Oh, boy, I won an award!

Look what Miranda over at Hackberry Road gave me! Isn't she pretty? (Miranda and the angel, LOL!) Go visit her and see who else she nominated, and read the nice things she wrote about my blog! http://lifeonhackberryroad.blogspot.com/
It's called an "Arte y Pico" award. I need to go look up what that means...okay, it originated at a blog called "Arte y Pico" (of course!) and here's the link: http://arteypico.blogspot.com/ I wish I was better at Spanish! I'm translating this as "Art and Beak," which makes no sense...but might if I could read the blog, LOL!

Anyhoo, in accepting there are rules to follow, so here I go:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award.

4.The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5. To show these rules.

Oh, my goodness, how do I pick five out of all the wonderful blogs I've come across??????

My first nominee is Susan over at Blackberry Creek. http://blackberrycreek.typepad.com/blackberry_creek/ I love her photographs, her amazing quilts, her creativity and, of course, her dog "Sophie Belle Patterpaw." Susan is all about Southern Charm...and her husband's a cutie, too!

I found Becky's Blog http://sew-and-so.blogspot.com/ on my ABCs of creative blogs adventure, and I really enjoy following her creative projects. Check out how she refashioned an old shirt into what she calls a "Doolittle Blouse." So clever!

My next nominee is Shereen at "Waiting for Him." http://w8ng4him.blogspot.com/ If you are one of my frequent flyers, you know that I try to participate in Shereen's "Sew Crafty Friday" each week! What a wonderful showcase for the amazing creative talent out there! Thanks, Shereen, for starting this 'carnival.' I know it can't be easy to keep up with it, when you've got your beautiful family keeping you busy! It inspires me to keep working on my 17,000 wips!

Okay, every time I visit Lettie at "Polka Dot Pineapple" I smile. Go on over there and try to keep a frown on your face. Just try! http://mousechirpy-polkadotpineapple.blogspot.com/ Ha, ha, I knew you couldn't do it? Aren't those yo-yo projects the cutest things ever?

Finally, I have to nominate Tammy of "Tammy's Recipes." http://www.tammysrecipes.com/ Mostly because I use her Amish Bread and Pizza Crust recipes all the time! She also has a carnival..."Kitchen Tip Tuesday." Keep those recipes coming, Tammy...it's all so goooood!

A fun little giveaway!

Want to try for a $10 envelope full of coupons? Sure you do! So go over and say 'hi' at http://thebargainbabe.blogspot.com/ She's having a giveaway!

BTW, please scroll down for Sew Crafty Friday...further down for my Bloggin' in the USA posts!

Sew Crafty Friday

Here is a blouse I'm making for the 8-year-old I babysit. I just have to do the hem and close up where I put the elastic in the neck. Angelina has already tried it on and it looks cute on her. It's a very easy pattern, McCall's 5135. It ties in the back and the skirt part is cut on the bias, so it has a nice twirl to it! I made my own bias tape for the neckline.

Please visit "Waiting for Him" (see my sidebar) for more Sew Crafty Friday fun, and join in while you're at it!

I've been to these places...

...in real life. The Southwest is just so breathtaking--like another world. My brother and I traveled through New Mexico (he lived in Albuquerque), Colorado, Utah and Arizona, in an old VW Beetle, about 30 years ago. It was one of the best experiences of my life. It will never happen again--Patrick passed away 8 years ago. But my search for today's virtual trip brought back a lot of memories!

This blog from New Mexico reminds me of the wonderful times we spent in Santa Fe:

http://santafedailyphoto.blogspot.com/ There's just something about old wood and turquoise...

I think Long Island is one of the prettiest places in America, but Colorado is one of the most beautiful. Go pay a visit to Curt and his dog Duncan at http://whilewalkingduncan.blogspot.com/ You'll be glad you did--Curt is one of the best writers I've ever come across in blogland. And Duncan is a handsome, sweet fellow!

Utah has beautiful Bryce Canyon and a great blog called "Lost Button Studio." You'll find recipes and more there! http://lostbuttonstudio.blogspot.com/

And finally, there's Arizona and the blog "Creative Kismet." Recipes, great photography...and tutorials! I love tutorials! (But you already knew that.)

http://blog.creativekismet.com/

Well, that's it for today. Do you know, this USA blog thing isn't as easy as it looks. There are some states, like Pennsylvania, with an abundance of creative, friendly blogs. I'm sure there are creative people in Delaware, Iowa, Louisiana and Nebraska--just a few states for which I can't find blogs that fit my criteria (nice, non-political, respectful, nothing I'd be embarassed for my 85-year-old mom to see)...so if you know of a lovely blog and I haven't hit that state yet, please, let me know about it! Thanks!

It's never hot in Cyberspace...

...so our virtual private jet is going to fly us South. Mostly 'cause I found an Alabama blog that I like! Actually, we'll go there in a minute. First, we start in Florida! Our first visit it to the "Queen of Good Intentions." I especially love her post "The Year of No." We all need to stop spreading ourselves so thin! http://goodintentionsqueen.blogspot.com/

Our second stop in Florida is one of my all-time favorite blogs, Daisy Cottage. This is the blog that really got me started on blog-hopping. It's just so awesome that I had to see what else was out there. You will love meeting Kim, but you will really love her dog Miss Maggie! Pay them a visit at http://deardaisycottage.typepad.com/daisy_cottage/

Okay, now we hit Alabama. You get 3 blogs for the price of one if you visit
http://snapshot-album.blogspot.com/ In this one, we'll enjoy some amazing photography. We can hop over to her family blog and her 'Wandering the Web' blogs, too via links on her sidebar. Wandering the Web might be a little dangerous for a blog-hopper like myself...

A hop on the Magical Mystery Tour bus...I mean, the Bloggin' in the USA bus...takes us to Tennessee! http://threadcatcher.blogspot.com/ The pictures here are so beautiful it almost makes me want to move South for real! Except for the heat...
...but I could just melt when I see photos of cute baby birds!

Kentucky is next! If you want a laugh, check out the picture of the smiling sheep on http://beloved-creations.blogspot.com/ and let her (the blogger, not the sheep) know what you do to 'go green' these days! And be sure to scroll down to see the cute handbag her granddaughter made!

Well, I think that's enough cyber-traveling for today! Time to check out my CVS circular...

Sew Crafty Friday

I'm not so sure about this blouse, so I'm making it as a 'wearable muslin' first, using the blue floral fabric to the right. (It only cost $1.50 a yard!) This has gathers under the yoke, and I'm not sure how that will look on me. It's a fun pattern, though--you get to mix and match and play "Project Runway" with it. I'm doing the yolk with the inset, no ruffle on the hem and the 3/4 sleeves with the flounce. I'm curious to see how it comes out!

In the second photo is my cheap-o circle cutter. I was in Michael's a while back and they had this contraption where you fit a piece of fabric between two disks, then cut around them to make circles for yo-yos. I was already spending too much money there, and I thought this was such a simple concept that I could probably duplicate it.

So the other day, my husband finished up a container of oatmeal. I was about to throw it out when I thought...a-ha!

Basically, you just put the fabric on top, pop on the lid and cut around the edge. You get a 4 1/2 inch circle--which makes about a 2 inch yo-yo. And the best part is, you can store the yo-yos in the box!

Please visit Shereen's blog for more Friday craftiness! http://w8ng4him.blogspot.com/

California (and beyond)...here we come!

I think it's high time we got this show on the road, don't you? So let's hop in our private jet and fly over to California, where we'll find the musings of a wonderful dog named Spencer! http://blog.stickerdog.com/ Spencer is a golden retriever. Right now he is fostering two sweet little golden puppies that someone left at a shelter. Let's root for these little guys, as they have had health problems. And let's tell Spencer what a 'good boy' he is! Such a handsome doggie!

Beautiful dog...cute puppies...

You.cannot.resist.

Well, after the puppies wear themselves out playing, we'll say goodbye to Spencer, Ben and Jerry and head north in our virtual bus to Oregon. Amanda makes such cute things, some of which she plans to sell in her newly acquired booth at Blue Moon Market Place! Let's wish her the best of luck on her business venture. Read all about it at http://amandacowell.typepad.com/violaceous/ I loved those turquoise shelves, don't you? (And if you are lucky enough to live in the real Oregon, why not pay her shop a visit?)

Back to the bus again...isn't it cool how this amazing bus with all its amenities just happens to show up where we go? Isn't the imagination wonderful?

Next stop, Washington! Tara Larsen Chang is off to take a master class in illustration, but I'm sure she won't mind us looking around her blog a bit! http://tlcillustration.blogspot.com/ The photographs of flowers are amazing, but check out her books on Amazon and her work under the link 'children's illustrators.' Tara's illustrations aren't just pictures...they are personalities! Looking at them, I honestly feel they'll start talking...even the chipmunk, if he hasn't stuffed his cheeks too full.

I'm tired...and in the real world I have a ton of housework to do. See ya next time!

A gift from Debbie J!

Look at the adorable clothespin bag that Debbie (of Homemaking Dreams http://homemakingdreams.blogspot.com/ ) made for me! Don't you just love the Mary Engelbreit fabric? I love being able to keep clothespins all together in such a cute bag.

Debbie even has a tutorial on how to make one of these, so check it out!

Thanks a bazillion, Debbie! I love it!

Back to the Midwest!

Our magical bloggy bus has been cleaned nicely, and the on-board kitchen is restocked for our trip back to the Midwest. We have an on-board chef this time (he sort of looks like Bobby Flay, but he isn't...unless you want to pretend he is! Go ahead...this is ALL make believe!)

So we're tooling along, talking, crocheting, listening to Ella Fitzgerald on the bus's state-of-the-art sound system...and the time just flies by the time we reach...

Wisconsin! Magda's creations are so adorable it almost makes me sorry I sold all my stamps and carving tools a few years ago. (Hey, I'm supposed to be sorta frugal...something had to go, and it wasn't going to be the fabric or scrapbooks!) There are some nice tutorials here and a sweet little bird pattern to embroider or use in other ways. http://www.craftpudding.com/

I admit I have to look at a map to see what's near what...but it looks like a quick hop over to Illinois and "Sunny Pond Home." I love Kristi's little sewing projects, and she has a nice Etsy shop, too! Here's her blog address: http://sunnypondhome.blogspot.com/

Lastly, today, we hit Indiana and "My Heart is Always Home." http://myheartisalwayshome.blogspot.com/Today, Wendi made sidewalk paint to share with her adorable daughter, Megan. There's a recipe, too! And please scroll down to see her "Star Spangled Mason Jars." They are awesome!

My cat just walked in front of the computer and stepped on the phone. Before she dials Moscow, I'd better see if she has food and water in her dish! See ya next time, folks!

Just one stop today...

...to Idaho, mostly 'cause I want to get away (albeit only virtually) from this heat wave we're having on the East Coast, and I don't yet have a blog for Alaska! (Although, for all I know, it's 98 degrees there.)

Do you remember these?

If Mississippi wore New Jerseys, what would Delaware? Idaho, Alaska!

Say it fast enough and it sounds like this:

If Miss Issippi wore new jersies, what would Della wear? I dunno, I'll ask her!

Okay, the blog already! It is http://brassyapple.blogspot.com/ She's a designer, and her work is so cute, fun and original, I almost can't stand it! Have fun!

Advice to parents of graduates

Is your son or daughter graduating this month? Then run, don't walk, to your local CVS, Walgreens or wherever and get a handheld fan for every member of the family attending! This comes from a mom who's been to 3 graduations already. I can almost guarantee it will be 95 degrees out, and if the ceremony is indoors due to weather, you'll still be glad you have that fan! (Everyone who sees my husband and I with them is jealous!)
Best of luck to all the graduates out there!

And we'll continue our B-L-O-G (ging) in the USA journey...as soon as I figure out where I put my blog list!

We interrupt this virtual journey...

...for our regularly scheduled program, "Sew Crafty Friday" over at Shereen's Blog! http://w8ng4him.blogspot.com/

I finished one of the dresses I made. I like the dress, I just don't like what I look like in it. With or without the sash, I'm pudge woman. Oh, well. If I really cared, I'd go on a diet. And Mike isn't complaining. Actually, if I use the sash I have to tack it in place so it stays at the waistline, so I guess I'm not really done with this.

I just deleted the sash one...I look like death in that photo. At least in this photo, the timer on the camera caught me when I was smiling. (Actually, I'm talking to the camera, telling it to take the danged picture.)

I do have to say this is verrrry comfortable. I mean, really, it's just a t-shirt with a skirt attached. Oh, and in case you were wondering...why, yes, I did get a haircut!

Go on over and say 'hi' to Shereen!

Creativity in the Midwest

It's quite a bit cooler up here, compared to the South! I couldn't imagine doing crochet in Georgia these days, but I could do it in Ohio! There really hasn't been much activity at http://crochet-in-ohio.blogspot.com/ but the little crochet projects are just the cutest and worth a look! (I love quick projects!)
Now let's take a look at the wonderful artwork at http://amulti-coloredlife.blogspot.com/ Sue paints some amazing pictures of rural life. The portrait of Zeus the dog reminds me of Shadow a little bit!
I love Ohio, mostly 'cause my mom lives there. It really is a beautiful state--okay, all states are beautiful, but I'm partial to ones where I have family. Still, it's time to go. This time, we have a stretch limo to get us to Pennsylvania. Don't worry, this is a virtual trip--gas costs exactly zero. I'd rather spend money on cool vintage and thrifty stuff, anyway. Let's take a stop at http://thriftshopromantic.blogspot.com/ and admire those gorgeous roses! Then we'll link over to her "Squidoo" page, http://www.squidoo.com/thriftshopromantic for some great thrifting advice!
Here's another Pennsylvanian blog I like: http://thekrazykraftlady.blogspot.com/ Check out the cute primitives! Denise, aka NeeNee, will show us how to do some crafts and introduce us to other crafters! (BTW, I have to laugh about her nickname--that is what I called my son Nicky when he was a baby!)
Well, I think 2 states and four blogs is enough for one day, don't you? We'll spend the night at a nice Amish bed and breakfast, then head out early in the morning!

Southern Hospitality

Our bus takes us to Georgia today, where we'll visit Bebe at her lovely blog "Peaches and Dreams." http://bebespeachesanddreams.blogspot.com/ Bebe has some gorgeous photographs there, and she sure has an eye for a flea-market treasure! Enjoy her blog for a bit, while I take off to visit my sister. She lives with her husband in a suburb of Atlanta. (Sure wish I could visit her for real, but not in the hot summer!)

Well, wasn't Georgia beautiful? Let's get back on the bloggy bus again--sweet tea is being served! Alas, I have yet to find a blog I like from Alabama. I'm sure they are out there, but the ones that even come close to my criteria (nice, colorful, non-political, respectful) are sports blogs, and I have NO interest in sports. If you know of a great blog, lmk, and we'll head back down here again! But we'll stop and have a picnic along the way, and marvel at beautiful scenes like this:

I don't know where this is, I just found it on a site about Alabama and I think it's very pretty!

So, anyhoo...we're off to Mississippi! This is where we find one of my favorite blogs, "Country Romance from the Heart."

http://countryromance.blogspot.com/ Brenda shares so much about her life and her family, through beautiful photos and posts. Do you know, her handsome son Rian serves our country?

It's getting awfully hot down here, but there's just one more stop. Honestly, I don't know where in the south it is, but we just have to check out Mrs. Fussypants' site--it's too funny to miss! http://fussypants.typepad.com/whatsmartmommiesknow/ Join Fussy as she teaches us how to "Fight the Frump," and how to ruin our lives! (All in good fun!) But first, stop and say 'congratulations' and goo-goo over her darling, sweet, adorable, yummy new baby!

See ya next time, folks--I think we need to rent a private jet and head north again!

The virtual journey continues...

It's such a beautiful day, I think we should take a cruise along the East Coast. Hope you brought along some crochet or knitting, or a good book to read. Our trip on the Atlantic will take a few hours...

...look out there! Is that a humpback whale? Isn't he gorgeous? Hope you have your camera ready--you could make a great scrapbook page.

The weather is sure lovely, but I think I see storm clouds in the distance. I'm awfully glad we're almost to our first stop today...Maryland! This is the home of the wonderful blog "Clothmatters2" http://clothmatters2.blogspot.com/

First, let's say 'congratulations to Alison, who is 'Clothmatters' daughter and just graduated from the University of the Arts in Pennsylvania! I guess she takes after her talented mom, who has made some wonderful cloth dolls, awesome pincushions and more! This sure is a fun and inspiring site!

But, alas, the day grows short and we have to hop on a bus. Don't worry, I rented us a private bus with cushy seats, air-conditioning and two bathrooms. There's a cute steward who will bring you lemonade, iced tea or cookies. (Yes, I did remember to pack some chocolate chip cookies!) Let's gaze out the great big windows so we can enjoy the beautiful Southern countryside as we head to...

North Carolina! And who do we find here, but one of my very favorite bloggers...Debbie J. of "Homemaking Dreams." http://homemakingdreams.blogspot.com/ Looks like Debbie's doing some gardening these days! And what a sweetheart she is...she'll show you how to make several projects (including an awesome clothespin bag) if you just click on her tutorial links!

Hey, maybe if we help in the kitchen, Debbie will make us some "Baked Pizza Mac." (You'll find it under her "recipes" label.)

Well, once again we have to bid a fond farewell. But isn't virtual travel great? You can cover hundreds, even thousands, of miles in a few minutes. So long, Debbie...I'll be back!

Our bus rumbles along for a bit, and takes us to South Carolina next. Barbra, of "All About the Buttons" is so creative, and makes some darling small knit projects! http://allaboutthebuttons.blogspot.com/ Besides, who can resist a blog with the word "Buttons" in the title?

Well, ya know, I'm getting tired. I think three states in one day is enough...and I want to get that whale picture off my digital and into my computer. And I promised to make Debbie J. some dishrags--gotta get those together! (Don't worry, Debbie, they'll be there soon!)

Rest up, folks. We're heading farther south tomorrow...or is it 'further', since we're not covering real distance? Hmmmm...

Off to Connecticut (virtually)

Welcome back! Wow, did anyone ever tell you how punctual you are? You're just in time for that ferry ride across the Long Island Sound. Our first stop is Connecticut--or, rather, a lovely blog of flower photos! http://digitalflowerpictures.blogspot.com/ Rhododendrons and irises are in bloom everywhere--the rich purple of the iris on today's entry will take your breath away!

Pick a bouquet to take with you as a souvenir, 'cause we're heading to Rhode Island next. Look at the cute stuffies over at http://sewingstars.typepad.com/!! Isn't that broccolli a crack-up? And poor little onion...it's not his fault he makes people cry! The awwww-dorable factor is very high here! But eventually, you'll have to pull yourself away, 'cause we have one more stop today!

And that's Massachusetts! If you love vintage, if you love cottage-y things, if you just love loveliness, you will really enjoy our trip to "Beachy's Cape Cod Cupboard."
http://beachyscapecodcupboard.blogspot.com/ So many awesome things here, it's like walking through an antiques/thrift shop!

Let's take a rest on the beautiful Cape Cod beach, and maybe have a picnic. We need to refuel for the next round of this trip. I'm not sure where we'll be going--driving up further into New England, or hopping a plane? I may just return to Long Island and 'hang out' for my next post. Meantime, I sure hope you'll enjoy our little trips!

B-L-O-G (ging) in the USA

At the suggestion of Ginnyberry http://oakleaflivng.blogspot.com/ , who lives on the other side of the country, my new blog list will try to find blogs for all 50 states. It's not as easy as you think, though. First of all, I have standards. I won't link to anything insulting to others or overly political. I like pictures--there doesn't have to be a lot of them, but I think illustrations make blogs fun and who has time to read paragraphs and paragraphs? My new blog list can include anything pleasant, whether crafty or not. If you know any awesome blogs, or if you want me to include yours, lmk! Just be sure you let me know the state of origin.

Our trip starts here where I live--Long Island, New York. So you can peruse my own blog for now. We have about an hour before the ferry takes off from Port Jefferson! It's a perfect spring day for a boat ride!