Ginger N' Poor Lil Trixie.. Kitty Pattern

Oh no! what a situation for poor Trixie to be in... She is hoping someone will happen to see her plea for help! Could it be that Trixie only "thinks" Ginger has bad intentions? Perhaps Ginger is really a nice Kitty hoping to make a new friend... You can decide if you think Trixies in trouble or not, this could be a case of an over reactive mouse!

The pattern will be available within the week! This Kitty is a wall hanger.

My patterns can now be purchased on my website! See the link on my side bar.

Thanks for stopping by!

Good Kitty... Bad Kitty?? AND my unique wind chimes

Happy Friday! I wanted to share with you all a small PEEK at my next pattern project. I will let you decide what you think of this kitty's beaming face, can you guess?.... is she smiling because she is naturally a sweet, happy go lucky kitty?? OR does that smile suggest something more?  perhaps this kitty is mischevious and a bit naughty..  Something may be up with this sweet, or not so sweet feline! You will see.... I should be done with her within a few days, and the pattern shortly after "hopefully".

I will tell you that this kitty will be one you hang on a wall. The rest is a secret for now. :-)

I also wanted to share my unique wind chimes, the pictures aren't the best but you'll get the idea. I love these on my front porch, they are different and I love that! There is an artist I buy these from when she is at the Spokane Fairgrounds bazaars, they have them twice a year if you can ever make it. They are made with antique tea pots, goblets and plates. The silver utensils are antique as well, they are pounded out flat and holes drilled in each piece as well as the tea pot etc... A special wire connects the utensils, not sure what is used here. Any lids are glued shut. I really love how these sound in the wind, they  really are  nice not to mention so adorable! Here they are

This is my favortie piece! It gets quite a patina on it from being outside, but I bring it in every once in awhile and polish it back up.

Old Goblet

This picture really is bad! This plate is neat and this picture does not do it justice.

Another charming plate, no I wasn't trying to add in the orange electrical cord. :-(  Besides that, you can see what a neat idea this is to repurpose antiques in such a way! I hope this gets your creative wheels spinning.

Thanks for stopping by!

Old Road Primitives Giveaway!

Kim from Old Road Primitives is having a wonderful giveaway! Spring Fever Any Way You Want It. She always comes up with the most creative ideas and this is no exception. She is giving away a very generous chance to win $50.00 cash. The ending date is yet to be determined. You have to check out her tutorials too, they are the best! Her last one was on how to use your printer to print directly on fabric. You will love how she does this. Go check out her blog and get signed up.

Clara Belle Bunny!

I don't know about you, but it is windy, wet, did I say WET! cloudy and just plain yucky. I see birds though so Spring is coming!

I want to introduce the latest member of my pattern family.... Clara Belle Bunny. She luvs her carrots and believes in eating them everyday. :-) Her personality is just as she looks, slightly shy and oh so sweet! She has wired ears and arms. She is 14" NOT including her ears. She stands all by herself! Her face is handpainted. I am thinking this might be my last bunny for awhile, I feel like I should move on to other things... we'll see. I will have her pattern ready either tonight or tomorrow.

A Few Of My Favorite Craft Room Supplies

Today I am going to share with you some of my must have craft room supplies! These are things I would be lost without and make my life a lot easier when I am creating. I am a supplyaholic so when I say the word "some" I really mean it!! LOL I have a room full of loved supplies, but these are the ones on my top list. What I am going to show you can be purchased at www.dollmakersjourney.com , www.clothdollsupply.com , http://www.airtex.com/product/prdFiberfill.asp .

First up is waxed linen cord. It comes in 25 yard spools. Why do I love this? Sometimes even crochet thread can break if you are pulling it a bit too tightly. This happens to me a lot because I stuff my things very hard! I use this cord to anchor necks, arms or whatever I need anchored tight. It threads fine on my larger needles. It has a waxy coating that makes it so when you pull tight, it stays so you can knot it off without having trouble keeping it tight. It is just plain wonderful stuff and I have found many uses for it. I have tried  my best to pull and break this stuff and I can't do it. If you sell your dolls you want to be sure things won't come undone on your piece.

Barbara Willis Stuffing Forks, oh my if you only knew how wonderful these were you'd be ordering them today. They are a rigid metal with a notch on the ends. It grabs the stuffing in the ridge and pulls it anywhere you want to put it. Sometimes all I need to do to get it going is just push, in small areas with a smaller amount of stuffing, just give it a twist first and walla!! These come in extra small for tiny doll fingers and such, and the blue is the regular size which is what I use 98% of the time. If I can't find it I panic!! I simply would not stuff too small of things before this tool, now I can stuff anything. The best invention ever.

This is Air Tex Pemium stuffing, the absolute best stuff ! I have used them all and it really is as good as they say. This is the stuff  top doll designers use and it's for a reason! Regular craft store stuffing does not even come close to this. Some stores will carry the air tex, but it has to be the (Premium). It does not lump, feels nice and stays where you put it. I order it in the 5 lb box, shipping is reasonable and if you have a business license you can get this big box for 16 dollars and some change. Shipping UPS is 11.00 to 12.00 dollars.

Mica Flakes are what makes all my snowmen and Christmas projects sparkle and shine. These are like the old fashioned mica flakes were, they aren't white but a nice hue as you can see. Love this stuff for winter creating.

These are hemostats, lovely tools that lock shut when you pinch them tight. They grab those small areas and allow you to turn your projects right side out with little to not trouble. Mine is a medium length and slightly curved on the ends. I could not turn my pieces without this handy dandy tool!!

GRRRIP Gue is fantastic stuff! I beleive it's the dollmakers journey site that has a small demo on how you can use this to reinforce your seams like fingers etc... It is a flexible glue and super strong. This stuff will glue anything and is my second favorite behind fabri tac glue. This is a must have!

I am simply in love with fabri tac glue, and in my opinion no substitutes. There are a few times I need hot glue, but very little anymore thanks to this miracle glue. It is clear, non messy, glues doll hair perfectly, fabrics if you don't want to sew, just anything really. No more lumpy messy hot glue. On the bottle I beleive it says you can throw your hot glue away! Glues super strong and you simply cannot see it when it dries. I buy the largest bottle they make of this stuff.

I use a ton of glass glitter for my snowmen and winter projects, it is gorgeous. I use it along with the mica flakes and I also use a lot of glamour dust. I get the glamour dust and big jar of glass gitter at Michaels! Apply your micas and glitters over any surface you have sprayed adhesive or watered down grippp glue onto. I also have sprinkled these things over projects that were freshly coated with Delta's varnishes.

11-12 gauge aluminum wire is wonderful for adding wire to doll arms etc... flexible yet strong. I also like this 20 gauge copper wire. It depends on the project as to which one I use.

Last but not least is my beloved opti visor! Even if you think you can see just fine you would still love this if you tried it. I cannot see the details to paint, thread my needles etc.. without it. Fine eye lashes and crisp painted edges aren't possible for me without it.

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my favorite tools!

Spring and new beginnings!

Good morning and happy Thursday! I am viewing sunshine and blue sky today, it is simply lovely. I am looking forward to Spring happening any time here!

I have been working on Pattern # 5 and hope to have it ready before the week is out. I do think it will be my last bunny for awhile. I am anxious to move on to whatever is next, it will have to reveal itself however. I will also have the made up Clover and Charlize for sale on my PFATT page this month on the 10th.

You don't have to love horses to appreciate these pictures, they are adorable so I wanted to share them here. Precious is the word that comes to mind when I look at them. They also remind me that along with Spring comes the promise of new life and fresh beginnings! Who doesn't love that?

New Pattern! A Primitive Bunny Make Do

Happy Friday! I just finished up my latest pattern and wanted to share it here with you all. Meet Charlize!

 Charlize is 14" not including her ears. Her base is an antique quill bobbin on top of a antique jello mold. I grubbied up everything for a nice prim look. Her tag says Welcome Spring! This pattern is now available and this made up bunny will be for sale soon.

Giveaway at Buttermilk Creek Farms!

I want to let you all know about Carol's giveaway at Buttermilk Creek Farms Blog. She is celebrating Spring and her one year Blogiversary! She is giving away this adorable 7" Spring mouse complete with watering can. This giveaway ends March 29th so hurry on over and get yourself entered for a chance to win! CLICK HERE to go to her blog.

Taco Casserole

Happy Sunday all! I wanted to share a easy, yet very yummy recipe that my family has loved for years. My kids requested this a lot and still do when they visit.

Who wouldn't want to eat that? It is a lovely feast to the eyes.  Here is the recipe and a tutorial on making it.

Easy Taco Casserole

1 lb. ground beef

3/4 Cups Chopped Onion

1 pepper (green, red or yellow)

1 (14 oz.) pkg. taco seasoning

3/4 Cups water

1 16 oz. can refried beans

1 (8 oz. ) jar taco sauce

2 1/2 Cups crushed tortilla chips (crush in zip loc bag)

1 3/4 Cups shredded cheese (sharp)

chopped jalepeno (optional)

lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and avocado

Heat oven to 400. In medium skillet over medium hight heat, combine beef, onion, pepper; cook until beef is browned. Drain off fat. Stir in taco seasoning and water; simmer 10 minutes.

in another bowl combine refried beans and taco sauce. I also chopped a few jalepeno pieces and added to this. In an ungreased 8 inch square  pan, layer half of the bean mixture, half of the beef mixutre, 2 cups crushed tortilla chips and 1 cup of cheese. Top with remaining bean mixture and beef mixture.

Bake at 400 for 25 minutes. Remove from oven; top with remaining tortilla chips and cheese. Return to oven; bak an additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted. Serve on a bed of romaine and topped with tomatoes, sour cream and avocado. YUMMY!

Here is what you'll need to make this! All that's missing is the beef and I forgot to add the pepper!

Here I have my beef, onion and pepper ready to cook and brown.

In the mean time I have my beans, taco sauce and a few jalepeno slices mixed together.

I have my beef cooked, water and taco seasoning cooking and simmering for 10 minutes.

In my glass dish I have half my bean mixture spread out in my pan.

And half of my beef mixture.

Cheese and crushed tortilla chips!

Now the rest of the bean and beef mixtures go on top of that. It goes in your pre heated oven for 25 minutes. layer more cheese and chips on that and heat the cheese until melted.

And here it is out of the oven and ready to eat. Delicious!!

Enjoy this very easy yet super tasty dinner.

Clover A Prim Dust Bunny

Who says Dust Bunnies aren't cute anyway? My little dust bunny kindly disagrees. :-) I would like to introduce to you **Clover** A Prim Dust Bunny. Her pattern will be available in a few short days.

She is free standing and measures 12" tall. Her feet are dirty from playing in the garden!

Here's a closer look at her grubby little feet! Such cute bunny feet if I do say so myself. :-)

Her little tag is surely stating the truth here. :-) Can you see why I don't dust often? With bunnies this cute running around my house, who wants to dust them? Perhaps Spring cleaning isn't all it's cracked up to be...

Here is a better look at her cheese cloth waitband.

Instructions for making the feather duster are included in the pattern. She is so much fun to make! I am reluctantly going to say that this dust bunny doll will be for sale soon too. I would like to keep her, but will most likely adopt her out anyway. I am thinking that I may do a few extra's of these dolls to have for sale.

Thanks for taking a look at Clover.

Blogger Award

I was honored to receive the versatile blogger award from Donna of country side cottage. Check out Donna's blog and handmade items.

With this award I was to tell you 7 random things you don't know about me, or maybe some of you do.

1) I have a few more creative interests besides what you see here. I love messing around with photography and have won several photo contests much to my surprise. I also love to make Cold Process soap from scratch.

2) I love to be creative with cooking and just like my crafts, I tend to not know when to quit fussing and be done. I have to add just one more spice or ingredient until I sometimes end up with some very tasty meals. I also have to be in the mood and do not cook like this every day.

3) My house is very neat and tidy, never really dirty BUT you may not want to look at the cofusion going on in drawers and closets.

4) I know how to make every kind of coffee, latte, blended and frothy drink around. Why? because I work three days a week in a coffee bar.

5) I am a homebody and unlike most, I find getting ready for vacations, work and an inconvenience. I never like being that far away from my craft room! I do enjoy it once I am off, but you might as well tie me down to get me to get ready to go. When I get back I am more tired than before I left.

6) I like to have a quiet life and keep my commitments down to a minimum. I am not a group function person or joiner if you know what I mean. Don't ask me to go to this or that function and fill my schedule up, I will probably say no. Love my small group of friends and one on one time with them. I can completely entertain myself and not require company. Don't get me wrong, I love people and doing things, just in doses.

7) I can spend 4 hours in Hobby Lobby no problem. I can spend all day at craft bazaars and antique stores, but ask me to go to the mall and go shopping and I break out in hives.

These are pretty random! I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday. Thanks again Donna for adding my blog to your list of favorites.