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!

In the dye pots: A recipe

I need more blacks for the background of my rug, so I decided to do some dying the other day. I used various shades and then overdyed them with hook book black. Well, the recipe called for dark brown, which I don't have so I used seal brown. It also called for olive green from cushions and I had an olive green from CK so I used my substitutes. I am not sure if it was the wool or the changes, but most of the wools came out darker, but not black.

But, it is a nice recipe so I thought I would share it with everyone.
I do not measure exactly and I do not put a set amount of wool in the pot, I just throw a bit of this and that in, lol.
So, these are estimates and you can try your own experiment.

I used about a half yard of wool. I used 1/4 teaspoon of black, 1/2 tsp of seal brown and 1/2 of olive green. Make sure you heat your water and stir the powders till they are completely dissolved. I add my pre-soaked wool and let it sit in the pot, until the water is almost clear. Then I add about a cup of vinegar. I used procion (C&K Craft) for the black and the olive green and cushing's seal brown.

This recipe can turn light grays into brown, that is what was so great about this experiment. The wool I used here, was white and gray when it started. Now it is a wonderful mix of light to dark browns. This would be great for trees, animals or backgrounds. So, if you do not have an olive green, try another shade of green or substitute the brown and make up your own new color.

Bunny Hill BOM

I decided to try the Bunny Hill BOM. She is offering a free BOM each month and then the instructions for the borders and finishing. I thought it would be fun to try one and it is a great design. But, as you can see, I mutilated it, lol. It is crooked and my colors a bit dark and I forgot the last leaf, duh.

I wanted to use fabrics, it would have been nicer and I could have used better fabrics. But, I am lazy and those small pieces looked too much to needle turn, so I used wool. I think it would be better if I used a heavier weight backing or wool. My design might have been straighter;)

If you would like to try the BOM, you can go to the Bunny Hill Blog and download the pattern. She has also set up a flicker site for those participating. It is fun to see all of the blocks being made.

Punch Needle Cross

Today Dora decided to hide out in the wool downstairs, so I took the opportunity to work on a new project.
It will be a present, so of course I cannot show it yet.

Tonight she is being nice and letting me finish the background. She wanted to hide in the cabinet under the tv and yes she opens it herself, way too smart. But, Izzy thought it looked fun and followed her in and the next thing you know, my supplies come tumbling out along with Dora. So much for Dora getting some peace.

This is a cross I made up for a friend who loves crosses. I wanted to make it into a stuffed piece, but couldn't figure out how to make gussets or sides to make it stand up. I was in a time crunch, so I mounted it onto a basket. I would like to do more designs like this. This one I just doodled up, so it will be fun to come up with some new ideas with the cross and improve on the layout. The basket I found in a thrift and painted a mustard color, then antique over that. I finish with a matte spray.