Wednesday, March 31, 2010

"They're cute! Can we eat them now?"

It's been 9 months since we took in our feathered friends and hoped for eggs. The days, weeks, and months went by and no sight of eggs. Talk around the dinner table was if they didn't start pulling their weight we'd be having chicken dinner! The scene was becoming a bit depressing as over the long bitter cold winter we lost two of our hens leaving us with four birds to count on for possible eggs. They had been getting very "broody" and I was worried we may have to seriously eat them for dinner. "Why won't they just lay?" was the question. So we made some changes...bought different feed, pulled the half roof off the outside pen to let in more light, added crushed oyster shell to their feed, increased their table scrap "greens" etc.

Well to my great surprise after doing some morning chores I headed up to feed and water the birds this morning. Taking a peek as usual to see if there were any eggs, when to my great surprise, it just couldn't be....... TWO EGGS!!!!!!! The neighbors had to hear my squeals of excitement as I praised our birds for a job well done and ran back in the house to show Jocelyn what her chickens had layed!

Jocelyns most adorable response..... "They're cute! Can we eat them now?"

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Jocelyn's Rag Doll


Well, of course I couldn't make Ariana a doll without Jocelyn begging for one too! So I made one up this morning to keep her occupied. Won't mind making a few more but have to make some adjustments to my pattern. She's cute and Jocelyn says, "she's perfect mommy!"
Now it's off to play catch up on all the chores I let slide this morning!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Topsy Turvy Doll



This has been a project I've been wanting to create for awhile now and thought it would make a perfect gift for Ariana's 1st Birthday. There was a topsy turvy doll floating about the past few generations of girls in our family and it has since gonna missing in action. Maybe she'll turn up someday but I though it was about time a new gal was introduced to my girls. I enjoyed making her so much I may just have to make a few more!
Start to finish it took about 4 hours, wouldn't of taken so long but I had to come up with a design and pattern. Not to mention the dress was like trying to figure out a jigsaw puzzle! I love how simple she is. Now I'm temped to make up some more and of course see if they'll sell!

Here she "they" are, in need of clothes...and with their final wardrobe!



Happy 1st Birthday my little miss Ariana!










Sunday, March 28, 2010

Wool lanolizing made easy!


Here's my favorite tutorial for lanolizing wool! Plenty of humor and makes it so easy!


Don't forget to check out some of her other posts too!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Lambswool Longies...Oh so CUTE!

Nothing like a day of surprises! Decided it was high time to search my local Salvation Army for some good deals. More kiddos and tighter budgets make you think of all sorts of things! My mission today was finding 100% wool sweaters. Believe it or not there is wool out there that isn't that nasty scratchy stuff. So I started with the help of my sister Sarah going thru each and every sweater on the rack hunting for the perfect sweaters to recycle. I was a bit concerned about the high prices we were coming across until suddenly they announced, 50% off all winter clothing and shoes! That includes those sweaters I was thinking of putting back. YEPPY! Who would of thought you could get 100% lambswool sweaters for $1.50 to $3.00!?!?!?! So I still only bought a bag full but fully intend to go back asap and buy up some more!

So after a banana split lunch and some more errands, I couldn't wait to get home and start working on my new projects. So here is result number one!


A beautiful pair of 100% soft lambswool longies (pants lingo for cloth diapering mommas) with a cute little heart applique. I made these just using the measurements from a pair of pants that fit Ariana comfortably. Plus I added a little length and booty room so they last her longer. I LOVE them! They are so fast to whip up I don't know why I didn't start making them sooner.

Using wool pants and diaper covers are the number one bulletproof (leak proof) way to cover your babies! Wool is breathable so even in the summer your wee ones stay cool. The natural Lanolin in wool makes them magic! The diaper could be soaked and the wool longies or cover will feel dry. Plus its anti-bacterial properties make it a diaper momma dream! No need to wash after every use, just hang to "dry" for the next use. It doesn't "stink" either! After so long if your diaper cover or longie seems to be "leaking" it's time to give it a gentle wash and re-lanolize it which is much easier than it sounds. More on that later.

Off to make some more longies and break out a diaper cover pattern! This is so addicting I love it! After I get a few made for the girls I'll work on getting some posted on etsy. Recycling makes me feel so good!

Friday, March 19, 2010


Mondays child is fair of face,

Tuesdays child is full of grace,

Wednesday child is full of woe,

Thursdays child has far to go,

Fridays child is loving and giving,

Saturdays child works hard for his living,

And the child that is born on the Sabbath day

is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.

-Mother Goose


Yes, Saturdays child works hard for a living, how well I remember my Great Grandma (known to me as G.G.) reading this to me on one of my visits when I was very young. Written to help children learn their days of the week, it was just special to me. Little did I know at the time what this meant, yep I was a Saturday baby. But this memory just runs into my most vivid memory of my G.G. ...


That shirt or as she would say her "blouse" that she wore for as long as I can remember. She must of had a secret stash of them for nearly every time I envision her standing in front of me, I see the shirt. It was her calling card, her work horse, her signature. The red and white checkered collared shirt. It even had a certain smell that if you close your eyes you could tell she'd been there. When asked what I wanted of hers when she died, all I could think of was that shirt. That shirt is a sign of strength and patience to me, the two qualities that made her shine. I saw her scrub the kitchen floor with that shirt of strength and I remember her firm but patient discipline when I was out of line. G.G. was my one constant, she was always there in spirit and she never changed in my eyes. She was a no nonsense kind of woman but had the softest touch when you needed it. She worked harder that any single person I know and I never once heard her complain. She always put God and her family first and prayed harder for us than anyone else. Even when I was at my lowest thinking no one cared, I knew every morning she'd be on her knees wearing out her bathmat by the tub praying for me.


Now every time I put on that shirt it's like I'm putting on that "superman cape". In my childhood eyes she was the "super woman" I wanted to be like. I know she wasn't perfect but in my eyes she was as perfect as you can get. Those red and white checkers are my signature work horse now. I wear it with her memory lingering on it. It sounds silly but the feeling is overwhelming when I put it on, like superman donning his cape. Shoulders back, head up, and girded with strength and every ounce of patience I can muster.


I'd like to think she's right there passing the torch for Saturdays Child works hard for her living.