Happy Thanksgiving

Hello to our Dear Readers. Today is Thanksgiving and we just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by loved ones; full of good food and great fun.

Take the time to think about what you are truly thankful for. To get things started, here are some things we are thankful for:

De'Anna:  I am thankful for so much in my life. Though I recently moved far away from my family and friends, I am thankful for my husband and son who give me all the love I could ask for which I return with interest. I am thankful that I have the ability to call, email, chat, and message the loved ones that I can't see in person. I am thankful for the friends we have made in our new neighborhood who have so quickly become an important part of my life. I am thankful for the health of happiness of not only myself but those I love. I am thankful for the big and little things in life that bring joy to not only me but to those around me. I am thankful for the sunlight that momentarily blinds me in the morning, because it means I can see. I am thankful for the annoying sound of my alarm clock and the loud and horrible music my son listens to, because it means I can hear. I am thankful for the cold I feel as I climb out of bed, because I am alive to feel it.

Cathy:  My heart is full of gratitude to the good Lord above who shelters us all through the hard times, and bestows so much goodness that the hard times are made easier.  My family is the most important thing in my life; my parents, brothers and sister, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, in-laws, aunts, uncles, friends...they are all my family and I love them all dearly.  Whether they reside here on earth or in heaven, they are in my heart every day.  I hope each and every one of you reading this post is with a loved one (or a whole bunch of loved ones) today.  Remember to take pleasure not only in the wonderful food, but take special note of the laughter that fills your homes...the robust laughter of Dad, the giggle of your teenage niece, the snicker from an uncle and especially the untethered joyous laughter of the little children.  And then, like I will be doing today, be grateful for all the little pleasures that warm your heart.

Wishing you joy and happiness for Thanksgiving and every other day of the year.

Captive Illusions	Captive Embroidery
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Grandma Cat's Attic	Crafty Family

Project Update: Christmas Gifts

64 days until Christmas.  I should have been working on Christmas projects for months now, but life got in the way and I'm just beginning the process.  I've got 22 grandchildren, nieces and nephews on my Christmas gift list.  More than some of you, but less than others.  With the economy the way it is, I certainly can't afford to spend $20 on each child, let alone the $50 to $100 toys being advertised on television during the after school programs for kids.  Last year I made pillowcases out of fun fabrics and my daughter and son-in-law embroidered each with the child's name in wonderful fonts that matched the fabric.  This year I've decided to make Christmas Loot Bags for all the kids.  I've gone through all my fabrics and chosen 22 different Christmas fabrics and cut one yard pieces.  I've made an excel spreadsheet with a description of the fabric, the child's name and thread color and passed the information on to my daughter.  She'll embroider each child's name on a piece of 100% cotton white fabric measuring 5" X 8".  If she didn't have the time, I would have either embroidered the names  by hand, used fabric paint, or applique the names.

While De'Anna and David are embroidering the names I'll start sewing up the Christmas Loot Bags and creating a casing at the top to insert a drawstring.  When I get the name blocks back, I'll applique them onto each Loog Bag.  The Loot Bags will be wrapped and handed out as the first gift the children get on Christmas Eve so that they can put all the goodies they get from everyone inside.  Easy to carry home.  Hopefully, the kids will bring their loot bags to every Christmas Eve family get together.

Craft Tip: Craft Fair Info for the Newbie

Craft Fair season is upon us.  For many crafters preparations for holiday fairs begins right after the Christmas decorations are put away.  If you are new to craft fairs, don't despair.  There is still time to prepare and there may be a booth or table at a craft fair near you.   Try calling your local Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, Senior Centers, Community Centers, Churches, etc.  Start small and work you way up to the bigger fairs.

Here are a few quick tips for your first fair:

Cash Box: Make sure to have plenty of change...$1, $5 and $10 bills and an assortment of loose change. Remember most people will draw out of their ATM which dispenses twenty dollar bills.  If you don't have change, another booth will.

Cell Phone: Bring it in case of an emergency, but turn it off. A customer does not want to be interrupted in the middle of a transaction while you answer a call from hubby who has lost the remote control...again.
Apron: With your company name neatly embroidered or silk screened on the front. And preferably with lots of pockets. One for the cell phone that will be turned off. One for business cards that you'll need to hand out as you walk around to the other booths. Another for a couple of pens. And a couple for...well, you never know until you stuff something into it.
Business Cards: Don't leave home without them...ever! Place them prominently on the table. Be sure to hand one to every customer or potential customer. Put one in the bag with every purchase.
Network: Visit with as many other crafters as possible. You'll find out about the latest trends, upcoming fairs, successes and failures. Exchange business cards and utilize other crafters whenever you can.

Trick or Treat Halloween Loot Bags

Fun, practical and green! Make loot bags that can be used year after year for Trick or Treating. Gone are the days of trick or treating with an old pillowcase. Forget the paper and plastic bags. Not good for the environment and they rip easily. Our loot bags are quick and easy to make and great sellers for fall boutiques. You can easily make a dozen in a day...and still have time to cook dinner, give the kids a bath, walk the dog, etc. The finished bags measure 14" across and 13" tall not including the handle.

All you need is 5/8 yard of fabric, 5/8 yard of fabric for lining, 1/2 yard interfacing, matching thread, a sewing machine, and a bit of time.

Click here to view full project detials