Zinnia Handbag

This is what I decided to make for my craft swap partner. She said she liked bright orange, red, yellow and purple. I immediately thought of Holly Holderman's zinnia fabric. This was the easiest purse pattern EVER! It's the Dream Handbag by Flower Girl Design Collection:

Front with strap on top & button closures:



Back with 3 pockets:



Front when top is unfolded:



Back with top unfolded:



Inside lining in orange & purple:


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Glass Pendants

These were just mailed to BariJ, Spinndiva & Momtastic!!





Art Deco Barij Fabric:




Gothic Snow White:




Desert Goddess:


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Huge SALE: Black Friday -Cyber Monday

Please go and visit the gorgeous jewels and other handmade gifts at
Gabriella Designs




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Here a scarf, there a scarf!

Mom's been a knitting fool! In addition to the lace she makes for all of my pillow cases she's made me three scarves in the last month! Here are the two latest:






Yes those are abalone shell buttons I need to see onto the bottom edges of the rose scarf...






Look for upcoming posts on a scarf giveaway before Christmas!

Hugs,
Dee & Betty

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Is America Still America?

I posted the previous Prime Minister of Australia's position on the respect and tolerance he expected from anyone immigrating to his country. I did so because I am naive enough to hope our President might protect all of us in the same way. Most of you have agreed with me. One reader did not. I published her comment, even though I said this topic was not up for discussion. Everyone has a right to be heard :-)

Below is my response:



"Hi Nell,

I'm glad you replied to my post.

The Prime Minister was not addressing immigrants who embraced his country. He was addressing immigrants who demanded that their ideals and ideology must be catered to, even to the degree that it infringed on the beliefs and rights of all others.

I grew up in San Diego. We learned Spanish in school. My family had acreage and my father would hire illegal immigrants from Mexico to help him with irrigating our groves. I would translate for my dad and then go play with the worker's children. My mom fed all of us and gave the women clothing, diapers, formula, etc. I was taught that we are all here to help each other.

What I was not taught is that you let people take away what you have worked hard for. And that includes the principles that founded our nation. I will not remove an American flag, I will not make my child learn the Pledge of Allegiance to this country in a foreign tongue and I will not follow some other country's laws and religious beliefs while living in my own country.

Four years ago an immigrant family living across the street from us in San Jose took issue with our Christmas decorations. And our gay son. And my husband, a retired Army Colonel. This family came to America by choice; but once here they were offended by everything "American".

We are all immigrants to some degree. I would never want America to bar the door to anyone needing refuge. That being said, if anyone chooses to leave their homeland and come to the U.S. and become a citizen I do expect them to be Americans first and foremost. Respectful of our laws, our diversity and our freedoms.

Would you move to another country and demand that your belief system cancel out everyone else's? Would you ask that country to bend to your every whim?

I must assume that you are also in support of the mosque being built at Ground Zero? And that ballots should be printed in dozens of languages? And that the word God be removed from public buildings and schools?

America is a courteous and tolerant country. Every ethnic and religious group is sheltered and protected. That is why we cannot allow anyone, foreign or domestic, to deny people their right to live and worship freely. If our diversity is that upsetting and offensive then people should return to their homeland. Everyone has the freedom to leave, and should do so if they cannot live here in gratitude and peace.

I love my country. I love how safe I feel here. It's that safety, that big, warm American blanket that brings people here. I want others to feel the security I feel. But they must live by our laws -

Dee"



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Glass Pendants

A little distracted with this super fun, easy new craft! A great way to showcase my love of illustrations & art deco prints!

The finished blue Twitter bird is for @Eileensideways ~ anyone who wants one made should email or Tweet me what style you like and I will whip one up for you! All are backed with designer fabric and come with a silver bail and bead chain. And, yes, these are free giveaways! As long as you keep asking I will keep making. You may also email an image to me and I will do my best to resize it and make a custom pendant for you.




Here are some other images I'm thinking of using. What do you think?



























Hugs,
Dee
xxx


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It's settled. Moving to Australia.

I'm am posting this not to offend but to applaud Australia and beg President Obama to take the same stand for the United States.

~~~~~~~

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd - Australia

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks..

Separately, he angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques..


Quote:

"IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians."

"This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, Learn the Language!"


"Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture."


"We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us."


"This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.."


"If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted."

~~~~~~

Maybe if we circulate this, American citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths..


This is not posted for discussion.


If you agree, please copy and SEND THIS ON..

Betty & Deanna













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