New Year's Resoulution

It's that time of year again when everyone makes and hates New Year Resoulutions. I think men invented this to persuade women to do what they wanted.LOL But still we do this every year. Have you made your New Year's Resolution yet?
For my personal resolution, I have decided to organize my house so that I can keep it clean without having to work on it all day every day. (Yeah Right)LOL
I have also started a workout schedule. I could sell tickets to this and get rich.ROFLMBO! But I am determined to stick with it to try to improve my breathing problems. I am just not sure if the excercising is what is going to kill me.LOL
For my blog, I have decided to make some changes that I hope are for the best. Awhile back I tried selling some of my items on my blog but I just didn't have the time to stick with it. Well Vicky from Old Homestead Barn told me I should try it again and I am going to. So I have wiped my selling link clean and hope to have some new items listed on there by Monday. If you get a chance, check it out and tell me what you think. I welcome any suggestions because I know I need all the help I can get.
I am also going to start a garage link. It will take me a few weeks to get this together but I think it will be cool. This will be things that I just don't have room for anymore. It will be just like going to a garage sale, only you don't have to get in and out of your car.I also have a few tutorials that I am going to list and some makeovers as well.
So have you made your resolutions yet? I am anxious to see what goals everyone else is going to try to reach. It might give me some more ideas. But whatever your goals are, I hope everyone has a very Happy and Blessed New Year. Until next time...

Future Crafter

My kids have no interest in sewing, crafting or cooking. So when my granddaughter, Sarah, asked me to teach her to cook and sew, I was thrilled.

For Christmas, Sarah gave me a My Favorite Recipes Cookbook with a note attached that said, "Gram please fill with recipes and return to me". So today we spent the day cooking and sewing.

First I taught her how to make french toast. Sorry to say that I didn't take pics of this. But she did a great job and ate all three of them.LOL

Next she made a pincushion because every sewer needs one. She even found a daisy button in my old button box to match her fabric.

Then we got her sewing machine that her mom bought her and she decided her first project would be a sleeping bag for her fluffy friends. She chose a green plaid flannel for the bag and I taught her how to make a pattern, pin it to the fabric and cut it out. She had a little trouble getting the scissors to work. Still haven't figured that one out. So here she is making her sleeping bag. We put a jute drawstring in the top.

After she finished the bag she got so excited because she realized that she could use it to carry her pokemon balls, her other toys and so much more. So see, she is already "thinking outside the box". She is going to be a true crafter. I am very proud that she has such an interest in crafting and sewing.
I did make her promise until she gets a little older she will not fool with a sewing maching or the fabric scissors without an adult present. Until next time...

I'm Back

Well I was very sad that on Christmas Eve my computer got a worm and would not let me do anything. So for almost a week, I was not able to go online.(EEEK!) What upset me the most was that I didn't get to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
But my darling husband bought me a new computer. YEAH! He really just wanted to keep his sanity. He couldn't stand my moaning and groaning about not having a computer.LOL You know the old saying, "when mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". Well that's a very true saying. So now I would like to say that I hope that everyone had a wonderful, blessed Christmas and I hope you have a very Happy New Year.
I am really afraid that I have lost everything on my computer. The man promised me that if he got the worm off, he could retreived everything but I'm a little leary of that statement. Just keep your fingers crossed for me.
Today I have spent the day teaching my granddaughter, Sarah, how to cook and sew. I wanted to post pics but haven't learned how to use this computer yet. Maybe I can figure it out and post later. Until next time...

Christmas Decor

Christmas is my favorite holiday of all. This is the time of year that we set aside to celebrate Jesus birth. It is also the one time of year that families join together to share the love that they have for each other. And don't forget the magic of Santa Claus that children and adults alike have in common.

Normally my house and yard are decorated from one end to the other. My house looks like a department store.LOL But with everything that has happened this year, I have cut back to just a few things that I love the most.

My tree is filled with ornaments that have been given to me from my family and that my grandkids have made over the years. It also has all the georgeous ornaments that I have gotten from my dear primitive friends. But wait, who is that peeking from inside my tree? It appears that little Annie loves Chrismas too and wants to play hide and seek.LOL

I love nativity scenes. After all, Jesus is the Reason for the Season. I had one that I painted in ceramics for years and then a few Christmas's ago, my kids went in together and bought this one because I love this artist's work but there is no way that I could have paid what this cost. Here's my beautiful nativity scene.

I have already posted my fireplace so all that's left this year is my dining table. I still haven't gotten my tablecloth put on because I still have a few crafts to make. But it hit me that for my table this year I wanted a snowman in my trencher bow. So here is my newest creation for Christmas.

Well that's it this Christmas. In case I don't get to post again before Christmas, I want to take this time to wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. God bless you all. Until next time...

Look What I Made!

I am so excited! Vicky from Olde Homestead Barn told me how to felt wool into a santa. I got this pattern from Vicky and I just love it!! I was so afraid to try it but I did and felting is sooooo easy!!! I just love the way felting looks compared to trying to sew wool onto a doll. Look how great this santa pattern out. Now that I have learned to felt, the sky is the limit.LOL
I'll be posting more pics of my tree and Christmas decorations later. But I just couldn't wait to post this Santa.

Until next time...

Giveaway

WOW! Head over to www.mommabsfrontporch.blogspot.com and enter her giveaway to win $50.00 of her merchandise. What a great giveaway. Until next time...

Christmas Ornament Tute

Hi everyone, I haven't posted in awhile and had forgotten that Christmas is next week! And I want to share this adorable Snowman ornament that you can make with your kids or grandkids. Sorry this is so late but it is really easy and can be done in a couple of hours, if that long. This ornament is adorable for a baby's first Christmas but it is also just as cute for any age. Although they were relunctant, I persuaded every one of my grandkids to do this for me to hang on my tree last year, the oldest being in their 20's.lol And I love them. It is an ornament that you will cherish for years to come. I wish I could take credit for this ornament but I can't. My daughter, Laura, is the one who showed me how to do it. Ok enough said, here's the instructions.

All you need is a ball ornament. You can choose any color but we chose blue. The smaller the child, the smaller the ornament you can use. The larger the child, the larger the ornament you will need.

White acrylic paint

Paint pens in black, red and orange.

Poem, which will be attached

Satin spray sealer

After you choose your ball, paint your child's or grandchild's inside hand, fingers and all white. Immediately have them gently grip the ball. While they are gripping it, take your fingers and gently press each finger and palm down so that the entire handprint is on the ball. Do not press too hard because you don't want to break the ball. Let this dry. It only takes about 10 min.

Next you will make snowmen out of each finger and thumb. Take your black paint pen and just draw him a small hat on top of his head. Then paint his eyes and mouth with the black. You will also put his buttons down the finger with the black pen. Then take the orange paint pen and draw him a carrot nose. Take the red paint pen and draw him a scarf around his neck. I just took the pen and drew a little fringe at the end of the scarf.

If you are careful, you can paint all this at one time. If you think you might smear the paint, just let it dry between paintings. I started with the pinky finger, finished it, then came backwards with each finger until I got to the thumb. This way, you are less likely to smear the paint and you can paint it all at the same time. Attach the poem with a piece of ribbon or red yarn and when it is dry, spray lightly with satin sealer. Your ornament is ready to hang on your tree

Here's the poem. You can right click it and save it to your computer or you can copy it and type it the way you want it. I hope you like this ornament as much as I do. If you have any questions, just email me at valerie999@comcast.net and I will be glad to help you.

Merry Christmas. Until next time...

My Swap Came Today!

OH MY GOSH! My swap from Diana Shrome at http://www.downhiddenfarmlane.blogspot.com/ came today. She was my partner from Char's blog Old Christmas Swap. And I love it!!!

She sent me a huge wooden egg that has a barn red salt box house painted on it with sheep and a crow. It is AWESOME! It sits in a wood bowl that has straw to look like a nest. I have wanted one of these eggs for so long and I love saltbox houses and sheep!

Then I got 3 gingerbread men ornies that are adorable and smell so good. I also got 3 wooden ornies. I love them all. Arent't those little candles soo cute! And the snowman and sign are adorable!

She also sent me a cocoa mug with different flavored cocoa and 2 bags of candy and candy canes. (I might add that my husband has already tore into the kisses peppermint candy.)LOL

And last but not least, I got 2 different kinds of candles, some jack frost room spray and a Christmas towel.

Thank You so much Diane. I really love everything! You are one crafty lady! Until next time...

This will crack you up!

Well my daughter Laura and her family put up their tree. She has a family tradition that every year when they put up the tree, they watch a new Christmas movie and bake cookies, you know the ones you buy and put in the oven.

So this year when they decorated the tree, she bought her new movie and baked her cookies. HALLOWEEN COOKIES! I laughed my head off. Take a look at her beautiful tree and then look at her Halloween cookies.ROFLMBO!!!!!

Now her cookies.

Want to hear a funny?

Hi, I just had to share a funny about the swap we just finished. My daughter, Laura has never sewn anything in her life, not even a button.LOL But she wanted to participate in my swap. And she wanted to include Sarah, my granddaughter. Well since I am trying to encourage Sarah to learn to sew, I thought this was a good idea. So I told her I would help her sew something.
Well My friend, Nancy, agreed to be her partner since this was her first swap. So swap time came and Laura didn't want me to help her with her projects. She wante it to be her own creations. Well I'm thinking "Oh No" but I agreed I would let her do her own thing.
So the first item she came up with was an apron for Sarah to decorate for Nancy. I said, "An Arpron?" And she told me it would be perfect. So I didn't say anything but I am thinking, "Oh my gosh, who wants an apron for a swap?" Well two days after Laura bought the stuff she needed to do the apron, Nancy has this post on her blog about her love for aprons! Is this not eerie? But I guess the saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" isn't true after all because this old dog learned one.LOL And I got an entirely new attitude toward arpons!
But I do want to say that I am very proud of Laura and Sarah on their first swap. Very little sewing was done and her items are truly one of a kinds.
So ladies just remember that just because you can't sew, doesn't mean you can't swap. Just ask Laura and Sarah.
Until next time...

Giveaway

Nancy at www.stitchesnstrokes.blogspot.com is having a giveaway for an awesome snowman that she made. Go over and check it out. Until next time...

Happy Thanksgiving

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Please remember to say a prayer for those who are less fortunate and a special prayer for all the soldiers that cannot share Thanksgiving with their families because they are fighting for our freedom. Also remember to pray that God will bless their families this year as they spend Thanksgiving without their loved ones too. God Bless You All, Valerie

Ladder back Chair ladder tut

For those of you that follow my blog, you know that I have been remodeling my living room since back in the summer. I want a country/primitive decor. I have also been trying to decide on a grouping for my fireplace displaying some of my two daughter's memoires.

While searching blogs one night, I saw a ladder made out of 2 X 2's that I fell in love with. Sorry but I can't remember which blog is is or I would post a link. So I decided to make me one for my fireplace. Then it hit me that I have some old ladder back chairs that I bought at a rummage sale for $2.00 a piece. Some were completey in pieces and could not be put back together. So I decided to take the front legs and the support pieces and make me a ladder out of it. I just love the way it turned out so I decided to share a tut with everyone on how I did it. So here it is:

Materials needed

old ladderback chair

wood glue

sander

saw

paint of your choice

First take the support dowels out of your chair on one side. Then cut the one end of the supports off to the width that you want your ladder to be. On the end that you cut off, you will have to either sand that end down to be smaller so that it will fit in the chair hole or if you are lucky enough to have a lathe you can use this to narrow the end. This will leave three holes on two sides. One side of the holes have to be plugged so you will need to cut a dowel rod the length of the plug but do not put it in yet. I made the mistake of adding the plugs first and the supports would not go all the way in.

Next you sand the pieces smooth and paint them the color you want. Be sure and paint the plugs on one end to match your ladder. If you choose to leave it normal, skip this part. I chose to paint the first layer chocolate brown and this is what it looks like.

Next I painted it blue (this is to match my living room). Then sand the pieces down to give it that worn look. Then glue your supports into your ladder holes. After you have glued them in, glue your plugs into the remaining holes. Now take some oak stain and rub it on and then rub it right off to give it that darker look. After this dries, spray paint it with clear matte finish to protect it. This will be what your ladder looks like when finished.

Here it is on my fireplace. I haven't put my two daughters treasures on it yet but I will post a pic when I do. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. So what do you think of my ladder? Until next time...

IT"S HERE!

OH MY GOSH!!! I got my swap package from Linda Gates at country pickens Thurs. and I am still in shock! When I opened the box, all I could do was stand there saying, "OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH!"

I received the most adorable Snowman. He is huge and weighted so that he stands very sturdy. THANK YOU LINDA!!! And she sent me lots more. Believe me, the snowman was more than enough. I LOVE swaps.

The snowman has a real wool hat and scarf and a heart that has been grundged barn red.

She also sent a snowman ornament, 1 bag and 1 can of candy, a tin can with a chocolate chip cookie in it and a Nutcracker book with an adorable little book tote with a gingerbread man on it.

That's not all! I also got two placemats with snowmen on them and three ornaments, one with candy in it, a pinecone ornament with greenery on top and a red ornament with a ball in the center. Oh and I almost forgot, she sent me a cute little green tree that I just love. Isn't this swap AMAZING!! Thanks again Linda. I LOVE everything!

I just want to remind everyone that I still need pictures of your swaps so that I can make a slideshow to put on here with your name, blog or website. If you haven't sent them so far, please send them to me at valerie999@comcast.net Until next time...

Today's the Day!

Remember today is the day to ship your Christmas Surprise packages!
Please email me at valerie999@comcast.net and let me know if you have mailed your packages and please email your partner and let her know.
And remember when you get your surprise packages, please email me a pic of it and I am going to put a slideshow of the swap items with your name and blog or shop on the slideshow. I can't post the slideshow until you receive your packages because I don't want to spoil the surprise.LOL
I hope everyone has had as much fun with this swap as I have and I hope everyone is thrilled with what your partner sends. Please be sure and thank your partner. Have a great day! Until next time...

CPLG Blog Giveaway

CPLG is having a great giveaway for a Raggedy doll and cookie recipes. Go over and check it out. http://www.cplgblog.blogspot.com/

Go over to http://www.jnichelle.blogspot.com/ and enter her giveaway for an adorable Christmas tree.

Old Road Primitives is having a giveaway for a pair of her adorable Christmas Mice. Go over and enter to win.
www.oldroadprimitives.blogspot.com Until next time...

In Honor of our Soldiers

I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every soldier that has made the sacrifices necessary to insure our freedom. All soldiers are in my prayers every day but especially today THANK YOU!!
We should always remember the sacrifices that not only the soldiers have made but their families also. Those who have lost loved ones in the line of fire and those who have loved ones in war now. Their mothers, fathers, wives, children and close family members are all in my prayers and I am truly blessed to be an American.
Never forget the Veterans that have both physical and mental scars from serving their country.
I salute all soldiers! God Bless You!!!!

Christmas Swap

Hi, I just wanted to check in and see how everyone is coming along on the Surprise Christmas Swap. Just a reminder that the packages are to be mailed by Nov. 16. I wish everyone would send me a pic of what you make your partner and I will make a film and display it on my blog until Christmas. I can't wait to see what ideas everyone has come up with. Until next time...

OFG Giveaway

WOW! Check out this basket of goodies that OFG is giving away this month and then go over and enter to win.

http://www.oldfarmhousegathering.blogspot.com/ Until next time...

Aunt Manny's Giveaway

Aunt Manny's is having an awesome Christmas giveaway. Go over and enter and be sure to say I sent you! www.auntmannys.blogspot.com Until next time...

Happy Haloween

Happy Halloween Everyone! I just had to share my granddaughter's, Sarah, costume with you.

She wanted to be a pokemon for Halloween but after searching every store, there were not Pokemon costumes. So I decided to make her one.

Well I took a pumpkin pattern and made it with pink fabric and stuffed it with tulle, then added the embellishments to it. I don't even know which Pokemon this is.LOL But she was thrilled with it.

Then while trick or treating, everyone was telling her that they loved her costume. One lady stopped her and asked her where in the world did she find it. She went on to say that it must have cost a fortune. Well Sarah's face lit up and she replied, "no my Gram made it" with pride. The lady told her she would never have dreamed it was homemade because it looked just like something you would buy in a store. So Sarah was beaming and I have to admit, I was a little proud myself. Here's pics of the pink Pokemon. Until next time...

Swat Partners Sent

Well I finally got everyone's swap partner sent out. If for some reason you did not get your information, please let me know so I can resend it.
I was asked if there was a size requirement and I just want to let everyone know that I didn't set a size requirement because I trust everyone to send something they would love to receive. Sometimes smaller is better. Sometimes larger is better. Just use your instincts on what size you would like to make. Just remember if you are making ornies or bowl fillers, please send 3 or 4.
I just want this Christmas swap to be fun. The surprise of Christmas and not knowing what you will get until you open it is what makes Christmas so special. Let's all have fun and give our swap partner a surprise that will light up their eyes just like a child.
I would like for everyone to get a confirmation of delivery for their package in case it gets lost in the mail so we can trace it. Thanks for joining in on my Christmas swap! Have fun!!!! Until next time...

A Christmas Giveaway

Head over to www.irishcorkiesprimitives.blogspot.com for a great giveaway. She is giving some lucky winner some adorable Christmas blocks. Until next time...

Thank You

I want to thank each and everyone of you for all the kind and heart felt messages that you have written to help me through this difficult time. Thank you especially for all the prayers. They have helped me and my family through this. Having friends at a time like this is more special than words can relate.
We buried Buster Tuesday and it was a very difficult thing to do. Although I know that he is better off and his body and mind are whole again, I would still love to have him here with me. I know that it is selfish to think this way but it's hard to let go of someone you have known and loved all your life. I know that I will have the memories and the knowledge of his love for me and maybe some day that will be enough.
I am sorry that I did not get the swap names posted and emailed out Monday as promised but I will have them emailed to each of you tomorrow (Wed.) Thanks for understanding. God bless each and everyone of you. Until next time...

I Need Your Prayers

My heart is breaking today. My brother, Buster died yesterday morning.
Buster was my friend. He was two years older than me and we had this bond because of the closeness of our age. My entire family was very close and even though we grew up and went our separate ways, we have always been there for each other. Now Buster won't be here anymore.
All my brothers spoiled me rotten because I was the only girl. But Buster spoiled me in his own way. Now I will never have him to spoil me that way again.
Buster was always the good child in our family. Then they sent him to Vietnam and he was never the same.
Not only did he live with the gruesome everyday life that he spent there, he came home to a country that shamed and dishonered him and the other boys that fought with him. I will never understand how the people in this country can condemn men and women for anything that happens in a war. War is ugly! But we send young men to do an adult job and then blame them if they don't do it the way we want it done. No one can ever know what they would do under the stress of war unless you have walked in each and every one of those soldiers shoes. Yes mistakes are made but we do not have the right to judge what happens in a situation that we have never been faced with. I hope and pray that we open our eyes and honor all soldiers in and out of war and accept their mistakes as just that, a mistake. When we make a mistake, we expect everyone to forgive us but when a soldier makes a mistake under stress that cannot be imagined, we want to persecute and prosecute them. I only ask that our soldiers be given the same treatment that we expect for ourselves.
I need your prayers for me and my entire family during the next several days to give us the strength to get through this.
I know that Buster is better off. I know that he is with God. I know that he doesn't have to suffer the nightmares that have haunted him for many, many years. But I love him and I miss him and right now I would just like to see him one more time. I love and miss you Buster.

Blog Giveaway

Go over and check out mommab's blog. While there, enter to win her great craft giveaway. She has some neat items in it. http://www.mommabsfrontporch.blogspot.com/ Until next time...

There's another great blog giveaway at http://www.touchofsunshine.blogspot.com/ Go over and check it out. She's drawing two different names! Until next time...

I just found a new blog. http://www.whitesheepprimitive.blogspot/ Go over and check it out and while you are there, enter her neat giveaway for a too cute mouse in a shoe. Until next time...

Great Giveaway

Hi, if you love fabric (and what crafter doesn't), go over to www.pumpkinpatchprimitivequiltshoppe.blogspot.com and enter her great giveaway. She is giving away 27 fat quarters to some lucky person!! So go on over and check out her blog and enter for her giveaway. Until next time...

A Surprise Christmas Swap

It's time for a Christmas Swap! So I thought how fun would it be to have a surprise Christmas swap. Here's how it works. I will give each person a swap partner. Those two people can exchange emails to give each other 3 of their favorite items for Christmas or if they like prim or not prim. Then that person picks one of those items to make for their partner and mails it to them. It will be a surprise to see which they get.
This can include santas, snowmen, wreaths, Christmas trees, stitcheries, stars or anything else that has to do with Christmas. You can choose ornies, door hangers, bowl fillers, sitters, etc. You can get ideas on what your partner's favorite colors for Christmas are and anything else you think you need to make this a one of a kind Christmas swap. If you decide to do ornies or bowl fillers, please make at least 3 for your partner.
All that I ask is that your item be homemade and something that you would like to receive yourself, not just something thrown together.
Anyone iterested in joining in the fun email me at valerie999@comcast.net with your name, address and email address before this Sat. Oct. 24. I will give you your partner's name on Mon. Oct. 26. Packages are to be mailed by Nov. 16. That gives you 3 weeks to make your swap partner's gift and get it in the mail so that we will get them in time to display for Christmas.
This is going to be so much fun. I love the mystery of Christmas and I hope you do too. If there is anything I haven't thought of, just drop me a line and let me know. Until next time...

OH MY GOSH! Look what I got

OH MY GOSH! I just received my swap package from Cindy at Thimbleprims Studio today and I just stood there when I opened it saying OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH!

She sponsored a Raggedy Ann swap and since I love Raggedies, I was only too eager to enter this swap. And I was lucky enough to get her as my partner. We had talked about the kind of dolls we both wanted and I told her that I would love to have a small prim Raggedy in brown and blue to put in my newly decorated living room. And oh my gosh! This doll is perfect! I just picked her up and hugged her when I got her out of the box. Just look at that adorable little face and the little teddy bears and toys on her dress. And her hair is georgeous! You can't see it, but she has put a little bow in her hair to match her dress.

She also sent me some neat green fabric with candy corn and some flannel fabric with fall pumpkins, squash, squirrels and acorns on it. It is so cute. Then there was Raggedy Ann note pad, a Raggedy postcard, address book, the sweetest Raggedy card and two patterns. I don't know why they don't sell Raggedy Ann merchandise in this area but they just don't. For some reason the north has all the great prim craft shops, prim fabrics and Raggedy products. I am so thankful for all the prim sisters that I have that share this merchandise with me.

THANK YOU SO MUCH Cindy!!! I absolutely LOVE everything.

I am just so ashamed that mine wasn't ready to put in the mail at the same time she mailed hers. My unexpected vacation, that I really needed, has put me so far behind. But yours is in the mail tomorrow Cindy. I just hope you like yours half as much as I love mine.

Here's the pics. Just look at how the fabric matches chocolate and blue! Until next time...