WhAt I hAvE bEen Up To...

Hey there to my Blogging Buds!!! Can I have a Hello from you all!!! Today is gorgeous yet again and according to the forecast it is going to be gorgeous this whole week..May was definitely a total suprise for us..as it is usually rainy mixed with some good days..but this has been just fabulous that we were able to get the garden done, bark the yard in, power wash the patio and just sit outside and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us..usually this all doesn't get done until June or July..so we are so ahead of schedule now I can just go out and maintain and hopefully when we get the trees taken out we can move to that back portion of the yard that has been in desperate need of some TLC for 15 years..we just seem to dabble back there and we would like to get it done once and for all so we can get to that maintenance stage of it...it will make the yard seem so much bigger and it is..but your eye stops at that last part...so time to get it done..cause I am not getting any younger...;) Friday I went shopping to Joanns, Value Village, Goodwill and Lowes..quite the shopping day...I picked up some bed sheets.. no not to use on my bed sillies..but to make rags for my rag stuffed dolls..Robby my good pal in Scotland does this..of course I never thought about it...and got rid of a bunch of sheets...so had to purchase more..she has the best ideas...:)

I found some great wood items to make over...I have never seen the candle sconces in our area before only on the blogs I go too.. so that was nice..I am painting these all up including that soap towel sign..I will paint it stain it, and put another stencil on it..will look so much better then it is..

I also picked up some more aida cloth to do stitcherys on..There is red, purple, mauve and blue..will have do do some spring type ones on the purple and mauve..

Robby here is your floss that I picked up for your stitcheries..I love the colors and now want the same...I still have your list of numbers and will get these down the road...

I found this cute little basket and mold to use for those pantry hardcakes you all have been making..I want to give my hand a shot at these..I love the red gingham on the basket..not sure what I will put in it...but it was in great shape...

I picked up some folkart stains for Robby and one for me..I also got some stencil paint creme..I love this stuff cause it doesn't bleed especially when you are doing letters or small detail..got it in black..I also got more binding for my pillows..I love using this stuff and it really finishes the pillows to look more professional..and glue sticks..I use these when I convert my patterns onto posterboard...

upclose for Robby so she can see the stains..I got her maple, and walnut and got the mahogany for me..

I am in love with fabric..I really am..I found these 4 pieces that I will use to make some really neat praire/colonial rag stuffed dolls..the patterns are by Pineberry lane and Jackie Schmidt...I love their dolls..so had to get some neat fabric to make them with...

I also bought some more osnaburg to make the said dolls with as well as black out fabric to put behind my curtains so our bedroom stays darker..I hate being woken up with light in my room...I am the original vampire..I love it dark and cool...so gotta transform and make curtains for both the bedrooms as Hubby sometimes sleeps in the guest room when I am snoring enough to wake the dead...:) sexy huh..

Well there are lots more photos of the yard...I am loving our yard this year..I think I say this every year, but I always forget how pretty it all is until it all blooms...but especially this year with this garden re-do of sorts..the little ladder on the left that is faded looking was also a TS find on friday..

The Rhodies in the front yard are in bloom..the little one not shown is just starting to bloom..along with the poppies that are yellow and the forget me knots and the foxgloves are just now starting to bloom.

We have a gazillion columbine in our yard all in bloom and different colors, shapes etc..I love these plants..the lambs ear still has a ways yet...

the forget me knots..I love me and they will probably re-bloom again...:)

the veggie/kids garden after a good watering..I love it when the soil/bark is all dark and wet..looks so rich and the plants just pop and I just love that!! The garden is growing by leaps and bounds every day..I think our garden is going to be a good one this year.

upclose of the lettuce/herb area..The lettuce is on the bottom tier and just growing like crazy...I love to be out watering and just pick some lettuce, arugula, chives and have a little salad while I water...nothing better in the world then home grown food or as I say..Homemade...Yum...:)

I mowed the lawn yesterday afternoon when the yard was a little shadier like around 4pm....I love the lawn when it has been mowed and you can still see the lines in the lawn...looks like carpet after it's been vacuumed..nice and tidy...there is Tucker chewing on his bone all content and happy with life...The sunflowers are getting taller in the pot in the center..our strawberrys are getting their berrys..one is almost ripe to eat..The tomatoes are getting their flowers..so it won't be long their either..

Here is Pody enjoying a siesta on our bed..I tried taking her photo outside yesterday but she was being to cute and moving too much to get a good one of her...she just loves being out doors and this is what she brings me from time to time..

She will bring her mama a leaf that she searches for and walks up and drops it for me..its been a while since I have gotten one from here..she has a hay day come fall..and then I bring those in an decorate with them in my fall decor..she is the only baby that will bring me a leaf...I just love this and it just tickles me pink so see her come out all serious like with her leaf in her mouth..and she waits for a love when she gives it to me..and I gladly give her lots of loves..:) she is the baby after all.:)

Here is Nap-a Pop (his name is Napoli) but he goes by Nap for short..he is enjoying being with us..all of our babys love to be with us in the yard when we are out..Margarita steers clear because of the indoor kids namely the one below..she is a tyrant and chases her off..and she is younger then Margarita aka Margy fargalina..

Gracie the Queen bee enjoying the sun... she is a busy kitty, making sure her kingdom is ran her way...she takes no crap from any of the kittys..even the boys steer clear of her..this is her domain...period..

she is our serious one...but she has a good heart and can be so loveable when shes not flitting around us...

Nap on our chairs..he is such a good boy...loves to be loved and our postal girl loves him and he loves her...

Our precious silly Millie who is Gracies sister..She can be a tyrant with her sister too..guess it is a sister thing...

and last but not least our Sun E Bunny...she is our sweet shy girl..and is my girl..she used to be her daddys..but she knows where her bread is buttered..after all I am the "Lunch Lady"...she sleeps in between us at night up by our pillows...that is her spot..and she visits me all day at my computer for love and food...

Here is Tucker trying to get Gracie to play with him..he is pouncing and running trying to get her to play..but she will have no part of it..he is such a ham and his favorite is his Pody..if she is doing something he has to be doing it with her....he high 5's us now and low 5's us and give us some skin...You know those little handshakes..he loves doing it too..cause it usually involves a treat or a pat on the head..Well today I am off to church and getting some boxes packed up for a swap and a late (really late) birthday gift..tomorrow we are tackling the upper portion of the garage and getting it all out to the dumps...oh it is going to be so nice to not see that junk anymore..I hope your sunday is glorious and your week ahead is nice too...Thanks for stopping by and listening to me ramble...I truly enjoy this blogging thing and all the wonderful folks I have met along the way...:)

WhAtchA WoRkiN oN WeDnEsDaY..

Hey there folks! Well I haven't done much in the way of crafting except what you saw 2 posts down...still working away at my checkboard pumpkin crosstitch..I work on it at least 2 hours or so everynight..the checkerboard part is almost done..that is the time consuming part..but it is coming along and keeps me busy..I had this above needing to be made so yesterday I put the red piping around it and made it a round pillow and stuffed it with cedar sawdust.I love it..I put this on our bed and it looks good there and it is also a flea repelent as we do have kittys that sleep with us..(they are treated with the flea meds) but this is just an added bonus...and it smells wonderful too...got my craftroom somewhat tidyed up yesterday..needed it..I truly hate clutter and disarray..gets to wear I can't think clealy or find anything..so now to get my patterns out and start sewing..gotta finish up some items and get some patterns cut and enjoy this nice weather we are having our Pody po is itching to get out in it and enjoy the sunshine..so she may go out in her kitty korral and enjoy it while i get some stuff done in here...I got to talk to one of my favoritie bloggers yesterday all the way from Scotland!!..Yes it is Robby from Glory River Primtives. She and I just hit it off and had the best time talking for about 2 hours..it was 3pm my time and midnight her time by the time we said goodbye..I love her sweet voice and accent and she has a wicked personality...that is what I love and we have so much in common...and I love her work..she is a most talented artist and has some awesome stuff for sale...you won't be disappointed..she and are going to send each other a care/gift package that is going to be huge I feel as I want her to know that she is a sweetheart...so that was my highlight for Tuesday..she made my whole day...Any way that is it for me...have a great wednesday and hope the rest of your week is a good one too...:)

TriPPinG DoWn MeMorY LanE...

Hey there all hope your long weekend was a good one and that you said a prayer for our service members and their familys...Sunday I played hookey from church and stayed at home with the hubby..we took a nice walk and then started cleaning the upper portion of the garage..man it was a mess but now looks so organized...just gotta haul alot of down, throw it in the truck for a huge dump run..feels so good to be rid of alot of it..although the outdoor kittehs don't know what him them...they have their routine for climbing from the bottom up to the upper portion and they have certain sleeping areas that they love and now it has all changed..but I think they will survive it..so in the midst of cleaning and tossing...I came across my album stash that I haven't seen in years and we no longer have a turn table..but I think I need to get a cheap one so I can listen to my old albums..most of these will be put on ebay I think..but oh MY goSh did it take me down memory lane..amazing what a song can do...transported me right back to being a teenager and just looking at the titles of the songs made me start singing them again and almost took me back to the exact place and time...those were certainly the good old days..one of my favorites that I will probably keep is my Monthy Python album..we (bunch of kids) would sit around and listen to this and mimic it and laugh ourselves silly...we just thought this album was the bomb...anyway look below and see if you recognize these..

Oh Bobby Sherman..he was the dreamiest I tell you..this is my cardboard record off my super sugar crisp cereal..and the song is "Seattle"...who would think that I actually a ferry boat ride away from Seattle since 1986..He used to wear thick choker necklaces and he was so stylish..I believe he was in 7 brides for 7 brothers..the newer version..but oh he was cute..just look at those dimples...;)

and then there were the story books with records that you read along too and the little ring would tell you to turn the page....I also had the haunted house one..I would listen to these for hours..I wonder if they still have these...do you all remember these?

I also found a submarine book in that record stash..as my hubby served 2o years with the Navy and was on Trident submarines..He did 17 patrols, twice a year averaging about 75 days for each patrol..we did not hear from them unless they pulled into port..the only thing he got from me was 8 family grams and they had to be short..no bad news etc..they have email nowadays..oh that would have been so nice..This was in that book when he was a second class petty officer he is standing behind the little boy..they are at a school teaching them how to fold a flag properly..He retired as a Chief..he was a Quartermaster..they tell the boat where to go on big maps that they chart out..while he loved his job..he is glad he is out and doesn't miss it a bit...

Yesterday was glorious again..we stayed at home and Mike was organizing the upper portion of the garage setting up his station where he makes bullets...amazing what a little organizing can do...I can easily get to my dolls for my shows and my set up etc..I have my garage sale stuff set aside so in July I can get pricing it and then haul it to my show along with some of my dolls and such..will probably be a 2 tripper...so yesterday I pulled out the power washer and power washed our brick patio..OH MY GOSH can you say dirty..(Taken from our bedroom window).with our climate it starts growing stuff..wish I had taken a before photo..but the red was the dirtiest..so I did the deck the chairs the lattice work, our picket fence, you name it, if it was in reaching distance it got hosed down..so did the decorative plates on the front of the fence...everything looks so fresh and clean now..Just makes a huge difference..

Another "ariel" view of the garden..I took all of my little container gardens and transferred them over to this spot as it makes it easier to water and it was too bare..I love this side of my backyard..I love looking at all the plants and veggies growing..(click on to see a more up close shot)..

I guess this is where they got the term "Dog Tired"..our little pup is pooped from being out side since 7am..brought him in at 8pm.he just loves his sheep..loves to just shake it and chew on it..and for the first time..he fell asleep on it...isn't that precious? they always are when they are sleeping..Well it was a nice productive weekend to say the least..on our walk I stopped at my first garage sale of the year..I bought a bunch of stuff for my nephews..books and I got a quantum pad with books and cartridges and little computer for $15 for my youngest nephew for his birthday in November..he is going to love it..I also got a brand new cookie press from Pampered chef for $5..never been out of the box...

today I am going to putz around in my craft room and rearrange it so it functions better..it is becoming to clutter with stuff..so may be tossing more to the garage sale..gotta finish up my kitchen swap for Angela and get some items sent on their way to my pal Cindy too..Well Kiddies I hope you all have a wonderful week...thanks for stopping by and say hi..:)

Shoppe Updated

Well I have finally finished some of the projects that I started..These are all on my selling blog at WSOAPP...Have a great weekend..it is 1 am and I am a tired gal...:)

MoRe IdEaS & InSpiRaTioN....parT 2

I have so many ideas that I get out of magazines and I save them in a big book, so I pulled out more items to share with you..The one above has the neatest website and I finally went to it and purchased this exact set amongst over things to make and to put on my selling blog..Their stuff is all 50% off and they have some of the neatest stencils..The site is called Primitive Designs.

This is a little candle holder that I have had for a very long time and I put the little wooden turquoise eggs in the bottom..there is a bit of straw and chicken wire that has been wrapped around the inside and a votive put in top with a wire hanger..This would look cute in a prim or country kitchen...and easy to make too..

here are some stitcherys that I have that if you click to save these you can enlarge them later and stitch these out...they are all redwork so you can do it that way or use your imagination and go wild with alot of colors..this is supposed to be to make a quilt..but these would look great framed or as individual quilt blocks or on flour sack material..

I love the rustic look of this chandlier..using an old garden fence and those glass insulator for the candle holders..I have a bunch of those and now I remember why..and I have the fencing in white/rust..this would look so cute on a covered porch or a garden/shed hideaway that you have decked out just for you..or even hanging in a tree with a table underneath for when you entertain on those nice warm evenings...

here is another stitchery freebie that I got when I purchased some stuff from the primitive cupboard..their site is closed..again click to save and enlarge this.

Okay last but not least another idea for a cold frame..they took fencing material and made it into a upside down U shape and stapled it to the wooden boxes and then put white tarps or clear plastic too to make winter beds for veggies...Well that is it for a day or two or until I go through my big book of stuff..I have to get some craft items done for our Mid summer nights dream on our selling group site that is launching tomorrow..so besure to stop by for that...have a great weekend enjoying family and friends and having barbeques etc..I bought some nice T-bones and corn on th cob and making a nice potato/macaroni salad..you ought to try this...the salads are made the same way...you usually put in the same ingredients but one is potato and the other is macaroni..well combine them...it is so tasty...I finally put my flag outside yesterday and wrote on my chalk board using my new liquid chalk markers..oh they are nice and write up so well..I put on there to have a safe memorial weekend and to remember our military and our veterans in red white and blue markers...our weather is beautiful again today..SWEET!!!! :)