A Birthday and A Blast from the Past!

Saturday my 9th grandbaby, Jesse, turned one. I can't believe how fast the year went by! I made these two little bags for him and some shapes and matching squares to put in them.



I also made this hat for my nephew, Levi, who collects hats. Levi is having a birthday soon and my sister wanted a hat similiar to the one our Grandma had made for us out of Beer Cans back in the 70's. Remember those? The hat was easy to make and I think it turned out pretty cute.

I've also been working on my swaps and can't wait to share some pictures of the things I've been making for those. I need to go sew some more and finish up the rest of the, way to many, swaps I joined.

Also if you can please include my Dad in your prayers and send any healing thought towards him in Kansas I would really appreciate it.

Have a wonderful and productive day!!!!

Show-n-Tell Time

I made this little baby quilt and matching basket for Earl's niece, Annie, who is having her first baby hopefully anyday now.

This is an ornament that I made for the YOE swap I'm in.

and this is the tote bag that went with the ornament. The theme was mermaids so I thought a beach bag would fit in with the mermaid idea. I love the vintage girly fabric.

I've made some other things over the last couple of weeks, but I'll share them later.

Have a wonderful day!

Relapse and a Little Story

I spoke to soon the other day. I got sick again with a fever and a killer back ache again on Sunday. I finally got a ride to the Dr.'s office (Thanks Jake!) on Tuesday and saw my P.A. and she said I have a UTI. I started my antibiotics last night and am feeling somewhat better this morning. Yay!! I have to go back to the Dr.'s tomorrow because they're concerned about it possibly being more than a UTI and my P.A. wants me to be seen by my actual Dr. I just want to feel normal again, so hopefully these antibiotics will clear up whatever I have.

Today Jace wanted so badly to go to work with Earl. Earl said, "Jace, I wish you could!" Jace says, "Daddy, your wish came true, I'm ready to go with you." Unfortunately, Earl had to go to work leaving both of them with a broken heart and mommy with tears in her eyes.

Wow! It HAS been Awhile!

Last Friday, after a busy day of sewing and crafting, I felt really tired and ache. Then on Saturday and Sunday I ran a fever all day and I was so ache. Anyway, I feel better now, not perfect, but better. It has been beautiful here in NY and the kids and I have really enjoyed the warm weather.

Mallory and Jace at the bus stop

The kids playing in the sprinkler

Jace and Anthony are making "mud soup"


Have a wonderful weekend!

Dandelion Wishes and Fairy Gliders

Today the sun is shining and although it's just a tiny bit chilly, it's beautiful outside. So Jace and I decided to take advantage of the nice sunny day and we went out and collected Dandelion Wishes and Fairy Gliders. We decided that we better collect some for later use because Daddy will be mowing the dandelions down tonight and when summer's over so will be these little simple pleasures.

Usually we call these helicopters, but we decided today that they would be really cool for the fairies to play on.

So now they are Fairy Gliders.

Jace is picking some wishes to put in the jar

Wow, we have a lot of dandelions!
Why are Dandelions probably the most beautiful flower to a child,
but to adults they are ugly and just a weed?
Beauty and wishes
who couldn't ask for more in something so simple?!



Here's Jace with his jar full of wishes and Fairy Gliders.
Later we can make wishes and leave the fairies little surprises to play on.

Oh, by the way, I DID NOT pick out Jace's outfit. The orange shorts, furry jacket and cowboy boots are his wardrobe choices and who am I to argue with him over it.

Brown Paper Bag Ideas

There's still six more days to sign up for The 3rd Annual Brown Paper Bag Swap. I've got 10 creative, crafty ladies who are up for the challenge (they are listed on my sidebar)! I thought I'd share a few more items that were swapped in the past 2 years.

This is an organizer that the talented Jessica made.

Her work is gorgeous!

Here is a brown paper bag scrapbook that I made.

and then these adorable little Ladybug cupcake toppers by Val.

So if you've been inspired by these brown paper bag creations and you want to join in on the fun make sure you email me at sherryreneew@hotmail.com

May Day Swap

I participated in Valrie's May Day Swap and Valrie was my partner. She went all out and spoiled me rotten! See the lovely bouquet? Valrie made that and she upcycled the pot that it is in.

Look at all the goodies she sent me.

Thanks Valrie!

You really went all out and made my day!

Here's what I sent to Valrie. My Tussie Mussie is inspired by my friend Melinda. It isn't even close to the kind of work that Melinda does, but I really liked how it turned out.

and then I also sent her some other goodies.

I had fun sewing all the flowery patchwork things.

Thanks Valrie for a fun swap!

Brown Paper Bag Ideas for My Swap...Now That you Have Some More Ideas, Why Not Join????

There is still a week left to sign up for my Third Annual Brown Paper Bag Swap. I wanted to share a few more of the things that some talented ladies made in the past 2 swaps.

This is a journal that Leslie.

The top picture is the outside of the journal and on the inside

she put this cute little brown bag pocket.

I love how Leslie used a brown paper bag as an embellishment to the journal

and I love that I was the lucky recipient!

Here is a bird and birds nest that Val made for her partner.

Very cute and creative!

and Tammy made journals too along with some

extra goodies she sent along with her package.

So, now I know everyone is going to be rushing to sign up for my swap since I've shown you some more wonderful projects from the past. Email me at sherryreneew@hotmail.com to join in on the fun!

Sewing Machine Problems??

If you need a part to your sewing machine I would highly recommend using Discount Sewing Machine. I ordered my foot controller to my Brother machine and had it within a couple of days. The belt for my old Kenmore was a little more difficult, but John the owner of Discount Sewing Machine was very kind and helpful. He sent me a belt that he thought would work and then wrote me a note to let him know if it was the wrong one. The belt didn't work so when I emailed John back with a picture of mine he asked me to send the old belt to him and within a week I had a brand new belt that fits perfect along with a nice note from John.

I am so pleased with the service I received from John who is all the way in Texas. I will definitely be contacting him in the future if my machines decide to act up again. He has lots of parts to many different types of machines. John has drawings of each picture in case you don't know the technical name of the piece you are looking for. So, Thank you so much John for you personal service and for fixing my 2 sewing machines and for making me one happy person!

I Wished for It and I Got It! Hee-Haw!

I really wanted to be in the Sweet Goodness' Vintage Cowgirl Swap and they ended up having another last minute opening.....So I got in!!! Woo-Hoo!

I'm a sucker for anything Western

....actually I've been thinking

wouldn't it be great to have

Johnny Depp in a western?!?!?

I think I would be in heaven!


I am going to be one busy girl for the next month. I'm really excited about all the swaps though and I am probably going to start babysitting again soon, so this will definitely be the end of my swapping for awhile.

I was asked a question about the tag swaps. What do you do with the tags? Usually the person hosting the swap makes a little tag book up. Usually that means they put a ring at the top of all the tags that everyone sent in and then send each participant a set. My intention though is to make a scrapbook up of all of the tags and ATC's I have received for the different holidays and set it out for on the coffee table for everyone to see.

I'm off to sew. I have 2 swaps that are going out tomorrow and some projects for family members that I want to get out this weekend. So I'd better get busy!

Have a wonderful day!

Okay, What's Wrong with This Picture??

Okay, yesterday I went over to SwapDex to see the posting about The Third Annual Brown Paper Bag Swap that the sweet Jenna had done for me.

Big mistake on my part!!

Jenna had been busy posting other swaps too.

Wonderful, exciting, funfilled swaps. I tried so hard to resist.

I really did.

I'm already doing a monthly Year of Enchantment swap with Val, a Pin-Up Girl Apron Swap with Val and a May Day Swap with Valrie, so as you can see I really didn't need to visit SwapDex.

I have been being a really good girl this year with not visiting SwapDex and feeding my addiction to the whole swap thing, but I had to go there.

Yes, I had to go there,

but Look at the great swaps I found!!!

Jessica at Kids Knapping, I'm Scrapping is having a Pretty Pockets Swap

Wendy is hosting her first swap - Around the World in 20 Tags

and I just snuck in on it. I was the 20th person to sign up.

WooHoo!

I'm doing my tags on Jordan.

and I haven't got my confirmation email back yet, but I signed up for

Linda from A Swap for All Seasons

The Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue Swap

So, I just want to know "What is wrong with this picture?"

I go to to just peek at a posting and wind up joining in 3 more swaps. I guess I should be grateful that the Vintage Cowgirl Swap is already filled because I really, really, really wanted to do that one.

Oh, and by the way, I know all of you swappers are really hyped about The Third Annual Brown Paper Bag Swap and maybe I posted the wrong email address because so far I have only received 1 enthuastic blogger friend's email. My computer has been a little wonky lately so maybe that's the problem.

So anyway,

here it is again sherryreneew@hotmail.com

Don't be shy now. It's going to fun and get those creative juices flowing!

Are You Ready For the Most Exciting Swap of the Year??

Yes, it is that time of year again and I KNOW many of you swappers have been anxiously awaiting for me to host this swap again.

Well, it's finally time for the:

Okay, I know I am going to be swamped with all you crafty people rushing to sign up for The Third Annual Brown Paper Bag Swap! I promise to do my best to keep up on the rush of people to sign up. So please be patient with me!

Brown Paper Bag Scrapbook

by Melissa



Two years ago I hosted my first swap and I was amazed at how creative people were with a simple brown paper bag. So it’s April 27 again and I am hosting The 3rd Annual Brown Paper Bag Swap. The Brown Paper Bag is such a simple item and how many of us started off as little kids crafting with brown paper bags? In school we decorated them for goodie bags, made puppets out of them, used them for our lunches, etc.... My mom made my little guy, Jace, a brown paper bag scrapbook when he was born. It was so cute and yet so simple. I love it!!




Variety of Tag
by Me - Sherry


So what I am thinking is that we (hopefully others like this idea too and join the swap!) could use a brown paper bag and create something for our partner out of it. It doesn't matter how you use the bag as long as it is somehow used in your swap. It could be added to your art piece, made into a tag, it could be the main part of the item, whatever you can come up with.





A basket and little pouch

by Angela

Swap Rules:

1. You must use a brown paper bag in your handmade swap item. You can purchase things to add to or embelish though.

2. You MUST contact your swap partner by email. You need to say "Hi", introduce yourself and then tell them a little about yourself. I am making this a rule because I have participated in a couple of swaps and have never heard from the person I am exchanging with. I think this takes away from the whole point of the swap and kind of leaves everything up in the air. Make a new friend, it doesn't mean you have to email them constantly, but be friendly.

3. Please thank your partner for the package they send to you. I hate when I swap with someone and they don't just say "thank you". I may be late on most of my swaps, but I do put a lot of work into them and I do appreciate the work that my partner puts into theirs. Everyone likes to here "thank you!"

4. There is $15.00 (+ or - a little) price limit. All Homemade is fine!!! Please don't worry about going out and purchasing things. I'm sure between tags, cards, scrapbooks, etc..... everyone can come up with enough stuff to feel satisified. Please just be comfortable with yourself and what you send.

Paperbag Toadstool

by Val

Okay, sounds simple enough, and I know it sounds so exciting that you all can't wait to get started. Am I right or am I right?

Pizza Scrapbooking Set

by Valerie



Please email me at sherryreneew@hotmail.com or leave me a comment on my blog if you would like to join the swap. I need your:

Name:
Mailing Address:
Email address:
Blog address if you have one:



I will take sign ups until May 18, 2010. The mail out date for your brown paper bag item will be June 12, 2010 (that is anniversary day the patent was granted for the machine that makes the paper bags we use now days.)

A Wall Hanging

by Me -Sherry


If your interested, here is a little history on the Brown Paper Bag as we know it now. There were other paper bags before this and other people involved in the invention of the bags. I just decided to post about the type of bags that are familiar to us now days. Square-Bottom Paper Bag w/ pleated sides On June 12, 1883 the U.S. Patent office issued #279,505 to Chas Stilwell a patent for a paper bag machine. After fighting for the Union in the Civil War, Charles Stilwell began to tinker with the idea of making a better paper bag. Paper bags already existed at this time, but they had many flaws. They had to be pasted together by hand; their V-shaped bottoms prevented them from standing on their own; and they were not easily collapsible or conveniently stackable. In the summer of 1883, Stilwell put into operation the first machine to produce paper bags. The bags had flat bottoms for standing up straight by themselves and pleated sides that made them easy to fold and stack. Dubbed the S.O.S., or Self-Opening Sack, it remains in widespread use today. With the birth of the American supermarket in the early 1930s, demand for Stilwell’s paper bags skyrocketed. Their versatility, strength, and low cost made them first a nationwide then a worldwide phenomenon.
　

Sewing, Crocheting and Raising Kids

I've been enjoying my sewing machine working again. The foot controller just needs the tiniest bit of a push and then Brother just takes off sewing. Brother and I made an apron, a few really cute banners and a baby quilt last week. I also made a CapriSun bag for Mallory that turned out really cute. The apron and banners are in my Etsy Shop or you can peek at them on my sidebar if you want. Okay, I'll show one picture here on my blog, just because I think these banners are just so darn cute.

During t.v. time at night I've been crocheting. I've got about 5-6 projects going all at once. I'm not sure why I do that??? Part of me thinks it is so I don't get bored working on one project, but the other part of me thinks I just get so excited when I think of something that I want to make that I have to start it then and there or my brain will explode from obsessing about it.

Now, for the raising kids part. I have 5 adult children and they have turned out great. I now have 3 kiddo's at home. Ezie is 11. Need I say more? Out of all of the stages and ages of my kids, 11 seems to be the most trying age on me. I think that 11 year olds are irritable, antagonistic, mood swinging, opinionated, know-it-all ........ people. It was hard for me to actually type in the word people and not monster, but I do see a glimmer of my old child every once in awhile so I'll still hope their is a human being in there somewhere. Then to top it all of Ezie starts middle school in the fall. OMG! I remember middle school. I know I was very trying for my parents back then and I probably deserve everything I am getting. So I will try to be a patient mom. I will try to listen before I react. I will be firm, but give my child his wings.....slowly.....in baby steps. I'm not ready for this, but Ezie isn't waiting for me to get ready. He is on his way to becoming a young man who I know I will be very proud of and love him just as I did before he turned 11, I mean, as I do now.

I Received some "Royal Mail"

Look at what I received in the mail yesterday postmarked by the "Royal Mail". Doesn't "Royal Mail" sound so cool compared to "US Postal Service"? It just sounds a little more magical.

Anyway, inside the package were these super cute tins. Aren't they so cute! They make me smile just looking at them! My sweet blogger friend Angel sent them to me all the way from the UK. Angel knew I liked these because her daughter Kelly had sent me the magnets that go with the set awhile back. I love tins and these are the cutest little tins! Thank you so much Angel for thinking about me and for your generosity!

Lessons Learned, Our Anniversary and New Arrivals

Earl and I had our Unofficial 13th Anniversary yesterday. I say it's unofficial because Earl just kind of gradually moved in with me and we don't remember exactly when it was, except that I remember it was around April 15th.

So April 15th it is. We've NEVER celebrated our anniversary, I guess because we don't have an official date or neither one of us is really into big celebrations. Mallory was very excited about the whole thing though and so being such a sweetheart she went out and bought 3 cards. One for me to give to Earl, one for Earl to give to me and one for her and the boys to give to us. Mallory had our neighbor take her shopping and she picked out the cards and went she went to pay for them the total was $12.06. She had enough money and didn't want to say anything about the price so she went on and bought them. Poor baby! She had no idea how much cards cost. Mallory was so excited for us to exchange cards last night and the one she bought for us was really funny and of course she had to read it to us with different voices which made it even funnier. You have to know Mallory to really appreciate her sense of humor! Anyway, we had a quite, but very nice anniversary this year Thanks to one very special little girl.

and next

the parts I had ordered online for my sewing machines

came in the mail today.

So here is my new foot controller

and I'm glad to announce that

Brother is working wonderfully!

Something Pretty

Here is something I was working on when my sewing machine decided to act up. I bought these precut squares last year and then I had this red vintage fabric in my stash. I don't have anything this color, but I'm thinking I'm going to make pillows out of these and either save them for a redo on the bedroom or living room. I love the colors and I have some a couple of vintage chenille bedspreads that I might use for the backing. Anyway, I thought they were pretty and wanted to share them with you.

An Inspiring Woman

The world has lost a wonderful woman today. One of my best blogging friends, Valerie has the sweetest Granny in the whole world. Granny turned 96 years old in October. Just last week Granny made 2 quilts. Last summer Granny was still gardening and canning. Granny has been a role model and an inspiration to many of us bloggers without even realizing it. I've never met Val or Granny, but I haven't quit crying since I read about Granny's death. It's amazing how someone we don't even know can have such an impact on our lives. I know that she is happy in heaven, but please remember Val and her family in your prayers. Thank you Val for sharing Granny with us ....she will always hold a special spot in my heart and I will alway treasure her.

Treasured Heirlooms

Cathy at Treasured Heirlooms has a beautiful blog with all kinds of pink and pretty things to show you. Cathy is also having a giveaway so make sure you check out her blog. Be prepared to spend some time just oohing and aawing over her beautiful photos of her treasures. So get your coffee or tea and go visit Cathy!

I Know I Should Be More Patient With Her, BUT Come on ..... Give Me A Break!!

Okay, I knew that the sewing machine that Earl bought for me at a garage sale was older (1968 according to Wikipedia). I was actually surprised when the old girl worked last week when I brought her in the house and plugged her in after sitting in the garage for almost a year and not knowing where she came from before that. I was so relieved at her working and saving me when my Brother sewing machine decided to unexpectedly die on me. I also know that Kenmore's tend to be excellent sewing machines. My mom had a Kenmore for years before she finally bought a Bernina (which is a day that I will never forget!) So I was just pretty pleased by finding this old and charming sewing machine.



I have been sewing all weekend and the old girl started to misbehave a little bit so I put a new needle in her and bought some new bobbins. She was doing so much better and I was so happy! Then, she started acting up again so I oiled her and cleaned her a little bit. Much better! She seemed quite happy and so was I as we were sewing along. Then today she decided to throw a tantrum. I wasn't very happy with her this time around and gave her a oil bath (which wasn't really necessary and caused me to have to deal with quite a mess afterwards!) and I cleaned her again and she was better this time. The old girl was working, but not good as she should be. I was getting quite frustrated and after naming her Bella (a very bold child I babysat last summer who could be so bad at times and then could turn around and be so good) and using sewing machine language on her (which, I'm embarrassed to say, only escalated with time). Earl told me it might be the belt so after I took Bella apart I discovered that yes, the belt was dry and cracking.

So Bella I'm sorry that I judged you and cursed at you and you will be happy to know that I found a very nice website that has all these little drawings of sewing machine parts, model numbers and all kinds of little tidbits of information and I ordered you a new belt. Now if I ordered the right belt and you decide to work nicely after I replace the belt I am going to rename you to a name that has happier memories for me and my family and we are going to get busy with multiple sewing projects. I also found on this same website a new foot controller for your brother, well actually..... my, Brother sewing machine, and ordered him a new foot controller and some new bobbins. So I am hoping that in a week or two I have two happy and properly functioning sewing machines so that my blood pressure may remain with normal limits and so that I will be one happy Momma again.

Please wish me, Bella and Brother luck or I will be one miserable and unhappy girl!

A Few Good Days

We have had the nicest weather the last few days. Yesterday it was 87 degrees and the humidity was low so it was a perfect day. Two of my grandaughters are over and the kids are on spring break so it worked out great that they could all enjoy such a beautiful day together. The kids rode bikes, played in the water and set up a Lemonade stand. To make their day even better they ended up making $9.00 at their Lemonade stand. So today is suppose to be another nice day and then it's cold again. The kids are going to sell Lemonade again today and they came up with the idea to sell popcorn. They figured the popcorn's cheap and it will make people thirsty. Pretty good little enterpreneurs I would say! I asked the kids if they were going to pay their Daddy back for the cups, lemonade and popcorn and they quickly said, "uh, no" and ran out of the house. They are pretty darn smart!