A Memorable Day!

Good morning Blogging Friends!

Another beautiful day to be had on our Lake this morning. 

We spent a memorable day yesterday with some good friends that we haven't had time to be with in a while. I LOVE having the kind of company that just comes and pitches in! Makes the day that much more enjoyable since I didn't have to spend my time 'entertaining' and doing for others.

I have a WINNER announced on my FB page for my Mystery Giveaway. A LOT of guesses for an angel, one for a rooster, a bunny, and some flying pigs! Here's what it turned out to be!

Super cute Market Piggy from a Pattern by Kentucky Primitives that I bought from Pattern Mart.

I've also been 'nodding' off a bit. No, not the kind of nodding that 'face plants' you in your paint palette! This is the kind of  'nodding' I'm referring to!

My first Nodder! Yep! I got the sunflower pattern from Tawny Bell over  at The Primitive Nook and the crow pattern from Threadbare Primitives. I bought the old Rusted bed spring from the Overstock group on FB. The digital tag was purchased from Deena at Ewe-n- Me Printables. She's also on Etsy HERE.

I'm winding down by finishing up the Teacher Blocks. Got one more order over the weekend for one and need to finish my kid's teachers gifts. After that I'm quieting down (on Etsy) for the Summer. The kids will be out of school and I don't want to spend all of my time sitting at the computer and worrying about shipping and orders getting out. PLUS, I just need a break!!

Hope you're able to wind down and enjoy your summer, too. I'll still be crafting....I'll ALWAYS be crafting!

Stay Tuned for my Summer Giveaway here on my blog!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

COME CELEBRATE!

We've been CREATING!! 

The OFG TEAM is having a SUMMER FUN CELEBRATION and you are all invited!

You can go to ETSY.COM and type in the search bar under ALL items the letters SFCOFG to find more wonderful items. 

Here are a few of mine and other Artist Friends that caught my eye! Click on the Link to go and favorite them!

Enjoy!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151500910/americana-patriotic-hat-and-stars

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151501812/pin-cushion-sundae-delight-sfcofg

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151794746/americana-uncle-sam-make-do-sfcofg

https://www.etsy.com/listing/150734223/chicken-and-watermelon-summer-time-tole

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151564937/quilted-applique-cherry-baby-quilt

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151633255/primitive-mouse-sunflower-soft-sculpture

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151473023/birds-and-bees-bowl-fillers-six

Stay Tuned!
}}Hugs{{
Vicky

Summer FUN Celebration!

Type in SFCOFG in the Etsy search bar to see more wonderful treasures from our talented OFG Team members!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

A Giveaway Win, A New Celebration, and Some Red, White, & Blue!

OH, but I've been so very busy these last few weeks. Between Teacher Appreciation and 'end of the school year' I've been swamped with orders for personalized Teacher gifts. Although many of you would say this is great for business, it's not for me personally because I now find myself working......and I don't like my 'hobby' to become work. Yes, I could've said no to 17 orders of Teacher Name blocks but I didn't.Vacation mode is right around the corner for me so I know my break is coming. Here are a few things that have kept me busy outside of the teaching hemisphere!

 My Uncle Sam Make-Do is ready for our newest OFG Team Celebration starting on Monday.

 Finishing up some Melons for my Summer Inventory.

 Another piece to add to the Summer Celebration!

We'll be getting started with all of our newest creations on Monday, May 20th. I'll have some finsihed products to show you and share some of my fellow Team mates goodies, too!

I won a Giveaway from Kelly of  SCARECROW CABIN. Here is what she sent me.....

 Wrapped up so nicely it was so fun to peek through all of the papers!

Lovely prim pieces to go in my bowl and hang around on my shelves! Thank you SO MUCH, Kelly!

I've also got a Mystery Giveaway going on now on my FB page. Go over and look for this picture and sign up under it.

 Don't forget to tell me what you think it might be. It ends June 3rd!

Well, I've fed the kids and have the laundry started. My machine is just about dead and stops in the middle of the cycle a few times. Hubby comes home on Thursday and he'll replace it for me as I've been hitting the darned thing for a month now!

More to come so Stay Tuned!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

Spring Doll Challenge

I entered Wendy's (Ravenwood Whimzies) Spring Doll Challenge. Wendy gave us a doll pattern that she'd made up and challenged us to do something with it. I actually have 2 but one of them is a bit nekkid so she'll have to wait until she's not so x-rated!

Anyway, thought I'd show you some pics of the one I finished since the Challenge is over with today.

I painted her green and then hand painted her face. Her legs are striped with purple and orange. I modified her shoes to look like a Witch's boot. Her hat is hand made from felt with pip berries glued to it. Her hair is dyed gray wool roving. I've used 3 different fabrics for her dress and orange with black polka dots fabric for her pantaloons. She has a ratty old piece of dyed cheesecloth tied around her neck with a rusty pin and jingle bell. Her broom is a cinnamon stick with raffia and sisal. I haven't made her a tag yet and still want to make her a kitty cat to finish the look. I'll probably list her on Etsy sometime in the fall.

THANK YOU, WENDY, for issuing the challenge to us. I'm still learning, however, your pattern was super easy to use!

Take a look over at Wendy's blog to see some of the other dolls the gals have made.

Hope your having a wonderful Mother's Day. Mine has been just about perfect!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

Pre Celebration Fun!

Ahhhhhhh, Friday is here! I LOVE the weekends and getting to sleep in on Saturday morning!

 Of course, sleeping in for me is not getting up until 7:00 a.m. around here! 

It's been raining, thank goodness, for the last few days. We need it so badly here and I'm praying for a LOT more!

I'm working on some items for our upcoming OFG "SUMMER FUN" Celebration! We're already experiencing temps of high 80's and low 90's around here so for us, it's just around the corner. I know many of you are still waiting for SPRING! 

I LOVE the colors of Summer and am working on Melons, Crows, and these!

I've been baking up a storm and my kitchen smells of vanilla and cinnamon. This last picture is also part of my FB Mystery Giveaway. I'll post a winner and a picture of the finished piece on Monday, May 6th. Still time to sign up....just go to my rt. sidebar and click on the first picture. Then LOOK for the same picture and leave your comment for a chance to win. Think I'll actually give away 2 of these!

Enough of this as I've a ceiling to paint. The walls will be next in a nice girlie pink...for our 7 year old daughter. Carpet will be replaced after that and then we can put everything back together! It's a bit sad for me as I'm covering up the paintings that were once the Nursery for the twins. I'll show you before and after once I'm done!

Hope your day is a good one!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

APRIL Giveaway WINNER!!

Good morning Blogging Friends!

I've had a fairly lazy weekend which I needed badly! I wiped a fevered brow and kept the family fed but other than that, didn't do too much. I hope you were able to rest and relax a bit as I did......minus the fevered brow, of course!

I've got a couple of WINNERS for my MILDRED Giveaway!
Thank you ONE AND ALL for your participation and support in this Giveaway!

Random.org was in the lower numbers this morning!

The winner of the MILDRED PATTERN is.......

CYNDY of CRAFTY STITCHERS

AND

The winner of my MILDRED DOLL is.........

CINDI of CINDI'S PRIMITIVE COUNTRY CORNER

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS!!!!

I need your addy girls so get them to me at VicWeave@aol.com so I can send out your prizes!

I made another Mildred so CINDI can choose which one she wants:

On my table this morning is yet another Teacher Appreciation Gift!

 Been selling these lately as it IS that time of year to show appreciation for those wonderful teachers. My son has a male teacher this year and I'm going to make him a pencil holder minus the bow. 

I've also got those sunflowers to finish up and working on some Americana as our OFG Team is gearing up for a SUMMER CELEBRATION!!

Don't forget my FACEBOOK Mystery Giveaway still going on! Look for the picture on the upper right sidebar and click on it. Then find the picture on my page and comment on it to sign up!

Stay Tuned as you don't want to miss out!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky 

Just Another Ordinary Day!

Ahhhh, another beautiful day in Paradise although our Paradise is heating up pretty fast! 88 yesterday. That means the 90's are right around the corner!

I was able to go outside and get some wood cut out. 

I was nearing the end of my work when my Sander blew. A big POP and then billowing clouds of smoke came out from underneath the motor along with the sound of mechanical death as the motor ground to a halt. My Porter Cable was supposed to be an investment; something that would last years down the road. I got 2 years out of it.

Well, I'll just set back for a few days and sew.

I'm working on Sunflowers and crows. Also stuffing dolls. I made 2 of them for RAVENWOOD WHIMZIES Doll Challenge. As I stuffed them, I realized one of my legs was a bit bigger than the other. How did I do that? Same pattern but one leg is fat and the other skinny. SIGH....looks like I'll be cutting out another one. Can't wait to clothe them and show you and Wendy. Let's see if my 'great' ideas come to fruition!!

Don't forget about MILDRED! 

I'm giving her away on Monday, April 29th. I've almost completed the 'other' Mildred and will show you her picture on Monday so the winner can make her choice. You can find the link to my MILDRED Giveaway AND my Facebook Mystery Giveaway on my upper right sidebar. DO look at all of the other great Giveaways while you've got a minute. Some great things by some fantastic Artisans.

Hoping your day is sunny and bright and you're not blowing anything up!

I'll have lots more going on this next week as our OFG Team is gearing up for a Summer Celebration.

As my Mama always says, "Hold your Horses" and STAY TUNED!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

MYSTERY GIVEAWAY!

I have another FACEBOOK MYSTERY GIVEAWAY going on! I'm trying to get to 500 Fans.....can you help me? Click HERE to join in the fun! Remember to sign up on the post where you see this particular picture!

Don't forget about my MILDRED Giveaway going on, too! Look on my right side bar and click on the picture that says "CURRENT GIVEAWAY" or click HERE to sign up. She's TOO ADORABLE not to want her!

STAY TUNED!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

BUDDY aka Hugo the Huge!

I've been working on a birthday gift for my Mother In Law and finally finished it today. It's rainy, cold and gloomy.......perfect day to set on my rump and craft!!

I started off with a pattern from the wonderful and talented Pam Gracia of "Soft in the Head".

http://softinthehead.com/item_73/Hugo-the-Huge.htm

I got him cut out and sewn up using cotton muslin. I had so much fun making his face!

I primmed him up nicely with a new prim mix I'm using. 

I FINALLY went and bought some cheap instant coffee 'cause it really does make it darker. Most mixes just add a few T. of vanilla. This is my recipe:

2 cups of hot water

1/3-1/2 cup instant coffee

1 6-8 oz bottle of imitation vanilla

1/8 cup of ground nutmeg

1/4 cup of cinnamon

Pour it in a bottle and use generously! GREAT SMELLING!

My MIL brought by 2 of her wool Blazer's that she used to wear with her skirts. I used one of them to make Buddy's shirt. The original pattern calls for a small adult sweater but I thought it would mean more if I used something she'd worn.I even used the sleeves and set them in. I paired it up with some burgundy ticking for his pants. 

 I made him a pocket on his shirt out of the burgundy ticking and put in some Sweet Annie and cinnamon sticks; tied it up with sisal, too. 

His scarf is cheese cloth stained and then microwaved....YES, I said I put it in the microwave to dry it! Works wonderfully!!

The only thing I forgot to do is put his whiskers in. I'll use sisal. Be back in a minute.......

OK, that's better!! He was SOOOO much fun to make that I will surely do it again....and again!

If you want to know more, go over to Pam's shop and get the pattern. In fact, get 2! I promise you they are easy and SO FUN to make!

Now, off to finish those dolls!

STAY TUNED!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

And So It Goes.......

Good morning by blogging friends!

WOW, what a day yesterday, huh?! I guess we're fortunate that bombings aren't an everyday occurrence here. So sad that some people have so much anger in them that they could 'cause something so horrific to happen to innocent people. I still feel the 'good out weighs the bad'. If you don't have Faith, what else is there?

************

I'm not one to dwell on too much negativity. What is done is done. We'll clean up, move on, and be a better People because of it. God Bless America!

Once again my work table is full! Teacher Appreciation is coming up soon and I thought I'd better get my apples painted and ready.

I picked these up from our Overstock group and have plenty for future projects such as blocks and small signs.

I'm also working on a big project....Huge is more like it....As in HUGO the Huge!

I bought this pattern from Pam Gracia over at SOFT IN THE HEAD. I'm going to name mine Buddy and give him to a very special lady in my life....my sweet Mother-in-law. It was her birthday last week and I didn't have time to finish him. She'd given me 2 wool blazers that were hers to tear apart and use. So, I'm using the plaid blazer to make his shirt and some blue fabric for his pants. Because the Blazer is green/blue with stripes of red and gold, I'll have to choose what accent color I want his scarf to be. I'm thinking gold. What do you think? His body can actually fit into a small adult sweater which is what Pam recommends in her pattern. I just thought it would be kind of cool to include my MIL's blazer that I used to see her wear. I'm pretty sure she'll like him......I'll show you when he's dressed and ready. Painting and staining him today!

I completed an order for a returning customer yesterday. ALWAYS love making these guys! I've got a Birthday Garland in the works that one of my returned customers is helping me design. She wanted to know if I had one. I told her I'd drawn out one already and what would she like to see besides cupcakes and hearts? Well, presents of course and balloons, too, so it's outside and 'to the saws' I go today to see what I can make!

UH OH!

I think she's getting angrier by the minute!!

Stay Tuned!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

This & That

I received a few things in the mail this week......well, that's actually an UNDERstatement! I've kept my mail lady quite busy. We're getting to know each other pretty well.

A friend invited me to join a group on FB....an OVERSTOCK group and, well, let's just say "one man's trash is another man's treasure"!! I've been picking up LOTS of fabrics at GREAT prices.

This is just a small stash. I'm excited to work with the Americana as I've just purchase a new Raggedy Doll pattern from Sweet Meadows Farm. Our OFG Team will be having a celebration next month and I'm preparing a few goodies to include in it!

I received a GIVEAWAY win from the talented Brenda of RUSTY THIMBLE! 

I won one of her sweet little rabbits! SO cute and perfectly primmed! Thank you, AGAIN, Brenda!

I also purchased a new Doll! This one is from Kim over at ORP (Old Road Primitives)!

This is GINGER and she is so sweet!! I hugged her and kissed her and promised to be her friend forever! She's getting along with my other dolls and seems to be a happy girl!

I wanted to share with you what's been haunting me. 

 As you can tell by her expression, she is running out of patience with me.....sigh....if I had more time and less kids to take care of I wouldn't be having this problem. I got the original HEAD from a Make-Do pattern at My Primitive Saltbox. I've made up her body and have misplaced her legs and arms. I remember drawing them up and cutting them out. She has little 'witch boots' and she'll be adorable when I finish her....well, in a 'witchy' sort of way! 

I've also drawn up some chicken patterns which I will share with you. Not anyone's pattern in particular but I do receive inspriation from viewing other people's art work. Don't you?!

Hoping your April is bringing in wishes for May flowers....especially those of you with snow still in the forecast. I saw on FB the other day where someone from the north had posted a picture of a snowman lying down and about a half dozen knives stabbed in him. the caption under the photo said something to the effect of  "Die Winter". Made me chuckle!

Don't forget about my Giveaway! Will end on Monday, April 29th! Look for Mildred at the top of my right side bar!

STAY TUNED!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky