Full Double Rainbow over the Flying Hawk Ranch

One of the most beautiful things I've seen in awhile..... was this site that I am sharing with everyone today!   

It was Sunday, April 10th..... It had been cloudy and raining off and on all day, here in Southern California.   It was about 5:00 - 6:00pm when the clouds were starting to break and the sun was going down and coming through the breaking clouds and look what we were so blessed to see... Such a beautiful part of God's creation right above our heads!

 Now.... you know that pictures just don't do true justice to the real thing, but these aren't to bad!

I had tried to take a pano picture with my IPad to get the full rainbow over the barn, but the rainbow was just to big...  It was sure an amazing site!

These pictures above really show the double rainbow.

Because the sun was just going down this rainbow was so vibrant in its colors. 

I just couldn't decide which were the best... So here ya go you be the judge on which ones you like!

This was just awesome to walk out your back door and see ones of Gods amazing creations.  

Magnetic Pin Cushion

Now here is a great idea..... I have two pin cushions that I use when I'm crafting and sewing.  But sometimes it does get a little challenging to get the pins put in the pin cushion while your sewing.  I still find some on he floor after sewing.

I just love this idea and I have to have one!  If the magnetic is strong enough to hold a big pile of coarsage pins. It think this would come in handy at times, it just makes so much sense. 

Of course I just don't want a plastic one that you can buy a Joann's...... I have to find just the right one... to fit into the crafty sewing room, so I will just have to make one! 

Here is a couple magnetic pin cushions that I found while browsing......

Here is Gwen's rendition......  

http://gwens-nest.com/diy-magnetic-pin-cushion/

I like this one a lot.... it sits up high, it is silver, it's a simple design, but yet makes a litttle statement.  Thank you so much Gwen for sharing your project with us.

Here iis Kaytie's renddition...... 

http://seelamade.typepad.com/seela-made/2012/05/diy-magnetic-pin-cushion.html

 

What I really like about this one is that it is vintage! 

I just love the colors in the magnetic pin cushion.  I would do a pin cushion like this is I could find an old saucer/dessert plate that had a lavender hue in the middle and a gold edge, that would fit right well in my sewing room.  Thank you sso mush Kaytie for sharing your step by step process on how you made your magnetic pin custion.

This is a real easy fix... you can find these magnetic parts bowls at some auto parts stores, or even harbor freight.  They can be bought in two sizes 4 1/2 or 6 inches. 

You can do a litlle artistic creativity if you choose.  Like these below.

I think that a two tone lavender and cream lace pattern would look real nice.  I might do something like that, or maybe even a swirl pattern.

I do like this idea for pins that are longer and thicker, like the coursage pins.  They tend to poke too big of a hole my the pin cushions.

  

I don't use them very much anymore, because of that very reason.  They are mostly just decor now, but this is going to fix the problem very soon!  As you can see in the picture, that I'm in the process of making some fabric/craft weights..... I will being sharing in a post soon.

Now I do like the idea of using a vintage french limoges plate of dish.  I have looking for just the right plate.  Here are SOME of my favorites...... 

Now....  as you can see there is a lot of options... if you use a vintage plate or bowl to make your magnetic pin cushion.  I think that I am going to go with the Titan Magnetic Parts Tray which is 4 1/2 inches in diameter for now.  Just until I find a vintage french limoges plate or dish that just calls to me.  

It will be saying, "please pick me... I will make a nice addition to you quilting/crafting ensemble, your pins need me!"  

Rhubarb Crumb Cake

Gracie and I made a cake today, 

took it out of the oven and before it was done cooling..... 

someone or somebodies have a tasty treat.  

This rhubarb crumb cake has never lasted very long around my house.  

An old family recipe. 

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. soda

1 cup thick sour cream

2 cups flour

1 1/2 rhubarb, cut into small cube size

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup nuts

Cream together butter, brown sugar, stir in eggs and blend well.  Combine soda in the cour cream, add flour.  Stir in rhubarb and vanilla.  Pour batter into greased and floured 9 X 13 inch pan.  Sprinkle with topping and bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 60 minutes.

Topping 

1/2 cup sugar  

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 Tablesppons butter

Combine and sprinkle over cake batter and bake.   

We'll with in less than 24 hours this cake was gone !

Everyone asked if I would make another as soon as possible : )

Childs Apron and Potholders for up and coming Baker Gracie

Several years ago, I had made Gracie a Crumb Catcher for her Highchair, there is a blog about it a few years back if you would like view.  The fabric that I used was so beautiful, bright and had hummingbirds, which has become one of her favorite birds... just like her nana! 

We both liked to sit and watch them and we could sit and watch them for several hours.... we have about 15 little hummers that feed from our feeders off the porch.

Grace had been asking for an apron to bake and cook in when she helps mommie and nana in the kitchen.

Can you believe that several years later that I found the same exact fabric for her apron..... I was so excited! 

Some potholders to match her apron, and some for nana too!

This was a very easy potholder/hot pad to make.  You can find the tutorial here at 

Sew Very Easy - Pot Holder/Hot Pad

For these potholders we used 6 - 9 inch square pieces of fabric.   There are 2 green polka dot prints, 

2 hummingbird prints, 1 green and 1 blue solid print each.  Then there are also 2 square insulate pads, the same size as the fabric pieces.   

Kindred Spirits - Grace and Ace

A partner in crime for Gracie...

 from the time she could express herself and talk, she asked for a puppy!  It was literally on a daily basis, asking mama and daddy or nana and papa.  It was so hard after while to tell her no, when it seemed she really had a deep need inside for a pet or companion.  

I'm not exaggerating when I say...  she ask daily!  

So, we gave in after not having a dog for about 10-12 years...

We just caved to her longing for a puppy!

 She was about two years old when we got her a golden retriever pup, he was about 7 1/2 to 8 weeks old, we were thinking this was going to be the right choice.  After all this was a golden retriever!

She just loved him, but as he got older, he was just to rambunctious for her and showed signs of aggression, this is very unusual for a golden, so we had to make a choice.  

Our main concern was "Gracie," so we found him a good home at 8 months old.  

Looking back on it,  the pup came from a very chaotic environment and it was probably part of his breeding.

About a year later we caved again, to the daily asking for another puppy.   So this time we took our time looking for the right puppy, breeding, and a peaceful environment for the pups first few weeks of life.  I think we found a good one this time, we decided to get a labrador retriever.  He is a great addition to the family.

Meet Prince Indys Ace

8 weeks old

Kindred Spirits

We'll  there is a story behind the name "Ace."  

Let me explain.....  When we got this puppy, we asked her what she wanted 

to name the puppy.  She said, well of course...  Ace!  

We mention that she might want to choose a different name, since that was the name of 

the other puppy.  Her explanation to this was...... No my dogs name is Ace!  

So we agreed that her dogs name was Ace, since we didn't keep the other one very long.

  

Awe... He was such a trooper... on his way to the vet for his baby shots.

He has grown to be a great dog and such a great protector of our Grace.