Sewing with Dottie

You all may or may not know that I sew quite a bit. It makes my heart happy to create fun little prairie aprons, totes, blankets and all kinds of other goodies. I truly needed someone to model all these lovely little creations. But not just any someone, that just right someone. 

One day while I was out hunting treasures I came across Dottie at a yard sale. She was just right! She has a lovely worn look and is the perfect sewing sidekick for me. So now Dottie and I sew together (I do the sewing, she does the modeling). Dottie also loves dressing up for holidays. 

(by the way her full name is Dottie Dressform)

Here's a photo of Dottie all dressed up for Christmas.
She's wearing a vintage waitress uniform with a Christmas hankie topped by a holiday corsage. And since every good waitress needs an apron with a pocket I let her borrow one of mine. 

Wishing you a happy new year with many treasures along the way!

Tina

Grammy's Applesauce Recipe

Early Autumn has arrived in my neck of the woods. 

Cold mornings, lovely afternoons and crisp evenings.

At my house that means it's apple season. Visions of homemade apple pie, dumplings (with a double recipe of cinnamon syrup), apple cake and applesauce, just to name a few. 

That means it's time for me to cook up batch of homemade applesauce.

I always use my Grammy's recipe. She canned enough applesauce each Fall to last her a year because she didn't like store bought. And you know she was right. Homemade applesauce is so much more flavorful. If you'd like to try making applesauce you'll find her recipe below.  I don't can it like she did, I vacuum seal it in bags and store it in the freezer.

Grammy's Homemade Applesauce

(unsweetened applesauce)

28 cups of flavorful apples (peeled, cored and sliced)

(use sweet apples with lots of flavor like graven steins)

3-1/2 cups of apple juice

1-1/2 cups of water

Put all ingredients in a large pot, bring to a boil and simmer until apples are soft.

Mash with a potato masher for chunky applesauce or puree with a stick blender for smoother texture. 

Simmer for an additional 15 minutes. 

Let cool, and either vacuum seal or put in freezer containers. Store in the freezer. 

I always fill one mason jar and pop in the refrigerator to eat right away. 

Happy Autumn!

Tina

Inspiration can strike at any time

  I was taking pictures of some spoons to list in my shop. 

I added roses as an accent in the pictures.  

While I was standing there I thought they look so lovely together that 
I wanted to keep them that way. 

So . . . I took a few of the spoons and wired them together with the roses, 
added some vintage lace and a handmade tag. 


The tag can be used for an inspirational word, a name, 
you could even use them at each guest's place at a tea party 
or wedding and use the tag as a place card. 

Hmm, maybe I should make more of these . . .

Sunshine and dry weather, finally!!

After all the snow, rain and flooding blue skies are a very welcome sight. 

The Carson river reached major flood stage for the 2nd time this winter. We are fortunate to live in an area that was not affected. But there were road closures due to water on the roads/bridges and mudslides to the south of us. Many of the storm drains in town were full and bubbling water out into the streets. 

Thank goodness that's over and the sun is shining so everything can dry out. There may be more storms coming but for now there is Sunshine, blue skies and dry weather (happy dance)!

Sun on the Sierras

Blue skies, woohoo!

Wishing you a wonderful day!

All the best,

Tina

Farmhouse Style Repurposed Decorating Idea: Vintage Muffin Tin Display

Are you looking for a farmhouse decorating idea using vintage items?

This charming display works well in rustic, farmhouse and cottage decor. 

It's quick, easy and will add a unique touch to your home!

Start with a vintage muffin pan making sure that it is steel or iron not aluminum.This project won't work with aluminum since it is not magnetic.

One with an aged patina will give your project vintage character.

You'll need vintage milk bottle caps (both cardboard and plastic will work).

One for each cup and as many strong round magnets. 

If you are not using peel and stick magnets you will also need a hot glue gun.

Attach a magnet to the back of each bottle cap.

 Put one Milk Cap Magnet in each cup and you're done with your shadow box!

Add a hanger to use as wall art or prop it up against a wall, inside a cabinet or shelf. 

 Display either vertically or horizontally, which ever works better for your space.

 And later on if you want a change:

Remove the bottle caps and use as refrigerator magnets. 

Your muffin pan will be undamaged and ready to use for something else.  

Visit my shop to see the muffin tin, milk bottle cap magnets and other goodies.

My Winter Garden Landscape

I'm sipping a glass of sherry while admiring the Winter landscape and dreaming of sunny weather. The garden looks frosty and lovely while it sleeps beneath it's light blanketing of snow. 

A plant stand waits for Summer greenery. 

The fish hibernate in the pond while the vegetable garden behind it sleeps under a blanket of snow.

A lonely chair sits vacant under the tree.

Hello Autumn (posted on November 2, 2016)

Autumn has arrived and with it all the things that make it one of my favorite seasons. 

The leaves have turned brilliant hues of red, orange and gold and are now falling from the trees creating a colorful carpet. The sun is shining, the air is crisp and slightly chilled. 

The kitchen is scented with apples and cinnamon. There are several bags of apples waiting to be made into delicious treats. I've made apple pie, apple dumplings and apple squares. Soon I'll be making homemade apple sauce. 

This weekend hubby will be raking leaves while our dog runs happily thru the freshly raked piles. There will be homemade soup simmering on the stove while desert is baking in the oven. It will be something with apples of course! 

Soon I'll be thinking of the holidays, but for now I just want to enjoy this most lovely of seasons. 

Christmas Cards

Getting my Christmas cards ready and mailed this week!

Here are a few fun vintage Christmas cards for you to enjoy.

Merry Christmas!!

Free Pattern - Fabric Flowers to Make from Scraps

Vintage Pattern Marketplace: Free Pattern - Fabric Flowers to Make from Scraps: Easy to Make Fabric Flowers Fabric flowers have long been used to decorate hats and bags or for boutonnieres for the tuxedo lapel. ...

Grain Sack Apron Tutorial from Sew Country Chick

Shared from "Sew Country Chick" http://www.sewcountrychick.com

 Sew Country Chick - Free Pattern - Remember Provence Apron Tutorial

This fun apron is just right for all of us who love farm girl style!

The Perfect Valentines Day Gift

Instead of carving "Suzie + Billy" into a tree put it on a pillow!

It's kinder to the tree and you can take a pillow with you when you move.

These fun pillows also make a charming Valentine that you can use all year long.

Find your personalized sweetheart pillow here:

Cherry Prairie 

Linking with:

Cedar Hill Farmhouse

DIY Christmas Crackers for Kids - Handmade Christmas Poppers

 These would be fun for Christmas and New Year's Eve too!

Vintage Pattern Marketplace: DIY Christmas Crackers for Kids - Handmade Christm...: Christmas Crackers Green Lifestyle, an environmentally focused publication from Australia show us how to make our DIY Christmas a lit...

Tutorial: Make a Hankie Gift Pouch / Card Holder

 Making an envelope out of a hankie is quick and easy and doesn't require any sewing.

You'll need a hankie and a decorative pin.

 

Lay your hankie out flat

Then fold it in half 

and in half again

Your hankie should now be folded in quarters.

Turn it so the open edges are at the top.

There will be four layers.

Take the top 3 layers and fold them down as shown below.

Iron your hankie to press to folds in place.

Leaving the back layer in place, 

take the next two layers and tuck them under the front layer.

Pull the front layer back up to cover the two layers you tucked under it. 

You have now formed a pocket.

 Take your decorative pin and pin thru everything except the single back layer.

This will keep your pouch from coming apart.

These are so cute and really make a unique holder for a small gift or a card!

I added a vintage Christmas card to mine,

These make a lovely gift with a a sachet, a pair of vintage gloves 

or any other small item tucked inside. 

The best part is that all you have to do is take out the pin and unfold the hankie...

and you have a vintage hankie to use and a pin to wear!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I'm sure you can find many ways to use these fun hankie pouches.

.

Cherry Prairie Craft Class

I'll be hosting a Christmas craft class in Carson City, NV on December 6th.

Here's a sample of the fun project we will be making using greeting cards and ribbon spools!

 

   

 The class fee includes the materials to make one ribbon spool decoration.

Fee is $20 per person.

  And here's a peek at some of my handmade Christmas goodies 

that will be available for purchase at the class.
They are also available for purchase online in my etsy shop

 

Join the fun! 

Create, shop and enjoy some yummy cookies!

If you are in the Reno, Carson area and would like more information 

or to sign up for the class please contact me.
 

White Christmas Shadow Box Wall Art

I've started making these lovely shadow boxes for my shop. 

They are quite a bit of work as I have to make the box first but they really are worth the extra effort.

I love the little feather tree in this one!

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday!!

Linking with:
Savvy Southern Style Wow us Wednesdays

Free Gift Wrap During the Holiday Season!

I like to give my Cherry Prairie customers a little surprise by wrapping up their orders
like presents during the holiday season. 

After all, doesn't everyone want a pretty package to unwrap?

Decorated Matchbox Button Box Tutorial

Decorated matchboxes are perfect for storing vintage buttons.

Scan a vintage button card and print it, or, use the image provided below.

Cut a piece of scrap book paper to cover the entire matchbox cover.
Apply modge podge to the back of scrap book paper and apply to the cover, wrapping it around to cover the front, sides and bottom of the matchbox cover.

Cut the button card image to fit the front of the matchbox cover..  

Apply modge podge to the back of image and affix to the front of the matchbox cover.

Coat entire cover with modge podge to seal and protect the box. Stand on one of the open ends and let dry.

When completely dry you can add embellishments like, lace, ribbon, or buttons.

 

 

Button card image

Linking with Shabby Art Boutique

Free Little Miss Stuffed Doll Pattern from Vintage Pattern Marketplace

This sweet vintage dolly is here just in time for you to stitch her up and give her as a Christmas gift!

At 18" tall she would be adorable sitting under your Christmas tree. Especially if you were creating a vintage toy land theme. You could even make her suspender skirt out of felt with a tiny holiday applique on the front!

 Click here for the free pattern from Vintage Pattern Marketplace

A Collection of Goodies for Your Laundry Room

"Whether you hang your clothes on the line or use a dryer, you're sure to want a few of these laundry supplies or vintage items to brighten your laundry room and make laundry day less of a chore."

Laundry Day

  Curated By: CherryPrairie

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Photography