NANA NOTES

TIME GOES BY SO FAST!

Here it is almost September and I've only blogged once in August.  That's terrible.  Surely I've done something worthy of posting. The time seems to get by me so fast these days.  Having a new puppy and raising two deer take a lot of my time.

Lulu (aka Morgan) is on the left; Lacy is in the house.  They have grown considerably since this picture was taken. 

Ms Piper has learned to climb the stairs and today she climbed down them--with a little coaxing from Graham and me. She will be 3 months old on the 30th.

We took a few days off to the beach and had a good time doing almost nothing.  We did take the boat out one day; first time in a long time. Had a good time and went to LULU's for appetizers.

Ed was our Captain!!  Deb, Libby and I enjoyed the trip.  Good food and great atmosphere!

I have been doing some things for the Toad House. Really need to get busy but my "idea well" is a little dry.  I have these note pads in there now. They are inexpensive and make a cute happy for someone.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is an apron I finished for Jennifer today. I learned that I don't do ruffles!!  Hope she likes it! The picture was made with my phone . 

AUCTION ITEMS FOR RELAY FOR LIFE

My friend at the Bank of Franklin called and asked if I would donate something for the Relay for Life silent auction. Of course I would!!  Here's what I did. 

                                   
    Towel wraps are so much fun to wear after your bath or at the beach.  The pink one has a rose and pink ribbon on it.  The green one has a smiley face with ric rac "rays".  Love them both!!

Good luck to those who bid--and bid lots!!  It's for the Cause!!

TOAD HOUSE GRAND OPENING/OPEN HOUSE

April 1 is not just April Fools Day! It's the Grand Opening of the Toad House! There have really been some changes going on around there lately. I went in today and lots of new booths have opened and the place is looking good!  We're fortunate to have a "neat" place like the Toad House to share our hobbies and our "stuff"!  As you come in the door Belle's Bliss greets you with this beautiful display.  Sweet Chondabelle can do everything!!  She bakes cakes and does this beautiful work!! The list is way longer and we love her.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The burp pads are two of the new ones I've added to my booth. I love the "little birdie"! 
Every girl needs a Towel Wrap!  This cute one has a smiley face sun appliqued on it with ribbons.  They can be appliqued with initials or monogrammed. The pink one has a daisy with ribbons. I've used so many ribbons I need to visit the Ribbon Jar.

What's the old saying, "be there or be square". I'm just saying~~be there or miss Nana's homemade million dollar chocolate chip cookies!!

And Rhonda doesn't pay me a thing for all this free advertising!! :)

 

 

JENNIFER SAYS "YOU NEED TO BLOG!"

Gosh, I didn't realize I hadn't blogged in so long.  I usually have something to say even if it's just a little bit.  I have to say that I've been busy with "stuff" and the time has slipped away.  My Toad House adventure has been fun.  My things are selling which really surprises me.  I have to make some room in my booth for some things I am working on.  The sign may have to be made smaller! :)                                      

  This is a "door knob accent" made from beads. It has a beaded cross on it with a note that reminds you whenever you pass that door to pray for your family and friends.  It's not an original idea--I borrowed it from someone.
 
These little dresses are so cute. I have made several. 

 The pillowcases are fun to make and are very pretty. 

 

The heart door decorations for Valentine's Day were made from burlap. I have some more ideas that haven't come out yet. There aren't enough hours in the day for me.

I knew I had another dress! I have one with cats on it but I don't think I took a picture of it.  I also made one with bees but sold it before it got there. The sizes are from 2 to 6.

 

 

 

My first "Bulldog Bag" sold so I made another one--not quite like the first--so each one is unique. It's for the State and GA Bulldog fans!!

So--I guess you see why I've not been blogging--I've been crafting!! 

It's just too bad that I've waited so long to find my creative side!!  The days are too short and I've learned that I really like Sunday afternoon naps!!

 

The baby bibs are sweet. These two are for Easter.  Got to love those rabbits!!   

I have no idea why this is so mixed up. I typed the descriptions with the pictures!!

 

MY NEW ADVENTURE!

It started out as a joke but the more I talked about it the more I began to get excited.  There's a vender's market and resale shop here called the "Toad House" and when I went there the first time I knew I could do it. I started out talking about getting a small space and when I began to make things, Ed encouraged me to get the whole space.  Then I had him out looking for "old" things to use as display items!!  I've been sewing and beading and have woodworking to be done.  I've got so many ideas that I can't get it all done.  Libby has even gotten involved.  She's made some beautiful knitted scarves.  My beaded crosses and Ed's honey are selling well. I can't wait to try some of the other items I have in my head.  Here are some pictures of "Straight from the Heart" at the Toad House.               

These are "Everything" Bags. Can't wait till one sells. I have an Ole Miss one ready to sew up.  They make good book bags for college students or diaper bags.

Being "retired" is fun.  I get to play a lot--doing things I love to do!!

 

LOVED MAKING THESE!!

I loved making the tea towels almost as much as I enjoyed reading the 29 comments. I've never had so many!!  Here are the towels and Betty, yours should have been delivered this afternoon to the flower shop and Shara, yours is in the mail. The rest of you--you never know when a surprise might show up at your door!

 

EASTER "GIVE AWAY"

 
I made these for some friends for their birthdays this week. They are tea towels with their initials appliqued on them. Have I mentioned how much I love my new embroidery machine??? :)  Make a comment on this post and you will be entered to win an appliqued tea towel with your initial and your name if you like.  I'll close the entries on April 1.  Good luck and I hope to get lots of entries.

I'M GETTING BETTER AND LOVING IT!

I took on the attitude that I would not be defeated trying to learn my new embroidery machine.  Well, I almost caved but I pulled it out! I've even downloaded some patterns from the web and loaded them to the thumb drive onto the machine. Oh, yes, I'm excited!  Ryan is excited that I can now do the CB logo on his shirts.  He has a thing about those shirts!  Take a look at what I did today.  One is a gift for a friend (who hopefully won't read the blog!!). I totally ignored her birthday but hopefully this will make up for it! 

 This is the Cotton Branch logo.  I put it on a hoodie for Sam. 

I have more projects lined up and lots to do before next weekend.  Can't wait to show you!!

FIRST PROJECT FINISHED!!

We finished our first sewing project on Thursday. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised when I saw it all pressed and laid out to see.  Everyone made the same thing but we all used different fabric and they all looked very different.  Some were made for little boys and some for little girls.  Some of us just made one.  These three are mine, Libby's and Marley's. (Marley is Ms Edwina and Mr. Hershel Price's granddaughter!) Such a sweet, precious girl!  She made hers for her little boy.  I loved it!!

This week we get our pattern out for our pajama pants. Libby and I have our material but I can't find my pattern.  May have to buy a new one.  I'm still enjoying the class and "Ms Sue" called me her "star pupil"!!  That was a funny one!

SEWING CLASS?????????

Ok, so I've been sewing since I was eight years old. I've took home economics from the seventh grade until my sophomore year in college.  SO, I'm taking a beginner class in sewing!!  YES!  Everyone needs "refreshing" now and then and besides--Libby and Debbie are taking it and my skills are rusty!  Once a week for four weeks will be fun and I'll get a pillowcase and a pair of pajama pants out of it!! :)  I've met some sweet new friends who seem to be having a good time too.  I'll post the finish products later. 

 Debbie is the girl in the middle.

 The proper way to use a rotary cutter.  We didn't have those when I took sewing years ago!   Libby and I came home and finished our "homework" and are ready for next week.  It should be fun. We'll be learning the "jellyroll method" of sewing up a pillowcase! FUN!
 
 

MY NEW TOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Frustration has given way to happiness!!  I actually did something today and am happy to show you my new toy!!  I just hope that I can continue to learn and enjoy it!!  It's far more complicated than "checking your email" as the girl told me in Alabama!!  But--I will learn!!  

  Haleigh was here at lunch and we decided to give it one more try.  I thought it was not threaded correctly.

 
BUT--I did it!! It worked!!  Yea!!  Can you tell I'm excited??