Oh Wowzers! this is such a simple and fast little hat to make from fleece fabric.... I think I will have to make some more....this one is a toddlers size. and took about 22" x 14" of fabric.

Here is our grand puppy modeling his new "Winter Coat" that I stitched up for him. Poor thing, last year I stitched him a jacket that was tooooo small....this year it is a we bit too big...hmmmm, maybe next year I will get it right! lol!

And of course, our pride & joy....our beautiful daughter, Meri and her wonderful hubby, our Son-in-Love, Evan...as you can see, here they are sharing kitchen duties.

We celebrated Christmas Eve in their lovely home with all the grand kitties & doggie as well as goats & sheep.

Christmas day was spent at our home.

All in all, both homes are filled with love & happiness.

And now to get ready to greet the New Year... Wow, is it 2010 already?

Happy New Year to you all too.

1948 Apron

I came across this vintage 1948 Apron Pattern and thought it would be fun to create....so using my favorite fabric guide "Dating Fabrics" I found a wonderful 1940's looking fabric at the Ben Franklin store in the next town over.
I decided not to add a ruffled lace as this fabric is rather light weight and delicate. The apron pattern is a one size pattern but after having finished the apron I'm guessing it is probably a size 8. Also the pocket is rather small. Big enough for a sweet hanky maybe.
I trimmed the sash with a yoyo where the sash is joined to the apron and then I sewed on a wee lace flower and button on each side of the little pocket.
It's not a very practical apron but it is certainly a sweet Hostess Apron.
The instructions were for the apron pattern pieces to be cut from feed sack or 35" wide fabric so each piece had to be cut out twice unlike today were most pattern pieces are cut out of folded 44" fabric.
I had fun making this apron and now am on the hunt for more vintage patterns to try my hand at.

Ok, I had to sneak this one in....my little peekaboo had to "observe" me setting up my apron to photograph so needless to say, I could not resist photographing her! Cute, huh!

HoHoHo & More Mischief,,,

Ok, I couldn't leave well enough alone....first I decided I needed a change from my usual Christmas decor...I needed to par down & be a little less cluttered....so right after Thanksgiving I pulled up all the boxes of decorations, decided on what to keep, what to give away, some to friends and the rest was donated including 3 trees plus all their decorations & tree skirts.
I feel liberated! Now to keep me out of the stores & from buying new stuff! lol!
I went with a Red & White theme, simple & clean and on the other side (not pictured) I have a little display of cute Snowmen.....I so love Bev's(beehavenmaven) snowman collection that I just had to have a few for myself. They are so mischievous! lol! Then as you may recall, for the National Tie One On day, hosted by EllynAnne Geisel, I had made several aprons, the last one (a lace one) I had to put together last minute for another goodies basket. Well afterwards I decided I wanted one for myself, & dug through and fortunately found another lace curtain panel....thank goodness I am a stasher! lol!
This is what I came up with....oh & it really does look cute on....won't protect clothing from cooking & baking spills,,,,but cute none the less.
So when I serve burnt scones, no one will fuss cuz I'll look so cute in my lacey apron! lol!
(click on the pic to see it better-I ran ribbon through the bottom panel)

National Tie One On Day....

ok, I could not resist making this apron from a lace curtain panel...I folded it in (uneven)half, gathered up the waist, added the MaryJane Farm panel and stitched on the sash/tie which is just one long piece of fabric folded in half. If I had, had time I would have back stitched(red work) over some of the lines in the sweet panel, but it's crunch time now...Maybe next time.
I also chose not to add a pocket given the lacey nature of the curtain.
Now all that is left to do is to top stitch the sash/tie and then tuck it in a bag along with some goodies.
Thank goodness I made 2 dozen muffins....and and extra lavender sachet....as for the jam, I canned plenty. Panel from the 'MaryJanes Farm' line of fabric. Sweet!

Getting ready to pack things up!

Well Wednesday, Nov. 25th is National Tie One On Day...and in the good spirit & inspiration of the Maven of Aprons, EllynAnne Giesel, I have prepared 3 baskets...to be dropped off, or as I call it, Drop-n-Dash... at the homes of unsuspecting neighbors....each basket will contain muffins, peach jam, a lavender sachet & a MaryJane's Farm Magazine...all sweetly wrapped up in an apron...except one which will be wrapped in the green dish towel as it is for an elderly gentleman. Somehow, I can't quit picture him in a Farm Girlie apron...lol!

A lot of the ladies over on the MaryJanesFarm forum are doing like wise.....baking goodies to be wrapped in an apron and given as a sweet gift to friends and neighbors.

I love this time of year,,,I only wish we could/would embrace the spirit of Sharing & Caring everyday....

My Kids & Aprons & Life in General...

I have been keeping busy getting through some of the projects that have been sitting on my sewing table....but still have a stack to finish... This apron was made from a bed sheet & no pattern...just sort of a cut, pin & stitch project.

Debbie Mum fabric and a Daisy Kingdom pattern...

My "grandkids" keep me in stitches.....oh wait, that would be my aprons...lol!

As for the "kids" they are so entertaining....

Happy Anniversary

Yep here we are after 37 years of marriage...not bad for a couple of kids who dated in High School and are traveling through life laughing all the way.... We've gone from city dwellers to country bumpkins with the tractor, weeds & empty bank account to prove it...lol!
The old saying about looking at life like a glass of water, you can see it as half empty or half full...shoot, ours is flowing over!

Happy Anniversary to us! & many more.

83 Doilies

SCORE!!!!!!!!!!
This is what a stack of 83 Doilies looks like!
My mom sent them to me. They were given to her and she doesn't have any need for them but knew I would love and cherish them...and I do. Most of them are in excellent shape, even starched. Only a few have stains. I am thinking it might be fun to just frame a few for display.

It's Snowing!!!!

Ok, this picture was taken about 1 1/2 hours later after the Birdie pics(below)....and yep, it's still snowing!

Little miss Skylar, just turned 4 and already an Apronista! You can't just feed one...

or can you?

Cheap entertainment for my kitties....."The Bird Channel"...lol!

Well here it is, Friday, November 13th....and our first real snow for the season....by 4PM everything was solid white!

But even the snow does not deter the birds for coming to our place for lunch... speaking of lunch... my little friend Skylar came over for lunch, well actually for tea and a sugar rush!

I have some explaining to do to her mom as to why Skylar is so 'amped'...hummm, sugar cookies, sugar cubes, cupcakes & wafers....at least I know her Dentist is gonna love me! lol!

We had fun none the less....and Skylar even got to wear her apron and use her little potholder when we baked Tollhouse cookies. She is such a cutiepie. It was fun to have a 4 year old in the house today (and I don't mean my husband! lol!).

Make Time to Take Time and play with a wee one and recapture your inner 4 year old!

Oh and as for the kitties, both Dolly Girl and Mz Beasley liked all the attention they got from Skylar but lil miss (priss) Peekaboo was not so amused with a wee one in the house...lol!

The Big Affair....

Thank goodness I am not the jealous type! Because as you can see, this is the "other woman" in my husband's life!
At almost 17 years old, our Ms Beasley is slowing down but still loves to cuddle with her favorite man.

Our Newest (Grand) Kids....

Ok, so our latest Grand Kids are these 3 guys....
Our daughter & Son-in-law have taken in these goats so now they have 5 goats & 1 sheep....
I think they have this "Adopting" thing down pat! All of the critters seem to get along very well. No shortage of antics around their barn.

Sewing Up A Storm...

Little girls holiday apron for a very special little 5year old who is coming over for tea this Friday. I also made a special pot holder to fit her little hands.

This is 1 of 5 Dinner style aprons that I am stitching up for gifts & a couple that I have sold.
I also made matching pot holders to go with the aprons. Some are fun festive prints while the rest are Holiday prints.

Now this sweet little apron (child's size 3) is made from a pillowcase like the one it is photographed next to. I modified the apron and changed the neck tie from tie strings to a collar w/a snap closure. I added Battenburg lace trim onto the pockets. The battenburg trim was from a tattered piece of linen. And of course a couple of Yoyos just because....

This Weeks Projects....

Ok. this is some of the mischief I have been getting into this week!

And if Peek-a-boo kitty tells you she helped....don't believe her! lol!

I crochet yet another rug, this one is pink & blue & will go in my 1963 Scotty trailer as will the brown apron with little pink & grey Scottie dog motif.

The Western album is a birthday gift for a Sisters on the Fly friend who will be turning 29(again!)....lol!

You can click on the photo to get a closer look if you want.

Thanx for stopping by.

Back in the Saddle Again!

Back in the Saddle Again! Back where a friend is a friend.... Our lil Peekaboo loves being a cowgirl kitty!

OK, so talk about putting the Cart before the Horse....I haven't even gotten my horse yet and hubby dearest has already made me a wonderful saddle stand....

I can hardly wait to find the perfect saddle to sit on my new saddle stand.

Thank you Honey Bear.....

Look what I made....

Look what I have been up to..... This is a sweet little girls outfit I sewed up for my future grand baby girl.
The pink snugglie is a simple 1 1/2hour project. I stitched it so it could be reversible.

Ok, here is another rag rug that I crocheted up from sheets.

The lamp is a 2nd hand store find...sort of....I bought the lamp base at one place and the shade at another. I cleaned up the base & shade and then I glued on the hanging beads and rosettes.

I think both projects turned out cute. And both are going to my daughter's for the baby's room.

Ah, signs of Autumn....

I know it is Autumn when I start coveting sweaters.....and each year I like to treat myself to one special one...thou usually they are Cashmere, angora or wool, for once I actually bought one that was not.
I had been holding off on this one, but found myself drawn to it each time I looked at it in the Victoria Trading Company catalog....so I gave in and bought it. OMG! it is yummy soft & sweet and it even came with it's own sweater bag.....which gave me an idea...why not convert some of my vintage hand stitched pillowcases into sweater bags...all I would need to do is cut the top-back side off, hem the edges & Voila' instant sweater bag. Tuck in a little lavender sachet and my good sweaters will be kept sweet & safe..... I was at Joanns Fabric store the other day & their McCall patterns were on sale.
Now normally I would not but a Pattern for YoYo projects, but for .99cents, what the heck!
It features a yoyo garland, 2 different size yoyo trees, a wreath and a stocking decorated with yoyos.
The little pumpkin candle pad is just a simple project from the 'Bareroots' craft pattern line.
A nice project to work on while sitting in front of the Idiot Box(T.V.).....
I am currently spending more time in my sewing room....much needed 'sewing therapy'! lol!

Ranch Profits.....

"I put all my profits back into Ranch improvements" OK, so after going back through our expenses for the past to years I have come to realize that owning 5acres of dirt...ain't cheap! Who would have thunk it that maintaining dirt, weeds and a little garden could be such a lofty & expensive endeavor! lol! But ya know, I wouldn't have it any other way.....
Hubby & I are onto our second adventure.....getting the property ready for next Spring...we have $200.00 worth of pasture grass seed waiting to be put down in the next week...weather permitting. Then we will expanding our little mini fruit tree orchard as well as putting in more lavender plants.....I figure buy the time all the dust settles, hubby & I should be ready to be sent to "Shady Acres Old Geezers Home" lol! Oh well, at least someone will enjoy our hard work and hopefully our "foot prints" will be beneficial.
So now speaking of foot prints...or should I say Hoof Prints.....Hopefully by Summer there will be 2 horses out back,,,and I don't mean "Pasture Ornaments".
But rather a life style that we have chosen to re-connect with.
Back in High School I use to ride, bareback...and Gary's family always had horses,,,I guess that is why he is so proficient in Stall mucking...LOL!
Well, first you have to Dream it, then ya have to build it and then ya have to live it......
I can hardly wait for Spring when we can start construction on the Barn/stalls/arena & then like Roy & Dale we will ride off into the sunset for the next adventure in our lives. I am so happy that Gary is a good sport and that he looks forward to spending time with me out riding. I am one very lucky lady.
Happy Trails to you, until we meet again.

I've been busy stitchen' ...

I recently did a fun Western themed Apron Swap and here is what I sent to my swap partner...
I hope she enjoys the goodies.
The apron is a Roy Rogers & Dale Evan montage'. The goodies consist of a sweet MaryJane's farm fabric, book and chocolate. Then I included a sweet dresser scarf & pot holder that I found at my favorite little vintage/antique shop over in Airway Heights. My little 'peekaboo' kitty is making sure no one sneaks off with any of the goodies. lol! Here are 2 "Harvest/clothespin aprons.... both are going out to very special ladies. The both are made from men's shirts. The green one will be going to a friend to wear out in her garden or out to feed her horses....love the large pockets, there is even a smaller pocket for a cell phone & keys. The blue/purple one is going to another gal to be used for stashing her clothes pins in while hanging her laundry.

This is an other Barn Goddess apron for a friend over in Rosalia, WA. I figure the pockets are big enough to put a few apples & horse treats in as well as maybe a curry comb & hoof pick. I made this one from leftover remnants of fabric from other projects.

Ok, so now maybe I'll finally get around to making one for myself.....lol!

Look What I Found...

1958-1962 Pink Kenmore Sewing Machine.

Crochet roses and another set of acrylic-resin grapes.

Ok, So my dear friend, Elizabeth & I are perusing the local 2nd Hand shops and I no sooner say to her, I have to quit buying sewing machines....what do I find????

Yep another sewing machine, but unlike all my others, this one is Pink! OMG & WOWZERS!

As best as I can find, it is somewhere from 1958-1962. By the Sears & Roebuck Co.

And the machine sews wonderfully...but the really best part....I only paid $3.79...yep, you read right...$3.79....talk about being in Hog Heaven...

The sweet roses are crochet....not sure what I will do with them, but I could not resist...they are so sweet.

I also found these blue resin grapes for only $3.25...hahah, they cost almost as much as the sewing machine.

I just love a good day Thrifting....how about you?

Spending Time with Mama...

Mom & papa Bob come up to Spokane for a very long over due visit.
It was so great to have her up here. After all, every little girl needs a visit from her mom.
Love ya mom!
Mama having fun on our tractor.... You Go Mom!

Mom and me...at Manito Gardens on a beautiful September day.

Spending a wonderful day with mom in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.

Apron Swap Fun....

I just finished up with another Apron Swap and look at all the wonderful goodies I got...

The navy blue with white polka dots apron is too cute and I luv the vintage 1954 cook book.

As for the cute crochet'd pot holders, I wish I were that talented.

Soon as I get a free moment I plan to make one of the cute little aprons from the pattern.

All these wonderful goodies came from Jennifer W. in Alaska....Thank you Jennifer.

Ticked Off Praying Manthis

(click on the pics to see a closer view)

Ok, so while I was out weeding I came across a praying manthis.....

and being the "little girl " that I am I had to play with this one, ok, so I was teasing it...

again, the little girl in me.......

What I did not realize about P.M.'s, they can get really ticked off when they don't want to

play or be teased...LOL!

Then I was out in my little Lavender field to do some weeding. You know, there is nothing better then weeding in amongst lavender plants. It smells WONDERFUL to say the least.

I still have about 18 plants that need to be pruned back but I just can't bring myself to do it yet because of my sweet little pollinators.....I want to make sure they get all the nectar they need before Winter.

Oh and be asured, I WON'T be teasing these little guys! LOL!