Far Away........................................

We just had prom this Saturday.  The theme......................Far Away.  Not exactly sure what all that meant except for the 1300 balloon that were blown up!!

Drew and his date getting ready for pictures.

Ready to "Party all night and Sleep all day.  That was the theme of post prom this year.

Just a few of the balloons and a little bit of the crowd that attended  the grand march.

Dave and I were on the committee for prom this year.  The only thing I can say about the theme....................I am Far, Far away from my usual  sleep!  :)

Another Customers Work

I think about a month ago Charlie brought this rug in for us to take a look at.  She and her husband Tom were on their way to visit family when they stopped by.

Charlie had just finished this rug and was more than excited to show us..........and we were very glad to see it up close and personal!!

I just love the background and how she used MANY different colors and textures.

If my memory serves me correctly the outside border of the flower is a paisley.

Great job Charlie!  The rug is beautiful!

2 Bricks and 1 Rope

Time off from school and bodies at home all at the same time usually mean we accomplish something on the home front.  This day it was to tear down the rest of the shed so SOON we can put a fence around the garden area.

Drew thought it was taking Dad way to long to get the trusses down so he got a rope and a brick and pulled them down.  Little brother was on the other end of the rope with a brick of his own.

Believe it or not we thought this would fall in one big heap........................especially when we were tearing  the tin roof off last summer and we could feel the building wafting in all directions.  

A little pushing and tugging finally got the post to fall.

Seriously, she just was there for the looks!!  Natalie sat in the tractor seat..............not really any help at all!?! :)

It really is true that many hands make for little work!

Once things get rolling on the garden I will post some pictures.  Don't hold your breath though................April is so full I don't think we could squeeze one more thing into the month!

Wonderful Things To Share

I don't know about you but Mom and I love to see finished projects from our customers.  Some of you are shy and think that your work isn't good enough but we love to see it and besides you are your own worst critique!

We recently had a lady in the shop who does exquisite hand work and she shared some of her work.

Nikki has been a customer of ours for sometime now.  We quickly learned that she is wonderful at MANY things.  

Above is a wool applique project that she completed from Primitive Gatherings.  This is hand stitched with hand-dyed thread.

Below you will find Nikki's completed projects from Country Sampler's Boxwood and Berries.  

It is a sewing caddy with slipper, scissor pocket and strawberry.  Everything is hand stitched.  

If you are familiar with Stacy Nash these are her designs and she completes each project with these TINY little x's around the entire project...................................Did I mention perfect little tiny x's? 

Below you will find another project from Stacy Nash's collection.

Drum roll pin keep and heart.  The heart is filled with emery.  

Nikki said the drum roll took 4 cups of sawdust to fill!

Another project from Boxwood and Berries by Maggie B.  

All wood and hand stitched.

This was like a clutch...............but for sewing needfulls.

Last but not least a bedcover by Maggie B.  I am not sure of the size but it was all put together with hand stitching.

I couldn't get the whole bed cover in the picture but it was beautiful.

We so appreciate each and everyone of you and we LOVE it when we get to see FINISHED projects!

Please don't be shy...............................we are all beginners at some point!

Thanks for sharing Nikki!!

Sneak Peek on the Challenge Rugs

It's just around the corner ladies!!  Soon it will be time to unveil the 2011 Challenge Rugs at the annual BYOP.  

Above, you will find Charlie Reeves's rendition.......................It's done using scraps.  She also tried a technique new to her but I am keeping that secret till the BYOP the end of July.

  Mom is closing in on her's (bottom).  As you can see the colors are her "usual" palette.

I always get excited to see how everyone used their creativity on the Challenge Rug. 

 Can't wait to see them so get busy hooking ladies!!

Spring Has Sprung

As most of you know the weather in Northern Iowa has been UNBELIEVABLE!!

The garden shed has been emptied and plants have begun to peek through the dirt.

I thought I would share with you Dad's latest creations.  

Above is the very latest................these were all assembled on Sunday afternoon.  I believe that is is going to be a fountain?  It is located just off the swing that Dad has built.

This is/was a failed attempt...................Dad took a large rubber ball and cut it open and poured cement in it to make an orb.  Good idea but it needs work yet.  Somehow the ball deflated and Dad didn't get the final result that he wanted.  I imagine that he will conquer it yet..............He is very clever.  

My son Sam got to spend the day with Grandpa looking for the PERFECT sized ball......................think they should have bought 2!?  :)

I am anxious to see how the garden evolves this year.  We are so ahead of schedule with the weather that it is a little weird!

Happy Spring!!

Out on a Limb..............................

Mom and I have always had a love of cross stitch Samplers.

  

We have recently noticed an increase in cross stitch projects.  Is cross stitch making it's way back?  We have no idea but decided to branch out just a little.

We came upon this new pattern by Country Stitches called "House of Blues and Browns."

It is a cross stitch sampler at one end and then brown ticking (which we LOVE) at the other end of a pillow.

Sooooo we decided to take a risk and order the patterns and all supplies necessary to complete the pillow.

We try and think about what we would like in a kit and relate that to our customers.  We have neatly packaged ALL supplies neccessary to complete this wonderful project.  We have even included a needle and a nice see-through mesh bag.............................just in case you buy it, tuck it away and forget what you bought?!  :)

All you do is grab the bag and you are good to go!  Simple.  And we love Simple!!

Now, we packaged 6 kits and when they are gone.........................they are gone!  

If you are interested please let us know.  We have already sold 3 kits.

We are waiting on the back order of the ric-rack but decided to put the kits out anyway.  If you do purchase the kit we will send you the ric-rack with free shipping.

The kit retails for:  $39.95

Ariosa 22 count, approximate finished size 11.5 x 13 (pillow size)

P.S.  We are anxiously awaiting linen for 3 more cross stitch kits.  These are from a different designer (which we adore) and I will post as soon as the linen arrives.

For those of you that think your eyes are too bad for cross stitch...............there are these things called magnifying glasses (2.50) and they work great.  I keep mine tucked in with my kit so they are always there when needed.