Good Morning All. 

Here it is Feb. 14th already! The time just flies by! Happy Valentines Day to you all. I thought I would share a photo of my Primitive Heart Ornies Pattern. Available in my Etsy shop. My daughter and Grand showed up this morning with a bouquet of yellow & white Daisies. What a sweet surprise. Below is a recipe for my favorite sugar cookies.

                                        Crackled Sugar Cookie

 1-1/4 cups white sugar **1 cup salted butter ** 3 egg yolks ** 1 tsp. vanilla extract  **

1 tsp. almond extract ( I usually use 2 tsps. of the vanilla extract & omit the almond extract)

       2-1/2 cups all purpose flour **1 tsp. baking soda ** 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar ** 

       1/4 tsp. of salt ** coarse sugar crystals

Directions: Pre heat oven to 350 degrees

Cream together butter & sugar until creamy. Mix in 1 egg yolk at a time, add extract, mix. Add in flour, soda, cream of tartar, & salt until completely mixed.

Using a medium sized scoop ( or a heaping teaspoon) form dough balls & roll them into the sugar crystals. Place balls on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper 2 inches apart. Do not flatten the dough. Bake for 12 minutes, until surface of the cookies have a cracked texture. The cookies should still look a little puffy. Remove from oven let sit on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling racks.

Makes about 30 medium sized cookies.

This is the best sugar cookie I have come across! Everyone who has tried them loves them!

 

 Good Morning. I have a busy day coming up. It is our family Thanksgiving dinner today. I did the pies last night after the Granddaughter went home. We did some fun school projects. She is helping me sew every now and again. Maybe she will take up quilting & sewing as she grows. I love helping her create. I wanted to share my 2 newest patterns that I created.

 

Holiday Mantle Scarf & Winnie's Table Runner. Both are available in my Etsy shop. I hope everyone had a fun Halloween. Enjoy your Thanksgiving.

 Hi Y'all! I hope this finds everyone doing well. We are on our way to summer. Sure is hot here this week. 105 all week! If it would never go over 105 for our summer weather I would be one happy lady! I can wish all I want, but I know that will not happen. Ya see, I Love to keep the windows and doors open to let in the fresh air. I can do that in the mornings till about 11am, then it is too warm and have to close it up and turn on the A/C. I thank my lucky stars for the A/C just hate having everything closed up.

Just finished a new apron yesterday, and took it and the patterns over to the quilt shop, Sew Yeah, where I used to work. I miss working there and seeing all the customers, but I enjoy watching my little Granddaughter more. I will probably go back after she starts school full time. But that is another year or 2. In the meantime I will enjoy her and her wisdom and creating and sewing!

 Hi Y'all! It's a lovely Spring Day here in the desert. My little granddaughter visits me everyday while her Mom is at work so I have a lot of fun playing with a 4 yr old and watching her grow and how her mind works. It so rewarding!!

     I wound up closing my website that my DH had built for me. It was a sad day for me when I shut it down. We had it for about 12 years. I have to admit I was not very diligent in advertising, so I only got a few sales a month.  In Nov 2020 my website Host decided to go in a new direction and stop hosting. I thought it was easier to just close it than to try and find a new host and transfer everything. I have too much going on in life.  I knew I would not find the time to get it done. So, it was a good run,
and I am happy having my blog and selling on Etsy.

    We have had a few mishaps at home. Our water heater broke and one of our sprinkler pipes all on the same weekend. The sprinkler pipe has been fixed by our son and son in law. It was nice having all the kids over for a few hours while the guys fixed things and the rest of us hung out. Our daughter and I were gonna go through her old toys in some containers out in the shed but we could not get to them. We had transferred a bunch of the garage stuff to the shed to be out of the way for the plumber to get to the water heater. The water heater needs to be replaced. That is in the process.

     I have had no time to craft and create at all. Life just keeps getting in the way. All I have managed to do is keep my line of about 30 patterns stocked at the Quilt Shop I used to work at before The pandemic hit. And at a few other shops around the country. I have so many ideas and want to create some more patterns. I hope to do just that once these repairs are done and we get everything put back in place.

Here is a ruffled skirt attached to shorts that I made last year. I did make this into a pattern. Just love the fabrics used in this. Just thought I would share. Until next time. Happy crafting and creating.

Terrific Tuesday

 Good morning!! Well it is actually afternoon now!!

I am in busy mode. Trying to get all my orders made and shipped out for the scented coasters. 

The Holiday Season is upon us!!

I hope this finds everyone healthy and enjoying whatever you may be creating. Be it homemade goodies, or gifts. Down to the wire now, I hope all the shopping is done and things wrapped. I have not had a chance to make any Christmas cookies for the family yet!

What is your favorite part of Christmas? Mine is watching everyone else in the family open their gifts. 

Those out there that celebrate, I want to wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas!!!

 Hi y'all! So glad to find a moment to post on here. Not catching up as often as I had planned. Halloween came and went, then Thanksgiving got here faster than I could get my crafty stuff done for y'all to see. So I guess I will save them for next year! I have a few Christmas things I'd like to make and display. Fingers crossed I get them made before Christmas!! Gotta run now, Anniversary today, but hope to post a crafty item really soon!!

Happy Monday!!

 Good morning! I am trying to catch up. So here are my Halloween Crafts that I made this year that I did not get a chance to post before Halloween!! I apologize for that but I did want to show you what I had made. They were so much fun. I made 3, one for each of my kids families, and I actually made on for myself. I usually don't get around to making crafty stuff for me. I usually give my creations away saying Oh I can make mine anytime. Then I usually do not.

The cauldrons were difficult to find this year!! I finally got 2 of the last 3 from a party shop. The craft stores did not have any. The books were from the Dollar tree. I painted them white. The little wooden hat on the 2nd one has fabric that I put on with Mod Podge. The various larger balls are Christmas Balls. The eyeball which my Granddaughter loved the most (she is 3 yrs old) and all of the rest of the items were from the local Dollar Tree stores. I am so lucky to have 3 of them close to home. But I can not always find the supplies I see other crafty people out there using that they buy at their local Dollar Tree.

November 2020

 Hello to all! I must apologize for the considerable lack in posting. All I can say in my defense is, life sure does get in the way when you don't expect it to. That being said......Glad to be back! Ahhh Autumn, my favorite time of year. Cool crisp air in the early mornings and late at night. The leaves are creating wonderful color shows for us to see. Time to get out those handmade quilts, get those fireplaces ready, and start preparing for the Holidays to come through the end of the year. I hope I can inspire you to create some crafty things by showing you some of the crafty things I have been creating as well as new patterns. That's all for now, and I will try to be back every week.

Memorial Day Weekend

I've been keeping quite busy since my last post. I find it hard to do it all, all the time. So I forgive myself and give myself permission to not get it all done and I am much happier for it.
This is a new pattern available at my Etsy Shop
Gram's Vintage Style Clothespin Bag 
Easy to construct. Fully lined. The swivel hangers are also available at my website in sets of 2.

Whether you have a clothesline to hang and dry your laundry or just nostalgic and you want to decorate your laundry room (area) and add some charm. These bags are sure to accomplish that for you!
            Finished Clothespin Bag  for sale $28.95 plus shipping

 

            

SOLD

Finished Clothespin Bag  for sale $28.95 plus shipping
 

 

       SOLD

Finished Clothespin Bag  for sale $28.95 plus shipping

   

 

SOLD

Finished Clothespin Bag  for sale $28.95 plus shipping

 There's a new Quilt Shop in town! 
Sew Yeah Quilt Shop. Las Vegas, Nv. 
 Located Up in the Northwest of town, on Rancho at Gowan. 
Great shop, lots of fabric to choose from. Wait till you see it!



http://www.sewyeahquilting.com/

New Pattern

 

Here's the newest Little Craft Cottage pattern hot off the presses!              

It's A Brei's Apron pattern. 

Very easy to make. It has criss cross straps across your back, so there is no stress on your neck or upper back, also 3 pockets on the front. A breeze to put on and take off. I have the pattern available in paper form right now. you can find it here

It should be in PDF form in the next couple of weeks. I will have those links available at that time.

New Pattern Coming Soon

Here is my newest pattern. Tommy Wayne. The girly with him is my Joslyn Annie Doll. You can find the PDF here
I think they make a really cute couple. I will sell the patterns of course and some special orders of the finished dolls as well. Just contact me if you are interested. Time to get the pattern finished. Let me know what you think of him, I'd really appreciate some input.

My new pattern

Hi everyone! Christmas came and went so fast. Before I knew it a new year had arrived. Got all the holiday decorations cleaned up and packed away. Celebrated a Grandson's 15th birthday. Wow, 15! Then I got busy creating. And here is the first finished new creation of 2016. This Long Tall Tia. She finishes at about 34" tall.  She has a hanging strap added to the back of her neck for some homespun decor. I have her pattern in PDF form for sale in my Etsy Shop here. 
Also will be available in my Craftsy shop and on our website soon. There are links on the left side of this page for those. I'd love some feedback on my blog, my patterns, or whatever you'd like. Please drop us a note, we'd love to hear from you.

Halloween Decorating

Holiday Decorating is underway at the Ford household. Autumn is my favorite time of year!! 
Here is my first attempt at working with Deco Mesh, and I love it!! My Halloween Garland turned out great!! My angel would be proud! I painted the heads, I was actually looking at a Pumpkin Head doll I created a couple of years ago when I was drawing the faces but the finished ones seem to look more like Jack Skellington. But I imagine most skeleton heads turn out looking like him. 
I planned to make several garlands and sell them, but ran out of time. So I will do some Autumn and Christmas themed creations soon and put them up for sale. I think I will do some garland for the fireplace mantle and maybe some table decor as well. This mind of mine is racing with lots of ideas!
I am still working on revamping my website. I bought a wonderful set of new graphics that I am so excited about. I hope to be done in a month. I know it is taking me much longer to accomplish this than most people I am sure, but I have to work on it in between all the other stuff I try to accomplish in a day. 
Just today I spent 5 hours on yard work. I had raking, pulling weeds, digging up ground, planting some grass seed, and hand watering all to get done. 
I scored some free pavers that someone was giving away. They had an outdoor BBQ they took apart. One mans trash is another's treasure. I scored the treasure. I plan to surround the rose bushes with some and the rest I plan to put down a walk way behind the back fence for the dog. She stands there and kicks as she barks at the world of people that pass by. While she is kicking she digs a gully which I fill in periodically. Well this will cure that. One less chore to do. Yay! 
Speaking of chores, the outside of the house needs to be painted. Ugh. I really do not like to paint walls and trim and such.  My daughter said oh that sounds like fun! I invited her to come help!! We'll see how much fun it still is when we are done! 
I hope y'all like the garland I made.

Mom-mom's Vintage Style Portable High Chair Pattern

My new old pattern. I revised, and took this pattern out of retirement. It is Mom-mom's Vintage Style Portable High Chair. Made out of necessity in 1984, we couldn't afford a high chair along with all the other baby stuff we needed to buy. I collaborated with my Grandmother and this is the result. This is my daughter in the original one. Later that year I made it into a pattern and have sold many over the years. Now it is back for a new generation of parents and children to enjoy. You can find it at my My Etsy Shop. Available for instant download in PDF form for $9.95.

What takes 18 processes, lots of colors, countless hours, many days, lots of love, and one set of hands to complete?

An Original Little Craft Cottage Pattern

TO MAKE A PATTERN:
1.Come up with an idea in my minds eye.

2.Draw design on paper

3.Draw out rough draft pattern pieces

4.Cut out pattern pieces

5.Choose fabric, either from my stash or visiting some Quilt shops

6.Wash fabrics

7.Place pattern pieces on fabric and cut out fabric pieces

8.Sew together while jotting instructions on scrap paper

9.Type up instructions in terms everyone including new sewers and crafters can follow and completely understand

10.Re-draw professional drafted pattern pieces, create a pattern cover

11.Take professional looking photos of finished items

12.Print out the completed pattern

13.Choose another fabric

14.Cut and sew a new item using this completed pattern & instructions

15.Print out the pattern & instructions many times over

16.Print out many photos

17.Glue photos to pattern covers

18.Fold and place in bags for distribution

And this my friends, can take anywhere from 1-4 weeks. According to how much life gets in the way during all these steps of the process.

              We had to say goodbye to our beautiful Willow.  

  She was 15, and had a happy kitty life. Smaller than most cats, she was a girlie girl! I appreciate your companionship,& all your kitty antics.
 I'm gonna miss you. Rest in peace sweet girl.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all! As usual it has been too long since my last post. I do apologize for that. It's been a very difficult year for us here. I have 4 new dolls (each sold separately)that I made for St Paddy's Day. They are for sale on my website here. St. Paddy's Day Dolls

I also sell the pattern to make these dolls. Her name is Joslyn Annie.  Available in paper pattern form and PDF download at my website, Craftsy, My Etsy Shop, The Patterncupboard, & Patternmart.
On another note My wholesale patterns that used to sell at The Pattern Peddlers are now being sold at QuiltWoman.com.

Hi everyone! OMG it has been way too long since I posted anything. I apologize for that. But I'm still getting past a very difficult year. I'm trying to be positive about life in general. I am slowly getting my crafting mojo back. Still too many sad days. Each morning I pray for it to be a good day, and hope to accomplish something each day. I try my best to have some little drops of awesome each day, no matter how small.
I'm working on some new quilting patterns. I will post them here once I get them done. But that will be quite awhile. I have an idea for about 12 new patterns. The ideas flow out of my brain a lot faster than I can create these things!! hahaha
I have a Chef Pierre Bag Holder doll partly made for a custom order. He is such a great seller. Here's a couple pictures of the Chef dolls I make.

Autumn Door Greeter

My latest creation: a pumpkin welcome door greeter. I am taking orders to dress up your door for Autumn. Your pumpkin will be very similar, they are hand drawn and created from my head. The bow may be different according to the ribbon I have in stock. They measure about 19" x 19" including the wire hanger. They are $35 plus shipping. I need a week to make it and get it in the mail to you. Comes from a smoke free environment. Please message me with your order. I accept Paypal and money orders for payment.