Just a bit of bragging needed.......

Here in Maine we have many famous characters, but none so famous as "Togus". Togus is a very large orange Maine Coon cat who  assists our local newscaster, Don Carrigan in reporting the news on Channel 6.

Togus is much more than a just a news partner, he is a cat with a tale to tell. The tale of a Maine Coon Cat, a lucky Maine Coon cat who was rescued by Don and Donna Carrigan. A Maine Coon cat  who found a loving home in the Walpole Woods.

The tale was written, but it was only the tale. Togus and Don  needed an illustrator, someone to bring pictures to their words. It just so happens that my husband, Thomas met up with Don one day. They began chatting, as only Maine men can chat.....and from that chat came a partnership. Thomas began to collaborate with Togus and Don to illustrate their tale. The book was published, the book signings began to happen, the Togus sightings were reported and the excitement grew from the Walpole Woods.

Just had to do..... a bit of bragging..........

Check out Togus' website.....
Follow Togus on Facebook .......
Pick up a copy of this lovely story to share with you children and grandchildren...

Check it out at....www.togusthecat.com

Thank-you Cheryll..... Mug Rug Swap Arrives.......

My first "ever" gift from a swap has arrived. Thank-you Cheryll !!!!!

I was so excited to find this package waiting at our local Post Office.... I live in a small town on the coast of Maine.  It was raining when they went to deliver and so they kept the package until I could pick it up...

I love the fabric, the colors and the essence of Australia.....

Not only a mug rug, but also fabric Cheryll used to create the mug rug.... A great calendar with photos showing wildflowers of Australia...

Thanks again Cheryll, because of your generosity I think I might enter another swap.... I love being the recipient of something someone has created just for me .....

Thanks to Cheryll for snapping a few photos of the mug rug package I sent her way. I only thought of this after having posted the package.

I am afraid that I need to work on the sophistication of my rug rugs...Mine was very simplistic.
So off to make a few practice rugs, to practice new skills and stretch my learning curve (I have several secretaries at the office, my practice pieces might just become gifts!!)..
Cheryll again, thanks for the inspiration....

First Mug rug swap sent...
What was my process?   I made 5 practice pieces, yes five.  I do love strip quilting so it was great fun to choose fabrics, check lines and stitch away. I did take these little canvases to another level by making fabric of stripped pieces then cutting those into strips and putting them back together. It is all about the fabric, the size of pieces and the finished product...

And then in this swap came the packaging...What to add to the package, how to package for Australia, what might my swap partner like?


I thought a few post cards of where I hail from might be fun and so Pemaquid, New Harbor and Damariscotta vistas were packed.  Easter Peeps and Cadburya are musts. I tried to put a blueberry mug into the package, but was unable to fit everything on...... and so Grammie Rice's blueberry coffee cake took its place. I make a crochet necklace from ribbon yarn that we have dubbed SeaClase because of the color ways sparkling like ocean water. A few decorations, a bit of fabric (my favorites) that I used in the rug then off to the PO for international mailing..  Yikes...listing everything for customs....Thanks to my post-person we filled out forms, chose deliver and the package arrived at its destination.

A bit of fun, a bit of searching the internet for a pattern and then a bit of pattern making. I just had to find that one more thing to add to the package.  What better item to add than a tea wallet. I designed this one from several I had seen on line and as purchasable downloads...Kinda liking my design......Might even be a wallet that could have multiple uses....

Just Keeping Busy.....Part Two

 Next Pattern to test from "I Think Sew".....Fabulous Handbag......

Two sizes!!!!

Callie's Closet is Expanding....

Check out the new outfit.......The top and pants are products on the online (my needed inspiration) sewing class I am taking...Unfortunately the tank is from "W"....Next class I must learn to sew with knits....

• Check out Callie's Closet page for more info......

Check out a GiveAway....

Buzz on over to knitty bitties and see what is happening...

She has created a challenge and a chance to win surprise gifts all rolled into one post.......and one week.....

Style Stitches Challenge update......

Checkbook Wallet

Finally finished a bag in time to post...This is great fun..Thanks for the opportunity to join...

Loving this wallet....I added a couple of details as you will see in the photos...

 Reflected the machine "fancy" stitching on the inside as well... Ok here is where I can't stop myself...I added a second pocket on the bottom to accomodate license and credit cards...
Top-stitched flap with decorative stitching before sewing lining on... Top-stitched one row of stitching to hold after turning....Oh, I added timtex to the flap as well as the body of the wallet... Kind of liking this better, makes for a much more solid wallet....


I love free-motion quilting and often use this to

enhance a small piece of fabric.... Free-motion quilting is just that....wherever my needle takes me....

Ooops..did it again... a little hook on the side for keys....store cards...whatever... I had bunches of fun with this...

New Skirts for Callie

Time only to post photos... I will return with some tutorial links later in the day...Had to share....

Mug Rug Swap..About to Head for Australia...BUT...

Before I finish my little surprise package... I wanted to add one last touch... 

I found this great tutorial...I am thinking this would be a great addition to my surprise package..

Shhhhh. Don't tell my Swap Buddy!!!!

I will be posting my creations from tutorials I have found and tried on my tutorial Page... 

Check it out....

Just Keeping Busy.....

Just wanted to share a few photos...

My camera is back in working condition.... I have been doing a bit of pattern testing for I Think Sew and here is a preview of patterns to come. Cute Mary Jane's for big people..Take a look....

Mug Rugs and More Mug Rugs....

Check out Mug Rug Madness at the Two More Seconds Blog
They are having tutorials starting Monday, March 21st. I have been having a a great time practicing old techniques and adding new challenges to these min quilts...

In Keeping with Mug Rug Madness I invite you to my "Little GiveAway" with a TWIST........

Just join my Pay It Forward Event Below......

Three Mug Rugs are packed and  waiting for a new home!!!!

Each Mug Rug, while using the same technique and color strips, is an individual and  comes surrounded by some special extras from the Walpole Woods.....(Perhaps a little  Seaclase or a sewing kit from PatriciaBstudio)..... You won't know unless you join up!!! Looking forward to hearing from you...

To join you will need to become a follower of my blog, do a post for Pay It Forward and make sure I have your snail mail address....

Needing a home...Join the Pay It Forward Challenge

Friday Night Sew Along: Update

What fun!!! I grabbed a cup of hot chocolate (because it is still very cold and the snow still blankets the ground in places), put a new needle on my sewing machine, patted Norton's(my furry sewing buddies) head, and began creating. The unfortunate part of this entry is that as I went to photograph my finished projects I found my camera battery low charge and no charger to be found. Off to get a new charger, or to find the one I have in the morning...I will post photo...Thanks for the inspiration everyone...

Friday Night...What better thing to do than to drop everything and sew for a bit....

I plan to join the group at Handmade by Heidi on Friday, March 18th to sew up a storm....If you would like to join us click on over to Heidi's blog....
What will I sew? Maybe I will take my Spider Web quilt out of its dust covered box under the middle cutting table and start to assemble it...
Or maybe I will work on the children's clothing from my sewing class with Whipstitch...
I might just spend time designing a new handbag, an idea that has been tossed around for awhile...

Let's see, I have one week.......

• search the internet and all the wonderful blogs I have found, 
• to chat with friends
• to decide which direction to take..