The girls needed new pencil cases for school next month. I decided I could make something cuter than anything they could find at the office supply store and this is what I came up with so far. This is one of many, to see the others visit My Etsy Shop I’ve been playing with fabric combinations, zipper placement and lining techniques. They were so fun and quick to sew that I got a little carried away. I have a big stack of fat quarters that I still intend to sew up into more so when these are gone, don’t worry, there will be more!

I will eventually have three versions available. The one shown above which is lined and can be used as a pencil pouch/makeup bag/wristlet/clutch. A very similar version that also features an inside hidden zipper pocket for personal items. And a simple unlined version out of sturdier canvas fabric with grommet holes along one edge so it can be inserted into a binder. So keep checking back here or my Etsy store for updates.

It’s all good too because I’m in need of some fund enhancement at the present moment. What with the end of summer nearing and all my recent web enhancements, I’ve overreached my resources a tad. But instead of whining about lack of money, I’m buckling down and getting more things finished to put up on Etsy and working on some patterns and downloads to increase traffic here and even sell eventually.

It has been 12 hours since I pulled my car in the garage after 4 days in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area & Wilderness (BWCAW). (more…)

I’m so happy to have my blog back right now. Mainly because I’ve been under a barrage of bad news this week and I need to share it with someone.

First off, my husband got news a little over a week ago that a former co-worker and friend had an accident and required brain surgery. Just when we thought he was heading toward recovery, he suffered a major heart attack and slipped into a coma. Two days later, they took him off life support and he died. He was 52 years old and left behind a lovely wife and two children. Today was his memorial in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho and Mr. Mess managed to make the trip to Seattle last night and drove to Coeur D’Alene today. He said the service was lovely, a lot of former co-workers were in attendance and Dan’s son, his youngest, paid a beautiful tribute to his father.

Also last week I got news that a former friend also passed away. This one touched me in many ways. So many that I can’t even put into words. At one time we were pretty close but time and circumstances changed that and we didn’t just grow apart. No, we fought like a couple bitches in heat and our relationship ended in a very ugly way. She fought a very valiant fight against a much bigger bitch than I could ever be, the bitch that is called Breast Cancer. God I hate it when that bitch wins.

I also got news that my Great Aunt Annabelle passed away this week. This however wasn’t such bad news. She lived a long and blessed life. All of her siblings, husband and many other loved ones had preceded her. She was due for the reward she’s worked her life to achieve.

Then tonight I get news that a friend is in the hospital with a possible brain tumor. We’ve been friends with J&D for over 15 years. They have seven children and are the greatest people in the world. Words can not even begin to tell how much I love these people. Of course as is typical with these kinds of things, I can’t get in touch with anyone in the family tonight and I’m beside myself wondering what is going on and how D is doing.

Right now I’m counting on the rule of threes to side in Di’s favor. Pray with me if you are the kind that does that sort of thing.