Blogger tricks, Place Mats, Afghans and some Encouragement!

Evidently Blogger is up to its old tricks as far as posting photos...I am going to trick it and see if I can paste the url through Photobucket..yes, it works! Now you know you can by- pass blogger and still post photos....

I am going through my linens and such..found these place mats I had bought last year during the fire phase...never really used them so have put them up for sale..you will find them in the Treasure Chest listing in Sweet Home Stitchery.....how do you like the lamp? we bought it at an antique store in Iowa one year...its over 100 years old and rare or so we were told....

Only one more day until my giveaway drawing! If you haven't signed up..there is still time...don't think I am getting 100 followers yet but so appreciate those who all who sign up...

.I sold the candle mat I posted about the other day and am working on a second...plus have a some new black work patterns to stitch and one is waiting until I can get a frame for it.....when I get tired of stitching, I am crocheting a second afghan for baby Jaydon.....a granny square as I over bought yarn..using the same colors as the first ripple afghan....only a few weeks now! The doctor has ordered bed rest for Amberly, the new mother for the next month...he is due August 1st...although he could come early...

They've asked me to make them an afghan  for Christmas so will have to look through my patterns to see what kind they'd like and what colors...I was so surprised to see how expensive yarn is at the craft stores...will have to look at Walmart.....and am going to get the next Sunday paper as I know Michaels has discount coupons that are quite good...
Its no secret we are going through a rough patch...stitching is a wonderful stress relief...I know God has His hand in this....my dear friend sent me an encouraging word this morning, and ending with this quote from Corrie Ten Boom who survived a Nazi concentration camp...

Look around and be distressed

Look within and be depressed

Look to Him and be at rest.

Of Mice and Autumn..and asking for prayer

I was browsing through my favorite blogs and Carol has another of her darling mouse vignettes listed..if  this is is not the definition of cute, I don't know what is....everyone seems to be turning their thoughts to fall as we submit to this hot weather..and yes, Menifee is getting warm too..you need to go over to Buttermilk Creek Farm  and see alot more photos of these darling mice children.....

I just finished a autumn blessings candle mat....love the pattern which is from Rhonda at Primitive Stitches...

I just listed it in Sweet Home Stitchery, my selling blog, look under candle mats.....and please sign up for my giveaway..only a few days left!

On a more personal note...had a bit of a melt down this weekend..we found out that my dear mother in law was diagnosed on Friday with advanced lung cancer...she'd had a nagging cough for months and the doctors couldn't find out what was wrong until now....with her other health issues, they can't do much for her but keep her comfortable...she is 83.....please pray for her and her large family...Mom and Dad raised 10 children, and have over 30 grandchildren and more than 10 great grandchildren...everyone is having a hard time with this as you can imagine....with Facebook, and phones everyone knew within a few hours.....Please keep Patty and all of us in the family in prayer...and yes, Patty has strong faith  in Jesus....

Bags and Bags

I thought I'd show you the storage bags that I bought from Nancy..they are fully lined and washable....I store potatoes, onions and oranges in them......but of course, they are good for more storage ....here is where I store my collection of cooky cutters...

its marked onions but right now, I'm leaving our onions in the garden and just picking one when I need it......she also makes the nicest market bags....I use mine for all my stitching and such.....but have carried one to the library and the market....quite handy and unusual.....I was just looking at her selling site and found this one which is one of my favorites

I always watched Roy Rodgers and Dale Evans as a child.....and have been to the museum which is now closed which is very sad...they had an auction and auctioned off much of the collection including Trigger, Buttermilk and Bullet...They were wonderful people who had great values and were role models ..Alan and I were just talking the other day wondering where all the role models there are now for children....not many..anyway, I digress....this market bag is a real treasure....

A Secret Giveaway and more

My dear friend, Nancy..is having a secret giveaway and needs you to sign up.....she always has such wonderful pincushions and such...wonder what it will be? She is giving away one of her potato bags and filling it with goodies so what are  you waiting for? I have quite a few of her bags for storage..two different sizes for potatoes, one for onions and another for oranges....I love them and they keep vegetables and fruits for longer than the  store plastic..I even have one hanging from my pot rack with my collection of cooky cutters in it....out of the way but handy for when I get the urge...so get over to Inside Nanas Head...

Just listed another black work design..this one is from Home Berries...rather prim..and a simple message....you'll find this under the blackwork button at Sweet Home Stitchery...and if you haven't already signed up for my giveaway.....please do...only a few days now to the drawing.....

We're being flooded with work right now...God does answer prayer...today we had 4 jobs...locksmiths make good money, its just a matter of being called for jobs....thank you...I can feel the prayers lifting us up....tomorrow we have3 more at least..plus more lined up for next week....one job today was for a tri-plex..3 little cottage type houses..for a total of 18 locks..quite a job....we had to be careful and mark each set of locks so we knew where they belonged to which house...we met the owner as the houses had just cleared escrow..he was going to live in the front house and rent out the other two....

We did get one call on the van and the young man seemed interested...but when Alan called him back this evening, he wasn't home.
This weekend I'll catch up on house work....working with Alan every day leaves little time for that....but I think he appreciates me  helping out....I've gotten fairly good at taking off and putting on locks..unless I run into something difficult which I then back off and let him deal with it.  Some people find it unusual to see a woman installing locks but its not rocket science!

If You Can't Sleep....

Just finished and framed this little stitchery..I like it so well..its a keeper....may stitch up another one for the shop though...its a Homeberries pattern.....We've both had a few sleepless nights.

Business has been picking up..thank you for your prayers...God is so faithful to answer them but we still haven't sold the van..not even one call...so will lower the price a little and see if that works....
I've been looking around to see what is available for us old folks to rent and its slim pickens here in town...but in a neighboring town there are quite a few rentals...especially for over 55....so that made me feel a little better..I know all things work for good if you give them to the Lord.....and He has always been our provider for the last 40 years and will be in the future also.....

Our weather is getting more typical and warm.in the high 90s....have to have the AC on most of the day but I do set up to 79 or so in the house...even then it runs quite a bit....the clothes sure get dry on the line! its not humid so they dry quite quickly with the afternoon breeze...even heavy jeans in about 20 minutes or so...
The duck complains often so we have to hose her down and we did put up a shelter with shade cloth for her underneath a tree...and now for a funny...thought this was LOL....

Stitchery and a Garden Update

I've been working on some fall stitcheries..this one I just finished last night..all the stitching and beading is done....just have to cut it out and stitch the backing on it....its already padded..I tea and black walnut dyed the fabric..the neighbors probably thought I was a little nuts with large swatches of light brown fabric drying on the clothesline....I dyed quite a bit so would have alot to work with...the photo isn't the true colors..(.I'm having  trouble getting detail and focus with my little camera too....have to find the booklet on it and see if I can adjust the settings)...Rhonda at Primitive Stitches did have this one candle mat pattern with autumn leaves..I am also making a wall hanging and some tags for the fall....
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We were supposed to go to San Diego today to do a 3 unit escrow re key but last night the realtor called and said there was a problem in escrow so no work this morning.....that happens sometimes....the good news is there are 6 more jobs lined up starting on Friday.....and the above job will open up when the escrow gets worked out....this escrow job is for a new realtor which is also good news..we are praying we can get a few more accounts....work is slow for everyone..both realtors and contractors....yesterday, a locksmith called us wanting to know if we had any work..he had gotten laid off after working for the same locksmith company for 10 years, unfortunately we had to tell him no.....right now we are only working for about 3 or 4  realtors and could use a few more clients....most locksmiths won't drive long distances so we have the advantage..

Its getting warmer here but dry...never as humid as much of the company.....we've been eating yellow wax beans from the garden about every night...I am going to freeze some too....

The garden is doing well..the corn is taller than me now..and I am 5'6...the tomatoes are almost as tall.....wonderful what can grow in a urban back yard......we've been getting a few tomatoes..the flood will come a little later as we've had such a cool spring......

Happy Monday

The little wildflowers I had posted about last week are starting to turn the rust color I spoke about..they will get very rusty looking soon...I think I may spray a fixative on them..and see if it helps protect them..last year I picked some that had already turned and they lasted until the holidays...tied a bit of homespun around the pocket also...

I also listed this unique item..don't know if anyone has seen one of these before..I think its from the 60s or so as its before zip codes...anyway...its for decorating candles with fresh or dried flowers.....I don't have any prim type candle holders so used a vintage double one so  you can get the effect....

of course, you would add more and could even root ivy cuttings..you put about a tablespoon or so of water in each one and the top locks down so there is no worry of leaking......I think these are really cool....they are in my Treasure chest link on my selling blog if someone is interested in them...original box too...

I am also listing a few choice patterns.....

and am going through my craft cabinet as I have way too much...if we do have to move, I don't want to have so much things that I really don't need....got a large bag of different colored thread, a bag of wooden items like craft sticks, wooden beads, wooden clothes pins, cinnamon sticks, etc...and only gone through two drawers so far..still have 3 more to go.....as I mostly stitch and crochet..really don't need these things but picked them up at different sales and some were given to me...not listed these things yet but will sell them CHEAP.....maybe grab bag style....
no calls on the van..and have posted it 3 times on Craigslist plus put a sign on it.....we're going to have our son drive it to his work and leave it in the parking lot during work hours..its a busy marketplace so that might help sell it...

Be sure to sign up for my June giveaway!!!!!

Happy Fathers Day, Dad

Thanks, Daddy for being  the best father a daughter could have..for teaching me honesty, integrity, and honor....for standing up for ones beliefs, for encouraging me to always do my best, for teaching a strong faith in God at an early age..for always being there when I needed you....

Thank you for so much....for the first time we went to Disneyland in 1956, the year it opened...for all the trips to the San Diego zoo, to Mission Bay to watch the speed boat races, for camping in the High Sierras and you catching trout for breakfast. Thanks for all the trips to visit Grandmas and Grandpas...for putting up with my brother and I fighting in the back seat of the car....for Walnettos..for the smell of Brasso as you polished your brass belt buckle for inspection..for sitting around the fire place and you telling stories about past generations of our family....thanks for taking us kids out target shooting in the desert, hunting for fossils and semi-precious stone in the fossil beds, and going to Calico ghost town..exploring old silver mines and Indian hieroglyphics..riding down bumpy desert roads in a VW bug which shouldn't  have been fun but is one of my fondest memories...as you said if we got stuck we'd be fine as we had Mamas homemade donuts and plenty of water....

Thank you for the service to our country and giving your life..
God bless you, Daddy...

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.   Love never fails"

I Corinthians 13: 4-8.

Friday.. The Door Devil...

I'm a fan of the Door Devil on Facebook..and was delighted to get an email from Nick at Door Devil letting me know I won a Door Devil..a few days later, it came in a large box..they were so nice..they gave us two!....it took Alan about 45 minutes to put it in...we are going to be featuring these in our business and hopefully it will give us a boost in sales....I really believe in this product....

A few years ago now, the boys cub scout leader came home to find her front door kicked open and her home virtually torn apart...if she had a door devil, this wouldn't have happened....one of the worse experiences a person can have (besides losing your house completely) is getting robbed like this........

.The Supreme Court in their "wisdom" decided that California will have to release 47,000 prisoners because they didn't get good medical care..(actually they get better care than most Californians get but that's another story)...I think if you live in our state...you need to get a Door Devil on every exterior door.....no one will be able to kick in your doors.....which is the most common way thieves break in...dead bolts are excellent but without a Door Devil, the door frame can't stand up to a good heavy kick...most thieves use this method of gaining access even with homes with security systems..they figure they'll be in and out before the police can get there.....and they are right in many cases.....
Call Alan's Residential Lock if you are reading this and are in Riverside County....otherwise, you can order one from the company...you need to know how to use a drill, and have some woodworking/assembly skill but its not real difficult.....we just charge a  service call + cost of the Door Devil..and a small installation fee...

Thanks for the kind words and prayers...we are told we should get alot more business next week....but only one call so far on the van.....sigh....I know we will eventually sell it but anytime soon would be very good indeed.

Freedom Rock Update and a Request for Prayer

I have posted before about Freedom Rock and thought I'd show you an update today..every year the artist creates a new scene...enjoy!

 You can read more about Freedom Rock which is in rural Iowa with the link above....one of my dear friends was able to get there a few years ago and said she really enjoyed it.......

Friends..we are in dire straits..haven't mentioned it as this blog isn't one for personal problems..but I am asking for your prayers......our business the last few months has literally dried up...very few calls and we are two months behind on our mortgage...its rather scary.....please pray for a break through and provision as you all know how much we  love our home, family, garden and pets.....we have a van for sale which would help immensely..praying the right person comes along....love to all of you

Wildflowers, Garden Update, and June giveaway

We found these pretty white wildflowers on our walk yesterday and I picked some to take home...these bloom white and as they mature, they turn a very pretty primitive rust color.....and dry well without losing their petals.....when we got home, the mailman came to the door with a box from Linda at Parkers Paradise...she sent me some goodies and I was really blest.......it made my day really...

I quickly used this wall pocket for my picked wild flowers....its pretty now but will be even better as the flowers turn to a pretty rust..

....she also sent me a punched metal lamp cover, a candle, a paper mache box and battery tea lights..plus another wooden wall pocket which I will share another day.....I am thinking of  painting the box black...with a blackwork stitchery on the top.. an experiment.....I am working on the last of the patterns from Bird Brain

Someone asked if I do requests...yes, I do......

We enjoyed beet greens last night...they were so delicous, it was unbelieveable...I just washed them throughly, and steamed them...served with a little dribble of apple cider vinegar...

 The corn is starting to tassle...

and we have melons!

These are new for us..we normally don't have good luck with melons....this melon is called Early Silver Line..the tag says "Unique elongated oriental melon. White, crisp flesh, sweet and fragrant...a small delicious gourmet melon rarely found in markets." sounds good, doesn't it?

be sure to sign up for my June giveaway! If I get 100 followers (50 so far) I will give away a second stitchery...I have it stitched...just have to frame it....hint..sheep....

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More Black work

Here is another black work design..this pattern is from Home Berries....the link takes you to her free pattern section....some very cute designs...this one needs a better frame but thought I'd show you anyway...I need a better backing as it keeps falling out!
Just to let you know that if I get 100 followers on my giveaway..I will add more prizes for  more winners...so if you haven't signed up..please do...I have almost half that amount...
I also set up a Facebook page so if you are on Facebook...come on down!

Stitchery

I was able to get the third towel embroidered this weekend....and have them listed on my selling blog and also Yardseller......the photo color isn't true..they look brighter than this but tried as I could, couldn't get the lighting right....(.Little Boots had to be in the photo of course....he's a ham..)...they are nice towels and have a hanging loop in one corner....
Can you believe its' already June? Before we know it...fall will be here again... I listed some of the fall candle mats also.....

This is one of my favorites...I colorized it and think it turned out nicely.........and of course, many of you have seen the spider web one...

I really like, as you can tell, Rhonda at Primitive Stitches patterns....I would like to get one with fall leaves and am going to check to see if she has anything like that.....if not, may have to design one myself.......

Friday, Blackwork, Coffee, and Garden Update

These are two of the three tea towels I've been working on....decided to do something a little different..have one left to finish...its Cappuccino......love this Aunt Martha pattern......

I am a coffee drinker...got started while I was still living at home..both mama and dad were coffee drinkers also...Dad used creamer in his..mama was a black coffee drinker..of course, I went with my daddy and use creamer in coffee and  milk in tea....they used Folgers at home but now, I prefer Don Franciscos when I can get it...if you haven't tried Don Francisco coffee..its the bomb....you can find them on Facebook..and they do giveaways..I won a nice gift basket from them a few months ago...and yes, they have decaffeinated ...

The garden is doing well...we are getting  summer squash now..the other day, I roasted them in the oven and they were very good...easy to do..just cut up  your squash, put in a oven proof pan (I sprayed some Pam in it), drizzle with oil..and roast at 350 for about 40 minutes or so or until they are tender.....I think some garlic would be very good with this too.....

the nectarines are getting ripe too..the tree this year didn't have very many..last year we had more but there was a cold snap in February so that's probably the reason......

but the apricot is making up with tons of fruit.....just hope the birds don't get too many of them.......

ground squirrel latest count---20

Thursday Musings

I added a few more vintage handkerchiefs from my small collection..this is the last of my grandmothers creations...aren't the crocheted flowers pretty?..you can find this one and more on my selling blog..Sweet Home Stitchery
We've been a little busy this week with locksmithing....more lock outs..Alan has one tomorrow too....plus some foreclosures and one escrow re key....our youngest came over as it was his day off and helped his dad at one of the foreclosures...he seemed very happy in his new place and is enjoying his freedom...
we will have an extra bedroom soon when the new parents move out which should be soon...our boarder has asked if a good friend of his could rent it...we will see..I guess..not saying no..we could certainly use the extra money....
I am working on more black work...have a set of pretty tea towels almost ready...yellow striped..I like yellow and black as a combination...plus did another picture....always something to stitch but I'm running out of black floss....
better go as we have 3 jobs today...all foreclosures.....sad for some but good for us.....hope to take some photos......
Good Thursday at all of you, from cool overcast Southern California!
Please sign up for my giveaway! see the sign up button on the left hand side...

Blackwork and a Lazy Day

This weekend I finished the second in my black work embroidery pictures....these are really fun to stitch..there is some bead work on them also....I do love to bead......

Our weather has been very nice..not hot..mostly in the high 70s and low 80s..we get wind just about every afternoon too..nights are very cool, in the 40s and 50s....so much of the country is hot, we feel blest....as its dry also..low humidity....and no bugs to speak of......like mosquitoes and flies......today while in the garden, we spied a beautiful pink and orange dragon fly..I wish I'd had the camera.....it wasn't large but its colors were gorgeous....dragon flies are rare here so we had to watch it as it flew around the garden.....amazed at it beauty.  We are still being plagued by squirrels however..the count is up to 15....

A neighbor came by with a gift of tomato plants....he knows we love our tomatoes...we sent him off with some of our canned goods, a jar of peaches, fig conserve, canned plums, and some dried apples....he is quite knowledgeable about all the many varieties of tomatoes...he grows over 100 plants a year..all in pots! sells some, gives some away but had never canned ..so of course, we had to share the wonders of canning....

Later, Alan planted the two  he gave us..Black Cherokee......an heirloom variety....

Giveaways

Not only am I having a giveaway..many others are too...so thought today I would tell you about a few of them...only in blog land can you actually get wonderful USA handmade creations absolutely free.....here is the first....from Crows Creek Primitives...

Secondly....Ravenwood Whimzies

Thirdly....1890 Gable House

Fourthly....The Cabin in the Woods

and finally, for number 5..
Prims by the Water

if you sign up for the above prim peppermint sticks...could you mention you were referred by me? thanks so much.......

I am working on another blackwork design and have also ordered some special towels for more blackwork....its such a refreshing change from red.....and goes with everything........
if you haven't signed up for my giveaway..please do..it will run the entire month of June.....and end on June 30th....

If you are reading this and you don't have a blog....that's ok.....but if you sign up ..with Blogger, you can comment and enter giveaways....and its free......