Pass the Catch-up, Please...

     I am just terrible. Being a teacher has swallowed up my blogging. Having 22 students (rather than my normal 12) has kept me on my toes, but I love it! I have a dear, sweet group of students and a wonderful aide. God is so good! But alas, my blogging time has suffered. Please forgive me!

CREATE...

     I have been busy crafting. It is, as many of you know, very therapeutic. I have been doing some sewing but mostly painting. 

     This is for my sister-in-law. Shhhhh...

     This little snowman was inspired by a tutorial shown by Wendy of Ravenwood Whimzies. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. 

     My dad and I have been making trains out of scrap wood. This one has wool for steam. It is made from parts of the legs of an old stool! 

     It is not a toy, more like a decoration. I used one in my Christmas decorating this year. 

     

     I went with a "Cabin Christmas" theme this year (in my 80's bilevel home...)

     Then, finally, my big project was a heron for my mother-in-law. I might make another one to sell or an owl in that 3-d style. 

COMING SOON...

     I hope to be posting Christmas decorations pictures soon! I have to back-up my IPod! It is chock-a-block full and slow as molasses!

LOVE...

     I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I know it is a hard time for many as well. My dear 101-year old great aunt passed away on Christmas Day. She was beloved and treasured by my family. Please pray for my cousin. She has lived with and cared for her mother for 78 years. That is a truly special bond between mother and daughter. 

     My thoughts and prayers are with all of you this Christmas and in this New Year!

Love and hugs!

Heather

PS- Check out my Etsy to take advantage of my Noel Sale that ends on December 31st!!!

PSS- Charlie says, "Hey! Check out my Christmas sweater that I don't want to take off!" (Seriously. He has it on right now. ) 

Empty Hutch... Empty Room... Can you hear the echo? Echo...

      ***  Those of you who are just reading this post: Please note the change of guidelines for the giveaway below.  Teacher is trying to make this easier for her students... This general post will close for comments at 12 am PST tonight (8/25).  Look for the next post tomorrow to help me decorate!!!***

Ugh.  The last few days have been emptying ones.  First, I took ya'lls advice and emptied the hutch (Mostly...). Okay.  Empty.  Now what?  Well, my creative juices have fallen to another empty area.  Moving my classroom.  **Insert foreboding music of some kind... your choice...**

     Let me show you the hutch first, since most of you are probably reading this because, well, ya like primitives.  If you really want to know about the Schoolmarm in the blog's title, that part is at the end.  Okay?  Fair warning...

     So this is all of the junk treasures I took off.  When you are doing a complete overhaul, I would suggest grouping your items into like categories.  For example, put your crocks together on your work area, or textiles, or however you wish.  Reason?  Well, it is easier to shop in a grocery store for items that are grouped, so, it is easier to "shop" your own items when redecorating.

 

    So, now what... Now what??? I am not sure what to put back on!  Like I said in the previous post, I would like to go for a primitive buttery look.  Here are 3 things I would like to accomplish:
          1.  Well, "The Look"
          2.  Less cluttered, thinned out.
          3.  Balance and grouping to allow the eye to focus.

You can see what items to "shop" on the table.  What suggestions do you have for the 3 zones?
Zone 1- The main large area
Zone 2- Shelf #1
Zone 3- Shelf #2
Zone 4- The top

     Now, it's your turn as my dear friends who can't be here in body, but are present in spirit, to voice what would you like to see.  I will try your ideas, and then post them for you to vote on.   

When we get "the look", we will celebrate with a Giveaway!  Rules for the Giveaway:

1. Be a follower. 

2. Post on the first post that is open with your desire to be entered. For the "extra credit"- see below!

Now, for extra credit you can:
1. FOR EACH ZONE- Make a viable suggestion in the form of a sentence (An example of an answer that would get a big, fat X would be- "Move a crock to a shelf.").  I have listed zones, and I will do a post per zone for us to play around with.  Once you and I are somewhat satisfied, we will "close" the postings for that zone at midnight and move on to the next zone.

2. You can only make one VIABLE suggestion per post.  BUT, each post in which you make a suggestion on counts as extra credit.

3. If I don't use your idea, it doesn't mean you won't get credit, or that I don't like it. Please don't feel sad if I don't use it.  I will feel sad. Charlie will feel sad.  Bailey will feel sad.  And that, my friends, is a stinky giveaway.

4. I will declare the entire hutch finished with my husband giving the final vote that he likes the whole thing.

5. I will then give one week fair warning for anyone who wants to enter by just leaving a comment on the FINAL POST (The reveal of the finished, husband-approved hutch). It will be titled "Final Answer".

6. In that final post, I will announce the date at which I will pick the winner.

***You do NOT have to post this giveaway in your blog.  I am not going to give extra credit for that because some of you don't have blogs.  But, if you want to, here is a funny picture you can use.  Be sure you link to this post if you use it because all of my wacky directions are on it.  Really you all get an extra post for just reading the directions (More that what some students do!  Did I say that out-loud?)***

Hmmmm... What do you win? A box of prim goodies.  To be revealed as we go...

     And now to "The Marm" part.  Okay, so here is my old classroom.  Empty.  9 years of memories of dear children. Everyone at school keeps remarking on how big my classroom is without the stuff in it.  Well, duh, of course it is!  It is missing desks and children and projects and centers and comfy chairs and well, you get it.  Here is my new room, new style, waiting for organization and new memories...

More to be revealed later...

Here are just some silly pictures.  I posted these on Facebook because Charlie needs to go into hiding because he ripped up a couch pillow and the corner of my "Home is Best" pillow.  So, he is in "hiding".  He kind of looks like Ponch from "C.H.I.P.S."! LOL!  Well, Charlie, if that truly is him, says, "Let the giveaway begin"!  Put in your request below, and if you like, you can make a suggestion for the decor of the hutch.  I will post more pictures of specific items to "shop" through to place on the hutch in a few days.  Let's just brainstorm now, okay!  Thank you all for reading, encouraging, helping, whatever part you play...You are appreciated!

Love and hugs,

    Heather

Saturday... Well, I can't think of a different title!

 

     Good Evening, Friends!  3 posts this week!  Shocker, I know!  Started this pattern the other day. I played around with some blank cross stitch grid to create a pattern.  I still have quite a bit to go.  I had to go and buy the big count "aida" (Is that right?  I threw away the bag...).  I tried to do it on two different other fabrics, and well, let's not talk about it...

     Today was a fun day!  My mom and dad picked me up for breakfast and antiquing. I am so blessed to have such fun and loving parents.  God is so good, and I cherish the time I have with them. My dad, for all of his groaning about how long it was taking, sure had no problem finding treasures.  I found a few...

     But before that, let's break for a commercial- "Charlie: The Messmaker".  Our scene starts with two loving dog parents deciding to give their furry son a trial on staying out of his crate for a bit when they go out.  2 hours seemed to be fine.  I guess more than two, well, he snaps.  I don't even know where my Kindle case was (glad the Kindle wasn't IN IT!!!!). Well, now I know where it is.  IN A MILLION PIECES ALL OVER THE LIVING ROOM FLOOR! Do you think he is sorry?  I always point my finger and say, "No, Charlie, that is bad!"  He sits for a bit, looking ashamed.  Then he creeps up and licks the tip of my "No-no" finger.  Ugh.

Okay, back to the goodies...

This is my reusable bag I keep in my purse.  Just for treasures shopping!

     First... Old books!  6 dollars for all 4.  All of them are 100 years old or more.  Well, I am not sure about the King Arthur one.  And anyway, that is for my dear hubby.

     Look at this gorgeous handwriting!  Love it!  Not many take pride in their handwriting anymore.  It is sad to see it in kids, but they figure (and many parents agree) it isn't necessary to have good penmanship because they are going to type everything.  It is a lost art form. :(  Kids, when we do our check-writing unit, love to make signatures that are messy and unreadable, rather than a thing of beauty.  I think forgers these days would probably struggle more with a neat signature.  I love to write in cursive and neatly.  I love it when someone compliments my handwriting.  I got in trouble for just the opposite when I was in fifth grade, but that is a story for another day! ANYWAY, I wish I was taught to write in this beautiful, flowing style.  Maybe I will use this book from 1889 to teach myself! All righty, hopping OFF of the soapbox and trying not to trip...

      Old clothes pins- $.10 each!  Basket?  She said $8.  Then she found me looking around still and said, "Would you do $6?" And me, who watches too many American Pickers episodes tried to bundle and get the pins and basket for $6 and... She said yes...  I almost said, "You know, I am so sorry, let me give you the $7."  I felt guilty.  But, finally, I walked away.  I did feel good when I saw a similar, smaller basket going for triple the price.  But then I felt guilty again... I know- I am weird!

     I got this apron for $3 (after which my dad says he has a bunch of them in his workshop!) I am going to make it into a clothes pin bag.  I think...  But I am not sure, nor what I may do with the others. Any suggestions?

 

     And then, this! For $3!  I love it, although it may be best that Granny Trace' doesn't see this post... Shhhh...

Thank you all for your kind comments on my other posts.  It is good to reconnect again!  I missed you all!

Well, Bailey is scratching at her plate, trying to let me know that Charlie maybe ate hers, and she would like more.  The insistent scratching does not indicate a polite "please" with her demands... Ugh.

Have a pleasant evening and a blessed Sunday!

Love and Hugs,

Heather, Bailey, and Charlie

Oh, good grief. I got a rock...

     Spoiler Alert... I may have rambled off topic somehow to "Downton Abbey".  If you have not watched season 3 in its entirety, click this blog closed and walk away.  Otherwise, go ahead and read.

     Okay, so Charlie and I are confused about this whole Google Reader thingy.  I looked online and found something called "Feedly".  They even had an app. It just moved all of the blogs I read over to it.  

 

      Now, here is where I am confused, the rock in the bag so to speak.  What about your followers or followers in the future?  Since Blogger, a Google product, will still be there, will you still join by Google Friends Connect?  What am I supposed to do? Ugh.  This feels like Y2K. I feel like I am storing up canned vegetables and am not sure why or how to use them.  Charlie, who does not understand metaphors, has now offered to eat them. "Charlie, you can't eat them.  I am using the metaphor as a way to express my confusion if all of this effort is futile or necessary." Charlie- "Yeah.  All I heard was can and 'waa waaa waa wa wa'. Can means food.  Stop yappin' and go get it." Pardon me, my dear readers... Charlie and I need to have a little chat about something Aretha Franklin sings about: R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

     Okay, so we are back.  Now here is another question.  What do those of you who craft, recommend as the best way to sell your wares?  I would like to do crafting a little more seriously this summer (and will have a giveaway...Hmmm), but I feel like just having it on my blog isn't really productive.  I am mainly chatting on my blog.  I am happy with a smaller number of followers to interact with on my blog.  But, that doesn't work with selling wares..  I have dolls and pin cushions that I would like to sell. What do you all recomend?  What have you found to be easy to use and yet provide some visibility? 
 
     I am not thinking this will allow me to retire for teaching.  I can't churn things out that fast, or am accomplished enough to charge much.  I am looking to make some money to buy mulch or use it for small home repairs (The Dowager Countess of Grantham would be horrified at my undignified talk about money.  Shocking.  Don't tell her.  Or my spinning around on a swivel chair.  If you watch "Downton Abbey", you'll know what I mean.  It is okay if you still don't think it is funny... Oh, and rabbit trail-  I finally brought myself to watch the final episode of season 3. If I didn't know something bad was going to happen, I would be really upset.  It is like watching Titanic.  You know the ship sinks so you aren't as surprised.  But the poor British people!  That was their Christmas Special. Okay, back to the topic at hand...).  So, large percentages taken out or big costs to list and maintain... I don't know if it would be worth it.  eBay seems to be hit or miss with sales.

So, anywhoo, if you have time to share your thoughts about any of these topics, I would surely appreciate.  And so would Charlie...

Love and Hugs!

Heather and Charlie

Wednesday Whats and What Nots...

Charlie's List:  

What I will be doing: 

• Chewing on my toy that is supposed to be "almost indestructible".  It's not.
•  Destroying and de-squeakering my new toy. 
• Taking a nap (That can be checked off the list multiple times already).  
• Getting into my sister's personal space. 
• Sleeping in a sunny spot.

What I will not be doing:

• Staying out of mischief and not trying to chase birds or beetles.

 

The Marm's List:

What I will be doing: 

• Cleaning out everything under my bed and purging shoes- keep, toss, donate. 
• Cleaning the bedroom and kitchen.  
• Sprucing up the house with some Americana decor.

What I may be doing: 

• Making some stumpy dolls and pinkeeps to sell.
• Working on my "room for my own particular use" (AKA a sorry dumping ground closet that also doubles as my work/craft room).  Depends on the heat.  We only have one air conditioner right now.  The Marm and humid heat do NOT get along well.  At all.  Truly.

What I will NOT be doing: 

• Working in the "Garden of Weedin' ".  I need too. But just not gonna.
• Sitting on the deck of the beach house, reading books, listening to the ocean (Please give me a moment here.  *sniff*).  Vacations give you leave to sit in an Adirondack chair and read the afternoon away.  At home, well, it is considered down right lazy. Oh well.  Charlie wanted to add his smart alecky comment "Hah!  Dogs can sit around all day- it's what we do!"  Charlie- no biscuit for you for that wisecrack (Shhh. Don't tell him.  I'll give in.  Who can resist those big brown eyes?)

Here are a few more pictures of my trip to Rodanthe.  I was very blessed and thankful to take this vacation.  We hadn't taken a vacation in years.  I promise we will be back to our regular prim programming soon!

 

So, what are you up to today?

I hope your day is a great one!  I hope the storms aren't too bad, my dear Great Lakes States friends!  Doppler looks ugly up there!  Of course, you'll send it here eventually!  Thanks for your generosity! ;) Stay safe and cool!

Love,

Heather

Oh! Hi!

Hello there! 

 I is cold.  It was warm and sunny, now it is not.  Mom won't close the windows.  Something about airing out the house.  I promise.  I did not do a "no-no Charlie". So, mom is busy with getting her school year done with finishing her school year (she made me fix that.  She said it didn't sound polite.  Well, then why does she keep talking about summer?), and I am taking over her blog for now. I don't know.  She had time to go to a garage sale, Shupp's Grove, out to eat, and have cake at Mom-mom's and Pop-pop's, but NOT for blogging? I think you all should be suspicious. Oops.  Here she comes.  Don't tell her I back-talked, okay? So, um, yeah.  

Do you want to go on a mini-tour with me?  Mom said to show you stuff she got when she was out "not-blogging". She said that she can't show you house changes.  May be my fault.  She puts things out.  Then, she sees I can gets it.  She has to change it again. She throws her hands in the air. I guess she is hot.  I guess that's why the windows are up.

Eating birthday cake.  Yeah.  Her birthday is tomorrow.  Oh. Oh. Yeah, wait... Mom said I could say her age, but it has to be in a math problem since she is a teacher. Pshaw.  That's lame.  How about I just barks it to you.  Okay, ten's place (See? Math.)- woof.woof.woof.  Okay, now one's place- woof.woof.woof.woof.woof.woof.woof.woof.woof.

Presents.  I got a present the other week.  I chewed it up.  Not have present anymore.

Cake.  Mom brought it home.  My sister, Bailey, is too small to reach the counter.  Mom says I may be the first dog they ever had that could grab food off of the counter.  Is that good or bad?  She put the cake up.  I am thinking not so good for me. 'Sides, see how much is left??? There were only 4 people! They ate half a cake!

This is her birthday stuff.  I like it.  Wood.  Good to chew.  Pottery- bah!

Mom says this is for posies.  Mom-mom got it for her. I eats posies.  They will never make it to this little thingy. Hah!  Shhhh.  Don't tell.

She said this is for something called a pin cushion.  I like cushions! Not so sure about pins, though.

Basket.  Primitive.  All the same- crunchy...

So get this... This is PART of a wheel (She paid $6, and she didn't even get the whole wheel).  She said she is going to hang it from the ceiling and put things on it that she doesn't want me to chew.  Bet the basket is going up there... Oh. She just yelled from the other room.  She said, "Yup." Rats...

Bobbins.  She got 2 for $5.  She likes the "beehive" bottom.  Will there be bees?  Hmmm.  I need to keep my eyes on these. They are going on the table.  She said she will share it later.

Arg.  Another crock. A man at my grandparents' church is a potter.  He sells his seconds to make money for the youth group.  Mom said that it was $8. She said, "If that is a second, what are his firsts?" I think that is a good thing. He is very talented.  God gave him talented hands and a kind heart.

Ooops.  Blurry picture.  Um. Oh! $5 at a garage sale.  Can't chew it.  Rats again.

She said she bought this box from an old lady named "Morgan". I don't think that is nice at all to say about people.  I like the box.  Wood. Crunchy.

Mom said not to show this to someone named "Granny". So, if you are "Granny", don't look.  She said it was $4 at the garage sale. 

Wicker purse- $3 at Shupp's Grove.  It is WAAAAY up high! Ya know, they lets dogs at Shupp's Grove.  Why have I not been there? I think it's a con-speer-a-see. Yup.

Okay.  So she was making these boxes.  She knocked over her bottle of "Modge Podge". She made a BIG mess. I try not to laugh.  Her one cloth placemat thingy is a little stiff.  Ha ha!

This basket is way up.  Why?

$5 at garage sale.  Getting painted black. Dad says, "Shocking." Oh, and he said, "Yes.  That is sarcasm."

Little bear. Etsy. Yum...

 Well, I gots to go now.  We is watching a movie about some guy name Ferris.  He's got a day off. Mom says it helps her to know students' tricks.  All I know is I wants a day off... Bueller... Bueller... Bueller...

Have a great day!

Love and Hugs,

Anyone? Anyone?

Charlie

P.S. Mom is going on a field trip to Longwood Gardens tomorrow. She will post pictures later...