Saturday, July 31, 2010

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!!!!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

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!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

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!

Friday, July 23, 2010

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!!!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

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!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

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!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

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.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

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!

Monday, July 5, 2010

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!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Saturday, July 3, 2010

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!!!!

Friday, July 2, 2010


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!