A Bit of Sewing...and Promises of Spring

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

With all the wet weather we've been having, I've had a bit more time for sewing.  Just slogging through the mud to get to the mailbox is enough to cause me and the dogs to stay warm and cozy inside. Even Roger, who loves nothing better in life than to patrol our yard, has been just lying around inside with no desire to go outside.  Those muddy paw clean-ups are no fun for any of us, and we will all be glad when the mud has dried up!

So while "springter" is here with all its drizzly rain and gray skies, I remembered I had a darling pattern for a little elephant that had been saved in my to-do file for several years, and now it was time to put it to good use!


Lucky the Elephant is a darling pattern created by Virginia Lindsey Design.  The website where you can find (and buy) this pattern is here: Lucky The Elephant.


Lindsay's pattern calls for the eyes to be buttons, but because I was giving these elephants to small children, I decided to embroider the eye on instead of using a button.  Also, the original pattern that I had did not show the option for a tail, but I did add the tail.  Upon visiting her website to share the link here, I saw that she had updated her pattern to include a tail.



The pattern prints on two sheets of paper and then you tape it together.  It is a really easy pattern, comes with a great PDF and excellent instructions, and can be made in about 2 hours from start to finish. This is a wonderful project to make and give away.


I also found another pattern while searching through my pattern file, and decided I had the perfect fabric to make this apron.  I had been looking for a pattern for an apron but had never decided upon one. How glad I was to find this simple pattern (actually it was a free handout I picked up years ago from Hobby Lobby) and the directions again were very simple, easy to follow, and this apron was easily made in about two hours.


I used Pellon fusible fleece to first adhere the applique, and then stitched around the edges as well.


You may remember this fabric was a gift that I received from dear Cheryl at Homespun Devotions, and shared about in this post.  Oh how I appreciated her generous gift of fabric to me, and so this little apron made its way to Cheryl's home along as a thank you for her sending such a lovely assortment of fabric to me.

I've also had other projects that I've been working on... I was asked to make a birthday banner for the little girl who received the pink Lucky Elephant from me.


I was happy to make this for her, as I have a pennant die for my Big Shot die cut machine which makes cutting out dies for banners easy and fun.  I used some large die cut letters I had as well, and added some cute flowers and ribbons, and the cute birthday banner was done, easy and fun to do!


While at a thrift store recently, I found a ziplock bag full of fabric for $2.00, of which I couldn't pass up.  When I got home and opened the bag, I found this unfinished piece inside that had been sewn by hand.


You can see the hand sewn stitches.


The square was quite a bit off center, and perhaps that is why it was a leftover in the bag, but I thought it would make a unique little potholder, and so I finished the little lopsided square into a potholder that I will keep for my own use, and will always wonder about the story behind the little lopsided square each time I use it {smiles}. After all, it is better being put to some good use, rather than hiding in a lonely bag of fabrics... :)


I mentioned in my last post that our area has been inundated with heavy rain recently, and our county has been placed under emergency declaration because of the rain, flooding, and mudslides. We were on our way back home from town this past weekend when traffic came to a standstill, and we saw this scene in the distance.  Apparently several trees had fallen over the road just a few cars in front of us.


It wasn't too long and someone with a chainsaw began to cut the trees back off the road.  You can see off to the side that there were a lot of helpers!  Quite a few people, many of them children, helped carry the brush and limbs off the road. It took about 30 minutes of waiting for the road to be cleared, but we were very thankful that no one was hurt.

Another mudslide happened early Sunday morning on a main road in our area, that has only one way in and out, thus cutting off many people from being able to travel to their Sunday morning worship.  The road opened late Sunday morning, but you can see the devastation this slide caused.


An entire hillside gave way and rolled down the hill and onto the road.  It took crews many hours to completely clear away the debris.


Again, thankfully no one was hurt!


We saw this cute face peeking out at us in the woods one afternoon.  She wasn't sure whether to run or wait and watch us.  Eventually she wandered off, not too worried about us after all.


The sunsets haven't been as brilliant as they were during the dark winter days, but still, the soft pale colors were beautiful to behold.


You can see that our snow is quickly melting away, and it really is beginning to feel like spring is here.  Today we took our family vehicle to get the studded snow tires off and our regular summer tires put back on.  The roads now are clear of snow, and the grader came this week and graded off all the potholes, which makes it much easier to drive down our gravel road.  My husband and I worked today to clean out the chicken coop, and put the lovely composted manure in my garden.

So, things are looking up around here for spring, and while I know that the bright blooms of spring are still a month or so away, it is exciting to be putting away winter wraps, and exchanging them for lighter spring jackets, and looking forward to the promise of the beauty of late spring, when the mud has dried up, and the tulips, daffodils and crocuses are in bloom :)

83 comments

  1. I really love those elephants. Very cute.

    Thank God no one was hurt by the falling trees and mudslides.

    God bless you and your family, SpicingUpIdaho.

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  2. I love your projects...the elephants, apron, banner! And the potholder makes for an interesting story! So very sorry about the mud slides. We were hit with a severe thunderstorm and hail earlier this week; thankfully no damage though. I hope your warm up continues and it won't be long until you can enjoy flowers!

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    1. Glad you had no problems with the thunderstorm, spring ones can sure be bad! Have a blessed day :)

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  3. Awww....love those elephants, smiles...love the apron, love the banner. smiles. We have had such high winds here, we lost cable/internet/phone for over 12 hours---never realized how much we relied on the internet, grin.

    Have a beautiful day friend...smiles

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    1. Oh no, sorry to hear you lost power! Hope all is better now! Oh, until we lose power, we don't realize how much we rely on them, indeed! Have a blessed day :)

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  4. You've been busy! The sewing projects are great. I am glad no one was injured in the mudslides.

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  5. Such lovely sewing works of art, darling Marilyn, and what a miracle that nobody was injured during the fall of those enormous trees, maybe due to the aboundant snow that this Winter brought !!!

    Wishing you a most lovely remainder of your week,
    sending blessings across the many miles

    XOXO Dany

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    1. Thank you Dany, your sweet comments always bless my heart!

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  6. I love the adorable elephants...so cute..
    so much rain..I can't even imagine that much. Here on the Plains of West Texas, we get such a little rain and when it does fall, we all want to run out and dance in it...:)

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    1. I remember wanting rain in the summer and being so happy to see it, I know what you mean, but right now, the amount of rain is a bit much, lol!

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  7. You ARE doing springy things!
    Yikes! Your flooding and mud slides are substantial. Stay safe and I pray trees don't fall near YOUR house.
    Your sewing is lovely. Isn't fabric versatile? I like your ideas.

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    1. Thanks PomPom, we sure hope for no falling trees around us too, it is definitely a concern! Hugs to you today!

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  8. Mudslides are scary! I hope your rain lets up! Your sewing machine must be smoking from all that sewing you are doing. Great work!

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    1. It is still raining here... LOL! More sewing machine time though :)

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  9. I made several elephants years ago...but your pattern is especially cute. My oldest daughter has been elephant crazy for years. lol I gave her all my elephant collection.
    Looks like you have been having a good time sewing. Loving the apron, too.

    That is a LOT of rain and I am glad no one got hurt when the trees fell.

    Have a great weekend-xo Diana

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    1. It has been a lot of fun making those elephants, I hope to make some more this weekend. It really is an easy pattern, and so fun to make :) And it is still raining here, lol!

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  10. Cute sewing projects, especially the elephants. I'm glad the snow is melting and spring is coming out your way. I do hope there will be no more flooding and landslides.

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    1. Spring is definitely coming, snow is melting, we are just getting a ton of rain, lol! More time for sewing though :)

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  11. Oh, I love your elephants and that apron! And...you sound so much like me, buying a hand-sewn quilt off of Etsy for...$12.00! I just kept looking at it, coming back around to it...I felt so bad for the person who took all that time to sew it by hand and then have someone value it at $12.00. So, it now belongs to my 1 year old, and she uses it every day. :)

    Thanking the Lord no one was hurt in those mud slides!!

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    1. Oh I know what you mean, I just hate to see someone's hard work not be valued! How wonderful that your daughter is using the quilt :)

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  12. Hi, seeing if this goes thru - works!

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    1. Yes! I really enjoy your photos and sharing your art projects! Some beautiful country where you live! From Adrienne's site you had some paintings you shared, I'l like to see more of your artwork! Please provide link. Thanks!

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  13. Wonderful sewing projects!
    Loved the elephant!
    Those slides sure look dangerous!
    Wow!

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    1. Thanks Annie, we are thankful too that so far no one has been hurt!

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  14. Wow! Glad no one was hurt! I hope you get a chance to dry out soon!

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    1. It is still raining here, but we are thankful so far for no one has been hurt in any of the rain we have been getting!

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  15. THANK YOU ever so much for sending me the beautiful apron and all of the other things you sent! Everything is so wonderful, and I know you put a lot of love into every stitch! I think of you so often, as I see the things you have made for me...but, it doesn't take those things to bring you to my mind. :) You are often on my mind and in my prayers. Kristen LOVES her little elephant! I finally got it off in the mail to her, along with the other things you sent her and Sandi, and you will be hearing from them soon, Lord willing. You are an amazing blessing to us all, and your prayers and love and faithful support to my family and me in our battles are things I will never forget or stop being grateful for. May the dear Lord bless and encourage your heart and keep you safe always. Sending you much love and gratitude for everything, along with many hugs across the miles!

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    1. It was such a blessing for me to be able to make the apron for you and the elephant for Kristen! I'm so thankful they arrived safely and brought joy to your hearts! That is thanks enough for me :) Appreciate your dear friendship so much, praying for you always, and believing in prayer that all will be well with Kristen! Big hugs to you dear friend :)

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  16. Oh my, you have been stitching the most beautiful pretties. Those elephants are too, too cute and your apron, oh how pretty with all those sweet fabrics. I love the addition of the sweet flowers. Sweet banner too and the potholder is so very cheery. I hope the nasty weather disappears soon and Spring arrives singing a more mellow song.

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    1. It has been so much fun sewing, it has continued to rain up a storm here, so I've had a chance to get more sewing done :) Appreciate your kind comments, always such a blessing to me!

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  17. Whoa! Fallen trees and mudslides - what a mess, but so good to know that no one was injured.
    Your elephants are absolutely adorable! If I knew how to sew, I would make them for my granddaughters, that's for sure. I do enjoy seeing your projects, Marilyn. You are gifted!
    Blessings!

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    1. This is the cutest, and easiest pattern to make, I think your granddaughter's would love making it. I hope you are having a wonderful trip away, hugs to you today!

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  18. Elephants and aprons and banners, oh my! All of my favorite things in one place...not to mention deer. :)

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    1. I agree, so much fun all at once! Hugs to you dear friend :)

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  19. Aw, such cute sewing projects!! I have done some of the Gingercake designs--I think I did an owl pillow. They are so fun to do!

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    1. I love Gingercake, and hope to make some more of her designs, the owl pattern is really cute! Hugs to you :)

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  20. You have the most interesting and wonderful scenery pictures! I like when you tell the story behind the pictures. This one about the fallen trees are scary but fantastic!
    Mud Season, this is still new to us. I've heard of Snowbirds and this year we heard of Mudbirds. I like this time of the year! Preparing for the garden or sewing, too!

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    1. Mud season is a mess, and definitely unique to the North for sure. I'll be glad when it's done! But, on the bright side, rainbows are so amazing this time of year, and soon the sun will be out, and we'll be dreaming of rain again, lol!

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  21. I absolutely love the elephants. :-)

    We are in mud season too. Messy, messy, messy.

    Again, your photos are great. You do such a wonderful job capturing your life and the beauty around you.
    Have a blessed weekend,
    Carla

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    1. Thanks Carla! Always appreciate your kind comments, what a blessing you are to me. Hugs to you today :)

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  22. Look at you doing all that sewing! Your elephants are so cute! Very nice apron too! I like to make my own potholders too out of recycled materials!! Wow, that tree is huge....thankfully no one was hurt! Love the photo of the deer! That is just amazing!!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! It's cold and snowy here today! :xo
    Linda

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    1. It was crazy to see that tree over the road, just minutes before we arrived, so thankful no one was hurt. I'm enjoying making more potholders, they are so fun! I just loved the bag you embroidered, so beautiful, you are one talented gal! Hugs to you today :)

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  23. Lucky the Elephant is adorable...loved seeing them all. The apron is gorgeous! I love the different fabrics. Your potholder is so sweet...love the story you've made that will be your story about it, even if you don't know the story behind why it was in the bag.

    The devastation from so much rain makes me sad. Those sunset pictures are so stunning!

    I so enjoyed my visit with you Marilyn. xx

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    1. Thanks Dianne, it was so much fun to make those elephants, and I hope to make some more soon... and the apron comes together quite quickly too! Hugs to you today, appreciate your friendship so much :)

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  24. How wonderful that you have had such a fun time sewing :0) Here in the mountains, we have had snow, ice and rain. For the next couple of days, we will be wet :/...

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    1. I know this is a welcome thing for you there, as you were so worried about it being dry. Hugs to you today :)

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  25. You've been busy with some cute sewing products, may as well be creative until warmer weather arrives. My poor old dog is very quick to do his business outside but we've started a bit of walking when if the day is warm enough.
    That was a huge clump of trees that fell over the road, glad it didn't hit anyone.

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    1. It has definitely continued to be sewing indoor kind of weather, at least until the mud dries up, lol! Hope your days are warming up :)

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  26. You made some fun sewing projects!! I like your little banner a lot. I am glad nobody was hurt from the water issues.

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    1. The banner was a lot of fun to make, I enjoy doing those. And we are thankful that with all the rain, no one seems to have been injured. So thankful! Hugs to you today :)

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  27. What fun sewing projects you've been playing with!! When Evey was born, I made her a similar little stuffed elephant - fun project! Be safe with all that spring flooding!! :)

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    1. Thanks Denise, it has been fun doing this bit of sewing! Hugs to you today :)

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  28. Such wonderful sewing projects! Your birthday banner is beautiful and I'm sure the little lady who it is for will find it very pretty. Glad that nobody was hurt with that flooding. Looks like spring is on its way; keep smiling!

    Poppy

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    1. Yes, oh yes, spring is coming, and once the mud dries up, everything will be glorious, I can't wait :) Hugs to you today!

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  29. I love your cute apron! And the photo of the deer is amazing!

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    1. Thanks Lynne, it was fun to stop and watch the deer as she watched us :)

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  30. Replies
    1. I do too! I need to make some more soon :) Praying for you!

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  31. Wow! So much going on in this post! Your sewing projects just amaze me! I love that you can do that and make use of scraps of material, creating lovely items that children and ladies will enjoy! Such a great talent! So sorry about the mudslides and trees down. That is a scary thing when it happens. We don't get mudslides here, but we do get trees down when we have bad storms, and they can be quite damaging. I am thankful that our guys have learned to use the chainsaw and have often had to clear our road after a storm. Your sunsets are still glorious. I know you are anxious for flowers and spring, but this 'springter" is still pretty amazing in itself! Thank you for sharing. Love the deer!!!

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    1. Always appreciate your visits, and your precious comments, Pamela! Rain is definitely hard on these shallow tree root systems around here, and you understand them too where you live! Yes, a chainsaw is a must! Hoping you are having a lovely day today :)

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  32. Marilyn, so glad you got some time to do some sewing! That is always so fun when we can put away all the distractions and get right down to it... the elephants are darling and so is the apron. How sweet to send it off to the gal who sent you the fabric. Your skies there are so pretty too.. and glad to see the snow disappearing, though be it slowly! I actually got out and did some yardwork today and mowed our lawn! Marilyn

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    1. Yeah for you Marilyn, I know you were looking forward to getting outdoors and getting things done! I've had a bit more time to do some indoor things, but hoping the mud dries up soon so I can get outside too :) Hugs to you today!

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  33. Hi Marilyn! Thank goodness no one was hurt by that mudslide! The photos you have here are very impressive, and I can't help but silently thank the people who do the cleaning up after disasters of one kind and another.
    I'm so glad that material found it's way back to Cheryl, how kind of you to do that. The elephants are so cute and the apron will be well used by her. What a lovely blog-friend you are!
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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    1. Yes, it is so amazing all the work that people must go to, to clean up when these kinds of things happen! I was so happy to be able to send Cheryl a little something out of the fabric she gifted me. Appreciate your friendship so much, and praying you are having a lovely day today :)

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  34. Cute elephants. The tail was a must, and not using buttons for the eyes was smart. The apron is delightful. Love the pattern and fabrics. Cheryl is such a sweetheart. I just love her. I hope the flooding and mudslides have stopped in your area now. That is always a bad thing. One of my favorite things is finding bags of fabric at a thrift store and then diving into it once I get home and discovering all of what's inside. Sometimes I find unfinished projects like the one you used for your potholder, and I always wonder why they didn't finish it. It's a mystery, for sure. Have a great week, Marilyn! xo

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    1. Yes, the tail was a must, it looked sad without one! And I'm glad I decided to embroider the eyes, although my embroidery skills are quite lacking, lol! Cheryl is such a precious friend to me too! We are still getting rain here, but hoping it will end soon, and dry up... come soon spring... I did find tulips popping their heads up, so it shouldn't be long now! Hugs to you today :)

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  35. Well it looks like you have been working your little fingers tot he bone on all of that wonderful sewing you have been doing! What darling projects...that apron is really making my heart beat a little faster...just love it! Anytime you have the combination of tall evergreens and soggy ground, these things happen...all you need is little breeze. We have the same issue here in NC during ice storms or lots of rain. I hope your spring starts popping up soon! Enjoy your week!

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    1. Those pine trees sure do cause problems if their root systems get compromised in any way, amazing how the problem is shared by both you and me in totally different places! I did find tulips popping up in my garden this week, oh happy day... spring IS coming :)

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  36. Always a story behind those unfinished projects.... You have been so ambitious with your sewing....good for you! It reminds me I need to sew my precious daughter an apron..... Thank goodness no one was hurt.... So many blessings come our way that should inspire within us thanksgiving and love to God for his care. Thanks for your visit. I always look forwards to them! Hugs, Ronda

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    1. I enjoy sewing, especially when there is not much to do outside. Soon though, my hands will be covered with soil, and I can't wait! Tulips popping up in my garden this week! Spring is coming :)

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  37. Cute! Cute! Cute! It looks as though you have been enjoying some time inside with all the soggy weather you have been having. Those elephants are just adorable! And that apron...love it!

    So glad no one was hurt with all the fallen trees and mud slides. So very scary.

    As I'm typing the rain is hitting our roof, such a happy sound. God is good and he does answer our prayers. They are calling for more rain tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday and Saturday. Now, this is Spring! ;) Things are gonna be turning green soon! Yay!

    I'm so glad you printed out my scone recipe. It is the best. Makes me Happy to know you bake them!

    Enjoy your week my friend!

    Hugs, Amy

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    1. I made the scones, they were awesome! My kids loved them :) In fact, anytime I try one of your recipes, we always enjoy them. I think we are sisters in the kitchen! Hugs to you today, have a blessed day! So glad you are getting needed rain!!!

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  38. i LOVED you patterns!!!
    you are so talented to sew such lovely stuff ,such pleasure to eyes.
    rains are rare here but your pic reminded me my native country side which used to have lots of rains and such views of land sliding and fallen trees were more often.
    though living near nature is BLESSING but such situations create timely irritation.
    glad that all went smooth and without any damage.
    hope snow melts more speedily and spring peeks out into your area dear!

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    1. Always appreciate your visits Baili, and to hear about your countryside too! Snow is melting, and I found tulips poking their heads up in my garden this week, so we are quite happy to know that spring is on its way :) Hugs to you today!

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  39. Very sweet elephants and I love a pretty apron! We had a wind storm that blew off some siding and roof shingles. Now we are dealing with the insurance company. The next day we got 3 feet of snow. Yup, Spring is here....on the calendar!

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    1. Oh no! I hate to hear that you had shingle damage, I hope your insurance company will fully cover and replace the damage! 3 feet of snow! Oh my goodness! Is it melting yet? Ours is almost gone, and I found tulips popping their heads up in my garden this week, I'm excited about that! Hugs to you today :)

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  40. Springter is an excellent word. My one sign of spring lately is that the turkey vultures have returned. 😳

    Mudslides are not something we must deal with...what a mess, but what a miracle that no one was hurt. All those trees falling and nobody got clobbered. Amazing...

    Wonderful creations from your sewing room and somebody else's, too, I guess. Good use of found fabric!

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    1. Yes, the turkeys are hanging out here too, lol! We are still getting lots of rain, but hoping that the mud will dry up soon! Appreciate your visits as always, have a wonderful day :)

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  41. Thank you so much SpicingUpIdaho for visiting me and joining the discussion. I am totally confused about this subject and I have responded on my Blog. It seems to be one mystery which has lead to many different opinions.

    God bless you and yours.

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    1. I will check out your response Victor. It does appear to be a mystery, one which we will never know the answer to this side of heaven, I think. Appreciate you coming back to let me know. Have a great day!

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  42. Thanks Teri, always appreciate your visits! Hugs to you today too!

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Your comments are blessings to me, and I appreciate each and every one, they are precious to me! I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my blog... this is what makes blogging worthwhile! Have a blessed day!

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