~Americana Joyride~

Ohhh look at this!! This is my NEWEST Handmade! I LOVE this piece. It is my MOST favorite, thus far. It is a "TRUE" piece of Folk Art and a TRUE Labor of LOVE...

Many, many hours I have spent on this set. I have it scheduled to start on eBay tonight at 8:45 Central time. I call this set ~AMERICANA JOYRIDE~ and boy, what a ride I have been on, making this piece. Lots of re-do's to have it just right...

I thought about not listing this....because of Super Bowl weekend. That is this Sunday. My piece ends on Sunday. Oh well. I am not sure how many people get really involved in watching The Super Bowl, I know I am not one of them *smirk*.

The weather here has calmed down..Thank Goodness!! It is still bone-chilling cold! But, no white-outs and such. We even brought our two Labs (Co-Co & Kali), in the house. We have a indoor kennel for them, with a heat lamp.....but, we can't leave them outside in this COLD weather. It is just too darn cold.

Well, I must get moving. I have a hurricane that has left major distruction in my path (from making Americana Joyride). I hope you all have a wonderful evening.
Many Blessings to you, ~Tonya

Baby it's Cold outside!

This is out my window today! Blizzard like conditions. Zero visibility and school was released early. I was sooooo very worried about my kids riding home on the bus in this! I was going to go to the Post Office...then wait for my kids at the end of the driveway. Ya right! I got to the end of the driveway and there I sat! I could not see even 2 feet in front of me. I would not venture out in this, unless my life depended on it!

They have shut down the I-35 Interstate and have cancelled many events and stores are closing. The wind is blowing at about 35 mph, with higher wind guts then that. I bet anything the kiddies will not have school tomorrow. I am glad they got home safely. Those poor bus drivers. They never do get enough credit. They have to put up with a lot. I do give him a Christmas gift....So he does know that I appreciate him.

Ok folks, I was tagged twice to tell 5 things about myself, that you may not know. I then, am suppose to tag 5 people to do the same....but so many have already been tagged, I would not even know who to tag. Here goes...

1. I really do appreciate "The Simple Things in Life". The older I get, the more I appreciate them.

2. I moved out on my own, at a very young age of 14 (a couple months away from 15). And yes, I did finish High School and was on the A Honor Roll, when I graduated. School was very important to me.

3. Back Porch Pickins was built out of my Love for creating, but also because my husband was laid off from work. We did not know how we were going to pay our bills and so forth. I had just had my last little baby in Sept. of 2001 and he was laid off in Oct. So, we picked a Business name together, got a Minnesota tax ID number and worked and worked and worked and hit all of the local craft shows and made things work.

I have always created, sold at crafts shows and consigned at stores, but had let things lay for a while....missed it immensely. They say everything happens for a reason and now I feel very BLESSED, to be able to create and share my handmades (and patterns).

4. My beliefs are simple. I feel...you get what you give. You reap what you sow. When a one door closes another one opens. Do unto others as you want done to you. Be kind to one another. Always have a Dream. Live Life to the fullest. Be the best you can be, in everything you do!

5. I have never been hospitalized for anything (except having my 3 children). No broken bones, no fractures, not stitches, not anything....KNOCK ON WOOD! I better count my lucky stars!

In a "nut shell", I know not very interesting. But that is me. I don't expect much. I am happy with where I am in life. I appreciate life and I feel BLESSED. I have 3 beautiful healthy children, a husband who supports me and loves me just the way I am and we live the "GOOD LIFE", in the country on 10 acres. What more could a girl want. Life is Good!

I have taken up enough space and am working on a set for eBay. So, I must go. Stay warm. Take care and have yourself a great day! Many Blessings, ~Tonya

Today...

I had FUN today meeting my sis for lunch. We went to Jake's Pizza. It was a favorite of all of ours growing up. It was so weird to be back in there, you see when I was in High School, we could leave for lunch....Jake's was only about 2 blocks away. So many of us went their for lunch everyday, a slice of pizza and a can of pop (healthy eh?).

It would get so crowded at lunch time, the line would stretch out to the back of the place and out the door and around the corner. It was crazy!! Soooo many random thoughts ran through our heads today. I also remember when we graduated, we went and celebrated their, yes the pizza is that good!

I also wanted to mention Nancy of Vintage Whimsy & Folk Art Originals is having an Easter basket give away! Her art is just wonderful, it reminds me of a thyme of long ago and has so much vintage appeal. All you have to do is leave a message on that post. That is it. So, HOP on over there and leave a comment.

I hope you all have a great evening. Many Blessings, ~Tonya

Olde Peter Rabbit...

Olde Peter Rabbit on eBay

This is my latest creation. He looks so much better in person. Pictures inside, just do not turn out as well as the outdoor pictures. I am going to just have to be satisfied, it is just to COLD to go outside to take pictures...

I listed him last night, on eBay. He will end on Tuesday evening. I have been trying to think of something really different, but nothing comes to mind. It seems like everything has been done and re-done. Then if you browse around on eBay and such, you read all of the listings that some have written and even making threats about copyright laws and such...

I just wonder what customers think, when they read the description. The way I feel is, everything has been done! Everything has been re-done! It is all the way one "perceives" it and "interprets" it! I think some doll makers are getting their undies in a bundle for nothing. Copyrights are practically not worth the paper it is written on, because if it is changed even 20%, the copyright goes out the window! Just Be Happy and Have FUN Creating, that is what I do. I do feel that if someone takes and uses a pattern, changes lets say a doll into a rabbit, or a girl, into a different "themed" girl...give credit!

I have been getting numerous amounts of emails and even phone calls from my good customers and such that have contacted me saying "people" are using my patterns and changing them up a bit, and not giving credit. Come on people, all I ask for is credit. At least if people just say here is a doll that I made and have it listed for sale...It is better then someone changing a theme, using a couple of my patterns, combinding them and calling them their own. God gave me two eyes to see. Please give me credit, it is just the right thing to do.

Ok, enough of that. Sorry for being a bit wordy, but some people had asked in the past couple of months, if I was going to continue to make patterns....This was part of the reason why I had to say what I just said and express my thoughts and feelings.

It is very cold here. My hands ache, they are cracked and they bleed every time I wash them. Lots of lotion, is the remedy. Oh and my Spring-Thyme Annie sold right away, Thank you my Sweet. I must go, I am meeting my sister for lunch. She works in town now, so that is neat. We can meet every now and then. Oh and you can visit her blog Symbols of the Soul

I hope you all have a good day. Stay warm. Toodles Kiddies, ~Tonya

Mercantile Offering...

This Sweet Little gal is my offering for TDIPT Mercantile this coming month. I call her "Spring-Thyme Annie". She is so very sweet in person. I even tinted her hair a very subtle pink, but in the pictures does not show very well...

Annie is about 20 inches tall. She is lovingly made of osanburg. I made her with Quilt Shoppe fabric in pinks, peaches N creme. Annie's adorable face includes, hand painted eyes with separate stitched on eye lids, stitched on patch nose, little stitches under her eyes (as most Annie's have) and a stitched mouth...

Her hair is needle felted and stitched in place, in the style of a little bun in back. I then stitched on a band of little ribbon roses for some added detail...

Spring-Thyme Annie, totes in her arms her most bestest friend. Little Hare. He is 8 inches tall and made of osanburg and fully needle felted....the finest of fibers used for this little fellow, Alpaca fiber. I floss stitched his facial features and then added some whiskers. He is securely stitched in place, as is Annie's arms around him...

Some FUN rick rack all the way around her neckline, dress and pantalets...all hand stitched on. I hand painted her little stockings with a coordinating pink. Her little Mary Jane's are painted on. She is sure to add a splash of colour in your home for Spring.

Spring-Thyme Annie is a One of a Kind and a Back Porch Pickins Original. She will arrive signed and dated. If you are interested in "Spring-Thyme Annie, you can contact me, as there is only ONE available. My email is dandtturvold@deskmedia.com

Thank you so much for reading up on this Sweet little gal. Have a great day. Toodles, ~Tonya

S*N*O*W...

We sure did get a lot of SNOW on Monday, into Tuesday! We received a little over 6 inches, of the white stuff. I don't know about you, but I am ready for SPRING! I could do without the cold temps, high winds, and of course....SNOW! But I do live in Minne-snowta, so that is to be expected, right?

Well, this weekend my son and I went to "Mad Money", a good movie. I like going to the movies every now and then. I wanted to see one of the other movies, like "Untraceable", but that was not released yet.

Yesterday, hubby and I went to Apple Bee's....I told him no at first. I have the Mercantile deadline, looming over my head. He was persistant......he won. It was good. It was nice to get away for a bit....

I am just working on dollies and trying to keep warm. It dropped down into the negatives on the over night again. Too cold for my bones....Stay warm kiddies, ~Tonya

Brrr...

Trying to stay warm here! It is soooo COLD, it is into the double negative digits, with the wind-chill factored in! I have just working and trying to stay warm. This sweet little bunny is named, Emma...

I am very PLEASE with the way that she turend out. I was up until almost 3 am, fussing with her last night. When I get "wild hairs", there is NO stopping me. I love the fabrics that I used on her. I am not normally a "flower" fabric gal, but this fabric was so pretty, it just pulled me in.

She is listed on eBay. You can click here to veiw Precious Emma. She is listed for five days. I have much to do and my son and I are going to "Venture" out in this cold, to take in a movie. My Mom came and took my girls for the night. They are sure to have fun!

I hope you all have a great weekend. If you are in parts like me....STAY WARM!! Toodles, ~Tonya

Key to My Heart...

This is my newest dollie. Her name is Lola and she is titled ~Key to My Heart~ I have listed her on Ebay. She is listed for only 3 days. It always scares me when I do 3 day Auctions. At times, 5 and 7 days, just seem too long. But at times, 3 days seems so very short...

I LOVE the fabrics that I used on her. They are from the Quilt Shoppe I went to on Friday. I have sooo many more to use and I can not wait to play! Nothing inspires me like new fabric. I must say, I am not very pleased with the pictures of Lola. She looks so much more sweeter, in person.

Well, we did not get much snow....but now, the wind is suppose to "kick-up" and cause some major blowing of the freshly fallen snow. My son said, yay! Maybe we won't have school tomorrow. *smirk* It is cold and suppose to be getting colder....

I plan on staying warm and working again tomorrow. I have so many things I want to make. I also have to start making things for the Mercantile Update. I didn't have an update for this month and I don't like not having anything new. Well, I must scoot. My "Hurricane" is calling my name. Have a Peaceful Night, ~Tonya

Simply Pretty...

I took this picture yesterday. It was mid morning and there was a rainbow. I seen both ends, very close to one another. There was no reason for a rainbow...meaning no rain or such. But God wanted to paint the sky with beauty. It was cold and is now, getting colder. We are in for some snow and bitter cold temps. It was 4 below this morning and by this weekend, on the over nights it is suppose to be -10, not including the wind-chill.

That poor cat is sitting by my window, watching me and meowing. If some of you do not normally read my blog, we have a kitty that has adopted us. We feed him and pet the window...he thinks we are petting him and he is so happy when we do that and when we talk to him. Although, we can not get near him otherwise. Tonight, it is soooo COLD and WINDY...the wind it blowing right at him. And it breaks my heart. He is not taking cover and I am sure it is well below zero, with the wind-chill.

I am slowly working on a new dollie. I went shopping at one of my very favorite quilt shoppes on Friday. They are expensive, but such nice fabric. I can not wait to use ALL of my new fabric. Getting some new fabric makes my mind race with so many ideas. Oh the simple things that put a smile on my face.

Well I must go. I hope you are all having a good week so far. Take Care and stay warm, ~Tonya

Peep...Peep...

Okay, you asked for it....and I got my little Spring Chick put to a pattern! Yes, another NEW Pattern. Before SPRING hits, can you believe it? I have been just a busy women. I was up until 2 am last night, burning the Midnight oil. See, I get to sleep one day and then I am up until the wee hours in the night any ways...

I am going to include the little link to Patternmart for my New Spring Chick epattern. I had so much fun making him. I think he would even look adorable as a make do. So many things you can do with a pattern, if you think about it. Here is the link...

BPP26 Easter SPRING CHICK Egg Primitive Folk Art Doll e Pattern

Spring Chick is so very ADORABLE, with his innocent little face! He is made of painted muslin and ...
Price: US$10.00

Well, My Sydney never got to finish up her medicine that she had gotten from the doctor for her Strep. She got the FLU (like our whole family did) and she just kept vomiting it back up....so unfortunately, she is sick again. She was only good for a few days and it starting back in. My poor little Ninny. That is her nick name.

I called the phone nurse at the clinic and she sent me to the on call doctor, he said no need to bring her in tonight (her ear also hurts), so again....back to the doctor tomorrow! Boo hiss. She needs to get better. She has been sick far to often this winter all ready. Soooo many germs in school! So, that will fill up the majority of my day tomorrow. Later gator, ~Tonya

Unbelieveable...

I could not believe this...
Today, I was up with the kids...like always, got them all set for school and drove them to the end of the driveway and waited for the bus. We have a long driveway. Well, I got back into the house, thought I would lay down for about an hour or so...

Wouldn't you know it, the phone rang a few times, I answered it and I was right back out. I had a terrible headache and I thought some "shut eye" would do me some good. Well, by the time I was up for good, it was about 1 o'clock!!! I was in SHOCK! I must have needed it...but what a WASTE of a day!! I don't like to take naps, never have liked them.

But, in the end, I still had my headache when I woke up!! So, I took some Tylenol and finally it did go away. Something is going on with my eyes and such. I have been having blurred vision (when I am trying to see close up) and I have had some headaches....and normally, I do not get too many headaches.

So, I will be making a doctors appt. and I am sure my glasses need to be updated. Boo hiss! I have one decent eye and my other is a Lazy eye and I don't much like wearing glasses, but my eye sight is soooo very important to me.

So, tonight I will work. Play catch-up perhaps. Have a Good Wednesday Night. ~Tonya

Ellie ~ Wishing Angel...

This is my Sweet little Angel that I finally finished up. I have named her Ellie, because she is so very Elegant. I was going to make her a Valentine's Angel, holding a heart....but this little dollie, was quite a fussy little one. She had to have everything trimmed out, with finished edges. She is so full of detail and handstitching....the pictures do not do Ellie justice....

In her hand she holds a glass glitter star. She has pulled down the star, from the Heavens...for you to WISH upon. I am very happy with the way she looks and now she can be left out all year through.....Ellie won the battle *smirk* I must sound crazy....

Sometimes with dollies, I can have a vision in my head or a sketch on paper and while creating, I can perceive them one way....but they do have a mind of their own and sometimes, they do fight you every step of the way. She turned out just the way she wanted too.

I thought I would let you in on a little something...Lana of Honeysuckle Lane is having a give-a-way for her 100 post! Here is her link Honeysuckle Lane All you have to do is pop on over there and leave a comment on her blog. It is as simple as that. She is giving a way some wonderful creations.

I better scoot. It is late and I must get up early, to get the kiddies off to school. Nighty Nite, ~Tonya

Monday....

Today was such a nice day. It felt like SPRING, for a while. It was in the upper 30's (I know, it sounds cold to some of you) but when we have had such COLD weather in the past week, with such high winds...well, 30's are NICE! I even had my spring jacket on. I know, I am Crazy like a nut! When I am out & about, I tend to get quite warm, very easily.

Any who, this weekend flew by too quickly. The girls and I made Blueberry Muffins yesterday morning with bakery-style topping, YUMMM! And boy did they taste GOOD. I was going to take a picture and blog them, but they did not last nearly long enough *smirk*.

I am working an addition to my "Wee-Leggins Collection". She is very SWEET. She is an Angel and very "fancy". I wanted her to be more primitive, but I lost the battle. She is full of detail, hand stitchin and so very sweet. I hope to have her finished tomorrow and list her on eBay.

I must go, I have lots of work to do. As they say, A Mother's work is never done. I hope you have all had a great day. Take Care, ~Tonya

Spring Chick...

The old creative juices have been flowing! I love this CHICK and he was so much fun to make. He is nestled in a wooden bowl for pictures. He does not sit freely and does need a basket, crate or wooden bowl to sit in. Without being nestled in something, I do not think he would look as sweet.

He will be going up on eBay this evening. The 3 eggs are included with him. They look so very neat. The olde style little banner that he holds reads, SPRING CHICK. I gave him those pouty little eyes, that are just so sweet.

Any who, enough of that, right. *smirk* It is still very windy here, it has warmed up a bit....which is a good thing. This week has just flown by. Nothing much new, at my neck of the woods. I hope you all have a great weekend. Toodles, ~Tonya

*NEW* Pattern...

You gals have all been so VERY patient!! I FINALLY have a NEW pattern. Yes, just one. I may have others after a bit, I will try hard. I have listed this sweet Bunny Love on eBay and on Patternmart already. I can not update my website yet, they are updating servers and such...

This was one of my most favorite stockings. I hope you like it. Today, here in Minnesota it is so WINDY and so COLD!! The furnace can hardly keep up. I bet it is at least 25 below ZERO with wind-chill! It was suppose to be a bit warmer here today, but no such luck. If those darn winds would quite, it would not be quite as bad. I will keep my fingers crossed.

Oh and by the way, I have the ROSE colored garland in! I can not update my website as of yet. I am going to try the little patternmart code here for ya...

BBP25 Primitive Valentine Bunny Rabbit Heart Stocking Doll e Pattern

NEW for ©2008 My Olde-Thyme Primitive Stocking Collection, is a Collection like no other and ...
Price: US$10.00

Lazy Bones...

Today I took a day to "DE-COMPRESS"!! I started out with a movie and folding clothes this morning. Ya know the basket of clothes with all the wash clothes, small hand towels and socks....the one that no one wants to do! But I did enjoy watching the movie and a little bit of peace and quiet.

I then just did a bunch of nothing today.....well it seemed like it any ways. I normally get quite a bit done, but today I just took it slow. It is soooo COLD here, that I ache. Yes, I have arthritis, from a car accident, so the cold makes it act up. It is suppose to be warming up thou, and then rain, on top of all of our snow.....ugh.

I will be getting back to a normal routine tomorrow. Or I should say, that is the plan man *smirk* Well, I hope you kiddies stay warm. Nighty nite, ~Tonya

A New Year!!!

I hope the first day, of the New Year 2008, is a good one! I have been working on this precious little bunny angel for a while now....

Seems like forever, since I worked on a doll. You have to remember, almost everyday, for several hours I work on one of my handmades. I have not worked on any handmade since before Christmas...so it was so much fun for me to get back to work!

I think I have named her Priscella Bunny Angel and she has her little Peep friend in her basket. I made a little chick, that I fully needle felted and then stained...he has little wings and all. Angels have been on my mind, so you may see quite a few of angels, for a bit. She is so pretty in pink!

She has a needle felted little muzzle, removable feather wings and so much old style charm. I am very pleased with how she turned out. She will be listed on eBay tonight and end on Sunday evening.

I suppose I better scoot. I have so much to do. My kiddies go back to school tomorrow. I am happy they are going back to school. They have been under each others skin now for a few days. *smirk* I will also enjoy a little bit of "peace". Mom needs a much needed break. I hope you all have a great day and Happy New Year!! Smiles, ~Tonya