Sunday, October 23, 2011

My Etsy Shop Snowman!

Hello!  I've been working towards putting Winter and Christmas items in my Etsy shop!  Here is what I have so far!


Snowman with wool and flannel coat for sitting or hanging




Snowman Makedo Nodder



Santas Red Flannel Longjohns 1



Santas Red Flannel Longjohns 2




Santas Red Flannel Longjohns 3



Santas Red Flannel Longjohns 4



Santas Red Flannel Longjohns 5

Check them out on Etsy for all the information and pattern credits.  If you get a chance, let me know what you think!  

A special thank you to Jennifer at Stitchn' Thyme and Heather at Forget-Me-Knot for the help and encouragement, too!  You gals are great!!!

I'm having so much fun!  Must get back to creating! 



Sunday, October 9, 2011

Primitive Halloween Cross Stitch

Hello!  Oh, I know, its been a long time, but I just wanted to talk about Cross Stitch.  I LOVE embroidery!!  Handstitching gives me such a sense of peace and accomplishment like nothing else does!  I made some things for my Etsy shop, but, I'm really enjoying them up on my shelf in the dining room.  I wish I could take a new pic to show you, but... my camera cord has done a vanishing act!


So, here are the same old pics I'm using for Etsy!  Have I said how much I love Etsy!?  Doesn't have anything to do with my recent sales, either! LOL




See how nicely the Gorgeous Dark tea-stained linen came out?  Love the look! 
A Black felt witch's hat is blanket stitched, applique with a tea-stained cheesecloth band is on the right . This is darker in person. The stitchery was made with black Perle Cotton as was a small tassel sewn on the upper left corner of the pillow. Pillow is Quality Plaid Homespun with dark green, black, tan and rust colours. Dimensions are 12 x 6 x 2 inches. This needful was a cross stitch pattern by The Primitive Hare.

 And don't the little risers I bought from Carol of Firecracker Kid look marvelous!!  All her goodies are gorgeous!!



This PInKeep is a pattern from Primitive Bettys.
I stained this linen coffee stained. You can see the little heart shaped rusty lock I found at an antique store.  Its so sweet!  And I put some of my dear granny's rusty straight pins on there and some others I had, too.  The hanger is a grosgrain ribbon I had and I pinned it on using some small rusty safety pins.


Its Darker in person, more coffee stained. The fabric for the back is a Small Plaid Homespun in Autumnal colours of dark brown, dark green and rust; the pillow is stuffed with pillow stuffing.


This Pinkeep measures 9 by 3 1/2 inches and approximately 1 3/4 inches thick.


I hope to be posting more soon!  I've been very busy getting ready for a craft show!  Yeah, its fun!  LOL




Monday, August 22, 2011

Freebie Embroidery Plus Rug Hooking Tutorial

If you love Sunbonnet Sue designs, have I got a wonderful source for you!  Barb, a very generous lady, has been posting Friday Freebies for the past 2 Fridays.  They are designs by Laura Wheeler.  Go to Barb's blog Vintage Spice and Everything Nice and check out all the wonderful goodies she shares.  You definitely will want to Follow her Blog.  She publishes her own free crafting mag with patterns for embroidery, crocheting and more!  She also has a free step-by-step tutorial on traditional rug hooking.  Its a 6 part tutorial and looks very interesting!  I don't know much anything about hooking, but I really love the look of it.  Good luck if you decide to give it a go.

Hugs!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Sad Sunday and a Great Prim Giveaway!

I lost a work friend today to a tragic accident.  It was a difficult day at work.  I can't really talk about it because I get too emotional, but suffice to say, I hate motorcycles!!  I will breathe much easier when my son finally sells his.  You hear me Matt?  Please, get rid of the crotch rocket or whatever you call it, so Ma can cross that off her list of worries.

Now, on to a fun lifter-upper courtesy of a generous lady.  Karen from The Barely There Primitive Bear blog has a great giveaway going on for her 2nd Anniversary! You have to check it out and there is still time to enter to win a very nice Primitive grouping.  I've put her button on my sidebar.
She also has some cool new Prim goodies in her blog shop - The Prim Bears Cupboard!  Click the link to get there!  I especially love her fabric covered boxes, they are my fav colour - BLUE!  Shes made some silhouette boxes I'd love to have (Abe).  Good luck to anyone who enters!

I'm getting some fabric ready to do some cross stitcheries!  Wooo hooo!  I love me some stitcheries!!!





Saturday, August 13, 2011

Can You Hear the Witchy Cackling in the Air?

Oh, I'm getting ready for the "witching time"!  I'm making witches for my Etsy shop, that is. 
Can you hear the hags cackling their witchy cackles?  I sure can!  I'm surrounded by witches!
I've put 3 witches up for sale in my Etsy shop!  I've priced these babies to sell folks!  So, don't miss out!  If you want one of these fine ladies, grab her!




Check out her cape!  What a hoot!  Her outfit and kitty is my design.  She has sculpted and painted facial features and painted socks/shoes.  She's been rag stuffed for that old fashioned feel to her.  Her hair is raw flax stitched on.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at fbigirlie@yahoo.com.






Isn't she sweet?  She has lots of character with her sculpted nose and Primitively stitched features.  I designed her dress and her white sculpted pumpkin.  Her stained cheesecloth shawl is held together with a rusty tin bat.  Notice her hang tag has real black German glass glitter on it! 







This little hag is quite Primitive with her extreme grunge mixture; you can see the dirty cinnamon!  She's been heavily aged, too!  Her nose is pinch stitched and her facial features Primitively stitched on.  She holds a broom and has her dirty pet crow with her.  She's decorated further with Spanish moss.

All of these ladies were made using Cats In The Barn patterns. 
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at fbigirlie@yahoo.com.





Sunday, July 31, 2011

Joining By Your Hands Handmade Blog Party Sunday!

 

Winter White Angel Sisters
Mixed Media Art Dolls

I added my link to the By Your Hands Handmade Blog Party Sunday!  These dolls are 1 of 3 items I am selling in my Etsy Shop.  These sweet 8 inch tall angels come in a pair, as they are sisters.  The bodies are tea stained muslin, rag stuffed and sewn to the top of a paper card cone. The dresses are tea stained muslin, too.  There is a ruffle made of natural paper coffee filters sewn to ruffle them, attached to the bottom of their cones, peeping out underneath their dresses.  Their faces are hand stitched with Pearl cotton, the noses are pinched stitched.  They have stitched on real lamb's wool hair.  Their sweet wings are sewn on, made from paper card and are painted silver using acrylic paints, then slightly aged using a Distress Ink Pad.  Each sister is holding a very shiny silver bell, which doesn't show up well in the picture, posed and sewn to their hands. 
I used a wonderful pattern by Renee' Plains to make these sweet dolls.  I am asking $25 for the pair; they can be purchased through my Etsy Shop.  Thanks so much for looking!
 





Saturday, July 30, 2011

Wool Mug Rug


Look at the wonderful wool mug rug and hug I got from Val, my swap partner and Group Mom to the group I belong to!!!  The wool is so soft and gorgeous!  She does such neat little stitches.  Superb work!  I love them so much!!

The pic isn't the best in the world, but I finally snagged DH's camera and got a pic on 1 of my work tables.  Had to use a lamp for light because no natural light right now.

See the G'day Mate insulated can/bottle holder?  I really needed that!  I already have my bottle of water in it!  Its perfect for me because those dang bottles don't sit well on my tables and this keeps them cool and safe!  Who could ask for a better souvenier of Australia than that?!  Haley, my friend, are you jealous?  LOL

Well, back to working on some goodies!  I have a few more minutes before I need to get ready for work. 
I opened an ETSY SHOP!!  Yeah for me!  I only have 3 things in it and I must get busy.  Still recovering from a bad fall I took.  Look at my Etsy on the right!  Cool, huh?

Thanks for looking!


Friday, July 15, 2011

Canning Recipes and a Mug Rug Swap



This is a mug rug I made for a swap on the sewing group I belong to.  I made this for Val and she has since received it and loves it.
I think I'll be making more mug rugs; they are fun to design and a quick to make.  I have more of the Java-like panels, too. 
Those strawberries are making me HUNGRY!

Now, as promised, here are some recipes I've collected in the past years.  Linda at Prairie Flower Farm is having a giveaway for some great canning items and is encouraging some to share recipes.  Check this out, because it ends July 19th.  That's what got this started for me.  She is also running a special on an adorable apron pattern $5.75 until the end of July.  You don't want to miss it!

Fresh Corn Relish
8 ears fresh corn, husked
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 large tomatoes peeled and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped scallions

Bring a large kettle of water to a boil over high heat.  Add the corn, cover, and return to a boil.  Remove kettle from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.  Drain corn and let cool.  In a large bowl, mix the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, parsley, salt, sugar, basil, and cayenne pepper.  Cut cooled corn off cob and add to mixture.  Add the tomatoes, green peppers, and scallions.  Mix well, cover, and chill for several hours.  Serve in a bowl lined with salad greens. 

Dill Pickles

sterilize  pint jars.  Fill with even sized cucumbers.  Put one spray of dill (from your garden or buy at the Farmer's Market) in each jar.  
Then heat on stove:
2 quarts water
1/2 cup salt
1 1/2 cup vinegar
Heat, then pour over pickles while hot and seal at once.  This makes 4 quarts. 
*Sometimes, I skip the sealing and just keep them in the fridge.  They get eaten up so fast.  Also, when friends and family find out you've canned them, they want some. hehe

I'm still hunting down my sweet pickle sticks recipe. Hmm where did it go?

Enjoy!!





Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy Fourth to Everyone from Me and Beary!



Happy Fourth to Everyone!  Beary insisted on being the feature for today!  He is very comfortable in his role as the Americana Fourth of July Bear!

He is based on a pattern by Tennessee Ridge Primitives and his hat is a design by  Shweet Potato Dolls.

I designed his outfit of little cuffed jean shorts and a Patriotic vest with buttons.  He is now in place on his little Folk Art chair, waving his flag!

I love the Fourth of July, as it has come to stand for family and American unity everywhere.  I was a bit of a pest yesterday, asking everyone I could, what their plans were.  Most everyone had family plans, even reunions.  But, everytime I asked someone, their face lit up and their smile was bright.  I don't think it was just about the fireworks.  Okay, maybe alot of it had to do with the food! *snicker* But, mostly I think everyone is proud to have a strong country with a long history to celebrate today.  Just my humble opinion!

Enjoy the day, or even days.  Be safe!  Hugs



Sunday, July 3, 2011

Why oh why can I not post comments and posts? whaaaa

Knock-knock!!  Is this thing working yet??






Here is my Uncle Sam and Libby busts I took pics of the other day.  And you can see my new begonias I bought at The Olde Homestead here in town.  That was their last red ones.  Mom always had red begonias, so I thought I needed some, too.  Except Mom had a green thumb and I don't.  So, thats my excuse and I'm sticking with it!! The Patriotic busts were made using a Jackie Schmidt pattern.







Here is my sheep!  I just love her; she's so grungy.  Love her little stick legs from the yard and her grunged batting tail held on with a rusty nail.  If you click for a bigger pic, you can see it.




Here is the mousie Patriotic parade pull toy!!  This was so fun to make with all the little mousie eyes and whiskers and scarves.  The watermelon is so cute!!
Both the sheep pattern and this one is by Kentucky Primitives, as is the next one of the rabbit and watermelon snack.



I found this Patriotic rabbit carrying his watermelon snack in the front garden.  Shhh, snuck up on him, shhh, and quickly snapped a pic! hehehe
Love his little stick legs!!  They crack me up!




Last, here is the Liberty Star Make-do made from osnaburg, crosstitched on with Pearl cotton and a grungy olde flag safety pinned on.  Looks complicated, but actually very easy and quick to make.  Pattern by Kerri Arthur.

And there you have it!  This is what I've been doing around here.  Oh, and working on a secret (shhhh) quilt project from time to time.  I hope she's not reading this!  OoooPs!!

Everyone have a wonderful Fourth of July and spend lots of time and eat lots of goodies!  Be careful out there!
Huggies!!





*** I'd love it if you posted a comment here on my blog.  I love the emails, but, don't be shy and comment right here, too.  Just click on the comments... go ahead... don't be afraid, it only takes a minute and doesn't cost a thing!  I swear!!!  hahahaha!  Love you guys!!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Memorial Day to Everyone!



This is my son, Matt, who is serving in the Navy.  He turns 25 on the 4th.  I am so proud of you, Matt!  I appreciate all the service men and women who have served and are currently serving.  Without them, life would be very different for us all.  I'm taking this day to thank you all and to all my special peeps in the service, I Love you!!! XOXOXOXOXO


USA, USA, USA!!!!








Thursday, May 19, 2011

As Requested, Stories Behind the Pics

Hello!!  I've been bombarded (you know who you are!) with requests to explain some of the baby pics in my Header/Banner.  So, here it is!  Those of you who don't really care, just suffer through it!  LOL  Sorry!

1) Our backyard swingset; loved that slide!
2) My second Birthday, Mom always made me a lamb cake, which I totaly loved, and another which she decorated very pretty with colours and writing.
3)Driving my car with a rag dolly, wearing my Heidi dress
4) Mom holding newborn me after I was release from the hospital weeks after being born.  My older sister Peggy was totally loving her little sis.
5) This is me at the back door with my limb challenged dolly.  The limbs were always falling off and Dad had to repair her constantly, but as you can see, I loved her anyway!
6) Holding Dolly while sitting on the living room couch.  This is one of the few times she has clothes on!
7) Here are my Birthday presents on my second Birthday.  That doll buggy was known to give every neighborhood cat a ride at sometime.  I was the Kitty Whisperer.  And, of course, my popcorn popper noise maker!  Didn't everyone have one of those?
8) On my 1st Birthday with the cake. Who's arm was that?
9)  Layed out on the table for a powdering and diaper after my bath!  See the cute puppy diaper stacker?
10) Looking Hollywood with Mom's glasses on!
11) More of me on the swingset; Mom said it was windy and chilly out, but I insisted
12) I was holding 2 fingers up, because I went around telling everybody, no matter what age, that I would be 2 and big in September.
13) Getting a bath in the little enamel basin.  You can see how small I was, comparing Mom's hand and arm on the left, and Peggy's on the right
14) Me and Peggy in the pool.  Doesn't she look so Esther Williams in that suit and bathing cap?
15) Studio pic of me wearing a very soft pink dress.  I didn't have hair, so Mom always taped a ribbon bow on my head.
16) Climbing the end table while Peggy watched.  Mom said I was always climbing something like a monkey, using my toes.
17) Studio pic of me a bit older than the last one.
18) Studio pic of me at about 3 years old.
19) Little sissy Jennifer with the light blonde hair and me with our long dresses on.  Mom and Dad took us to see Big Bird, who we loved.
20) Me as Alice in Wonderland on a fall float.  It was so very cold and windy, I convinced them to let me put on a sweater.  Totally ruined the look, though! You can see the Mad Hatter and the Hare at the tea party.
21) Kindergarten school photo when I was 4
22) 1st grade school photo
23) We were at the park.  Mom in the background looking very Hollywood, my cousin David who was a year older than me and me, of course!

And there you have it!  I cherish my pics.  When you look at them, they bring back so many memories.  Please be sure to preserve your precious pictures.

Now, if I can work DH's camera, I'll download pics of what I've been working on and share!

XO

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

When She Was a Baby...

Hello Everyone!!

I hope everyone had a marvelous Easter.  I've been so busy I didn't get a chance to blog!  Of course, mine was great; spending time with my little family always is.  Son #1 is afloat in a vessel in the Middle East, so he wasn't with us.  We did talk to him, so that was great!

Now about the collage in the banner.  Folks, here you have it, Mary Mary Quite Contrary as she started out in life.  Now, I ask you, "Do I look contrary to you?"  hehehe!  I was tiny, born 3 months premature, at 3 1/2 ounces.  Lived in the incubater for weeks until I developed my baby lungs.  Ahhh life was good, as the teeny tiny baby with a will to survive.  Then (Da da DAAAA!)  My damn sister was born! LMAO  Three years later, that is.  Now you know why I'm contrary!  I'm a middle child!  Oh, wouldn't it been nice to be spoiled?
Shame on me, I'm 43 yo and still complaining!

Bad news and good news. 
Bad news 1st:  My sewing/primitive/pincushion/embroidery group I belonged to was closed. Waaaaaaaaah!!  Just like my arm was wacked off!  Very shocking!!
Now, good news:  The Group Mama teamed up with a gal and started a new group!!!  Yeah!  My arm has magically re-appeared.
Been working on some goodies and will post pics soon on those.  I'm just living life to the fullest, greatful for everything I have, etc.  Gotta stop to think about that every day, so as not to let the whining of others about how bad things are, to get me down.
Big Hugs Followers!!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Redwork Easter Sampler Framed!


A first Friday freebie from The Painted Quilt
 Hi again!  I've had this wonderful Sampler by Kaaren of The Painted Quilt done for a couple weeks, but had to search out a frame.  I finally found what I was looking for at this little furniture and antique place.  The frame was originally done in a white stain.  I sanded it down and did it a thin coat in brown.  Sanded that until it was what I wanted.  I think it turned out great!  Much better than the matted picture of a Christmas wreath with zoo animals tucked in the greenery!  Ick!! 

I also browsed while I was there and got some... wait for it... FABRIC!!!!  Actually some estate textiles.  I can't pass anything up with some character.  A few rusty pie tins and some wooden candlesticks, etc.

Hope everyone enjoyed looking.  I have to see what Kaaren has posted next!  Thank you so much, Kaaren, for your generous gifts.  LOL


Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Gotta Give Credit!

Pardon me while I give credit to all the wonderful artists who created the patterns for all my goodies.  Without these ladies I wouldn't be having so much fun!!

Spring cross stitch by Primitive Stitchin

Chocolate bunnies, prim eggs and carrots by Tennessee Ridge Primitives

Folk Art Rabbits with pockets also by Tennessee Ridge Primitives

Sculpted bunny head bowl fillers by Cotton Picken Prims

Bunny Girl holding her quilted egg by Prims by Kim

Egg with bunny in a quilt pocket by Little House Primitives

Credit to Ewe N me Printables for the vintage bunny tags

Bunny girl doll I call Gert by TFC Folk Art

Quilt egg  by Countin' Crows Primitive

Folk Art Prairie doll I call Maude by TFC Folk Art

baby Chicks by Rags-n-Tags

If you should happen to run into any of these gifted ladies, please tell them "Hi" and "Thanks" from me!



Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Easter Pics for Looking Pleasure


Hello All!
This is my "big comeback"!  LOL  Here are some goodies I've made this year and last and year before.  Credits to follow.  I just wanted to get these posted, and time has slipped by for me today!
Enjoy!!




































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