.: Back in the Saddle!!!!!

It's been awhile since I sat down to write in my blog, busy time of year and lots happenin'!!!!! So this time I'm showing off several items.

We'll start with the tie purses, aren't they cute!!! A gal came in with her Dad's ties, he had passed on and she wondered what we could do with them for her and her 5 sisters????????? They have their annual girls weekend in the fall, so I came up with this fun shoulder bags. This way they can each have a bit of Dad. I was able to use all their ties and add the binding with my ties. Each bag is a rectangle approximately 8" X 16", cut the ties all 9" long and then piece them by overlapping and zig zagging with your machine. Try to keep the bag even by flipping the pieces to keep it squared up. Then take a ruler and chalk and true it up and cut it out so all is even steven!!!!! With the ties you have for the binding, open them up and take out the interfacing, save or discard, press flat and cut these into 2" wide strips. Sew bias to one long side of the rectangle, this will be the top. With wrong sides facing fold in half stitch on the one side and bottom. Now cut a 2" bias piece from the ties you have taken apart. This will be long strips, I made mine 60" plus then you bind around the 2 raw edges and sew the remainder so it becomes the strap, sew to the other side!!! And you have a darling bag. You can use Velcro or button or snap for a closure if desired!!!! Great for stocking stuffers!!!!

Now for Halloween!!!!

I was asked to make a costume for one of my favorite customers/friend. Her son wanted to be an OWL!!! So she found online several costume ideas and head pieces, we combined two and here we are!!! This is made from felt and my friend Carolyn made it for me the other day and I can't thank her enough, she did a fabulous job!!! The head piece is made from 2 copper Brillo pads, buttons, eyelash trim and a stuffed beak, all this is glued on a piece of felt and fastens with Velcro. They purchased a brown Sherpa jacket, brown knit hat and gloves.

Very fun!!! Trick or Treat!!!

Last but not least I have been meaning to put in the Happy Canes,

I recently painted 18 for a client in the south!!! She gives them away because they make people smile. The canes are handmade in Northern Arkansas and then I paint them. The patchwork design is the most popular. With our aging population canes are really becoming a fashion accessory!!!

So that's the latest and the greatest.

In a few days November will be upon us and then Thanksgiving and Christmas and on to another year and long winter!!!!!