Meet Solomon

 

This is Solomon!  He is my one and only furbaby I talk about all the time!  If you haven't heard of him, you haven't been  listening!  LOL   He is all heart!  He calls me Maw Maw and he goes where I go.  When we first met, it was love at first sight!  He was a rescue dog of my son's when he was in college.  Of course, like most college kids, he hadn't thought it through.  And after moving in with someone else who had 2 dogs living with them already, it was decided that Sol would be staying with Maw Maw and Paw Paw a few months until other living arrangements were made.  (He) my son moved a total of 5 more times since that.  And as you've probably already guessed, Sol stayed put.  For more reasons than 1, the upper most reason being, Maw Maw wouldn't let him out of her sight, he's been with us since.  Just a minute.   Somebody needed some scratching.  Hehe He must have known I was talking about him!  When he sees me sitting still on the computer or at the sewing machine is his chance to move in for attention!

I'm working on my Annie in the Garden Redwork quilt at the moment, but I have Christmas ideas brewing in my head!  Lots of ideas!  I'll share with everyone as soon as I can!

Huggies!

I Made a Kitty Kat for Carla

My friend Carla loves cats.  She has a bunch of real kitties, too.  In fact she just got a new kitten and her grandson Jager loves her! 

I originally made a purple and orange Pinkeep for someone else for a swap I was in.  The theme was purple and orange and I spotted this pattern on Threadbare Primitives and had to make it for her.  Before I made it, I showed it to a group of my friends who are constantly wanting to see everything I make.  This lead to commissions for 5 more Kitty Pinkeeps!  To say the least, I got quite comfortable with this pattern and made them in my sleep, too!  LOL

 Mostly I give the things I make as presents or I make them for a swap or challenge for the IPDM Yahoo! Group I'm in.  There are also a bunch of ladies at work I tend to make stuff for because they like certain things or remind me of things I'm making.  I've made Santa ornies, Uncle Sams, firecrackers, owls, witches, etc.  I've had ladies tell me about things they've seen, giving me ideas, and right now I've been planning an angel swag for a lady at work.  I told her I might have to confer with her.  I'd hate to make something grungy prim and shock her socks off!  Prim to 1 person might look like the garbage to another!

Here are some grungy tea lights I made.  I absolutely love them!  I hate to not give credit to whoever put the recipe out there, but I just recalled reading it somewhere and made them.  Next, I want to make some votive lights.  The fact they run on batteries is great.  I'm not too  good at arranging electric cords!



Annie in the Garden

This is the last Annie in the Garden stitchery I was waiting for.  She's gorgeous!  Pauline sent her to me.  Now, I've been planning the quilt I'm making with all my Annie stitcheries.  The first thing I need to do is tea stain all the stitcheries and the muslin and calico I'll be using.  I like to have them stained beforehand.  I think they just look nicer.  So, off I go to plan and prepare!  I've been waiting for this... all year!

Bye now!

Mary Jo

Trying to Catch Up!

Well, I might have jumped the gun a bit!  Just a teensy bit!  I can only blog on DH computer.  *sigh*  This means I take pics, dl to my puter, copy to disc, dl to DH puter, fix then post on his puter.  Whew!  I truly wish the freaks who think viruses are fun would come on over so I can punch their lights out!!  I have a technician who promises to work out the kink keeping me from blogging on my puter.  That is after he, DS, gets off work today and does whatever he does after work.  That is my 17 year old.  I made the mistake of asking my 23 year old if he could look at it.  *sigh*  Don't even get me started!  Seriously, you don't want to know!  Okay, I'll give you a brief picture story.  Its too frustrating to actually blog about it!
(This is him trying to sneak away!!  Come back here!)

Finally I get him to actually listen to me.  Wait!  Is this technically listening?  This is what he does ALL the time.  Blackberry!  ACK!

What?  I am too listening!  What is it you need from the store?

Now he's just showing off!  Well, at least he's pretty!  That's about all I can say at this moment...  I'm too frustrated!









So, I wait.  Then I mosey over to DH puter and... What?!!  What stinking password?  I can't ask him as he's in a tree stand somewhere hunting deer!  Can't call him... I know!!  I'll text him.  hehehehe!!  And the rest is history!  What we bloggers with technical difficulties have to go through!  LOL  But, its worth it!

Skip Skip, Skip to My Lou!

Flys in the Buttermilk, Shoo Fly Shoo!  Yeeee-Hawwww!  I'm so happy!  Can you feel it?  Its because I finally, after many, too many, days I can work on my blog again!  NOW you know why they call me Mary Mary Quite Contrary!  I never give UP!!  roflmao!!!  Things just aren't square when I can't blog!  I've been so down in the dumps!  Ugh!




The first thing I did was post the Christmas With Annie Blog button to my sidebar!  Yeah! AwtemNymph is so creative!  We are so lucky to have her!  Hugs AwtemNymph.  I'll be posting fun pics with Annie in the weeks to come on through December.  Well, you go to the blog by way of the button and find out all about it yourself!  Fun and prizes!  WoooHOOO!  Until next time, blogging friends!
Huggies!
Mary Jo
fbigirlie@yahoo.com

Troubles, Woe is Me!

I've not been able to fix this blog for sometime now. First I was sick, then overworked, sick again. Dealing with personal problems (see above). Computer fried, setting me to worry; will they be able to save the content of my HD? Using DH Apple and not able to actually be ON the computer for more than a quick 10 minutes and that precious time is used to check email. Sick again (still sick). And now? Something appears to be wrong wrong wrong! I've narrowed down the problem to a few reasons:

1. I totally forgot how to work this blogger thang
2. An alien sucked out the part of my brain used to blog.
3. Something is wrong with Blogger.
4. My status as a blogger has been reduced to looking, trying and not getting anything done.
5. I've totally lost it!!
6. I'm in a longgggg baddddd nightmare!!
   

I will not give up!! I am woman hear me ROARRRRRRRRRR!
But first, I need some coffee and choccie.
Hope to cya all soon! Throwing kisses and hugs your way!

Mary Jo
Now I'm worn out and will try later. I should say, I have lots to show

Little Button Annie Mama and Baby

Hello all! Its me, I'm back again! LOL Gone forever and suddenly I'm posting twice in 1 day! I've gotta pace myself, huh? But I have so much to say and show you! This cutie is Cute as a Button Annie by Happy Heart Patterns. You can find all her wonderful patterns here: http://www.happyheartpatterns.com/

I made her for a swap in the IPDM Group. Linda said she loved her! This was her first Annie doll shes ever owned. Annie has buttons sewn on her dress and a button necklace. She took me awhile to make because I was sick, but I hope she was worth the wait to Linda.
This is her by herself and then I made a baby for her since it was a Mama and Baby swap.
I made the baby's necklace with mini buttons. She's a mini replica of her Mama I drew up. I had fun making the necklaces, too. Now, I need to buy some more buttons!! hehehe Here are the dolls Linda sent me. She has an accompanying story that goes with her about 9/11. They are very cool dolls! I think Linda has some furbabies because my dog Sol absolutely loves them! He gets to sniffing all over and won't leave them alone!

Linda also sent me this wonderful Birthday tag she embroidered and a handsome little wool pumpkin. Thanks Linda! What a great swap!

I've not signed up for any more swaps, as I've been working on some commissions. That's the trouble with showing off your wares; people want to buy them! *sigh* Oh, well! Talk to you soon!
Mary Jo

Goodies and Swaps Report!

More Birthday Tags to show off!
Yes there are more! 2 more to be exact! I received them earlier and am just now showing you! This one is from lovely Laura Ann. Shes made me a very sweet princess Birthday Tag and I love it!
























Linda sent me this embroidered Annie Happy Birthday tag! Isn't she sweet? I'm a huge fan of Annie!
















Carla, who is as sweet as it gets, sent me this gorgeous red fq, red floss, vintage quilt kitty cut out, and last but definitely not least, Annie tag!! woooHoooo! I will be using this floss and fabric to complete my Redwork Stitchery Challenge, "Annie in the Garden". Which reminds me, I really need to get a move on! LOL As always I've found myself to be behind! Argh!

Howdy! I'm Updating!!

Here is the pincushion I made for Heather in the String and Prim pinnie swap in International Prim Doll Makers group I belong to. I made her out of a design I drew up. The flash doesn't give the correct colour or degree of grunginess! lol Heather liked her! The fabric used on her dress is some vintage fabric I picked up in an antique store. I love that type of dolly.























Here is the Orange/Purple pinnie I received from Patti. I think its gorgeous and have used in it a display for Halloween. I love Halloween and Autumn themed fabric. I don't have access to a fabric shop close by, but have to travel 2 hours to get to one. Thanks Wal-Mart for a stupid reason for removing the craft/fabric department after you ran all the Mom and Pop stores out of business! Grrrrrrr! Don't get me started! LOL

















I wanted to apologize for taking such a long time to post again! I've been sick with a cold(?) for quite a while and can't get rid of it. I hear quite a few people have had this. Starts out as allergies and works its way into your chest for some lingering bronchitis that is killer. I've had it for so long. And as I'm typing this, coughing and coughing. I won't go into any more details!! LOL Hopefully I'll be well again and caught up with every one's blogs! I have lots of reading to do! Bye for now!

Mary Jo

Annie Redwork I've Done

These are the Annie in the Garden Redwork I've sent out to the ladies. Some I forgot to take pics of before posting and I had to get copies, so they aren't all the same size and view. I'm so anxious to start on my quilt! And then to start on more quilt blocks! It never ends! LOL

Mary Jo














CONTACT ME AT fbigirlie@yahoo.com

Annie in the Garden Quilt Blocks

Here is the Annie in the Garden quilt blocks I've received so far. I'm waiting for one more block and a fat quarter, then I can start creating a quilt or something similar. All of them came from different ladies and each is very unique. I love every one of them! I'll be tea staining them soon, in readiness. I sent out 7 blocks myself, to different ladies. This is going to be interesting to see the different creations from each one. I love Redwork!! I have so many projects waiting for me to begin. So many different things on my to-do list! LOL I'm sure everyone else is the same.
Mary Jo

Things to Show OFF!

Now everyone can finally see the cute Halloween Pin Keep I made for Patti in my group pc swap! The theme was purple and orange! This pattern is by Threadbare Primitives. I just love this Pin Keep!! I didn't find the purple silky fabric hard to deal with, either. I loved all the stitchery involved. Patti says she loves it! Yeah!

In the mail I received another wonderful Birthday Tag!! Whoopeee! Isn't it beautiful? Thanks so much Jessie! I love it!! I'm hanging it up with my other Birthday Tags! What a treat!

That's the great thing about belonging to a group! You get to join whatever swaps you want! I love getting pressies! Here is my latest Annie in the Garden Redwork. These are from Stella! Gorgeous stitches, Stella. I think she knows a thing or two about it, huh? LOL I'll explain all about that swap, soon and show off all my Redwork I've received from so many talented gals.

And last but not least, my huge surprise!! I won, I won, I won!!! LOL I never win, but I did this time! Here is my awesome pattern I won from the remarkable AwtemNymf's Raggedy Ann Birthday Party Blog! Yes, that's right! I won the Raggedy Old Annies pattern Birthday Girl Annie! Yup! Isn't it great?! I'm gathering supplies to make her as we speak! LOL Thanks so much everyone involved! Its very generous of you!

I've got more posts up my sleeves! I want to show everyone what I'm doing to a few items in my sewing room, so stay tuned....

Mary Jo

Maggie Mae in the Pumpkin Patch

This is Maggie Mae, a new doll I bought with my Birthday $$! Isn't she a beauty? She's sitting on a shelf in my sewing room with a couple of pumpkins I've made to make a scarecrow with.




This is the second doll I've bought from this lady. Her dolls just speak to me!
MY SEWING ROOM IS NOT PRIM AT ALL.
As you can see, my sewing room isn't Prim. I have lots of Prim things in it. But the walls are 2 shades of blue and has a really nice chair rail border. *sigh* This was my youngest's former room. We had decorated his room as a beach theme with blue skies! He loved lighthouses. It is a very pretty room! In fact, if we could have wiggled our noses and this theme transferred to his new room magically, that would have been perfect! I even made tab top draperies for all the windows. If I even mention doing anything with this room, I have 2 men ready to pitch a fit! I would have liked to take up the carpet and expose the hardwood underneath. Then I could paint the walls, sans border. Totally redo the windows and ceiling fan, light fixtures, etc. That just wears me out thinking about it. Not the work, thats the easy part. Its the convincing of dh and ds that wears me out. So, I'll just keep it the way it is. These guys are so sentimental! Who knew? Good thing I love blue!

ttfn
Mary Jo

From My Friends

Here are some Birthday Tags I received from IPDM Yahoo! Group I belong to. The first one is from Kristine in Georgia. Very creative! See how she started the message on the front and continued it to the back? Very lovely. Thanks Kristine!!


This Birthday Tag is from Val in South Australia. So sweet! I love all the little embellishments on it! The ribbons are vintage or antique looking. I'll have to ask her where she found them! Thanks Val!!


This one is from Heather. Beautiful!! I love all the purple, pink and gold! I have no idea how she affixed that dragonfly at the top. It is very cool!

I've been slow to post as I'm attempting to finish up some swaps I am in. I can't wait until Heather receives her pinnie from me! I hope she loves it! When she's got it, I'll post a pic. The theme was Prim and String. Hmmmm! I love a challenge!!
Right now I'm finishing up a pinnie for Patti. The theme is Purple and Orange. Can you say Halloween!! I love Halloween!! And as soon as she's received it, I'll post a piccie!!
Then, I'll be working on my last swap I'm in. That is a Mama & baby doll swap for Val. Then you'll get a peek at that, too! LOL Sorry you have to wait each time; don't want to spoil any surprises!!

Huggies!

Mary Jo

Happy Birthday to ME!

Happy Birthday to ME! This is my Birthday pic this year, hence the sparkly Happy Birthday tiara! My Birthday was September 9th, 2009 or 09/09/09!
I had a great one this year;

1. slept late
2. dh fixed me breakfast: veggie omelet and cinnamon toast
3. lazed around talking with dh
4. 2 of my sisters took me to lunch at a good restaurant
5. went to the Antique Mall with dh to spend my Birthday loot! And, boy did I!!
6. had ice cream and strawberries at mil's with her and her hubby (picked up more loot!) ;p
7. had homemade lasagna and brownies and ice cream for dessert!
8. opened up another present from my youngest son; Bath and Body Works!!!
   
9. lolled around on the couch complaining of full tummy until I fell asleep!

Yeah for me! Had a great Birthday and was spoiled rotten!! I also got some fab cards from everyone which I'll display in my sewing room for about a month or so!! And in between 1 and 9 chatted with the Yahoo! Group and got Happy Birthdays from all! I also have received 3 Birthday tags so far from the gals in Group!! I'll post those pics next!

Mary Jo
Need to email me? I welcome comments, suggestions, questions so go right ahead!
fbigirlie@yahoo.com

Happy Happy Happy!! Happy Birthday to Raggedy Ann!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAGGEDY ANN!
WOOO hoooooooo!!

Its Raggedy Ann's Birthday! Everyone give a HooT! for the Birthday Girl!!
My Raggedy Ann dollies are dear to me. I've got to say... I have truly loved Raggedy Ann my entire life.
Sitting from left to right above, I'll start by telling you about Agatha. Agatha was from a swap I participated in from the Yahoo! group I belong to, International Prim Doll Makers or IPDM. Victoria sent me this special dolly. Agatha was Victoria's very first Prim doll to make. She did a wonderful job! She has a pet crow with her! I love her! Thanks again Victoria!! *hugs*
Next we have the first extreme Primitive doll I have ever had, from Sue of Rabbit Hallow Primitives who is also in IPDM. Oooo!! Isn't she gorgeous?! I love her wool hair-do and her sheep in the pocket around her neck! Sue stitched BAA on the pocket!
I made the sweetie next to her. She is Belinda and Her Bee Necklace, a pattern by Susan Dean of Threadbare Primitives. Her Bee is made of clay. I loved making her!
Next is a pincushion Raggedy Ann doll from Kathy of http://littlecottonaprons.blogspot.com/. She is such a sweetie with her pretty cherry fabric! Very squeezable and huggable!

I'm having so much fun checking out everyone's blogs who are celebrating Raggedy Ann's Birthday today! Come to the party! You won't be sorry! The button to get there is to the right------------------>>> at the top! http://rablogparty2009.blogspot.com/. Come on! You don't wanna miss out of getting a cupcake! LOL

Need to email me? I welcome comments, suggestions, questions so go right ahead! fbigirlie@yahoo.com

Prim Belindy and Annie

Look!! Its good friends Belindy and Annie!!

I have a new link at the top of my sidebar for the 2009 Raggedy Ann Birthday Blog Party! Everyone who loves Annie and her friends should really check it out! Its going to be sooooo much fun!! Just click on the pic!

I've been a long time lover of everything Raggedy Ann. This pic that I've posted is of a Belindy and Annie set that I made using a pattern by My Raggedy Dolls
http://myraggedydolls.com. She also has a blog at http://www.myraggedydolls.blogspot.com/
They were so little and sweet. I made them for Janene who is in the Yahoo group I belong to for a Valentines Day swap! I had to give them a kiss and gently shove them in the box while I looked away, a tear going down my cheek. *sigh* hehehe! I know Janene loved them! I love Julie of My Raggedy Dolls Halloween Annies, too! Check them out!

Mary Jo

Need to email me? I welcome comments, suggestions, questions so go right ahead!
fbigirlie@yahoo.com

What are those things? you ask?

Did you really think I'd forgotten about you? I'd never do that! The 2 items you see above are bottle caps smashed to smithereens! I asked dh if he could smash a couple bottle caps for me. I had grunge sauce up to my elbows practically, and had some plans for some bottle cap art. I asked him to "rust" them up for me, too. As you can see, he did what I asked. I technically did not tell him to not smash them flat as a pancake, so.....
Men are pretty literal when it comes to instructions. The old, 'Men are from Mars Women are from Venus' thing. Oh, well! I had to drink 2 more beers, such is the luck! Just kidding! I had some laying around! LOL Life is never boring here! I just have to remember when I ask a favour of him to tell him exactly what I'm talking about! Just keep that in mind when you are asking someone for help. Remember... you get what you ask for!

Huggies!
Mary Jo
Need to email me? I welcome comments, suggestions, questions so go right ahead! fbigirlie@yahoo.com

Look Who has Invaded My Sewing Room!!

Ack!! Who goes there? I took this pic of my son, Matt, who is 23, when he invaded my sewing room last week. See the pencil behind his ear? I had to shoo him outta there! He was talking and texting and driving me up a tree while I was trying to sew. hehehe If he would have volunteered to help in there, that would be different! He was looking for something to eat. Hello? The kitchen is thattaway!! No food but fake in here. He has a positively onery smile on his face! Its a cute pic, because behind him on either side you can see my dollies. On the left is a doll CR, from the Yahoo Group I belong to, made me. On the right is the doll Sue, also from group, of Rabbit Hollow Prims made me.

I'm lucky in that I have a room dedicated to my sewing and crafting. I have 2 big tables at a 90 degree angle with my computer, printer, sewing machine and craft supplies. I also have an armoire, chest of drawers, small bookcase, large bookcase and various shelves. All that along with a closet and still I don't have enough room! LOL Can there ever be enough space for all our creativeness, though?

I really don't mind visitors in my sewing room, even if they are 6'4" and he's my short one! Tall boy, my 16 year old son, is 6'7" + and growing! I'll have to spiff it up soon and take a pic for everyone. Its nothing special, but I call it mine!! ;-)

Huggies!

Mary Jo

Need to email me? I welcome comments, suggestions, questions so go right ahead!
fbigirlie@yahoo.com

A Little Swappin'

Hi everybody! *waving* Hope everyone has been busy at something they enjoy doing. I know I have been! LOL A couple weeks ago I mailed out this pincushion doll to Wanda, a gal in the Yahoo group I belong to. I think she's been sick, because I haven't heard from her. I really needed to show everybody the pic, though. You ever make something and you can't wait to show somebody? hehe I'm like a child.

This pc was made based on Annie Pincushion Doll by Bette's Tomorrows Treasures. I added patches on her dress, changed her face and hair and trimmed out her dress. I grunged her up, too to make her Prim. I hope Wanda loves her.

This is a pic of the Birthday Tag I made Wanda, too. Her birthday is February 25th, but we are all catching up on the tags right now. This was my first tag to make. I really, really hope she likes it! I'm a little bit nervous making these altered art tags; its all new to me. I figured I could do it because it involves things I really like: cutting, pasting, playing with office/art supplies, etc.

If anyone has any pointers for me, please feel free to e-mail me or leave a message. Trust me, I can use all the help I can get!!! lmao!!

One more thing before I go... Anyone know what these are?

Huggies till next time!!

MJ

Need to email me? I welcome comments, suggestions, questions so go right ahead!
fbigirlie@yahoo.com