Winter 2012

This winter finds us in Texas working. It seems strange to not be around a Christmas tree lot but I am not unhappy about this. Although I do miss the Christmas tree lot. The aroma was amazing! The children and grown children were so much fun to watch as the delight of looking for the special tree would light their faces with joy. I had mixed feelings running a Christmas tree lot as I do not believe in killing trees.  It also feels strange to not be in Arizona. As that has been our winter home for seven years. Although part of last winter was spent here in Texas. I had hoped to share Christmas with family this year but that is not to be. The job we are at should be available the whole time we are down here this year. So we are choosing to remain here so we can have a steady job this winter. It will be a very long winter as we work 24 hour a day 7 days a week. We work split shifts of 12 hours each. I work days and David works nights. It is not an easy job as some may think. We will be working for about 7 months maybe more straight. No days off. But on the bright side we should have about five months of time off. I have been able to read my bible steadily and grow in my relationship with God. This I am very thankful for. I am not sure what the future of BeFRuiTFuL KReaTioNS looks like at this time. Right now I am selling my patterns. Just wanted to update those of you who are wondering what is going on in my life.

Life Happens

It has been a long time since I posted anything at all. 

We were able to spend the summer at our Colorado Fawn Hallow Ranch. We had so much fun. 

We took a much needed plunge and purchased our new fifth wheel. 

Spent the summer playing in Colorado with family and friends.

My parents are in the middle. They both seem to love going out for a ride on their ATV.

My sister Lynda and Evert. David and I. 

Had a great time watching my niece Julie marry her sweet heart Paul.

Attended the awesome 50th Wedding Anniversary Party of Steve and Diane Laurita. What an awesome dinner and much fun seeing all the family.

Did and Little prospecting. My Dad and David looking for that elusive gold. 

Now we are back in Texas working so we can  pay for that new fifth wheel. 

Our New Fifth Wheel Trailer

We are getting our Aljo all ready to trade in for the Big Country fifth wheel we are purchasing. We go to get our new fifth wheel on Monday. So excited to be more comfortable. We will have a lot more room in the new fifth wheel. Should not be tripping over each other in the new rig. We chose a fifth wheel that does not have an island as this opens up the room. Plus we will be able to get to the frig when the slide rooms are in. Will each have a recliner. The kitchen is huge in comparison to the one we have now. We have been wanting to take this step for several years now. Will share photos when we get the new rig set up.

After we are all set up in our new fifth wheel I hope to get to making the patterns I have promised to make. Halloween is just around the corner and these patterns are for Halloween or all year if that is your choice of decor.

Fifth Wheel Trailer

We have been looking at purchasing a new fifth wheel trailer. 

We really like the Big Country by heartland.

Model # 3250 TS

Have been working with dealers to get the best quote. This process has been time consuming and just a bit scary. 

It has been a long time since we had a mortgage type of a payment.

Say a prayer for guidance for us in this decision. 

It is time to get into something more comfortable.  

With our life style this is a must.

Good to be back Home

It is so good to be back in Colorado. 

It is so quiet. For almost four months we have heard bells from our gate keeping job 24 hours a day. So believe me we are noticing the quiet. Not to mention no vehicle sounds either.

David put the sun flower seed bird feeder up yesterday. Now it is a waiting game to see how long it takes for them to find it. There are no squirrels around yet either.  Will get the humming bird feeder up today. 

We are in unwind mode and really enjoying being here!! Was wonderful to give my Parents a hug, my sister Lynda and her hubby too. All of us live in the same area near Westcliffe Co. 

I hope to get some time in to work on the patterns I have been promising. It appears play time is taking precedence at this moment. Believe me after working for almost 4 months straight at a 24 hour a day job we are in need of some play down time. 

Until next time May God bless you!!!!

Getting Back to the Roots

Getting back to the roots of who I am.

 I am reading through the bible again this year. Being a Christian is at the root of who I am. Even the name of my business is based after this bible verse. 

Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. 

Many years ago when my children were young I led a weekly girls christian group. We always did an art project of some kind. I tried to come up with things that could be used. Tie die beaded tee shirts. Spider pins are the ones that come to mind right now. I would like to incorporate this more into some of the things I make. As I looked through my blog photos I found that I have stayed true to a usable artwork theme often already it seems. As I looked through my blog photos I found many things that could be used.

My Rug hooked Cat Purse is one of these things.

 My Kleenex Box Cover Dolls

My Snowman Candy Holder I also have a Rug Hooked version

Large Witch Cauldron

 So look for some more things that you will be able to use in your everyday life.

 That is when I finally get some time to work on artwork. This , due to my job,  sabbatical from artwork is actually a blessing as it is making me think about what I really want to do over these next phases of BeFRuiTFuL KReaTioNS artwork. It is also making me ponder who I am now and the directions I want to take in my personal life. 

My feet had been peeling for several years. I finally decided to search what I could find out about natural remedies online. I found out that this peeling can be caused from a fungus on the feet. One of the remedies said to rub tea tree oil on your feet. I happened to have some of this so I gave it a try. I rubbed it on right before going to bed. First night I put it on and crawled into bed David said, "what is that awful smell". True it does not smell very good but my feet are so much better after rubbing this on for three nights in a row and waiting for about a week. Why a week mainly because I forgot to use it. My feet look so much better. So keep this in mind if you too have peeling feet. Make sure you are not allergic to it by doing a patch test first. 

We hope to be working one more month and maybe a bit longer down here in Texas. But what I am looking forward to is being back in Colorado. We were only able to spend a couple of months there over the last year. Looking forward to watching the little fawns grow. Feeding the birds. Watching the many squirrel that make our property their home. Sharing time with my parents, our grown kids, extended family and friends. Attending my nieces wedding. Finishing a few patterns that I have been promising to people. I hope to bind my BHR rug this summer. I kind of have rugger's block when it comes to binding and I spent so many hours hooking this rug, I do not want to mess this up. I was also waiting as I didn't know whether I wanted this to be a wall rug or a floor rug. I also hope to just get some time to do some artwork.

Rambling Thoughts

It has been a pretty long time since I have made something to sell. 

Not even sure where to begin again. 

Do I try the market on Ebay, Etsy?

Join an on line market?

Submit something to Prims or another magazine?

Do I contact my old customer base of emails? Yes

It is a daunting market and truly wonder whether it is worth starting all over again.

Plus I still will sometimes have time to do this and other times no time at all. 

Thus can I keep myself in view and in mind of potential buyers?

Do I focus on one medium? No I can't do this as I love variety and none of the mediums I work with are more interesting to me then others. I love making dolls as much as I love rug hooking.  

I have thought about just making things for myself, family and friends.

I do love to make and create art. Love playing with new mediums and growing in the arts. 

I do love to share what I create with others and it also keeps me motivated to create.

Having said all of this I am about finished with two Witches Boots. Hope to assemble them today. I have been writing the pattern for one of these boots. Not sure where I will try to sell these. 

Maybe on my own website or my blog. 

Eggless Eggnog Recipe

Around this time I start missing eggnog in my coffee.

The below recipe helps me to get by until eggnog hits the shelves again in the fall.

1/3 can sweetened condensed milk

Tbl of honey (optional as you can increase the sweetened condensed milk)

1 - 3 oz. package french vanilla instant pudding

milk 5 cups (you might need to play with the amount of milk start with 4 cups and add more as needed)

vanilla

nutmeg

cinnamon

rum flavoring

mix pudding and dry seasonings together 

mix in 2 cup milk and the sweetened condensed milk whisk for 2 minutes

allow to sit for 5 minutes

Mix in 3 cups milk, vanilla and rum flavorings

chill