The Whistle is a Hangin' in the Closet...

So, how have ya'll been? I have been terrible with blogging! With school, my brain seems to be empty of things to say. Oh, funny stuff happens at school, don't get me wrong. Hilarious stuff! But somewhere between, "That's hilarious!" and a drive home, the thing that comes next is a nap. Kindergarten students have the life. They won't realize it until they hit 40. It all becomes clear then.

At this point in the summer, my split personalities part ways. Mrs. Wise, fifth grade teacher, goes into the closet like Superman with his tights and cape. Not that I am Superman. But, there are many that are glad that my super sonic whistle is hung up and quiet for a few months. When I take my whistle off, I really do feel like this persona, Mrs. Wise, goes away. I am Heather. Just plain Heather. Nice. 

But, switching gears is hard. I don't know what the date is. It is not written on the board. I don't know what day of the week it is because it is not marked by what specials are on which day. The day passes in odd speeds. Fast. Slow. I drove my husband a little nuts this week. He was on vacation, you see.  After we would do something, I would ask, "What are we doing next?" He wondered why I kept asking that. I realized that the passage of my day is marked by subjects. First, Bible. NEXT is Spelling. Then, snack. Next... Next... Put kids on busses and in cars and stop. Maybe I should map out my day like a schedule. First, Cleaning. Next, Laundry.  Then, Snack (very important). Next? Baahahha... Yeah. No. I think I will not be doing THAT schedule. Except snack. We'll keep that. And, nap time. Wait, aren't you a fifth grade teacher? Hey! 

My persona in the summer is a little different. Now, I am "The Country Schoolmarm". Yup. That's me. Oh, what does she do? Um, I am doing it right now. Sitting on a couch and writing about nothing in particular. Sweet. I am making dolls now. And, an occasional pinkeep. I love pinkeeps. I have been blessed by the opportunity to be mentored by Barb Moore of "The Primitive Oswald" and author of Purely Primitive Dolls. 

This journey has been such a huge dewdrop of mercy. Not really a dewdrop. More like one of those big, huge fat raindrops that come down during a summer thunderstorm. It has been a blessing to be challenged to move beyond pinkeeps to creating extreme primitive dolls. I never thought I could do that. Ever. If it weren't for God using Marie (Dear Old Lady Morgan ) to push me into the pool and Barb's book to give me guidance, I wouldn't be on this path. It is an opportunity to create AND write. I am truly blessed to have this opportunity. But, very importantly, God used each and every one of you. Those who read my blog, commented on it, encouraged me, prayed with me, gave your friendship freely... Your part has been such a blessing in my life. I am overwhelmed by these many blessings. 

So, if you want to see what you have been a part of, you can come visit me, The Country Schoolmarm, on my Facebook page. You can see the dolls I am working on, and the stories I have written...all by the grace of God. 

Thank you, dear friends, for your friendship and encouragement! God bless, lots of love, and huge hugs to you! 

The Marm (Mrs. Wise, Heather, Skeeter, Pinkeepaholic, but not "Late to Dinner"...)

Dolls, A "Dusting", and Dogs

     First, if you haven't seen this awesome challenge put out by Barb Moore, the author of Purely Primitive Dolls and owner of The Primitive Oswald,  please go look and check out the work of so many talented ladies. The challenge is over now, but the site is now a selling blog for extreme prim dolls called "Purely Primitive Dolls".  It is a method for again, artists to sell their handmade art.  

     Supporting small businesses is so important, and I know you know, as many of you are friends with these artists or you are an artist as well (so skip to the snow and dogs below. You live this speech). Many people rely on this income to support themselves in some way in this economy. It also brings great joy for each artist to be able to create and pass on a bit of themselves to you! A legacy of sorts.  I am so blessed to have had the opportunity the participate in the Purely Primitive Doll Challenge.  I learned sooooooo much through Barb's book, which I highly recommend.  And, I have met many talented artists and new friends. So, please, take a look. And, this Christmas, consider buying something handmade as a gift for someone to pass along a legacy of love that has been poured into the creation by the hands that made it!

I am now leaving my soapbox (hopefully without tripping.  It's me, though.  It is quite probable... Ow! Yup. There it is.). I return you to your cup of coffee and regular blog reading.  Thank you for your time!

Dolls created by (left to right): The Primitive Oswald, Primitives by Old Lady Morgan, The Country Schoolmarm

The regularly scheduled programs: "First Snow Comes to Pennsylvania" and "The Dogs Who Wanted to Know Too Much". Enjoy!

"Bailey and Charlie" episode 32 - "Neighborhood Watch-For Whom the Dogs Bark?"

"Keep your yap shut until I tell you to open it, Chuck!"

"She wears me out. "

"Why is Jack the Sniffer being walked by his person at this hour? I don't like it. "

"What'd I tell you???" "I was sayin hey to Jack"

That's not Jack... (Cue dramatic music)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love and Hugs!

The Marm

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