Blog Hop Party Giveaway...

Welcome to A Farm Wife's Journal!  

My family and I live, work and play on a small farm in Ohio.
I have been blogging for less than a year and have thoroughly enjoyed meeting such wonderful people.  
I am constantly amazed at the generosity, thoughtfulness, and creativity of the blogging community.   


I am so excited to join the Quilters Blog Hop Party hosted by 

Michele Foster at Quilting Gallery.  It is their 5th Birthday! 

Happy Birthday Quilting Gallery!

I love quick homemade projects. 
They are especially helpful this time of year!

My giveaway is a bunch of Quick Quilty Gifts you can
sew together in jiffy! 

 It includes two Christmas kits and a Mini Charm Pack. 

 All are great for gifts in a pinch!

I gave several of these last Christmas!

I bought the Christmas Kits HERE when I was 
visiting my family in Utah last December.  

I love this quilt shop!

 

The first kit is a Quiet Play Maze. 

  This fabric and ric rac are so yummy!

 The second kit is a Red Bird Christmas Pillow.  

 This is so sweet! 

 Isn't that little felt bird adorable?

Patterns are included in both kits. 
You can make more using fabrics from your stash!

And this Mini Charm pack JOY by Moda.  

 Some fun ideas for quick gifts using a mini charm pack:
  mug rugs, gift bags, zipper pouch, table topper, mini tree skirt, 
hand warmers, a table runner, pincushion...  

To enter this giveaway leave a comment on this post. 
I would love to hear about your homemade quick gift ideas.
For a second chance to win become a follower.

This giveaway is begins Dec 9, 2012 and is open to everyone.

 I will email one random winner on Dec 17, 2012.  

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you.

Thank you for visiting 

Merry Christmas and Good Luck!

Cherilyn

P.S. Check out all of the wonderful blogs participating in the 
Blog Hop Party!  There are over 150!  That is a lot of partying!!!

All is Merry and Bright...

I love decorating for Christmas!

I couple of weeks ago my parents and youngest sister visited our little farm.  

We really enjoyed spending time with them.

One of our fun day trips was to an Antique Mall.  

We found these cute little vintage salt and pepper shakers.  

They remind me of a set of kissing Mr and Mrs Clause my family had when I was growing up. 

Awww... they are so cute!

See that bright and happy table runner?  

My Mom made the top for my birthday last year.  

I worked on it and had it almost finished before their visit.  

 

I love how it turned out. 
Do you want to make one too?

Snowball Table Runner

For the Table runner you will need:

1 holiday charm pack

1 yard white fabric for blocks and back

batting

1/2 yard for binding

The table runner is made up of snowball blocks.  

Mom said that she used 2 inch squares of the white fabric to make her snowballs.  

If you need a tutorial check out this site.

I quilted the table runner using big stitches around the the snowballs.  

I like the way it created a secondary pattern. 

I then used a straight grain stripe fabric for the binding.  

I am so excited to add these fun decorations to our little farm house.
I hope your holidays are Merry and Bright!

Cherilyn

Link Parties:

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/11/strut-your-stuff-saturday-link-party_30.html
 http://tatertotsandjello.com/2012/11/weekend-wrap-up-party-and-bake-at-350-giveaway.html
 http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/12/mop-it-up-monday-45-and-give-away.html
 http://www.sewcando.com/2012/12/craftastic-monday-link-party-trim-tee.html
 http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/2012/12/motivate-me-monday-151.html
 http://www.sumossweetstuff.com/2012/12/market-yourself-monday.html
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2012/12/03/made-by-you-monday-130/ 
 http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/2012/12/craft-o-maniac-monday-link-party.html
 http://www.conniekresin.com/2012/12/linky-party-tuesday.html
 http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/
 http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/
http://todayscreativeblog.net/printables-for-christmas/
 http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/
 http://jembellish.blogspot.com/search/label/A%20Round%20Tuit
 http://accidentallywonderful.blogspot.com/
 http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/
 http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/
 http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
 http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/
 http://www.sew-much-ado.com/
 http://linkyimg.arvixededicated.com/v2_confirm.aspx?return=http%3a%2f%2fwww.jaqsstudio.com%2f&entryurl=http%3a%2f%2ffarmwifejournal.blogspot.com%2f2012%2f12%2fall-is-merry-and-bright.html
 http://www.cleanandscentsible.com/

Chalkboard Blocks

I am so excited to share this with you... 

Have you heard of busy bags?  

They are gallon size bags filled with a quiet activity for preschool age children.  

I have two at home this year, and sadly nap time is disappearing.  

I still want to have some quiet time after lunch, before everyone gets home from school.  

We organized a busy bag exchange.  

There are lots of ideas how to do this on Pinterest.  

In our group we decided to each make 7 of one activity.  

I can't wait to see what they came up with.  

I just have to say I Love Chalkboard Paint!!! 

It is so easy to use.  

Oh the possibilities...

 I made my 7 blocks out of a 2x4 that my sweet farmer cut for me.  

He even sanded them for me. 

I painted them with two coats of Chalkboard paint using a mini touch up roller.  

It worked great and left a nice surface to chalk.

 I had some larger blocks that I thought would be great for Christmas.  A little chalk and a red burlap bow all done.  

Change the bow and the lettering for any holiday.  

So easy and quick!  

Hmmm what else can I paint...

Cherilyn

linking to these fun parties:
 http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/11/mop-it-up-mondays-42.html
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2012/11/12/made-by-you-monday-127/ 
 http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/2012/11/craft-o-maniac-monday-link-up.html
 http://www.sewcando.com/2012/11/its-craftastic-monday-link-party-time.html
 http://www.thegirlcreative.com/2012/11/just-something-i-whipped-up.html
 http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/m-m-m-131/
 http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/
 http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-inspiration-board-link-party-76.html
http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2012/11/take-look-tuesday_12.html 
 http://heymommychocolatemilk.blogspot.com/2012/11/co-hosting-moms-library-5-for-me.html
 http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/
 http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2012/11/14/hookin-up-with-hoh-125/
 http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/11/transformation-thursday-no-178.html
 http://www.yesterdayontuesday.com/2012/11/crafty-soiree-116-a-downtown-tape-winner.html
 http://www.missinformationblog.com/2012/11/i-freakin-did-it-friday-15.html
 http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2012/11/feathered-nest-friday_15.html
 http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2012/11/frugal-friday_15.html
 http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com/2012/11/inspire-me-fridays-85-anything-goes.html
 http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/

Simply Haunting...

My Simply Haunting quilt is finished! 

 This quilt was so fun to make! 

It came together quickly. 

My little boys call it the Scooby Doo quilt.  

 One of my little boys said "Mom I didn't know you could make boy quilts!"  Oops...  I think I will be stitching up some "boy" quilts this winter!

This quilt pattern came from Abbey Lane Quilts book Simple Choices.

 I love this book!  

(This is not a sponsored post.  I seriously love this book!)

The pattern was easy to follow and the book includes other seasonal quick quilts.  I really like the Simply Winter quilt too!

These little haunted houses are spooky fun and surprisingly simple.  

They are raw edge appliqued.  

I have never used this technique before.  

It reminded me of cutting and pasting in elementary school, only with fabric.  How can you go wrong?  Right? Sew cute!  

I love how the little haunted houses turned out.

I machine quilted it using a new method I found online.  

It is a technique that has you stitch 1/4 of the quilt at a time.

 Here is the link by Elizabethagh  

This is an amazing way to free motion quilt on your home machine. 

It worked great! 

I can't wait to try this method on a some of my bigger quilt tops.  

I couldn't resist... 

"Like Jeepers Scoob!  It looks kinda creepy in that cornfield."

"Ra-Row Raggy it's almost Ralloween!"

Ha Ha!! 

I hope you all have a Simply Haunted Halloween!

  

 I have entered this post in the:

Blogger's Quilt festival

 This is so exciting! Click on the link and visit other bloggers and their beautiful quilts!

Blogger's Quilt Festival Stats:

Finished measurement: 50" by 60"

Special techniques used : Raw edge Applique, Home Machine quilted

Quilted by: Me

Best Category:  Applique quilt, Home machine quilted, Throw quilt

Cherilyn
Link parties:
 http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/2012/10/find-friend-fridaylinking-party.html
 http://www.naptimecrafters.com/
 http://www.herecomesthesunblog.net/

Summer Granny Squares with Instructions

My Summer Granny Squares are finally finished just in time for fall. 

 That's okay, we can curl up under it on cool evenings on the front porch or in the morning waiting for the school bus.  
I love how it matches my porch swing!

 These colors where fun to work with and I like the white in between the blocks.

 

Do you want to make one too?

I made 63 - 7"  Granny Squares.  
My blanket is 7 squares across by 9 squares down.  
This is a good lap size blanket.

Instructions for basic 7" Granny Square

Size H crochet hook and worsted weight yarn. 
 I used red heart yarn in blue, light blue, pink, red, yellow, and white

Chain 5 and join with slip stitch to form ring.

Round 1: Chain 3 (Counts as first double crochet), 2 double crochet in ring, chain 3, *3 double crochet in ring, chain 3: repeat from * 2 more times. Join with slip stitch in third chain of chain-3. Break off.

Round 2:  Change color of yarn. Slip stitch to chain-3 corner space, chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in same space,  * chain 1, work 3 double crochet, chain 3, 3 double crochet in next space; repeat from * 2 more times, chain 1. Join and break off.

Round 3: Change color of yarn.  Slip stitch into chain-3 space, chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in the same space, * chain 1, 3 double crochet in the next chain-1 space; 2 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in next corner; repeat from* around the square ending with chain1. Join and break off.

Round 4:  Change yarn. Slip stitch to chain-3 corner space, chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in the same space, *(Chain 1, 3 double crochet in next chain 1 space)twice: chain 1 3 double crochet chain 3 and 3 double crochet in next corner; repeat from * around the square ending with chain-1. Join and break off.

Round 5: With white yarn.  Starting in any corner attach, chain 2, 2 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in same space, *(chain 1, 3 double crochet in next chain 1 space) 3 times, chain 1; 3 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in next corner; repeat from * around ending with chain 1. Join and break off.

Stitch your squares into rows of 7 then stitch the rows together.  I crocheted my rows together using a single crochet.  I like the ridge it created it reminds me of the granny square blanket my Granny made for my sister.  I also like the added texture and it was fast!  I have seen lots of instructions if you prefer the flat look. 

For my border:  I single crocheted all the way around the blanket. Then chained 3 and 4 double crochet in the same space.* Skip 2 single crochet, skip 2, 5 double crochet in the same space. Repeat from * around the blanket end in a slip stitch and break off.   

Have fun making lots of bright little Granny Squares!

 Cherilyn

Link Parties:
 http://www.sew-much-ado.com/
 http://practicallyfunctional.net/2012/09/the-fun-in-functional-link-party-18/
 http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/

The Homestead Berry Farm

We love our farm and our farm business The Homestead Berry Farm.  It keeps us really busy throughout the spring and summer.  We grow red raspberries, golden raspberries and blackberries. We also make homemade jam and cobbler mix that we sell. Our u-pick season starts in mid July and lasts until mid September.  

 

The whole family works together to run our farm stand and maintain our fields and property.  Here is our youngest farmer.  He loves that big yellow wagon!

Thank you for a wonderful berry season. 

 We enjoyed welcoming friends and making new ones.   

See you next summer!

Cherilyn

New Sunglasses Case...

I won a giveaway!!! 

 

  This cute package came in the mail today from Jody at  

jodyjean.blogspot.com 

Check out Jody's blog it is full of quilty and crafty fun!!

  

 Jody's creative blog was a part of Sew Mamma Sew! giveaway day.  

I really enjoyed discovering new blogs and visiting all the talented and 

generous bloggers out there. 

 

The chickens were pretty excited too. 

They kept pecking at the envelope!

Thank you Jody!  

I love the Sunglasses case and

 they fit perfectly!!

Cherilyn

Upcycled Ruffle Tote...

I love taking something old and making it new and cute!

My Farmer got this bag at a conference.  He said I could have it!

 Yay!!! 

It's large and roomy with long handles.  

Perfect for a Church bag! 

Now to Upcycle  it.  

I found the cute gray and yellow fabric on clearance!

Whoo Hoo!

I love a good sale!

The solid yellow was from my stash.

And I picked up some black ribbon to coordinate.

I cut out 6 inch wide strips and 2 for each ruffle.  

Then I did a fast gather on the top. It was so fun, fast and easy. 

I also hemmed the bottom of the ruffle.  

And drew lines on my bag so that my ruffles would be straight. 

Then I sewed the ribbon on the long handles.  

I lucked out...the ribbon was the perfect width! 

Then I sewed the ribbon on the top of the first ruffle to hide the gathers.  

Next I took the solid yellow and made a really big fabric flower.  

 

This would be a super cute Mother's Day or Teacher Gift!

Cherilyn
Linky Parties: 
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2012/05/07/made-by-you-monday-99/
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/
http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/
http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/
http://www.sewcando.com/
http://conniekresin.blogspot.com/2012/05/linky-party-tuesday-13.html
http://www.theivycottageblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/cowgirl-up-link-party-14.html

http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/2012/05/too-cute-tuesday-linky-par-tay-83.html

http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/2012/05/riverton-housewives-round-up-16.html

http://stringtownhome.blogspot.com/

http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/

A Quilt for Grandma...

I love scrappy quilts.

I especially love getting scrap fabrics from family. 

The colors and textures of the fabric remind me of that person they even smell like their homes.

 

I was thrilled when my Mother in law called and said that she was cleaning out her sewing room and asked if I wanted some scraps. 

 

Yes! Yes! Yes! 

I was so excited! 

 When I pulled out the scraps I was amazed at how well they all went together. 

 

They were all lovely reds, greens, tans, golds, and creams.

A few years ago she gave me red quilt binding that matched the fabrics perfectly. 

I decided to make a Square Dance Quilt for her Birthday. 

It has been so much fun to work on. I machine quilted in the ditch and in the boarders then hand stitched with pearl cotton in the blocks. 

My kids said the quilt looks like Grandma's house. 

Happy Birthday Grandma! 

 Cherilyn
Linky  Parties:
http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2012/05/07/made-by-you-monday-99/
http://www.sewcando.com/
http://www.simpleasthatblog.com/
http://conniekresin.blogspot.com/2012/05/linky-party-tuesday-13.html
http://www.theivycottageblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/cowgirl-up-link-party-14.html
http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/2012/05/riverton-housewives-round-up-16.html 
http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/

It Will All Come Out in the Wash...

My Mother always says,  

"It'll all come out in the wash!"  

This is so true.  

source

 Isn't this picture cute! 

I love this old ringer washing machine. 

My Mother said they had one when I was a baby. 

And I complain about doing laundry!

 

 I love my modern washing machine, but I don't love how expensive laundry soap has gotten.

Yikes!

With 6 active kiddos and my sweet Farmer the laundry piles up quickly and is full of dirt, grease, and grass stains.

Commercial stain removers are great, but oh so expensive! 

I have seen recipes on Pinterest for homemade stain remover and decided to give it a try.

Here is where I got my inspiration.  

I substituted Super Washing Soda the original recipe called for baking soda.  (With all the dirt around here I felt it needed an extra boost.) 

Recipe

1 cup hot water

1/2 cup Hydrogen peroxide

1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

Let laundry soak for 20 minutes or overnight.  

You can also put it in a dark spray bottle and use a spot remover. 

The whites where noticeable whiter and it was easy and cheap to make.

So simple, I love it!!!

Cherilyn