Plumcute Designs

The Intention Invention...

I want to invent a machine that turns intentions into completed whatevers...so that every time I have an intention it just happens...voila!  Too bad I am a stitcher & quilter instead of an engineer and magician.  I mean how cool would that be...like I intend to get my husbands gift from last Christmas quilted before next Christmas...poof, it's done...Oh, and I intend to have my house clean at all times with no effort...bada-bing...and I intend to have children that are God-loving, well-mannered, smart, generous, dressed-in-hand-made (beautiful) clothing...ta dah!  (okay, that last part about the clothing may be a little over the top but I haven't had coffee in weeks now so the brain is playing tricks on me...which is probably where this whole hair-brained scheme for my intention machine came from in the first place but really...)

Since the intention invention is off to a rocky start (at best) and I have no photos of it to show you I will just have to settle for another little Christmas Stitches teaser...

Not pictured in this clustering are the wallhanging and pillow.  The fragments you see represent three framed pieces, a mitten door hanger that needs to be filled with Christmas greenery and candycanes, a cool pantry box project, and a quick throw.  So, that is what I have been up to whilst not inventing the intention invention (say that three times fast...)  I have to say I am pleased as punch with this little adventure and all that it is turning out to be.  When I first began the project (6 months ago) it was just the center stitchery block for the wallhanging and I couldn't get anything beyond that to cooperate so it sat in the bad design time-out closet (if you don't have one of these spots you should seriously consider getting yourself one).  And now, here we are six months and eight projects later so very close to completion!  Yipee!!!!!

Also in the yipee category is my soon debut in Australian Homespun magazine...be looking for it.  I have a VERY limited number of fabric kits for this project that will be available on a first come first serve basis so if you're interested keep it in mind.  Okay, enough with the self-promotion...at least about that.

And last but not least...if you are a stitchers angel then soon, very soon, my gift project to you will be ready.  I hope to take some sneeky peekys tomorrow.

Well, its back to the grindstone for this little inventor stitcher...hope all is well with you in bloggy land!

Blessings...

imagination

stitchings

tomorrow and the possibility it holds

Until Next Time...

Tracy

Happy 1st Of September!

First off, thank you to all that sent along congratulations & wishes for my anniversary.  And, thank you to those that shared a little about their stories too.  I love connecting with others & hearing about life's stories...it's a big part of what we are here for (in my humble opinion).  It was a great day spent with our friends and family at a good old fashioned church picnic.  We all got way too much sun, ate lots of great food, and some of us even took a nap in the shade of the trees with a slight breeze to tickle our dreams.  I couldn't have planned a better day if I had tried!  And, it made for a great final summer fun event...now it's officially back-to-school and looking forward to Fall & holidays.

I just love that we are on the downhill slide into Fall!  It makes me want to dig out all of my wools and applique my little heart out!  Does anybody else feel like that ?  It also makes me begin to think about redecorating my front porch with Mums & Pumpkins...something about that combination for me signals the beginning of all things Fall which leads to all things Winter and I LOVE to stitch Winter goodies, decorate with holly & candycanes & snowmen & lights, and give gifts!  But, I am getting ahead of myself since the weather outside is still in the 80's & 90's for the tail end of Summer...but soon!

So, I have this new collection of projects coming VERY SOON...I keep giving you little peeks and I am SO-OOOOO excited about it...I can't wait to take the cover photos & post them here to show off all of the projects in what I think will be called Christmas Stitches. 

In the mean time...I am off to finish one of the less exciting parts of having a pattern company...inventory...oh joy!

Hope your weekend (& now your Monday) has been fabulous!

Blessings...

yesterday & all that it was

changing seasons

stitching

Until Next Time...

Tracy

PS I hope to post some pictures soon...more sneek peeks of the pending Christmas Stitches.  AND...very soon (in a few weeks) I will be posting my Stitchers Angel project so make sure you check back for that!  TTFN 

A Tribute To Patience & Mr. Plumcute

Today marks eleven years of the story we are telling with our life and family.  I am grateful beyond words for this past decade plus and looking forward to the next.  I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams with a husband who trys to understand me and patiently loves me when all else fails.  I like who I am with him, my best friend...my knight.

To Mr Plumcute...thank you and happy anniversary.  I love you.

Until Next Time...

Tracy

Excuse Me People...Comin' Through...Gotta Package Here..

So as I am getting ready for this next BIG show I have a number of things coming in to my house via UPS and other carriers.  The other day my doorbell rings (the delivery men are super dooper about ringing the bell when they drop stuff off...sometimes they even ring it seven or eight times at o-dark hundred in the morning to make sure I immediately take it inside...this is especially delightful and no signature required )  anyhow, back to the point here...the doorbell rings & I go out to retrieve my goodies only to find this...

 

It was an Ace Ventura moment all the way...you know the scene...***Please note that the box has not been altered in any way the picture shows exactly how it arrived on my porch.  I did not have to open it to retrieve the items from inside just pulled them right out.  The truly amazing part is the fact that the glass cabinet that was inside (pictured below...birdie make-do not included) actually survived the experience. 

 

Well peoples...I am off to enjoy the remaining three days of this holiday weekend with my kidlets & Mr. Plumcute.

Blessings

package delivery men and the goodies they bring

perfect movie moments to capture the humor of life

long weekends and family

Until Next Time...

Tracy

Not Much To Report

I have been working on a little of this and a little of that here at Plumcute Designs.  And, I have done a fantabulous job at it.  In fact I am so good, (note: insert sarcasm here) that now I don't really have a whole lot to show for it because I have started so much and finished next to nothin'!  Way to go!  But I do have this little snippet to share...its part of a larger plan to take over the world...Ha Ha Ha...

copyright 2008 Plumcute Designs

Hope you like it because there is alot more where it came from!

Blessings...

creativity spread to the far corners (aka a little of this and a little of that)

sunshine and end of summer days

needle and thread

Until Next Time,

Tracy

A Saturday Spent In Sutter Creek

Every once in awhile I get to have a delightful grown-up day.  Saturday was such a day.  I spent it wandering the shops of Sutter Creek, CA with my soon-to-be new sister-in-law and my step-mother-in-law (wow that was a mouthful).  We had a girls day to commerate the pending wedding (& being one step closer to even-ing out the up until now unbalanced amount of testerone that is in our family).

Isn't the main street through town quaint?  I know there are lots of little towns across America with sweet streets like this one but it's not every day that I get to spend time wandering down them at my leisure (did I mention that there were no kidlets in tow either...THANK YOU to my very super-dooper Mr. Plumcute!).  And I absolutely L-O-V-E the view when I am strolling down the covered sidewalks...

And the windows are full of eye candy...this one made me want to fill my garden with old terracotta pots like the ones my grandmother had scattered throughout her backyard.

 

And then there are the cottages...like this one that is coming up for rent very soon (right now it has a swweet little shop in it that I could have gotten into real trouble in if I hadn't been careful...the shop is just relocating so I will have other opportunities to visit).  Now, if I could just find a way to justify renting this place????  It would make a fantastic studio and shop for Plumcute Designs...hummm...dream a little dream...

And, who doesn't like to dine under the stars?

On our way home we stopped to take pictures of this wonderful old barn...my shot doesn't do it justice (partly because of the time of day and location of the sun). 

And the plaque out front with its' history...

It was a wonderful day.  Thank you for sharing it with me here...if you get a chance, you should visit Sutter Creek...it doesn't disappoint.  And, if you're a stitchers angel make sure you take us, with, you.

Blessings...

Rachelle...welcome to our family we are truly blessed by you

a day well spent

opportunities to share the fun with all of you

Until Next Time,

Tracy

Do You B.O.G.O.?

I do. And, let me tell you...mama's got a new pair of shoes...LOVE EM' (Oh La La).  I have a thing for red shoes and while these are technically NOT red shoes, (they're more the white with red trim kind) I had to have  these...much in the same way I have had to have every other pair of red shoes that I own (which prior to this pair came to a grand total of 3 pairs)  So, my little inner shoe fairy is happy and I am stylin' (even if it is just around the house in front of small children).

Blessings...

shoe collecting

red shoes

B.O.G.O.

Until Next Time...

Tracy

When Fabrics Play Nicely...

copyright 2008 Plumcute Designs

Nice things happen when fabrics play nicely...this is obviously a work in progress (and the half-square triangles have not been pressed yet mostly because the ironing board is two loads deep in folded laundry waiting for someone to put it away...I am going to fire the laundry fairy if she doesn't get her act together) but I must say I am liking the progress (& I hope you do too!).  So far there are four projects shaping up to be a part of this pattern and I am having fun with all of them.  Hope to finish these this week and get cover photos taken.  The creative juices are flowing which could mean several new patterns at PIQF if I get my batooty in gear.

Speaking of my batooty...the treadmill is calling my name and I think this morning I might just give in and exercise...work the abs too.  It's sick I know, but you know what they say...if you don't use it you lose it.  And I hate loosing things...

Blessings...

fabrics playing nicely

the treadmill (or the power of positive thinking)

another beautiful day

Until Next Time...

Tracy

Jab-Jab-Jabber Jaw (miscellaney & a whole lotta nothin)

So, I have been happily stitching away on the new Christmas projects (there are at least two) to be released at PIQF and my progress is coming along quite nicely.  In fact, you might recognize the recycled photo above...it's the project I am (finally) finishing now...  I L-O-V-E it when things play well together. 

And, I know I forgot to mention that I will be teaching a class on October 4th @ A Quilted Heart in Vacaville, CA (it's the Merry & Bright stitchery) so if you are local or not too far out & would love to come hang out for a morning of fun, stitchery, & all that goes with it call the shop & sign up for the class...self-promotion now complete...at least for that subject...

I am not normally an Olympics fan (I know it's like un-American or something) however, this year has been different.  I have truly enjoyed watching the 41-year old Dara Torres (it makes me believe there is fitness after children and post 30-something...I mean she is ripped!!!!).  The womens gymnastics have been delightful.  And...I am a fan phan of Phelps...watched him win his seventh (S-E-V-E-N-T-H) Olympic gold last night and will be glued to his relay today rooting for number eight.  Truthfully what makes this Olympic year different for me than previous (uninterested years for me) is the human element, the stories of determination and drive...I know that there are probably stories like this for every set of games but for some (unknown to me) reason, this year has captivated me.

Well...that is the sum of my rambelings and jabbering for now...I am off to clean house for an afternoon BBQ with friends.  (Can't have them seeing reality around here...must maintain the "Martha" image...Ha Ha Ha)

Blessings...

humanity and finding the good in it (so often we only see the worst...it's a pleasant change)

stitchery...sweet manna for the needleworking soul

friends and lazy afternoon BBQs

Until Next Time,

Tracy

We Are Pleased To Resume Our Normal (if you can call it that ) Programming

It would seem that the technical woes previously mentioned have been solved.  I have found my non-tech happy place and can edit photos and my mouse works as it should (for now).  And there is peace at the computer once again...

So...here is the little gifty I am sending out to #9 Colleen (I hope you like it).  There is a copy of the latest (which is also the last ever issue...insert saddness here) Heart & Home magazine which is called Holiday Home...some of life's essential food group (aka chocolate)...pretty little notecards...and a copy of the new pattern Merry & Bright...

Now that my computer is back to behaving I hope to post with more consistency & photos.  Oh...I promised a little PIQF chat...After much waiting on my part I get to be a part of this great show this year.  I just sent my contract in and I am super excited!!!  So, if you can, come out and see me in Santa Clara, CA this fall (October 16-19) at this super fantastic wonderful quilt show.  I will post my booth number as soon as I get it!

So, now I must get back to packaging goodies for the show & stitching my newest Christmas stitchery (which I hope to be able to show you very soon)...

Blessings

no more woes of the technical nature

stitching (I have missed my needle & thread)

bloggy giftage

Until Next Time,

Tracy