Many of you folks that know me well know that I have been preaching about supporting our country, taking care of our people, supporting our small local businesses, buying American made.  I have felt this way for many, many years and when I owned my gift shop back in the 90's I had a rule.  It had to be American made and as much hand made as possible.  That philosophy kept my business strong for ten years!!  I feel our country has given up on itself, not supporting the people who live here, taking away the factory jobs, etc.  We need to get down to business and take care of US!!  Recently my husband and I had to purchase a new refrigerator.  After visiting four stores we found one store who had two American made models to choose from.  That was very sad to me. 

A friend recently sent me the following "article" which she found on another person's blog.  I decided to share that article with you.  If you agree, share it with others.  We just need to get proactive and get this country back in shape!  And this is one small way we can start. 


A New Christmas Tradition


As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods –

merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.

This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands.

How about a gift certificate to the local Chiropractor? A local Quilt or Fabric Store?

Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the dollars on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway ploughed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn’t about big National chains — this is about supporting your home town.......Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by theAmerican working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.  My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.  Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about us, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list — post it to discussion groups — throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city — send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn’t that what Christmas is about?

BUY AMERICAN - BE AMERICAN - The job you save might be your own.

Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's (and Grandfather's) house we go..............wishing you each and everyone a safe and blessed Thanksgiving.

My bags are packed and my stitching basket is full for the long ride to Florida where we will be spending Thanksgiving with my husband's parents.  I hope to accomplish lots while in the car and always take more than I can ever do.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if I got it all done!!!

Happy Thanksgiving............

I went for a haircut yesterday and stopped by The Rusty Bucket afterwards.  The shop is full of fun Christmas merchandise and definitely put me in the Christmas mood.  I even started my Christmas shopping while I was there!! 

I told Pam I loved the two displays with the wooden reindeer and the trees and lights.  It just made me smile.   

So if you're ready to start your Christmas shopping go have some fun at The Rusty Bucket.  It's a happy place!!

I've been super busy the past couple of weeks catching up on projects, stitching binding on quilts, teaching at Whistle Stop Quilt Shop and Miss Lou's Quilting Studio and working on upcoming class preparations.  I am excited to start the new "winter" classes as the busy holiday season approaches.

Hope you all find some time to do a little stitching...............

Simply Christmas Craft Show

Well, it's time for Dale and Sherry's annual craft show.  These gals have been at it for many years.........19 to be exact.  This is their 19th annual event and they would love to have you come visit them.

They will have primitive, handmade designs for your country home....stitcheries, wool items, santas, snowmen, dolls, soy candles, unique floral designs, handmade jewelry, all natural bath products and much more. 

DATES:  November 16 and 17
             (Friday & Saturday)
                   9am til 2pm

LOCATION:  Home of Dale Johnson
                   7433 Roberts Road
                   Cary, NC

I, of course, have class both days.  Imagine!!  I have yet to make it to one of their sales because of my kooky schedule.  I hope you'll go and support these creative, hardworking ladies.

Happy Halloween..............hope you get lots of treats and no tricks tonight!!

Faster than a speeding bullet, faster than a freight train......or whatever the words are supposed to be..........it's Superman Joshua...........flying out of the plants where he's not supposed to be! 

My Superhero grandchildren 

Raleigh as Wonderwoman 

Reagan as Captain Miss America  

And of course, little Superman 

It was hard to get pictures of this little Superman, he moves at the speed of that flying bullet! 

Can't remember if I already shared my spiderweb quilt but here it is again if I did.  Not quilted yet...... 

Jan brought in this beautiful quilt that she made for one of her Aunts.  You have to see this in person to appreciate it.  I was thinking she could leave it for me and when she left, she actually forgot to take it with her........but then she remembered and came back.  Oh well, almost got it! 

And Barbara brought in her Civil War quilt all done and quilted.  It is breathtaking and so much fun to study each block.  She did a wonderful job and again, you have to see it in person to truly appreciate all the work and beautiful piecing. 

I love the back of the quilt where she added a few leftover blocks.  A great idea that I may use myself.  Thanks for sharing Barbara! 

Barbara and Lou looking for one certain fabric in all those pieces.   

As the ladies were leaving, we discovered this little bee who appeared to be sleeping on a Camelia leaf.  Guess he just got tuckered out. 

Here's to wishing you all a fun Halloween evening.  Enjoy those little trick or treaters.  They work hard for all their loot!!

Well, you know you're in trouble when your husband comes home from work and says "Do you know you haven't updated your blog since October 2?"  Of course I know that.  But there are so many other things that I need to do that I just haven't found the time to sit at the computer and do any updating of any kind!  So tonight's the night.................

October has been an extremely busy month......lots and lots of classes, very full and very fun classes........the barn sale stuck in the middle of the month, all the preparation and time for the barn sale.........my oldest son's birthday..........a trip to the farm.............more classes...................you get my drift.  And all wonderful things.

Today was wool dying day.  I needed some more wool to trump up my stash for Saturday's class.  Luckily I had today off so I could spend 7 hours at my kitchen stove dying wool.  The wool is beautiful, I would love to have gotten more done and my feet hurt!!  The feet won and I finally had to put away the pots. 

There is a mini craft show in my dining room of some of my things left over from the barn sale.......ladies are shopping when they come to classes.........come shop with me!!!

My friend Kim quilted this basket quilt for me but I had not had time to get the binding stitched down because of the barn sale.............it is now done and hanging.  YAY! 

Kim also quilted this huge queen size log cabin quilt which also needed the binding stitched down.  I will hopefully have it finished TONIGHT!!!  And on the bed in the morning!!!  YAY! 

I also finished this little foundation (9 blocks) piece yesterday.  YAY! 

And on Monday I finished my spider web quilt from a class I took in September.  YAY!!!  We'll see this again someday since it hasn't been quilted yet. 

My oldest son Paul, celebrating his 34th birthday with his sweet family. 

Models for upcoming November and December classes.  All make and takes!!!  YAY!

The girls at Hillridge Farms and their huge pumpkins.  This is our third year to visit the farm and the girls still love it.  They chose Hillridge Farms over the fair (they had already been to the fair once to see Scotty). 

Making fall fabric covered boxes and pincushions 

Working on fall mats 

Barbara looks very studious as she works on her wool pieces 

Tricia has a bullseye behind her head!! 

Debby finally finished her four block wool crazy.  You have to see this in person to appreciate it.  It is absolutely magnificent.  So many of the appliques in the blocks represent her and her husband's family history. 

Laura seems very intent.  And Laura is also the proud owner of her very own long arm machine.  Get those quilts ready ladies. 

I think this was a recipe card class. 

Donna proudly holds up a couple of projects she has finished.  Those Busy Bee girls are going gung ho getting their projects done!! 

Laura quilted this beautiful piece for Jeannie.  Nice work Jeannie and Laura.  What a beautiful wallhanging. 

Donna got her flower garden quilt done and Laura quilted it for her.  It is another piece that you have to see in person to appreciate.  Donna is going to have so many badges for all her completed projects!!

So, as you can see, life has been busy around here this month.  There are other pictures on a different camera that I just remembered.  Don't want to overload you all at one time!! 

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall season and definitely finding some time to do a little stitching.

YAY for October.  I love fall and the month of October can be quite beautiful in North Carolina.  Monday we had temperatures in the 60's which is unusual and today we are in the 80's and thunderstorms.  That's the south for you!  But we still get a taste of fall, eventually.  It's just the mere fact that I know summer is finally over!!!

I had little Joshua by myself one evening.  No one but me and Joshua and the big wide open yard to play in.  He did a little investigating and was quite enthralled with the downspout, especially when he figured out that if he pushed on the pipe, water would come out.  He splashed and played here for awhile. 

This goose was given to me by a good friend years ago.  Both of the girls have hopped on there and posed for pictures so I figured it was time for Joshua to do the same.  I think he's a wee bit younger than the girls were and wasn't quite enjoying his ride on the goose.  I think he was wondering why his Mina put him on this "thing" anyway!! 

All boy.  Loves his trucks and baseballs. 

Reagan was here over the weekend and got out the hexagons she had finished basting.  She's planning on making a quilt.............whew is all I can say!  She loves doing the hexagons.  Today she was here for a bit and I taught her how to stitch the pieces together.  I may have created a monster!!! 

Every where I look there are piles.............fabric covered boxes............. 

sewing dolls waiting for their final touches.................. 

pillows and wool mats and pincushions......................... 

and more fabric covered boxes................and who knows what else...............all in various stages of completion for the barn sale which is fast approaching. 

October 12-13 at The Little Herb House.

Please email or call if you don't have specifics to attend the sale.  We had so much fun last year and there were so many beautiful things for sale.............soon it will have come and gone but right now I'm still trying to get more done.  I have had four days off from classes so got lots done during that time.

Hope you'll get a chance to stop by and visit.  Pray for cool fall temperatures!! 

While walking in the yard with Joshua I couldn't resist one last zinnia picture.  There are still some very pretty flowers, just hanging on to those last warm days.  Still my favorite flower.

Happy stitching.....................