Saturday.....

Good Saturday Morning!

I hope you had a great week!  I can't believe it's been that long since my last post!

I thought I'd share this last minute finish with you....when I saw it in the magazine, I knew that if I didn't get to it this year, I'd forget about it by next year!  It will make it's way to the mercantile later today in hopes of someone needing a  finish to their fall table or a little giftie for their Thanksgiving dinner hostess.

It's the Oak Leaves & Acorns by Maggie Bonanomi, I mentioned in a previous post, featured in

Primitive Quilts & Projects.

I also finished up...FINALLY...two of the snow angels I've had sitting forever!

This one has been placed in my Etsy Shoppe... Homestead Gatherings .....

...and the other will be taken to the mercantile....the only difference in the two is the trim.

This design is thanks to Sew Unique Creations.

It looks to be a really nice weekend here in our little corner of the world. 

 After some household chores this morning and a few errands in town this afternoon, I hope to get a little bit of outdoor clean up done.

Tomorrow is the annual Trustee's Cycle Shop Toy Run and we will be riding in that. 

And next weekend is the Randolph Mercantile Holiday Open House, so this week, Rylee and I will be busy busy putting together a few more things for that. 

She's such a good little helper!

Here's a cute little pic from this last week....

I can't help it...she's so dang cute, I have to share it!

Sitting in papa's chair, waiting for him to get home!

Enjoy your day!



Primitive Quilts & Projects...

I thought that I was done with fall things, not that I  make alot of fall things anyway, but I finally got a copy of the Fall 2011 issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects and I just had to get out my wool stash and start cutting and stitching! 

Besides finishing up some aprons, I worked with some wools this week...

This Star Pumpkin Mat was a design in the magazine by Kerry Arthur of Calico Rabbit Designs.

I love it!  I had all the wools in my stash as well as the giant rick rack, which I found at Sew Sweet Quilt Shop , in Brunswick, MO.

This one will go to the mercantile but I will most likely be making another to keep!

The other little ditties are wool pinkeeps....filled with ground walnut shells.  I used a few templates from other designs in the magazine, as well.

Needing something to hang aprons from, I also made up a couple of make-do peg racks.  The slats are from an old chicken carrier from my grandparents farm...one is made using  ceramic insulators for the pegs and the other some hooks from my  stash.   I think both turned out pretty neat and will serve their purpose well.

Rylee is home with mama today since there isn't any school today, so I'm going to finish (hopefully) another wool mat that's featured in this fall issue, Oak Leaves & Acorns by Maggie Bonanomi. 

Then on to some other fun projects...

 I found this piece of fabric on a recent trip to Sew Sweet Quilt Shop.

The possibilities with panels such as this are endless.....

This one is Maison de Garance by FRENCH GENERAL for moda

While most will be made into pillows, some will be incorporated into aprons, table mat and/or runner.

So that's the plan for my day....and it looks like the sun is going to shine.....

Enjoy your day!

 



Holiday Open House...

I was looking at my calendar this morning and it occurred to me that the holiday preview open house is now less than 3 weeks away!

Where in the world has this year gone?

I've not gotten my front porch decorated for fall yet!

New things are arriving daily at  Randolph Mercantile!

Mark your calendar....

November 4 - 5 - 6

I'll try to get in there and snap a few more pics in the next few days.

No matter your taste or decorating style, you are sure to find something at the mercantile!



Saturday Ramblin'...

While the orange cranberry pecan muffins bake, I thought I'd share what I've been working on the past few days.

I found this cute little apron pattern, called the 'Friday Night Apron' on one of my little shopping trips a few weeks ago.

It is by

http://www.vanillahousedesigns.com/

I may add a button or  some rick rack, as I feel something is missing, especially the one with dots.

And of course with the supply stash that I have, do you think I would find a button to suit me in my collection?

At least one of them will find its way to my etsy shop and the others will go to the mercantile. Don't you just love that paisley print?

A morning of errands  a late afternoon wedding and a hayride later this evening, that I may or may not make it to.

I hope you had a great week and are off to a fun-filled weekend!

Brownies...

I got a sweet tooth today.

So while fixing on supper, I mixed up a batch of brownies that I hadn't made for awhile.

After woofin' down two of them already, I remembered why!

I found this recipe probably 10 years ago...somewhere on the web...and it's what I want to share with you today.

BROWNIES

Mix the following ingredients together and set aside (or store in an airtight container or bag.)

2 cups sugar

1 cup cocoa

1 cup flour

1 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)

1 cup miniature chocolate chips

To make brownies: preheat oven to 325*; prepare 9"x 13" pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, cream:

1 cup butter (softened)

4 eggs, beating well after each one

Add the dry ingredients listed above and beat until smooth.

Spread mixture into pan.

Bake 40 - 50 minutes.

**Note:  Prepare dry mix and place in cello-bag, add a ribbon and instructions for baking.  Place this in a large mixing bowl or a cake pan, add a few other kitchen treasures to make a perfect bridal shower gift, housewarming or hostess gift!

************************

After spending a few days on housework, alterations and errands, I'm back to some fun work...I bought some fun fabrics on a couple recent shopping trips so I'm working on some more aprons and I'll share them with you soon.

Hope you are have a great week!

My Etsy Shoppe...

Well, sewing machine being contrary as it was, all of yesterdays sewing plans went by the wayside.

I will drag out an old machine later.

Now, that being said,  that doesn't mean it wasn't a productive day.

I never lack for things to do.

I did get a few small items back in my etsy shoppe.

Just click on the link to the right to take you to etsy!

It's been so long since I've listed there and I've found that they've made that web site even more user-friendly. 

I LOVE that!

The weather is absolutely beautiful here today....I've actually got the windows open and letting the house breathe!

(Hope I don't regret it later with the allergies!)

Hope you are having a great week!

Wednesday...What I'm workin' on...

...at least I hope I'm workin' on.  My sewing machine has started acting contrary. 

Again.

I guess it's time to break it down, clean it, give it a good oil, new needle

and start over.

It's that or drag an old one out of the supply closet!

Remnants from past projects being made into smaller projects.

Simple little half aprons...for the little helper in your kitchen!

These snow angels have been sitting in the sewing room for hmmm.....

let's just say for awhile. 

They will get finished THIS week!

And these are a few things I've been working on over the past couple weeks.

Wools, wool felt and old cutter quilts made into table mats and stockings.

I hope to have these listed in my Etsy shoppe later tonight.

Well, I think little Miss Rylee is needin' some gramma cuddles before her morning nap and before I get started!

Enjoy your day!



Saturday Morning Ramblin'.....

.....and Pumpkin Muffins.
From my mom's recipe box...although it's actually a bread recipe, I used it for these muffins that

I made  yesterday.  The pumpkin, the cinnamon, the cloves......Mmm....can you smell them?
I thought I'd share the recipe with you today.....

Pumpkin Muffins

3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 can pumpkin (small can)
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cream sugar and oil.  Add eggs.  Stir in pumpkin.
Sift dry ingredients together and add to pumpkin mixture.
Scoop into lined muffins tins, size of your choice.
Bake at 350 degrees til done....toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
(I use the touch method as if I were baking a cake, but that's just me)
***************
Now, I used 1 1/2 cup Splenda sugar blend and also added raisins and pecans. The amount you use is up to you.
I soften my raisins by putting them in a bowl of water and placing in microwave for a minute or two, and drain water off before adding them to the mix.
If you so desire, you can frost them with cream cheese frosting or a glaze.
You can bake in loaf pans or a bundt pan.
***************
As I'm typing this recipe here, I realize that I left out baking powder when I made these....well.....no biggie, they are still yummy! 
***************
It's to be cooler out today and my yard and outdoor projects are calling my name. 
But dare I venture out?
My allergies haven't bothered me nearly as much as they normally do this time of year but I've also babied myself and stayed inside much of the time.
It might be a good day to just curl up in my chair with stitching in hand and watch a movie or two.
I think I'll put on a crockpot of chili and a peach cobbler or crisp for tonights supper then see what the day brings.

Enjoy your day!