Giveaways and Getting Caught Up!

     Hello, Friends! I hope this finds you all well. This is my first "Lazy Saturday" in a long while, so I thought I would get caught up. My husband uses my laptop, so I am doing this on my ipad. The Blogger app isn't my favorite, but howdy!

     Gee, what a busy year! We are only 2 months into school, but whew! What a whirlwind! I have been terrible over the last year keeping up with my blog! I had such good intentions, but the summer was a hectic one. I had to move my class again, which some of you already know. Thinking about that kind of sucked up my inspiration. I am trying to take pictures when the room doesn't look like a tornado went through it! So, you may never see any. Lol! I do have some random pictures of my classroom!

     Okay, well this is my desk. And coffee. And a cupcake. But listen to this! Someone dropped off fancy-smancy cupcakes from New York City (this sounds like the beginning of one of those Old El Paso salsa commercials, I know!). Now, I cannot pass up a good, homemade cupcake. Sorry. Just can't. When I have a good cupcake, a cup of coffee, and sit at my desk, well, it's like an old Calgon commercial. Oh, and no kids in the room. Okay (So side note... This why I haven't been blogging. All I have to share is about a cupcake!) so this cupcake was a a vanilla cupcake with a bit of caramel inside and brown sugar and slightly salted icing. Oh. My. I think just reveling in that was half of my planning period. It was bliss until the stack of spelling tests caught my eye. Yup. It was like the scene in Somewhere in Time when Christopher Reeves's character sees the penny. If you haven't seen the movie, well, you should. 

So, anywhoo... Hmm, let's see.

Oh, we've had a lot of praying mantises around the outside of my classroom. The kids have become obsessed with learning about them. They named them all. I love it. We even saw a female eat the male. Well, that was an interesting Q&A session afterward. Also awkward when you have named them. 

Speaking of naming critters... Yeah, this is Walter. I may have named him. 

Here are some glimpses of my desk...

I will show more of my desk later. The cool thing is... it's in my closet. It will make sense when you see my new room! 

I have listed some things on eBay and Etsy. Right now, eBay seems to be working the best for me. I just want to get rid of things, ya know. I got a couple of cute things, so something has to go. I have been really trying to balance one thing comes in, two things go out. It is freeing to just give things to friends or sell them on eBay. 

I  got this prim hutch top which is a make-do of old chocolate crates. I traded a friend of mine for it. He has a booth at an antique flea market. I love it. Topped with a sign from Sara Cocarus at Salmon Falls Prims, it holds my old tins well. I got the tins for a dollar here and there at my flea market.  I love the mice made by different friends of ours. You'd have mice in an old pantry, right?

So, with those additions, things had to go. I got rid of a lot of my old "Made in China" fall decor or any items that weren't made by our friends. I told my husband how it is a greater comfort to look and see something that I know the name of the person who made it.

Giveaways!

Check out all of the giveaways from our friends!

http://cynzplace.blogspot.com/2014/09/fall-giveaway-on-my-blog.html

Valley Primitive Stitches is also having one!

http://valleyprimitivestitches.blogspot.com

And Brenda at The Rusty Thimble! 

I am sure if you click on one link, you will see others as well! 

Coming up soon are reveals for Wendy of Ravenwood Whimzies Winter Pinkeep Swap, and a doll I am trying to create for a challenge put out by Barb Moore, the author of Purely Primitive Dolls. This challenge is on Facebook. Her book is a very good one in giving ideas and techniques for making extreme primitive dolls from start to finish. You may also know her as "The Primitive Oswald". She is very encouraging and gives great insight for your creating journey. Take a look at her Facebook page for this challenge! https://www.facebook.com/groups/Primdollchallenge.

     Well, whew! I guess I had more than I thought I had to say. God has been good in his protection and love. I love you all and am praying for you! Thank you for stopping by! 

Love,

The Marm

Makin', Flippin', & Goodies in the Mail...

Making...

I must admit, this was like last weekend.  Not much done this week!

I coffee stained my grandma's old doilies.  They were just too white.  I need to fix the one with spots.  I used a pizza pan to put them in the oven. Ooops.  I am thinking about offering the homemade goodies on my own selling page instead of eBay.  I will continue to offer my flipped items on eBay.

 

So, here's one of my little prairie doll pouches.  I planned on them to be able to hang on a peg. But as you see in the second picture, she's a lazy gal.  She keeps tilting over.  I need to fix that. What do you think?  A wire on the back?  Ribbon or lace hanger?

Here is my attempt at crazy quilting for my pincushions.

And finally, my apple pie for the church function last Sunday.  Apple Pies are the one thing I make well.  My husband is really the cook in our family! :)

Flipping...

Between Goodwill and Shupp's Grove, I found some goodie to sell on eBay.  Total purchase for the haul-$16.50.  There are some antiques, vintage items, and handmade folk art.  I will try to post them tonight! :)

 

It looks like an older courting candle that someone sprayed with textured paint.  It is a grey/blue with rusty areas.  It would look great with berries or pumpkins in the middle.  It is really deep!

This is a wall hanging.  But, it needs something.  I may paint it and letter it with "Welcome".  What do ya'll think?

Goodies in the Mail... 

It is a blessing to look around the house and see the works of the hands of my dear blogging friends.  I feel like I can have a part of y'all over for coffee!  I should arrange the things around the kitchen table and have a little tea party like when I was a kid (Okay, so that was last week. Shhhh...).

Salmon Falls Prims- She let me pick my colors!

The Tin Crow- It goes with my crow shelf sitter and little crows that I also purchased from her- Sooo prim!

The acorns are from Angela's Prim Attic and the quilt piece I found on eBay.  It is part of a Civil War quilt- prim and a teaching tool!  Perfect!

And, my dearest purchase- A penny rug and stump doll from my dear friend, Christine!  I was so excited to get a package from a kindred spirit from across the pond!  I just love them!  And the pillow is a creation of hers too!  They are definitely treasures from a treasured friend.

 

Wednesday Whats & What Nots

Commercial Break...

First, a big 'ol shout-out to all of my new blogging friends!  I can't tell you how much I appreciate your encouragement, support, shout-outs for me on your blogs, help, YOU NAME IT!  You have made this fun for me!  I didn't think anyone would find me, but I have been blessed by you all in your friendliness.  In thinking about the generosity of your time with me, and the wonderful blog giveaways, I would like to do a giveaway when I reach 50 members.  Stay tuned...

Now, on with the show...

 What to do, what to do...
     Okay, so I found these copper cups in a drawer.  I originally intended them to be votives.  I bought a whole bunch.  Too many.  Ooops, hoarding alert!  SO, I am using them to make little pincushion thing-a-ma-jigs.  I have a couple different versions of the base.  Which ones do you like?  Which ones need a little somethin' somethin', or do you have other suggestions as to how to "primitivefy" (Yes.  I made up the word.  Shhh.  Don't let my students know!) them?

     Look at the votive I did!  I used the old trusty "Modgepodge and Coffee" technique.  I think I need to buy stock in Modgepodge.  Really. All set with coffee... It definitely will have a prim look sitting in the black iron votive holder behind it!  It has a new lease on life! Yea!


     Okay, and this box-thingy.  Gonna paint it black (shocking) and put some prim bowls in it.  What do you think?  I know, the stamping isn't very prim.  But!  It was from my cutesy country days.  You know, when I swore I would never be interested in the extreme prim.

Whatcha' doin'?

1. Entering Giveaways! How fun!  Check out my new tab on the left side of my blog.  I am listing sites that are having giveaways so that you can check them out!  Lots of talent out there!  If I missed yours, please send me a link, and I will add it! I have added Cindi's Country Corner,  The Rusty Thimble and Seasons of My Mind.The Rusty Thimble also has a Facebook giveaway. Don't forget about Salmon Falls Prims.
2. Thrift Shop scouring.  I have to wait until I wake up from the Benadryl a bit...
3. Going to our local craft warehouse to get make-up.  YES.  You heard me right.  The warehouse has a bath and body boutique.  Seriously!  They carry "Bare Minerals" make-up.  AND, I have a store rewards coupon for $10 off!  Another "Woooooohooooo!"
4. Crafts.  Don't know what.  Grunging is involved. 



My Pincushion

5. Taking something I sold on eBay to the post office.  Yea!  I made a little profit!  No, it wasn't the pin cushion. :(  You know, I must say.  My Post Lady is so nice!  She has been helping me to sort out the new world of "SHIPPING".

What I am   NOT doing...

1. Taking as much Benadryl.  Sheesh.  I did have some fun buying though... Wooohoo! 
2. Getting an early start on said activities because I am still here talking to y'all! It's ALL good, though!
3. Waking up from my coffee...*YAWN*

Have a great day, Friends!

Blessings!
Heather

Coffee Talk for Today:  Well, if you could recommend some solutions to my crafting issues, that would be great!  Otherwise, what would you like to chat about?

The Rusty Thimble Facebook Giveaway

Cindi's Country Corner Giveaway

The Rusty Thimble Giveaway

Seasons of My Mind Giveaway

Salmon Falls Prims Giveaway

Tuesday Travels- Tales from Blogging World!

Well, the Giveaway thing is new to me!  There are so many blogs and artisans out there that I think I am going into overload and need a second job!  I will post as many Giveaways as I can so that you can participate and look at these talented people's blogs!  I look forward to a time when I can do the same thing! 

The Giveaway

    Here is one featured talented lady -Sara at Salmon Falls Prims.  Check out her beautiful items!  Favorites- the "We Gather Together..." signs and items for storing away little needfuls (K-Cups!!!!) from cluttering up your counters!  Check out Sara's Blog, Salmon Falls Prims,  and get signed up for her giveaway before midnight of August the 23rd! Here are some ways to check out her giveaway and beautiful things:

Coffee Maker Cover

• She has an ETSY Shop. Lots of beautiful things there!!!  Salmon Falls Prims's Etsy Shop

•  Here is her blog where you can see all kinds of comforting creations: Salmon Falls Prims's Blog

I will be puttering around and seeing what I can dig up each Tuesday!  I am getting lots of puttering time today thanks to an allergic reaction.  Please excuse any "slurring" in my writing.  I am pretty much in "la-la land" from lots of Benadryl!