Baby, It's COLD Out There!

Oh, BRRRRRRRR, it's so cold here in Florida! How cold is it Vicky? 

"It's so cold that...Starbucks is serving coffee on a stick!"

  "It's so cold the lawyers have their hands in their OWN pockets!"

  "It's so cold that the snowman is begging to come in and get warm!"

  "It is so cold outside that I had to climb into a chest freezer to warm up!"

  It's so cold that, "my Snuggie needs a Snuggie!"

 "It's so cold outside the chickens are begging KFC to fry them up."

  "It is so cold that the smoke froze up in the chimney."

Well, I could go on but I know that many of you are COLDER than I am!

I had a really good friend come over yesterday to paint the day away with me! These are my favorite kind of days....filled with lots of hugs, love, and mega laughter! Everyone should have a friend that you can LOL with!

We made my new Love Bugs!

They are so fun to make! Wish I'd taken a photo of hers as they were SOOOOO much better than mine!

I've also been making more of these as they've been a good seller for me this year.

 I have an order to put in the mail on Tuesday along with another Garland of mine.

Can't wait to finish these and show you them all in their RED!

 They were supposed to be finished by Christmas but the Flu caught up with me and I went down like lead balloon :( The original pattern is from Kim over at ORP or Old Road Primitives.

Don't forget about my current Giveaway in the post below this one. You can also find it in the upper right of my side bar.

Stay healthy and 

Stay Tuned!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

2014 VALENTINE'S GIVEAWAY! (CLOSED)

Yep....it's time to think of pink and red and hearts.....at least my buyers are anyway! I've already sold a few of these so I thought I'd make some extras and start the year off right with a Giveaway!

Take your pick.....1, 2, or 3!

These are older pictures but these Garlands are still made the same way. I just add more fabric in between and the paper on the Decoupaged one differs a bit. They are about 36" long (I'll have to take some new pictures this year)!

Here's what you need to do to win one of these Garlands!

1. FOLLOW THIS BLOG!

2. Leave me a comment of which one of these Garlands you'd like to have (1, 2, or 3).

3. Like me on Facebook for an EXTRA chance! Already do, tell me in your comment!

This Giveaway is open to the US and Canada.

End FRIDAY Jan. 31st. Winner announced SATURDAY, Feb. 1.

Thanks for your support!

Stay Tuned!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, my Blogging Friends!! Yes, it's taken me a few days to get that out.

Thank goodness for 2014 finding us on the mend. We have been some sick little puppies! Thank you for all of your well wishes! I've been resting and catching naps during the day. Laziness suits me just fine! I've piles of 'this and that' sitting in my laundry crafting room. Don't judge me!

These bins are full of half-finished items that I hope to have ready for my show this Fall. I have 7 months to worry over it.

I always donate to the Humane Society's 'Bun Fest' in Stuart, Florida on our Gold Coast so Bunnies are on my mind!

I figured this year I'll send some Chocolate rabbits/Carrots in baskets. Do you have a place where you donate once a year?

 Getting started on a few Nativities. I'll offer these this year in a set of 5 (manger included) with the option to add the other pieces (8). They take a while to paint. Not sure what to ask for the set. Hate to get too pricey as I know they won't sell but surely don't want to short-change myself. Any suggestions?

Making some of these now since I sold 2 sets today. 2014 started off right with me seeing sales on day one. Nice to see I'm getting noticed but don't want to generate too much work for myself (see my opening statement and the reference I made about laziness!).

Stay tuned as I've a Giveaway next week! 

My best to you as you get your 2014 started! It can only be as good as WE make it!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

Back in the Blogging Lane!

Nothing like being shut down by technical devices that you have no control over. I'm not going to take you through my computer woes of the last few months.....just know I'm back!

Amy from BumbleBee Lane Cottage hosted a Christmas Swap and I received some wonderful Swap goodies from Sandi Allen of THE PRIMIVE SKATE. Here are a few pictures!

What's not to LOVE?!!! THANK YOU, Sandi! It's all just wonderful and smells soooo good! You can go over to Sandi's blog and see what I gave her, HERE!

We've been battling illness around here most of this month. Our 8 year old son has developed Cellulitis in his leg and we're dealing with that infection with recurring trips to the hospital and lots of antibiotic. Hubby and I still managed to put on a good Christmas despite all of the stress, however, a few things were placed aside such as cards, ornies, and the family letter. I figure I can send those off in another day or so.

I'm back up on my Etsy but will hold back new things for my show this year. I did make this guy for a gift though.

He's a pattern from Chestnut Junction. Can't wait to make more of these guys in various colors of reds and greens!

Here's hoping you and yours are having/had a wonderful Christmas and Happy Holidays all around! I'm enjoying all of my children (6 of them) for the next few days!

 Wishing you all a wonderful New Year!

}}Hugs{{

Vicky

I'm A Doing!!!

Putting up Christmas and packing my crafts away.....that's what I'm doing! I'll close my Etsy for vacation at the end of this week to give me some time to finish some personal crafts. I've been filling Teacher orders and just put 8 out today! 

I've (sort of) hired a little helper. 

She loves to 'grundge' up my dolls and I've even got her base coating my wood. Here she is coating a snowman with cinnamon!

Here is a picture of my FB Mystery Prize. 

Not many signed up -- due to the onslaught of the holiday chaos, I'm sure -- but someone was a winner and it was Barb of Barb's Heartstrokes! I call them my 'Snowpal Pails'! You can find the little pails everywhere! Target even has some wrapped in Burlap with a Christmas tree stenciled on it. I just added a Prim Snowman with some pipberry arms. He's got a dowel stuck in an uncomfortable place and he's glued into some floral foam. I've added floral pieces and fiber fill all around the inside of the pail. Cute for quick gifts!

Here is a picture of my Elf dolls. I'll have these available in a show I'm doing next year.

My Sister-in-Law talked me out of one at Thanksgiving but she couldn't have if I didn't love her so much!

These guys were adapted from a pattern by The Olde Country Cupboard.

Last, but not least, I've been making these girls up for gifts. 

They still have some details like whiskers and tails but they're almost ready to gift! LOVE making these as they are super simple. The pattern is from Old Road Primitives.

I'm almost done with the Christmas shopping. My house will be FULL with all 6 kids this year! Looking forward to all of our festivities. Hope you have lots planned, too!

}}Hugs{{

Vicky

Trim Your Tree......

Go HERE to sign up for an incredible Giveaway! "Trim Your Tree with The OFG" Team is generously giving this entire Treasury to one lucky winner! Don't miss out!!!

While you're at it, stop by my FB page (badge on my right side bar) and sign up for my Mystery Giveaway.

Look for this picture and sign up on that post only for a chance to win. Ends Nov. 30!

Stay Tuned!

}}Hugs{{

Vicky

Tutorial--Snow Folk

This is a Tutorial for my Snow Folk. I'm sure you've seen similar patterns around. I've drawn these up myself to share with you. Feel free to use them as you wish. The patterns are available for download at the bottom of this page.

YOU WILL NEED: Fleece material, Warm and Natural Batting, etc. (I used a mattress cover for my snowmen. I buy one of the cheap pads from Walmart instead of the material from the fabric store as it's less expensive).

Beads for eyes

Jingle Bells

old Socks

homespun and/or seasonal fabric

red and black felt

buttons

black and ecru crochet thread

cinnamon sticks

My patterns include seam allowance. Cut 2 pieces for each pattern from your material.

Sew up the sides all the way around 1/4" from the edge.

Slit the back at the neck line for stuffing and turn them right side out.

Pour 2 cups of rice for the larger pieces, 1 cup for mid size, and 1/2-3/4 cup for small snow folk.

Finish stuffing with fiber fill and stitch the opening closed.

Now comes the fun part! I didn't Prim these but if you want to go that route then NOW would be the time to spray them down. Let them bake in the sun or put in a warm oven until dry.

Here's a link if you need to know how to grundge your dolls for a Prim look. 

Let's make the faces! I brushed on some blush from my make up stash and then got to work on the sewing! I used black crochet thread and some black beads (small for the little ones and large for the larger dolls....sorry, can't remember the sizes).

I went though the neck and/or the heads depending on who was getting a hat.

I stitched on eyebrows and the mouths then glued on the cinnamon sticks for their noses.

Next comes the neck scarf and buttons.

The hats are made from felt, old socks, knit material. I've included the pattern below for both the triangle 'Santa' hat and the Stove hat. Socks are super easy as all you do is cut the sock before the heel and tie it in a knot.

 Stove Hat. Cut out the brim (1 piece) and the hat part (2 pieces).

Sew it up, turn it and stuff. 

Apply a little hot glue to the inside edge of hat and place down on the brim piece. Add a bit of homespun for a hat band and a sprig of artificial holly leaves for added embellishment.

The triangle hat is super simple. Cut the one piece from knit or felt. 

Sew up the sides and turn. Add a little fur if you want! The striped piece was a sock!

 No need to stuff it. Glue to the heads of your Snow Folk.

These guys, my Half Snow Folk, don't have a mouth but they are made the same way as the other Snow Folk.

 Pattern is also at the bottom of page for these guys.

My Snow Buds have a small wooden plug instead of a cinnamon stick for their noses. They are SNOW Cute! 

Jingle bells are added with a rusted safety pin! LOVE IT!!

Pattern For Medium Snow Folk (Mom)

Pattern for Large Snow Folk (Dad)

Pattern for Snow Buds (little ones)

Half Snow Folk

(You'll need Adobe to read the patterns)

If you have any questions, just message me. 

Enjoy!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

Time Flies!

Time does fly as you get older.....Mama was right. Then again, most of the time she was!

I promised you a Giveaway and I've been dragging my feet. We're still running the A/C here but I've been creating a SNOW STORM! Just taking my time with it!

Here are a few of my 'works in progress'!

Snowman Ornies! Our OFG Team is putting together a special Christmas Ornie Giveaway. I'll tell you more about it as the time gets closer at hand.

Christmas Trees that need to be primmed and have their bases added. Maybe some Jingle bells or a Star Garland??

Woodland critters that need ears, tales, legs, and other such necessities!

Candy canes awaiting their Meeces and Christmas greenery!

I just finished these guys a few minutes ago. I need to Prim them. Or do I? 

I like the 'white' but also love the smell of my Prim mix. What do you think?

I'm working on the Tutorial for this Snow family. I drew them up along with another guy and I want to share it with you, 

SO,

Stay tuned!

My Giveaway is coming soon!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky