Hodgepodge 2010

This Friday and Saturday we held our 4TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY HODGEPODGE!!! We had eleven vendors showing their "wares" not counting the plethora of Noticeably Nancy things. We've been sewing our fingers to the bone. We had a very successful two days, and we are looking forward to another successful weekend next weekend Nov 12-13. This is the first time we've ever had the sale for 2 weekends. We'll see how it goes. But we are having fun, and every vendor sold something so that makes me happy. I always want everyone to sell something. I love it when folks buy my "stuff" because they like it, and I know other folks feel the same way.

We put things in every upstairs room except one. It is like a big store, and we had as many as 22 people here shopping at one time. Of course, it makes life interesting to go to bed at night or to fix dinner because we cover the counter with the creative chocolates of my daughter-in-law, and we cover the bed with sewn items which have to boxed up at night! This year we even had the little grandaughters selling their unique birdfeeders. I think I can truthfully say, "A good time was had by all."

I look forward to next weekend. Then I will get started on the orders from the show. Of course, I'll be sewing some new things before the weekend!! I'd better get some rest and be ready to chain myself to the sewing and embroidery machines!! See you at the Hodgepodge!!

What does "Retirement" Mean?

It has been almost two years since my husband retired from AT&T. What has that meant to me? Well, LOTS more time together. I have enjoyed having him home with me and as the newest "employee" of Noticeably Nancy. The first day that my daughter-in-law came over to sew after he retired, he came down about 12:00 to find out what I was preparing for lunch. I had to quickly explain that since he was now retired, and I was the one still working, HE could fix lunch for us! Fortunately, he agreed. He is a good sport about my chaining myself to the sewing machine, but he is happiest when I unlock myself from the machine and head out on a little trip to the lake or to the mountains with him. I enjoy that as well. Then it is back to the "workroom" where I sew, he turns things inside out for me, trims threads for me, keeps the books for me, while we chat. Retirement isn't so bad after all. Now I wonder what he is preparing for lunch?!

BUT let the record show that I do most breakfasts and dinners! It is nice to share doing the dishes though.

Wader Bag

Even though boys wayyyy out number the girls in our family, I don't always get the chance to be as creative with making things for them. Most of them enjoy fishing in one form or another which gave my hubby and me an opportunity to create a HUGE mesh bag for their fishing waders. The bag is made from mesh, handles from nylon webbing, seams are double sewn, pockets on the outside are "manly" fish fabric!!! This bag had no trouble holding my sons' folded waders. Once the waders are dry, I see no reason why they couldn't be stored in the bag. Certainly beats the cardboard box where they have been stored! Or at least that is what I think! You try it and see.

Use it Again Gift Bags

Necessity is the Mother of Invention. I'm always trying to think of ways to use what I have for another purpose or to use up what I have. And that led to gift bags from our felt Santa Bag scraps. I couldn't bear to throw them away. These bags come in various sizes and can be used again and again. Once again, I've embellished them with the embroidery machine. How fun is that?!

Who knew Hubby was so creative, too? FLY ROD SLEEVE

My wonderful husband decided that we should give our sons and son-in-law a fly rod sleeve for Christmas. I had so many orders for items that I literally sewed for other people right up to two days before Christmas. I went on strike against sewing for my family at that late date--I've done the sewing until midnight on Christmas eve thing (Santa almost didn't come that year because he saw the lights on in the house!!). Didn't want to do that again. So (or shall I say Sew...) we gave gift certificates for the fly rod sleeve and for a Wader Bag. Hubby designed the rod/reel sleeve and together we cut, drew, cut, sewed until it was just right to hold a fly rod holding a reel. I used the embroidery machine (I confess, I'm an embroidery addict) and added a "cute" (don't let my boys hear that word associated with fishing!!) fly lure to the flap. TA DA!!! Check it out! The boys all love them. I even added their initials to the flap since they will all be going on the next fishing trip together!

Santa's Got a Brand New Bag!!!

You, too, can become Santa with a big Santa Claus Bag of your own. Made of felt and beautifully embroidered (if I do say so myself!!) these are such a fun idea to take your gifts to grandma's or for grandma to bring her gifts to you! They measure approx. 40 inches by 28 inches. We actually made these for our Hodgepodge, and I'm sure they will be a big hit.

I love the idea of the mouse eating the candy cane letters, of Santa's sleigh full of gifts....My embroidery machine has definitely stretched my creativity. I really enjoy heading down to the "workroom" (family room) each day and sitting down to my machines. I am very grateful for my wonderful large cutting table (covered pool table). I'm so thankful that my hubby is too busy gardening to take time to play pool!!

Check with your Santa and see if he needs a new bag!

Key Chains Anyone?

We have had such a blast with the myriad of choices of ribbon and webbing and letters for our key chains! They can even be worn on your wrist when you take the keys out of the ignition and head to the front door. Don't know about you, but I find that most purses (unless they have a magic pocket) have a magnet that pulls your keys (actually-it pulls whatever you are looking for) right down to the bottom of the purse!! But with these keychains, we find our keys are easier to locate. We are not limited to the letters you see here--that is just what that order was! I've had orders for keychains with an organization's name on them, with a resort name on them, with "titles" on them (Princess, Diva!!) the limit is only your imagination and the length of the keychain!!!

Apron Additons

New colors for the Poodle Skirt Apron and another style apron. Lots of fun with the fabrics and "tried and true" designs!! We're even making aprons for those men in our lives who cook! At the last shower I attended , the only gift passed around was the "Kiss the Cook" poodle skirt apron. Very cute and a little sassy!

Is It Just A Camera Bag?

We've been cranking out these little babies, and we all LOVE them. They are actually made for your small camera. So much less bulky than the case that comes with the camera, and it protects it from scratches. I love mine. I've kept my camera in the little camera bag in my purse since my hubby gave me the camera last year. I wasn't happy with the first one I made for myself, but I couldn't stand to throw it out. It then became my little cosmetic bag--holds about 4 tubes of lipstick and a mirror. All the ones pictured have "G" on them. Not that we don't make them with other letters!!!! Just that was the order we were filling. Mine is in the upper corner and has my name on it. Doesn't your camera need a cheery home?

Flat Iron or Curling Iron?

Our little holders are a booming success. Outside we have used cute fabrics --I'm only showing a few. They are lined with the shiny ironing board stuff (what is that stuff called anyway?!) and sandwiched inside is the insulated batting which draws the heat. All this together makes for great holder for your __________. Some folks use curling irons. Some folks use flat irons. So it works for whichever of those you use. We even put a pocket on the outside for you to tuck your comb in on one side and the cord in on the other. No more heading out on a trip with your curling/flat iron wrapped in a washcloth!! Just the thing for traveling. Enjoy!!