I'LL BE BACK SOON!

THIS IS CATHY'S SISTER POSTING FOR HER BECAUSE SHE IS HAVING COMPUTER PROBLEMS. SHE IS MISSING ALL OF YOU, AND HOPES TO BE BACK REAL SOON. SHE SENDS HER BEST FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU.

FROM CATHY AND HER SISTER STEFF

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas from our country home to your home.

May peace, joy and laughter fill your home and may the love of Jesus Christ fill your heart.

Many Blessings to you all my friends. You all are like a beautiful gift to me - thank you.

Merry Christmas
Cathy Cobblestone

Another Quick Ornament Idea!

Can you believe it??? It is almost here! Are you ready? I'm jus' 'bout there - got a couple more things to pick up and lots and lots of wrapping to do. I don't know about you guys, but when I wrap I always like to tie something on the package. Now this can be many things - like fresh greens and berries, a peppermint stick, and of course, an ornament. But lets face it - it is down to the nitty gritty and there is no time to make a trip to the store when you have to have one in a hurry. So a couple of days ago - I wanted to make something personalized for some friends of mine - something different than one of the glass balls I paint. So I started rummaging through some wood pieces I had and came across these wooden discs. And honestly, sometimes it takes me a while, but this time - it came right to me. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Something simple but cute and well - this is what I did. And you can do this project with jus' about any scrap piece of wood - it doesn't have to be circular.

I'm sorry I didn't take before pics but it is really easy.

I spray painted the disc white - then when dry - I slightly washed the disc down in black paint. That gives it an instant distressed look - kind of like me right now - hehe.



I simply painted the initial of the family it was going to and put a few lil' stitching marks around the edge. I then put a varnish on it - sprinkled with iridescent glitter - put some polka dot (imagine that) ribbon on with a flat thumbtack and there you have it. All in less than an hour.

I was really happy with them. They were exactly what I wanted for my gift baskets.




Of course, I had to make myself one for my black and white tree. This is the first thing I have made for myself this year!!! Oh my, where does the time go.

Remember, you could also write words like "Believe, Peace, Noel, Joy" or cover with scrapbook paper first then monogram. So many possibilities.




Hope everyone has a great start to this extra busy but extra special week. May we all remember in the hustle and bustle of things - that this week is simply about one thing - a Gift. The true gift of Christmas - Jesus Christ.

Many Blessings to you all!!
Cathy Cobblestone

Drumroll Please...

...O.K. friends - are you ready??? I'm so very excited to share my barn quilt with you. I've been waitin' for a long time to get it put up and we finally did it - and the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Do you know why - 'cause it the "Christmas Star" pattern. The reason it took a while is because we had to put a new metal front on our barn because it had suffered some wind damage in a previous storm. So we didn't want to hang it until we repaired the barn. But it has been so worth the wait. I'm just as happy as I can be and Shaun is too. At first, he wasn't completely keen on the idea - You know, afraid it might look a lil' "girly". But I have to say - he is smitten with it. Of course, if I could have, you know I'd probably thrown in a few polka dots - but I think I would have been pushing my luck a tad. hehe

Sooooo, here we go!

This first pic is of my hubby and his dear friend, Tommy, who was absolutely instrumental in helping up repair the barn. Shaun could not have done it without him - Thanks a million Tommy!



O.K. - metal is on - and up goes the first side of the quilt!!!!! (now, that's dangerous - they are standing in the bucket of the tractor)



This is just a quick picture of the hay rolls in the barn - I just love how they look and it always smells so good - jus' like the country.



Here it is - The "Christmas Star" Barn quilt - all in my favorite colors - bright yellow, true red and kelly green.



In full view - this is what it looks from our house and it can easily be seen from the main road. I'm just so thrilled with it.



I want to thank our local Arts Council who worked very hard on this project. Many hours were spent laying off the pattern and painting. I did get to help - but they definitely did most of the work. We will treasure it for many years to come. We have always loved our farm and have taken great pride in it and now - we jus' love it a lil' more.

Merry Christmas from our farm to yours!
Cathy Cobblestone

Sometimes...

...when your spirit needs lifting - God puts beautiful people doing the kindest things in your path. When I got home tonight from taking mom to the hospital - I was greeted by a surprise package in the mail and a plate full of goodies from a friend. The timing couldn't have been more perfect and what sweet surprises! They both made me smile and it warmed my heart so. Then I check in here and I was touched by all the kind and thoughtful comments left regarding my mom's surgery. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers - there is so much power in prayer. To fill you in, Mom did very well. The Dr. says "things went as well as they could". Unfortunately, it could be weeks before we know if it worked - but we have a great deal of hope and faith that it did.

I'll let you take a peek at my sweet gifts. First is a darlin' "peace" ornament in red and lime green with black and white polka dot ribbon. Now, could she have nailed it any closer - it matches my things perfect! I bet she knew that already. Thank you thank you Ms. Jean - all the way over in Virginia. What a totally unexpected and beautiful surprise. Merry Christmas my friend!



Now for my precious "local" friend - Ms. Janet. She had her famous YUMMY candy all wrapped up so pretty - in polka dots none the less - tied off with this beautiful tile that again, matches my room perfect.



I think it has found the perfect home - don't ya think.



And jus' look at that plate full of the yummiest candy (she and my friend Karen are simply "the bombs" when it comes to homemade candy -hehe). My favorite is that "pink candy" in the middle. I doubt it makes it through the night - cream cheese and powdered sugar - oh my my!!



Once again, thank you all so much. I will let mom know of your kindness and please continue to remember her in prayer. Many blessings to you all.

Cathy

P.S. - I got my barn quilt up - I'll show you pics in the next couple of days! I'm so excited!!!

A Special Request...

for my mom.



My mom will be having surgery on Monday to try and restore her vision. I'd like to ask if you would be so kind to remember her in your thoughts and prayers. I know the Lord will take care of her. But the human/daughter side of me simply wants her to be able to see again. She's such a beautiful person and such a loving mother. I'm so blessed to have her.

Thank you for your caring thoughts and sincere prayers.
My mom's name is Brenda.

Have a beautiful Monday.
Cathy

Christmas at the Cabin

Good Friday Friends! I thought I would share with you today a few pictures from my in-laws cabin. We were down there this week - just adding a touch of Christmas Cheer so their Sunday School class could come enjoy some wassail and fellowship around the fire. They have put their heart and soul into this lil' place and they are always so willing to share it - wanting people to enjoy it the way they do. In the pictures you will see an old white house that use to surround the cabin that they tore down to expose the logs. There is also an upstairs that I failed to take pictures of - oops. It's beautiful in the spring and summer, surrounded by trees and a great cave. In front of that cave is an old picnic table where a lot of corn is shucked and a lot of "breaking beans" goes on.

The Christmas tree is decorated with strung popcorn and handmade cedar ornaments. Some fresh greens are tucked in here and there and it just makes for a simple, country, cabin Christmas. Like the sign says - "A day at the cabin with Poppa - Priceless."

Have a great weekend everybody,
Merry Christmas
Cathy Cobblestone

A Cabin Christmas

Pretty Polka Dot Pots for Poinsettias

O.K., Now say that post title three times fast!! Just sharing with you a couple of flower pots that one of my friends requested. Sometimes we think of flower pots being simply for spring and summer but they are great year round!



Instead of having your beautiful poinsettias wrapped in paper - make 'em special and place in a "wintery" painted flower pot. It just makes them a lil' more fun that way!

Pretty lil' pots are also great used as gift containers - fill with gardening goodies, wrap it clear wrap and tied with a garden tool - and viola! Perfect for the gardener on you list.



Now, this is a really simple snowman and my friends - I tell you - anyone can paint a snowman. Just try it!

And like I always say - Happy Plantin' - YEAR ROUND!!!

Cathy Cobblestone

Paintin' Polka Dots

Happy Monday Friends!!!! Hope everybody had a wonderful weekend!

Well, like I've told ya - I've been painting up a storm(a snow storm, I hope) - trying to get all of Santa's presents ready for delivery - and oh my - I still have much to do!!! But I just thought I'd share something really simple with you today. I know so very many of you have wonderful ideas about wrapping presents beautifully. All you paper artists out there - I so admire your talents. But a few years ago when I started painting keepsake ornaments - I wanted the boxes to give a hint as to what was inside -hence, the polka dots. So I simply painted on dots that matched the ones on the ornament and tied the boxes with a grosgrain ribbon. Many times, I paint a persons monogram on the box - but the ones you see here are plain.



It's simple, fun, and no two boxes are ever alike. I couldn't paint to circles to match if I tried - hehe. So if you don't make your own wrapping paper - maybe you could simply try painting directly on the box - or use stamps or decoupage - oh, the list is endless.

Share with me your favorite wrapping idea. Now, the important part - I still have to go buy presents to wrap - I haven't even started! But right now - I'm back to painting - Happy Monday everybody. Merry, Merry Christmas.

Cathy Cobblestone

Need A Gift???

A week or so ago I shared with you a Christmas slide show and told ya I'd be tellin' you a lil' bit 'bout some of the artists. Well, today I'm gonna share two with you. One is a sweet local friend who makes the most incredible candles and tarts and another is "another Cathy" who makes OH-SO-CUTE pincushions. I've been blessed over the years to come into contact with many talented people and since I've been bloggin' - well, everyday is blessed with a new acquaintance. There is sooooooo much talent out there. And I get great joy "tootin' the horn" of my talented friends!!!

First Up.... Sweet Ms. Linda of Kindlelight Blessings Candles. Candle making is in her blood - she thinks about it constantly - always trying to come up with new ideas and it shows. Best thing about her - she's as beautiful as her candles.



Now, are these not the cutest tarts you have ever seen? Sugar plums, blueberry muffins, strawberries in the snow - and there are so many more. Hazelnut Delight is my personal favorite - but then again it is hard to choose - fudgy coconut, candy cane, pumpkin praline - oh my - I could go on and on.



This is one of her beautiful cake candles - each piece hand made - every lil' pineapple chunk, pretty red strawberries all with yummy drizzle over them. Well this candle deserves to go on a cake stand for everybody to admire.



This is a picture of her loaf candles - and she also has jars and soooo much more. If you are a "picky" candle buyer - I promise these will meet your expectations!!! I know that she would appreciate your visit - it would simply tickle her to death.

Now for my new friend that I met over at Maryjane's Farm - the "other Cathy" - Cathy Jean to be exact. Do you have a special friend or maybe a mom or grandmother that simply loves to sew? Well, these are jus' the cutest lil' pincushions ever. I love them!! They have such a nice weight to them - they are made of crushed walnut shells I believe. Cathy puts fabrics together so well and tops them with pretty lil' buttons. The craftsmanship is perfect. I gifted my sweet Mamaw one of these and she adores it. You'll have to browse her selection - it's so hard to choose which one.
Drop by Aunt Daisy's Cottage and tell her Cathy sent you.



Now you know these are my favorites - 'cause they are red and POLKA DOTTED!!!
Wouldn't one be so cute tied on a Christmas package or tucked in a stocking!



I hope you enjoyed learning about my friends. And thank you for visiting them - they don't know I'm doing this - so I hope they are prepared - hehe.

I'm grateful for their talent and for allowing me to have their lil' creations in my shop.

Many blessings to you all for a splendid weekend!!
Happy Shopping!
Cathy Cobblestone

Cherished Keepsakes...

We all have those things that we hold dear to our heart - something someone made, maybe an item we purchased on a special trip, or a craft project made by the sweet lil' hands of our children. Things that bring back wonderful memories each year when we pull them out of the box. These pretty lil' carolers were crafted by my grandmother. She made each of their outfits and all the lil' things they are holding. Unfortunately over the years, I have lost some of their books - but that's o.k. - they are still perfect to me. I'm so fortunate to still have all of my precious grandparents - what a gift. But as their health begins to decline, every moment becomes more precious. I will treasure this Christmas- another wonderful blessing to be able to share it with them.

Would you share with me an extra special Christmas decoration in your house? I know we've all got them.

Blessings for a great Wednesday!
Cathy Cobblestone

Happy Monday!

Well my friends the countdown has officially begun!!! It's December 1st and Santa will be here in just 24 short days. Are you ready????? I'm not by any stretch of the imagination. Still tinkering with decorating the house a bit and painting, painting, painting trying to get all those special lil' orders ready for delivery. Now is when I need my OWN team of elves - don't we all?

Well, just wishing you all a great start to the week and most importantly - Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays,
Cathy Cobblestone

Wishing you all...

...a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving Day. I hope you enjoy your time with family and friends and reminisce and make life long memories. May your day be richly blessed and let us not forget those who are less fortunate.

"There is no substitute for plain, everyday goodness." -Maltbie D. Babcock

Happy Thanksgiving Friends,
Cathy

One Down...

...and many more to go!!!



Oh my goodness - I'm like - super slow this year. I'm one of those people who likes to decorate mid-November 'cause I just love Christmas and I want to enjoy it for as long as I can. Well, I'm just getting started and I think I better get busy!!!

This one is just a simple lil' tree - all in black and white, silver and lime. Some of my favorites colors. Tonight I'll do the bright red and green one - I think. So how is everyone else's decorating coming along? I'd love to see so I can be inspired by all my friends out there.

Hope you all have a splendid start to the week. Many blessings to you.

Cathy Cobblestone

Wishing you....

... a wonderful and happy weekend.



Sorry, I've missed posting a lot this week - ya know, Santa's lil' elf is really BUSY - trying to get all those special packages ready. Paintin' and creatin'- so many ideas and so lil' time but I'll do better next week.

I bet many of you will be decorating this weekend and preparing for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Let us all remember, just how blessed we are.

Have a happy day!
Cathy Cobblestone

No PEEKING...

No, just kidding. I thought I'd share with you a few pictures from my small shop. Remember, I say small - but with a LOT of heart. I'll be introducing you to a couple of the artists of the goodies shown in the slide show in the coming days. I just love having them as a part of the shop.

I want to sincerely thank everyone who came out to visit during our Christmas in the Country this last weekend. I wish you all could have been there!!! The weather was far from delightful but the smiles made it all worth while.

I think I'll start decorating the house now that I've survived the weekend. Hope everyone is getting filled with the Christmas spirit - I AM!!!!

Many blessings to you all!
Cathy Cobblestone

Christmas Time At Cobblestone Farms

My Window Box is filled with....

well.... just about everything I could get my hands on. This is a window box at the shop - I filled the base with some artificial greenery to kind of hold everything in place - nestled in my leftover ornamental cabbage - added an old garden rake - tucked in some nandina berries, some ornamental grass plumes, - and oh yeh, I also placed a twiggy pocket in the front of it.



I just love the natural stuff - it's pretty and FREEEEEEE - YIPPEE!



Oh and don't you jus' love that black and white check ribbon. Got that from my sweet friends at Brenda's Flowers. I think I'll have to go back for more.

Oh I must confess, I'd been cheating a bit with my pictures - my header is actually from last year - but now that I'm getting things going I'll be sharing with you some pictures that are current.

And I'm really gonna miss you guys - but I have to be gone for a couple of days - we are getting ready for our 10th annual Christmas in the Country this Saturday. They say it may even snow a bit - now that would be soooo exciting - as long as everyone could still get here of course. But I love the snow - it is so peaceful.

So my friends - have a splendid end of the week and weekend. I'll post some pics next week. As always, thanks for stopping by and many blessings to you.

Cathy Cobblestone

Snowmen....

...salt dough ornaments!!!



Remember the recipe -
2c. all purpose flour
1c. salt
mix dry ingredients
add 1c. warm water



Roll and shape into a ball - flatten - shape a piece for the nose - wet the two pieces in order for them to adhere. Insert wire and bake at 325 degrees for an hour and a half.

Then the fun part - paint them anyway you wish!



These snowmen heads have been lightly glazed with antiquing medium as well as painted with "twinkles" a transparent glitter paint.



Then clear coated and tied with ribbon - HOW CUTE! You can make them in all sizes - lil' bitty ones would be so cute painted up pink for a little girls room. Tie up the tree with pink and green ribbon and you would have a one of a kind.



These are a few I made for "Baby's first Christmas" - simply roll (I mean in your hands) out a separate ball and attach to your flat piece. Paint the background pink or blue - leave a spot at the top to personalize with a name and year.



The green ones jus' say Merry Christmas - so they would work for anyone. This is a great project for those who have a lot of people to buy for (i.e. co-workers, teachers, classmates). They are easy, cute and fun to make especially with your children. I'll try and make more later - you can make sheep, footballs (look right in the sidebar) - jus' about anything you can imagine. Of course, you can use cookie cutters - but I like them jus' a lil' imperfect. Just shape in your hands and I promise you - you can't mess them up. Have lots of fun and happy creating! If you have any questions - just e-mail me - I'll be happy to help anyway I can.

Blessings to you all - have a great week!
Cathy Cobblestone

Forget-me-not Day

Well, that is what today(Saturday) is - Forget-me-not Day. It is another one of those "days" that I'm not really for sure what it means - but I'd say it is to remember someone special. So I'm choosing all of you to remember today - because you all have made blogging to me such a fun and most importantly, heart-warming experience. Thank you for the time you take to read my lil' snipits and comment on my simple lil' ideas. It gives me great joy to hear from you - so thank you. And on this day -and always - I shall not forget you. So drop someone special a line today and let them know - you remembered them.

Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see. - Corrie Ten Boom

Blessings to you all - and have a wonderful weekend.
Cathy Cobblestone

Don't put away...

...those summer flowers just yet... because -



sometimes they just add a "lighter" touch to Christmas decorating. In this picture you can see that I kept my willow twigs and some cute lil' yellow flowers I had from summer and tucked them into some buckets I painted a festive red.




This is a close-up of the dried hydrangeas my sweet mamaw saved for me. I simply spray painted them red and they make such a bold statement and I just love using natural things. Another great thing to use is the plumes off of ornamental grasses. Like right now - my grasses have large feathery plumes - I'm gonna cut them, get out the spray paint, and tuck them in the trees, mantles, wreaths, buckets or whatever strikes me. It's pretty and FREE! Plus, you can paint them any color you wish to match your taste or simply leave them natural. Just a tip - lightly spray them with clear paint to keep them from shedding so bad if you wish to not give them a color.




This lil' display is jus' something simple that I put behind my counter at the shop. Some greenery, buckets, flowers, candy canes, some left over ribbon and some vintage ornaments - easy and just a tad different.

Everybody get out your spray paint - and get spraying!!!
Have a great day and happy creating.
Cathy Cobblestone

Oh the Colors...

of our pretty Sugar Maple trees. We have three huge trees in the front yard and I simply love them. They do make a mess this time of year as the leaves begin to fall but it is all worth it to see them like this. Yellows, golds and oranges - just beautiful.

Today has been a special day - because it's been absolutely beautiful outside and we got to enjoy some quite time at home - so peaceful.

"It isn't the great big pleasures that count the most; it's making a great deal out of the little ones." - Jean Webster

Enjoy your start to the week - may it be a blessed one.
Cathy Cobblestone

Happy Halloween!!!!

Happy Halloween everybody!!!!! Hope everyone has a spooktacular day and weekend - gonna be a busy one around here - trick or treat - church's fall festival - got a
50th wedding anniversary to attend - oh my - busy but FUN.

These are the lil' pumpkins I'm getting ready to deliver to my lil' boy's kindergarten class - all personalized - and the girls get a lil' ribbon on theirs. Jus' a lil' something fun - since I know they will get SOOOOOO much candy!

Everybody have a splendid day!
Oh and P.S. - PJ and Cathy Jean - sorry I didn't pick up my BOO - I need more hours in my day - don't you. But thank you for thinking of me and BOO back at ya!

Cathy Cobblestone

One down, a few to go...

Well, this was the biggest pumpkin we had and my lil' boy couldn't wait to get his hands and lil' pocket knife on it. Obviously, he had lots of help from his daddy and papa. He had so much fun - but boy, was it cold.



Lit up on the porch last night - the next one is gonna be all mine - I think it'll be polka-dotted - imagine that!!!!

Have a great Wednesday!
Cathy Cobblestone

One Last Picture of...

...my pretty yellow mums. It is supposed to be down to 29 degrees tonight - BRRRRRRRR.... and I was afraid the freeze might get them. I will cover them - that might help. They are jus' still so pretty - I hate to loose them. Just a suggestion for ya though - I strongly recommend this particular variety of mums. This was the first year we had grown this kind - yellow "Bethany". It is a season extender mum - which means they bloom later and longer into the season. As many of the other varieties have already faded - these are at their peak. So if you can remember that name "Bethany" - you might want to pick some up for next year - they are one of MY new favorites.

You know how I explained to you all earlier that all mums have women's names - and I said there were none named "Cathy" that I was aware of - well, my dear, sweet friend Amy e-mailed me a picture of a beautiful orange-bronze mum named "Cathy" - that I believe was featured in Southern Living. Thank you Amy - I so enjoyed that - I'm thrilled to know it exists - I'll have to hunt them down for next year. Thanks for sharing with me.

You all have a beautiful and blessed Tuesday - I believe we will be carving pumpkins tonight!

Blessings,
Cathy Cobblestone