Bird In The Hand Primitives

hhhmmmmm...is this still on ???

2010-09-01T13:37:00.000-07:00

just wondering ??

Hoping this shows up !!!!

2008-09-25T11:46:00.001-07:00

For anyone who visits my Blog...i had to create a new one...come see me at This
My New Blog

Halloween Ornie Tree Charity Auction

2008-09-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

I am seeing if this post will actually show up...Still can't see my last one for some reason ...
Here is the Ornie Tree with 17 Primitive/ Folk art Halloween Ornies by several ladies and the topper , lights and tree skirt...
Check out the Auction Here

Halloween Kitty and Scarecrow Jack

2008-09-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

Well, I am still bummed and can't figure out this Blog mess...but, I have been working on ornies for a big Christmas Ornie Swap on Prim Mart and then some Halloweeny things in between.....

HELP !! I cannot get my Blog back !!

2008-09-10T08:10:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I tried to change the background, and now I don't have a tab or anything to click on that says " Layout" for me to add Favorite Blogs or anything.... I even tried changing to different templates and still nothing ...Anyone have any ideas what I can do ???

Prim Sisters Helping Sisters Auction

2008-09-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

I hope you will go check out this beautiful Hand Hooked ~Mr. Pumpkin~ Rug
I know we all need help sometimes...Things happen in our lives, a death of a loved one , and the after effects...Our dear friend and Prim Sister Sandy(shutt) from P&R has had just such a tragedy in her life recently. And now she is without hesitation, taking on the responsibility of 2 young children, after her brother's death. Please take a look at the auction and bid from your heart !!!

Forgot to add the FREEBIE Harvest Doodle

2008-09-02T10:05:00.000-07:00

I was going to post the doodle as a freebie for you to use as a stitchery or make a penny rug out of....here it is...ENJOY !!

Another New Fall Wool Applique Design...

2008-09-02T07:24:00.000-07:00

This is another new design I've done up...I haven't had too much time this weekend to do anything else, but this was really pretty quick and easy...I haven't got the edges or tongues done on it yet....

Well, back to work on what ?? I haven't figured that out yet...
Enjoy the Day !!!

Finished a few Fall items...working on some more

2008-08-31T20:51:00.000-07:00

I'm really getting in the Fall swing of things, especially with September finally here ! I've waited for this day as my personal "excuse" to begin decorating for Fall and to really get a groove on in creating Fall?Halloween goodies.... I never quite feel right working on Fall or Christmas things till at least the first of September.... Just a little quirk,,,I came from the era where wearing white past Labor Day was still a a Fashion" Faux Pas " ....LOL...So I guess I have certain guidlines ingrained in my Baby Boomer Brain !!
So here is a pillow I finished up using my Freebie Design.. It looks all puckered and it is slightly...my sewing machine was giving me fits and I had to re-stitch around the stitchery with the fabric as my stitches got all messed up and the tension was whacky, but oh well, guess I'll just have to keep it...lOL

Then I also finished up a new design for Wool Applique and I'm working on the pattern..

AHHH...Fall is in the air !! And some Freebie Doodles

2008-08-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

I can smell it today..The weather is cooler and the air just has that clean, crisper feel and smell to it...I know I'm not the only one that notices these things... I am so Thankful today, that I live in an area where we experience the change of seasons. I've lived in California for 3 years..twice in the late 70's and then again in the late 80's ..My inlaws moved out there shortly after hubby and I married, and my brother-in-laws were all much younger than my hubby, so they've been raised there.
We moved out for a short time but I was so homesick, I had to come back to Pa. after 3 years. Then after we sold the farm ( the cows and equipment) we moved out again, this time with 5 small children in tow. I knew right away I wasn't prepared for raising my children in the hectic lifestyle of Southern California ( Anaheim, Buena Park area) so we moved back, after I finished Nursing School ( which was free out there except for books and uniforms)...
So...with all that said, I am in the Fall/ Autumn mood...I'm working on 2 new Wool Applique designs and patterns , but I was going through some older stuff and found some Doodles for Fall that are not on my site anymore and I don't think I've offered them here so grab them if you like and get yourself in the Fall Mood !!

Another Sister in Need...

2008-08-22T15:21:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know , some may not, and I can't go into alot of detail here, but a Prim sister on P&R has had a family tragedy...the loss of a loved one and out of this has also come a decision on her part to take on added responsibility for 2 small people.... they are coming to her without much and school is starting just around the corner....We are having an Ornie Auction the 2nd week of Sept. and I am also having a Fall EPattern special to raise the money to buy a few trees for the ornies.... So with all that said, here is the special... Buy any 1 of my Fall E Patterns and you get a second one free !! Just purchase any 1 and I will email you back asking which second pattern you would like and send it right off to you....
Also. I am having a Fall Yard Sale ... This was planned way before the Ornie Auction , but hey if you see anything you might like, I will donate 1/2 of the proceeds to this dear Prim Pal !!!
Here is a visual to give you an idea of why I want to clean out some of my fabric and such so bad :

My craft room is more like the size of a large closet and I really have been feeling quite stifled in here ,so I emptied bins and bags and this is just some of what I am going through....
Here is the link to my Online Yard Sale
Just give me a holler at robin006@velocity.net if you see something you gotta have....

NEW Primitive Jack Ornie Pattern

2008-08-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

Just a quickie post to put up my newest pattern. This little guy will be perfect for all those Fall/ Halloween Ornie Swaps coming up gals... He is easy and fast to make and measures 8 " when done .

Finished Stitched Pillows

2008-08-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

Well, I finished the cross stitch and just LOVE it !! I backed it with some reproduction blue print fabric and stained real good ( it is darker than it looks in the pic)and made into a little pillow.... I also finished up my Posies Stitchery and made into a little pillow to sit on a shelf.... I need to get some other things done but the way today is shaping up, hmmmm ???

Lovely Primitive Cross Stitch Design ...

2008-08-18T13:46:00.001-07:00

I saw this beautiful little design on Primitive Betty's Blog and I knew I had to stitch it up !! I haven't done counted cross stitch in actually over 20 years and my eyesight is a little worse for wear and I wasn't sure I could do it but here is a pic of my try at it:

Also, I traced 2 of these onto muslin and started stitching one up...I am doing one for myslef and the other either to sell or maybe for a swap or something ?? Who knows ...

I sooo want to sketch up some ideas for a few new Fall Penny Rug Designs
and do up patterns....God willing I will get around to it....
Blessings..
Robin

Big HUGE Favor to ask of all my Blog Buddies !!

2008-08-15T11:16:00.000-07:00

As alot of you know, my Grandsons and my oldest son do BMX racing...Well, I started a Blog for them and even did up a logo for Tshirts and sponsoring them as a team...anyways...the kids would be THRILLED if you could go check out the Blog ( I added some videos of them racing also !! ) and maybe leave a comment...just say you are a friend of their Grandma Robin's ( actually they call me MeeMaw...LOL ) .. I would be soooo grateful..
Robin

http://www.obrutherbmx.blogspot.com/

Look at this PRIM PILLOW !!

2008-08-13T11:41:00.000-07:00

Robby ( my buddy from Scotland) stitched this up using my Liberty Annie Doodle...Now isn't this just soo prim ?? I love the colors she used.. Awsome Robby !!

If you back into my older posts from my Birthday, you can grab this doodle for yourself..... oh and don't forget to send a pic along for me to post it here !!!

Pin Keep Swap Goodies & New (tweaked) Punkin Man

2008-08-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

I love getting goodies in the mail !! I received my Pin Keep Swap from Gayle Legg on " A Primitive Journey" Forum... I love them , they are soo prim !! Thank you Gayle !!

I can't post a pic of what I sent yet, cause she hasn't received hers yet...
And....I have tweaked my Punkin Man Doll and pattern a bit so here is the finished doll and pattern is coming soon:

Sooo Cool ! Another Birthday Gift ..

2008-08-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

This is just the coolest thing !! My buddy, Robby, from Scotland, has sent me one last , totally awsome Birthday Gift... She made this pendant for me using my Liberty Annie Doodle as her inspiration...Isn't this just awsome ??

Thank you sooo much Robby !! I'ts pure GENIUS !!! Hugs !!

NEW Fall Pumpkin Man Doll and another Fall Freebie !!

2008-08-07T07:06:00.001-07:00

I just finished this guy up and am working on the pattern for him. I haven't named him yet, but I'll think of something ...LOL....

Also..Here is a doodle I did up last year for Fall/ Halloween ..Offering it as another freebie , so here ya go:

New Blog and Photos from Pittsburgh

2008-08-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a few things here and there and some new designs/ patterns for Fall, so be on the lookout. We went to Pittsburgh this weekend to South Park BMX track for a race that my Son and Grandsons and also my "Adopted son" were in... I was just there in July and didn't have my camera with me at that time, but I was prepared this time... It's funny how you come down the hill off the Freeway ( I 279 ) and suddenly, there they are....some big huge looming buildings.. The Rivers and bridges are awsome and we went through the Liberty tunnel again ...Last time we got lost going to my son's prison and went around downtown Pittsburgh 4 times and through the tunnel twice till we found the right street, and all that WITH a GPS...LOL.
I started a Blog for my kids and grandkids and their racing, check it out here:
" Oh Bruther BMX"
I also designed the Logo for them....Whatcha think ??

So...anyways, here are some pics I shot of Downtown Pittsburgh:

NEW Free Fall Stitchery Doodle

2008-07-31T10:44:00.001-07:00

I wanted to offer this FREEBIE to everyone , hoping to get a jumpstart on some fall creations...I have a bad habit of holding off too long, thinking it's too early to get started on items for the next Season, and before you know it, I'm too late....so..in an effort to get myself started earlier on some Fall things, and hoping to maybe inspire someone else to get a small start,,,here ya go !!
Enjoy !
Robin

Whatcha Working On Wednesday..

2008-07-30T07:40:00.001-07:00

I finally decided I'd best get my butt in gear and take part in Leslie's ( My Country Home) "Whatcha Working On Wednesday ", so here I am...
I made a yummy Casserole last night for dinner that I wanted to share..it was posted on Terri's ( Prim Creek) Blog , called "Cheddar Zucchini Bake " .. I didn't have Zucchini , but I had summer Squash, so I decided to make it with that ...here is a pic and let me say it was YUMMY !!!:

I have been enjoying my Summer, but I really am looking foreward to Fall...not only is it my favorite time of the year, for the weather and the beautiful leaves ...I love all Fall Decor...
I've been looking through my old Magazines to get in the mood and get inspiration for colors and such.... Here's what I do..I cut out pics that jump out at me and arrange them in my inspiration book, then I'll write about what I'd like to create next and the colors, fabrics , etc.... Well, I don't always follow through with all that, but I do look and get inspiration....lOL ...Here are a few examples:

Then...I made the body for a Posie Annie from my pattern way back when I first drew up the pattern and never did anything with her...I've wanted an Annie to sit on my Antique School Desk I got for my Birthday, so I decided to finish her up, but I'm going a little different and making the colors a little warmer and Fall-ish to go better in my Living Room... Here she is with her dress just laying on her...it needs grubbied and she needs pantaloons and such...

Finally... I have been working little by little on my Posie Stitchery, and... I made this little round doll head for Fall last year.... My oldest daughter was living with me, and she kept haassing me to make a doll with freckles like her... So...I put freckles on this gall and did up her face but never finished her...I wasn't happy with how she stained up and just tossed her aside...Her head has sat on my table and been moved here and there for a year... So, I finally decided to put hair on her and I'll be making a body and clothes for her too....It feels good to be doing up some unfinished projects..

That's it for now... Might think of something else I've been doing later...hmmmmm
Robin

I am SOOO Blessed !!!

2008-07-29T08:23:00.000-07:00

I have made such wonderful Cyber friends over the years, from all over the world and all walks of life !! Recently, I had plans to go on a short trip to Lancaster with my Hubby and meet up with some gals I have "met" through "Prim And Rustics II Forum"... One of those ladies, Robby is such a sweet thing. She hails originally from Australia but has lived in Scotland for several years. We've spoken on the phone quite a bit and it is such a joy to gab with her !!! Well, as you all know I was unable to make my trip to Lancaster, and so I missed the opportunity to meet these wonderful gals in person... Sandy , Grace and Robby....
Robby sent me a package as a belated Birthday gift and what wonderful Goodies I got !!!
The purse is wool and wool applique and I had commented a while back on a pic that was posted of her and Sandy at an earlier gathering in Lancaster, both wearing this wool purse. She remembered and got me one !!!!! I LOVE it and all the other morsels she sent also... Look at those wonderful little Americana Folk Art Bird Ornies..aren't they just the neatest thing...I best get my Americana tree up for awhile before it's time for Fall !!!
Here's the pic....

There are also some sweet note cards and prim note pads in there and some super awsome smelling little soaps that say they are made in Scotland,,they really smell so soft and yummy !!And a china coaster or mug lid, with a picture of a Robin painted on it and the name "Robin " printed on it also...See my name is spelled ROBIN and Robby spells her name ROBYN.... just a little tidbit...LOL
Thank you so much Robby !! You are the SWEETEST THING !! I love all my goodies !!!

ON SALE Folk Art Fancies Stitchery Doodle Booklet

2008-07-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

This has 15 stitchery doodles in all !! Lots of everyday and Seasonal doodles !!

Fancies and Folk Art Printable Doodle Collection

ON SALE NOW This is a Collection of 15 of my original Stitchery doodles. There are everyday ...

Price: US$4.00

Working on some new things and finishing up some unfinished projects also...
I'll be back a little later..
Hugs,
Robin

Second post in one day...New Doll !!

2008-07-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

As promised here is my new doll.... She is a Liberty Annie, and resembles the Stitchery Doodle I offer here on my blog ( see my Birthday )...
I am working on the pattern for her also, as I really wanted to get an Americana doll pattern out this Summer.... Here she is...

New Stuff and Re-Arranging....

2008-07-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love it when you have new things and get to re-arrange your decor a bit ?? I do, but my problem is I don't have much room to do major changes... Where my furniture is right now, is basically where it needs to stay, unless hubby wants to disconnect all electronics and help move big stuff and I'd rather not have to pester him or wait around so I just change out what I can...
I got a few new prim goodies for my Birthday and Anniversary ( 32 years on July 12th ) and I patiently waited till my Grandsons left and hubby was back at work and I had time to myself to putsy around....
Hubby loved this big 'ol sign and I wasn't sure about it cause it was soooo big inmy little house, but whatthe heck I thinks it looks ok...and got the checkerboard with sheep on it also....

Then, I got this cute painted wall basket and berry pics and cute little painted sheep ornie to hang on the front....

Here is a tall stack of painted round paper mache boxes i got from an online yard sale:

And... I was going to start stitching this design of mine up. I have the threads all picked out and even have my zip lock bag handy in case I go somewhere I can throw it in my purse and work on it if I'm sitting somewhere....

Also...Be on the lookout for a new dolly and pattern... I have her almost finished...well actually, just finishing up her clothing ... I'll post a pic when I'm done... :)

Some things I've been up to lately ...

2008-07-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

It's been busy here lately. First off..I was supposed to go on Vacation to Lancaster and meet up with a few prim buddies..... I was soooo bummed and disappointed when I had to make the decision not to go.. See, hubby had taken me to a cute little prim shop for my Birthday and as I was leaving, I forgot there was a slight step up out of the room....I didn't fall, but stumbled slightly and didn't really think much about it except for being thankful that it didn't end up in al ### pounds of me landing on my derriere in front of all....LOL
Not long after we left I started to get some weird pains and shooting shocks when I'd turn a certain way and sit or walk....I came to the conclusion from past experience that I had done something to cause a disc to bulge slightly.....
A few days later we had to make a trip to Pittsburgh to visit my son that sadly, is in State Prison there... He had been on probation for a drug charge and violated probation so ended up with a state sentence... He is in Drug and Alcohol treatment so with God's healing and his right thinking , all will be well, I am hopeful and confident.
Anyways... 2 hours sitting in the car with a few short rest stops, and I was almost in tears.... It was sooo uncomfortable and Tylenol is all I can take for it and doesn't seem to do much...
I had to make the decision, last minute ,to cancel our trip to Lancaster...
That doesn't mean I have just been able to sit on my tush, though... I canned some Strawberry jam for the first time in 20 years since being on the farm.....
Here's my jam :
I also have 2 of my Grandson's staying with us for a few days...They live with their Mom and other Grandparent's near State college, Pa.
These are the son's from my son that is in prison....
Here are 2 of the boys, Kota and Zach and baby Caden stayed home:

We took them to watch a BMX race that my oldest son and his boys participate in , since it was a local one...so I snapped a few pics...

I'm also adding a few pics of my Americana things, pics are'nt that great since they were taken in my narrow hallway where my Americana decor is....

Wow ! I am 50 years old today !

2008-07-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe I am 50 today. Seems like just yesterday I thought old people were anyone over the age of 21 .....Lord help me ....LOL
I am so thankful for another year and for all my blessings that in honor of my Birthday, I want to share a FREE DOODLE for you !!

I don't have any true plans for today but I did get a few things from hubby yesterday, so thought I'd share pics...

I have wanted a butter churn for so long and ran out of patience looking for one for a reasonable price, so I found this reproduction that wasn't outrageous and bought it...

Another thing I have wanted for sooooo long, is a child's antique school desk...found one yesterday for $30 and scooped it up.... I need to make an Annie for it and I have some antique books I will display on it....

I will be sure and post pics of any goings on today later !! For now, God Bless you all!!!

My Piece of The "Farm" away from "The Farm"

2008-06-23T03:47:00.000-07:00

I can't say enough how excited I am about this teeny tiny little patch of earth in my yard ....LOL
If anyone has ever read my older posts and stories of life on the farm in the Good Ol Days, or if you go ahead and mosey through my archived stories, you can read some stories about the "Farm" Days....
Hubby Randy was having as much fun at Lowe's picking out the plants as I was.... Now, of course you all know it's a little late to be planting a garden here in NW Pa. , but we managed to find some nice looking plants that had a great headstart on us....LOL
We didn't plant much , but kept it fun for now....

We did take the chance and plant 2 rows of Sweet corn from seed, as Hubbs remembered the first year we farmed, we were late in getting our equipment and seed and fertilizer loan so we actually planted field corn the last week of June and prayed and by the Grace of God, we had a decent crop in the Fall, although we did have to hold out just a hair longer than most of our farmer neighbors to harvest it...
We also planted a mild Jalapeno Pepper plant,green pepper plant, Honeydew, green onion, Zucchini, 2 sandwich type tomato plants and 1 cherry tomato plant, ..... a few herbs, cilantro and lavender , and Rosemary ... I have 2 nice sized Pumpkin plants that are going in a separate patch in the back yard......
Now...I also have some ground covering perennials and flowering perennials to plant in other spots in the yard....
I wanted the little picket fence and hoped it might also be a very "small" deterrent to the Bunny population in the neighborhood.... We have a few newer big cats close by our house and I've noticed less and less bunnies ..... kinda sad cause I know they will catch and kill the babies and not the mommas, but such is nature....

I also finished and framed my Saltbox Sampler Stitchery... I glued the corners onto the cardboard to hold in place and see where the glue seeped through and darkened the fabric ?? Oh well, I will just not look at that part...LOL

Some Quilt Shop Goodies .....

2008-06-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

I have been receiving Emails for the past 2 weeks now, letting me know that a local quilt shop is moving it's location and having huge sales going on to diminish the inventory that is moved....Well, I finally decided to stop in yesterday and check it out...I did manage to get a few good deals , but seems like alot of the really awsome fabrics and such were picked over allready... I decided to look mainly for fabrics for Fall and found some really nice top quality prints and a few pieces of wool and a nice blue stripe. I also grabbed a large piece of duck cloth to repair the awning of my daughter's, boyfriends, Grandma's porch swing...Wow, that's a mouthful....LOL

I was really checking out all the store samples of finished quilts and quilt tops and found a nice one for $25..I didn't measure it but it seems to be about as big as a Twin Size quilt...it's just the top but fell in love with the pattern and colors !!

Some pics of my new "Blue" Bathroom ....

Some time ago I decide to change my bathroom off our bedroom from Burgundy and Hunter Green (yummmmmm ...LOL) to colonial blue and tan.... I still haven't done anything to the walls, but I removed wallpaper border and fixed some holes and such.. still deciding what color to do the walls in, etc.....
Here are a few pics of some shelves I re-painted, and some goodies I acquired for in there.. I really fell in love with some old blue bottles I found at a garage sale and started looking for some old toiletry items...

Then...I found some old shaving cream brushes, this little blue bowl and an old straight razor and blade razor at a small antique mall booth , super cheap !!

Look at this Awsome stitchery done with my design !!

2008-06-16T19:45:00.001-07:00

Lizzie from LizzieBusy Handmade has a wonderful stitchery club ...she has used my Buford Bunny Design this Spring and now she has used this Free Stitchery Doodle as well and wow, what an amazing job she has done !! I love the coloring she has done to it !! Oh and by the way,you can't miss the fact that Lizzie is from beautiful Italy .... " Bella" ....LOL

Now some Summer pics !!
I have been busy the last few days doing a few things here and there around the yard... I don't have flower beds, but I do enjoy a few potted Geraniums ( my favorite)and some Hosta that has managed to not die on me...LOL.... as well as some "fake foliage" to spruce up my porches and yards.

Hubby Randy has been a good soldier despite his allergies and has gone out faithfully to mow and trim..what a guy !! He's my sweets !!!

I am here and glad to be back !!!

2008-06-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

Well, You may think I fell off the face of the earth, but not to worry... I am doing great, and can't wait to get back into the full swing of blogging and crafting !!
A few things I need to share first...
I was taken down a path and and found that what I thought I was running from or casting to the side was the one thing that I desperately needd most....
I began a relationship with the Lord so many years ago and being raised Catholic, I can actually say, I fell in love with Jesus from the first moment I heard about the God/child born in a stable because He "chose" to, humbling himself to show His great Love for ALL men...
I fell in and out of Love so many times over the years and went my own way thinking I could do on my own what needed to be accomplished in my life.
Pride...the greatest of all sins..... hatred will cause us to sin against man, but "pride" causes us to sin against God ... Oh how foolish we are to think we are alone or can function without the power that created us and the world we live in.
I urge you today to seek Him ....

Right where you are, in whatever situation or circumstance you are in. Whether life is great and "no worries" or your world is crumbling under your feet.

Cry out to the One who desires to hear you call Him "DADDY" today !!!

FREE Americana Angel Stitchery Doodle

2008-05-30T10:26:00.001-07:00

You have to go check out the MULBERRY CREEK MERCANTILE CRAFT MAGAZINE the June/July Issue to get it !!

Here is the direct link to it :
Free Americana Angel Stitchery Doodle
Leave me a comment and let me knoiw how you like it !!
Enjoy !!
Robin

Just doing a few odds and ends ...

2008-05-03T07:17:00.000-07:00

I haven't been very creative lately. I seem to be in a bit of a slump...Maybe for the best, as I have other little projects here and there, that I've actually crossed off my list the last few days. I have some yard sale items here and there that I wanted to re-do and I've finished a few of those. I took EVERYTHING out of our one bathroom off of our bedroom, to re-do and I am starting from scratch in there...I don't want to spend much on all new accessories and such, so I am re-painting shelves and making a few new things here and there, and, I found a few awsome items at the flea market soooo cheap, it feels good re-doing this room instead of any guilt over spending money that should go elsewhere.....

Here is just one example of a few things I re-did to go in the room. I wanted to add some color so I added fabric under the labels I made for these antique bottles I got Dirt cheap, almost free....LOL

I'll try to take pics with my daughter's camera of some other things as I get them fnished.. Can't wait to get my money, as I really NEED a new camera of my own....
Hugs all,
Robin

~Thank You ~ & Freebie Stitchery Doodle for all my Wonderful Friends !!

2008-04-23T11:25:00.000-07:00

I have felt such love and heartfelt compassion since I posted last week about the loss of my precious four legged friend ... You are all so kind and sweet and your words of sympathy and encouragement soothed my hurting heart....
I want to say Thank You to you all !!!
And, as a small token of my thanks....I am posting 2 ~Freebie Stitchery Doodles ~ for you...Allthough, you may feel free to do whatever you'd like with them... Stitchery, Wool Applique, Paint ..whatever ...
Love to you all !!!
Robin
Just remember Right Click on pictures, save to your computer... You may re-size as you wish...All I ask is that you give me credit as the designer if you sell the finished item !!! Enjoy !!

I will miss my Scruffy Puppy....

2008-04-17T20:48:00.001-07:00

Such a sad afternoon and evening for me and the rest of the family... Our precious puppy of 12 years had to be put to sleep....She had been gradually getting worse and worse, the equivalent to human " senile dementia" cataracts and losing hearing....she was scared of everything and shook and trembled , she didn't understand what she heard and saw or couldn't see.... I didn't want her to continue to suffer...today was an especially bad day and it had to be done...... I loved my SCruffy !!! And I am sad and feeling lonely without her, she was ALWAYS at my side !!!

So sorry ... No T2T Thursday again...But next week ...

2008-04-16T20:58:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been one of those weeks... I haven't been able to get many of the tasks I've had on my to-do lists accomplished, and then horror of horrors !!! my Grandson dropped my Camera and broke it !! AHHHH !! He wasn't playing with it, in fact he grabbed it and was bringing it to me because I had asked my 14 year old daughter to get it out of her room ( she has it all the time and does not bring it back !!!) and she ignored me... so he thought he was being helpful and then...~kerplunk~...~kerplooey~..
I did have a buddy ( Lisa Robinson of Black Sheep Prims submit a T2T project, but I am going to wait and add it to next weeks ..... So...Hopefully I will be getting another camera this weekend and all will be right in my little world...LOL
Robin

No T2T Today..

2008-04-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

I got so sick last night and today I am weak and yucky feeling and don't even want to be typing...my fingerbails HURT...LOL

I'm laying down and just vegetating ...Hugs....
Robin

Wool Applique using a FREE Pattern from " With Hook and Needle"

2008-04-08T20:41:00.000-07:00

I am almost finished with this little wool applique that I did up, using a free pattern from Kelley of "With Hook and Needle"( scroll down a bit to see the free doodle).
I really like how it turned out , and I wanted something in blues to go in my Bedroom. Now, I am looking for an old frame to paint and prim up to put it in....

I am also working on my project for Thursday's Trash to Treasure .... Don't forget to send me your pics and descriptions and I'll add you to my Blog.....

T2T Thursday..UPDATED

2008-04-03T06:45:00.001-07:00

We have 2 ladies participating in "T2T Thursday" today. Mine will have to wait till this afternoon..I have a DR. appointment in a few minutes here, so I'm adding these 2 real quick and taking pics of mine and adding when I get back...

Lisa Robinson of Black Sheep Prims
Candle Sconce I found at a thrift shop, just painted it black distressed it and stenciled a star. Added a grungy candle and berries. And it is all primmed up.

Leslie Stimer ( My Country Home Blog )

My T2T isn't anything big but it's something, I guess. I took the smaller Easter eggs that I found in the shed from years ago and painted them to look like bird eggs. Again, I just used paint I had around here in the colors I wanted, whether is was craft paint or wall paint. The blue ones were sponged with a layer of cream and then the layer of the blue and the cream have about three layers of just the cream. I then speckled them using an old toothbrush that I have been using for this purpose for years now. The blue are speckled with black, cream with brown. The eggs are laying on a bed of raffia in a grain sifter box that I bought at an antique store for $3. I made up the stitched tag using pieces of fabric from an old sheet. I have been using that old sheet for anything I need muslin for!
The eggs I used were already blue and I just tossed them in an old birds nest that I found at my in-laws about 6 years ago. It was up in their shed attached to their ladder and the robin had abandoned it. DS has a collection of a few birds nest that he found around last summer. One from our yard that fell out of the tree and two from my Dad's house!

Ok here is mine.. I had an old grubby candle I purchased at the dollar store a few years ago.. it got all faded and lost it's scent. Instead of throwing this one away or adding it to my other candles to melt down for wax to dip things in, I decided to give this one " new life" ....

I melted a bunch of my old candles in my crock pot that I use for only this purpose. I took the candle ,dipped it into the melted wax, then rolled it around in some cinnamon on a piece of tin foil. You can smoothe the cinnamon over it more. I dipped it and rolled it in the cinnamon a few times. I had a few flicker tea lights so I stuck that into the area of the candle where the wick was. It just so happened to be the perfect size opening ! Voila !!

Vintage Sewing Medley

2008-03-29T12:44:00.001-07:00

This is a few vintage sewing goodies I've gathered together...I would love to set up my antique sewing machine on top of my old treadle machine table and have these little goodies all arranged on it, but alas, I just have no room for it...My treadle machine table and antique Singer Sewing Machine are tucked away out in our little storage building, all lonesome and unseen .... LOL.... So, I'm debating selling this entire vignette in my online Yard Sale.... If I do decide to sell, I'll post a notice....but for now, I'm just racking my brains , trying to think of ways I can sneak my table and machine in here and arrange it somehow....Oh, hubby wouldn't care...in fact he would love it ...He comments all the time on how it's a shame we just don't have more room in our little trailer here....Now is when I miss my 5 bedroom , 2 story , circa 1901 Farm House ......~Sigh~

Spring Yard Sale

2008-03-28T04:56:00.000-07:00

A Few Yard sale goodies!

I have a few things for sale in my Spring Online Yard Sale going on... I've sold some nice things allready and have lots more to add...I will be adding new things all day today so please check back.... If you see anything you are interested in, Email me ...

So go check out my ~Spring Yard Sale~ Here !!

"Trash to Treasure Thursday"....

2008-03-27T06:52:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is again folks, T2T Thursday. And I have a few friends that decided to participate this week. Remember, you can always send me a short description of your T2T item and a pic and I'll add you the following week. Come on ! It's fun !
Tonya from "Old Country Creations" sent me this pic of an old cook book he purchased and spiffed and primmed it up, she says: " I bought this old cookbook at the goodwill store, painted it and then painted a design on the front to display in my kitchen." Isn't is wonderful ? !! I sure wish I could paint like that ! Thanks so much for submitting your T2T Tonya !

Next...Leslie , my buddy from My Country Home Blog sent me this. Here is what she wrote about her project:
" We started tossing our old change in it and the barrel has just always moved with us. The lid was lost at some point but I would like to get a new one. It wasn't anything nice to look at. I tried painting it blue at one point but the paint scratched off. For the last year or so I have wanted to do something nicer to it.
I decided to make this old pretzel barrel sort of look like an old crock. I used leftover latex paint from the kitchen and living room. The first layer was my kitchen paint because it's darker and then sponged on the lighter tan over top when the first coat dried. I then used some more blue latex that I had around here from doing my microwave cart and other kitchen items to paint on the design (I wanted to do something like you might find on an old crock). Once that was all dry, I rubbed on some gel stain, let that dry and sealed. I think it looks far nicer than a plastic pretzel barrel :) "

wow !! I just love how that turned out !!!

Here's mine... I have been going through all my scraps of wool, well, next on my list was my fabric scraps. I decided to start some Log Cabin Squares out of my scraps. Now, I am NOT a quilter, I don't know the first thing about it really, but after reading a few things and looking over a few simple log cabin square block patterns here it is:

You know, T2T is not always about going out and buying that item you see at a flea market or Thrift Store, but re-purposing an old item you allready have or just making yourself feel good about having an item around your home "fit in " better with your "style" or colors of choice.., and now it's not an eyesore for you or just a useful object, but now it can be an enhancement to your Home Decor.
But yes, go ahead and go Thrifting, find that one item you know you can make fit perfect in your home with a little touch up. Or...go around your home and find items that may have a destiny in the trash, and see what other purpose might be useful for them. Me, I hate throwing scraps of fabric out. So what I can't use in one of my log cabin squares, I will use for a pillow or a rag stuffed doll. I'll be sure to post pics of that !!
Thanks for peeking !... Robin

*Finishing up my Wool Scraps"

2008-03-24T04:25:00.000-07:00

Lordy, it has taken me over a week to go through all my wool and wool scraps....and you'll never guess what I did, whilst I was trying to make headway with all this...I went to the thrift store and bought 3 new 100% wool jackets and a 100% wool skirt....So THOSE had to get washed, dried and cut up and sorted along with what I allready had, but it was worth it. The Jackets were only $1 each...

I also managed to stitch up 2 of these penny rugs from my design, one for me and the other to sell. All I have left to do is the trim on the edges.

I am going to start on my FABRIC scraps next and stitch up a few log cabin squares from some of the scraps as I go along....God willing.... we all know how sidetracked I can get....
I scored big time on these quilt patterns and booklets from the PrimMart Online Yard Sale
So...between this and coming up with a few new designs for the Summer Season...I'll be busy,if I can stay on task that is...
Blessings..
Robin

He Lives !!

2008-03-23T09:41:00.001-07:00

Look at the picture ! That was taken last summer by my 14 year old daughter..It is beautiful isn't it ? I see it and am so profoundly reminded of a Creator, not some random act of molecules , that created this earth and all that lives in it.
And His plan. A plan to redeem His most beloved creations,humans, to Himself.
How awsome that God Himself, knowing that the only true sacrifice for sin was a sinless sacrifice. The sinless for the sinner. So He Himself, became man, which included exposure to every temptation known to man. He remained sinless and brought the sinners to him.... Funny, that Jesus ( God in human flesh) didn't have to seek out those in need of forgiveness and grace and hope. They came to him. He is a God of mercy and grace and forgiveness and he is a Gentleman... HE, will not force His way into your heart, He longs for you to "seek Him out"...
I invite you to do that today... I will not always write about my Faith, but I will not hide it either. But this one day, I will invite you to seek Him out. Go to Him....He wants to make you whole !!!
God Bless you this Easter !!!
Robin

"Trash to Treasure" Thursday

2008-03-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

Leslie, my buddy from "My Country Home" Blog Sent me a pic of a soap dispenser she painted, using regular latex paint, but sealed it real well. She then printed the word "soap" on it. She had just finished re-painting her half bath and wanted the soap dispenser to match, and as I always say " necessity is the mother of invention ( ok it was Edison that first said it)" ...here is a pic ( Leslie says excuse the quality as it was taken with a cell phone) ... Thanks Leslie !!

My T2T Project:
So....I started out my Trash to Treasure Project and didn't actually plan on doing a tutorial, but it turned out that way so here ya go.

PinCushion should just fit right into the lid, no gluing or adhesive necessary !

Another Challenge to You All .......

2008-03-14T10:37:00.000-07:00

Along the lines of Trash to Treasure and Spring Cleaning..... Maybe it's this time of year, when we all have this urge to "purge" our dens and caves from the remains of a long lazy winter .... But, not only have I had this itch to start some serious Spring Cleaning, but I've had a really strong desire to do things in a whole new way. no more wastefullness, no more binge buying or gotta have attitude. I know we live in such a time that our possessions seem to outlive their usefullness very quickly. I am guilty of this right along with the next person, but I've recently begun to take notice and I decided to make a change.
I'm not going to jump in head first and donate all my belongings to Goodwill and go be a missionary in some remote village on the other side of the planet, that is, unless I knew God was telling me to do so...LOL....
But, I am going to practice something that is hard for me and probably for alot of folks and that is simply this and simply put by St. Paul: " this thing I have learned, that whatsoever state ( condition) I am in, therewith to be content" ...Now , the word "content" is not to be mistaken for the word "complacent"...We can all constantly be striving to do better and be better, but at the same time being content with who we are, what we have, and where we live...Amen ???
So...as part of my own personal journey down this road, I have begun the task of thinning ( not chopping, hacking , deleting) my stash of fabric, craft supplies and what not.
I started going through my wool felt first, as I had been wanting to work on an older design of mine, but make another one for myself, and do up the pattern for it at the same time. When I began going through my many( 4 to be exact) large zip lock bags of scraps, it made me realize that out of sheer laziness I had over time, just grabbed at a new big piece of wool and wool felt to cut even a small piece needed for a project. So....over the course of time, I had acquired these 4 bags of scraps that I would probably have ended up throwing away sometime down the road.
Ok, so my task for myself was this.... To begin to go through each and every tiny scrap in those 4 bags and cut circles, leaves, or snowman noses out of it all. and....the really teeny tiny pieces left over, would not go to waste either, but are collecting in another bag and will be used in part to stuff a small wool pillow I'm making for myself....
So here is another challenge to you all .... Go through your scraps of fabric , wool, wool felt and do something similar. I plan to start on my fabric once I'm finished with the wool, and MAYBE even start a small quilt ( my first) or at least get started on some squares, possibly a log cabin design ....
So here are a few pics of what I've been doing...This was taken early yesterday, since then I've done quite a bit more.....

Thursday "TRASH to TREASURE" Day.....

2008-03-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

Ok...I am officially going to make Thursday "Trash to Treasure Day " ...Anyone wanna play ??? You see, Thursday is trash day here at my house, so I thought it would be appropriate....If you want to play along, just Email me, and I'll add your Blog Link and Name to my Blog ... I buy a candle here and there and sometimes the jar is just too nice to throw out. I had a few of these jars from candles I got at WalMart. I loved the jars, but I didn't want anymore jars to add to my kitchen right now, sooooo... I needed a tall container for Q-tips in my bathroom, and thought this tall jar would be perfect, but I didn't want Black Lids ( which is what these were) so, I painted over the black with regular craft paint( Italian Sage color) and let it dry really well.Sanded down a bit, rubbed on some english walnut stain and then sprayed with a sealer. I wasn't happy with the shine, but I only had glossy sealer.
I'm including a few pics of my Bathroom, which isn't primitive, more cottage/vintage/shabby chic???

My Newest Design and Pattern !!

2008-03-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

I just love how this little guy and his bunny pull toy turned out...the surprise to this pattern is that the base to the pull toy isn't wood...I didn't have any wood for it, so it is painted fabric covered cardboard.
The pattern is easy and I wrote detailed instructions...you gotta try it for Spring/ Easter !!

Spring Chick Sitter and Bunny Pull Toy

This is just soo cute for Easter or just your Prim Spring Decor. Easy to read and detailed instructions and the surprise is the pull toy base is not wood, but wood can be used.

Price: US$5.00

I am SNOWED in, and BORED to tears ...

2008-03-08T16:30:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I know I live in the North East section of the U.S. not exactly a "tropical" climate...But COME ON !!! We had ice storms and no power for 10 hours the other day, now, we have had snow, freezing rain, sleet and more snow for the last 18 hours....Hubby just braved a trip to the store, and I am sitting here bored bored bored !!! I made the rounds on everyones Blogs at least twice, worked on my new doll and pattern on and off, I went through my list of favorites, visited my usual hang outs on the web and now here I am, boring you all with my rants....Someone, please come and take me away, just for a few hours even....you might have to own a large snow plowing vehicle to do it....Any takers ?????...LOL
Here is a cute pic of my doggy Scruffy ...My daughter snapped it real quick the other day.....Poor Scruffy is terrified of the camera because she associates the flash and now, even the sound of the camera, with lightning.....
anyways, when my power was out it got real cold, real fast in my house, so I had a coat on and a quilt up to my nose, in hubby's recliner...well, Scruffy decided that Mommy made a darn good pillow, and jumped ( all 43 lbs. of her) right onto my lap....
Can you say " Take my Breath away ???" ....LOL.....
Remember, I'm bored, so I WILL have more stuff later.....

Free Stitchery Doodles...

2008-03-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

I meant to offer these a long time ago and just got sidetracked...doesn't take much for me...I know I have some form of ADD....I have 3 children with it and I know they don't get it from my level headed, slow as molasses hubby...I usually have 4 or 5 things going at one time, I am impilsive and I get easily distracted....So...I think all that speaks for itslef...anyways...Here ya go !

Just adding a side note here: If they look familiar, yep, they are Buford and my Posie Annie....They were the inspirations for the dolls and patterns... Most times ( about 99% of the time) I draw a doodle or a picture and make it into a doodle and that becomes the inspiration for a doll/ pattern....

As Always.... right click, save to your computer and resize print out and stitch up ! All I ask is if selling the finished product you give credit to me the designer in the description!...Have fun !!

Wonderful Swap Dolly !!

2008-03-03T12:12:00.000-08:00

I did a swap with a buddy from Prim Mart, Diane Clark (casdmom) and today I received my wonderful dolly !! I only requested one thing, that her dress be blue...My bedroom has been some form of blue for quite awhile, but it hasn't always been PRIM ! I am just now starting on that room and all it's acessories, so I REALLY wanted a special Dolly made by a special friend, to go in there.
ISN"T SHE WONDERFUL !!!??

My Bedroom furniture is in dire need of some primming up, and a paint job and some new border or even stenciling is on the agenda, but for now here are a few pics of my BLUE bedroom and my awsomely wonderful Swap Dolly !!!
Thank you Diane !!! I love her and will cherish her !!!

Buford has a sister .....

2008-03-01T11:58:00.000-08:00

Isn't she adorable ?? My good buddy, Ruthie McCormack ( Ruthiedoo) from P&R Forum made Buford,and a precious twin sister for him, which she so graciously asked me to name...I chose Beulah...I love the name as its meaning in Hebrew is Bride or translated more specifically the "one promised" ... So...here they are Buford and Beulah Bunny ....

I just can't stop ......

2008-02-28T21:06:00.000-08:00

I am so fickled when it comes to my banners and graphics for my site and Blog...Well, to tell the truth, the other *new* Spring Banner was made using an old picture of a doll and bunny I had made quite a few years ago... I never really got much into doing Spring/Easter designs and that was the only good picture I had of an Easter or Spring doll I had that I could crop and use for a banner.... but I decided to use my poor ol' Buford this time and I played around some..I decided to go with the green as of course March always brings to mind the "wearin o' the green" ( even though I'm about as far from Irish as you could get ...I am 50% German and 50% Polish )but anyways.....I figured the green theme was more in tune with March....
So...whatcha think ???

Today was a "Fun to Create " Day !!

2008-02-24T20:10:00.000-08:00

Today was one of those days that I was sincerely grateful and happy, that I can see something I like and just say hey , I will try to make that....Now, some of my creations using this mentality are sitting in a thrift shop collecting dust somewhere, or in a landfill, hopefully breaking down.....LOL...But all in all, I enjoy experimenting just trying to make something similar to an item I admired in a pic in a magazine or on a blog or somewhere....
NOTE* I would never ever make an item and attempt to sell it or give myself credit in any way forthe design of an item.
Here are a few of my attempts today :I saw this in a pic of someone's prim house and really liked it!!

I made the labels for these jars in my Paint program on the computer...I had some difficulty getting the extra glue off around the edges and I need to spray sealer on then I think....* If anyone has any hints or tips I can use to do this in the future, please feel free to leave a comment:
AS A BONUS FOR MY BLOG PALS Here are the labels ...Right click and save to your computer, then you can resize them and print off to use them for your empty jars ....Have fun !

"MUCH NEEDED" New Furniture !!

2008-02-23T08:06:00.000-08:00

Well, I feel like a queen this month . I have gotten my new washer and dryer and now my new furniture. Hubby has worked so hard and put in mega overtime, just for this ! I am so blessed ! I have 6 kids and 5 of them are older with children of their own. I've had a few of them come back to the nest and stay temporarily, and all of them have used my couch and loveseat as a bed. My boys are big boys ( not necessarily chubby like me, but big) and let me tell you, my furniture was telling it's age and showing off it's abuse no matter what I did to hide it !
I live in a mobile home and we've done some remodeling and such, but there is no hope for the lack of space in my living room. I did not realize how much "deeper" this set was than my old one, and I am still debating as to this sets "permanent" position in the scheme of the room. I chose this mainly for the style and the colors in the fabric were perfect, but I am not really fond of the paisley print.
I also am in need of some help with the windows. I got these little toppers at Lowe's, but I didn't want to spend what they were asking for coordinating panels, so I am still throwing ideas around about that. For now, I am just going to make myself content and happy with my new things. I want to just sit back and enjoy them...Oh, I for got to mention how "comfortable" they are !!! It's heaven compared to my old ones which definately were NOT !

Here is Tracey's version of Buford ...

2008-02-22T17:16:00.000-08:00

I love how Tracey( a prim pal from Prim Mart Community) did up my Buford Bunny. She used a wool blend fabric for his little trousers and stitched the word "eggs" on his basket and added prim grass , in the hopes that this time around maybe poor ol' Buford will find some eggs on his hunt.... Thank you Tracey for letting me show off your wonderful creation using my pattern... I LOVE IT !!!!

I get sooo Tickled to see what others do with my designs !!

2008-02-18T08:15:00.000-08:00

Here is a wonderful "Pocketful O' Posies" A friends from PFP forums made from my pattern...She did a most amazing job and I just love her !! Her EBay ID is
tumbleweed*stitches .. Karen, here's hoping you get TONS O' Bids !!!!

You know you are Domesticated when.....

2008-02-17T19:29:00.000-08:00

A new washer and dryer can get you more excited than.....Well....than you've been in a long time !!!....LOL
I am totally lovin' my new contraptions and let me say this.....I forgot it should only take about 20 - 30 minutes to dry a load of towels.....my old dryer has been on it's last leg for so long, I had to run every load through an entire cycle at least 3 times to get them dry...... NOT ANY MORE !!! My husband heavy Denim coat with sheepsskin was in the last load I did and it took anly 25 minutes to dry the entire load of jeans, some work shirts and his coat..... WOW....and they say that the washer will pay for itself in a few years just in the soap, water and energy you save... I'm all for saving money, water and energy .....

NEW Buford Bunny ...he's a grumpy ol' bunny...

2008-02-13T18:46:00.000-08:00

Poor Buford ! He is in an Easter Egg Hunt and he ain't got no eggs ...He's too short, chubby and slow, so that makes him a grumpy bunny... I am working on the pattern, but had too many distractions today. Just one of those days where everytime you sit down to plug away, someone or something drags you off .....
So....I will be posting when the pattern is all done up. Isn't he just so ugly he's cute ???...LOL

I won I won !!

2008-02-13T17:01:00.000-08:00

Well, I must say, I don't have a speech prepared, I wasn't expecting this award, but I won I won !!!....LOL
I am humbled and pleased to accept this awsome award bestowed upon me from my sweet friend Blondie ( Vintage Prims) .Thank you Blondie and big hugs and blessings to you !!

Here is what was passed along to me concerning this wonderful award :
"Art Prize and Award"This prize has arisen from the daily visits that I dedicate to many blogs which nourish me and enrich me with creativity. In them I see dedication, creativity, care, comradeship, but mainly, ART, much art. I want to share this prize with all those bloggers that entertain me day to day and to share this prize with those who enrich me every day. "
I love visiting other's Blogs daily and taking a peek into the lives or creative spark of many dear friends.I wonder now, what ever did I do before Blogs became popular ?? All that free time, why I must have done rather mundane tasks such as " housework", rather than spend hours upon hours reading, laughing and crying with my dear Blog Pals !!!...LOL
I am passing this Award along to some very well deserving recipients ! It is hard to choose just a few, but alas I cannot give it to all, as that would be a humongous undertaking !! So , here are just a few :
Sherry ( http://anniescupboard.blogspot.com/ )
Cathy ( http://hazelruthes.blogspot.com/ )
Karin ( http://countryfolkkeepsakes.blogspot.com/ )
The rules of passing on this award are as follows:- post award in your own blog: [Post who gave it to you]- indicate its origin and a link to the site:

Wonderful Surprise from a Friend !!

2008-02-10T11:35:00.000-08:00

I was so surprised to receive this package in the mail yesterday from a dear friend I met through PrimMart, Teresa Miller ( Teresa's Primitive Treasures) ... I was like a child at Christmas opening all the little goodies individually wrapped in the cutest Primitive willow tree tissue paper ( which I saved ....LOL) It all smelled sooo good like cinnamon/orange and I imagined myself in my favorite Primitive Gift Shop.... Teresa does the most wonderful work .. I love her stitching ( look at that teeny tiny stitching on the pillow with Twigs design on it) wow, the patience she has. Her painting and aging effects are sooo prim perfect !!! I now have the fun job of finding just the Perfect spot for all my wonderfully perfect gifts from Teresa !! Thank you and Hugs hugs hugs !!!

Wow...Finally new Doll Pattern ...

2008-02-08T18:59:00.001-08:00

It has taken me all this time ( since before Christmas) to do up a new doll design and pattern,but......Here she is !!! I just love how she came out !! I even took a picture of her Nekked !....LOL.... The pattern is for sale now on my site ....Soooo...Whatcha think ??

Spring Stitchery Doodles and more coming ...

2008-02-07T14:39:00.000-08:00

Today was THE day....I've put it off long enough and finally got around to updating my site a little ... I added some stitchery doodles for Spring/Easter from last year and I am still working on new ones .... I actually did a few more finishing touches on my new Annie doll and began typing up the supply list for the pattern ..... Oh why am I so scattered and un-motivated lately ??? I enjoy my work once I actually "get started", but then I have a problem getting sidetracked either beginning a new project or something else, all of this in between keeping up with laundry, housework and cooking the "occasional meal"....LOL
Hubby and I LOVE Mexican food, and I decided to try making my own Carne Asada ( steak strips with Cilantro) ... I marinated the steak in EEVO,lemon juice, minced garlic and minced onion then fried it up and added fresh chopped Cilantro at the end.
Hubby likes his with beans, rice , cheese, sour cream and fried onions wrapped of course in a flour tortilla.... I skipped the steak and just had beans, rice, cheese and green chiles on mine ......mmmmmmmm...

Shopping goodies pics...

2008-02-04T09:36:00.001-08:00

As promised here are a few pics of my "loot" from my recent trip to the Quilt shop and WalMart.
I grabbed some Scrapbooking goodies to add to my growing collection as I want to start making a few altered items:

I thought these "needle cards" would be perfect to embellish a little and alter, just to give me a start on my new creative venture:

I didn't seem to find any regular fabric that grabbed my interest, but I did grab this little sample bundle of hand dyed wool in perfect colors for Spring, which means I need to get busy on a new Spring Design for a wool creation !!

Saturday Day at the Beauty Shop !!

2008-02-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful time was spent yesterday at the Beauty Salon .... I used to be a "toe head"?? white blonde hair !! As I began having children, my hair got darker and more red in it ....Now of course with my ummmmmm...approaching middle age ( ok so what, I'm allready out of the middle and on my way down the other side ....LOL ) anyways, I've just now begun finding a few grey hairs here and there.....well, I have not ever been one to make "regular" trips to the beauty shop , but go just a few times a year when my own hack jobs are just getting boring...At home hair coloring products only seem to bring out the red/ orange in my hair as they aren't strong enough to get past that point . My buddy Blondie ( Vintage Prims) knows what I'm talking about seeing as she is a hair stylist.... I miss my blonde hair but have not wanted to "bleach " the whole head.... well, the girl that did my hair used low lights and highlights to prevent the brassy look I've usually had due to the store bought " medium ash blonde " coloring I usually use...

I love the way it turned out !!!!

Also... I took my youngest daughter with me to add a few highlights to her "black" hair....she is at the age where she is "experimenting" with her hair...she dyed it BLACK ( with the help of her older sister who I wanted to choke) and it looks, uhhhhh, different. She has gotten a little tired of it so we got a fresh cut and had some highlights added to her hair...

While we were there, my oldest daughter called ( hunted me down is more like it, I'm telling you I can't leave the house more than 5 minutes and the cell phone is ringing left and right from one of my older "children" needing to know where I am and what I'm doing..... all my older children are out of the house, but I swear they have Radar and know when I leave)

well anyways, my older daughter decided to pop in for a cut and style, so it was a family reunion ...

Here is a pic of the top of my head ( I had allready scrubbed my face and removed my make-up so I wasn't taking a full face shot....lol) and a pic of my youngest daughter with her new highlights ( which didn't seem to really lighten up too much)...

I REALLY am working on stuff ...honest !

2008-02-01T13:13:00.000-08:00

Here is a pic of the few things I have been working on and staring at for a few days....I've done up a few stitchery doodles and then an Annie doll similar to the one doodle and a Rabbit doll is in the works, based on my doodle there...

I have such a problem getting my drawings symmetrical, that I usually need to draw, erase, re-draw, erase again, on and on ...till I eventually get the look I want, then I fold down the middle and cut out the side I like best, and finally tracing the form onto paper ( for my pattern)...

I have some little accessories in mind to add to the finished dolls, so those are yet to come...

I'm off to Wal-Mart and Joann's and maybe a favorite Quilt Shop for some much needed supplies and maybe a few not so "necessary" items.....LOL ....

I'll post pics of my Loot when I return ......

Feeling lost and somewhat frustrated........

2008-01-31T20:08:00.000-08:00

I must admit to you all, that I've been feeling somewhat frustrated these last few weeks... I have the intense desire to write something or post Something of interest to Someone, but I am at a total loss ! Maybe it is just this time of year, and maybe it is a reflective mood I am in , it's hard to say for sure...
I have peeked here and there at various other Blogs and run the gamut of emotions from those short but sweet visits. There are those that make me laugh and some that make me weep, others have simply kept me enthralled with the every day to day lives of someone else, feeling for a fleeting moment that I was living vicariously through another.
I am working on a few things ( well staring at a few started projects is more like it...lol) and maybe I'll actually Finish something, sometime soon and can take a picture to post here...
God Bless You all, and hope your days are filled with a little more creativity than mine have been lately....
Hugs !

Our "Love Affair " With Fabric ...

2008-01-23T20:22:00.001-08:00

What is it that draws us like moths to the flame ?? The look, the feel , the coordinating colors, the patterns, the Everything !!! I have a few Quilting Magazines and with my Craftroom Clean-Up, I decided to discard them, but not without flipping through them quickly and cutting out pics of a few of the quilt shops that enticed me to save the magazine in the first place....I looked at a few of them over and over again....just imagining myself there, touching each bolt and holding each fat quarter even if just for a second...... Wow, do I need serious help??? I know I'm not alone in my affliction.... Here are a few of the pics that were spared and will be added to my "Creative Inspiration Journal" .....

A Few More Pics of Craft Room Spruce Up....

2008-01-23T08:59:00.000-08:00

I can only add 4 at a time so here are a few more..... :)

Craft Room Spruce Up !!!

2008-01-23T08:49:00.000-08:00

Well, I decided it was time to spruce up my craft room a little. Since moving into this room from the larger bedroom, I hadn't done any organizing or much of anything for that matter...

Recently, ( which I know most of you have experienced one degree or another) having the "after the Holiday's blahs", I thought maybe, just maybe I would feel more at home and want to start creating in a setting that was ...well, homey-er .......LOL

I hung a few pictures on the walls and some knick knacks, ( I seem to have odds and ends that I just didn't have the heart to throw awy or give away, but don't go in the rest of my house)...So here is what I've come up with....

I organized some of my fabric, but what I really need is a major "Downsizing" or a bigger space !!!

Hugs and Blessings to all.....

Robin

My Primitive Valentine Ornie Tree 2008

2008-01-14T09:46:00.000-08:00

I wasn't able to paticipate in the Valentine Ornie swap this year on P&R, but last year was such fun !!! I made the topper for my Christmas tree but kept her out for Valentines, I also made the little dolly in the red dress, the Dove with the red and white striped heart and the little clay painted hearts...All the rest are the awsome ornies I received in last years swap, I am sad though, as I am missing a terrific Altered Art Bingo Card Ornie that I cannot for the life of me think why it wasn't with the rest... I hate to be a suspiscious Grandma, but methinks one of my Grandson's got ahold of it last year and I didn't catch it.....Hmmmmmm......LOL

Finally....NEW Valentine's Day Stitchery Doodles

2008-01-11T08:14:00.000-08:00

I am sooo excited to have finally been able to finish these pillows and be able to post my new Valentine's Day Stitchery Doodles. The Doodles are on sale on my site...

http://www.birdinthehandprimitives.com/

I think they turned out great...Hope you like them !

So much to do.....but oh this numbness in my hands...

2008-01-10T20:26:00.001-08:00

I've had this before , but this is the worst , and like any good nurse, I don't go to the Dr. like I should...LOL....It started some time before Christmas, the numbness in my hands when I tried to do just about anything....I would have to stop and shake the feeling back into them and they would be ok for awhile....But right after Christmas it got worse and I FINALLY decided maybe it was time to make an appointment with the DR....Now also as a nurse, I want to self-diagnose myself, so I'm thinking it is just a pinched nerve and hoping and praying a few trips to the Chiropractor will relieve this.....
I had some designs all ready to stitch up and get out before Valentine's, and wow, it has taken me weeks just to get these finished...I'm working on the last one and hope to get pics of them and get them on here and on my site tomorrow sometime....
I am also saddened by the fact that I had to bow out of one of my favorite swaps, the P&R Valentine Ornie Swap, because of my hands...I just didn't think I'd be able to follow through with my commitment, as it is such a struggle to do much of anything..
I can't tell you how many times I've had to stop and shake some feeling back into my hands just typing this short passage....
So, please if you remember, say a quick prayer for me that this get's resolved soon....As I said .....So Much To do.......
Hugs....Robin

FREE "Folky Crow Annie E Pattern"

2008-01-05T12:31:00.000-08:00

With the start of a new year and soon some new patterns coming out, I wanted to offer one of my first Doll patterns for free..... I hope you enjoy !!

FREE Folky Crow Annie E Pattern

Easy to read and detailed pattern for this cute Primitive Annie and crow doll. Originally under my former name "Me My shelf and I Designs".
Free for you to use, all I ask is when selling finished item credit be given to me as the designer.

Price: FREE!

Blessings for the New Year !!

2008-01-01T06:39:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 43:16 and 18-19
This is what the Lord says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

How often is it in our lives, that we really stop and take the time to do inventory and begin preparing for something new in our hearts ? New Year's is sometimes the only time for many people that this is done. But, what a joy and a blessing to know that every day, every moment is an opportunity for reflection and a chance to start anew !! God has given us the ultimate gift of renewal !! How awsome to know that no matter where we are, or what direction we are heading in our lives, He is there , patiently and lovingly waiting for us to put our trust in Him to make lasting, worthwhile change, not only in our lives , but the lives of others !
If you make any "resolutions" this New Year's Day, I pray that you will turn to Him and seek renewal and hope for a better year !!!
God Bless you all, and if I could, I'd hug each and every one of you !!!
Robin

Sad to see Christmas come and go.....

2007-12-28T16:55:00.000-08:00

Of course there is always that "Christmas is over" blues hanging in the air, but I always experience the "ring in the new" right on it's heels !
The time after Christmas and leading up to New Years Day, is one of anticipation and excitement for what lies ahead...../
Ahhhh...so many vices, so many choices ....which do I struggle in vain to give up this year ????? .....LOL .... I have a few things that will definately be in the "works" for the New Year, but I will approach them with a realistic and "slow and steady wins the race" attitude.....
I just realized I am using way too many cliches in this post, maybe I should make it a point to stop using cliches to make a point ....hmmmmmm???
I wanted to post a pic of my awsome gifts that my hubby got me for Christmas , with the help of my 2 oldest sons..... I was so surprised that they went to a Primitive/ Antique shop and bought me a nice little buffet of Prim and Old goodies !!!
Oh I do LOVE the men in my life !!!!....LOL

More Christmas 2007 Home Pics...

2007-11-30T19:46:00.001-08:00

Here are a few more....

Everything But The Tree ....

2007-11-30T19:37:00.000-08:00

Well....I must say, I am pleased and surprised to announce that for the FIRST TIME in my entire married life, I have all my indoor AND outdoor decorating finished EXCEPT for the main Tree, BEFORE December 1st !!! Wow....it feels SOOOO GOOOD !! I had help from my oldest daughter and even my oldest son climbed a ladder and hung lights on one of my windows for me.... Now, I get to enjoy the process of finding my tree( still haven't decided on a live tree or artificial yet) and then concentrate on getting some baking done....
Here are a few pics of my house....now, we live in a mobile home, so nothing spectacular here, but I appreciate my home and Thank God for it, and I certainly enjoy making it cozy and fun for Christmas......

The "Process" of Holiday Decorating ....

2007-11-28T02:20:00.000-08:00

Call me crazy ( many have ) but I have a ritual to my Holiday Decorating and it involves much more than taking the Christmas decorations out and hanging here and there....I take everything down from my walls, clean the everyday things, scrub the walls and then begin the process of finding the right place for the Christmas items and begin arranging....Now, back in the day when I didn't have much .... when my kids were small, it wasn't like this ... But with the whole introduction to the primitive world a few years ago, and making alot of my own items to add to my collection, there is more and more to deal with, and it keeps growing with each swap and trips to Country Primitive Stores....LOL....So, here is the beginning process of my decorating yesterday...I was Blessed to have my daughter to help me arrange furniture , assist with the vacuuming and just be an overall great big help !!!

Time Flies by So Quickly !

2007-11-25T14:10:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe how much time has passed since I last posted here, I am ashamed ! I had a wonderful Thanksgiving and hope everyone else did also ! I am excited to start decorating for Christmas and have allready taken down my Fall decor and started my ritualistic cleaning before Christmas decorating can commence.
I have finished my Ornies for the Christmas Ornie Swap on Prim & Rustic Forum and as soon as everyone has received theirs I will post a pic of all the goodies from the others as well as mine. I started working on a few Christmas creations for myself and I will be posting pictures of those as well.
I have been blessed to have made so many new friends via this Blog alone and for this I am soooo grateful. One sweet person in particular, Blondie ( Vintage Primitives) sent me a wonderful little surprise package in the mail not too long ago....part of the gift was a small oh so precious bottle of the most wonderful smelling, primitive "special sauce" for staining dolls and such. This secret formula of hers is the sweetest most heavenly smelling mixture of spices !! Not only does it make everything I use it on smell awsome, but the coloring of the items is just perfection !! I am using it sooo sparingly and savoring every drop ....LOL....
Thank you Blondie for thinking of me to share this sweet primitive concoction with !!!.....
I'm adding a pic of my snowguy Ijust made...

Abundant Blessings !! A Story for Thanksgiving...

2007-11-08T19:35:00.000-08:00

I had spent way too many Thanksgiving Day's in the past toiling , rushing around, being angry and not stopping to appreciate what should be the "Theme" of the day, which is simply "Giving Thanks". It had always bothered me that my husband and I didn't have a large extended family in which to celebrate this Holiday with.
Every year, while my children were little, I asked my parents if they would like to come to our home and have Thanksgiving Dinner with us, and every year we were turned down. After awhile I began to become bitter about this.
You see, my husband's family all lived in California while my children were growing up and we lived on the Family owned farm here in Pa. My mother had become sick while I was a teen and died at the age of 38 when I was 15 years old. During my early childhood, though, I have the fondest of memories, of both sides of my mother's and father's family gathering each Holiday, with Thanksgiving being no exception. Grandmothers , Grandfathers, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and the intermittent close family friends that had nowhere else to go on special days such as this, gathered in our home, while my Mother ( the wonderful hostess and best cook in the world) made a feast fit for 100 Kings and Queens and we all felt more like stuffed piggies when the meal was finished. The laughter , closeness, and family ties and traditions were something I yearned for in those early days raising my own large family of 5 children on the Farm. For whatever reason, I still don't fully understand , but have since forgiven, my Father had a hard time sitting through any extended time period with my not so rowdy, but very animated and active brood. He had married a woman right after my Mother's death, that at first I resented but had grown to love and respect as the years went by. She was the closest thing I would have to a mother and she was supportive and loving. But she had 2 elderly parents and her and my Father chose to spend every Thanksgiving in their company with a quiet sit down dinner , sans screaming kids, spilled drinks and sibling squabbles amongst 5 close in age young children.
For the first few years, I would ask in quiet anticipation, expecting that maybe this would be the year they would say yes, and I would actually have a real Family get together, not just a larger version of almost every day's dinner meal with my own husband and children, like any other day. After the kids got to be in their pre-teens and teens, I asked purely out of respect and habit, knowing full well what the answer would be, and every Thanksgiving was just a newer version of the one before it. I went through the motions, baked my pies, even making pumpkin pies from scratch from the pumpkins I grew in my very own garden one year. But every year it was the same hurt and sorrow and pining for something that was never to be.
While I was still a teenager at home, after my mother's death, my Father and Stepmother distanced our family from my Mother's side, and after high school, I was so busy with my own growing family and the hard work on the farm, that I didn't have alot of contact with even my Father's side. So, I was lonely in my heart, even as I was surrounded by my loving Husband and my wonderful, funny, sweet children. I pretended to be happy, well even that I didn't do all too well. Some years , I had moments with tears and something that closely resembled grieving for the loss of something, a time I remembered and wanted to share something similar to with my own children, and the loss of another year that went by, opportunity once again gone forever. I still feel the sting in my chest as I write this, and the burning of tears welling up in my eyes typing out this story, but at the same time, I feel an excitement,anticipation as I come to the conclusion of my story.
I now am the proud parent of 6 children, my youngest being a "surprise" when my youngest at that time was 9 years old. I am so blessed to be the Grandmother to 7 boys and 1 girl and even 2 "adopted" little Grandsons and 1 "adopted" Granddaughter.( Children from my children's spouses previous relationships).
These children are the funniest, most lively loving and affectionate bunch. I love them, I love everything about them. They make me laugh , they make me crazy and they make me happier than I could have imagined I could be.
It was a few years ago , one Thanksgiving Day, that was especially hectic, I was hot, tired, frustrated and trying by myself, to make the feast like I remembered in my childhood for my family of adult children and their children. I even had the "close family friend" part in there, with a friend of mine that had recently divorced and a friend of my husbands that was in a similar situation.
The house was a cacophony of voices and noises and wonderful smells that are associated only with this very special day. I was just finishing up and was ready to make my Famous gravy. You see, my family LOVES my gravy. And the juices from the bird were just being poured through a strainer, on it's way to the pan that would contain this wonderful, flavorful delight. Until, ...the turkey slid to the end of the pan I was pouring from and into the pan I was pouring into, and it knocked every last bit of broth all over the stove, the floor and my counter top. No, you may think you know how I felt, but to me it was like Michelangelo being forced to watch his David sculpture smashed to bits. I screamed, I cried, yes I used some vulgarities ( ashamed to admit) and then I resolved myself to come up with a solution to the problem.I began to take parts of the Turkey that I knew would just become the broth to be used when we ran out of my first batch of gravy. Leftovers from this one particular special meal, are enjoyed almost as much in my family, as the original. I always, IMMEDIATELY, strip the meat from the bones after dinner and cook the skin and the bones from the turkey with a bit of chicken bullion, for quite awhile and set aside for the second batch of gravy to pour over the following day's meals of leftovers. Well, I would not have a large second batch of gravy this year...I just had to make do, and quickly cook some of the skin and the wings and neck and tail, rushing it along with the flame on extra high until I was satisfied that enough flavor was in the broth to make at least an "acceptable" version of my famous gravy. It all worked out fine. The gravy was actually quite good and only the most discerning taste buds could tell it wasn't my well loved "first batch" gravy.
My older Daughter and Daughter in Law, were there, Thank God, to sop up the mess from the spill while I scrambled to make the "second batch" gravy for our much anticipated meal.
It was after all this madness, while I was hollering to my smaller Grandchildren over the voices of their noisy Aunts and Uncles, inquiring as to what they would like on their plates, that it hit me. "I was now being Blessed , after so many years of sorrow and hurt, Blessed One Hundred fold, no.... Two Hundred Fold .... I had my large family Gathering I yearned for all those years.The closeness, the laughter, the craziness.... I was now making memories and traditions that my Adult children and their children will look back on with fondness. I never was quite sure if it made any difference to my children as they were growing up, when I made the gravy to perfection, or whipped the potatoes up to just the right consistency, or softened the butter just right so it would spread on the warm dinner rolls instead of ripping them. I doubted that kids, just young kids would care if I never strayed from my much loved regimen and ingredients in the stuffing for the bird, or whether I put real butter and brown sugar in my yams instead of margarine. But...they did care. They do care and they remember all those years, the large wonderful meals I cooked them so lovingly, even if my heart was hurting and I was fully appreciating what I had right in front of me. They remember the sounds, the smells and the fun we had amongst ourselves and now we are all sharing and passing on these little traditions and moments to another Generation. So, when the table is full of food and hungry children and adults alike, and we bow our heads to Thank the Giver of all good things, for all we have and all He has done, I know in my heart, these moments make Thanksgiving what it should be. A day set aside to honor God , enjoy Family and make new memories and Thanks to Him, to soothe hurts of the past with the Abundant Blessings of the present.

NEW E Pattern Old Vintage Ice Skates

2007-11-06T06:21:00.000-08:00

This is my newest E Pattern...Just in time for Wynter Decorating !!

Old Vintage Ice Skates E Pattern

These will add that touch of vintage to your Winter or Holiday decorating. Pattern contains detailed instructions, plus tips and hints. Finished skates measure 10 inches long and 7 inches wide assembled.

Price: US$5.00

I couldn't do it !!

2007-11-04T13:22:00.000-08:00

I just couldn't pass over Thanksgiving !!! I redecorated my website and now, I've added my Thanksgiving Banner here..... I so enjoy Thanksgiving !! A day to HonorGod, Enjoy Family and Make Memories !!

New Album for my FREE Stitchery Doodles !!

2007-11-04T07:34:00.000-08:00

I've had alot of folks say they couldn't get onto my site using Foxfire, Mozilla or Netscape browsers, and I offer some FREE Holiday Stitchery Doodles, so not wanting for anyone to miss out , if interested, I created an Album on PictureTrail, that hopefully can be viewd by all....

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=18215164&uid=2794966&members=1

I love offering freebies to you all, and I really hope my designs are something you can use either for personal use or to sell online...As always, I only ask that if selling the finished item, give credit to me, the designer for the pattern....

Here is the colored in version of the newest doodle I added yesterday... Enjoy

Robin

Oh, the joys of an old home !!!

2007-11-01T06:53:00.000-07:00

I love Fall, the sights , smells and the cooler temperatures. I even love the dark rainy days when the furnace kicks on for the first time, since early Spring , when the temps at night were still cool enough to make the heater kick in just enough to make it comfortable.....In a quiet house ( which I rarely get), the sound of the furnace running and the warm air blowing through the vents, can put me to sleep. It's that white noise of course, but there's just something so relaxing about it, probably similar to what it's like for folks with a fireplace and the sound of the burning wood crackling and hissing.....The same effect ....For me I guess, it brings back memories of when my children were small, and we were in the old Farmhouse....Most days, a nap was Mandatory ...not for me of course, but for the little ones. I spent my mornings cleaning scrubbing, breaking up fights,kissing boo boo's and usually handing out a slight boo boo or two , on little deserving backsides of unruly or defiant imps. But nap time, was my time , to do household chores that were a little hard to accomplish with small children afoot,such as cleaning out the refrigerator or trying to organize or downsize a junk drawer ( kids think you need to keep every little thing !!)I would manage to keep things quiet so they would sleep for at least 45 minutes.....It's a miracle what a decent nap will do for a fussy child who was up at the crack of dawn ...
But....there were those days, in the Fall especially, when the air was nippy enough for our old fuel oil furnace to spit and sputter on and then the blower would start up, and the warm air began to filter through the old ornate cast iron vents in our almost 100 year old Farmhouse.... That sound....On some of those colder , darker days when my list of things accomplished that morning was complete, I would treat myself to some quite time on my couch, wrapped in a blanket, listening to the furnace going and doze off, for just a few minutes of much deserved "rejuvenation"....
On one such day, it was pure bliss, as I lay down on the couch, snuggled all cozy like with a warm comforter wrapped around me...The furnace had just kicked on...I could hear it through the vents, making it's clicking noises and and as the furnace warmed up it also made small almost grunting sounds as the heater box expanded with the rising temperature inside. Ahhh....this was heaven...and then nothing....hmmmmm?? maybe it wasn't as cold in the house as I thought. I unfolded myself from the blanket, went over to the thermostat on the wall and saw that the temperature in the house wasn't freezing but could stand to rise a digit or two especially since the children were napping and I wanted them to stay comfy and warm...So I ever so gently and carefully edged the little needle to the right , not wanting to heat the house up too much, just take the chill off a bit and lay down and listen to the hummmmm of the blower.... There, I thought I heard the familiar "click" of the nozzles opening up in the old fuel oil furnace, allowing the fuel to be ignited by the flame on the igniter....
Ahhhhh, back on the couch, snuggled up, head positioned just right, awaiting the sound of the fan to kick in and lull me into a restful half sleep......
Waiting, waiting, and then, I think I sensed what was going to happen next, much like they say and animal can sense an impending storm or earthquake....
The sound that came from my Basement and shaking and vibration of my house that followed was much like that of a bomb exploding at close range...
Not only did I jump up from my fetal position on the couch as fast as I could, but would have immediately returned to the fetal position, huddled on the floor in a corner, had it not been for the screams of 5 small children and the sound of 10 small feet scurrying and scrambling as fast as their shorts legs could carry them running and pushing each other down the stairway of the old house.... It didn't take me long to figure out what happened, but it took much longer to calm down 5 frightened and shaking little one's.....
The worst of it wasn't over....what followed was something straight out of the movie "A Christmas Story"...In the movie they have an old coal furnace that is the Father's nemesis...Spitting, banging and sputtering it's way through the movie, as the Father struggles to keep it going and running properly... and then the black thick smoke begins to rise from those beautiful old cast iron vents in the wall, much like the ones in my old Farmhouse.....
Well, that is exactly what happened in my home...but, it wasn't coal smoke, it was the "backfire" oily, greasy fumes from an old fuel oil furnace much like an old large diesel engine...... The smoke wasn't just thick and black and falling and resting on every knick knack, picture, curtain and piece of furniture in my freshly cleaned old home....It was greasy, stinky and everywhere. Now it was my turn to cry, and my husbands turn to comfort me as I began to wipe clean and launder almost every last item in my home....So much for a nap and so much for loving my old fuel oil furnace...which by the way was replaced the following year with a new , efficient gas ( well propane) furnace........
Robin

My Mess !!

2007-10-28T20:44:00.000-07:00

Here is what Chaos looks like !! Except for the last pic....the only clean spot in my craft room...and notice where my Bible is....it got stuffed under papers and such....for shame on me.....
Well , some of you know how crazy I am about trying to maintain order or some semblence of clean in my home....Well, that is impossible when I am crafting, designing and doing up my patterns....this is what the results of this past busy week is, and what will be my first project tomorrow morning before I tackle any more crafting or holiday preparing....
Ready ?? I'm gathering up my courage here...ok here goes:

Nine Weeks Till Christmas...how do we prepare ??

2007-10-28T20:12:00.000-07:00

I'm going to try to start adding some help list of things that we can do NOW, that would normally get put off till the last weeks or even day before Christmas itself. Here is one of my biggies... I am a last minute shopper, so I am devising a list NOW and beginning to lay away items for people on my list at stores that offer layaway of course... Even if it is something small, it will be something pertinent or specific to that person...Now we have a large family, so we don't go over board, but in the past, they haven't gone without, almost.. when we were young and on the Farm, but that's another story.
Make a list of your closest persons to buy for and then add the outer circle of friends or family...Chances are that while in a store focusing on something you really think that a close member of your family would like, something that someone else would want will "pop" out at you...get it, now !! and cross that off your list...Some may call that impulse buying , but in this case, we need our "impulses" to kick in , Amen ?....LOL
So comment to me...Let me know what you are planning to do with this 9th week before the Holiday to take some of the last minute stress off you !!!
Robin

Admiring The Fall Decor of the Divine !

2007-10-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

Not only does God adorn the lillies in the fields, but every part of nature is his palette, in every Season , a clean slate from which to begin the artwork of the Divine. The bright yellows, dazzling oranges and deep reds , the perfect hues to catch the eye and inspire the mind. But this is not the only brilliance we notice from the one side of the Majestic color wheel... My favorite time of year has always been Fall but not only to admire and gaze upon these colors, but the skies can reflect the intensity of the art work even more so than plants and trees.
If you live any where near a large body of water in the Autumn Seasons with the cooling of the temperatures you'll know what I'm speaking of. The clouds, dark grey almost blue, hanging so low, they look as though they are about to envelope the scenery . Sometimes though, they are high in the sky moving quickly, changing rapidly and casting shadows and shades that could never truly be captured in a painting or even in a photograph. It is something that must be seen with ones own eye. The cold air moves across a large body of water say Lake Erie, where I live, as it passes, the cold air draws moisture up into themselves from the still warm lake water. The clouds begin to develop a LOOK, something we here in this part of the country call, "snow cloud" look.
Whether they ever intend to drop the crystals of frozen droplets onto the ground or not, they are there, in those clouds, dancing around, building up, but just waiting for the nod of approval from the Master. This is what we watch for ...how large, dark and heavily laden can these clouds become before they unload themselves of their burdens...sometimes they may become so heavy that they will release a short burst of small heavy frozen pellets of ice, just for a short time and then the sun
pokes out as if to say, sorry folks show's over..no storm today...but as you get later into the Season we, see these clouds and know they are what Lake Effect snowstorms are made of, the kind in which the Golden Shovel award for most snowfall is given on ABC GoodMorning America , and Erie Pa. has been the recipient of that prestigious award many times over....Bring it on.....show us what you can do...Oh Lord....I love winter ...it's next and it's right around the corner in the yet to come batch of heavy dark clouds.....
Robin

Just finished....Thanksgiving ~Turkey & Cornstalk~ Ornie E Pattern

2007-10-27T20:23:00.001-07:00

Thanksgiving Turkey and Cornstalk Ornie E Pattern

Perfect for Thanksgiving decorating of that Ornie Tree or to hang from a peg. This pattern isquick and easy and comes with detailed drawings and instructions. Finished Ornie measures 8 inches by 5 inches.

Price: US$5.00

In Keeping with my "Holiday Happenings" Theme

2007-10-26T22:16:00.000-07:00

As you all know by now, I was unable to go ahead with my Holiday Happenings due to server issues....Well, I thought, why not go with a "tamed down" version on my blog ?? We are all guilty of the sin of "Looky Loo-ness"....LOL..and love to peek at others goodies and such, soooo....let's do it here... Here is a few pics to just get it started...my home last year:

If you want to be involved, write a comment to me in the comment box and make sure I have your Email address...then let me know you would like to send me pics of you latest projects or even projects "in the works" these can be home projects in preparation for the holidays or crafts and art pieces to sell, any Freebies you'd like to put on here, recipes, Family Traditions you name it as long as it pertains to the Holidays and that will even include Thanksgiving ( which so get's lost in the shuffle).Now in doing so, you would have added exposre to your website, your blog your Ebay store , etsy so on becasue a link to your site or whatever you choose will be included.....You can send me your banner or a small siggy with your stores name on it and I'll post that also.... So...do we have any takers ???I think this could be great fun and we could even coordinate some giveaways and such .....just let me know...I'll be waiting !!
Hugs, Robin

Holiday Online Craft Show.. New Goodies !

2007-10-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been pretty busy trying to get a few things done up for the PrimMart Online Holiday Craft show...and...I did get a FEW things done up.....LOL...It is a 2 week show, so I'm working on new items to add along the way.... you can take a peek at my Booth here: http://www.ezcraftshow.com/shoppe/?sid=BirdInTheHandPrimitives I have a new pattern for a Santa and Baby Doll and the finished item, and a wonderful Prim Woodsy Santa Make-Do.

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Where did the time go ? There are only 60 something days till Christmas.... I don't want to just get lost in the hustle and bustle, then turn around December 26th and say...what was that ?? I missed it .....I so enjoy the Holidays, but I want to savor it....revel in it, reflect on it.....

I'm doing that NOW, before the time comes and goes and is gone.....

God Bless,

Robin

New Wynter Siggys ...Take a Peak !

2007-10-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

I've been drawing and playing on the computer again...All of these designs actually started out as my Stitchery Doodles....I love playing on the computer and coloring them in and making graphics out of them......These are all for sale on my Website!
I have been sewing and making Ornies for a Swap on P&R for Autumn ....I will post pics of those once everyone receives theirs...

New Seasons Note Cards ...

2007-10-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

Just finished these up...Whatcha think ?

Primitive Seasons Printable Greeting Cards

These are just the cutest prim cards for sending a little note for the Season, to your friends and family. These are saved in 300dpi for quality printing. Comes in individual pages so you can print off as many as you want for each season.

Price: US$6.00

2007-10-12T21:00:00.001-07:00

Fancies and Folk Art Printable Doodle Collection

This is a Collection of 15 of my original Stitchery doodles. There are everyday Primitive and Seasonal stitchery doodles.From Bird In The Hand Primitives By Robin Leuschen.Saved in 300dpi.

Price: US$8.00

Just another day ???

2007-10-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

I know so many others have days like these..." Just another day" ....They start out like any other day, they even progress and eventually end just like "any other day"...I have alot of those,"any other day" days... But I am trying to appreciate the "just like any other day", day.....Because I realize that there is an alternative or an opposite to any other day....Just for now, I am going to look at the glass as "half empty"...
The opposite to "any other day" could be " A day like no other day"...it could be a day of unmeasurable sadness and loss, it could be a day like any other day, of living in fear of my life because my beliefs are what get people imprisoned and tortured and killed where I live.
The opposite to my "any other day" could mean, living on the streets and not knowing where my next meal will come from, how I will feed my children, or not even knowing their whereabouts because they were taken from me and sold into slavery....Yes, these really are the types of any other days that are being lived out by so many others..
I am learning to appreciate my "Just like any other day"....And I will be urged to pray for those that are living out days of horror and pain and loss .....
I can only hope that just by reading this today, you will want to take just a moment out of your "Day like any other day" and say a prayer for those that are living out theirs like this....

Fun Stuff Coming to help get ready for the Greatest Season of the year !!!

2007-10-03T22:46:00.001-07:00

I've been thinking of ways we could all as a community, get together and have some great fun, while we do our dashing and prancing around preparing for the Holidays. Don't you often wonder as you are sticking tacks into that old wood trim to hang Christmas cards from years past as a decoration for your doorway, "HMMM wonder what I could put up here this year that looks really Primitive or Colonial, or even Cottage Chic ??? Or, as your scraping the last bit out of your 100 quart mixing bowl, and scooping out the remnants of your 60 dozen chocolate chip cookies, don't you wonder how many people make other kinds , varieties of quick, simple, but deliciously Christmassy cookies ??? Is your family tired of eating sticky, runny old Candy Canes for a sweet snack all the way into March and you are tempted to save the last ones for Easter Baskets, because you just couldn't think of what else to use to fill that big ole tree you got this year, so you went to the dollar store and purchased 20 boxes of real candy canes at 2 for $3, and you'll be darned if they are going to go to waste !!!
Well, this may be a part of the solution. More details are coming, and I am going to be asking for volunteers to submit photos, recipes, maybe some Freebies here or there, and it will be a great way to get some added exposure to your site , just in time for the Holidays too !! Go to my site: http://www.birdinthehandprimitives.com check it out go to the Holiday Happenings page, and if you are interested in joining in the fun in some way, contact me at robin_leuschen_06@yahoo.com ...Let's a;; make this a great time of friendship, fellowship, and FUN FUN FUN !!!
Robin

My Family....My ALL !!

2007-10-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

Here is something I posted on my MY SPace page since most of my kids have one of their own ...I love my family so very much, and just wanted them to know...right now, it's always a good time to tell them ....

My Family is the Greatest gift that God could ever have given me ! I may not always show how very very special and precious each and every one of you are to me, but please know this now " You are the thread in the woven fabric of my life, and if one thread becomes unraveld, the entire cloth loses it's beauty and begins to come apart" ! Each and every one of you have a unique place in my life, and similar to putting a square peg in a round hole, only YOU can fill that space that is your's and your's alone. If one of you are not there with me, that hole does not just fill up with something else, it remains emty. I FEEL empty !!

I love you !! With every fiber that I am made of, I love you !! I love you so much it hurts just thinking of it ! Each and every one of you, are more dear to me than the very breaths I take !

I pray that we will always be together , not only in body, but that each and every one of you accept the gift of life and renewal that God has offered you, so that not only in this life, but in the next, there will never be a hole in the cloth of my life !!

With love, and much affection,?

MOM

Another NEW Pattern !

2007-09-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

There must be something in the air this time of year...I have been inspired to begin creating patterns once again ...I love being able to share my creations especially allowing someone else to add their own special , unique "twists" to my designs. I love seeing what people come up with , so if you purchase a pattern from me and actually get around to using it ( I say this because I happen to know some of you Pattern "hoarders" out there have a serious problem.....LOL) please send me a pic of what you did , and I will gladly post it here or on my website for everyone to ooooh and ahhhh over !!! Here is my latest....Doesn't everybody love Snowmen ?? I know I sure do !

NEW Snowman & Scarecrow 2 in 1 Ornie E Pattern

2007-09-26T12:33:00.001-07:00

I just finished up this pattern and guess what ?? It is still in time for Fall or the Snowman Ornie pattern is great for Winter/ Christmas which is right around the corner !! Go to my website to purchase !!

Bird In The Hand Primitives

hhhmmmmm...is this still on ???

Hoping this shows up !!!!

Halloween Ornie Tree Charity Auction

Halloween Kitty and Scarecrow Jack

HELP !! I cannot get my Blog back !!

Prim Sisters Helping Sisters Auction

Forgot to add the FREEBIE Harvest Doodle

Another New Fall Wool Applique Design...

Finished a few Fall items...working on some more

AHHH...Fall is in the air !! And some Freebie Doodles

Another Sister in Need...

*NEW* Primitive Jack Ornie Pattern

Finished Stitched Pillows

Lovely Primitive Cross Stitch Design ...

Big HUGE Favor to ask of all my Blog Buddies !!

Look at this PRIM PILLOW !!

Pin Keep Swap Goodies & New (tweaked) Punkin Man

Sooo Cool ! Another Birthday Gift ..

*NEW* Fall Pumpkin Man Doll and another Fall Freebie !!

New Blog and Photos from Pittsburgh

*NEW* Free Fall Stitchery Doodle

Whatcha Working On Wednesday..

I am SOOO Blessed !!!

**ON SALE ** Folk Art Fancies Stitchery Doodle Booklet

Second post in one day...New Doll !!

New Stuff and Re-Arranging....

Some things I've been up to lately ...

Wow ! I am 50 years old today !

My Piece of The "Farm" away from "The Farm"

Some Quilt Shop Goodies .....

Look at this Awsome stitchery done with my design !!

I am here and glad to be back !!!

FREE Americana Angel Stitchery Doodle

Just doing a few odds and ends ...

~Thank You ~ & Freebie Stitchery Doodle for all my Wonderful Friends !!

I will miss my Scruffy Puppy....

So sorry ... No T2T Thursday again...But next week ...

No T2T Today..

Wool Applique using a FREE Pattern from " With Hook and Needle"

T2T Thursday..UPDATED

Vintage Sewing Medley

Spring Yard Sale

"Trash to Treasure Thursday"....

*Finishing up my Wool Scraps"

He Lives !!

"Trash to Treasure" Thursday

Another Challenge to You All .......

Thursday "TRASH to TREASURE" Day.....

My Newest Design and Pattern !!

I am SNOWED in, and BORED to tears ...

*Free* Stitchery Doodles...

Wonderful Swap Dolly !!

Buford has a sister .....

I just can't stop ......

Today was a "Fun to Create " Day !!

"MUCH NEEDED" New Furniture !!

Here is Tracey's version of Buford ...

I get sooo Tickled to see what others do with my designs !!

You know you are Domesticated when.....

*NEW* Buford Bunny ...he's a grumpy ol' bunny...

I won I won !!

Wonderful Surprise from a Friend !!

Wow...Finally new Doll Pattern ...

Spring Stitchery Doodles and more coming ...

Shopping goodies pics...

Saturday Day at the Beauty Shop !!

I REALLY am working on stuff ...honest !

Feeling lost and somewhat frustrated........

Our "Love Affair " With Fabric ...

A Few More Pics of Craft Room Spruce Up....

Craft Room Spruce Up !!!

My Primitive Valentine Ornie Tree 2008

Finally....NEW Valentine's Day Stitchery Doodles

So much to do.....but oh this numbness in my hands...

FREE "Folky Crow Annie E Pattern"

Blessings for the New Year !!

Sad to see Christmas come and go.....

More Christmas 2007 Home Pics...

Everything But The Tree ....

NEW Primitive Jack Ornie Pattern

NEW Fall Pumpkin Man Doll and another Fall Freebie !!

NEW Free Fall Stitchery Doodle

ON SALE Folk Art Fancies Stitchery Doodle Booklet

Free Stitchery Doodles...

NEW Buford Bunny ...he's a grumpy ol' bunny...

NEW E Pattern Old Vintage Ice Skates

New Wynter Siggys ...Take a Peak !

New Seasons Note Cards ...

Another NEW Pattern !

NEW Snowman & Scarecrow 2 in 1 Ornie E Pattern