NEW PATTERN by Designer Rochelle Martin of Cottage Quilts

Quilt  Pillowcase

Rochelle has been having so much fun!

Quilt Size: Throw and Twin, standard size pillowcase

To purchase this item just go to.....

http://www.handmadewithlove.artfire.com/

In and Because of HIM,

Susan

L@@K What I Found Today!

Hubby and I had to go buy a garbage disposal this morning. YUCK...but it is nice to be able to live with out the bucket under the sink for all the nasty stuff that had started leaking.

Tomorrow he promises to put up a new light fixture in my studio and while it is nothing fancy (shop fluorescent lighting) it works very well for the space I have. Once that is done we will only have one more light to replace and it will be finished.

Now having told you all the HONEY DO's....we headed right over to the quilt store  (a much better place to be than a hardware store) where I work and found some awesome 'tools' for my hand embroidery line coming out soon.

Once we were done there honey wanted to go to Hobby Lobby where I found some more goodies that will make my life easier for other new projects in line for the new "store" coming soon.

Now that all lead to my wondering the store just in case I might have missed something...and you know I did! Here is the cutest little thing I found to help dress up the window where I sit to sew....it is not just cute...it will give me inspiration to press on harder and harder so I can one day again be a full time WAHM!

Isn't it cute?

Just a view from across the room.

AND here is what I'll see as I sit at the machine.

OK. Now I've shared my cute little ditty and what I've done today. What have you been doing on this gorgeous day The Lord has made?

In and Because of HIM,

Susan

My Friend & Coworker has a New Web Site!

Take a look at this!

CarriezCreationz has some pretty terrific things for sale. She has hooded towels, fabric, baby blankets and more! She is even doing some Re-fashion...what a gal.

Here is a few of her products:

Baby Quilt                                                                    Refashioned Skirt

Backing Fabric

Be sure and let her know that Susan and Melissa sent you!

In and Because of HIM,
Susan

THEY'RE HERE!

As promised!

Take a look at my "secret" project. I know I've told you about it for a week or so. And now here it is:

"Tilly"Gonk

                                         

"Hip Hop" Gonk

and last but not least "Skully" Gonk

Ok so....tell me what you think!

In and Because of HIM,

Susan

GrRrRr

There is nothing more frustrating than to purchase something new, use it for a week....then mess it up! Grrrrr

Bought a new rotary cutting mat and you all KNOW how expensive they are. Well, I was working on my "secret project" for listing in my ArtFire shop this morning. Have been using my pinking shears for the project and my hand gets so tired. (Guess I need to buy those new ergonomic ones...but any way.) Then I had a genius idea (she says chocking). Why not use that cute little pinking blade on that rotary cutter that you never use? Good IDEA! Wrong...I knew better than to use it on my new mat...but time was ticking and I couldn't wait to get this little "ditty" finished. So...

Yep, it gouged a ding in the brand new mat! Grrrrr

Can't say I didn't warn myself...I knew better...but then....lesson learned!

In and Because of HIM,
Susan

What have I been doing?

I've been MIA...well not really. Just busy posting and listing new product in the new Handmade With Love Art Fire store.

We have 12 designers including myself and my partner in crime (Melissa)! You'll find us by clicking HERE AND you can follow our blog by clicking on the little sewing machine fast at work quilting those teeny tiny hearts at the top of the screen!

We have so many beautiful patterns from very talented designers...don't miss out. Visit us today.

So, between my "real job" and my FUN TIME job I've been way to busy to even think about The Attic. :( With a little luck and a lot of prayer I hope to be a bit more active in the site for a while anyway.

Working on a "secret" project. Just a hint: you could be seeing a new line of plushies at Handmade with Love. That is ALL I'm sayin'!

BUT before I go...here is a sneak peak of just one of our patterns from KOOLKAT Quilting.







It's now time for me to finish getting ready for work...but it is FRIDAY!

In and Because of HIM,
Susan

New Pattern by Designer Rochelle Martin of Cottage Quilts

OK...so here is the lastest (NEWEST) pattern in Rochelle Martin's shop.
You can find her at http://www.cottagequiltdesigns.info/
What a cute, cute shop.

You can find all her patterns in our Handmade With Love ArtFire shop. Just click HERE!

We've added so many new patterns and hope to be adding more every day. I still have 13 of Rochelle's patterns to list. Will start on that tomorrow morning.

If any of you know of someone who would like to list their work with us please feel free to send them our way.

My email address is: susan.hmwl@gmail.com

Let me hear from you!

In and Because of HIM,
Susan

FEATURED Shop @ Handmade With Love

Good morning everyone...just wanted you all to take a look at just one of our designers at Cotton Spice.

It is my pleasure to introduce RAMBLING DESIGNS. Bridgett St. Meave has absolutley beautiful original knitting patterns.

Bridgetts' designs are just phenominal. This is just one....

We invite you to see her work at HERE. Purchasing her patterns are just a click away!


And don't forget.....before the end of February Cotton Spice Pattern Shop is moving and will have a name change. We will be known as Handmade With Love and will have a brand new look.

Melissa Warren, my partner in crime and friend, and I are so excited to share this new adventure with you!

This has been a very long awaited move for me. From brick and mortar store to ....well we will see!

We are still recruiting new designers. So go over there right now and check out Handmade With Love.

In and Because of HIM,
Susan

GIVE AWAY @

Check this out:

To celebrate the launch of this new show, our friends at Janome are letting us give away TWO (yes, TWO!!) dream machines! Someone is going to win the Janome 350e EMBROIDERY machine and a second person is going to win the Janome DC4030 SEWING machine! Now how cool is that?!



In and Because of HIM,
Susan

TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!

OUR HOME WAS BROKEN into 4 years ago this coming summer. While we have "recovered"...none of our personal effects were ever found. :-(

The "stuff" was just that...stuff(although my wedding rings were among the loot taken.)The scoundrels also did a lot of collateral damage to our home. Plan ole vandalism...we were at the end of a wonderful vacation in Eureka Springs, ARK when our grown daughter called with "the news".

While we were heart broken and sad we immediately started praying that God would not allow us to become bitter and that we would find it easy to pray for the person(s) responsible that they would come to know Him.

No we are not super Christian heroes or anything like that...we just knew that if we did not chose to "give it to Him" we would be personally affected in ways we did not want. Guess you could say we were selfish in that prayer.

Anyway...just wanted to give you a general background for what I am about show you!

My sewing/crafting room did not survive the break in...they took some things but thankfully things that were easily replaced...but the mess that was left behind was horrendous...fabric thrown, things moved and hidden under stuff...I mean these peeps had a lot of time to "do their thing" before they finally decided to leave!

It has taken me all these years to FINALLY get my room back to the way I wanted it and to MAKE IT MINE AGAIN! I would arrange and rearrange over and over and over again. Nothing seemed to 'work' for me. But the good news....I DID IT...it is finished and here is the 'evidence' to prove it.


The view from my kitchen:

Design wall and Accuquilt Go station. :-)

Cutting table:

The LONG awaited OFFICE...here is where I write and package your purchases!
This is NOW my favorite room in my house!

Sewing table with a great view to the outside world.

Fabric wall...NO THIS IS NOT ALL OF IT! There are tons in crates. LOL

And last but not least....going back into the kitchen.

Don't tell anyone but I love the fact that I have a concrete floor. I've scattered rugs around for a bit of warmth but cleaning up after a project is so easy. And don't you just love the added feature of the "old oil stained" look on the floor? LOL

In all the MakeOver my poor kitchen was sorely neglected...never fear...her MakeOver is next on the list. AFTER I get some sewin' done.

Now please tell me what you think!

In and Because of HIM,
Susan

Exciting...Exciting NEWS!

I can hardly wait.
Melissa, my friend and former co-worker, and I are about to GO LIVE with our website!

As some of you know I used to own a brick and mortar store. Over head took a toll and well...I moved my store to eBay. Then later to Etsy and ArtFire. Now, with Melissa's help I'm about to have a real live online store. I can't wait...it has been a long time in coming...but it is almost here!

At first we will offer PDF patterns from all genre...quilting, clothing, crochet, knitting, scrapbooking...etc.

Then as we grow...we hope to offer print on demand patterns. Want a pattern? We'll print it...hot off the press JUST FOR YOU!

Thinking about wholesale as well....

Check back often. Not sure when the STORE will actually go live but it will be soon.

In and Because of HIM,
Susan

FEATURED Designer at Handmade with Love

Make this charming baby quilt and bib set for the little one on the way! The blocks feature easy piecing, fusible appliqués and rickrack. Yardage includes enough fabric to make 2 8 1/2" bibs. Quilt size is 35" square-just right for the newborn!

To order click here and you'll be taken to the "right spot"! While you're there be sure to check out all the other designers...you won't be disappointed.

In and Because of HIM,
Susan

CELEBRATE THE DAY

Today is Polka Dot Day...seriously there is such a day. Celebrate it by wearing (what else Polka Dots) and then continue your celebration by going over to COTTON SPICE PATTERN SHOP and....wait for it...SHOP!

ALL for the love of Polka Dots!!!!

In and Because of HIM,
Susan

Don’t forget the Subscription Contest!
Check it out here at RUBY!

We currently have a Subscription Contest going on – every 3rd subscriber receives a prize, and every 7th subscriber – receives a complete refund of their subscription price!


AND it is

Go to RUBY BLOG without delay! The blog is free and while you're there why not subscribe. You may just be the 3rd subscriber and get your issue free!!!!

In and Because of HIM,

Susan

Thursday Thoughfulness

2 Corinthians 3:5-7(NIV)

“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

***God says we are competent in Him to be his ministers…to tell the story His new covenant Jesus.

SUNDAY SHARING Wardrobe Refashion or Repurpose

OK...I realize that most people don't consider aprons as part of their wardrobe. However, I do. Let's face it when you get home from work...you're tired...you need to start dinner...no time to change...solution...throw on an apron! Voila..wardrobe.

I can't live without my aprons and have made many utility aprons...some of which you can find in my Etsy and Handmade With Love online stores.

Some ladies have shoe, purse, hat fetishes...mine (please don't tell)is aprons. I love to make them...love to wear them.

I've joined Wardrobe Refashion for the next 2 months and while I've not had time (yet) to participate...I have done some refashioning in the past (yes, with aprons) and here are two I'd like to share with you.
This apron was made from 2 matching placemats found at my local thrift store. Folded one in half and stitched it to the other...made a seam down the middle of the top placemat to make 2 pockets...then sewed on a wide ribbon in contrasting colors for the tie.



This is by far my favorite re-purposed apron. It is made from a pillow case that I found at the same thrift store as the placemats just on a different visit. Front of pillowcase was the "body" of the apron while the opposite side was cut apart and made into the ties.



They both have been sold...I'm very excited about that.


In and Because of HIM,
Susan

RUBY Giveaway

SNEAK PEEK OF PRIZES :)


Boy do I have fun news today! Take a look at this -

“For the month of Jan until Feb 5. Every 3rd subscriber will receive a prize AND on top of that, every 7th subscriber will get a refund on their subscription!!!! And On top of all that – on Feb 6, we’ll hold a Grand Prize drawing from everyone who subscribed during this period. They will win a Super Duper Craft Supplies Box!!!! It will have buttons, lace, FQ’s, nice yarn, and goodies galore! If you’ve been wanting to subscribe to Ruby – now is the time!!!”

In order to send your prize, we will need your mailing address. Please be sure to include it!

Tell your friends, spread the news for us!!! We have some very cute prizes ready to go to new homes.

The second news – We have a Ruby Calender for you – FREE! You can download it HERE and later this week we’ll show you some fun things to do with it.

Here is just a little peek at some of the prizes we have. They are sitting here, twiddling their thumbs, waiting to be sent to YOUR house!


Some pretty ribbon bookmarks, some with beads.

Maybe a pair of cro-tat earrings?


…or a brooch?


and just a little peek at the craft supplies basket that is still growing!!

You have until Feb 5 to be eligible to win one of these lovelies...You can subscribe HERE!


I hope you will all join in the fun RUBY has set for us this year. Karen Gass, our editor-in-chief is full of ideas for this year!

Come join the fun~

In and Because of HIM,
Susan

SUNDAY SHARING

OK call me cwazy!!!

More than 25 years ago my DH's niece-in-law gave me this pot! I loved it (and still do). I cooked anything and everything in this little pot.

Then several Thanksgivings back (maybe 4) I took my favorite little pot to my brothers for a family feast. I even remember the dish I baked in it (sweet potatoes)...we left early that evening without my pot in tow...

Thinking I would get it back at our next weekend visit I just left it for others to savor the remaining batch of potatoes and never gave it another thought. Well...much to my dismay (and heart break) when I asked for my pot my DSIL said, "You took that pot home"...My brain was reeling...did I? No?...but I'll look in the cabinets when I get home and double check myself.

Sure enough over the next several visits to my brothers and after asking the same question to my DSIL and knowing my precious pot was NOT at my house...I simply gave up. But, I never stopped missing my pot!

Every time I went to prepare the dishes that I was so accustomed to preparing in it ...I would miss it and lament to DH about it...EVERY SINGLE TIME!

Then one day 2 weeks ago I was on the phone with my mother. You know...just one of those girlie chit chats about nothing much in particular. I can't even tell you what started this part of the conversation BUT...I mentioned my pretty little pot and told her the story.

She said..."I think I have that pot!...DDIL gave it to me several years back saying she didn't know who it belonged to but that I could have it." 'Well...HELLOW...DUH...OK!' She describes it to me and "yes, mom, I think that is my pot!"

Yesterday, we went to visit my mom and there on the counter top...pretty as ever...was my little pot! OH how I've missed that pot...but my mom said how much she loved it too...so being the WONDERFUL daughter that I am (she says grinning like the Cheshire Cat) told her to just keep it..."No, I would never feel right using it again. You take it home."

SO....now my pretty little pot is once again at home and I am SO LOVING HER! I promise never to take her out of my home to another feast...ever.

Now, call me cwazy...but I think she must have missed me as much as I've missed her. It seemed as if I saw her smile when we walked in the door. And I'm sure I heard a gentle ~sigh~...as if to say "oh, home sweet home". What do you think? Is she smiling? Or...is it my imagination?






Either way I sure am smiling....
:-)

In and Because of HIM,
Susan

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009

Merry Christmas to my wonderful friends both here at home and online!

Here is a picture of the "decorations" we finally managed to get up so that our grandchildren wouldn't think we were total duffases for not putting any up! The kids made these decorations a few years ago and I couldn't resist an easy decorate!

On the top of the tree is my hat that Courtney...our middle grandchild...made for me for Mothers Day last year. She did it all by herself with only a small bit of suggestions from her mother. It is the most beautiful present I've ever gotten from any one in my whole life.

The editors of Ruby eZine all decided to allow our editor-n- chief to draw names to see who would exchange gifts with whom...my name was drawn by the editor (Karen Gass) herself and the little bear with a Christmas wreath halo was my gift from her. Isn't she just the most adorable little thing you've ever seen. Karen made this little jewel with her own two hands I might add. THANK YOU Karen!


Well...the day is done. We spent it with our two DD's and the oldest DH's husband and her 3 children. We had a wonderful fun filled day. We ate...exchanged gifts...played Wii sports...ate...played some more Wii sports and then every one left...Sure is quiet after the storm...but what a very nice storm it was.

Hope you and yours had as great of a day as did we!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

Merry CHRISTmas to each and everyone.

In and Because of HIM,
Susan

MONDAY (EVENING) MUSINGS

SO....here it is 3 days before Christmas 2009. You would think I'd have lots to say and or at least think about...but...nope. Most the projects are completed and are ready for wrapping. Still a few in the sewing room needing the finishing touches but for the most part all is completed.

The work week will be short as we get all day Christmas eve off...then Christmas day and those who would normally work on Saturday get that day off as well. ***note this is not my home nor is it my tree. I "borrowed" the pic from FREE IMAGES.com...We don't have our tree up yet...yes I know it is Dec 22. We may not have a tree at all. DH says no since in it since we will be alone this year...LOL




I put a scarf on her to see how I needed to adjust it for different size dogs...well, can you tell that she is just a little "put out with me"...but she did be still for her photo! She is a good girl.

DH is playing with the dog...she loves to torture us with her toys...like we honestly care if she keeps them from us or not. She does, however, rule the house SO we play...taking her toy is a no no but...she still wants us to get them (or at least try) from her. It was a bit long for her but it adjusts so I think it will be good. No more "fussing" with this one.

I did make a very small scarf for those pups 1-5 pounds. They get so cold! Plans are in the works to do many new items for my friend who owns a local pet store here in town. There will be custom things for the "discriminating pup" and some everyday things for the mundane days....just keep your eyes on this line! Beds, monogramming, collars...IDK maybe toys, etc. We will see...

Ok, time to get to those last few gifts and get 'em done!

Merry CHRISTmas everyone.

In and Because of HIM,
Susan