SNOWY SNOWY WINTER

This is the time of year that I hunker down and enjoy quiet hours creating in my studio. After all the Christmas is down, I leave up snowmen and anything that depicts snow. Perfect for this time of year until we decorate for Valentine's day.
I finished my SnowLady doll last night.  The inspiration for her came from Create & Decorate, but I changed her around, using what supplies I had on hand. 
Her body was made from white linen fabric leftover from what I have just recently used to create new curtains.  Her dress, apron and cape are from vintage embroidered fabrics. The cape was then edged with the teeniest pom poms you ever saw.  Her hat is wool felt, the glam belt is a piece of sequined trim. I used vintage silver tinsel around cuffs on legs and arms.
Her super baggy pantaloons was made with vintage flocked fabric. Of course the flocking looks like snowballs!
I used a paper mache ball for her head. I sprinkle glass glitter on head and hat.
Enjoy!
Susan

She is approx. 24" long to top of hat.

CHRISTMAS

Due to my health issues wasn't able to get our 10 1/2 ft. tree up this year.  We have boxes and boxes of antique ornaments which normally takes me 3 days to get it all on, lights included.  Anyway, decided to put out a couple more of my Alpine trees and decorate them.  Here is one in our front living room.  I used vintage flocked fabrics to make the "poufs" then added vintage gold tinsel and bulbs. On the base I added a new large floral poinsettia wreath. It fits perfectly over the base. Thought this was a new flip on a Christmas tree skirt.  As you can see this is in whites. I love white, our home has lots of white shades.

Merry Christmas

MORE HARVEST PICS

Here are a couple photos showing some of my fav Harvest items.  The one is an antique paper mache' jack o lantern. On my antique hutch in dining room I have a jar full of orange putka pods that look so much like teeny tiny pumpkins, in the background you will see a stack of various sizes antique wooden tureen bowls. Been collecting them for years. Couldn't resiste the Pumpkin Candle one year, so it sits proudly on a candle mat I made.

Enjoy !

WHITE PUMPKINS

My white pumpkins. I created these with various textures and shades of white fabrics, including a velvet. The stem is made of a pale green brocade. The vines are made using a green eyelash yarn.

HARVEST PHOTOS

I can not believe how much time has elapsed since I last posted on my blog.
Too many things happening with a slower body ! :)
I did take the time to shoot a few pixs of our  Harvest items in house.
The Pumpking Wall Quilt is in our family room. I use this wall as a focal point for my quilts. This part of our home is decorated in Country Folk Art. The quilt is my design. On the center band is a recipe for Pumpkin pie, written in brown fabric pen. Wanted a rustic look.
The pixs of my white pumpkins are in our front living room. This part of the home as is most, is decorated in White Country Chic. My terminology. :)  Love the Mediterrerean whites. When on vacation through Greek Islands the open and airy feeling of white intrigued me. For some reason unable to get the first pix righted.

 

SOME PICTURES OF MY FLOWERS

I have in my photos: Bee Balm, ConeFlowers, White Wave Petunias, Sweet Annie, New Dawn Rose, Ceoposis, Tiger Lily, Native Indiana Sunflower, Coral Bells , Brown Eyed Susans ,and my Raspberry Patch.
There is nothing as relaxing as walking about your flower beds, admiring God's creation, working in the dirt, feeling a light breeze skim over your sweaty clothes, cooling you. Just look at some of the beautiful colors. Awesome !

FAMILY ROOM WALL QUILT

Slowly I have been making a wall quilt, for over our couch in family room, depicting each Season or Holiday.

This is a SnowBall Quilt Block.  You fussy cut a big flower for center.  To make the blocks pop you encase all in black cotton fabric. 

The colors in this go with the Folk Art colored family room.

Susan

MY GIFT and BACK PORCH PIXS

My freebie from Susan Mudge of The Country Store , arrived today.  A couple of fun prim guys!  They are so cute. Will fit in with my Autumn Harvest decorating in the fall. She has made them from muslin and boy do they smell good. 

Since I took a pix of them on my enclosed back porch , decided to show a couple other photos that side of porch.

This is the porch my Tuxedo kitty spends time in. She has a little bed and can look out the full length glass door onto our patio and back yard.

The washed painted blue cabinet is an early 1800's Canadian StepBack. This is the bottom portion. We bought this in Ohio. I love it.  The bunch of hanging Hydranges I purchased in Middlebury last fall at our Garden Club's District Meeting. They are hanging from an  antique drying rack.  As you can see I enjoy gardening and old things.

BABY BIRDS WREATH

I promised to post a picture of our front door with wreath that baby birds are in. We have a wrap around porch. You can see my fat Tuxedo kitty , Sadie Mae at bottom of storm door. She seemed to be saying, hmmmm why is mom leaving the front door open.

The babies nest is behind the branch of green floral that is in center opening.

The mama bird wrestle the florals around to get back in there.

You can only see the nest with babies from inside.

Susan

BABY BIRDS

I have waited patiently for the baby birds in wreath, on front door to get a tad bigger in order

to get a good pix of them.  Here it is !

They are growing so fast.  Had read that within two weeks they usually are ready to leave the

nest, and I do believe that is possible.  The mama comes to wreath now, only to feed them.

They are so adorable. Tomorrow will get a pix from front of house showing the wreath on our

front door.  The nest is at the very back, behind the flowers.  It presses up against the big storm door.  My camera shows a bit of reflection, but you can see the little yellow beaks, especially on

left hand side.

I know my heart will be heavy the day they fly the nest !

It has been a privledge to watch God's creation as these, up close. He is an Awesome God !

Enjoy !

Susan

EASTER

May each of you have a Blessed and wonderful Easter Sunday.
I , too, enjoy the pastels, bunnies, chicks , candy , eggs oh my so many wonderful things....
but let us not forget the true meaning of this Holiday.

It is because of God's massive loving heart that He sent His Son Jesus for us.
Forgiving us of our sins, if we willingly repent of our sins.  What an awesome act of
love for mankind.
It was a horrible death...but Jesus obeyed His Father for us.  
Easter Sunday is beautiful, new growth, Spring in the air, after the previous darkness.
Look at the new growth in plants and on trees, this symbolizes our new growth in Christ.

God bless each of you.

SADIE MAE

Here is an updated photo of my fat Tuxedo kitty , Sadie Mae.   She has a special
spot now, on blanket runner on end of guest bed.  So I put an older down filled
comforter for her there.  In background is my vintage metal doll house, equiped with the furniture.  It is sitting on a trunk at end of Jenny Linn bed.
Sadie likes to duck her head behind it, hiding from me ...silly girl.

BABIES HAVE HATCHED

The baby birds have all hatched.   I try so hard not to use our front door often. Only twice a day
to get our newspaper in mornings and mail in afternoons.

The first egg had hatched by 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.   The second one hatched by 4:00 p.m. that
same day.

Since we don't get mail or newspaper on Sundays I opted to not open the main front door disturbing
mama bird.  This gave her an extra 24 hrs. on nest.

This morning I noticed all 4 babies, heads bobbing around, beaks in the air.

So, this will be the second group of Song Sparrows that the wreath on our front door has aided
in life.

I know that when the time comes for them to fly away, once again my heart will be heavy for a day, looking into the sky and wondering if it is them I see flitting across the house.

Have a beautiful Monday !
Hugs
Susan

OFG SUMMER GIVE-AWAY

Be sure and check out the huge Give-Away that OFG, an Etsy Group is having.  We have oodles
of item in this Give-Away.

VINTAGE MID CENTURY EASTER RABBITS & CHICKS

Was going through my one bowfront china cabinet gathering up some of the collectible Easter items
to display in a few spots in the home.  Thought I would take a photo of some for you to enjoy.
The last is of the paper mache' candy boxes, different sizes and styles. My favorite is the one with
basket on his back.
The next photo shows some of my cotton spun bunnies, chenille bunnies & chicks, along with a
vintage post card.
The first photo shows one of my smaller pressed glass baskets filled with shredded grass and I popped
a couple little flower bonnet chenille chicks in it.
Had to go backwards with order of photos.
I placed my Pink & Purple Yo-Yo Trees with glass vintage bulb on either side.  I have these two
trees for sale in my Etsy shop.   http://www.keepsakekorner.etsy.com/
Enjoy !
Susan

NEW BIRD'S NEST

Well, the mother bird has built another nest in my new Spring Wreath on our front door.  Someone told me that the same bird will return each year to same spot to build.
She has had to go behind the flower sprigs that are covering the lower half of the
opening, so she has truly studied the situation.  Again, there are 5 eggs.  Last Spring
we watched the eggs hatch and the babies grow.  The day they began to leave the nest was so sad for me. My hubby went for the morning paper early a.m. and told me
then there was only one left sitting on the nest.  When I went to look, drawing aside
the lace curtain, he flew away.
I felt so empty all that day.  While driving on my errands and doing the chores around the house, I would stop and go look at the wreath. 
She builds the nest at very back of my large wreath, it actually butts up against our long glass stormdoor.
My photo isn't the best.  I have been calling the eggs blue but they are actually a green or aqua.  Some have said she is a House Finch, others say a Jenny Wren. Will have to research more. She always flits away whenever the main door opens. Can never get a true pix of her.
Update: I just did more research and even listened to the song and do believe this is a Song Sparrow. The song has woken us up each morning, so strong and pretty. Also, from the pictures on websites, the nest and eggs look to be this bird.
Enjoy !
Susan

ANOTHER EASTER GIVE-AWAY

You just have to hop on over to Karen's blogspot and see her Give-Away.
Right now is the season for giving !  So many goodies out there to enter.
Who wouldn't love to decorate with this basket of eggs !
Enjoy
Susan

http://www.cedarcreekprimssellingblog.blogspot.com/

CRAFT CABIN GIVE-AWAY

You don't want to miss this Give-Away by Doris at Craft Cabin. She has not one
not two , not three, but 4 FOUR items in this freebie ! 
Be sure to hop on over to her blog, become a follower, leave a message and
wait for the drum roll on this Easter Give-Away.

Enjoy
Susan

http://www.thecraftcabin.blogspot.com/

NEW GIVE-AWAY

We have a new Give-Away from one of the artists at OFG, Old FarmHouse
Gathering.
Lisa has come up with a wonderful fun Give-Away.  Just click on the link
below.
You won't be disappointed.
Hugs
Susan

http://www.themoonlitstitch.blogspot.com/

YARD SALE GOODIES

Not really yard sales that I attended this past Saturday, it was one gigantic sale
under one roof at a our 4-H Fair Grounds.
Just look at my goodies.  For one I bought a bag of vintage Jello molds, 34 in all, about 5
different styles, it also had two mini vintage cutters. Then on to another booth that
had oodles of fabric. Now , those that love to sew can relate. Oh my the pull was so
strong.  Have been good the past 1 1/2 yrs using up all of my "ginormous" supply
of fabrics mostly from my quilting shop junkets!  God has been so good to me in giving me the talent to sew, thus I make items for free, just because giftsn, and also donate to causes.
Look at the nice piece of homespun. Can never pass up on a deal of homespun !
Well, here comes this booth with all the fabrics.  Found some great neuturals, that
will help me to complete some projects. Second from left is a piece that looks like
bark on a tree. So neat.
Lastly, the pedstal milk glass grapes design I found at the Salvation army along
with the two white stoneware ramkins.

I have already made a white floral round display in the milk glass.  Love my whites !

GLORIOUS SPRING

Been out in yard scouting for the new birth of plants !  Low and behold I found
some.  My first pix is of my Gladiola bed and second is of the Daffodils.  I am a
lazy gardener, leaving a lot of the last foliage around perrienials to cover base,
and also some of my planst such as the different daisys make wonderful seed
food for the birds in the winter months.  This system has always worked best
for me, so it is fun to gently begin moving the debris aside and finding the new
growth.
My father always like Spring the best , stating it reminded him of the new birth
we receive from Jesus.  Or a reminder for us Christians what Christ has done for
us.  How true.  Wish he were alive in order to say, "how true."
The only drawback I feel when relishing Spring is knowing that the hot months
of Summer are just around the corner, ugh !   But once into Summer I can't wait
for Autumn, my other fav Season .

Happy Spring everyone !

CHICKS & EGGS CANDLE MAT

This is one of my new Spring Easter items at Etsy. The Old FarmHouse Gathering Team is
putting on their Spring/Easter Celebration too.  Check out my logo in left hand column.

My Valentine Swap OH MY

Oh my goodness, as Shirley Temple used to say !! Yes, I am of that age group :)
I recv'd my Valentine Swap yesterday, from Trudy Lawson-Kelly, and well was
just so bowled over by all she sent me!  Felt like it was Christmas.  She did way
too much, but I do appreciate her love in preparing all.
Will include photos for you. 
The doll is big and so neat. Fits right into my family room decor, Folk Art. She
does wonderful work.
She also sent me a book "BackYard Projects", a Kitchen Angel made with a Kitchen
Towel, PotHolder and Dishrag, so cute, also another Hand Towel with a red heart.
She also included several seed packets ( I belong to our local garden club) a
porcelain "Kitchen" sign in blue & white.  A whole bunch of the most delicious
Truffle candies, a package of Biscotti, (ate that after lunch yesterday), a framed Cupid Needlework picture, an apron, and lastly , 3 Wax Heart Primitives wrapped in great smelling tea-stained gauze.
Whew.
Told you she sent a lot.
Thank you so very much Trudy for your generosity.  It has been great getting to know you.
Love and hugs

Susan

EASTER GIVE-AWAY

And the Give-Aways just keep on coming. Be sure and check out this
Give-Away by Deb at Primitive Country. What an array of goodies.  Just
click on the link below.

http://debsprimitivecountrykitchen.blogspot.com/

Enjoy

Susan

BUNNY RABBIT GIVE-AWAY

An adorable Bunny with Egg is being offered by Marie, Mamaws Creations.
She is a fellow OFG member at Etsy.

Just click on the link below to visit her blog.
Enjoy
Susan

http://www.mamawscreations.blogspot.com/

SPRING GIVE-AWAY

I have decided it was time for me to conduct another Give-Away.  Please note that
this is for USA or Canadian citizens only.

My choice of item is a Spring Easter Candle Mat.  What with all the horrible winter
weather we have all been experiencing, decided a light colorful item would be best.
What could be better than Spring & Easter.  Easter, to me, is a rebirth time, not only
for nature, but it reminds us of what Jesus did for us on the cross. His death is a
rebirth for us that choose to follow Him.

Anyway, the candle mat is approx. 9 1/2" diam.  The eggs are made from wool felt and then embroidered with DMC Floss.  The eggs were stitched onto Warm & Natural Batting. Couldn't resist adding the yellow Rick Rack around outer edge. Then the edging was stitched with a blanket stitch in yellow floss.

The egg is approx. 4 1/2" high.  Made from wool felt and stuffed.  Both items are hand stitched.

This Give-Away will end February 28, 2011 and the winner will be announced
March 1, 2011.

Please leave a comment and become a follower of my blog. Be sure I have info on how to contact you should you win.

Enjoy

Susan


March 1, 2011   _ The Winner of this set is .....Kim - Valley Primitives

MY WINNING !

I was so tickled to learn I had won Barb's Give-Away !
It is a beautiful LOVE painting on black screen. She then puts
this into a hand painted frame.
Am enclosing a pix of it below.
Please be sure to check out Barb's blogspot and her Etsy shop
that I am enclosing below. Just click on the links.
Her work is fantatstic, plus she is a lovely woman. It has been
a joy getting to know her on our OFG Team.

You won't be disappointed in buying her creations.

http://www.barbsheartstrokes.blogspot.com/
http://www.barbsheartstrokes.etsy.com/