My Homespun Quilt is finally finished!

In between chasing after grandkids....and getting them more cookies:

I was able to finish tacking down the binding on my new homespun quilt for my bedroom.

I'm not as proud of it as I could be.  It is my first attempt with "Quilt As You Go" method, and my tension was not the best, therefore there are several puckers in it.  I'm just trying to remember that it will be a perfect addition to a "primitive" bedroom.  I started my bedroom renovation with curtains, and now have the quilt finished.  I plan to paint in a light "carmel" color and then finish the decorating.  I'll be moving the crib to the spare bedroom, that Jayde has quickly claimed as "my bedbroom".  This will give us a little more walk space around the bed.  As with everything I plan, it's going to have to come in stages because I need to finish the grandkids room BEFORE I move the crib....sigh....I guess I need to resign myself to that fact that everything is just a work in progress.  :-)  Without further ado.....here are some quick pics of my new quilt.

Don't look too close....it has LOTS of imperfections....but I love the pattern and the fabrics, so I'll be happy to have it on my bed for many years to come!

I'll update more later.....the grandkids are keeping me hopping today!  LOL  I love them more than I can say, but I have to admit tomorrow will be a day of yardwork, and will seem like rest before I go back to work!  LOL

{{{{HUGS}}}}

How do you prepare for a visit from the Grandchildren?

I have a couple of days of my time off reserved for the grandchildren, and "Papa Basketcase" did some preparation for their visits!  I did my own prep this morning after the youngest arrived, had breakfast, and then took is mid-day nap.  Papa's preparation involved a visit to the grocery store yesterday, where he stocked up on bananas, pop tarts, cottage cheese, chocolate milk and cookie dough!  LOL....yes we do feed them healthy food as well, but we try to have some of their favorites on hand as well.  Oh, yes....our granddaughter, age 3, has a new favorite....she has asked for "pickles with balls"....her mother finally decoded that one....Pickled Okra!!!  I can't imagine a 3 year old requesting that one, but she did, so of course, Papa got a jar of that, too.

My morning then consisted of turning the cookie dough into edible treats.  Now, mind you I CAN make cookies from scratch, but since Papa took pity on me for my work schedule and bought some "Poppin' Fresh Cookie Dough", I was happy to bake that up instead of mixing a batch of dough from scratch.  What Nana wouldn't take advantage of a little less work?  So...while little Owen was taking a l..o..n..g nap, I baked cookies!

Here is a pan full ready for the oven.

and some fresh from the oven......

 

cooling....almost ready for Nana's Cookie Jar.     

 

MMMMMMM.....!!!!!

And Nana's Cookie is officially FULL!!!

Of course, I still need to do a few things before the older two get here this evening.  I have some mighty important jobs to take care of...not the least of which is to fill up their BUBBLES!  LOL

Before I take care of those last few important jobs, I can't resist showing you just how baby Owen helped Nana make the cookies.......

AWWWWW.....that is one of the sweetest sights a Nana can see......!

I better get back to those all important jobs....the other two will be here in just a few hours.  Hope you are all having as wonderful a Sunday as I am!

{{{{HUGS}}}}

New Prim Magazine!!!

I just wanted to take a minute to let everyone know about a new Primitive Decorating magazine slated to have it's premier issue out in August 2010.  I'm very excited about the upcoming issues, and highly recommend you check this out for yourself.  From what I understand, it's being put out by a lovely group of women who founded A Primitive Place.  This is a fantastic website devoted to Primitive and Colonial decorating, including decorating ideas and crafting.  They have a wonderful forum here where a wonderful group of people gather to share ideas for decorating, makeovers, crafting and more.  I've never received a warmer welcome from any forum I've joined, nor have I ever learned any more in one place.  These ladies, and possibly a gentleman or two, are working night and day to put out what just may be the best magazine of its kind!  My hats off to them all!!!!  They've already give us a sneak peek at the cover of the premier issue:

I am so excited...the potential of this magazine is absolutely wonderful!  The cover is absolutely beautiful, don't you agree?  If you aren't familiar with them, or their site, I encourage to grab a cup of coffee, and plan to relax and enjoy spending some time on their site, you won't be sorry you did....but be sure you don't have any pending plans, because a "short visit" can easily turn into hours!  (Don't ask me how I know this...LOL)

Decided to start a Primitive Blog

I'm not sure what I'm thinking....it's not like I don't have enough to do with my time, but I'm starting a blog to keep track of my Primitive Makeovers, Primitive decorating ideas, and crafting! If it's like my knitting blog, I'll probably not remember to post much....or not make the time for it, but I'll give it my best shot!

I'll use this first post to introduce myself. I'm known on most of my forums, etc. as "basketcase" or "basketcase413". As you get to know me, you'll be surprised to find that my nickname was not created as a response to my "nature", although I DO get so much going on that I am sometimes considered a "basketcase" by my friends, but the nickname was started when we had our own business making and selling baskets! We sold the business to a wonderful lady almost 5 years ago, and signed a non-compete agreement not to make baskets for 5 years....that time will be up in July, so you might just see us getting back into baskets after that!

I am a full time paramedic, a field supervisor, and work many long hours. Now that we are fully staffed, I am finding myself with more time at home and am loving using my time to create "Primitive Makeovers" and take my formerly "Country" decorating style to a more "Primitive" or "Colonial" level. I've been married for almost 27 years, have two children, Brandy (almost 26), and JD (almost 23)....all these numbers will be come official the end of May. I also have three precious Grandchildren, Jayde (3), Aden (18 months), and Owen (5 months). These babies are the loves of my life! I so enjoy spending time with them....it's so much fun to see the world through the eyes of a child again at 47!

My husband and I have a small farm that was originally part of my father-in-law's larger farm. We live in the house that was built in 1958-59 by his father. We have made many changes to it, and are planning to do some more changing in the near future. It was definately time for some upgrades/improvements, but I am enjoying decorating in a more primitive style that is a reflection of the simple life my in-laws lived. We enjoy gardening, and I have recently been informed that I WILL be teaching my husband to can this summer so that he can help more with that. Since he is a school bus driver, he has more time off in the summer than I do, and I am more than willing to share that load with him!

We also enjoy spending time outdoors, camping and 4 wheeling. In fact we are members of "Cloud Nine Ranch" in the heart of the Ozarks, where we love to go to spend time riding the trails in our UTV. We are looking forward to sharing some time here with the children and grandchildren this summer. These are the perfect times to feed my habit of photography. It's amazing the things you can find in the simple beauty of nature to capture with the camera lens. Here are a few of the photos I've taken while on vacations:

I'm sure I will be sharing more as time goes by.

In addition to my many hobbies/interests I also sell greeting cards online at http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/lisasgraphicsmorecardstore . I haven't had a chance to add many new ones lately....but that is in my plans for the near future. Of course, we all know what happens to be the best laid plans of mice and men.....and ladies, too! LOL

I will try to use this blog to keep my friends/family/fellow bloggers updated on what is going on in my life, share crafting projects and decorating tips, and who knows what else? Stay tuned for more....my goal is to post at least once a week.....I'm sure I'll post more frequently at first....and then probably slow down some...but hang in there with me as I will try to make each post worth reading :-).

Hugs to all!