The Mint Needle

April

2021-04-25T20:18:00.002-04:00

Hello friends! It's so hard to believe that it's been nearly 2 months since the last time I visited this tiny space on the internet. I suppose it's been well worth the wait, since I have something super special to share.

Take a look at this vibrant quilt top!

You wanna see how easy the blocks are to make?!

Start off with 4 ~ 2" x 2" squares

Combine the squares with 4 more 2" x 2" squares of another color (1/4" seams throughout)

Press seams open.

Add four 2" x 3 1/2" rectangles to the sides of the sets as shown below.

From this point on, press seams to one side.

Picking a third color (shown as vibrant pink), sew 2" x 3 1/2" rectangles to the blocks.

Then add 2" x 5" rectangles to the sides as shown in the picture below.

Connect the top to the bottom by sewing a fourth fabric choice.

You will need 2 rectangles measuring 2" x 5" each.

Once they are sewn, combine them together by stitching a 2" x 11" strip inbetween.

Next, cut two 8 1/2" squares (fabric choice #5) on a diagonal.

Attach the triangles, widest side, to the left and right of your block

Make sure to overlap the triangle points on either side as the picture shows below.

Press and repeat the process on the top and bottom.

Press and trim your block to 15 1/4". You're complete!

This quilt block is scrap friendly & the best part... it looks like applique without all the extra work!

I absolutely adore this one to pieces! There's just something about vibrant colors on a black backdrop that get me every time!

Happy trails to sewing in Spring!

Fabric pulls for February

2021-02-28T12:57:00.002-05:00

It's hard to believe that February has passed so quickly! This month, I made sure to send out my group of little houses for A Quilt for a Child. I just can't wait to see what the finished piece will look like. If you're interested in seeing the abundance of awesome homes created, just head onto Instagram and search the hashtag villagequilt.

On another note, ideas are looming! New quilt patterns, new apron designs, and some random playing around with fabric makes me wish I had more hours in the day to spend creating!

I made quite a bit of progress with my foundation paper piecing hearts quilt.

I opted for a quirky layout rather that scattering the two different types of hearts.

I really really really adore this piece! I ordered some more background fabric in which I plan to mimic the "C" shape taking place.

I mean, who says that everything has to be centered?

The latest... my take on creating an oversized FPP design!

What do you think? I've got a few more blocks to go. Trying to foundation paper piece an oversized block is a bit more trying than I thought it would be... but just look at those points!! LOVING THIS!! Pinning is the key.... especially when stitching on the bias.

And the rainbow fabrics below? They are getting sewn together to create a simple stripy throw!

Is it obvious I'm channeling my childhood memories of Rainbow Brite?

And last but not least, the most recent fabric pull! It's going to be a simple design that's tried and true. I can't wait to show you all more!

Happy trails to happy stitching! Here's to welcoming March!

Evergreen Trees

2021-01-30T09:00:00.003-05:00

Hello friends and fellow bloggers! I hope the start of 2021 has been full of good health, happiness, and love. Over here, I've been been busy enjoying the creative process, trying new things and attempting new horizons every which way possible. It truly feels like a good way to start the year.

I wanted to share with you this adorable Evergreen Tree quilt.

I've never done foundation paper piecing prior to this project, but can honestly say I'm hooked!

This free printable pattern was found on Pinterest and was perrrrfect for a beginner like myself.

Not to mention, it helped me use up nearly all my green scraps:)

If you are new to FPP too, you'll want to make sure the first pattern you try is numbered.

This will help you understand how the blocks should be created from start to finish.

Every quilt is a one of a kind, but I have to admit, this takes it a step further.

Also recommended, watching a few youtube videos. I'm a visual learner, and watching the videos really helped me grasp that you are actually creating the block on the OPPOSITE side of the paper.

I've also joined a fun sew along with a group of amazing ladies on Instagram.

~ Making these adorable little houses for A Quilt for a Child.

Adding to more sewing fun... another FPP (foundation paper piecing) project, HEARTS!

I can't wait to see this finish.

Happy Trails to February and all the sunshine it brings:)

Till next time:)

The Odesa Quilt

2020-12-27T11:58:00.000-05:00

The Odesa Quilt... Where do I start? It appears that these 'ideas' sneak up on me. What starts off as a "I love these fabrics, gotta buy them" turns into a... "Oh my gosh, this would look great" moment. Mix that in with late nights on Adobe Illustrator and traveling the world through the internet, as many of us did in 2020, The Odesa Quilt was born.

I absolutely love and adore this throw size quilt to pieces. It's fun, vibrant, and the perfect size! I feel very fortunate to say I had an AMAZING group of lovelies pattern testing it to perfection! Just check out the hashtags on Instagram. (#odesaquilt & #amintneedlepattern)

I decided to take a different approach and not make multiple sizes for the pattern. (Price point taken into consideration.) Instead, I wanted to design a quilt with endless possibilities. It's a pattern that can be used over and over again. The blocks are quite easy to make and only include half square triangles, squares, rectangles, & flying geese. By switching up the block placement, the pattern turns into many different quilts! The goal - to break the blocks down so easily that the future quilter is able to expand to new levels and use their knowledge with other quilt patterns.

Reflecting back, it's safe to say that this was a "solids year" for me. I didn't spend much time working with printed fabrics and tried to focus on learning about color value and contrast instead. I'm beginning to notice that even the most simplistic patterns can become works of art if one just knows where to place the colors!

So what's on the up and coming?

As for now... I'm enjoying my sewing time moving onto new quilty horizons ~ thanks to one of the pattern testing gals! I've never done foundation paper piecing (FPP) until this past month and I just can't get enough! (Pinterest is packed with many free patterns.) It is so fun, so FAST, and so much more easier than I had ever imagined. Not to mention, it uses up the loads of saved fabric remnants!

I hope that the holidays are full of blessings and good health.

And may they continue into the new year!

Happy Trails to 2021!

The Felix Quilt

2020-10-24T09:45:00.000-04:00

It's here and it's been here, but this blog hasn't seen the details surrounding The Felix Quilt until today.

What started off as some late night doodling earlier in the year, turned into one of my FAVORITE projects ever. But not all happened as I would've liked. The truth? For starters, the quilt top didn't get quilted on time. (And I really really wanted a completed top for the pattern cover.) Second, pattern testing seemed discouraging as a handful of testers opted out. Which makes me so extremely THANKFUL for the AWESOME ladies that stuck by my side and really pushed this project along. They are truly amazing & gave me wonderful insight!

Jennifer Phillips

Quilt & Clay

Lavender Lamb Gifts

Paperclip Quilter

The intermediate pattern, consists of 2 sixteen block quilts that go step by step to show you how to create the quilt. In short, it's one block that gets flipped in the rows to create the design. Bonus patterns are also included. One is for an eight block quilt and the other, a 4 block table runner. Soft ovals packed with geometric shapes become the perfect playground for color schemes and contrast.

Why go step by step if it's just one block?

Simply put, it's all about the measurements and keeping the sections of the block organized.

(7/8" vs 1") - So....Instead of jumbling all the cutting right off the bat, I figured step by step would be extremely organized and move more quickly. And ya know what? It was. With feedback from testers, I realized I made the right choice - but labeled it an intermediate pattern because of how many steps there are.

Take a look at these pics!

This is the second quilt I’ve completed on my Gracie longarm frame. I opted for wavy stitches and a dense look after reviewing images I've saved on Pinterest. I love it so very much!

If you decide to stitch up a Felix Quilt for yourself, I'd love to hear feedback! If you're on Instagram, don't forget to use the hashtags, themintneedle & felixquilt!

Happy Trails to working with the things we love!

The Harvest Bag

2020-09-25T07:51:00.001-04:00

Hello friends, it's been awhile. When I came back to the blog for this post, I hadn't realized how much time has actually gone by. It was a busy summer, working on projects around the yard, garden, & home. I have to admit, I'm looking forward to cooler days and nights.... and less humidity. Sewing was limited but I was able to complete one very special quilt, but you'll hear more about that in weeks to come if you haven't checked out The Felix Quilt already.

For today, I wanted to share an awesome project that was super easy to make! I created this pattern after an adorable bag my neighbor gifted me. Check it out below! Isn't the mint green fabric with flowers the sweetest? Definitely has a nostalgic vibe. The bag isn't very large which is what made me want to make another one. This was the first time I created a cinch bag and must admit, I am totally hooked!

I broke the bag down into sections, drew out a template, and headed over to the wonderful world of Adobe Illustrator. I knew it was too good

not to share so here she is, my take on The Harvest Bag.

I love the way it came out. The generous size means it's perfect for apple picking, Halloween candy, gathering the remainders of the garden, or can even be used as an overnighter.

The best part, it's fat quarter friendly!

To make it, you will need the PDF pattern and PDF tutorial available here & here.

I hope you love & share this freebie pattern. You know what else? I would love to see your Harvest Bags. If you're an Instagrammer, use the hashtags #harvestbag & #amintneedlepattern so that I can share your wonderful creations as well!

Happy Trails to gathering the goods!

Drying Herbs - Different Methods Tested

2020-06-04T10:39:00.001-04:00

Hello friends! Every late spring, for weeks on end, I'm busy outdoors picking herbs, flowers, and different types of grasses to dry for teas, tinctures, and rubs. Why pick in the spring, when I have all summer? Because I like to get to all the goods before the bugs do! And I feel the grasses are more potent at that time, instead of picking during the hot summer weather when most plants begin to wilt and weaken.

So, I wanted to share with all of you, my tested ways of drying herbs!

But first things first! To wash or not to wash?

Yes, you read that correctly! Believe it or not, not all herbs and flowers need to be washed prior to drying. My rule of thumb - if it's in an open field, high of the ground, (yarrow, St. John's Wort, Elderflower), you don't need to wash it. Plants like Chamomile are very sensitive to being washed in anything but the rain. So, if you're going to plant Chamomile for tea, make sure it's in an animal free area, high off the ground. Anything close to the ground or under a tree should be cleansed. If my picks will be rinsed, I do so by soaking them in a big bowl of cool water for a few minutes to loosen any dirt and then again for 2-3 minutes. Run a little test by filling the bowl with water again, moving your plant matter around to see if anything else is released, but do not squish the plants. You are good to go if the water remains clear! Some people soak their picks in 2 parts water to 1 part vinegar, but I do not care to and often fear that the smell will linger after it is absorbed in the plant. If you're not sure, research the plant you're harvesting to see the best cleaning methods.

Moving on to drying!

Here are the different methods I am going to be comparing today! Oven drying, air drying (flat method), air drying (upside down), and food dehydrator method.

Oven drying involves taking your herbs and placing them on a parchment lined cookie sheet in your oven. The temperature should be the lowest your oven can be set to. Most ovens can only drop down to 170 degrees. Perfect for meringue but not for drying herbs! Believe it or not, it's too warm. Drying your herbs and picks at this temp will leave them darkened, with a 'baked' appearance. They may even smell as if they were burnt. Although they will be edible, you will most likely taste a burnt flavor as well.

Air drying (flat method) involves space, time, unprocessed cotton fabric, or paper towels and plenty of them! This is the method I grew up with and use frequently. To do so, designate an area of the home that doesn't have a ton of movement. Usually a spare bedroom or dining room table will work. The herbs should be spread across, sparingly, onto cotton fabric or paper towels and allowed to dry for weeks on end. Depending on how much is picked, sometimes lining a cookie sheet with paper towels works well. Just remember that the air in the home should be dry and constant. Any humidity can make this a tough process. So here's my suggestion. Make sure the AC is running before you go this route. Confused? For air drying flat... it's humidity and moisture your battling. The cooler 'dry' temp is why this takes weeks on end. I have to say, I use this quite often for the following flower pickings: Yarrow, Elderflower, and Dandelion.

Air drying (upside down method) is when you take your herbs, tie them in a bundle and hang them upside down for weeks on end. Again, you need a dry and constant temperature in the area where the herbs are hanging. I love this method for lavender and that's about it and I suppose it's due to the stalks. For example, basil stems shrink as the dry. That means, you may find scattered branches that have fallen out onto the floor. Another thing to think about is space. To use this method correctly, no herbs should be resting against a wall. (Which I've seen on Pinterest and it drives me nuts!) The herbs should be spaced out with 360 degrees of air flow around them. A covered porch may work if it can stay completely dry during the rain. One of the things I found that work best for this method are using free standing laundry drying racks or garment racks.

*If you're using any of the 3 methods above, you should be checking your plant matter daily for bugs.

The food dehydrator is the last method I'm using for comparison. Personally, it's my favorite. What would take weeks, literally takes hours to days. (Field horsetail dries up so nicely this way.) Food dehydrators can be set up at a super low temp (a dry 95 degrees), which is exactly what your picks need to preserve the goodness. And because your plant matter will dry faster than air drying, all the health benefits are maintained quicker, creating a more potent final product. Not to mention - no bugs - less mess & faster production! You will even notice, less discoloration using this method vs. air drying. Just remember, if you're going to rotate and keep adding plants to the dehydrator, the freshest picks should be placed on the bottom levels of the dehydrator to remove risk of moisture affecting that which is already dried mid-way. For under $50, it's definitely worth the investment!

The picture above is a comparison. I don't know about you, but I can totally see a color difference. The mint on the right (dehydrator side) is more green and vibrant.

No matter what method you decide to choose, just make sure that your dried herbs are stored in anything but plastics. Even food safe plastic bags & tupperware are a no-no in my book.

Airtight jars or tins work the best. The reason - plastics were technically designed for short term food storage regardless of the "BPA free" notes. Your dried plant matter can be stores for years if done correctly!

And last... your plant matter should be sooooooooo dry that it literally crinkles and breaks when handled. Only then, should you use your dried plants for ingestion. The slightest bit of dampness can breed microorganisms and mold.

I hope that the comparisons helped everyone with their drying questions! A lot of this info is a result of many months and years of trial and error, and learning from my mother and grandmothers.

Happy drying until next time friends!

Visual learning for beginner quilters - A little trick I use

2020-05-11T09:10:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends! A quick trick for all you quilters starting your own designs!

As some of you know, my latest obsession is with pattern making. With it, comes a ton of trial and error. So I wanted to share a little something special that helps me figure out 'block size', especially for those that don't have specialty programs that do the configuring for you. I think all the beginner quilters or visual learners with REALLY love how easy this will make your projects run!

So.... take a look at this pic. What I was trying to do, was figure out what size of fabrics I'd need for the center block in the shape shown.....

Here's how it works.

Start by measuring the empty space and add 1/2" to that size if you are using 1/4" seams.

This block needed to be 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" trimmed, not sewn.

Create a paper template to size.

Draw in the 1/4" seams on all sides first.

Then draw the shape of the pattern you are trying to create. If needed, fold the paper to assist in creating symmetry like the picture shows.

Now, cut it into separate pieces.

For my center block I took the measurement and added 1/2" since I was using 1/4" seams.

The remaining pieces were taped into one solid block, since that is how the construction is made. The lines matched up perfectly.

When creating this type of block, the larger one is cut on the diagonal both ways and the outside edges are actually the ones sewn along the square..

Guess what... it was a perfect fit! I hope everyone enjoys this little visual learning session. You can utilize this for nearly all your small block sections!

Happy sewing till next time friends!

Denim Makeover

2020-04-17T17:14:00.000-04:00

My favorite pair of jeans ripped. And I'm not talking about the purposeful rips I bought them with.

An unfortunate bout with cleaning (since there is so much of it going on being quarantined) is all it took to snag the 'already' made fashionable tear into a very unfashionable 4 inch vertical slit. Ouch. But I knew it was fixable. And what a great time to give my already adored pair a quick makeover. Here's how I did it!

The first thing was to seal up the vertical tear by stitching it closed.

After measuring the rectangular size needed, all edges were ironed inward so that fraying wasn't a possibility. I placed my patch over the rip and stitched 2 parallel lines. My machine was not small enough to be able to stitch the sides to the denim so I used witchery stitch to fuse them together.

In the photo, you can still see my jeans are wet in that area!

Next I started working on the new floral hem.

Start by snipping into the seam vertically.

Then, continue to remove the seams completely.

Time to grab the fabric!

Using your pants as a guide and adding a seam allowance, trace the shape and trim your fabric.

Stitch with right sides facing together.

This is a good time to place your fabric addition onto your pants to see how they look!

If all looks pleasing, iron the seams open.

Then, flip your jeans inside out.

Place the fabric, face side inward and align the seams as close as possible.

Just remember, it won't be perfect. Almost all pants have a wider backside than front.

If you look at the photo below, you can see the seams were off a bit.

Pin the fabric and sew.

After the fabric is attached to the denim, place it downwards and up into the leg so that the right side is on top of the pants right side.

It'll feel a little confusing doing it, if your like me, but I promise it works in the end:)

Fold the open seam inward and press. Pin in place and stitch carefully along the edge.

That's all!

How cute are those pair of jeans? I absolutely love them even more now!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at this fun and simple sewing project.

As I scroll through my Instagram, it appears as though everyone is staying crafty, possibly to maintain sanity? Even though it feels like a horrible dream, I truly believe there is a light at the end of this tunnel we're in. And I know I'm not alone on that one.

May you all stay safe and healthy. May you all find peace, love and gratitude no matter what our days may bring.

Sometimes we have to remember the good no matter what.

God bless you all.

April

2020-04-12T09:57:00.000-04:00

It's 7:27 a.m. The house is quiet. Everyone is asleep except for me and our dog Charlie. I love mornings like this when I can reflect and listen to the calm. I know that everyone is safe, asleep, resting...What a good feeling it is to have in these days and time. Part of me still can't believe what's going on in the world. I feel like I'm living in a crazy dream that's lasting over a year long. In this home, like so many, we were in shock for quite some time. Then reality set in and in our case, the weight of responsibilities shifted again. As some of you know, July will be one year since my chemo and radiation. That means a low immune system. Yuck. My husband gets his wonderful job back of grocery shopping and running errands along with continuing to work since he is a first responder. Add teenage hormones into the mix and well... you get the picture.

Like everyone, we keep busy during the day, renovating, working on new projects, school work, until night fall. Then the movies start.... along with late night baking, because... we have nothing to do in the morning.... Yup, can you say cupcakes at midnight?

This is my latest piece. I absolutely adore it!

I, have been taking time to learn more about pattern creating and all that the wonderful world of Illustrator has to offer. When it comes to quilting, pattern testers are invaluable. They see things that you didn't, and give feedback needed to create a solid, flawless piece. And boy oh boy, I'm learning a ton. Having said that, I have a few recommendations for anyone starting out.

The pretty and not so pretty truth of pattern making.

1. Research your design. Research it again, and again, and again. There's nothing worse than spending hours, days, & weeks on measuring & sewing to get to a point where you have that horrible message sent to you from a stranger..."I've seen this before." It happened to an Insta-friend and my heart broke for her. Her pattern was absolutely beautiful, but supposedly, something very similar was published in a book years and years ago. I'm still rooting for her to publish her pattern anyway because it wasn't exactly the same. Also, image creation IS a great thing to post. I actually did my first one last night. I uploaded my latest design to Instagram to see if anyone has seen it before after Tineye.com and Pinterest came up empty handed. As for the actual quilt sites, I went through the main ones I follow to check for myself. That took a TON of time. I think I'm going to make it a routine to post my ideas prior to working the mathematical hours that are involved.

2. Instagram is the place. I mean THE PLACE to get your ideas out. With a simple hashtag, your image goes into Hollywood mode. If you're registered as a business, you can see how many views, how many saves and how many times your image was sent to other people. Wowza.

3. Be weary of researching WHO you choose to test those patterns. For example, I don't recommend getting "Carol", who's page is filled with dozens of advanced quilt patterns if you're doing something relatively simple. If you can't see your design on their page, trust me when I say, pass them up. I'm still stuck on publishing a pattern because the last person that tested it, recommended such a change, that I don't know what to do. And another person, abruptly stopped testing. No email. No heads up. When I reached out... I never received a reply. Yup. It sucks. (But her new projects look awesome.....) Which leads us to number....

4. Also, be weary of "Jan", who gets all her patterns as a 'tester'.... What exactly is Jan creating that she has to compare it to? Other people in testing mode?

5. Recommend more fabric than needed. My first pattern called for just the right amount of fabric. It involved cutting recommendations on 'how' to get the 'most' out of the piece. Not everyone will follow. So... either add more fabric requirements OR add a little note that says, fabric requirements are based on.....(whatever your preference is). Because... the second pattern I did, had too much fabric required. Sheesh... learning something new every time.

6. Keep open communication. Emails are essential and should be checked often. If one person has a question, keep it as an open thread for all pattern testers to see. They might have the same concerns.

7. PDF is the way to go. Paper and postage cost money. You're already paying for the internet.

8. Always remove something from your patterns to reserve for the published copy. This is kinda a safe haven so that other people will not resell it. And it's awesome... because my pattern testers have always caught it!

9. As a beginner... steer clear of quilt piecing patterns.

10. Color theory is the key. Simple lines and simple patterns can sky rocket if you just know where to place the colors. (Thank you art school.)

Well that's about all for the time being. I'm sure there will be a ton more 'lessons' as time goes on. All I know is that I absolutely love the creative process. Yes... as newbies, we have to work twice if not, three times as hard but it's so worth it in the end. Many of us don't have programs installed into our laptops that compute fabric requirements and sizes off the whim. Knowing you really did it, completely and utterly to the grit gives you a priceless feeling when it's completed.

Thanks for swinging by! I hope you all stay safe and healthy. And if you have any beginner ideas, I'd love to hear them!

Happy trails to new designs!

An Amish Inspired Quilt

2020-03-01T09:03:00.000-05:00

Hello National Quilt Month!

What better way to start off March than with a post that inspired me to begin my quilting journey!

When I stumbled across the Amish art piece (above) on Pinterest, I was mesmerized. The contrast and color choices were perfection. It was bold, beautiful, simple, and minimalist. It's no secret that the Amish are well known for creating some of the most aesthetic quilts around. I love that you can take a plain white sofa, throw this quilt along the back side and immediately, you've transformed the whole room. Even though my efforts couldn't replicate such a stunning piece, I thought I'd give it a try anyway!

Take a look.

Completed in a school days work, it's about the size of a twin quilt or large throw.

Finding a pattern is often overlooked because of the mere fact that they are quite simple to make. If you look, it's very similar to a 'log cabin' method. This fits into that.... work from the center, vertical and then horizontal on either side for balance, etc.

I didn't use a pattern for my piece either, BUT... I did record all the measurements! In celebration of our National Quilt Month, I'm sharing it with all of you! (Hip hip hooray for Adobe Illustrator!) Below, you'll find a little diagram of how my piece is put together, so that you can stitch one up for yourself!

Overall, I am so delighted with the way this one came out! By swapping color choices, it would've looked so different.

As for the pattern, please feel free to share the joy.
(But please note, this pattern is for personal home use only.)

Happy Trails to Amish inspired quilts:)

The Children's Apron Pattern & Tutorial is here!

2020-02-20T12:07:00.000-05:00

It's here! It's here! It's finally complete! I am beyond excited that The Children's Apron Pattern and Tutorial is ready for instant download at the Etsy shop!

The 21 page tutorial comes with descriptive pictures, a PDF computer generated pattern, sewing supplies list and fabric requirements! Now... all you lovelies that have fabrics laying around can put them to good use for the little people in your life:) I wanted to create a pattern for sizes 3-5, which is what I usually carry in the Etsy shop. But the wonderful thing, from this tutorial, you'll learn the way each piece fits into the other, which means there's no stopping to the sizes you can create! Hooray!!!

The PDF pattern is actually not even needed if you have a cutting mat with grid and rotary cutter. I just wanted to add them for people who didn't carry those sewing supplies.

So what else is in the works you wonder?

Well... Currently I have pattern testers working on The Survivor Quilt!! Another Hooray!!

Thank you to the amazing ladies that are taking the time to complete the test run!

Mara Quilt Designs

Chaos & Scraps

Sylviespm

ali.mquilts

The Tufted Duckling

Sewspicious

Originally planning for paper patterns only, I realized that PDF is the best way to go. Many people, including myself, love to get started on projects right away.

This pattern is beginner friendly and will come with full color diagrams to make each of the 16 blocks.

The pattern is scheduled to be released in late March!

Until next time friends, Happy Trails to new sewing projects!

January.... you're almost done!

2020-01-18T11:40:00.001-05:00

Hello friends! I feel like it's been forever since my last post. I suppose some might even say I've been spending nearly all my time on the forefront of creative madness along with trying to continue healing. Holy smokes! Chemo and radiation will change a person forever. I'm continuing my healing journey, and staying hopeful that I'll remain in the 'clear' for a long time. It's odd, the way you feel, when everything you've gotten accustomed to: the running around, working day to day, rushing here and rushing there.... how quickly it changes when it's no longer a necessity. Yes, I am extremely thankful that my spouse supports and pushes for my healing time, omitting nurse life as it was, but like I told my girlfriend the other day, "how many craft projects can a girl possibly do?" .....

Well let me just tell you..... A LOT! Today's post will revisit some Instagram pics, (in case you don't follow along) with some of my most recent busy works involving art and clothing. Just take a look!

I'm currently working on a pattern for those lovely little aprons above. The pattern will be available through my Etsy shop and believe you me... I will be hootin' and hollerin' when it's completed, to let you all know!

So far... it's going well!

The remaining images are of little things I've always wanted to do, but previously never had the time. It feels sooooo good to see them come to life!

Take this ombre block.... I've been wanting to test it out for so long, and FINALLY, I did.

LOVE the way this came out so far, but... instead of the throw pillow I thought it was becoming, I see it more a market tote! Don't you agree? (Still holding out to make that final decision.)

The wide collar house coat below has become one of my warm and fuzzy winter favorites. The pattern was purchased through an Etsy shop. I would've loved to have advertised but unfortunate for others, I snatched up the last one of this pattern!

As always, I altered the pattern slightly, creating form fitting pleats in the back.

I just adore the way it came out!

And then this little table runner above.

New 2020 goal for free time - Using up quilt blocks for table runners!

And.... who doesn't love a couch quilt!

These pieces, the aprons and the banners went to good homes for the holidays:) But... I made some extra for the Etsy shop!

That floral banner has me daydreaming of flowers.

And hello artwork! Thanks to my husband recommending revisiting my youth & the college years as an art major, my sewing room is now equipped with a giant easel and an array of paints.

watercolor

Below is a close up of one of the pieces that hang in our home.

It's amazing how much art can soothe the soul. Some days, I think I literally get lost in painting.

acrylic on canvas

And last but not least, my All Aglow panel by Hoffman fabrics has a new purpose! A lovely quilt that rang in the new year:) Who says the holidays have to be red and green?

And the Kona Cotton fabrics.... all I'm going to say is that, so far... i'm inspired by the Amish.

Where that will lead... I have no clue:) And sometimes, that's a very exciting feeling!

So back to my question of "how many craft projects can a girl possibly do?"
Apparently all that and more.

Till next time friends, some wise words for the new year!

Stinging Nettle & Yellow Dock Soup

2019-11-10T11:00:00.000-05:00

One of our favorite family soups: Stinging Nettle and Yellow Dock

This deliciously simple and delicate soup is a wonderful way to grab so many important nutrients.

Yellow Dock, a powerful, perennial herb, is known for clearing out bacterial and fungal infections in the body. It has great anti-inflammatory agents,

that can help combat arthritis, dermatitis, rashes, and psoriasis.

It can be used in salads, soups, and teas.

Stinging Nettle might sound a bit tougher. Packed in Vitamins A, B, C, and K, it also has many minerals important to sustaining good health. Inflammation, cancer, allergies, enlarged prostate, and elevated blood sugar are all fought when we consume Stinging Nettle.

Stinging Nettle has a very sharp burn if you touch it with your hands. Yes, you will feel it for hours. That's why I always snip mine using rubber gloves and little trimmers. And.... while my rubber gloves are still on, my herbs will be washed thoroughly and set aside for the recipe!

The Recipe

~ 1 large handful of yellow dock

~ a medium bowl full of stinging nettle (roughly 4-6 cups)

~ 1 32oz of organic broth (bone, vegetable, beef, or chicken)

~ salt and pepper to taste

~ a deep 12.5" pan, filled half way with water

In a 3 or 4 quart sauce pan, warm up the broth of choice on low heat. (I love to use bone broth for this recipe.) Use a bigger pot if you plan on adding water to your broth for a less concentrated soup.

Bring the water in the deep 12.5" pan to a boil. Add the dock and nettle.

As it wilts, the color of the leaves will begin to vary.

This will only take a few minutes.

Remove the wilted leaves and place them on a cutting board.

Don't throw away the boiled herb water!

~Double duty moment~

Filter the herb water through a strainer and coffee filter.

Below, on the left is the filtered herb water.

You can see how much more clear it is than on the right.

Use this for a hair rinse if you have breakage or dry scalp. I set it aside for my daughter who has dandruff. It works great!

Going back to the soup, chop up your wilted herbs and place them into your broth pot. Salt and pepper to taste, since the broth may already contain sodium.

Cook your soup for an additional 10-15 minutes on a low heat.

You can add parsley, rosemary, and dill for extra flavors.

You will get 5 servings from this soup.

I love to add fresh nettle to the bottom of my serving bowls.

As the hot soup is poured over, the leaves will wilt and become a tasty treat at the end!

I hope you enjoy this simple and powerful recipe.

I love to cook this in the Spring when we are enjoying all the new green growth after winter and as a way to say goodbye in the Autumn and get our bodies ready to handle the cold and flu season ahead.

Happy Trails till next time!

Gumdrops

2019-07-04T19:08:00.000-04:00

Happy fourth of July fellow crafters! It's hard to believe that half of the year has already gone by even though Summer has just arrived. In Ohio, we're battling humidity, lots of showers, and small gardens. No joke. But that's no reason to frown! I've been spending my good days sewing about and creating all those things I never had too much time for when I was a working gal.

So.... take a look at my latest completion! Another Ogden Cami!

Isn't that fabric the sweetest! It reminds me of summer nights as a child. Riding your bike till the sun set, catching fireflies in glass jars, and carnival cotton candy!

It's no surprise that Hawthorne Threads named this collection Gumdrop!

This rayon is so soft and drapey, perfect for summer wear!

More Ogden Cami's are in the works. They're the perfect go to top whether you're wearing a skirt or jeans.

A beautiful rainbow after a storm.

The front porch at sunset.

Celebrating all the gumdrops!

Happy Trails to projects that remind us of childhood!

Rose Bath Salts

2019-06-26T11:26:00.001-04:00

Who doesn't fall in love with the bath and body section of any store? I mean, even if you have no intention of making a purchase from that section, you will always find yourself sniffing about all those lovely fragrances.

And what's the most notorious smell for summer....the rose!

I love roses so much and find myself continually picking and taking pics of all the roses we grow. I try breaking off the stems and restarting new plants. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

But the most hardy rose to grow, similarly comparable to 'weed' strength is the classic fuschia pink tea rose. In previous posts, like one here..http://mintneedle.blogspot.com/2012/05/.... you can even find a recipe on how to make rose tea jam & syrup!

So... for today, we're heading the spa route and we're going to make the simplest rose

petal bath salts perfect for those late evening soaks!

What you'll need:

Rose petals....dried

a coffee grinder

mask for your nose - you can also use a scarf

bowl

epsom salts

spoon

baking soda

jar for storing your concoction

& any other herbs you indulge in!

For drying the petals, I usually pick early in the a.m. on dry sunny days. Detach all the petals from the stem and lay them out on clean tablecloths or rolled paper towels. I leave them out on my dining table and it usually takes 2 weeks to completely dry, at times a little less if I have the windows open. FYI... I do not wash my petals because I only pick the nice clean ones. Do not pick any buds off the ground.

After the petals have dried, grab your mask and place it on your face. Blend the petals in the coffee grinder to a fine powder. Be careful when you open it up because the dust will be so fine that it will float into the air...hence the mask. You shouldn't be breathing it in.

Grab your bowl place 2 cups of epsom salts in the bowl

4 heaping teaspoons of your powdered rose petals

and add 2 teaspoons of baking soda.

Mix it all up with a spoon.

(And for those wondering why baking soda? Baking soda is perfect for itchy skin and fungal infection. It neutralizes, soothes, and detoxifies the skin cells.)

If you use classic tea roses, I guarantee you will not need any essential oils added.

This bath salt mix smells so strong on the roses that you might even be surprised.

The rose powder will even turn your water a pinkish purple!

Store your salt in a cute bottle and gift them or keep them for yourself!

How simple was that?!?

And how cute are those bottles?

On another note......

Just a little update on the health for those curious, I'm hanging in there. On good days, I try to craft and stay busy with simple projects like the one above. My body is tired but I'll keep fighting. I have only a few more treatments ahead, but the chemo is getting harder and harder, (more so than the radiation).

I know I will never be the same, but I can't tell you how much i'm looking forward to getting back to a norm.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Trails to all the pretty roses!

what's going on.....

2019-06-01T10:31:00.000-04:00

I knew when I was ready I would do this. And today, is the day.

It was the beginning of May when I found out I have rectal cancer. The good news would come later on when I'd find out that it was Stage 1. This was a huge hurdle.... an idea that I had to overcome. I have cancer. One word : Denial. I never knew how hard this would be to grasp. As a nurse, you think you're invincible. I admit, at times during patient care, I thought this could never be me. Yet, here I was, 4 days before my 38th birthday, getting diagnosed with a 'highly treatable' cancer. Geez....

I didn't want this post to be an "i'm pulling the cancer card" thing but this is MY little space I created on the internet. And something just didn't feel right about not sharing with everyone, the reality of what's going on behind the scenes. Currently I'm undergoing a combination of chemo and radiation. So far the bad days have been manageable but I hear it only gets worse.... Another geez. This is the time I suppose i'm thankful for sewing and my creative side. It's helped me process pain, depression, and discomfort. (Just that little moment of slipping away into the sewing room is healing.) So.... today's post, will be something of an 'awakening' rant. The things i'm grateful for and as sad as this sounds, the things that the big "C" has made me realize.

1. Hug and kiss your family multiple times a day. They are the only ones you've got so be good to them and thank them for being good to you. Sometimes, I think this is more painful for my family then it is for me. It saddens me that my daughters have had to grow up a little quicker, but I know that we'll be able to put it behind us one day.

2. No job is worth your stress or health... period.

3. Thankful for my dear friends. The ones who've given me some of the best advice in the world.

They made me feel like I could conquer anything!

4. I love my hair. So far, I haven't lost any. And my chances of losing it are small, hooray! But... my whole life, I hated and complained about how thick, curly, and frizzy my hair was. Sad, it took the possibility of loss to make me realize how beautiful it really is.

5. Life is too short to be nice to rude people. Yes... you read that right. We always want to be " the bigger person ". No... no.... no.... Nowhere does it say in life that you have to be the bigger person. Sometimes it's best to send certain people off with a F--- you.

6. Taking time for yourself is the most important thing you can do. As mothers, this may feel impossible certain days, but even that bath, or those 20 minutes to paint your nails could do wonders. In short, take care of yourself even if it means eating the last apple.

7. Pay attention to your body... If something just doesn't feel right. It's probably not. The doctors said i've had this cancer in my body over a year. When I think back to my symptoms.. yes, they seem to have started 2 + years ago. Do not wait for a colonoscopy! I was supposed to have my first colonoscopy in 2 years...... yes at 40...Thank God I paid attention to my body.

8. Don't lose your sense of humor ever. Laughter really is the souls medicine. I'm so grateful I still laugh even though my jokes have become a bit more disturbing....

9. Enjoy the sunrise and sunset everyday. Even if it is hidden behind the rain.

10. Be thankful for your ability to eat, smell, walk, touch, see, feel, breath, hear, go to the bathroom...etc, etc..... You never know how precious these things are until they get altered.

Thanks for swinging by The Mint Needle today:) Now that I've gotten that off my chest, I don't feel so secretive. Because, Lord knows, a picture is worth a thousand words. And often, we don't associate suffering or sadness when you see pictures of pretty flowers, quilts, or paintings on Instagram. I'm still planning on keeping this a crafty site so by no means do not feel I am swaying out of the creative loop. As I said before, just a dose of reality is nice when everyone thinks things appear 'picture perfect'.

Happy trails to better days ~till next time friends:)

A Simple to Sew top!

2019-04-23T20:17:00.000-04:00

Beautiful Bloodroot found in the woods

The weather is finally warming up here in Ohio and all I can say is thank goodness! I was beginning to feel as if mother nature completely forget about our neck of the woods. It was literally an overnight event.... the flowers coming up, tiny leaves appearing on trees, and bugs! I've never been so happy to see insects flying about. The first cut of grass has been done and the sweet smell melted my heart. It's amazing how something so simple has new meaning after a long winter.

So what's been going on in the crafty corner? Just the usual - 20 wips and counting. But I did finish this little number!

How adorable it that?!? I love browsing ebay and finding really cool vintage patterns.

Even though this one was purchased a looooooong time ago, it was finally put to use!

The instructions were simple and foolproof. The only thing that threw me off was the seam allowance. But that was altered anyway because I used a serger and a sewing machine. My favorite part is the fact that it's double sided. So.... technically I could've used 2 coordinating fabrics and had two different tops! The things we think about after the fact!

Most importantly my daughter loves it! (and she wants some more since it's the perfect halter top and might I add, super comfy!) As for the fabric ~ the lovely Miriam Bos for Birch Organic Fabrics :)

Happy Trails to warmth, sunshine, butterflies, and bees!

The Gnome Quilt

2019-03-20T13:37:00.000-04:00

"It is Spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart."
~Rainer Maria Rilke

Spring is here! Spring has sprung!

And in celebration of this time of year, I've completed an adorable little quilt packed with tiny gnomes! Everything about this piece screams, Hello Spring!

Made with a simple pattern of sawtooth stars, each block measures 5 3/4" x 5 3/4" finished.

The completed size is 33 1/4 inches by 40.

This quilt kinda came to be by accident. The gnome fabric was originally intended to be used for aprons. After some time, I realized it wasn't going to happen. Add some scrapped solids lying around..... Voila! What a beautiful combination these made together! I'm so glad I stitched this up!

And that backing.... How perfect are those tiny colorful mushrooms?

You can definitely say I've been on a mushroom kick in this house!

Wait till you see the next project I'm working on!

Did you ever create a piece you couldn't help but smile at? This is the one for me!

Happy trails to all the plants turning green,

the sunshine lasting longer,

and the warmer days that lay ahead!

Till next time friends!

The Ogden Cami ~ A Review

2019-03-05T11:07:00.000-05:00

Hello friends! I hope you all had a wonderful February and a great start to March! Spring is right around the corner and I'm counting down to daylight savings on March 10th! Hooray for longer sunshine!

Lately, I've been longing to go back to stitching up clothes. And... I ended up finding the cutest pattern to get me back in the groove at Hawthorne Threads. The Ogden Cami by True Bias Patterns is perfect and quite simple!

I started off by making a test run with some red, light-weight fabric, figuring if this comes out good, I'll have 2 tops! And guess what?

It came out awesome!

Making a practice piece was a great idea. It's always recommended and there are so many reasons why. In the instructional booklet, I wrote myself little notes.

~ cut the fabric 1/4" larger at the sides so I can use a serger. This will allow me to have finished ends and still a good seam allowance.

~ cut the straps 1/2" larger, so the camisole sits slightly lower.

As for the fabric choice... Have you ever sewn with Art Gallery Fabric rayons? Holy smokes I'm blown! This fabric is amazing! It's so soft, drapey, and a pleasure to sew with!

I grabbed a small piece of fabric and did a test run with a straight stitch.

Immediately I noticed that my thread tension was too tight and needed to be lowered to a "0".

Just to be on the safe side, I also switched out my needle to a brand new one. It's good idea for anyone who frequents their sewing machine.

For the hem, I straight stitched a 1/4" from the edge, folded it along that line and ironed.

Below, you can take a look a how nice the edge comes out. Then, I folded it up a second time, ironed it, and stitched again. It came out great!

The fit is amazing and more fabric is already ordered to make another top! I'm hooked.

For anyone that's interested in a quick sewing project that's worthy of your time... HELLO! you've got it right here!

Happy Trails onto new projects!

Till next time!

Mid Winter Efforts

2019-01-30T18:57:00.000-05:00

Oh January... it's hard to believe you're already coming to a close.

For starters, I hope everyone is having a great start to the new year. This time of year always has me focusing on organization from head to toe. I've spent this month purging our home of items no longer in use or need ... and it feels liberating!!!! The sewing room is once again organized, all the way down to color coded scrap packets for future projects! Can you say Hello Ideas?!

So what else has been on the cutting table?

Here's a look into some tidbits throughout my special space!

I'm trying to finish my gnome quilt started months and months ago all while working on some new fabulous aprons. It's very cold outside but I really don't mind as long as the sun is shining. The days are getting longer. And the mail order plant catalogs are starting to get delivered. Hip hip hooray!

Happy trails to the radiant days ahead!

A Dreamy Quilt

2018-12-12T13:36:00.003-05:00

Oh for the love of the needle and thread...... And just in time for Christmas!

Look at these colors! I'm so ecstatic to share with all of you my latest quilt!

Originally, I wanted a block that would repeat multiple times. But after playing around with colors, layout and more fabrics, I realized the potential for something more mesmerizing was happening. Slowly an awesome quilt pattern was taking place before my eyes.

What's even greater? You can make one too!

So, I'm going to try real hard to break down the way this quilt was created, so that it flows for all of you the same way it did for me.

When you look at this quilt, there are a couple things that pop at first: the different shapes, colors, and contrasts that are taking place.

The focal point ~ those awesome three diamond blocks surrounded by simple rectangles. Should you decide to give this quilt a try, my most important recommendation is to pick your ooooomph ~ "contrasty" fabric choices for those 3 main blocks.

Let's get to measurements and cutting!

Starting from the outside and working inwards:

For the side (white) panels, you will need 3 yards of fabric.

From the 3 yards, cut 2 ~ 3 x 44 inch pieces. Set them aside.

These will be for the top and bottom of your quilt.

For the rest of the solid fabric, use the natural fold as a cutting guide. Cut the fabric into 2 pieces. These will become your side panels lengthwise.
Guess what? Half the quilt is cut out!

For the red triangles, which really started off as squares, cut 38 - 3 inch squares.

For the black fabric, cut 42 - 3 inch squares,
(6 of them will be used to create the arrows on the sides.)
Also:
~cut 14- 5.5 inch squares
~cut 6- 3x5.5 rectangles

Onto the half square triangles:

I love using Fat Quarter Shop's Triangles on a Roll for this part. It gets the job done super quick!

Pick 4 contrasting fabrics that you can pair up.

80 half square triangles of 2 fabric choices
and
84 half square triangles of another 2 fabric choices.

Using a 3rd set of fabric choices, cut 30 - 3 inch squares of each fabric.
Combine them to create 15 - 5 inch blocks like the one pictured below.

Now time for fillers!
The goal is to create this piece below which will provide the slanted angles on each side of the quilt.

Using gradation fabrics would be pretty nice!

Here, you will need

12 - 3x3 squares (these are the bright red squares on my quilt)

8 - 3x8.5 rectangles

and

8 - 3x10 rectangles

~ Don't forget the black 3 inch squares and rectangles will be making up the arrows in this section!

Believe it or not,

time to lay out your quilt!
The easiest way is to line up the black and red blocks first.
Because everything is on an angle, sew this in sections like the pictures below.

When you're all finished up, using a straight edge, trim away any excess fabric LEAVING a 1/4 of an inch.

Sew the white top and bottom strips first.
Last attach the side panels.
You will need to trim excess white fabric at the very end off your side panels.
It may sound strange, but I love when extra fabric hangs.
Just in case my quilt, "shifted" during stitching, the excess fabric allows me to straighten things out.
That's it! Your quilt top is all done and ready for batting!

And that backing? Sew Hope Full is packed with positive words. It's just the perfect thing to wrap around your body and snuggle with.

This truly is a fun project for using up scraps!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Xmas and bright and shiny New Year!

Blueberry Cake & November

2018-11-06T20:07:00.000-05:00

Oh November.... I should really be doing a post about pumpkins or squash, but this blueberry cake came out so freakin' good!!!

Take it from me, this is the BEST cake batter ever! And I'm definitely not a cake girl

The Recipe for Blueberry Cake:

3/4 cup butter

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

2 cups flour

1 cup sour milk

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 cups of blueberries (fresh or wilted)

Start by preheating your oven to 350.

Combine the butter and sugar till it is fluffy and whipped. I actually used salted margarine and am wondering if that's why this cake is not too sweet, even though it calls for quite a bit of sugar.

Add 1 egg in at a time.

Add the the 2 cups of flour and sour milk.

If you do not have sour milk, place 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into your cup and add the milk till you get to your 1 cup measurement.

Add the baking soda.

I baked the cake in a 9 x 13 glass pan. I sprayed it with non-stick spray and added half of my cake batter. I dropped in the blueberries and covered them with the rest of the batter. Obviously, the pictures speak for themselves. The blueberries still sunk but who cares! This cake is awesome!!

Bake it for 45 minutes to 1 hour... or until the top gets golden brown.

That's it! Enjoy it for days and share with someone you adore!

Use this cake batter as your main "go to" for cupcakes and other fruit cakes.

It's perfect for the upcoming holidays!

What else is going on at the homestead?

The garden is officially ready for next spring.... The indoor plants have made their way back indoors... The leaves have been let go of and snow season is just a second away. I kinda love it.

We still have a bit of winter preparing to do, but as my husband says, "I think we can get it done in an afternoon." On that note, here's to the toasty fireplace nights that lay ahead!

Hope you all stay warm in the November air and welcome old man winter with a smile.

After all, it's then that we enjoy our cozy homes the most!

Happy Trails till next time!

Mushroom Hunting

2018-10-11T11:18:00.000-04:00

Mushroom hunting has interested me ever since I spotted a smurf's like, little, red, rounded mushroom in the park! Add a ring of mushrooms on our lawn and a giant puffball .... that's all it took. One of the very first posts I ever did on this blog was about the giant puffball! Little did we know, we could've delighted in some fun and unusual cuisine.

For starters, there are some basics everyone should know. Hence, the parts of a mushroom from top to bottom. They are the cap, gills, ring, stem, & volva (the sac it emerged out of if visible).

Next, let's say you find an awesome mushroom and aren't too sure if it's edible. Create a spore print for proper identification! All you have to do is remove the cap from the stem. Get a white sheet of paper. Place the gills part against the paper. Do not press. Place a drop or a couple of drops of water on the cap depending on its size. Cover it with a glass. You can leave it covered 3-18 hours. When you remove the cap, the spore print will be left on your paper and can last about a year. Grab a handy manual much like the one pictured above and you'll be able to identify the little guy in no time!

Now, the hubs and I really enjoy our long walks in the woods. This particular day, we decided to veer off the trail and see what we could find!

Check out some of the amazing mushrooms popping about!

I call this one The Fairy Steps. They were huge!

A little family of mushrooms growing out of decomposing wood.

A pretty neat thing we noticed is that the mushrooms were mostly growing where there were bursts of sunlight through the trees.

Just an fyi... no, we didn't end up harvesting any mushrooms for food. Foraging is fun, but I definitely ONLY stick to those things I'm sure are edible. But I will say... after reading the guide, I'm blown away by how many mushrooms were once thought to be edible and are now considered toxic. Simply astonishing!

Happy Trails to finding fungus!

Geodes and Aprons

2018-09-29T08:43:00.001-04:00

Before I get started on this rock/apron thing, I gotta give you all an update on the this bar soap shampoo I've been using. One word... Awesome! It takes a little of getting used to. At first, you feel kinda odd, like you're doing the wrong thing in the shower, rubbing a bar soap against your hair, but I've seen the results and it's so worth it. My hair is shinier, silkier and surprise... not as frizzy! Another thing, having natural curls, I notice they are more defined. If you decide to try the hair bar for yourself, there's only one bit of advice I suggest. Start by lathering your ends first and then work towards the scalp. You really don't need to put the bar against your head because it is essentially soap and soap spreads.

Moving on... I've been missing my sewing time dearly. If you follow on Instagram, you may have noticed, I'm just m-i-a. But there was one day, one day when..... I realized I was all caught up with laundry, the girls were in school, the hubs at work and my crockpot was cooking dinner for us. Voila! I could sew! I ended up piecing together these two little lovelies in just about 2 hours. It was fabulous!

Aren't they adorable?! I love combining fabrics into one statement pieces!

There are so many projects I want to start. Fabrics have all been 'grouped' for future quilts, bags, pillows, and aprons. One problem. Finding some more time to do them🤔

********************

On another note... the rock thing. I'm a rock girl, my daughters are into the crystal thing, and the hubs loves landscaping with stones. So yes, we love our rocks! But do you know how exciting it is to crack open a geode? If you don't know, let me tell you. Geodes are round rocks, sometimes hollow in the middle. They take thousands of years to form and often, their center consists of crystals. They kinda resemble eggs and they are lightweight. If you suspect you've found a geode, give it a shake. If you hear rattling inside, it's got crystals!

I flipped when I saw these getting sold at the Country Living Fair by the plant tent!
I had to have them!

We had a blast cracking these open! The girls have added some new crystals to the collection!

If you decide to take a try at rock hunting, there are a few rules you should stick to.

1. Dora said it best... "Backpack, backpack 🎶" ~ Always bring your backpack.

2. Wear protective glasses if your planning on cracking your finds.

3. Do a double take, if you think it's a cool looking rock, make sure it's not the head of a snake.

No joke.

4. Have fun in the sun. When the sun shines on the ground, you notice the shiny stuff better!

Up and coming.....

Mushroom hunting is in full effect. The garden is cleaned out. And all I want to do is decorate for Halloween. Let's hope you see some new creations on your next visit.

Happy Trails to treasuring free time!