Happy Flag Day!

I am still here, just not very often lately!  The end of the school year is always crazy, so I haven't had a lot of time for reading blogs, commenting, or posting.   I have a very small giveaway planned to celebrate Flag Day, so hope to be back tonight with details.  Have a lovely day!

Help Cottonwood Lane Primitives Reach 100 followers!

Roberta over at Cottonwood Lane Primitives is having a giveaway when she reaches 100 followers.  Head on over and enter for a chance to win this gorgeous penny rug!!

Pocket full of posies part 2

Yesterday at school we made "Pockets Full of Posies" for Mother's Day.  They turned out great!  We made these a little different than the tutorial I shared a while back (here).  While I still love the ones I started with, I must admit this new kind really look more prim to me, so I am really loving them.
Here are some pictures:

Aren't they just the cutest?!  The kids did a great job with them, and they were so proud of their finished work.  For many of them it was the first time they ever sewed, and they were very excited to give it a try.  I sewed the side seams in advance on the sewing machine because I knew we wouldn't have time to do it in school.  The kids did pretty much everything else with help if they needed it.  I wonder if any of them will wait until Mother's Day to give them to their Mom. : )

Here's the revised pattern  (I know that it might be easier if I had pictures, but I don't have time right now.  I'll try to get some later and post the tutorial again.):

1. Cut a piece of burlap about 5-6 inches wide and 13-14 inches long.  I made sure to have a selvage edge on one of my short ends.  This is the front of the pocket.
2. Fold the selvage edge up about 5 inches and stitch the edges with a hemming stitch or zig zag.  Burlap tends to unravel easily so the selvage edge works great for the top front of the pocket and the hemming stitch holds the sides in place.  
3. Turn the pocket right sides out.
4. Fold the top flap that hasn't been stitched down to meet the back of the pocket so that you have enough room to hand or machine stitch a little pocket to slide a stick through for the hanger.  You can use a stick from outdoors or a cinnamon stick for the hanger.
5. Fill your pocket with flowers of your liking.  (I bought mine at the "Dollar General" store in town.  
6. On a hang tag write "Pocket Full of Posies" and tie the tag to a safety pin.  (We had regular for yesterday, but I am going to get some rusty ones made for the next time.)  Pin the tag to the front of the pocket.
7. For the hanger you can use a wire or a string tied to the stick.

Hang on a nail, a hook, or a door knob then enjoy!  

Have to scoot now as I am going to babysit a friend's toddler for a couple of hours, then my nieces are coming for a little visit.  Maybe we'll make a Pocket Full of Posies for their Mommy for Mother's Day.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day celebrating in any way that pleases you.  

A beautiful giveaway being hosted by Tammy!

Go visit Tammy at A Primitive Place to find out about your chance(s) to win these gorgeous stacking boxes!  (The selfish side of me wishes I was the only one who was entering this giveaway because I surely do love the fabrics Tammy used on these. : )

I know I have been missing for a while.  Am hoping to have a few minutes this weekend to catch up on all my favorite blogs.  Am heading off to school this morning to administer the last day of our state ELA exams to my 4th graders.  Trust me when I say they do not love me for doing this...  (I don't like making them do it, either.)  In the afternoon we are going to make some "Pockets full of Posies" for them to give to their Moms for Mother's Day on Sunday.  I'll try to get some pictures of their finished masterpieces.  They are so excited to be making them. : )

Some Spring/Easter...

It's a cold, dark and dreary day here in Western New York, so I am working on my indoor Springy-ness.
I haven't had a chance to share some of my Spring/Easter displays, and I really wanted to be sure to give credit to the people who created some of the things that I am really enjoying in my home right now.

This is the mantle in my living room.
I just got the old window, and I'm still figuring out how to best use it.
I'm enjoying the change from the old shutters that were there before.

My Basil Bunny from my swap with Casey, along with the prim bowl and eggs she gave me.
I'm not sure where the little bird came from, but he gets around in my house...

This is Attic Annie - made by Wendy over at Ravenwood Whimzies.
 I just found this little loveseat for her and I am in the process of painting it and still need to age it a bit.
It was country blue when I bought it.

I just purchased this crock bunny from a lady at a craft/antique show.  She also made the mouse pinkeep.  My husband bought that and told the lady it was in self defense - maybe I wouldn't store my stray pins in the carpet if I had a pincushion for them.
(I didn't tell him that there wasn't much chance of this helping him out with that situation.)
The person who made these items is going to be a vendor at "Gathered Treasures" being held today in Mansfield, Ohio.
Her business name is "Antique Nothings made into Primitive Somethings".
She has a lot of great primitive stuff.

Oops! Sorry about the runner not laying flat!
These salt dough "Blooms" were made by Sarah over at All Roads Lead Home.
I am going to enjoy these all summer long!

I wish the beeswax cupboard hangers would show up better in the picture because
they are gorgeous, and have awesome detail to them!
Pam over at  Primitive Basketcase made them and I really love them.
I am working on a different display option for them,
but I just had to get them hung up so I could see them for now.
The bunny was made by the "Antique Nothings..." lady.  It's called a "Bunny Butt".
Had to have it once I saw that name, I guess. ;)

Just another touch of Spring...

I hope your day is filled with Spring things to enjoy, too!

Primitive Bunny Pattern

I wanted to share a pattern for the little prim bunny I made for my swap partner.  I intended to do a little tutorial, but my husband took the camera with him today, so I couldn't get the pictures I need.   

I have strong suspicions that he took it on purpose so I couldn't spend time blogging today instead of Spring cleaning...  Ha! Nice try!

I'm new at sharing patterns like this, so I know I probably don't have a good image for you to use below.  If you would like a pdf file that will print on a full 8.5 X 11 paper, just send me an email and I'll send it in an attachment to you.  (I'll be reading up on how to do this the right way, so hopefully it will eventually be one of several patterns I have in my sidebar.)

  

The little corner cutouts are there so that you can square up the bottom - like a purse or bag - and then the bunny will stand on its own.

The fabric I used is some I've had for a while.  It is called "Castle" I think.  It's kind of nubby.  I tea/coffee/vanilla stained it after I assembled, but before I stuffed it.  She goes together fairly quick except for the bottom which is a bit fussy due to the small area to work with.  And turning the ears is a bit of a challenge because I made the bottoms a bit narrow.  But I just didn't sew all the way to the bottom on both sides, and then they were easier to turn.  (You have to tuck about a half inch of the ear into the seam allowance to made sure it doesn't fall out anyway!)

I hope that someone, anyone finds this pattern to be something they'd enjoy doing.  I think the finished bunny is fun to tuck in just about any spot! : )

Giveaway at Primitives n Stitchin!

Hurry over to Primitives n Stitchin!  Becky is hosting a giveaway for this little quilt and doll!!  She's aiming for 200 followers and she's almost there!  The drawing will be held on April 25th