A Surprise in This Day...

I received a call this morning from a friend. Her mother was trying to foster an abused dog, and it just wasn't working out. It was too timid of her other dog, who outweighs this one by a whopping 110 pounds! He is a smallish Shitzu, brown, named Cocoa. He is missing an eye due to being hit upside his little head with a 2x4. So sad. So of course I said "Bring him over".

It has been awhile since I had my two little poodles. I had them each 17 years, and not a day goes by that I don't think about them, and miss them. So I needed a doggie bed. Fast. He would be here in an hour.

Enter two large pieces of Chenille, and strips of chocolate dot cotton (sewn together to create one long strip) for the sides. (With the name Cocoa, the chocolate dot seemed appropriate. :) Add one heart applique one of the chenille pieces, sew the strip between the layers, stuff full of polyfil, and VOILA'! One cute doggie bed.

He must love it, as indicated by his being super comfy on the couch. *sigh* He is very scared right now, but seems to enjoy the loving pets from the family members.

It's funny, my husband and I have been visiting shelters for a few weeks, not really in the market for another pet at all, just seeing what is out there I guess. (Weird? Probably.) I told him that I would wait for the right one to come along. That the dog should need us. Well this one definitely needs us.

Welcome Cocoa. :)

Twelve Boxes of Goodness!

Twelve boxes of pattern deliciousness arrived today! They are so lovely, and came at a great point for me. On the edge of despairing and lamenting that it seemed like light years away, I now hold them in my hands and couldn't be happier. There are five designs we will launch with, and each will include a little "Sweet Treat by Stefanie G.". Inside the pattern is a QR code that brings you here, where I will periodically post recipes and DIY's. I still have some things to learn about blogging, like how you can download some freebie PDF patterns!

The fabulous five...

Paisley Bouquet, an embroidery pattern that has multiple designs included, and multiple project instructions as well. The directions can be as basic as a simple back stitch outline, or a completely filled-in look. The point is that you get to "make it your own" no matter your skill level.

The Big Top Circus Set, one of my favorites! It includes a tight rope walking mouse, a baby elephant stuffie, and a big top pillow, who's flaps tie closed or open. Opened up it reveals a sweet little elephant applique.

The Reversible Commuter Bag, a bag I pretty much carry everywhere now. Fully lined, with numerous pockets for cell phones, and all your goodies, a cross-the-body strap, and of course, reversible. Included is the instructions for different pin options as well. Versatile enough for a diaper bag too!

Fritzi Bear, a sweet little guy that looks completely different depending on your choice of fabrics. Perfect for beginners, or anyone looking for a little fun in their sewing repertoire!

Big-Eyed Owlette Set is another trio of patterns. A party hat, a place mat that has instructions to turn it into a pillow, and a cutie pie owlette holding a bunting. The whole alphabet is included, so the bunting can say whatever you would like, pictured is "happy birthday"! It's a "hoot" to make! (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

So there they are, and I am now blogging, Facebooking, Pintresting, my pattern joy now. Website soon? No doubt. A few product photos, a little more information, a shopping cart addition...

Cannot wait.

Enjoy your day! :0)

Strike Offs!

No, I haven't been on strike, but it surely must seem like I have! Yes, I positively should have a legit website up by now. No one is more frustrated than I about the delay. To be honest it has been just one delay after another, and frankly, I should know better. By saying that, what I mean to say is that I didn't fully comprehend this whole printing process. Basically it is one full set of patterns and packaging printed for review. ("Strike off" is the term used) My designer then picks them up and minor changes are made. This happens repeatedly until things are perfect. (Really, I ask: Are things ever truly perfect? I think probably not, but we are sure going to try...) So there is our hold-up, in addition to this being summer and everyone having vacations and hectic schedules. Frustrating? You betcha. I have been chomping at the bit for a long time. Did you know that the first pattern has technically been ready since March? I don't want this experience to be anti-climactic, but I have been working on new ideas for patterns and designs for a while now, and it makes me a little crazy. I feel like I am blindly feeling along a wall for an opening into this new wonderful place. I feel out of sorts. My world is not in order. I like order. I swear I am not OCD or anything, but with the kids home for summer, there are toys everywhere, food mess everywhere, and ridiculous teen angst dramas on my television. In addition to that though, there are wonderful parts of the week where we go to the lake, a spontaneous picnic in the park, seeing my oldest delight in her new found passion of dance, and my youngest feeling like a big boy, with Thomas the Train underwear. Monkey in the Middle is working hard mowing lawns to save up for an e-reader, as books are entirely her passion. (Thinking she needs a blog, really her writing is AMAZING.)

So I am still here, still plugging away, still excited. Still on Pinterest far too much, exercising far too little, and shopping for fabric a little more often than the bank account feels necessary. (What does it know anyway?) The fabrics I am playing with lately are "Reunion" and "Lucy's Crab Shack" both by Moda. (I <3 Moda)  I have finished curtains for P's room, and have cut up almost all of my extensive quantity of home dec. fabrics to recover the cushions on my couch. I have looked at, but not touched, the quilt top for my bedroom. I need to bind P's quilt, so I do not have a shortage of projects to keep me busy until launch time.

I have been so enjoying time well spent with my sewing group. We usually do a little shop hop and then lunch, with some sewing to finish off. (Ok, there is a lot more chatting and laughing than anything else, but it is so therapeutic for the soul!) I love this group of ladies, and feel honored and blessed to have them, in addition to feeling humbled by the sheer talent in this group. Just a shout out to my girls, "I love you and your support means the world to me!"

If you are looking for a good read, I have discovered more about myself in "Quiet" by Susan Cain. The tagline is "The power of introverts in a world that won't stop talking". I can't put it down. (And yes, I did read all three Fifty Shades, and no, I couldn't put those down either.)

We leave for the lake again tomorrow, but today I am diligently working on new pattern I am so excited about. (Good grief if I must admit it I have about six I am working on, all in various stages, but at this rate you will see them by the next Olympics.) Just kidding. ;0)

More soon, enjoy your day!,