I'M A BIRD BRAIN + PICTURES OF SAMPLER, SEWING and SNOW

Good Morning Primmies ~


As if watching an Eagle sitting on her nest isn't obsessive enough:
I now watch the skies for Turkey Vultures. Yes, I need an
intervention. No wonder I don't get as much done as my bloggy
friends do. But for me I did get a lot done. I'm working through
the pain and I'm using biofeedback to fight it. Mr. Glen Oaks
even asked me what had me bright and chipper when everyone
else would be winding down for the early evening.  I'm not
quite sure why, I think it's because I'm doing what I used to do
and I have so much enthusiasm. I think they used to call it
"giddy"! A Southern phrase, when I was very young my dad
used to tell my mother, "Rose, why is she so giddy-headed?"
It means frivolous, lighthearted, (lightheaded). The synonyms are not quite as kind. "Without prudence or judgement", and
unbalanced. Well that's me alright! I think it's Spring fever.
Here is the pair of turkey vultures, they migrate farther north
to breed. Well, they got here early. They were so cute. I think
there was some courting going on there and I captured it. This is the view from one of our living room windows:

As John Dillinger said to his girlfriend 'Billie',                 "Where have you been all my life?"              

"Hey, I don't kiss on the first date"

"How about dinner later? My tree or yours?"

If you have birds on the brain, here's a link called

All About Birds. They have a little information on the turkey

and other raptors and birds. There are all sorts of new birds

coming to our yard. We put out fresh water several times a day because it freezes, and the blue jays especially love their water.

There were two baby blue jays here today. And I think the ones

I love are called Snow Buntings? Maybe someone could help

me with that one.

I have three things going on right now in the craft zone: the

Polly Daggett sampler, Safrona Ager sampler, oh wait, more

than 3, Miss Peabody, a large grunge prim rabbit, pear and crow make-do and the 3 dog coats. I have everything in various

stages except for the dog coats. Sorry dogs.

Polly Daggett as of tonight. I wish I could go faster but between her mistakes and mine I'm confused (remember I'm giddy).

Close up of the border and Polly's boo boo's. I should be in the pretty colors tomorrow.

All rolled up for the night and going in my needlework bag. My sewing project is from the March/April 2012 Issue of 

Create and Decorate. She's a rabbit called 'Miss Peabody' and

she's designed by Kim Grasso. I'm thrilled with this pattern

because the rabbit is a HUGE doll.  It doesn't indicate what size it is but the torso and the legs are soooo long. And it's grunged

pretty well, so you will adore her, I'm sure.

This is as far as I got tonight after putting the sampler down.
Biggie was tired of me ignoring him, so patterns and transfer

pen kept mysteriously ending up on the floor:

I don't use pins when I have pets underfoot. I traced the shapes and I'll sew along the traced lines and cut a 1/4 inch seam allowance. I have the prettiest fabric for her dress. It's a medium weight homespun, red and mustard check with :0) you'll have

to wait to see her wear it. I'm a stinker.

 

Speaking of stinkers, there go the Noah's Ark figures. Biggie does this when we try to work or use the printer. They are both good about not sprawling across the keyboards, they just like to sprawl across things in high places.

So far the 30- hour snow storm turned into not enough to shovel.
Maybe we missed the worst. We only have about 3 inches.

I snapped these while it was really starting to snow:

I don't know if you can see them, but those are mountains in the background. That's my across-the-street neighbor's yard.

My view from the kitchen. Here's our poor little neglected shed:

More of those gorgeous oak trees that like to fall on houses and power lines. Lastly, my view from my sewing chair:

Our Cypress trees outside the living room windows. The turkeys

were across this street in a huge Maple tree.

I hope you have a happy day whatever you do.

Hugs,

Susan

written Wednesday February 29, 2012 post Thursday March 1st

TUESDAY TUTORIALS FROM FELLOW BLOGGERS

Hi, Primmies ~ 

While reading blogs from my Reading List I came across Teri's tutorial:  White Sheep Farm Primitive Make Do Pussy Willow Branches.
Teri was so sweet to give me the go ahead to use her photos. I was so amazed at how lifelike these branches look, and it couldn't be an easier to do tutorial. Teri was pruning a plum tree, I think, and she used those branches for the pussy willows. Talk about
multitasking !

Here are the "buds" made with brown paper and wool

Here a bud is attached to a real branch with rusty wire

Please be sure to visit Teri if you can, click HERE for Pussy Willow Tutorial . There are step-by-step photos and instructions for you to follow.

Here's a tutorial from Jennie Lynn of Appleseed Prim for sampler stitchers that like to "age" their work. 
She also made up a free chart for us, a sweet little marking sampler with a few simple lines and a lovely border. You can download the free Betty 1709 by clicking HERE. 
You can click HERE to see photos showing her stitched sampler after applying the extreme aging techniques.

And more creative tutorials using techniques you are all familiar with but different graphics and items made it seem like I was seeing them for the first time. The first one is from The Vintage Polka Dot using clear decal film sheets and vintage graphic images. You can pick up old bottles and jars at thrift stores and use this transfer method.
It's truly amazingly fast and easy. You can also use plain white canisters, platters, etc. Here is a link to the Clear and White Inkjet Decal Film. 
Here is another source Experts Choice Decal Film.
You can also do a search for it, they are also called water slide decals. You don't need all of the suggested items that they sell to go along with the film. Just read the tutorial from The Vintage Polka Dot on how easy her way is.

The vintage images that are available for free are plentiful.
I have several links on my blog sidebar. Be sure to visit the individual blogs where you will read the full tutorials.

Kristie of MARKET NINE home  made these vintage looking garden pots with the Modge Podge transfer technique. She was inspired by Laurie of Heaven's Walk. 
They both used graphics from The Graphics Fairy blog.
And there is a product called Outdoor Modge Podge for items being used outside.  Awesome.
 
It's been a while since I've hunted for new projects. I like to try other methods besides primitive, but these methods all work on wood and other surfaces and you can make prim boxes, rusty cans, blank milk bottles, signs and all kinds of things using the same transfers just making the items primitive in your favorite
aging or grunging technique. All of the great primitive labels and graphics that we've come across are so quick and easy to apply with the Modge Podge. Another blogger used washable Elmer's glue; she spread it on the paper and printed her image, and then did the MP transfer technique. She said it makes the image stick even better. I could not confirm this with anyone but it would be easy to try a practice transfer with it.


I've been stitching two other projects while working on the Polly Daggett sampler. I'm also working on a very large, very prim rabbit. I'll show you the finishes if you're good little primmies.


Also, everyone say a little prayer for our friend Tricia of  Hillcrest Home Primitives.
She's having her surgery this morning at 8 a.m.  And send her your love & well wishes for a quick recovery.

Have a happy day creating whatever you are working on.

Susan

Sweet Free Prim Valentine Cross Stitch Chart

Here's a nice Valentine cross stitch design from
http://e-subrosa.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentine-free.html 
You'll have to have Google Translate, the blog is in
Hungarian language. Not necessary if you just want
the design I guess.

                           Copyright Sub Rosa


For everyone who's been so wonderful and thoughtful about leaving comments about my health, 
THANK YOU!!! And I feel very good today, I haven't had
pain since late last night and I hope I didn't just
jinx myself!!

Hugs,


Susan

A Source To Share With You

Hello, Primmies -
Is everyone relaxing today? We are. I've had time to really look through some favorite blogs and I found a nice source for linen fabric and flosses for cross stitching. The store is on eBay and it's link is Home Sweet Home Needle Crafts. Their ID is hshneedlecrafts.
If you are signed in to eBay you can click the
above link, otherwise put their ID in the search . They have fat eighths (13"x18")
pieces of linens, some already hand dyed by
Weeks Dye Works and others. The size works
for most projects, I have a book of historical
samplers and the fat eighth is usually enough for the projects. They will cut larger pieces if you need it. The prices are fair I think, they vary according to count and mfgr. but they are anywhere from $9.00 to
$11.00. 
I'm on the hunt today for places to buy 
sampler and cross stitch supplies so I might
be back with another store link.
Have a blessed day,
Susan

A QUICK LITTLE CHRISTMAS PINKEEP

This is so sweet and primitive. Click the LINK HERE to download the free chart from Isabella who is a very

creative cross stitch designer. I love her designs because

they are so simple and work up so quickly. This would

make an adorable stocking stuffer for your favorite

stitcher.

'Nite (again)

Susan

free images from magicmoonlightfreeimages

More Of My Favorites

Hi, Primmies, family is here for the week and I am pressed for time
so this is just a quick peek at what I found while blogging today.

This cute little cross stitched "Boo" bag by Widgets and Wool on Primnest:

These "Boo" Garlands by Barbara on her blog Village Folk Art

'Night, Primmies

Another Wonderful Giveaway

Here is an absolutely lovely felt Heart Brooch handmade by Lynn B of Happiness Is Cross Stitching. She is giving away one of these small loveheart brooches to celebrate that she has over 1,300 followers! The giveaway will be for one in your choice of pink, blue or
purple.

Here are the rules for the giveaway:
Leave a comment on or before July 31st on her post HERE Indicate your choice of color
If you are a follower or become a follower, you will be entered twice, please tell her you are a follower
If you post the photo below on your blog with a link back to Lynn you will be entered for a third chance, but please let her know you have done this. So, three chances to win. The draw will close July 31st and the winner will be announced a few days later.

A Prim Cross Stitch Designer For You To Meet

I found Jennie Lynn at Appleseed Prim while reading a blog I follow, Primitive Betty's (a fantastically talented cross stitcher). Jennie Lynn has lots of free pretty prim cross stitch patterns for us to use in our projects. Here are just two of several of her free patterns:

And here it is made up into a pincushion by Jennie Lynn:

Click the link below to go to:

Appleseed Prim: Free Patterns

Warm Regards,
Susan