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!

 

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!

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!!

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

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!!