Happy Halloween!

 
 
Just a couple pics of my monsters; a vampire & Commander Rex Storm Trooper. It was a wet & rainy walk this year and we were soaked to the bone by the time we got home. Needless to we weren't out very long but they got plenty! They don't think so but mom sure does. This mom gave them a smaller size pumpkin and they were full; no need to have an entire pillowcase full of candy. :-) I know, party pooper but mom pays for the dental bills! LOL

Grinch Green Knitted Hand Warmers

I made these about a month or so ago and had planned to keep them a secret as a Christmas gift for my youngest son. He picked out the yarn to match his favorite hoodie. However, we had a little cold snap a week or two ago and his hands were freezing, or so he told me. So I surprised him with them early. He was very excited and wears them every morning whether he needs them or not. :-)

I didn't really use a pattern for these, I just "winged" it but they turned out great and he loves them.

Mom.....Thinking of you......

Thinking of my dear mother today. She lost her battle with breast cancer 5 years ago today.

This year doesn't find me sad, just missing her. Missing being able to call her just to say hi or tell her of something silly the boys just did or said.

I could really use her kind words and support for my own mammogram screening process. I had my 2nd ever mammo two weeks ago and shockingly got a very generic letter in the mail stating results show I need further examination with a specialist. How's that for patient/doctor communication? So after the initial shock and thoughts of EVERYTHING possible ran through my head, I made the next appointment and go again next week for yet another squish and ultrasound.

Any ladies reading this, doctors say to start screening at 40. Let me tell you, I am not 40 yet and have had been screened twice already. Breast cancer doesn't care if you are 20, 30, 40, or 90; if it wants to find you, it will. We just need to stay proactive and ahead of this dreaded disease to kick it in the butt if it decides to find you.

On that note, I'm staying positive & hope my screening next week comes out clear and no signs of anything. What else can we do? Can't worry yourself sick, right?!

So, ladies.....go get your mammograms. While you are at it, grab a friend and make her go too and give yourself kuddos for your "plus one".

Reusable Gift Card Holder Mini Wallet for the Holidays

I listed 3 new Christmas design reusable gift card holders/mini wallets. I have several more to finish and list as well so check back soon.

Available in these shops: Ragamuffin Quilts & on Etsy

Great item to present gift cards for the holidays, birthdays and more.



Reusable as wallet, coupon holder, and more.



Made with 100% cotton fabric; fully lined with interfacing and includes a secure snap closure.

2009 Breast Cancer Awareness Quilt Auction

My eBay quilt group, Quilter's Corner, has created a wonderful twin size quilt for auction to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Auction Link

Be sure to scroll down in the listing to see the slideshow of photos.

Help us raise funds by bidding, watching or passing the link onto others.

Our Chipmunk King

Our home is at the top of the "hill" and with the many years of drought we've had, our yard now has a retaining wall to hold the front yard where it belongs. In this retaining wall lives a colony of chipmunks. We really don't mind as long as they stay outside. Not sure our cats would be so kind if one were to wonder inside the house.

Here are a few pics of a brave little guy a few days ago. He is much smaller than some we've seen so we're guessing he's a curious youngster. He let me get quite close to him, then ran into the hole and would peek out at me as if to ask, "Are you STILL out there?" Then he would come back out and just stare at me....too cute.

My "New" Sewing Machine

 
 
 
This blog post is long overdue. This is the very first sewing machine I ever used as a young girl for a Home Ec project. Probably no one under my generation even knows what Home Ec is and I'm still 30-something.

I am lucky enough to now have this wonderful keepsake, especially since I still enjoy sewing. What makes this machine so special you ask? This machine belonged to my beloved Grandmother. She was kind enough to pass it onto me this past summer. She bought it brand new in 1950. Her very first sewing machine! After all these years she still purrs like a kitten. Mind you, it doesn't have any fancy stitching or computerized gadgets but it works like a dream none the less. If you look closely, it does not have a foot pedal but a KNEE pedal to sew. I wish newer machines had this feature. It can't get away from you like a foot pedal. :-)

I hope you enjoy seeing these old pics as much as I enjoy having this machine in my possession. It brings back fond memories of sewing with my Grandmother all those years ago.

"BRANDON" Car Seat Rag Quilt

Here is a custom order I just finished this week. It's a custom sized car seat quilt with the baby's name down the front. :-)

Get Your Ribbons Out Ladies

October is here already. Not sure where the year has gone by so quickly.

I'm sure everyone has seen pink ribbons appearing all over the place and for good reason. October is breast cancer awareness month.

As I do every year, I am dedicating my blog for the month of October to anyone that has been touched by breast cancer.

I plan to blog helpful links and resources throughout the month so check back often.

Here is a good start:

I'm a woman who wants to STOP Breast Cancer.One million women.One research goal.Join the revolution at www.armyofwomen.org!

Follow Army of Women on Twitter