A Sad Day...

Today started out like any other day...rushing to get my kids to the bus and such. I was on my computer, editing photos and I received an email....

We lost one of out TDIPT Sisters. It was Sue of 2stitchin.....Lynn and Sue, Sue and Lynn. They stitched together, thus making them on ebay 2stitchin. If you ever did a "TDIPT" search in your ebay browser and seen their stitched goods under 2stitchin, that was them. Sue passed away suddenly this past weekend.

My prayers and thoughts go out to Lynn (her sister) and her family. May you all find the strength, to help you through this very difficult time. We will all feel her loss in our group, she was a very sweet person...she will be missed.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog....May each of you not take one single breath for granted. Don't fret about the little things. Accept each day as a gift from above. Love one another. Peaceful Blessings to each of you, ~Tonya

Sneak Peek...

This is one of my offerings for TDIPT Mercantile for April. Her name is Candy (because she reminds me of cotton candy...and she is just as sweet). She is made the same as all of my dollies are...paying attention to fine detail. She is 26 inches tall (as pictured). She has glass eyes and separate stitched on eyelids...

So pretty in pink. I love the polk-a-dots and rick-rack. If you have any questions about "Candy", please contact me...

And for my second offering, I have Cinnamon Stick Candle tapers...great for prim bowl fillers or cupboard tucks. I have primmed them, so they are wonderful for display and smell so good. You will receive a total of 6 candles (in groups of two) and the handstamped muslin bag. Great for yourself or for gift giving. The wooden bowl is not included in the sale of the candles...

I received another "You Make My Day Award" today. Thank you so much, Jen of Art by Jenny. And what you wrote on your blog....very sweet. I appreciate your kind words and your support. I hope you all have a wonderful evening. Peaceful Blessings, ~Tonya

Awards & Tags...

I have been a BAD blogger with awards and being tagged! Shame on ME! *smirk* I am sorry...I get so behind. I was tagged quite a while ago by Susan of Prim and Proper and Sam of Gollywobbles with a "You Make my Day Award". I was tagged by a couple of other gals and I am sorry...I do not remember who it was, please forgive me. Thank you so much to each of you. It really means a lot to me.

I appreciate everyone of you that stop by and listen to my ramblings. I would like to post and or go and visit more blogs...but just never have enough time...

The rules for the “You Make My Day” award are to re-present it to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland. Let them know through email or by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times, and if you do, consider yourself really, really loved. So to pass it on and keep the love going.

I tag Annie of Allegheny Annie's
Lana of Honeysuckle Lane
Niki of Kaniki's
Pea of Pea Picker's Primitives
I know that some of you have already been given the award and you do not have to do anything...just know that your blog if fun to look at and you do make my day, when I get time to stop by.

I was tagged by Trudy of Crows in the Attic. I am suppose to tell you how I got my name. There is really no story behind my business name. My husband was laid off from work and we needed a business name to sell our wares...so ~Back Porch Pickins~ came about from our thoughts. Now since we moved to our acreage, my business name is all so "fitting"...because all of my supplies and such are kept in the Back Porch.

I have been very busy getting my offerings ready for the TDIPT Mercantile and I will try to post pictures later. I hope you all have a grand day! Toodles, ~Tonya

~Americana Panda~

Meet Petey the Americana Panda. He is so adorable...panda's have a special place in my heart and I have a few panda dollies. This guy is almost fully needlefelted and was a TON of work. I have bad wrists and this one....definately did not help my wrists at all *smirk* I have him listed on ebay for 5 days...he will end Sunday evening.
Here is his link on ebay.
This is what it looked like in our "neck of the woods" on Easter day....this was in my Mom's backyard. We had snow gracefully falling...it was pretty, but not very spring-like. No outdoor Easter egg hunts this year.

We had a nice day and Mom had a great birthday. I hope you all had a Blessed Easter and made some special memories, with your loved ones. I hope to get something finished for the Mercantile, but may have to ask for a "push"...I fell behind a bit. Have a good evening and Take Care, ~Tonya

~Easter Blessings & Birthday Wishes~

~Peaceful Easter Blessings to each of You~

And a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Mom! May all of your Wishes come True. Love you Always Mom, ~Tonya

Voices from the Studio...

I know, that must sound like I am "hearing" voices in my studio...but no, I am not. *smirk* I was asked by Cedara (Tracy Dunn) of Beneath the Willow Tree News for an Interview. I said I would be happy to. Click here for the link. Patty of Dogpatch Primitives (my TDIPT sister) and Karen of RK Creations were also interviewed. You will have to go and check it out.

A day away today. I am meeting my sister for lunch...but shopping before and after. Yee-haw!! I hope today will be as nice of a day, as yesterday was. We are to get snow sometime today or Friday....it will make it difficult for the "Great Easter Bunny" if we do. I hope you all have a Fabulous Day...I have yet to go to bed and then get up in just a few hours...just never enough time in a day. Many Blessings, ~Tonya

Precious Lia Sophia...

~ANGEL OF DREAMS~
Precious Lia Sophia

This Sweet Little Dollie is my newest creation. Her pictures, well I am not happy with. It was such a beautiful day today...but very BRIGHT. So, I took some outside pictures and some inside. They are either to dark or too bright (no happy medium). My photo editing didn't help much, because then it changed the colors...

In person, she is very sweet and she will "GRACE" my work, table-top and watch over me, while she is on auction. I will be listing her this evening and she will end on Monday evening. I didn't push myself to list her last night...as Sunday is Easter and I feel people should spend precious time with their beloved families.

I hope you all have a wonderful evening. It was such a nice day today...I sat on the steps outside, (without a jacket on) petting Kingfisher. I enjoyed the sun on my face and listening to the sweet melody of the birds singing. Days like this, is what makes it all worth while. Peaceful Blessings to you, ~Tonya

The Human Touch...

The "Human Touch" can have such an impact on so much. I posted about this cat back in Nov. or Dec. He would meow at us through the window. We would pretend to pet him and talk to him, he would even purr and was so happy. We put a blanket out for him to lay on, fed him and gave him water several times a day. Without, I think he would not be with us today. He was so wild...and so scared of everything...

After many months and many hours of giving him attention through the window (persistance and patience)...he finally gave in. He now loves the human touch. He comes in almost every night and goes out in the morning. We do keep him in a large pet porter, but he does not mind.

My son has named him Kingfisher. I know that he could never be an indoor kitty, as he has so much "wild" in him yet. You can take the cat out of the wild, but not the wild out of the cat. At any rate, I could not be happier that Kingfisher has a home to care for him, if he wants it...Because "Kindness, really does Matter".

This is my daugher with baby Jali. Jali is about a month old, so very sweet. She has grown so much since she was born. My niece is so proud of her and so very happy that she could take 6 weeks off of work to be with Jali.

Today is quite a nice day here. We had snow yesterday, it didn't last long. Now today, it is mild and was very foggy this morning....listen to me, giving you all a forecast. *smirk* Well, I must go, I have a dollie calling my name. I hope you all have a great day. Peaceful Blessings to you, ~Tonya

Luck O' the IRISH...

St. Patrick's Day – Celebrating the Green
St. Patrick is believed to have driven the snakes from Ireland. Once a pagan himself, St. Patrick is one of Christianity's most widely known figures.

The modern secular holiday is based on the original Christian saint's feast day also thought to be the date of the saint's death. In 1737, Irish immigrants to the United States began observing the holiday publicly in Boston and held the first St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City in 1766.

Today, the tradition continues with people from all walks and heritages by wearing green, eating Irish food, and attending parades. St. Patrick's Day is bursting with folklore; from the shamrock to the leprechaun and to pinching those that are not wearing green.

We had such beautiful weather this past weekend and now, this morning white stuff on the ground again! Just a dusting, but we did get spoiled over the weekend. We all knew it was coming....but we all secretly "hoped" it would pass us by.

Just working away on a little dollie and was enjoying the Spring like weather.

Here's wishing you a Happy St. Patty's Day. Now I hope you remembered to where something GREEN or you might just get PINCHED! Have great day and remember to say something nice to someone that...would least expect it from you. Toodles, ~Tonya

Ho-Hum Day...

You sure can tell today is Wednesday. It is a ho-hum day. I have lots to do, but am really doing nothing. *smirk* boy, that is a first! I am thinking of clearing out some of my prim gatherings that I have aquired over time. I will not list everything all at once...but here and there.

I am first going to part with my Holly Berry Hill calalogs. They are so very neat, but I have so much. I figure someone is probably collecting them and trying to get all of them. These are the only 3 I have. I have listed them to start this evening, on ebay. I was going to list them last night, but ran out of time. You can see them by clicking here.

Yesterday was about 47 degrees out, very nice. But when the temps warm up, the snow melts and now we have a sloppy mess. Today it is a bit windy and chilly. I am so ready for spring. I must go and get something done. Have a good day. ~Tonya

Sweet Isabella...

And here is my dollie! I have given her the title, ~Queen for a Day~ Sweet Isabella. She is dressed Retro & Funky. I had fun making her and she looks so much better in person. I don't much like it when you can not really "capture" the true "heart" of a doll in photos. But anyone that has purchased one of my dollies.....knows.

She is scheduled for this evening and will end Sunday evening. I can't wait until All Hallow's Eve doll making. I love making Halloween dollies. I may make some and sell them right on my site. I have had a hankering to make some. I must go....I have to pic Courtney up from Math Masters today and I have some running to do. Toodles Kiddies, ~Tonya

And the WINNER is...

I am sorry I didn't post yesterday....time had a way of slipping away from me. Daylight savings is really wrecking havoc in our household. *smirk* Yesterday I thought I would lay back down for just a short while after I took the kids to the end of the driveway to meet the bus....BIG MISTAKE!! I won't tell you how long I slept. Let's just say, all was quiet, no one called and the shades were pulled from the day before (kids watching tv and the reflection).

And then today, Courtney comes in and wakes me up at 6:45 am....she says Mom, don't we have school today? I said yeah, why? And she told me the time. Boy, we all flew around like maniacs! We had two cold lunches to make and Jordan was very crabby!! They grabbed eats for the bus...thank goodness for "convenient" somewhat healthy snacks and such. So, that is the way I started my day out.

We all felt like a chicken with our heads cut off. Without teamwork, we would not have done it. But we made it. Hubby worked today and yesterday....I think he may have something to do with it. Out of habit, shutting off his alarm at 4 am, I think he hit mine too. Fortunately, he does not have to work tomorrow.

Okay, now onto the WINNER of my BANNER GIVEAWAY! It is Linda of ~Olde Cabin Primitives~ I was happy when I pulled her name out of the bowl. I could not think of a more deserving person to receive a custom made banner! Maybe she will end up with a blog too. I will work on it in the next week or so and I will also post it here.

I hope you all have a great day. I hope my day goes better. I have lots to do. I finished a dollie, so I will be listing her this evening on ebay, if all goes as planned. I also have some OOP Holly Berry Hill catalogs to list on ebay. They are such neat little collector pieces, but I have sooo much already. Ta ta for now. ~Tonya

HaPpY BiRThDaY...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my HONEY!! We are going to be "Eatin' Good in the Neighborhood!" We are going to Applebee's today. I don't know if we are doing anything else....hubby and I were going to go to Dimond Jo's last night, but it didn't "pan-out". I don't care to go and gamble and he only gambles a bit....but it was something to do. He went with 50 bucks and came back with a whole lot more!!! Yeee-Hawwww! Happy Birthday to HIM!! He went with his brother-in-law and had FUN. That was the important part. We do not do a whole lot, so that was good for him.

Don't forget about Day-Light savings tonight, before you go to bed. We Spring forward, longer days and more day light, which is a good thing. I hope you all have a great day. I am working on a new dollie in between......she will be so sweet. Have a great evening. Toodles for now kiddies. ~Tonya

P.S. Don't forget about signing up for my CUSTOM BANNER Giveaway. You can sign up from this post, I won't make you dig though my postings. All you have to do is leave a comment and you will be entered in. You have until tomorrow evening to sign up....don't delay, sign up today!!

Lots to share...

And here is the basket I gave to Jan in my TDIPT group. She loved everything and I am so glad. We did give each other the same notepad...too funny! I always try to spoil my swap partners. I love putting things like this together...

And this little rabbit nodder....he sat on my table for awhile finished. So, I did get to enjoy him a bit. I so badly want to make myself a rabbit doll. I don't care if it is a full size one or a nodder. I just need to find the time to make one for myself...Someday!

And this is the basket, that I tried to put all of it in, but did not succeed. The eggs needed "tender loving care", so I had to pack them seperately. But I did put the bunny and all of the other goodies into a large clear bag and tied it off so neat, with a grubby star tag and bell...

And here is my Sweet Little Ninny (her nick-name to us). Isn't she just adorable. She did just fine at the concert. She smiled so much, I was right in the front taking pictures and running the cam. We already watched it on the TV twice and Dad got to see it too...

I did feel terrible thou....there is only so much room in the gymnasium and some parents didn't even get to see their child sing. After all the seats were taken, it was standing room only and then some. These parents left work to see their child and could not even catch a glimps at them. I know the "ropes" all to well from dealing with this for more then 5 years and I am able to go there early, becasue I am my own boss (Thank goodness). I arrived almost an hour early. I even got to see them practice for a short while.

I also received an award today from Susan of Prim and Proper today. Thank you Susan. It was a "You make my day Award". I will have to post more on that, in a day or two. I have to post 10 people to give it too....Ugh, so many of them that I was thinking of, already have it. This will be a challenge. I hope you all have a grand evening. Take Care of YOU, ~Tonya

Nervous...

My youngest daughter has her Spring Program today. She is a bit neverous. I told her she did not need to be...after all, she has sang in front of others before at church. We went and picked out a pretty dress for her and she is just so excited. Dad can not be there, he has to work. So, I will be handling both the camera and the camcorder....that should be a fun site.

It sure does not feel like Spring is ever going to get here. It is cold. I see others on there blogs and such talking about flowers peeking through and no snow, oh how I can not wait for winter to be done. The older I get, the longer winter seems to be each year.

I have had some customers asking for patterns....well I am sad to say, there are not any patterns in the works. I have been trying to think of new things to put into patterns and it just seems as if nothing comes to mind. I may be trying to hard. I am sure I will think of something. Hopefully sooner, rather then later.

Well, I have much to do and the clock is ticking....time waits for no one. I hope you all have a great day. Toodles, ~Tonya

Bunny Nodder...

WOW! Two posts in one day...Lucky You. I just thought I would share my NEW handmade with you. I just finished up this Precious Bunny Nodder up late last night....her name is Grace. She will be listed on eBay this evening. She will end on Sunday evening. I person, she is just so darn sweet. I think it is those eyes...


I have her on my table top as I am working. She is just a nodding away. *smirk* I do not have a dollie that i have made, so when my dollies are on Auction....I do get to appreciate them for a while. I hope you all have a great day. Many Blessings, ~Tonya

My Swap Basket...

Peep, peep, peep....I got my swap from Jan of Big Brown Dogs yesterday! I went to get the mail at about 12:30...no mail. I went to mail out Jan's swap yesterday, at about 4 pm and thought that "No Mail" was unusual, so I checked again. Low and behold, there it was! Of course I am like a kid in a candy store and had to open it in my van. Shame on me! LOL But, I still had to go to the post office and then to the gas station and all the way back home. They wait would have been way too long....

I love the little chicks she made me best! The little "CHICK" tag across each of them...just too neat. The basket looks to be made out of a quilt. Thank you so much Jan! I had fun with the swap and I will post pictures of what I gave to her, when I get word tht she received her box of goodies.

I hope you all have a grand day. Take some time for you. Toodles, ~Tonya

TDIPT Mercantile Celebration...

Look at the sweet banner that is in Mercantile Gatherings Magazine this month. It is in Celebration of our 1st Birthday on TDIPT Mercantile. Be sure you go and see our wonderful door prizes here. And be sure to leave a comment on our TDIPT Blog here. Also if you make a purchase from any of the artists on TDIPT Mercantile, you are automatically be entered in. So you see, it is that simple. Thank you to all of you...you have made our first year GREAT!

A Banner for my sister...

I have been playing with graphics again. I made my sister a banner for her blog. She had put in a comment on my blog for the Banner give-a-way....I told her no need for that. I made her one and surprised her with it. She said she loves it. I do too. I may have to use that some time on my blog, when I get bored with my current banner. Of course I will change it to my information. *smirk* I told my sister she will have to start writting on her blog now, since she has a new banner and I linked her to my blog. I will have to make my other sister a banner too.

I keep looking at it and when things make you smile...ya know ya done good. Be sure to go and sign up for my banner give-a-way. Signing up is going to close on Sunday, March 9th. I will then post the winner her and contact you.

Ok, I am off to work on my swap. It was suppose to go out on the 1st...today, but I was waiting for something I ordered and it came today. YAY! So, Jan's swap basket will go out on Monday. I will post pictures on here, when she gets her basket. I do not want to ruin the surprise. I hope you all have a great weekend. Toodles, ~Tonya