It's Time.............

To get crafting again......Seems like spring revives me and puts me
into a creative mood. Maybe it is everything waking from winter that
stirs my heart to create something......

Today I spent a large amount of time, preparing an area to use to house
all "My Stuff" .

My husband is determined for me to perhaps open another little shop, only so I do
not have "My Stuff" all around the house.

The kitchen is full of silk flowers and ornate Serving spoons. Grapevine
wreaths and ribbons. Acrylic and oils and slate and brushes. He just smiles
at me.

Then we went to pick -up some more silks from a dear couple who are selling
their historic Bed & Breakfast.

What a visit. Both of us love history and antiques so it was a delightful visit.

Eight thousand square feet of history, lovely things
and more "Stuff" of which my sweet honey purchased a couple of lots
lovely things .....My Valentine's present.

I love Spring, and lovely things and so thankful for a wonderful husband who
lets me keep some "Stuff" .

Hugs & Prayers, Ella

Dreaming of Spring.....................

The Following have made the cut for this year's Container Garden.





1) Large Red Cherry Tomato


2) Rutgers-Select Tomato


3) Beefsteak Tomato


4) Straight Eight Cucumber


5) Harvester Green Beans


6) Scarlet Nantes Carrots


7) California Wonder Green Peppers


8) Salad Bowl Lettuce


9) Yellow Sweet Banana Peppers


10) Bunching Onions






Hugs & Prayers, GG

Today's Bible Reading : Leviticus Chapters 19-21, and Proverb Chapter 3

The Hub

This is the Hub......That's what , my husband calls it.

This is where it all gets done or doesn't.

This is where my hubby shares a coffee with me.

The kids get band-aids.

I do my work and some play.

I send out cards, and schedule functions.

It is looking a bit rough.

I love my desk, but it is big enough to host a years worth of paperwork and essential matters.
So today I am tackling the contents .

My Goal .
Touch once. Yeah right , That would work of I could remember what I had read 30 seconds before.
Trash or File. Wish me success.

Hugs & Prayers, GG

Today's Reading Leviticus Chapters 14-15 & Proverbs Chapter 1

THE RESULTS :

I am happy with the more organized space.

All the paperwork is done and a great weight off my mind

My project for tomorrow.......

Is to sort through all my seeds to see which will make it to the containers

and to the garden this season........

It will inspire me as the weatherman just said it will be -17 degrees in the

morning with the wind chill........

Spring is coming......Right ???????

Hugs & Prayers, GG

Today's Bible Reading Leviticus chapters 1-4

& Proverbs chapter 28

It's a good thing......

One of the simplest things to make and it is one of my most treasured items lol.

My Husband and I have matching ones , the kids all have wonderful velour ones.
Sister, Auntie and Mom all have cotton ones……..

Microwave Heating Pad Directions
No pattern , just cut two pieces of cloth in the size/shape you wish your bag to be.

Leave a seam allowance for yourself (about 1/2″).
Some prefer regular square shape bags, others prefer tubes or more rectangular shapes.

Filler Options
Uncooked rice ( don't use brown rice , it can go rancid)
Barley
Oatmeal
Beans

FABRIC OPTIONS
Cotton: (plain, prints, flannels, denims)
Alternate ideas: old socks (sew or knot end closed),

( I really like this option as you can just untie the knot, empty the contents , wash the sock and re-fill .)

washcloths

old towels
velour knits ( the kids have this for their little bags)

pretty fabric prints and flannels (don’t microwave anything other than cotton fabrics).

The softer & fluffier & better!

Directions For Use
Place in microwave and heat for 1 to 3 minutes, depending on size of bag. Do not leave unattended “just in case” . As a precaution, you can set a cup of water inside the microwave while heating the bag to add moisture or spritzing bag lightly with water before heating.
　

Enjoy......

Hugs & Prayers, GG

Today's Reading : Exodus 35-37 & Proverbs 26.

　
　
　

Thank You Laura ...................

What a very nice surprise, I just went to my mail box and found this lovely present.

I won Laura's most recent giveaway. Also included in the package , but not shown here is a lovely lavender cross bookmark .

It is from Miss Laura @ http://tenthingsfarm.blogspot.com/

She has the most fantastic blog , and one that I enjoy daily.

It is one of the most incredible teaching blogs I read. She is highly gifted and very imaginative.

Her blog incorporates wonderful posts based on frugality, family and faith.

She shares her adventures on their 10 Acre Farm along with her little angel and sidekick Little Bit, and her wonderful husband .

Laura is a dear sister in Christ and I would encourage you to check out her blog, she is a blessing to all who have the joy of calling her Friend.

Thanks Again Cat, I will treasure my gifts. Hug Little Bit for me !

Blessings, GG

Scented Cinnamon Ornaments.....

These are great 'Favors" for your
Christmas Party or for your "Kitchen"
tree. The house smells wonderful when
your making them.

Scented Cinnamon Ornaments

1 Cup of Cinnamon

1/2 Cup of Applesauce

1 tbsp of ground cloves

1 tbsp of nutmeg

2 tbsps White school glue

Combine ingredients , working the mixture 2-3 minutes until the dough is smooth. Roll out on floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness . Using floured cookie cutter make your ornies. Use a straw or toothpick to make a small hole at the top place on wire racks and allow to dry 3-5 days.turning them over every day, thread with ribbon when they are completely dried. Tie in a loop

Blessings, Ella

A Great Give-Away

My Dear Friend Karyn aka Ma Teakettle is having an awesome give-away.

Check it out http://theteakettlecorner.blogspot.com/2009/12/woo-to-hoo.html

Hugs & Prayers, GG

Treasures ......

My Sweet husband made this lovely
little "buffet" table for me a couple of
years ago and I just love it .





It is such a simple little piece. But it can serve so many functions.



It has resided in many different rooms of the house . I love it very much.

My husband often surprises me with things that he has made that he knows that I will love. He always knows just what to give me.

I think he is pretty incredible. He was hand-picked for me from our Lord. I think he is quite awesome
and after all these years I am still
pretty smitten with him.


Blessings, GG
Song:6:3: I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine

Tom Turkey Hot pads from Country Woman Magazine ....

These are cute ..... I actually made them a couple of years ago.

BONUS CRAFT!

Tom Turkey Hot Pads
Expect to gobble up compliments when you crochet these whimsical hot pads from designer Beverly M., Apache Junction, Arizona. These turkeys are sure to make a return appearance year after year.

Materials Needed (for one):
Worsted-weight yarn—3 ounces of white ( Beverly used Red Heart Soft White yarn);

and small amounts each of brown, gold, green, orange, red and yellow
Size J/10 (6mm) crochet hook
Two 7mm glue-on wiggle eyes
Fabric glue
Yarn or tapestry needle
Scissors
Gauge: Working with two strands of yarn as one, 3 scs and 3 rows = 1 inch. Slight variations in gauge will change the finished size a bit.
Finished Size: Turkey hot pad measures about 8 inches wide x 7 inches high.
Directions:
HOT PAD: Working with two strands of white yarn as one, ch 21.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hk and in each remaining ch across, ch 1, turn: 20 scs.
Row 2: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn: 20 scs.
Rows 3-20: Repeat Row 2: 20 scs.
Ch 10, sl st in last st of Row 20 for hanging loop. Fasten off.
Use yarn or tapestry needle to weave in all loose ends.

TURKEY: Body: Round 1: With brown, ch 4 for first dc, dc in fourth ch from hk 13 times, join with a sl st in top of beginning ch: 14 dcs.
Round 2: Ch 3 for first dc, dc in same st, work 2 dcs in each remaining dc around, join with a sl st in top of beginning ch: 28 dcs. Fasten off.
Head: With brown, ch 4 for first dc, dc in fourth ch from hk 13 times, join with a sl st in top of beginning ch: 14 dcs. Fasten off.
Beak: With gold, ch 2, sl st in second ch from hk. Fasten off. Use yarn or tapestry needle to weave in all loose ends.
Feather: With red, ch 7, sc in second ch from hk and in each remaining ch across, work 2 scs in last ch, sc in each ch along opposite side. Fasten off.
Repeat to make one feather each of orange, yellow and green yarn.
Feet: With gold, ch 4, sl st in fourth ch from hk, ch 4, sl st in fourth ch from hk. Fasten off.
Finishing: Use yarn or tapestry needle to weave in all loose ends.

ASSEMBLY: Referring to photo as a guide, glue body and then head to hot pad. Glue feathers around top outer edge of body and feet to lower edge of body. Glue beak to center of turkey's head. Glue eyes above beak. Let dry.

ABBREVIATIONSch(s) chain(s)dc(s) double crochet(s)hk hooksc(s) single crochet(s)sl st slip stitchst(s) stitch(es)

Blessings, GG

I got an excited call

From my sweet cousin Christine, she is more like my sister than cousin.

She called me two mornings ago , almost out of breath to tell me about something growing up the fence in her garden area.

I know her pretty well , and I said to her ......... Is it like a vine and does it have red berries in a yellow almost paper-like shell.

Yes, she said .......How did you know .

I know that Christine loves pretty things and loves country decor.
And while she has a love for it , she does not like to craft.

She told me excitedly she has this "stuff" growing everywhere.
I thought "treasure" , she thought........Ella, could you make me a
wreath for my front door.

I sure can Cuz, I told her. Just don't cut it until your ready for me
to make your wreath because it dries very quickly. So we are going
to make a lovely wreath for her door sometime very soon. I'll post a
picture to let you know how it comes out.


Bittersweet is one of my favorite things to decorate with during the season
And while I am blessed to have an ever increasing vine along my fence. My
dear cousin has an abundance of it

Blessings, GG

I've actually been peaceful enough to paint...........

These are my three latest ...........I have painted 7 of each of them........ I have an endless supply of slates thanks to my sweet husband .

I do 2 craft shows a year Spring and Fall. I missed the Spring show , but will be doing the Fall.

I also like to keep them on hand for my gift- giving closet.

I enjoy painting. Very relaxing!

Hugs & Prayers, GG

Hand-crafted clip board giveaway!!!!

Ladies,

I found this awesome blog , through another blog that I follow.

Her name is Sara and she is a home-schooling Mom, with a great blog. So Sara is hosting her first giveaway at her blog.
http://blogbestillandknow.blogspot.com.

I really enjoyed reading through her posts and found it a refreashing blog ! Check it out !

Hugs, GG

Playing in the dirt .........

Spring time pretty much finds me playing in the dirt.........Thankfully my husband has acquired a liking to it as well or I would never had gotten these 5 gallon buckets to my roof-top garden!!!!
These are for our tomato and green bell peppers. I am also going to put some ivy's and ferns and pretty flowers up there with a couple of comfy chairs and a little table and enjoy the peace & quiet and some sunshine on my face.

These little galvanized tins I bought at the Dollar Tree. I thought that they were so adorable. I have planted grass in these containers to sit along a ledge shelf in the hallway going upstairs to three rooms and the garden which my hubby has been re-modeling for months.

This little ledge is going to hold the tins along with some awesome weathered copper lanterns I have had for years. It is going to be a very pretty look when it is finished I will post some pictures.

What projects are you working on this Spring/Summer ?

Hugs & Prayers,

GG

Faith Bear Template

This is a great tool to teach children and adults about our spiritual "Weapons", Faith, The Armour of God .

I have made this little Bear several times. I have used construction paper, that big craft paper from Dollar Tree , I think they are 3 for $1.00. I have also made 2 " Stuffed Teddy Bears" with all their weapons.

This template, I drew for a friend. So it is not the neatest......I am also doing "Fruits" now too. Little cut out fruits with the fruits of the Spirit written on them from Galations.

Hugs, GG

First Project with my Fabric Blessing.........

Linens for my Bathroom............... Curtain. I added a Fabric Roman Shade since this picture was taken

Found this lovely vintage Drapery Rod in our Attic, so my husband adjusted it for me so that I could use it as a Rod for the shower curtain

Shower Curtain.................. I made two Panels and Tie Backs which are not in this picture.

My "Old" Elgin.............I love it .

Working my way to the next project............. Aprons for my Daughter and my two Grand-daughters.

Hugs, GG

She is adorable

And she is so very easy to make. Same pattern as a Rag Doll , except add the ears. She matches purrfectly with the Hydrangea I picked and dried earlier in the year.

I do not think I will have the time to make any of these for this years Christmas Giving, but for sure next year God-willing.

I think I will add a little canvas prim tag with the scripture :M't:4:19: And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Hugs & Prayers, GG