I've been a bit preoccupied . . .

. . . with working on "web stuff" for my business! In addition to working on completing my customer's quilts and getting them back into their hands so they can get the binding on their finished projects!

I spent pretty much the entire day "working my business" .....
I uploaded over 200 pictures to my Webshots account (http://community.webshots.com/user/quiltsfrmthetrail -- yes, I know the "o" is missing in the word "from" -- misspelled it when I set up the account and now I can't change it!) in addition to working on redesigning my website using squarespace.com's program. (My current website is www.quiltsfromthetrail.com if you'd like to check it out.) And then I had to do my weekly blog for my "business" blog -- quiltsfromthetrail.blogspot.com. I don't think I'll be able to look at my laptop screen at all tomorrow!

I can't believe there are only 10 days left in this month. Summer is rushing past and will soon be over. But, oddly, I don't seem to mind because Autumn has to be my favorite time of year. The crisp, cool air -- the leaves changing into their brilliant fall colors... According to the calendar, Autumn officially begins September 23rd, so I guess I had better enjoy these next four and a half weeks of summer before they're just a memory.

Hope you enjoy too!

Patti

BTW -- My knee is feeling nearly 100%. Still a little "popping" now and then, but for now, I can live with it! Gotta love "modern medicine".

A great little bag . . .

I decided to pull out my copy of Terry Atkinson's "Big Bags, Little Bags" and make this great little black and white tote/handbag. It was super easy to make -- took me about 3.5 hours start to finish. I did make some modifications to Terry's pattern. Here are two shots of the front and side of the bag. I stitched a tuck in each side to pull the the top of the purse in a little -- just so it didn't "gap" on the sides.

Then I added a little zippered pocket (featured on another bag in the book). I also love the handles on the bag ... the coordinating fabric sewn to the handles just gives it a little "designer touch" as Terry says.

I'm thinking of adding a little tab that goes from back to front with a magnetic closure just for a little added "security".

Terry's patterns are so quick, easy and FUN to make up. My next project will be the newer "Pockets to Go".

Have a great day!

Patti

How cute is this.....

Our granddaughter, Harmonie celebrated her 7th birthday in Florida with her Mom and Dad back in February. We didn't get to celebrate before she left.... so, she and her mom are coming over today so we can have a late celebration.

When I asked Mom what Harmonie wanted for her birthday, I was told -- "A bed for Molly" (her American Girl doll). Mom told me the beds were $80 at the American Girl store and that Toys 'r Us had a bunkbed set on their website but were sold out. I checked eBay and found a cute little unfinished pine single bed for $30 (shipping was an additional $15). I thought about getting it but then realized I'd still have to paint/stain it and then make bedding! Not gonna happen -- just don't have the time! So, I checked out the American Girl website and found that "Molly's" bed was only $58 and IT CAME WITH BEDDING! Not only a mattress, pillow and spread but a cute little throw pillow AND rug. How cute is this......

Then wanted to do something using my Cricut Expressions machine ..... I've seen these cute little name signs using adhesive backed vinyl . So I picked up a frame at IKEA for $10 and used a bit of fairy princess fabric I have set aside for a quilt for Harmonie. I cut her name out and added a little flower over the "i"..... I even added a little "bling" to the flower center with some "crystal" emblishments. So maybe for Christmas, I'll make both Harmonie and "Molly" matching quilts ..... may need to do a "slipcover" for Molly's headboard too!

Patti

Too cute to pass up . . .

I stopped into Goodwill a couple of weeks ago and found this adorable little chair hidden underneath a comforter. Not sure if someone was "hiding" it and planning to come back for it later, but when I saw it I couldn't pass it up. Besides the price tag was pretty sweet too -- $4.25! Then I got an extra 10% off because I carried it out to my car myself .

As I started removing the seat cover, I noticed another layer of fabric. By the time I was done, there were four layers of fabric. In between two of the layers was some type of cotton batting - it looked nothing like any batting I'm familiar with as a quilter. The final padding layer wasn't like anything I have come across either - very compressed - and almost like cotton "plywood".

I picked up a quart of black semi-gloss paint at Walmart for less than $10.00 and I barely used any of it to paint the chair. The fabric was out of my stash and I used leftover batting from previous quilting project for the padding.

I think it came out pretty nice. Not sure where I'm going to set it just yet, but I'm sure I'll find a corner where it will look perfect!

I'm hoping to tackle a couple of more projects over the next week or so that have been placed on the back burner. I had to send my "baby" to the manufacturer in Iowa for some major repairs so I won't be able to work on customer quilts until she comes back sometime next week.

So don't be surprised if you see a few more projects posted over the next few days! I'm not planning on going out anywhere as this is what it looks like in our "neck of the woods".

Keep warm!

Patti