Quick Hooking Tip & a Bunny Rug

Well, although its been a super busy week I did have some down time to finish my bunny rug. Well, I guess I shouldn't really say "finished" since I still need to press it and bind it, but the hooking is all done. Well unless I decide to make some last minute changes...Here's what it looks like...

I think like the way it came out...but I might want to switch out the swirlies to a different color...what do you think ? Is the white too stark ? Maybe one of the tans would look better or one fo the flower colors ??? I would love to hear some opinions on this before I bind it.

So for the quick hooking tip...When you miscalculate the amount of wool you need (yep, I didnt have quite enough of the olive wools for the background ). I simply took out the flower stems and the outside border loops (all op which were the same light olivey color) and rehooked those with a darker olive. I know you cant really tell in the picture, but the darker olive wouldnt look great IN the background but worked great AROUND the background, but it still looked a little lost so that's when I decided to add that darker color IN the rug as the stems. Have I totally confused you ? Well, I had just enough of the light olivey wools once I took them out of the border and stems to finish the background of my rug. So, if you are hooking along and find that you dont have enough of a particular color look and see where you can "steal" some wool  from places you already hooked and "exchange" it for a different color and then be sure to add it in somewhere else too so it doesn't look out of place. The original pattern also didnt have any pennies in the corners...I added those too so I would need less of the background color. Remember you can always add something to your rug...you can make them even more personal that way. Sometimes you can add a date, or some ABC's or some flowers and squigglies...be creative !

I also just finished hooking a set of coasters/candle mats using up a bunch of left over wools. I cant seem to get the color to show up right in the picture...they are softer than they look on my computer. I will be backing these with wools that coordinate with the outside border of each mat. As many of you know I LOVE to hook but am not so wild about binding them, but I will force myself. If anyone is interested in purchasing either the bunny mat or the coasters, let me know. The bunny mat measures 9.5 x 15.5 and the coasters are 4.5".

As I said I had lots of time to work on these because I spent time waiting at the hospital with my husband and his family. His dad was diagnosed with colon cancer just a few weeks ago and went in for surgery this past Monday. Good news was they got all the colon cancer but the bad news was it had spread to his liver and they said he now has Stage 4 Secondary Liver Cancer. None of us were really prepared for that and it's hitting us hard. Not real sure what the future will be but I know God will bring us through. I would appreciate your prayers though not only for my father in law, but for my mother in law as well...she was just devastated.

I would also like to ask for prayers for my son, Kyler, who will be home this coming Monday for his last military leave before he ships out for deployment. (Yes, I have been crying my eyes out lately and not sleeping much). It's hard to believe it's been a year since he joined the Marines. We are so proud of him but, given the state of the world right now, we are nervous too, obviously. I will post pictures before he leaves.

Just a reminder that I will be announcing all the details for my "Big Blog Anniversary Giveaway" on March 11 which is the anniversary of my very first blog post.  I am planning lots of yummy prizes. I have a couple picked out already and I might even tell you a prize or two over the next couple weeks. You will just have to stay tuned. I will post as time allows with my son being home and driving back & forth to see the inlaws. I have several projects packed into my travel bag so I can get some solid hooking time in during the hour long drive to and from their house, waiting at the airport etc. I am sorry that I wont be able to comment on everyone's pages right now. I am just too overwhelmed, but please know that I think of you all, pray for you all and read your blogs (even when I dont comment). I get so inspired by all of you and am so grateful for the terrific friends I have made here in the prim blogosphere...you gals all rock !

Ok, before I start bawling, I will go finish my taxes...then I can cry for a completely different reason, hahahaha.

Grace to you,
Margie

Quickie

Hello there my prim pals. Just a quick post today since I am still sooooooo far behind from my little escapade with those dreaded hives. Being out of comission for a week can really throw a wrench in a good plan.

I did want to let you know that the selling group to which I belong is updating all the new goodies for sale today. I got a sneak peek at what the other gals are selling and OOOOOOOOOH are the sweet...you just have to stop by and check out them out  at www.primitivehandmadesmercantile.com.

Here are the ruglets I made ...

I love how my little chickadees came out. If anyone wants to purchase them as a kit to hook yourself just let me know. I guess I should add them to my "Rug Hooking Kits For Sale" tab...It will have to wait till tomorrow since its already after 2 am and I SHOULD get to bed.

I am working on items for my 1 year anniversary giveaway in March...More details to follow.

Grace to you,
Margie

I Love Thrift Stores

I just LOVE thrift stores...where else can you get such terrific deals ? My first stop of the day was the Salvation Army where I got 12 wool skirts for a little less than $30....HOORAY !!! I also scored a Woolrich stadium blanket for $3.00...I am debating on selling it on eBay since it should fetch a decent amount and then I can roll that moeny into more wool for my rugs.

Then I was off to my local Goodwill store and look what I got... My very first firkin for $2.00...Sure it's missing its lid (and believe me, I searched those shelves for the lid with  no luck), but I figure I can maybe make one...any advice on that ? I cant wait to paint and distress this gem ! I hope it's the first of many. I know they are pretty expensive and you all kow how frugal I am so I was doing  the happy dance when I spotted this one !

Next, a short walk across the parking and I was at one of my all time favorite places.. Habitat Humanity Restore where I got all this paint, stain and sealer...All the quarts are very similar shades of cream, so I will probably mix them together for one even shade. I got an almost full gallon of the best shade of a colonial blue...for $1...How cool is that ? I also got 2 almost full cans of gloss sealer ...lots of projects ahead for me.

 

I also picked up some vintage kitchen tools ...total cost at Habitat ? $8.00 AWESOME DEAL

Then once I came home and was trying to find new places to store all my goodies  I found something I had completely forgotten about. This child's easel style chalk board was my grandmothers and I had forgotten that my mom had given it to me last year....it got put in the corner of the basement with some other projects that need a little work and I completely forgotten about it.

It has a place for paper at the top...I can remember playing "school" with this as a kid. I need to fix the chain on the one side and I am debating on painting it. I think this is the original red paint, but I am not wild about the shade. Guess I shouldve waited till the chalkboard dried before I snapped my pics, but you all know I am not a patient person, haha. I am thinking of putting it outside on the porch once the weather warms up.

Speaking of weather....we finally got SNOW in western Pa. Hooray !!!! I absolutely LOVE winter, well I actually LOVE all the seasons and having 4 distinct seasons, so I am a happy girl even if the snow put a little dent in my plan to do more thrifting today (I dont like to drive in the snow folks...its a great day to stay indoors and work on projects). I had almost decided to put away all my snowmen the other day since it has been unseasonably warm here.

I picked up some pieces of linoleum awhile back and i am thinking of trying my hand at a few floor cloths...I will let you guys know how they turn out.

Well, I am off to start a few projects. Have a blessed day.

Until next time...
Grace to you,
Margie

Chandelier Finished

Well, it looks like this week is going to be better than last week. Yesterday was my first HIVE FREE day and you wont believe what we found out....Well Saturday night shortly after the hubs got home from work I started itching again and I was having a hard time breathing. Now, at this point  over the last 8 days I had already been to the doc, Urgent Care and 2x to the ER, so I was very hesitant to rush out to the ER again...I think the docs there think I am a hypochondriac. But I have had 3 pulmonary embolisms and I get scared when I cant breathe. It kept getting worse and worse until it literally felt like someone was sitting on my chest...I made sure I was not hyperventilating etc and off we went. So, they hooked me up to all the machines, got an IV, gave me some steroids and ran more tests...I have had a CT, a nuclear scan, an EKG and many others...Everything's clear...After a few hours I am able to breathe perfectly, so we figure I needed that shot of Prednisone. When I first got the hives we made sure I hadnt eaten anything different, used any new products etc...I hadnt changed ANYTHING.

OK, so we leave and I kid you not, we are not out of the parking lot and it starts happening again. The hubs and I are dumbfounded, but it's the EXACT same feeling. I jokingly said maybe I was allergic to the hubs but I said that wouldnt work since he was with me at the hospital, but the hubs, brilliant man that he is, says, yes, but they have a super duty air filtration system and much of the time I was away getting tested. I said it was impossible to be allergic to a person for pete's sake. Well then we started thinking about it...My initial hives happened once the hubs came home and it got way worse every night when he got home. It never dawned on us that maybe something HE was using could cause me to break out in hives...The hubs had run out of shower gel and used my sons AXE he had left when he was home. Now this crapused to give mea terrible headaches when my son used to use their cologne spray.

Well, it turns out it coincided perfectly timewise...he had used it a little over a week. All the way home we are thinking, "no way", but hello, I was itching like crazy by the time we got home and my chest was heavy and couldnt get a full breath. So, the hubs put all his clothes in the laundry and took a shower and grabbed a bottle of Old Spice shower gel from the cabinet...I have been itch free and hive free ever since. I may have a heart attack when I get the bill for all those unnecessary tests, but at least I wont be itchy. I do know my lungs, heart and head all checked out ok, so I guess I have some piece of mind for my thousands of dollars. It literally never dawned on him that HIS shower gel could effect me. It hadn't dawned on me because I use a different body wash than him...I am grateful we figured it out, but I am overwhelmed at how much its going to cost us. I am a very frugal shopper, but that has to be the MOST expensive shower gel on the planet !!! Can you believe it ? I am still in shock over it. We both feel sooo stupid...how could we have missed it ?

Well, now that that's out of the way I can show you the before and after pictures of my chandelier...Remember several months ago when I bought this tacky brass chandelier at the Habitat for Humanity Restore for $20 ?

Well, my father in law rewired it for me and after a can of spray paint and some glue and stain on the candle part, I think I have a winner...I had seen one in a shop in Volant Mills that was the same size for almost $300...Of course I could NEVER afford that, but look how great it looks now...I am sooooo happy with how it turned out.

I am so super psyched about it...I love it when a plan comes together so nicely. So, if you see a cheap chandelier, think makeover !!! I do still want to makeover the actual bulbs so that they look more like a candle, but I need to run to Home Depot and get some caulking..maybe I will do a step  by step of how to make those kind of lights !

Well, like I said, this week is starting out sooooo much better than last week. I am also working on a couple new ruglets....here's what I have done so far...

I like having 2 projects on my frame at a time because when working on a smaller project theres no waste this way. I am trying to decide the color scheme for the other one...Maybe really , really pale yellow for the chicks and a watery blue for the background ???? Not sure...still piling up different wools and trying to figure out what I want to do !!!

I do want to take a minute and thank all of you who prayed for me and encouraged me through all this mess with the hives. You are so precious to me and I am so thankful to have such wonderful, caring people in my life. You guys are the best.

Okie doke...I am going to go get busy finishing up some more projects and get some bread baking.

Grace to you,
Margie

Wow, will this ever end ?

Just a quick post today...ended up in the ER again yesterday, so I apologize for being away from my emails...All of you who have ordered wool, I am on it and your invoices should be waiting in your inboxes. I have added some gorgeous hand dyed mustards and dirty brick reds that are just lovely, so please check them out if you get a chance ! I am here today, finishing up my chandelier and hopefully will have pics to put up later. It hasnt turned out exactly like I planned, but its ok. Maybe once I get the pics up some of you could advise as to what I could do to make it better.

OK...still itchy, still grouchy, still sleepy...someone, please make me laugh today. I am taking life WAY too seriously.

Hugs to all my prim pals,
Margie

Time to Build Your Wool Stash

Well, I sure hope this week is going to be a better one than last week. I should say though, that even with the sewer back up and the 4 day drama with the hives that involved a doc visit, a trip to the ER and yesteraday a trip to Urgent Care, that I did have at least one bright spot and that was my swap gift from Linda over at Country Pickins...she went WAY overboard and it couldnt have come at a better time, thats for sure. Look at all these lovely prims:

I just love this little prim sheep plate with the stand...It's absolutely perfect !!! Next up is this adorable little ditty bag

And guess what ?  The package smelled soooooo good caue stuffed inside tht prim ditty bag were all these great candle tarts and even some yummy soap and a face scrubby

Can you say YUMMY...also got a sweet little hanging heart and I just LOVE this next item...a snow mama with her snow baby

I just love her...she's just too sweet. And last but not least in this cute littlesheep sign

So a big, gigantic THANK YOU goes to Linda for being the ONE and ONLY bright spot of my week.

 I am hoping that this week is a good one. I am only partially covered with hives now after a horrid day yesterday where I literally was purplish red from head to toe with very little unred skin showing through...I couldnt move without crying so the doc at Urgent Care gave me a mega-mega does of Prednisone and some type of medicine for the itch thats stronger than Benedryl which did absolutely nothing. So, as long as I can keep from scratching and take multiple oatmeal showers I should be fine...YIPPIE !

But I am trying to stay busy and focused today and I listed a BUNCH of individual pieces of wool as well as many wool bundles. It's definately a great time to build your stash. I decided to do the individual pieces since many of you are not hookers but need piece for pink keep backs or penny rugs etc, so now there's something for everyone. You can build your own bundle.

I decided to make dinner early just in case I am a giant itching machine when the hubs gets home this evening and cant bear to move...He has been so sweet and as always, very attentive when I am having any kind of bad day. I have no idea if or what he really ate the last coupls days. He patiently put up with all my tears and best of all...he scratched me every time I asked him. I know they say not to scratch cause it makes it worse....well if you have a small patch of hives that might be true but when you only have a small patch of skin that doesnt have hives, trust me, you will scratch and it will feel heavenly...Of course my skin is kind of raw right now cause I got a little carriued away a few times with my hair brush...I literally felt like I was on fire and going to die...I have had hives 3 other times altogether and been hospitalized for them and they were NEVER this bad. OK, enough with my pity party. Done. No Ore, Promise.

OK, so I am very new at gardening...I put in a little garden right outside my kitchen door last year with some herbs, pepper and tomatoes. This year I am wanting to do a larger garden but I have limited space so I bouyght a bunch of long planters and patio planters at a yard sale last year and I am planning to do lettuce,  spinach, onions, potatoes, carrots and maybe some strawberries. I also have lots of blackberry bushes down by my shed but I can really get to them during their season becasue of the other plants that are in the way...Does anyone know when would be the best time to transplant the blackberry bushes ? I really would love to be a little more self reliant this year. I have spent a lot of time stocking up a good pantry just in case the economy tanks or the hubs loses his job...I dont think he will, he's been there a long time and he's doing fine, but anything can happen in a down turned economy and I would rather be safe than sorry. At least we wont starve or freeze to death since we got the wood burner last year. Thats about all we can do since we are not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination. I know lots of us in Prim Land are stay at home moms...which I guess I cant say that anymore since the nest is empty, but my heart reallly goes out to all you gals who do have to work outside the home, I did it at differnt times during my kids growing up years when we needed some extra money, so I get it.  OK, back yto the gardening for one more second (I know, I am a bit scattered today, cause I am itchy and jumping around a little)...Should I start my plants inside in egg cartons and if yes, when and if no, why not ? I know some of you have beautiful fersh produce and flowers and I have been in awe of your talents...hey maybe I will even plant some lavendar and sweet annie on the hillside by the pool...wouldny that smell yummy as I am floating around on the lazy days of summer ?

Well gals, I am going now to get a few things into the mail so be safe and be well and thanks to ALLL of you wonderful girls who sent all those well wished to me...I so loved reading your encouraging words.

Grace to you until next time,
Margie

Man oh Man

Quick post...If those of you who pray would do that for me today I would so appreciate it. I woke up this morning covered in hives from head to toe. I have had them so badly in the past that I had to be hospitalized because I wasnt able to breathe. None of the docs I have seen in the past can figure out why I keep getting them (This is the 5th time in 4 years). They are very itchy obviously, but the thing thats the worst is that they are very large hives and very hard & thick so its painful to walk (they are on the bottoms of my feet) and the largest ones are near my elbows and knees making it hard to bend since the areas are so swollen. The hubs says I look like the elephant man...I forgave him since he kissed and told me how much he loved me even if I did look like something out of a horror show...Gotta love the guy !

Anyway, went to doc's first thing this am and they shot me up with some Prednisone and some other stuff but I am really feeling crappy.

I do have lots more wool to put up  for sale, but I think it will have to wait till this evening. I will be checking my email frequently though so if you have questions about the wool, just ask. Since you know I hate to post without pic...here is the newest kit I have available...

You would actually get 3 heart patterns drawn on monks cloth and all the wool to hook them...then you can embellish them anyway you choose like I did with the old rusty keys.

Ok...I am going now
Grace to you,
Margie

Up all night

Well I have been up all night ....again...GRRR I really hate this but at least I got something accomplished last night !!! I got almost all my wool listed that I have been promising for weeks now. I think I listed 10 or more bundles and if you see something you like and need more of it, shoot me an email as I may have it, but might have not listed it...Does that make sense ? It sounded ok in my head, but now that I am reading it I dont know. Oh bother...(now I am quoting Winnie the Pooh ???) Oh dear me, I NEED sleep.

Oh and I ma so excited that all my stuff sold out in 2 days on the new selling blog...HOORAY, which is wonderful since my goal is to make that new car payment ...I HATE having a car payment again but I do love the new wheels and since we sold our truck when we moved back to PA its nice to have a vehicle thats big enough to dumpster dive or garage sale larger items...I mean theres only so much you can get in the back of a Dodge Intrepid (I did get a queen headboard in once...Had a bugger of a time getting it out, but thats another story altogether and a good thing the hubs doesnt read my blog...not sure he knows about that one). Anyway, having an SUV is so convenient and I am loving it.

Hey, awhile ago I saw a chandelier make-over where the gal had made her own little candle sleeves that she made her own "drips" out of hot glue or caulk or something and then she painted the lamp itself black...Does anyone know who did that makeover ??? If you do could you let me know cuz I want to get my chandelier all done and I thoght I had written down who did that so I could go back and check once I had it rewired...now I am just anxious to get it painted and up in the dining room.

Well guys and gals, thats all for now since I am actually getting a little sleepy...Maybe I will post again later and do something with pictures...I dont like to post without 'em !

Grace to all my primmy pals,
Margie

Holy Cow

Holy Cow...Thats what I keep saying over and over again. The selling group that I joined is doing amazingly well and if you all havent checked it out, you really should pop over to www.primitivehandmadesmercantile.com . You have until the 27th to sign up for an AWESOME giveaway with LOTS of yummy prim items donated by several of the artists. Just look at all the primilicious things you could win !!!

 I have already sold all four of my hooked hearts with the old keys...happy dance time ,which is not a pretty sight really...that 15 pounds I packed on over the last few months jiggles around and could possibly hurt someone and is soooooo unattractive ! Dont you just hate when you roll over in bed and your tummy hits the mattress with a "thud" and  you hear the sloshing sound of , well, I am not sure actually what makes that sounbd, but you know what I mean ??? What ? That never happens to anyone but me ?  Well, ok it might just be me...oh, if I could just stop eating chocolate or adding homemade whipped cream to my daily coffee or end my torrid love affair with cheese...Cheese...there isnt a cheese I dont love.  I actually had to talk to myself, OUTLOUD, at the grocery store last night when I saw this roquefort colby blend on sale. I almost had to yell at myself since it was close to $30.00 per pound...I kept trying to do the math in my head to figure out what it would cost to just buy a sliver...Finally summed up the courage to walk away, well truth be told, I kind of jogged, (which I feel should actually count as exercise) because I knew if I stayed one more second I would pick up the cheapest package they had on hand ($9.50) and eat in all on the way home (what ? you never ripped open a package of cheese in the car or, like me, in the parking lot ??? Well thats just sad).

Thank heaven I found the strength to resist THAT temptation though, because I fell victim to the the subtle seduction of the York Peppermint Patty calling my name at the checkout stand fulfilling my desire for something yummy . It actually brought a double wammy of contentment since it was only fifty cents (in my mind I just saved $9) and it is the candy bar with the least amount of fat & calories  !!!

Well if I could give up my food obsessions I could probably lose 50 pounds, but seriously, what kind of life would that be ??? A life without chocolate, whipped cream or cheese ???  Dont even get me started on butter or gravy...YUM ! Well for me it would be devastating...These items fill a deep hole inside me, they nurture me...NOT, no they dont ! I just LOVE good food.  I could/should/will totally learn to live a life of moderation...someday. For now I will cut back the whipped cream in my coffee..its a baby step that I can manage !

OK, OK, I guess I should get serious here for a minute. It is finally snowing here in western PA and I couldn't be more excited....I love the snow !!! It finally feels like winter has arrived. So I am nestled in and doing the last of my wool dyeing and I decided to do a clearance sale of sorts on much of the wool bundles I have already listed to make it easier to clear out room for all those new yummy wool bundles I have been working on over the last several days/weeks. So pop over to my "Wool For Sale" page and look for the items in RED for savings.  Also, if you purchase, please, please send me your shipping address when you order so I can invoice you MUCH more quickly.

Alrighty, well you know I HATE doing posts without lots of pictures, so I thought I would show you these great  half sized jars I got at the thrift last week..I have never seen these little guys before and just had to have them...aren't they sweet ??? Haven't figured out what I am going to do with them yet, but I am sure I will think of something although I always love your suggestions. Does anyone know any history on these type of jars ? The lids dont fit tightly so I am wondering if there is maybe another piece that I dont have  like a seal of some type ???? I am sure one of you terrific gals knows the answer...please share, pretty please ?!?!? I have a larger one but it seals pretty well, so I am just not sure what the deal is with these.

Well ladies, I am off check the tv and see who is in the lead in the South Carolina primary race and grab some lunch. Obviously I have made myself hungry...I am thinking fresh mozzarella cheese layered on top of a slices of tomato, atop some crusty homemade ciabatta bread and then broiled to crisp perfection then slathered with a little homemade basil mayo...Oh YUM !!!

Until next time,
Grace to you,
Margie

Check out the Mercantile

Hi gals...I am so sorry for not posting for so long. I have been frantically (Is there any other way I ever do things ?) finishing up my items for the new selling group, Primitive Handmades Mercantile. Be sure to not only check out my items for sale, but also all the other primsters fine hand dids. And guess what...the gals over at The Mercantile decided to pull our resources and lots of us our donating items for a big grand opening drawing, so be sure to go over and enter . We open for business on the 20th, but you can still browse around now. Here's what I donated for the giveaway...A sweet little hit or miss style hooked heart that measures 8.5" long and will be perfect for cabinet doors, doorknobs or even in your window.

Here's a picture of the newest "ruglet" that I hooked yesterday...

I have had such a hard time staying focused on one task at a time lately and yesterday I decided I would have work on one thing and one thing only and not pick up one other project until that one was completely done. So with talk radio playing in the background, I hooked my heart out (no pun intended...my brain is about fried, so dont expect my normal sarcastic reparte today gang).

I also made this hooked heart with an old key and rusty bailing wire that I just LOVE...

So I hope you will on hop over to www.primitivehandmadesmercantile.blogspot.com and see what the other gals have up for sale.

Today I am focused like a laser on finishing up my items for The Heart of Winter swap that Amy from Bumble Bee Lane is hosting. I am HORRIBLE at waiting till the last minute to finish the items. I am great at starting them...GRRRRRRRR. I just cant believe its the 17th of January already...For pete sake I still have the Christmas tree up in the man cave ...and its a REAL tree. Gosh those needles are going to be a mess to clean up !

As soon as I get my swap items mailed I will finish taking the pictures of all the new luscious wool I have bundled up and ready to sell...I know I have been promising and I really should have learned by now to not promise something until its done...Go ahead, yell at me (um, its a blog, so I cant hear you but if you're really mad at me I guess you could post a comment in all caps, but seriously, I still wont hear you).

OK, can you tell how punchy I am ???? Still working on VERY, VERY little sleep. The docs gave me a new sleep med to try...nothing, nada...counting sheep for hours on end. Am I sleepy ? Oh, you betcha (that was my Sarah Palin impersonation). So after one month, they said I could double the dose...Hooray, so we will see if I sleep tonight !!! I mean I know I will crash eventually, but the sooner the better as far as I am concerned.

Well my prim pals, I will have lots more time by the end of the week to devote more time to the posting here and reading your blogs, which I LOVE to do too. I get so much inspiration from you all and am so grateful for your input in my life.

Grace to you,
Margie

So Much To Tell

Oh my goodness, where do I begin. I have so much exciting news. Well lets start at some of the remarkable goodies I got. Of course I am a bit late on this, but Marie from Prmitives by Old Lady Morgan...we did a terrific swap and of course, she sent way more than I anticipated, but she's like that...such a sweetie. Isnt this snowman just a riot ? I love his wild eyes and long nose !!!

She also sent this guy which is , I think, my all time favorite snowman...Its just like me...a little unusual....She sent 2 more that are snow ornies but my legs are hurting too badly to go all the way down to the family room and take the pics (Yes, I still have one of my trees up...I just havnt gotten around to taking it down yet...I know, I know, I am pathetic, but it just cant be helped this year)

Anyway, isnt he just so cute looking ? So, Marie...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU again.

Well a few days ago the hubs had a meeting near where my bestie lives so I tagged along for the hour long drive and he dropped me off so we could finally do our Christmas. Now my friend Penny is the all time best gift giver...she could be a professional gift buyer. In fact, most of my all time favorite prims are gifts she has bought me over our 25 year friendship...someday I will do a post of all the things around my house that she's gotten me and you will be amazed too. OK, so I didnt take pics of the different teas she got me (I love tea) or the silicone baking mats she got me for all my cookie baking (she didnt have a clue what they were or what they were for but she knew I wanted them, so she got them...thats how she rolls) and she got me this adorable kitchen towel...dont you love it ?

Look at those little snowmen & little lamb !

She also got me this totally adorable snow man that I just love.

His hat says HOPE which is what we both need since we have had so many health issues

Then today when I went to the mailbox I saw this puffy package and I knew, I just knew it was from Linda from Parkers Paradise even before I got it out of the box. Sure enough it was from Linda, which blows me away because she just sent me a beatiful pillow in December. I was sooo excited I literally tore into the pkg right there in the doorway...Yes, I am that immature. Lookie what she sent....isnt it just the most darling pillow ??? Cant wait to find the perfect spot for it.

A big thank you to Linda...One of my wished for the new year is to be more like Linda !!!!

I also am super excited, and completely honored to have been asked to join a brand new selling group. We will all be up and selling on January 20th so please check us out at www.primitivehandmadesmercantile.com . I will be offering some yummy Valetine themed hooked hearts and I know some of the other gals have some awesome items planned too. I cant tell you how overwhelmed I am that folks think my crafting/art is worthy of being showcased in that way. What a wonderful feeling !!!

Well I had one more piece of good news, but I think I am gonna save that little gem for later. I should get back to work finishing up my swap, finishing up my items for the mercantile and finishing up posting all my new wool bundles.

So, tootles for now !

Grace to you,

Margie

As the holidays come to a close and we begin a new year...

Oh my goodness my primitive friends, I have missed you all so much ! I am looking forward to catching up on all your blogs now that the holidays are finally over and things are (hopefully) settlling back down into some sort of order. I never actually meant to take a blogging vacation over Christmas, but from the moment my youngest came home on Christmas eve with just minutes to spare to make it to church, life has been chaotic and just a tad out of control. We did have some exciting news though...my youngest son got engaged on New Years Eve to his high school sweetheart. She is a super sweet and very pretty girl and I am determined to be just "The Best" mother in law ! I cant say that I think getting engaged at 19 is the best thing to do, but I did the same thing 25 years ago and have never had a single regret about marrying the hubs...you guys all know I am over the moon for the man and he feels the same way about me, but I still wish they would wait a little longer, but I have decided that it's their life and the best thing I can do for them is to pray and try to encourage them and be a good example. Here's a picture of them from last night...

In looking over all the pictures taken over the last couple weeks I realized I didnt get a single picture of us as a family or of me with the hubs...which was a good thing since I have packed on 11 pounds since early December...UGH. Guess its time to stop using the exercise bike in my bedroom as a clothes rack and actually get on it and move the pedals...UGH, UGH. I can tell you exactly what packed on those pounds though...hershey kiss cookies. I only bake them for Christmas (unless I am properly begged) and  I have ZERO willpower wheres these delicious little gems are concerned, zero. I thought by putting them in the freezer that would help...um, nope, I found out they taste even BETTER frozen. I made lots of goodies as gifts this year so I had tons of cookies on hand ...Oh did I mention I didnt start baking until just a few days before Christmas ? Yeah, I planned food gifts and then waited till the last minute...yep thats how I get myself into so much trouble. Well, since I kept eating those cookies I had to bake more for the gifts I had planned...TWICE because I just couldnt stop sneaking one cookie here, one cookie there and like magic...the cookies just disappeared and then re-appeared on my hips. I was already stressed out and I am a stress eater (is that a real thing or just my excuse I wonder). I was already in one of the WORST muscle flares I have had in over 3 years  which means I am notmoving as much or as rapidly and I think I  tried to console myself with those doggone cookies and now I had to dig out my fat jeans...ok, my fatter jeans if I am being honest. .

Well, enough about the woes of an overindulgent, overwhelming Christmas...HAPPY NEW YEAR ! I really am excited about the new year and hope to add lots of new fun stuff on my blog and hope to get some new followers too. I will be doing another giveaway, listing more wool for sale, adding some new lessons in my rug hooking tutorial series and putting together some new rug hooking kits.  As the promise of snow looms near I am trying to think of some great projects for spring and summer. Since finances for so many are really stretched this year, I will be offering more "ruglets" and ruglet kits for sale since they are smaller and more affordable. If anyone has any requests or suggestions, let me know.

Well gals, I look forward to catching up with you all and I hope you all had fabulous holidays filled with love and laughter.

Grace to you,
Margie

Pleasantly Suprised

Wow...what awesome trips to the mailbox the last few days...I got some of the sweetest things in the mail from some of the sweetest gals in all of blogland. First up I need to tell you about the awesome ornies I got from Bumble Bee Lane's Christmas ornie swap...I lucked out and got Amy herself and she sent one of her yummy smelling waxed Santa ornies (hooray and thank you Amy)...

And then to my delight I got a beautifully wrapped pkg (sorry I was too excited and I just tore into it) from Patti from Raspberry Lane and she really spoiled me and sent 3 yummy smelling ornies (Thank you Patti)

Then , to my suprise, I got a package in the mail from dear sweet Linda from Parker's Paradise...I have no idea why she decided to send me something other than she is just the nicest person...Can you believe she sent me this beautiful pillow ??? How does she ALWAYS seem to know just what to send...she always knows when you need a little pick me up doesnt she ???? What a blessing and I want to send a big cyber hug out to Linda and say Thank You...

I am happily finding homes for all my sweet orbies and the pillow...The hubs and I decided to make it a small Christmas this year...getting these extra "presents" has made my holiday extra special. Oh and I got the sweetest card form Lil Raggedy Angie too...which is great since I think soooo many people arent doing cards this year...which is a shame cuz I love hanging up all the cards and look forward to catching up in a non-digital way. ANyway...thanks Angie, you're a doll !

I have made a few little extra ornies myself to fill in on  my downstairs tree since it was fatter and fuller than what we usually get and my house smells so yummy from all the cinnamon...

I also have been tweeking a few things and just finished up this little sleigh last week and I got the little tree at the thrift for .59 and I dressed it up with some homespun and bells...looks kinds cute right ?

I have been a decoupaging fool and am literally adding these winter labels to just about everything...Here are a couple little displays that I still dont have just right, but they are coming together...

I also have been practicing my blanket stitch (you guys know I dont sew much) and think I am definately getting better...

I have found that doing these little projects are very manageable with not feeling well ! I just wish I had enough energy to get my house clean, bake some cookies and get the gifts purchased....I have only boought one present so far...I dont think I have ever been this far behind except the year I had my other blood clot (it was December then too). Oh well...Christmas will come on December 25th regardless of how much I have done. I have decided just to bake my kids MOST favorite cookies this year...maybe I can get away with 4 kinds and call it quits.

Ou tree's look pretty nice...just cant seem to get the lighting right to show just how pretty they really look but here goes....

Okie doke gang...I am off to wrap the gifts for our church giving tree (I did manage to get those purchased at least, so thats progress....right ?) since they are due at church tomorrow morning !!! I will try to post again later in the week and I have silently been "lurking" on many of your blogs, but just havent been commenting....sorry gals, I promise to try harder !!!

Grace to you,
Margie

Free Tutorial

Well folks I have had such an overwhelming response to my last post about the santa hat box and all my Christmas boxes that someone actually asked for a tutorial. Well, as usual I am a little pressed for time, since I spent last night in the ER with what they think might be another blood clot (yuck). I am fine and we are keeping a close eye on things, so no worries gals.

On to the more important things in life...decorating for the Holidays !!!. Well I dont have another octagonal box, but I am going to give the simple steps to transforming ANY box into a prim work of art for literally pennies with stuff you probably already have around your house. These boxes also make wonderful gifts when you stack them in set of 3 and put little goodies inside. You can use any shaped box you can find...this will change the way you look at your "trash" ladies...todays tampon box could be tomorrow's beautiful prim decor item.

OK, so you dont want to use a tampon box ???? You can use any box...like how about a USED Priority mail cube box ? Just please be sure not to use a NEW one as it is a federal crime ot use Priority boxes for anything other than priority mail.  Well if you dont want to use a tampon box or run the risk of a federal crime ( cuz I know some of you are already contemplating breaking the law...tsk, tsk) Dollar Tree has these 2 pc sets of boxes in their gift wrap section for $1...Here's what they look like ...

Then I just base coat them in the colors of my choice which today were black &barnyard red and I also had one more slightly larger box that I painted yellow...I think it was a left over gift box from last Christmas that I then painted a golden straw color.

Then you just decide on the pics you want to use...Now some folks just print the pics out on those awesome kraft paper sticker labels, which is awesome and easy, but kind of expensive and it means unless you have those little buggers on hand you cant just do this project at the last minute, which as most of you know, is how I roll. So I use good old Mod Podge shown here...

But I have also used good old Elmers school glue with a little water added and gotten the same effect, so literally, this is a really easy project. Next you will need the actual photos you want to use. Now here's the fun part cuz you can use just about any image you want...anything form old Christmas cards, old calendar pics you name it. I used some vintage style labels I have saved on  my computer which I am offering for you to use today...simply copy the pics and then you can size it to your liking using your favorite resizing program...I use Picasa to crop my pics and then make them look older using their "sepia" tone. I then can print them in a myriad of sizes from wallet to full 8x 10 which is what I used for the large santa box. These labels will be about the right size already depending on the box you're using. Here are the pics I chose...

SORRY PICS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

As you all know, normally my photos are copyright protected, but today you can use all 3 of these labels in any way you wish...for your personal use or if you want to make 1000 boxes and sell them at a craft show...well, God Bless ya, you have my blessing and express permission. Go forth and create !

Uh, er, well, now that I got that little overly exuberant theatrical experience out of the way (because yes, I actually said it out loud)...um, on to the tutorial.

Ok, so now you want to print out your pictures and trim them down so no white edges are showing from the paper (I, being very frugal just use regular old copy paper but you can use any kind you want...I wont tell). Here's how mine looked after I cut them down...

Next you're going to paint the mod podge all over the front of the box. I usuallu go in both directions to get good coverage. Then place your item where you want it and paint the mod podge (or watered down glue) over top of it. Be sure to press out any bubbles as you go and smoothing them out with your fingers...if you have a stubborn bubble simply pop in with a pin and add more glue. Then let it dry which takes about 10-15 minutes.

Next I add some stain or antiquing medium...frankly its which ever I have handy. I have used regular minwax left over stain or the little bottles or craft stain as shown here. It's Folkart brand Antiquing medium #810 but you can also use watered down brown paint for the same effect.

For light colored boxes I just brush on a few random splotches and then either rub in with a rag or add a water laden brush to disperse the stain.

For the red box I like to add a TINY bit of black paint in the same manner....

And then just use a watery brush to feather it out. Repeat until you get the desired effect. When adding the stain, just be sure to be ready to immediately wipe it off (gently) from the pictured part of your boxes. Once it's dry I either spray with a sealer or just mod podge again for a final sealant. Let dry completely and voila....awesome Christmas decorations for next to nothing...

This same process works on wood and glass too so the possibilities are endless. Here are a few other examples...

I hope this was helpful and as always, feel free to email any questions. Just think of all the BIG boxes you could do up and place on top of your kitchen cupboards or under a tree...oh the possibilities are endless. I would LOVE to see what you gals come up with so please be sure to share your final projects !

Well, I am off to to put my legs up and take a short break.
Grace to you,
Margie