A Monday In January/Missouri-Made Mondays

I can't tell you what time this project started for my daughter.

But I'm proud of the confidence she displayed in sticking with it.

Couldn't resist the wisdom of Joe 💖 

Completed in one evening (clock shows it was after 10:30 pm)

And for the visitors she'll have from back home in Missouri,

there's this flip side to calm the atmosphere.

Have a wonderful week!

Those Monday Blues/Missouri-Made Mondays

Blues in this instance are symbols. Looking into the symbolism of blue I read that it can convey a sense of trust, loyalty and understanding. It's no wonder it's a favorite color of most people.

So when I worked on various projects this weekend, I wasn't surprised in the common denominator of blue I ended up with. Time to share them with you....

This wrap took me through 5 skeins of Homespun Yarn. It's extra wide and was nearly part of a new garment, but I ran out of yarn. sigh! Maybe next time.

Maybe it's width will qualify it for a "Super Wrap", (Super being the trend in crochet this season)

More blue in this vintage fabric. Storage never looked so lovely!

I hope these pillow cases I embroidered by request will make the newlyweds feel like royalty. Thanks to my cousin for letting me help out! 

To see more Missouri-Made items, drop by my Etsy Store, Katy Trail Creations.

Basket Making/ Missouri-Made Monday

If you need a way to store your stuff in something that goes with your decor, you may consider a fabric basket. The sizes, colors and themes are pretty much endless. I've sold a few....

This Small version was created with upcycled jeans and leftover fabric from my stash.

This one may return in a future time. I still have some of this fabric :)

This one went to the daughter's apartment and will be a mail catch all.

Maybe keys too.

And sometime today, this one will be available in the store.

Basket storage is great for:

 toddler sorting toys,

napkins at the dining table,

bathroom and toiletry items,

sewing/craft catch-all,

baby care items

house-warming gift container,

candy dish for upcoming holidays,

 and so much more.

Click here to see more items at Katy Trail Creations on Etsy.

A Free Tutorial.......by me

I've been participating in a photo challenge over on WordPress on the Katy Trail Creations blog.
The theme for the week was "Change".  I could have blogged on the lack of 'change' I made during a recent craft show. But that's the way those things go sometimes and no sense in crying over spilt milk.

So I shifted gears and created my first photo tutorial. Hope you'll check it out!
Here's the link:
Change/WordPress Photo Challenge

Did I mention FRee??

How Do You Do It?

Keeping an even keel while caring for 9 children is somewhat of a curiosity to some. So what do I do in my down time to remain sane?

Everyone who knows me personally knows I've recently been blessed with a house addition and am even more blessed with a room dedicated to my hobbies, crochet/sewing/quilting. What would I do without my time to be creative?

Another way to keep it real is to spend time gardening. Somehow, with my back yard still in mud pit mode, I managed (with my hubby's help) to put in a raised bed garden. Love my vegies and hoping for a good year since my neighbor so generously donated some of his fertile farm soil to our new garden spot. He's farmer 3 days a week and neighbor 4 days. He and his Mrs. have been living this arrangement for nearly 10 years. I'm getting off track here so on to the sanity savers.

Spending time with my family is also one of the best ways I keep the brain in lower altitudes. I have some of the greatest relatives on the planet. Just sayin. We have awesome get-togethers just bringing pot luck items and shooting the sh*t. We are probably pretty red-neck to most, but we don't judge and most always get along with anyone. Our White Elephant Family Christmas parties are awesome and the reunions ain't bad either. And my husband and daughters are top of the list in keeping me steady. Wouldn't know what to do without them.

My list could go on as I have a multitude of ways I enjoy my free time. Honestly, I have to say my job isn't really that stressful anyway. Who else gets paid to play all day and cuddle babies? They aren't critics of my banjo playin either :)

Oh wait, I guess I should mention that banjo is my ultimate weapon against insanity.
Hear it below:
https://youtu.be/oo5lDg3oKNo

House of the Rising Sun

House of the rising sun? Oh no! We like sleep here. But to keep with the theme of Rising Sun at least, I decided to do a Sunny list---of sorts.

Like how about Mom's sunflower quilt blocks she hand embroidered and gave me many years ago.  I recently discovered the 'safe' place I had put them. I was so thrilled and am anxious to start a quilt top with them. Here's a pic of one:

Other 'sunny' thoughts,

• A good old fashioned Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday is definitely good for the soul
• How about a Sundress?
• Or a Sun hat?
• A crocheted Mandala could look like a sunrise in the correct colors like this one:

Opened my copy of this book and took the pic myself from Crochet Master Class

 by Jean Leinhauser 

and Rita Weiss

In Love With My Lil' Piece of Americana!

I went to the Saturday Night Auction and lookie what I found! My mother doesn't even know yet!!! It's a little dusty in these first couple of pics.

And here's the inside....

 

The machine was stored fully threaded and with fabric under the presserfoot. Thanks 'somebody'!

Inside the drawers it even had the original owners manual and all these parts that were options in the manual. Somebody loved this machine.

Hope I can continue the love.

Here we are at last with it cleaned up at least 1/2 way. I took some Pledge Revitalizing Oil to the cabinet and a damp towel to the metal. (Not the machine itself.) I'll get some Car Wax for the machine as I'm told by a good friend, Osage Bluff Quilter, not to use household cleaners on it.

 Last step is a belt.

And to answer anyone curious enough,

I Have used a treadle machine before.

Thank you, Grandma Hunter!