Finally got around to putting some of the first of many of my smocking plates up on Ebay. Still have about 25 to go. I got out of the smocking business when Madison got too old to wear heirloom clothing and got rid of my pleater several months ago. Now I am getting rid of the smocking plates. Next up are all the old Sew Beautiful and Creative Needle Magazines. Anyone interested in a big box o' smocking?

Finally have some sewing progress to report. Finished this birdhouse pillow (needs to be stuffed). The new baby blanket for a friend to give as a present with the wonderful, wonderful Michael Miller Cowgirls fabric and coordinating horseshoes in red. And I know it's not sewing, but I've seen these banners/garlands all over the blogland and decided to try my hand at a couple of miniature ones today. Can you see that the top one says AUTUMN and the bottom one, HOPE.
















We had a fabulous time at the fair on Saturday. Lots of fair food was consumed and Greg suggested that we might have, indeed, seen every cow, horse and goat in Oklahoma. Cullen had to have two full rotations through all the livestock barns.

This year a new barn was open for Llama. Kids were showing them like sheep. One took a liking to my boys.

Friday Knitalong Progress

Weekly Stocking update:
Added about an inch of red and some more green.
Exciting huh?

This and That

I was never a big concert person when I was young. Wasn't into the rock concert thing at all. I mean really, never went to a concert even in college. Well, Maddie and I went to the OK State Fair on Sunday to see Raven from Disney Channel in a free concert. Along with every preteen girl and their pushy parents from a 3 state radius. We got there 3 1/2 hours BEFORE THE CONCERT STARTED. And we got the last 2 seats on the last row. Had to take turns getting up to go get lunch and bathroom breaks. Minutes before the concert started the 25 million people standing behind us started pushing in closer, closer and closer until we were packed like sardines. As soon as she came out, everyone stood on top of the bench seats. I stood in front of Madison so she could use me for support. So I saw a large woman's rear end for an hour and a half but Madison saw this:













Of course, Maddie was in sheer heaven and was on a high all the way home.
The highlight of my afternoon however, was these!!








I know, they are terrible for me, but who can resist fair food?
We are going again to the fair this weekend as a family so Cullen can see the all the animals and well, get more fair food!
Today I got a great package from my friend Katie as a swap for some heirloom patterns I sent her. I told her I wanted to make the kids monogram pillows for their beds so she sent me these along with some other goodies:

Loving the Fall weather!
I have had absolutely zero time to do anything remotely crafty this week. Exhausted I tell you! I have the afternoon to myself so I cast on for the first of 4 Christmas stockings. I received my green and red Wool of the Andes from Knitpicks (decided to stay with traditional holiday colors this time). I am using a compilation of several stocking patterns I have found over time. The main thing is I wanted to do them with straight needles. I don't need the anguish of DPN's right now. I have started the first one with the green and plan to do red duplicate stitch something on it. Then, the second will be red with green accents. The other two? Who knows. Will decide when the time comes. I think beginning in early-mid September is plenty of time to finish 4 don't you? And isn't 2 inches of ribbing and stockinette stitch interesting?














The Oklahoma State Fair begins today! When we moved here and first attended the fair last year we were surprised at the old fashioned feeling of the state fair. Cullen loves that there are barn after barn of cows, pigs, sheep, horses, goats. I loved seeing the large collection of Creative Arts entries to the fair. Of course, I vowed right then and there that I would enter something this year. Well, when the time came I chickened out. We can't wait to go this year. It looks like we will attend twice this year. On Sunday, Madison and I are making a girls only trip to the fair because they have free concerts every day and on Sunday it is RAVEN from Disney Channel!! Can you imagine how excited my little tween is? Of course, every pre-teen from miles around will be there and the crowd should be huge. So we plan to go early, get a seat and stew until 3 p.m. I plan to take my book and some knitting. I also plan to try the deep fried snickers while I wait too!

I joined Laura's stocking knit-along. I was thinking of knitting some stockings for each of us this year. I have ordered dark red and forest green Wool of the Andes wool from Knitpicks. I think I will make them as decoration, not to be used necessarily. We'll see.
With the sudden turn to Fall-like weather my mind turns back to knitting. I have a couple of this going. Fingerless gloves for Madison, a couple of new roll brim hats. Small projects. Stockings will give me something a little larger to work on.

I have become quite taken with this magazine. It's very inspiring to get the house in order.










We had a great time in TX at my parent's this past weekend. Except for a quick trip to the Ft. Worth ER for Cullen who was having an allergic reaction to the sulphur drug he was taking, we had a nice trip. (C is fine now). The small, old JoAnn's near my dad is closing in order to move to the new Super JoAnn's down the road. So they are having an amazing sale to get rid of stuff until October when they close. Bought tons of fabric for 1/2 off. Ribbon and trims 1/2 off. Jewelry hardware 40% off. It was quite fun. I love when they discontinue home dec fabrics and sell the small square ordering samples. Usually $1.99 but bought over a dozen since they were 99 cents.

Ordered my first Koigu hand painted yarn. It came in the mail while were gone. I am in awe and can't decide what to make.


Here's why sometimes it's worth it to brave the awful Super WalMart when they put in one of these for my little cowboy! I think we used at least $2 in quarters before we could leave.