Another try at making a purse

I decided to make a purse and wallet to match.

I adjusted a pattern I had. I made it a little smaller than the pattern.  I made up the pattern for the wallet.  I like the way they turned out!

Another beautiful morning in South Louisiana

As much as I love to sit at my sewing machine, I can not resist sitting on the back screened patio to take in the beautiful mornings we have been  having here.  Enjoying a great cup of coffee and the quietness of the morning are such a wonderful way to start my day.  I wish you could hear the birds.  They are squabbling over their territory in the bird house we put up.  It is too funny to watch them chase each other.  I can hear a whisper of traffic in the background but other wise it is very very quiet.   I am including a picture of my view....wish all my blogging friends could stop in for a cup of coffee one morning!

You can see the bird house we put up above the fort on the swing set we have for the children.  Our oak tree (in the background) is the prettiest I have seen in the last few years. I sure hope a hurricane never takes it away from us. We have two swings and a glider under that tree that we enjoy in the early evenings.  Even when the temps here are in the 80s and 90s, it is cool enough under the tree to have a great visit with family and friends who stop by.

Every girls dream?

Just had to share this.....

Another new purse

this time I used the same fabric for everything, lining, pockets, purse and handle.

How do you like the black and white!  It goes with this wallet I made too.

A new purse

I made this bag a couple of days ago.  It is fun to make these. I have another one cut out and ready to be put together. They are perfect size for traveling.  I made one for my DIL a few months ago to use as a diaper bag.  I even gave my embroidery machine a try and put my monogram on  one of the pockets.

I refuse to be defeated!

I ordinarily only post about things I have made, but today I have to share something personal.
I may have mentioned that I have rheumatoid arthritis.  Two years ago this month I was diagnosed with RA.  I have to admit it was a scary thing to hear.  I did go through a mourning period but I have tried and tried to not let it stop me from doing what I love to do. (take care of my grandchildren, spend time with my family and friends, participate in church activities and sew)
It has been a challenge but I keep going.  I have tried (I think) all of the meds out there. Painful shots, infusions and lots of pills.  The med I am on now, Enbrel, is helping a lot.  Still have very swollen hands and fingers and pain here and there. I miss the life I had before. The predinsone (steroid) helped put 45 pounds on me.  I am now somewhat in control and have managed to loose 24 of them.  I have to keep going because I know that the extra weight is not good for my knees and feet.
For some reason, this morning I feel so sad and disappointed in my self for letting it get to me.
I have a wonderful family and a lot of caring friends but I feel so alone. I do not want to be a burden on anyone. I try to do everything for myself. I hate it when I get like this.
Sorry I am so pitiful today.  I have to shake this off quick!

I am working on a couple of projects in my sewing room so I guess I should go to my sewing (therapy) room and get started.

thanks for listening.......I will try not to write like this again.

Trista's quilt

I finally finished everything on this project.
Here is a photo of the quilt with the pillow shams I made.
It is for a full sized bed.

I also made a valance for her window (no photo) and I posted a photo of the little version of this quilt on an earlier date.

My new toy!

Do all of you wonderful quilters out there have this kind of iron?
 I just discovered it and bought it as a birthday present to myself.

I am looking forward to putting to use when I work on my next project!

Here is a photo:

Another quilt completed!

I finally finished this project.  A friend asked me to make a quilt for her three year old daughter.  She will be moving into a full sized bed and she needed a quilt for it.
She said she wanted a "princess" type theme.  I wanted it to be simple but special.  It took a while to come up with a design I liked.
I hope she likes it.   I am working on some pillow shams for her and I made a valance for her window.  I hope to get a photo of the room later.
For now...here it is:

Hoppy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone!  We had a beautiful day.  My children and grandchildren were here. We also celebrated my 60th birthday.
They gave  me a great new camera!
Here is a photo of my three precious grandsons.

Michelle brought this cute little chicken. So cute.
I hope you can open the video.   Be sure to turn up your volume so you can hear her song!

Pillow cover for an online exchange

For this exchange we get a different project each month.
For February we had to make a pillow cover for a 14" pillow form.
I did March's project first so I  had to get on this one right away because I have another project for April!

I decided to make a pillow with a theme well known in New Orleans.  I hope the person who gets my box of goodies will like
this pillow cover!

here is a photo of the front and back.