Thankful for "Good Gifts"

I know I haven't posted one of the "30 days of repurposed projects" for a few days.  Actually, a part of cleaning up after the pole building sale I had is to "repurpose" the better items.

What I mean by that is; most of the items at the sale could have been put in one of my 3 booths.  I needed to get the trailers in the pole building for Winter and to do that, I needed to reduce my inventory.  So, I spent the better part of last week carrying items in the house, washing them up, marking them and taking them to one of my booths.  

I was also happy to buy some neat items from an elderly couple who is moving into an assisted living apartment.  So, busy, busy...

Here are a few pictures of my booths:

So, I did repurpose - just in my own booths.

Also, it is deer hunting week here in Wisconsin.  Al shot an 8 pointer.  A super nice buck.  We are going to have it mounted.

The best part was that the weather turned mild...almost all the snow melted.  I wasn't able to get everything picked up from the sale before the snow surprised us early - even for Wisconsin.  I thought I was just going to have to "live" with those trailers outside in the snow another year.  Thank the Lord that I had a decent day yesterday to finish boxing up Goodwill stuff, taking down tables and making room for this....

Believe it or not, I went outside at 7:30 a.m. I knew it was going to start snowing around 11 a.m. - so I busted my butt...and with the Lord's help...was able to get this done.  When Al came home, he backed the trailers in the building - just enough room!  Yea!

I was on such a productive "high" that I even tackled my pantry!  The chickens have a bucket of goodies this morning!

We have started a bible study on Tuesday mornings in Wittenberg at the Coffee Cup Cafe.  Today was my day to come up with scripture to study.  For some reason I picked Luke 11.  We had heavy snow over night, so I am not going to get out on the highway today...however, I still was blessed by this chapter this morning reading it.  Especially Luke 11: 13 - to sum it up, it says "if ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly father give to you..."  I thought, yes He did give me a good gift yesterday, by allowing the snow to melt, helping me lift and carry items, lift and move a trailer by hand, organizing and getting the pole building clean enough so Al could put the trailers away.  I was blessed by His keeping me healthy enough, strong enough to get this done.   So, in reflection on Luke 11 - it really blessed me this morning by thinking of all the good gifts God gives us.  

Think on the "good gifts" that God has given you this week as we celebrate Thanksgiving!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

30 Days of Repurposed Projects - Day 15 & 16: 4-H Crafts

Project 15:  Wicker Paper Plate Holder Santa

Project 16:  Silk Recycled Ornament

These were some items that were left over from the "Not Too Spooky" Pop Up Sale.  I had a stack of over 20 of the wicker paper plate holders and over 50 silk ornaments.  I knew that I could think of something that we could repurpose for a 4-H project.  

Today was "pie making 101" for our 4-H club.  The kids, mixed all the pie dough and all the fillings - not from cans (pumpkin was).  We made 3 pumpkin, 2 apple cranberry and 2 cherry pies.  While the pies were baking, the kids worked on these crafts.  

We also had visitors from the UP - it still amazes me that this blogger friend's grandchildren are in my 4-H - what a small world!  Here is a link to her blog:  Cher Shots:  http://chershots.blogspot.com/

Seriously it was a very productive day.  Thanks to all the mamas and daddy that helped!  We all pitched in and it was a fun day!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Christmas in the Country 2014 - Blogger Fun!

Hey blogger friends....I'm linking up to this:  http://unchartedrhoade.blogspot.com/2014/11/christmas-in-country-2014-signup.html

You send a gift to another in blogosphere and recieve one back.  Sounds like fun...anyone else want to link up....

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Congratulations Justine! Her Wedding Was Featured on Woodsy Weddings

Justine, our daughter, was married on January 1, 2014.  She planned, dreamed, imagined, pinned and MADE almost all of her decorations including this gorgeous bouquet.  It truly was a beautiful, one of a kind, original wedding - I hate bragging, but she did an awesome job!  Her wedding was featured on Woodsy Weddings!  I'm so happy for her.  Justine is a very humble, soft spoken and hard working young woman.  If anyone is deserving of recognition for REAL DIY wedding features it is her!

Please take moment to go over to the link and see all the other wonderful pictures of their wedding:  http://www.woodsyweddings.com/2014/11/19/fairytale-winter-wedding-justine-josh/#comment-20053

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

30 Days of Repurposed Projects - Day 14 - Blanket Mittens

With the help of Pinterest, I found a link on how to make these, here it is:  http://www.ehow.com/ehow-crafts/blog/sweater-to-mittens-smittens/

I followed her ideas, but used this retro unusued blanket that was left over after my "It's Not Too Spooky" Pop Up sale in my pole building.  It was marked $3; here are the blankets that were left:  

There it is on top of the pink wool bat one...which, by the way, I put in the barn cat's house for the winter - they love it!  

I brought the blanket in the house and washed it.  It was pretty stiff - new and usused from 1970 something.  It came from a farm house buy out I did.

I made my own pattern with help from the link and traced it on to the blanket.

Tip:  always put right sides together....it is confusing because you make 2 of the same hand - these are lined mittens.  So, just lay out your pattern and think how it will fit together inside the other....I made 3 mittens; as I made 2 of the same hand....LOL.  Then I used the blanket binding for the cuff.  Just cut a section of the binding larger than the mitten opening.  Sew the edges together to make a circle.

With right sides together...slip the binding cuff into the mitten lining.  It will be a bit larger than the hole, but ease it in while sewing.  Once sewen together pull the cuff straight and put your hand in the lining of the mitten.  Turn the other mitten with right side out and then with help of your hand; push the lining into the mitten.

Once the lining is inside the mitten, turn the cuff down and whip stich the edge down to the mitten.

Sew on a decorative button.  

Once you have made one mitten, it is easier to see what way to turn the pattern to make a match.  I would suggest that you make 1 first - then cut out the next one.  They are very warm and I actually think they turned out nice.  I am giving these as a gift.  If I have time....I might make more of these from the same blanket - they would be $12.50 a pair.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2014/11/take-look-tuesday-11.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SugarBeeCraftsSewingRecipesCraftsPhotoTipsAndMore+%28Sugar+Bee+Crafts%3A+sewing%2C+recipes%2C+crafts%2C+photo+tips%2C+and+more%21%29

http://www.create-with-joy.com/2014/12/inspire-me-monday-week-154.html

30 Days of Repurposing Projects - Day 13 - Hot Cocoa Mug Ornament

More punch cups.  I saw this on pinterest here is link:  http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2011/12/creative-holiday-features-from-the-showcase-party-and-a-giveaway-winner.html

I did get ideas from her site, but did my own twist.  What you do is pour some cocoa colored paint into the cup and roll the cup around until the paint coats the glass.

Think about how the cocoa will look while hanging from as an ornament.  Then I decided to spray some of Great Stuff (foam insulation) in the inside to make it look like whip cream on top.  Make sure the paint is totally dry!

While the foam is wet, stick in a pipecleaner candy cane.  I had extra in the can so I spelled out words and made candy canes.  I will paint these later and add to something....

One thing I didn't anticipate was just HOW much these would puff up...so, when you make some, less is best.  I made a hanger from ribbon and added a jingle bell.

The cocoa mugs are still cute - even with all the whip topping.  They will be for sale at the "Vintage & Handmade Christmas" Pop Up Sale here at the farm on December 12, 2014 6-9 p.m.  I think they will be $2.50 each.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.