Time Flies When You Are Having Fun!

Oh, my goodness, oh, my goodness how time has flown by. Since I wrote last, we had our 5th Successful Holiday Hodgepodge. 5 Years?! So many of my "regular" customers came to see our wares. We had several new vendors and missed some of our old vendors. Just a few of our vendors: Linzee's wonderful pottery was a hit. Ali's vinyl signs. Lois' aprons and amazing hairbows. Kerian's bows and Scentsy. And of course, Linda's incredible floral arrangements and wreaths. And all the other great creators joined us for two weekends.

My top seller this year was my new Bitty Bucket Buddy. I just had a feeling folks would like them so I made a "gazillion" of them. Then I decided to do something different and cover the handles which really dresses them up. So I had to go back and cover handles for the earlier ones. One customer bought one for all of her grandchildren then tucked goodies in all the pockets. What a great idea! Wish I had thought of that. In fact, that is what I'm going to give all of them for their birthdays this year. She came back and bought them for her adult children for their cars. Again, I need to do that for my own children! We embroidered names on all of them, and that made them even more special. How much I enjoy making things that people love!

Another Nina joins the group

We've had just 3 little seamstresses, but we've just added another. Had our first sleepover with her and cousins. So all 4 girls were enjoying playing with make-up, watching movies, etc. But what made my heart sing was when we were cutting out more squares to another Hospice quilt...I heard one of the older girls say, "We've got to serve people." AHA, she gets it!! So we've finished another quilt and another is in process. Soon we'll add a fifth nina as she gets old enough to help. What a blessed Nana, I am!

Nana's Ninas Service Project

We are heavily weighted with boys in our family--both sons and grandsons. So we have created a little "club" called Nana's Ninas just for the granddaughters. We have sleepovers, make cookies, watch movies, and I've been working to teach the older girls how to sew. Here is the quilt we made to give to a local Hospice Group. The girls enjoyed making it (and they did almost every bit of the sewing). They understand that important life lesson that "serving others makes you feel good and forget your own problems." I hope we will do many more projects together and that this is something they will remember the rest of their lives--the service, the good feeling and the being with their Nana!!

Something New--- SETS

Checkbook Covers and Sunglass Cases

We have wanted to make "sets" of matching accessories since we started making so many wonderful and different items. So far a complete "set" includes a checkbook cover, a camera bag/make-up bag (whatever you want to use it for), a tissue holder, and an sunglass holder. I love matching things. The "problem" comes in when someone loves just one item,-- then the little "set" is missing a member of their family! But they are cute, and I'm having such fun with all the different fabrics. See what you think about our new "sets."

I've included pictures of some of the different items to show fabric and color choices.

"SETS!!"

ENTERING INTO A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I love a New Year. Everything seems fresh. To me it seems almost like a reverent time...a time to reflect on what happened last year, and a time to look forward with excitement to possible adventures, meeting new people, becoming a better person, enjoying and connecting with old friends. 2010 was supposed to be -by my definition-the "year of the purge"--meaning I was going to clean up, toss out, and reorganize. Not much of that happened, but I'm hopeful that I will do better in 2011. I have a hard time getting rid of "stuff". I might "need" that at some future point so I can't possibly get rid of it. I will do better this year. It actually feels so good to winnow out those things I don't use, don't need, don't want any more. It is a very freeing thing to give things away. I love when the American Kidney Fund calls. It becomes a good excuse to come up with a bag of things that can find a new home.

I'm so very grateful for my wonderful family and my amazing friends. They are all such good examples to me. And that is where I get my real joy--not from "stuff" but from my loved ones!!

Here is to a happy, healthy, peaceful, prosperous, and blessed New Year to one and all!!!!

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!!

Holiday Hodgepodge a Booming Success

We just finished up our 3rd Annual Holiday Hodgepodge. I was "shocked and amazed" at the turnout. So many of my friends came who hadn't come before, so many new friends came, so many strangers who were friends of friends came (and have become my friends--my friends have great friends!). I met lots of new people. I missed some old friends who couldn't come. We got LOTS of orders from the show.
I'm mad that I didn't take pictures because we had 12 "vendors" here who showed their wonderfully creative wares. We had beautiful pottery, incredible jewelry, neat purses, intricate crochet, really cute pillowcases, funky hair bows and bookmarks, bright florals, unusual Nativities, cute aprons, and darling tutus! We had vendors here who were friends of friends so I hadn't even met them all as they showed up to set up their displays.
Everyone sold something! I loved the folks who actually brought a shopping list with them and did their Christmas shopping here. I felt it was an incredible success, and we already have everyone anxious for next year. This experience has made me grateful for my family who is so supportive and for my friends who actually blasted out emails to their friends and who brought friends and neighbors with them. Probably the best compliment to us all was made by one young mom who said, "I look forward to this every year. It gets me in the mood, and I can get my shopping done early. There are always such neat things here." Well done, Holiday Hodgepodgers!!

Little Bucket Buddies walk out of the Hodgepodge

The first purchases made at the Holiday Hodgepodge this year were our Little Bucky Buddies. My 2 favorite ones walked out with the first 2 customers!! I almost wanted to take them away, but I knew they were going to good homes. One was headed to a condo in the Keys! How can I complain about that?! We've done several custom orders since the Hodgepodge. That is the fun part --making something just for that certain person-- Adapting it to their colors or likes or age or need.

I "invented" the Little Bucket Buddy when my grandson was trying to carry around his dad's 5 gallon tool bucket with the tool apron. The entire thing probably weighed 3 times as much as this little tot. I designed my own tiny version of the tool apron put it on a 2 gallon bucket. Then I woke up in the wee hours of the morning one morning and knew what I was supposed to call this "invention" and how to market it. Eureka, "Little Bucket Buddy" was born--a beach bucket, a "diaper" bucket, a carry in the car bucket, a gardening bucket, a toy bucket, an all purpose bucket. We've made them from denim and from designer drapery fabrics! They have been shipped out of state for gifts. Each one is my new favorite (until I make the next one). I'm glad I don't have to choose!!!!

Are we doing this for every holiday?

We had such fun with the summer pillowcase dresses, but now the weather is turning cold. What is a little girl to do? How about pillowcase dresses or shirts with leggins or tights? Granddaughters are such good models! And they are such good advertisements plus the fact that they are appreciative and VERY CUTE!! Generally, they are happy to perform, but you can see that apparently, one little one is not happy about it at all. Perhaps the pay was not up to her expectations!! The Halloween PC Tops are cute, and we're on to Christmas!!

My Favorite Design

I did a HUGE job for our local Chik-fil-A's 50's Week. Lots of Poodle skirts, but they had cows instead of poodles. Complete with a pocket that said, "Eat more chicken." They asked if I could make poodle skirt aprons. I made, remade and cut and recut until I had the "perfect Poodle Skirt Apron." After I finished all the CFA stuff, I decided to take the apron to a new level. I put a poodle on an PSA (poodle skirt apron), and it looked very cute. However, my mess when I cook is always on the front, I need a bib front apron. So I went "retro" and made a funky bib for my PSA then added "retro Christmas" embroidery designs. It's become my favorite thing I've designed. I begged Bekah to model it for pictures. She agreed if I wouldn't get her face. Don't tell her I accidentally (he he) got her face in one of the pictures!

Since I wrote last, I've had to come up with yet another design for CFA who wanted all three of their Santa's helpers to have different aprons. I like the snowmen because it lengthens out how long you can use the apron. Some folks seem to think a Christmas apron is not very practical! But as one friend pointed out "Christmas comes every year!" So I now have Christmas ornaments in bright colors, a Christmas tree, and the snowmen.

Is this Child Labor?

I've made string backpacks for all the grandson's this year with their names on them. Now that Bryson is being potty trained, mommy has him carry his own extra clothes. He looks very proud of the fact that he carries his own "stuff"!! But my question is: Is this child labor?!!

NOTICEABLY NANCY GIFTS AROUND THE WORLD

Recently one of our coaches was tripping around the world setting up some Special Olympic Gymnastic and Equestrian venues and doing some competitions. She called me to bring over some of my smaller items--she was in a hurry and didn't have time to go out and shop. So off I went to the gym for "shopping made easy." She bought numerous items to take overseas as gifts. Imagine my thrill when I got a note from her saying: "Hi! I gave everybody the horsey bookcovers and the horsey camera cases today & they loved them! I told HRH Princess Lalla Amina that the gift was specially for her...She was thrilled that it had horses on it. So-many thanks." So now there are Noticeably Nancy gifts in Slovakia, Austria and with a princess in Morocco!! How cool is that?!!!!

Royal Baby Bedding

I call this the Royal Baby Bedding --because, well, it just looks "royal" to me. It was more involved than a lot of the other bedding jobs I have done, but the new mommy was very creative with her fabric choices. I think she did a great job, and I think we made a good team. I'm always happy when my clients are happy. A quote from her thank you note read: "Thanks for your hard work on the baby bedding. I LOVE it! You did such a good job. The time, attention, and care you put into it is clear." As I said, I'm always happy if mommy is happy.

Casing The Baby

Am having fun with the pillowcase dresses. We discovered that the little American Girl pillowcase dress fits our new baby Anela perfectly!! Who knew we were actually making dresses for newborns?!

Isn't she cute? Although she looks bored with the entire dress-up process.

more pillowcase choices

Matching dresses for Mommy and Me?

pillowcase dresses

These cute little dresses tie on the shoulders with brightly colored grosgrain ribbons. We make them in 3 little girl sizes a Mini Miss fits sizes 2-5 and our Little Miss fits sizes 6-9 and our Miss fits sizes 10-11. Most of the little girl dresses come with a matching doll dress that fits an American Girl size doll or a Build a Bear sized stuffed animal.

BUT these dresses are not just for little girls... We think they make great beach cover-ups and summer shifts for those adults who are young at heart!

costs are: mini miss, little miss, and miss $30, $35 with embroidered design on front this price includes matching doll dress. Adult dress is $35 with additional $5 for embroidery. Matching purses for girl and doll add $10. Click on the picture for an upclose view of the detailed embroidery.

Tooth Fairy Pillow

The cutest things ever! With the little pocket on front and the words "Tooth Fairy Look Here," the tooth fairy won't have any trouble locating that tooth, and there won't be any searching for that money when your little "snaggle tooth" wakes up! Keeps the tooth fairy from trying to sneak under the pillow to locate the tooth. Makes a great baby gift. Put your gift card in the pocket. The new mom will remember you long after the card is spent, and it is a gift that will be enjoyed for years. "Aunt Mary gave this to you when you were a tiny baby." (Dimensions approx. 8" X 11")

Book Covers

Our newest custom creation covers your book for privacy and protection. These fit standard paperback books (mass market size). You will love the fun fabrics that make them so different.

Ask about available fabric selections.

Email your order!