Saying Goodbye to One P...for a time....

We are the Three Baggy P's.  Jennifer, Jessica and Beth (Mom).

This photo was taken on the morning of August 31. On this day we left Jessica in Southern California where she is attending West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster.  She is almost a Junior.  For the 1st part of her college journey, she attend Maranatha Baptist University which is only 90 minutes from our hometown.  Now Jessica is over 2,000 MILES AWAY FROM HOME! Notice we are smiling now - it's SoCal...it's sunny....and we know our goodbyes are hours away.

Jennifer and Jessica after we just arrived on campus...sporting their new Oakley sunglesses...gifts from their "always spoiling his girls" Daddy

Also with us on this journey is Mr. P's sister, Teresa...known as "Auntie T"

After the moving in....after the shopping for dorm life...after the wonderful President's Dinner...after the great opening service...were the goodbyes. 

On a beautiful, star-fill Southern California night I felt such a peace about leaving Jessica in the Hands of God - for it is He that directed her there and He that will sustain and keep her there.  

That doesn't mean it was easy to say goodbye.  That just means I'm confident she'll be fine.

And...her car will be fine:)  This is the sun shade she picked up at a local store.  

So what's going on with our business?  More on that next time.  We are all still sewing - just in different places....very different places!

Exciting Things are Happening!

Beth, Jennifer and Jessica

Yes, it's obvious we've been away too long from our blog.  But....no more! Even as Jessica is leaving for college within the week, there are exciting things happening in our business and sewing.  God has seen fit to bless our efforts and we are whole-heartily pursuing His plan and purpose.  The Farmer's Market season is winding down, but we have new opportunities to showcase our wonderful handmade items and we'll be sharing those with you, as well as an amazing partnership with a Chicago-based charity that promises to grow Three Baggy P's exponentially.  This will allow Jessica to solely work for our business while in college in California and allow Jennifer and Beth to continue to grow our company on Wisconsin.  

So...be ready to see great new products...and our announcement about this wonderful partnership.  

This Saturday will be Jessica's last farmer's market gig - then she heads off to West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, CA.  If you are in our area...stop by and give her a big hug as she takes this new and exciting step in her life.  She blesses our family daily and now God is sending her on a new journey to bless others.  Dont' fear...she's still a vital part of our business and you'll be seeing her posting here too.

3 Baby Quilts....DONE!

I just finished up and mailed three baby quilts!  They were for the Quilts for Kids project and it took me much longer than I anticipated to complete them.  They were not hard to do...simple blocks with simple quilting...but, I found my sewing time limited and at times I was selfish and wanted to work on other projects rather then completing the quilts.  Finally I had to impose upon myself a rule that I couldn't work on anything else until they were completed...and that did the trick.

Here's the link to find out more information on the Quilts for Kids project http://www.quiltsforkids.org/  

The kits include all you need for the front of the quilt, and the backing.  The quilter must provide the batting...and all the work...which really isn't work at all...but lots of fun!!

A wonderful part of this sewing, was thinking about the children who will receive them, praying for them, and wondering how they are doing.  I don't think I will ever find out who gets the quilts I made...The Lord knows, and He will send my prayers to the right child.

The first quilt is orange/pink/cream with a green inner boarder.  The print has purses on it!  How appropriate for us=)

The second quilt is brown/orange/blue and mustard...the best part being the printed boarders with OWLS!!!

And the third quilt is all about cowboys! Red/green, blue with a horseshoe print and terrific cowboy boots for the backing fabric.

 As you can see...we were given a label to print our name to attach to every quilt.  Here is one with Jessica's name on.  

Each quilt binding was made by bringing the backing fabric to the front...then I did a blanket stitch with my machine to make a very secure binding. Each quilt has been washed and dried and is ready for the sweet child to receive.

I definitely would do this again...although I would only order one quilt kit at a time=)

Farmer's and Artisan's Market Preview....

We are very busy getting ready for our Farmer's and Artisan's Market - which begins the 1st Saturday in June!  Our sewing machines are rarely idle and our iron stays hot - and you know what?....I've been making some really cute quilted hot pads/pot holders....

I've been using up a TON of my wonderful scraps to make these...

and I love the black and white chevron for the binding.

HOPE YOU'LL STOP AND SEE US AT THE MARKET...

Elkhart Lake, WI is a pretty neat town to visit!

Click on the sidebar link for more information!

McCalls 5813 - The Easiest Lounge Pants in the World!

I finished a pair of lounge pants this morning for myself!  I made both Jessica & Jennifer a pair around Christmas, but never finished mine.  The winter weather here on the 1st day of Spring gave me some time in my sewing space to get them done - from cutting out to finish was about 2 hours. Take a look....

Easy means easy...these are certainly a pair of lounge pants a sewing beginner can make

I kept myself supplied with my Ipod, phone and without fail, sea salt & vinegar chips...along with my other sewing notions...of course.

I purchased this fabric at Joann's during their after Thanksgiving flannel sale about two years ago, maybe three....it's very soft - perfect for lounge pants.  And I LOVE PAISLEY!

Note:  I used a very easy elastic waistband tutorial - which I first learn from Nancy Zieman...the "Sewing with Nancy"...Nancy Zieman

Here's the link to see for yourself:

http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/sewing-general/the-absolute-easiest-way-to-sew-elastic-to-a-waistline/

I know they are long...but I made them that way...so when I sit down my ankles don't get cold!  That is the great thing about sewing...custom made!...and yes , the legs are wide - but very comfy - perfect for crossing my legs and watching a movie on girl's night.

Here is Jenny, wearing her lounge pants.  Much more colorful than mine - because that's who Jenny is....and I love her just the way God made her.  I had so much fun working with these fabrics for her - again...flannel from Joann's.

Jenny wishes she would have had her toenails painted...but I wanted to get this posted...so please excuse her bare toes=)

One note on the pattern:  The crotch in rather long - and easy adjustment to shorten when you are cutting it out.  Jenny and I didn't mind because we wanted very loose, and comfortable lounge pants....so we can lounge!

Thanks for Looking...and Have a Blessed Day!

New Table Runner

Each year I am in a Secret Sister group at our church.  Usually in the final "reveal" - after a year of gift giving and praying for our secret sister, I make a table runner, or some such handmade gift.  I enjoy the process immensely.  This is the table runner I made this year and will give this weekend.  I've had this wonderful fabric for quite some time - and recently purchased the red for the hexagon flowers and binding.

It's made from 5 inch blocks.

I love these colors!

I had a lot of the blue/cream fabric left...so why not a pretty back!

I chose to do fairly simple quilting - as time permitted me practicing my free motion quilting.  Just straight line quilting.  I think the flowers in the center really add a great touch to what otherwise might have been a rather boring table runner.  

I've picked a new secret sister for the next year...so the new planning and praying begins again!

New Aprons and Making Jam

I (Beth) made Jessica and Jennifer matching aprons for Christmas and thought you all would like to see them!  I used the same fabric, just different color rick-rack so the girls would be able to tell them apart.  Jenny's apron was put to good use today as we made strawberry freezer jam after we went berry picking this morning. 
I love working in the kitchen with my daughters...teaching...nurturing...encouraging...all while we "put-up" some "good stuff" for all of us to enjoy later.
Yes, I did also make the star wall hanging in the background.  It has hung in my kitchen for years and has some of my favorite colors in it. 

In the background is also the box of peaches we picked up this morning...

                        we'll start those next!

 I decided to post the pictures of my apron too - reds and yellows.  After a day of processing strawberries, I'm certainly ready to relax!

Sewing Weekend 2011 Photo...it's tradition!

I always take Jessica and Jennifer's picture with one of our sewing favorites - Nancy Zieman - as each year we attend Sewing Weekend.  We always make sure to catch Nancy's seminar which is never a disappointment.  We post the photo in our sewing space for the next year...it's tradition AND inspiration.  She is an amazing woman - talented and creative - and so willing to share her knowledge and ideas.  It's something I did with my mother too!  We are thankful to live so near her and her wonderful store, Nancy's Notions. 

They really match the colors in the quilt behind them!

New Post Soon...

The New Year has started off as a race and January is more than half over!!  We have some fun and exciting news we want to share...this is just to whet your appetite...it's coming soon.  Nothing earth-shattering, but fun, nonetheless.  In order for it to be fun, I have to post a picture - and no time right now.  I love our new page design - so thankful for the "Cutest Blog on the Block" website!

Supplies...Supplies....and Getting Ready!

The weekend after Thanksgiving was a big weekend for us, because Joann's has some great bargains and we load up on lots of supplies for the next year.  Supplies, as in FABRIC! 


We are trying some new patterns and if they work well, and don't take a ton of time, we'll add them to our offerings next summer.  The Farmer's Market begins in June and that will surely come before we are ready=)

This is actually some wool blend that Beth (Mom) will be making some skirts for Jessica and Jennifer...Of course, the green is for Jenny=)

I bought extra of these two fabrics...for lounge pants for the girls. 

A sling backpack bag that I am currently working on....I'll post when it's finished.

White bolts of interfacing...we go through a lot!  That's 40 yards of it!!!  Last year we used almost 30 yards, so we bought extra in case we are extra-productive.

Also...I'm working on some Christmas gifts for Jess and Jenny while they are away....I can't post pics until after Christmas - so I'll keep you and them in suspense. 

Images....

Our lives are so full of color...every day as we sew together or design new bags we have so much fun! 

Fabric flowers we're making into hair clips

This will be a new coin pouch.

The latest tote bag made by Beth - in browns, greens, blues and pinks. 

 A nice general tote with two pockets outside and two inside.

That's all for now...

We're planning to do a day-long show in October, besides our weekly farmer's market booth. 

Which means we are busy!!!!  The best part - we get to work together.