Hope you all had a Blessed Christmas!

Can't hardly believe it is over, there was so much going on leading up to the day. I was under the weather again with the headaches, etc. but Christmas day was great and got to watch the grand babies open gifts as well as spend time with my family.
My entire family spent the day serving dinner to anyone that came at a free dinner sponsored by our church. We really had a blast doing this, this was our 2nd year in a row cooking and serving and when it was over, my whole extended family sat down to our own dinner. I'd say there were close to 30 of us.
Here's a link, the TV news came to do a report on the free dinner, just follow this url:

http://www.wnep.com/wnep-dinner-and-coats-for-christmas,0,4087645.story?track=rss


My daughter left for home today *sniff-sniff* and tomorrow I will try to clean and organize and get back to work.....well, maybe not tomorrow! heehee!

Need a laugh?...........

........I sure do. I've spent almost 3 days in bed mostly with migraines again. Thank the Lord, today I'm feeling better!

Check out this site, it'll make ya smile or laugh or........!!

Click here for cake wrecks!

Hmmmm......!!!!

Sniff...sniff....

Whoa! Woke up with sniffles and an ache in my face near my nose. UGH, sinus issue. We're now beyond sniffles and I'm feeling yucky. Grrrr, seems I always get sick this time of the year, it's just the end of the year catching up to me.
I'm off to "fire up" the electric blanket and just spend the rest of today in bed.

Peppermint Annie

I'm hoping to put this doll set on ebay tonight, that is if we don't lose power. We got MORE snow last night and now I can hear the "ping-ping" of ice pellets hitting the window.
I'm calling this one, Peppermint Annie, for obvious reasons! lol

Christmas Bonus!

Since I work for myself, I decided to reward myself with a Christmas bonus of sorts! HAHA!
I got this cute lil pink Netbook for myself. This will sure come in handy when I travel. I also sprung for a new digital camera!

Hope everyone had a very nice Thanksgiving, we sure did and we ate wayyy too much too! I'm looking forward to Christmas with my family. I should be decorating really soon and maybe I'll share a few pics.

But.....this weekend we are off to Lancaster County, the amish area of our state (Pennsylvania).
There's some of THE BEST places to buy fabric there and I just can never have too much fabric! Me and the hubby along with my sister and brother-in-law are hopping into my hubbys' new truck and taking the weekend road trip!

Finished a new dolly too but I won't have pics until prolly Sunday night!
Have a great weekend everyone!

We are home!

I've been a bit under the weather, got some sort of stomach bug...ugh.
But we had a MARVELOUS vacation once the bad weather passed. We dodged a bullet with the hurricane, though it did send some very rough seas, thunderstorms and wind. The remainder of the vacation was sunny and hot and we had the best time with our family. I'll post some pics when time permits.
Dusting off the sewing machine and getting ready to get back to work!!!

Ahhhh, Mexico!!

We´ve been here for 5 days now and most of it has been rain...ugh. BUT it is warm. Tomorrow a hurricane will pass thru here, can I pick the date or what!!!
We are headed out to buy needfuls in case we are stuck inside for awhile.
Say a little prayer for us!!
Adios for now!

Craftshow has started....

...C'mon over!
www.picturetrail.com/craftshow

Online craft show....

Saturday Nov. 1 - 4 p.m. EST

www.picturetrail.com/craftshow

Ya can't get in now 'cause I'm still loading some pics!

How Sweet It Is!

Vacation!
In a few days we will be winging our way to sunny Mexico! It's been a year with ALOT of bumps in the road and some sadness for us, so this is the best medicine.
The new pattern will be available for shipping tomorrow (Friday) so if you want to order before I leave, simply email me: sweetmeadowsfarm@yahoo.com
We won't be back until November 18.

We do have internet access there so I might even do a few posts but no promises! I will answer emails when time permits.
We've been going to this little Mexican island for about 20 years now and have made many friends that we pretty much consider family. Our bags are packed, one is filled with toys for the mexican children, we always like to bring them little trinkets. I've been monitoring the weather and it seems it's hot and sunny, just the way we like it!!!

So, off we will go, a time for rest, relaxation, and a healing of sorts!!

Play nice while I'm gone!!!

Mauree

Here it is.....

Bad day for taking pics. Rainy, cloudy, sunny, can't make up it's mind and the lighting just didn't seem right but I think I got one!
This pattern is entitled, "Dear Santa". It includes both style of 18" doll including clothing and ugly bear!
This one is $10.00 + shipping.

Click on the picture for a larger view.

Hope you enjoy laughing at them, I'm listing the dolls on ebay tonight.

OooOOOops, sorry!

I had intended to get the pics of my new pattern all done up today. BUT, my son asked me to take the kids 'cuz the babysit was not reliable today :(

So, of course, I took my sweet grandbabies for the day. Sophie is a 3-1/2 year old princess/drama queen and Holden at 1-1/2 years is ALL boy! I mean ALL BOY!

So I spent my day chasing, hugging and kissing on my babies! Doesn't get any better!

Tomorrow, I promise, tomorrow. These dolls have such personality!!!!

New pattern

Yippee, a new one! Should have pics tomorrow to post and have it ready to go!
No hints, you'll have to just wait and see!

This is the day that the Lord has made,
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

A SALE! Woohoo!

I've decided to have a pattern sale. From now until Sunday, Oct. 25 - Buy two patterns, get one free....buy 4 patterns, get two free, etc. Free pattern will be of equal or lesser value.
Simply email your order to me along with your payment preference.
Better hurry though, 'cuz it ends on Sunday!
You can see my patterns by clicking here:

www.sweetmeadowsfarm.com

If you want to be added to my email list for updates, simply send an email and put EMAIL LIST in the subject line: sweetmeadowsfarm@yahoo.com

Be sure to watch for the update on my little online craft show, coming next week!!

Wellllllllllllll....................

...It's been awhile. I'm still fighting health issues on a daily basis and we just returned from our last show. It was a success but I'm still trying to "catch up" from when I was in the hospital. Time sure does fly!

I'm going to do a little online craft show. It'll be a chance for some to purchase ready made dolls direct from me. I don't do this often as time does not permit usually. But, I have a few dolls from my shop and I'm working on several more so stay tuned and I'll give more details. It will probably be in about 2 weeks.
In the meantime, I will offer sneak-peeks of what is to come!!!

Stay tuned......................oh, and STAY WARM!
Brrrr, it's gotten chilly here and the leaves are pretty much "leaving" quickly! Here comes the dreary weather, though, those are some of the best days for staying in and crafting, eh?!!

Good Deeds should be rewarded

Terry is the founder of Enchanted Makeovers which is an non-profit organization that through donations and labors of love go in and redecorate womens shelters. You can imagine how this really brightens their lives. No woman or child who finds themselves in a shelter should see it as a cold and scary place as many of these place are. Take a look at how Terry transforms them in some of her before/after photos and then if you would just take a second and vote for her!

Martha Stewart is having a "Dreams into Doers" contest in which the winner will win $2,500. This would help Terry's organization immensly.

Please visit her site at: http://www.enchantedmakeovers.org/ and on the right side you'll see where you can click her name to vote.

Praise God!

My biopsy results showed NO cancer!
This morning my hubby called to wish me a Happy Anniversary. I totally forgot!! I've NEVER forgotten in all the years we have been married. I guess I've been "preoccupied" to say the least!

I'm feeling pretty good today and hopefully will get much accomplished.
I thank you all for your prayers and well wishes, they mean the WORLD to me!
Have a happy and productive day!

Maureen

Baby steps.

I'm finally feeling like doing a bit of work. Yesterday I actually almost caught up with my shipping, you can only imagine how far behind that fell while I was ill.
Then later in the day I sat in my chair and stuffed dolly parts.
My last show of the year is in 10 days. I'm so far behind now but there's not much I can do about that. Sooooo, I'll suck it up, and pack up what I have!
Hubby has been making some fabulous wooden items though!!

If you are in PA, Columbus Day weekend, make a trip to Knoebels Park in Elysburg, PA. It's worth the trip. Park is full of crafters and there's tons of food and even the rides are open on Sat. and Sun.

The Hospital.....

....that's where I've been. I had to go into the hospital, emergency situation. I've had a surgical procedure as well as a biopsy and the results will be made known Friday, tomorrow. Please keep me in your prayers as I try to recover and regain my strength.
I so miss doing what I love.

Maureen

Scarecrow for Hire!

Wellllll, this one was a bugger to do. I started it last week but we had alot of stuff going on this weekend at our church so it was set aside. Actually, I only had the legs and the chicken done last week. So the rest of it came about yesterday. It was such a chore that at times, I almost cut it all up and tossed it in the burn barrel. I was about to give up on him, almost in tears, but I pushed thru. I painted the chicken white and then stained it. Then I decided I wanted a black chicken so I painted over the white. Well, I didn't like it so I thought maybe if I put white spots on the black chicken it would look better. WRONG! So I once again, painted white over the now black-spotted chicken and then stained the whole thing!
Soooo, here he is.
I'm calling this one, "Scarecrow for Hire" and this pattern plus the "Punkin', Pye & Ice Cream" pattern will be available midweek.

If you are on my email list, I'll be sending out a notice. If you are not on my email list and would like to be, simply shoot me an email stating so:

order@sweetmeadowsfarm.com

Be sure to click on the pics for a larger view!

Exercise!

Today I didn't get the other design finished. It was a nice day, cool but sunny so me and my daugther-in-law, tucked the kiddos in the car and went to town. Walked for approx. one hour. Let me tell you, pushing two toddlers in a double stroller up and down small hills, IS a workout. When we were done, we stopped to get them both ice cream. But, we adults were very good and resisted the temptation to get our own :(

It's been 2 months today and I've managed to lose 19 lbs! Woohoo!

Modifications and a winner!!

Well, I tweaked the pumpkin doll and remade it, added the snowgirl to the pattern, and picked the name for not only the cat but the snow doll too. Click on the picture to get a better view!!!
I am pleased to introduce to you finally: "Punkin', Pye, and Ice Cream". My newest pattern, ready to mail by midweek! Love these girls, making them up for my final show in October for sure.
This pattern will be sent to the person who suggested Pye so please email your mailing address!
Stay tuned though, there's one more pattern that will be also ready this week. Should have the pic in a day or two!

Uh oh........

....the creative juices took over today and there is an addition to the design. Stay tuned tomorrow for the new "addition". In the meantime, keep the names coming, I love them!

Here's Punkin and ?????

Meet Punkin and her lil friend.......? Her friend needs a name so here's what I've decided to do, I'm going to run a contest until Friday. The person that suggests the best name will get a free pattern! So, leave your comments and suggestions!

It's been a week.....

.....since my first show of the year. Sales were up over last year, a good sign! Sold ALOT of dolls very early and came home with orders as well. I've taken a week to regroup, catch up on business, and can/freeze a bunch of tomatoes....well, sauce now! Yum!!
I also started going out this week every day to the track with my daughter-in-law for some much needed exercise. Oh boy, am I out of shape! But every day it feels a bit better! I push the kiddies in the stroller for an extra workout.

We went to the show a day early so we could just "chill" and do the tourist-thing. Did I mention it was in Lancaster County, PA?!! Well, you know I just HAD to buy more fabric. Now, where to put it?!!
I'll just have to use it right away. I'm in the beginning stages of a couple new patterns. Can't say when they will be ready. The idea comes into my head first. Then it takes me awhile to actually sketch it up the way I want. Then comes the cut and sew, trial and error part. Sometimes it comes easy, sometimes it goes in the "toss pile" and that's it for a long while. At this point, I have sketched ONE design and that's as far as I've gotten.
But I'm trying.........

Late nights, early mornings...

...that is it for this week. My first show of the year is on Saturday. If you are near Lititz, PA, I suggest you visit this one. It's a biggie!
I'm really just finishing up UFO's right now. I'm never fully ready for this one, it seems it's the "warm-up" to my 3 day show in October.

Anyhoo, I have no pics, sorry, but it all goes from the table to the boxes at this point. I'll try to snap a few at the show but these people are buying as you are setting up!!

Here they are, both of them!!

Okay, FINALLY got them both done, drawn up, directions printed and pics taken...WHEW! All this while trying to get ready for my show. First pattern is, Ice Cream, U Scream! Second pattern is, "Monkey Business". Can you guess which is which?! lol
Ice cream dollies are approx. 18" and are fairly easy to make, pattern includes three styles of dollies including 3 faces and 3 hairstyles as well as all ice cream.....even the one on the ground! HA!
Monkey business has a 19" bag holder doll AND a 17" regular dolly with legs in the pattern. Also included is the sockLESS monkey. You'll be surprised how easy those lil buggers are to make.
Both of these patterns were inspired by the fabrics. I bought that monkey fabric last summer and just now got to making this up. Bought the pastels in March of this year, it just scream, ICE CREAM at me. Not knowing what or how, I bought it. Do we REALLY need an excuse to buy more fabric???!!!!

Back to work!

I've finally been feeling really good and back to the sewing machine. I have two new patterns, just about done. Pictures and details to follow tomorrow so stay tuned!!!

Migraines......

....I have had many. If you suffer from chronic migraines, you KNOW where I am coming from. If you do not, consider yourself fortunate. I've had these for YEARS. I do have a prescription but they still come. What a messed up week, messed up my shipping, pictures, auctions, and put me behind in getting ready for the upcoming show. And of course the blogging...non existant....*sigh*

Tomorrow can only be better.

We have a WINNER!

Chatty Cathy Palmetto, you have won the dolly! My hubby pulled your name.
Woohoo, email me your mailing address and she will be on her way!

Be sure to watch for my next giveaway, tomorrow or Friday I will post the picture!
Thanks to all who participated.

Parting is such sweet sorrow!

I've decided to sell this dolly, was gonna keep her for a bit but she's now on ebay.
Take a peek if you like.

I'm spending my day, ordering supplies, shipping, and then it's on to the sewing room to clean....UGH. It's such a mess it's embarrassing! Should have some stuff to show in a day or so.

Happy 4th and I hit the Jackpot!

Well, got the "hubs" up early today to hit a couple yard sales on the back roads here.....actually they are all mostly back roads here! Anyhoo, we scored big! Got two grains scoops for $1.00 each...woohoo!. The old green cupboard, two coal pails, a huge amount of feedsacks and ticking, a yummy piece of red ticking too. The giant wooden barrel with the old advertising still intact on the bottom. Had a ton of peeps looking thru the window at the barrel! An old americana song book, the pale green cooler, an old hanging grain scale, old chairs, old wooden step stools, etc. etc. etc.......I think maybe we spent $75.00....probably not.
Oh an old white cupboard too that we have to go back for and lots of litte odds and ends.
Well, I'm off now to prepare our food for later today.
Have a safe and Happy 4th of July! Remember our military, past and present today and continue to pray for their safety.

Things that make you go "hmmmmm...."

We've been planning our 4th of July celebration for 2 months. We decided the splurge a bit and go with grilled seafood. Lobster tails and shrimp to be exact. With all the talk about the economy, wouldn't you know it, we got the LAST lobster tails in Sam's Club and that was early in the afternoon. And the store was PACKED as well as Walmart and every other parking lot...hmmmmmm.

Passed the fireworks place and the cars were lined up and again the parking lot was packed. That stuff isn't cheap! Don't you know, it's illegal to buy them here in PA, but everyone else can come from every other state and purchase them. Even if it is illegal in their own state.....hmmmmmm.

What the heck is it???

First person that guesses what this is will win a lil giveaway! Leave your guess in the comment area.

Nope, keep guessing! Not brownies.

Here's a hint, it is not edible.........

SOAP!
Raggedykinfolk, you got it! Email your addy to me.
This is chocolate soap. It is to be "chunked" to go into my green mint soap that I am making next!

Blog Giveaway!

Yes, I'm having a "giveaway"! Sign up to follow my blog and I'll enter you in a drawing to win this 16" dolly and 3 flowers! Post it on your blog and I'll enter you again! If you are already signed up, you'll be entered as well! Drawing will be July 8.

My living dolly!

This is my grandbaby, Sophie, doing her duty last weekend as flower girl at my niece's wedding. She decided that the ring bearer was her boyfriend and she promptly announced that she would marry him!

The other pic is my daughter Jessica with Sophie. Sophie sure does love her auntie Jess! It sure was nice to get all the family together.

Storms abrewin'!

This is just outside my back door, I have a nice view most days. I'll let this pic speak for itself!

More new patterns....

This one is called, "Prim & Pretty". I love these dolls, they are a little chunkier than I usually make my dolls and they are about 16" long. Pattern will also include the flowers, they'd be great ornies or bowl fillers, don'tcha think?!

This one is $9.50+ shipping.

The second one is "EZ PZ Prairie Dolls". Pattern will include both stitched and penciled face prairie dolls as well as the lil stump dolly. This one is also $9.50+ shipping.

Hmmmm.....maybe my pics are out of order but you get the idea, eh?!!

Oh, and Frieda below, her pattern is $9.50 as well.

Click on any of the pictures to get a larger view.

Ahhhh, Frieda!

Here's one of my newest dolly patterns. This is Firecracker Frieda. She'll make up to about 18" long. She's full of personality! I've got two others, if I could get some decent pics!!

Oh, yeah!

If my camera cooperates, I will have three, get that, THREE new patterns to show tomorrow. These were unfinished designs that I finally got together. I'm surely hoping to be more productive in the sewing room but now that the sun is FINALLY shining again, I'm drawn to the window....then the door......the greenhouse.....the gardens........!
Did I tell you I'm easily distracted?!
I need to do some things in my shop as well, it has been sorely neglected and closed for the 2 weeks leading up the the wedding.

Exhaling!

Whew! The wedding is over but it sure was beautiful. It POURED all day but they made it to the church and the ballroom where the reception was held and stayed mostly dry!

Here's a pic of the cake, this thing was huge and weighed a "ton". More than enough for 150 people. It took almost a whole day for me to assemble and decorate.

I'll have have a pic of my grandbaby Sophie soon. She was the sweetest little flower girl you ever saw!

The rain has finally ended here, it's been days, if not weeks of rain and clouds. Now maybe the garden will have a chance to grow if we get some sunlight.

Wedding countdown....

Today I baked more cakes for the wedding. More layers of vanilla pound cake and chocolate pound cake and red velvet cake. Tomorrow we will round it all up with the carrot cake layers and more lemon to finish the baking. Today my sis and her daughters, one of whom is the bride, came over and we made cookie and candy trays for the reception. We spent hours dipping cookies and candies and pretzels in chocolate, crushed nuts, caramel, crushed Andes Mints, choc. sprinkles, etc. Then we drizzled them all with white and dark chocolate. Even little pastries were dipped and drizzled. We were aiming for two big cookie trays but ended up with FOUR GIANT cookie trays. I love chocolate but the smell is permeating every square inch of my home, I think I'll pass on chocolate for awhile.

What's in a name?

Many have asked over the years how I came up with my biz name. Well, when we purchased our home and land almost 17 years ago, alot of the acreage was meadow. We were only here about a year when I decided I would grow a field of everlastings, flowers of the drying kind! Thus the name, SweetMeadowsFarm. I would take my drieds to shows and even sell them out of our small barn. After a couple years, I grew tired of the everlastings and moved on. It wasn't till years later that I began my prim doll biz on ebay that I needed a seller name. Soooo, I just carried on the SMF name and it seemed to stick. Now it's also the name of our little shop, in the now renovated small barn where we first started out!

Let the Baking Begin!

My niece is getting married in just about a week and a half. I am making her wedding cake. This was a small business I had years ago, wayyyy before the dolly-making. Today the cake baking began.
The base will be four 3-layer cakes as follows: 1 Choc. with cannoli filling, 1 Vanilla with strawberry filling, 1 Lemon with lemon cream filling and 1 carrot cake with cream cheese filling. There were be 3 tiers atop those as follows: Vanilla with strawberry, chocolate with mousse filling and the tiny "save" top will be vanilla/strawberry. It's a biggie but it needs to feed 150 persons. I will bake and freeze these cakes for the next 4 days. Stay tuned and I'll have a pic of the finished cake end of next week.

Green Acres!

This is our new toy, hubby spent 3 frustrating weekends early this spring putting this together but it was worth it in the end. We are in the throes of getting our garden in, finally the weather is cooperating. You can just barely make out the garden fence to the left of the greenhouse.

Working again....FINALLY.

The wheels are turning in my head again and I'm sketchin' and sewin'! Here's a lil sneak peek of just one of the many things I've got planned.

Healing hearts.......

While I fully intended to keep up with my blog, it just was not to be. My sister passed away this spring peacefully while sleeping. She fought a hard battle with cancer. While she was ill, death was not impending. Or so we all thought. But God had other plans and called her early to be with him. In our sorrow, we can at least rejoice in the knowledge that she is with our Dad and other loved ones, sitting at the feet of Jesus.

Live each day as if it were your last. Mend any broken fences and never forget to tell someone you love them.
We are not promised tomorrow...................

WHOA.
Three months since I've posted. Family, Grandkids, my work, my church......my life is full and good!
We got a much needed break last weekend, three days in Lancaster County, PA. I always come home inspired and fully stocked with new fabrics. Not like I needed it but I did "need" it.....ya know what I mean?!!
Pics to follow tomorrow. I scored with such great prices on most, I couldn't stop raving about my fabulous finds to hubby!
We also visited The Olde Factory in Hummelstown. If you've never been, you need to go. Three floors of antiques, stuff, crafts, etc. just waiting for you to comb thru!
I did my best!! :)
Then there's the food.....took a 3 day break from my diet...heehee!
Best of all, we just got to spend some relaxing time with our family.