Wednesday, December 29, 2010

More rag rugs-yada, yada, yada

More rag bowls too-yada, yada, yada.

Crazy color combinations-but I say- just about anything goes.  Yada, yada, yada.

If it's not nailed down-I'm gonna use it-yada, yada, yada.
I'm wondering if you all are getting bored with all the talk about rag rugs.?.?.?

(But, but, but-I'm kind of addicted!)

I know Rocco is.

YAWN!
Now-that's one big pie hole, wouldn't you say???




Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Gifts received and a rug to be given


Oh Christmas was good this year, as it always is.

  I received framed (surprise) portraits of my daughter, niece, and nephew from my sister, Jodie.  Beautiful!

The cute HOPE sign was from my sister, Kimmie.

And I will never fight with my plastic wrap again.  My neighbor gave me the Wrap Master and the Wrap Master Foil!  Cool!

Kimmie gave me this fabric basket with my name on (love it!), along with some pretty cotton yarn.  :)
 
Mom crocheted us girls coasters.  So cute!


My niece, Jessica, made me the 'pandora' bracelet (gorgeous!) and Kimmie gave me the lovely earrings.

Larry's cousin gave me the pottery bowl.  (Love!)

I received thrifted pillowcases and sheets from Kim.  One of the sheets is already a rag ball, but I'm not cutting into this pillowcase.  It's too nice.  :)
 
This lovely star wreath is from my daughter.  Sweet!!!

I also received money and much more.  I must have been a good girl this year!

I made this rug yesterday and it's going to a friend. 

Someone likes to invade my personal space, ahem!  That's okay-I'll forgive him.  :)

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas morning

Rocco was the only one that was willing to be photographed on Christmas!

We had a great Christmas here, and I hope you did too. 

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas!

1. Hopey and Santa, 2. The best gift!, 3. Hopey and Santa, 4. Wishing you a blessed Christmas..., 5. Three sisters on Christmas morning, 6. Christmasy centerpiece, 7. Rocco, Santa-Santa, Rocco, 8. Rocco, aka Snow Puppy, 9. Rocco, Santa-Santa, Rocco

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord.  Luke:11


If you couldn't already tell, I love this space.  Thank you for visiting!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!


Thursday, December 23, 2010

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The Hope of Christmas past


I've had these polaroids of my little Hopey lying around for a while now, because I knew I wanted to scan them and put them on the ol' blog, and miracle of miracles, I hadn't misplaced them yet!  So I doctored them up a bit and here she is-my Hopey of Christmas past.  Yes, all smiley for the camera, before she knew that obscene gesture she's been so fond of the last couple of years. 

Oh, how I love the Hope of Christmas past, the present, and the future.  I'm so glad she's mine!

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

And now...it's time to clean

I've piddle dinked around long enough making rag rugs.  It's time to put the rag balls and crochet hook away and time to start cleaning up this joint.

I made this little green number for my downstairs bathroom.  How do ya like that vintage (80's) wallpaper???  I actually don't mind it much.  It's only on the bottom half of the wall.

And I made this crazy one for the kitchen. 
 
This is under the pencil tree.  There are a few more gifts to add to the mini-pile, but this sure doesn't look like much, does it???  I guess gift cards don't take up much room-haha!

Have a terrific Tuesday!


Saturday, December 18, 2010

Fabric bowls and an anniversary

Today I cut up some thrifted wool blazers (and a sheet) to make more fabrics bowls, while watching the Gilmore Girls and fighting a headache.  Blech!
 
Also-tomorrow, December 19th is my 23rd wedding anniversary.  All I can say is WOW-it's really hard to believe I've been married that long.

One more thing-did you know my husband was once Amish???  No, no, just kidding-he was not Amish!  It just looks that way!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Shmells like Christmas!

Do you want your home to smell like Christmas? 

If so-fill a pot with a few inches of water, drop in your citrus peel of choice (today I'm using clementine and grapefruit), and add a good sprinkle of cinnamon.  Simmer on low and your house will smell wonderful!

I did this last year also.  I think it was the first time I used Mr. Le Creuset, my splurge last year at this time.  And I've found  it's pronounced lay crew-say not lee crew-set  from seeing the commercials for it on PBS.  Da!-I should have known better-it's French!  Ah well, I know now.

You know Le doesn't get used much-he's quite little!  He's mostly just eye candy that sits right there on top of the stove.  But he's so beautiful and I really do enjoy looking at him every day.  :)

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

A very good snack

A gingerbread muffin/cupcake with cream cheese frosting.

From a box and from a can-but very good, nonetheless.

Have a fantastic day!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Snug as a bug in a rag rug

Yes-that's been me-snug as a bug.  In my little corner, watching episode after episode of Gilmore Girls while making rag rug after rag rug.  It's been  fun, but I'm soon done.  For right now, anyhow.  There are gifts to wrap!
 
I finally did some dishes last night after stacking them up, day after day.  I thought it was time.  When all you have left to use is baby and measuring spoons, it's time to do the dishes.

(The above rug is 100 percent stash fabric-no sheets.  I'm starting to run out of good colors of sheets, believe it or not.)

The above rug, I'm not quite sure if I like or not.  I may end up frogging it.

 Hubby's cousin is 22 years old and moving into her first 'real' apartment and on Facebook I told her I was giving her an apartment warming gift.  I asked her what her favorite colors were and she said pink and purple.  If I chicken out on giving her this one, I have another that has pink and purple in it that I can give her.

Here's my little Rocco caught on deer cam-somewhere where he shouldn't have been.  Ahem!

**********************
Thank you for all the lovely birthday comments!  I think I'll print the comments out to keep.  The post will show up in my blog book which I will get made at the beginning of 2011. 

Yesterday (my birthday) I received a phone call from my mom at 6:42am (I was up), which is the time I was born!  (I try to do that with my kid too.  5:35pm was the time she was born, in case you were wondering-no need to worry about getting her out of bed, hopefully!)  I also received a nice email from my dad.  I got many more birthday wishes from others in the form of phone calls, emails, texts, facebook messages, and of course bloggy comments.  Thank you again!

And I got to stay home while it was snowing and blowing outside.  It was a good birthday!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

More rugs and a snow puppy


I've been crocheting my little fingers to the bone making rag rugs.  I'm amazed at the amount of fabric and sheets that I am using up, after wondering if they would ever get used at all.  It's really satisfying using it all up, like emptying the shampoo bottle or eating all the leftovers.   :)

And here's my little Rocco, aka Snow Puppy.  Every rottie that I've been around LOVES the snow-just like me!

I hope you are having a great day, wherever you are.

******Don't forget to check out the post below, where my sister hijacked my 'blog'.******


Have a HOLLY Jolly December

I am hijacking Holly's blog today....why you ask and why today....well, she knows Im up to something and I at least wanted to surprise her a little early.  I have always wanted to do this, and most importantly, Monday is her birthday.  I wanted to share with you all, some things you may or may not know about my sister.  I thought I would get creative here...because I'm nice like that....... *ahem...are you ready?  Here are 43 things about HOLLY.  You know, because thats her new favorite number!!!!!!  Here it goes.

1. She is the first of three children 
2. She was born December 13, 1967
3. She has been married for a long time
4. She has a soon to be 19 year old daughter, Hope Michelle...this pains me to type her age.  boo hoooo
5. HOPE IS THE LOVE OF HER LIFE
6. She hates to shop in stores....except goodwill
7. She loves her dog Rocco
8. She has one nephew and one niece.....and they are really cute.....cuz they are mine
9. She hates the heat
10.She looks forward to every Friday night to see her girl visit her, even if its only for 30 minutes or so
11.She loves bit-0-honey
12.She loves nutter butters
13.She is the most creative person I know
14.She is one of the most genuine and generous persons I know
15.She loves to excercise.......NOTTTTTTTT
16.She has the patience of JOB when it comes to most things
17.She has a very special bond with my daughter Jess
18.She is very generous
19.Her favorite color is red....even though her husband drives John Deere
20.Her favorite candle is Yankee Hazelnut Coffee
21.She loves to piddle dink around the house
22.She has a blog......bahahhahahh.no kidding right?...I crack myself up sometimes
23.She is a pothead.  No silly, not that kind.......She loves to plant things in pots
24.She is going to be 43
25.She looks alot like me and our sister Kimmie....lucky girl
26.She is very clever
27.She loves snow
28.She can get by, and quite frankly, would rather have it that way, with little to nothing.
29.She loves to clean houses......NOTTTTTTT
30.She loves tea......she drinks about 5-7 cups a day, if not more.......
31.She loves chocolate
32.She loves God
33. She loves anything that pertains to HOPE......scripture, pictures of her daughter HOPE and lil nicknacks of "HOPE".  at least I HOPE so....thats what I have been buying her for the last almost 19 years.
34. She cackles when she laughs
35. She is the most forgiving person
36. She is going to be 43 in 2 days......did I already say that?????
37. She loves her internet and her netbook....she would much rather shop there than in the stores.....except goodwill..lol
38. She drives a Jeep Liberty....its blue
39. She is getting a very nice surprise from me for Christmas.   shhhhhh I cant tell you!!!
40. She loves being surprised....not
41. She hates drama
42. She has a very ugly "peanut" toe.....in which she will not show you ....she broke it 3 times when she was young
43. and I loveeeee loveeeee loveeeeee her......EXACTLY WHO GOD MADE HER, JUST THE WAY SHE IS......AND BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY......SHE IS MY SISTER! <3 <3 <3

NOW, I could go on and on with more, but it just wouldnt be appropriate......now, your job is to wish her a very happy birthday!!!!!!!

Holly's sister,

Jodie

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

More rag rugs and a rag bowl





I've been busy with crocheting rag rugs and I tried my hand at a crocheted rag bowl.  It was quite simple.  I just crocheted around and around adding a few stitches here and there (just like you do for the rugs) for the bottom and then when I was ready for the sides I stopped adding any stitches and the sides just kind of grew up!

And there's a funny thing with the rugs.  When I first start making them-I don't think they're going to look right.  In other words-they're a little bit ugly.  But as they grow, they get prettier and when I'm done and throw them on the floor-I likey.  I likey a lot!

Have a wonderful rest of the day.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

I'll be right here

This is where I'll be today and no, I'm not sick.  (Very thankful for that!)

It's a little snowy and cold today and I have no other place I need to be.  There's really no other place I want to be at the moment, actually.  :)

But don't worry, Rocco will make sure I don't get too comfy.  He likes to go out and play in the snow for a while, then come in and get warmed up, and then go back out and then...I think you get the picture.

Monday, December 6, 2010

The stockings were hung by the cabinet with care


When I showed my small amount of Christmas decor last week I neglected to get a photo of my daughter's awesome Christmas stocking.  I remember wanting an awesome stocking for my daughter because us three girls had awesome stockings when we were growing up.  I wish I could get a picture of mine, but it's buried in the attic somewhere.  (Note to self-dig that stocking out sometime!)  They are hand made have our names knitted right into them with a Santa Claus on and his beard is really soft and fuzzy and seems to grow!  Anyhow, I knew of noone that could make me a stocking like that for my own daughter, BUT-my lovely friend Jessie B. came through with this beautiful stocking for my Hopey before her first Christmas and I didn't even ask!  In fact she made many people in our family their stockings-Patrick, Jessica, Ryan, Megan, Sammie?, Luke??  Thank you, Jessie, for this family heirloom!

The stocking beside Hope's is a granny square one that I picked up at Goodwill (of course!)  last year for Dukey.  This year it will be Rocco's!


Saturday, December 4, 2010

Very colorful, and very cool!

It's a rag rug!

It's a rainbow!

It's a rainbow rag rug that I made for someone spesh for Christmas!

I'm really pleased with how it came out.

This rag rug making stuff is FUN!!!  :)

Friday, December 3, 2010

Friday miscellany

Oh, has he grown. 

Rocco (left) and his brother, Jasper (on right, in-law's pup). 

Shhhhhhh-don't tell, but I think Rocco's prettier.

Oh, I LOVE this Santa cross stitch.  Goodwill.  Last year.  15 cents. 
He was a little dirty, so I tea stained him.  (In other words, I dabbed him with a  wet tea bag.)

I really love this too.  Goodwill.  A couple years ago.  15 cents. Solid wood.  Love.


I'm really sorry if you are sick of looking at my 'grace' picture, (goodwill-a buck fifty), but I wanted to show pretty much the rest of my wee bit o' decorations.  Boxes and tin-Goodwill.  Cheap.

Have a good night (or morning)!



Thursday, December 2, 2010

Winter windowsill

The empty jars on my windowsill were starting to look mighty lonely.  I thought they could use some winter berries.  I remembered seeing some reddish-orange berries along our back road.  I thought about hopping in the car to see if I could find them-then I remembered it's hunting season and I didn't feel like getting shot at today.    So instead I ventured to the basement to find some fake berries I knew I had somewhere down there.

Tada-a winter windowsill!

I thought adding water to the jars made the berries look less fake.

I think it's pretty darn pretty!

PS-It's lightly snowing here and I'm loving it.  :)

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

A little of this, a little of that


Today I was trying to clean up the dining room.  You couldn't see any horizontal surfaces for all the junk that was on them.  And the dust was so thick!  (It's because of the birds and because I don't like to dust!)  I'm STILL not finished cleaning this little room.  I keep getting distracted  by this here computer.
 
I never know what to put on this sewing table.  I decided to go with stacks o' books and plates.  I thought maybe they'd be easier to dust than the usual stuff I put on there, but I kind of doubt they will be.


These plates are about a third of all the ones I had in my flower garden.  I brought some up from the basement to wash for my 'stack'.  As I was washing them they smelled an awful lot like my dog.  Dirt!

I think the plate on top is so sweet.  :)

I fixed up a little Christmasy centerpiece too.  I think my girl bought me those candles when she was in elementary school.  In other words-a long time ago.  I never used them till now.  I can just hear it now, when she stops in on Friday evening-S'bout time you used those!

Normally I only light candles on the stove.  I'm a chicken and I don't want to burn my house down.

Oh, but these are so pretty lit, especially in real life.  I don't want to blow them out, but I guess I must-you know-before I burn the joint down!

I hope you have a lovely first day of December.  :)

PS-It snowed and I was happy!