Giving Thanks

     As we come upon this Thanksgiving it is only right to give thanks for all we gone over and through. Without these trials our eyes would become blind to all that God has done for us.  I am particularly thankful for a healed marriage, my husband and I divorced back in April 2008 and were reunited in marriage on April 30th of this year. Nothing is too big or small for God. In October, we were blessed with a little pekingese puppy, who 3 weeks later came down with Parvo. Today, Knuckles is a thriving, energetic puppy whom we both love dearly.

      I am also thankful for our current trial. After working for a company for 20 some years, my husband was fired due to having a neck injury caused by his work environment. Upon being fired however, they finally allowed him to fill a workman's comp claim and is now facing surgery in the near future. This time is not without its blessings and miracles. Two days after losing his job, he is employed part time with a company that is owned by some friends of ours. I also am working on orders for stuffed animals and purses that will keep me busy for some time. Our friends have also hired me to do some non sewing work for them. God is Good!

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?  God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving!

Introducing My new Etsy Shop!

Canine Parvo Virus & Potpouri of Projects

It has been a busy week. I've been diligently working on various projects as my goal is to finish what I start. ( Well most of the time. LOL) Over the last few weeks, I've completed 2 purses, one for me and my Julia's Needle October Swap partner, a stuffed cow 4x4 size(this was a challenge.Too hard to turn. Wont do this one again. LOL), a scissor case,a sweatshirt, checkbook cover and a fingertip potholder. All of this and deal with a sick puppy.

Knuckles became sick very rapidly last Monday night. We took him to the vet where he was diagnosed with Parvo and sent to the Animal Emergency Center in Tulsa where we were told he had a 50/50 chance of survival as a whole, but because he was a toy breed(pekingese) the risk was even higher. After 5 expensive days and nights in the Animal hospital, we are pleased to say Knuckles is alive and well. He won the hearts of the vet techs and doctors there and we have received numerous calls to check on him...I write about Knuckles to let you know about Parvo, a deadly, highly contagious virus in dogs and puppies. According to my research in this virus, 80% of the puppies that contract this virus die. Parvo is transmitted via the feces of infected dogs and can remain in a yard for up to a year or so in the soil. Parvo virus can only be killed with high heat or a bleach solution of 1/30.  Prevention starts with having your puppies vaccinated at your local vet as potency and viability of the vaccine is highly volatile.  Knuckles was vaccinated, but by the individual we purchased him from. For more information about Parvo, preventative steps, and signs and symptoms, please visit these sites..PetMD , working dogs and http://dogparvosymptoms.net/ .

Stuffed toys going to Kenya

Our church is taking a group of folks to work on an orphanage in Kenya. I am in process of making stuffed animals to take to those children. 6 are made 2 more in process. I am hoping to make a total of 13-15 before they head out on Nov6. If you are local to Owasso Oklahoma, and would like to help, please email me. Donations of soft fur and fiberfill are welcome. Please Keep our group going to Kenya in your prayers.

God Bless

Swapping across the pond

Thanks to Julia's Needle Yahoogroup, I met a wonderful lady in the UK. After joining the Sept. Swap, we exchanged emails and conversation. We her swap items arrived, I was thrilled! I love to see what others make and create.  Pictured are the items I received.  Thank you Diana for a wonderful Swap!

My Birthday Gift

 Although not craft related, I have to show off my Birthday present from my husband.

  Meet Knuckles. He's a 15 week old Pekingese puppy.

The better news is he slept the night through, although we don't know if that will last. LOL

 Meet Knuckles.

For the love of animals

Those of you that know me, know I am bear crazy.   I was delighted when I found a website that offered stuffed animal patterns in the hoop. Today I'm pimping Embroidery Outlet. I am a total fan of her in the hoop projects. Check her site out! 

 

Doily Making

The Snowman Doily is complete! What amazes me is that it is entirely made of thread. Free standing lace is a wonder to me as it makes Fabric from carefully "woven stitches by the machine onto a water soluble stabilizer. 

Making it Square

Yesterday, I had a great time creating quilt squares in the hoop. Using patterns purchased from Molly Mine, I set to work.

I am extremely pleased with the results of these patterns. I did try a log cabin block and it did turn out ok, but it was smaller than I wanted.

Currently, what's in my hoop is a fsl doily pictures soon once assembled and soaked. 

For the Love of Lace

"I'll never make freestanding lace." I told my mother one day. My parents are proud owners of 3 Brother Embroidery machines and were excited when I joined the embroidery family. My mother advised me to try it. So, I did.

What followed was instant Lace love. LOL .  I have since made various pieces and given them away as fast as they come out of my hoop.

Baby Steps to Embroidery Success

     Being new to Machine Embroidery is a welcome challenge for me.   In June of this year, after realizing I am unable to continue working with polymer clay, I purchase a Singer Futura SES1000  on HSN .  Once the machine arrived I set to work setting up and playing with the machine. I am not a novice to a sewing machine, having been a seamstress in my earlier years. :).  With that said,  LOL, I of course jumped right in. 

     My model of machine requires a computer to be hooked up to it to send and receive patterns. I like this as I don't have to put my patterns on a usb stick to transfer to the machine.  My only gripe with this machine is the limited embroidery fields to only 2 hoops.  Hopefully, within the next year or so I will be able to up-size to a bigger machine.  I would love one with more than one needle. :) Ahhhhh, dreaming already!

 Just a note to Pimp my favorite Ebay and site for Polyester thread.  ThreadART.  The rack and thread pictured were purchase from them via Ebay. Check em out!