HAPPY SPRING!

Well, spring is finally here!  Isn't it about time?  As I look around my neighborhood, grass is growing, robins are singing, and the snow shovels are being put away.

Hopefully, all of you have filed your taxes and are planning on how to spend your refunds.

Since my last blog, it has been a rather challenging time for me.  You won't be seeing my latest creations, as they have been put on hold since Easter.  Due to a situation beyond my control, I've come to a dead stop until today.

BACK INJURIES

Some of you know I've been out of commission, due to two herniated disks in my lower back.  To those of you who have been keeping me in your prayers, THANK YOU!  I guess all the years of cleaning houses, gardening, landscaping, shoveling snow, chopping ice, shoveling gravel, etc., have taken their toll.  It all came crashing down on the Monday morning after Easter.

PARTIAL PARALYSIS

My husband and I usually go to the gym to walk the treadmill and do our workout together.  I was all set to bounce out of bed and hustle out the door; but as I tried to step down out of bed on my right foot, my leg gave out from under me.  "I can't get out of bed," I told my husband.  "My back is out and I'm in a lot of pain."

The entire day on Monday was spent in bed.  I had my back problems in the past, but never lost the use of either of my legs!  I have to say that's pretty scary!  We made an appointment with our local chiropractor for the next day.

To make a long story a little shorter, the X-rays showed compressed disks in my lower back.  "Your spine is a real mess," my chiropractor informed me.  "I think you will need to go for an MRI."  I had some adjustments that first week, along with TNS and ice.

The following week, I had the MRI.  The results showed my two herniated disks.

Being a Christian, I began to pray to the Lord, "Jesus, what do You want me to learn from this?  What are You trying to teach me?"  I also began to pray more earnestly for other people who had back issues.

THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR

I was now using a walker just to get to the bathroom and to the chiropractor in the beginning.  I asked God to forgive me for taking my legs for granted--being able to walk, to drive my car, to take a shower and wash my hair, even to be able to sit at my computer and write blogs!

I didn't know if I'd ever be able to do these things again.  I had heard of back issues leading to back surgeries.  The thought of someone cutting on my spinal column scared the daylights out of me!

STILL LEARNING LESSONS

Today, after weeks of treatment and therapy (disk decompresssion, along with other therapies), I am thankful to be in less pain.  This has left my right leg very weak, due to the pinched nerves.  

My advice to anyone with chronic backaches is to have it checked out before you experience what I did.  I was one who didn't take chiropractic medicine seriously until this happened to me.  I'm not out of the woods yet, but I'm on my way.

I am waking up each morning and thanking God for less pain, and to be able to walk and move better.  I also ask the Lord's help to be of service to Him and others.

In my opinion, the medical profession seems too quick to prescribe strong pain medications and then surgery.  At the chiropractic clinic I attended, the therapist informed me that the success rate for back surgeries is less than 2 percent!  I couldn't believe it!

I have a friend whose daughter had two unsuccessful back operations along with a complication (she suffered a stroke).

Also, I realize that I will have to have adjustments for the rest of my life to keep my back in check.  I'm not going to try to carry more than I can bear.  After all, I'm not 20 something anymore.

AGE GRACEFULLY!

This is by far the hardest lesson I'm trying to learn.  Inside I still feel young.  I'm sure you recall the saying, "The spirit is willing, bu the flesh is weak."  This applies to all of us who are entering the autumn season of our lives.  We need to acknowledge our physical weaknesses and NOT be afraid to ask for help when we need it!

Until next time, bye for now!

APRIL HAS COME IN LIKE A LION?

Hi, everyone!  If we didn't look at our calendar, one would think it is still winter!  Opening day at the Brewers' Stadium at Miller Park looked more like a day for football tailgating!  Anyway, team spirit was up.

Here at the store, I've been creating, designing, and doing a little painting.  Check out this little guy, if you like crows!

The top picture/sampler was created by me.  I did not have any black fabric for the crow applique, so I used acrylic paint along with textile medium to paint him onto the muslin background.  The frame is made of oak and the sampler is not under glass this time.  You can find him on my store site:

www.etsy.com/shop/OakCreekCrafts

BOTTOM PICTURE:

This bottom picture is a close-up shot of the crow and the saying.

"Primitive Blessings" was hand-embroidered onto muslin, which was stitched onto some homespun fabric and all of this was hand-stitched to the picture.  I used primitive black stitching all around the bird, and the crow's eye is a French knot stitch.

This picture was a lot of fun to make!  If one of my husband's friends has an extra scrap or chunk of wood, he bags it up and gets it to me.  He's always asking me what I'll do with a given piece.  I always say, "I don't know yet.  I'll just set it on the work table in my studio and it will come to me."  I never know exactly what I'm going to do with the things I get.

My husband's friend donated some cut off hunks of 4" by 4" pieces of wood last year.  After several months sitting out in the elements, the idea came to me.  I'll take some pictures of what I created with them!  He thought they were "really neat." I'm not quite caught up with my photos yet, but you will soon see them.

I am working on some Americana items, as well as designing some pillow covers to put into the shop. I saw a saying somewhere that said, "Housework is for those ladies who don't know how to craft."  Well, that's not true.  I am usually really good at cleaning house, but I just get too distracted sometimes, and those dust bunnies become dust lions!

I want to thank my dear husband, who puts up with all the clutter in my studio!  God made doors for a reason...to close when company comes, and that room is off limits!  LOL

Until next time...Goodbye for now!  And have a wonderful week

DID YOU HAVE A GOOD EASTER, EVERYONE?

Here at the shop, we did observe Easter.  It was a day spent in worship, family, and food.  I do hope that all of you had a safe trip to and from your various destinations.

Are you aware that Americans spent more dollars on Easter candy than they do for Halloween and Christmas?  I honestly did not know that.  I thought this may be true...then, I checked my store receipts for the candy I purchased for my two grand-sons.  They are RIGHT!

I don't blame anyone for spending a lot of money on their kids and grand-kids.  After all, this wondrous spring season is a time of new beginnings.  And of course, our kids are in the dawn of their lives.

Thinking of this, even during the terrible spring snowstorm here in Wisconsin, I got an inspiration and created this item pictured below and put it into the shop:

I became inspired about making this.  Here's the story behind it:

My faith is Christian, first of all.  In the very beginning, mankind was created and placed in a garden, and they were to take care of this garden.  Of course, we all know that they were kicked out of that lovely place.

Secondly, our Lord Jesus prayed in a garden before He was crucified as the Savior for our sins.

Third, regarding children, our Lord Jesus had this to say, "Let the little children come to Me, for of such are the kingdom of heaven."  He does love the children.

Fourth, Jesus appeared in a garden after His resurrection.

Finally, I believe Jesus will return.  And we will return, once again, to that wonderful garden...paradise found!

Of course, gardening is on my mind, because my husband is an avid gardener himself.  He loves to start his own seeds, plant them, tend to them, and watch them shoot out of the ground toward the sky!  We also have various annual flowers in containers all around the outside of our house.

So, while the rain, sleet, ice, and snow were pounding outside, I created this little pillow...a little piece of heaven. You can check it out for yourselves at our store site:  www.etsy.com/shop/OakCreekCrafts.  At first, it was going to be a sampler, but I thought it looks so much better as a decorative pillow...perfect for expectant parents, grand-parents, or just because they like it.

Here is the close-up of my embroidered design:

I designed the hand-embroidered panel myself, along with the various blooms shown.  The back and borders of the pillow are done in vine print calico in various shades of green.  Let me know what you think!  I'll be writing again soon.  Have a wonderful week, and good-bye for now..

"NEW" ITEMS FOR SPRING--EASTER IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!

IT'S ALMOST EASTER TIME!  ARE YOU READY?

Peter Cottontail is hopping down the bunny trail, getting ready to drop off all his colored eggs, jelly beans, chocolate rabbits, and the like!

Here at OakCreekCrafts, we're getting "new" vintage items into the store, along with this neat garden theme sampler:

You can find this at our shop www.etsy.com/shop/OakCreekCrafts for $25.99, including shipping.  Check out some other items we have in stock.

Do you have some old wooden spools around the house and are tired of using them as candle holders?  Here's a cute idea!  Just tuck a sprig of faux spring or other seasonal florals into one for an instant primitive vase!

What's great about faux florals is you do not ever have to worry about watering them.  You can use dried flowers from your garden; these would look lovely as well!

Need another great idea of what to do with old wooden spools?  Just bunch them together and tie them with some homespun fabric or raffia for a different shelf landscape!

Of course, you could still add some dried flowers right in the middle of this bunch of spools for a great sewing room decoration!  You can see these at our on-line shop as well.

www.etsy.com/shop/OakCreekCrafts

GOOD FRIDAY IS THIS FRIDAY!

I know that many of you are off from work on Friday.  Please be safe having that Good Friday fish fry.  And don't forget that Sunday, the 27th, is Easter.  Have a blessed and Happy Easter.

There is only one rabbit that is welcome at our house and that's this guy:

He isn't here to eat up our carrots, he's here to PLANT them! Yes, garden planting season isn't too far away.

Those of you who are being hit with the spring snowstorm, you have my deepest sympathy!  Here in Wisconsin, any kind of weather can happen, and we sure had an unexpectedly mild winter thus far.

However, I can remember in about 1988, when the lilacs were in bloom. The boats were in the lake; the pier was in the water all ready for the summer season.  Guess what? 

We got SNOW!  There was so much snow that the lilacs were buried in the stuff, and all bent over from the weight of the snow!

On the other hand, I can remember it being 80 degrees in March!  In Wisconsin, the weather can change every five minutes.  We all dress funny here, because we never know which way the wind will blow.  If you are near Lake Michigan and the wind changes, temperatures can drop from 80 degrees down to 60 degrees in a snap!

So.....now you all know why we Cheese-heads look so strange!

Until the next time...bye for now!

ITS ALMOST ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

WEARING OF THE GREEN AND THINKING GREEN

Here at the shop, this is the week to show and wear your green!  St. Patrick's Day is on Thursday, the 17th.  My mother's birthday was on March 15th, so we always celebrated her special day with a cake all decked out in green frosting.  She wasn't Irish, but she loved it and got into the spirit of the holiday.   I created the doll in the picture below that reminds me of my mom, who is still an inspiration to me. She's available at www.etsy.com/shop/OakCreekCrafts

Spring always reminds me of my mom.  I can remember one Easter, she sewed a coat, skirt, and blouse for my sister and I, and also for herself.  We all went to church wearing the same colors and prints!  Back in my childhood days, everyone went to church dressed up (modestly, of course).  Today, some people don't seem to care how they dress, or don't even bother to go to church at all.  It's a sad thing to see now days.

Who remembers shows like Andy Griffith (Mayberry) and some of the other vintage TV shows?  People dressed up in their Sunday best to go to the movies, dinner, the theater, and even shopping!  I can recall long bus rides downtown with our mom.  We took the bus because back in the day, we were a one-car family.  You read it right.  One car.  My father took that to his job, and if Mom needed to go somewhere with us, she'd have us "get dressed" and catch the bus to go shopping.

While riding the bus, I recall having to wear little white gloves, along with my patent leather shoes.  There is still something about dressing up that makes a person feel good!  Wouldn't it be great if we could have a National Dress-Up Day?  How about it!?

If you agree, please post a comment.  I don't think we women should always dress like June Cleaver, pearls and all; but once in awhile, wouldn't it be great to do that and also put forth our best manners and be courteous to one another?

Until next time, bye for now!

WELCOME, FAIR SPRING SEASON!

A Warm Welcome to Our Feathered Friends!

Here is a photo our shop would like to share with you.  This little guy was "out on a limb" on Wednesday, March 2, 2016. It had snowed at our Wisconsin location the day before, a total of about 4.5 inches.  Here's to you, Robin!  Happy Spring, everyone; and cheer up, cheer up, cheer up!

This month we're welcoming the season around the shop. We will be stocking more of the nostalgic items that will be needing a good home.  Please don't hesitate to check us out at www.etsy.com/shop/OakCreekCrafts

However, even though it is beginning to look a lot like spring, here in Wisconsin it is always Packer season.  When we're not watching the game, we're still thinking about the Pack.  Yes, I am a dyed-in-the-wool cheese fan!  And I live behind the cheddar curtain (to quote a cousin of mine who now lives near the Chicagoland area).

 

Here at the shop, we've created a special "golden" snowman, wearing his Packer identity and carrying his sign to let everyone know where his loyalty is.  We decided to give him the name, "Larry", who enjoys Lambeau field all year long!  Check him out at the shop and be sure to let all your Packer fan friends know about him.  He should be posted in the shop within the next week or so.

 

Before long, we will be at the height of Packer season. Again, on any given Sunday the Pack plays, our streets in a lot of Wisconsin neighborhoods take on the eerie appearance of a ghost town.  I am creating these cute "Larrys" for a fall craft fair already, because in only a couple months, it will be gardening season, lawn cutting season, trimming season, and sun time season!

I know it's spring.  I know that summer's coming.  But, here in the Frozen Tundra of Wisconsin, we've always got those Packers in the back of our minds.

Well, bye for now, and keep an eye out for those robins!  Capture one if you can via camera and let us know where and when you saw them!
 

March is Here! Easter Is This Month!

Good-Bye To February!

Good Day, Everyone!

Well, here it is!  March already.  Doesn't it seem like we just put up the Christmas trees, snowmen, and lights?  Here at OakCreekCrafts, it's always Christmas in one form or another.  Keep your eyes open and visit our shop during the year for Christmas, as well as any season of the year.

Thinking of Having a Garden This Year?

Here in the Wisconsin area, this time of year brings a strange craving...Fresh tomatoes!  Not the kind you find in the supermarket, but the ones that you place in the ground, feed and water, and watch them grow.  Finally, after so many days, you see that first tomato, beautiful and red on the vine.

My husband is very fortunate to have access to a greenhouse.  He starts his tomatoes from seed and lets them germinate there.  There are alternatives if you don't have this kind of good fortune.  Some folks have good luck starting their seeds in a sunny window; and garden centers have growing kits just for starting almost any kind of plant.

Here in Wisconsin, my husband usually starts his seeds around St. Patrick's Day.  So, now is the time to think about what areas you want your plants to grow in.  If you had a garden last year, it's a good idea to keep track of what is planted in which areas, so that you don't plant the same vegetable in the same patch of the garden year after year.  Crop rotation is key, even in a small city plot.

Kitchen Recycling

It's my hope that you don't throw all your vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags and egg shells into the garbage!  Please do recycle.  We do this all winter long.  Just remember, you can put anything into your compost pile except meat, kitchen grease, and bones.  Let's be kind to our garden, and it will be kind to you.

NEW ARRIVALS AT THE STORE:

This little arrangement came to my mind, and I created it to welcome Spring.

These 7 cute country, cottage chic, shabby chic, eggs are hung together on thin jute cord.  A burlap bow completes the look.

This makes a neat spring country door hanger to greet friends and neighbors.  You can find it on our Etsy page at OakCreekCrafts

Looking for Something Special on your Easter Table?

These items are an idea of what might look great if you're into shabby or cottage chic decor.  I have two nice antique dishes to grace your table!

These two pieces are circa 1800s.  According to the website www.thepotteries.org, the company did not use "& Co., Ltd" until after 1907.  Pictured below is the beehive trademark of these two pieces:

So, these pieces are O-L-D!  And they're costly, but it's worth the money to have a piece of the past.  You can see that there is crazing visible due to the age of the pieces.  But they're in very good shape with no chips or cracks.  You can actually USE these!  But!  Don't put them in a dishwasher, whatever you do!

Available at OakCreekCrafts