Wednesday

Country Folk Art Festival, Meet Anne ...

While at the Country Folk Art Festival, I got to meet Anne Marie Bond of Visions of Ewe and take a look at her beautiful hooked rugs. I fell in love with the simplicity of the salt box house with the willow trees (picture 3).  I wanted to share some photos of Anne's creations with you.




 

XoXo
Michelle / Simple Pleasures

Tuesday

Happy Halloween


Sunday

Craft Time ... Stitching

I have been on a stitching kick the last couple of weeks and wanted to share two finished projects with you. These patterns were kindly shared by Primitive Betty. You can go HERE to see all of her free patterns. I haven't cross stitched in a long time and decided to use up all of the aida cloth that I have  before I purchase anymore I notice that most of you don't use Aida and would appreciate any suggestions on fabric I should try. I also wondered how hard it will be for me to adapt to small weave. I forced myself to finish 5 different projects that I have had sitting around before I started anything new (I will share those later in the week). 





 For those of you living in the path of hurricane Sandy,  I am praying for your safety.

XoXo
Michelle / Simple Pleasures 

Monday

I Dare You Not to Smile!

She makes me laugh all day long! I love you little girl and obviously so does Nico!




XoXo
Michelle / Simple Pleasures

Friday

What I've Been Working On ...

I decided to make myself a fall banner out of wool (of course) and wanted to share it with you. I used a pattern from Create and Decorate magazine and tweaked it to my liking. Of course Kendra turned me on to this magazine and I just love it, love it enough to order 35 back issues, can you say crazy!



XoXo
Michelle / Simple Pleasures

Wednesday

Esther's Place #2

Here are the rest of the pictures from our visit to Esther's Place!










Store Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm 201 W. Galena St. (RT 30) Big Rock, IL 60511


XoXo

Michelle/ Simple Pleasures

Esther's Place #1

I took a ride out to Big Rock this weekend to Esther's Place. I found out about it when I met Donna at the Country folk art fair. Esther's Place is owned and operated by Natasha, Donna's daughter who is an awesome fiber artist and the sweetest girl ever! The shop is on the first floor of a lovely Victorian home where Natasha also instructs many classes. The second floor is a charming bed & breakfast. Here are some pictures from our visit.













Store Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm 201 W. Galena St. (RT 30) Big Rock, IL 6051
                                             
                                           XoXo
Michelle / Simple Pleasures

Sunday

Christmas Ornies

I signed up for Amy and Marie's ornie swaps and got my crafting completed for them over the weekend. 




                                                                    XoXo
Michelle / Simple Pleasures

Saturday

Needle Punch Pillow

I was lucky to find a box of needle punch stuff at a garage sale for $5 on Friday. I figured if I didn't enjoy it I could still use the thread on my wool mats. Here is my first project, a little fall pillow. I didn't have the patience to punch the background, but I still think it's cute. 




XoXo
Michelle / Simple Pleasures

Thursday

Swap Goodies From Becky

I have been missing in action for almost 1.5 weeks now as my computer was out getting some repairs. I wanted to share with you the cute things that I received from Becky from Ginger Creme Hollow in Amys Harvest swap.

Look at all these cute things I received!

I love this little pillow that I put on my dolls lap

Cutest scarecrow ever!

Trio of pumpkins
Please take a moment to visit Becky's blog, she makes such cute things and participates in a lot of swaps, check out her pictures, it's a swappapoloza! And a special thank you to Amy for hosting another fun swap!
XoXo
Michelle/ Simple Pleasures

Ball Sign

Just a quick share of a sign that I got from Andrea from Ettter's Farmhouse Primitives. She is an awesome sign maker, you must check her out!




XoXo
Michelle / Simple Pleasures

Tuesday

Needle Felting Fun...

I tried my hand at a little more needle felting this weekend. With winter fast approaching I wanted to make something for the Christmas holiday, so I made this mitten picture.


 

Thursday

Homemade Laundry Soap


I have been making my own laundry soap for about 6 years and not only is it super economical but it works really well and is great for people sensitive skin. I usually make 5 gallons liquid soap but It's a pain to store so I've found the powder to be  perfect for me, here's the recipe.



Homemade Laundry Detergent, (Powder )
1 Bar grated Fels Naptha soap. (you can also use ivory bars)
1 cup of Borax
1 cup of Arm & Ham
mer Washing Soda

Directions:
Grate the bar soap and mix well with Borax and Washing Soda.
Use 2 Tbs per load. 
It will cost about 5cents a load.



XoXo
Michelle / Simple Pleasures