Taking a step back...

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I have been working about 50 hours a week at my full time job...and am completely exhausted. That's why I haven't been posting. I promise that once things slow down, I will get back to trying to posting everyday. I'll try and keep you posted a couple times a week on what I have been working on (yes, I am still trying to sew...stuff...paint...etc. in what little spare time I have), and I am still keeping up on all of your blogs! Reading all of your blogs lets me step away from my busy life right now!

Love and hugs,
Tiffany

Whatcha workin' on Wednesday

First, let me say that I am sorry there are no pictures today! I have a lot in the works...but not far enough along to take any pictures yet.

A couple weekends ago, I went to sell some of my fall creations, and well that always leads to shopping. I managed to pick up some great things. I bought a box with a handle that was unfinished for $5.00 at a flea market (it's half painted right now). I bought a mug rack that is wood for $1.50 (it's half painted right now). I bought this awesome table/serving cart at the flea market for $5.00 that I am going to use as a coffee table (it's in the garage until I get the living room in order to put it in there). Pictures coming soon I hope!!

I have started working on Christmas creations (ugh...Christmas stuff already???). The first thing out of the owner of the shop's mouth to Mary and me was: "Okay girls...I need you guys to start working on Christmas. My open house is the first week of November!" I was going to take a week or so off...but of course I started working on it the next day. I have a lot sewn together, but nothing is stuffed yet! I love Christmas time, and I'm not to worried if things don't sell because then I can decorate with them or give them as gifts to my friends and family!!!

There were a few things that the shops didn't buy of my fall creations. Mary is supposed to post them on her website Gettysburg Homestead. The mummy doll, Frankenstein head, and some fall leaves are left. If any of you are interested in them, please let me or Mary know!!

I lost a week somewhere!!!

Sorry it has been a week since I last posted. I have been dealing with a lot of stuff this past week and work has been extremely busy. I am a member of Prim Mart and was on the forum this morning. I found this story that someone posted...and thought I would share it with all of you because this seems to sum up my life right now.

Carrots, Eggs, and Coffee

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, 'Tell me what you see.'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

You might want to send this message to those people who mean something to you (I JUST DID); to those who have touched your life in one way or another; to those who make you smile when you really need it; to those who make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down; to those whose friendship you appreciate; to those who are so meaningful in your life.

May we all be COFFEE!!!!!!

I feel Honored!!!!

Lisa from Black Sheep Prims has given me an award!!!!



This is my first ever blog award!!!! Thank you soooooooooooo much Lisa!!!!

Now for the rules of the award. They are as follows:

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve nominated.

So, here is who gets my "I Love Your Blog" Award in particular order:

1. Gettysburg Homestead
2. Backdoor Primitives
3. This Simple Life
4. The Fruit of Her Hands
5. Fall Creek Primitives
6. Raggedy Angel
7. Tomato Creek Prims (I know you already got this...but I love your blog!!!!)

Thank you again Lisa!!!

Okay...I know Friday is almost over

It's been a long day here for me! I woke up early with the intent of working on some more fall goodies...but I got online instead. Well, I love to look on Craigslist and see what kind of things people are selling. I found a antique washstand for $50! It needs a little TLC...no hardware, a board needs reattached, and probably should be sanded and painted/stained. But, I couldn't pass it up! Good thing I am going to my parents' tomorrow and my wonderful father can take a look at it! Anyway, I am going to Salt Creek Mercantile in Fredericksburg, OH (it's the store the pictures were taken in that were posted on my previous post). Remember, if there is anything left of the fall stuff I already made...it will be given to my SIL and posted on Gettysburg Homestead for sale!!! I am still working on a few other fall items, so there may be more up for sale soon.

I just got home from work after spending 10 hours with a bunch of smelly football players. I really do love my job; I just wish I didn't have such a crazy schedule. I love the fall season...especially football (thanks Dad!!). We didn't do too bad in the scrimmage today, and we walked away without any injuries (can't say the same for the other team)!

I probably won't post anything tomorrow as I will be out of town, but hopefully I will be able to post some pictures on Sunday! Everyone have a great weekend!!!

I'm so excited...Look what I got in my email box!!!

Last night, when I got home from work...I was so excited to get an email from the shop owner that I sold my vegetables to a couple months ago. She sent me pictures of how she is displaying them in her store!





I want her to come decorate my apartment! Well, that is all I have for today...hope everyone has a great day!

Answering a Few Questions and Whatcha Workin' on Wednesday

First off, let me thank all of you for your comments and questions! They are all greatly appreciated. I'm going to try and answer as many questions as I can remember from my comments section.

I think to start off, I will just be giving some things to my SIL to put on her website and see how I do from there (Gettysburg Homestead). That won't be for probably a couple more weeks. If the shops I sell to don't purchase everything that I have made for the fall, then most likely they will be for sale on that website. If I do okay with selling some things on there...I think I might try selling on etsy.

There were quite a few comments and questions on my wreaths that I made. I am currently working on two wreaths for the fall (hope to have done in a week or so), and I have a couple different ideas for wreaths for Christmas/Winter. I am running low on dried sweet annie...so I need to get more of that before I can make a lot of wreaths. So, here is what I will throw out there for everyone. If you are interested in purchasing a wreath, have ideas for a wreath, or want to know how much it might cost for me to make you one...please email me at trysmh5397(at)aol(dot)com. I need to finish up my fall items for the shops I sell to and get some of my Christmas things done before I will be able to start on them, and I do make everything by hand so you will have to be patient. Just let me know!

Now, on to Whatcha Workin' on Wednesday started by Leslie from My Country Home. I've been working hard around here and still feel like I haven't accomplished anything!!! But, here is where I am so far:

Remember my witch doll??? Well, now she has her broom! The broom is made out of burlap, a stick, and some rusty wire. I then attached the broom to her hand with some more rusty wire!




My scarecrow now wear's a crow on the brim of his hat!



Ghosts anyone? These guys were inspired by both TRP and Moonchild Primitives designs.




Say "Hello!" to my Frankenstein Head!! I just love how he turned out. He was made using a pattern by Crows Roost Prims.



Sorry this pictures aren't the greatest, but I took them 6 different times and none of them turned out! The ugly punkins in the pictures are only a few that I have made, there are 24 punkins total!! The mummy is still waiting for his spiders...they are on the dining room table without legs right now!





I ran out of instant coffee, so the skeleton doll hasn't been finished yet! Like I said before, there are two wreaths in progress. I also have one more style of leaf to paint and grunge to have all those sets done. And, I am working on another halloween doll...I am just missing some white embroidery floss. More for next week, I guess!!

Waiting Until Wednesday

Since I have decided to wait until tomorrow to show the stuff I have been working on for "Whatcha workin' on Wednesday", I have decided to show you a few of my previous creations. My topic today...Prim Wreaths!!!



This is a spring wreath I designed for a shop owner. She wanted a wreath for the spring, and we were discussing doing daisies up the side. Then, I remembered Karen from RKCreations had a pattern for the watering can and a pattern for gardening tools. Of course, I had to add my touch to when I made them...so they became much more grungy and dirty!! The shop owner just loved it and was debating on selling it in her store or just taking it home!!!

I posted pictures of this wreath on a forum to get some feedback...and guess what I found??? Someone took my idea, made one of their own, and sold it on ebay...guess I come up with good ideas!!! I just wish next time someone would ask if they could use my ideas or at least say they were inspired by me!! But, since I didn't have it copyrighted...I can't really complain.



This is my Christmas wreath. I was inspired by a TRP wreath, but thought I could make this one on my own without a pattern. This was one of the first creations that I ever did. I love it...though I'm sure I could add some more to it. But, I just wanted it simple. I hang it with a wood sign that says "We Believe in Santa"!

I guess, you will have to wait until tomorrow to see what I have been working on! Hope you all enjoyed looking at some of my previous creations! Happy Tuesday!!!!!

Take a Leap???

I've been debating on opening a shop online, selling on etsy, and/or renting a booth at a local craft mall. Money is getting really tight on the home front, and I'm trying to think of ways to get some extra around here. Sure, it's going to cost me some money to get things started...but my issue is getting up the confidence that my creations will sell. My SIL has an EZ Shoppe and she sells stuff on there...I think she is doing alright with it, are you Mary? It's just hard for me to pay out money if I'm not going to make any or very little. I don't know if I will make enough money at the craft mall to even cover the monthly rent! I know I will have to get my rear in gear making things if I am going to do this...and this probably isn't the best time of year for me to do it with the way my work schedule is going to be. I don't have to make a decision yet, but I was wondering what you guys thought?

A Give Away from a Fellow Blogger

I just wanted to post this quick today! Lisa over at Black Sheep Prims Homeplace is having a give away for back to school!



Everyone go leave a comment for your chance to win!!!

Plans Changed

Tomorrow I will not be going to my family pinic. No worries! It was my choice. I don't have to work next Saturday now, so I have an entire week to work on my creations for the shop owners! Yay!!! Now, I don't feel so rushed. I have been working on a lot today! I'm soooooooooooo excited about how my stuff is turning out! I should have some pictures to show you all soon! Off to go work on some more creations!!! Have a wonderful rest of your weekend!!!!!!!

Just some rambling!

Okay, so far today isn't that bad. I got up early so I could go into the clinic where I work (not working in the clinic right now due to football two-a-day practice) and pick up a mileage check...but after I took my shower and got ready I just didn't feel like doing all that running around before I go to the school! I'll go Monday before my doctor's appointment.

Today is picture day for all the sports at the school...which means I get done early today!!! Woohoo!! I'm hoping since I will be getting home at a decent hour today (and my boyfriend will be out with his friends), I might be able to accomplish a few of the things that are on my dining room table. I NEED to get this stuff done because I have to get everything to my mom on Sunday. My mom and my SIL help me out taking the things I make to the shops I sell at since I can usually only get up that way on Sundays (the shops are closed on Sundays). By the way, anything the shop owners don't buy...I might post for sale on here or maybe ebay or etsy. If any of you are interested in what I have left, please leave me a comment or email me at trysmh5397(at)aol(dot)com. I'll let you know what I don't sell to them...and I promise pictures of the things I have left!

Speaking of Sunday, I am going to be meeting my parents at a family reunion picnic!! I haven't been able to go to the picnic in a few years, and I am extremely excited about going. This side of the family only gets together about once a year! It's usually a good time...food, family, games, etc. We do a white elephant sale, where everyone brings stuff (old, handmade, etc.) and then the others buy the items with all the proceeds going to help out with the expenses for the next year's picnic!

Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful day! Thanks so much for all of your words of encouragement these past few days...it is greatly appreciated!

I've been tagged...#2 post for today!

Heather's Heartfelt Stitches has tagged me!! So I guess now, I have to tell you seven random/strange things about me. I also have to tag four more people!! So, let's see what fun things I can come up with for all of you...

1. I love sweet pickle and peanut butter sandwiches...my mom got me started on them. All the other kids at school used to make me sit by myself at lunch until I was done eating my sandwich because it grossed them out so bad!
2. I have an obsession with garlic and onions...almost everything I cook gets at least one or both of them for flavoring (except when I am making something like cake, pie, cookies, etc.).
3. I already have a BS and MS degree...but I still want to go back to school! I love going to class, doing homework, getting good grades...but I hate the bills that come with it!
4. I'm a work-a-holic! I usually can't sit still, so I pick up extra hours/shifts/days to have something to do (the money is nice too)!
5. I consider my mom and my SIL two of the best friends I could ever have. They mean the world to me and have been there for me more times then I can count! I love you guys and want to thank you for everything!!
6. I won't pay full price for hardly anything. I buy my winter clothes in the heat of the summer when they are only a couple dollars a piece! I won't pay more then $20.00 for a pair of shoes. I buy my fabric out of the clearance section or when I have a coupon. I buy off brand or almost everything.
7. I am very competitive! I hate losing, being wrong, being told what to do, etc. But, I don't like confrontation...so I usually just give in because I would rather someone else be happy then myself.

Now it's your turn!! Here's the four that I am tagging. Sorry if you have already been tagged...

Mary from http://gettysburghomestead.blogspot.com/

Heather from http://fallcreekprimitives.blogspot.com/

Rondell from http://rondell-tomatoecreekprims.blogspot.com/

Ann from http://thissimplelifeofmine.blogspot.com/

Thanks for reading my blog everyone! Hope you four have fun with this!!!

Whatcha Workin' on Wednesday...and a little complaining

I don't have a lot to tell or show this week. Between work and some personal things going on right now, I haven't had much motivation to work on anything. I have been trying to work on some things. Here's a picture of what my dining room table looks like right now:



Life is throwing me a lot of curve balls (no athletic pun intended) these past couple of weeks, and I'm trying to handle each one as it comes. I know God doesn't give us more than he thinks we can handle...but sometimes I wish he didn't trust me with so much! I could use a break every now and again. I don't want to get into details, but I wanted you all to know that I have some other things going on that are making it a little difficult for me to concentrate on my projects and blogging. Things will eventually get back to being closer to normal...so I'll keep you posted as I can!

Free Time...What's That????

The "sports' school year" has begun. Being an Certified Athletic Trainer, once 2-a-day practices start I lose almost all my free time...especially in the fall! I've been sitting out in this hot weather making sure all my athletes stay hydrated and injury-free (well, for the most part). On the bright side, I have a wonderful farmer's tan going on already...lol!

I have been able to do a little of my sewing stuff the past few days! I'm giong to try and get a bunch of things done tomorrow...but I have to contain my excitement to show you guys stuff until Wednesday!! I've got a lot of things that are ready to get stained and baked, lots of things that need to be painted, and lots of things that need to be assembled.

Since it had been a few days since I last posted, I wanted to give you all an update on what has been going on in my life!

The grocery store by my house always has these Manager Specials on items that need to be bought within a week or they have to get rid of them. This is usually where I purchase most of my meat because it goes straight into the freezer anyway. It is actually kind of nice because I get to try products I never would have purchased at the regular price. Well, I bought these pork cube steaks and didn't know how to cook them. I found this wonderful recipe for them and thought I would share. With the warm weather...I'm pretty sure a lot of you have been grilling out.

Pork Cube Steaks

4 Pork Cube Steaks
4 Medium Potatoes quartered
Baby Carrots
1/4 cup Onions Chopped
2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
4 tablespoons Milk
Salt and Pepper to taste
4 sheets Aluminum Foil

Place individual cube steaks on a sheet of foil.
Season pork with a salt and pepper to taste.
Lay potatoes and carrots on top of pork.
In a bowl, mix together the soup, onion and milk.
Pour soup mixture over vegetables and meat.
Seal foil pouches well and place on a BBQ over low heat.
Cook for about 30 minutes or until meat and vegetables are done.