~Nellie N. Nodder~

Here is my **NEW** Halloween Nodder, her name Nellie N. Nodder. A little different, instead of making dollies. I have been working like a made women on *Special Orders* and I am almost done. I just had to take a break from them thou and make a lil' somthin'. The BOO banner and Halloween nodder will go on eBay tonight and end on Sunday evening...
Nellie is so much FUN! I love nodders and such. Other then special orders, dealing with kids (which has not been a walk in the park), cleaning and so forth...nothing going on in my neck of the woods. *smirk* Just trying to stay "a float"!

Tomorrow we are going to the Fair. Tonight at the fair the Oak Ridge Boys are singing (I think hubby has over-time for work, so he will be in the Grandstand and able to Guard, in his deputy uniform and gets to take in a bit of Entertainment) and we have some other big names, this year. Our fair always get the big names just for the county fair...because they charge everyone over the age of 10 to get in. One year we seen Sara Evans. It was neat, but all the people and the heat...made it a bit uncomfortable.

Coming up, in the next week or so, my son turns 13 on the 2nd of Aug. Courtney turns 11 on the 4th and my birthday is on the 9th. WOW!! So much going on! We are also going to Chuck E. Cheese to CELEBRATE. Okay, I have a ton of things to pack....I hope I get them all packed and out today. Have yourself a great day. TOoDLes KiDDieS, ~Tonya

Mircles for Mallory...

I went to visit Shay of "Olde Colonial Peddler" today and look what I found....I am going to copy and paste what Shay wrote on her blog.

Today I launched Mallory's blog site. I got it all finished up this morning! We are holding a silent auction in her memory to promote Trisomy 18 awareness. We had such a wonderful response thus far from crafters asking what they could do to help, so we came up with this auction to show off wonderful talent and promote this disease. Please let me know what you think! Miracles For Mallory Blog

If you are a crafter and wish to donate, please contact us at miraclesformallory@yahoo.com

We will get you added on and send out some information on the auction as well. The auction will take place September 7th-14th.We are still currently working on the website, and it is almost done! We have a few more personal stories to add on from our family.

My family thanks you so much for all of your continued prayers and love. The outpour of love you have so graciously shown has really been so wonderful during this time. They are just astounded that people, some of whom we don't know, will come together and do such a loving and caring gesture for a blessed little girl.I for one will be donating a handmade for this Silent Auction. I hope there are many others out there, who will be so kind and generous as to give a handmade as well.

We all must be Thankful for what we have and not take a single moment for granted. Peaceful Blessings, ~Tonya

Blog Award...

Thank you! How very sweet of all the gals that gave me this Brillante Blog Award. As most of you know, I am terrible at blog awards...but I appreciate the award. I drop the ball all the time. This award has been given to 4 times (maybe more, I can not remember). Instead of passing it back out again, I will just leave it be. Terrible I know. But consider me giving it to all of you!

Here are the gals, that gave me the blog award (in the order I received them). If I have missed someone giving me the award and it is not posted here, please forgive me...

Jenny of ~Wonders of Whimsy~

Ruth from the ~Primitive Peddlers~

Shay of ~Olde Colonial Peddler~

Ann of ~Crowing About Primitives~

I hope you all have a wonderful day. I must get back to work on my house work, kids needs and my special orders. Toodles, ~Tonya

Come Follow Me...

Come follow me, with an open mind

and you will see, all there is to find...

Within the darkness, there is light

where wings & things can take flight...

~Where Shadows Dance in the Darkness~

(C)2008 Tonya Renee

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Click on the image and it will take you to my new site.

Nothing is there...yet, but in time...

One of a Kind Handmades with flare! A little different, maybe unrefined.

NO patterns will ever follow and they will NEVER be Duplicated.

They will only be sold on the site and most likely not on ebay.

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Yes, I needed something else to do *smirk* Backside of the Moon

Will be my my "outlet" for the art in me, with a different view!

Toodles kiddies, ~Tonya

Summer days...

Yup, that is CORN! That is what I see out my back porch when I am sewing, out my front door and in some areas miles across. Knee high by July is what they say and yes in-deedy----it is way higher then that around these parts.

On the North side of our drive-way we have beans. Like you want a descriptive picture of my area *smirk* well, not much has been going on around here...but it is nice to see good crops. Farmers work hard during planting and harvesting---it is a good thing, when you see the crops doing so well.

Okay, other then cleaning and playing catch-up around here, it has been pretty quiet. We are going to a Family Movie day tomorrow at the Theater. It is something they are doing for the summer, for kids and such. Alvin and the Chipmunks is playing. We missed it the first time around, so glad to know they are having a summer thing, so we can see it. All of us are going, even hubby. It is to start early in the morning, so what am I still doing up? Good question. This is my time to re-group and enjoy the peace & quiet and I enjoy is so much. You do not get much of that, when you have 3 kiddies. I am working on special orders and will be, most of the week. I am playing catch-up, so no new dollie for ebay. I have some patterns listed on there, but nothing new to most of you.

I must go, since I am really just rambling. You all have a fan-tabulous Wednesday! Toodles for now, ~Tonya

~Hallowe'en Tricksters~

These are my little ~Halloween Tricksters~ for the Mercantile (for the Month of August). I am a bit early for once...KNOCK on WOOD! *smirk* They are a bit smaller then my normal dollies (they are about 18 inches tall, from the tip of their hats, to the bottom of their shoes) and such an adorable size. I really like the way they turned out and think they look so neat all together...

I made the trim for them around their necks and hats...so neat! Now I must finish working on some custom orders. Halloween Ticksters can be viewed here on a photbucket slideshow.

If you are interested in purchasing any of them, they are up for grabs...but on a first come, first served basis. You can email me, if you have any questions at all dandtturvold@deskmedia.com

This weekend was a busy one. I tried to go shopping with 4 kids...Let's just say, I did not get much accomplished! We went out of town, I needed some supplies....needless to say, I did not purchase much of anything and I am sure I will have to go back! That time it will be with NO kids.

Sunday we went to a Family Fun Day at church. Waterslides, blown-up jumping things, the fire trucks were there spraying the kids (if they wanted to be) and lots of other things. They also had a Christian band and good eats. We had a nice time. Hubby had to work, so he could not go. I have had my nephew for the past week and he went home today. I don't know why, but any time any extra kid is around (no matter who) my kids act differently. So, now I will be back to a bit of normality...whatever that is. LOL

I must go. I have lots to do....and I am going to bed early tonight. I have stayed up till 3 or 4 a.m. for waaaay too many nights. Toodles, ~Tonya

~Sweet Gabriela & Banner~

~Sweet Gabriela's Link on Ebay~

And these are my **NEWEST** Creations! A busy bee I have been. I really love the way this dollie and banner turned out. I will have them listed on ebay, starting tomorrow evening and ending on Sunday evening...
Sweet Gabriela is Vintage Inspired from all of the "All Hallow's Eve's" gone by. She has an olde-thyme party hat one and reminds me of the olde ones that we have...the ones that you use to have on New Year's Eve, many years ago...


Sweet Gabreila (Gabby for short) has tons of detail and a "Noise Maker" and yes, it works! I have finished it on both sides. All of the glass glitter trimmings are made with REAL silver and will tarnish over time...

The Olde Thyme HALLOWEEN Banner is made of wool...lots and lots of stiching and will be listed on a separate auction from Gabby. Here is the ebay link. I had tons of fun making something other then a dollie. I think I may have to make one for myself this year...yeah, let's see if that gets done. *smirk* Well, I must go...I have to schedule my newest creations to start tomorrow evening. Blessings to you, ~Tonya

The LIFE...

Awww, the life of a cat (if you have a good home). Kingfisher just takin' a little "Cat Nap". He didn't even wake up, when I took this picture. Isn't he so sweet? He is such a nice kitty-cat...who would of thought! He is a snuggler, a lap cat, a talker, and loves to play....

And he sure thinks he is "KING" *smirk* He even thinks he needs a pillow? Whaaat? He is a cat! Most of our kitties think they need pillows for their heads, just like a human. Go figure. They are so adorable thou.

Well, I could use a bit of a cat nap, but not today! I did a bunch of "weeding" yesterday and well, I think I have used muscles that I have not used in a very long time. See, I have three flower beds and since doll making and such...well I do not devote as much time as I should. Soooo, I am taking them back! I love flowers, love the butterflies that thrive on my flowers (not to mention the Hummingbirds) and the wonderful scent that the beds throw off.

So, I figure I must get busy and take care of them. I bought myself a "Garden Hound" (among a bunch of other things) yesterday and worked several hours on one of the flower beds. That garden hound was about 22 bucks and it is the best money I have ever spent! It is waist level, you push it into the ground and twist. I love it and my flower beds would not look like they do, if I would have had one in the first place!

Well, I think I have rambled enough and I have a ton of things to do. I can not work on the weeds today, as every single part of both of my hands and forearms hurt! Toodles for now kiddies, ~Tonya

Spooky Time Jingles...

And the COUNT DOWN begins...in just a few hours...Spooky Time Jingles will make it's Debut!

I can not wait to see all of the
~Sweet N Spooky~ Creations! I am sure there will be several pieces that I love. *smirk*

Do remember that Allegheny Annie's has re-invented herself on Spooky Time Jingles as ~Blur.Baby~ She has some really sweet offerings this month for Spooky Time.

Also Ann of Crowing About Primitives is on Spooky Time Jingles too! I am sure she has some wonderful offerings as well...I have not seen them yet. I can't wait to feast my peepers on the new website!
Toodles for now, ~Tonya

Had to share...

I had to share the wonderful email that I received from Valo-Rae (the winner of my Blog Giveaway.

Val is so very sweet and even sent me a E-Card...so very thoughtful and made me smile. Here is the email (I asked her if I could share her email).

Tonya,
OH MY!!! I just can't believe this!!! I thankyou so very much or I thank your sweet daughter for drawing my name,I thank the God Lord too. Well goodness I don't even have the words to tell you what it means to have won your give away.

As I said you are the reason I started making these wonderful dolls and God has blessed me by allowing my ole hands to stitch a few . Not the best but getting better each new piece I venture to create. I am working on another one of your Kitty's from your pattern I had purchased ,and she will be a little Halloween Cat. Oh I will stop and give my address as that was the request. (I took out her address...didn't want to publish that here) *smirk*

I have been looking at your Christmas patterns and am thinking Stockings (Darling...)
God Bless you and yours and keep bringing us the joy you do with your Dolls
Sincerely, Val

As I said, isn't that the sweetest email? Thank you Val! I hope you enjoy all of your goodies. I am off to clean my house and perhaps work on a dollie. The weather here is far to hot out...to be outside. It is suppose to be 95 degrees today and that is just too hot for me! I will be hiding inside. Have a great day. Many Blessings, ~Tonya

Her she is...

And here is ~Enchanted Ella~ A Sweet little girl for All Hallow's Eve. I am completely happy with the way she turned out. Normally, I have issues with some parts on my dollies and such...but Ella turned out, just the way I wanted her. Normally that does not happen. I stayed up waaaay too late 3 nights in a row.

One evening I did not get to bed till 5 am...makes for a long day ahead. I am glad my kiddies can be good in the morning, so I can sleep a bit. Oh and no, I did not sleep the whole day away. *smirk* I got up at almost 11 am. Not enough sleep for most, but for me, just fine....

I love her little Skelly friend. He is so sweet in person and all hand sculpted (hard to pick up in pictures). He has glass eyes and I think they add so much. Her hair is of course from Ann of Crowing About Primitives. Love her wool! Ella holds her Skelly friend with her wired arms...just perfect. She will be on eBay tonight at 8:30 pm, Central time and listed for 5 days...to end on Monday evening.

Well kiddies, I must go! I have to schedule Ella on ebay and send out a bunch of epatterns. Have a good day. Many Blessings to each of you, ~Tonya

And the WINNER is....

Well, the girls "hashed" it out and it was Ninny (Sydney) who drew the name...

I had so many Wonderful comments, you are all just too kind! Thank you to each of you. I had so much fun having this give-a-way! I am sure I will have to have one again.

I am sure you are all waiting for the name...I have not even contacted her yet, I knew you would all want to know...


And the WINNER is Valo-Rae at wells592@comcast.net! CONGRATULATIONS Valo-Rae! I will be emailing you or if you do not receive an email from me...Please contact me. I need to have your full shipping address. Again, Thank you to each one of you! Have a GRAND Day.

I finished my dollie, yeah! ~Enchanted Ella~ turned out adorable and so did her skelly friend. I will share some pics later. Toodles for now, ~Tonya

~Enchanted Ella~

This is a **Sneak Peek** of my Newest Dollie! She is not done...nor does she have her little friend with her. I was hoping to be done with Enchanted Ella to list her tonight, but no such luck! I was up burning the midnight oil last night and the night before...but still not enough time.

I have lots of detail to add yet. I have to deck her shoes out yet to...and her little friend, adorable.

I have had her dress done since Saturday, late evening and she has been begging me to finish her. I love the way she is turning out so far.

So, I hope to finish her tonight and list her tomorrow, to end on Monday evening.

Camping was a big smash with the kiddies, they loved it. I however did not. My asthma is flared up. So, I get to fight with that for a while now. I have also been very busy with my epattern sale....SALE ends tomorrow late night....

SO HURRY and stock up! Thank you so much for your continued support...I appreciate each one of you. Toodles for now, ~Tonya

Jenny's Give-A-Way!

Another Wonderful Blog Give-A-Way! Jenny of ~Wonders of Whimsy~ is having a Blog giveaway!

This is just one of the several prizes she is giving away. There are a total of 5 prizes to win!

Here is the link to leave a comment to that post. Yup, that is it...just leave a comment on her blog.

Toodles for now. I must get back to work. ~Tonya

P.S. Only ONE MORE DAY to enter into MY ***BLOG GIVE-A-WAY***
Hurry and ENTER...if you have not already done so.

~4th of July~

Wishing you and your family a Happy & Safe 4th of July. To the Brave Men and Women out there fighting (or have fought) gave and are still giving so much for our FREEDOM. Let's not forget about each and every one of them and their families. May each one of you, be Blessed and know how much we APPRECIATE all they have given and are still giving.

This is a picture I snapped at our parade earlier today (July 3rd). I loved the way the American Flag was flying. It was THE most Beautiful day for the parade that we have had in several years. Last year, the parade was cancelled because of terrible storms, that ripped through.

This is one of the Vetran's that rode on a VFW float in our parade. I am sure you are asking why did I get a picture of this old gentleman? Well, because for as far back as I can remember (since I was just a little girl), he has been in the parade. Every year, he stands almost the whole parade. He stands with so much PRIDE and so much HAPPINESS, waving most of the time as well. He is so thin, so fraile and it just really makes me think...of what he gave so many years ago and is still here. I bet he has many stories he could tell...

And this is beautiful Fountain Lake, here in Minnesota. They put the fountains in not too long ago. It was called Fountain Lake long before the Fountains were there. The bride way in the back leads to a little island. A very pretty town. We always sit in the same area every year for the parade...near the lake for the kids to fish, while we wait for the parade.

Well, it is late and I must go....I have lots to do in the morning to prepare for my semi-camping weekend. I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July. Be safe and take some time for you and your family. Peaceful Blessings to each of you. ~Tonya

~E-PATTERN SALE~

FIRST EVER Epattern SALE for Buy ONE get ONE FREE!! Yup, buy one epattern, get one Free (of equal or lesser value). To help you bring the 4th of July...in with a BANG!! Yes, the banner is a bit gaudy and LOUD, but it "grabbed your attention" right? That is what I was going after *smirk*

You can review my epatterns here and then contact me, through my email at dandtturvold@deskmedia.com or backporchpickins@yahoo.com You will have to email me with the epatterns you would like to purchase (and remember to mark down ONE FREE for each one you want to purchase) and be sure to include your paypal email address, so that I can invoice you.

Once I receive your Notification of payment, I will then send your epatterns out. It is that easy! The SALE ENDS on Wednesday, July 9th! That gives you a whole week to order....and this SALE will NOT be back for a very long time, if ever? Do not purchase your epattern through patternmart, you must go through me to get your FREE epattern. Over the weekend, I will be in and out...as we are going camping...but I am not going to be there the whole time. I am not the camping type! LOL So, I will visit and maybe, just maybe stay one night, overnight.

Oh and do not forget to sign up for MY BLOG Give-A-Way. I am busy working on a special order, if I can get some good pics, I will post it here to show you once I am done. I hope you all have a great evening. Toodles, ~Tonya