Chatbug Karen

I was pleasantly surprised to find that my fish wall hanging was included in an Etsy treasury.

A commenter posted this song, which shall be, forever embedded in my thoughts.

Home for Me! In Indiana
Back Home Again In Indiana, by Ballard MacDonald

Back home again in Indiana
And it seems that I can see
A gleaming candlelight
Still shining bright
Through the sycamores, for me

The new-mown hay
Sends all its fragrance
From the fields I used to roam
When I dream about the moonlight
On the Wabash
Then I long for my Indiana home.

This song gives me goosebumps, especially when sung by Jim Nabors. He sings this song each year before the start of the Indy 500. This arrangement would be awesome if it could be reworked with an audio mixer to tweak the missed audible dynamics. Oh well, it is what it is and with the combined excitement of the race, it is enjoyable.

My husband and I played hookey yesterday. At least, that is what it felt like. We had one of our employees work in our store and we headed towards Indianapolis.

I, recently, made a table runner that has become very popular with my readers over on my sewing blog, Kreated by Karen. I needed to buy more fabric and after checking fabric sites online and getting wrinkles on forehead, I decided I needed fabric therapy. I have not been fabric shopping, except to Joanne’s, for weeks! If you know me, you know that is a miracle.

One of my favorite fabric stores is Always in Stitches in Noblesville, Indiana. They have so many finished projects on display. I love their choices of colors and am always inspired after visiting their shop. I can’t wait to start sewing! I did get my fabric and have enough to make runners galore! LOL

I was in a panic last week. I was in the middle of making purses when my sewing machine went on the fritz. Luckily, I purchased it from a local dealer and was able to have their repairman look at my machine. I am not sure how it happened but a small piece in the bobbin holder was bent and kept me from putting the bobbin in correctly. It only took a minute and he had my machine working again. Sigh of relief!

One of the ladies in our quilt guild showed us how to make cute little coin purses using an old tape measure. The tape is cut into pieces and used as tension rods at the top of each purse. The purses open by pulling on the prairie points sewn on each side of the purse and snap closed from the tension of the tape. I made mine using christmas decor fabric. I am thinking I can sell them as gift card holders.

How many of you think your kids have to have homemade costumes? My kids had those cheapo ones from Kmart. My daughter was the cutest little Glo Worm and not a bit concerned with over the counter diet pills that work. When they got older, they used their imaginations and made their own costumes. Yes, I did buy capes and face makeup. My son was Urkle one year. Do you remember Urkle? If you’re looking for a quick and easy costume for your kids, Jo-Ann Fabric Stores has simple ideas for no sew costumes.

There is a momentum of sorts, going on in the quilt world. Some have made it their mission to put quilt blocks on barns. Have you seen them? Eleanor Burns, the quilter with her own television show, has a book on the market with pictures of the many barns around the country that have been adorned with quilt blocks.

I decided that I would make my mom a wooden quilt block that she could hang on the side of her shed, which happens to be shaped like a barn.

With a few paint brushes, a box cutter, marking tape and paint, I created this.

I recently attended a craft show here in our little town. It seems as if there are many local crafty people. I was excited to find two of my daughter’s friends with a booth of their own. They had tables full of handmade Christmas cards. Of course, I had to buy a few. The problem was deciding which ones were my favorites. I had to limit myself. They make all sorts of cards including birth announcements, birthday and sympathy cards so I am going to be checking with them often. I love giving something that took time to make. It makes giving a card more personal.

This afternoon, I am going to a friend’s house where she is showing a couple of us gals how to make a wallet. I have made a wallet from a pattern before, photo above, but I had trouble getting it to look nice. I am anxious to get tips from her and see how hers turn out so pretty. Have a great day everyone.

My eyes are buggy and my head feels foggy. I have been sewing most of today. I really should be working on the end of October bookwork for our business but I don’t want to do it. Thus, I sew.

I finished two more Haunted Halloween wall hangings. One for me and one for my sister who by the way, just got a new notebook computer! Congratulations on the new baby, Grace! I hope you still find time to sew and don’t spend all of your time setting up your new toy. LOL

It has been a week since I posted here! I’ll show you why.

I have been sewing! Do you see who snuck into this picture? LOL

I even put a zipper in this bag.

You can see other things I have been working on at Winding Threads.

Hallelujah! It is Friday. I have enjoyed this week but it was full of things to get done. I am ready to sit around and watch movies.

I did sew a little this week. I remade a purse after finding out the little girl didn’t like Snow White.
This is how the purse looked before:

This is after Snow White left the building:

I found out that my customer wanted two bags so I made another Disney bag:

Since I planned to mail those to my sister, I made a bag for her too:

I spent my morning in class. I had a blast learning how to use the features on my new sewing machine. A nice 80 year old lady taught me how to make button holes and even sew on the buttons with my machine. I discovered that my new machine can zip through denim that has been folded 5 times! I was the only student and got so much information. I cannot wait to try out the things she taught me.

First though, I need to get back to work. My desk is covered with unopened mail and delivery receipts. I have to go over a life insurance quote, order a roll of carpet for a new reception hall and make sure tomorrow’s job has been called. Work gets in the way of all the crafty things I want to do! LOL I guess I better be good and get my work done or I may not have any money to buy my craft materials.