Pioneer Woman at Heart

Television has not been so entertaining lately (and the news is depressing), so I had the brainy idea of digging out some  yarn for a rug.  The one at my back door needs replaced badly, and I figured I could whip up something. I opened the tote and found yarn that had a half-way crocheted dishcloth attached to it.  That was the "other one" I found a few days ago. Slumping my shoulders, and lowering my head, I felt like those pesky projects where my worst nightmare this winter.  I straightened back up, smiled, and did what anyone else would do.  I ripped that booger out, and wound that yarn back on. Then I grabbed a few more colors of yarn, and got to work.

When I said I would make the next yarn rug with all my leftover scraps, I really meant it.  I dug through all my totes and used up what I had.  If it didn't have enough yarn on the ball to go across one time, it was rolled up and put into a bag with even smaller scraps of yarn (to use for other projects).

Yesterday's chores were still getting worked on when the kids got home from school.  I had to get everything washed and on the line as rain (storms) are expected today.   I got all the rugs washed and dried too.  Speaking of rugs, our 18 year-old daughter took the peach colored (crocheted in cotton yarn) rug for her dorm.  I just read somewhere that they cannot have rubber backed rugs, so that worked out nicely.  So, if you kiddo is heading to college, a handmade crocheted rug would come in handy for her/him.  The ones you see on my clothesline are from old sheets, old jeans, and scrap cotton yarn.  They all wash up nicely too.   I forgot to dump my ice trays and bag it, so I could freeze all the organic collards I had yesterday.  I managed to get half of them froze.  I have more to freeze today.

I finally finished it.  Phew!  I crocheted a rag rug with sheets, pillow cases, and other rag-worthy fabric.  I've been saving fabric for approximately a year now.  It measures about 5 1/2 feet long by about 22 inches wide.  I even cut up an old apron my kids used for playing house when they were very young.  I also cut up an old baby crib sheet that I probably used for all the kids.   My Uncle gave us a new set of sheets and pillow cases, and we greatly appreciated them.  It gave me the opportunity to cut my old pillow cases and sheets, and make this very useful rug.  Some of my pillow cases were over 20 years old and worn very thin.  I honestly thought they would rip when I crocheted them, but they held tight.   My 9 year-old was watching me sew the strips together the other day.  She now wants, not one, but two rag rugs for her hope chest.   Now......I better get back to cleaning.  I just hope I d...

School closed today, so watch out.  This post will be a doozy.  I've got a pot of coffee all to myself, and all the kids are still in bed. I guess, although we are to warm up to the 38°F, they are predicting ice covered roads until noon today.   Aside from animal feed, which I may run out before the end of the week, I'm declaring this week a no-spend week.  Toilet paper is stocked up so we are good in that department.

I revamped the family favorite broccoli salad yesterday.  The original recipe calls for Marzetti Slaw Dressing.   I looked up the ingredients in the slaw dressing and the first ingredient is soybean oil (many salad dressings contain this).  It also contains " corn-cider vinegar ." INGREDIENTS: SOYBEAN OIL, SUGAR, CORN-CIDER VINEGAR, WATER, EGG YOLK, SALT, MUSTARD SEED, XANTHAN GUM, ROSEMARY EXTRACT. Contains Egg. - See more at: http://www.marzetti.com/products/product/3/208/marzetti-original-slaw-dressing#sthash.VJ9fSV9Z.dpuf INGREDIENTS: SOYBEAN OIL, SUGAR, CORN-CIDER VINEGAR, WATER, EGG YOLK, SALT, MUSTARD SEED, XANTHAN GUM, ROSEMARY EXTRACT. Contains Egg. - See more at: http://www.marzetti.com/products/product/3/208/marzetti-original-slaw-dressing#sthash.VJ9fSV9Z.dpuf We already use an organic/non-gmo safflower mayo, so that part was easy.  Making it ourselves, also cuts our cost.  I used

We weren't really snowed in yesterday, but we did get snow.  It was perfect for sitting down in front of the wood burning stove, and to start braiding a rag rug.  

I started out 2015 by making a binder to start keeping herbal recipes in. I learned a lot last year, and hope to learn more this year, along with essential oils.

. . . pla yed around wi th a new "flower" dish scrubbie pattern.  I am making some to sell at the next Farmer's Market . . . . fini shed my 11 year-old's table t cover.  Finally. . . . started another p ot holder set, and dishcl oth.  These are my "to go" projects.  When I need to go somewhere, and I am not driving, these go with me. . . . got around to embellishi ng the crocheted cat bookmark . (Click here to see more from my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot) . . . spray painted chalkboard paint on a clip board to make a sign for Farmer's Market.   . . . crocheted 1 rag rug for the master bath (sheets and pillow cases). . . . crocheted another bookmark for the store/market. The weather is hot and humid here.  I collected 70 pints of water in my dehumidifier.  We have been running it in our master bath, to help the the tile project dry completely.  Rain is in the forecast today, but you never know anymore. ...

Sprinkles arrived early yesterday morning, followed by thunder and lightning.  I decided to pull out all of my totes of items I sell at craft shows, take an inventory, write down what needs re-stocked, and price everything that wasn't.  I need to package the remaining items, and print labels for them, but now I need to replace my printer first.   In the process I was looking for salt and pepper shakers a Tupperware dealer gifted me (mini one's) at show we did.  I did not find them.  They were for the camper and as of yet I have not found them.  Hm. Either way, I filled yet another large box for donation.  I now need a storage container for all the camper bedding I am keeping to use for rag rugs. In the process of looking for the salt and pepper shakers, I have found more areas to purge and re-organize.   I also found this unfinished set of pot holders.  I didn't find the crocheted rug I was looking for.  Something in my foggy b...

Snow storms have been moving in all around us, but it's soon turning to nastier weather.   It's a perfect time to use up yarn, and work on larger crochet projects.  Large blankets only get crocheted in the cold of winter.   Do you remember this random blanket I crocheted in the winter of 2022/2023 ?   I used up some yarn from leftover projects, and I dug it out during this freezing cold weather we are having.  I sewed in the last of the ends.  My husband wants to keep it.  I had planned to just sell it, but it is larger (approx. 72 x 56 inches) and will fit the spare bed perfectly. (link goes to my blogpost regarding the pattern I used)  I really like the pattern, but I do not like the enormous amount of ends to sew in. . . .I finished a matching hat to the scarf.  It is Red Heart yarn, and not my favorite for a hat and scarf, but it's warm and comfortable.  Hat pattern is Mountain Ridges Crochet Hat, by The Friendly Red F...

  Although they say we'll dip to a low of 5°F tonight, yesterday the sun was out all day and the icicles started to melt.  What a joy that was to see.   I knocked them down over the door to avoid any falling on us.  The warm up is approaching thankfully.  I am prepared for a big muddy mess, but so glad to be moving out of the cold spell. I had a lot of indoor house chores, and after doing laundry all day, I pulled the rug from the washer only to notice water on the floor.  Yep.  Guess what my husband is doing today?  Ha ha ha!  Fixing the softener line that runs into the water lines behind the utility room sink.  Water is shut off, so thankfully I had jugs of water to make coffee this morning. Speaking of rugs, the rug at my master bath shower is a rag rug, crocheted from old bedding.  I do think it's time to make a new one, but time will tell.  I was exhausted from housework, but at least that is done and will free u...

I was asked to explain our daughter's Hope Chest.  I do not have an actual "chest" in which items go into, but they go into storage bins. A Hope Chest simply refers to preparing your child for independent life.  To us, it doesn't mean simply "marriage" but independent life, and have a good start for it. (not my photo) There is actually a book written about the Hope Chest, and suggestions.  I used to own this book, but passed it on to a friend years ago. We don't want our kids going broke, when it's time to leave the "nest" so I try to add to their stash quite often.  The first three to move out even had boxes of homemade Christmas ornaments for their own, first Christmas trees away from home. (Made with scraps of cotton year leftover from knitting dishcloths and other items). I recently added a scrap rug to our youngest's daughter's "Hope Chest" along with a few Christmas ornaments.  I also added a s...

The pattern is real ly for a place-mat, but I call it a mug/snack rug for a foot ball fa n.  I just finished one for a Christmas present for hu bby.  These look pretty nice when they are finished. The pattern can be found at

Crocheting a rag rug.  This project is on hold for now.  I am having to use all my spare sheets and pillow cases to cover my asparagus, rhubarb, etc.  We had another freeze/frost warning.  Once the cold wave passes, I'll make more strips of old sheets to finish this rug. Knitting a dishcloth in red/white and blue. A set of pot holders.  Sorry for the bad photo. Off the hook. . . A new dishcloth pattern.  I learned the waffle stitch this year, which is very easy to do.  I however, feel this is way too thick for a dishcloth.  It also uses twice the amount of yarn than a regular crocheted dishcloth.  It's going in my stash of cleaning cloths and will be used for that. I dug out my tatting, but haven't yet got back to it to see if I even remember how to do it.  Could be fun.  Who knows. Does anyone have extra organic spearmint seeds?  My potted plant died and I cannot get the seeds from ...

I am working my way through my craft supplies, and finally started a set of flour sack towels for my 9 year-old's hope chest.  I just found out that my 12 year-old wants the same ones, but with black and gray cats.   These particular ones, will have orange cats, to match her own cat, Tiger. Tiger, as a baby. I also crocheted a bath rug, from 3 skeins of thick macrame yarn.  I purchased them at a Goodwill many years ago,and had not done anything with them.   This was a bit of a challenge.  This type of yarn frays and I had to knot each end, and then weave the ends in.  Either way, I made a useful bath rug, and used supplies I already had.  More projects to finish yet.  I also taught my 9 year-old to sew a button on, and to hand sew.  Now, all she talks about, is when we are going to rent the cabin again, and sit in our "rockers and sew." Ha ha ha!  She is such a "mini-me" through and through.  Now she wants to learn ...

"Honey did the closet swallow you up?" inquired my husband this morning. Yes I got swallowed up and chewed up and spit out. However, now we can actually see the floor in there! Ha ha ha! Although there is not enough room for all my craft supplies, I have organized, decluttered and found two purses with stuff in them. One of them has a chewed up strap from a naughty dog. I've even cut an old pillow case into strips to sew together for another rag rug, put those absolutely wonderful 3M hooks everywhere to get stuff off the floor (like my boxing gloves), and vacuumed up 2 hairy wolf spiders. Amazingly, I will still have time to finish a second pair of crocheted slippers, close out my on-line pampered chef party, get some writing done, and make dinner. I'm taking advantage of this wonderful rainy day. Before the snow arrives, I will have rolls of cut rags all ready for a winter rug project. I'll have handmade presents to share and bless with, and I'll be re...

It sure feels great to finish a few projects this summer. I finally finished the crocheted t-shirt rag rug for my SCRAP Web site. I love the rug and it's perfect for our simple country bathroom. I can't wait to start one made of recycled cotton sheets. Our oldest earned his driver's license this morning so that is one more thing to check off the summer to-do list. Hooray to him! I working on another recycling article for the Scrap Web site and creating more Christmas ornaments. Things are looking pretty good.

 . . . I am up to about 52 feet on my braid of r ags for my rag rug.  This was kind of forgotten about over summer and the holidays.  This project continues. . . . still p lugging away at knitting ba s k et weave blo cks for a b lanket.    . . . my 11 year-old daughter knitted her first bean bag.  She still needs practic e, but she continues to learn.  You may also like to read this post:  Crocheted Rag Rug  

This is the lean-to or "wall tent" the kids made last year. We washed up some rugs, aprons, towels, tablecloths and sheets.