Flea Market Find...

This morning hubby made me go with him to pick up something he needed for work which was about 1 hour away even though we're suppose to be on vacation. Well, my son wanted to go too, so at 7am we were off. Hubby promised me if I went with him we would get breakfast out. You will never guess where hubby took me. Yep you guessed it the TA Truck Stop!!!! Yep I ate breakfast with a bunch of truckers. LOL. I'll tell you it was the best breakfast buffet I ever went too. There were eggs, french toast, pancakes, bacon, sausage, potatoes, fresh fruit, biscuits, sausage gravy, grits, anything you could ever want. After breakfast we continued on our way picked up what we needed from the manufacturer and came home.

When we got home hubby asked if I wanted to go to the flea market in Kidron, which they have every Thursday. It is also livestock auction day too. This is in the middle of Amish country. There wasn't a ton there to see, but oh the fresh fruits and veggies. You could smell the fresh peaches when you walked by the booths. It was awesome. So we continued on and I came across a booth that had a bunch of primitive stuff. I got to talking with the guy and he told me he had two houses full of primitive stuff and needed to downsize and that's why he had this stuff here. So, with my puppy dog eyes I asked hubby for this cabinet. He said if I could get it for cheaper than the price listed I could have it.

Well, here it is...

Sorry but the sun was coming in the window behind it.






You should have seen the weird looks I got from people carrying it to the car. The back of the cabinet is metal. If I decide to hang it I have no idea how we're going to do it. As of now I'm not quite sure where it's going to go, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

Then I talked hubby into going to an antique store just up the road that I've never been too. They had some awesome stuff, but I didn't buy anything because I really need to sell some of my fall stuff first. There were crocks, and dry sinks, and all kinds of good stuff for decent prices. I'll have to go back later.

For those who are wondering I do not have an etsy shop just my website. Hopefully I will be adding some fall items to the website by the middle of August. One of the scarecrows I made was not bought by the shop owner so it will probably end up on there.

Wylde Woman Award

I was given another award by Robin at The Robin's Nest. I have been meaning to post this sooner, and I must apologize to Robin for not doing so. I am so flattered by her generosity. She has the most amazing pictures and has taught me how to take better ones along the way, not that they are great yet. LOL. If you haven't visited her yet you really need to. She just became a grandma again. How do you do it Robin being 21 and all!!! LOL.

Isn't this so awesome.



Here's the rules...

You may give it to one or one hundred or any number in between-it's up to you. Make sure and include links to their blog.


And remember the Purpose of the Award: To send love and acknowledgment to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.

Everyone on my blog roll is so deserving of this. You all have touched my life in ways you can't ever imagine. The wonderful kind comments and friendship you have given me are so overwhelming. You all feel like sisters to me and I wake up each morning to see who has left me a message and go to bed saying a prayer for each of you. For those not on my blog roll yet I am working on it and please let me know if you would like to be added. So to all of you thank you so much for visiting my blog and keeping me going.

Watcha Working on Wednesday

If you are not familiar with Wednesday go on over to Leslie's My Country Home. Of course I am still working on fall stuff. I finally got my behind in gear over the weekend and made some more scarecrows. These are more my style then the one I showed last week.





These still need hangers on the back.




We went canoeing with the kids yesterday and I let my daughter use the camera so here are a few pics.

Hubby who hates his picture taken.



Geese floating beside us.


Me for those who didn't know. teehee



Awesome pic my DD took.



And of course what camera person 's day is not complete without a close-up.



Now don't forget the next step for the floorcloth will be next week. So be sure to come back. Ok well, come back before that too. LOL.

Tutorial Tuesday

Everyone is just so baffled by my brilliance with names aren't you? First it's Fat Friday now Tutorial Tuesday. How do I do it? LOL. Come on admit it you are so interested in what I'm going to post next you are just sucked right in. I know I know. LOL. I know you are all saying where in the heck does this girl live does she have no life that she sits and thinks about this stuff. The answer well........... (enough with dots already) No!!! I have no life are you happy I said it. Just kidding.

So as promised and by request by Kim at Simple Needs I'll give you a list of what we'll need to make a floor cloth. My way is not the only way and may not be the right way, but this is how I do it.

This is STEP #1 SUPPLIES

For the cloth/linoleum floorcloth you will need:

a piece of linoleum remnant(My Mom gave me the scraps from her bathroom because I told her I would paint my own rug on it. Needless to say she just shook her head and handed it over.) Check at a carpet store or we have a place called Odd Lots which sells small pieces. If you have a piece rolled up lay it out flat in sun for a few hours to make it more pliable and lay smooth. OR

A piece of heavy weight duck cloth (If you want to attempt a big one Lowe's has their painter drop cloths that work wonderful and the hem is already sewn in or you could cut out the size you want from one.) Make sure it is the cloth kind. You can also purchase this duck fabric at Wal-mart or Jo-Anns. I know duh Mary we know that! You could also buy a preprimed and hemmed floor cloth piece from several places online. If you need the name of any please let me know.

Paint- I like to keep all paint from projects I've done. Whether it be painting the walls, furniture, or whatever I use these paints. They are all latex paints. Easy clean up with these. Paint brushes and I like to use a small roller and pan for the base coat it goes on much quicker, but it is up to you.

I use a lot of blue painters tape.

A ruler for straight lines on borders.

Stencil if you'd like or for those who can freehand even better.
(If using a stencil you will need regular stencil paint like Delta or Apple Barrel or whatever you use).

Polyurethane I use Minwax

Optional: A gel stain of your choice. I happen to have Chestnut so we're going to see how it turns out. I haven't used this color before. This is to age your cloth if you choose but not necessary.

I know I'm weird, but I like to have a drop cloth for under my project, so I use an old shower curtain or go buy one for a couple bucks at the dollar store. Wait til I show you mine. There is a ton of paint from many projects on it. LOL.

The technique is a little different from linoleum to fabric. So bare with me when I try to explain both at the same time. This should be all we need to get started. If I think of anything else I'll let you know ASAP.

Several things I've done. I am by no means an expert in floorcloth making or painting on fabric. There are many other people out there that know much more than me. Like I say this is the way I do it that I will share with you.







Step #2

Step #3

Oh Yay it's Monday... AGAIN!!!

I have been debating as to what to post today. I have several things that I'll be sharing this week, but I couldn't decide what to start with. I know what a terrible dilemma. LOL. As usual the weekend went by so fast. Friday night for my sons birthday we went to Red Robin per his request. My sister and BIL and nephew joined us. All I can say is I'm glad I don't have a 2 year old anymore. LOL. My nephew is the ornriest little boy you've ever seen. Not that it matters, but my sister adopted him and he is an only child and is SPOILED!!!! I just shake my head because before she had kids she had all the best parenting ideas about what she would do and not do and how her child would act. Well..... that all went out the window with her son. LOL. Too funny! Of course they brought my son an ice cream sundae and sang to him. My son does not like to be embarassed like that and if he could've slumped down in the booth any more he would have been on the floor.

Saturday I again worked on some more fall crafts. I will have those to share with you on Wednesday. My daughter went with my hubby to the farm to cut hay and do some other chores. She loved it because he let her drive the combine in the field. She has never done that before and it scares me to death because she gets so confused easily. Which reminds me I got the kid's achievement test scores this week. My daughter did awesome since her IEP allowed her to have help with hers. She had the most help on her writing portion. She was allowed to have a scribe write down what she tells them because of her disability her brain is going much faster than her hand can write and she misses words and parts of thoughts. So she gets low scores because her writing doesn't make sense. So she passed both the reading and writing portion, but failed her math portion only by 8 questions. This is much better than the last time she took this test so I am overjoyed. Another part of her disability is that she does not understand abstract ideas and math is one of those. The doctors have told us she will always struggle with math and is in the learning disabled class for this. I have to tell you I am so glad we moved to a better school system. It is a huge relief and blessing haveing teachers who can help my child. As for my son well... I now have leverage when he comes home and says 4th grade is too hard. He scored in the highest categories of both reading and math. He does not work to his ability because he doesn't think school is important. I am thinking he is bored and is not paying attention and that is why he thinks school is hard. Anyway, I am so proud of both my kids and their scores.

Alright I know stop with the boring stuff and get on with the good stuff. I just had to brag a little you know. :-) Just so you know I am working on a tutorial for painting a floorcloth. I think what I'll do is break it down into a couple weeks so it isn't all coming at you at once. Plus it makes you come back and read to see when I add the next part. See I'm thinking now. hehe. Yes, Yes, I hear it now you are pounding your head on the desk saying stop blabbering and get on with some pictures... I AM SO BORED WITH YOUR TALKING MARY STOP I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!! LOL. OK OK

So my Mom gave these to me last week. Aren't they cool. It is a set of little books. There is no date on them as to when they were printed. Each book is maybe 8-10 pages. They were my great aunts who is 92. I am thinking I need to get some big frames and put them under glass and put them on the walls. Just a couple in each frame. Not sure though.



Aren't the graphics just awesome.



Some of these I have never heard of.



Couple of close ups of a few of the books.







Then I found this newspaper in the bottom of a trunk I got from my great aunt. Not sure you can read the date but it is from August 24, 1934.






Thanks for hanging in there with me everyone. I'll try to shorten it up this week in my other posts. Yeah right you all know me too well. LOL. Although, I may not post every day as hubby is taking a couple vacation days and we are hoping to do some things with the kids. So til next time.

Random Act of Kindness

I was so excited when I opened my mailbox today! I saw an envelope from my friend Jo Anne from The Carter Clan. It had a lump in it and I wondered what in the world could this be. So I tore it open and found these...

These pictures do not do these justice. They are gorgeous silver earrings with pink. I have never owned a pair of earrings like this. They are just awesome! I tried to put them in and take a pic, but the pic didn't turn out to my liking because my rosacea is flared and it looked horrible.



Aren't these awesome!



Then she even included a hand-made card. I LOVE anything handmade. Joann you have no idea how much you made my day! I have never been the recipient of a random act of kindness before. THANK YOU!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to my Son!!!

Today is my baby's birthday. He is 9 years old today. Oh how time flies when you're having fun huh? I wish I had a scanner to show baby pictures but I don't so I'll show ones I have from the last year. He is so much a Mama's boy. He loves to give hugs and kisses and tells me all the time that he loves me. He's even gonna live with us when he gets married so he says because he loves us that much. I do admit I do baby him, but I just can't resist.



He is my little adult. Many people have told me that they feel like they are talking to another adult when they meet him. My son could talk your ear off about heavy equipment, farms, how to put a roof on, and change a tire. He has had to grow up a little quicker than most kids because of his sister. He watches out for her and makes sure she is with us at all times. He has never been made to do this he chooses to. My son is smart as a whip and isn't afraid to tell you what he thinks. Unfortunately, this has gotten him into trouble many times. Ask Tiffany from Tiffany's Primitive Place. LOL



So my little boy. Mama loves you too. Happy Birthday!!!

Fat Friday Recipe!!!!

I tried to get pictures this week of what I made, BUT everyone dug in too fast. However; the recipes I'll share are already made in your homes. This is just a quick easy NON-cook from scratch way. :-) I told you guys I have no idea how to cook so here ya go. LOL

Crock Pot Swiss Steak
1 package of cube steak
2 cans of beef gravy (yes I say can because I don't know how to make it tehe)

I make a little mix of flour, salt pepper, and this time garlic (the stuff in the shaker from Tastefully Simple). Drag the meat through it and throw it a pan to brown on both sides. I then put in the crock pot smother with gravy and let it it cook all day.

Next I made my rendition of corn casserole.

Corn Casserole
1 box of Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 cup of cream corn
1 cup whole kernel corn (with some juice)
1/4 cup butter softened
1/2 cup sour cream
Last but not least cheese (we use cheddar)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease an 8X8 pan. Mix together all the ingredients shown above except the cheese. Pour into the pan and bake for 1 hour or until brown around the edges and set. After you pull it out sprinkle your cheese all over the top and let it melt.

So there you go sorry no pics of that today, but I will be back with pics after my son gets up. He turns 9 today. So I'm off to bake a cake for him and do what HE wants to do today! If any of you are posting recipes, and want me to post Mr Linky, I will just let me know and then check back a little later to see if it's up and post your blog on it so that we all can enjoy them.

P.S. Peper Creek Gatherings is having an awesome giveaway. Isn't this awesome. Please go check her out and enter.

I Have A Fabric Problem/ Fabric Anonymous Needed

Yes everyone it's true... (head hanging) My name is Mary and I am hooked on fabric. I have tried to stop, but to no avail I still buy more fabric. It started out as 1 yard but now it's not just a yard, but 2 and 3 or more at a time. I never pay full price for my fabric. I buy it at the thrift store or whenever it is on sale or I have a coupon. I know I know I am just making excuses, but I can't help it I have to have it. I never have a use in mind I just LOVE the fabric. Then come time to use it I can't. I LOVE it too much to cut it. LOL. I have a lot of fabric. I went through it last night and can't believe how much I truly have. I forget what I have most of the time. Well, here it is my latest buys and freebies. :-(


This first set is cottons and wools I picked up at the thrift store a couple weeks back. I spent about $8.00.



This was free from a lady I work with. There is about 8 yards I'd say. Cute little blue cotton print. I'm seeing cute little aprons and dresses for peg racks. hehe like my purple slippers.



The next two pics are a fusible quilt interfacing guideline stuff to make quilts. Free and I have two bolts. I really need to make a quilt for my bed.





This next pile of stuff also free. Cotton fabrics and muslin precut for candlewicking along with books on how to do it thank goodness. And then two rolls of stuff not sure what it is, but one says to sew on fabric then it automatically gathers the fabric for like ruffles when you pull this string. (I don't know whatever) Hey it was free right? But look at the fabric (eyes fixed on the pretty fabric chanting I LOVE this fabric) LOL.



The first step in recovery is admitting you have a problem. Well, I have a HUGE one. LOL. I better get busy sewing and using some so I can buy more. Oh wait what am I saying. I think I need to go to the fabric store I'm getting depressed, but it'll have to wait since I'm at work AGAIN.

It's a Giveaway!!!!

One of the fabulous ladies that I have met is having a giveaway. She has talent I'm telling you. Rush over and enter on her blog. It is Joann from The Carter Clan She is giving away an awesome prim tool box. Here's a pic I hope she doesn't mind I put it on here.




and I have been tagged at Cranberry Crossings for this little meme.


Sport: none
Game: connect four with my son
Color: all colonial colors
Movie: Schindlers List
Broadway play I have seen:
Broadway Musical I have seen: Les Miserables, My Fair Lady
Song: LOVE Christmas Music
American city I have visited: Cleveland,OH
Foreign city I have visited: Toronto Canada
Book: To be honest I don't have the attention span for a book
Children's Book: I think they were called the Golden Books
Classic television show: Love Boat
Recent television show: Deadliest Catch
Actor: I can't remember names the guy who played in Silence of the Lambs as Hannibal Lector
Actress: No favs
Perfume: Don't wear it
Food: hmmmm.... southern cooking
Dessert: pie
Chain Restaurant: Panera
Local Restaurant: Haven't been to any of them.
Car: Chevy Blazer
Condiment: yellow mustard
Kitchen Appliance: stove
Home Appliance: radio
Beauty Product: none
Piece of clothing: jeans
HGTV Show: don't watch not enough TVs
Food Network show: Never watch
Author:
Male Songwriter:
Female Songwriter:
Holiday: Christmas
Ballet I have seen:None
Disney character: Cinderella
Flower: Jacobs Ladder Rose
Alcoholic drink: Amaretto Sour
Non-Alcoholic drink: Cherry Pepsi
Magazine: Country Sampler
Animated movie: Toy Story
Television network miniseries: ?On Lifetime Loves Never Ending Story there are a bunch of titles they are written by Michael Landon Jr. They are running them all again Saturday
Season: Fall
Male vocalist: Josh Grobin
Female vocalist: no fav
Day of the week: any day I don't work
Household Chore: redecorating
Ice Cream: blueberry waffle cone
Candy: Snickers or Nestle Crunch
Artist: All of the fab ladies I've met on here
Quotation: God won't give you anything more than you can handle.

I am suppose to tag more people, but I too am taking the easy way out and saying whomever wants to particiapte please do.

Need An Extra Prayer

To all of you who pray could you please say an extra for someone in my life who is going through a tough situation. I don't want to elaborate, but this person knows who they are. Pray that they will have the strength and courage to face what they need to do and follow through. I know this person reads my blog so if you have any encouraging words for them please post them in my comments section. Thank you so much my friends.

Watcha Working on Wednesday

Let me first start out with an apology for any grammar and spelling mistakes as I just came off of a 24 hour shift.

As promised I will show you some things I've been working on besides my door. I have some other things in the works, but they are not done yet. Remember when I bought the quilted pieces from the thrift store. If not click here. Anyway this is what they became last week.

Not quite my style a little too bright, but I'll use them as pillow shams for awhile until I redo the bedroom but heck for $2.00 they work great!



Next my hubby FINALLY hung my peg shelf I bought weeks ago. I need to make some more bonnets and aprons, but for now they look OK. He laughs at me because of the bright white apron he says it doesn't go. Well, it is an authentic Amish apron that I bought so that I could use it as a guide and make some to sell. It will come down or get coffee stained after I use it.



Next thing is this little fall bag I came up with. The outside is burlap while the inside is lined in flannel. Then I hand stitched on some leaves. I thought it was too cute.



Then of course I have been on a pillow kick. I have no idea why, but I zipped these together. Do you like the screw drivers in the background. My hubby can't seem to pick up after himself.



Alright can anyone tell I am a Southpaw? The slant of my letters. LOL.



Last but not least my scarecrow. It is not prim enough for me, but I wanted to try the burlap for the head.



Other than that lets see I had to clean up puke from from son this AM, put dinner in the crock pot, start laundry, and clean my kitchen. Who knows if I get the kitchen accomplished you might get to see why I hate it so much. LOL.

My 2nd Bathroom

Alright I've decided to show you a little more of my home. Keep in mind I have not touched the upstairs at all yet. The colors are as they were when we bought this home last year. The holes in the walls are the ones they had with the exception of the shelf you'll see. Do you ever wonder why I keep showing you my bathrooms? Me too. LOL. If you want to see the other bathroom check here and here.Let the smart aleck comments begin... :-)


This is walking into my bathroom from the hall. HEHE hey there I am in the mirror!!!


I saw a shelf kinda like this one on ebay an asked hubby to build me one. Hubby put a back on mine and see that copper looking thing? That is a back splash piece from Lowes that is made to look like copper. I thought it was kinda cool. The wood is from the farm where he works that was laying in the barn.



My ugly shower... UGH I hate well water as it stains everything. Anyway I thought I'd spruce up the curtain with some greens.



Alrighty up til now have you seen any linen closet??? NO I don't have one. (Insert smart aleck comment here.) Where in the world am I suppose to put my towels and stuff??? And hey while we're at it yes everyone NO window in the bathroom either. I complain about the other Bathroom has a huge one and this one has none. LOL. I know what you're thinking are you ever happy??? :-)



So this is my solution this tiny little box thing for my towels. But you're saying why not put a cabinet with a door. Well, look closely yes BEHIND the door is another sink. Who would put a sink behind the door so close to the other one?? UMMMM... not me. So I can't slide anything between the sinks to put in the corner.



And then if you move the door you see that I have one towel bar. Yeah so luckily in my stash o' stuff I had an over the door towel hanger thank goodness.



So there you have it another bathroom. Aren't you enjoying your trip to my home. LOL. Don't worry I won't bore you tomorrow because it's Watcha Workin on Wednesday.

My New Old Door

Well, I just couldn't wait to share with you my door I finally finished. The hinges had to be stripped and painted, but I think it turned out awesome. My hubby says it makes the door look so much bigger than before. Then the next words were "Well, are you gonna go show all your girlie friends on your blog thingy?" I said yep sure am see ya later. LOL. So here it is. Now I just need to start on my bathroom door next.

Before: (I thought I had this pic somewhere, but just in case.)


After:


Also another sort of view of the floor, door, and wall colors... oh and of course Shadow who knew I was taking pictures and plopped himself down right in the middle of the rug. Can't say as I blame him the floor stays nice and cool right there because of the floor vent.


Oh yeah, I have added my home pics many of you have seen so far on my blog to Webshots. Click on the picture of my house in the sidebar.

We went to the rodeo on Saturday night, but dummy me forgot the camera so no pics. :-( It was really good though. The rodeo was about 45 minutes away in Sugarcreek (middle of Amish Country). Most of the riders were local so it wasn't anything like the professional rodeos you see on TV. My son decided he didn't want to go(he doesn't like the calf roping he thinks it is mean to the calves) and stayed with my in laws for another night. He left Friday night because grandpa was going to work on the church roof on Saturday and he wanted to help. So again he went for the whole weekend and came back Sunday in time to go to the combine demolition derby. So it was a special treat for my daughter to just go to the rodeo with me and hubby. My daughter enjoys the barrel racing the most. It was too cute they had the little kids in the audience come out in the arena for mutton riding. OK... wasn't sure what to expect at first, but they put sheep in the bull pins put the kids on the sheep's back tell them to wrap their arms around the sheep and ride til they fell off like the bull riders. It was adorable. Only one bull rider got hurt and he was the last one to ride. The got thrown off and then the bull stepped on him and then stuck him with his horns. The rider got up and stumbled out of the arena, but wouldn't let the paramedics look at him. So all in all it was really fun. And oh Nicole, if you ever get the chance to go to one you should it is a learning experience. I believe another rodeo is coming in August about 7 minutes down the road from our house, but I'm not sure we're going. Last year it was so packed that people left because there wasn't enough seating.

Yesterday we had thunder showers in the morning so again I stayed in and crafted. Then like I said my hubby and son went to the combine demolition derby in the afternoon. My son said it was awesome watching the huge machines crash into each other. Yeah not my cup of tea, but it was a Daddy day for him. He got to eat fair fries, pizza, and pop. Life is good at 8 years old when Mom isn't around. LOL.