CYPRESS HOLLOW GIFTS

Letter to Twins

2010-12-07T17:53:00.001-08:00

Dear Cadance and Callie:

I want to tell you:

On November 12th, in the year of our Lord two thousand and ten, I welcome you to your world. I am blessed to know your Great-Grandmother, Jean. I want to tell you this day that you are blessed to be a descendant of a very special woman. I hope some day she will write her story. She is a wonderful storyteller and her story is for her to write as only she can.

I want to tell you, your Great-Grandmother, was a friend of my Mother-In-Law and through that relationship, I’ve come to know her. She is one of the most spiritually faithful women I know. She has a fun, animated personality that draws you into her life and leaves you feeling blessed to have made her acquaintance. I want to tell you that your grandmother, Sherrie, and your Great-Grandmother Jean were present at your birth. This is a treasure beyond your full understanding at this time but realize there were four generations of amazing women in one room on the day you were born. I want to tell you God is good. I want to tell you that your Great-Grandmother has had more than her share of hardships but she has never faltered on her faith in Christ. It is her strength; her character and her faith that I hope you take, cherish and carry with you all your days. I want to tell you, you are loved. I want to tell you to be kind to your enemies it will drive them crazy. I want to tell you to stand up for yourself, and more importantly, stand up for someone that needs a friend. I want to tell you to have fun, to be strong, to laugh, to dance, to cry, to love.

I want to tell you to remember your Great-Grandmother; she is the one that asked me to make your baby quilts and I made them with love for you and respect for the long line of women who came before you.

With Love,
Dava

Homespun ornaments

2010-12-05T18:51:00.000-08:00

Unexpectedly, I am spending my Holidays in West Tennessee. All of my normal Holiday decorations are in Florida this year so I've decided to borrow a few ornaments and make the rest.

When we moved into this house there was a Christmas tree, in a box, in the back room. I decided to keep it, that was about 5 years ago. A few days back, I opened the box for the first. I found a nice little four foot tree in perfect condition. Up it went on top of a blanket chest, centered nicely in the front window for the World (well for the residents of this small town) to see.

I strung it with lights and a few glass balls that I borrowed from next door. My Sister In Law recently visited here from St. Louis, so we bought a few bags of cranberries and her and I got busy stringing them up for my tree and some for her own tree. Then, I borrowed a dehydrator, sliced up some apples and oranges and in two days I had some nice dried ornaments. Finally, I strung up some stale popcorn (must be stale otherwise they will just crumble as you string them up.

Over the next few days, if I get time, I'll string up some more popcorn and I may get in my fabric stash and make a few primitive inspired ornaments to round out the whole Tree.

May you all have a blessed Holiday season.

Frosty Quilt

2010-10-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

Cute Cute!!! Frosty The Snowman Quilt top. It measures 69X76. I still have to layer and quilt it. Somewhere between organizing a Fall Festival, completing two baby quilts (for twins), visiting Mom-In-Law in the Rehab center, and Art Classes, I hope to find time to finish this in plenty of time for the upcoming Holiday Season. It's been a crazy few weeks.

Hum of the Cotton Gin

2010-10-06T19:55:00.000-07:00

I find myself a bit melancholy, as the Summer wains in West Tennessee and the colorful Fall Season has set upon us with cool breezy nights and pleasant day temperatures. As I write, I can hear the Cotton Gin echoing a familar hum accross the town telling its residents harvest time has arrived in small town America. My husband says it's the sound of money. If the farmers have a good harvest they can buy new cars, new clothes and patronize local restrauants. The whole county benefits. I just think how much I love a great pair of blue jeans or the feel of a favorite cotton blouse.

I am thinking of how much I love this town and its people. What I cherish the most is its imperfections. I've never been one to like perfect people, homes, places or things. If a building is perfectly manicured with clean lines and spotless paint, I feel it lacks character and history, which is boring and frankly there is just something unnatural about the appearance of perfection. Observe an older building and I pause and wonder of its history and the people that dwelled within its walls. This can be said too of people.

I have digressed a bit so I will turn back to my original thoughts of being downhearted. Why am I so melancholy as the busy Fall season approaches? My beautiful, strong, independent Mother-In-Law had a stroke on September 17th. By stroke standards it was a small one but, it is always difficult to see a loved-one struggle. We remain hopeful for a full recovery as she fights, in rehab, to regain her mobility. Sometimes hope is all we have so we cling to it like bees to honey, enduring the sting and looking forward to tasting sweet victory.

Her stoke has reminded me that all things and people must change over time. I just don't want this town to change, neither its imperfect people, that I love, nor its imperfect buildings which I've grown to appreciate. So I will sit here awhile and ponder the changing season and the ever-changing life around me. Soon I will find a comfortable place where I can delight in the present gifts from God, rejoice in victories as they come, grieve for losses and always be amazed at this thing called life. Until I find that comfortable place, I will listen to the hum of the cotton gin and allow it to lull me into a more peaceful state of mind.

All Modern Giveaway

2010-09-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

Like to see a Gator in a pond of Duckweed? Check out my Sister's blog at: http://appliejuice.wordpress.com/author/appliejuice/ It's actually a cool blog site with lots of educational stuff for home school and good stuff for learning even if you are not a home school mom. Got healthly recipes too (-: Ymmmm.

My sister has implemented a well organized marketing strategy (aka a sneaky ploy) to get more readers. She is currently hosting a free giveaway until Sept 25. All I have to do is post about her blog on my blog for other bloggers to read and blog about. Yep, she has shamelessly gotten me to plug her blog on my blog to get more blog readers. As long as I win the giveaway this will be worth it. If I don't win I hope she gets more readers. (-: Seriously it is a good blog to follow. Check it out before 9/25 and enter the drawing for yourself, you may just win.

Now for the freebee drawing..the giveaway is for a $45 gift certificate at allmodern.com. How cool is that. They have lots of really neat items designed with a modern flair. Lots of the popular large prints in blues, browns, pinks and greens for bedding and home decor. Check out the Crib bedding, it's awsome. http://www.allmodern.com Favorite item for me would be the Morning Glory Organic (yes organic) sheet sets, who can resist a comfy set of cool, high quality sheets.

Frosty Quilt updated

2010-09-13T14:43:00.001-07:00

Frosty the Snowman was a happy jolly soul with a corn cob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal...o.k. I know you know this tune. (-: Who can forget a childhood favorite tale of a jolly snowman and the children that befriended him one Christmas season. Confess, you sill watch this delightful tale every year don't you...

For the next step in the Frosty quilt, I've "fussy cut" some Frosty fabric showing Frosty and his friends flying through the snow and mixed them in with the traditional snowball quilt blocks.

Frosty Quilt Progress

2010-09-10T19:43:00.000-07:00

I've added a sparkle snowflake, a dark blue and a red w/holly border to the Frosty Panel. I thought the red gave is a pop of color. Currently measures 40X48 or there abouts. Stay tuned to see what I have planned next.

Frosty The Snow Man Project

2010-09-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

My next project will be a Frosty the Snowman Quilt, full size. Here is a picture of some of the fabrics I have picked out so far. The top left is a snowflake fabric which has a bit of sparkle to it. The large Frosty measures 26X33 inches so I am thinking of putting him in the center, border with sparkle snowflakes and add a star block border (or something) in shades of blue and the final border will be the sparkle snowflakes. Final size should be around 68X75.

Baby Banket

2010-09-07T11:28:00.000-07:00

Hey Hey for the Monkies...

Friends and family anxiously await the arrival of Baby Boy Holden. (My sister's first grand baby) He is due to grace the world on November 3rd.

I have finished Baby Holden's quilt which measures 35X56 inches. It features hanging monkies on blue/green fabric backed by browns and light greens. It is layered with Warm and Natural batting. On the back I put a soft, fuzzy fleece so it will be warm and cozy for the little guy.

Memorial Wall Hanging

2010-09-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

Completed another memorial wall hanging in loving memory of PFC Brian Lee Holden. This one will be given to a young man that served with Brian in Iraq. May God bless all our military and their families. Their sacrafices are beyond measure.

Baby Quilt for Great-Nephew

2010-09-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

Our family is blessed with the coming of a new grandbaby. My sisters son's wife is expecting her first baby, a boy, on November 3rd. I am working on his little quilt. The parents to be like blue and brown colors. I found this wonderful monkey print fabric with browns and blues and greens. Unfortunatly, I could not find any blue that would work with the fabric so I chose a light green. All of the sewing will be done by machine so it should not take long to complete.

Simple Life Gone By

2010-07-19T19:45:00.000-07:00

I dream of a small wood frame home nestled in the hills of West Tennessee. I can almost hear the clicking of the old rocker against the wooden planks of the front porch as Granny quietly hums a familar tune from the morning serivce. Cotton growing high in the fields under the heat of the July sky. No rain in sight for days and the heat is oppressive. The old woman's fingers work swiftly and skillfully as she pieces scraps of fabric together to make a cozy quilt for her new great grand baby. She recalls her own children being born in this very home. A home built by her beloved husbands own hands. Through hard work, long hours and some difficult years, her children grew up strong, healthy and loving the Lord. They now have their own families and she has her precious memories of an amazing life....Simple...Beautiful....

Cookie Monster Doll Quilt

2010-07-15T11:03:00.000-07:00

Finished the Cookie Monster Doll Quilt. It measures 12X15 inches. Cute Cute....Cookie Monster will stay snug and warm, comfy, cozy under this sweet little quilt. It features a Cookie Monster patch in the center surrounded by cookie monster blue and white checks. Bordered and binded with pink sparkle fabric. It is layered with Wam and Natural Batting and backed with chocolate chip cookie fabric.

Cookie Monster II

2010-06-30T15:59:00.000-07:00

Finally got a new camera so I can start posting again. I have been hard at work on my Cookie Monster and Big Bird quilts.

I am sure all three of my lovely followers, as well as those that may stop by my blog, have been anxious to see the new Full Size Cookie Monster Quilt. I've surrounded adorable Cookie Monster with his favorite snack, chocolate chip cookies. I stayed with the pink pinwheels so that the quilt will match the curtains I previously made. The quilt top measures 65 inches X 84 inches. Next step will be to layer with Warm and White Batting and quilt the layers together.

Tomorrow I will post the twin Big Bird, it's absolutely adorable and you won't believe the bold border I chose for the delightful quilt.

Strawberry Jam

2010-06-14T14:01:00.001-07:00

A while back my neighbor, down the street, wanted to make a deal with me. He had the nice plum tree and asked if he provided the supplies, would I make him some Jam and I'd keep 1/2 and he would get 1/2 of the finished product. Since I don't mind making Jam, I agreed. One day I received a 5lb bag of sugar and a few days later I'd gotten a dozen pint jars delivered to my door. Every few days I'd get a few ripened plums and now I have about 4 cups of fruit. My recipe calls for 6 cups. I'm not sure how long the fruit will stay fresh. Not wanting to disapoint my neighbor (he really loves Jam) I tried to buy some additional plums, at the store, but could not find any.

So I decided to make some Strawberry Jam. I had all the supplies except the berries. Today I made four pints of straweberry Jam and I have enough Strawberries for another batch. Yes, it's yummy!

I will try to make the plum jelly with what fruit I have available, I'm hoping it will set o.k. but I 'll do the best I can.

Cookie Monster Quilt II

2010-06-12T20:49:00.000-07:00

Big Bird and Cookie Monster continue to occupy my time. Here I picture the beginnings of my current Cookie Monster project. The previous quilt was a toddler size and this one will ultimately fit a full size bed. The pictured portion measures 39X48. I am making it very simular to the previous quilt so that it will match the curtains as did the toddler quilt. I think Cookie Monster looks a bit lonely in the center so I will most likely go back and add some cookies to the center of this one. The next step is another row of pinwheels with added smaller Cookie Monsters in the corners.

Beautiful Day Gone Wonderfully Awry

2010-06-10T20:54:00.000-07:00

How many times have we woke in the morning with our day planned. Oh how we were going to achieve so much in a few short hours and end the day pleased with our efforts. Today was such a day, laundry, house cleaning, and sewing was on the agenda. By days end, not one item on my agenda was completed, or even touched, but my day was perfect in every detail.

My day started with a knock on the door. My 10-year old neighbor stood there on the door step, ready to spend her day with me. Now a choice... do I look at this as an interuprtion of my perfectly planned day or is this a gift of her time to me? It was certainly a gift.

We decided to make her a matching Wolf pillow to go with her other pillow she had made a few days ago, which was her very first sewing project! She sewed it all by herself and did a wonderful job. (ohhhh I so want to teach her quilting some day!) After Spaghetti & Meatballs and peanut butter moon pies for lunch we sat around awhile wondering what to do next. Then we had a great idea...we went fishing, yes fishing. We spent the entire afternoon on the water. We didn't catch a thing but had a great memorable time. Taylor baited her own hook (something to this day I have not personally accomplished), and drove a boat for the first time. She swam in the lake and chased a few Candian Geese as well. Needless to say I didn't sew one stitch or clean one room today but I can't imagine a better way to spend a Summer day.

Pumpkin Patch

2010-06-09T19:11:00.001-07:00

As Charlie Brown awaited the arrival of the Great Pumpkin, I too await the arrival of the colorful Fall Season and my Great Pumpkin Patch. Though it has meager beginings, it has great potential.. I planted the seeds this evening and already the good Lord has sent rain and I have no doubt tomorrow will bring plenty of sunshine to greet the little seeds as they struggle to emerge into the world.

Watch future posting to see how the grow (-:

Big Bird Quilt Project

2010-06-08T17:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers, I am finally back on the Blog Circuit. I have been enjoying the Summer in beautiful Tennessee for a few weeks and recently completed a Tinker Bell Toddler Quilt which is listed on my Etsy Shop. While going through my fabric stash, I found these cute Big Bird panels and have decided to make them part of my next project. If you love children's quilts, you will love this project. Final quilt will fit a twin bed. The picture shows the beginnings...stay tuned for regular progress updates.

Cookie Monster Shams

2010-04-04T14:35:00.002-07:00

Finished two standard size Cookie Monster Shams with Pinwheels and a border of Cookies (-: Backing is a solid Pink fabric. I think I'm done with this project other than getting it to it's eager owner (-:

1 toddler quilt

1 toddler bed skirt

1 pillow case

2 curtain panels

1 valance

2 shams

Cookie Monster Shams

2010-04-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

Cookie Monster looks pretty happy surrounded by all those cookies. Wonder if a little girl knows what Cookie Monster should do with so many cookies? See tomorrow how the shams take shape.

Cookie Monster Toddler Bed Skirt

2010-04-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

Finished a cute little toddler bed skirt adorned with Cookie Monsters (-: Next items are Pillow Shams which I have already started on. I want to quilt the top of the shams so I may have to run get some batting (always looking for a good excuse to visit a fabric store) but otherwise should have the shams done today as well.

Cookie Monster Pillow Case

2010-03-28T19:14:00.002-07:00

Well no Cookie Monsters on this pillow case (I wanted to keep it soft for a sweet little face to sleep on) but it has lots of pink and pink polk dot fabric (-: It will match the Cookie Monster Room perfectly.

Cookie Monster Curtains

2010-03-27T19:48:00.000-07:00

Finished the Pink Polka dot curtains with pinwheels and a Cookie Monster applique which match the toddler quilt perfectly. So that my readers can see the entire curtain panels, I took a picture showing the full panel on my wide 72" window. I "crunched" it up on the second picture to show how it will hang on the more narrow window. The rod pocket is 1 1/2 inches wide to fit a standard curtain rod. The curtain has a second fabric panel/lining to give it plenty of weight and fullness.

I hope to have the bedskirt and pillow case done tomorrow with the Sham and Valance completed by then end of next weekend. (-:

Cookie Monster Bedskirt

2010-03-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

My project continues with my friend and neighbor, Jennifer, http://havenintheoaks.blogspot.com/ We worked today on pink polka dot curtains and a matching bedskirt. Picture shows the side panels pinned to the platform piece. It will have cute pleats on each side and I will then applique Cookie Monster for an added touch.

Cookie Monster Curtains

2010-03-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

I have ventured on past my Cookie Monster toddler quilt onto a new project. Handmade Curtains for a little girl with...Cookie Monster (-: I am using the same pink/polka dot as in the quilt. An appliqued Cookie Monster is centered between pink and white pinwheels to border each panel, which go perfectly with the pinwheels in the quilt. Since I am using a cotton quilt fabric for the curtains, I will be adding a pink lining to give the curtains more weight.

Completed Cookie Monster

2010-03-14T20:16:00.001-07:00

Five Cookie Monsters surrounded by a sea of pink and white pinwheels with cookies on each corner. It's layered with Warm and White batting. The back and binding are done in white. The toddler quilt final size is 42" wide by 60" long. To cute.

Cookie Monster Update

2010-03-13T21:34:00.000-08:00

The Cookie Monster toddler quilt is taking shape, I completed the quilting process today and hope to finish the binding tomorrow. I will make the binding myself before applying it to the outer edge. Depending on my time, I hope to have it completed in the next day or two. Unfortunately I have to work for a few hours tomorrow , tax season has us buried so it's been a busy few weeks with four weeks to go. My husband is wanting fried fish for Sunday Supper, and I plan to make a pot of chilli for the neighbor as well soooo Sunday will be busy indeed.

(-:

Cookie Monster

2010-03-07T17:11:00.000-08:00

What would a Cookie Monster quilt be without cookies? I finished the quilt top, adding a pink border with chocolate chip cookes in each corner. I believe chocolate chip is Cookie Monster's favorite. The next step is to layer the top with a 100% cotton backing and Warm and white Batting. I hope to have it quilted this week.

(-:

Cookie Monster Update

2010-03-06T19:25:00.002-08:00

Finished the pinwheels, added four smaller cookie monsters and added another polka dot border. Right now, it measures 35 x 54. I will add an outside border which will bring the final size to 42 X 62.

(-: cute.

Cookie Monster Project Update

2010-03-02T17:14:00.000-08:00

Added a polka dot frame around Cookie Monster. Pinwheels in pink and white with four more cookie monsters (can't have to many cookie monsters) will border the polka dots and another border of polka dots. Lots and lots of pink (-: too cute.

Contest Winner Prizes

2010-02-28T17:31:00.000-08:00

Completed the prizes (StudioCherie Design Tags) for my two contest winners. Winner #1 wanted matching tags for her Black and Pink luggage. She will be fashionably trendy sporting a matching pink and black tag for her pink bag and a pink on pink tag for her all black bag. She will be the envy of all travelers. Winner #2 wanted something girlie. Since I had the pink out, I went with a black and pink Polka-dot tag and a purple and pink tag to round out the set. How excited the recipients will be when they receive their new tags.

Cookie Monster Project

2010-02-27T20:19:00.000-08:00

I continue to work on my Cookie Monster Project. I appliqued the larger C.M. for the center onto White fabric and completed more pinwheels. I believe I need 22 pinwheels for the quilt top and have about 10 made so far. My challenge now is to fine the perfect pink/white polka dot fabric to incorporate onto the quilt top. I found some Thursday but didn't like the quality so will look again this week.

Cookie Monster Project

2010-02-21T16:49:00.001-08:00

I am really excited about my new project. I think it is going to be cute. It will be a toddler quilt for a young girl with Cookie Monster and lots of pink! Surprisingly it is difficult to find fabric with just Cookie Monster, most fabric has all of the Sesame Street Characters on it. So I am doing some applique. Right now I have four small Cookie Monster's appliqued to white and have started making some pink and white pinwheels. I plan to put a large C.M. in the center, more pinwheels and somewhere I want to add polka-dots. The pink in the pinwheels has a nice sparkle in it which may not be visable in the picture. Perfect for a little princess who loves Cookie Monster. Can't wait till I have time to do more work on this. I have allot going on right now so it will be a few days before I can get more work done on this.

Commode Contest Winner

2010-02-20T17:57:00.000-08:00

Donna Young Won the Commode contest. Donna really knows her Commodes and should be really pround of her accomplishment. She has won a set of two Luggage Tags, color of her choice.

The commode is fully operational as of this morning, February 20th. (-: Tool Set is now in the tub instead of the commode and I am so pround that the water tank is no longer in the back yard.

Now, to be fair, mnkrisy chose 2/20 as well. I am so happy that our bathroom is back in order I am awarding mnkristy a set of tags too.

I have to leave for NC this week so I will not be able to get them done until next weekend and probably in the mail on Monday (week from the 22nd). Hope that is o.k. with my winners.

Please email Michelle your color choices and where I can mail them.

Thanks all.

Contest Update

2010-02-16T18:12:00.000-08:00

I wanted to give my contestants an update:

On Monday: I came home to find the tool set moved from the vanity to the floor and I am pretty certain another towel had been added to the bathroom. Commode remains in the bathtub.

On Tuesday 2/16: I came home to find the bottom portion of Commode setting in its rightful place with a bottle of X-14 setting on top of it. The water tank portion was in the back yard. I am not certain why the X-14 was out and I'm less certain as to why the tank portion is in the back yard. As agreed in the contest rules, I am remaining silent and just watching the progess. I am not sure if this is actually progress but my husband was exhausted from all the work and was taking a nap when I arrived home for Lunch.

Contest continues...I will keep you posted.

For Dava's and Michelle's Facebook Friends

2010-02-13T10:06:00.000-08:00

Facebook Friends Only Contest

About a week ago my front bathroom commode stopped up, overflowed. My husband has been diligently working on it all week. Each day this week I've come home to something being moved around in the bathroom, tools added, tools moved around, towels added etc. One day the plunger and scrub brush was on the front porch! Why? I asked. Response, "Where else would I put it?" I told him perhaps we should put the commode on the front lawn (-: I didn't realize this had given him an idea...no, the commode is not on the front lawn. I came home Friday to find the entire commode in the tub!

Now for the contest rules. Can you guess what day my dear husband will have the commode back in its proper place and operational? Choose any date you wish. The person comming closest to the actual repair date will win. You must post your date here in the comments section. There is a possibility of two winners depending on the dates picked, in that case, I will award 2 prizes. If you pick a date already taken, you will have to choose another date.

I will not influence the progress by nagging or commeting. This will be completely on his time.

The prizes: My Farmville Friends will win a gift of a spotted pony from the market for their farm or Luggage tags; non-Farmville friends will win a set of luggage tags from my etsy shop http://www.cypresshollowgifts.etsy.com/, custom made any color you want.

Good Luck.

Quilter's Best Friend

2010-01-24T15:46:00.000-08:00

Finally got good assistance with my Crazy Quilt project. They say it's not about getting to where you are going but more about the Journey along the way. Popeye and I are having a great time on our Journey to complete this quilt top.

Crazy Quilt

2010-01-23T18:30:00.000-08:00

After years of quilting I've collected allot of fabric in various amounts. My inability to throw away a good piece of fabric, no matter how small, left me in a quandry of what to do to tame my ever increasing stash. The solution was a Crazy Quilt. With enthusiasm to get started, I went to work on what was sure to be a quick, easy project that would solve all my problems. Precious fabric would be used up and my storage problems solved. I sorted my fabric in a very scientific manner: Chickens (yes, I have lots of chicken fabric so this had to be a separate catagory), large pieces, medium pieces, small pieces and those too small to do much with pieces. The to small to do much with went into a small plastic bin. The entire quilt top had to come from that bin and no other fabric was to be included. I have never made a crazy quilt, but how hard can it be? Cut up fabric, sew back together, layer, quilt, bind and in no time at all you have a new quilt. I now know why this is called a crazy quilt. One must be crazy to start on such a project. I am not sure if I went about it the right way but, two years later, I am still working on this quick and easy project. I have 20 more inches to add to the length and I will probably add some kind of border and call this quilt top done. Final size will be around 80 inches wide by 100 inches long. The picture shows the project as it is now. I hope to have it done in a few weeks and be ready to quilt it this Summer.

Completed Hand Bag Project

2010-01-16T19:18:00.000-08:00

Finally finished my handbag project. These are photo's of the final product. The buckrum was difficult to work with but the results were well worth the effort. The bag has a nice sturdy feel but remains flexible and the colors give it a moden trendy look. I will be posting this to Etsy soon.

Coconut Caper

2010-01-14T20:22:00.001-08:00

The deep freeze has killed my little coconut palm tree. My husband had found a sprouted coconut at the river's edge and planted it in our yard about three years ago. It had done really well until the recent freeze. I am reminded of one of my trips to Key West. I am sure the Statute of Limitations is far past in the type of crime I am about to confess, so I shall proceed to unlighten my heavy burden. We were driving along the main Key West roadway and I spotted the largest coconut I'd ever seen. It rested peacefully beneath a coconut tree right smack in front of the main entrance to a Motel. I knew it wasn't mine to take but, I had to have that coconut. I begged my Husband to get it for me and he refused. He finally agreed to drive the getaway car. So with nerves of steel, we drove slowly and as close as possibly to the object of our endeavors. Suddenly, I threw open the car door, I felt my legs carrying me accross the perfectly mancured lawn in pursuit of my treasure. I spotted it, bent over and yep grabbed it. Without delay, I ran swiftly back to the car where I slamed the door and yelled GO! and we were off like the wind. Two bandits joyfully escaping with our treasure. Yes, I stole a coconut. This incident is now known as the Great Coconut Caper. I still have the coconut.

Handbag Continued day 3

2010-01-10T19:35:00.001-08:00

The cold weather continues but is expected to warm up soon. This is going to be a difficult year for the farmers in this area. I am anxious to return to work but, that may be a few more weeks, depending on how soon tax season picks-up or if it does at all. Until then, I will keep busy with my sewing projects. The good news is that I actually sold something on etsy and I managed to add two more items. Yeah. I have a friend coming over to sew on Friday which should be interesting. Not sure what we will tackle but I'm sure we will have fun. Today I worked on my hand bag project. For those interested, here is the next step in creating this lovely handbag: Adding Lightweight interfacing to various fabric pieces. A total of 14 pieces have lightweight interfacing. They include: Four handle strap pieces(right on pic), outside pocket (bottom). All of the lining pieces (light blue pieces) and the two outside, top piece where the zipper will be added later (top center). Next I will work on the Buckram and fleece interfacing.

Hand Bag Continued

2010-01-09T18:22:00.000-08:00

Hello dear readers, yep that means both of you (-:

Today was very cold for South Florida so I spent the day inside. I managed to get my new project under way. I have selected my fabrics from the Forever Love Series by Heidi Grace. The colors are blue, brown and white. Referring to the pic , the light blue will be the lining and inside pocket. The spotted dark brown will the the outside bottom and sides, with the lighter white/brown fabric being the main outside front, back and top of bag. The small dark brown piece, in the center, will be the outside pocket and the long narrow brown pieces will be the strapes. There are eight pattern pieces and 18 total fabric pieces to assemble.

I am sure you are anxiously awaiting the next step so I will give you a hint. It involves Interfacing. woo hoo. I know you are eager, but you will have to check back tomorrow to see what happens...until then happy sewing.

Hand Bag Project

2010-01-08T20:43:00.000-08:00

I am starting a new sewing project. I have chosen a cute Simplicity handbag pattern. The pattern is designed for three different sizes, Sm, Med & Large. I chose the medium size. It consists of 4 contrasting fabrics, light interfacing, fleece interfacing, buckram, and a 10" zipper. The Buckram (a stiff interfacing which will give the bag a nice shape) was hard to find locally so I mail ordered it. The pattern called for a 12" zipper and then stated to cut two inches off, not wanting to cut a good zipper, I mail ordered a 10" Handbag zipper with a larger pull. This should be a fun project. Check back in a few days as I will chart my progress in my next blog.

Good Friends

2010-01-07T17:19:00.000-08:00

We are blessed to have great friends with big hearts. Our friend, Don, graciously gave up a day and helped us retile part of our shower and fixed a mess caused by a leak. We couldn't have done it without him. We took him and his wife to a seafood lunch today and as a treat I fixed one of Don's favorite desserts. I call it Chocolate Delight. It consists of four layers of yummy goodness:

Layer one: 1 Cup self-rising flour, 1 stick butter, not margarine, 1 cup chopped pecans and 1 tablespoon sugar. Blend all and press in bottom of 13X9 pan. Bake for 10 to 15 min. Remove from oven and let cool

Layer two: 8 oz cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar, 1/2 of 13 oz cool whip

Beat cream cheese and sugar together, add cool whip, mix well, spread on top of layer 1, crust.

Layer three: 2 pkg (small) instant chocolate pudding; 2 1/2 cups milk

Beat together untill thickened, a few minutes

Spread on top of layer two, cream cheese

Note: for thicker chocolate layer use 3 boxes of pudding and 3 3/4 cup milk

Fourth layer: top with remaining cool whip and sprinkle with chopped pecans if desired.

Enjoy!

Soup on a cold day

2010-01-04T17:45:00.000-08:00

mmmm. hot soup on a cold day.
Here is how I made my vegetable beef soup in a large crock pot
In Crock-Pot add:
28oz can diced tomatoes
1 8oz can tomato sauce and 1 can water
1 package frozen mixed vegies 16oz add more if you want
2 beef cubes
1 to 1.5 lb lean ground beef..brown before putting in crock-pot
1 to 1.5 lb beef tips...I cut each piece in half but not necessary
cook all day on low yummmm.
add anything to your taste

My Sister

2010-01-03T19:01:00.000-08:00

My sister has asked that I post about her. (yes, she actually asked me to talk about her) so here goes. She is two years, minus six days, older than me. We have always gotten along very well except on those occasions when she misbehaved. I, on the other hand, have never misbehaved (cough, choke). I have always looked up to her from the very beginning of our time on this lovely planet and thank God often for her in my life, as well as, my other siblings. I honestly cannot imagine my life without them. Before my dear sis gets to full of herself, I will just mention an old memory. I had a small stuffed tiger that I dearly loved. Once in the middle of the night, I realized the wisker's fell out of his little stuffed head. All in tears, I went to my big sis, woke her from a sound sleep and asked her to "fix" my dear tiger. Without complaint, she proceeded to try to stuff the wiskers back in the poor tiger's head. I don't believe her efforts worked but I was satisified she did all she could do. (-: Now, with Christmas just past, I will share a few ornaments she has given me, which adorn my tree every year. The little red skates, she made herself, I have a second pair in green. I love birds so she sent me a bird, nest and three eggs. I ususally drop the eggs and as they are rolling around beneath the tree with me in fast pursuit, I silently thank my dear sis for the birdnest ornament. The third is a Christmas Porcupine, I have no comment on that one, I just consider where it came from. Love you sis.

My First Post

2010-01-01T20:54:00.000-08:00

I have finally surrendered to the Blogging craze and established this blog. My husband and a friend re-tiled our shower today. It had started leaking and needed to be repaired. While the men worked, I had fun using my sewing machine. I made a small camara case with a long handle. A friend and neighbor came by for a visit and we made a small phone case for her. She then took my camara case for her daughter. (-: I am glad my afternoon of sewing went to good use. My neighbor and I had a great afternoon of creating. No day is wasted when one has time to create. I also had time to add two new items to my etsy account at CypressHollowGifts.