They're back!

Hot flashes, irritability, memory loss, night sweats....menopause symptoms! I've lived through adolescence (mine & the girls!) wild college days (again, mine & theirs!), 28 hrs. of HARD labor, an unhappy marriage, excessive weight gain (and loss and regain), single parenthood, financial difficulties, and I swear right now menopause feels like the plague to end all others. It got really bad this summer. So after lots of research, a few trials with home & OTC remedies I finally decided to try a mild antidepressant. We are not strangers to psycho-girl drugs in our house and they have helped us maneuver through some tough times. Since mid-August the meds seemed to be doing the trick and symptoms were much better...until this past week...and now they're back with a vengeance. I'd love to hear about your experiences, especially coping mechanisms, if you are living with this special life event. And we thought menstrual cramps were the curse. Ha!

I've got lots of work to do in the basement, but think I'll take part of the day off and go to 'Christmas Made in the South'...check out the competition. Y'all have a great weekend.

Haven't left ...

.. the house all weekend. Actually don't think I've been outside since arriving home Friday after school. We've had no visitors. I've done no housework, except a few loads of laundry which need to be put away. I've cooked only one meal. But I've been busy in the basement! Check out these super personalized gifts, all under $20!
Child Tote Bags

Wet Bathing Suit Bag

Checkbook covers

Show us what you make

Clutch Bags for Bridesmaids

Over at Kelly's Korner, her post yesterday was 'show us what you make' and there are some fabulous sites (over 400) full of handmade goodies. Check it out, but come on back to Basement Bags for the real cute stuff! Speaking of, here's some of what I made this week....

It's wonderfully 'fallish' here today...love it. Sleeping late this morning was heavenly! Paul is doing great, although we
still don't know the cause of his sickness. I have several fun projects to work on and look forward to sharing when they are finished.
Hope y'all have something fun planned for the weekend.

Thinking Christmas yet?

I know some of you are already shopping for Christmas ... heck, so of you may be FINISHED shopping for Christmas!!! For those of you that are still in the 'planning' stages...hope you'll remember all the fabulous, reasonably priced items at Basement Bags.

I just reduced the price of monogrammed slippers to only $18.oo...now that's a deal! a stinkin' cute personalized gift for less than twenty bucks!

Good news

Paul got to come home today. Yeah!!! They put in a PICC line so he could get IV meds at home while we continue to wait for test results. He looks great and his Mom & Dad are so happy to be home. I know big brother Jack is also glad that they are all together for the first time in almost two weeks. Thanks again for all of your prayers and well wishes. In a situation like this one doesn't think about the cost until everything settles down...no doubt it will be staggering.....guess we shouldn't worry about it. Just heard 'they' voted and passes the first bill on Obamacare. I'm sure they will take care of us good ole working middle class folks and our medical needs.
Raise your hand if you believe that.

Baby update, beauty products and compacts

First, thanks for all of your concerns and prayers. Your well wishes mean so much to us. We still don't have a firm diagnosis. Maybe a viral infection, maybe a metabolic disorder...test results aren't all in and more test have been ordered. Paul was moved to the main hospital in Charlotte yesterday...bigger facility, more specialists, parents feel good about the change. We are hoping for some answers soon...in the meantime, please continue to keep us in your thoughts.

Wanted to share my new favorite beauty product. Clinique Even Better Moisture and foundation. I had been using a very expensive glycolic acid
skin care line and just didn't feel like I was getting enough 'bang for my buck'. A few months ago, when it was time for new foundation, I got the Even Better and almost immediately noticed improvement. I decided to try the moisture. In just a few short weeks my skin is smoother and more even toned than in years. Hubby even noticed without being prompted! And it's much more affordable than the other stuff, that alone makes me feel better.

I love repeat customers! Makes me feel like they really appreciate my work. Last year Molly ordered cosmetic bags for the girls on her cheer leading team...black and white polka dot with red monogram. This year she ordered them matching compacts. Too cute!
Happy weekend y'all.

PICU

Paul has been in PICU since Sunday night and they are still doing test. Hopefully we will have a definite diagnosis by tomorrow. They believe he has one of the TORCH infections and are working to pinpoint which virus is making him sick. He will be hospitalized until the virus is no longer active...could be a month or more. We got to visit today... I was able to hold & feed him and he was responsive. His Mom said he'd had a good day and that he was more alert this afternoon than he'd been. Our precious baby is not out of the woods yet, but we are encouraged that he will continue to improve. The doctors & nurses have been wonderful and we are confident that they are doing everything possible to take care of Paul. Please keep us in your thought.

As life takes us down this bumpy side road, I have to reminded myself that things happen for a reason, to have faith that we will understand those reasons, and hope we have the courage to rise to the occasion. Business has been slow for the past few weeks, which usually worries me, but with the events of the last month, the extra time is a Godsend. I did finish this set of burps and matching bib.

I'm loving the fall weather, it's my favorite time of year. Hope life is being good to you this week!

Rough Start

This is week three in the life of our new baby Paul and unfortunately it's been a rough start. First week his Mom ended up at the ER, then the OR for a D & C. Second week she got mastitis....been there, done that and in my opinion it's one of the worse of the 'female things'. Then 2am Sat. morning we got a call to come stay with 2 yrs. old big brother Jack, they had to rush baby Paul to hospital. He had been extremely fussy and had high fever. He is still in the hospital and we are waiting for test results. Poor baby had a 'full work up' which included a Lumbar Puncture (spinal tap). They are thinking it's some type of viral infection and he's improving but it's scary for the little guy to be so sick. In this situation my maternal instinct to 'fix everything' leaves me feeling useless and frustrated. Luckily we have lots of family here that have pitched in to help. Jack has been wonderful, but taking care of a toddler wears me out! Please keep Paul and his parents in your thoughts. Hopefully when this passes we will have all sweet sunshine and fluffy teddy bears.

Weekend

We spent the a rainy, but very enjoyable weekend in Sevierville, TN. My Dad and Nina (my bonus Mom) had a condo for the week and invited us and my brother to join them. The drive up was a little dicey, it rained most of the way. Saturday morning we ate the breakfast at the fabulous Apple Barn ... then we HAD to walk it off with a little outlet shopping. Seriously, a little is the truth, I went into only one store, but we won't talk about how much a spent in that one store. It was Chico's for crying out loud and I had a gift card! Then it rained buckets all day long, but it was the perfect excuse to stay in and just catch up, we had a wonderful 'visit'. Today the weather was beautiful, a day made for convertibles. Loved the ride home with the 'top down' but I swear my neck got sunburned.

I finished up an order of clutch bags that you see pictured here. This is a great time for me to share my 'secret weapon' for clutch bag making....my Hubby the 'crimper'. He crimps the frames and then hand polishes every bag. What a man! Of course, crimping is only one of his talents. He is one of those guys that can do everything. The kind that makes it hard for daughters when selecting potential life partners. Not many guys can measure up to Danny Daddy! He also brings me coffee (while I'm getting ready for work) and makes my breakfast every morning! I am a lucky girl!

Still here...

Life is crazy busy, but I'm still here. My only exciting news is our new grandson, he is so sweet. His Mom had a little set back, gave us a scare and a Friday night at the hospital. She is fine now and all is well. I have been running the machines wide open ... thank you wonderful customers! Sorry I don't even have a project picture to share. What a slacker!
Back to work now...promise I will try to post something fabulous next time.

He's here!

Precious Baby Paul

Proud Susie

Weekend

It's been a productive weekend in the basement. Didn't take pictures of everything, but here are a couple. The tote and two sets of monogrammed towels will be graduation gifts for May '10...I do love the customer that plans ahead! Hope you ladies will remember me when you start making out your Christmas gift lists and order early.

I designed a logo and embroidered hoodies and polo shirts for the 'Fine Arts' teachers at a neighboring school. Their school colors are purple and teal (like those soooo much better than our orange/black..yuck!)

Speaking of orange & black, these key fobs are not for Halloween, they are the colors at Northwest Cabarrus High School, where I teach. My class usually makes these as a fund raiser for our program. The past two years were have made over $800 ... great way for the students to realize that sewing can be a profitable skill. I made up a 'batch' because we wanted to include one in a gift bag for a special guest coming to our school on Monday. The Governor is coming to visit us! We were named a 'School of Distinction' and it's a huge honor to get all the extra attention.

Despite my political opinions about this Governor, I think it's great from our students to have this experience and for our school to get the recognition.

Cute Hats and Green Dresses....

I have a customer, Deborah, who just opened her own web store reallycutehats.com featuring these precious fleece hats! With fall upon us and winter just around the corner, these cute hats are the perfect accessory for your little sweetie pie(s). Go check out her 20% off special on school spirit hats.

Another friend, Judy, has an eco-friendly boutique that is a fabulous place for us practical-minded & budget conscience girls to shop for special occasions. Her website is for buying and selling beautiful, handpicked clothing. She connects buyers and sellers of pre-owned "wore it once" wedding and party attire...'Green dresses', if you will. I love this concept! Hope you will visit her site The Green Hanger Shop.Com

I'm very glad it's Friday...was this really a 'short' week? Have a stack of orders to process, so I'll be in the basement all weekend....send me some love.

Come on Baby Paul

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our Baby Paul. He is due around the 25th, but his Mom wishes he would come sooner...like yesterday! Maybe he's been waiting for his slacker 'Susie Mama' (me) to make him some cute baby stuff...here's the first installment. Stay tuned for more.

Giveaway clutch

Giveaway Clutch for 'Life of a Southern Bell'

Bag for the traveling shoes

Finished these two items this evening...the 100th Post Giveaway Clutch and a snappy shoe bag. My wonderful postman, LG, will pick up the packages at my back door & get them on their way...if you mail packages and haven't used USPS Click-n-ship, you should...best thing since sliced bread! WooHoo for never going to the Post Office again!!!

Now it's time for bed! Sweet dreams

AWOL

Absent without leave? or just crazy with back to school?...either way, I've neglected my blogging and miss it. Hopefully my body & mind will adjust and I will get back to normal soon...normal, really? Whatever that is. Our new early start time for school is kicking my butt...have to be at my duty post at 6:45am. I've always gotten to school early, but now that is on time...amazing how much difference 15 little minutes makes to us "I hate mornings people". Anyway, between school, trying to keep up in the basement and the new workout plan that hubby & I are doing together, I'm going to bed exhausted every night and back to living for the weekends!

I've also neglected to take pictures of projects but remembered to snap this one before shipping out this cute Tooth Pirate Pillow.

The pillow has a back pocket for the tooth and the 'loot'. I also make a girl version with a whimsical tooth fairy design.

Hope you are having a great week...tomorrow is hump day!

Winner!!!

Congratulations to "Life of a Southern Belle", she is the winner of my 100th post giveaway! Thanks everyone for entering...wish I could send each of you a clutch!



I used RANDOM.ORG to select the winner and 'Rachintherealworld' was actually first name drawn. Since she is my daughter I didn't think that would look on the up & up, so I did a second drawing. I feel sure Rach will be compensated in the end...lol.

http://www.random.org/draws/details/?draw=805

Shining new faces

I have three classes full of the most delightful students...I'm so excited about working with them this semester...but righ now, I'm too tired to wiggle!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Lunch bag-Flower Girl Gift...what a cute idea!

100th Post Giveaway

100th Post Giveaway Clutch

WOW! Can't believe this is already the 100th post...man, I 'talk' a lot! I'm giving away a Basement Bags Clutch bag to a lucky blog friend. The winner gets to select the fabric, monogram style and thread color. Here are the entry rules:

1. Giveaway begins 8/23/09 and ends 8/28/09 (midnight)
2. Comment on this post for one entry
3. Post about the giveaway for one entry (tell me here that you are posting)
4. Post my Basement Bags logo on your blog for one more entry (copy & paste logo below)

Routine

I am back to my normal routine. Weekdays include school, exercise (or nap, maybe both), sewing, dinner, more sewing, bedtime. Housework, laundry, lots of sewing, a trip to the lake, eating out or movie date on the weekends...a very exciting existence I tell you! It works for us.

We took our friends to the airport this morning. They are off for another year in Morocco (he works for the State Department). We will miss them.

Made this cute tote with a brides' new initials this afternoon. I like the navy and lavender together. Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Countdown

In NC teachers work 190 days/year. Two down and 188 to go...I'm just saying.

ugh...

It's 6:15 am and I am going 'back to school' in a few minutes. Someone pinch me! wake me up from this bad dream...surely my summer vacation is not over! The 'back to school' enthusiasm that all good teachers are suppose to feel right now totally eludes me. I am certain that a full day of meetings and Open house tonight will inspire me. Hope you have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Random stuff

Today I'm breaking from the normal 'look at this cute stuff I made' post and will share some random tidbits about myself.

• hot flashes feel like being sunburned on the inside
• the new flimsy plastic used for bottled water = squired in the face on every first sip
• Crocs flipflops rescued my achy feet
• Styrofoam cups feel yucky in my mouth, only drink coffee from 'real' cups
• my favorite clothing stores are Chico's and Christoper & Banks
• per my definition I'm a fluffy size girl...14/16 clothes, 9 shoes, 8.5 ring...but only the tiniest iPod ear buds fit my ears
• based on the amount of brown hair everywhere in our house, it's amazing that I'm not bald
• I don't like shopping & despise trying on clothes in the store, call me the Queen of Returns
• my husband and I met 'on line', dated for 3 yrs & will celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary in a few weeks, we're living the 'happily ever after'
• I get my hair colored at one salon and cut at a different one
• blogging is my only 'social' networking outlet...no facebook or twitter for me
• when I find something that I like or that fits, I buy one in every color
• cutting grass and ironing are two chores I find relaxing
• my favorite 'treat' is getting a manicure/pedicure

And lastly... made these adorable bib/cap sets this morning...you didn't really think I wasn't going to share some cuteness with you, did you?

Cuteness

Even future sports stars need to start with some cuteness.

Wish I'd made the design on the towel a little larger...still learning!

100th post Giveaway coming soon from your favorite basement!

Still time to tell me what item you'd like to see up for grabs.

One of those days

You know what I'm talking about?...one of those days...when nothing seems to go right. That's my day so far. This precious baby set took about twice as long as normal to make and there's a hooded towel in the trash can...expensive mistake...I'm just turning off the machines and going upstairs for a while. It's raining here and just a blah day, in more ways than one.

Would love more comments on 'tell the truth' post from yesterday.

Just noticed I'm getting pretty close to post #100...so maybe I'll do a little giveaway to celebrate...what would you like to see me giveaway?

Tell the truth

I so hate having my picture taken, but I need opinions.

Old glasses on the left, new ones on the top.

Which do you like best? Tell the truth!

The beginning

Yesterday I made this 'Chocolate Dots' purse. Cute, huh? Would you ever guess that it's made out of a placemat? Yes, one like you use on the dinner table. They were uber popular several year ago. Matter of fact, placemat purses are what got me started in business. The original purses were simply monogrammed placemats with ribbon handles...cute, but a bit flimsy for my taste. So I added a lining with pocket, webbing (belting) or wooden handles, ribbon & bows & lots of other trims...the variations are endless! I made placemat purses for cheerleading teams, to match sports teams, for Red Hat Society groups, for teachers, nurses, and on & on. Wish I'd kept track of how many I've made in the past five years! Customers still order them, not as often as in the beginning, but I still love making them.

I'm off to the dentist today. I hate the dentist. Oh, don't get me wrong...I love clean teeth...just hate the process. My teeth are ultra sensitive so it hurts. But the bigger issue for me is the noise in a dentist office. Repetitive noises drive me insane! Like when hubby leaves the keys in the ignition, leaves the door open and then walks off...eek!...like scratching nails on a blackboard (for those of you who remember blackboards!) Anyway, you get my drift, I hate the noises. But for the sake of clean, healthy teeth I will endure the torture. Also have to pick up my new glasses today...hope they are decent since I picked them out after my eyes had been dilated.

Time to turn on the machines and get busy...lots of babies needing adorable bibs & burp cloths! I am going to miss my coffee/blogging time when school starts.

Terrific Totes

Terrific totes for bridesmaids to be stuffed with all kinds of goodies!

Today is the first day of my last full week of summer vacation...where did the time go?!?! Seems like I waited so long for it to get here and it went so fast. Oh well, my waistline is telling me it's time to get back on a schedule. Shame on me 'cause I can't even remember the last time points were counted. We won't even think about the pizza and birthday cake I consumed yesterday. So I'm fifty-one now. Don't think it's going to be much different than fifty, but pretty certain I can't pull off the '36' anymore. Hope you are having a Marvelous Monday!

Ribbon rules

So I've shared with you before that I love ribbon...proof is in the pictures. If a little is good, then a lot is GREAT!

Check out the 'mammajamma' ribbon rack that son-in-law built. Y'all it is beautiful!...furniture quality construction! He's a very talented craftsmen. I am tickled with it and love that there is some 'growing room' so I can add to my selection.

This is about 100 more pieces of ribbon that aren't on spools. The ladies at one of the local craft stores save spools for me, but if anyone has an inexpensive suggestion of how to hang my ribbons, please share.

I store narrow ribbons these display boxes.

BFF4Real

Made a 'mad dash' to SC yesterday to attend a dinner party for 'Retired Teachers & Friends' in my former hometown. I taught there for 21 yrs. before relocating to NC seven years ago. I love my life here, but still miss my friends. This is a picture of me & my all time very best friend...we taught across the hall from each other for 15+ years and we were a force to be reckoned with! I miss her the most! This is so corny, but if you look up the word 'friend' in the dictionary, her picture will be there. She is beautiful inside & out, a fabulous listener and can always make me laugh. I'll post more pictures later. Hope you are having a Fantastic Friday and have happy weekend.

Babyrama

Hot Pink Lady Bugs
Fun Plaid Applique' Letter

Yummy Watermelon

Is everyone having a baby?

I hope so...love, love, love making these precious baby things.

Do you have a favorite?

Missing thumb

Green thumb that is....I don't have one. Every year we purchased beautiful ferns for the front porch & although I really try to keep them healthy, sometimes they get pretty ratty looking . No green thumb, but fortunately a sweet little plant food recipe that snaps them back into shape almost overnight. I'll share in case you are 'plant care challenged' like me!

Plant Food

1 gal. tepid water add 1 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. Epsom salts, 1 tsp. salt peter, and 1/2 tsp. household ammonia.

Water once a month.

*I only use this on ferns, not sure if it works on other plants.

"Back to school" time is quickly approaching.

Thank you very much television/radio commercials that constantly remind me that my glorious vacation is almost over! Anyway, this is my week of 'appointments' .... all those 'once a year 'things we do ... just easier to do them all at once and while school is out. Eye exam today.

Dilation + sunshine = monster headache

Hope those new frames I selected while blind look alright.

When my vision returned to normal, I stitched out this adorable baby blanket. This is absolutely the softest blanket in the world! and they make wonderful personalized gifts.

The price of being cool

We had to replace one of our air conditioners this past week. :( Besides the obvious financial shock...my body is reeling from the experience. You see, the air handlers are in the basement...yes, my basement! And since the hoses, wires and all that other 'necessary to make air conditioning work stuff' feeds to the outside units through a hole in the basement wall. The old stuff had to be torn out and the new go in. Hole in the wall was enlarged, the ceiling tiles had to be removed...I don't know all the specifics, just that everything had to move ... embroidery machine, plastic drawer thingies, furniture, treadmill, Boflex ...everything! "Oh my aching back!" Anyway, what better time to continue the make-over of my work space? Now walls are freshly painted, Luster White - no, not exciting, but man does it reflect the light! which is a good thing in a basement. And it looks soooo clean! Everything has been dusted, organized and moved back to it's rightful place. New shelves (more plastic thingies) were purchased to hold fabric, embroidery blanks and other assorted sewing stuff. Had to order an additional set of shelves and am waiting for my ribbon rack to be finished and installed. Just need new floor covering and I will be totally satisfied with the basement. As you can see in the picture below, right now we have the most gosh-awful mis-matched pieces of carpet that were salvaged from hubby's office when they remodeled. Would love to hear some your suggestions for flooring...low budget flooring (very low budget...air conditions are crazy expensive).

One in every color

For their upcoming family vacation

mom ordered a wet bikini bag

for each daughter.

Pretty sure she included one for herself...my kind of shopper!

There are reasons

This is a NEGATIVE POST...just a warning ...read at your own risk.

There are reasons I love my basement and feel most comfortable here. Here are a few:

• I do not like to drive, especially in unfamiliar places (yes, I got lost trying to meet Rach for dinner)
• I can not drive, talk on the phone, and read road signs at the same time
• I am the only driver in NC that uses a turn signal & understands who goes when at a 4 way stop
• People who are overly tattooed and talk with cigarettes hanging in their mouth scare me
• Exposed breast, fat rolls, butt cracks & underwear and ill-fitting clothes disgust me
• Women talking on cells phones in public whilst ignoring their screaming children annoy me
• Stores that have 50 check out lanes but only 3 open frustrate me
• I am baffled by the number of people living in the US who can't/won't speak English
• Same non-citizens buying groceries with EBT cards (electron benefits transfer...food stamps!) enrage me
• EBT cards that look like credit/debit cards make me sick to death of political correctness
• I am irritated by people who say they will contact me and then don't, especially for business transactions
• Politicians appall me with their arrogance and their total disregard of wishes of the people.

That should do it for now...thanks for letting me rant.

Airplane widow

You've all heard of (and you may be one) golf widows, football widows, fishing widows ...you get my drift...well, I'm an Airplane widow! One of hubby's hobbies (mind you I said ONE) is flying. He has a sweet Cessna Cardinal. He loves me, the girls and his plane. Hopefully in that order!
But not this week...Cardinal takes first billing. It's annual inspection time. Not only does he love flying the plane, he likes tinkering with it. He would be offended by that description, because it really is more like mechanicing. He takes the entire plane apart, bolt by bolt. Cleans every part, greases, paints, replaces worn parts, takes pictures of everything...really intense stuff. He is meticulous. Which works for me since I fly around in the thing with him! If he wasn't an Engineer, he would be an airplane mechanic and he would be a good one. He dreams of building his own plane someday and I have no doubt he will. The inspector will be here tomorrow and without question said plane will pass with flying colors. Excuse the pun.
Meanwhile, I've taken advantage of the empty house to catch up on some projects. Started some of that cleaning mentioned earlier. Dang, I hate housework! My back aches today, but my floors and bathrooms sparkle! The basement is shaping up too (at least my side). Fabric is all nice & neat, organized by color and everything in it's right place. Embroidery blanks are stored away in labeled drawers. What did people do before they invented those plastic storage thingies?
Almost finished the order list, here are pics of what I did today. Don't know which I like best! Pretty in Pink (top) is my most popular girl gift set right now. This one includes a hooded towel.
The 'church tote' (center) goes with the gift set I featured yesterday.
The last photo shows the new infant bibs and caps that I picked up at market earlier this month. Just added a little ribbon and monogram, so sweet! Pink for girls and blue for boys. Will be adding them to the website soon.
Three & a half weeks before school starts...I usually start 'mourning' about now. I love summer vacation!

Feeling froggie?

This is my new favorite! A little different from the typical sweet baby pink or blue , but it really works for me.
I 'm trying to work myself into a cleaning/organizing mood. The basement is a mess...new inventory is arriving daily and there's no place to put everything. I can not stand clutter, so something must be done. My A+ son-in-law took measurements to build a 'ribbon storage rack' to hang on the wall. Can't wait...it will be a great organizer, I'll be able to see all of that beautiful ribbon all of the time & it will free up several (6...so I like ribbon!) drawers for other stuff! I suspended the house keeping service for the summer....trying to save a few dollars & no reason I can't do it since I'm home,right?...yeah, well that's not working for me. We need some serious, old fashion Spring Cleaning up in here! I have been cleaning out a drawer or cabinet here and there, at this rate I'll be finished by winter! Might have to give my girl a call...need orders, please! so I can be 'just too busy to clean'.
Hope you have something great planned for the weekend...I'll be hanging out here.

Fruits of my labor....

This is what I did in the Basement today.

Mom is here visiting but I still managing to get a little work done. Tote w/diamond monogram

I love khaki & black

So classic, good for all seasons, goes with almost everything!

Bikini Bag for the winner of our giveaway!

Doesn't get more preppy than this.

Don't be jealous, yours is just a click away!

http://www.basementbags.com/Bikini%20Bag.htm