Make Your Own Primitive Fall Twig Wreath

Just noticed only 5 more followers until I reach 400 for my big giveaway!!

I was sitting out on my deck the other day enjoying the birds at my bird feeders when I looked down at the mess of twigs scattered all over. I am constantly sweeping them off the deck. We have several huge trees that hang over our deck. I've always liked those twig wreaths and decided I might try making my very own.

Click on each picture for a more closeup view for the detail.

I used a heavy rusty wire shaped into a 4" circle. You could also use a old wire coat hanger.

Gather up bunches of twigs that are around 6" or 7" inches long. Wrap with rusty wire very tightly. I like to add a few tiny thin twigs for that wispy look. I ended up making around 17 bunches for my wreath.

Then start attaching the bunches one at a time with your rusty wire, laying them horizontal with the wire frame you made. Once you get one attached lay the next bunch slightly down a little on top of your first bunch. And so on and so forth.

You then end up with a wreath that is about 11" across! You could make these any size.

Perfect Day for the Zoo!

Went to the zoo today while my daughter and granddaughter are here visiting from NC. Hubby took the day off from work and went along, and so did my youngest daughter. It was a beautiful day in the mid 70's. All of us had the best time. And it was free admission day so it was packed. Enjoy the pics!

Hubby, Becky, Cora, Tara and little grandbaby no. 2 to be born in January.

Asian Elephants

Fish acted like they were starving. They surely weren't, they were huge!

Beautiful Swan

Goatie begging for something to eat from Cora

Cora riding ponies with Mama's help.

Baby cow (11 days old) and Mama

Baby

Giraffe eating. Looks so uncomfortable to get down like that.

One of the baby giraffes. We had 2 babies born this past winter. They were adorable! I love giraffes!

You should have heard this guy roaring! He was very loud!

Tara, Cora, Becky and Me!

Cora taking a break from walking.

Mommy and Cora being silly monkeys!

Cora and Mommy riding the Carousel. Cora had to ride the kitty.

The Carousel was the last thing we did and Cora was pooped by then. We had such a wonderful day!

Fall is in the Air!

What a gorgeous day it is today! Just perfect. Couldn't ask for better. My gardens are about done for the summer. Did spend a little time pulling some weeds. My mums are getting ready to bloom! I'll have to post some pics when they are ready.

I finished up these little coin purses today and will have them listed in my etsy shop tonight. They are made with all recycled wool. I even recycled one of the zippers from a wool grey skirt which I made the grey one with. They measure 5 1/2" wide by 4 1/2" tall and are just the right size to hold your cell phone, ipod, and your monies.

This is what I've been busy with the last week. These are part of a custom order for my friend who has a cute little shop in Australia called Newspaper Taxi. She wanted a few made with Christmas fabric.

Featured on Primitive Post!

Kate from Primitive Post blog has me featured as one of her artist on her blog this week. You should stop over and see some of the other amazing artist she has featured!

I haven't been around much lately because I am working on another custom order for my friend Stef in Australia. She wants 30 more birds for her shop. Just about have them done. Then I can take a little break while my daughter and granddaughter are here to visit for a week. Then it's time to get working on Christmas! I've got a few ideas already!!

We've been having the most beautiful weather! Fall sure is in the air. I'm starting to see a hint of the leaves turning already. Soon my little hummingbird friends will be flying south. It was a great summer for them this year. I had many more hummers this year then previous years. So glad to see more male hummers this year too. Never did get a picture of one. They are a little more timid then the females. I'll have to work on that next year. I'm going to miss them, they are so fun to watch.

Primitive Woodland Wren Ornies

Now I have my confidence up about using my printer to print on fabric. I made these little guys with my favorite little bird, a wren. I'm going to look into making other birds as well. I will be listing these in a set of 4 in my etsy shop later tonight. They are about 2 1/2" tall by 3 1/2" wide and they will be signed on the back by me. If anyone would like a custom order just let me know.

Primitive & Rustic Wren Frame

This is just a little something I made up for fun today. I've always wanted to try printing on fabric with my printer, but was a little scared. LOL I have to say it turned out pretty good! I love the vintage bird graphics that you can find on the web.

SWEET Annies

What fun these precious little girls were to make!! I've got to make more. They are so darn cute! They are made with a pattern by Maureen Mills of Sweet Meadows Farm. They are little mini's, which are only 6" tall. I will be getting them listed in my etsy shop tonight.

We've been having the most beautiful weather the last couple of days!! Turned the air for the first time in like 3 months! So glad we can open up the windows and get some fresh air in!!

Primitive Halloween Warty Witch Make Do's

I can't believe of all the Halloween items that I have made that I have not made any witches. So here are my new witches that I finished up today. They will be listed in my etsy shop later tonight. Not a whole lot going on around here today. Also finished up a custom order for my friend Sue. It turned out to be a pretty nice day today! A whole lot less humid. Going to grill some rib eyes tonight. It will be a treat for hubby and I as we don't eat that much red meat. And will make some roasted red potatoes in olive oil with lots of garlic. Ok time to get started on the potatoes. Everyone have a great Sunday evening!

New Primitive Halloween Cat Ornie and Pattern!

Back to being hot again. I'm ready for cooler weather just so we can open the windows and get some fresh air in. We've been closed up all summer. Really bad tomorrow, 90º and high humidity. This weather sure does keep me inside busy sewing!

Finished up these super easy folk art cat head ornies today along with the pattern which you can now instant download from Pattern Mart. I have the link over on my right side bar-----> I will also have the pattern for sale in my etsy shop and my website. These ornies will be for sale in my etsy shop some time tonight!!

Everyone have a great evening and stay cool!

Whatcha Working On Wednesday

It was another scorcher here today. We've been in the 90's with very high humidity. Feels more like 100º. Same through Friday. There is relief in sight for Saturday. This morning after it rained I ventured outside to see what I could find to photograph. I always find something. I was very surprised to see 1 bloom on my clematis plant. I've had this plant for many years and it barely makes it every year. I think I need to transplant it to a better spot where its roots would be cooler. I have an idea and will move it this fall.

And my ornamental grass is blooming now. It has really grown this summer with all the rain we've been getting.  Looks like I'm gonna need to divide that plant soon!

And then there is my little succulent gardens. They haven't been doing to good with all this rain. A couple of them have died and a couple more are just hanging on. They don't like a lot of rain. They only need to be watered once a week and we have been getting more then that every week with all this rain. I just think they are the coolest plants.

I mailed my sweet Raggedy Ann and little froggie doll today to Kathryn who lives in Texas. I'm a little sad to see her go. I really loved the way she turned out. She was cute as a button with her froggie friend. I may have to make one for myself.

I did manage to make up this little birdie today to replace the one I sold to Janine in Australia. She said that her 9 year old stole hers, so she ended up buying my pattern to make one for herself. I never get tired of making these birds. I can whip one out in a hour and a half now.

That's about it for now. Now its time to relax the rest of the evening.

Primitive Halloween Pumpkin Pockets

Hope you are all having a wonderful Saturday. Feeling a bit lazy today but did finish up these little cuties. Will be listing them later tonight in my etsy shop.

Here's a macro closeup of one of my impatiens

And these are petunias that decided to grow in the crack of our driveway. They reseeded themselves from last year. Hubby wants to pull them out but I won't let him. I think he thinks that they are making the crack bigger.

New Primitive Grungy Simon Cat Doll

 I walked into my bedroom today and there were 2 of my cats Bonsai and Pepper curled up together. And I thought....I'm going to make a curled up kitty and make him look real prim. So this is what I came up with today. Simon will be listed in my etsy shop very shortly.

Sweet Raggedy Doll

I can hardly believe that it's August already. The days, weeks and months just fly by.  So I've been having fun the last couple of days sewing this doll. Isn't she the sweetest thing with her cute little froggie doll. She will be listed in my etsy shop shortly. She is made with a pattern by Chestnut Junction.

I made up this batch of brownies today and they are so yummy! They are made with a recipe by Jillian Michaels. No sugar in this recipe and they are very good! Very moist!  Hubby and I are trying to eat healthy these days. Cutting out the sugar and processed foods. Give these brownies a try!

FUDGE BROWNIES

Olive oil nonstick spray for the pan

2/3 cup mild honey, such as clover or orange blossom

1/3 cup natural, unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup white whole-wheat flour

1/4 teaspoons aluminum-free baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large egg, at room temperature

3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Yields 16 (2-inch) brownies.


Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray an 8-inch square pan with olive oil. Set aside.

Place the honey in a large glass measuring cup. Microwave on high power until the honey is runny and just bubbling, 45 to 60 seconds. Add the cocoa and stir with a fork until well combined. Let cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, place the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk until well combined.

In a large bowl, combine applesauce, oil, egg and vanilla. Whisk together until well blended. Add the honey-cocoa mixture and whisk until smooth. Add the flour mixture to the liquid mixture and stir until no traces of flour remain. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake until the surface looks dry around the edges of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it, about 25 minutes. Do not over bake. Place the pan on a cooling rack and let cool completely before slicing into 16 squares. (Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.)
Nutrition per serving: 86 calories; 2.2 grams fat; 1.3 grams protein; 16 grams carbohydrates; 63.6 milligrams sodium.