Towels for my daughter

On Sunday there will be a large bridal shower here at the farm for my daughter. I made her a towel set, along with a few other gifts, some hand made and some not.
I had wanted to make a Topsy Turvy towel for some time now and it was not only easy to make but so cute!
If I get a chance I will post the other hand made gift I created for her.

Here I go again...

You would think that I would have enough variety in my creative outlets already. But, that may never be the case!

A few months ago I purchased a Cricuit Cuttlebug. For those of you that have no clue as to what that is, feel blessed that you have not found yet another 'tool' to buy supplies and accessories for. As for me, it is too late!

The Cuttlebug is a die cutting system that also does embossing. I have been making my own cards for nearly twenty years now using my computer and card making software along with some glitter glues and ribbon and such. I got bored with it and decided to get into adding cutouts and embossed designs to my cards.

And yes, while I got the Cuttlebug a few months ago, I am just now sneaking in some time to get into playing with it. I have found many inspirational how-to videos on YouTube to educate myself on what all can really be done with the Cuttlebug.

I hope to show some of my creations here as I get familiar with it and start really creating a few things. For now, I am still busy on my search for more and more creative ideas in using it.

This is June??

Today our weather reached about 55 degrees, with wind and drizzle all day. Is this really June?

Each year on about June 1st my peonies blossom. Sometimes a day later, but seldom much later than that. This year, today being June 7th, the buds have yet to open up.

My husband planted a LOT of trees today. Each time I went out to check on him it took me an hour after coming back indoors to warm up.

The rain is good to be getting though. There are areas that were really beginning to get overly dry and the farmers don't need that in such tough times.

All I can say is I sure hope we get to make up for the lost warmth by a late fall.

Bartering

With times being tough and money being tight, trading or bartering for things feels pretty darn good!

Last fall the carpenter installed some counter tops for us and asked if he could take his "pay" as computer repair from me. Of course my hubby gladly said, "YES!". Even though I wasn't home at the time to ask!

I didn't mind though. I am warped enough to love working on computers so it seemed like a fair exchange to me.

So, yesterday the carpenter brought out his college-age daughter's laptop. I re-installed the operating system and set her up with a good anti-virus program and... Everyone is happy!

Hmmm....I wonder if I can trade my sewing abilities for fabric. Or maybe I can trade my crocheting for a part-time baby to cuddle. Ohh, my head is swirling with ideas now!! ;)

Chasing a jack rabbit

I've been outdoors this evening chasing after a jack rabbit that seems to be nesting in my front yard.
It's a good thing my hubby is at work. He would just as soon see the rabbit dead than to have it eat at all of the new trees he has planted.

Clothing on Etsy

I have been considering creating a line of clothing to sell on Etsy. I would be happy to get opinions from you as to if you feel there is a need on Etsy for everyday and work clothing.

But first, I intend to use up my fabrics purchased for making baby and childrens items. I want to have the longest time possible to sell items used by children before the CPSIA law comes into effect.

Which brings me back to the line of adult clothing. I have had many people ask me about making clothing for larger sized women. Both pre-made and also custom made items.

I will continue to make purses/totes and other adult-use items as I do now.

Have YOU Seen This Man?

As a mother of four children, and now a grandmother to four, I want to use this space today to ask for your help in finding a fugitive who committed unforgivable acts against a young girl in 2001.
His name is Oscar Michael Trevino. He is wanted in Dodge County, Minnesota for the repeated rapes against a 13 year old girl who rode the school bus he drove.

Is this story real? Yes..here is the story of this school bus driver and the young girl he tortured:
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=40220

This is the link to the Sheriff's Department who is searching for him:
http://www.co.dodge.mn.us/sheriff_mostwanted.html

The child he raped was my daughter. She, and the rest of our family, moved on from this ordeal but one thing keeps us from purging him from our minds. He is out in the world living as though nothing happened. He is out free but hiding, rather than suffering in prison for his crimes. He is not paying the price for what he put my daughter through.
Help us find him please.

Uniting some of my sites

I am trying to catch up on my homepage these days. In the meantime, I think I will just connect a few of my sites so you can decide for yourself where you want to go. :)

Visit My Homepage

Visit My Etsy Shop

Hoping to catch up!

I am finally getting in gear here. Before Christmas my list of to-sew's and to-do's in general was so long. Now, I am getting back to my relaxing sewing again. The best kind.

I listed a new style of purse, for me at least, in my Etsy shop. I love the fabric I used in this one. Very in tune to spring, and let's face it, with temps -20 here in SE Minnesota thinking of spring can be such a pleasant thought!

I must admit though, when it is so cold, the sun is brightly shining and the snow is glistening it is so very beautiful. Each season holds such beauty and the changes in them only makes us appreciate the season all the more.

To catch up with family news I will start with this:
In family news, my oldest son, Jason, became engaged to Jenna this past November. Actually, they became engaged on the 30th anniversary of my husband Dan and I. Is that great or what!
They plan to be married after Jenna graduates college. She wishes to become a school teacher and we all wish her well in that. She will be great at it!

On to the rest of our children with future blogging. For now, I must move on with my day!

Such dread

I am really wishing that this CPSIA thing wasn't going to be reality in a month. It is not good for any of us with small business that create items for children.

It also isn't fair that we must pay the price due to the items shipped into the US being of unsafe quality. :(