Welcome Along 2012

Ah, a New Year!

I am so ready! 

Looked outside at the seriously too warm for Winter weather and thought, "looks the same to me."

The calender flips and nothing has changed.

Good. 

I like sameness.

Not that I am an advocate for the status quo mind you. 

I actually like to think of myself as a one woman Crew of Anarchy. 

But, as I am also The Queen of Pro Crasty Nation, not much upheaval is achieved here in our cozy new home.

I want to change that in some ways. 

Not that I ever anticipate giving up my Crown but 

some changes would be good.

Thus I think I shall dub 2012 "The Year of Along."

Look over to the right there -------->

I have joined a couple of Stitch Alongs.

My pal Jodi of Pleasant Home is going to help me, and lots of us, use up all those scraps we can't bear to throw away with 

her 2012 Sew Scraps Along.

New to me blogger, Karen of Sew Much 2 Luv, is hostessing 

the 2012 After Christmas Sew Along.

Karen's giveaway includes weekly prizes! 

Both gal's blogs are chock full of tutorials and beautiful ideas and inspirations.

Jodi's Quick Pinwheel Table Runner 

inspired my Pinwheel quilt for GrandBaby A.

Karen makes the cutest stuff. 

I love combining stitching (Cross or embroidery) and sewing as she did in this little bag!

I want to sew more. 

I want to embroider more.

I want to knit more.

I want to read more.

For Fun.

For myself. 

Even for profit. 

For my sanity.

Join me in welcoming the New Year with a renewed love for whatever is your favorite craft or your passion.

What do you want to bring along to the New Year?

Sew, Mama, Sew GiveAway Winner!

We have Winner!!!

Congratulations Kristin! who wrote:

My favorite grill food would have to be chicken wrapped around fresh basil and tomato and marinated in fresh garlic and virgin olive oil. Ohhhh I ready for some grillin!

Thank you for the chance to win. This would make the perfect father's day gift, along with some grilling tools (toys as he calls them).

Do not be sad if you didn't win. 

I am offering free shipping in my etsy shop, Sew In Stitches, 

now through June 15th. 

Just in time for Dad's Day, Graduations, Weddings and Summer Cook-out Fun. 

Just use coupon code SMS2011.

And keep your eyes on your e-mails for another coupon.

I will be adding more aprons soon along with other goodies.

I am happy to discuss custom orders too!

Machine embroidered monograms or first names are available.

Just $5! 

That's cheaper than the famous catalogues and most stores!

Back to the sewing machine for me.

Again Thanks to all who dropped by during Sew, Mama, Sew's GiveAway!

New Stuff, Old Stuff - Cyber-Monday Link-up

New Stuff in my etsy shop.

"Old" stuff in my eBay store.

Who ventured out on Black Friday?

Not me. 

No way. No how.

I have seriously stayed at home on that day of madness ever since I left retail sales some 15 years ago.

Hats off to those of you brave enough to wait in line and shuffle through all the stuff and people.

What did you get?

I am trying to get ready for Cyber-Monday.

There are a few new items in my etsy shop, Sew In Stitches, with more to come as I finish sewing and picture taking. 

I sure wish the pictures were as easy as the sewing.

 I made these bibs for our granddaughter and a friend's grandson.

You can order one (or more) for your special baby by choosing your fabric, font and thread color.  Then I create a custom listing!  

These are the fabrics available.

 

For the first time in ages I have some vintage items listed in my eBay store under my eBay name, singers_mom.
I am donating 15% of all proceeds to the 
Family Violence & Rape Crisis Services of Chatham County, NC.

I opened my eBay account long before the notion of Sew In Stitches was born. Has anyone else ever changed their eBay ID and store name?  I am seriously considering it in order to unify everything under the Sew In Stitches name. Opinions?

What are you doing for Cyber-Monday?

Are you setting up shop?

Adding to yours?

The more folks that see our stuff, the more stuff we sell!

Please link your shop, store, items for sale or blog here.

Finish It Friday

Oh Yay!!!

It's Friday.

The air is cooler!

Football Season is in!

The Braves made the Post-Season playoffs.

Life is pretty dern good.

I have been finishing projects this week.

Yay!

Apron Swap #1- Forest Friends

It's a wonky Owl.

The darlin Apron I received:

Lots of cute owls!

Who on earth is that? 

And why is he wearing my apron?!

Halloween Tote Bag Swap

What I sent:

 The outside before I sewed it up.

The insides before I sewed it up.

2 pockets - oh yeah.

Why don't I have a picture of the completed bag and all the goodies? 

I do not know.

What I received:

Look at this cute bag and all the goodies!!!

Apron Swap #2 - Halloween

What I sent:

Closer on the pocket

A sneak peak at what I am working on.

 

It's a super secret Color Challenge!

Can't wait to show you what I made.

What are you finishing this week?

(Thank you to my sweet BillHubby for modeling for me!!)

No owls were harmed in the making of these aprons or blog.

July is Almost Over?!? Giveaway

I am having one of those "where the heck did this month go?" moments.

Bill Hubby and I have been busy so time flies.

Following the July Celebration In Liberty, NC we set up at the Garner Arts and Crafts Festival.  

  Again, we met amazing crafts folk and some really nice customers.

Again, sales were disappointing. 

Again, I think it was the heat.

We will be checking out more venues and let you know if we are setting up near you!

In the meantime, go peak at my etsy shop.  Lots of bibs, tissue covers, an apron and a couple of sets of coasters.

Plus, There are still a few days left for the 

Christmas in July specials!!

I got a huge surprise today! 

I was featured on The Apron Goddesses!

I don't know how they found me!  

But dang what a sweet write up!  

Thanks to the Ladies who are The Apron Goddesses!

Which brings me to another little announcement - I now have 99 Bloggie Friend Followers!!!  

 I think it's time for a Give-away!

Here's the deal -

See all those little boxes on both sides of this column? 

The ones with links to other blogs and cool as all get out places on the interwebs?  

Yeah? Well, to enter this giveaway 

1) You must be a follower

2) Please visit one of the cool websites by clicking their button links here.

Come back here and let me know where you went and a little about what you saw.  Maybe Bea over at What's the Buzz - Bea's Blabber is talking about her adorable grandson or perhaps Angie over at Mama Lusco Handmade is showing off her adorable kids in vacation pics.

That's all. 

The Prize? Hmmm, One of my aprons of course! 

Something in a retro fabric with a couple of kitchen towels to match!

Extra entries? 

Sure, why not?

For a 2nd entry - Visit one more site and come back and tell me about it. (Heck, I hope eventually you can visit all of these fine folks!)

For a 3rd entry - If you visit my absolute over all favorite site, become a Fan and then tell me which, um, vocal expression, is your favorite  then you get that 3rd entry.  Trick is You have to guess which site I am talking about. 

It really isn't hard to figure out.

There ya are.  3 chances to win!

The winner will be drawn next Thursday, August 5 around midnight EDST.

Okay, I gotta go sew!

Love you all!

June is bustin out alllllll ohohoh-ver!

It's June!

Time for Grads, Dads and Brides!

At least that what the folks in the advertising world have reminded us for years!
For BillHubby and me it's a month of birthdays and short road trips.

First, Bill's birthday. This year very low key.  No 12 layer cake like 2 years ago but I did cook.  I know, don't y'all faint!  I filled Crescents rolls (from a can) with shredded cheese for breakfast and  baked a regular ol' box yellow cake with cream cheese icing.  Bill put together a big crock pot full of roast beast and veggie goodness for supper.  We relaxed all day.

The Birthday Boys!!!
 
A few days later it was off to Wilmington, NC for StepSonWill's 30th Birthday Party.  In a park. With 90 degrees as the cool temp of the day. BUT we had a blast with all the kids and got to spend time snatching our Grand Daughter away from the other Grand Parents, who live in Wilmington.

Cutie Pie Aubree on Grammy's lap. I'm Grammy! Bill is Grumps - hee hee
He took this pic and cut me out - hmmph!

(WARNING - Next picture is not safe for work or sensitive types  - bad words.)

What is with this phenomenon called "Cornhole."  It's really just Toss Across for grown-ups, right?

Last weekend we headed over to Statesville, NC for my Great Aunt Iona's 99th Birthday party!  She is the last of my [Grand]Mama's siblings.  Still living in her own home (with some help.)  Still sharp as a tack and funny as can be. I firmly believe my wicked sense of humor comes from the long line of long living Walker-Campbell women! 
Mama lived to be 104!

I've been sewing some and participated in Val of YarniGras! Hot Mama Pin-Up apron Swap.
Not gonna post what I made til I know my swap partner has it in hand but lookie what Becca sent me!!!!

Thank you so much Becca!!!

 Yeah, I really shoulda ironed it first. (I discovered a "new" tool in Photoshop - "decorate.")

Aren't the gals pretty and my apron is fab.  Becca used a sturdy stripey plaid fabric as an under apron and for the ties and waistband.  It's so pretty I'll probably use it as one of my hostess aprons.  Thank you Val for co-ordinating the swap.

One last note - have you been thinking about jazzing up your home decor?  Maybe some  wall sconces, curtains, art? Check back with me in a day or two cause CSN Stores is once again allowing me to review a product and give one lucky winner a gift certificate to use in any of their 200+ online stores!!!!!!! Click their name and check 'em out while I get my product review in order.  CSN Stores has to be the most comprehensive website in the whole World Wide Web!  They have furniture, Home Decor, Housewares, Home Improvement, Outdoor, Baby & Kids, Shoes, Bags & Luggage, Health & Fitness, Pet, Office and School categories with lots and lots and lots of shops in each group!!!!

Vintage thingies Thursday - more violets!

Gads! where does time go!?!

Been busy busy so I'll be quick here.

More violets -  

Hanging in the bathroom.  No clue what pattern or company.  Just bought 'em cause I like 'em.

I cross-stitched this back in 1980. Finally put the pillow together with some vintage damask like cotton about 10 years ago.
















This last violet isn't vintage  - yet!
It's a tattoo on my Katharine's foot.  In honor of my fav flower!  That's love!










Quick peek at what I've been doing this week -

Pulled out my Trusty Sunbeam ($10 at a yardsale!!) and GrandMa Porter's cake pan

and baked a Molasses cake!

And I've been playing with fabric and applique

 

Do you see a turkey?

2 or 5 acorns? Which do you like better?

Now scoot over to Suzanne's ColoradoLady blog and see all the Vintage Thingys!

Vintage Thingies Thursday and a Give Away

As I said earlier - I love September for many reasons!

It's National Sewing Month!
It's my Birthday month - I'll be 50!
It's my daughter Katharine's Birthday month - she'll be 22!
It's College Football kick-Off Month! Go Tigers! Go Demon Deacons!
It's cooler!
It's Fall!
It's time for another GiveAway! Check it out!

Now for somethingys Vintage.

I've shown you things from my Mom's Dad's family and home place. So here's a bit from Mom's Mother's history. We all called her "Mama."



This is the Church her family attended. It was a "Circuit Church" meaning one Pastor was assigned to Moss Chapel and at least 2 other congregations. He would have services at each place on a rotating basis. Believe it or not there are still several Methodist Churches on circuits, including Mama's church.










Isn't it sweet?



















I remember attending a Christmas service there with my family and Mama and her sisters and all the uncles and cousins who were nearby. Twas COLD!! with one wood stove up front. The Pastor asked for all the children to come forward to sing "Away in a Manger." Mama shoved me out in the aisle. Couldn't hide - wished I could be invisible - didn't know a soul there but family - managed to sing and not die. Mama was so proud! I didn't understand til I had my own children :)


The building and grounds have been updated since I was a little girl. They have heat and air conditioning now! Anyone else remember those fans on a stick that we used way back when? And other modern conveniences have been added too....




His AND Hers! Mama didn't get to see these being added but I am sure she would have had more than a few jokes and "true" stories to tell about such places.


It's Homecoming this week at Moss Chapel. Mom is going and we are wishing we could join her and Mama's one remaining sister and all the cousins. The food is always wonderful!!!!


And there's always a stroll through the cemetery where I learn more about our ancestors.

Have I mentioned we are pack rats? Yeah, I know, I have. Here are the Barbie cloths that Mama helped me sew. She taught me how to sew by hand way before I was allowed to think about even looking at a sewing machine!



Poor Barbie would look like a sad bag lady if I were to dress her in these now.

Thanks for stopping by. I know I was late posting VTT today but just in case you haven't looked yet - go over to our dear hostess, Suzanne's site, Coloradolady, and check out all the other Vintage Thingys!



And don't forget to check out my Give Away!