Vacation, Economy, Quilt, Fabric Sale, Giveaway, SSCS, Angel Swap and Rambling

Vacation, Economy, Quilt, Fabric Sale, Giveaway, SSCS, Angel Swap and Rambling

Boy, I have a lot to talk about. First I'll talk about the good things, we are going on a little vacation, not very far. With gas prices, just far enough away to relax and get some family time and stitchen' in. We leave Friday and I'm trying to cook some things and freeze before we leave. I hope to post tomorrow a Mexican Casserole dish I make. It is so good and you can freeze it for a later date.

Another happy thought I wanted to post a picture of a quilt I had done and it hung in the shop for decorations at Christmas time. I am now cutting out another one to make for myself, due to a lady begging me to sale her that one. (could kick myself for doing it) It is one of the first patterns I had made. Now I'm working on some other patterns and hope to have them posted soon. So below is Mr. Santa.

Now if he doesn't get you in the Christmas mode, (not to decorate) but to start and finish some gifts, I don't know what will. He's looking at you and checking his list.

OK, here is a bad thought, good thought. ECONOMY!!! I don't like listening to the news anymore. I know it's not right of me to want to bury my head and have you wake me up when it's over, but that is the way I feel. After having a shop and struggling to keep it open, I moved on to better ways and one is online. So here comes the good news. I know as a quilter/seamstress I want fabric, patterns or you know the fix we have to have. I'm lowering (is that a word) the prices on my fabric and patterns. I hope to have all the fabric at $6.50 a yard, I mainly carry Moda and Alexander Henry at this time. I'm setting up shop as we speak and after the vacation will be taking pictures and putting all of it online (which should have taken place already) So look for all this to take place in about a week.

Another happy thought is having things cut out and ready to sew for my Angel Swap partner and my SSCS to take with me on our trip.

Now that I have rambled on and on I still want to remind everyone to sign up for the giveaway. If you don't wear aprons, maybe it could be a gift for you to give to the hostess. See post on September 26th for APRON GIVEAWAY!!!

Come on back for the recipe tomorrow.

Monday Sale!!

Monday Sale!!!

I've decided that on some Monday's I will have a sale on something I've made, fabric or patterns. So with the Holiday's approaching, I thought one of the apron patterns I offer might work for this Monday Sale. I only have 6 available at this time, but if more is needed I can get them in. The pattern is regular priced at $8.00 and it is on sale for $5.00 and a $1.00 shipping in the US. (Can ship overseas and I will see what the least amount of postage would run) Just drop me a line if you are interested.

"Apron Strings"

It's Hip to Strip!!!

(great for jelly rolls)

Size S-XXXL

Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway below.

Apron Giveaway and Martha Stewart

Boy, I almost didn't make the September Giveaway!

I'm having another giveaway, a fall apron I had made. Just leave a post and your name will be in. I know this contest want have a lot of time, but the deadline will be October 2nd. That way the October giveaway will have time to run.

This apron pattern is one of the most popular, fits all sizes and has a little flounce at the bottom for the girlie look. Ties at the sides. I have this Indygo Junction Pattern in the online shop. www.calamityjanescottage.com

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart is having a blog contest and you may even get to be on her show. If you go here and leave a comment you will be entered. I still can't believe I invited someone like Martha or a staff member to read my blog. This kinda leads to a story I have to tell ya about when I was in High School.

I took homemaking (favorite subject) and then I took business courses, you know the one back then that had calculators, Dictaphones, typing, no computers when I was in school. Anyway, my homemaking teacher and my business course teacher called me into a meeting. I thought oh no, what have I done. You see I could type 60 words a minute, (that was with just copying a page) but on a Dictaphone I had to stop every other word just to look it up in the dictionary. They told me at this meeting I should go with my homemaking skills. I guess they were correct in guiding me in that direction. I thank spell check now, just wish they had grammar check on here.

Don't forget to leave a post so I can put your name in the drawing!

Thank you for all the prayers and a little update!

The Road To Recovery!

This is my DH, daughter and family walking from my brother-in-laws house, who is going through chemo at this time. A picture of his house is below with the tree going through it. He is doing fine and still in good spirits. The two dogs are mine and made it through the storm in our barn we just built, but the day after my old yellow dog disappeared and we haven't seen him. Miss him a lot.

This is a picture of my brothers house that had all this mud and water up to 4 feet in his home. That is where I've been helping to go through all of his items we could save and it's not much. You talk about stink!!!!

My house didn't get a lot of damage, siding, insulation and a few shingles, but when you see others, it's just not much at all.





This is not far from my house, all the water standing is salt water, we just had never had a surge like this one. My brothers house is only 15 miles from mine and the whole town got water. They said only 18 homes did not get water in them.

I want to thank you for the kind words and prayers. It was so nice to read when I got online again.

I didn't forget about the apron giveaway, just a little bit postponed.

Hugs to you all, cherish and be thankful for each day,

Hurricane Hit .....

Hi, I am posting a quick note for Bonnie.......... they had damage and are without electricity and internet for awhile... hopefully not the 4 to 6 weeks she was told. Please keep them and everyone in the areas hit in your prayers.

If you email or post or were in contact with Bonnie about anything it will take her awhile to get back to you until their services are restored.

Guest Poster,
Donna R

"TUTORIAL" Placemat Purse and Rebecka-Thank you so much

First Tutorial from Calamity Jane's Cottage

Supplies needed for lined purse

2 Placemats

Fabric-this may vary due to size of place mats-3/4 yard will get the lining, loop and pockets

Webbing for handles -this also can vary, I like long enough handles to go under my arm. I measured 2-24" of webbing

Optional for closure-large button

Cut your lining the same size as your placmats. I also cut 2 pockets-8"X14" and a loop for closure 2 1/2"X13", all out of lining.

When I make my pockets I fold over pocket fabric to measure 8"X7", see picture below. Sew RST and leave opening at bottom to turn pocket. Trim corners and turn.

Press pocket and pin onto lining; you will catch the bottom of the pocket at this time, which was opened for turning the pocket.

Sew pockets to lining.

Pin RST, front and back of purse, sew sides and bottom. Sew the same for the lining but leave an opening at the bottom of the lining for turning.

Make loop by folding in sides to the center and then folding again to make a piece that will measure about 1/2"X13". This can vary depending on what size you would like. I took a picture of how I fold this to make a loop for the button.

To make box purse bottom, pull seams together and sew across where it would measure 3" across. Most of the time you would cut out a small amount, but on some placemats it would come unraveled. So I skipped that step.

Turn bag right sides out and pin handles and loop to purse. Loop is put in the center and the handles are put 4" from the side

Slip bag into lining RST.

Pin around top and sew the top edge.

Turn purse through opening in bottom of lining and sew the opening closed.

Pin around the top edge and make sure the handles and loop are not in the way when you sew this step. Since we are working with placemats in the project, this can be a little thick.

I also put a little pleat at the side of the purse after it is all finished. You have to sew down a little from the top due to thickness here. Add a big button and you are ready to go.

These are some other placemats I had that would make cute fall purses. If you have any questions please email me at orders@calamityjanescottage.com . I can email this file to you.

I'll be signed off for a while due to hurricane Ike and will be back soon.

Thank you,

Grandbaby Home

God is good!

Sometimes that is all that needs to be said. Little Chloe did good with breathing treatments and steriods. She is home and still not talking much, just kinda squeaks. She wants to talk and you can tell she feel a lot better.

I kept Makinzie while sister was in the hospital or should I say sissy. I have to tell you I know why you have your children at a younger age. This MiMi is worn out. She is so good and I think a lot of us (MiMi's, NaNa, Grammy's, or whatever they call you), bring it on ourselves. We just have to have a good time and stay busy, it was really good getting some one on one time, but I went into the kitchen to cook when PaPaw woke up (he was on graveyards). That's another subject, keeping quite while PaPaw sleeps.

Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts and tomorrow I will have the tutorial up.

I forgot to tell you, I recieved a note from the post office that a package was in. Linda @http://all-stitched-up.blogspot.com/ told me my bag was mailed, so I will be off to pick the package up tomorrow. I hope it's it. Can't wait....

Youngest grandbaby in the hospital! Tutorial will be a little later

Quick post, our little Chloe had to be admitted this morning in the hospital with congestion and coughing. I will be back as soon as I know more.
Hugs,
Bonnie

This is a picture of some of the supplies for the first tutorial!

1st Tutorial

This is some of the supplies I will use to show you a little tutorial. It will be using placemats, a little fabric and some webbing. It takes a little bit of time in showing this, so I hope to be finished tomorrow. Now, don't think it is just for Halloween any placemats can be used. Some of you might not like Halloween, but I have some cute fall place mats I'll show you. So stay tuned.

Big Red is coming along! I have to get thinking about the Holiday's...

"Big Red" is coming along!

I am so excited about our building. My house is running over with fabric, antiques and items from the store closing. I feel like our lives might get a little bit organzied. I really hope I can get some quilters together and have a party barn. It's so hot here, we could only do it in the fall, winter and spring. Oh, I have big plans...

Now my DH probably has other plans, party barn with neon signs, TV, wood working (which is fine). He's a hunter, fisherman, and golfer, so no telling. I think we can both work with it.

Our Minds better get to thinking about the Holiday...

I know, it's scary, to think it's so close...Chloe thinks so!

I have got a lot of projects and hope to be posting pictures soon, "how to make items and decorating ideas."

Mr. Baxter comes for a visit and I got a surprise today!!!! Oh, and a little peek at the bag swap.

Peg-Thank You!

"Thank you so much"-Peg @ http://happyinquilting.blogspot.com/ sent me a package I wasn't expecting at all. I tell you, quilter's have the biggest hearts. Peg, this was so thoughtful, you didn't need to (but oh it was so exciting). I'm posting before I email you, that it came today. Look what all she sent just because I sent something for the challenge she had. She wrapped a magazine Australian Quilters Companion, an address book with the most beautiful pictures of quilts and wall hangings in it, a Kit-Kat bar (yum) and a beautiful card all wrapped up in a fat quarter and tied with a bow. I have seen a project in the book I want to try and the address book is going to have all the new quilters I have met online in it. Thank you again, Peg.

Now I have to tell you about a little man, Mr. Baxter, who came and stayed with me while my DH was working so hard.

Isn't he the cutest thing, when I shake my foot he will start playing and running, see he's getting ready... This is my daughter's dog and since they went out of town he stayed with me. It's so good to have a man around the house.

I was going to show pictures of the purse I made for the purse swap and thought I can't do that now because she doesn't know who I am and I put her initials on the bag. So I guess you will have to wait until she gets it before I can show any pictures. There is only one view I can show and it is the back view. The bag is large enough for her quilting project and full of pockets so she can put all her sewing items in it when she needs to grab it and go. I'll take pictures of the other items I'm sending her tomorrow. So here's a peek:

We are fine and computer back on!!!

My main thoughts are with the one's that Gustav hit. We ended up not getting damage from this hurricane, not like our neighbors in Louisiana. Thank you all for the prayers. I know we have plenty of warning to get out of harms way, not like a tornado, but I have seen what these hurricane's can do. So I always get a little nervous when one comes around.

Our community was hit hard with Rita so I think everyone was ready to leave when they said it was going to be mandatory.

My daughter, husband and grand babies were close to Gulport, Mississippi, visiting his mother, so they were on the bad side of it. Hopefully they will be able to come home tomorrow. I think I got more grey hair (if that's possible) trying to get them on the phone the whole time.

Thank you again for all the prayers and kind thoughts, I hope our post office is open tomorrow, I have a lot of mail outs. I'll be posting about them tomorrow.