January 24, 2012

AAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.... Isn't this adorable?  This puppy reminds me of my friend's (Cathy) puppy!  She's such a sweet lab.  These are the most loveable dogs.  I thought it was time for a sweet, picture to make us feel good today.  Do you feel better?  I'd love to kiss the top of her head right now....

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Ok... I've always had a fascination with all of the cool things people do with men's ties... but I'm thinking I love this the best!  This Christmas tree skirt is made from ties !!!  It's so colorful and very, very wonderful.  It can fit both the artistic quilter and the primitive!

HOWEVER... this puppy is FOR SALE  for a mere.... $1200.00 !!  Whip out your checkbooks and buy me ONE..!!!  Can you imagine.  BUT once you look at it close up and all the work that is involved you can see why.  Have you ever sewn with ties?  I haven't... but I envision them to be slippery, raveling all over the place... and really, really hard to keep your seam straight.

Now that I've scared the stew out of you (never wanting to work with ties), I'm challenging you to help me find a pattern for this sweet thing!  Does anyone know where it could be????

Here's the link so you can take a gander at it closer.   I especially love the stripe that she's put for the binding.  Cool... very cool!!!  I'll be watching for mine in the mail from one of you. (ha...I'm not giving up hope!)  Men's Tie Tree Skirt

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Now this idea needs to be used on my kitchen rugs.  I've tried the woven rubbery stuff under them... nope...doesn't work well... they still slip.  I'm going to get my honey on this project.  He'll be more than happy to help...he hates the slippery rug thing... makes him VERY unhappy!

"Slip-proof your rug: To give an area rug some traction, flip it over, and apply lines of acrylic-latex caulk every 6 inches or so. Once dry, you can safely put down your rug; the rubbery strips will hold it in place.. . . brilliant!"

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Wow.... is this some kind of work or what?  My head spins when I look at it.  I just think it's fantastic.  When you look close... the centers are different in some of the blocks... Here is the link to look at it closer and to find out more information on getting the pattern instructions.  Hey... I could watch for this in my mail too...!!  So exciting... HA!!

Quilt Link

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I know this is a Christmas Idea... but I just couldn't help myself in sharing it with you.  I think it's so cool and I only wish I would have thought of it years ago when we were first married!  Every time you live in a house or apartment - keep one of the keys and make it into a cute Christmas decoration for your  tree.  Then when you are trimming your tree you can remember back to those days and remember the fun times, how you decorated your place, friends you hung out with, vacations you took, etc.  Isn't that sweet?  I thought it would be cute to give to children for those special events for later in their life... like - this is the house you were born in (maybe attach a little photo in a frame attached to the key), this is the house where you first learned to ride a bike,  this is the house where you lived when you started school, this is the house you lived in when you lost your first tooth,  where you went on your first date, ssssssseeeeeeeeeeee............  get the idea????

 I know it will mean a 'hill of beans' to them when they are little... but when they get to be older - they will love it.  That you took the time to make these memories for them.  So... this is my theory.... it you want to start NOW and your children are older (let's say in grade school) find some old keys... make the memories from them and then save them! (they will have NO CLUE they are not the actual keys from the house... tee hee!)  Then from this day on - you can use the actual keys.  Sound good?  Please let me know if you all decide to do this.  I just think it's a sweet idea.

Now my daughter, Heather and her honey, Keck... they have moved 16 times since they have been married (FIFTEEN YEARS!). I think that's what she said the other night. They love to buy houses, fix them up, sell them for a profit, and then move to another one and do the same thing. So, Lexie, will have a good start on "Christmas Keys" already... RIGHT HEATHER? HA! ((love you))

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Look at this sweet thing!  I just think it's adorable and I'm just going to have to make one of these.  What can I do with it then...hhhmmmm... I know.. I'm going to hang it from the latch on my yellow cabinet in my sewing room... it will look adorable there!

I saw one similar to this hanging from a picture of grandchildren that was hanging on the wall.  3 of them in one picture (one for each flower)... they are the 'hearts' of their Grandma and Grandpa... that's for sure!!

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Then... we have this SWEET bird holding a strawberry!! OMG ... I just think this is adorable.  I'm going to put it in my 'wool project' folder for a future project with the B-A-A-A-D Girls Club at Cinnamon's.  I think several of the gals would love this little fellow.... Wouldn't you????

Ok... tomorrow and the next day are ... 'hustle days' with loading the van for Camp Blanding... running errands... buying coffee stuff... making copies... so you WILL NOT GET A BLOG POST FROM ME.... I'll pick back up after my duties are done!!

Hey... almost forgot... here is your organizational tip for the day!

Find a storage shelf that is a MESS!!  Go through everything - purge, merge and straighten.  Remember to use baskets, plastic containers, etc. and get things looking spiffy!!

See you in a few....

Gloria

January 23, 2012  Monday

Happy Monday everyone!  Are you ready for an exciting week?  Mine is hustle bustle... I'm finishing up my hooking retreat today...! I'll post pictures for you when I get them all cropped !

Then... it's time to put all of the final touches to the January Camp Blanding Retreat.  I'm so excited.... We only have this event 2 - 3 times a year and it's a blast.  I think I have 172 people signed up... wwwhhhhooooiiieeeee...!  What Fun.

I'm already working on the fall retreat... fun new things we're trying to get going for you.

Today's "feel good" photo is a hoot.. I burst out laughing when I found it.  I hope it brightens your day!

hahahahahahahahahahaha !!!!!  Too darling !!!

HEY...speaking of babies... I'm going to be a great-GG (grandma gloria) to a sweet baby girl!!!  My grand-daughter - Elizibeth is having "Aubree" in June (around the 9th).  I'm so excited!!!  Ok... just so you know... there are NO boys in this family (only my son - Toby).  I have 4 grand-daughters and soon 1 great grand-daughter... there's still time for a boy though...

I'm not loosing hope!

I can't wait to snuggle her!!!

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Decorating ideas!

I found some really cool ideas I thought I would pass on to you!  Take a peak at how they used these adorable hankies!

Isn't this precious?  It looks like they hung a second rod (maybe covered with fabric - or ribbon wrapped around the rod??)  Then hooked them on with the cafe rod hooks.  Do you have a collection of hankies?  Do you own hankies from your mother or grandmother?  What a wonderfully, sweet way to display them.  Heck..these would look great in your sewing studio too!  Or in a guest bedroom, or a little girls bedroom.... or even in a bathroom! 

I like how they folded them - staggered/overlap look so you get to see the entire hankie! 

I think it's super cool!!!

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And here was another fun idea for hanging curtains - the primitive way!! LOVE IT!!

I'm not sure why I'm attracted to hooks... so is my daughter, Heather.  (kind of strange don't you think?)  Oh well.. it is what it is!  I think this is so cool...for those of you that are primitive lovers.  OR... for those of you that aren't into the crackly look... it would also look wonderful painted a coordinating color to match your room.  Can you just see the board painted a soft pink on a white wall with white tab curtains?  That sounds like a Susan Ache (she loves pastel - OMG you should see her house...it should be in a magazine!) idea doesn't it?  I just love this.  Now.. let's talk about the hooks.

You can find old antique spoons - take them out to the concrete driveway - get a STRONG hammer and hammer the spoon part flat... then bend the spoon into a hook.  Screw them to the board... are you with me?  I've seen hooks made from spoons - with all different patterns on the handle - they are so pretty!  Try it!!!

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Then... let's talk light switches!!  Many times they are the forgotten little "touch" that can make the room.  Let's say you have a bedroom that is full of wonderful toile - bedspread, curtains.. maybe a chair or some accent pillows.  Well, here is a way to take that same look and 'dress up' your light switch covers!  Here's the link:  Covered Plates and Switches

I just love these... I've made covered switches before and they work great... especially with the modpodge covering.

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Christmas.. I found a garland that I'm simply going to have to start collecting for.  That's why I'm showing it to you now... BECAUSE IT'S WINTER and  your luck at finding red mittens is now easier!!

Don't you want one of these????  Now.. if you don't want to hang it in front of a window... how about the fireplace????? From the mantle????  Ok.. here is my issue... where in the heck do I find RED MITTENS in FLORIDA?  BINGO... I have the answer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yes.. my dear friends... EBAY!!!  I just went online and found about 10 pair that will be adorable.  Now.. the continuing issue... they are NOT CHEAP.. so I have to purchase them one pair at a time.  I would really love to have old ones... but now we're talking ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE to find.  So.. I'll get the new ones and beat the crap out of them and make them look old!  Spray them with Primitive Gatherings stain, unravel some of the knitting.... drag them out in the yard in the dirt (ha.. just teasin'!) and before you know it... they will look old. 

I'm even using some of my OLD CLOTHESPINS to hang them to the twine/rope line.  OR.. I may just attach them to one of my awesome greenery garlands ... add some snowflake ornaments, a few primitive homespun bows... YIPPEE!!!  How far away is Christmas... I can't wait to make this display!  (my husband is going to think I've lost my marbles... oh well...)

So... are you now on the mitten hunt???  We'll all have to take pictures and then send them to me so I can post them!  What fun!

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YUMMY TIME !!!  Who loves Carrabas(sp?) ???  I do...!!  It's one of my favorite restaurants - locally that is!  I found the dipping sauce that you get with their bread.  Here is the recipe!!

Dipping Sauce 

Doesn't it look good?  I could dive in right now!

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You know how I love Annies... don't you?  (Well...I DO!)  and the cuter and primitive they are the better.  I had a brainstorm!  I'm going to have my wool hooking instructor, Katie... help me hook Annie's face... and then attach it to a body and make this sweet thing....

    She's pretty pitiful looking isn't she?  I have just the antique doily that will look so sweet on her dress.

Check out those eyes and that huge  nose!! WOW!  She's pretty sad looking and that's JUST THE WAY I LIKE HER!

I have a pair of old 'saddle shoes' from a child that I think I'll put on her.  Won't that look sweet? (I remember wearing those things and hated them!)

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Let's get organized!  How is it coming?  Are you making progress... or are you simply, IGNORING this part of the BLOG?  Uh - huh... I know you pretty well don't I?  Well.. just in case you're saving all of these ideas for a later date - here's another one for you!

Clean off any bulletin boards of OLD THINGS.

Have a happy day!!!

Gloria

January 22, 2012

Well, I have been having a blast these past few days.  I am in a wool rug hooking retreat here in Jacksonville and I'm in "WOOL HEAVEN".  All you can see - across the entire room - are heads of people (working on their projects) and beautiful wool everywhere!  I'm waiting to post pictures until the entire weekend is over with.  We have a show (for those that have 'finished' projects to display) where I'm taking lots of pictures and I'll post them for you.  Along with pictures of the hooking room, etc.

So... I have to post before it's time to take off and HOOK!!! 


I found another adorable Annie!!  This is a pattern... I'm thinking I might have to purchase one and put it in my 'pattern library'!  Do you have one of those? It's getting rather large .. I must admit!

I'm sorry if the picture is a bit blurry.... Isn't she a hoot.  I love the way they did the stitching around her eyes.  Her poor little nose... it's a bit of a mess ... but I sure do like it!  She'll be added to my collection.

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Hey... I almost forgot our "feel good" photo.  Now this one... is something else!!

Remember the terminioloy - "FAT CAT"?  Well... this is one.  Poor fella... how in the heck can he walk?  We had a fat cat when we were kids... but it did not even compare to this BIG DUDE!  How in the heck can he clean himself?  I wonder what size CAT PAN they have for this bad boy?  Whew!  I feel pretty darn skinny right now... don't you?  I'd love to know what his name is!

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I decided I would pick fun things to make for today's blog.  It simply amazes me what people can think of to make ... and how talented they are.  I saw this sweet little bird... I love birds..don't you?  When we had wonderful birds in the store they "flew" out the door (tee hee) with customers taking them home.  People just love sweet birds.  We can make this one!!

Here is the link for you.  Sweet Sparrow   If you get ambitious and make one.. .can you send me a photo please!  I'd love to see it.


Then... look at this awesome table runner.  I thought of my friend - Michal - she loves old books and this it right up her alley!

You simply buy one of the paper punches for 'edges' and go to town.  Here is the link for instructions:  Book pages table runner .  Wouldn't it be adorable to make for a wedding shower?  Or for the table at the wedding where everyone signs in at the guest book?   It would even be cute from colored pages from a book or magazine!  Let's say you're having a dinner party and you want it to be some type of a theme.  Find those pictures from magazines, tape them together, do your magic with the paper punch and you have a great idea for a centerpiece.  What a great way to get the conversation going!

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Then... we have these beautiful hearts!! 


I think they are so cute!   I love this garland - but I thought they would also look wonderful on the Christmas tree, or on packages... Once again.. here is your link for instructions:  Heart garland


You could even make them colorful... get you some gorgeous paper from the craft store... wow.. they would be so cute out of pastel colors!! 

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Plus... I've always wanted to learn to knit... GOOD!  I do know how to knit and pearl... I just can't do all of the other tricky stiches - add stitches, cast over, decrease... it's all Greek to me.  But.. it's one of those things on my bucket list.  My mother knitted all the time.  Did she ever show me how to make things.... NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!  What was up with that anyway? hhhhmmm.... 

I love this little scarf.  It's a little impractical for here in Florida... but I still love it!

Isn't it sweet?  And it looks so warm.  Would you like to make it.. .here's the link!

Knitted scarf

Let me know how it turns out!!

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And... I have one more thing for you.  Many of my friends love to do things with canning jars.  They put cookie fixins in them for gifts, all kinds of things... well... here is a great location to print labels for your lids.  I love canning jars (could it be because I helped can with my mother when I was a little girl...hhhmmm.... thousands and thousands of jars over my entire childlife!  I should hate the things after all of that....)

Here is your link:  canning jar lids


Ok... it's time to get going... I must begin my hooking again... HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

I'll chat with you tomorrow... here is your organization tip for the day!

Clean out your make up drawer - ditch that stuff you no longer wear, throw out the nail polish that is all icky!!!  You'll feel so much better!

Chow....  happy hooking!


Gloria