The Lord is my shepherd

I am happy to report that this picture has been SOLD. I'll have to make another one though because I want that picture on my mantle. I never want to forget that the Lord is my shepherd. That gives me a great feeling of comfort knowing that I am constantly being cared for by the Lord.
I am still looking for the right place to sell my things. I think needlework needs to be seen in person to be really appreciated. The vibrancy of the colors, the detail in the needlework are the things that make each piece special. The sheep in the picture was filled in with french knots, hundreds of them, and it gives the sheep dimension. If anyone has any ideas about how to get exposure for my needlework, please let me know. I would love to hear from you. Until next time....

Be Positive

As I look at that hard working ant carrying a cupcake on his back, I think I can relate. Sometimes I think we all feel like that ant. Our load feels pretty heavy. If we take a hint from that ant we will try to have a positive attitude more often than not. It makes life a lot easier. The pattern for that wallhanging is from a quilting book by Nancy Halverson. She includes twelve different "attitude" blocks in a cute and whimsical way. Instead of making them into a quilt I decided to make individual wallhangings. I hang them one at a time in my family room for a lighthearted touch. The message for today, BE POSITIVE.

Having Fun !

I am having such a good time becoming familiar with the "blogging world." It's definitely frustrating at times, but I happen to have a wonderful daughter-in-law, Tracy, who really has done all the work for me. I'm just now doing my first blog with a photo, I think I am anyway. We'll see when I hit the publish button.
I have been sewing, sewing, and sewing. The creative process is so satisfying. Sometimes I don't know exactly what I'm going for, but when I am finished I usually am pretty satisfied, or even surprised at the outcome. This week I made a wallhanging with rich burgundies, forest green, gold, and black. I love the colors. I will have a hard time parting with that one. I plan to post a picture of it soon. I'm not quite finished yet.
The photo is a selection of fabric that reminds me of spring. I love fabric. Fabric makes me happy. Fabric makes me feel good. I am blessed to have several quilting friends who feel exactly the same way. We love to go fabric shopping in Lancaster, where we laugh and giggle like little kids as we touch the fabric, smell the wonderful scent of the fabric store and choose what we must have for our "stash". I realize that if you aren't a fabriholic you won't understand what I am talking about, but if you are you know exactly what I mean. Until next time...

I HAD A DREAM ...and still do

What is my dream?  My dream is to have a shop and sell things I make.  I have made Raggedy Ann dolls by the dozen for someone else to put in their shop.  I got paid a tiny bit, but at the time our three children were young and that meant I had a little "me" money.  I remember saving up for a beautiful wool sweater, and being so proud when I got it from money I had made.  Needless to say I was a stay at home mom.  I made baby clothes, stuffed animals, jar covers, dolls, doll clothes and put them in gift shops on consignment.  When the stores added their percentage to the price, my things ended up being too expensive to sell quickly and I became discouraged.  I took a twenty year time-out to work in the real world and didn't have time for my "hobby" any longer.  I am enjoying an early "retirement" and my passion has returned.  I love quilting.  I love embroidering primitive pictures and dying them to make them look really old.  Now, thanks to Etsy, a website which provides a store for handmade items exclusively, I have a store.  There is no overhead and I don't have to go out of the house.  Sounds perfect, doesn't it?  We'll see.  I am going to take you on this adventure with me, if you want to go.  I will share what I learn, how I do it, my failures and my successes.  

Please visit my Etsy store and if you see anything you like, just click on the picture to find out more details.  I would love feedback, suggestions, and any thoughts you have about my business.  Maybe there is something you want made, but isn't mentioned.  Let me know and I might be able to help you.  Thanks for taking the time to read this.  I hope you come back.