Looking Ahead!

Looking ahead to 2014.....lots of new things for the coming year!

A new little granddaughter to love and hold!

More needle punching, rug hooking, and wool applique to do :)

Friends and Family to enjoy!

This year has been full of blessings and I'm sure 2014 will be, too!

Happy Trails....Ginger

Silent Night!

We had a wonderful Christmas and even had a concert by my two nieces....Perfectly playing the clarinet and flute for us.  Mandy on the left with the clarinet will be playing at half time at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, TN with her school band and Diamond Rio on December 31st.  

We had the family over Christmas evening and enjoyed some of the traditional foods as well as a Mexican feast.    We will be celebrating again on Saturday with Danny's family and are very thankful that his Dad is home after 4 months of therapy after a light stroke.  

Tonight the house is quiet after a busy Christmas but the music and memories will not be forgotten!

Hoping you had a blessed Christmas with family and friends!

Happy Trails.....Ginger

LOTS of Quilt Scraps!

I use to make a LOT of quilts and as most quilters I have a LOT of fabric scraps.....so with the trusty rotary cutter, locker hook, crochet cotton, and canvas foundation I'm turning those scraps into a rug.

It's a great way to make use of scraps and these rugs are washable and last for a LONG time!

I've even been known to cut up Danny's worn out shirts and put them in a rug :)

Even ugly fabrics work great in these kind of rugs so think twice about throwing out those scraps and put them in a rug!

Happy Trails.....Ginger

Lost In A Forest

Where is your focus this Christmas?  I have been asking myself the same question.  Do you sometimes feel like you are lost in a forest of a million trees.  Every direction you look something needs to be done...the cards need written, the gifts need bought and wrapped, the meals planned, oh and don't forget the laundry, paying the bills, taking care of the kids, and the list just goes on!

 

I asked Sloan yesterday when we were just taking a few moments to talk about his day and I asked him.... Do you know what Christmas is REALLY about?  Much to my surprise it wasn't about Santa and gifts he said Jesus being born.  Wisdom from a 6 year old :)

 

Have you ever wondered about the innkeeper of Bethlehem?  The census was being taken the city was full and here was a lady and her husband that had traveled so far and her time to deliver was so near.  I'm sure the innkeeper felt like he was in a forest....everywhere he turned something to do....his inn was full.  Nearby in his stable this woman and her husband found a place to deliver their baby OUR LORD!

The innkeeper was so busy he missed the visiting shepherds, the wise men, and the angels....yes right in his own backyard.

May we all step out of the forest and not be so pre-occupied this Christmas to worship the KING and put Christ back into the center of our lives!

 

May your hearts be filled with JOY this Christmas Season and into the New Year.

 

Happy Trails.....Ginger

 

 



Be Mine..... Cupid's Arrow

Cupid's Arrow has been busily shooting lots of love!  Yes, it is still December!

With my needle punch and hand dyed wool threads these cupids are my newest creations.   Made into hanging pockets to hold special valentines or dried flowers they will brighten up the winter days.

Small ones punched for jackets or tote bags!

Then I oxford punched a small mat!

Now to just make the patterns!  Be Mine will be a paper pattern with a color photo that will include all the patterns above.....Coming soon!

Happy Trails....Ginger

A HEART That Is Full

Today my heart is absolute full of JOY.....I stopped by the post office and two packages were there waiting.....Kelley  (With Hook and Needle) sent me this package filled with wool appliques of hearts.  A box filled with them.....A few years back I was having a pacemaker replaced and the group AAPG gathered their needle, threads, and wools together and made blocks and sent them to Kelley.  She worked on putting them together and as life often does took a few twists and turns.  Family needs should always be at the top of our list and Kelley has done just that....she is an AMAZING GAL!!!!!

As I looked at each block and the stitching that went into them I can't believe the beautiful treasure that came to me from so many different directions.  Hopefully each gal will know how very blessed I feel.

I have decided to make them into different size pillows and place each pillow in a different room throughout the house so that as I go about my day I can enjoy them as I step into each room.

Thank you to each and everyone that put a stitch into these beautiful blocks.

They are all so very unique and just makes my heart sing with JOY over the kindness from all my AAPG friends.

The second package came from Robin in Kansas and she does some of the most wonderful locking hooking I have ever seen.  The red *white* blue is a cover for a kindle fire.  It has a very beautiful button on the front and her workmanship is AMAZING!!!! Along with the cover was a wool tree with a spool trunk, a candle that smells heavenly, awesome hand soaps, hand sanitizer and candies!  Thank you Robin :)

It truly has been a day full of wonderful surprises.....

My mom called today and the test results for my dad has come back negative for esophagus cancer.  The chemo and radiation worked.....but mostly I know that the many prayers for him worked the miracle!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the prayers ..... I am very thankful and my heart is FULL!

Happy Trails......Ginger

Keeping Busy!

This boy had another snow day today!  He has been making everything from painted ornaments, needle punch, and coloring and using glue!  Keeping an active 6 year old boy busy on a cold day is hard work!

He has been doing some needle punching on and off for awhile and did finish one of the cardinals to take home....just as soon as I sew a back on it and give it a little stuffing.

He still needs practice and he keeps on trying!

Danny has one of those wildlife camera's out and this silly looking guy came by for a visit!

So did this one he has a weird extra 3rd antler growing in front.  

Well back to business of keeping a boy busy!

Happy Trails.....Ginger

Cardinal Needle Punch Free Doodle

We have a lot of cardinals visiting the bird feeder and they are the inspiration for this little needle punch project.  Feel free to print off the pattern and whip up a few today!

Happy Trails....Ginger

Snow Day!

Yes I admit it....I have an addiction to needle punch!  It is such a fast way to accomplish a project :)

Now what to make these flower bouquets into????

This young man had a snow day today....He spent the night and we woke up to this!  Too bad it isn't the good packing kind of snow but that didn't stop him from having fun!

Hope you are staying warm and comfortable on this cold evening :)

Happy Trails......Ginger

Oxford Punching with Scraps of Yarn

I always have lots of yarn scraps left over from projects and a great way to use them up is to put them in an oxford punch scrappy project.

  This little mat will be a great place to put hot items on since it is made of wool or a nice place for a cup of hot cocoa and a small dish of cookies!

If you have never tried oxford punch needle it is very easy to do...you just need an oxford punch needle, monks cloth, linen, or even burlap will work and yarn, wool strips, or strips of fabric, a frame such as a lip lock style quilting hoop or a gripper frame like the ones used for rug hooking, and a sharp pair of scissors.

The grandkiddo's usually spend about 2 days a week together.  These cousins are almost like a brother and sister.....very protective of one another and love to share pizza and some time playing and watching a few cartoons!  They do keep me entertained with what they can come up with :)  

Happy Trails.....Ginger

The JOY of Christmas

Once again I have kept the needle punch popping away into the evening hours.  The OLD TIME STOCKING was fun to make and I have made patterns and kits of this one if anyone is interested I have listed them on my website Prairie Moon Primitives and on ETSY.  

The colors of the stocking and background are some of my favorite  prim hand dyed wool threads.

Rise and Shine is what I use to tell my kids when they were little and it was time for school.  I must admit I'm a night owl and I'm not much of a morning person!

I have this one as a pattern and kit, too.

My friend "Frank Bielec" is going to be coming again for an oxford punch/rug hooking  workshop March 14-15, 2014.  The workshop is always such fun and includes 2 meals each day!

If you are interested in attending just email me for more information.  Classes are limited so sign up soon!

Happy Trails....Ginger