~*Where Have I Been?*~

Getting my Farm~Girl on!

We lived in the 'country' at our old home, but our new home is much more remote... and much more 'country'.  Now we are finding ourselves soaking up more of the Country Life!  And we are enjoying every minute of it!

This past Saturday, we made a visit to the farm store and purchased some pullets.  I have always wanted to raise chickens and gather eggs.  We have a small building by our boat house that was used formerly as a garden shed... and, after cleaning it out this past weekend... it seems it was once a Chicken Coop.  I swept up lots of broken egg shells when cleaning.  We have plans to use it again as a Chicken Coop... once these little girls are big enough to go outside.

Feeding, washing, and just watching these baby chicks is enough to warm any one's heart!  Trinity, and myself too, are just dazzled by them!  I told my husband that I already want to go get more!  Of course, he told me to slow down and raise what I have first.  I'm thinking... he isn't with my all the times I am in town... I may just swing by the store and adopt a few more when he isn't around.  *WINK WINK*

 Having more acreage, and more chores on our list, also means we will most likely need a tractor.  Tony has a friend at work that was wanting to sell one... so, we brought it home.  Tony has a new 'toy' to help him with his chores.  He told me that he has always wanted a tractor!  I guess we are both getting things we have always wanted!  <3

 We are still finding things of 'beauty' around the home and yard.  As the seasons change, I am sure there will be more and more.  Seeing this gaggle of geese land on the pond just outside the backdoor was a true delight!

 Finding time to craft has been slim.  With chores around the home ~ garden prep, chicken coop cleaning, other yard work, house cleaning... and the list goes on ~ finding time for any crafting is slim.  Hopefully once Spring is in full swing, I will find more time & energy.  I am already feeling a renewed spirit and creative vibe!  

Browsing Facebook the other day, I saw a sweet wind-chime made of flower pots and a watering can.  I thought to myself, "I think I need one of those!"  I do have a collection of galvanized watering cans... but I also had this old, copper, lid-less teapot!  So... today I made one!  I gathered some flower pots from my shed, and found an old rope in the barn... and wallah!  Tony helped me hang it from the post off our back-porch.  Isn't it cute?

 I am still trying to get things made for our booth at ReRun Consignments.  Last weekend, I finished this little, vanity re-do.  The weekend prior, I stripped all the warped veneer off the top & sides of it... oh, that was a struggle.  

This isn't a great picture.  The paint isn't so 'pink'... the lighting was bad.  

The actual color is more of a taupe.  The knobs were stolen off another future, furniture re~do piece and placed on the drawers.  The stool was a freebie from a recent auction purchase.  (They threw it in with what I really wanted to buy at the time.)  I recovered the seat and painted it to match the vanity.  Perfect together!

 Here is the top of the vanity... it looks good & old!  I made sure some of the white from the first coat of paint popped through.

 The Lenexa hook-in was just a few weeks ago.  I was unable to go this year because Trinity had a basketball tournament.  (Being a Mom has to come first!)  His team came in 2nd for the season... but had a GREAT time working/playing together.  His former school was the 1st place team... so he was happy for his old friends too!

My good friend, Ginger, and my sweet SIL, Robin... didn't forget about me though.  They meet up to spend the day together at the show... and still brought me some gifts home!

How sweet they are!

These treasures are from Ginger... some of her great needlepunch yarn, a cute sheep, and a darling, wool pouch...

 You can see the cute sheep better on the shelf in the dining room...

 And these treasures are from Robin... some dip mix, a Bath & Body soap, a cute key charm, a wool tree on a spool, a wool flower pin, and a lovely crochet scarf she made...

Thank you, ladies!  You are the best!!!

Before the night winds down... I have another furniture project to finish in the garage... and baby chicks to tend to. 

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~*Mother Son Re~Do Project*~

Hello Dear Friends!

Last weekend we had the joy of attending a local auction.  Oh... they are always SO MUCH FUN!!!  We won several items and enjoyed spending the day together... my husband, son, and I. 

My husband was wanting (and very much needing) a log splitter.  He won the bid for one Saturday and has already used it to cut bundles of firewood.  He wanted a garden tractor that was there too, but the winning bid for it was more than he wanted to go.  So... back to another auction later to try for another.

I found a few small vintage dishes, and some re~do furniture that I hope to paint up by next weekend... (wish me luck with the clock working to my advantage there!)

My son wanted an old, kinda ugly landscape picture that was in the living room of this home... but, the winning bid for it was more than I told him I would go.  However, he also wanted a bed for his room.  He has only had a mattress set on a metal frame.  Having a headboard & foot-board is much more 'home' looking.  Well... he wanted this one...

 The bed is simple, plain, and probably right out of the 1950s or 1960s... but it only cost us $1!!!!

One brush is mine and one is his... we worked on it together with paint already on hand.  It was fun to spend some quality time together with the kiddo... and work on something just for him!  Something he really wanted and was into!

Once we finished... we didn't waist any time moving it into his room.  We already had the bed coverings and pillows.  My Mom bought these for him when he was only 2 years old.  He has kept them and loved them over the years.  Oh... and we have to have the Minecraft poster over the bed!  Well... I guess it was either that or try again to win another ugly landscape picture as I mentioned earlier in the post.  Ha Ha

What matters most... he loves his room and his space.  I'm sure tonight when he comes home from school, he will fill up the shelves on the headboard with more of his treasures and make it even more 'his' bed.

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My pinkeep that was listed on Ebay didn't sell.  This morning... I did move it over to Etsy if you are interested.

I'm still working to get back in the swing of things... punching, hooking, stitching, painting... and whatever else I can do to keep me out of trouble.  :-)

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~*LISTED!*~

Hello Dear Friends!

Hold on to your hats!  You won't believe your eyes!  

I have listed on Ebay and Etsy!!!  Yes, it is true!  Please Go Check it out!!!

~*Cat & Mouse*~ Pinkeep is on Ebay CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LISTING!

~*Bluebird*~ Pinkeep is on Etsy  CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY ETSY SHOPPE!

 ~*Bloom*~ Project Pocket Book is on Etsy

 ~*Sheep*~ Pinkeep is on Etsy

 and a few other wares can also be found in my Etsy shoppe!

It feels so good to be back in the swing of things... and I'm hoping/praying this is just a new beginning!  You all know I love to create and share!  

I hope you can pop over to see the finished wares that I have listed.  Thank you for letting me share with you!

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I do hope you all had a loving & blessed Valentine's Day.  Tony gave me a beautiful azalea plant, a box of chocolates, and a heartfelt card.  Then, to my surprise... bought this amazing, antique cupboard on a whim when we visited one of my favorite antique shops... that is sadly, closing its doors next weekend.  We carefully brought it home yesterday and heaved it from the truck into the living room... then I spent the evening loading it with all my white dishes.  Some of my white dishes are Ironstone... some are not... but I love my collection and I love our new cupboard... and you all know I love my dear, sweet Tony!

 I didn't leave the store with only one new piece of furniture yesterday though.  I also nabbed this little pine desk.  It is well used, worn, and primitive... but it will soon be put in my sewing/craft room/studio to hold my sewing machine.  Isn't is just the sweetest little thing?

I love the lines!

It is Sunday evening... and time to fix the family supper... but afterwards... I think I'll grab my Cameo Needlepunch... and punch the night away!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~*Progress*~

Hello Dear Friends!

It seems I am making progress and getting a few things done!  We are snowbound right now... and that helps!

Lately, I have been spending lots of time just mindlessly crocheting.  I do it in the evenings while watching TV... I do it during basketball practice... I do it during piano lessons.  Honestly, I am getting bored with it... but I still keep doing it.  Who knows why?

Here are another Baker's Dozen of dishcloths/Spa cloths... and another Spa Glove...

 I'm not really sure what I will do with all of these... but I'm thinking they will make GREAT gifts!

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Recently, my dear friend Ginger hosted a giveaway on her blog.  She gave away this wonderful needlepunch kit... that she designed... and sells on her website ~ Prairie Moon Primitives... along with oodles of other great patterns, kits, and yarns!  (She sells on Etsy too... here is her shoppe.)  

Friends... working this kit up was JUST WHAT I NEEDED!  Last night when I punched this piece... and I did it ALL IN ONE EVENING! ... I felt like I was on CLOUD NINE!!!  Ginger, thank you for sharing the kit.  Thank you for the wonderful gift!  I loved working it... and I know I will be punching away this evening too!

 Ginger dyes some awesome threads.  She includes them in her kits.  They are they same thickness as DMC floss... but they are a soft, spiral of wool  (or something that feels like wool).  You should give them a try if you haven't already.

Before I draw up another pattern though... I have a work space set up in our storeroom to slap some paint on my recently aquired junk finds.  *GRIN* 

It is a little cramped in here...

And a little chilly too...

But I'm going to make it work... and make some more finishes.

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~*Friday Finishes & Fun*~

Hello Dear Friends!  I have received a few more finishes... that I am delighted to share with you!  Thank you to AnaCristina and Marie for stitching and sharing your lovely works!  You both did a super fine job!

This one is done by AnaCristina... from one of my freebie patterns.  (Remember, my freebie patterns can be found by clicking the link on the sidebar to the left.)

This one was stitched by Marie.  You may remember from the earlier post that she had done another Jack from the same freebie pattern, but without the word "Halloween".  Both are beautiful finishes!

I have decided I have an ADDICTION to JUNK!  Yes, I have always loved visiting antique stores, auctions, garage sales and the like.  However, I noticed lately that I have been visiting more and more THRIFT STORES.  And YES!  I do work in a consignment shop part time!  It is FUN to get old stuff and clean it up, maybe change it a bit, or just enjoy the THRILL of getting GREAT stuff!  Oh, and I am also guilty of picking up TRASH furniture on the side of the road on trash day.  It isn't a bad thing though!  This addiction is wonderful!

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This morning my Mom and I visited an estate sale.  The photo below is of some of my finds from there... and from other spots this week.  This is only SOME of them though.  I have a bunch that I already found a new home for around the house or in our both.  I just LOVE it!  I love it ALL!

A few old (but not real old) cheese graters

an interesting glass jar

a couple of hyacinth vases

a pretty teapot with yellow blooms

a sweet little ceramic jar made in Italy

a clothes line bag full of old, wood clothes pins

a pottery casserole dish

a metal thing that I think might be the top of and old cake carrier... (I have some re~do plans for that.  I'll try to share it soon.)

and lastly, in this photo... YES, that is a jungle LION picture.  It is actually a puzzle.  I didn't buy it for the cats... I bought it for the frame.  Can you see the pretty corners?  This is a large frame ~ 2 ft. x 3 ft.  I'm going to make it into a chalkboard.  *GRIN*

(One of my stepSon's has put a claim on the puzzle.  He really likes it!)

And these I am sooooo in love with!  I found these organ petal frames recently at a antique store.  They have some beautiful designs in the metal.  I'm trying to decide if I will fill them with a hooked rug or a needlepunch... but am struggling with a design for them.  I don't want anything cutesy.  The piece needs to look like a tradition antique... maybe?  Or... maybe I can get the needle and linen out... and make a couple of samplers for them?

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~*Friday Finishes*~

Hello Dear Friends!  Oh goodness... it has been ages since I have posted a ~*Friday Finishes*~ post!!!  Well, I'm very happy to share these with you...

This one was lovingly stitched by Terry!  The pattern she used was from my ~*Winter Journal Cover*~ pattern... one of the patterns I did for the Country Sampler Prim Sister Club.  This pattern is not available at this time.  I'm sorry about that.  All my patterns are in a 'Retired' state at this time... except for my Freebie Patterns that I'll discuss later in this post.  Some of my patterns may be taken out of 'Retirement' at some point... but until I can get some things figured out, sorted, planned, cleaned, or whatever... they are unavailable.  

Terry did a beautiful job.  She made a few changes to the design to personalize it... and I think it is just GREAT!  Thank you, Terry, for stitching and sharing!

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This finish is from Marie.  She used my ~*Halloween Freebie 2012*~... part of it anyway.  GRIN She stitched the Jack and he looks just AWESOME!  This finish was done for an exchange she was part of.  Another wonderful finish!  Thank you, Marie, for stitching and sharing!

My Freebie Patterns are available by clicking the link on the left sidebar.  Thank you to all of you for stitching and sharing!

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I have been trying to move some new things into the booth I share with my sweet SIL at ReRun Consignments in Council Grove... this is also where I work two days a week.  It is a great shop!  If you are ever in Council Grove, you should check it out... and have a YUMMY meal at the historic Hays House that is right next door!

I finished this table... and the gobs of Spa Cloths (dish cloths if you prefer!)... and two Spa Gloves to fill our booth...

I like to crochet during basketball practice.  There isn't a lot to tote around... and if I drop a needle, the boys aren't going to get it jabbed into their foot when they are changing shoes.  The pattern I use for my Spa Gloves is a freebie found online.  It is actually for an oven mitt, but I think it sounds better to call it a Spa Glove.  Chuckle Chuckle, huh?  Here is one that is finished...

We sell some Bath & Body products at the store too... so together they do make a nice gift!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty