well heeled...

Well, the weather has turned and it's time to cozy up my short boots and take them into Fall and Winter!

coastal reflections...

This week I have been inspired by the Spring colours found along the Sunshine Coast here in BC.

tweets from twitter...

It just seems right somehow that a girl that enjoys the chirping of birds so much should now be on Twitter!  It's a fun and quick way to share what I am creating personally and for Pure Grace Designs.  Here's a little peek at my Tweet for this morning...

Creating some fun, linen, run-around cross-over bags for Spring and Summer this week! pic.twitter.com/G8LmL0v67D
— Cathie Cawker (@CathieCawker) March 16, 2015

making the transition...

It's that time of year when the transition between Winter and Spring can be a little challenging in our wardrobe department.  So this month is being devoted to making Transition Scarves that will help ease us into the bright and cheery days of Springtime!

These pieces have already found their way onto the shelves of Pure Grace Designs,

and onto my own shelf as well!

this little light of mine...

 I've been enjoying making lamps and lampshades 

this past week to place in The Boutique.

A single lamp can give such a boost to a forgotten 

or dark corner.

Nothing quite says home like a little lamp. 

A Soft Place to Fall...

 We all need one.

A Soft Place to fall that is.

This week I have been making pillows for the Touches of Home corner 

of The Boutique, 

and also for my own home.

 There is something about even just looking at a pillow 

that brings a sense of relaxation.

It is the suggestion that perhaps,

in just a little while,

you will indeed find your Soft Place to fall.

Slip-Hers!

Nothing quite says "relaxation" to me like slippers do.

There's just something comforting about slipping into a pair of...

slippers!

With Spring and Summer happily skipping over the horizon and heading in our direction,

it was time to make some all-cotton upper Slip-Hers and get them into The Boutique.

So far, Apple Green with Cream 

and Soft Mocha with White,

have made it onto the shelves.

Delightful!

My Hands Have Been Busy!

I've recently been enjoying creating these Fingerless Glove Arm Warmers.  

Being cosy and warm during these frosty Winter days is important to me, so I created something that I would want and then made many more and put them in The Boutique!

I love how they can go all the way up and over my elbow if I am wearing 3/4 sleeves

or how they can look great scrunched up at my wrist for added warmth there.

Of course, the added fun for me is then making sure that they have a coordinating companion!

 Whether it's a lovely Two-Tone Hat, Reversible Boot Cuffs or Cushy Cowel to complete the look, I think that these Fingerless Glove Arm Warmers are fantastic!

Now… Christmas is coming and my sewing machine is beckoning me…

I wonder what it has in mind to create for those that are on my list…

Boot Cuffs!

This has got to be my current Fab Favourite for Fall/Winter 2013... Boot Cuffs!

I'm just now in the process of getting all the different colours worked up and onto The Boutique shelves.  And if I'm blessed with managing my time wisely... 

then Fingerless Gloves and Hats to match!

Ssshhh......

The Sleep Masks are a hit!

So I'm busy sewing up some more for the Shopping Extravaganza Evening, 

coming up in November.

Love these cotton blend ones...

call them Spots Before My Eyes!  hahaha

These cotton backed ones are not only soothingly comfortable

but are so pretty with the hand-woven, pure Thai silk front covering.

The Sleep Masks have been available in The Boutique for a while now and come with a black insert to ensure lights out!

My, How Time Flew!

My goodness! 

 Time really must 'fly when we are having fun' after all!  

It seems like absolute ages since I've even attempted to show some of the items that I've been creating lately.  Now that Fall is upon us though, it seemed fitting that they make their appearance here before they find themselves on the shelves of The Boutique or wrapped up as gifts!

 The always classic Cloches are beginning to make their appearance.  I have another even twenty to get on the shelves tomorrow and then it's on to Fingerless Gloves!

The Slouch Hat is already on the shelves and is quickly becoming one of my favourite hats of the Season.  

The Headbands have also found their way into The Boutique although I've kept one aside for myself in anticipation of those brisk Autumn days ahead!

These little brim hats are always popular and stylish.

And the Versatile Cowl is not only cushy and easy to drape on,

but it's also a great way to add a bit of pizzaz to an outfit!

Well, there's much more to come in the following weeks...

glad to popped in to take a peek!

with love,

The Covering of God's Word

 This Easter, my granddaughter is receiving her very first Bible.

I cannot even put into words the joy that fills my heart...
so, it's my hands that have found an outlet,
 in the making of a little book cover for her precious treasure.

Of course, the child will need two new Bibles...

one for at home...

and one for at Gramma's house!

I can hardly wait for those lovely summer days

spent in The Garden,

the very place where it all began,

delighting in,

and under,

 The Covering of God's Word...

 together.

Rag Quilts and Memories...

I made quite a few gifts this Christmas and had them all wrapped before I realized that I hadn't taken any pictures!  My daughter-in -law Amanda was kind enough to have snapped this one!  It's a picture of the Rag Quilt that I gave to my granddaughter Makenna for Christmas.  It didn't come sewn together though...

I had made a sewing bag for her in coordinating fabric, lots of purple and Minnie Mouse on the front, of course!  I placed within it a heart shaped pin cushion that I made from the pink check print, as well as a matching sewing purse filled with a spool of thread and a bobbin.  Also tucked inside were 25 flannel "sandwiches" tied up with a ribbon.

Whenever we could, Makenna and I would spend time together in the Sewing Room.

She would snuggle up on my lap, we would thread the machine,

and then... we were off and running, sewing those rag quilt sandwiches together!

This was our VERY FIRST REAL sewing project together...
Sew Much Fun and wonderful memories!

Made in Canada!

It all started when my oldest son said that he would like a home-made Christmas gift this year.

One thing led to another and before I knew it,

ALL the boys in the family had a new pair of Christmas pajama pants, 

each wrapped and laid under the tree!

On Christmas morning,
when Makenna saw that all the boys had been given a pair,

she put in her request as well.

It didn't take long...
and soon she had her very own girl version!

Even wee Greyson got in on the act!

After all the activities of the Christmas season were done,

on December 28th, Scott and I were finally able to sit down,

put up our feet and... relax!

He in his Made in Canada, pajama pants,

me in my Made in China, Hello Kitty thermal socks. 

Looks like we are all set to ring in the New Year!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Somebody's Getting A Quilt!

Somebody's getting a quilt!

After deciding to make a strip quilt,
I sat down at the sewing machine,
and hoping for the best,
 went at it with gusto!

With the pedal down, 

and the machine humming, 

I just kept going until all the strips were sewn together.

In under an hour,
I had made a large enough quilt top that I was able to cut it in half,

and have enough for TWO full sized quilts... FUN!

I've just finished cutting out the backing and border for both,

and will soon be making the binding to go around the edges,

then cutting out the batting to layer in between.

Over the next few days,
whenever time allows,

I'll drop into my Sewing Room and put it all together.

 THEN comes the fun of Free Motion Quilting for the finishing touch!

This is definitely a labour of love...

a little bit of my heart sewn into every stitch.