Wonderful Prize and bad dye day

This week, Brenda of Pumpkin Patch Primitives held a contest for those of us in her yahoo group. We had to name the pattern she was working on and the winner got a copy of the pattern. Well, I went through every page on her shop and found it, lol. I couldn't believe I was the first to answer, considering my server was being slow that night.

Today I got my package and I can't believe how quick it came. I was expecting a pattern, but Brenda sent along a package of goodies and all items I love and needed. I have bowl fillers and with the new items, not enough filler, so now I have more pumpkins to add to my mix. I also need prim candles and cannot find good ones around here and she sent me three. Plus, a beautiful bundle of hand dyed wools. All that along with the pattern. I love the pattern and it will be so fun to make. I feel like I won the lottery;) Be sure to check out Brenda's shop. She has great prim patterns from all the best designers, wonderful fabrics and great deals.

Now for those who may have misunderstood my title and thought I had a prize, keep your eyes out on my blog. I am nearing the 100th post and will be doing a contest soon.




I thought I would accomplish something today and pulled out a bunch of wools to over dye. I need lots of black for my big runner and grabbed all different types of thrift wools. Well, so much for my big plans. I only got a small batch that turned black enough to use and the rest would not dye right and was too thin. This is wool, I always check my tags and do the burn test, but for some reason, some wools will not dye right. So, those will go in the craft pile. They are great for backings, penny rugs and I may even use some in a scrap rug. I have another pile in the dryer, and some darkened, but not the right shades of black. I really wanted my runner to be consistent, but being so large, I cannot afford that much new wool. I will use what I have and see what happens;)

Antique finds and Kitties

Today I did my Library run and hit a few local antique stores. We lost our prim store, but a new antique store took it's place and I found lots of wonderful things today. Of course I didn't take them all home, I just admired them and wondered where I might put them, lol. But, I did find one fun item that I had to have and will use it to make a theme area.

I found this basket of thread bobbins from a local mill. It came with a paper that explains about them and the mill they came from. I thought it was a great piece of Rhode Island history and a textile theme would be fun. I do have to do something about that ugly topper I put on my table. I guess I need to make an extreme prim penny for that table now. I have my drying rack with doilies and items above it and the quilt ladder next to them. I did see an antique rug beater and maybe I will pick one up next time, would go nicely on the wall.



I think Dora is teaching Izzy bad habits. Dora just loves that frame and now Izzy has adopted my newest project and the frame, so I have to fight to get any work done lately;)



Here is a close up of Dora, she is just too cute. But, don't let that sweet face fool you, lol.



Izzy really wants to fit in with the family. She was supposed to stay until my son found a new home for her. But, as you can see, she just loves it here and loves her sister Dora.

New punch Pieces

Today I worked on my rug and was hoping to finish the last dog, but that isn't going to happen, unless I stay up another hour working on it;) So, I decided to show you some pieces I made this month. I have not decided what to do with them, they may be presents, they may go on ebay. I have not had good luck with ebay and hate to put things up to see them go for pennies, I rather give them as gifts.

This piece is based on an antique rug. I love the simple designs and this is what I based my runner on. Love the simplicity of it.
I think it would look good on an antique box.



This piece was based on an old postcard. I thought it would make a nice needle keep or on a sewing box. I used 3 strands for some of the smaller areas and the rest was 6 strands.

Make ahead Christmas and Thrift Goodies

I belong to a group called An American Primitive Gathering. You can find our listings under USAPrim on ebay.
This weekend we had an online retreat and we worked on projects for next Christmas. It always seems like there is not enough time to make things for everyone, so this is a way to have things that we can give as gifts or sell on ebay.

I decided to make a piece from one of Primitive Betty'spatterns that she offers for free on her blog. It was a fun little piece and I kept it simple and prim. I think it is a great piece, because it can be used for Christmas or during the winter season.



Yesterday we got out for a bit and I hit our local savers. I love finding goodies that I can remake into things for the house. I found this cranberry scoop and plan on sanding it down and repainting it black. It will be great for putting yarns in or hanging from the pegs. I also found a vintage pattern book and a little basket that I can redo. It is fun decorating from thrifts;)

Quilt progress

Today was a run around day, needed supplies, trip to library and groceries for the week, so got that all done.
My husband is only home one day now, so we run around, he cooks dinner to give me a break and then back to maine, not very fun.

Tonight I worked on a new punch. A group I am in, is doing an online craft in, this weekend. We will be doing it once a month to make items for next Christmas. We are always saying we don't have enough time and the holidays come so fast. This way we get a head start and have nice items to give as gifts next year. For my project, I am working on a punch needle piece, using Primitive Betty's snowman, that she offered as a freebie.

After I put the borders on my wall hanging, I realized I had more space, had to fill it, lol. So, I decided to make a stitched prim tree and the other became more of a vine tree. Still more space, so I added snowflakes. Then I decided it was off balance, so I added some cardinals. Tonight I sewed them and added little black wings. I guess that is enough, hehe. Tomorrow, I will add the batting and backing and do some top stitching. I do want to add small snowflake stitches, as well. This is what happens when I use someone's design, I make that and then go a little crazy;)



Dora has decided that she likes my punch frame, so even if I am not using it and there is no piece on top, it still makes a great sleeping spot.

Snow Lady Applique

I have been resting the past few days. This old body cannot handle shoveling snow, like it used to;)
I worked more on my rug and finished a new punch, but I can't show it, since it is a future present.
Tonight I finished the applique on a wall hanging I am making. I wanted to make something fun and simple that I could do in my lap and decided to use a design from Primitive Blessings.

I just love her designs and this snow lady was perfect for a winter wall hanging. I added a different sign and the bucket of snowballs, plus the hat. I might put a flower on it tomorrow. I will add a border and then do some stitchery which may include snowflakes. If you want some fun designs, check out her site, she has free ones and epatterns that are inexpensive. I have my eye on a few that will make great presents for my friends.

It's snowing cats and dogs

Yesterday, when it stopped snowing, I went out and shoveled. Then it started again and I went out and shoveled the new snow. I heard it might rain, so didn't want any snow if that happened. I do not need an icy mess. I woke up this morning and it was snowing again, ugh. So, when it stopped, I went out shoveling. I do the back stair ways and I make a path and area for the dog to do his business. Today I thought I was going to pass out, but it had to be done. Luckily when I got to the end of the driveway where the wet heavy snow, that the snow plows throw back at me, my son came over. It wasn't much left for him, but it was the worst, so it was nice to have him do that part.

So, I took a pict of the driveway and mail path, and sent it to my husband. He bought a really nice, really big snow blower, but I have no idea how to use it, guess I need to learn when he gets home this weekend. I am not supposed to shovel, I have scoliosis, arthritis, rheum and displaced ribs, but I did it anyways. Now I am feeling it, but I made up a fun little quilt piece, so I can sit and relax the rest of the night and work on that.



To cool down after all the shoveling, I took Casey out back for a little bit of play time. He loves the snow, he loves tunneling in it, eating it and catching snowballs. He will sit and play in it all day, even if it is freezing, he doesn't have much sense. All I had to do was ask him, "Where is your ball" and he went looking for it. I didn't have the heart to tell him, there wasn't one, he was having too much fun looking for it;)



After awhile, he will sit there and ponder the meaning of life, or maybe, what can we do next, who knows what that look means;)





The kitties were stuck inside, I do not let them out. I doubt they would bother once they got their claws into that cold wet snow. As you can see, being stuck in a house, is driving Dora up the walls, literally!