I will be back on. Just taking some time to refuel myself and family before 2008 begins. Have some projects I hope to share, but they will have to wait till after the New year.
Be back on soon,
~Tammie
Be back on soon,
~Tammie
Friday, December 28, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Recycled skirt into 2 piece dog bed- "mini " tutorial
After bringing Grizzle home, I knew she would need her own bed. 
~The top half of the skirt will be the pillow portion. Now if your smart and learn from my mistake, you will cut the skirt with straight lines and be sure to cut the top waist area into a flat line instead of the curve you see in the above picture. 
~Time to stuff that pillow with fiber filling, scrap fleece, cedar shavings, or which ever it is your heart dsires for your dog to sleep on. This is where that zipper you left on will come in handy. You can change the bed filling or throw the pillow and base in the wash when needed.
~The bottom half of the skirt needs to be laid out in one layer, then fold over to make a very long 2 layer rectangle- right sides together. 
From experience I knew we would need something durable, inexpensive, pleasing to the human eye, Washable, & comfortable enough to keep a growing black lab mix happy for at least 1 year.
This is what I used and how i did it. A mini style tutorial.
First look through the closet or the local thrift store for one of those floor length A-line skirts. Be sure it has a zipper on one side and the fabric is thick like a wool skirt or some other thick fabric. This zipper is very important which you will see in a few steps. You will also need around 1/2 yard of corduroy fabric for the beds base bottom.(must be a durable fabric)
First- the skirt. A size (US)10 in womens clothing bought at the local thrift store for $3. I really liked the fabric and thought it perfect for the need I had.
~You will need to cut the skirt in half as you see here. The bottom portion you will need to rip the seem out on one side- see the corner flipped up in the above pic.
~Be sure to also rip the seam of the waist band from the top of the skirt. You can cut the zipper attatched to the waist band off and just sew over the top to secure it for easier handling, as you can see in picture 2:
~*Be sure you cut the zipper ABOVE where the zip handle is. Best just to unzip it before cutting just to be safe.*
~The top half of the skirt will be the pillow portion. Now if your smart and learn from my mistake, you will cut the skirt with straight lines and be sure to cut the top waist area into a flat line instead of the curve you see in the above picture. ~Unzip the zipper half way and continue to sew all open sides, being sure to go over that zipper area again. Now you get to use that zipper you rememebered to unzip.
~Turn the pillow right side out like this:
~Time to stuff that pillow with fiber filling, scrap fleece, cedar shavings, or which ever it is your heart dsires for your dog to sleep on. This is where that zipper you left on will come in handy. You can change the bed filling or throw the pillow and base in the wash when needed.~Now it is time to assemble the base.
~The bottom half of the skirt needs to be laid out in one layer, then fold over to make a very long 2 layer rectangle- right sides together. ~Cut the side ends to make them straight.
~Sew the side ends but do NOT sew the long side.Turn the right side out and you will have the long side open. Iron the ends flat.
~Now sew the long side. **Whatever the outside of the fabric will be showing, that is how you need for it to lay for the next step.**
Click on the base picture above. You will notice how I sewed up the seam. This leaves an allowance on the outside which you will need to attatch the corduroy to the tube.
~ Leave a 2 inch gape towards the end for stuffing. Stuff it full- do not skimp or it will be floppy. Once you have the tube sewn& stuffed, you will need to cut out a "D" outline shape for the base. You will be attatching the above tube to it.
~Best way to determine your shape and size is to bend the tube on the fabric top /or newspaper and mark it with tailors chalk or a marker. Do not over think it. Simply bend the tube into a "C" to give the right portion of curve to your "D".
~Now cut out your "D" and attatch the "C" curve of the tube to the curve on your "D". Do not forget to pin it in place. Plus the fabric side of the D touching the C will be the bottom. Just trust me ont that.
This will cause alot of man handling and cursing under your breath at a wad of fabric. But you can do it. Just smash that stuffed tube down and feed it through the sewing machine. I do not have pictures to show of that step since both hands had to stay on the tube at all times.
~Flip and turn the base so the sewing seam is on the inside of the C. The pillow will hide this once in place.
~Now your base is done so put that pillow on the base!
Congratulations~ You my dear, have just made your very own dog's bed PLUS repurposed an old skirt. How very green of you!
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Hooker Furniture Acquires Assets Of Opus Designs Furniture
Hooker Furniture Corp. (HOFT) announced it has completed the acquisition of the assets of Opus Designs Furniture, LLC.
Effective today, Hooker Furniture's professional sales organization will be representing the Opus product line, and all service and operational support for the line will come from Hooker Furniture Corporation. The product will be sold under the Opus Designs brand.
The $5.1 million cash transaction is subject to a net working capital adjustment.
James Millner, who has overseen design and product development of the Opus product, will be employed by Hooker as Vice President, Merchandising & Design concentrating primarily on youth bedroom.
Marc Katzman, Opus co-founder and President-Sales, will also assist Hooker during a six month transition period.
On October 24, Hooker Furniture signed a letter of intent to purchase the assets of New York-based Opus Designs Furniture.
Wholesale Furniture Brokers is currently a client of Opus Designs but not of Hooker Furniture or any of it’s other subsidiaries. We’ll update this post if we discover that WFB will now have access to more of Hooker’s lines.
Effective today, Hooker Furniture's professional sales organization will be representing the Opus product line, and all service and operational support for the line will come from Hooker Furniture Corporation. The product will be sold under the Opus Designs brand.
The $5.1 million cash transaction is subject to a net working capital adjustment.
James Millner, who has overseen design and product development of the Opus product, will be employed by Hooker as Vice President, Merchandising & Design concentrating primarily on youth bedroom.
Marc Katzman, Opus co-founder and President-Sales, will also assist Hooker during a six month transition period.
On October 24, Hooker Furniture signed a letter of intent to purchase the assets of New York-based Opus Designs Furniture.
Wholesale Furniture Brokers is currently a client of Opus Designs but not of Hooker Furniture or any of it’s other subsidiaries. We’ll update this post if we discover that WFB will now have access to more of Hooker’s lines.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Handmade holiday ideas & look what the snow blew in...
So what has kept me away for so long? Well these are just a few:
Links for all the creativity sources are below- but here is the big explanation of what they are and who for~
A cloth covered binder for my oldest "neice"- which will have inside a B&W copy of Panda's new guitar teaching books- they can learn together and have a "practice jam" each week when they get to visit. Panda and her cousin are both getting child sized guitars for the holiday- I have the adult Acoustic.(having the same work book will also serve purpose for me to help her on my visits since the three of us will be learning together.)
The cloth lined bag is the tote to hang her new binder book in and have it hung up on the door back- preventing damage and loss. That is her Initial E which I hand embroidered along with a few music notes coming from the bottom. A first for me.The fun Felt monster in a certain child's (my "nephew") favorite colors which go with a pair of blue flannel PJ pants-not shown- and an under shirt soon to follow, which will have the same face as the felt monster to make it all a set.
I have a Duro style shirt for the youngest niece along with a few of these headbands for her gift.
I have been told I MUST make Lil' Man one of those felt monsters , so he can have one to sleep with too. Of course Panda requested a green one on a key chain... And would you like fries with that?... But seriously, I have a tall order for these and the one above was not even an hour old before they came in.
I have a Duro style shirt for the youngest niece along with a few of these headbands for her gift.
I have been told I MUST make Lil' Man one of those felt monsters , so he can have one to sleep with too. Of course Panda requested a green one on a key chain... And would you like fries with that?... But seriously, I have a tall order for these and the one above was not even an hour old before they came in.
I have a pact with my cousin's wife- "Tuesday", that we are to only exchange gifts crafted with our own or family hands. It may seem hard to some, but have you really looked at the great craft making sites out there? Here is one forum I lurk at often*. So many talented bloggers willing to share tutorials and sites that really spark the creativity into you- or in my case with the felt monster, A total copy Kat... What can I say? I admire the work but the rule is Made By MY hand or our family.I saw it and the child popped into my head. I knew he had to have one and I sketched up the pattern in under 5 minutes. He stands around 13 inches tall and about 10 inches wide. I must say, he is quite the dashing monster.
So I have been sewing away like an elf in the night and working the day away like a true stay home mom, winter cleaning & de-germing~ (everyone has been sick the past 2 weeks).
But of course you may be bored with my blabbing about crafts, and gifts, and me, me, me...
So I thought i would share what the new snow blew in....
So I thought i would share what the new snow blew in....
Well, more like I drove 1 hour to the Carrolton county dog pound to adopt this little girl just 1 hour before the cut off time on Thursday. (they put all dogs left in the pound to sleep on Friday mornings.)
As with all our animals of which we do not eat, she needed a name.
So we threw some ideas out. A day goes by. We Pondered some more... Days went by and not one had really smacked us in the head. But then today I found myself calling out to her with the first name demanded by Little man. (Instead of the usual "wo wo" frog calls her, or "hey puppy" that The captain throws out.)
So we threw some ideas out. A day goes by. We Pondered some more... Days went by and not one had really smacked us in the head. But then today I found myself calling out to her with the first name demanded by Little man. (Instead of the usual "wo wo" frog calls her, or "hey puppy" that The captain throws out.)
Introducing Grizzled- or as I call her "Grizzle".
lil Man on first sight exclaimed her name will be "Grizzled", which I thought was a bit too far out there. Even for us.
But the Lil' Man won in the end. Plus she comes to me when I call her that. Who'd have thought....
Snow will continue to fall through Monday and I have yet to find a face template for Lil' brother Army's classic 80g ipod. I am making cookies tonight and had hoped to make him an Ipod cover like this one to send out on Monday along with his tin of baked goods. Just cant find the face dimensions anywhere....
I can see a frustrating weekend waiting for the snow to lighten for my mad dash to Best Buy...
** Found it!** edited 1:14 am
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie
Friday, December 7, 2007
The weather outside is frightful...
But the fire is so delightful...
And since we've no place to go........ Let It Snow
let it snow
let it snow....
Time for hot cocoa and oven S'mores.....
picture above is located at this flickr link. So very sweet!
The Snow is finally here! Time to borrow the sleds from our chickens and ducks (see post about animal drinking water) to slide down the big hill! It will be gone by Sunday, so one last run tomorrow and they can have their the sleds back.
Snowy dreams,
~Tammie
And since we've no place to go........ Let It Snow
let it snow
let it snow....
Time for hot cocoa and oven S'mores.....
picture above is located at this flickr link. So very sweet!The Snow is finally here! Time to borrow the sleds from our chickens and ducks (see post about animal drinking water) to slide down the big hill! It will be gone by Sunday, so one last run tomorrow and they can have their the sleds back.
Snowy dreams,
~Tammie
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Winter fire's sweet smell
The wood burner is here! As I type this, I can smell the wonderful scent of wood burning just below the space I am sitting. Images of childhood fireplaces filled my mind before I realized they had lit the fire. Our dear friend "farm guy" (the son of our farmer friend and best bud to the Captain since 3rd grade) has very generously lent one to us. It came with his home when he bought it at auction years ago. Never used it, so it sat. And sat. Rusted some and sat some more....
Now it is in it's very appreciative home in our basement. It heat's up to 2500 sq ft and am told it is a higher end model, despite it's age.Not very pretty but I really do not mind it's appearance. i care for it's purpose. Our entire home (walk out basement and actual living area upstairs) total close to 2400 sq ft. That means we an use our basement all year long and I can meddle around working with hand tools and building with wood year round. Yippee!
Sweet winter dreams,
~Tammie
Monday, November 26, 2007
Plans in making this place a homestead...
Plans are in the works for our property and it's Homestead makeover. Since we have determined this will be home for the next couple of years, I will no longer hold out on my heart's desire. If I had known 5 years ago we would still be here, I would have fruit tree's producing by now. So no more waiting. May the work begin!
I have checked out Mary Jane's life book, cook book, idea book once again. I have it on my wish list of books i would like to own and hope to acquire it soon. But in the mean time, borrowing the library edition will suffice. In this book she has listed a nursery who sells old fashioned fruit saplings. This is the Burnt ridge nursery and the prices are very agreeable. The shipping is inexpensive, too.They come as 5 foot trees and will produce in just 1-2 years if not immediately. I desire a few "Italian" plum trees and a few "Reliance" peach trees. I would like to add more grape vines to our hill such as the ones I already have. Remember the ones from the generous freecycler?
We plan to build a wood "pergola/arbor" on the house front, where we will grow some Cascade hops .Grown mostly for the collecting of hops, but also to hide the brick facing on the house which is cracking in some spots. Nugget and Crystal will also be bought and placed elsewhere for Obstructing neighbor views from the road.
We plan to build a wood "pergola/arbor" on the house front, where we will grow some Cascade hops .Grown mostly for the collecting of hops, but also to hide the brick facing on the house which is cracking in some spots. Nugget and Crystal will also be bought and placed elsewhere for Obstructing neighbor views from the road.
Now I do desire a proper "Hen house" for our batch of laying hens to be ordered in January. (plans are still being drawn up and materials priced). So far, Panda and I have our eyes on some Barred Rock's and Americauna's. I would like to add 2 polish hens to our barnyard just for the unusual look of them. I would like to put our ladies atop the hill surrounding the garden. Kinda like a U shapedmoat which opens on one end into a small pen with their coop. Of course a gate for me to get in the garden will be worked into it.
We are purchasing 16 ft. long cattle panels for Chia's enclosure and will do the same for our hens exercise yard area. Chia will have the goat cabin to share with Bonnie and Clyde- our Muscovy pair. The remaining offspring will be going to the auction house along with all the turkens and that white silkie. I discovered it was he that is crowing with the others. Glad to find it was not our treasured Frizzle Cochin..
The Muscovy meat amount and taste is not worth the price of butchering. I have made 4 various dishes from brine soaked roasted duck to Duck noodle soup. Each one leaves me not happy with the taste. I love chicken and it is less cost to raise and process. So that is where we will continue for our backyard meat raising. I am going to see if I can do a "milk share" with a farmer on a cow, nearby. Not sure how to work that one out, but the brainstorm will soon show itself. Our Farmer Friend has been raising a few pigs (they do not eat pork) due to the excess milk and crop waste they have. Speaking with his son, we hope to have it before January. We pay him his price for the pig and he drives it to our local livestock (no poultry) butcher. Then we pay the butcher their fee for doing the work. Then we have an all natural organic pig to fill the freezer and helped support a local farmer. Out of all the main meats, I love pork and chicken....
The animal pen has been moved closer to our home side and all animals combined for the winter. Looks rather shabby (not much of an improvement really..LOL) but the Spring time plans & cattle panels will improve the over all neatness of appearance.
(I still have the Bonfire bench to bring indoors along with the other seating seen in the picture). The orange and purple disc's (inexpensive children sleds) are used in winter for Chicken/Duck waterer's. They are wide yet shallow. The frozen water slides right out when tipped and being built for cold play, they never crack. We refill with warm water 2-3 times a day depending on temperatures.This will be their 3rd winter of use. They are also great for carrying the food from the house when we stored the hay in the garage.
We are in the hopes to acquire more willow branches in the Spring.I wish to line the side property with them to obstruct more neighbor views of our property. Having the property run along the road leaves us with very little privacy. I will do the asking around to see if anyone is pruning or mind if I saw 4~ 3"thick diameter & 6 feet long branches. Push into the ground during Spring and they take root.
The animal pen has been moved closer to our home side and all animals combined for the winter. Looks rather shabby (not much of an improvement really..LOL) but the Spring time plans & cattle panels will improve the over all neatness of appearance.
(I still have the Bonfire bench to bring indoors along with the other seating seen in the picture). The orange and purple disc's (inexpensive children sleds) are used in winter for Chicken/Duck waterer's. They are wide yet shallow. The frozen water slides right out when tipped and being built for cold play, they never crack. We refill with warm water 2-3 times a day depending on temperatures.This will be their 3rd winter of use. They are also great for carrying the food from the house when we stored the hay in the garage.We are in the hopes to acquire more willow branches in the Spring.I wish to line the side property with them to obstruct more neighbor views of our property. Having the property run along the road leaves us with very little privacy. I will do the asking around to see if anyone is pruning or mind if I saw 4~ 3"thick diameter & 6 feet long branches. Push into the ground during Spring and they take root.
So those are all the big plans as of now. I have not even begun the bigger garden plans and seed charting. Tractor boy will have more work come Spring. I want to expand the garden 5 more feet towards that other neighbor and add in a small mustard seed crop. I want to try my hand at home grown and made mustard. I am working on my organizational skills and hope to stay focused on the plans. I am still working on my May herb and Craft fair items, but it is slow getting all of my sewing done for the holidays and trying to finish everything else. I still have plenty time, but more personal time & organization is desired.
Promises to be a real adventure around here soon.
Promises to be a real adventure around here soon.
The planning is such great fun, but the work will bring the true happiness.
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie
~Tammie
Friday, November 23, 2007
Sale Offer For the Holidays on In Stock Furniture!
Wholesale Furniture Brokers now have the Cicero dining table set from Rizzon Furniture, the platform cappuccino Retro Bedroom, Zurich Bedroom, Wilshire Bedroom, and Domain Bedroom sets from Lifestyle Solutions, and the Worth platform bed by Modloft In Stock!
For a limited time, customers shopping at GoWFB can save up to an additional $200 and ensure delivery in time for Christmas on our In Stock dining room and platform bedroom sets. We recommend ordering by November 30th to ensure holiday ship times. Our In Stock items usually ship within 5 - 10 days!
How does one get this deal? - Visit our Furniture Specials page for details, order directly online or over the phone at (866) 595-8930.
Note - coupon code applies only to the Cicero by Rizzon Furniture, Retro, Zurich, Wilshire, and Domain cappuccino by Lifestyle Solutions, and Worth by Modloft merchandise.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Easy homemade Graham cracker recipe & turkey brine
I experimented with a graham cracker recipe out of Mary Jane Butter's book with success. I substituted 3 items in it for what I had on hand which made it even better in our opinion. I used Whole wheat Graham flour from Hodgson mills instead of plain wheat,Vanilla in place of coconut extract and plain cow milk for the coconut milk. Next batch I will need to add cinnamon to the mix . You could tell it was missing. But this by far tastes better then any store bought graham!
The recipe is so simple that Panda can do it all by herself with me chatting away as she mixes it all up. (Snowflake cookie cutter looking like stars)
A round of Yuppy S'mores were had along with a tall cold glass of milk for the big taste test.
(** yuppy smores is when you use the electric burner range -on high- instead of an open flame such as a fireplace or bonfire. A fondue skewer is used to hold the marshmallow over the burner and slowly rotating to prevent scorching or flame burst. I came up with that name while teaching at the after school programs in the YMCA. I would hold a cocoa day for the kids during winter and once a month we would make S'mores over the range. I was asked by a fellow young counselor what I was making and being the smart mouth I can be, replied "Yuppy S'mores".
She was an aspiring yuppy..... And so the name has stuck.**)
I have the turkey in the brine, the Muscovy brine is boiling as I write this and the sugar cookie dough is about to come out for pumpkin shaped name card cookies. We will be spending our holiday as always, visiting my In laws. We eat at my Sister in law/brother in law's home- and I bring the turkey every year. This year they will be treated with a new taste. Home grown fresh Muscovy. I hope I do not mess this up. I do not want their first taste of it to be undesirable. I would like for it to be an experience, especially since most of them have never had duck of any kind and others did not like the duck they have had before.
So here is to a wonderful day full of Thanks, Love, and new experiences **cheers**.
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie
The recipe is so simple that Panda can do it all by herself with me chatting away as she mixes it all up. (Snowflake cookie cutter looking like stars)
A round of Yuppy S'mores were had along with a tall cold glass of milk for the big taste test.
(** yuppy smores is when you use the electric burner range -on high- instead of an open flame such as a fireplace or bonfire. A fondue skewer is used to hold the marshmallow over the burner and slowly rotating to prevent scorching or flame burst. I came up with that name while teaching at the after school programs in the YMCA. I would hold a cocoa day for the kids during winter and once a month we would make S'mores over the range. I was asked by a fellow young counselor what I was making and being the smart mouth I can be, replied "Yuppy S'mores".
She was an aspiring yuppy..... And so the name has stuck.**)
I have the turkey in the brine, the Muscovy brine is boiling as I write this and the sugar cookie dough is about to come out for pumpkin shaped name card cookies. We will be spending our holiday as always, visiting my In laws. We eat at my Sister in law/brother in law's home- and I bring the turkey every year. This year they will be treated with a new taste. Home grown fresh Muscovy. I hope I do not mess this up. I do not want their first taste of it to be undesirable. I would like for it to be an experience, especially since most of them have never had duck of any kind and others did not like the duck they have had before.
So here is to a wonderful day full of Thanks, Love, and new experiences **cheers**.
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie
Saturday, November 17, 2007
surgery canceled, sewing a storm, & what are these?!
As many of you have read, my hand surgery was scheduled for this last Monday. At the last minute I had to cancel due to people we were relying on to pick up the children from school for a few days, had other plans and did not bother to tell us. Actually, they mentioned it to the children who told me 2 days before the surgery. They knew a month in advance of the surgery and since they normally have the older 2 on one of the days, I had no reason to think it would be a problem.
So at 6:30 in the morning on cut day. I had to call and make the cancellations. No one was happy about it, but I had no alternative. How was i suppose to drive to pick up the kids if I have to shift gears with my right hand? The cut starts in the upper palm/wrist area and goes into the wrist just a bit. Can't shift with my elbow. Besides, the muscles will be sore from being cut the day before.
Anyway, to put my perturbed energy to good use, I have been sewing like crazy. I made a pair of PJ pants for Lil' man and Frog.
The fabric for Lil' Man matches the bed comforter I made for him a few months back. I trimmed it in dark blue and khaki. For Frog I used a fun snuggle flannel with "chick chicks" or rather hens and eggs. The trim is a calico remnant I had on hand which gave a nice contrast for leg cuffs and waistband. I have 3 more pairs cut out and on the to do pile next to my machine.
While shopping for fabric, I noticed the simplicity patterns on sale for $1.99 and fell with the temptation into a chair at the book table. I found a fun "design your own" pattern and quickly snatched it from the file cabinets. This is from their Jr. & Jr. plus designs-Simplicity pattern # 3807.
I love the finished look with a long sleeve shirt under it. The back is black since I did not have enough fabric to complete this. I LOVED the plaid, which was on clearance for $2 a yard (normally $12.99). Which only 1 yard was left on the bolt. I knew I had some black at home just in case. As you can see, I am not very good at pleating/gathering. I plan to make another of these in a different fabric to go with another of my long sleeve thin shirts.
This was a fun pattern and despite the few "looks like a maternity shirt" comments, I will continue to wear it. Of course many people seem to think since I am thin I should be prancing around half naked. I would rather not-Thank you very much. Just because i am thin does not mean I should dress like Brittney Spears or some other slutty pop star. I dress in what I like and going into public I do not like to wear strappy tanks and daisy dukes. In the garden while its 94 F degrees is one thing, but thats where the line is drawn (and I do not wear daisy dukes- it's more like Khaki cargos).
And these little buggers seem to have taken over the yard and our house!
They are every where! I noticed them close to mid/late Summer.They were all around the Goat Cabin. Now they have migrated into our home and in the corners outside. What are they? They have never been here before or I would have noticed.
Anyone know how to kill these buggers? Gets nasty when you seem them crawling across the kitchen floor. Really gross! I do not understand why in the 6 years we have been here, these have suddenly popped up and taken over. I am fine with the lady bugs. But these are just nasty.
Today we are making homemade graham crackers from the recipe in Mary Jane Butters book. It is the experiment batch to see if others outside our home like them. I plan to give S'mores theme gift baskets for the winter holiday but do not want to give something that would not be enjoyed. These would be for those with a fireplace and children which will include some fresh green sticks for the open fire roasting of marshmallows.
Chia is enjoying all the falling leaves which is nice for us- less raking! So i am off to let her snack 'em up.
Sweet Dreams,
~Tammie
So at 6:30 in the morning on cut day. I had to call and make the cancellations. No one was happy about it, but I had no alternative. How was i suppose to drive to pick up the kids if I have to shift gears with my right hand? The cut starts in the upper palm/wrist area and goes into the wrist just a bit. Can't shift with my elbow. Besides, the muscles will be sore from being cut the day before.
Anyway, to put my perturbed energy to good use, I have been sewing like crazy. I made a pair of PJ pants for Lil' man and Frog.
The fabric for Lil' Man matches the bed comforter I made for him a few months back. I trimmed it in dark blue and khaki. For Frog I used a fun snuggle flannel with "chick chicks" or rather hens and eggs. The trim is a calico remnant I had on hand which gave a nice contrast for leg cuffs and waistband. I have 3 more pairs cut out and on the to do pile next to my machine.While shopping for fabric, I noticed the simplicity patterns on sale for $1.99 and fell with the temptation into a chair at the book table. I found a fun "design your own" pattern and quickly snatched it from the file cabinets. This is from their Jr. & Jr. plus designs-Simplicity pattern # 3807.
I love the finished look with a long sleeve shirt under it. The back is black since I did not have enough fabric to complete this. I LOVED the plaid, which was on clearance for $2 a yard (normally $12.99). Which only 1 yard was left on the bolt. I knew I had some black at home just in case. As you can see, I am not very good at pleating/gathering. I plan to make another of these in a different fabric to go with another of my long sleeve thin shirts.This was a fun pattern and despite the few "looks like a maternity shirt" comments, I will continue to wear it. Of course many people seem to think since I am thin I should be prancing around half naked. I would rather not-Thank you very much. Just because i am thin does not mean I should dress like Brittney Spears or some other slutty pop star. I dress in what I like and going into public I do not like to wear strappy tanks and daisy dukes. In the garden while its 94 F degrees is one thing, but thats where the line is drawn (and I do not wear daisy dukes- it's more like Khaki cargos).
And these little buggers seem to have taken over the yard and our house!
They are every where! I noticed them close to mid/late Summer.They were all around the Goat Cabin. Now they have migrated into our home and in the corners outside. What are they? They have never been here before or I would have noticed.
Anyone know how to kill these buggers? Gets nasty when you seem them crawling across the kitchen floor. Really gross! I do not understand why in the 6 years we have been here, these have suddenly popped up and taken over. I am fine with the lady bugs. But these are just nasty.
Today we are making homemade graham crackers from the recipe in Mary Jane Butters book. It is the experiment batch to see if others outside our home like them. I plan to give S'mores theme gift baskets for the winter holiday but do not want to give something that would not be enjoyed. These would be for those with a fireplace and children which will include some fresh green sticks for the open fire roasting of marshmallows.
Chia is enjoying all the falling leaves which is nice for us- less raking! So i am off to let her snack 'em up.
Sweet Dreams,
~Tammie
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Curbside find, free trees, plus the Dad & daughter dance
The hardwood floors in our living room need attention soon. A sanding and refinish need to be done, but their are lots of other things before it. The floor is also very cold and uncomfortable for the children to play on. I have priced rugs large enough to cover the space for the winter and protect the floor while it awaits a new preserving finish. What I liked was way out of the price range and the ones that were close to affordable were, well, ugly. Money that could be spent for that new wood burner for the basement.
So just this week as I was taking Lil' Man to preschool, I spotted a huge 9x20 rug rolled up on the curbside. I always stop and ask the home resident before taking and to inquire of any faults that may affect my decision. Needless to say, there were a few baby blue paint spot on the outside corner portion and a grey spot in the other. Nothing a good shampooing and goof- off could not handle, but I was not going to share that tidbit with them. No pets in the home so no "accident spots". Total SCORE! So I loaded this massive rolled up rug into My Vue and continued our way to drop Lil' man off.
(you can see the spots I mentioned in this pic before its shampooing- and the need to paint a finish coat over the white primer. get in line...)
I got the rug inside and did notice a small corner was cut out which fit the fish tank table area. This rug fit perfectly in the space I needed. A powerful "shop vac" cleaning and Lysol spraying were applied and set to dry. It is so thick and springy to our feet- maybe due to hard wood floors under our feet, but it quickly became a favorite play spot for the children. Cars and dolls were brought out, followed by book reading the latest acquired American girls book (Josephina) with a blanket wrapped around shoulders. One woman's junk is another woman's treasure.
I desire more trees along our roadside to block view of our open side of land. The 1 acre that sits to our house side. I need a fast growing tree, with low branches but beautiful to look at and enticing to watch on a breezy summer day. While at my cousins home ( use to be my grandmother's house), I asked for permission to trim off a few thick branches. I read online that by cutting the branches of a willow tree and placing in water, they will root on their own. Of course their tree has few real thick branches, so I am experimenting with ones of a 3/4 inch diameter. These trees can grow 5 feet in one season! I am in love with willow trees. I could go on and on about why, but I will save that for a post about why the cuttings from that tree mean more to me then just any other.( I am experimenting with the apple side shoot branch in the willow water. Would like to see if it would take root or not.) I will keep you informed of any success.
The annual Father Daughter dance at Panda's school took place last evening. 
She looks forward to going every year and hopefully will continue to go untill its end in the 6th grade. Their theme each year is Cinderella's Ball, and this year they added "carriage rides" for the girls and their escorts. I was excited for her, then the captain informed me when they returned it was nothing more then a wagon ride with 15-20 people. For $10 a couple! I understand time frames. I understand a need to make money for the PTO. But come' on! That was chintzy and wrong to have advertised it as a "carriage ride for the you and your escort". Obviously, I was rather perturbed about the whole portrayal of an actual carriage- and at that price I would not have thought otherwise. Maybe a short 5 minute jaunt to accomadate everyone befitting the price. But I certainly would not have thought it would be a hay wagon!
She enjoyed herself very much and danced the night away with her friends and her 2 escorts- grandpa and daddy.
The escorts enjoyed themselves more so that they had each other to talk to while the girls ran around the gym together. The Ball was over by 9 (or as their clock struck midnight), so the 3 of them went to dinner before heading home.The princess fell fast asleep as soon as her precious head fell upon her pillow, forgetting to remove her crown....
sweet dreams, ~Tammie
So just this week as I was taking Lil' Man to preschool, I spotted a huge 9x20 rug rolled up on the curbside. I always stop and ask the home resident before taking and to inquire of any faults that may affect my decision. Needless to say, there were a few baby blue paint spot on the outside corner portion and a grey spot in the other. Nothing a good shampooing and goof- off could not handle, but I was not going to share that tidbit with them. No pets in the home so no "accident spots". Total SCORE! So I loaded this massive rolled up rug into My Vue and continued our way to drop Lil' man off.
(you can see the spots I mentioned in this pic before its shampooing- and the need to paint a finish coat over the white primer. get in line...)
I got the rug inside and did notice a small corner was cut out which fit the fish tank table area. This rug fit perfectly in the space I needed. A powerful "shop vac" cleaning and Lysol spraying were applied and set to dry. It is so thick and springy to our feet- maybe due to hard wood floors under our feet, but it quickly became a favorite play spot for the children. Cars and dolls were brought out, followed by book reading the latest acquired American girls book (Josephina) with a blanket wrapped around shoulders. One woman's junk is another woman's treasure.I desire more trees along our roadside to block view of our open side of land. The 1 acre that sits to our house side. I need a fast growing tree, with low branches but beautiful to look at and enticing to watch on a breezy summer day. While at my cousins home ( use to be my grandmother's house), I asked for permission to trim off a few thick branches. I read online that by cutting the branches of a willow tree and placing in water, they will root on their own. Of course their tree has few real thick branches, so I am experimenting with ones of a 3/4 inch diameter. These trees can grow 5 feet in one season! I am in love with willow trees. I could go on and on about why, but I will save that for a post about why the cuttings from that tree mean more to me then just any other.( I am experimenting with the apple side shoot branch in the willow water. Would like to see if it would take root or not.) I will keep you informed of any success.
The annual Father Daughter dance at Panda's school took place last evening. 
She looks forward to going every year and hopefully will continue to go untill its end in the 6th grade. Their theme each year is Cinderella's Ball, and this year they added "carriage rides" for the girls and their escorts. I was excited for her, then the captain informed me when they returned it was nothing more then a wagon ride with 15-20 people. For $10 a couple! I understand time frames. I understand a need to make money for the PTO. But come' on! That was chintzy and wrong to have advertised it as a "carriage ride for the you and your escort". Obviously, I was rather perturbed about the whole portrayal of an actual carriage- and at that price I would not have thought otherwise. Maybe a short 5 minute jaunt to accomadate everyone befitting the price. But I certainly would not have thought it would be a hay wagon!She enjoyed herself very much and danced the night away with her friends and her 2 escorts- grandpa and daddy.
The escorts enjoyed themselves more so that they had each other to talk to while the girls ran around the gym together. The Ball was over by 9 (or as their clock struck midnight), so the 3 of them went to dinner before heading home.The princess fell fast asleep as soon as her precious head fell upon her pillow, forgetting to remove her crown....sweet dreams, ~Tammie
Friday, November 9, 2007
SM Divani 100% Leather Sofa Bed Sleepers
Wholesale Furniture Brokers is currently in talks with SM Divani regarding their unique styles of 100% leather sofas and sofa beds.
Would manufacturer images like these aid you in your search for furniture online? Few furniture listings have interior images and construction details. Please see the images below of their "Chester" model, covered here in 100% white leather.
Would manufacturer images like these aid you in your search for furniture online? Few furniture listings have interior images and construction details. Please see the images below of their "Chester" model, covered here in 100% white leather.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Aruba Sofa Bed - Price Reduced!
Price change in effect immediately on one of our most popular sofa bed convertibles at Wholesale Furniture Brokers!
We have just reduced the price on Lifestyle Solutions Aruba Sofa Beds to $449! These popular sofa bed convertibles are available in the following color options:
- Black Aruba Sofa Bed
- Khaki / Brown Aruba Sofa Bed
Shipping to your home anywhere in the U.S. is just $100, you own this sofa bed for just $599! Ship 2 or more for just $150! We ship directly from the manufacturer so you know your set is brand new. Visit our site today to view these and many other sofa bed options.
We have just reduced the price on Lifestyle Solutions Aruba Sofa Beds to $449! These popular sofa bed convertibles are available in the following color options:
- Black Aruba Sofa Bed
- Khaki / Brown Aruba Sofa Bed
Shipping to your home anywhere in the U.S. is just $100, you own this sofa bed for just $599! Ship 2 or more for just $150! We ship directly from the manufacturer so you know your set is brand new. Visit our site today to view these and many other sofa bed options.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Winding down the 'stead...
I am still pondering the name deal and appreciate the suggestions I have received. They have really had my brain pondering what is best. I am hoping to have enough items accomplished to do a craft show in late November/early December. On the 12th is my hand surgery so I have to do the bumble bee and get what I can done now. At least the ducks will be processed and I have less animals to care for during the winter. I am so excited to have Muscovy for dinner at least one time this week. I found a duck recipe in one of my old Victoria magazines- October 1996 to be exact. The Captain is not fond of fruity meat dishes so this one will be the tester of our Muscovy meat. It is Roasted duck breast with Spaetzle and fall vegetables. If it turns out to be worthy, I will share the recipe and a photo later on.
I have been so busy with the children lately, I have not gone more then 10 minutes with out a child at my side- even in sleep. I have had no time to clearly think and Saturday afternoon I took my moment. The Captain was finishing up the laundry for me and I drove off to the Reservoir. I walked a quiet trail for an hour and then found a splendid dock area with all these little fisherman boats. The trees were in their colorful fall splendor and I just sat on the shore, staring out across the water.
It was pure ecstasy. No people around except the few small boats floating on the water.
While there I did find a downed branch and sawed it into portions fitting the truck bed. Yes- sawed.... What? You dont carry a saw every where with you? I guess the cloth bag, blanket, boots, & bottled water in the back plus deodorant and toothbrush/paste in the glove compartment is not normal either Ay? Well it's about time you realize- I am not Normal...
So the wood pieces are being cut into portions for the seed saver "jars" and the other fat trunk is being cut into legs for a smaller bench- with a quilted top cushion. Gotta get it all pounded together and glued TODAY!After all, my hammer hand is the right and it may be awhile before I get to pound again.
We are putting a wood burner in the basement this month. After the whole insulation factor was discovered, we thought it best to take what we would spend for a month of gas into the purchase of a burner. You may be thinking "Tammie, thats not enough to buy a decent size burner.". Ummm wrong. You see, i have been leaving out the fact that last winter we had gas bills anywhere from $500- $800 US dollars A MONTH! That is insane! The home is only 1179 square feet LIVING space. The home is coming off the market since it is at a terrible low which means we would not get at least the minimum of what we need for it. So I can share that bit with you now.
I have been a little sad lately which is another reason I have not been posting. I am missing someone that I have loved and lost long ago. Fall always brings the sentimental side of me out. So please bear with me and soon i will be back to my usual self.
May the heat of the day bring long walks amongst the crunch of fallen leaves, and the chilly nights find you on the front porch, wrapped in a blanket with the one you love.
Sweet dreams,
Tammie
I have been so busy with the children lately, I have not gone more then 10 minutes with out a child at my side- even in sleep. I have had no time to clearly think and Saturday afternoon I took my moment. The Captain was finishing up the laundry for me and I drove off to the Reservoir. I walked a quiet trail for an hour and then found a splendid dock area with all these little fisherman boats. The trees were in their colorful fall splendor and I just sat on the shore, staring out across the water.
It was pure ecstasy. No people around except the few small boats floating on the water.
While there I did find a downed branch and sawed it into portions fitting the truck bed. Yes- sawed.... What? You dont carry a saw every where with you? I guess the cloth bag, blanket, boots, & bottled water in the back plus deodorant and toothbrush/paste in the glove compartment is not normal either Ay? Well it's about time you realize- I am not Normal...
So the wood pieces are being cut into portions for the seed saver "jars" and the other fat trunk is being cut into legs for a smaller bench- with a quilted top cushion. Gotta get it all pounded together and glued TODAY!After all, my hammer hand is the right and it may be awhile before I get to pound again.
We are putting a wood burner in the basement this month. After the whole insulation factor was discovered, we thought it best to take what we would spend for a month of gas into the purchase of a burner. You may be thinking "Tammie, thats not enough to buy a decent size burner.". Ummm wrong. You see, i have been leaving out the fact that last winter we had gas bills anywhere from $500- $800 US dollars A MONTH! That is insane! The home is only 1179 square feet LIVING space. The home is coming off the market since it is at a terrible low which means we would not get at least the minimum of what we need for it. So I can share that bit with you now.
I have been a little sad lately which is another reason I have not been posting. I am missing someone that I have loved and lost long ago. Fall always brings the sentimental side of me out. So please bear with me and soon i will be back to my usual self.
May the heat of the day bring long walks amongst the crunch of fallen leaves, and the chilly nights find you on the front porch, wrapped in a blanket with the one you love.
Sweet dreams,
Tammie
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Hitting a wall
Playing around with my esty store name "Buy the farm" has brought me to a halt on the net. That name is actually copyrighted by the farmers almanac. OOPS! So now I am brainstorming on what I should do. Good thing I have not run off cards with that name. So now I am wondering if i should go with "The Unusual Farmchick" as my name for craft shows/selling. I worry it may infringe on "The Farm Chicks". There are some similarity in items such as Aprons and shoulder bags- well, they sell totes. I do sew with some vintage materials where I do think their fabrics are new but their pendants are vintage wall paper. I can not help but wonder if this is setting myself up for a big wall hit in the future with the names. Anyone know about this kinda thing? I love the name I have held for 2 years as the unusually unusual farmchick, but it's a bit long for business. The Unusual Farmchick sounds better to my ears and looks best to my eyes. I have farmchick as one word instead of two which adds to the unusualness in my opinion. After all, I am not the usual farm chick that most think of.
Hmmm.... I could really use some advice other then "contact a lawyer" who will charge a fee. Where do i look for the right information without getting anymore confused on the whole copyrighting names? The Captain said in his business class (in college) they said the cheap way to copyright a name is to mail yourself the information and such in a sealed envelope. That way it has the stamped date and name on the front and keep it sealed for any future "event". That is what the professor said- not sure how accurate his advice is though.
I wanted to share this picture of an old potting shed from a home for sale not too far from here. I love the weather vane and if possible, hope to negotiate the owners for it's purchase:
The home is next to a bar/restaurant and they hope to sell it for something like a lawyers office. Which to me means they will not be keeping the grapevines and arbor and could careless about the potting sheds ornament out back. Although the bar next to it has shown interest to knock it all down and put Bocci courts in... So we will see what comes of it after the winter.
Future dreams,
~Tammie
Hmmm.... I could really use some advice other then "contact a lawyer" who will charge a fee. Where do i look for the right information without getting anymore confused on the whole copyrighting names? The Captain said in his business class (in college) they said the cheap way to copyright a name is to mail yourself the information and such in a sealed envelope. That way it has the stamped date and name on the front and keep it sealed for any future "event". That is what the professor said- not sure how accurate his advice is though.
I wanted to share this picture of an old potting shed from a home for sale not too far from here. I love the weather vane and if possible, hope to negotiate the owners for it's purchase:
The home is next to a bar/restaurant and they hope to sell it for something like a lawyers office. Which to me means they will not be keeping the grapevines and arbor and could careless about the potting sheds ornament out back. Although the bar next to it has shown interest to knock it all down and put Bocci courts in... So we will see what comes of it after the winter.
Future dreams,
~Tammie
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Favorite holiday of the year & soft cut out cookies
A quick unedited post~
I have been consumed with getting the 3 children's Halloween costumes ready. Between the end of the week school parties and Trick or Treating in their grandparents neighborhood, I believe Candy is overtaking my house. Not that they have free range of it- I put it in a basket and hide it above the fridge beyond where their hands can reach even with the highest chair. After a week it all "mysteriously" disappears.
That neighborhood is where the Captain grew up and many of his friends still have parents who live there. of course, it was mostly their homes we made a point to visit and they would dump a big bunch in each of their bags. We were told "these are our children's children- they get all they want". LOL. Panda has been going there since her first time out in costume so it is always a treat for them as well to see her grow from Frog's size to a young lady.
Most of the pictures did not come out well, so these are the best of the evening. (no one around here seems to believe in beggars night on actual Halloween anymore due to all the bad hype of others).
I have been consumed with getting the 3 children's Halloween costumes ready. Between the end of the week school parties and Trick or Treating in their grandparents neighborhood, I believe Candy is overtaking my house. Not that they have free range of it- I put it in a basket and hide it above the fridge beyond where their hands can reach even with the highest chair. After a week it all "mysteriously" disappears.
That neighborhood is where the Captain grew up and many of his friends still have parents who live there. of course, it was mostly their homes we made a point to visit and they would dump a big bunch in each of their bags. We were told "these are our children's children- they get all they want". LOL. Panda has been going there since her first time out in costume so it is always a treat for them as well to see her grow from Frog's size to a young lady.
Most of the pictures did not come out well, so these are the best of the evening. (no one around here seems to believe in beggars night on actual Halloween anymore due to all the bad hype of others).
Panda as a "wood land fairy"
This costume was a request from the catalog she found at her grandparents. I was asked to make her one like this*. Of course, i was thinking warmth so she had to go with the above. She was fine with it but not happy about the wings. She was upset because so many people thought she was a butterfly... Sorry chica-mommy can only do so much and wings are not one of them.
Frog is a white chicken- (Thank you Martha Stewart for the cool idea!) and Lil' monster- I mean Man - is Frankenstein. The head is from the bottom portion of a milk jug. Painted green, scar stitching is embroidery floss and the hair is faux fur. Of course the costume would not be complete without the bolts jutting out from the sides, a dark blazer, grey wool sweater and shredded pants. his face paint was coming off within minutes of it coming on, so it is rather faded. The rain sprinkled down upon us, but the beggars were not to be held back. they marched on, knocking on doors and in sweet frightening voices would say "trick or treat".
Lots of compliments on all the costumes made me feel happy. I am a stickler for homemade costumes pieced together with imagination and fun. I hate to see so many store bought ones. Where is the imagination? The charm? The spirit behind what halloween has always been? You get to be something/someone different for 1 day and get treats. Put some effort into it people! (and I do not mean by standing amongst the aisles of crappy pieced together choices they sell at stores) Ack!
I have been baking as much as possible since I do not want to turn the gas heat on. We are looking to lay insulation next month since we have just 1 1/2 inches up there- and who knows why it is that low. I use an old electric rom heater for the couch area but the mornings are so cold, it is hard to get out of bed.
This costume was a request from the catalog she found at her grandparents. I was asked to make her one like this*. Of course, i was thinking warmth so she had to go with the above. She was fine with it but not happy about the wings. She was upset because so many people thought she was a butterfly... Sorry chica-mommy can only do so much and wings are not one of them.
Frog is a white chicken- (Thank you Martha Stewart for the cool idea!) and Lil' monster- I mean Man - is Frankenstein. The head is from the bottom portion of a milk jug. Painted green, scar stitching is embroidery floss and the hair is faux fur. Of course the costume would not be complete without the bolts jutting out from the sides, a dark blazer, grey wool sweater and shredded pants. his face paint was coming off within minutes of it coming on, so it is rather faded. The rain sprinkled down upon us, but the beggars were not to be held back. they marched on, knocking on doors and in sweet frightening voices would say "trick or treat".
Lots of compliments on all the costumes made me feel happy. I am a stickler for homemade costumes pieced together with imagination and fun. I hate to see so many store bought ones. Where is the imagination? The charm? The spirit behind what halloween has always been? You get to be something/someone different for 1 day and get treats. Put some effort into it people! (and I do not mean by standing amongst the aisles of crappy pieced together choices they sell at stores) Ack!I have been baking as much as possible since I do not want to turn the gas heat on. We are looking to lay insulation next month since we have just 1 1/2 inches up there- and who knows why it is that low. I use an old electric rom heater for the couch area but the mornings are so cold, it is hard to get out of bed.
Anyway, after many trials over the years of cut out sugar cookies, I have found a way to keep them soft instead of crunchy. For those of you out there in search of the best recipe- thinking it is the recipe- here is the big secret! First (starting out with a good tasting & trusty recipe) you need to make sure when you roll out your dough it is a minimum of 1/4 inch thick. After laying your cut out's on the cookie sheet and baking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit , do not let them over bake. Do not let them get golden. 5-7 minutes is all that is needed with the above thickness. Put your timer and oven light on. start checking after 5 minutes. When you take them out, their bottoms should not be dark. A light golden color ON THE BOTTOM is what you want. The ones below are actually more cooked by 2 minutes then my normal timing. They were a second batch and I was busy shooing those darn Ducks off my car. Freezer camp is coming but not soon enough.
I wish I had known that helpful information when I started baking many, many, many Moons ago. The recipe is from a cookbook called " The all new good housekeeping cook book".
I have found many great and useful recipes in that book. I do believe my extent of its use has been solely for breads and baked goods. Dinner recipes are mostly from my head. So I am not able to vouch on the other sections.
The children have trick or treating in MY grandmothers neighborhood today. Every year we do both. But I limit the streets to 4, since it is rather large in there. Not all houses participate, but the kids love seeing their friends in costume and socializing outside of school.
I have also been informed by Miss Panda, that she is to be a scary witch next year. Of course I hate the scary stereo types put out on that so I will try to swerve her with a Victorian gown & a "harry potter teachers style" hat. we can do make up to add mystery and scare, but NO black shredded dresses or green hook noses with warts! I will try to make a "real" witch broom, complete with a tree limb handle for her to carry. But this year is not over yet...
I LOVE this holiday!
Hooves need trimmed, leaves need raked. My car needs cleaned, and Frankensteins head needs repainting thanks to the drizzle.So I'm off......
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie
I have found many great and useful recipes in that book. I do believe my extent of its use has been solely for breads and baked goods. Dinner recipes are mostly from my head. So I am not able to vouch on the other sections.
The children have trick or treating in MY grandmothers neighborhood today. Every year we do both. But I limit the streets to 4, since it is rather large in there. Not all houses participate, but the kids love seeing their friends in costume and socializing outside of school.
I have also been informed by Miss Panda, that she is to be a scary witch next year. Of course I hate the scary stereo types put out on that so I will try to swerve her with a Victorian gown & a "harry potter teachers style" hat. we can do make up to add mystery and scare, but NO black shredded dresses or green hook noses with warts! I will try to make a "real" witch broom, complete with a tree limb handle for her to carry. But this year is not over yet...
I LOVE this holiday!
Hooves need trimmed, leaves need raked. My car needs cleaned, and Frankensteins head needs repainting thanks to the drizzle.So I'm off......
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie
Monday, October 22, 2007
Furniture News: Furniture.com has acquired FurnitureFind.com
On Oct. 9th, 2007, Furniture.com announced that it has acquired FurnitureFind.com without disclosing terms of the deal. According to the PR, the existing customers of FurnitureFind will have their orders fulfilled. If you look on the FurnitureFind website, many of the products are showing as ‘out of stock’ so the companies are quickly switching to Furniture.com’s model of fulfilling orders through local retailers. The press release is published on FurnitureFind.com but nothing of it is mentioned at Furniture.com, not even on their press page.
Does anyone have any comments on what this means for eCommerce in the furniture industry?
Anyone want to speculate on what value FurnitureFind.com sold for?
Does anyone have any comments on what this means for eCommerce in the furniture industry?
Anyone want to speculate on what value FurnitureFind.com sold for?
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Future projects- do i dare?
I have been searching through the book shelves at our local libraries and devouring as many project books I can. My search has led me to many brainstorms and the urge to try new things. (A much needed boost to the seasonal blues creeping in as the leaves turn color, falling to the ground, the wind blows colder and the nights get longer... )
In these books, I have found a a few projects such as limb/branch chairs, a wood farm house style (easy to make) table, beach (sea) glass wind chimes, concrete bowls/troughs, and a few picnic handy dandies I am itching to try. Now is the time to trim up the trees and collect fallen branches.
I am calling the maintenance guy from our local state park to see if I can get some limbs from their tree cutting (not sure if they allow it which is why I am asking) and start on a few little things. I'm excited to try projects aside from sewing. Do not get me wrong. I love sewing but it seems to have not given me the joy I once received. Throwing a twist in my creativity may just be the break I desire.
While at said above park, I came upon a newer concrete trough. There use to be an ancient one from when it was owned by a well known family and the years have had its wear on it. So they replaced it with an almost identical one in the same spot. To make one of these into a "pond" is just what I have been looking for- but not as tall:
The Captain and I will be playing with cement tomorrow as we try making a few large bowls. Hopefully our experimenting will turn out well and we can advance to a trough pond before its too cold. One with 2 sections and one spilling into the other with moss all around. Something more Natural. Something the coons could not rip a hole in! Unlike the rubber forms or the hard plastic ones you dig holes for and buy at the local hardware. A great place to put our tadpole / frog collecting bounty next Spring. That and the pet store sells orange multi color feeder fish REAL cheap. They have already tripled their size in the kid's tank in the 2 months they have been here. I call it the "cheap koi" alternative. No $50 dollar fish here. Nope. Feeder fish have very similar colors and patterns plus they seem to grow real quick. If they keep the rate they have been going, they should be well over 6 inches by next May.
I have been rather chicken about doing any of the nice country Craft fairs (there I admit it!) and think I will just set a goal to do a small and local Herb Craft Fair in May. This way 1.) I have long enough to get a good supply up and am in no big rush 2.) I can be diverse in my offerings and not have just sewing projects- I am thinking to add a few other nature projects I have yet to reveal. and 3.) Yes, I can always back out if I have failed my goal but by giving such a long time frame I can also make sure I meet that goal.
No promises since I ( I know- surprising ay?) have a bit of a social fear when around others I may be in competition with. In that case being money and some people just are not nice! Not that I can not handle it, But there are times of the month I just seem to be rather "hermit like" and insecure. It is not all the time, but it does make an appearance. Hopefully it does not come when the event is going on.
I promise to reveal some of the Nature projects AFTER they are finished. But for now, I must get out and collect lots of supplies. 'Tis the season to be crafty!
Daring Dreams,
~Tammie
In these books, I have found a a few projects such as limb/branch chairs, a wood farm house style (easy to make) table, beach (sea) glass wind chimes, concrete bowls/troughs, and a few picnic handy dandies I am itching to try. Now is the time to trim up the trees and collect fallen branches.
I am calling the maintenance guy from our local state park to see if I can get some limbs from their tree cutting (not sure if they allow it which is why I am asking) and start on a few little things. I'm excited to try projects aside from sewing. Do not get me wrong. I love sewing but it seems to have not given me the joy I once received. Throwing a twist in my creativity may just be the break I desire.
While at said above park, I came upon a newer concrete trough. There use to be an ancient one from when it was owned by a well known family and the years have had its wear on it. So they replaced it with an almost identical one in the same spot. To make one of these into a "pond" is just what I have been looking for- but not as tall:
The Captain and I will be playing with cement tomorrow as we try making a few large bowls. Hopefully our experimenting will turn out well and we can advance to a trough pond before its too cold. One with 2 sections and one spilling into the other with moss all around. Something more Natural. Something the coons could not rip a hole in! Unlike the rubber forms or the hard plastic ones you dig holes for and buy at the local hardware. A great place to put our tadpole / frog collecting bounty next Spring. That and the pet store sells orange multi color feeder fish REAL cheap. They have already tripled their size in the kid's tank in the 2 months they have been here. I call it the "cheap koi" alternative. No $50 dollar fish here. Nope. Feeder fish have very similar colors and patterns plus they seem to grow real quick. If they keep the rate they have been going, they should be well over 6 inches by next May.I have been rather chicken about doing any of the nice country Craft fairs (there I admit it!) and think I will just set a goal to do a small and local Herb Craft Fair in May. This way 1.) I have long enough to get a good supply up and am in no big rush 2.) I can be diverse in my offerings and not have just sewing projects- I am thinking to add a few other nature projects I have yet to reveal. and 3.) Yes, I can always back out if I have failed my goal but by giving such a long time frame I can also make sure I meet that goal.
No promises since I ( I know- surprising ay?) have a bit of a social fear when around others I may be in competition with. In that case being money and some people just are not nice! Not that I can not handle it, But there are times of the month I just seem to be rather "hermit like" and insecure. It is not all the time, but it does make an appearance. Hopefully it does not come when the event is going on.
I promise to reveal some of the Nature projects AFTER they are finished. But for now, I must get out and collect lots of supplies. 'Tis the season to be crafty!
Daring Dreams,
~Tammie
Friday, October 19, 2007
I have not forgot you...
Just have too much water in the pan.....
I have been very busy and sidetracked with the happenings of our life. I have been up and down, in and out in so many ways, it is confusing.
I am almost done with the bathroom's last stage of remodeling. Other rooms have seen their share of revamping, but mostly just moved appliances and furniture. I have been stumped on what to use for a curtain on the bathroom window and it finally came to me. A ROMAN SHADE!
I do not like dark rooms. I want the sun to shine in and brighten everything up. Which, if you were standing in my lawn, you may think no one lived here since I have no curtains in the living room or bedroom windows. There is 1 blind which has survived the children but it is soon to be banished with just one more mess up.
So in my search of something in place of the thick half window bathroom curtain (o.k stitch witchery hemmed canvas), I will be making a Roman shade with 2 layers of sheers. Let the sun shine in!
How can you too make your very own Roman shade? I found my "how to's" at this site. there are many different other instructional sites searching under "how to make roman shades". But the above seemed to be more simplified.
Here is an example of what Roman shades are- not my picture or home though:
I have the second layer of trimming to do now and the first layer of the main wall to do sometime this weekend. Along with finish sanding the dining room floor and get those tiles in there. Worst part? Finding a way to prevent the huge and heavy fridge from digging up the tile or scraping holes in to them.... OY!
Handy man dreams,
~Tammie
I have been very busy and sidetracked with the happenings of our life. I have been up and down, in and out in so many ways, it is confusing.
I am almost done with the bathroom's last stage of remodeling. Other rooms have seen their share of revamping, but mostly just moved appliances and furniture. I have been stumped on what to use for a curtain on the bathroom window and it finally came to me. A ROMAN SHADE!
I do not like dark rooms. I want the sun to shine in and brighten everything up. Which, if you were standing in my lawn, you may think no one lived here since I have no curtains in the living room or bedroom windows. There is 1 blind which has survived the children but it is soon to be banished with just one more mess up.
So in my search of something in place of the thick half window bathroom curtain (o.k stitch witchery hemmed canvas), I will be making a Roman shade with 2 layers of sheers. Let the sun shine in!
How can you too make your very own Roman shade? I found my "how to's" at this site. there are many different other instructional sites searching under "how to make roman shades". But the above seemed to be more simplified.
Here is an example of what Roman shades are- not my picture or home though:
I have the second layer of trimming to do now and the first layer of the main wall to do sometime this weekend. Along with finish sanding the dining room floor and get those tiles in there. Worst part? Finding a way to prevent the huge and heavy fridge from digging up the tile or scraping holes in to them.... OY!
Handy man dreams,
~Tammie
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Price Reduced on "Signature" Bedroom by Somerton
Wholesale Furniture Brokers has just reduced the price of the Signature Bedroom by Somerton Furniture by $179
Now just $1729 for the 4 Piece Set!
This is lower than Costco's online price for the same pieces (they call it the "Pearce").
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Gately's Bankrupt?
Has anyone else heard about this? Gately’s bankruptcy, which operates a number of eCommerce sites is rumoured to have filed Chapter 11. Does anyone have any hard evidence on this?
Table Pad Covers Now on a Deadline!
Throughout the year, our popular dining room table pad and pool table pad cover ship to your door within a 2-4 weeks time frame. However, with the approaching holiday season, these popular items are going to be in such high demand that the manufacturer enforces strict deadlines (below) or suggests you expect hefty delays on your order. Therefore, effective immediately:
Order your Dining Room Table Pad by Thursday, October 25th to ensure delivery before Thanksgiving!
Order your Custom Table Pad by Monday, November 26th to ensure delivery before Christmas!
Our Expedite Service will not be available Monday, October 29th - Monday, January 14th
Monday, October 15, 2007
"Bombay Furniture" closes in the U.S.
Bombay Furniture will close their stores in the U.S. following the 2007 holiday season. The joint venture of Gordon Bros. Retail Partners and Hilco Merchant Resources have won their bid for remaining U.S. inventory. They have put in an offer, that must be approved by an Ontario court, to keep remaining Canadian locations open.
Lake Erie road trip!
A long week with a long 4 day weekend that screamed for a road trip. Sunday was the big day for one. We met my In Laws for breakfast then all of us drove up to a local metro park for a nice 2 mile walk. Then we were off to the Bay Village area up by Cleveland/Rocky River. I use to take Panda and Lil man up to the Lake Erie nature and science center followed by a jaunt on the beach searching for sea glass. This day was an introduction for Frog to the ritual of our Lake erie trips. Of course Lil' Man has a VERY strong direction to fishing so The Captain took him out on the rock pier to try his hand at the "big water" fish. If you click on the picture below of Panda and frog combing the beach for their glass treasures, you will see Lil' Man and his daddy fishing from the end of the rock pier.
And just in case you have never found or seen Sea Glass, here is a look at some the afternoon treasures:
After just 1 1/2 hours, Frog was tired and panda had wet feet.
A great day at the beach of Lake Erie. A bit of an overcast with sunny spots but the wind was not too cold as of yet. I was surprised by how much cleaner it was since our last visit. Much less plastic bottles and litter. We did find a few spots which brought images of night time beach bonfires. Lots of drift wood that have fueled them too.
Today was my visit to the orthopedic surgeon for my arm. I have carpal tunnel and am having it operated on in mid November. Which means i have to re plan my Florida December trip to the next week of the Captains vacation. Which I plan to schedule in late March or early April. That will give my hand and arm enough time to recoup and a drive of almost 20 hours will be doable. This time I just wont tell anyone when I am coming since this is the second rescheduling of my trip.
I need to re-organize the Goat cabin before the sun goes away...
Sweet Dreams,
~Tammie
And just in case you have never found or seen Sea Glass, here is a look at some the afternoon treasures:
After just 1 1/2 hours, Frog was tired and panda had wet feet.
A great day at the beach of Lake Erie. A bit of an overcast with sunny spots but the wind was not too cold as of yet. I was surprised by how much cleaner it was since our last visit. Much less plastic bottles and litter. We did find a few spots which brought images of night time beach bonfires. Lots of drift wood that have fueled them too.
Today was my visit to the orthopedic surgeon for my arm. I have carpal tunnel and am having it operated on in mid November. Which means i have to re plan my Florida December trip to the next week of the Captains vacation. Which I plan to schedule in late March or early April. That will give my hand and arm enough time to recoup and a drive of almost 20 hours will be doable. This time I just wont tell anyone when I am coming since this is the second rescheduling of my trip.
I need to re-organize the Goat cabin before the sun goes away...
Sweet Dreams,
~Tammie
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Strong Canadian Dollar Means Price Drop For GoWFB.ca
Wholesale Furniture Brokers has announced a price decrease on their Canadian website (www.GoWFB.ca) in response to the appreciation of the Loonie. Select manufacturers based in the U.S.'s online listed price is lowered 5-10% for Canadian shoppers. These include listings from Lifestyle Solutions, Fairmont Designs and Modus Furniture. Here are a few notable listings of Modus Furniture that have recently been reduced:
4pc Nevis Low Profile Panel Bedroom Set - $1999 - $1749
4pc City Leather Low Profile Bedroom Set - $2559 – $2299
4pc Nevis Platform Bedroom Set - $1799 - $1689
4pc Milano Low Profile Bedroom Set - $2359 - $2189
4pc City Sleigh Bedroom Set - $2879 - $2589
4pc Milano Leather Panel Bedroom Set - $2439 - $2249
4pc City Low Profile Bedroom Set – Hudson series - $2689 - $2489
4pc Milano Panel Bedroom Set – Nevis series - $3689 - $3399
4pc Nevis Spice Low Profile Bedroom Set - $2199 - $2049
Nevis Spice Bed only - $689 - $649
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Roxbury Sofa Bed Limited Time Offer
Wholesale Furniture Brokers has discounted the beautiful Roxbury Sofa Bed by an additional $50 to just $499 for a limited time! Free shipping is even available to customers along the West Coast.
This offer is only good while current supplies last, so hurry!
Monday, October 8, 2007
The garden's last offering..
Tractor boy has been itching to try out his new cultivator. So I gleaned the garden of any last bounty and uprooted my permanent plantings before turning it over to him. I was surprised by what was hidden amongst the neglected foliage and unturned soil. Potatoes, onions, a basket filled with green tomatoes weighing as much as Frog. (about 30 pounds).The pumpkins were harvested a few weeks back and placed to rest on the table, awaiting their turn in the kitchen.
The garden after pulling all greenery (big ones anyway) except the Morning Glory wall:
And after Tractor Boy had his way with it- The yellow shovel handle is where the Morning glory wall use to be. Panda is standing in the corner of the added space for next years garden:
I believe he added an extra 8 X 20 space to the back end of the garden. He will be out this weekend to break it up more and help add in the compost before we let it rest for the winter.
Fernie has gone to live with Roseanna. She left Thursday. I know she will become stronger and improve in her health with the decision I have made. We will have the chance to purchase her back after her health is back in perfect order AND we are moved into our permanent Farmette.
I am trying to look at our situation optimistically. Real estate is not moving well for anyone- anywhere in the U.S. So I need to chin up and deal with what we have for now. We may be here for another year- which is why I let tractor Boy play in the garden and expand it. Life changes everyday in this house. If we are here for next year's garden season- I WILL be prepared.
Mulberry mead is on its last stage. i am bottling it tonite and will be saving a small bit for tractor boy's father. He is rather excited to try my home made brew. Brave chap I tell ya. At least he has not asked about The Captain's experiment with Moonshine. That stuff stinks!
I am working on a few projects to start up my Etsy shop again. The Captain has moved the children into the smaller bedroom for winter and placed my sewing and computer items in the larger back room. I can keep children out- that means no more crying fits because a certain child came in with a juice cup and ruined a months worth of sewing from grape stains and... None of it washed out either. This room is locked at all times and only I have the key!
I really enjoyed making the Picnic lawn blankets and shoulder bags. I am working on a few to see if they work well with the Etsy audience. Others have encouraged me to do those "craft bazars". I feel those are more for older woman and not my style. But who knows what tomorrow will bring...
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie
The garden after pulling all greenery (big ones anyway) except the Morning Glory wall:
And after Tractor Boy had his way with it- The yellow shovel handle is where the Morning glory wall use to be. Panda is standing in the corner of the added space for next years garden:
I believe he added an extra 8 X 20 space to the back end of the garden. He will be out this weekend to break it up more and help add in the compost before we let it rest for the winter.
Fernie has gone to live with Roseanna. She left Thursday. I know she will become stronger and improve in her health with the decision I have made. We will have the chance to purchase her back after her health is back in perfect order AND we are moved into our permanent Farmette.
I am trying to look at our situation optimistically. Real estate is not moving well for anyone- anywhere in the U.S. So I need to chin up and deal with what we have for now. We may be here for another year- which is why I let tractor Boy play in the garden and expand it. Life changes everyday in this house. If we are here for next year's garden season- I WILL be prepared.
Mulberry mead is on its last stage. i am bottling it tonite and will be saving a small bit for tractor boy's father. He is rather excited to try my home made brew. Brave chap I tell ya. At least he has not asked about The Captain's experiment with Moonshine. That stuff stinks!
I am working on a few projects to start up my Etsy shop again. The Captain has moved the children into the smaller bedroom for winter and placed my sewing and computer items in the larger back room. I can keep children out- that means no more crying fits because a certain child came in with a juice cup and ruined a months worth of sewing from grape stains and... None of it washed out either. This room is locked at all times and only I have the key!
I really enjoyed making the Picnic lawn blankets and shoulder bags. I am working on a few to see if they work well with the Etsy audience. Others have encouraged me to do those "craft bazars". I feel those are more for older woman and not my style. But who knows what tomorrow will bring...
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Chia and her massages- a silent video
When Chia first entered our lives, she was not too keen on being touched. I could barely get past her neck- if I was lucky. It took just a few short weeks of daily massage, slowly working further and further till her entire length was tolerated. She still does not like her back legs touched, but I'm not complaining. She has come a long way. All animals benefit from massage as long as it is not too rough and done properly. Have an animal that is a bit stand offish? That is how Chia began. Now she rubs up on me. Animal massage should be used on more farm animals in my opinion. The trust you build from the touch of your hand will benefit and amaze.
Just as it has for us.
How do I massage her? With a few basic moves. Nothing too in depth and never for more then a 5-10 minutes. I brought her to drool for the first time today. I so wish it had been on the silent video, but Panda somehow missed the button for the first one. We had to retake twice. This is the only time she has ever had 2 in one day.
Never- EVER massage ON the spine. Always massage on the sides of the spine gently, avoiding any bony/protruding areas. You may cause severe damage or discomfort if rubbing/massaging a spine or bone.
Pay attention to how I massage her neck. Just the gentlest , yet firm touch or "swipe over" should be used in such delicate areas. Start slowly and work your way from their head towards their back legs. Soothingly speak to them so they know your intentions are good. Be sure to not think of all the bad stuff from your day. Try to think positive and bright. They will be able to sense if you are in a rather cruddy mood and not "into" what your doing. I always walk away from it with a lighter heart. It's like a form of meditation for me. My mind just wanders on a cloud far away.. Seriously.. I just go blank and only pay attention to her and my hands.
I advise anyone who would like to try their hands at massage to first read a "how to" guide which is easily obtained from your local library or borrowed from a friend. The basic strokes for human use are the basics for animals. If you are lucky enough to find a book on animal massage, then do read up. You will find after practicing that every animal you meet- gets the basic strokes instead of a normal "petting".I find myself massaging the neighbors dog. A friends cow. (yes.. a cow.) and every time I go out to feed the girls I mindlessly massage. Your touch will never be the same.
I do not use any oils or lotions when I do massage on animals. The hair seems to be a great buffer from your hands and their skin. If they have not been cleaned, I warn you. Your hands may be rather unattractive afterwards.
This silent video is a rather quick rub down. Not her normal ritual. She had just endured a long one which I thought Panda was recording. So we did a retake with just a few minutes instead. My arms and hands were rather sore already.
It's not a professional video. Its not a great video. It is just to give you an idea of what my insane self really means when i say "I gave Chia her massage". Be sure to share the touch and enrich an animals life.
Have you massaged your goat lately?
Sweetest dreams,
Tammie
*DISCLAIMER* I am not a professional animal massage therapist. I just play one in the above video. I am in no way responsible for anyone who imitates or tries to massage an animal or human. You do so at your own risk. I just have a diploma in Massage therapy and am not licensed. Proceed at your own risk.***
Just as it has for us.
How do I massage her? With a few basic moves. Nothing too in depth and never for more then a 5-10 minutes. I brought her to drool for the first time today. I so wish it had been on the silent video, but Panda somehow missed the button for the first one. We had to retake twice. This is the only time she has ever had 2 in one day.
Never- EVER massage ON the spine. Always massage on the sides of the spine gently, avoiding any bony/protruding areas. You may cause severe damage or discomfort if rubbing/massaging a spine or bone.
Pay attention to how I massage her neck. Just the gentlest , yet firm touch or "swipe over" should be used in such delicate areas. Start slowly and work your way from their head towards their back legs. Soothingly speak to them so they know your intentions are good. Be sure to not think of all the bad stuff from your day. Try to think positive and bright. They will be able to sense if you are in a rather cruddy mood and not "into" what your doing. I always walk away from it with a lighter heart. It's like a form of meditation for me. My mind just wanders on a cloud far away.. Seriously.. I just go blank and only pay attention to her and my hands.
I advise anyone who would like to try their hands at massage to first read a "how to" guide which is easily obtained from your local library or borrowed from a friend. The basic strokes for human use are the basics for animals. If you are lucky enough to find a book on animal massage, then do read up. You will find after practicing that every animal you meet- gets the basic strokes instead of a normal "petting".I find myself massaging the neighbors dog. A friends cow. (yes.. a cow.) and every time I go out to feed the girls I mindlessly massage. Your touch will never be the same.
I do not use any oils or lotions when I do massage on animals. The hair seems to be a great buffer from your hands and their skin. If they have not been cleaned, I warn you. Your hands may be rather unattractive afterwards.
This silent video is a rather quick rub down. Not her normal ritual. She had just endured a long one which I thought Panda was recording. So we did a retake with just a few minutes instead. My arms and hands were rather sore already.
It's not a professional video. Its not a great video. It is just to give you an idea of what my insane self really means when i say "I gave Chia her massage". Be sure to share the touch and enrich an animals life.
Have you massaged your goat lately?
Sweetest dreams,
Tammie
*DISCLAIMER* I am not a professional animal massage therapist. I just play one in the above video. I am in no way responsible for anyone who imitates or tries to massage an animal or human. You do so at your own risk. I just have a diploma in Massage therapy and am not licensed. Proceed at your own risk.***
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Not so perfect 7 acre homestead
I was afraid this would happen. A great place for someone else, but not for our family. As we walked in the door, we were hit with the immense smell of cat. The kitchen was a 3 feet length of counter with a sink, a stove, and a fridge. Barely room to turn around with more then one person in it. The bathroom was a tub- no shower- a commode 6 inches from its edge and a sink just far enough away arms length. I could go on and on about the disappointment and load of work needed , but instead i will just leave it as- The house is not what our family could work around. Too much would need to be done and the price to high for building another home and tearing the old one down. Maybe for someone else who has the money to throw around, but not for us. The repairs would cost more then what the home is worth. We are better off starting with vacant land and building new.
An area where would have put a large garden. i just loved the massive willow trees placed throughout the property.
I will continue our search and am determined we need something before this place sells. Which brings me to a good tid bit of news from our realtor. A woman is looking for a home that she can have her mother live with her too. Our realtor told her of our home and it's great layout for a "mother in law suite" in the rec room. The rec room is separate from the rest of the basement/garage plus has the right spots for a bathroom and small kitchenette area. It has its own entry from the house front and small "porch" area under the upstairs balcony (front door).
The woman is interested and we decided to lower our price to perk it more.
I do not know if anything will come of it, but time will tell. I just have lost all patience with the realty business.
Fernie will be going home with Roseanna. I cannot get the anemia to go away and do not wish to sell her to someone who could not give her the attention she needs. Roseanna said the Anemia is very hard to rid out of the system and takes time. Time and experience I do not have to offer.
Roseanna will get her back into great health and will have her prepped for another family's milker. A brighter future then anywhere else I was able to find.
Chia will be going to her new home in Mid October, but I will share more of that in another post.
Until then...
~Sweet dreams, Tammie
An area where would have put a large garden. i just loved the massive willow trees placed throughout the property.I will continue our search and am determined we need something before this place sells. Which brings me to a good tid bit of news from our realtor. A woman is looking for a home that she can have her mother live with her too. Our realtor told her of our home and it's great layout for a "mother in law suite" in the rec room. The rec room is separate from the rest of the basement/garage plus has the right spots for a bathroom and small kitchenette area. It has its own entry from the house front and small "porch" area under the upstairs balcony (front door).
The woman is interested and we decided to lower our price to perk it more.
I do not know if anything will come of it, but time will tell. I just have lost all patience with the realty business.
Fernie will be going home with Roseanna. I cannot get the anemia to go away and do not wish to sell her to someone who could not give her the attention she needs. Roseanna said the Anemia is very hard to rid out of the system and takes time. Time and experience I do not have to offer.
Roseanna will get her back into great health and will have her prepped for another family's milker. A brighter future then anywhere else I was able to find.
Chia will be going to her new home in Mid October, but I will share more of that in another post.
Until then...
~Sweet dreams, Tammie
