Bags, bags and a hat.

I still am working on the kids present box....I finished Olivia's and Stacie's bags. We saw tote bags at Sea World that they loved and they were cute, but very expensive. I told them I would make them bags with their favorite animals. Stacie loves penguins so here is hers.







I used upholstery fabric so they would be super strong. They both are lined and have big pockets. Stacie is a nurse and she works a lot. She could throw her kindle, lunch and anything else in here. I also made clay danglies of their animal and hung them on the bag.






Liv's animal was a sea turtle. I did a plain green turtle raw edge appliqued and then I free sewed some details and then beaded the turtle. I think she will like it. We both love sparkly, pretty things.










Her clay turtle came out so cool...I love the little treasures on his back.







I just have pj bottoms to sew and I may dye shirts too match and then I will be done...I am excited for them to get their birthday box.

I also made a little Blythe derby hat. It is pretty cute just on a little stand.







Well, it is time to go get on the treadmill. I am all kinked up from hunching over sewing....Happy summer! xoxooxomelinda

Finished the Suki' bag and doll clothes.

I still have been sewing every day but I have little half projects everywhere. I actually have about five things done but since my last post was so long, I am just going to share a couple.....Miss Suki cat got turned into a big roomy tote bag with pockets and super long, strong handles...or you can knot them and use it as a shopping bag. The miiddle panel has batik fish. I thought it was fun to give a Siamese some fish as a background.











and here is the finished product






I am going to post this as a sample in my Etsy shop which is veeeerrrrrryyyyy sloooow. Sewing cats is a lot different than dogs. They have less of a muzzle so you have to define it or it is flat. I am doing five cats so I have samples at the cat show for people to see and touch.

Then I finished a Blythe outfit for Liv's Ruth Ann. I don't use patterns because other than her big head she is little so it is going to be fast right? HaH! I have these big Ideas including a petticoat and hat and getting them from my head to the doll took me about two days off and on. I gotta say, it is pretty adorable. This would make a sweet little girls outfit and I know I could probably make it faster. my fingers are uncoordinated so it makes it hard when I do little things. Fiddly little things.








The proper way to do these little clothes is to put snaps on the back cause nothing is going to pull over that big head. I didnt have any, so I sewed on jewelry silver jump rings and then strung black cord all thru, crisscrossed the front and did a kind of corset thing. It actually turned out really pretty in the back.











I also discovered Meet ups on the net. They are activities, some are free and most of it isnt a dating forum... a couple of nights ago I went to the park and took a free bellydance/healing yoga class. It was so fun. I am going again on Saturday. There a ton of them out there. I wish I wouldve known when I had a car. The car thing is hitting me hard. To be my age and carless to me is really embarassing and shameful. Between that and being used as a mental punching bag by my roommate/landlord it is almost unbearable. So I sew. and play cityville and maybe bellydance. I try to keep quiet and take the abuse cause i have no choice. I dont know how to use the bus here so that is my next goal. One step at a time or I will lose it again and I am doing better. I just wish my situation was better....
happy summer all....xoxoxmelinda

Summer is wonderful!

At the condo where I live, they have a great pool and workout room so I have been doing a lot of swimming. They have the Jillian' treadmill by Nordic track....What a kick. It will even post to your face book the workout you did. Here is the weird thing....I am the only one who uses it. Mine is in the garage which works in the winter, but it is just to hot to use it out there. Even late at night, cause it doesn't seem to cool down.

I also have been doing a lot of yard stuff. The yard is super small and with two big dogs it can get pretty ripped up. I water the spots where they pee and it seems to help. I also planted some woolly Thyme in the bare spots. I am excited to see it start blending in with the grass. It smells good and it makes a totally steppable yard. Even for high traffic. I have been taking cuttings and starting perennial containers. I just love going out late at night and watering. It is peaceful and I can see the mountains. It is hot, but there is this awesome breeze

I went on an informal lunch date to Park City Utah. It was fun. They have an all day farmers market on the weekends. It has a whole lot of craft booths. I am surprised at all the things that sell that I can make. I got some good ideas for things. I want to open another Etsy store with ready made fabric things that aren't super expensive. One of the things that I got a super big kick out of was they had a Bloody Mary Bar....Like a salad bar. I had just never seen that.

This is not my arm by the way.....just saying.

I am not much of a drinker, ever, but boy, on a hot day this was good. I love this hat. As we walked down thru the main street I went in a few shops. One of them was filled with the most amazing sparkly things. I was drawn in like a magnet. Absolutely beautiful cowboy boots, belts, scarves and buckles. Oh yeah, and bags. Well, this hat was in it for 64.00. We went down to the market and it was at a booth. My date bought it for me for 18.00 and a yummy bar of handmade soap. Everyone there wears cowboy. Why, I don't know cause it was a mining town. But I guess you cant run around in a miners hat with a light on top. But who knows I might.

I have been making things too...Etsy is pretty slow. I just think there are so many portrait painters and I am kind of lost in the middle. Any ideas? I am working on cat things right now for the cat show that I am going to have a booth in. I also am working on a birthday box for Stacie (oldest daughter) Olivia and Daniel. I am making bags and pj's and finishing the little Disney scrapbook. I am kind of scattered right now. I need to make a priority list.

I did make some cute homemade cards. I love making these torn paper flowers.

I sent the cards and this little lavender sachet and card to a blogger friend who just out of the blue will send me a walmart card to help with medication. She has a huge generous heart and I am just so blessed to have her and you all too. I have gotten fabric and clay and little goodies from people to keep me going. The biggest thing it does is lift my spirits to be cared about. It has really helped. I have had an epiphany as far as my family goes. Including my sister. They are toxic and I love them, but the only time they love me is when things are good. I love them, I forgive them but I am putting a lot of distance between us. This doesn't include my kids and grandchildren. Just my dad and siblings. It hurts to be called names and accused of not having anything wrong with me. Apparently I am just lazy if they feel like they should be helping me and don't want to. The truth is I don't want their money I want love and support. They just don't have it to give without making me pay by listening to them call me names and put me down. I will tell you it is hurtful, but realizing that it is that way is also freeing. I have spent my whole life trying to get love and approval from my dad. Knowing and accepting that I am not going to frees that hurt little kid in me. I still love him like crazy but I don't need his approval. I am just going to love myself instead. So I am doing better. I am hopeful.....YES, HOPEFUL! Thank you all again for your caring and support.

Today I just finished a cat portrait. They are 3d, which means I make the sewn piece and then it goes on a bag or on a quilt. This is Val's cat Suki playing with a feather toy. It is going on a batik bag. I just thought I would show just the cat.

I always think the backs are cool looking too. I tend to use thread in the bobbin in any color just based on what I have...These use a lot of thread!

Yesterday I read the coolest book on my Kindle. It was free too! If you are a Christian that gets frustrated with churches or you just need a lift, you should read it. "Every Bush is Burning." It is fiction and it spoke to me in a million ways...

Happy Summer! xoxoxox melinda
Well I am going to go swim. Happy Summer! xoxoxox melinda

havent posted in a while...

Part of it is I dont look forward to it because this new blogger seems like a lot of darn work. Other than that I just have been busy. I had Lisa, my youngest daughter here for a week and it was so good to see her and give her some mama love. She is doing better but still has a long way to go. It is so hot here, we spent a lot of time at the pool. I also have gone camping again and also wakeboarding one Sunday...I cant believe I learned to do it at age 50 but there you go...Guess the old girl has a few years yet.
 The ex had the car that he was supposed to pay for repoed so I dont have a car. He is in contempt of court but all it means is he wont be able to renew his liscense and if he gets pulled over he will go to jail and come to Utah. The good news is he has done all he can do to me. The other good thing is I am getting stronger and when things happen, I am not starting from rock bottom again. The car thing? I have one in Oregon, just need to find a way to get it.

 I am still sewing a lot. I just finished an apron swap and my partner was Nadine. Here is what I sent her.

  We all made ruffled aprons using a pattern off a blog...I had fun putting different fabrics together. I also made her a boquet of fabric roses. I sent her some vintage buttons in a sewing tin and I made her a ruffle rose card. I like doing themed type packages...Nadine does too so it was fun to work with each other and the colors we chose.

 She totally spoiled me with my package. It was shocking really. First of all she got the colors I love....these are so me! She made a ton of ruffles let me tell you....not only this wonderful apron.

She also made a ruffled bag which I have been using everywhere, a ruffled pot holder and towels and a little velcro wallet and with the leftover fabric she made me a jelly roll which I am making something with....Also thread and beads....Can you believe it. It was better than Christmas!

  I sold my first pet portrait on Etsy so I was pretty excited about that. I got it all done and mailed. It is a gift for a friend who just lost her lab.....

 I hope it reminds her of happy times...Pets mean so much. I was honored to do it.


 I usually dont do people, but the picture was so sweet I just had too.

 I have been making a lot of other things, but this dumb blogger is so time consuming I will save some for next time...If you know anyone who would like a portrait please send them over to fancypawsquilts at Etsy.com
happy summer xoxooxoxox melinda

sewing...

I have been sewing every day, making cards and journal pages. I also finally planted some flowers in the backyard. They make me happier for sure.
 After I am done posting, I am going back to sew. Kinda proud of myself doing it every day again. Sometimes I have to really work to get going, but then it kicks in and I do well. Just wanted to show a few pictures....

 June wreath with vintage chenille bedspread roses......

The little circles in the center say "happy Summer."

 I also made a June table topper....I pulled some red from the strawberry fabric that covers the can and then used the chenille to make a crazy topper.

I am using it on a patio table. It is nice and cheerful.

 I love container planting but I sure miss having room for a garden!

I also have my April journal page finished...I did it camping and I think the colors around me were the inspiration.

I hope you are having a great Sunday. xoxooxmelinda

Etsy, camping and dining room pictures.......

I finally opened an Etsy shop...I think it is going to be hard to get started because I am kind of lumped together with a zillion pet artists although only a few quilt portrait people but theirs are different than mine too...So I am hopeful and I am going to keep working on it. I think it will take time. I still think my niche is going to be pet shows or pet specific things...I am going to go to a pet show soon just to talk to vendors to get some ideas and feedback. I was going to do a dog show the end of August and I have a few days to think on it yet. I am worried it might be too soon...I will have to either rent panels or make them for a 10x10....I might just be overanxious about it....( I worry about everything...dumb.)
Ok, so here it is, the dining room painted.....and the furniture redone...Both my roommate and I love these colors so it worked out great!






Before the walls were white and he had the bakers rack and a high table that matched with two high chairs and nothing on the walls..... and my dining set is pine so I sanded it all and redid the cushions and painted it black which I like a lot...in fact quite a long time ago, I posted a before picture of the chairs.







The black one wasn't all done, but you get an idea of the before....









It takes me a long time but I almost have the whole downstairs painted....I will show the kitchen next.....


I went last year camping up by St George (Sand Hollow) with my roommates and his friends and family and I went again this year too...I actually had a lot more fun. I knew people better and the heat didn't bother me so bad. I spent a lot of time listening to a 15 hour audio book floating around on the lake. I enjoyed it and I actually relaxed. It was a nice feeling.


"So Cooper, where is mom?" (yes I call myself mom to my animals... never woulda saw this day coming...)

"I don't know Ruby. I have been looking for her."
"maybe we should take a swim and see if we find her?'

"Haven't seen her" said the bird.

"me either." said the dragonfly.

 "a clue, a clue!" Cooper barked.

"could it be mom?' Ruby barked back. "Let's swim closer."

"I recognize those feet." said Cooper "I sleep right by them every night."

"hi mom!" barked Ruby and Cooper.

"Right back at ya." I said.

Have a great day. xoxox melinda