Americana Wynter Dolly...

~SOLD~

I'm sure glad Tonya at Back Porch Pickins released this pattern- I have really enjoyed working on this snowgal- I couldn't help but do her in Americana- it's one of my favs. She is 21" tall from head to toe, and 24" if you count her crown, too.She has wired arms. Her whimsical smile is actually wire stitched in place. Her flag has wire in the top and bottom-I made it appear to be waving. Lots of handstitching and tinsel trim. Her slippers are sugar coated in ultra fine red glitter- I decided not to glitter her star woolen and the crown- I thought it might be too much. I stitched rusty bells around the hem, on her sleeves and pantalets, too. Even her flag has a few bells. Her garland is metal glittered snowflakes and jingle bells... I made her a hangtag that say "Americana Wynter" with tiny snowflakes stamped on. She did not make it to ebay as she has just been adopted and already on her way to her new home....... :0)

Here she is....

I won a blog giveaway!! Yipee!!

I can't believe it! I was one of the LUCKY winners in the blog giveaway that Lori had on her blog-Vintage Palette! I won the yummy room spray and just can't wait to get it- I'm such a sucker for the smelly goods! LOL. Hope she doesn't mind that I snagged the pic to show off! BTW, you should definitely check out her ebay store-Village Gift Shoppe- (CLICK HERE)- she has lots of vintage style tinsel garland, room spray, bottlebrush trees, and bottlebrush garland, etc. Lots of prim goodies! (Not to mention Joyce's fab dolls!)

New dolly....

Well, I don't know what my deal is, but I really had intentions to finish my pumpkin man before this snowgirl but she's been so fun to work on, I just can't put her down! LOL! I'll probably just keep the pumpkin guy for me to put on my front porch chair- I'll share pics when he's done. I bought her pattern from Tonya last week. She's not quite finished of course- I still have to make her crown and do the glitter on her shoes....I think I'll make a garland of some type for her to hold, too. Sorry the pic isn't very good. The light outside wasn't cooperating and she seems so "bright"- which she really isn't- I used plenty of stain on her and her clothing and the flag. I'll post another pic when she's all done- most likely tomorrow sometime. :0)

I've been tagged.....

I've been tagged my my friend Joleen at The Primitive Bucket to tell 6 things about myself and tag 6 others.....

1. I went to college right out of high school and earned a degree as a Veterinary Technician....I loved it, but the pay and benefits were horrible...something they don't tell you in college. Plus, my current "job" as a mom is so much better! LOL

2. I used to rodeo some in High School (goat tying). I did work two jobs at the time, so never got to do them all, plus I worked to pay my own entry fees unlike the other kids whose parents paid for everything.

3. I love to sketch and draw and have been that way since I can remember. My favorite media is pen & ink, I also really like charcoal and pencil. Back in high school I did a lot of artwork (I'll have to post some pics) and I was very close to my art teacher, he was a great mentor. My last year in college he died in a car accident and I took it pretty hard. After that I stopped drawing and such....I've worked on a piece or two in the last 10 years, but I really enjoy making my dolls now and found it is a wonderful creative outlet for me.

4. I hate to cook, but love to bake! Funny, huh? I'm not sure why, but to me the two are like night and day. My favorite thing to bake is pie with crust made from scratch (my grandma's recipe, and its awesome!) I don't make the filling from scratch, I just buy the canned stuff, but would love to learn how!

5. I collect Red Wing Stoneware. Of course Craig will tell you I tend to "collect" more stuff than that, but I do have a soft spot for them. So far I have various sized Red Wing crocks and jugs, one butter churn, and a chicken feeder, but no bowls yet. I mean I do have stoneware bowls and canisters, but they are not actual Red Wing pottery.

6. I am actually very shy, that is at least until you get to know me. I was terribly shy as a kid and have become a little more outgoing as I get older, but am still a wimp about meeting new people! Ok, I admit it! LOL!

So that's pretty much all I am going to blab about me...maybe more later if I happen to get tagged again...LOL. Now, let's see, I have to pick 6 others that have not already received it yet, so here goes....

1. Linda at Meadowbrook Cabin Primitives (Linda is such a great person- she makes some real nice dollies, too! I just love her pilgrim girl she has now, but my fav is probably the doll riding the goose on her blog banner)

2. Sandy at Sam I Am Creations (I just love her...truly one of the nicest people...she made my Halloween banner and Halloween auction template- take a peek at her on ebay or etsy!)

3. Mandie at Life In The Craft Lane With Mandie (She has lots of freebies for your blog and etsy....go check her out....that's where I got my background)

4.Raquel at Kitchen Mysteries (If you're looking for recipes, you need to take a peek at her blog! Her blog is really nice)

5. Linda at Behind My Red Door (She receives a ton of awards and is thinking of a tag free zone, but just want her to know her blog does ROCK and she is not obligated to participate of course)

6. Leslie at My Country Home (She has already received this award, but I just love reading her blog and she deserves it a second time! You should go take a peek if you get a chance.) Of course she doesn't have to take part again unless she really wants to... :0)

Busy, Busy, Busy...

It seems like I haven't had much computer time lately, sorry I haven't posted in so long! My dad and I took a guided fishing trip through Crazy Rainbow on the Platte day before yesterday and had fun! I had never been on a guided trip before because my husband and I have our own driftboat we can take out, but it was nice to get to fish the whole time and let someone else row! LOL. We caught a lot of rainbows and cutbows, and dad caught a brown. We didn't catch huge fish, but it was still a real fun time. The river tends to be really mossy this time of the year and we would have landed more if they hadn't dove into the thick cover and broke our line, but the fight is what is the funnest part anyhow!
We also had a bit of weird weather- about 2/3 of the way through the float a storm came through and and the wind kicked up and we got wet and chilly! It was a fun experience and I did learn a lot more than I thought I already knew. I couldn't have thought of a better time to spend with my dad than fishing, something we both love. It was such a special day! Thank you dad! Love you!Then yesterday, my husband and I took the four wheelers and went to his antelope (for those that aren't familiar, their proper name is Pronghorn) area. We have tons of antelope in Wyoming- you can hardly go a day without seeing one somewhere. I bet we saw about 200 of those buggers, but they were very spooky! This area has been open for hunting for a week now and if they spotted us at all, they were gone! And they are FAST and can run like the wind for miles and miles without stopping. ( I got this pic from the internet, I wasn't fast enough and nowhere near close enough to get a pic of the ones from yesterday..LOL)Yesterday was more of a scouting trip just to see what was there, and today he was joining two other friends to do more serious hunting. They are going to have to be pretty sneaky, though. Those antelope rely on their eyesight and speed.

So..... today I get to relax and work on my dolls- I've hardly got to work on anything for a week and am going through withdrawals...LOL. I'm still working on my pumpkinhead and need to get him done, I'm running out of time! I'll be sure to post a pic when I'm done!

Patriot's Day....Remembering 9/11.....We will never forget....

I still remember exactly where I was and what I was doing that day in '01....such a sad day and so many innocent people lost their lives in such a horrible way. Not to mention all those firemen and police officers that risked their lives (and some that lost theirs..) to help.....we should never forget the sacrifices some made unselfishly....we stood together as a nation and mourned the loss of so many people-even those we did not know....and the good Lord above helped us through...we do live in an amazing country and I am so very proud to call myself an American...

I wanted to share this email I got from a friend today (thanks Lisa!)...

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan . I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

~God~

...God Bless the USA...

100th post giveaway...

My friend Lori Davis is having a 100th post giveaway on her blog- Vintage Palette Art..... CLICK HERE to go visit! She has wonderful first and second prize handmade hangtags and a third prize yummy room spray! I shouldn't be sending anyone over cuz I want to win! Tee Hee! ;0)

Custom order dolls...

I got a call from a local customer last week for a few dollies, so I thought I'd share a pic of them after I was finished. They are still one of my fav styles of dolly to make even though I tend to make more whimsical ones now with eyelids and such, but it's still nice to make a raggedy type once in a while. I just love Maureen's (Sweet Meadows Farm) patterns!

All Finished....

Well, I got her all finished up (finally!) Just when I thought summer is almost over and I'd have more crafting time- what was I thinking?? LOL. So here she is anyway....I got her listed, so here's the link to her auction if you want to see more of her. (I'm not real thrilled with some of my pics, but I have to make do until I can get a better camera). She turned out just the way I wanted her to- which doesn't always happen. But don't get me wrong, she wasn't exactly a piece of cake-I did have a few issues with her! Her first set of eyelids I cut weren't the right size for the eyes and I had a few retries on some of the body parts but nothing major. So now I'm on to making a pumpkinhead....but this time I'll give my brain a rest and make one from a pattern I bought.

Yesterday was my husbands birthday and we make a last minute decision as a birthday gift to drive to UW in Laramie and watch the Wyoming Cowboys football game. We played Air Force and got our butts kicked, but it was still fun to go. Especially for the kids- Sage was all decked out in her cheerleader oufit and Chad had a Cowboys jersey- they were so cute and I forgot to take a pic, of course. It was a long day and we were sure pooped when we got home.

Back to school!

Well, pre-school, that is! My munchkin started preschool today. She was so excited, she could hardly wait! She was in preschool last year, but only went two mornings per week (Tues. & Thurs.), this year they go Mon., Wed. and Fri. mornings. Her little brother didn't know what to think- it was so quiet and nobody to play with (and make a mess of the house with, LOL) while she was gone- he kept asking me, "Sissy go?", "Sissy go?" He sure missed her and was so happy when she got back. Next year she will be in Kindergarten and he will be starting his first year in pre-school......ughhh.....I feel old already!