt wet and put it in the dryer it turns out nice, like a piece of a great old wool blanket!It will be on my website and ready to order when I get the photos back! I have several more ideas that I will be working on this week and then I really need to get busy on that show or I will never get anything done for that!

NOLAN DAVID - my new grand baby! He arrived August 31st at 9:00 a.m. He is beautiful! It was hard to leave him. I spent the week in Dallas and what a week it was! We have another one due November 29th! I should say we have two due November 29th! My daughter and my niece Erin are both due on the same day! This is a very busy year for us! I hope I can get back in the swing of things!

I have been going through cupboards and boxes and any place else I have stashed stuff away for the Christmas show! I have so much stuff I don't know where to start! The book will go on hold until after the Holidays because I just can't focus on it right now! I just found out that my Mom will be having a knee replacement in the next month (keep in mind it is for me a 14 hour drive) I have a new grand baby due in a few weeks in Dallas, another one due, in Iowa, November 29th, the Christmas show, Thanksgiving and Christmas!!!!!! I just have to take this one day at a time and get done what I can!

I had some paper mache houses sitting around so I painted a couple of those yesterday, I am going to do those as primitive gingerbread houses, it will be a fun project! I like to try and make them all one of a kind but I am sure they will all turn out very similar! I will try and show photos as I go along!

I am home and it really is time to go to work! I hated to give my grandson back to his mom , he is so much fun to have around!!!! This Fall will be crazy with two more grand babies on the way, trying to work on a book, new patterns, a Christmas show and now my Mom may be will be having knee surgery!!!YIKES!!! I don't think there are enough hours in a day! The next couple of days will be spent pulling out stuff that I have been collecting for the show and trying to get my thoughts and ideas organized. Once I have my ideas I can move forward with them and get to work! I am going to try and use as much of my stuff up as possible, my nice work room seems to be shrinking!!! I have some things that I bought five years ago and still haven't used but I will come up with something!!!

As you can tell I haven't been able to work as much this week, I have been so busy with my grandson, Thomas. What a joy he is! I am so glad to have this time with him! They start to grow up and get busy and then these times are few and far between! The work can wait! We will be taking him to our favorite resort this weekend where him and Papa can try out the new golf clubs! They tried to go a little last night but when it is 103 with a heat index of 120 trust me they weren't gone long! I am going to continue to work on the book but in the next couple of weeks I have to also get started on the Christmas show! I will be showing what and how to make some of the things I make for the show, I usually make everything "one of a kind" I will be doing photos and step by step with some of the things! This will be a very busy Fall!!!! Don't forget to watch for my sister's quilt on the cover of Fons and Porter magazine!!!! Julie of Prairie Star Quilts!

I went yesterday to meet my daughter half way to pick up my grand son! He decided he wanted to come to Nana and Papa's one more time before school started! Papa bought him a new set of golf clubs so I know what they will be doing! On one of my hunting trips I ran across a bag of old gloves! There was a pair of black leather, brown leather and a couple of pairs of white gloves! You know there will have to be a project with those! I am hoping there will be some sales today! Mr Thomas loves to go to garage sales!

I am working on another project today! I was lucky enough to find both a white wool blanket and a brown wool blanket so allot of my projects will be done with these two colors! I love the combinations of white, creams and brown. It is very rich looking but a little prim too! I found both of these blankets at antique malls (really more flea) one had a booth with military items, I found the white one in there and the brown tweedish one in another shop! You can expect to pay anywhere from $15.00 to $25.00 for white wool ones, if you find one for less than that you really have found a bargain! These military blankets are a great find, the wool is wonderful and there is allot of it! I just come home and throw it in the washer (hot water) and then in the dryer! I also found a great pillow (the cover wasn't wonderful) I took the cover off, sprayed it with Lysol then through it in the dryer with one of those dry cleaning sheets (no one is going to lay their head on it). Anyway, If you are starting on your own hunt-one pillow form 13"x15" (doesn't have to be exact) creams, white and brown wool! Happy Hunting!

Today is Saturday and that becomes a different kind of workday for me! As I said before we have been remodeling our house for quite sometime! The weekends seem to be the only time we work on it anymore, so today we will be finishing the ceiling in the master bedroom. We have to move all of the furniture and clothing out because as soon as we get the ceiling done then it will be time to put in the hardwood floors. I can't wait to get this done! I am taking advantage of being up early this morning to get organized for Monday, laying out my next project for the book and picking up from the last one. Boy can I make a mess!!!!

I know that I can't post pics nor can I really talk too much about the projects I am coming up with for my book so I thought as I work on a project I could talk about the hunt! I have talked before about how much fun it is for me to go out searching for things at garage sales, antique malls and shops or second hand stores! As I work on a new project I will tell you what you can be hunting for! I have completed three projects at this point and so far you could be building a small stash of wools-white, naturals (various shades) light tan. The more variation the better! Real feather wings, something about 2 inches wide and three to four inches long! Old tinsel! The project I am going to finish today you will need an old wood bobbin, about 8" high and a medium brown wool, you will be pulling from your white wool stash too! I do have at least 15 projects on paper for sure at this point it is just getting them done! Bless my Mom's heart, she does allot of sewing for me I just wish we lived closer!

I have been working very hard on putting together projects for my book presentation. By the time I come up with the project, make a pattern and then make the project-well it just takes allot of time! I hope I can finish in a decent amount of time because I know it takes awhile after you present your idea and complete your projects to get the book published. I am going to do this! My sister Julie is the one who suggested all of this! Like she said "What are you waiting for, you aren't getting any younger"! At this time my idea for the book will be a bit of Christmas decorating and gifts to give, who knows what else will end up in there! I really am not taking this too lightly it's just that I have never done this before and I am not quite sure how to go about anything other that designing and making my projects for consideration for a book. I was encouraged when I met and talked to a publisher so we will see! Well back to the drawing board!

I have spent the last two days gathering ideas for a book. I have been trying to think what kind of books I buy. I know when I buy one I like more than just one project, I like to have things to pick and choose from! Many times I don,t even make anything out of the book, but I do like a good read! I like to look at them over and over again! I have already been in touch with a publisher and know what I have to have done to make a presentation, I have allot of work ahead of me! Today and this weekend will be spent getting my work room organized! I didn't realize what a mess it was until I started looking for some of my drawings and what not! Some how or another I have got to get to some of my table tops! I don't think this morning I could even find space enough to draw!!!

When working on patterns of late, I had finished three new patterns for Christmas. I have decided that the book will be a Christmas book! For anyone who knows me and my love for all things Christmas, this will be no surprise! I know there will be many different projects. I will try to design something for everyone! I do know that for the most part there will be allot of sewing projects! I want it to be something that all can enjoy and do! In my family at Christmas time we try to include handmade gifts that is the most fun for all! I am very fortunate to have a very creative family!

I have had this book idea in my head for quite sometime. I am sure it will come together slowly because I am not sure how to go about this. As an artist I feel I see things in a different way, but that is why I believe everyone is an artist! There is no right or wrong to art! Sometimes when I am painting I just get lost in it-I don't even know where the idea came from. Most of the time one thing leads to another and before I know it I have pages filled with ideas then comes the task of sorting them out and putting them either into a pattern or a painting. I love Folk Art! Folk Art is nothing more than the creations made from an untrained artist doing that which comes naturally to them! I think folk art mixes in any style of decorating! My house is definitely eclectic! If I see it and love it, I buy it and use it! I love primitive to formal! I love big things that make a statement and I love color! The idea for my book, well, we will see where that takes me!

I woke up thinking this morning that Christmas is only about 5 short months away! I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I haven't done as many patterns for Christmas this year like I normally do because I am trying to work on a book! This will be my new project! A new journey! I have so many ideas in my head I just have to get them organized so I can make sense of it all! I have never done anything like this before so it is scary and exciting! I have three projects complete and only about 20 more to go. I am going to take at least two days a week from now on to work just on this, well at least right now, I know soon it will be full time.

Back from Dallas!!! A fun time with my daughter and grandchildren! We didn't get the shopping done that I wanted to but we took on a huge job with her home! We decided to take down the wall paper in her kitchen (of course the builder put it right on the drywall, no prep) so we peeled off the top layer and left the backing, that was day one. She decided she wanted a light texture so we used joint compound with a trowel, she has a large kitchen with the high ceilings, that was day two. We had to let that dry overnight before we could paint, that was day three!!! It turned out beautiful! It was a nice break from designing patterns and doing something different! I am getting to be an old hand at all of this. My husband and I have been remodeling an old "Low Country Cottage" FOREVER!!!! That is a whole other journey in it's self! We just finished the last bathroom and only have the Master bedroom left! Then comes the outside! And so on and so on! It is time for me to get serious about a new project or two with my business, I am ready to take on something new!

The 4th of July was spent in the pool playing with the kids! Of course we cooked hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill! We loaded everyone in the car and went downtown to watch the fireworks! I wish I would have taken my camera! The town I live in is a beautiful little town. Like a little New Orleans! You have all of the palm trees and flowers, the iron balconies and large porches! If you have ever watched the movie "Steele Magnolias" that is the town I live in! The movie was a true story and the houses and the town are real! The Cane River runs through town and down on the river bank is where the fire works were and of course the big Christmas celebration that is the whole month of December! I will be going to Dallas today for the rest of the week, can't wait to get to the city!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!!!!!!

I got up early this morning to finish the second table runner and even got a photo taken! This table runner has room in the middle for a great Christmas center piece! The finished size, including the tongues, measures 12"x44"!!! It is the same on both ends , one says "Silent Night" the other says "Holy-Night". It is wool, cotton and embroidery! This could easily be done in Wool Felt. Papa is taking our daughter and grand children to the Alligator Park! Thomas has been before but it will be the first time for the twins, I hope they don't get scared! We always talk about Ali gators in the lake but they have never seen one in the wild. I didn't tell them that our neighbor had one in their pool last fall, I don't think they would get in the pool again! While they are gone I will pick up the house and do some laundry, I can never stay ahead of the towels! I also need to get ready to go back to Dallas with them after the 4th. My daughter and I will work on a few projects for her new home and a few projects we are working on together!!!
Of course there will be a lot of shopping, I really miss living over there I always have my list of places that I have to go, but I really miss living close to them!!!!

I finally got one of my Christmas patterns done! I am not ready to put it on my website quite yet I have just a little bit to finish on my pattern! This is a table runner that is about 10"x37"!

I think by tomorrow I will be able to photograph the other one too! It is hard to try and finish these two with company, but I sure am enjoying my company!

We are getting a little outer band rains from Alex today. I don't want to complain because we have had so little rain in the past few months. Living in the middle of a forest it is a little scary with all of the pine trees and such! Everything has been so dry! I am hoping that there is no thunder and lightening so that the kids can still play in the pool! I was afraid that our air conditioner went out on us last night it got so hot in this house! I don't know why I didn't think that one of the twins had played with the thermostat! When I checked it this morning it was set at about 85 degrees!!!! I keep telling my daughter that she should blog about what those two little girls can come up with!!! She says "Mom, I don't think it's funny"!!! If the weather gets too bad we will have to do art projects inside! I didn't get my two patterns done before they got here so I am not sure when I will get them out! My daughter and I are trying to find sometime to work on a couple of new projects, she is so creative, but I think she is going to have to wait until the twins go to school!

I was thinking this morning about building my stash and how I got started collecting wool. As I said before I do this show once a year (Christmas) and it started years ago where I would use it to make wool bags with applique to fill and hang on your front door or an old cupboard door, I would fill with greens and other things! One of my favorite things is making Santas with wool coats, anyway, I guess that is how and why I got started collecting wool! Before there was so many wonderful shops to buy wool, that has already been felted and over dyed, I hit garage sales, flea markets and thrift shops! I buy clothing, blankets (I love these for big projects) robes and whatever else that I can get in wool! I bring them home and throw them in my wash machine using hot water and then the dryer. The clothing I take apart at the seams fold and put away until I decide if I am going to dye it! There are some new dyes out, I bought some at the last quilt market but haven't had a chance to try it yet. I use regular Rit dye and it works just fine, you can combine different colors for a more custom color or just use as is. the one thing you have to be aware of when dying in your machine is the amount of water you are using to mix with your dye. For the smallest load I use two boxes of dye, it just depends on the color intensity that you want. I guess what I like about dying is playing around with the colors, if you don"t like how it turns out over dye it with another color! When I get ready to do a project I have lots of different colors to work with!! Make sure when your are on the hunt for your wool that you look for plaids, checks and other patterned wool. It makes for the most beautiful and interesting finished pieces!

Well-it is going to reach 101 today and down here in the south that means the heat index will around 115-120! Here I sit working on my wool! There is just something about the wool that makes my heart sing! The piece I am working on now is another table runner! When I design table runners I like to leave a place in the middle so you can set a candle or an arrangement on the piece, depending on which table I am going to use it on! The other piece I just finished is a table runner too, but it does not have a place to set anything on! This last piece I mentioned I will try and get a photo on here by tomorrow! I haven't completed the pattern yet! My daughter and her children are coming from Dallas on Monday! They will be here for a week! I can't wait! It is hard to work on things while they are here so I think I will just have to take a break and enjoy them! I live in a small town so there isn't alot to do, we have a pool but the water is over 90 degrees right now so it is like getting into the bathtub! Not very refreshing but they enjoy it anyway! Mr Thomas likes to go fishing and golfing with his papa, when he's not getting the girls into trouble and the twins (Miss Mia and Miss Sophie) love to work in my work room ! I guess I will have to clean up my mess so they can make theirs! My plan is to have these last two patterns done and on my website before they come!

Well it is back to work for me! I enjoyed the weekend but by the time I decided that it was OK for me to do nothing it was time to leave! I am pushing for two more patterns by the end of this week! We will see! Christmas in July is coming quickly!

I got up early this morning to work on another new pattern! I have most of the drawing done but I haven't even started to put colors together yet! Sometimes I get a little ahead myself, I can't always wait to get the drawings done before I start putting it together! Sometimes I create it as I go! This one will be wool on wool felt. I like using the wool felt for the base (especially if its going to be a table runner) it just seems to lay nicer, but I love using the wools because of the different designs and textures. I just think it makes the finished piece more interesting! When I design, whether it be in my home or a piece of art work, it has to be easy on the eye, something I enjoy looking at. I don't always get it right the first time, but when I do I know it, because it will just feel right. So when working with your colors cut small scraps of different colors you are planning on using, lay them next to one another and on your back ground color, move them around a little. Don't settle until it is right for you! I really don't like to put colors down on my patterns because what is appealing to me may not be for you, so when making a pattern use the designers color choice as a suggestion only. Don't be afraid to do your own thing! I am so glad it is the weekend! We are going away for the weekend to a resort not too far south of us, it will be nice to get away. I have promised myself that I am not going to take anything to work on! I think sometimes you just need to turn it off! I say that but I know that a sketch pad and pencil will find it's way into my suitcase! But-for the most part it will be RELAXATION for me!

I finally got two new patterns on my website! I am working on another one and by the end of next week I hope to have at least two more on the web! I have so many new ideas but it takes time to get them out there! When I first started doing patterns I didn't realize how much was involved! First I have to come up with the idea (the easy part) then I have to figure out how to turn that drawing into a fabric cutout, put all the pieces together, sew it and try to write down the steps I took. I have to put it into pattern form using my computer, writing and drawing, take photos and produce a finished product! I have worked very hard to try and put out a good pattern, I really only like to design the pattern, when I have so many designs in my head I get frustrated when I can't get them out there faster. I love coming up with the idea, sometimes what I see in my mind doesn't always come out just like that on paper! I think you can see why it takes some time to get the actual pattern out there for people to buy!

Well the heat is on in the South! I am so glad I have an air conditioned shop to work in! If I am going to work outside I try to do it early in the morning because it is too hot in the afternoon! I have been up a long time this morning trying to figure out which way to turn. I have so many ideas running through my head that I don't know where to start! I just know that I have to get started soon! Christmas always sneaks up on me, I think it is because we don't really get the big change of seasons down here. I know it may seem early to be thinking about Christmas but I know the shops already have their Christmas fabrics! Most of them have a Christmas in July! I really have to get moving!!!! What a great day to think SNOW!

I received an e-mail yesterday from one of my customers. She had read my blog and saw the part about the wool shop in Liberty,Mo. She said she lives about 15 minutes from there! Lucky her! This shop is wool from floor to ceiling! Trust me, if you are in the Kansas City area it is worth the trip! I will not drive past Liberty again with out stopping. I will just be more prepared! I think I am going to have to buy a bigger house! My stash just keeps growing! This photo is one of my new patterns! It is wool on cotton linnen! As with the Christmas wool crazy I am hoping to have these two patterns ready to purchase by the end of next week. I keep getting side tracked with new ideas but Christmas is right around the corner and I am working very hard to get my new ideas out there!

I finished my Christmas Wool Crazy! I am going to post the photo but it didn't turn out very good, I am no photographer!!! I hope I can somehow get a better photo for my web site. It is hard to see but there is just a dark green band around the outside edge with a blanket stitch but you could finish it off anyway you like. It is about 38" long I wanted to use it as a table runner. I have two more in mind but have some other things in the works that I have to finish first, here I go again with my mind running amok! I get so far ahead of myself that I end up behind! It will not be available as a pattern until the end of next week but I just wanted to share it with you.

I have been sitting here working on my next "Wool Crazy" and as I work on it I think about some tips I should offer! Remember when tracing a pattern that if you trace on the outside of a pattern to cut inside the line, otherwise your patterns start to grow and things don't fit the way you think they should. When sewing your wool appliques onto your base don't pull the thread too tight, it cuts the raw edges of your wool and it makes it ravel. If your pieces are small use a small dot of glue to hold them into place, you don't want to spread it around because it is very hard to sew through once it dries. I also have more tips on my website: http://www.apieceofworkdesigns.com
As I work on these projects and think of more tips I will be sure to include them in my blog!

I should have two new patterns on my website by the end of this week! I am looking forward to getting onto the next ones!

I finally got my work space back in some order yesterday! I was bound and determined to finish that job! It took forever because it was like Christmas unpacking everything I bought on my last trip! I had forgotten just how much wool I really did buy, I had to arrange my stash cupboards to fit it in! There are some really great vendors out there selling wool! When Mom and I were driving back to Iowa from Louisiana we decided to stop in Liberty, Mo. It had been a long time since we had time to do that! There is a great shop to buy wool in an old mill I got so excited I just had to sit for awhile and just take it all in, I couldn't figure out how I was going to make my choices! I tried to think about future projects that I already had in mind so I bought those pieces first, then came the pieces I just had to have and then the ones I couldn't live with out!!! I knew I was in trouble when this was only the second day of my trip, then there was Market and I of course I couldn't pass any of that up! At Market there was the booth with the dye for wool that I had been reading about, well you know me I can't leave anything alone, I can't wait to get into that project! So, I got my work space back in order and all of my goodies put away so this next week I will be finishing another wool crazy and writing patterns for two new Christmas projects so it is back to work for me! I found my camera while I was unpacking, I knew it was in all of that stuff somewhere so I added some photos from Market! I am so glad my sister has a quilt shop and that she took me with her-Thanks Julie! This is a wonderful experience! I can't wait until the next one!!

As I unpack from my last trip and begin to put things away, or should I say try and put things away, I begin to get excited about things to come! For many years I have been doing a Christmas Boutique in western Iowa. My sister started this show, long time ago, then a few years ago she sold the rights to the show to someone else. The show is full of folk art, prim and whimsy! I love being a part of it because it allows me a chance to do some of the other things I love besides designing patterns! I get to paint, do paper mache, sculpt santa faces to go with my santas that I make from wire armatures, pose and dress. All of the things I make are one of a kind. I do not create patterns for these items I just wing it! I love the hunt for things to use-garage sales and flea markets! I love finding an old rusty funnel or bucket and filling it with a few of my favorite things! One of my treasures from this last trip was a white Christmas tree, it will be taken apart and used to create part of that white Christmas that we never get in the south! I am always on the hunt for different things to sneak into a santa pack, old Christmas baulbs to fill a glass bowl, antique tinsel, old wool sweaters (hard to find down here). The list goes on and on and trust me I do have a list! Paper mache, hand molding clay and painting are my therapy! I love getting lost in these things, you just never know where it takes you! I added a few photos in the previous post of a few things that I had put in a past show, can't wait to get started for this year!

Snowmen just hanging around!

Yesterday I took patterns to the printer to fill backed up orders after being gone to the Minneapolis Market, the lady that was doing my printing asked me "Where do all of your ideas come from?" It took a minute to answer---from all around me I guess. When I see something in nature or another artists work or a piece of fabric or even just a color it just triggers something and then my mind just starts running amok! I can have 4 to 5 pages of doodles before I can even think straight! This use to keep me up at nights but as I age I think it wears me out! No problem sleeping now! I feel everyone is an artist! Some of us just have to create others just think about it! I am always trying to change things, I can't leave anything alone! Fabric gets dyed or stained,old pieces I collect get a new coat of paint or altered in some way, I haven't lived in a house yet that ends up looking like the way I bought it!!! I say to everyone there is an Artist in you, you just have to let it out! Think outside the box, color outside the lines. There is no right or wrong art is doing what you see, create!

I do believe I am finally home for awhile! I have been to Market with my sister in Minneapolis! It is always fun to see what new fabrics are being used! There are so many bright bold fabrics for contemporary quilts but I didn't see much for traditional quilts! Wool and wool felt are still out there and the booths that were at Market were wonderful but most of the fabric booths were bright and bold. I almost thought that I was at a fabric market for clothing rather than quilts! I haven't had time to unpack yet so when I find my camera I will put a couple of pics up from Market. I am sure my sister has more pics on her blog, she had a wonderful booth displaying her fabric line and a beautiful quilt that she designed using her new fabric!

It has been awhile! Mom and I have been so busy I haven't been able to keep up with everything! I am sorry there are no new photos and it will be June before I can get back to all of that! I am going to the quilt market in Minniapolis and I am now preparing for that! My sister will be introducing her new fabric line, how exciting! I am working on some of that myself, I just haven't had the time to devote the hours needed to make a great presentation! I would love to hear about any needs for fabrics you might have it just might trigger some new ideas!

Well, we returned from our trip to Shreveport at least two inches shorter! Bless my Mom's heart, what a trooper! On Tuesday we left the motel at 9:30 and didn't get back until after 6:00 in the evening! We covered allot of ground, flea markets, antique shops, fabric stores and even a little clothes shopping! So glad to have a nice room to go back to and relax(sew). We were on the 16th floor overlooking the red river and downtown Shreveport what a view! Glad to be home, it only took an hour to unload the car when we got here! That was allot of wool to be hauling around in 80 degree weather, but what fun we had hunting for it! Now it is time to back to work!

Yesterday Mom and I happened upon a flea market in a small Louisiana town! I found two wool blankets and a wool shirt! JACKPOT! I love the hunt! It is so hard to find wool in the south I always think that it must come from a transplanted northerner like myself! I love having enough wool to create table runners and larger wall hangings but my true love is the hunt! I love hitting the resale shops and flea markets and coming home with old wool skirts, jackets, pants and blankets. I bring them home and throw them in the washer and dryer on the hottest settings, then I cut them apart. They always end up end up in the dye pot next, I just can't leave things alone! Today we will be going to Shreveport and hitting the shops there, I can't wait to see what treasures I will find! I am so glad to have my Mom to do this with, she has been doing this for years so I come by it naturally! This is a great and fun way to build up your wool stash so you can do all of the fun projects I am designing for you! Happy Hunting!

I have been working on several different new pieces and I don't have any far enough along to post pictures but maybe by the middle of next week! I just love working with the wool! So many wonderful textures and colors! It is as easy to work with as wool felt. Most of my patterns for wool can be used with wool felt and vise verse! Most of the patterns I am working on right now are Christmas patterns. I love Christmas!!! Yesterday my sister, who owns Prairie Star quilts in Elk Horn Iowa, sent me fabric. There was a note on a piece of fabric "Can you do something with this" I just love it when she does that! I am adding a link to her new web site!http://prairiestarquilts.com If you are ever inthe western part of Iowa I can assure you it is worth the trip!

Yesterday Mom and I worked all morning on my new Christmas Crazy I should have some new photos in the next couple of days. She sews for me while I design, I am not sure how much fun it is for her when I have her put something on and then decide I don't like it and she has to take it off and start again, Thanks Mom for your understanding! We took a break in the afternoon and planted tomatoes, squash, zucchini, peppers and several pots of herbs! I am a little late in getting them in so I hope they get growing before it get to hot!

It has been a wonderful week! Our son's wife and two of his three daughters were here from California and we spent Easter at my daughters house in Dallas. Our son is shooting a movie in Shreveport so it is nice having him close for awhile. What a houseful we had! My daughter has four children and then the other two WOW! there was always something going on! So now it is time to get back to work! I hope my mom is ready for this week of work because my mind is full of new ideas!

This is one of my Christmas Patterns! So easy that even my 10 year old Granddaughter Sydney from California made one! I am so glad to see her taking an interest in sewing! She even learned how to make a French knot, now she can teach me!!!

Mom and I are working hard to create a new wool crazy quilt piece. I love doing these! I tend to get hung up sometimes on putting the colors together. I have to remind myself that this is a crazy quilt piece and not to be too perfect! I like staying within a certain color pallet using 3, 5, or 7 colors that compliment each other. I will try and add a picture when we get the base put together and to post others along the way.

Finally Home! I always have mixed feelings coming home, it's good to be here but it always means leaving those who mean the most to me! I have much work to do to prepare for a trip to the Minneapolis Market in May. My Mom has come home with me to help me out I have many new designs in my head and it is time to get them on paper, my Mom will be doing allot of the sewing for me, she does the most beautiful work! We will take the day to get caught up on orders and make a plan for the next month and a half.

It is early in the morning here in Iowa. I love to get up early with a fresh cup of coffee, pencil and paper in hand, this seams to be my creative time. There will be alot of sketches made and thoughts of new ideas to come. I am up here for my Mom's eye surgery which went very well. We go back into the Dr. this morning for a check. It is her birthday today - Happy Birthday Mom! She will go back to Louisiana with me for a month or so, glad her eyes are doing fine I have lots of things for her to sew!

This is one of my latest patterns! I loved doing this! It is made from scraps of wool that I have been collecting for quite awhile.

Here is a link to my web site http://www.apieceofworkdesigns.com .