Helping My Sister from "Nails in My Pocket"

My oldest sister came by with her grandson, one day this week. My grand son was here and we like to get them together on occasion. They both need to spend time with other children to learn sharing skills and such.They had a pretty good day. We both enjoyed watching them play and learn together, even though they were not aware that that was one of the purposes for the visit.Another was working on Mary's rocker cushions, and also, showing her my new room and basement I'm fixing up a little.We had a wonderful visit. We don't get to do that much. Even though we are both retired now, we both stay so busy, visiting just gets 'pushed on the back burner'.We both help our kids with the grandchildren, as do most grandparents nowadays.Then we help with Mom whenever needed.Then there's our own work of keeping a home running smoothly.We both do most of our own fixing up to the homes.That,along with regular women's work,sure keeps one hoppin'.We both love to work with wood,though, so it really doesn't seem like work.(But, I am not tackling a barn, like my sister,Mary is.I'll stick to smaller woodwork jobs.)Mom and three of us girls will get together tomorrow. We'll be visiting the funeral home,(a good friend of our family passed away Saturday) but since we get together so little, we will probably make an outing of it, too. Usually, we get to visit with several other family and friends while we are there. That's so sad, but that's usually the only way we get to see family and friends anymore.Not a whole lot happening here, but wanted to check in anyway. So until my next post, "Happy Blogging."
P.S. The lamp shade is not right size for my new lamp. I got the pretty lamp at the auction for $3. I'll pick up a nice new shade for it,in town tomorrow.

A Little of This and a Little of That....

I've finished mending the quilt for my niece, and I'm back to my craft room. Here is a picture of the outer wall in the quarter of the basement where we have our wood stove.I don't dare let you see the Craft Room itself,quite yet.I have been doing a lot of trimming, painting, sawing, spackling,etc. I do love doing all of that. I love seeing the end product when I'm finished, knowing that I have utilized every scrap of materials, and kept the cost down to a minimum, and still have a product I can be proud of.I catch flack every day over my junk collecting, but in the end, it pays off, although you would never hear anyone in this household admit it.Nevertheless, I will enjoy the fruits of my labor soon. The little stool is a project I have been wanting to make for a while now. I have held on the the wood seat for 2-3 years, with the little stool in mind.I am 5'9", but I lack an inch or two of reaching the highest shelves in the house. It is a very sturdy stool, but small enough to move to anywhere it might be needed.I am a rather hefty woman, so it had to be strong.I could have made the legs from 2by lumber for more certainty that it would not fall with me, but I have a huge collection of chair and table legs of all shapes and sizes, which I inherited from my mother, so I chose to use a set of them on my stool.I love making all sorts of stools.I am in the process of putting a pillow together for my little stool, so I can use it for a foot rest while I am warming by the wood stove of a morning, sipping on my hot chocolate.The sitting room is getting more comfy and cozy by the day. I am so proud of my works in the basement. I don't mind going down there at all any more. I will show more pictures of it as I go along. I am making it more livable, yet not spending a fortune.It is my wish that everyone could find their passion.It has got to be a horrible life spending all of your days being bored out of your mind. Life is too short, and there are too many things to learn and do, to be bored. Happy Blogging!

My Craft Room.... At Last!

Two of the Amish brothers came yesterday, quite unexpectedly, and built the 2 walls, needed for my craft room. We knew they were coming, but we didn't know quite what day. We left it up to them, since they have to make a living doing what they do, whenever they need it done. We understand that, so we are glad to get their help whenever they can get here.They completed the 2 walls and installed the door. We haven't decided on a ceiling quite yet. That may come later.But for now, I used whatever left over paint I could find, for primer. We used chip board. I had used that before for a wall and really liked it, so I decided to go with it again. I think the cost is about the same as any other wall covering.My final coat of paint will match the entire house for now. Sandelwood Mist. I may make some changes later.I have moved some of my shelves into the room already. I need the space to built some more canning jar shelves. I may work on that tomorrow.Pop ask me today if I would be interested in joining the carpenters union. I could get in a few more good years of work.(I declined. I don't think so.I have worked since I was 12 or so, and I deserve my retirement years, just the way they are.)I did have to do a little compromising on my craft room though.Pop wants me to use it as an extra bedroom,so I guess I'll have a bedroom suit in my craft room. If only I could persuade him to get one of those beds that fold up into the wall. That would be great.Oh well, I guess you can't have everything you way all the time. I'll be content with my craftroom/bedroom.He has promised to get me a new bedroom suit for the grandchildren's bedroom. I'll move my older cherry set down in the craft room.I bought it 30 years ago at an auction for $25 and had it refinished, so it is still nice enough. It was one of the few pieces that survived the fire.I will share more of my room as I get further along with it. I am so proud of it. I can't wait to start rearranging things and decorating it.It's shaping up nicely. Watch for further updates. Until then, Happy Blogging. (P.S. Vicki, we still have lots of snow and ice.)

Priceless treasures.......

My mother made this quilt for one of her grandchildren.I don't know how long ago, but after many washings, it has come apart in a few seams. Most kids wag their special quilt around, more than most quilts, so I'm sure, if this quilt could talk, it would say, it has many good memories.That's why the granddaughter wants it restored. Mom is now 84 and her eyesight is not as good as it once was, or I'm sure she would have tackled it again. The same granddaughter has a son,nearing manhood now, who has a similar quilt that this same grandmother (my Mom,his great grandmother) has made for him when he was a baby. Mom has added on that quilt for him several times in his lifetime as he was growing, so you see, quilts are special, whether they are made by grandmothers or great grandmothers. None the less, I am doing my best to salvage the quilt for my niece, since my Mom is not as able as she once was.I only hope to do it justice. 90% of the quilt will be her original work, so maybe it won't decrease in value for them. You can't put value on memories anyway. (Vicki, I wish you were here to enjoy this project with me. It is so peaceful and quiet. I have my favorite music playing softly in the background. The snow is continuing to fall.I have my cup of green tea. What a life. Love you.)Till my next post. Happy Blogging!

Tying up another loose end....

I thought I would take a minute and 'tie up a loose end'. I had started the little wood box with a few scraps of wood and material, and I decided to use it as a recipe box for my special family recipes. I had cookbooks galore(before the fire)and I now use Cooks.com, so I don't need a lot of recipes lying around, but there are a few special recipes our family use on a regular basis, so that is what I plan to keep in the little box.I have a few other things I want to get done today, so I won't be crafting.I hate those days when I can't get to my crafting, but life goes on, and the house and animals need a little TLC. The Amish fellows will be coming next week to start on my craft room. I am getting anxious about that.I will be busy the rest of the winter planning and organizing it. Painting and building shelves,etc.I hope to get a nice rug to go on the floor. Concrete is so cold, and I like to work where it's cozy and comfy, but with plenty of light and workspace.I only hope I can end up with a craft room that comes close to the vision I have been building in my mind for it.I am hoping the line"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, you can achieve." is true.Will keep you posted on our progress. Till my next post...Happy Blogging!

I think I'm improving...

I didn't think I would ever get anything posted tonight. I have added a new security guard program to my computer, and I'm not sure if it is that, or the fact that so many folks are blogging at once. I just couldn't get my picture to upload. I finished my latest little quilt last night, but had a few errands to run today, so I'm just getting back to my computer.My husband commented to his daughter this morning about me being on the computer so much lately, so I told him that I would run around today, and see which one was cheaper. Working with my computer, or running around the country burning gas and then there's the wear and tear on my truck and tires. No doubt, he couldn't argue on that note, but he'd never say he was sorry for the comment he had made.Nonetheless,I am so proud of my latest project. I can't wait to start another. I tried to go to sleep last night, and I couldn't for thinking about my next one. I went down stairs, at midnight, and dug through my quilting materials, looking for a few ideas. I haven't come up with one yet, but hopefully, tomorrow.Till my next post, Happy Blogging.