Tails from the Dogpatch

Happy New Year ...a few days late :)

2012-01-04T07:45:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone is off to a great start for 2012!!! I am, and it is b/c I am pushing myself and I have set strong goals for myself this year.

This is the year of change via productivity! I won't be spending as much time on my blog nor online living my life out in public. It's far too time consuming and not effective for real life. It's time taken away from working, and attending to what really needs to be done here at home.

2011 was spent by me just muddling through. I was empty and sad, as so much has happened, and these changes were difficult and painful to accept, but I did discover that it was the acceptance of these changes that has brought forth some sort of healing for me. Strange isn't it?

It's like a key piece to the puzzle of life was given to me. The unwillingness or inability to accept the changes kept me like a deer in headlights, emotionally paralyzed and unable to really function effectively. Because of this I feel that people who were once a part of my life seemed to have disappeared, they had no idea what I was really going through, and some still have no idea, and that is OK....b/c the ones who have no interest in knowing are the ones who really needed to disappear. They are not true friends to begin with. The fair weathered ones, aka the takers ;)
I'm letting go of the hurt that it caused me.....it's about them not me, never was.
Some have their own personal issues that consumed them, and for them I am sorry I was too busy with mine to know. I'm sorry that some couldn't see that. I value the ones who are true and not in the friendship for what they can get out of it, and I hold them close in my heart.

For me 2012, is about me, and that is what I am focusing on, then I am better able to be a good friend to those who are truly interested in a friendship that is real. I am going to be a better person in 2012, and I am aiming high to find happiness...true unadulterated happiness, and it begins with me and my acceptance of the things I cannot change.

I wish a peaceful, prosperous year for all!

Another 5 star TDIPT Swap!

2011-12-11T07:03:00.000-08:00

Us TDIPT gals are in the midst of our Christmas swap, and let me tell you.....we all have donned our drool rags as they are needed and how!

We decided on a secret swap, so none of us knew who was sending to us, and that has really added to the fun, excitement, and anticipation!
We all fill out a questionnaire, so that we can tailor the gifts to our recipients tastes.

I was so surprised and delighted when my box arrived yesterday, from none other than Mandy of FiddleStix studios! Woohoo, I felt like I hit the lottery!

As you can see, Mandy put a lot of thought and time into making sure everything was wrapped and packed so pretty, and I felt like a child on Christmas morning when I began to open the box of treasures.

Just look at all of the goodies she sent to me!

The angel soap is not only beautiful, it smells sooooooo good!

BUT.......I saved the best for last. Just look at the beautiful handmade she created just for me! I am so happy to be able to add this guy to my collection of Santas! I am thrilled and delighted.

Thank you Mandy!

New for TDIPT Mercantile

2011-11-30T09:50:00.000-08:00

Here's a peek at my Peace on Earth Angel. She's available on TDIPT Mercantile tonight at 9 pm EST. I'm sure there will be so many lovely offerings, so please be sure to check us out!

thanks as always!

New Santa

2011-11-18T13:07:00.001-08:00

He's available at The Dancing Eye Gallery in Northville Mi....... just in time for the Holiday Home Walk!

Red White & Denim Santa

2011-11-10T14:44:00.000-08:00

My newest Denim clad Santa

Thanks for stopping by :)

New for TDIPT Mercantile

2011-11-01T04:32:00.001-07:00

I hope you'll visit TDIPT Mercantile for our 5th annual Open House and GiveAway! As we do every November, we will be offering wonderful holiday themed handmades galore as well as a fantastic giveaway w/ prizes being donated by some of our members!

Be sure to stop by and enter in to win, and I hope you'll take a peek at my Peace on Earth Santa available this month!

Thanks for stopping by :)

TDIPT's Open House and Giveaway!

2011-10-24T04:29:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe it's almost that time of the year again.....but yes it is, and just one week from tonight TDIPT Mercantile will begin celebrating the holiday season by hosting our annual Open House, which means fabulous holiday offerings for your consideration (many of the artists offer free shipping at this time as well).
But that's only the beginning..... what would a holiday celebration be without gift giving? We will do just that by bringing to you another wonderful TDIPT Give-away, w/ prizes being handmade and donated by our talented and generous members and up for grabs for our visitors.

We hope you'll join us in kicking off the holiday season in true traditional TDIPT fashion!

Coming to Ebay

2011-10-14T09:26:00.001-07:00

~ All American Santa ~

I'm having lots of camera problems, but I'm gonna try to get this fella listed on Ebay tonight.
It seems like forever since I have listed a piece on ebay, and this will be my first offering for this years Christmas Season.

I just love this Santa!
I won the antique glass buttons in Cobalt Blue a few weeks ago, and knew when bidding on them just what
I would use them for! I think they look fantastic on Santa's Red Coat!

I hope you'll take at peek at my auction a little later on this evening.

Thanks as always!

1776 Santa

2011-09-29T19:03:00.001-07:00

I've been WOWed!

2011-09-20T06:53:00.001-07:00

We are in the midst of another fabulous TDIPT Autumn swap! Our ebay group has these fun events a few times a year, and I'm telling you, the girls really know how to spoil one another!
We always post a questionnaire after names are drawn, so that we have a better idea of what our partners prefs are.

I was so very lucky this time around to have Starla (Briar Rabbit Prims) as my partner, and she knows that I love simple things. Pumpkins and crows are my favorite thing to decorate with for Autumn, and boy did she deliver!

Just look at the gigantic pumpkin, and the SWEET crow to go with! I am so happy!

She sent along a wonderful candle, and some tarts, and licorice candy, a towel, and a few other goodies, and of course some treats for my Nelly and Itty Bitty!

Thank you Starla.....I could not be happier!

Remembering......

2011-09-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

I don't think there is a single soul who doesn't remember where they were that fateful day 10 years ago.
I will never forget, and today like most everyone, I am thinking of those and their families left behind, who lost their life, or the many heroes who gave their life to help to save others.

God bless them all.

After seeing an interview earlier this morning with the last person to be pulled out of the rubble alive.....I feel compelled to pay tribute to the 4 legged heroes, as it was one such hero who led the rescuers to this woman, and many others owe gratitude to the 4-legged. If not for them, they would never have been found.

The twelve 9/11 search dogs that are still alive.

Their eyes say everything you need to know about them. Just amazing creatures.
Heroes of 9/11 still with us today......

Moxie, 13, from Winthrop , Massachusetts , arrived with her handler, Mark Aliberti, at the World Trade Center on the evening of September 11 and searched the site for eight days

Tara, 16, from Ipswich , Massachusetts , arrived at the World Trade Center on the night of the 11th . The dog and her handler Lee Prentiss were there for eight days

Kaiser, 12, pictured at home in Indianapolis , Indiana , was deployed to the World Trade Center on September 11 and searched tirelessly for people in the rubble

Bretagne and his owner Denise Corliss from Cypress , Texas , arrived at the site in New York on September 17, remaining there for ten days

Guinness, 15, from Highland , California , started work at the site with Sheila McKee on the morning of September 13 and was deployed at the site for 11 days

Merlyn and his handler Matt Claussen were deployed to Ground Zero on September 24, working the night shift for five days

Red, 11, from Annapolis , Maryland , went with Heather Roche to the Pentagon from September 16 until the 27 as part of the Bay Area Recovery Canines

Abigail, above, was deployed on the evening of September 17, searching for 10 days while Tuff arrived in New York at 11:00 pm on the day of attack to start working early the next day

Handler Julie Noyes and Hoke were deployed to the World Trade Center from their home in Denver on September 24 and searched for five days

Scout and another unknown dog lie among the rubble at Ground Zero, just two of nearly 100 search and rescue animals who helped to search for survivors

During the chaos of the 9/11 attacks, where almost 3,000 people died, nearly 100 loyal search and rescue dogs and their brave owners scoured Ground Zero for survivors .

Now, ten years on, just 12 of these heroic canines survive, and they have been commemorated in a touching series of portraits entitled 'Retrieved' .

The dogs worked tirelessly to search for anyone trapped alive in the rubble, along with countless emergency service workers and members of the public .

Traveling across nine states in the U . S . from Texas to Maryland , Dutch photographer Charlotte Dumas, 34, captured the remaining dogs in their twilight years in their homes where they still live with their handlers, a full decade on from 9/11 .

Their stories have now been compiled in a book, called "Retrieved"

Noted for her touching portraits of animals, especially dogs, Charlotte wanted 'Retrieved' to mark not only the anniversary of the September 2001 attacks, but also as recognition for some of the first responders and their dogs .

'I felt this was a turning point, especially for the dogs, who although are not forgotten, are not as prominent as the human stories involved,' explained Charlotte, who splits her time between New York and Amsterdam .

'They speak to us as a different species and animals are greatly important for our sense of empathy and to put things into perspective . '

A fantastic giveaway.....

2011-09-07T18:52:00.000-07:00

from Patti of Winding Vine Wanderings!

Patti is hosting a giveaway on her blog to celebrate the new TDIPT Team on Etsy (which, btw is super fantastic!!! And also.....a big thank you to Lana of Honeysuckle Lane for organizing the etsy team for us!!)
The lucky winner will have the opportunity to pick an item from Patti's etsy shop as their prize, and believe me......she has some "to die for" creations!

Click here to go to Patti's blog to enter the giveaway, and for links to the TDIPT team on Etsy!

Thanks again Patti!

Coming to TDIPT Mercantile tonight!

2011-08-31T14:33:00.000-07:00

I hope you'll stop by the Merc later tonight and check out my newest Peg-Leg Petite!

Happy Birthday Cooper!

2011-08-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe this lil guy turned 1 on Thursday! Where has the year gone?
Cooper had his birthday party yesterday. My camera was acting up, and most of the pics were extremely blurry :( , but I managed to get a few that were not.
He got a lot of toys and had a blast playing with them, and he really enjoyed digging in to his personal cake, with his favorite thing in the world......a baseball on top!

Such an angel :)

I think Daddy has his eye on that baseball too.

Mmm Mmm good!

Gotta share a taste w/ Sissy!

One bite just isn't enough. More please brother!

Fascinated w/ all the balloons mom got, although to him...they're "Balls".

Happy Birthday sweet angel!

New for TDIPT Mercantile

2011-07-31T19:20:00.000-07:00

I hope you'll fly on over to TDIPT Mercantile and check out my newest offering!

Fun in the Sun!

2011-07-12T18:21:00.001-07:00

It's been so hot here in Michigan. Zoey and Cooper have been spending plenty of time keeping cool in the pool.

Zoey is like a fish, and she has always loved the water, and it's looking like Cooper does too :)

I hope you're enjoying your summer as well.

New for TDIPT Mercantile

2011-06-30T18:25:00.001-07:00

I hope you'll head over to TDIPT Mercantile to take a peek at my newest creation.

More from the Little Red Cape in Connecticut

2011-06-26T19:46:00.001-07:00

~ Stumpwork ~

Stumpwork is the name given to a style of raised and padded embroidery, originating in England in the second half of the seventeenth century

I've been promising to share more pics from my trip to my cousin's 1700's Cape Cod home in Connecticut, so I thought I would share pics of this amazing art!

I was utterly fascinated by these 3 dimensional embroideries called Stumpwork. My cousin tells me they would have been made by young girls in England during the 1600's.
Some are mere subjects, which she says would most likely have been made available in a kit, and only those w/ money would have been able to afford to purchase these kits. Others are far more intricate and tell a story through "scenes", and those are truly truly amazing to me. To think of the time and thought invested, and to think they were handmade by young girls. I found myself staring and wondering who's little hands held the needle and thread that brought these to life so long ago. And to think they are still around. Amazing!

I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I did, although it's really hard to capture the charm w/ a camera.

If you look close you can see the dogs running. They are chasing a rabbit.

Miss 1776

2011-06-12T13:37:00.001-07:00

Fireworks in hand,

"Miss 1776"
is eager for the July 4th Festivities to begin!

She's my newest creation, and she'll make her debut on Ebay tonight!

I hope you'll stop by to take a peek!

Thanks as always :)

Last day to enter!

2011-05-31T06:30:00.001-07:00

Today is the last day to enter to win this GORGEOUS set of stacking boxes from Tammy of A Primitives Place!
Tammy left some sweet comments on my blog, and that lead me to visit her blog, and while there I noticed her fab giveaway!

To see how to enter just hop on over to her blog!

Click here to visit Tammy's blog!

Remembering Officer Dickinson

2011-05-30T05:51:00.000-07:00

and all of our fallen heroes today.

Happy Memorial Day to everyone!

While we enjoy our holiday get-togethers, let's not forget those who have fought for our freedom, and those who continue to do so to keep us safe, and of course those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

I took the pics of this gravestone at the cemetery in Deerfield Massachusetts.

Thank you David Dickinson, and thank you to all of our soldiers!

I've been promising.......

2011-05-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

pics of my trip to Connecticut for sooo long now that I'm gonna have to start w/ last years pics since I just visited recently again this year!

I have lots of pics of lots of different things and places we visited, so I'm going to make a few different posts.
I think I'll start w/ some pics of my cousin Sue's wonderful 1700's Cape! I'm telling you, a visit to her place is like stepping back in time a few hundred years, honestly.
It was easy for me to understand why her home was featured in EAL several years ago. She tells me then been asking her again, but she has declined.

A lot has changed since our visit there in April of 2010.
Sadly, Sue's husband Pete was diagnosed w/ stage 4 stomach cancer in October, and passed away in November. What a shock this was. Aside from his knees hurting him a little when we were there in April, he seemed healthy, and he was the best host /chauffeur anyone could ask for. He showed us all over the NE area, and was happy to do it!
Things just aren't the same without Pete.

Sue and Pete had 2 wonderful rescue dogs.

Here is Meg enjoying a swim at the state park by their house. Meg came from a rescue down south just the year before, and I'm sure you'll agree....she loves the New England area!
Pete would throw the tennis ball out into the lake and she would retrieve it. What fun it was to watch. Meg absolutely adored Pete, and rightly so, as he treated her like a queen!

And here is Jakie. He was hard of hearing, and it was hard for him to get around when we were there last year, but he was determined to suck up every bit of life he had left in him, and he wanted to go everywhere we went, and he did. Pete would lift him into the van, and away we would go. he's enjoying some banana pudding in this pic.
Jakie passed away just a day after Pete did.
He was 14 years old and was treated like a king his entire life.

Inside the Buttery

How do you like this candle holder?

Original (not a repro) board of rules

My favorite room in the house!

True make-do's.
Each of these pieces were broken, but fixed to make-do. The plate was actually tied together.

One of the 3 stone sinks

Game room?

Collection of Leather Tobies

The kitchen w/ stone sink

One of three fireplaces. They used it for cooking sometimes as well.

Just look at this gorgeous old cupboard overflowing w/ pewter, and more Tobies on top.

Don't you just feel like you've stepped back in time? I know I did, and I was just amazed at this home and the decor.

Stay tuned, as next time I'm gonna show you some pics of the beautiful Stumpwork my cousin has collected. It's fascinating!

And then it's on to Deerfield!

Coming to ebay

2011-05-14T19:26:00.000-07:00

Here's a little peek at my offering for our TDIPT group launch.

The auction is scheduled to start tomorrow night at 10 PM and ends the following Sunday.

Also, I'm heading out of town tomorrow morning, and going on a little vakay to Connecticut, and hope to go to Cape Cod and also to Maine!

So I won't be around to answer emails until Saturday, so please don't think I'm ignoring you if you try to contact me.

Have a wonderful week :)

Let's get it started!

2011-05-12T06:35:00.000-07:00

Our TDIPT ebay group is eager for the summer season to begin, so we're gonna kick things off w/ a BANG by having a group launch on ebay!

Please join us for our

"Star Spangled Summer"

group launch beginning this Sunday, May 15th on ebay!

Click here to see all the fabulous work from the TDIPT artists!

See you Sunday!

I'm baaaaaaack!

2011-05-10T13:59:00.000-07:00

I know some of you must think I fell off the face of the earth, but no worries, I haven't. For starters I've had major computer problems, and I was unable to access blogger for the last few months. Although I could access my blog and others as well, I was not able to access the dashboard to make posts, or leave a comment on anyone elses blog :(

All is good now, and I have a brand new puter for Mothers Day.....and I'll be back to posting and of course making the rounds to visit my friends.

I've also slowed way down on my doll making the past few months. I just haven't had the desire to sew/create. Instead I've been giving myself some much needed time to really grieve and try to heal from the sadness of losing my Mom. I went to a support meeting on grief, and was surprised to hear that when we lose someone significant in our lives it may take up to 2 - 5 yrs to fully grieve, as there are many stages.
I am doing well, and of course have my days, but I'm adjusting to that horribly empty feeling that had consumed me for so long and now I'm not feeling so sad and empty so often anymore . Today I even laughed, and I mean really laughed from deep inside when I was talking to my friend about something my Mom had done. Thank you friend for laughing with me today.
It feels so good to laugh, and to be able to think of my mom and laugh at the same time. I hadn't even imagined being able to do that just a month ago.
I know my mom was right up there in heaven laughing along with me and I know it did her heart good to see me able to do so.

Anyway, thank goodness for good friends who care so much and want to cheer us up, and actually can!

Candy dear Candy.....thank you so very much for the book. I take it and read it from time to time and it is helpful. I'm so lucky to call you friend.

It's good to be back!

I Love Lincoln!

2011-01-18T21:49:00.000-08:00

Honest Abe Lincoln is my very favorite President. I love all that he stood and fought for.....fairness for all, kindness to animals, everything.
What a great man he was.

I've made many Abe's through the years, and am currently offering my newest on my selling blog.
He's from my Peg-Leg Petites collection, and he's a Dogpatch Primitives Original © design.

I also want to take this time to share some of my very favorite Abe designs/creations from other doll artists. I admire each of these artists for their genuine unwavering originality!

From Nothing Plain by Jane this wonderful original Abe Lincoln.

I love Jane's Lincoln!

Jane's incredible talent for creating realistic faces makes her dolls tops on my list . Her doll's faces are the very reason she was invited to become one of the artists of TDIPT Mercantile some 3 yrs ago!

To see where you can purchase this fabulous Lincoln, click here

Beautiful work Jane!

Next is the most unique style Lincoln I've seen.

It comes from

Karin of Countryfolk Keepsakes

and is from her Firewood Folks collection!

Karin has an amazing style all of her own, and as soon as you see one of her dolls, you recognize it immediately to be hers.

Click here to see where to purchase this Gem of a guy!

Bravo Karin!

Last but certainly not least is this outstanding Lincoln from

Paula of Hidden in the Attic.

Paula is so talented, and her Lincolns are always so perfectly prim. Just look at this set with the gigantic Liberty! It's from a couple of years ago, but I assure you, Paulas works to the beat of her own drum, and her dolls are as wonderful and orignal today as they were a few years back. She promises to offer a Lincoln or two in the next few weeks, so be on the look out, you won't want to miss it!

Ckick here to see more of Paula's work.

Can't wait to see your 2011 Lincolns Paula!

I hope you'll take the time to check out these wonderful Lincolns!

2011-01-01T09:05:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a

Happy and Healthy 2011!

Reflections of .....

2010-12-29T15:10:00.000-08:00

the way life used to be.

Adios 2010

If someone asked me to describe the past year with one word, it would be a piece of cake. It's a no-brainer for me. One word? Ahhh, that's simple. Loss. Loss sums it up perfectly. I could leave it at that, and it would be enough said. The year of Loss, that is what 2010 means to me.

Please don't get me wrong here. I'm not feeling sorry for myself. Welllll, maybe just a bit. OK, no doubt about it, yes I am. I am downright feeling sorry for myself! I'm ok with saying it. I think I am entitled to it, and I'm taking it and running with it, and I expect no one to feel abliged to run with me, it's a solo run and one I must travel alone. I usually will not own that mind set (self-pity), as I have always been capable of realizing that there is always someone else who has it worse off, and I still do know this, but I cannot help but to feel my own pain, my void, the bitterness I feel toward the year 2010! Going into it I had no idea how many family members we would lose. No idea whatsoever. Looking back at it, reflecting......it is hard to believe. We lost 6 family members in 2010, and we don't have a real big family. Yes, loss is the word of the year for our family.

It started in February, with my mom's cousin. He was older, but still so very sad to lose him. He lived right next door to me for many years, and his children were so close with him. I remember thinking at his funeral about what it would be like if it were my mom. How would I ever handle it I thought to myself as we said good bye to this lovely man. My mom was the same age as him. I knew eventually it would be our turn to have to do this. I couldn't have known though that we would be in that very same church saying goodbye just some months down the road.

In August, my dear cousin lost his 27 yr old son to a prescription drug overdose. He (Christopher) laid in a coma for a week, surrounded by loved ones before the family could come to grips with the reality that he was brain dead, and they would have to take him off life support. That was one of the saddest funerals I had ever attended, as seeing this young man in the casket, I could imagine any of our young people in his place, b/c I know the abuse is rampant.

In September my cousin Terri Jo lost her 10 yr battle with cancer. She was my age, and an only child. She leaves behind 2 children and a brand new granddaughter, and her Mother. I cannot imagine.

In October my other cousin's husband passed away just 3 weeks after being diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer. He was such a nice man, so kind, thoughtful and patient. The world lost an upstanding man that day.

Also in October I lost my Mia. My sweet 10 yr old dog. Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about dogs, and how much I love my own. Mia brought us a lot of joy, and I sure was not expecting her to be hear one minute, and gone the next.

My greatest loss though, as so many of you know was my mom, my best friend. Who knew we would lose her this year. She didn't have to die. She fought her pneumonia like a veteran soldier, and yes, she won that battle, but a nasty side effect of any infection can be "Sepsis", and she developed it and as a result it caused her organs to fail, including her heart. Damn that sepsis!!!!!! The hardest thing to come to terms with was to accept that she was not going to get better, and that we needed to stop expecting her to. After weeks of ups and downs, filled with promises of hope and recovery, we had to surrender, the Doctor told us she was dying. I will never forget that day. It was a Sunday. When someone says to you "You look like you lost your best friend", well, there is a reason that phrase is so synonymous w/ sadness, as losing my mom, my BFF has left me saturated with grief. I'm having a hard time shaking it. I miss her, and I want to talk with her, I want to run to her for comfort. I hate 2010.

I know it could be worse. I know this, and I know that there are so many out there who suffer terrible loss, and I do know I should be thankful for what I have, and all the years I had with my Mom, and deep down, I truly am thankful, but for now, the sadness and anger has taken the front seat, and I know it is OK for me to feel this way, it is part of the mourning and the grief and even the healing, and eventually I will accept this and will take it all in and know that loss is part of life, but for now all I can think of is this year, 2010, the year of loss.

The way life used to be is no more. I have to get used to my new life, the life without my Mom. I still want to call her at night after everything is done, and I am winding down. She was like a fine dessert after a good meal, a nice way to end each day. Now I have to look for a new way to wind down my days. 2010 took so much from me. I hope 2011 is better, and I am going to feel optimistic that it will be.

Once the clock strikes 12 on New Years I'm going to be looking eagerly and counting down the days for Spring to come, for new beginnings, and one day, the way life used to be will be a fond memory, and won't hurt so bad to think of it.

Thanks for listening to me lick, ummmm, lap my wounds. They will heal, they are healing now, but it's gonna take time. I am hurting, but it will not last forever.

Come on 2011......I can't wait to greet you with open arms.

I know my BFF would want me to :)

2010-12-25T09:53:00.000-08:00

Wishing you and yours Christmas Cheer :)

Special gifts from a dear friend!

2010-12-16T03:20:00.000-08:00

Some people are just extra thoughtful, and I know many who are and as you can see, one is my good friend Bobbie (Unionstar Primitives/aka The evening Stitcher)!

Just look at this gorgeous Snowman Hooked rug! I absolutely love it, and still can't believe that she took the time to hook it just for me!

She sure caught me by surprise last week when I went over for a visit to make little sheep together, and that was treat enough, as it's always a fun to go to her place, especially during the holidays, as she's got such a knack for decorating, and she's a topnotch host to boot! Anyway.....I sure never expected her to have a gift for me, much less a few, and such generous heartfelt ones at that.

Not only did Bobbie give me the beautiful hand hooked rug, she also had this wonderful book of Daily Inspirational Quotes for me. What thoughtful gifts, and I love and appreciate them.

As if that wasn't enough, she also included a card for my Granddaughter Zoey, w/ a gift card inside. Bobbie leaves no stone unturned and she thinks of everyone.

Thank you Bobbie for a wonderful visit, yummy bread, pastry and coffee, but most of all for being so very thoughtful! I will cherish these gifts forever.

Peace on Earth

2010-12-14T16:11:00.000-08:00

Each Holiday Season, I like to offer a "Peace on Earth" Angel.
For this season, I've created this sweet face little gal in soft neutral colors.
She will be available on Simply Primitives tonight.

Thanks so much, and Happy Holidays!

Missing you today

2010-12-12T07:36:00.001-08:00

I think today is the first day I have really grieved for my furry family member. With losing her so suddenly in the midst of my Mom being in Hospice.....and just days before my mom passed away, I believe I truly have not dealt with it. I think I wouldn't let myself feel the sorrow, as the sadness of losing my mom was too great. I haven't understood it, b/c I love Mia so much, and I've known something was just not right with me not crying for her, as I loved my MoMo (just one of the many silly nicknames we had for her)....she was the clown of the bunch. So now I realize I guess it's only right that the numbness would eventually give way to the tears. Today it has, today the numbness is replaced, and I can't seem to stop crying for her. I've spent weeks crying for my mom, on and off, as I think anyone does when they lose someone that means so much to them. But I'm working through the sadness as best i can, and today for the first time since losing my baby, the tears flow for my sweet friend Mia.

I need to post about her, she is deserving.

Mia's story

My daughter found Mia in a bad neighborhood back in 2001. She was just a little pup standing in the street, and when Becky stopped the car and got out to coax Mia out of the street, she wouldn't go, and instead wanted in the car, she was determined she was coming home with Becky. Mia never would take "no" for an answer. It's one of the things I loved about her....she was pushy, but in a fun sorta way.

Nelly loved her, and she and Mia were friends immediatley, and Nelly even let her think she was the "Alpha" doggie.

We couldn't say the words "birdie, kitty cat, or squirrel" without her tilting her head, then going crazy whining and running through the house like a banshee wondering where these creatures were.

Mia lived a nice life, with the freedom to take a nap on our beds, and I cringe to think what her life might have been like had Becky not come along and swooped her off the streets.

I take great comfort in knowing we made a difference for her. She gave back to us tenfold though..... she made us all laugh, and we all felt safe with her here protectecting us. She had a nice deep bark, and alerted us when a stranger would come to the door.

Mia had been receiving treatment for some urine incontinence the past 6 months or so, but other than that was doing well. We could not have known that she had a tumor on her spleen, as it was virtually symptomless until that sad day when we woke up to her not feeling well, and getting sicker by the hour. Upon taking her into the Vets, we would discover it had ruptured that morning making her gravely ill. We had her put to sleep that afternoon.....October 15th. It was all so sudden.

Today, I am missing her, and I bet if Nelly could talk, she would say the same thing.

Run free sweet MoMo.

I will never forget you or the joy and laughter you brought our family.

Thank you.

New for ebay

2010-12-07T07:51:00.000-08:00

Blue Christmas Snowfolk is my newest creation, and he's currently listed on ebay w/ no reserve.

He'll make a great addition to your holiday decor, or the perfect gift for the snowfolk collector in your life.

The auction ends Thursday, and I will ship the day after receiving payment.

Thanks for stopping by, and

Happy Holidays to you and yours~

Peg-Leg Petites for TDIPT Mercantile

2010-12-01T03:49:00.001-08:00

For December I'm offering 2 new pieces from my Peg-Leg Petites Collection. You can find them along with all the other wonderful top notch folk art at TDIPT Mercantile!

Please be sure to browse through all the artists pages, as you'll find only the BEST at TDIPT Mercantile!

Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving and The Empty Seat

2010-11-25T05:44:00.000-08:00

Today on this Thanksgiving, the day we all count our blessings and give thanks for what we have, we will do that, but here we will also mourn for the one missing.......the empty seat.

Everyone has their traditions, and around here on Thanksgiving it is our custom that when we sit down to eat our Thanksgiving meal, we go around the table, each of us speaking from our hearts of what we are particularly thankful for. Zoey usually likes to go first. We each mention the little blessings bestowed upon us that year, and we all give special thanks that there are no empty seats at our table, as we knew there easily could be, and we always knew many families were missing loved ones. We never took it for granted. We also would all get choked up when talking about being grateful, as again we knew that eventually there would be the dreaded empty seat, as my mom was getting up in age, and already on borrowed time w/ her kidney transplant. No one had to say it, but we all knew who we were most thankful for being there.

This year will be so different, this year we have "the empty seat"......the one we all knew in our heart of hearts would be the first. My Mother's seat will be empty. It's all so new, and still so raw, and our hearts are still hurting so badly. I'm sure there will be many tears at our table today. We lost her just one month ago after a lengthy stay in the hospital.

My Mom was a beautiful woman, who I can honestly say was never ever was in a bad mood, ever! She was always so perky, and she had not one enemy. Everyone loved her, and she had such a way of making everyone feel so special. Her presense was like sunshine, and today, this first holiday without her will seem so dull and the void will be huge without her. I know she wouldn't want us to be sad.

It is still hard to believe our Matriarch is gone.

My mom loved Zoey and Zoey loved her.

We miss you dearest lady. There is no one like you. With your kind, gentle, generous and ever caring spirit, you made this world a better place, and you are sorely missed.

We will miss your beautiful smiling face today.

On this Thanksgiving day......we must be thankful, that God let us have you for so long and gave us a chance to say goodbye to you.

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving, and thinking of those with the Empty seats.

Mr Snowfolk

2010-11-14T10:21:00.000-08:00

Coming to Simply Primitives Novemebr 14th

I hope you'll stop by and take a peek.

holding on, letting go..... and trying to say good bye

2010-10-12T06:07:00.001-07:00

After a lengthy stay in the hospital, a tough battle with a most fierce strain of pnemonia..... getting better..... cause for hope, we were given the news the other night that my Mother will not get better.

She will not make it.

Many of you know that my mom has been hospitalized since right before Labor Day, and while there she contracted a really tough strain of pneumonia.

She's fought so hard, and even when the Docs said she may not make it, she fought to prove them wrong. She had to be put on a ventilator just until they could get the pneumonia under control, and they did, and we sat bedside with her through it all.
She told my son "she wasn't goin anywhere". We believed her and held on to her words. She did beat the pneumonia, but the joy was short lived, as we were told soon after that the infection had caused her kidney to fail. BUT.....there is a chance it could come back said the Doctors.

My Stevie kissing his "Mimmy", early on, some 2 1/2 weeks ago.

Sweet Zoey seeing her Mimmy for the first time on the ventilator. It frightened her at first, but she begged to come back each day and sit bedside the bed w/ us. my mom loves her so, and you can see, even while heavily sedated, she tries to touch Zoey.

Me, giving my Mom a kiss.

I know this will be one of the very last. I see in this pic just how much she has failed in 2 1/2 weeks. She's grown tired and she is exhausted...fighting to breath all the time.

I know our time is running out, and I am letting go and saying good bye. I just don't know how I will ever manage in a world without this precious woman. It seems impossible to me.

We've been told that the pneumonia not only damaged my Mom's kidney, it also tooks it's nasty toll on her heart. She will not get better they say, and still she fights. This explains her continued swelling even though she goes through 3 hours of dialysis every other day. She doesn;t even look like the woman who was taken into that hospital some 6 weeks ago.

She could refuse the dialysis, but she asks to have it to give her time here, and I know she probably feels there may be some hope, and who are we to say otherwise. She knows we all love her so much, and she knows how hard it is for us all to say good bye, and I know she isn't ready to leave us. She is and always has been a nurturing, giving person to anyone she came in contact with. She's been the caretaker of the family, the one we all run to when we need something, even something as small as an ear to listen to our troubles.

I've had to be strong and I've had to tell her it is OK...I will be OK. she can go, and we will be OK. I just don't know how.

I'll be back to my doll making eventually, as I know she would want me to, and she loves my dolls so much. I even have a set in the works, but don't know when I will finish. I thought she was getting better and I was working a few hours each week.

since getting the news, I'm soaking up every ounce of life with my mom, and learning to let go and trying to say good bye to the woman who has meant so very much to me. I'm 50 years old, yet I feel like such a child.

Candy & Cornelius

2010-09-18T11:08:00.000-07:00

Available on Ebay, ending Sunday 9/19 @ 10:15 PM EDT :)

TDIPT Mercantile is Updated

2010-09-01T07:01:00.000-07:00

The talented TDIPT artists of the 1st of the Month have updated their pages....and of course there's top notch handmades being offered.
Be sure to stop by the Mercantile to see all of the beautiful work!

This time around I'm offering a Santa from my Peg-Leg Petite © Collection. I hope you'll head over and take a peek.

2010-08-29T05:59:00.000-07:00

Is solace anywhere more comforting than in the arms of a sister?

Welcome to the world......

2010-08-27T05:47:00.000-07:00

Cooper Cameron Price

waiting patiently......

2010-08-25T06:14:00.000-07:00

My oldest daughter's (Shannon) due date was yesterday, and other than some cramping, it came and went w/ no true signs of labor.

We're all trying to be so patient, but Shannon has reached that point (if you're a mom you know what I'm speaking of) where the thought of going on one more day totin the little one around in her belly is more than she can stand! I think she's reached the breaking point.

I'm thinking today will be the day...hoping anyway.

Come on Cooper.....

we're all so eager for you to make your appearance!

Stay tuned :)

More Michigan Fun

2010-08-13T08:02:00.001-07:00

Antique Yard Sale Trail

Along Beautiful Lake Huron
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
August 13, 14, 15, 2010

200+ miles of antiques, yard sales, and much more to explore!
From Sebewaing in the north to Algonac in the south, M-25 / M-29 follows the rugged and majestic shoreline of Lake Huron, then continues down the banks of the beautiful St. Clair River.
Many communities along the route offer unique shops, "antiquing," museums full of local history, and small diners for convenience and comfort.

It's not the longest yard sale, but it's a goody that's for sure! It's a beautful ride up the thumb area of Michigans Lake Huron coast.

I haven't been in quite a few years, and last time I went was w/ my sister, and we went on Friday, and came home late that evening, and then on Saturday we snatched up my mom and took her with us and made another day of it!

I found lots and lots of goodies on that trip.

Anyway, hub and I are gonna go tomorrow and we're taking Zoey with us. I hope she's not bored!

Michigan BEAUTIFUL Michigan

2010-08-04T09:33:00.001-07:00

Just recently I went on a little mini vakay to the western side of the state to visit my Aunt and Uncle. We joke that their home is a B&B....as it could easily be, as it's huge, historic, and they give the VIP treatment every time we visit!

We had a really nice time visiting, and while there we enjoyed seeing some of the beautiful sites Michigan has to offer.

They purchased this beautiful home a few years back, in horrible condition, but they've worked hard to restore it and it now is the nicest house in their little town of Fountain!

We went for a nice drive up highway 22 which follows the coast between Manistee and Traverse City. It was about a 200 mile drive (round trip) , and what a gorgeous ride it was!

We stopped at a look out site in Arcadia, and was it ever a site to behold! Our Great Lakes look more like oceans!

I climbed up the walkway to get these pics. Lots and lots and lots of stairs to climb, but so worth the trek!

It was breathtakingly beautiful!

The pics above are looking to the south, and the one below is looking to the north.

Lake Michigan is my favorite of all the Great lakes w/ it's beautiful sandy beaches and sand dunes!

There are so many quaint little towns along this drive.
Below is Lake Glen, an inland lake in the Sleeping Bear Sand dunes area. It was so pretty w/ the sand dunes in the background, and just over the dunes is Lake Michigan.

If you ever get the chance to visit Michigan, I highly recommend you do, and be sure to see Lake Michigan while you're here!

New for the Merc.....

2010-07-31T17:25:00.001-07:00

This gal and her sidekick can be found on TDIPT Mercantile tonight, along w/ many other enchanting offerings from my TDIPT sisters!~

Be sure to check us out!

The ones that got away!

2010-07-25T08:49:00.001-07:00

No... not just another fish tale...but a Cow Tail ;)

The story of the overturned truck transporting used up dairy cows to a "rendering" plant (what the hell does that mean, and it sickens me to think of it) made our local Detroit news the other day.

The truck had overturned in grand Rapids MI, and some of the poor cows were killed as a result (probably a blessing) but 4 of them escaped.

They showed video of the poor frightened black and white cows trying to climb over the guard rail as they tried to capture them. I felt so bad when I saw them, as I knew in my heart what their intended fate was before even hearing the story. It really saddened me to think that these creatures had spent their whole life being used for milking, and probably pregnant all the time and their babies taken away from them immediatly, and as if they hadn't given/suffered enough.....now b/c they were used up and could no longer be of any purpose to the dairy industry, they were being transported off to slaughter. It all seems so cruel, and it is. I hate that it is this way, and I feel terribly guilty for even liking cheese or milk or ice cream! I have so much respect for the vegans of the world!

I was so happy when I got the email from one of my favorite animals rescues, SASHA Farms, the largest Farm animal sanctuary here in the midwest (only a 1/2 hours drive from me) got involved right away, and they are going to be taking the cows there to the sanctuary if they can be rounded up!

YAY....I'm so happy for the ones who got away!

I'm going to be traveling through the Grands Rapids area tomorrow on my way across state, and I'm gonna be sure to be on the look out for one of these big black & white girls!

I sure hope they are able to find them so they can live out the rest of their lives at the sanctuary being pampered and appreciated since they've given so much and had such a strong will to escape!

Thank you SASHA farms for caring and acting on it!

Here is the email I got from them:

A livestock transport truck carrying former dairy cows was bound for a rendering plant when it overturned in Grand Rapids early Wednesday morning. Tragically, several didn’t survive the crash and those who could be captured finished their journey to the rendering plant. Four of the cows are still wandering the Grand Rapids area, probably enjoying their first taste of freedom. News reports noted that they would be captured and euthanized.
Phone calls have poured into our office alerting us to this situation, and after contacting authorities in Grand Rapids, we have been assured that when the cows are located, assuming they are not causing an immediate threat to human safety, we will be contacted to transport them back the SASHA Farm.
If you are in the Grand Rapids area and might be able to assist in the rescue if necessary, please email your contact information to us at info@sashafarm.org. Depending on where they are eventually located, we may need many people to help corral them into a trailer.
Our phones are very busy right now, so unless you have solid information on the whereabouts of these cows, please direct your inquiries about this situation to our info@sashafarm.org.

Oh Silly Lilly......

2010-07-22T04:38:00.001-07:00

Did you have to steal our hearts?

Still not sure where this over the top sweet girl came from, but I do have my suspicions as to why she was running loose.

We live just outside Detroit in the home that was my grandparents as far back as I can remember, and while this area was once a nice modest community, sadly it has gone way down hill, and it's a matter of time before we're gonna need to get out. I have so many fond warm and fuzzy childhood memories in this house. I've not wanted to leave it, but yes the time is coming.

Anyway, it never surprises me to see a stray or unwanted dog running through our neighborhood. We've got an overabundance of strays in this area, and it seems people struggle to take care of their children, let alone a pet. Each time one of these strays has crossed my path..... no on wants them, cares about them, or is looking for them.

Such seems to be the case w/ this sweet little girl we've named Lilly.

When I first spotted her wandering I thought surely this time it would be different, surely this petite pup was different from all the rest, and she had gotten out of someone's yard, and an owner would be franticly looking for her. I mean just look at her! They don't come any cuter, and personality wise, she wins the Blue Ribbon! But NOPE, no one is looking for her, and I think it was no accident that she was running loose. I think someone put her out purposely b/c they couldn't potty train her.

We've had her for over a week, but I knew immediatley that she has some serious potty training issues, and I think someone has been very mean to her when she goes inside. Some people are so ignorant, and haven't the first clue as to how to potty train a dog! Whoever had her went about it all wrong, and this poor girl was so confused as to what was expected of her.

I am happy to say she is learning that we prefer for her to do her business "outside", and w/ a little help from our other 4 legged girls, and w/ plenty of praise.....she seems to be catching on to this idea, and is coming around nicely.

She keeps us laughing as she is a clown!

My intention is not to keep her. My intention is to find her a good home. It's not that I wouldn't love to have her, as she gets along beautifully w/ the other dogs, and everyone here adores her, even Stevie who usually could care less about the dogs. Lilly has stole his heart too.

BUT......I would like to find a good home for her. We have enough, and if we are overloaded, then the next time opportunity presents itself, I may not be able to help out, so that is why it may be best for Lilly to be placed in a good home, other than here. I'm trying to look at the bigger picture.

We'll see, as like I said.....she has stolen all of our hearts, and she makes herself right at home here, as if she's known us forever.

I'm still on the fence, and as hard as it will be, if a great person came forward willing to provide this girl w/ the home she deserves, I would suck it up and let her go, but I'll tell you, make no mistake, it will not be an easy thing to do.

In the meantime.....we will enjoy her and continue to work with her so that if someone meant for her comes along, she will make a wonderful companion for them, w/ no bad habits or issues that would make them want to give this loving girl up.

What will be will be....if she's meant to stay, she will.

I will keep you posted on the adventures of our Silly Lilly :)

Looky Looky......

2010-07-13T15:03:00.001-07:00

What found me :)

I think I'm in L-O-V-E !

This sweet little angel of a girl was wandering the streets yesterday, w/ just the green collar on, but no tags. I would like to know who put this ugly green collar on such a pretty little girl?

I've searched all over and can't seem to find where she belongs.

I know someone must love her, and she's a heavy little thing, so someone's been feeding her good, but still the green collar thing has me wondering.

She is the most baby-fied dog I've ever seen, even more so than my Missy Moo. Maybe it's just b/c she is lost and homesick for her owner, I don't know, but she loves to be held. She has the sweetest most pitiful cry when I put her in her crate, even though she has a nice blanky, she still wants to be by me. She has taken a real fondness to me, and it's mutual let me tell you, and really I have never ever been crazy for the small dogs, but I knew I had to help her, but I never imagined this little one could steal my heart, and so quickly!

I am being patient and waiting to see if someone turns up to claim her, and if not she will either go to the rescue as she is extra-adoptable b/c of her size, breed and beautiful nature, or my neighbor may take her as she just had to have her 14 year old pooch put to sleep. Either way...this gal will have a wonderful home, but I sure hope to find who she belongs to. I hope they haven't moved away and left her behind.

She will be one of the hardest ones to part with, and she will take a piece of my heart.

I will keep you posted.

Coming to the Merc

2010-06-30T16:09:00.000-07:00

Here's just a little sneeky peeky at my offering for TDIPT Mercantile July 1st update.

She, along w/ many wonderful primtastic handmades from the TDIPT crew, will be available on the Mercantile tonight after 9 PM EDT, so be sure to stop by and take a looksy for yourself~

Coming to Ebay

2010-06-17T17:18:00.001-07:00

Here's just a little peek at my Best in Show offering for our TDIPT Group Launch. This nicely detailed set w/ be available on ebay later tonight.

To see all of the wonderful top-notch Blue Ribbon offerings from the TDIPT gals click here

2010-06-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

There's not been a Flag Day that's gone by that I haven't thought of my Dad.

Happy Flag Day, and Happy Birthday to my Dad who would have turned 86 today. I sure do miss him.

TDIPT Ebay Group Launch

2010-06-13T07:53:00.000-07:00

Today is launch day! YIPPEEE!

Just click here to see all the "Blue Ribbon Worthy" offerings the talented members will be listing beginning sometime today or this evening!

I'll be joining in on the fun, but I won't get my offering listed until later this week, as life around the Dogpatch has been just a bit busier than usual.

I've got a wonderfully delightful set in the works though, I promise!

Thanks as always for stopping by.

A Patriotic Pair

2010-06-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

Here's a peek at my newest set which I call

"Team USA!"

It's available for purchase on my selling blog where you can read the details on this oh so perfect for the summer holidays set! WHEW....that's a mouthful!

Thanks for stopping by:)

Happy Memorial Day and Thank you......

2010-05-31T18:44:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all you veterans who served, and those who are currently serving that we might be Free.

It is the
VETERAN,
not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is
the VETERAN,
not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is
the VETERAN,
not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is
the VETERAN,
not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is
the VETERAN,
not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is
the VETERAN,
not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the
VETERAN who
salutes the Flag,

It is
the
VETERAN
who serves
under the Flag,

God
Bless them all!!!

Makes you proud to be an AMERICAN!!!!

A special thank you to my friend Margeurite who is an angel from above, and her wonderful husband Milt who lost his arm and leg while serving our country in combat in the Vietnam War. I can't imagine living life as you do, but I am so very thankful for your sacrifice.

Now on Ebay

2010-05-10T05:39:00.000-07:00

My "Go Fly a Kite Rabbit" which I was honored to have published in Stampington's new magazine "Prims" is now on ebay. The auction ends Sunday.

Also on Ebay is my short and stout Red White & Denim

Uncle Sam Cupboard Hanger.

This auction has no reserve, and ends on Thursday.

Thanks for stopping by :)

2010-05-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms in this world!

I'm so thankful to have been given yet another Mothers Day with my wonderful Mother. I'm so thankful to be able to spend the day together with her. To see her, to hear her. What a blessing it is. I don't take it for granted.

We'll have dinner with her, and I've also made one of her fav desserts (Rhubarb custard Squares) . She's really looking forward to it. I'm gonna share my pics from Connecticut with her as well while she is here. She's also looking forward to that.

I am so very thankful for my mom, for all the sacrifes she has made (and they were many), all the love she has shown us and the endless giving as well. She didn't tell us how to live, she showed us by living it herself, and she is a fine example of what it means to be not only a good human being, but a kind, patient, loving, and very giving Mother.

Thank you mom!

A little Peeky

2010-04-30T11:39:00.000-07:00

Here's just a little peek at my new offering for TDIPT Mercantile tonight.

You'll find this Patriotic fella, along w/ many wonderful prim creations tonight on the Merc as the members of the the 1st of the month will be updating.

I hope you'll stop by and see for yourself!

Another GRAND TDIPT Swap!

2010-04-18T06:20:00.001-07:00

Our TDIPT Group had another one of it's outstanding swaps. This time around we decided to try to keep it simple.....and make a modest handmade for our partner. We had a monetary limit to purchase things that they may like.

I was fortunate enough to have Susan Burd of County Crocks for my partner, and as you can see.......the swap goodies I received from her were anything but modest. Just look at the treasure- trove of gifts....all wrapped so primtastically.

Susan hand painted this wonderful candle box for me to hold my sewing notions. She even made a pinkeep on top. She knows how much I love Americana/Patriotic, and I could never have designed or asked for anything more perfect to my taste! I absolutely love it!
She also sent me the prim heavy cotton Amercian flag , that you see in the background. It's just the perfect size too.

Along w/ the wonderful Americana box, she gave me a painted gourd basket w/ handle, with painted gourd eggs inside. I LOVE it too!

As if that wasn't already more than enough, she sent a beautiful larger size hog scraper, some wax ducklings, a set of her beautiful note cards that she designed herself, and a yummy smelling candle in a Clove Pomander scent. Mmm Mmm Good!
She also sent me some yummy fabric, which I have already used for my Americana Abbey!

2 bars of goatsmilk soap

..... and last but not least some yummy edibles!

She knows I love black licorice, and she also sent me some of the infamous Wilbers Dark Chocolate from her area of PA!

Thank you dear Susan for making me feel like a Queen for a day! I am so happy to have this gorgeous box, designed and painted by you just for me. I will cherish it always!

By the rare chance that you may not already be familiar with Susan's wonderful handpainted designs....please check out her website, you'll be glad you did.

The Tax Man Cometh

2010-04-14T12:00:00.001-07:00

......To Simply Primitives April 15th!

In honor of "that" day we're all so fond of, I've created a simple yet very nicely detailed Uncle Sam!

I hope you'll swing by Simply Primitives and take a peek.

~Americana Abbey~

2010-04-01T04:52:00.001-07:00

In plenty of time for the upcoming Patriotic Holidays...

this gal is available on Ebay with no reserve.

I hope you'll head over and take a peek at her~

Congratulations to all my Prim Sisters!

2010-03-21T05:31:00.001-07:00

I got my copy of the new Stampington Magazine "Prims" yesterday, and let me just say.....I was not disappointed! It is a class act, and it surely represents the Prim art world beautifully!

I want to extend a big congrats to all of the Prim artists who have their work featured in this premier issue. I am happy and honored to be amongst then all, and more importantly, absolutely thrilled for each and every one!

The photo above is not from the actual Prims magazine, but rather the ad for Prims, in another of Stampington's publications called "Somerset".

My friend Mo (wings and paws)spotted it while browsing through, and was so excited to see her fellow TDIPT sisters (Tink and myself) work in the ad, that she took a pic of it and was thoughtful enough to bring it to our attention in our TDIPT group. I don't know who was more excited....her or us! Thank you Mo, you have such a truly giving spirit, and you are always so happy to spread the good news for others!

Along w/ my "Go Fly a Kite Rabbit", that's Michelle Sylvia's beautiful Doll, and Pam Gracia's darling bunny you see pictured. On the opposite page are Colleen Moody's lovely dolls. Congrats to all of you gals! I am honored :)

Now, in the actual spread in Prims, I am so happy to be in a feature called "Hopping Down the Bunny Trail".

My Rabbit is featured along side my friend Lorraine Gerber's sweet Folk art Rabbit as well as Pam Gracia's Miss Bonnie Bonet (pictured above).

Again, all I can say is I am truly honored, and excited for these two gals as well as for all the gals who are in the mag. There are some beautful features, and some of my friends are even featured more than once! How bout that???

I'm not gonna mention names, as there are so many and I wouldn't want to risk someone feeling bad by leaving them out. So, instead I'm raising my glass to all of you!

If you want to see all of the wonderful work and read the stories for yourself....you're gonna have to be sure to get this magazine.

To order your copy.....click HERE!

I hope you don't think I'm being ridiculous to be so excited, as for some this may be "old hat" as they have had their work featured in mags before, but this is a 1st for me, and I am as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning! Please know I am truly honored and as excited for all the gals as I am for myself!

Let me just say a great big THANK YOU to a very dear friend of mine. Had it not been for her, I never would have gotten my piece submitted. She pushed and she prodded just enough, and when it came right down to it, I could not bear to let her down and disappoint her, so I finished the piece I had been dragging my feet on and I sent it in. I never expected to hear back from the magazine with good news.

Thank you dear friend, for believing in me. You know who you are. You were the wind beneath my wings :)

As always...thanks for visiting!

Coming soon to Simply Primitives

2010-03-12T09:00:00.001-08:00

~* Carrot Sue *~

She'll be available on Simply Primitives March 14th

Sue looks lovely along side her Brother Stu :)

The wait is almost over

2010-03-04T06:20:00.001-08:00

I love the story of Alice in Wonderland, who doesn't?

I cannot wait to go see the movie tomorrow, and have been counting down the months, weeks, days and now hours since seeing previews last summer! I can't believe March 5th is almost here! Anyway, here is a little bit of Alice trivia that I found to be interesting and thought you may as well:

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
and
Through the Looking Glass
by Lewis Carroll (1832-1898

About the author:

Lewis Carroll's real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. He was the third of eleven children of an Anglican priest, and was a mathematician and a logician who was a lecturer at Oxford University. He was also an accomplished photographer, and a Church Deacon. He is best known for his children's tales, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.

About the book

While on a rowing trip on the river Isis in Oxford with Alice, Lorina and Edith Liddle, the three young daughters of a colleaugue, the children asked Dodgson to "Tell us a story". Alice, aged ten, later begged him to write down the story he had invented and for Christmas 1864 he gave her a hand-printed copy of "Alice's Adventures Underground". The dedication read: "A Christmas Gift to a Dear Child, in Memory of a Summer Day".

In the original manuscript, which Dodgson illustrated himself, Alice was

not the little blonde girl we know today. Instead, she looked like Alice Liddle, for whom he had created the book.

Dodgson later showed the tale to his family and friends, and they convinced himto publish it. The revised and expanded version, with illustrations by Sir John Tenniel, was published by Macmillan and Co. in London in 1865. It was now called: "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland".

Below are just some of Sir John Tenniel's original illustrations of The White Rabbit. Many (including myself) have been inspired to create their own art by these fascinating drawings.

You can expect to see more Alice creations from me in the near future, as like so many, I've got Alice Fever!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Cause for Celebration!

2010-02-26T03:01:00.000-08:00

In just a few short days TDIPT Mercantile (not to be confused w/ the ebay group which turned 3 back in October) will be turning 3 years old! It is hard to believe that this much time has passed since our doors opened and we made our debut onto the internet.

To help to show our appreciation to our wonderful customers and our loyal followers, we've celebrated each of our birthdays w/ a giveaway, as we will this year. Some of our artists have created something special to be given away for this special occasion, and we will begin the festivities on the evening of Sunday February 28th at 10 PM ET, which is also when the artists from the 1st of the month will have their new offerings in place on the Merc for your consideration.

We will draw names on March 21st.

How to enter for the drawing?

Purchase an item from the Mercantile and we will throw your name in the hat for each purchase you make
If you're on our mailing list to receive our TDIPT Newsletter, you will be entered in to win, so if you're not already receiving it, be sure to sign up on the Merc or on our TDIPT blog.
If you are a follower of our blog you will be entered in to win. If you don't already follow us, be sure to sign up.

We hope you will join us to celebrate such an important occasion!

I love a PARADE!

2010-02-21T10:46:00.001-08:00

Parade of "Prim Eye Candy" that is!

The members of TDIPT have begun their beautiful Parade of Prims on ebay today. I will add mine tonight! Here's just a little peek. To see the rest, you'll have to be watching tonight.

Look for all of the "Birds of a Feather" offerings, beginning today on ebay......and continuing on all through the week. Just type TDIPT into your search, (or click here to get there directly ) and as I've mentioned before....have your drool bib handy. :)

Thanks as always for stopping by!

Counting Down the Days!

2010-02-16T05:19:00.001-08:00

The members of TDIPT are having a group launch on ebay!

Our theme is

~Birds of a Feather...Create Together~

The parade begins Feb 21st!

Sneeky Peeky

2010-02-13T13:08:00.001-08:00

Here's a lil peek at my offering for Simply Primitives this month. Look for Stu on the 14th or 15th of this month.

As always...thanks for popping in for a visit at the Dogpatch :)

Please consider them......

2010-02-10T06:33:00.000-08:00

While you're warm and toasty in your home.

I know I know I know..... it's painful to see these images. No one likes to see them or think about the suffering. I know I don't. I don't look at, or share this image b/c it's easy, pleasant, or enjoyable. I do it b/c I must look at it, and you must too, if you care about helping animals, you must see this in order to know it exists, and to help to make a difference.

I was going to post about the work that the Best Friends Animal Society is doing over in Haiti, but after receving my email from the Michigan Humane Society (AKA the Animal Cops Detroit), and being reminded of the story of "Ice", I felt I needed to post about the countless dogs forced to live tethered outside their entire lives, some without so much as a dog house, and if they are fortunate enough to have a dog house, many do not have straw to keep them from freezing to death in these cold winter months.

Images such as this are disturbing not only to see, but it's even more disturbing to know there are countless animals just like "Ice" (pictured here) who are forced to be out in the cold and not even considered, let alone given shelter, food or water. We must at least consider them if they are ever to be helped.
Ice was one of the lucky ones. Someone saw her and yes, they considered her, therefor she was able to be helped. I know we don't want to know, and I myself am guilty of not wanting to know, and wanting to turn away from these thoughts and images, b/c it's so painful to see, and it hurts my heart to know of the suffering. But these things that bring us the temporary pain can be the very thing that may save an animal from enduring a life of suffering. Sometimes these disturbing images are what promts us to do something, whether it's just to be more aware of an outside dog that we may see when passing by in our warm car, and perhaps it's what make's us make that phone call to the proper authorities, or to make a monetery donation to a rescue, b/c w/out donations, the phone calls would be in vain. These rescues need money in order to have the resources to help animals like Ice.

Ice's story has a VERY HAPPY ENDING,

and that is why I made the decision to post it here. I want you to know that you alone can make a difference. One person, just like you or I made the difference by making a phone call, and b/c of people like you or I, The Animal Cops of Detroit were able to get Ice out of harms way and into the shelter, and eventually into a very , loving home where he is fat, happy, loved and warm, all b/c he was considered!

Please take the time to look and consider, and please check out this video, b/c it will do your heart good to see how far this sweet creature has come. She's livin the good life now! Hallelujah!

Please, if you care about animals, then please just consider them for a moment. If you were that animal, you would want someone to consider you, wouldn't you?

OK, I'm off to make a very small donation. It certainly isn't going to be much, and it alone seems like it won't be of much good, but together w/ all of the other very small donations, it adds up, and yes it does make a difference. It made a difference for Ice and it will make a difference for others just like him.

Hearts for Haiti on the Mercantile

2010-01-31T19:34:00.001-08:00

It's no secret that the artists of TDIPT have some of the very biggest hearts. Some of the TDIPT artists wish to help those in Haiti by giving the proceeds from a piece of their work to charity to help aid those in need after this horrible earthquake.

Please be sure to check out the Merc for the very best in handmade folk art and to see how you can Have a Heart for Haiti!

I have 2 pieces up right now, and tomorrow I will be adding my little heart ornie to go for charity. I just could not get the pics today.

Be Mine Valentine Doll

Spring Thyme Rabbit

Hope in our Hearts

2010-01-20T21:15:00.000-08:00

It's so hard to imagine the devastation over in Haiti! I've been watching the coverage since the earthquake, and each night I just shake my head b/c it is so difficult to fathom the depth of suffering that so many are now forced to endure. Things just seem to get worse, and it's b/c of the mass devastation. People are helping, we, the United States, and so many other countries are there to help but it just isn't enough. It's so hard to remain hopeful, but we must! I saw today that they pulled a 70 year old woman out of the rubble, and she seems to be OK after a week with no food or water. Yes, I guess we must have hope!

While I was watching the coverage, they were showing how the search dogs go into the rubble, and right in the middle of harms way to alert the rescuers if someone is in there needing to be rescued. They are responsible for saving so many lives. Without them, people in need of help may be overlooked. They go where man can't or won't go unless he knows there is someone in there. It's amazing to me that these creatures, (appropriately titled mans best friend) are so very valuable to us, yet some still regard them only as property and wouldn't even think of letting them in their house.

I want to help in this disaster too, as so many do. I think it's just in our nature to want to help one another when it is needed. With so much overwhelming sorrow, there is some comfort to be found in seeing so many working together to help these victims.

My "Hope in our Hearts" doll is going on ebay tomorrow, and while I would love to give 100% to charity, I cannot at this time, but I do want to donate 50% to a charity. I'm not sure yet what one I'm going to give to. I'm struggling, really struggling with this one. I tend to want to give to the animals first, b/c it seems not enough is ever done for them, but seeing so many people in need over there, it has me wondering if it's the right thing to do in this case, but after seeing these search dogs tonight, it reminded me that without help, these dogs could not be trained, and many are just shelter dogs who would otherwise be put to sleep. I feel strongly there is a need to help the people who make it possible for us to have these wonderfully trained 4 legged helpers, as they have helped the people of Haiti and will continue to help people in future disasters, so I think I'm going to be donating the money to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in utah. They do so much good for so many, and they sent me an email saying they have been asked by many to go down to Haiti to help, and they will. They never put an animal down and they work feverishly to rehabilate an animal, even if it takes years, and yes, some of them have gone on to be therapy or working dogs!

I don't know if Ebay's Missionfish offers that charity, but I will give it more thought, and find one that I feel comfortable with, but rest assured, that helping the animals, is helping the people in the long run.

Simply Primitive

2010-01-17T14:17:00.001-08:00

That's where you'll find this guy tonight.

I'm running a little late for my 15th of the month update, but Sharon was kind enough to let me slide.

Thanks Sharon!

I know I've not had anything to talk about here on my blog lately other than my work. I don't mean to be self serving, it's just that time of the year, and like so many others, these winter months always have me feeling a little blah, so I muddle through as best I can. I know that once Spring is within reach, I'll feel rejuvinated, and more inclined to talk.

Until then...I'll just keep sewing.

I feel ashamed to feel blah with the horrible conditions in Haiti, but I'm going to make a little something for ebay to go towards helping those effected by such devastation. It's so very sad.

With a grateful heart, I Thank you for stopping by :)

Alice and the White Rabbit....

2010-01-10T16:59:00.000-08:00

are coming to Ebay tonight.

I can hardly wait for March 5th. That's the day that Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (starring Johnny Depp) hits theatres!

In the meantime I've enjoyed bringing a couple of the characters to life.

Thanks for stopping by :)

Coming to Ebay

2010-01-07T16:38:00.001-08:00

Abe's coming to ebay tonight, and so is this sweet little girl

She's hoping to find a new home :)

Happy New Year!

2010-01-03T14:11:00.000-08:00

I'm a little late, but sure wanted to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year!

I am so happy to be able to say bye-bye to 2009, and I am looking forward to this new year and decade, and hoping it brings us all good health, much happiness and plenty of prosperity!

Here are my first offerings for the new year. They're Key To My Heart angels, and they are so sweet in person. They are just right for Valentines day, and perfect to give to your someone special as a gift!

They're available on TDIPT Mercantile and starting this evening, I'm going to be offering a discount.

Thank you for stopping by :)

Merry Christmas to all!

2009-12-24T05:38:00.000-08:00

Coming to Simply Primitives tonight

2009-12-14T11:21:00.000-08:00

This Holiday Ho Ho Ho Crow will be available on Simply Primitives this evening. He's my last Holiday creation for the year.

I am now officially able to pack up my sewing and tuck it away til after Christmas. Whew!

Now it's time to get busy decorating and baking for the big day!

Happy Holidays to all!

She's making the trek to Ebay

2009-12-02T10:59:00.001-08:00

Since it's the holidays, and time is of the essence, days are numbered, and bills must be paid, this gal is going on to Ebay tonight. She's available on TDIPT Mercantile as of right now, but unfortunately, no takers for her, and there is no time for her to sit and wait for just the right person to come along for her.

So, I gave her a new "do" and I will list her on Ebay tonight w/ a Buy it Now, at a lower price. She's so lovely, and if I could afford to do so, I would love to keep her, as I love everything about this Peace on Earth Angel!

I hope she'll find someone who can't live without her!

New for TDIPT Mercantile

2009-11-30T14:56:00.001-08:00

Tonight the Merc is updating, and here's a peek at one of my offerings!~

Hope to see you there!

Ho Ho Ho!!!.....

2009-11-24T10:51:00.001-08:00

Be on the lookout!

Here's my newest Santa, and he's comin to ebay tonight!

He'll be on a 5 day auction with a buy it now option.

Thanks for stopping by :)

Wishing you and yours a very

Safe and Happy

~Thanksgiving!~

2009-11-11T05:16:00.000-08:00

~ Thankful ~

2009-11-03T14:55:00.001-08:00

My newest creation is up for auction on ebay.

We really do have so very much to be Thankful for ;)

Thanks for stopping by :)

The Sweetest Vampire

2009-10-31T16:04:00.000-07:00

Little Zoey....ready to go Trick or Treating

Finally...something for ebay!

2009-10-29T09:35:00.001-07:00

Here's my new guy, and he can be found on ebay. He's a blue eyed Santa in traditional reds.

I've really been dragging my feet, and have felt so unispired lately, but I am hoping to turn the corner and have plenty of Holiday Handmades to offer this season!
Please be sure to visit TDIPT Mercantile this Saturday night for our big Open House premier, as I will have a new holiday creation to offer there, as will the other TDIPT artists, and of course we are having a HUGE giveaway to celebrate and kick off the season!

Thanks for stopping by :)

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

2009-10-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

TDIPT Mercantile will be celebrating it's annual Holiday Open House during the month of November!

We hope you'll join us, as we'll have holiday offerings galore from our talented artists, as well as a generous giveway!

See you there in November.

New for TDIPT Mercantile

2009-10-01T04:26:00.001-07:00

Yep, that's right....you can now find my offerings on TDIPT Mercantile on the 1st of the month.

This month I have a Pilgrim Make-do up for consideration.

I hope you'll stop by and take a peek at her, along w/ all of the other wonderful creations now available from fellow TDIPT artists!

Coming to the Mercantile

2009-09-14T15:11:00.001-07:00

I'll be updating my TDIPT Mercantile page tonight along w/ the other artists from the 15th of the month!

Here's a peek at my offerings.

Thanks for stopping by!

Another great TDIPT swap!

2009-09-11T05:33:00.000-07:00

We're once again smack-dab in the middle of another TDIPT Swap. We decided that for our annual Autumn swap we would keep it at a modest level, and not get too carried away w/ the giving, as we tend to do with each one. It was difficult, but for the most part we all managed to stay within our limit which was, a handmade (2, if small), and a $15.00 monetary limit.

Anyway.....Janelle AKA little sister's dolls drew names this time around, and I was lucky enough to get her as my swap partner!

She made me this adorable and very colorful Witch sittin atop her big ol pumpkin!

She sent along a yummy smelling Paula Dean candle, a bread dipping set, and Americana Hanger, and some candy.....Black Licorice (which I told her I love), and some Orange Jewels

Also, 2 cards, one handmade, and the other w/ a doggie on the front, and a very sweet message inside!

Thank you Janelle, I love my box of goodies!

Be sure to check out some of the other TDIPT members blogs to see more! The TDIPT girls are not only extremely talented, they are amazingly generous! The swaps are always over the top, and you'll want to see them all!

For the Vegetarian in you!

2009-09-06T07:18:00.000-07:00

Vegetarian Tacos

Here it is, a veggie taco that combines the best of summer produce, that you can pull together in about 20 minutes or less. You can use summer squash, green chiles, tomatoes, and jalapeños from the garden. You can improvise with the vegetables, a little fresh corn would work great added in, or some cooked beans as well. Fresh chiles, and you could always just add some salsa or jalapeño pickles to taste. The key to the overall taste is the addition at the end of cotija cheese, a Mexican cheese that is salty and crumbly, much like Greek feta. Remember, unless you have just made your tortillas fresh from scratch, packaged corn tortillas need to be heated and softened first, before being used for tacos

Ingredients

Olive oil
1 cup of roughly chopped zucchini or summer squash (1-2 zucchini or squash, depending on the size)
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 large fresh mild green chile (Anaheim or Hatch), seeds and stem discarded, chopped
1/2 fresh jalapeño chile pepper, seeds and stem discarded, minced (or more, if you desire more heat)
Salt
1 small to medium tomato, chopped
4 corn tortillas
4 slices cheddar cheese
1/4 cup crumbled Mexican cotija cheese (a salty, crumbly cheese, you can substitute feta)
A few sprigs of fresh cilantro, chopped (okay to include the stems, if small)

1 Heat a tablespoon or two of oil in a large sauté pan on medium high heat. Add the zucchini, onions, garlic, green chiles, and jalapeño to the pan. Sprinkle with salt. Stir to coat the vegetables with the oil in the pan. Spread the veggies out in the pan and then stir only occasionally, until they are all lightly browned. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, lower the heat to low. Let gently cook for several minutes while you are preparing the tortillas.

You are going to want to heat up the tortillas first, first to soften them, and then to melt the cheese.

Heat a tablespoon or so of oil in a large cast iron frying pan, on medium high. Add a tortilla to the pan, moving it around a bit, and turning it over, so that it spreads around the oil. Let the tortilla heat until it develops little bubbles of air pockets. Then place a piece of cheese on one side of the tortilla, and use a metal spatula to fold the other side of the tortilla over the cheese. Heat until cheese is melted, then remove from pan. Note that if you have a big enough pan, you can have one tortilla folded over while you have another tortilla doing its initial heating.

Open the tacos and spoon some of the cooked veggie filling into them. Sprinkle on chopped cilantro and crumbled cotija cheese.

Serve immediately.

Makes 4 tacos. Serves 2.

*you can use flour tortillas as well*

Mmm Mmmm, it just might be what's for dinner around ehre today :)

Coming soon......

2009-09-02T14:26:00.001-07:00

The members of TDIPT are having a funniest pet contest on our TDIPT blog.

The fun begins on September 6th, so be sure to check out all the pics on our blog, and vote for TDIPT's funniest!

New Offerings

2009-08-31T16:45:00.000-07:00

My 2 new Harvest-Thyme offerings......

A witch door hanger on Simply Primitives

and a Handsome Pumpkinhead on my selling blog

Thanks for stopping by!

Vick: Welcome to Pennsylvania! You've Come to the Right Place

2009-08-19T18:56:00.000-07:00

I received this email today. It's from a wonderful gal who lives in Tipton Pennsylvania. She's the founder of Dogs Deserve Better, and not only has she worked for years to get laws passed for more humane treatment of dogs in the US, she has devoted her life to making such changes and is responsible for saving many dogs from a life of hell on the end of a chain. No state has been tougher for her than her own. You can read her words below, and you can visit the website by clicking here.
Myself, I was sick to see a team take Vick. To me his name is MUDD!

Greetings!

Well, it's official. Vick is now an Eagle; he's coming to Pennsylvania.

(I'd like to call it Pennsyltucky, but I get in trouble from the Kentucky folks. I understand, Kentuckians---I wouldn't want Pennsylvania dragging me down either, but doesn't it just have a fun ring to it? You could use it too!)

Come on up, Vick, we've got our welcome mat out for ya'!

While some here in Pennsylvania may be astounded that we care so little about our animals as to put the welcome mat out for Mike Vick, I don't join them in their astoundyism. (Yeah, I know it's not a word, but I like it.)

How could I?

Pennsylvania has been making headlines in the last few years as, amongst other things, the puppymill capitol of the East and the state where abusive puppymillers, backyard breeders, and dog chainers are running rampant, killing and neglecting dogs, and prosecuting activists who videotape the cruelty and then help the animals. The abusers are never even brought to trial.

Anti-chaining legislation in Pennsylvania, now in it's third session, still languishes in committee, whereas in Georgia there are now at least 14 counties with very strong anti-tethering laws in place. Vick, you got out just in time; seems they were about to stop tolerating you there!

But don't worry, Vick, we're your people! Come on up, the water's warm!

Pennsylvania has chosen abusers over animals every day of the week and twice on Football Sunday.

The Philadelphia Eagle Powers that Be decided to bring Vick here despite angry protests and boycotts of their programs and sponsors---having obviously felt bringing him here was well worth any 'temporary discomfort.

''Temporary discomfort' being blogs such as this, articles by animal advocates and organizations, and protests by groups who manage to round up enough bodies to make somewhat of an impression on media folk.

We are told by 'real' sports columnists to "just go away and be quiet," "your actions won't get you anywhere," and "stop behaving like children" because we have the nerve to boycott, protest, and make facebook groups against the Eagles and their actions in bringing Vick to Pennsylvania.

We are told, in disdain no less, that "our actions just bring down the cause of animal advocacy. If we just wrote a gentle letter and 'used this for the next occasion' that we would be better off. Just let Vick play now, slink off to our corners, and admit defeat. Be good little children, for Christ's sake."

I was once told that the difference between France and America is that in France they fear their people, and in America we fear our government.

It's time America started fearing it's people too! Social movements are not brought to fruition by people staying at home and shutting their mouths. They are created by momentum, unison, and righteous action to overthrow unrighteous behaviors.

Someday, and someday soon, enough people will be boycotting the Eagles or their ilk long enough and hard enough to take them out. And then columnists who tell us to step back and be good little girls and boys will be eating their words.

Someday, and someday soon, enough people will be demanding justice for animals that the correct people will be prosecuted, and prosecuted well and hard, for committing crimes against those who depend on us for their very existence.

And someday, and someday soon, enough people will be standing firm around advocates who film cruelty and take actions for animals that the powers that be will find they are no longer the ones in power.

The thought of that day brings a smile to my face.

So people, go for it! Protest! Boycott! Create petitions! And most importantly, create change.

For that day is coming, and soon.

---Tamira Ci Thayne, founder, Dogs Deserve Better

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-08-18T18:09:00.000-07:00

It is so hard for me to believe that my mom is 80 years old. Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday I was a little girl and she would sing to me. I can just about hear her singing "oh the moon shines tonight on little redwing", she would sing it to me when I was in the bathtub, so she could get my hair rinsed good after washing. I'll never forget the calming effect it had on me.

We had pizza, cake and ice cream for her birthday. She wasn't feeling well....she broke 4 ribs when she fell last week, and just came home from the hospital yesterday. She's weak and frail, and we are hoping this will pass once she has time to heal. I'm thankful to be able to celebrate another of her birthdays with her.

I love you mom :)

August on the Mercantile

2009-08-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

This month TDIPT is celebrating all things Autumn.

For this fun theme, I've made a Pumpkinhead named Percy

and a Witch named Hazel (sister to Eloise). Hazel will be hopping on her broom and flying south to take up residency with a fellow TDIPT sister :) I sure hope she likes her!

Be sure to visit the Merc for some of the very finest handmades you'll find anywhere!

TDIPT Presents.....A Candy Corn Carnival....

2009-08-03T07:10:00.000-07:00

On EBAY all this week!

The artists of TDIPT will be offering everything Candy Corn all week on Ebay, so be sure to check us out!

Here's one of my offerings

Thanks for stopping by :)

Eloise

2009-07-31T05:32:00.001-07:00

My offering for Simply Primitives for August 1st. :)

Thrilled & Deeeee-lighted!

2009-07-22T06:29:00.001-07:00

We have a saying in TDIPT.....

"Ain't no swap like a TDIPT Swap", and we say it with good reason!

I'm telling you, the gals always have their game faces on, and seem to put their best creative foot forward for these special events!

We've just about completed our Mid-summer Swap, and w/ this one, it was sorta last minute...something to take us through the summer and give us our swap fix until our big Autumn Swap.

We decided that we would keep it simple (yeah, right...no such thing in the land of TDIPT), and stick to one handmade item. We were partnered up, then able to request what type of handmade we would like to have from the other, be it Halloween, Christmas, or just a favorite subject. We also agreed to send just the handmade...nothing else, no added extras, but between you, me and the fencepost, many found it difficult to stick to such strict regulations, and opted to send along a little extra, but we all agreed we would keep it to ourselves and not tell the world, so I won't :)

As I'm sure you can tell by jsut looking at the pictures, I was lucky enough to be paired up w/ Tonya of Back Porch Pickins, and when she drew my name I knew immediately what I would ask her to make for me, and she was happy to oblige!

I asked for one of her sweet Uncle Sams.....and boy did she deliver! I was thrilled when the box arrived, and felt like a kid on Christmas morning! Her packaging was beautiful, and she pays as much attention to the detail of wrapping as she does to creating her beautiful dolls!

Thanks so very much Tonya, I love my Uncle Sam, and will cherish him forever!

Be sure to check out the blogs of other TDIPT members to see all the lovely handmades that were exchanged amongst us!

OK.....bring on the next swap, we can hardly WAIT! We have new members, and they are eager to join in the fun too! It's always fun to watch, but even more so to participate!

The Joys of Summer

2009-07-20T04:37:00.001-07:00

Cobbler Anyone?

I love summer, it's my very favorite season here in Michigan. I love the warm temps, sunny days, and the long hours of daylight.

One of the things I love and appreciate most is the wonderful fresh produce grown right here in the state, and available to us during the summer months.... from sweet corn, to tomatoes, to zuchinni. Fresh grown produce is the best!

We even have an area in Michigan called the Fruit Belt, known for all the fresh fruit that's grown here and comes into season during our wonderful summer months. We've got cherries, cantaloupe, peaches, berries of all kinds.... strawberries, blueberries, and of course yummy raspberries.

My sister grows her own red raspberies, and she was nice enough to let me pick while she is away on a mini-vakay.

The season for the raspberries is winding down, but there are still plenty of these sweet and luscious berries to be had!

I was able to pick enough in one day to enjoy some plain, and also to make a yummy cobbler.

This particular recipe has a rich buttery dough, and is best served w/ a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream!

2 -cups Fresh Fruit

Sugar ( I used about 1/2 cup on my berries)

Sprinkle fruit w/ sugar, and stir gently, and let set til it makes it's own juice.

While that's setting, you can make the dough for the cobbler.

1 cup baking mix

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup sugar

1 cup milk

1/2 cup butter

Melt the butter, and pour into an 8" by 8" baking pan.

Mix the baking mix, baking powder and sugar together, add the milk and mix w/ a fork til, combined. Batter will be thin

Pour batter on top of the butter, and spoon fruit w/ juice on top of that.

Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for about 30 minutes or until nicely browned on top.

Let cool, and top with fresh whipped cream or even better, a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream!

Mmmm Mmmm Mmmmm, I can't wait for Michigan Peaches to come into season in about a month!

A 23 hour "Getaway"?

2009-07-08T06:24:00.000-07:00

..well, that's what we called it, but by the time all was said and done, it was more like one big BLUR!!

By the time preparations were made to have someone here to take care of the dogs, and make sure the teenager wasn't left home alone, I was mentally exhausted (b/c of course as mom's we have to worry worry worry about everything), then off to the grocery store to be sure they had food, and make sure the house is clean, b/c you know how they say be sure to have clean undies on and a clean house just incase anything happens while you're gone. Well, anyway, I was almost too pooped to participate!

It was a good thing our destination was only 1 1/4 hours away!

Believe me, Chicago was mighty tempting, as like Port Huron, it is right on the Lake (Lake Michigan), but we had our reservations made for a night at the Thomas Edison Inn in Port Huron, an old port town, just across the river from Sarnia Canada.

The hotel is located right on the St. Clair river, where it opens up into Lake Huron, with gorgeous views of the river, lake and the beautiful Blue Water Bridge to Canada.

We had a 3rd floor room which offered a view of the River, Lake and of course the Bridge, right from our balcony.

We were a bit disappointed that it was cloudy, and even some drizzle, as the water looks gray, and not nearly as beautiful as when the sun is shining and it gives it a breathtaking turquoise blue hue! It's no wonder they call it the Blue Water Bridge!

I took this pic from our balcony, it's the patio that sets off the hotel restaurant. It was early morning, so no umbrellas set up on the tables yet.

On the American side of the river/lake, both American and Canadian flags wave proudly

as do they on the Canadian side as well.

Hub and I picked up some Cajin Deep Fried peanuts at the party store, and this little fella must have been able to smell them, b/c of all the balconies at the hotel...he ended up on ours, peeking into our screen, so I put a few peanuts out there for him, hoping he didn't mind a little bit of spice.

and I guess he didn't mind all that spicy seasoning, as he kept coming back for more and more!

It was such fun to watch him hold the peanuts and lick the seasoning off, before running off with them.

All and all, it was nice to get away, and I did appreciate it, and enjoyed myself, but just one more day away sure would have put the icing on the cake!

It's been a long time....

2009-07-08T05:58:00.000-07:00

been a long time, been a long lonely lonely lonely lonely lone-ly time!

Up until last night I had not listed anything on Ebay since last Christmas, and while I was doing my listing, it all came back to me as to why! UGH......it took me forever, and trying to get a gallery pic, and such, was workin up my blood pressure,and those terrible thoughts of tossing the puter right out the window to the left of me were re-surfacing, and in a BIG way!

Finally after much frustration, and a few hours work, I was able to hit the button, and low and behold....I had a listing, my first of the year!

My lil Punkin girl, w/ her soft muted colors will be on ebay until Sunday night when she ends at 10:45 EDT.

New For Simply Primitives

2009-06-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

Here's my Patriotic Santa...he'll be available on Simply Primitives for July 1st!