Monday, July 28, 2014

What I've been up to and a give-away

Hello, readers,
First of all, what I've been up to.  Nothing exciting :(  My life is just more and more of the same.  Every day is spent working in the garden, trying to keep the farm looking nice, taking care of animals, and cleaning!  Oh the cleaning...with all these pets it takes a lot.  I'm not complaining, wouldn't trade it for the world, but sometimes wish I had something new and exciting to share.

What a strange summer this has been.  Here the summer is 2/3 over and we haven't really had any summer weather.  Not complaining, again, as I hate the heat, and the flowers are loving all this rain.  Even at the end of July I have to mow every 5 days and even then the grass is really tall and has to be gone over a couple of times.

Here is part of my garden, the rudbeckia's have self seeded all over the place.  See the big sunflower on the right?  Tell me why I planted two packages of sunflowers seeds, NONE came up, but if a little birdie poops it out, it grows!:)


I have taken a break on Manifesto to stitch the Seven Sheep Sampler by Scarlett House.  I had joined a stitch along for this, but every one finished before I even managed to get started.   This is a very pretty sampler, and not too difficult, no over one and no specialty stitches.


I also have been into a major re-decorating project.  So far, a free re-decorating project, the best kind. Just moving things around.  Here is a living  room picture and a dining room picture.




Now to the fun stuff (if you're still with me).  I going to give away two wonderful books, Another Place and Time by Maggie Bonanomi (18 primitive projects ) and the Spring 2014 issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects.  Both I was dumb enough to buy twice, so I wanted to share with you.  Also included is the little bed pincushion that I stitched, a Little House Needleworks project.  I have included a yummy lavender sachet with it.

To enter, please leave me a comment on this post, and make sure that if you are a no-reply blogger that you also leave me your e-mail address so that I can contact you.  I will draw the winner on Saturday August 9th, which is my 58th  birthday!  Please do NOT share this on your blog, as I want this drawing to be only for my current readers.

(Sorry for my feet in the picture :)

Melinda
PS:  I will ship overseas to the winner.

56 comments:

  1. Melinda ~
    Your re-decorating looks wonderful.
    My black-eyed Susans and coneflower have gone crazy, too.
    Wonderful give-away, but don't add me since I already own several of your treasures.
    Good luck to all.
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  2. Glad there are others who buy the same books and magazines twice

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  3. Your decorating is beautiful. I am green with envy over your gardens..I do not have a green thumb! I would love a chance to win your prim book and quilt magazine. Thanks for the opportunity.

    Judy Heartland stitcher

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  4. Melinda, I really like your redecorating. Great you could do it no cost. I have always wanted one of Maggie's books and your cushion is lovely. I would love to be entered. Stevemarty@msn.com

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  5. Hello from Waynesville! I love your decorating and your garden. I've let my garden slide, but since the weather's cooling down, I might get out in the next couple of days to do some weeding.

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  6. I love seeing pictures of your home-inside and out! Thanks for sharing and inspiring me to take a look at what I already have, just in a different way :)
    Please enter me in your giveaway!

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  7. Hello Melinda......I am in awe of all the things that you do and looks like you get them accomplished! I adore your flower gardens and your garden house! May I add that the inside of your home is just as gorgeous as the outside? Just so pretty and just my style. Your give away sounds delightful. I would be so happy to win. I'm pretty sure your know my email address although...I do not have a blog...still. Thank you so much for posting and allowing us to see into your wonderful home and all the things you enjoy doing.

    Susannah

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  8. What a beautiful home you have. The garden with the little summer house is so lovely.
    Your sampler is looking very pretty - must look up that design.
    I'd love to enter the giveaway. Thank you!
    Margaret

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  9. Beautiful house and decorating.
    Love your little garden shed.
    I too, cannot grow Sunflowers, I've tried several times.
    And you are right, if a bird transplants them they grow!
    Silly, isn't it?
    I love reading your blog, even though Google sometimes makes me re-join a lot. :( Not sure why.
    Please throw my name in the hat for the giveaway.
    Thanks!
    Marilyn

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  10. I love reading your blog. Your gardens are beautiful. Please enter me in your giveaway.

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  11. Your gardens are beautiful! Love the little shed! thank you for sharing!
    I would love to enter your giveaway!
    Pam

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  12. your decorating is lovely! It is like looking at a Prim magazine, awhile back I bought 2, "A Primitive Place Magazine", as I was looking at the second one, I thought wow, this looks familiar and sure enough I had already bought it.
    I love your giveaway, please enter me. I admire your talent. Lecia

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  13. Love your decorating and your gardens! Thanks for the giveaway.
    Gracilou@hotmail.com

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  14. Your place is beautiful! Would love to win. Hope you have a very Happy Birthday!

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  15. A wonderful post Melinda! I love seeing your home, gardens and projects. And a wonderful giveaway! Hey, you're not the only one that buys double! :-(
    And a very happy birthday to you too!! Hugs, Lori

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  16. Hi Melinda, your gardens look lovely! And the inside of your house as well. Thanks for the opportunity to win!!

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  17. Your garden looks gorgeous, as does your house. Seven Sheep looks great too! You're so sweet to have a giveaway for your birthday. Happy early birthday to you!

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  18. Your hard work shows as you have a beautifully groomed garden.

    I'd love to be in the drawing for the Maggie B book since I don't have that one. If my name is drawn you can keep the Primitive Quilts and do a future giveaway, as I subscribe to that magazine already.

    Happy Birthday early.

    Saundra

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  19. Melinda, your home and gardens look beautiful!
    Thanks for this generous giveaway!
    xo

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  20. It's a relief to know that I'm not the only one who buys a book twice! The pincushion you've included in your giveaway is so sweet.

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  21. You don't need to include me in the give away as I don't stitch, but wanted to say(as I have said before) this is a gorgeous place and I would never want to go on vacation if I could sit in that garden and read. It is beyond beautiful and thank you for sharing. I need to do some redecorating myself. Just not motivated.lol

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  22. Would love to be included in your great giveaway! Congratson the free redecorating! That's the best kind.

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  23. Melinda
    I do love what you've done with the re-decorating move about... I, too, am enjoying the cooler summer weather. Makes me feel "normal" when I hear someone else buys "twosies"!!!!!! Please enter my name.
    Busy Hands...Happy Heart
    Patricia

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  24. Nothing hum drum about your existence....always a good blog read....
    Carry on with the sheep embroidery...so lovely. Your garden is looking festive and happy. The redo in your home is prim perfect. Tomorrow is
    National Embroiderers Day somewhere...enjoy. Please count me in on the generous drawing..
    Blessings ~
    heritagehalltn@gmail.com

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  25. Hi Melinda, Your garden and house look just lovely. I love sunflowers and planted a whole packet of the large ones this last spring and am now enjoying small miniature ones instead :) Oh well, they still make me smile. Please include me in your drawing. How nice of you! Keep enjoying your beautiful weather.

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  26. Always a wonderful blog - garden is looking great. And Happy Birthday even though I am a little bit early...

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  27. First, Happy Birthday, a bit early, and secondly, what a fantastic giveaway! Please throw my name in for a chance to win. Love your blog.
    capecodgirl565@yahoo.com

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  28. I would rather be early than late wishing you a very Happy Birthday! Your garden looks amazing. I love that type of country garden. Please put my name in your generous drawing. I love the way your home looks. It reminds me of pictures in a magazine called The Primitive Place.(That's a huge compliment!)

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  29. I always adore the peeks at your farm. I just planted sunflowers I know way behind but we'll see..smile.. Had to giggle about your special delivery one. Happy early Birthday! Warm Blessings! Amy

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  30. Your birthday is the same as my SIL. I hope you have a great birthday. And thanks for a chance at your great giveaway.

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  31. Love your blog! We too haven't really had any summer weather here in Nova Scotia...I'm already dreaming of Autumn.
    Best,
    Jenny

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  32. I always enjoy reading your blog and looking at your beautiful home and garden. I hope that you have a wonderful birthday.

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  33. I really love your home, as well as inside as outside. If I had room enough, I would definitely buy some chairs like yours (3rd picture). And oh, a garden with sunflowers, even if it's not at the place you planted them...
    I also want to wish you a happy birthday, and thank you for this great giveaway. Hugs, Betty.
    etnalpytteb (at) gmail (dot) com (hope this works...)

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  34. Woukd like tobe included in the giveaway my name is patricia left I am a follower my email is smalltownrev@comcast.net

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  35. So happy to check in today and find an update. Always love seeing your pics and hearing what is up with you these days. Love your 7 Sheep and your gardens, Absolutely beautiful. Also love your redecorating. Don't feel bad about your 7 Sheep- I am still on the top LOL Have been busy stitching on Hannah Carter.

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  36. I'm in the same boat as you Melinda on the 7 Sheep SAL - although you have a good bit done - I really only have a few leaves in there. I just couldn't get into the rhythm and was finding the dark linen a little hard to see. I am going to use your tips on FB I saw to try and speed up that border w/o mistakes and ripping. Thanks for the giveaway opp - I don't have either of those books - Happy upcoming birthday - my dear mother has an August birthday. Thanks Melody

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  37. Hi Melinda, love seeing your cozy home, beautiful...please enter me in your wonderful giveaway, Blessings Francine. P.s. Cute shoes..

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  38. Melinda,

    Loved seeing your feet in the picture, but would love to see the "Whole" you. : } Please enter me in your great drawing. Would love to have something stitched by you. Love the garden and the house. Awesome job as always. Jo Ann P.S. An early Happy Birthday to you too.

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  39. Love your home especially the outside. It looks just like a house not far from me. Thanks for sharing. Phyllis

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  40. Well first of all Happy Birthday to you Melinda. You will still be young. Please enter me into your drawing. Would love one of your goodies and those books. Thank you for being so generous. Janice

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  41. Happy Birthday! What a beautiful garden and home. Would love to win.

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  42. What a wonderful give-away!!! Please enter me.

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  43. OMGosh ... what a wonderful windfall of goodies. YES, Kindly include me in the 'Give-away'.
    Your home is so inviting as is the garden. Great Job.

    Peace and Blessings to all,
    Barb

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  44. I understand the one sunflower, it had it's own built in fertilizer. Our summer has been three digit hot, California oh my! We could use your rain. Thank you for the chance to win the nice gifts. Blessings, Brook

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  45. Wow, great books! Thank you for the chance!

    Hugs,

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  46. Oh, Melinda! Your garden pic is so gorgeous! It honestly looks like a movie set! Your comment about the sunflower reminds me of a line from the movie, Cold Mountain where the old mountain woman, Maddy says
    "See, I think there's a plan. There's a design for each and every one of us. You look at nature. Bird flies somewhere, picks up a seed, shits the seed out, plant grows. Bird's got a job, shit's got a job, seed's got a job. And you've got a job." Love it! What a wonderful giveaway but the best part is your stitching! Happy almost birthday to a fellow Leo!

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  47. great giveaway, hope i win
    dq -fellow Leo (august 6th is my bday!)
    bogfairy@yahoo.com

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  48. Hi Melinda!! I also turn 58 in August. August 6th to be exact - like Blogfairy above. This is an great giveaway! Love your blog! MLSENER@aol.com

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  49. Your garden is so gorgeous! I wish I had a green thumb! Those books look great, too -- I have a large collection of books of this nature and would love to add these!
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  50. What a beautiful home and a lovely giveaway! I wish you the best birthday ever!

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  51. I LoVe all the re decorating you are doing. Beautiful prim home ! I LoVe the gardens. Thanks for the chance to win. You can never have too many books, unless they are duplicates:) I do that too.
    Hugs..Marg

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  52. Hi Melinda, your garden looks lovely as does your stitching and your home. Please count me in your giveaway, although I am allergic to lavender, so if I am lucky enough to win, please do not include the lavender bag (sorry to be so picky! lol!).

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  53. Hello: Long time admirer of your work and your house. I also have an 1856 brick and four horses, eight cats, two aging dogs. I also create a lot of projects. Please enter me in your giveaway. Thank you, Diane farmer@csinet.net

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  54. Love your house and gardens they are beautiful. It is amazing how a re-decorate can make it look so different and exciting.
    We have 3 dogs, 2 cats, 4 chickens and 2 Angora rabbits on the way so can relate about cleaning but love my animals.
    Please enter me in your give away. Please keep blogging it is so enjoyable.

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  55. What a beautiful home and garden! I know how busy the upkeep can be. I have also bought the same magazine twice. I get so mad at myself lol! Happy Early Birthday to you!

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