New Chairs and Winning...

Mr. C and I are "do-overs".  We have each been married before to others and now we are married to one another.  Why am I telling you this?  Well...you might know how it works to combine lives and other stuff.  For many years I have graciously shared Mr. C's former kitchen table and chairs in our home together.  Some say it is "bad karma" and would never use anything from the former wife.  I say being frugal and responsible is better for a marriage.   Now with all that being said, here are the four chairs awaiting the donation truck for pick up.  I admit I am not sad...at all!  These chairs and I have never gotten along well but we certainly have tried.

A couple of weeks ago Mr. C in a weak and rare moment said we could get new chairs.  Now he has said this a few times in the past however it always meant driving and searching furniture stores and agreeing on a style and budget.  That never worked for us.  I showed him a few styles online and he offered if I liked a chair we would buy it.  WAIT a minute!  Who is this person ready to buy online without seeing and sitting and qualifying this chair???  He says, "Do you want these chairs?" with his finger ready to click "buy".  I say, "yes...BUT...what if you don't like them or they aren't comfortable or the quality isn't what you like" and on and on I went.  "Do you want these chairs?"  "YES!!!"

Well...here they are and without boring you even more we are both very happy with them and they are very comfortable.   Now the old table looks rather bleak to us.  Oh No!  That table is just fine!!!  Thank you Mr. C very much for our new chairs.  Good-Bye Bad Karma!

During this waiting period of a few days for old chair removal and new chair delivery I WON these beautiful hand quilted placemats and table topper from Connie at Freemotion by the River.  I have followed her blog for a long time and I always adore what she creates.  Her quilting skills and ability to put fabrics together are amazing.  If you don't already follow Connie you will want to click the link and see what she is up to.   Last year she and her husband rescued a Pelican and the stories were wonderful to read.  Pelly is doing wonderfully well.

Thank you sew very much Connie for sharing your beautiful creations with me.  As you can see they look so gorgeous on the table...with the new chairs.  I am truly grateful.
This Wednesday we actually had a drizzle of rain.  It wasn't enough to measure on the official rain gauges but it was enough to freshen our plants and to help the fire fighters have a slight break from the triple digit heat and horrific out-of-control fires burning so many places here on the West Coast.  Thank you all for your continued prayers for rain and no more fires. 
Falling into Autumn here with leaves turning and acorns dropping.  The grey squirrels are beginning their foraging for stocking up their winter supplies.  One little guy came right up on the upstairs deck begging for a handout.  I think he found an old Dorito chip under the patio furniture. 
Loving all the gorgeous Fall Décor and creative ideas you are sharing here on blogland.  Creative Bliss and enJOY all that Fall has to offer...

Sewing Table Toppers...

In having my sewing machine returned and in good sewing repair and in sorting and purging fabrics from my enormous stash I made a decree that I would finish and sew some table toppers I have needed for a very long time.  It turned out to be a grand idea and took very little time.

This dresser topper looks the same as it has for many years however now it is sewn and not just folded along the edges.  And now it is reversible for another pretty look.  This is in our guest bedroom and is one of my very favorite rooms.  It is all antiques and sentimental pieces everywhere. In fact some day I want to be a guest in my home.

I only sewed three toppers but they are the most needed and used that I have been waiting a very long time to actually make.  The Rooster topper is on my kitchen desk top that is currently our laptop station and it is keeping the granite counter safe from scratches.

This little table is next to the guest bed and I am shocked at how guests put water glasses and other stuff right on the wood of this antique cherry table.  Now it is a little bit protected by the fancy cloth topper.  I am continuing my organizing of my sewing room but at least stopping to be creative along the way.  I can't go overboard and make toppers for every surface in the house for Mr. C would not like that.  However these are not disturbing his peace for now. 
As California continues to burn with raging fires we remain safe for now.  We are staying indoors due to all the smoke and really bad air quality.  We were out for a few hours on Saturday and my throat became craggly again so home for me and more apple cider vinegar gargling.  The past few days have been so horrific with the fires that now hundreds of homes and vehicles have burned.  The devastation is beyond belief.  And still no rain is falling to help the fire fighters.  Thank you my friends for all of your prayers and well wishes.
I am keeping this brief as I really do need to complete some of my planned indoor chores.  And I am continuing to participate in Random Acts of Mail so I have lots of cards to prepare and send out. 
Falling into Autumn Bliss...

Sorting & Organizing Fabrics...

Now that new carpet is completed I can put my sewing room back together and hopefully sew soon.  I am not a fan of the new beige carpet however the choice was made with resale in mind.  I already dropped a pin and spent five minutes finding it.  I personally would not have carpet in a sewing room however this is technically a bedroom.

Mr. C having seen my supplies has determined I need to purge my fabrics due to the fact that I will never use them all.  Because he is right (he is always right) I decided to sort and organize my fabrics a little differently this time.  Here you can see the shelving units which hold my fabrics in the closet.  How can I possibly eliminate fabric when I love them all.  Hmmm...I decided that all fabrics which are too thick for my machine to sew would be good to pass along.  After all my sewing machine has just returned from a long stay at the repair shop.

This was a very time consuming project and partly how I abused my back.  I went through each and every category of fabric and selected just the ones that I would be keeping.  Then just those got to go back on each labeled shelf.  Shhh...we won't discuss all the fabrics that are in tubs currently stacked under a desk and table in the studio.  I figure those weren't part of the shelving overload that Mr. C encountered when we moved things for the carpet installation.  I will deal with them another time.

So after days of sorting and purging I have a pretty good sized stack of fabrics that will be leaving my room.  Right now they are stacked on the sofa bed in the sewing room as I honestly have no other place to put them.  They are too heavy to lift and they are too heavy to mail.  I am thinking of donating them to a local group here.  Now my shelves are not groaning and I can easily see all that I have to work with.  The good news is that I found a lot more fabric for sewing dresses for Dress a Girl Around the World. 
Thank each of you for your well wishes for my health.  It has taken a few weeks but I am finally feeling ever so much better.  My voice has returned...much to Mr. C's dislike (I am always too loud for him).  My strength is returning and my leg and back are trying to get better.  I have rested and taken all my meds.  Yesterday I ventured outside to water my Wooley Thyme and that was enough exertion for me.  Our weather has been glorious but dry.  This week we are to return to triple digit heat and still no rain in any forecast.  Fall is in the air as the nights and mornings are much cooler.  I saw acorns that have fallen to the ground and lots of oak leaves dropping.  September is marching right along.  I am enjoying your blogs and seeing lots of creative fall décor, custom pumpkins and wreaths that you are making.  I won't be decorating for fall this year.  My daughter and granddaughters are already decorating for her epic Halloween party.  This will be her third year in a row and she picks a theme and then goes all out over her entire home and grounds.  I am thankful I am not able to attend...I don't do scary or spooky or blood-curdling! 
I just want to say how very grateful I am for being able to live here in America and have all the spoils of life that I am very thankful for.  My heart breaks for those less fortunate around the world.  God Bless America.  I am so grateful for all the years I was able to "labor" and work for my living.

Bunny Journal Binder

My dear friend Sandy just celebrated her August Birthday and this is the gift I created for her.  She likes Bunnies.  Sandy is one of those rare and wonderful ladies who is forever grateful with whatever I make for her.  Avery office products makes these sweet little half size 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" three ring binders.  I created a fabric cover for it.

This is the spine of the binder and I merely attached some ribbon with vine and leaf embroidery.  Then I attached three really cute Bunny buttons that resemble the gardening bunnies on the fabric.

I forgot to take a photo of the inside.  The fabric slipcover creates pockets inside the front and back.  I cut up a Birthday card and punched three holes to place as the inside greeting.  Then I randomly punched some old ledger paper to insert for notes and scribbles.  This was well received by Sandy and she is so sweet to always like anything I create for her.  I am very grateful for such a dear friend.
Welcome to my new followers and I do hope you come back again. 
Thank you all for your well wishes with my back and leg.  They are doing better with meds and lots of rest.  In fact I have done nothing but rest for over a week now due to catching a nasty Staph infection in my throat.  More meds and more rest and finally antibiotics that I hope will be the miracle I need to feel well again.  It is not like me to have to cancel my commitments but I certainly do not want to infect anyone else.  No Chamber volunteering and No visit with my beloved sister tomorrow.  We will have to postpone our get-together and reschedule it for another day.  Normally I do not like to share my ills however I must really need your extra support right now as I just turned another year older.  It seems each year just at my birthday timing I get sick.  Hmmm...
I have lots of projects planned but will not work on them until I am completely well because I do not share my germs with anyone...except Mr. C and I am really trying to keep him well.  His trip to Bonneville Salt Flats with the BUB Seven Streamliner Motorcycle went well however nothing super exciting happened as this was merely a testing trip. 
I am seeing lots of you are moving right into Fall with your decorating and creating.  Summer has been long and hot here with no rain and all the fires so I can see why you want Fall to arrive.  This morning we actually had about 27 drops of rain fall on the upstairs deck.  Nothing to dance about and it certainly wasn't even enough to water the parched plants.  Tonight is the Full Moon and you can bet I will be gazing at it and loving how beautiful and magical the moon really is.  Goodbye August...

Sew Organized Folder...

Sometimes I see something I fall in love with and desperately want to make for myself.  Donna of Brynwood Needleworks made a Sewing Organizer and I rushed right over to Craftsy and purchased the pattern.  Just click on the names and it will link you to each site. 

Then I was fortunate enough to be gifted this Sewing Organizer by Donna and I was thrilled.  For me looking at a pattern and reading and following it just isn't the same as having something to really look at and this was exactly what I needed.  Thank you beyond words Donna Dear.

Here you can see the inside of the Sewing Organizer and the fact that I am already moved right in and benefitting from how great it is.  This has gone everywhere with me and is getting quite the workout.

In the meantime I took my pattern and gathered fabrics and supplies.  You see I am already thinking ahead to Christmas and all the gift giving that is involved.  In our family we still prefer handmade gifts over store purchased. 

Making this Sewing Organizer really allowed me to branch out and learn a few new skills.  Of course I do not quilt however I already had the clever little Clover clamps in my supplies.  Who knew I would be learning how to bind just like for a quilt finishing. 

I will admit I struggled with the binding.  Donna's pattern is excellent but somehow I kept sewing the wrong diagonal and having to unstitch it.  Finally I resorted to YouTube and found my error.  I love this neutral Toile fabric which tells a story.  I used it for the exterior of my organizer.

Then for the interior I mixed it up a bit with fabrics.  I had this fun "pattern" cotton and thought is was just right for the pocket.  What do you think? 

So here are two of the organizers I completed.  I am so grateful for having a finished example to follow along with the pattern.  Thank you again Donna for writing an excellent pattern and for including such great tips for novice binders like me.  I am happy to have these waiting in my gift cupboard.  Yes, I have attached the recipient's names so as to not mix them up.  When I make handmade gifts I always think of the recipient and put lots of love and happy thoughts into their creation.  Be sure and check out the Craftsy link for this fabulous pattern. 
Our weather is continuing to be challenging with very hot temperatures and no humidity or rain in any forecast.  We are so very grateful for all firefighters, support personnel and equipment that continue to fight daily to keep us safe.  Our air quality is poor however it is not as bad as it could be so we feel fortunate for this.  I very much appreciate your continued prayers and well wishes. 
I am still putting back together my rooms from the remodel. I did have a slight set back and am not able to lift or move much for a while.  My back has decided I have done too much and now is giving me fits from my lower back and down my legs.  I actually went to my doctor and the diagnosis is Radiculopathy with a scheduled MRI to pinpoint the root cause in order to determine further treatment.  This is all part of my Spinal Stenosis and complications.  I have had major back surgery in 1996 and do not wish to experience that again.  So for now, I shall listen to my body and doctor and take it very easy. 
As Summer is waning and Fall is showing signs of its forthcoming I am enjoying every bit that I can.  May you continue to have Creative Bliss and EnJOY your days of Summer/Winter Smiles...