~ * ~ 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

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

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

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

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

Getting Ready For The Loose Caboose

Busy week ahead gathering up all the lil' things I have been painting, stitching, and hooking. Sad to say but Oklahoma doesn't have a lot of handmade craft fairs anymore. I have always enjoyed going to the Loose Caboose Festival in downtown Purcell, Oklahoma. There is a lot of history just on Main Street. There are several antique shops that once were used as a hotel, theatre, and department stores.
Purcell was founded as a railroad town in 1887. Part of Main street still has the original brick roads.

This coming Saturday, September 3rd....Main Street will be transformed into a place with live music, food, and handmade crafts. So if your in the area we would love for you to stop by!

The weathermen are forecasting a COLD front coming this way....we may just drop down into the 80's sometime next week. I sure hope so we are ready for some cooler days.

Happy Trails....Ginger

A Place To Create And We Are Expecting!

Danny recently built me this wonderful cupboard for our anniversary. It's huge and I put it out in our big room. We have slowly been moving a few things out there. I want it nice and comfortable a place you want to sit down and visit. A cozy place to look through books work on projects or just gaze out the windows at the wildlife or cows. I'm looking forward to a nice fire in a fireplace this winter....doesn't seem right thinking of fires when we are still dealing with this long unusually hot summer.



I'm not very good at putting things together and admire all of you who have that knack. I did hang a rug up by the table along with displaying some of the beautiful punch needle mats and pillows, cross~stitched and embroidered pieces that several online friends have so thoughtfully sent me. I love looking at them each day and it just reminds me how blessed I am to have such dear friends although I have not met most of them in person yet I hold them as treasured friends in my heart.

Do you see the lil' blocks on top? It says By The Light Of The Moon. A certain lil' boy wants them but his Momo plans on keeping those :) Then right beside it a favorite photo of my two kiddos when they were oh so little.



Back to moving again....I moved the dough box out to the "hooking/gathering" room. Inside the box is linen and monks cloth with patterns ready to be hooked. The rug on top was designed by Stonehill Rug Hooking in Fredericksburg. It was a fun one to do. I like to leave it out all year.



I've been moving lots of my things from my craft room out to this room. I have lots of books for inspiration. I have a round table that is on the list next to redo so we can sit it nearby and play checkers or cards, make playdough critters or enjoy those books with a nice glass of tea.

Now for exciting news. We are expecting a new lil' grandbaby by next May. Our daughter and son~in~law are expecting their first little one. A new addition will be so sweet. I already have this new one in my prayers long before he or she will be here. Praying all goes well with this pregnancy and that this little one grows strong and healthy. Praying that Mom and Dad enjoy this time and enjoy the days, weeks, and months ahead. Praying that we will all be a good influence in this child's life.

I did draw up a few more doodles again they are for you to use however you choose.




My sister~in~laws are starting a new adventure and in the weeks to come I will share that with you. They are more like sisters than in~laws and I know I am very blessed to have them in my life. Wishing each of you a blessed week with lots of smiles.

Happy Trails....Ginger

Making Pins and Finishing Rugs

It's just been too HOT outside to do much of anything. Sloan and I walked through the garden this evening and a few pumpkins and gourds have survived the terrible heat. He took a few home this evening for his Momma. Today while he took a good nap I made up a batch of pretty pins. They will go in some pinkeeps I hope to make.



My fingers have been working overtime on binding lots of hooked mats and rugs. I had created quite a pile and yes there are still some more to go. You would think I would learn not to let them pile up so high.



Some will be sold and some will go here and there in the house.



The antique looking Santa and Reindeer designed by Star Rug Company is one of my favorites it will be staying :)



The Loose Caboose Festival will be September 3rd in Purcell and some of the rugs and mats will be in our little booth. We will be setting up on Main Street...I sure hope the temperatures cool down a bit.



My Mom has been raising some baby chicks and she plans to give Sloan a few. Sure hope the racoons don't get them. We have one brave racoon that comes to visit every evening and is not scared of us at all.




With record setting triple digits I'm really longing for a crisp fall day!




We have been busy completing a few needed chores around the house guess there will always be something to work on.



Well that's what I completed on the pile of UFO rugs and mats. I'm really getting the hang of this binding stuff although I still have several to go with some really large ones. I'm trying my best not to hook anymore until I catch up...well see if I can keep the yarn and needle busy :)
Enjoy the rest of your week!!!

Happy Trails....Ginger