THE MULBERRY BUSH

Do you remember this nursery rhyme/children's song? Well, that's what I thought of when I took a picture of this:

Revamped this old desk back in 2006 for Frannie's room. Yup, it's pink alright - Folk Art Baby Pink to be exact, with some Wicker White mixed in to tone it down a notch. Had a Mary Engelbreit image that I enlarged and then traced onto the side and painted.

Hand-painted Frannie's name on top with a scallop border of Apple Green and white polka-dots. :) Created the font in Illustrator and traced it on. And just in case there wasn't enough pink, I found some glass knobs in the perfect color. I also re-did the chair (have I shown you that before?). Same pink with a seat I made (original was wicker that was not repairable). Drew a pattern for a plywood base, covered with foam rubber, batting and fabric. Also made some pink stripe piping to go around the edge. Love the fabric! If you'll notice, the desk is under the wall pockets. Someday I'll show you what I painted on the other side. Oh, yes, I decoupaged and painted the heart switch plate too.

THE MULBERRY BUSH

Here we go round the mulberry bush
The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush
Here we go round the mulberry bush
So early in the morning...

...This is the way we sweep the floor
Sweep the floor, sweep the floor
This is the way we sweep the floor
So early Thursday morning

To view entire Mulberry Bush lyrics, go here.

S.W.A.K.

BABY, IT'S REALLY COLD OUTSIDE!

I'm talking single digits. But that's not why you tuned in, is it? You want to know who won the beaded purse, don't you? Well, the Grand Poobah herself (Frannie) has spoken, or should I say chosen, and the winner is: Hey, Thimbleanna, Come On Down!

S.W.A.K.

SOCK IT TO ME, BABY!

Okay, maybe I'm dating myself with that expression, and maybe these aren't really socks, they're stockings (although you could call them Christmas socks), but this was only song that came to mind that was even remotely close. And, yes, I know Christmas was several weeks ago, but I just got around the untrimming the tree today and I wanted to show you these stockings before they were put up in the attic until next Christmas. So here goes:

Stocking that was made out of a vintage, unsalvagable quilt, circa 1900. My husband gave this to me years ago. I still have the tag of authenticity on it.

I made this one, some years back. It is pieced and quilted by hand - I even applied the binding by hand - why? I don't know. It's just the way I do most things. Too bad you can't see the quilting in this. I guess the thread matches too well. But, hey, you can get a good look at my quilting stitches on the quilt in the background.

Here's a gem. Hand-knit by my sister, Roxanne. A gift from Christmas 2007. Soft and luxurious!

SOCK IT TO ME, BABY!
Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels

Sock
Oh, I'm so ready
Sock
Come on now, baby
Sock it

Honey in the beehive
Honeybunch, ha
Every time you kiss me
Hits me like a punch
Ready ready, ready, ready, ready
Ready or not
I want, yes I do, what you got
Sock it to me baby, baby
Sock it to me baby, baby
(Gotta) Sock it to me baby
Sock it to me, baby
Sock it to me, baby
Sock it

(Listen and View Complete Lyrics Here)


ONLY 4 DAYS LEFT TO ENTER

S.W.A.K.

ANGELS WATCHING OVER ME

A beautiful, vintage angel.

I made this one years ago. It's counted cross-stitch.

Tree topper for the last 29 years. A gift from my sister.

Lots of tulle. I love her.

Hand made out of wood with a scroll saw (I think). Gift from co-worker (her dad made it).

Blurry, but a real cutie.

Beautiful. A gift from my son.

So very delicate. Another gift from my son.

When I was a young girl, my sisters and I used to sing together, especially while riding in the back seat of our parents' car. We liked to sing in rounds, and these angels reminded me of one my most favorite songs to sing with them.

ANGELS WATCHING OVER ME

All day, all night,
Angels watching over me, my Lord.
All day, all night,
Angels are watching over me.

Sun is setting in the West;
Angels watching over me, my Lord.
Come now child, and take your rest;
While angels are watching over me.

All day, all night,
Angels watching over me, my Lord.
All day, all night,
Angels are watching over me.

Now I lay me down to sleep,
Angels watching over me, my Lord.
Pray the Lord my soul to keep,
while Angels are watching over me

S.W.A.K.

SO MANY GREAT RESOLUTIONS!
It's Nice To Know I'm Not The
Only One With A Messy Sewing Area!

OH, YOU BEAUTIFUL DOLL(S)

Frannie and her American Girl dolls: Lauren, Samantha, and her newest doll, Julie, from the 1970's. I love the snowy chic oufit Lauren is wearing. Thank you, Janet, for the Christmas quilt. The winner from the Peppermint Twist giveaway is PamKittyMorning. Did you have a great Christmas everyone? Sharon, I'm making you a card. Everyone, have a Happy New Year!

FRANNIE S.W.A.K.

The above was Frannie's very first post. Hope you enjoyed it. My niece, Jenny, at Birtyboutique0i0 has just started her own blog. Won't you take a moment to wish her a Happy New Year and welcome her aboard? Don't forget to come right back here and enter the Baby It's Cold Outside giveaway!

You knew this was coming, so here are the lyrics. You can listen to this vintage audio here.

OH, YOU BEAUTIFUL DOLL
(1911)
Music by Nat D. Ayer
Lyrics by Seymour Brown

Hon-ey dear, Want you near,
Just turn out the light
and then come ov-er here,
Nes-tle close Up to my side,
My hear-t's a fire
With love's de-sire.
In my arms, rest com-plete,
I nev-er thought that life
could ev-er be so sweet Till
I met you, some time a go,
But now I know I love you so.

Oh! you beau-ti-ful doll,
you great big beau-ti-ful doll!
Let me put my arms a-bout you,
I could nev-er live with-out you;

Oh! you beau-ti-ful doll,
you great big beau-ti-ful doll!
If you ev-er leave me
how my heart will ache,
I want to hug you but I fear you'd break

Oh, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, you beau-ti-ful doll!

Prec-ious prize, Close your eyes,
Now we're goin' to vis-it
lov-er's par-a-dise, Press your lips
A-gain to mine, For love is king

Of ev'-ry thing. Squeeze me dear,
I don't care! Hug me just as
if you were a griz-zly bear
This is how I'll go through life,
No care or strife When you're my wife.

Oh! you beau-ti-ful doll,
you great big beau-ti-ful doll!
Let me put my arms a-bout you,
I could nev-er live with-out you;

Oh! you beau-ti-ful doll,
you great big beau-ti-ful doll!
If you ev-er leave me how my heart will ache,
I want to hug you but I fear you'd break

Oh, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, you beau-ti-ful doll!

YOU KNOW YOU WANT ONE!

Be sure to check out the other great giveaways at Whirl Into Winter hosted by Quilting With Debi.

S.W.A.K.