Sew Fun!

Today I finally had an opportunity to catch up on some fun sewing projects that I have had planned for some time now. It was so much fun, and I am so pleased with the way they turned out!

To satisfy my primitive side, I made these little early style colonial dolls and a prim pin keep.








And then because the new seed catalogs have come in & I'm feeling a bit of Spring Fever, I crafted these fun Prim & Shabby pinkeeps as well.





There are so many projects floating around in my imagination that I can hardly wait until tomorrow!

All of these items are being offered at Farmhouse*Blessings on eBay right now. Just click on my eBay link in the side bar to take a peek. And don't forget to type GTPF in your eBay search to see other fine handmades by my Glad Tidings sisters.

Many blessings,
Lea

True Christmas Love

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (atonement) for our sins. 1 John 4:10

May you discover the true beauty of the season and have the merriest Christmas ever!

Blessings,
Lea

From My Kitchen ~ Merry Mochaccino Gift Mix

Here's a delicious recipe for those cool winter nights ~ and it makes a great frugal handmade gift as well.

1 c sugar
2/3 c cocoa
1 t cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg
2 T instant expresso coffee
1/2 c dry milk

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and blend well. Pack into tins or bags. Makes about 2 1/4 cups which is enough for 10-12 servings. Attach a tag with the directions as follows:

3-4 T mochacchino mix
3/4 c milk

Combine mochaccino mix with milk in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, whisk and heat 'til smooth & frothy.

I bought some lovely Christmas mugs this year. I packed the mix into sealable bags and wrapped them in homespun tied in raffia. I tucked the mix into the mugs and gave them to 3 very special friends! What fun!

Announcing My Farmhouse Blessings Etsy Shop

I am so pleased to announce the opening of my Farmhouse Blessings shop at Etsy!
At Etsy, I'll be selling my early style stitcheries and my handcrafted primitive dolls like this sweet little Annie.



Just click on her picture to read more about her and see my other handcrafted items available at etsy.

Blessings & Peace,
Lea

A Christmas Surprise!

Santa's elves arrived a little early this year, and they looked alot like my dear Aunt Linda & Aunt Jean!





Wait! They ARE my Aunt Linda & Aunt Jean ~ my dad's two sisters. You'll never meet two more fun-loving people. They are as funny as monkeys. Just a few minutes in the same room and you're rolling on the floor, belly laughing!

They made the most wonderful gift this year for every member of our entire extended family ~ a Lester family photo calendar. Wow! Each month features a different sibling along with their children & grandchildren & even great-grandchildren! Each month also has an inspirational Bible verse. Special dates such as birthdays and anniversaries are recorded throughout to remind us of those that we don't see very often but still hold dear in our hearts.

The last page of this calendar says it all, "Our family is a circle of love and strength, with every birth and every union, the circle grows. Every joy shared adds more love. Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger."

Just beautiful! Thank you, Aunt Linda & Aunt Jean. I will treasure this gift, always!

Buried Treasure

On a recent hike, Jeff & I uncovered buried treasure ... two antique fruit jars dated from 1880-1920 ... in perfect condition. They were dirty & root filled, but now they stand on my window sill ~ A pleasure to behold!

Sometimes we can spiritually be just like those old jars. We fall in a hole, get all dirty inside & out. But all we have to do is call out like David did, "wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." And the Lord says in His Word, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow." It is never too late for a fresh start!

From My Kitchen - Pumpkin Bars

Here is a wonderfully simple recipe that is perfect for breakfast or with a nice cup of coffee. It perfectly blends the tasty spices of the season!




What you'll need:
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup oil
3/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2/3 cup canned pumpkin

What you'll do:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat eggs. Stir in sugar & oil and mix well. Sift all dry ingredients and add them to the egg/sugar/oil mixture. Mix well. Add pumpkin to the mixture and stir well again. Pour into a greased 12x8 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and cool completely. Then you can cut them into squares. They hold their shape nicely and look great on a nice serving plate.

All done! My boys & husband just love these so much that I have to make two batches if I intend to have one.

Credit for photo goes to Colton Blakney (10) ~ photographer in the making

No Sew Primitive Snowman Craft

My boys & I made these fun winter snowman from their old tube socks. They are so sweet and you can keep them out from November thru February ... or all year long if you're a snowman lover like me!

All you need is:
1 child's tube sock - new or used
1/2 cup dried beans, peas or rice
a little bunch of fiberfill stuffing
1 piece of string - 4 inches or so
fabric paints ~ black & orange or whatever you have
1 pom pom
3 (more of less) assorted buttons
2 twigs
1 8 inch strip of homespun or other fabric for scarf
Glue (elmers or a glue gun)

Start with your tube sock. If it is old & worn ~ that's okay. Just add a stitch or two to close any holes and you're ready to go. Remember this is a primitive snowman and he's supposed to look old & worn.

First, open sock and pour in your beans or rice to weigh him down and help him to stand nicely. Stuff the rest of the sock with fiberfill up to the bottom of the sock's cuff line. Use your twine (or rubber band or twisty tie) to tie the sock closed right at this cuff line. Now turn down the cuff of the sock and flip the end back up again to form his knit cap. Your snowman form is all done and we're ready for the fun part ~ decorating this little fellow!

Take your strip of homespun and tie it around the snowman about an 1 1/2" below the hat line ~ more if you want a bigger head ~ less if you want a smaller one. This will form his head. Using a little glue, add the pom pom to the top of his hat.

Using your glue, place 2-3 buttons down his body. If you use elmers glue, you'll need to let it dry before proceeding. My boys & I just used our fabric paint ... we put a little dot and stuck the button right on. It worked!

Now it's time for his face. Using our fabric paint, we made little black dots for eyes and made a dotted mouth as well. Don't forget his nose! You may want to let his face dry before adding his arms so there is no worry about smudging.

Finally, with a sharp point (little ones will need your help) make a little puncture on each side the body for Mr. Snowman's arms. Squeeze a little glue in the hole and work the twigs right in place. Then let 'em dry.

Your snowman is all done! Get creative. Add some sparkle glitter. Paint his hat. Have fun!

You'll definately want to take a marker and add your child's name & the year to the bottom of the darling fellow. He is sure to become a family heirloom!

Now go have some fun ... and send me some photos of your finished projects!

And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care ...

I made these quilted Christmas stockings for the boys. They really love them or ... they are just humoring ole' Mom's creative whims again! It is hard to really know for certain ~ LOL!

Of course, sweet Colton made a point of commenting that Jase's stocking has a yellow star button while his has "only a plain old round yellow one". So the search begins for another star button to top Colton's tree. What fun ~ more reasons to visit the thrift and craft shops in town!

Blessings,
Lea