It's Been Awhile

It's been awhile since I posted last. I have been so busy getting ready for Christmas, not to mention that everyone here at my house has been ill. Yuck.. :( I have been making scarves, gloves, decoupage boxes, ornaments, and going to my children's school for all of their parties.
My youngest turned 5 on the 12th and we had a little family party for her here. She had such a great time! My house is all decorated for the holidays in my "everything that is Christmas goes out" style. I have no theme. Never did. I love all of the handmade things from my 5 kids. I have stuff on my tree that is almost 20 years old from my oldest! My husband has did another over the top job on the front lawn...lol I'll try to post pics soon. My electric company is going to love us this season. LOL
The weather here is one word COLD!!! The wind is terrible and a hairdo does not have a chance! I'm staying warm inside today because the thought of waiting for my van to warm up is really unappealing..lol.
I should really be finishing up my Christmas shopping....last minute much?? I think I will do that tomorrow and Wednesday.
Anywho - I just wanted to give everyone an update of my life in the burbs since I posted last. I wish everyone the most blessed and joyful holiday season. Please stay safe and have a wonderful season! Happy Crafting....

Until next time everyone......

Pay it forward

Paying it Forward:How great is it when we all look out for one another and brighten the day of someone else who we do not know yet?!?!

After looking at some inspiring blogs, I noticed one called "The Feathered Nest".... the lady's name is Dawn. The post was called "Paying it Forward". I thought, "wow this is really neat and would love to brighten someones day with some artwork and then pass the PIF task on to someone else willing to jump in and do the same for 3 others. So I jumped over to another link from her blog, I came across Karin blog "Meandering Travels of Mindless Thoughts" where I decided to respond to the PIF "challenge".

It is that simple - 3 people answering the "kindness call" to spread the goodness and then asking 3 more to do likewise onto others.

So, the first three sweet commenters to this post who are willing to partake in this incredible opportunity will receive a little creative token of love from me. Below are the rules of the game (copied from Amy):

1. You comment on this post.

2. You receive a handmade gift from ME.

3. You post this message on YOUR blog and offer THREE more handmade gifts to the first three commenters.

4. Thus, the cycle continues and everyone has fun and beautiful crafts to display in their home.I will contact you for your addresses.Please leave a comment if you choose. Spread your wings. Sprinkle joy. Lift another. Pay it forward.

And the winner is....drumroll pease!

Jessie!! (CRshelpmeet) on MJF Farm. Congrats to you girl and thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway. Hopefully I will get another together real soon. I just got a work from home job (only for 2 weeks) and I'll need to concentrate on that for awhile.

Anywho - I hope you love everything Jessoe. Send me your address so I can get this stuff out to ya!!

I forgot....pics of my son before homecoming!

This is my 16 year old son Matt before his homecoming dance last Saturday! Such a handsome little devil!! Don't let the looks fool ya though....he's definitely a teenager...ughhh.

He didn't have a date. He went in with 6 girls!! You know he thought he was the king of the homecoming! LOL

Ahhhh to be young again. *sigh*

Don't mind my mess in the background.....it looks better now. LOL

Better today..... also, Giveaway Reminder!!!!!!

I woke up today feeling better than I have in a week. Thank God! I am not an extremely religious person, but I do believe. I know that all my prayers have been answered since I feel better today. I was scared there for a while when the dizziness and nausea started. I think I scared my hubby silly too. I went out yesterday for awhile, did some laundry, and carved them punkins! lol. The punkins turned out so good! I'll post pics tomorrow (need to take that pic first).
This morning it is sooooo cold here in the good ole' Burbs. Not suppose to get past 60 degrees this afternoon. Fall is definitely here. I love it, but I'm not sure if the kids do. They said it was "freezing" this morning! LOL I don't think they remember what December and January bring!!
Since I had to relax while sick, I got alot of crocheting done, pinned up the final portions of my quilt blocks for the MJF swap, and gathered up some goodies for the giveaway! Which reminds me.......
To remind y'all.......
Send me a comment for the giveaway!! I am drawing a name on the 1st of November!! Tell me what you love about being a farmgirl! If you don't have a farm, it's ok - I don't either. Comment anyway because so many of us have the farmgirl spirit!! Scroll down a few post and jump on in!! I won't disappoint the winner - I have some cool stuff - don't forget the headband - made just for you in your color choice!!

Anywho - I'm jabbering on (told ya I felt better).lol I gotta go finish a scarf and get my baby girl off to pre-k in a few hours. Take care and Happy Crafting all!! Stay safe and healthy!

Sick....and tired

I haven't been posting as much as I like lately. Doc told me that I have a viral infection so I must take it easy...yeah right, tell that to the kids! So here I sit, sick...and tired. I'm tires of putting drops in my eyes ( because that's where the viral infection started), and I'm run down because of the whole thing. Doc said either I take it easy or I can spend a week or so in the hospital! No thank you. I AM going trick or treating with the kids!! Well, since I haven't been able to do much, I've been getting some crafting done. My quilt blocks are almost done and ready to be sent out for the MJF swap, my ornament is 3/4 of the way done for the ornament swap, and I am working on a scarf for my MIL.
Hold on....need coffee...........

O.k, now with coffee in hand, I can finish.LOL Hubby has a 3 day refresher course for his plumbing back flow license, so I am mom and dad this weekend. I guess I get to do the punkin(as my kids call them) carving tomorrow night.
It's been raining here for 3 days now and suppose to continue until Sunday. I feel like I need to build an Ark!! It dreary and cold this morning so it makes me feel more tired. *yawn*.
Anywho, I guess it's time to go relax. Maybe I'll go lay back down with my little one until it's time for her to get up for pre-k. I don't know. Hopefully, I can get back here soon to post pics of my son before his homecoming dance. Such a handsome little devil! lol.
Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway!! I promise what I have pictured here is not everything that you will get. I've been gatherin' up some cool stuff! If you don't comment, then you don't have a chance to win!.
*** I'll give y'all a hint - some of the things smell really nice!!

Take care and stay healthy all! Happy crafting!!

My new Angel....

Went out to a place called "Tuesday Morning" the other day and hubby surprised me with a beautiful Angel! I had to put her out in the living room even though she's surrounded by Halloween Decorations! lol.

I also went to A.C. Moore and bought one of those foam kits for the kids. It's a haunted tree, so we'll put that together tonight! I'll post pics of that later.

The MJF ornament swap is still going on and I think mine is finished. I am still working on the quilt blocks and 20 other things too! My daughter wants me to help her make ornaments - I think I've rubbed off on her..YAY!!! She's thinking of joing MJF too so maybe we can get a chapter going soon! Anyway, I'm off to work on my quilt blocks while my youngest watches Shrek 2 for the hundredth time! Happy Crafting girlfriends and Take Care!

Pumpkin Farm!!

Hubby, Noah, Jaelynn (my grandbaby), and Ally - check out the "guy" stuck in the hay! lol

Noah and Ally. Ally's "milking" Noah! lol


The kids "driving" the tractor! lol











Jaelynn making faces at the farm! I made that hat for her! How cute is she?? lol


We went to Knightondale Farm in Harwood, MD. The kids had such a good time. It wore me out! They pumpkin bowled, picked pumpkins from the patch, and played in the corn kernels! It was really fun. I think I go everyyear for myself too! I LOVE pumpkin farms!!

My Fall "Cause I can" Giveaway!!

OK - I know I promised to post this the other day.....but hubby took me out on a boat ride with his best friend and the kids. It was a LONG day! Yesterday was pumpkin farming with my little ones and grandbaby - so that's my excuses! lol Anywho - here goes........

I'm going to giveaway what you see above - 7 issues of Country Stitch and Country Crafts as well as a cross stitch sampler "On Marriage" . It's a really nice sampler, just the pattern though.

To sweeten up the giveaway, I am going to send a hand crocheted headband (the winner gets to pick the color they want) Look at my blog pic to see them. I'll make the winners headband after they tell me their color choice! Don't be shy either - any color!!!

Finally I am going to throw in a few mystery surprises! I PROMISE you will love them!!!

This will be fun - NOW THE CATCH...LOL

I want y'all to post on my blog -

What's the best thing about being a Farmgirl? Be honest!! lol Let it all hang out! lol

I will draw the winning name on Nov. 1st!

Have fun! Good luck! Make sure to put your name on your post. I don't know everyone yet. If you have an MJF name, please add that too! Thanks and Enjoy!!!

I'm back..again lol

This beautiful scarf was my swap gitft from Wendy (sunshine on the MJF boards)! This girl has talent!! Thanks so much Wendy! I'll be sure to have this around my neck this winter!!


I just wanted to post a few pics of my freecycle finds! I love that site. This is a Saturday Evening Post cookie tin. How cute is this!!

These are my freebie ornaments too. The tin and the ornaments came together. Hey, I see my jack 0' lantern peeking in the background!

Tomorrow, I will post a blog contest. I figured it would be fun to give someone a gift "just 'cause I want to". lol Details will be posted on the MJF boards (I'm Tammy Claxton on there) and here. See ya again in the am!!!

These beautiful fabric squares (above) are from Denise (levisgrammy) on the MJF boards. Thanks so much!!


This is a smple of the yard of fabric from Linda Geren (a rose) on the MJF board. Thanks so much!


These beauties are from Brenda's ( tuxedo cat on the MJF boards) blog contest that I won! Thank you for everything!


These wonderful quarters and vintage Halloween cards are from Tina Michelle (gardengoose on the boards). Thanks so much!

Hopefully this pic came out. This is from Tina Michelle also. She sent me some cool buttons too! I love this little teacup. I think it's going to be a pinkeeper!! Thanks again girl!

The paper stars and bookmarks that I make are from the beautiful paper that I've received from Lisa (tribalcime). She keeps bartering them and I'll keep swapping with her!! I wonder where she gets those papers?? I'd love to find out!

I am having so much fun on the MJF boards and swaps! I couldn't ask for a better group of farmgirl friends to chat, share, and barter with. They are the most caring, sharing, loving, beautiful women! I feel very blessed and lucky to have found them! {{BIG HUGS}} to each and every one of you!! You are what everyone in this world should be !! Well, I have more to post and I can only fit so many pics on one blog post. See ya all again in a few!!! Take care and Happy crafting!!

Insomnia

Well, here I sit while everyone else is in bed. I haven't posted in a few days so this is a good time, I guess. I've been busy with the MJF swaps and barters. I've received so many beautiful things from my farmgirl friends and I promise to get pics of everything on here very soon. I've also been trying my hand at yo-yos. So far so good. My week is going to be very busy, but as soon as things slow down, I'll try to post a little more.
I wanted to thank Brenda for sending me the apple border, apron pattern, fabric, and candles for winning her blog contest! Thanks Brenda!!! Everything was so nice!
Hubby and I are planning our final camping trip for this year too. We are trying to get a group of our friends together to have a big camping weekend after Halloween. Hopefully we'll find a good place to take the kids. They are camping nuts! LOL
Anywho - I think I need to go to bed. 7 am rolls around pretty quick here. Take care and goodnight all!

Productive weekend!!

I FINALLY got the clothesline up that I have been asking hubby for! He put it up for me Sunday and I have been using it like crazy! I love the way clothes smell after being outside drying. We also brought my washer upstairs (another project I nagged him about..lol), and he also re-plumbed the basement so I have all new pipes! The back porch is clean, my drains are clear, and my laundry is swaying in the breeze! Life is good here in the burbs! My son's little dirtbike even got fixed! I think the hubby deserves a special dinner...Hmmmm, what to fix? Maybe some bbq ribs on the grill. Sounds good to me!
Today I'm going to make a clothespin bag for my new line. Hubby found a box of old blue jeans so one will be used for the bag. I'll post a pic when done. I never made one before, so this should be an experience! lol. My son was teasing me and asking if I was going to start growing my own veggies now since I already have my clothesline, my crafts, and I wash dishes with my crocheted dishcloths! lol. Got me thinking........I have room for a veggie garden, so why not?? I'll keep ya posted....
Anyway, I am off to start a clothespin bag! Wish me luck and Happy crafting!!!

More projects......

My paper projects - These are so fun to make!
I love the bookmark!

A close up of my star

My crochet headband stash ( I stole a few for my own use)

another star.......

My Oriole Bird - I AM from Maryland! LOL

I am working on 12.5" quilt blocks for an MJF swap so that is taking up some of my time. I do have some more starts made though. I also just received some fat quarters from Denise (Thank YOU!!!) and my gears are spinning now!! Well, I am off to pin up mu quilt squares! Happy crafting and take care!!!!

Finally posting my projects!!

Here is my crocheted pumpkin..I LOVE him!!

Will summer ever go away??!!

Well girlfriends, it's another hot, humid, yucky day here in MD. The mosquitoes are doing their "We're never leaving" happy dance and the flies are joining in! I had the a/c on the last few day and it seems like I'll have it on again today too. Mother Nature needs a swift one to the behind! Doesn't she know that it's officially Fall?? Ughhh.
I've been spending my "inside" days here making quilt squares for a quilt block swap on the MJF boards. So much cutting, but so much fun! I'm also sending out a cookbook for the cookbook swap in progress. Busy bee that I am..lol Today will be a stitch up the squares day after i get my youngest off to school and then I am going to take some pics of my recent projects. I am so proud of my work. I also scored 2 big bags of craft magazines from a fellow freecycler in my area so I have tons of projects in mind. Now if I could only find more hours in a day! lol
I should really be cleaning today. Company is coming to stay with us for a week or so. It's a friend of my hubby's and he's moving back here from Arizona. I guess I should get off of my duff and get to steppin'! Take care ladies and Happy crafting! Leave me a comment - I'd love to hear from ya!!!

Grandbaby day!

Today I am babysitting my beautiful little grandaughter. She's been here since *:30 am and it's now almost 1pm. She is so funny! She's finally learning to walk and everything makes her laugh. Needless to say, I haven't done much else except enjoy her company. My children are off at school, but my youngest one did get to play with her before heading off to Pre -K. I didn't want anyone to think that I had dropped off of the planet though, so I stopped in for a hello, and a what's up for me today..lol I have been busy lately with getting my Fall craftin' in gear and right now I am making star ornaments out of the most beautiful pictures that I received from an MJF barter with tribalcime. I will post them on here with the rest of my completes in a few days. Any way, I'm back of to play with my grandaughter. Y'all have a wonderful day! Take care and Happy Crafting!!

Therapy...cont. lol

Today, I am making headbands. I am crocheting them to rid myself of that darn quilting episode! lol. I have decided to go buy a walker foot for my for my machine and see what happens. UGHHH...I was so hoping to be sewing it up and finishing it this week. Oh well, I guess I'll be crocheting headbands until I can get to the store. Will post pics of them (headbands) on here later.....

Hubby is home today sick. He's a big baby when he's not feeling well, so I was letting him sleep. As I write this, he is up sloshing around the house, grunting, and groaning. Makes me wonder if I act like that when I am sick...hmmmm. I don't think so, but hubby will probably say I do just to make himself look good. lol

Today is beautiful with a capital B !!!! I love this weather. A gentle breeze, sunshine, and the leaves changing color. I can open up my windows and air out the house!

My next project will be a clothesline. Here we have B Gand E for our gas and electric and if anyone knows anything about them - well they raised our prices 72% !! I do alot of laundry and I'm trying to be budget concious so a clothesline it is. Anywho - I'm going to go crochet some more while the kids are in school and the hubby is moaning. Take care and Happy Crafting!!

Therapy ....

Well, I decided to make a wreath to help me destress from the quilting disaster. I just wanted to post it on here. I am so proud of it!!

Quilting disaster!

I thought I was ready to machine stitch my quilt today... hahaha, what a joke! My machine wants to eat my material, knot up the thread, and my needles are breaking. I tried everything - putting on a darning plate, changing the tension, taking off the presser foot, putting it back on. I am so upset right now I could cry! I have been trying to get this quilt finished for months. The kids are in school now and I have the time, but no I have a monster machine! Worst thing is that it is brand new!! I know I am doing something wrong that probably only requires a simple fix! HELP!!!! Oh well, maybe I should stick to crochet, plastic canvas, and pillow making...*sigh*

On a lighter note - isn't it beautiful this time of year?? Today is gorgeous and the leaves are starting to change. I haven't had my a/c on in days. Feels so good to open my windows and get to crafting! I was thinking of starting an Etsy account, but I am leery about that. I'm also afraid that my stuff won't sell. I guess I'll never know unless I try. Maybe I'll go to the craft store today to buy a quilting needle or two for my machine to try, try again! Anyway, besides feeling like a cold is coming on and my sewing machine is alive, things are great! lol Take care and have a great day. Happy crafting!

One of my Favorite recipes!

My husband grew up eating this bread as well as sticky buns (yummy!) that were made from this recipe. You can cut the recipe in half since it does make ALOT of dough! I got two full pans of sticky buns from this - around 30 buns!

Mom Flynn's Bread

5 lb. flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup crisco
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs, beaten
3 tsp. vanilla
2 yeast packets
5 cups warm water

Mix yeast in warm water first and set aside. In a seperate bowl, mix together flour, sugar, and salt. Work in crisco. Add beaten eggs. Add vanilla to the yeast and water mixture and combine with other ingredients. Mix well and let stand overnight, in bowl, covered.
When ready, roll out dough for biscuits, put in muffin tins, or bake in bread pans.

To make sticky buns -

You will need dough mixture, King syrup (or any other thick pancake syrup), pecans (or other nuts), cinnamon, raisins(opt), sugar, and butter(cut into pieces), and a greased pan.

Roll dough out and sprinkle cinnamon, raisins, sugar, and cut up butter on dough. Roll up like a jellyroll. Cut into 1 inch sections . Grease your pan. Spread King syrup and nuts onto the bottom of your pan. Put buns in pan. Let buns rise to double their size. Bake buns @350 degrees for 30 - 40 minutes or until done.

You can add whatever nuts you like if you don't like pecans and omit raisins if you want to. Remember that this makes alot of dough, so cut it in half if you want to. Enjoy!

Crafty!

Today is so beautiful! The sun is shining and its only 70 degrees F . I love it! I can feel Fall now. I am so excited and ready to get to crafting my holiday gifts and decorations. I did make myself a promise, though. I have to get my quilt done by the weekend. It's been a work in progress a quite some time now. I ahve also gathered up some recipes to post on here, so tomorrow should be recipe day. I am going to go enjoy this day.... I'll try to post more later, but if not, oh well, at least I have a good excuse - today is just too beautiful to waste!!

OH, before I forget - I just wanted to post some of the things I have finished over the week. I made a purse, a cell phone holder and a change purse. Also, I have made a tooth fairy pouch and there are a few more in the works. Happy Crafting and have a terrific day!

Remembering 9/11

God Bless America!

I just wanted to add a note to ask everyone to pray for the families of the victims of 9/11. My flag is waving proudly and always will. Also, please pray for our troops and their safe return home. We all need to take a moment and remember how lucky we are to have our freedom and thank those who make it possible.

Trying to keep it crafty....

This morning is one of those humid, hazy mornings that make you want to climb back in bed and sleep all day. Yesterday I was a crochet madwoman making a cell phone holder, a change purse, and finishing up mu purse that I had started a month ago. With all the children in school (my youngest goes half day) I have a few hours to myself! YAY!!!

I finally pulled my sewing machine out yesterday too. There is something about yarn, fabric, thread, and being alone that makes me feel so peaceful. I also just heard on the news that the weather here in MD is going to be beautiful after today is over. Come on Fall! I feel it, I just don't see it yet.... soon.

I'd love to know what other do to get ready for Fall and what you all like to make...come on, I know there are a whole bunch of crafty ladies out there! I love anything country, especially needlework and old furniture. My kids think that mom is nuts, but I don't care.... If I am nuts, then I am a HAPPY NUT. lol

Oh, I just finished a tooth fairy pouch for my grand daughter and I have 2 more in the works. here's a pic of it.....

Gimme some feedback ladies and let me know how I am doing. I would love any advice or ideas for crafty things or recipes. I have a few "through the generations" recipes that I will be posting on here this week. Keep a look out for them!

Crazy Weekend

Well, this weekend was really crazy! My youngest daughter had a throat infection and my husband was busy working on our 2nd bathroom. It's a slow process..... Anyway, I finished making a crocheted teatowel to hang off of my oven door and it is so cute! I will post a pic later. I'm thinking of opening an Etsy shop, buit with so many people on there alreay, I don't know if it's worth it. I know a lot of ladies from the Mary Jane's Farm message boards sell on there and they have some really beautiful stuff! Maybe when I get all my ducks in a row I'll give it a try.

I still haven't gotten all my pics downloaded yet since I had such a crazy weekend. I am hoping to get it all down within the next few days. I am going to try to get some pics of my family on here today though. They get first priority anyway! Well, I am off to get my little girl off to school, do a litle crafting, drink a cup of coffee, and then wait for the whole gang to come back home this afternoon! Have a wonderful day....and if you're in the Eastern part of the US, stay inside - it's so humid and nasty outside!!

Getting ready for Fall

Well, I am finally feeling the excitement of Fall. I have had enough with summer.... the kids complaining about the heat, the humidity here in Maryland, and the closed up feeling of having the A/C on for days on end. I can almost smell the pumpkin muffins, pecan pies, and homemade breads filling up my kitchen. Yummmm! The kids have been in school for almost 2 weeks now, and I am enjoying a little "me" time. This is always the time of year when I dejunk my house and get ready for the holidays! It's also the time of year when my creative side kicks in overdrive! I start planning on what I am going to make so I can add it to my holiday decorations as well as give as gifts. I guess looking outside the window and seeing some of the leaves begin to change colors inspires me to get to craftin'!
I would love to know what others are up to and what you all plan to do or have already done to get ready for Fall or for the holidays! Today I will download some pics of my recent projects and post on here this week. Let me know what is going on in your neck of the woods ( or anywhere else for that matter)! Remember - you don't have to live in the country to have a "country" home! Take care and send me some comments!

New to Blogging....

I thought I would try my hand at "blogging". Bear with me since i am new to this...lol

This site will be dedicated to all the women out there who wish they lived, have lived, or are moving away from the country.

I live in the "Burbs". :( I wish I didn't. I would much rather be waking up on a beautiful Fall morning, with my hot cup of coffee in hand, looking out at my many acres of country land. For now I will have to make due. I try to let me inner country come out in my home and in my crafts. I love to create and I can often be found doing my crocheting, my plastic canvas, making ornaments, painting, refinishing old furniture, or just spending time with my family. I love to read and try new recipes too. I hope to get some pics up here to show my fellow "Suburbian Countrygirls" my crafts and hopefully start a Country in the Burbs fellowship!!

Now, a little about me (Tammy)- I am 38, married to my best friend, Charlie , and mom to 5 great children. I have 3 girls and 2 boys. I also have 2 cats. I live in Maryland, (ahhh blue crabs!) about 15 minutes from the Chesapeake Bay, and right now I am a stay at home mom. I have an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice, but my real passion is in my family and my crafts. I look forward to meeting you all and giving and getting some great Country in the Burbs ideas!!