Saturday, October 8, 2011

A Closer Look



Here it is Saturday and the day couldn't be nicer. I'm setting in my room surrounded with wool strips a big cup of ice tea and pulling loops. The windows are open and the cool air is rushing in. Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow and I'm hoping it stays around for awhile. We just had two of our ponds dug out with a big trencher and they look so nice but would look so much better full of water. Since we have been in a drought this summer they have really gotten low and we might as well take advantage and enlarge them while we can.

I've been working on a few coasters mainly just hit and miss. The scrap basket of worms is always full :)



Last week the house was buzzing with ladies making things in Frank's workshop. I did finish punching on mine. Now to get this lil' guy totally finished!



Here is some closer pics of what everyone else finished. We had snowladies. This one was made by my mother~in~law. She had never oxford punched before and didn't she do a wonderful job on hers.




Nancy made a sheep. Love the colors.



Then we had some monsters and a pumpkin guy!



Then a heart needle case, snowman, scarecrow, and santa.



Redgie made a scarecrow and Teresa made a pilgrim. I met these gals a few years ago at the Lenexa hook~in and they have become such good friends.




Becky finished a santa!



My SIL "Karen" made a snowman on one side....


And a Uncle Sam on the other!



Frank punched this scarecrow. Oxford punch is a fun and fast way to make lots of things besides rugs.....You can put it on boxes, benches, make them into needle cases, pillows, flip dolls and so much more.

Well think I'll take a break and go for a walk...

Happy Trails......Ginger

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

~*Cooler Days*~


I absolutely love Autumn...the windows wide open with the cool breeze filling our home. The birds busily chirping to one another and listening to the cows softly calling to their calves. The rustle of the leaves as they are quickly dropping from the trees and the pop of the American flag as it proudly flies on a cloudy day.

Today Sloan and I enjoyed a little artwork done with markers. I have my set and he has his special set.



He worked really hard on his Alien Cat and monster pumpkins.



We also had a lil' black cat come up a few days ago and has made itself a home in the shop near the house. He is as gentle as can be and Sloan insist he is a "Halloween Cat" So I guess we will be calling him Halloween.

Wishing each of you cool Autumn breezes.

Happy Trails....Ginger

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

~ * ~ A Dream Come True ~ * ~



I'm still grinning from ear to ear over how pleased I am with the Happy Trails Workshop. Frank Bielec and Pati Jane came early to help set things up and prepare for the 22 ladies that attended the workshop. We had bags of goodies for each participant and door prizes throughout each day.



The first day was spent learning the art of oxford punch and all the ladies caught on very quickly. Frank had brought everything needed to make a flip wallhanging and the ladies had their chose of many patterns. He is always very generous with his wool, yarn, accessories, and patterns.



On the first day we served Fajita taco salads for lunch and for supper my sister~in~laws and MIL served brisket with all the fixins! I'm so blessed to have such a giving family....and the meal was absolutely delicious!



We did have a hiccup on the Day 1 with my air conditioning going out....wouldn't you know it! Not one complaint was made and no one slowed down. These gals were determined!



Day 2 brought much cooler weather and the gals were back at it bright and early. Many gals finished up there first projects and began making more. There were many patterns to choose from. Kati from Tyler, Texas brought patterns and wool for sale and many of the gals enjoyed shopping. Made it feel like a real camp! Thank you Kati! Kala from Louisana also brought some of her handmade items and the ladies also enjoyed purchasing some of her lovely items.



Pati Jane and I served homemade lasagna, chicken spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, and more fixins with pumpkin bars. For supper we grilled out brauts, smoked saugages, and hotdogs with potato salad and my Mom brought over pecan, chocolate, and butterscotch pies.






Day 3 was just as nice with the weather being nice and cool. Ann arrived first each day and fixed the coffee. I'm not a coffee gal and was so glad she did that for me!



It was crunch time for everyone. Time to get everything finished up. My daughter Jenn came over to take a group photo for us and some random shots.



On the 3rd day we served homemade chicken noodle soup and taco soup with biscuits, cornbread and crackers. For dessert we had Texas chocolate sheet cake. It's one of my childhood favorites!



I have to give a big thank you to Frank Bielec for making the trip out here to the farm to teach the very first workshop and helping to make it the success it was. We enjoyed his company more than he will ever know. Danny loved visiting with him in the evenings after work and we laughed so much! Frank also gave away his models in a drawing at the end of camp to 3 lucky gals!

Pati Jane went above and beyond the call of helping...months ago she began working with me on the goodie bags, planning, and then all the baking and dishwashing she did. She is truly a gem and I am very blessed to call her my friend!

Each gal that attended also made this camp the success it was. Everyone pitched in and helped in some way. It was such a pleasure to have them all here for the 3 days.



Months ago Danny and I were setting out on the porch and discussing enclosing the carport....now here it is all finished and my dream of sharing it with family and friends has come true. He worked many days and nights after work building this great room. I don't know that I can ever thank him enough for making my dreams come true but I'm going to try!

Happy Trails.....Ginger

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Break Dancing!



Oops.....A lil' boy decided to show his Mom a dance on top of his lego table and took a spill and broke his arm. After a 2nd look at the x-rays looks like a tiny fracture between the elbow and shoulder and he will be wearing a sling for 3 more weeks. Hasn't slowed him down a bit and decided I should give him a ride up on my shoulders.



Danny's Mom watches the great~grandkids often and it really helps when I have to work. I gave her a quilt kit and she had it done in 2 days. It turned out very nice!

I've been putting some finishing details on the workshop we will be having here next and I'll be sure to share lots of photo's of all the fun. Plus I'm hoping to catch up on all my blog reading in the next couple of weeks it's always a pleasure to see what everyone else has been doing!

Happy Trails....Ginger

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Oh September Days!



Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year and today Sloan and I went once again back to the OKC zoo. Next year I will have to get a year pass. He loved feeding the birds nectar. He said he would love to work at the zoo and feed all the animals but would not want to stay once it got dark.

It was perfect weather today and we had a wonderful time.



I have slowly been pulling out things to put out in the gathering room. It's nice to have a place to put things out.









I also hung the House Blessings rug that was designed by LJ Fibers.




It's nice to see a setting sun you know another day is just about done. Tomorrow is suppose to bring temps into the 60's and rain. Oh to turn off the AC and enjoy open windows once again.



Pati Jane and I went last weekend to Warsaw, MO to the Truman Lake Rug show and it was spectacular. Patty and the girls from Saltbox Primitive Woolens put on one outstanding show and the vendors were awesome. I know it will be on the list to do again next year!
Here are a few of the rugs that were on display.





Happy Trails.....Ginger

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Fun In The Sun



The Loose Caboose Festival was one of the best this year. We were busy almost all day and the crowd was steady all day long.

I think there were around 60 booths with lots of different offerings.











Pati Jane and Sandra having a good time. Pati made some great smelling fall potpourri and it sure brought the customers in to our booth. Sandra is a big help all throughout the day and we are so glad she made the trip!








Danny was set up right beside us and let us set with him in his booth so we could use our whole booth to spread out.




Well this ol' farmgirl is worn out but had a great time. Hope you are enjoying your weekend and finding time to be with friends and family.

Happy Trails....Ginger

Friday, September 2, 2011

Well Worth The Sore Fingers


Whipping rugs and mats but the pile is dwindling and I'm loving the results. This is one of my favorites and it is designed by Laurie of LJ Fibers. Now to find a place to hang it to enjoy all the beautiful wools that went into this piece.



Next is an oxford punch piece made from #6 wool strips...just a bit hickety ~ pickety but much to my liking.



Found this lil' tree buried in a pile from long ago but it's finished and ready to enjoy.



This lil' snowguy is also oxford punched with wool strips and it is about coaster size.

Well I'm packed up and ready to go enjoy Saturday with Pati Jane and Sandra at the Loose Caboose Festival tomorrow. It's going to be another hot day but hopefully we have picked a spot that will be in the shade a good part of the day!

Wishing each of you a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.

Happy Trails....Ginger