tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1910383795983084402024-03-14T01:33:06.402-07:00Homestead ChatterWelcome from the four sisters of the Homestead Store, Brainstorms Extraordinaire, Brainstorms Publishing, plus several others. We specialize in hand crafted gift and clothing items, stories of homesteading in Alaska and random bits of fun. Drop in for a visit at homesteadline.com.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-20095815305362447432013-03-10T07:41:00.001-07:002013-03-10T07:41:50.348-07:00Spring 2013Here we are in March of 2013 already, daylight savings time started this morning and amazingly we remembered to change all of the clocks that are not smart enough to change themselves!<br />
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The sun is shining but it is not very warm out yet. According to the 'weather channel' it is to be in the 50's today and working its way toward 60 by weeks end.<br />
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My husband and I were over at our old house yesterday putting up some lattice(there in lies a bit of a tale) around the back deck and I observed that lots of bulbs were up in the flower beds there. I wanted to dig up the rhubarb plant but even though I can see it starting to grow the darn ground is too hard to dig just yet. It is so good to see nature coming to life. We have yet to plant anything outdoors at our new house but oh we have plans, just not totally sure what they are yet. LOL<br />
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Lattice tale: We went to the lumber yard and purchased 4 sheets of vinyl lattice (we had wanted wooden but all they had was the vinyl and of course we HAD to get it done now!) and had them cut it to the sizes we needed. Put it all in the back of the truck and off we go. Arrive at house, unload and take it up on the back deck - yes this is a split level house and the back deck is on the upper level. Bring along fastening devices (nails and hammer - will go back and add screws later) Push lattice out thru deck walls (framed only at this point) and hold against railings and hope wind does not blow both it and us away. Get the tops nailed in and then the blasted wind is flapping the stuff around like a plastic bag skittering down the street! So hubby goes down and gets on ladder to secure the bottom edges. We did it and it actually look very nice. The wind here can certainly make what might seem a simple project much harder and more interesting.<br />
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I must get up to my craft/sewing/embroidery rooms here soon, lots to do, but right now I am thinking a 2nd cup of tea and some breakfast to get the creative juices flowing!!!<br />
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Have a wonderful day everyone! Happy Spring.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-58777024554711885992013-02-21T15:58:00.001-08:002013-02-21T15:58:11.445-08:00Okay, okay!Not the first time we've been out of the loop, ANY loop. But we are creating again and going to start off with something special this May.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-55746552932068789172010-07-21T11:42:00.000-07:002010-07-21T11:48:32.488-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/TEc_6Ci_1oI/AAAAAAAAAEA/fkL1Mt9aLxc/s1600/100_0187.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496432136577603202" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/TEc_6Ci_1oI/AAAAAAAAAEA/fkL1Mt9aLxc/s320/100_0187.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hi everyone! Our Mom had hip replacement surgery recently and is now recovering in a</div><div>re-hab place. I made this bag for her to put on </div><div>her walker so she'll have a place for her stuff!</div><div>She loves it. Mom is doing very well and pro-</div><div>gressing each day on her quest to get herself</div><div>walking again without help very soon.</div><div>My husband and I are enjoying Alaska, even</div><div>when it rains (which is often) and especially</div><div>when the sun shines as it is today. I keep busy with new embroidery and sewing/crafting projects while Lynn keeps busy with his work.</div><div>See our site <a href="http://www.only1co.com/">www.only1co.com</a> and check out the photo albums to see what we've been up to.</div><div>Hope you are all having a wonderful summer. Take care, Nancy</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-10439588738659129732010-07-12T19:23:00.000-07:002010-07-12T19:30:24.442-07:00Marlene Finsen bags<span style="color:#000099;">This is the latest creation from my part of the </span><span style="color:#000099;">Marlene Finsen design team!! This was a fun </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">bag to put together. Marlene's hope is that she </span><span style="color:#000099;">will come up with various unique bags and that</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">one of them will be just the ticket for you!! </span><span style="color:#000099;">This bag features a log cabin motif, it is lined,</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">and</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/TDvOkyiscGI/AAAAAAAAAD4/qzQ6HKKHCx0/s1600/quilt+purse+and+cosmetic+bag.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493211301946355810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/TDvOkyiscGI/AAAAAAAAAD4/qzQ6HKKHCx0/s320/quilt+purse+and+cosmetic+bag.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#000099;">comes with a matching cosmetic bag.</span><br /><br />Visit <a href="http://www.only1co.com/">www.only1co.com</a> for more unique items.<br />Only One Company does lots of embroidery and also comes up with some pretty cool items, and the best part is that they are all one of a kind, unless of course, you need more than one!!<br />Thanks for visiting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-16536125832263247312010-06-12T12:11:00.000-07:002010-06-12T12:18:23.469-07:00New embroidery projects......<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/TBPcsDjTquI/AAAAAAAAADQ/h60bSiUV-Dg/s1600/lighthouse+scene.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481967820865776354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/TBPcsDjTquI/AAAAAAAAADQ/h60bSiUV-Dg/s320/lighthouse+scene.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">This is my latest project, it is now framed in two prints and hanging in our master bath... well the room needed some decor and my husband really likes it, so there you have it. He has suggested a quilt with all the Pacific NW lighthouses on it...hmmmm a great idea he has and I shall have to work on that. This lighthouse is Eldred Rock which is situated in the Lynn canal near where our homestead was many years ago. My sisters and I have wonderful memories of this lighthouse and its occupants during the time we were nearby. I remember one thing that always intrigued us was their huge (seemed that way to su anyhow) pantry that seemed more like a whole store to us!! Ah the memories....................</span></em><br /><div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-65332540687603675162010-05-20T09:17:00.000-07:002010-05-20T09:27:52.435-07:00Back to my roots - so to speak!!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/S_VhsxdzSkI/AAAAAAAAADI/F5b_RrklvhQ/s1600/plant+by+our+house+May+2010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473388343959177794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/S_VhsxdzSkI/AAAAAAAAADI/F5b_RrklvhQ/s320/plant+by+our+house+May+2010.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="font-family:georgia;">I don't know what this flower is, just that it is very pretty and is blooming right outside our house in Kodiak! I have been here now for 20 days and am so glad to be reunited with my husband. Kodiak is beautiful even when it's raining as is it is today. So far have not seen any bears or moose, however, have seen many majestic bald eagles soaring on high. </span></em><br /><em>We are getting our house put together slowly (what a job!) and I have found my sewing room and most of it's pieces! So look out world Only One Company is just about back in business. Now if I could just reach the box of thread and stabilizer................. LOL. Have been applying for jobs here, but so far nothing has come to fruition, well as a lovely lady I know always says "everything happens for a reason"...so I'll just wait and see. We have planted some flowers in hanging baskets and have a bunch of seed started inside in hopes of growing more things. This too is a wait and see operation. More later I must get busy with something! Nancy</em>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-81791563683673265232010-04-19T06:16:00.000-07:002010-04-19T06:21:04.093-07:00Moving<em>This week is moving week. The movers will be here today (April 19th, 2010) to take the items we are putting in storage here in Idaho. Then the next 3 days will be spent packing up the rest of our household goods for shipment to Kodiak, Alaska! It has been quite a job deciding what goes, what stays, and what just goes away to either relatives or the dumpster! Good thing about moving is that it does force one to go through their things and make decisions as to whether we really even need them or not.</em><br /><em>At any rate, I will be glad to have it done by weeks end, and then even more glad to get on the plane on the 30th to go be with Lynn. Our eldest, his wife and our twin grandchildren will be here on the 24th to visit briefly and I am so glad I will get to see them.</em><br /><em>So its back to work for me on last minute stuff before movers arrive.</em>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-76191993626142816132009-11-29T19:17:00.000-08:002009-11-29T19:19:38.277-08:00Boy are we in default!!I'll take the blame [this time!] but truly all of us have been extremely busy. Finding time to update everyone through the blog seems low on the list. I guess we really should do a better job of sharing a thought now and then, letting you know what crazy things we are up to, listing new items we have made or created.<br /><br />I'm not going to make it a New Year's resolution, heaven forbig that would doom it right away, but we will all try to add tidbits now and then!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-46716621778371076182009-05-20T20:34:00.000-07:002009-05-20T20:38:56.190-07:00"In the beginning"I just found that a show my Mom and I taped last fall is available online! Bernie Martin Beck invited us to be her guests on "Journeys 'n' Journals", her program on KBLN Better Life TV. I know Bernie from making bears from her husband Doug's baby blanket.<br /><br />The question now is whether these will link through and play from the blog! If not, please visit Bernie's program at <a href="http://www.betterlifetv.tv/watch_online.php?local_id=5">http://www.betterlifetv.tv/watch_online.php?local_id=5</a><br /><br />J562 "World War 2 Love Story" - Teresa Stelting & Denise Fields<a href="http://www.betterlifetv.tv/media/video/j562.wvx">View Online</a> • <a href="http://www.betterlifetv.tv/media/audio/j562.m3u">Listen Online</a><a href="http://www.betterlifetv.tv/media/video/j562.wmv">Download Video</a> (68.9 Mb)• <a href="http://www.betterlifetv.tv/media/audio/j562.mp3">Download Audio</a> (3.5 Mb)<br /><br />Thanks!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-3728314275562008432009-04-19T07:44:00.000-07:002009-04-19T08:12:08.198-07:00Spring really IS here!No special new projects just now but the days are getting longer, and seems like a bit of sunshine helps spark new ideas and revitalizes the old.<br />Sister Nancy is having her third annual Celebration of Fiber this coming Saturday in Mountain Home, Idaho. This is a project through the Elks, complete with fashion show and lunch. Proceeds go to scholarships for fiber design students at the local high school. We always send some items for display and prizes from the <a href="http://www.homesteadline.com/"><strong>Homestead Store</strong> </a>and new fashions from <a href="http://www.oh-my-gaudy.com/"><strong>Oh My Gaudy</strong>,</a> our one of a kind boutique.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-111354429196012382009-02-14T07:58:00.001-08:002009-02-14T08:08:00.066-08:00Happy Valentines Day!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/SZbrlATIIkI/AAAAAAAAADA/wQGm-XoDtNI/s1600-h/100_1705.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302684632243249730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/SZbrlATIIkI/AAAAAAAAADA/wQGm-XoDtNI/s320/100_1705.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/SZbqTaJTfOI/AAAAAAAAAC4/tsLAnT1qeRg/s1600-h/only1co+logo+towel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302683230432099554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/SZbqTaJTfOI/AAAAAAAAAC4/tsLAnT1qeRg/s320/only1co+logo+towel.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Hope you are all having a great day! Hubby Lynn and I are getting ready to go decorate for a Valentines dinner/dance this evening.</div><br /><div>Our Company 'Only One Company' is growing nicely. The design above right (Thanks Neasie for the cool graphic) I managed to digitize and stitch out a while back. Pretty pleased with the result and hope to put it to good use. As we produce more embroidery for folks, word is spreading and people are coming to us (especially Lynn - he is a wonderful salesman) with requests for more things. I love it!!! I have been working on our web page which at times can be most frustrating but I will persevere and get it eventually. </div><br /><div>We are so very ready for spring planting and tending our yard and gardens. The beautiful lillies above are sitting on our coffee table in the living room, looking heavenly and filling the house with their pretty scent as well. They along with several other blooming bulbs will be gracing a place in our flower gardens later on.</div><div> </div><div>We are also beginning work on plans for our Annual Fiber Celebration and will know later today exactly what date the event will be. More to come on that later.</div><div> </div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-55448719789668978742009-02-13T05:39:00.001-08:002009-02-13T05:49:00.910-08:00Down on the homesteadIt is raining this morning, and I'm almost disappointed. Yesterday's weather made us think we might have a snow day from school! <br />If I could have spent the day home, I could have finished up a couple projects, including doing the taxes. I know, does not sound exciting, but am ready to tackle it and 'git er done' for the year.<br />Of course, I'm in the middle of a huge project at work also and need the time on it. What I really could have used was a day AT work but no kids!! We are in the middle of our annual Battle of the Books, with our school competition next week, the district one the following week [top two teams from both elementary schools face off] and regional the following week. Regional is new for us, and because there was not one last year we offered to host it to get it going. Then the regional winner can attend state. These kids have to answer questions from 16 books that [hopefully] they have read, plus know titles and authors on all of them. I read each book as well.<br />Now how does this relate to the Homestead Store? Doesn't really, except that I have kids in my group that are much like we were as children; good readers, inquisitive, full of energy, embracing new concepts, coming up with crazy ideas.<br />They are both fun and challenging to work with. <br />Best thing you can do for a child is encourage them to read and be a life long learner. [of course, as a parent, there is a lot more to the package, but I mean any child whose life you touch.]Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-36127135401984298672009-01-26T06:46:00.000-08:002009-01-26T06:53:47.716-08:00And the rains come downWell yes it has been raining, but this is western Oregon and I would rather have rain than snow. At least on the road when I have to drive 25 miles to work. So yes it is almost the end of January, my oldest son will be 39 the end of this week. Don't have any idea how that happened. I thought he was just a kid. Well, guess it is all relative, in more than one way. Even though it isn't spring yet, this time of year makes me yearn for spring. We are starting little plants in the greenhouse and planning a spring full of beautiful pots and baskets of flowers. Which will be followed by lots of yummy veggies and altogether lots of work. Neasie and I are working on some new ideas for Oh My Gaudy designs that will fit wow everyone in the new season. And Rhett and I are slowly learning how to use our new (to us) embroidery machine and software. We are slowly getting the hang of this and plan a lot of CRON shirts and hats for this year. Of course I have other plans for beautiful Quilt blocks and embelishments for garments also. My mind is so way ahead of my body on most of this. Am starting to do a little sewing again, as I slowly recover from my health issues. But now, I must get ready for work, so have a great day, and my the snow only fall on the mountains in your world. LinnaLinnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18063291424070549957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-25934999062780859432009-01-25T07:52:00.000-08:002009-01-25T08:08:25.316-08:00And we thought winter was leaving...sigh<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/SXyOL8gx7RI/AAAAAAAAACo/2Uk_6-Gb83I/s1600-h/my+Happy+machine.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295263597754182930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/SXyOL8gx7RI/AAAAAAAAACo/2Uk_6-Gb83I/s320/my+Happy+machine.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><em>Here it is nearly the end of January already...wow time is really flying by. We got 6 inches of snow during the night and it is still coming down. Very pretty outside but I am more than ready for spring!</em></div><br /><div><em>Our new embroidery business is coming along nicely and keeping me busy when I am not at my 'day job'. It is a fun and rewarding business and allows me to let my creativity run rampant which is an important and a necessary part of my life. I can't quite imagine not sewing, crafting, knitting, crocheting and the like....that would just not be fun.</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>So, heres to winning at least a part of the lottery to enable me to spend more time being creative and less time working for someone other than myself!!! </em></div><br /><div><em>Well hey , it sounds good right?</em></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-21100740149710028352009-01-14T18:46:00.000-08:002009-01-14T19:40:48.723-08:00A new yearHere we are beginninga new year, and possibly a lot of new challenges. Personally I have chosen this year to be a year of wellnes, of body, soul and spirit. Starting with body, I have had some health issues taken care of and am now looking forward to a healthier physical year which should help me to achieve more wellness of soul and spirit. So, with that in mind, I shall try to focus on all those small important things that make this life worthwhile. I wake up each day with the opportunity to choose how the day will effect me. This year I choose to be as positive as I can and try to face each day and challenge with grace and confidence. OK there is my resolution. Now the hard part, trying to actually live up to that. Well we all set goals and if we didn't set them, we could never reach them . So that is my bit for now. Talk again later. LinnaLinnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18063291424070549957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-51396283901952979072008-12-29T06:59:00.000-08:002008-12-29T07:06:31.142-08:00Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009<div>Thanks sister Nancy for being more on the ball than I am! At least someone gets things posted now and then.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Where have we been?</span></strong></div><br /><div><br />Good question! Yes, I know, we went off on our annual retreat and that was it. No newsletter, no emails, no stories, nothing. Anyone curious as to why? We each have our reasons, but the bottom line falls to me [Denise] because I put the materials together that each sister sends, and do the web work on the newsletter. So slap me with that wet noodle, because I did not 'git 'er done', obviously!<br /><strong>The good and the bad;</strong> most of this fall I have spent my 'free' time working on bears! Each morning before going to work, each afternoon/evening after work - creating bears packed with memories from the boxes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFQITS8nU0pF5Hy17Ad2BlW2TCW5fNR853dIVhG_50N2QOkW6nhfO2ryxwnHEPXXolx0eQORv24C6-ZRkeuNCqeDQAY6uaPwrtnn88rM7s0xuchw4Y5n71EJALfHmHNqvHLSG_vJ2RB0/s1600-h/Oct08us.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285228036759489522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFQITS8nU0pF5Hy17Ad2BlW2TCW5fNR853dIVhG_50N2QOkW6nhfO2ryxwnHEPXXolx0eQORv24C6-ZRkeuNCqeDQAY6uaPwrtnn88rM7s0xuchw4Y5n71EJALfHmHNqvHLSG_vJ2RB0/s320/Oct08us.JPG" border="0" /></a> of clothing and stories folks sent me. The upside is that my business did well, topping last years, and helped many with their memories in a special way. The downside is .... no newsletter.<br /><strong>Let's hit the high spots:</strong> we had an awesome retreat (see Nan's report) and wish we could win the lottery so we'd have more time to work on our projects without the daily commitment to the 'day' job. Of course, that does require buying tickets, and then the chances are still slim to none!<br /><strong>Veteran's Day:</strong> Thumbs up to all our veterans, and those who serve for us now. We will never forget.<br /><strong>Thanksgiving:</strong> Linda and Rhett trekked over to Eastern Oregon to spend it with Mother Teresa, and Ruth & Jerry. Nancy and George were able to visit while they were there, and had a great time going through boxes of treasures helping Ruth get things into her new house, sewing room, office, etc. Lynn had to work, so couldn't go with them. Clyde & Chrysta came down and spent a restful weekend with us. Yes, I kept working on bears!<br /><strong>Christmas:</strong> We're all getting ready for this special time of year, each in our own way. Snow has hit most of us, and it looks like we'll have a white Christmas for sure. Our biggest Christmas wish is that everyone be safe, whether staying home or traveling.<br /><strong>New Year:</strong> We wish everyone a healthy and prosperous year. We'll try to be consistent again! Oh yes, at our corporate meeting we resolved to continue our production of handcrafted, often one of a kind, definitely unique custom made heirloom quality gifts and useful things for the delectation of any interested parties. Now did that sentence confuse you? Good! Bound to keep you tuned in to see what additional craziness we manage!! </div><div>God Bless you all, and if you want to sign up for the newsletter, send an email to <a href="mailto:newsletter@homesteadline.com">newsletter@homesteadline.com</a>, subject: Sign me up!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-81589917303699711432008-10-25T09:00:00.001-07:002008-10-25T09:06:46.577-07:00October gathering<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/SQNC7CIxMrI/AAAAAAAAACA/oXhkn7ZR4Y8/s1600-h/100_1605.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261122371652235954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/SQNC7CIxMrI/AAAAAAAAACA/oXhkn7ZR4Y8/s320/100_1605.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>Our annual Ocotber retreat/gathering/corporate meeting was once again a resounding success. This picture is but one of many taken during our stay on Whidbey Island, Washington. We were hosted by sister Linda's youngest son, Erin, who graciously let us take over his house and also served as an excellant tour guide. The absence of stress, the wonderful company, and the creative conversations, along with some shopping at some very quaint shops was enjoyed by all of us. Somehow this annual retreat refuels our creative juices and gets our brains recharged so that we may continue to expand our businesses.</em><br /><em>The most important part, though, is the fact that just being together for this short time is a balm for our souls. One Mom, four sisters - how much better could it get!!!! Watch for more news in our monthly newsletter. Go subscribe at <a href="http://www.homesteadline.com/">www.homesteadline.com</a>.</em><br /><em>Now its back to work on our embroidery business which is underway. Have a great weekend.</em>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-5633643534262116552008-09-14T07:09:00.000-07:002008-09-14T07:15:40.565-07:00New "toy" great embroidery to come!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/SM0bnPkRkvI/AAAAAAAAABY/n_BqL9yqYxE/s1600-h/100_1509.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245879501964022514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DhcksCUY-yU/SM0bnPkRkvI/AAAAAAAAABY/n_BqL9yqYxE/s320/100_1509.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Good morning everyone. My husband & I have just purchased a commercial embroidery machine. It arrived yesterdery and is set up and running beautifully. We look forward to creating some unique and beautiful items for our customers. I am totally impressed with the ease of operation for this 12 needle machine. Also it is quiet and very well made. Now we must become students and learn about all the wonderful options and nifty things one can do with this machine. </div><div>We have just relocated our sewing/craft room and along with that put in new flooring in that room and the adjacent room as well. Whew! Lots of moving stuff around and sorting and pitching (well some pitching anyhow) as well as aching backs.</div><div>Fall is coming soon it appears so we want to get these projects finished up so we can settle in for the winter and make beautiful things. </div><div>Happy Fall all!!!</div><div>Nancy</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-82308836492351225982008-08-25T05:00:00.000-07:002008-08-25T05:09:43.001-07:00Who is busy, busier or busiest?The answer would be down to a photo finish, the Michael Phelps 100th of a second, if we could even figure it out! However, everyone is....too busy!<br />Subsequently our August newsletter became our August/September newsletter. Lazy days of summer is something we have not seen in years. Denise's job allows her more summer flexibility [school is closed!] but then other things take over and the only lazy part is not having to 'dress up' every day. Sweats, jeans, shorts - all good for working at home.<br /><br />We hope we are back on track, the newsletter is up and running, and you too can get on the list for this FREE newsletter just by emailing us at <a href="mailto:subscribe@homesteadline.com">subscribe@homesteadline.com</a> . We do NOT share or sell our mailing list. You will receive a link to the online newsletter and can look or delete. It won't fill up your mail box!<br /><br />I didn't say we weren't busy any longer, just on track again. We are each juggling multiple responsibilities which include full time jobs, home businesses, families, and other things we get roped into!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-36556327795400396432008-07-02T05:52:00.000-07:002008-07-02T05:59:59.896-07:00It's Summer!!<div>Summer is here with a vengeance it seems. The forest fires have begun, but luckily for us they are not close by. Unluckily the smoke has drifted here from N. Calif. and is clogging the air.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The last three weekends, I've gone to Saturday Market at Brookings with sister Linda and a trailer of gorgeous flowers from Nelsen Family Farms. We took some of our Homestead Store items along as well, offering some 'Saturday Market' pricing. There has<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKkgRwlT46_E2E55jzySIQU68tMXPCzHMXuFJgXvUamh6jhJJ0f-pI7mWc0AB9q7OglJ_JKek9djSPZEs3TltPE7E-zYYtAwSZHLcoPPdlgIeI8lNQXnCjpe5dskRDtug9cUdo0veiQc/s1600-h/alaskabear.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218400114937659330" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKkgRwlT46_E2E55jzySIQU68tMXPCzHMXuFJgXvUamh6jhJJ0f-pI7mWc0AB9q7OglJ_JKek9djSPZEs3TltPE7E-zYYtAwSZHLcoPPdlgIeI8lNQXnCjpe5dskRDtug9cUdo0veiQc/s200/alaskabear.JPG" border="0" /></a> been renewed interest in our Northwest Primitive Bear. This little stuffed guy comes with 3 Salmon which can be fed to the bear. Once the feeding is done, they can be removed [velcro tab on the tummy] and re-fed as many times as you like. Interested? Email us at <a href="mailto:BEStore@homesteadline.com">BEStore@homesteadline.com</a> for info.</div><div> </div><div>What else? Besides the regular daily 'stuff', we are working on some new projects and will share when we can! </div><div> </div><div>God Bless,</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-88677496630639119032008-06-23T05:37:00.000-07:002008-06-23T05:46:22.611-07:00Busy? Us?Oh yeah!! School is finally out, and my 'day job' wrapped up for a few weeks. Now the real work begins as I try to catch up at home. My sisters of course are still stuck with their day jobs, so I dare not 'brag' too much! However, so far I have come to the rescue of one twice - giving up my Saturday and part of Sunday to go to the coast. Rough duty, hm? grins!! <br />At the Nelsen farm, they are planting, and planting and planting. Brother in law Rhett is on the tractor most of the time and yet flower baskets needed to go to the Saturday Market at the coast. I went with Linda as the 'hired help' and also took some Homestead Store items and advertising [and of course bears]. We sold lots of flowers and fresh peas, the weather was nice both weekends, the farm bought our dinner each day [crab, we had crab!!] I got my exercise loading and unloading.....you think I should have paid them? <br />Today I am going to alternate between unfinished<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.oh-my-gaudy.com/"><strong>"Oh My Gaudy"</strong></a> fashion projects and working on my watering system at home. Came home with hoses and fittings yesterday, had to search half the darn town for the simplest thing for my drip system. Go figure. <br />Bye the way, we are having a photo shoot for Oh My Gaudy in July and then will upload new pictures. They are usually much better than the ones taken hanging on a hanger or on Dumb Dora, so we tend to wait until we have live models!<br />Finished my coffee, so I better get busy doing some other stuff......<br />Take care!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-59457170446377352352008-05-10T14:15:00.000-07:002008-05-10T14:23:57.180-07:00Free Newsletter and unique giftsThat is what we offer at The Homestead Store. The <a href="http://www.homesteadline.com/Newsletter/May08news.htm"><strong>newsletter</strong></a> is monthly and free. We send a link so you can view it online and not worry about how you are going to open it, or will your email service handle the size etc. If you would like to subscribe after you check it out, drop us an email at <a href="mailto:newsletter@homesteadline.com">newsletter@homesteadline.com</a> and we'll add you! <br />Unique gifts? Absolutely! Visit The <a href="http://www.homesteadline.com/">Homestead Store</a> and you'll find links to many unique handcrafted and often one of a kind gifts for any <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">occasion</span>. <br />Why do we do this? Because we like to!! Are we crazy? Probably. Perhaps it is just stress relief from our regular week day jobs. Perhaps it is because we can't still the creative side, or quit wondering if we tweaked something would it be better, nicer, more unique. Perhaps it is because we like to make things to preserve memories for others. Perhaps we ARE a bit crazy. Does it matter? We carry and make items you just won't find elsewhere!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-54658343251555549892008-04-29T06:09:00.000-07:002008-04-29T06:16:10.252-07:00WHERE has the time gone??It has been almost a month since my spring break escape. The weather has been eratic [typical Oregon spring] with some weekends nice and some not. However, we are all 'snowed under' with work, special projects and more work! <br />We were at our first craft fair of the year, a couple weekends ago. We don't do many of these because we are MAKING things on the weekend! Perhaps if the full time regular day jobs went the way of retirement, we might do more shows/fairs. However, it was good to dust of the boxes, get out the products and have some feedback. A couple sales didn't hurt either. Perhaps the most rewarding -- a couple invites to other fairs from folks who were scouting for handcrafted origiinal products. Right now that is not something we can do, but it could happen during the summer. Primitive frames, rustic frames, kids activity kits, note cards, bears, Oh My Gaudy fashions -- all get checked out and received a good review.<br />Off to my other job now,Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-10750768637412013902008-04-14T19:00:00.001-07:002008-04-14T19:08:23.964-07:00Adventures....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXzU4CFIZ5BIzW-dfG07AcbkEjhuODCq2lPSut37DDvRx5oVTF74HATKwpfc2zDCRKTHuN57rutWwZQMRHpTVkxguPc1jaLqtRZJ_y_zPnbrQr3mRf9RK76EZckhEuw0RXBIXJFUfPUc/s1600-h/croppedocotillo.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189287635626311090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXzU4CFIZ5BIzW-dfG07AcbkEjhuODCq2lPSut37DDvRx5oVTF74HATKwpfc2zDCRKTHuN57rutWwZQMRHpTVkxguPc1jaLqtRZJ_y_zPnbrQr3mRf9RK76EZckhEuw0RXBIXJFUfPUc/s200/croppedocotillo.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55pK2z3VY6mUrhFni6RxBCdOC5TE1etDFEas4BnOG5D8VBAYcxDesmsLE3RnObE9rKqFmQdUWq0xu2bNGo1_aYHKSq8NYNNPKUFJA3EMSvcYp5utvp7qCT8WwK76pREN5XfHZUqJKsA0/s1600-h/ocotillo.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189286467395206562" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55pK2z3VY6mUrhFni6RxBCdOC5TE1etDFEas4BnOG5D8VBAYcxDesmsLE3RnObE9rKqFmQdUWq0xu2bNGo1_aYHKSq8NYNNPKUFJA3EMSvcYp5utvp7qCT8WwK76pREN5XfHZUqJKsA0/s320/ocotillo.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Do you know what this flowering 'bush' is? </span></div><br /><div></div></div><br /><p>I'm sure someone out there will recognize this plant, often used in fence building.</p><p>You're probably thinking "just what does this have to do with the Homestead Store?" Right? Not much!! Just seen and photographed on our recent travels. [which should give you a clue]</p><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191038379598308440.post-8591728378378780172008-04-13T15:00:00.001-07:002008-04-13T15:02:33.946-07:00We're back!!Been back a while, but work at the regular day job, catch up on my <a href="http://www.bellybuttonbears.com/">bear business </a>[there were two dozen bears waiting for my fingers] and our fashion biz <a href="http://www.oh-my-gaudy.com/">Oh My Gaudy</a> have definitely been in the way of writing for very long if at all.<br /><br />The trip was GREAT! We spent time with grands and saw a lot of sites - I'll throw up some photos before long.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0