A Tinker-rific Day!!

My Sydney (Ninny) turned 8 today! I thought I would share her day with you. I can't believe my baby --- my youngest--- just turned 8! My how time flies...

I had to share this card with you and tell you a bit about it. I stayed up waaaaaay late making this card for Ninny. I always tend to wait until the last minute and I heard the girls wake up this morning and they were looking for "The CARD"! Ninny didn't care about the presents so much, but it was the CARD *smirk*

Then I heard Ninny tell Courtney, maybe Mom didn't make me one? I put it out of sight, on purpose. I normally do not "lick" the envelope, so I didn't want any peeking. I think it is so neat how my kids now, look for the handmade cards, made by Me. You should have seen her face, when she opened the card...she loved it. Lots of layers and of course, pop-outs, to give it dimension. I think the card turned out very pretty and BTW, this birthday was ALL about Fairies and TinkerBell...

This book is an AMAZING book! There are tons of pop-out pages and just so very neat. Ninny picked this one out, she told me she had to have it...I surprised her with it. I had to show you this picture, because I thought Ninny looked so very pretty in this picture...she has a "glow" about her in this picture...

I guess I picked out another good one. *smirk* She was say, I wanted this, how did you know? I love seeing those expressions on their faces, when you give them just the thing they want...

And, have any of you ever seen the glitter cards, that you make by Martha S. they are awesome. I have a set of the butterfly ones and the bird ones. I purchased a set of the butterfly ones, for Courtney's birthday. Well, Ninny said -- I hope I get the bird ones for my birthday. Well, they happened to be all gone at the store.

What was I to do? I asked my Mom to look to see if they had them in their town, nope...they didn't. I went to another store about 35 miles away from here and looked and looked...finally found them. They only had one set left. It was meant to be! I was so happy and by the look on Ninny's face, you can tell she was so HAPPY! She already made one tonight too. I will have to post a picture of it, for you all to see...

Ninny wanted a Hershey Choc. Pie for her birthday....so that is what we got for her. She is growing up so fast. I still remember the day I had her. In a sense it seems so long ago and at the same time, it seems like it was just yesterday. Happy 8th Birthday to my Ninny & Sweet Dreams! I hope you all had a Beautiful day. Blessings, ~Tonya

Vintage Halloween!!

If you have followed me in my doll making...well then you know that I love VINTAGE Halloween things. This is a NEW Halloween Handmade that I made and to me, it screams VINTAGE Halloween of the years gone by. I had so much FUN making this and I have just listed it on ETSY!! Go and take a peek on ETSY. I do have more then one available and if you purchase more then one, the shipping will be combined and reduced and refunded...

I glittered the CAT and the Set of 5 STARS in Real German glass glitter and the Silver, will tarnish over time. Love SILVER stars! Lots of detail in this. It is 6.75 inches across, so it is bigger then it looks...

I have added a vintage seam binding hanger for it. You can tuck it behind, if you are just going to set it about. I hope you will go and take a peek at ETSY. Today is a ho-hum day. Just been playing. Paper Pretties are so much FUN to make....but I do have a dollie calling my name that I have put on the "back-burner" for a while now.

Any questions, give a shout! Have a fabulous Saturday evening. Toodles for now, ~Tonya

Oh, how Pretty...

Oh, how pretty--I love them, is what Courtney said when she seen these 2 cards today. I made the cards, while my kiddies were at school and it is so neat to hear how excited the girls get, when they see a new handmade of mine. It does not matter if it's a doll, cards, tags, etc. they love to see them (so very sweet)...

They took me waaaay too long to make today, but I really enjoyed creating them. The pictures do not do them justice (I know, how many times have you heard that) and they do have lots and lots of detail. I love the vintage cats on this one. They have dimension, sparkle, vintage appeal and some velvet - glitter ribbon...

This BOO BAT card has an embossed tree and glitted bats. I also shaded the tree for an "eerie - spooky" look *smirk* This card looks a bit "busy" in some pictures, but in person -- so very neat!

Here is the inside of each card. I love the way they turned out. I left them blank, so that they can have a personalized message can be put in them. I have them listed on ETSY along with a set of CAT tags. I forgot to add a picture of them here...you will have to visit ETSY to take a peek.

Other then keeping myself busy and a picnic at Ninny's school this evening, not much else going on around the ol' homestead. I am having fun with my "Paper Pretties", but must sometime soon get back to my sewing for a bit. I have TDIPT Mercantile update coming up on the 1st and these dollies and such....just do not make themselves. Have a wonderful evening and Sweet Dreams, ~Tonya

More Owls & Tags...

After a busy couple of days...I have been playing with paper again! More --Paper Pretties-- have been listed on ETSY. I love these lil notecards. I really think I am stuck on OWLS this week, but that is okay...

I added a lil "sparkle" to these owl cards. They are sold in a set of 6 and I have only 2 sets available. I just listed them on ETSY...

I could not resist making another set of tags...these are a bit different. They are more muted in person, but the black trim paper is a shimmer paper and is Bazzil Bling paper (love the look) of it. I hand barnished the edges on the tags and the owl cards. I just can not seem to leave the edges alone! Gives them a nicer look I think...

There are two different colors in this set, 3 of each. I love the die that I used on this one. I just thought I would share, I hope you are having a grand day. Here it is BEAUTIFUL!! Could not ask for a nicer day...Autumn is about here thou. Leaves are falling and the nights are getting chilly, as is are the mornings.

If you should have any questions, just give a shout. Ta-ta for now, ~Tonya

---NEW--- 4 Esty & OHhhhh MY!!!

Look at that SWEET Lil Mousie I finished up atop a Jack-O-Lantern! I love the way this pair finished up...they make me smile! You can remove the HALLOWEEN tag, if you wish...

Sweet Lil Mohair Mousie (love them made of mohair). I have FREE shipping on this piece and it is listed in MY ETSY. All of the details are there as well, so you can go and check it out on ETSY, if you would like...

Here is the banner, removed. I had fun making this piece. I am going to make some more paper pretties...I am having FUN with them. Not so serious --- like doll making. *smirk*

Here aer some Vintage FUN & FUNKY Punkin tags. All the details are listed on ETSY about these too.

Here is a close-up shot. I love these stamps together...combinded from 3 different sets. Hand barnished edges for an olde-thyme look....Set of 6 sells for 5 bucks. Get them while you can. My OWL cards already sold. Thank you Marcy! You are a doll.

And here is the OHhhhhh MY!!! Here is Mr. Jordan and one of the biggest fish in person, that I have ever seen anyone catch (as I said ---- in PERSON). A HUGE Norther! Over 34 inches long and he is having this baby mounted.

He was PROUD --- me too, but I could not help but think of the life, that was sucked out of this fish (being an asthmatic and all) --- to just have it mounted and hung on a wall. So very sad. Hubby let him keep all of them, they caught a total of 4. I believe in the "catch & release", but Jordan loves to eat fish....so all of them, except this one will be "good eatin" for Jordan. You should have seen the teeth on this fish. I could not believe the RAZORS on it.

Well kiddies I must shake a leg. Lots to do and my kiddies came home, while typing this...Have a wonderful evening. I hope you enjoyed my ramblings today. Toodles for now, ~Tonya

Some where wondering --- ETSY!!

Some of you were wondering and I thought I would let you know, I have listed my OWL cards and tags on ETSY. You can stop by there, if you would like to purchase them or just to see them in greater detail and see all of their features...

These are the only sets available at the moment, so if you are interested in them, please do not wait. I want to add more PAPER PRETTIES, as time permits. I really enjoy working with paper. I know that the tags can be used for so many different things.

Time is not standing still for me, so I must get moving. Have a BEAUTIFUL Monday. If you should have any questions, give a shout. Toodles, ~Tonya

~Owl Cards & Tags~

I just had to show you these neat cards and tags that I made! I LOVE Owls! I do not have any owl things, but I love them....odd, I know. When I seen that Jan of "Big Brown Dog Primitives" was starting to make graphics to sell...well, I checked them out...

I found some awesome owl graphics, that I just had to have! Well, not to keep of course (for some reason, I never do that). These cards are truly a One of a Kind! They are hand stamped, hand barnished on the edges, layered with "pop out's" on the owl images and then added some sparkle...finished the Set of 4 cards off with hand stamped envelopes. Click on the pics, to bump them up larger...

Aren't they just the neatest cards! I only have this set and I hope to get them listed on ebay this evening or tomorrow (if all goes as planned).

Here are some tags that I made with the same graphics from Jan. There are 8 different owl pictures and I have layered them on a scalloped oval and then added an eyelet, on each tag and then vintage style seam binding...

Pictures do not do these justice, they are something that needs to be held in the hand, while looking at. So many things you could do with these cards and tags...

I hope you enjoyed my paper pretties. Have a great evening. I must go and make some home-made pizza for dinner....YUM!! Have a GRAND Evening. Toodles, ~Tonya

~Back to School~

Today is the first day back to school for my kids. Boy it sure seemed like a lot of "preparation" work this year! Meaning, meeting all the teachers (in 3 separate schools). Link day for Jordan and then back again the same evening for another 3 hours and then Courtney with her middle school orinentation.

*Sigh* I can breath....for a bit! I am so worried for Jordan....that High School is HUGE and he said to me this morning "Mom, I don't even remember where my classes are. I feel so sorry for him. The class sizes seemed so large too. I don't know where they are going to put all the kids. I never went to the HS that he is, it is newer. They knocked down the one I went too...boy do I feel OLD...

I had to share a picture of just Ninny! She was excited, just a bad photo above. Both the girls were excited, that makes me happy. Sydney is a bit scared, even though she is in the same school...no big sister to find at the end of the day, until she gets to the middle school and they all ride the bus home together.

Today I am going to my sister's store to help make her birthday a little special...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAMMY! And then, tomorrow back to her store again, to work. I have much to do today and a short time to do it in, so I must get busy. Toodles, ~Tonya

Don't FORGET!!!

Don't forget about the BACK TO SCHOOL WOOL Sale that Ann is having over at "Crowing About Primitives".

I love using her wool and to get her wool, at these AMAZING prices, well it just makes it that much better!! Be sure to get your purchase in by Friday, because that is when the sale ends!!

Her wool comes packaged in separate packages and without any waste. It always smells so good too...

This is just one of the wools, that I have recently used. Actually, I have used so many of them. If you should have any questions about the wool, how to use it or about purchasing Ann's wool, you can shoot her an email at crowingaboutprimitives@hotmail.com

I hope you all have a wonderful day. I finished my woolen pretties and hope to share them with you later. Have a wonderful Labor Day! Toodles, ~Tonya

~Sweet Starla & Crow~

I thought I would share my latest dollie with you! Her name is ~Sweet Starla~ she never leaves home without Crow! He use to be the pesky crow, that would never leave her alone...but then soon became inseparable. I love the way ~Sweet Starla~ turned out....

She has lots and lots of hand stitching on her. I think she is going to be listed on ebay this evening, if all goes as planned. The stars on her dress are all stitched in place and I have finished off the bottom of her dress with lil pom pom ribbon...

Her hair is for Ann of Crowing About Primitives, I just love her wool. I am busy working on some woolen pretties (I had a special request for them) and I decided to make some extra's! Might keep some for myself and list some for sale. Ya just never know.

I have been so busy with the Back to School thing for the kids and sooooo many meeting teachers and orientations, that my head is spinning. They have been several hours for each one....I never had a clue! With High School, it is a whole new ball game for me. Jordan had to go to a LINK meet for 4 hours, then back again last night (same day) with him and I for another almost 3 hours. It is crazy! Jordan still says he is lost at school, even though we went to every class. I "feel" for the poor kid!

I must get going. Have a wonderful evening and safe Holiday weekend. Toodles, ~Tonya

~Halloween Goodies~

This Wee-Witch is name ~Willow~ she is the Oldest & the Wisest of Witche's. She is so very sweet in person and much more muted. She is attached to a square candle stick base that I have painted and aged. Willow had a dear friend that she tote's with her, where ever she goes...his name is Whoot....

Here is all of my handmades, that I am going to offerning on TDIPT, this evening. Each sold separately, but I thought I they all looked so very nice together....

I used the chunky ric rac and hand stitched it in place, on Willow's dress. Under her dress, shimmer netting, for flounce. The Moon on her dress is handstiched to wool felt, a pin on the back and vintage seam binding finish it off. The Moon is removeable, if you choose...

The Halloween banner is made of wool felt, all hand stitched, glittered and backed onto grosgrain ribbon. Lots of hand stitching on these banners...Round rings in the back, for easy hanging...

The scalloped ovals are almost 2.5 inches tall. I finished each end off with a woolen circle, vintage style tinsel garland and a rusty bell...

Spooky banner is almost 17 inches tall. Made in the same way as the Halloween banner...

A close up of the banner. Well, that is it folks. I worked outside all day yesterday and am feeling it today! It was such a COOL day out yesterday, I had to take advantage of it and be outside. I love being out, when the temps are a bit cooler, without the nasty humidity.

It has been getting pretty cold here at night, already. Soon my kiddies will go back to school (on the 8th) and I will hopefully get to gear things up, for the up and coming holidays. Take care and have a BEAUTIFUL day. My lawn is calling my name. *smirk* and don't forget, these handmades will be listed on TDIPT this evening. Toodles, ~Tonya

Our 15th Year Anniversary...

Time sure does fly! It has been 15 years since the day I said "I do". When I think back to that day, I sure seemed so very young and I had my whole future ahead of me....and now, I still feel young (most days) but time seems to be slipping away. Darrel and I have been through so very much and still, here we are! Yes, the same picture from last year's anniversary...I think I am too lazy to scan a different one from out photo album...

I wrote a sentiment to Darrel today, on the card I made him and it said something to the effect...we had to go through everything we have, to get to this very moment today. I feel that is so very true. Change one little thing and so many things could be so very different. We have been together for so long, that we have actually "grown-up" up together...when we started this journey together in the beginning, I was only 12 and he was 14, so I meant that quite literally.

Sadly, we could not be together today...he works the overnights now, so I was sleeping when he went to bed and I woke up, when he was sleeping and then I went to my Mom's to help set-up for her garage sale. We did exchange cards and sweet words on the cards....and spoke on the phone. It seems as you grow older, some things just do not work out, as you would like. But that is part of having a family, an understanding relationship/marriage and just knowing that you love each other in your hearts. Now I am home and he has left for work. We will do something together tomorrow or this weekend.

Now, I must get to work...tick tock, the time does not stop and TDIPT Mercantile will be updating before to long. I have some sweet dollies calling my name. *smirk* Have a wonderful evening. Toodles, ~Tonya