Newest Raggy Totes

Hello to my blogger friends! I had not realized it was so long since I had posted in my blog. I've been so busy preparing for Christmas, as I'm sure everyone else has been too. I did complete the swaps I was working on. And also managed to make two extra raggy totes to sell.
One tote matches the pink & brown quilt I made and would be perfect to be used as a diaper bag. The other one is smaller; has Care Bears fabric and a striped chenille. I will be listing them in etsy soon. If you are interested in either one, just e-mail me for details.




>The pink & brown diaper bag sold today, but I can make another one; won't be exactly the same, but almost.....

Newest Raggy Quilt

I've been working on a raggy quilt. It is pink & brown, about 35" by 44"; perfect size for a toddler bed or baby crib, or a lap quilt. The top is cotton and chenille, back & inside flannel. These are sewed with the traditional X and washed once to start the bloom. It will be list this weekend on one of my sites -- not sure of which one yet. If you are interested, just e-mail me.

My newest Christmas stockings

I've been making Christmas stockings. Since I love to do scrappy strips, I decided to make these stockings using that pattern. These are about 15" long and are washable. These front & back are cotton; the inside is flannel. They have been washed once to start the bloom. Either e-mail me for the price or check out my booth at The Hand Did Market.

It's Thanksgiving time!

I'm sure everyone has been as busy as I've been. I remember all the years we spent thanksgiving at either my mother's or my mother-in-law's house. How I wish for those times. I am happy, though, that some of our kids and grandkids will be here for dinner. Rochelle & I have been doing the preparations for tomorrow. Because Joseph will eat lunch at his financee's house, we'll do the late meal. I've found it works out better as I have a hard time getting started in morning. It is nice that our kids bring food, too.

Besides Thanksgiving preparations, I've been listing this week on eBay. One of my groups, Quilter's Corner, does a once-a-month red tag sale. Here is the url if you would like to check out our listings: http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=qcg&_sacat=See-All-Categories or Search QCG on eBay.

Check out the Raggy Anne blog, also. I've been making raggy scrappy strip stockings.

New giveaway from Eagles Wings

My friend, Dani, makes the cutest Christmas tags or ornies and is doing a giveaway. http://dani-eagleswings.blogspot.com/. Visit her blog and sign up.

Busy, busy

Sorry, I haven't been posting here. I've been busy getting ready for a Church show. There wasn't a big crowd, but we did manage to sell a few items, incuding three raggy quilts. It was a lot of work, though! If you would check out our Raggy Anne blog, you can see our display.
I will be busy this week doing housework. I'm also working on small Christmas gifts for some internet friends. For anyone placing orders with me, they will also receive a gift from me.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday.

Stuffed Chicken with Cream Cheese

The other day, DH & I was at store and bought some stuffed chicken. Since I love to try new recipes, I decided to create my own. This is what I came up with:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 Tbs. dried parsley
powdered garlic
bacon bits
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, butterflied
2 Tbs.butter, melted

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, parsley, bacon bits and garlic powder. Divide the mixture into 4 balls.
Place 1 cream cheese ball in the center of each butterflied chicken breast half.
Arrange the chicken in a baking dish. Pour the butter over the chicken.
Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven; turn over.
Bake another 45 minutes.
Serve.
Hope you enjoy!

Trick or Treaters

I finally was able to load some photos again. One photo shows my DD, Janice, and her 3 kids, Stephen, 12, Chase, 8, and Meagan, 1. The other photo is my DIL, Brandy, and DGD, Madison, 1. They all had a wonderful time trick or treating!
This has been a busy week for me. I did manage to finish two school totes, though. Now, I'm working on raggy pincushions.

New Giveaways

I'm sure everyone loves blog giveaways as much as I do. Here are two I would like to share:
http://oodlekadoodleprimitives.blogspot.com/2009/10/big-celebration-giveaway-lots-of.html
Sue, Oodlekadoodleprimitives, is having a big celebration giveaway.
http://insidenanashead.blogspot.com/
Nancy, insidenananshead, is having a marketing giveaway.
Visit both blogs and check out the details.

Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Charity Quilt Auction

Today I want to write about our 2nd annual Breast Cancer Awareness Charity Quilt auction. It was made by a wonderful and giving group of women on eBay, Quilters Corner Group.

SGK raises funds through a variety of events. What makes our auction special? It is a handcrafted keepsake made by a group of women, most whom have never even met each other, yet have a common bond of quilting and so much more, the bond of sisterhood.

Please click on the link and view the beautiful pink quilt.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130339687175&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Bonanzle -- new selling site

I found a new site; at least new for me. This is it:
"Bonanza! The site is called "Bonanzle" for a reason! A Bonanza is a live garage sale that proves the universal truth that your stuff + lots of people = $ $."

I added a link to the left of this screen. Right now I have handmade items, but I will be adding vintage items soon.

Doll Quilt and grandbabies

It's been a busy time for me. I've been working on more doll quilts. I have them posted in my selling blog, Raggy Anne, and will be listing them in my shop on The Hand Did Market.
I'm also showing a photo of my youngest DGD; her name is Madison and she's 11 months old. Doesn't she look like a doll?

The Big Thicket in Southest Texas

The Big Thicket is the name of a heavily forested area in Southeast Texas. This combination of virgin pine and cypress forest, hardwood forest, meadow and blackwater swamp is managed by the National Park Service. The Preserve was established to protect the remnant of its complex biological diversity. What is so extraordinary is not the rarity or abundance of its life forms, but how many species coexist here.

Activities in the Big Thicket National Preserve include hiking, camping, bicycling, horseback riding, canoeing, birdwatching, fishing and more. Visitors find the Big Thicket to be a fun, educational trip for the entire family.

My oldest son and his girlfriend took some grest pictures when they were hiking in it the other day.

What I've been up to.

I've been busy preparing for two granddaughter's birthday. Meagan turned one on the 30th of September and Sarah turns 10 today. For Sarah's birthday, we gave her cash to spend at an American Girl Store. Then, I decided to make her a quilt for her new doll. This turned into a new project for me. I did finish one and several more started -- all with different patterns. I love to make OOAK items, so no two will ever be alike. (Soon I will have them listed in The Hand Did Market.) Here is a photo of the one I have finished. I'm also posting a photo of Meagan; her older brother, Stephen, is holding her.

New Venture for Raggy Anne

Sorry I haven't posted this week, but been busy. Our latest venture is setting up a booth at The Hand Did Market, www.thehanddidmarket.com. Please visit us; go to left of screen and click on Vendors; of course, our name is Raggy Anne. Here is a paragraph describing the Market:

The Hand Did Market promotes and provides exposure for talented Crafters that do things as they were done in days gone by... by our hands, individually "Hand Did" with love, time and attention to detail. Everything on our website is handmade in the U.S.A. (And we are proud of that!) Nothing on our site is mechanically perfect and is not mass produced.

I kept my listings simple; it was really easy to list also.

My Hometown

I live in southeast Texas in a small town. Nederland's heritage is deeply rooted in Dutch ancestry, which gives the town its name. Nederland was officially placed on the map on December 24, 1897.

Nederland is best known for the landmark Dutch Windmill located in the center of the Nederland Heritage Festival held each spring. A replica of a Windmill houses a museum honoring the Dutch Heritage and mementos of Tex Ritter, who call Nederland his home.

2009 Walk to Cure Diabetics

I found this e-mail in my box today.... It is from my oldest DD, Jennifer, concerning my oldest DGD, Sarah:

Dear Friends,

Our family recently accepted the challenge of walking in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) fund-raising event, Walk to Cure Diabetes on September 26. We are taking part in this event because I believe in and support JDRF’s mission: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Sarah was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at only 15 months of age. She will be 10 years old in October and we would like nothing better than to see her cured of this horrible disease. The thousands of finger pricks are now a way of life, but not a cure. Unlike many diseases, this is not a dream. A cure is in sight and within our reach.

I’m writing to ask for your support by making a tax-deductible to JDRF, even the smallest amounts will help. Together, we can make the cure a reality.


If you would like to donate in Sarah,s name, please contact me. Thanks for caring!

Scrappy Strip Blocks

Hello! Hope the weather is good in your neck of the woods. It's supposed to be rainy this weekend, but so far it's still dry.
I've been working on scrappy strip blocks. I discovered them a while back and find it a great way to use up scraps. I make quilts, table runners and even hot pads out of the blocks. Here are the Christmas ones I made this week:

New Banner

Don't you love my new banner? I do! Thanks to Colleen (http://colleenscraftshedd.blogspot.com/) for designing it for me.

I've been busy working on raggy totes. Will be showing photos soon. Then, I have a new idea. Told my friend last night that I never finish anything before I'm already thinking of the next project. LOL.

Hope everyone has a fun Labor Day weekend planned.

News

My friend, Lee, is having her 1st Giveaway. Visit her blog at http://quiltsbylee.blogspot.com/. She does wonderful raggy work and is also a fellow Texan. Tell her Lynn said Howdy!

My Chicken Recipe

The last couple of days have been really busy for me. I've been watching Meagan, my DGD, so that her mom could work on our selling blog. Also, been working on another beige tote, since the 1st one sold at our craft booth. Plus I had a couple of tests to be run. Hoping that tomorrow will be a slower day.
Would anyone else like my grandma's smothered chicken recipe? Well here it is:

CREOLE SMOTHERED CHICKEN

2 to 3 lb chicken, cut up
1 tsp. minced green bell pepper
1 tsp. minced celery
1 large onion, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
3 sprigs parsley
Seasoning to taste (of course, I use Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning)
Shortening

Cut up chicken and season to taste
Brown well in a little shortening
Remove from pot
Sauté’ onions, green pepper, and celery in shortening until tender
Place chicken back in pot
Add ½ cup water and place lid on pot
Cook slowly until chicken is tender
Add water as needed
(I also add a little flour gravy.)
Before serving, add parsley
Serve over rice
Lynn Simmons, Texas

I am compiling a recipe book to sell. This will be one of the recipes included, along with several other creole recipes. Be looking for an announcement before Christmas.

Happy Peaceful Sunday

Today has been a quiet day for me, especially after yesterday. Normally, DGS, Gabe, spends the weekend with his mom (he lives with us). He stayed here instead; also, DD, Janice, and her 3 kids came over after lunch. DH & I cooked dinner for everyone. For those who don't know me, DH, Rochelle, & I are both retired and share in the house duties. Normally, DH cooks and I do most of kitchen cleaning. I decided I wanted smothered chicken; that is still one dish I cook better than him. My mother used to tell me I made it as good as my grandmother did and that was a real compliment. Anyway, as we were eating, boys thanked their grandpa for the dinner; as you can tell, they are used to their grandpa cooking our meal. Well, he told them their grandma cooked the chicken. Chase, the 8-year-old, looked at us and said "you are both the best grandparents ever; you are a 'good' couple" -- made me tear up. This came from a child whose parents separated before his 1st birthday and he has never seen them in a loving relationship. We don't have a perfect marriage, but have been married for almost 38 years. I'm glad we can be a good role model for our grandchildren. Ok, enough mushy stuff.

I've mentioned that I've been working on hot pads. They are reversible and I've scented them. I'll list them in our Raggy Anne blog soon. Here is a photo of them, though.

My Raggy Totes

I'm excited today. I've been makiing raggy totes since last year, but have never used one myself. I have sold them as fast as I've made them. I made three sizes, small, medium, and large to add to my craft booth. Then decided I would use one and carry business cards. Well, I've only used it twice and have handed out several cards. I believe it's catchy as it's jewel tones. They are listed in our selling blog. Click on the homespun quilt to right of screen and you'll go to our Raggy Anne blog. When I make these totes, they are all one of a kind. I might use the same fabrics, but will be placed differently. That way, my totes do not look like they are mass produced.

Today I'm working on scented candle mats/hot pads. I hope to show photos soon.

Good Thursday Morning!

The week is going by so fast. Yesterday I went by our craft mall; DD & I have a booth where we are selling raggy quilts, taggie blankies, pincushions, Korker Bows, hangtags, and raggy and traditional totes. The name of the store is The Rustic Door -- Isn't that neat? Anyway, Christie, the owner, said a customer wanted to know if I ever did scented hot pads. So, that was my project for yesterday. When I finish some, I'll show a photo. I'm just wondering what happens to the scent when they're washed? Oh, well, I'm not going to charge a lot for them, so shouldn't matter. At least they'll smell good for a while, lol.,

For those who don't know, youngest DD, Janice, and I have started a business, RaggyAnne, to sell our "stuff". She set up a selling blog for us. A friend is going to help me add a link to this blog. But until then, go visit it using this url:
http://raggyanne.blogspot.com/

Now, I'm off to sew on the hot pads. Have a wonderful. day!

Today's Still Tuesday

Can't believe it's already evening. Where has the day gone? I have a Baby Lock, which I dearly love, but sometimes it gives me problems. Of course, most times it's the operator, lol. Today I just couldn't get the monograming to work right; when I asked my shop's owner, she asked if I had changed the needle. Duh! Of course, I hadn't. After it was changed, it's working like a charm again.

My youngest grandson, Chase, just had his 8th birthday. I made him an I Spy raggy quilt; made it a little different than the ones I usually sell. I think it came out pretty good, even if I say so myself.

Wow! I'm learning, lol

My friend, Nancy, walked me thru adding to my new blog. I'm still learning, so please bear with me.
Here is a little about me. DH, Rochelle, and I will soon celebrate another anniversary. We've been thru a lot and are both enjoying retirement. Our four children are grown and most have children of their own. Meagan, 11 mos., is our little model for the Korker bows her mom makes. This is oneof my favorite photos of her....

My first post

Hello! I've been wanting to start blogging; decided today was the day. It might take me a while to get the hang of this, but it will happen.