Feeling Blessed

It has been a couple weeks of steady work since we returned from our mini vacation - I feel blessed to be keeping busy and I am so grateful for the creative opportunities that have been coming my way! I have been completing multiple quilting projects for customers - a huge pile of needlework finishing for another client - and several AccuQuilt projects are ready to start this weekend. I also have been working on some quilting designs for a major quilt magazine and several cross stitch submissions for another publication. I have been steadily looking for employment outside of Blue Ribbon Designs to supplement my income, but this last month gave me some hope.

Five House of Hope

I have also been getting in tons of training for the Komen 3-Day in Dallas in less than two months. Schatzi and I have been walking 6-7 miles every morning...and then I get in a couple additional walks later in the day. My fit bit is currently showing an average of 22,000 steps per day (over 10 miles) - I feel healthy and ready for November (which will be here quickly). I still need tons of help with my fundraising if I am to reach my goal...so please help me spread the word about my exclusive fundraising design "Five Houses of Hope". All proceeds from this very special design benefit the Komen 3-Day - and your donations are tax deductible. You can find all the details by reading my blog post from August 20th...or by clicking on the photo to the right. I also still have the exclusive design from last year available ("Red Rosies and Pink Posies"), should you prefer to receive that design chart instead. I hope you will consider making a donation and help me reach my goal this year...

Here are a few photos from the last week or two...I hope these will make you smile or inspire you...

First of all - we recently entered a photo of Simba and Schatzi in an Instagram PetSmart grooming contest - we absolutely adore our groomer and have been visiting her for almost 10 years. We were hoping to win her some prizes and win some grooming funds for us as well, but alas, we never received a winning message; however, I thought you would enjoy seeing our kids with their bandanas posing on the deck. This was hard work - you should see all the outtakes - it was quite comical getting them to photograph well together!

...and here are several photos I snapped on my training walks this last week...

..and here are some of the fun machine appliqué quilting projects I have been working on for a customer...these are “Garden Patch Cats” by Helene Knott from StoryQuilts.com....these adorable wall hangings each measure 18" square...

"Catus Romanus"

"Podcats"

"Purrsimmon"

"Pepper Puss"

....and here is a little peek at some of the needlework finishing I have been completing for a very special customer/friend....

On a final note...the software for my website had a large update recently and I have noticed a few small glitches - if you have difficulty placing an order, please e-mail me and I will get you taken care of promptly...and to make things more convenient, I am currently adding all my website items to my Etsy shop, so you will have another option for your shopping needs...please be patient, it takes quite a bit of time to add all the information....I am adding 20 - 30 items per day. Yes, both my website and my Etsy shop will stock all of my items. Thank you all for your patience and understanding while the new website is in the development stages - it will be running perfectly soon!

I'm off to run errands and take Simba to the groomer...then I will be back working in my studio later today... Wishing you a creative and productive weekend!