Category Archives: Uncategorized

Southwestern Pettis County/Thursday Doors

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The Saturday after Thanksgiving was our final craft show for 2018. I neglected to photograph our booth for the first time in I can’t remember how long. But I definitely have a series of photos from afterwards. I’m sharing these this Thursday Doors. I hope you enjoy the simple beauty of this Missouri landscape of late November. And when you’re finished, I hope you’ll traipse on over to Norm 2.0, read his post where he’ll direct you to the rest of us door-seekers from around the globe. 

  • That deer stood only a moment.
  • Big Sky
  • Open fields and prairie
  • Love this color of gold against blue skies
  • Door in view
  • Trees can make the barn, or vice versa.
  • Front view with 2 doors at least
  • Another newer barn
  • Not too new
  • Sweeping grasses
  • Cut wheat field
  • No farm in the hills here. That’s another time.
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D and T Quilt Shop/Thursday Doors

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For the record I have 1 cat. 

I have rarely participated in Black Friday. I happen to think it’s a ploy to rob me. But this year was different. I actually called my mother to invite her along. Stop The Press!!

Yes there was some urgency.

Not my photo. Too rainy that day for me to worry with it.

There was a notice in our paper that the owner of this shop had passed away. And they are selling her fabric at a significantly lower price and closing shop. This local business has been a very big blessing in our area. We live an hour in any direction from the nearest big chain fabric store. (Until recently, we acquired a Hobby Lobby) But let’s get real. This was the Ultra fabric stop for serious quilters.

Mom and I decided to check out the bargains and show our support for the family. This must be difficult for them.

Below is my ‘haul’. I am planning some serious sewing this coming year.  

Mom thought the blue floral reminded her of something her own mother would have used for a dress. Can I get an awwwww?!  Miss my grandmother very much! So blessed to still have my momma!

This is a better look at the fat quarters.

Buy 50/ Get 50 free. And they were already reduced. An irresistable deal. Mother and I both succumbed.

A peek at the gallery will show you all the tiny ‘doors’ I found in this treasure trove. I hope you’ll, somehow, identify with this version of Thursday Doors and take time to visit Norm 2.0 for beautiful door posts around the globe.

  • Venice Doors
  • Scandinavian Doors
  • Log Cabin Doors
  • Birdhouse Doors
  • Amish Doors
  • Farm Doors
  • School House (no door)
  • Eiffel Tower Door
  • Doge’s Palace Doors
  • St. Mark’s Campanile (This one’s for Rachel)

I was neglectful in mentioning the transportation provided by my eldest daughter. Thank you Rachel for tolerating and enabling your mother and grandmother on this expedition. Love you bunches!!!

Color-full

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We gather lots of broken crayons around here.

Crayolamelter7

And they get stored in these extra large ice cream containers. When it gets about half full, I turn to ways to upcycle them.

Watching & waiting
More waiting

The hubby is pretty good at discovering bargains on ebay and found this Crayola Melt & Mold Factory at a decent price. It comes with a couple mold styles and looked like it would be a good way to occupy school-agers this summer.

Crayolamelter2

Here is where I insert the facts. If you have only a few broken crayons, this is the way to go because this is how many (I’m being Very generous) you can melt in one sitting. And in one sitting I mean 45 minutes from beginning to end. I wasn’t very impressed with the results as there were air gaps in the molds in the end so you ended up with half-baked crayons. Not very sturdy for those with a firm grip.

Time to move on obviously.

Crayolamelter3

My tried and true method that I have had a lot of success with are these little silicone bakers. They are great for practicing color sorting or color mixing that All ages greatly enjoy. I’m sure you can find many shapes in silicone bakeware or candy molds, but I just use the ones I already have.

Crayolamelter4

My round crayons give new shape, color, and variety to the crayon bin.

Did I mention they are stackable? Quite the item to take outdoors as well. It’s pretty hard to lose these bright round disks, and even harder for them to get choked on. They make great paper weights when the wind is blowing (so you can never have too many).I have a few other ideas I’m planning with these gems for the future. I’ll have to let you know how they work out.

Hope this “Free Tip Friday” brightens the start to your weekend!

Ta-Da!

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We’ve had a heatwave.

Plain and simple, the vegies I usually plant for a later harvest have struggled.

So to compensate, I dug through my stash of old sheets and between the hubby and I, came up with an idea that just might do the trick.

I present the Cucumbers of July 16, 2018 complete with sunburn and impending death.Cucs shaded9.jpg

What our young cucs needed was some relief in the form of shade. So I looked into the mesh shade cloth that you see at greenhouses and larger gardens.

It’s very nice, but I want to save a few pennies. That’s the whole point of gardening right?! Grow your own vegies to save on the grocery bill? And of course there’s the flavor 😉

Cucs shaded7

So here’s what we came up with. Two giant ‘sails’. Really just a curtain with rod pockets at top and bottom. Some old pipe came in handy to attach it to our raised bed. And when storm clouds rise or the weather turns fair, we gather it in the middle and tie it up until danger of getting ripped passes.

Cucs shaded

Taken just 1 week after assembling this shade curtain. And I will admit to having some nice rainfall to help the situation. Just a good all around combination.

Cucs shaded1

And here’s the mandatory garden view.

images

Adding this post to my new page, “Free Tip Friday”. New content on the way!

 

 

A to Z News/Sunday Sampler

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Each year since 2014, I’ve participated in the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge. It’s a blogging extravaganza in which you blog every day except on Sundays. There is no big prize involved. You are only required to enter a blog post for each letter of the alphabet and to visit at least 5 other bloggers each day and let them know you were there. It’s a wonderful way to meet tons of new people, and keep in touch with old acquaintances. I have read some wonderful writing, learned new things, and, hopefully, given inspiration to others by completing this challenge for the last 4 years. I encourage you to visit this link right here to see for yourself what all the hoopla is about.

A

This is not the time for the big “Reveal” of my own personal theme. That comes on March 19. But you are welcome to visit the tabs at the top of this page to read some of my past ones. I would love to know if you are thinking about participating.

Sign up list goes up March 5. Whatever you can contribute in the realm of an A to Z theme, feel free! There are categories for everyone. Hope to see you there!!

Corner To Corner/WPC

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Corner

From the 2017 Missouri State Fair quilt exhibit.

corner(2)

Because of the lighting (or lack thereof) and shadows this isn’t the best shot. It is, however, a huge inspiration to us quilters who try to use up all our fabric stash in one fell swoop. The Corner to Corner division in this quilt is what makes it different and loveable. The hand quilting is what got it a ribbon. Personally I think the creator deserved a blue one.

For other entries in the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge, Click here.

1892 Residence/ThursdayDoors

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This Thursday Door is not currently on any historical registry, but listed on a ‘Walking Tour’ guide of Lawrence, Kansas. This is the home of Joseph McConnell, built in 1892. A really lovely home to pass by! (I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned I’m a bit partial to yellow homes.)

Joseph McConnell1892

Described as a 2.5-story domestic building in the Eclectic style. Frame Style with wet-laid stone  foundation. Siding is original clapboard. (This means No Vinyl Siding!!) Its cross gable roof is covered with asphalt shingles.

Joseph McConnell1892a

The old post and the brick-lined street are just another endearing part of the historical era that Lawrence has made efforts to keep. A great example for other cities to follow. Hint, Hint, Sedalia, Missouri.

 

 

Jack & Jill(and Ben)/WPC

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Evanescent

means lasting or staying only a short time

A real treat to these boys is getting to roll down the hill. These moments make a heart full.

Sharing with you this week a fleeting moment in the life of a childcare provider.

Evanescent

 

Jake/Weekly Photo Challenge

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Heritage

This week for my entry, I’d like to share a piece of our heart. Jake gets to stay at home starting next week with his mother and soon-expected sibling. We have grown pretty attached to this little guy but we know he will still stop in to visit now and then.

I’d like to think I’ve shared a little bluegrass music heritage with him in his first year and a half.

Heritage

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And now, dear daughters, you know why I collect banjos 😉

For other great Weekly WordPress Photo Challenge entries, click here.

Southern Belle/#AtoZChallenge

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During the month of April, I’m participating in the Blogging From A to Z Challenge for my 4th year in a row – 3 of which are on this blog. Each day, except Sundays, there will be a post for the letter of the day as well as keeping with my personal theme of Quilts and Quotes. Feel free to leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you! Also check out the other A to Z’ers in the comment section of the Official A to Z Blog Page.

Davy Crockett has become a favorite in the hearts and minds of two of my daycare brothers. At least the song. You see, their dad has used it as a ‘lullaby’ for them to settle in with at bedtime. And when they come to my home for daycare, they are singing it to the infants whenever they are crying. My family thinks it’s the sweetest thing ever. So I’ve recorded it for your listening pleasure.

The only connection here with “Southern Belle” quilt block is the fact that Davy Crockett was born in Tennessee, a Southern state. So with that connection, we’re going with it.

SouthernBelleCollage

And yet another single, 6-inch block for the upcoming quilt top. Sometimes, I have to wonder about the name choices for these blocks and the ‘why’. I have not a clue what was going through their minds to give it this name. But it will be a pretty addition and I will now always think of Benson and Hudson and Davy Crockett when I see this block.

SouthernBelleframed

They have that Southern Charm, believe me!

Join me again next week for more of the April A to Z Blog Challenge 2017!