I'm on a roll :)

And no I don't mean rolling down a hill. :P  A few posts ago I told you I had taken up crocheting.  Since that post I have covered several yards with yarn. I thought I'd give you an update on my projects.

(Looks like a turtle)

In the older post I was working on a green scarf for Sam.  He saw a hat on the side of the skein and begged for a hat.  After I finished making all my kids a scarf I made his hat.

I have made a total of 4 scarves - this one is Katie's.  I did hers different from the others. Just because I wanted it to look soft and girly :)

My latest thing is the towel toppers.  They don't take long which is what my ADD likes. LOL  I have made several just in the last couple days and will be adding these to my Etsy store.

These towels aren't my style give me the above rooster any day.  But seems like we have reverted back to the 70s (I think, 70s was before my time) with the colors I see in stores. These are going on Etsy.

While looking for buttons for the 2 above I remembered an old cedar box I had in my hope chest. Apparently I hadn't looked in the little box in a very long time. This is what I saw when I opened the lid -

My old name tag from college choir.  Oh the memories that came flooding back upon seeing this :)  Isn't it funny how that happens.  I don't even know if they use these anymore.  Any of you former classmates still have yours? 

I love the colors in these. They look so Springy!!  Which makes me happy!!

I'm enjoying making all these things.  I've even messed with doily yarn and made a couple things with that.  It feels good to keep my hands busy and being productive.

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Home & Garden Thursday

Girly Vignettes using Bargain Items

I don't consider myself an expert in the area of decorating. However, I have learned a few things over the years, especially when I was a consultant for both "Home Interiors" and "Home & Garden Party".  I'm posting these pictures only as a means to inspire and maybe give a few ideas to help others in fixing up their homes.  I'm always changing and moving things around so stuff never really stays the same around here.

(Thinking about shabbying that curio by giving it a spray paint do)

My little girl came last and I'm having the time of my life fixing up her room.  It is a work in progress because I live on a quilt-string budget.  Hunting down sweet little bargains at thrift stores is one of my loves.

This purse lamp is a $4.00 bargain.  The vintage frog vase $.75.  The Kim Anderson couple were mine as a teenager so that was free.

I just love the lamp, it fits my Katie Rose perfectly :)

I found this Shabby, solid wood frame with a piece of glass for $2.00.  I got on Pinterest (yes, I'm a Pinterest junkie) and did a search for free subway art that had to do with girls.  There is quite a bit to pick from. This one jumped out at me the most.  I printed it out onto white cardstock.  And there I have a sweet piece of art that adds a nice touch for pennies.

The fun picture here I got at a yard sale for .75. It was an after thought stop on the way home from school so I didn't have much cash on me. Sure wish I had that lady was selling lots of awesome stuff for pennies. Oh well!! :)  The cowgirl boots were given to Katie from friends. I thought it was a cute way to store them out of reach until she grows into them.  The laugh vase came from my secret sister. And the pink vase on the end was a .25 find.

(pictures with glass or hard to photograph. Nice glare going on there)

I love this old "Home Interiors" picture.  I got it for a sweet $5.00.  The Butterfly Kisses I did pay retail price   for, but somethings you just have to. Right? :) :)

As you can see, one can live in a pretty house on a one person income using other people's cast aways. Ya just have to take some time to hunt down the bargains. You might go into a thrift store or stop at a yard sale and feel like you wasted your time. But don't give up.  A real gem might be at the next stop.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

I finally did something :)

Hi all!  It is a dreary, rainy day here in Ohio. It's one of those days that call for warm quilts, hot chocolate, and a good book.  So besides the never ending job of laundry and 2 little kids I'm taking a slow, cozy day.  Right after Christmas a brand new skein of blue yarn and a brand new crochet needle appeared in our house and I decided it was my chance to once again try my hand at crocheting.  I'm a girl who has never liked the "Susie Homemaker" type of crafting.  I'd rather apply paint to something.  But lately I've gotten the hankering to do something simple with my hands in the evening when the hubs is hogging the computer :)

And here is proof that I can actually do this girlie stuff after all.  Maybe motherhood has toned down the tom-boy in me or is it the gray hair that seems to be taking over my head causing me to feel like an old lady. LOL

Here is my 1st scarf that I finished up last week. While I was making it this little guy claimed it as his. Now all  the other 2 boys are wanting one.  So I looked over at Girlie and asked her if she wanted me to make her one, she shook her head no.  It was the perfect response and cracked me up because that is the same answer I would have given my mom back in the day.  The green one above is Sam's. He was with me at Wal*Mart and I asked him which color he wanted :)  Such a nice mommy I am :P  I'm trying to do this right.  I don't want to be too old lady-ish by making stuff out of weird colors!!

The proud owner wanted me to snap this picture. He is acting like "Scrooge" where Marley meets him at his front door. LOL Crazy kid!!

Have a great day!!

A Dirt Road Christmas

My friend, Hulda Newcome, and myself were given the privilege to decorate the "Dirt Road Christmas". Here is a few pictures that capture the fun, ole' timey Christmas.  

"Dirt Road Christmas" was the result of a certain southern gentlemen who has a vision to bring culture to us Yankees.  Not sure any of us are ready to become Rebels now but we all enjoyed a little taste of Dixie :)  With that little intro, grab your lantern and a thermos of homemade hot chocolate and come with me for a little visit where South meets North :)

It took place in an old school auditorium.  But forget that and pretend you are down an old, fashioned dirt road where most everyone is farmers and working hard with our hands is the norm.

There was story telling and Blue Grass ♪♪♫

There were carolers to greet the guest as they came in.

A country Nativity :)

Old, rusty, and worn could be found everywhere.

Including Grandma :)

And just down the path were lots of vittles.

The Rebel himself!!

That's all folks!  Goodnight and y'all stay warm :)

All Things Girly :)

"Sugar & Spice & everything nice is what little girls are made of"   What do you think of when you hear the words "little girl"?  I tend to think of ribbons, lace, and pearls.  Boys are rough and tumble while girls are soft and tender. Unless they are tomboyish.  3 boys later I have my ribbons and lace, and I am loving it.

The last few days I have gotten out the tutorials I've been collecting from Pinterest and around the Web and got to work.  Making hair bows and I think I'm addicted. haha  It is a lot of fun to let my creative juices flow and make my girly pretty things.  I'm not yet into the clothes making side of things just the accessories. :) :)

Here are some pictures of what I've come up with for my 1st attempts. Do you think I love black & red? :P Now to get other colors and have more fun!

Painted Country Signs

Due to the recent garden and canning season I've not blogged much lately.  Thought I better get on here to give you an idea of what I'm up to now.  Except for canning tomato soup and maybe applesauce another harvest is behind me.  And at this point I am more then happy to call it quits.

We have stored away for the winter:
*150+ quarts green beans (I used + sign cause I can't remember)
*57 quarts corn
*50 quarts pickles
*25 quarts peas
*17 quarts zucchini
*50+ quarts tomato sauce

Now its time for funner things :)  I started making and selling these signs about 6 years ago when we lived in New York.  I found a shop in the town where we lived that sold Primitive style stuff.  The shop owner loved my work.  But since moving away I've not been brave enough to face going to stores again to see if the shop owners will sell.  I'm not a salesperson, so I really drag my feet in this area.

Now that my husband does a lot of scroll saw work we will be doing some craft shows this year close to Christmas time.  This is my opportunity to get my paints out and make some signs once again.  My signs are not the picture perfect, assembly line type sign you will find in Hobby Lobby, etc...  I make mine to looks like they have really been around awhile.  I sand the piece of wood down to make sure there is no splinters.  Then I give it 1 coat of paint.  Spray paint is the fastest way to go.  Then I letter them.  Some of them are done with stencil some are not.  After the paint is all dry I sand them till I'm happy with their look. Then I finish it with 1 application of stain. Making sure to rub off the excess with paper towel.

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