Valentine Swap

From Viv

 Happy February everyone! I have enjoyed this month so far. It has included a fun swap that Viv from Viv out on a Whim had this year! What a fun swap this was and a fun challenge for me, too!

We were to make a Valentine card and a decoration, and include lots of goodies or joy!

From Viv

 As, you can see, Viv really did a great job of spoiling me! I sure had fun opening each little present that she individually wrapped for me! I had an empty spot on my old Singer sewing machine which made a great place to put all her wonderful Valentines! She made a cute decorated Valentine box, a beautiful deer Valentine on a spool, a sweet girl on a swing, and the sweetest heart ornament with a key! She also included plenty of chocolate to keep me smiling, and some pretty towels for my kitchen! Do you see those cute paper globes? I have never had any of these before! I am excited to use them in my decorating throughout Spring!

From Viv

 I am really amazed by Viv's talent. I am thankful for her swap and the challenge it provided for me to flex my creative muscles. Bloggers are the most talented people and doing a little something outside of my comfort zone is fun in a challenging and learning way!

I sent Viv a package of Valentine fun as well, which she kindly has posted about on her blog.

So I hope you go give her a visit and take a look at those as well!

But here is a peek at a few things that I made for her!

Paper craft Valentine

I am so happy to be part of a fun online community where I have met some of the sweetest people on earth.

Felt Heart

I have made friends with gals that I share more interests with than the people most of the people I interact with every day. Thank you so much for your friendships!

Cupcake on my vintage music box cake stand

Thank you again Viv! This was a fun swap to be included in! And I hope everyone has a sweet Valentine's Day!

God bless you,

Little Susie Home Maker

Fun Making Christmas Toy Wreath with Vintage Ornaments

 Christmas time sure is a wonderful time to get creative.  Don't you think?  I really wanted to share the big toy wreath that mom and I worked on together.  It was so much fun to make!

Not only is it loaded with lots of different ornaments, but it also has lights! It is a little hard to see them in the picture,  but I did have them plugged in so you could see them twinkle!

This wreath has mostly vintage ornaments. Look at that little Santa Claus face! He makes me happy! The adorable little elf is new,  but so cute that I had to include him!

 The bear is a Vintage Avon toy, but was still new in the wrapper!  He is the cute toy that inspired me to make this wreath! I knew that when I found this sweet bear that he looked fun and needed an entire wreath to display him.  Haha!
 I just love home make wooden and felt Christmas ornaments. Do you remember making them when you were little? They remind me of my childhood!

 I hung this out on my front door for the picture so all the colors would look true and vibrant, but this is a heavy wreath,  so I think it is better for a wall!  I can see all the cute faces and homemade ornaments all the time that way!

 

Have you made any wreaths this year? Or other fun ornaments? I made several! I hope you don't mind me showing them after Christmas.

Wishing you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Little Susie Home Maker

Christmas in the Kitchen Exchange with Erica

 Merry Christmas everyone! Swaps are a lot of fun and Erica decided to do a Christmas swap this year that was kitchen themed! "Christmas in the Kitchen" Exchange 2014, Her blog, Golden Egg Vintage, is so much fun and she is such a delightful young woman! If you haven't already been visiting and following her, I urge you to do so! Thank you, Erica, for having such a fun swap!

All my sweet swap gift from Patti!

I was partnered up with, Patti , her sweet blog is called, Pattin-Patti. Yes! She is another fun and super talented sweet lady! These swaps are so much fun for so any reasons. But getting to know another blogger a little better is always the best part! Patti, was also very understanding that it would take me a little longer for getting her gifts made, as I have been suffering so many frequent migraines. I think I will call her Patient-Pattin-Patti! Thank you Patti for understanding.

Adorable measuring spoon snowman tag!

Now on with the swap! Her are photos that I took of all the, "Oh, so awesome" Christmas crafts and items that she sent me! Just look at this tag! Isn't it so cute and smart! Measuring spoons make the snowman! This really makes me smile every time I look at it!

Christmas cookie cutter ornament!

Here is such an adorable cookie cutter ornament! I was really excited to see this one! It is a combination of some of my favorite Christmas vintage thingies! The glass balss, The Christmas tree cutter and the cute little wooden bead Santa! Wow! Can you say, Cute!!!

Snowman Vintage Nut-grinder snow globe!

Now on to the bigger and very awesome kitchen ornament! Yes, you guessed it! It is a vintage nut grinder! All decked out in Christmas Winter wonderland! Isn't this just an amazing snow globe! Cute, cute, cute!! 

Here is a different angle so you can see the outside decorations better!

So, now I have some really fun items to decorate my kitchen with!

And of course Patti didn't stop there! She included a wonderful travel coffee mug that I have already been using like crazy! Candy which you know didn't last long! lol

Look at this adorable Mrs. Clause! Oh, my! I have just the perfect Santa to pair her up with! I will save that for another post!

All the wonderful swap items from Patti!

Did I mention the kitchen towel and pot holder, cookie cutters, match box Santa and craft stickers?

Isn't this candy filled boot so sweet!

 I really was happy and I had fun making the fun kitchen crafts that I came up with! So I am sure you can see those over at Patti's blog. I will post some of my own pictures later.

 Thank you both, Patti and Erica! And thank you for visiting my blog today! I sure pray that everyone has a safe and happy Christmas. Be blessed and keep a smile on your face!

God Bless You!

Little Susie Home Maker

Vintage Doll and Pixie and Pyrex Friendship Cinderella bowls

Hello! What have you been up to lately? 

I been hanging out at thrift stores a lot this year, haha!

I found some great things including these sweet dolls. One is a Bendable Pixie that lays on your bed. I think her face is so pretty. Another favorite is this little blinking eye doll! She also has the sweetest face!

I discovered the red doll bed a while back! It even has a sweet little decal on it and it is red! I just had to add it to my collection of toys, which was small but is growing!

My sister blessed me with this beautiful set of vintage Pyrex Cinderella mixing bowls! Aren't they stunning? The pattern is called,  Friendship. It was such a generous and thoughtful gift. The color is vivid and they are near perfect!

I also have fun playing with the photo editors. I like this black and white version!

I been suffering from so many migraines this year and now they are up to 4-6 six days a week. So that is miserable along with Fibro, etc But I keep a positive attitude as much as I can. Tend to get behind on many things and that can bother me a lot, too.

But I always pray for tomorrow and that it will be better!

I pray you are doing good.

God bless you,

Little Susie Home Maker

My Vintage Booth and Crafting

This vintage lamb nursery planter is just the cutest kisth baby welcoming gift! I found it while out thrifting recently.
Hello! I am glad you decided to come for a visit!

 I have spent a lot of time this year working on my Booth #B112 at the American Classics Market Place, in Colorado Springs. I sell vintage home items like the antique depression glass cooky jar picture. and also some of my own crafting and sewing. So I am hopefully going to be even busier between now and Christmas with making a lot of fun things for my booth. Here are some cloth stuffed pumpkins that I made. Wish me luck!

I tend to be the slowest person in the world when I craft or sew or crochet, etc. It is a wonder I ever finish anything! As a matter of fact, I have plenty of unfinished projects that I will be working on again right after the New Year! Do you do that? Stop before a project is finished?

I can not believe how fast this year is flying by. My brain is not accepting that summer is over, let alone that we are coming up on winter. Oh yes, the leaves have changed and most have dropped. It was a wonderful display! I am blessed to live in Colorado where we have such long Indian Summers. It might get cold, but warms right back up!

Here is my dachshund, Hunter.

 

I get up early and take my son to the bus stop before the sun comes up. And it is getting colder and colder! But it sure is a pretty view!

Well, I guess I better get back to business. Hope you are all doing great!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

New Booth Little Susie Home Maker

HI friends! Hope this finds you all happy and healthy.

I just had shoulder surgery about three weeks ago and have been trying to heal from that. Makes it almost impossible for me to do any crafts very well! Haha!

Have you been making crafts and doing hobbies?  I opened up my own booth in March. Selling vintage and some sewing, crochet,  etc.

It's fun to finally get to do this. I am located in Booth B112 at The American Classics Marketplace,  in Colorado Springs, CO

The end of the school year is almost here, so looking forward to more time with my children! I don't really have anything certain planned for the summer. But hoping to fit some road trips and vintage hunting into some family time and sight seeing!

Wishing you all the best Mother's Day! God bless you!

Little Susie Home Maker

Chocolate Coconut Drops Recipe from Little Susie Home Maker

Do you like recipes for candies?

I want to share with you this wonderful candy recipe. I have loved making these for years. It is a very fun and simple recipe and the results are very yummy.

I redid the image and decorated it up with my editor. It came from The Betty Crocker's Boys and Girls Cookbook. I love this vintage cookbook and it has great recipes.

Hope your Christmas includes a few sweets!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Are You Ready for Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I hope you are all staying warm, having fun with your crafts or sewing and cooking. I know I don't blog much anymore and I am sorry for that. The time involved has been tough for me to blog weekly recently. I have so many duties at this time to attend.

I have been keeping active in my Facebook page

 

Little Susie Home Maker on facebook

 I would love for you to visit me there!

I am having Thanksgiving at my house this year. I been going through my vintage linens and dishes. Many of these will be in use this year. I am so excited to use them. Do you ever use vintage dishes or family heirlooms?

Hall's Jewel Tea Autumn Leaf

 I will be making the turkey and doing a lot of the cooking. Thankfully my family is pitching in with the help and even bringing some of their own delicious side dishes. My favorite dishes are all the traditional foods: turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, veggie, cranberries with a few changes to flair things up a bit. 

For dessert my Favorite Pumpkin Pie recipe is sure to be served, because I don't feel like it is Thanksgiving without it! I still am thinking on what other pies to make. Maybe pecan or apple? Both? Haha!! Lets face it, Thanksgiving is also about the food! What a wonderful time to enjoy our bounty that God has blessed us with!

 I know you will all be busy this week as well, so enjoy yourselves and feel the warmth of your loved ones whether they are near or far. Know that you are in my thoughts.

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Psalm 95:2
Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.

Vintage Apron Sewing in Orange

If you are a vintage loving Little Susie Home Maker like me, I would bet that one of the things that you adore is a pretty apron!
 An apron can come in so many styles for different purposes. One of my favorites is a half apron. When I am sewing, an apron is one of my favorite projects. Because I can really get creative and make it with either new fabric styles, or with vintage materials, even linens.The decorating can be pretty minimal to elaborate! It really can be very practical or a work of art!

The apron I am going to show you today is a combination of both new and vintage fabrics.
It is from a vintage style half apron called Bow Tie. I made this cheerful orange with white polka dot half apron for one of my sister's. The waste band has that point in the center of it.
Now all you long waisted gals would look great with the point going in an upward direction, but my short waist feels happier folding it downwards. Either way, I think it is very attractive.

The fabric used for the pocket and the waistband and tie came out of my mom's fabric stash.My guess is from one of the 70's sewing projects she was working on back then. I really like the delicate little orange flower patterns and rows. Now the orange and white polka dots material is a newer fabric, from my stash. Trying to use up what I already have makes me feel good, too!

Ric rac and yellow biased tape was a simple and effective trim. This apron is meant to be pretty and functional both. I mean, I want my sister to use it! It has a good sized front that will cover you up and a large pocket for what ever you may need to stash in there! I love pockets.
This was another fun apron to make and I think I have an idea for my next apron sewing project. Hee hee, I can't wait!!

Do you like aprons? Do you collect them, or use them?
Do you have a family heirloom? Do you make them or buy them?

I hope that you are all doing super great. I know that being thankful in all things is such a good thing to remember every day. So what ever is going on in your life, just remember that God is on your side. Just give Him your problems and know that He is victorious.

Blessings,
Little Susie Home Maker

Matthew 11:28 - 30 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.  

Baby bird, Pyrex, Vintage Pepsi Machine

Do you ever get an over whelming urge to go thrifting? We were driving to town to my momma's house when I had this really bad urge to just stop at Goodwill and see what was thrift worthy!!

I found this really cute Vintage Pyrex 1.5 Qt divided Cinderella Oval Casserole in the Barbed Wire pattern. It was a 1958 Pyrex Fall Promotional pattern. This is such a great  dish! I have been using it a lot!

Then I bought this set of Pyrex green clear bottom mixing bowls that are in really good shape and I love green!! They are just the same style, but different color as another set I received as a wedding gift 20 years ago. 

So the thrifting was definitely worth the urge!! Haha!!  

 

So how many of you have an old Pepsi vending machine in the driveway? This is the one at my parents house. It looked so pretty with all the flowers by it, I just had to take a picture to share with you all. Yes, it does work and my dad kept it stocked for a long time. Kids and grown ups alike always get a big bang out of getting pop out of it!!!

And here is a picture of me enjoying my Pepsi!

Yes, that is me.. uhh.. I mean Cindy Crawford enjoying a Pepsi!!! Haha!!!

This is my little buddy I have been enjoying all week. He is a little Black Bird. His mom and dad kicked him out of the nest as he was getting big. He needs to learn to fly and still grow in some more feathers! His parents guard and bring him food. He hops over to this water dish I have out for my chickens and the wild birds in the yard. He likes to sit in the rock in the middle. Isn't he cute?? The chickens just treat him like a little baby and don't bother him.

I am so busy, busy, busy!! But I want you to know that we are personally safe from the Colorado wild fires, but so many people have been going through disaster. Thank you for all your prayers and kind thoughts. We need rain in Colorado. So many fires burning it is so sad. Too much loss. Stand strong in your faith in God and be thankful for all His blessings!

Smile and be happy today!!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker