My drapery creations....

Well many of you have seen my apron creations. I think I've mentioned that I first started sewing when I was 10. My mom had gotten a new sewing machine and I asked if I could have her old "Signature" sewing machine from Montgomery Wards. Boy, am I dating myself. Well before I knew it, I was sewing matching outfits for my two friends and myself. Matching Hot Pants outfits in three different colors. That was a sight! Well as the years passed I was sewing all my clothes. After college I managed Jo-Ann fabrics. Not such a good job if you love fabric but need your check to pay the bills. I was always buying something, not able to pass up a bargain. I left Jo-Ann' right before I became a MOM. I have always had a home based business and for the past fifteen years I have had a custom drapery business. I do all the design work.Over the years things have gotten busier, I now have a few women who help me with the sewing. I love the creative aspect of my job, and being my own boss is wonderful. I thought I would share some of my latest creations with you....

The photo isn't the best. The windows were 20 feet high. That is one problem with the new houses, everything is so tall. It makes the installation difficult. I could not fit the entire window in the lens of my camera. There is also another small window to the right of the large center window. It is exactly like the window on the left.

Here is a detailed photo of the top of the window treatment. The swag was 4 feet deep and had beautiful ribbon bullion trim. The tassels were also made out of ribbon with beads. We mixed a wonderful chenille floral with silk plaid drapery panels. I Love plaids!

This client was great to work with. She wanted a cottage look and we had four different coordinating prints to work with. She loves floral fabric so that was the main component of the draperies. The window treatment was finished off with a crystal beaded tassel fringe with matching tassels. This treatment was placed in the nook eating area.

Just adjacent to the nook was the formal dining area. We incorporated the large stripe fabric for the top of the drapery panel.

I have been blessed to be able to have a homebased business while my two boys have been growing up. This has afforded me the opportunity to be there when they need me and not miss out on the many wonderful moments in their lives. I have also been able to use the talents of sewing and creativity in a job that I love to do. What a blessing.....

"When people go to work, they shouldn't have to leave their hearts at home."

It's finished...My Flirty Apron.

Well I finished my apron for the Flirty Apron swap just in the nick of time. If you are not familiar with the swap, let me tell you about it. The theme this time was "My Fantasy Vacation". Each person that was in the swap told about where their fantasy vacation would be and a little bit about the vacation. The host of the swap then assigned partners to everyone. We were to make our partner an apron that best represented their fantasy vacation. Sounds like fun, hugh? My partner was the host of the apron swap. I felt a great deal of pressure. I have seen some of my partners work on Apronista, and I did not want to disappoint her. Her vacation spot was an all-expense shopping trip to New York City...taxis, high heels, coach bags, a luxury hotel suite and a makeover. Well I found some material that had a theme of a shopping spree and a day at the spa. I thought this would work out well.

I had to add some glam to the apron, so I found some rhinestone buttons to attach the neckties with. I also made a small ruffle with some pink chiffon that had small tiny flowers. I think the pearls and the choker necklace add a nice touch to the whole glam look!

I also embellished the pocket with the chiffon ruffle for some added detail.

O.K. my partner mentioned a coach bag. That was not in the budget. I decided to make a bag that would be a fun t accessory to the outfit. I finished off the ensemble with a pair of matching gloves. What girl wouldn't want these. I found the black dish gloves at the Dollar Tree and couldn't pass them up. I add a pearl button to embellish the gloves. She looks like she's ready for a night on the town!

' I used both fabrics on the purse and lined it in the polka dot print. The handles were the perfect complement to the purse, with the large black balls.

I added swarovski crystals to the black and pink polka dots and to the main part of the purse. I think I mentioned she wanted glam?

Well my partner may not have won an all-expense shopping trip to NYC but when she gets my apron and accessories I hope she feel like a million bucks! I'd love to hear what you think about my creation.....

"Beauty comes as much from the mind as from the eye"

Free apron pattern from Jo-Ann fabrics...

OK all you apron lovers.

What a great way to start off the week... a free apron pattern.

I received an email from Jo-Ann fabrics for the pattern. All you have to do is click on this.... free apron pattern. I thought I would pass it on to all of you who adore making aprons. It's a cute pattern and doesn't take a lot of fabric. Well I'm off to work on my apron for the

"Flirty apron Swap". The deadline is today and my partner is the host of the swap, Shawnee. Needless to say the pressure is on! I'll post my photos of the creation later this week. Hope freebie blesses your day with a bit of happiness...

"You can't live a perfect daywithout doing something for someone

who will never be able to repay you."

A creative weekend....

What at a crazy week. Before I knew it it was Friday evening and I needed to have a few gifts for the weekend. Three in fact, and I hadn't even started them. What to make??? I needed a gift for a a baby, a graduation, birthday and a newly married couple. I popped into Michael's Craft to buy some of my favorite inexpensive photo albums which are pictured below. Once I get done with them you'll never know that they cost me $1.20 after I used my 40% off coupon. Don't you just love those coupons!!!!

I had quite an assembly line going making all four books. I don't know about you, but when I am under a time limit I do my best work. I stay focused when I know that I have to get something done. There is no time to stop to check my emails or look at some of my favorite blogs. I made matching gift bags for each of the books. I took a few photos of three of the books. I rushed out of the house on Saturday night and forgot to take a photo of the birthday book. It was for my mother in law's 70th birthday. I'll get it from her when I put in the pictures from the party, and I'll take a photo to show you . The graduation book will be useful to fill with photos of friends. It was for one of our neighbor's son. We were out of town during the party and I wanted to send a gift.

I put the gift in a matching gift bag. Now he has a special place to store all his graduation photos.

The baby photo book was for a friends grandchild. It's her second boy and I didn't want it to be to "fancy" for the little guy! It also had a matching gift bag. OOPS...I forgot to get a photo of the bag.

This book was made for a friends daughter. She recently got married and had a small wedding which just family attended. I knew I would be seeing her this weekend so I wanted to have a gift for her. Now the new bride will have something to keep her mementos in.

I loved working on these gifts. I truly enjoy giving a gift that I created, which came from my heart.

"We never know how deeply An act of kindness can touch a heart... "

Do little boys ever grow up???

As I told you last week my baby is a senior in high school now. I think he is enjoying being "Top Dog" at the school. Well we needed to make a trip to Walmart to get the long list of school supplies. What an adventure. I think everyone in the area had the same idea. You couldn't get the shopping cart down the isle. Well as we passed by the isle with the lunch boxes my son shrieked with joy...There it was a SPIDER MAN old fashion lunch box. One of the metal ones that I carried years and years ago. He pleaded like a five year old, "Can I have it?....I've gotta get this!" I began to laugh. All through school he refused to carry a lunch box. He had to carry a brown lunch bag and now he wanted a lunch box. A Spider Man man lunch box at that! It was worth the purchase just to see him carry it to school. He couldn't wait to pack his lunch when we got home.

The next day, he left with a heavy book bag and the Spider Man lunch box. He looked just as cute as he did twelve years ago on his first day of kindergarten. Do little boys ever grow up?

My youngest set out for his first day as a freshman. A new school and he is excited. I'm sure before I know it I will be writing about him being "The Top Dog" at the school.

The years seem to just fly by. Take the time to enjoy the gifts God has given you. They grow up quickly!

" The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. "

Thanks for the Awards....

It's been a wonderful week. this past week I received two more awards. You bloggers are so sweet. I am new to the blogging world and I really do enjoy sharing my creations and decorating tips with all of you. Being a mom I also enjoy talking about my boys every now and then. Well last week I receive the Brillante Weblog award from not one but two of my favorite blogs, Emily at "Livin Vintage "and Shawnee at "Shawnee's tangled tales". What sweeties they both are. Please check out their blogs.

Then my dear friend Amy from "Homeacre" sent me this award. Amy and I have been friends for over 20 years. She does some wonderful needlework. If you enjoy working with yarn check out her blog.

Well now it's my turn to pass both these awards to the blogs I love to read. Some of these blogs inspire my creativity and some make me laugh. Which ever it is, I enjoy sitting down and reading them. I am going to pass the awards to the following blogs.

1. The Feathered Nest

2. Screaming MeMe

3. Home Spun

4. Garboodles

5. Nesting Place

6. Carol's Garden

7. Joys of Home

Please accept this award from me and here's how the rules work...

1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Link the person from whom you received your award.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4. Put the links of those blogs on to your blog.

5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them!

Thanks for sharing a little part of you through your blog each day.

You, are a blessing to my day!

Blissfully Domestic has a new look...Check it out.

If you haven't already heard the news, Blissfully Domestichas launched their new web site today. Come and check it out. There are eleven new channels to look through. From cooking, home decor, gardening and many more. I am very excited that I am going to be one of the new contributors for the decorating site. There will be great daily posts from a group of very creative people. I know you'll find something that interests you. In addition many of the contributors for Blissfully Domestic will be having free give aways. Stop by "a tad bit prudish" and check out her blog. You have to see what all the talk is about!!!