"Oooooh-Kla-HO-Ma...

...where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain!" C'mon, you know you want to sing it!

I found a nice blog from Oklahoma! http://jemimabean.blogspot.com/ Here you will find some wonderful sewing projects, including cute fashions for Angie's adorable daughter, Lu. Angie's got the same problem as a lot of moms out there (and as I had when Katherine was younger)--finding fashions that are 'cool' enough for a growing kid yet appropriate! I think she really hits the mark with her projects, and I'm sure you'll agree!

Check out what's cute in New Jersey!

I found this New Jersey blog this morning, and I love it! http://papervernissage.blogspot.com/ Hop on over there and check out Lorraine's tutorial for a very pretty beaded pincushion and fancy mirror. You'll enjoy the cards she made, and if you are like me, you'll drool a bit over the pictures of the little embellishments shop she visited--button heaven, as she calls it! I wouldn't disagree, LOL!

USA Trip on the road again!

http://www.scrappyjessi.blogspot.com/ NEBRASKA!

That's how I typed it the other day. (I wasn't in the mood to actually write the post, but I didn't want to forget the link.) "Nebraska" is in big, fat capital letter 'cause I'm sooooo happy to have found a blogger in the middle of the country. Jessi's blog is clever and funny. There's so much to see there that every time you go back, you're sure to find something you missed before!

There is hope for the future that there ARE crafty and creative bloggers out there. But for today...hop on over to Jessi's and enjoy!

I promise...

...to get back on the road ASAP! It isn't for lack of trying, but I just can't find any blogs for my USA blog trip! Oh, yeah, I find great blogs--but they are either from states we've already visited or from foreign countries. So, I'll keep looking and we'll be on way again...someday.

Meantime, can anyone else believe summer is nearly half over?

:)

Let's get this bus rolling!

Time to get back to our B.L.O.G. (ging) in the USA trip!

Our first stop is West Virginia, where we meet Stephanie. http://www.stoptheride.net/ "Stop the Ride" is the home of the blogging carnival "Make It From Scratch." The site has great recipes and frugal tips! Look around and then meet me at the Cyberbus.

Next, we head to Virginia. We're going to spend a bit of time here, as I have 3 blogs to tell you about!

First is called "Nana's Toybox." My friend from Pennsylvania told me about this. She told me Cynthia is a very nice person with a great family. She also told me Cynthia is very talented, as you will see when you visit! http://nanastoybox.blogspot.com/ Aren't those handmade dolls cute? The monster bag cracks me up.

After you get your daily dose of cuddly cute, let's drive over to "Butter and Sugar." Isn't that flamingo hanging a hoot? And those berry pies...oh, yum! That's just the dessert in this feast for the eyes of quilting, crochet, sewing and more! http://butterandsugar.blogspot.com/

Finally, we'll visit "Ten Ten Spot." Cute kids, chickens, nice pix and an adorable graduate named "Tubby." LOL, that's not a kid's name. Tubby's a dog and he just graduated from obedience school! How cute is he in his graduation cap? Still, I'm sure he won't mind removing it if you promise to scratch him behind his ears. Here's the link: http://tentenspot.blogspot.com/

Hope you all had a good time on our cyber trip today!

Two States and a garage sale find

Before we continue on our virtual journey around the blogs of the USA, I just wanted to show you what I found at a garage sale the other day. It is a twin sized quilt, and only cost me $5! There are a few small tears, but nothing noticeable. It's definitely hand-quilted, but the piecework is done by machine. I don't know if it is homemade--I should have asked. But who cares, for five bucks? And it's really, really soft!

So, let's get going here. I printed out a USA Map so I can keep better track of where we've been. You know what? There is this big section of states right smack through the middle of the country for which I have no blogs! From Montana down to Arkansas...10 blogless states. Well, I'll keep on looking! Meantime, let's head to...

Michigan. At "Two Straight Lines" you'll find some wonderful projects, including kids' crafts Courtney does with her darling kiddies. http://twostraightlines.typepad.com/two_straight_lines/

Now let's hop on a boat, and take a ride on Lake Superior over to Minnesota. The subtitle of Artsy Mama's blog is "Trails of Inspiration." So true! There's tons of eye candy here, especially for those of us who drool over vintage yumminess. http://www.artsymama.blogspot.com/ I have to laugh...see the yellow flocked mannequin head? Well, years ago my father (who passed away in 1987) designed a machine to put flock on...mannequin heads! I think it was used by some company in the South, although I'm not sure. Anyhoo...for all I know that head was made in a machine my dad designed. What a small world, huh?

So that's it for today, folks! Hope you're all enjoying the ride.

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...

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!

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!

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!

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!