Morning Routine and an Award

My blog friend, Fern, has given me an award that suits me well. It's the "Show Me Some Love" award. What a sweet face to go with such a sweet award. I am certainly happy to accept this award, so thank you Fern!

I know we're supposed to share these with other bloggie friends, but I've tried giving awards before and gotten no response (I think they were a little perturbed), so won't pass it along. But here's mine!!


I wanted to share with everybody what my morning routine is like with the outside critters. I do this twice a day, every day. These days I can take my time b/c I'm not working, but hopefully that will change in the very near future (I hope, I hope, I hope). Ok, here we go....after taking care of the dogs and kitties inside I have to open the barn. First I go through the garage where Snow White sleeps in a dog crate. This came about b/c he and the two other roosters were getting into bloody fights and it was the best way to keep them separated.

Here's Snow White ready to go outside.
He spends his days in a makeshift pen next to the pasture. It isn't large, but there's plenty of room for him to scratch around and knock over his waterer daily (I think it's a game for him).
Of course, Hansel and Gretel (both males) have to immediately give him his morning harassment before going on their way. It is defintely their favorite game. I actually took this picture after all the chickens were out of the barn, so you can see Woodstock in the background.
I give Hansel and Gretel a dish of cracked corn each morning; there isn't a lot of grass for them to eat now even though I sewed some winter rye seed in the fall.

Next task is to open the barn to let the chickens out. They are eagerly waiting for me! I've already opened the solid door, now I need to open the screen door to let them out.
...and here they come. They can't get out of there fast enough to look for bugs! The small guy in the center is my little Woodstock. He is one sweet rooster!
Here are Hansel and Gretel waiting to chase Woodstock, my tiny rooster. Why they target him, I don't know. He broke his leg years ago and is quite gimpy, so I keep the geese away from him till he can put some distance between them. Woodstock isn't in this picture; he's lagging behind letting his girls go first...such a little gentleman!

Back inside the barn, I need to let Big Rooster and Beauty out to their pen. I have too many roosters and can't let them all with the hens for obvious reasons.

Here goes Big Rooster (he's huge) out the little pop door to the pen.
Next is Beauty - he is one mean little guy. The only reason he is still around is because he found his way back home after I took him for a very long walk down the road. It may sound cruel, but I'd rather feed the foxes than people. And trust me, Beauty is a mean little sucker and will stalk you and jump at you with his spurs. Since his "walk" and being gone for four days, he has never attempted to attack me again. But he and Big Rooster certainly get into it occasionally.


Next on the list is to feed the two pharoa qual. The male was given to me b/c he was hurting his roomies. I felt sorry for him living a solitary life so got him a girlfried so I could have some beautiful eggs to decorate with. He's never hurt his little girlfriend. Here is Warble, the male....and here is his friend, who I've never given a name to. This year she is old enough to be laying some pretty speckeled eggs :) I had built them a cute little shelter to sleep in but they wouldn't use it. Now they are quite happy sleeping behind the board that is propped against the back wall of their little pen.

Now that I'm back near the garage, I need to take care of an injured hen. I ran out of places to put her, so she's been staying in my wire garden wagon. She's been on anti-biotics for a couple of weeks to treat a condition called bumblefoot - a type of infection. I'll be letting her back out with all her friends in a few more days.

Well, it is late into the morning and they are all waiting for me. Today the weather will be beautiful so I'll be sanitizing all the pools and waterers and do some general cleaning up after these messy little critters.

Have a great day everybody!

(Edited to note the obvious: All the critters are taken care of in reverse at the end of the day and put in their appropriate sleeping places.)

Fabric Reorganized

I have been cleaning and reorganizing all weekend. I was in that mode anyway, but after visiting my friend and seeing how neat and tidy her fabric was, it just put me over the edge.

Now my friends can tell you I enjoy cleaning and do a lot of it - mostly b/c of the dogs...they do create dirt! But if it weren't for them, I'd still be cleaning a lot. Don't get the idea my house is spotless; it isn't. You probably couldn't tell I spend as much time cleaning as I do, but I'm off track of this post.

So...as I mentioned Friday night, I decided to put my fabric into the room I sew in. I went to Wal-Mart first thing Saturday morning (only to see yet another truck with a sign "free puppies" (makes me so sick)) to get a set of inexpensive shelves. I'd love for my closets to look pretty with matching shelves but I can't spend that much money now, so I opted for a nice set of wire shelves. I won't go into all the boring details, but long story short, my fabrics are now housed in the closet of the room I sew in and I cleaned out half the closet in the room where my craft stuff is. I sorted my fabrics by color groups and seasons. I started out that way before but things got a little crowded and I ended up digging around to find what I was looking for. Enough gab - here are some pictures. Nothing fancy, mind you, but I'm happy with the results.

Except for the bottom shelf, this cabinet was full of fabric.


A bunch of foam pieces that were in the closet where the fabric was moved to.


Now my glass and wood pieces are housed in the cabinet, which held fabric before. I was tired of organizing so just put it all in there any which way.

Before I could put the glass away, I had stuff all over the place. Two closets and rooms were torn up to make this small change!!


This is the new wire shelf unit I purchased, which holds the seasonal fabrics, some of the other fabrics, and the batting and polyfill. I don't have a light in the closet so purchased a cheap clip-on lamp to hang from the closet shelf (hence the lovely white wire you see).

Here is the smaller plastic shelf unit I moved from the other closet, which had all the glass bottles and stuff on it. Now it has the bulk of my fabrics. Gee, I found some that I don't even remember buying! It's so nice to be able to see what I have :)


The green tree you see in back of the shelves is a Christmas Advent Tree I made for Alissa several years ago from a Laurel Burch Christmas book - that was quite the project!

Now that I've got most of my stuff in order, I can relax a little and work on some embroidery. Tomorrow I'll start cleaning all over again for my friend - whew!

I hope you all had a nice weekend :)

What I'm Working On

Well, here is my WIP for the Friday Night Sew In. I started it a week or so ago and didn't actually get to stitch on it last night. Two rooms/closets were torn apart (that's another post).

I'm not sure what I'll turn this into when it's finished, but I thought the design was so cute, that I just had to stitch it.

Tomorrow I'll show you the reorg project...

Blair's Home and a Visit With a Friend

I was able to bring Blair home yesterday afternoon and she was very happy to be back. She has some anti-biotics to take for a couple of weeks and then back to the vet for a follow-up and then she's done.

Here's where they gave her the two shots, 24 hours apart. They are intramuscular shots and must hurt, b/c I've got some pain meds for her.
I don't think she was feeling so hot...


After heading for the treat jar, she went straight to the big dog bed.

Dingbat Zoe seemed to be happy to have Blair home too.


Today I went to visit a friend and fellow quilter. Candy is a quilter from way back and has made more quilts than I ever will. I think she's made most of them as gifts but she has several of her own.

We haven't seen each other in a year - she doesn't really live that far away but you know how time gets away from us. I told her if I didn't get over there today, I was afraid it would be another year before I made the hour long trip.

Candy moved into a new condo and I hadn't seen it yet. Her home is perfect for her. We talked so much that I didn't remember to take many pictures but did take a few.

She is currently working on a quilt pattern called Lover's Knot by Elanor Burns. It's so pretty and she told me it was very simple to piece. I don't know...it looks kind of involved to me. Take a look at the pretty free motion design she is doing all over it...


Here is a small quilt she made for a friend's little boy...so simple but so pretty!

Here's a blurry picture of Candy while she was putting a quilt away...Candy, don't shoot me.

As if I need another project to tackle around here, I was so inspired by Candy's organized sewing room that I've decided to reorganize my sewing and craft supplies. I currently keep my fabrics in a tall cabinet and craft supplies in my closet. Since the fabric cabinet has gotten pretty full, I think it's time for them to move into the closet and the craft supplies can go into the cabinet. Sounds pretty simple, don't you think? I just know I'll have the entire room torn up by tomorrow morning....stay tuned....

Look What I Got

Look what the mailmain brought me yesterday....a Christmas present from my sister, Susan. We are all notoriously late sending gifts and cards, but that's ok with me b/c when they finally come, they're really great gifts.

She made me a sewing mate... I've been wanting one for the longest time but just haven't gotten around to making one for myself. My grandmother used to keep a little paper bag taped to her sewing machine table for her scraps; she'd have loved one of these. As a little extra, my DS put some wonderful lavender inside the pincushion. Boy does it smell delightful while I'm sewing!!

She also made me a pair of microwave mitts...I've been wanting some ever since I saw hers at Thanksgiving.

And check this out...a sewing calendar! There is a project for every day of the year! I probably won't get all of them made, and surely not one a day, but there are so many cute ideas in this box. What a great gift for somebody who sews, huh?

Well, back to working on my special project. I can't show pictures till it's been received by somebody extra special. I hope you're having a good day. :)

Friday Night Sew In

Good morning.

I've just taken Blair to the vet for her heartworm treatment; she'll be there for two days. Princess is happy to have Miss Blair out of the house but I'll miss her.

Thank you again for donating to her treatment!!

I just joined the Friday Night Sew In hosted by Heidi and Bobbi. I don't like to go anywhere on Friday evenings anyway, so this is perfect for me. I'm working on a few projects and this will be a good source of motivation for me to stay on track.

Here is a peek at the fabrics I'm using for a special project...

Hop on over to Heidi's and check out her blog and join in the fun!

Another Piece of Artwork

Hi Everybody,

Boy is it coooooooold here! It forces me to stay inside and work on more projects and some re-organization of my "stuff".

I wanted to share a picture of the piece I made for my sister as a Christmas gift. It's another project inspired by the book I mentioned in an earlier post. She likes black, white and yellow so I knew I'd be painting her a goldfinch. This all sets inside a deep shadow box that is also black.

After I cut out the painted bird, it was missing something so I painted a bunch of leaves and glued them here and there. To me, everything looks better with a little green on it (my favorite color, btw).

I took the little verse right out of the book. I had a super hard time finding anything I liked better for her.

Now I need to make a couple of these for myself!

Oh....keep your fingers crossed for me. I'm in stage II of the screening/interview process for a great job. I just know I'll be getting a job in the next two or three months....I feel it in my heart!!!!

Stay warm!

Blair Update

Great news - enough money has been raised to proceed with Blair's heartworm treatment. She goes in next Tuesday for her shots and will stay at the vet's for a couple of days for observation. Then I can bring her home to stay quiet for two months and she'll be home free!! Thank you to those of you who donated to help with this!!

She is just the sweetest dog and asks for nothing from me but a few pats from time to time. She's smart too and has already learned where the treat jar is and knows everybody gets two right before we go to bed.

Today I worked at Gail's store and it's the first time I've been gone all day since getting her. When I came home, she greeted me and gave me a hug! I've never had a dog do that to me before. She didn't jump all over me...just stood up and put her paws on my waist and stood there wagging her tail. What a sweetheart....just look at that face!!!

Starting the Year Out Right

Well, it's a new year and I'm ready to make some changes for the better.

I spent the weekend cleaning up Christmas and putting things away (mostly) and doing some organizing in my sewing room. I had a pretty good stack of fabrics that I've purchased over the year, all of which were laying on my cutting table. Well, they got put away and will be brought out as I begin projects that require them.

There is a very special project I'll be starting soon, but while staightening up my fabrics, I uncovered a really cool magazine I bought months and months and months ago (I think it was in the spring). Oh my gosh, now I remember why I had put it on my table....b/c there are so many things in it that I want to make!!

So today, I sat at my kitchen table with the bright sun coming through the sliding glass door and stitched two of these cute little tags up.

I have to put a little silk rosette on them and the ribbon to hang them with, but isn't it cute!?! And I already traced the bird cage embroidery project onto a piece of muslin to start on tomorrow. I love this magazine!!

I did take a break to do more cleaning and I even rode my exercise bicycle for 30 minutes! I really need to take better care of myself and lose about 20 pounds, although I'd be happy losing 15 (or 5 for that matter!).

I've also applied for three governmental positions and have my fingers crossed that I get interviews scheduled for them. I've decided to look in that direction, since the government supposedly is hiring lots of people. And the Ft. Bragg area is booming due to a reorganization within the military and it isn't any further a commute than me traveling north to Durham, so I feel optimistic about landing a decent job within the next couple of months. That's the plan anyway! And I've got a couple of fun things planned for Feb and March so have those to look forward to.

It is absolutely freezing here (actually below freezing) but I splurged a couple of weeks ago and had my propane tank filled so I could burn my gas logs. I'm headed back in the den now to do a little more needlework by the fireplace.

I hope you all had a nice weekend!

TTFN...

Good Riddance 2009!

2009 can't end fast enough for me.

All I can say at the moment is that I hope 2010 is a better year for me and all of you who have struggled this year. Things have GOT to get better.

To all of you lurkers and posters, Happy New Year; it's been a long one and I'm glad to see 2009 end!

A Carpenter I Am Not

but I did finally make the cabinet for Gail that we saw at the Atlanta Market back in January. I don't measure well and tend to eyeball a lot of things. Wood isn't forgiving like fabric and once you cut it, you have to work with it. I don't plan things well when working with wood either, as is evident by the placement of the hole (see close up) I drilled right where the shelf sits inside for one of the holes.

Gail has helped me a lot this year and she had asked in January if I would build this for her. I want one for myself too but it will be a while. The one I made out of thin plywood months ago holds some sewing notions but isn't sturdy and can't really be used like this one. Here is my friend with her gift; she liked it.


Now that Christmas is past, I want to start on non-Christmas projects of all sorts. I did a little work outside today in 20+ degree weather. I only got one forsythia bush cleaned of honeysuckle. The rest of the day was spent teaching Alissa to sew. She designed and stitched (with a little help from Nana) a pillow for her new little cousin. I can't post a picture of it though till after the gift is given this weekend. She did a good job and stuck with it the entire project and only got bored stuffing the finished case.

I started a little wall hanging that I saw somewhere on the web...just a little quickie for Alissa's bedroom. We'll be painting it soon (been talking about it for two years now) and I wanted this little piece to put in her "new" room.

Back to stitching....hope you're having a nice day. :)

Catching Up, News! and a Request

Hi everybody,

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas with your family and friends. I've actually been enjoying being able to stay home during this time. Would you believe I'm STILL making my gifts??? I just got my sister's gift mailed yesterday and still working on Gail's and something for my wonderful neighbors. Ugh.

First I want to show you what I made for my oldest daughter and her husband in Virginia. I got the idea out of a new book, Nature Inspired by Tracie Lyn Huskamp. I was very happy with the way it turned out and will be making more of this type of artwork.
Now for my big news! Remember I said I was ready to start fostering again? Well, I took Princess to meet a sweet dog a few days ago from my local rescue shelter. Her name is Blair, was an owner surrender and is 11 years old. What a sweet dog! I swear she is my Harley reincarnated except for her markings!! I brought her home and it's like she's lived here all of her life. Nobody has gotten upset with each other, no hackles raised, not even a growl from anybody.

Blair and Zoe meeting; Blair and Princess had already met.





This angelic dog is wonderful and I've already decided that I am going to adopt her once she is through her heartworm treatment (no, I know I shouldn't at this time but oh well...). Yes, she is heartworm positive and coughs a lot. Heartworms are completely preventable and the treatment is so expensive and makes the dog feel sick during it. Poor Blair has not only lost her only home at the ripe old age of 11 years, but now has to undergo the treatment.

The little shelter, CARA, that I'm fostering her for has already treated 20 dogs this year, to the tune of $500 each. The area where I live isn't a wealthy one and animals aren't respected much by the general population, so that she was taken in by the crowded shelter to be given a chance for a new home is really wonderful. I have donated $25 toward her expensive treatment and am going to be very bold and ask if you can donate a few dollars toward Blair's treatment. CARA accepts checks or donations through PayPal. If we all give just a few dollars, it would help this shelter tremendously. There are so many organizations that help people, but the animals need help too and just like other charities, your donation is tax deductable! Thank you so much whether you can help or not.

Well friends, it's well into the morning and I'm still in my pj's drinking my morning coffee. I've got to get going and finish making my gifts!! Have a great day and I will catch up visiting you within the next day or so :)

Merry Christmas!

I hope all of you have a Merry Christmas and that 2010 is a better year for all of us!

A Special Christmas Stocking

Well, it's almost here and I am still making my gifts! It happens every year. Somehow once Thanksgiving is over, it seems like 24 hours later it's Christmas.

I was able to get a very special stocking made for my newest little granddaughter, Ginny, and take it to Maryland with me at Thanksgiving. I forgot to take pictures of it, but her mommy did and I wanted to show them to you.

I wanted to make her something special for her first Christmas that would be a keepsake but that could also be used. It isn't perfect, but it was made with lots of love.



And here she is...just learned to sit up by herself and wondering what all these bright and sparkly decorations are all about!


Hey baby Ginny, ask mommy to take a picture of you holding your stocking :)

I hope you all have a good day today!