Two quilt tops

I have been quite busy lately trying to use-up some fabric that I have been "stashing" for a while. Yesterday I finished my second quilt top out of the line. Well sorta finished, the first one I want to do a barn and tractor applique on so it's not technically done yet, but all the real sewing is done. They are super cute and will be up for sell in about a month or so (or whenever they get back from the quilter). I'll post pictures when they are all said and done.

Now I can feel better about wanting to go and do the Treasure Valley ShopHop.

In need of separator

As the title hints at, we are in need of cream separator. Well, I am in need of one. After I thought I had pulled off "cream" from our last batch of milk it turnsout it was more milk. A few more tries at manual separation and a few hours later turnsout I am no good as figuring what is "cream". My "butter" wasn't even whipped cream after I was through with it. Actually it was whipped cream, which when whipped too much destroys the "milk fat globules" and just makes a milky/watery mess. After that experience it might just be best to invest in an actual separator. Granted we do have two of the old kind sitting on our deck (ready for flowers), but I think a newer, cleaner, less rusty model would be better.

New Dog, Projects, and BUTTER!

Hello all ya'll! It's been a busy month. Sorry I haven't written much. It's currently 8am and I have a load of washing going and an extra baby to watch so I will try to be brief.
1. We got a new DOG! She is 2yrs old, and her name is Harley. She is super adorable (as all black labs are), and so far hasn't killed any chickens! Actually she is supposed to hunt really well, and if her fetching skills are any sign she may be the best dog I have ever seen. She's good with Jackson and Wally so we feel pretty good about her.
2. Projects- or lack there of. With helping at the farm while the in-laws were gone, and a sick baby the rest of the time, my sewing machine has been neglected. Hopefully this weekend I can get few stitches in.
3. BUTTER! I made my first batch of butter. There was a serious learning curve as I had to pull cream off 3 times before I had enough cream to actually make butter. Jason thinks it's good, I'm not that impressed. It smells too creamy for me (I think it's because of all the work getting the true cream). I plan to make another batch in a few days, hopefully it goes more smoothly. I did find a farm in NY that makes just butter and yogurt from their Jerseys. I am hoping to get in touch with them this next week.
-M

Quilt and Bags for Sale

For Sale on Etsy
I made this for my Mom for her Birthday. I have enough to make another one if anyone is interested.

For Sale on Etsy
For Sale on Etsy

Etsy shop is up and running

Ok Folks I officially have an Etsy shop! Located at:

http://www.etsy.com/people/CreekerCrafts?ref=si_pr

On it you will find my three items for sale. If any family or friends are interested in these products let me know as I might be willing to let them go for a little less ;-)

Things are going better here. Hope things are good out there!

Mary

Sad day...

Today is a sad day in our household. Last night one of our dogs, Addie, died. This a picture of her back in October. We have the dogs on a collar system, but she had been running through it for the past few weeks (however never towards the road). She was in heat so we are not sure if that had something to do with her escaping. None the less it's a sad day around here. Our German Shepherd (Wally) is pretty sad too. He doesn't want to leave the house.

We also lost our best laying hen last night too. She did lay one last egg though which was nice. I guess it's sorta fitting that one of the few chickens Addie didn't kill the first round died the same day she did.

Luckily Jackson's too young to understand all this, and I am sure we will be on the lookout for another puppy in no time as Wally is no hunting dog.- Mary

Projects, projects, and more projects

Ok. So I am going to finally share this. Don't laugh, and maybe don't check in everyday. I am a little busy for that, but I did just watch Julie and Julia for the 2nd (or 3rd) time and was reminded that doing this makes me accountable. So here it goes:

I bought a pasteurizer online last week!!! YAY. It should be here next week sometime. We will start with just milk and go from there. But also after watching Julie and Julia I was reminded how much people really do use butter (and how WONDERFUL it is). Did you know it is actually healthy for you? I have research to prove it! (Just don't use too much too often...moderation). Hopefully the butter making process will go well :-)- Creamery side getting closer.

More importantly (well b/c it's done). I have finished my first quilt for sale! Actually I have a quilt and a bag (that don't match) for sale! I will post picks soon, but the quilt is a baby or toddler quilt. Uni-sex. And has an almost rustic look to it. The bag isn't my favorite piece, but someone might like it. It's very, VERY Americania. Red, White, and Blue with a floweral touch. Pictures also to come.

Projects... Ahhh. I have two BOM (blocks of the month) I am working on. The one is simple (local quilt shops Sat. Sampler) the second...well it's difficult to say the least. It's the 150th Civil War anniversary quilt BOM from 2010. Our local quilt shop started it a year late and it is a challenge level above me. But I am trying to meet the challenge though it's not so easy. Other projects on board- more quilts to sell (as I need to raise money for a new machine and more quilting supplies), two or more baby gifts (not blankets before Aug.2nd ish), and what every else I can get myself into. I have finally finished all the blocks from last years shop hop (more quilt lingo, sorry- I will explain later) that I NEED to make into a top before April 7th (this year's shop hop :-). Deadline? hahaha. just a few.

So here we go. (Oh did I mention I am sick today? I have stomach virus or something. I cannot even sew much less eat. So I thought I would type instead :-p)
-M