I've finally caught the Christmas Spirit

Now that I've put the tree up and all the other Christmas decorations I'm feeling the holiday spirit. I put the tree up yesterday, decorated the house, and wrapped presents. Today I'm baking cookies and making candy with my daughter. Just have to finish packing my niece's gift bag of goodies and deliver that to my sister in the morning and I'm all ready to celebrate with friends and family.

I'm anxious to get to stitching something new but that will probably have to wait until after the holidays.

Happy Holidays!

Getting ahead with proven results

With today's economy many of us are returning to school to help better ourselves. While planning to return to school to get my masters degree in business I decided to give myself a little edge by getting some help from a proven online source for the GMAT's

After enrolling in this course I now feel prepared to pursue my degree with confidence. I know that by giving myself this extra edge with the GMAT I can go out and get my degree and look forward to a much brighter future in the business world.

Thanks to these online studies I'm looking forward to what awaits me in the future.

It's feeling like winter

It is finally beginning to feel like winter and Christmas time here in the midwest. We actually had snow a couple of days this week that just dusted the ground (my favorite kind of snow since it is pretty but doesn't cause bad driving conditions).

Still need to put up the Christmas tree but I was waiting for my daughter to get home from college. Now that she is home we can put the tree up as a family. I'm anxious to start wrapping presents too.

Happy Holidays!

Work wear

Like most of you, I want to be professional looking and comfortable while at work. Slipping into my uniform which is a set of scrubs makes getting ready for work super easy. I love the comfort and fit of my scrubs and the ease of buying new ones through Blue Sky Scrubs.

Even though I don't get to wear "regular" clothes at work I feel stylish because of the modern look of my uniform. With Blue Sky Scrubs I can pick and choose my scrub tops, bottoms or buy sets. They look great, fit well, and give me a professional and comfortable look all day.

Check them out.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

Was out running errands this morning when what to my wondering eyes should appear but tiny little snowflakes. The chilly, windy day made me realize that Christmas is not too far away.

I've been busy working on a custom order for 2 Christmas ornaments. They are so pretty and I just love Santas. I collect them and have about 60 different ones. Here's a picture of the ornaments.

Indian Summer

Seems like we are experiencing our Indian Summer right now. Had a hard frost over the weekend but so far it's been in the low 80's this week. The leaves are turning right now and it is just beautiful out here. I love fall.

Been busy working on some new pieces for my Etsy shop. Just finished this prim piece and I may have to make one for myself.

Frosty start to the day

Got up at 6 am to a very chilly house (59 degrees) and to see that we had a hard frost last night. I was ready for summer and the 100 + days to be gone but not sure I'm ready for the cold.

Also awoke to 4 sales in my Etsy shop. I'd say that's a good way to start the day. Time to start stitching.

Happy crafting everyone.

Last day of September

It's hard to believe it's already the last day of September. I've been busy working in the yard and cleaning up the garden. Still have some peppers growing but that's about it.

Now it's time to think ahead to Christmas. I guess I should be busy working on holiday crafts now that fall is here. Saw a beautiful pattern online today by Blackbird Designs that I would love to have. After lots of online searching, I guess I'll just have to add it to my wish list.

Hope everyone is having a great fall. Happy crafting.

I can't decide!

I've gotten caught up on all my chores around the house and now it's time to stitch. Problem is that I can't decide what to stitch first. My new favorite patterns are from La D Da. I'm also loving the patterns from Little House Needleworks.

Should I stitch this one.


Or maybe this one.

I'll end up doing both anyway so maybe I should stick with my fall theme.

Happy crafting.

Beautiful Fall Day

Sunday was an absolutely beautiful fall like day spent with family. My niece was in town with her toddler son. We barbequed, sat outside in the fresh air, and spent a little time fishing. I helped my great nephew catch his first fish. It was a 4 pound catfish who put up quite the fight. Cole quickly lost interest which I expected since he's only 2 1/2. Great way to relax and have fun.

I haven't been working on any crafts lately. Been busy catching up on housework and outside chores. I would love to find the time to knit some more pumpkins or stitch some fall pieces.

Happy crafting!

Check out some of the great artisans on the PAFA team

The fall treasuries just keep rolling in and there are some really beautiful, unique primitive fall decorations available on Etsy. Our team is currently also hosting a giveaway of some of these items.

This treasury brings back memories from your childhood just with the title. Check it out.

Be sure and go over to the PAFA team blog and enter the giveaway.

Think I'll start stitching on some more fabulous fall pieces.

Happy crafting!

Planning for the future

College has started again for my daughter and she is busy deciding if she wants to go on for her MBA. Her counselor suggested that she take the GMAT practice .

She is majoring in graphic design and photograph with a business minor. She intends to eventually start her own business and we know that getting her MBA in Business will be a great asset. Veritas prep offeres her the chance to take the practice test and see if this is what she wants to do.

Maybe she should get that business degree and pursue something in computers because I don't know what we would do without the internet and all the information we can get whenever we need it.

Expressing my love of flea markets

Guest post written by Whitney Hale

There's no place that I would rather be on a weekend morning than a flea market. They're just a goldmine, to me anyway. I just can't get enough of them. I don't even mind when I come away from one empty handed, which happens less times than not. It's fun to just look at all of the off beat things that you can find in a flea market and imagine who owned them before they were on sale at a flea market.

I use my Dallas wireless internet a lot to track down different vendors that are really good and I've met at certain flea markets. I've even met a few that sell their creations in boutiques. People tend to forget that it isn't just used things that are sold at flea markets.

But a lot of the things that I do buy at flea markets, which is mostly furnishings and decor, are used. They're so much cheaper that way. Also, it's nice to know that 500 other people didn't buy the same kind of lamp from Target like you did.

Fall Giveaway - Check it out!

I am a member of the PAFA team on Etsy. PAFA means Primitive And Folk Artists. The team is made up of over 130 members who all sell beautiful, unique primitive, rustic, country crafts.

The team is hosting a giveaway that started on Sunday, August 28th and runs until September 17th.

Hop on over and check it out. Be sure and enter the giveaway.

Feels like Fall

Felt like fall this morning when I stepped out the door which was a pleasant surprise after the temperatures reached 100 degrees yesterday. I've already been busy collecting acorn caps. The Oak trees are slowly releasing their seeds.

I've been busy working on fall pieces for my Etsy shop. Added this new piece today. I think it turned out cute considering knitting isn't my favorite hobby. What do you think?

Summer is almost over and school is about to start

Summer is almost over and school is about to start which makes my 16 year old son very unhappy. I, however, am ready to return to my usual schedule. Working on my cross stitching is so much easier to do when I'm doing my usual school routine. I love getting up early, getting the house cleaned, chores done, and the kids off to school so by 7:30 I'm ready to sit down and stitch.

Six days and counting!

Happy crafting!

Craft Blogs

If you have ever searched the internet for craft blogs you know there are thousands of them out there. As you can see, I have one too. I recently discovered this new blog called The All Craft Blog.

Check it out. They take submissions of your items and post links to your shop so it's a great way to get seen by others.

Crafts

I must admit that I am a huge fan of crafting. I've been creating cross stitch, needle felted, and country/primitive crafts for more years than I care to admit (ok, it's been about 20 years).


A huge part of crafting is having easy access to supplies. I live in a very rural area and prefer to buy most of my supplies online. I have discovered a whole world of craft stores online.

Sometimes shopping at online stores gives my creative juices a nudge and I come up with new ideas. I love to browse through fabric, beads, threads, patterns, and such so I can add to my supply collection. Who knows what I will end up creating from my next delivery.

Christmas in July

We are coming up on the last few days of the Christmas in July promotion for the PAFA team on Etsy. There are lots of talented artists in the group.

I'm busily stitching away on some new patterns for fall and Christmas. Finished 2 new pieces today. One is an adorable Quaker pattern which I embellished with some acorns and the other are some really cute acorn ornaments with beads as the nut.

Hop on over to Etsy and check out the PAFA artists' beautiful items.

Come see the talented artists of the PAFA Team on Etsy

I love primitive, country, rustic things for my home and there is no better place to find these items than from the PAFA Team on Etsy.

Go over to Etsy and type in PAFA and check out all the beautiful pieces these talented, creative artists have made.

I love to craft new/old pieces for my shop.

Pam

Stitchcrafts

Scorching Heat in Midwest

Like a whole lot of the country we are suffering with scorching temperatures and high heat indexes.  It's been way to hot to do anything outside so I've put my time to good use cross stitching.  I'm currently working on a piece I was hired to stitch.  Even though it's a beautiful piece, I'm finding that I don't like to stitch because I have to stitch.  At least it's a job.

Stay cool and happy crafting.

Having fun with sidewalk chalk over the weekend

Guest post written by Molly Wells

I always try to do something special with my kids on the weekend, even if we don't get out of the house. They're just small little things, whether it's playing board games or other things like that.

After I saw a few galleries of those amazing sidewalk chalk art pieces that look like they literally jump off the sidewalk off you. While I was browsing through some galleries, I ran across some information about satelliteinternetbroadband.com/. After I went through it a little bit I decided to sign up for the service because my old internet just hasn't been satisfactory lately.

I saw this one picture of a tea cup that looks 3-D and we actually tried to recreate that. I think that we did a pretty good job of it, although it didn't quite look 3-D. I even photographed it at the angle to where it will look 3-D. I might even send that picture of ours into the blog that I found that original sidewalk chalk art piece on in a blog post

Wacky weather!

Is it summer or is it winter because it sure doesn't feel like spring.  We were roasting yesterday when the temperatures soared to 90 degrees.  But wait!  Now it's only 48 today.  Had the heat running on Saturday, broke down and turned the air conditioner on Sunday and today we could use the heat again.  I refuse to use the heat and air conditioning in the same 24 hour period.

Great weather for crafting!  Or at least that's what I think.

Snow again! It is Spring, right?

Woke up again this morning to a wet snow falling.  Got just enough snow to make it wet.  Had 6 inches of snow last week even though the calendar says it's spring.  With all the wet sloppy weather, I have been forced to stay inside and work on crafts. Enjoyed it!

I just completed a set of penny rug coasters and am beginning a new cross stitch pattern.  Here's the penny rug coasters.

Stay warm and Happy Crafting!

Cabin Fever!

It's been a really snowy, cold winter here in mid-Missouri.  Our annual snowfall is around 22 inches and this year we have gotten that and then some.  We got a 1/4 inch of ice on Monday and then 13 inches of snow on top of that.  I've been snowed in at home for a week and cabin fever is knocking on the door.  I finally braved the elements and went to town today.  Who would think that grocery shopping could be good for the soul!

Here are a few pictures of our Winter Wonderland.  I live over a mile back on a private gravel road, and then we have about 1/2 a mile of driveway.  Not to mention 2 huge hills and 2 creeks.  I usually love living here on our beautiful 50 acres with a lake in the yard but not so much when it looks like this.

Good weather for stitching though cuz it sure isn't fit for man nor beast!  Happy crafting!

Cold but beautiful outside! Great time to craft.

It was cold like normal here this morning.  We've still got about 5 of the 9 inches of snow left that fell last week but the weather is warming up.  Due to the cold snow on the ground but the warming temperatures we are getting created what I call Fog Frost.  It coated all the trees, leaves, branches with glittery, sparkling frost.  My pictures don't do it justice. 

Finished this piece this morning since the weather isn't fit for man nor beast!

Frost on the pine trees

Fabric covered block with Heart & Flowers

Frosty pine trees

Frustrating day

Somehow I've managed to spend most of the day on the phone and gotten next to nothing accomplished.  Tried to do my taxes this morning, nope, need a form from the college. Trying to figure out why they are billing me for dental work for husband whose name is on the bill as the patient only to find out they have wrong patient on the bill.  And so it goes. 

Only bright spot in my day was 2 sales in my Etsy shop.

I hate dealing with all these petty things but what can you do.

Think I'll go stitch.

Happy crafting everyone!

Back to normal

Well, it's January 4th and things are getting back to normal around here.  My daughter went back to college after being home for 3 weeks.  Hubby is back to a regular full time work week, and my son went back to school today.  First time in 3 weeks that I have been home alone.

I hope everyone had a nice, safe holiday.  My daughter got engaged over Christmas.  My husband and I think they are too young but I'm thinking that's how all parents feel.  They have agreed to a long engagement which pleases me immensely.  I want her to finish college and get her degree so she won't be dependent on her fiance.

I've been busy working on new cross stitch pieces and hope to have some finished to list for sale in my Etsy shop.  I was pleased with my shop's success over the holidays.  Hoping this year is even better.

Happy New Year to you all and Happy Crafting!