You Go Girl!

Meet Ruby...

The dog days of summer are certainly upon me (tee-hee!). Remember this little sock dog?  She has been sitting ever so patiently on my table waiting for arms and a skirt.

 

Tada! She is finally finished.  Woohoo!!  Let me introduce you.  Here she is...Miss Ruby!

Ruby was a hoot to make.  The best part, though, is that she is the fulfillment of a long-awaited I.O.U. She belongs to my little triplet girl, Libbie. 

When I gave Ruby to Libbie, she greeted the little sock canine with an enthusiastic hug and exclamations of love.

After the love fest, Libbie asked, "What should I name her?" 

I said, "If she belonged to me, I would call her Ruby."  I was thinking of her color.

"Ruby it is, then," Libbie said with a nod. Then she followed up by saying, "Hey, just like Ruby Redfort in Clarice Bean."

That was a connection I hadn't made, but it works for me.  I think I got extra "super-mom" points for that one since Libbie loves Clarice Bean books.

Just in case you are wondering, the pattern for Ruby came out of this book. 

 

 

Of course, I couldn't stick with the pattern.  I modified a few things, but it is very close to the dog in the book.  This was a super fun project. I think I will do it again.  With so many fun socks out in the stores, the creative possibilities are endless.  I have an orange sock with purple flowers on it. How cool would that be made into a dog? It probably won't be the next project I do, but it is certainly an idea in my head (along with about a billion others...).

 

That is all for now.

 

Wishing you happy dog days of summer,

 

Cassie

Red, White, and Blue (sort of...)

I hope every one had a safe and happy Fourth of July.  Before we left for the weekend, I finished this pencil roll. I must have been a little more Fourth-of-July festive than I thought, because the pencil roll is red, white, and blue (sort of??).  I used some bits and pieces of Amy Butler that I had in my stash.  I really like the french wallpaper print in Amy's Belle fabric.  At one time, I had it in three different colors!  I only have one piece of it left.

 

 

The pencil roll is a birthday gift for a friend of the triplets.  Emily, Becca, and Libbie  were sure that this little friend would love a pencil roll full of colored pencils since she likes to draw.  When they went to the party, I had to issue a gift certificate since the request for the pencil roll was made two nights before I left on my China adventure (That's a valid reason for an I.O.U, isn't it?).  I am pleased to report that I am making good on the gift certificate well within the bounds of reasonable time (applause appreciated, haha).  Some of my girls are still waiting for me to complete projects from Christmas gift certificates.  Oh, well...all in good time.

Thanks for stopping by.

Wishing you a happy day,

Cassie

Posie Pincushion Giveaway!

Whew!  I was hoping to get this post done this morning.  I've been overtaken by Monday madness!  My family usually spends summer weekends with extended family at my childhood home on the shores of a refreshing lake.  That means Monday is a recovery day---laundry, home-and-garden TLC, and grocery shopping.  When you add that to toting my girls to summer band, a ballet workshop, and a few friend stops here and there, you have the recipe for a Calgon moment.  Some of you are probably too young to remember the Calgon ads. I was a child when they were big. I'm sure some of you will remember, though.  "Calgon, take me away!!" 

Enough prattle!  I'm giddy for a giveaway.

 

I doodle-stitched some posies and turned them into a pincushion using Heather Bailey's pattern that I also used here.   The last pin cushion I selfishly kept for myself.  This one's for you. I hope you like it.

Here's how the giveaway will work...

Leave a comment.

Next Monday, I will print the comments, cut them apart, put them in a hat, and have one of my lovely assistants (a.k.a. daughters) draw one out. 

Not real original, I know.  But here is the kicker.  Tell a friend about my giveaway (if you think it's worthy??).  Have them mention you in their comment.  If you are credited in the winning comment, I will have something fun for you, too.  Perhaps it will be a set of applique dishtowels like this one?  Or, maybe I will have another pincushion ready to go.  Who knows?

Happy Summer,

Cassie

Flip-Flops or Uggs?

There is a saying in Montana...If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes.  It's true. We do have crazy weather that can change quickly!  This morning we woke up to SNOW...wet, heavy, slushy, white snow.  Lucky for me, most of my bedding plants are cozy and warm in the garage.  Usually I would have planted them  well before now.  Sometimes it pays to be a bit behind.  My perennials and self-seeding annuals are not so lucky.  They will have to dig out from under all this wet stuff.  The trees and bushes are also struggling under the weight of the gianormous snowflakes. I'm hoping that when the sun comes back out, everyone will stretch their little arms up to greet it.  It is a crazy opening to summer, for sure.  By Friday, our temperatures are supposed to be in the mid-seventies. 

The weather is putting a bit of a damper on end-of-the-school-year festivities for my girls.  But the year will come to a close regardless, I suppose.  In fact,  Hailey is done today.  Paige and the triplets get done at noon tomorrow.  Another year has danced by before my eyes.  I am pleased to report that it was a good year for all. I am ready for a relaxed summer schedule. 

My sister ordered a bag to give to her daughter's teacher on the last day of school. It's a little Ginger Blossom love.

I adore Ginger Blossom.  It looks fabbity on most any project.  Sandi's new line, Farmer's Market, looks yummy, too.  Hopefully Jona will have some in her store soon.  I can't wait to get my hands on it.

Happy Day,

Cassie

Birthday Girl

My first baby turned fifteen on Wednesday.  Fifteen...I remember fifteen.   Somehow it doesn't seem like that long ago. 

I treasure this girl.  Well, I treasure all my girls, but today it's about her.  To mark her special day, I think I will share a letter I was asked to write by her English teacher. Here it is:

Dear Ms. _____,

I am Cassie Jones, Hailey’s mom and friend. I know lots of things about Hailey. I know how tall she is, how much she weighs, and what color her eyes are. Beyond the outward appearance of Hailey, I know a lot of other stuff. Here is a slice of what I know...

• Hailey is a terrific big sister. She has an eleven-year-old sister and triplet sisters that are nine. They think she is cool.
• She is an excellent student. She works hard and gets high marks.
• Hailey has a strong moral compass and is trusted to make good decisions even if the decision is not the most popular.
• Hailey is quiet until she gets comfortable with a situation. Once she is comfortable, you will see her sense of humor and her wit.
• She chooses her friends wisely so that she is not put in a situation where she has to make tough choices.
• Hailey loves to dance, play the piano, and listen to music. She dances at Rocky Mountain Ballet. She went to Italy with the dance company last summer and hopes to go to China this year. I love to watch her dance. She makes it look easy.
• She reads for enjoyment. In fact, she’s been told to put her book down a time or two this past summer...Words we never thought we’d say!
• She is kind and reflects upon situations where someone is treated poorly or unfairly.
• Hailey knows she has our unconditional love and support. We don’t expect perfection, just her best effort.

When I think about Hailey, I wonder how a girl with everything going for her can be a laundry abuser. Couldn’t she just put her clean clothes away? Just kidding...I do wonder, though, what life has in store for her. Where will she live? (I hope it’s close.) Who will she marry? (Big decision!) What kind of career will she choose? (Make sure you love what you do.) How many children will she have? (She’ll be a great mom.) Will she always be able to eat like a pig and still be thin? (I hope so.)

I am so pleased with the beautiful young woman Hailey is becoming. She is a song in my heart and the apple of her dad’s eye. My hope is that she will always seek and embrace God’s perfect plan for her life, that her life will be one of contentment and peace, and when all is said and done she will hear her Father in heaven say, "Well done, my friend."

Thank you for the chance to share my thoughts about Hailey.

Sincerely,

Cassie

Right now Hailey is busy learning how to drive.  I am going to have some serious gluteous maximus muscles by the time this is over.  My bum-bum is flexed the whole time she is driving, even though I try to look like I am completely relaxed.  When I learned to drive, I lived in a very small town.  If you went the wrong way on a one-way street...oh wait, there wasn't any one-ways. If you didn't turn the wheel quick enough in a parallel park...oh wait, wait, there was only angle parking. Ok, if you didn't yield at a round-about...nope, no round-about.   You get the picture. When I learned to drive, the consequence for a mistake was learning.  For Hailey, the consequence for a mistake will be a wreck.  She is doing well, though.  I guess it is like most things.  If the bar is high, you step up. 

For her handmade-with-love-from-mom birthday gift, I made her a key fob.  Seems appropriate, don't you think?

This is the easiest project ever! All it takes is a 3/4' strap, a D-ring, and a loopy-ring-thing to hold keys.  The whole project takes about ten minutes (for one).  I made three and let her pick her favorite.  She chose the Ginger Blossom one.  I thought she might. 

I was quite chatty today.  Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Later,

Cassie

Afterthought--I just had a revelation.  Eventually, Mr. Handsome and I will have to teach four more girls how to drive.  At one point, we will be teaching three at the same time...aaaaaah!  I guess I shouldn't borrow trouble from tomorrow, should I?

 

Coming Home

Today I am on my way home.  Coming home is always good.  Two weeks is a long time to be away from Mr. Handsome and my little triplet friends! 

When I left, these little Forget-Me-Not flowers were blooming in my flower bed. 

I'm sure all the spring flowers are displaying their beauty right now. Lilacs, Flowering Crab Apples, Peonies... I can't wait to see the riot of color and to plant my window boxes.

I'm also anxious to finish this.  Libbie used her Christmas gift certificate on a sock dog instead of a bag. She wanted me to get it done before I left for China.  Try as I might, I didn't have time to complete it. It will be the first creative endeaver on my agenda when I get home.  All this little dog needs are some arms, a tail, and some clothes.  I wonder how long it will take me to get my life back in order so that I can have some sewing time.  Not long, I hope.

I'm looking forward to catching up on my comments and checking in on your blogs.  I've missed you!

XOXO,

Cassie

For a Sweet Baby Girl

There is a baby shower for a lovely young mother at my church today.  I will be sorry to miss it.  The mother-to-be is Julie. She is looking cute as a bug's ear.  You know the look... young, beautiful, and sporting that adorable baby bump. This is a first child.  It's going to be a girl.  Hurray!! I have a thing for girls. (Don't get me wrong.  I like boys, too!)

I'm loving turquoise and red together right now.  I decided they would be good colors to welcome a new baby girl into this world.  I found the onesie on sale at Old Navy.  Could the color be any better for the project?  What are the chances of finding a red polka-dot onesie?  Some things are meant to be.

   

This is a simple blanket to make.  One layer of flannel with a quick applique in the corner and a half-inch binding.  Yes, I do seem to be addicted to binding.  What's the saying?  Use it or lose it?  I don't want to lose this skill so I am practicing alot.

Wishing you happy binding today and every day,

Cassie

Mother's Day

Mother's Day...quite possibly my favorite day of the year.  Not only because Mr. Handsome and the girls always make me feel special and loved, but because I LOVE my mom.  Among my many blessings, I count her to be one of the best. 

This is my mom. Through the years she has shown me how to look for the extraordinary in the ordinary, how to find joy in everyday activities, and how to seek a quiet moment.  It is good to be still.  Best of all, I learned the art of mothering from my mom.  She does it well.  What an incredible treasure she is.

I knew exactly what I was giving my mom for Mother's Day this year .  When I visited her in Yuma, she was wearing one of my dad's old shirts for an apron.  It was endearing, but I made a mental note to stitch an apron for her.  I, of course, waited until the last minute, but I got it done.  No I.O.U.'s this time!

I also picked up Jennifer Chiaverini's new book, The Winding Ways Quilt,  for her.  I love the Elm Creek Quilts series.  It was my mom who told me I would love them.  She was right! Mom always knows best.  I'm betting my mom will pass this book to me when she is finished.  I can't wait.

XOXO,

Cassie

P.S. I am happy to report that I received a new watch for Mother's Day.  In the picture, I am sporting Becca's watch.  My watch broke some time ago (maybe, four months ago??).  I've been borrowing this one since then.  It's quite stylish.  It has a learn-to-tell-time face, a little power flower on the second hand, and a flowered, elastic band.  I told Kevin it was a perfectly fine watch.  He said something like, "Well, ya, if you're eight."  I must confess that Becca quit wearing it because she is too "big" for it. But hey, it worked.  I kinda liked it. 

I.O.U. and U. and U. and U....

I don't think I will qualify for the mother-of-the-year award this year.  Dang!  At Christmas time, I was so busy sewing for other people, who ordered totes and purses, that my own girls (and sisters) received an I.O.U. in the form of a gift certificate.  I wasn't proud of the gift certificate. I'm even more embarassed to report that even though it is May, I have only made good on one (this purse was for my younger sister) of my I.O.U.'s until today.  To make matters worse, I made a purse for my middle daughter, Paige, and then sold it out from underneath her nose.  (Gasp!) Is that rude or what?  Now you know my shame.You also know why Libbie was a bit concerned when I didn't have her pencil roll done at birthday time.  My track record isn't so good.  I'm so glad the girls love me anyway!

Here is my most recent attempt to live up to my promises.  This is the purse Emily requested. 

She picked out the style, fabric, and button.  I think she has a pretty good eye.  I told her I liked the purse so much that I thought I should keep it.  I was only joking.  Really. She didn't think it was funny...I probably deserved that.

Well, hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to sew I go.  I'm headed downstairs to stitch up a few more promises. 

XOXO,

Cassie

Doodled Pin Cushion

These polka dots have been begging me to stitch some little flowers in them.  So I did.  After that, I finally got around to making the pin cushion from the pattern in the Summer 2007 issue of Quilts and Things.  I bought the magazine because it had a little article on Heather Bailey.  The pin cushion pattern is also Heather's.  I don't know Heather, but she has had an influence on me because of her blog.  I'll explain more later in the answers to my tag.  Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you...I've been tagged.  My first tag ever. Jenny at Frazzy Dazzles tagged me.  She has some of the cutest hair clips and lot of other fun stuff too.  Check it out.

Here's one more picture of the pin cushion  before I answer the tag questions (Do you like how I put the back of the pin cushion in the front of the picture?  I also forgot to put some pins in it before I took the photo. Blonde moment, I think.)

 

And now for the tag...

Why did you start blogging?

The very first blog I ever clicked to was Hello My Name is Heather.  I had just received my Hancock's of Paducah fabric catalog. I was in love with the Fresh Cut line.  I googled Heather Bailey and ended up at her blog.  Can you think of a better blog to land on for your first time?  I was captivated, but wasn't sure anyone would be interested in what I had to say so I didn't jump right in to my own blog. 

Fast forward a year--I was reading Sandi Henderson's blog. I was certain I was seeing a friend of mine in one of her posts. I was just nosy enough to contact her and see if I was really seeing who I thought I was seeing.  Turns out, her dad is married to a friend of mine from highschool (No, I'm not old enough to be Sandi's mom! Ha,ha!).  Also, my dad and Sandi's dad are summer time golf friends.  I tell you, it's a small world!  Anyway, short story long, I told Sandi I was thinking about a blog and possibly an Etsy store.  She wrote me a very kind email and encouraged me to go for it.  So I did.  The blog is up and going, the Etsy Store is still in the hopper.

How did you come up with you blog name?

You Go, Girl! is a phrase I say a lot to my five daughters to encourage them to be strong, step out, and walk in confidence.  When my small boutique sewing business evolved, You Go Girl! seemed like the prefect name.  Not only was I doing what I encourage my girls to do, but I mostly make items that a girl on the go would use like totes, purses, and wallets.  You Go Girl! seemed like a good fit for the business and the blog.

Do family and friends know about your blog? What do they think?

My blog is still pretty new.  Of course Mr. Handsome and my girls know about.  They like it.  My mom and my sisters know about my blog too. Not a lot of my friends do.  I want to try my wings a bit before I announced to my whole world that I have a blog.

How do you write your posts?

Well, I sit at the computer and type words on the keypad.  The words show up on the monitor and then...Just kidding!  I usually write a post based on something I've been stirring up in my craft room. 

Have you ever had a troll or had to delete an unkind comment?

I've never had a troll. If I did, I would let him live under my deck and teach him how to do my laundry and cook my meals.  Just kidding, again.  No, I've never had a troll or an unkind comment.  However, if I don't control my smartie pants mouth soon, I might have one on this post! :-)

Do you check stats or care how many people read your blog?  If you care, how do you increase traffic?

Wow!  Talk about true confessions...I do check my stats at the end of each day.  I check them mostly because I am curious.  I try not to care how many people read my blog since I write because I like to.  I do love a comment from friendly readers, though.  I treasure them. They make me smile and validate the crazy things I love to do.

I'm not sure what Tag etiquette is.  Is it ok to simply tell someone they're IT?  Maybe Erin at The Vintage Pearl would like to be tagged.  Or perhaps, Marie and her fun blog The Villa Family would like to be IT.  Or maybe you would like to be IT??

Thanks for stopping by,

Cassie