The Sampler Girl Easter Freebie

One of my favorite designers is The Sampler Girl. Her designs are so clean and reflect my favorite time period. She had a freebie posted for Easter and I thought it would make a cute doorknob hanger. I stitched it up in a couple nights while my mom was visiting. We watched Cranford while I stitched. What an enjoyable two nights spent stitching, watching Jane Austen and drinking tea and coffee together.

My seeds came in today from High Mowing Organic Seeds. I got melon, sweet pepper, pumpkin, Amish Paste tomato, and Brandywine tomato. I have some flower seeds, too and plan on planting those this evening in little pots. That's all I'm starting from indoor seeds this year. I'll buy some plants in late May and put some seeds directly in the ground then, too.

For knitting I've been working on a very pretty bunting for a friend that's due in July. I'm just on the back right now and it's stockinette stitch so it's going rather quickly. I can't wait to start the front where the pattern begins. And for cross-stitching I'm working on a Blackbird Design stocking. That's terribly cute, too. So I've been busy picking away at a few little projects here and there. I'm not bored with any one project, that's for sure!

I spent another bit of time in the dentist's chair this morning. My third visit in a little over a week! Bleck! Not my favorite seat, for sure. Luckily I really like my dentist; I went to school with him so I've known him forever. Great guy... just would prefer to not visit with my mouth open and my palms sweating, know what I mean?
Well, I've got a few things to do for Easter and hope to take a few pics along the way. 'Til next time, keep your chin up and don't take any wooden nickels. (I have no idea what that means but my dad used to tell me that all the time!)

Goodie Swap

Kaleigh and Christina of Bumble Bee Bags (see side bar), recently swapped one of their beautiful items to each other. Kaleigh was the lucky recipient of the beautiful wristlet/handbag. The fabric that Christina chose goes so pretty together! As soon as it came in, Kaleigh filled it up with her necessities and she has gotten a lot of compliments on it. It's the perfect combo for spring!

In exchange, Kaleigh sent Christina these pretty knitted Delicato Mitts that she knit for her. They are made from Frog Tree mohair and are soft and warm! They both are happy with their goodies!

Lots of Activity

going on here lately. Casey turned 18 the other day. Can't believe it! I remember when I brought home my little bundle... we made a sign with three pair of men's shoes like on the show, "My Three Sons" and the sign read the same! He was our third child and third boy. I won't get all mushy here, just will say that we love him BUNCHES!

I finally finshed my baby shower project. Here is a basket-full of thirty five home-made washcloths and soap.

These will be favors for the guests at the shower.

I finally finished the sweater. It came out so pretty. I'm not sure I'd do another one to sell though, as it was very time consuming. I think I would only make it for a gift the next time around.

I haven't been only inside... the weather has been beautiful the past few days and the little girlies have been enjoying the sunshine. Goodness, they're a motely crew!

I planted some onion sets this morning. I planted sweet onions and red.

The soil is perfect for onion set planting. Tomorrow I'll pick up some garlic and put those in too.

Busy Hands, Happy Hearts

I love to keep busy with the usual day to day tasks. Being a home-maker for over 26 years, I have to say I've never been bored. I honestly feel that my work at home, nurturing my children, making a home for my husband and family, cooking, cleaning, schooling, driving the kiddoes around and all the other things that encompass my day is not only pleasurable, but necessary. I have learned that sewing, knitting and needlework are a piece of my day that has always brought me pleasure. It makes me feel good to create beautiful things for my home, useful things too, and necessary items for my family, like clothing. It has also brought me a bit of pin money, too. For the past couple of weeks I've been working on sewing some washcloths for a baby shower order. I need to make 35 and it takes me about an hour to make five. So my plan is to do five a day. I also made soap for each cloth. When the project is done, I'll take a pic and show you how I'll present them.

Kierra helped me in the kitchen the other day making Snow Pancakes. What great fun that was! Granny Miller had the recipe on her new blog and we just had a fresh snowfall so we had to try them out. They were really good!

Our week was full with school, too. Mittens decided Cassidy had enough math for awhile and decided to lay across her book. It didn't work, though, as Gary made the cat get off so he could finish teaching Cassidy; much to Cassidy's dismay!

I've also been working on this adorable baby sweater for the same person that ordered the cloths. It's a Sidar pattern. It has two cables up each side of the front. So cute and lots of fun to make. I'll post a pic of that too, when it's done.

Casey was busy with schoolwork as usual, too. He's in his favorite thinking spot - his bed! Oh, wait, no... it's not his room he's in, it's his other favorite spot; Kaleigh's room! Hey, whatever works, right?

And lots of hugs for daddy! Sure, being unemployed is hard in some ways, but boy, in other ways, it can't be beat!

What a Blurrr

this week has turned out to be. My intention was to post on Monday and here it is Thursday, already. The winter cold season finally hit our house, and as always, whatever ailment it happens to be must visit each one of us. Hopefully we'll be all set with this bug pretty soon. At any rate, here is my new Fat Quarter stash I got at my LQS on Fat Tuesday. Every year, they have a great sale; buy one FQ get one free. The catch is that you have to buy ten. Aw... shucks, guess I had to choose twenty. Poor me, huh? I don't know what projects to make with them yet, but I'm sure they'll get used.

This is a horrible picture, I know. Have no idea why but here it is anyway. I've made these booties way too many times to count. If I know anyone that's having a baby, they get a pair. Someone made them for me for one of my kids and I loved them as they stay on baby's feet. It's a 1950 something pattern from McCall's. It's a keeper. Honest, the picture doesn't do these footsies justice.

I can't remember what we were baking this day, but thought I'd throw in a pic of my little helper, Caressa. She loves to help me bake. I love her help. It all works!

We had beautiful weather on Sunday and Monday. I stripped all the beds in the house between the two days, washed and hung them on the line to dry. Nothing makes me happier than to hang clothes on the line and see them flapping in the breeze. Well, maybe some things make me happier, but really, it's a simple pleasure in my life.

And we also did some bread baking this week. I made four loaves and need to make four more tomorrow or Saturday. I set it on the woodstove in the kitchen and it gets a nice rise. I love the smell of homemade bread and enjoy watching the kids butter up thick slices while it's still warm. Yea, it's been a pretty good week around here

Time to Tap the Trees

Valentine's Day is traditionally the day we tap the Maple trees. Gary, Cassidy and Kierra went out yesterday armed with sap buckets, taps and covers, and a drill, of course, and tapped the trees. For the next few weeks, until St. Patrick's Day, we will trudge through the snow into the woods and check the buckets. At first, the sap usually runs slow, but in a few weeks we will be carrying heavy, sap-filled buckets back to the house daily. We'll empty the buckets into a turkey fryer and when full, my husband will burn the sap down over the turkey gas burner. I'll post a few more pictures and directions during the first burn. If you haven't tried making Maple syrup before and you have maple trees in your backyard, I encourage you to give it a go. It's a lot of fun, a great project for the kids and everyone will be happy with the end result... home-made, yummy Maple syrup!

My Dad

My dad passed away on January 29. It's been a sad time for me and my family but I am comforted by the thought that he is happy resting in the arms of Jesus and Mary. If you would, please pray that he rest in peace.

Last night, I made this pretty satchel bag from the French General Home Sewn book. I got the Waverly material from a tag sale. The lady is an interior designer and had loads of pieces and bolts of fabric everywhere. I scooped up quite a bit that day!
My sister-in-law has been extremely helpful and supportive the past few weeks. She helped bring my mom back and forth to the hospital, helped with the wake and funeral arrangements and read at my dad's Mass, despite a nasty cold and laryingitis. I'm pretty sure she's much better, but I'm bringing her a pot of chicken noodle soup, oatmeal-cranberry muffins and tapioca pudding tomorrow; all in the bag. I hope the meal hits the spot and gives her a nice night off from cooking and the bag totes around her stuff in style.