New Show! Great Giveaways!!

Check out this new show at http://www.thediydish.com/ The is a drawing for TWO Janome machines, a sewing machine and an embroidery machine. (I have a Janome and just love it. I always tell my family, If my house catches fire, get my dog and my sewing machine and let the rest go.) I'll get their button on here once I figure out how to do it correctly.

These two ladies are so enthusiastic they are contagious! In this first episode they demonstrate making cake pincushions. So easy and so much fun. You can let your creativity run wild! Next time they will show how to make those little pin heads that are just too cute!

There is also a giveaway for a pincushion kit by Heather Bailey. 10 lucky people will each win one.

Happy first day of Spring!

Maybe Spring is Springing, Maybe

I see the very tippy top of my poplar tree is sporting tiny leaves and the lilac buds are bursting.  Yay!! We made it through another icky winter. The "breeze" is about 20 mph and it's not very warm outside but the sun is trying hard to peep through the scurrying clouds.

I entered a Go Green Challenge with a sewing group. I intended to do a green wallhanging dipicting March with some green in it. It took on a life of its own and I ended up with Little Man's man bag and from the scraps (back of the legs) I made a pair of jeans for an 18" doll. You're saying,"what's green about those?". It didn't have to be the color green, it could  also be green as in recycling. For instance on lady did one of those Capri Sun purses. It was really cute.

This is a close up of "Grammie's Car" No, I don't drive a Bug but it was the closest I could find at the time. A friend from a quilting group sent me the silver fabric. I think it was perfect.

This is the bag and the jeans. The doll now has a turquoise t-shirt so she's not topless!!

I'm doing a Downey Quilts For Kids project.  They send you the kit with all the fabric you need already cut. All you need to supply is the batting. They are for hospitalizedchildren. The link is http://www.quiltforkids.org/  if you are interested in helping. I've also heard of an organization that makes things for newborns. I haven't checked into that one yet.  I believe it's called Newborns In Need.

Keith is in Texas visiting our family there and also helping rebuild their house after a house fire destroyed part of the roof. They are taking advantage of having to do some repairs to also remodel in places. Someone has to stay home and tend to the farm, guess who.  I don't even LIKE his creatures. Ugh. I quit the "Farmer Jane" thing nearly thirty years ago, I'm not sure why I keep getting drafted back into it.

Things I'm Thankful for Today

Spring is chasing Old Man Winter back to the North Pole

Friends

My fantastic sewing machine that will do nearly anything

The hope of better things to come

The ability to do something to help others

Most of all that, if we choose, we can have a home in heaven. Thank you, Jesus.

Yesterday's Journal Game

Outside my window I see dawn's early light and a gray drippy day.
I am thinking I need to get much done on my "slave's day off" as my daughter calls it.
I am thankful that this moisture is falling as rain, not snow.
From the kitchen wafts the faint aroma of the coffee I brewed earlier.
I am wearing my jammies at this point...they are warmer!
I am creating a man-bag for Little Man's birthday.
I am going to make breakfast soom. As Winnie would say, "I have a rumbly in my tumbly."
I am reading and studying Galatians 5, the Fruits of the Spirit.
I am hoping to have a pleasant day.
I am hearing nothing but the quilt purr of the fan on the pellet stove.
Around the house are unfinished projects (UFOs) waiting for attention.
One of my favorite things is the pre-dawn quietness.

That was my world yesterday. Today it's much warmer, the sun made a glorious appearance, promising a nicer day today. I did get most of the man bag done, just waiting on some silver fabric for the windshield and headlight on the car. I am actually dressed! Since I'm a dedicated jammie lover that IS a feat for me! I've been wading through some old papers, not literally, shredding most of them. That's a boring job, but I do like to see the stack growing smaller.

I wish I had an embroidery machine so I could dress up the man bag a little more. Oh, well. Here's what it looks like at this point.

I'm hoping that the car will look better once I add the window and lights. I think a 2 year old will love it anyway!

Next on the list is a little 10" Annie doll and tote bag. OhSewDollin' has the cutest Annies if you are interested in them. I bought several patterns. The one I want to make for one of the grand-daughters is called, "It's me again, Jesus". She's praying, and oh so cute! The first one just might end up in Grammie's collection as it has been many years since I attempted to make a doll!

Clotilde has an embroidery pattern for No More Monkeys Jumping on The Bed. It arrived yesterday. I would love to get it done in time for the upcoming birthday, but since I haven't even made the pillowcase yet, that one is doubtful! I found  fabric with numbers up to 5 and red sock monkeys. I thought that would be good. I have a pattern to make a sock money also.  Plans, plans, plans, and here I sit playing on the computer!!!

Have an awesomely great day everyone!!!

My Senior Citizen Toni doll has an outfit at last! I found her when rummaging through a box of things, butt nekked.  So I had to drop everything else and make her an outfit. I don't know where her clothes are. Today I was looking for some of my other dolls and found a pair of shoes.  And they fit her as long as she doesn't go on any long hikes! Stitch her up some socks and she'll be good to go.

She still needs a visit to her hairdresser but in amazingly good shape for as old as she is.  I got her in 1952!

I also found a little doll quilt that my grandmother made for my oldest daughter.  It's not very big but she was nearly blind when she made it and it is entirely stitched by hand.

Sorry it's not a better photo. I really need to get something set up so they come out better. It's about 19.5"x15" and was tied with embroidery floss. I think my daughter received it in 1972 or so. Maybe even before that. We won't tell my daughter that I came across this!  She'd want it! I've been its caretaker for nearly 40 years doesn't that give me some sort of ownership rights? He-he!

Now if I could just find the quilt blocks that my Grandfather had made just before his death! Yeah, right, and someone is going to flat out GIVE me a Featherweight 222 in perfect condition too !! And I'm going to win the HGTV Dream Home in New Mexico so daughter #2 can have a larger home.

That's what's been happening on the farm other than spending several days with The Princess (who FINALLY got her Princess Castle so now she's a REAL Princess) and Little Man.

Friday Thankfulls

That it's the end of another week

For the rain I hear dripping from the eaves

For a day to rest from all the busyness of life

For good friends who will take time to listen

That no matter how humble it may be there's still no place like HOME!

Have a Great Weekend Everyone!

This Will Make You Think

I visited a fellow blogger's website and she had this list of things to journal about.  I'm trying to do better at journaling this year so here are the questions. I thought perhaps you'd like them also.

Outside my window -- I see gray skies, but NO wind. That in itself is noteworthy around here!
I am thinking -- What a peaceful Saturday afternoon
I am thankful for -- a cozy spot to sit and journal
From the kitchen -- silence. No sound of mice!!
I am wearing -- A white longsleeved T and fleece pants
I am creating -- A chicken self-portrait, that's hilairious!
I am going -- no where this afternoon
I am reading -- My Bible every morning
I am hoping -- That life will get better and better
I am hearing -- The quiet hum of my computer
Around the house -- blessed silence
One of my favorite things -- Something HOT in the mornings to warm my insides (not plain water, please)

I think it will be interesting to try and come up with something different each day.  I'm going to give it a try anyway.

On the quilty side of life. Here's what I've been doing. The first one is Lonely Heart and was done as a challenge on one of my sewing groups.

I'm not really sure just why this chicken insists on being sideways.  Maybe that's to signify I'm climmbing the walls !! Every piece has signifince as to who I am or what I like. The background is calico because I'm a country chick. Her body is blue check and her wing is eyelet because I love that combination. Again, a country thing. The red eye and green wattle are because I love little red-eyed tree frogs. The tail is patriotic because I am and also because I am a loyal friend.  You have to be real blunt and say "Go Away!". Her feet are 1930s print because I love those prints and of course she wouldn't be caught dead with naked toenails! The beak is just a beak. And lastely her hair is various shades, just like mine. Oh, and she's chubby with short legs. (So am I).

Oh grrr! This seems to be stuck on Align Center. I can not get it to change to Align Left. So bear with me, please.

That's the little bits of nonsense I've been up to lately. Under the needle is a Christmas Card Holder that didn't get finished on time.

Saturday Simmerings

Why are there mean spirited people?

What is there to gain by lying about someone?

Why do grown people whine?

Why are some people so interferring?

And no, I'm not talking about any situation in my own life, just wondering.

Grey Day, Good Day for Sewing Projects

Friday night I joined in my first ever quilt-in.  It was a blast!  We tried to stay up all night but I faded about 11:30 so I'm not sure how long others were up. We could quilt, sew, crochet, embroider or knit. And talk about anything as long as we were nice! Think of a bunch of teenage girls having a slumber party only I think most of us were grandmas, and it was on the internet.

It was nice and sunny the other day, wanting to get some fresh air I went exploring in my stuff in the old house.  Here are some of the treasures I found.

This is part of a set of corning Petite Pans I received as a graduation present in (shall I admit?) 1965!

These were my mother-in-law's. They are a little rusty in places. I wouldn't put food in them but for other storage they are fine, and give a retro-country look to my kitchen.

Little saucers I've collected over the years.

One of my sister-in-laws gave me a set of these bowls in the late 1960s. This is the only one left of a set of three.

Can any of you remember S&H Green Stamps? I saved my stamps and bought this set of mixing bowls in the late 1960s.  Again, the only one left.

And how about these treasures?

This was my mother-in-law's also.  None of her nine kids wanted it, so I got it.And

And three worse for the wear sad irons, and NO I did not use these! They are in serious need of a good cleaning.

To make this at least a little quilting related, this is what I did for the sew-in. It just needs some quilting and the binding put on.  It's a lonely little ladybug looking for love.

When I was over on the treasure hunt I came across that ladybug applique that I had made and never used. I thought she'd look great posing as a flower bud.

So that's the short version of what I've been up to lately. Well, that and my war on THE MOUSE.

I've had a continual war with this mouse all winter.  It happens when you live in the country.  They want to share the warmth.

I dislike finding mouse track all over in the kitchen cupboards, drawers, and even on the counters, so I decided to catch that nasty little creature.So I put out these new improved whilte mouse traps. No mouse. Someone suggested glue traps. I caught the ones stealing dog food but not THE MOUSE. In looking for something on the shelf above my computer I saw where an old cassette tape had been pulled out and even chewed into short pieces. I cleaned up that mess and decided things needed to be in plastic storage containers.  In the process of doing that I moved the basket of my stuffed Easter bunnies and something fell out. THE MOUSE. The basket liner had been peed on so the bunnies smelled. (I hung them out on the clothesline for several days and got the smell out.) I even considered a mouse sized live trap but couldn't locate one close by. I won't use De-Con type products because of my bitty dog. Also I lost a very smart puppy due to her eating rat poison. It was a terrible way to die.  One I don't even wish on a rodent.

I think I caught THE MOUSE Friday. Take some deep breaths so you don't hyperventilate when I tell you just how!  In the washing machine!!  It must have been hiding in the dirty clothes and trapped in something.  I'm so glad I didn't touch it! I got a wad of paper towels and got it out of the washer and rewashed that batch of clothes. YUK!!  So, if all else fails, try washing your mouse !!!

PS to that story?  I'm getting a cat this summer.

HAVE AN AWESOME DAY !!

Today I'm Thankful That

There's no flooding here, or earthquakes, or tornados.  It would be nice to get more rain however.

Friends care

To whoever it was that invented the Internet

We can have a "laxy" day once in awhile

My house didn't catch on fire the other night

SHHH! Don't Tell

but I see blue sky!

I think it's one of those days that make you think Spring is really coming, but hold on!  Winter WILL return!

I've been having issues with a too cozy little mouse.  Very smart mouse also.  I have those electronic things in both ends of the house, glue traps (hey, I'm desperate), even a new old-fashioned spring trap.  I bait the glue trap with kibble.  She can get the kibble without getting stuck.  I've spent the past few days putting just about everything in totes. You would think I was getting ready to move.  I found where she was starting a nest in the basket with my Easter bunnies. She ran out of there, I moved and disinfected the bunnies.  I haven't seen her since but I'm sure she's in here somewhere.

Needless to say, I haven't done much sewing this week.  I do have a couple of mending things for DD#2 and a pair of pillowcases that need to be done this weekend. My swap partner let me know her's to me are in the mail. I did get a practice case done.  I think I'll make another one and send them to the Million Cases Project.

I know I've complained a great deal about my tiny, tiny house, etc.  It's either too cold, too hot, too corwded, or whatever. I am changing my way of thinking.  I am very grateful for what I have.  Seeing the plight of those people in Hati has made me realize just how blest we are.  No wonder some of those countries view us Americans as rich and increased with goods. My heart goes out to them.  I wish there was more I could do than just send dollars to them.

I'm off to take a walk before the weather changes.

Today I'm Most Thankful For:


All the water I want to use

More than enough food

Electricity

Heat/Cooling

A roof over my head to keep the rain off