A new lamp shade

I bought new lamp shade today. Isn't it pretty? I bought some other pretty things for the house but you will have to wait until another day to see everything!

Bathroom make-over

I want to completely re-do my bathroom. I want to paint it a really pale blue. (This is after YEARS of trying to decide what color I want!) I like how these bathrooms look; I think the blue is just so soothing. It really doesn't "fit" with the rest of the house but that's OK too!

I really need a locked medicine cabinet. I didn't realize they were so hard to find until I started looking for one. I like this one alright but I would like to have a prettier one. I guess I will keep on looking!

I found this one that I like but it calls for assembly and my husband is not one to put things together. Guess I had better keep looking!

I hate my towel racks that I have now. I think I had rather have a hook for each of us instead of having towels all over the bathroom! Aren't these hooks sweet?

Or even one from Wal-Mart would do....

Now, to figure out the time to get this all done!!!!

Reindeer Ornament

I finished up this cute little reindeer ornament this morning. I just love him. This would be a good one to make for a gift if you want to make more than one. It stitches quickly. It's a free chart called Jinglebell Reindeer by Sharon Bennett found on Daffycat blog.

I am so pleased with myself. This is ornament #4 - that's a record for me!! I have one more that I need to do some french knots and it will be ready to finish.

Matter of fact, just looking at this, it could stay out all winter. We have tons of deer here. I almost hit 3 the other night coming home after dark. Fortunately, they turned and ran the other way as my car got closer.

Wanted: 1 more person

Sharon and Tammy have signed up for my Pay It Forward. This is a great idea to be able to give someone a little handmade gift... not a big price to pay for making some one's day! I signed up at Farmyard Crafts blog. This is my 2nd PIF. I rec'd an apron as a PIF from Rhonda and still enjoy wearing it every day!

The rules are simple. To the first 3 people who post a comment to this post, I will make you a lovely handmade gift each. But, you have to have a blog yourself, and be willing to pass the 'pay it forward' concept on. So you will then have to put it on your blog and make three gifts for other people. Let's spread some happiness and have some fun! The rules state that I have 365 days to make a gift and send it to you. I'm more than happy to send something internationally - so everyone can be involved!!

What better way for everyone to join hands around the globe and share our crafty goodness!!!So... get typing, leave a comment and even if you aren't in the first three... it doesn't hurt to start your own chain of PIF's!!

What do you say? Still room for 1 more!!

Believe Ornament

I am honored to count Heidi as one of my dear Internet friends. She is talented beyond words and a constant source of inspiration. She is hosting a Primitive Ornament SAL on her blog, Needle Necessities for the coming year. She will be posting a new ornament on the 15th of every month. I just love this little ornament. Check it out, it's not too late to get in on the fun!!

PS - The background of this ornament is my ironing board. Don't you love my new ironing board cover? The other one literally fell apart one day. My ironing board sees a lot of action. It's used every single day of the year!!! I didn't think $5 was a bad price to pay for a new cover.

New Floral arrangement

I have a new floral arrangement for the living room. It's made in a antique wooden purse. I just love it! I put it right beside the front door.

Carolina Wren

The boys wanted to get a bird. So, I did the next best thing. I bought a tall bell glass cloche with a Carolina Wren inside! Since she is our state bird, I thought she would be perfect. I just love how she looks in her new home. I have told the boys not to lift the cloche since the little bird would surely fly away!

Stitching Progress

I've been working away on this Lizzie Kate December Flip It pattern. I, of course, have changed almost every color because I believe in using the colors I have on hand. Originally, I thought this would be a nice ornament but now I think it will be too big. I could stitch each little picture as an ornament - something to think about.....

If I could stick with one craft project, I might make more progress. I also did some knitting this morning. I can hear the sewing machine calling my name. *sigh* Too many projects, too little time. These people I live with think I should cook, clean, talk to them, give them hugs and kisses; they just don't understand.

2nd Christmas Ornament

Boy, I am on a roll this month! This is my 2nd cross stitch ornament that I have finished this year! With my goal of 12, I am only 10 away. This is free pattern from Tanya at The Honeysuckle Tree. I just had a very small scrap and had to rework the "V" to make it fit on the cloth! Still, I like how it turned out. Now, on to the next ornament. I have ordered some patterns and am waiting for them to come in. I just know that I have something here that I can start while I am waiting for them come....

First 2009 Christmas Ornament

One of my many goals for Christmas, is to finish at least one ornament a month! Such a lofty goal for me. I had the same goal last year but didn't make the goal. I finished stitching this little ornament on Friday, reworked it on Saturday, and finished it on Sunday. It was a free pattern from Tanya At The Honeysuckle Tree. The original pattern called for a little crown instead of the bell. I stitched that in but since I didn't have the right color of gold, I didn't care for it very much. So, I tore the stitching out and put the bell in instead. I like the bell. Then, I made it into a pin keep. (I really liked the pin keeps I see on the web.) However, I didn't like the pin keep that I made so I tore that apart too! Then, I just made it into a little stuffed ornament for the tree. I really do like how it turned out! To be such a tiny ornament, I spent 3 days getting it to its finished state. Now, on to the next one!!

Country cottage

I have often wondered what my decorating style would be called (if I had one). Today, I found a site that is all me! It is my colors and my style. I am Country Cottage. This does not surprise me since I live in the country and in a cottage! But seriously, it is what I like. The colors, the furniture, the comfort, etc....


This wooden dough bowl belonged to my grandmother. I have it filled with yarn balls. The cats, surprisingly, leave these balls alone. This is not to say that we have not had a few yarn balls unrolled all over the house!

Cottage Decorating colors are: most commonly the classic colors of Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green. There is a variety of color combinations you can create with these basic colors. You can incorporate whites and creams to give this color scheme the fresh "cottage" look. Since I want to repaint a few rooms, this color palette will really help me as I move forward.

Country Cottage Decorating is definitely not a stuffy or formal look. It is a warm and inviting look.

As I looked around my house, I realized that I had many elements of that already in place. I just need to tweak the look. I really like this look as I think it will lend itself to my family easily. I want my home to be lived in and comfortable for all who live and visit there.

Midwinter Finished

I cross-stitched yesterday the pattern that Joanne had posted on her blog. I finished it this morning. Hanging on the wall, I am very pleased with it. Thank you Joanne for a great pattern!! The Winter Wishes hanging came from Goody's on their clearance table. I think I paid $5 for it and I really like how it has that handmade feel.

Now, on to the other things waiting for me. I DO have to clean house and do laundry today since I took yesterday off just to cross-stitch!

Cross-stitching

I am almost giddy with excitement as I pulled out my cross-stitching for this year. I might have mentioned it on here earlier, but I only cross stitch in January and February. I don't know why but this year I am trying to keep it going all year. That is one of my craft goals this year. Surely, I could do 10 minutes a day on a project. My dear friend, Joanne, is starting a new cross-stitch business and has graciously posted a freebie on her blog. You must check it out here. It will be my first project for the new year! I am so excited.