Scotty Dogs and Heaps of Snow

It is snowing!!! Finally! We woke this morning to find a winter wonderland, it was beautiful. Yeah!! I am thankful to have a young, strong son to do the shoveling!

Not too much going on today--it's the wind-down day. The kids go back to school tomorrow, after their 9 day hiatus. It was fun to have them around the house. BUT, it will be good to get back to the regular schedule again too.

I finished up a few new items and managed to get pictures taken this afternoon. I'll be adding them to my Etsy shop here and there. Check out this darling Scotty Dogs embroidery--don't you just love it? The naughty little pups have gotten into the mending basket! I just love vintage Aunt Martha's! I combined it with fresh and fun cherries and red and white dots to make a darling drawstring tote. I took the advice of some of my lovely blog readers, and made this one big enough to hold WIP's. It is 10" x 15", so you can fit a pattern book, or magazine, or notebook---OR it is tall enough to hold your knitting needles and your project. What is really cool with the drawstrings is that it leaves a little hole in the top when you close it, you can just run your yarn out the hole, close it up, and knit away without worrying about your yarn getting away from you! I also added a couple of good size pockets to the other side of this bag. It can be found in my Etsy shop!

I did a little search on Etsy to see what other little scotty dogs items I could find--here are a few!

A darling little Scotty Dog pin by Tikup
Black and White Scotty Brooch by AmelietheQuaint
A needlebook and pincushion set by JennMaruska
And even some Scotty Dogs underwear! by Swoon

And the Winner is...........

Another little blurry bird needlebook
Originally uploaded by misseskwittys.

So after a long day, and an evening mass, and having to haul kids all over the place, and then some computer problems.....I finally got to do the drawing for the custom drawstring bag!! And the winner is: Kelli--from bitteroclock at etsy!!! Yeah! Congratulations Kelli!! Thanks so much for entering, I had a lot of fun with this drawing and reading all the wonderful ideas for new bags. Thank you all so much!!

I am feeling a little sad that you all couldn't win--I have such a fondness for so many of you that entered :-]. I am thinking that I will offer those of you that didn't win a special deal--if you see a drawstring bag listed in my shop that you would like to buy, you can have it at a 20% discount! Just put the phrase "I'm your blogger buddy" in the "note to seller" during the purchase process and wait till I send you a revised invoice before you pay! OK? Thanks a lot everyone--and don't be surprised if you see me using some of your wonderful ideas!

Oh, and here is my latest item, a springtime fresh little birdy needlebook. We haven't had much of a winter, but I am still ready for spring, for sure! Flowers and sunshine and birds--oh yeah! I am going to and get it listed in my shop right now! Bye!

A Dapper Gentleman

A Dapper Gentleman
Originally uploaded by misseskwittys.

Hello friends! Well, today is the last chance to get into the drawing for the drawstring bag (see 4 posts down). The cut-off time is 5:00 cst. I will do the drawing this evening (after mass--it is Ash Wednesday). So, if you want in, leave your comment in that post down there and good luck!! Here is who I have so far
Catherine, Sharon
Nicole, Jane
Art&Ghosts, Enthral
Ashley, Jenn Maruska
Pinky, Ann-Margaret Hovsepian
Treasurefield, Jen
Joni, ikkinlala
Theresa, Karin (MagicForestCreations)
TAOJ
Joyce
Nina
Amber
Good Luck Everyone!!

Here is my latest creation! I was cleaning out a drawer down in my workshop and found the drawing of him in an old art/idea journal! I can't remember where I had found him originally, probably an old BH&G mag. or book--he looks like that style. He is so handsome, I just had to do something with him! So he was drawn onto muslin, hand embroidered, and then I colored him with a method I developed a few years back to make things look antique-y and a little scruffy. He was made into a pillow doll. You can find him in my ETSY shop. Bye for now!!

Funky Floral with a splash of fuchsia

Funky Floral with a splash of fuchsia
Originally uploaded by misseskwittys.

Yeah, I know, ANOTHER drawstring bag! I can't stop making them! LOL Isn't this one cute?!! I may have to make one like this for myself. You can get this one in my ETSY shop, if you want. I made a travel tissue holder with this same fabric too, and got that listed in the shop too!

This is one of the fabrics I bought the other day. They had a President's Day sale at the fabric shop--super deals. I went a little nuts. I hate to be a pusher, but I have to make some sales to pay for all the fabric I bought at that sale, lol! I did end up finding a really nice fabric for my home dec sewing--a lovely pale aqua background with shabby chic rose design--it has pinks and greens and pale yellow too. Just perfect! It is gonna look so good! Yeah!

Hey! If you haven't signed up for the drawing yet--better do so now! Look 2 posts down from this one for all the details. I will be drawing for that custom made drawstring bag on Wed. evening--so, if you did sign up, check back and see who wins! Yeah! I love the responses I 've gotten so far! Such great ideas and pretty color combos were suggested. Thanks everyone!

A Drawstring Bag and a CONTEST!!

A Drawstring Bag and a CONTEST!!
Originally uploaded by misseskwittys.

I just realized that this is my 101st blog entry---Yeah!! I still feel like a newbie at this stuff, but I guess I'm not! lol

Here is another of the drawstring bags I have done--I call this one Aqua Dots and Stripes. Such fresh and springy colors. It is listed in my Etsy shop--swing by and have a look!

Don't forget to leave me a comment to be entered in the drawing for a custom drawstring bag of your very own!! You can read a little more about it in the posting right under this one (Feb. 14th). Good Luck! I am really enjoying reading everyone's brilliant ideas and themes and colors, and am looking forward to finding out who the winner is!

We actually got a little snow today, and by little I mean about 2 inches. This is the strangest year! Usually we are up to our buns in snow all winter long--this year, we have dead grass in our yards. Every one else in the country is buried in snow, and we have NOTHING! I just don't know what to think about it, it is so weird.

Joe, my giant baby boy (he is 15 and if he finds out I called him that in my blog, he's gonna kill me! lol) has caught my creeping crud cold. I am so bummed!

OK--rambling away here. I should probably go to bed and try and get up early. I do my best crafting early in the morning. I want to go to Hancock Fabrics tomorrow and see if I can find some fabric for new curtains! Yeah! Good night friends!

Toile with a Twist--Is there a CONTEST in the air?

Toile with a Twist
Originally uploaded by misseskwittys.

Toile can be so serious, but not this time, LOL. I added a fun pink polka dot and a black and white dots fabric to this toile drawstring bag--and then added a pretty fabric flower made from the pink fabric--just to cute it up a bit. I made this bag to be the perfect size to use for a lunch bag or gift bag. Freshly listed in my Etsy shop--if you would like to have this for your very own!

CONTEST

I've been thinking (uh-oh!) about having a contest or giveaway on my little blog here AND just this morning , as I was standing at my cutting table looking through fabrics, this just popped into my head! What do people want drawstring bags FOR and what COLORS or THEMES would they be interested in? So, if you want to know what the people want, then ask the people! Right? So here it is--leave me a comment here and tell me:

What kind of drawstring bag YOU would like to have--
What color combo or theme do you like?
What size would be handy for you?
What would you use it for?

I am going to put all your names in a hat- next Wednesday, Feb. 21st- and I will make the winner a bag like the one they suggested (or as close to it as I can, LOL). Yeah!

I look forward to seeing all your ideas! And don't be surprised if I use your idea for a product in my shop--after all, the best ideas come from YOU!

Love Bunny

Love Bunny
Originally uploaded by misseskwittys.

Happy Sunday. This is going to be a short and sweet blog entry today-- I've had a crappy cold all week. I think it may be breaking up now because my coughs are getting louder and more frequent, lol. Poor little me! ;-] I've been working on things that I can just sit on the couch, wrapped up in a blanket, and do.

Here is a little bunny that I finished and got listed in my Etsy shop. Don't you just love his big ol ears? This guy has a sheer polka dot ribbon bow around his neck and is holding a garland of paper tags that reads LOVE. I think he turned out darling, and I hope you do to.

This winter's project

This winter's project
Originally uploaded by misseskwittys.

Well! here it is--the dreaded staircase WIP. It is a big old split level staircase that was ALL painted that lovely band-aid beige that you can see on the spindles in the picture. As a matter of fact, our whole house just happened to be painted that same color--all the woodwork, all the walls, the radiators! and there was the same color old yucky wool carpeting on the floor and the windows even had the same color beige old pull drapes on them! Someone was really lacking in imagination! Over the last 13 years we have done an inside project every winter--all the woodwork we have stripped, the plaster walls we have ripped and cracked and repaired, ripped up carpeting, etc!! All you who live in old homes know just what I am talking about. I'm not complaining, really :-D, lol. This is really our home, we have invested a lot of blood, sweat, and tears in here! She is a beautiful and strong old girl (built in 1901), she just needs some cosmetic work, but her bones are strong. Anyways, I just wanted to share this with you. I'll post some more pics as the work moves along.

A New and Different MeMe type thingeeee...

Well! Chrysti has tagged me with this new and interesting meme thingee(you copy and paste the list on your blog and then change the things that you have done to bold lettering)--so here goes-:

1. 1. Bought everyone in the bar a drink 2. Swam with dolphins 3. Climbed a mountain 4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive 5. Been inside the Great Pyramid 6. Held a tarantula 7. Taken a candlelit bath with someone 8. Said “I love you” and meant it 9. Hugged a tree 10. Bungee jumped 11. Visited Paris 12. Watched a lightning storm at sea 13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise 14. Seen the Northern Lights 15. Gone to a huge sports game 16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa 17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables 18. Touched an iceberg 19. Slept under the stars 20. Changed a baby’s diaper 21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon 22. Watched a meteor shower
   23. Gotten drunk on champagne 24. Given more than you can afford to charity 25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope 26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment 27. Had a food fight 28. Bet on a winning horse 29. Asked out a stranger 30. Had a snowball fight 31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can 32. Held a lamb 33. Seen a total eclipse 34. Ridden a roller coaster 35. Hit a home run 36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking 37. Adopted an accent for an entire day 38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment 39. Had two hard drives for your computer 40. Visited all 50 states 41. Taken care of someone who was shit faced 42. Had an amazing friend 43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country 44. Watched wild whales 45. Stolen a sign 46. Backpacked in Europe 47. Taken a road-trip 48. Gone rock climbing 49. Midnight walk on the beach 50. Gone sky diving 51. Visited Ireland 52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love 53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them 54. Visited Japan 55. Milked a cow 56. Alphabetized your CDs 57. Pretended to be a superhero 58. Sung karaoke 59. Lounged around in bed all day 60. Posed nude in front of strangers 61. Gone scuba diving
   62. Kissed in the rain 63. Played in the mud 64. Played in the rain 65. Gone to a drive-in theater 66. Visited the Great Wall of China 67. Started a business 68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken 69. Toured ancient sites 70. Taken a martial arts class 71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight 72. Gotten married 73. Been in a movie 74. Crashed a party 76. Gone without food for 5 days 77. Made cookies from scratch 78. Won first prize in a costume contest 79. Ridden a gondola in Venice 80. Gotten a tattoo 81. Rafted the Snake River 82. Been on television news programs as an expert 83. Got flowers for no reason 84. Performed on stage 85. Been to Las Vegas 86. Recorded music 87. Eaten shark 88. Eaten fugu (pufferfish) 89. Had a one-night stand 90. Gone to Thailand 91. Bought a house 92. Been in a combat zone 93. Buried one/both of your parents 94. Been on a cruise ship 95. Spoken more than one language fluently 96. Performed in Rocky Horror Picture Show 97. Raised children 98. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour 99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country 100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over 101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge 102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking 103. Had plastic surgery 104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived 105. Wrote articles for a large publication 106. Lost over 100 pounds 107. Held someone while they were having a flashback 108. Piloted an airplane 109. Petted a stingray 110. Broken someone’s heart 111. Ridden a bike 112. Won money on a T.V. game show 113. Broken a bone 114. Gone on an African photo safari 115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced 116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol 117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild 118. Ridden a horse 119. Had surgery 120. Had a snake as a pet 121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon 122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours 123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states 124. Visited all 7 continents 125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days 126. Eaten kangaroo meat 127. Eaten sushi 128. Had your picture in the pape r 129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about 130. Gone back to school 131. Parasailed 132. Petted a cockroach 133. Eaten fried green tomatoes 134. Read The Iliad and The Odyssey 135. Selected one important author who you missed in school, and read 136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating 137. Skipped all your school reunions 138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language 139. Been elected to public office 140. Written your own computer language 141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream 142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care 143. Built your own PC from parts 144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you 145. Had a booth at a street fair 146. Dyed your hair 147. Been a DJ 148. Shaved your head 149. Caused a car accident 150. Saved someone’s life So, now you know everything you ever wanted about me...and a little more *grins*. I am gonna have to tag a few people with this one too--how about Joni, Pinky and anyone else who want to do it!! It's pretty fun and doesn't take much time. Leave me a comment and let me know if you do, so I can check it out. Smiles.

Good bye Purdy

It's a sad day in our family today--our sweety pie kitty, Purdy, has passed away. I woke up at 4:30 this morning and found she was very close to dying--so we held her as she passed away about 10 minutes later. She was my husbands cat first--he got her when she was a baby back in 1985. They were such pals. She lifed a good, long life and we are very sad to see her go. Rest in peace baby.

Cold enough for ya?

I have the ho hums today something terrible!!

I tried doing some crafting--but just didn't have the creative juices going today, so I just did some organizing instead (boring). I just am not in the mood. I tried watching a movie, but just fell asleep. I'm bored, but it is just too darn cold to go outside and I hate to waste a bunch of gas warming my car up ( it is 11 below right now with about a 30 below windchill). Wahhh--poor me! *grins* So, I am going to sit here at my computer with a big quilt wrapped around me (it is cold in here too) and read some blogs and stuff--that should cheer me up some.

My old cat, Purdy, is restless today too. She keeps following me around and staring at me. Earlier she was in the kitchen and she just started howling--which she never does- so that was kinda weird! It sounded like she was hollaring "Heeelllooooooo", which cracked me up! I have one of those big exercise balls by my computer (I like to sit on it sometimes when I am computering and do balancing exercises) and earlier today Purdy was sitting on my lap--now keep in mind that Purdy is OLD, I mean OLD, she has a bit of kitty alzheimers, she walks like an old lady, and her balance is not what it used to be--and she jumped off my lap and landed on the exercise ball and it started rolling across the floor with her on top of it, like a lumberjack doing that logrolling thing!! She gave me the funniest look and then fell off! OMGolly--I laughed so hard! Well, I am off to read me some blogs. I did post a couple things in my ETSY shop today--a new felt Valentine and another tissue holder---both very cute! Stop in and have a look!! Bye.

Yellow Roses Travel Tissue Holder

Yellow Roses Travel Tissue Holder
Originally uploaded by misseskwittys.

10 Below Zero!! Just heard the weather--and that is what we have coming tonight and tomorrow. Yuck! It will be a good day to sit down in my cozy craftroom and sew!

I worked on some tissue holders today. I listed this pretty vintage floral one in my Etsy shop today. I used some of the same fabric I used on the wings of one of the little birds that flew off to Finland earlier this week. Just for a little different touch, I added a button and a ribbon that wraps around the tissue holder and then you wrap it around the button to hold everything closed. I think it added a nice touch.

What kind of music do you like to listen to? I'm one who likes a lot of different styles of music, in fact I will listen to almost anything- with the exception of opera---that is just not my cup of tea! I got a couple new CDs for Christmas which I have really been enjoying. If you have never heard of Susan Tedeschi--you really need to! I am so loving her album "Hope and Desire". She has such a wonderful voice and style--kinda Bonnie Raitt, Janice Joplin, & old blues woman all rolled up in one! I have 2 of her other albums and was so very happy to get this new one--it definitely did not disappoint. The other new one is John Mayer--love, love , love it! Such a mellow and unique voice, beautiful blues style, and thoughtful lyrics-the whole package. This young man is goin' places! yeah!

Well, it is winter, my hub is laid off, and the remodelling is in full swing! We have a 106 year old house and we are on the 30 year remodel plan! By the time we die, the house should be perfect! LOL Hub gets laid off each year during the coldest months (he is a tree surgeon) and we remodel so that he doesn't sit around an watch soap operas, (heehee!). This year we are working on our big staircase! Whoa!!--it is painted--some idiot actually painted over ALL the beautiful quarter-cut oak trim work in this whole house--and we have spent the last 13 years of our lives working on removing the paint! The staircase is such a big undertaking that we have been avoiding it--but this is it's big year. Wish us luck! Actually, it is slow, boring work but seeing the beautiful oak under the paint is so rewarding. We've decided to do the partial painted and partial wood staircase thing (do you know what I mean?) where the handrails, the big endposts, and the flat part of the stairs are wood--and all the spindles and the kickbacks of the stairs are painted. I think it's gonna look beautiful.