Bye-Bye Birdie ....

In this case, HELLO Birdie!

I need to back up a bit. While visiting family over Thanksgiving, I spied the coolest piece of Sagebrush in a galvanized bucket for a decoration. Me? Copy something like that? You bet I would! Mimicry is the best for of flattery ... or so they say.

After retuning home, Hubby found a wonderful piece of Sagebrush and in a bucket of my own it went. Now this piece of shrubbery needed decorating. Besides, I had made a flock of birds for a local Holiday Craft Show, and what a perfect display piece it made. Once getting it back home, I added lights and ornaments to make it a bit more Christmas complete.

So, if you have an inkling to make your own flock, here is the pattern: http://www.i-do-it-yourself.com/2008/11/spools-bird-softies/

I over heard one woman mention she made some for a crib mobile for her infant daughter, and the article associated with this pattern says the birds were made for a bird themes wedding. All I can say, is I have another flock in the process of being made, and they are easy and fun ... and if you don't want to attempt to make them, but want some, just let me know and I'll make them up for you. Some are going on our etsy page WillowMesa soon, too.

Join me on Facebook! .....

I have decided to incorporate Pins and Tangled Needles on Facebook. The social network is huge and the way I see it, what a wonderful way to access all of the extraordinary talent that is just waiting for us to meet. The friendships that are awaiting us is just to good to pass up.

So PLEASE! Join me on the Pins and Tangled Needles Facebook page and let us get started on the fun. There will be a Mystery Quilt starting soon as well as BOM and Sampler blocks being prepared for sharing. As soon as there are enough people to participate, I want to get a Round Robin started.

Do you knit or crochet? Well, never fear, there will be plenty of inspiration directed in your direction, too.

Bobbin Lace and Tatters out there? Well, as "I" want to learn those fascinating arts, I have every intention of bringing those people with the love and knowledge to help us pick up a new hobby ... or two.

As always, I want to share recipes, folklore, and pictures. Everyone has a favorite picture of their own personal artwork to share don't they? And I haven't met any one yet who doesn't have a story to share. Not to mention, quilters don't go anywhere without a plate of cookies! ;)

There are plenty of other thread and fiber arts that need to have their own special limelights, and I sincerely believe that you and I can expose the pure love and enjoyment they have to offer.

I also want to incorporate contests and monthly drawings. If any of you want to promote your business or art form to help out with the monthly drawings, please let me know.

Okay, I believe that is all for today.

As the New Year approaches, let us remember how wonderful 2012 can be with new Friends and arts and crafts to do and share.

Sweet coolness ....

Woke this morning to a chilly house! Love it! Wonderful, wonderful cool crisp air! Hey, living in a semi arid desert region makes summer time hot. I look VERY foreword to Autumn ....

Note the little gadget button I put in the upper left corner this morning! A Christmas Quilt Along is definitely in order as the weather brings us all back indoors to find snuggly comforting things to occupy our time.

How many of you only make homemade gifts for Christmas? Like me, I can well imagin there are some people who cherish that homemade gift far more than one purchased at the dreaded Mall (I don't like Malls all that much). Well, if you haven't already begun your homemade gift giving projects, let's get underway together! What are your plans? Who are you making things for? Do you get all giddy feeling just thinking about it?

Well, I'm off to the work room!

You all have a wonderful day!!

Little Girls ....

Have I mentioned how I love little girls clothes? Probably not ... but now you have heard it from me. I LOVE little girls clothes. However, I like little girls clothes to carry a twist. I find pastel has its place, but I much prefer a bolder look. After talking to a few wee ones, I have discovered they want to look like their Moms.

As soon as I find decent little girl mannequins ... or a way to photograph the little darlings clothes, I will begin sell them (the clothes, not the little girls) on etsy. Here is one of the outfits. This one is a girls size 6. Three pieces consisting of jacket, skirt and petti-underskirt.

Back to the mannequins. Ebay has some nice cloth type ones that appear to be right up my ally. The one I have now is a hard plastic and there is NO way to manage the arms properly. It is beyond difficult working sleeves of dresses onto this bazaar mannequin. So, as soon as I replace her, I think she can go to live at Goodwill or something.

Idiom for the day: Can't Cut the Mustard .... in other words, a new girls mannequin is an absolute must!

The sky is, again, abeautiful shade of blue and hardly a breath of air ...colors are beginning to turn. Autumn is beautiful here ....

Idiom: Sitting on pins and needles ... OUCH!

Alright, so it doesn't mean to actually sit on pins and needles .... but it does mean someone is very anxious and/or nervous. Where am I going with this, you ask? Well, it never ceases to amaze me how life can generally get in the way with something you may really want to do. If you find yourself overly thinking about those desired aspects you find yourself anxious. But! ....

Life is finally calming down.

I "should" be able to get crafting and work out those business ambitions.

I should ... I should ... I should ...

Well, here is to a positive outcome. As always, I have such high hopes and dreams to really get my business up and running. So many things that scream for attention from sewing to knitting and a bazillion things in between.

I woke up this morning to the sun shining. The sky has been the most amazing color of blue today. My sewing room is completely located to a wonderful new room. And as I sit here writing to you on this blog site called Pins and Tangled Needles, the only anxiety I feel is the anticipation of the bright days coming.

Perhaps each blog should contain a Idiom ... I like them ... they make me smile.

Have a tremendous rest of the day ... see you tomorrow!

Ewe Ewe Yarns Cafe Latte Cowl Knitting Patterns - NobleKnits Yarn Shop

Ewe Ewe Yarns Cafe Latte Cowl Knitting Patterns - NobleKnits Yarn Shop

I absolutley love this little pattern! Is it to early to start thinking winter knit wear? I mean really ... is it?

As I sit here, pondering this question in the comfort of an airconditioned house, knowing that it is 90+ degrees outside, I know I can long for the cooler months of fall. So with that in mind, shouldn't I be prepared? Shouldn't I enter the cooler months in style?

ABSOLUTELY!!!!''This pattern will be downloaded ASAP, and with kniting needles in hand, I will venture into the land of COOL!

Farewell Young Zucchini ....

Never have I seen a Zucchini plant die! The hail we experienced while living in Cheyenne, Wyoming never even killed the ever producing plant. I have gone from going to bed at night, horror filled, just knowing those 3 inch fruits were going to be 2 feet long when I awake in the morning, to, "What the heck is going on with these plants?!" (yes, you read that right, we are insane enough to love zucchini and we plant more than one plant .... sigh ....). In a short period of time I have seen the plants, tall and thriving, reduced to flat and dieing. The picture at the right was taken when we were hoping it would return to its former beautiful producing self.

First they were checked for the dreaded Squash Beetle. Those little buggers can suck the life out of a plant over night! Alas, no beetle. hmmm .... We don't like to spray our veggie plants. We like it organic. However, nothing organic was working. This called for the tough stuff.

Plants still declined.

The next thing to do was ..... Google.

The culprit? The Vine Borer. Some nasty little worm that is the result of a moth. Once the worm is in the plant there is nothing to be done ....

After the playing of Taps, the plants were pulled .... and new ones planted to take their place. In 3 to 4 weeks we will once again be enjoying one of our favorite garden veggies.

In the meantime, peas are just about finished. Tomato plants are setting fruit wonderfully. Peppers are coming along great, as are the onions and potatoes. We've been enjoying a big variety of lettus, spinach and mustard greens .... the radishes fell short this year, and I don't even want to talk about the cabbage (the life was probably sucked out of them by the vine borers cousin or something)

But even after witnessing the demise of garden veggies, life does go on .... and not just out in the garden. I don't know what has happened! The planets have finally aligned and I have been super charged with creative ideas! Holy cow! This is great!!! Let's just say for starters, I am up-cycling men's neck ties ..... from assorted new accessories to jackets (which I am working on today). Items to be sold via Willow Mesa, and more on that later.

You ALL have a wonderful day!!