Snowmen - But No Snow?!?!?!?

Hello To All!

It seems like forever since I've posted - I don't know where the time goes! I keep hoping for snow and cold weather and up until today, well, we've had a very mild fall. So I have to be content with my snowman decorations until the real thing falls from the sky! I thought I'd share a few of my favorite ones.

My oldest sister and I saw these little guys last Christmas in a shop in Berlin, Ohio, and she just "had" to buy them for me! They sit on my kitchen window sill and I just love them.

I found this outdoor flag for a steal at Lowe's - when my mother-in-law went to get one similar to it, they had raised the price back to "normal" - go figure!



Last, but not least, a friend and I each made one of these "guys" from a chenille bedspread that was coffee-dyed. He even has coffee beans for his face and buttons. It was a fun time and he has been around for quite awhile - funny thing is - he never melts!

I've started my Christmas baking - how about you all? Drop me a line and send me your favorite Christmas cookie recipe - I'd love to have a collection from my computer buddies! I'm off tomorrow to make truffles with a friend - Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without chocolate right?? :)

Take care and have a good week!

Congratulations and a Recipe!

Hi Everyone -

I wanted to let you know that Ann from www.cottonreelcapers.blogspot.com
has had some very exciting news! She is being featured in one of the most recent Australian Homespun magazines. I'm so happy for her! Do visit her blog by clicking on it under "Blogs I Enjoy" on my page and see her beautiful work.

Next, I want to share a very quick but tasty recipe - "Crockpot Taco Chicken":

1# boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1C chicken broth
1 pkg taco seasoning

Dissolve the taco seasoning in the chicken broth. Place chicken breasts in crockpot and pour chicken broth over it. Cover and cook 6-8 hours on low. Remove chicken from pot and save broth. With two forks, shredd chicken; return to pot and stir into broth. This can be used in tacos, quesidillas, enchilladas - the sky's the limit! I usually make a triple batch and freeze it in ziploc bags. That way you can pull it out when you want and just let it thaw at room temperature. Since it is already cooked, prep time is quick! Hope you enjoy it :)

Have a good week!

Back In The Saddle!

Hi Everyone -

I'm finally back - my husband and I were graciously loaned a cottage to "escape" to for a week - which we did! My oldest sister and her husband built it and were so kind to let us use it for a much needed rest. No phone, no t.v., no computer access! But I didn't go without packing some hand sewing projects so here are the latest photos!

The Christmas table runner is almost finished as you can see - I had forgotten how long it takes to hand stitch but I found it so relaxing and rewarding.

Onto my Double Stitch, as you can see I've put my four hand pieced squares together with a border and have begun to embroider a vine which will have button flowers on it.
Last but not least, I took my wool stash and began to cut out and Wonder Under the wool pieces for my autumn wall hanging. True to my form, I'm altering it - seems like I am always changing patterns - but that is the fun of sewing - you can make what you really want!


I've missed posting and hearing from all of you - drop me a line and tell me what you are working on. Thanksgiving? Christmas? Someone's birthday? I'm always interested in seeing new patterns and projects.

One more item before I go, Tammy of Treadleworks by Tammy has opened an Etsy Store and the link is: www.Treadleworksbytammy.etsy.com. Do stop over and check it out! Tammy does a wonderful job with her blog so check that out too - it is under "Blogs I Enjoy" on my main page.

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Birthday Surprises!

Hello Friends -

I have to share with you the wonderful birthday package I received from my dear friend Ann in Australia! And one from my college roommate Joy as well! As you see below, Ann made me a sewing machine cover in the Log Cabin pattern accented with buttons.

She also included a recipe booklet, candy(yum!), a pincushion kit, a wool ornament pattern, a wondeful quilt "green" book and a delightfully funny calorie wand - takes away all calories in anything if I wave it over it :)

Such thoughtful and generous gifts from a dear friend so far away - far in distance,but so close in heart.

And I received another wonderful surprise package from my college roommate Joy- this wonderful table runner (perfectly quilted) along with two patterns for small quilts!

Whose toes are those sticking out in the picture? Ike's? How did he do that???

As you can see, I'm greatly blessed with such wondeful friends! I'm excited that I am meeting new ones as this blog gets off the ground! Thanks to all who read and comment - I always look forward to hearing from any and all!

Take care and now I'm going back to my wool table runner - hopefully I'll have pictures of the finished "product" very soon! After that comes a raggedy quilt for my niece. Stay tuned :)

I'm Still Alive!

Hi Everyone!

I can't believe that time has slipped so quickly by and I haven't written in two weeks! I am beginning my Christmas projects so I'll have something to share very soon. Thanks for your patience and I look forward to conversing with you whenever you all have time! Have a blessed day!

Quilting Day

Hi Friends -

Tuesday was His Hands quilting day and the ladies brought tops and finished quilts for the Harvest Home. These are some of their creations - it never ceases to amaze me how different each one of us is in style and how fun "show and tell" is.




This month - we meet in a library meeting room - there was an English class for immigrants taking place in the next room and their teacher wanted to know if they could come and see our work. They wanted to practice their English :) So when they came over there were "oohhh's" and "aahhh's" but we weren't sure if that was good or bad! We had a lovely day complete with fresh Apple Walnut Cake provided by Janet - a tasty way to end the day! Thanks for letting me share my group with all of you - you are all so supportive! Have a great weekend!

The Double Stitch Returns!

Hi Everyone!

One of my very first posts was about the Double Stitch - well I've started a project with it and am absolutely in love with the look! And I really am enjoying the hand work. Already I am thinking about doing a large wall hanging with it but for now, here is my first finished block!



I plan to make just four of the blocks and then embroider around the outside border. I'll keep you all posted!

Have a great week! And Happy Sewing!

Uncle Frank's Socks

Hello Everyone!

Here is a picture of the original pattern "Uncle Frank's Socks" by Carol Hopkins Designs. It is called that because of all the plaids that are used - like the argyle socks of old. But I had to be different and make mine out of Kansas Troubles scraps - so really my "socks" aren't socks after all! Leave it to me to be different :) It is small so it shouln't take anytime to quilt - I'll add it to my "to quilt" pile and save it for a rainy day.



I hope to be posting a bit more now that I've learned how to edit html and move pictures around - it is a continuous learning process for me! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Happy sewing!

Fishin' Stuff

Hi Everyone!

I was thinking that I haven't posted anything too rustic-y in awhile, so I decided to give you a "tour" of my living room. My husband and I found a chair & 1/2 (we are both tall people!) with a fishing motif that we fell in love so that was our first purchase about 7 years ago. Then we found a framed picture we also liked which has the Scripture verse - "Come follow Me and I will make you fishers of men" - I tried to take a picture of the picture and well - it just didn't come out! So here is the chair -

Between those two things, we were off and running! We love to go to flea markets and pick through other peoples "junk" so bit by bit we've been adding to the room. We have four bookcases (but no fishing books!) so I found fish netting and decided to drape that over them. We add "stuff" as we find it - my favorite buy was the ceramic fish with scales! You all will have to be patient with me as I continue to learn about posting pictures!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Charity Quilts

Hi Friends -

The only sewing I've done this week is on charity quilts! I thought I'd post the flyer for our group so you could read it:

HIS HANDS QUILT GROUP

What is His Hands Quilt Group? It is a group of ladies from different area churches who sew quilts for the Harvest Home Rehabilitation Program graduates (The Harvest Home is part of the Haven of Rest Ministries in Akron, Ohio). Each woman who completes the Rehabilitation Program will be able to choose a quilt as a reminder of God’s love for her as she begins her new life.

His Hands Quilt Group is in need of the following donations:

-100% cotton fabric or 100% flannel fabric
-cotton batting
-backing fabric (large pieces or yardage of fabric

Each of us works on a quilt(s) at home and then once a month we meet to help each other finish up whatever needs to be done - tying, labels, etc. We bring a sack lunch and take turns bringing a dessert. One criteria though - it has to be a ooey gooey and of course, no calories :) It is very rewarding and I'd be happy to share more with anyone who is interested!

Happy Quilting!

The Little Wool Shoppe

The Little Wool Shoppe

Greetings Friends -

I want to introduce you to a wonderful place to shop for wool, patterns, etc. - it is called The Little Wool Shoppe. Earlier this year I was in search of a certain Moda wool for a Christmas table runner I featured in a previous post, and had run out of ideas of where to look. Then to my delight, my friend from Australia suggested that I try The Little Wool Shoppe. So I e-mailed the shop inquiring about the certain piece of wool I needed. Much to my surprise and delight, I receieved a response from the owner herself! She didn't stock the piece I needed but was SO helpful in giving me websites to track down the "order number" so she could identify what I wanted. Within a few days, she had responded to my e-mail, directed me where to find pertinent information and ordered what I needed! Now that, my friends, is what I call old fashioned customer service!

I'm delighted to share this wonderful shoppe with you - take time to visit her site - she also has a pattern company - Starry Pines Pattern Company - both can be reached by visiting http://www.thelittlewoolshoppe.com/. She and her store are featured in Quilt Sampler Magazine so when you visit the site, make sure you read the article!

I'm headed to do outside work this weekend - putting down mulch and dead heading. I'm looking forward to fall but I know that some of you are in an opposite season and are looking forward to spring! No matter where you live, I wish you a wonderful weekend!

Baby, Baby

Hi Friends -

Thank you for all your kind comments - I enjoy hearing from each of you! I know that a baby grocery cart cover is NOT rustic, but I promised photos so here they are :)

It was fun to make but the directions well, let's just say they were "vague!" Have any of you experienced that while sewing or embroidering? I do hope little Elianna will enjoy having a comfy ride.

I'm still working away at my "to do" pile - I have two and a half quilts cut out for my sister and hope to finish that today. I also have some labels to sew on a few charity quilts so after the weekend I should be caught up! Doesn't it seem like the days are shorter than they used to be? Or maybe it's just that I have too many projects :)

Have a great weekend no matter what continent you live on!

Wool Time!

Hello!

Although here in Ohio the weather is hot and humid, I need to start thinking about wool! Each year my sister and I pick out a gift we want made by the other for Christmas. This year I am making a wool table runner - as shown above. This is my first attempt at using "true" wool for a project so I could use any hints that you might have to offer. I am excited about starting it - thank goodness for air conditioning!


On the home front I actually have a week to do some sewing! I made my "to do" list yesterday - after defrosting the freezer - and hope to dig in today. I need to make a baby gift - I'll feature that next time; finish cutting out a quilt for my sister - she is a seamstress and gets stressed with rotary cutting so I do the cutting and she puts the quilt together. In return, I received a nice dress - tailor made!

So drop me a line and let me know what you all are working on - be it winter or summer, there's no place like home! Happy Stitching :)

Can It Be August?

Hello Friends -

It seems like forever since I've posted - in reality about two weeks :) But time is flying by and the summer is on its downward slide. School supplies abound in all the stores, clothing sales for students are running rampant and parents are trying to get organized for the big "first" day!

Or else gardens are finally producing which means canning and freezing for a lot of us. In such a busy rush, I know that many of you may have had to lay aside your quilting for a time - at least until things slow down outside. But let me encourage you to stop and smell the roses and to make time for a bit of hand piecing, embroidery, or maybe just pick up a magazine and dream about your next project. I'm so looking forward to traveling the primitive road together so stay in touch and the next post will have pictures - I promise!

Do A Double Stitch!

Image courtesy of Mountain Patchwork

Double Stitch? What is that you may ask? Well let me assure you - it is rustic! If you visit the fine people over at Mountain Patchwork you will find an old fashioned way of piecing different quilt blocks. I think it looks quite homey and the history behind it is most enchanting.

It is also known as Promise Stitch. Treadleworks by Tammy has step-by-step instructions and pictures to follow.

So why not pick your favorite block and give it a try! Let us know what you think.

Turkeys and Leaves and Squirrels - Oh My!

Wild Turkey Wall Hanging from Country Threads

As you can see in this picture, I'm already looking towards fall! Spring and summer are not my seasons - allergies. I love the fall with all the rich colors and absolutely love the winter with snow and cold and ice!

Yes, some say that I'm crazy but hey, if you are born in a town called Coldwater - what do you expect I would like?

Anyway, this pattern is from the terrific design duo at Country Threads. Drop by and see what catches your fancy!

Getting off the Ground!

Hello -

I'm starting this blog because I have had such a time finding other primitive-ers! I love to decorate with a woodsey cabin-y look and through the years have found so few that like this too! If this is your "thing" then drop me a line and we'll begin this journey together! Due to the expertise and experience - as well as creativity and style - my dear friend has helped me get off the ground with this blog! So I'm sure that I'll be learning a lot from all of you!