Brown Paper Bag Swap - Part 1

I had 3 wonderful partners for The 3rd Annual Brown Paper Bag Swap that I hosted. All 3 were 1st time swappers and I must say they all 3 did an amazing job! Today I'll show you the first 2 and then tomorrow I'll post the 3rd one and the stuff that I made.

My first package was from Bridget Renea. Bridget was also my partner for the Pretty Pockets Swap and she did a wonderful job on both. Bridget went with the cowboy theme for me, which I love, and made me this cute Brown Paper Bag Scrapbook.

Bridget filled the book with tags and the cutest pages. I really like the accordian style pages and all the inking and details she added. Great job Bridget!

My sister Robyn made the next package. Robyn came up with some really creative things. I have to admit I was a bit surprised at how crafty and creative my sister is. I knew she was crafty, but I honestly had no idea how talented she really is!!

Robyn made these roses out of Brown Paper Bags. Every petal has been lightly burned to make the edges look more rustic. Aren't they gorgeous?!?!? I love these roses!!

these bows are made out of designed paper and brown bags.

Robyn also made me a little round box and lined it with denim, star ornaments decorated with bandana paper and brown paper bag stars, a couple of tags, these cute cowgirl signs and a frame with brown paper bags and western stuff on it and Johnny Depp in the frame. Oh yeah!

and look at this neat tote bag made out of a bandana and stitched to a brown bag. Robyn also added some western buttons to embellish it. Great Job Robby!



Thank you Bridget and Robyn! I am very lucky to have had you both as partners. I really appreciate the time you both put into making such creative and impressive packages!

Robyn doesn't have a blog, but please welcome Bridget Renea to world of blogging. She just started a blog the other day so go on over and say "Hi" to her. http://bestfriendsarebest.blogspot.com/

Something Old, Something .......

I participated in Linda's Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue Swap and Stephanie was my partner. I am so far behind in posting this, sorry Stephanie, my pictures turned out really bad!

Stephanie sent me a bag with some old sewing pins in it, some pretty cards, clips and yo-yo's, a pretty vintage hankie that she made into a sachet and it was put in a pink box with a daisy on it, some postcards with some pretty blue flowers, a necklace with a "S" on it and a neat wedding photo. Thank you so much Stephanie for everything you sent! I love the sachet and it goes perfect with my hankies collection!

I made her a Tussie out of a vintage hankie and my sister, Robyn, let me "borrow" the roses and the rose petals that are in the other bag. Thanks Robby!

I used the wedding images to make cards that can be used for weddings or anniversarys and included some little inserts and confetti. I made a couple of other things, but my camera is only working when it wants to. Stephanie has some gorgeous pictures on her blog, so make sure you go check them out and say hi to her!

Thanks Linda for a fun swap and Stephanie for being such a great swap partner! I had fun with this one!

Wanted: A Real Alien Spaceship

Living with a 4 year old is one of the absolute joys in life. They have imaginations that run wild, they're generally helpful, love to please you, independent, and they still like hugs and think that you're the most important and smartest person in the world.

Jace is no exception. This morning he asked me,

"Could please get me a REAL Alien Spaceship

for the 20 foot green monster

that's my new friend?"

So if any of you know where I can get a Real Alien Spaceship for cheap please let me know.

Thanks!

Pretty Pockets

I've kinda been lost inside my own little world for the last couple of weeks. Keeping to myself and just busy doing crafts. It's time to join the world again though!

I participated in Jessica's Pretty Pockets Swap and my partner was my new friend Bridget Renea. We hit it off immediately! Here is the Pretty Pockets that Bridget sent to me. She used a variety of fabrics, which I love, and even included some western fabric in there. I didn't get a picture of it, but there is a horse charm hanging with the ric rac. I'm going to put this on one of my doors and put pretty things in it for everyone to see.

Bridget also filled the pockets with a ton of goodies. She sent scrapbook stuff, little notepads, paperclips, and I love the photo of the woman on bikes. I'm going to get that framed and hang it up.

She also sent lace and fibers, candles, yo-yo's, vintage hankies and buttons, a tape measure and more buttons.

Here's the Pretty Pockets that I sent to Bridget Renea.

I added a crocheted flower, quilted heart, a lace flower and a couple of vintage lace doiles. I also crocheted a cover for the wooden hanger out of crochet thread.

This is a banner I made for Bridget and this is her photo of it hanging up next to her really cool headboard.

I made her an Uncle Sam and some other patriotic stuff

and then some French type stuff. I had a plaque that I had gotten on line and then I crocheted and embellished the other picute.

Thanks Jessica for a fun swap and I love the whole idea of the Pretty Pockets and have plans to make more for gifts. Thank you Bridget for being such a wonderful swap partner and a new friend!

Pin Up Girl Apron Swap

I was in Val's Pin up Girl Apron Swap and I got the best package ever! Shawnee, the Queen of Aprons sent me an amazing package. I got the cutest apron, one side is cowgirls and the other side is outdoor girls. My new apron is so perfect and pretty!!

If the apron wasn't enough check out the rest of the goodies Shawnee sent to me. I swear it was like opening a Christmas present. The cowboy boot clutch is the cutest thing! I LOVE it!!Shawnee sent me a really neat piece of fabric with different farmer and cowgirl pictures on it, a star made out of twigs, a horseshoe pin, paper plates, a glass boot filled with Boston Baked Bean candies, and then a couple of cowgirl recipes. Those Boston Baked Beans are one of my favorites from when I was a little girl and my Mallory says they're better than chocolate. Mallory doesn't say that about just anything either!

Here's the reversible apron I made for my partner. I also made her some heart hot pads and a crocheted tawashi and then added a dish towel and some chocolates. I hope she liked everything!

I have a couple of other swaps I need to post. My camera is ill and the lens cover doesn't want to open when I turn it on. I've charged the batteries and banged it a few times, but it still only works when it wants to. I think I'm going to have to ask Santa for a new one for Christmas, but keep it quite, because this camera might get really mad at me and quit working all together.

Vintage Cowgirl Swap

My partner for the Vintage Cowgirl Swap was Tammy.

Tammy made me this super cute little rag doll with a chicken.

Isn't she adorable?!?!?

Look at the little Wild West house she made too. Love it!

Look at all the cowgirl tags!

I love all the different pictures Tammy used. and inside the little trunk is an outfit and hat.

Isn't that the cutest thing ever?!?!?

Here's what I made for Tammy.

She wanted more country than cowgirl.

I cross stitched these little chickens and made a basket cover.

and then added some other goodies.

Thanks for a fun swap Tammy!

Flag Day Parade

Yesterday we went to Earl's sisters house for Flag Day Parade and a Birthday Party. We sat along the curb of her house and the parade was within a few feet of us. Jace LOVED the marching bands with all the instruments. We all had a wonderful time with Earl's family. The kids all played together well and and Earl had fun seeing his mom, Aunt and sisters again.

My camera wasn't cooperating so I didn't get a good shot of this Uncle Sam. Jace really thought he was cool though and he came right over to Mallory and shook her hand.

Jace was pretty much in awe the hole time

Mallory is having fun with her cousins

and her Grandma and Aunts

Here is another Uncle Sam. Troy, NY is the home of Uncle Sam.


We all had a wonderful time at the parade and with Earl's family!

Thanks guys!!!

Fiddle Faddle Piddle Paddle

Fiddle Faddle Piddle Paddle and that's all I have to say about that!

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!