Silly little doodle...

Donovan came home with this cute little Ronald McDonald last weekend, and it has ended up sitting around on my table here...so...while Emily was sleeping and Donovan was here building a puzzle with me, I did a quick sketch of Ronny McD. I had bought a little book with pen attached for my purse, and it hadn't quite made it into my purse yet...so Ronald leads the way to further actions in this little notebook...how sweet!!!

My life...

I have been spending a few hours at night...in the wee hours of the night, making handsewn felt ATC's. So far I have managed only two! I haven't shown them yet, because I have sent them out as surprises to folks who read my blog! I still have to send one out...so I figure in a week or so I can show them. I have taken pictures, so will not forget.

I have been spending my time giving good quality time to my grandchildren! I am so in love with them...it is hard sometimes to let their parents have them! Yesterday their Dad and my daughter and I took them to a little carnival at a Catholic Church down the street. They both enjoyed it so much! We all rode a few rides, and the local Knights of Columbus were selling freshly made cannolis...so we all tried a bit of it. Delicious!!! Donovan wanted cotton candy...do you think he got any? Of course he did!!!!! LOL! It was a gorgeous, and perfect day...breezy nad cool...but no sweaters needed, which was nice. We all got home and took a nap...all together and at the same time...(a miracle)!!!

My husband had gone for a hike and saw his beloved animals! He sees wild turkeys, alligators, birds of all types, wild hogs, etc. He worries about them, especially when water levels are too low. Of course, he napped when he got home too! It was a house of sleep for about 1 hour!!!

I cooked a beef roast in my crock pot all day and my son made a vegetable mixture for us to go with it for dinner...very yummy!

My collards are looking so good outside in the tire garden! I only wish I could make them grow faster so I can EAT them! It is sort of a slow torture for me to see them all day every day out my kitchen window!!! LOL!

Well, just wanted to let you know that things are rolling along here, as they should be...and to say hi. Hope everyone is doing well. Talk to you again soon, and hopefully will have some pictures!!!
xoxo- Julie

Free vintage patterns for embroidery!

If anyone who comes to my blog is interested (even minimally) in embroidering vintage patterns, please consider visting a blog I just discovered this evening. It is done by Floresita at My Vintage Transfers, where you can actually click on the pattern picture and it will enlarge and you can print it out. By using a transfer pen, you can trace it, then iron it onto your fabric and you are ready to go! (She has the mirror image there, so it will come out perfect)!


For any cactus Monday members, she even has a few cactus designs that are adorable! They are free to use and not under copyright...so I'm just sayin...have fun there!!!
xoxo- Julie

My soft doll attempt

I have been spending a few minutes each night after my grands go home, looking at these stuffed animals and dolls, etc., which have been appropriately named "SOFTIES" in new lingo. They are so adorable...my favorites being made of felt. I want to get to trying this. It would have to be done to just make a collection for myself, as toys for Emily,or to try and sell. You can see softies by googling, or it is a label or tag on Etsy. I'm sure most of you have seen them before. Fellow blogger, Messyfish, makes softies too!
Anyway...while sitting around looking at these online, I realized I had a handmade, freeformed doll I had made a few years back. She ended up with a big head, and long skinny neck, and strange looking feet (sort of like Squidward on Spongebob)!!! LOL. Here she is, wearing a dress taken off an old porcelain doll:

A close up of her head. I embroidered her face freehandedly also (I guess I hate plans, and perfection). Her hair has never been made. I braided a ribbon, and it is only pinned to the top of her head (poor girl). I am terrible with hair ideas... and getting a certain style of hair to match the dolls composition or personality!

I must have made her around 4th of July, because the little heart that I sewed to her chest, has a sort of flag look to it.

A full body view.
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Yes...I just took this picture this morning...my little Christmas tree is still up! Ha! I am leaving it up as a symbol of hope for so many things...life in general, future prosperity, Haiti, and LOVE. Well, I also really like the glow it provides at night...and my little girl here likes to pose next to it also!!!
So there she is...any name suggestions??? Next I hope to post some felt plushies, or softies I've made! If tiame avails. Happy day to all!

It's Donovan time!

I have had the opportunity to showcase my granddaughter, Emily so much more of the time, but tonight after I picked him up from school, he was playing with his GI Joes, and he was able to finally dress them himself without any help and manage the little tiny snaps! I found these two GI Joe cases about a year ago at a garage sale, just chock full of stuff, including about 6 dolls, and tons of clothes and accessories...but some of the clothes have snaps rather than velcro, so it is a little harder for little hands! He was so proud of himself, I had to take a few pics to capture his joy! He sure can brighten my day like nothing else...I just love this little boy!!!!! BTW...nevermind the chocolate chip muffin smeared face!!!