PINCUSHION GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Do you love pins and needles, fabric and threads????  Or are you a collector of pincushions?  Well, if you would love a chance at owning this meticulously quilted, beautiful "red star" pincushion all you need to do is:

Send me a family favorite recipe

for a chance at this fabulous "star".....

1 Recipe = 1 Entry

I am looking for some fun new recipes (tried and true) to make and I will give you the opportunity for up to 3 entries.   One ticket for a Dessert/Cookie recipe, a Second ticket for a Main Dish/Crock Pot recipe, and a Third ticket for a Salad Recipe.  Leave me a comment telling me how many entries you would like to participate in and then email me the recipes to:

dipdiddly143@gmail.com

I hope I get a great turn out and when I have compiled all your wonderful recipes I will give you the opportunity to obtain a copy for your own recipe box as well. (Including some from my own collection).  Also, I will have a second and third prize drawing, just not sure what the prizes will be, maybe I will let you choose!  Time will tell.

I will leave this drawing open until Saturday, April 3, 2010 midnight.  The three winners will be posted on Sunday afternoon.

Smiles....

Jolene

SPECIAL GIFTS....TIMES THREE!

Kindness...
has a way of touching my heart; it lifts my spirit, brightens my inner candle and puts a smile on my face.  With heartfelt "thanks" to some wonderful friends, Sharlotte, Ranae and Myra, I have been blessed (and definitely a little bit spoiled) with some beautiful gifts from these talented ladies from all over the United States.  One for my 40th birthday (Sharlotte), one for a pin pillow exchange (Ranae) and one "random act of kindess" from Myra.   All three of these ladies are very special to me as they have each touched my heart and  for that I am grateful. 

Miss Sharlotte spoiled me....

with this beautiful needlecase she presented me for my 40th birthday.    I received it weeks ago, back when I was sick and didn't feel much like blogging so I never took the time to post until now, but I wanted to make sure you got to see some photos of her lovely work.  If you click on the picture you can enlarge it to take a closer look at her dainty stitching.  The colors of the flowers are so pretty and I love the little flutterbee, it's so me.  Here's sending you a long awaited {{{hug}}}, it was so sweet of you to think of me and take the time to make me such a lovely gift.  It's fabulous and I will use it and cherish it always Sharlotte.  I have added some shiny new needles in it and it is tucked in with my current project.  She also made me some fabric covered floss tags that color coordinate with the needlecase.  Thanks again for such a wonderful gesture, you made my 40th birthday so much more special. 

Miss Myra sent....

Next up are two wonderful floral bags that Myra stitched for me.  She sent these to me "just because".  I am going to place my scissors and odds and ends in the smaller bag and store my pattern and supplies in the larger one.  Aren't they just fabulous! I am going to be so organized and stylish at the same time. Yippee! 

Random Acts of Kindness are alive and well these days, thanks so much Myra, I will use these proudly.

I love the little golden heart "Made With Love" charm she attached to the zipper with a piece of gold ribbon..... the perfect addition for a special touch.  Love it!!

And an exchange from Ranae.....

I joined in a fun "Pin Pillow" exchange that BeckySC is hosting. Ranae was given my name and let me tell you.....she went above and beyond!!!  I absolutely can't say enough about how much  I LOVE this pin pillow.  The colors, the fabric and everything are so wonderful and so me.  I have been wanting a pin pillow made with this Blackbird Designs pattern ever since it was released.....how Ranae knew I wanted this one remains a mystery but I am so lucky to receive such a beautiful pin pillow.  You have no idea how loud I squealed when I opened up the box and unwraped the lovely pink bow!!!  It felt just like Christmas....maybe even better.  You did an awesome job on this Ranae and I owe you a million and one thank you's for it....you are a very talented gal.

Here's to each of you......a special thank you from my heart to yours, you are truly kindred spirits. 

Until next time.....wishing you Sunshine and Smiles!

Jolene

MY PRIMITIVE PINCUSHION

Happy Friday to you!! As some of you may already know, I LOVE PINCUSHIONS!!! Insert...(understatement). Anywho, I thought I would share a very primitive stained pincushion that I made from a Stacy Nash pattern called "Netty's Sampler - Pinkeep Drum". I love the dark tones and the flavors of thread I stitched it in. I stuffed it with sawdust and voila...here is Miss Prim (the beautiful peacock)in all her glory. Now I am laughing at myself as it should be Mister Prim, as the female species is called a "peahen"!!! Whatever.....

DID YOU KNOW.....

that as early as the 1300's, pins were carried around in a pouch? Metal pins were very costly and hard to find, so a special container was very important! During the 1400's carriers came into fashion.

These early pins carriers were made of ivory, bone, or silver.  At the time names such as pin keeper, pin poppet and tuffet were popular.

At the beginning of the 1700's pin-pillows came into use.  Usually delicately embroidered and made from finer fabrics such as linen, canvas or satin.  Hanging ball pincushions were found in many parlors.  Soon pin-pillows evolved into mounted cushions.  Silver or wooden stands were topped with these cushions.

Pincushions from the 1600's through the 1800's were most popular and more decorative.  On some, the pins were the decoration.  At this time pincushions came in the forms of eggcups, baskets, china, metal, and glass.

During the early 1900's pincushions became useful sewing aids.  Clamp pincushions were decorative and functional.  They would be screwed onto a table edge and also would help to hold fabric in place.

One of the most well recognized is the tomato.  People believed that placing a tomato in the entree area of their home would bring prosperity.  Since tomatoes, at that time, were not available year round, people would make red balls of fabric stuffed with straw or sawdust.  These would eventually be used as pincushions!

In today's world, pincushions play an important part of our sewing history and a collectible that comes in many, many shapes, sizes and forms.



Until next time......Smiles

Jolene

Sunshine and Shadows

Hello....is anybody there?  It's me, Jolene.  Yes, I am still among the living, just been hiding in the shadows.  I have been down for quite a while it seems like and I just haven't felt like blogging.  Do you ever have times when you feel like that?  I guess I was in need of a little sunshine to poke my head out of hibernation.  I think Jennifer must have known I needed a little sunshine and she blessed me with this: 

THANK YOU Jennifer for sharing this award with me.  I think it was just what I needed.  I do have quite a few things I have been wanting to share with you all.  Maybe I need to get my camera out and start getting a show and tell post ready. 

Today I spent some time in the yard doing a little spring clean up.  The sun was shining and it felt so good to be out doing something different and I love working in my yard. 

Thank you for visiting my blog and I promise to be a better blogger.  I'll be back on Monday with some finishes to show you.  Until then, have a wonderful evening....I am off to bake the boys some chocolate chip cookies.  Smiles....

Jolene

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

IRISH BLESSING

May you always find

Blue skies above your head

Shamrocks beneath your feet,

Laughter and joy aplenty,

Kindness from all you meet,

Good friends and kin to miss you

If ever you choose to roam,

And a path that's been cleared

By angels themselves

To carry you safely home.

Lucky Sheep

by Shepherds Bush

Happy St. Patricks Day to all!!!

Jolene

A VERY SPECIAL DAY

March 11, 1995 was a very special day for me.  In the early morning hours on a Saturday not so long ago, I gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby boy which my husband and I named Brayden Michael.  He weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs 14.6 oz., and 21 1/2 inches long.  What a big boy!!  My Mom was a great coach and was by my side helping any way she could during the labor process.  After many hours of pushing and pushing, my Mom decided she needed a quick break and left the room to get some fresh air.  She wasn't gone more than 5 minutes and on her return she missed the birth of her first grandson.  She was sad she had missed it as she was there the whole time patiently waiting and helping me through the difficult time I was going through.  My husband said he came out with his eyes wide open looking curiously at the new big world that surrounded him. He was beautiful with big blue eyes and blonde hair.  He had large hands and big "little"feet.  I sure miss those days when he was so tiny.  It seems like with each blink I make he turns another year older.  The thought of him entering high school next year and getting his learning permit scares me to death!!!  Where did my little guy go?
Happy Birthday my one and only son, I Love You always, no matter what!!  You have made being a mother my most rewarding job.

An Award After The Oscars

I feel so honored to receive such a wonderful award Sharlotte!  It means so much knowing you thought of me for this award.  Upon acceptance, I was asked to tell of seven interesting or unknown facts about myself so here's the list:

1.  When I was in third grade my sister cut my hair off shoulder length, which at the time was sooo long it hung to my knees. 

2.  I was born on Joseph Smith's birthday (L.D.S.) which is December twenty-third.

3.  I became an Aunt to twin nieces when I was 8 years old.

4.  I am the youngest of three children.  I have one sister who is 12 years older than I am and a brother who is 8 years older.

5.  When I was about 20 years old I entered a Jello Contest here in Utah and I took first place in the salad category for my own "Cantaloupe Treat" recipe.  My larger than life photo and recipe was published in the Salt Lake Tribune.

6.  This is too funny, I can't believe I am sharing this, but......when I was three years old I ate so many homemade pickled beets that I peed in the bathtub and it turned the bath water beet red!!!  My mom used to love telling my boyfriends this story, so I figured why not let the whole world know!!! lol

7.  I have had lasik eye surgery twice and I still need to wear glasses to drive!

Now you know a few little tidbits about me you never knew before.  Next up, I am to pass this award on to seven blogs that I love and even though there are soooo many to chose from, I would love to nominate the following:

1. Loraine - Sew Be It

2. Deb -  Thread Gatherer

3. Yuko - Be Happy

4. Staci - Snippets and Stash

5.  Cari - Serene Stitches

6.  Terri - Chocolates for Breakfast, Stitching for Lunch

7.  Kellie - The Stitching Post


If you want to accept this award, the following are the list of rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award.

2. Paste the award on your blog.

3. Link to the person who nominated you.

4. Tell 7 interesting things about yourself.

5. Nominate 7 blogs and post links.

This has been kind of fun.....  until next time.....

Smiles...

Jolene