PuMpkiNs anD MoRe PuMpKins...

Well I finally finished up my last two pumpkins this morning...These are a bit time consuming as I wanted to put in the shading details etc..I LOVE how these turned out..I bought the pattern from Shirley Hudson Holidays on patternmart and had all the roving etc for about 2 years and wasn't using it..and I love pumpkins..so I went for it..and I am very pleased..These babys are up for sale on both my selling sites..will post them shortly..if you are interested let me know..

The one in the middle is my own design as I have the cute little tags that are on each of them...and one had an owl...so I enlarged it and think I did a pretty good job capturing him..the tag is attached to the pumpkin..I added 3-dimensional qualitys to all of these to make them stand out better..the two on the left has sticks for the branches that they are standing on..the kitty has a rusty safety pin with rusty bell for his collar) attached after the photo was taken..

The little one on the left is from Bird in the hand primitives..it is a stitchery...but I needle felted it instead..I added the little tendril...don'tcha just love the little green tendril on the pumpkin..:)The witch is my own design as well. I added flax to the witches hair and it looks so good..she also has little beady teeth sewn on. the kitty has a rusty bell sewn onto his purple collar

the crow has a rusty safety pin with bell for his wing..the spider is hanging from a twig that has been sewn on..

right side view of the broom

left side view of the bat..

candy corn..I shaded it so it would stand out better..Click on the photos to see the details..I also added real pumpkin stems that I have left dry and I also added little baby pine cones that drop in our yard so I E-6000 all of these and they are not going any where.. I also added stained cheesecloth to some of the stems...They range in sizes and shapes...all the details will be on my selling sites..Well tomorrow is the big day for my giveaway...so stay tuned for the details and how you can enter...Have a wonderful day!!!:)

ThuRsDay FuNNieS...

is one is my favorite..I think I busted a gut on this one...what a face..:)

Have a wonderful thursday..we are in for our hottest day yet..supposed to be over 100..staying in and sewing..Making felted pumpkins..will post them and some photos of the garden and whats growing tomorrow...:)

WhaTchA woRkiN oN WedNeSday...

Hey there my good blogging buds! I just finished up this purse I started yesterday..Kimmy and I started brain storming after the one I purchased at the show I did 2 weeks ago and wanted to embroider on these..so off we went to get the supplys last week and after she taught me how to do zippers..super easy..feel kind of like an idiot now because they are soooo easy..:) anyway this is what I came up with....They fit right at the hip for easy access..

here is the close up of the design I machine embroidered on..

And it is fully lined..where as the one I purchased is not..I am making and selling these on my selling blog..will post this as soon as I get done with this post..I have so many ideas for these purses with what designs to embroider on to them..would anyone carry a fall/halloween purse, a christmas purse? you know with a theme on them? I have some awesome designs...so your input would be greatly appreciated.


Speaking of Posts..this is my 400th post!!! I started this blog in February of 2008 and it has been so much fun getting to know each and every one of you.. coming into your households and getting to know you..I feel like I know each of you personally..I am still deciding what to do for a giveaway..probably something fall/halloweenish..I will let you know what I decide..

We harvested 2 of our zuchinnis the other night and I have been sauteing them in clarified butter and olive oil with salt and pepper for dinner..it is so much fun to pluck something from the garden and eat it..like having your own produce department at your disposal...We are also dehydrating our herbs as well..the above jar is oregano..the whole garage smells good after we are done..

This is the parsley...we have so many herbs to dry and want to preserve them..no since in going to waste...the parsely took maybe 2 hours is all..and smells so fragrant..better then the store bought stuff..we are getting beans finally..we still have about 10 zuchinni, 6 or so yellow squash..and 4 or so baby pumpkins..that plant has lost its mind too..I could have a garden with just that one plant..we are already deciding to make another garden just for the zuchinni and pumpkins next year...can't wait..if this economy keeps going like it is..we will make our whole yard one huge garden..

This is what I found on monday night...It is getting so hot...HOW HOT IS IT YOU ASK? yesterday was about 92 and today is supposed to be 99..wholy crap!!! that is hot..we here in the pacific northwest like our 75 degree weather with a light breeze...so needless to say both window a/c units will be in full force the next couple of days..we are truly in our heat wave this week..just standing in the shade you start to sweat..I hate sweating when I am doing nothing..anyway here is sunny sitting on the counter and silly Millie in the sink...it is nice and cool..oh and Pody ann hoped in the tub...silly kitties..They will hang out in the rooms with the a/c's today..Tucker is hiding under the porch in the cool dirt..gotta make sure he has plenty of water and water the plants as well..Not much else to report on..I hope you all are well and safe and cool...

On another note...I am leaving my WSOAPP site as nothing of mine has sold since december..no since in throwing money down the drain..so off on my own...It is one less thing to have to deal with as well and I have the 2 shows coming up anyway..and the last one went well..so that is what is going on...may try Etsy after the first of the year when the shows are done..and I will continually put things on my selling blog as well..Have a wonderful hump day..:)

WhAt I'Ve BeEn Up To...

Well Kimmy and I set off on Thursday for a girls day shopping and lunch..So we headed down to downtown Poulsbo a cute little town with lots of shops and great little restaurants..so we had a wonderful day of shopping and just having some girl time..I don't see my Kimmy much and when I do..I like to make a day of it...;) then we headed over to Joanns our favorite place to shop..I swear we are keeping that store in business..lol..but we found some wonderful things and tools to help me sew better..I got this neat table Ott lite for my embroidery table..my eyes ain't what they used to be..I also bought some scrapbooking flowers to sew on to the purses Iam going to make..and I purchased a leather foot and a zipper foot..it is universal..just a quick flip and it goes the other way...they are sure spendy...but as Kimmy says: if it makes your sewing easier..so I bit the bullet on bought em...

This awesome piece of halloween goodness was found at the local quilt shop in Poulsbo..it was 9.69 a yard....and thats all I got..but I see a wonderful halloween witch made out of this...

one of the local craft stores where I used to consign had this little washboard..so I scooped it up as it will go with the laundry things I make and sell..it is one of the tiny ones..Love it..

Kimmy and I want to make some of those purses like the one I purchased at the gift show last week...only we are embroidering on them..I have so many cute designs I want to try out..I got brown, black, burgandy and cream leather like fabric..we are also going to line them..and she taught me how to do zippers..boy do I feel like an idiot..only took 33 years to figure it out..;) what can I say...so Kimmy taught me on friday when I went to her house for some more girl time and sewing..she has a huge sewing room and we needed the space so off I went..she always teaches me new stuff..she used to tailor clothes..so I always ask the expert when I need help..

hhhmmmm...I wonder what I am going to be using these for...you will just have to wait and see...

bought some fabric to make new seat cushions for the out door furniture...getting old and not so cushy any more..so got the seat padding too..that green one is the old one and I will use it as the template..

I got this really pretty table runner at the craft store where I used to consign..it was only 12.95...and it is reversible..it is on the picnic table...

and here it is..with my candles and glass insulators..are you still wondering what I am using the baby crib bumper pads for...

well here it is!! I made chair pads yesterday at Kimmys from the fabric we bought on thursday..and toda I added those button shanks that you cover with the fabric and sewed them all on...now our Tushes will be much more comfortable...we are having a bbq tonight hopefully with the neighbors..and having ribs and that potato salad recipe that Sue of Country pleasures shared a while back..this will be the 2nd time I have made it..and it is so yummy..the tators are mashed basically in a food mill..takes a lot of work..but it is worth it..so yummy...and a salad from the garden...the ribs are on the stove as we speak simmering away for 2 hours in beer juice..then you slap them on the grill with barbeque sauce for the most mouth watering fall of the bone ribs you ever ate..trust me..this is the way to go..once you try this..you won't go back..

here is our sunflowers..they are taller then the deck now..and just starting to get their buds..you can see Tucker walking by..he looks puny in comparison..the stocks are about an inch around..or more..they are going to be huge..I can't wait for them to bloom...Well we are getting our heat wave this week..today was about 80 today and tomorrow 84 and monday 87 and tuesday 91...yuk..hate it..but Monday hubby is back to having Mondays off in august but starting this monday as they switched early....so we are going to the movies and dinner...our date day...we don't do it much and it is nice when we can..:)

I changed out my lamp shade from this one above .....

to this one ....I love it..still has the plastic on it..needed to be sure I am keeping..got it at the craft store in poulsbo too..I love the black and white...goes perfect with my other decor in the kitchen..what do you think?

I also bought these cute silicone bulbs and a light adapter to make an instant lamp...

and here it is...I recycled the other lamp shade for this one...

I also picked up this vintage "looking" item..do you know what it is?

It is holding my old wooden spoon collection...I love it..I put it in the dining room...I love it..

Okay last but not least..Carolee gave me this can of watermelon soda...a mutual friend of ours Colleen is a flight attendant and got this in florida..Carolee isn't a soda drinker and thought I might like it..so I opened er up today..and it is so sweet and refreshing and tastes like watermelon..I love the can..I need to figure out a way to incorporate it in my crafting...

this is the other side of it...so you folks in Florida are holding out on us..this is great stuff...love the color of the soda too..
Okay before I go..I have to share a recipe that I got from Nan when we did our show last week..it is called
Wine Cake
1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1 pkg. (reg) vanilla instant pudding
3/4 cup cooking oil
3/4 cup sherry wine or cooking sherry
4 eggs

Frosting:
2 cups powdered sugar
2TBS. cooking oil
1/3 cup orange juice
mix the 3 ingredients together

Mix together cake mix, pudding, oil, wine and eggs. Beat for 4 minutes with an electric mixer..Pour into a lightly greased angel food cake pan...I am thinking you could use a bundt pan too.. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. After removing from the pan, prick the top of the cake repeatedly with a large fork.. Pour the frosting over the top and down the sides of the cake.. sprinkle with additional powdered sugar.. well I hope you are enjoying your weekend and staying cool...Take care and have a great rest of your weekend....Thanks for stopping by..;)

WoRdLeSs WeDnEsDaY...

WeRe HaVinG A HeAT WaVe.. A TroPiCal HeAT WaVe..

What Movie does the Title remind you of? if you said Grumpy old men you were right..only we are having a heat wave...it is going to be in the 80's and possibly the 90's here this week...for us washatonians...that is too hot..we are 70-75 kind of folks...so making sure the watering is done so we don't lose anything...and I am staying in where it is cool..will come out at night or be out in the early morning...Sitting on my new picnic table...reading a magazine..sipping on my Arnold palmer watching the kittys..I picked up the rest of my stuff last night and Bob and Carolee were gracious enough to help me pack my truck up..they do this all the time and we got it all in minus one huge bin..so hubby dropped by on his way home from work and got it..I came home with 5 empty bins..they are the really big ones you get at lowes.they must be 4 feet long.. so now I gotta get cranking and make some stuff to fill it all..I was also able to leave all the garage sale stuff that didn't sale with them as they go to the Goodwill every week and they have a trailer to do so...so that was sweet too..I can't wait to do their show again next year...It really was alot of fun..and they are wonderful folks that took such good care of us..:)

Here is my enamelware pitchur in action..Carolee gave me some lavendar so some went here along with my daisys and the others went in my watering can on the front porch...Now I just need to get some lilacs..(they are my favorite from childhood) and I will be set..

our cone flowers are starting to bloom..I love these..no flowers on the sunflowers yet..but they are huge..about 8 or 9 feet tall..best year yet..the hopps have their buds now...and the garden is still going crazy..4-5 squash, 3-4 pumpkins..man that thing is taking over the garden and has started coming out of the front..with a little baby pumpkin..now I hope it survives..one of the zuchinni bit the dust as it got a soggy end and rotted..bummer too..but they are starting to get big..the tomatoes are losing their minds now..some are about 3 inches around and getting bigger everyday...
Well that is it for me..gotta go tidy up the house and make the bed and get my day started...have a wonderful tuesday...Oh this is my 397th post..so 3 more to go or 5 more followers to reach 100 and I will have a giveaway...:)

GoiNg To MaRkeT...

Well it has been a long three days..but I had so much fun at our "market" that we did..the weather was gorgeous..the food was great and so was the company!! I love crafting but I love being at the shows and mingling with the other vendors and the guests that stop by the booths..Grab something to eat cause I have lots to tell you and lots of eye candy in store too..The photo above is of our lovely hostess with the mostest and her lovely and very pregnant Daughter Nell..Carolee has been in business for at least 30 years I think it is now..and last year was the first year for this Market..she does one in May and July and then she is regularly open the friday-Sun schedule the weekend after thanksgiving..she and her Husband Bob travel all over the united states in search of treasure..and oh the treasures they bring back for us!!..This is my most favorite place to shop..cause you know it is all very unique and OOAK...she also makes stuff from things that she finds and her home is filled up with yummy goodness...it is just so warm and inviting...Well Nell is having her baby this wednesday..she is scheduled for the C-section...this is going to be her second and it is a girl too...she is just a sweet heart and I couldn't keep my hands off of her tummy..she just looked so cute in her little summer dresses each day..and she catered our lunch on sunday...yummo!..torelinni salad with basil...we had panninis on saturday and enchiladas on friday...WE all brought cakes and cookies etc..so there was a nice feast for everyone..no one left hungry..trust me..:)

Okay here is my booth all set up in the shade....

more stuff...

and yet more..I sold 9 of my dolls and the rest was garage sell type items..I did pretty well..made $423.95 for the 3 days..more then what I walked in with..and the commission was all mine..The little gal with the mask sold to another vendor..she also bought my "hit the road Jack" canvas, it was for her 8 year old grandson named Jack as they always sing the song to him...so that was pretty sweet..

more of my items hanging up..

Oh I fell in Love with these two ladys..they are best friends and I just had the best time getting to know these beautiful gals..Karen is on your left and Nora is on the right..Karen bought two of my dolls along with one of my room sprays...Oh Kimmy and I would love to hang out with these two..we could get in to some serious trouble with these two...

Here are some things I bought at the show..Miss Anne had the cutest stuff ever! and everyone was walking around and wearing one of her wonderful creations!!! I bought the cute little purse that goes over your shoulder across your chest for my shows to hold my money etc..I also bought the cute little business card holder too..and she had jewelry...Oooohh I love jewelry..but hers is so unique and I love unique..I bought my self some earrings..not shown here, but i got my MIL some earrings and I got Kimmy her birthday present as well..also not shown her as she reads my blog..I bought myself a hairpin that says "silly girl" on it..I know...Me silly...never...lol..her shoppe name is "chickie poo..and it is sewn onto her creations...she mad all sorts of things..you will see them below

MIL earrings and my pin..

I whipped these up friday night..some flour sack towels, machine embroidered...these sold to a vendor for her friends and family

this one too..

This is Leanne and her Shanghi Treasures..they live in China and have for the last 2 years and are leaving again next month for another year..but she brought some wonderful goodies to sell from there as well as her own things..we had so much fun..she was out with me..she brought her cute little daughter Margaret with her..what a cutie she was..we did some bartering...love to barter..its my second middle name..first is shopping, 2nd is bartering..lol..

Here she is modeling the latest fashions...I believe this was Bobs..

Here were some wonderful gals selling the most yummy treats for folks and their puppys..along with their mom selling her stuff..we also bartered..you will see it at the end..they had the best lemonade ever..and were a bunch of wonderful gals to talk to..

Here is bobs stuff all the stuff guys love..tools and such..my tent (blue) is next store..

This is the entrance to Carolees and her garden to the left..I never tire of looking at her garden...she has it so cute and is so whimsical..I truly get inspired when I look at her garden..

all the little cups and saucers are for sale too..don't you love that sunflower..I showed you this in May at the last show she did..

Here is Raejean manning the station for Carolee..she helps her with all of her shows and we are neighbors too...hop skip and a jump from each other..and I love her cottage..now I just got to see the inside...hint hint!!! RaeJean....see the table she is sitting at? that is my new picnic table..I pick it up today..I am so excited..it will go on the back deck..OH I can hardly stand it..I want to go and pick it up..you will see the two benches too..they used them as displays..

Carolee had a "green" theme going on..and I love it...

more green...

I wanted this decons bench..and it would certainly look great on our back porch if it was inclosed..she is getting 2 more when they take their trip in September to Nebraska..look at all the wonderful linens..LOVE EM!!!

Her Kitchen display..man I love red..and this was done up so nicely...

look at all the quilts and fronts of quilts..pillows...blankies etc..I could curl up on this little day bed and take a snooze...

Meet the man that makes the most wonderful creations out of steel and such..His name is Dick Strom of Bapatoms Metal works..here is his website. I told him about the metal wagon wheels that I have in the front of my house..I told him I might trade one for one of his creations..will see..I love his sunflowers..

aren't these just fabulous!!!

great wagon wheel for fall..heck all year round..

I think this was everyones favorite..old horseshoes all welded together..it mad the neatest flower..

a better closeup..it sold on Saturday night...oh I would have loved that one...I just love the dimension of it..

This great gal Nan, she bought my dolls and canvas and some bowls from me..this is her set up..kind of a 40's theme and it was decorated beautifully too..she certainly has an eye for it..and I so enjoyed meeting her too..she is a sweet lady...

loved her stuff too...

I loved this photo..

Okay onto some more eye candy..This is Miss Carries stuff..oh I love the fabrics she chose for these yummy cupcakde pin cushions...they were wonderful..and don't you love how they were displayed?

you want to take a bit don't you....

more of Miss Anne's purses and pins..

I loved their displays..oh you can see the picnic bench peeking out...

more of those earing..the ones on the lower right are just like the ones I bought..love em..

Here is monique displaying the things they sale..I don't remember what they are called..but you wear them as dresses or skirts or as a puppy holder..that is Gigi..isn't she adorable?

This is her mom and their other puppy...can't remember his name..In the white is Miss Carrie..with the cute cupcakes etc..I didn't get a photo of Miss Diana..she had purses and vintage toys and furniture...her stuff was just as wonderful..and I wish my middle name had been "money bags" cause I loved all of their stuff..

Here is Monique teaching us how to hoola hoop? did I tell you I sucketh at it..Monique and her mom are from South Africa and they were alot of fun as well...

after the show on saturday night..there was another one going on....so naturally we had to stop by and take a peek..very nice stuff..but oh so highly priced...but see that 3 tierd shelf like box in the center? I wanted it..but couldn't afford the price tag..so I took pictures in hopes that Mike could make me one..well that gal came to our show yesterday and we bartered for it..and I must say..I am sooooo happy..so I am taking this to my shows for my displays...I am one happy camper..

these are some more things I bartered for..I traded one of my ice skates for these two burma shave jars and that coffee cup for DH and the enamelware pictchur shown below as well as 4 red towels..(I am going to embroider on those)...I have my cotton balls in one of those jars..not sure what I will use the other for..so any suggestions..:)

Carolee also gave me a huge bag full of baby blocks..so I can write out words on my frames..I am so excited....she is just the best...

she also gave me that little whisk broom ...going to put a label on it and hang it up..at the end we all started giving our stuff away..I got some cute little smiley face erasers to give to my nephews for school..and some cute little monkey earrings too...I bought the little clothespins for my laundry creations..as they are weathered and prim looking...It is nice to be home and done with the show..but I have to still go and pick up the rest of my bins and tent and my picnic table..I forsee a dinner out on the deck tonight...sitting on our table..will take photos when it is all set up...have a wonderful week...now I gotta get ready for my next show in october...there is no rest for the creative...:)