Perks Living the Rural Life

Hi again.

People tell me I have it rough. I live out here in the sticks of Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee 30 minutes from anywhere (depends on who's driving). I've lived here since 1995 and wouldn't live in the city again unless I had no choice.

We use wood for heat. We grow, harvest, hunt, and fish our own food. We cultivate our own herbs for my skin care business. We cook our own meals. And, we are lucky to have privacy. Because, privacy would be the hardest thing to give up.

I'm blogging about rural living today, because I have something really cool to show you.

This breed of chicken is called Buff Orpington. They have real big legs - can you see? My husband has been trying to raise them naturally to a bigger brood of hens. We started with one, she hatched a few and lost her life to a racoon while her chicks were still bidees. A few made it, and now, two years later, we are up to 12 hens. It is a tough life for a baby chick. She or he may get stepped on by another hen, picked up and shook, drown in a puddle...so many things can happen to quickly end the life of a chick. Now, when they become grown, they are extremely tough animals.

These birds are known for laying in the winter. We are getting 4 to 8 eggs a day right now, and they are absolutely delicious. Something you can't taste from a grocery store unless they get their eggs locally.

And, aren't they beautiful. George (husband) just brought them in this evening, washed them and shows me. "Oh, let me take a picture", I tell him, "I'll blog about this tomorrow". I could tell that made him feel proud! And, of course, that makes me feel good. And, then, you know...one thing leads to another...♥

And, anyway, what do you think of that egg in the middle? Isn't it huge?

Also, we have one white hen! We are not sure where it came from, but we think it lays the greenish eggs. They are a bit more watery than the brown ones.

I know I usually do not blog two days in a row, but I had something to talk about today. I hope you enjoy it, too.

Thank, as always. Kathleen

Crocheted Tunic Update #3

Good day, surfers.

It is a cold morning here, in northeast Tennessee. 12 degrees farenheit began my morning; but the sun is popping out this morning to dispel any thoughts of bad weather. I do hear, however, we may be getting a snow storm tonight! Oh dear! This is the time of year I'm over the snow and ready for the warm weather spring will bring.

I have finished the front of my tunic and getting ready to start the back piece today. I took pics of the front piece taped to the dress form in the pics.

The part I'm not crazy about is the sweetheart part of the neckline. It gives the effect I want, but the stitching part could be improved upon, I dare say!

I am double crocheting a big part of this mostly for speed. The single crochet rows are for effect (like at the waist) and coverage (at the bra line). I don't want to have to wear an undershirt under this piece.

I like it pretty much. It is definitely a winter tunic. It will be heavier than what I would want to wear in the summer. But, it might suffice on a chilly spring or fall day, too. It sure is following the contour of my favorite tee shirt:

What do you think?

The next step is the back piece to match the front piece. Then, I will sew the sides and crochet sleeves right into the garment. At that point, I will show you update number 4 - the sewn piece getting ready for the sleeves.

Thanks for being interested. It is a very soft piece of fabric. I think it will make a great tunic piece. You, my readers, are motivating me to finish this potential lovliness. I am excited about that.

Kathleen

Site Information, Updates and Upgrades!!

Good Day, WebFriends:

First, I would like to say that I have been accepted into a group that is based at http://www.etsy.com. This group calls themselves EGCG or Etsy Green and Clean Guild, in which they claim honesty and integrity in the label process and claims made. Cool!

This group has recently put a group page up on Facebook and would like to extend an invitation to all that would like to join their Facebook group. The URL address is http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=66345565305&ref=mf. Come on by.

Oh, my Facebook page, by the way, is two-fold. I have a personal page at
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=66345565305&ref=mf

and a business page at
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=66345565305&ref=mf

Come on by and be my friend, fan, or graffiti my wall! Lol

There are also a couple of site that have written of my shampoo bars, if you would like to look at them.

http://stonl.inspirehandmade.org/?p=14 This is a research undertaken by an individual who contacted all the shampoo bar making companies, requested or bought samples, and critiqued them on her site. When I'm down, even slightly, I can read this blurb and feel pretty good again. :)

https://www.everydayminerals.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=102&func=search This site you may have to request sweet creek herbs in the SEARCH section. This is what I have to do, anyway. The customer, Jen72, has, become quite a valuable customer to me. I am very thankful for her testimony.

I hesitate to give them up, because they both mention competitors. But, gosh, I would think by now you know I have competitors. I still think I make a great bar of soap and shampoo, but I have to think others do, too. :)

To help myself in that department, I have lowered all my shipping costs. I am going to primarily use first class where under 10 or so ounce, and flat rate for the rest. This is going to save everyone money, including me whenever I got caught short (which is too many times!!).

My crocheted tunic is going a little slower than I would like. I do have the front done except for the single crochet row up the two sides of the front piece.

When that is done and pictures are snapped and edited, I will post a continuation for the Jaeger Roma tunic I am doing. I think it will make a nice winter tunic for someone who is hot flashing a few times everyday!!

I have some other fun pages I am putting together, too. I will post them for you when they are up to snuff.

I thank you all. Yours, Kathleen

Crochet Project (Tunic) Update

Good day, fellow webbers:)

I've not been avoiding you all. I live in northeast Tennessee, and school has been out all week with the weather. With the family here instead of out where they belong my seven hours a day, I find myself backed up somewhat. I've managed to twitter a bit, make a couple of soaps, and list a few new items in both shops.

I've turned my Artfire shop into my crochet world. These crochet items were listed on etsy (and some still are - work in progress), but I like them in their own store, and I like the soaps in their own store. Whether they sell or not?........But, I will change them up even if they don't.

The worse thing is I've not had time to crochet. I have the first side of my tunic just about done, but this is my first day alone again (boy went with man to work!!). I may have some time today. I am posting what I've got done. But, I hope to dwell on it a bit more the next time, too.

One thing is bothering me. I've downloaded java software in order to print international shipping labels, and I still get nothing. I would be much more hip on shipping international if it was as easy as shipping domestic!! It's quite disappointing. I guess my next move would be to go to java website and ask them why.

I'm going to make some soaps tomorrow, continue labeling soaps in their new labels, and manage to crochet a few rows. If so, Sunday, I'll be back with a crochet update.

Thanks for following me.♥ And, thanks to you others who read me.

Sincerely, kathleen

Farm Expo 2009

Hi folks:

I usually hibernate in the winter. I do so many shows during the season (April through December) and the farmer's markets three times a week during the same season.

January through the first of April is my downtime, but I did a show this month called the Farm Expo 2009.

This is a picture of most of my four foot table. I participated along with the Kingsport Farmer's Market of Tennessee. I was glad to get all of 4 foot, really - there were 6 vendors there, including myself.

But, fortunately, everyone got 4' of space, and so that was a good thing.

Friday was a long day as the hours ran into 9 pm. Saturday was even longer as the sales were pretty low. But, Sunday made me glad I participated.

I saw a lot of folks I see during the selling season. I'm not saying that was a good thing, though some I was glad to see.

But, I am glad it is over, and now my time of hibernation is here. This doesn't mean a vacation, it just means more time on the Internet.

The next day or two will see me post my second blog on the tunic I am crocheting. It is coming along quite nicely. I have the front nearly finished. I will have pics and comments for you then.

I hope everyone is doing well. Thanks for stopping by...Kathleen

New Etsy Finds!

I’m feeling the need to change out my latest etsy finds. I went on a “red” and “pounce” hunt and found all sorts of little known treasures.

1. BeesKneesBoutique (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6034994) with the cutest love bug to personalize. I can see this on a computer desk as one of those distracting moments that might make one smile.

2. imaginationjewel (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6462870) with gorgeous ruby red and silver clip-on earrings. For clip ons, these are super! Very elegant, too.

3. luckybead (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6833861) with a red dyed Turquoise Stone – what a beautiful stark red! I crochet jewelry, and I think this would make a great pendant.

4. TammysTrifles (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6737035) with a Cardinal Bracelet in lovely hues of red. This would look stunning with a red or black or white dress! And,

5. KimsKnickKnacks (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6743478) with eye-grabbing red heart buttons – I can see these on several crochet projects.

These lovely and gentle shops would love to have you come by and see what they offer. They were all super kind and very responsive to my convos.

I’m working every spare minute (and I am lucky to get minutes at a time) on my latest project, my crochet tunic in Jaeger Roma. Tomorrow or the next day, I will report on my latest progress.

Thanks, guys....Kathleen

New Project

Hi!

Today finds me beginning a new project I have been thinking on for two years.

I am going to crochet a tee shirt tunic for myself. I do very little crochet for myself - much for friends, and much more to sell, but little for me. It is almost like I am waiting for that perfect yarn to work on that perfect pattern that just never comes.

Well, I have heard that if you take a favorite garment, and crochet (or knit) to the shape of that garment, you will have made the "perfect" garment for you.

And, what is the "perfect" yarn? My definition would be yarn that is kind to the skin that does not cost a fortune.

I mentioned I have been thinking about this project two years. I have accumulated some yarn in that time, bamboo mostly, that was on sale here and there. But, I have found a yarn that excites me to work with and that I think will make a great tunic.

I went to http://www.smileysyarns.com where I found some Jaeger Roma in only three colors but on sale for $1.99!!

Yes, you see I bought 10 skeins. This yarn is often seen between $8 and $10. It is a soft and drapey blend of viscose, nylon and angora. The color above is a bit softer than what the pic portrays, and it matches my Bamboo Eco Luxe clothes from Spiegel. I have the dress, and this tunic would look great over the dress (my opinion).

And, I have a favorite tee shirt.

This morning, I popped it onto my dress form. And, I began my project.I am starting with the front. It measures 20 1/2 inches across for a slight flare at the bottom of the tunic. I will shape it to about 16 inches across by the time I reach my waist area. I will work this out, and I will post the pattern when finished.

I am doing this one in double crochet. I would like to do one in single crochet, but I am looking to motivate not discourage in my first attempt. Single crochet would take a while for me (but I love the fabric it creates). And, I am using a J hook.

If you would like to check out some yarn that you enjoy using but can rarely afford, check out smileys. I am pleased with their product and service. I also order from knitpicks (www.knitpicks.com). They have nice prices at free shipping over $50. And, Smiley's does have a minimum order of $50. (But, that is NOT hard for me...I don't buy much else.)

Of course, I will keep you posted on my progress. And, thanks for being interested.

Yours, Kathleen