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!,

Hellloooo Sunshine!

I am sure you all have been busy starting your summer, as we have as well! We have celebrated 11 birthdays, seen a 6th grader "promote" to 7th, an 8th grader "move up" to 9th, the kick off of a good friend's bakery and cafe, softball, dance, and oh yeah, my website in a short couple of weeks! It's crazy, fun, hectic, and finally, (and I mean FINALLY, after months and months of rain) SUNSHINEY! There is so much to be thankful for!

Here are some more random pictures so you can see a bit of what I'm up to!

Seriously, like I have time to read. But I LOVE this magazine.

This vintage fabulousness will be painted in creamy white, with yellow inside and backed with grey fabric. Why? Why not? I'm sure the toddler will accent this lovely piece with a handprint or two like he did the last time I painted something. :0)

 Crates of fabrics that are getting packaged for the website, fat quarters, 1/2 yards, etc... of some great designer (Amy Butler, Anna Maria) fabrics. I hate to let them go, but hey, I must add to my stash. And Hawthorne Threads and I are buds. I spend tons of money, they give a discount and ship right away. It works!

A sneak peek at what is really just a small part of a truly fabulous embroidery pattern.

Had another great meeting with my designer, and we have added QR codes to the patterns. A *click* on your phone, and you are magically taken wherever we choose! Don't get your hopes up, it's not your local martini bar. It's...

More on that coming soon! Enjoy your day! ;0)

Wowza.

So thankful right now, and blessed with wonderful friends and family.

My best friend took a helicopter ride to the hospital last Monday. She had fallen very ill, and went into respiratory distress. While on the flight en route, she went into respiratory arrest and was placed on a ventilator. For all of Monday she was hooked up to every tube and monitor imaginable. The only things keeping her alive were drugs and that ventilator. To the doctors and nurses I was her sister. Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to go in her room in the ICU.  I can't thank her family enough for allowing me as much time as I wanted with her. I never realized how much I relied on her for everything. I wanted to be there every second. I wanted to breathe for her. I felt helpless. We all did.

She tried so hard to communicate. She whispered, she signed, she drew in my palm. She was desperate, and it was difficult to watch my lively spirited friend get frustrated. Thankfully on Tuesday evening they took out the tube. She wanted to talk, a lot! Still on many meds though, she wouldn't start remembering our conversations until Thursday evening/Friday morning. I know she has a black hole where several days should be. (She won't remember the foot rub, or saying "This isn't how our sleepover was supposed to be!"  We were planning a girl's night, with a hair cut and highlights so she feels fresh before her bakery opens.)

Yes, she is opening up a bakery. She is the very friend I have worked with for 14 years, now going on to open a wonderful bakery and cafe with another friend. There is still much to do to get ready, but she needs to build her strength, as she just went home. There are plenty of people to help get it going, but I know how much she wants to be there.

One thing is for sure. I can't let days go by, or weeks or months, without telling my loved ones that I love them. Not just my "family" but my chosen family as well. She won't remember me telling her how much I love her, or that I need her friendship like the air I breathe, while in the hospital.

But she'll remember it today.

So Proud!

Our Monkey in the Middle, Madison, won first place in a Holocaust writing project! The contest had participants from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and British Columbia. She wrote "What Impels You to Action?" and all I can say is that it is one amazing piece of work from a twelve year old.

We made the drive from Spokane to Mercer Island for the ceremony, where she read an excerpt from her piece. It was a big deal for us, for her, and her grandparents were able to make it over as well. She wasn't nervous a bit about reading in front of that large a group either. *So Proud of her.*

We also took in a bit of Seattle. We have some family there, so we were treated to a nice BBQ, and some pretty fantastic weather. It's always so great to see the little ones, all boys, playing together! A lovely weekend for sure, and I can't wait to get back there. We would love to live there, but the logistics of a move like that just aren't in the cards right now. But maybe, someday...

Madison in front of the Holocaust Memorial...

Just before we head back home, we stopped for some dinner with the grandparents, and some summer shopping for the girls. Props to the Hubby for getting through the shopping with a smile. Most of the time. A bit sad to leave, truly love it there.

The weather here is finally gorgeous, so I'm off for a nice long walk, and as usual, my long list to tackle.

Enjoy your day!!

Sneak Peek!

Meet Fritzi. He is debuting in my half size patterns! This is a super easy pattern, wonderful for beginners. I wanted one that my younger daughter would feel confident making, and they turn out so cute. My friend made hers very scrappy, and I want to post a picture if she'll let me as another cute option! This is just one of the half size patterns I will be offering on the website!

A close up sneak peek at a baby elephant stuffie, she's a part of the Big Top Circus pack!

Another sneak peek, this is a part of the Owlette Set! (this is the "cheater applique" on the place mat/pillow)

My graphic designer has been working so hard, as have my testers. We are still on track for a website launch soon. I am thinking though that I am so excited, I may launch with less than the five I was going to! I have five in the works, by the way, Fritzi as a half size pattern, an embroidery design, (half size as well) and three full size. The three large patterns include the Reversible Commuter Bag, the Big Top Circus Set, and Big Eyed Owlette Set.

Also on the website I'll be offering sewn goodies, and fabric sets. (More of nicely packaged de-stashing) I am also in talks with a local company about helping me produce something else, that is a perfect compliment, and so sweet, but I'll share that and what it is when I know for sure we're going to do it!

So there's your sneak peek, I am off to enjoy the sunshine, and do some fabulous photography!

Enjoy your day!