Tribal Horse Designs is having a Giveaway!!!

Check it out....

Blog Giveaway Contest ..Christmas Necklace

BLog giveaway contest.....starts today and runs thru midnight Tuesday Nov 15th .
Prize is this xmas necklace .
Several ways to enter .The first way and is mandatory ...visit my Etsy Store HERE and then come back here to tell me what your fav item is and post the link to the item.
2) Recieve one entry for every comment you leave in a blog post ....leave posts in 20 posts..you get 20 entries
3) Repost about my giveaway on your blog or a forum and recieve 5 entries .You must come back here and post the link also.

Please go see all the great things she makes!

On My Way

Well, I have finally decided to take the leap and open an online store. I've been thinking about it for a while now, and it's time. The kids will be going back to school soon and I'll have plenty of time to get everything organized and cataloged! I am super excited about it :)

Things in the burbs have been crazy as always. My sister gave me an orphaned kitten... We named her Iris and when I got her she was about 3-4 weeks old. She had conjunctivitis in both eyes and was a little mess :( Well after 2 weeks of caring for her and a hefty vet bill, she is all better and ready for a forever home. I took her to my local SPCA today and they will find her a nice home. My cats did not like her and my female cat, Pika hissed and growled and then refused to eat. I had to make this decision even though it broke my heart to do so. I feel bad, but I also feel like I saved her life and she will get the start that she deserves :)

My daughter's pregnancy is going well and my little grandson is still in his mommy's tummy :) She just passed 23 weeks so I am happy for her!

My Father-in-law is doing much better as well. Things are good :)

Everything else going on is the same craziness with all the animals, kids, and being busy.

Anyway, I just wanted to stop by and give an update on things here in the burbs.... still hot humid, and downright yuck as far as the weather goes too. I can't wait for Fall! Hurry up September! lol

Take care everyone and I'll check in again soon (hopefully with my new website up and running!)

Happy Crafting!

Just a few completed projects to show you...

Two Plarn purses and a coffee can birdhouse :)

Monday, Monday

Ever have a few days where you just couldn't sleep? Well, that's me right now. I haven't had a good night's sleep in days... too many things running through my mind. I have so much to do. I want to start an online store to try to sell some of my antiques, I need to get my house decluttered, hubby and I are working on a station wagon to get it ready to drive, and the kids are on summer break!

Whew! I'm exhausted just typing about it...lol I really need to get a list going and just do one thing at a time. It seems like as soon as I start a project, someone needs me and it gets put on hold.... I know, I know - that's because I'm a mommy, and I have to do everything :) I just wish I could get some sleep at night so I wouldn't be so darned cranky all day :(

On a lighter note - my daughter is still going strong with her pregnancy. She is 18 weeks today and counting! YAY! I am still praying for that little grandson of mine to hang in there and wait a few more months (try 4), until he shows himself. Also, my youngest 2 children both received Honor Roll for the end of the school year! They make me and hubby proud! My Father-in Law is doing well with his chemo treatments and celebrated another Father's Day :) so all is not lost....

I hope everyone else had a good Father's Day with their hubbies, or dads :) I made a really nice steak dinner for my sweetheart and spent the day doing car repair with him while my mother-in-law had the kids at her house swimming. It was a good day and everyone was happy :)

Well, that's about it for now - I have some crochet projects in the works as well as some sewing to get done... more to add to the long list..lol I hope everyone has a wonderful day and I will be back soon with more stuff going on in the burbs..Haha.

Take care and Happy Crafting!

Lots going on...not all good.

Well, I've been MIA again and I'm so sorry :( Things on the old homestead have been crazy lately.

My father in law was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago, and we have all been helping out with him and my mother in law. Then right after Mother's Day, a fox killed 3 of my hens. I was devastated. I would have bet money that my chicken run was safe.I would have lost :(

My second oldest daughter announced that she was pregnant...again. I have a beautiful 4 year old granddaughter by her and 2 grandsons who are up in heaven. This pregnancy is not going to be easy and since day 1 she has been going thru hell. It's been bed rest for the last 6 weeks and me being Grandmom x10 to my granddaughter. I don't mind at all, but it gets exhausting at times. I also have an 8 y/o and a 10 y/o to take care of. Can you say BUSY??

Hubby and I had to move the chicken coop and the run to the other side of the yard which took over a week - the pool needing cleaning and filling - all done now. There are other issues, but I won't get into those here.

Anyway, I have had time to make an Ipad case for myself (I won one from a local radio station - yay me!) I also have a few sewing projects in the works. My Spring cleaning has even started yet...ughh. I need to start that soon.

School ends here in a few days, so hopefully I can get some things done while the kids are in the pool... maybe I can even get them to help me (yeah right).

I'm trying to be positive about all of the things going on right now. My FIL is getting better with his chemo and meds, The chickens are safe now, and my grandson is still in his Mommy's belly!

I hope to have a much more positive post here soon. In the meantime, keep crafting and keep smiling - that's what I am trying to do! :)

Pic above is my new chicky babies!!

Wow...we are a fiesty bunch!

It seems like the whole Urban Homesteadeing revolution the past few days has brought many people together! This is awesome! It feels great to know that there are so many Urban Homesteaders out there blogging away with such an overwhelming passion!

Yep, we are fiesty! we are strong, passionate, intelligent, caring, and dedicated! We will stand firm in what we believe in!

As for today, I am still reading blogs and staying in because we got a nice dose of snow last night. My chickens are huddled under their coop and once in a while will venture into the snow, only to run back under there! lol I love those girls ♥

My children are home from school and they are listening to Queen's "We Will Rock You" ☺
I've heard it 5 times already...geesh, pick another song already! I keep checking outside to see if my new coffee can birdhouse is attracting any takers yet...haha. I don't think so, but it's still early. Hopefully we'll have a new bird family in there soon!

Tomorrow, I think I will go antiquing. Just to look (yeah right). I need a cabinet for my new bathroom downstairs and I'm looking for something to refinish. I can never just go out and buy something that's finished already. It's an addiction of mine - refinishing old things and making them new as well as making new things from old.

Well, I guess it's time for me to jump off of here - I have a craft room calling my name. sadly I need to dejunk it and say goodbye to some things (insert tears here). It will hurt, but I will be stronger for it!! Plus it makes room for new stuff... OOPS, did I type that?? HAHA

Take care everyone, keep on blogging and Happy Crafting...... ♥


*pics of my coffee can birdhouse! Notice the chickens??*

My Name is Tammy and I Am an Urban Homesteader.....

Now, I know that there are many of you out there that are asking, "What are you talking about?" Well let me clarify things.....

I live in the suburbs, I have a simple Cape Cod on an acre of land, I have the typical swimming pool, playset, and mini van. I also try to grow my own veggies, successfully raise chickens, have 2 dogs, 2 cats, and plan on getting 2 goats this Spring. I am an Urban Homesteader. My chickens provide me with fresh eggs everyday that my family and I enjoy. Not only that, I love raising them!

My skills are not that of a Farmer, but I enjoy the simple things in life - my family, my animals, the smell of our campfire burning on cool nights, picking a handful of stringbeans with my grandbaby, and watching birds nest in my homemade birdhouses!

Now, my reason for blogging today - and I will quote this from a Facebook group -
The Derveas family has recently trademarked the terms "Urban Homestead" and "Urban Homesteading."

Are they serious? How do you possibly trademark a term that is so diversified? Most of the women I talk to through blogs, Facebook, and Mary Janes Farm are Urban Homesteaders!(no TM here). We are the down to earth, simple life loving, keeping it real women (and men) who have a passion for growing veggies, raising livestock, and getting our hands dirty!!

My friend Tina from GardenGoose.blogspot.com told me about this today and I had to blog! It really struck a nerve in me when I began reading about this company trademarking this term. So, here I am proudly blogging about why I am an Urban Homesteader! I will alway be one because this is who I am! I DO NOT need a trademark. I DO NOT need anyones approval.

My family has been Urban Homesteading for generations. Self sustaining and proud. Raising livestock, growing gardens, making their own clothing, and the list goes on and on. That's something that I am proud of! I can remember my grandmother growing small gardens and sewing her own clothes even when she lived in a townhome in the county. She remained true to who she was and I will continue to do the same. I include my children in my journey with hopes that they will continue on with what I do........

Trademark??? I don't think so.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is my Anniversary. It is 9 years of being happily married to my best friend. We're going out this saturday to Toby's dinner Theater in Baltimore! Charlie made reservations last week for us to see the show Beehive. I can't wait! It'll be so nice to get away for a night. I've been cooped up in the house for what seems like ages. Between the weather, sick children and school being cancelled or off due to holidays, I am behind on my organizing, crafting, and me time!

Now don't get me wrong - I love having my kids around me, but when you have a 9 year old boy and 8 year old girl constantly arguing, it gets a little old. I need to play referee at least every other hour...ugh. It's so much better when they are in school, come home, and have their time occupied...lol I try to do crafts with them, play the wii, and watch movies, but sometimes you need to just throw the towel in and keep them in seperate rooms for a bit..lol

I have started a cute little scarf. I am making it with a filet cross in each section - getting a jump start on Easter, I guess. It's halfway finished, so I'll post a pic when I'm done. I'm thinking of doing a Valentine's one too if I have time with a heart in each section. Hmmmmmm...maybe.

My daughter wants me to get crafting so her and I can get a table this Spring at a Flea Market to sell our stuff. Her fiance is making bird houses, so we'll see. Maybe I can get a few more items made in time. I did make a few coffee can bird houses a week ago. My grandaughter helped me and they are sooooo cute!Let me see if I can get a pic on here soon :)

Well, I guess I should be a good wife and go get my Hubby an Anniversary card...lol
Take care everyone and Happy Crafting!!

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year! I hope it's everything you all wish for! I'm not making any extreme resolutions this year, just gonna try to get healthier this year. What about you? Any plans for 2011? Maybe a new diet, or trying to stick to that budget?

Anyway, I haven't been on for a long time so I thought I'd catch up with what's been going on in the burbs....

The past few holidays have been good. It's great to be with family and friends (but also great when they all go home..lol) Lots of good food, fun, and being sooo tired. I am ready to start the new year with a better ooutlook. Needless to say, 2010 was not a banner year....

To start off last year I lost my cat, Salem, to bone marrow cancer. Today is the one year anniversary of his death, so I thinking of him alot. I miss him dearly. Then in February, I lost my favorite hen, Annie right after our second blizzard. See? Told you 2010 was not a good year.

Then my hubby struggled to find a job while I busted my butt for chump change. I did quit the job and hubby found an awesome company to work for in November! The holidays were crazy with shopping, waiting for items in the mail and the rudeness of many Christmas shoppers. I vow to start in September this year!!!

So, here's to a terrific 2011! Keeping my fingers crossed that it is better than 2010.

Oh - one more thing... I resolve to do more crafting this year now that I am home and to update my blog at least once a week!

Take care and Happy Crafting!!