Christmas & Happy New Year

Wow, how time flies, it is New Years Eve already. We had a wonderful Christmas and I thought I would share a few pictures with you.

First is our little tree. Good thing we went up the week before to get a tree, because it snowed nicely for Christmas, but meant we could not go up on the mountain. Bryce and Tristan had a blast playing in the snow, sledding, jumping in drifts and building forts. Rocky was so happy to have children to play with.




















Because of the very recent remodel we still have things that are out of place (or still in their old place, lol). We decorated around the old stuff. Samantha did all the decorating, it is always fun to work with someone else's decorations. She keep saying "this is going home with me".

Not having a mantel we decided to use the old closet shelf to hang the stockings, and cloths pinned the beautiful card to the garland. See there are the old closet poles, grin.
To see how this room looked just days before go to my Wyoming blog...here















Christmas morning brought lots of fun gifts, but not before the coffee (or cocoa) and cinnamon rolls were made, which is a family tradition, designed to make the morning last longer. We also take turns opening gifts so everyone can see what the others got instead of just ripping into the pile. Depending on how many are together it can take an hour or more.















This is Miss Mew's first Christmas and I am very surprised at how good she has been with the tree, given her personality, I figured she'd be up in the tree and attacking the ornaments, but she didn't. She did check things out but she was very good.......I did catch her batting at one ornament, and chewing on the tree but that is about it.




























Samantha and the boys made ornaments for me. I can not find my ornaments anywhere so they made me new ones. This darling set of trees are the cutest, and made from scrapbook paper and little clay pots, I just love them.





















The wreath turned out so pretty and just a few of my snowman collection.




















Speaking of snowmen. This is the one that Bryce and Tristan made the day before they left for home. We had such a fine snow storm a day or two earlier, with about 10 inches to play in, with nice 2 foot deep drifts.




















On Sat after Christmas we went up to Cody to do some shopping. Samantha and I found some fun treasures, here are mine. We also enjoyed lunch at the Erma Hotel, which was built by Bufflo Bill Cody. We had planned on going on Friday after Christmas but were a bit snowed in.















We sure had a wonderful time together, Andy did alot of the cooking (ya). The guys went out bunny hunting several times and did not come home empty handed. Tristan loves to eat rabbit, and begged to go out again, at which time Bryce shot his first rabbit. Both boys are going to be hunters I think, which makes Papa very happy. They also all did some crafting projects out in the wood shop, they spent a couple afternoons out there making different things.
Samantha and I enjoyed our time together, it had been a year since we have been together, we did a little bit of stitching, too. We spent an afternoon making soaps with the boys, they enjoyed making different shapes, colors and smells.

The house is very quite and "big" without the gang here, Kirk and I are still getting used to that and the dogs and cats are rattling around also, they miss the kids.

We were in hopes all of our kids could come for Christmas, but alas it was not to be. We are looking forward to their planned visits this coming summer.

For New Years we will go down to the Paintrock Inn for primerib dinner and fellowship with friends here in town.

We send our wishes to you and yours for a very HAPPY NEW YEAR, may God bless you richly in everyway.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Finally Some Stitching to Share

Thank goodness for evenings and stitching. It has been so busy around here with the building going on, I am trashed right now, but I wanted to share what I have been up to with needle and thread.

This block belongs to Susan, we are in a RR group together. I am the last to work on this block so it will be on its way home this week.

My additions are, the circle motif on the right done in Sassa Lynne thread Sherwood Forest, I used my new Creative Stitchery Success Strips to help create this motif and the button hole stitches on the left which is a pretty pink and green sparkle thread that I got from Evening Star Design.
Next are the half wheels and the heart designs, these are done in pearl cotton, and using Carole Samples templates. The pretty pink ribbon is also my addition.















I also worked the seam treatment under the word HOPE. This was done in Sassa Lynne also, using a design from Treasury of Crazy Quilting as inspiration.

And here is the whole block with everyones work on it. I hope you like it Susan, I will be sending it this week.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

May your day be filled with love, laughter and lots of great food.

Hugs
Gail

Some stitching

Oh boy am I having a hard time stitching these days, not a good time to be in a lull.

I am working on a cell phone pouch for Fran R. She has ordered 2, this is the teal one that should have bling.

I love the center piece and am basing everything off of it.



Remember to click
for a closer look.
















The design is inspired by the center design, the teal roses are made using Candi's hand dyed ribbon, which you can find on her Etsy.

A couple of other things I am working on, a Cabbage Patch doll for DGS #2, a art tote for DGS #1.
Today, I made some Christmas Gold soap and some muscle balm, so besides working on the
new building that is what I am up to.

I am going to veg in front of the TV tonight, Dancing with the Star is on.

Night.

The faster I go the behinder I get!!!!

I tell ya, it seems like I just get caught up and then I take on twice as much, LOL.........

Here are a few of the things I have been working on besides everyday chores, my small part on the addition and 2 days in Billings, Mt. on a shopping trip (I know, I know but somebody had to do it).

These are additions to my Etsy shop.

4 really cute snow flake soaps, each is 3 oz and they come in a pretty royal blue mess bag.
Each bar has glitter on it, so they will sparkle just like fresh fallen snow and they smell so good, with Winterberry fragrance oil. You can check them out here.

















Also on my Etsy is
another cute cell
phone pouch.
















I also began work on a tote for one of my grand children, it has lots and lots and lots of pieces, but I think (at least I hope) it will come out good, once the first is made I will know if I will do it again. It is by Marilynn Bilyeu and you can see it here. I will post about it when I am done.

I think that is it for right now. If you'd like to see the progress on my studio check here.

Etsy Changes

The other day I was thinking about "things". I was driving over to pick up my milk and musing about a business. What kind of business would I really love to do? Several things ran through the cobwebs of my mind and a Christmas Boutique came to mind. After all it is getting to be that time of the year. It occurred to me that I would really love to have a shop always done in Christmas decorations, all warm and cozy. I was thinking about ways to do that here in town, but in all honesty I don't want to have a brick and mortar store, where I have to get up everyday and go there (call me lazy). Then I realized I have a little Etsy store and why not turn that into a Christmas Boutique.......then I got conformation from Susan when she suggested the same thing when I was telling her about my Christmas Boutique thoughts......So

DRUM ROLL..............................

My Etsy shop will be carrying Christmas things.


Big Horn Mountain Creations....
Presents.....
A Big Horn Mountain Christmas


I have begun to make a few changes on my shop and am making items to add,
first being.............

A darling cell phone pouch




















Next up some wonderful snow flake soaps, packaged for gift giving.
I will post here when they are available.

I hope you will check my shop from time to time for wonderful Christmas items.

It is Finished....................

Destiny's stocking is done, it turned out so pretty. I have one last seam treatment to share with you. This piece of lace was given to me by Susan, I wanted to add to it so I used 2 strands of variegated pearl cotton, I don't remember where I got it though. In between each oval are little flower sequins topped with a small faux pearl. I love these little sequins, Susan shared her stash with me when she and Paul visited last month and these were in there mix.














Drum Roll Please........................................................

Here it is.....................

The front. After sewing it together and lining the stocking I topped it off with this pretty piece of lace, (also from Susan) which has the openings in the top for ribbon to be threaded through, so I put a 1/16 inch wide piece of burgundy there and it matches the wide ribbon I used for the hanger, who knew?




















The back. Remember to click the picture for a larger view.




















The hanger. What's to say, the picture says it all.



















This month in CQmagonline, is an tutorial on making one of these stockings. I hope you will go over and see it, especially if you would like to make one of these beauties. While you are over looking at the article, be sure to check out all of the other wonderful articles written by alot of talented ladies.

I have some other things to tell you, changes coming to my Etsy shop. Stay tuned.

Until later.
God Bless

A neat contest

Check out the "Frugal Mom" blog. She is doing a daily give away this week, not to mention great ideas on how to save money, and who can't use that information these days.

http://www.frugalmom.net/blog/

Enjoy

Destiny's Victorian/Christmas Stocking

I believe this is the last of the details I have for you on this stocking at the moment. It is nearing the end of the embellishment stage, soon I will assemble the stocking.

Please click for a close up view. Some of these things you have seen before so I won't explain them again. The vine however, is made with Sassa Lynne Perle cotton threads (I know..what else? LOL), using the chain stitch and french knots.















I have been completely lazy this last couple of weeks, not stitching much at all, just a little here and there. Instead I have been reading a book by Lois Hallock called Creating Your Perfect Quilting Space. Since we are now at the electrical stage on the new studio, it is time to decide on some of the permanent things like lighting, switches and plugs. I did get out and drill some holes to run the wire through yesterday. If you'd like to see some of the progress on that project visit my Wyoming blog where I have kept a running account of the building process.

Destiny's Christmas Stocking

Some more details of my DGD's stocking

This first seam is done in Sassa Lynne threads with flower sequins that Susan shared with me, topped with burgundy beads.















More Sassa Lynne on the half circles and DMC floss for the detached chains. I was trying to echo the design in the fabric.















The circle motif is done in pink rayon, with a flower bead in the center.















That is it for today. I am getting down to the last bits of this stocking, it won't be long until it can be assembled.

Pinkeeper 2

Pinkeeper #2 is done and both are in the mail on their way to be swapped.


The fabrics used came from Candi @ Candi's Eye Candy
Some of the prettiest greens I have seen and I just had to use them for this
pinkeeper. The heart motif is really a place to put a pair of small embroidery
scissors. If you click for a close up you will see the tiniest sequins on the
2 seams at the top, Susan gave those to me along with a bunch of other fun
additions to my bead, thread and ribbon stash......she is very generous.















The back is done in Sassa Lynn threads, except the heart which came from
ESD in one of the Treasury Club packages. I hope who ever gets this will enjoy
it, I almost kept it for myself.

She Sleeps in a Thong.

I just had to share this with you all. We got a new kitten, not sure of her name yet, probably
Miss Meu. She is 8 weeks old and has pretty markings and blue eyes.

I was standing talking with my friend Susan Nixon of CQ4fun, who came for a 4 day visit with hubby Paul, and took my foot out of my flip flop, ya know how ya do and put my foot on my leg. Well when I wanted to put my foot back in my sandal guess who was asleep in it. I do not know what possessed her to do this but she did. She slept there for about 30 minutes.















We laughed and laughed over this. She does like shoes and we find her playing in them often. She is full of vim and vinegar. She loves to climb out pant legs (which can be a problem when we are in shorts), I now have a cat swatter instead of a fly swatter, LOL, thankfully it doesn't take much to detour her, she is persistent though. She has already taken over the house, the big cat is not to pleased with her and avoids her, I hope they will become fast friends. We have not let her be around the dogs to much, just because they are labs and she could get hurt, though I have a feeling she will make it known, that she is a tough cookie.















Susan and Paul just pulled out, we had such a good time together, it is already to quite/lonely.

More on our visit later.

Vacation

Our vacation was so nice. We took a trip to North Dakota with Kirk's parents.

Our first stop was Mount Rushmore. This was my first time there and it is quite impressive. All the state in the union are represented. We spent about 2 hours learning about this amazing sculpture. Kirk even talked to one of the surviving men who worked on it.















Later that day we got to the exact middle of North America, which is in Rugby, ND. We took Flat Stanley with us on many of our adventures.
















Our final destination is Cando, ND. Kirk's grandparents on both sides settled here long ago. It is a farming community and his cousins still have the Odegaard family farm. Of 13 children, 7 are still living and able to attend the family gathering. We did alot of visiting. I felt like I belonged right away, which is so nice. There was a birthday party for all the siblings, some turning 80 this year. After the party we were able to spend the evening in the former home of Kirk's grandparents, lots of good family memories were shared. There were about 60 family members present.

The next day we got to go out and see the family farm and we had a great time. We were treated to rides on some of the farm equipment like the sprayer below. These are all GPS guided and quite comfortable, I should have been a farmers wife because I was out on the farm and in the fields, not in the house with all the other women. LOL.















The crops that they are growing are wheat, corn and sunflowers. It is so amazing to see miles and miles of sunflowers, some will with their petals.....so beautiful. Flat Stanley had to have his picture taken with the big tractor and in the sunflowers.


Just look at all of the
sunflowers. I got to
bring a couple home for
fall decoration.









We also went on a tour of Devils Lake. This town is in danger of flooding. Back in the olden days people settled around this huge inland lake, as the water receded during dry years people followed the water line, building and farming on the now dry land. The problem with that is, the lake is rising and now alot of these farms and fields are under 15 feet of water, the town of Devils Lake has now installed dikes to hold back the water which is today 10 feet higher then the homes in the lower parts of town, which is over half of town. The lake has not reached it peak of an addition 10 feet at which point any excess can then drain away. It is amazing to me how people can ignore this fact, but they do. There is enough water in the lake to flood many miles of land. I guess Fargo is experiencing similar problems with the river that runs through it.

All in all a very enjoyable trip and a good time with family.

PinKeeper

We are doing a pinkeeper swap over on CQI. This is my first one.

Side 1















Side 2















These are made using old CD's. You can find a tutorial on Lyn's blog @
http://quiltinglion.blogspot.com/2008/07/how-to-make-cd-pin-keeper.html

More details

A couple more of the treatments from Desi's stocking.

Stocking Details

Well, I have done it again......if you'd like to see what is taking up my time, check out the building we are doing @ my Wyoming Blog it will house my new studio.

Below are a couple more details for Destiny's stockingj



This fan design came from
Carole Samples book,
Treasury of Crazy Quilting.










This design is mine. I really like it, especially the ruby beads.

Click for closer looks.

Destiny's Christmas Stocking

Where does the time go.....I am so sorry to be so long in posting.

Here are two more seam treatments for Destiny's stocking.....I think I will start calling this a Victorian Stocking. It really doesn't have any thing Christmas about it, though we sure can still use it for Christmas.

This treatment is done in Sassa Lynn thread with a fan buttonhole, some faux pearls, a straight stitch toped with sead beads in burgundy.

The SR roses are spider roses, done in a variegated hand dyed 4mm ribbon from Ribbon Smith. I may have to go back and add some SR leaves, what do you think?















Using a variegated pearl cotton that came in one of my Treasury Club packages from Evening Star Designs, the scallops are created using chain stitch. I have found I really like to do scallops using the chain stitch, it just gives them more substance. The flower beads were also included in one of the ESD Treasury Club packages, as was most of the fabrics in the stocking.
I used Carole Samples templates to help me get good spacing and even scallops and loops.

Terry's quilt

Well after a year of messin around, it is done. I love the way the top has turned out.
The pattern is from Fron & Porter. I do not remember which month it is from but I think it was in 07, I can find it if anyone wants it. It is called....A Brave New World.














The corners of the border were a tough one, but after awhile I figured it out. I don't think they are "quilterly correct" but they are done. LOL















This is a little closer look. The requested colors were, black, white, and purple...I added in some greens. Now to get it on the long arm.

Celebrating 99 years

Our little town, just celebrated it's 99th birthday. We began our day with a picnic (I didn't get pictures) at a nearby camp ground/park/ historical site. After the picnic we returned to town for vendor booths, horse races, parade and more. Check out the website for Hyattville. Here you will find alot of fun things that go on around here and see some of the faces that make up this piece of the earth Kirk and I call home.

I worked for a couple months to prepare for the day, making 64 bars of soap and 5 quilts. Here is my "booth" table....it was not very busy since this is the first year for vendor booths. I really can not complain with about 30 or so people who came by I sold 15 bars of soap and a quilt. I think I will do it again next year, and with a whole year to prepare.........I plan to have more items.















The day also included a mixture of weather, hot (about 100*) sunny, thunder and lightening, clouds, wind and rain. Yes, it rained and pretty good for about 10 minutes, it was nice since it cooled things off, though we did have to cover everything up and hold down our umbrella's and awnings as the wind tried to blow them away.

I did get pictures of the parade, it was very small but alot of fun.

Here we have the future of Hyattville, they are so adorable.
Sorry this picture is a little blurry, I forgot to take the micro setting off. Sigh.














Now some of the other parade entries. Check out the background, isn't it a pretty place. We feel so blessed to be able to live here, each time I look abound I thank the Father. BTW, the house in the back ground is the one Kirk helped build. If you know of anyone who wants a new home with beautiful details, let them know this new 4 bedroom house is for sale.











































































I hope you have enjoyed the pictures, I have more but did not want to over do it.

After a full day, the bands began and we danced in the street until 12:30.....well, some did, Kirk and I quit at about 10:30.....we came home and crashed....a long good day, and a good nights sleep.....

I have put the quilts and soaps that I did not sell on my Etsy shop, with hopes of them finding new homes.