Monday, January 31, 2011

The Bag Lady

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The bag lady….well YUP, that would be moi. Over the past few weeks I designed a new bag (pattern out soon) that is fun, funky and quite roomy.

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My favorite part of designing is choosing the fabrics and all the fixins that go into making a bag. So many choices! I’ll take one of this and one of that..and that..and that…and you know the rest of the story, right?

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The fabric awaits me….

a tempting little stash to sink my sewing needle into!

Bliss, pure bliss……

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Cozy

P1010011p Feeling like a nap? Nothing beats snuggling up under layers of handmade afghans and resting your head on a squishy pillow! My sweet and uber talented friend Elizabeth made me the red and white afghan for my birthday last year – and she made it nice and long for me knowing that I am nearly six feet tall. I just love it! So soft….. So cozy…..Soooo warm! hmmm…I feel a nap coming on! How about you?

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Upcycled LOVE

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought that you might LOVE these precious handmade creations that are just as adorable as can be! I found these the other day whilst perusing shops on ETSY and asked the artist if I could do a little feature on her shop – and I am so glad she said YES!

Meet Teresa! Here is what she shared with us:

“I am a wife and stay-at-home mom with three kids. I minored in fine art in college and have always loved doing crafty things. I was an antiques dealer for 8 years and have always been drawn to vintage decorations, supplies and anything that strikes my fancy. I have decided to put my vast supply of vintage goodies to use making fun, whimsical items. I love anything that is vintage inspired including spun cotton, chenille and paper mache.”

note: by clicking on the photo, you will be linked to where you can purchase each item.

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Isn’t this couple adorable? Just look at the way he is looking at his Valentine!! *so sweet!* For more of Teresa’s works of art, please visit her ETSY shop, titled Teresa Tudor. You can link to her site by clicking HERE.

Thank you, Teresa, for allowing me to share YOU with all of those who stop by for a visit!!!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Button, Button, Who Has Cute Buttons?

My friends, the answer is:

Tessa Ann does!

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I discovered Tessa Ann’s ETSY shop by linking from one thing to another and I am so HAPPY that I did! Just look at these buttons she makes? They are just too, too, too, too, too, too, cute! Sooooo cute! Can you tell I am gushing over them? :)

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Colorful, whimsical, fresh….

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little farm funky…

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and a smiling little monkey!

It just doesn’t get any better than this!

Who could NOT resist a stash of these to pick from for a sewing project?

Ya know, they just make me smile!

To find Tessa Ann’s ETSY site, just click on this word: HERE!

Happy Weekend, y’all!!!

xo

Monday, January 17, 2011

Some Hot Stuff

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A favorite family candy….

hot…

chewy…..

good and cinnamony……

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…can’t eat just one either.

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Oh how I HEART you……you hot stuff, you!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

A Splendid Mush!


Definition of Mush:


any soft or soggy mass;
- Example: "he pounded it to a pulp"
[syn:
pulp, mush]


cornmeal boiled in water;
[syn: mush,
cornmeal mush]


writing or music that is excessively sweet and sentimental;
[syn:
treacle, mush, slop, glop]


OR.....THIS: a journey by dogsled; ....and the story goes like this:


Vangelders photo


I JUST HAD TO SHARE this amazing photo with you that belongs to blog authors Abigail and Josh of The Traveling Van Gelders (their blog.) They are an adorable couple (as you can see in the photo below) and the proud owner of little Pippi – their just-too-cute Scottish Terrier. (Correction: as most of you who have a Scottie know, we don’t “own” them – they “own” us. Just thought I’d add that one in.)


The funny thing about a Scottie is that they think they are a BIG dog – not a wee one – weighing in at best a good 22 pounds – or thereabouts. Forgetting, too, that their 4-inch legs don’t get them anywhere in split second time – but they don’t care – in their mind they are a big dog and can do anything a big dog can do – by leaps and bounds, too. So when I saw this picture of Pippi leading the pack here, I thought to myself, “Aye, a typical Scottie!” Tail and ears back, nose up and forward, trudging through the thick of the snow – onward! MUSH! MUSH! It is almost as if you could read Pippi’s mind: “I AM the bigger dog! I AM, I AM!” Like the story of Little Toot, the little tug boat that proved himself to the bigger boats by pulling a shipwrecked steam liner out at sea, reciting his mantra, “I think I can, I think I can!”


Mr. Pippi, you are awesome! You are also VERY cute in your beautiful tartan coat!!!!


Just goes to show that you can do anything in life by putting your mind to it. Believing in yourself – no matter how big or small you are – is what it is all about.



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Thank you, Josh, Abigail and Pippi Van Gelder, for allowing me to share YOU with all who come to visit my blog. Thank you, too, for the smiles! You are an amazing and beautiful family!!


xxoo and arrroooos!!!


You can read all about Josh, Abigail and Pippi by clicking HERE.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Newsflash: Husband Goes A Little Nutty

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……well, it got your attention now didn’t it? *insert smile here*

My hubby doesn’t get much blog time action, but I do believe that he is quite deserving of some. Let me brag a little about him, if you don’t mind….

My guy is very talented and quite creative…yes he is! He can draw a mean locomotive – and in great detail – on an Etch-A-Sketch. Not only can he draw quite well, but he also can make beautiful jewelry. He isn’t a jewelry maker by trade, although you wouldn’t know it.

Awhile back he found a darling little acorn and decided to cast it and make some sterling silver charms for Christmas presents. Besides the acorns, he also made some teensy tiny pinecone charms, too. Because I love squirrels so much, he knew I would fancy an acorn – and he was right!!

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I just love my little acorn….

actually I am quite “nuts” over it!!

….thank you, honey!!!!!!

Friday, January 7, 2011

God Gives Free Refills

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    Whenever I get down in the dumps and basically feel like the zip has been taken out of my do-dah, I talk to God. I ask Him to sustain me - to give me strength and revitalize my spirit. Whenever that parched & thirsty feeling sets in I pray for sustanence & He refills my cup - and for FREE! How cool is that? He will fill it to the rim, too! The beauty of His promise of love and forgiveness is that it is FREE - free for the asking - free, free, freeeeeeee!! Even though a Starbucks can break the budget, God will fill our cups for nothing....all that He wants back is for us to love Him and to believe.

    Man, I am craving a glass of ice water!

    Fill 'er up, Lord! Fill 'er up!

    May YOUR cup runneth over!

    xoxo

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Let me share this with you...a song written and composed by Richard Blanshard. I love the lyrics and the message.....


    Like the woman at the well I was seeking
    For things that could not satisfy:
    And then I heard my Savior speaking:
    “Draw from my well that never shall run dry”.

    Chorus
    Fill my cup Lord,
    I lift it up, Lord!
    Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
    Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
    Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

    There are millions in this world who are craving
    The pleasures earthly things afford;
    But none can match the wondrous treasure
    That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.

    Chorus
    Fill my cup Lord,
    I lift it up, Lord!
    Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
    Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
    Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

One, Two…Buckle My Shoe…..

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…..goes the little mantra that pops in my head every now and again. It is like the ticking of a clock – the beat to the rhythm of the day ahead. The day could be filled with the usual house cleaning and chores OR it could be spent doing something totally fun – like making a quilt!!

The other day I spotted the current issue of Better Homes and Gardens American Patchwork & Quilting on the shelf at my local grocery store. The cover caught my eye – totally cute quilt – and it says “SIMPLE CONSTRUCTION.” Ok, says who?

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Looks simple enough, right? Straight cuts, row by row construction, straight stitching. Sounds good to me!

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I have plenty of fabrics to pick from to make the quilt!

Three…

Four…

Shut the door…..

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….for now.

What do you think Fiona? Oh how I wish you could cut the strips for me!

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Before we go, here is the information if you would like to order the kit for the quilt – or use up your stash like I hope to do. Note: The red and white quilt on my wall was made by my dear friend, Jean (http://www.inthegardenwithmissjean.blogspot.com/) It is my favorite quilt of all time! The lampshade was a purchase from Home Goods.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

A Message From Doogie-P

Preface: No animals were harmed during this post…..

IMG_0114 Well, well, well……we made it through another holiday season here at out house. Our home was filled with family and friends - good food and good times. Fiona and I have had a wonderful time entertaining our guests and now it is time for me to have some down time with my new toy – an “unstuffed stuffie.” The poor chap below resembles how my Maw looks today! Shhh…don’t tell her I shared that with you….but the poor gal is wore out!IMG_0119 All of us wish you a very bright and Happy New Year! Do be sure to be good to yourself and get plenty of rest, too!

**muah!**