A Busy Day

It started out raining this morning. So, I decided to make some sour dough waffles.

A good start to the day. I put the left overs in the freezer. I will pop them in the toaster and they will be great.

 

Then out to check the green house. The tomato plants are getting their second set of leaves already. So, I decided it was time to repot them. 44 red tomatoes plants and 18 Yellow tomato plants. I will give a lot of them away.

The rain stopped this afternoon. So, I went out to the garage and did a little picking up from the winter.

WOW, it's been a busy day. Time to  fix dinner and put my feet up.

LOVE, HUGS, and PRAYERS
Carolyn

 

Spring Time

Today was one of our first nice spring days. So, I took advantage of the fresh air. I went for a walk and also done a little cleaning of some flower and herb beds.

My beautiful little crocus are blooming

 

One of my flower beds was full of leaves and some flowers needed cut back. I was also given some landscaping blocks . So, I put them were I wanted them.

 

This flower bed was also full of leaves, the birdbath was leaning too. This looks so much better.

The tulips seem short this year. But, soon they will be popping with color.

The garlic is up and looking pretty good too.

The tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, flowers, and herbs are doing good in the green house.


It was nice to walk around the yard and garden today. Breathing in the fresh spring air and seeing the plants waking up.

LOVE, HUGS, and PRAYERS
Carolyn

 

A House Warming Gift

We have gotten more snow here. About 9 more inches they say. All I know is there is piles every where. And, today, we are getting rain and freezing rain. And, by the week end it suppose to be in the 40's. So, I think I'll go to my studio and work on some more projects.

My cousin just got to move into her newly built house. I am so excited for her. She has a black, red, and white theme for her kitchen. So, I started looking through patterns. And I found this pattern;

http://www.quiltmaker.com/issues/100_Blocks_Vol_6




the designer is Gina Gempesaw. I Love these magazines.

So, off to my stash I went. This is the table topper I made for her.

I'm going to do an all over quilting and bind it in red. I hope she likes it !!



LOVE, HUGS, and PRAYERS,
Carolyn

Cross Book Marks

Years ago, My mother would make cross book marks as gift for friend, family, and the church bazaar.

At that time, I had no desire to learn how to make them., even though I knew how to crochet. Why make something when you have access to the perfect product

Over the years, mine got lost, and I also thought, mom had the pattern, So, some day I could make one.

After mom past away, going through her things, I found a cross book mark, and all the memories came flooding back.

I searched diligently for the pattern. But, it was no where to be found.

So, I brought this amazing treasure home and started looking at it. Really looking at it. Every row every  stitch. I eventually decided on a needle size, and thread and went to work, Stitch by stich, Row by Row.

It's not as small as my mom's. I'm not sure they even make this size thread any more. But, I'm happy with the results

If you would like to order some of my book marks, Send an email to cncsmith2@yahoo.com. I hope to some day get a store set up for your convenience.  Thank You for your interest.

LOVE, HUGS, and PRAYERS,
Carolyn

Spring is Comming !!!

It's hard to believe, with a picture like this, that spring is on it's way here in Illinois. Well, according to the calendar it is anyway.

The seed catalogs started arriving back in January. And, I started dreaming.  What to buy, how many to buy, and whom to buy them from. Did I need flowers for the spring? There were so many to chose from and some very pretty ones too.  Or, should I just buy what I need this year? After a month of dreaming and plotting and choosing the right seeds, I placed my order. Then I started stocking my mail man.

They have arrived;

For now I went with just the garden seeds. I have also chosen Heirloom seeds this year. I like to save seeds from year to year. And, with a lot of research I have found that Hybrid seeds don't work from year to year. The seed will eventually go sterile. Organic could be modified with fertilizers. So, I went with Heirloom. They are the closest to the plants true self that a person can get. A friend of mine has seeds that were said to be over 100 years old and still fertile. Can you imagine.

Well, soon the green house will be going up. The seeds will be planted in the warm and moist bed of potting soil. And, awakened for a new harvest of vegetables. I can almost taste that fresh cucumber, onion, or tomato.

This is last years green house.

So, even though the ground is covered in a beautiful white blanket , Soon, the earth will come alive with renewed hope for a great and wonderful harvest.


LOVE, HUGS, and PRAYERS
Carolyn

Chap Stick Holders

Last time I was here, I told you about these Chap Stick Holders:


http://stacyvaughnblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/chapstick-holder-keychain.html

They go together in no time.

Since I don't wear any lip products, I chose to put toothpicks in mine.
I wonder if a roll of breath mints would fit ?

I also thought I would share a craft I made at Christmas time.

Angels were every where in my house.

I really enjoyed making these for family and friends. Each one the same, But, each one different.

LOVE, HUGS, and PRAYERS,
Carolyn

Looking forward to spring

It will soon be time for car show season to start. Hubby will be getting  his toy out.

And, there are a few friends that have asked me to make these shoulder bags.

So,  the sewing machine will be put to work today.

 These cute little chapstick holders will be quick little gifts to include.


http://stacyvaughnblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/chapstick-holder-keychain.html

A few of these will be stashed away for cute little gifts for later.

What are you working on today?

LOVE, HUGS, and PRAYERS

Carolyn

 

                                           

Cleaning Cabinets

We didn't get as much snow as they called for. YEAH!! Only about 4 inches.

I'm still not much on going out in the stuff. So, I decided to clean cabinets.

It turned out pretty good , Other then the bread :)

Things look so much better in glass jars. Not to mention I can see what I have at a glance.

My spice cabinet is also cleaned out.

I LOVE lazy Susan's. I can now find my spices so much easier too.. I grow a lot of my own herbs, hence the rosemary and the little jar of garlic powder.

How is the weather at your house? What do you do on Cold and wintery days?

I do have to admit I Truly enjoy the picture God paints with the snow. I hope you all find the beauty in what ever God gives you today

LOVE, HUGS, and PRAYERS,
Carolyn

Hand work

I have a lot of hand sewing projects. I started this hexy project from the Spring 2013 Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine. Not sure I will ever get it done

Also been working on the embroidery blocks for my Vintage Tins quilt

And, sometimes I just want to crochet some Bookmarks

So, I always have handwork to do when I don't want to spend time in the sewing studio.

Today, it's snowing, and they say we could be getting as much at 10" of the stuff.

I have a pot of homemade soup on the stove. So, I think I'll work on some of my hand stitching and watch it snow

LOVE, HUGS, and PRAYERS,
Carolyn

Growing Onions in the winter

I have some onions, from last years harvest, starting to grow. So, I've been trying to use them. I also started reading some gardening, using what I have, even living off grid, blogs. I've really been educating myself and I am so thankful for these ladies.

One of these ladies shared how to save those onions that are growing so that a person can grow them this spring. I am soo excited to get this started.

I took the onion and scored down the edge; Don't cut all the way through the onion,

Next; Peel back what you have cut through

 

 

                                                   What is left, place it a small container with some water. You may have to change the water ever few days or even add some water. Once this onion gets a good root system growing, I can plant it in some soil.

                              The pieces of onion that you cut off you can eat YUMMM!!!

                                        
                                            I'm so excited to watch this onion grow. Through the winter month I get kind of homesick for the garden. So, it's nice to be able to watch something grow this time of year.

I hope every one is have a Great day,

LOVE, HUGS, and PRAYERS,
Carolyn