Tudy's Craft Cupboard

This and That

2012-02-12T11:37:00.003-05:00

This is an ear bud holder I made for a friend. I saw it on a blog but do not remember which one. Sorry I can't link it up for you. It was not hard to make.

This is what we woke up to again today. More snow and bitter cold. Warmer temps are coming this week but not real warm just or normal for Feb.

The other day this showed up in front of our house. They have been re-doing the water shut-offs in our town and it was our turn. We knew it was coming because there were paint markings on the driveway and lawn.

Hubby was supervising the job. They had to dig down a ways as you can tell by the man in the hole. Click for a better view.

Shopping For Me!

2012-02-08T16:05:00.003-05:00

I had gift cards from Christmas I had not used and JoAnn's had a good sale on these things plus 20% off for seniors day. I have been wanting a larger mat for a long time, this one is double the size of my old one, and a 12 1/2 inch square ruler. The rotory cutter blade was not on sale nor was the fusible interfacing but I needed them. I am a happy sewer today.

Blanket Finished

2012-02-06T15:24:00.004-05:00

Here is my completed crocheted blanket. I folded it in half and then overlapped it so you could see all the different rows of colors. It is so pretty I really do not want to give it away but I know the receiver will love it. Many hours this weekend and during the super bowl helped get it finished. Last stitches done this afternoon while hubby had therapy. Now onto another project of some kind.

New Tote Bag

2012-02-05T13:45:00.004-05:00

This is a tote I have been thinking about making for awhile now. So today I got it cut out and after lunch I sewed it together. It is from a panel I had given to me. I love the flowers. It makes me feel happy and ready for Spring. It has a pocket and hook for keys or whatever inside.

Inside view of pocket and key hook. I like the idea for a hook that could hold anything.

Weather Surprise and House Blocks

2012-02-04T16:03:00.003-05:00

This is the chance of rain the weather man said we could get this morning. Surprise the front did not go as far south as they thought it would and Mother Nature dropped this on us. A lot of it is gone this afternoon but it sure was a surprise.

Here are my orange house blocks for Terry's BOM. Not too bad for a person who does not do points meeting each other.

Blanket, Sunrise and Snow.

2012-02-01T15:06:00.005-05:00

This is a blanket I started crocheting awhile back and put it down. I started on it again when hubby started therapy. I love all the different baby yarn colors. Just using up scraps. It is 40 inches wide and about 45 inches long at this point.

This was the sunrise I think on Monday morning.

This was a soft and fluffy snow on Sunday.

Notebook Cover

2012-01-26T14:10:00.005-05:00

Just finished another notebook cover. Can't show the whole thing because it is a gift. I will show you it after it is given.

Cold Winter Morning and a Finish

2012-01-20T19:30:00.003-05:00

It was in the minus degrees F. this morning and the sky was so pretty but it was bitter cold out. These pictures were taken around 7:00 AM.

This a finished notebook cover. Sorry I can't show you the whole front but it is a gift and the person may see it. I will show you the whole thing at a later date.

Giveaway was Received Today

2012-01-18T19:03:00.003-05:00

Laurie received the giveaway for my 3 year Blogiversary today. This is what she recieved. Glad you liked it Laurie.

House Blocks

2012-01-15T10:27:00.005-05:00

Here are my first 2 house blocks. Terry and Jane are doing a set of 6 different colored house blocks for a quilt. They talked me into trying it. I have never pieced a block like this before, just squares before. I need lots of practice doing this kind of simple piecing. I do like the way they came out.

Crochet Hook Roll

2012-01-12T17:49:00.003-05:00

I made this crochet hook roll many years from clear plastic and felt. What is laying on the table was in all the pockets, but every time I picked it up they wanted to fall out. So I got busy and fixed the problem.

I took fabric and made a cover for the whole roll. I sewed the felt to the bottom half of the cover which is a double thickness of fabric with the raw edges inside. I sewed it on all 4 sides. Adding a tie cord to the left side seam. Here it is all re-filled.

Here it is closed. I folded the top flap inside over the hooks and rolled it up and tied it. I reall like the way it came out and no more spilled hooks. Some of the hooks in it were from my Grandma and are very old. I have a few bone hooks of her's in there too.

Blogiversary Winner

2012-01-11T18:08:00.006-05:00

Hubby just pulled the name of the winner from all my comments and the winner is Laurie .
I will ship out her gift as soon as she sends me her address.

Thanks for all your nice comments.

Back with more pictures soon.

Skies, Mostly

2012-01-11T08:00:00.003-05:00

This was Monday morning and I loved the look of the clouds in the sky at sunrise.

Same sky a few minutes later. It looks like waves in the sky.

This was Monday night and there is a ring of color around the moon. Click picture for a better view.

This is hubby scraping a heavy frost off the van windows. Better him than me.

He called me and told me to check out the sunrise. It sure was red. The old saying goes, Red sky at night sailors delight, red sky in morning sailors take warning. Meaning bad weather is coming I guess. We are expecting rain tonight.

Blogiversary

2012-01-08T16:26:00.004-05:00

Today is my 3 year Blogiversary. I am having a 3 day giveaway. Please do not spread this on your blogs because I would love to have one of my regular followers win this. You have until 5 PM Wed. Jan. 11 EST to leave a comment on this post. I will pick from the comments left here.

I have really enjoyed the last 3 years of blogging. I am looking forward to many more years of new frends and old ones and lots of inspiration.

Sunrise and the Birds are Back

2012-01-07T10:50:00.004-05:00

These first 4 pictures are of the sunrise this morning from different angles out my front window. They look so different.

The swarm of thousands of black colored birds are back. This is the field across the road from us. Click on the picture for a better view. All those dots are birds.

I stood in the front window for awhile and this is a group taking off and coming our way.

Birds in flight.

More birds in flight. I do not even want to think what all these birds are leaving behind on our vans.

Birds back in the field across the street.

I hope you clicked on the pictures to see them better. I have no idea how many birds there were but they appeared awhile back and I posted about them then but I think there are more of them now.

Snow and Key Fobs

2012-01-04T09:25:00.003-05:00

This is the snow we got over the last 2 days. Only about 4 or 5 inches. Less than some areas here in Northeast Ohio.

Here are my new key fobs. They are big enough to go over your wrist when you are walking or just hold your keys so they are easier to find. I think they will be a nice gift to add to any other gift, just a little something extra.

I still need 2 people for my PIF from the last post. Please let me know if you are interested. Have a great day.

PIF

2012-01-03T12:57:00.003-05:00

It is my turn to do a Pay It Forward (PIF)

It's all very simple really. In the next year (I'm sure it will be much sooner than that) I will make something handmade for each of the first 3 people that signs up for my PIF. Then each of those people will post the PIF on their blog and in turn will send something handmade to three people, and so on.

So who would like to receive a lovely handmade gift? And maybe even a little surprise with it. Just leave a comment on this post and make sure you have your email showing on blogger and I'll be in touch soon! Thanks! I will take just the first 3 that leave a comment and are willing to follow up with a PIF when they get the one I send.

Scarves

2012-01-02T20:08:00.003-05:00

Here are my first 2 finishes for 2012. I saw these on a blog and did a search for a pattern. They are very easy to make.

It is hard to believe that it will not be long and I will have had my blog for 3 years. I have met a lot of great bloggers in that period of time. I have had many inspirations from all my blogging friends too. You have all kept me going with new ideas over the years. I want to thank Terry, my daughter for getting me started and for keeping my headers refreshed when they needed it. Thanks a lot Terry.

Happy New Year

2011-12-30T18:02:00.004-05:00

I know I am a little early with this but I wanted to wish you all a safe and Happy New Year. Be back to post next year.

Christmas Day and Ohio Weather

2011-12-27T18:05:00.004-05:00

This is sunrise Christmas morning. No snow here in Ohio for Christmas.

A few minutes looking farther south from the front window.

Shortly after I took the sunrise pictures I heard a funny noise out side and this is what I saw. Thousands of birds. They looked like leaves on the neighbors trees.

This was sunset on the way home from our daughters.

Today started of early this morning with a heavy rain. Then about 3:30 PM it started snowing large flakes. It made the woods across the road look like it was foggy.

Can you see the big flakes? Click the picture for a better view.

This was about an hour later.

This was about 2 hours later.

Now it is a very fine snow. That is Ohio weather. Wait 10 minutes and it will change.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T12:45:00.005-05:00

I want to wish all my blogging friends and family a very safe and Merry Christmas.

This is the cover of this years Christmas card I sent out. I put a self adhesive star on the star.

Family Christmas Gifts

2011-12-20T07:37:00.010-05:00

This is the basket I made for my daughter Terry. It is larger than a 9x13 pan. She has wanted the one I made for myself years ago so I decided to make her one for Christmas. It was a nice surprise. I have been making baskets since the 1980's but not many since the year 2000 when I went to work for 5 years.

This is a basket I made for my daughter-in-law Terri. It holds her favorite wine.

My son is a Harley rider so I ask a friend if he had an old Harley t-shirt and he gave me this one that I made into a pillow for Eric. This is the front. The next picture is the back.

This is the ornament I made for everyone this year. I made over 25 of them.

This is the gift I got from Terry. A great wall hanging and a cute spool ornament. I really love them.

This is the gift I got from Terri and I love it too. Both Terry and Terri are very talented.

This was sunrise Monday morning. I love sky pictures and how different they can be.

Update

2011-12-16T17:51:00.004-05:00

No pictures because I have finished all my Christmas gifts awhile back. I have also been busy making a few sweets for our Christmas.

Hubby just finished a series of 3 nerve block injections in the hospital as an out patient and they seem to have helped some already. He is sore today because he got the last one this morning. He sees the doctor in Jan. and will then start physical therapy. His leg will take awhile to get the muscle built up so it will hold him up when walking. He has been on crutches for about 6 weeks now. He has gone through this twice before so I know he can do it again.

Pictures will be coming soon of our Christmas.

Quilt Label and Ornament

2011-12-08T09:40:00.004-05:00

I finally got my quilt label on my quilt. Thanks to all those that helped me get it finished and on my bed.

I saw this ornament on a blog, and I am sorry I forgot which one it was but I had to try it. I think it adds some color to my tree. I did it in red because I think some green ornaments hide in the tree. Thank you for the pattern who ever you are.

Finish, Sunrise and Working On

2011-12-04T10:02:00.009-05:00

Here are my first finishes for Dec. They are double thick pot holders or hot pads. The green one is with 30 stitches and the striped one is 40 stitches. What a difference in size those 10 stitches made. They are crocheted with cotton yarn and worked as one piece, you only have one short seam to sew closed when you are finished.

This was our sunrise this morning. It was breath taking and as you know I love sky pictures.

I am playing with these maple leaves that Terry cut out many years ago. She used some for a small quilt lately but did not want the rest. I am appliqueing them while waiting for Hubby to have his nerve block injections in his back. He had the first one Fri. and was feeling somewhat better yesterday.

Broken window, Chairs and Christmas Tree

2011-11-25T18:23:00.005-05:00

The other night when hubby came home he lost his balance on his crutches and put his butt into the storm window on our porch. The window lost. Today we took it down and laid the pieces back in place and used clear contact paper to hold them together on both sides. He then caulked the edges back to the frame. It will work till spring.

Laying on the card table out side with a towel to hold the glass in place.

I had these 2 card table chairs that I have recovered at least 3 times and they were looking really BAD, so today I dug in my stash and pulled out the fabric which is now on them. The seats pop in place so I had to remove the old fabric and hot glue the new one on and pop the seats back in place. I think they came out very well.

My Christmas tree is up and 99% of the ornaments are hand made by myself or friends. I give a ornament to about 25 friends and family members each year so I have one from each year or most of them anyway. I love hand made ornaments.

Nativity 2011

2011-11-24T17:10:00.003-05:00

We always set up the Nativity in the park across from our church sometime right after Thanksgiving but with help today from our son and his family it is now in place. The Christmas season can now start.

The placing of the people and sheep.

Hubby, Eric and Bek. Job well done.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T06:54:00.004-05:00

I want to wish all of
you a safe and
Happy Thanksgiving.

Finishs

2011-11-20T13:51:00.003-05:00

This is an ornament I finished for a swap I do once a year. We also send some goodies with the ornament.

This is my Christmas banner I have been working on. It is from http://www.sewhappy.me/. I just love it. I put it up for the picture but took it down again till after Thanksgiving.

I have not been on much this last week because Hubby has had a lot of doctors appointments and tests. He has a back problem that affects the muscle in his leg and it will not hold him up all the time. He has also lost a lot of the muscle in that leg. He will be having a series of 3 injections to block the nerve which will be done in hospital as an out patient. This is the 3rd time it acted up and the second time for shots. The last time they lasted 4 years. We are hoping for the same results. I have also had some health issues but they are better now. It will be a busy time till this is over. Then he will probably have to take therapy for it.

My Quilt and Hungry Pest

2011-11-11T20:11:00.005-05:00

Terry got my quilt back from Joanne who quilted it for her. She brought it up tonight and she put the binding on because I was having issues trying to do it. I have done small easy projects but never anything this big. I can't thank Terry enough for getting me busy on it after about 3 years of having the panel fabric. She figured out the layout and did the cutting of the large pieces. I cut the small squares and put the top together. I am so happy with the way it came out. The quilting pattern is called Emily. Emily my granddaughter took the pictures tonight for us.

My rooms are small so it is hard to get pictures of large projects but Emily did a good job.

This is the pattern in the tan border on the edge.

Here is the pattern and binding on the back. I love the teal binding.

This is a larger view of the quilting on the back. I also love this quilt because it was done by 2 generations. Thanks again Terry.

This is one of our many pests. I do not know where he got the ear of corn but he brought it out front on my trellis to eat it.

Vereran's Day

2011-11-10T18:19:00.004-05:00

I want to wish all our veteran's and men and women serving our country a great Veteran's Day. Thank you for protecting our country.

Stitching and Stuff

2011-11-08T12:17:00.003-05:00

This is the last stitching piece from http://www.sewhappy.me/ This Friday we will get the directions for putting the banner together. I can't wait.

These are all the designs for the banner.

My Christmas cards are all addressed and ready to go the 1st of Dec. Glad that job is finished.

This is my Thanksgiving door hanger. He has hinged joints and is so cute. He also rattles against the door every time you open or close the door.

Almost ready for Christmas

2011-11-06T13:52:00.004-05:00

This is last years Christmas tree but I needed a picture for this post. I do not like to post without a picture.

All my Christmas projects are finished. Made all my cards with a little something added on to them. Made my 25 ornaments I give away every year. Christmas breads are in the freezer. All I have are the last minute fruit and goodies to make. These things can not be made ahead of time. It sure feels great to have it all done. Now I can be free to bind my quilt when I get it back. I sure can't wait to see how it came out after being quilted. Have a good week everyone.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T06:51:00.002-04:00

Wishing you all a safe and Happy Halloween.

Stitching and Heavy Frost

2011-10-29T13:09:00.003-04:00

This is number 6 in my stitching from sewhappy.me for her Christmas banner.

We had a very heavy frost this morning so I went out for some pictures. We are still under some trees with leaves on them so the frost on the plants is not as heavy as on our vans windshields. But it makes for a pretty picture.

Frosty Morning and Stitching

2011-10-27T12:33:00.004-04:00

The other morning it was very frosty out. You can see it on the windshield of both vans. It is raining today and pretty chilly.

You can see the frost on the field across the street by the road. Click on the picture for a better view.

These are the last 2 blocks I have finished. Only 2 more to go. Then I can make them into banners. They are from http://www.sewhappy.me/.

Odds and Ends

2011-10-22T18:23:00.005-04:00

I was playing this afternoon and made this mug huger. I do not know what else to call it. It fastens with velcro to itself near the handle. It is sort of a crazy patch. I was also trying some of the fancy stitches on my machine and liked this on the best.

I made these 2 bottle covers with handles last week. I had 2 people who wanted them. This is my design. It makes carrying them a lot easier.

These are the first 3 blocks from sewhappy.me I have 2 to finish that I just traced and there will be 2 more in the next 2 weeks. These are from her sew along banner. I think they are so cute.

Leaves are Falling

2011-10-18T14:58:00.002-04:00

Hubby is busy sweeping up the leaves before it rains again tonight and for several days to come. I know the rain is part of fall weather but we have had way too much this year. But it is better than the white stuff (snow).

Only a little sewing today so I will show it later.

Sealed Up For Cold Weather

2011-10-16T13:52:00.003-04:00

We put in the storm windows on the porch and in the house today. We use a Peel and Seal caulk to seal between the metal storm window frame and the window trim it fits up to to block out all the drafts. It really helps on the heating bill too. I guess we are ready for the colder weather that is coming next. Not my favorite season weather wise.

This is a picture of my mums taken earlier but they still look pretty good.

Everyone have a good week.

Friday Evening and a Gift

2011-10-15T14:34:00.003-04:00

Last night we went out to supper for our 45th Anniversary and had a good meal. We were then going to Terry's and this is what we saw in town. An Amish buggy on a city street. I have seen them before but they seem strange in town.

This is what the sky looked like on the way to Terry's. I love sky pictures as you probably know if you have followed my blog for very long.

This is a gift my granddaughter Emily gave me when we got to Terry's last night. She and Terry made them. I think they are so cute.

Herman is Dead

2011-10-13T15:19:00.006-04:00

Herman is dead. Herman is my Friendship bread starter. I baked the last 5 batches of my bread today and used it ALL up. I baked a total of 18 batches, some in small pans and some in large loaf pans. Now I have all my breads for Christmas gifts in the freezer all safely wrapped and sealed. No worry at the last minute to get things baked. I give 3 small loaves of different flavors to each family. I made pumpkin, apple, banana, orange, pineapple and chocolate this year.

Now back to some sewing.

Red Sunrise

2011-10-10T18:12:00.004-04:00

Sunrise this morning through a dirty front window. Sorry that they are a little fuzzy. But it was so beautiful.

Early Fall Color

2011-10-09T14:50:00.003-04:00

We had to run an errand this afternoon so we took the long way home through the back country roads. It is a beautiful fall afternoon. I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Could not resist taking this one for my brother-in-law.

I love the fall color. I am also working on Christmas gifts I can not show.

Ready For Halloween

2011-10-06T17:32:00.005-04:00

Hubby decorated outside for Halloween yesterday. I made this many, many years ago and it gets put out every year.

This shows the smaller pumpkins I made at the same time as the stacked pumpkins.

Hubby found this in a field at the farm he helped at a long time ago. He found it after a bad wind storm but could not figure out who lost it. I love him.

The ghosts with tails are a piece of wood painted with white trash bag streamers. The witch to the right was a witch I bought.

This ghost I also bought and he usually hangs on the door but I have a wreath there now.

Wreath and bat on my door.

My Quilt Top and a Good Book

2011-10-05T17:39:00.005-04:00

Here is a picture of my bed quilt top laid out on my bed.

Here Hubby is trying to hold it up for a better picture. I will get it to Terry this week so she can have it quilted for me. Can't wait to see it all quilted.

This is another good book a different friend gave me to read. I finished it at the doctor's office yesterday before coming home and baking all afternoon. Only 1 more baking and my Christmas baking will all be in the freezer.

First Oct. Finish and Shopping

2011-10-02T13:00:00.003-04:00

This is a gift I won in the OPAM group and Peg sent it to me. It is my first wool project and it was fun. I blanket stitched all the pieces on with floss like it said to do. I love it. Thanks Peg.

On to the shopping, Terry, Emily and I went to Amish Country yesterday in a yucky misty rain but we had a very good time. Three generations can really be fun. The first thing we found was the teal fabric I needed for my bed quilt. After that it was fun shopping. Back to Terry's and she cut out my borders and bindings so I can finish the top to my quilt. Hopefully it will be done very soon. Pictures to follow when the top is finished.

My Quilt

2011-09-29T22:03:00.002-04:00

This is the center of my bed quilt I am making with a lot of help from Terry. We are going shopping for some border fabric this weekend. I was going to just tie it like I do all my quilts but she is going to send it away to be quilted for me. She really surprised me with that. Hopefully I will have the top done soon.

Bad Monday Morning

2011-09-26T18:11:00.003-04:00

As we backed out of our driveway to go the the Rec. Center this morning hubby noticed the back window of our other van had a hole in it. I did not get a picture of it but the police did, because we called them right away. This picture is taken after the plastic we put on it to keep the rain out was taken off and more glass had fallen into the back of the van. That is the inside light you can see in the picture. There was glass on the roof, inside and outside on the ground.

I called around when we got home and this company was the lowest price and they come to you to fix the window. It was not an hour after I called and this gentleman showed up to remove the remainder of the window. We had put our canopy over the van to keep it dry so they could replace the window and it also kept the rain off of them. He put tape on the remaining window glass to get it out in a larger piece.

Then another man came out with the window and before you knew it they had it replace. I was so glad for such fast service. They decided it was a pellet gun that had shot the window because there was also a place just below the window that had been hit too.

We found out that a neighbor up the street had a car window on the side shot out also. So this was no accident. Hopefully they will not come back and do it again.

Sneak Peek and Giveaway Received

2011-09-23T13:10:00.005-04:00

This is a sneak peek for my next quilt project. Cutting is finished but no sewing today my back/hip is not letting me move very well and sitting at the machine is a no-no today. Maybe tomorrow between baking more Christmas breads.

This is the gift Nola received for my 600th post giveaway. She got it yesterday so I can show it now. She loved everything and plans to use it well.

Rainy and colder here today and I think that is the back/hip issue. Should be better tomorrow. Have a great weekend.

Foggy Morning and a Finish

2011-09-22T12:57:00.014-04:00

This is what it looked like when it became daylight this morning. Pretty foggy and damp outside.

Hubby took a picture of this spider web but it is pretty hard to see. Click on it and you might see it better.

This is the wall hanging that has not been finished since 2009. That is when I did the stitching but I could not figure how to lay it out and make it fit where I wanted to put it. Thanks to Terry and Emily and myself the top was finished last Sat. Today I got it pinned and quilted and bound.

This is the label on the back that I also stitched in 2009 but I added in ink my helpers to get it finished. Thanks again Terry and Emily.

This is where I hung it above my TV. You see it had to fit between the ends of the shelf. It is not crooked but sort of looks that way from the way I took the picture. Sorry about that. I really love it hanging there.

Now I have a much larger project to get started on thanks again to Terry.

P.S. this is a design from http://willowberrydesigns.typepad.com in 2009.

Good Book

2011-09-20T13:10:00.005-04:00

I know I may be behind the times but I just read this book a friend lent me. I know the movie is out already too. It is a very good book and I did not want to put it down once I got started.

Now this week after I get my house in order today I plan on working on my wall hanging and my quilt that Terry and Emily helped me get ready last Sat. I need to cut some blocks for 4 patch blocks for the quilt before I can sew on it, but hopefully you will see some progress soon. I know Terry will be after me to get to work on them both.

Busy gals Saturday

2011-09-17T17:48:00.004-04:00

I did these Verandas Views blocks back in 2009 but could not figure out how to get them put together to fit the space I wanted to hang them in. Terry came up today and brought Emily with her. This soon to be wall hanging has now been worked on by 3 generations. Terry figured out the layout and cut the blocks and strips and I sewed them and then Emily pressed all the blocks for me. It needs to be put together yet and will have the green for the back and binding. It is just laying on the backing in this picture.

Granddaughter Emily ask me the other day if I would teach her to knit and of course I said yes, the next time we were together. Well today was the day and she is doing very well. She will practice at home to get more feel of the yarn and then I will start her on a project the next time I see her.

This is a sample jelly jar about 1 to 1 1/2 inches tall. While Terry and I were working on another quilt project to be shown later Emily was being creative in my sewing room and she made this for me. She has a good eye for design. It is made with all odds and ends I had in my sewing room. I love it.

Christmas Baking

2011-09-14T18:33:00.003-04:00

I started my Friendship Bread starter on Labor Day so today was a day to bake it. I have the first 20 small loaves wrapped and in the freezer. They are banana breads. I give 3 different flavors in a gift bag with a hand made ornament and handmade card to our friends and family each year. My cards are printed and ready for the stuff I will add to the front. My ornaments are almost finished also. I do about 20 bags now but I did a lot more in the past. It sure feels good to get this started. I will be done before Halloween. It is a lot less work when Christmas comes.

600 post winner

2011-09-14T09:37:00.007-04:00

Yesterday was my 600th post and I went back 10 posts and took all the comments and hubby drew a slip.

Congrats to Nola from Just Ramblin' for her comment on Sept. 3. If you send me your mailing info I will get your gift off to you this week.

Another Fair Day

2011-09-13T18:24:00.007-04:00

Early this morning we were off to the Wayne County Fair again. This is the sky on the way down. The moon is still out and some fluffy clouds

Very large hog sleeping.

This bunny is getting a drink.

This is one fat bunny sleeping.

It is breakfast time for this little one.

Sheep judging was starting here.

A miniature horse out for a walk.

Fairly new baby calf. Hubby's arm petting it.

There were harness races this afternoon. We love to watch them. We sit and pick a winner and just see how many we get right. I got 4 out of 7. The gray horse in the bottom picture won his race. It was my pick.

Many more fair pictures to come later in another post.

Remember 9-11

2011-09-11T07:24:00.002-04:00

I will always remember this day. Prayers with all those who lost their lives and their families. Also all our service men who are fighting for our freedom.

A Lot of Things in this post

2011-09-10T16:26:00.007-04:00

I received my OPAM gift from Peg. I got a lovely Wool Pincushion kit, 2 skeins of floss and a key chain strap which I love. Thanks Peg.

This is a close up of the kit.

These are the flowers at Yoder's Bargain Barn in Fredricksburg.

This is the sky on Friday night on the way to supper in Wooster. As you know I love cloud pictures.

Craft building at the Wayne County Fair. Many beautiful hand made items.

These are just a few of the beautiful flowers they had there.

Animal and other pictures to be posted later.

Day in Amish Country Ohio

2011-09-07T22:06:00.011-04:00

First stop was at Ashery's bulk food store. They have re-done the front since we were there last time. Nice place to sit and enjoy their great ice cream on a nice day. To early for that when we were there.

Hubby and his brother and sister-in-law. Hubby has his arm around SIL.

Horse going by as I was taking the last picture.

Then it was off to Mt. Hope Flea Market.

This is the train round house south of Sugarcreek. It is not open to the public but is a neat place to see from the road. If you do a search for Age of Steam Roundhouse on the internet you can see a lot more pictures of it. If you did not know a roundhouse is where they repair the train engines and cars. There is a huge turn table in front where they drive the engines on and turn it so they can pull them into any of the large doors on the building to work on them. My Grandpa worked in one when he was a young man.

Engines and cars on a side track.

Amish team of horses working in a field.

Hershberger's Truck Patch near Charm. This is a new store there with lots of neat items in it.

Pumpkins and mums galore.

This is the building with all the food items in it. Many home made baked goods plus much more.

Buggy rides for a fee.

Real goats up on the roof. They are in a pasture and have a walk way up to the roof. Very different.

Inside the barn of animals. This is a horse and zebra mix I think. Very neat.

Huge work horse. If I remember right he was over 13 hands tall. That is very big for a horse of that kind.

Baby pig.

I think they want to taste hubby's shorts.

A very fluffy baby goat.

Pot belly pig babies.

There were many more animals I did not take pictures of. A very neat place to visit.

I did buy a couple of yards of fabric at Zinck's in Berlin and we went to a few thrift stores in the area. More pictures later. It was a cool but mostly dry cloudy day.

Heart Box

2011-09-03T17:14:00.006-04:00

This is a heart cardboard box that I played around with the last few days. It has a padded lid but just fabric sides with trim covering the edges.

This is the side view. The lid is tipped a little so you can see I did not finish the sides above the braid. If you put fabric on the sides where the lid goes it will not fit properly. I also have covered the bottom with the fabric. I hot glued the lace and trim on this box.

Good Book, Blimp and PIF

2011-09-02T12:53:00.003-04:00

This is another great book by Danielle Steel. I did not want to put it down once I started it.

Today leaving the drug store in town we say this Metlife Blimp in the distance and drove up to the farm where hubby used to help and parked to get some pictures. It is smaller than the Goodyear Blimp but it was great to watch it fly through the sky.

This is where I put my PIF from my daughter Terry. I think it looks very nice there.

Clouds Plus Much More + PIF

2011-08-29T19:43:00.006-04:00

Today was my kind of day. Low to mid 70's and a slight breeze but sunny. We went to our daughter Terry's today and I took these from the van going down.

This was a butterfly on her butterfly bush when we went outside to go see the neighbor's baby goats.

These baby goats are about 3 weeks old. They are twins.

This is Emily holding one of them.

These are hubby's legs with both babies.

This is a different momma with a baby born this week. It is less than 12 inches long. It was sleeping when we were there.

Terry gave me my PIF that I signed up for on her blog. I love the little mat and pincushion. It was wrapped in the fabric under it and tied with white lace. She said since I was there she would just hand it to me.

Now it is my turn to put out a PIF.

It's all very simple really. In the next year (I'm sure it will be much sooner than that) I will make something handmade for each of the first 3 people that signs up for my PIF. Then each of those people will post the PIF on their blog and in turn will send something handmade to three people, and so on.

So who would like to receive a lovely handmade gift? And maybe even a little surprise with it. Just leave a comment on this post and make sure you have your email showing on blogger and I'll be in touch soon! Thanks! I will take just the first 3 that leave a comment and are willing to follow up with a PIF when they get the one I send.

Computer Chair Fix and Playing with a Jar

2011-08-27T11:12:00.003-04:00

Our computer chair in my bedroom has needed the arm covered for a long time. Hubby seems to rub his arm on the chair arm and has worn the fabric through.

My easy fix was to make arm covers. I just took a rectangle of fabric and hemmed it. I attached it to the arms with the screw in pins you use for furniture covers. They have a clear flat top and a cork screw type pin to screw it into the arm. It needs one more in the center but I need to get some more. I think it will work well.

I saw a jar on someones blog sort of like this for a pin cushion and thought this would make a neat gift with candy or nuts in it. I was just playing this morning. What do you think?

Flowers and Good Book

2011-08-26T17:43:00.003-04:00

I just noticed today my spring blooming Creeping Flocks are blooming again, but just a few blooms.

We did have a pine tree stump where this wheel barrow that my hubby made now sits. The pine tree was topped 16 years ago with straight line winds and it had to come down. We left a stump to sit a wooden basket of flowers on. It has been rotting over the years and we knew it was getting bad. Last evening hubby noticed it was leaning east. He lifted the wooden basket and the stump fell over. The wheel barrow did sit in front of our home before being moved out front. I like the way it looks there.

This is another good book from a friend. I loved it.

Earth Quake

2011-08-23T15:19:00.002-04:00

Just felt an earth quake here in Ohio that happened in Virginia at a 5.9. I was reading in my recliner and it shook it and the reading lamp beside it.

I also felt the one back on June 5th.

Glad they are no closer.

Hubby's 50th Class Reunion

2011-08-21T07:41:00.004-04:00

Went to hubby's 50th class reunion last night. They were the first class of the Cloverleaf School District. They joined 5 schools into one district. Good food and great company.

Mug Rugs

2011-08-19T10:05:00.005-04:00

These are the latest mug rugs I have made. They also will be Christmas gifts. I know she will like them. I really enjoy doing the blanket stitch.

First Aug. Finish

2011-08-14T15:32:00.003-04:00

I did the hexies a long time ago and just decided what to do with them. This is a smaller table runner. It will be a gift and I needed to get it finished. I had a few minor issues while doing it but I think it came out okay. I am sure it will be loved.

I think I may be getting my crafting mojo back after the dental work I had done. I felt so yucky I did not want to do anything. Let's hope it is back.

Reading and Printing

2011-08-10T17:50:00.004-04:00

I just read this book based on the Amish girls killing at the Nickle Mines Amish School in 2006.
I am sure some of you remember hearing of it on the news. I know I do. We live not too far from the Amish here in Ohio. This book recalls the shooting and how the Amish reacted with forgiveness afterwards. It is hard to explain the book but I found it very interesting and it made me think a lot. I suggest you all might enjoy reading it.

The printing part of this post is the fact that I decided what this years Christmas cards would be. I always print all my cards and on the Christmas ones I always add something that fits the design on the front. Sometimes it is a few small pom-poms for berries on a wreath. Sometimes it is snowflakes or whatever goes with the picture. I make up to 40 of these now but use to make over 50 each year. I cannot show you this years or they would not be a surprise for those getting them. Sorry! All I have to do now is fold them and put the added things on them and then they will be ready for Christmas. I also make an ornament for about 25 friends each year. Those are about half way finished. Not much more to do on them.

Lillies and Project

2011-08-09T18:34:00.003-04:00

These Lilies have several names but I have always known them as Magic Lilies. The leaves come out in the spring and then die off without any blooms. Later in the summer these come out of the ground and bloom so pretty without any leaves. I love them.

This is going to be an ongoing project to use up my leftover baby yarn. It is thrown in a tote bag and can go anywhere I am going to have sit down time. I probably will not work on it much here at home because I have other things to do here. I have no deadline to finish it and have no idea how big I will make it. Just what ever I decide at the time.

Next Project

2011-08-04T08:38:00.002-04:00

I am going to blanket stitch around these 2 to make mug mats. It will give me some hand stitching to do.

I have just gone through some extensive dental work and not feeling like doing much. This will continue to take place for the next several months to eventually give me a nicer brighter smile.

Blimp and Swallowtail

2011-07-31T16:50:00.004-04:00

On the way to our son's yesterday going through Akron we spotted the Goodyear Blimp. They were not very close to I-76 so my pictures are not very close up even with my zoom.

This morning I saw this Swallowtail Butterfly on my Butterfly bush. Terry posted one on her blog too. This is the first butterfly I have seen on it this year.

Morning View and Blooms

2011-07-30T09:37:00.003-04:00

This is the view out my front window this morning around 7 AM. You have seen many pictures take with this view if you have followed me for very long. Pretty foggy this morning.

Wandered around the yard just now before it get HOT again today. The spiders have been very busy in my flower beds. This showed up so well because of the dew on it. I thought it made for an interesting picture.

What is blooming now. Trumpet Vine.

Another white and pink Hibiscus. I just can't seem to get any different colors when my friend gives them to me. I would love to get a pink or red one. But you can't complain when they are free.

My Black Eyed Susan's. I think that is what they are called.

First bloom on my Butterfly Bush.

My white Petunia's.

Bloom and Ladders

2011-07-28T15:01:00.004-04:00

This is the first bloom on my all white Hibiscus.

I re-did the vines on my living room ladder. I bought them for the hall way ladder but decided I would like them in the living room better.

Closer view.
This is the first end of my hall way ladder. It is very hard to get a good picture of a hall way wall. These are the vines that were in my living room on the ladder.

This is the far end of the ladder.

This is the middle. I may move the things on it around before I am satisfied with it completely.

New Swing Frame

2011-07-25T19:25:00.003-04:00

Went and got wood for a new swing frame today. Hubby is at work on it in the driveway.

Neighbor is helping get it set up right. It is made from 4x4 treated lumber and is very heavy. The old frame was from landscape ties and lasted 20 years. This one should out live us.

Hubby after a hard afternoon building the frame.

Latest flower in bloom.

Two Finishes

2011-07-24T16:42:00.004-04:00

This is a pillow top I crocheted and then hand sewed to a yellow pillow I made. It is a Christmas gift for a friend.

This is a new wall hanging I did today. It is a printed panel and I just lined it with flannel and sewed wooden buttons on as ties and for accents. I then brought the back around for the binding and hand stitched it and added rings on the back to hang it on the rod. It just fits between the ends of the shelf.

Lots Going On

2011-07-23T14:52:00.006-04:00

Another bad afternoon and evening of storms. We had minor limbs down compared to many homes and businesses in the area. Ours are just dead limbs from our large oak tree. We had 2 inches of rain and strong winds.

Flowers in bloom before the storm.

This is a very small butterfly magnet I was trying out.

This butterfly magnet is 4 times larger than the other one. Both were fun to make.

Thanks Terry

2011-07-15T17:55:00.005-04:00

I want to thank Terry for making me a new header and background for my blog. This is the picture she used. I really like the reflection picture. Thanks again Terry.

Finishes and Reflection

2011-07-14T11:22:00.005-04:00

These are crocheted flower magnets that I found the pattern for on the internet. I think they would brighten up any fridge.

I got the mug mats finished. I really like the way they came out. The only machine stitching is the quilting, everything else is hand stitched.

This picture is of a Humming Bird feeding at the feeder but if you look in the bird bath you can see the reflection of the feeder and the bird. I caught this the other morning. I had never noticed the reflection before. I love this type of picture. Click for a larger image.

Flower and Doll Bed Sewing

2011-07-10T14:10:00.003-04:00

This Lily just opened today. It is lemon yellow in color and brightens up the flower bed.

Hubby made this doll bed for a friends little girl as a birthday gift, and I sewed the pad and pillow for it. She has the blanket and doll to add to it as her gift for her daughter.

Sewing, Blooming and Baby

2011-07-09T12:17:00.006-04:00

This is what my hands have been sewing lately. Lots of Hexies. Now I just need to get them into mug mats.

What is blooming right now.

This is one of the baby Robins that were in the Trumpet Vine nest. They have all left now.

Baby Robins and Stuff

2011-07-05T06:59:00.003-04:00

We had another bad storm on Sat. night. On Sunday morning early Hubby went out to clean up all the small tree limbs that had been blown down. Under my Trumpet Vine which is very big he found 2 baby Robins in the grass. They were still alive but must have been blown out of the nest. He put them back with the other 2 that were still in the nest. Here is baby one.

This is baby #2.

This is the nest in the middle of the vine.

Another flower is starting to bloom.

I was given this wooden ladder from a neighbor because he knew I had one hanging in my living room. We have it hung in the hallway. Now I just need to decide how I want to decorate it. I have several thought in mind so it may take me awhile to decide which idea to use. Stay tuned for the finished ladder coming soon.

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-02T18:36:00.004-04:00

Wishing all of you out there a great 4th of July and make it a safe one too. God Bless the USA.

Hexie Mug Mats

2011-06-26T19:22:00.004-04:00

I finished making my brown hexies in to mug mats. I decided to do mats not rugs because not everyone has room for a mug rug. The only machine stitching on them is the small amount of quilting. Click the picture for a better look. I am very happy as to how they came out and hope they may be a good seller. They are about 7 inches in size.

This and That

2011-06-21T13:37:00.005-04:00

These are some blocks I have been playing with. All hand stitched so far. I am debating if I want to make them into mug rugs or just rug mats ( large coasters for a cup or mug ). I love the fabric I used in them.

My ground cover Rose.

Baby Robin taking a bath. He is sure growing up fast.

There is a Flicker eating on the ground in front of the trailer on the sidewalk. He spent about 5 minutes out there eating bugs from the cracks in the sidewalk.

This is a book I won in a giveaway from Wendy awhile back. It has some really neat patterns in it. Thanks again Wendy.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T07:34:00.005-04:00

This is what the Father in this house will be doing on this Father's Day. He races these remote control cars and trucks most Sundays in the summer. They race on a dirt oval and he really enjoys it and has for many years. Hope all the dad's out there have a great day.

Baby Robin, Books and Finishes

2011-06-13T09:30:00.003-04:00

This is the baby Robin that was unable to fly and in my flower barrel a week or so ago. He can now fly a little and was getting a drink in the bird bath. He is growing up fast.

I have been reading and this book is different than most as it is a true story of the life of an Amish women who lost her husband. It is real interesting as to how she managed to raise her children.

This one is a fiction but very good also.

I just finished these 2 beaded flags for a friend. This is the 2nd and 3rd ones I have done for her. I posted the first one awhile back. There are 607 beads in the base of the flag and then you glue on the star beads. I am sure she will like them.

Mother's Day Post and Around My Yard

2011-06-11T18:14:00.003-04:00

I forgot to post about Mother's Day. I got a great gift card from my daughter Terry and this lovely wall hanging made by my daughter-in-law Terri. I loved both gifts.

This little guy was making a lot of noise the other day sitting on the well rock next door.

This is my Honey Suckle up close.

One of my Honey Suckle bushes.

The yellow flower are called Sun Drops around here but I have no idea what the purple flower is. I got it from a neighbor and it spreads.

My bunch of Sun Drops.

My Red Rose that came off a peach ground growing Rose.

My white Poppy.

Flowers and Baby Robin

2011-06-05T13:27:00.004-04:00

These are some of the Petunias we planted this year in a half tub.

Pink Peony late to bloom and smaller this year.

Flower bed by porch.

I think these are Circle Flowers.

My Red Rose is in full bloom right now.

My Purple Iris finally bloomed.

Petunias around our rock by the driveway.

Purple Clematis has it's first bloom.

Baby Robin sitting in half barrel. He has very short tail feathers and does not fly well yet but momma Robin has been feeding him. He is no longer there so either he flew away or momma moved him somewhere else.

Good Book and Flowers

2011-05-30T17:20:00.003-04:00

This is another good book a friend lent me.

Coral Bells are just a year old and have a very fine tiny bloom.

White Peony is just starting to bloom but the blooms are a lot smaller this year. I think it is from all the rain we have had.

My first Orange Poppy opened yesterday.