blue martin house

Weeding the garden....

2011-08-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy few days. Trying to get school clothes and supplies together, and Nathan can hardly wait for school to start. He has 3 backpacks packed and 2 lunchboxes ready to go...

This morning I was weeding the garden, and found a new friend. This happy little guy is the biggest frog I think I've ever seen, probably about 6 inches long.. The kids thought he was great and wanted to keep him, thank goodness we don't have a frog cage.

Since all my kids will be in school, I had being trying to figure out what I'm going to do with myself. So I signed up for a CNA class. I start tomorrow. I am soo nervous, it has been so long since I have been in school, and not to mention around a bunch of grown-ups, I hope I remember how to act. : )

Tomorrow is also my baby girls birthday, she will be 19. Happy Birthday Noelle.

New Sewing Basket

2011-08-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

My "old" sewing basket was getting sooo full...So I had to get the brand spanking new extra largest basket I have ever seen..isn't she pretty! And I am going to try really hard not to junk her up.

And while I was at the fabric store (Cottonwood in Charlottesville), I also got some new fabrics...

Today is school hair cut day. We all get to go to the beauty shop, get our hair cut pretty for school, and then just for extra fun, I'm going to get my eyebrows ripped off. They need it bad...

And I guess I did forget the other day to do my thankfuls, so here goes...

- the countdown for school is on - only 5 more days!!
- My baby boy Nathan is starting pre-kindergarten (happy & sad)
- I am so thankful to Lori, for redoing my blog, a constant supporter, friend and mentor
- the slightly cooler weather, I'll take whatever we get
- and of course, my new sewing basket....

Heeelllllooooooooooooooo.....

2011-08-16T14:14:00.000-07:00

Honestly - I am a bad blogger. I have had every intention of doing it, but I wanted to change my blog around and make it pretty first.......

So I have been busy stitching. I've worked on new models for Lori, the Stacy Nash class project, Halloween models, and now I am working of the Witches Garden for someone.

But it has taken this long because the kids are all home for the summer. We have been to the pool, the beach, 4-H camp, and back to the pool...Now it is time for back to school shopping and senior pictures... And Nathan will be going to full time pre-kindergarten this year, so I have been trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up, and I have no idea! What am I going to do all day long with NO kids??? We shall see....

Baby Hankie Blankie...

2011-05-03T05:56:00.000-07:00

I believe I am the slowest blogger ever...but who can keep up with Lori the "wonder blogger". I only have 5 children, a husband, 3 cats, 1 dog, and neverending laudry.
Anyways, I have been working on a baby hankie blankie for my niece Nikki, who is having a baby, don't know what it is yet.. But I finished the quilt top this morning and had to put it on here.
But first my 5 thankfuls
- I am thankful if people still read this : )
- I am thankful for babies, especially other peoples!
- I am thankful for the warm and beautiful weather we've been having
- My baby Nathan turned 4 last week, it goes soooo fast.
- and a late happy birthday to my sister Laurel, who is older than me : )

Happy Monday.

2011-04-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

Bella is off to school today after her week off with the flu. Nathan wasn't feeling well for a few days, but seems better now too. Hopefully thats the end of all that sickness...
I have been working on some new models for Lori, and I finally finished this aprons of the line pillow, I think it turned out alright. It would be nice out on a porch swing.
My next project is some dolls, which I am making up a pattern for as we speak.
Nathan has an interview for school today, I hope he gets in, I know he would love it.
Now my five thankfuls
- school, my kids actually like going to school.
- a warm week ahead
- yard sale season is on it's way, I loved going to them, but this year I'm have one, to clean out the house!
- Easter. From the Easter story to the eggs, I love it all
- Easter outfits, everyone looking their best, Gandma got Nathan a handsome suit and tie, and Bella got a beautiful pink dress.

Nathan wasn't feeling very good, but he just looks so sweet!

What NOT to do...

2011-04-07T06:16:00.000-07:00

Well as you can see - I really messed these up! Lesson learned to never tea stain on a tephlon coated cookie sheet....I almost threw up. I am going to try to wash them out with something else, but just seeing them makes me sick...: (, they were so pretty.

Bella still isn't feeling great, this flu is kicking her butt. And so far, everyone else is still fine.

I am a little frustrated with my last project, and I don't know what to do now. I think I am going to make a baby quilt for my niece with little childrens vintage hankies. I hope she will like it.

My 5 thankfuls
- I am thankful I didn't throw up yesterday : )
- we will be working in the yard today, I love digging in the dirt
- Lori gave me some bridal veil spirea and some bee balm, so I'm going to get those planted
- My friend Dodi from way way back is coming to visit in 2 weeks with her 5 boys, so with my 4 girls and 1 boy it will almost be the Brady Bunch, just bigger!
- My sister is hopefully coming just before Easter to pick up her quilt. The things I'll do to make people come and visit, thank goodness I don't have to make them all quilts though!

New project...

2011-04-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

Nobody fall over or anything, I am blogging 2 days in a row! I wanted to show off my new project - it's a Blackbird design, and it will be a needle book by tomorrow. I just thought it was pretty. Nothing else new and exciting, no laundry today - shocker i know.

But here are my 5 thankfuls
- thank you to Jane - she made me a beautiful bunny pillow, that was so thoughtful...
- Easter is coming soon, I love decorating eggs
- my bleeding heart has little pink hearts hanging on it
- Bella is feeling a little better today, and no one else has gotten sick yet...
- and Jason, my boo boo bunny is off for the next 2 days, so we will be working hard in the yard

Busy Again

2011-04-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

It has been busy again for me...I've been spring cleaning, working on three new projects, and I just got to see the new Primitive Quilts and Projects Magazine! I LOVE IT!! Lori's needle punch is beautiful, the other projects are awesome, I can't decide which one to make first...
Bella is home sick for the week - she has the FLU! I am praying I don't get it, I hate being sick...
And I just found out my niece is having a baby and so is my nephew, so I need to start on some baby blankets too.
Here's my thankfuls
- The new Primitive Quilts and Projects Magazine, it's so inspiring!
- spring cleaning, dusty out the cobwebs
- new babies on the way
- new flowers popping up
- new projects to work on

I also took a few pictures of my tulips because they are soo pretty!!

Just don't look at all the grass that needs cut!!

New Patterns!!!

2011-03-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

Yes I am still here.....I have been very very busy. Mainly that taxi cab and laundry thing I have to do all the time. But also spring cleaning, switching out clothing, playing OUTSIDE....just lots of stuff. Hardly any time to do my sewing, but just enough time to get out some new patterns. To order email at martin-house@hotmail.com - $10/each.

But before I get to that, my 5 thankfuls
- the beautiful warm weather
- the spring rains
- the lovely daffodils and forsythia
- looking forward to the VA Rugfest this weekend
- nice long evening walks

March Winds

2011-03-01T06:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the last day of February, and boy was it windy. We had a tornado watch, but thankfully no tornados. I am thankful though the weather has warmed up just enough to be comfortable. - I remember when I was little, my grandmother would write me letters and cards, and she would always talk about the weather....
Anyway, this past weekend Natalie and Bella went to 4H camp, and they had a great time. Tennis season has started for Nadia, theres something going on all the time around here. And of course, the laundry.

I can't remember if I said or not, but I did finish my sisters quilt, I will probably need to start another one for my other sister..And I have been crocheting a baby blanket for one of Nadia's teachers at school who is having a baby. And I finished a new needlepunch which I am thinking of making into a pattern, let me know what you think...

So heres my thankfuls
- the weather is warming up
- yesterday we got some much needed rain, the grass is already showing some new green
- Happy Birthday to my friend Lori, yesterday she turned......
- Daffodils
- and tulips, I love them, mine have already popped up about 2 inches...

Happy Monday - Presidents Day

2011-02-21T09:58:00.000-08:00

Good Morning all...I had good intentions of blogging over the weekend, but between laundry and being the taxi driver, it just didn't happen... I am almost finished with my sisters quilt, all I have left to do is the binding. I also worked up a new wool applique, birds in a tree, I am into birds at the moment...I also played in the shop a few days, helping Lori rearrange everything, again : ), I have to say though it does look very nice, and Peter did a great job on the counter. Anyway, here are my 5 thankfuls...
- The wonderful warm weather we've been having
- the best little helper ever, my Nathan
- Lori, for continually inspiring me and encouraging me
- my ex-niece (who I still love), got me a bagful of favorite things, and she was so thoughtful and kind
- Does anyone have a relative they seldom see or talk too, who they wish they had more of a relationship with, well that is my brother Allen, I love him and miss him...

Almost forgot.. Natalie and Hannah have a new etsy shop of things they have made, called Hankering Leftovers...don't ask me, but check it out, they have some cute stuff.

Laundry AGAIN!

2011-02-15T10:00:00.000-08:00

I feel like I am always doing laundry, I did laundry all day yesterday, and 2 more loads have popped up this morning....The weather yesterday was soo beautiful, and tomorrow is going to be nice, I might have to go outside and root around in some dirt. I just can't wait. I love to have all the trees budding out and the flowers blooming.
I have been working on finishing up some projects. I finished one of Lori's new models yesterday. And today I have been quilting on my sisters hankie quilt, which she doesn't know about until NOW. She better like it!!

Happy Hump Day!

2011-02-09T11:47:00.000-08:00

When you stay at home everyday as your job, it really makes no difference what day it is anymore...
Yesterday was play day with Lori, we went to bunches of shops and got bunches of finds for the shop. And I did pick up a couple pieces of ironstone for my cabinet...

My 5 thankfuls
- my Nanny watched Nathan all day so I could have my play day
- Jason is home for 2 days, some nice family time
- ironstone, I LOVE it!
- Jason put down some grass seed today, and just the thought of it coming up is beautiful...
- and to the old shop man, thankful for the good deals!

And here is the latest project that will soon be a little pillow...

How do you like my mess...

2011-02-07T06:37:00.000-08:00

Good Morning all. I was informed that I have not blogged for 2 days, the penalty being I have to list 10 thankfuls....so I will do that first.

- Joan brought in 3 pieces of ironstone for my on Saturday to the shop, they are beautiful of course, thank you Joan! We have our own personal shopper.
- Football, I just love it, even though the Steelers didn't win : ( , but now all the games are over til fall.
- Bubble baths, they are so relaxing.
- Magazines, I have a problem with magazines, I can never wait til the next issue comes out...
- I am thankful for the warmish weather we are having today, and I actually see a little sun.
- I am also thankful because it is February, which means it will soon be March, then April, and warmer each day...
- I am thankful I have a sewing room to work in, although it is a mess as you will soon see...
ok I know its only 7 thankfuls, but thats the best I can do this morning!

Now, I have been working on a new project, but I can't show it until it's finished, because it is a gift to someone I am very thankful for (there's number 8). But I did want to show part of my sewing room, which is an absolute disaster right now! So I'm only showing the part that is clean!

New project...

2011-02-04T06:04:00.000-08:00

I just finished listing some new stuff on etsy, so be sure to check them out.. And I wanted to show you what I started on yesterday. I am also working on one of Lori's new designs, it's about a plump wife (sounds kind of like me!). I have to start losing some weight or I will be the plump wife in a bathing suit. Today is also Walmart day, we have no feed in the house, and Walmart is not one of my favorite places to go, but oh well...

2011-02-02T09:35:00.000-08:00

Another day of laundry

2011-02-02T07:49:00.000-08:00

Yes it's back to laundry and cleaning today...Nathan seems to think that he can play with everything in the house, and his toys are just for looks...And he was still having trouble going to sleep last night. So I think after I get the house straightened up and some laundry going, we will be going for a nice long walk. Burn off some of his energy.

I did want to show you the bunny I have been working on, it is a Stacy Nash pattern, the Velveteen Rabbit. I love it! Now I just need to make him some eggs...

Thank Goodness!

2011-02-01T05:03:00.000-08:00

I was just watching the news, and I was thinking to myself, thank goodness I don't live in Chicago! We have been so lucky this winter, missing alot of snow....
I finished my wool applique. Now I'm working on some embroidered easter eggs...

Nathan has been having trouble sleeping the last few days, so I don't think I'm making much sense this morning...

Good Morning Good Morning Good Morning

2011-01-30T06:24:00.000-08:00

I feel much better today! A good nights sleep always helps. Its going to be another nice and warm day outside, makes me want to plant some flowers, I know I can't, but I really really want to! I did finish up another project, and it is going to be in Lori's new book, Farmhouse Folk... I am working now on a wool applique, which I love doing...

I have been forgetting my 5 thankfuls, so I will do them today..
- I am thankful for this break in the weather, it was much needed and appreciated..
- today my Noah would have been 10 years old. I am so very thankful for the time I had with him...
- I am thankful for such a creative and inspiring friend in Lori, and she also "gets" me, which is good : )
- my mom-in-law took my kids last evening, and I had some quiet and peaceful much needed time all by myself
- and my sister Laurel..

i am just waiting for those little eggs to hatch...

Happy Saturday

2011-01-29T12:37:00.000-08:00

I have had a migraine since yesterday evening, I think it was from all the glue we used on play day... But I wanted to put up the things I made so you could see them.

I just think they are soo cute!

Play Day!

2011-01-28T14:09:00.000-08:00

This is Lori taking a picture of me taking a picture of her taking a picture

Ribbons and lace and buttons Oh My!

And when you're done with it, just throw it on the floor!

It has been 3 days with kids home from school, and I was going to go stir crazy...So I ran away to Lori's house to play! It was the best... Lori made boxes and hearts, and I made the awesomest hearts ever. I will show them off tomorrow, I need to finish up my last one first. But I do want to show you are "setup". It was the perfect day to do whatever with no plan, and I had soooo much fun - thanks Lori!

AAAHHHHHHHH!!!!

2011-01-28T05:06:00.001-08:00

All I have to say is there is no school again today...

Where's The Snow??

2011-01-26T10:20:00.000-08:00

School was canceled today for snow, but there hasn't been a flake yet...that probably means there won't be school again tomorrow. I did have Jason help me bring up a cabinet from the basement and I filled it with what little ironstone I have, but I love it. I just try to get a little bit done at a time, and one day it will be done...
I did start a needle punch, but I'm not far enough along to show it yet, maybe tomorrow.

anyway, my 5 thankfuls
- I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, spring will be here soon
- I am also thankful I have 2 washers and 2 dryers, definately makes laundry go faster
- I saw a beautiful flock of red cardinals today
- My sister Shirley
- and a special thankful for my baby Noah...

This is the tiniest hen on a nest I have ever seen...

2 More Finished Projects..

2011-01-25T07:52:00.000-08:00

Good morning...I finished 2 more projects this morning, I will be putting them up on etsy after this...
Nothing much exciting going on, just watching Lori redo her blog again and again and again, like that song from the Highway Men....(I love that song). Now that I have finished most everything up, I need to start on something new, and I don't know what to do! Pincushions are the only thing I can think of.

I did forget, we all have a dentist appointment this afternoon, that is always fun.

Now my 5 thankfuls
- I am glad that I do like my dentist : )
- I am thankful I am able to have a dental plan so we can actually go to the dentist...
- Boo boo bunny is off for the next 2 days
- Papa and Nanny are both feeling good
- And my Bella, Love her bunches, even though she missed the bus and I had to drive her to school today.

This is a little sewing box, the design is from Blackbird Designs

Good Afternoon

2011-01-24T10:30:00.000-08:00

It's been another day in laundry land...the kids are out from school today, I think it is a teacher work day. Our dog Sadie has to go to the vet in a little while, she keeps scratching at her face, and making it bleed. Poor baby. I hope they can do something for her.
Yesterday, Lori and I went on a little field trip to Covesville, all I found was a frame and and antique tomato pincushion (of course). But we had a good time as always...
I have been trying to finish up some of my many projects for the show coming up in Febuary, I did just put one up on etsy, another pincushion...
Now for my 5 thankfuls
- my dog Sadie
- all my kids
- my boo boo bunny, Jason (he hates it when I call him that)
- gandma, she took the kids to her house to visit last night, and I got to sit in my pretty living room in peace and quiet..I loved it..
- and I am so thankful Papa is feeling better.

and here is my pretty little pincushion