New Lunch bag

I've been meaning to load this lunch bag into my etsy shop for awhile now.

Did and done.

Yesterdays finds

I am feeling a lot better than yesterday. It's 50 degrees colder today with -10 degree winds but at least there is some sun! Here is some of what perked me up in spite of

Aunt Flow coming this morning for a visit.

The music store (yesterdays trip) is just up the road from the PTO Thrift Shop and last time I was there I wanted this sweet guy but funds were low and had to put it back. I couldn't stop thinking about him (I have since named him Smiley) and thought if I saw him there this time he'd be mine. Yay! He has a hairline crack on his face over his left eye but if he doesn't mind the cracks on my face, I wont mind his.

$1.50

I got a brand new set of pin backings for 50 whole cents.

I was going to buy this pack of treat boxes, changed my mind and as i was putting them back I discovered this treasure.

A homemade tool box! It even has an old painted broom handle for the handle!

This was on the bottom! I find it so sad someone got rid of it, but happy that it's mine!

$5

I'm turning it into a traveling art kit. My colored pencils all fit. I'm putting papers, stampers, inks, and whatever else I can think of into it as a lot of time we go camping and I want to journal our adventures or write cards home and this will be perfect. It will also be nice to have all my supplies in one handy dandy place when its home.

My girl found this doll dress made from a hand towel, the sweet little hanger came with!

She had her $5 bill from her allowance in her pocket and was happy it was $4.

The boy found a joystick for the computer, spent $1, took it home, then he and sis played some skateboarding game for the rest of the evening (after homework).

I love when the kids find their own second hand treasures.

I've got a warm fire and bread rising on the hearth. This bread is so easy and tasty, I haven't bought bread from the store since early November.

I hope the rest of you are warm and happy.

I wish I was a bear....

then during this awful gray time of winter I could just sleep the days away. Once I get the fam up and out I have to will myself to do anything but go back to bed. I can do laundry, cook and a few other no brainer activities, but my creative side went into hibernation.
I have to go get the kids today then go to the music store for a minor violin repair, if not for that my hair wouldn't get brushed and my uniform of jammie pants and giant flannel shirt would still be on. I need spring, caffeine IV drip, SOMETHING!
Tell me I'm not alone.

Grandparents weekend

We had a nice 3 day weekend. My mom and Step dad, who by the way is an amazing woodcarver and has blessed us with quite a few art pieces over the years, came over Friday afternoon. They had given our son a carving kit at Christmas with tools, books and wood. Wonderful gift.

Two of grandpas walking sticks in our entryway.

Grandpa showed our boy some techniques and look at his masterpiece.

For dinner I made Minestrone and garlic toast , mom made ravioli

and my girl made muffins. We then played ponytail canasta till the wee hours.

Saturday Hubbie manned the log splitter, and the kids and I hauled the wood on sleds through the snow and stacked it on the front porch. This was the tree with the ant invasion so when we found a piece with a cavern filled with ants, we took it to the chicken pen and the girls went crazy. I guess you'd have to be a chicken to appreciate the taste of hibernating ants. I love having wood to keep our heating bill down and the smell of the fresh cut wood greets you every time you open the door.

The kids and I then went to my Dad and Step mom's for dinner (Hubbie plays hockey).

My step mom cleaned her closets and let me and the girl take home "new" clothes and made a pistachio encrusted salmon for dinner which was deeeliiiishhh! We are a spoiled bunch. Then played a rousing game of clue that grandpa after we explained the rules to, proceeded to win the game.

Sunday morn, girl and hubbie cleaned her room, it needed it bad, they even sorted clothes and vacuumed the closet! I do have quite a man.

I felted my first bag. It should be perfect for my daughters water bottle and Chapstick carrier for soccer. It's great how you can take a poorly knitted object and it turns into something you wouldn't actually mind carrying in public. I had stitched the flower with some leftover yarn but it didn't show up as well as I'd hoped. I'm going to try to stitch over it again to have it show up better. Speaking of felting, do any of you ladies smarter than me know if you can felt other materials than wool, cashmere, etc... I am wanting to felt some sweaters that have weird combinations of yarns in them and hoped if the water was hot enough maybe they would work.

Also do any of you know if you start some water for tea in your beloved teapot you received as a wedding shower gift over fifteen years ago that you use on a daily basis, go down to the basement to do some sewing, forgetting about said teapot, boil the bajeebus out of your one and only enamel teapot for who knows how long till its bone dry and then some, is it safe to use ever again? I don't see any chips, but the bottom is kind of gray, I just don't want to be ingesting some weird metal every time I use it.

Oh it is in the 40's today and I'm searching the closet for some shorts!

Take care and squeezes from me.

Still Siberia

It's sunny but still cold. I like winter, I feel it makes people from the north just a bit tougher. I do get to the point where enough is enough, I want spring.

Some of the things I've been up to.

Today I......

visited the girls.I peeked in on Lola while in the nesting box.

She has the most hideous voice but the prettiest green eggs.

Blackbeak and Chip are both brown egg layers.

This one is Freckles. She lays green eggs.

I've been playing Pollys.


My girl insisted on showing you the photos.

I made barbie a sweater.

Fended off an attack of the Giant Rat Face.....

with a carrot we picked last week from under straw in the garden.

Since there was a half day and she likes to sew, my girl made hats for 4 cousins, a neighbor boy and one for herself with minimal help from me.

I did the rotary cutting and changed thread colors on the machine. She did all the rest herself. Now she's making dinner. What did I ever do to deserve a kid like that?

Day Dreaming

My kids have a screwy school week, 2 days off and 2 half days. So my blogging is going to be sporadic if at all. They tend to take over our computer.

So I'll leave you with one of my favorite daydreams.

My garden last summer when I had it all purdy for our 4th of July party,

before the weeds got the best of me,

and we had perfect weather.

Happy MLK Day!

We have the day off so the children and I are just hanging out, we bought groceries and now trying to keep warm. It feels like Siberia around here. The chickens are somewhat warm with their new red heat lamp. Where is this global warming they keep promising?

I kid, well half kid.

Lucky for me I have a manly man who keeps our firewood supply up.

It was a beautiful cherry tree we were hoping would survive a carpenter ant invasion but didn't.

I finished the rug. It's 4 feet across.

I did make a green chick bag for me. I filled it right away and got major

notice at 2 parties we went to over the weekend.

I made a tissue pack from the apple and pear fabric I got a JoAnn's.

I already made one lunch bag out of this fabric and have enough left for a few more.

I have dinner in the crock pot so I should go stoke the fire then sew something. I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Latest Bag

I made this chick bag last evening.

I used some of the black fabric I bought the other day. There's a pink button for the eye.
I love the vibrant colors with the black chick.

When I get a minute or 40 I'll load it on etsy. I figured for about every 5 bags I make for my shows, I'll put one in my shop. Also I'm not sure how a bag with a chicken on it will sell at a teacher conference.

I put 4 pockets inside. This is the cell phone pocket.

The chick is even a pocket.

I think I need to make one for me, maybe in green.

Tag you're it!

I've been tagged, my first one ever. By KB at apatchworkworld.blogspot.com/
Kind of exciting to be picked, like kickball selection. I have plenty of weird/random things about me to share.

1. My favorite thing ever is Fishing. I love to fish, I don't mind ripping the worm, using pliers to get a swallowed hook out or the sunburn that always gets you no matter how much sunblock you apply. I even keep a small rod and tackle box in my truck at all times because you never know when a good fishing spot may pop up. (lesson learned) I single handily stocked most of the fish in our pond (bass, and bluegill) from a deserted pond near my dads home.

2. In spite of being pretty athletic in my youth, I played soccer, softball, volleyball, and even lettered in track, I never got the presidential fitness award. I just could never pass the standing broad jump. I exceeded all other events, but could never pass that one. I tried so hard, year after year and thought it was unfair that one event could exclude you from the prize.

3.I have never had a manicure, or pedicure. I just figured why pay for what I could do myself. Also the thought of a stranger touching me that way gives me the creeps. A massage would send me over the edge.

4. My favorite book of all time is the Tightwad Gazette. I have read that book so many times it's practically memorized. I give Amy Dacyczyn sole credit for me being able to say home and raise my babies on one modest income. Frugality gives you so much power on how you choose to spend your money and live your life.

5. I don't kill spiders. I get a cup and paper, trap them and set them free.

6. I have strange bathroom dreams. They always have the same theme where I need to use the bathroom, but it's too dirty, people are watching or you have to go in some bizarre location like a hole in the floor. These dreams are common on my dads side of the family, my aunts take immense pleasure to know that our family heritage is carrying on. I have never talked to another person out of the fam who has these (please oh please leave a comment if you do). My hubbie thinks we are all weird.

7. I think I'm hysterical. I crack myself up all the time. It doesn't matter if anyone else laughs or not, I'm just out to entertain myself.


Now I need to tag others which is difficult since most of the blogs I read have already done this. There are a few bloggers I would like to know more about them, so here goes.

thelittleredhen.typepad.com/

chicago sarah from

chicagocrafts.blogspot.com/

farmgirl_dk from

critterfarmgirl.blogspot.com/

farmer julie

farmerjulie.blogspot.com/

Just list 7 weird/random things about yourself on your blog then pass it on.

What's black & white & red all over?

Our pup, my new fabric and this wall.

I found this great fabric pack at JoAnns today. Thirteen fat quarters, one half yard, and 3+ yards of the swirly stuff. I have been wanting black and white geometric shapes type fabric for some time now. I also got to use a 50% coupon with it. Yay!

For the record, we don't beat our dog. Doesn't he look pathetic?

I guess making him stay, draping fabric on him then expecting him to pose sweetly for the camera isn't his thing. Maybe the glowing eyes is what happens right before he springs for the jugular.

I do have an awesome dog. (I do realize I'm bragging) We have had great dogs over the years but he by far is the smartest, quickest to learn and just what our family needs in a dog.

We got him from an actual sheep farm, both his parents are working dogs.

Trying get chickens who don't want to go into their coop when you want them to can be the most frustrating thing. Not when you have a dog like T-Bone ( his face looks like a t-bone steak ) He sweeps behind them, and herds them in. He doesn't get impatient and start flailing his arms like a crazy woman. He just keeps at it one by one till the jobs done.

He is also a great guard dog. He's not big, around 50lbs, our last dog was 140. But one day while my daughter and i were out at the bus stop, this dirt bag looking character was walking buy, and T went over to check him out right at the edge of our property. This idiot lunges at our dog, I guess to try to intimidate him, jerk, T-Bone lunges at him, teeth barring, every hair on his back straight up (my daughter says "T looks like a dinosaur!) and scares the bajeebus out of the guy. So I tell the guy "that's not a smart thing to do" and told our pup what a good boy he was.

He loves to dive into the pond and swim. He'll pleasure swim for at least a half hour before getting out. He gives us "T-Bone taxi rides" if you grab his tail while he swims past and you float along behind.

He's a very well mannered pup while inside.

He does roll in the occasional stinky stuff, nobody's perfect, but since he's white you can usually see it before you smell it.

I can't brag enough about our pup. If you need a great working farm dog, that's family friendly, I'd recommend a border collie every time.

gloomies

Another crappy gloomy day. I'm tired and I have to clean. Hubbie invited people I've never met over for cards tonight and I feel the need to have a clean and somewhat organized home. I wanted to sew today so it's making me extra grouchy.
So while I'm grouchy I thought I'd share things that have been bothering me.

First of all that Hiker in Georgia. Now why cant a woman go out on a hike with her dog and not be safe. They say that Man has no predators, well us women sure do. She was 24 and had a martial arts background. It's just so sad.


It also bothers me when celebrities ask for people to donate to a cause they believe in. Not that I don't feel their causes aren't worthy, it's just when someone has several homes scattered over the globe, drive cars worth more than the average home, eat at restaurants that I couldn't even afford the basket of bread, it makes me so mad. I know I am blessed with good health and have a nice life, but I want to help my kids with college and want to eventually own my home free and clear. I donate items we no longer need, help with $ when I can and I donate an art piece every year to the "Circle of Art" to raise money for the local food gatherers to feed people in need. I just don't want someone with more money than they will ever need asking for donations from the average Joe. Ask your rich friends!

Also when I go to thrift shops and see dozens of homemade baby blankets just hanging there I get so bummed on how much time and love went into that blanket and someone just got rid of it like it was nothing. I know I'm sentimental that way. Some people put more value into something some poor sweatshop worker from a third world country made because it has a pottery barn label than what their own grandma knitted with her own two hands, made specifically for their baby.

One more thing that bothers me is those Coke commercials they play over the holidays that have the penguins and polar bears partying and sharing cokes. Polar Bears are in the north, Penguins in the south, it's just wrong. Have the polar bears share a coke with a baby seal or some thing more realistic.

Ok. that last one cracked me up and I'm feeling somewhat better. Thanks for listening and have a great weekend.

Sun glorious Sun

In Michigan you don't take sunny days for granted. We have had a stretch of gloomies. Warm but gloomy. Today a bit colder, 40's ( for us it's actually warmer than normal) but there is SUN!

Todays project. In the background you can see our filled to the brim with rain and melted snow pond. Also the blue sunny sky.

I figured between now and my March show, I may not have an opportunity to paint my new tissue pack rack so I figured today was the day. I have no stock or receive any financial gain for my endorsement, but Krylon metal spray paint is the best I have ever used. It claims to dry in 12 minutes or less and its true. I have used other metal paint and even after sitting overnight it was still sticky. I went to 3 different hardware stores in 3 different towns just to get it. IT IS THAT GOOD! I am an impatient project girl (ADD perhaps?) and cant wait for hours between primer and painting.

And I'm not sure if I am boring you yet with my "new" den. I just can't stop spending time in here. The room even makes our old metal giant desk look good . I'm waiting for more furniture in here before I hang artwork. I need a large bookcase. I have books scattered all over the house and want one spot for them as well as a place for my kids art pieces. I looked at Ikea on line and none of the shelving units appealed to me. I don't want particle board and the real wood one was too pricey and not quite right. I talked to my dad today and I may be running to the lumberyard soon with a DIY project in mind. He is an incredible builder and it gives me an excuse just to hang with him. I love my dad.

Well it's almost time to get the kids from the bus and believe it or not I am in jeans and wearing a bra! I actually had to change from PJ's (don't want to ruin my best outfit) to my grungy old painting jeans so I'm all set.

Thrifty Tuesday

What do you do on a gray rainy Tuesday when you're not feeling creative and cleaning is out of the question?

Go Thrifting!

I went to the PTO Thrift Shop, Goodwill and Value World. I found such treasures.

Knitting Nancys.

This cute smock. I can't tell if its homemade or not due to the perfect sewing and lack of tag.

Yarn. These looked dreamy and it looks like someone hand spun them. There was even more there in other colors but they were $5 a bag and my funds were meager. I am a new knitter with limited skills so I'm not sure what to do with them.

For my shows, I display my items on white painted metal screens and stands. I'll need to paint it white but for $5.99, it had to come home with me.

Its almost 5 feet tall and with 6 shelves I'll be able to fill it with gobs of tissue packs freeing up my table for other items.

More sheets and pillowcases. The red is destined to be ripped up and put in my rug and the others will make great totes!

More cute napkins destined to be small purses. They'll make great bags for weddings.

I had to stop at JoAnn Fabrics and this fun fabric was on sale.

Its called "Bow Wow Chow Mein". I got the last 2 1/2 yards on the bolt.

There wasn't a companion fabric to go with it so I found the animal print that looks pretty good for the bag lining, pockets and handles.

My girl is insisting at least one bag will go to her.

Close up view. I love those dogs.

I also found the boy a rumble robot and the girl a pom pon maker and finger puppet.

Not a bad day off. Tomorrow back to work!

New Year

I don't have any lofty new goals for the new year, lose the extra pudge, get organized, learn more about the computer (most of the time it's luck not knowledge that gets photos loaded) just the regular stuff. My main goal is to make my artsy/crafty business more successful. Try more shows, promote etsy more, add more variety to the things I sell.

I have one show for sure in March, it is an unusual show, its a Middle School Teacher Convention. They usually only have big store vendors at these things, book stores and the like, but they wanted to try a few local artists, and I was one of them. It's a 2 day show at our Middle School, I don't know since it isn't a art/craft show how I'll do, but the price to get in was too good to be true and I was flattered to be one of six asked, and who knows, it may turn out great!

So I am making more lunch bags (I hope teachers will be interested) as well as totes.

I just mailed out a craft show application for another show in March, if I make it into that one I had really better get sewing. I have 2 more applications to fill out for November and December. I also have 2 for sure shows for August and September. These are all good shows I have done in the past and have been successful. So I have 3 guaranteed shows, and 3 pretty good chance of getting into shows (I hope). I try to avoid shows during soccer season so I need to find a couple of more for the summer. The kids can help then, I pay them, and my shy daughter becomes not so shy when she is manning the tent for me. It is amazing how confident and outgoing she becomes. The kids even help other vendors set their tents up and have gotten paid in ice cream.

Snow on the clothesline.

We had a white Christmas and even had below 0 temps last week and now it is balmy, in the 60's and our snow is melting away. I like winter so I'm not sure how I feel about this. Mosquito's are out! My daughter and I split and hauled more wood yesterday, without coats and I was sweaty. I had been wanting to have my very own log splitter for years, I had to borrow my dad's because I didn't want to spend the $1,000 for a new one. So my hubbie and I scored on a great shape used one for $100! Now I can get my "gym" workout whenever the mood strikes.

Ready for the next cold snap.

I love bluebirds. This male has been hanging out and beating up his reflection in our window all week.

Photo with snow.

Photo today with much less snow.

Working on a "new" rug using old ugly sheets for the den.

I am giddy as a school girl over the new paint colors.