Sunday, November 28, 2010

In The Wink of An Eye




Well it's official I'm 48 years YOUNG!!!! I have no problem stating my age. 365 days have ticked away again....days of family and friends. Days of ups and downs, days filled with work, laughter, tears, laughter, and so much more. In all of it I am truly blessed!

I think the above card was my favorite. My sister "Sherry" and I seem to exchange about 5 or 6 cards a year and the siller the better. For some reason this picture is who I want to be as I get a full head of gray hair!

I do have one request if you don't mind....tomorrow my dad will be having some surgery and if you would please keep him in your prayers for a speedy recovery.

Wishing each of you a blessed week.

Happy Trails....Ginger

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Be Ye Thankful



Wishing each of you a day filled with blessings from above.

I am thankful for so many things in my life...knowing that I have a Lord that knows my every need even before I ask. A Lord that is forgiving even when I'm undeserving.

I'm thankful for such a loving family and friends that are near and far. Cupboards that are filled with food, the warmth of a home and a vehicle that gets me where I need to go.

Thankful for health and happiness and even at times even sadness. You take those times of sorrow or unhappiness and you learn and grow from them....even when at the time you don't think you will.

God does provide for our needs.

I'm thankful for the country that I live in and those who fought bravely so that I may enjoy freedom today. It came with a price and I'll never forget the sacrifices that were made.

May you enjoy your Thanksgiving day and take a few moments and give thanks for all the blessings that have touched your life.

Happy Trails....Ginger

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Little Ones To Him Belong



I still love the hymn.... Jesus Loves Me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong: They are weak, but He is strong.

God has a plan for every life. I often find myself wondering about the world we live in and what the future holds for this little one. I hope and pray that I'm doing my part to be a good example.



"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6

Happy Trails....Ginger

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Chicken Soup, Trees, and Covered Boxes



When you find that the miles are just too far to take a class that you really want to take you do the next best thing....You invite Pati and Sandra over for the day and give it a go yourself.

Thanks to Joanne and her wonderful instructions on her blog we had a great set of instructions and photo's to try making a wool feather tree.
Pati and Sandra came over a little before lunch and first we had to sample the Morning Glory muffins Pati made....delicious!

Here is a link to Joanne's instructions on here blog...click HERE


It wasn't long before the glue, wool, wire, and floral tape was being shaped into tree branches.



Pati may be the quiet one (so she says) but she sure can make some faces!



Sandra said she was just going to watch but she made one too and we all voted she had the best tree in the end.



Time for some homemade chicken noodle soup!



Next Pati and I grabbed the modge podge and started covering some paper mache boxes.



Here is our trees complete with some extra branches we fashioned into little trees that we put in some old wooden spools....added a little bit of wool and some ribbon that says "It's A Wonderful Life".



Trees and Covered Boxes



Well this is my forest of trees and boxes....Had a great time with Pati and Sandra and can't wait until next time. Thanks again to Joanne for the wonderful instructions!

Happy Trails.....Ginger

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Oxford Punch With Wool and Yarn



Thought I would share with you a simple lesson on oxford punch. I have a couple of different sizes but this is the one I have being using the most a #10. I have tried different sizes of wool strips but #6 seems to work the best. Yes...this is a big pile of worms but I like to just have a bunch ready to go.

Next, I use cheap monk's cloth the needle glides through the cheaper kind. You can find it at Wal~Mart, Hobby Lobby, or JoAnn's. You can use a wide quilter's hoop to stretch the monk's cloth or I really prefer my rug hooking frame with the gripper strips. You will want to get your monk's cloth drum tight just like for punch needle.



I drew these little rug mugs onto my monk's cloth with a sharpie. Stretched the cloth drum tight and I'm ready to go. Now remember you are working looking at the backside and the loops will be on the reverse side...just like for regular punch needle.



I like to cut my wool strips as long as I can makes for not having to stop and reload as often. First thread the strip through the eye of the needle then up through the slit for the wool I don't bother with putting it through the little loop on top of the punch needle it stays in the needle just fine without using it.




You may have to pull the wool back and forth a little until it slips into the slit. In this photo it still needs to sit inside the slit.



Now I'm ready to begin punching. Be sure to punch all the way down to the wood portion of the needle each time it helps to make your loops more uniform.



Here is the backside of the pattern. All of the backside photo's will have the marker pattern.


More filled in looking from the back.



The hat is now filled in.



Backside with more filled in.



The snowman is complete now to do the background.


Starting on the background.



One rug mug punched just needs steamed and bound.



Now to make a sheep with wool and yarn. Any kind of yarn will work. Now if you are partial to just wool just use wool yarn but really any kind will work. There are so many wonderful yarns out there...hand~dyed, some with flecks, and thick and thin yarns.
If you find that your yarn is a little thin just double it and it will be just fine.



This yarn that I chose for the sheep I doubled. I also use the little hook at the top and pass the yarn through there first then down through the slit and into the eye of the punch needle. Yarn is a very fast way to punch as you don't have to keep filling up the needle with strips.



Oxford punch needle loaded with double strand of yarn ready for punching.



Back side of sheep mug rug.



Back side of sheep mug rug punched with yarn and wool strips.




Front side of sheep mug rug ready to be steamed and bound.

Now find your oxford punch needle and give this a try. I think you will find it's very relaxing, fun, and you can have a small project done in just one evening.

Another hint....try overdying that yarn that might be in your stash that you may not care for with rit tan dye you might be surprised by the great prim colors you come up with.

Happy Trails....Ginger

Monday, November 15, 2010

Day By Day

Day by Day and with each passing moment....a start to one of my favorite hymns. I do enjoy moments of life how about you. Even in the struggles of day to day life if you take a moment and enjoy the simple things of life perhaps you find yourself smiling even in the most difficult times.

Life is too short to not enjoy it and I do take pleasure in taking time to see life through the eyes of a 3 year old. Look at just a couple of things we did today....oh there are so many that I don't capture in pictures but they are captured in my heart!


The day for me started out this day with our son Dan dropping of Sloan for the day. There was a chill in the air but the sun was up and shining and we had a few chores to take care of.



First a growing boy needed to have a bowl of cereal with his PaPa then it was off to take care of the farm chores.



He is so thrilled about his "chicken eggs" and even has shared a dozen with his great~grandma last week. He proudly told her they were from his chickens.



He does have to play chase with them for a few minutes before leaving the pen.



They really don't seem to mind I think they just might enjoy seeing him come for a morning visit.



Next we gave the donkeys a treat of celery. They come right up to the backyard fence to visit and today they were happy to accept a treat!




Of course we have to get in a little excercise practicing being superman on the swing!

For lunch we had a big feast of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, broccoli, and biscuits. This boy has a big appetite!



We opened up the craft room doors today and found some wool that we could use to cut into strips for oxford punch and then a lil' boy wanted to give it a try. Well I figure if he is willing to try. First he turned the handle on the cutter and did a fine job helping me cut the strips.

Next he tried to thread the punch and after a little help....



We started with our first punch lesson. He lasted about 30 seconds and then he was off to watch Rudulph the Red~Nose Reindeer and within minutes was sound asleep!




This is what I came up with while he slept. Craziest rug I've ever made. Started out with the center as a hit and miss rug....decided to add some motifs of a horse, heart, flowers, and house. It measures about 12 x 20 inches before binding. Not to bad for one afternoon and evening.




Last night I made this little mats.... A simple and prim house.



A fraktur bird...just plain and simple just the way I like it!




I finished the binding on a christmas tree and sheep rug. My oxford punch needle and I have finally become friends...

Tomorrow is another day. I hope you will take the days you have and live them to the fullest...enjoy the simple things of life, make memories, keep a prayer on your heart, and lend a helping hand to someone if you can!

Happy Trails.....Ginger

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

A Day Away From The Farm



Oh what a day! Sloan went to visit his Gigi with his Moma and I had the day to spend with Pati and Sandra. Yes with all the fun I did manage to finish the lil' dog rug, bind it, and look it's even on the little bench! I tell you give that oxford punch a try :)



Pati, Sandra and I met at Auntie Mae's the antique store in Purcell, Okla. where Pati and I have been slowly filling up our booth. We have a couple more displays we will be adding on Saturday to really make it look more prim.



Now if I can just get busy and bind a couple of Christmas rugs before it's too late :)



We have been trying to mix in a few little collectibles.







Our Christmas tree has many handmade items by Pati. Just love those snowmen.







Two silly gals....Sandra and Pati! Got to love em'



Penny rugs and great smelling potpourri!



Old~Time Photo's....





WE went for Mexican food and then off we went to Pink, Oklahoma.



Victorian Rose's Primitive Trading Post



Just look inside at some of the wonderful things she has.



Lots of prim cabinets, benches, and collectibles. I sure saw a lot of things I would like to have and plan on going back on Saturday to pick up just a few :) :)




Sandra even found a couple of things to purchase.



Next we were off to Country Collections for our monthly hook~in. Oh we were just a lil' late. Jean working on her church....she will have it bound in no time.



Pati is working on a rug by Maria Barton of Star Rug Company.



Kaye and Laura


Becky and Sandra



Jean's church rug.



Becky working on one of my patterns....Love how her snowman is looking.



Laura was working on a hit and miss rug.




Sandra actually pulling loops on her rug.

Hope you enjoyed all the pictures. It was a fun day sort of an adventure as Sloan would say!

Happy Trails....Ginger