Adorable Giveaway at Salmon Falls Prims!

Hurry on over and visit Salmon Falls Prims and take a look at all of Sara's wonderful creations.  Her Etsy Store is full of delightful prims! And don't forget to sign up for her AUGUST GIVEAWAY which ends on the 23rd.  Thanks, Sara, for getting us in the Harvest spirit!

A Little Halloween Stitchery Finished

Just a short post today to share one of my finishes! I love making things for Autumn and the pattern for this little Hallows Eve pinkeep is from Primitive Bettys.  I backed it with some re-purposed wool.  Can't wait to add it to my Halloween decorating this year!

Had a little insomnia early this morning and so I was awake to see this spectacular sunrise! We also got some rain out of this "red sky at dawning"!  Have a wonderful day full of kitty kisses!



Rain, Glorius, Rain

Yes! We had rain!!!! On Saturday, we had an "old" time thunderstorm that dumped almost 2" of rain on us.  It was wonderful.  I was at the Amana Colonies with my daughter and grandson when it started to rain. We were having lunch and everyone was going over to the windows and doorway to look at the rain like we had never seen rain before.  It has cooled things off and Sunday was a heavenly day (literally!) and today isn't looking to bad either.

I did finish a little Halloween ornie (will post a photo soon) and have started working on my August Giveaway.  Have been a little slow this month so far doing stitchery because I'm am having a bit of a fibro challenge.  Thankfully, my episodes only last a few weeks or so before the symptoms ease up and I'm make to my "normal."

My moggies were in Petopia last night because I left the door to the screened porch open all night and they could go in and out, in and out, in and out .......!

Hope your week is starting out fantastic! Hugs, Cat Haven Craft House

Winner of the Mystery Giveaway!

Good morning to you all! I am excited to announce the winner of my giveaway -- congrats to Becky at Primitives n Stitchin.  Here is what she won: a red work kitchen towel I embroidered while on vacation; a wool strawberry pincushion (also hand sewn by me); a little kitty magent; some blueberry tea; and cream of wil rice soup mix. Just a little busy this morning, so I'll sign off for now. FYI, I will be having a little stitchery give away in August (hint: it will have kitties on it!).

Just stopping by briefly today to post about a sweet cross-stitch freebie I came across. It was stitched on linen using DMC threads - 304, 349,415, 433, 435, 699, 702, 838, 977, 3799, 3865 - and finished as an ornament. I think its just gorgeous!  Here is the chart too! This little pattern is from Gazette94.  She has over 120 free patterns, so get a cup of hot apple cider, sit down, relax, and have fun browsing through her
patterns.  There is an adorable cross-stitch of a sweet kiss under the mistletoe!  I hope you are all having a great time getting ready for Christmas!

Selling Poll Results and Some Fall Photos

Good morning all! I hope you are having a glorious fall day! First of all, I would like to share the selling poll results that I received during my September giveaway.  The majority of you indicated that you would prefer to purchase prims from me from a selling blog but a close second was from Etsy and lastly (and not many) preferred eBay.  So, with that information in mind, I am working on creating my selling blog (any tips would be greatly appreciated) and hope to have it up and running in a few weeks.

The second thing I'd like to share today are two purchases I recently made.  A little while ago I purchased an herb rack from Firecracker Kid Primitives and this weekend I finally got it up on my wall.  Here is a photo of it with some of my Halloween ornies. I really, really like it!

The next item I purchased was from Wicked Faerie Queen -- a cute little painted Halloween box.

I also wanted to share with you some of my Halloween decorating (I don't do too much anymore because of working full time and the time it takes to put up and put away things) that make me smile!

And lastly, little Mr. Nicky trying out the new throw blankets (they weren't out 5 mintues before he climbed up here!).  Take care and remeber to hug those kitties today!

Need a Haystack or Two?

Just a short post today -- I wanted to share this little tutorial that I came across at Wee Folk Art for making burlap haystacks (perhaps your kitty won't want to chew on these!).  They can be made any size and the tutorial is very easy and step by step.  So if you don't feel like cleaning up pieces of hay all over your house, try out one or two of these haystacks.

What Cheer Flea Market

This past Saturday I went to the What Cheer Flea Market with my daughter and grandson, Henry. I haven't been able to go with her in ages so this was special and extra-special since it was Henry's first time there! He had a ball!

I wasn't able to do too much walking because my ankle is still in "the boot" but we did visit some great vendors! Especially the gals who have a booth at the Majestic Lion Antique Center in Des Moines. I've posted some pictures of their wares below.  I loved looking at all the fall decor but went home with just another addition to my vintage glass refrigerator containers (that I actually use all the time). Molly bought an antique butter mold and Henry got a vintage, wooden abacus (can't start math too young!).

This weekend we are going to try attend a local auction that always seems to have one or two things I would just love to have. Until the next post, enjoy your day!

Weekend Wanderings

Hello! I hope your weekend was wonderful.  I was able to get some things done even though I an limping around. I fell a few days ago ... I am really such a klutz ... and hurt my left ankle and foot. I am now wearing a boot and am not supposed to put weight on that foot ... we'll see how that goes.  A few weeks ago I dropped a large rock on my other foot and broke two toes.  I'm thinking that these are signs from God telling me I must spend more time sitting and stitching! :)

I had a wonderful time on Saturday with Henry as he visited his first pumpkin patch. Doesn't he look like he is having the time of his little life?

I have to laugh at the first picture in this post (scroll back to it). I'm wondering about the meaning and purpose of the "pumpkin" catapult in the right hand corner of the photo? LOL!!!

I am also thrilled and humbled that I now have more than 100 followers! To celebrate, I will be having another giveaway in October.  And I will be tallying up my questionnaire about eBay vs. Esty vs. a Selling Blog as soon as the give away is over.  But I can probably say that I will not be going back to selling on eBay.  Here are a few items that I've finished, need to be stitched into pillows or mini-quilts, or stuffed that you might find on my selling blog one of these days.  The first photo is a little mini-quilt/wall hanging that I made up from a free design offered recently by Shirley Hudson over at Hudson's Holidays;

This little saying makes me smile every time I see it.  I am also making a little pillow from the pattern on muslin, too.  Here are a few of my items.  When/if I sell them, I will let you know who is the pattern designer, but right now I can't find the original patterns in amongst all my patterns (thanks for not asking me to get up and look, the foot you know! :) )

All in all, it has been a wonderful weekend ... the corn is looking good, spent time with my grandson, my daughter and I spent some good quality time together and she made a DELICIOUS bacon/spinach/broccoli quiche for supper for us all!  Well, the work week starts early tomorrow so I'm off to get into my PJ's and enjoy a cup of chamomile/lavender tea!  Hope you all have sweet dreams tonight.

Fall Ember Day #1 Report

Well, today is the first of the Ember Days for this fall.  Here in east central Iowa it will be 5 degrees below average for this time of year, mostly sunny, and windy.  So folklore says that's what our October will be like. The Old Farmers Almanac forecasts October to be 2 degress below normal, little rain, and mostly sunny for the majority of the month.  Maybe there is something to Ember Days after all! We'll see.

The picture is some of my fall decor this year.  The beautiful quilt I got at a auction a few years ago and the little pillow I stitched up last year.

Hope you have a great Ember Day!

AFK and AFN!

Good morning! I see that I have some new followers. Thank you so much for joining me.  I have looked around your blogs and am very inspired! Today's post is short because I am going to be AFK and AFN (away from keyboard and away from needle) for a few days! Hubby and I are finally going on our summer vacation UP NORTH! Hope to find some prim goodies on our trip!  So, if you have any questions about the giveaway, I may not be available to answer them.  And if you are a new visitor, please sign up for my September Scaredy Cat Giveaway.  If you like the graphic in this post, please visit Country Life Graphics. Gail has an amazing offering of prim graphics for you to enjoy.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Cat Haven Craft Giveaway Coming Soon!

Yes, that's right! I have a cute little Halloween giveaway coming in the next few days.  It is my first giveaway and my way of saying thanks for all the giveaways I have won in the past year or so!  Please stay tuned.  Also, please see my sidebar today for some new giveaways you might want to enter.

Knitting Nigtmares

For those of you who would like a little chuckle, I would suggest visiting my daughter's blog today. Raise your hand for anyone who has actually worn a sweater like these or wanted to when they were in vogue. Oh, the horror (kinda like leisure suits ... everyone wanted one until they saw a photo of themselves wearing one!)  http://mollymakesdo.wordpress.com/2011/08/28/knitting-nightmares/

Advent Poinsettia from Wee Folk

Good Morning, All!!! It is a very, very cold morning here in Eastern Iowa ... only 9 degrees with a wind chill of 1 degree. A good day for thermal underwear! My kitties have decided its pointless to ask to go out on the porch as mom just isn't paying the heating bill out there and it is cold enough to freeze tails off!

This morning I wanted to share with you a lovely "FREE" wool applique poinsettia pattern from WEE FOLK! It is a lovely, bright and fun blog. There is even a large section of free patterns of things like gnome and dollhouse accessories, toys, kids crafts, apparel, household, and tutorials.  Whenever I need a smile, I browse around this blog. It is so bright and happy. If you have a spare moment today, take a break and head on over to this sweet blog!

NEW COUNTRY SAMPLER GIVEAWAY

Feather your primitive nest with this assortment of handpainted fabric birds, old-fashioned lighting and more!Winner will receive an assortment of handpainted fabric birds, a fragrant jar candle, an electric taper in a metal holder and a striped towel provided by The Old Granary proprietor JoAnn Gilchrest, whose home is featured in Country Sampler’s January 2011 issue. Deadline for enteries is February 1, 2011.  Good luck to all!! Click here to enter!

Found a Cute New Blog!

Good morning all! I just wanted to share with you all a new blogging friend I just found! Please stop in to visit her when you have some time. She is new to the blogging world and you can find her at Libbie's Home!. She is also having a wonderful giveaway to boot! Hope you have a catastic day!

More Gnome Kitties

Hi All, hope your Monday was wonderful! Things for me were a little weird at work today, but now I'm home and can get stitchin'.

Here are a few more gnome kitty pictures I hope you will enjoy.

I also had a little time to stitch up a wool candle mat from a design by Primitive Gatherings.  I love the bright colors in this! It was really fun to stitch up and you can find it at my eBay auction site - cat_tales_booksandprims

Don't have much else tonight, gotta go get supper ready!

Take care and hug those kitties! 

Louie the Gnome Kitty

Yesterday, my daughter had another OB appointment and found out that everything is A-OK with her and baby boy.  We even got to see his profile on the ultrasound!  He is set to arrive end of January/beginning of February! In a family of girls, he is our first boy and we can't wait! We are having so much fun visiting all the great thrift stores here for baby clothes -- What deals on hardly worn items!  He already has a better wardrobe that I do. 

Molly has been feeling a lot better and is knitting away ... she has made baby boy one sweater already, and several hats.  Here is Louie modeling one of the little gnome hats.  We may have to make one for Louie as he seemed to really enjoy wearing it!

It has been a long week for me and my fibromyalgia has kicked up (I am trying to kick it back) so I hope to have a restful weekend (its supposed to rain here and that usually inspires me to sew and read).  Hope you all have a great time the next few says and as always, love to see what you make and hear from you! May the fabric always be with you!

Advice Needed!!!!

I would love to learn to needle punch, but don't know where to begin! Would any of you have some advice for a beginner?  I would be interested in knowing what supplies I need and advice on an easy beginner's pattern. Thanks in advance!

Swap Goodies and New eBay Items!

Scaredy cats are always welcome at my house!

The weekend is coming to a close and tomorrow is another work day! Sigh, how I wish I could retire and spend my time doing what I love ... crafting, baking, sewing, and decorating.  Someday ... but just not today.  My weekend was lovely, beautiful weather and I got a chance to relax. Finished a lousy book (somehow I couldn't put it down, but I will not buy its sequel) and started a great book by author Steve Alten called the "Grim Reaper" ... somehow seems appropriate for the season, no?

On Saturday, I received some swap goodies from a good blog friend, Gina! She swapped for some of my hand dyed wool. She made two autumn hand towels, two Halloween pillows from vintage Halloween post card fabric, a absolutely adorable kitty purse, and some great smelling wax ornies. Scroll down to see what she sent and where they have found a home in my house.  She makes the neatest stuff and has great ideas! Please visit her at Cat Nap Inn Primitives.  

I also had some time to sew a little turkey pincushion and an acorn pillow that I've listed on my eBay site.

I made a trip to Goodwill, too, to see if I could find any wool garments that I could recycle to add to my wool stash! I was really lucky, I found several black wool skirts and a cream colored wool skirt and a checked blue wool skirt. They are all 100% wool and so should felt nicely when I wash and dry them.  The cream and blue wool will be used for some winter penny rugs and the black wool will be for some of my signature kitties ... so stayed tuned, there might even be a giveaway coming up in December from Cat Haven Crafts!

Haven't received the Feliway for the cats yet, but I did go to PetCo and find some homeopathic drops to put in their water bowl that seem to help them all get along.  I'll give it two weeks and then if its still working, I'll post about it.

Well, my eyes are getting heavy and the kitties are already making themselves at home in my bed ... so that means its time to turn in too.  Hope all is well out there with you all and that your kitties are having sweet kitty dreams.