Saturday, April 30, 2011

My Porch Looks Like A Greenhouse

Wow!! The sun is shining and it hasn't rained in several hours! I find myself saying it's going to be nice today, which basically means, it's not going to rain!! It's quite windy but the sun is shining and it his about 65. My green thumb is pulsing!

We ran my things up to Waseca around lunch time. It was still stormy and dreary. On the way home I watch the storm clouds keep right on moving East. We stopped in Albert Lea and stopped at Albert Lea Seed House and Hills Gardens. Bummed my bittersweet and winterberry weren't in yet at AL Seed. We drove out to Hills and I went crazy! Beautiful, beautiful blooms everywhere. And it was SOOOO warm in the greenhouse. I miss working in a greenhouse sooooo bad!! I bought 2 clemantis for my arbor at the shop and 2 Hydrangeas. That was the bulk of my bill but also bought plenty of smaller perenials and a few annuals for my flower boxes for the shop. It's still much too cold for annuals, so I planted my boxes and brought them in. Since everything else is use to being in 80+ I thought I would slowly bring them to reality by bringing them into the porch for a few days. One side of the porch is a sea of green. I hope kitty stays away!!

Hubby's tomatoes and cucumbers are also finally starting to look alive again. 54 tomato plants in all. The man always says we'll plant less next year, yeah right!! I'll be canning tomatoes and salsa and spagetti sauce for months!! My house plants and several geraniums and spikes I saved from last year are swimming in the sea as well!

Here are a few pics of the sea of green!! Have a great rest of the weekend. I'll be outside playing the dirt :)

 My boxes to take up to the shop
 Clemantis and Missy Pete playing legos
Look at all those darn tomatoes!!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Lead Glass Windows

Hubby picked these up for me a few months back. I've been wanting to hang them and he hung them the other nite. Not sure I am loving them, but since he put them up, I'll let them stay awhile :) The bigger one I put above the buffett his grandfather built. The other is above my french doors in our kitchen. I think I need a big twiggy wreath on the one in the living room, but then that distracts from the pattern. IDK!! I'm so indecisive lately, more then normal, haha!! I want to repaint our bedroom but I know the grumbles I get when I mention it. I know he is so busy right now, but I want our other house done so I can decorate that and then maybe I'll leave ours alone. I'm so happy to know I am not the only one out there that is constantly revamping and rearranging. I can't help it, I just always have to be changing things around. I can't stand to look at things the same way for too long. I'm a woman dammit!!!

It's dreary and cold today. Guess I'll continue to paint and stencil. Need to go down to the basement and stain but we have standing water in places and it's not inviting today. We have an old yucky basement but it stores my things in totes (up on pallets) and I stain down there. It allows me to lay things out and I don't have to worry about anyone messing with them, like when I use to do it in the garage.

Guess I am just rambling to put off being productive. It's almost lunch time anyways, atleast that's what my tummy is telling me!


Have a sunny day wherever you are!!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

My New Shelf Is Finally Done and Hung

I had my hubby cut this shelf out probably 2 months ago, and yes, it's finally hung. We are not good about staying on top of things around here, especially when it pertains to us. It's partially decorated but since my easter things are coming down, I'm in transition to americana and patriotic things. I'm just happy it's up and I'm free to play with it as I wish.

It's raining and dreary today. I really would love to go back to bed, haha!! I have staining of signs to do and I have several more that need painted and stenciled. I don't think I have ever pushed so hard before a show to get things done, maybe I'm turning over a new leaf :) That's amazing for me, the procrastinator!! I still need to go up to the shop and continue packing things that are going to Waseca. Maybe someday soon!!

Have a great (dry) day!!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Tis Monday Again

*sigh* Monday has rolled around again, and with yesterday being a holiday, I'm trying hard to keep motivated today. My mom left about an hour ago and my drive to get things done has left with her! We got so much done on Friday and Saturday. I tried to keep that drive going this morning but I think we were only about half gear.

Yesterday was a wonderful day! Missy Pete loved hunting eggs and she got a Power Wheels Gator from the easter bunny. It was pretty nice out, so that's where we stayed. With more raining rolling in this week, it was so nice to be able to enjoy the sun. I tried the new mower yesterday, LOVE IT!! It'll actually take about half the amount of time to mow as it use to. And with as many properties that we own, it'll be done in no time. We also planted a tree/shrub. Not sure what it is, a friend of hubby's dropped it off, left from a job they were landscaping. I guess we couldn't say no. And when he said it was a 200 dollar tree, yep, I'll take it for free!!

The easter bunny brought me a new singer, yay!!! It works!! My old one was getting so irratating I didn't want to sew. It'll be fun again!! And it's fast!! I think I'm as happy as little one was about her gator :)


Enough ramblings for today! Have a great day!!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Unconventional April Showers

This morning I woke up to snow, ugh!! Enough already!! We are under a winter storm advisory, seriously?! It is coming down thick and fast. I've got my sweats on today and I'm not leaving until time to pick up Missy Pete. Not sure if I'm sewing or painting/staining today. Days like these, it's tough to get motivated.

 Hubby and Little One went out to feed the dogs, little one couldn't keep up so dad had to rescue her
My easter bunny is prolly think forget this!! My poor picket fence will have to wait a few more days to go in the ground, instead of lay on it, ha


Stay warm and enjoy your day the best you can, whereever you are!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Fresh Fruit - Pineapples and Watermelon

Friday I was even more productive then Thursday. And this weekend, I did a few things. I've been sewing like a fool. So glad I got several things finished up, or on the verge of being done. My mom is coming on Thursday and I'll have her write out tags. I'm not the greatest in the printing department, so we'll just let the professional do it, hehe.

Yesterday was so productive at our house. We were up early and outside by 8:30. Ady was playing away while her dad and I cleaned the garage. There's bare spots!! You could almost park a car in there, not that that'll be happening anytime soon. Hubby defrosted the freezer and we threw out lots of "stuff!" I piled all my undone projects together so I can just go out and grab one, and then hopefully I'll get it moved up to shop, ready to sell. Then hubby can get off my back about, "we have so many undone projects, it'd take year to finish them all." Yeah, well maybe!!

 These little things just need a grungy tag.
 I need a little banner that read July 4, 1776 on the front, mom can help with that.
 Found this little treasure stashed in the garage. Used a few Pledge wipes on it. I was going to sell it but decided to keep it for myself. It has a lose top and missing a handle but who cares. Picked it up at an auction last year for about 15 bucks.
 Almost done make-do's
 Working on the "seeds"
 All done, can you see all the projects out on the island?
Just needs a wire hanger. I think he'd look great on your door :)

I'm working on another watermelon pattern and ladybug bowl fillers. Also working on a super cute patriotic bag. Making great use of my cds of patterns from Olde Homestead Barn and Tennessee Ridge Primitives!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Productivity Is Good - Stenciling Signs

It's time for a lunch break. I'm starving and my back/shoulders are aching from being hunched over dabbing away. I feel like I'm getting somewhere today. I have several more cut boards so I'll try and get them finished up. I need the hubby to cut a very long cut list sometime soon. He's so busy, I hate asking but I somedays I do well with the saws, and others not so well. So I don't usually take the chance and just ask for his assistance.

These signs haven't been sanded, stained or waxed yet, but I several done. I know the Pumpkins is outta season, but nothing like getting them done before a head of time...lol...this so doesn't sound like me. It was supposed to be kinda nice today, 66. But the wind has a chill to it and they're talking rain...maybe even snow by Friday, ugh! Guess I better get my sanding done outside while I still can.

Yesterday I got several more things packed up ready to go to Waseca. Lots of big things left to get around. Plus several of these signs are headed there. Trying to stay on top of the game. Pulled out my americana for the June show, I thought I had so much more. Guess I'll be ordering and sewing up several things.

Have a great day!



Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Life In My Flower Bed

The southside of the house I added a flower bed last year. I'm so happy to see everything returning. It's far from a finished project but it has a start. I use to work in a greenhouse, and I have always loved growing things. Even when I was little I would use my money to buy seed packets and attempt to grow whatever I thought would be fun to try.
As the years have progressed and I'm much more conscious of my cash flow, I've moved on to the perenials. Ohhhh did I spend money on annuals that would die come October and then I'd do it all over again next May. I still spend plenty on annuals, but have since widened my horizons to perennials. But I can say, I have never lived somewhere too long, that I thought I needed a plant for more then one season. I would like to share a few of the plants that have returned. I have many more beds, but last week I filled them all up with fresh mulch, so it'll be a few weeks before they're visible. I also have plans for a few new beds this spring.

 My mounding Dahlia and a few little violets, not sure what the thing in the left upper corner is. I don't even remember planting it :)
 Iris' they're always a staple. Remind me of the ones that were in front of my gpa's. A mum under the star
 Another mounding Dahila and I see my Clemantis is coming back under the ladder and another mum in the middle
 Phlox and Tiger Lillies. That Phlox is prickly, found that out :)
 Tickseed
And I think this is a hosta coming back. I'm not even 30 yet and somedays I really think I'm losing it..lol

Monday, April 11, 2011

Exhausted!

This weekend was the second and final spring open house weekend. I am pooped!! One of my consigners came last nite and picked up her things, man the shop is empty! Now I am left to my own pace of packing up things to go to A Touch Of Country Class in Waseca MN. If you're in the area, you should totally go. I'll post more info at a later date. I have several things that have been around the shop for a few shows, so off they go. Hoping someone will see them and love them and take them home. Also I'm sending several new things. Been working on a few pineapples and watermelons, and of course, patriotic things.

We had beautiful weather most of the weekend, except for some bad storms Sat. nite. The tornado sirens even went off :( But luckily nothing.

I am busy trying to get my paperwork and my checks sent out. I try to do my paperwork every nite after a show, so I'm not stuck at the end, scrambling to get it all done. I try not to be one of those shop owners who takes forever to pay. You gotta keep your consigners happy, they make your buz!!

Until next time, have a great day!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Lots Of New Projects

The last week has been crazy!! My husband and the cable company have been going rounds, so I was internetless for a few days. Crazy, they turned it back on tonite.

Last weekend was the first weekend of my open house! It was fabulous! Love seeing all my regulars and many new faces. Reassures me that we will continue to grow :) Tomorrow kicks off my second and final weekend of my spring open house. The weather is supposed to be kinda crappy, so maybe people will come spend some time with me, instead of wanting to be outside.

This week the weather has been kind of up and down. Monday was sooo windy and cold. So I stayed in and sewed. I've been working on some pineapples and feed sack pillows. I snapped a few pics to share with you. Tuesday the weather warmed back up and it's been pretty decent since. The hubby tore out the uneeded sidewalk along the side of the shop. I'm hoping after the rain passes this weekend/early week, to get my fenced in garden started where it was. So much to do, so little time. Thank goodness, I have until the beginning of June until I'm open again. Hopefully I'll get lots done between now and then!!

 It just looked so bad!
 Always a plus when your hubby owns a skidloader

 I ran out of stuffing, guess I'll have to go to JoAnn's tomorrow
This was made into an apron, I repurposed it again!