Now its GiVeAwAy time!

Sorry I've been MIA again. That seems to be the story of my life lately. But it really has been for good reason. lol. I thought with Sage in school all day and Chad now in preschool for a few hours twice a week that I would get so much more done- NOT the case! lol. But I have been accomplishing quite a bit since my last post anyhow. I have been soooo busy trying to get the things for my giveaway done and also finish a few fall handmades to offer for sale. Sorry about the delay, but I wanted to wait until our PFATT giveaway was over before I posted about mine. Here's what you'll be getting...(Click on the pic to get a better look) *An osnaburg ditty bag with a stitched flag made by me filled with sweet annie. It has been aged and grubbied with cinnamon and has a drawstring for hanging.

*A prim 5 x 7 stitched FReeDoM sampler (made by me using a design by Stacy Nash) in a distressed frame. It has an easel back so you can hang it or set it on a tabletop.

* A set of 35 count clear silicone lights dipped by me. (They're not perfect like the store bought ones, but hey- they're free!)

*An OLD GLORY metal wall hanging. (not made by me...lol)

*And lastly, one of my faux candy apples (a design by Char Sethman) just cuz its now officially fall.

So now that you know what's up for grabs, here are the rules to enter:

*I would like to have this giveaway for my readers here in the USA and Canada only. I know I have a lot of friends overseas who visit and I don't want to disappoint anyone, but given the size of the box, I'm afraid the postage cost would be scary...

*You must be a follower of my blog. My followers are the reason I'm having this giveaway, so feel free to join in on the celebration!

*Please do not post about it on your blog. I want this to be for those folks/friends that visit my blog to see what I'm up to and to share ideas- not just to win free stuff. I will share it on Facebook with my friends and I don't mind if you want to do that, too- I just don't want it to end up on one of those blogs that only post about giveaways.

*Please be sure I have a way to contact you in case you are the winner. Either via your blog or if you don't have one, please leave me your email address.

I'll leave it open for a few weeks and draw a winner on the night of Monday, October 4th and post the winner here the next day. Good luck to all! :0)

I wanted to share a few pics of what I've been working on while I've been gone......I have made two dozen of these faux caramel apples using Char's tutorial in both red and green. These are already all sold, but I'm working on another batch that should be ready in a day or so.

I have also been taking advantage of the warm weather while it lasts and I've dipped about 400 bulbs for our Christmas tree this year. I just clothespin the strands to the clothesline and fill a styrofoam cup with plain clear silicone and get to dipping.....its definitely a learning process. This was the first time I've dipped bulbs and they're not absolutley perfect like the ones you buy, but I'll get better with practice. The silicone sets up pretty fast- especially when you're out in the sun, so you have to dip fast.
I've also been working on these hoot owls from a Chestnut Junction pattern. (Right now, all of their Halloween patterns are on sale for 25% off- I don't know how long their sale is lasting, so go take a peek.) I only did a few last year and they "flew" out the door quick. I think I only had one left, but he went to a good home a few months ago with a swap I did. So this year I'm prepared and I made nine of these guys. They still need painted, but for now they sit naked on the table waiting for me to finish them.
I wanted to share this corner cabinet makeover with you. I bought this thing cheap at a Flea Market that was in Casper one year. I've probably had it for about 4 years now and it has always just sat in the corner of my dining room just as it looks in the picture. For some reason the previous owner decided to saw the whole door in two to make two doors, which I always hated, but didn't really know how to "fix" it and make it look right.
Then I had the idea to make it into a hanging corner cabinet. I cut the rest of the cabinet a little further down from where the front was already cut. I made a new wood piece to fill in below the door. Then I painted it cream on the inside and leftover red paint from our front room re-do on the outside and then sanded and antiqued it. I painted the existing brass hardware oil rubbed bronze.
I added some heavy duty cabinet hangers to the back and here it is in its new home. Definitely a better look I think. And it also matches the stepback cupboard in the other corner of the dining room. Now what to do with the bottom part.....lol. I'm sure I'll think of something.

I need to get going and get back to work on my fall stuff. I'm also working on a few pumpkins with crows, some pumpkinhead girls and some fall signs, so be sure to check back this week! Then I need to get back to work on my Christmas stuff for Twelve Days of Christmas..........oh, speaking of that I wanted to let my local girls know that Twelve Days will be up at Sunrise again this year. In addition to my dolls and stitcheries, I will also have lots of prim painted Christmas signs for sale. The little shop in Casper that I was selling in closed its doors this summer so I'm hoping to have more to offer at Twelve Days since thats all I'm doing now. Hopefully be back soon with some fall goodies! Toodles! ~Jody

It's the PFATT Blog Fall Giveaway!

Just had a quick minute to let you know the PFATT blog is having their fall giveaway! Click on the banner to go there - leave a comment under that post to enter to win one of the awesome handmades! Hurry though, it ends Sept. 7th! :0)

I've been super busy and hope to be back with pics to share what I've been up to!

~Jody

A little rearranging, a few finishes and a makeover to share.....

First off, I wanted to share the blackened beeswax nubbies that Ann had sent along with the basket I swapped her for (they are actually hanging on that basket she made. ) Aren't they wonderful? :0) Thanks again, Ann!

I have also done a little rearranging, too. I moved my old Victrola cabinet over to this corner by the stairs. I think I like it here better.

This old child's pressed-back potty chair was my mothers day gift from Craig and the kids- it fits right in with everything in our bathroom. I LOVE it!

Craig was working all weekend over the fourth so me and the kids spent Friday thru Monday in Riverton with my dad. They had TONS of fun with the fireworks- the sparklers were their favorite, can you tell?

We drove to Lander and watched the Fireworks show. I have to say that these were better than the ones in Casper- at least in my opinion.

I made a blanket crane using one of Kris's tutorials (click here to go there). It was way easy and I got it all put together in a day.

Sorry about the funky angle- hallway pictures are hard to take. lol. And the bowl rack I made also. I used a pattern from The Wooden Nail. I cut all the pieces, Craig put it together for me and I did the finish work. I think it turned out great!

I've had this bunting since last year and never could find the right place for it- then realized this was the perfect spot. Duh! Don't know why I never thought of it before.

I am really happy with this makeover. I had this old porch post for a few years now (this isn't the one from a few posts back- that one is way chunkier). I had debated on making a birdhouse for the top to put outside, but never got around to it. Then I had an idea to turn it into a floor lamp for the front room. It was 8 ft, so I cut it to size. As luck would have it- it has a hollow center that hides the power cord and I made the base from a square piece of 1x6 wood and moulding. When I had bought the post it was already painted white, so I left it as it was. A little sanding and staining...and wa-la! It turned out awesome!

The finish is very similar to the pie safe, isn't that neat?

Remember this little lamp I found for $3? I finally got a shade for it.

And this is what I did with the corner by the fireplace...

I had found this old door at the ReStore on one of my trips to Riverton to visit my dad. It was $10 and I thought at the time that it would make a nice prop for craft shows- you know with some shelves on the front or something. Speaking of craft shows-I know I have a handful of locals that read my blog and didn't know if you had heard, but I found out through a friend that Highland Park is no longer doing their annual November craft fair. I'm bummed. We used to have three holiday craft fairs in November. Meals on Wheels canceled theirs a few years ago and I have no idea if the Rec center is doing them anymore...what a shame. Looks like Twelve Days is all we have left folks. I haven't heard where the shoppe is going to be at yet this year, but I'll be sure to post it on my blog when I do find out.....so anyway, back to the door.....

Well it had been in the garage since then and I brought it in a few weeks ago and cleaned it up. Am I a crazy person to have a door propped up their front living room for decoration? Craig think so. lol I moved the big ladder into our bedroom- I'll share that in my next post though. I wanted to have pictures of the bedroom makeover this time but I'm working on some curtains for the windows and hopefully then it will feel like it will be finished.

Mine and Craig's 10 year anniversary is on Thursday. For the first time since we got married we will get to go out to dinner on our anniversary- every year since then he has been scheduled to work on July 15th. I'm really excited! :0) Talk to you soon!

~Jody

I'm still here- don't give up on me! lol.....

So sorry I haven't had a chance to post in a while! You know how it is- once the weather gets warmer- we all tend to play outside rather than in and honestly, I am hardly on my computer anymore- mostly to just check my email (if I don't do it almost daily, it piles up let me tell ya). I have also started moderating my blog comments because I get tons of nonsense (and sometimes obscene- yuk!) comments from overseas- spammers at work I would guess.......the creeps! This will be a short post cuz I have a few things I am trying to finish up and take pictures of and lots to share in a few days with you. I did a swap with Ann from 1803 Ohio Farm Baskets and I LOVE my basket! It is so much prettier in person- can you tell I'm not a photographer? lol. I just realized I forgot to take a pic of the little blackened beeswax candle nubbies she also sent with my basket- they are wonderful! I'll be sure to share them with you in a few days also. Sorry I didn't post about our swap sooner, Ann! :) I have it hanging on my big red shelf in the front room for now- its forever home will be in the bedroom but I have a few things to get done in there still. We repainted and re-trimmed our bedroom and it turned out real nice. I did the same faux finish glaze on the walls as I did in our front room redo. So hopefully lots of pics to show! I see that my followers are getting close to 190, so I'd like to do a giveaway when it hits 200. Not sure what I'll be making for it, but you know it be will Americana don't you? hee hee... Be back in a few days (I promise!)

Prim Hugs,

Jody

A real post this time....LOL

I wanted to give some plugs to a few of my TLOFA sisters which is long overdue! Sorry girls! :0) Of course I have blogged many times about my friend Chris of The Antique Pallet and her mad painting skills. I have more than a few of the things she has painted and I will treasure them always! Well, not only can the woman paint, but she also makes some beautiful bottlecap jewelry and keychains! She surprised me this last year with a handmade keychain that had a pic of each of my two kids on each side of the bottlecap. I was so touched! There I was crying in the parking lot at the post office-seriously! You should be able to click on the banner above and it will take you to her online shoppe.....

Another TLOFA sister, Pat of Ahl Cooped Up has a website!You should be able to click on the logo above and it will take you to her site and all that eye candy! I was fortunate to receive a handmade ornie from Pat during our TLOFA Christmas ornie swap this past year and it was the perfect little stocking with faux fur and chenille canes.....I still have it up on my year-round tree in our den. So go peek at what she has to offer- you won't be disappointed! :0)

This spring pinkeep/cupboard tuck is what I am donating for the PFATT Spring giveaway. You will need to click ~HERE~ to go to the PFATT blog to sign up and see what else is being donated. Hurry it only lasts from May 1st~May 7th. :0) I added the ladybug in remembrance of our dear PFATT sister Penny McAllister who lost her battle with Leukemia barely a month ago. I didn't get to join in on the balloon release for her birthday- both kids woke up with fevers that morning and wouldn't you know after a trip to our little clinic- they both had strep. Eeew! So glad they didn't share the bug with me!

I had to share some more things I have been getting done and a few lucky finds....

This black cabinet I got at Michaels when we made a quick trip to Cheyenne a few weeks ago. I had a 50% coupon and only paid $19 for it. I painted it plain black and distressed and stained the heck out of it. I love it! This was the only one they had that day- otherwise I would have bought two.....I had another spare 50% coupon and sent Craig through first to pay for the cabinet and I went into the other line to check out with the rest of my loot and the other coupon. Hey, if I'm gonna save money on something, might as well make it a family affair! LOL.

I bought this wood flag probably about 5 years ago out of a Terrys Village catalog. It hung outside every year and I finally decided it was looking pretty sad and faded so I gave it a new paint job- voila! Now it looks so good I don't want to put it back out there, so I think I'll enjoy it inside for a bit. :0)

I had been looking for one of these wall mount flag holders for a long time and had come to the conclusion that nobody carried them anymore. Then by chance I found the Primitives Fore Ewe website and they have them! Oh happy day! I've had it for nearly a month now and just got it up the other day. Whatcha think?

Sage won't let me take her paper "snowflake" down even though spring is (hopefully) just around the corner. Goofy kid! I hate our front door or should I say "doors". Both doors are functional and can open as french doors if you are moving a big piece of furniture in, etc but since the one on the right is always locked in place and we use the other to come and go I consider it to be part of the wall. lol.

Now I have to share my ReStore finds....

Last month I was with my mom at the Habitat for Humanity Restore looking for a replacement exterior door for her house. While 90% of the store is donated building materials, there are other household goods that are donated...I found this lamp for $3- can you believe it? It doesn't have a shade, but I'll get one for it-an easy fix for a bargain. Then in another section of the store they had some porch posts....lots of them.

I nabbed this one...can you believe it was only $30? These are normally about $100. It was the chunkiest of them all. In my pic it doesn't look like it, but it is indeed very thick- 6"x 6" square and 8 feet tall. Most porch posts are more on the "spindley" side. Ever since I had seen one in Country Sampler a few years ago, I have always wanted one to prim up and put an old birdhouse on top since we have vaulted ceilings. Another thing to add to my list of "to-dos"...lol. :0)

Well, I should scoot and get some things done. We are going to visit my dad in Riverton this weekend so I have some last minute packing to finish. Later! ~Jody

Just a Quick Post To Say.......

....that I will be donating a handmade on the PFATT blog for the giveaway starting May 1st. I'll also have a better post then, too! See ya in a few days! :0)

Unfinished business....

Thats where I've been....taking care of unfinished handmades for the most part.....that and Farmville on facebook...OMG-let me kill the person who started me on that stupid game (hehehehe...she knows who she is...) Don't ever started playing that game- it is addictive and sucks you right in. lol. It's even sucked Craig in....does Facebook have Farmers Anonymous meetings?? Hello...my name is Jody and I'm a Farmville addict......lol. Ok, back to business.... I had started these stitcheries from one of Jenny's designs a while back for myself and decided I needed to get them finished now or I never would. Feels kinda good to keep some of the things I make now and then... :0)

I made these for me, too. I bought the stencils a while back from Stencil Me In and Homestead Stencil Co., I just love them- not sure where I'll be putting them yet, but they'll look good anywhere....

I've had this old paned window for quite a while and it's been hanging out in storage waiting for me to do something with it. I'm always looking through my old copies of Country Sampler for ideas- I saw something similar in an old issue (except theirs was done with an old quilt piece) and since I already had a flag I think it turned out pretty neat. It's a 3x5 flag- I just folded it to fit and tacked it to the back of the frame. It hangs above the peg rack in the entryway....

Another unfinished project done! I started this wool felt penny rug over a year ago and it sat 10% finished until now. It sits under the lamp on my nightstand now... I used a tutorial Colleen has on her blog and one of her patterns to put it together. I know my stitches aren't perfect but hey, I thought I did good for my first rug. It has three pennies per circle on the front and a fourth penny per circle to finish the backing....so what's that...170-some pennies? I knew there was a reason I kept putting off finishing it...lol.

Remember this guy? He is sure growing.....I mean he's still a shrimp, but he is outgrowing the puppy look and heading into adolescence now. He's my little sidekick and follows me everywhere. He lays at my feet when I sew and stitch. :0)

Me and Craig have also been helping my mom out- helping her with some work on her property and such which has kept us busy on Craigs days off. I haven't made anything to sell, but if you see something you like, give me a shout- I could make you one just like it. (Except for the penny rug- I don't see myself making another one for while...lol). I should get going- Craig just came home off graveyards and I want to see him before he goes to bed. Until next time.....~Jody

Thinking spring....and a new addition to our family...

Though I'm still working on Christmas stuff for next year, I can't help but be thinking (and wishing a little..hee hee) for spring. I am ready for warmer weather. And less wind....anyone that has lived in Casper or around here can totally relate...LOL. I've been working on a few springy things I will be adding to my site tonight. Primitive black doll and ditty bag......

Spring Pinkeep/Cupboard tuck...

Valentine pinkeep/Cupboard tuck...

I know what you were probably thinking about our new addition and no, I'm not pregnant. LOL. We got a PUPPY........

Awwwww.........he looks so innocent when he sleeps. He is a chihuahua puppy- 9 wks old- the kids named him Popeye. He is so sweet and very, very affectionate- he just can't hold his licker! And the best part is he absolutely LOVES the kids......he follows them around everywhere and climbs into Sage's lap to nap. I have forgotten what it's like to have a puppy and how much they sleep! Actually our 8yr old Mastiff sleeps as much as he does so never mind. (Anyone that has a mastiff knows what I mean about how much they "nap" .LOL) We went from one extreme to the other- we have a giant breed and a toy breed now. Funny! I'll have to try and get a picture of them together.

On another note after a lot repeated prodding, poking, nudging and elbowing from friends and family, I finally joined facebook a few days ago. I have my facebook badge there on my sidebar... I dragged my feet about joining before because I didn't really feel like I needed one more thing to keep up with that would take away from my time with family and everything else I have going but I have found (and been found) by classmates and friends I haven't talked to in years, so I'm glad I finally did it. So everyone that kept after me about it ~thanks!~

That's about all I have to share for now. I'll try and post as I get more handmades finished. ~Jody

Staying Busy........

I haven't been up to very much lately- at least not a lot to post about anyway. I have been doing some spring cleaning here and there around the house (I know it's early, but we have a big house and by the time I get all my deep cleaning done spring will be here, LOL). It feels good to get it done, though. There were some boxes in our attic that haven't been gone through since we moved into this house 5 years ago. But it does feel good to de-clutter the closets and things and have a little more organization....if only my craft room would stay that way. LOL. I have also taken some of my money from Twelve Days and invested in some sign stencils and I have to say I LOVE them! So much easier than the way I was doing them before. I bought quite a few Christmas ones for this next year and a few everyday ones. I've added these two and another one to my picturetrail site for sale. I have also decided to get an early start for next year so I am working on Christmas things too. I would like to have more inventory for Twelve Days and also lots to put on my picturetrail for this next holiday season. Since this is a one-woman-show I just never have enough time to get it all done in the fall and I want this next year to be different. Well, that's pretty much it. Also to let you know I will be ending my leftover Christmas sale in the next few days. Later! :0)
Jody

20-25% off ALL leftover Christmas show items, limited time...

SALE IS OVER

~THANKS!~

Well, this is all I have left from Twelve Days...I just got them back the other day, otherwise I would have posted them sooner for you...they are in no particular order and will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. It would be nice to not have to store anything for next year, so I will have these for sale for about a week or two or until most everything is gone whichever comes first....... If you are interested in anything or have a question, etc. just leave a comment on this post and blogger will send me an email.

All can be mailed or if you are local you can pick up or I can take to you if I'm in town. Most everything can be shipped together, except the reindeer may have to be shipped on their own, depending on what else is going in the box. So here's what I've got left.....You should be able to click on the pics for a better look...

Two snowman star ornies. Made using a pattern from Sew Primitive Shoppe. Both lightly tea dyed, wool felt hats with berries and sprigs of greenery. Each 8 1/2 inches tall and have rusty wire hanger.

Was $14 each, Now $10 each or both for $18, plus shipping.

Five assorted stitchery star ornies. Made using the star from a Nanny Goat Primitives pattern. 5 1/2 inches tall. All sewn from muslin, I've stitched a different saying onto the front of each. Aged and glittered. Decorative rusty wire in the top to hang.

~ALL SOLD~

Wynter Wishes Star Ornie (SOLD)
Simplify Star Ornie (SOLD)
Friends Star Ornie (SOLD)
Let it Snow Star Ornie (SOLD)
Laugh Star Ornie (SOLD)
Little "Baby" Bear Ornies. Made using a pattern from Crows Roost Prims. Each is 8 inches tall with a chenille candy cane, sprig of greenery and rusty bell attatched to the front. Each has rusty wire to hang.
Was $12 each, Now $8 each, or $15 for both plus shipping.
Two BIG Santa's.....made using a pattern from Angel and the Crow.
They are nearly 3 feet tall (32 inches). Sculpted nose and eyebrows, button eyes. Beard is ultra soft dirty blonde mohair felted in place. The aged fleece trim on their jackets and hats are all stitched in place by hand.
Was $62 each, Now $48, plus shipping.
Large Reindeer made from a Hand Made with Love pattern. They stand 10 inches tall, not including their antlers. They are made from painted and stiffened Warm & Natural with real twig antlers, glass bead eyes and wood dowel legs. The one on the right has a pine wreath with rusty bell and the one on the left has a holly wreath with rusty bell. Their little antlers are very fragile, so I will use a bigger box than usual so I can pack them safely for their journey.
~BOTH SOLD~
Small Reindeer using same pattern as above. These stand 6 inches tall not including their antlers. Made in the exact same fashion as the large ones except on a smaller scale of course. The one in the middle has a pine wreath with rusty bell and the other two have a holly wreath with rusty bell.
~ALL SOLD~
Free-standing Prim Santa. Made from painted muslin using a pattern from The Old Country Cupboard. Sculpted nose and stitched eyes. His beard, mustache and hat and sleeve trim is stained Warm & Natural. He stands 17 inches tall. His hangtag reads Old St. Nick.
Was $35, Now $25, plus shipping
Medium "Mama" Bear Ornies. Made using a Crows Roost Prims pattern. These stand 10 inches tall. I did not put hangers on these- they are sized more for shelf sitters. Made in the same fashion as the little bears above.
Was $15, Now $ 10 each or $ 18 for both, plus shipping.
Large "Papa" Bear Santa Shelf sitter/ornie. He stands 11 1/2 inches tall. Made the same as the other bears above. He does have a loop in his back to hang or you can display him as a shelf sitter as shown. His hangtag has a mini chenille candy cane with a sprig of greenery and rusty bell attatched and reads "Beary Christmas to You...".
Was $18, Now $13, plus shipping.

This girl was the only raggedy I had left. I made her using a pattern from Chestnut Junction. Prim stitched face, rusty star necklace and wool yarn hair tied into pigtails. She has painted shoes and stockings underneath and wears aged muslin pantaloons. Her bottom is boxed and weighted to sit nicely. Was $35, Now $28, plus shipping.