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!!!