FREE Holiday Patterns!

It's that time of year again where everyone seems to be in the crafting mode, especially when it comes to the holidays. I know I am! I just want to remind you that I have some fun and free holiday patterns at my Craftsy pattern shop that are available in downloadable PDF format so you can save them and make them whenever you want! You can either save them to your Craftsy library or download them to your computer.

The table runner shown above is in fall colors but think of how pretty it could be in Christmas colors! That is actually one of the projects on my "To Do" list for my own personal sewing projects.

You will find all four pictured above at my Craftsy shop by clicking HERE.

Happy Crafting!!!

Chicken of the Woods!

One of my favorite things about this time of year is mushroom hunting. I always find the prettiest mushrooms in late summer and early fall. My favorite mushroom is the Chicken of the Woods. I just love it's vibrant colors! I actually look at trees as I'm driving to see if I can find one. I never eat the mushrooms, I just love to photograph them. 

Since there are woods behind our house I regularly walk along the back of the yard to see if I can spot any, and sometimes I do. A few days ago I walked past my living room window and saw a flash of orange and yellow. I was so excited at the thought that it just might be my favorite mushroom that I quickly grabbed the binoculars and took a look. Yes! It was my favorite mushroom, and it was so big and beautiful. Next, of course I grabbed my camera and ran out the the back of the yard. It's going to be fun to photograph it as it changes. The last one that I found at the dunes and was able to photograph every few days, changed from a plump looking mushroom to what looked like a thin clown ruffle by the end of it's time.

FREEBIE - Digital Designers Halloween Facebook Hop!

Facebook hop has expired but you can still get your free Halloween scrapbooking kit on the freebie page of my website HERE.

You'll find lots of other fun things there as well!

The Princess Has Arrived!

My very first grandchild was born yesterday and she is the most precious thing I've ever seen! She is so lucky to have so many people who already love her. Bryan and Heidi are going to be wonderful parents, and she has a Nana who plans to spoil, spoil, spoil!

Favorite - Getting Healthy With Craftsy!

It's time for another one of my favorites!

Craftsy and getting healthy, what could they possibly have in common? We all know that a good creative flow is good for your mental health, but what about your physical health? Can Craftsy play a big role in that as well?

The answer is YES! I am really struggling to get on the healthy track and my biggest obstacle is exercise. I just hate it! OK, I said it, I hate exercise! I wish I didn't, but I do. But what I do love as much as the thought of being healthy and fit, are the Craftsy classes! I love the fact that I can take my tablet or my laptop to my elliptical and exercise while I'm learning a new skill or technique. Before I know it, my time is up!

If you haven't tried the classes yet, I strongly suggest that you give them a try. You don't even have to exercise while watching them, you can sit in the comfort of your favorite chair or your desk. You can even follow along while making projects. I have learned so much from these classes.

My favorite one so far, has been the "Design Your Own Handbag" class. I've been designing my own handbags since I was fourteen and I thought I knew it all, but I was amazed at how much I learned from this class. I also loved that fact that it's interactive with the Craftsy community.

The last class I bought is "Machine Quilting: Free Motion and More." I haven't really gotten into that one yet, but I'm really looking forward to it, while sweating on the elliptical of course. When I want to try something I've already seen, I can always go back to that part later. 

If you are unsure about the concept of the classes on video, I suggest you try one of the many free ones they have to offer. Love them too!

I love selling my patterns there and I love taking their classes too. I'd also like to mention that their customer service is the best around. Every time I write them with a question or comment, they get back to me right away.

So that has been my experience with Craftsy. Why don't you stop by there yourself and check out their patterns and classes. If you are into sewing and crafting, it will quickly become one of your favorite websites. You can even be like me and use it as an enjoyable (in informative) way to get you through a workout!

If you want to head over there right now, there are two graphics on my sidebar that will take you there. Or you can just click HERE.

Happy Crafting!

Never a Dull Moment with Punkie & Bubba!

Both of these photos were taken the past couple days. Here are the stories behind them:

Before I leave the house I like to know where the furkids are so I always do my "walk-through." One day I couldn't find Punkie. I knew she couldn't be too far and I did notice the closet door in my sewing studio was slightly open. She does like to hide in there sometimes. I opened the door and I saw these two green eyes glowing in the dark. It was Punkie! She seems to have found a new hiding place in the canvas drawer that holds my wrapping paper.

Yesterday Brian and I went shopping for a few things for the house. While we were out we saw this super soft and adorable pet blanket. I thought it would be perfect to lay on the couch that Bubba likes to sleep on, so we bought it. I come home, lay it so nice and neat on the couch. Bubba loves it! He doesn't however like it nice and neat, he had to scrunch it up into a ball before he would lay on it.

FREEBIE - Gingerbread Christmas Ornament Pattern

A couple years ago I put a tutorial here on my blog for my felt gingerbread boy and girl ornaments. I know that a lot of people also like to have their patterns in PDF format so they can save them to their computers. 

Good news! I recently converted the pattern to PDF format and you can now download it free from my shop at Craftsy HERE.

It's a fun and quick little pattern, and you can whip up a bunch of them while watching TV. They make great gift toppers as well as cute ornaments. Fill up a basket with them and sell them at your next craft show!

Enjoy!